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Soon, Biden to Introduce More Cabinet Nominees and Senior Advisors; Twin Disasters as Stimulus Talks Sputter Amid Shutdown Threat; 14 Million Families Face at Rick as Evictions Moratorium Expires; Senate Approves Defense Bill with Veto-Proof Majority in Rebuke to Trump; Army-Navy Game Moved to West Point Due to COVID Concerns. Aired 1:30-2p ET
Aired December 11, 2020 - 13:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[13:30:04]
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Next hour, President-Elect Joe Biden is set to introduce more of his cabinet nominees and other top administration players.
Biden is expected to announce Denis McDonough as V.A. secretary, Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary, Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary, Katherine Tai as U.S. trade representative, and Susan Rice as director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.
These announcements come as both President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris are named as "Time" magazine 2020 Person of the Year.
The magazine said they have, quote, "changed the American story by showing that the forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division."
Arlette Saenz is our CNN correspondent who is in Wilmington.
Of course, you are. Ahead of today's announcement, which is about an hour away.
Arlette, all of these additional names he is about to formally announce today, I am hearing he wants his cabinet set by Christmas. Is that going to happen?
ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly possible, Brooke, that he could have the cabinet filled out by Christmas. That's only two weeks away. Biden really only has a little more than half a dozen cabinet- ranked positions he needs to fill.
Today, we're going to see Biden with five of his picks. Four of those are at the cabinet level. And what you have really seen from the president-elect as he is building up his cabinet is that he has gone and relied on some of the people he worked with in the Obama administration to fill top ranks of his administration.
He is bringing on many of those familiar names and faces from the Obama administration to help him as he charts the course of his presidency.
Now, there are some that would like to see a more diverse viewpoint in there, perhaps other people from other wings of the Democratic Party to fill that out.
But the president-elect has argued this isn't necessarily Obama 3.0 or a third Obama term. He says what he is doing is relying on experienced hands to help him run this government.
Now some of the positions we're waiting for him to fill, one of the major ones, attorney general. That's something that's expected to come in coming weeks as he is trying to decide who will lead the Justice Department.
And three of the top contenders are Merrick Garland, Doug Jones, who has a close relationship with Biden, and also former attorney general, Sally Yates.
That's one of the key positions people will be watching as he is getting closer to the Christmas deadline he is hoping to fill his cabinet with.
BALDWIN: Arlette, thank you. We'll look for the big announcements next hour.
Over on Capitol Hill, Congress in the midst of two financial crises. Still hasn't come to terms on a much-needed COVID relief bill, and lawmakers are paralyzed when it comes to compromises over liability protection and state funding.
But now there's a threat of a government shutdown that is hours away if they fail to pass a stop-gap funding bill today.
Suzanne Malveaux is out CNN national correspondent, live on Capitol Hill.
Suzanne, good to see you.
First, talk about the stimulus. It looks like they were close yesterday. What happened?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, there's nothing like a deadline to get folks moving. There's a deadline, that's midnight tonight, to keep the government funded.
Yes, you're right, there was something close to a deal that has since fallen apart.
Let's look at this. There are two sticking points. You have the coalition, a bipartisan coalition on the Senate side.
And there's so much in the relief bill that would be good for millions and millions of American people.
But the two sticking points is additional aid to states and cities that have been hit by COVID the hardest.
Republicans say this is just a slush fund for Democratic-controlled states like California, New York, and other big cities. Democrats say they will not sign anything without it.
Then you have, of course, liability protections for businesses that might be sued because of COVID-related damages.
Republicans definitely want that on the table. And Democrats say it is simply a boondoggle for big businesses.
What we've seen on the Senate floor today is a back and forth, blaming of each other, because they just don't know whether or not they're going to be able to get any more aid to the American people and they need it so desperately.
Here's a sample, Brooke, of what we've seen so far.
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SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): The Senate needs to pass a stop-gap funding measure today.
We ought to pass a full year funding measure. And hope our committees in the Senate and House can complete their work and deliver legislation next week.
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): It is an unconscionable position. No relief for the American people unless corporations receive blanket immunity from lawsuits. That particular poison pill, that's foiled by bipartisan agreement for more than eight months, is the nub of the problem.
[13:35:10]
If we could just get past that. If the Republican leader would only back off maximalist demands on corporate immunity, we could get something done. I mean it. We could actually get something done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: OK, the big question, Brooke, whether or not they can get the government funded to continue that discussion, to meet that midnight deadline.
We are told aides saying they hope for a voice vote of a one-week extension to allow the government to be funded until December 18th.
That's the goal of this afternoon, so they can keep the talks going. But, Brooke, even that is uncertain. BALDWIN: Like you said off the top, nothing like a good deadline to
get people moving. The rest of America is like ready to roll.
Suzanne, thank you very much. Suzanne Malveaux.
As we wait for Congress to do something to help suffering Americans, as I was pointing out, so many are heading to the holidays in danger of being evicted from their homes. We'll have a personal look at the realities so many families are facing.
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[13:41:03]
BALDWIN: We are days away from millions of Americans being forced out of their homes. On December 31st, the temporary moratorium on eviction expires.
And according to global investment bank, Stout, that means on January 1, as many as 14 million renter-households could be evicted, pushing millions more into homelessness.
CNN's Rosa Flores is in Miami where south Florida is on the brink of what they're referring to as an eviction tsunami.
You have been talking to people who are facing this very incredibly painful issue, devastating issue of where do they go. What did they tell you?
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, they say there's no such thing as living paycheck by paycheck right now because so many people don't have jobs. And there's no relief in sight because of the dysfunction in Washington.
So where does this leave hardworking Americans? Well, Washington keeps dragging its feet.
Meanwhile, hardworking Americans like John Ayres, who you are about to meet, are counting the days before they have to be out on the street, homeless.
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FLORES (voice-over): Since his wife died in 2012, John Ayers counts his blessings, like Bella and Bear.
JOHN AYERS, FACING EVICTION: He's such a goof-off.
FLORES: And his job as an insurance agent.
(on camera): You were earning good money.
AYERS: I was making a salary.
FLORES (voice-over): Enough to pay $2,000 rent on a house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. FAST ICE, UBER DRIVER: Good morning, senor. We're here for you.
FLORES: And because of his severe arthritis and diabetes --
AYERS: All right, let me catch my breath for a second.
FLORES: -- an Uber driver known as Fast Ice to get around.
But a few months after the pandemic broke, John lost his job, exhausted his savings on rent, medicines, and utilities, and was slapped with an eviction notice.
AYERS: I need help. It's the first time I've said it. I need help because I'm about to be homeless.
FLORES: Like millions of Americans, John could be homeless on New Year's Day when the CDC's order halting evictions expires.
AYERS: And right now, I can't.
FLORES: While he can't afford his medications, he's not worried about himself.
AYERS: It's the thought of being out there with a dog because I'm not putting my dog down.
ROBERT LEE, JUDGE, 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA: This is a residential eviction for non-payment of rent.
FLORES: County Judge Robert Lee says evictions in Broward County could triple in the first three months of 2021, from 5,000 to 15,000.
And in the case of some landlords --
LEE: They are almost in the same desperate position as the tenant is.
FLORES: To meet skyrocketing demand, the court has moved judges who try crimes, medical, and insurance claims to evictions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm with (INAUDIBLE).
FLORES: Pro bono attorneys are going where the need is great, food lines, to help tenants fight to stay in their homes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you're looking for a shelter?
FLORES: But the call volume at this homeless shelter in Miami-Dade County increased from 800 calls a month, on average, to 1,200 last month. And the homeless population is already growing.
RON BOOK, CHAIRMAN, MIAMI-DADE HOMELESS TRUST: The fear of that turning into thousands upon thousands drives me completely crazy. I cannot almost have a conversation without breaking down over what it means.
FLORES: As for John, he's looking for a job -- AYERS: You know, upload my resume to these places.
FLORES: -- and counting a new blessing. Fast Ice now drives him free of charge.
FAST ICE: You're a good man, my brother. You are a good man.
FLORES: A man desperate for a miracle.
Rosa Flores.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[13:45:06]
FLORES: When government fails, fellow Americans and nonprofits step in to fill the gap. And, Brooke, that's exactly what we're seeing now.
We're getting a lot of messages from people, from viewers who want to help John.
The easiest way to do that is go to CNN.com. He has a GoFundMe page. Once you find his story, you'll find it embedded in the story -- Brooke?
BALDWIN: CNN.com, you'll find his story.
Rosa Flores, thank you.
And thanks to all of you and your generosity. Thank you.
Want to get back to Capitol Hill. We do have some breaking news. The Senate just voted overwhelmingly to approve the sweeping defense bill with a veto-proof majority.
Let's go to Manu Raju who is on the Hill.
So what message does the vote send the president?
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It sends to the president that both parties overwhelmingly support this defense bill and are rejecting his concerns that this bill does not go after social media companies.
The president has demanded Republicans kill this bill because it does not go after something totally unrelated, which is to roll back protections for companies like Twitter and Facebook and the like.
The president claims it has something to do with national security.
But this bill is about defense projects. It authorizes $740 billion for the defense projects, authorizes pay raises for troops. It is a popular measure, year after year, for more than a half century.
This is something Republicans were simply not listening to the president on. It was approved by 84-13 vote. Just 67 votes are needed for veto-proof majority. That shows you how overwhelming support was in the Republican-led Senate.
This came after the House approved on a bipartisan majority as well a veto-proof majority earlier this week.
Now the president is threatening to veto this measure. If he carries through the veto, the question is will Republicans sustain it or override it.
One Republican, a key Republican, House Republican leader, Kevin McCarthy, who supported the bill, said he would support the president's veto and vote to sustain it. We'll see if Republicans decide to do that.
This could happen around Christmas time, around the holidays and the like.
Brooke, this comes as Congress scrambles to get work done before the end of the year.
They just agreed to extend the government funding for one week. There was a fight over exactly how to do that. For one week, the Senate adopted a measure to keep the government open until December 18th.
Now the question is can they add a COVID relief package to another government funding bill to keep it open past December 18th.
That will be the big question over the next several days because the two sides are at odds. The negotiations between a bipartisan group of Senators trying to get a deal has not led to a final deal at this point.
The leadership on both sides is still sharply at odds and bickering over this issue.
It's uncertain if that relief that so many are waiting for can ultimately come. But those are decisions that have to be made here in the next few days -- Brooke?
BALDWIN: It seemed like they were getting closer yesterday.
Got you. So, kicking the can to December 18th.
Manu Raju, you're going to be busy in the coming days.
Thank you very much, Manu. We'll check back in.
Our breaking news coverage continues on CNN as airlines prepare to fly these life-saving vaccines across the country. But those plans also come with a warning from the FAA. We'll tell you why.
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[13:53:10] BALDWIN: Well, it is 2020, so, of course, the normal Army/Navy game will break with tradition. Listen to this. For the first time, since 1943, the game will be played at West Point.
There will be no huge crowds of screaming fans. Just some cadets and midshipmen in the stands. Then, well, the president. So, yes, you can blame the coronavirus for all of this.
CNN's sports correspondent, Coy Wire, is live in West Point.
Coy, a break with tradition, the game goes on. And I imagine so does the trash talk.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed. We're already seeing a bit of that, Brooke. It's back to where it all started. The very first Army-Navy game in 1890 was played right here at West Point. And right out there is hallowed ground known as the Plain.
The rich history of the academy, the camaraderie, the deep traditions, like the send-off, which just happened moments ago when the Army football team goes into a hotel before the football game. They have help make it the Army-Navy game one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world.
This rivalry traditionally in Philadelphia, a neutral site. But tomorrow's game, for the first time since 1943, will be played here at West Point.
We asked both sides how they're feeling about that. Listen.
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UNIDENTIFIED ARMY FOOTBALL PLAYER: Being in our own backyard, it will be an incredible feeling, just knowing you're a part of history.
UNIDENTIFIED NAVY FOOTBALL PLAYER: I'm looking forward to beating Army in their home stadium in a year like no other.
UNIDENTIFIED NAVY FOOTBALL PLAYER: Beating Army at West Point has all the best bragging rights in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED NAVY FOOTBALL PLAYER: Beating them in their own house, it would be awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED ARMY FOOTBALL PLAYER: It would mean a lot for us to beat Navy, whether it was at West Point, in Annapolis or out on the interstate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: This is more than a game, Brooke. It's a tribute and a salute to the future defenders of our nation.
It's tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. As you mentioned, President Trump is scheduled to attend again. He is the tenth sitting president to have attended an Army-Navy game. [13:55:02]
BALDWIN: Coy Wire. Good luck to both teams.
Thank you very much.
We continue with our breaking news this afternoon. We're waiting for this critical vote from the CDC on a coronavirus vaccine. We'll talk to a research volunteer, who says she experienced a 104-degree fever.
Stay with me.
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[14:00:04]
BALDWIN: We continue on. Hour two on this Friday afternoon. I'm Brooke Baldwin. You're watching CNN. Thank you for being here.
