the president will visit a small local business that's benefited from the paycheck protection program loans as millions of americans eagerly await another round of direct payments to ease the financial burden of a year battling covid. joining me now to kick things off, my fellow chief white house correspondent and weekend today co-host, peter alexander, who's live at the white house. associated press white house reporter, jonathan la mir, and erin haynes, editor at large at the 91. peter, i have to start with you and this messaging strategy that we are seeing from president biden. talk about it, what is the goal here and what can americans expect from this bill? because that's the big question on everyone's minds. >> yeah, first of all, kristen, you look nice at that desk here this morning. let's walk you through what's going on. we expect president biden to leave here shortly to head to that local business that's benefiting from ppp, that loan like so many other businesses across the country. so that's tuesday's effort to really make the case for why the covid relief has been so crucial and so effective for so many across this country. tomorrow, he welcomes the leaders from johnson & johnson and merck here to focus on covid, a roughly $14 billion from this covid relief plan will go to vaccine distribution. thursday, obviously, is the day to commemorate the somber anniversary, one year since the coronavirus outbreak was declared to be a pandemic. there will be the first prime-time address for this president taking place at 8:00, before on friday. he, according to white house officials, expect to sign, it's some consideration right now that they might do a ceremony on the south lawn, to really represent the significance of this signature issue for biden to this point. in terms of what's in this bill, here's one way to break it down for some families. take a family that makes $68,000 a year right now, a couple with two kids, let's say 5 and 8, in that case, they would receive $5,600 in those direct payment checks. $1,400 for each of the four individuals. and the child tax credit payment for a total of $550 a month for that family. so there's significant opportunities for families to really benefit by this, not just families, but individuals, as you see, on the screen as well, up to $75,000 in earned income, you would get a $1,400 check, as you kristen know, that begins to phase out. up to $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples. kristen? >> i think that's such an important breakdown. the question on everyone's mind is exactly what are they going to receive once the president does sign this bill into law. you and i will be at the white house all week covering these big events. jonathan, what do you make of this messaging strategy? the fact that president biden clearly plans to be out and selling this bill, explaining to american people what they're going to receive. and it strikes me that this was supposed to be the relatively easier piece of legislation to pass, particularly when you compare it to his plans for immigration reform, climate change. so what does this fight say about the fights ahead? >> well, first of all, it shows that the white house may not be able to bank on much in the way of republican support. i mean, they certainly courted members of the other part for this bill. the president, as you well know, had republican senators over at the white house, he worked the phones repeatedly. white house aides on a daily basis pointed to polling that showed how popular this bill was among republican voters. but that didn't way any republican lawmakers. they were universally opposed to it. but the white house is hoping that this victory gives them momentum and may change the equation going forward. certainly, president biden has to this point not engaged in some of the big set pieces we're used to see from a president in the early parts of his term. tomorrow, i believe, is the 50-day park of the biden administration, and we'll start to see it. we'll have his first prime-time address on thursday. there's talk of his first solo news conference before the end of the month. there is also, at some point in the weeks ahead, an address to a joint session of congress. and that combined with some presidential travel will be how president biden sells this plan to the american people. tout what exactly americans will get from it, how they'll benefit from it, and giving them the momentum to tackle the thornier issues ahead, like immigration, like climate change, and perhaps next on the agenda, a very big infrastructure/jobs bill, one that would dwarf this one in size. >> and jonathan, i think it's so important that you set up the fact that this is all taking place against the backdrop of the fact that this is a country that is still battling the virus. and that is coming into consideration in all of those events that you and peter were just talking about. and we want to just update our viewers now. the president is on the move at this hour, heading to that small business, where he is going to be talking about the ppe loan protection program that peter was just talking about. we'll bring you those images as soon as we get them. but erin, you have been writing about vaccine equity. i'm going to read you a portion of what you just wrote in your latest piece. you say, the promise of equity remains illusive. individual states which are tasked with the task of getting vaccines into people's arms are taking varying approaches and not all prioritize racial equity. despite public experts warning that doing so is essential, if the nation hopes to reduce the covid-19 disease burden. why are we still seeing such a disparate approach to vaccinating america? >> reporter: kristen, before i say that, let me just say that seeing you in that chair is exactly how i want to start my women's history month, so it's good to be with you today. >> thank you, erin. >> absolutely. the president -- president biden and vice president harris came into this administration saying that the pandemic and also racial equity were going to be among their top priorities as they were confronting multiple crises upon taking office. and the racial equity and pandemic piece are inextricably linked to what this country is going to look like, what the new and better normal is going to be for americans, but especially the americans who were disproportionately impacted by and responding to this coronavirus crisis. so what we know as we look around this year anniversary mark is that the pandemic was certainly unequal. and at least in the beginning stages of this vaccine rollout, that has actually been unequal. the majority of the people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine have been white in this country. and what it's going to take for black and brown folks to be vaccinated in this country is a deliberate and intentional effort, but i think that that is something that the biden/harris administration would say is starting to take shape. i was just at the mass vaccination site here in philadelphia and already that is going to make a difference as key communities are being reached out to to make sure that black folks in philadelphia have access to that vaccine and to that process, which has gone much more smoothly and certainly giving folks a lot more certainty as we go through a process that has been uncertain and very chaotic, at least up until very recently. >> well, erin, fantastic to kick off this hour and this month with you with that important perspective. peter alexander and jonathan la mir, really great conversation. thanks to all of you. appreciate it. i know we'll all be tracking the president and his movements as he heads to that small business. but meantime, i do want to turn back to the covid relief bill. the house is set to take a final vote tomorrow. joining me now to discuss this, house majority whip, south carolina congressman, james clyburn. congressman clyburn, thank you so much for being with me today. i really appreciate it. i do want to start right there. and on the critical timeline of this, because as you know, americans cannot get this relief, those direct payments fast enough. we know the house sent the bill -- now has the bill, i should say, just got it from the senate. so when are you expecting a final vote? today or tomorrow? >> thank you very much for me, kristen. the fact of the matter is, we are working on that bill right away. we plan to vote on it at least by tomorrow. and one of the reasons is, we have to go through our processes here. go before the rules committee, bring it to the floor, have all of the discussions we need to have. we would like to do that late later this afternoon, if we can't do it this afternoon, i think we'll do it first thing in the morning. i think the house will come in session around 9:00. so we want to get this bill to the president for his signature before the end of the week. >> okay, we'll hold you to that. by the end of the week, when should americans start to see those direct payments, congressman clyburn? as you know, that's really what so many americans, millions are focused on, and frankly, relying on right now. >> i'm very hopeful that by the beginning of next week, some relief can be realized, as you know, there's a process we have to go through. we can't just, the president can't just toss the money out once he signs the bill. we've got to go through the machinery of government and be sure that is done efficiently, effectively, and i'm hopeful equitably. >> but you think some of these direct payments could start to go out next week, just to be very clear there? >> that's my thought. but you know, i used to be -- i used to run a state agency, and i know what it's like, being an administrator, we'll sign the bill, we'll be at the mercy of the administrative process, which i hope will be done, as i said, with those three es i mentioned earlier. >> i want to talk to you about the fact that bill did not get any republican sport. . and we have been listening to the criticism. a number of republicans saying, the bill just not targeted enough. it's not all targeted to covid relief. they cite the fact that some of the funds go to infrastructure projects, as well as other initiatives. so what do you say to that criticism that this bill is not targeted enough? >> i would say simply this. this bill was put together in order to rescue a lot of lives and livelihoods. in this bill, around $5 billion for black farmers. black farmers, we know, have suffered significantly over the last several years. before i came to congress, almost 30 years ago, i ran the south carolina commission for farm workers. and i can tell you, i know what was happening to black farmers that were discriminated against. and they have never been made whole. and they have had their problems exacerbated by covid-19. so just because it didn't start with covid doesn't mean that it was not affected by covid-19. so doing something for black farmers here is exactly what needs to be done and they, as i said, suffered disproportionately because of covid-19. and the same thing happens with other things, as well. so when you look at this bill, you have to be a little bit compassionate to know -- in order to do what is necessary, what we know has been in our past. so the republicans not voting for this, simply demonstrates once again that they do not wish to do right by black farmers. do not wish to do right by people -- >> but congressman -- >> yes? >> congressman, as you know, president biden has said that one of his key goals is to try to legislation passed by with bipartisan support. what does the lack of republican support here say about your chances of getting anything done along bipartisan lines when you try to tackle bigger things like immigration reform, climate change, or any hopes of bipartisanship dead moving forward. >> well, i would hope not. my republican friends are doing what they think is necessary to win primaries. what we're doing is what's necessary to do what needs to be done for the american people. 77% of american people support this legislation. and i guarantee you that that includes republicans and independents. so this legislation is bipartisan. is it not going to be held hostage by partisanship. and that's what's going on here. if my republican friends only had to worry about running in general elections, they would all be onboard, but because they know, there's a small minority that seems to have an outsized impact in their primary contest, that's why we can't get the kind of support that's needed. but the american people support what we're doing. >> let me ask you about something that is obviously a critical issue for you, and that is voting rights. the bill that passed through the house, it comes against the backdrop of 43 states considering bills that would make it harder to vote. that's according to the brennan center for justice, including in a state like georgia, where they're trying to restrict and eliminate early voting on sundays, even mail-in voting in some areas. how do you get this passed through the senate, congressman, when you have senators like joe manchin, kerstin sinema, signaling they may not be onboard with this. how do you do it without getting rid of the filibuster? >> well, i think that we have to remember that the filibuster which came in, according to my research, 1917, it was used your sparingly, the filibuster didn't start being used the way it's used now until after the 1954 supreme court decision brown v. board of education, when the filibuster started being used. in order to stop voting and civil rights. we know that. and i don't believe that kristin sinema or joe manchin are going to allow themselves to be used to stop people from voting. so they may be -- >> how do you get them onboard, congressmen? they're two critical votes? how do you make sure you get them onboard? >> appeal to their sense of fairness. and i would hope that they would not allow themselves to be party to efforts to keep african-americans, keep hispanic americans from voting. and that's what this will be all about. or to suppress their votes. i just don't think they're going to do that. and i think that joe manchin has made that very clear, that if republicans insist upon doing this, he is not going to be there for them. joe biden doesn't want to get rid of the filibuster. that's fine. but i know he wants to see african-americans vote. i know he is going to do whatever he can to ensure that there's no voter suppression taking place. and so to the extent that that can happen, you need to modify this filibuster and i'm going to be meeting with senators later today on this subject. i just don't think democratic senators are going to be in the business of denying black and brown people the right to vote. >> all right, congressman james clyburn, thank you so much for giving us your perspective on all of those critical issues. really appreciate it. good to be with you. and there's a little bit of canine controversy at the white house we want to tell you about. the president's youngest dog major involved in what the white house is calling an incident that reportedly included aggressive behavior. the 3-year-old german shepherd and the elder, champ, are currently at the family's delaware home. white house officials say both dogs will be back in the residence when the first lady returns from her west coast trip. we will be tracking that. and speaking of covid relief, a lot of grandparents are relieved to hear the new cdc guidelines on when they can see their grandkids. what they mean for a family visit. that's ahead. but first,er a day's delay, the jury selection gets underway in the trial of the former minneapolis police officer charged in the death of george floyd. while floyd's sister is overcome with emotion and had to leave the courtroom yesterday. she spoke with nbc's gabe gutierrez. >> because i needed to take a breath. what we are here for is justice. that's what we need, justice. stc that's what we need, justice from fidelity -- a visual snapshot of your investments, key portfolio events, all in one place. because when it's decision time, you need decision tech. only from fidelity. woman: i have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. now, there's skyrizi. 3 out of 4 people achieved 90% clearer skin at 4 months after just 2 doses. skyrizi may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tuberculosis. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms, such as fevers, sweats, chills, muscle aches or coughs, or if you plan to or recently received a vaccine. ♪ nothing is everything ♪ woman: now is the time to ask your dermatologist about skyrizi. ♪ limu emu & doug ♪ excuse me ma'am, now i did you know thatyour liberty mutual customizes your car insurance so you only pay for what you need? 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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. jury selection is underway in the murder trial of former police officer derek chauvin, despite an ongoing dispute over the possible reinstatement of a third-degree murder charge that could delay the case. chauvin is the former police officer who prosecutors say knelt on george floyd's neck for about nine minutes. he has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. nbc's shaquille brewster is outside of the courthouse. shaq, i know you've been tracking every single development. bring us up to speed here. what's the latest on the case and the jury selection? >> kristen, court is back in session this morning and it took a little bit of a recess of about 15 minutes, which was scheduled. and now they're on to questioning the third potential juror. so we've not seen or at least heard three potential jurors get questioned. the first one was dismissed for cause by the defense. the second juror was selected to serve on the jury. and they're now going through and asking questions of the third juror. just so you can get a sense of what this process is like, even before the potential jurors made it to the courtroom -- i almost said classroom. before they made it to the courtroom, they had to answer a questionnaire, and answer questions about how they felt about interactions with law enforcement, how they felt about the black lives matter movement? what was their knowledge about the video? and something we just heard from this third potential juror, she believes and has a desired outcome in this case and she doesn't know if she can put that aside. that's something you'll continue to hear as this goes along. this jury process has been