Clyburn hopes Johnson will attempt to find 'common ground'

January 5

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Senior Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn on Sunday encouraged newly reelected House Speaker Mike Johnson to work with Democrats on agenda items in the new term.

Johnson kept his gavel on the first ballot Friday, quelling dissent in his caucus with the help of President-elect Donald Trump and seeing just one defection from the GOP 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 commitments that the conference would work more collaboratively.

“I would think that the speaker ought to put into practice as he presides over the full Congress the same thing he did in order 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 little while until he could sit down and negotiate within his conference to get the votes he needed.”

Clyburn (S.C.) preached that same patience with Democrats.

“Give us time to sit down for him, to sit down with the leadership of the — on the Democratic side, with Hakeem Jeffries, and find common ground,” Clyburn said, referring to the House Democratic leader.

Johnson has an ambitious agenda: The speaker is aiming to push a massive reconciliation package through Congress, one that combines Trump priorities including border security, energy-permitting, tax reform and action on the debt ceiling, by the end of April.

Clyburn, a key ally of President Joe Biden whose endorsement in 2020 helped jump-start Biden’s primary campaign, also told Psaki he expects Monday’s election certification to take on a very different tone from four years ago.

“And that’s what you’re going to see tomorrow, a great contrast,” Clyburn said. “I hope the American people will take time out to watch this tomorrow and, hopefully, have their faith in this great country renewed.”

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