CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Congressman James Clyburn

Interview

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BLITZER: Those runoff elections in Georgia, January 5th. Jim Acosta, thank you very much. We are joined by one of the top members of the House leadership, Democratic Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina is the majority whip. He is also the chair of President-elect Biden's inaugural committee.

Congressman, thank you so much for joining us. As you heard, the House conservatives, they are clearly egging the president on right now. They are actually urging him not to concede, to fight this out beyond the Electoral College and go into the House floor. How seriously should these threats to a peaceful transfer of power here in the United States be taken?

REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D-SC): Well, thank you very much for having me, Wolf. We have to take all of this kind of stuff seriously. You know, I used to teach history. I still study history almost daily. And I can tell you that there are some genuine threats to this fragile democracy of ours.

We have seen that play out now for the last four years and it's now being put on steroids. And so any time this kind of invitation that this president is giving to people around the country and that comes to the floor of the House, it's serious.

I don't think it will prevail, but it could rile up people out there who are fragile in their thinking. And some of them could very well be pushed to do and say things as the official in Georgia said last week. Push to (inaudible) they get hurt or somebody to get fatally wounded. And that to me, could very flow from this kind of rhetoric. So when

you put stuff like that on the floor of the House and people taking their turn talking, you have no idea what their statements might do to incite people to do and say things they would not ordinarily do. So it's serious. But can they prevail? I don't think so.

BLITZER: Because as you know, congressman, a week from today, next Monday, the Electoral College will meet, all 538 electors will gather. All of the battleground states, the final six battleground states, they have all certified that Biden won those states. He is ahead with 306-232 in the electoral count.

If that happens next Monday and the Electoral College votes to confirm that Biden will be the next president, but it's rejected by Republicans, rejected by the president and they say they are going to try to bring it to the House floor, that does represent a potential serious threat to the American democracy and I agree with you on that.

CLYBURN: Yes, it does and that is a shame. Growing up as a kid down in South Carolina, I studied our state and our state -- national history. And I never thought I would see the day that duly elected people will be so shallow in their thinking, to try and overturn an election.

You are talking about a difference of 7 million votes. Any place else in the world, that would be recognized as a landslide victory for whoever got the votes. And for them to fly in the face of that, they are really trying to invite insurrection.

[17:24:59]

You know, I was thinking earlier today of martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech here on the mall back in, what, 1968. Look, you're talking about interposition and nullification. That's exactly what we are hearing from this president.

This guy is asking for the governor of a state to impose something that goes against the will of the people. He is asking for a nullification of an election. We thought we had gotten rid of all of that stuff back in the '60s, but we are still faced with it.

So the American people must come to understand that this kind of a threat could very well destroy the fabric that has been holding this country together for all so many years. That is serious business.

BLITZER: And you make it an important point that Biden won the national popular vote by more than 7 million votes, more than 7 million votes. Quickly, congressman, I want to get your thoughts on what is going on in this bipartisan COVID relief proposal that is so desperately needed right now.

Millions of Americans are suffering and many of them can't put food on the table. Hard to believe this is going on in our country right now. They have no money. How close to a deal are you?

CLYBURN: Well, you know, I'm not in the room and from what all I hear, we probably aren't close enough yet for any of us to be comfortable that we get to where we need to be. So, I do believe that the thought that we would finish this week is just a thought.

I believe we will probably be coming back here next week to try to get something done. I am very hopeful that we can pass something and keep the government open beyond Friday and do something to provide a good Christmas present for the American people by passing this bipartisan bill.

Now, it's a bill, a little under $1 trillion dollars. I think $980 billion that I support, but it looks as if Mitch McConnell doesn't and he runs the Senate. And until we can get those things reconciled, we are at a stalemate.

BLITZER: Yes, $908 billion dollars, almost $1 trillion. AS you know, congressman, the president-elect announced his health team today, including Xavier Becerra, a former representative, a man you know well, to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services. How far does this go to address your concerns about the level of diversity reflected in the incoming cabinet?

CLYBBURN: We are getting there. I was ecstatic about that appointment. Xavier Becerra is one of the most outstanding legislators I ever served with. You may recall the two of us were on the so-called super committee together, 12 people on either side trying to do a budget.

And I remember, he was just a champion for Medicare and Medicaid, social security. He as attorney general went all the way up to the Supreme Court leading a team of attorney generals to protect the Affordable Care Act.

So, this is a remarkable choice and it's about diversity. He becomes the second Hispanic in the -- on the cabinet and I think that we will see several other people of color announced this week and next.

BLITZER: Well, let's talk about that because as you heard, the president-elect says he'll announce his choice for Defense Secretary and Attorney General for that matter, I think, in the coming days. Defense Secretary maybe as early as Friday. He hasn't committed to naming a person of color for those roles. Should he commit to that?

CLYBURN: Well, I trust Joe Biden. I've been on the phone with him as recent as this morning. I feel very good about what he is doing. And I'm going to let him make his own announcements.

BLITZER: Well, can you give us a little hint? Are you encouraged by the conversation, congressman, you had with the president-elect earlier today?

CLYBURN: Yes, sir. I am encouraged by everything I've heard from Joe Biden in the last 10 days.

BLITZER: Well, that sounds like he is going to do what you've been recommending. Do you want to tell us what you think of these various candidates for Attorney General and Secretary of Defense, who you like especially? Who is the most qualified from your perspective?

CLYBURN: I don't know who the candidates are for Attorney General. I really don't know who the candidates are. I've seen some names bantered around.

[17:29:59]

I've seen what's -- the name of -- done in Alabama, the former senator whose name -- excuse me -- at the moment, Jones, down in Alabama --

BLITZER: Doug Jones.

CLYBURN: Dr. (INAUDIBLE) asking his name.

BLITZER: What about this? I'll read you these names for attorney general, Sally Yates, Doug Jones, Deval Patrick, Jeh Johnson, Lisa Monaco, what do you think of them?

CLYBURN: I don't know if I know Lisa Monaco. All the rest of them I know and I admire and respect the great deal. Deval Patrick is a very good friend. Jeh Johnson is a great guy. You know what Doug is. Sally Yates proved her work when she was in the Justice Department before. These people I know personally.

BLITZER: Yes.

CLYBURN: And I feel real good about them.

BLITZER: Jeh Johnson is also apparently in the -- among the final candidates for defense secretary. He was General Counsel at the Department of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security as you know during the Obama administration. We'll see what the President-elect announces. I'm sure he's listening very, very closely to you.

Congressman Clyburn, as usual, thank you so much for joining us.

CLYBURN: Thanks for having me.

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