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Sen. Joe Manchin Tells Fox News He Will Wreck Biden's BBB; United States on Israel's No-Fly List. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired December 20, 2021 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

ERICA HILL, CNN NEW DAY HOST: We'll be watching. SE Cupp, David Gregory, thank you both.

CUPP: Thanks.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN NEW DAY HOST: Coming up, the major global city cancelling the New Year's Eve party because of COVID.

HILL: And next, a Democrat just put a stake in the heart of President Biden's agenda as we were just talking about. Well let's ask a Democrat from the Hill directly next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:34:20]

BERMAN: West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party by announcing his opposition to President Biden's Build Back Better legislation. So what do Democrats do now? Joining me, Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio. He is running for Senate in Ohio this year and for next year. Congressman, thanks for being with us. How do you feel about Senator Manchin this morning?

REP. TIM RYAN (D), OHIO: Well I think we're all pretty frustrated. You know, we all thought that this was going to go. We knew it wasn't going to be exactly what we sent out of the House of Representatives to the Senate, but this is essential for our people. This was the greatest investment in a generation to rebuild the middle class, the great American middle class.

[07:35:00]

Really straight forward. I don't think it's hard to explain to anybody about, you know, cutting taxes for working people, universal preschool, helping seniors with hearing aids and glasses. I mean, this is - this is a very frustrating moment. We dot to come back in January and get some of this done.

BERMAN: You know, the White House put out a scathing statement about Manchin. They said, "If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments." I mean, do you think Senator Joe Manchin is a liar?

RYAN: Well look, all I know is the president told us and our House Caucus that he had commitments that we were going to get this done in the Senate, so that was the extent of our access to that conversation. But look, we've got to extend these tax cuts. We've got tax cuts for working people. First time we're actually cutting taxes for families as opposed to the top 1 percent or the people who've made all the money in the last 30 or 40 years. We cannot let that tax cut expire here in January. We have got to make sure we extend it. If we're talking about making anything permanent it should be a tax cut for working people to rebalance this economic system

What better investment to make than universal preschool? If we're going to outcompete China, which we have to do, we've got to reinvest back into our people and into our communities, put some money in people's pockets, rebuild this middle class. So you know, we - this is D.C. Like we all understand it. We've got to get something done, and we got to get it done in January because by the 15 of January these tax cuts will expire for working people. Lifted millions of people out of poverty. We just can't let that happen.

BERMAN: You're talking about the tax credits, which effectively are tax - reduce people's tax burden so it feels like a tax cut. Congressman Ryan, you're talking to me from Youngstown, Ohio, which is not dissimilar to parts of West Virginia where Joe Manchin is. You've been talking about what's in this bill. Talk to the people of West Virginia. What are they, in your mind, losing out on because of their senator?

RYAN: Well you know, if you go down the Ohio River, it's just across the river. I mean, the cultures are very similar in many parts of Ohio with West Virginia. I think the economic challenges are the same.

This is straight forward, right? This is a tax cut for working families. This is about expanding Medicare so our seniors won't have to come out of pocket for hearing aids, glasses, and maybe dental work. This is about universal preschool, which is also one year less of child care that people have to pay, so that's money in their pockets as well. Family and medical leave, which doesn't look like it would be in there anyway, that's money in people's pockets. Capping childcare expenses at 7 percent of your income is a significant reduction in expenditures for a family.

This is huge, John. This is a huge investment to rebuild the middle class, and I'm pretty sick of the last 30 years, two rounds of tax cuts under George Bush for the top 1 percent, crumbs to the middle class in places like Youngstown. You look at trade deals that have outsourced jobs to Mexico and China. Middle class and communities have been eroded. Like this is an opportunity for us to rebalance that system. We have got to get this done.

That's why I'm running for the Senate if people, you know, think that we need another vote to rebuild the middle class, go to TimForOH.com and chip in a few bucks for the campaign because we've got to get this done. Tax cuts for the rich over 40 years, bad trade deals have decimated many parts of this country, definitely in Ohio; I'm sure in West Virginia. Let's rebalance this system. Got to get this done in January.

BERMAN: So you don't think it's dead?

RYAN: I don't. I've been - I've been in D.C. enough to know that nothing's ever dead. I think we resuscitate it. I think we get it back on the agenda in January. I think we figure out definitely the tax cuts, what else can we put in there that Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema could live with. What can we pay for? Again, this is not going to raise taxes on anybody making less than $400,000 a year. This is exactly what the middle class and working people have been screaming for for 40 years. Ask the wealthy to pay a little bit more, reinvest that back into our families and our communities.

This is not complicated, and I think we get it back on the agenda in January, figure out what pieces we can push, and then fight like hell to get it done for working people. Whether you're white or black or brown, this is going to help working people.

BERMAN: I got to let you run, Congressman, but did the White House hit - in your mind, could the White House have handled it better? I mean, should they have been surprised that Manchin bolted when he did?

RYAN: Well I wasn't involved in those internal conversations. I do have a level of frustration that the American people don't understand what's in this bill because this is a no brainer.

[07:40:00]

I've lived in Ohio for 48 years. I know the people of Ohio. If they hear what's in this bill, they will support it 1,000 percent because it's great for them. So I'm frustrated that the essence of this bill, the things that are going to help working people. Again, whether your white or black or brown, if you're out there busting your rear end doing everything right, this bill is for you and your family. And the fact that that did not penetrate the consciousness of the country is very, very frustrating and we've got to take responsibility.

But let me just say quickly no Republican came to the table to try to help, so we can talk about Manchin and Sinema and Democrat. Not one Republican stepped up on childcare, on a tax cut for working people, on helping seniors with their hearing aids and glasses so they didn't have to come out of pocket. Not one Republican. So they're MIA in this whole process, which the voters are certainly going to know about next year, but we've got to get this thing done and let people know we're not giving up on this. We will never give up on them. We will never stop fighting for them. Get it back on the agenda in January and get the best deal we can.

BERMAN: Congressman Tim Ryan, have a wonderful holiday. Stay healthy.

RYAN: Thanks. You, too.

BERMAN: So COVID just landed the United States on Israel's no-fly list.

HILL: Plus a Chinese tennis star speaking out now on the explosive allegations that led to serious questions about her safety and her whereabouts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:45:45]

BERMAN: So this morning it is the United States on the no-fly list. Israel just added the U.S., Canada, Germany, and others to its red no- fly list because of the spread of COVID. Denmark was already on that list as Omicron positives are doubling there nearly every two days. CNN has reporters covering the pandemic all around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Scott Mclean. Denmark is already seeing a spike in new COVID infections twice as high as the previous peak, but now thanks to the Omicron variant Danish scientists predict that in the worst case scenario daily infections could be 10 times as high as the previous record. Danes are quickly finding out that two shots of vaccine, well that's not very effective against Omicron. More than three-quarters of the population has had two doses of the vaccine, but only about a quarter have had their booster.

Scientists are also predicting that hospital admissions could hit record highs by Christmas. The one point of uncertainty is just how severe an illness Omicron actually causes. Denmark has already shut down cinemas, theaters, and museums and put restrictions on night life to try to get the virus under control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: I'm Salma Abdelaziz in London. Everyone here is asking will there be a lockdown before Christmas? Over the week British scientific advisers warning the authorities that tougher measures are needed to slow a potential wave of hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant. The London Mayor also declaring a major incident in the city over the weekend and saying further restrictions were inevitable. And the Deputy Prime Minister on the BBC Breakfast this morning saying that there's no hard and fast guarantees that tougher rules won't come into force before the end of the holiday season. Meanwhile, England's booster program is in full swing. It broke records on Saturday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR & CORRESPONDENT: I'm Cyril Vanier in Paris. You won't be seeing fireworks at the Eifel Tower on New Year's Eve. They've been cancelled because of COVID. The government is trying to contain the virus, both their recent surge of Delta cases and the increase in Omicron. So the Prime Minister is calling to avoid big parties and gatherings at the end of the year. The consumption of alcohol in public spaces will be banned. Towns and cities are asked to cancel large public events, fireworks, and concerts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm David McKenzie in Johannesburg. South Africa is seeing record levels of COVID-19, and the positivity rate is at a staggering 30 odd percent, but there is still plenty of room in the hospitals, and scientist say there is now more of a disconnect of severity and cases because of the mildness of this wave. Whether it's because of prior infection or vaccination giving some level of immunity it's just not as bad several weeks after this variant was discovered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Our thanks to all of our reporters there. So what should you do with all of this information? Let's bring in Preventative Medicine Physician Dr. James Hamblin who just wrote a piece in the newsletter "The Body" titled, "Yes, You'll Get the Virus: Why That Doesn't Mean 'Give Up'".

Dr. Hamblin, it's good to have you with us this morning. You know, you note that we're all pretty likely to get infected, but getting infected with the virus at some point is not the same as, you know, severe illness or sickness. So how do you differentiate between, OK, I'm going to get it. I'm going to find peace with that but not just throw your hands up and say all right, I'm just going to - I'm going to get it, so I'm not going to bother taking any protective measures.

DR. JAMES HAMBLIN, PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE PHYSICIAN: Yes, I realize it's a difficult distinction because I am certainly not advocating fatalism here. I think analogies to cars tend to work really well for a lot of aspects in this pandemic, but especially this. You know, we're all very likely to get into car accidents at some point. That doesn't mean we close our eyes and let go of the wheel. There's a very big difference in the course of this disease as depending on how prepared your body is.

So if you've vaccinated yourself and you've taken precautions and the exposure that you have to this virus is low, you're prepared as possible. That's, you know, you have your seatbelt on. You have your airbags. You're paying attention. Hopefully it's as minimal as can be if and when you do encounter this virus.

[07:50:00]

And I think it's safest to expect that you will and prepare accordingly but not to throw your hands up and think that, you know, I shouldn't do anything.

HILL: Right. I have to say that's certainly - you know, here in the New York area that certainly seems to be especially over the course of this past weekend people I've spoken with, people in my own circles. It feels like it's inevitable. What sticks out, too, is, you know, at the White House COVID briefing

on Friday, Jeff Zients said this is not a time to panic, and yet I think people are having a hard time balancing the two. OK, I get it. I get that it's out there, but I am concerned. What's different this time around? How concerned should people be?

HAMBLIN: Well it's never a time to panic. I don't think in any emergency panic is useful. Just remember that we have the tools and we know how to use them. We know what to do. You know, if everyone is exhausted and concerns about pandemic fatigue are very real and legitimate, this is a moment to be especially cautious. We are learning more day-by-day about Omicron, but at the same time we have the tools now.

You know, last winter we didn't. I mean, this time - this time last year you couldn't get the vaccines that you can get right now. And so, get vaccinated, get boosted, take precautions as best you can, and minimize exposure, you know? A tiny exposure to this virus is likely to be safer than exposing yourself to an enormous dose.

So just because you've decided that you're going to hang out with someone or have a gathering, that doesn't mean that you should throw caution to the wind and forget about any approaches to minimizing exposure.

HILL: There's so much focus and rightfully so on testing right now. How much could more testing, better access to those tests, how much could that change the trajectory do you think?

HAMBLIN: Well I think in an ideal world, yes. We would all have easy access to rapid tests and be able to use them frequently and that would give people a lot more confidence in being able to gather, see people over the holidays, which they're probably going to do anyway. So you know, it's impossible. There are a million possible futures right now, but I really - it is quite normal that we don't have better access to those tests.

And so, you're seeing people just, you know, waiting in enormous lines or deciding to cancel gatherings to play it safe because they just don't know.

HILL: Yes, well as you note in this piece, there's reason to care to keep doing your best. There is purpose in these efforts. They matter. Dr. James Hamblin, appreciate it. Thank you.

HAMBLIN: Thank you.

HILL: So is President Biden's Build Back Better plan now dead? We're going to speak with one of the bill's sponsors.

BERMAN: And a Chinese tennis star backtracking at least publically on the allegations that she made that led to an international controversy. It all raises questions about whether this new statement was coerced and if she's safe.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [07:57:53]

HILL: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denying she ever accused the top Chinese leader of sexual assault amid growing concern about her wellbeing. Shuai now claims there's been a misunderstanding. CNN's Will Ripley is live in Hong Kong this morning with more. So Will, what is that misunderstanding?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well look, she's had weeks to be coached by whomever might have been stage managing those videos that were released shortly after her explosive November 2 Weibo post. So we have to keep that context in mind.

When you see this new video of Peng Shuai released not by Chinese State media but about the closest that you could get to it outside of China. It's a Singaporean newspaper. The only Chinese language foreign newspaper that you can buy in the mainland, that you can access without a VPN in the mainland. They have pro Beijing coverage, so we need to point that out.

But what Peng Shuai told this reporter who supposedly just kind of casually went up to her as she was at a cross country ski tournament in Shanghai on Sunday, he asked her all about her sexual assault claim, and she says she never actually claimed sexual assault. I want to read you some of the quotes that she gave this reporter from Singapore saying, "I have never spoken or written about anyone sexually assaulting me. It's my personal privacy. There possibly has been a lot of misunderstanding. Therefore, there should not be such distorted interpretation here."

Now this is exactly what Chinese State media has been saying even though her post very emotionally and graphically laid out what by any outside analyst would look at and say this was sexual assault. This was an older man, a Communist Party leader now retired who was accused of abusing his power to have sex with a younger woman, but she's claiming now that that's not what she meant when she made that post. It was erased within 30 minutes from social media and it's censored inside China, still blocked by government sensors.

She says that she is free to move around the country. She says she's always been free. She's been at her home in Beijing, and she says she was home when she made those two video calls with the International Olympic Committee that were widely criticized as only bolstering the Chinese government's narrative in this whole case by silencing and censoring Peng Shuai, but she says she's grateful to the IOC. She was happy to have those calls.