CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Representative Eric Swalwell

Interview

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

HARLOW: Welcome back. Day two of the new Congress, and Democrats have taken their newfound power in the House and hit the ground running. New rules have been passed. The bill to protect the special counsel reintroduced and impeachment articles have been raised, but not all Democrats are in agreement with all of those moves.

Joining me now is Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, who serves on two very important committees, especially right now. The Intelligence and Judiciary Committee.

Good morning, sir.

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Hey, Poppy. Happy New Year. How are you doing?

HARLOW: I'm good. Happy New Year to you. As you know, senior Democratic and fellow congressman Brad Sherman introduced these Articles of Impeachment against the president. He points to what he sees as obstruction of justice. The Mueller probe is not even done. Do you support his move?

SWALWELL: No, I don't. And Poppy, I think Donald Trump is going to be impeached. It's just a question of whether it's in Congress or at the ballot box, and which one comes first. For the sake of the country, I hope it's at the ballot box, but we also have a job to do. I think we should wait for the Mueller report. We should also look at, you know, some of the emoluments clause violations, cashing in on access to the Oval Office. But follow the evidence, build an airtight case, get buy-in from Republicans if you can.

HARLOW: Well --

SWALWELL: And make sure the American people know what is at stake and why you're doing this.

HARLOW: Congressman, that answer is really interesting because you just said for the sake of the country, I hope essentially that he's not impeached by Congress. And we heard Nancy Pelosi earlier this week say that impeachment should never be a political process. I mean, what is it, then, that would tip the balance for you, that you would see -- that you would believe would convince enough Republicans in Congress to be on board with impeachment?

SWALWELL: Yes. And Poppy, I love our country. And I see impeachment almost as like filing bankruptcy. Like it's the last option. You don't want to do it recklessly.

HARLOW: Yes. Sure.

SWALWELL: It would be a lot to climb out of for Republicans and Democrats. But also, it may be the only option that we're left with. So -- but right now, again, we're a country of laws. And I want to follow the law and follow the evidence, and if that's where we get, that's where we get.

HARLOW: So is it reckless of your fellow California Democratic congressman to do something like that? Do you see it more as a stunt?

SWALWELL: No, I think it's premature. I just don't think we're there yet.

HARLOW: OK. OK. On the shutdown that is in day 14, I just had a prison worker who has to go to work at the Tallahassee prison today.

SWALWELL: Yes. Yes.

HARLOW: And not get paid to do his job and put his life at risk. And you guys are getting paid.

SWALWELL: Yes.

HARLOW: Do you agree with some of your fellow members of Congress like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez who says you guys shouldn't be getting paid right now?

SWALWELL: Yes, and I think we should pass the no budget, no pay law. But I also think the best thing we can do is to have the Senate pass what it already passed a couple of weeks ago, which we passed in the House yesterday, which is to reopen government.

We had 100 Republicans and Democrats vote to reopen government.

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA), JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: -- which we passed in the House yesterday which is to reopen government. We had hundred Republicans and Democrats vote to reopen government. We put forth the same bill yesterday in the House. And so, maybe it's going to take overriding a presidential veto. That's leadership. And I just don't understand why Mitch McConnell would not want to bring that forward, Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: I think you have a ways to go for that to happen but maybe. Here's what Congressman Jerry Nadler, chair of the Judiciary Committee that you sit on. Here's what he said to John Berman this morning about somewhere where he might see some compromise.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

HARLOW: What do you think? Is a fence a deal you could get onboard with?

SWALWELL: I agree. This is a lot of money, by the way, but money is not the issue here. I think it's the values of do we -- are we a country that puts a wall between ourselves and an allied nation or do we use smart security measures? Increased border patrol agents, increased enforcement of overstay of visas, increased use of technology, and yes, fencing where there are vulnerabilities but a structural wall that Mexico absolutely will not pay for, that's not going to happen. And the American people don't want that.

HARLOW: So you don't see a fence as quote/unquote "immoral" as a wall is according to Nancy Pelosi. OK. I hear that. Maybe there's -- SWALWELL: A wall is an immoral symbol for our country.

HARLOW: OK. Term limits, interesting proposal, bipartisan proposal by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and also -- Republican Francis Rooney, not bipartisan, sorry about that, but between the House and the Senate. That would, it proposes a constitutional amendment, and it would instill term limits for both, the Senate, two terms, and three two- year terms for the House. Do you support that?

SWALWELL: I think the best term limit is to have public financing of campaigns and independent redistricting.

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: So that's a no.

SWALWELL: I would beat a 40-year -

HARLOW: That's a no --

SWALWALL: That's a no and -

HARLOW: -- in the constitutional amendment.

SWALWELL: But I'd beat a 40-year incumbent in my own party because California passed - they passed independent redistricting and an open primary where any voter could vote for any candidate from any party, and I think that is a better reform, and I beat someone who had just kind of been elected without any challenges. So get rid of dirty maps and dirty money. I think that's the best term limit.

HARLOW: All right. Two more quick one's for you, 2020 -- Elizabeth Warren, her hat officially now in the ring on the Democratic side. You have not ruled out a run for president in 2020. Want to make any news on that today, and how does Elizabeth Warren jumping in change your calculation or does it not?

SWALWELL: I'm excited that Elizabeth Warren is running. The country will not be worse off, it would be better off if she were elected. I'm still taking time to make that decision. I have seen grit and want. I believe in the promise of America, which is if you work hard, you do better for yourselves and you dream bigger for kids. That's why I would do this. But right now, I'm going to do my job in the first 100 days on collaborating and investigating where we have to and expect to make a decision very soon.

HARLOW: But Joe Biden says no one is more prepared than him, better sued than him to be president. Is he right?

SWALWELL: I don't agree with that. I don't agree with that, no.

HARLOW: But you would be open to being on a Biden ticket, right?

SWALWELL: Yes, and I love Joe Biden, but I think none of us could say that we're the only person that can do that. There are so many talented people. I think this showcase of talent is going to be the best thing for our country.

HARLOW: Let's end on this. Pretty cool pictures yesterday, guys in the control room, let's throw them up. This is you with your newborn daughter, Cricket. First of all, she's beautiful. Congratulations.

SWALWELL: Thank you. Thank you.

HARLOW: Tell us all why it was so important for you to be holding her there.

SWALWELL: I wanted my 9-week-old daughter to see Nancy Pelosi, the first woman sworn in again as Speaker of the House, but also, Poppy, I have to say, my wife said to me, she said, are you kidding me? You have that kid on the floor for a couple hours and you're dad of the year. I have that kid 24 hours a day and no one ever says anything to me. All the credit truly goes to my wife, Britney.

HARLOW: Thank you for that. Amen. And that's how I feel about my husband this week, who is home with our kids so that I can be here. And then, you know, he told me he's very excited for when I get home this afternoon so that I can take over, but it's the hardest job and the most important one.

SWALWELL: It is.

HARLOW: Thanks very much, Congressman.

SWALWELL: Thank you, Poppy.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1901/04/cnr.04.html

Source