DPCC Co-Chair Cicilline: Democrats Remain Focused On Fighting For The American People
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) and member of the House Judiciary and House Foreign Affairs Committees, appeared on MSNBC with Hallie Jackson to discuss how Democrats are working to improve the lives of the American people while also fulfilling their oversight responsibility to hold the Trump Administration accountable. Below are excerpts from the interview. Click here to watch the video.
"I think, look, I think there is no question. Democrats ran on reducing the cost of health care, rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure of our country, raising family incomes and taking on the corruption in Washington. I think the freshman class is a group of 66 extraordinary new colleagues in the Democratic Caucus that are going to bring their ideas and their passions and their commitment to get things done for the American people. And, I think they're right. Our focus has to be improving the lives of the American people, driving down the cost of health care, driving down the cost of prescription drugs, raising family incomes by rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure of our country. And, that ought to be our priority. At the same time, we have a responsibility to do oversight, to be sure we hold this Administration accountable and I think with can do both things."
"Well, I think, first it's important to note this is now the last two years we spent again focused on Hillary Clinton's e-mails and the Judiciary committee has not done any oversight on many of the important issues before our committee and actions of this Administration. This is a Republican -- my Republican colleagues on the Committee, it's their attempt to continue to distract from the ongoing Special Counsel investigation by talking once again about Hillary Clinton's e-mail. She's not the president. President Trump is the president. We ought to be focusing on holding this Administration accountable and I look forward to seeing what Director Comey is going to say. He's testified, of course, before the Committee several times. So, I'm not sure that there will be anything new."
"No. Look, I think, you know, we've had Director Comey before the Committee a number of times. I think the Republicans again are using this in an effort to distract attention away from the very serious ongoing Mueller investigation. What we should be doing on Friday, instead, is taking up legislation to protect the Special Counsel to be sure that the President can't fire him without cause and that we protect the integrity of the investigation."
"Well, look, I think we should keep the government open. That decision will ultimately be up to the Republicans. They control the House, the Senate, and the White House. So, they'll decide whether or not to shut down the government. Democrats have always supported border security. We don't think a wall makes sense. It's not a good use of resources. But, Democrats have always supported border security and I expect we'll do that. But, the question of whether or not the government will shut down rests really with the Republicans who control all three branches of government."
"Look, we have -- we'll have 30 or 40 probably great candidates running for president. And, I think everyone recognizes how urgent this moment is in our history of our country. And, we need a great nominee. I have every confidence that we're going to have a terrific nominee and we are going to beat the Republican nominee in 2020."
"Yeah, I mean, you know, there is a lot of U.S. Senators who are talking about it. A lot of governors. A lot of people outside of politics. I think we're going to have a big field of great candidates that are going to give us an opportunity to sort of test their medal during the primaries. And, you know, Senator Warren is great. Vice President Biden is terrific. Sherrod Brown is terrific. John Hickenlooper of Colorado. I think there are a lot of great candidates. A lot of names."