DPCC Co-Chair Cicilline: We’re Moving Forward with Our House Democratic Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Cicilline, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on CNN Newsroom to discuss the new Democratic majority and how Democrats are focusing on reducing health care costs, raising wages and cleaning up corruption in Washington while holding President Trump accountable. Below is a transcript of the interview. Click here to watch the video.
"Well, look, I think that Leader Pelosi has been very clear that this is a Democratic victory that belongs to everyone. Everyone in the Caucus worked hard. She has been our Leader. She's obviously worked particularly hard traveling the country, raising money and bringing us into the majority. But, she's never said she did it alone - this is a collective effort. We had a great Chair at the DCCC. We had the DPCC with great message. But, most of all, we had extraordinary candidates who worked hard, who raised the money, who won their elections – so I think this was a collective effort by Democrats all across the country and, most importantly, by voters who wanted to be sure they were electing people who would focus on the issues that are important to them. So, you know, this is an exciting time for the Democrats. We have the biggest, most diverse Caucus in our history, which I think is terrific, and we will have leadership elections when we come back after November – I meant after Thanksgiving."
"I don't think it is divisive. Look, this is how our democracy works. We have lots of new members. We have lots of candidates running for lots of leadership positions. That's a healthy thing for the Caucus. It's a healthy thing for our democracy – people are going to see that play out. That's how it should work. We have a lot of talent in the Caucus. We have a lot of new members who bring extraordinary gifts to the Caucus and great ideas to the Caucus. They are going want to be sure their voices are heard. So, I think that's a healthy thing. I mean, the good news is we're in the majority. We can move forward on reducing health care costs, rebuilding the infrastructure of our country, and raising family incomes and taking on the pervasive corruption in Washington. That's the agenda for House Democrats. And, we will sort out the leadership. My hope is that it will be diverse and fully reflective of the great diversity of our Caucus. But, this is an interfamily discussion and it is a good problem to have."
"Well, we obviously have legislation specifically for this purpose to be certain that the Special Counsel cannot be removed but for cause and there is a judicial review if that happens. We have been imploring our House Republican colleagues to join us in this effort and to move the bill. They have not so far. There has been some effort to see if there is a way to add that to a must pass appropriations bill so we can protect Mr. Mueller. The Republicans use to say, ‘oh this is not necessary. Mr. Mueller is not in any danger.' Hopefully, they recognize that's not the case anymore. But, obviously, if they are unwilling to do that with us, we are going to have to wait until we become the majority, and I think we will bring Mr. Whitaker in and also pass the legislation to protect him. But, this is part of the President's ongoing effort to impede or stop or undermine this investigation. He seems to be particularly frenzied right now. The sense that this is come to some conclusion that is going to be unfavorable and he puts in, you know, a political hatchet man as the acting Attorney General. I think in an effort to again try to impede or stop or shut this investigation down. We cannot let that happen. The American people deserve to know the truth and we need to protect Mr. Mueller."
"It is a slow motion, Saturday night massacre. This is a real crisis, as Ranking Member Nadler says. We have got to do everything we can to make sure that we protect this investigation, protect the team that Mr. Mueller has assembled, not allow the acting Attorney General to interfere. There is litigation in Maryland right now challenging his appointment, real questions about whether it is constitutional. He is not Senate confirmed. He sort of was plucked out for the express purpose of protecting the President. That's not the role of the Attorney General. So, this is, I think, one of the consequences, one of the reasons we won the election. People want accountable. They want oversight of this Administration. They expect Democrats to hold the Administration accountable. And, when we are in charge, we will do that."