Transcripts For KQED PBS NewsHour 20170725

And, feeding children after the school year how a food bank is helping fill in the gap during summer so kids dont go hungry. Theres always a phew when we get it out the door. And then we just hope that its getting to kids in need, and that theyre enjoying it, and we do it all again the next day. Woodruff all that and more on tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by and with the ongoing support of these institutions and friends of the newshour. And individuals. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Woodruff the United States senate tonight has begun debating what to do about obamacare, after weeks of waiting. Republicans finally mustered the votes to proceed in a showdown today, with the aid of a cancer patient and a Vice President ial tiebreaker. Lisa desjardins begins our coverage. Reporter in the senate today, high stakes politics with high volume drama. As the Health Care Vote began, protesters chanted kill the bill and shame from the senate gallery. After they were removed, the vote itself was in doubt. Republican senators Susan Collins of maine and Lisa Murkowski of alaska voted no. One more no and the debate would be blocked. All eyes were on Wisconsin Republican ron johnson, who did not did not initially vote at all, and spent minutes speaking with g. O. P. Leader mcconnell before he finally voted yes. On this vote yeas 50 nays 50 senate being equally divided Vice President votes in the affirmative, and the motion is agreed to. Reporter Vice President pence cast the tiebreaking 51st vote. Majority leader Mitch Mcconnell weve wrestled with this issue. Weve watched the consequences of the status quo. The people who sent us here expect us to begin this debate. Reporter adding to the emotion, the return of arizona senator john mccain following his diagnosis with brain cancer. He voted for debate. I voted for the motion to proceed. I will not vote for this bill as it is today. Its a shell of a bill right now. We all know that. Reporter its still far from clear what if any bill will ultimately emerge from the senate. The multiple versions include the original senate bill, with dramatic reductions in medicaid and an end to most of obamacares taxes. The Congressional Budget Office said it would leave 22 million more people uninsured by 2026. Last week, came talk of a full repeal bill with a replacement to be determined later. That would mean 32 million more uninsured if no replacement is ever enacted. And finally, whats called a skinny repeal ending obamacares individual mandate, but not much else. It would likely add another 15 million uninsured. Democrats remained uniformly opposed, and their leader Chuck Schumer condemned republican maneuvering. Now the best the majority leaders been able to cook up is a vague plan to do whatever it takes to pass something, anything to get the bill to a house and Senate Conference on health care. My colleagues, plain and simple its a ruse. The likeliest result of a conference between the house and senate is full repeal of the Affordable Care act or something very close to it. Reporter from the other end of pennsylvania avenue, President Trump hailed the vote to start debate. I want to congratulate American People because were going to give you great healthcare. And were going to get rid of obamacare, which shouldve been terminated years ago. Disaster for the American People. We will be on call. At any time the senate is able to pass as healthcare bill it was already passed once we will call the house back in to finish the job. Reporter but when that day might come if it comes remains a mystery. Again, the vote today was simply to start debate. It means the next few days will be spent on scores of amendments related to health care. Any senator can offer one. Democrat chris murphy alone says he has 100 ready to propose. Woodruff so lisa, tell us more about how this is going to work. The republicans are saying, for example, there is going to be a vote on straight repeal. When would that be . This is going to be important to follow the process. Votes could happen as soon as tonight. Im told by sources in both parties thats unlikely. Heres how its likely to work you will see two large amendments being proposed near the top of this voting scheme. One will be the straight repeal bill. The other will be some version of the senate bill weve seen crafted recently. Both of those are expected to fail. After that, we will see perhaps a day or many hours of a flurry of different amendments. Those will generally require 60 votes. It will be hard for those to pass, and in the very end, judy, we will see probably this skinny repeal, a pared down version of the bill. Its not clear how they will get the votes for that. Woodruff so this was an extraordinary day. As you showed in your piece, you were there. What does this drama say about the state of the senate, this debate, and the state of governing. Judy, i have to tell you, it was breathtaking. It was rather unbelievable to be in that senate today. For one, as Susan Collins and see is a murkowski cast those no votes, they stood up and they were emphatic. At that time, it was clear that republicans didnt know if they were going to pass this bill and, i looked down below me and i saw Vice President pence write on a piece of paper, the senate will be in recess. When ron johnson came in to vote yes, they werent sure how it would end up. Thats an indication of where they are in general. They dont know how they finish. This theyre glad to open 2 process, but we also dont know if anyone is willing to compromise as senator mccabe asked for today on the floor. Woodruff so much to watch. Lisa desjardins with another long day at the capitol. Thank you, lisa. Well talk to montana senator jon tester about the days drama, right after the news summary. In the days other news, President Trump today kept sawing on the tree limb where hes recently placed his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. He charged sessions has been very weak on investigating Hillary Clinton, and needs to be much tougher. As for whether sessions will keep his job, the president said, time will tell. One of mr. Trumps advisors said he probably wants sessions to resign. Well have a full report, later in the program. The state department denied today that secretary of state Rex Tillerson is increasingly frustrated in his job. Several news outlets reported that the former exxonmobil chief is chafing at curbs on his independence. The reports said hes told friends that he may not last a year. But spokesperson Heather Nauert rejected any such talk. That is false. We have spoken with the secretary. The secretary has been very clear he intends to stay here at state department. We have a lot of work that is left to be done ahead of us, he recognizes that he is deeply engaged in that work. Woodruff nauert said tillerson is currently taking a little time off. The u. S. House of representatives today voted overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions on russia, partly over its meddling in the 2016 election. This bars President Trump from relaxing the penalties without congressional approval. Meanwhile, in the russia investigations the president s soninlaw Jared Kushner met privately with the house Intelligence Committee. And, former Trump Campaign manager Paul Manafort spoke with Senate Intelligence committee staffers. Well return to this story, later in the program. In jerusalem, muslim clerics urged worshippers to keep up protests and avoid entering a contested holy site until further notice. They had objected to israel installing metal detectors at the temple mount noble sanctuary site after an attack on police. Overnight, the israelis dismantled the metal detectors, in favor of hightech cameras, but protests continued and palestinian officials remained adamant. translated we condemn all the israeli measures that take away our peoples right for worship. We reject all obstacles that hinder the freedom of worshipping, granted by international laws. And we demand that we return to the situation where things stood before. Woodruff palestinians warned the new cameras could see through clothing and embarrass female worshippers. Israeli police said they will not use cameras that violate anyones privacy. An outbreak of cholera in yemen was set to reach 400,000 cases today. It has struck a population already ravaged by war and hunger. We have a report from neil connery of independent television news, but be aware some of the images are graphic and disturbing. This baby barely has the strength to cry. Shes 12 years old. For months yemens children have paid the highest price in a war now in its third year. Zara is 15. This is what hunger has done to her. And now a cholera epidemic is spreading with more than 5,000 cases every day. At the hospital, theyre overwhelmed by cholera victims. More than 40 of those affected are children. Yemen was already on its knees, but now a disease which should have been left in the 19th century is in every part of the country. In the villages, this waterborn infection is claiming lives. As one father who lost his fouryearold son ali told us. translated my son died of cholera because the water is contaminated and we do not have a solution for this well. We need a solution to stop this illness that has killed our children. In the nearby clinic, tagrid is finally receiving help, but across yemen hunger and cholera cast the darkest of shadows. Woodruff so hard to watch that report of neil connery of independent television news. The u. S. And iran have had a new confrontation in the northern persian gulf today near an iranian vessel. An american patrol ship fired warning shots today near an iranian vessel. U. S. Military officials said it ignored warnings and came within 150 yards. Irans revolutionary guard charged the u. S. Vessel provoked the incident. Theres word that north korea could field an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that can carry a Nuclear Warhead to a target by next year. The Washington Post reports the new pentagon estimate shaves two years off the previous forecast. U. S. Intelligence analysts say the north could conduct new missile tests this week, during a national holiday. Upbeat corporate profits pushed wall street higher today. The Dow Jones Industrial average gained 100 points to close at 21,613. The nasdaq rose one point, and the s p 500 added seven. And Barbara Sinatra died today at her home in rancho mirage, california. She became Frank Sinatras fourth wife in 1976, and the union lasted until the legendary singers own death, in 1998. With his help, the former showgirlturnedsocialite raised millions of dollars to help abused children. Barbara sinatra was 90 years old. Still to come on the newshour whats next for the Nations Health care, the president s public criticism of his own attorney general, Jeff Sessions, we talk to members of the house Intelligence Committee about Jared Kushners contacts with russia, and much more. Woodruff as we heard, it was a dramatic and consequential return for john mccain to the senate floor his first public appearance since being diagnosed with brain cancer. While his vote helped republicans open up debate on health care, he laid out the difficult road ahead to replace the Affordable Care act and called on his colleagues to change the tone and behavior of the senate more broadly as well. Our deliberations can still be important and useful, but i think wed all agree, they havent been overburdened by greatness lately. Right now they arent producing much for the American People. Both sides have let this happen. Lets leave the history of who shot first for the historians. I suspect theyll find we all conspired in our decline, either by deliberate actions or neglect. We have all played some role in it. Certainly i have. Sometimes ive let my passion ruin my reason. Sometimes i made it harder to find Common Ground because of something harsh i said to a colleague. Sometimes i wanted to win more for the sake of winning than to achieve a contested policy. I hope we can rely on humility, on our need to cooperate, on our dependence on each other to, learn how to trust each other again, and by so doing better serve the people who elected us. Stop listening to the bomb bomb pastic loud mouths on the television and the radio and the internet. To hell with them. [applause] they dont want anything done for the public good. Lets trusted each other. Lets return to regular order. Weve been spinning our wheels on too many important issues because we keep trying to find a way to win without help from across the aisle. Thats an approach thats been employed by both sides, mandating legislation from the top down, without any support from the other side, with all the parliamentary maneuvers that requires. Were getting nothing done, my friends. Were getting nothing done. And all weve really done this year is confirm neil gorsuch to the supreme court. Our healthcare insurance system is a mess. We all know it. Those who support obamacare and those who oppose it. Something has to be done. We republicans have looked for a way to end it and replace it with Something Else without paying a terrible political price. We havent found it yet. And im not sure we will. All weve managed to do is make more popular a policy that wasnt very popular when we started trying to get rid of it. Woodruff we asked more than 20 republican senators to join us tonight. None accepted our invitation. We stay on capitol hill for a democrats perspective senator jon tester of montana. He has served in the senate since 2007. Senator, were very glad to have you join us. What did you make of what john mccain had to say today . Well, i think he was spot on. Johns a statesman, and he certainly has respected from both sides of the aisle, but this place is broken. We this need to work across the aisle and compromise should not be a dirty word. And we need to negotiate and we need to take everybodys input and come up with the best possible legislation. And thats certainly not what happened with the healthcare bill that we have dealt with over the last seven months, the various ones that have come out. The bottom line is this, judy this country is built by people working together. Washington, d. C. , is far, far, far too partisan. And we need to start working together. And i think john mccain is right on that. Woodruff is there any sign thats going to happen . One senators speech on the floor, is that going to make a difference . I think its going to take more than that, and i would just tell you that i am blessed to be able to work with a guy named Johnny Isaacson along with a republican and a democrat on a Good Committee to pump out some good bills the president has been able to sign. Weve done that by communicating with one another, not embarrassing with one another, but working for the best interests of our veterans. I think if the senate would take a look at the successes weve had over the last many years, its been people communicating and working together and negotiating and compromising. I think we start to do that more and more. And there is no better place than to start with a bill that impacts onesixth of our economy, this healthcare bill. Woodruff lets talk about that healthcare bill. Republicans have been able to get it on the floor. Debate has begun. Do they have the votes to get it to a point where they repeal the Affordable Care act and come up with a substitute that they like . I have no idea, because i dont know of anybody that voted today that knew what they were voting on. They were voting on potentially a house bill that was going to be replaced with Something Else, but we dont know what it is. And ill go back the john mccains words. Lets go back to the Committee Process and start working together. But thats going to have to be something that Mitch Mcconnell requires rather than trying the craft something with a limited number of people and a limited number of input that actually doesnt move the Healthcare System forward and make it more affordable, especially for folks in middle america, because we really get pounded by proposals like the house bill or whats even worse the Senate Healthcare bill that came forth. I mean, it could literally shut down healthcare facilities. And thats what theyve told me as ive gone around the state and visited facetoface with these folks. Woodruff well, senator, what were hearing now is that the version that may have the best chance is what theyre calling skinny repeal, which wouldnt do away with everything, but it would do away with the individual mandate. It would do away i gather with employer mandate penalty and the medical device tax. Is that something that comes any closer to a concensus . I dont know thats the kind of reform that we need in our Healthcare System. I think it may be more of a baitandswitch to get a bill that you can get a number of votes to pass it out and take it to conference and replace with it really bad bill. Thats my concern. Woodruff so you dont think that version, which some republicans are saying would make them happy, bring some conservatives on board and perhaps entice moderates, youre saying you dont see that as moving the ball . I dont think its going the move the ball. I think there is another agenda here. And the agenda is to do some really bad things with Medicaid Expansion and the block out medicaid, which really hurts rural states. I think it hurts the whole country, and not to address preexisting conditions and lifetime caps. And if thats the direction were headed, then thats not the direction i want to go. I think that that skinny bill, that baitandswitch bill, whatever you want to call it, trojan horse, repeal bill, that bill is not where well end up at. An i dont think you get the conservatives with that bill. And i dont think you get the moderates either. So i think whats happened here is youve got Mitch Mcconnell, who got us to vote today on something we dont know where it will end up, and him crafting another bill to put it up to change the bill in conference. Thats all very convoluted, but thats where were headed. Woodruff so senator, you mentioned Medicaid Expansion in your own state of montana. Im reading an Associated Press report that talks about the number of medicaid enrollees having far exceeded the number expected. A number of people in you state worrying this program cant be sustained. They were expecting 30,000 to sign up. 80,000 have signed up. Theres worry that montana cant continue this. Isnt this the exact sort of thing that republicans say is making this whole process unsustainable. I think the Medicaid Expansion has been an incredible success in montana and has really helped people get healthcare for the first time in their life, the working folks out there that couldnt afford healthcare before. I think this is about priorities. And if our priority is to make sure that people have access to affordable healthcare, then we need to move forward. But we have 77,000 folks that signed up for Medicaid Expansion in the state of a million and 50,000 people. I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing. I think its a good thing. Because now we have people that are going to school that are healthy, that are going to work that are healthy, that own Small Businesses that arier, and i think its an important step to take. But i think its about priorities. We need to make healthcare a priority in this country. Woodruff democratic senator jon tester of montana, we thank you very much. Thank you. Woodruff the escalation of President Trumps criticism of Jeff Sessions exposes a rare public divide between a american president and his attorney general. Jeffrey brown reports. Im disappointed in the attorney general, he should not have recused himself. Reporter the president s latest salvo came this afternoon, at his News Conference with lebanons prime minister. That followed a morning broadside on twitter, declaring and yesterday, another tweet that called sessions our beleaguered a. G. And plaintively asked why hes not investigating Hillary Clinton. So, what next . The president said this, today i want the attorney general to be much tougher on leaks from intelligence agencies, leaking like rarely have they leaked before. We will see what happens, time will tell. Reporter sessions was a veteran republican senator from alabama, and in early 2016 became the first in that body to endorse the trump candidacy. After he won, president elect trump nominated him as attorney general. But less than a month after sessions confirmation, it emerged that despite earlier denials he had, in fact, met with the Russian Ambassador during the campaign. I should not be involved in any campaign investigation. Reporter in early march, sessions he recused himself from russiarelated investigations. Its now clear that decision still angers the president , as he made clear to the New York Times last week. Reporter the next day, sessions said he has no plans to resign. We love this job. We love this department. And i plan to continue to do so as long as that is appropriate. Reporter the attorney general has not been heard from since, but several republican senators have rallied to their former colleague. Today, south carolinas Lindsey Graham called the president s rebuke of sessions for not prosecuting Hillary Clinton highly inappropriate. And utahs orrin hatch said he was surprised. Jeff has been very loyal to the president and i think he deserves loyalty back. Reporter democrats warned that forcing out sessions would spark a new firestorm. Many americans must be wondering if the president is trying to pry open the office of attorney general to appoint someone during the august recess who will fire special counsel mueller and shutdown the russia investigation. Reporter even so, the new White House Communications director, anthony scaramucci, told conservative radio host hugh hewitt that the die may be cast. Reporter the level of tension may have been in play appeared evident last night, at the Boy Scouts National jamboree. The president brought with him cabinet members and former scouts ryan zinke and rick perry, but eagle scout Jeff Sessions was nowhere to be seen. A very highlevel rift out in the open. We get more from our own john yang, reporting from the white house. And sari horwitz, she covers the Justice Department for the Washington Post. John, you were at that press conference today. Where does this leave things as far as Jeff Sessions holding on to his job . Well, you know, the president rejected the session of a report theyre he had been leaving Jeff Sessions slowly twisting in the wind to use an old watergate phrase, but at the same time, as you heard in your report, he said hes got no time line for when hes going to make a decision. It is clear that the president sees a direct line from Jeff Sessions recusing himself from the russia investigation to the appointment of Robert Mueller as the special counsel and this investigation that is dogging him still. He told the wall street journal in an interview before that News Conference, if Jeff Sessions didnt recuse himself, we wouldnt even be talking about this subject. So its clear he is still very frustrated, very, in his words, disappointed in his attorney general. Brown and sari horwitz, is there anything more coming out of the Justice Department . Do we know how the attorney general is taking all this . Well, you know, its just been an extraordinary spectacle playing out here in washington. I have been at the Justice Department all day, and all indications are that Jeff Sessions is not going to resign and that hes moving forward with his conservative agenda. He really more than any other cabinet member has been putting many place, moving quickly, methodically, to undo holder, eric holder and Obama Policies at the Justice Department, and hes moving forward on that. Hes compartmentalizing these disparaging comments by the president , which im being told by people at the Justice Department hes been doing since he got in as attorney general in february. You know, he recused himself in march, and this has been going on since march. Brown sari, you and your colleagues reported today on discussions within the white house about replacing Jeff Sessions and how that might happen. So those discussions are taking place . We heard they had been taking place up until now, but its interesting today, the conservative media, breitbart, rush limbaugh, conservative senators came out and said we like the policies Jeff Sessions has been putting in place. Actually today, Late Afternoon, Jeff Sessions announced another new conservative policy to crack down on socalled sanctuary cities and tie very important federal grants to local cities and states, to tie those grants to restrictions, like if the states seem to be harboring illegal immigrants, undocumented immigrants, they wont give them the money. And what were hearing is tomorrow, or the next day, hes going to be announcing that the Justice Department is indeed doing leak investigations. Brown john, what do you make of the support that has been ever more vocal today in fact nor Jeff Sessions from friends and allies . Well, i think it really is one of the conundrums of this is that he is extremely popular among mr. Trumps base, largely was of what sari has just been talking about. His stand on illegal immigration, on sanctuary cities remember he was actually Steve Bannons first choice to be a president ial candidate because of his immigration policies, but it became clear he was not going to run. So i think that. And one of the outside people that President Trump talked to, has been talking to about this tells me that this is something he did remind him, that Jeff Sessions is very popular among his base, and you heard it from a lot of particularly southern conservative democrats on the hill today. Brown and john, we did hear also at the press conference the president again raising the issue of leaks today. So that remains connected to all of this. And you also have to wonder if what hes talking about with his tweets, and by the way, you know, as sari points out, he is going after a member of his own cabinet as if he was one of his primary opponents in last years election, if this constant pressure on sessions isnt some sort of leverage to get the Justice Department to act on these leaks, which have been his real bugaboo in all these stories coming out of the russia investigation. Brown sari, just in our last 30 second, what about the leaks connected to this public furor were hearing . We know trump is angry about the leaks, and as ive said, weve been hearing Late Afternoon at the Justice Department that within the next day or two attorney general sessions is going to make an announcement that the Justice Department has been doing leak investigations. Maybe showing his tougher side to the president , and indicating that along with illegal immigration and criminal justice policy, hes also moving forward on finding the leakers. Brown sari horwitz of the Washington Post and our own john yang, thank you both very much. Thank you. Woodruff stay with us. Coming up on the newshour the difficult task of feeding low income students when schools out for the summer, and seattles new seawall that doubles as a science experiment. Late today the subpoena to former Campaign Manager Paul Manafort was rescinded. Negotiations continue on when and how he will testify. Earlier it was round two for Jared Kushner, the president s soninlaw and Senior Adviser answered more questions on capitol hill about his interactions with russian officials during the campaign and idea. William brangham has that. Released an 11page document reporter yesterday, kushner released an 11page document detailing several meetings he had with russian citizens and officials while working on his fatherinlaws campaign and transition. Kushner said there was absolutely no collusion, and no improper contacts, even though he initially failed to disclose these meetings as required by law. For more on this, we talk with two lawmakers who questioned kushner today in that closed session. First, earlier today, i spoke with republican congressman Chris Stewart of utah, whos on the house Intelligence Committee. I asked him what questions he had going into todays meeting. You know, we wanted to know some of the details about obviously his meetings with some of the People Associated with russia and who set up those meetings, what he knew about those meetings, what came out of those meetings. I got to tell you, though, for those who are hoping and looking for the impeachment of donald trump, Jared Kushner is not that guy. I mean, hes not going to tear that cord. Hes very sincere, very honest, and he just didnt have much to add to this story for those looking for evidence of collusion. Brangham one issue i know came up yesterday and im assuming today was his federal disclosure form, where he as an incoming member of the administration is supposed to disclose all these meetings he may have had with foreign officials. Apparently he had to update that document three different time, saying he forgot initially, he chalked it up yesterday to something of a rookie mistake. Did your questions to him today assuage any doubts you might have about that particular issue . Yeah, you know, that was one thing we did want to talk about, and it really was answered to all of our satisfaction and its very simple. The document is very complicated. I had to do one as an air force pilot. You go back ten years and in some cases more than that. You have to provide in some cases hundreds of pages of information. And its not at all unusual for someone to update or to modify that document. In fact, they expect that you will. They expect that as you kind of dive into this process youre going to remember things. And in this case the explanation was even more simple than that. It was more than it is a complicated document. They admit that they fired that come by mistake and didnt have some of this information on. But they recognized that immediately, and within a day they had updated it. So it wasnt just russian officials that they didnt include. There were officials or meetings with king abdullah, a meeting with some other, benjamin netanyahu, people that they clearly would have remembered, they just didnt have it on that form, and when i say within 24 hours, they already corrected it. Brangham there is also a question about whether kushner had participated in or asked the Russian Ambassador to help set up this back channel line of communications with the russians. Did you talk with hip about that today, and what did he say about that . Our conclusion is that he didnt intend for there to be any back channel communications. It was just to fulfill what they thought was one conversation that some russian officials wanted to have about, you know, developing relationships with the incoming administration. They didnt have any secure phones, and so they simply asked, do you have a secure phone. That conversation didnt take place, and that was really the kind beginning and end of it. So it is one of those things when you do wonder when you hear about this and you hear the press reports and then you have a chance the talk to kushner, there is a very reasonable explanation for it and there isnt much more to pursue. Brangham some of your colleagues and some others have said given the questions swirling around kushner, he should not have a security clearance to see Top Secret National Security information. Do you think thats. Do you think he should lose his privileges. No, i just think thats nuts. If hes this done something wrong and someone has evidence that he did something wrong and we can say, okay, thats a security violation or a security concern, then well deal with that, but if your only objection is saying that he had to add Additional Information to this form they requested, then i think its inappropriate for someone to say that would preclude him from holding a security clearance. Brangham lastly, congressman, shifting gears a tiny bit, the president as you know has been quite tough recently on his attorney general. Im just curious for your take on that. As a member of his own party, what does that atmosphere do to this Ongoing Investigation . Well, you know, i support our president and i defend him when its appropriate, and i think that hes being, you know, unfairly taxed or criticized, but on the other hand, there are times when i disagree with him. This is one of those times. I think as the attorney general and as one of the most honorable, sincere men in government, thats certainly been my interaction with him. When you see him testify and others, i think most American People feel that that way. I dont understand why he wouldnt, and i in fact expect that he should continue as our attorney general. Brangham congressman Chris Stewart, thank you very much for being here. Reporter and now, for a view from across the aisle. Im joined by congressman adam schiff of california hes the top democrat on the house Intelligence Committee. Congressman, you had chance to talk the Jared Kushner today. What were your questions going, in, and do you feel like he answered them satisfactorily . We had a variety of questions certainly about the four meetings that he disclosed in his Public Statement the other day. But about a lot of other areas, as well. Were looking at any of the russian active measures that may have been employed here that we know they employ in other places. Were looking at allegations concerning the social media campaign, whether there was any kind of cooperation or coordination through cambridge analitica. Were looking at some of the financial issues, because one thing russians do is use financial will leverage or sometimes they develop what russians call compromise, by a way of engaging in transactions to hold that over their head. We went through with him as we do with all over the whole range of our concerns to do the best we can to get to the bottom of these allegations. Woodruff lets talk about some of those particular allegations. One was this issue of this federal disclosure form where he failed initially to reveal that we had these meetings with dozens of foreign nationals, including these meetings with russians. Jared kushner said this was an men mistake, basically a rookie error . Do you buy that as an excuse . Well, he doesnt strike me as a rookie. I think hes quite sophisticated. I dont want the characterize his testimony. We dont go into the details of testimony. I was surprised that my colleague was willing to do that. I will say this the holder of that clearance i do believe needs to investigate this to find out whether mr. Kushners explanations are satisfactory, what the circumstances are, what was disclosed, what was not disclosed. We have not yet obtained the fs86s. So were not in a position to evaluate what and when he disclosed different things, but i do believe other individuals, not the soninlaw of the president if they were to fail to disclose a meeting that they attended that was with people acting on behalf of the russian government, promising dirt on a political opponent or a meeting that was not disclosed that involved setting up a secret back channel at a russian diplomatic facility, it is very unlikely that an in order their individual would be allowed t3 keep their clearance. Brangham lets touch on a few other issues swirling in washington right now. Obviously as you have been hearing in our broadcast, the president has been very tough on attorney general sessions. Many people believe that the president would like him to either leave or would like the fire him. If that were to happen, what would that do to these Ongoing Investigations . Well, i think youre right. In this case the president is being very transparent, at least as far as his intentions are concerned. He wants to force Jeff Sessions to resign, and therefore he left his fingerprints on hit less than if he fired Jeff Sessions. I think the motivation is quite simple. He wants to appoint a more mall usable attorney general when it comes to the russia investigation who is not recuseed who can tell bob mueller, you will look at this but you wont look at these other areas that are evidently so concerning to the president , including whether there was any money launder going on with the trump organization. What should we do about it . If there is any effort to interfere with Robert Muellers investigation, we may need to reenact the independent counsel law and make sure that bob mueller has a completely free hand to look at anything relevant to the russia investigation or that arises from it, which is his charter now, but something clearly the president is uncomfortable with. The president needs to understand, this is not his prerogative to determine what the investigators are investigating when it involves his own organization. Brangham im curious what you think, though. The president has said whats really relevant here is probably what the g. O. P. Would do. If sessions were fired, we heard today many, many senators and congressmen supporting Jeff Sessions, but we also heard speaker ryan saying that in essence it is the president s job to determine who is in his cabinet. Do you think if this. If sessions were to be let go, that the g. O. P. Would. That there would be a revolt in his own party . I would certainly hope that would be the case if he either pushes Jeff Sessions out or if he were to fire bob mueller, that both democrats and republicans would rise to their institutional responsibility of insisting that an independent investigation go forth. I think it would be a constitutional crisis. And i have to say, im deeply disappointed once again to hear the speak soar downplay the significance of this, because that only encourages the president to engage in conduct which is i think very seriously at odds with our system of checks and balances. When we meet with emerging democracies, we always emphasize a couple things. We emphasize,when you win an election, you dont jail the losing party. And here one of the gripes apparently the president has is that Jeff Sessions is not acting to try to investigate and prosecute his political opponent. That is something you see in a banana republic, not in the United States of america. So members of both parties need the speak out. We shouldnt wait until there is a crisis to do so. And i hope those people will think better of what he just said. Brangham lastly, quickly, congressman, the president clearly still chafes at this russia investigation, and his new Communications Director today seemed to indicate that the president still does not believe that russia was actually involved in trying to meddle in our election. Given that hughes chasm between what our intelligence agencies believe and what the president believes, how can this really go forward . Well, look, there is only really one person in america that doesnt believe the russians were involved in hacking our election, and thats unfortunately the president. Even Vladimir Putin knows exactly what hes done, so russia is under no illusion about this. What does this mean Going Forward . It means of greater significance to the country that we are not taking the steps to prepare ourselves when the russians intervene again, and this is very serious. There is no Software Patch here. Were not going to be able to make the dnc or rnc immune from russian hacking. Theyre too good and its too difficult to defend. The only real defense the country has is to bring the country together to, forge a consensus with no matter who it helps or who it hurts. We will reject foreign interference and our president is simply not doing that, and this is exposing us to further harm. Brangham congressman adam schiff of california, thank you very much. Thank you. Woodruff for american children, summer is supposed to be a time of fun and games, but for many it is also a time of true need. During the school year, 22 million children get free and reducedprice lunch. In the summer, those numbers drop dramatically just under 4 million have access to subsidized meals. There are 50,000 locations providing summer meals, but reaching those who need the food can be a challenge. Special pbs correspondent lisa stark, of our partner education week, traveled to nebraska to see how one food bank is trying to fill the gap. Reporter its a scorching summer day in plattsmouth, nebraska, about 40 minutes south of omaha, as the food truck lumbers into view. Despite the heat, families are lining up for lunch at whats called kids cruisin kitchen. They get milk, they get fruit and vegetables, its really a nice program. Reporter becky ham and her children rely on the food truck a few times a week. We started doing this about three summers ago when my husband lost his job, right before the end of the school year. We were really panicked about how we were going to make everything work. Reporter hams husband has a new job, but the budget remains tight. The family still qualifies for free School Lunches, and is thankful for the summer help. Its really helping kids out. Its really helping families out when they need it. Reporter kids cruisin kitchen was launched six years ago by omahas food bank for the heartland and salvation army, with four food trucks and 10 fixed locations, it serves 1,300 children a day. Do you get enough to eat at the food truck . They give us a lot of meals. Reporter a lot of meals and a lot of food . Yeah. Reporter susan obgorn is the food bank president. Who are you trying to help . Whos your target for the summer meals . Primarily the children of the working poor. They are the folks who wont tell you that they need help. They are the folks whose children qualify for free or reduced pricelunches and reporter preparing these meals begins early in the morning in an industrial kitchen run by an omaha area school district. They make meals for kids cruisin kitchen and other summer meal programs. We do about 3,000 meals a day during the summer. Reporter in less than three hours on this morning, corn dogs are cooked, bananas packed, chocolate milk readied, sack lunches bagged, chicken patties, fruit and veggies prepped for later in the week. Its the five food groups its grains, meat, fruit, vegetables, milk. Reporter meals are paid for by the u. S. Department of agriculture 3. 83 each, and must meet government nutrition standards which are a bit looser in the summer. Jackie cambridge manages this summer meal service. Theres always kind of a phew when we get it out the door. And then we just hope that its getting to kids in need, and that theyre enjoying it, and we do it all again the next day. Reporter shortly after 9 00 a. M. , the kids cruisin kitchen truck pulls up to load its food. Hot meals to go, this truck makes four stops each weekday during most of the summer. After that first stop at plattsmouth, its off to a public library, followed by a Public Housing project, then onto an Affordable Housing Development Areas where more than half of children quality for free and reducedprice lunch, although anyone is welcome. You got corndogs today . Yes, and bananas reporter summer lunches are an outgrowth of subsidized School Lunches, which expanded in the 1960s as part of president Lyndon Johnsons war on poverty. Children just must not go hungry. Reporter the programs have grown enormously. Today 85 of all breakfasts served at schools and 73 of School Lunches are subsidized by the u. S. D. A. 12 Million Students depend on breakfast, 22 million on lunch. Nationwide, nearly 20 of children under age 18 live in poverty thats 14. 5 million children. Sometimes schools are providing the only meals that kids get during the week. Reporter laura hatch is with no kid hungry, a National Advocacy group trying to reduce childhood hunger. She says school meals make a big difference. We know that kids that eat breakfast do better on math tests. We know that serving breakfast as part of the school day can actually keep kids in their seat and lessen absenteeism. Reporter serving school meals is easier, students are all in one place. Summer meals are tougher, the food has to get to where the children are. To make it work, the Food Bank Hires 10 temporary staffers, and relies on 200 volunteers from mutual of omaha. This is gary herings third year helping out, he understands hunger. There were times when, as a family i know we struggled and wed go visit relatives just to eat, you know, have good every day. Reporter do you think thats true for some of these kids . Yeah, so thats the best part about it. Today these kids arent gonna be hungry at lunch. Reporter despite all the efforts of this food bank and others, nebraska ranks near the bottom of all 50 states in providing summer meals. For every 100 children who depend on the school lunch program, only eight are getting help during the summer. Thats according to the Food Research and Action Network which found that last year, nationwide that gap between filling the need during the school year and the summer got wider. Its especially difficult to reach children in rural areas, they are spread out, and u. S. D. A. Rules require all summer meals to be served and eaten in one place at one time. You guys gonna eat it over here today, okay . Reporter regulars, like Michelle Brown and her sisters are well aware of the rules. You have to eat here, and you have to come on time. Reporter u. S. D. A. Has a Pilot Program in seven states and two tribal areas, to help families in need during the summer by temporarily increasing food stamps advocates would like this program offered more widely. Agriculture secretary sonny perdue, who recently visited a summer meal site in washington d. C. , says hes open to the idea. I dont think any of us want to fast over the summer, so just because school stops doesnt mean that the needs for good nutritious healthy food and a Good Environment doesnt stop, right. Reporter the food banks susan ogborn is eager to see regulations relaxed to make it easier to expand summer meals. The problem is children are hungry every day. We hope that secretary perdue and the rest of his team at u. S. D. A. Get their rules and regulations figured out pretty quickly. Reporter for now, the food bank will continue to roll along with its current program, hoping one day to reach many more children, but committed to the mostly satisfied customers it already has. What do you think about the food truck . I like it, but i would love it if they added donuts. Reporter maybe next summer for the pbs newshour and education week, im lisa stark in omaha, nebraska. Woodruff we love donuts, too. Now to our newshour shares, seawalls help to protect developed shorelines, but they can also destroy crucial habitat. One project in Washington State aims to fix that. Ken christensen of kctss earth fix explains. Reporter the Seattle Waterfront is changing, right beneath your feet. When you walk along seattles sidewalk, youll be walking on glass panels. Reporter but look deeper, and youll see that the changes arent for tourists. Theyre for natives. Their function is to provide light to help thousands and thousands of little baby salmon. Reporter its one feature of seattles new seawall, a 400 million Infrastructure Project thats doubling as a really big science experiment. The biggest of jeff cordells career . Nothing has ever been tried on this scale. Youre walking on foot after foot after foot of new habitat. Reporter cordell wants to see if cities can better coexist with fish. For 80 years, seattles seawall was like most a flat, concrete slab that held back the sea, but destroyed Shallow Water habitat that many species thrive on. Every spring, young salmon would migrate from seattles Duwamish River to the ocean, and theyre hardwired to stay close to shore, which means they run right into this. In the inky darkness under the pier, life can get confusing for a fish. Theres a good example of a shadow line from a pier. They dont want to cross the shadow line so they just mill about here. Reporter the new seawall should make life easier. Not only by providing a naturally lit corridor for fish to pass through on their way to te ocean. But also by featuring overhangs and rocky surfaces along the way for fish food to grow on. Look at the brown scum here, we love to see that. Thats where the little crustaceans grow that the salmon feed on. You cant count out brown scum. Reporter most seawalls still get built like seattles was back in the 1930s. And construction is expected to increase. Theres going to be much more need for coastal infrastructure and a lot more thinking about how we can best create habitat for the organisms were removing it from reporter once the seawall is complete, cordell plans to begin a decadelong monitoring project to figure out if it does what its supposed to. Even that brown stuff needs a good amount of sunlight to grow. Reporter if the experiment succeeds, the Seattle Waterfronts biggest change could be the change it inspires in seawalls around the world. Woodruff for the newshour tonight. Im judy woodruff. Thank you and see you soon. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by the ford foundation. Working with visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide. Carnegie corporation of new york. Supporting innovations in education, democratic engagement, and the advancement of International Peace and security. At carnegie. Org. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and individuals. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc captioned by Media Access Group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Or rose welcome to the program, we begin tonight with a look at Jared Kushners testimony on russia an we continue with an assessment of President Trumps First Six Months in office. We talk to frank bruni, susan page, hugh hewitt and robert costa. As an american im concerned because he tapped into a great deal of anger in this country, legitimate anger about the broken ways of washington, about broken promises. What happens to that anger if after two years or four years of donald trump, washington looks exactly the same, the sorts of priorities that we have been paralyzed about and that havent vnsed have not advanced any further. What happens to americans alreadyive schriff eled faith. This concerns me not as a democrat or republican but as an american. And we conclude this evening with a voice from within the white housement is he Sebastian Gorka deputy