Transcripts For CSPAN Democratic 20240703 : vimarsana.com

Reporters about that issue and fielded questions on japanese Prime Minister kishidas address to a joint session of congress and rebuilding the baltimore key bridge. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] mr. Jeffries good afternoon. Earlier today we welcomed the Prime Minister of japan, his excellencecy, for a joint session of congress. I thought he delivered an incredibly important address as it relates to the very close relationship between japan and the United States of america. A relationship thats endured for decades. A relationship that is echoed in principles of democracy. And freedom. And certainly a relationship that is incredibly important during this great moment of turmoil when we see forces of tyranny and totalitarianism and terror. Partnering with each other. Including but not limited to in ukraine as it relates to russian aggression and its a real, clear, urgent need for american leadership, as the japanese Prime Minister made clear, and for the congress to do its part to meet Americas National security needs. Which requires House Republicans to bring the bipartisan, comprehensive, National Security bill to the house floor for an up or down vote. Democrats under the leadership of President Biden continue to deliver real results for the American People. Job creation remains up. More than 15 million goodpaying jobs have been created under the leadership of president joe biden. In less than four years. Which represents phenomenal progress from the days of the covid19 pandemic and the shutdown of our economy. At the same point, democrats realize that theres more that needs to be done to address inflationary pressures. The issue of affordability and to drive down costs for Everyday Americans and democrats remain committed to building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up, to growing the middle class, and to making sure that we bring Economic Opportunity to every single zip code in the United States of america. For the middle class and all those Everyday Americans who aspire to be part of the middle class. Questions . Reporter thank you. Sit hard as leader of the democrats when republicans are in charge and theyre constantly unable to move fisa, we dont know the path on ukraine, theres always this toking and froing to say, this is what were going to do . Whats the attitude of democrats when theyre hearing this and seeing this pandemonium . Mr. Jeffries from the beginning of this congress we made clear as democrats that we will find bipartisan Common Ground with our republican colleagues on any issue in order to make life better for the American People. And we have repeatedly done exactly that. On issue after issue after issue, including most recently making sure we funded the government in a way that met the needs of the American People in terms of their health, their safety, and their economic well being. At the same time, we have also made clear that we are going to push back against republican extremism whenever necessary. And we have had to repeatedly do it because the extreme maga republicans are determined, for instance, to rip away reproductive freedom from the women of america and to impose their draconian economic philosophy, which is anchored in tax cuts for the wealthy, the well off, and the wellconnected. Were going to continue to stay on this track of doing whats right for the American People and finding bipartisan Common Ground whenever and wherever possible. But at the same time pushing back against their extremism. Specifically, as it relates to what weve seen over and over and over again from this group of maga extremists on the other side of the aisle, its clear to the American People that in washington, d. C. , we need more common sense, and as the House Democratic governing philosophy, common sense, and less chaos. Unfortunately, what weve seen from House Republicans from the very beginning of this congress is chaos, dysfunction, and extremism, and it hurts the American People. Reporter is the speaker getting marching orders from the former president . Hes going to meet him at maralago, have you heard that . Mr. Jeffries thats a question that speaker johnson has to answer himself. Reporter what are democrats doing to make sured agets to haiti and what are House Democrats doing to make sure members back bills to fund the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge in baltimore . Mr. Jeffries both are important. Im going to have a conversation with governor moore later today, ive been in close touch with him, our offices have been in touch withre other. And congressman mfume has been leading the effort on behalf of the maryland delegation to make sure we are able to provide the city of baltimore, the people of baltimore, and certainly the immigrant families who have experienced the loss of a loved one, with the support that they need in this moment of great crisis. America needs to stand with the people of haiti. Haiti is not in our backyard, hey tee is in our haiti in in our frontyard. It is a part of the americas. Haitian americans are an important part of this countrys gorgeous mosaic. The United States has secured a commitment from kenya and other nations in africa and the caribbean to provide Security Assistance on the ground in haiti. But we need the congress to do its part and release the 40 million in Security Assistance that is necessary for the kenyans and others to be able to have the resources necessary to turn around the security situation in haiti. We sent a letter to speaker johnson weeks ago, urging him to urge the republican chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee to release the hold so that the 40 million in Security Assistance for the people of haiti can be distributed in a manner that will allow for the chaotic situation to be addressed. And it should have happened yesterday. It needs to happen immediately. Reporter thank you. Have you begun discussions with speaker johnson about a new ukraine package, and if he move and that would you save him from the motion to vacate . Mr. Jeffries the only way forward at this late hour is for House Republicans to put the bipartisan, comprehensive National Security bill on the house floor for an up or down vote so we can provide support for our democratic allies in ukraine, israel, the indopacific, including japan, as well as make sure we can get humanitarian assistance to palestinians who are in harms way in gaza through no fault of their own, and other victims. Thats the only path forward. Enough with the delays. The obstruction. The gamesmanship. The on fuse case. Enough the obfuscation. Enough. The world is on fire. American leadership is required. The entire postworld war ii, rulesbased society on the global stage is at risk. If because of inaction in the donothing republican house, we fail to provide ukraine with the support that it needs to push back against russian aggression. Theres only one path forward. Now ive made the observation, not a declaration, the observation that if the speaker were to do the right thing, and allow the house to work its will, with an up or down vote on the National Security bill, that i believe that there are a reasonable number of democrats who would not want to see the speaker fall as a result of doing the right thing. Observation, not a declaration. Because we have to have a conversation, i didnt necessarily mean to rhyme there. [laughter] mr. Jeffries a conversation amongst ourselves as House Democrats before making such a solemn decision. Reporter does that mean youre rule ought supporting any other type of package . Mr. Jeffries our view, quite clearly, and it was expressed this morning in the whip meeting hosted by the honorable Katherine Clark who is doing a great job, is that the only path forward is an up or down vote on the bipartisan, comprehensive National Security bill. Reporter the only path forward for that bill would be on the suspension calendar such as was demonstrated yesterday they cant pass a rule. Are you worried about losing democratic votes over the israel aid portion of this, and that you would be in a situation where you couldnt get a 2 3 majority . Mr. Jeffries i believe that there are sufficient number of votes to make sure that the National Security bill makes it over the legislative finish line if its brought to the house floor. Between the House Democratic caucus and the House Republican conference. Reporter saw yesterday that the republicans failed to pass a rule on fisa. Would democrats support a standalone rule for fisa and has speaker johnson spoken to you about this . Mr. Jeffries no, and no. Reporter it doesnt have the full support of democrats, have you been talking to your colleagues if theyre willing to sign this discharge petition to move forward with the bill . Mr. Jeffries i think the discharge petition now has north of the support of 90 of House Democrats. I think we are currently somewhere around 194 or 195, some additional members signed today. I think we have two republicans who joined us. The problem is not on the democratic side. The problem is on the republican side. Two republicans. Out of 217. Believe that its urgent at this moment to put the bipartisan National Security bill on the floor so we can provide support for ukraine, israel, japan, south korea, taiwan, and humanitarian assistance to people who are struggling throughout the world. Two republicans. The problem is not on the democratic side. And just a handful of republicans, 20 or 25 at most, were willing to join House Democrats, we can do whats necessary to protect Americas National security needs. Reporter thank you. It sounds like speaker johnson, in order to win over some of those conservative critics, is looking at a plan to shrink the reauthorization window from five years to two years. Is that something the democrats cowl support . Mr. Jeffries i need to have a conversation with jim hymes as well as the democrat jim hymes as well as the democrats on the committee who have been close toast this issue, as well as chairman meeks of the foreign afairks soon to be chairman meeks of the Foreign Affairs committee, once and future chairman meeks. As well as adam smith and others. For, you know, before, you know, im going to weigh in on the length of time connected to the reauthorization. Back to this side. Reporter during your conversations with the japanese Prime Minister, did you bring up any type of reforms to the status let me get this right, to the status of forces agreement between the United States and japan to avoid a situation like the one that happened at ridge alconas from happening again . Mr. Jeffries they do that did not come up in the private conversations i was part of. We more broadly talked about continued Security Cooperation between the United States and japan. Some of the challenges in the indopacific. As well as of course some of the challenges in the world. Similar to the themes that the japanese Prime Minister hit upon in his address. Because were confronting across the world a conflict between the forces of freedom and the forces of tyranny. The forces of democracy and the forces of autocracy. The forces of truth, and the forces of propaganda. The United States, japan, our other democratic allies, stand on the right side of that divide. And well have to look for ways to continue to make sure we operationalize it. Reporter do you think Service Members overseas need to be guaranteed to the right to an attorney or a translator . Mr. Jeffries that issue didnt come up. I defer to the administration right new for the particulars. Reporter we saw another ruling on abortion in arizona further restricting the practice. Do you believe these rulings in the wake of roe vrmt wade being overturned, does that expand your map when youre looking to take back the majority . Do you believe donald trump when he says he wouldnt sign a National Abortion ban into law . Mr. Jeffries donald trump is lying. This is an individual who has said, along with the other extreme maga republicans, that they are proud to have taken down roe v. Wade. Donald trump put three Supreme Court justices in place, several of whom in my view misrepresented their position before the United States senate, claiming that roe v. Wade was settled law. And then the first opportunity they had, took roe v. Wade down and put the women of america in a position where abortion care has been criminalized. In state after state after state. The extreme maga republicans have been very clear. They do not believe in a womans freedom to make her own Reproductive Health care decisions. The only reason the former president is claiming to be for states rights, is because he knows hes not for womens rights when it comes to reproductive freedom. And he recognizes that hes in a politically vulnerable position. But there is absolutely zero reason to believe that the extreme maga republicans, the first chance that they had with a congress controlled by rightwing conservatives, and god help us all, a republican president , would not impose a nationwide ban on abortion. Its what drives a significant number of the republicans who are part of their base. If roe v. Wade can fall, after nearly 50 years, everything is on the table. And its not just reproductive freedom. Its social security. Its medicare. And many of us believe its democracy itself. Reporter do you think that expand your map . Mr. Jeffries thats a question we have to address on the nongovernmental side. What is clear is that the women of america, the enlightened people of america, in november, are going to express themselves, loudly and clearly. And the republicans who want to criminalize abortion care and who want to impose a nationwide ban are on the wrong side of this issue. The wrong side of history. And are likely to be on the wrong side of the election results. Reporter whats your message to the 20 or so democrats in your own caucus who have not signed on to this resolution . Mr. Jeffries there are ongoing discussions about the best way forward in terms of ensuring and up or down vote on the bipartisan National Security bill. But the reality of the situation that we confront is clear. The only way to get the bill over the finish line is with democrats and republicans partnering with each other. We have already demonstrated that we will provide more than our fair share of the votes to get the National Security bill done. All we need is a handful of republicans, 20 or 25, to join us. They started this congress with 225 republican members. All we need is 20 or 25. On every single issue of significance throughout this entire congress, House Democrats who are in the minority have provided the overwhelming majority of votes to get things done for the American People. And on the issue of the National Security bill, we are ready, willing, and able to do the same. We just need a handful of traditional republicans to break with the maga extremists and join us to lift up Americas National security. Reporter speaker johnson has a onevote majority in the house. What do you see or hope to see happening in the future, with that in mind . Mr. Jeffries speaker johnson. With respect to just checking to see fifs paying attention. With respect to the agenda moving forward, as we have repeatedly said, as House Democrats, we want to work together. To solve problems. For hardworking american taxpayers. We will continue to put people over politics. And to fight for things that matter. Like lower costs. Growing the middle class. Safer communities. Defending democracy. And building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up. And if our republican colleagues, with their evershrinking majority, are willing to join us on any issue, as long as it will make life better for the American People, we will continue to extend the hand of bipartisanship. Reporter does it change your strategy at all . Mr. Jeffries it doesnt change our strategy at all. Reporter on the supplemental did you communicate in any way with speaker johnson about his intentions because hes say, you know, a lot of different things. Hes talking about the innovation and hes considering all the options. Has he indicated what he wants to do and what those innovations might be . Mr. Jeffries we continue to make clear that the only path forward is an up or down vote on the bipartisan, comprehensive National Security bill, passed by the senate. Its my understanding that the same point has been repeatedly made to House Republicans by the Biden Administration. Leader schumer. And leader mcconnell. Everybody else in washington, d. C. Is in agreement that theres only one path forward. And thats put the senate bill on the house floor for an up or down vote and i guarantee it will pass with a strong bipartisan majority. Reporter the Affordable Care program is expiring at the end of the month, the white house is asking for funding, i want to get your thoughts on that and the extension of that program. Mr. Jeffries i strongly support congresswoman clarks efforts as well as the legislation connected to the discharge petition. It is my understanding that her legislation, which would allow the Affordable Connectivity Benefit Program to continue to be funded in ways that benefit the American People all across the country, in inner city america, rural america, exurban america, the heartland of america. Thats a good thing. Thats a win for everyone. Congresswoman clarks legislation has bipartisan support and more cosponsors as i understand it, than the number necessary to pass the bill out of the house. And so one way or the other we have to get it to the floor. Reporter you obviously during the last two weeks endorsed congressman bowman for reelection. If he asked, would you campaign with him in that district between now and june. And has apeck impeded your ability on the hill . Mr. Jeffries no with respect to the second question and he and i havent had that conversation about going into the district. Reporter should President Biden take executive action to shut down the board her. Mr. Jeffries i think the administration should pursue every available avenue to bring about a safe and secure border. We also need a humane border. The best path forward, as President Biden and the administration has articulated, is a comp reshensively agreed upon legislative proposal that could move out of the house and the senate. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in a situation where the extreme maga republicans are taking orders from their puppet master down in maralago who killed a bipartisan bill designed to address Border Security in the United States of america because the extreme maga republicans dont want to solve the Border Security issue, they want to exploit the Border Security issue. In november. I do not believe that the Biden Administration has given up hope for a different path forward. But all options should be on the table in terms of executive action. If it becomes clear that the legislative avenue has been closed off by republicans preferring partisan political stunts over addressing the needs of the American People, including as it relates to Border Security. Thank you, everyone. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] the house is now planning to send impeachment articles against Homeland Security secretary mayorkas to the Senate Chamber next week. Several Senate Republicans requested the delay, to have a full trial. Live coverage nextee on cspan 2. On cspan now, our free mobile video app. And online at cspan. Org. They say im over the hill. Don lemon would say thats a man in his prime. [laughter] watch cspans coverage of the annual white house correspondents dinner, live, saturday, april 27 work saturday night live weekend update cohes colin jost as the featured entertainer, as well as President Biden who is expected to give remarks. Our coverage begins at 6 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan, cspan. Org an cspan now as celebrities and reporters walk the red carpet. A