Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Sep 23, 2020

James Clyburn: The question now is whether America can ‘repair our faults’

By Katherine Walla

The pandemic has “demonstrated that there are some significant fault lines in the country,” US House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn told the Atlantic Council. “The question now becomes whether or not we’re going to be able to repair those faults.”

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions

The Atlantic Council hosted on September 22, 2020, a conversation featuring House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. Representative Clyburn discussed the pressing issues of racism, bias, and inequality in the United States, and how these challenges affect America’s standing and role in the world. The United States became a global leader by building a political and economic order worthy of emulation, but it sometimes has struggled to match its words to actions. Today, continuing systemic inequalities, the inability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, political and fiscal gridlock, and lack of clear outcomes in extended US military operations abroad have renewed calls for the US to address its urgent domestic problems on a priority basis. How can the United States restore its reputation and influence by getting its own house in order and generating support for a calibrated global engagement approach? What are the Congress’ foreign policy priorities in the new decade, especially on questions of war and peace?

This live event was part of the Atlantic Council’s #ACFrontPage event series, an ideas platform spotlighting global leaders who are championing constructive solutions to global challenges, and was hosted by the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s New American Engagement Initiative. 

An #ACFrontPage Event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.

Featuring

The Hon. James E. Clyburn
Majority Whip
US House of Representatives

In conversation with

Damon Wilson
Executive Vice President
Atlantic Council

Introduction by

Mr. Frederick Kempe
President and CEO
Atlantic Council

Closing remarks by

Mr. Damon Wilson
Executive Vice President
Atlantic Council