CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

Interview

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

[19:41:27]

CABRERA: The first doses of the coronavirus vaccine are currently shipping across the country, and in the coming weeks, millions of Americans will get vaccinated, but the pandemic is far from over and millions are currently feeling its punishing financial effects.

Stimulus talks have stalled in Congress. But tonight, potential breakthrough. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed splitting the stimulus plan into two relief packages. Here to discuss, Democratic Congresswoman from Minnesota, Ilhan Omar.

She is the author of "This is what America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman."

Congresswoman Omar, there's a lot of news. Thank you for joining us. I want to ask you first about this, you know, stimulus talks and where we are with the proposals. We're hearing about splitting the initial relief bill into a two-part proposal. Is this a breakthrough? And what can you tell us about it?

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): Great to be here with you, Ana. There is, as you know, clear desperation that is being felt by so many Americans across the country as they are looking at eviction moratoriums being lifted at the end of the month. Many people are worried about putting food on the table. So many people have been without a solid paycheck for far too long.

And as we've put together a continuing resolution to avoid government shutdown of one week, last week, we now are trying to think about what it means for us to come up with proposals to make sure that Americans who are suffering get the relief that they need. And many of my colleagues, you know, desperately are working

diligently to try to make sure that there is a direct payment for people, that there is an employment expansion, and we're going to continue to fight Mitch McConnell as he tries to protect corporations from accountability, as he tries to get them get them a liability shield.

CABRERA: Here's what we've learned, at least at this hour about this idea to split it into two different bills. One bill would be a $748 billion proposal, this would include money for small business loans, jobless benefits, as well as vaccine distribution funds, among other matters.

This other bill would deal with some of these thorny issues where there just has not been any early wiggle room from the different sides, from the two parties. This package would include the $160 billion for state and local, that I know is so important to you and other Democrats. And this other bill would also deal with the liability protections that have been such a sticking point for Democrats that Republicans are pushing. Can you agree to do this in two different bills?

OMAR: I mean, we're willing to agree to a lot of things because we understand that there is again, like I said, a clear desperation that's being felt by so many Americans. You know, we, as Congress have not passed a budget in 20 years, and we've continued to do a continuing resolution to make sure government is still functioning on behalf of the American people.

And these deals that we're coming up with and negotiating every single day is in that same spirit of trying to deliver needed support for so many people who are struggling in whatever mechanism that comes in.

CABRERA: So you would agree to putting aside the state and local, but does either package include the direct paychecks to Americans, which I know is really important to you and if not, would you vote against it?

[19:45:06]

OMAR: It is the fine details that matter, right? It's trying to make sure that people can directly get the assistance that they need. I have sent a letter to leadership that was co-signed by 60 of my colleagues, saying that we will not support a package that did not provide direct relief to people.

We know that so many businesses were able to get relief. We know that a lot of people have had the ability to get their unemployment extended. And so many people appreciated that direct payment that they got with the CARES Act, and now that's what they need.

And we're not willing, at least I'm not, in supporting any sort of legislation that is not giving that direct relief to people so that they are able to feed their children and make sure that they continue to be housed.

CABRERA: if Republicans agree to extend these additional unemployment payments per week, is that doable, if it doesn't include direct deposit type payment, that you know, $1,200.00 check or something?

OMAR: It's unfortunate, really, that whenever it is down to, you know, last minute negotiations, the people that are being compromised at that negotiating table are the ones that are hardest hit.

Americans need that direct cash payment to make sure that they're able to feed their children, and as someone who knows what it means, I've lived paycheck to paycheck, I know that as a mother of four children, I would be worried as heck right now if people were negotiating my livelihood out of a much needed stimulus package.

CABRERA: Well, I think there's an urgency though, for Americans. We've talked to so many families who are barely getting by, who are having to choose between keeping the lights on and paying, you know, for Christmas presents for their children or a man who says you know, he doesn't have rent available to pay for the next month. He'll be homeless.

So people are as saying, do something. Something has got to be better than nothing. But I do want to ask you about a few other questions, if you will, Congresswoman. Tonight, we also learned the White House and staffers at the White House will be among the first Americans to receive the COVID vaccine. What do you think of that?

Again, when we think about what gets to be prioritized is far away from what needs to be prioritized. Our frontline workers who have made the sacrifice to continue to make our country run should be the priority. People who have disproportionately been impacted by this virus should be the priority.

The White House and their staff being prioritized in a time where so many people are being devastated by the coronavirus really is unfortunate, disappointing and disturbing.

CABRERA: Let's talk about the incoming Biden administration. President-elect Biden has vowed to have the most diverse Cabinet in history. In your mind, is he delivering?

OMAR: As President-elect Biden says, keep the faith. We continue to keep the faith. I have been pleasantly surprised at the pace of his transition team that they are engaging with folks in developing a plan to curb the spread of the virus, to come up with an economy that can truly work for all Americans.

Their hundred-day plan really is one that is exciting to us, and we are currently circulating a petition asking them to be bolder, as they begin to think about what they will produce on behalf of the American people for those first hundred days.

CABRERA: Senator Bernie Sanders says that he doesn't think the progressive movement has a big enough seat at the table with the Biden team. Do you agree with him?

OMAR: I do. And this is, you know, what we have been saying and asking for. We worked diligently in trying to make sure that the people understood that it was important for us to get rid of Trump, but to have someone who was going to be partner with us in governing for progress in our country, and we continue to be hopeful in having that partnership as we have govern on behalf of our country.

CABRERA: Are you unhappy with any of his current picks?

OMAR: You know, holistically, I am not. I think that they have been quite diligent in putting together a really well-thought out transition team and we continue to see what comes out of the next couple of weeks as they solidify that list, and we will continue to push and make sure that our asks are clear and concise.

[19:50:17]

CABRERA: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, thanks for joining us.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source