CNN "Erin Burnett Outfront" - Transcript: Interview with Jon Ossoff

Interview

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SEN. JON OSSOFF (D-GA): Thanks for having me, Erin.

I don't support any boycott of the state of Georgia. In fact, the economic growth that's been so extraordinary in the last 20 years is a big part of what's driven political progress. Georgia welcomes jobs and investment. And I don't think that moves to boycott the state are constructive.

But it's also a fact that bad public policy is bad for business. That legislation that politicizes election administration and restricts access to the ballot for black voters and Democratic-leaning voters is driving business away from our state. And this should be a clear signal to our state legislature that they're playing with fire when they abuse their authority to try to rig the rules of election administration to gain a partisan edge as to why we need to repeal this restrictive voting law that they passed.

BURNETT: So, this comes as Republicans who led the charge to overturn Biden's election are raking in the cash. Senator Josh Hawley was the first senator to announce he challenged the results. You know, we all remember his fist-pumping outside the Capitol there, of course, Senator. He's raised more than $3 million just in the first quarter of this year, according a source. It was $43,000 of the last election cycle, right? So, he's raking money over this.

And Marjorie Taylor Greene, obviously, from your state, also voted to overturn the election, has taken in more than $3 million. I mean, these numbers are pretty incredible, and money talks.

I mean, what is it telling you do you think?

OSSOFF: Well, look, I guess there is a small market of hardcore political activists who support some soft those extremist political tactics. But the bottom line is that the overwhelming majority of Americans just want good, decent government were horrified by the events of January 6th, and the threat that it posed to the constitutional transfer of power, and applaud the Biden administration's massive investment in COVID relief, economic recovery and defeating COVID-19.

So, for all the noise, all of the sound and the fury of partisan politics, the most important thing I want folks to recognize is that we're making huge progress against this virus. It's because Georgia voters sent two Democrats to the United States Senate in January that we were able to pass that stimulus bill.

BURNETT: That's true.

OSSOFF: And I want to take this opportunity as well to encourage everybody to go and get this COVID-19 vaccine. I have been vaccinated and my wife, Alisha, who's a doctor, has been vaccinated. It's the most important thing we can do as citizens to take it to this virus and put this pandemic behind us.

BURNETT: So, one of your fellow senators, John Cornyn, who is the former number two Republican senator, today, you know, you mentioned -- you are talking about President Biden, the stimulus bill, he questioned whether Biden is actually leading the country.

He tweeted: The president is not doing cable news interviews. Tweets from his account are limited, and when they come, unimaginably conventional. The public comments are largely scripted. Biden has opted for fewer sit-down interviews. It invites the question, is he really in charge?

Well, Senator, you work closely with him thus far. What do you say to Senator Cornyn?

OSSOFF: Well, first of all, let me say, I'm building a strong working relationship with my colleagues, and Senator Cornyn. We sat down on a number of occasions, and I think we're going to try to work together on supply chain integrity, environmental destruction, ethics, labor abuses and supply chain for products that enters into the United States.

I would be curious whether he or his staff wrote that tweet. Twitter is a dangerous tool in politics.

But putting all that aside, the American people don't want government to look like pro-wrestling. This is not about entertainment. This is about making good public policy without drama.

That's how President Biden is conducting himself. He's getting the job done. And it's been a pleasure working with him to get the job done like we did this last week and a half helping to broker a settlement between two industrial giants to save an electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia.

BURNETT: So, let me ask you that because you had the president's support to settle this dispute, it's a trade dispute between two big companies, LG and SK, two Korean companies, which could save 2,600 jobs at that electric battery plant in Georgia, as you mentioned.

So, those are the jobs at the core of President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan.

[19:45:03]

You know, I know he had a bipartisan lunch with lawmakers today trying to sell it.

What did you learn from this deal done that can help Biden get Republicans on board with the stratosphere price tags for infrastructure?

OSSOFF: Well, let me say, first of all, it was a pleasure working with the president and his team, in particular, U.S. trade representative, Ambassador Tai, to get this deal done, save these 2,600 jobs in Georgia, ensure that we will have a diversified supply of electric vehicle batteries in the United States.

Humanity faces a mighty task right now. We have to adapt to climate change. Determine how we are going to keep growing our societies economically without destroying our planet. Electric vehicles are a core part of that transition to clean energy.

And the president's proposal for this infrastructure bill includes huge investments in electric vehicle research and development, battery technology and charging stations. I got involved in this case to save 2,600 skills jobs in Georgia, billions of dollars of investment in Georgia, so that Georgia could be one of the bases and not just nationally but globally for the production of technology that'll save our planet and employ our people for decades to come.

BURNETT: All right. Well, Senator Ossoff, I appreciate your time. Thank you.

OSSOFF: Thank you so much.

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