>> WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE
OF GETTING THE SENATE BACK IN
2020.
WE NEED A CLEAR CANDIDATE WITH
A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE, WE NEED
TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.
>> BONNIE: HELLO, I'M BONNIE
ERBE.
WELCOME TO THE CONTRARY.
THIS WEEK WE REPRESENT
REPRESENTATIVE DONNA SHALAL.
FORMER SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES UNDER BILL
CLINTON.
SHE'S ALSO BEEN AT THE HELM OF
TWO MAJOR UNIVERSITY AS WELL AS
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION.
NOW, SHE REPRESENTS FLORIDA'SEN
27TH DISTRICT.
WELCOME, DONNA SHALAL.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
YOU SAT IN AS HOSTED OF THE
SHOW MANY YEARS AGO SO WE HAVE
KNOWN YOU FOR A LONG TIME.
NOW, TELL ME ABOUT WHICH IS I'M
SURE THE QUESTION YOU'RE
GETTING ALL OVER THE PLACE, WHY
-- WHAT MADE YOU RUN FOR
CONGRESS AFTER HAVING BEEN A
CABINET SECRETARY?
>> YOU KNOW, I WOKE UP ONE
MORNING IN THE SPRING AND I
TURNED DOWN THE TELEVISION AND
I JUST GOT PISSED OFF WHAT WAS
GOING ON IN WASHINGTON.
IT LOOK LIKE -- I MEAN OUR
COUNTRY WAS IN BIG TROUBLE WITH
THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT WAS
GOING NONE WASHINGTON.
NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT BUT THE
CONGRESS ITSELF AND I JUST
COULDN'T STAND ON THE
SIDELINES.
>> BONNIE: NOW, YOU TOOK A
DISTRICT FOR MANY YEARS WAS
REPRESENTED BY A REPUBLICAN AND
YOU RAN AGAINST LATINA.
HOW DID YOU WIN?
>> DONNA.
FIRST OF ALL I WAS VERY WELL
KNOWN.
SECOND I COULD HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING.
I KNEW WASHINGTON THAT I HAD
LIVED IN THE DISTRICT FOR
ALMOST 20 YEARS AND THAT THEY
NEW ME.
THEY KNEW THAT I HAD DELIVERED
THEY UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.
THERE IS GREAT PRIDE IN THE
SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MIAMI.
THEY KNEW ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE
I WAS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY
AND I RECEIVED VOTES FROM ALL
SEGMENTS INCLUDING REPUBLICANS.
>> BONNIE: WHAT CHANGES DID
YOU MAKE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
MIAMI AND HOW DID YOU IMPROVE
IT?
>> DONNA: WE MOVED INTO THE
TOP RANKS OF AMERICAN
UNIVERSITIES.
WE BUILT A HUGE MEDICAL
COMPLEX, SOME OF THE BEST
DOCTORS IN THE WORLD THAT WE
RECRUITED.
WE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF THE
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT BODY.
WE HAD A $6 BILLION IMPACT ON
THE ECONOMY.
IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO IT IS A REMARKABLE SMALL
15,000 STUDENT PRIVATE
UNIVERSITY THAT HAS HAD AN
ENORMOUS IMPACT.
>> BONNIE: SO TELL ME WHAT IS
ANYONE ON YOUR LEGISLATIVE
CALENDAR?
>> DONNA: IT HAS TO BE HEALTH
CARE.
STOPPING THE ASSAULT ON
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.
THIS ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING
THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL
HAVE FILED TO ELIMINATE
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS COVERAGE
AS A REQUIREMENT NOT JUST IN
THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BUT IN
OTHER HEALTH CARE THAT THE
GOVERNMENT PROVIDES AND IT'S
VERY DANGEROUS.
IF YOU DON'T COVER PREEXISTING
CONDITIONS, YOU DON'T HAVE
INSURANCE.
WE WOULD HAVE MADE TECHNICAL
CORRECTIONS BUT THE REPUBLICANS
WOULDN'T LET US RIGHT AFTER THE
BILL WAS PASSED.
THE SUBSIDIES ARE PROBABLY NOT
DEEP ENOUGH AND IF YOU DON'T
GET SUBSIDIES, YOU'RE IN THE
MIDDLE CLASS PROBABLY GETTING
HAMMERED BY THE HEALTH
INSURANCE SYSTEM IN THIS
COUNTRY.
THE INCREASES ARE STEADYING OUT
A LITTLE BIT.
BUT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS
REALLY UNSETTLE THE MARKET AND
WE'VE GOT LOTS MORE PEOPLE THAT
WE WANT TO COVER WITH HEALTH
INSURANCE.
>> BONNIE: UNSETTLE THE MARKET
MEANING CAUSED INCREASES IN
PREMIUMS?
>> DONNA: FORCED INCREASES.
WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO
THEY TRY TO PREDICT WHAT IS
GOING TO HAPPEN IN WASHINGTON.
THEY COULDN'T READ THE
ADMINISTRATION.
THEY JACKED UP THEIR RATES TO
PROTECT THEMSELVES.
AS SOON AS THE PRESIDENT
REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT THAT
EVERYBODY HAD TO HAVE HEALTH
INSURANCE, THAT CAUSED LOTS OF
CONSTERMATION IN THE MARKET.
SO SOME OF THAT HAS SETTLED
DOWN, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE
DEMOCRATS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE WANT TO
SETTLE DOWN THE MARKET.
WE WANT TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND
EVERYBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH
PHARMACEUTICAL COSTS.
DRUG COSTS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE
JUST TOO HIGH, NOT PREDICTABLE.
EITHER FOR INDIVIDUALS OR FOR
CORPORATIONS.
THEY'RE GOING CRAZY AS WELL.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VERY
HARD LOOK AT DRUG COSTS.
I LIVE IN AN AREA IN WHICH SEA
LEVEL RISE, CLIMATE CHANGES,
LIFE OR DEATH FOR SOUTH
FLORIDA.
AND SO DEALING WITH THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TAKING A
GIANT STEP, PROTECTING THE
EVERGLADE AND CLEAN WATER,
BUILDING SEA WALLS.
THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN SOUTH
FLORIDA AND THEN GUN CONTROL.
WE'VE GOT TO AT THE MINIMUM DO
SOMETHING ABOUT BACKGROUND
CHECKS BUT I'D LIKE TO DO AN
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.
WE DID IT IN '94.
I THINK WE CERTAINLY OUGHT TO
TRY TO DO IT NOW.
>> BONNIE: HEALTH CARE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP CAMPAIGNED
AGAINST IT.
IT SEEMED AT THE TIME ANYWAY
THAT THE COUNTRY WAS AGREEING
WITH HIM OR MAJORITY OF VOTERS
WERE AGREEING WITH HIM ON THAT
POINT AND, THEN, ALL OF A
SUDDEN, ONCE HE STARTED TO
REALLY DISMANTLE IT, HEALTH
CARE BECAME -- THE ACA BECAME
VERY POPULAR.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT PUBLIC
OPINION SHIFT, WHICH WAS PRETTY
MASSIVE HAPPENED?
>> DONNA: FIRST OF ALL THEY
PAINTED ON REPEAL AND REPLACE.
THEY HAD THE VOTES ON REPEAL
BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES
FOR REPLACE.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE A REPLACE THAT
MADE ANY KIND SENSE.
IN MY DISTRICT, WHICH IS MIAMI
BASICALLY, ALL OF MIAMI,
100,000 PEOPLE HAVE THE ACA.
HAVE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE
THROUGH THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE
ACT THROUGH OBAMA CARE.
BOY, THEY DO NOT WANT THAT
INSURANCE TO DISAPPEAR BECAUSE
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN
GET INSURANCE.
>> BONNIE: WHERE WERE THEY
WHEN TRUMP WAS RUNNING AND
SAYING LET'S REPEAL AND
REPLACE.
>> DONNA: IT WAS KIND OF A
REBELLION AGAINST THE STABILITY
MENTAL.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT DEMONSTRATED
HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HEALTH
CARE.
HE COULDN'T MAKE THE CASE TO
REPEAL AND REPLACE NOR COULD
THE REPUBLICANS.
THE STRATEGY FOR THE
ACCOUNTABLE CARE ACT IS A
REPUBLICAN IDEA.
IT CAME OUT OF THE HERITAGE
FOUNDATION.
SO IT'S BEEN A REPUBLICAN IDEA
FOR A LONG TIME.
BUILD EXCHANGES, GIVE PEOPLE
CHOICES, PROVIDE SUBSIDIES FOR
THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT.
AND FILL IN THE GAPS FOR THOSE
THAT CAN'T AFFORD IT.
>> BONNIE: IS THAT A GOOD WAY
TO DO IT, DEMOCRATS AGREE THAT
IS A GOOD WAY TO DO IT.
>> DONNA: THAT IS A BIG DEBATE
WE ALL BELIEVE IN UNIVERSAL
COVERAGE AND ALL BELIEVE THAT
HEALTH CARE OUGHT TO BE A
RIGHT.
WE ALL BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO HAVE
INSURANCE, GOOD INNOCENCE THAT
IS AFFORDABLE THAT'S OF GREAT
QUALITY THAT PRODUCES GREAT
OUTCOMES FOR EVERYONE.
AND WE OUGHT TO COVER EVERY
ONE.
WHAT WE DON'T AGREE ON PROBABLY
IS WHAT THE STRATEGY SHOULD BE.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IN SINGLE
PAYER.
OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE
SHOULD SHORE UP THE REPORTABLE
CARE ACT, IMPROVE MEDICARE
AROUND LET PEOPLE BUY INTO
MEDICARE THAT CAN'T FIT INTO
ONE OF THE PROGRAMS.
>> BONNIE: GUN CONTROL, OF
COURSE UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON
AUTOMATIC WEAPONS WERE BANNED
AND IT WAS THAT WAY FOR 10
YEARS.
HOW IS IT HAPPENED THAT THAT IS
LEGAL NOW AND THAT KIDS CAN GET
THEM AND GO INTO CUES SCHOOLS
AND KILL OTHER KIDS?
>> DONNA: IT IS A COMPLICATED
ISSUE POLITICALLY.
MORALLY IT IS NOT A COMPLICATED
ISSUE AT ALL.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSAULT
WEAPONS.
IT IS NOT A HUNTING RIFLE.
IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE
GOING TO USE TO PROTECT YOUR
HOME.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE
MILITARY USES.
BUT THE NATIONAL RIFLE
ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN VERY
POWERFUL AND HAS CONVINCED
AMERICANS THAT IT IS NOT AN
ASSAULT ON GUNS.
IT IS AN ASSAULT ON THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.
FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE
PERFECTLY WILLING TO SUPPORT
THE SECOND AMENDMENT BUT WE DO
THINK THAT MILITARY STYLE
WEAPONS OUGHT TO BE BANNED.
I COME FROM A FAMILY OF HUNTERS
I'M FINE WITH HUNTING RIFLES --
>> BONNIE: WHERE DID YOU GO
WISCONSIN?
>> DONNA: I GREW UP WISCONSIN
BUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW LIVES IN
NORTH DAKOTA. MY BROTHER
DOESN'T BELIEVE ANYONE SHOULD
HAVE ASSAULT RIFLES.
HE SAID JOIN THE ARMY IF YOU
WANT TO SHOOT ONE OF THOSE
MILITARY TIME WEAPONS.
AND MY FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE ANY
PROBLEM WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS.
NOR DO MOST AMERICANS.
AND MOST AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT
ASSAULT WEAPONS OUGHT TO BE
BANNED BUT THE POLITICS HAS
BEEN VERY DIFFICULT UP UNTIL
NOW.
WE ACTUALLY NEGOTIATED AN
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.
WE PASSED THE BRADY BILL.
OUR FIRST STEP WILL PROBABLY BE
BACKGROUND STEMS.
>> BONNIE: CAN YOU GET THAT
THROUGH THE SENATE WHICH IS
STILL REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED?
>> DONNA: I THINK SO.
I THINK SO.
IT HAS TO BE BIPARTISAN.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WANT
IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PARTY
THEY BELONG TO BUT THE VAST
MAJORITY WANT IT.
THEY WANT TO PROTECT KIDS.
THEY WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL
ABOUT WHO GETS ACCESS TO
WEAPONS IN THIS COUNTRY.
>> BONNIE: THE NRA, SOMETHING
INTERESTED HAPPENED.
THEY LOST LIKE THEIR DONATIONS
WENT DOWN BY I THINK IT WAS 20%
LAST YEAR.
HAVE THEY OVERREACHED ARE THEY
AT THE POINT NOW WHERE
AMERICANS SAY TO THEMSELVES,
GEE, AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.
THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING TO BE
AGAINST.
>> DONNA: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE
THEM.
I DON'T CARE IF THEY HAVE 20%
LESS INCOME I WOULD NOT
UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION AND
THEIR ABILITY TO GIVE MONEY TO
VARIOUS CANDIDATES OR TO MAKE
THEIR CASE TO THE MEDIA.
HERE'S THE STORY.
I WAS CAMPAIGNING IN A
RESTAURANT.
I MET A YOUNG FAMILY AND THE
MOTHER WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO
HER YOUNG SON WHO WAS ABOUT 10
YEARS OLD, HEY, SHE'S RUNNING
FOR CONGRESS.
HE COULDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND
IT.
HE SAID YOU RUNNING FOR
PRESIDENT AND I SAID NO ALREADY
I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AND I
HAD TO EXPLAIN CONGRESS TO HIM.
AND I SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT TO
BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
HE SAID I WANT TO BE A POLICE
OFFICER.
I SAID THAT IS PERFECT.
BE A POLICE OFFICER.
THAT IS A GREAT PROFESSION.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A POLICE
OFFICER?
HE SAID BECAUSE I WANT TO
PROTECT THE KIDS IN MY SCHOOL.
NO KID IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD
GROW UP PICKING A PROFESSION
BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PROTECT
THE KIDS IN THEIR SCHOOL.
HE AND THE KIDS IN HIS SCHOOL
SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT SAFETY.
I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY
WHEN I WAS A KID GROWING UP.
THE KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY MANY
OF THEM ARE WORRIED BECAUSE OF
WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN SCHOOL, IN
THE COMMUNITIES, IT'S NOT JUST
IN SCHOOLS.
IT IS NOT JUST PARK LAND OR
SANDY HOOK.
IT IS ALSO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN
OUR COMMUNITY.
>> BONNIE: IS THE POLITICAL
WAIVE THAT WE SAW WITH THE
REACTION TO PARK LAND OF THE --
>> DONNA: THE 40 PEOPLE THAT
FLIP SEATS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF
THEM PAINTED ON THIS ISSUE.
I CERTAINLY DID.
AND SO THEIR CAUSES IS EMBODIED
IN ME AND IN SO MANY OF MY
COLLEAGUES.
>> BONNIE: DESCRIBE THE CLASS
TO ME.
>> DONNA: THE CLASS IS VERY
DIVERSE.
WE HAVE GOT A PEDIATRICIAN.
WE'VE GOT A NURSE.
WE'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE
STATE LEGISLATORS.
WE HAVE GOT TWO NATIVE
AMERICANS, FIRST TWO NATIVE
AMERICAN WOMEN ELECTED
EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN.
SO IT IS -- IT IS A DIFFERENT
KIND OF CLASS.
A DIFFERENT FEEL TO IT.
IT IS NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT GREW
UP IN POLITICS.
IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT RAN
THEIR OWN BUSINESSES THAT HAD
THEIR OWN SPECIALTIES BEFORE
THEY RAN FOR OFFICE.
>> BONNIE: WHO ARE MORE IN
TOUCH YOU THINK WITH GRASSROOTS
AMERICA?
>> DONNA: EVERYBODY THINKS WE
RAN THE BIG NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS
AND WE DIDN'T RUN A NATIONAL
CAMPAIGN.
I TALKED AS MUCH ABOUT TRAFFIC
AS I DID ABOUT BIG ISSUES LIKE
HEALTH CARE.
>> DONNA: NANCY PELOS.
IT IS NOW SPEAKER BUT SHE HAD A
ROUGH ROAD GETTING THERE.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
HER?
>> DONNA: I'M A LONG TIME
FRIEND OF NANCYS.
I DID NOT ENDORSE HER IN THE
PRIMARY.
I TOLD HER I WAS STAYING OUT OF
ANY ISSUES BECAUSE IT WAS
PRESUMPTUOUS OF ME TO ASSUME I
WAS GOING TO GET ELECTED.
BUT RIGHT AFTERWARDS I DID
ENDORSE HER.
I THINK SHE'S AN EXTRAORDINARY
LEADER, A VERY SHREWD LEADER.
I DON'T THINK SHE HAD A ROUGH
GO.
THIS IS THE KIND OF POLITICS
YOU WOULD EXPECT.
SOME PEOPLE WANT SOME THINGS.
SHE NEVER GAVE WAY ANYTHING
THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK WASEL
ETHICAL AND WAS IMPORTANT TO
THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.
>> BONNIE: WOULD SHE HAVE HAD
ANY EASIER TIME IF SHE WAS A
78-YEAR-OLD MAN INSTEAD OF A
SURVEYED YEAR OLD WOMAN?
>> DONNA: THE TWO MEN IN THEIR
70S WHO ARE ALSO IN LEADERSHIP
DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL.
WAS THERE A DIMENSION THERE?
CERTAINLY.
ALL OF US KNOW THAT.
BUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT
SHE IS SHREWD AND SMART AND
SENSIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE AND
SHE HAS DEEP ROOTS IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND SHE
CARRIES FIRST ABOUT THE MOST
VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR
SOCIETY.
AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT HER AS
ARE MY COLLEAGUES.
>> BONNIE: YOU'RE VERY CLOSE
TO THE CLINTONS.
ARE WE GOING TO SEE HILLARY RUN
AGAIN?
>> DONNA: I DON'T THINK SO.
>> BONNIE: WHY NOT?
>> DONNA: I THINK HILLARY HAS
OVERRED OTHER THINGS THAT SHE
WANTS TO DO.
NO.
WE'RE GOING TO SEE A WHOLE NEW
GROUP OF PEOPLE OF VARYING
AGES.
YOU HAVE MIKE BLOOMBERG AND JOE
BIDE UNON ONE SIDE.
YOU HAVE MITCH ATLANTA DREW AND
A NUMBER OF WOMEN THAT ARE
INTERESTED IN RUNNING IT WILL
BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE
WHETHER WE HAVE A HUGE PRIMARY
IN SOME OF THESE STATES.
THE MORE THE MERRIER AS FAR AS
I'M CONCERNED.
>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK A
WOMAN CAN SINCH THE MOVE.
WE HAVE KERSTIN TALKING ABOUT
IT ISN'T THAT RIGHT FROM
NEW YORK.
ISN'T THAT RIGHT FROM
CALIFORNIA AND THE LIST GOES ON
AND ON.
>> DONNA: ELIZABETH WARREN.
OF COURSE A WOMAN CAN SECURE
THE NOMINATION.
WE HAVE DONE IT ONCE.
CERTAINLY I THINK IT IS
POSSIBLE.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS
OUR MESSAGE.
RIGHT NOW --
>> BONNIE: SHOULD IT BE HEALTH
CARE?
>> DONNA: OF COURSE IT HAS TO
BE HEALTH CARE.
WE'LL NEVER FINISH.
IT HAS TO BE THE ENVIRONMENT
AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.
SENSIBLE IMMIGRATION REFORM.
WE BELONG IN STRONG BORDERS BUT
WE HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN
THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE BEEN HERE
FOR MANY YEARS.
WE HAVE FOR FIND A PATHWAY TO
CITIZENSHIP FOR THEM.
NOT JUST FOR THE DACA KIDS THAT
I CARE ABOUT FOR A LOT BUT THE
OTHERS HERE WE HAVE TO EXTEND
TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS TO
VENEZUELANS AND TO NICARAGUA AS
WELL.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN
THIS COUNTRY BUT REMEMBERING
THAT WE'RE A NATION OF
IMMIGRANTS IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT.
WHICH IS WHAT THIS PRESIDENT
AND THIS ADMINISTRATION FORGETS
>> BONNIE: AND YET PRESIDENT
TRUMP RAN AS AN OPPONENT OF
IMMIGRATION.
WANTS MANY FEWER PEOPLE COMING
IN.
HE WANTS NO ILLEGAL BORDER
CROSSINGS.
AND HE SEEMED TO APPEAL TO A
SEGMENT OF VOTERS, YOU KNOW, A
LARGE SEGMENT OF VOTERS WHO
APPRECIATED WHAT HE WAS DOING
ON THAT FRONT.
>> DONNA: THERE CERTAINLY IS
NO QUESTION THAT THERE ARE
VOTERS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT
BELIEVE WHAT THE PRESIDENT
BELIEVES.
BUT HERE IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT
WANTS.
HE WANTS PEOPLE WHO ARE
WEALTHY, WELL-FED AND WELL
EDUCATED.
LOOK, I DON'T -- I WANT SAFE
BORDERS.
I WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AN
ORDERLY WAY BUT THIS IDEA THAT
YOU HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO COME
TO THIS COUNTRY AND TO STAY IN
THIS COUNTRY IS OUTRAGEOUS.
THIS COUNTRY WAS NOT BUILT BY
PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE WITH GREAT
WEALTH.
IT WAS BY -- BUILT BY PEOPLE
WHO HAD SPIRIT AND THE HUNGER
TO SUCCEED AND WANTED GOOD
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR KIDS.
>> BONNIE: HR 1 OF ALL THINGS
IS ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION.
IS THERE A LOT OF THAT GOING
ON?
>> DONNA: THE FACT IS WE HAVE
A MESS ON OUR HANDS.
WE ARE TECHNOLOGICALLY
SOPHISTICATED AND WE HAVE NOT
APPLIED IT TO THE VOTING
PROCESS IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE ARE THE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF
TECHNOLOGY AND WE HAVEN'T
APPLIED IT TO THE MOST BASIC
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, THE RIGHT TO
VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY.
>> BONNIE: BUT, YOU KNOW, ON A
LOCAL LEVEL, THERE ARE COUNTIES
THAT ARE USING 30-YEAR-OLD, YOU
KNOW, COMPUTERS LIKE, YOU KNOW,
FROM THE 70S WHEN THEY WERE
THIS BIG AND HAD ONLY TEXT ON
THE SCREEN.
HOW DO YOUFICATION, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE
INVESTMENT.
>> DONNA: IT HAS TO BE A
FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO THE
STATES.
AT THE END OF THE DAY THE
STATES HAVE TO FEEL THAT
RESPONSIBILITY.
IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA, WE'RE GOING
TO HAVE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT
IN THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO
VOTE.
>> BONNIE: THIS PAST ELECTION,
SEEMED TO GO REASONABLY WELL.
YES, THERE WERE OUTBREAKS IN
AREAS OF THINGS LIKE THE
NORTH CAROLINA VOTE.
BUT WE DIDN'T SEEM, AT LEAST
THAT WE KNOW NOW, IT DIDN'T
SEEM TO HAVE BEEN INVADED BY
THE RUSSIANS AND RACES MADE UP
BECAUSE OF VOTES, YOU KNOW, OF
FAKE NEWS COMING FROM, YOU KNOW
, EASTERN EUROPE.
THAT SORT OF THING.
>> DONNA: I THINK THE WHOLE
WORLD WAS WATCHING INCLUDING
EVERY AMERICAN TO MAKE SURE
THOSE THINGS DIDN'T TAKE PLACE
AND WE HAVE SOME TECHNOLOGY IN
WHICH WE'RE FOCUSED ON WHETHER
THERE IS BEING CYBER ATTACKS BY
OTHER COUNTRIES AND IT WAS A
PRIMARY WHICH MEANT THAT IT WAS
RELATIVELY LOW TURN OUT.
THE REAL TEST WILL BE IN 2020
IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
AND WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT.
BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.
THIS IS WHAT WE BASE OUR
DEMOCRACY ON.
>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK
PRESIDENT TRUMP WON FAIR AND
SQUARE OR WAS THERE
TECHNOLOGICAL EMEDALLING BY
RUSSIA BY PETER TIEL,
REPUBLICAN, IN SILICON VALLEY
WHO WAS VERY WEALTHY WHO USED
-- HELPED USE A LOT OF
TECHNOLOGY SUPPOSEDLY TO
MICROTARGET VOTERS?
>> DONNA: LOOK, EVERY PARTY
MICROTARGETS VOTERS.
I'M NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT
THAT.
THERE CLEARLY WAS RUSSIAN
INTERFERENCE.
CLEARLY THERE WERE GAMES THAT
WERE BEING PLAYED.
BUT WE ACCEPTED THE ELECTION
AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS
PRESIDENT.
WHAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IN
2020 IS THAT WE PREVENT ANY
KIND OF -- ANY KIND OF NEGATIVE
ACTIVITY THAT AFFECTS THE
OUTCOME AND I THINK AMERICANS
ARE MORE AWARE BECAUSE THE
INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY
TOWARDS WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE
DONE.
BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE RUSSIANS
BUT IT IS THE CHINESE.
IT IS EVERYONE WHO HAS ACCESS
TO HIGH-POWERED COMPUTERS.
>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK DONALD
TRUMP IS BEATABLE BY A
DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT?
>> DONNA: OH, YES.
>> BONNIE: WHY?
>> DONNA: WE JUST BEAT HIM.
WE JUST BEAT HIM IN THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES.
AND MANY OF US USE HIM RAN
AGAINST HIM AS WELL.
YES, HE'S BEATABLE.
>> BONNIE: BUT NOT IN THE
SENATE THE REPUBLICANS STILL --
>> DONNA: BUT THAT WAS THE
NUMBER OF SEATS AND THE KINDS
OF SEATS NET SENATE.
IN THE -- WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER
CHANCE OF GETTING THE SENATE
BACK IN 2020.
WE NEED A VERY GOOD CANDIDATE
WITH A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE THAT
WE NEED TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY
BACK.
WE NEED TO BRING THE COMPASSION
BACK.
WE NEED TO REMIND EVERYBODIED
EVERYONE AGAIN THAT WE'RE A
NATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND THAT
WE'RE DECENT PEOPLE AND THAT WE
TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS AN ATTACK ON
POOR PEOPLE T ARGUING THAT YOU
CAN'T GET A GREEN CARD IF YOU
TAKE ANY KIND OF BENEFIT AT
ALL.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CHILDREN
HUNGRIER AND SICKER BY SOME OF
THE RULES THAT THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING IN
PLACE.
WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO MAKE
OUR AIR AND WATER LESS CLEAN
BECAUSE OF RULES THAT ARE
REGULATIONS THAT ARE BEING
ROLLED BACK.
THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TIME
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
AND THE FACT THAT SO MANY
PEOPLE GOT ELECTED BECAUSE THEY
SAW THAT THERE WAS A DANGER OUT
THERE IS IMPORTANT.
AND I THINK IT WILL BE REFLECT
IN THE ELECTION OF 2020.
>> BONNIE: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS
FOR LEGISLATION ON CLIMATE
CHANGE?
ARE YOU GOING TO AUTHOR ANY
BILLS IN THAT AREA?
>> DONNA: I'M GOING TO
CO-SPONSOR SOME BILLS THAT HAVE
ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED.
SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE
INTRODUCED BILLS.
HERE WHAT IS WE NEED IN SOUTH
FLORIDA.
WE NEED A BIG INFRASTRUCTURE
BILL.
WE HAVE TO BUILD SEA WALLS AND
WE HAVE TO BUY STREETS AND
PROVIDE BUMPS.
>> BONNIE: CAN YOU BUILD ABOVE
THE SEAWATER AND CLIMATE
CHANGE?
>> DONNA: THERE IS NO QUESTION
ABOUT IT.
BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY WE HAVE TO
DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IS
GOING ON IN TERMS OF THE
ENVIRONMENT.
SO THE FACT THAT WE PULLED OUT
OF PARIS I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE
AND YOU'LL SEE THIS GROUP, THIS
MAJORITY GROUP STARTING TO TAKE
SOME STRONG STEPS WHETHER OR
NOT THE REPUBLICAN HEALTH
SENATE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT
IT WE'LL EXPLAIN TO THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THIS IS IN
FACT LIFE AND DEATH FOR OUR
PLANET.
AND AMERICANS HAVE TO DO THEIR
FAIR SHARE.
>> BONNIE: YOU THINK
FLORIDIANS ARE MORE SENSITIVE
TO IT BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE
OF THE STATE?
>> DONNA: I DO.
WE HAVE NO CLIMATE DENIERS IN
SOUTH FLORIDA.
>> BONNIE: YOU HAVE A LOT TO
ROLL BACK.
HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE IF
DEMOCRATS CAN SUCCEED WITH
LEGISLATION BETWEEN NOW AND
THINGS THAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS
SAY, DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE TO
HURT THE ENVIRONMENT?
>> DONNA: WE COULD STOP SOME
THINGS.
WE COULD STOP SOME REGULATIONS.
WE COULD STOP SOME REGULATIONS
THAT WEAKEN OUR LAWS ON CLEAN
AIR AND CLEAN WATER.
WE CERTAINLY CAN STOP THE
REGULATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO
TAKE FOOD OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF
CHILDREN AND THE SNAP PROGRAM,
THE SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION
PROGRAM FOR POOR KIDS.
WE'VE GOT TO STOP SOME OF THIS
CRAZINESS THAT -- REAL EVIL
POLICIES THAT ARE GOING ON.
SO WE CAN STOP SOME THINGS.
LOOK, I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF
THE NEW REPUBLICANS THAT ARE
COMING IN.
THEY WANT TO GET SOME THINGS
DONE, TOO.
>> BONNIE: HOW LONG DO YOU
THINK IT WILL TAKE TO REPEAL --
TO UNDUE THE DAMAGE THAT
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE ON THE
ENVIRONMENT, ON HEALTH CARE, ET
CETERA?
>> DONNA: WE HAVE A COUPLE OF
YEARS TO TRY TO GET SOME THINGS
DONE.
LET ME TELL YOU, WHEN I BECAME
SECRETARY OF HHS, IT TOOK US A
MONTH TO REVERSE A LOT OF THE
THINGS INCLUDING WOMEN'S RIGHTS
AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
WE SIMPLY HANDED THE PRESIDENT
A BUNCH OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND
WE PASSED LEGISLATION, DOUBLED
THE EARNED INCOME -- THE EARNED
INCOME TAX CREDIT.
SO WITH THE RIGHT CAPITAL
OFFICERS AND RIGHT PRESIDENT,
WE CAN RIGHT SOME OF THESE
THINGS.
SOME OF IT IS DAMAGE THAT WILL
LIVE WITH US FOR A VERY LONG
TIME.
PARTICULARLY OUR REPUTATION
AROUND THE WORLD.
PARTICULARLY WHAT WE'RE DOING
WITH IMMIGRANTS.
HERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH
IMMIGRANTS AND WITH
UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF UNDOCUMENTED
PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR
20 YEARS.
THEIR CHILDREN ARE AMERICANS.
THEY'RE NOW SCARED TO DEATH TO
REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR
MEDICAID, FOR THE CHILDREN'S
HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, FOR
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANTS, FOR FOOD STAMPS,
FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES.
THEY'RE WORKING EVERY DAY AND
TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR
FAMILIES.
THEIR KIDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
THESE PROGRAMS.
WHO IN THIS COUNTRY WANTS A
MILLION KIDS WITHOUT HEALTH
CARE COVERAGE BECAUSE THEIR
PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO REGISTER
THEM BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'LL
BE SENT OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.
WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF COUNTRY.
>> BONNIE: IT WILL BE VERY
INTERESTING DO WATCH YOU IN THE
HOUSE AND TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN
DO, YOU KNOW, AS A LEGISLATIVE
AND HEAVYWEIGHT AND A FORMER
CABINET SECRETARY.
WE'LL BE WATCHING YOU CLOSELY
AND TALKING TO YOU A LOT, I
HOPE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH,
REPRESENTATIVE SHALAL.
>> DONNA: THANK YOU SO MUCH,
BONNIE.
GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> BONNIE: THAT IS IT FOR THIS
EDITION FOR TO THE CONTRARY.
PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND
FOLLOW OUR WEBSITE, PBS/TO THE
CONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE
OR DISAGREE TO THE CONTRARY,
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
ONLINE EPISODE OF "TO THE
CONTRARY," PLEASE VISIT OUR PBS
WEBSITE AT:
PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.
>> BE MORE, PBS.