Is it time for a new approach . Fresh off a critical trip to china, Commerce SecretaryGina Raimondo joins me in moments. And storm warning. 2024 politics intrude on Hurricane Relief efforts. Congress braces for a potential disaster of their own making. I cant imagine congress saying were not going to help. Can lawmakers stave off a shutdown when they return to d. C. . All while dealing with new questions over leadership . Gop senator mike rounds will be here. Plus, breaking ranks with Abortion Rights a 2024 flash point and red states piling on restrictions, i sit down with a republican who has a warning for her party. I think theyre walking the plank. Nancy mace on that and much more ahead. Hello, im dana bash in washington where the state of our union is like a burger on a labor day grill, the 2024 campaign is heating up. Happy labor day weekend. The sprint to the republican primaries is kicking off in earnest despite four indictments and costly efforts by his rivals to oevertake him, a new poll shows donald trump has an even wider lead in the gop primary. And in a warning sign for President Biden, a headtohead matchup found voters evenly split between the two men. Electoral politics followed biden saturday as he toured Hurricane Damage in florida. Governor ron desantis refused to appear alongside him, although biden said the two had been in frequent touch. They had also been facing persistent doubts about the economic recovery. His Commerce Secretary just returned from a trip to smooth relations with china as investors worry a slow done there could drag down the worlds economy, but its not clear whether china will commit to taking any action. The u. S. Wants them to lift restrictions on trading and intellectual property concerns. Here with me now, straight back from her china trip, is Commerce SecretaryGina Raimondo. Thank you for joining us. You are the fourth cabinet member to visit china this summer. You said the biggest accomplishment of your trip was a commitment to communicate more. So far, it seems like these trips have resulted in few substantial tangible results. So when should americans expect to see concrete actions from china to fix the problems that theyre facing across so many sectors of americans everyday lives . Yeah. Well, good morning, and thank you for having me. I think we did achieve concrete outcomes, dana. Just to put it in perspective, you know, im the First Commerce secretary in more than five years to be on the ground in china. So i think we have to be realistic about what we can and cant accomplish on a first visit. Prior to getting on the plane to head over to china, i spoke with more than 100 Business Leaders myself in the u. S. Across a range of industries. And i spoke with labor leaders. And i asked them, what should i be trying to get done here . And by far, what they said was open lines of communication, so we can do the business of resolving issues. And so thats what i was able to accomplish, which i think is very significant. If you cant talk in a structured way, about real commercial issues, you have no chance of softballing these issues and as you well know, what happens when you dont communicate is you can spiral into greater tension and even conflict because theres misunderstanding and miscalculations. So i am i am an optimist but a realist. I think we accomplished a great deal and well see if we can get to work with china and have them resolve some issues. Now that you have the dialogue, which you are calling a concrete result, what leverage are you willing to use through these new open lines of communication to get china to take tangible, concrete actions, the one that the u. S. And American Companies are demanding . I think the greatest leverage to use your word is that its in the u. S. Interests, in chinas interests, indeed, in the worlds interest for the u. S. And china to have a stable and significant commercial relationship. And i will say, i met at the very high levels of the chinese gump, including the premier, and they recognize that. We have plenty of tools in our toolbox, in my case, Export Controls, Outbound Investment screening, tariffs, countervailing duties. We do have sticks, if you will, and we are very ready, willing, and able to use those as necessary. Some republicans i know you have seen have been critical of your trip, and especially in light of the fact that the chinese hacked your emails just weeks before you went. I want to read a quote from joni ernst who said, quote, chinas veiled attempt to indicate its Open For Business is a hail mary to save its strugglie economy ad not an olive branch. The Biden Administration must stop taking the bait. No would should rheealize this more than secretary rab mondo who was hacked and still traveled to our greatest adversarys own turf to nego negotiate. How did you respond, first and foremost, when you were talking to the chinese about the fact that they hacked your emails . How did they respond . So i was very clear, direct, and firm in all of my conversations with my chinese counterparts. I didnt pull any punches, didnt sugar coat anything. No one is more realistic than i am about the challenges. As it relates to the hack, i brought it up. I said, you know, we know whats going on. That erodes trust, and you know, i wanted to be clear with them that we arent foolish. We arent closed eyed to the reality of what theyre trying to do. How did they respond . That being said you know, they suggested that they didnt know about it. And they suggested that it wasnt intentional. So but i think it was important that i put it on the table and let them know and let them know that its hard to build trust when you have actions like that. But i think heres the real point for me. What value is there in not talking . We know for a fact that not talking leads to escalation, miscalculation, and misunderstanding. Which is bad for the american people, its bad for American Workers. Bad for our national security. I do not accept the premise that talking and communicating is a sign of weakness. I think theres potential value in direct communication. You know, i went there to stick up for American Workers and businesses. And that was a message that they heard. Now, whether they choose to take action is of course up to them but not talking only leads to escalation. I want to ask about another big issue inside this agenda which is the u. S. Has been trying to prevent companies from working with china to make semiconductors. They of course are used in everything, from cars to cell phones to televisions. But your administration is facing some criticism that youre undermining your own rule by giving some Major Companies carveouts. Those expire next month. Are you going to allow these companies to continue to do business with china . So again, i want to be very clear about what our policy is and what it isnt. Im not going to preview here any decisions we may make, we will make in a month or so. No one ever said we want to decouple from china as it relates to semiconductors. We ship billions of dollars of semiconductors every year to china. That is good for the american economy, and american businesses. And we will continue to do that. Those are chips that are readily available around the world, that are almost a commodity at this point. What we are going to do, and we will not compromise on, is preventing the sale of our most sophisticated, most powerful semiconductors to china, which china wants for its military. And so again, this is a complex relationship. It really cannot be boiled down to oversimplified talking points. And so i am no Commerce Secretary has been tougher than i on china. Almost a third of the companies from china on the entity list have been put there under president Bidens Administration and my leadership at commerce. However, we want to have a narrow line around what is national security. You cant use Export Controls for economic advantage. So anyway, were never going to sell china our most sophisticated advanced a. I. Chips which they want for their military, but of course, well continue to do business with them as it relates to less sophisticated more commodity like chips. I understand youre not going to make the announcement right now. Has the decision been made on whether to continue these carveouts for these companies . Were still doing the work. I want to ask more broudly about the economy. Theres another poll that came out that shows President Biden is heading into his reelection bid with his economic Approval Rating at just 36 . Americans just arent giving him credit for economic growth. And thats a consistent problem for him, as im sure you know. You were an elected official as governor of Rohode Island Befor coming into the administration. You understand the importance of not just making policy but communicating policy. Why is the message you all are pushing on the economy turning around not getting through . So im smiling because i am no longer an elected official, but i will just say, the facts speak for themselves on this one. I think the president has done a fantastic job on the economy, jobs numbers came out today. You know, exactly what we want to see. You know, thats what campaigns are for. The president and his team will run. I have no doubt a spectacular campaign. Tell the story and americans will make their decision. But i can tell you from my own experience, as a politician, i was constantly confronted with the exact same question, which is to say, you know, i never had through the roof popularity, but always won elections convincingly. And so at least im not troubled by that as a former politician, but more important in my current role as Commerce Secretary, when i look at this jobs report, increased manufacturing jobs, increased investment, more resilient supply chains, americans are working, wages are up. I just feel that its clear that bidenomics is working for the american people. I want to ask you about the issue of abortion, because in alabama, which has one of the strictest antiabortion laws in the country, the Attorney General says he has the right to prosecute anyone who helps a pregnant woman travel to get an outofstate abortion. As the Commerce Secretary, what can or should the Biden Administration do to stop that . So let me say this is obviously not an area that im focused on as Commerce Secretary. Im very proud of the president for standing up for women and womens access to health care. And ill tell you, as a business issue, the moves that republicans are making are wrongheaded. Apart from the fact that Women Deserve full access to the full range of health care that they deserve, businesses arent going to want to do business in states that are hostile to women. And so i think that this is a very poor Decision Just from a business matter. Businesses want to do business in places where theres top talent and in places where you can get women to work in the best, most talented women to work in businesses. I think theyre going to see these draconian wrongheaded actions as it relates to Reproductive Health care are going to backfire as it relates to their ability to attract talent and attract business. Okay, Commerce SecretaryGina Raimondo, thank you for joining me. Thank you. Up next, gop senator mike rounds joins me to respond. Plus, the looming problems facing Senate Republicans when they return this week. Then, is their partys primary race over before it begins . Well dive in to the latest polling coming up. Get one free. Footlong , for freeee. Thats what im talking about. Order in the subway app today. Each day is a unique blend of going, doing, and living. Glucerna protein smart with 30 grams of protein to help keep you moving. Uniquely designed with carbsteady to help manage blood sugar response. Glucerna, bring on the day. [its the final game, folks. This one wins the series. ] struck out with the cheap seats . Important things arent worth compromising. At farmers, we offer both Quality Insurance and great savings. crowd cheers here, take mine. Farmers Mnemonic then add the whoa of listerine to your routine. New science shows listerine is 5x more effective than floss at reducing plaque above the gumline. For a cleaner, healthier mouth. Ahhhhh. Listerine. Feel the whoa i wont let me moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis symptoms define me. Emerge as you. With tremfya®, most people saw 90 clearer skin at 4 months. And the majority stayed clearer, at 5 years. Serious allergic reactions may occur. Tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. Emerge as you. Emerge tremfyant®. Ask you doctor about tremfya®. My cpa told me i wouldnt qualify for the erc tax refund, so i called innovation refunds. Their team of independent Tax Attorneys will work with your cpa to determine if your company is eligible. [whip sound] take the first step to see if your Small Business qualifies. My frequent heartburn had me taking antacid after antacid all day long but with prilosec otc just one pill a day blocks heartburn for a full 24 hours. For one and done heartburn relief, prilosec otc. One pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn. Hi, im jill and ive lost 56 pounds on golo. Hi, im barry and ive lost 42 pounds. Jill and i are a team. If she tells me to do something, i usually jump on board. Golo was doable, its realistic, and its something we can do the rest of our lives. please dont go by harry casey, Richard Raymond finch ping please dont go please dont go please dont go please dont go dont goooooo dont go away please dont go you love rich, delicious ice cream. But your stomach doesnt. That disagreement ends right now. Lactaid ice cream is the creamy, real ice cream you love that will never mess with your stomach. Lactaid ice cream. [announcer] do you have an Invention Idea but dont know what to do next . Call invent help today. They can help you get started with your idea. Call now 8007100020. Welcome back to state of the union. Senators coming back from recess this week will face two big questions. Can congress avert a Government Shutdown and is it time for them to reassess Mitch McconnellsLeadership Role after another oncamera freeze renewed questions uthis health. Republican senator mike rounds joins me now. Thank you so much, sir, for joining me. Especially on a holiday sunday. I do want to start with leader mcconnell, that scary moment where we saw, as i mentioned, where we saw him freeze again in public. You said that you do expect him to be straightforward and level with the republican conference when you all get back this coming week. What questions do you have for him . Yeah, i spoke with mitch yesterday afternoon. And told him i was going to be doing an interview and i wanted to touch base with him before i did that. He was in good shape, direct. He said you know, i had that concussion, and he said they warned me i would be lightheaded in the future and that i have to be aware of it. It happened twice. It just so happens im doing it in front of reporters. He felt good yesterday. He said hes got to watch his hydration levels. Dr. Monahan, who is also my physician there at the senate, hes sharp. He says it exactly the way it is, and if he says that mitch is ready to go, then mitch is ready to go. But mitch will come back in in front of us and discuss it with the entire team. Hes been busy, working around his own state, and also doing the fundraising that is required of a leader. I think thats been a big job for him as well during this break. So he told you that it was a result of the concussion that he had. Did he give you any more information, and does he need to be more clear not just with your conference when you all meet this coming week but with the american public, particularly his constituents in kentucky . You know, mitch is sharp, and he is shrewd. He understands what needs to be done. Ill leave it up to him as to how he wants to discuss that with the american public, but theres no doubt in my mind he is perfectly capable of continuing on at this stage of the game. Hes got a good team around him, done a good job of developing that leadership team. They have been supportive of him, during the time in which he was out of the senate for a while, the team did a great job. My seat mate, john thune, here in South Carolina, picked up the rein and worked it well. He had a great team around him as well. Im not worried about that at all. We have a good team in place, and mitch is there. I think mitch will be able to answer any questions that may come up. Youre comfortable with him staying on as leader . Oh, yes. No question. And look, theres a lot of folks out there that would like to see him go. Thats because hes a very capable leader. Hes one of these kind of guys if you could take him out of the Leadership Role and advance, you might end up in a better position if you were a competitor of his. And the republican side, we all