CNN "Newsroom" - Transcript Interview with Eleanor Holmes Norton
Interview
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Here with me now to discuss is Democratic Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. She represents Washington, D.C. and is on the Oversight and Reform Committee.
Congresswoman, thank you so much for joining us.
You actually don't get to vote today because D.C. doesn't have a statehood, minor setback there. This is something you have been actively pushing for, for a long time. But let me ask you, what concerns are you hearing from your constituents about the postal service right now? And what is your reaction to the President's campaign and the RNC now calling this push by Democrats a conspiracy theory?
[11:20:01] REP. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON (D), D.C. DELEGATE: Well first, let me be
clear, I do have a vote in committee and so I will be at that committee, and importantly so, because what we heard at the senate committee from DeJoy was, if I may say so, simply untruthful.
For example, I have seen a July memorandum where the postal service instructed postal employees to leave behind mail at the distribution center and to cut overtime. Moreover, I have seen another memorandum where the new postmaster general, DeJoy, has sidelined 23 of his top employees and centralized all authorities with himself.
What cannot be doubted is what the post office itself has said. The post office has warned 46 states and the District of Columbia that it cannot guarantee that their mail in ballots will get there in time. That's what we didn't hear any questioning about at the Senate hearing and that's the kind of questioning I will do at the House hearing on Monday.
GOLODRYGA: I'm glad you have the vote on committee. That's important to note there. But In terms of concerns over a hiring freeze or the freezing of overtime pay, the postmaster general yesterday said that all of that would transpire now after the election. That he would put that on hold for now.
Is that a step in the right direction? And does that address some of your concerns?
NORTON: Well, first of all, he's had to move somewhat because he has been exposed but what he did not say even though specifically questioned was whether he would leave in place the steps he has already taken. And he in fact said he would leave those steps in place.
Those steps have done considerable damage. All over my district, I hear people saying they're not getting their mail on time or aid in my committee, in my jurisdiction, in my city. People there said they haven't received their mail for two weeks.
So if he doesn't go back to the status quo ante, but the bends he's moved out, the mailboxes he's closed -- those remain, then of course, we still will have a terrible shortfall of the kind of just indicate about ballots getting in on time.
GOLODRYGA: What did you make of the fact that after being pressed by multiple senators to at least turn over some of the data, some of the information that led him to make the decisions that he did make, he was unwilling to do so.
They gave him a deadline. It seemed to be a fair question to ask, can you show us the research and data that led to your decision making to the American public and he refrained from doing so or agreeing to do so. What did you make of that?
NORTON: Well, it's interesting they gave him a deadline until Monday. That's when we have a hearing. When a member of the administration does not agree to turn over internal documents, he will get a subpoena. You cannot have internal documents that you keep from the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States. And when you say you don't want to turn them over; you are in effect admitting that you have something to hide.
GOLODRYGA: On the committee, do you have the power to subpoena those documents?
NORTON: We do. And we don't get them --
GOLODRYGA: Will you?
NORTON: And if -- well, I'm not the chair of the committee but I'm certain we will.
GOLODRYGA: You and more than half of the Democratic Caucus wrote a letter to Speaker Pelosi, urging her to consider some sort of coronavirus relief package in addition, separate from today's legislation. She's refusing to do so now.
Is this concerning for you?
NORTON: Well, she's playing hard ball. And I have to tell you that it's hard to second guess the Speaker because she has been so successful.
We are concerned that these executive orders, the effects of which are just beginning to come in, that President Trump issued in place of a new bill are proven ineffective. That being the case, it does seem to be that there would be more pressure on the Republicans to come to the table with Pelosi.
GOLODRYGA: Look, people in this country need help yesterday. So the sooner that can get done --
NORTON: Especially in my community, I'm hearing it, yes.
[11:24:56]
GOLODRYGA: Yes. Yes. The sooner that can get done, the better for everyone.
Congresswoman, we really appreciate your time. Thank you so much for joining us.
NORTON: Always a pleasure.
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