James Clyburn Don’t Take No Lip
House Majority Whip Flexes Muscle in DC
2009-09-24
By Kevin Chappell

As the Congressional Black Caucus gathers this week for its Annual Legislative Conference, its members are not only enjoying one of its own in the White House, but the influence of several members who are holding down historic positions of power.

One such member is House Majority Whip Congressman James Clyburn. As the highest-ranking Black in the Congress, Clyburn has been the Democrats’ (and President Obama’s) go-to person on nearly every important issue addressed this year.

Clyburn hit the national stage during the South Carolina primary, when he said the former President Bill Clinton needed to “chill” in his harsh criticism of then-candidate Barack Obama.

Since the election, he hasn’t looked back, holding regular press conferences, town hall meetings, and disseminating information through what he calls the weekly “Whip Pack.”

And oh, by the way, he is also one of the biggest thorns in the side of the Republicans.

Clyburn had a seat at the table as the $787 billion stimulus package was being developed.  He made passionate arguments before President Obama and the House and Senate leadership, insisting on certain invests for disadvantaged and rural communities, including $6 billion to expand broadband internet access so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the web. As a result, at least ten percent of rural development funds included in the package will be dedicated to persistent poverty counties that are defined by having 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years.

Clyburn also led legislation to provide summer jobs for 1 million youth, $66 million for formula grants to states to provide meals and other services to homeless children, pushed through an amendment that waives the match required for historic preservation projects on HBCU campuses that have already received approval of the National Parks Service.

Clyburn has been a staunch backer of President Obama, touting his policies regularly on the cable news outlets, then helping to guide them through the various committees of the House. No hint to whether Clyburn has other political aspirations. But if he does, he’s positioned himself perfectly, within his state and within his party, to pursue them.

And when he’s not directing policy, Clyburn doesn’t hesitate to use his position of power to put folks who cross the president in check. 

Last week on the House floor, Clyburn blasted his fellow South Carolina colleague Joe Wilson for his “You lie!” outburst while the president spoke to a joint session of congress. "None of us is perfect,”

Clyburn said. “We all make mistakes and we sometimes fall short of expectations.  But when we do, proper contrition is expected.  When one of us, while seated in a formal Session, severely violates the rules of this Body, by shamelessly hurling accusations of mendacity toward the President of these United States, our Commander-in-chief, and refuses to formally express remorse, we––at a minimum––are duty bound to express our disapproval.”

Get ‘em Mr. Clyburn.

Kevin Chappell is a senior editor at EBONY magazine.