U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., laid out her top priorities for the next Congress on Tuesday, speaking in Chicago just hours after Democrats reclaimed majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.

Duckworth was joined by Gov. JB Pritzker and Senator-elect Juliana Stratton, D-Ill., according to a release from the senator's office. She said her priorities include canceling President Donald Trump's cuts to Medicaid, restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits, passing legislation to drive down everyday costs for middle-class families and ending what she called Trump's war with Iran.

"Last night, Americans sent a clear message: They are sick of Donald Trump's bullshit," Duckworth said. "So we're going to use every seat we gained to fight back against Trump and fight for what American families really need."

Duckworth said many Americans feel one setback away from financial disaster, citing utility bills, grocery bills, health care and child care. She said fifth-generation farmers have told her they fear they cannot hold on long enough to pass their farms to a sixth generation.

"Meanwhile, Trump has quite literally said that he doesn't 'give a damn' about inflation so long as he makes a fortune," she said. "Well, I give a damn. We give a damn."

Priorities for the next Congress

Duckworth said restoring the ACA tax credits and canceling Medicaid cuts would be a priority, warning the cuts are set to remove millions from health care plans and put hundreds of hospitals at risk of closure. She also called for bills to lower everyday costs for middle-class families.

On foreign policy, Duckworth said Democrats would "keep using every lever we have" to force Trump to end the war with Iran, which she said has killed at least 23 U.S. servicemembers.

Duckworth also pointed to longer-term goals including universal child care, affordable housing and access to in vitro fertilization.

"Americans don't just want a repair job. They need — they deserve — a top-to-bottom renovation," Duckworth said. "And when I become Senior Senator in January, with Juliana by my side in DC and JB as our partner here in Illinois, we will fight like hell for that more perfect Union we know we can be."

Photos from the press conference are posted on the senator's website, and the full video is available on her YouTube page.

Source: the original release