On this "Face the Nation" broadcast moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia
- Jake Sullivan, nationwide safety adviser
- Governor Larry Hogan, Republican of Maryland
- Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas
- Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington. And this week on Face the Nation, we are going to mark President Biden's first full 12 months in workplace and see if he can rebound from every week of setbacks.
2022 is just not precisely off to a very good begin for the Biden administration. One information group characterised final week as full of miscues, missteps and miscalculations. Inflation continues at a 40-year excessive. The Supreme Courtroom blocked Mr. Biden's vaccine mandate for companies. And his try at pushing fellow Democrat Senators Manchin and Sinema to assist guidelines modifications to move the voting rights invoice is all however sure to fail.
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SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA (D-Arizona): And whereas I proceed to assist these payments, I cannot assist separate actions that worsen the underlying illness of division infecting our nation.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: The president even concedes his effort is probably going doomed.
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JOE BIDEN (President of the USA): The honest-to-God reply is, I do not know whether or not we will get this executed.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Given the large challenges dealing with Mr. Biden, is the combat a very good use of valuable political capital? We'll ask Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine.
Plus, a CBS Information ballot out this morning reveals many People assume Mr. Biden has misplaced priorities, and the place they assume he ought to focus.
Then: As the specter of a Russian invasion into Ukraine intensifies, we are going to speak with White Home Nationwide Safety Adviser Jake Sullivan. And, as Omicron's bullseye strikes West, circumstances within the Northeast are peaking. However well being care techniques are nonetheless in disaster mode, and the warnings are getting extra dire.
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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI (Chief Medical Adviser to President Biden): Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented diploma of effectivity of transmissibility, will in the end discover nearly all people.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Kansas Metropolis Mayor Quinton Lucas, and former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb will all be right here. It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning and welcome to FACE THE NATION. Thursday will mark the primary full 12 months since President Biden took workplace, and a brand new CBS Information ballot reveals People assume he is not centered sufficient on key points just like the economic system and inflation. Forty-four % of People approve of the job he is doing general, with a break up on his dealing with of the coronavirus. Relating to Mr. Biden's efforts on the economic system simply over a 3rd, 38% approve. His dealing with of inflation is worse; 7 in 10 People disapprove. We flip now to CBS Information elections and surveys director Anthony Salvanto. Good morning to you, Anthony. What's weighing on the president's approval ranking essentially the most?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Good morning, MARGARET, let's begin with COVID, now a part of that is simply expectations initially of his time period; individuals thought COVID would get higher, however proper now most individuals do not assume the trouble in opposition to the pandemic goes nicely. A part of a president's rankings at all times carry a few of that normal feeling. You look again initially of his time period, he received very robust approval rankings for dealing with the pandemic that carried into the summer season; a two-thirds approval. That began to dip a bit of bit as circumstances received a bit of bit worse, some vaccine controversies, all the way down to the place it's now. Now, let's be clear, it isn't that folks blame a president for all of this. If you take a look at why individuals would possibly assume he is not doing a very good job, the factor that stands out is data, individuals really feel it has been complicated – that stands out. The truth is, general, individuals within the nation say that that steerage has been more and more complicated and that does accrue to a president. We all know that the science is at all times making an attempt to get a maintain on this. However within the public thoughts, they do search for that readability, MARGARET.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, on the subject of the problems that we are saying matter right here, the economic system and inflation, what precisely is hurting the president?
SALVANTO: Yeah, the economic system story, the inflation story are tales about focus, and here is the way you begin with a majority of individuals saying that the administration is just not centered sufficient on the economic system, on inflation, and these are their most essential points. Generally politics is absolutely easy. You have to be seen attacking the issues that folks assume are paramount. Now, whenever you take a look at how that performs out in his rankings on the economic system, nicely, what is the blame for it? It is a combination of issues. Once more, a few of it, sure, individuals blame his insurance policies. There's additionally the pandemic. There are provide chain points that folks see within the combine. However once they do not assume he is centered, they're extra more likely to disapprove general. After which that goes to a broader sense of feelings about his first 12 months. We see lots of of us describing that as making them really feel pissed off or disenchanted. He is received to be seen taking a look at these issues that folks assume are paramount and that's inflation, MARGARET.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, that is the bottom level in his presidency on the subject of approval of how he is dealing with COVID, not approval of the economic system and the way he is dealing with inflation. Do individuals simply assume he is losing his time right here?
SALVANTO: Effectively, let's have a look, as a result of we requested individuals, nicely, when you do not approve of the president, what would possibly change your thoughts? And what actually stood out is that if he will get inflation down, individuals say they could enhance their opinion, and that is lots greater, I ought to add, then if he passes the Construct Again Higher Act. It is actually about inflation, not laws at this level. The truth is, even for Democrats, even inside his personal occasion, once they charge him on the problems, they're hardest on him about being centered on inflation, MARGARET.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The issues that folks truly expertise. I do know, Anthony, you have been monitoring this for a while. It was again in the summertime with the withdrawal from Afghanistan that we noticed the president's approval ranking actually start to say no. Has there been any restoration alongside the best way? Is that also an overhang?
SALVANTO: That is appropriate. He began out robust when it declined in the summertime, proper round Afghanistan, different traits of him took a success too. He received declines in rankings on effectiveness, on competence that haven't recovered, these issues have continued to be decrease. And because it's gone down, that is been correlated with these views that he is not paying sufficient consideration to inflation and to the economic system. Now, whenever you take a look at this in context, presidents of their first 12 months, he's a bit of greater than Trump was, decrease than Obama was. However you need to take a look at the period, due to late the final 10, 20 years or so. We have seen extra polarization. We have seen more- extra partisanship that tends to place each a ceiling and a flooring on presidents as a result of the opposite occasion will not give them any credit score. And their very own occasion tends to bolster their approval. However I might add this about Joe Biden, he nonetheless will get optimistic marks for individuals liking him personally, that is one thing that is carried via even because the presidential marketing campaign. That helps underpin him as nicely. It is nearly whether or not he is seen specializing in issues just like the economic system and inflation proper now. MARGARET.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Anthony Salvanto, thanks a lot to your perspective. We go now to Sen Tim Kaine. He joins us from Richmond. Good morning to you, senator.
SEN. TIM KAINE (D-VA): Good morning, MARGARET. So, you simply heard that CBS ballot, which reveals 65% of the nation, would not assume the president is targeted sufficient on inflation, which is that a 40 12 months excessive of seven%. Why do you assume the White Home seems so out of contact with the general public?
SEN. KAINE: Effectively, look, I feel it is a powerful time proper now, and MARGARET, as you realize, the White Home's focus, important vitality on the economic system within the first 12 months, report job development within the first 12 months of the White Home, 3.9% unemployment charge and really robust development in wages. However the inflation challenge is actual, we have got to sort out it. A few of the inflation is- is expounded to the persevering with pandemic, which has disrupted provide chains. However President Biden and Congress are additionally engaged on initiatives within the Construct Again Higher laws that may cut back price well being care, pharmaceuticals, training. Folks hear the title of the invoice, and they do not know what it would do for them. But when we will get it handed, a few of it offers with price drivers that bedevil most households and we will present them we're paying consideration.
MARGARET BRENNNA: Even the White Home economist is utilizing the previous tense when referring to Construct Again Higher. It is useless. You do not have the votes within the Senate.
SEN. KAINE: Yeah, I do not agree with you, MARGARET, you are proper that it is useless, the- the latest model of it isn't going to occur, however when you take a look at the core of the invoice, I feel the core is training and workforce and issues like decreased youngster care and training bills, workforce coaching after which assist for the workforce in areas like well being care. There are different items of the invoice which are extra controversial. I nonetheless consider we'll discover a core of this invoice, no matter we name it, we'll discover the core of the invoice and move it, and it'll deal instantly with a few of these inflation issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Democratic strategist James Carville was on one other community this morning, and he stated Democrats whine an excessive amount of. He said- you are not talking- he stated you are not speaking sufficient concerning the infrastructure invoice you simply handed. You are speaking about issues which have failed, and you've got a vote scheduled this week that may also fail on voting rights. Why do you assume that's an efficient technique to have excessive profile failures fairly than speak concerning the issues that individuals are saying do matter to them on the economic system and inflation?
SEN. KAINE: Effectively, MARGARET, I do assume we- we're speaking lots concerning the infrastructure invoice. Actually, I'm, in Virginia and whether or not it is broadband highway, rail, bridges, ports, airports, electrical energy grid, it should imply lots of good for each zip code within the nation. With respect to voting rights, look, regardless of the pundits say, you realize, makes political sense. It's- it's such an existential challenge. These of us who survived the assault on the Capitol Jan. 6 and are witnessing wholesale efforts across the nation to make it more durable for individuals to vote and to undermine the integrity of elections, we've to do that. All of us should be recorded at this second in time about the place are we in defending the suitable to vote. Proper now, it would not appear to be it has the votes to move, however we'll cancel our Martin Luther King Day recess and be there this week as a result of we predict it is so essential for the nation. And we will likely be voting, each on the payments, but additionally on if we will not get Republican assist for the bills- we've uniform Democratic assist, might we discover a path to make some guidelines, changes to move them.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you do not have the votes to droop that 60-vote threshold. So, what- what sort of mechanism are you envisioning right here that's someway going to get this via?
SEN. KAINE: As of proper now, MARGARET, we do not have all 50 Democrats on board with guidelines modifications, however there are a few completely different paths. Some contain guidelines modifications like a carve out to the filibuster. However there's different paths that we might take the place we just- the 60-vote threshold is simply if you wish to restrict debate, we might do longer debate after which within the debate and have a easy majority. However we can have a vote on the payments, and we can have a vote on a guidelines path to get there as a result of it is so essential for the nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The- the president, as you realize, gave this very high-profile speech this week- this previous week in Georgia. He is referred to as the native regulation there "Jim Crow 2.0." In that speech that he gave, he- he in contrast his opponents to Bull Connor, Jefferson Davis, which Republican chief Mitch McConnell stated was akin to saying, "agree with me or you're a bigot." How does characterizing opponents like that really win over any sort of Republican assist? Is not the president hobbling himself?
SEN. KAINE: , MARGARET, I learn these feedback otherwise. Joe Biden was powerful in his phrases, however I feel what he stated is within the Nineteen Sixties, say the Voting Rights Act of 1965, individuals, together with individuals of goodwill, needed to resolve have been they going to face on the facet of Bull Connor or stand on the facet of John Lewis. It was the identical level that Martin Luther King made in his well-known letter from the Birmingham Jail and stated, I am writing to individuals of goodwill. You might not be bigots and also you might not be professional discrimination, however it is a second in time the place you must resolve which facet, you are going to stand with in these efforts to hobble minority votes and put up stunts and schemes and folks's means, all individuals of goodwill should resolve the place they are going to stand.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you disagree with Sen. Dick Durbin, who stated the president could have gone too far there. I imply, is there any outreach to Republicans right here who have- some have signaled some willingness on the Electoral Depend Act or different measures?
SEN. KAINE: MARGARET, I have been engaged in outreach to Republicans on voting rights since July and have discovered zero assist apart from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who was a co-sponsor of the John Lewis invoice. We will get no co-sponsors regardless of repeated efforts once we put the invoice up on the ground to proceed to it, they vote in opposition to even debating the invoice, realizing that they may block its passage. They do not even need to speak about it. So, I thank Sen. Murkowski for being a supporter of restoring the preclearance provisions within the John Lewis invoice, however up to now she's been the one one who has been keen to place her identify to assist for any of those provisions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah, you have been with us again in Nov. when a Republican received the governorship in your house state. You blame that Democratic loss on congressional Democrats, who you stated, "simply blew the timing of infrastructure, workforce and training. Congressional Democrats have majorities in each homes, and the American public expects us to ship." Clock is ticking right here forward of these midterm races. What do Democrats must ship on as a way to maintain on to any sort of majority?
SEN. KAINE: You are proper, MARGARET, I feel we might have received that race had we executed infrastructure a month earlier. Now we've delivered on the far-reaching American Rescue Plan. We now have delivered on a as soon as in a era infrastructure funding, though a month too late, I feel we've to enter that Construct Again Higher invoice and do the core provisions that cut back prices for People in these key areas. If we do that may communicate to their inflation concern, we are going to assist individuals out in each zip code on this nation; I feel we have got to try this. And it's my hope that we'll discover a path, though the Vegas odds might not be nice. We have to discover a path to guard democracy from an assault that's being led by President Trump and his followers throughout this nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, thanks to your time this morning.
SEN. KAINE: Completely.
MARGARET BRENNAN: FACE THE NATION will likely be again in a single minute with nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan. Good morning to you, Jake. I need to begin by asking you about what occurred in a single day in Texas with this synagogue and the hostage state of affairs there. I do know a British man who took the hostages is now useless, the others have been launched. Any indication that that is a part of any sort of broader extremist menace?
WH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JAKE SULLIVAN: Effectively, MARGARET, it is too quickly to inform at this level what the complete parameters of this act of terrorism, this act of anti-Semitism have been. We now have the Division of Homeland Safety, the FBI and regulation enforcement and intelligence businesses working intensively to get a full image of what this particular person's motives have been and whether or not or not there are any additional connections. So, I'll go away it to the professionals to proceed the work at the moment, and as we've extra data, we are going to share it. However I do assume we should always all take a second at the moment to pay tribute to the native, state and federal regulation enforcement officers who acted bravely, professionally and successfully to rescue these hostages and convey the state of affairs to a secure conclusion. They're heroes and so they deserve our assist, and we then all must also elevate our vigilance in opposition to acts of terrorism, acts of antisemitism, significantly at synagogues and locations of worship on this nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Famous. Thanks, Jake. I need to ask you about what I consider is consuming up lots of your time proper now, and that is this lively menace from Russia. Microsoft final evening stated they found all types of extremely harmful malware in pc networks in Ukraine. Ukraine was hit by a cyberattack earlier within the week as nicely. Is Russia utilizing this to arrange the battlefield and can a cyber-strike draw U.S. sanctions?
SULLIVAN: We have been warning for weeks and months, each publicly and privately, that cyber-attacks might be a part of a broad-based Russian effort to escalate in Ukraine. We have been working intently with Ukrainians to harden their defenses and we are going to proceed to take action within the days forward. We're additionally coordinating with the personal sector firms like Microsoft, each in Ukraine and right here in the USA, in case there are potential cyber-attacks that unfold within the coming months right here. In fact, it is attainable that Russia could- might conduct a sequence of cyber-attacks. That is a part of their playbook. They've executed it up to now in different contexts. We now have not particularly attributed this assault but. Neither we nor a number of the key personal sector corporations have attributed it. However we're working exhausting on attribution, and we are going to do the whole lot we will to defend and shield networks in opposition to the kind of harmful malware that Microsoft flagged of their weblog submit final evening.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, the Ukrainians are saying it appears prefer it has some Russian fingerprints on it. Why would not this draw US sanctions? Why are you ready for Vladimir Putin to go additional and really cross the border? Aren't we already in the midst of a battle?
SULLIVAN: Effectively, first, MARGARET, as I stated earlier than, we have to work via attribution, and once more, as I stated, that is a part of the Russian playbook, so it will not shock me one bit if it finally ends up being attributed to Russia. However let's do first issues first, let's get attribution after which make a willpower about what we do subsequent. When it comes to sanctions, what we've laid out is a really clear message to the Russians, and we have executed so in live performance and in unison with our allies that in the event that they do additional invade Ukraine, there will likely be extreme financial penalties and a worth to pay. And sure, after all, if it seems that Russia is pummeling Ukraine with cyberattacks, and if that continues over the interval forward, we are going to work with our allies on the suitable response.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Russia has been transferring, tanks have been transferring navy gear, their prime diplomat stated Friday, "their endurance is operating out, diplomacy is just not working." Are- are you planning to get President Putin, President Biden and President Zelensky of Ukraine all on the cellphone collectively, just like the Ukrainians are asking?
SULLIVAN: Effectively, we're in shut contact with our allies and companions, together with the Ukrainians. I communicate to my counterpart in Ukraine, the nationwide safety adviser, frequently. We have spoken seven instances simply up to now month, so we're coordinating intently our subsequent steps. And we'll have extra to share by way of the following steps into diplomacy early subsequent week. However the important thing level right here, MARGARET, is that we're prepared both means, if Russia desires to maneuver ahead with diplomacy. We're completely prepared to try this in lockstep with our allies and companions. If Russia desires to go down the trail of invasion and escalation, we're prepared for that too, with a sturdy response that may minimize off their strategic place. So, from our perspective, we're pursuing concurrently deterrence and diplomacy, and we have been clear and steadfast in that once more, absolutely united with the transatlantic group.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Russia's been fairly clear in simply charging forward with this. Mike Morrell, who I do know, you realize, the previous performing director of the CIA, stated this comes all the way down to a matter of American credibility, which will likely be misplaced if Vladimir Putin defies President Biden when- when the White Home has set out these clear traces, that is what is- what's at stake right here, Jake. I imply, we have been speaking concerning the president's approval rankings being on the decline since that chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. This can be a danger not simply to international coverage, however to the president's means to set brilliant traces for adversaries.
SULLIVAN: Look, I will go away the political evaluation to you and others. Here is what I am centered on. Will the USA and NATO and our allies emerge from this- no matter occurs in a stronger strategic place, and can Russia emerge in a weaker strategic place? That is the check. And that check would not get handed tomorrow or the following day or the day after that check will get handed over weeks and months and years. And if Russia does transfer, we are going to take measures that go at their economic system that go at their strategic place in Europe that strengthen the solidarity of NATO. And what we simply noticed this previous week in Brussels on the NATO headquarters was 30 allies talking as one after years below the earlier administration, the place NATO was fractured and starting to- to lose focus. So, we truly consider that we've made strides in shoring up and strengthening our alliances and in placing the USA able no matter occurs right here to defend our pursuits, defend our buddies and assist the Ukrainian individuals as we've been doing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Jake rapidly on Iran. The Secretary of State says we're very, very, very quick on time. Iran is getting very shut right here to the flexibility to supply a weapon. Are they only enjoying for time?
SULLIVAN: Effectively, I might say two issues on this entrance. Primary, our coverage is easy, we're decided to forestall Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Quantity two, we consider that diplomacy is one of the best ways to try this. However as you stated and because the secretary of state has stated, time is operating quick, and I used to be in Israel on the finish of final month–
MARGARET BRENNAN: – Yeah.--
SULLIVAN –coordinating on the likelihood that diplomacy doesn't proceed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: – Yeah.--
SULLIVAN: We're working intently with our European allies and companions on this as nicely, and we are going to discover a means ahead. However MARGARET,--
MARGARET BRENNAN: – OK.--
SULLIVAN: – a essential level right here–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Jake I've to wrap you proper now, I am sorry.
SULLIVAN: The explanation we're within the state of affairs we're in proper now could be as a result of the earlier administration pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, and we have been paying the wages of that catastrophic mistake.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood. Jake Sullivan, thanks. Stick with us.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION. We flip now to Covid-19, the place the variety of circumstances, hospitalizations and deaths are nonetheless rising. On the financial entrance, inflation can also be climbing. Here is Mark Strassmann.
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MARK STRASSMANN (voice over): Confirming America's case of omicron jitters has no check and wishes none. We're undeniably anxious.
WOMAN: This isn't a sport. It is for actual.
MARK STRASSMANN: And with good motive.
WOMAN: We're within the midst of one other Covid-19 tsunami.
MARK STRASSMANN: Omicron has exploded Covid nationally like by no means earlier than, with new circumstances rising in 46 states. America's averaging greater than 750,000 new circumstances a day, a report. Greater than 20,000 every day hospitalizations, up 25 %, and virtually 2,000 every day deaths, up 37 %.
MARK STRASSMANN (on digital camera): Right here in Boston, new circumstances have virtually doubled in Massachusetts over the past two weeks. Hospitalizations have virtually doubled. And omicron's siege goes on. Native well being consultants count on these numbers to maintain hovering for the remainder of January.
MARK STRASSMANN (voice over): Briefly provide, hospital workers, hospital beds. Pennsylvania is certainly one of 49 states the place service members reinforce the entrance traces of the Covid response. Additionally scarce, dwelling checks. Beginning Wednesday at covidtests.com, you may register with the federal authorities without spending a dime fast checks. A restrict of 4 per family.
However America's provide chain points embody high-quality masks in excessive demand.
WOMAN: I really feel safer in these than I do round individuals with the common masks.
MARK STRASSMANN: She ought to. After months of dithering by the CDC, the company now concedes that masks like N95s, KN95s, and surgical as soon as shield higher than fabric masks.
DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, DIRECTOR, CDC: The CDC continues to suggest that any masks is best than no masks.
MARK STRASSMANN: However whereas Covid's infinite dynamics have fractured America, everybody agrees the economic system wants assist. A 7 % charge of inflation, the best in almost 40 years, from gasoline to groceries.
WOMAN: Costs are off the charts, off the charts, for a center class household to eat.
WOMAN: As you may see, the cabinets are empty.
MARK STRASSMANN: And persevering with provide chain points. Pharmacies actually ought to have aspirin.
WOMAN: And there is solely three bottles on the shelf, and thank goodness I might get one bottle.
MARK STRASSMANN: If there's excellent news, it is this, in sure cities like New York and Washington, D.C., the early hotspots, omicron's breathtaking unfold appears to be flattening.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who joins us from Annapolis. Good morning to you, governor.
MARYLAND GOV. LARRY HOGAN: Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Eighty % of hospital beds are occupied in your state, Omicron is absolutely hitting exhausting. There are comparisons proper now to the place we have been in 2020. Have you ever seen an actual change within the means of the federal authorities to reply to states like yours?
GOV. HOGAN: Effectively, so we've been impacted actually exhausting over the previous couple of weeks, and we reached a better level than we ever did throughout the remainder of the almost two years of this disaster. We have got a bit of little bit of optimistic information and- in that it isn't fairly a development, however over the previous 4 or 5 days, we have seen pretty dramatic decreases in each hospitalizations, positivity charge and case charge. And so it is hopeful, and we're- we'll control that over the following 10 days to see if we proceed. However we're nonetheless in a fairly powerful spot, and that is why I declared a state of emergency. We- we did lots of issues to attempt to assist enhance the capability of our hospital techniques. Despatched in a thousand members of the Nationwide Guard. And you realize, we're taking lots of actions instantly and we're- we're making an attempt to get as a lot assist as we will from the federal authorities. However, you realize, fairly frankly, they're fallen quick in a few methods.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How- what do you want?
GOV. LARRY HOGAN: Effectively, we have been pushing for fairly a while, you realize, the president introduced almost a month in the past earlier than Christmas that he was going to distribute these half a billion fast check out throughout the nation. And thus far we have not seen any. We have been buying our personal, you realize, the states have been on the entrance traces all through this disaster. And now it seems as if, fairly than producing extra of those fast checks, the federal authorities is simply buying those that we had already contracted for. , so now we're type of hijacking the checks that we already had plans for, and we're now getting a few of these suppliers to inform us they not have the mat-Masks- the fast checks. On masks, you realize, I introduced final week that we were- we have been delivering freed from cost 20 million N95 and might KN95 masks throughout the state. And I feel the federal authorities is following behind making an attempt to do the identical factor elsewhere.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. The president is predicted to announce one thing intimately this week on that entrance.
GOV. HOGAN: I hope so.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And I understand- I perceive the CDC simply modified their steerage or tailored their steerage on Friday concerning masks. However different states have been on the market, like Connecticut distributing and N95s earlier. Why did you wait till this level?
GOV. HOGAN: Effectively, we have been distributing them all through the disaster. I imply, from the start, however the 20 million is a fairly big quantity. So we have had limitless mass for the colleges, for, you realize, greater than a 12 months already. We have got them out of well being departments and hospitals. However now we're- we're having even larger attain as a result of we understand that these masks are rather more protecting and that we have got a way more contagious variant that is spreading not solely throughout our state however throughout the nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah. In close by West Virginia, their governor, additionally Republican Jim Justice, has requested the CDC to authorize a fourth booster for essentially the most susceptible in his state. Are you going to do the identical? Are you curious about that?
GOV. HOGAN: Effectively, 5 - 6 months in the past, we did transfer ahead on the third booster forward of the federal authorities as a result of we- we had executed our personal antibody examine in our nursing properties, which have been a few of our most susceptible sufferers that we have been very involved about. The CDC was taking their time, and so we have been now doing one other very related antibody examine in our nursing properties to see if we should always transfer ahead with a 4 fourth dose, no less than for our most susceptible sufferers which are in danger.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you're engaged on that. Relating to–
GOV. HOGAN: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What's occurring in faculties proper now, and I perceive that that is district by district and the choices are completely different, however Prince George's County, as you realize a District of Columbia suburb, went digital proper round Christmas. They are going again to high school in particular person this coming week. You'll pose that. You wished youngsters in particular person.
GOV. HOGAN: I do not oppose them going again to high school.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, however you oppose them going digital and in other- different elements of the state the place they did return in particular person, you had some decrease attendance charges as a result of individuals have been sick. So why not enable for a bit of little bit of flexibility there? Is there a time when digital distant faculty truly is the only option?
GOV. HOGAN: Effectively, there may be flexibility with native faculty techniques, however what we must do and what the state coverage truly is, if there's an outbreak in a specific classroom or a specific faculty, then they've sure protocols that they, you realize, they need to take, however shutting down complete faculty techniques to punish 1,000,000 youngsters. Look, we have- we at the moment have 34 individuals within the hospital–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively they went distant–
GOV. HOGAN: 30 of them are kids, 30 of them are kids, and half of them are in for one more motive within the hospital. We're now filling our pediatric empty pediatric beds with adults as a result of kids haven't been that massive of an issue. Our faculty techniques haven't been overrun. And you realize, we began vaccinating academics greater than a 12 months in the past as a precedence. That was what they requested for. We offered the masks. We offered a whole bunch of tens of millions of dollars for filtration techniques to attempt to hold our youngsters secure. And you realize, I perceive individuals worrying about youngsters. All of us are. However we missed a 12 months of studying in some circumstances, and it is completely not the best way to go to maintain the whole faculty system shut down.
MARGARET BRENNAN: understood, however distant is someplace in between. However I need to ask you about some politics right here as a result of as you realize, there's been lots of speak amongst some excessive stage Republicans, together with Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican chief who's making an attempt to recruit you to run for Senate. You stated you do not have a burning want to serve within the Senate. You bought a February twenty second submitting deadline. When you do not need to inform me you are operating or not at the moment, are you able to no less than inform me if a Republican can win a statewide federal election in Maryland?
GOV. HOGAN: Effectively, most Republicans could not, however each The Washington Publish and the Senate management did two polls displaying me beating Chris Van Hollen by 12 factors, so I feel it's attainable it is the same- same- similar quantity that I used to be reelected by in 2018 in opposition to Ben Jealous as governor. However look what I stated, I have been saying all alongside. It isn't one thing I aspire to, however I even have stated that I-I care very a lot about the-the nation and the place we're and the divisive rhetoric that the divisiveness and dysfunction in Washington. And so, you realize, individuals are calling on my sort of extra patriotic obligation to say, even when it isn't the job that you really want, perhaps we want you to run anyway. And in order that's the place we're. I've by no means expressed an curiosity in it, and I nonetheless have not taken any steps in that course.
MARGARET BRENNAN: February twenty second Are you going to run or are you going to file?
GOV. HOGAN: February twenty second is sort of a month away, and proper now we're simply centered on the day job as governor and centered on this Omicron disaster and our legislative session, and that is the place my focus goes to remain.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK, nicely, we are going to keep on prime of you after which we'll begin asking you if you are going to run in 2024, which you have been requested and stated, you will not touch upon both. Governor, thanks very a lot to your time at the moment and good luck with the hospitalizations. We'll be proper again with the mayor of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to the mayor of Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, Quinton Lucas. He joins us from our CBS affiliate KCTV. Good morning to you, Mr. Mayor.
MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS (D), KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Omicron is surging. Hospitalizations in your metropolis up 25 % within the final week. Are hospitals having to postponed surgical procedures? Are they liable to being overwhelmed?
QUINTON LUCAS: They're overwhelmed proper now in Kansas Metropolis. Actually because the Christmas season, we've seen unimaginable challenges in our well being care community. Even getting workers which are working in our EMS companies, fireplace division and in public security. It's a substantial concern. It is why we've introduced again a lot of completely different necessities, together with a masks requirement in our faculties, to an awesome stage of controversy, to make it possible for governments can proceed to operate, faculties can keep open, our hospitals can keep open, and we're doing all we will from a neighborhood authorities stage to reply to our selections.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have stated you'd contemplate a citywide masks mandate if deaths and hospitalizations reached a sure level. Do you've got a threshold there? What's holding you again?
QUINTON LUCAS: Proper now what's holding us again is, in some methods, the political problem that we obtain from the state of Missouri. There have been quite a few lawsuits filed by the legal professional normal of Missouri, who's operating for United States Senate, a Republican, who has sought masks mandates and referred to as them issues which are challenges to freedom. He is referred to as them challenges in tyranny, these types of issues, that we face each time we challenge a brand new masks requirement. The Missouri state treasurer has gotten into the act. However what we're actually making an attempt to deal with is extra vaccination. What we're seeing is though omicron is spreading, 80 to 90 % of individuals which are in our ICUs are people who haven't been vaccinated. We're dealing with challenges as a result of there's a substantial quantity of misinformation out within the public about if vaccination is essential, if it is good, if it is free, what it does to you. So we're actually preventing, I feel, a battle on two completely different fronts. One is from my political proper, and people which are making an attempt to say that this simply is not that massive of a deal, after which at all times making an attempt to combat the data facet to make it possible for we get individuals vaccinated and secure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However to that time, we've new CBS polling out at the moment that actually faults the administration itself for complicated messaging round Covid. The president's approval ranking for his dealing with is on the lowest level. Two-thirds of these polled cited confusion about Covid data and steerage. Is the federal authorities response right here two complicated? Is it too sluggish?
QUINTON LUCAS: , I feel that these polls mirror a second of frustration in America, actually frustration in Kansas Metropolis. Again and again, and all people in America is aware of this, each few months we thought that this may be over. I feel what we acknowledge is now that Covid will likely be with us for a while, that we could proceed to see new variants. However I do assume that there's a function, not only for the federal authorities, however for state governments, to truly be useful, proper? We now have seen in a lot of completely different states, mine included at instances, the place there has not been the extent of help, once we're on the lookout for that intermediate step, who can truly ship that testing to us within the cities, small cities as nicely? Who can truly make it possible for faculties keep open? I do not assume that these are federal issues and people aren't on the ft of the president. I feel a lot of that's, how can our complete authorities system, from native authorities as much as the federal facet, make it possible for we're responding in an lively means. I simply assume the president's face is on any variety of issues, and so he'll continued to be blamed. However, look, what I need in Kansas Metropolis are extra nurses, extra hospital staff, extra workers, and extra checks. I do not care the place they arrive from. Whether or not they come from our state capitals, whether or not they come from federal authorities, I feel that is what the individuals of America need on the bottom.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You talked about one of many individuals who is difficult your mandates is somebody operating for Senate in your state. I need to ask you, I do know you are operating for re-election as mayor, however you're rumored to additionally be contemplating a Senate run. What are nationwide Democrats lacking on the bottom in states like yours? Do you assume a Democrat might truly win a statewide federal election in Missouri?
QUINTON LUCAS: I completely assume a Democrat might win a statewide election in Missouri. I feel, to begin with, as a result of what you see proper now could be that we're making an attempt to reply to a disaster of the second. We're making an attempt to verify we're answering Covid points, making an attempt to make it possible for individuals are getting again into jobs, and speaking about issues which are accountable and affordable. Not trying again over the past 4 years, not making an attempt to push what I feel is fake data, whether or not or not it's associated to Covid or whether or not or not it's associated to the economic system or something below the solar. I do assume, after all, there is a communication problem that we face. The Democratic Social gathering is a really massive tent. And I do actually assume that extra nationwide voices which are saying, look, Democrats are doing issues that make fundamental sense now, making an attempt to deal with provide chain points, making an attempt to verify individuals have Covid testing, and essentially ensuring that we're looking for the individuals of Kansas Metropolis in America. , a number of weeks again my household got here down with Covid after which the hardest half, I've a nine-month-old child, with seeing him sick. I do not assume that there is any American who desires to see that hurt to their younger kids, to their infants, to their households. That is what I see lots of mayors seeking to, Democrats, reasonable Republicans, and others, and that is why I feel the general public can be receptive to messages from of us which are on the political left.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You'd should file by the top of March. Are you going to run?
QUINTON LUCAS: I -- I've already stated that I will be operating for mayor of Kansas Metropolis once more.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
QUINTON LUCAS: I am excited to be mayor.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Mayor, thanks to your time. Good luck with the surge. We'll be proper again.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We need to test in now with former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who additionally serves on the board of Pfizer. Good morning to you, Dr..
DOCTOR SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The performing FDA commissioner informed Congress most individuals are going to get COVID, Dr. Fauci stated most individuals will likely be uncovered to it sooner or later. I imply, these statements make individuals at dwelling go, what am I doing right here? Why am I making an attempt to guard myself? At this level, what are you able to do?
DR. GOTTLIEB: Effectively, look, I feel the truth is most individuals are going to get COVID of their lifetime, I do not assume most individuals must get COVID inside the subsequent month and something we will do to attempt to shield ourselves to extent that there are individuals who have not been uncovered to this virus but, who've gone out and gotten vaccinated, been in a position to shield themselves. , if they will hold themselves protected for the following a number of weeks, we are going to most likely be via this Omicron wave. After which we'll should take care of this most likely subsequent fall when we've higher instruments accessible to us. I might a lot fairly have my reckoning with COVID after I have been vaccinated a lot of instances after there are orally accessible medication extensively accessible to deal with this an infection. After there's monoclonal antibodies, extensively accessible to deal with it. After diagnostic testing is stockpiled in my home and those- these realities will likely be reality come this fall, actually come this summer season, so I feel individuals will likely be in a significantly better place to grapple with this subsequent fall. I feel we should always stay vigilant for the following a number of weeks, attempt to keep away from this an infection when you can.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So maintain robust for the following few weeks. Pfizer CEO, I do know you served on the board of the corporate, stated a vaccine that targets Omicron might be prepared in March. Does that imply everybody wants to start out planning to exit and get one other dose?
DR. GOTTLIEB: Look, I feel the truth is that that is going to change into an annual vaccination, no less than for a time period. We do not know what the epidemiology of this an infection goes to be over the long term, however actually over the following couple of years, you may envision boosters changing into an annual affair, no less than for some portion of the inhabitants; people who find themselves extra susceptible. It might be the case that if we've an Omicron on particular vaccine or Delta particular vaccine, it's nonetheless unclear what essentially the most prevalent pressure of this an infection goes to be on the again finish of this Omicron wave. I feel most individuals presume it will likely be Omicron, however when you can trend a vaccine that is particular to the variant that is circulating. You most likely have the potential to revive lots of the unique promise of the vaccine. And by that, I imply the flexibility to truly stop transmission to cut back an infection. Proper now, the vaccines are very efficient at stopping critical illness and stopping hospitalization. They're additionally stopping symptomatic sickness. However the prevention of transmission has been dramatically decreased in a setting of Omicron. When you might trend a vaccine that's particular to Omicron, you may restore the flexibility of the vaccine doubtlessly to forestall transmission, and it once- as soon as once more turns into a public well being device for truly controlling unfold.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You heard Governor Hogan, a Republican, say the federal authorities is falling quick on its response proper now. Our polling has proven even confusion amongst Democrats, I imply this is not essentially a partisan challenge on frustration with pandemic response. That will get laid on the foot of the president, is that his fault? Is that the CDC falling quick? Is that the FDA, the place we nonetheless do not need a confirmed commissioner? The place does that blame truly lie?
DR. GOTTLIEB: Effectively, look, I feel I feel it lies in lots of locations, I feel lots of the confusion emanates from CDC and the combined steerage that they've- they've issued. Look, the administration, I feel, has executed an admirable job with sure points of this response. They put a giant emphasis on rolling out the vaccines. They've executed a very good job at that 85% of adults have acquired no less than one dose of the vaccine. We now have to consider the counterfactual: what if we did not have that a lot vaccination as a rustic? What state of affairs would we be dealing with proper now? I feel the administration made some errors at a macro stage. The primary was shopping for into this prevailing narrative once they took workplace that lots of the issues, if not all the issues at CDC and from the federal public well being businesses owed to the Trump's administration and their mishandling of these businesses. Now, however what the Trump administration did, it did not do to attempt to reform these businesses and intrude of their operations. The fact is these businesses had deep flaws and it made it exhausting to reform the businesses as soon as you got into that- that macro narrative. The- the second problem I feel that they purchased for themselves was federalizing this in ways in which they did not should, significantly with respect to the vaccine mandates. I feel as soon as the federal authorities, the Biden administration, stepped in and federalized points of this response, they owned it and created a notion that they alone might repair it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, Governor Hogan stated they have been having a tough time on the state stage, getting a maintain of checks. Based on the White Home, these will start- they're going to take orders beginning in Jan, however HHS stated you won't obtain these checks for weeks afterward. Is the technique right here simply to have People stockpile checks for the longer term as a result of it isn't coming in time for Omicron?
DR. GOTTLIEB: Effectively, look, I feel that is what People must be doing and the administration steps to attempt to present checks on to shoppers and attempt to present fee for these checks is a vital step in that course. They've additionally within the final week prolonged the expiration dates within the in style BinaxNOW check and I count on they are going to prolong the expiration dates on different checks in order that it makes it extra possible to stockpile these checks. The fact is the checks can be found. They don't seem to be low-cost. However when you go to Amazon proper now, you should purchase 10 or extra checks. I examined it before- earlier than we received on this present this morning, so they're accessible. I feel that they are tough to get for bulk buy, for purchases for municipalities and states, however shoppers can get entry to them. And now, with the federal authorities, you realize, offering reimbursement, most shoppers can attain into the market and purchase these checks. Sadly, they weren't accessible once we had peak demand, and that was when Omicron hit up in opposition to Christmas break, when lots of people went out, wished entry to checks and the shop cabinets had run out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. Effectively, failure to plan across the vacation within the largest gatherings of the 12 months, however larger technique. You have stated there ought to have been in Operation Warp Velocity for drug remedies, not simply the vaccine. Do you assume the administration is over emphasizing vaccination and never speaking about issues like masks and air flow?
DR. GOTTLIEB: Look, I feel they've talked about masks, there's solely a lot the federal authorities can do to attempt to get shoppers to put on masks, this actually needs to be executed on the state and the native stage. I feel the administration ought to have earlier revised the steerage on the standard of the masks, recognizing that greater high quality masks have been going to be essential in opposition to variants that unfold primarily via airborne transmission, just like the Delta variant, just like the Omicron variant. There was an emphasis on vaccines. I feel that there might have been extra emphasis on making an attempt to get capability in place over the summer season for the manufacturing of not simply the orally accessible medication just like the one manufactured by Pfizer. Pfizer put up a billion dollars to advance manufacture of that product, but additionally the monoclonal antibodies, particularly the medication that might be used as a prophylaxis and remedy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK, Dr. Gottlieb, at all times good to speak to you. We'll be proper again.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us at the moment. Thanks for watching. Till subsequent week, for FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.
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