House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Sunday that the "defund the police" slogan hurt Democratic candidates in the recent election. 

Clyburn told NBC News's "Meet the Press" that he didn't know if the slogan "cost all the seats" Democrats lost but noted he "really believes that's what cost" Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) his seat to Rep.-elect Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). 

The majority whip also attributed Democrat Jaime Harrison's loss to the phrase, saying "that stuff hurt" him in his race against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). 

"That's why I spoke out against it a long time ago," Clyburn said. "I've always said that these headlines can kill a political effort."