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The Situation Room
NCAA Men's Final Four Set; U.S. Gas Prices Skyrocketing; Veterans Facing Eviction?; TSA Employees Start Receiving Paychecks. Aired 11:30a-12p ET
Aired March 30, 2026 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Happening now: The miserably long wait times we have been tracking at airports nationwide are finally starting to ease up.
Tens of thousands of TSA workers are beginning to receive their back pay after more than a month without a paycheck, this all due to a Department of Homeland Security funding dispute between Republicans and Democrats up on Capitol Hill here in Washington.
President Trump recently signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA agents amid the crisis and as lawmakers failed to reach a deal before leaving town for two weeks' recess.
Joining us now to discuss what's going on is Leah Paley. She's the CEO of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank in Maryland.
Leah, thanks so much for all you do. Thanks so much for joining us.
What's the demand been like from TSA workers since the shutdown began? And is the situation any better now that President Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to start paying them?
LEAH PALEY, CEO, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY FOOD BANK: Well, thank you for the opportunity.
And for the past three weeks, our food bank has been deploying food to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. It's been approximately 1,200 boxes of shelf-stable food, along with 300 boxes of produce. And those boxes are going quickly. The first batch of 600 were gone in 24 hours.
[11:35:08]
We're relieved to know that this shutdown seemingly is coming to an end, but people are going to be taking time to get back on their feet. They have been taking out loans. They have been using funds, borrowing. And so it's going to be difficult for folks to get back on our feet.
The food bank is here to keep the food going to our airport workers until they are ready to return to work paid.
BLITZER: And, Leah, how many TSA workers has your food bank actually served over the course of this weeks-long government shutdown? And what have you heard from members of that community?
PALEY: So, there are a total of 600 TSA workers employed by BWI. So that is why we're preparing 600 boxes each week. We have received calls thanking us directly from TSA workers appreciating the fact that someone cared about them and reached out to provide food to help them make ends meet while the shutdown persisted.
BLITZER: For those unfamiliar with Anne Arundel County in Maryland, it includes the Baltimore area, the metro area around Baltimore, and is home to so many federal workers.
I know you're no stranger to the impact of government shutdowns. How has this one, Leah, been different?
PALEY: So I think just because it's been a little bit quieter, it hasn't impacted every federal employee, it has been a little bit more challenging to raise awareness of this shutdown.
We were deploying approximately 2,000 boxes of food during the shutdown last fall each week throughout Anne Arundel County. So this is a little bit smaller, a little bit more concentrated, but just as important to make sure our neighbors experiencing food insecurity have food so that they don't go hungry.
BLITZER: And I know you're someone who has witnessed how this funding dispute in Congress affects real people's lives. What would you say to lawmakers here in Washington from both parties as they take their Easter recess right now with the Department of Homeland Security still not fully funded?
PALEY: Well, I would say, please, please, please give thought to your neighbors experiencing food insecurity, struggling to make ends meet. Food insecurity is not just an issue that comes to light during the shutdown. This is something that persists. And we need to come together, work together to pass laws, pass budget bills, so that people don't go hungry and that they continue to make a living and do well and be well as American citizens.
BLITZER: Leah Paley, thank you for all the important work you and your team are doing. We appreciate it very much. Thanks for joining us.
PALEY: Thank you.
PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: And, Wolf new this morning, as many as 170,000 people who were previously unhoused in the U.S., including veterans, could be back on the street.
This is all due to a policy change by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The plan pushed by the Trump administration would shift $3 billion in grant funding to transitional housing.
CNN correspondent Brian Todd is here with us.
So, this is being challenged in the court. How soon could a decision be made? And just help us understand that distinction with transitional housing?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Pamela.
A decision could be made by this court in Rhode Island as early as today in this case. They may rule on one aspect of it today or they may rule on the entire thing today. We're going to be monitoring that in the coming hours.
This is new reporting from myself and our colleague Nicky Robertson. We have learned that tens of thousands of formerly homeless people across the country, many of them veterans, could be evicted from the facilities where they currently live because of a new initiative by, as Pamela mentioned, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, called HUD.
Now, HUD wants to shift more than $3 billion in its grant funding from permanent housing for the homeless to shorter-term housing, which is known as transitional housing. The transitional housing is typically offered for up to two years, but homeless advocates say the average length of time spent in transitional housing really tends to be much shorter, only a few months, with many people returning to homelessness.
Now, if this plan by HUD goes through, up to 170,000 formerly homeless people across the U.S., including many veterans, could be evicted. This initiative has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge as part of a lawsuit against HUD filed by homeless advocacy groups.
Some key decisions, as we just said, could come as early as today in that case. Now, if HUD's plan is allowed to go through, one place which could be affected is Alpha Omega Veterans Services in Memphis, Tennessee. It runs three facilities housing formerly homeless veterans.
One of those facilities would have to convert to transitional housing and more than two dozen veterans who live in that one facility would be evicted, one of them, Jayson Carter, 78 years old, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Air Force.
We spoke to Jayson about what this could mean for him.
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JAYSON CARTER, VETERAN AT RISK OF EVICTION: It would be just disastrous. I'd be back on the street in my old, my old view of canoe air conditioning and I don't mind telling anybody Alpha Omega saved my life.
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I mean, I was, I was out there homeless completely. And they gave me a place that was secure and safe, where I could rebuild my strength.
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TODD: HUD contends that the current federally funded system for housing the homeless is broken and -- quote -- "misguided" and says some homeless people who use the system are exposed to illegal drugs and sex offenders.
A HUD spokesperson in a statement to CNN said So, "HUD fully stands by our objective to overhaul America's failed homelessness system, which has relied almost exclusively on permanently warehousing the homeless at exorbitant taxpayer costs, while ignoring root causes" -- end quote -- Pamela.
BROWN: Yes, and, Brian, this problem is, of course, more urgent because of the shared number of veterans like the one we just heard who are homeless.
TODD: That's right.
BROWN: I mean, he wasn't homeless, but he could be and he's worried about that.
TODD: He could be. Very soon, he could be homeless.
According to a report that HUD itself did two years ago in 2024, there are about 33,000 veterans in the U.S. who are facing homelessness. About 14,000 of them are actually unsheltered on the street. Another study by a homeless advocacy group said 5 percent of all adults facing homelessness in this country are veterans.
These are staggering numbers. Something does have to be done, and you have to be creative about it. This approach by HUD is pretty controversial.
BROWN: And you had said that, with transitional housing, it could go up to two years.
TODD: Correct.
BROWN: But, oftentimes, it's only a few months. Why is that?
TODD: You know, a lot of homeless people are -- they move into these houses and there's some pressure on them to only stay for a short time. A lot of them face adverse conditions when they get there and want to leave. So they -- a lot of them are just kind of pushed back out to homelessness.
There are just various factors that go into this. And the permanent housing really does offer them stability. Now, HUD's argument is not without merit. It costs a lot of money to keep people in permanent housing, and it's indefinite.
So there's not a perfect solution here. But, again...
BROWN: Is there any plan, though, to help them rebuild their lives? TODD: You mean after transitional housing?
BROWN: After transitional housing to get them off the streets, rather than...
TODD: As far as we know, there is not.
But HUD does say that we have to address the root causes of homelessness.
BROWN: Yes.
TODD: Now, what it's going to do to do that, we have to see. I mean, that's -- again, it's pretty controversial. And they're going -- to address the root causes in this, you have got to deal with mental illness. You have got to deal with a lot of other factors. It's a messy, horrible problem.
BROWN: And, like you said, a lot of them are veterans.
TODD: Yes.
BROWN: Brian Todd, thank you so much.
TODD: Sure.
BROWN: Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you, Brian.
Coming up: Gas prices have reached their highest level since 2022, and they could keep climbing in the coming days. But this is already too much for so many families who are already spread thin.
Up next, we will hear from a mother, a mother of seven who's forced to make deep cuts just to make ends meet.
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BROWN: Happening now: Gas prices are back on the rise today after dropping by fractions of a penny last week.
The latest figures from AAA show the national average just barely under $4 a gallon, and this comes as analysts fear oil could hit $200 a barrel, which would catapult gas to $7 a gallon. Imagine that. High fuel costs are forcing some families to further squeeze already tight budgets.
So I want to bring in Dexia Billingslea. She's among some of those Americans who are having to make adjustments right now due to the prices at the pump and has worries about the future.
Thank you for coming on, Dexia. Just tell us about the decisions you're having to make now as a mother to six kids. DEXIA BILLINGSLEA, MOTHER: And I think that, as a parent, you shouldn't have to try -- make decisions or think twice about going to do basic things, as in going to the park or the store or the grocery store, and now that has become my reality.
I have to think twice about everything I do because of how expensive the gas is. Last week was spring break, and I just could not create those memories or take my kids out, because the gas -- it didn't fit the budget. So that's something that's getting scary.
BROWN: So, basically, you're only driving when it's critically necessary. You shared with us that your son has autism. Talk to me a little bit about the changes that you're having to make to his care because of the higher prices.
BILLINGSLEA: Yes, he does have autism. He is a toddler. And he's used to having a schedule very regulated. So when I cannot take him to the park or do things that he likes to do, he's starting to react, and because is schedule has changed. And he needs regulation. And he likes to do the things.
So I try to keep him calm. And he is acting out. He's not sleeping well. Because his schedule is agitated, he's not getting that time outside like he should be receive.
BROWN: Because, before, you would take him to the park on a regular basis, right? But now you're having to cut back.
BILLINGSLEA: Yes. Yes. I would take him to the park at least four to five times a week. But I literally can't do that.
And it is showing in his sleeping schedule and him just having fits. And I feel like, when you have a child with autism, you try to do your best to keep them regulated, you know?
BROWN: Yes.
BILLINGSLEA: And this is really affecting him a lot.
BROWN: And, as you just look ahead and the concerns about the rising oil and prices at the pump, are you doing anything now to plan for the possibilities in the future?
BILLINGSLEA: Right now, I'm trying to figure out, what is my next move, because I actually don't know. I wasn't expecting this.
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So, now this is a major change, because I can't -- you cannot just keep yourself inside or go from home to work. You have to live a life. I will start trying to order some groceries online and thing . Well, that is even expensive in itself.
BROWN: Yes, and six kids -- I mean, six kids don't want to be cooped up in the house, right? They want to go out and do their activities, go to... BILLINGSLEA: Exactly. They were very -- yes, they were very affected when I told them that I could not take them out for spring break, because I'd normally do that.
And I like to create those memories with my children. But I couldn't take them. And they were very upset. And I don't want to let them down as a parent.
BROWN: Yes.
BILLINGSLEA: But it just came as a shock. I didn't know this was going to happen.
BROWN: Yes. How much money per week would you say you are spending on gas now compared to a month ago? I know you're cutting back on some of your travel, but I'm just wondering how it's hitting you.
BILLINGSLEA: Yes, I fill up every Tuesday. And this Tuesday, I put in 53. At first, it was 35. Now I put in 53 this Tuesday.
BROWN: And besides cutting back on driving to different places, are you doing anything else to cut back? I know you said you're ordering groceries. Anything else that you're doing day to day to try to save money for gas?
BILLINGSLEA: Well, I'm trying to limit what I do.
I try to go straight home and straight to work. I am trying to order things online, but I do have to budget and scale even my grocery list because I don't want to go over. I feel like my budget has to be very precise, because I am a single parent taking care of six kids.
BROWN: Yes, that's a lot.
Dexia Billingslea, thank you so much for coming on and sharing your story. It's so important to understand how this is impacting Americans. And we really appreciate it. And best of luck to you.
BILLINGSLEA: Yes, thank you.
BROWN: Wolf.
BLITZER: And coming up: The men's Final Four is set after one of the most memorable games in NCAA Tournament history -- how UConn stunned Duke and me, for that matter, to advance.
Stay with us.
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BROWN: All right, the men's Final Four is set after Duke fell to UConn, blowing a 19-point lead and sending the Huskies onward to Indianapolis. They will join Illinois, Michigan and Arizona next weekend. BLITZER: We will be watching.
Let's go live right now to CNN sports anchor Coy Wire, who is joining us from Atlanta.
Coy, last night's game was one for the history books. It was amazing.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, it was absolute must-see TV, one of the most stunning endings in tournament history. The number one overall seed Duke was up two with the ball, just 10 seconds to go. They just have to inbound it, hang on, maybe get fouled.
Huskies need a miracle, and that's what they got. UConn defense swarms, balls tipped, Braylon Mullins heaves it, and it's in. He hadn't made a three-pointer all-game, Wolf and Pamela. Huskies pull off the unthinkable. Mullins is a freshman. He's now a legend. UConn overcomes a 19-point deficit, shocking Duke 73-72 to reach the Final Four. They will face Illinois next.
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BRAYLON MULLINS, UCONN HUSKIES: I had the ball, and I know A.K. had just hit one. So I threw him it, four seconds left, and then he just threw the ball back to me. I knew I had to put one up. So, man, I'm just happy that was -- I had the ball, and I know A.K. had just hit one.
So I threw him it, four seconds left, and then he just threw the ball back to me. I knew I had to put one up. So, man, I'm just happy that was the one that went down tonight.
ALEX KARABAN, UCONN HUSKIES: When I saw him release it, I was like, that really might go in. And it went in, and the Indiana kid sent us to Indianapolis. So...
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WIRE: All right, these reactions are gold. I'm no professional lip reader, but I'm pretty sure Coach Hurley's mom there was saying holy fiddlesticks or something like that.
(LAUGHTER)
WIRE: Now, on the other side of it -- here it is. You can see it zoomed in there. Yes, here it comes.
(LAUGHTER)
WIRE: That is just absolutely awesome.
Now, on the other side of the elation, you have deflation. Duke coach Jon Scheyer having to watch Braylon Mullins' last shot. One of the greatest moments in the tournament's history is one of Duke's worst, a 19-point lead loss in the Elite Eight this year, a 14-point lead loss against Houston in the Final Four last year, crushing. Now, the iconic commentators Bill Raftery and Duke legend Grant Hill,
they look like they had just seen a ghost. They're trying to wrap their brains around how they're going to put that moment into words. Raftery's first words were: "Utterly impossible."
(LAUGHTER)
WIRE: Now, Coach Hurley, jacket falling off, going forehead to forehead with a ref. There's still time left. You can never question that man's passion.
The UConn Huskies...
BROWN: Wow.
WIRE: ... on a mission to become the first team since UCLA in the '70s to win three national titles in four years. So, the Final Four is set.
Pamela, Wolf, how are your brackets shaping up?
BLITZER: Well, I had Duke going all the way. Not happening, obviously. So I'm disappointed with that.
And you were happy that Duke didn't make it, right?
BROWN: I was very happy. I couldn't believe you had Duke going all the way.
I grew up in Kentucky, went to UNC Chapel Hill. So -- and I remember, the similar situation with Christian Laettner when he was at Duke doing that to Kentucky. And we lost the game. I was a kid and, like, couldn't believe it.
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You just saw it happen to Duke this time around. And wow. But I'm still in the game here, Final Four, have Arizona winning.
WIRE: You're doing very well on our CNN anchor bracket challenge.
(LAUGHTER)
WIRE: I am very jealous of you. And so is Wolf.
(LAUGHTER)
BROWN: Thank you to Brian Todd for -- who filled it out for me.
All right, Coy Wire, thanks so much.
WIRE: You got it.
BLITZER: And, to our viewers, thanks very much for joining us this morning.
BROWN: "INSIDE POLITICS" with our friend and colleague Manu Raju starts now.
