WEBVTT 00:01.966 --> 00:04.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, as you could tell from Lisa's reporting, there is a lot at stake 00:04.033 --> 00:08.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% in this aid package, from the health care system to basic tenets of the U.S. economy. 00:10.233 --> 00:14.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It has been a political battle to find a bipartisan solution. It still is. 00:14.166 --> 00:18.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% At the center of these talks for Democrats is the speaker of the House. Her home state 00:18.566 --> 00:22.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% of California is among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus. 00:22.666 --> 00:25.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins me now. 00:25.533 --> 00:28.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Madam Speaker, thank you very much for talking with us. 00:28.900 --> 00:29.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Judy, hello. 00:29.900 --> 00:31.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Hello. 00:31.333 --> 00:33.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% What is your understanding of the holdup still? 00:33.333 --> 00:37.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, first, let me just say that we have a challenge in our country 00:39.933 --> 00:43.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that we haven't seen for over 100 years, tens of thousands of people -- cases, hundreds 00:45.066 --> 00:47.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% of people who have died. 00:47.166 --> 00:52.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% It's really a challenge to us. And the health issue is preeminent for all of us. 00:54.000 --> 00:57.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I just want to thank our men and women who are health care providers, our first responders, 00:58.666 --> 01:00.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and the rest. They are truly our heroines. 01:00.766 --> 01:05.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And one of the challenges that we have is to make sure that they have all the personal 01:05.066 --> 01:10.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% protective equipment that they have to do their jobs, so that they're not taking risks 01:12.066 --> 01:15.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% as they go into help others and don't bring any problems home from the office -- of the 01:16.100 --> 01:18.066 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% workplace. 01:18.066 --> 01:22.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, that's -- it's so important, that we can try to save lives, but also to respect what 01:24.733 --> 01:29.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% it takes to save those lives in terms of our health care providers and first responders, 01:29.733 --> 01:31.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% firefighters, and the rest. 01:31.766 --> 01:36.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That involves an OSHA rule that should be - - that isn't in this bill. That's still a 01:36.300 --> 01:41.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% challenge that we have, and also just getting the personal protective equipment to them. 01:42.466 --> 01:44.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% The health issue is everything. 01:44.566 --> 01:49.033 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I think the health issue is central to the economic issue. The health and the lives and 01:51.066 --> 01:55.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the livelihood of the American people are at stake, at risk, and are uncertain at this 01:56.600 --> 01:58.600 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% time. 01:58.600 --> 02:02.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, when we get to the economic side, we're very pleased, actually, that, in the last 02:04.566 --> 02:08.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% few days, the health -- the Democrats in the Congress performed some jujitsu on the bill 02:10.066 --> 02:14.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% that was there. It was from the top town, corporate trickle down to the workers. 02:14.933 --> 02:19.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We turned it completely around to workers - - for the workers to bubble up, for the workers 02:20.666 --> 02:21.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and for the families. 02:21.466 --> 02:23.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 02:23.533 --> 02:26.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: So, there are many provisions in the bill that are necessary and immediate. 02:26.466 --> 02:30.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And we would hope that we can -- the Senate will take up the bill, so we can bring it 02:30.133 --> 02:35.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to the floor in the House. We thought we were on that path, until some of the Republican 02:37.100 --> 02:40.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% senators objected to the $600 payment that is there, in addition to the unemployment 02:41.533 --> 02:43.066 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% insurance. 02:43.066 --> 02:45.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Lisa did an excellent job of describing that to you. 02:45.166 --> 02:47.200 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 02:47.200 --> 02:50.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And I want to ask you, what their argument is, as you know, is that people 02:50.900 --> 02:55.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% will end up receiving more in unemployment benefits in some instances than they would 02:55.866 --> 02:58.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% have earned in their salary. And they're saying that's a problem. 02:58.033 --> 03:01.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: But it isn't a problem. It isn't a problem. 03:01.433 --> 03:05.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They also say the reason people want unemployment insurance is so they don't have to go to work. 03:05.600 --> 03:10.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Well, that's not true. You don't get unemployment insurance unless you are fired or unless you 03:12.533 --> 03:15.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% are furloughed. You can't just quit and say, I'm going on unemployment. 03:15.266 --> 03:20.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But the fact is, is that there is an imbalance in our country in income, and, therefore, 03:20.066 --> 03:25.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% the unemployment benefits. But Lisa described it very well. It's complicated. It's complicated 03:27.033 --> 03:31.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to make it calibrate for every state, so just call it $600 around the country. 03:32.466 --> 03:34.466 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Do you... 03:34.466 --> 03:36.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: At a time when the -- the fact is, is that we are a consumer economy, 03:36.433 --> 03:41.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and that we really need people -- put money in people's pockets, so they can then spend, 03:43.333 --> 03:45.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% inject demand into the economy, grow the economy, and that's a good thing. 03:45.866 --> 03:48.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Do you think this is going to get resolved? Are Democrats willing to 03:48.766 --> 03:51.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% give? Are both sides willing to give, do you think? 03:51.300 --> 03:54.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Because, as you know, people are suffering. They're waiting for this to get done. 03:54.766 --> 03:58.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: But we have yielded on many points. 03:58.466 --> 04:03.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We certainly would have had a higher direct payment. We would have had more expanded family 04:03.200 --> 04:08.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% medical leave in here. We would have had the OSHA rule protecting the health care workers. 04:10.166 --> 04:13.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We would have full benefits for everyone who gets tested. Remember, we said free testing, 04:13.833 --> 04:16.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but we want the whole procedure to be there. 04:16.333 --> 04:17.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 04:17.800 --> 04:20.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: So we would have pensions in here. 04:20.266 --> 04:22.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% There's other things that we want that we will save for another day because of the urgency 04:22.966 --> 04:27.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% of getting this passed today. And so this is a Republican -- among the Republicans, 04:29.933 --> 04:33.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% because, as Lisa indicated so ably, that it is House Democrats and Republicans and the 04:35.066 --> 04:40.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% White House in agreement that we should have this $600 payment. 04:42.533 --> 04:45.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And so, either way, we're talking about $600. This is -- people are scared, they're in need, 04:46.466 --> 04:47.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they have additional expenses. 04:47.933 --> 04:50.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I don't need to explain that to you. 04:50.700 --> 04:54.966 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Well, let me -- so, assuming it is passed, there's something worked out, 04:54.966 --> 04:57.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% how long before the House can get it passed? 04:57.300 --> 05:02.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Because people are waiting. Are you confident you can get -- you can get the sort of what 05:04.733 --> 05:07.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they call unanimous consent, which means it moves very quickly through the House, is voted 05:07.233 --> 05:09.266 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% on quickly? 05:09.266 --> 05:11.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, I don't think we can get unanimous consent. I think there are a 05:11.300 --> 05:14.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% number of people who are working their way here on the Republican side, for sure, and 05:14.566 --> 05:18.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% maybe on the Democratic side, to object to unanimous consent. 05:18.733 --> 05:23.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But that is only -- that was only one option. The other option is to take the vote without 05:25.600 --> 05:29.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% a recorded vote, so that members do not have to be present, but that we'd have to have 05:30.266 --> 05:32.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a majority to pass the legislation. 05:32.666 --> 05:37.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% If, in fact, that doesn't work, then we're all prepared -- our distinguished whip, Mr. 05:39.600 --> 05:42.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Clyburn, and our majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, have prepared the way for how members would 05:44.800 --> 05:49.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% participate, and that we could get the job done just in a matter of a short period of 05:49.900 --> 05:52.433 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% time. 05:52.433 --> 05:55.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We also have the guidance of our Capitol physician and the sergeant at arms to talk about how 05:57.900 --> 06:02.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% members, if they need to come back, if that is required, that they could safely participate 06:03.100 --> 06:04.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% on the floor in debate and in voting. 06:04.666 --> 06:05.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Right. 06:05.900 --> 06:07.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% REP. NANCY PELOSI: So, we're ready. 06:07.933 --> 06:09.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And I'm asking because, of course, the House is not in session right 06:09.166 --> 06:11.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% now. You would need to call members back. 06:11.166 --> 06:15.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And, again, the people are waiting and asking, when -- when is this going to get done? So, 06:16.633 --> 06:18.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% what's the soonest you think it could be voted out? 06:18.733 --> 06:21.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, as soon as the Senate passes it. That's really the requirement. 06:21.233 --> 06:23.266 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It began in the Senate. 06:23.266 --> 06:27.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We anticipated, when they came into session at noon, that they would be bringing it to 06:27.333 --> 06:32.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the floor shortly. We were anticipating seeing the text earlier in the day. But, obviously, 06:34.200 --> 06:38.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% there's some tweaks or glitches that need to be resolved, but nothing as substantive 06:38.666 --> 06:43.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% as taking away a $600 benefit for people, lower-income and, shall we say, low-wealth 06:46.433 --> 06:51.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% individuals, who really need that money to meet -- ends meet, especially at this time. 06:51.300 --> 06:56.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And so this was a formula that was worked out. I'm so proud of my House Democratic chairmen. 06:58.600 --> 07:03.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Their wisdom, their knowledge, their experience, their strategic thinking is just dazzling. 07:05.466 --> 07:08.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And they had a big impact, working with the Senate Democrats, to take this bill from a 07:08.133 --> 07:11.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% corporate-oriented bill to a worker-oriented bill. 07:11.900 --> 07:16.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that -- part of that is to have the -- America's working families benefit from the resources 07:18.800 --> 07:20.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that we're putting into the bill. 07:20.100 --> 07:22.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: So, just two quick questions. 07:22.600 --> 07:26.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You are satisfied at this point with the corporate oversight in here, inspector general provisions, 07:27.466 --> 07:29.566 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% the oversight board? 07:29.566 --> 07:32.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Yes. That was in our House bill, as many of the things that are in the 07:32.200 --> 07:34.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Senate bill were in the House bill. 07:34.166 --> 07:39.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And that -- yes, I'm satisfied. I will be satisfied when it is implemented. But it is 07:41.000 --> 07:45.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% good legislation, and I'm proud of our -- I salute chairman -- Leader Schumer for his 07:46.933 --> 07:49.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% great leadership on this legislation, and the Senate Democrats as well. 07:49.933 --> 07:52.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: And... 07:52.033 --> 07:55.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Speaking from my own House, though, I'm dazzled by my own chairmen and 07:55.066 --> 07:59.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% their -- and, right now, all day, they -- all day, we have had all-day sessions, with each 07:59.766 --> 08:04.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% chairman explaining what is in the bill and answering questions, to the extent that we 08:05.933 --> 08:08.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% have that information from the other side. 08:08.066 --> 08:12.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: And -- which reminds me, in a different regard, we're hearing from governors. 08:12.333 --> 08:15.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They don't think there's enough money in there for their states. 08:15.266 --> 08:20.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said, not enough for New York. Is that something the 08:21.700 --> 08:23.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% House could fix? And what about your own state of California? 08:23.833 --> 08:26.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Well, we can't fix it in this bill. 08:26.900 --> 08:31.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We wanted more money. There's $150 billion in state stabilization funds. We wanted more. 08:34.266 --> 08:38.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% That's what we -- was in the bill. But this is not going to be the last bill. 08:38.500 --> 08:43.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We began this with two bills that were about emergency, emergency funding, legislation 08:45.433 --> 08:50.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to address the emergency, testing and research and so many things. 08:50.000 --> 08:55.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Then this bill is about mitigation for the damage that is being done by the economic 08:56.966 --> 09:00.100 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% challenge this presents, as well as, first and foremost, the health challenge. 09:00.100 --> 09:01.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% The next phase will be recovery. 09:01.233 --> 09:03.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: Ah. 09:03.800 --> 09:06.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: But none of these has ended. We will still be doing emergency and mitigation, 09:06.300 --> 09:08.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% but then going into recovery. 09:08.933 --> 09:13.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And we need much more money for our states. And that money goes down to cities and municipalities. 09:14.966 --> 09:18.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, we're calling upon the Fed, to Chairman Powell, to be more generous, to -- he told 09:20.166 --> 09:24.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% me, think big, because the interest rates are low. I'm telling him to think big and 09:24.766 --> 09:29.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% help our states, because they are taking a big bite of this wormy apple, and they need 09:30.966 --> 09:33.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% many -- much more in terms of resources. 09:33.033 --> 09:37.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So, again, seeing what the Fed does, and what the nature of how this grows, we're going 09:39.500 --> 09:43.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% to have to come back and put more funds in. The concerns that the governors put forth 09:44.500 --> 09:47.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% are very well-founded. 09:47.066 --> 09:50.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: And, just finally, so we understand what the process is that you're looking at, 09:52.266 --> 09:54.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% there could be -- I hear you saying, as a last resort, you could do remote voting. 09:54.533 --> 09:56.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, I didn't say that. I never said that. 09:56.233 --> 09:57.233 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 09:57.233 --> 09:58.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: OK. What... 09:58.733 --> 09:59.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: I don't think we're capable - - we're not... 09:59.400 --> 10:01.533 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 10:01.533 --> 10:03.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Then, you said members could weigh in without being present; is that right? 10:03.566 --> 10:06.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% REP. NANCY PELOSI: No, what -- no, what I said -- forgive me if I mis -- if I wasn't 10:06.366 --> 10:08.466 align:left position:40% line:89% size:50% clear. 10:08.466 --> 10:12.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% What I said was, we would take a vote, an unrecorded vote. If someone calls for a recorded 10:14.300 --> 10:17.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% vote, then we would have a process whereby members could vote by proxy. 10:17.433 --> 10:22.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% A large number of our members want to be here, and some who can't can vote by proxy. If, 10:24.933 --> 10:29.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% in time, the decision is made that we should establish remote voting, that has a constitutional 10:31.100 --> 10:35.233 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% challenge, a technological challenge, and a security challenge that our chair of the 10:35.233 --> 10:40.200 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Rules Committee put forth in a report just the beginning of this week. 10:42.266 --> 10:45.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And that may be, at some point, where we have to make a decision. But in order to go there, 10:47.333 --> 10:49.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% you have to take a vote. You have to be present to take a vote to do that. 10:49.800 --> 10:52.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: But you're saying it could be done within a few days? 10:52.333 --> 10:54.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Yes. 10:54.400 --> 10:57.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And it's no use having a conversation about what might happen later. What is in the here 10:57.600 --> 11:02.566 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and now -- and I thank you for asking -- is that we are ready. We hope that they would 11:04.533 --> 11:08.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% freeze the design, and whatever the difference is on the Republican side. 11:08.800 --> 11:13.800 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Please don't resent our lowest-paid workers in America for getting $600, so that they 11:15.733 --> 11:20.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% can meet the needs of their families, spend the money. It's immediate. Spend the money, 11:22.400 --> 11:25.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% inject demand into the economy, grow the economy, and, at the same time, give people a little 11:27.933 --> 11:31.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% more confidence and less stress as they deal with the important health issue, health challenge 11:31.700 --> 11:33.700 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% that this is. 11:33.700 --> 11:37.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% We pray for those who have lost their loved ones and those whose are -- whose family are 11:37.133 --> 11:42.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% affected by all of this. We pray and thank God for our health care workers, our first 11:44.066 --> 11:47.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% responders, our firefighters, and police officers, and emergency services people. 11:47.666 --> 11:50.533 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% They are our heroes in all of this, and we're grateful to them. 11:50.533 --> 11:52.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JUDY WOODRUFF: No question about it. 11:52.100 --> 11:54.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we thank you very much. 11:54.266 --> 11:54.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% REP. NANCY PELOSI: Thank you, Judy. My pleasure.