Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi Names Clyburn, Van Hollen, Becerra To Deficit Super Committee

Brian Beutler | August 11, 2011, 1:04PM

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The roster's now complete. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has named her picks to the deficit Super Committee, and they're a familiar bunch: Reps Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Each of the three has served at her behest on different fiscal working groups in the recent past. All are loyal members, current or former, of her leadership team, all with fairly liberal voting records.

But here are a few caveats...

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Social Security

What's In A Name? Dems Support Social Security Benefit Cut -- By Calling It Something Else

Brian Beutler | July 8, 2011, 5:54AM

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama

Social Security benefit cuts may be a bridge too far for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). But what if Republicans and Democrats alike just agreed to refer to a benefit cut by another name.

That's how key negotiators have decided to treat one policy proposal, popular in Washington, that would simultaneously raise tax revenues and reduce Social Security benefits. As explained at length here, the idea is to peg federal Cost of Living Adjustments to a new, stingier measure of inflation.

Experts say the new index (the so-called Chained Consumer Price Index) is a more realistic metric for measuring inflation's impact on peoples' behavior. But the fact remains that if the change goes through as part of a grand bargain to lower deficits and raise the debt limit, retirees will receive less money each month than they're currently promised.

And if you think Democrats are playing dumb because they want a deal, think again. They're some of the biggest supporters of this plan.

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Lindsey Graham

Showdown Over Port vs. Pork Averted: Graham and Reid Reach Deal

Susan Crabtree | April 14, 2011, 7:34PM

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Another shutdown showdown averted -- this time the shutdown of the Senate over the paltry sum of $50,000.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have reached an accommodation to provide $50,000 for a study on deepening the Port of Charleston, and now Graham is standing down and is no longer threatening to "tie the Senate in knots" and block Obama's nominations from winning Senate approval.

"Now, it's not often that I'm a cheerleader for pieces of legislation that are suggested
and moved forward by Republicans, but I was on this one," Reid told Graham in a remarks on the Senate floor Thursday evening.

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Jim DeMint

Senator Tea Party In Bind Over Port vs. Pork

Susan Crabtree | April 14, 2011, 5:14PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Update: Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) spokesman accuses Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) of being a johnny-come-lately to securing funds for the Port of Charleston. He says "era of earmarks is over" and earmarks are backlogged at Army Corps of Engineers, exacerbating the problem with the port funding. Instead of trying to directing the Army Corp to fund the study, he wants to create a commission to ensure projects are funded on their merits. More developments, including DeMint spokesman's full statement.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), or Senator Tea Party as he's sometimes known, has found himself between a bit of a rock and a hard place over spending for a job-dependent project in his district and his role as the leading anti-earmark crusader in the upper chamber.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), a prominent House Democrat, on Thursday issued a scathing indictment of DeMint, his GOP South Carolina colleague, for effectively killing jobs in the state by refusing to back money for a study on deepening the Port of Charleston.

But others, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who is threatening to "tie the Senate in knots" over the funds, have said DeMint supports federal funds for the port and is privately helping to secure them.

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | January 21, 2011, 4:15PM

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

• Fox News Sunday: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).

• NBC, Meet The Press: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Assistant House Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-SC), former George W. Bush adviser Karen Hughes, former Bill Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta.

Bush Tax Cuts

House Dems Prepare To Fold On Obama Tax Cut Deal

Brian Beutler | December 14, 2010, 10:02PM

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats

House Democrats are coming to terms with the fact that a tax cut compromise filled with provisions they despise will pass and be signed into law. On Tuesday night they vented their frustrations to their harried leadership in a private caucus meeting, but emerged acknowledging that they've been boxed effectively in by the White House and GOP.

Tomorrow, after the Senate passes the plan President Obama negotiated with Congressional Republicans, Democratic leaders in the House will present their members with an end game. That endgame may involve passing the legislation word for word. Leaders may allow votes on amendments to the Senate-passed bill, and may even allow some minor tweaks to the package. But as far as dramatically tweaking its key provisions -- particularly the estate tax -- or otherwise endangering the deal, members predict leadership will allow those efforts to fail.

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Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi Prevails Over Uneasy Democratic Caucus

Brian Beutler | November 17, 2010, 6:19PM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

For hours Wednesday morning and afternoon, while House Republicans went through an almost perfunctory exercise of electing the next Speaker of the House, Democrats vented steam over the results of the November 2nd election. Dozens rebelled against the existing leadership team. Others simply were too shell-shocked to give Nancy Pelosi a vote of confidence so soon after their party lost over 60 seats.

When all was said and done, the leadership team will be the same as last last year's. Pelosi won her race against Blue Dog Heath Shuler (NC) -- a mostly symbolic opponent -- handily, and everybody else took one step down behind her. Steny Hoyer (MD) will become the minority whip. Jim Clyburn (SC) will settle into a new, and ill-defined role as assistant minority leader, and John Larson (CT) and Xavier Becerra (CA) will retain their roles as conference chair and vice-chair.

Getting there was a saga Democrats are eagerly working to put behind them.

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Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Calls Dem Leaders Racist, Says Clyburn Should Chauffeur Pelosi

Brian Beutler | November 11, 2010, 5:48PM

Talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh accused House Democratic leaders of racism today, for attempting to squeeze Jim Clyburn (the highest ranking African-American congressman in history) out of party leadership... only to then suggest that Clyburn would be a good fit for a new position as Nancy Pelosi's chauffeur.

"We've got the Democrats worried that Clyburn's getting the shaft because he's not going to have a car, he's not going to have a driver, he's not going to have security, he's not going to have any of the stroke, or the perks," Limbaugh said. "A white, racist leadership of the Democrat party trying to ace out Clyburn." Limbaugh got his information on Clyburn's driver from Martin Frost, who appeared on MSNBC.

If Clyburn loses his race to be Democratic whip, he'll either have to drop out of party leadership, or move into a lower-ranking leadership position, with fewer perks. Limbaugh claimed that this supposed avarice is what's animating Clyburn's fight to stay in leadership... and then noted that Clyburn could keep his car if he was willing to drive around the party's white leader.

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James Clyburn

George Miller: I Want Both Clyburn And Hoyer In Leadership (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | November 10, 2010, 10:36AM

Leading House Democrats are still hoping to resolve a thickening leadership dispute pitting Majority Leader Steny Hoyer against Majority Whip James Clyburn, both of whom would like to be minority whip next Congress.

On MSNBC this morning, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) -- currently chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, and one of Nancy Pelosi's closest allies on the Hill -- said he thinks the two could figure out a compromise.

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James Clyburn

Clyburn: Don't Count Me Out!

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2010, 9:39AM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

After watching Majority Leader Steny Hoyer conduct an overt campaign to become House minority whip next year, current Whip Jim Clyburn is starting to make a more public play for the leadership office.

Last night, the Democratic Conference's Vice Chair Xavier Becerra became the first member of leadership to endorse in the contest -- and picked Clyburn.

"James Clyburn deserves to be reelected Democratic Whip in the 112th Congress," Becerra said in a statement. "Through some of the toughest legislative efforts in recent history--from health care to Wall Street reform--Mr. Clyburn found us the votes when they counted most. He fought to pass legislation that is putting America back to work and laying the foundation for a future where America leads the world in the new energy economy. He is a stalwart supporter of fixing our broken immigration system and providing every American a decent education and an equal shot at the American Dream. James Clyburn has my vote to continue as our Whip in the 112th Congress."

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Steny Hoyer

House Chairmen, Key Pelosi Allies Back Hoyer In Whip Race

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2010, 9:29AM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

A number of influential House chairmen, including key allies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have signed a letter this morning endorsing Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in his race against Democratic Whip James Clyburn to be the new minority whip next Congress.

"Leader Hoyer is ready to hit the ground running as Democratic Whip," the chairmen write. "He is one of our party's most effective messengers, with the ability to challenge Republicans on the Floor, build support for our party's middle-class policies across America, and fight back against the special-interest money that played such an important role for Republicans in this election."

Like us, Congressman Hoyer
understands that Americans do not support the Republican agenda of repealing health care reform, loosening rules that protect consumers and our environment, privatizing Social Security, and funding tax cuts for the wealthy with billions of dollars in new debt.

Steny Hoyer is a tested leader who can help Democrats rise to the challenge of the next Congress, protect the interests of the middle class, and win back the majority. For those reasons, we support Steny Hoyer as our next Democratic Whip, and we hope that you will do the same.

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Steny Hoyer

As Whip Decision Nears, Members Clamor For Resolution To Leadership Fight

Brian Beutler | November 8, 2010, 3:59PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

House Democratic leaders are on the cusp of a deal to resolve the short-lived, but intense, leadership fight between Reps. Steny Hoyer (MD) and Jim Clyburn (SC).

The two camps have gone silent all day, as they negotiate a resolution that satisfies the full leadership team. An announcement could come at any moment, and it come as a great relief to supporters of both men, who really see no reason for either to be removed from the table.

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) came out quickly for Hoyer on Friday, and the Hoyer camp cited him early on as one of the progressives who'd thrown his support to the majority leader. But in an interview with TPMDC this afternoon, he said that it's important that both men stay in leadership, and he's pressing the leadership to reach an agreement.

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House Democratic Whip Race

Clyburn On Whip Race: 'I've Been The Underdog Most Of My Political Life' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | November 8, 2010, 11:18AM

Appearing earlier today on Morning Joe, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) was asked by Mark Halperin whether he was the favorite or the underdog in the House Democratic leadership contest between himself and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) for Minority Whip in the upcoming Congress.

"Well I suspect that I've been the underdog most of my political life, and I probably am the underdog in this race," said Clyburn. "I've only been here 18 years. Steny's been here around 30. I have my friends, he's got his friends. And the two of us are friends."

"We are talking constantly, everybody is doing this in the open, nothing surreptitiously about this. So Steny and I have talked daily throughout this contest, and we are not going to leave this contest angry at each other. We're gonna be in a good place when it's all over, irrespective of the outcome."

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James Clyburn

Pelosi Quiet As Hoyer And Clyburn Battle It Out For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 8, 2010, 10:44AM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Top Democrats in Washington wish their big electoral defeat Tuesday hadn't been followed by a divisive leadership fight in the House. But that's what happened Friday when, minutes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she would run to be the Dems' Minority Leader, her vote-counter James Clyburn announced he would run for Minority Whip, touching off a leadership race between himself and Steny Hoyer.

Over the weekend, both men and their allies worked the phones relentlessly to shore up support. But publicly, the two camps picked very different strategies for managing public expectations of the outcome. Team Hoyer has been working the media, rolling out ever-longer lists of members who've publicly committed to backing their guy.

"Hoyer's going to win," one source close to Hoyer told TPM.

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House Democratic Whip Race

High Profile Dems Back Hoyer In Whip Race

Brian Beutler | November 7, 2010, 4:52PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Thirty House Democrats from across the political spectrum have signed on to a letter supporting Steny Hoyer in his race against Jim Clyburn to be Minority Whip next Congress.

We are writing to encourage you to join us in supporting Steny Hoyer as our next House Democratic Whip. We know that this is a trying time for our country and our party-but the first step in standing up for the middle-class and winning back the House majority is electing a strong leadership team to unify our Caucus. Majority Leader Hoyer has been an essential part of our Caucus's leadership in the 111th Congress, and we need his leadership in the days ahead.

You can read the entire letter below. Included among its signatories are John Dingell -- the "Dean" of the House -- respected progressive Jerrold Nadler, Blue Dogs like Larry Kissell and Jason Altmire, and Silvestre Reyes, an influential member of the Hispanic caucus.

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House Democratic Whip Race

Progressives For Steny? Liberal Members Line Up For Moderate Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 6, 2010, 8:10PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

We have a race!

When Jim Clyburn threw his name into contention to be the Democrats' Minority Whip next Congress yesterday, it touched off a tough race between himself and the Dems' current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The results of the midterm elections didn't help Hoyer. Many of the members who lost were moderate and conservative Democrats who saw Hoyer as a sympathetic ally in an otherwise liberal leadership. Clyburn, has significant support among members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is more ideologically aligned with the progressive-leaning minority.

Not so fast, though.

A number of House progressives -- members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, even -- are circling their wagons around Hoyer, hoping to balance the leadership ticket next year.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter to Democratic members, progressive Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) made the pitch for Hoyer.

"I believe that it is in the best interests of our Caucus to keep Majority Leader Hoyer as a member of our Democratic leadership team--a team that helped Democrats pass a range of landmark legislation," Polis wrote. "Keeping Steny Hoyer in leadership will help to unify our Caucus and ensure that House Democrats hit the ground running in the new Congress."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2010, 6:17PM

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen.-elect Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), former Reagan administration Budget Director David Stockman.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen.-elect Pat Toomey (R-PA).

• Fox News Sunday: House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ).

House Democratic Whip Race

Inside The Bruising Democratic Leadership Fight: Pelosi Moves To Box Out Hoyer

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 4:57PM

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats

Here's what we know about the brewing House Democratic leadership struggle, and how the situation emerged.

The short version is this: By losing the Speakership, Democrats lose a leadership position. If the hope is to transition the current leadership team over into the minority, somebody's gotta go. Nancy Pelosi's apparently angling for that person to be current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

At a long meeting between Pelosi and Hoyer after the election, Hoyer and Pelosi discussed the issue of Democratic leadership extensively, according to a democratic aide and a member of the Democratic caucus.

As recently as last night, Pelosi was saying publicly that she hadn't even really had time to think about whether to fight for the top slot in the House Minority. But clearly that wasn't quite the case.

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Steny Hoyer

Hoyer Likely To Challenge Clyburn For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 2:43PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Steny Hoyer won't be challenging Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader. But he's very likely to challenge James Clyburn (the current Majority Whip) in the race to be Minority Whip next Congress.

In a statement, Hoyer says "Speaker Pelosi has announced that she will be running for Democratic Leader in the next Congress. In the days since the election, I have received an outpouring of support from Democratic colleagues who have told me that I should remain in our party's leadership, so that our Caucus can hit the ground running with a strong, tested leadership team. Over the next several days, I will continue to speak to my colleagues about serving our Caucus as Democratic Whip, and I will announce a decision after I have consulted with them."

For a bit of context, Clyburn is a Pelosi ally. Hoyer and Pelosi, by contrast, haven't had the best relationship, and clashed frequently. Clyburn's swift announcement of his intentions, on the heels of Pelosi's decision -- combined with the fact that Pelosi has urged Larson to seek the third-ranking position in the minority -- suggests that the two of them are trying to consolidate power and squeeze Hoyer out. Seems like he's not going gently.

James Clyburn

Clyburn Running For Minority Whip

Brian Beutler | November 5, 2010, 2:03PM

James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer

In a letter this morning, House Majority Whip James Clyburn asked for his colleagues support in a bid to be Minority Whip next Congress.

I am seeking your support and vote for Democratic Whip. Throughout the course of my tenure, I have demonstrated the ability and willingness to give selfless service to our Caucus. My record of leadership in our Caucus has prepared me well for the challenges ahead. I am confident we can rebuild the coalition that carried Democrats and President Obama into office in 2008 and that it will lead us on the road back to the majority in 2012.

This is pretty clearly a bid to squeeze Steny Hoyer out of the leadership. Hoyer's currently Majority Leader, but after his base of conservative Democrats was demolished in the last election, he'd have a hard time defeating either Pelosi -- who's running for Minority Leader -- or Clyburn.

You can read the full letter below the fold.

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Bush Tax Cuts

Dems Officially Decide To Delay Bush Tax Cut Vote Until After Election

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2010, 2:58PM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

It's over.

House Democrats will adjourn late this week without holding a last-minute vote on middle-income tax cuts, a top House Democratic aide confirmed to me this afternoon. The decision will dismay dozens of House progressives, and a growing array of observers and aides who believed that Democrats could have gained impressive political advantage by forcing Republicans to choose between giving all Americans a tax cut on their first $250,000, or holding out until the wealthiest Americans were given an additional break as well.

However, a significant number of Democrats, mostly conservative and vulnerable members, believed that upper-income tax cuts should be extended for a year. They were adamant that Republicans would have a stronger political hand going into election season if Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a vote on middle-income cuts in isolation.

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Bush Tax Cuts

House Dems Also Punt On Upper-Income Bush Tax Cuts

Brian Beutler | September 23, 2010, 12:10PM

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), President Barack Obama, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

The Senate's decision not to address the Bush tax cuts until after the election is the strongest indication yet that the game is over. After a House Democratic caucus meeting this morning -- but before the news broke on the Senate side -- key legislators were mum, and aides pessimistic, that the House will do what Speaker Pelosi wants to do: force a vote on tax legislation that will put Republicans on the record backing tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Pelosi herself had earlier canceled a scheduled press conference, another sign that her attempt to rally the caucus was coming up short. With House Democratic leaders still insisting that they will follow the Senate's lead, it seems more and more likely that they too will drop the tax cut issue until after the election.

Pelosi's effort to wrangle her caucus into voting on middle-income tax cuts before the election appears not have dislodged conservative and politically vulnerable Democrats who either wanted to extend all the Bush tax cuts, including for high-income earners, or to avoid any kind of risky vote s close to the elections.

In what would be a surprising twist, one member of the Democratic leadership team suggested Dems might pivot away from the argument over upper-income tax cuts and press ahead with a separate raft of cuts before adjourning.

At a press availability after the meeting, TPM asked Majority Whip James Clyburn whether the House will "take up the issue of the Bush tax cuts" before adjourning next week. Clyburn puzzlingly responded by noting that the caucus stands behind a full extension of tax cuts in the stimulus bill. Those cuts are popular among Democrats and Republicans, but are ultimately a different issue than the Bush cuts.

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SC-SEN

Clyburn: I'm Not Going To Vote For Alvin Greene

Jillian Rayfield | August 26, 2010, 11:04AM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) said yesterday that he's not going to vote for beleaguered Democratic Senate nominee Alvin Greene. "No, I'm not going to vote for Mr. Greene," he said.

Clyburn cited Greene's recent indictment on obscenity charges as his reason, telling reporters : "Look, I have three daughters, and a granddaughter. I think it would be an insult to them, if I did that."

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Joe Biden

Clyburn Introduces 'Articulate And Bright And Clean' Biden At SC Event

Eric Kleefeld | July 23, 2010, 4:05PM

Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) got in a light-hearted dig at Vice President Joe Biden today, CNN reports.

At a dedication event for the Ernest "Fritz" Hollings Special Collections Library, Clyburn introduced Biden: "Ladies and gentleman, it's a pleasure for me to present to you a mainstream American who is an articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy." Biden then grinned and hugged Clyburn.

Clyburn was referring to then-Senator (and then-presidential candidate) Biden's remarks in January 2007, when he offered this explanation of Barack Obama's appeal: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." Biden apologized shortly afterward -- and interestingly enough, went on to become Obama's running mate.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | July 16, 2010, 3:22PM

Vice President Joe Biden

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Vice President Joe Biden.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

• Fox News Sunday: House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), House Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence (R-IN).

• NBC, Meet The Press: National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), National Republican Congressman Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-IN), Democratic Congressional Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Social Security

Republicans And Democrats Lining Up Behind Major Changes To Social Security

Brian Beutler | July 7, 2010, 9:08AM

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

Is there a new, bipartisan consensus forming on Capitol Hill about whether (and how) to scale back Social Security benefits? A surprising number of signs point to "yes" -- and that has many progressives looking ahead a few months to what they believe could become a serious fight.

Several of the most powerful members of the House -- Republicans and Democrats -- have recently voiced real support for the idea of raising the retirement age for people middle-aged and younger as part of a larger plan to reduce long-term deficits, inching closer to what not too long ago was the third rail of American politics.

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Civil Rights Act

Clyburn: I'm 'Absolutely Appalled' By Paul's Civil Rights Act Criticism And Country Club Party (VIDEO)

Ben Frumin | May 20, 2010, 1:46PM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) appeared on MSNBC this afternoon and really laid into Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul over his criticism of the Civil Rights Act -- and the fact that Paul held his victory party Tuesday at a country club.

"I was absolutely appalled," Clyburn said.

"I could not believe that he was holding his victory party in a private members-only club where the vast majority of the people who just finished voting for him would not even be welcome," Clyburn said. "I couldn't believe that."

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House of Representatives

Top Dem Says Neugebauer Should Apologize To House For 'Baby Killer' Shout

Christina Bellantoni | March 22, 2010, 3:39PM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

House Majority Whip James Clyburn told reporters today that Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) should take to the House floor to apologize for shouting "baby killer" during debate Sunday night. Clyburn said the outburst - coupled with antics from protesters in the gallery above the chamber and Republican applause - is part of a growing pattern he worries will continue if it's not swiftly dealt with.

"That kind of stuff, it festers," Clyburn (D-SC) told TPMDC and several other reporters this afternoon following a brief signing ceremony for the health care bill. Clyburn said it was up to Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to demand Neugebauer make a formal apology to the House from the well of the chamber.

"He needs to take control of his conference," Clyburn said. "For these things to be isolated events, they must be isolated."

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Barney Frank

Tea Partiers Call Lewis 'N****r', Frank 'F****t', At Capitol Hill Protest

Brian Beutler | March 20, 2010, 5:41PM

Reps. John Lewis (D-GA) and Barney Frank (D-MA); tea part activists (inset)

Tea partiers and other anti-health care activists are known to get rowdy, but today's protest on Capitol Hill--the day before the House is set to vote on historic health care legislation--went beyond the usual chanting and controversial signs, and veered into ugly bigotry and intimidation.

Civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and fellow Congressional Black Caucus member Andre Carson (D-IN) related a particularly jarring encounter with a large crowd of protesters screaming "kill the bill"... and punctuating their chants with the word "nigger."

Standing next to Lewis, emerging from a Democratic caucus meeting with President Obama, Carson said people in the crowd yelled, "kill the bill and then the N-word" several times, while he and Lewis were exiting the Cannon House office building.

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Abortion

Pro-Life Dems Start Breaking In Pelosi's Direction

Brian Beutler | March 15, 2010, 4:03PM

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)

This is the week that Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) will be forced to show his cards and reveal whether he actually has the votes (and the will) to kill health care reform.

By all appearances, House leadership has given up on attempts to reach an accord with Stupak, and other pro-life Democrats who disapprove of the Senate bill's abortion language. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others hope that most of them will come to their senses (perhaps after a bit of arm-twisting and pressure from the White House) and vote for the bill.

Stupak himself has acknowledged that Pelosi has probably pulled a couple Democrats away from his group. "The House Democratic leaders think they have the votes to pass the Senate's health-care bill without us," Stupak told the conservative magazine National Review last week. "At this point, there is no doubt that they've been able to peel off one or two of my twelve."

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Vote Counting

Clyburn: We Don't Have The Votes For Health Care ... Yet (VIDEO)

Ben Frumin | March 15, 2010, 10:55AM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

House Democrats are making a push to pass the Senate health care bill this week. But according to the House's No. 3 Democrat, they still don't have the votes.

On Meet The Press yesterday, Tom Brokaw asked Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), "As of this morning, do you have the votes that you need?"

"No, we don't have them as of this morning," Clyburn said. "But we've been working this thing all weekend. We'll be working it going into the week."

I'm also very confident that we'll get this done.

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Health Care

Clyburn: I Think We're In Good Shape On Health Care Reform (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | March 3, 2010, 10:02AM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

The top vote counter in the House says he thinks Democrats are in fine shape on health care reform.

On MSNBC this morning, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) laid out his logic.

"I think we're in good shape on this bill," Clyburn said. "I think that all of us in the House know that 220 people have voted for it, 219 Democrats. Now three of those Democrats who voted for it are no longer part of the body which takes us down to 216, but we've got four vacancies, so it means that what we need is 216 and not 218."

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State Of The Union

Dems Laud Obama's Speech As Health Care Breakthrough--But To What Avail? (Video)

Brian Beutler | January 27, 2010, 11:47PM

Democrats in both the House and Senate and beyond hailed President Obama's State of the Union address tonight as a major step forward on health care reform. But when the speech ended, and members filed out of the House chamber, one thing was abundantly clear: no matter how good tonight's speech was, it did not break the congressional health care logjam.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) said the President sent "exactly the right message."

"He made it very clear that he isn't walking away from health care with his tail between his legs," Wiener added.

That view was echoed by members in both chambers, and at least one powerful Democratic ally.

"This was an important message to get it done," Anna Burger, president of the labor federation Change to Win, told me in a brief interview. "They can do reconciliation...I think it's perfectly doable."

But for all the plaudits Obama's words won tonight, it appears that neither the House nor the Senate--stuck in a health care face-off since Democrats lost a Senate seat in Massachusetts last week--is prepared to blink.

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Bart Stupak

Clyburn: Stupak Amendment Won 10 Votes

Brian Beutler | November 11, 2009, 10:15AM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

On Monday, I noted that 40 Democrats had voted for the Stupak amendment--which would prohibit low- and middle-class women from buying health insurance policies that cover abortion--and then voted for final passage of the health care bill. That's a large number, but a key question remained unanswered: How many of those 40 would have voted against the final bill if the Stupak amendment had failed, or not been given a vote?

Well, House Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) has some answers.

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James Clyburn

Clyburn Emerges As Lead Dem Against Joe Wilson

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 12:29PM

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

In the run-up to today's disapproval resolution against Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), it's become clear that House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) has taken the lead in pushing for the resolution, even over Speaker Pelosi's initial inclination to see that matter as closed. But it's also clear that Clyburn's push for a formal apology from Wilson is rooted in a long and troubled relationship between the most senior African-American politician in South Carolina and a four-term congressman who until recently was best known as a die-hard proponent of keeping the Confederate flag flying over the State Capitol in Columbia.

Indeed, the friction has popped up quite recently. Clyburn recently told the Washington Post that he was particularly incensed when Wilson held a town hall at a high school in Columbia -- which Clyburn says is in his district, and is the place where his children went to school. "He came into my district, the high school where my kids went, where I was an officer in the [Parent Teacher Association], and that was on purpose," Clyburn said. "That was as unethical as one can be, and he didn't say one word to me about it."

(Ed.Note: A search of Google Earth and the House site's district finder shows that the high school -- identified in the local media as having been W.J. Keenan High School -- appears to actually be in Wilson's district, not Clyburn's. At least that's what the nine-digit ZIP code seems to suggest. But it is in fact just a few blocks from Clyburn's house. Clyburn lives right near the district border, and we can probably take him at his word that his kids went there, that he served on the PTA, and that he didn't take kindly to a right-wing GOP House member holding a town hall at that particular venue.)

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James Clyburn

Clyburn: Wilson "Ought To Man Up" And Make Public Apology From House Floor

Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 9:53AM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) appeared on the Bill Press radio show this morning, and said that Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) written apology for having shouted "You lie!" at President Obama wasn't good enough.

Instead, Clyburn says Wilson should go to the well of the House -- the same place where he made the insult -- and give a public apology there.

"That's a cowardly way to do it," Clyburn said of the written statement. "He ought to man up and go down to the well of the House and say, I acted with a lack of decorum the last evening, and I apologize to the President of the United States, and I apologize to my colleagues in both bodies, and I apologize to the people of South Carolina for having done so.