1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. On this Thursday, the 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: twenty third day of the US government shutdown, which is 3 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: now the second longest shutdown in American history, I went 4 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:17,959 Speaker 1: to Capitol Hill to sit down with Hakeem Jeffreys, the 5 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,120 Speaker 1: Democratic leader in the House of Representatives. 6 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 2: Thank you for you serve groundhog Day rhythm to it. 7 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 3: There's a ground Holliday rhythm to it, you know. And 8 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 3: although there's always something extraordinary that happens as well, Yeah, 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,919 Speaker 3: as unexpected because of the nature of how this issor Yes. 10 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: Since the shutdown started, the White House announced a ceasefire 11 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 1: in Gaza. The Treasury Department extended a twenty billion dollar 12 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: lifeline to Argentina. President Trump is overseeing the demolition of 13 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: the East Wing of the White House. Now. The President 14 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: is preparing for a trip to Asia, where he's expected 15 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: to meet face to face with Chinese President Xixinping. When 16 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: it comes to the shutdown, there are some potential pressure 17 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: points on the horizon. On Friday, October twenty fourth, many 18 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 1: federal workers will miss their first paychecks. Then, on November first, 19 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,759 Speaker 1: open enrollment starts for health insurance, when many Americans are 20 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: likely to notice their healthcare costs are going to go 21 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: up barring congressional action to restore federal subsidies. 22 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 2: This is extraordinary stuff. 23 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 3: We've never seen anything like this in the history of 24 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 3: the country, which is why we believe it needs to 25 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 3: be decisively addressed. 26 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: Meanwhile, Jeffries continues to face pressure in his hometown of 27 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: New York City to weigh in on the upcoming mayoral 28 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: race there. Jeffries has yet to make an endorsement, but 29 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 1: he said he'll do so before early voting starts. Polls 30 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: open this weekend. 31 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 3: So it's been all encompassing, you know, for the last 32 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,320 Speaker 3: several weeks. That said, I do have a sense of 33 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 3: obligation to weigh in one way or the other in 34 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 3: terms of the mayor's race in advance of early voting. 35 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: I'm David Gerrett, and this is the big take from 36 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: Bloomberg News today on the show Shoe, my sit down 37 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: with House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries on the government shutdown, 38 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: the role of President Trump could play, and ending at 39 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: New York City politics and criticism of democratic leadership ahead 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty six midterms. Thank you very much 41 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: for having us, really appreciate it. 42 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 2: Thank you. 43 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 1: It's day twenty three, and I'm curious sort of what 44 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 1: has changed between day one, the start of this shutdown, 45 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,120 Speaker 1: and today in terms of the conversation and how you're 46 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: feeling about where things are well. 47 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 3: As Democrats, we continue to make clear to our Republican 48 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 3: colleagues that we will sit down with them anytime, any 49 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 3: place in order to reopen the government to negotiate a 50 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 3: bipartisan agreement that actually makes life better for the American 51 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 3: people in terms of spending and funding. But we also 52 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,359 Speaker 3: have to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis. We've maintained 53 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 3: that position from the very beginning before Republicans shut the 54 00:02:57,639 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 3: government down and during the entirety of shut down, because 55 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 3: it is a real crisis that has been created at 56 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 3: this moment, particularly as it relates to the urgent need 57 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 3: to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. 58 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,799 Speaker 1: As you and I are speaking, the House speakers doing 59 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: a press conference just down the hall. What is the 60 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: level of engagement? Do you pass one another? Are you 61 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: speaking with one another? Are Democrats talking to Republicans right now? 62 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 3: The conversations have been very limited, unfortunately, because Donald Trump 63 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 3: has not given House Republican leaders or Senate Republican leaders 64 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 3: permission to negotiate reinforcing the principle from our view that 65 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 3: he made the decision to shut the government down. They 66 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 3: want to continue to inflict pain on federal employees. They've 67 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 3: done that from the very beginning of Donald Trump's presidency. 68 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 3: In fact, more than two hundred thousand federal employees had 69 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 3: been forced off the job prior to the government shutdown. 70 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 1: I want to ask you about potential off ramps, and 71 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: Tammy Baldwin, the cenator from Wisconsin Democrats said Trump is 72 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: the off ramp at this point. Do you agree with 73 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: that assessment and has there been any kind of outreach 74 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: or dialogue between you and the White House. 75 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 3: Lady Schumer made Claire earlier this week that we have 76 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 3: reached out to the White House again to indicate that 77 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 3: prior to Trump's departure for Asia, he should sit down 78 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 3: with Democrats to find a path forward to reopen the government, 79 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 3: to enter into a bipartisan spending agreement, and to address 80 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:22,839 Speaker 3: the healthcare crisis that Marjorie Taylor Green acknowledges must be addressed, 81 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: and that traditional conservatives who are in the toughest seats 82 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 3: in the country have now publicly acknowledged this week needs 83 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:30,760 Speaker 3: to be addressed. 84 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 1: Can I ask you a question of congressional mechanics, and 85 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: that is, can the Democratic leader pick up the phone 86 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 1: call the White House and reasonably expect the President's going 87 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 1: to take that phone call? Are you able to do that? 88 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 1: And if so, what's keeping you from having that done well? 89 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 3: Traditionally that probably is the case, but in this White 90 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 3: House that's very much on Claire. Donald Trump didn't have 91 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:54,280 Speaker 3: a meeting with House or Senate Democratic leadership until two 92 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 3: days prior to the government shutting down, and we had 93 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 3: to demand that meeting, agreed to it, then he canceled it, 94 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 3: and then he was forced by public sentiment to agree 95 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 3: to it. But unfortunately, we had a discussion for about 96 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 3: an hour or so, and then there was no follow 97 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 3: up from either Donald Trump or his administration because they 98 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 3: are not serious about solving these challenges on behalf of 99 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:22,839 Speaker 3: the American people. We live in a high cost of 100 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 3: living environment. The American people are struggling to afford to live, 101 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 3: struggling paycheck to paycheck, and Donald Trump and Republicans promised 102 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 3: that they were going to lower costs on day one, 103 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 3: but costs aren't going down. Costs are going up, Inflation 104 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 3: going up, electricity prices through the roof, housing costs, expensive, 105 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 3: grocery costs increasingly expensive. And now people facing the possibility 106 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:51,359 Speaker 3: as we approached the open enrollment period for health insurance 107 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 3: on November one, that millions of folks are going to 108 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 3: see premium increases that could be as high as a 109 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 3: thousand or two thousand dollars more more per month. And 110 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 3: yet we see nothing but in action from the President 111 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:06,159 Speaker 3: of the United States. 112 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: Keeping that in mind, Jason Smith, Chairman of Houseways and Means, 113 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 1: was on our area yesterday and he said, maybe there 114 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 1: could be a longer term CR fourteen months take us 115 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 1: through the midterms. Am I right? And assuming that's unpalatable 116 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: to you because it does nothing to address what you 117 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: were just talking about, those healthcare subsidies. 118 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 3: Yes, it's definitively unacceptable to us. We've made clear from 119 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,359 Speaker 3: the beginning we will not vote for a partisan, Republican 120 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 3: spending bill that continues to cut the healthcare of the 121 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 3: American people in the face of an extraordinary crisis that 122 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 3: Republicans have created. 123 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 2: If you think about it. 124 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 3: The largest cut to Medicaid in American history, almost a 125 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,800 Speaker 3: trillion dollar cut. This from a president and Republicans who 126 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 3: promised in January that they would love and cherish Medicaid. 127 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 3: As a result of the policies in the One Big 128 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 3: Ugly Bill, we're seeing hospitals and nursing homes and community 129 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 3: based health centers closed all across the country because of 130 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 3: what We'reublicans have done. We also are facing a possible 131 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 3: five hundred and thirty six billion dollar cut to Medicare 132 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 3: at the end of the year if Congress doesn't act 133 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 3: they refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, 134 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 3: which is going to impact tens of millions of people. 135 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 3: By the way, more than ninety percent of the people 136 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 3: who receive tax credits connected to their health insurance make 137 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 3: around sixty three thousand dollars or less. These are working 138 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 3: class folks. And then we know that Republicans are continuing 139 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 3: to assault our public health infrastructure in the country related 140 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 3: to vaccine availability. Their Appropriations bill right now that they 141 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 3: want us to support in the House. They propose cutting 142 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 3: one point seven billion dollars from the Centers for Disease 143 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 3: Control and another five hundred or so million dollars from 144 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 3: the National Institute of Health. It's not something that's acceptable 145 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 3: to us in any way, shape or form. This is 146 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 3: a healthcare crisis that cannot be overstated, and so we've 147 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 3: got to address it decisively. 148 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 1: Now, want to talk about your vision for how all 149 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: of this unfold. So my first question is, how do 150 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: you see all this play out? How long do you 151 00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: think it's going to be. What's your best guess at 152 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: this point? 153 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 3: Well, listen, I think the longer this goes on, the 154 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 3: more pressure that unfortunately continues to mount on Congress decisively 155 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 3: to act, meaning our Republican colleagues who control the House 156 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 3: and the Senate. And it shocks a lot of people 157 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 3: that House Republicans have been on vacation now four consecutive weeks, 158 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 3: have literally canceled votes for four consecutive weeks. That's an 159 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 3: unsustainable position. We believe they need to get back to work, 160 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:49,679 Speaker 3: come back from vacation, sit down, let's do the business 161 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 3: of the American people. We also, of course, are going 162 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 3: to approach the November first open enrollment period, and at 163 00:08:56,240 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 3: that moment in time, it will be crystal clear to 164 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 3: the American people that their premiums, copais and deductibles are 165 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:09,239 Speaker 3: about to skyrocket in ways that will crush them financially, 166 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 3: and they will be unable to go see a doctor 167 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 3: when they need one, when their children need one, when 168 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 3: their family needs one. And it's unsustainable for Republicans to 169 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 3: continue to refuse to address that issue. It's not a 170 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 3: made up issue. It's a real life issue that has 171 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:30,760 Speaker 3: adverse consequences on everyday Americans. 172 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: I think back to the beginning of this in the 173 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: days before there were some critics who said that date's 174 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,320 Speaker 1: too far off, and you're making this argument based on 175 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: that November first deadline. People aren't dealing with that in 176 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: real terms. Yet does this become an easier sell to 177 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 1: the American public as we get closer to that date 178 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: and the need as we hit November first. 179 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 3: Well, our view was that we needed to address this 180 00:09:50,520 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 3: issue in October because of the fact that notices were 181 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,679 Speaker 3: going out to tens of millions of Americans who have 182 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 3: to be able to plan. They need need some certainty 183 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 3: to understand are they going to be able to afford healthcare? 184 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 3: How am I going to manage this situation? What are 185 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:10,319 Speaker 3: my alternatives? And that's why we felt like it needed 186 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 3: to be dealt with with the fierce urgency of now 187 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 3: in connection to what was also happening with the need 188 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 3: to either fund the government, prevent a shutdown that Republicans 189 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 3: have now brought to the country, now reopen the government, 190 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 3: and actually to reach and enlighten bipartisan spending agreement, where 191 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 3: our only criteria had been if we're going to reach 192 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 3: an agreement that's by partisan in nature, it has to 193 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 3: actually improve the lives of the American people in three 194 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 3: different areas, their health, public safety, and their economic well being, 195 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: particularly as it relates to lowering the high cost of 196 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 3: living because America is too expensive right. 197 00:10:52,400 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: Now, a nearer pressure point is Friday, October the twenty fourth, 198 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: Federal workers aren't going to receive their pay checks. How 199 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 1: confident are you that you're not going to be blamed? 200 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:12,319 Speaker 1: Democrats aren't going to be blamed for that when that 201 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 1: comes around. 202 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 3: Well, from the very beginning of this president's term, Donald 203 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:21,479 Speaker 3: Trump and the Republicans have assaulted in the most egregious 204 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 3: way possible hardworking federal civil servants and public employees. 205 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:27,479 Speaker 2: And it's outrageous. 206 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 3: As I mentioned, more than two hundred thousand federal employees 207 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 3: have already been forced off the job. That was prior 208 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 3: to Donald Trump shutting down the government. We passed the 209 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 3: law on twenty seventeen that Donald Trump signed which requires 210 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 3: that furloughed workers, all federal employees, receive their back pay. 211 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 3: Is Donald Trump that's now suggesting unlawfully that he can 212 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 3: withheld hold that pay and they might not be confident. 213 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: Should workers be worried about that? I've talked to a 214 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: few federal workers who, for the first time, for the 215 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: first shutdown, they've been through their their word that that's 216 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: not going to happen. Is that a reasonable concern? 217 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: Well, the law is crystal clear. 218 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 3: It's a reasonable concern from the standpoint that when Donald Trump 219 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 3: says anything, and he's the president of the United States, 220 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:12,840 Speaker 3: and there's been a willingness to engage in an unlawful and 221 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 3: illegal behavior, sometimes rubber stamped by the conservative majority on 222 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 3: the US Supreme Court, that's problematic. But the law is 223 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 3: very crystal clear in this particular instance, and we are 224 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 3: going to make sure that every single federal employee receives 225 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 3: the entirety of their pain. 226 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:32,439 Speaker 1: People will be watching this and listening to this, hearing 227 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 1: what you're saying, and detesting that there is this deficitive 228 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: trust between the two parties here, and I don't think 229 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,200 Speaker 1: that engenders a lot of optimism because this gets solved 230 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: anytime soon. Is that misplaced? You? Do you feel like 231 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 1: it there can be some comedy here somewhere. 232 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 3: Or we're taking the Ronald Reagan approach to this particular 233 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 3: situation from the standpoint of what needs to happen, Trust, 234 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 3: but verify and so, yeah, promises can be made, but 235 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 3: we need verification. That verification comes in the form of 236 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:05,359 Speaker 3: actual legislation, decisive legislative action to be able to address 237 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,959 Speaker 3: the Republican healthcare crisis. But we're here each and every day, 238 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 3: Democrats have been showing up on Capitol Hill. We're committed 239 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 3: to doing the work to finding a bipartisan path forward, 240 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 3: to reopening the government and to addressing the healthcare crisis 241 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 3: that Republicans have viciously visited on the American people. 242 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: Got a couple questions just about the long term consequences 243 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: of this. So the President said, we're closing up programs 244 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 1: that are Democrat programs that we're opposed to, and they're 245 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:35,680 Speaker 1: never going to come back in many cases. Is he right? 246 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 1: Is the work that's being done by omb and his 247 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: administration irrevocable. 248 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 3: Well, Republicans have been trying to shut down programs unlawfully 249 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 3: from the very beginning of this presidency in ways that 250 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 3: clearly violate the law because they're inconsistent with bipartisan bills 251 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 3: that have been passed dictating how taxpayer dollars are spent 252 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 3: in ways that a design to benefit the American people. 253 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:03,720 Speaker 3: So what we're seeing right now is not inconsistent. These 254 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 3: are just threats from Donald Trump trying to intimidate Democrats 255 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 3: from backing away from the position that we've taken. 256 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 2: On behalf of the American people. 257 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 3: This is a principal position for us, not politicals, not partisan. 258 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 3: It's about the quality of life, the health, the safety, 259 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 3: and the economic well being of the American people. And 260 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,280 Speaker 3: we'll continue to hold this position, and we're going to 261 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 3: have to, of course, continue to push back against overreach 262 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 3: from Donald Trump and his administration. Unfortunately, Republicans who control 263 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: the House and the Senate, they have complete control of 264 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 3: government right now in the Congress, they're not functioning like 265 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 3: a separate and coequal branch of government. They're a wholly 266 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 3: owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel. And unfortunately, they continue 267 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 3: to recklessly rubber stamp Donald Trump's extreme policies. 268 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: We can pour one out for regular order. We haven't 269 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: seen that in a long time. But I wonder if 270 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 1: what's at risk curious the appropriations processes. You talk to 271 00:14:59,880 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 1: you your appropriations team, what do they say about how 272 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 1: that's likely to change this result? Yes, of what's led 273 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: to the shutdown, but also what we've seen in this 274 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 1: administration do when it comes to budgeting over the last 275 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: few months. 276 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 3: Well, our appropriators on the Democratic side, Rosa Deloro and 277 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 3: on the Senate side of the Democratic Caucus of course, 278 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:22,440 Speaker 3: Patty Murray. They are superb appropriators and they're committed to 279 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 3: a process of finding a bipartisan path. 280 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: Are they worried? 281 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 3: Well, well, I think Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have 282 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:35,720 Speaker 3: expressed concern about how this administration has conducted itself in 283 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 3: violating congressional intent. The Framers were very clear Congress has 284 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: the power of the purse. That's for good reason. Where 285 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 3: the institutions that are closest to the American people, particularly 286 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 3: on the House side, and so yes, the American people 287 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 3: should be worried, But we need a Congress to actually 288 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 3: reassert itself in the best interests of the American people, 289 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 3: so that the administration is not allowed just to make 290 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 3: these decisions gaterly on their own without the people's representatives 291 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 3: in the House of the Senate actually being able to 292 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 3: have our will exerted through our representation of everyday Americans. 293 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: It was Opening Night at the Garden last night, Nicks 294 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: versus Cavs Knicks one one, nineteen to one eleven. Also 295 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: the final mayoral debate in New York City. Did you 296 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 1: watch it? Have you kept up with what happened on 297 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 1: stage last night? 298 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 3: I wasn't able to catch the debate live. I did 299 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,920 Speaker 3: catch the final few moments of the next game, I 300 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 3: do admit, but the debate had already ended at that 301 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 3: point by time my day ended. I didn't think it 302 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 3: was interesting yesterday, and a strong step that was taken 303 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 3: by Zoran, the Democratic nominee, when he indicated his intention 304 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 3: to retain our current police Commissioner, Jessica Tish. I think 305 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 3: that probably will provide a lot of comfort to people 306 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:54,440 Speaker 3: throughout the city of New York. She's done a great job, 307 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:58,320 Speaker 3: she's well respected. We're a diverse city, and it'll be 308 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 3: interesting to see how that is received. 309 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 2: Upon my return home. 310 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: You've been asked about this a thousand times. Let me 311 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: ask a thousand and one times. Are you prepared to 312 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 1: endorse the Democratic nominee for mayor in New York? 313 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 3: Well, what I'll say is I'm prepared to weigh in 314 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 3: and advance of early voting and early two days away. 315 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:14,720 Speaker 2: Early voting starts on Saturday. 316 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, what's what's holding you up? And what are the 317 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 1: issues that you're still concerned about? And I know that 318 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: you said the last time you were asked about this, 319 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,679 Speaker 1: you're going to have a conversation with sorry Mundani, another conversation. 320 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: What's left undiscussed? 321 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 3: Well, I hope vic to them today or tomorrow, and 322 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 3: in fact, I plan on speaking to them today and tomorrow. 323 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 2: And I think from. 324 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 3: My standpoint, look, I was prepared to try to bring 325 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 3: this to a close one way or the other several 326 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 3: weeks ago, and then the government shut down hit and honestly, Dave, 327 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:47,600 Speaker 3: it's been all encompassing because this is a traumatic moment 328 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 3: for the country, that this has been inflicted on the 329 00:17:50,760 --> 00:17:54,320 Speaker 3: American people, and then laying on top of it, right, 330 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:58,240 Speaker 3: just shutting the government down as Republicans have done, is 331 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 3: very problematic, but trying to communicate with the American people 332 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 3: why we as Democrats also believe that addressing the Republican 333 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 3: health care crisis is necessary, and explaining the entirety of 334 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 3: the assault on their health care that has occurred this year, 335 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 3: beginning with the one Big Ugly bill and the largest 336 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 3: cut to medicate in the American history, and the fact 337 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:26,640 Speaker 3: that their hospitals and nursing homes and community based health 338 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 3: centers are closing all across the country. Home care will 339 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 3: be adversely affected. The possible cut to Medicare at the 340 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,919 Speaker 3: end of the year, the Republican refusal to extend the 341 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 3: Affordable Care Act tax credits, and the threats that they're 342 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,399 Speaker 3: now making to even try to repeal the Affordable Care Act, 343 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 3: and the assault on public health infrastructure. 344 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 2: This is extraordinary stuff. 345 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,719 Speaker 3: We've never seen anything like this in the history of 346 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 3: the country, which is why we believe it needs to 347 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 3: be decisively addressed, along with of course reopening the government, 348 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 3: standing by a hard working federal civil servants, and making 349 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 3: sure that we can enact a bipartisan spending group. So 350 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 3: it's been all encompassing, you know, for the last several weeks. 351 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 3: That said, I do have a sense of obligation to 352 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 3: weigh in one way or the other in terms of 353 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:15,440 Speaker 3: the mayor's race in advance of early voting. 354 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: So I did watch the debate, and the themes of criticism 355 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:20,160 Speaker 1: that came up from the other two candidates were he's 356 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:24,159 Speaker 1: inexperienced and his comments on the Middle Easter problematic? Are 357 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 1: those likewise the same issues that you want to talk 358 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 1: to him more about? What's left unsaid between the two 359 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: of you. 360 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 3: Well, I've certainly already publicly communicated and privately communicated some 361 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 3: of my concerns with respect to some of the views 362 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 3: that he's expressed in terms of foreign policy. That said, 363 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 3: I believe his relentless focus on affordability is the right focus. 364 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,919 Speaker 3: The question, you know, becomes for any mayor, for any executive, 365 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 3: how are you going to implement that objective? 366 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 2: Because it's the right objective. 367 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 3: But he's got to navigate a treacherous governmental terrain in 368 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 3: terms of the city, state, and most significantly, the federal government, 369 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,439 Speaker 3: because it's clear that Donald Trump has it out for 370 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 3: democratic led cities all across the country, and we've got 371 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 3: to be prepared for the fact that Donald Trump is 372 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:14,440 Speaker 3: coming from New York. 373 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 1: I guess my question is one of confusion. So I 374 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:20,240 Speaker 1: sat down with Governor Cuomo, and in that conversation he said, 375 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 1: I'm a Democrat. My dad was a Democrat. He's really 376 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 1: taking up that mantle. Of course, he lost the primary. 377 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 1: He's running as an independent. Isn't there an element here 378 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,399 Speaker 1: of confusion that in this vacuum and you could, I guess, 379 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: do something to close that vacuum. He's able to take 380 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: up that mantle to the detriment of the duly elected 381 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:37,680 Speaker 1: Democratic nominee. 382 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 3: Well, it's interesting because he is running as an independent, 383 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 3: so he's not the Democratic nominee. But of course he 384 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 3: has a long history as a Democrat. I think some 385 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 3: of the concerns that I've seen articulated, however, is well, 386 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:54,360 Speaker 3: what is the actual path to victory given the inability 387 00:20:54,920 --> 00:21:00,359 Speaker 3: to convince a majority of Democrats in the primary that 388 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 3: you were the right person to lead the city moving 389 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 3: forward at this moment? 390 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:05,399 Speaker 1: Let me use this as a segue. So a lot 391 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:07,639 Speaker 1: of people point to his youth, point to as you 392 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:11,640 Speaker 1: just noted, his emphasis on affordability. Part of your job 393 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:15,359 Speaker 1: is surveying the national terrain, political terrain, and looking for 394 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 1: candidates does his success in that primary make you think 395 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 1: that youth is more important this time around, that that emphasis, 396 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 1: that kind of monomoniacal emphasis on affordability is going to 397 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:27,200 Speaker 1: be critical here as you look at the midterms and beyond. 398 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 3: What we've said from the very beginning of this year 399 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:32,919 Speaker 3: when we came back into session, in fact, in my 400 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 3: first set of remarks on the House floor that would 401 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:40,639 Speaker 3: have been on January third, that we were relentlessly committed 402 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,159 Speaker 3: to lowering the high cost of living, that America is 403 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:46,360 Speaker 3: too expensive. Housing costs too high, grocery cost too high, 404 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 3: childcare cost too high, healthcare cost too high, utility costs 405 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 3: too high, and something needed to be decisively done about it. 406 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 3: It certainly was our hope that Republicans would keep their 407 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 3: core promise of lowering the high cost of living. They've 408 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 3: refused to do it. In fact, what they've done is 409 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 3: make life more expensive. 410 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 2: But from the very beginning of the year, it's clear to. 411 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 3: Us that the affordability issue is central to what we 412 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 3: need to do on behalf of the American people listen. 413 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 3: We believe in this country, greatest country in the history 414 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,679 Speaker 3: of the world, that everyone who works hard and plays 415 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 3: by the rules should be able to provide a comfortable 416 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:26,439 Speaker 3: life for themselves and for their families, to live the 417 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,880 Speaker 3: good life, good paying job, good housing, good health care, 418 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,399 Speaker 3: good education for their children, and a good retirement. And 419 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 3: the problem that so many Americans confront right now is 420 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 3: that far too many people are doing the first two things. 421 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,479 Speaker 3: They're working hard, and they're playing by the rules, but 422 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 3: they can't get to that American dream, that comfortable life, 423 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 3: living the good life for themselves and for their family. 424 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 3: That's what's broken in the country right now. And so 425 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:50,960 Speaker 3: we've got to fix it. And yes, affordability is a 426 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 3: big part of it, the central issue, the high cost 427 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:55,640 Speaker 3: of living. We've also got to find ways to put 428 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 3: money back into the pockets of the American people actually 429 00:22:58,760 --> 00:23:00,320 Speaker 3: use the tax code to. 430 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 2: Make their life better. 431 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,440 Speaker 3: Instead, what we've seen with Republicans, this one big, ugly 432 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 3: bill that's now law, is that they hurt everyday Americans 433 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 3: in order to reward their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks. 434 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 3: That's why I think that voters are going to reject 435 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:20,679 Speaker 3: this Republican extremism and Republican policies all across the country 436 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 3: and will begin to see that during the upcoming general election. 437 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 3: In Virginia, in New Jersey, and with respect to Prop 438 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:29,920 Speaker 3: fifty in California. 439 00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: What do you say to those candidates who are mounting 440 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: primary campaigns against Democrats who are critical of Democratic leadership, 441 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: maybe looked at what happened in March, wish that you 442 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: and the Senate Minority leader had stood up, then want 443 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 1: you to do more. What's your message to them? Just 444 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:44,920 Speaker 1: about the way that this party is operating in its 445 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 1: current form? 446 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 3: Well, to be very clear, House Democrats were strongly opposed 447 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,919 Speaker 3: to the partisan Republican spending bill in March, and we 448 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:55,639 Speaker 3: continue to have that position. And I'm thankful for the 449 00:23:55,640 --> 00:24:00,200 Speaker 3: incredible leadership of Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, who you 450 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 3: know strongly opposed the one big ugly bill from the 451 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:07,639 Speaker 3: very beginning all the way through the unanimous Democratic opposition 452 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 3: and will continue to stand on principle and defensitve American people. 453 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,400 Speaker 3: At the same period of time, I understand that you know, 454 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:19,680 Speaker 3: we've seen extraordinary extremism unleased on the American people in 455 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 3: assault on all of the things that matter, Republican assault 456 00:24:24,359 --> 00:24:28,280 Speaker 3: on the economy, on healthcare, on nutritional assistance, on veterans, 457 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:31,880 Speaker 3: on farmers, on law abiding immigrant families, on the rule 458 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 3: of law, on due process, on the American way of life, 459 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 3: and of course, on democracy itself. It's the reason why 460 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 3: more than seven million people most recently came out in 461 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:46,359 Speaker 3: connection with the No King's protests, came out peacefully, powerfully, 462 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:50,560 Speaker 3: and patriotically in order to express dissent with the fact 463 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 3: that the country is moving in the wrong direction under 464 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 3: Donald Trump and sycophantic Republicans in the House and the 465 00:24:57,640 --> 00:25:00,239 Speaker 3: Senate who continue to behave like nothing more more than 466 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 3: a reckless rubber stamp. 467 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 2: So we're in a more is more environment. 468 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:06,919 Speaker 3: And we're just gonna have to continue to do more, 469 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 3: you know, more rallies, more protests, more speeches on the 470 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,959 Speaker 3: House floor, Senate floor, more town hall meetings and Democratic districts, 471 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:18,000 Speaker 3: more town hall meetings and Republican districts. We've held a 472 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:21,239 Speaker 3: hearing every week during this shutdown. 473 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:23,639 Speaker 2: Here and we'll continue to do that to amplify. 474 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 3: The voices of the American people in terms of who's 475 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:28,919 Speaker 3: being hurt by Donald Trump's policies, who's being hurt by 476 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 3: the shutdown that Republicans have visited upon the American people, 477 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:35,680 Speaker 3: and who's being hurt by the Republican healthcare crisis. 478 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 2: And we'll continue to do that, but more will be required. 479 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 3: And I understand that because this is an extraordinary, unprecedented 480 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 3: moment of extremism being unleashed on the American people. 481 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 1: Last question, the capital is quieter than usual? Yeah, city 482 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:53,640 Speaker 1: a bit quieter than usual. The present's about to leave, 483 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: will be halfway around the world. It's gonna only add 484 00:25:56,040 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 1: to that. He was gonna go to Budapeste to meet 485 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,280 Speaker 1: with President Putin. Now curarently that's not happening. What is 486 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 1: your assessment of how hard he's being on the Russian president? 487 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: Is he being hard enough? Could he be doing more? 488 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:10,199 Speaker 1: And I have kind of noted here Steve Witkoff, his 489 00:26:10,320 --> 00:26:12,920 Speaker 1: longtime business associate, was kind of running point on setting 490 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:14,919 Speaker 1: up this meeting between the two of them. Now it 491 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 1: seems like Secretary of State Marco Rubio is doing that 492 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 1: as well. What do you make of that? What do 493 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 1: you make of the approach the president has his team 494 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: has right now to Vladimir Putin into a potential meeting 495 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:23,640 Speaker 1: with him. 496 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 3: Well, I think one the President should actually be focused 497 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:30,960 Speaker 3: right now on reopening the government immediately, on reaching a 498 00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:35,879 Speaker 3: bipartisan spending agreement immediately and addressing the Republican healthcare crisis immediately. 499 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 3: In terms of the war of aggression that Russia has 500 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:45,879 Speaker 3: launched against Ukraine, the American people are with the Ukrainian people, 501 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:49,919 Speaker 3: and we are with the Ukrainian people because Ukraine is 502 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 3: not just fighting for its territorial integrity. They are standing 503 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 3: on the right side of democracy, of freedom, and of truth, 504 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:03,359 Speaker 3: and Russia is on the side of authoritarianism, of tyranny, 505 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 3: and of propaganda. And in that kind of situation, we 506 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 3: should always be standing up for principles that are consistent 507 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 3: with who we are as Americans. That means standing with Ukraine. 508 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:18,800 Speaker 3: And Donald Trump continues to in different ways play foot 509 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 3: see with Vladimir Putin, who is a sworn enemy of 510 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 3: the United States of America. Congress probably needs to act 511 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 3: both in the House and the Senate in terms of 512 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 3: increasing the economic sanctions on Russia. And the only reason 513 00:27:33,280 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 3: why Republicans haven't moved legislation that they themselves support is 514 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:42,119 Speaker 3: because apparently they've been ordered not to bring this legislation 515 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:43,200 Speaker 3: forward by Donald Trump. 516 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:45,200 Speaker 1: I assume you applaud what the Treasury sector you did 517 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,880 Speaker 1: yesterday putting those sanctions on the Russian oil companies. 518 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:49,920 Speaker 3: It's a step in the right direction, but there's more 519 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:51,520 Speaker 3: decisive action that needs to be taken. 520 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:53,679 Speaker 1: They're Jeffrey Snank you very much. Thank you appreciate it. 521 00:27:56,960 --> 00:27:59,000 Speaker 1: This is the Big Take from Bloomberg News. I'm David 522 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:03,160 Speaker 1: Garat was made by Aaron Edwards, David Fox, Eleanor Harrison Dengate, 523 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:07,720 Speaker 1: Patty Hirsch, Rachel Lewis, Chrisky, Naomi Julia Press, Tracy Samuelson, 524 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: Naomi Shaven, Alex Sagura, Julia Weaver, Young Young, and Taka Yesuzawa. 525 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: To get more from the Big Take and unlimited access 526 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 1: to all of bloomberg dot com, subscribe today at Bloomberg 527 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:21,679 Speaker 1: dot com Slash Podcast offer. Thanks for listening. We'll be 528 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:26,280 Speaker 1: back on Monday.