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GOP Tried and Failed to Kill Obamacare; Beto O'Rourke is Interviewed about the Voting Bill Compromise; Ex-Shake Shack Manager Sues NYPD; Gulf Coast Braces for Storm. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired June 18, 2021 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: But the facts didn't seem to matter. The Tea Party swept Republicans into power, beginning their attempts to legislatively gut the law, even leading to a government shutdown.

Trump campaigned on hating Obamacare almost as much as loving the border wall that Mexico was never going to pay for. His administration tried to sabotage enrollment exchanges and gutted the individual mandate. But Senator John McCain famously voted thumbs down on killing the ACA entirely.

Here's the thing, Trump never actually proposed an alternative. That's despite talking about the big, beautiful plan that was supposed to offer insurance for everybody with no cuts to Medicaid and nobody losing coverage and always seemed to be ready to release in about two weeks. But, of course, that fantastical plan never materialized because it was all repeal, no replace.

Covering more people wasn't the plan. Demonizing Obamacare was. and if tens of millions of folks lost their health care, tough luck.

But after this third Supreme Court Heisman (ph), the ACA, more popular than ever, you'd think that maybe it's here to stay. In fact, the public option was deemed too radical back when Obama first proposed it is gaining steam, now enacted in three western state exchanges.

So here's the big takeaway. After more than 2,000 attempts in courts and 70 in Congress, the ACA seems safe as a matter of policy, if not politics.

And that's your "Reality Check."

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: John, thank you so much for that.

Up next, Beto O'Rourke on the front lines of the war on voting. What does he make of the compromised plan that Republicans are now rejecting.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And CNN on the ground in what looks like a modern day dust bowl in the U.S. west.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:35:49]

KEILAR: West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has proposed changes to the sweeping voting rights legislation that is headed to the Senate floor. And his proposal includes making Election Day a federal holiday, instituting a voter ID requirement and also 15 days in a row of early voting in federal elections. Even with the Republican friendly voter ID requirement there, there is significant Republican opposition.

Joining me now is former Democratic presidential candidate and former congressman for the state of Texas, Beto O'Rourke.

Sir, thanks for being with us this morning.

BETO O'ROURKE (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Good morning, Brianna. Thanks for having me on.

KEILAR: Thank you for being on.

What do you think about this compromise that Joe Manchin is proposing?

O'ROURKE: This is progress. And I've got to tell you, I am so grateful for what Senator Manchin has done and what he's doing right now. He's trying to find a way to protect voting rights in this country at a moment that they are under attack in more than 40 states. In the wake of an insurrection, on 6th of January, that sought to overturn an election, and in the midst of a big lie trafficked not only by the former president but by those with whom the senator serves with in the Senate and in the Congress.

So this is a step in the right direction. You mentioned it protects mail-in voting. It protects early voting for two weeks. It would end gerrymandering and it would make Election Day a national holiday. Those are four very major pieces of the original For the People Act proposal. And so I'm really pleased to see Senator Manchin agree to do this. And I think -- I think we may have an agreement that the Senate can move forward on.

KEILAR: You did not mention the voter ID element. Is that something you would get behind?

O'ROURKE: You know what, I think there's -- there's room for compromise there. We have a voter ID law in Texas. The problem with it is, you can use your license to carry a firearm to prove who you are at the ballot box, but you cannot use your student ID. Our voter ID law makes it harder for the very young, the very old who no longer have driver's licenses and the poor. And so if we can expand the kinds of voter ID, as Senator Manchin proposes to do, for example, being able to use your utility bill, then I think we're on the right path.

But as positive a sign as this is, this compromise that's been offered by the senator, the Senate still needs to vote on that, and that's happening next week. And that's why I'm asking my fellow Texans to rally with me at the state capitol this Sunday at 5:30 in Austin to make sure that we give the senate that push and get this passed because, as Senator Manchin said, inaction is not an option. We need to move forward.

KEILAR: I want to ask you about something happening in your state. Your governor, Greg Abbott, has signed into law allowing Texans who are 21 and older to carry handguns in public without license or training.

Do you think there's going to be an uptick in gun violence in your state?

O'ROURKE: Yes, I think this is a really bad decision. And it's the reason that so many police officers and police chiefs across Texas oppose this permitless carry provision. There were 6,000 licenses to carry a firearm that were denied last year in Texas. Every one of them now would be automatically approved because there would be no approval process. No registration, no training, no licensure, no background check whatsoever. This will demonstrably make us less safe in a state that has four of the worst mass shootings in American history, all of which have taken place in the last four years, including in my hometown of El Paso, where 23 people were killed almost two years ago this upcoming August.

So this is a step in the wrong direction for Texas.

KEILAR: I want to ask you what -- where your thinking is right now on your political future. Are you considering running for governor of Texas?

O'ROURKE: This fight for voting rights and saving our democracy is the thing that I want to be focused on. And that's why we're rallying at the Capitol this Sunday in Austin.

[08:40:03]

It's why we're pushing the Senate to pass voting rights legislation. It's why we're supporting those in the state legislature who are trying to stop voter suppression bills like SB-7. I want to see that fight through to the finish. And then I want to think about how I can best serve Texas.

And, Brianna, that might be as a candidate. That might be supporting other candidates. That might be focusing on voter registration and protecting the right to vote. But whatever form it takes, I want to serve the people of Texas. And I'm in for the distance.

KEILAR: All right, so not a no. I'll take that you're thinking about it.

Someone who else says it is a real consideration for him possibly running for Texas governor is Matthew McConaughey, the actor. And we've heard from Senator Ted Cruz, Republican, of course, from Texas. He's called McConaughey -- said that he would be a formidable opponent. I wonder -- I wonder if you agree.

O'ROURKE: You know, it's going to be a similar answer to the last question you asked. I think there's a time and place for, you know, the horse race political considerations of office in Texas. Right now I think we need to protect the right to vote. So whether it's Matthew McConaughey or anyone else, I hope they will do everything they can to make sure that we still have a democracy after this summer and get this voting rights legislation passed. And I understand Mr. McConaughey lives in Austin. I hope he joins us at this voting rights rally at the Capitol this Sunday at 5:30 in Austin. I think his voice would be a powerful one added to the thousands who will be showing up this Sunday. So we hope to see him there.

KEILAR: All right, we'll keep an eye out.

Congressman, thanks so much for being with us, Beto O'Rourke.

O'ROURKE: Thank you.

KEILAR: Up next, the fast food manager falsely accused of serving poisoned milkshakes to police officers tells his side of the story.

BERMAN: And ranchers desperate for water in the western U.S. When will it rain?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:46:16]

BERMAN: The former manager of a New York City Shake Shack has filed a lawsuits against several NYPD officers and police unions after being falsely accused of poisons officers' milkshakes. The incident happened last summer when three officers complained about the taste of their milkshakes. The manager apologized and offered them free vouchers. But hours later, police declared his store a crime scene and accused him of intentionally poisoning them. Even after investigators determined that no one had tampered with the drinks, two police unions perpetuated the hoax on social media. The manager's lawsuit alleges that he was falsely arrested and suffered emotional and psychological damages and damage to his reputation.

Joining me now is that former Shake Shack manager, Marcus Gilliam.

Marcus, thanks so much for being with us.

What was going through your mind? And I know that was a long night. It lasted, what, until 3:00 a.m. for you as you were being accused and questioned falsely for poisoning shakes.

MARCUS GILLIAM, EX-SHAKE SHACK MANAGER WHO'S SUING NYPD UNIONS: Thank you for having me.

Yes, that was a really, really traumatic experience that I went through.

Honestly, my only focus was trying to make sure my team was safe, trying to make sure like I was safe. And we were just trying to get out of there as fast as possible. I just wanted to make it home.

BERMAN: And you say it's created anxiety even until this day. How so? GILLIAM: To this day, honestly, I don't feel the same comfort I used

to feel when I see a police officer. Like I start to sweat a little bit and I'll just like -- I'll try to avoid them at all costs. Like if there's ever an issue, I never call the police anymore, unfortunately. It's just -- I -- it's a -- it's a fight or flight. And, honestly, when it comes to the police, I just want to flight. I don't want to -- I just want to run.

BERMAN: Look, I know it's not on you to try to understand why someone would falsely accuse you of something, but have you thought about that, why this happened?

GILLIAM: Honestly, I sit -- I sat down a lot and I tried to understand like out of my shoes and into theirs. But even then I can't understand why they would have exploded this to the point where they saw us as criminals. Where we were being harassed by the media and by hate mail. And it's uncalled for. It's unnecessary. When all we do --

BERMAN: Um --

GILLIAM: I'm sorry.

BERMAN: No, no, go ahead.

GILLIAM: When all we do is just serve burgers and fries. Like, that's just unnecessary.

BERMAN: Look, I want to say, CNN has reached out to the NYPD for comment but so far no response.

I do want to say that just hours after you were release from custody, the chief of police tweeted, after a thorough investigation by the NYPD's Manhattan South investigators, it's been determined there was no criminality by Shake Shack employees. That was from the actual police force. But the tweets from the police union, you know, saying tonight three of our fellow officers were intentionally poisoned by one or more workers at the Shake Shack. Fortunately, they were not seriously harmed. I mean that was from the Detectives Endowment Association.

You know, to see something like that, before there are even charges, what does that tell you?

GILLIAM: Honestly, I wish I could explain it better. Like, it's unfair. It's really unfair. You're playing with people's lives. And it could have went down a completely different way. Our building had to hire security for our shack.

Did I lose you guys?

BERMAN: No, I'm still here. Your building had to hire security.

GILLIAM: Sorry, my laptop went down.

[08:50:00] BERMAN: All right, I think Marcus is having a hard time getting through to us, but it is clear what he was saying there. And it's easy to understand the frustration.

Our thanks to Marcus Gilliam for that.

And we're so sorry to him that he had to go through that. He's left the restaurant industry. He worked nearly ten years in the restaurant business, now says he can't work in it any more. Got out of it completely.

Just in, the CDC now warning the dangerous new variant that's being called COVID on steroids is set to become the dominant strain in the U.S. More on that ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: If you are on the Gulf Coast, you may be bracing for a lashing as a tropical system is swirling. And it could develop into the first named storm of the season to hit the U.S.

[08:55:03]

So let's get the latest now from Allison Chinchar in the Weather Center.

OK, what are we watching here?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right. So right now we're watching this system that's in the Gulf of Mexico. But knowing where it's expected to go, they've already issued tropical storm warnings for several states along the Gulf Coast in anticipation of this system and where it's going to move over the next couple of days.

Now, this forecast is brought to you by Carvana, the new way to buy a car.

This is where it is right now, just kind of meandering across the Gulf of Mexico. It's not very organized, but it is expected to become better organized throughout the day today. Winds right now sustained at 35 miles per hour moving north at 14 miles per hour. It's expected to continue to move north before making landfall sometime early Saturday morning. And then it's going to start to shift off to the north and east bringing with it very heavy rain to other states, not just along the Gulf Coast, but even farther inland. Portions of Mississippi, Alabama and even Georgia.

And, Brianna, this is really going to be the key story here is the amount of rain that this system has the potential to dump over the next several days as much as six to eight inches in some places.

KEILAR: Wow. I think if we could just push it out west a little bit, right?

Allison, thank you so much. BERMAN: Yes, push it out west because vast parts of the west are

experiencing this historic and unrelenting drought. The worst in the region in at least 20 years.

CNN's Stephanie Elam live from Lake Mead.

And, Stephanie, this is taking a toll on farmers and ranchers. An enormous toll.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Completely. That is so true, John. And when you think about the river, the Colorado River itself, 90 percent of that water actually comes from the melting snowpack in the Colorado Rockies. I traveled up there for this story. And I can tell you, that snowpack is all just about gone.

We're seeing the heat that we are seeing here. It's leading to this melting snowpack. And the point about this is that this extreme heat leads to drought which then leads to extreme heat. Four states are now completely ensconced in drought, including Utah. And that is where I met one cattle rancher who is trying to figure out how he's going to move forward with his business.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAM (voice over): Living in southern Utah, cattle rancher T.J. Atkin is used to dry conditions.

:T. J. ATKIN, CATTLE RANCHER I can't control Mother Nature.

ELAM: But the current dryness is more punishing than anything he's ever seen.

ELAM (on camera): How long has it been since you've had any meaningful rain here?

ATKIN: In the last 15 months, combined, we're barely at three inches of precip in 15 months.

ELAM: And what would you normally see?

ATKIN: Our annual for 12 months is 9 inches.

ELAM (voice over): For generations, his family has raised cattle on the same 210,000 acres in northwestern Arizona.

ATKIN: I've either got to haul water or I've got to -- I'll take them to town and feed them for the next three months.

ELAM: Atkin drove us out to the rugged arid terrain of his ranch. With temperatures well above 100 degrees, there were just a few signs of life until some of his cows came into view. But just some because there's not enough water out here to sustain them all.

ATKIN: I've relocated 80 percent already. I've sold some of them.

ELAM: Atkin's water woes aren't his alone. Take a look at this U.S. drought monitor map. The darker the color, the worse the drought. Atkins' ranch lies deep within that crimson red.

ATKIN: We have about 200 reservoirs and every one of them is dry right now.

ELAM (on camera): Like, dry.

ATKIN: Dry. Never -- we -- no --

ELAM: Nothing?

ATKIN: We don't have a drop in any one of them and we've never done that in 85 years. Never once.

ELAM (voice over): Atkin's operation is in the Colorado River Basin, which is primarily fed by melting snowpack from the western Rocky Mountains. The river then winds down to the Gulf of California, supplying water to seven states along the way. But the basin is now in its 22nd year of drought. This is clearly evident further down river at the end of the Nevada/Arizona border where the river flows into Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the nation which 25 million people depend on for water.

ELAM (on camera): Has it ever been this low before?

MIKE BERNARDO, LOWER COLORADO BASIN RIVER OPERATIONS MANAGER: It hasn't. Not since filling in 1937. So we are anticipating the lower basin to be in the first ever shortage condition in history.

ELAM (voice over): In fact, Lake Mead is 143 feet below full capacity and has shed a mindboggling 5.5 trillion gallons of water in the last 20 years. Those low water levels mean power generation at the Hoover Dam is down 25 percent.

BERNARDO: No one can really tell with any certainty, but we can all hope that the future will be wetter.

ELAM: For his part, Atkin is hoping for a wet monsoon season this summer to replenish his dry ponds and keep his cattle business afloat.

ATKIN: We could catch more water in one week than we've caught in three years.

ELAM: But if not, he predicts the entire country will be impacted by this unprecedented western drought.

ATKIN: It's such a large area.

[09:00:00]

I mean it's almost half of the United States now. If this goes one more year, it will have a huge effect on everyone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)