Because the shutdown enters its thirty fifth day, NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks with Home Democratic Whip Katherine Clark to debate how she sees the shutdown ending and whether or not her get together has any leverage.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Consultant Katherine Clark has been listening with us. She is the No. 2 Democrat within the Home of Representatives, the Democratic whip. Welcome to this system.
KATHERINE CLARK: Oh, good to be with you. Thanks for having me.
INSKEEP: We’re reporting all through the morning on the demise of Vice President Cheney, which we now have realized – former Vice President Cheney. I am certain as a Democrat, you didn’t agree with Cheney on many, many issues. However on the finish of his life, he agreed with you on one massive factor. So what are your ideas now?
CLARK: Sure. You understand, we lengthen our deepest sympathies and prayers to Dick Cheney’s household and particularly to our former colleague, Liz Cheney. And I do admire how Dick Cheney stood by her as she took on her personal get together and at nice political value to herself to reveal the reality that Joe Biden received the election in 2020 and that we had a good and safe election. Not a straightforward factor to do, and I love that about each of them.
INSKEEP: Is there one thing to be mentioned about authorities service right here as properly? Cheney spent properly over 30 years in senior positions within the authorities, once more, typically doing belongings you would disagree with, however doing them by his lights for the nation.
CLARK: You understand, there’s something to be mentioned. And I hope that as we’re within the very difficult time that we face in Congress that each one of us bear in mind the accountability that’s positioned with us. And I believe it’s a part of the second that we’re in that we now have a president that demeans public service, that makes use of his workplace for his personal enrichment and fosters and creates deep cynicism about authorities and desirous to serve folks. So I hope it is a second that my colleagues will mirror on why we’re right here in Congress, and that’s to battle for the American folks and to make life higher for them.
INSKEEP: Effectively, let’s discuss, if I can, about your work now. We heard Tamara Keith say one thing about perhaps some indicators of ice thawing within the shutdown. Any thought what she’s speaking about?
CLARK: Effectively, I actually hope that in the present day is the day that Home Republicans resolve to come back again to Washington, break their five-week trip that they’ve taken and get to work. We have to finish this shutdown. We have to ensure that we’re addressing the well being care disaster that the Republican Social gathering has created and get some aid for those that are sky-high premiums.
INSKEEP: I need to ask about that, however I additionally need to examine since you mentioned you hope that in the present day is the day. Is that only a hope, or do you could have some data?
CLARK: You understand, it’s a hope as a result of as of proper now, Speaker Johnson has mentioned we aren’t in session this week. He has not come to the negotiating desk as soon as. We now have a president who calls himself the good negotiator who not solely left the nation throughout a shutdown however has performed something however sit down with Democrats and negotiate.
INSKEEP: Effectively, let’s discuss that as a result of President Trump was on “60 Minutes” over the weekend and was requested if he would assist to finish the standoff, as he tried to do throughout his first time period. And here is a few of his response. Let’s pay attention.
(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, “60 MINUTES”)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I am not going to do it by being extorted by the Democrats, who’ve misplaced their approach. There’s one thing improper with these folks.
NORAH O’DONNELL: So then what occurs on November…
TRUMP: Schumer is…
INSKEEP: OK. Being extorted by the Democrats – that is how he describes your demand to revive or lengthen Obamacare subsidies. I am recalling that in battles within the Obama administration, President Obama, after making an attempt to barter with Republicans, lastly mentioned, it is as much as you guys. Do your job. What would you say to the president successfully telling you, do your job?
CLARK: You understand, Donald Trump has mentioned he’s each president and speaker. He wants to inform Mike Johnson and Senator Thune to come back to the desk and negotiate. It is extremely laborious. I am a lawyer. I have been a lawmaker for a while. You can’t negotiate by yourselves. And the president has had one temporary assembly earlier than the shutdown with Democratic management, and that is it. That is not how negotiations work. Posts on Fact Social aren’t an alternative to placing the American folks first. And he’s so busy constructing ballrooms, holding “Nice Gatsby” celebrations, sending $40 billion to Argentina whereas he is making the selection to withhold meals. Discuss holding hostages. It is outrageous habits that they won’t come to the desk to work on making life simpler and cheaper for American households.
INSKEEP: Received about 20 seconds right here, however I simply need to ask instantly. I understand it is not your option to be out of session for the previous month-plus. However I have been fascinated with this. I am a taxpayer, which suggests I assist to pay for Congress. Am I getting any worth in any respect out of Congress right now?
CLARK: You understand, it’s a actually laborious case to make when we now have federal staff who’re displaying up for work and never getting paid and we now have Mike Johnson saying within the Home, we’re going to receives a commission and never present up for work. Is not that kind of the fundamental of what they owe the American folks? And in the present day can be day to come back to work and ensure we will get aid.
INSKEEP: Consultant Clark, Katherine Clark, thanks a lot.
CLARK: Thanks.
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