Fox News "Fox & Friends" - Transcript

Interview

Fox News "Fox & Friends" - Transcript

MR. DOOCY: Well, he held up Hillary Clinton's confirmation, but did not think -- but not because he did not think she was qualified, but because he feels that there needs to be greater transparency when confirming all Cabinet nominees. Senator -- Republican John Cornyn joins us from Washington, D.C.

Good morning to you, Senator.

SEN. CORNYN: Good morning, Steve.

MR. DOOCY: All right. Hillary didn't get sworn in with her class, because you objected. What's that about?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, as you know, the Clinton Foundation has received over $5 million in contributions from some of the very people on Wall Street who've been beneficiaries of the bailout funds, as well as foreign governments. And what I was arguing to her, and to the Obama administration, is it really would help to have greater transparency so we could reveal any conflicts of interest right away and I think remove a potential cloud from her service as secretary of State.

MR. KILMEADE: Senator Cornyn, I think another thing that comes to mind is, is why did you vote for her in the end? It was Senator Vitter or Senator DeMint who said, "I'm not for her" and not you.

SEN. CORNYN: Well, this was ultimately not about her qualifications to serve. I think she is qualified. This was really about avoiding conflicts of interest.

You heard President Obama say, during his inauguration, we need to do the business in government out in the open so that we can build public confidence in our government. That's one of the things that's really lacking these days is confidence in the federal government and I think that would have helped.

But unfortunately, we're going to have to work on legislation that I intend to drop within the next couple of weeks.

MR. KILMEADE: Senator Cornyn, it's been widely reported that Hillary Clinton -- you guys crossed paths at the luncheon and that she was going at it with you a little bit and she'd grabbed your wrist. What's your account?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, it was friendly. We had a nice discussion.

MR. KILMEADE: How could it be friendly?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, people can disagree without being disagreeable so we had a good discussion. She said she didn't want this to apply only to her and her husband, but to apply more broadly. And I think we can come up with something that will apply more broadly, but include also her situation as well.

MR. KILMEADE: Did she grab you?

SEN. CORNYN: I think she put her hand on my arm. It was done in affection. (Laughter.)

MR. KILMEADE: Okay. We're going to have to go with that, because you're a judge so your opinion counts.

All right, Senator Cornyn, thanks so much. It was great hearing from you first hand what was going on at the inauguration and after. Thanks so much.

SEN. CORNYN: Thanks a lot.

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