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Gang of 14 to Stop Democrats' Attempt to Filibuster Alito Vote; All Miners Now Rescued from Canada Potash Mine; Women of the Storm Push for Hurricane Relief

Aired January 30, 2006 - 11:32   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This just in to CNN, news about efforts to filibuster the Samuel Alito nomination on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
Our Ed Henry is on Capitol Hill with the latest on that.

Ed, hello.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

That's right. CNN has just learned that the Gang of 14 moderates in the Senate will be meeting this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the office of Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska. That's one hour before this cloture vote on whether or not the filibuster should continue. This is significant of course because Senator Nelson was the first Democrat to come out and say that he supports the nomination of Judge Alito.

And also the Gang of 14 moderates sealed this deal last years, saying that there should not be a filibuster of President Bush's lower court nominees, unless there were extraordinary circumstances. It's widely expected that after this 3:30 meeting, the Gang of 14 moderates will come out and say, there are now extraordinary circumstances here; it's time to end the filibuster. Basically, the final nail in this quixotic filibuster being led by Democratic Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy.

Democratic leaders acknowledging the votes are not there to continue this filibuster. It's going to end at 4:30 Eastern Time today. But the Democrats, some of them, are still leading this fight.

Senator Kerry will be on the Senate floor, we're told, at about 12:30 today. Senator Kennedy has already been on the floor speaking out against Judge Alito. Republicans have been pushing back. Take a listen to the debate back and forth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I've been here in the United States Senate we really had filibusters. The idea that we're here on a Monday and this came to the Senate last Wednesday, that the opposition is saying, oh, well, this is delaying the work of the Senate. What's more important to the United States Senate than a vote for the Supreme Court of the United States? SEN. ROBERT BENNETT (R), UTAH: We will not be moved by those who raise large sums of money, who run television ads in our home state, savaging the nominee. We will be focused on what happens in the hearings. We will be focused on the actual record. We will not allow this to turn into an electoral circus.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Now Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, this morning revealed that he will be voting to continue this filibuster. He joins some other prominent Democrats, like Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, who came out Friday, and said they would also be supporting the Kennedy-Kerry filibuster. But Reid himself, the Democrat leader, saying there are not enough votes to keep it going. This basically the Democrats just going through the motions, a symbolic move at this point. Bottom line, at 4:30 today, the filibuster should end, and then tomorrow morning, there will be an up-or-down vote on Judge Alito's confirmation. He's all but assured to become the 110th justice of the Supreme Court -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ed Henry, live on Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you.

I want to go back to the developing story that's been taking place in Canada. The trapped miners have all made it out safely.

Reporter Melissa Sung standing by in Saskatchewan with the latest on that -- Melissa.

MELISSA SUNG, CBC: Daryn, the last of the 72 miners who were underground for more than 30 hours was taken out just about an hour ago. They were trapped since about 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning when a fire broke out in the Potash Mine that they were working in. The good thing about that was they were able to seal themselves in what they call refuge stations, where they had fresh air, water and food, to last up to 36 hours.

Luckily, officials didn't have to think about what would happen after the 36 hours, because the miners were all taken out safely this morning.

KAGAN: Melissa Sung with the latest from Saskatchewan. Thank you, Melissa.

We'll take a break. We're back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Looking at live pictures from Washington D.C., more than 120 women from southern Louisiana are handing out invitations in Washington today. They want congressional leaders to visit New Orleans and see firsthand the devastation left behind by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They call themselves "Women of the Storm."

We are joined by members Pam Bryant and Madeline West.

Ladies, good morning. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: Good morning.

KAGAN: Madeline, let's start with you.

MADELINE WEST, "WOMEN OF THE STORM": Why now? Why is the time right more than five months after the storm?

Well, if you look at what is happening thus far, it's really a slow process, and a lot of the things that is really happening has been from the efforts of the locals. It's very important now, because we have at least 90 percent of the House who haven't been to see New Orleans or the Gulf Coast region, and we have about 70 percent or so of the Senate.

I think what we feel, I mean, thanks to CNN, who's given us great press -- but what the Women of the Storm feel is that when you show someone something, or when tell them something, they forget it. When you show them a picture of it, they may remember it, but I doubt it. But if you engage them and involve them and actually show them firsthand the devastation, they develop a better understanding.

And it's really crucial to our city. And particularly now, I think it's a critical point because most of the locals are becoming tired and weary and not seeing the results that we should be seeing. And it's very important for them to understand when they're making the decision. Getting a firsthand knowledge and putting the decisions that -- understanding our levees, understanding our canals, understanding our people. It's very important for them to understand that and support us in getting additional financial assistance.

KAGAN: Pam, let me bring you in here. You say that this group is non-partisan, non-political. That seems almost impossible on a topic that seems all about finger-pointing.

PAM BRYANT, "WOMEN OF THE STORM": Oh, quite the opposite, Daryn. This is a group of diverse women, but we're speaking with one voice because we're all committed to our city. We care so deeply for our city that we have come together and we know now we want coastal restoration and enhancement and we want enhancement of our flood protection. We want people to feel safe in the city of New Orleans and we desperately need better housing.

KAGAN: Madeline, tell me about this idea about redirecting 50 percent of the oil and gas revenues.

WEST: Well, one of the things that we're pushing is for us to get a share, and the number we have is 50 percent, of the revenue that's as a result of the offshore drilling.

KAGAN: Now are we talking tax revenue? Are you talking profits? What are you...

WEST: These are the royalties from the oils that are produced on offshore. And one of the reasons why we're saying this is two things: using those dollars, we can do things. One is to actually enhance the protection via our levees, and also coastal restoration, which is definitely a first line of defense for us.

KAGAN: So I just want to ask, is this oil and gas revenue that belongs to private companies? You're talking like a 50 percent tax?

WEST: These -- this is the monies that go to the federal coffers. So this goes to the federal government. And it's very important that we can enhance our levees and our infrastructure because, you know, it allows us to feel safer, it allows our people to come back, it allows our businesses to come back. And then we can also develop economically so we can become less dependent on the federal government.

KAGAN: While we're having the chance to talk with you, I know there's a news conference taking place and that's Senator Mary Landrieu, your Democrat senator there. And she's speaking. We're going to go ahead and listen in to her. I'm going to say thank you to Pam and to Madeline.

Here's Senator Mary Landrieu.

BRYANT: Thank you very much.

SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D), LOUISIANA: I want to thank Anne Milling (ph) for her extraordinary leadership. I've known her for many years and I've watched her family, her husband, herself and her children serve our community time and time again. And she's stepped up again to lead this great effort with Cheryl Teamer (ph) and others.

I've watched my mother, I've watched Blanche Francis (ph), who have raised between them 16 children and now are raising probably over 50 grandchildren. And they do a hell of a job.

So we're here today with a simple message, but it's a message of urgency for the Congress to act. And as the women of the storm have said, until you see it, you can't believe it.

So these women, as they have done for literally hundreds of years, their mothers and grandmothers before them, have put up their own money and their own energy to encourage the members of Congress to come down and walk the streets, not just in the broad daylight and on beautiful days like this, but as the sun goes down, to hear the silence, to experience the suffering and to see what this great nation, if it could pull its will together to build again a great region, a great city.

I most certainly hope that we can do it. My work will be tireless in this endeavor, because not only do I have our two children to raise, along with my husband, Frank, but I'm committed to the millions of children that call Louisiana their home. Thank you.

KAGAN: We were listening in there Senator Mary Landrieu, Democrat from Louisiana. A group saying they're non-partisan, non-- political women of the storm, going to Washington, D.C. today, inviting lawmakers to come down to the coast of Louisiana and see the devastation that is still left and all the rebuilding that needs to be done. More on that just ahead.

Also, if you'd like to hear more of that news conference by the Women of the Storm, you just need to visit CNN Pipeline. And if you want to know how to help the women, you can go online. The site is louisianahelp.org. Just call 877-help-la-1.

A Hamas leader today appealed to the international community not to cut off aid to the Palestinian government. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has ruled out U.S. financial aid to a Hamas government. Rice is in London, where she met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai. She was also meeting with the so-called Mideast Quartet, a diplomatic group made up of the U.S., Russia, the European Union and the U.N. She called on Hamas to recognize the state of Israel and renounce violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think that to say that a Palestinian government must be committed to peace with Israel is at the core of what we're saying. But quite clearly, to be committed to the peace with Israel, you have to recognize Israel's right to exist. You have to renounce violence and terrorism. You cannot, with one hand, talk about peace with Israel, and on the other hand, count in suicide bombings.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: European Union ministers today also called on Hamas to disarm and recognize Israel.

While the U.S. considers cutting aid to the new Palestinian government, Hamas proposes severing economic ties with Israel. Some Hamas supporters back the idea; others, though, question whether it's practical.

CNN's Ben Wedeman reports on the politics of money and the Palestinian economy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Palestinian farmers dump rotten produce. Destined for market in Israel and beyond, it's going nowhere. The main commercial crossing from Gaza to Israel is closed yet again for security reasons.

The Palestinian economy is hostage to politics and war. When tensions rise, profits plummet.

AID RAMADHAN, GAZA FARMER: I'm afraid the day will come that I cannot absorb any more losses and close the project. This means I will lose all my greenhouses, all my plants and all my (INAUDIBLE) will be in the street.

WEDEMAN: Trade between Israel and the Palestinian territories is regulated by agreement, signed when the two sides were on much better terms. Hamas, now set to take over the Palestinian Authority, wants to redefine those ties by cutting them.

MAHMOUD ZAHAR, HAMAS LEADER: Our intention is to open the gate between the Palestinian land and the Arabic and Islamic world.

WEDEMAN: Storeowner Abdallah Joha stocks Israeli detergents and soaps and says it's good idea. "Palestinians need a new economy," he says. "Now Israel completely controls everything."

(on camera): Hamas' proposal to cut economic ties between the Palestinian territories and Israel is a popular one here. The problem is, it's not necessarily very practical.

(voice-over): One need only stroll through the old market in Gaza to see how many products come from Israel. All business is done in Israel shekels. Palestinians, including these policemen filling up their armored personnel carrier, depend on Israel for fuel. Gaza and the West Bank are on the Israeli power grid. And when tensions ease, thousands of Palestinians go to Israel for work.

MOHAMMED QUDWAH, GAZA GOVERNOR: Everything now is joined with Israel. This is not easy to take a political position to limit your relation with Israeli outside. I think without the negotiations with Israel, the result will be so bad for the Palestinians.

WEDEMAN: So Hamas' goal of economic separation from Israel, like this rotten produce, may also end up being dumped.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And we'll check in on weather and business news coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, happy Chinese new year to you. It is now the Year of the Dog. Over the weekend, China threw a big party, celebrating the Chinese lunar new year. China ushered in the new year with exploding fireworks, parades, dragon dances and visits to loved ones. As we said, according to Chinese zodiac, this is the year of the dog. Chinese predictions indicate drought and fires could be a problem this year. Tradition also says that 2006 will hold bad luck for those born under the sign of the dog. The Year of the Dog ends February 17th of next year. That is a long time to be in the doghouse.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan.

International News is up next. Stay tuned for YOUR WORLD TODAY. And I'll be back with the latest headlines from the U.S. in about 20 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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