U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn is setting an expansive, ambitious agenda for his new role in policing the use of federal money surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and influencing spending priorities relating to the virus.
In a 50-minute phone interview with The State on Saturday, the South Carolina Democrat laid out, for the first time, his priorities for the new oversight panel of which he will serve as chairman.
His far-reaching vision for the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis comes at a time when the year’s congressional schedule is in flux, with social-distancing mandates clouding the forecast for if and when lawmakers will resume committee business — and how exactly that would work.
“The legislative branch has a role to play in oversight,” he said. “I would hope that this committee will function with that in mind ... We are there to ensure the American people maintain confidence in their government. We need that now more than ever in my lifetime.”
At the top of the Clyburn’s list for the committee are investigations into the biggest controversies of the moment, like how publicly-traded companies, like the Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant conglomerate, were able to help exhaust the $349 billion government loan program specifically intended for small businesses decimated by the pandemic.
Then there are less obvious inquiries, such as whether states are wisely using their allocations from a $400 billion fund to expand mail-in voting to alleviate health concerns about voting in-person.
Clyburn said he wanted the committee to vet the implementation, and consequences, of certain provisions that have just been signed into law through new coronavirus response legislation.
Replies