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CNN Live At Daybreak

What's on Tap for D.C. Today?

Aired August 02, 2002 - 06:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Every morning around this time, we get our Washington deputy bureau chief out of bed to bring us up to date on what's happening inside the Beltway.

Steve Redisch -- good morning to you.

STEVE REDISCH, CNN WASHINGTON DEPUTY BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: I guess most of your attention will be turned toward this apartment in Frederick.

REDISCH: Outside the Beltway about 40 miles north of here, Steven Hatfill, the bioweapons researcher from Fort Detrick -- the former bioweapons researcher, he had his apartment searched yet once again yesterday by FBI and postal workers -- postal employees. He has gone from a person -- a person of interest to a possible suspect, according to law enforcement authorities. And he -- we will be keeping an eye on his apartment and keeping an eye on what law enforcement people do today as far as Steven Hatfill is concerned.

COSTELLO: And just to fill in some of the facts, this guy used to work at Fort Detrick, is that right?

REDISCH: He used to work at Fort Detrick, which was the research -- which is a research lab for anthrax and other bioterror weapons.

COSTELLO: And I understand his attorney said he passed a lie detector test.

REDISCH: That I can't tell you. I don't know whether he has passed a lie detector test. I know he has taken a lie detector test. And -- but we're not sure as far as where the next leap in the investigation goes.

COSTELLO: Yes, why are they moving so cautiously? Now, he is a "possible suspect."

REDISCH: I think that there is certain levels of suspicion that authorities want to make sure that they don't want to single out one person. They have done many, many searches of other people's premises, and they just don't want to -- they don't want to commit too early. COSTELLO: Got you. I know it's August, so things really slow down in Washington. I understand President Bush is attending a photo- op.

REDISCH: A photo-op with the U.S. Men's Soccer Team, the team that went to the round of eight in the World Cup. And then, the president goes to Kennebunkport for the weekend. So summer is here in Washington, and everybody is fleeing.

COSTELLO: Everybody is fleeing, so that means the Senate will go into recess. Is there anything going on at all?

REDISCH: The Senate probably won't be doing much today of anything, if they're not out already. Homeland defense, the creation of the new department, is still on the table and will remain on the table until after the August recess, which means a bill won't get to the president by the September 11 anniversary, which many on Capitol Hill and at the White House was hoping would happen.

COSTELLO: Got you. OK, Steve Redisch, thank you very much. We'll let you get to work now.

REDISCH: Talk to you later.

COSTELLO: Bye.

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