Senior Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn on Sunday encouraged newly re-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson to work with Democrats on agenda items in the new term.
Johnson kept his gavel on the first vote Friday, suppressing dissent in his caucus with the help of newly elected President Donald Trump and seeing only one defection from the Republican ranks. Two Republicans, Reps. Keith Self (Texas) and Ralph Norman (S.C.), initially voted against Johnson before flipping their ballots after phone calls with Trump and pledges that the conference would work more cooperatively.
“I think the speaker, while presiding over the entire Congress, should put into practice the same thing he did to get elected on the first ballot,” Clyburn told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki on Sunday on “Inside with Jen Psaki.” “He kept the vote open for a while until he could sit down within his conference and negotiate to get the votes he needed.”
Clyburn (SC) preached the same patience with Democrats.
“Give us time to sit down with him, to sit down with the leadership of the Democratic side, with Hakeem Jeffries, and find common ground,” Clyburn said, referring to the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives.
Johnson has an ambitious agenda: The speaker aims to push a sweeping reconciliation package through Congress by the end of April, one that combines Trump’s priorities including border security, energy permits, tax reform and action on the debt ceiling.
Clyburn, a key ally of President Joe Biden whose support in 2020 helped jump-start Biden’s primary, also told Psaki that he expects Monday’s election certification to take a very different tone than four years ago.
“And that’s what you’re going to see tomorrow, a big contrast,” Clyburn said. “I hope the American people will take the time tomorrow to review this and hopefully renew their faith in this great country.”
