Transcripts For MSNBCW MSNBC Live With Hallie Jackson 20171220

Certain way. So they of course passed the bill overnight around 1 00 or so in the morning. Sent it back over here to the house of representatives where we expect them to start voting just about an hour or so from now. And we expect that the results will be similar. We just saw the House Speaker paul ryan walk past here. He has been in what i would describe as a jubilant mood. This is a major accomplishment for him. But of course a source of concern for a lot of americans who are wondering how this will affect them. This is a major tax break for businesses and proceed poe nepo that brings us in line for the rest of the world, but critics say that it will add to the deficit and its not clear that individuals will keep the tax cuts in 2025. Yeah, well talk about the deficit more in a minute. But first i want to get the take from the white house with metet alexander is like 200 feet away from me. We know republicans are coming over this afternoon. This will be a serious victory lap. What else are we hearing about this event . Reporter welcome to the white house although youre here all the time. On so at 3 00, this will be a bill passage event. We often talk when the 12 days of christmas. For this white house and for republicans, this thing could stretch out over about 12 days. Potentially this event this afternoon, perhaps in maralago right before christmas, were hearing rumblings about the president doing something enon christmas to demonstrate the gift he has given to americans and then early next year there could be another formal signing ceremony here at the white house. Obviously weve seen the new polls showing that 41 of americans think this tax cuts bill is a bad idea, just 24 in favor of it. The president this morning again on twitter basically saying that it is the fake news that has been siding with the democrats on this and in his words he said this is truly a case where the results will speak for themselves. But it is a gamble and time ultimately will demonstrate to a lot of americans just how well this really works. What is notable here from the white house, you talked about the triumphant nature and jubilation weve seen among members of the president s staff privately behind the scenes here, what is significant is just how different this event has been, the way they have handled this one, versus the Health Care Bill way back several months ago. That prematurely the house celebrati celebration. Today they are waiting until it is all done, bringing everybody together and then celebrating as one. In terms of a News Conference this afternoon, the president tweeted there would be one at 1 00 p. M. Weve heard privately there could be something at 3 00 p. M. The way the president views a News Conference and the way we reporters view it a little differently, were hoping that he will take some questions this afternoon. And you know as well as anybody the president may make remarks and then maybe he opens it up to questions or maybe he wont. So well see. With us now is our panel for the next 60 minutes. Matthew nessbaum, and also shannon, im glad you didnt have to walk far. Let me start with this is a win no matter how you slice it for donald trump and republicans, but how long is the honeymoon . Because ultimately they will have to glrapple with the deficit. And look in 2018, first of all people wont be getting the tax refunds until they file their 2018 taxes. So if you are expecting your taxes to go up, just wait for the democrats to say hey look, we found one working mom in this state in new jersey whose taxes will go up. You told us our taxes will go down. Look at this poor person here. And they will trot these cases out just like the republicans did with obamacare. Remember if you liked your plan, you got to keep it, here is someone on person who lost their plan. So it will be a short lived victory because the democrats will start pouncing on this. And Savannah Guthrie asked paul ryan about this very issue. Are you saying that the growth youre going to get from this tax cut will equal the amount it would cost on the deficit side so that it is a wash, so that youre not adding to the deficit at all because of this . Nobody knows the answer to that question because that is in the future. But what we do know is that this will increase economic growth. That is an encapsulation that the bet the purchases are making. Thats right. And in some ways weve seen this script before, the obamacare comparisons of once people feel the benefit, they will like it a lot. Thats what the democrats said again and again about obama c. A. R. E. They paid the price at the polls for on about six years after that. And when paul ryan says we can nt lo cant look into the future, nobody has a crystal ball, but when you look at pass press department, they will have to deal with the debt issue. And we have lot of nonpartisan analyses that say this will increase the debt. Nonpartisan analyses that say this will increase the debt. Paul ryan said well turn to medicare and entitlement programs to bring down the debt. So i think republicans know that it will add to the debt. To say otherwise doesnt make any sense. So one thing ive heard myself even this morning is frankly some griping. There is frustration that there continues to be discussion about how this bill benefits the wealthy, which it sddoes, and n enough emphasis on the fact that tax brackets are going down for almost everybody at least a little bit and by the way temporarily. So when you look at where President Trump is with this, the headline from the Washington Post says it kell, can he resgrekts his presidency after this, no longer the legislative looser. Does this change what happens for on the president down the road . It does take the idea that the republicans cant govern, cant get anything done, it does say ta that off the table. But okay, you did govern, you got something done, what did you get done. Did it fulfill its promises of lowering taxes for the middle class. And with the money that is going to corporations through the tax cuts, did that translate into higher wages, into hiring. Or did it translate into share buybacks or dividends. So yes, they can say we got something done, but the down side to that is now they have to own what they got done and there is no more blaming anyone else. Senator Lindsey Grahams point, now republicans really do own this and that means donald trump owns it. He is a guy who loves to look at polls. Hes probably looking at the polls that show this tax plan is not popular with americans. Thats right. But he also is a guy who loves to sell. And we know that he will be out on the road and this gives him something beyond neil gorsuch to point to. And talking points dont always have to match the reality. So he can keep calling it the largest tax cut in history and keep saying the benefits are for the middle class and my taxes are actually going up even if those things are not true. There is not that same excitement from the base. I was at that rally he did in pensacola. And when you talk about the economy and tax cuts, yeah, there was motivation, but nothing like the wall, nothing like military spending, nothing like immigration. That is where excitement is. And tax cuts just isnt sexy and exciting for voters. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on that. You heard senator chris murphy talking about what democrats will try to do with this tax bill. Your prediction is right and democrats take the house and senate after the midterm elections, do you think that democrats will try to overturn this bill . Absolutely. We have to. Given the assault that is occurring here, especially on the east and west coast. I would hope that we would take a look at the entirety of the bill. But lets say republicans bets pay off and people see a little bit more money in their pay xhcheck and they like it, w is the democrats strategy then . Search we saw things during the obama era where the economy did get better from the recession, there were improvements, obamacare and a lot of people who got Health Coverage and yet a democrat wasnt reelected. So even when you have a president you can look at obamas presidency and see the blishme accomplishments still see democrats losing power. Do you think they will regret not voting for this . I really dont. It is easy to justify their no votes and their progressive base is so energized, i think standing against this bill is a good move for them politically. We dont expect any democrats obviously to vote for this thing when it hits the house floor. Were watching that. Were watching what is happening at the white house. A little bit of construction noise behind us, so forgive us for that. Ill ask shannon and matthew to stick around because up next, we have the house gearing up for that second vote. They want to get the bill on to the president s desk, but when is he going to sign it and what happens after that . I have a Top White House official joining me right here after the break to talk it through. I dont want to sound paranoid, but dya think our recent online sales success seems a little. Strange . Na. Ever since we switched to fedex ground business has been great. Theyre affordable and fast. Maybe too affordable and fast. What if. People arent buying these books online, but they are buying them to protect their secrets . . hi bill. If that is your real name. Its william actually. Hmph affordable, fast fedex ground. Essential for vinyl, but maybe not for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Because there are options. Like an unjection™. Xeljanz xr. A once daily pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well. Xeljanz xr can reduce pain, swelling and further joint damage, even without methotrexate. Xeljanz xr can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma and other cancers have happened. Dont start xeljanz xr if you have an infection. Tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Needles. A must for vinyl. But for you, one pill a day may provide symptom relief. Ask your doctor about xeljanz xr. An unjection™. Is happening at the house where the first of these tax bill revotes are set to start in about 20 minutes or so ahead of the final vote on the tax cut bill. But what happens after that, what is next for on President Trump and the republican agenda . Were joined now by marc short. Marc, thank you for being here. Lets start with taxes. This bill is coming to the president s desk. He may not sign it at the white house is what im hearing. Is he really going to sign a middle class tax cut bill as he calls it in maralago . There is a couple complicating factors. Typically a bill this size takes several days for congress to send to us, so we dont know when we will receive it. So that is a factor. But the reality is that it will be done. He is having the event here today done before christmas . He is having the event here at the white house to announce his completion. As far as the actual signing date, we wont know that until he receives temperature. So it could happen between t week between christmas and new years. Its, possible, but it will be done. And i know republicans are coming to the white house, very excited. But americans dont seem to be excited about it. Why not . Well, i think there is a couple things. They will become more excited when they begin to see the benefits in their paycheck. Even though some of your panel was talking about benefits being a full year out, in reality they will begin to see it in their paycheck in february. And i dont think that there is a lot of favors the Mainstream Media in the way that they present the bill. So it is us to factually . Yeah. Do you really think so . You cant deny this bill benefits the wealthy. This bill is targeted to middle income families. But that didnt make what im saying any less true. The benefit is received by everybody. Each income bracket is receiving a reduction. Lets take a single mom 40 years old with two children, they will receive a 1400 benefit. A family of four earning 7,000, a 2,000 benefit. That impact is much more when official. When you talk about absolute dollars and you recognize over 60 are paid by the top 5 , there is a different way to look at that numb. But for the average middle income family who gets that 1400 or 2,000 benefit, that is huge. There are other pieces to this. A lot of pieces. We lose popular tax breaks that will be an issue in some of these states. So bottom line though, its not just taxes because you have another deadline coming up to avoid a government shutdown. We do. A lot of people are wondering what happens with for example c. H. I. P. Can you guarantee that that program will be funded by the end of the year. S Childrens Health Insurance Program will be funded. By the end of the year. Probably going to be a shorts term fix to get fuss to january and fixed in the larger january spending bill. And were hearing rumblings from the hill that there will be another punt essentially, that by friday they will do something short term to kick to january. I think that is probably where were headed. Unfortunately, weve had this conversation on your network before that congress job is to get the bill by september 30th. That is the deadline for the actual fiscal year. The president submits a budget in february. And so when the president submitted a budget that balanced over ten year, congress job was to complete the process and they were not able to do that so likely another punt into january. And when the senate catakes fisa and shorts term fund bill, is that rolled into one . I think that is you think certain. Clearly we need the reauthorization for fisa. That is expected that well get that done about that. And if it is in one big package, it will be problematic to to get it through. Im not sure when that. I think that where were probably headed is scaling back and as you said pushing more of this to january. So i think that there will be some things that need to get done before the end of the year and things that dont need to be done will be pushed to january. You have a lot on your plate come january. The president also wants to get something done on infrastructure, on for example entitle mtment reform. The president talked a lot about Social Security, medicaid, and a cut. Listen. Save medicare, medicaid and Social Security without cuts. Have to do it. I will protect and preserve without cuts Social Security, medicaid, medicare. Can the president promise, will you promise on behalf of the president that that will be held up, that there will not be cuts to medicare, Social Security . The president has been consistent. And thats why the budget did not have cuts to the program. The president is presenting to congress and will againbalanced budget. Ultimately there will have to be cuts to some of those programs based on some of the numbers. The numbers that we put forward continue to show ways that we are cutting discretionary spending. I think congress will look at it and maybe go different route, but the president in saying we will not consult the sbimgtsm et programs. I think the numbers show that ultimately people will be affected. But there is not a lot of support to make those cuts. So how hard of a sell is sbimgtsmensbimgt entitlement reform going to somebody. Our priority is continuing to fund the government and to have a solution to daca, we said we need Border Security and we need a solution to daca. I think that is more likely in january. You will also have our budget in february. And what about the infrastructure plan. That will be coming. I think that you will see that in the january time frame. I think that will be a part of congress in 2018. And in the wake of the terrible derailment in washington, but his budget request slashes by 13 . That is not hard to square. I think the reality is that amtrak is a program that high school has continued to lose money. You cant say here is one piece. The president knows we need to rebuild the roads and ampts. Airports. That is separate from saying amtrak has been a struggling program that taxpayers has been becaming out for years. So why continue to funnel anymore money into that program. Why did he tie a new infrastructure to this deadly amtrakderailment . Why did he tie the two together . I think that he is just saying that we need to make sure this is a priority in 2018 and i think we will. What is the First Priority . Because just listed about 17 things. We had a lot of priorities in 2017 as well. I know the media wanted to say there was little accomplished, but we sign over 80 on bills this year, we confirmed a spreemg cou Supreme Court justice and more Circuit Court judges than any in history. Just a minuting a go you said that is their first legislative achievement. 80 bills signed. First are you really going to argue that point . Yes, absolutely i am. This is the first accomplishment of that presidency. I will tell you that we have accomplished a lot in 2017. Even some journal iists are sayg hey, wait a second. More Circuit Court judges than any president. More in the first year. More Circuit Court judges confirmed than any president in the history of this country. So yes, there was a lot accomplished. And we have a lot on our plate in 2018. We talked about yesterday changing the judiciary for a generation given the people that you guys are putting in place. Im so comforted with that. And some not up to the standard of qualifications that i think a lot of folks would like to see. Are you going change your ve vetting process . Thath new petersomatthew peters widely undwaqualifieunqualified. Couple have not made it across the finish line and im not worried about that. Should the white house change its vetting procedures . The white house has great vetting procedures and well continue to move forward. Marc short, thanks for joining us. Always feisty. Were keeping our eye on the house floor where lawmakers could start that final vote on tax reform. And one key provision inside of it does nothing obamacare. Repeals that individual mandates that makes all americans have Health Insurance or else pay a penalty. So can the Affordable Care act survive that . Well take a look next. On dad promised he would teach me how to surf on our trip. When you book a flight then add a hotel you can save. Three waves later, i think it was the other way around. Everything you need to go. 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So, stop taking victoza® and call your doctor right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area. Tell your doctor your medical history. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people. Tell your doctor right away if you get symptoms. Taking victoza® with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation. Side effects can lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems. Ask your doctor about victoza®. Were back with a look at your mornings headlines. Were learning more about the deadly Train Derailment in washington state. A federal transportation board member says a conductor was in the cab with the train engineer when the crash happened. Investigators have said the train was going 80 Miles Per Hour in a are trying to figure whether distraction was a factor. And they are looking to delay joint military exercises until after the Winter Olympics in february. The move is intended as a peace offering to north korea. The president said that the drills could be pushed back if kim jongun also considers pressi pressing pause on the missile tests. And also Cardinal Bernard law at the center of the major Catholic Church molestation scandal died last night. Some thought that he could become the First American pope, but in 2002, the boston globe revealed law helped protect abusive priests for years covering up allegations against hundreds of priests in the boston area in his view to save the church from disgrace. He was 86. And right now capitol hill, lets take a live look. Nancy pelosi and democratic lawmakers calling on house leaders to sha s save c. H. I. P. House and Senate Negotiators are trying to come to some kind of a deal as far as budget talks to overt a government shutdown. And were also inching closer to final passage of the 1. 5 trillion republican tax cut plan, that will also be the end of the obamacare individual mandate that requires everybody to have Health Insurance. Here is how politico describes it, the stealth repeal of obamacare. And axios says as important as the passage of republicans tax overhaul is for tax policy, this is as big a moment in the life of the aca. Remember another big moment, it came 5 1 2 years ago and Pete Williams brought to you live during this hour on msnbc after running back from the courtroom. Reporter the bottom line here is the Supreme Court has upheld the health care case. They have said that it cant be upheld under the commerce clause, the individual mandate cant. This is chief Justice Roberts writing for the court, but he said it can be upheld under the courts taxing authority. A lot has changed in those 5 1 2 years. So lets bring in john kingsdale, our health care consultant. He is also professor at brown and boston universities. Thank you very much for being with us. Let me start with your diagnosis on this. Is the repeal of the individual mandate a fatal blow to obamacare, a body blow or glancing blow . I have to go with a body blow. It is not fatal. You have to remember that there are about 20 Million People newl newly insured and 12 million of those are on medicaid, a couple million are children who can stay on our plans up to the age of 26. And about 6 million are newly insured through the exchanges principally by subsidized coverage. So only the 6 million that would really be affected by this. And in fact, of the entire individual market, it is really the unsubsidized group middle class upper middle class folks who will be impacted by premium increases that will result from eliminating the mandate penalty. Can you explain that more . Because Peter Alexander was trying to get to this point in the White House Briefing room yesterday with Sarah Sanders raising the question that with this tax cut bill, there will be some people whose Health Insurance premiums will rise because of the repeal of the individual man date. Explain that. Reporter sure. So first what happens is because of the repeal, presumably some folks who are now buying insurance who dont feel they really need it, you know, they are not seriously ill with lots of predictable expenses will decide since there is no penalty, they wont buy the insurance. And that is particularly going to be folks who are unsubsidized. As a result, well see healthier people drop out of the individual insurance pool. Premiums will go up cbo estimated by 10 on . And the subsidies for lower income folks will also go up came mention s. So people trying to start companies, people buying it on their own without subsidies, they will be impacted by the premium increase without any offsetting subsidy increase. When you talk about the people who are expected to choose to not have health care, to go without health care, youre looking at 13 Million People when it comes to the slice of the pie there . So the individual market is about 17 million americans, about half of those are subsidized through the marketplaces. They will be pretty much protected. Its the other half, the 7 million or 8 million who are unsubsidized who currently buy individual insurance who will see a premium increase without any offsetting increase in subsidies. So bottom line here, when you hear talk about this being the beginning of the end of obamacare, fair or not fair . No, i dont think so. I think the structure is basically there. For example, if you and there are even things that states can do. Here in massachusetts, we had an individual mandate from the getgo in 2006 and it is still on the books, it is still in place. This is a no revenue in fact slight revenue enhancement to states if those who want to protect individual buyers in the marketplace want to enact their own state mandate. The other point of course even if they dont, and it is the least popular part of the law so i imagine few states will have the courage to do it on their own, the structure is still there. You could do congress could do other things than a mandate to improve the risk pool. But theyre not going to. Weve had some interesting proposals there. You know, republicans have some proposals in the repeal and replace efforts to do exactly that. They may not, but the pendulum will swing. Republicans will not be in charge forever and the infrastructure is still there. John kingsdale, thank you for joining us. Well go back to shannon and matthew. John framed it well because he talked about the policy and the politics of it. Republicans could do something, they probably one of the, and now republicans own this forever as even Lindsey Graham acknowledges. So how does that play out down the road . One approach would be this alexandria bill that would stabilize the marketplaces but im told by folks that that is not a nonstarter. Dead, not happening. So yeah, i dont know where they go from here. I think we start returning to a situation where the rate of uninsured goes up, hospitals start seeing higher costs. We have more people coming into the emergency room without insurance. And when you look at the president s agenda to 2018 and talking to marc short, there is daca, there is infrastructure, there is Border Security, a wall on there. I dont enreally hear anybody talking about a new attempt at overhauling the health care system. So is this going to be as the president and others have said let it die, let it fail . I dont think so. I think they are trying death by 1,000 cuts. Repealing the individual mandate. They scaled back the marketing democrat pain, shut downs enrollment window. But the Core Infrastructure is still there. Democrats have a comfort running on health care. So i think that this Health Care Law is wounded but alive. And whether or not it survives long term is up to the voters in 2018 and 2020. If democrats get back in power, i think obamacare is probably back and here to say. What did democrats do in the enter original wh interim . I think to the guests point, it will come down to a lot of people at the state level. I mean, i dont know if this is something democrats will go to the mat to. Because there are so many other issues. But yeah there are a lot of things that could be done at the state level. I want you to both stick around. We know that the house is getting ready to vote. Lets take a live look here. To start the process of the revotes before taking that final vote. Probably in the next maybe 90 minutes, maybe less. That means tying tax reform up just in time for the holidays. But can the good will help President Trump push the refrs of t reftsd items on his agenda . Frsz hey honey, how was practice . Good must have been hot out there today, huh . Yeah yeah why dont you go put that stuff in the laundry room right now . Okay. Do your athletes bring home big odors . Tide sport is super concentrated to beat even the toughest stains and odors. Hey buddy hey oooh somebody ran laps yeah. The new tide sport collection its got to be tide the unpredictability of a flaree may weigh on your mind. Thinking about what to avoid, where to go, and how to work around your uc. Thats how i thought it had to be. But then i talked to my doctor about humira, and learned humira can help get and keep uc under control. When certain medications havent worked well enough. Humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Before treatment, get tested for tb. Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Raise your expectations and ask your gastroenterologist if humira may be right for you. With humira, control is possible. So congress is staring down the final few days of 2017. Aside from the still pending tax cuts, and repeal of the individual plan date, yeah, the mandates, there is the confirmation of noogorsuch and donald trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord and approved the keystone pipeline. But other promises are still pending. Building the wall, fully repealing and replacing obamacare. And what the president called a quote total and complete shut down of muslims entering the yush united states. With all that, they are poised to get the victory on taxes. But what will that do for the president in 2018 . Phill phillip bruckner is joining us. Thanks for being here. Your piece poses this open question. Can a win on tax cuts put some momentum behind the president s other agenda items in 2018. How are people that you are talking to answering that question . Well, it really is an open question. In part for two reasons. First of all, this tax brill is not popular with the american public. Polls are showing that more americans disapprove of this tax bill than approve of it. Now, the president and legislative leaders say look, once it is past and people start to see the benefits and there is an effort to really get out in the country and sell it, to campaign for it, that the bombs will pick up. But the president is unpopular. Weve never seen a president this unpopular in his first year and that is for a host of reasons, including the way he handled the charlottesville incident and a whole bunch of other reasons that people are just frustrated and disappointed in this president. But the question is what does that do for him in 2018. Can he as you artfully phrase it stop being a legislative loser . Well, he is hoping that he can get into next year and that this will push him into firmer political ground and also that he will be able to get momentum for infrastructure and for some other agenda items like welfare, changing the women fair program. I dont know that that will happen though. Youre in an election year. There iss is a paralysis in washington as always. Especially when the senate is so closely republicans will only have a one seat majority. So looking ahead to the midterms. You have House Speaker paul ryan now telling the wall street journal about the midterms, quote, i see a historical trend cutting against us. We have the wind at our face. You tie that with i think what you saw in this virginia vote yesterday, a local vote, one vote and the Virginia House of delegates was a 50 50 split. So you have this momentum in places like virginia trending toward democrats. You have paul ryan talking about the wind at our face. Im ask matt and shannon, too, what is the president s role in trying to cut through some of that wind even when staring at results like what happened in virginia or everyone n alabama . A lot might be getting out of the way. He hasnt been a real not quite the midas touch. No. And even in alabama, if he cant get someone over the finish line. And he is toxic in new york,le came cal. They dont want donald trump coming to their hoim distrime d campaigning for them. We get so much National Attention focused on the special elections. And when its at a national level, each district is so individual, there is a possibility that he could still be an asset. But a lot can happen between now and obviously november 2018. One of the things that struck me phil from your piece is this comparison douglas wrinkly made between donald trump year one and kennedy year one. He talked about how kennedy helped reset his presidency by going this front of congress and saying im going to put a man on the moon. Sweeping grand. And brinkley says at the end of the year, donald trump will have a major accomplishment, but the problem with the tax bill is that it doesnt quite capture your imagination. It is not grand history making. People arent going to line up at miss president ial museum to learn about a tax cuts bill. This is a president who likes grand and historymaking. What will he get on that front in 2018 . Im not sure. I dont know that there is any sort of grand history making for 2018. The president is going to be delivering the state of the Union Address in january after the holidays. And that will be an opportunity for him to lay out his agenda for the year ahead. Well see if he has any big ideas that we dont know about yet. And speaking of big ideas, there is a big moment that could be happening later today at the white house, so i want to pop quiz you given that you are all white house reporters. The president may or may not answer questions later today. He has said he wants to hold a press conference this afternoon. He will hold some kind of a big tax event. If the president does take questions, i want to know, what is the number one question that you have for this president on any topic . Looking back on 2017 or looking ahead to 2018. Shannon, start with you. Well, i want to 240e about the ru know about the russia investigation. I feel like that is a big overhang. I want to know does he want to have an interview with robert mueller. Would he even ask request an interview. I think looking at the big issue in january is the daca legislation and what it will take for President Trump to get on board with daca, what concessions he will need from the democrats to give those d. R. E. A. M. Ers legal status. Phil . Well, my question would be about russia, but about the National Security threat. You know, he is not fully accepted the Intelligence Community s conclusions that russia interfered in the election to help him. Id want to ask him directly if he agrees with that assessment and what he is doing to safe guard our systems in 2018. If you had to sum up, we know the president is heading to maralago later on in the week and spending holidays there. If you had to sum up 2017, if you look back at the last 11 months and what an 11 months it has been, how do you do it in a sentence . Its been unprecedented. People who support the president would say it has been unprecedented in a great way and people who dont would say in a bad way. But i think it has redefined the presidency and it has been historic. Phil, shannon, matt, thank you all. We want to talk more about House Republicans Just Moments Away from round two on tax reform. Meeting for another vote. Take a live look. Here is the thing though. Not all republican lawmakers are done with this. Coming up, we have congressman lee zeldin joining knee explain why he is against the plan, why it could hurt the partys chances going in to the midterms. Ont know. Dozens. All right lets teach these freaks some manners good luck out there, captain thanks but i dont need luck, i have skills. I dont have my keys. on intercom all hands. We are looking for the captains keys again. They are on a silver carabiner. Oh, this is bad. As long as people misplace their keys, you can count on geico saving folks money. 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Relief and remission within reach. So any minute now house leaders will be trying again to pass that final tax bill. It is not expected to be dramatic. We think that it will pass. But we will start to see some procedural votes after what kasie hunt described as an embarrassing hiccup. No democrats voted the first time around. 12 republicans voted against it. Were watching that tally for the rest of the morning. And i want to bring in now republican congressman lee zeldin of new york. You were one of the no votes yesterday. Youve been against the tax bill from the beginning. Just for the record, any changes to your vote today . Im still a no on the bill. So lets talk big picture politics. You have republicans, if you look at the gentleman theeric b say they would rather vote for a democrat. Tax bill aside, does passing this bill help or hurt republicans in 2018 in the long run . There are 435 house seats all across the man. So on the house side, you have districts where you will have more people who would be in favor of the bill, happy happy getting done over the finish line. I will say by the way, there are other districts all across the country where people would be unhappy with the bill. Yep. And they dont want to see it get done. What my observations have been as it relates to people who vote based on taxes, jobs, the economy. Theyre not as much making the decision based off of how any type of a legislative decision might get made in december of the off year. Fast forward to october november of 2018. People are going to be deciding how the economys impacting them and their families. Whether they have a job. Whether theyre making enough money to make ends meet. Its a very personal decision then. And that really all across the entire country i dont have the answer to. On the senate side. I think with unone of the big items is twothirds of the seats that are up are going to be seats that democrats are on defense versus republicans are trying to defend. Its just a matter of the map, i think, favors republicans. Congressman, i take your point that in different districts, this is going to play differently. The bottom line here, you talk about this being december of an off year. Technically thats correct, but this is something that the president is touting as a major legislative win. Hes talking about it a lot. What is the victory that republicans can say they accomplished in the 2018 midterms if not for taxes . Well, again, you know, for more im opposed to the bill. Answering the question across the entire country, when the president campaigned and he said if he was elected, he would fight hard on getting a big tax bill passed and signed into law, you know, that is a big legislative accomplishment on something that he said he was going to do if he was elected. And even adding the individual mandate component to the bill, even because earlier this year it was an unsuccessful effort to repeal and replace obamacare, yet here you have a successful effort to repeal the individual mandate. Let me ask you more broadly with you specifically as we head into 2018. A couple of days before the alabama election, steve bannon sponsored these are challenging times under attack by some of the most hatefilled obstructionists in america all while facing retribution from the speaker. Do you still feel like youre fact facing retribution from speaker ryan . There was a fund raiser scheduled at the end of november that was something that we had set up months in advance and, you know, unfortunately after my tax vote, there was retribution. As far as the path forward, i dont want to speak for anyone else has that lingered . Today at this moment as you stand here right now, do you still feel like paul ryan is seeking retribution against you . I cant say that. My interactions with him have been nothing but cordial. I think it would be important for any of my colleagues to respect the fact that im elected to represent the first Congressional District of new york. Im not elected to represent their districts. Im not here to be their congressman. I represent a new york Congressional District. I have to fight for my home district or state. Theyre not going to do it for me. Its important for my colleagues to respect that. And i regardless of whether or not that might piss somebody off or result in retribution, i dont care. You know, im not here to, you know, become best friends with all of my colleagues here especially when it comes in conflict with my duty of fighting for my home district and home state. Im unapologetic about that. So on that, let me show you what speaker ryan said this morning about his reelection. Listen. But you havent decided to run for reelection yet . Its not even 2018 yet. So thats something my wife and i always discuss later in the campaign year. Something we havent even discussed yet. So thats something well discuss down the road when we when the appropriate time comes. Sounds like the speaker is still figuring out what to do here. Would you encourage the House Speaker to stay . That im not going to, you know, try to answer for him. He hasnt no, im asking you. You. Do you want paul ryan to keep being speaker after 2018 . There is still a lot of time between now and a year from now. You know, last time around when we had a vote for speaker, he was the only candidate who was running for speaker. I will tell you that on the political side, he has been, you know, the most important part of the team as far as fund raising has gone. His efforts to raise money whether its for the nrcc or if its for Congressional Leadership Fund and American Action network. Theres a lot of important legislative work ahead. We cant just, you know, start campaigning for november of 2018 without working on other issues related to immigration and infrastructure and welfare to work. So theres just too much ahead to be handicapping anything with regards to anyone else thats out there. I will tell you for those back home in the district. They have someone who is passionately fighting for their district. They have a good representative as far as thats concerned for sure. Congressman lee zeldin, thank you for joining us. Were going to be right back with todays big picture. After my dvt blood clot, i had a lot on my mind. Could this happen again . Was my warfarin treatment right for me . My doctor told me about eliquis. Eliquis treats dvt and pe blood clots and reduces the risk of them happening again. Not only does eliquis treat dvt and pe blood clots. Eliquis also had significantly less major bleeding than the standard treatment. Eliquis had both and that turned around my thinking. Dont stop eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. Eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding dont take eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. If you had a spinal injection while on eliquis call your doctor right away if you have tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. While taking eliquis, you may bruise more easily. And it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. Seek immediate medical care for sudden signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. Eliquis may increase your bleeding risk if you take certain medicines. Tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. Both made eliquis right for me. Ask your doctor if switching to eliquis is right for you. So for todays big picture, we wanted to honor one of the best women, one of the best people in college hoops. Ending on a happier note today. This is head coach of the North Carolina Womens Basketball team. Last night she won her 1,000th career game. She is just the fifth coach in mens or womens to ever hit that mark. Whats amazing about this . Just four years ago, she was battling leukemia. Fighting through that fighting for her team. Got to mention, too, uconns coach also reached 1,000 wins last night. She says, everything ive gone through in the last years has renewed my passion for the game and winning. You go, sylvia hatchel. Well be reporting here all day on msnbc along with my colleagues Stephanie Ruhle and ali velshi. Is there going to be after they pass this bill in the house apparently, i cant determine is it a press conference, a party . Heres the deal. It is going to be a celebration. You will have house and Senate Republicans here. Theres going to be a big thing. We kbpt the president s going to speak. Will he take questions . Listen. He tweeted overnight he wants a News Conference. Okay. Maybe he gets one. I hope. We will be talking to you for sure later today. Have a good one. Good morning to all of you. Im ali velshi. And im Stephanie Ruhle. It is wednesday, december 20th, big day for republicans. Lets get started. President trumphe