The next is a transcript of an interview with Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina that aired Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper now I need to converse to Home Majority Whip, Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn, who joins us from Santee, South Carolina, this morning. Congressman, it is good to have you ever on this system. I need to begin with what has occurred up to now two weeks, we have had these three mass shootings. Again in June, you helped to push via this bipartisan funding in shoring up crimson flag legal guidelines and background checks, $13 billion enlargement. And but, in Virginia, each of the gun consumers legally bought their weapons allegedly, so did the one in Colorado, what does that let you know in regards to the efficacy of the federal legislation?
REP. JIM CLYBURN: Nicely, thanks very a lot for having me. It tells me all I must know. And that's simply because it is authorized, doesn't make it the suitable factor. I inform folks on a regular basis, the establishment of slavery was authorized, however it was not proper. Simply because they bought these weapons legally, doesn't imply that is what the legislation should be, we have to change these legal guidelines. Sadly, I am gonna be right here in my district on Wednesday, talking on the funeral service of a type of younger soccer gamers from the College of Virginia, who died by the hands of the weapon that was, from all indications, legally bought. That is not the issue. Chesapeake, Virginia, that gun was bought, legally, the morning of the occasion. We have now to go to these legal guidelines and do what's essential to maintain these weapons out of the arms of people that shouldn't have them. And that's what we have to do on this lame duck session. And in a bipartisan means. Let's defend the American folks from demented folks and make it possible for we put some security and safety in folks's after they're buying if you're sitting in church buildings–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah. Nicely, what about that lame duck session as a result of Democrats have management for a couple of extra weeks. President Biden got here out and mentioned he needs to institute an assault weapons ban. An assault weapon, an AR-15 model was utilized in Colorado, however not in these two Virginia shootings. So is the issue that kind of weapon and if that's the answer, you are placing ahead, how do you get 60 votes within the Senate?
REP. CLYBURN: Nicely, I do not know the way you get 60 votes within the Senate. And that is why I at all times take subject with the very fact we don't management the Senate. It is 50/50 within the Senate. And that could be a drawback for us. We have to sit down in a bipartisan means and say, look, what can we do to guard the general public. No one needs to take anyone's weapons away. Your second modification is there to guard everyone. However so is the First Modification, however there's not unfettered–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, so what are you going to do within the lame duck? You simply mentioned within the lame duck, it's a must to take motion? What does that imply? What are Democrats going to do?
REP. CLYBURN: Nicely, we have already handed the payments in the home. We're making an attempt to get the Senate to behave. We have achieved this on the Home facet. In order that's the issue. Democrats management the Home, and we handed the invoice. We don't management the Senate. And that is the place the filibuster is inflicting this drawback.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. And within the new Congress after January, is the prospect of any sort of gun reform useless on arrival, or are you able to decide off some votes from Kevin McCarthy's caucus right here to assist transfer one thing when Democrats are within the minority?
REP. CLYBURN: Nicely, you understand, for those who take a look at the outcomes of the election, you go to California, you go to New York, even in two districts in North Carolina, after we picked up seats, we do have a extra reasonable voters coming in. And we have to attraction to a way of elementary equity, and what's proper. I do not know whether or not or not they may (unintelligible) what appears to be controlling the Republicans, however we're gonna give it a shot.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So White Home adviser Anita Dunn was on this program a couple of weeks in the past, and he or she mentioned within the subsequent few weeks, whereas Democrats have the bulk, precedence primary is simply preserving the federal government funded. Precisely what's your high precedence? I imply, what can Democrats get achieved earlier than Republicans take management?
REP. CLYBURN: Nicely, I will agree with Anita Dunn, it is at all times the highest precedence, preserving the federal government funded and preserving it open–
MARGARET BRENNAN: That appears the naked minimal.
REP. CLYBURN: The naked minimal, completely, however we have to go additional than that. We have to take a look at the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. I am not going to get off of that. I do imagine that we have to do one thing in regards to the Electoral Faculty Reform Act. These two issues are elementary to our democracy. And we have to maintain them within the forefront. Sure, maintain the federal government open, however let's additionally maintain elementary rights protected. And that to me could be one and two and these gun security legal guidelines could be carefully there after.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Democrats are holding management elections within the coming week, you are already in management, I do know you can be standing for election to a distinct place. But when it's time for a brand new technology as Speaker Pelosi had mentioned, Why do you suppose it is necessary so that you can keep in energy? Do you suppose the following technology wants you to information them?
REP. CLYBURN: Nicely, I've at all times mentioned there's a wholesome respect, it is Biblical with me. We have to have a wholesome mix of power and information and take a look at our management. The South is not noted of it and what I am doing is making an attempt to make it possible for we don't tilt too far to the east or too far to the west. However keep what we have now right here. There isn't any different southerner among the many management ranks and we want the south. We'd like these traditionally black faculties and universities. If it weren't for Georgia, the place would the Senate be right now? And the final time I checked, Georgia is south of South Carolina.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper. Nicely, thanks very a lot, Mr. Whip, for becoming a member of us right now.