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Family Benefits on Hold; Congress Votes on Benefits; Undercover Cop Arrested in SUV Beating; House Unanimously Restores Death Benefits

Aired October 09, 2013 - 14:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Great to be with you on this Wednesday. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Right now, we're are told the president is ordering his lawyers to fix the biggest outrage in America right now, military death benefits for the families of fallen soldiers. This, on day nine of the government shutdown and eight days until America defaults on its debt if Congress can't get its act together.

But I don't want to focus right now on the school-yard bickering, the relentless back and forth and back and forth. No. Today I want to focus on the people caught in the middle. The families of the men and the women who lost their lives fighting for this country. The Americans who died believing their loved ones would be taken care of back here at home.

And today they're not. Their families have been told those instant benefits to cover funeral costs, travel expenses to say good-bye, sorry, you will have to wait. This is what they're told, and that includes the families of these four soldiers and one Marine killed last weekend in Afghanistan. Four of them brought home for burial just hours ago.

And we will pause and take a moment to show you the video of the poignant ceremony for one of them at Dover Air Force Base, uninterrupted in just a moment. But first, if there is any sound worth hearing from either chamber of Congress today, it is this, and it's not from a lawmaker.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARRY BLACK, SENATE CHAPLAIN: Lord, when our federal shutdown delays payments of death benefits to the families of children dying on far away battlefields, it's time for our lawmakers to say, enough is enough. Cover our shame with the robe of your righteousness. Forgive us, reform us, and make us whole.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Right now, the House is voting on a bill which would start the reversal of this unthinkable decision to not provide immediate death benefits to these military families. Meanwhile, probably worth mentioning here, back in Washington, Congressmen and women are still able to collect their paychecks. So, lucky for them, the gym on The Hill, the pool, the sauna, they're still up and running. A gym paid for by you, the taxpayer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. EARL BLUMENAUER (D), OREGON: Some of the most fanatic about inflicting unnecessary pain on the American public are regulars, enjoying our House gym while the staff gym is closed. Mr. Speaker, if you and the House Republicans are serious and not cynical about the shutdown, then shut down the House gym until this madness ends.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: A gym. We're talking about a gym. On a day like today, time is being spent talking about this gym. I want to talk to Kelly Henry. She is the sister of a Navy pilot who was killed in a Navy helicopter crash back in 1997.

So, Kelly, welcome to you. And, of course, all these years later, we are so grateful for your brother's service.

Obviously, we have you on today. Let me just say, you know, death benefits and government shutdown aside, I just have to ask, take me back to 1997 and just describe the sadness, the devastation your family faced when your brother passed away.

KELLY HENRY, SISTER OF NAVY PILOT KILLED IN CRASH: It was unthinkable. It was something none of us had ever anticipated. He was a terrific pilot. Always the number one pilot in his squadron. And he died in an accidental crash at sea, taken along with three other members of his crew. He left behind a widow and five young daughters. His oldest daughter was just 10 years old when he died. And when I think about what the families today are experiencing, where they're not getting the support from the country the way my family got support back in 1997, when we weren't even at war, it's shameful to me. Our leaders can do better, and they must do better. These families should not be suffering this way.

BALDWIN: Can you even put it into words? You describe this unthinkable devastation of losing a loved one and then you add this whole other layer of this, you know, bickering back and forth. And, you know, with the U.S. government, you know, men and women are being sent overseas to fight for this government that's saying essentially to their loved ones, when they're not coming home, sorry, we're not paying for your funeral. Can you put that into words for families today?

HENRY: Not words that can be broadcast on national television, no.

BALDWIN: I appreciate your honesty.

HENRY: One of my -- one of my neighbors is on his way to Afghanistan right now. I can't imagine the worry his family is experiencing, not knowing that if something awful happens to him, if the unthinkable happens that we all plan for when we send our loved ones overseas, what they will do. Before our service members deploy, we have -- every family puts together a funeral plan. We know what this service member's funeral wishes are going to be, we know where their will is located. We have to think through that. But our expectation, when we do that planning, is that if that awful, awful thing happens, that the government is going to be there to support us in the way that we have been told they will be. That that death benefit will be paid, that we will get travel to Dover, that the funeral costs will be covered, that the survivor benefit plan will kick in right away.

When families are facing this awful, awful loss, financial worries should be something that doesn't even cross their mind. They should be able to rest easy knowing that they're going to be taken care of. And our service members should be able to focus on the job at hand and not have to worry about whether or not their families will be cared for.

BALDWIN: I agree with you 100 percent. And, Kelly, stay with me because I want to bring in Jason Hansman. He joins me because -- to talk about these awful, awful things that happened to so many of these men and women.

Jason, you're an Army veteran. You served in Iraq. So we thank you for your service.

SGT. JASON HANSMAN, U.S. ARMY RESERVE: Thanks.

BALDWIN: And if you can, just explain to those of us, you know, when we talk about these death benefits, and I know Kelly's brother and the widow, the wife he left behind, the five, you know, children, they received those death benefits. But how much money are we talking and what is this money used for?

HANSMAN: Yes, we're talking about actually exactly $100,000 which is paid within three days of the death. And this money can be used for anything, but typically it's going to be used for travel expenses, as you mentioned to, you know, have -- find that closure. It's going to be paying for funeral expenses, paying for all the things that come up within that first, you know, couple days that you lose a loved one in Afghanistan.

BALDWIN: So, Kelly, back to you. I just want to end with your words. And, you know, if you can, just look at the camera and speaking to these, you know, widows and daughters and sons and brothers and sisters who are left here. And, you know, the president intimated through the White House spokesperson, Jay Carney, that this will be fixed and it will be fixed today. But in the meantime, what's your message to them right now?

HENRY: Well, my heart is with them. I know that the grief they are experiencing is like none they have ever experienced in their life and I am ashamed that our country is not supporting them in their time of need.

BALDWIN: OK. Kelly, thank you very much. Kelly Henry joining me here.

And quickly, Jason, back to you, fine question. As we think about the last time the government, you know, shut down, it was not at a time of war. And if you can, just how impactful this government shutdown has been, specifically when it comes to our service men and women and these loved ones left behind, not receiving this money. It's a different story this time around, isn't it?

HANSMAN: You're absolutely right. It is a very different story this time around, and this, especially on the death benefits, is shameful. I work in Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans of Americas, and we are getting calls hourly from veterans who are very, very concerned about how this is affecting not just themselves but, you know, the people that they know that are serving in Afghanistan. And I think these death benefits are just the latest incident of how our veterans today are being affected by the shutdown and are being affected every day.

BALDWIN: Hopefully those calls stop. Hopefully this gets fixed today.

Jason Hansman, thank you so much for joining me.

HANSMAN: Thanks for having me on.

BALDWIN: And this - yes, this disgraceful holdup of military death benefits, listen, it has gone - it has not gone unnoticed. Today, White House Spokesman Jay Carney, as I mentioned a moment ago, he had this message from the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president was very disturbed to learn of this problem. And he districted the Department of Defense to work with the Office of Management and Budget and his lawyers to develop a possible solution. And he expects this -- he expects, rather, the president expects this to be fixed today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Dana Bash, our chief congressional correspondent.

We know we mentioned the House is voting on having these benefits, you know, restored right now. Still needs to go to the Senate. Do you think today is the day? Will it pass?

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're waiting to see if it passes the House. We certainly assume it will happen. My understanding, and the understanding from our congressional producer, Ted Barrett, is that what Senate Democratic leaders are trying to do is trying to get the Pentagon to fix it without the Senate having to act. Why is that? Because certainly they feel the pressure in the Senate to act for obvious reasons, but they also know that going down that road is a slippery slope.

We know that the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, and other Democratic leaders have said over and over again that they don't want to just fund a specific part of the government because you can't take one and not do the other. Remember the exchange that Harry Reid and I had last week about the NIH?

BALDWIN: Right. BASH: They're not taking up that bill. So they understand the politics of this. They understand the slippery slope. But they also understand that if the Pentagon can't find a way to do it without the Senate legislating, they're going to have to do it. But I think it is pretty clear that Democrats and Republicans realize that this is something that is unsustainable, that they have to help these families.

BALDWIN: Dana Bash, thank you so much, in Washington.

And we promised we would show you the moment one of these soldiers returned home today. His name, Private First Class Cody Patterson (ph). Just 24 years old. From Oregon. Killed on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: A man pulled from his car, beaten and bloodied by his group of bikers, left sprawling on the streets of New York City. Well now an undercover officer is under arrest and will be in court today. Police say they had the video actually showing this officer kicking the SUV and then smashing the car's rear window moments before this beating happened.

So we've shown you this video. This video surfaced last month online. It shows the group attacking this driver of this black SUV who ran over some of these bikers. Thus far, it has led to five arrests. And even more shocking than the video, is the news that not one but two New York detectives were present during this altercation. CNN's Susan Candiotti has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As we learn of even more arrests, online video like this, painful to watch. A biker seen kicking SUV driver Alexian Lien, lying motionless and blooded on the ground, before trying to get up. An off-duty undercover detective now under arrest. Thirty-two-year-old Wojciech Braszczok, who was riding with other bikers shown in this video gone viral. The camera showing an SUV driver running over bikers after his tires were slashed. The off-duty cop is charged with two felonies, criminal mischief and being involved in a riot, in part accused of pounding on that SUV.

COMM. RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE: The internal affairs bureau is looking at this and they'll continue to do so.

CANDIOTTI: Another biker also charged with gang assault and criminal mischief. A law enforcement source says police have video of the detective not yet made public, proving Braszczok took part. That same source says the veteran detective waited three days before reporting the incident, afraid of blowing his cover. CNN legal analyst and former prosecutor Paul Callan says the detective could also lose his job even if he's not convicted.

PAUL CALLAN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: As police officers, they have an obligation under NYPD regulations to break their cover, if they're undercover, and to come to the assistance of any civilian who's in danger. And having looked at this video, clearly, the civilians in that car look like they're in danger.

CANDIOTTI: Police also released photos of four other bikers in connection with the attack. The still frames were isolated from that video showing Lien getting stomped on. As for the biker wearing that helmet cam, he's now revealing why he pressed the record button. He says he saw Lien throw a water bottle out of his sun roof, hitting a biker. The SUV started swerving and the biker smelled trouble. He's not expected to be charged.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CANDIOTTI: And as of now, we have no comment from either that undercover detective or his lawyer. Both are expected in court sometime this afternoon. And we know of at least one other police officer who was also being investigated. But, Brooke, for now, authorities are really trying to find other people they believe were playing an active role in that beating of Mr. Alexian Lien.

BALDWIN: Susan Candiotti, thank you very much.

Coming up, a bizarre news conference from this father of the nine- year-old who somehow hopped on that plane without a ticket. I want you to look at this. At one point, this dad breaks down in tears saying he tried to get help for his son. He's all covered up here. He doesn't want to show his face. We're going to play this for you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: We want to come in on some live pictures. This is superior court here. Live pictures. The judge here on the right side of your screen. The left-hand side of your screen, former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez, who is sitting inside this courtroom as I speak. This is the first time he has been in a court since his arraignment. Just, remember, this is a - this is a pre-trial hearing today. He has been charged with murder and also weapons charges as it all relates to the killing of his friend, Odin Lloyd, back in June of this year. We should mention that four other people also face charges as it relates to this case, but this is what's happening right now in Fall River, Massachusetts, and Aaron Hernandez.

And now to this story. The father of that nine-year-old boy who hopped a plane from Minneapolis to Las Vegas says he tried to get help for his son. And we have heard bits and pieces of this child's history, arrested for allegedly stealing a truck and crashing into a police car, blending in with a family to sneak into a water park without paying. So today this boy's father appeared at a news conference in Minneapolis just a couple of hours ago. The dad is the one on the left-hand side of your screen in the black hooded sweatshirt. He did not reveal his name. You can see his face was covered by a hoodie. He admits his son is no angel, but he says he tried to get help dealing with the boy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know how my nine-year-old son's brain acts. OK. I've been asking for help. No one stepped up to help. He wasn't listening. Do what he wants to do. It's just - it's so much. And we asked for help. That's all I needed to say, help. We need the resources. I'm tired of people saying he's a minor, there's nothing we can do. There's something somebody can do. I don't want to see my son hurt. I miss my son. I want my son home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: The boy's father also described what happened after the incident with the truck.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) I asked the officer, please, sir, can you go upstairs with me? Watch me whoop his butt? The officer told me, if I see you hit your son, we're going to have to lock you up. I said, sir, what can I do? I've been asking for help, but there's no one's helping me. I'm in what you call a double jeopardy. If I whoop my son, I get locked up. If I let my son keep on doing what he's doing, I get in trouble. Somebody please help me. Please.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: The father clearly getting emotional there today. But he also questioned how so many adults could have let his nine-year-old son slip onto that plane undetected.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How would you let a nine-year-old child go through security check without stopping him and questioning him? How can that be? He's not a terrorist. He's a nine-year-old child. He went through screening. He boarded the plane. How is that possible?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: According to this father, the boy was not in school the day he hopped that flight because he'd been suspended for fighting. The nine-year-old is expected to be returned to Minneapolis from Las Vegas on Friday.

And coming up here, as we talk debt ceiling, most experts say raising it would be a disaster. One economist actually says raising it is a fool's journey. In fact, he says Republicans may be the country's last hope. He joins me live. The debt ceiling talking there.

Also, in a CNN exclusive, new video evidence in the death of Georgia teenager Kendrick Johnson, found inside a high school gym mat. His parents are convinced he was murdered and they're raising a lot of eyebrows. Exclusive reporting coming up.

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