Some democrats say, theres no more time to waste. Theres a real sense of urgency to move quickly. Are democrats ready to go it alone . Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and democratic senator Kirsten Gillibrand join me to discuss in moments. Plus, attack on democracy. For republicans this week, politics trumped investigating the deadly u. S. Capitol attack. Will democrats pursue their own investigation . House democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries joins me ahead. Hello. Im Jake Tapper in washington where the state of our union is giving our thanks and thinking about those who made the ultimate sacrifice on this memorial Day Weekend. Ahead of memorial Day Tomorrow we honor fallen members and family and friends on a weekend that feels really quite different than last year when the general public was not even allowed to visit Arlington Cemetery because of the pandemic. Businesses are opening up, restrictions lifted. More and more Vaccinated Americans trying to squeeze in the jean shorts that fit last year. Ean shorts that fit last in washington, panic over the spread of covid19 is subsiding but congress was seized by a different controversy, a different pandemic, as Senate Republicans followed their House Colleagues and rejected an independent commission on the January 6th capitol attacks. Only six republican senators rejected the push by their republican leaders to put political concerns ahead of the goals of the commission to investigate this deadly attack on our Democracy And Figure out how to make sure it doesnt happen again. Now democrats have to decide how best to get that information after months of bipartisan negotiations fell apart. Some democrats worry President Biden will have no better luck in his other Policy Negotiations with republicans, especially on infrastructure, after republicans made Biden A Counteroffer this week. That prompted many democrats in congress to say, frankly, theyre ready to move on and go it alone. Joining us now, Transportation Secretary Pete buttigieg. Secretary buttigieg, thanks for being with us. I want to get to the negotiations on infrastructure in a moment, but first, its memorial Day Weekend. 37 Million americans are expected to travel this weekend. Masks are still required on airplanes and public transportation, despite new Cdc Guidance that vaccinated individuals are safe and do not need to wearing a masks indoors or outdoors. The biden administration says you will always follow the science. What science is there that says that a fully vaccinated person needs to wear a mask on a plane or a train or a bus . So the public Health Guidance is a little bit different for situations like planes and trains. Part of it has to do with unique conditions of the physical Space And Part of it has to do with the workplace and folks who dont have a choice to be there. These rules and regulations and these bodies of guidance always evolve with the witness. Bottom line is, we have a set of rules in place to keep people safe, and i really hope that travelers will respect flight attendants, bus operators, workers, anybody who is simply doing their job to keep people safe. Think about what people who work in travel and transportation, think about what theyve been through over the course of the last year with their jobs in doubt, and with a lot of challenges on the job and with a record number, at least, in the recent months traveling this weekend, lets do it in a way we can be proud of and show respect for all of those workers who are getting us to where we need to be. Turning to infrastructure negotiations, just to catch everyone up. President biden started at 2. 3 trillion in his proposal. Republicans started at about 600 billion. Now President Biden has gone down to 1. 7 trillion. Republicans at nearly 1 Trillion over eight years. You still want more money for rail, and you still cant agree on how to pay for it. When you and i talked on the show six weeks ago about it you said the president Wanted Major Action By Memorial Day. So whats next . Is the White House going to make another counteroffer . Whats the plan . Yes. So, this Week Congress is out of washington, but its very much going to be a workweek for us and for the conversations that are ongoing with congress. By the time that they return, which is june 7th, just a week from tomorrow, we need a clear direction. You know, certainly encouraging to see the healthy conversations that have happened over the last days and weeks, but the president keeps saying inaction is not an option and time is not unlimited here. The american people expect us to do something. They expect us to deliver, and its my hope that these continued conversations really over these next few days will be productive and will lead to that clear direction. So there seems to be disagreement between what President Biden agreed to with republican senators, and what his staff is now saying. Key republican negotiator shelly moore capito, she says that President Biden suggests hes willing to settle around 1 Trillion and it didnt matter whether it was 1 Trillion over five or eight years. I understand the stand is in the details in terms of how to pay for it and the timeline, et cetera. As an overall principle, is that correct . President biden is willing to accept a 1 Trillion Price Tag and it doesnt matter to him if its over five or eight years . Well, the president s counteroffer was a 1. 7 trillion package, and, again, that represents coming off our original view by half a trillion dollars. It is encouraging to see republicans talking about getting to the neighborhood of a trillion. Of course, when you start trying to make it apples to apples comparing what would have been spent anyway, looking at the categories, thats where the devil is really in the details. Thats what we continue to discuss with them. Ill say weve been in these discussions in good faith and there have really healthy negotiations of the kind people started to wonder whether thats even possible in washington anymore. This is exactly what happens in those negotiations. Categories line up, numbers line up. Are we talking about the same thing and can we get to an overlap . Were not there yet. Definitely a lot of difference in our views but its been encouraging to see the movement. Just to translate for folks who arent staying Up To speed on every detail. When Secretary Buttigieg talks about the money that would have been spent otherwise, hes talking about Infrastructure And Transportation money thats automatic in the budget, and the suggestion has been made by democrats that the 1 Trillion or almost 1 Trillion counterproposal republicans made over eight years is really only a couple hundred billion dollars more than what automatically would have been spent. Right . Im hearing you correctly . I believe that thats a correct assessment. So my question is, do you think yeah, exactly. Yes. Does that mean that theyre negotiating in bad faith . No. Thats the thing. Weve been very aboveboard when were in these conversations. Charts are out. The numbers are there. Obviously there are a lot of different ways to talk about the same thing. The fact they philosophically seem to agree that the 1 Trillion investment is the kind of thing we need to do right now is encouraging, but we arent exactly aligned. In fact, theres a lot of daylight here. Especially because things we consider very important from making sure that were sparking an electric Vehicle Revolution and that it happens in the u. S. With american workers on american soil, to the president s commitment to make sure that we get rid of 100 of lead pipes in this country. We didnt see as much of that in the counterproposal. Again, thats how a negotiation works. These are exactly the things were talking through over the next few days and i emphasize were talking about the next few days. By the time congress is back in washington, i think those Members Of Congress and frankly the american people and All Of Us in the administration expect to have a clear direction. So some democratic lawmakers who im not just talking about the Bernie Sanders types who are very skeptical of republicans to begin with. Even though sanders does have a record of bipartisan work, but some people who make a tradition of it, who normally cut deals, they say, you know what, buttigieg . Youve negotiated enough. The republican Counterproposal Isnt much more than the u. S. Would have spent anyway. Youre wasting your time. Take a listen. Its an old expression. Fish or cut bait. I think were getting to that moment. We hope to move forward with republicans, but were not going to let them saying no stand in our way. At some point we have to move forward. Casey, schumer, durbin, people who generally would be in favor of negotiating. Are you basically saying that in the next week if there isnt an agreement, democrats are going to go it alone . I think we are getting pretty close to a fishorcutbait moment, but ill tell thaw on the Fishing Side of things, the negotiations have been healthy. Theres a lot of conversations going on among Members Of Congress who have come forward with a lot of different ideas and discussions weve had with a Group Led by senator capito. So we believe in this process but also very much agree this cant go on forever. The american people want results. We are 13th place in infrastructure as a country now and probably headed in the wrong direction. Seeing losses to this day. Not just things you count up in Industry Group reports of the billions lost when we have port backups, but individual families paying hundreds of bucks a year in the socalled pothole tax. Invisible cost of Wear And Tear on our vehicles when roads arent in good shape. This cant go on in terms of condition of our infrastructure, therefore, Negotiations Cant go on forever either. Before you go, secretary, youre a veteran, served as a naval Intelligence Officer in afghanistan. I know Theres Something youre thinking about this memorial Day Weekend . Yeah. I mean, for Memorial Day, when you serve, of course, you think about people who didnt make it back from a deployment. Also thinking about people who came back seemingly whole from a deployment who we lost years after they returned, and its a reminder that you never know what somebodys up against that, you know, Mental Health struggles are real and need to be addressed, and that its never a bad time to check on somebody you served with or to check on somebody you care about. Absolutely. Secretary buttigieg, thanks so much for your time and, of course, thanks for your service. Thank you. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand democrat of New York says White House negotiators are making a terrible political misstep. Shes here next. Plus, some republicans are casting doubt on the free and fair 2020 election. Are they setting the stage for more evidencefree claims the next time americans cast their ballots . Stay with us. Helping to prevent Gum Disease and bad breath. Never settle for 25 . Always go for 100. Bring out the bold™ dignity. It demands a rapid covid test, because we all deserve an answer. It demands your heart stays connected to your doctor, so you know its beating as it should. And a rapid test to help evaluate concussion, in Case Something were to happen. At abbott, we fight for these moments, developing lifechanging technologies. Because dignity demands it. [typing sounds] [music fades in] [voice of female] my husband ben and i opened Bens Chili Bowl the very same year that we were married. Thats 1958. [voice of male] the Chili Bowl really has never closed in our history. When the pandemic hit, we had to pivot. And its been really helpful to keep people updated on google. We wouldnt be here without our wonderful customers. Were really thankful for all of them. [female voices soulfully singing come on in] its, oh, so quiet shhhh shhhh its, oh, so still shhhh shhhh and so peaceful until. You blow a Fuse Zing Boom the devil cuts loose. Zing boom so whats the use. Wow bam of falling in love . Welcome back to state of the union. Im Jake Tapper. Senators found themselves more bitterly divided than ever and its not clear what if any legislation is likely to pass this summer. My next guest is trying to buck that trend with a bill to change the way military Sexual Assault cases are prosecuted and gotten herself a Filibusterproof Majority of senators to agree. You might be surprised who shes working with to get it done. Joining me to discuss senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Thanks for being here. Good to see you. I want to get to that bill, obviously, but i want to talk about infrastructure because its pressing now and you heard Secretary Buttigieg talking about it and how its approaching Fish Or Cut bait time pup said its a terrible misstep for democrats to continue negotiating with republicans. Why . Weve seen it time and time again. Mitch mcconnell saying his goal, defeat this administration. Only six strong souls voted with us. Thats a problem. I dont think theres necessarily good will behind all negotiations, and i think the american people elected us to solve the problem of covid, to rebuild the economy, rebuild the infrastructure, and i think its our moment to act. I think we need a bold solution that does both the heart of the infrastructure, roads, bridges, highspeed rail, rural internet and human structure, paid family leave, affordable day care. Making sure our kids are back to school so all parents can get back to work. You heard Secretary Buttigieg mention the Fact Or Allude to the fact that the Counteroffer Republicans made over eight years almost 1 Trillion in just a few hundred billion more than would have been spent on the Infrastructure And Transportation anyway. To you does that mean republicans are negotiating in bad faith . To me it means we are about to miss the moment that we have to answer the need of this country. We are in an important time where people need government to work for them. So we have to answer that moment with bold reforms, and i think waiting any longer for republicans to do the right thing is a misstep. I would go forward. I would offer you know, President Biden has a huge, bold agenda of so much he wants to do for the economy and the american people. Democrats should respond and vote together now through reconciliation to get it done and then move on to the rest of the bipartisan agenda. Like my lets talk about that. Exactly. You and Senator Joni Ernst are working together on this bill, Working On it a long time. You and ernst compromised to get the 60 votes you need and Jack Reed said he would include a similar plan but when you tried to bring up your bill that would pass that has 60 votes he blocked it, because, frankly, he supports a more narrow version, doesnt support your legislation. Do you think Majority Leader Chuck schumer, your New York colleague, should bring it up for a vote now . I believe we should have a vote now. It is a hallmark bill, a generational bill of shifting how we address military justice, how we build the military Justice System thats worthy of the sacrifice our men and women in the military make. This memorial Day Weekend there is no better time to talk about the sacrifice the men and women in our Armed Services have made for us. What this bill does is instead of having the current process where after a Sexual Assault or other serious crime is committed, the commander will look at the Investigation Report and decide whether or not it goes to trial. Unfortunately, under that current method, we have seen enormous bias. Bias against survivors of Sexual Assault. Also racial bias against black and brown Service Members in how often they are punished. So to take biases out of the system across the board, you need a trained Military Prosecutor to make these decisions about whether it should go to trial. Thats takes it out of the Chain Of Command. The Chain Of Command has bias because they may know the perpetrator, the accused. They may know the survivor, and they may have a certain lens about which Service Member is better for fighting a war or better for good Order And Discipline within the ranks. That bias is inappropriate when it comes to serious felonies. If someone can go to jail for more than a year of their life defendants rights alone, you would want an unbiased system. We believe if you created the unbiased system and professionalized that system, you would also see different cases going forward with Sexual Assault and more ending in conviction. Over the last ten years the number of Sexual Assaults have gone up but percentage of cases going to trial and ending in conviction have gone down under president trump. The statistics and details got worse. We are not moving in the right direction. Last, our allies have already done this. This is not a scary step. This is something the uk has done. Theyve written to our government saying they did not see a Diminution Of so why is Jack Reid blocking you . You would have to ask Jack Reid. His assistance to narrowing this to one crime, Sexual Assault, youre going to create one set of justice for plaintiffs and defendants and something different for everybody else. Its not fair. Arguably, if only women survivors of Sexual Assault, because men have survived more than half of these cases, typically they dont come forward, but that women will use this court. It will become a pink court and destabilize and make, unfortunately, a mockery of the entire criminal Justice System. You need the bright line at felonies for defendants rights and also so Sexual Assault cases get treated better and that the civil rights of black and brown Service Members are also supported. I want to ask you, because youre working with republican senator Josh Hawley of missouri on a separate sexual Assault Bill focused on reporting and training. Senator hawley was one of the main instigators of what happened January 6th. If he hadnt said he would join House Republicans in rejecting, its possible that riot might not have happened. Certainly what a lot of republican senators think. The day after the attack you said you were open to censures or expelling hawley. Take a listen. Im deeply concerned, and i dont think they fully understand how misguided and how irresponsible their actions have been. And so i think we should look it. I understand your job is to work across the aisle and accomplish things for the american people, but do you have any misgivings about working with Josh Hawley . No. But i do believe that the purpose of this January 6th commission was to give us the facts about whether we should have proceeded he voted against it. I know. But thats why, again, back to the first question. I dont think the republican party is acting in good faith to govern and to bring forward what the american people want done. We should have that January 6th commission, and the fact we only had six Republicans Vote for it shows the lack of good will that we have between the parties at this moment. I believe my responsibility is to serve the american people and help the people of New York and that means passing a robust Infrastructure Bill with both the human soft infrastructure and the hard infrastructure, and i have always believed if you just did the small, thin, hard Infrastructure Bill first, the soft infrastructure will never get a vote. We need a bold response to the mohammed were in but i will work with Josh Hawley and any republican if were moving forward towards something that helps New Yorkers and the united states people. Its my responsibility to help everybody. Ive done that my entire 11 years in the united states senate. The Supreme Court is preparing to hear a case that would ban almost all abortions after 15 weeks. How worried are you this Supreme Court, basically 63 majority conservative, will Gut Roe Versus Wade . Very concerned. Its one of the reasons why i deeply opposed the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and justice kavanaugh. These justices were put forward on a very political agenda, very purposely by president trump, and by mitch mcconnell, and, again, back to the lack of Goo D will, again, Amy Coney Barrett voted on in just days and yet couldnt have Merrick Garland even have a hearing even a year out. When it comes to this Hardball Politics there isnt the good will that we need, and i just think we, today, have to do our responsibility to meet the needs of the american people. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, democrat from New York. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it. Thank you. A theory discounted for months now investigated by the White House. What a House Inquiry turned up about the Covid19 Lab Leak theory. Congressman Michael Mccaul is next. 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When you see no limits, there are no limits. Book now at your local essilor experts to push the limits of your vision. Varilux lenses by essilor. When youre born and raised in San Francisco, you grow up wanting to make a difference. Thats why, at recology, were proud to be 100 employee owned with local workers as diverse as San Francisco. We built the citys Recycling System from the ground up, helping to make San Francisco the greenest Big City In America but we couldnt do it without you. Thank you, San Francisco. Gracias, San Francisco. Thank you. [ speaks native language ] lets keep Making A Differene together. Welcome back to state of the union. Im Jake Tapper. As covid cases and deaths continue to drop in the unite, the inquiry into the origins of covid19 is heating up. This week President Biden ordered a 90day Investigation into whether the virus could have come out of a lab in wuhan, china, and we learned several Lab Researchers in wuhan were hospitalized in November Of 2019 earlier than chinese officials had revealed. Joining us now is top republican on the house foreign Affairs Committee, texas congressman Michael Mccaul. Congressman, thanks for joining us. Good to see you. You conducted your own investigation into the pandemics origins in the house foreign Affairs Committee and your committee was just briefed last week. Based on what youve seen is it more likely than not that the coronavirus emerged naturally or from a Lab Accident . You know i do think its more likely than not it emerged out of the lab. Most likely accidentally for several reasons. First of all, jake, let me say this is the worst coverup in human History Weve seen resulting in 3. 5 million deaths, creating an economic devastation around the globe. As you mentioned, though, it was just declassified that three of the researchers were actually hospitalized in November Of 2019 with flulike symptoms similar consistent with covid. That was suppressed by the chinese communist party. Since that time they silenced and detained the doctors reporting a sarslike virus which under international Health Regulation had to be reported within 24 hours. They went and destroyed lab samples. Wouldnt admit it was humantohuman and working with the w. H. O. Failed to report to the world that we had a local epidemic that was now going into a global pandemic. So time and time again were seeing this, this coverup. A couple more facts here that there were two State Department cables in 2018 that called into question the Safety Protocols at that lab, and lets not forget in 2004 with Sars Virus, they accidentally leaked the Sars Virus from that lab in 2004. They were studying coronalike viruses from bats, genetically mutating them and then trying to develop a vaccine for what would be the next wave of a sarslike virus, almost precisely what covid19 is. Let me ask you, President Biden ordered this 90day Review by the Intelligence Community to see what they think. If they conclude the same thing that you have, and theres no reason to think that they wouldnt, what should the world do what should President Biden do . Well, im glad the president finally has done this. Its long overdue. I think because they have destroyed everything at the lab, it could be very inconclusive. We have Signals Intelligence and human and other forms of intelligence that may not be 100 , but i think saying its more likely than not is probably the right answer here. My response to this whole thing is Supply Chain. We need to pull our Supply Chain out of the region. That being medical supply, rare earth mineral supply, and a bill thats going through congress right now bipartisan that im Working On, tips for america act. Advanced Semiconductor Chips which are the brains in everything from your iphone to the f35. If we can pull these chains out of china it would hurt them economically and very punitive in nature. I want to ask about a pressing lifeordeath issue in afghanistan. We talked about thousands of afghans who helped u. S. Troops could be, in all likelihood will be slaughtered by the taliban once u. S. Service members withdraw completely. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs general Mark Milley says there are plans being developed very, very rapidly to evacuate them. The nonprofit group, No One left behind you and i both know says these afghans and their families should immediately be evacuated to guam and after being safe in guam the u. S. Can deal with their visas, et cetera. Do you support that idea . I do think they need to be protected. General milley said that, you know, we need to keep our promises here. We have a moral Responsibility And Obligation to protect them. Who are these people . You know, there are about 18,000 of them that have applied for special Immigrant Visas because they served with our special forces. The you know, with our troops in afghanistan, the interpreters put their lives on the line. Our Guys Couldnt have done the job without them. And, you know, the old saying, no man left behind. No one left behind organization is a fine organization with Special Operators who have worked with these people. For us to leave them behind only to be slaughtered by the taliban which is looking more and more like whats going to happen here, would really be unconscionable. So when the State Department says, oh, its going to take a year or two to process these visas, and, remember, thats there are probably about 50,000 of them. We cant leave them. As the military is talking about withdrawing in july, theyre going to withdraw earlier than we anticipated. And thats when theyre to be in the wuls bullseye, in the target of the taliban. I think we can easily and General Milley has said this and general mackenzie, the centcom commander, has says that they have plans, Contingency Plans under way to evacuate them. They have the capability to evacuate them out of afghanistan. Where that is, thats really their choice to make, but i believe if they dont because what youre seeing right now is a Spring Offensive by the taliban taking over northern and southern parts, taking over bases that have been abandoned and its a matter of time before i think the entire country is overrun by the taliban and, really, jake, i worry very much about the Safety And Security of our embassy itself. I dont want to see another Saigon Go down like in vietnam. Same thing happen in afghanistan, and, lastly, the women left behind were already seeing what theyre doing to them in schools, and how theyre going to degrade women and little girls in afghanistan. I think the decision or the president made this decision, but i dont think they were really prepared for the aftermath and what is necessary both from a human Refugee Standpoint and from a counterterrorism mission standpoint. Yeah. At home, let me ask you, the Texas Senate just voted this morning to pass a sweeping new bill restricting voting rights. A Draft Bill would ban drivethru voting, stop local officials from Mailing Ballots to all voters and make it easier for judges to overturn an election without requiring evidence that fraud changed the races outcome. This is not your legislation, but you are a texas republican. What do you say to people who look at whats going on with this kind of law and say, republicans are trying to make it harder to vote, because they cant win the battle of ideas ultimately, so theyre trying, for instance, making it tougher for Black Americans to do sole to the poles, saying you can only do voting on polls sundays after 1 00 p. M. Thats how it looks to millions of people. Right. And this is actually passed at 6 00 a. M. And i havent had a chance to look at it or really comment. I know its going to conference committee. There are a couple fundamentals, here, though, that i think most americans do agree with. That is, asking for an i. D. , you know when someone votes. I dont believe thats Voter Suppression. I think 70 of americans agree with that idea. And then the idea of Verifying Signatures i think is very important as well. I think what the republicans here will tell you is that theyre trying to make sure that the Person Voting is the person on paper so its a legitimate vote devoid of fraud. Now, we could debate whether, how much fraud occurred in the last election, and democrats have claimed fraud had happened in the prior, previous elections, but one thing thats pretty clear to me, jake, is that a lot of the american people seem to have lost faith in our government. Theyve lost faith in our elections, that we need to restore. And i think if we can take measures to take fraud out of the system or even potential for fraud. Now, covid was a very different circumstance where, you know, you had different Voting Measures and longer periods of time. And im all for longer early voting times, but im also for counting the votes during early voting so youre not waiting a month or two after the election to see who actually won it. Right. But congressman, i mean, texas had a very successful, very clean election, and republicans did really, really well. You won a bunch of congressional districts that democrats thought they were going to win. The Houston Chronicle reports there were only 43 pending Voter Fraud charges in texas. Just to repeat, thats for our viewers, not 43,000. Not 4,300. 43. And only one of them, one is from the 2020 election. Again i dont disagree what youre saying about polls and the american people supporting making sure there isnt fraud, but this is beyond that. This is i mean, why would legislators, not you, why would those legislators making it easier for a judge to throw out election without even without anyone having to prove that Theres Fraud . Yeah. Of course, you know, these 70 cases in the president ial got thrown out as well. I do think the intent, and im not in the state legislature, is to restore confidence in the elections that Fraud Isnt taking place. You make a good point, and im a federal prosecutor and in a court of law, that hasnt really been borne to bear. This maybe more of an optics issue, restoring confidence with the american people, and in my state we actually do believe there was tremendous fraud. In any event, i think theres small measures we can take, whether its voter i. D. Or Signature Verification that i think we give the american people more trust in our elections, which, by the way, the russians didnt give us Must Confidence either or with what the chinese tried to do either, in our elections. Speaking of getting to the bottom of things and people having trust, i was surprised to read, frankly, you voted against voting for the January 6th commission even though you backed similar legislation earlier this year. I want you to take a listen to what gladys sicknick, the mother of the Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick who died after the insurrection told me on friday. If they had a child that was hurt, that was killed on a day like that, they would think very differently. Or if they were hurt. I mean, they could have somebody could have been killed. They are elected for us, the people, and they dont care about that. Youre a formal federal prosecutor, you noted. Back in 2014, i agreed with you when you said this about House Republicans sixth investigation into the attack on the consulate in benghazi, tragically we still do not have answers ho you it could have happened. What exactly occurred in the critical response hours we owe to do victims families and american people to find out the truth. I agreed with you then. I wonder why you dont have the same feeling here about this commission. Well, that is a dark day in american history, as you know i voted for certifications. My constitutional duty. Absolutely. Certified the ballots. But i also at that time, in the aftermath i was first to call for a Doj Investigation into this. Jake, that happened. In essence, i view this not as an overview of policy like the 9 11 commission did. Its a criminal investigation. A criminal case. In my judgment, that properly falls within the purview of the Department Of Justice where i worked for many years, rather than a politically appointed commission. And the reason why i say this, ive been on the other side in Department Of Justice prosecuting the Campaign Finance Investigation while ongoing in congress was another investigation. What happened, it provided duplicative testimonies. It undermined our federal investigation. My judgment is for right now, lets let this Doj Investigation go forward. Theyve arrested over 400 people now responsible. I want those responsible to be held accountable and put behind bars, and i want all the answers as to what happened on January 6th, and then report it to congress. I think congress should have a full report of this Doj Investigation that i dont believe will be tainted by politics, whereas some other methods could be. I think the doj, having been a part of that for so long, really is where this properly should be to get to the bottom of what happened, and then, really, lets get to prosecuting and putting these people behind bars. Congressman Michael Mccaul, republican of texas. Thank you so much for being with us. I hope you have a meaningful Memorial Day. I know your father was a World War ii veteran, and we appreciate his service. Thank you, jake. And you as well. Now that republican lawmakers have blocked the commission on the u. S. Capitol attacks will democrats choose to investigate a different way . Top house democrat Hakeem Jeffries joins us, next. From Prom Dresses to workouts and new adventures you hope the more you give the less theyll miss. 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Xfinity internet customers, switch to Xfinity Mobile and get unlimited with 5g included for 30 on the nations fastest, most reliable network. If youre just joining us, yes, these are my real shoulders. Welcome back to state of the union. Im Jake Tapper. Democrats negotiated for months with republicans on a bipartisan January 6th commission. Now this weeks push by top republicans against that commission leaves House Democrats with a decision to make. Joining us, Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Congressman jeffries, whats the decision . Senate republicans blocked the creation of this commission. What are House Democrats going to do . Well, January 6th was a violent insurrection, an attack on the capitol, the congress and the constitution. You had individuals, a violent mob who will there to be assassinate speaker pelosi, hang mike pence, stop us from undertaking our constitutional responsibilities. Officers died as an event of that fateful day, more than 140 officers defending the capitol were seriously injured, some permanently. We clearly have to get to the bottom of what happened, why it happened and how do we prevent something like that from ever happening again. Were going to reevaluate what the way forward is. And in the next few days we have a Caucus Meeting tuesday. I look forward to hearing from the speaker as well as the members as to what comes next. The Texas Senate just passed this morning sweeping new voting restrictions, a bill to ban drivethru voting, new rules how judges can overturn elections. Senate Majority Leader Chuck schumer says he will bring up democrats sweeping voting Rights Legislation for a vote next month, but there are not 60 votes to pass it. So what are you going to do and whats your reaction to the Texas Law . Well, the Texas Law is shameful and republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier to steal an election. Thats the only way i can interpret the Voter Suppression epidemic we see working its way from one state, georgia, to arizona, texas and all across the country in so many different ways. Fundamental to our democracy is the right to vote. Self government. That the american people get to decide and work for a democracy that reflects the voices of all americans, not just a certain segment, not just conservatives, not just republicans, not just people in certain parts of the country, all americans. And so i support the effort to move hr1, the for people act, which will bring to light Democracy Reform in a meaningful way. Well have to see what occurs in the senate in terms whether they could get to the 60vote threshold, and the senate has some decisions to make in terms of reviewing their arcane procedures that have been used to uphold institutions like slavery and jim crow. So to translate for people at home, Congressman Jeffries opposes the filibuster and hoping there could be filibuster reform. So let me ask you another question, sir, because four of your fellow House Democrats, Josh Gottheimer and Kathy Manning and deem phillips condemning Marjorie Taylor Greene for her holocaust belittling. But they also said this in the letter. Quote, we also reject comments from member of congress accusing israel of being an Apartheid State and committing acts of terrorism, these statements are antisemitic and contribute to a hostile of many jews. Coming from the right, not just the left, in New York and Los Angeles and elsewhere and those four democrats are talking about comments by other fellow House Democrats such as rashida tlaib. Do you agree that the language some of the members of the squad about israel is antisemitic and leads to a climate of hostility against American Jews . I havent seen the precise letter and i look forward to talking to my colleagues. I think their concerned as it relates to antisemitism and the hateful incidents across the country is unacceptable, untolerable and unconscionable and it has to stop and All Of Us need to raise your voices in that regard. Weve seen a rise in antisemitism over the last few years, xenophobia, antiasian hate and a rise in Hate Crimes against africanamericans, and so weve got to deal with it. But specifically the troubling rise of antisemitic instances in the aftermath of the recently conflict in the Middle East has to be crushed with the fierce urgency of now. And i call upon All Of Us, not democrats or americans, but democrats or republicans, All Of Us to speak up against antisemitic rate. Lastly, sir, congress missed the deadline to pass police reforming legislation on the anniversary of george Floyds Death but House And Senate negotiators including Karen Bass say theyre making progress. James clyburn said he will receive whatever deal negotiates reach even if it doesnt not change qualified immunity for police. Do you feel the same way . Well, i want to look at the totality of what is agreed upon ultimately, and Karen Bass is doing a tremendous job working closely with Senator Booker and senator Tim Scott. The overwhelming majority of officers that i interact with here at home are hard working individuals in the community to protect and serve, but it is clear as day that we have a problem with the Police Use of excessive force that we have to deal with in a comprehensive way. The house passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act twice. It is the most transformational police reforming bill to ever to pass a single house of congress, and i think that senator Tim Scott is negotiating in good faith. Qualified immunity is a problematic doctrine. It does need to be reformed. It is a block on accountability for officers who clearly violate someones civil rights. But by being held to a standard of the least reasonable officer on the force. That is not an acceptable standard. So lets evaluate the totality of the package before making any decision as to whether well support it or not. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York, hope you have a peaceful and meaningful memorial Day Tomorrow. Thanks for joining us today. Thank you, jake. You, too. The nations first ever Memorial Day honored an extraordinary group of soldiers. Their story is next. Stay with us. Life. Doesnt stop for diabetes. Be ready for every moment, with glucerna. Its the number one doctor recommended brand that is scientifically designed to help manage your blood sugar. [typing sounds] [music fades in] live every moment. Glucerna. [voice of female] designed to my husband ben and i openedr. Bens Chili Bowl the very same year that we were married. Thats 1958. Over the years, bens became a Gathering Place for this community. Weve been through all kinds of changes, but this pandemic has been the most difficult of all the challenges ive experienced. [voice of male] the Chili Bowl really has never closed in our history. People come here to see the photos on the wall, to meet the family. You couldnt have that experience anymore. So, we had to pivot. Theres no magic formula, but its been really helpful to keep people updated on googl. We wouldnt be here without our wonderful customers. We do get so much support and so much love from them. [voice of female] i dont have to come every day at my age, but i come because i love people. [female voices soulfully singing come on in] thats why i come to bens. At johnsonville, weve often wondered how could burgers and dogs be our national tradition, when you cant even spell sausage without usa. Exercise your right to mix it up, and throw on some johnsonville sausage. Because freedom is delicious. Memorial day in the united states did not become a federal holiday until the congress declared it one there 1971. Officially the roots could be traced back to May 1866 in waterloo, New York, where a tradition began to honor local veterans who fought for the Union Army in the civil war. Yale Historian David Blight found this new York Tribune article in May Of 1865 in which a correspondent in North Carolina noted a tribute held for soldiers that died from Disease And Exposure while in captivity in the open air confederate prison. Amazingly one of the first acts of thousands of slaves freed after charleston fell was to honor these Union Troops who had been previously buried in a mass gave. They honored them with a monument and a memorial ceremony. This weekend we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to fight for this country which we hope is in the service of justice and freedom, but it is worth remembering that the origins of this sacred weekend are in memorializing those who fought evil here at home. To you and all of those Remembering Fallen Family Members and friends, we wish you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day. The news continues next. This is gps, the global public square. Welcome to all of you in the united states and around the world. Im Fareed Zakaria coming to you live