“I’m going to do what the American people sent us to Washington to do,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings. | Win McNamee/Getty Images Congress Cummings: I won't hand out subpoenas like 'candy on Halloween'

The congressman likely to lead the bulk of House Democrats’ investigations into President Donald Trump’s administration cautioned Sunday that he would use his subpoena powers sparingly and work to advance issues that matter to everyday Americans.

“I’m not going to be handing out subpoenas like somebody's handing out candy on Halloween,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) told host George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.”


“If I have to use them, they will be used in a methodical way,” he said, “and it must be in the public interest.”

Cummings, the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee, is expected to take charge of the panel after his party captured the chamber from Republicans in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

“Even in Trump country, they basically are saying that, ‘We want transparency, we want honesty, and we want integrity,’” Cummings said. “But they want something else, George. They want accountability with regard to this president, and that's exactly what I'm going to do if I’m blessed to have that opportunity.”

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Cummings said he expects to take up policy proposals “that affect us on a day-to-day basis,” adding that he is “laser-focused on those issues that even President Trump says that he wants to work on,” such as reducing prescription drug prices.

“I’m going to do what the American people sent us to Washington to do,” he said.