On this "Face the Nation" broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent of Vermont
- Sen. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma
- White House Office of Budget and Management director Shalanda Young
- Janti Soeripto, Save the Children president and CEO
Click here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: I'm Margaret Brennan in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation, we will take a closer look at the challenges facing the country, inflation, immigration at the border, foreign policy and more. As Washington prepares for the holidays, Congress is at yet another impasse. President Biden is stepping up his battle cry for 2024.
(Begin VT)
JOE BIDEN (President of the United States): Trump just talks the talk. We walk the walk.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(End VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: But that walk is a tough sell so far for the president.
Despite inflation being at its lowest level in two years, six out of 10 Americans say the economy is bad. Democrats say Biden is still better than the leading alternative.
(Begin VT)
WOMAN: In the end, when people are – they're mad at Joe Biden, and they're going to be more mad at Donald Trump. Even if they have to hold their nose, they're going to support Joe Biden.
(End VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Former President Trump is also making a pitch to the voters.
(Begin VT)
DONALD TRUMP (Former President of the United States (R) and Current U.S. Presidential Candidate): I said I want to be a dictator for one day. And you know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, right? I want a wall. And I want to drill, drill, drill.
(End VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Republican voters like what Trump says, but some aren't convinced he can win.
(Begin VT)
MAN: Trump's policies are good. I think, with him, he's – you know, he's – he's so divisive as a figure, which is, you know – his fault or not, that's just the reality of it.
(End VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And worldwide concern over Israel's response to the Hamas attack grows, along with concern about hate here at home.
We will talk to Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford, plus Biden administration Budget Director Shalanda Young.
Politics and policy, it's all just ahead on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
American Focus Shifts as 2023 Comes to an End
In the midst of winding up 2023, let's take a look at what Americans are currently focused on.
City of Khan Yunis in Flames
The southern city of Khan Yunis is currently engulfed in flames due to a bombardment. Israel claims that the attack is aimed at hunting down Hamas leaders.
Anti-American Sentiment on the Rise
With the United States being the only country to veto a U.N. Security Council cease-fire proposal, anti-American sentiment has reached its peak.
Residents Blame America for the Violence
Abu Abed Yusef, a resident of Khan Yunis, states that the weapons and rockets being used in the conflict are made in America. He believes that America supports Israel in killing innocent civilians, including youth, children, and women.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
As Israel's military chief urges forces to intensify their efforts, the head of the U.N.'s World Food Program warns that half of Gaza's population is at risk of starvation and facing a severe lack of clean water.
Aid Agencies Struggle to Operate
Save the Children reports that deaths from starvation and disease may surpass those caused by bombings. The situation has become too dangerous for aid agencies to effectively operate, according to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N. in Gaza.
JULIETTE TOUMA (Communications Director, United Nations Relief and Works Agency): We have reached a critical point where we are uncertain if we can fulfill our mission and provide aid to those in need in Gaza. This is an unprecedented situation.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: It is too early to determine the outcome of the Gaza war. The next important question is who will govern the territory moving forward, and the answer may be found in the West Bank.
We have been informed that plans for the post-war period are already being developed in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Can you confirm that you are currently in discussions with the United States regarding the future of Gaza?
AHMAD MAJDALANI (Palestinian Social Affairs Minister): Yes.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: Is that confirmed?
MINISTER AHMAD MAJDALANI: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
MINISTER AHMAD MAJDALANI: There are ongoing discussions. They have ideas.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: Okay.
MINISTER AHMAD MAJDALANI: And we have ideas as well.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: But those ideas may not align. According to Minister of Social Affairs Ahmad Majdalani, their plan would involve Hamas as a junior partner, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on completely eradicating Hamas.
MINISTER AHMAD MAJDALANI: Perhaps Israel can destroy their military forces.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: And their capabilities.
MINISTER AHMAD MAJDALANI: And capabilities. But they cannot eliminate Hamas as an organization.
CHARLIE D'AGATA: An organization accused of committing mass murder and still holding over 130 hostages.
And families are still no closer to knowing their fate as the season of Hanukkah began, instead of joy, nightly vigils like this one in Tel Aviv. There's not much to celebrate until their loved ones come home.
(End VT)
But, an official we spoke to insisted there is a safe corridor leading from the Rafah Crossing to so-called safe zones, but the U.N. just isn't using it.
We turn now to independent Senator, who joins us this morning from Burlington, Vermont.
Good morning to you, Senator.
I'm not sure…
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vermont): Good morning.
OK. I think we've got your audio now, sir.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he sees a gap between Israel's stated intent of limiting civilian casualties and reality. And the secretary of defense said they could face a strategic defeat, given civilian casualties.
Is this vocal enough criticism from the administration, in your point of view?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, it's a start.
I agree with both Blinken and Austin. The president's objective is to make it clear to Netanyahu and his right-wing extremist government that while they can go to war against Hamas, they cannot wage war against the Palestinian people and cause the devastating loss of human life that we are witnessing.
Margaret, the current situation is a humanitarian catastrophe. So far, there have been 16,000 Palestinian casualties, with two-thirds of them being women and children. Additionally, 1.9 million people have been displaced and are without access to water, food, and medical supplies.
The United States must exert all the pressure it can to urge Netanyahu to halt this disastrous military approach.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Israel claims to have killed 7,000 militants, but they have not disclosed the number of civilian casualties they estimate. The figure you mentioned is from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
However, the bottom line is that you have made it clear to your colleagues that the U.S. should not provide unconditional aid to the Netanyahu government. You argue that doing so would make the U.S. complicit in an indiscriminate war against innocent men, women, and children who have no affiliation with Hamas.
What do you believe the intentions of the Netanyahu government are?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: It's difficult to say. Truly, it is difficult to say.
In response to the devastating Hamas attack that claimed the lives of 1,200 innocent Israelis, some right-wing extremists may be driven by a desire to force the Palestinian people out of Gaza entirely.
However, their actions have resulted in the destruction of approximately half of the housing units in Gaza. This makes it difficult to predict their true intentions. General Austin's statement about winning the battle but losing the war holds true for Israel, as the world's perception of the situation is turning against them.
Considering this, it would be irresponsible for the United States to provide Netanyahu with an additional $10 billion to continue waging this devastating war.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Progressive politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have called for a cease-fire.
You have faced criticism for not doing the same. The United States government is also opposing a cease-fire and finds itself isolated at the U.N. on this matter. Why do you oppose a cease-fire?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Firstly, I strongly support and hope that the United States will back the United Nations resolution that we recently vetoed.
During the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, there was a proposal for a humanitarian pause and cease-fire. This pause would have included the release of all hostages held by Hamas and allowed for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. However, it was not implemented.
When it comes to a permanent cease-fire, it becomes difficult to imagine a scenario where it can be achieved with Hamas. The organization has repeatedly expressed its desire to destroy Israel and engage in a permanent war. With such an attitude, a lasting cease-fire seems unlikely.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK, so you believe that Israel's actions against Hamas are justified?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and take action against Hamas, without targeting the Palestinian people.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
Would you vote against President Biden's supplemental bill if it does not include the conditions you are advocating for regarding aid to Israel? Keep in mind that there may be other provisions attached to the bill, such as aid to Ukraine.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I have already voted against the motion to proceed on that bill.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I see. So you would like to see a different version of the bill.
I fully support providing assistance to Ukraine in standing up against Putin's aggression. However, it is important for Congress to send a clear message to Netanyahu that we will not give him a blank check to harm innocent civilians in Palestine.
White House officials privately believe that the repercussions of this war will not have a negative impact on Democratic voters during the upcoming presidential election. Do you think they are underestimating the situation?
I believe this war has been incredibly damaging, not just among progressives and Democrats, but also among the American people as a whole. While the initial Hamas attack on Israel was rightfully condemned, the actions taken by Israel have also sparked outrage.
People all across the country are questioning why we continue to provide financial support to a government that is engaging in such terrible actions.
Will this have political consequences? It is possible. Ultimately, I believe Biden will win the election, but the current situation is not helpful.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I would like to discuss the issue of hate in our country and the concerns surrounding it.
Concerns Over Antisemitism and Free Speech on College Campuses
Recently, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik engaged in a pointed question-and-answer session with university presidents, raising concerns about antisemitism. As a result of the fallout from this exchange, one of the university presidents has resigned. This incident has sparked a debate about the limits of free speech and how far it should be protected.
In light of these events, Senator Bernie Sanders shared his thoughts on the matter. He acknowledged the importance of free speech and the need for robust debate in academia. However, he emphasized that advocating for genocide or racist attacks is unacceptable, particularly on college campuses where all students should feel safe and comfortable.
As the conversation came to a close, Senator Sanders thanked the host and addressed the audio problems they had encountered.
Looking ahead, the country is now focusing on the significant challenges it faces as the upcoming election year approaches.
According to a recent CBS News poll, Americans believe that inflation is the most important challenge facing the country. In fact, seven in 10 Americans disapprove of President Biden's handling of inflation. Following closely behind is the issue of immigration at the border, which is also a major concern for the American public.
This issue is causing a delay in passing a foreign aid package that would provide much-needed support to Ukraine and aid to Israel. Unfortunately, this important legislation is currently tied up in Congress.
The state of democracy is another significant problem in the eyes of Americans, ranking as the third biggest challenge. Additionally, gun violence is a pressing issue that seems to have no clear solution or political will for implementing effective legislation.
Anthony Salvanto, the executive director of CBS News' elections and surveys unit, shared his insights on these findings.
So, Anthony, while data shows that inflation is at its lowest level in two years, why do you think there is a disconnect between the data and public perception?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: I believe it stems from a larger sense of lost opportunity that goes beyond the immediate concerns. Many people feel that they are worse off than their parents were at the same age, which contradicts the traditional notion of the American dream.
This sentiment is particularly strong among millennials and Gen X'ers, who are currently in their prime working and earning years.
And, look, for context, this is new. This inflationary period is new for the majority of individuals. One would have to go back 40 years to find a period in the U.S. where people faced these kinds of inflationary pressures at this kind of a rate.
So, we inquired about people's perspectives. We asked them to put this in context. The U.S. has endured ups and downs in the past. What has been the most challenging? And the most immediate challenge right now is emerging from the pandemic and dealing with the economic consequences of it, as well as this post-pandemic inflationary period.
Yes, there is some recency bias in that assessment. However, it underscores the fact that people are comparing their lives before and after the pandemic to make sense of the current economic situation. It is this frame of reference that is crucial in understanding how individuals interpret all of this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But the White House would argue that inflation is heading in the right direction. It is decreasing. And they point to the strong jobs numbers, similar to what we saw on Friday.
So, what is it that individuals need to personally experience?
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Yes, so I directly asked individuals, what factors do you consider when evaluating these matters?
And personal experiences outweigh what we refer to as the macro numbers, the large-scale figures. This is not to discount them, but personal experiences, the experiences of people you know, your friends, and even the businesses in your local community, take precedence.
According to a recent report, although the jobs market is strong, people are still struggling to keep up with inflation. The high prices are impacting their immediate finances, and many feel that their income is not sufficient to cover their expenses. While the rate of increase in prices is slowing down, it is still a concern for individuals. Additionally, there is no appetite for further rate hikes, especially among young people. There is a general belief that the president has the power to control inflation, although it remains uncertain what actions the White House has taken to address the issue. As for foreign policy and national security, the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has received negative perception, as people are unsure if the administration's efforts are contributing to a peaceful resolution.
President Faces Party Split on Foreign Policy
There is an increasing number of Democrats who now believe that the president is giving too much support to Israel, causing divisions within his own party on foreign policy.
However, despite these splits, the president's overall job approval remains stable and is heavily influenced by the state of the economy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Anthony Salvanto, good to have you here.
ANTHONY SALVANTO: Thanks, Margaret.
Face the Nation will be back in one minute. Stay with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Record Number of Migrants Crossing into the U.S.
The number of migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico is nearing an all-time high, with nearly 19,000 apprehensions recorded in the Tucson sector alone last week, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Adam Yamaguchi reports from the Lukeville crossing in Arizona, where hundreds of migrants are turning themselves over to border agents despite the official closure of the port of entry due to the overwhelming number of arrivals.
This mother of four explains that she is fleeing the violence of Mexican cartels.
WOMAN (through translator): I'm fighting as much as I can, so my children can have something better.
ADAM YAMAGUCHI: This is one of the border's most remote stretches, now one of the busiest. In the last year, there's been a 140 percent spike in migrant apprehensions in this area.
Our cameras capture the moment smugglers help dozens of people cross illegally.
And there the smugglers go. This is the breach in the wall that the smugglers have cut through. And this is why at the Border Patrol is up against. And this is not an anomaly, by any means. Here's another one rod that was just cut and repaired today.
(End VT)
ADAM YAMAGUCHI: Agents are really sort of playing a game of Whac-A-Mole.
They see a breach, they respond to it, they try to seal it up, and then somewhere else along this very long corridor of the wall, another breach occurs. And this is all by design. The smugglers realize that this particular area is vulnerable because there are so few resources and agents.
And so they stand a much better chance of being able to funnel as many migrants as they can illegally into the U.S.
Senator James Lankford, the lead Republican negotiator in the Senate's efforts to address border security, joins us from Oklahoma City. Good morning, Senator.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD (R-Oklahoma): Good morning, Margaret.
On another network, Senator Chris Murphy, the lead Democratic negotiator, expressed his concern over Republicans tying the border aid package to Ukraine aid. He believes that the current Republican demands are unreasonable and must become more reasonable in the next 24 to 48 hours. It seems that an agreement is not imminent.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: Let me clarify a few things on this matter.
This issue actually originated with the Biden administration's proposal for a national security package that includes Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and the border. However, they also stated that funding for the border is not enough, and that a change in policy is necessary. We have responded by agreeing wholeheartedly with the need for a policy change. Currently, the negotiations seem to be more about political maneuvering rather than genuine progress.
If you ask anyone outside of Washington D.C., they would say that the situation at the border is currently chaotic. Last September, we saw the highest number of crossings ever for that month. The same goes for October and November. And just last week, we had the highest number of crossings in a single day.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: ... It is spiraling out of control. Our goal is to find the necessary tools to regain control and prevent chaos at our Southern border.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the president is requesting $14 billion, but they are separating funding from policy changes.
However, the president has expressed willingness to make significant compromises on policy in order to fix our broken immigration system. He is showing flexibility. So what is the issue?
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: The problem is that the administration is trying to find a way to slow down the flow of illegal crossings, but not actually stop it. For example, just this past week, we had 12,000 people cross the border illegally on Tuesday alone. They are attempting to find a solution that reduces the number slightly, but does not completely halt the flow. To put it into perspective, we have had more people cross illegally...
What's Causing the Increase in Illegal Crossings?
During the Obama administration, the number of people crossing the border illegally in just the months of October, November, and December this year has already surpassed any year's total during the Obama administration. This is not a minor issue that can be easily resolved.
We need to find a way to effectively manage this situation. One of the main issues is the process of asylum. Currently, people can enter the country and claim asylum, but due to the overwhelming number of individuals and the knowledge of cartels and smugglers, thousands of people are being thrown into the system every day. The processing time is so long that they end up being released into the country, which only encourages more people to attempt illegal crossings.
It was previously believed that the White House was willing to tighten regulations on asylum, but the situation remains a challenge.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: Right now, we're actually screening about 500 people a day for asylum. A typical day in this last week was 10,000 people a day. Even if you double or triple, as the administration would say, well, let's just double the number of screens we're doing, now we're screening 1,000 people a day, and we're still releasing 9,000 people into the country.
So that doesn't manage the actual issue. We've got to be able to figure out, how we are going to manage capacity, and what does that actually look like? As long as we're saying, we'll – we'll screen 1,000, and then we'll release everyone else into the country…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: … the cartels know that, and everyone coming will just pay the cartels, and they know they'll be released.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
Well, I know you don't want to negotiate in public, but I want to talk to you about what you are actually proposing to fix the problem you're describing.
So, let's take a break, and we'll come back and continue that conversation.
Stay with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We will be taking a closer look at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the next half-hour.
If you want to help some of those aid organizations, here's how you can contact some of them.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We will be right back with a lot more Face the Nation.
Stay with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to Face the Nation.
We want to pick up where we left off with Oklahoma Republican James Lankford.
Senator James Lankford acknowledges the challenge of passing a supplemental package without the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson. While the House Republicans have proposed a comprehensive bill that received no Democratic votes, it is unlikely that Senate Democrats or a Democratic White House would approve such a proposal. However, Senator Lankford emphasizes the need to take action in addressing the immigration crisis, with thousands of people crossing the border daily. It remains to be seen what the Speaker's red lines are and whether House Republicans can find common ground with Democrats.
Senator James Lankford on Immigration Policy
During a recent interview, Senator James Lankford addressed some misconceptions about his proposed immigration policies. He clarified that while he does have some proposals related to electronic monitoring and parole authority, there are also several other aspects that have not been accurately portrayed.
One of the main issues he highlighted is the capacity problem at the border. Lankford compared it to a restaurant or theater with limited capacity, stating that the country also has a capacity issue on a day-to-day basis. He emphasized the need to address this issue and manage the influx of migrants effectively.
Lankford criticized the current administration's approach of releasing individuals into the country without proper vetting or knowledge of their background. He specifically mentioned the release of special interest aliens who were identified as national security risks. Lankford expressed concern about the lack of consideration for national security in these decisions.
While negotiation opportunities may be limited, Lankford believes it is crucial to find solutions that address the capacity issues and prioritize national security concerns.
Source: CBS News
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: We've got to be able to stop that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
But you'd have to negotiate changes to the law. And we are running out of time in 2023. You've also attached this – well, the House has argued that the border bill would need to be attached to Ukraine funding in order to pass.
President Biden says that you, sir, are giving Vladimir Putin a Christmas present, because this doesn't look like it's going to pass in 2023, and it's unclear when it could.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: Yes, I'm by far no fan of Vladimir Putin, and the president knows that full well.
This is not a Christmas present to him. Actually, the president himself started by saying, if we're going to deal with national security…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: … we've got to deal with Ukraine and we have to deal with the border. We've responded, that's correct.
I don't meet very many Americans that think what's happening at the border is going well. And even the president's team themselves actually said, if you hand them more money, it doesn't solve the problem. It just facilitates more people coming into the country. We have drugs coming into the country.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD: National Security Risks and Legal Migration
We have national security risks coming into the country, and they've literally shut down legal migration.
The San Ysidro Port, the busiest port in America, was shut down this weekend as they moved all the staff off of legal migration to help facilitate illegal migration. That's got to stop.
No, no, we're seeing in our own polling that this is a top issue for Americans. So the president would be incentivized here.
But what you're talking about is policy changes. And this linkage to Ukraine, the president says, if they don't get this funding now, that it will kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield. Can you get Ukraine aid passed separate from this?
No. No. The focus is – what you hear from so many people is, why would we deal with other people's national security and ignore American national security?
Why would we literally allow people across our southern border that this administration labels national security risks by the thousands coming into the country? Separate from just the migrants that are coming here for employment, we have individuals they've literally labeled national security risks coming into the country.
Why would we not work to be able to stop that? We can do two things at once for the United States of America. These negotiations haven't been going on a week. They've been going on months.
Right.
So, we've come a long ways. It's time to be able to finish this, make a decision, and do what we can do to be able to help the nation.
We can't do everything on the border, but we can do the things to actually begin to control the border, so that the United States is in control of our boundaries, not the cartels.
Well, we will watch and see what you're able to get done in these coming days.
Senator, thank you for your time.
And now, for the administration's position on that national security funding package, we turn to the head of the Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young.
Good morning to you.
Hi, Margaret.
Good to have you here in person.
Thanks for being here.
Let me just start with what we are talking about here.
President's Involvement in Border Talks Raises Questions
As conversations continue regarding the border crisis, there are growing concerns about the level of involvement from President's chief of staff. Some argue that if the situation is truly an emergency, the President should take a more hands-on approach.
Director Shalanda Young, in a recent interview, emphasized the importance of these conversations and the need for action. She highlighted the potential consequences if Ukraine aid is cut off, including the risk of Putin advancing into Ukraine and the potential for a larger conflict involving NATO countries. Young also expressed concern about the message Congress would be sending to other dictators by not providing aid to Ukraine.
While both sides agree on the need for Ukraine aid, the disagreement lies in finding a method to pass it through Congress. Some suggest that reaching a deal on the border issue could potentially unlock the aid for Ukraine.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: So, I have done a lot of funding negotiations over my career in this town. Negotiations that fail is when one side can't take yes for an answer. They push for too much.
They push for an H.R.2, which, as the senator pointed out, all Democrats voted against. The White House had a veto threat. You can't have everything your way in a negotiation. Democrats and Republicans have to vote for this bill. So, I agree. It's time to cut a deal that both sides can agree to.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So let's talk about Ukraine specifically.
You warned in October and back in September that funding was running low. You sent a letter Monday to the speaker saying: "We are out of money to support Ukraine in this fight. This isn't a next-year problem."
When precisely will U.S. funding be exhausted?
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: Look, we have – you know, a budgetary standpoint, we have about a billion dollars left to replenish our own stockpile.
So this comes down to a policy decision. Do we risk our own U.S. readiness, as the world is more complex – we've seen it – or does Congress ensure that we can protect our – our own national security, while also being there for our allies like Ukraine?
And it shouldn't be an either/or. Congress should do what it's done several other times in a bipartisan manner, fund our own national security, and make sure we are there for our allies.
And, by the way, I think it's important to know, the majority of money that we talk about for Ukraine stays at home. Our defense industrial base gets the majority of this funding to build more equipment, weapons, ammunition. That means American jobs, good-paying American jobs.
Right. So, a deal, you're not completely ruling out here.
But I want to ask you to weigh in on some of the polling that we shared with our viewers. The top two issues for American voters are inflation and the border. And the president gets large disapproval rates for handling inflation. And Americans think his administration's actions led to it growing, as you can see there, not slowing.
Why don't you think the president's policies are resonating more?
Look, the president gets it. I get it. I have a 95-year-old grandmother in Clinton, Louisiana. So I get firsthand feedback on what people are feeling at the ground in these small little towns, like I'm from. So I get it.
The macro numbers are going as well as anybody could have predicted, right, inflation coming down, job numbers remaining strong. But people have got to feel it. And it's going to take time. When the macroeconomy, we see good numbers, that often takes time to – to trickle through.
But we can't give up. I'm on his economics team. And the thing we focus on the most is, how do we bring down costs? That's why you hear us talk about junk fees.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: What is that? That saves people's money when we go after banks and hotels, people who charge you an extra $20 or $50 a – everything we can…
MARGARET BRENNAN: But they see supermarket prices up 2 percent versus last year. That's…
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: Yes, but everything we can do – we cannot leave any stone unturned to make sure people are paying less for these out-of- pocket prescription drugs. There's a reason the president asked and fought for Congress to cap insulin at $35 a month.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We're not seeing the awareness. We saw that in our polling.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We're not seeing the linkage between what you're saying the president's doing and the public's perception of it.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: That is right.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that messaging, or is it just that these programs are slow in rolling out, so people aren't feeling the impact?
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: I believe that as inflation comes down, it will take time for those macro effects to be felt on the ground.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: And I believe that as we continue to see progress on inflation, people will start feeling it in their pocketbooks when they go to the grocery store. It will eventually come home. We just need to keep making progress on a macro level, and we are.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for joining us today.
DIRECTOR SHALANDA YOUNG: Thank you so much.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll have to end it there.
And we'll be right back.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: And now for some political analysis, we're joined by CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa and CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe.
Good to have you both here.
ED O'KEEFE: Good to see you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Robert Costa, you recently had an important interview with Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker of the House, and he has announced his resignation. This will further narrow the GOP's already slim margin.
I would like to play a clip from your interview.
(Begin VT)
ROBERT COSTA: Speaker Johnson, so far, is he struggling or doing a decent job?
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MCCARTHY: Being in this position is incredibly challenging.
If I were the best person to give advice, I would still be in this role. Speaker Johnson, to be fair, did not have the same experience and preparation as I did. He wasn't the majority leader or the minority leader. However, he is doing a good job. Just like anything else, with time and practice, you improve in your job.
The best advice I can give him is to remember that he is the speaker of the House. He should not govern out of fear that someone will make a motion to remove him from office.
When I made the decision to prioritize paying our troops and avoid a government shutdown, I knew that there would be a motion to remove me from my position. I didn't even expect the Democrats to support it. But what I did know is that I had been in that situation before. I had witnessed what didn't work.
And I knew, at that moment, that when I thought before I ran for office, you would always tell yourself, would you do what you think was right, would you literally risk your job and do it, you say you would, but when you came to that moment, I hope history writes that I actually did what I said I would do before I ever got elected when that moment came.
And I would do it all again, because I hope others would look at that and do the exact same thing. It was right.
(End VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: He's passionate there.
But what he's putting his finger on is that question of, can Mike Johnson govern and, by the way, work with Democrats?
ROBERT COSTA: Former Speaker McCarthy's comment there is so revealing.
Just as he needs to probably cut a deal with President Biden, as you have been discussing with your guests, on Ukraine, on Israel, he's moving forward with an impeachment process inside of the House of Representatives, of course, testing his relationship with the president at this crucial time.
He doesn't have much of a relationship with Leader McConnell, the minority leader in the U.S. Senate, Senate Republicans keeping the House out of those discussions over immigration with Senator Lankford and others.
The New Speaker Faces Challenges on Israel, Ukraine, and Government Funding
As the new speaker settles into his role, he is facing questions on how he will address key issues such as Israel, Ukraine, and government funding early next year. At this point, he does not have all the answers as he is still getting comfortable in his position.
With a January 19 shutdown deadline approaching, the White House may need to step in and close a deal on the border. While there may be some resistance from certain elements of the Democratic Party, the president is known for his dealmaking skills and would like to come up with a bipartisan solution, even if it may be challenging.
It is crucial for something to be done on these issues, not only to address the concerns of voters but also to demonstrate that progress can be made. The level of engagement from the chief of staff and others around the president will indicate how close they are to reaching a resolution.
But he, remember, got burned a lot spending too much time on legislative details in the beginning, so he's spent most of this year backing off, saying, leave it to Congress.
That also allows him to blame Congress for the inaction.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
ED O'KEEFE: We will see now in the coming days if he jumps in.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Another thing we saw in our polling that Anthony shared was that Americans are disapproving of the president's handling of this crisis in Israel.
ED O'KEEFE: Yes.
ED O'KEEFE: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What did you learn on the ground?
ED O'KEEFE: So, important, as Anthony pointed out earlier, the war is not necessarily the biggest issue of concern.
But it is in parts of Michigan, Dearborn, Michigan, especially, the largest concentration of Arab American voters in that critical swing state, who look at what's happened over the last 60 days and say: I can't vote for him. He's allowed my relatives or my friends' relatives or my friends' neighbors to get killed. How can we possibly support somebody who's allowed so much civilian death?
These are individuals who opposed Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections and ultimately voted for Biden in 2020 because they believed he was the better choice. However, when they look at the potential options for the next election, they have decided to skip it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
ED O'KEEFE: This is significant because they are a small yet influential group of voters within a large county, located in a crucial swing state that Joe Biden needs to win, and that Donald Trump wants to win back.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
ED O'KEEFE: If these small groups start to abandon their support, it could spell trouble for the candidates. In close elections, winning by small margins is crucial.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Exactly.
And we will continue to monitor this situation closely. I know you will, Ed.
Robert Costa, before we wrap up, the former president will be appearing in court tomorrow for a civil fraud case in New York. How much do you think these legal complications are affecting his mindset?
ROBERT COSTA: I will be present in the courtroom in New York, sitting behind him. I have been there before during the civil fraud trial.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What is it like?
ROBERT COSTA: Well, it is quite revealing. You see his silhouette in front of you, constantly moving and showing frustration, particularly because he has a strong dislike for the judge involved in the civil fraud case.
It is quite a sight to witness a former president in a courtroom, especially when he is also the frontrunner for the Republican party. According to his allies, this trial is causing him more frustration than anything else. Interestingly, he seems to talk more about the civil fraud trial in private than he does about his own Republican rivals, who recently had a debate that many Republicans seemed to overlook.
At this point, it appears that Trump will be the nominee, unless former Ambassador Haley, Governor DeSantis, or Governor Christie gain significant momentum. Based on my conversations with party leaders, it seems like the party is slowly accepting this fact, even though Trump may face a federal trial in January 6.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We will have to end it here, but we have much more to discuss with you in the coming weeks and months.
We will be back shortly.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Now, let's turn our attention back to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the devastating impact it is having on its residents, particularly the children.
Joining us is Janti Soeripto, the president and CEO of Save the Children U.S.
It's great to have you here...
JANTI SOERIPTO (President and CEO, Save the Children): Thank you for having me, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: ...in person.
We knew that half of the residents in Gaza before the war were children. For those who have survived up until now, what is life like for them?
JANTI SOERIPTO: The situation is beyond belief, Margaret.
The lack of basic services is unimaginable. Clean water is scarce, and children are resorting to drinking dirty water from the ground. The rainy season has begun, leading to sewage flooding the streets. There is a severe shortage of food and electricity. Most hospitals are no longer operational.
It is indescribable what we are witnessing. Humanitarian agencies are unable to provide assistance to the people of Gaza, especially the children.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They can't help them. Why is that? Is it because there is only one open gate allowing aid in, and Israel is closely monitoring it?
JANTI SOERIPTO: That is one of the issues, yes.
But even during the recent humanitarian pause of seven days...
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
JANTI SOERIPTO: ...those seven days were not enough. Rebuilding a warehouse cannot be done in such a short time.
Despite the ongoing violence and attacks in the region, aid is being provided to those in need. However, the dangerous situation prevents the safe delivery of supplies and makes it impossible for families and children to receive them.
Due to the lack of safe shelters, people are resorting to setting up tents in the middle of the road for protection.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The distressing images of children suffering are heartbreaking for any parent to witness.
According to the U.N., 180 women give birth each day in Gaza, and UNICEF reports that 105,000 breastfeeding mothers are struggling to feed themselves.
The lack of proper nutrition during the first six months of a newborn's life can have long-term consequences. The future of the next generation is at stake.
JANTI SOERIPTO: It is a dire situation. Mothers are unable to provide for their children, giving birth in overcrowded shelters, and undergoing C-sections without anesthesia. Premature babies in incubators are at risk due to the lack of electricity.
No, it is absolutely horrific what has happened to this generation of children. And we know that, if they don't get the food and the necessary supplies that they need, certainly in those first, you know, months of life, that is already setting them behind.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The U.S. vetoed that cease-fire call at the United Nations.
JANTI SOERIPTO: Right.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And, afterwards, your organization released a statement, said Israel is forcing civilians into so-called safe zones that cannot accommodate them and – quote – "deliberately depriving the civilian population of food, water and fuel, willfully impeding relief supplies and using starvation as a method of warfare."
That is a very strong allegation in that press release yesterday. Why do you say this is deliberate?
JANTI SOERIPTO: There is – I mean, look, humanitarian organizations like ours, we're really running out of words to describe how bad it is.
We work in crises all over the world, from Afghanistan, to Sudan, to Ethiopia, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. So we are no strangers to war and conflict. But what is happening here is that there is – there's two million people, a million children in a very, very small space.
There is no way to escape. No one can run away, unlike in most other crises. And there is no incoming aid. The people of Gaza are under siege, unable to access basic necessities such as food and water. We believe this is a deliberate choice to withhold aid from the population.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It's a choice.
JANTI SOERIPTO: It's a choice. It's a choice. And it's withholding aid from the population.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The United States, the president himself has been on the phone pressing for aid to flow in more. There are other ways to get into Gaza.
Israel controls those gates.
JANTI SOERIPTO: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have they opened yet? Because the White House said they were about to.
JANTI SOERIPTO: We haven't heard anything of that effect.
The Rafah Crossing is open. However, it was never designed to handle the amount of aid that is needed. We have not seen the 100, 150, or 200 trucks come through the Rafah Crossing in the past few days after the pause in fighting. We continue to call for the opening of Kerem Shalom to allow for more aid to come in once the fighting stops.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Will you continue working in Gaza? Can you?
JANTI SOERIPTO: We will.
We have been there since 1953. We are not leaving now. We have 25 staff there. We won't leave. But currently, it is impossible for us to work in a safe and effective manner.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Thank you for sharing that story of what's happening inside.
We'll be right back.
