WEBVTT 00:02.033 --> 00:05.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: President Trump is being challenged tonight on both sides of the U.S. Capitol. 00:05.033 --> 00:09.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% First to the House of Representatives and the battle over the border between the United States and 00:09.566 --> 00:11.600 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% Mexico. 00:11.600 --> 00:15.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Majority Democrats pushed a resolution this evening to terminate the president's national 00:15.566 --> 00:17.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% emergency declaration. 00:17.533 --> 00:22.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It came after arguments over Mr. Trump's plan to divert other government funds in order 00:23.300 --> 00:24.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to build a southern border wall. 00:24.500 --> 00:26.566 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% REP. 00:26.566 --> 00:29.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% TOM MALINOWSKI (D), New Jersey: The Emergencies Act is for genuine emergencies. 00:29.266 --> 00:34.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It is not a get out of the Constitution free card for presidents who want something that 00:35.933 --> 00:37.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Congress won't give them. 00:37.233 --> 00:39.366 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% REP. 00:39.366 --> 00:41.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JODEY ARRINGTON (R), Texas: I will be voting today for our president, for his constitutional 00:41.466 --> 00:45.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% legal authority to defend this country, to protect our borders and our citizens. 00:45.833 --> 00:50.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I will be voting for the safety of the American people today and the safety for our communities 00:52.233 --> 00:54.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% not just in West Texas, but throughout this country. 00:54.366 --> 00:58.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: The resolution will now go after the House to the Senate, where the focus 00:58.000 --> 01:02.833 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% today was President Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen. 01:02.833 --> 01:06.800 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% He testified in a closed session with the Senate Intelligence Committee. 01:06.800 --> 01:11.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Tomorrow, he testifies publicly at a House oversight hearing. 01:11.133 --> 01:16.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Late today, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz tweeted a warning to Cohen, saying his wife 01:17.600 --> 01:20.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is about to learn a lot about -- quote -- "your girlfriend." 01:20.533 --> 01:25.533 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% Later, Gaetz insisted that he wasn't engaging in witness intimidation. 01:27.500 --> 01:31.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Our own Lisa Desjardins has been keeping track of this entire swirl of news today on Capitol 01:31.033 --> 01:32.200 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% Hill. 01:32.200 --> 01:33.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It doesn't get any busier than this, Lisa. 01:33.700 --> 01:35.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Let's start by talking about the emergency declaration. 01:35.533 --> 01:37.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They have been talking about it in the House. 01:37.800 --> 01:38.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% They're about to vote. 01:38.900 --> 01:40.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% What have you been hearing? 01:40.133 --> 01:41.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: I'm watching my phone. 01:41.400 --> 01:43.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That vote should happen any minute. 01:43.500 --> 01:46.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% This is that vote which would terminate this emergency declaration, and Congress does have 01:47.566 --> 01:49.033 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% that power. 01:49.033 --> 01:51.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This is the first step in trying to block that declaration. 01:51.200 --> 01:52.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% It is believed this will pass. 01:52.800 --> 01:54.700 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And it will pass easily. 01:54.700 --> 01:57.133 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% The question is, how many Republicans will be on board, Judy? 01:57.133 --> 02:00.366 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% And many Republicans are having a very difficult time with this issue. 02:00.366 --> 02:04.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I spoke to one, Tom Massie of Kentucky, who said he is now going with Democrats and saying 02:04.566 --> 02:07.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that he thinks this is an overreach by the president. 02:07.400 --> 02:11.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% However, I talked to another, freshman Denver Riggleman of Virginia, who said he walked 02:11.400 --> 02:16.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% in this morning he too would agree with Democrats, then received a briefing about the situation 02:18.366 --> 02:20.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% at the border, and after that briefing he felt that it was enough of a crisis that he 02:20.633 --> 02:25.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% is struggling, but he is now going to vote with the president in trying to keep the emergency 02:25.466 --> 02:27.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% declaration going. 02:27.466 --> 02:31.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% This is important because ultimately we think two-thirds of the members of the House will 02:31.000 --> 02:35.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% have to agree in order to actually override a likely veto. 02:35.133 --> 02:37.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: A likely presidential veto. 02:37.133 --> 02:39.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So all but certain it passes the House. 02:39.333 --> 02:40.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: Yes. 02:40.600 --> 02:42.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: What about in the Senate? 02:42.700 --> 02:45.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: That's an interesting question, because, right now, of course, there are 47 02:45.000 --> 02:49.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Democrats who are planning to vote to try and terminate this emergency declaration. 02:49.666 --> 02:54.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That means four Republicans are needed to go alongside with them to just pass this resolution. 02:56.733 --> 02:59.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Right now, Judy, we have three Republicans who say they agree with Democrats, Susan Collins 02:59.800 --> 03:03.500 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. 03:03.500 --> 03:08.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Those last two, Senators Tillis and Murkowski, Judy, their two states have some of the largest 03:10.566 --> 03:13.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% number of projects, military construction projects, which the president could freeze, 03:14.800 --> 03:17.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% take money from, in order to build his wall. 03:17.366 --> 03:21.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They also say they have constitutional objections largely to what the president is doing. 03:21.600 --> 03:25.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So we think that it is likely another Republican will probably side with them. 03:25.066 --> 03:29.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I spoke to eight Republicans today who are - - who are deciding. 03:29.100 --> 03:33.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But Vice President Pence was in the Senate today trying to tell Republicans, side with 03:33.300 --> 03:36.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the president, keep this emergency declaration going. 03:36.233 --> 03:38.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We don't know when that vote will be. 03:38.133 --> 03:41.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Our Saher Khan got information from Republicans that it may be in two weeks. 03:41.733 --> 03:42.733 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It could be sooner. 03:42.733 --> 03:43.733 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% We're not sure. 03:43.733 --> 03:45.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Not right away. 03:45.200 --> 03:46.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But it looks like it's at least delayed for a few days. 03:46.666 --> 03:48.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: They have some choices to make on that. 03:48.733 --> 03:51.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: So, now let me ask you about the other big thing, the story that everybody's 03:51.433 --> 03:53.366 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% watching. 03:53.366 --> 03:55.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And that is the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen went behind closed 03:55.966 --> 04:00.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% doors talking to the Senate Intelligence Committee. 04:00.166 --> 04:02.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The information has trickled out. 04:02.266 --> 04:07.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And now we have this tweet that has gotten everybody's attention from the Florida congressman. 04:07.866 --> 04:08.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% What do we know about him? 04:08.666 --> 04:09.200 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: Right. 04:09.200 --> 04:11.066 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% Right. 04:11.066 --> 04:12.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Matt Gaetz is seen as one of the president's strongest allies in Congress. 04:12.766 --> 04:14.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% He's a conservative firebrand. 04:14.400 --> 04:17.766 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% He also, importantly, Judy, sits on the House Judiciary Committee. 04:17.766 --> 04:21.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% That's not the committee that is meeting with Mr. Cohen tomorrow. 04:21.733 --> 04:25.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% However, it is the committee where impeachment proceedings would begin. 04:25.933 --> 04:30.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And Matt Gaetz is seen as someone who would be one of the most ardent defenders of the 04:30.066 --> 04:32.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% president, should impeachment proceedings happen. 04:32.400 --> 04:35.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Judy, more importantly, I think what's happening here is we're seeing what Republicans will 04:35.466 --> 04:38.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% do tomorrow when Mr. Cohen testifies publicly. 04:38.266 --> 04:42.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They are going to assail him as an witness with no credibility. 04:42.166 --> 04:47.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And as much as the Democrats ask questions about the president's activity, Republicans 04:49.100 --> 04:52.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% will be going after Mr. Cohen about his personal life, as we have seen today. 04:52.633 --> 04:56.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And also it's interesting to see, is this a threat against Mr. Cohen by a member of 04:56.966 --> 04:57.966 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Congress? 04:57.966 --> 04:59.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% That's still being debated. 04:59.933 --> 05:01.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: So, again, that's the House Oversight Committee where he's going to be 05:01.933 --> 05:03.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% testifying tomorrow in public. 05:03.033 --> 05:05.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: Tomorrow. 05:05.133 --> 05:07.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Cameras will be there, but we don't know what he -- what more he's likely 05:07.733 --> 05:09.833 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% to say, do we? 05:09.833 --> 05:12.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: We do have some reporting, thanks to our great Yamiche Alcindor. 05:12.500 --> 05:16.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% She's speaking to a source close to Cohen who tells her that -- in fact confirms other 05:16.700 --> 05:21.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% reports -- that Mr. Cohen will speak to what he sees as criminal activity by the president, 05:23.700 --> 05:27.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that he will also talk about the president saying racist statements to him. 05:27.466 --> 05:32.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, indeed, he will speak, Yamiche is told, to financial statements from the president. 05:33.633 --> 05:35.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% These are all very serious allegations. 05:35.700 --> 05:38.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I think we have two things happening, one, an intense political atmosphere where we see 05:38.933 --> 05:42.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% both sides ready to perhaps exaggerate what's happening. 05:42.533 --> 05:47.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And then we have very serious dramatic testimony that may not need exaggeration. 05:47.000 --> 05:49.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And it's going to be very difficult and have to be very careful in figuring out how to 05:49.866 --> 05:53.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% weigh all of this in a very frenzied atmosphere. 05:53.133 --> 05:55.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It could be quite circus-like tomorrow. 05:55.166 --> 05:58.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Very -- enormous attention on what Mr. Cohen is going to be saying tomorrow, 05:58.700 --> 06:00.766 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% and, of course, all this while the president's out of the country. 06:00.766 --> 06:01.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Lisa, thank you very much.