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Multiple Countries Pause Rollout Of AstraZeneca Vaccine; Soon: Biden Hits The Road To Tout His COVID Stimulus Package; Texas Democrats: Biden Needs To Make Border Message Clearer To Central America; Moderna Vaccinates First Children In Pediatric Vaccine Trial; Senate Democrats Call On Biden To Prioritize U.S. Companies For Projects Funded By The American Rescue Plan. Aired 12-12:30p ET

Aired March 16, 2021 - 12:00   ET

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

[12:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The new normal will take whatever we can get. Thank you, Stephanie. I appreciate it. A programming for all of you CNN's Jake Tapper is going to be speaking with California's Governor Gavin Newsom live on the lead. That's today at 4pm. You don't want to miss that. Thank you so much for joining us at this hour. I am Kate Bolduan, John King picks up from here.

JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Hello everybody. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm John King in Washington. Thank you for sharing your day with us. President Biden hits the road today to promote his giant COVID relief package.

Chester Pennsylvania is the president's destination. That's a small majority black city just south of Philadelphia. Vice President Harris also part of the administration road show, Denver, Colorado, this first stop today. The White House message is that help is on the way for every aspect of the COVID fight, stimulus checks in the mail or by direct deposit.

New tax credits for families and more money for an accelerating American COVID vaccine rollout now climbing past 109 million doses administered. That means more than one in five Americans are now at least partially vaccinated, the global vaccine rollout also a big issue today especially across Europe.

A few dozen recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine report dangerous blood clots a growing list of countries now suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine including France, Italy and Germany. World Health Organization and European experts are taking a new urgent look at the issue.

But the Executive Director of the EU Agency that regulates vaccines says every piece of available data says the AstraZeneca vaccine is both effective and safe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EMER COOKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY: For the present, there is no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions. They have not come up in the clinical trials and they're not listed as known or are expected side events with this vaccine. We are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 with its associated risk of hospitalization that outweigh the risk of the side effects.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Back to that story in just a moment. First though the president's road trip is stopped today is about highlighting a giant legislative achievement. And it is about trying to sell the idea that government must be trusted to help deal with big problems.

The president's first stop today is an interesting choice. We all remember this map from the 2020 election Pennsylvania absolutely critical to Joe Biden. He'll be down here today in the Philadelphia area. First Montgomery County is here then you come over to Philadelphia, then you come just south Delaware County.

And the city of Chester, Chester part of Delaware county, suburban Philadelphia area Chester itself, a small majority black city. Look at this 34,000 population 69 percent of the population where the president will be today is African-American.

The median income below the national average well below at $32,000 nearly 1/3 of the citizens of Chester live in poverty. So a place where stimulus checks family tax credits, new economic assistance helping getting schools open desperately needed.

And the president hopes significantly welcome. CNN's Kaitlan Collins joins us now live from Chester where the president will be just a short time, Kaitlan.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. The president is going to be here. He's going to be visiting a small business while he's here. We don't know which one yet. But we'll find out in just a few hours when he actually gets on the ground. But you're right.

They are saying that this is a city like this is what proves the point of why they push to get that massive Coronavirus relief bill through. And they're saying that it's not just Chester.

It's all of Pennsylvania pointing to numbers like the ones here about how this bill that the president signed into law last week that they are now working on implementing is going to affect the people that live here, not just the money for states and for localities, but also the money for schools that child tax credit and the enhancement there.

That's what he's going to be here on the ground selling, while also talking about their efforts to help small businesses because they're saying its places like this. And people who live here in places like Chester, Pennsylvania that actually need this help that need those stimulus checks that need the child tax credit.

Of course what we were talking about earlier is talking about lifting children out of poverty and they believe this bill is going to do that. But you're right. This is not just a salesmanship for this bill and talking about the implementation of it.

It's also aspects of it that they want to make permanent including the child tax credit and the changes there that are temporary in this Coronavirus relief bill. But it's something that President Biden in his top aides wants to see made long term.

So that's what you're going to see when he actually gets here on the ground selling that message. Of course this is just one of many stops that the president and several of his top aides including the First Lady are taking this week John.

So that's starting here but expect is continue to see this message in these critical states going forward for the rest of the week.

KING: Kaitlan Collins on the ground for us live reports in Chester, Pennsylvania. Kaitlan appreciate that very much for watch the president's message today. Let's discuss it further now with us to share the reporting and their insights CNN's Dana Bash and POLITICO's Laura Barron-Lopez.

And Dana to follow up on the point with Kaitlan this is about a victory lap of sorts the president celebrating a giant legislative achievement. But it's also about watch how this works that check in your bank account that aid to help your school reopen, the more money to reopen new vaccine size because we know what the Republicans are arguing.

[12:05:00]

KING: It's big spending by the Democrats and whether the next issue is infrastructure, whether its climate change, the Republicans are going to say too much government, too much money. Joe Biden is trying to say, you need government help and I'm going to prove it can work.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. And all of the reasons that Kaitlan just gave for why the president and his team think that Chester, Pennsylvania is important when it comes to the content of the stimulus bill. It's also the politics you know as well as I do where that is.

That's in the collar county of Pennsylvania which is always the swingiest of swing areas, not just in a presidential race but in the upcoming midterm elections. And so that kind of speaks to one of the reasons why they're doing this because it's to explain and protect his legacy.

And his initiatives the biggest of which so far of course is this COVID bill but it's also to help protect the Democrats who voted for it. And help explain to their constituents that is not just big government from their perspective.

This is things that, that people who have very much been suffering from this from you know, from teachers to small business owners to you know, keep going on down the list, need this money.

And you know particularly in a place where people historically are fiscally conservative and maybe socially more progressive, seeing a $1.9 trillion. Spending bill is eye popping; it will probably take a lot to swallow in terms of support.

KING: So they need to prove that it works. Laura Barron-Lopez one of the other challenges of being president is you don't get to pick what comes across your desk. And so the president does want this to sink in. He does want to explain to people what they're getting today and tomorrow.

And what they're going to get over the next year or two as this money is spent out. At the same time as he plans then what next to ask the congress. He has what the Republicans call a crisis. The White House wants to call it a challenge, call it what you will, it is a major problem at the U.S. Mexico border right now.

Record numbers of unaccompanied minor children are being held under conditions that are just frankly not up to par for them because of the rush. I want you to listen here. Two of the president's top advocates, top policy hands on immigration this morning trying to send the message, please don't come now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTA JACOBSON, WHITE HOUSE COORDINATOR FOR SOUTHERN BORDER: It is not ever a good idea to come in this irregular fashion. It is a more humane system. But it is not open borders.

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Do not come now. Give us the time to rebuild the system that was entirely dismantled in the prior administration.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: However even Democrats especially border state Democrats say there's a problem here that the administration might be saying from the president on down, please don't come now. Please give us some time about that. The administration is also saying we are not the Trump administration.

If you come we are going to treat you mainly, if you come we are not going to make you stay in camps. In Mexico for example, listen to Henry Cuellar; a Democrat at the board is saying despite what the White House is saying that is not the way the message is being received.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D-TX): The message has to be clear in Central America. One is from the president saying don't come. The other one is the family friend's network. That get over here, then they tell their friends and family I was able to come through. This Friday, I was there and I talked to some of the people that had come across.

There were about 20 of them. I asked them which message have they heard, never heard the president?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: How do they fix that?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, POLITICO: Yes, there's a lot there for the administration to tackle, John. And there's a lot that goes into what leads migrants to actually make that dangerous journey and so statistics actually show that there are more Mexicans coming to the border right now than potentially Central Americans.

And even though the administration is saying that they are going to try to be --establish a more humane system, they are still expelling migrants via an authority, a public health authority that was established under the Trump administration, one that they haven't gotten rid of yet.

And so they are still expelling a large number of migrants. But what the administration is trying to do is build up more capacity. So they're trying to work with youth organizations as well as foster care organizations in the local areas to try to get more shelters.

And as you said, get these children out of CPV facilities faster. But this is an issue that a lot of House Democrats will all Democrats, hunters House Democrats are concerned about because of course there is politics and the Republicans are going down there to try to really hammer the administration on it.

I'm also told by some hill sources that Secretary Mayorkas who you just played a clip on that he is expected to talk to Hispanic caucus members this week. And there's going to be a lot of questions about that when he does.

KING: That'd be quite a lot of questions about that. And so this is the challenge of a new administration day 56. There are some things you can't control. There are some things you cannot control.

[12:10:00]

KING: There's also Dana, this urge among Democrats that we have power now, it's been a long time we have power. Now let's use it as quickly as possible. So while the president would like to be on the road, talking about COVID relief, taking his time to think about what's next.

You have Democrats saying what is next, you're going to bring the immigration bills to the floor, you're going to bring infrastructure to the floor. When are we going to get to climate change?

And one of the questions with that, especially in the infrastructure bill is, are you going to raise taxes? Vice President Harris is out in the road to talk COVID relief. But of course questions follow you, listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You say whether tax increases are under consideration as part of the next phase of this Recovery Act. KAMALA HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We haven't really figured out what the next phase is going to be to be honest with you. And we're going to make those decisions. You know this just happened last week and we want to get on the road and make sure people know what it is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: I mean, that's another right answer. So you're punt a little bit there. But that is part of the challenge that there's so much pent up energy to act and to do things, especially what you know, you mentioned midterm elections.

November, next year may seem like a long way off, but Democrats are thinking we could lose power. Let's use it while we have it. How do they handle the tax debate?

BASH: They clearly don't know the answer to that yet. You know, one of the more immediate questions is, what is going to be the next piece of legislation? Is there actually something that they can work with Republicans on is infrastructure that or is it not?

Because once you get into the details, things quickly become partisan, despite the fact that all sides liked the idea of doing something like infrastructure. And so you know, we don't know what they're going to do when they say they it's what the administration is going to push.

We are already seeing you know, bill after bill that the House is pushing because it's much easier to pass things in the House that do live up to their campaign promises from so called HR one voting rights to you know, gun more restrictive gun laws on and on and on.

And immigration, a couple of bills sort of smaller bills are going to go through the House this week. The question is where is the administration going to put its energy and its focus? And I don't think we know the answer to that yet.

KING: We don't know the answer that just yet. I'm going to talk to two Democratic Senators a bit later to continue that part of the conversation. Dana Bash, Laura Barron-Lopez grateful for the reporting and the insights. Up next for us to focus on COVID worries in Europe over the AstraZeneca vaccine prompt fears.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:15:00]

KING: We already lagging COVID vaccine roll out across Europe is taking a big hit right now because of questions about the AstraZeneca vaccine. More than 20 countries have suspended or delayed rollout of that vaccine including France, Germany and Italy.

The question is whether the vaccine is to blame for blood clots in some of its recipients. The World Health Organization committee that deals with vaccine safety is meeting today. AstraZeneca says all the data shows its vaccine is safe. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen joins us now to explain. Elizabeth, what is the issue here?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: The issue here is whether these blood clots that are being seen and people who've taken the AstraZeneca vaccine, whether they have anything to do with the vaccine, John. When you vaccinate millions and millions of people, you're going to see some things happen.

Some people are going to get blood clots, some people are going to get cancer, some people are going to have heart attacks just because it's 17 million people, it doesn't mean the vaccine had anything to do with it. So let's look at the numbers specific to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

So according to AstraZeneca, about 17 million people have gotten their shots so far. And there have been 37 reports of blood clots. Now the W.H.O the European medicines agency AstraZeneca, they say there is no link so far between vaccines and blood clots.

And 11 million AstraZeneca shots have been administered in the UK and that country still backs the vaccine. So really the work that needs to be done is the rate of blood clots that are being seen. First of all, is that 37 number correct?

And second of all, is that unusual? Is that a high number? So that's what we know. Now let's take a look at what we don't know the question marks that are still out there. So we don't know if these cases of blood clots or these other unusual symptoms that are being reported.

Do they have anything to do with the vaccines? The EMA verdict on this, the European Medicines Agency verdict on this is expected Thursday. We also don't know how all of this controversy that's going on in Europe might affect their application. The AstraZeneca is application to the FDA which is expected soon, John.

KING: For U.S. use we're still waiting on that as well. Elizabeth another vaccine a question is what about children? When would they be safe and now Moderna expanding its trials, right?

COHEN: That's right. So the Moderna vaccine is only approved for people 18 and older Pfizer, 16 and older. And we know that children can get COVID they often look just fine, but they can spread it. So there's been a lot of talk about getting children vaccinated.

So Moderna is starting up their clinical trials for children. So let's take a look at what they're planning on doing. They're enrolling nearly 7000 children. In this trial, the children will be between six months old and 11 years old, they'll be in Canada and the United States.

And they're going to try out different doses on children who are six months to two years old versus the ones that are two to 11 years old to see if they need a higher dose for the older children. Now this is just happening now.

They're just starting Pfizer finished enrolling all of the children and it's trial back in January. So likely we will hear from Pfizer sooner than Moderna about whether or not the vaccine work for children and was safe. However we don't expect that to happen for several months.

So bottom line, children will likely not be vaccinated in the United States for several months. John?

KING: We will wait for more information as we do Elizabeth Cohen grateful for the reporting and the important insights. Coming up for us America first is back. The theme now of Democrats who want to make sure most of the big COVID spending about to flow from the federal government goes to businesses here at home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:20:00]

KING: Democrats right now celebrating a giant achievement in the Biden COVID relief plan. But they're also already in a big debate over what to do next. That conversation is increasingly tense.

As progressives for example argue the only way to make progress on urgent priorities like voting rights, immigration and climate is for Senate Democrats to ditch the filibuster and allow legislation to advance with a simple majority. Our next guest, Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Sherrod Brown of Ohio are central players in those debates.

[12:25:00]

KING: They also right now are leading voices in a push to get the Biden White House to adopt an America first approach to the big new COVID investments. We ask you to take steps to close loopholes that could allow the historic investments included in the COVID relief legislation to go to foreign firms, Senators Baldwin and Brown Write in a letter to the president.

Importantly, we ask that you make this change before contracts are awarded under the American Rescue Plan and any other legislation aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

Senators Baldwin and Brown join us now. Senators, thank you both for your time. Senator Baldwin, let me start with you. Candidate Joe Biden campaigned on this idea trying to redirect more investments from the federal government to American firms America first if you will.

You want him to do a waiver to trade laws to close loopholes essentially, any response from the president yet and any worry that he won't do this?

SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI): Well, Senator Brown and I have both urged the administration to take this action, especially in concert with the American Rescue Plan that he just signed into law. And we know that President Biden is very supportive of by America policies.

And aware that these large loopholes exist where companies from some 60 countries can compete as though they were American firms, even though they don't employ any U.S. workers or pay U.S. taxes. We do think that firms in the U.S. need to have a preference here. And

also we understand through this pandemic, how serious it has been when it's a global pandemic. And we've had severe shortages and things that we need to keep ourselves safe and healthy.

KING: So Senator Brown to follow up on that point. That's part of what this is about, right. And the short term money for American jobs which anybody watching here in the states, you think that is a good thing but also a reboot of manufacturing priorities?

So they were not looking to China, looking to Europe, looking elsewhere to buy things when we have a crunch like this, a pandemic today could be something else tomorrow. Let's just take vaccines for example.

More than $6 billion in this recovery plan allocated for the vaccine supply chain. We know the reagents and the like vials and the like syringes in the like, what is your long term goal as you make this short term request?

SEN. SHERROD BROWN (D-OH): Well our long term goal Senator Baldwin and I've shared for years working together is that more and more that we've - we've grow American manufacturing too many trade agreements, too many tax laws, the big Trump tax bill of four years ago encouraged more companies to move overseas.

And we want to turn that around as Tammy said, Senator Baldwin said this president campaigned on by America. This president is the most pro worker, pro union president in my lifetime. He was a candidate that way as the most pro worker candidate and now he's serving that way.

So this will not be hard to convince him. But we've seen presidents in the past kind of do a head fake towards this. And then not engage in the kind of the buy America work that we want. So this is a short term.

This will help our country's workers, but we need to get obviously these vaccines out in any way possible. And in the long term it will help American manufacturing.

KING: So both of you are part of this 50 member democratic family right now, 51 if we count the Vice President of the United States. That has some big decisions to make very big decisions to make about what next and priorities and your own rules and procedures. I want you to listen to your leader Chuck Schumer who says don't worry, we're going to get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): We have to tackle climate, we have to tackle income and racial inequality. We have to strengthen our democracy. We have a big bold agenda, but we're getting it done. We're going to have to get it done. Failure is not an option.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KING: Senator Baldwin, a failure is not an option, what needs to be done to guarantee success? As you know let me put it this way. Republicans are unabashed about using their power when they have it. Mitch McConnell did that you live through it in terms of the judiciary during the Trump years?

If you look around the country now, Republicans are unabashed about this anti democratic some would even say racist efforts to rollback voting rights. Democrats you know often have a different approach.

Well we need to work with Joe Manchin on the filibuster and we need to try to do this. And we try to do that. Is this the time to say forget all that. We're going to change the senate rules and we're going to pass the things that we think are important.

SEN. BALDWIN: Well first of all, I think that we will continue to use the budget reconciliation process for another major plan, the build back better plan that we are expecting over the weeks and months to come.

But yes, we have to take a serious look at the fact that we have a majority in the Senate. And yet under current rules, Mitch McConnell basically has a veto, if you will.

[12:30:00]