Good morning. Im frances rivera. And im phillip mena. This morning the white house wakes up on defense after a remark from the president brings about what has been described as a cringe inducing moment. The commander in chief honoring world war ii navajo code talkers, those native americans who developed secret communications that helped to win world war ii. And using that occasion to deride senator elizabeth warren. I just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her pocahontas. But, you know what . I like you. Now the white house is battling back accusations of racial insensitivity for using a term that is seen as derogatory by the very community the president was honoring. But its not the first time we have seen mr. Trump use that term. Crooked hillary wants far left activist judges, forced over there by bernie, and by pocahontas. And massachusetts is represented by pocahontas. So, now well only have pocahontas to think about because i think, you know, i think maybe it could be pocahontas. I hope so. I hope its pocahontas. Senator warren who came under fire as a Senate Candidate for claiming native american ancestry during her academic career is now firing back. It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Still, the white house stands by the president s remarks. I think what most people find offensive is senator warren lying about her heritage to advance her career. Steve . A racial slur, she said it was a racial slur. What is your response to that . I think thats a ridiculous response. Those controversial remarks are clouding what is said to be a crucial week for the white house the senate panel set to hold an important procedural vote that is a must pass if republicans have any hope of getting tax reform. Now as republican lawmakers air their own frustrations over the current tax bill, the white house is now scrambling to get them on their side as it looks to get that bill through the Upper Chamber by the end of the week. Today the president will travel to capitol hill in an effort to get his 1. 5 trillion tax cut across the goal line. For more on this we go to nbcs tracie potts who is live from washington this morning. Tracie, good morning. Reporter hi there, philip. Good morning. The president comes here to capitol hill today with one goal, to get this tax plan done one way or the other. He has said if he has to do it without democrats, thats fine with him. And frankly, he has to focus on those skeptical republicans. Is the time line of getting a vote on this this week you think still realistic . That is pretty optimistic, okay. Theres a lot of detail to work out in this. Everybody admits this is a problem that has to be fixed. Are you going to vote for this bill . I dont know, were still working on it. I have some concerns on the deficit side. What i dont want to do is be a part of something where i knowingly am involved in making that situation worse. Reporter now, keep in mind the margin here. Republicans can only afford to lose two of their own members and get this done. And also keep in mind the latest report from the Congressional Budget Office that says wealthier families and businesses would benefit from this whereas the poor families or lower income families would not. Take a look. Cbo says in 2019, if you earn 30,000 or less, you would end up paying more in taxes. And after a few more years, within a decade, that goes up. People making under 75,000 would pay more in taxes. Whereas that same report says those making over 100,000 would end up paying less. Thats not sitting well not only with democrats, but with some republicans. There are also concerns that there are big breaks for big businesses and not for Small Businesses in this bill. So, as some of those lawmakers said, philip, they have some things to work out. It starts with the president coming here to capitol hill today. Thats right, we will soon see if the president gets his way. Tracie, thank you. An issue dogging both democrats and republicans in congress, senator al franken has been accused of Sexual Harassment by four separate women. Another democrat, congressman john conyers is set to appear back at work amid his own allegations of sexual misconduct. In his case, a second exstaffer his fornl former deputy chief of staff is accusing him of unwanted advances according to the detroit news. Nbc kasie hunt has more from capitol hill. I am embarrassed. I feel ashamed. Reporter a diminished and contrite senator al franken returning to work at the capital monday. More than ten days after allegations surfaced he forcibly kissed and groped a woman. I know there are no magic words that i can say to regain your trust. Reporter franken insisting he wont resign amid an Ethics Committee investigation. What kind of behavior demands a resignation . Im not going to get into that or speculate. Reporter with three more women coming forward to say he grabbed them inappropriately in photos, franken not ruling out more accusations. If you had, you know, asked me two weeks ago would any woman come forward with an allegation like this, i would have said no. And so i cannot speculate. Reporter franken isnt the only democrat grappling with Sexual Harassment allegations. 88yearold john conyers, the longest serving member of the house stepping down from a powerful post on the House Judiciary Committee after reports he harassed two women in his office. Including one who reportedly settled for nearly 30,000, paid for by taxpayers. He says he did nothing wrong. Attorney lisa bloom represents one of the women who says coniers harassed her. He has said hes entitled to due process, and he is. The accuser is also entitled to speak out to share her story. Reporter and questions about whether congress will make any real changes to hold itself accountable. The house plans to vote wednesday to require Sexual Harassment training. Right now it is not mandatory. And theyll hold a hearing next week into that secretive process that can discourage some staffers from coming forward to report harassment. Frances . Kasie hunt for us. Kasie, thanks. Wedding bells are in the air in london after prince harry and Meghan Markle announced they are engaged. The happy couple opened up in their First Official interview giving fans some insight into their whirlwind relationship including how the prince popped the question. The standard typical night for us. A cozy night. What were we doing, roasting chicken . Roasting chicken. Trying to roast a chicken. It was just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee. I could barely let you finish proposing. Can i say yes now . She didnt let me finish. Can i say yes . Nbcs chapman bell is joining us now from london. Chapman, people cant seem to get enough of these two. What else can you tell us about their love story . Reporter well, philip, i think we can start with the headlines here. Shes the one. The look of love. They just go on and on and on. Clarence house, the official residence of prince charles, breaking the news to the world that prince harry and Meghan Markle were in fact engaged. And i think its safe to say people here are happy with his choice of an american fiance. It happened earlier in the month actually as we just saw as the couple were roasting a chicken. Other details weve learned, the couple are going to live at Kensington Palace in knotting ham cottage. Neighbors of the duke and dutches of cambridge, william and kate. Dog lover megan broughan brough her dogs over. One of the corgies coiled up at her feet. They bark at him, but took to her immediately. We have also learned about the ring. Its gold, the main stone is from botswana, a place the couple say is special to them. It also has two diamonds from dianas collection on it. When asked what his mother diana would think of meghan, harry had this to say. They would be thick as thieves, without question. I think she would be over the moon jumping up and down, you know, so excited for me, but then as i said, would have probably been best friends, best friends with meghan. You know, it is days like today when i really miss having her around. Reporter so, an emotional but happy day here and over there in america, i assume as well. Philip and frances . Yes, chapman, thank you. We cant get enough of it over here either. Everybody halz been talking about it for days. Especially think about it what makes it different, american, shes a divorce ee, also biracial as well. Breaking the mold. Interesting relationship. Now to nbc meteorologist bill karins for the look at the day ahead. Bill, how are we looking . Good morning. Were looking unseasonably warm. Winter denial were calling it, should be much cooler than this. The calendar says fall. Usually the end of november it starts to get cold. St. Louis at 70 today, 19 above average, d. C. At 63. Its pretty widespread. We did cool off a little bit overnight in areas of the rockies. By the time we get to wednesday all of that warmth, new orleans in the 60s, charlotte in the 60, even in areas like boston going to remain in the 50s. Its not like it gets chilly as we head to the weekend. Corpus christi to victoria to san antonio and all the way through houston. Enjoy it. Well, authorities in new york city are investigating how a ferry ran aground during last nights busy commute. Now, this queens mount ferry got stuck on a sand bar. Thats in the east river near lower manhattan. None of the 124 passengers were hurt, but they were marooned for more than an hour before being transferred to other boats. Fortunately there were no reports of any injuries and they all have a very different new york city commuting story to tell. Honey, im going to be late for dinner. Stuck in the east river. Sand bar. Bill, thank you. Still ahead, a former entourage show loses his show and a new actress is suing bob and Harvey Weinstein over sex trafficking laws. Well bring you those details straight ahead. Nothing comes before coffee. How can i help you gentlemen . thunder thats why were introducing a whole new line of espresso drinks from mccafe. Cafequality from beans to espresso machines. Studying to be a dentist and she gave me advice. She said. My daughter is. 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Yeah he would be a less wrinkly, and winning at life. New on nbc news. Com, Harvey Weinstein has been slapped with yet another lawsuit. This time for alleged seconds trafficking. British model and actress katie a noble said he assaulted her in 2014 at a hotel. Weinstein was able to force her into Sexual Activity because of his promise to her of a film role and use of his influence on her behalf. The lawsuit also names weinsteins brother Bob Weinstein and the Weinstein Company for facilitating the behavior. No comment was immediately available from either, but both have previously claimed they were blind sided by weinstein. A spokesman for the Weinstein Company said that monday he denies allegations of nonconsensual sex. In another fallout from the Harvey Weinstein scandal, cbs is ending the show wisdom of the crowd after just one season. At least five women accused lead actor jeremy piven of sexual misconduct. He denies all allegations. Last week tweeting polygraph test results regarding one of the allegations which appear to show he passed. The actor tweeted monday thanking viewers for their support for the show. It will continue to run the four new episodes remaining in the season. Now to the shocking allegations against the largest massage franchise chain in the country. Dozens of women say they were sexually assaulted at massage envy locations by male massage therapists including one alleged victim who went public with her traumatic story. Heres nbcs Senior National correspondent kate snow. He lifted the sheet reporter for tara woodley, the massage envy appointment this september in washington, d. C. Was a treat to celebrate a new job until she says her male therapist assaulted her. It is almost impossible for me to find the right words to express how violated i felt and how scared i was. Reporter she called 911 and the massage therapist was arrested, charged not just for her alleged assault, but another three weeks before. In Court Documents detectives say massage envy management knew about the prior complaint. Basically every month he was targeting somebody, and i was september. So, i thank god that my husband encouraged me to call the police and that it wont happen to a november woman or a december woman. It stops with me. Reporter susan ingram says after she was assaulted in pennsylvania she asked a massage envy manager to stop the therapist from seeing his next female client. Get her away from him because he just sexually assaulted me. And she said, i cant do that. Reporter massage envy acknowledged what Buzzfeed News first reported, more than 180 people have filed Sexual Assault lawsuits, police reports, and state board complaints against massage envy spas, their employees and the national company. The company said the incidents occurred over a span of 15plus years and 125 million massages, but we believe that even one incident is too many. Tara woodley agrees. In the wake of all the Harvey Weinstein cases and the politicians and i just was getting fed up. And i felt like there are so many women who are being so brave and so strong, im channeling their courage. Thanks to kate snow for that report. Massage envy tells nbc news they run background chekds on every employee and they continue to look for ways to strengthen policies and procedures. Just ahead, the volcano that has everyone stranded. Titanic director answers the ageold question why did jack have to die. The answer next. coughsah hey, chad i missed you. Ah i was in the tree watching you, and then i fell. Im not eating pizza from the trash. Then i discovered mucinex. Huge difference. One pill lasts 12 hours, and im good. Oh, here kitty, kitty. Ah not a cat, not a cat why take 4hour medicine . 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The closure left roughly 59,000 passengers stranded for a second day. One american tourist said he may not be able to leave until friday. Indonesian authorities raised the volcano alert to the highest level fearing an imminent eruption. They also expanded the evacuation zone to six miles from the volcano affecting 100,000 people. Since titanics release in 1997, director James Cameron has been fielding the same question which this guy asks all the time, could jack have lived . Ill never let go. I promise. Promoting the 20th anniversary release of titanic, cameron tells vanity fair hes been dogged by this debate of the love story for 20 years saying obviously it was an artistic choice. The thing was just big enough to hold her and not big enough to hold him. Its called art. Things happen for artistic reasons, not for physics reasons. And i am totally with j. C. James cameron. At the end of the last scene, she pulls out the necklace, just want to be able to say there is some retirement hope in florida. Youre right, it doesnt pull at the heart strings the same way. All im saying is hes drowning. Just scoot over a little bit, you know . Avoid the whole thing. All right, point taken. You have a point there. Whether its that or frostbite, something. Jack had to go. All right. Well, sorry, jack. Sorry, jack. There is much more ahead on early today. Without jack sadly. Stay with us. Casual fridays at Buckingham Palace . Surprising. Whats not surprising . How much money nathan saved by switching to geico. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. vo more dper rollres for mom bounty is more absorbent, so the roll can last 50 longer than the leading ordinary brand. So you get more life per roll. Bounty the quicker picker upper Psoriatic Arthritis tries to get in my way . Watch me. Ive tried lots of things for my joint pain. Now . Watch me. 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I use tide to get out those week old stains and downy to get it fresh and soft. You are free to go. Tide and downy together. Thanks for giving lien the strength to outrun her brother thanks for giving victor the energy to be the rowdiest fan. And joseph,the ability to see monsters. When you choose walgreens,you choose to make a difference. Like how every vitamin and flu shot you get at walgreens helps give lifechanging vitamins and vaccines to children in need around the world and here at home. So,really. Happy thanks for giving walgreens. At the corner of happy and healthy. Still ahead, today is giving tuesday. Find out how you can give back and get involved to help those in need. Thats when we come back here on early today. I was wondering if an electric toothbrush really cleans better than a manual. And my hygienist says it does but theyre not all the same. Who knew . I had no idea. So she said, look for one thats shaped like a dental tool with a round brush head. 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Joining us to talk about the incredible endeavor is todd gray, vicepresident and Deputy Director of Financial Development with ymca of the United States of america. Good morning. We thank you for being with us on this start of this giving tuesday. Good morning. Its amazing to think in six years span what started as bringing people together to give back and to just really enjoy what people have and share that has grown into this. Did you ever think that it would grow to the scale it has globally . It really has been a phenomenal success, and each one of our 853 ys across the country has really seized the opportunity to kickoff their yearend giving with this. And garner significant resources that help us with year round programs. So, specifically what does this money go to, who does it help . You know, each ymca is different. Those ymcas serve 10,000 different communities and every ymca has different programs. Everything from youth programs, senior programs, and certainly programs that are facing chronic facing chronic disease challenges. So, we are very direct in responding to the Community Needs and each y uses their money differently to support those programs and make them accessible to everyone. Its great to have this day after two days like friday and cyber monday, getting deals now to actually give back. Where can they go as far as ymca to see what is needed most in their community . The first place they should start is their local y. If theyre a member of a local y, in a community with a local y, they should give there because they can give directly to that y. If they do not know that y, the y in their area, their closest y, Third QuarterEarnings Conference Call go to ymca. Net give. They can make a gift that will go to their local y. Its not just money. They can give their time as well. Absolutely. We have volunteer opportunities across all of our Program Areas and are always in need 6 more people to get involved at the y. All right, todd, thank you. Thank you. Happy giving tuesday to you. Want to mention our sister station msnbc is the signature Media Parliament media partner of giving tuesday for the fourth year in a row. Check out or website to see who is participatesing in giving tuesday. Im phillip mena. Im frances rivera. Thanks for watching early today. Be sure to follow us on social media. If you can participate in giving tuesday. Your news continues here on nbc and our nbc stations. Who are these people . The Energy Conscious people among us say small actions can add up to something. Humongous. A little thing here. A little thing there. Starts to feel like a badge maybe millions can wear. Who are all these caretakers, advocates too . Turns out, its californians its me and its you. Dont stop now, its easy to add to the routine. Join Energy Upgrade california and do your thing. Christmas in the park it is tuesday morning, 4 32. A live look out at san joses christmas in the park. I was there yesterday, beautiful. Good morning and thank you so much for joining us, im marcus washington. Im laura garcia. Mike inouye helped light that tree. The arrival of kari, now. Its great to have vianey arana here with us. Its frosty in the north bay, 30s and 40s. Thats very cold. Especially as you wake up and head out, pack that coat. The temperatures in the south bay, 45 degrees. Peninsula, 44. Look at the