increased numbers at our southern border. they sent a team down this week to ask about whether or not there were enough teachers there or what the accommodations were for kids? how about the team ask what are we doing to stop it and turn these migrants back and tell them this isn't the way to come to america? >> dana: i really think we need to focus on the humanitarian condition. is it more humane to say do not come. let us get our systems in place but do not come right now. you will be turned away. don't take the journey. don't undertake it. try to deal with your situation better at home rather than forcing them out on the trail. >> bill: a lot of policies in the trump years have been turned around in 60 days. surprisingly the white house sent the senior team down to the border over the weekend. spent a few days there and we're told through the white house just yesterday that they hope to meet with president biden sometime this week. that was the phrase that was used yesterday. if you have an issue like this, why are you waiting throughout the week? wouldn't you come home immediately and set the briefing before the president so he can then make the best decision? >> dana: if the president sends a team you would think so. you might want to call the chief of staff, ron klain. >> bill: we begin at the white house. kristin fiesher is live on the north lawn. let's begin. >> we're starting to hear a shift in tone from top biden administration officials as they begin to come to grips with what is happening at the border. remember last week the department of homeland security secretary describes what's happening as a challenge. not a crisis. well, now according to an internal email that secretary mayorkas sent out he is calling it overwhelming numbers of migrants seeking access to this country along the southwest border and the secretary has activated the volunteer force to support customs and border protection. then there is white house press secretary jen psaki. this morning she acknowledged that what is happening at the border is putting the biden administration in a very difficult position. >> now we're in this tough spot where we need to be able to find facilities, shelters where these kids can have access to educational resources, to lawyers, to doctors. and we are also in a circumstance where we're dealing with covid. we're trying to chart the best path forward. no question this is a heartbreaking circumstance at the border. >> here is what a heartbreaking circumstance looks like. numbers according to federal immigration documents obtained by "new york times" and confirmed by fox. 3,250 migrant children are in custody along the border. a number that tripled in 14 days. more than 1,360 of them have been held in jail-like facilities for longer than the three days that are allowed by law. this is the same kind of situation that the trump administration was so heavily criticized for. now the biden administration so far is not allowing reporters in to see these facilities and the kinds of conditions the children are kept in. the big difference between now and then is the biden administration is not separating families at the border and also not turning these unaccompanied minors and sending them back. that is exactly -- those policies are what is contributing to what is happening there right now. >> bill: issues galor. one border town. 25% of migrants dropped off at a shelter tested positive for covid. the director says it was just in the first group dropped off. the actual number may go higher happening in harlingen, texas. the mayor, chris boswell. white house doesn't say it's a crisis. they're asking for volunteers to help. if it's not a crisis, why do you need volunteers and how would you characterize it, mayor? >> good morning, thank you for having me on. certainly can turn into a humanitarian crisis. we've seen this before a few years ago. when the unaccompanied minors in particular come to our communities, they don't have anyplace to go. although we have shelters that have been operating in our communities, including harlingen for a number of years. traditional shelters operate well and safely for the unaccompanied minors. when there is such an influx it can be a dangerous situation. >> dana: what's the impact on your town? i think local government is the actually the hardest government where you actually have to do things for people. what's the impact for you? >> well, these are decisions made by the federal government and should be handled by the federal government but they turn into problems for local governments because about three weeks ago the border patrol told us in mcallen, brownsville and harlingen they would be releasing primarily families into our communities. they come here not -- this is not the endpoint. this is not their final destination. they're being released into brownsville, mcallen and harlingen because we have airports and bus stations and charity facilities. and so when those charity facilities can't accommodate them, then we have to provide additional accommodations for them. so we have -- our city council has opened up one of our facilities, community center, in case our local charity loaves and fishes needs that additional space. so that becomes a burden and an expense on the local governments. our local governments really need to have help from the federal government to respond to the release of these immigrants into our communities. >> bill: it is march 9th. did you see this coming? >> well, obviously with the election there were the idea that there would be a change in policy. we knew there would be a change in policy. we also knew there were large numbers of immigrants camped in mexico waiting to be -- to enter the united states to seek asylum. so once the policy changed, then sure, they are going to move across and then try to find their final destinations. one of the things about -- this is not just a border issue. this is an issue for everyone because these folks as i said, this is not their final destination along the border. >> bill: one more precise question. jen psaki said we're here in this circumstance because we're humane. was the last administration inhumane? >> well, many of us believe that it is not humane to have young children travel from central america to the border and that is not -- that is fraught with potential problems of trafficking and difficulties in traveling so far for such a long period of time. and i think there has been in the past bipartisan concerns about that being a humanitarian problem. >> dana: mr. mayor, thank you so much for being with us today and good luck down there on the border. >> bill: thank you, sir. >> dana: today we're learning more about another controversial action by new york governor cuomo. he also ordered homes for the developmentally disabled to take in covid patients last april and never reversed the directive. bryan llenas, what else can you tell us? >> good morning. around the same time cuomo's administration ordered nursing homes to readmit covid-19 hospital patients, the administration also ordered that homes for people with developmental disabilities also accept these covid patients. like you said, that order was never rescinded. ultimately 552 people with developmental disabilities have died of coronavirus in these homes. new york state republicans like senator want answers. i'm deeply concerned the april 10 order from the office for people with development disabilities needlessly put some of our most vulnerable citizens in harm's way. amid these compounding scandals yesterday new york state republicans introduced a resolution to impeach governor cuomo. >> the real problem now is the governor has lost so much credibility and trust we don't feel he can go forward and govern. >> meantime crown publishing has stopped promoting and producing governor ko*em's book, leadership lease -- lessons from the pandemic and whether the cuomo administration covered up the number of nursing home deaths. they've paused active support of american crisis and have no plans to reprint or reissue in paper back. timing is everything. "the new york times" reports that in june cuomo's top aides rewrote a public covid-19 nursing home report to hide the true death toll. the administration reported at the time it was 6500. in reality, there were more than 9,000 deaths. days later cuomo announced he was writing a book about his stellar response to covid-19 and dana, attorney general leticia james announced yesterday among the two people leading the independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations is former acting manhattan u.s. attorney kim. kim prosecuted anthony wiener and put behind bars cuomo's right-hand man for stealing. >> dana: i remember that. thank you so much. back to the publisher of andrew cuomo's memoir sales are declining and no plans to print a book or release a paper back version. howie kurtz is here. there was a reference last week that said as andrew cuomo was thinking about doing this book and reaching out to figure out how he could get paid and the ethical rules around that, it was around the time the numbers with the nursing homes were being covered up. >> yeah, how times have changed. this is a hard-nosed business decision by crown publishing. nobody is buying the book. it is not an example of cancel culture. the premise of this book is andrew cuomo did a fabulous job battling the pandemic and it has been obliterated, the cover-up of the magnitude of nursing home deaths in new york state. i don't buy this line from the publisher about waiting for the allegations. we heard bryan talk about calls for impeachment and resignation. bottom line, it's a p.r. nightmare for the publisher walking away from andrew cuomo. >> bill: what about an order from april 10 that is still in effect for homes with people with developmental disabilities to accept covid patients. that's the same order given to nursing homes, howie. >> it breaks your heart and makes you think that if it had been handled differently a lot of elderly people would still be alive and it is hard to grapple with. how do you put out a paper back in this situation? you can't put him on the morning shows, or radio or tv and the questions would be what about the new revelations, will you resign? >> bill: 552 residents at homes with people with developmental disabilities have died in new york. >> dana: talk about the vulnerable. i want to ask you down in d.c. is the press corps getting frustrated they haven't had a press conference with president biden? 48 days and counting. here is what jen psaki said about that. >> we're standing here with me today he would say he works for the american people. i work for him. so i also work for the american people. but his objective and his commitment is to bring transparency and truth back to government. to share the truth even when it is hard to hear. >> dana: first day of the administration. reporters like access to the president. they don't feel like they're getting it >> biden was never going to be donald trump who spoke to reporters multiple times a day. the press corps is getting frustrated by biden's practice of not only holding news conference but take a couple of questions two or three times a week. he will give a major speech later this week about the passage of the $2 trillion covid aid bill. any president who had such an accomplishment in the middle of a pandemic would be political malpractice not to do that. by not taking question he gets to keeps the focus on the issues he wants or not take questions about the growing problem at the border. it's part of the job. you don't just get to talk to friendly chat with anderson cooper and people magazine. the press should be questioning him aggressively and that's accountability. not because we love talking to presidents. it is part of our job to ask the questions the public wants answered. >> bill: day 48, howie and it rolls on. back with the woman who worked in that room. today is day 48, by the way. on thursday when he gives his national address however it happens whether late in the afternoon or prime time. >> dana: prime time. my prime time is earlier these days. >> bill: we don't know if he will take questions or not. that will be day 50 on thursday. you may get past this mark when you get 50 days in and don't have major press conference. >> dana: he will want to give a speech on thursday that's pure speech. it is the one year anniversary of the national emergency declared for covid. i don't think he will take any big questions until he finishes -- until he has that signing ceremony for the american. >> bill: signing ceremony may not come until early next week depending what happens. cdc releasing new guidelines for family members hoping to reunite after getting vaccinated and where the nation stands on getting americans the jab. the numbers are awesome, by the way. really good. >> dana: and the left is taking aim at america's guns. is this about safety or stifling the second amendment? house could vote any time on the president's covid relief bill. >> bill: mary anne marsh and terry hall will take it on. what's in the bill? $2 trillion. there is a lot coming up. >> as bernie sanders said it, this is the most progressive piece of legislation to pass the senate since he has been a senator. that says a lot when you make bernie sanders blush over progressive policies. retirement is an opportunity to fill each tomorrow with moments that matter. and a steady stream of protected income can help you secure the life you've planned. for more than 150 years, generations have trusted the strength and stability of pacific life with their tomorrows. because life isn't about what tomorrow brings. it's what you do with it. ask a financial professional about pacific life keeping your oysters business growing it's has you swamped. it. you need to hire. i need indeed indeed you do. the moment you sponsor a job on indeed you get a shortlist of quality candidates from a resume data base claim your seventy-five-dollar credit when you post your first job at indeed.com/promo if you're 55 and up, t-mobile has plans built just for you. get 2 unlimited lines for only $70. and now get netflix on us with your plan. and this rate is fixed, you'll pay exactly $70 total. this month and every month. plus, switch today and get a free smartphone for each line. the best value and award-winning customer service. only at t-mobile. four, five, turn, kick. we got chased by these wild coyotes! they were following her because she had beef jerky in her pocket. (laughing) (trumpet playing) someone behind me, come on. pick that up, pick that up, right there, right there. as long as you keep making the internet an amazing place to be, we'll keep bringing you a faster, more secure, and more amazing internet. xfinity. the future of awesome. >> if you and a friend or you and a family member are both vaccinated, you can have dinner together wearing masks without distancing. you can visit your grandparents if you've been vaccinated and they have been, too. >> dana: cdc releasing new covid guidelines. fully vaccinated people can gather inside with groups and allowing grandparents to visit their families and grandchildren. the fully vaccinated people guidance. we need to spend a moment. this is so big for grandparents. they have missed their grandchildren with all their hearts. they have been lonely and they will make plans to go and hug those grandkids. >> bill: there was great news on vaccinations. there is. we'll show you how many millions of americans are getting the vaccines. early on when we saw the faces of grandparents pressed against the window of nursing homes and the families on the other side standing in the grass sometimes? >> dana: singing a song. pictures. >> bill: nursing centers getting so many vaccinated, this is great news. >> dana: a big moment. >> bill: some states are going to 60 plus. it was 80 plus, 70 plus and 60 plus. really good stuff. >> dana: check this out. >> the president is taking nothing for granted. i will note that the plan that the senate passed this weekend puts us one huge step closer to passing one of the most consequential and most progressive pieces of legislation in american history. >> dana: jen psaki praising the relief bill as house is set to vote as early as today on the package. what will the bill do for americans struggling in the pandemic? mary anne marsh senior advisor to john kerry and terry holt join me to discuss. let me show you some of the things in the bill. a list here. $350 billion state and local governments. expansion of obamacare subsidies. $270 million for arts and humanities. student loan outreach 91 million. environmental justice grants and preservation of native american languages which might be definitely you could argue on the merits but is it covid relief? >> most of us didn't get a chance to decide whether or not we wanted this or whether or not our representatives could in a cohesive way decide what was covid and what was just a grab for more federal dollars. look, dana, elections have consequences. the democrats won the election. they control both houses of congress. they were set up already to be able to get some money for further covid relief. there has been a contraction in the economy. but when does relief stretch into welfare? now we have to concern ourselves with what we're doing to this economy. long term the people that are on this relief are going to need jobs. >> bill: good question, mary anne. joe manchin with chris wallace sunday morning said it is a good bill. well, it's a good bill for what and whom? the list of what is in it that has no relationship to covid is extensive and terry and others would argue that's 90% of the $2 trillion. >> it's a great bill for the american people and why the american people by 76% of voters support it. 60% of republicans support it. eye ronically the direct payments to individuals, unemployment, payments to state and local governments and schools were all in the bill last year, all the republicans voted for it last year. >> free money is always popular. >> this is exactly what the american people and the american economy need right now. >> dana: terry, i want to ask you something. jen psaki is deliberate in using the a jekttive progressive. the most progressive legislation ever passed and joe biden working his way through the general election he got a question how he was being pulled so far to the left and he said let me remind everybody i beat them. but yet this from the white house press secretary saying this is the most progressive piece of legislation in american history. there might be some quibbles from the lyndon johnson administration but what do you make of the use of the language and what does it say about politics? >> it means there were only so many bones you can throw to the progressives and this was one big opportunity to check several boxes for the special interests that align with this biden administration and the democratic party. they got a little bit of what they wanted and i think that they should be happy. jen is acknowledging that and saying look, progressives, we helped you out. there may not be another immediate opportunity to do that. so we'll see how it goes. but what we've got here is just another partisan outcome. i would say to mary anne free money is always popular but it is not necessarily the best policy. >> bill: we'll see when they dive into it. his accusation of greater welfare, mary anne, address that. 50% of all children are lifted out of poverty. that will change not only those kids' lives but our country. every american is going to benefit from this package. we'll wrestle the pandemic into the ground. >> wouldn't you rather have those parents have jobs? >> the fact is we need this now when we have the worst economic and medical crisis this country