U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn released the following statement on his decision to step down from House Democratic leadership:
“I have informed Leader Hakeem Jeffries of my intention to step down as Assistant Democratic Leader of the House Democratic Caucus. I am deeply grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me throughout my career, especially as Co-President of my Freshman Class, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Vice Chair and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and twice as Majority Whip and Assistant Democratic Leader. I am confident that Leader Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and the entire leadership team will continue the important work of putting people over politics.
“I will run for re-election for the Sixth Congressional District. Events of the last several years have made it clear that the greatness of America is at peril, and the threats to our continued pursuit of ‘a more perfect Union’ are real.
“Yesterday’s results in New York and Pennsylvania, however, undergird my devotion to Alexis de Tocqueville’s admonition that ‘America’s greatness is not that she is more enlightened than any other nation, but that she has always been able to repair her faults.’ I am convinced that a significant majority of Americans are committed to de Tocqueville’s notion, and I feel compelled to expand my efforts to maintain America’s greatness and make that greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans. That has always been my life’s mission and I am proud of my efforts in that regard.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving under consequential Democratic presidents, balancing budgets in the Clinton Administration, expanding healthcare access under President Obama, and rescuing a pandemic plagued country and economy with President Biden.
“South Carolina, and our already-great nation, have made tremendous progress under the Biden-Harris Administration. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my Democratic colleagues in the 118th Congress, and beyond, to regain a Democratic Majority, retain our Senate Majority, and rally Americans to reelect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”