Tapper. We start today with our national lead. At any Moment President biden is expected to speak after touring Storm Damage in new york and New Jersey. The remnants of Hurricane Ida killed at least 50 people in the northeast. You see him here earlier today in New Jersey. This Afternoon President Biden pointing to the recent string of Extreme Weather as a sign that Climate Change is already here. And also using that opportunity to pitch his massive Infrastructure Plan as necessary to combat Climate Change. But as cnns Jeff Zeleny reports, A Battle Is Raging Inside his own party on how to get it done. Reporter President Biden offering hugs and compassion, surveying Storm Damage today. Thank god youre safe. Reporter a week after Hurricane Idas deadly wrath struck New Jersey and new york. A firsthand look at neighborhoods devastated by floodwaters where residents are still sorting through whats left of their ravaged homes. The losses that we witnessed today are profound. Dozens of lost lives, homes destroyed. Reporter the president using the visit to make the case for his Infrastructure Bill and his broader economic agenda, including measures to fight Climate Change. Global warming is real, and its moving at an incredible pace. Weve got to do something about it. Reporter from wildfires in the west to epic rains in the midwest, to storms in the south and beyond. The White House says one in three americans live in counties impacted in recent months by severe weather. A sign the president said Climate Change must be taken more seriously. Every part of the country is getting hit by Extreme Weather. And were now living in realtime what the countrys going to look like. And if we dont do something, we cant turn it back very much, but we can prevent it from getting worse. Reporter the White House is pre pressing congress to pass a 1 Trillion infrastructure measure. The legislative path for both biden priorities is uncertain, with democrats like Senator Joe Manchin and others raising objections to the Price Tag on the bigger bill. When asked how he intends to get those democrats on board, the president struck an optimistic tone as he left the White House. The administration also grappling with another crisis, the stubborn fight against covid19. The president is set to address the Delta Variant and new Government Actions in a Speech Set for thursday. Dr. Anthony fauci, the president s chief medical adviser telling Cnn Today more local mandates are needed. There are going to be sports events, Travel Events where the rule is going to be if you want to participate, you get vaccinated. If not, sorry, youre not going to be able to do it. Reporter and the president just moments ago arriving in queens to look at flooding damage. He will be delivering remarks momentarily. Again, making the pitch for his Infrastructure Bill and climate Change Legislation. Erica, this is all coming really at the same time where this is a critical challenge for this administration, their biggest push to congress. Yeah, certainly, Jeff Zeleny with the latest for us from the White House, jeff, thank you. Cnns Mj Lee is in queens where President Biden will speak at any moment. Mj, what are you hearing from people on the ground there . Reporter well, people on the ground here, erica, are just devastated. This is an area queens, new york, that was hit so hard by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. This is where multiple people died because they could not get out of their Basement Apartments fast enough as the water flooded in. And if you walk around this area, you see the signs of devastation everywhere. There are just piles of trash, of furniture, moldy carpet. You see that construction is already well underway as people try to fix their homes. One man that we spoke to who says his basement was completely flooded, completely wrecked talked about why the timing of this has been so especially devastating for the community here. Take a listen. Everything got destroyed, literally everything. This whole Weekend Weve just been taking stuff out of the house and putting it into the alleyway. Literally theres nothing left. Our community is so numb, we got hit by corona crazy this neighborhood. Not too long ago we had a freezer taking bodies away from the hospital. At this point were kind of just emotionally numb. And its like at this point the tragedy is people losing their lives. Reporter look, he says he is thankful that everyone in his family has been safe. But when he thinks about just everything that they have lost, he is at a loss for words, erica . Yeah, im sure. Did they have any thoughts on what they want or even need to hear from the President Today . Reporter well, look, we know and we got a preview of this both from the president himself and his aides that he is going to talk a lot about Climate Change. The folks that we have spoken to today, they all did say that they believe this kind of thing will happen again and again because of Climate Change. I think for the immediate future theyre worried about just fixing their homes, getting everything out of their basements and figuring out how they are going to pay for this. But i think going forward there are going to be policies that they are interested in hearing about, both from their local governments and on a federal level, people talking about how the Sewage Pipes simply just ran over, that they think that unless these Infrastructure Problems are dealt with, this kind of problem is going to continue. One man said that when this is all over he is going to sell his house because he is not convinced that this isnt going to happen again. I know thats the concern ive heard from other people within the region too. Mj lee, thank you. Joining me now on the phone democratic governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy. Governor, good to have you with us. You met with the president earlier today. You told folks in some of the counties in your state that are not part of this major Disaster Declaration that they should use State Resources until, and im quoting you here, please god they get designated as a disaster county. Did President Biden give you any assurance as governor that more counties, currently six are covered in New Jersey, could be added to that initial declaration . Good to be with you, erica. It was a very successful visit by the president and the fema administrator, among others. No commitment, but fema literally is on the ground in four or five other counties as we speak. And they have an overwhelmingly compelling case to be included in this major Disaster Declaration. But, again, the president has been there from moment one, and i have every expectation that hell continue to be there for us. And god knows we need it. We saw some awful devastation today. The pictures, i think, even as awful as they are, dont begin to do It Justice when you see it in person. But i wonder, you said theres no commitment. Are you disappointed at all that you didnt get a commitment . What exactly do you need . How many more counties need to be added . Theres a process. The reason im not disappointed is theyve been mighty good on their commitment so far. And theres a process that fema has to go through. And theyre going through that process as we speak. And theres probably another four or five counties that deserve to be on that list. And theyre in most if not all of them today, and we have a great relationship with fema. The president has been terrific. And god along this will come out in the right place. So it sounds like youre confident that could happen fairly soon. Youve also talked about the importance of shoring up infrastructure for any future storms. Some of those projects could take years. People need help right now as we just heard from Mj Lee in queens, including people like cesar garcia. He and his family they lost their home in New Jersey. Heres what he said earlier. Its sad, this is the only place that i have. So me and my kids, we dont got no place to go. He said he has nowhere to go. There are some benefits i know available now. Mayor Bill De Blasio said he is going to send teams do are to door to make sure everyone signs up. Are you going to make sure people are getting everything that they can . You bet. And you hear stories like that. Ive now been in, i dont know, ten or so communities. Ive spoken with dozens of mayors. Ive spoken with scores of individuals who have been impacted. Its a crushing lifealtering event, and enough already. We know this is happening with increased frequency, increased intensity. We need a new playbook. But we will be there. My message has been to everybody. This road will not be short. Unfortunately, itll be long to get back on our feet, but well make sure everybody gets exactly what they deserve coming to them. How long do you think . Itll be a while, erica. We had a very good Roundtable Discussion Today with the president. Its not just the financial resources. Its things like supplies like lumber where we already had a global shortage, getting cars replaced again where we had a shortage. This is not going to be overnight. The message ive shouted out, the president clearly as well is we are going to be by your side and we will be shoulder to shoulder with you until were back on our feet. You know, weve heard from folks both in New Jersey and new york. Ive heard specifically from people in new york where i live that the Flash Flood warnings felt inadequate. Do you think enough was done to warn people that this Flash Flooding was coming to give them enough time to get out safely . Listen, when youve lost 27 lives and we still have four missing, we have to review every element of our process. We had a national Weather Service Call at 10 00 a. M. That day. We activated our County Emergency and State Emergency functions at noon. We held a Press Conference at 1 00. We put out many both Tornado Warnings and Flash Flood warnings, social media. We threw a lot at this. But when youve lost 27 lives, youve got to look in the mirror and ask yourself what else needs to be done. And we will do just that. I know youve been warning today about more rain in the forecast, possible flooding tomorrow. How do you prepare for that when its still saturated in many areas . Thats the issue. The ground is saturated. Trees are loose. And i dont think tomorrow, as i sit here at this time, is going to be at the level of last week, please god, but we are trying to do everything we can to both assess how serious it is and give people ample warnings to do the right thing, including, sadly, we had an overwhelming amount of those 27 losses of life were from flooding and folks in cars. And so staying off the road in a serious storm is always good advice. Governor Phil Murphy, thank you for taking the time to join us. And keep us posted on any further assistance. Thanks for having me, erica. A total lack of compassion for grandparents, for the most vulnerable today. A case of shocking neglect. And a warning that winter is coming, this time courtesy of the Delta Variant. What dr. Fauci says we all need to do to prevent another very painful surge. Its so much new theres no time for serena wait, what . sorry, we dont even have time to say they were created by World Class bakers oh, guess we did seriously . my bad. 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[announcer] at southern new hampshire university, were committed to making college more affordable. Thats why were keeping our tuition the same through the year 2022. [narrator] i knew snhu was the place for me when i saw how affordable it was. [narrator] find your degree at snhu. Edu. Ayy, ayy, ayy yeah, we fancy like applebees on a Date Night got that Bourbon Street Steak with the Oreo Shake get some whipped cream on the top too two straws, one check, girl, i got you bougie like natty in the Styrofoam Squeaksqueakin in the Truck Bed All The Way Home some alabamajamma, she my dixieland delight ayy, thats how we do, how we do, fancy like, oh in our national lead, thousands of people across the Hurricane Disaster Zone in louisiana endure another sweltering day without electricity, the state is also facing growing scandals involving neglect and deaths of the elderly in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Cnns Martin Savidge is in New Orleans. There are now two separate incidents, one involving Nursing Home patients who were moved to a warehouse, and also now the discovery of bodies in some apartments in a senior Living Complex in New Orleans. What more do we know about that . Reporter erica, two bodies were found inside of the building you can see behind me here. Whats going on with that particular circumstance here in New Orleans, and were dealing with rain while we talk here, is the fact that there were a number of Apartment Buildings that specifically had a senior clientele. The city knew about this. And they began to get worried when they didnt hear much information coming from those apartment complexes. They put eyes on the people living there. And what they found were horrific conditions in which many seniors had been living under extreme heat, they had no electricity. Some of them had died as a result of either the machinery they needed, the Oxygen Generators or just simply because they couldnt get access or cry out for help. And there were five total bodies that were recovered on that search. Then you have the separate incident, which is the warehouse. This is where seven Nursing Homes evacuated about 800 to 840 of their senior citizens and placed them in a warehouse about an Hour North of New Orleans. That was before The Storm. A Nursing Home and a warehouse are two very different things. And shortly after those people got into that Nursing Home, you realize that the suffering was very prevalent. And some of the calls that were coming in to 911 from those people read like this. Patient gasping, having trouble breathing. Person thats having seizures, Diabetic Patient has not eaten due to not having any supplies. Stroke patient lying on the floor. There were other reports of deaths. Seven deaths have been attributed to seniors being left in a warehouse. It is just awful to think about. Meantime its been more than a week now since that storm hit. I know we see you in the rain there, hear a little thunder in the background. But youre also dealing with a heat advisory. Today in fact much of the area is. And there are still so many people without electricity, more than 400,000. That more do we know about efforts to restore Power Today . Well, if i look at the good news, the good news is that most of the city of New Orleans has had the power restored or will have it restored by The End of the day tomorrow. There will be a few pockets. But otherwise the citys pretty good. Its outside of that. Its the other parishes, those that were hardest hit by The Storm, and also those that are more remote where their communities are more remote. Getting to the damaged equipment in some cases its going to require electrical teams to get on Air Boats and get out into the swampy areas to try to restore. And thats why that work is projected in some cases to take to maybe The End of the month, erica. Tough to hear. There are new questions about just what is considered to be full regimen of the Covid Vaccine. So could you need a fourth or even a fifth dose . I dont just play someone brainy on tv im an actual neuroscientist. And i love the science behind Neuriva Plus. Unlike ordinary memory supplements, Neuriva Plus fuels six key indicators of Brain Performance. More Brain Performance . Yes, please neuriva. Think bigger. As i observe investors balance risk and reward, i see one element securing portfolios, time after time. Gold. Your strategic advantage. What happens when we Welcome Change . We can make Emergency Medicine possible at 40,000 feet. Instead of burning our past for power, we can harness the energy of the tiny electron. 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It only takes about a minute. Wait, a minute . But what have you been doing for the last two hours . Delegating . Oh, good one. Move your xfinity services without breaking a sweat. Xfinity makes moving easy. Go online to transfer your services in about a minute. Get started today. In our health lead, experts are bracing for another Covid Surge after the long Holiday Weekend and with school becack session. Dr. Anthony fauci says if we do the right things there wont be a major increase. Right now we are in outbreak mode. 4 Million new covid19 cases reported in just the past four weeks. It could go either way, and its up to us. Reporter so, this is an Inflexion Point as Temperatures Drop and millions of Kids Venture back inside classrooms. If we do things right, we hope that we dont see much increase at all. Weve got to get the School System masked. Reporter but, remember, there are politicians and parents fighting that simple logic. You are all demonic entities. You are going to be taken down. You had your first warning and this is your last. She cannot speak anymore. Reporter meantime, nearly 100,000 americans are in the hospital fighting this virus. The vast majority unvaccinated. Sad and sometimes demoralizing. Im not judging Patient Bes for making that decision. I really want to empathize and try to understand why theyre afraid of the treatment because what they really need to be afraid of is the virus. Reporter Idaho Planning to Ration Care some places due to a beds and staff shortage. The governor calls this an unprecedented and unwanted point in the history of our state. We have about 75 Million people in this country who are eligible to be vaccinated who are not yet vaccinated. If we get the overwhelming majority of those people vaccinated, we could turn this around. Reporter in more than half of states, there is a dip in average daily cases right now. Will that hold . Last year there was a postlabor day bump. We are having to prepare ourselves for having yet again another surge. Reporter this Labor Day Weekend scenes like this, Football Fans packed in the stands in alabama which has the lowest Vaccination Rate in the land. In south carolina, which has the highest Infection Rate in the land, and in georgia where near record numbers are already in the hospital. So, i just told you about the deteriorating situation in idaho. And we just saw those Crowds In Alabama and arkansas. Well, the u. S. Military just announced it is going to send 60 medical personnel to those three states to help. Erica . Nick watt with the latest, nick, thank you. Joining me now to discuss cnn chief medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay gupta. Sanjay, a lot of folks traveled despite that cdc warning. People getting together for labor day. As of today pretty much every school almost is back in school across the country. And we also just learned that kids now account for more than one in four of weekly covid cases. I mean, i dont think there is a way to put the Genie Back in the bottle at this point. But correct me if im wrong. No, i think youre right. I think that the idea that this virus is Here To Stay is becoming something that i think most scientists sort of believe at this point. Its a very contagious virus. There are remnants. 1918 Flu Virus that are still around more than A Hundred years later. And covid is one of these viruses that were going to have to learn to live with for some time. Its an uncomfortable conversation, erica. But i think the real question is not so much is this virus Here To Stay, it is. But what are we willing to tolerate in terms of its impact on us. When it comes to flu, Tens Of Thousands of people still die of the flu every year. Only half the country gets a Flu Shot every year. There are several things which could make a difference obviously in terms of really reducing the impact overall. Getting vaccinated. We talk about that all the time. A quarter of the country, eligible adults still not vaccinated. Wear the right type of masks. Ventilation, making sure you have enough ventilation indoors is really important. Get testing when you can. And reassess your risk. You got to reassess your risk in different situations depending on whats going on. A big crowded indoor setting, it should surprise no one now that that would be a riskier situation than a less crowded outdoor setting. We have learned a lot. The question is how many of us are actually putting that knowledge to use at this point. This Morning Dr. Fauci said that a third dose of the Covid Vaccine could perhaps just be part of a full vaccine regimen. Heres a little more. It looks very much like it isnt as if two doses of a vaccine are failing. Its that the proper regimen will very likely, as we look back on it months from now, will be that three doses it really what you should be getting of an mrna. The reality is, and weve known this from the beginning, you have been very clear, sanjay that, were all learning about this as we go. The science keeps changing. Would it help in some cases to be maybe less definitive in some of these things . Because we know so much could still change. I think thats right, erica. Thats the thing about science. It does change. You have to present it with Humility And Sort of concede that we are learning as we go along. Sometimes people expect science to be like math, Two Plus two is always going to equal four. It does change. I think the things thats been confusing about the booster is initially we were told to take these two shots. And if we see evidence that people are getting sick and hospitalized or even dying that have been vaccinated, that would be a signal that a booster would be necessary. So what were really hearing is two messages. One is that the vaccines continue to work really well. On the other hand, you may need a booster because there is some evidence that maybe they wont, they may wane in terms of their protection over time. What im now hearing is that a booster was probably always part of the equation even though that was not communicated. And take a look at other adult vaccines, erica. A lot of people are familiar with these vaccines. Most vaccines actually do get a boost. You look at the herpes vaccine, hepatitis a, hepatitis b, hpv, they all get one sometimes two boosts down the road. So that is a common thing. I think whats been confusing is that was not communicated with this particular vaccine up front. I think most people thought two and done, and now it sounds like from what dr. Fauci is saying a booster is going to be recommended. Well hear from the fda and the cdc on this. Thats who needs to weigh in. We havent heard officially from them yet. And that is september 17th. So we have a little time as we wait for that in terms of pfizer as a booster. More americans disagree than agree that President Biden has communicated a clear plan when it comes to covid19. Weve talked about this a lot, that mixed messaging, the confusion that really has plagued the Pandemic Response in this country from day one. Do you think that can be fixed at this point . Is there a way to message better from here on out . Its tough. Its really hard especially when you have a Shifting Sort of landscape. And its tough, you know, i think for anybody to communicate definitively at a time when things may change. What i would say is that i think if you accept this notion that we are going to have covid, covid is Here To Stay, then i think really defining what success means i think is going to be really important. And i know that this is one of those things where we still need to get a vaccine authorized for kids. We obviously, i think everyone agrees that hospitals cannot be overwhelmed. Thats just ridiculous whats happening these hospitals, patients who have nothing to do with Covid Arent getting care because of this. That is not a tenable situation. That is not a life with covid. But what is a successful society that has to now live with this pathogen. I think we have to define that, and i think thats going to be something hopefully well hear a little bit more from the president when he speaks tomorrow on this. But also going back to these things like boosters, the Career Scientists leading the way on this making sure they are the ones speaking out as opposed to this being seemingly entangled in politics i think is always going to be important. Yeah, it certainly is. Dr. Sanjay gupta, always good to see you my friend. Thank you. You too, erica. Any moment, President Biden will speak after touring Storm Damage here in the northeast. And were going to bring you those remarks live. Plus, the taliban announcing members of their new government in afghanistan. But there is something that is fwlaringly missing from that announcement. Hearing is important to living life to the fullest. Thats why inside every miracleear store, youll find a better life. It all starts with the most innovative technology. Like the new miracleearmini, available exclusively at miracleear. So small that no one will see it, but youll notice the difference. And now, miracleear is offering a thirtyday riskfree trial. You can experience better hearing with no obligation. Call 1800miracle right now and experience a better life. The live better U Program basically just provides the answer to the question what if . With live better u, my What Ifs were erased. With the stroke of a pen, new Voting Restrictions now official in texas today. Election integrity is now law in the state of texas. [ applause ] Greg Abbott signed the States Senate Bill one this afternoon. Among the changes, no more Drivethrough Or 24hour voting in texas. There are new limits on early voting hours. New i. D. Requirements for Mailin Voting and Mailin Voting applications can no longer be sent out unsolicited. The new law is one of many republicans have used. In addition to this voting rights bill, of course, in recent weeks texas republicans have added controversial laws on abortion, guns, School Lessons On Race and history, even the national anthem. Texas has been a pretty Red State for generations. But with so much talk about how texas is becoming more diverse, more purple, these legislative moves are really a hard turn to the right. So, how effective could this new law be in keeping Texas Red . Well, first and foremost, i think that the correct word to use when describing the Texas Legislature is draconian at best. They are taking texas and the southern part of this country back to 1940, 1950s when America Wasnt so great for people of color in this country. I think youre going to see individuals rise up in the next Election Cycle in texas. But with this new Election Law in place, and this is where democrats have to begin to step up their game. For far too long we havent been caring about judgeships. We havent been paying attention since barack obamas time to state legislatures. And now you see republicans reaping the benefit of their majorities and sometimes supermajorities in state legislatures, particularly throughout the south. In signing that bill, Governor Abbott was asked about his ban on abortion and why a Rape Or Incest victim should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term. Heres his response. It doesnt require that at all because obviously it provides at least six weeks for a person to be able to get an abortion. So for one it doesnt provide that. That far said, however, lets make something very clear. Rape is a crime. And texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of texas. We are going to shift gears here going to President Biden who is speaking in new york. To see and talk to the people who have been devastated, just talk to them. None of them were shouting or complaining. Every one of them were thanking me as if it was something special. I mean it sincerely that i was here and hoped that wed be able to do something. This is america where i am standing right now. These are the people [ applause ] whether theyre in scranton or claimont or anywhere around the world who built this country. And its about time we step up. Theyre always the first ones that are hurt and the last ones that are helped. But thats not going to happen this time. The group i have standing with me led by Chuck Schumer and your congresswoman, is this your district . Oh, its graces district. Cortes. I want to thank her personally for her gumption, the way shes fought and hollered and fought so hard for all the people in this alley. I really mean it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. But that goes for everybody here. [ applause ] and look, folks, i want to thank Governor And Leader Schumer And Kristen i should say senator gillibrand, and Congresswoman Ming and Malone And Mayor De Blasio for being here. You know, its not, how can i say this, sometimes some very bad things happen that have a tendency to bring out the best in a people and a country. And i think what people are seeing across this country from the wildfires in california and the far west, which im heading to in a couple days, all the way to down in louisiana in the gulf where i was a couple days ago, to new Jersey And Pennsylvania and new york. People are beginning to realize this is much, much bigger than anyone was willing to believe. And the whole segment of our population denying this thing called Climate Change. But i really mean it. Sometimes my mother used to say out of everything bad, something good will come of it if you look hard enough. I think weve all seen even the Climate Sceptics are seeing that this really does matter. And its not just whether or not people who are just trying to get by in these homes in these allies here working their butts off do well, its people in hightowers along the shore will find that as this rain and all this change takes place in the groundwater, the buildings are actually beginning to tilt. Had hundredstory buildings. Change groundwater, the buildings are actually beginning to tilt. Hundredstory buildings. We just finished surveying some of the damage here in queens. And earlier today we were in the Rareton Valley in New Jersey which also got badly, badly hit. Walking these neighborhoods meeting the families and the first responders, seeing how folks are doing after this Destruction And Pain and another devastating storm is an eye opener. The people who stand on the other side of the fences who dont live there who are yelling that we are talking about and interfering with Free Enterprise by doing something about Climate Change, they dont live there. They dont understand. Last week right here in so many other communities, these waves crashed through the streets here, testing the Aging Infrastructure and taking lives. More lives were taken here than down in louisiana. Let me say that again. They had over 20 inches of rain. They had 178mileanhour wind gusts. And more lives were taken here than down in louisiana. You all saw the harrowing images of stories and families trapped in Flooding Basements struggling to survive. Just talk to the people in this valley. Im sure the press has done that. My message to everyone grappling with this devastation is were here, were not going home till this gets done. I really mean that. Were not leaving. Were going to continue to shout as long as it takes to get real progress here. Folks, and we have to take some bold action now to tackle the accelerating affects of climate. If we dont act now im going to be heading, as chuck knows, as the senator knows, im going to be heading from here to glasgow, scotland, where all the nations of the world are getting together to decide what we are going to do about Climate Change. And john kerry, the former secretary of state, is leading our effort putting together. We are determined, we are determined that we are going to deal with Climate Change and have zero emissions net emissions by 2050. By 2020 make sure all our electricity is zero emissions. Were going to be able to do these things. But weve got to move. And weve got to move the rest of the world. Its not just the united states of america. And so, folks, this summer alone, communities with over 100 Million americans, have been struck by weather. One in every three americans has been victimized by severe weather. The hurricanes along the gulf, the east coast, up through this community. And i saw the human and physical cost firsthand in louisiana. But, governor, you called Phil Murphy you Governor Murphy so many leading with Urgency And Action say enough, enough. And theres not a single request im aware of. There may be something that we havent signed off yet. And heres the deal. The new York Fire department, the new York Police department, the sanitation department, and other first responders, theyre leading with incredible, incredible courage. Two linemen have been killed in trying to make sure. And, folks, the evidence is clear. Climate change poses an existential threat to our lives, to our economy, and the threat is here, its not going to get any better. The question is can it get worse. We can stop it from getting worse. And when i talk about building back better, and chuck is fighting for my program, our program on the hill, when i talk about building back better, i mean you cant build what was before this last storm. You got to build better so that if The Storm occurred again, there would be no damage. But thats not going to stop us, though, because if we just do that, its just going to get worse and worse and worse because The Storms are going to get worse and worse and worse. And so, folks, we got to listen to the scientists and the economists and the national security experts. They all tell us this is Code Red. The nation and the world are in peril. And thats not hyperbole. That is a fact. Theyve been warning us, the Extreme Weather would get more extreme over the decade, and were living in It Realtime now. We can look around the wreckage and the ruins and the heartbreak from so many communities to feel it. You can feel it, you can taste it, you can see it. Precious lives lost in louisiana and in New Jersey and new york. Families living in shelters, Subway Stations flooded, decaying infrastructure pushed beyond the limits. Lives and livelihoods interrupted once again. Were working closely with the governors and mayors and members of Congress And Community leaders. On sunday i immediately approved the Disaster Declaration of Governor Hochul to rush federal assistance to where it was needed here. [ applause ] thank you, president. Femas working intensively with state and local officials assessing the damage and mobilizing resources. One of the things i want to thank chuck for as leader of the senate, he has helped mobilize state, local, and federal. When theyre all working together, thats when things happen positively. The health and human Services Secretary is working with the state to ensure folks on Medicare And Medicaid get the Emergency Care they needed. Theyre going to make sure its equitable so that the hardest hit, lowerincome folks, communities of color and the elderly and the most vulnerable get help and get it first. They are the ones in the greatest need. And theres much to be done in working around the clock in all these critical needs and areas. Look, i say to anyone who can hear this if this is broadcast. If you need help, please go to disasterassistance. Gov. Or call 1800621fema. 18006213362. We can get you help now. And i know these disasters arent going to stop. Theyre only going to come with more frequency and ferocity. Im working in congress to pass two important pieces of legislation that this man here is working on for me. The bipartisan plan to modernize our physical infrastructure, our roads, our bridges, our power transmissions, our distribution lines. [ applause ] how many bridges i just went through in New Jersey that had been overflowed by the river. The rivers gone higher than the bridges having done damage to them. My build back better plan with key investments to fight Climate Change, cutting emissions and make things more resilient. Each dollar we invest, every dollar we raise, a City Block by two feet, Floodproof Power stations, sanitations, reduction and the buildup of kindling in our forest. Installing electrical lines underground rather than overhead saves Us 6 for every single dollar we spend to do those things. Because the next time disaster strikes, the flood is contained, the fire doesnt spread as widely and power stays on. Not to mention those investments save lives, homes and create goodpaying union jobs. [ applause ] yay we like union jobs. I hosted 56 Heads Of State in washington. And i pointed out were talking about Climate Change. And i said i think of one word when i think of Climate Change. Jobs. Goodpaying jobs. [ applause ] each of these things requires a goodpaying job, not 7 or 12 or 15 but 45, 50 an hour plus healthcare. Thats what is needed. [ applause ] and so, folks, and Wall Street not too far from here acknowledges if we spend the money on these things were going to grow the economy, increase employment. The fire in oregon sent smoke all the way to the atlantic. A storm in the gulf, as you have now figured out, can reverberate ten states away. Supply chains and Crop Production get interrupted. Driving up costs, devastating industries all over america. This is everybodys crisis. And let me just say, again, the fact is that the damage done on the west coast, which ill be heading to, theyve already burned 5 Million acres to the ground. Thats bigger than the state of New Jersey, if im not mistaken. 5 Million acres. And you see it by the smoke that ends upcoming over the east coast. Folks, were all in this. Its about time we stopped the regional fights and understand, helping somebody make sure theres no fewer fires in the west warrants helping people in this alley make sure theyre not flooded. And its not just the flooding. Ill end with this. Flooding ends up overrunning sanitation systems. And it causes disease. And people get sick. And its serious, serious business. So we got a lot of work to do. Again, its goodpaying jobs, we can put the economy back on a path to real growth. But in the meantime, were going to save a whole hell of a lot of peoples lives and were going to save a whole hell of a lot of money. God bless you all. Lets get this done. [ applause ] president , look at that nice kid with the american flag. Say hello. How are you, pal . Whats your name . How old are you . 7. Youre getting old. [ applause ] and, by the way, the neat thing about america, every time we end up with a problem going into a serious circumstance, we come out better than we went in. Thats because were so diverse. Thats america. Be proud of it. [ applause ] thank you. And dont jump. [ laughter ] all right. Great job. Thanks. Youve been listening there to President Biden. President biden speaking in queens, new york, next to Governor Hochul. The president both when he spoke in New Jersey and in new York Pointing to that Storm Damage is a clear sign that Climate Change is here using opportunity as well to push his Infrastructure Deal as necessary to combat that Climate Change. As we look at this, looking at what he was addressing in terms of the damage there, he talked so much about his plans for Climate Change pushing his Infrastructure Plan. Its a lot of policy talk. Not as much talk about the victims of The Storm in terms of personal stories. Its an interesting choice, i think, jeff. How is it sitting . Theres no question that the president is trying to seize this opportunity to make the bigger point that something does indeed need to be done for Climate Change. Hell be traveling to california early next week as well about the wildfires. They say that one in three americans live in counties where there has been devastation in recent severe weather outbreaks. There were several personal private moments where he talked to that young boy standing on the balcony of his home there. We saw the scenes earlier in New Jersey. So definitely a balance between policy and the personal. But the president is making clear this is a Code Red moment in his words. So they are trying to use this to push policy as well. Yeah. Look, you cant ignore the fact that this is Climate Change, this is Here To Stay. The weather is extreme. The infrastructure is a mess and needs work. Those are all the facts, right . Mj, youre there on the grounds in queens. A short time ago you shared with us a gentleman who said he wanted to sell his house after what was left because hes so concerned about it happening again. Did folks on the ground there who suffered these devastating losses hear what they needed or wanted to . Well, look, this kind of a trip is a tradition for the president of the united states. It is an unfortunate tradition that when this kind of extreme Weather Event happens, the president goes to the ground, meets with community leaders, meets with the folks who have been affected. And it is a way for him to show and to tell these people that he can see them, that he wants to bring help to the ground. But i think you raise a really important point for all the talk about climate Change Legislation and dealing with that. A lot of the folks we talked to, they are looking for immediate, immediate help and they are just not sure that they are going to get it any time soon. And that is a tough thing. Do you think biden did his job as consoler in chief . Yes. You know, look, i think this is something that Joe Biden does very well. And most of us even sitting at home watching these scenes from all over the country have been struck by the level of catastrophe thats going on all over. And i think, you know, his compassion, what he brings is something very unique to him. And ive got to tell you as somebody who lives in florida, a place thats affected by hurricanes like this and by storms like this, how important it is to see your federal, state, and local governments working together in conjunction. How different a scene this is from what we saw in Puerto Rico under President Trump throwing paper towels, the indignity of doing that and the way that he treated them. So you want all americans treated the same, treated with compassion by the president. Bakari, im going to give you the last word here. Today was about tangible solutions. You stated something at the beginning, erica, that not too many people, Climate Change is real. Its not a hoax. And the fact that the president has to reinforce that is a sad commentary. It looks like the Infrastructure Bill, it looks like tackling Climate Change. Those are the solutions that people want to hear. Did he answer their call . He did. And he did it in a way that only Joe Biden can do it. Bakari sellers, thanks to all of you for joining us this hour on the lead. Our coverage continues in the Situation Room right now. Happening now, breaking news. President biden calls the Northeast Flood Damage profound. He just got an upclose look at another Hardhit Area and warn americans are paying a devastating price for Climate Change. Also tonight, covid19 cases in the u. S. Hit an alarming level with more than 41 Million excuse me, 40 Million confirmed infections from the pandemic. The president now set to deliver a major speech on what happens next. And the taliban form a new hardline government including members of a designated terror network. Its raising red flags even as the u. S. Denies the group is blocking americans from valid Travel Documents from leaving afghanistan. Welcome to our viewers in the united states d