>>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY AND
HAPPY NOW. WHO LIVE IN FEAR.
>> IT IS -- I CANNOT BE APPEASED.
>> PANIC BEGINS FOLLOWED BY THE RITUAL OF CLOSED SCHOOLS.
PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC --
>> ONE OF THE GREATEST TRIUMPHS IN MEDICAL HISTORY IS ACHIEVED.
>> THE VACCINE COULD BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BEEN 60 TO
80% EFFECTIVE AGAINST POLIO.
>> FULL-SCALE MANUFACTURERS LABORATORIES HAVE TURNED OUT
ENOUGH OF THE PRECIOUS SERUM FOR 45 MILLION CHILDREN.
>> IF YOU'RE AFRAID FOR YOUR SHOT TODAY --
>> YOU'RE NOW INOCULATED. ISN'T THAT GREAT?
>> THE VICTORY GROWS GRANDER AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSNDS OF
CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE AT LAST PROTECTED AGAINST THE CRIPPLING
DISEASE.
>> WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE BUT NOT AT THIS LEVEL.
THIS IS THE MOST COMPLICATED VACCINATION CAMPAIGN THAT WE'VE
PROBABLY FACED IN OUR COUNTRY IN DECADES, IF NOT A WHOLE CENTURY.
>> WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO VACCINATE PEOPLE AND
GIVE THEM IMMUNITY NOW.
>> OFFICIALS SAY THE COUNTRY IS STILL STRUGGLING WITH ITS
VACCINE ROLLOUT. AS A NEW CDC ANNOUNCED, THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH CORONAVIRUS VACCINE THE
COUNTRY HAS AT THIS MOMENT.
>> ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACCINES THAT HAVE
BEEN DISTRIBUTED HAVE MADE IT INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS.
>> WE SPENT HOURS, TWO OR THREE HOURS AT TIME, OFTEN WITH NO
LUCK.
>> SOME PLACES DEMAND AND FRANKLY OTHER PLACES SUPPLY
OUTSTRIPPED DEMAND.
>> PLENTY OF FOLKS ARE SKEPTICAL AND DON'T WANT TO GET THE SHOT.
>> NEW DATA SUGGESTING A NEW STRAIN COULD BE DEADLIER.
>> THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY HINGES ON THE SUCCESS AGAINST THE
PANDEMIC.
>> A MOMENT TAL AND UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE.
>> AN ENORMOUS TEST. IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
FOR THE BEGINNING OF HIS PRESIDENCY.
GETTING ON TOP OF THE COVID PANDEMIC IS THE KEY TO
REENERGIZING THE ECONOMY.
>> COME ON. GIVE ME A BREAK, MAN.
>> HI, GUYS.
>> HEY.
>> YOU THERE?
>> I AM. I GOT A NICE BIG HAMBURGER GOING
HERE. I'M WAITING FOR THE ARTICLES OF
IMPEACHMENT TO BE SENT OVER TONIGHT.
>> WILL THEY BE SENT TO YOUR HOTEL ROOM?
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> I ORDERED BUFFALO WINGS AND SOME ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HAVING? [ LAUGHTER ]
>> SO, THEY HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE A TWO-WEEK PAUSE AND HAVE AN
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL STARTING IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY.
>> BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE JOE BIDEN ON YOUR FIRST MONDAY AND
YOU HAVE A FEW DAYS IN OFFICE.
>> ON THE PURE COVID FRONT, ALL THE NEWS IS BAD, BAD, BAD.
>> PEOPLE ARE READY TO TAKE THE VACCINE BUT WHERE THE HELL ARE
THEY? THEY'RE NOT THERE.
THE DOSES ARE NOT SHOWING UP LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.
>> YOU CAN'T UNDERSCORE ENOUGH HOW DESPERATE PEOPLE ARE FOR
MORE DOSES.
>> I'M DESPERATE FOR A DOSE.
>> WE NEED TO GET YOU VACCINATED!
>> I WANT A GOD DAMN VACCINE. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET ONE.
I'M 65.
>> YOU HAD THE GNAW FEW WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYING
WE'RE GOING TO RELEASE THE STOCKPILE.
IT TURNS OUT THERE'S NO STOCKPILE.
IN ADDITION THERE COULD BE A MORE LETHAL STRAIN OF THIS THING
THAT IS SPREADING SECRETLY UNDERNEATH THE ARRAY DOLLAR
UNDERNEATH THE ARRAY DORADAR.
>> WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE VACCINE IS.
THERE'S NO GOOD DATA THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ON HOW
MUCH HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND WHERE YOU FIND IT.
IT'S THE WORST SUCKER PUNCH IN THE WORLD FOR THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION.
>> TRUMP WASN'T JUST UNPREPARED BUT COME POUNDED THE PROBLEM.
BUT GIVEN THE ENORMITY OF THE TASK, THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE IN
PLACE HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF EXPERIENCE.
>> YOU HAVE RON KLAIN WHO DID EBOLA.
YOU HAVE JEFF AND ANDY SLOVAKIAN YOU HAVE JEFF AND ANDY SLOVAWHO
HELPED OBAMACARE. THESE ARE PEOPLE EXPERIENCED IN
THE RIGHT WAYS TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING OF THIS SCALE.
>> BUT PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE PATIENT.
IF YOU'RE NOT PRODUCING RESULTS.
>> SO, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, TO SOME EXTENT, CAN CONTROL THE
FATE ON HOW WELL IT CAN DO ON THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION FRONT.
THE PLACE IT'S NOT TRUE IS IN LEGISLATION.
AND THE BIDEN TEAM LOOKED AT THIS COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.
A $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS AND THEY'RE FACING A SENATE THAT IS
50/50 AND SHOWING EVERY SIGN OF IT ALREADY.
>> WASHINGTON IS AS POLARIZED AS IT EVER HAPPEN -- HAS BEEN.
>> IT HAS TO BE SO PAINFUL FOR BIDEN WHO SPOKE SO SPECIFICALLY
ABOUT HEALING THE COUNTRY AND ITS DIVISIONS.
>> IN 2009, BARACK OBAMA, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS,
WANTED TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.
IT TURNED OUT THE ONLY WAY TO GET ANYTHING DONE IS A STRICTLY
PARTY LINE BASIS.
>> NOT ONE HOUSE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR THE ECONOMIC PACKAGE.
>> YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THE MEASURE OF YOUR SUCCESS AND YOU HAVE TO
BE WILLING TO CUT OFF BIPARTISAN DISCUSSIONS IF THEY'RE NOT GOING
ANYWHERE. FOR DEMOCRATS, THEY LOOK BACK
AND SAY THE PROBLEM IS OBAMA DIDN'T ACT AMBITIOUSLY ENOUGH
WHEN HE DID HAVE THE POWER. AND NOW THERE IS A DESIRE ON THE
PART OF DEMOCRATS TO SAY FUCK YOU, WE'RE DONE.
>> WE'RE IN POWER.
>> GOD DAMN, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOU FEEL IT.
>> COVID BILL IS EXTERNAL FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
THEY'LL GET IT DONE.
>> SO ALL OF THAT IS THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION
ARRIVES AND AFTER SPENDING THE WHOLE 2020 TALKING ABOUT HOW HE
WOULD HANDLE COVID DIFFERENTLY. THIS IS, LIKE, WHERE RUBBER
MEETS THE ROAD.
>> YEAH.
>> YEP.
>> OH, MY GOD. I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS CLOSE TO A
PLANE LANDING.
>> HUSTLE OVER INTO THE CARGO HOLD.
>> DO WE KNOW WHERE THIS CARGO PLANE IS FROM?
OH, THAT'S WEIRD THAT THE VACCINES ARE BEING MANUFACTURED.
WHILE THIS PARTICULAR SHIPMENT
DOESN'T CONTAIN COVID VACCINES, THESE ARE THE CONTAINERS THEY
SHIP THEM IN AND THIS IS THE PROCESS THE VACCINES GO THROUGH
WHEN THEY ARRIVE. THE WHOLE THING IS REALLY A
WARTIME EFFORT. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER AIRLINES,
LIKE UNITED AND DELTA, ARE PART OF THIS MASSIVE EFFORT TO
TRANSPORT LIFE-SAVING VACCINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> IT'S A COMPLICATED ENDEAVOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THE
VACCINES NEEDS TO BE KEPT AT 94 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
>> ANY OF THE CONTAINERS HAVE THEIR OWN INTERNAL SYSTEM THAT
TRACKS THE TEMPERATURE. WE HAVE PERIODIC READINGS AT
DIFFERENT POINTS ALONG THE JOURNEY.
>> WHAT IS THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN IT GETS OFF THE AIRPLANE TO WHEN
IT GETS PICKED UP?
>> IT VARIES. I WOULD SAY IT CAN BE AS QUICK
AS AN HOUR.
>> OKAY.
>> TO AN HOUR AND A HALF.
>> NO DELAYS?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> WHO IS PICKING IT UP? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
>> HOPEFULLY. WELL, USUALLY.
>> INDEED, THEN TAKE TO VACCINE DISTRIBUTION SITES?
>> THEY TAKE IT TO THEIR CUSTOMER, YES.
>> DO YOU FEEL A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN THE VACCINE HAS LEFT THE
BUILDING LIKE WE DID IT? WE'RE DONE?
>> WE HIGH FIVE. [ LAUGHTER ]
>> I MEAN, I JUST FEEL LIKE THERE'S PROBABLY SOME ANXIETY,
RIGHT, YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS IT UP.
>> NO, WE DON'T. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING
GOES SMOOTHLY FOR ALL OF THE SHIPMENTS BUT EVEN MORE SO FOR
THIS.
>> YES.
>> VACCINE ROLLOUT IS GETTING A LOT FASTER BUT IS STILL NOT FAST
ENOUGH.
>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SETTING NEW TARGETS FOR VACCINE
DISTRIBUTION. EYEING A MORE AMBITIOUS ROLLOUT.
>> CALIFORNIA IS THE STATE HARDEST HIT BY THE CORONAVIRUS.
>> LINES CONTINUE SNAKING AROUND DODGER STADIUM, WHICH IS SERVING
AS A DRIVE THROUGH VACCINATION CENTER.
>> IT PROVES THAT DEMAND IS FAR OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY.
>> THE CDC -- YOU'LL GO IN FOR THE NEXT 20 MINUTES.
THANK YOU. TAKE CARE.
>> HELLO! HOW ARE YOU GUYS?
>> GOOD.
>> YOU GETTING THE VACCINE TODAY?
YOU HEALTH CARE? OKAY.
I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR CARD. IT SAYS WHAT DOSE YOU GOT.
THE MODERNA. OKAY.
WHICH ARM DO YOU WANT? LEFT OR RIGHT?
>> UMM, RIGHT.
>> OKAY.
>> I ROOT FOR THE CLIPPERS EXCEPT WHEN THEY PLAY THE
LAKERS. I'M NOT A HATER.
[ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT.
THERE YOU GO, MAN. WELCOME HOME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> PERFECT.
>> IT'S AMAZING, ISN'T IT?
>> YEAH. YOU GET THAT VIEW FROM UP THERE
AND YOU REALIZE WHAT IT IS. IT'S THE BIGGEST WE THINK IN THE
WORLD.
>> AND WHAT IS THE BREAK DOWN OF THE VACCINATION?
>> AT THIS POINT, IT'S OVER 65.
>> UH-HUH.
>> AND WHAT ELSE?
>> RIGHT NOW IT'S KIND OF PROFESSION AND THEN IT'S AGE.
I WOULD LIKE THE FREEDOM TO HELP BY ZIP CODE.
I WANT TO DO 55. EVERYBODY ABOVE THAT AGE IN THE
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WHERE THERE'S A HUGE OUTBREAK.
ROYAL HEIGHTS NEAR DOWNTOWN. SOUTH L.A.
THEY'VE GOT MULTIGENERATIONS. ONE IS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER.
SO EVERYBODY IS VULNERABLE AND KNOWS GRANT PARENT --
GRANDPARENTS OR DYING OR MIDDLE AGE PEOPLE THAT ARE DYING.
I GREW UP HERE. THANK GOD MY DAD DIDN'T HAVE TO
SEE THIS BUT HE PASSED AWAY. MY DAD WOULD HAVE BEEN 86 YEARS
OLD. WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE.
YOU KNOW, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN AMONG HIS GREAT DODGERS STADIUM
MEMORIES. A LOT OF SENIORS THAT COME HERE
MUST BE EMOTIONAL.
>> YOU SEE KIDS BRINGING THEIR PARENTS.
IT'S EMOTIONAL FOR THE PARENTS. IT'S EMOTIONAL FOR THE KID.
>> AND THEN YOU SEE COUPLES WHO COME THROUGH HERE AND THE WIFE
KNOWS HER HUSBAND'S CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION OR VICE VERSA.
>> UH-HUH.
>> AND IT REALLY FEELS LIKE DRIVING THEM HERE IS SAVING
THEIR LIFE.
>> SO I DO CHECK IN IN THE MORNING.
YEAH. IT'S THE FIRST PLACE.
THEY JOKE IN THE CHECK IN LINE IN THE FRONT IT'S VACCINE LAND.
THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. WE FINALLY ARE THERE AFTER THIS
YEAR OF HELL WE'VE BEEN LIVING THROUGH.
THEY FEEL THIS IS THE MOMENT THEY'RE FINALLY SAFE.
>> HI, YOU READY?
>> READY.
>> LEFT OR RIGHT ARM?
>> LEFT.
>> ALL RIGHT. EASY, RIGHT?
>> OH, YEAH. ABSOLUTELY.
I'M GOING TO OPEN THE DOOR SO I DON'T HAVE TO REACH IN.
>> 12,000 IS THE CAPACITY HERE.
>> 12,000 EASILY. CAPACITY IS MORE THAN THAT.
IF YOU HAVE THE DOSAGE, YOU COULD DO COMFORTABLY 20,000.
THEY ALSO NEED THE SUPPLY. FOR SOME IT'S LIKE WHY DON'T I
HAVE MY VACCINE. DAYS LIKE THIS, NOT ENOUGH
PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR DOSES. AT THIS PACE, WHICH IT WON'T
STAY, IF IT WERE TO STAY, IT WOULD BE A YEAR AND A HALF
BEFORE EVERYBODY --
>> THIS GUY IS NEW WITH CAMERAS. BE A LITTLE GENTLE WITH HIM.
>> IT'S NOT JUST THE MAYOR OF THE CITY BUT THE MOST
KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS STUFF.
>> NOW HIM.
>> I HAVE BEEN TAKING ON BIG CHALLENGES LIKE THIS FOR A
DECADE NOW OR SO?
>> YEAH.
WE ALWAYS FELT ESPECIALLY
STARTING IN HAITI THAT NOTHING YOU CAN DO IS SUSTAINABLE
WITHOUT COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNANCE.
>> RIGHT.
>> SO WHEN THIS HAPPENED, WE HAD WORKED THE EPIDEMIC OF ALCOHOL
WORKED THE EPIDEMIC OF ALCOCHOL IN HAITI AND THE NEXT THING YOU
KNOW, WE WERE ABLE TO HELP SCALE IT UP, YOU KNOW, BY THE BODIES
OUT THERE AND THE YOUNG LEADERS THAT HAVE BUILT UP THROUGH THE
ORGANIZATION.
>> AND WE CERTAINLY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE SOLUTIONS
THAT ARE REP CABLE FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE MORE.
>> SO THE BIDEN PEOPLE HAVE CLEARLY -- THIS IS LIKE FRONT
AND CENTER. IN IS JOB ONE.
WHAT IS THE BIG HEADLINE MESSAGE THAT YOU GIVE TO THOSE GUYS
ABOUT IT?
>> HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?
>> CIRCUMVENT THE BUREAUCRACIES. INVENTORY DIRECTLY TO THE
LOCALITY, ESPECIALLY WHERE YOU HAVE A FUNCTIONAL ONE.
AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ALL OF THAT.
>> YEAH. ROLL THE MONEY OUT TOMORROW AND
THE VACCINES ANNE WE'LL -- AND WE'LL DO THE REST.
IT'S LITERALLY THAT SIMPLE.
>> JOE BIDEN HAS BEEN PRESIDENT FOR A WEEK.
CAN YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE? IF YOU CAN SEE A DIFFERENCE
TANGIBLY, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
>> I'VE BEEN PART OF GROUPS, WHETHER IT'S ON CLIMATE, WHETHER
IT'S ON COVID, WHETHER IT'S ON THE STIMULUS PACKAGE.
WE'RE PART OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
AND THE TANGIBLE BENEFITS ARE, OBVIOUSLY, THE AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN. DOESN'T WRITE OFF LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS. BY THE WAY, MITCH McCONNELL AND
OTHERS WERE HYPOCRITICAL ABOUT. THEY FUNDED LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT
IT WAS SCHOOLS, TRANSIT AGENCIES BUT WANTED TO MAKE AN ENEMY OF
CITIES FOR WHATEVER REASON.
>> WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SEE COME OUT OF A COVID RELIEF/STIMULUS
PACKAGE.
>> I WAS HERE IN 2009 IT WAS TOO SLOW AND NOT BIG ENOUGH.
WE NEED TO GO FASTER AND BIGGER.
>> THE RACE TO QUICKLY INOCULATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IS
EVEN MORE URGENT BECAUSE OF NEW VARIANTS DOCTORS SAY ARE HIGHLY
TRANSMISBLE AND POSSIBLY MORE DEADLY.
>> WE'LL HEAR FROM TOP SCIENTISTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
A LONG TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
I'M THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE CDC. THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY
BRIEFINGS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU OFTEN AND
SHARING CONTINUED ACTIONS THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE TO PROTECT
THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES.
>> I KNOW THAT MANY AMERICANS ARE ANXIOUS AND EAGER TO GET
VACCINATED. I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE'RE TAKING
THIS ISSUE ON WITH INCREDIBLE URGENCY AND PURPOSE.
HITTING OUR TARGET OF 1 MILLION VACCINATIONS PER DAY.
>> HEARING FROM THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK, HE'S PUSHING US TO
VIEW 1 MILLION PER DAY AS THE FLOOR.
NOT THE CEILING. TODAY WE'RE RELEASING MORE
SUPPLY.
>> AND THERE'S ANDY SLAVIN.
>> OKAY. THANKS.
SORRY.
>> YOU GOT A LOT TO DO. I GET IT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> YOU WANT TO -- GO FOR IT.
>> YEAH. THAT'S GOOD.
>> BIDEN NOTORIOUSLY HAS A TENDENCY TO GET OVER HIS KNEES,
IF YOU WILL, AND EVEN ON COVID, IT FEELS LIKE HE'S GETTING OUT A
LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF WHERE THE TEAM IS AND SAYING, LIKE, HE
WANTS 1.5 MILLION VAX WANTS 1.5 MILLION VACCINATIONS A
DAY OR SAYING THERE MIGHT BE HERD IMMUNITY BY THE END OF
SUMMER WHICH IS AN EARLIER PREDICTION YOU MADE.
>> I THINK HE'S PUSHING THE TEAM TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU COULDN'T
POSSIBLY GO FAST ENOUGH FOR THIS CRISIS.
TO CHASE AN EXPONENTIALLY GROWING VIRUS IS INCREDIBLY
HARD.
>> DID THE VERY I CAN'TS
>> DID THE VERY I CAN'T -- VARIANTS KEEP YOU AT NIGHT?
IT'S DISPERSED ON SUCH A GLOBAL SCALE.
THERE COULD BE A STRAIN THAT COMES UP THAT RENDERS THE
VACCINE INEFFECTIVE. IS THAT THE STUFF YOU WORRY
ABOUT AT NIGHT?
>> I ONLY SMILE BECAUSE IT'S, LIKE, ITEM 50 THAT KEEPS ME UP
AT NIGHT. AND, LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER
IT HELPS PEOPLE TO FEEL I'M NOT SLEEPING BUT IT'S HARD TO SLEEP
WHEN YOU HAVE THIS TO DO AND THESE THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT.
I THINK THAT'S OKAY. I THINK SOMETIMES WE PROBABLY
SHOULD HAVE DIFFICULT TIME SLEEPING.
>> WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
>> THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT?
GETTING AS MANY PEOPLE AS VACCINATED QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
>> WHAT YOU CAME IN WITH --
>> YEAH.
>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN NO PLAN,
RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
>> THERE WAS VERY LITTLE INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP TO ROLL
OUT THE VACCINE. YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GENTLE IN THE
CRITICISM OF WHAT YOU INHERITED BECAUSE OF THE REALITY THAT YOU
NEED TRUMP VOTERS TO GET THE VACCINE TO.
YOU NEED TRUMP VOTERS TO WEAR MASKS.
YOU NEED RED STATES TO BUY IN IF WE'RE GOING END THE CORONAVIRUS.
>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS WE NEED TO UNIFY THE COUNTRY AND THIS IS
NOT A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. CONGRESS NEEDS TO STEP UP.
I THINK IT'S SHOCKING TO MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS ISN'T
CONSIDERED UNIVERSALLY AN EMERGENCY AND THAT MONEY FOR
VACCINATIONS, MONEY FOR SCHOOLS ISN'T, LIKE, A 96-4 KIND OF
VOTE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT
SHOULD BREAK DOWN ON PARTY LINES.
I THINK PEOPLE ARE AROUND THE COUNTRY WANT TO BE VACCINATED,
THEY WANT TO SEE THEIR SCHOOLS OPEN SAFELY, AND THOSE THINGS
CAN'T HAPPEN UNLESS CONGRESS GETS INVOLVED.
THIS IS NOT A SOLO. THIS IS AN ORG
THIS IS AN ORCHESTRA. IF YOU WANT TO DEFEAT COVID-19,
IT'S THE BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND WE HAVE TO BE THE
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
>> PRESIDENT BIDEN CONTINUES TO PURSUE THAT DEAL FOR HIS
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE. REPUBLICANS ARE LARGELY BALKING
AT THIS. HOW DO THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN IN A
BIPARTISAN WAY?
>> THERE'S NO BETTER -- RELIEF FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THIS
CONGRESS. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THEY HAVE
TO GET IT THROUGH A 50/50 SENATE WHICH IS A HUGE DMAJ THIS
INCREDIBLY PARTISAN ENVIRONMENT. SO IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO
DEBBY STABENOW. SHE SITS ON THE BUDGET AND
FINANCE COMMITTEES, WHICH ARE KEY TO PASSING THIS BILL.
>> HI! HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M GOOD.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. WELCOME TO NOW WHAT WILL ONCE
AGAIN BE MY --
>> YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT.
I WAS GOING TO ASK WHEN DO YOU -- IT'S A PAINTING.
>> OH, YEAH. A PORTRAIT.
WE'RE UNTIL THE WE'RE UNTIL IN THE PROCESS OF G
MINE TOGETHER NOW. SENATOR ROBERTS, I DON'T KNOW IF
HIS IS UP NOW BUT HE JUST GOT HIS.
BRAND NEW. SO MINE WILL PROBABLY GO THERE.
[ LAUGHTER ]
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BILLS $1.89 TRILLION, WHICH IS THE
SIZE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 1981.
SO IT'S A BIG TICKET.
>> YEAH.
>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO CRITICS OF THE CURRENT BILL WHO SAY IT'S
TOO EXPENSIVE?
>> THIS NEEDS TO BE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND GET THINGS RIGHT.
THIS IS A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES.
WHEN I SEE REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TALKING ABOUT THEY THINK IT'S
TOO MUCH TO SPEND ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, ON STEPPING
DEATHS, I MIGHT LOOK BACK AT 2017 AND HOW REPUBLICANS CAME IN
AND THEY MOVED QUICKLY ON A PARTISAN BASIS ON OVER $2
TRILLION TAX CUT THAT NOT MANY FOLKS IN MY STATE ACTUALLY
RECEIVED. IT DIDN'T CREATE JOBS.
IT DIDN'T TRICKLE DOWN. OUR FOLKS ARE STILL WAITING FOR
IT TO TRICKLE DOWN. IT JUST HELPS FOLKS THAT WERE
WEALTHY AND WELL CONNECTED. THAT WAS THE REPUBLICAN FIGHT
ALREADY. THAT'S NOT MY PRIORITY.
THAT'S NOT THE PRIORITY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN OR VICE
PRESIDENT HARRIS OR THE DEMOCRATS.
OUR PRIORITY IS EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY, REALLY
HARD AND DESERVES A FAIR SHOT AND DESERVES TO KNOW THEY'RE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES.
>> VERY CONTENTIOUS START FOR THE SENATE.
WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF FINDING BIPARTISAN
DEAL ON COVID GIVEN HOW SCHUMER IS STARTING.
>> WELL, MR. MITCH McCONNELL IS DOING WHAT HE DOES.
THE ULTIMATE OBSTRUCTIONIST UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS
GOAL, AS WE KNOW, TO MAKE HIM A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT AND STOP
ANYTHING IF IT LOOKED LIKE IT WOULD HELP THE PRESIDENT BE
SUCCESSFUL. I DON'T KNOW YET HOW FAR HE'LL
GO WITH THIS PRESIDENT.
>> DO YOU THINK COVID COULD BE SUCH A REAL, YOU KNOW, EXTESHL
SENSE OF CRISIS FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD THAT MAYBE HE
WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY.
>> I WOULD HOPE SO BUT I REMEMBER AFTER WE DID THE
C.A.R.E.S. ACT IN THE SPRING, MITCH SAID HE DIDN'T THINK THERE
WAS A NEED TO TAKE ANYMORE ACTION IN MAY AND JUNE AND JULY
AND AUGUST AND SO ON. ULTIMATELY HE CAME ALONG.
>> YEAH.
>> HE DIDN'T LEAD IT.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW YOU LIKE TO DO THIS IN A
BIPARTISAN FASHION, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN A PARTISAN
FASHION, ARE YOU PREPARED TO DO THAT?
>> YES. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
WE'RE THE MAJORITY SO WE'LL ACT LIKE THE MAJORITY.
>> CONCERNS GROWING OVER WHAT AFFECT THE NEW COVID VARIANT
COULD HAVE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
>> IT'S BEGINNING TO SPREAD.
>> THIS IS DEPRESSING. IT'S NOT WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO
HEAR. IT'S UPSEVENTYING -- UPSETTING.
>> IT'S VITAL FOR AMERICA.
>> 2008 WHEN CONGRESS WAS TOO TIMID AND CONSTRAINED IN ITS
RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS AND IT TOOK YEARS, YEARS
FOR THE ECONOMY TO GET OUT OF RECESSION.
WE MUST NOT REPEAT THAT MISTAKE.
>> IN JANUARY OF 2009, BARACK OBAMA TOOK OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF
A MAJOR FINANCIAL CRISIS. BARACK OBAMA'S WHITE HOUSE CHIEF
OF STAFF WAS RAHM EMANUEL. RAHM KNOWS THE TENSION THAT
COMES FROM WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO GET A BIG PACKAGE OUT
OF THE CONGRESS.
>> A CRISIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX NOT ONLY ADDRESS THAT CRISIS
BUT ADDRESS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM THAT WAS UNDERNEATH THAT CRISIS.
>> WHEN BARACK OBAMA COMES INTO OFFICE, HE HAS TO IMMEDIATELY
TAKE ACTION WITH A MAJOR STIMULUS PACKAGE.
>> WE START 2009 IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS UNLIKE ANY WE HAVE SEEN
IN OUR LIFETIME.
>> YOU'RE COMING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF'S OFFICE.
>> JANUARY 20th, 2009, AS THE WORLD IS TEETER ON THE EDGE OF
GLOBAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> WHAT DID YOU DO?
>> OH.
>> WE CALL IT THE E GREAT RECESSION BUT OBAMA BEGINS TO
RECEIVE ADVICE FROM THE FINANCIAL TEAM THAT THIS COULD
BECOME A SMALL DECISION. THE AUTO INDUSTRY, WHICH WAS THE
INDUSTRIAL BASE OF THE MIDWEST COLLAPSED.
YOU HAD A FINANCIAL SECTOR WHERE NOBODY COULD GET A COLLEGE LOAN
OR CAR LOAN OR SMALL BUSINESS LOAN BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING
GOING ON.
>> IT WOULD BE OVERWHELMING FORCE ON DAY ONE.
YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH THESE ON A CHECKLIST SO YOU HAD TO HIT THE
WHOLE SYSTEM HARD.
>> RIGHT. AND THE FIRST MONTH YOU CAME IN
AS AN OFFICE CHIEF OF STAFF AND YOU WANTED TO PASS THE RECOVERY
ACT BUT THERE WAS PRESSURE TO DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.
LIKE, WHAT WAS THAT?
>> IT DID HAPPEN IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.
>> YOU HAVE THREE REPUBLICANS. THREE REPUBLICAN SENATORS VOTE
FOR IT BUT NOBODY IN THE HOUSE.
>> WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THIS?
>> YOU NEEDED REPUBLICAN VOTES. PEOPLE FORGET WE HAD A DEMOCRAT
OF NEBRASKA WHO IS SAYING I'M ONLY VOTING FOR THIS IF YOU HAVE
REPUBLICANS.
>> HARRY REID AND I WERE HOLDING ON TO SUSAN COLIN'S ANKLES.
ALSO, THEY WOULD WORK WITH THEM.
>> THE PRESIDENT IS ABOUT TO SIGN INTO LAW WHAT IS, I
BELIEVE, A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT.
>> AND WE HAD TO BUILD IT THAT WAY BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES WANTED A BIG AGENDA.
MAINLY AROUND HEALTH CARE AND FINANCIAL REFORM.
>> RIGHT.
>> WE'RE BUILDING BIPARTISAN MAJORITIES IN THE FIRST YEAR.
>> FOR BIDEN, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE IS SAYING THE BIG LESSON IS
DON'T WAIT FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND THEY'RE HOPING THEY'RE NEVER
GOING TO COME AROUND.
>> NO.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT REQUIRES
A SET OF SOLUTIONS THAT ARE X.
>> RIGHT.
>> THE CONGRESS, GIVEN HOW EVENLY DIVIDED IT IS, ONLY
PERMITS Y.
>> WHEN THEY OPENED THE PRESS BRIEFING SHE STARTED WE'VE DOING
MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE ON THE HILL AND MAYORS.
IT'S LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO LAY DOWN THE RECORD THAT THEY HAVE
REACHED OUT. SO WHEN REPUBLICANS DON'T GET ON
BOARD, THEY CAN SHOW THE COUNTRY THEY TRIED.
>> BUT IF YOU GET BIPARTISAN, GREAT.
IF YOU DON'T, GET CAUGHT TRYING. THAT'S