James Clyburn

James Clyburn, a member of the Democratic Party, has represented South Carolina's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from South Carolina State College in 1962. Before his election to Congress, Clyburn served as a public school teacher and an employment counselor. In 1971, he became the first African American advisor to a South Carolina governor and later served as the state's Human Affairs Commissioner for 18 years. Clyburn has risen through the ranks of the House Democratic leadership, serving as Majority Whip from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. He also served as the Assistant Democratic Leader and chaired the Congressional Black Caucus. He has played a central role in the passage of significant legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Clyburn was the first African American congressman from South Carolina since 1897 and is the dean of the state's congressional delegation. A major focus of his legislative career has been the 10-20-30 federal funding formula, which targets resources toward communities with chronic poverty. He has also been a leader in preserving African American history, sponsoring the creation of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. His work frequently emphasizes expanding rural broadband, supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and promoting civil rights through federal legislation.

Healthcare: James Clyburn is a strong advocate for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supports protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions while working to lower prescription drug prices. Economy: He focuses on addressing persistent poverty through his 10-20-30 funding formula and advocates for infrastructure investment, particularly in rural broadband and public transportation. Voting Rights: He is a primary supporter of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, emphasizing the need for federal protections of election access. Environment: Clyburn supports environmental justice initiatives and federal funding for clean energy infrastructure to assist underserved communities. Immigration: He supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and the preservation of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.