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Several Members Of Congress Test Positive In The Last Week; Top 10 Sports Moments Of 2021. Aired 3:30-4p ET
Aired December 24, 2021 - 15:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:30:03]
POPPY HARLOW, CNN HOST: Well, Congressman Jan Schakowsky is the latest member of Congress to announce that she and her husband have tested positive for COVID. She joins a list of lawmakers who have recently contracted the virus amid the omicron surge, and she joins me now.
As I said in the break, you look good, you don't look sick. How are you feeling?
REP. JAN SCHAKOWSKY (D-IL): I'm feeling just fine. Thanks, Poppy. It's very mild symptoms that I have. A bit of sniffle and occasional headache.
But otherwise, not much at all, and I think I really can attribute that, it seems, to having been vaccinated and boosted. And those of us who have been, I think the symptoms that we have are pretty mild.
So I still recommend very much that people do everything they can to get vaccinated and have the booster.
HARLOW: Absolutely. President Biden was asked in that ABC interview earlier this week if he thinks it's a failure that the administration has really fallen short, especially on tests. It's very hard, I can tell you here in New York City to find those at home tests. He doesn't think it's a failure.
What do you think needs to be done, though? What do you want this administration to do to get more ahead of it?
SCHAKOWSKY: Well, for individuals, I would just say, if you are feeling any kind of symptom, even a cold symptom, and you can't get a test, I would treat it as a warning when it comes to being with your family. The more that the administration can do to help to get the tests out, that our pharmacies have that equipment. That's where I went to, to get home testing. That works -- that works pretty well.
So, yes, I think we need to get those circulated as much as possible, but I do think that people need to take care.
Fortunately, my husband had symptoms. We had a home test, and were able in time to decide to cancel going to a family gathering. When I think about what it would have been like if we had gone, and then possibly infected everyone else. So this is really a time to take care.
HARLOW: Yeah, absolutely. It's the responsible thing to do for everyone around you. Let's turn to the agenda when you get back. You know, when all of you come back into session in Washington, the Democratic agenda, both Build Back Better and voting rights key on the table right now, and voting rights, the president recently said this is the single biggest issue.
Which is the highest priority for all of you when you get back?
SCHAKOWSKY: There's no question that if American people cannot vote and if we don't have legislation that is passed that will assure that, that that is real damage to our democracy. No question about it.
And so, we're hoping that in the Senate, after all, the bill that actually would restore our voting rights is Joe Manchin's bill, that it is my hope that we're going to be able to get it passed. If we do it with just a majority of votes, that's the way we have to do it. It has to be done.
Our democracy is very fragile, and this isn't -- no -- you know, no time to waste right now.
HARLOW: You're talking about the agreement between Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin. You think that's where the agreement will come.
SCHAKOWSKY: I'm hoping very much that it will, and that is not to say that we don't want to move ahead quickly on the Build Back Better bill. It is transformational in terms of what it would mean just to the life of ordinary Americans, the kind of help for families. So we're going to push that as well. We're not giving up on that fight.
HARLOW: To that point, I hear you, but I was reading an interview you did with my friend and colleague Erin Burnett in November, and you were pretty sure in that interview that Joe Manchin wouldn't sideline this thing, that he would get on board, and he wouldn't even slow down Build Back Better, and now we are where we are. You think things are going to change significantly from him?
SCHAKOWSKY: Well, the way things change with Senator Manchin on a regular basis, I'm hoping that it can change --
(CROSSTALK)
HARLOW: Well, I don't know if he's actually been -- hasn't he been pretty consistent on this, saying here is my top line number?
SCHAKOWSKY: We agree on the top line number, but he also, according to the president, he said that he agreed with the framework as well. And if you have some specific things right now that he says, yes, I could vote for if we had this, then -- you know, we need to -- we need to listen.
[15:35:02]
But the outline of this legislation has also been clear for a very long time, and the president felt before he went on to Fox News that he had had a commitment that there was going to be moving forward.
So I don't want to give up on that, and certainly all the groups that are engaged in this, the mobilization of people, people who are trying to reach voters in West Virginia as well, and the West Virginians, including the mine workers who have been talking to Joe Manchin want the build back better bill to pass, and Americans really need it, especially right now, I would say.
This is a moment when we need both voting rights and the Build Back Better bill.
HARLOW: Two big agenda items, we'll see what the New Year brings.
Get fully well, you look healthy, get fully well and enjoy the holidays, thank you, Congresswoman.
SCHAKOWSKY: Thanks, Poppy. Appreciate you.
HARLOW: A TSA agent's quick thinking saves a baby's life. Wait until you see her amazing act of heroism. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:40:51]
HARLOW: President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Children's National Hospital in Washington earlier today where many of the kids made paper lanterns at craft tables. The first lady read Olaf's Night Before Christmas to the group. The first lady's visit was previously announced but the president's attendance was a surprise.
They made a quick stop at Floriana's restaurant in D.C. to hang an ornament on this tree. The president had this message for Americans celebrating Christmas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REPORTER: What's your message to Americans celebrating Christmas?
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Keep the faith.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: Keep the faith.
Well, it's a very merry Christmas for a mother who traveled through Newark, New Jersey, earlier this month because of a TSA agent who used her training from a former job to save the baby's life. Take a look at this video. It is of TSA agent, that's her, Cecilia Morales, leaping over a luggage belt, when a mother finds her baby unresponsive, choking, and unable to breathe.
By a lucky coincidence, Morales happens to have been trained as an EMT. She is now a national hero.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CECILIA MORALES, TSA AGENT SAVED CHOKING BABY: And I performed the Heimlich on him twice. I performed it, checked to see if he was breathing, he wasn't. The second time I did it, he responded, and I showed her the baby. She started crying, of course, tears of happiness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: Wow. Morales said she performed the Heimlich many times before, this was the first time she had to use it on an infant. Thank goodness she did.
And a new Georgia mom exhausted and recovering from the birth of her baby. Got this surprise video from her doorbell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UPS DRIVER: If this is the -- it's a boy, who had the, I forget the name of the bird, I hope all is going well with your newborn. I had a child around the same time you guys did, and I just hope everything is going good. God bless, happy holidays.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: What a sweet message, that heartwarming message from the UPS driver after Jessica posted it on social media, wanting to thank the person who left it with the help of corporate ups, she got the name, and the two finally got to meet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UPS DRIVER: What's up, man.
UNIDNETIFIED MALE: Hey.
UPS DRIVER: Good to meet you.
JESSICA: Hi, I'm Jessica.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: How great is that. The driver Dallen Harrell, also new parent, says he's on the receiving end of packages. Thanked him for kindness, resulting in dozens of gifts for his son. There he is, sweet boy, from strangers.
College football's bowl season, and English soccer's premier league will both be impacted by COVID, we'll tell you what's going to happen next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:48:24]
HARLOW: And now for our top ten in 2021 series, our Andy Scholes takes a look at the top ten sports stories of the year. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Number 10 in 2021, age proved to be just a number.
And 50-year-old Phil Mickelson becoming the oldest golfer ever to win a major, earning his second PGA championship 16 years after his first.
This was Phil's sixth major title first, since 2013.
PHIL MICKELSON, PRO GOLFER: It's very possible this is the last tournament I ever win but there's no reason I or anybody else can't do it at a later age. It just takes a little more work.
SCHOLES: Number nine, Tom Brady, meanwhile, looks like he may never age.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: And 43-year-old Tom Brady wins a historic seventh title in his first season with a new team.
SCHOLES: Brady leading the Buccaneers to a convincing 31-9 win over the Chiefs. The Bucs, the first team ever to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Brady and the team celebrating with a boat parade that saw him completing yet another pass out on the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, wow.
SCHOLES: And 2021 was the year of the Bucks.
(CHEERING)
SCHOLES: Milwaukee also claiming their first NBA title since 1971. Giannis Antetokounmpo capping off an incredibly playoffs run, becoming the finals MVP.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Major League Baseball is moving its all- star game out of Georgia because of the state's new law that critics say suppresses voting.
[15:50:03]
SCHOLES: In April, Major League Baseball pulled the all-star game from Atlanta.
In October, Atlanta hosted the World Series and pulled off one of the most unexpected runs in baseball history, beating the Astros to win their first World Series title in 26 years.
The team's unlikely championship coming in the same year that the world lost Braves legend, Hank Aaron, who passed away at 86 years old.
Number seven --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: NCAA March Madness, the biggest tournament in college basketball for women. This is our weight room. Let me show you all the men's weight room.
SCHOLES: -- the NCAA admitted failing the women in providing facilities for the NCAA tournament last March and vowed to do better.
After being canceled in 2020, March Madness was back in 2021, but it wasn't the same with limited fans. The men's tournament taking place solely in Indiana, the women's in Texas.
JON GRUDEN, FORMER HEAD COACH, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: I'm not a racist. I don't -- I can't tell you how sick I am.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, Jon Gruden stepping down as head coach of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders hours after "The New York Times" reported on homophobic, misogynistic and racist remarks that he made in emails over a seven-year period.
SCHOLES: The emails discovered during a probe into workplace misconduct within the Washington Football Organization.
After resigning, Gruden filing a lawsuit against the NFL accusing the league of selectively leaking his emails to ruin his reputation.
Number five, vaccinations in sports were a polarizing topic.
AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS QUARTERBACK: Yes, I've been immunized.
ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: Superstar Quarterback Aaron Rodgers defending his controversial comments where he raised doubts about the COVID vaccine after he tested positive for COVID.
He also addressed when he lied and claimed he was immunized.
RODGERS: I misled people about my status, which I take full responsibility of.
SCHOLES: Rodgers missed one game for the Packers while battling COVID.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Golf legend, Tiger Woods, hospitalized right now after a very serious rollover car crash.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Golf legend, Tiger Woods, is in the hospital right now after having to be cut out of his vehicle.
TIGER WOODS, PRO GOLFER: I'm lucky to be alive but also still have the limb. Those are two crucial things.
SCHOLES: Nearly 10 months after the crash, Tiger hosted his golf tournament in the Bahamas and said he continues to make progress in his recovery.
And in December, he surprised many by in competing in a tournament with his 12-year-old son, Charlie.
Number three, despite the pandemic and calls to cancel the games, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place without spectators in most venues. And it was another historic games for Team USA.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The most decorated U.S. track and field Olympian ever, Allyson Felix, secured that title at the Tokyo Summer Games.
ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: It's a historic moment for USA. Suni Lee wins gold.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Team USA's Katie Ledecky is basking in the glory of having made Olympic history, like again and again and again.
SCHOLES: Number two, a big theme in 2021 with athletes continuing to campaign for mental health awareness.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sorry.
NAOMI OSAKA, TENNIS CHAMPION: No, you're super good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. I think we're just going to take a quick break. Just -- we'll be back in one moment.
SCHOLES: Naomi Osaka revealing that press conferences give her anxiety and she had dealt with depression since winning her first U.S. Open title in 2018.
The four-time Grand Slam winner pulling out of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to work on her mental health.
And number one --
BERMAN: Major breaking news out of the Olympics. We just learned that Simone Biles has pulled out of the team competition.
SIMONE BILES, U.S. OLYMPIC GYMNAST: At the end of the day, we're not just entertainment. We're humans. And there are things going on behind the scenes that we're also try to juggle with as well.
WIRE: The way Biles put a spotlight on mental health showing the world that no matter who you are, even if you're Superwoman, it's okay to not feel okay.
She's going to go down as one of the greatest Olympians ever for the impact she's had.
SCHOLES: Biles would return to competition to take the bronze medal on the balance beam.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW: Andy, thank you for that. And, of course, we're tracking Santa this Christmas Eve.
We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:58:55]
HARLOW: Well, Santa is already on the move and with the help of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, you can track him.
Our CNN pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us now with more.
My kids are watching, Barbara. Where is Santa?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, you know, Santa is eventually going to head back towards Europe and then to Canada and the United States later tonight when all children who believe are supposed to be in bed fast asleep.
And for those who do believe, it's important to remember, this has been a longstanding program the military runs. They get tens of thousands of calls from children all over the world who want to know where Santa Claus is and want to be able to track him. Once he comes into U.S. and Canadian air space later tonight, according to the U.S. military, he will be guarded by armed fighter jets, Canadian and U.S. fighter jets overhead that will keep him safe in the skies.
Let's have a couple of details on this. How much does Santa's sleigh weigh? You know, it's full of billions of presents for children all over the world. Well, the military says Santa's sleigh, 75,000 gumdrops is the weight of Santa's sleigh. Weighs a little more on landing because it picks up some ice and snow along the way.
How fast is it? According to the U.S. military, Santa flies faster than starlight. That might be something the Pentagon wants to look into because it's been having trouble developing superfast weapons. Santa may have a bit of advice for them.
HARLOW: I think that's a good tip. Barbara Starr, thank you.
And merry Christmas to everyone who believes.
Our coverage continues with Boris Sanchez in Washington.
