Neil lets go indeed. Less than five hours to go until the big debate on fox bus live in simi valley, california at the Ronald Reagan library. Seven candidates are facing off in what could be for several of them a make or break moment. Ron desantis could prove to be a key target. Hes the guy in the middle. So could nikki haley who has been rocketing in the polls. The nation is watching and so are a lot of anxious donors. Coming up, South Carolina republican congresswoman nancy mace on whether she is ready to make a choice. But first, weve got Fox Team Coverage with Grady Trimble steps away from that debate stage. And chad pergram on capitol hill with the threat of a Government Shut Down looming large over that debate stage. Welcome, everybody. Im neil cavuto. Glad to have you. First off, my thanks to Charles Payne for filling in while i was out. Rushed back for job security. Meantime, the fox business Grady Trimble on what we can expect tonight. Hes got a perch there unlike anyone else. What can you tell us, my friend . Hey, neil. I can tell you the excitement is growing here at the reagan president ial library. The venue is a fitting one celebrating one of the most revered conservative leaders. Were about 100 yards from the debate stage. I want to show you how the crews have worked so hard to transfer the iconic Air Force One Pavilion in to a debate venue ready for prime time. Ronna mcdaniel is here. She says the gop candidates, seven of them, hoping to be the 47th president of the United States. Could emulate the late 40th. The last time a republican beat a democrat incumbent president was Ronald Reagan in 1980. It was jimmy carter. Theres a lot of similarities right now with the world as it is today with joe biden failing the American People and bidenomics and inflation. Its time for republicans to take back the white house. The Biden Campaign has also been hear in southern california. President biden himself is in Northern California as we speak. He and his campaign have been trying to paint all of these gop hopefuls as too radical. Were going to stay focused on getting that message and our accomplishments out and making sure that voters understand the extreme agenda that were going to continue to see tomorrow night coming from that debate stage. So the stage is set. Most notably former u. N. Ambassador nikki haley moving up in the podium position after a Strong Performance last time around in milwaukee. So she could have a target on her back tonight. But as you know, neil, anything can happen. The stakes are high. After tonight we could see this still crowded field of seven candidates shrink. Neil . Neil thats a possibility. Grady, thanks very much for that. The backdrop though has us looking at a potential United States government which could be grinding to a halt in a couple days. Chad pergram following the possibility of a Government Shutdown where things stand now. Chad . Neil, good afternoon. Theres a chasm between the house and senate on how to fund the government. There was a task vote last night with 77 yays. Kevin mccarthy dismissed that bill today. Should have not been prepaid if that much resistance . I dont want to give the speaker any advice how to run the house, particularly through you. I cant have an impact on what happens in the house. Mccarthy objects to aid for ukraine in the senate bill. He wants and interim Spending Bill which bolsters border security. The house will vote friday. Its unclear in mccarthys bill has the votes. Theres lots of skepticism. As of right now, im a no and will remain a no. My advice is buckle up. Theres turbulence ahead. Some gop moderates are unset at conservatives calling the shots in the house. Ironically, the bill could command 275 yays to avert a shut down. Thats what angers democrats. If they put our bill on the floor, it would pass. It would pass. Were waiting for a bipartisan approach to come from speaker mccorr think. If he doesnt come with a bipartisan approach, if he continues the partisanship, hes going to cause a shut down. He knows that. Regardedless, the senate cant pass their bill till late this week. Opponents are making the senate burn parliamentary time the next few days. Thats why a shut down is all but guaranteed. Neil and then the issue is how long would we have a shut down. Sandra completely unclear. We had the 35day shut down in 201819. The reason the government reopened, you had these air Traffic Controllers that walked off the job on the east coast. There was concern about air safety. Members of congress saw that. They opened the government. Neil got it. That was then. Chad pergram, thanks very much. Where do we stand in the position of key particularly republican congressmen and what theyre going to do in this environment. Representative nancy mace is one of them, a South Carolina republican. Kind enough to join us now. Congressman, always good to see you. Good to see you too, neil. Neil this seems to be falling apart or whatever hope for unity the speaker wanted to get from you and your republican members. With what youve seen out of the speaker thus far, what do you think . I think its anybodys guess. That is the 33 trillion question. Thats the amount on our nations debt. One of the reasons that there are a number of republicans up here on the hill frustrated is because we said at the beginning of the year we would go back to regular order. We would have single Subject Appropriations or Spending Bills, that we would be more responsible in our approach to spending and its been anything but so far this year. Neil let me get a sense from you what you want to see out of leadership dealing with this issue. Senate republicans say this is a house issue. Its in their hands. Its really kevin mccarthy. But they are coming up with a plan of their own that they think could hold muster with democrats and republicans. Seemingly bypassing you. That could happen. Appropriation bills need to be started in the house. The senate does have a revenue bill that they can turn into a cr and get it to us later this week. Thats the rumor on the street that Senator Schumer might have something up his sleeve to deliver to the house later this week, friday or saturday. You know, this is a huge mess. Here we are at midnight, the night before an exam and we just started to study. Theres really no need for this to happen the way that it went down. I have been frustrated by the process. I thought we would be better than this. Here we are scrambling and no one knows what is next. Neil theres been critics of those in your party or spursuin impeachment against joe biden. The argument is we can walk and chew game at the same tight. But the reality is that you cant. Oftentimes its one or the other. You think the Impeachment Push has now sort of stymied you guys, spectacularly on a this . Absolutely not. The Oversight Committee will have their own hearing on the Impeachment Inquiry separate from anything else. Oversight doesnt handle Spending Bills. Thats handled through the Appropriations Committee and the various committees of jurisdiction. We should walk and chew game at the same time. I wish we did a better job. This should have been done in july. Thats why we have this mess. Lets be honest. The reason we have a shut down is because republicans and democrats have spent this country in to oblivion. They spend too much. Neither side is willing to sit down and figure out how to balance the budget. What is responsible spending. What does that look like . All they will do is kick the can down the road and give a cr or omnibus. Thats not what the American People want. They want responsible spending and they want both sides to fix the problem that they created. Im just as frustrated as the American People are today. Neil you have the big debate tonight. Im sure this issue will be coming up. Do you have or have you made a decision on who you like . Who you want to see . I have not. Ill be watching, if i can. All eyes will be on nikki haley tonight. The last time we had a discussion was right before the first debate. I said do not underestimated nikki haley. If she has another big night, youll continue to see her walk away from the rest of the field. Her numbers have been going up. Unless other people get out, really why would anybody go with somebody else right now . The former president is currently running away with it. Shes doing a fantastic job and i expect her to shine tonight. Neil hes running away with it in your state, too, by a country mile. Now, nikki haley seems to emerged as a potent force in her own right. But not so much senator tim scott. So as a south carolinian, watching both of these folks closely, how do you feel . Well, i love them both. I go to church with tim scott. Theres something about seeing a strong woman from South Carolina from my district being out there and doing her thing. Its amazing to see two people from South Carolina on the stage. Ill be watching them later tonight or tomorrow when i get to see if fill clips of the debate tonight. South carolina, we have a lot to be proud of to see two residents of our state compete in tonights debate. Neil there could be a third. Your name has come up as a potential running mate for donald trump should he win the republican nomination. What do you think of that . Well, i think its interesting. Theres a lot of talk about having a woman on the ticket. I do a free with that sentiment. I love my home state of South Carolina. Im not looking for an upgrade at this time. Ill be supporting the nominee and doing everything i can to ensure that we have a big win in the white house in 2024 and keep the u. S. House and flip the senate next year. Neil so when you made critical comments of the former president in the past, you think that would hurt you . Well, i call it like i see it. When our party does a good job, i join hands. When the republicans dont, i speed out. Ive been a strong independent voice for our country and for republicans and democrats along. Thats what our country needs right now. A lot of people are leaving the Republican Party and the Democrat Party because theyre so disinfranchised with what theyre seeing going on. We need someone on the ticket that will be an independent voice and thats something that we should be looking for in a v. P. Neil real quickly, id like to get your sense of what governor chris sununu of New Hampshire has said. We need a windling down of this field and presumably before New Hampshire. Do you agree with that . Well, if you want to have a man on man kind of election for the president ial nomination, you do have to dwindle the field. Theres several candidates. Nobody can break out any further because of the number of candidates. The number of folks that are in the race. So i think theres candidates after tonight that will have to really question where their polling is, where their fundraising is and whether or not they stay in or if they drop out and support somebody else in the race. It will be up to voters to decide who our nominee will be. Neil all right. The most important question of all i saved for last. Its from my son a clemson student who is very concerned about clemsons bumpy start to the College Football year. Are you alarmed . Am i what . Alarmed. Oh, am i alarmed . Im a citadel bulldog fan. Neil that ends that conversation. Thanks. Very good, congressman. See how things sort out, nancy mace from the beautiful state of South Carolina. Meantime, you probably have taken a look at this. Scary stuff. The crime crisis facing retailers front and center ahead of the big debate tonight. A stunning video out of philadelphia, the latest to capture a mob of looters ransacking stores and doing it as police were present. Much more of this coming up. First, Bryan Llenas Taking A look at not only these developments politically, the Question Marks over one bob menendez and how long he can serve in the senate. I get so far he wants to stick around. Right . Yeah, neil. So far it seems like hes not going anywhere. Senator bob menendez and his wife pleading not guilty. Well have more on what happened in court as senator chuck schumer, the democratic leader, is not willing to say yet whether he should resign. More after the break. Were not writers, but we help you shape your financial story. Were not an airline, but our Network Connects global businesses across nearly 160 markets. Were not a startup, but our Innovation Labs use new technologies to help keep your information secure. Were not architects, but we help build stronger communities. Were not just any bank. We are citi. Have you ever considered getting a walkin tub . Well, look no further. When you purchase your brandnew safe step walktub youll receive a free Shower Package. Yes a free Shower Package. And if you call today youll also receive 1,500 off your entire order call now to receive a free Shower Package plus 1,500 off your brandnew safe step walkin tub neil all right. Bob menendez in new jersey says hes still fighting to keep his job here and plans to keep that job maybe even run again for the job next year. Hes facing a whirlwind of criticism many from his own party. 30 that feel he should step down know. Bryan llenas following it all in manhattan. Bryan . Good afternoon. Chuck schumer spoke on camera today for the first time about the Bribery Charges against his colleague, senator bob menendez. He stopped short in calling for his resignation. Like you, i was just deeply disappointed, disturbed when i read the indictment. Look, ive known Senator Menendez a long time. It was truly upsetting. Tomorrow he will address our caucus and well see what will happen after that. But pressure continueses to mounts for the senator to resign. At least 30 democrats senators are calling for menendez to step down including number 2 democrat, dick durbin who thought that menendez should have a fair trial first. First Senator Menendez and his wife, nadine pleaded not guilty to Bribery Charges. Menendez was forced to turn in his passports but can still travel on official senate trips as long as its preapproved by the corp. And two of the three coconspirators pleaded not guilty today and released on bail. The two are new jersey businessmen. Egyptian Born Business Man will hannah pleaded not guilty yesterday. He is seen as the greatest flight risk. Hannah, a friend of mrs. Menendez served as a conduit for requests from Egyptian Government officials. Fox news can now confirm the fbi is looking in to whether or not egyptian Counter Intelligence officials had anything to do with this bribery scheme. Neil . Neil bryan llenas in new york. Thanks for that i want to go to john yoo, the former assistant attorney general. I was struck by bryan mentioning that the bond for Senator Menendez was 100,000. 250,000 for his wife. Can you explain why that might be . If you look at the indictment, neil, it actually shows a greater responsibility in terms of the connection to money and demands for cash and gifts. Its coming from mrs. Menendez. Mrs. Menendez has a relationship with this potential egyptian agent that goes back years from before the time she was married to Senator Menendez. So they might worry that she is more of a flight risk. The government might worry shes more of a flight risk and the court might worry more than the senator. Neil so let me ask you, i know theyre pleading not guilty. Theyre accused of accepting hundreds of thousands in cash, gold bars, mercedes and toys and goodies. When asked to explain the unusually large cash position, the senator said you have to have a cash reserve on hand or emergency cash when you need it. 500,000 is certainly substantial. What do you make of all of this . Neil, this is good advice for the next time you and i get gold bars. Wipe them down for fingerprints. The fbi got fingerprints off the gold bars and envelopes of cash. Makes it hard to claim that Senator Menendez was getting them out of the bank and storing them in his safe because he might have to make a run for it when cuban intelligence comes after him. I think this is about as bad as it can look for an indictment. The pictures of the money hidden in clothing, gold bars. Free cars. Look, Senator Menendezs claim is not that he didnt get this stuff in the end from people. Which he shouldnt have done. But what did he do in exchange for it . Did he actually commit a corrupt act by a quid pro quo in response to the gifts . Neil because he seems to be saying these gifts are nothing untoward or unusual. I dont believe hes broken them town. I did want to ask you about if there is a sign of a quid pro quo, can just receiving the gifts or getting the gifts imperil his job or in worst ca