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Don Lemon Tonight

President Biden Set To Sign Landmark COVID-19 Relief Bill Friday; House Democrats Voted To Pass $1.9 Trillion Rescue Package With No GOP Support; Trump Call With Georgia Elections Investigator; Biden Ordering 100 Million More Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Doses; Interview With Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX); Meghan And Harry Shock The World By Talking Honestly About Race; Republicans Trying To Restrict Voting Across The U.S.; Starving, Dying Children Pack Yemen Hospital Amid Civil War. Aired 11p-12a ET

Aired March 10, 2021 - 23:00   ET

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

[23:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON LEMON, CNN HOST (on camera): So President Biden set to sign the landmark COVID-19 relief bill on Friday after House Democrats voted to pass the massive $1.9 trillion rescue package, with no GOP support. Biden calling the legislation a historic victory for the American people. He's going to talk it up in a primetime address, that's tomorrow night.

Millions of Americans will soon receive a $1,400 stimulus check, an increase in unemployment benefits and expanded child tax credit. And the president is directing the federal government to buy an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Let's discuss now, joining me CNN White House correspondent, John Harwood and CNN political analyst John Avlon. So, I've got to say last names now since you gents have the same first name. Good evening to both of you, Mr. Avlon, this is a new CNN poll. It shows this poll is increasingly and incredibly popular with the American people. But zero Republicans, not one voted for it.

We had Jen Psaki on just a short time ago and she's still telling us that they're going to keep pushing for bipartisanship. But do you think that they actually know the score?

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (on camera): Look, you know, the mere fact that no Republicans voted for bill in which some of the contingents items were taken out for a conservative perspective like minimum wage. The super majority of support from the American people says it's going to be a tough road. But I don't think it's impossible and I don't think Biden should simply concede that its mission possible.

It's not going to happen with HR1, the voting rights act, that's critically important. But can something be done on immigration? Can something be done on infrastructure? You shouldn't give up on those just yet. But the Republicans have a problem which is that very often there fealty is to the far-right, not even what their voters believe. And that's a disconnect with democracy we're going to have to deal with.

LEMON (on camera): Yeah, Mr. Harwood, tonight we're learning about another call where the former president tried to pressure a Georgia official to overturn the election. This is part of the audio obtained by the Wall Street Journal, here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I won Georgia, I've done that, by a lot. And the people now it. You know, something happened, I mean, something bad happened. But if you go back two years and if you can get to Fulton, you're going to find things that are going to be unbelievable, the dishonesty that we've heard from.

It never made sense, and you know, they dropped ballots. They dropped all these ballots. Stacey Abrams, really, really terrible, and just a terrible thing. And I will say this, hopefully you know when the right answer comes out you will be praised. I mean, I don't know why, you know, they made it so hard. They will be praised. People will say great. Because that's what it's about. The ability to check and to make it right, because everyone knows it's wrong, there's just no way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON (on camera): Can you imagine, I mean listen with the time that we've had it gives us some perspective? Can you imagine living in that misery and just the toxicity, and the desperation in that phone call? Of course all of that John, is a lie. But this is similar to the call that we heard between Trump and Georgia Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger. He was so desperate to stay in power and the Republicans in power now, are desperate to restrict voting. This is the next big battle.

JOHN HARWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Oh definitely is the next big, battle and it goes exactly to the point that you were just discussing with Mr. Avlon. Which is that, if the Republicans are pressing these aggressive attempts to suppress the vote in states around the country and if Republicans are not willing to cooperate with Democrats in governing the country. That could have the effect of driving Democrats together.

They were already extraordinary united with very small majorities behind this COVID relief bill may create sufficient unity that you can get them including the most conservative members, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, who have been reluctant to scrap, alter, adjust the filibuster so that they could pass voting rights legislation to put national standards for registration and voting procedures that would prevent Republicans from suppressing the vote.

That would elect -- enable them to pass a large infrastructure, climate, health care legislation. We don't know if it's going to go there, we don't know if the unity the Democrats displayed on this bill Tom, -- Don, was a one shot deal that can only happen in the first 50 days of a new president of your party, and you're trying to support him and get his program through.

[23:05:08]

Or, is this a moment where Democrats realize that governing the country is up to us. And we are going to have to both protect democracy, and govern the country and solve national problems. We don't know which way it's going to go.

LEMON: We certainly don't, but I tell you what though, I do appreciate having both of you, I was going to say Johns, both of you gentlemen on my show this evening. Thank you, John Avlon. Thank you, John Harwood, I'll see you soon.

Now I want to bring in Democratic Congressman Colin Allred of Texas. Congressman thank you so much, I really appreciate you joining us. I know it's a very busy time for you. So let's talk about what's happening, President Biden is going to sign this $1.9 trillion relief bill on Friday. What is this, what is this -- I don't know big deal part, what's the big deal part of this for your state?

REP. COLIN ALLRED (D-TX) (on camera): Well, you know thank you for having me on. This is one time where I can come on your show and smile about something. Because the American rescue plan is quote President Biden a big freaking deal. I mean, it's going to put shots in arms, money in people's pockets, it's going to put airline workers back to, keep restaurants open, it's going to help us strengthen the ACA and support small businesses.

Texas has been extremely hard hit as you know, Don, both by COVID-19 and by the storm that hit us a few weeks ago, and the neglect of our statewide leaders. This is going to allow us to recover and allow us to get through this crisis.

LEMON (on camera): I want your response to this Congressman. This is Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman, what he said about the bill and then Democratic delegates Stacey Plaskett's response, watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. GLENN GROTHMAN (R-WI): The increase in your income tax credit for single people has a marriage penalty in it, I bring it up because I know the strength that Black Lives Matter had in this last election. I know it's a group that doesn't like the old-fashioned family.

DEL. STACEY PLASKETT (D-VI): We have been able to keep our families alive for over 400 years and the assault on our families to not have black lives or not even have black families. How you dare you say that we are not interested in families in the black community?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON (on camera): What is your response to your colleague Grothman?

ALLRED: Well I think Congressman Plaskett can speak for herself and she does a great job, and she did a great job today in pushing back on that. Obviously, what my Republican colleague said is unacceptable, it doesn't make any sense also, Don, because in this bill we have the biggest expansion of the child income tax credit in our country's history. I mean, this is basically going to have a guaranteed income program for families with kids. You know, I've got a young son and another one on the way very soon here.

For middle class lower income families in United States, they are going to be getting $3,000 per child. If you have a kid under six, it goes up to $3,600, it's going to be paid you in monthly payments. So, even the argument doesn't make any sense, because we are already taking care of families in a way that our Republican colleagues apparently none of them agreed with doing, because none of them voted for this bill.

But obviously, the Black Lives Matter movement is about trying to make sure that we keep black folks alive. And to say that that's not American value, that we don't believe in American values in the African American community, is just unacceptable. It has no place in the Congress. And I'm glad that Delegate Plaskett spoke up and spoke back against it.

LEMON: S, listen, you're in Dallas now and this mask mandate was lifted in Texas today, are you worried that this could lead to another big spike? Because already, the ranges are planning to open the stadium at full capacity just a few weeks. That means more than 40,000 seats, Congressman.

ALLRED: Yes. I am worried. I'm very worried, and I'm worried because the experts are worried. The CDC has told states that were not there yet. You know, we are just a couple of month's away, Don from being able to get vaccines to every single adult who wants one. We are 48 out of 50 states in terms of vaccine distribution here in Texas. And the one thing we know, that protects folks during this is wearing a mask.

And to say you're going to open up all of the businesses at 100 percent capacity and not require masks, means that we will have increased transmission of COVID-19 in Texas. Now what does that mean? It means that essential workers who are out there trying to work to serve and to make sure that they can take care of their families are going to be exposed to COVID.

It means that our frontline health care workers, who have had the worst year of their lives, who have been making the most enormous sacrifices to get through this crisis are going to be put under increased strain. And it's unnecessary, Don. Because we're almost there, we are almost there.

And with these COVID-19 variants that we know we have in Texas, because we've identified them, they are more transmissible. And so, it makes no sense, I love the rangers, I grew up one of the play center field with the rangers. But listen, to every one or every Texan watching, whatever the Governor says continue to wear your mask, protect yourself and your family.

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LEMON: What is that number, is that 56 over your right shoulder there, that jersey?

ALLRED: Yeah, you know, I think I'm the only linebacker, former linebacker in the Congress right now, so, I have to put that up.

LEMON: I like it. Everybody gave him a 10 for having his linebacker jersey in his shot at home. Thank you, Congressman, always a pleasure and I'm glad -- it's good to see you smile, it's good to see an American smile. Hopefully will see Americans smiling more after they start getting these checks, thank you so much.

ALLRED: Thanks Don.

LEMON: Meghan and Harry shocking the world by talking honestly about race, right out loud. Harry's racial awakening since he met Meghan and what it means for the royal family.

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LEMON: So Harry and Meghan's bombshell allegations of racism in the royal family is sparking massive public debate in Britain. Their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey sending shockwaves through the royal family. Which is working to contain the fallout, so far, without success.

I want to bring in now Salamishah Tillet, a critic of "The New York Times," a critic for the New York Times and a professor at Rutgers University in Newark in New Jersey. Thank you, it's so good to see you. I appreciate you coming on this evening. You know what?

SALAMISHAH TILLET, CRITIC, NEW YORK TIMES, PROFESSOR, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (on camera): Thank you for having me.

LEMON: It's such a -- it's rare to see such brutal raw honesty about racism discussed so publicly, how damaging do you believe Meghan and Harry's comments were to the royal family?

TILLET: Well, we're seeing the fallout as you pointed out earlier continuing. We have journalists in Britain writing letters saying that racism is endemic to the media's coverage of not just the royal family and Meghan Markle, but also the way in which every day Black British people are portrayed in the press.

And then you just have the ongoing relevancy of the monarchy, what does it mean to be a monarchy in the 21st century? And I think part of what Harry saw and what he believes was that his relationship with Meghan, his marriage to Meghan, kind of reinvigorated the monarchy, modernized it for the new generation and for many years to come.

And so the fact that they experience racism so quickly and it wasn't in any way contained, just shows that the monarchy hasn't modernize, it's not Bridgeton right? It's not created for a modern people but really still steeply old and retrograde ways.

LEMON: You know, you wrote a piece for the New York Times and its called Prince Harry finally takes on white privilege. His own. And you talk about Harry's racial awakening and you write this, you say, the second hour of the interview was a combination of a process that Harry had been undergoing since their first date in 2016 when he was becoming more clear eyed confrontational and embolden to take on the British monarchy into which he was born.

And the white privilege that holds it up and has benefited him his entire life. How do you think Harry did in addressing the issue of white privilege, both his own and that of the entire royal family?

TILLET: What I really was struck by in that interview is that for an African American woman like me, I rarely have the experience of seeing someone go through that entire arc of you know, 15 years ago, Harry was infamously known for wearing a Nazi costume to a party to someone now who leaves his family because of racism. I mean, that's a tremendous evolution of character and political commitment.

So I, what was interesting about that interview and what was compelling to me, and what stood out to me was that he really showed how on one hand I don't think he ever thought he would experienced racism, and then when he married Meghan and they were about to have a baby I still think he thought he was fully protected from the racism that even she was experiencing, that their child would not experience it. And even they experienced it in the media, would that happen in their family.

And so, in this moment in our country and in England when so many white family members are having these debates in their home across generations, young people are questioning their grandparent's votes for candidates that are conservative and are racist. This was really on television, a kind of showcase and a spotlight on those intimate conversations that people are oftentimes having behind closed doors. He put it out there in front of us for all of us to see.

And I also think its important when white people exposed their privilege, and they try to challenge it it's a very vulnerable thing to do and that we should not applaud them. I mean, of course that's what one should do if you want to have an anti racist society but it is important to note it. It's important to continue to have allies and say that when someone comes forth as an ally, that's a good thing.

And then obviously Harry felt like he sacrificed a lot, but he also felt that he was losing a lot if he stayed in that family. And his son was going to be treated the way he was, and his wife was going to be treated the way she would be.

LEMON: Yes. Salamishah, we really appreciate having you on, and we hope that you'll come back. Thank you so much.

TILLET: Thank you so much.

LEMON (on camera): So, I wrote something that I think can help a lot of people and it's my new book, it's called this is the fire, we talk about all of these things. This is the fire, what I say to my friends about racism, it's coming out next week. You can pre-order it now and I hope you will check it out. Next, around one in 10 Americans vaccinated so far. My next guest got

vaccinated today and he's hoping influential people like LeBron James will speak out more about it.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEBRON JAMES, NBA PLAYER: Things like that when you decide to do something and have that conversation between you and your family and not for everybody. So I'll keep it that way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON (on camera): LeBron James is an outspoken leader in the Black community on so many issues. But he's recent comments about whether he will get the COVID-19 vaccine have people talking. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES: This conversation that, you know, that my family and I will have, you know, and pretty much probably keep that to a private thing. Obviously, I've seen you know, (inaudible) comments about the vaccination and whatnot but things, you know, like that when you decide to do something, I think that's a conversation between you and your family and not for everybody. So I keep it that way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[23:25:19]

LEMON (on camera): For our next guest, he hopes the influential superstar will change his mind.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN SMITH, AMERICAN SPORTS TELEVISION PERSONALITY: If you look at the hospitals, and you look at people with pre-existing conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, and things of that nature, clearly when you look at that, you see that the African American community is disproportionately affected. Something needs to be done.

If you are LeBron and you have been outspoken on so many issues and you have talked about yourself being a leader, you've talked about how you're proud to have this mantel, and you have talk about your profound ability to influence so many lives and all the things that you have done, this is not the time to get silent. This is not the time to be private. Not that. You just shouldn't do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON (on camera): Stephen A. Smith, ESPN joins me now. He's also the producer of two new docuseries called Black Excellence and Why Not Us. Stephen, thank you. Let me just start by saying thank you for appearing on the show but I thank you what you're saying is so very, very important. And you're right, LeBron is so influential. We know people listen to

what he says. Why do you think he's drawing the line when it comes to promoting vaccines especially for communities of color that have been hit so hard by this virus?

SMITH (on camera): I think he's drawing the line in the sand in that regard, Don. Simply because -- thank you for having me on the show, I think he's drawing a line in the sand because him, like so many of us in the African American community, we have our reservations about health care. Considering history, considering some of the things that have transpired, some of the unethical and insidious behavior that has been exercised against the African American community throughout this country for so many years.

It gives you a cause to pause, makes you a bit hesitant, apprehensive and highly skeptical about the advice emanating from the medical community. So I definitely understand where LeBron James is coming from and I in no way wanted to castigate him in any kind of way whatsoever would be negative.

I'm just simply pointing out that when you look at the data, when you look at the statistics, when you hear the information that's out there that you know, black folks are dying, like 2.5 more black folks are dying than white folks and other ethnic groups in this country, because of COVID-19.

And you take it into consideration the pre-existing conditions like diabetes, obesity, and other things, we are definitely disproportionately affected. And so because that's the reality, that same hesitation that LeBron expressed that I know, that I've had for various months, for many months.

I just reached a conclusion that it was time to step up and stand up and not just take the vaccine but to make sure I acknowledge publicly even despite those reservations, it was the right thing to do because black folks are dying over this and we are disproportionately affected by it.

LEMON: Yes. And listen, let's put it up, because you just mentioned, you're getting the vaccine, you've got vaccinated today. Before you tell us about that, I think it was yesterday. Before you tell us about that, I think it's important, what you're saying because many times people think that it's a criticism.

But basically, what you're saying as a call to action. It's not a criticism of LeBron in a sense.

SMITH: Right.

LEMON: It's a call to action from someone who is powerful, for someone who is powerful who can have a huge influence and save lives. There's a big difference there.

SMITH: Well, yes absolutely, and it needs to be said because in no way I am trying to be critical of him. This man has stood front and center and has taken on issues on behalf of black people throughout this nation on many occasions and I applaud him for that. I'm simply saying that as dire as those circumstances were, and as important as those issues were, this certainly is not less important when you consider the number of lives that have been lost and the number of lives that are in danger of being lost.

Former President Barack Obama took the vaccine. And he did so in a public fashion. Tyler Perry took the vaccine, and did so in a public fashion along with a plethora of others. I have seen you on the air on many occasions encouraging and imploring people to do so along with various others because we feel an inherent obligation to step forward and to recognize the fact that despite the reservations, it's something that we simply can't run from because people are dying.

And even though it took me a little while to get to that point, I just have to fess up and owned up to the fact that despite those reservations, there's something that I could no longer avoid. It's necessary when you consider it, and then I went down to jersey yesterday and took the vaccine and a gentleman by the name of Dennis Pullen, who was the president and CEO of virtual health had called me, because I had known him for quite some time.

[23:30:00]

SMITH: And he called me a couple of days ago or actually a few days, he said, why have you not taken this vaccine yet? I said I'm coming. He said, no, you need to come now, it is time.

LEMON: Mm-hmm.

SMITH: He said when you look at the hospital bed, you look at the ICUs, he said there are more Black people in there than any other ethnic group, we are --

LEMON: Yeah.

SMITH: -- disproportionately affected, we need all hands on deck to address this issue and I expect you to be one of them, and I knew in my heart that he was right, which is why once I heard what LeBron's position was, I felt the need to step up and publicize the position I publicized.

LEMON: Leave me some time here, Stephen, because I want to talk to you about your documentary, just so you know, because people are watching since you're using yourself as an example. How are you feeling after getting it?

SMITH: I'm feeling good.

LEMON: Yeah.

SMITH: I'm feeling good. I took my first shot yesterday.

LEMON: Yeah.

SMITH: My arm is a little sore, but that's it. Outside of that, I feel no ill effects. I'm told that the second dose -- LEMON: Yeah.

SMITH: -- you'll probably feel a little bit more of it, but it only lasts for about 12 to 24 hours and then you'll be fine. And all the evidence points to that, so I'm comfortable with what I -- with the decision I've made.

LEMON: There you go because I think people -- that's what people are concerned about, what is -- how is it going to affect me? Listen, you get the flu shot, you get a little sore. You get blood drawn, you get a little sore. So that's the same thing that's happening.

SMITH: Right.

LEMON: So let's talk about your two new projects, documentary projects. The first is called "Black Excellence." It is about the impact of HBCUs that they've had on American culture. The other is called "Why Not Us" and it looks at the North Carolina Central University basketball team. Tell us about these projects and why it was so important for you to shine the light on HBCU, Stephen.

SMITH: Well, I'm a graduate of HBCU which is Winston Salem State University, and I made a promise to my coach many, many years ago, the late great Clarence 'Big House' Gaines, that I would do all that I could to bring attention to uplift HBCUs in any way that I possibly could.

And one of the things that I came up with was the fact that the HBCU story is a story that's never been fully told and terms of its inception for over 150 years ago to the contribution that it has made to American society, not just in the world of sports and entertainment, but even in politics, obviously Corporate America as well. And so that story needs to be told in its completion. That's what I'm doing with "Black Excellence."

As it pertains to "Why Not Us," that's a project myself and CP3, the great Chris Paul, has collaborated on with roadside entertainment to tell a story basically of that illness through the lens of the North Carolina Central University basketball program led by a coach by the name of LeVelle Moton, who is just one of the elite coaches in this nation despite the obstacles that he has faced against.

And I give you this little nugget. When you look at some Ivy League schools like Yale, Harvard, stuff like that, they get endowments in excess of tens of billions of dollars. The largest endowment ever received by an HBCU was approximately $250 million.

So, we don't get nearly the level of support that predominantly white institutions get yet still and all excellence continues to emanate out of HBCUs time and time and time again. It's a story that I think is long overdue to be told, and I'm hell-bent on telling it. That's exactly what I'm going to do in concert with Propagate Media and Confluential Films.

LEMON: I'm so glad that you're doing it. Let me just say this, Stephen A., because often time we don't give each other props. Long before there was a Don Lemon on TV speaking history, there was Stephen A. Smith at ESPN doing the same thing.

I learned from you and I thank you for setting the way in and showing us the way. Thank you for your candor. Thank you for trying to get Black folks to get vaccinated. I really appreciate it.

SMITH: Well, I'm incredibly proud of you and the job that you've been doing, my brother. You keep it up. You keep up the great work. You're making us all proud.

LEMON (on camera): Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. And tomorrow is March 11th, and exactly one year ago that the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic. Remember the night COVID really came home to Americans? Tom Foreman does. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

UNKNOWN (voice-over): (INAUDIBLE).

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The NBA season calls a timeout after a player for the Utah Jazz tested positive.

UNKNOWN: Quite frankly, everybody was shocked.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Actors Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson developed chills, aches, and are diagnosed.

UNKNOWN: Everyone was wondering when we we're going to see somebody famous.

FOREMAN (voice-over): The World Health Organization declares a pandemic. And on March 11, 2020, COVID widely dismissed by the president as a minor threat from distant China --

DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: One day, it's like a miracle and will disappear.

FOREMAN (voice-over): -- comes crashing home.

TRUMP: To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Overnight, travel screams to a near halt. Millions of workers are told to stay away from the office and start grappling with Zoom calls. The kids' schools are shutting down, too.

MALIA, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: This could be our last time going to school here.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Panic buying strips many grocery stores of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, necessities.

UNKNOWN: All left is, like, salami. You know, I can't afford eating salami every day.

[23:35:01] FOREMAN (voice-over): Food lines sprout out shockingly miles long.

TOM VAUGHN, CHIEF, SOUTHPORT POLICE: We are just kind of all getting together and figuring out how we can help the best way.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Confusion reigns. People are told to wash their groceries and don't bother. Wear masks and maybe not, the trouble will last a couple weeks. But then again --

ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: The worst is yet ahead for us. It is how we respond to that challenge that is going to determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be.

UNKNOWN: How difficult is this?

UNKNOWN: This is warzone. It is a medical warzone.

FOREMAN (voice-over): In hospitals, the worst times come fast. Through too many patients, too few supplies, doctors and nurses pushed beyond exhaustion.

UNKNOWN: Today has been crazy.

FOREMAN (voice-over): And more bodies than morgues can handle. Many families must say farewell by telephone.

UMESH GIDWANI, MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL: One patient expired. It's very hard to lose a patient that you've been fighting for.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Before that crucial day in March, 782 cases and 28 COVID fatalities had been recorded nationwide. By month's end, it is more than 192,000 cases and over 5,000 deaths, including Minister Ronnie Hampton in Louisiana who was diagnosed and dies a day later.

RONNIE HAMPTON, MINISTER IN LOUISIANA: I want you to know that my faith has never wavered.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Now, the number of fatalities in the U.S. is well over a half million, famous, influential, and regular folks.

(On camera): That's about one American dying every minute since March 11th one year ago. Don?

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LEMON (on camera): Tom Foreman, thank you. Beautifully done. Beautifully done, Tom. Thanks.

Republicans are making it harder to vote all across the country. But you may not know just how far their efforts go and how much is at stake.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[23:40:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON (on camera): It's the new Jim Crow. Bills to restrict the vote passing in GOP- controlled state legislatures. Just how widespread is this effort? Well, it's everywhere. CNN's Sara Murray has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Voting right restrictions advancing this week in Iowa and Georgia as Republicans champion similar efforts across the country.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): The yeas are 29 and the nays are 20.

MURRAY (voice-over): Stung by their 2020 losses and buoyed by baseless allegations of voter fraud --

TRUMP: You don't concede when there's theft involved.

MURRAY (voice-over): -- Republicans have been rallying behind voting restrictions.

GOV. KIM REYNOLDS (R-IA): The fact of the matter is there are Americans across the state that have some concerns about what happened in this last election.

MURRAY (voice-over): According to the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, this year, more than 250 bills have been introduced to restrict voting access in at least 43 states. And activists say those measures disproportionately hurt minority communities.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, III, GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER: What worries me most is this is a pattern of consistently suppressing the right to vote for a number of persons within our state, certainly in the Black and brown communities of color in general.

MURRAY (voice-over): In Georgia, a state front and center for former President Trump's unfounded election fraud allegations --

TRUMP: They defrauded us out of a win in Georgia, and we're not going to forget it.

MURRAY (voice-over): -- the republican-led state senate passed a sweeping package this week to repeal no excuse absentee voting, a method 1.3 million residents used to cast their ballots in November.

A separate measure passed by the Georgia house would limit weekend early voting, a blow to souls to the polls events and another hate advocate say to the state's Black voters. Georgia Republicans say the bills simplify rules across the state and reduce cost and strain on election workers.

MIKE DUGAN, MEMBER, GEORGIA STATE SENATE: There is great passion about it because of the last election, but that doesn't mean we should be scared to do what needs to be done.

MURRAY (voice-over): But even Georgia's Republican lieutenant governor boycotted the state senate debate.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): The senate will stand at ease for a moment.

MURRAY (voice-over): And Democratic lawmakers and activists slammed the measures.

UNKNOWN: This is weaponization of Trump's lies.

LATOSHA BROWN, CO-FOUNDER, BLACK VOTES MATTER: They saw this record historic turnout of black voters in the state of Georgia which ultimately led to a different outcome than what they wanted.

MURRAY (voice-over): In Iowa, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signing a law that cuts the number of early voting days to 20 from 29. The legislation also closing polling places an hour earlier, at 8:00 p.m. rather than 9:00 p.m. on Election Day. Republicans have defended the law.

BOBBY KAUFMANN, MEMBER, IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: This is a good bill. This does not suppress a single vote.

MURRAY (voice-over): And in a statement, Reynolds says the legislation strengthens uniformity by providing Iowa's election officials with consistent parameters for Election Day.

But the Iowa law already faces a fight as Democratic election attorney Marc Elias filed litigation to try to stop it from taking effect.

(On camera): And Don, we should also note developments in two other states tonight. In Florida, the senate, they're advancing a bill that would ban drop boxes from mail-in ballots. That is despite bipartisan opposition from local election supervisors. And over in Arizona, the senate there passed a bill to impose new voter I.D. requirements on those submitting early ballots.

Neither of these has gone into law yet. Neither has gone into effect. Obviously, both are of concern to voting rights advocates. Back to you, Don.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

[23:45:00]

LEMON (on camera): All right. Sara Murray, thank you so much. I appreciate that.

A top U.N. official is calling it hell, 400,000 children at risk of dying in one country. CNN investigates next.

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LEMON: Four hundred thousand children are in danger of dying right now in Yemen as the country's six-year Civil War rages on, 400,000 children. That's according to the U.N.'s World Food Programme.

[23:50:00] LEMON (on camera): Now, a new heartbreaking CNN investigation shows just how dire the situation is. The Biden administration says it wants to bring an end to the war, which was partially funded by U.S. tax dollars by no longer backing the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting Iranian-backed Houthis. U.S. backing of the war started under the former president, Barack Obama, and escalated under the former president, Donald Trump.

CNN's investigation finds it has been more two months since the U.S.- backed Saudi blockade has allowed tankers, packed with the desperately needed fuel for food and supplies, to reach starving (INAUDIBLE) by docking at the crucial port of Hodeidah which is controlled by the Houthis.

Fourteen tankers are currently being held off the Saudi coast, according to a vessel tracking app. This in violation of the U.N. agreement is making the conditions on the ground desperate for innocent parents and children.

CNN's Nima Elbagir takes us directly into Houthi territory in northern Yemen to show what -- what is really at stake here. And we want to warn you, some of what you're about to see will be tough to watch.

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NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The derelict coastline of the north of Yemen, rusting (INAUDIBLE) tell a story of war, blockade, and devastation. For years now, the Houthi- controlled north has been increasingly isolated from the outside world.

We secretly travelled through the night by boat after our previous reporting here led the government to deny us entry. On the road to the Hodeidah port, we get a sense of the humanitarian disaster kept from the outside world.

Along the roadside, hundreds of stalled food supply trucks with no fuel to move. In a country in the grip of hunger, their cargo stands spoiling in the hot sun.

The port of Hodeidah is the supply gateway for the rest of the country. It should be bustling with activity. But today, it is eerily empty, a result of the U.S.-backed Saudi blockade. The last time it docked here was in December.

In the echoing silence, it dawns on us, we are about to witness the terrible impact of this blockade.

Desperate patients and family members are trying to get the attention of Dr. Khalid, chairman of the Hodeidah's hospital. If he signs these papers, they get some financial relief for their treatments and medicines. He doesn't get far before he is stopped again and again.

KHALID AHMED SOHIL, CHAIRMAN, AL THOWRA HOSPITAL, HODEIDAH: Nima, this is the pediatric emergency. ELBAGIR (voice-over): Since the Yemen war started six years ago, families have been in financial freefall. The fuel blockade has sped that descent into (INAUDIBLE).

This is the main hospital for Hodeidah province, and we're surrounded by doctors and nurses rushed off their feet.

(On camera): Is this a normal day? Is it this busy all the time?

SOHIL: Not that busy throughout the day (ph).

ELBAGIR (on camera): This is not a busy day?

SOHIL: A normal day.

ELBAGIR (on camera): Wow!

(Voice-over): Dr. Khalid wants to show us some of his critical patients in the Therapeutic Feeding Center. A 10-year-old girl whose growth has been so stunted by starvation she can no longer stand.

(On camera): Dr. Khalid says every hour of every day, they are receiving more and more cases of severe malnutrition that are this advanced because the parents can't afford to feed their children. They also can't afford to bring them to the hospital to treat them.

(Voice-over): The U.N. says pockets of Yemen are in famine-like conditions. But it says Hodeidah is not considered one of them because it doesn't meet the metrics to declare a famine. But Dr. Khalid thinks the reality on the ground has outpaced the U.N.'s projections.

The Saudi fuel blockade is biting. Malnutrition numbers are spiking. At the same time, this busy hospital is running out of the vital fuel that keeps its generators running, which means that babies like Maryanne (ph), who doctors say at two months weighs the same as a newborn, would die.

Yemen has been devastated by a Civil War which has pitted Iran-backed Ansarrullah, known as Houthis, against the internationally-recognized government and a U.S.-backed Saudi-led coalition. We are in Houthi territory. Some of those officials have been designated as terrorists by the U.S. for targeting neighboring Saudi Arabia.

We have been granted a rare interview with a leading Houthi official. We must meet in an undisclosed location because his aides say, of the threat of assassination. We asked him to respond to allegations they are escalating this war.

MOHAMMED ALI AL-HOUTHI, SENIOR HOUTHI OFFICIAL (through translator): Not true at all. The battle is continuing. It has not stopped.

ELBAGIR (on camera): Do you trust America to take forward negotiations, to bring peace here in Yemen?

AL-HOUTHI (through translator): Trust must come about decisions. So far, we have not seen any concrete decisions being made.

ELBAGIR (on camera): You have spoken about being subjected as a nation to international terror.

[23:54:59]

ELBAGIR (on camera): But three of the leaders within the Ansarullah movement are designated by the U.S. as terrorists. One of your key slogans talks about death to America. How do you see this as pushing forward the negotiation and the possibility for peace in the future?

AL-HOUTHI (through translator): When we say death to America, they effectively kill us with their bombs, rockets and blockades. They provide logistics and intelligence support and their actual participation in the battle. So who is bigger and greater, the ones who are killing us or the ones who say death to them?

ELBAGIR (voice-over): The Biden administration has announced that it has withdrawn support for the Saudi offensive. But it comes after six long years of war. For the children dying of hunger, it still hasn't brought peace any quicker. Peace and help can't come soon enough.

(On camera): Over half the hospitals in this district are threatened. This is one of them. They need urgent support, urgent help. Can you imagine what it would do to this community if this facility was shut down? Look at the chaos that there is already here and that is why it's functioning.

(Voice-over): For years now, the U.N. has been warning that famine is coming to Yemen. Doctors across Yemen's north tell us famine has arrived. Another hospital is witnessing wave after wave of children in the red zone, severe malnourishment. Impoverished mothers desperate to keep their children alive are forced to make harrowing choices.

UNKNOWN (through translator): Just to get to the hospital, I stopped eating and drinking, not even water, just to get him treated.

ELBAGIR (voice-over): These doctors are keeping track of the numbers spiking beyond what they ever imagined.

(On camera): The doctor is saying that in 2020, this population -- 23 percent of the children under five here was severely malnourished. In 2021, think they that number is going to go over 30 percent. There is no doubt in his mind, he says, that they here are in famine.

(Voice-over): Nearly three years ago, the U.N. Security Council condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare, demanding access to supplied that are necessary for food preparation, including water and fuel, be kept intact. Here and in other conflicts, that clearly hasn't happened.

What's more, the world has stopped caring. The U.N. needs almost $4 billion to staunch this crisis. They received less than half that from donors. Numbers don't lie, but numbers also don't reflect the full tragedy.

This is Hassan Hani (ph), 10 months and struggling to breathe. He came into the hospital six days ago. He keeps losing weight, even with the critical care he's receiving. Hours after we left, Hassan Hani (ph) died, one more child in Yemen that represents so much more pain. The doctors here are desperate for the world to see and to help.

Nima Elbagir, CNN, Hodeidah, Yemen.

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LEMON (on camera): Nima, thank you so much for bringing this to us. I want to mention that CNN has reached out to Saudi Arabia for comment, but hasn't gotten a reply yet.

And thank you for watching, everyone. Our coverage continues.

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