Assistant Leader Neguse “House Democrats have been focused on addressing consequential challenges”
Washington, D.C. — In case you missed it, last week, in the days that followed his election as House Assistant Minority Leader, Congressman Joe Neguse joined Last Word, Morning Joe, and The Saturday Show with Jonathan Capehart to speak about his new role in House Leadership, as well as his vision for building progress and moving America forward. The 39-year-old lawmaker was elected by acclamation by the House Democratic Caucus to succeed Congressman Jim Clyburn.
On being elected to the role of Assistant Democratic Leader…[Host] Mika Brzezinski: House Democrats have elected a new member to its leadership. Congressman Joe Neguse was elevated to the role of assistant House Democratic leader on Wednesday, replacing Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.
Assistant Leader Neguse: “I have to just first say that Jim Clyburn is a living legend and a civil rights icon, a trailblazer. No one can replace him. So, I'm grateful to him for his mentorship and to be able to benefit from his wisdom in the House Democratic Caucus, as we all are.”
“Leader Jeffries, from the outset of the 18th Congress, as you know, has extended the hand of partnership to House Republicans, has made every effort to work in good faith to address some of those consequential challenges that we face. I think that he has done a masterful job, just a masterful job, with Ranking Member DeLauro of the Appropriations Committee as well, just by way of example, in negotiating the appropriations bills that we are taking up this week and have taken up in the last several weeks, bills that keep the government open and ensure that critical services remain up and running for the American people. There will be more opportunities in the coming months…And so I'm humbled to be able to be part of the leadership team and to work with Leader Jeffries and the incredible members of the House Democratic Caucus to get it done.”
On House Democrats and extreme MAGA Republicans two starkly different visions for the country…[Host] Mika Brzezinski: It seems what’s going on between the two parties right now—it’s all about massive contrast…
Assistant Leader Neguse: “Yeah, I think that you’re right, Mika. In some respects, there are kind of the larger contrasts and the two starkly different visions that House Democrats, President Biden and House Republicans have offered to the country. House Democrats have been focused on addressing consequential challenges that our country faces — lowering costs, growing the middle class, building safer communities, putting people over politics — offering a hopeful vision for the future. And House Republicans have done the opposite. They want to drag our country backwards, unfortunately, led, of course, by former President Trump. They’re focused exclusively on retribution.”
Watch the full interview on Morning Joe HERE.
On House Republicans’ illegitimate impeachment inquiry…[Host] Lawrence O'Donnell: Thank you very much for joining us on this important night for you. Your first night in this role. Where is the House of Representatives going now after that [House Oversight Committee] hearing that we saw today?
Assistant Leader Neguse: “It's a sad state of affairs, unfortunately, right now in the 118th Congress with a House Republican Caucus that is mired in chaos and dysfunction and has been so for the better part of the last 14, 15 months. And perhaps the most salient example of this is this failed impeachment effort, a frivolous impeachment effort that has no basis with respect to evidence, no cogent articulation of how any of what they've alleged would meet the constitutional standard for impeachment, which is, you know Lawrence, is a very exacting one. And of course, the American people understand, well, what a high crime and misdemeanor is, because they witnessed it firsthand with respect to former President Trump's conduct on January 6th…So, I wish that the Republicans would get serious about governing and work with us in a bipartisan way to address the consequential challenges we face as a country. Unfortunately, they seem disinclined to do so.”
Watch the full interview on Last Word HERE.
On House Democrats putting People Over Politics to advance interests of importance to everyday Americans…[Host] Jonathan Capehart: So, President Biden released a statement on the spending deal today saying, “Congress's work isn't done” and calling for a border security supplemental. What more needs to be done? And can it get done, given the state of the Republican majority?
Assistant Leader Neguse: “Well, first and foremost, I certainly agree with the President— there's more work to be done. But I think contextually something that is important to remember and of course, you stated this at the outset is how we got here. It's quite remarkable that six times in the last six months, you have had these government shutdown showdowns that have been averted only because of the masterful leadership of Leader Jeffries in the House, President Biden, and Congressional Democrats, ultimately saving the day— putting people over politics and working to keep the government up and running.”
“The fact that we have ultimately been responsible for getting these bills across the finish line, notwithstanding that the Republicans ostensibly have a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, of course, a dwindling one, as you said, I think is certainly worth repeating.”
Watch the full interview on The Saturday Show with Jonathan Capehart HERE.
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