1 00:00:01,966 --> 00:00:04,033 JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, as you could tell from Lisa's reporting, there is a lot at stake 2 00:00:04,033 --> 00:00:08,333 in this aid package, from the health care system to basic tenets of the U.S. economy. 3 00:00:10,233 --> 00:00:14,166 It has been a political battle to find a bipartisan solution. It still is. 4 00:00:14,166 --> 00:00:18,566 At the center of these talks for Democrats is the speaker of the House. Her home state 5 00:00:18,566 --> 00:00:22,666 of California is among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus. 6 00:00:22,666 --> 00:00:25,533 And Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins me now. 7 00:00:25,533 --> 00:00:28,900 Madam Speaker, thank you very much for talking with us. 8 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:29,900 REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Judy, hello. 9 00:00:29,900 --> 00:00:31,333 JUDY WOODRUFF: Hello. 10 00:00:31,333 --> 00:00:33,333 What is your understanding of the holdup still? 11 00:00:33,333 --> 00:00:37,900 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, first, let me just say that we have a challenge in our country 12 00:00:39,933 --> 00:00:43,200 that we haven't seen for over 100 years, tens of thousands of people -- cases, hundreds 13 00:00:45,066 --> 00:00:47,166 of people who have died. 14 00:00:47,166 --> 00:00:52,000 It's really a challenge to us. And the health issue is preeminent for all of us. 15 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,466 I just want to thank our men and women who are health care providers, our first responders, 16 00:00:58,666 --> 00:01:00,766 and the rest. They are truly our heroines. 17 00:01:00,766 --> 00:01:05,066 And one of the challenges that we have is to make sure that they have all the personal 18 00:01:05,066 --> 00:01:10,066 protective equipment that they have to do their jobs, so that they're not taking risks 19 00:01:12,066 --> 00:01:15,266 as they go into help others and don't bring any problems home from the office -- of the 20 00:01:16,100 --> 00:01:18,066 workplace. 21 00:01:18,066 --> 00:01:22,100 So, that's -- it's so important, that we can try to save lives, but also to respect what 22 00:01:24,733 --> 00:01:29,733 it takes to save those lives in terms of our health care providers and first responders, 23 00:01:29,733 --> 00:01:31,766 firefighters, and the rest. 24 00:01:31,766 --> 00:01:36,300 That involves an OSHA rule that should be - - that isn't in this bill. That's still a 25 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:41,300 challenge that we have, and also just getting the personal protective equipment to them. 26 00:01:42,466 --> 00:01:44,566 The health issue is everything. 27 00:01:44,566 --> 00:01:49,033 I think the health issue is central to the economic issue. The health and the lives and 28 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:55,900 the livelihood of the American people are at stake, at risk, and are uncertain at this 29 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,600 time. 30 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:02,566 So, when we get to the economic side, we're very pleased, actually, that, in the last 31 00:02:04,566 --> 00:02:08,000 few days, the health -- the Democrats in the Congress performed some jujitsu on the bill 32 00:02:10,066 --> 00:02:14,933 that was there. It was from the top town, corporate trickle down to the workers. 33 00:02:14,933 --> 00:02:19,933 We turned it completely around to workers - - for the workers to bubble up, for the workers 34 00:02:20,666 --> 00:02:21,466 and for the families. 35 00:02:21,466 --> 00:02:23,533 JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 36 00:02:23,533 --> 00:02:26,466 REP. NANCY PELOSI: So, there are many provisions in the bill that are necessary and immediate. 37 00:02:26,466 --> 00:02:30,133 And we would hope that we can -- the Senate will take up the bill, so we can bring it 38 00:02:30,133 --> 00:02:35,133 to the floor in the House. We thought we were on that path, until some of the Republican 39 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:40,800 senators objected to the $600 payment that is there, in addition to the unemployment 40 00:02:41,533 --> 00:02:43,066 insurance. 41 00:02:43,066 --> 00:02:45,166 Lisa did an excellent job of describing that to you. 42 00:02:45,166 --> 00:02:47,200 (CROSSTALK) 43 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,900 JUDY WOODRUFF: And I want to ask you, what their argument is, as you know, is that people 44 00:02:50,900 --> 00:02:55,866 will end up receiving more in unemployment benefits in some instances than they would 45 00:02:55,866 --> 00:02:58,033 have earned in their salary. And they're saying that's a problem. 46 00:02:58,033 --> 00:03:01,433 REP. NANCY PELOSI: But it isn't a problem. It isn't a problem. 47 00:03:01,433 --> 00:03:05,600 They also say the reason people want unemployment insurance is so they don't have to go to work. 48 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:10,600 Well, that's not true. You don't get unemployment insurance unless you are fired or unless you 49 00:03:12,533 --> 00:03:15,266 are furloughed. You can't just quit and say, I'm going on unemployment. 50 00:03:15,266 --> 00:03:20,066 But the fact is, is that there is an imbalance in our country in income, and, therefore, 51 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:25,066 the unemployment benefits. But Lisa described it very well. It's complicated. It's complicated 52 00:03:27,033 --> 00:03:31,733 to make it calibrate for every state, so just call it $600 around the country. 53 00:03:32,466 --> 00:03:34,466 JUDY WOODRUFF: Do you... 54 00:03:34,466 --> 00:03:36,433 REP. NANCY PELOSI: At a time when the -- the fact is, is that we are a consumer economy, 55 00:03:36,433 --> 00:03:41,366 and that we really need people -- put money in people's pockets, so they can then spend, 56 00:03:43,333 --> 00:03:45,866 inject demand into the economy, grow the economy, and that's a good thing. 57 00:03:45,866 --> 00:03:48,766 JUDY WOODRUFF: Do you think this is going to get resolved? Are Democrats willing to 58 00:03:48,766 --> 00:03:51,300 give? Are both sides willing to give, do you think? 59 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:54,766 Because, as you know, people are suffering. They're waiting for this to get done. 60 00:03:54,766 --> 00:03:58,466 REP. NANCY PELOSI: But we have yielded on many points. 61 00:03:58,466 --> 00:04:03,200 We certainly would have had a higher direct payment. We would have had more expanded family 62 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:08,200 medical leave in here. We would have had the OSHA rule protecting the health care workers. 63 00:04:10,166 --> 00:04:13,833 We would have full benefits for everyone who gets tested. Remember, we said free testing, 64 00:04:13,833 --> 00:04:16,333 but we want the whole procedure to be there. 65 00:04:16,333 --> 00:04:17,800 JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 66 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,266 REP. NANCY PELOSI: So we would have pensions in here. 67 00:04:20,266 --> 00:04:22,966 There's other things that we want that we will save for another day because of the urgency 68 00:04:22,966 --> 00:04:27,966 of getting this passed today. And so this is a Republican -- among the Republicans, 69 00:04:29,933 --> 00:04:33,600 because, as Lisa indicated so ably, that it is House Democrats and Republicans and the 70 00:04:35,066 --> 00:04:40,066 White House in agreement that we should have this $600 payment. 71 00:04:42,533 --> 00:04:45,600 And so, either way, we're talking about $600. This is -- people are scared, they're in need, 72 00:04:46,466 --> 00:04:47,933 they have additional expenses. 73 00:04:47,933 --> 00:04:50,700 I don't need to explain that to you. 74 00:04:50,700 --> 00:04:54,966 JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, let me -- so, assuming it is passed, there's something worked out, 75 00:04:54,966 --> 00:04:57,300 how long before the House can get it passed? 76 00:04:57,300 --> 00:05:02,300 Because people are waiting. Are you confident you can get -- you can get the sort of what 77 00:05:04,733 --> 00:05:07,233 they call unanimous consent, which means it moves very quickly through the House, is voted 78 00:05:07,233 --> 00:05:09,266 on quickly? 79 00:05:09,266 --> 00:05:11,300 REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, I don't think we can get unanimous consent. I think there are a 80 00:05:11,300 --> 00:05:14,566 number of people who are working their way here on the Republican side, for sure, and 81 00:05:14,566 --> 00:05:18,733 maybe on the Democratic side, to object to unanimous consent. 82 00:05:18,733 --> 00:05:23,733 But that is only -- that was only one option. The other option is to take the vote without 83 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,100 a recorded vote, so that members do not have to be present, but that we'd have to have 84 00:05:30,266 --> 00:05:32,666 a majority to pass the legislation. 85 00:05:32,666 --> 00:05:37,666 If, in fact, that doesn't work, then we're all prepared -- our distinguished whip, Mr. 86 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,833 Clyburn, and our majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, have prepared the way for how members would 87 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,300 participate, and that we could get the job done just in a matter of a short period of 88 00:05:49,900 --> 00:05:52,433 time. 89 00:05:52,433 --> 00:05:55,900 We also have the guidance of our Capitol physician and the sergeant at arms to talk about how 90 00:05:57,900 --> 00:06:02,000 members, if they need to come back, if that is required, that they could safely participate 91 00:06:03,100 --> 00:06:04,666 on the floor in debate and in voting. 92 00:06:04,666 --> 00:06:05,900 JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 93 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:07,933 REP. NANCY PELOSI: So, we're ready. 94 00:06:07,933 --> 00:06:09,166 JUDY WOODRUFF: And I'm asking because, of course, the House is not in session right 95 00:06:09,166 --> 00:06:11,166 now. You would need to call members back. 96 00:06:11,166 --> 00:06:15,266 And, again, the people are waiting and asking, when -- when is this going to get done? So, 97 00:06:16,633 --> 00:06:18,733 what's the soonest you think it could be voted out? 98 00:06:18,733 --> 00:06:21,233 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, as soon as the Senate passes it. That's really the requirement. 99 00:06:21,233 --> 00:06:23,266 It began in the Senate. 100 00:06:23,266 --> 00:06:27,333 We anticipated, when they came into session at noon, that they would be bringing it to 101 00:06:27,333 --> 00:06:32,333 the floor shortly. We were anticipating seeing the text earlier in the day. But, obviously, 102 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:38,666 there's some tweaks or glitches that need to be resolved, but nothing as substantive 103 00:06:38,666 --> 00:06:43,666 as taking away a $600 benefit for people, lower-income and, shall we say, low-wealth 104 00:06:46,433 --> 00:06:51,300 individuals, who really need that money to meet -- ends meet, especially at this time. 105 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:56,300 And so this was a formula that was worked out. I'm so proud of my House Democratic chairmen. 106 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,533 Their wisdom, their knowledge, their experience, their strategic thinking is just dazzling. 107 00:07:05,466 --> 00:07:08,133 And they had a big impact, working with the Senate Democrats, to take this bill from a 108 00:07:08,133 --> 00:07:11,900 corporate-oriented bill to a worker-oriented bill. 109 00:07:11,900 --> 00:07:16,900 And that -- part of that is to have the -- America's working families benefit from the resources 110 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,100 that we're putting into the bill. 111 00:07:20,100 --> 00:07:22,600 JUDY WOODRUFF: So, just two quick questions. 112 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,733 You are satisfied at this point with the corporate oversight in here, inspector general provisions, 113 00:07:27,466 --> 00:07:29,566 the oversight board? 114 00:07:29,566 --> 00:07:32,200 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Yes. That was in our House bill, as many of the things that are in the 115 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,166 Senate bill were in the House bill. 116 00:07:34,166 --> 00:07:39,100 And that -- yes, I'm satisfied. I will be satisfied when it is implemented. But it is 117 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:45,000 good legislation, and I'm proud of our -- I salute chairman -- Leader Schumer for his 118 00:07:46,933 --> 00:07:49,933 great leadership on this legislation, and the Senate Democrats as well. 119 00:07:49,933 --> 00:07:52,033 JUDY WOODRUFF: And... 120 00:07:52,033 --> 00:07:55,066 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Speaking from my own House, though, I'm dazzled by my own chairmen and 121 00:07:55,066 --> 00:07:59,766 their -- and, right now, all day, they -- all day, we have had all-day sessions, with each 122 00:07:59,766 --> 00:08:04,766 chairman explaining what is in the bill and answering questions, to the extent that we 123 00:08:05,933 --> 00:08:08,066 have that information from the other side. 124 00:08:08,066 --> 00:08:12,333 JUDY WOODRUFF: And -- which reminds me, in a different regard, we're hearing from governors. 125 00:08:12,333 --> 00:08:15,266 They don't think there's enough money in there for their states. 126 00:08:15,266 --> 00:08:20,266 New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said, not enough for New York. Is that something the 127 00:08:21,700 --> 00:08:23,833 House could fix? And what about your own state of California? 128 00:08:23,833 --> 00:08:26,900 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, we can't fix it in this bill. 129 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:31,900 We wanted more money. There's $150 billion in state stabilization funds. We wanted more. 130 00:08:34,266 --> 00:08:38,500 That's what we -- was in the bill. But this is not going to be the last bill. 131 00:08:38,500 --> 00:08:43,500 We began this with two bills that were about emergency, emergency funding, legislation 132 00:08:45,433 --> 00:08:50,000 to address the emergency, testing and research and so many things. 133 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:55,000 Then this bill is about mitigation for the damage that is being done by the economic 134 00:08:56,966 --> 00:09:00,100 challenge this presents, as well as, first and foremost, the health challenge. 135 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:01,233 The next phase will be recovery. 136 00:09:01,233 --> 00:09:03,800 JUDY WOODRUFF: Ah. 137 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:06,300 REP. NANCY PELOSI: But none of these has ended. We will still be doing emergency and mitigation, 138 00:09:06,300 --> 00:09:08,933 but then going into recovery. 139 00:09:08,933 --> 00:09:13,000 And we need much more money for our states. And that money goes down to cities and municipalities. 140 00:09:14,966 --> 00:09:18,133 So, we're calling upon the Fed, to Chairman Powell, to be more generous, to -- he told 141 00:09:20,166 --> 00:09:24,766 me, think big, because the interest rates are low. I'm telling him to think big and 142 00:09:24,766 --> 00:09:29,766 help our states, because they are taking a big bite of this wormy apple, and they need 143 00:09:30,966 --> 00:09:33,033 many -- much more in terms of resources. 144 00:09:33,033 --> 00:09:37,433 So, again, seeing what the Fed does, and what the nature of how this grows, we're going 145 00:09:39,500 --> 00:09:43,766 to have to come back and put more funds in. The concerns that the governors put forth 146 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:47,066 are very well-founded. 147 00:09:47,066 --> 00:09:50,233 JUDY WOODRUFF: And, just finally, so we understand what the process is that you're looking at, 148 00:09:52,266 --> 00:09:54,533 there could be -- I hear you saying, as a last resort, you could do remote voting. 149 00:09:54,533 --> 00:09:56,233 REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, I didn't say that. I never said that. 150 00:09:56,233 --> 00:09:57,233 (LAUGHTER) 151 00:09:57,233 --> 00:09:58,733 JUDY WOODRUFF: OK. What... 152 00:09:58,733 --> 00:09:59,400 REP. NANCY PELOSI: I don't think we're capable - - we're not... 153 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:01,533 (CROSSTALK) 154 00:10:01,533 --> 00:10:03,566 JUDY WOODRUFF: Then, you said members could weigh in without being present; is that right? 155 00:10:03,566 --> 00:10:06,366 REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, what -- no, what I said -- forgive me if I mis -- if I wasn't 156 00:10:06,366 --> 00:10:08,466 clear. 157 00:10:08,466 --> 00:10:12,366 What I said was, we would take a vote, an unrecorded vote. If someone calls for a recorded 158 00:10:14,300 --> 00:10:17,433 vote, then we would have a process whereby members could vote by proxy. 159 00:10:17,433 --> 00:10:22,433 A large number of our members want to be here, and some who can't can vote by proxy. If, 160 00:10:24,933 --> 00:10:29,233 in time, the decision is made that we should establish remote voting, that has a constitutional 161 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:35,233 challenge, a technological challenge, and a security challenge that our chair of the 162 00:10:35,233 --> 00:10:40,200 Rules Committee put forth in a report just the beginning of this week. 163 00:10:42,266 --> 00:10:45,300 And that may be, at some point, where we have to make a decision. But in order to go there, 164 00:10:47,333 --> 00:10:49,800 you have to take a vote. You have to be present to take a vote to do that. 165 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,333 JUDY WOODRUFF: But you're saying it could be done within a few days? 166 00:10:52,333 --> 00:10:54,400 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Yes. 167 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,600 And it's no use having a conversation about what might happen later. What is in the here 168 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:02,566 and now -- and I thank you for asking -- is that we are ready. We hope that they would 169 00:11:04,533 --> 00:11:08,800 freeze the design, and whatever the difference is on the Republican side. 170 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:13,800 Please don't resent our lowest-paid workers in America for getting $600, so that they 171 00:11:15,733 --> 00:11:20,366 can meet the needs of their families, spend the money. It's immediate. Spend the money, 172 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,900 inject demand into the economy, grow the economy, and, at the same time, give people a little 173 00:11:27,933 --> 00:11:31,700 more confidence and less stress as they deal with the important health issue, health challenge 174 00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:33,700 that this is. 175 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:37,133 We pray for those who have lost their loved ones and those whose are -- whose family are 176 00:11:37,133 --> 00:11:42,133 affected by all of this. We pray and thank God for our health care workers, our first 177 00:11:44,066 --> 00:11:47,666 responders, our firefighters, and police officers, and emergency services people. 178 00:11:47,666 --> 00:11:50,533 They are our heroes in all of this, and we're grateful to them. 179 00:11:50,533 --> 00:11:52,100 JUDY WOODRUFF: No question about it. 180 00:11:52,100 --> 00:11:54,266 Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we thank you very much. 181 00:11:54,266 --> 00:11:54,633 REP. NANCY PELOSI: Thank you, Judy. My pleasure.