CNN "The Situation Room" - Transcript: Interview with Senator Mazie Hirono

Interview

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[18:20:22]

BLITZER: We're following breaking news on efforts to prevent a government shutdown at midnight tonight, as Congress struggles to reach a new deal on COVID-19 economic relief. That deal is desperately needed right now.

The House just passed a stopgap bill to keep the government open two more days, as negotiations continue. It now goes to the Senate, where its fate is unclear as we speak.

We're joined now by Senator Mazie Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, a key member of the Armed Services Committee, as well as the Judiciary Committee.

Senator Hirono, thank you so much for joining us.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D-HI): Good evening.

BLITZER: How great is the risk right now that the government shuts down without a deal, and it's a desperately needed deal, on a COVID relief package?

HIRONO: As you mentioned, the House just passed a two-day C.R. to keep government running.

And, as of right now, I am told that no one -- no senator will object to that C.R. So that is good news, because, earlier, there might have been an objection raised. But, as of right this moment, there will not be an objection. So we can continue to negotiate on this emergency relief bill, which is so, so needed by all of our people.

BLITZER: Yes.

Well, that's encouraging to hear that the government's not going to shut down right now. The government needs to work and get the job done.

As you know, Senator, Congress has had months and months to reach an agreement. There are millions of Americans who are now in poverty who weren't in poverty. There are long lines simply to get food. It's hard to believe what's going on in the United States right now.

Why did it take so long to get to this point?

HIRONO: Very simply, but tragically, it's Mitch McConnell, who has sat on the HEROES Act that was passed by the House, some $3 trillion for emergency for this kind of relief for our people. He sat on it for six months.

And he didn't even negotiate on it at all. And it's only in the last several weeks that members of the Republican and Democratic Party senators got together. And that is why we now have a bipartisan bill as a basis.

But, up to that point, he refused. In fact, he said, well let the states and counties declare bankruptcy. That's one of the first things he said when we were confronted with the House-passed bill. And then he -- then he said, well, unless liability reform is in there, I'm not going to do anything.

And then he came up with a $500 billion bill that had absolutely no input from the Democrats.

So, finally, we're at the point...

BLITZER: What needs to happen, Senator Hirono -- excuse me for interrupting.

HIRONO: Yes.

BLITZER: But what needs to happen right now? It doesn't look like there's going to be any aid, direct aid, to state and local governments. The Republicans are giving up on their proposal to get some sort of immunity for corporations who are -- who are struggling right now. A lot of businesses are struggling right now.

What needs to happen right now in order to get a deal?

HIRONO: When we set aside the two major bones of contention, as you mentioned, the help for state and local governments and liability, then we added -- what was added was direct payments to people.

So that is a huge help, $600 of direct payments, similar to the $1,200 that have been in a previous bill.

And then -- well, I think that is one of the major new things that are being -- that's being added to, in my view, to take the place of the fact that there is no assistance for the state and local governments, that already over one million state and federal workers across our country have been furloughed, because state and local governments are in such deep financial trouble as a result of this pandemic.

But we need to move ahead. And the bill will have, I hope, these direct payments. It will have additional unemployment insurance benefits. It'll have additional support for small businesses, education, rent relief, et cetera.

So, I am very hopeful that, within the next day or two, we will come to an agreement, minus the two major bones of contention. We will deal with those at a later time.

BLITZER: I know you guys are close, and let's help you get a deal. At least something is better than, obviously, nothing.

Senator Hirono, thank you so much.

HIRONO: Yes. Well, the Biden administration will have a lot to do with economic reform.

And we didn't get to the cyberattack. But I tell you that the president's silence on this is deafening.

BLITZER: Yes.

HIRONO: I'm glad that Joe Biden is saying that we are going to get to the bottom of this cyberattack and there will be consequences for whoever the player is or the actors in it.

[18:25:00]

So, it looks like Russia.

BLITZER: It's certainly a crisis in that area as well, that cyberattack.

HIRONO: Thank you.

BLITZER: Senator Hirono, thank you so much for joining us. Always important to hear what you have to say. Appreciate it very much.

HIRONO: Thank you. Aloha. Stay safe.

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