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Senate to Vote on Defunding Planned Parenthood; Why are Murders in Baltimore at Historic High? Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired August 03, 2015 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:32:25] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JONI ERNST (R), IOWA: We want to make sure that women still have access to health care, and that can be done through many other means. We are not planning on lowering the number of dollars. Those dollars are still going to be there, just not available for Planned Parenthood.

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CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Can that be done? There are studies out there and other lawmakers who are saying you need Planned Parenthood. You don't have the infrastructure to take up the rest of the needs. Saying it's all about abortion is misleading. But those videos, those videos have people fired up that show Planned Parenthood employees talking in ugly ways about what's done with fetal tissue.

Someone who is outraged, who wants change, even if it means shutting down the government, is Congressman Diane Black, one of the Republicans fighting for the bill on the other side of The Hill. She represents Tennessee. She joins us now.

Congressman, good to have you on the show. Thank you for being here.

REP. DIANE BLACK (R), TENNESSEE: It's good to be with you, Chris. Thank you for having me.

CUOMO: Josh Earnest, White House press secretary, I asked him about this. He said, we're going to veto anything that gets in the way of what Planned Parenthood does. Very necessary. He also said he had not seen the videos himself. Do you find that unacceptable?

BLACK: I do find it unacceptable. Those videos have been out there. And if he's going to be talking about it, he ought to at least know what's on the video before he makes those comments.

CUOMO: Now, I didn't challenge him about whether or not he watched the video because, frankly, he is a press spokesperson and he puts out the White House position. However, I will talk to you about the videos because you are advocating for a change. Those videos have been maligned by both sides as being selectively edited and showing something that is legal and a long, ongoing practice. Do you believe that those videos are being taken out of context? If not, why? BLACK: No, I do not. And let me tell you why, Chris. I had the opportunity to be able to view those videos with full video footage before they actually showed them to the public. And if you go back and -- you can go and see that full video coverage if you go onto the Internet. You can see it's not a cut and paste. This is actually what is happening, full conversations. And anybody who has any conscience at all should be appalled by the activity that's on that video. The callus, cavalier attitude about life and what they're doing to life. So I - I can tell you that it is not a cut and paste.

CUOMO: But how they do their job at Planned Parenthood, OK, let's say that's worthy of criticism. They talked about fetal tissue, babies in ways that was undignified, that made them seem like just objects, that made it seem like it was about the money. Let's say that's all true. That does not change that what is done in terms of using tissue for research and being reimbursed is something that you've long been aware of, congressman, has long been legal and is certainly not cause for outrage or at least hasn't been until now.

[08:35:14] BLACK: OK, Chris, so let's break it down a little bit.

CUOMO: Please.

BLACK: First of all, I'm a nurse and I've been a nurse for more than 40 years.

CUOMO: Yes, ma'am.

BLACK: So I've been in this industry for a long time. There are a couple of things that are a problem here. One is that the NIH Revitalization Act says that you cannot alter or in any way alter the timing or the procedure that is done in order to - for the sole purpose of harvesting tissue. And we see in this video they do talk about doing that. The doctors actually talk about, well, if you need a heart or a lung or a liver, we can do a less crunchy procedure. Or one of the doctors, Nick Atola (ph), says, we'll crunch above and we'll crunch below. That is against that act.

So the second thing is the selling of organs. We know very clearly that, yes, organs are harvested and for an administrative fee, but they cannot be sold. But when you see these two doctors that are negotiating and one of them actually talking about they needing a Lamborghini. If there were no profit from this, why would they just not say, here's our administrative fee, here's how much it costs us to harvest it, store it, transport it. You wouldn't be having a negotiation for that particular part of this -

CUOMO: Understood. Understood on - understood on both of them.

BLACK: The third - the third piece is on the partial birth abortion. When Dr. Nick Atola says that it's up to interpretation and it really doesn't matter in the end. That is very suspicious. So should we not be investigating what's going on at Planned Parenthood?

CUOMO: You make a very -

BLACK: I believe we should.

CUOMO: You ask a very interesting question, which is, should you be investigating? The answer easily could be, yes, it's within your purview. But that's not really what you're doing, is it? You're saying you want to defund. Why not investigate first, then decide whether or not Nick Atola and these others are talking about practices that actually happen and happen in a way that are exclusive of the existing regulations and then decide what the appropriate action to be, whether or not funding or not and how to done (ph) because, as you know, to say that Planned Parenthood, as Joni Ernst did, can just - the slack can easily be picked up, you can still get these same women the help they need, you know that that's misleading at best.

BLACK: That is not misleading. As a matter of fact, let me tell you why I know it's not misleading is because here in the state of Tennessee, where live, we were able to get that money. There are over 1,200 federally qualified health departments across this country. We were able to get the same services, the same amount of money coming to the state of Tennessee and, by the way, providing those preventive health services that women need with things that Planned Parenthood doesn't have that they once said they had, like mammograms. So we know it is possible. It's been done here in the state of Tennessee and other states. Same amount of money.

CUOMO: But you know that in other states it's very difficult to do. I'm looking at a study right now from 2012 that's saying that, for instance, in Texas, that too many women, thousands would lose, especially low-income women, that's what we're talking about here, would lose access that many of the clinics are an hour and a half away, that only 3 percent of what Planned Parenthood does is abortions and they don't use tax dollars for that. I mean, you know, you're smiling while I say it, but you know that these are serious issue and you shouldn't just rush to defund, should you?

BLACK: Chris, these - these are very serious issues and it's very serious when Planned Parenthood, who performs over 327,000 abortions a year, they get a half a billion dollars of the taxpayer money, and that money could be given to these other clinics. And I will tell you that there is a lot of competition out there to get the money. And part of the reason why these health clinics that are federally qualified don't even want to try this because they have been cut out of that funding previously. We saw it happen here in the state of Tennessee. And there's so much misinformation out there and I want to set that record straight. I want to see the study that you're referencing, but I know from my personal experience as a nurse and someone who served in the state legislature, that we did this here in the state of Tennessee and it can be done across this entire nation to give good, preventative health care to women.

CUOMO: Well, and - but that's one of the parts of the mission of Planned Parenthood, right. I mean Senator Bob Casey, who shares your opinions about abortion, does not share his opinion about the bill because he says many of the preventive measures that they use keep the number of unwanted pregnancies down. And this study is called deteriorating access to women's health services in Texas and it was done by a number of female authors, October 11, 2012. I'll pass it down to the office.

We're very comfortable following this story up. We want to make sure we track the process. There are big questions here, representative, and we appreciate you being on NEW DAY to outline them.

BLACK: Well, you're very welcome. And I - my bill just simply says, let's stop the funding until we have investigated what's on these films. And then, if there's nothing there, they get the money back.

[08:40:05] CUOMO: But because the need is so great, the question is, should you switch that, investigate first and then figure out funding. But thank you, ma'am, for being on. We look forward to having you on again.

BLACK: You're very welcome. Thank you for having me.

CUOMO: All right, what is your take? You heard the congressman there laying out that side of it. We know the debate's going to be happening down in Washington. Tweet us. Use #newdaycnn or post your comment on facebook.com/newday. To be continued, Mick.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: A conversation we're going to continue here, Chris, is Baltimore. The city is taking some drastic measures for a deadly problem. There is a huge and historic spike in homicides in that city. Why is it happening? What can be done?

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PEREIRA: Here we go with the five things to know for your new day.

At number one, the severe weather threat moving northeast after pounding the Midwest. Did you see this? A series of tornadoes touching down in several states. The worst damage, Illinois. One person was killed after a tent came crashing down.

A massive manhunt is underway at this hour in Memphis. That is the wanted man on your screen. A suspect accused of murdering a police officer, a former Marine, over the weekend.

[08:45:01] President Obama is set to unveil a sweeping plan to combat climate change. It calls on coal burning power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent before the year 2030.

The FAA has confirmed a close call with an unmanned drone at New York's JFK Airport last night. The third sighting of one at the nation's busiest airports just this weekend.

A massive search effort continues on Reunion Island for more debris after part of a plane wing from a Boeing 777 was found last week. Experts will now begin examining that flaperon to determine if it indeed belongs to MH370.

And for more on the five things, be sure to visit newdayCNN.com for the latest.

Chris? CUOMO: All right, Mick. Baltimore is facing an alarming number of homicides. How is the city dealing with its deadliest month in four decades? What is the real reason behind the uptick? We'll tell you.

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CUOMO: So why the big spike in homicides in Baltimore this year? The deadliest month in four decades. 45 people, lives lost. Ten federal agents from various agencies now going to have to embed themselves with the city's homicide unit. Is it about the cops not wanting to do their job? Is it about the new drugs on the street? Is it about things that have been there for a long time that we're just noticing?

PEREIRA: And what is to blame? I mean, we have to look at the cause of it all. Carlos Watson is here. He's Editor-in-Chief of OZY.com. Always good to have you here.

I'm curious, you're watching it, too. I know you've watched the situation in Chicago. Likely, there's some similarities. But maybe there's some problems that are unique to Baltimore. What is your sense of what is at the root of this problem?

[08:50:00] CARLOS WATSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, OZY.COM: Well, again, let's talk about the problems with the people at home realize it's three to four times the number of deaths that Baltimore typically sees. 40 deaths in a month as much as they've seen in 40 years. A lot of the gang violence. Over the weekend, you had ten people who were shot. Fortunately, not that many lives lost, but seven of them were part of retaliatory gang violence.

So the belief is shortage on the part of the police department. People have been stretched. And also, that there's some fears. Chris was saying earlier on the part of locals who are gathering more guns and on the parts of the police who, in some cases, may be holding back. At least that's a concern.

CUOMO: The question is where is the proof of it? Because, you know, look, people talk stats all day long. It's up, it's not up that much , it's real, it's not real. Is it because there was this flood of drugs that came through the riots and that that somehow triggered a new drug war that is going on among the gangs? Or is there proof that they're not policing it the same way because either cops feel chilled or they're pissed off or whatever it is. Do you see any proof to suggest one thing over the other?

WATSON: I think it's too early to know whether or not there's proof. But I do think what the interim police chief did, in terms of inviting in, not only folks from the DEA and the FBI--

PEREIRA: Yeah, it's a little telling who he invited in, right?

WATSON: Very interesting. From multiple agencies --

PEREIRA: ATF.

WATSON: ATF. A dozen police agents to ride along with the local police. Usually it's the reverse. Usually it's the local police who are grabbed up and used as part of a larger federal investigation. So I thought that was interesting. And remember, Baltimore already has another 20 ATF agents who are on the streets. So in a sense, they're accelerating there. So I don't think, Chris, that they know for sure why it is, but I think they know that if they don't do something now, that tomorrow will get away from them. It hasn't just been one bad month, it's been two horrific months in the last three months.

PEREIRA: (INAUDIBLE) was cautioning us to not think this was an overall trend because there's another stat - since we're doing stats - look at homicides climbing. We have some other areas that we've seen the rate increase. Up 11 percent in New York City. What does that mean? Washington, D.C., up 18 percent. Chicago, which we know, has been a problem and we can't highlight that enough. New Orleans up 36 percent. Different cities, different issues, likely, but are some of the same things at play here?

WATSON: One of the biggest concerns that you hear experts talk about is whether or not a lot of the police departments are underresourced and whether or not that lack of resources is part of the reason making it harder for police to police the areas. But you don't know.

Chris, you pointed out it's up and down. Just last year people were celebrating in Baltimore the fact that there had been a decline from 2013 to 2014. But there's no doubt about it, Michaela, when you look at a dozen major cities around the country, L.A., being a noble exception, murders are up.

CUOMO: Why do we care? We care, first of all, because you are losing lives. That's why the - what they're now calling ChIraq [SIC], Chigaco, because of all the deaths that are going on there - matters. Those lives matter. And why it happens then becomes a point of curiosity.

WATSON: I think one of the other things, Chris, that you saw President Obama, first sitting president to visit a prison, while there, and I think part of what you see the president recognizing, to your point and to your question, is that there are a set of factors that are going on, including in some cases not only poor resources but also educational issues, police/community relations. So there are a number of things and I think one of the interesting things is will the president, in cooperation with the GOP, people like Rand Paul, make a big announcement about how to breakthrough some of this.

PEREIRA: We'll be watching. Quickly, we got to talk to you about politics because you're here and this is -- look at the smile on his face. You are looking forward to the debates. I feel like you have a whole routine you're going to have. Every time there's a debate, Carlos is just going to be in his happy place.

WATSON: All right. So this is going to be the great one. I think it's going to be the best set of political debates I think we've had since Ronald Reagan in 1980. Maybe those who enjoyed Ross Perot in '92 might argue with that.

PEREIRA: And you think it's Trump - Is it the Trumpness [SIC] of it all?

WATSON: It's going to be juicy. So Trump is going to be great, but who else do I think is going to hit hard? I think Ben Carson has a chance to steal the show. I think he can say Trump is a phony outsider, he's been playing politics all along, giving money to liberals and conservatives alike --

CUOMO: That would be very unCarsonian [SIC], though. He's not known for going after his opponents that way.

WATSON: You know what? But wouldn't that make it great? Isn't that exactly the reason to do a surprise attack? Now you know Rick Perry wants to get in there. Right now, he's number 11, looking on the outside --

CUOMO: On the bubble.

WATSON: On the bubble, doesn't know if he'll get it. Who else, Chris, could make a comeback from the nether regions into relevancy? Governor Chris Christie.

PEREIRA: Oh.

WATSON: Remember how feared he was as a debater and as a spokesperson? Now he's a guy on the bubble. If he makes it in at two to three percent, he may go for the gusto.

PEREIRA: Carlos Watson with some predictions here. We can't wait to hear your day-after assessment.

WATSON: Day after. I'll be back to talk about it on Friday.

PEREIRA: Right on. Good to see you.

WATSON: Good to see you.

CUOMO: Good stuff. All right. So a 10-year-old goes above and beyond using social media to help a friend in need. That's why I said "Good Stuff." This is an incredible act of kindness that will feed your soul!

PEREIRA: We love it.

[08:55:00] CUOMO: "Good Stuff" coming up.

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CUOMO: "Good Stuff" super fast. All right. 10-year-old Anne Marie (ph) suffers from a rare genetic condition causes blisters that break out all over her skin. So her best friend, 9-year-old Bethany Walker (ph) makes rubber bracelets and sells them on Facebook to raise money for Anne Marie. She has raised $47,000. What is that money for? Construction of a therapeutic salt water pool in Anne Marie's back yard.

PEREIRA: What a great bestie! CUOMO: Helps alleviate the blisters, obviously, and does wonders for her skin and her spirit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[09:00:00] ANNE MARIE COX, SUFFERS FROM RARE GENETIC CONDITION: We have a race. Like who can swim the fastest.

BETHANY WALKER, SOLD BRACELETS ON FACEBOOK TO RAISE MONEY FOR FRIEND: I normally win by a little.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Ha ha! Still competitive. Slice of normal life for a brave little girl that gets very little normal.

PEREIRA: Oh, we love them both. What a great friendship.