Transcripts For FOXNEWSW Americas Newsroom With Bill Hemmer And Sandra Smith 20190306

Emergency on the border and its time for democrats to, quote do their jobs. One hour from now homeland secretary secretary Kristin Nielsen expected to face questions from house lawmakers as the commissioner will likely face the same on the senate side. Bill those hearings coming a day after we learned of a record surge on the border. Nearly 270,000 a 270,000 apprehs so far in 2019. Thats nearly 97 increase from just a year ago. 76,000 total apprehensions and arrivals in a four week month in february. Highest encounters in any february in the last 12 years. We have apprehended and encountered more families in just five months and five days than last years record total. The system is well beyond capacity and remains at breaking point. Are we on the fifth caravan . Do we need sixth and seventh and endless caravan before we say its an emergency . We are on track to spend 1. 6 billion of housing unaccompanied minors in u. S. Custody. If this is not a crisis, what the hell would be . Bill Casey Stegall leads our coverage. Good morning, casey. In dallas today, what do the numbers show. Well, bill, good morning. Really the numbers are all up across the board according to u. S. Customs and Border Protection when you really look at them. Perhaps the largest spike that we have seen is in the number of children, what are called unaccompanied minors and family units. In fact, the numbers are up 300 percent. Apprehensions for that group in fiscal year from fiscal year 2018. The feds say the kids and family now make up, by the way, 60 . More than half of all people taken into custody along the southern border. The stats also showing an uptick in the number of large groups attempting to cross. Look at this. Border patrol define as large group as 100 people or more. Well, 70 groups were caught compared to 13 last year. And then just two the year before. While agents in the Rio Grande Valley of south texas are considered to still be in the epicenter with the largest numbers of the apprehensions of both people and drugs flowing in to the United States illegally down in the southern part of texas along the river there, bill. Bill there are additional ripple effects as have you reported on the pass as well, right, casey . Thats right. Customs and Border Protection say most of its facilities are out of date and never designed to house people. Some of the areas and crossings that we have been to are so remote, in fact, that there simply isnt enough staff to process all of the asylum claims coming. In all while local Emergency Rooms have become overwhelmed since the feds are now required to g. E. D. Each minor under the age of 17 medically treated and cleared. Listen. Currently u. S. Border patrol is sending an average of 55 People Per Day for medical care. During december this was as high as 63. Were on track to refer approximately 31,000 individuals for medical treatment this year as compared to 12,000 last fiscal year. Also learning in that press conference that Officials Say about 98 million has so far been spent on medical costs alone for those in custody and agents have spent about 57,000 hours, bill, sitting at hospitals and americans instead of out in the field where they should be. Bill its remarkable here. Secretary nielsen testifies in an hour. Getting an idea what she will say. We will bring it to our viewers then. Casey stegall live in dallas today. 4 minutes past the hour. Sandra meantime, this breaking news on capitol hill. Michael cohen the president s former lawyer arriving on capitol hill just a few moments ago for his fourth appearance before congress in just the last 8 days. This all ahead of his supposed he is going to be reporting to prison for a three year sentence for lying to congress, we will continue to follow this for you. Meantime Top Democrats appearing to cave antisemitic resolution seen as rebuke of ilhan omars controversial comments about israel. Republicans claiming far left members have put pressure on leadership to water down the resolution. Heres one of them. Congressman lee zeldin. Were talking about rep omar for her antisemitic statements. She has antiisrael positions and proids. She blamed u. S. Foreign policy for the alshabaab attack in kenya. She is promaduro in venezuela, so for many reasons she shouldnt have been appointed to this committee in the first place. Sandra peter doocy has the latest from the hill for us. Peter, why are democrats delaying this vote . Sandra, because democratic leadership didnt have enough support to pass a resolution that just focused on condemning antisemitic comments by congresswoman ilhan omar. They are trying to broaden things out and put together a different kind of resolution to condemn other kinds of religious bias, including against muslims, which is something the top democrat in the senate is explaining. What congresswoman omar said i thought was wrong and hurtful, but i also want to say that what happened linking all muslims to the terrorist attack was wrong and hurtful. And both should be condemned. Republican lawmakers though are bewildered by the delay in the vote on this resolution. Congressman dan crenshaw writes this at some point dems need to accept that ilhan omar has deeply held prejudices about the jewish people. Stop explaining her comments away and asking for dialogue. Its clear an apology from her is hollow. And she has a platform on the Foreign Relations committee . Really in the only guidance we have now about timing of a possible vote on this resolution is sometime this week. But it was supposed to be sometime today. Sandra . Sandra meanwhile, peter, as i just mentioned Michael Cohen has arrived on capitol hill for his fourth appearance in a matter of days. How much more do house lawmakers want to hear from him . Lawmakers think they have got about 8 hours worth of questions more. And they might because a lot has changed since the last time that cohen was here, including key details about his own testimony. For example, before an open hearing under oath this week, last week, rather, he told congress that he would never want or accept a pardon from President Trump but foxconn firmed that his legal team did, in fact, ask the president s legal team about a pardon after the fbi raided his house and his office. And we might never know how much todays hearing focuses on inconsistencies because todays hearing is going to happen behind closed doors. But whatever cohen plans to say or whatever he thinks he is going to get asked about, he has a lot of documents with him. It looked like he had a whole wheelie suitcase carryon size with a red well legal folder filled with papers. So we will see. Sandra. Sandra peter doocy on the hill for us. Thank you. Bill meanwhile congresswoman ocasiocortez denying that she and her millionaire chief of staff took part in a dark money operation. High pressure is the congresswoman arriving in yesterday on this when she was asked. No violation so there is no violation. You think thats a sign of you taking dark money . Oh, no. No. Im 100 percent bill James Freeman wall street journal editorial page. Nice to see you, james. Whats the story here . Is there more to it. I think there is a lot of money that i dont know if she wants to call it dark money. We really dont know exactly what happened to it. It doesnt mean its illegal. I think this is the kind of thing that people like aocs friends who have demanded this complicated Campaign Finance law would say the fec ought to look into. You have her current chief of staff who had set up two Political Action committees and also a corporation. A lot of money being raised by the Political Action committees and then being sent over to the corporation where it cant be traced. Now, its not necessarily illegal. Also, one of the Political Action committees paying aocs boyfriend, also not illegal. But, the point of these laws for people who believe in them is to maintain this close or this, i should say this clear separation between the political Candidates Campaign which has very strict limits on how much they can raise and what they have to disclose and other vehicles that have no such limits. Bill its important to note that the pac recruited her to run in the primary which eventually elevated her to the position she is in to. And obviously the relationship mr. Charles krauthammer is nocharlessaikatct has been brought by a criminal organization. The complaint is essentially questioning whether the money that went into that corporation which no one knows where it went after that was, in fact, supporting in an improper way the candidacy. Bill lets see where it goes if it leads anywhere. Meanwhile the white house seems to be hot on the label of socialism. Yes. Bill here is larry kudlow with bret on the north lawn. Putting socialism on trial and im going to convict it as well. This business about fairness and Income Redistribution and socialism this is a smoke screen. The democrats are playing a recession card the rest of the country is in prosperity. Bill that last line sounds like a campaign theme. Yeah. I think it is. You heard from the president in his state of the union message. I think the white house is betting and i hope they are right that america does not want to be a socialist country. Bernie sanders obviously has a different view on sunday in chicago, he said hey, when we were talking a few years ago, people thought we were crazy. We were extreme. Not anymore. Well, i think theres a large part of the American Public and including the democratic electorate if you look at that recent gallup poll that does not consider socialism a good idea. It does not want the extreme left solution. Bill Bernie Sanders making the case that he has gone mainstream. We will see. Bill thank you, james. Nice to see you from the wall street journal. Sandra coming up. Sandra we are getting video of the moments deadly tornadoes tore through the alabama countryside. Oh my god, dude. Oh my god. Sandra we are now awaiting a News Conference on the latest rescue efforts in the southeast. We will have more on that as we get it. Bill the fallout from that story is just stunning. Meantime two big names saying they will not run for 2020 or is that the case . How does the impact of it already crowded democratic field shape up in the dnc is going to react to that coming up and talk to them coming up here, sandra . Sandra a very important story that we have been following right here for you on americas newsroom. President trump signing an executive order aimed at stopping a tragic spike in suicide among our veterans. V. A. Secretary Robert Wilkie will be here live with his reaction to all of that. You are so wound up by death and destruction for so long that you can back and i feel that you just kind of start to unravel a bit. Nothing says spring like fresh flowers, so lets promote our spring travel deal on choicehotels. Com like this sneezes earn one free night when you stay just twice this spring. Allergies. Or. Badda book. Badda boom. Book now at choicehotels. Com. The nations largest seniorliving referral service. For the past five years, ive spoken with hundreds of families and visited seniorcare communities around the country. And ive got to tell you, todays seniorliving communities are better than ever. These days, there are amazing amenities, like movie theaters, exercise rooms and swimming pools, public cafes, bars, and bistros, even petcare services. And nobody understands your options like the advisers at a place for mom. These are local, expert advisers that will partner with you to find the Perfect Place and determine the right level of care, whether thats just a helping hand or fulltime memory care. Best of all, its a free service. There is never any cost to you. Senior living has never been better, and theres never been an easier way to get great advice. Call today. A place for mom you know your family, we know senior living. Together well make the right choice. Sandra we are moments away from deadly tornadoes. President trump signing off on an Emergency Declaration and announcing he will visit the area later this week. Rescue crews meanwhile are still searching for more bodies with several residents still unaccounted for. No, i cant. Oh my god. There is damage. Serious damage. Sandra just ahead the director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency Brian Hastings will join us as we await that update on the search and Recovery Efforts. Bill new york city mayor Mike Bloomberg flirting with the idea of running for the white house in 2020 says he will not be in the mix. Billionaire businessman says he thinks he could win but writes he could be more effective outside of washington. Writing this the idea of a Green New Deal stands no chance of passage in the senate over the next two years. The Dnc Communications director sochi holeson, welcome back to our program. Thanks for having me. Bill republicans are putting a target on Green New Deal team. The Green New Deal is a resolution that basically talks about how Climate Change is real and its an emergency in our country. And we must fix this in a way that we are creating good paying jobs. And so this is a document that basically talks about that that democrats are standing mind have republicans who went do anything or take a stand on whether they think Climate Change is real. I think what you are seeing real in the Democratic Party is that our values align. When it comes to Climate Change, when it comes to jobs. When it comes to gun reforms how to get there we might have differing opinions but that is why you are going to have a robust president ial election. Bill we are going to have this national debate. I look very much forward to it as you do as well. When you talk about going on the record. There is a real good chance to do that in the senate right now. And Mitch Mcconnell said lets go ahead and vote for it and Chuck Schumer calls that a political stunt. Do you see it as a political stunt if you really believe in it . Well, i actually do think its a political stunt for Mitch Mcconnell. Frankly, bring it on. Lets have a vote. At this point i would like to see republicans take a stance on this. Bill i hear the passion you have for the idea. And your first answer but now you are calling it a stunt. Why not go on record and stand on it . Because republicans have led on Climate Change. And so its funny that all of a sudden Mitch Mcconnell cares about Climate Change but you know what . If he cares about it then bring it up for a vote. Lets do it and see where republicans stand on this. They have had both chambers of congress for two years and they havent done anything about it. And so lets have this debate. Go ahead. We will see who votes for it we are happy to see that. Bill i think you could take that message to Chuck Schumer. Lets see where that goes. Hillary clinton says she is not in. And now there is a message from overnight that suggests that she really didnt mean what she was talking about. Maggie haverman tweet for the New York Times spoke to someone close to clinton in contact with her today she sends out. They say she wasnt trying to be emphatic and close the door on running when she spoke to a local reporter yesterday and she was surprised by how definitively it played. Going back on this . I take Hillary Clinton for her word. I will tell you i have worked for her twice in 2008 and 2016. Bill hang on a second. Whats the word . Is she out or in or staying in the middle. She stated she is not running for president in 2020 and i take her for her word. And what i was saying is that i worked for her twice. She is someone is she is not going anywhere. She will continue to fight for the issues that she cares about. She is going to work to elect democrats. And i dont think that she is going anywhere. I think that what have you seen generally by republicans is this obsession with her. And its an obsession because she was successful. She was successful as secretary of state. She was successful first lady. She won the majority of votes and when it came to the 2016 election. I think shah she will continue to be around and someone who is going to fight for the issues. Bill would you represent the dnc would you like to see her run or has her time passed going 0 for 2 in that job . That is up to her. As you know, this is a very personal decision. Its something that she has seen first hand. It takes a toll on your family. It takes a toll on you. And its something that is extremely i mean, when you are campaigning every single day, and people are throwing stuff at you every single stuff, its not something to take lightly. This is a decision that is up to her and i think everyone should allow her to make that decision which she said yesterday. Bill you walked that can with delicacy. Come on back. Thank you for your time today. Here is sandra. Sandra a teenager defying his mothers wishes and choosing to get vaccinated on his own telling his story on capitol hill. And once i approached my mother with information from the cdc that claim vaccines dont cause autism thats what they want you to think. Skepticism and worry were taking the forefront in terms of information. Sandra what exactly is driving this misinformation over the growing trend . What doctors lawmakers and experts say can be done to stop it . Bill also, we have all lost a phone or wallet what about a fish tank . Uber revealing the strangest thing that riders have left behind. Stay tuned for that list. If you have moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, Little Things can be a big deal. Thats why theres otezla. Otezla is not an injection or a cream. Its a pill that treats differently. For psoriasis, 75 clearer skin is achievable, with reduced redness, thickness, and scaliness of plaques. For psoriatic arthritis, otezla is proven to reduce joint swelling, tenderness, and pain. And the otezla prescribing information has no requirement for routine lab monitoring. Dont use if youre allergic to otezla. It may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. Otezla is associated with an increased risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. Tell your doctor about your medicines and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ready to treat differently with a pill . Otezla. Show more of you. Has been excellent. They really appreciate the military family and it really shows. With all that usaa offers why go with anybody else . We know their rates are good, we know that theyre always going to take care of us. It was an instant savings and i should have changed a long time ago. It was funny because when we would call another insurance company, hey would say oh we cant beat usaa were the webber family. Were the tenneys were the hayles, and were usaa members for life. Get your usaa Auto Insurance quote today. Dont you forget about me dont, dont, dont bill oh, but you have, america. Uber putting out lost and found index the most commonly found item a year ago was your phone. The ride sharing giant revealing very bizarre things they include an 8 week old chihuahua. Thats easy to lose. Full set of 18 karat gold teeth. Professional grade hula hoop. Signed baseball by babe ruth you are not getting that one back. Full fish tank with fish and water. Sandra crazy stories out there. People have left Wedding Dress in an uber. Bill look between the seats in new york city cab. Can you imagine the things that are tucked down there, sandra . Sandra i left my credit card in a new York City Taxi recently a Good Samaritan called the Credit Card Company to cancel it for me and threw it away. Bill biffle i think the cabbies find so many phones they are willing to work with you now. Just got to tip them when they come back and bring your phone back. Sandra good tip. My mother is an anti vacs advocate vaccines cause autism and brain damage. I went my entire life without numerous vaccines. In 2018 i began catching up on my missed immunizations despite my mothers disapproval. Although my mother would turn to illegitimate sources and sources that did not have peer review evidence. I quickly saw the claims were not accurate. Sandra High School Senior ethan lynn der berger testifying on capitol hill telling lawmakers about his decision to get vaccinated against his mothers wishes while warning with the dangers of misinformation that you can find on the internet. Garrett tenney has the story from washington. Garrett . Sandra, there is a lot of concern in the medical community that the Antivaccine Movement will lead to severe outbreaks of preventable diseases. One of the issues he ran into while trying to share medical research with his own mom about the safety of vaccines is that she refused to believe it because the data in numbers could not compete with the stories that she had heard and read of kids who had negative reactions. People dont resonate well with information and data numbers and then there isnt better stories. You see with a lot of the antivaccine community a large portion of the foundation that they build to communicate with parents is on a very antidotal level sharing stories and experiences. And that speaks volumes to people because at least for even my family my mom would reaffirm that her position was correct because she knows people and she has seen stories. Medical experts at the hearing and several senators also question policies in 47 states that allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their kids for religious reasons and 17 that allow it for any moral objection. However, senator rand paul warned that forcing parents to do it would violate the principles that our nation was founded on. Im not here to say dont vaccinate your kids. If this hearing is for persuasion im all for persuasion. I have vaccinated myself and my kids. For myself and children i believe that the benefit of vaccines greatly outweigh the risks but i still do not favor giving up on liberty for a false sense of security. Two of the states that currently allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their kids are washington and oregon where a Measles Outbreak has sickened at least 75 people. Lawmakers there and in several other states are now considering changing laws to make it harder for parents to do it. Sandra . Sandra what a story. Garrett tenney in washington for us. We will have the story next hour when we will be speaking with dr. John wiseman the secretary of health for Washington State. He was at that hearing yesterday. His state has been battling the Measles Outbreak. What is his reaction to this growing trend of misinformation. Bill important story there sandra, can the socalled isis bride succeed in her socalled legal fight to come back to america . We will dig into that next. As the judge said, this really comes down to she is a citizen. What she did overseas doesnt matter if the answer is she is a citizen. This is not a bed, its a revolution in sleep. The sleep number 360 smart bed, from 999, intelligently senses your movement and automatically adjusts. So you wake up rested and ready for anything. Save 500 on select sleep number 360 smart beds. Only for a limited time. Look limu. A civilian buying a new car. Ug lets go. Limus right. Liberty mutual can save you money by customizing your Car Insurance, so you only pay for what you need. Oh. Yeah, ive been a customer for years. Huh. Only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Iwith uncontrollederson who moderatetosevere eczema,. Or atopic dermatitis. You feel like youre itching all the time. And you never know how your skin will look. Because deep within your skin. An overly sensitive immune system. Could be the cause. So help heal your skin from within. With dupixent. Dupixent is not a steroid,. And it continuously treats your eczema. Even when you cant see it. At 16 weeks, nearly four times more patients taking dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin compared to those not taking it. And patients saw a significant reduction in itch. Do not use if you are allergic to dupixent. Serious allergic reactions can occur, including anaphylaxis, a severe reaction. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision. If you are taking asthma medicines, do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your doctor. Help heal your skin from within. Ask your eczema specialist about dupixent. Bill Michael Cohen back on the hill arrived about 30 minutes ago. A fourth day of testimony in a week and a halfs time. The former attorney will testify before the House Intel Committee behind closed doors today after his public testimony last week where he called the president a con man, among many others things. Cohen set to report in prison in early may to serve a three year sentence for Campaign Finance violations tax fraud and lying to congress. Set to go to prison on the sixth day in may. This is a good time for america to think again about antisemitism. It seems to be more fashionable in europe. It seems to be more fashionable in this country regretfully at least among some members of the new class in the house. We need to stand up to it in every way we possibly can. Sandra Senate Majority leader Mitch Mcconnell there condemning what he is calling a, quote, disturbing rise of antisemitism saying the senate could soon vote on a measure addressing the issue. Of course, this comes as House Democratic leaders appear to have caved to pressure on a similar resolution in their chamber. Lets bring in dr. Zuhdi jasser president of the American Islamic forum for democracy. Good morning to you, doctor. Good morning. Sandra are they doing enough, start with the house, for example, are they doing enough to push against antisemitism in the house . Absolutely not. I mean, if you look at the resolution, im frankly as an american and as a muslim, insulted at that resolution because it doesnt name ilhan omar. You listen to Elliott Engel and he says we are going to work with her. Its patronizing. They are infantilizing her. When did the office become reprogramming rehab for islamic ideology . This isnt about a harry potter story of lord involved mort the one who shall not be named. Congressman ilhan omar a pan play canard of an antisemitic ideas turn into the u. N. Where everything when you talk about antisemitism you have to tack on islamophobia. This is why it is delayed. I predicted this yesterday. They are delaying it, why . They want to give a nod to the islamists and put little footnotes there is also antimuslim bias, et cetera. Every american should be offended. There is no moral equivalence is i in western history between antisemitism and antimuslim bias. There isnt. Sandra they say they want this resolution to be updated to include a nod to antisemitism bias. House minority whip James Clyburn should emphasize antihate message is the way he characterized it you mentioned Elliott Engel, the congressman, lets hear him in his own words. I dont know that that would do anything except exacerbate the situation even more. Im looking to get rid of antisemitism. Not looking to punish anybody. I think its very important we keep our eye on the prize and i think whenever there is hatred being spewed or racism, antisemitism, islamophobia i think we have to speak out. Sandra he was being asked whether it is under consideration to strip her of her role in the Foreign Affairs committee. He responded no, im not close to it. It, dr. Jasser. Im sorry, when are we muslims going to be treated like adults. They are treating her like a child. When they did a resolution against steve king and he was removed from committees, i dont remember them talking about other forms of hate because he was treated as an adult as he should have been who should have been removed from his committees. She should be removed from the Foreign Affairs committee. Its time that muslims be treated by prime time rather than infantized and treated as sort of somebody who is basically onthejob training in congress. Thats not what this resolution is about. There is a olot of resolutions in history about antisemitism and holocaust recognition, et cetera. Thats not the time. Thats not what this is about. Right now the left has a problem in their allegiance with islamists and alliance with islamists and rather sounding more like irans positions and others rather than western american positions about antisemitism. Sandra fresh sound from lee zeldin, he was talking this morning and he has previously sparred with representative omar and he said. This. I have spoken to House Democrats who are very upset with what congressman omar has said. Many of them have stated publicly they wanted a resolution more strongly worded. The problem is you have a few freshman democrats, in particular alexandria ocasiocortez and Rashida Tlaib and even congresswoman omar leading their party rather than being led by it. Sandra final thoughts on that, dr. Jasser . This is exactly what happened to the u. N. You wonder why our strongest ally ends up being the focus of resolutions in the u. N. Because dictators, socialist regimes, maduro, others end up focusing on israel rather than on the real problem which is their own house. So, rather than focus on the house of islam and the need for reform against islam i iism they are focusing on moral equivalency which doesnt exist. Sandra dr. Jasser, thank you for your time. Thank you. Bill mentioning this story about 40 minutes ago. New satellite images show that north korea is trying to rebuild a Nuclear Launch site. Greg palkot many times been in north korea. Greg, what are we learning about this now . Bill, we first saw some mention of this by the south Korean Spy Agency yesterday. Now reportedly u. S. Government official and two think tanks are weighing in. We are talking about the rocket launch pad missile engine test site a very important facility near the chinese border in north korea. It has been used for satellite launches once when we were there in north korea as well as test of icbm engines used in missiles capable of hitting continental United States. It was dismantled after the first kimtrump summit in singapore. He offered to take the whole thing with International Experts present if the u. S. Delivered with sanctions relief. Now it appears, according to the new reports, there is some rebuilding activity at the site which probably happened just before the hanoi summit. According to one analyst, either they were doing something to have someone tear it down if hanoi worked or get ready for another launch if hanoi failed, which it did. National security advisor john bolton repeated and amplified the tough line coming from the Trump Administration late yesterday on fox business channel. Take a listen. If they are not willing to do it, then i think President Trump has been very clear they are not going to get relief from the crushing economic sanctions that have been imposed on them. We will look at ramping those sanctions up, in fact. The White House Press person sarah sanders, bill, weighed in this morning. Not too much of a comment. She did say though the white house is continuing to have conversations with the north and she said we will see what happens. Back to you. Bill we are watching it i know you are too. Greg palkot from london. For more insight head over to foxnews. Com and our home page where you can read my reporters notebook from last weeks summit in hanoi all about chairman kim and what he decides and what i learned in vietnam and south korea. Called it kims choice. Because he has a choice he can take his country in the future economically give up his nukes or not or he can hang on to power. Its his decision now. Check it out on home page. Sandra President Trump signing executive order on an effort to stop an alarming spike in suicides among u. S. Veteran. V. A. Secretary Robert Wilkie is our headliner. He will join us live next hour as we dig into this very important issue. Bill we will be hearing from officials in alabama as so many from the south look to recover from these devastating tornadoes. Back on that, too. While there is always uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring, there is salute certainty in resilience of the people of alabama. After all we have done it before and we will do it again. Of the United States mint. And as one of the largest us gold coin distributors in the country, us money reserve has proudly served hundreds of thousands of clients worldwide. There may have never been a better time to start diversifying your assets with physical gold and silver. And right now, its easy to get started. Just pick up the phone and call toll free to request the complete guide to buying gold with hundreds of pages of important information. Dont put it off another day. Call now. Of all my years involvement with buying gold, its only gotten better in my faith in the company, u. S. Money reserve. Thats the company i do business with, and i dont see doing business with anyone else. Dont wait until the next crisis. Get started securing you financial future today. Call and request your copy of the complete guide to buying gold. Absolutely free. Were one of the most dependable gold distributors in america. Give us a call today to get started. Sandra Paradise High School raising money by offering off a baseball hat signed by the president. California congressman doug got the president to sign the hat after last months state of the union address. The school is expected to use that money to help clear debris on campus. I will be heading to alabama on friday, so i think some of you will be joining me but we will be going down friday and we will let you know times and when we are leaving and how long well be there. Its been a tragic situation but a lot of good work is being done. We have been in constant touch with the governor and also the governor of georgia. Bill so from the white house yesterday alabama governor kay ayey saying President Trump offered a call and offered help, federal help right away after a deadly twister almost wiped out a town. He has already signed off on millions on federal funds disaster relief. Later this morning the alabama governor visits the devastated areas. We are watching for that Brian Hastings the director of the alabama emergency agency. Tell us what you have seen on the ground and what you need today, sir. Well, good morning, bill. I appreciate you allowing me to talk with the folks of fox nation. And the worst devastation is in the beauregard area which is on the western half of where this 70mile ef 4 tornado set down and killed 23 people. We see damage of ef3 and 2 as it tracks east into georgia. So, on the western part we have the death and devastation and Property Damage on the eastern side went to smith station in the fort binning area of georgia. Bill sounds like a lot. Can you handle it or what do you need . Well, right now i have to put a great thanks out to the First Responders lee county sheriff and Volunteer Fire Department for the three days of search and rescue that they have been doing and now we are trantransitioning into the recovery phase. We appreciate fema being on site we will get the Disaster Assistance out to those folks in need in the county and then donations to united way, red cross and other organizations that help states and counties in need and help lift humanity in their time of suffering. We appreciate all eyes are on alabama today. And state of alabama, e. M. A. , the governor, fema, and we appreciate the support and the expeditious approval of our request for a disaster declaration in lee county. So thanks to everyone. Bill the images are just stunning. And its been some time since we have seen a storm like this be so devastating. I know your focus is on alabama. Have you gotten a read on georgia and what they need across the border . I know that the devastation over there is not as intense as it was here in beauregard. And here in alabama we say that our tornado season is 1 january through 31 december. Its always tornado season in alabama. We are used to. Its tough. We are number one for long track violent tornadoes in the nation. Bill a lot of experience, unfortunately. We heard the briefing yesterday on our program. When the news broke that seven people in one family had been killed. Do you have greater insight what happened there . No. But the corner did talk corn cod talk about it in a News Conference it was two households in close proximity to each other where the ef4 tracked through that area. You have seen the pictures. There is nothing left of any of those mobile homes. And its hard to fathom the devastation there i dont know if anyone could survive the 170 winds that tore through that small section of lee county. Bill some of the interviews we have seen, too, are heartbreaking. What are people telling you . Yes, sir. Say again, bill . Bill what are they telling you, those who have survived . Well, i havent been able to talk to the survivors yet. We have been focusing our efforts on making sure that lee county and the response and recovery aspects of their activities are supported by the state. They have local officials, folks in the faithbased and nonfaithbased organizations caring for those folks in need. A lot of churches, a lot of volunteers, a lot of outreach to make sure we are really lifting up those folks that are in dire need of our support right now. Bill last question here. So when they are able, to we will talk to them. Bill we will get a briefing at 11 00 a. M. Eastern time. We will watch that today about an hour and 10 minutes from now. What does the president s visit to you on friday mean for you . Well, it means everything. We appreciate the medias attention on lee county because sometimes small counties are forgotten when you have massive devastation. But we appreciate the focus. We appreciate the outpouring of love and we appreciate the volunteers that have flocked to lee county and the surrounding areas here in alabama. Its a whole of government, a whole of society and whole of Community Effort to get lee county to a better tomorrow. Bill you have a strong message. Thank you, sir for your time good luck to you and everybody down there. Brian hastings, thank you, sir. Thanks, bill. Appreciate it. Bill you bet. Sandra we are waiting for a set of hearings to kick off on the crisis on our southern border. A live look there. All of this happening as Border Patrol says it has reached its, quote breaking point. We will take you there live in moments. Bill also the mysterious death of almost two dozen horses closing historic racetrack. Details on this bizarre story in a moment. It is a difficult thing. Im sure that the trainers and the jockeys all want to keep racing and have their employment. [quartet singing] bum bum bum bum. Pass the ball. Pass the rock. Were open just pass the ball no, i cant believe how easy it was to save hundreds of dollars on my Car Insurance with geico. Yea. [quartet singing] shoot the j shoot, shoot, shoot the jaaaaaay. Believe it geico could save you fifteen percent or more on Car Insurance. My dbut now, i take used tometamucil every day. Sh believe it geico could save you fifteen percent it traps and removes the waste that weighs me down, so i feel lighter. Try metamucil, and begin to feel what lighter feels like. Bill bit of an artistic avalanche. Check it out. Slabs of snow falling like dominoes from the roof top of a butcher shop. Check that out it looks manufactured. Captured on cell phone video after a snow storm. It felt like an earthquake for a moment says the shop owner. Sandra now to this story the track canceling races this weekend so that races can come in and examine the dirt after 21 horses died there since december. Jonathan hunt is live with more from our west coast newsroom on this story. Jonathan . Sandra, good morning. One of the most important tracks in the western United States and for it to be shot down indefinitely is extremely significant special at this time of year when it hosts some of the most promising horse events of the season. 21 horse deaths at the track in just the last two months clearly more than just a terrible coincidence. So neither training nor races will take place until track officials have some answers. Tim, the chief operating officer for the company that owns santa anita told the associated press, quote we want to do all the testing that needs to be done. When we believe we are in good shape we will start to train over again. Santa anita, by the way is, a dirt track and officials have been looking at whether the unusually wet winter california is going through has anything to do with the rash of injuries and deaths track was shut down two weeks last week while testing was carried out in the wake of what was then 19 horse deaths. A soil and safety expert from the university of kentucky was brought in and after tests declared the track 100 percent ready. So training resumed. But on monday a horse went down and just yesterday 4yearold philly less like the way suffered a right front leg injury and like the horse on monday had to be euthanized now the track is shut down to the relief of Animal Rights activists. Its a little bit late and 21 horses a lot of bodies. Basically a blood path. Its late but its done and now the important thing is that they stay closed until this gets sorted out. Now, two major races have been cancelled for this coming weekend and santa anita is scheduled to host the breeders cup World Championship for a record 10th time this fall so they really want to get this mystery solved, sandra. Sandra it is truly a mystery. Jonathan hunt, thank you. Bill interesting story. All that rain maybe its got something to do with the track. California has been wet for months. Sandra yeah. Bill jonathan, thank you for that we are minutes away from seeing major hearings on the hill. Democrats fighting President Trumps immigration policies despite a surge in illegal crossings. We are told it is an emergency at the moment. The administration digging in, calling on dems to do their job. Dhs secretary Kirstjen Nielsen faces lawmakers in a moment. Were watching that hearing live on the hill coming up next. First, here is Sarah Huckabee sanders from last hour. They failed to do so and now the president has to do what is absolutely necessary and what is right and that is to declare a National Emergency and fix the crisis at the border. Gary, gary, gary. I am proud of you, my man. Making simple, smart cash back choices. With quicksilver from capital one. Youre earning unlimited 1. 5 cash back on every purchase, everywhere. Like on that new laptop. Quicksilver keeps things simple, gary. And smart, like you and i like that. I guess i am pretty smart. Dont let that go to your head, gary. Whats in your wallet . Sandra breaking news out of capitol hill where a pair of Border Security hearings is set to guinea moment now one day after the Border Patrol warned of a crisis that has hit its, quote breaking point. Welcome to a brand new hour of americas newsroom. Im sandra smith. Bill im bill hemmer. Any moment now the house and Senate Holding dual hearings on what the Trump Administration calls a crisis. Seeing a surge at the border today. And take a look here. More than 240,000 apprehensions have already happened this year marking a massive 97 increase from just last year alone. Warnings now that the worst is yet to come. So, without a consequence, without being able to deliver a consequence to these individuals for illegally crossing our borders, the Border Patrol has no reason to expect that this trend will decrease, in fact, we believe it will increase. Bill so mike emanuel we are waiting on that hearing live from the hill now. Hey, mike, good morning. Bill, sandra, good morning. The number arrested in february alone is 76,000 people. That sets the stage for secretary Kirstjen Nielsens appearance before the House Homeland Security hearing today. Nielsen is expected to be pressed on the policy and death of Migrant Children and President Trumps plan to declare a National Emergency at our southern border. Democrats in the house fireworks at that hearing are likely. Nielsen expected to make the case the crisis is real. The administration is working on it and calling on congress to act. On the senate side, in the judiciary committee, lawmakers will hear from cengeg, commissioner of u. S. Customs and Border Patrol. Is he expected to make it clear the u. S. Is facing a border crisis. Border crossings are increasingly, including family units and young children, immigrants are using gaps in current u. S. Law to stay in the country and these gaps are beings exploited to encourage additional immigration. And the cost to taxpayers of these gaps being exploited as it relates to unaccompanied alien children are expensive and growing. Its just stunning the amount of people coming, particularly families and the reason they come is we got some pretty broken laws. Im told chairman graham will make the case that it cost 375 per day per child. 136,000 per year. And the United States will spend 1. 6 billion on that problem alone. Here is the view of a key democrat on that judiciary panel. Greater numbers people coming across our borders before but its in the context, sure. The fact that we have exacerbated the situation by separating children at the border, some of whom still cant be reunited with their parents, that certainly doesnt help. And we know that there are alternatives to holding everybody in our facilities. Once again, illegal immigration is the dominant topic here on capitol hill. Bill . Bill thank you, mike. Another day on the hill. Thanks, mike. Sandra lets bring in a team Brad Blakeman former assistant to george w. Bush. Tom bevan cofounder and publisher of real college clear politics. Former Dnc Communications director, executive director of georgetowns institute of politics and a Fox News Contributor. Welcome to all of you this morning. Brad, i will start with you first. What we are about to hear from secretary nielsen is the crisis is real. Her Opening Statement she is about to make the case that illegal immigration is spiraling out of control. And threatening Public Safety and National Security. Enough hearings. Its time for a vote. Time to protect america. When we have 76,000 people last month coming across our border. Families coming. Up 300 percent. How is it possible that 7,000 unaccompanied children who now become wards of the state. This is a crisis. Its time for congress to act. Enough hearings. Enough politics. Get the vote done. Get the president the money he needs to secure our border. This should be a bipartisan effort. Sandra tom . It is a crisis. And i think the New York Times reporting showed that it is a humanitarian crisis. Whether you think that crisis merits a National Emergency or not is the question thats been debated in congress and certainly the public doesnt feel that way. And even some republicans dont feel that way. The real question though. The problem for democrats is what is their alternative . Whats the solution . Clearly congress has failed in their duty to have immigration laws that are working. Democrats dont have a solution. They are basically saying we dont want the wall. They dont have alternative. Sarah Huckabee Sanders was on fox friends and described it this way, watch. It is absolutely abhorrent that democrats are still refusing to acknowledge the crisis on the border. Particularly when barack obama himself even called it a crisis in 2014. We know exactly what it is and its time they start doing their jobs and actually fixing it. They should follow the president. He is actually leading. If congress didnt want him to declare a National Emergency, they should have done their jobs and actually fixed the problem. Bill instead of just denying that it exists was the last line she had to say there. I dont say that very often i actually agree with Sarah Huckabee sanders that congress should have dealt with this issue a long time ago. There was bipartisan efforts during the last administration for comprehensive Immigration Reform which did a number of things. It dealt with the influx, folks coming into the country. It dealt with issues like citizenship. But it also dealt with Border Security. Add to that the fact that so many. We are seeing a shift in the types of people coming across the border. Its left single individuals from mexico. Bill its families. Now families from Central America. Right . Bill nonetheless, the crisis has not lessened. The reason they are coming is because of humanitarian conditions on the ground in those countries. Why you see some republicans like marco rubio and others leading a charge for more u. S. Assistance and efforts to help alleviate the root of the problem. This has to be a multifaceted approach. The notion that we can throw up a wall and fix this whole problem and make it go away is laughable. Part of the reason why the ebb and flow happens at different times. I think we can all agree on this is what sort of policy is being developed by which particular administration . That word travels fast in central and south america. Brad. They hear that. There is no doubt about it they seize the opportunity because of our weakness of our border and our security. As mo says. It is a complicated bill that could be but there is another side of this. Maybe they sense the weakness. But they also feel as if it will strength soon and their opportunity will be blown. Exactly. Thats the opportunity they have. Because they dont know when the tap is going to be turned off. Now they have an opportunity to come to this country. They know that we are at war internally as to how to fix it so, they exploit the weakness. Shame on us. But this should be a bipartisan effort on comprehensive immigration. You know, last year they shut down the government, democrats on daca. We are not even talking about daca. When the president gave them the opportunity to bring daca to the table. So i think there are missed opportunities on a lot of sides but the problem still remains. Moving onto the House Democrats delaying this vote on a resolution to condemn antisemitism. They are still drafting going to have it to be antihate. Tom, what happens with all of this i want to play some sound from senator schumer, leading democrat, condemning the words of congresswoman omar. Heres what he said. What are they doing about it . Congresswoman omar said i thought was wrong and hurtful. But i also want to say that what happened linking all muslims to the terrorist attack was wrong and hurtful. And both should be condemned. Sandra what do you think is going to happen here . This is certainly exposing a rift in the Democratic Party and its partially generational but its partially some of the younger members are trying to walk that line between criticizing israel but without sort of veering over the line and rep omar has done that a number of times by engaging in these tropes, its all about the benjamins, latest one dual loyalties that makes some democrats deeply, deeply uncomfortable. So this is going to continue to play out within the party for sure. Bill we just heard from Chuck Schumer. Here is eliot engel. Im looking to get rid of steasm, not looking to punish anybody. I think its important to keep our eye on the prize. Whenever there is hatred being spewed and again racism, antisemitism, islamophobia we have to speak out. Thats what im doing here. Bill wait to see what they do about it hoping she will grow and change. Im hoping. Some people change their beliefs. I am hoping she will change hers. Lets hope. I dont know a lot of democrats that rush to defend her when she first started this. I think the condemnation was pretty wide and swift and what do you from here . I do think its an interesting point expanding it to beyond just antisemitism this resolution. Some of the democrats who are supporting her a little bit and defending her saying hold on what she said was wrong, but when a flier was printed by a state Republican Party in West Virginia and disseminated in the state capital that connected her to 9 11 hijackers and terrorists that was overtheline. You dont hear the same outrage. Maybe we should be putting an end to all of these tropes and racist. Sandra should the resolution name her by name. I think it should personally. I think it should. She had a chance to step back and show she has changed and she kind of doubled down. I think republicans have had to struggle with this issue in the past with far less policing from their own leadership. But, democrats now have an opportunity. Im glad they are taking they condemned her. Bill the comparison to steve king and stripped of committee. After many, many incidents. Sandra i want to get this in here. Congressional black caucus chairwoman we dont even have the sound because its so fresh. But she was asked about this. And how she thinks that this should ultimately look. She says absolutely she would have a problem in her own words about the antisemitism resolution mentioning omar by name. Thinks tha antimuslim sentiment needs to be referred to in that resolution but do not name her by name, brad. This wouldnt even come to forebut for the fact that omar made these statements. Several statements, so, yes. Of course it should call her out. Thats the part. You have to condemn the person who says it the problem is democratic leadership is getting weak. They are going wobbly. They want now a watered down version of the condemnation to be against all antisemitism. Of course. Bill not just antisemitism its all religions. Its about her and what she said. Democrats have to put their money where their mouth is and police their own. I totally agree democrats need to police their own. Republicans failed to do it. We did. After many, many years and many, many instances. Bill but the instance today deals specifically with this freshman congresswoman. What im saying is, yes, call her out. I dont think it is a weakening to also reference the backlash that she felt because of her faith and to reference that in a resolution that calls her out by name i think it is fair. I dont think its weak. I think it shows more strength that democrats and the house leadership is willing to condemn everyone. Weak to take her out of the equation by name. Bill tom, can you mediate this . [laughter] i will go back to what i said earlier. This is something that is going to continue to play out. To the extent this continues to be a problem for democrats and its not addressed upfront, its going to pose problems for them in the coming election. Bill im hoping she will grow and she will change. I wish that for all of us. Bill thank you, mo, brad and tom, nice to see you. Also on the hill right now Michael Cohen behind closed doors at this hour. House intel committee, fourth round of questioning about a week and a half. Kevin corke picks it up from there from the white house. Hi, kevin. Hey, my friend. Given its the intel committee, its very likely, bill, they will want more details about the president s not just dealings in russia but also contacts made during the 2016 campaign. His appearance also comes, bill, as we j just seen in the New York Times today. Copies of checks provided to Congress Last week by mr. Cohen appeared in the paper those checks to hear his lawyer lanny davis tell it were meant to cover up criminal behavior in violation of Campaign Finance laws. There is literally no way to dispute that he committed a crime. He not only wrote a personal check, but they invented a coverup story that it was a retainer check. Now that is certainly one perspective. And while the white house is referring all questions on this topic to the president s attorneys, his lawyers have previously suggested, bill, that the checks were merely retainers or reimbursement to cohen. Cohens lawyer, lanny davis, meant to obscure the fact that mr. Trump was paying hush money to quash rumors of an extramarital affair. There has also been a suggestion, bill, maybe we are dealing with a scorned lawyer here. He was asked, you may remember, on capitol hill during his testimony before lawmakers if he had sought a pardon from the president. He said no. He didnt say whether or not his attorneys had had that sort of conversation. Its sort of back and forth but clearly more questions and more answers will be sought today in his testimony behind closed doors, bill. Bill thank you, kevin. Good to have you back. Kevin corke there from the white house. Sandra President Trump taking executive action aimed at decreasing the number of suicides among our veterans. How the plan aims to help them. We are going to talk about all of this with our headliner this morning. Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie will be here. Bill looking forward to talking to him. The south picking up deadly tornado. Get update on Recovery Efforts. Major bill share of the Salvation Army is there on the ground is he on deck as well coming up shortly. While there is always uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring, there is salutslootabsolute certainty. After all we have done it before and we will do it again. Okay, max. Time to help mrs. Tyler reach her health goals im in but first. Shelfie the greattasting nutrition of ensure. With up to 30 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals ensure. For strength and energy. Ensure. We see two travelers so at a comfort innal with a glow around them, so people watching will be like, wow, maybe ill glow too if i book direct at choicehotels. Com. Who glows . Just say, badda book. Badda boom. Book now at choicehotels. Com this is moving day with the best inhome wifi experience and millions of wifi hotspots to help you stay connected. And this is moving day with Reliable Service appointments in a twohour window so youre up and running in no time. Show me decorating shows. This is staying connected with xfinity to make moving. Simple. Easy. Awesome. Stay connected while you move with the best wifi experience and twohour appointment windows. Click, call or visit a store today. Right here. The whole top of this came off the house. I was leaving out of the room to go in the hallway. The whole top came off of the house. [inaudible] for me to go. You have more work to do. Yes, maam. Do you feel lucky. Blessed. There aint no luck in it. Sandra harrowing tales of sur 1r50eu68 there. A tornado killed at least 23 people. President trump heading to the area on friday for a firsthand look at the devastation. Our next guest has vast experience in dealing with natural disasters, major bill shaffer with the Salvation Army. Major bill, thank you for coming on americas newsroom this morning and stepping away from helping the folks on the ground there how do you help a Small Community like that pick up the pieces . Well, i have got to tell you the Salvation Army as a faith based humanitarian organization, you know, we support the First Responders and survivors with emotional care for the duration of the recovery period. Bill ef4 really packs a punch and it was deadly for so many. You have nine mobile feeding units. You serve about 1500 meals so far. I imagine those numbers are going to go much higher, sir. They are going to go higher because, you know, the First Responders are still out there. They are still, you know, putting the pieces back together with the survivors, with the family, with the community the Salvation Army is going to continue to be here and support them and the communities as long as it takes. Sandra major, how are people doing when you talk to them . Listen, this is a Wonderful Community here. The people are upbeat. You know, neighbor helping neighbor. Neighbor providing for neighbor. We are just blessed to be part of this. I know its a disaster tragedy that happened down here in lee county and in to georgia. But, you know, the people down here couldnt be more wonderful. Everybody is pitching in. And they are getting things back on track. Bill thats a Great American spirit. You worked hurricane erma and hurricane katrina. What does 70 miles of tornadic devastation look like . Its like a child getting together in a play box and he has all his toys standing up and takes his hands and knox them all down. Thats what it looks like here in lee county. This ef4. 68 miles on the ground, it was pretty devastating down here in alabama and georgia. Bill thank you. Sandra thank you and best to all those. Bill Kirstjen Nielsen remarks after a major headline hit overnight about the crisis down there with the families across the southwestern border. Drop in right here. Profiting from human missouriry every single day. Deceiving them about our laws and fueling everything from sexual slavery to Child Exploitation to the smuggling of illicit goods. Make no mistake this chain of human misery is getting worse. Yesterday we announced that the numbers of apprehension at our southern border have spiked again, substantially. Since late last year we have been seeing 50 to 60,000 migrants arrive at our southern border each month. But in february, we saw 30 jump over the previous month with agents apprehending or encountering nearly 75,000 aliens. This is an 80 increase over the same time last year i can report today cdc is the problem will get worse this spring as the weather heats up. More migrants crossing illegally in the First Six Months of this fiscal year than the entirety of fy 17. And at the current pace we are on track to encounter close to 1 million illegal aliens at our southern border this year. Our capacity is already severely restrained but these increases will overwhelm the system entirely. This is not a manufactured crisis. This is truly an emergency. Whats different about the current migrant flows and this is important, is not just how many people are coming, but who is arriving. Historically illegal aliens crossing into the United States were predominantly single adult males from mexico with no legal right to say and who we could quickly tee taken remove within 48 hours. In recent years we have seen the numbers of vulnerable populations, children and families skyrocket over 60 of the current flow are family units and unaccompanied alien children and 60 are nonmexican. Because of outdated laws, misguided Court Decisions and a massive backlog of cases, we are often forced to release these groups into the United States and we have virtually no hope of removing them in the future. And, importantly, our ability to help those truly in need is severely limited. The vast majority of these individuals are from Central America while many of them initially claim asylum and are led into the United States. Only one in 10 are ultimately granted asylum by an immigration judge. Unfortunately, when it comes time to remove the other 90 , they have often disappeared into the interior of our country. Snug glories and traffickers have caught on realizing that the outdated laws and lack of resources and bad Court Decisions effectively give them a free ticket into america. Information about the weaknesses in our system has spread quickly in Central America. In fact, they are advertised. And our booming economy under President Trump has made the dangerous journey even more attractive to migrants. As a result, the flow of families and children have become a flood and the past five years we have seen a 620 increase in families. Or those posing as families apprehended at the border. This last fiscal year was the highest on record. And of great concern to me is that the children are being used as pawns to get into our country. We have encountered recycling rings where innocent young people are used multiple times to help aliens gain illegal entry. As a nation, we simply cannot stand for this. We must fix the system. Todays migrant flows have created a humanitarian catastrophe. In one study women reported Sexual Assault along the way and 70 of all migrants reported experiencing violence. Smugglers and traffickers are forcing migrants into inhumane conditions. Demanding extraordinary sums of money and putting their lives in danger. In vulnerable populations, especially children, are coming into dhf sicker than ever before. This is also a Public Safety and National Security crisis. Tcos are using the situation to line their pockets. Fueling a rise in other illegal activity and the spread of Violent Crime into our country. Gang members are smuggling new recruits into the United States with cbp recording a 50 spike over the last fiscal year of the number of gang members apprehended at the southern border alone. And dhs personnel are grappling daily with the movement of drugs, illicit goods and unknown threat actors coming across the borders. So what are we doing about this . At the president s direction we are confronting it head on in many ways. Let me try to quickly some rise. We have championed a border wall system which includes infrastructure, technology and additional personnel. We have implemented virtually every measure within our authority to end catch and release to keep aliens with no legal right to stay from being released into our country. We have worked with the pentagon to deploy troops to the southern border, which has helped us achieve tens of thousands of apprehensions and turned backs of illegal aliens. We have dramatically increased referrals for prosecution of single adults illegally crossing the border from 12 at the start of the administration to nearly 50 today. We have worked tirelessly with the northern triangle countries, i myself can attest to the many transcription i have made and conversations and negotiations i have had to deal with the root causes of migration and to address the challenges at the source. I talked to my counterparts in Central America almost weekly. I travel down there regularly. And this month im happy to report that we expect to sign a historic regional compact, the first ever with those countries to counter irregular migration, human smuggling, trafficking and the formation of caravans. This is something tharve pursue for years and it will have a real effect on this crisis. We have stepped up efforts to protect women and children from being abused, kidnapped, Sexual Assaulted and exploited upon the dangerous journey and we are doing more to dismantle tcos including through inner Agency Action and deeper foreign partnerships. We have intensified operations to seize illicit drugs especially opioids as they are smuggled into the u. S. Through deployment of new technology. Putting in place measures to reduce asylum fraud better help those who are truly fleeing prosecution. Thiflee fleeing persecution. Claims are processed and where they are afforded humanitarian protection to ensure that the flow is safe and orderly. Its simply still not enough. We need congress to act so that we can take operational control of the border as congress directed us in law to do. To protect vulnerable populations, to reduce the life ending flow of drugs in to america and confront the scourge of human trafficking. Without congressional action americas borders will never be secure. Until we deal with the outdated laws that contribute to this problem, the situation will only get worse. Simply put, the laws are not keeping up with the migrant flows. The gaps in the system are obvious. Just as laws must be revised to address technological advances and emerging threats, so too must the laws be changed to address vastly different circumstances at the border. If migrants arrive with children we can only detain them for days and then we have to release them even when they have no legal right to stay, we cannot keep them together as a family. Please summarize your statement. Please, we need congress to change the law, to permit family unity, to ensure the safe and prompt return of uacs back to their home countries and to close loopholes that allow dangerous criminals who get released into our communities. Im happy in response to questions, talk more about our activities with the northern triangle. But i would just like to conclude my remarks by asking for congress to work with me. Im happy to meet with anyone that has a suggested solution. No rationale person would design an immigration system like we have today. Its dangerous for americans. Its dangerous for migrants. It undermines our nations values. And it fails to uphold our fundamental object games to the american people. Although we may disagree on solutions, i hope there can be a consensus that the Current System isnt working. And thats an emergency we must address together. I look forward to your questions. Thank you, chairman. Thank you very much. We allowed you to go over because some people need to hear you for the first time. I greatly appreciate that sir. So, and thank you. As i said in my Opening Statements, madam secretary, we sent requests for a number of information to you and we have not gotten the information back. Can you commit to this committee to get that information back . Yes, sir. And, its in detail. Its not where it needs to be. I want to encourage you there. Asylum seekers. Bill we are open. I think in tv they call that a wrap, dont they sandra . Can you please summarize in the interest of time . I think heres the headline. She said right now we are on pace for 1 million illegals for the year 2019. And that is a stunning number. Kirstjen nielsen with her testimony there on the hill. Sandra she called whats happening on our southern border a humanitarian catastrophe. She said the projections are dire. She laid out the case why this is what she called truly an emergency. Were going to have much more on this coming up as that hearing on capitol hill continues. Well be right back. If youre a veteran homeowner and need money for your family, call newday usa. A newday va home loan lets you refinance your home and take out 54,000 dollars or more to pay credit card debt, or just put money in the bank. It even lowers your payments by over 600 dollars a month. As a veteran, youve earned the powerful va home loan benefit that lets you refinance up to 100 percent of your homes value. And with home values rising, that can mean a lot more money for you and your family. And because newday usa has been granted automatic authority by the va, they can say yes when banks say no. And theyll do all the va paperwork for you. We all know some of lifes most important Financial Decisions are made right here at the kitchen table. So, if youre a veteran and need cash, calling newday usa could be one of the best decisions youll ever make. Go to newdayusa. Com, or call 18774235734. Neighbors. Loved ones. Living with diseases like cancer, epilepsy, Mental Health conditions and hiv. Maybe youre one of them. But new medicare rules could deny access to the latest, most effective therapies. Therapies that keep them healthy. Are medicare cuts that save less than one percent worth the risk to millions of patients . President trump promised to protect medicare. We need him to keep his word. The inlaws have moved in with us. And our Adult Children are here. So we save by using tide. Which means we use less. Three generations of clothes cleaned in one wash. Anybody seen my pants . 1 stain and odor fighter, 1 trusted. Its got to be tide. Your insurance rates skyrocket you could fix it with a pen. How about using that pen to sign up for new insurance instead . For drivers with accident forgiveness, Liberty Mutual wont raise their rates because of their first accident. Switch and you could save 782 on home and Auto Insurance. Call for a free quote today. Liberty mutual insurance. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Do you love me . I can really move do you love me . Im in the groove now do you love me . Do you love me now that i can dance . Applebees 3 course meal. Now thats eatin good in the neighborhood. Whoooo. Did you know the exact same hotel room. Can have many different prices . Thats why tripadvisor searches over 200 booking sites to find the lowest price on the hotel you want. Your Perfect Hotel room for the perfect price takes more mathan just investment advice. From insurance to savings to retirement, it takes someone with experience and knowledge who can help me build a complete plan. Brian, my certified financial planner™ professional, is committed to working in my best interest. I call it my comfortable future plan, and its all possible with a cfp® professional. Find your certified financial planner™ professional at letsmakeaplan. Org. Bill secretary nielsen says Congress Needs to act the laws are not keeping up. Sandra continues to testify on capitol hill. The chairman is speaking right now. Lets step back in and listen. Directive that said we should close lanes and put barriers on those concrete barriers and barbed wire. Are you familiar with any such policy . The general direction for the safety of the migrants and the officers who work at the ports of entry is to ensure a controlled environment, particularly after we saw the violence from one of the caravans in the fall. Many of the local border chiefs, Border Sector excuse me the oso officers at the ports determined what was needed to ensure that there was safety and security at the port. So thats for the migrants, thats for the officers. So generally speaking that was done on caseby case situation with the overall direction to ensure the integrity and safety of that area. So there is no written policy . Its not a policy sir, per se but the direction is clear to protect officers and migrants and ensure a safe and or turley flow to orde. We to make sure the migrants go through the designated area. The enhancement to the port of entry was to disable them from at their own risk which we had seen them many times run across lanes of traffic or try to go around a port of entry. Thank you. Chair now recognizes the ranking member. Thank you, mr. I remember challenge. I want to follow up on something you referenced in your Opening Statement and the chairman probed you on to more fully understand this Asylum Seeker circumstance. You made reference in your statement that for many fiferl, thamanyfirst of all, 9e denied when they actually have their hearing. And those 90 generally have already blended in to the society we cant get rid of them. If we know only 10 are going to be approved based on history, i just dont understand why we are letting people in while they wait on their hearing . You made reference in your statement that many of them are allowed to stay in mexico until their hearing date. My question is why arent all of them required to stay in mexico until their hearing date so that way we can monitor them while they are here for their hearing and if they are approved they stay. If they cant, they go back to mexico . Is that because statutory reason or why . Trying to do this in reached way. We are expanding that program across the border. We work and notify the mexicans as we do that you have seen statements made by their secretary, the equivalent to secretary pompeo and my equivalent that they are determined to protect the humanitarian rights. That we do it in conjunction with them as we expand the program we are doing it in a very systematic way. But the goal is to expand that across the border. You are trying to get to the point where only people can get in for their hearing at the time of their hearing . Yes. Excellent. What can we help you to make that happen more rapidly . So we have all of the authority we need from the underlying ima statute. What we are looking for is additional requests, if any, that we need to come back to you with. This requires some new things, for example, transportation from the ports to the courts. So when we have the court date, we will go back to the port to pick up the migrant, take he or she to the court, that is not a transportation need we have had in the past. So thats just one example but we are looking through to see if we can fund those as we expand the program with our current resources. If not, we would come back with a request. My understanding is that the Mexican Government has made available asylum to all Asylum Seekers who have been coming from south of mexico into the country trying to get to the United States. Is that accurate . My understanding is they have offered both asylum to the vast majority, if not all of the migrants but they have also offered work permits. So if somebody is fleeing venezuela or honduras because of their concerns over safety and get into mexico. By the time they get to mexicos northern bored to our country there is no danger to them in their safety . My pleas to anybody that chooses to take this journey is to please seek protection as soon as in the journey as possible. Its an extraordinarily dangerous journey. So my advice to migrants throughout the region is please accept protection as soon as possible. Okay. I would like to give you some time. You made reference to the northern triangle that you a your Opening Statement if you would like to talk more about it would you tell us what you had in mind . Sure. So, beginning about nine months ago i had traveled to the region many times between the border and northern triangle in mexico. I have been there about 25 times. And have had multiple discussions with my partners in the northern triangle. What we are working on together with ways to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations to identify the criminals who are preying on the vulnerable populations to work with International Organizations such as unhdr to increase asylum capacity in the region to make sure that were sharing information so we understand who is in the flow, that latter relates to the increases in special interest to aliens that are in the flow. And to make sure that we can keep families together. So how can we design a system begins at the start migrants are protected and they dont need to take this dangerous journey. Do you know how much the smugglers charge people to get across the border, generally . So it varies. Our estimates and then most recently as last week what we heard from mexican counterparts is about 6,000 a migrant. Its more per family. To your knowledge, do they coach the migrants as to what to say when they get to the border to be able to get in . We have seen instances, absolutely, throughout the region where they are provided information on pieces of paper. There is also advertisements through social media. There is a whats app. Conversation particular to this to give them, if you will, specific words to claim credible fear once they reach our border. All right. Thank you. My time has expired. I appreciate your service. Thank you, chair now recognizes the gentle lady from texas. Ms. Jackson lee. Let me thank the chairman and the ranking member. Sandra you have been listening to the Homeland Security secretary kearsarge kin laying out what she sees as a getting worse and how to deal with it. Calling to congress to act. Bill in the region 6 20 times. 6,000 per migrant more for families. Great cause as she has said many times to us she encourages people dont make the journey its too dangerous. President trump ramping up efforts to deal with the veteran suicide. Representative Robert Wilkie coming up live on that. Stay tuned for this important story coming up next. Termites. Were on the move. Hey rick, all good . Oh yeah, were good. Were good. Terminix. Defenders of home. Bill again, watching secretary nielsen. The hearing continues on capitol hill. We will monitor for. Headlines. We will bring in Robert Wilkie the risk to veterans for suicide. Good morning, thank you for your time. There is an executive order signed this week. What do you hope it does for our veterans . You know, bill and sandra, thank you for everything you have done to raise the recognition of this issue. What this executive order does is it sets the battle cry and creates the cry across the country that this is a National Tragedy that we have to address. Every day 20 American Veterans take their own lives. Many of them are some on active duty. Some are in the reserves most of them come from the vietnam era. It bricks together the full force of the federal government but in a different way it opens the appear temperature on care and outreach by bringing in the states and localities. I said yesterday that i was in alaska in october and met with the Alaska Federation of natives. More than half of the veterans in that state are outside of the v. A. I asked the native nations of alaska to help us find those veterans who might be in need and get them into our system. So what this does is it opens the Resources Available across the country to help us help those in most need. The statistics are alarming which is why we all want to do something about this problem. Veterans one and a half times more likely than civilians to commit suicide. You mentioned the vietnam era veteran that this effects. But the suicide rate also for post 9 11 soldiers as the president pointed out yesterday has also increased a lot over the last 10 years thats right. Both populations. Talking about problems in some cases began in Lyndon Johnson was president. For the newer veterans its a cry in the wilderness for us to rethink the way we treat veterans, the way we treat Mental Health issues. Veterans affairs is changing the way we approach these issues. We are now focusing not on the traditional just doctorpatient oneoff relationship. We are looking to families. The beautiful thing about the military and the president has said at times that i have the benefit of having been born in khaki diapers is that we have a network of families, be the family, your own unit but the family of other active duty reserve and veterans families who are there to support. We need those families to come to us when they see a veteran in need it cant be a traditional handsoff approach waiting for something to happen. We have to be in the community. This executive order points us in that direction. Bill we wish you the very best. Thank you for coming and sharing your story today. This was a Campaign Promise to take care of our veterans. Thats right. I will say, bill. As the resident historian in the cabinet, no president ever made veterans the centerpiece of his campaign, much less his administration and as the son of a soldier, it is very refreshing. Bill fight the good fight. Secretary wilkie you are back any time. Thank you. Sandra thank you, mr. Secretary. Meanwhile we are monitoring that homeland secretary nielsen is testifying before the house security committee. She is testifying live on capitol hill. We will have much more on this when we come back. I had a few good tricks to help hide my bladder leak pad. Like the old tunic tug. But always discreet is less bulky. And it really protects. cause it turns liquid to gel. So i have nothing to hide. Always discreet. Your favorite restaurants now it doesnt matter dash. Where you are. It doesnt matter what youre hungry for. It doesnt even matter how many you are. Restaurants come to you. Delicious at your door. Download doordash. First order, no delivery fee. Sandra potential break through in treating depression. The fda has approved a new drug being called one of the biggest advances for treating disease in decades. Dr. Marc siegel of Medicine Medical Center and Fox News Contributor. I should say a new approval of a drug but not a new drug being used for a different purpose. Its been used off label. A drug approved forever anesthesia. A sense of euphoria. They use it for pain. Gives you an out of body experience. You feel like you are floating. Feel very happy. Psychiatrists have been using it off label for this for a long time. You then have to give it intravenously in a clinic and its very, very expensive. This is a very exciting advance intranasally. Its very similar to the other version i just described. You can just shoot it up to your nostrils and it does something to promote whats called the glutamate pathways in the brain which give instant relief to depression. It floats a chemical through the brain that makes you happy. Caution also known as special k on the street. Street drug used for date rape. Bill thats where the controversy comes in. Right. It has a very, very sketchy past. This drug, i think for depression is a huge game changer, bill. 188 was the last time we had a depression drug owe proved called prozac and a series of drugs in that class. That changed the world of depression. There is still about 5 to 7 Million People out there that no matter how many drugs they get they cant get better. This drug works for suicide. It works quickly. Sandra potentially a very big break through. Bill are you a believer . Yes im a huge believer in this drug special for psychiatrists to have for suicidal patient very quick turn around. Sandra thank you, dr. Siegel. Bill sorry about the brevity there. News conference underway in alabama. Take you down there as the hearing continues on the hill as well. Come on back. Ising all across the country, nows the time to use your valuable va home loan benefit. Newday usa can help you refinance and get 54,000 dollars or more and lower your payments by 600 a month. And since theyve been granted automatic authority by the va, newday can say yes when banks say no. So if youre a veteran homeowner who needs cash, nows the time to call newday usa. Go to newdayusa. Com or call 18004209803 but to be a pro at travel just takes tripadvisor. We offer uptodate reviews and 360 hotel photos to help you find the right hotel and search over 200 booking sites to get you the right price. Tripadvisor. Sandra fox news alert now at the top of the new hour any moment now getting update from alabama as you can see monitoring this News Conference. It is underway now. Any updates there we will bring them to you on continued relief efforts following tornado outbreak that killed 23 people. So we will be continuing to watch that for you and bring you any news as it comes from there. Another alert now. Stunning new numbers from the border. As the house and senate hold dual hearings on the Trump Administrations immigration policies. Welcome back to americas newsroom, a busy morning here im sandra smith. Bill good morning, sandra. Im bill hemmer. Kirsten nielsen testifying. Her testimony coming after the says border at the breaking point. Apprehensions up as high as 300 percent. Peter doocy is watching that hearing on the hill now. Peter, to you, good morning. Bill, republicans are inside the room behind me trying to make this hearing about dangerous Border Crossers while democrats are trying to make it about families separated at the border. No amount of verbal jim that the stickgymthat the sticke shoe separate families at the border. But the dhs secretary nielsen said children caught at the border are being used by pawns by traffickers and smugglers taking advantage of immigration laws. She came armed with statistic laying out the sky high Border Crossing numbers. Telling members 75,000 immigrants were arrested at the border. On track for a million over the course of the entire year. Nielsen warned that Border Crossings will continue to tick up as the weather warms up. So, she is pushing for enhancements at the border that would drive Asylum Seekers towards ports of entry to make the entire process safer for migrants and Law Enforcement. Im happy to meet with anyone that has a suggested solution. No rational person would design an immigration system like we have today. It is dangerous for americans. Its dangerous for migrants. It undermines our nations values and it fails to uphold our fundamental obligations to the american people. Democrats complaint they dont think republicans conducted enough oversight of the Homeland Security department while republicans were in charge of congress. Democrats are promising that is going to change now that democrats have the gavel. Bill . Bill thank you, peter. We are watching from here. Peter doocy on the hill there. Sandra another fox news alert from capitol hill. House dems are delaying a vote on a resolution condemning antisemitism. Rewriting the measure to include all forms of prejudice. Seen as a rebuke of congresswoman ilhan omars repeated controversial remarks about israel. Meanwhile house Foreign Affairs chairman eliot engel says he will not remove omar from that committee over her remarks. I dont know that that would do anything except exacerbate the situation even more. Im looking to get rid of antisemitism not looking to punish anybody. Sandra lets bring in Martha Mccallum anchor of the story. Good evening. Sandra where do you see all of this going . There is not a vote today. Apparently there will be one tomorrow. They want the language changed. They dont want a specific name or they do. So what is going to happen . Martha do you know what it reminds me of . When the 9 11 Museum Opened there was all this controversy over what the focus of it should be as if that should be a question for anyone. It was obviously about the attack that happened in new york city on september 11th. But there was all this discussion that it needed to talk not only about the terrorism but also about islamophobia and also about other groups that are also persecuted and spoken down about in culture. So when you do that, you water down, obviously, the meaning. And you absolve yourself in some way of pointing the finger at anyone in particular. Thats what i see happening here in this moment. Sandra its interesting. The chair i don chairwoman of e Congressional Black Caucus was just asked about this and how the wording should be and if a name should be involved and she said this. Should there be some clarity about the specific things that a member of congress has said versus the rise of hatred. No. I think it all knees to be considered and i think that there have been numerous statements from members of congress, especially on the other side of the aisle. So after the Congressional Black Caucus i will be happy to say more. Would you have a problem with congressman omar being specifically mentioned. I absolutely would. And why . Sandra pergram asking the question there absolutely not. Her name should not be mentioned is where karen bass stands on the issue. Are democrats divided on this issue . Sandra indeed they are. I dont think they want to be seen as shunning this new sort of freshman Democrat Movement that is out there. But, at the same time, they are going to have to understand that there will be a lot of Jewish Voters who will be very turned off by what they are seeing play out and their lack of item item temerity. She was elected by district in minnesota. Whether she will be reelected in two years will be up to the district. They make a decision on how to reprimand their members they feel they dont need to be very strong on her in this moment. Sandra this is just coming into our newsroom House Democratic Congress Chair jeffreys is blasting Mitch Mcconnell over his handling of this saying that mcconnell is trying to politicize the issue over these controversial remarks by the freshman congresswoman. That being said lee zeldin who has had some previous back and forth with congresswoman omar had this to say earlier on fox news. Steve king gets removed from his committee assignments. He gets removed from the Small Business committee and now you have a member who were talking about rep omar for her antisemitic statements. She has anti antiisrael positions pro. She blamed policy for alshabaab attack in kenya. Promaduro in venezuela. For many reasons she shouldnt have been appointed to this committee for the first place. Sandra for those reasons that congressman Steve Scalise was on this program yesterday and said she should be stripped of committee assignment. Martha thats what happened to steve king when he made comments that were perceived as being in favor of white nationalists in america. And it wasnt the first time. And this isnt her first time. She has been through this four or five times already in the shorten youre he she has had on the hill. See what happens to her down the hill. In terms of Mitch Mcconnell the comment he made among freshman democrats it was somewhat fashionable to be antisemitic. Its a free country and he spoke his mind on that and as you say he got push back on that by jeffreys. Sandra we will see you at 7 00. Thank you. Thank you. Bill there is new evidence that shows north korea might be rebuilding a key long range Missile Launch site. Satellite images appear to show workers reassembling key structures. Its just a week after the summit in hanoi. There is chief White House Correspondent john roberts with the latest now from the white house on this. John, good morning. Bill, good morning to you. This was the rocket engine test bed and launch facility that President Trump was so enthusiastic about after his first summit with young in singapore last june. Committed to dismantling the facility where north korea was developing engines fo intercontinental. North korea halfway down the road dismantling that. The International Studies in washington has discovered that north korea has started taking steps to rebuild that facility. You can see that facility here in recent satellite photos. Whats unclear is whether that construction began after the failed summit in hanoi or whether it started pressure to the summit. You can see construction cranes there. The lower lefthand side of that photograph. This morning press secretary Sarah Huckabee sanders refused to go into any level of detail about it. Listen here. Look, we are continuing to have ongoing conversations with north korea. As the president has said, we will see what happens. Beyond that im not going to comment one way or another on any potential intelligence, whether its accurate or not. I spoke with an one of the analysts who wrote about it he told fox news message to the world that north korea is going to resist what it wants. He says its almost like they were poking a stick in President Trumps eye. Its also significant though, he says, that north korea had some doors open that showed that there was no missile inside that launch facility. Speaking to lou dobbs on fox business last night. The National Security advisor john bolton said it remains to be seen whether north korea is serious about talks with the u. S. On a different future. Listen here. Whether they are committed to giving up their Nuclear Weapons program and Everything Associated with it, thats what we think they need to do. If they are not willing to do it, then i think President Trump has been very clear. At that summit in hanoi, rather, kim jong un offered to President Trump that he would dismantle the i dont facy that fissile in nuclear operations. Kim wanted all of the economic sanctions lifted on north korea. President trump wasnt willing to go that far for the facility. We will see what happens for this. Clearly north korea taking a new aggressive posture here, bill, it would appear to say to President Trump this is what is at stake but i think the white house is going to hold a hard line here to say look it, you hav have got to back down if you want to talk to the United States. Bill thank you, john. Good to have you back. John roberts a north lawn of the white house. Sandra sweeping investigations of the president. Nor House Committee members saying jerry nadler has gone too far expanding his probe. Bret baier will be here live to weigh in. Bill also Homeland Security secretary nielsen major hearing on the hill policy stunning numbers from her a moment ago. Making it clear there is a National Emergency at the border amid growing opposition to the declaration from the president. Senate majority leader the Senate Majority whip i should say john thune is live on that coming up next. We face a crisis, a real, serious and sustained crisis at our borders. We have tens of thousands of illegal aliens arriving at our doorstep every month. Diffi. Failure is not an option. More than half of employees across the country bring Financial Stress to work. If youre stressed out financially at home, youre going to be too worried to be able to do a good job. I want to be able to offer all of the benefits that keep them satisfied. It is the people that is really the only asset that you have. Put your employees on a path to Financial Wellness with prudential. Bring your challenges. But prevagen helps your brain with an ingredient originally discovered. In jellyfish. In clinical trials, prevagen has been shown to improve shortterm memory. Prevagen. Healthier brain. Better life. So lets promote our spring ftravel deals, on choicehotels. Com like this sneezes earn one free night when you stay just twice this spring. Allergies. Or. Badda book. Badda boom. Book now at choicehotels. Com. Bill overseas could be a major headline out of syria. Learning more than 400 isis fighters have been captured while trying to leave from final strong hold. This crossing about 30 minutes ago according to Senior Commander of u. S. Backed forces on the ground there. Hundreds of fighters had already left as part of an evacuation that also included civilians. If this pans out the way we are reading it now, this could be the end of isis in eastern syria. We will watch it for you. Bring you updates as far as we get them here on americas newsroom. The current pace we are on track to encounter close to 1 million illegal aliens at our southern border this year. Our capacity is already severely restrained but these increases will overwhelm the system entirely. This is not a manufactured crisis. This is truly an emergency. Sandra Homeland Security secretary nielsen making declaration after staggering new numbers on increased apprehensions at the border. Despite this opposition to the president s move seems to be snowballing in the senate. Joining us now Senate Majority whip john thune. Senator, good morning to you. Thank you for coming on. Her testimony or hearing continues on capitol hill as we speak. She is going to continue to face questions. Obviously on the Emergency Declaration. Family separation at the border. A lot of questions thrown the secretarys way this morning. Thats right. The facts are there is a crisis at the border. And the numbers that she is putting out that are more recent show that the numbers are spiking. We were averaging about 60,000 illegal Border Crossings every month. This last month that was 76,000. Of course we know in that group youve got drug dealers and traffickers and gang members. You also have a lot of unaccompanied children. And families with children coming across the border which creates the humanitarian crisis that were seeing, too. So she is speaking to the emergency that exists. I think we all agree with that, which is why the president is correct to Push Congress as hard as he possibly can to try and get funding and the resources that are necessary to address it. Sandra she called the current projection dire when it comes to the numbers that we are seeing at the border. She said the agency is now on track to apprehend more migrants crossing illegally in the First Six Months of the year than the entirety of 2017 she talked about that being truly an emergency and making the case that this is not a manufactured crisis. Is she going to convince her critics in that hearing room this morning . I dont know that shell convince the democrats in the house. They seem to have made up their minds and honestly we wouldnt be having this conversation, sandra, if it werent for the just the hatred the democrats and the congress have for the president , which is blinded them to the need to address what is a major crisis. And, you know, she Needs Resources down there. Manpower, technology, all the things that are necessary from a National Security standpoint to ensure that were protecting the country but also to address what has become a major humanitarian crisis at the border. And so like i said the facts are there. The evidence is all there. She has just got an audience that is, i think, blinded by the hatred that they have for this president. Ainsley fair to say you support the president in his move to declare a National Emergency to secure the funding. I like my colleagues still have questions about it he needs to get as many resources as he can. Congress has appropriated some money. There is some other funds that he can tap through reprogramming that enable him to address the crisis, the Emergency Declaration is the last resort and we have, of course, a number of our senators who have expressed concerns about the precedent that sets for a future potential democratic president. But, nonetheless, everybody in the senate agrees, i shouldnt say everybody, but every republican in the senate agrees that this is a crisis. That it needs to be addressed and that the president Needs Resources to address it. Sandra meanwhile, a lot of talk still about some of these big useds being threaten out by members of congress, democrats in the medicare for all plan. Some cold water being thrown on that idea by an unlikely source. The House Democrats new campaign chief talking about the medicare for all. Saying its one idea and warning that its estimated 33 trillion price tag was, quote a little scary. Interesting to hear that from him. Well, it is a recognition of reality and, you know, these people are living in fantasy land if they think that a governmentrun Healthcare System at a cost of 33 trillion, a Green New Deal that, again, 93 somewhere between 5 is and 93 trillion which ends up being about 650,000 per family per household in this country over the next 10 years, these are all ideas that democrats are advancing. And i think it demonstrates the hard left turn that their party has taken here in congress. And the socialist ideas that are now being advanced by their party. And i think that the american people, i think realize that this is something they are going to end up having to pay for. And when they realize that, they are going to think this is a really bad idea and this Green New Deal is a raw deal for them. Sandra there is not a really big range. All the estimates are 32 to 33 trillion. By the way that was she, sherri booth of illinois the chairman of the illinois Congressional Campaign committee. That was her voice on that. I have only got a few seconds left but this quickly seems like its shaping up to be the 2020 target for republicans taking on ideas like that along with some of the socialism ideas that we have seen thrown out by some of the newer members of congress, final thoughts, senator . Right. Absolutely. This is going to be a great contrast in 2020. This is a Democrat Party thats been coopted by their hard left and which is putting forward ideas that are indirect contradiction with everything that this country is about. The freedom, the individualism, you know, giving people more power and more authority to control their own lives and their own destinies or having the government run it through central planning. Sandra senator john thune, great to have you on this morning. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sandra. Bill congresswoman alexandria ocasiocortez denying allegations of eu78 properly funneling a Million Dollars of campaign money. Bret baier anchor of special report is going to weigh in on that and a lot more coming up in a moment. The r and b star r. Kelly is due back in court today after forcefully denying sexual abuse charges. Why he could face even more time in jail as he speaks out in a brand new interview. Just use your common sense. How stupid would it be for me to with my crazy past and what i have been through oh right now i just think i need to be a monster and hold girls against their will. I didnt do this stuff. This is not me. Im fighting for my [bleep] life. Are you a veteran, own a home, and need cash . You should know about the newday va home loan for veterans. It lets you borrow up to 100 percent of your homes value. Not just 80 percent like other loans. And that can mean a lot more money for you and your family. With our military service, veterans like us have earned a valuable va benefit. The right to apply for a va home loan. The newday va loan lets you refinance your mortgages, consolidate your credit card debt, put cash in the bank, and lower your payments over 600 dollars a month. Newday usa has been granted automatic authority by the va. They could close your loan in as little as 30 days. So call newday usa. They look at your whole financial picture, not just your credit score. And theyll do everything they possibly can to get you approved. Call today. And get the financial peace of mind every veteran deserves. Go to newdayusa. Com, or call 18772361855. Im begging you. Take gasx. Ed beneath the duvet your tossing and turning isnt restlessness, its gas gasx relieves pressure, bloating and discomfort. Fast so we can all sleep easier tonight. When did you see the sign . When i needed to jumpstart sales. Build attendance for an event. Help people find their way. Fastsigns designed new directional signage. And got them back on track. Get started at fastsigns. Com. And got them back on track. I was on the fence about changing from a manual to an electric toothbrush. But my hygienist said going electric could lead to way cleaner teeth. She said, get the one inspired by dentists, with a round brush head. Go pro with oralb. Oralbs gentle rounded brush head removes more plaque along the gum line. For cleaner teeth and healthier gums. And unlike sonicare, oralb is the First Electric toothbrush brand accepted by the ada for its effectiveness and safety. What an amazing clean ill only use an oralb oralb. Brush like a pro. Sandra the forecast in california sunny with a chance of money. An interstate highway coming to a stand still monday when 20 bills literally started raining down. Drivers stopping their cars, getting out. Collecting the cash. It seems the family of a deceased man was giving away hundreds of dollars in his honor throwing the cash out the car windows as they headed home from his funeral. They asked not to be identified. Saying honoring the relatives death that way is, quote, an oakland thing. Okay. Gather the cash. God rest his soul. Bill would have been a good man to know. Wow. Sandra strangers benefited. Bill he went out an interesting way. Now to chicago. R. Kelly back in court today facing charges for not paying child support. The r and b star will need to make a 6 figure payment or risk a trip back to jail. Mike tobin is watching that story. Brand new interview very radio beagle. Good morning to you in chicago. R. Kelly has a lot more problems. He just passed this ted dine in which he was obligated to some up with 161,000 of 194,000 he owes his exwife for past do you child support. R. Kelly is due to go in front of a cook county judge at 2 00 p. M. Chicago time. 1 00 p. M. We dont know if he made that deadline and made his payment. We do know he needed to spent a night in the cook county jail. The greenberg says the singers finances are a mess. One option could be a payment plan. We will see how that develops today. And this comes after r. Kelly gave this bizarre interview to cbss gayle king in which he ranted, pounded his chest and played the victim card hard. R. Kelly has said he has been assassinated and buried alive. He needs help from having such a big heart. People betray him and he keeps forgiving them. All of this is in line with his passionate denial of 10 new charges of aggravated sexual abuse. I didnt do this stuff. This is not me. Im fighting for my [bleep] life. [ inaudible ] [bleep] robert. [screaming] yall trying to kill me. You are killing me, man. This is not about music. Im trying to have a relationship with my kids and i cant do it. Yall just dont want to believe the truth. Michael avenatti represents the family of an r. Kelly subject. After the interview he says he is a better singer than actor. Avenatti issued a statement from the parents reading r. Kelly is a desperate liar and serial abuser of young girls who should die in prison. All of the victims and parents they say cannot be lying. The singers explanation for all of the victims and parents stories soyinkaing up tsynchingthing. Sandra officials in alabama trying to assess the damage. There is some good news this morning in the face of tragedy. We are live in the tornado zone next. Bill also sandra, President Trumps inner circle getting a barrage of requests from democrats this week. Is Congress Going too far . Bret baier with new reaction from the white house with that and more in a moment. I guess we have 81 letters, there was no collusion. That was a hoax. There was no anything. And they wanted to do that instead of getting legislation passed. People understand it. When they look at it, they just say president ial harassment. After months of wearing only a tiger costume, were finally going on the trip ive been promising. Because with expedia, i saved when i added a hotel to our flight. So even when she outgrows her costume, well never outgrow the memory of our adventure together. Unlock savings when you add select hotels to your existing trip. Only when you book with expedia. Cancer, epilepsy, Mental Health, hiv. Patients with serious diseases are being targeted for cuts to their medicare drug coverage. New government restrictions would allow Insurance Companies to come between doctor and patient. And deny access to individualized therapies millions depend on. Call the white house today. Help stop cuts to part d drug coverage that put medicare patients at risk. Im very pleased to announce that after a joint effort between the Lee County Sheriffs Office Investigations Unit and the fbi state bureau of investigation of Alabama Law Enforcement agency we are now confident we have accounted for all of the individuals that we had unaccounted for. So that number is down to zero. Sandra that is lee county sheriff jay jones a few moments ago with good news on the situation in alabama. Disaster release efforts underway right now as aid pours into the hardest hit areas. Jonathan serrie is live from smats station one of the harvardest hit areas jonathan. The Recovery Efforts is going to take a long time. Case in point this house behind me ripped off of its foundation. You can see furniture and family belongings on the inside. A tree knocked down on top of remnants of the house. President trump has approved a major disaster declaration for all of lee county. This frees up federal funds for grants, loans and other programs to help residents and businesses recover. The president received this request from for assistance from governor kay ivivy began her state of the state address for victims of the storm. Yall its times like these that we turn to the good lord asking for his continued comfort and healing we also give special thanks for the Emergency Responders and local Law Enforcement. Several dozen people gathered in the gym at Beauregard High School for a prayer vigil. They held hands and parade prayd for those directly affected by the storms including many of the students. It has been horrible. There hasnt been anything like this thats happened here before. Its really terrible seeing the destruction thats it its caused and lives its scared and people its hurt. At noon central time outdoor warning sirens are scheduled to sound across lee county as part of a routine test. Emergency management director Catherine Carson admits county officials struggled with the decision considering what happened here on sunday but they eventually came to the conclusion that their Warning System lafd each one life on sunday they should go forward with testing it Emergency Managers are asking people when they hear the sirens go off to remember the 23 people who lost their lives here on sunday. Sandra . Sandra smiths station, alabama. Jonathan serrie, thank you. Bill new reaction to democrats stepping up investigations of President Trump this after house judiciary chair nadlers swarm of subpoenas targeting dozens of Trump Associates jerry nadler that is. Some say congress may be going too far. The title nadlers obstruction quest. Essentially arguing that many of the crimes that legal president ial actions. Bret baier anchor of special report. Good morning to you. All the buzz in washington. How do you think democrats are approaching it and what do you think so far of how the president has responded on this . Bret obviously the white house is pushing back hard. The president saying what he said yesterday tweeting out that this is, you know, stonecold crazy, i think were his words for jerry nadler and adam schiff obviously they have to move forward and respond or dont respond to all of these individual requests for documents from people, agencies and entities tied to the president. But this column in the wall street journal is interesting in that it cites the writing of the now attorney general bill barr, former attorney general michael mukasey, attorney david rivkin making the case that the obstruction that jerry nadler talks about is not obstruction because the president constitutionally can fire jim comey if he wants to, can weigh in on cases if he wants to as the chief Law Enforcement officer, and can express himself about some investigation on twitter if he wants to. And thats not obstruction. If he is not doing, they argue, something illegal, like you saw in the nixon case, then it is not obstruction for the president of the United States. That is the argument this column makes. Bill with regard to mueller 2 toward the end im reading here, bret. They seem, meaning democrats, to expect a factual and political disappointment with regard to bob mueller. That has become, i dont want to say conventional wisdom. Bret it has. Bill conventional thought so far this week. Would you agree with that . Bret i totally agree. I think its dangerous because we dont know what we dont know. How many times have we said this on this show and my show and others. You any, we dont know until its out. We actually dont know how its coming out. You know, what bill barr will choose to put out to the public or what he internlly holds on to in the department of justice. We will find out about the Mueller Report when it all drops. Bill one more thing on that. I heard you talking the other night for plan b for democrats. Is that what is thought about going after 8 81 individuals and companies backup plan if mueller is a disappointment . Democrats have essentially said that it said in different ways mueller is not the be all end all. Questions we have to ask. Obviously there are investigations on the criminal side, the Southern District of new york. We dont know whats happening there seems like a plan b. Jerry nadler says is he determined that there has been obstruction of justice in an interview and then followed up by say would he go dont have all the facts and have to convince the american people. Bill abc on sunday watched that quickly on ocasiocortez. I dont know where this story is going or where it came from. James freeman addressed it the following way suggesting a contradiction. Wall street journal earlier today on our program. This is the kind of thing that people like aocs friends who have demanded this complicated Campaign Finance law would say the fec ought to look into. The point of these laws for people who believe this them is to maintain this close or i should say this clear separation between the political Candidates Campaign which has very strict limits on how much they can raise and what they have to disclose and other vehicles that have no such limit. Bill what is he pointing out what she says publicly and what may or may not have happened privately. If the pac that pushed her candidacy moved around about 1 million behind the scenes without publicly disclosing it i believe in to give totality is that true headline of the story now. Is it going anywhere . I think this investigation is starting. She is pushing back on it saying there is no violation. It either happened or didnt happen. Eventually we will find out the answer to that question. There is an allegation in the fec, a charge that is being investigated. And it is serious. Judging by how its written in the law. She is saying its not true. Eventually we are going to find out whether it is or it isnt. Obviously she is the focus, she is a lightning rod. She is in the spotlight but we will see if this is true. Bill thanks, bret. See you tonight at 6 00. All right. See you. Bill you bet. Sandra critics say californias rainwater is going down the drain as another big storm hits the west. Golden state lacks foresite in not capturing all the rainwater leaving california vulnerable to drought. William la jeunesse joins us from our bureau this morning. Sandra, water in california is gold. Historically rainwater hasnt been treated that way. Today we will get 1 to 2 inches of rain. In l. A. County that is 10 billion gallons of storm runoff. Where is it going . Wasted into the ocean. We are watching the Atmospheric River and aimed right at southern california. From l. A. To san francisco, near record rain. Yet, 80 is wasted. And we will never capture it all but we have to do a better job of capturing what we can. A study by the Pacific Institute peter glick said california cities failed to capture billions of gallons of rainwater each year. Literally you hundreds of thousands of acres of storm water that now we dont capture that could be captured and put to use during the dry season. The drought is a challenge. Not long ago california found itself in a devastating fiveyear drought. As californians we have to pull together and save water in every way we can. The drought ended the voters did approve in 20,143,000,000,000 in bonds for water storage. Yet, the first project is still five years out and the state hasnt built a new dam in 40 years. There is still a constant debate in california about the value of building very expensive concrete infrastructure like new dams if we could find decent places to build them or raising shasta, for example, versus some of these other ideas of cutting demand and being more efficient. So the bottom line is california is about 10 years behind the curb. We are pretty good at banking the snow for water later to be used but we really need to capture this rainwater, put it in the ground and suck it out in the summer. Sandra . Sandra that could make a big difference. William la jeunesse, thank you. Bill Antivaccine Movement up close and personal on the hill. Committee hearing from a teenager who defied his own parents to get vaccinated. In a moment well talk to the Washington State Health Secretary who was also at that healing and dealing with the widespread Measles Outbreak. Its a segment you do not want to miss. Its up next here. Approaching this issue with the concern of education and addressing this information properly can cause change as it did for me. Touch shows how we really feel. But does psoriasis ever get in the way . Embrace the chance of 100 clear skin with taltz, the first and only treatment of its kind offering people with moderate to severe psoriasis a chance at 100 clear skin. With taltz, up to 90 of people quickly saw a significant improvement of their psoriasis plaques. Dont use if youre allergic to taltz. Before starting, you should be checked for tuberculosis. Taltz may increase risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, symptoms, or received a vaccine or plan to. Inflammatory bowel disease can happen with taltz, including worsening of symptoms. Serious allergic reactions can occur. Ready for a chance at 100 clear skin . Ask your doctor about taltz. I went my entire life without numerous vac seeps such as measles, chicken pox or even polio in december 2018 i began catching up on missed vaccinations despite my mothers disapproval once i approached my mother with information from the cdc that valueadded ta vaccinates e autism she said thats what they want you to take. Worry were taking the forefront in terms of information. Sandra Ethan Lindenberg a teenager who defied his mothers wishes to get vaccinated. Putting the Antivaccine Movement front and center on capitol hill. Bring in someone who was part of that panel the Washington Post doctor, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you, good morning. Sandra you fire up the debate on both sides which this hearing certainly yesterday did. This particular teenager didnt like what he was being told during his childhood not to do which is get vaccinated. He turns 18. He does it himself. Right. I mean, i think he is really a great example of what we want people to do is really get their questions answered and ethan was hearing a lot of information and trying to sort through a lot of noise and talk to his Healthcare Provider about vaccines. Did research on trusted websites like the cdc website and pediatrics websites and really came to his own conclusion. Sandra are you in agreement that these vaccines should be governmentmandated . Well, you know, most parents really choose to vaccinate their kids overwhelming number of kids parents do. We know they are safe and effective and best way to protect your children from childhood diseases. So, yes, i think that we also novak seens are really important to keep people safe who cant be vaccinated. Someone with cancer or immune disorder or even pregnant women who cant be vaccinated perhaps during their pregnancy these are really important ways not only to keep yourself healthy but to keep other people healthy. Thats why for school entry and for child care we really want people vaccinated. You know, we have a Measles Outbreak here in Washington State that has 71 cases just, you know, started this year. Two people have been hospitalized. Thats what we are trying to prevent. These are all preventable cases. Sandra are the risks real that the anti antivaccine. Vaccines do have some side effects. Most of them are really mild. You know, sore at the injection site. Maybe you get a fever. Theres very rare complications of severe allergic reaction which happens one out of a million times. What you are hearing from other people about autism or other things, there really is just no scientific facts to back up that. So vaccines are safe and effective. Meats message we are trying to fight to get out there. Thats why im calling for a National Campaign to promote vaccines. Sandra senator rand paul a doctor says he does vac nate his family. They are evacuated because vacc. The benefits outweigh the risk. I still do the not give up on liberty for a false sense of the security. So which another republican, a doctor, fired back in that hearing room. What happened during that moment yesterday . Yeah. I mean, the other senator really made the case for why vaccines are important. And, you know, made the case that we have to protect others and, you know, in the end, also it comes down to if you really dont want to vaccinate your children, you know, you dont have to. You are making a choice then that you wont be sending your child to school or day care is that you will be home schooling. So, you know, this sort of false narrative that you are absolutely being forced to vaccinate isnt the case. Sandra if you are 10 years old and your parents didnt vaccinate you can you go to a Public Health facility and get vaccinated . Laws vary across different states. In Washington State you would either need to be 18 or be emancipated minor. So somebody who has gotten their own, you know, legal rights. Sandra surely the debate will continue. Dr. John wiesman, we appreciate your time. Thank you. Bill have a preview. What you roux working on this wednesday . Harris great to see you, bill. House democrats are at a hearing going after dhs secretary nielsen asking her questions about the administrations immigration policy. This a day after stunning new statistic illegals smashing crossings at the southern border. With the border and protection chief saying the system is at the breaking point. How much this bolsters the president s Emergency Declaration we will debate. Plus democrats delay that resolution meant to denounce representative ilhan omars comments on israel. The battle over the measures language highlighting a big divide in the party whether it hurts those democrats going forward. Harris plus, in the center seat outnumbered you will have to see hot guest is at the top of the hour. A new buy. Bill, back to you. Bill thank you. 10 minutes away. In a moment here we have a special guest pretty close to us here at fox. Janice dean has a story and you are going to want to hear it next. Iate the military family and it really shows. With all that usaa offers why go with anybody else . We know their rates are good, we know that theyre always going to take care of us. It was an instant savings and i should have changed a long time ago. It was funny because when we would call another insurance company, hey would say oh we cant beat usaa were the webber family. Were the tenneys were the hayles, and were usaa members for life. Get your usaa Auto Insurance quote today. At t provides edgetoedge intelligence, covering virtually every part of your finance business. And so if someone tries to breach your firewall in london you start to panic. Dont. Because your cto says weve got allies on the outside. Security algorithms on the inside. That way you can focus on expanding into eastern europe. That makes the Branch Managers happy yes, thats the Branch Managers happy. At t provides edgetoedge intelligence. It can do so much for your business, the list goes on and on. Thats the power of. When this happens youll know how to quickly react. Want more from your entejust say teach me more. Into your xfinice remote to discover all sorts of tips and tricks in x1. Can i find my wifi password . Just ask. [ ding ] show me my wifi password. Hey now [ ding ] you can even troubleshoot, learn new voice commands and much more. Clean my daughters room. [ ding ] oh, it wont do that. Welp, someone should. Just say teach me more into your voice remote and see how you can have an even better x1 experience. Simple. Easy. Awesome. Bill time for wisdom weathering the storms of life the person just for you, brand new book called mostly sunny. Our colleague and meteorologist janice dean writes about the Biggest Challenges she has faced in life thus far. Janice is with me now. How are you doing . Congratulations . Janice thank you. Day two. Im nervous. Im not going to lie. Bill we are all good. Why did you write this . Janice i wrote it because through the years i have had things happen, challenges, good and bad, highs and lows just like the weather map, right . And over the years i have shared these stories with people and i like to think of myself as a good storyteller. And some of them say to me you know what . That would make a really great story for a book some day. And so about a year ago i got an email from a kind editor from Harper Collins who watches me on fox friends and knew that i had a line of childrens books and also knew that i had a story behind the screen. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I have shared that and other things behind the scenes on fox friends. And he thought you have an adult book inside of you. And i thought maybe. Bill can i dig deep for that. Janice why dont i write out a chapter and we went from there. Bill i see you almost every day. You are never in a bad mood. Why has m. S. Terrified you . When i was first diagnosed i knew nothing about the illness. And i woke up one morning and couldnt get out of bed. And i had no feeling in my thighs or my bottoms of my feet. I went to a doctor and she told me you can have anything in between a slipped disk to multiple sclerosis and i looked at her and thought isnt that wheelchair disease . I didnt believe her. I was in canada at the time. Go back to the u. S. Get mris and see a neurologist. Did i. I was goinged and i thought my life was over. Bill manage it so well and living example of that. Janice i didnt know at the time. Bill thats part of the message here. Janice when i was diagnosed it was the darkest time i have ever gone through and i wanted to read books about hope that people had stories of hope and they could thrive even despite an illness like m. S. And i ran to somebody who works here named neil cavuto who was an angel that opened a door for me. He was diagnosed with m. S. He sat there and told me you know what you . Are going to be okay. You work at a Great Company that will support you. And if they have to, they will build his and her wheelchair ramps. Bill amen to that. Sandra i love you bill hemmer. Bill janice, mostly sunny, check it out. Its a great story. Janice you are the best. Bill well be right back. Yi and you wont need a down payment because, at newday, your service is your down payment. And every day newday helps veterans buy a home without spending one dollar out of pocket for closing costs. No down payment, not one dollar out of pocket for closing costs. Why rent when you can buy . Go to operationhome. Com, or call 18552278524. When a nasty cold wont let you sleep, try new nyquil severe with Vicks Vapocool and vaporize it. Ahhhhh shhhhh new nyquil severe with Vicks Vapocool. The vaporizing, nightime coughing, aching, stuffy head, best sleep with a cold, medicine. A cfp professional is trained, knowledgeable, and committed to Financial Planning in your best interest. Find your certified financial planner™ professional at letsmakeaplan. Org. Means they wont hike your rates over one mistake. Find your certified financial planner™ professional see, Liberty Mutual doesnt hold grudges. For drivers with accident forgiveness, Liberty Mutual wont raise their rates because of their first accident. Switch and you could save 782 on home and Auto Insurance. Call for a free quote today. Liberty mutual insurance. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Sandra all right. Bill ash wednesday. Sandra ash wednesday. Bill better come up with something. Sandra to the cardinal just put out a tweet. We are taking a look at this ash wednesday. Outnumbered starts right now. Melissa fox news alert, new warnings that u. S. Immigration system at the southern border is at a breaking point, as House Democrats launched a series of hearings on capitol hill, putting Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen front and center. The head of u. S. Customs and Border Protections face as lawmakers in the republicancontrolled senate. This is outnumbered and im melissa francis. Here today is a harris faulkner, Fox News Contributor lisa boothe, Fox News Contributor jessica tarlov, and donates on the card for the very first time, Michael Knowles. Host of the Michael Knowles show, which you can catch on