On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia
- Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas
- Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas
- White Home adviser Keisha Lance Bottoms
- Dr. Scott Gottlieb
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington.
Breaking in a single day, a state of emergency is known as in a Texas border metropolis, as officers brace for the top of a COVID period rule permitting the expulsion of migrants. We may have the most recent.
Border cities are overwhelmed as soon as once more by migrants in search of asylum, in anticipation of the lifting of Title 42 on Wednesday. Processing facilities are inundated. And the streets of El Paso are full of migrants compelled to attend in freezing temperatures.
We'll discuss with two Home members from Texas, Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Henry Cuellar, in regards to the challenges dealing with native, state and federal officers.
Right here in Washington, Congress is dealing with deadlines on various fronts, together with funding the federal government and ending up the January 6 Committee investigation earlier than the vacations.
We'll communicate solely to West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.
Plus, we are going to discuss to the White Home senior adviser for public engagement, Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Lastly, with greater than three-quarters of the nation's hospital beds at capability, we are going to verify in with former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb in regards to the viral trifecta of RSV, flu and COVID that is crippling the nation.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
As a rustic wraps up year-end enterprise and prepares for the vacations, there's as soon as once more a disaster on the U.S.-Mexico border. Sometimes, the inflow of migrants in search of a greater life within the U.S. comes through the hotter climate, however a pandemic period rule that permits migrants to be expelled on public well being grounds is about to finish Wednesday.
That rule is known as Title 42. That is placing added strain on border cities like El Paso, Texas, and Yuma, Arizona, the place states of emergency have been issued, in addition to in cities like Denver and New York, the place border state governors have been sending these migrants.
And we start with West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. He's in Charleston.
Good morning to you, Senator.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN (D-West Virginia): Good morning, Margaret. How are you?
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am doing effectively. I am glad you can be a part of us.
You wrote this letter to President Biden this week...
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: ... saying there can be a whole lack of operational management on the southern border as soon as Title 42 ends in about three days.
So what extra can the administration be doing? And what can Congress ship within the coming days?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Nicely, let me simply say, the border is -- we've got a disaster on the border. Everybody can see that. I believe everybody realizes that one thing needs to be finished.
It -- 42 must be prolonged till we are able to get, actually, actually immigration reform. Immigration reform is not going to occur in our nation till all of us come, either side of the aisle, Democrats, Republicans, and the administration, that you must have whole border safety.
Safety is the secret, after which you possibly can have...
MARGARET BRENNAN: However the courts ordered for 42 to be struck down.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: I perceive that. The president wants to make use of each little bit of energy he has as an government to discover a method or ask for an extension.
The president can principally, I believe, ask for that extension. I believe his administration is doing that or will do this. I certain hope they do. However we want an extension till we are able to get a viable reply for this. Proper now, that is unattainable. That is mistaken. You may't do that to the Southern border.
John Cornyn, my buddy, senator from Texas, they're on the entrance traces. They're the most important border we've got, a state that borders Mexico. And it simply -- it is unattainable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However what can Congress ship when it comes to emergency funding? As a result of, as we perceive it, until a Supreme Courtroom steps in, Title 42 goes away.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Sure.
Nicely, once more, the chief order. We might cross a bit of laws, emergency piece of laws, if we might all come to an settlement that principally Title 42 needs to be, by regulation, prolonged and have the president signal it instantly. I suppose that may very well be finished. We're going again in Monday.
And I -- it is simply -- it is a disaster. When you will have a disaster. it looks like we are able to handle underneath a disaster in a bipartisan method. It is a disgrace that we have come to this gridlock.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned not too long ago that you've got a employee scarcity in West Virginia proper now.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How do you get to bipartisan laws on authorized migration, when you find yourself about to face a Republican-controlled Home that is vowed to question the homeland safety secretary?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Sure. Nicely, initially, that is -- it is an unfair cost in opposition to Ali Mayorkas.
I believe the gentleman is -- could be very competent. He can do an excellent job. They only have to unleash him. Let him do his job. That is what I've mentioned earlier than, and I'll say it once more now.
With that, we've got received to do, principally, immigration reform. My state of West Virginia wants extra employees, We'd like folks that need to come right here for the suitable purpose to offer for his or her household a greater high quality of life. My grandparents -- great-grandparents introduced my grandparents right here in 1900 on either side of the aisle from Italy and Czechoslovakia for that chance.
I am -- I am a product of that. And we've got so many individuals that need to come to our nation. There needs to be a authorized pathway ahead. That is all we have been speaking about. The 2013 piece of laws that we labored on and handed in a bipartisan method within the Senate by no means received a vote within the Home.
Use that because the constructing block. That was a bit of laws that was accountable and cheap. And it principally all centered round border safety, however it gave a authorized pathway ahead to return into this nation, work your method to authorized citizenship. That is what we want.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, we are going to see within the new Congress if that turns into potential.
You, on the vitality safety entrance, have additionally been elevating issues.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been the vital vote that helped the president get his inexperienced vitality plan handed as a part of the Inflation Discount Act, the IRA.
That basically ticked off Republicans, as you realize. However you additionally mentioned you had a second cope with Democratic leaders, endorsed by the president, to again up a invoice to hurry up permits for pure fuel pipelines and different vitality initiatives. Why did this collapse?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Nicely, Margaret, initially, there was no second deal. It was all one deal. It was principally, how do we've got vitality safety?
To begin with, the IRA is a historic invoice, the Inflation Discount Act, and so is the bipartisan infrastructure invoice, which has about $100 billion of vitality issues in that that my -- me and my workers and the Power Committee labored on.
We wrote the invoice, principally, the IRA portion of that invoice, so far as the vitality. However, you realize, once you discuss inflation discount, it brings down drug costs. It brings down, principally, insulin costs, lifesaving insulin. It brings down well being care prices. It does all these issues.
However, on prime of that, we want extra vitality available in the market. I do know it has been touted as a inexperienced deal or this. That is the farthest factor from the reality. It's a bipartisan vitality safety. You can't be the superpower of the world if you do not have vitality independence.
And vitality independence means vitality safety and nationwide safety. That piece of laws that we wrote and labored on principally takes a double path, 10 years, certainty, that we will have fossil gasoline, the horsepower that runs our nation, the cleanest on this planet.
We do not have to go to Iran, probably the most prolific terrorist supporters on this planet. We do not have to go to Venezuela, who has little or no oversight on atmosphere.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: We will produce the fossil on this nation to be completely impartial and assist our allies with the cleanest fossil on this planet, and whereas, on the identical time, we're investing information, quantities -- investments.
We're not spending and throwing cash at it. We're investing it to deliver you the brand new expertise for the way forward for the world. That is what that invoice did. That is an important piece of laws. It is one thing that I labored with, with my...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper, however you have been making an attempt to get allowing for drilling and initiatives sped up with this different invoice.
And -- and 10 Democrats voted in opposition to the allowing invoice. Solely seven Senate Republicans did vote with you. Have you ever talked to the president about making an attempt to revive it?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Let me inform -- it needs to be handed in the end. Everybody is aware of that. They hold saying, we'll get a greater deal when the Home goes Republican.
I say to my Republican mates and colleagues, you've got had your complete gambit from 2016 to 2020, once you had the president being Republican, the Home, and the Senate. You tried allowing. You had one Democrat, me. I am the one Democrat that voted for main allowing reforms.
So, we all know the lay of the land. Mitch McConnell is aware of, principally, the construction and the way the legislature works and the way the Senate works higher than most. With that being mentioned, we had an ideal scenario right here; 40 Democrats voted for allowing reform which they'd not supported earlier than.
And there was a majority. Solely -- solely seven Republicans voted for one thing that each one 50 had supported earlier than. So, you inform me, if it is about coverage, or is it about politics? One thing's mistaken, and that is why persons are so upset with what they see occurring in Washington.
Allowing reform, principally, with what we did with the inflation discount and the bipartisan infrastructure invoice, Margaret, if -- that each one does not come to fruition until you are capable of do issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: We're the one civilized nation on this planet that takes two or 3 times longer than anyone else.
And if we do not do one thing on allowing reform, then the pipelines that we have to carry the vitality that we demand and likewise the transmission that can assist carry the brand new applied sciences of the longer term...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: ... will not be finished in time, and that cash shall be stranded. That is what we're coping with.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, we'll see, within the new Congress, if you may get that finished.
I imply, you have been fairly fired up after this failed. You mentioned: "I serve in an impartial voice, not a political social gathering. What's clearer now than ever is, social gathering politics is paralyzing our capacity to unite."
You talked about poisonous tribal politics." Why are you staying a member of this tribe if it is so poisonous?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Nicely, this is the factor about it.
, I actually do not put a lot -- a lot validity within the id of being a Republican and Democrat. I believe we're all People. , I used to -- I grew up in an age when, when you're a Republican or a Democrat, all of us acknowledged that we had an issue.
All of us had completely different concepts of how -- to methods to clear up the issue, however we have been all making an attempt to resolve the identical downside. It has -- it has principally -- principally transitioned itself to now to the place, how can we blame someone else? How can we create an issue and blame someone for it that makes them unpopular?
That is not what I signed up for. That is not what I signed up for. And I communicate out. I communicate out in opposition to the Democrat Social gathering and in opposition to the Republican Social gathering when it is mistaken.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I do know you do.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: And, principally, persons are sick and bored with it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, you mentioned not too long ago...
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: So, I do not...
MARGARET BRENNAN: .. you take into account your self strictly an impartial.
Do you see a bonus on this atmosphere to turning into unaffiliated, to turning into an impartial?
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Nicely, let's have a look at how principally these two items of laws, that are actually historic, because the bipartisan infrastructure invoice and the Inflation Discount Act, let's have a look at how that performs out.
If persons are making an attempt to cease one thing from doing a lot good due to the politics, considering that someone else will get credit score for it, let's have a look at how that performs out, after which I'll let you realize later what I resolve to do.
However, proper now, I've no intentions of adjusting something, besides working for West Virginians, making an attempt to present them extra alternatives, higher high quality of life, and principally ensuring our nation is energy-secured. Which means nationwide safety. We'll be the superpower of the world.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: I am not going to be counting on different elements of the world or different nations to delivering vitality for what we want for our financial system and our protection of our nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That sounds a little bit bit like warning the Democratic leaders that you simply're contemplating one thing sooner or later there.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: I am...
(LAUGHTER)
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned, let's have a look at.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: I believe if -- Margaret, let me simply say, if I can say this to you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: They understand how impartial I'm.
The D doesn't saddle me to every part the Democrats need to do is what's proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: I do not suppose the Democrats have all of the solutions. I do not suppose the Republicans are all the time mistaken, and vice versa.
I do not have a look at issues that method. The place I got here from is principally, how do I survive and make it higher and the standard of life that we are able to prolong to extra folks? That is it. And if the Republicans have a good suggestion, and I prefer it, I am with it.
And if I am the one Democrat, which I've been many instances...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: ... I really feel very snug I can come residence and clarify it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: However, you bought to talk reality to energy.
However when the Democrats are doing one thing -- and, on this one proper now...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: ... with the Inflation Discount Act, it is a disgrace it went by way of solely reconciliation.
(CROSSTALK)
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: That was a bipartisan invoice. You may stroll and chew gum, present extra fossil vitality cleaner, present extra investments into the cleaner applied sciences. That is -- that is what's coming, and that is what we've got to embrace.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, thanks to your time this morning. And I hope you will have an excellent vacation.
SENATOR JOE MANCHIN: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, whose district covers greater than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in West Texas.
Good morning to you, Congressman.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES (R-Texas): Good morning, Margaret. Thanks for having me on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You heard the senator there calling for reform.
However, as you realize, until the Supreme Courtroom steps in right here, Title 42 goes away. What has the federal authorities advised you is coming to your neighborhood within the coming days?
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Sure, it's a dire scenario in El Paso.
As you realize, town declared a state of emergency. That is one thing you do when there is a hurricane, a fireplace, or an earthquake. What is going on is, it is a hurricane of migrants, and everyone seems to be impacted.
Sure, I signify 823 miles of the Southern border. I've seen this actual play, play out a 12 months in the past in Del Rio is what's taking place in El Paso now. I used to be simply in El Paso just a few days in the past. And what I noticed on the migrant middle, I had by no means seen earlier than.
I've visited -- I had visited the processing middle there many instances. And what I noticed have been a whole bunch, over 500 migrants in a in a pod. They name them pods, primarily, a big cell that holds about 100 folks. There's one lavatory. The odor is horrible.
And there is eight pods in there. And so these are the nice situations outdoors, simply above the hill, there's 1,000 -- a little bit over 1,000 migrants ready in outside situations...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: ... to not point out the folks which might be ready by the -- by the -- by the bridge and elsewhere. It is a very dire scenario in El Paso.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I simply need to say to our viewers who're simply trying there at video that you simply offered to CBS that I consider you shot inside these amenities.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I did.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're counting on that cellular phone video, partly as a result of CBS Information and different media organizations haven't been permitted to movie not too long ago inside these amenities.
Why do you suppose it is crucial for the general public to see what's taking place inside?
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Sure, Margaret, I visited there for just a few causes, to know the bottom reality and to have the ability to share the bottom reality, additionally to let the Border Patrol brokers which might be underneath unimaginable quantities of stress know that they are not forgotten.
And what I noticed shocked me. And I needed to share that with the world. It isn't about politics. It isn't about making an attempt to create this picture that is not there. That is the fact. That is the details. We're not even on the worst of it but.
A whole bunch of individuals caught in a small space will not be good for everybody.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: What I additionally noticed was folks with out socks and jackets. It should be within the teenagers later this week.
So it is a very unhappy scenario all the way in which round. What I additionally say to -- sufficient with the finger-pointing. I do not care how we received right here. How can we get out of right here? And there are some issues that the administration can instantly do wish to alleviate the stress.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Like what?
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Sure, look, the Biden -- this is not the primary time an administration has had a disaster, each presidency, President Trump, Bush, Clinton.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Certain. It is a hemispheric surge of migrants, although. It is a hemispheric disaster.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: That is true. We now have by no means seen it like this.
So -- so, what are among the issues that the administration can do? Title 42 is gone. We now have pushed and pushed and pushed. We're three days away from that being gone. What are among the issues that the administration can do?
They'll re-implement a few packages that made sense, PACR and the HARP program. That is primarily having immigration judges on the border, which means you get your asylum case heard in days, not years. And if you don't qualify for asylum, you get returned again to your nation of origin through repatriation flights.
You flip that course of again on, with -- there's some enforcement, and, rapidly, the stress will get down. I fear, if that does not occur, we could also be shutting bridges down. Town of El Paso produces $138 billion value of commerce. You shut down in the future of that commerce and commerce, that $60 million. It can influence all people, not simply people who dwell alongside the border.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, the Biden administration is asking Congress for $3.4 billion to arrange for this surge. Do you suppose this may occur? Would you vote for it?
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I believe it is wanted. I believe it is completely wanted.
However throwing cash at an issue doesn't clear up an issue. You may have a limiteless quantity of soft-sided amenities. The issue is implementing the legal guidelines which might be already on the books. I would additionally argue the majority of individuals which might be coming over are simply making an attempt to dwell a greater life.
I get that. They're coming right here for financial -- financial alternatives. However that does not qualify for asylum. Going again to immigration reform, I'd like to have a dialog with the administration to work by way of one thing. Work visas make sense to me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Pathway to citizenship, amnesty, that's lifeless on arrival.
What folks have tried earlier than have -- has no probability of working. You've got to start out and construct out from there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I hosted the president -- I hosted the president in Uvalde and -- six months in the past, and I requested him: "Mr. President, I would love to go to with you in regards to the border."
He agreed to it. However but I've -- I've but to have that dialog with him.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, you are placing your finger on the necessity to get bipartisan laws finished.
However I received to be trustworthy with you. A whole lot of your fellow Republicans are usually not speaking that method. In truth, there's calls, as you realize, to question the homeland safety secretary. We had Michael Chertoff on this program, the Bush period homeland safety secretary, not too long ago, a Republican, who mentioned this was a political stunt, a waste, a efficiency on impeachment, by no means going wherever.
How do you defend your social gathering prioritizing impeachment, once you're saying it's dire disaster, in want of substantive laws?
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: We actually need to safe the border.
It is very troublesome to have the dialog on immigration reform when the border will not be safe. However I additionally say I've hosted practically 100 members of Congress these previous two years. And...
(CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: I requested you about impeachment
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Impeaching Mayorkas, our president or elsewhere? Sure, that's...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure, what Republican management is speaking about prioritizing.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Sure, I believe that is going to -- hearings are going to utterly happen.
And the place that leads us, who is aware of? However I take impeachment extraordinarily critical. That could be a case of emergency, break glass. However, impeachment, that is a protracted course of. Town of El Paso wants assist in the present day, not a 12 months from now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Congressman, good luck to you and your neighborhood within the coming days. We shall be monitoring every part.
REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Thanks, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman Gonzales.
Face the Nation shall be again in a single minute. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We now need to go to Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, whose district covers about 200 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, together with town of Laredo.
Good morning to you, Congressman.
REPRESENTATIVE HENRY CUELLAR (D-Texas): Good morning to you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There are 8,000 border crossings per day. That quantity might double,in accordance with estimates, as quickly as this week.
You signify numerous Border Patrol brokers. Are they ready? How is morale?
REPRESENTATIVE HENRY CUELLAR: Nicely, initially, morale will not be good, as a result of they really feel that the administration does not have their backs, primary.
Quantity two, are they ready? No. Even the $3 billion that you simply talked about some time in the past, that cash goes for use for processing, goes for use for meals and shelter, and transportation of migrants. It does not deal with the difficulty that we're dealing with on the border.
There's -- hundreds of persons are coming in. However you bought to have a look at one factor. In the previous couple of years, we had over 35,000 rescues, Border Patrol saving folks that would have died. We additionally had 1,400 folks that died, together with kids.
Now, is that this probably the most humane method that we ought to deal with asylum? No. I believe what we have to do is have a pathway the place they undergo the bridges in an orderly method. After which, after which, Margaret, if they do not comply with that pathway, I believe we have to ship them again and say, comply with it away.
I'll end with this analogy shortly. It is like if someone invitations me to go to their home for lunch, however I resolve to undergo the again door. I come by way of home windows. I resolve to deliver an entire bunch of individuals. I resolve what hours I are available. It does not work that method.
We as a rustic have to set the asylum procedures in place.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
Nicely, as you realize, it is additional sophisticated with Venezuelans and Haitians and Cubans and people who find themselves coming that may't be despatched again to their nations of origin. How do you clear up for that?
REPRESENTATIVE HENRY CUELLAR: Sure, I imply, no doubt, these three nations, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, these are nations which might be a little bit bit extra sophisticated.
However the prime 15 nations embrace Colombia, Mexico. It contains additionally Peru, Ecuador. And, within the prime 15, you even have Russia, India, Georgia, the state, additionally, and Turkey additionally. So the highest 15 -- persons are understanding internationally that -- the truth that the Southern border is open.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman, we've got much more to speak to -- discuss to you about on this, so I need you to remain the place you might be.
We now have to take a fast business break. And we ask all of you to remain the place you might be.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: One story we've got been following intently is nearly at an finish, the congressional investigation into the January 6 assaults.
The committee will launch their last report this week, after which hundreds of pages of interviews and paperwork shall be launched to the general public quickly after.
CBS Information will cowl that last assembly Monday at 1:00 p.m. on our broadcast and streaming networks, because the committee votes on whether or not to make legal referrals to the Division of Justice for among the folks they've investigated, together with former President Trump.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And this programming notice: You'll want to tune in tomorrow to CBS Mornings for his or her unique interview with newly reelected Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock.
As for us, we shall be proper again with much more Face the Nation. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
We need to proceed our dialog now with Congressman Henry Cuellar.
Congressman, in a letter to the president this week you warned that this week, when Title 42 lifts, they will have a whole lack of operational management over the southern border. And that is going to have a profoundly adverse influence on border communities. , the White Home is saying that they have a plan right here. Why are you saying they do not? What's it that you're listening to?
HENRY CUELLAR: , they have been speaking about this plan for the final two years. They have been taking part in - they have been taking part in -- blaming the Republicans, they have been blaming Congress. How lengthy is that this plan going to be - take -- when will it take an impact?
I've seen that plan, with all due respect. A whole lot of it offers with processing, shifting migrants from the border over to the inside. We have to have a method that we are able to have a coverage the place if Title 42 goes away, appears to be like like it'll go away, until the Supreme Courtroom steps in. If it goes away, they need to have a coverage of an orderly pathway to asylum by way of our bridges. And if they do not comply with that pathway, they want to return. , they have to have one thing in place.
I've appeared -- with all due respect, I've checked out that plan and I - I do not suppose it is -- you realize, they have been speaking about it. It hasn't labored. Now, they're asking for the $3 billion or so. It is primarily for meals and shelters, processing, transportation, however it does not actually discuss safety.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you additionally pledge on this letter to work on bipartisan laws. That is not going to get finished within the subsequent few days. What's it that you simply're envisioning within the new congress that's going to be potential with a Republican-controlled Home?
HENRY CUELLAR: Sure, I imply, undoubtedly -- the - the one factor we are able to do is add more cash. I do not know if will probably be the $3 billion, however will probably be moneys there to fulfill the president's request, or as a lot as potential, primary. Subsequent 12 months, I imply, it'll be a present in so some ways and, you realize, impeaching the secretary does not transfer us one inch nearer to fixing the problems. And I hope that we are able to have the president -- the president can do that, can implement a coverage of an orderly course of for asylum on the bridges and, if not, they return. They have to have a consequence. The president can do this as a result of, look, be mindful, in 2014
MARGARET BRENNAN: Via government order?
HENRY CUELLAR: Sure. Nicely -- effectively, have a look at it. I imply, if President Obama did not have immigrational reform, did not have all of the issues that folks have been asking for, however he was capable of handle the border in a a lot better place - a method. So, the president, President Biden can do that. However with all due respect, I believe his advisers are doing a disservice to him.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am certain the White Home would say it is a hemispheric surge. It is worse than it is ever been.
I need to get to one thing you've got been elevating persistently as you've got been faulting President Biden for failing to go to the border. Coverage consultants would say, you realize, a photograph op does not do a lot.
To you, what does going to the border really obtain? And do you suppose it is -- the explanation he hasn't gone is as a result of the White Home is afraid it'll backfire, that the border brokers you are speaking about shall be disrespectful to him?
HENRY CUELLAR: Nicely, look, there's alternative ways of visiting the border. He does not need to go there for only a picture op.
However, you realize, a pacesetter has to indicate photos of - of being up there within the entrance. He - he can do this. He can do it in so some ways. And I am not asking for a photograph op, however I believe the message that can go to not solely the women and men in inexperienced and blue however to the border communities. I am extra within the border communities who will say, hey, look, I am the president of the US. I am right here on the border. Border communities, I really feel your ache.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Congressman, we shall be watching what occurs within the coming days. Good luck to you and your neighborhood.
We'll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Keisha Lance Bottoms, who's a senior adviser to President Biden for public engagement.
Good morning to you.
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS (White Home Senior Adviser for Public Engagement): Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Immigration is prime of thoughts right here. You simply heard from two Democrats who've been sharply vital of the administration not doing extra within the face of this expiration of Title 42.
What's the administration doing to induce migrants to not come?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: Nicely, the administration has been working for months, planning for the top of title 42. And you must keep in mind, Margaret, these aren't people who find themselves making an attempt to illegally cross the border. These are people who find themselves presenting themselves, asking that they be processed in accordance with the legal guidelines of the US. So, folks have to recollect, Title 42 is a public well being emergency order.
If Title 42 goes away, we are going to then return to Title 8, which permits for a course of, which is the explanation why the administration has requested Congress to fund greater than $3 billion to assist us present the assets that shall be wanted to course of these migrants, to make it possible for persons are handled humanely, to make it possible for the bordering communities have the assets that they want. And we want Congress to be a associate on this. And we want Congress to behave as a result of that is - it is a international difficulty that we face. And the White Home alone cannot do it. We'd like help from Congress.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you - I imply you make an essential level that it's a proper to have the ability to ask for asylum. What occurs when Title 42 goes away is that folks cannot be expelled -- what it allowed for was expelling with out the assure of an asylum listening to. So, which means folks shall be allowed to remain till they get their day in court docket. So, this may means extra folks coming into the US. They might be in a course of that would final years, frankly. And in order that's why I come again to that elementary query of what's the White Home doing to say, do not come to the border and attempt to declare asylum?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: Nicely, what the White Home has finished, has mentioned very publicly, that we wish folks to avail themselves of a lawful course of. What we're seeing taking place is that many individuals are making the most of the truth that Title 42 might go away this week. We see many individuals exploiting migrants, saying, come now otherwise you lose your capacity to return in any respect. And that is merely not the case.
However, once more, this isn't simply a difficulty that we face in the US. It is a international difficulty. So, the president has been working very intently with our companions throughout the worldwide to deal with this international difficulty. However we additionally want partnership at residence. We'd like partnership from Congress. And we have to concentrate on what this a long time outdated difficulty is. And that difficulty is ensuring that we've got complete immigration reform, not specializing in making an attempt to question the Homeland Safety secretary. You concentrate on impeachment. Impeachment is for misdemeanor -- excessive crimes and misdemeanors, bribery, treason. It is a distinction in coverage method. Not one of the best use of our assets. Definitely not one of the best use of the time that Congress has to work with the White Home to deal with this difficulty.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. So, we're about to face that Republican-controlled Home. It appears to be like like gridlock. So, that does not actually get you to a spot for bipartisan reform. If we're solely left with government actions, what can President Biden do?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: Nicely, Margaret, I need to remind you that within the first two years in workplace, President Biden has signed over 200 bipartisan payments. So, he is not giving up on working in a bipartisan method to deal with immigration, a difficulty that we should always all be involved about. What we want is funding from Congress and we have to proceed to work in the direction of complete immigration reform.
So, the president has mentioned he needs to get issues finished in a bipartisan method. The American folks have mentioned they need us to work collectively in a bipartisan method. We'd like everybody on the desk with concepts.
Bear in mind, Republicans will management the Home. So, the necessity for Republicans in Congress to say what they will not do has now been eliminated. Now, inform us what you'll do to work with the president to make it possible for we've got complete immigration reform. However within the speedy future, we want funding for the assets that can make it possible for we are able to deal with the speedy wants on the bottom.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
Are Democratic leaders telling you, you're going to get the $3.4 billion?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: Nicely, we will hold making an attempt. We will hold pushing. So, it is our hope -- we're working every day across the clock with members of Congress to make it possible for funding is in place as a result of these assets are wanted. And that is, once more, not only a Democrat difficulty, it is not a Republican difficulty, this is a matter that impacts us all, even these of us that do not dwell in states which might be - which might be on the border.
You heard Senator Manchin discuss in regards to the wants in West Virginia and the way immigration reform is required in West Virginia to assist with the financial system in West Virginia. So, we will hold working across the clock. And just because folks do not see the president on the border does not imply that he is not working.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. Nicely, why does not he go to the border? He was simply in Arizona. Why wasn't it value his time?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: Nicely, you must keep in mind, Margaret, when the president travels, it is not such as you or I leaping on an airplane and getting off and going to our vacation spot. Every little thing involves a halt. So, all of these items are in consideration for the president. Is that one of the best use of assets? All the assets that shall be diverted on the bottom when the president makes a go to.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that why he did not go?
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS: However is that go to -- effectively, I am unable to communicate to why he has or has not gone. I am simply chatting with the truth that it's kind of extra disruptive for the president of the US to journey than you or I.
However what the president has finished is sustained to lean in on this immigration difficulty. It is one thing that he ran on. And what we all know, over the previous two years, each single factor that the president has run on, he is put time and assets into addressing it. So, immigration, we all know, is an issue that he didn't create. Our points with immigration are a long time lengthy points. And he'll proceed to lean in by way of the White Home and thru Congress to get complete immigration reform finished.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, we'll be expecting that.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, thanks to your time in the present day.
We'll be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Regardless of some hopeful new financial indicators, customers are watching their spending this vacation season. Mark Strassmann has extra from Atlanta.
(BEGIN VT)
MARK STRASSMANN (voice over): Tis the season to be jittery, with an financial system providing each the spirit of santa and the spectre of scrooge. This is a present.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Inflation is coming down in America.
MARK STRASSMANN: Down for the fifth straight month from its June peak. Gasoline costs dropped greater than 50 cents over the past month, averaging $3.15 a gallon. A steal in comparison with mid-June, when typical fuel costs started with a quantity 5.
Inflation's easing, however it's develop into a siege. Nonetheless above 7 %. Nonetheless close to a 40-year excessive.
JEROME POWELL (Federal Reserve Chairman): The U.S. financial system has slowed considerably from final 12 months's fast tempo.
MARK STRASSMANN: No shock, the Fed this week raised rates of interest once more. This time by half a share level.
JEROME POWELL: With out value stability, the financial system does not work for anybody.
MARK STRASSMANN: The Fed's seventh fee hike this 12 months stokes one other fear.
DAVID SPIKA (Chief Funding Officer, Guidestone Capital Administration): It is clear that the Fed will not be finished. They are going to proceed to boost rates of interest, extra possible than not push us right into a recession.
MARK STRASSMANN: Recession pessimism feels the scrooge on this vacation financial system, together with a bear inventory market, a housing droop, a drop in manufacturing output. November's retail gross sales have been the most important decline this 12 months. Worrisome to retailers, buyers spent much less in vacation classes, electronics, clothes, toys.
FEMALE: I'm undoubtedly doing couponing, Amazon offers, purchasing native, after which, clearly, like, making my very own stuff.
(END VT)
MARK STRASSMANN: The vacation purchasing season is the time of 12 months when retailers want customers to really feel jolly. However for thousands and thousands of buyers, this 12 months's aim, discover items that match underneath the tree and into their price range.
Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mark Strassmann, thanks.
One other factor people are watching intently, that surge of viruses inundating us this vacation season.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb is a former FDA commissioner and a Pfizer board member. And we welcome you again, Dr. Gottlieb.
SCOTT GOTTLIEB (Former FDA Commissioner): Thanks lots.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The - the White Home says that is the worst flu outbreak in a decade. RSV, Covid, they're surging. Seventy-seven % of ICU beds within the nation are presently full. How harmful are these subsequent few weeks?
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: It should be a troublesome few weeks. We're proper within the thick of respiratory pathogen season. That is the worst in current reminiscence. It is being pushed largely by flu. That is an historic 12 months for flu. In all probability the worst within the final decade, as you talked about. Covid is exacerbating that.
We even have an epidemic of respiratory syncytial virus, which appears to be abating proper now. Fu additionally appears to be peaking in sure elements of the nation. It is rising in different elements of the nation. It is lowering within the south, rising within the north. And Covid is contributing to that. It is urgent households. It is also urgent hospitals. As you talked about, 80 % of hospital beds proper now are full. The hospitals have not been this full for the reason that peak of the omicron wave final winter. The distinction is that final winter 25 % of these hospital beds have been full of Covid admissions. Proper now solely 6 % are full of Covid admissions. So, numerous them are influenza admissions and different respiratory pathogens, like adenovirus, parainfluenza, all of the issues that plague us every winter are coming again with a vengeance.
MARGARET BRENNAN: A whole lot of bugs, but when - if the flu vaccine is such an excellent match, as you've got mentioned earlier than, to this present pressure, why are so many people getting sick?
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Nicely, lots of people don't get the vaccine, initially. And we all know the vaccine is not one hundred pc protecting in opposition to an infection. What the vaccine does within the setting of flu is reduces your possibilities of having a symptomatic an infection and scale back your possibilities of having a extreme consequence. Just like how we're utilizing it with Covid.
The predominant pressure of flu proper now that is circulating is H3N2. The vaccine, as you mentioned, is an excellent match for that pressure. Perhaps 60 to 70 % protecting. The opposite pressure that is circulating is H1N1. About 20 % of infections are H1N1.
The vaccine can be an excellent match for that pressure. And the distinction between these two strains is hat H3N2 sometimes peaks earlier within the winter. H1N1 might peak later. So it is not too late for folks to get their flu vaccine. If folks exit and get it now, they are going to have some speedy safety from it. And we might see a scenario, as we have seen in different winters, the place the predominant pressure, the H3N2, begins to say no after which H1N1 an infection picks up.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, the opposite factor, significantly annoying mother and father of younger children like me, is the scarcity of antibiotics. Why do not we've got sufficient provide?
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: It is actually demand pushed. So, distributors made estimates on how a lot demand there can be this 12 months. They've had decrease demand the previous two years as a result of there was much less bacterial infections as a result of we have been all taking sure steps to forestall the unfold of illness. Demand went up this 12 months. They anticipated some enhance in demand, however not as a lot as we're seeing and never this early within the season. So it is not any sort of disruption in provide. This is not like what we had with child system the place producers have been taken out of the market. It is a refined provide chain. All of the producers are available in the market. They only did not anticipate this a lot demand this early within the season.
Provides ought to meet up with demand. And there are alternate options for the issues which might be in scarcity, like amoxicillin, the oral suspension of Tamiflu can be in scarcity. Docs and pharmacies can compound that from the capsules. So, there are alternate options. It is simply going to be troublesome in some situations for households to get their arms on these alternate options.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. , I do know - I do know you are saying issues are higher versus the place we have been on the Covid entrance. However Dr. Fauci was on this program just a few weeks in the past and he mentioned he was monitoring new Covid variants that evade the safety of monoclonal antibodies which might be used for remedy and prevention.
I do know there's been research on that, that additionally say the identical factor in regards to the vaccine. What stage of safety is there in opposition to these new variants?
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Nicely, there was knowledge out from the CDC on Friday that confirmed that the vaccine offering good safety, significantly within the older people, the brand new vaccine, this - this new bivalent booster based mostly on the brand new pressure, so it is based mostly on BA.5. what we're seeing proper now could be 40 % of infections of BQ.1.1, which is a by-product of BA.5, the pressure that the vaccine's based mostly on, about 30 % of infections of BQ.1, there nonetheless ought to be good safety from the vaccin in opposition to these new variants.
The one we're extra frightened about is a variant known as XBB. Thus far that is not spreading within the U.S. that a lot. It is about 5 % of infections. It is held regular for about 4 weeks proper now. That pressure unfold lots in Asia. It did not unfold lots in Europe. So it may very well be the case that BQ.1 and 1.1 crowd out XBB. However the concern is that if XBB continues to persist, you can see a second wave this spring. We do not suppose that is going to occur, however it's a risk.
However persons are nonetheless going to get good safety from the prevailing vaccines, the up to date vaccine in opposition to the strains which might be circulating proper now. So the examine that got here out from CDC confirmed about 80 - 70 to 80 % safety from hospitalization from these over the age of 65. On prime of the safety that they received from the outdated vaccine. In order that's fairly significant for lots of people.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to ask you about Title 42. In March of 2020, that was when the CDC director put this in place. It is a public well being regulation to expel migrants to be able to cease the unfold of illness. That was the premise. Is there any public well being purpose to maintain it in place now?
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Nicely, look, I believe as a matter of public well being we ought to be expiring numerous these emergency measures that we put in place. Not simply Title 42, but in addition the nationwide emergency that we put in place.
I believe what's taking place is numerous these are being prolonged to serve different coverage and political targets. That is finally going to undermine our capacity to implement these public well being measures sooner or later. If we have to have expedited removing of individuals crossing the border illegally, I believe that ought to be contemplated within the context of broader immigration reform and as a matter of regulation enforcement, however not as a public well being measure at this level. I believe all of those public well being emergency measures that we put in place ought to be expired.
SCIUTTO: Dr. Gottlieb, thanks a lot. And I hope you keep wholesome this vacation season.
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Thanks lots.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Lastly, in the present day, we're arising on day 300 of the struggle in Ukraine. Our Imtiaz Tyab stories from this nation the place the chilly winter is being weaponized by the Russians in opposition to the weary but resilient inhabitants.
(BEGIN VT)
IMTIAZ TYAB (voice over): In liberated Kherson, life is determined. Russian assaults on the vitality grid have left town with out gasoline and energy. And one of many few methods to get a sizzling meal now could be to prepare dinner over an open fireplace on the street.
IMTIAZ TYAB (on digital camera): 9 months of Russian occupation has obliterated any semblance of a standard life for folks right here. However what Ukrainians have proven again and again is that they're going to do something to assist one another.
IMTIAZ TYAB (voice over): Together with at Kherson's primary college, the place desperately wanted help has been introduced in by these professors from Kyiv, who hadn't been capable of contact their colleagues right here for months as a result of Russian forces managed their lives so tightly.
IMTIAZ TYAB (on digital camera): Remnants of Russians' occupation have been swept into this room. You may see flags, images of Vladimir Putin. And whereas Russian forces are gone, make no mistake, they're nonetheless concentrating on this metropolis.
IMTIAZ TYAB (voice over): At an elementary college within the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, which continues to be haunted by the atrocities dedicated by Russia right here, life is slowly returning to regular. However common energy cuts means it is chilly and darkish till the generator kicks in, bringing with it heat and light, one thing in brief provide at residence says eight-year-old Donna (ph).
IMTIAZ TYAB (on digital camera): There isn't any electrical energy?
FEMALE: Uh-huh.
IMTIAZ TYAB: That have to be actually exhausting.
FEMALE: (Talking in overseas language).
IMTIAZ TYAB (voice over): It is very exhausting, she says. Our home is freezing.
On one of many college's partitions is now a memorial to Katia (ph), Matvi (ph), and Vona (ph), who have been all killed within the early weeks of Russia's invasion says performing principal Ivana Yarshkenko (ph).
FEMALE: (Talking in overseas language).
IMTIAZ TYAB: Each morning we've got a second of silence, she says, as a result of we should always remember them.
At a small ceremony in certainly one of Bucha's cemeteries, a memorial service for fallen troopers, together with Natali's (ph) brother and husband, who're each buried right here.
IMTIAZ TYAB (on digital camera): How are you feeling?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Talking in Overseas Language).
IMTIAZ TYAB (voice over): I really feel ache, she says. I am making an attempt to return to phrases with issues, however I am unable to. A sense felt by so many throughout this war- scarred nation.
Imtiaz Tyab, CBS Information, Bucha, Ukraine.
(END VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us in the present day. Thanks for watching.
And we want you a Comfortable Hanukkah for many who rejoice the vacation.
Till subsequent week, for FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.