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House Dems Present Plan to Overhaul Health Care System; Economy Moving Again; Help for Small Business

Aired October 29, 2009 - 10:59   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. It is Thursday, October 29th, and here are the top stories for you in the CNN NEWSROOM.

The big unveiling. House Democrats present their plan to overhaul the nation's health care system. We're live on Capitol Hill to tell you what's in it.

Plus, a solemn arrival. The nation's commander-in-chief salutes the flag-draped caskets of 18 U.S. servicemen killed in Afghanistan. Their bodies returned overnight.

And facing justice. Four teens accused of gang-raping a girl outside her homecoming dance may appear in court.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris, and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

You know, it has been months in the making, and it could reshape the future of your medical care. Just moments ago, House Democrats unveiled their long-awaited health care reform bill that includes a public option, but not the one a lot of liberals were hoping for.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it will mean coverage for more Americans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE SPEAKER: It reduces the deficit, meets President Obama's call to keep the cost under $900 billion over 10 years, and it insures 36 million more Americans. Thirty-six million.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar joining us now live from Capitol Hill.

And Brianna, this is not necessarily the bill the Speaker wanted, but it may be the only one that she can get passed.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this has a public option. It's a more moderate public option, because Speaker Pelosi had to get some of those moderate Democrats on board, Tony. But we have spoken just here in the last few minutes with some of those liberal Democrats who did want a more liberal version, also with some members of this audience, who include people from organizations who are really pushing for the most liberal public option possible.

And they basically said, hey, it's a public option. Are we thrilled about it? No. But it's a public option, so we're going to take it.

Now, it also includes an individual and an employer mandate telling individuals, Tony, like you, like me, we have to have insurance, telling employers you have to contribute to the health insurance costs of your employees.

And there's also -- slightly different from the Senate, the way they pay for this, in large part, is by a tax on the wealthiest Americans who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars, a million dollars for a couple. They would pay more in the way of taxes to support this.

Kind of different from the Senate version, which has that tax on those high-end Cadillac health insurance plans we talked about. And also, of course -- and I think this is all important to remind people, because this is one of the things that really bugs people about health insurance coverage -- it tells health insurance companies that can you not deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

HARRIS: Yes. And Brianna, what's the price tag on this? I know we've got to get the scoring back from the Congressional Budget Office.

KEILAR: Yes, and we're expecting to get that, hopefully here in the next couple of hours, Tony. But the scoring is this: $894 billion is the price tag over 10 years.

Why is that significant? Because President Obama said it has to be under $900 billion. So, really, by the skin of their teeth, by $6 billion short of that, they got that in.

Also, it's what we call here on Capitol Hill deficit-neutral. There's been a whole lot of concern about, well, if this is such a big price tag, how are you not going to add to the federal deficit? And according to Democrats, they say this is not going to add a dime to the deficit. That's what Speaker Pelosi herself said.

HARRIS: OK.

Our Brianna Keilar. A busy day, busy morning, on Capitol Hill for us.

Brianna, thank you.

We will talk more about the public option included in the House bill a little later this hour. Our Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen will join us. And Josh Levs will give us a bit of a civics lesson on the filibuster. That's coming up around 11:20.

And checking the wire now and the day's other top stories.

In Detroit, the leader of a black separatist mosque has been killed in a shootout with FBI agents. Luqman Abdullah was one of 11 men wanted on several charges, including theft from interstate shipments and illegal possession and sale of firearms. Prosecutors say Abdullah encouraged his followers to commit violent acts against the government, but no terrorism charges have been filed.

Our Susan Candiotti has more on this story from Detroit at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

A possible hate crime involving a synagogue in North Hollywood to tell you about this morning. Police say two people were shot in the legs at the synagogue. The two victims are, we understand, in stable condition.

The shooting occurred about 6:20 a.m. Los Angeles time. The AP reports a man with a handgun has been arrested.

Details still coming in. CNN's Paul Vercammen is at the scene, and he will join us in just a couple of minutes with more information on this breaking story.

The U.N. now ordering all non-essential employees out of Afghanistan. This comes one day after militants attacked a guest house in Kabul, killing five U.N. workers.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. They threatened to disrupt presidential runoff elections scheduled for next Saturday. The U.N. insists its staff reduction will not affect its capabilities to support the election.

Iran today sent an initial response to a proposal aimed at breaking its nuclear deadlock, but so far the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog group isn't saying what the response is. Earlier today, Iran's president announced his government is ready for a nuclear cooperation with the West. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad telling a crowd the tone in negotiations with western powers has gone from confrontation to cooperation. The international plan calls for Iran to send its uranium abroad for processing.

Break out the noisemakers. The economy is finally moving again. The new report says economic activity grew at 3.5 percent in the last quarter, and that's something we haven't seen in more than a year.

Susan Lisovicz on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with details.

And Susan, let's start with this -- what were the biggest contributing factors to this good news? And it is good news.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: It's good news. And that answer is easy. Massive amounts of government stimulus, Tony. I mean, that's what accounted for the fastest growth for the world's biggest economy in two years.

We spent more. That's what the government stimulus was supposed to do. We spent more on big-ticket items.

Think Cash for Clunkers, that we're buying cars. Think homes, the first-time homebuyer tax credit. We were doing that.

In fact, we were buying big-ticket items at the fastest pace in eight years. But there were other factors as well.

Businesses spent more, things on software and equipment. That was the first increase in nearly two years. And that weak dollar that we talk about sometimes, that's good for U.S. exports.

But eventually, Tony Harris, the punch bowl has to be pulled away, because you can't have these kind of fiscal steroids forever. I mean, for instance, the Cash for Clunkers already gone. A lot of talk about this homebuyers' tax credit extension, but eventually that will go away as well. And there are concerns about the unemployment rate.

Next week we get the jobs report. We could see the nation's unemployment rate rise to 10 percent.

This morning, we got weekly jobless rates -- claims, that is, initial jobless claims. They fell slightly. The continuing claims at a very high level.

Still, Christina Romer, the chair of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, said, "It will take sustained, robust GDP growth to bring the unemployment rate down substantially."

Stimulus doing what it's supposed to do, but you can't have it forever. Eventually the economy is going to have to grow on its own. And that's why so many folks think it will be slow growth, meager growth.

But we're seeing some growth for the markets, Tony.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

HARRIS: Well said. And you know what? I know at some point we've to pull away from the punch bowl, but at least we can accentuate the positive when we have a little positive to accentuate.

LISOVICZ: Well, the punch bowl had -- you know, packed a little punch, if you will. So, yes, it did what it was supposed to do, but you have to curb it.

HARRIS: The punch with a kick. All right.

Susan, appreciate it. See you next hour.

LISOVICZ: You got it.

HARRIS: Paying tribute to fallen U.S. troops and federal agents, President Obama makes a late-night trip to honor the latest U.S. casualties from Afghanistan.

Credit card companies gouging consumers before new rules set in. CNN helps stop at least one.

But what is Congress doing right now to help you? Will there be a filibuster? That is one of the big questions hanging over the health care reform. And our Josh Levs will show us where the filibuster phenomenon comes from -- Josh.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, we've got the longest filibuster ever. We'll also tell you who recited Shakespeare from the Senate floor. Plus, which Supreme Court nominee got filibustered out?

We've pulled up lots of old video for you, and we're going to show you -- Tony.

HARRIS: All right, Josh. Thank you.

And record snowfall yesterday becomes flooding rains across a large part of the U.S. today. The man, meteorologist Rob Marciano, is tracking the storms and has your forecast.

We're back in just a moment.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

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HARRIS: President Obama talking money this morning. He is about to lay out his plan to help small businesses. The president speaks about 30 minutes from now at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next door to the White House.

Let's get to our White House correspondent, Dan Lothian.

And Dan, what do we expect to hear from the president?

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, the president will be meeting with these small business owners and members of the Chamber of Commerce. And it really is a chance for the president to convey to them what he wants to do to help bring capital to their businesses.

This has been a major issue for these small businesses. And, in fact, Robert Gibbs, at a gaggle just a few minutes ago, talked about how the president, he often gets all of these letters from Americans across the country. And often in those letters, there will be one from a small business owner who will point out that they have a good business going, that long before the bad economy they never had a problem at all, having access to loans. But ever since the economy went sour, they've been having a difficult time making payroll.

So, the president wants to talk to them about what he can do to make their businesses better and stronger. But he also wants to talk about health care and health care reform, and how that can help them bring down the costs, the skyrocketing costs of health care costs, which really is pushing down a lot of pressure on these small businesses -- Tony. HARRIS: Dan, the president last night at Dover Air Force Base. The significance of that trip for the president?

LOTHIAN: Well, it's quite significant. If you just look back to yesterday, when Robert Gibbs was asked about the casualty counts and how this is impacting the president, and he said that this is one of the most difficult things that the president has to do, is to write these condolence letters to the family members who have lost a father, a wife, a sister, a brother.

Today was much more than that. It wasn't just writing a letter, but actually going there to see the bodies of those 18 Americans return to Dover, Delaware. And also meeting with the family members.

We're told by White House spokesman Robert Gibbs that the president met with 14 family members -- or family members of 14 of the victims. He landed there early this morning and then went to a small chapel where he conveyed to them his sympathy.

And Robert Gibbs pointing out that it was a real powerful moment. He said for himself, this was something that he had never seen before and never felt before, that there was real grief and a really tough situation there.

But the president has always talked about the high cost of war and the human cost of war. And people have been asking this morning if this is something that the president wanted to do in order to get prepared for this major decision that he has to make on Afghanistan. And Robert Gibbs pointing out that this is just something that the president had always wanted to do, but certainly it's something that will weigh heavily on him as he makes the decision as to whether or not to send additional troops into Afghanistan.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Let's get you caught up on our top stories now.

A possible hate crime involving a synagogue in North Hollywood this morning. Police say two people were shot in the legs at the synagogue.

The two victims are in stable condition. The shooting occurred about 6:28 Pacific Time. The Associated Press reports a man with a handgun has been arrested.

CNN's Paul Vercammen is at the scene and he will join us in just a couple of minutes with more information.

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.5 percent pace in the third quarter, ending a 12-month string of declines. It is the best showing in two years and another indication the recession has ended.

It looks like the tax credit for first-time homebuyers will be available beyond November. Senate leaders have reached a tentative agreement to extend the $8,000 credit through April. The deal also would expand the credit to include many current homeowners who could get a 6,500 credit to buy a new home.

The health care reform bill unveiled. House Democrats outlined their plan just a short time ago. It includes a more moderate version of the public option.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it will mean coverage for more Americans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PELOSI: It reduces the deficit, meets President Obama's call to keep the costs under $900 billion over 10 years, and it insures 36 million more Americans. Thirty-six million.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Well, first there was talk of the robust public option. Then came the optional public option. Now the bill unveiled by the House today includes what's being called a moderate public option.

Is this public option light?

Senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen live from Boston to talk us through this.

And Elizabeth, first of all, how exactly does this plan change reimbursements? My understanding is this is the so-called negotiated rates version of the public option.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. And let me take a step back, Tony, and explain why they're doing this. I don't know that I would really call it the public option light. The only difference here that I'm told, according to congressional sources, is it changes the way, as you said, that doctors and hospitals get paid.

Under the public option that we've heard so much about, since really -- since the summer, it was hospitals and doctors were told, this is what you're getting -- you're getting Medicare Plus 5 percent. That's it. There's no negotiation. Take it or leave it.

What this does is this says, you know what? We're going to let each state negotiate with their doctors and with their hospitals, and so they can come up with whatever rates they want.

They're hoping this makes rural areas happy. Rural areas have not been very pleased with the way all of this has been done in the past. They feel like they're getting less money out of the deal. So, they're hoping that now politicians from rural areas will be more supportive of this way of doing it rather than the old way of doing it.

HARRIS: OK. Elizabeth, if you would, just hang on for just a second with me. We've got to get to a bit of breaking news, but I have a couple of other questions that I need to ask you. Paul Vercammen, as we mentioned, is following developments at a shooting at a synagogue in Los Angeles. And Paul, I believe, is on the line with us.

Paul, if you would, take your time and walk us through what happened this morning in Los Angeles.

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN PRODUCER: Well, according to police, at about 6:30 a.m., while members of the synagogue were walking into the synagogue for morning services, a gunman approached two of the members of the synagogue and shot both of them in the leg. They don't know what the motivation is.

They say that the gunman looked to be angry. He didn't say anything, according to police, to the members of the synagogue.

They have been taken to local hospitals. They are not in very serious or great danger, although obviously they have been injured. But they say that these were not life-threatening injuries.

Now, subsequently, about a half an hour later, they conducted a search for what they described as a black male wearing a hoodie. They took him in, into custody in this area.

Now, there is a caveat here. In police procedures like this, they often try to eliminate suspects. But if you were watching and you saw some of the video, the person taken into custody, as seen in some aerials, does basically fit the description of the suspect here. So, that's basically what happened.

In just a few short moments, perhaps more of a clarification as to just what went on here at the Adat Yeshurun synagogue here in North Hollywood when police will hold a presser. We're expecting that press conference to occur, as I said, in just a couple minutes.

HARRIS: OK. Paul, if you get any additional information ahead of that news conference, just give us a call back and we'll get you on the air as quickly as we can.

Paul Vercammen for us in Los Angeles at the scene of a synagogue shooting. That news conference scheduled to begin in just a couple of minutes. And, of course, we will take you back live for that news conference.

Let's get you back now to our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, who is helping us sort through the House version of health care reform that was just unveiled by the House Speaker just moments ago.

And Elizabeth, just moments ago you were talking to us about negotiated rates and what the provisions are in this new plan to allow health officials to actually negotiate rates of reimbursement with health care providers.

COHEN: Right. Because the way that it works now, or the way that the public option has been put forth, for the most part, has been the government, the federal government, tells doctors and hospitals you're getting whatever we give you for Medicare Plus 5 percent. There was no negotiation. It was a take it or leave it situation.

Right. So this allows each state to negotiate on their own with those providers.

The hope is, is that this will appeal to some of the Blue dog Democrats and others who want the states to have more control...

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Elizabeth, I'm sorry. Sorry.

We have got to get back to the news conference in Los Angeles.

COHEN: No, go ahead.

HARRIS: We'll take you there live now.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

DEPUTY CHIEF MICHAEL MOORE, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: And I'm sorry he's not here with us at the moment, but I'm joined by Hazollah (ph), and this is Ian Brennan (ph). And he is the role of dealing with the family and of our two victims who are stable and doing fine at a local hospital. But Hazollah (ph) is part of our emergency response.

And we're joined here -- also joined by Reverend Jeff Carr (ph) from chief of staff -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's chief of staff, and is in contact these past hours with Mayor Villaraigosa, who is also en route to the scene.

In brief, about 6:30 this morning, here on the 12400 block of Sylvan (ph), is a synagogue. The synagogue has -- it's an area of worship on the ground level, and below it is a subterraneal garage.

We have two victims, both arriving in separate vehicles. They're males, approximately 40 years of age.

As one parks his vehicle, he is attempting to enter inside, through an inside passageway, to the area of worship. And the second victim arrives in his vehicle. And as he exits the vehicle, he observes a male black wearing a black hoodie approach him purposely.

And apparently, at this point, without any words said, the male black produces a handgun and begins firing, attempting to shoot the first victim. That suspect is successful and injures our first victim in his lower extremities and his legs.

The suspect then turns his attention to our second victim, again, who is nearby, attempting to go through a passageway upstairs. And this suspect fires on that second victim and similarly injures him in his lower extremities.

The suspect then flees from the parking structure south, out of the location, onto the street, and 911 is called by other witnesses at the scene. And LAPD and L.A. Fire respond.

The victims were stabilized on scene and transported to local hospitals, where they are stable and, I'm happy to report, in good condition. We are working with them as to understand more information. Obviously everything I'm giving you is very, very preliminary.

L.A. Police resources responded immediately to the scene and have set up a loose perimeter, if you will, of this neighborhood, expecting that this suspect may be on foot. And we are in search for him.

During that subsequent response, there has been a detention of a male juvenile, approximately 17 years of age, who is black and matches what I will admit is a very loose description as to his clothing. However, our search very much is going to continue in this immediate neighborhood as to the suspect, as to potential that he is still out in this area.

We have no vehicle information on him. We have no remarks by the suspect to these victims that we're aware of at this early juncture that can identify what his motive was, whether this was a robbery or whether this was an attack on these two individuals because of their presence at the synagogue.

The LAPD's response has been immediate. We have worked through our (INAUDIBLE) to activate resources, law enforcement resources, and our contact with the Jewish community throughout this region.

We have extra patrols already in place at all of our Jewish schools, as well as the synagogues. We are also working with the FBI, and they are on scene on a more national basis to lean forward, if you will, that should this be a crime motivated, again, by these two men coming here to participate apparently in a worship ceremony, that we are being vigilant for any follow-ups that may occur.

To the public we would ask this -- right now we really don't know what the motive of this assault is, but to know and have confidence that all of the resources within the city, as well as our partnerships with the state and national level, are being very vigilant and being very proactive in responding to this and attempting to anticipate, should there be something -- anything like this that's going to occur here in the next hours or the rest of this day.

As we have more information, we'll bring this to you. And at this point I would take any questions.

QUESTION: The 17-year-old taken in, was it for questioning, or just (INAUDIBLE) you don't think he's your suspect or don't know?

MOORE: At this point, he is an individual who matches, again, an admittedly loose description. He was in the immediate vicinity just south of our location here, and he's being detained pending that -- pending an elimination or identification of his involvement in this crime.

QUESTIONS: So, was there actually a service scheduled this morning at 6:30 at the time of the shooting?

MOORE: It's my understanding that there were services and prayers that were about to begin or had begun at this synagogue, and the men were attending for that purpose. You should know more as to this site. It does have closed video circuit cameras that we are looking at. There was no security guard per se that was monitoring this parking structure, but we are working with the location closely to review any video that might also add information to who this suspect might be.

QUESTION: How many other people were on scene at the time?

MOORE: I don't have that information. Let me introduce if I could -- I thought he -- he was just here. My apologies. Let me introduce -- or let me just say that the temple is the Adat Synagogue, A-d-a-t Synagogue. It's overseen by president, last name spelling is Y-e-s-h-u-r-u-n. And you -- I'm sorry?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

MOORE: And thank you. I'm going to bring you up. This is (INAUDIBLE), representative, a valued partner with us. Sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

MOORE: Identify the synagogue and the person.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The name of the synagogue is Adat Yeshurun, Congregation Yeshurun.

QUESTION: How would you spell that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like the chief said. I believe he is right. Y-e-s-h-u-r-u-n, Yushurun. It's a Hebrew word. You can spell it any way you want.

QUESTION: Have you recovered the handgun, and did you check the suspect's hands for the gunshot residue and anything that could link him to the crime?

MOORE: No, we have not recovered a handgun. As to our investigative steps with the suspect, those are ongoing, and it's a very dynamic situation.

QUESTION: And this was in the parking structure?

MOORE: This was inside -- the shooting occurred inside the parking structure.

QUESTION: I understand there's a school located somewhere around this area.

MOORE: Just -- well, there's a number of schools in this area. We have L.A. Unified School District police that are on scene. They're working with the elementary schools and other L.A. Unified facilities, as well as we have a school, a private college is my understanding, just north of this location. We're also in contact with them for them to activate their security plan also.

QUESTION: Are the schools open?

QUESTION: Are they under lockdown right now?

MOORE: We have asked all the -- we have advised the schools in the areas of the situation. We are asking them to activate their security plans. Whether that -- they determine that to be a lockdown or just increased vigilance and added awareness, that is upon their decision.

QUESTION: Do you know the status of the two men that were struck?

MOORE: The two men are at separate -- different hospitals. They are stable, in good conditions. They will survive their injuries. They are conscious, and they are talking with us.

QUESTION: How concerned are you this could actually be some sort of hate crime? And I understand (ph) you're vigilant about it. How concerned are you that that could be the case?

MOORE: We are very -- we are always concerned. We lean into these very aggressively. We recognize the times in which we live and that there are individuals who may act on an independent basis or in a more planned sense, and what we are going to assume is that there is potential for this to escalate, and we're going to react in that matter.

We're going to also de-escalate this just as soon as we possibly can, but what we're going to assume right now is that this synagogue was -- did play a role in this, and that it's a reasonable expectation that we alert our other friends in the Jewish community as to their locations, and that they increase their vigilance and know that LAPD and other members of law enforcement are also directing their attention to ensure every step is taken to ensure their safety.

QUESTION: The suspect did not say anything.

MOORE: At this point, again, I need to stress to you that the information I have is extremely preliminary, but at this point, we have -- the understanding I have is that words were not spoken.

QUESTION: And did this suspect target this specific synagogue or just come into the neighborhood?

MOORE: Again, we have no understanding as to how this location was chosen. And what I would ask is that we're going to be back with you, that we'll be back here. If something substantial breaks, we'll be back here sooner. Otherwise, we will be back here within the next two hours, OK?

I would ask the media to maintain your presence as you have. Lieutenant Romero (ph) is here. He will be a point of contact for you to coordinate any future press conferences. QUESTIONS: One more question. Could you tell us -- describe where the shooting actually occurred? You said it was in a parking structure. Is it next to the synagogue, is it behind the synagogue?

MOORE: No, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. Both these two -- both of our victims arrived at the synagogue separately in different cars. One had exited his vehicle and was attempting to use an inner passageway to go upstairs. When the second victim arrived, as that victim attempted to exit his vehicle he, or as he exited his vehicle, he was confronted by the suspect, who shot him, and then the suspect moved to the second victim and shot him.

Thank you very much.

HARRIS: All right, we've been listening to the deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Michael Moore, detailing where we are in this investigation now of a shooting at a synagogue in North Hollywood. Take a look at these pictures here. Police say two people were shot in the legs. They are both in stable condition at two separate hospitals, and they are in good shape, according to the deputy police chief.

Two males in their 40s. One was just getting out of his car when he was approached by a black male and shot in the legs. And a male juvenile is what we know now, 17 years of age, is in custody right now. He is not being called a suspect. Police are trying to figure out if he has any real connection to the shootings, but he is in custody right now.

The search continues. You also heard the deputy chief say that a perimeter has been set up under the assumption that they are still actively looking for the potential shooter in this case, even as they question this 17 year old who is in custody.

Josh Levs is with me now. And Josh, I see you over there working on the smart board. What are you able to show us? And we want to give folks at home just a better view of the area in North Hollywood where the synagogue is located.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's do that. Let's zoom right in, actually. I'll show you an aerial shot right here of that area. You can see there are some major roads right nearby. It's in La Jolla (ph). They describe themselves as being in the heart of La Jolla (ph). This one right here where you see the A is, that's it, the congregation Adat Yeshurun.

Let me jump over here for a second. This is the Web site for it, and maybe we can zoom into the photo up there. The picture of what it usually looks like when you're not seeing it in the news like you are today.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

LEVS: They talk about having this vibrant international community, people who take part in services there coming from all over the world. And what I've done here is, I've pulled up the Google maps in a few different areas. This shows you how far in from the coast, and it gives you a sense -- one thing that authorities look at and that we look at here -- make sure the A's in the picture, that's where you've got the synagogue -- is that how many major roads are along here.

Is this the kind of place where people would naturally pull over a car? Is this the kind of place where there would be a lot of traffic, where a lot of people would, you know, be likely to be working.

Also using Google images, we're able to kind of zoom in to the street level, see what it looks like, see what the entrance areas look like, what kind of gates there are, what kind of protections there are for a building like this.

So, Tony, we're going to keep our eyes on this. We're going to keep our eye on the synagogue, and obviously all the details as they break about what happened there today.

HARRIS: OK, and we should also add the word of shooting has gone out to Jewish schools and other synagogues in the area right now. And police don't have a motive, at least at this point. So, the investigation very much in the early stages. We will continue to follow developments in this story and get you updates. I'm sure our Paul Vercammen will be joining us shortly with what he's been able to learn at the scene.

We'll take a quick break, and we'll come back with more CNN NEWSROOM in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And once again, we continue to follow the latest developments in the breaking news out of North Hollywood, California, a shooting at a synagogue. Police say two people were shot in the legs at the synagogue. The two victims are in stable, in good condition at two different hospitals. The shooting taking place at about 6:20 a.m. Pacific time.

A male juvenile, 17 years old, is in custody right now. He's not being called the shooter. He is not even being called a suspect at the time. There is a perimeter that has been set up around the synagogue as the search continues, even as police question the 17- year-old and word of the shooting has gone out to Jewish schools and synagogues informing everyone of what has happened here.

And once again, the victims are in stable -- actually, in good condition. Police are expected to review surveillance video at the location for any additional clues as to what happened here. We will continue to follow developments here and bring you the latest information as we get it.

Our top story this hour, the House health care reform bill unveiled. House Democrats outlined their plan just a short time ago. It includes a more moderate version of the public option. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says it will mean coverage for more Americans. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE SPEAKER: It reduces the deficit, meets President Obama's call to keep the cost under $900 billion over ten years, and it insures 36 million more Americans, 36 million more.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Got to tell you, I took the debate over the public option to the classroom, where smart college students on both sides of the aisle weighed in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLAUDIA RIVERA, SERVES ON LATINO STUDENT COUNCIL: Something where I don't have to pay a third of my paycheck and choose between having the health insurance when I know I need my medication every month and paying for food or for my house.

LACEY ENYART, FORMER SPECIAL FORCES MEMBER: My problem that I get nervous about with this public option, this health care for everybody, is who's going to be the one that says, you know, you don't really need to go for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: You can hear a lot more smart and serious disagreements among these Georgia State students coming up in the next hour at noon Eastern, "Class in Session."

And checking our top stories now, the U.S. economy grew 3.5 percent in the third quarter, helped by government-supported programs to help Americans by cars and homes. The rebound ends a string of declines over the past 12 months and offers another strong sign of recovery.

A somber moment for President Obama at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware overnight. He saluted as the flag-draped caskets of 18 Americans killed in Afghanistan arrived back in the United States. He also met privately with grieving families.

Another nightmare commute today in the San Francisco Bay area. The bay bridge remains closed after metal rods and a cable fell from the structure Tuesday night. No word on what it will reopen. About 280,000 vehicles a day cross the bay bridge.

We are standing by awaiting a news conference from the House minority leader, John Boehner, as he responds to House Democrats and their plan for health care reform. When the House minority leader takes to that podium, we will bring you his remarks live right here in CNN NEWSROOM.

We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: A new study is likely to add to the outrage against credit card companies. It says companies are raising some rates by more than 20 percent. The study comes as one couple gets relief after their story aired on CNN.

Details now from national political correspondent Jessica Yellin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Remember we told you about Chuck and Jean (ph) Lane, a couple that's played by the rules, but their credit card company, like so many others, jacked up their payments before new regulations go into effect next year.

CHUCK LANE, CREDIT CARD CUSTOMER: I'm calling to find out why my payment jumped from $370 to $911 this month.

YELLIN: Now, Chuck tells CNN his bank offered to slash his payments to $270 a month, less than before. The bank won't confirm the offer, citing privacy issues, but after CNN's story, the Lanes' congresswoman, Betty Sutton, also prodded the bank to take action.

REP. BETTY SUTTON (D), OHIO: They did take the appropriate action to reduce the payment. But, you know, it's unfortunate that it has to go to that extent.

YELLIN: It's great news for the Lanes, but what about millions of others who are seeing their credit card payments skyrocket? A new Pew study of the 12 biggest credit card companies finds they are adding new fees, increasing some rates by more than 20 percent and making changes that could cause monetary injury to consumers.

NICK BOURKE, PEW SAFE CREDIT CARDS PROJECT: The bottom line is that credit card companies are doing whatever practices that are most profitable for them as long as they can. And until the law takes effect, that's going to continue.

YELLIN (on camera): And Congress can step in and stop it now?

BOURKE: Congress can step in and stop it now.

YELLIN (voice-over): Some members are trying. Representative Sutton is introducing a bill that would prevent unfair new fees. Representative Betsy Markey also saw our piece and is introducing a bill that would halt rate increases, but so far, neither has become law.

LANE: I know I'm not the only one. And I'm sure there's a lot of other people out there that can't afford an increase of two and a half times what they put into their budget for a credit card bill.

YELLIN (on camera): Now, the lobby that represents credit card companies tells CNN that credit card lending is the riskiest type of lending. And rising interest rates are directly related to the state of the economy. As for all those other consumers who aren't featured in a CNN piece, they can still hope that their member of Congress takes action.

Jessica Yellin, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK, we are awaiting two live events here in the CNN NEWSROOM. President Obama outlines plans to help small businesses. Let me get my -- OK, that's obviously the White House. We are awaiting remarks from the president. And he is expected to highlight efforts to increase lending and control health care costs for small businesses. The president's scheduled to speak at 11:50, right about now.

And House Minority Leader John Boehner responds to the health care reform bill unveiled by House Democrats last hour. Rep. Boehner will outline Republican solutions in his remarks, and we will have that for you live as well right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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HARRIS: All right, let's get you now to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the president is making remarks and outlining a plan to help small businesses.