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Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) is Interviewed about the Spending Bill; Sabrina Singh is Interviewed about Talks with Ukraine; New York Declares State of Emergency over Fires. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired March 10, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Of basically thwarting any potential shutdown threat until the end of September. Their argument to their membership is that they are out of time, that negotiating full year bills, which has been the preference traditionally of conservatives, is impossible at this point. And because Democrats are lining up against the idea of this short-term CR, the likely scenario is that they are going to need to coalesce as one entire Republican Party given that narrow majority in the House to go ahead and pass this.

Now, the big question, Sara, is, even if House Republicans can get this passed out of their chamber, what happens when it goes to the Republican-controlled Senate? Remember that there is still a filibuster over there, which means that you need 60 votes. That means they will need to find at least seven Democrats willing to vote for this proposal.

And I just want to note, over the weekend, Patty Murray, who's the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the following about this House's stopgap measure. She said, quote, "instead of turning the keys over to Donald Trump's administration with this bill, Congress should immediately pass a short-term CR to prevent a shutdown and finish work on bipartisan funding bills that invest in families, keep Americans safe, and ensure our constituents have a say in how federal funding is spent." That does not sound like someone who's going to be voting for this stopgap measure if it heads over to the United States Senate. So, that really leaves a lot of questions about whether or not Democrats would vote to shut down the government if House Republicans can get this out of their chamber tomorrow.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. We're also hearing from John Fetterman saying, look, I am not going to - I will never vote against - or vote on a bill that would shut down the government. So, you do have some differing opinions. But ultimately, how many Democrats would it take to pass this in the Senate, and do they have those votes? That's the - that is the big question this morning is it not?

FOX: That's exactly right, Sara. I mean, you have one in John Fetterman, but do you have six more? I think that that is the key question right now. And we have not heard from Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, as to what he wants his caucus to do. Because remember, the party that is not in power, their argument is that Republicans control this government. They're the ones who ultimately have the say.

But in the Senate, that is not really the case, right, because, again, you need those 60 votes. Republicans don't have the votes. Therefore, they are going to need some Democratic support.

Sara.

SIDNER: Lauren Fox, great reporting from you there on Capitol Hill. Appreciate it.

Now to you, Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us right now to talk much more about this is Democratic Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici from Oregon.

Congresswoman, thank you so much for being here.

REP. SUZANNE BONAMICI (D-OR): Good morning.

BOLDUAN: Kind of just bouncing off what Sara and Lauren were talking about right there. I mean Democrats do have a choice this week, go along with Republicans and vote for this funding extension, a funding extension that does not give Democrats any of the concessions that were wanted, or vote against it and block it, potentially in the Senate, and then maybe see the government shut down.

What's your thinking right now? Where are you on this? Will you vote for it?

BONAMICI: Well, at this point, no. This continuing resolution that the Republican majority is proposing doesn't do anything to address the concerns I'm hearing from my constituents here in Oregon. It seems to double down on the dangerous cuts, including to Medicaid, does nothing to protect Medicare and Social Security.

And that's not what my constituents want. I just heard from many of them across northwest Oregon, in urban, suburban and rural areas, and they're looking for something other than that. They're looking for something that addresses their concerns about what Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing, chopping away at the government.

BOLDUAN: Well, Congresswoman, I just had Republican Congresswoman Malliotakis on last hour, and she said, if you voted - she said it's essentially what has already been. I mean that's the point of a CR. She says that if you voted for it in December, there's no reason why you should not vote for it today. It basically is what they voted for with minor changes. And if you don't, then the Democrats, quite frankly, own this shutdown.

BONAMICI: Oh, I disagree with that. This is not the same as December. Now Donald Trump and Elon Musk are devastating our federal employees, laying off people in dangerous ways. These are - this is not the same situation that we were in, in December. And I've been through government shutdowns before, and nobody wants a government shutdown. If they want to come back to the table and talk about doing something to make this bipartisan, I'll have an open mind. But right now I'm hearing way too many concerns from my constituents about what's happening in this administration.

BOLDUAN: Would you agree that what would be worse, even in the midst of what the Elon Musk and DOGE purge would be right now, maybe a government shutdown would be a worse thing that could happen?

[09:35:00]

BONAMICI: I don't know about that. I've been through government shutdowns before, and nobody wants the government to shut down. It's harmful to the people we represent.

But at the same time, they need to come back to the table and do something reasonable because this is not what my constituents want in terms of doubling down on cuts. And it is different now, now that we are seeing Project 2025 play out.

BOLDUAN: So, this is interesting, would - given - because it often does come to an either or, and none of it ever is perfect. But if it comes down to it, where things are right now and what you're hearing from your constituents, would you be OK - would you be OK knowing the government was shutting down if you don't get any bipartisan resolution here?

BONAMICI: I'm never OK with the government shutting down, but at the same time, my constituents want me to fight for the things that they believe in, including the Department of Education, for example, Medicaid, which is hugely important in my state of Oregon, particularly in rural communities, protecting Social Security and Medicare. And they are extremely concerned about what's happening so far in this administration with the unelected billionaire Elon Musk seemingly laying off government employees that are making a tremendous difference across the country.

Right here, I represent the Oregon coast, the people they - they've laid off from NOAA. Extremely concerned about that, the Bonneville Power Administration, and people are really worried about them as we see Project 2025 play out, shutting down the Department of Education. This is something that is extremely concerning to me.

BOLDUAN: What you're getting at is something a bigger - a bigger one that Democrats need to face right now, which is, what is the best way of countering President Trump and in presenting the contrast to voters. You've got protests - various protests by Democrats during the president's address to Congress.

BONAMICI: Right.

BOLDUAN: Al Green was removed after mounting a loud protest disrupting the speech. I believe you walked out of the speech in protest after he was removed.

BONAMICI: Right. BOLDUAN: But people seem split now - I'm talking about Democrats and constituents - on how - what it should - what the counterprogramming should look like. Constituents at a Democratic town hall last night in California, they want Democrats to be more like Al Green.

Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the moral high ground is not to stay within the lines that we're used to, but the moral - the moral high ground is for you to defend democracy. I think we need to do something stronger.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't either, Michael (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I - I think we need more Al Greens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: We need more Al Greens. But multiple elected Democrats just yesterday said Al Green went too far.

Let me play this for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. TOM SUOZZI (D-NY): And the conduct of the Democrats, that was a strategic mistake, as well as something that just is not appropriate for the decorum of the U.S. House of Representatives.

SEN. ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-MI): I think, to me, there's - there's so much frustration with the Trump administration, there's so much concern, that what you saw was sort of the emotion and wanting to be visible. It's not personally the way I reacted.

SEN. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA): Well, I think the lack of a coordinated response to the State of the Union was a mistake. And frankly, it took the focus off of where it should have been.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Who's right?

BONAMICI: Well, I'll tell you what I heard. I just did five town hall meetings across northwest Oregon in - from Portland, out to rural areas, and people are very, very concerned and want the Democrats to do more. And it's one of the reasons why I walked out of the State of the Union Address to Congress. It's one of the reasons why I went over to the Department of Education to demand a meeting, got locked out. It's one of the reasons why I stood out in front of the Department of Labor, the Department of Commerce at NOAA, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to - to raise awareness. I - I've never rallied as part of my job. I'm a policymaker. But now people do want us to do more.

And we are going to see this happening from the ground up as people across the country realize what is at stake here. And they are - this is - as I mentioned, this is not normal times for them. Like I mentioned to the Department of Education, real concern to my constituents. And I'm thinking, I wonder if Donald Trump or Elon Musk have ever been in a public school, because I did all of my town hall meetings at public schools. People want us to protect public education.

Now, that being said, we need to keep the focus on what they are doing, what Donald Trump and Elon Musk and DOGE are doing. And - so, that's what I want to do is focus on the danger that they're creating, the harm they are creating by shut - by threatening to close down the Department of Education, for example, by all these layoffs that are making people feel extremely concerned about what's ahead.

[09:40:05]

And also the - the breaches of security and to - does Elon Musk have their Social Security Number, their home address, their medical records, if they filed a workers comp claim, and the - and it goes on and on.

So, people are extremely concerned. But we need to keep the focus as - Democrats need to fight, but we also need to keep the focus on what Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing to this country and to democracy.

BOLDUAN: And - and how Democrats go about doing that seems to be part of the bigger conversation right now.

Congresswoman, thank you for your time.

BONAMICI: Indeed.

BOLDUAN: Coming up for us, top administration officials are set to hold separate talks with Ukraine and Russia this week. Why officials believe now Ukraine is ready to move forward with peace talks.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:45:13]

SIDNER: Right now, as we speak, Secretary of State Marco Rubio heading to Saudi Arabia to meet with his Ukrainian counterparts about finding a way to end the war Russia started. A senior State Department official expressing optimism this morning, saying the U.S. believes Ukraine is, quote, "ready to move forward."

Joining us now, former deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

Thank you so much for coming in this morning. Coming in and hanging out with us.

Look, the U.S. has pulled back on funding. They've pulled back on intelligence sharing. They've pulled back on the use of some satellite imagery for Ukraine. I mean, is this a good way to try to begin a negotiation with Ukraine by punishing Ukraine instead of punishing Russia, who started the war?

SABRINA SINGH, FORMER DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: Yes, I mean, simply put, no. Withholding intelligence sharing, withholding satellite imagery prevents the Ukrainians from continuing their war against Russia, but also allowing them to do those long-range strikes, which have allowed them to take back their sovereign territory since the war began.

So, I don't know what the Trump administration is trying to accomplish with all of this. I did hear the national security advisor yesterday say that Donald Trump isn't going to take sides, which is quite shocking of a statement to make because Russia invaded its neighbor almost three years ago.

So, there's a sense of hope, and it's the one of the Ukrainians.

SIDNER: And the Russians feel like he's certainly taken their side, because they were pretty much celebrating after hearing some of the things that Donald Trump was doing when it comes to dealing with Ukraine and sort of punishing Zelenskyy.

I do want to ask you what you expect out of this meeting with Marco Rubio and his counterparts, being that Marco Rubio was in the room that day, sort of stepped back from it, but when there was this huge blow up with, you know, Vice President Vance and President Trump and Zelenskyy.

SINGH: You mean when he absorbed into the couch a bit.

SIDNER: Yes.

SINGH: So, what I'm looking for is to see, is there movement on this critical minerals deal? Is that a chip - a bargaining chip for the Trump administration to basically turn that spigot of intelligence sharing back on?

I'm also looking to see, you know, out of these meetings, if, in good faith, the United States honors its commitments. I mean under the previous administration, which I served, we did, on almost a weekly basis, send out military assistance in the form of presidential drawdown packages to the Ukrainians. This administration has stopped that. So I'm looking out at these meetings to see if they turn that back on because it is critical that the Ukrainians get what that - those - those - that military assistance. But also, I mean, reneging on one of our promises, our commitments, under a previous administration, that also sends a signal to our allies and partners around the world. And we need to be mindful of that.

SIDNER: I wanted to talk to you about that because, you know, Canada, obviously, not involved in this, but Canada saying, look, we don't trust you anymore. Poland also saying, look, if you - if you are going to be in this position where we don't know what you're going to do, Europe also worrying about the United States not standing behind them. Where does that put us when it comes to our place in the world?

SINGH: Look, trust is earned. And I think with any relationship that is one of the foundations. And I think, under the Biden administration, you saw that trust earned backed with our allies and partners. Right now, in the second Trump administration, that is being fractured. And the fact that we are going back on deals, commitments to Ukraine as they continue their war against Russia, of course that's going to send a message to Poland, to our NATO allies. I mean you have the president of the United States saying that we might not defend some NATO countries who don't honor their spending commitments. That is not how Article Five works.

And so I think, rightfully, allies and partners around the world are saying, you know, what are we going to do if the United States doesn't stand with us?

SIDNER: They have said, in some cases, they're going to work with other partners, partners that may not be so friendly to the United States ultimately. So, we will see how this all plays out, but this is a big meeting in Saudi Arabia with Rubio and his counterparts with Ukraine. And we will see what happens. And hopefully we'll have you back when we get the fallout from whatever happens there.

SINGH: I'd love to.

SIDNER: Really appreciate it.

SINGH: Thank you, Sara.

SIDNER: All right, could arson be to blame for the destructive brush fires on Long Island? These pictures are outrageous. Like, this looks like, you know, Los Angeles just a few months ago.

Also, though, we're hearing powerful storms are headed to the West Coast. We have the latest on the wild weather that's happening across the country.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:53:50]

BOLDUAN: New York's governor declared a state of emergency and issued an immediate burn ban for Long Island and New York City as fire crews continue to battle the brush fires that have spread really quickly over the weekend.

CNN's Derek Van Dam is tracking this one for us.

Derek, how are conditions looking as we kind of head into this week now?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, one thing's for sure, Kate, is that these are alarming scenes for residents of Long Island, Suffolk County, as this wall of smoke engulfed entire neighborhoods still fresh in our minds are the scenes from Los Angeles, and the wildfires there from the past couple of months ago. So, it was important that the governor and the residents and the firefighters on the ground proactively work to get this under control through the course of the weekend. And that's what they did. So, the conditions there are fortunately improving but we have another

weather concern on the horizon that is going to change the game here for the next week or so. And right now we've got our first storm system that's moving across the southeast, actually bringing a tornado risk to central Florida as we speak. It is a marginal risk, but there has been some pop-up spin-ups in the atmosphere, particularly right here. You can see an ongoing tornado warning just north of downtown Orlando.

[09:55:01]

And here's a new tornado warning that's just been issued south of Sarasota. So, these thunderstorms have had radar confirmed tornadoes, damaging winds, even some potential hail as well associated with this system.

But that's not even the bigger concern because it's really the next approaching storm system that will combine with a larger trough over the western U.S. that's going to bring not only beneficial rain and snow to the western parts of the U.S., much needed, but it is also going to bring a multi-day, severe weather setup. So, here's kind of the larger picture. You can see that swirl in the cloud cover just off the West Coast. That will move inland. And then watch what happens as it heads into Thursday and Friday, the potential for a deepening storm system over the central parts of the U.S. Kate, this has the potential for more tornadoes across the deep south heading into the end of the week.

BOLDUAN: Another week of weather that we need to keep a very close eye on.

VAN DAM: Very true

BOLDUAN: Derek, thank you very much.

VAN DAM: All right.

BOLDUAN: It's a little bit and a lot of bit everywhere is what I took - is what I take from that.

SIDNER: A little and a lot of it.

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: It is Monday.

BOLDUAN: Yes, it is, darling.

SINDER: We got through it. Congratulations.

BOLDUAN: Together.

SIDNER: Thank you for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)