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Texas Drought Worse than Dust Bowl; Debt Ceiling Debate Rages On; Warren Jeffs Defends Himself; How Is the Debt Ceiling Like Your Credit Card?; CNN Hero Helps the Poor; Pooches Try to Stay Cool; Seniors Frightened by Talk of Benefit Cuts
Aired July 30, 2011 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Top of the hour, several people have been injured in a plane crash in Guyana, but no one was killed. The Boeing 737 originated in New York and crashed at an airport in Georgetown early this morning. The plane split in two.
The Caribbean Airlines plane was carrying more than 160 passengers and crew.
The hunt is on for the person or people who stole 27 rifles from Fort Irwin in California. That's where the army conducts extensive desert training. The rifles were reported missing two weeks ago, and, so far, we're hearing one firearm has been recovered.
Federal investigators are hoping a $10,000 reward will lead them to the weapons or to whomever may have taken them.
The AWOL private accused of plotting an attack on soldiers stationed at Fort Hood in Texas is now being held without bond. Naser Jason Abdo was in court yesterday.
Police arrested Abdo after being tipped off by a gun store clerk. Officials say they found bomb-making materials in Abdo's motel room. They also say Abdo admitted that he planned to set off bombs at a restaurant popular with soldiers.
And Texas is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in its history. Right now in Texas, conditions are worse than during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
Take a look at this house right here across Texas. Many houses are shifting on their foundations because of the extreme dry soil. In some cases foundations have sunk or shifted more than 5 inches, and repairs are expensive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF MARSDEN, TEXAS HOMEOWNER: It sank even more since the drought. It's cracked. You know, front door locks, I had changed out about a month and a half ago, and now the front door wouldn't lock again because it has sunk down.
There's big cracks in the - in the ground where there were just little cracks, and it's just getting worse. (END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Wow. Unbelievable.
Another sign of the worsening drought this week is ponds evaporate. Ranchers are now selling their cattle early at a loss. This is likely to translate into higher food prices for all of us.
All right, just three days to possible default and still no solution in sight. The U.S. Senate rejected a U.S. House plan to raise the debt ceiling last night, and, in just a few minutes or so, the House is expected to block a Senate plan to raise the debt ceiling.
Democrats and Republicans continue to spar on Capitol Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D), MAJORITY WHIP: This is not a crisis which we couldn't control. This isn't an earthquake or a tornado or a hurricane. It isn't a war. It is a created political crisis.
The extension of the debt ceiling has been done routinely 89 times since 1939, 50 times - 55 times by Republican presidents, 34 times by Democratic presidents, and President Ronald Reagan holds the record, having extended the debt ceiling 18 times in eight years without a confrontation, without the American economy threatening a collapse.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), MINORITY LEADER: The measure my good friend is offering is not acceptable to the Senate, is not acceptable to the House. It will not pass.
I think the American people would appreciate it if we go on and get that out of the way and get serious about talking. And -
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, live to Capitol Hill right now, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid now in the room. Let's take that full screen and see if the expectation is that he will be speaking.
All right, let's check in with our Kate Bolduan. She is on Capitol Hill as well to give us an idea of exactly what is taking place right now.
We know that Senators Mitch McConnell had a lot to say, so did Patrick Leahy moments ago, as well, Dick Durbin. We've been hearing from all of them who've been debating this whole issue of trying to reach some compromise as the sparring continues.
Kate, while we wait for Harry Reid to speak, give us an idea of what's taking place. Where are we as it pertains to these proposals?
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're tracking a couple of things right at this very moment, Fredricka. One thing we are watching, of course, we're waiting to hear from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. He will be integral in reaching whatever compromise - if there is a compromise to be reached, he'll be integral in - in being part of those negotiations on the part of Democrats here in Congress.
I think he is actually speaking, Fredricka, so why don't we listen in for just a second.
SEN. HARRY REID (D), MAJORITY LEADER: ... be fairly quick.
There has been a number of conversations as I walk in here about the letter I got from 43 Republicans today. It's pretty interesting that the 43 Republicans, a number of whom are in contact with me and others - for example, one of the people who signed that letter has - has met with one of my Democratic senators, and that Democratic senator has met with the chairman of the Budget Committee, and so there are things going on.
I don't know what the 43 letters was meant to be, whether the stalling, (INAUDIBLE) understand. But, the fact is, we have 43 people on this letter, Republicans, a number of whom have already agreed to work with us. Whether it bears fruit, we will see.
Now, we - people under - should understand what this is all about. The only game in town, the only one left standing is the (INAUDIBLE) at the end of the day (ph). We have the ability to change that still today. Before the 12:00 hour passes, we can still do this. We can still change this.
If my Republican colleagues, acting in good faith, come to me with a proposal that's what we will do. We are at a crucial time in the history of the country. It was said before, but it's true.
The four Republicans who didn't sign the letter, I hope they sign this letter (ph). But I certainly hope those that have signed the letter will continue working with us and help us come up with a proposal.
We have until midnight tonight. That's what we're doing here on the floor. We're stopping a filibuster. We're doing our very best to stop the stalling on this important piece of legislation. They, meaning the Republicans.
To show you how tight the stakes are, let me look at an "AP" news article that came out today. In fact, a few minutes ago. I read, "A half a world away from Capitol Hill," in fact, "a Capitol Hill deadlock, the economy and debt crisis are weighing heavily on U.S. troops in Afghanistan. And the top question on their minds Saturday, even as bombings rock the city around them, was the top U.S. military officer couldn't answer." It was a question he couldn't answer. "Will we get paid?"
These are soldiers in Afghanistan, with the bombs bursting around them, and here is what the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, and I quote, "I actually don't know the answer to that question," Admiral Mike Mullen responded, while at the same time telling them, continuing to work each day. Working in each day is defending this country, wearing the uniform and listening to bombs go off around them. That's why today we have with us some - what is referred to you - by you press folks as real people. I guess we're not. We have students like Laura and Sydney; we have veterans like Bill and Roger and Carlos; Arianna, who is a senior; Guillermo, who is a senior; Lucia, who's a senior; Julio is a senior; Felicia is a senior; Muriel is a senior; Alyssa is a senior. They're here, representing the millions of people around this country who are as brave as the soldiers on the frontlines in Afghanistan.
We don't have time for more delaying tactics. We need to get to the business at hand. We have a message that we can send back to the House very quickly. That's why we got rid of the - I'm sorry, that's why we give the message so quickly last night, is we wanted to get to what we're trying to do today, and that is solve this problem we have. We can't do this alone. We need the Republicans to join with us.
We hope that before midnight approaches that they will come to us and we will have worked during that - during the day to say, thanks. That is a good idea. But I haven't heard anything from the Republican leader.
Now, I hope that he knows his troops are concerned. Now, we know that. All of us know that. We have talked to Republicans.
We have a proposal that is a proposal that the president will sign. It takes into consideration many of the objectives the Republicans had. There are no revenues. There are cuts that lowers the debt by $2.4 trillion, allows - allows us to increase the debt ceiling by $2.4 or five trillion (ph). It's a fair piece of legislation.
If they think it can be improved, let them tell us how they think it can be improved. They have until midnight tonight to do that.
Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator, you need (INAUDIBLE) of the White House?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) you say that in your comments (INAUDIBLE) just 20 feet away from you. I think a lot of people can't understand why the two of you can't get into a room and work this out.
REID: I have a little trouble understanding that myself, why we have, for days, received no responses from the Republicans, why they have not been willing to work with us on what most of us feel we've - they've done a lot that they wanted. As I indicated yesterday, I say again today, Fred Thompson said, take your chips and go home. you've won.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator, (INAUDIBLE) that meeting at the White House, who else is going to be there and -
REID: I - I don't know. I don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) schedule it?
REID: I didn't schedule it. I was going to note (INAUDIBLE) at 3:30. Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about this amendment or (INAUDIBLE) amendment of some sort, given the - and - and also (INAUDIBLE) trillion dollars more savings in -
REID: Let's take those one at a time. Balanced budget amendment, now that's one thing that Senator McConnell have talked about lots of times. We have no problem with the balanced budget amendment.
We have one on our side that - that Senator Mark Udall has worked very hard to prepare. It's ready to go. We have no problem with that. We - we - if they want a balanced budget vote, we want to have one.
It seems a little odd to me, however, that for something as important as this, an effort to get the bare majority that they've got in the House yesterday, they put in their bill that a - you have to actually pass the constitutional amendment before they will allow the debt to be increased. That's a little extreme, I would think.
We're really happy to have a vote on balanced budget amendments. We've had them before. We'll be happy to have them again.
On your other question, we've had two wars that this administration didn't start either one of them, and we don't need to go into it, the wars. I haven't been a big fan of the Iraq War, as most everyone knows. But that war has cost us almost $2 trillion. Now, the Afghanistan War, the Iraq War, are winding down.
The Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office have looked at this and they said in - if you take $1 trillion, it will lower the debt by $1 trillion and allow us to take an additional $200 billion in interest savings. That's what we have in our bill. It's all been done by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
So I can't imagine the fact that they have voted for it. It's 230 Republicans voted for that in the so-called Ryan budget. Forty Republicans over here voted for the Ryan budget. Why is it suddenly something they don't want? Is it they've -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator Reid, you noted the four Republicans that didn't sign the letter. Scott Brown that was (INAUDIBLE) he's working with you and he will vote for your bill, but he's trying to get (INAUDIBLE). I wonder if you could speak to that, and if there are three others, assuming you polled your caucus on (INAUDIBLE). What - are the three -
REID: Your - your math is terrific. (INAUDIBLE) those four is 57, and we got three more. We got 60.
The issue has been now for a week or so a tribune. If the Joint Committee doesn't come up with a result, what should happen? And we've been willing for (INAUDIBLE) happen if we don't arrive at the budget goals with the Joint Committee that certain things should happen. We've been willing to say that there could be a sequestration, as long as it included some revenue. It's unfair to make this all a spending deal and we have billionaires and millionaires and corporate jets and yachts and all this stuff. It should be fair.
The American people agree with us. They agree with us. The polls, Democrats and Republicans, Independents all agree that there should be shared sacrifice. That's our bill, called the shared sacrifice bill. It was the vehicle we move on this floor.
So I - we're happy to have a trigger, but they cannot keep turning their head away from the American people who say there should be shared sacrifice.
This will be the last question.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Senator McConnell (INAUDIBLE) should be at the table. Will you encourage him to sit (INAUDIBLE)?
REID: I - in a little colloquy I had with Senator McConnell on the floor today, he's got to get this straight in his own mind. He complained on the Senate floor and was called to the White House last Saturday, and he told the president I want to be here. Let's work this out on our self - by ourselves. Now, today, he's changed his mind. He wants the president involved.
The president has been involved. He told us - and I also said this on the floor - with the Republican and Democrat leaders and the cabinet room of the White House, he had been there a long time. It's been a long meeting. He said I have spent more time - and I'm paraphrasing what he said - I had spent more time dealing with this breaking the debt ceiling than all the other presidents combined. So he has put in the time.
Ronald Reagan had the debt increased during his eight years as president 18 times. He didn't spend 10 minutes with members of Congress getting the debt ceiling raised. It was not an issue. It's only become an issue with this Tea Party - Tea Party driven Republicans.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator, (INAUDIBLE) should not be (INAUDIBLE)?
REID: Pardon me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does that mean (INAUDIBLE) that the president does not need to be at the table on this final round of talks this weekend?
REID: Well, Senator McConnell said he wanted it on his (INAUDIBLE), you know? We'll see. He can't have it both ways. The president has always been fully willing to be engaged.
Thanks.
WHITFIELD: Clearly a very frustrated Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid there, underscoring exactly what is at stake here, him saying that we're at a crucial time in history. And he underscored that what he has proposed is a fair piece of legislation. It's been so-called kind of the Reid Plan. It lowers the debt by $2.3 trillion, and he says if Republicans want to improve it, he says they have until midnight tonight in which to do so.
Let's check in with our Congressional correspondent, Kate Bolduan, who is there on Capitol Hill. Clearly, he's very frustrated, but, at the same time, he says there has been some cooperation from the White House to try to be involved with members of Capitol Hill, and he's trying to kind of correct what Senator Mitch McConnell said earlier that the president is distancing himself from coming up with a solid plan.
BOLDUAN: Right. But, at the same time, of course, Fredricka, in - at this point in the game, there's quite a heightened rhetoric on both sides. And we've also heard from Republicans that they have not had much communication from the White House. That, of course, is their position, and they think that at this point that negotiations need to happen first here on Capitol Hill and - and then bring in the White House.
But we are hearing today, especially from the Republican leader in the House, Mitch McConnell. He says that any deal at this point that is going to be struck has to involve the president, especially - or at least some member of the White House, to be quite honest, in order to get this across the finish line because we are so close to the deadline at this point.
But while we were listening to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speak in that press conference, we are also - I was also keeping an eye on the House floor as the vote on House - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill was coming to an actual vote, and that vote happened and the conclusion was exactly as we had expected, Fredricka, that it did fail. This was, of course, kind of the point, that House Republican leadership wanted to bring this forward to show that Reid's bill did not have the support to pass in the House.
So now we've kind of had a tit for tat over the past day or - over the past day. The same basically happened in the - in the Senate in terms of Boehner's bill coming up and the Senate shooting it down, showing that it did not have the support to pass there. Now, the same happening in the House. And now, of course, everyone is asking when are the negotiations really going to begin to - once this maneuvering is done, which it is now over with, now can they really start talking - Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: OK. And, of course, it's - it's the old question, now what? I mean, the House, we understand, has adjourned until tomorrow at some point. So then, conceivably, no House members will be negotiating with one another, Republicans, Democrats, or even talking to the Senate side, until maybe 24 hours from now?
BOLDUAN: Well, I'll tell you, one thing that actually a member of the Democratic leadership in the Senate, Senator Dick Durbin, told - has told reporters over the past couple of days, well, you're going to see action on the floor, and we did see quite a bit of action on the floor in the Senate and the House today. There's a lot of talking going on. But, historically, when it comes to a big piece of legislation or something that is as controversial as this debt ceiling extension has become, the deal is struck when the leadership - when the real negotiators get into a room, sit down at a table, and say, OK, what are we going to do here? And how are we going to come to agree with it?
This things don't get - really get worked out, if - if you will, on the Senate floor or the House, though. They get worked out inside a room when they can all, you know, not talk to the cameras, talk to each other and then come out and vote on it.
So, I can assure you that they are working towards at least getting to those conversations. But to offer some perspective, because I'm sure people are asking, then why are they going through these motions of having these votes? There is a sense among especially Senate Republicans or just the Republicans in general that they really couldn't maybe - they couldn't really start negotiating or really start talking until they - Reid's bill was on the same footing as the Boehner bill, which was that they are on record, showing that neither can pass Congress.
So, now we're at this point, and now there's really no excuse. They need to start negotiating.
WHITFIELD: OK, and interestingly, we understand now - or at least our sources are telling us - that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are making their way to the White House, but unclear whether there will be any Republican representation on its way to the White House or having any kind of dialogue at all with the president. Are you hearing anything about that?
BOLDUAN: I haven't heard yet. Of course, we did just hear Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. I mean, he seemed actually surprised himself that he had just gotten the message that he needed to head over to the White House. So I'll need to make a couple of calls and see who else will be sitting around that table as well.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Kate Bolduan, in Capitol Hill. Appreciate that.
BOLDUAN: Of course (ph).
WHITFIELD: All right. So the debt crisis in Washington having a palpable effect on the rest of the country. I-Reporters are expressing frustration with Congress as the deadline for default draws near.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD LANG, I-REPORTER: Congress, would you guys please remember the Golden Rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's not do unto others before they do unto you. Please go back to Sunday School.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: All right. If you want to share your opinion on the debt impasse, upload your video at CNN.com/i-Report.
And this program note, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell will be on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" to discuss the debate tomorrow. That's tomorrow morning, 9:00 A.M. Eastern time.
And just what is it going to take to find a solution to our debt crisis? Wolf Blitzer and Don Lemon break down all the hurdles and options. Don't miss "Get It Done: Countdown to Debt Crisis," Sunday night, 9:00 P.M. Eastern, only on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, taking a look at international headlines now.
A low key royal wedding tops our look at international stories. Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, Zara Philips, married rugby player Mike Tindall in a private ceremony in Scotland's capital today. The bride wore an ivory silk gown by Stewart Parvin, one of the Queen's favorite designers.
A ten-hour interrogation of the Norway terror suspect reveals he planned to attack other targets. Investigators are not saying what the other targets were.
And in Italy, DNA evidence came under scrutiny today at the appeal trial of Amanda Knox. She is the American student convicted of the 2007 murder of her British roommate. Court appointed forensic experts say two key pieces of evidence used to convict her should not have been admitted.
All right, back in the U.S. now, Warren Jeffs, the polygamous sect leader on trial for sexual assault on a child, says he can defend himself better than anyone else, so he has fired his lawyers. I talked with our legal guys about this move earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think he fired his attorneys so that he could stare down any of the prosecution witnesses that are put on the stand from his - his cult and intimidate them.
But, basically, the other day in court, outside the presence of the jury, he basically told the judge, if - basically, if anybody rules against him or he has any problems as a result of this, everyone is going to suffer and they're going to die. That's the message he gave to the judge. The judge warned him, if he does that in the presence of the jury, he's - they're going to throw him out of the courtroom.
His message, Fred, is this - he has a religion that's been around for 100 years. He believes that they can rape children, they can molest children, they can have - they can father babies with children, and it's OK because it's all cloaked under the veil of his religion.
That's not how it works, and, you know, it will be a sad day if we get a repeat of a Casey Anthony in this particular case.
WHITFIELD: So, Avery, you see it differently?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: What? Oh, my goodness, this has nothing to do with Casey Anthony. I didn't see any relation.
Look, the fact is that Judge Barbara Walther in San Angelo has actually been taking control. She has been advising Mr. Jeffs, look, you're not making an opening statement, you're not generally objecting. When he did object, she permitted the objection, excused the jury, let him rant, Fredricka, for one hour. So she's protected the record to make sure there's an integrity in the process.
Ironically, he was convicted in Utah of related activities, but he had good lawyers. This time, he burned through seven lawyers, gave them up. Now, he's put himself in jeopardy, and I think there's no question but that within one more - about one more week, he's looking for a conviction.
WHITFIELD: OK.
FRIEDMAN: We'll look for a conviction.
WHITFIELD: OK, and putting himself in jeopardy, is it - that pertains to a conviction. He's facing life in prison -
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
WHITFIELD: -- but it also - also, does it, I guess, leave the door open that potentially he could face new charges for going on or, you know, breaking kind of courtroom decorum? Might that happen, Avery?
FRIEDMAN: Well, he's - he's making admissions that can indeed be used by law enforcement to re-charge him for other crimes.
It's really - you know what? If the matter weren't so serious, Fredricka, it's utterly zany. I mean, not yearning for Zion (ph), he's yearning for get me out of here, and he's doing it all wrong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. You can catch our legal guys every Saturday beginning at noon Eastern.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The House of Representatives has just rejected a U.S. Senate plan to raise the American debt ceiling, putting the nation one step closer to possible default on Tuesday. The House has now adjourned until 1:00 PM Sunday. Republicans Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are scheduled to hold a news conference shortly, and CNN will bring that to you live. Meantime, Democrats Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are heading to the White House for a meeting. Stay with CNN for all the continuing developments.
And recent polls show Americans want lawmakers to compromise on a debt deal, even if it means reaching an agreement they don't completely like. That call for compromise can be heard loud and clear from iReporters weighing in on CNN.com.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIE COX, IREPORTER: Let's stop the bickering. Let's stop the show of disrespect between the different parties, as well as the parties and the president (INAUDIBLE) get down to business. Let's get out of this mess that we're in, regardless of who got us here and how it happened. We've never defaulted on a loan. Let's not start now. Let's not shipwreck this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And if you want to share your opinion on the debt crisis, upload your video at CNN.com/ireport.
All right, a plane that originated in New York crashed at an airport in Georgetown, Guyana, early this morning. The Boeing 77 (SIC) split in two. No one was killed, but several people were injured. The Caribbean Airlines plane was carrying more than 160 passengers and crew.
And there is a $10,000 reward being offered after 27 rifles were stolen from the Ft. Irwin Army post in California. The rifles were reported missing earlier this month out of a weapons storage area. The ATF says several arrests have been made already and one firearm has actually been recovered.
All right, are you confused by all this debt talk in Washington? It's easy to get lost in the billions and trillions of dollars. CNN's Richard Quest makes it easier to understand.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD QUEST, HOST, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS": I want you to think of the current crisis in terms of a credit card. It's been issued by U.S. taxpayers and bondholders, the bank of borrowers, and it's been issued to the U.S. government.
Now, needless to say, the government has a platinum credit card. It can borrow money and has done for many decades. This credit card has fueled the U.S. economy. Well, now the credit card bill has arrived, and it shows a sorry state of affairs, overspending at over $118 billion a month.
But notice (ph) the sign (ph) of major (ph) reduction, and that spending -- well, you and I spend for clothes and meals and movies. In this case, it's defense, Medicare, Social Security. But there's actually very few areas that you can cut back on. This is pretty much all that can be cut. The rest, sacrosanct!
So that's the scenario under which the overspending takes place. The U.S. credit card that we've just shown you has a debt limit, much as you and I would have -- in fact, exactly as you and I would have. But in the U.S. case, it's $14.3 trillion. Now, when you and I overspend, we ring the bank and say, Raise the limit. The U.S. has done that 74 times since 1962 -- interestingly, the year I was born.
What has happened now with that credit card? The bank has basically said August the 2nd is the date when you can no longer borrow anymore. There are some people who suggest it may be August the 15th when the cash runs out. It doesn't really matter which it is. When all is said and done, the credit card bill has arrived. The credit card is groaning under its own weight. And the U.S. government has been told by borrowers it's time to stop spending. Richard Quest, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And now, still on Capitol Hill, a collision of proposals. We understand that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are on their way to the White House right now after a defeat of the Senate plan, the Reid plan, in the House, that vote taking place earlier today. And apparently, now House members will not reconvene back on the Hill until tomorrow at roughly 1:00 o'clock Sunday time. So we'll keep you posted on how that meeting is to take place.
We also understand that House Speaker John Boehner is expected to hold a press conference maybe something like 15 minutes or so from now. When that happens, we'll take that live for you. And this programming note. Republican senator Mitch McConnell will be on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" to discuss the debt debate of tomorrow, Sunday morning, 9:00 AM Eastern time.
Also, just what is it going to take to find a solution to our debt crisis? Wolf Blitzer and Don Lemon break down all the hurdles and options. Don't miss "Get It Done: Countdown to Debt Crisis" Sunday night, 9:00 o'clock Eastern time, only on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: It's so hot and so dry across almost every inch of Texas that conditions are worse right now than they were during the Dust Bowl years ago. And if that isn't enough, the drought has fueled a grasshopper invasion. Take a look right here. Texas farmers have repeatedly sprayed, but the pests just simply keep coming back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY WALDEN, TEXAS FARMER: About 10 days ago, we sprayed. And probably the crop of grasshoppers that are here now have hatched out since then.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So the only good news, if you can call it that, is that there's not much left for the grasshoppers to actually eat. Well, not good news if you're a grasshopper.
(LAUGHTER)
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No!
WHITFIELD: Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras. It's very dry.
JERAS: It is. And it's dangerous.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: ... cows...
JERAS: Right, cattle, either.
WHITFIELD: That's right. Cattle are being sold. Crops are not growing.
JERAS: Right.
WHITFIELD: It's quite miserable. And we saw earlier, homes are shifting from their foundations because of the cracked soil.
JERAS: Yes. That's a big problem.
(CROSSTALK)
JERAS: ... in the Houston area that has been dealing with that problem. This is the drought monitor. So once a week, they will take a good look here, NOAA will, at the conditions, the soil moisture, how much rainfall we've had compared to where things should be. And there you can see the outline of the state of Texas. We'll show it a little bit easier for you.
And look at all of this dark brown. Dark brown is extremely bad. That's what we call an exceptional drought. And we're talking nearly 75 percent of the state dealing with this. And the entire state is dealing with at least some type of drought conditions. So it really is a very extreme situation.
And you know, we've been dealing with a little tropical system there, Don, which moved in late yesterday. And we were really hoping not necessarily for a drought-buster, but a little bit of relief, right? So bring us a little bit of rain! If we've got to have a tropical system, let's get something good out of it. And it was a weak system, 50 miles per hour when it made landfall. But look at how this thing fizzled out.
When the ground is dry like this, it's hard to get any moisture out of it. So maybe what's left of Don as it brought a little bit of rain down, maybe as much as a half of an inch for some of these areas, that will provide a little bit of moisture to, hopefully, get things going and start getting more active systems coming in here. But this time of the year, we really don't get cold fronts that drop on down and you really have to look for tropical development to help out.
And here's some numbers to show you the deficit of the rainfall across the state. Many areas are looking at a foot or more in terms of rainfall that they need just to make up where we should be for this time of the year. We do have another tropical system out here. It's just a wave right now, but the model's picking this up into our next named storm, probably Emily. It's going to be a good week before this will get any anywhere near the U.S. If you can see, most of the models bring it in towards the Leeward and Windward Islands. Typically, we'll see development for tropical system up here as we head into July. But now as we head into August, what a difference. So things are really going to be changing in the upcoming weeks -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. All right. We look forward to that. Thank you, Jacqui.
All right, well, with so many people struggling to make ends meet, any little bit helps. So in a moment, you are going to meet a man whose life -- whose life's work, that is, is providing that little extra support.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. welcome back. Under 30 minutes ago, we heard from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Capitol Hill. And now momentarily, we're expecting to hear from House Speaker John Boehner taking to that microphone stand right there on the lefthand side of your screen before the House adjourns until being back in session tomorrow 1:00 o'clock Eastern time. We'll take it live when John Boehner steps to the microphone.
All right, meantime, the time is now to help for Sal Dimiceli. It's is more than just a saying, it's actually his passion. When he was just 12, He vowed to help people in need. He's our "CNN Hero of the Week."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAL DIMICELI, CNN HERO, COMMUNITY CRUSADER: When I go through suburbia America or the small towns, everybody's trying to hold their head up with pride.
You've been looking for work? OK. I know it's tough in a recession.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I went and sold all my jewelry yesterday.
DIMICELI: These people behind closed doors, they tell their neighbors they're fine. They'd sooner go in the house and starve.
(On camera): How much you all need right now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The gas bill, I owe about $800.
DIMICELI: I find this situation is getting worse. They need food. They need help with their utilities. I mean, this is 2011 in America? We should be helping each other.
I'm Sal Dimiceli, and my mission is to help my fellow Americans who have fallen onto hard times. In a week, I'll receive 20 to 30 letters. "Me and my family are in desperate need of help. We do not want to become homeless."
I want to verify it's genuine, and I want to get to them as quickly as possible.
I know right now it's tough for everybody. But we'll be here for you. We'll help you out.
I tell them how I grew up in poverty and how I understand.
Here's $100 for gas.
I help people with necessities of daily life. And at the same time, I get them together to do a budget so they can continue to survive.
I brought this for you so you can go get your wedding band back.
I want them to feel free of their pain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm so happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you!
DIMICELI: I want them to feel the compassion that we're trying to share with them, to wrap our arms around them and say, Come on, I have a little extra strength I want to share with you, and let's get you back on your feet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: For decades, Dimiceli's non-profit has provided basic needs and often much more to more than 500 people a year. If you know someone who deserves special recognition, just go to CNNheroes.com.
Up next, a viral video of one very determined and resourceful little dog.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, so everyone's trying to figure out, How do I stay cool in this heat?
JERAS: In the dog days of summer!
WHITFIELD: In the dog days of summer.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: And this little Fido was...
JERAS: There's two of them.
WHITFIELD: Yes, two. But this one in particular really was a bulldog about it.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Watch. He's hot. He takes a little sip and says, You know what? I got an idea. Let's take this puppy home.
JERAS: Yes, apparently, it was too hot outside to stay outside in the pool, so the dog drags this thing...
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness!
JERAS: ... full of water and tries to bring it through the patio door.
WHITFIELD: And the other one's, like, Wait a minute, I just want another sip.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Another sip, please!
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: OK, yes, just do this, shimmy it on into the doorway.
JERAS: I'm just wondering if they think it's a toy or if they think it's...
WHITFIELD: I don't know!
JERAS: ... like, a big water dish.
WHITFIELD: But this really speaks to the brilliance of the pooch, huh?
JERAS: Well, it's got to be heavy with all that water in there, right?
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: ... getting difficult...
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: ... shape -- shape's not making it into the doorway. Turn it sideways! Get rid of the water!
(LAUGHTER)
JERAS: Unbelievable!
WHITFIELD: That was two smart pooches, but one in particular.
JERAS: But what are the owners thinking, I'm guessing, that are videotaping this thing, right?
(CROSSTALK)
JERAS: I wouldn't let my dog bring in the...
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: ... more than one that they would...
JERAS: Perhaps.
WHITFIELD: ... get the videocamera.
JERAS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: It's cute, though.
JERAS: That was cute. We like that.
WHITFIELD: We still are not really sure which city this -- from which this originates. But if you know, let us know. It's cute, nonetheless.
JERAS: He is.
WHITFIELD: But it has gone viral.
JERAS: Two dogs are better than one.
WHITFIELD: That's right. Oh! All right, thanks, Jacqui.
JERAS: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: We'll see you again for more weather, more hot stuff, and I don't know, maybe another good viral for the day...
JERAS: Yes. Sure! Why not?
WHITFIELD: ... before we close it up. All right. Sounds good.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, the debt debate still unresolved. At the White House, we understand that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are on their way to talk to the president there and try to work something out. And then on Capitol Hill, we understand that House leader John Boehner any moment now will be taking to the microphones there to talk about where the House goes from here.
The House rejected the Senate plan, the Reid plan, early today, and this after the Senate rejected the House plan yesterday. So we'll try to get some semblance of what's going to take place next from Capitol Hill or the White House. When that happens, we'll take it live.
All right, CNN's Sandra Endo talks to some Americans who are very worried about may happen next as it pertains to the debt ceiling. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The political dance in Washington is frustrating for senior citizens at this Pasadena center. They want the debt problem solved. But 81-year-old Mildred Hawkins says it shouldn't be on their backs.
MILDRED HAWKINS, SENIOR CITIZEN: I worked years and years to save money to live off when I become a senior. What do I have to look forward to now?
ENDO: That's because cuts to Social Security and Medicare are on the table. Tens of millions of seniors across the country rely on those programs to survive. Without the benefits, many say they'd be out on the street.
BOBBIE BROOKS, SENIOR CITIZEN: I wouldn't be able to function, you know, so I hate that that day is staring us in the face.
ENDO (on camera): You've been watching this political fight play out in Washington. What do you think of all the back-and-forth bickering?
ANASTASIA STEWART, SENIOR CITIZEN: I think I would like to see all of them have to trade places with us and let them try and live on what we don't have and what they're trying to even cut more of.
ENDO (voice-over): The AARP is putting pressure on Congress with an aggressive petition campaign.
ERNIE POWELL, AARP: You cannot cut these programs for people that have worked all of their lives and earned them.
ENDO: When the autumn leaves start to fall, seniors typically come out strong to vote, and they will remember.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, House leader, Speaker John Boehner speaking now on Capitol Hill. Let's listen.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: ... a reasonable and responsible approach that will end this crisis and get our economy moving again and get Americans back to work. And the only thing standing in the way of the House proposal over in the Senate is the president and Senator Reid. It's time for them to tell us what they're for, time to tell us how they're going to get us out of the cul-de-sac that they've driven our country into. And so we're hoping that we'll hear from them soon about their plan for how we end this crisis.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MINORITY LEADER: I don't want to linger too long on the spectacle that's going on over in the Senate, but it is worth noting that you have the majority, in effect, refusing to accept a vote on their own proposal. We know the Reid proposal will not pass the Senate. We know it will not pass the House. And my view is we ought to end that charade and get serious. Now, in the category of getting serious, I've spoken to both the president and the vice president within the last hour. We are now fully engaged, the speaker and I, with the one person in America out of 307 million people who can sign a bill into law, I'm confident and optimistic that we're going to get an agreement in the very near future and resolve this crisis in the best interests of the American people.
BOEHNER: A couple of questions.
QUESTION: Yes. Mr. Speaker, question for you. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in Afghanistan, and he was asked by a number of soldiers whether they're going to get their checks next week. How can you even allow these soldiers to wonder whether they're going to get paid?
BOEHNER: I think Senator McConnell and I are both confident that we're going to be able to come to some agreement with the White House and end this impasse.
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: ... delay the vote for various reasons the past couple of days, but did this buy time where we could have had this realistically worked out with a bipartisan agreement next door (ph)?
BOEHNER: We could have had this bill finished early this past week. There was a bipartisan agreement between myself and the Senate leaders to move the underlying bill that we moved through the House yesterday. And if the president -- all he had to do was say yes and that bill would have moved quickly through both the House and the Senate. And so we've wasted a week that we didn't need to waste. And now we've been driven into this cul-de-sac, and it's time for the president to decide how we're going to get out of it.
(CROSSTALK)
QUESTION: Specifically, what gives you confidence you're going to get an agreement?
BOEHNER: In spite of our differences, I think we're dealing with reasonable, responsible people who want this crisis to end as quickly as possible. And I'm confident that we will.
MCCONNELL: You know, let me just add...
(CROSSTALK)
MCCONNELL: Let me just add, you know, our country is not going to default for the first time in history. That is not going to happen. We now have, I think, a level of seriousness with the right people at the table that we needed and thought we had, as the Speaker indicated, last weekend. We're going to get a result.
(CROSSTALK) QUESTION: Mr. Speaker, you guys have both proven that you cannot do this on your own and it's going to take a bipartisan vote. Now you're saying you're waiting on the president and Harry Reid to get something to you guys. How are you guys planning to work together with three days left to get something done?
BOEHNER: We have worked together for most of the year to try to avoid this. (INAUDIBLE) Senator McConnell and I had a solid agreement last Sunday. It was the president who derailed that agreement. And it's time for the president to tell us what he's for. It's time for the president to outline how we get out of this cul-de-sac that he's driven us into.
MCCONNELL: Could I just add? Could I just add? I think we all know that if the president decides to reach an agreement with us, the Democrats most of them will fall in line. He is the leader of the Democratic Party, he is the president of the United States. He needs to indicate what he will sign and we are in those discussions now.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE) something by Monday, is that a firm deadline including the markets?
BOEHNER: I'm not going to put any deadlines, but I think it's pretty clear. It should be clear to all of you that Senator McConnell and I believe we're going to be able to come to some agreement to end this crisis as soon as possible. Thanks.
