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Russian Prosecutors Seek Jail Term for Navalny; GOP Senators Still Far Apart On COVID Relief After Meeting; Dubai Opened to Tourists and Cases Surged. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired February 02, 2021 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[10:00:00]

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BECKY ANDERSON, CNNI HOST: This hour, could it be maximum jail time?

Russia looking to slam the Kremlin's arch critic behind bars, possibly for as long as it can. We're live outside the courthouse.

Then, while most of the world buckled down, Dubai kept its doors open. Now the city battling a spike in COVID cases. We'll look at how it is

responding. That is ahead this hour.

And how to help -- best help -- Americans struggling due to the pandemic. Huge gaps remain as President Biden and lawmakers try to come up with a

relief plan. We'll tell you where that all stands this hour.

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ANDERSON: Well, it's 6:00 pm in Moscow, 7:00 pm here in Abu Dhabi, midnight in Tokyo. I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE

WORLD.

This hour we're watching two sides of Russia unfold, one for good -- a new analysis shows its vaccine nicknamed Sputnik V is indeed 91.6 percent

effective. It's been widely ridiculed but that initial data from being published in a leading medical journal, "The Lancet."

The other side of this coin, far darker; the courtroom spectacle around a top Kremlin critic, who many accuse the Kremlin of having tried to poison

just months ago. Alexei Navalny has been jailed, beaten and even poisoned and now his fate is in a judge's hands.

As hearing is going on officially because he didn't follow the rules of his probation, reporting his whereabouts. But he's been a constant thorn in the

side of president Vladimir Putin. The judge now considering whether Navalny should serve the full 3.5 years that he is facing.

Earlier, Navalny demanded to know how could he check in as required of his probation when he was in a coma in Germany. That coma followed his

poisoning last summer while flying to Moscow.

Doctors say he ingested the often deadly poison Novichok, reportedly a calling card of Russia's assassins. Well, this, as a crowd of people are

stationed outside the courthouse in Moscow.

As expected, police came around and began detaining protesters. That's according to an independent monitoring group. It's a familiar scene.

Thousands have taken to the streets since Navalny's arrest. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is outside the courthouse in Moscow and joins us now live.

As we understand it, the judge is now retired to consider the verdict here.

What do we know at this point?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You're right. The judge has retired after what was an absolutely fiery hearing inside

that courtroom and inside this courthouse you see behind me.

This courthouse is secured by, as you can see, a lot of riot police, who have been out here the entire day. Some of the scenes we showed there

earlier, we actually witnessed those as many of the folks who came out here to be outside the courthouse. They were detained by riot police.

Of course, Alexei Navalny supporters called for people to come out here and protest and, essentially, what the authorities did is they made a giant

ring around this courthouse so that no one can get there. And people who stood in the vicinity, a lot of them were detained in what appears to be a

massive police presence here outside of this building, mainly of riot police.

But generally a lot of the authorities that are out here. But the hearing inside was fiery. You are right. Navalny asking the prosecutor how on Earth

he was to check in more than he actually did. They say he failed to check in when he was supposed to.

Navalny saying, I was in a coma. And then Navalny, when it was his turn to speak again, ripped into Vladimir Putin in what was a around about 15-

minute fiery speech. He said, essential this trial is a sham.

One of the things he said is, he said, they need to look at the reason why this trial is taking place. And then he said, quote, "The reason for this

is the hatred and fear of one person," obviously, referencing Vladimir Putin, "who is hiding in the bunker. I have often -- I have offended him so

deeply by the fact that I have survived."

So he's ripping into Vladimir Putin there.

[10:05:00]

PLEITGEN: He also said that he managed to investigate his own poisoning after surviving it and that it turned out that it was Vladimir Putin and

the Russian intelligence service, the FSB, that was behind it.

Of course, we have to point out the Kremlin has on many occasions denied that it or that Vladimir Putin was behind the poisoning of Navalny. But

Navalny then went on and said that he believed that Vladimir Putin wanted to be a big geopolitical figure.

But then he said, there was Alexander the Liberator, Yaroslav the Wise and there will be Vladimir, the Poisoner of Underpants.

That's a reference to the fact that apparently the Novichok poisoning that was administered was done so by the seams of his blue underpants. So there,

a reference to that.

As this was going on, these are things, when you say them in Russia, that's a very, very dangerous thing to do. And the judge tried to stop Alexei

Navalny from saying these. He said he had an objection and then Alexei Navalny went off at the judge and said, I don't need your objection.

In the end he said he believed there were many good people in Russia and you can't jail millions of people, referencing, of course, the authorities

and he believed obviously that some of the things going on now, like the protests here in this country, will continue.

So an absolutely fiery, meeting that went on. The judge is now in deliberations. Navalny under the threat of getting up to 3.5 years in jail,

a suspended jail sentence that the authorities want to turn into a real jail sentence. Obviously, significant jail time.

One final thing, Becky, we also were on the phone with the Kremlin earlier today, on a conference call with journalists. We asked them if Vladimir

Putin would be paying attention to the trial here today and his spokesperson said Vladimir Putin would absolutely not be doing that, Becky.

ANDERSON: And we will speak to our colleague, Matthew Chance, who is also in Moscow, on more detail on the Kremlin response to all of this.

Fred, in a video posted on YouTube on January the 21st, Navalny's chief of staff was quoted, arguing that street protests were the only way to force

the Kremlin to release Mr. Navalny. But if the past week and, indeed, today for that matter, is anything to go by, the Kremlin, it seems, Fred, doesn't

respond well to protests, correct?

PLEITGEN: Well, most certainly not from the response that we've seen so far. And it really has been a remarkable situation that, since those calls

were made, since the protests started here in Russia after Alexei Navalny's return and he was detained immediately after he returned, protesters have

been coming out.

But the answer of the authorities has been one that showed that Vladimir Putin, at this point in time, shows no sign of backing down whatsoever. The

authorities don't, either. We have to keep in mind there was a harsh police response the first week that protests took place here in Russia.

This past weekend there was another call for people to come out. And essentially what the authorities did, they shut down the entire center of

Moscow and put scores of riot police on the street, much larger than even before. And you had that giant amount of detentions that took place, more

than 5,000 around the country just this past Sunday.

And you're right, Becky. If you look at today, it looks as though that zero tolerance policy, if you will, a suffocating presence by security forces on

the ground here, around the court, just the same as it was this past Sunday in Moscow and other cities, that seems to be continuing.

The latest number we got is that only around the court building that you're seeing behind me, more than 230 people were detained just today.

ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen is outside the courthouse as we have been reporting. The judge retiring to consider a verdict against Alexei Navalny.

Let's bring in Matthew Chance to get a sense of where the Kremlin is at with all of this. Matthew's got that part of the story from Moscow.

What is the Kremlin's perspective, Matthew?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Kremlin, Becky, say that they have got nothing to do with this. This is a matter for

the Russian courts and that the Kremlin has no direct influence over the judiciary in this country.

In fact, when Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, earlier today was asked about whether or not President Putin was watching these

proceedings, he said no.

He's having meetings about some other issue, meeting Russian teachers at the front line, teaching students in this country as the pandemic in Russia

continues to, you know, rip through the country.

[10:10:00]

CHANCE: And so publicly, the Kremlin are saying that they have got nothing to do with this, that they're disinterested.

I think the reality, though, is very different. Clearly, for years, the Kremlin has been dismissing Alexei Navalny as an irrelevant blogger that

had no popular support.

But the fact that he was able to not just recover from this horrific poisoning that he suffered last year but also then return to Russia,

deliver a stinging expose on corruption with the online report about the palace in southern Russia, which Navalny's team said was built for Vladimir

Putin -- it was viewed by more than 100 million people around the country.

In addition to that, galvanized support in towns and cities across this vast country. More than 100 cities across Russia saw widescale protests,

not just this weekend but the weekend before as well. And that could continue.

Clearly, this is a figure in Alexei Navalny, who has emerged as a major threat to the Kremlin and the Kremlin are clearly feeling very threatened

by him.

Now what do they do when confronted with this kind of threat?

They have a track record of silencing critics. In the past, critics of the Kremlin have met sticky ends, to use the euphemism. Some of them have been

killed, some imprisoned or discredited.

And it looks like we're about to find out now, today, tonight here in Moscow, what will become of Navalny.

Will he be sentenced to years behind bars or rather put years behind bars for a suspended sentence that's already been imposed on him?

Or will he be set free?

I think the latter is probably not very realistic. I think all the pointers, at the moment, are pointing towards the idea that Alexei Navalny

is going to feel the wrath of the Kremlin in terms of a very long prison sentence indeed.

ANDERSON: Matthew, Navalny's chief of staff suggested that the West hit president Vladimir Putin's inner circle with personal sanctions, a move, he

says, could trigger destabilizing infighting amongst Russia's elite.

Now the U.K. and the European Union have imposed sanctions on several individuals after Navalny's poisoning last year. The U.S. has not done so,

as of yet. I'm sure Navalny and his team have a message for the new Biden administration at this point.

But I just want to discuss where relations with others lie, particularly that of the E.U. Have a listen to what the Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov

said earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DMITRY PESKOV, PUTIN SPOKESPERSON (through translator): Russia is interested in a normalization of the Russia-E.U. relations. These relations

should develop for the sake of the interest of the E.U. residents, as well as the Russian Federation.

We are ready to do everything for this. We hope that such a stupid thing as tying Russia-E.U. relations with the case of this detention center dweller

does not happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: And not, of course, referring to Navalny by name.

How damaging is this for Russia-E.U. and other Western countries' relations with the Kremlin going forward?

CHANCE: Well, I mean, it's difficult to say because, obviously, it's not good for the relations. And there has been this call, you're absolutely

right, on the part of Navalny's team and other opposition figures in Russia as well, for more individual sanctions to be imposed on sort of the inner

circle around Vladimir Putin, individual sanctions on at least eight people that Alexei Navalny, according to his anti-corruption campaign, identified

as people who benefit from what he calls the Kremlin kleptocracy or people directly associated with his poisoning or preventing him from getting

medical treatment, the Russian health minister is on that list of people who should be sanctioned.

Having said that, sanctions have been imposed in the past. And even though they may have been cutting for the individuals concerned, they don't appear

to have an impact on Russian behavior. So that's one consideration.

In terms of the relationship with the European Union, well, it's a difficult one, because the European Union, you know, supposedly operates on

the principle of unanimity. But there just isn't a consensus across that bloc of countries about how to treat Russia.

On the one hand, there are concerns about the individual rights in this country, concerns about how Navalny has been treated, poisoned, detained,

along with his supporters. There are concerns about other issues as well, such as, you know, Russia's continued presence in Ukraine, its annexation

of Crimea and things like that.

[10:15:00]

CHANCE: But at the same time, there are issues that affect the globe, that the European Union believes Russia has to be brought in on. And there has

to be cooperation with Russia, like the global pandemic, like the nuclear deal with Iran. The European Union and Russia need to cooperate on those

issues.

ANDERSON: Matthew Chance is in Moscow for you. Matthew, thank you.

You would be forgiven for feeling deja vu with the West and Russia blaming one another for interference in the other's affairs, allegations that

dogged Donald Trump for years.

But now Mr. Trump has new troubles. Breaking news: House Democrats outlining their second impeachment case against Donald Trump for the first

time.

Today's pretrial brief intends to show the previous president worked for months to sow distrust in an election that hadn't even happened and that

his continued lies incited the deadly insurrection at the Capitol, saying he, quote, threatened the constitutional system that protects the

fundamental freedoms we Americans cherish."

Trump's legal team will have a couple of hours to respond. But we do already have a preview of their argument. They say the trial is, quote,

"completely unconstitutional." CNN's Manu Raju reporting on this for us from Capitol Hill in Washington -- Manu.

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the House Democrats are essentially making the argument that Donald Trump engaged in

impeachable acts of, quote, "historic proportions."

They are saying no president has done what he did in the run-up to that January 6th deadly violence here in the Capitol building. They are

essentially laying out their argument in several parts.

One, the disinformation that Donald Trump waged in the run-up to the election, suggesting there was fraud that would occur by mail-in voting.

Then after the November 3rd election, the so-called Stop the Steal efforts, the campaign, the rallies, the push to subvert the will of the voters and,

ultimately, the January 6th event, which Donald Trump went just steps from the White House, told his supporters to come to Capitol Hill and then the

deaths of several individuals, including one Capitol police officer that day because of the violence.

And they are arguing it's a constitutional case. It's within the bounds of the U.S. Constitution, they argue, for the Senate to try a former

president.

Now that is the argument that Trump's legal team is going to rest on. They're going to say it's not constitutional. It would set a dangerous

precedent. We get a preview of that argument last night, when one of Trump's new attorneys, David Schoen, made the case this should be thrown

out.

DAVID SCHOEN, TRUMP IMPEACHMENT DEFENSE ATTORNEY: This process is completely unconstitutional and this is a very, very dangerous road to take

with respect to the First Amendment, putting at risk any passionate political speaker, which is really against everything we believe in, in

this country.

The day he was elected, there were calls for his impeachment already. This is the weapon they've tried to use against him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RAJU: So you are getting a first real preview there.

The question was, will they advance those conspiracy theories and lies that Trump waged for weeks, months, about the election being stolen and rigged?

We'll see if that's listed in his brief, because, as we know, Becky, that was one of the things that Donald Trump had wanted his legal team to at

least focus on. And that led to the resignation of five of his attorneys, abruptly departing on Saturday.

And then Donald Trump had to get two new attorneys and more attorneys to come and deal with this ahead of the briefs being filed today and the

arguments that will occur on the Senate floor next week.

So we'll see if they have any of those arguments because, I can tell you, Republicans don't want to hear that. They want to vote to acquit Donald

Trump but on the process grounds, on the grounds that they view it as unconstitutional. We'll see how much they lean into that argument when the

Trump team unveils their brief today.

ANDERSON: A rather chilly atmosphere in Washington in so many ways; as you were speaking, we were looking at the inclement weather outside where you

are, Manu. Stay warm, sir. Thank you.

Dubai facing tough criticism over opening its doors to tourists in the midst of a pandemic.

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HELAL AL MARRI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, DUBAI'S TOURISM AUTHORITY: It's nothing to do with what anybody else tells us because there's a very clear plan.

ANDERSON (voice-over): What that plan entails and the new restrictions imposed today in the city. More on that up next.

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ANDERSON (voice-over): Plus: as the economic pain drags on for millions of Americans, lawmakers still have not agreed on a relief plan. The

Democrats may still try to push their version through. All of that coming up.

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ANDERSON: Take a passing glance at Dubai and you may think life is back to normal. The bustling city has sparkling attraction for Europeans and

others, trying to escape what is brutal winter months, of course, and strict coronavirus lockdowns.

But as tourists flocked over, cases in Dubai began to surge. Now Dubai cracking down on COVID-19 restrictions in its hospitality sector from now

until the end of February. Hotels allowed to operate at just 70 percent. Restaurants and cafes must close by 1:00 am. Harsher penalties will be

enforced for those who violate these measures.

These new rules come as countries like the U.K. have banned flights to and from Dubai, a crushing blow to the city's tourism industry. The challenge

now facing the government, how to keep the city's economy alive and well, in the face of a global pandemic. CNN's John Defterios reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR (voice-over): The winter sun on Cove Beach in Dubai. For those suffering from severe lockdowns in Europe

and beyond, settings like this trigger a mixture of envy and anger.

For Danish tourist Emma Mathilde, the backlash is not so surprising.

EMMA MATHILDE, DANISH TOURIST: Everyone is going here and it's sunny and they can go out to eat. And then they start to post on social media. And

then that's why people get furious of why we have to stay at home when other people are enjoying their lives.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): Beach bars and A-list celebrities pumped out by social media influencers gave the impression that Dubai swung open its

doors to the outside world.

DEFTERIOS: Not surprisingly, those seeking warmer climes and some fun in the sun joined in. Hotels, which suffered for nearly a year, saw bookings

skyrocket. So, too, did COVID-19 cases, quadrupling over levels we saw last November.

ADEL GHAZZAWI, CO-FOUNDER, COVE BEACH: All right, cool.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): That surge happened, despite the co-founder of Cove Beach saying that visitor numbers to his venue were only one-third of

what they were pre-pandemic, in line with the Emirate overall.

GHAZZAWI: When Europe is shut down, unfortunately, and the U.S. is shut down and Asia, anything you do could look out of line.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): The response in Britain's press, where the United Arab Emirates was placed on a travel ban red list, has been, in a word,

fierce. Headlines dished out equal blame to visitors for being too cavalier and the Emirate going too far.

Dubai, known for pushing the envelope with its glitzy offering of entertainment and architecture, is stepping up its response based on the

data it's collecting, not the global fury.

[10:25:00]

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): Helal Al Marri is director general of Dubai's tourism authority.

AL MARRI: We do look at this carefully, sector by sector and subsector, to see, where do we need to tighten and where do we need to lift the

restrictions. And that will continue. It's nothing to do with what anybody else tells us because there's a very clear plan.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): As of Tuesday, beach clubs, hotels and malls will be limited to 70 percent capacity and cinemas cut to 50 percent. Bars and

pubs have been temporarily shut down, with stiffer penalties for rule violators.

The government points out that the UAE has already vaccinated, free of charge, nearly one-fifth of its population with the plan to inoculate half

of all residents by the end of March.

With that pace, the idea of going back to a full lockdown witnessed 10 months ago, is not being considered.

DEFTERIOS: Is there complete buy-in within the government, even the health authority, which is under strain, that you can go with this methodology?

AL MARRI: All of the decisions related to public health is led by our health authority and our scientists sitting there. Whatever they recommend,

we work with the private sector to make sure it's implemented in the best possible way.

DEFTERIOS: The economic reality is, with the oil wealth sitting in neighboring Abu Dhabi and a world expo to host later this year, Dubai needs

to keep tourism, trade and services rolling.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): This view is shared by business owners and others who call Dubai home.

GHAZZAWI: I think they've already sent the message to the world that, if things get out of hand, we know that we're not shy to shut down and adjust

immediately and not wait.

DEFTERIOS (voice-over): Now the government needs to convince the rest of the world that it has the right balance between safety and openness, with a

few months left in its peak travel season.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: John is joining us live from du Dubai.

Look, John, this is a familiar dilemma for countries and governments around the world. Everyone trying to get a balance between keeping an economy open

and keeping people safe. And we hear complaints around the world, when governments open and close and then open and close.

And Dubai clearly trying to be more consistent in its approach to keeping its economy open. There is a perception, though, that record numbers of

people flocked to the city during December and January because it was open to international tourists. Now facts first here.

Do the facts on the ground bear that out?

DEFTERIOS: Well, I tell you, with all the noise around this and the social media backlash that we saw, particularly in the U.K. market, you'd think

the numbers are very high. But the fact is they just rolled them out today, 560,000 visitors on the international front in the month of December. We'll

get the January numbers in a few days, according to the authority.

But that is basically one-third of the normal rate for December, which is much, much higher than that, Becky. The same thing for the six-month

period, when they decided to reopen the Emirates in July. They had a soft launch, if you will, 40,000 visitors in the first month of July and a

steady climb up. But the steady climb up for the half year was 1.7 million, not 5 million that they're used to.

So one thing, perhaps one lesson they learned out of this whole process here is, dial down the influencers and the influence they're having on the

narrative in countries like the U.K., Denmark, of course, and other markets like Israel, which saw a spike in cases and a lot of visitors that are

coming in.

Even, to give you a sense of it, my daughters who live in the U.K. were messaging every single day.

Did you see this?

Did you see that?

Because there was a backlash from the Millennials against the influencers, who were maximizing the opportunity to be here in the sun, while everybody

was back home in the dark and in a lockdown.

ANDERSON: Look, we live here. And we have witnessed a very aggressive vaccination drive in the UAE, giving everyone over the age of 16 access to

one of a number of vaccine. And that's putting the Emirates second only to Israel in terms of the per capita vaccination rate.

There has been a jump in cases, though, as you rightly pointed out in your report. And there are questions about hospital capacity.

What are authorities telling you, John?

DEFTERIOS: OK, well, let's cover the number here, 4,000. Almost that number is very high in December and January. And we saw that first wave of

the recommendations put forward by the government. And we're down to 3,300 already.

And the news that we put out today is the second wave of recommendations, restrictions on occupancy and restaurants and bars that you saw here,

cinemas as well. So expect that to go lower. But the number is very high.

We've seen the local reports here suggesting that the hospital system is strained, doctors very concerned about supplies.

[10:30:00]

DEFTERIOS: Now the director general of the tourism authority told me bluntly -- I sit on the emergency committee with the department of health

authority, Dubai health authority here. They have a new leader after the last week. So that sent a different message.

But he said, I would describe the system as strained, not overwhelmed.

I asked the question, is it overwhelmed?

He said absolutely not. Hospital beds are still available. Supplies are there. The supply chain is not broken. But he said, let's take another look

here. COVID cases are high. We're doing a lot of vaccinations and testing and then the normal functions of hospitals.

Is the system strained?

Absolutely it is. But this is like a crossroads for vaccinations and, even in the last two hours, we had the Dubai media office suggest that

AstraZeneca and its vaccine will be added to the mix soon as well.

So you see the game plan here, jack up the vaccines, try to adjust when needed when the case load rises and then get through the crisis but still

keep the economy open.

ANDERSON: John Defterios on the story in Dubai for you. Thank you, John.

With less than six months to go, the Tokyo Olympics organizer said the games will go ahead.

But how will things look?

Will they be different this year?

More on that in the next hour.

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ANDERSON: The United States ramping up its fight to put the economic effects of the coronavirus in check. According to a Congressional Budget

Office report, the U.S. economy could return to its prepandemic size by the middle of this year, even without a relief package. But job losses might

not recover until 2024.

And President Joe Biden is still pushing for his $1.9 trillion package. He met with Senate Republicans on Monday, who generally characterized it as a

useful discussion. But the two sides are by no means on the same page.

Republicans have serious concerns about what a relief package will cost. But with Democrats eager to move forward they could trigger a mechanism

that would allow them to pass the bill without any Republican votes. CNN's Jeremy Diamond is outside the White House for us.

There on the surface last night was a show of bipartisanship, it has to be said. Deep down, there are still deep divides. Meantime, millions of

Americans need cash that hasn't materialized, Jeremy.

[10:35:00]

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Becky. What we saw last night was the potential for bipartisanship that Joe

Biden's presidency brings to us here in Washington but also, frankly, the limits of bipartisanship as well.

We saw President Biden, sitting down with those 10 Republican senators, nine of which whom were in the Oval Office and another on the phone. You

saw them hashing this coronavirus relief proposal out.

But at the same time, it doesn't appear that we are any closer to a deal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIAMOND (voice-over): Two hours in the Oval Office, President Biden and 10 Republican senators hashing out their differences over the next round of

coronavirus relief.

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I feel like I'm back in the Senate.

DIAMOND (voice-over): Republicans pushing their plan, aiming to scale down Biden's $1.9 trillion package to $618 billion, trimming Biden's $1,400

direct stimulus checks to $1,000, lowering the president's unemployment payments from $400 until September to $300 through June; slashing Biden's

$350 billion ask for state and local aid and eliminating the $15 minimum wage increase from the plan.

SYMONE SANDERS, SENIOR ADVISER AND SPOKESPERSON FOR VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: While there were some broad areas of agreement in that meeting, like the

need for relief for small businesses, the president and vice president specifically reiterated that he will settle for nothing less than what is

needed to urgently meet the need for the American people.

DIAMOND (voice-over): Leaving the White House, the Republicans calling the discussion useful.

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): It was a very good exchange of views. I wouldn't say that we came together on a package tonight. No one expected

that in a two-hour meeting.

DIAMOND (voice-over): Other Republicans agreeing with their colleagues on the need to slash the price tag.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We do have to be fiscally responsible but also provide relief to those that need it the most. What we don't want to see is

a bailout of bad behavior from previous years.

DIAMOND (voice-over): But congressional Democrats are quickly moving to pass coronavirus relief without Republican support. House Speaker Nancy

Pelosi and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer beginning procedures to pass the stimulus bill using reconciliation, allowing the Senate to pass

the bill with a simple majority.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): It makes no sense to pinch pennies when so many Americans are struggling. The risk of doing too little is far greater than

the risk of doing too much.

DIAMOND (voice-over): The White House says the president is on board, if it comes to that. White House press secretary Jen Psaki writing in a

statement that Biden "reiterated that while he's hopeful that the rescue plan can pass with bipartisan support, a reconciliation package is a path

to achieve that end."

CEDRIC RICHMOND, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISER: I think that's why we have the Republicans in here today because we don't want to wait. The truth is

families can't afford to wait. There's no room that Republicans cannot join us in helping the American people in the path that we're choosing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DIAMOND: Despite that talk of bipartisanship in the meeting with the president and 10 Republican senators, these two sides remain very far

apart; $1.3 trillion of difference between these two proposals that are being discussed right now.

And you can see the White House is emphasizing, in the wake of this meeting that, yes, they'd like to see bipartisanship and unity. But at the same

time, they see an urgency to act and won't shy away from using the budget reconciliation to pass this along party lines if necessary.

ANDERSON: Yes, that's fascinating. Jeremy, the new Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, has insisted that, for the American economy to recover for

everybody -- and that's what's important here, isn't it, for everybody -- that the U.S. now has to think big.

This is clearly a major priority, alongside getting the pandemic response sorted out.

For a Biden administration, who is convinced they will not be sidetracked by next week's impeachment trial, can they get away with that?

Can they continue to sort of work this dual track, do you think, without being knocked about by what happens next?

DIAMOND: Look, we're going to have to see. Clearly, at some point, you cannot hold these two ideas at the same time, the idea that, on the one

hand, you'd like to see bipartisanship and unity and, on the other hand, you're not willing to cut away some of the key components of the $1.9

trillion package.

It appears the White House is leaning in the direction of we need all the components in this piece of legislation and so we're going to go the

partisan route rather than working with Republicans.

[10:40:00]

DIAMOND: And I can tell you, this is a White House, where you have a lot of former Obama administration officials, who are reminded what happened in

the beginning of Obama's presidency in 2009. When they passed that stimulus package then, the Recovery Act, many economists saying that wasn't enough.

So they are mindful of those lessons and they're carrying them forward as they push for this coronavirus relief package -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes. Jeremy Diamond at the White House for you, thank you.

Well, an athletic transformation coming up. Just a few years ago, she was chasing her skateboard. Well, now she is chasing Olympic dreams. Her story

is just ahead.

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ANDERSON: It genuinely does not get any cuter than this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON (voice-over): Here is the toddler version of skateboarder Minna Stess. Her technique, back then at least, could use a little work perhaps

but you could already see how fearless she was.

Well, fast forward a few years and we are now talking Olympic aspirations. I love this story. Don Riddell is in the house with more for you -- Don.

DON RIDDELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I love this story, too. I love the Stess family as well. I spoke to Minna and her mom and dad recently. She has just

gone so fast in the blink of an eye. She was just a toddler, I think, 1 year old, in that clip. She's now 14, the youngest member of the U.S.

Skateboard team.

Skateboarding is a new Olympic sport now. And she's hoping to go to the Olympics in Tokyo this year. It's just extraordinary. And you're right.

She's fearless. She's hurt herself pretty badly. She's already broken and dislocated her elbow and was out for three months with that a couple of

years ago.

But just look at her go. Absolutely remarkable, a really inspirational young lady.

ANDERSON: Amazing. That skateboard that she had in that video reminds me of my first skateboard, which had blue wheels, not orange ones. But I was

never even as good as she was back then on my board.

(LAUGHTER)

ANDERSON: I know you're probably going to do more on the IOC and the Tokyo games, the latest on that as well.

You have "WORLD SPORT" coming up, folks. Stick with Don for that. I'll be back top of the hour for you.

(WORLD SPORT)

[11:00:00]

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