Democratic members in the house who are forwardlooking, proinnovation, proeconomic growth. There are new members but that is not why we are called the new democrats. Seats that flipped from republican to democrat, 32 are members of the new Democrat Coalition. We try to look at old problems through a new lens. Onre is a lot of focus redistributive policies, our focus is on how do you grow that economic pie and make sure everyone can earn a slice. It is looking at government as always the problem versus always a solution. Democrat say how do we reinvent government . We are 103 members strong. We are the largest Ideological Coalition within the caucus. We have some terrific new members. Military veterans, business leaders. It is a Great Coalition working hard on behalf of the american people. Would you say you are moderate . I am often described that way. In economic policies, our big focus is how to grow that economic hi for everybody . If you look at some of the priorities that have been laid out by the house already, when you are in the majority, are designated every bill gets a number permit hr one is focused campaignfinance reform. 44 voting rights. Bqhe lg mination for community. The paycheck fairness act. Eight, universal background checks. Nine is the Climate Action now act to have the u. S. Reenter the paris climate act. Not only is every new dam in support, there is the nn amenity unit anonymity. All democrats are working to move things forward for the american people. This was an extraordinary week in american politics. In the congress, you saw the house vote to condemn the words and tweets of President Trump attacking the four congresswoman of color. In your party, an effort to srike down nancy pelosi words. There was a push to impeach that was also rejected on the house floor. Efforts toccessful hold in contempt of congress two members of President Trumps cabinet. How do you explain what they are seeing . It must feel confusing and chaotic. The bulk of the folks i seent want to see in Congress Work on things that make their lives better. Forward motion on health care. Do somethinglly about infrastructure. Needs said that, congress to walk and chew gum at the same time. There is a role in terms of oversight and accountability. When the president says something irresponsible, having congress serve as a check and to say that is not ok is legitimate. Particularly in an instance that was as offensive as it was. My hope is as we roll into next fall,nd we roll into the you see congress continue to move forward on some of those priorities. Infrastructure, Prescription Drug pricing. Election security is something a lot of our members would like to see Forward Motion on. There has not been enough progress to make sure that will be secure. Up to the question, we saw one of your colleagues from the select midi which you are chairing. Emanuel cleaver, he did something ive never seen before, he abandoned the chair presiding over that debate condemning the president s tweets as well as to strike the speakers words. Andad been frustrated embarrassed. I am wondering if that is something you are hearing from other lawmakers may be privately . In your role as chairman of the chairman. If you are hearing widespread frustration about the state of partisanship and the discussions. You get a sense why congress is held in lower regard then head lice. You see too much partisan bickering and not enough is in progress on behalf of the american people. Heatedts evidenced in debates. There are debates on one of the few times every member of that house is on the floor is for the most toxic date on a motion to recommit, no matter who is in the majority or minority, it is a gotcha vote. To theesnt contribute civility and erodes public faith in the process. That is what you saw. Congressman cleaver has done a lot of thinking about how to drive more civility. We served on the select committee on the modernization of congress. For your viewers, 2030 years or so, congress recognizes things are not working the way they are should and they can create a committee. Year is the select committee on the modernization. We have passed five recommendations, primarily focusing on and proving transparency. Next week, we are going to take recommendations around staffing. Concerned, massive turnover in the legislative ranch. What fills that void is the executive branch and lobbyists. That does not serve the american people. You will see recommendations focused on technology. One i think you will see moved is at the beginning of each congress, there is some effort to have a joint meeting but democrats and republicans to identify things that can be worked on together. Side. Hts go to their do retreatswill where the discussion is focused jab the other party. One of the ideas is how do we have a collective effort to onntify things we can work together. Even have some of these conversations. How do members of congress engage each other in a more civil way. Is modeling Good Behavior to the next generation of leaders. Democrats have been united this week, probably more than any time condemning the president s remarks about the four congresswoman. Have been engaging in incendiary rhetoric against each other. Progressive leaders have called your group child abusers for position you took on border aid. There have been other remarks made towards one of your members. Can you talk about how are you responding to some of these attacks coming from within your own party . It is important members and their staff be mindful of what gets communicated. Embrace whatnt to the speaker often says. Our diversity is our strength. Our unity is power. I appreciate and respect the voices of every member of the Democratic Caucus. That doesnt mean i agree with them on everything. That is ok. That is healthy to have debate and discussion. Not to castant aspersions about a perspective someone might have different than others. That disagreement, that is ok. One of the things that i would point out, the reality is, 100 of House Democrats believe we need to address the problems at the southern border, make sure people are being treated with dignity. Coalitionmocratic voted to endorse a bill that would set humanitarian standards in terms of how people are treated. It is never ok to have someone die because they didnt have access to clean water or food or medical care. I dont look at that as a new democratic perspective. I look at that as an american value. Wet is part of the reason have endorsed that bill. I hope it is something they will take up soon. The chief of staff you alexandria oh because io cortez, calling her racist, should that person be fired . At the very least, it is safe to say those comments are not appropriate. It is up to each member to determine who is going to work for them. It is not something i would allow someone on my team to say publicly or on social media. The point i would say is it is important for everybody to be mindful of what they say, how they communicate. Not just our college within the Democratic Caucus but period. It is concerning to see this dialogue. Disagree with to folks on the merits of an argument without casting aspersions about where they are coming from. Opinion, that of is healthy. We see that and other arenas as well. The reality is, 100 of House Democrats are on board with the notion we should expand access Affordable Health care. There is debate and discussion about what it should look like read what a contrast with the folks in charge of previous eight years. BelieveHouse DemocratsClimate Change is real and we should do something about it. There is debate and discussion about which levers ought to be pulled. What an extraordinary contrast with the last congress. You literally had hearings on the myth of Climate Change. You have a appreciation for the fact it is real and requires big action. That to me, those discussions forward ondo we move that, that is healthy. In contrast to the last congress. They did not happen. You saw bills being written behind closed doors. We have talked about hr one in terms of campaignfinance overhaul. When it comes to political money, there is a division among democrats. A growing number we saw in the last election, over 50 at this areour rejectio rejecting donations. You got about half of your money so far from business and other s. Do you feel any pressure to reject that money . Advocate been a big for campaignfinance reform. I dont say that as a personal exhaustion with the process. I think it is important in restoring faith in the system. There is too much money in our political system. There is a concern for everyday americans, their voice may be eroded in that process. A bill i amnk of not a sponsor of. I am supportive of a constitutional amendment to. Epeal the Citizens United i think that decision was misguided. Has seen the advent of the super pacs. They can simply flood money into a district. I have been supportive and a cosponsor of a bill by a congressman to establish a citizen financed system. Not unlike the system the city of seattle has started up. Where you have small dollar campaigns. Bill calledor of a the disclose act. If you are going to see these groups influence elections, they should put their name on it. We as americans should have a right to know who is trying to influence our elections. There are some bills frankly right now. The conversation is publicly disclosed. Ad on radio, that information is publicly available, right . Three democrats and republicans. As most of your viewers can comestand, every decision out 83three stalemate. There was an article, i think it was in the new york times, when they celebrated the 40th anniversary of the creation of the election commission, they stalemated whether to serve bagels or doughnuts. The concern is in the absence of having a referee to blow the whistle on candidates that cheat, you can see further erosion of public faith in the process. That is why i feel as strongly as i do about modernizing campaignfinance. There are other changes we need to look at. 33. It was interesting. You are in this modernization committee. It is split equally between republicans and democrats. You have tried to show this bipartisan nature of the committee. Is it going to lead it to be deadlocked and not productive . Something you can do the rest of congress maybe bipartisann terms of collaboration . Seef you are going to systematic change in the house, it needs to be bipartisan. I give credit to our rules committee chairman. Established as to the speaker. When this was established, with equal membership. Six democrats and six republicans. Tom graves is my vice chair. We are trying to do things a bit differently. Pass,y recommendation to under the rules, it requires pay two thirds vote. We are required if we are going to make recommendations to work with a eacther. It has driven a process. Hopefully we will be passing those solutions together. Recommendations focused on transparency. Our plan is to introduce that is a resolution. All ofe goal hopefully the members of the committee will sign on as cosponsors. Hopefully all the members will sign on as cosponsors of that resolution with the hope that sees action. The idea is to make changes so congress functions better for the american people. Your expectations for the Robert Mueller hearings coming up in a few days . You were one of the ones who decided not to move forward on impeachment. Do you think these hearings are going to move the ball at all . We will see. These hearings are happening, that is why it is important we take this one step at a time. Anyone who has read the report i hope director molar mueller is forthcoming. And further provides mexico. There are efforts to make changes. The speaker has established four taskforces. One focused on labor, pharmaceuticals. One in enforcement. Letter democrats send a to the administration saying work with those taskforces. Address those outstanding issues. Send legislation until those issues are resolved. We will not support it. Clarks folks in that other Washington State have mentioned you as a possible candidate. For higher office. In 2022. He governor any thoughts about what is next . Resolve some of these issues around the functionality of congress so we can do more. Make a more of a difference for the folks their economic future. That i care about my own where you begin with the what is their number . Strong are they we hear about progressives. Legislatively, politically, what is the outcome . I think they are a bit quieter. Maybe theyaying are not getting all the headlines. There are quiet allies outside of congress as well. This is viewed as a collection get thingss that can done. You see a lot of interest from outside organizations as well as people inside. Forced ship to cave. Billthe more moderate through. Weeks theen in recent flex their muscle. Where do you see the new Democrat Coalition . It depends on what the narrative of the day is. You see the president s controversial tweets, republicans defending the president. Ringing together the moderates maybe not solidly unified. With the united front, more so than last week. Controversials tweets have brought them together. You sow widespread support for increasing the minimum wage to 15. That is something many of these new democrats or more moderate numbers were able to get on board with after some changes were made. See them as more of a quiet force. They will be a force to be reckoned with. Especially when it comes to getting closer to the 2020 election cycle. Pelosi has called, Speaker Pelosi has called some of them the majority makers. There has to be some person pole. Can follow her reporting there. Congressional reporter with the hill. Appreciate it. Thank you. Will be in order. For 40 years, cspan has been providing unfiltered congress, the white house, and events from d. C. And around the country. You can make up your own mind. Created by cable in 1979. It is brought to you by your cable or satellite provider. Your unfiltered view of government