Full transcript of “Face the Nation,” Could 26, 2024

On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan: 

• Reps. Pat Ryan, Democrat of New York, and Tim Waltz, Republican of Florida 
• Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut
• Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas 
• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg 
• David Becker and Samantha Becker 

Click on right here to browse full transcripts of “Face the Nation.”   

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MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan.

And on this Memorial Day weekend, we are going to check out some American traditions and the challenges these traditions face within the trendy period.

This weekend included one certain signal of summer time, the presidential graduation speech at West Level. This yr, it was delivered with phrases of warning.

(Start VT)

JOE BIDEN (President of the USA): Freedom will not be free. It requires fixed vigilance. From the very starting, nothing is assured about our democracy in America.

(Finish VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Then: The late might twister rampage continued in a single day, with intense twisters touching down in no less than three states. How will extreme climate, exacerbated by local weather change, impression what is predicted to be a busy summer time journey season? We are going to ask Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Israeli forces press on in Rafah within the battle that is developing on the eight-month mark. The U.S.-built floating pier off the coast of Gaza is lastly up and working, however the navy is struggling to take care of it and to get humanitarian help to determined Palestinians. We could have the newest from the area.

Plus, an replace on immigration. Border crossings for this time of yr are atypically down. However the push for border reform continues. We are going to speak to Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales.

And on this Memorial Day weekend, a bipartisan dialog with two veterans in Congress on their annual tribute to fallen troopers on the Vietnam Memorial. It is their method of placing the partisanship apart.

(Start VT)

REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL WALTZ (R-Florida): And it isn’t simply that we’ve a – we agree on all the pieces or having served is a silver bullet as a legislator. However, you realize, we’ve that commonality of service. And I feel that issues.

(Finish VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: It is all simply forward on FACE THE NATION.

Good morning, and welcome the FACE THE NATION on this Memorial Day weekend, the place we honor these Individuals who died in service and mirror on what they fought for.

These rules are almost 250 years outdated and have gotten more and more challenged by political forces nowadays. Politics was put aside Thursday morning, no less than lengthy sufficient for a bunch of Home members, all veterans, who’re a part of the For Nation Caucus to hitch the annual cleanup of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial forward of the vacation weekend.

We requested Florida Republican Mike Waltz and New York Democrat Pat Ryan concerning the now annual custom for the caucus.

(Start VT)

REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL WALTZ (R-Florida): As soon as I received elected and I noticed the acrimony and the infighting, and I stated, you realize, let’s – let’s get a bunch of veterans collectively, individuals who actually have pores and skin within the recreation.

I feel that is essential for the American individuals to see, to see us honoring our forefathers, to see us the place Democrat, Republican, black, white, brown, none of that issues. It simply issues that we’re all Individuals, we’re all veterans, and we’re honoring those who got here earlier than us.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN (D-New York): That is probably the most highly effective factor I’ve finished in Congress, really, very – it’s extremely emotional, and it is pos – it is optimistic.

I imply, there’s so many divisive forces. And so to get along with fellow veterans, all companies, all generations, and simply truly do one thing along with your palms that improves the world, that honors our veterans, that prepares this memorial for tons of of 1000’s of Individuals which might be going to return right here this weekend, it is – it is actually – it is an honor.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Who’re you considering of this Memorial Day weekend?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: I – I take into consideration truly considered one of my troopers who I introduced house from my first 12-month deployment after which tragically succumbed to the – the invisible wounds of struggle and took his personal life, and – Sergeant Keith Nowicki.

And I feel it is essential we speak about that too.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: As a result of now we’ve extra post-9/11 veterans which have taken their very own lives post-service than gave their lives throughout service. And that is one thing all – else that we’re engaged on collectively.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: Sure, I – I consider my uncle, who was a Vietnam helicopter pilot, Greg (sp?) Waltz.

He survived, however he is instructed me concerning the individuals which might be on this wall. And despite the fact that he survived, to today, sadly, he is very bitter about how he was handled once they got here house.

Sergeant Matt Pucino was considered one of my Inexperienced Berets that we misplaced in Afghanistan. He volunteered to go on level each single mission. And, ultimately, a visit wire IED killed him. I take into consideration him. I take into consideration his household.

And – and I’ve to say – I feel Pat would agree with me – you realize, survivor’s guilt is a really actual factor. Why him and never me? He was my accountability, as had been the opposite Inexperienced Berets that I did not carry house.

And I simply inform myself – I look within the mirror each time – each morning earlier than I am going into the Capitol and inform myself to be worthy, you realize, be worthy of that sacrifice. And our cost, I, suppose as leaders, as elected leaders is to comport ourselves in a method that is worthy of their sacrifice in – in entrance of the American individuals.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

You talked about that gorgeous statistic. What, 7,000 service members died within the struggle since 9/11, but it surely’s 6,000 veterans each single yr since 2001 who’ve succumbed to suicide.

Do you suppose that the federal government and American taxpayers are doing sufficient to deal with this?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: We’re not doing sufficient. We do not have the urgency. It – it must be a nationwide downside. It must be an issue that each American acknowledges as theirs, as a result of these are the – the small proportion of the American individuals who have put their life on the road and – and finally given their life.

It is such a small proportion. It is about 1 % –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper –

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: – of the American inhabitants. And there is simply an excessive amount of of a disconnect. I truly suppose that is a giant a part of the rationale why we see individuals coming house from service and feeling alone, even surrounded of their hometowns, feeling alone, as a result of they cannot relate.

And so there’s so many features to fixing it, but it surely – it – it might probably’t – the federal government has to do a complete lot extra. The entire nation has to return into Memorial Day weekend, and, sure, you possibly can rejoice, however please take a second and take into consideration the names on this wall, the names in your native hometown memorial, the names on the memorial bracelets of the veterans that you just see.

Ask them about it. Ask them to inform you these tales. And – and we needs to be sharing these tales.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you are engaged on laws collectively to attempt to develop well being care protection for the youngsters of veterans till age 26. Do you’ve gotten any pledge from management to really transfer this anytime quickly?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: We have been having this battle on this nation for longer than each of our time in Congress.

So we have been working along with this caucus of bipartisan navy veterans to use strain, as a result of, if we do not apply that strain, if we do not shine the highlight on this downside, it’s going to get form of caught within the dysfunction of the Congress proper now.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: I – I do suppose we’ll get it by. On the finish of the day, it is changing into a recruiting and retention downside when service members cannot have their children coated.

Then that is changing into a problem for the Pentagon. We’re working with them to make it a precedence and dealing with management to make it a precedence and get it paid for.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: I imply, it is – it is tons of of 1000’s of navy service members and their households proper now on this nation that do not have the identical well being care protection as different Individuals. That’s outrageous.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you suppose your previous service does to your considering? Why do you suppose it is essential for management?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: It is important to have individuals which have been on the receiving finish of international coverage on the desk, particularly with the – with the 58,000 names behind us to take into account that each considered one of these choices has great human penalties for the service members, for his or her households.

And there is not sufficient of that proper now.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why do you suppose the quantity serving is so low, when it is lower than 1 % of the inhabitants is lively responsibility?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: Sure. In Congress, no less than we’re getting the quantity up nearer to twenty % –

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: We have elevated it for the primary time in 40 years.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: – simply this final – this congressional cycle.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: However when it comes to the divide between 99 % of Individuals who aren’t serving and the 1 %, that’s deeply problematic as a democracy.

If you lose contact between these which might be preventing our wars and their households and everybody else, that is one thing so important that we’ve to determine how you can carry of us collectively and – and get extra of us serving. In order that’s, once more, one other factor that – that we’re centered on.

I imply, a variety of the work we did final evening on the protection invoice is recruiting. Each service has been challenged on recruiting numbers. And we have been pushing and a bunch of instructions to say that’s not acceptable to the Division of Protection. And – and we’re beginning to see the numbers come up.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: And – and repair would not simply should be within the navy.

And one of many issues that we’re each, adamant and advocates of is getting us again to nationwide service as a rustic. That is not a draft. And that does not essentially should be in uniform, but it surely could possibly be with the nationwide park, inner-city tutoring, aged care.

Like how will we get younger individuals out in an surroundings the place they’re studying management, self-discipline, followership, serving a trigger larger than themselves, and with fellow Individuals who might not look or come from the identical backgrounds as them?

I feel there’s methods we are able to incentivize that. You understand, individuals listed below are speaking about simply making a gift of faculty or simply eliminating debt. Properly, how concerning the American taxpayer will get one thing in trade for that when it comes to service? You graduate highschool, you go serve a yr or two.

Perhaps it is FEMA. Perhaps it is the – the Peace Corps. And then you definately get some kind of profit. So I feel we have to rethink service as a – as a rustic.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I used to be taking a look at a Pentagon research that stated one in 4 active-duty service members endure from meals insecurity. After which, inside that subset, there have been over 120,000 coping with excessive meals insecurity.

How is that attainable in America proper now?

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: It is a shame. Now we have troopers – I had this in my unit once we had been deployed abroad in fight. Their households had been house on meals stamps, utilizing SNAP advantages.

So one of many issues we have finished the final a number of years is elevate baseline pay considerably.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE WALTZ: For probably the most junior, sure.

REP. PAT RYAN: For probably the most junior troopers who’re probably the most left behind proper now.

Elevate housing, primary allowance for housing, VAH. Housing prices throughout the nation are so excessive.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT RYAN: So, citing housing and – and the standard of life in – in barracks, excited about all the weather of a household’s price.

Like, that is why this well being care invoice is so essential, as a result of medical health insurance is such a driver of – of that strain. So, once more, if the American individuals knew you had individuals placing their life on the road for the nation not in a position to put meals on the desk, we’ve to wake individuals up and cease focusing – I imply, a number of the – with respect to our colleagues, a number of the – the tenor and the tone is disgraceful, when you consider the urgency of simply that downside we simply talked about.

We have to return collectively.

(Finish VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: FACE THE NATION will probably be again in a single minute. Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we flip now to the newest within the struggle between Israel and Hamas, with international correspondent Imtiaz Tyab reporting from East Jerusalem.

(Start VT)

IMTIAZ TYAB (voice-over): Israeli police crack down onerous as protesters collect in central Tel Aviv to demand the federal government attain a deal to carry the hostages house.

With divisions amongst Israelis solely deepening over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s dealing with of the struggle, diplomatic efforts to dealer a hostage launch will proceed this week, 4 sources with information instructed CBS Information, efforts which may’t come quickly sufficient for Ali Alziadna, whose brother Youssef and nephew Hamza had been kidnapped on October 7.

“I wish to speak to Netanyahu,” he says, “and inform him there is no victory with out first bringing the hostages again.” Alziadna belongs to a Muslim Bedouin neighborhood in Southern Israel, near the barrier wall with Gaza. Whereas they’re Israeli residents, their cities and villages are sometimes uncared for by the federal government.

It is so essential so that you can cease the struggle, in addition to launch the hostages. Not everyone feels that method in Israel.

“You may’t launch the hostages if there is a struggle,” Alziadna says. “What has eight months of struggle achieved? It is a catastrophe, and catastrophe brings extra catastrophe.”

One thing help businesses say is presently unfolding in Rafah, the place Israel has sharply ramped up its offensive there after the Netanyahu authorities dismissed an order by the U.N.’s prime courtroom to cease its navy marketing campaign within the southern metropolis to guard civilian life, as desperately wanted humanitarian provides proceed to solely trickle off the $320 million U.S. military-constructed pier, which has been plagued with downside after downside since changing into operational just a little over one week in the past.

(Finish VT)

IMTIAZ TYAB: And the newest downside for the pier noticed a small U.S. vessel, together with a part of the dock, turns into caught on Israel’s Ashdod shore due to tough seas, and because the U.N. estimates simply 15 % of the help wanted for the over two million individuals going through famine in Gaza is presently getting in.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That was Imtiaz Tyab.

And we’re joined now by Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.

Good morning.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY (D-Connecticut): Good morning.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I wish to begin right here on the Center East.

The president’s nationwide safety adviser stated, up to now, Israel has been considerably focused and restricted in what they’re doing in Southern Gaza. However the U.S. is watching to see whether or not there’s a variety of demise and destruction from this operation or whether it is extra exact and proportional.

Are you clear on what the purple line is right here?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Properly, what we all know is that there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding proper now in and round Rafah. We have not been in a position to get in vital shipments of humanitarian help.

And so, regardless of how many individuals are dying from Israeli navy operations, there are individuals dying each single day from an lack of ability to entry meals and drugs. That is finally accruing to the profit, not the detriment, of terrorist recruiting.

And that is my large fear right here. There is a ethical price to the variety of civilians which might be dying within Gaza. However whenever you proceed to withhold meals and help from the individuals, that finally makes these terrorist causes stronger, not simply in Israel, however around the globe.

Our personal intelligence consultants have instructed us that that is having a generational impression on terrorism. And so, for many people that need Israel to carry this navy operation to an in depth and give attention to the long run political settlement inside Gaza, it’s partly as a result of we fear that this can be a boon to terrorism, to terrorism teams rising all around the globe.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. However the nationwide safety adviser was suggesting there that the road hasn’t been crossed but –

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Properly –

(CROSSTALK)

MARGARET BRENNAN: – taking a look at whether or not there’s a variety of demise and destruction. There already is a heck of a variety of demise and destruction.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Sure, which is why I’m amongst a lot of my colleagues who’ve brought about – who’ve known as on Israel to pause navy operations to attempt to get this humanitarian nightmare below management and to take the time to provide you with a sensible answer for what Gaza seems like after the preventing stops.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: What you’ve gotten seen up to now few weeks is that, as Israel clears out of sure areas, like Northern Gaza, Hamas is simply filling again in, as a result of there isn’t any viable plan for governance.

Israel has to take the time to each be much less cavalier concerning the humanitarian prices, but in addition provide you with a plan for what Gaza seems like after the preventing stops. And the preventing goes to cease sooner or later.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I – I perceive the intention behind constructing the pier, however $320 million, three troopers injured, the factor is breaking up due to tough seas.

It – it is inadequate to wish. Was it a mistake to do that?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: No, it wasn’t a mistake. I imply, hear, there’s nothing that the United –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Nevertheless it’s not even totally being delivered.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Pay attention, I feel there will be some – some tough moments within the early going of making an attempt to get this pier operational.

However you’re completely proper. Whether or not it is the airdrops, or the deliveries on the pier, there’s nothing that the USA can do that may substitute for the choice by Israel to open up crossings, to cease utilizing these checkpoints as a method to interrupt the stream of significant items.

Israel has to make a dedication to resolve the humanitarian disaster inside Gaza. America will not be going to have the ability to do this for Israel.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.

I wish to ask you about right here at house, the southern border. Border Patrol apprehensions of migrants truly has been happening in these hotter climate months. It – they went down in April. They went down in March. Is that simply due to the Mexican authorities? If it is a Biden coverage, why is not the president claiming successful?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: So, it’s due to, I feel, sensible, efficient diplomacy between the USA and the Mexican authorities.

I do not know that it is everlasting. And so I feel we’ve to only acknowledge that, with out updating the legal guidelines of this nation, with out surging extra sources to the border, we will not depend on the numbers staying as little as they’re at this time.

And, bear in mind, at this time, you’ve gotten about 3,000 individuals crossing the border each day. That is nonetheless a excessive quantity in comparison with what we noticed 10 years in the past. And so, for many people, we’re simply heartbroken, we’re sick over the truth that our Republican colleagues in Congress proceed to vote in opposition to bipartisan border safety that may give us the chance to really give the president the sources and the authorities to make this a everlasting change, to get the numbers below management on a everlasting foundation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You are speaking concerning the invoice you helped creator.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Proper.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And – and it was put up for a vote, which they knew it was going to fail. It – this was about messaging.

However, like, Senator Gary Peters, who’s making an attempt to assist Democrats defend the bulk within the Senate, was on this program final week, and he stated, completely, the president needs to be speaking concerning the border extra. Why is not he?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: So, I – I agree that the American individuals wish to speak about border safety.

And, proper now, the president has the chance to go on the market and speak about a Democratic Occasion proposal negotiated with Republicans that may get the border below management. And an opponent, President –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Or may’ve spent months and weeks whipping assist for it.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Or – and President Trump’s need to maintain the border a multitude as a result of he thinks that it helps him politically.

That is as clear a distinction as has ever been out there to the Democratic Occasion on the problem of the border. Democrats assist bipartisan border safety. Republicans need the border to be a multitude, as a result of it is good politics for them.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: And the president and each Democrat working for workplace needs to be speaking about that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However – however you realize – and we actually dug in deep on this invoice that you just helped creator on this program.

However for Individuals who simply need one thing finished, you realize, the ifs and buts actually do not matter a lot. The president may take govt motion and has been speaking about it since again in February, when the homeland safety secretary talked about it was being thought-about.

Ought to he simply get caught making an attempt, pull the set off, do one thing on govt motion?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: The president has such restricted skill to situation govt orders that may have an effect on the border.

He cannot conjure sources out of skinny air. If he had been to attempt to shut down parts of the border, the courts would throw that out, I feel, inside a matter of weeks. The one factor that may carry –

MARGARET BRENNAN: The 212(f) authority that is being mulled right here?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Sure, I – I feel the one factor that may carry order to the southwest border is bipartisan laws.

Now we have a bipartisan border invoice. If Republicans determined to assist it, it might move, we may get it to the president’s desk. It’s as much as Donald Trump and Republicans as to whether or not they wish to clear up the issue on the border or whether or not they wish to hold the border a multitude as a result of it helps them politically on this upcoming election.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, shortly, earlier than I – I allow you to go right here, there was a lawsuit that was introduced this week by the households of these in Uvalde, Texas –

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: – whose kids died in Robb Elementary College.

And also you symbolize Sandy Hook. I do know you observe this very intently. They’re making an attempt to carry go well with in opposition to online game makers and Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram.

What do you consider the premise of the concept that social media corporations are – and video corporations are in charge right here?

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Properly, hear, there is no doubt that these social media corporations are feeding violent content material to our youngsters.

I do not know the underlying dynamics of that authorized case, however our social media corporations have loads to reply for, as a result of these would-be killers whose brains are breaking typically discover inspiration for the crime that they’re considering on-line.

However the answer right here, once more, is identical. It’s important to move laws. The courts cannot clear up this downside of college shootings. And the excellent news is that, since we handed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: – proper after the Uvalde taking pictures, city gun homicides on this nation have dropped by 20 %.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: And that is one thing that is very, crucial.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll speak to Tony Gonzales, who helped get that over the end line as properly, forward.

Thanks.

SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY: Thanks.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re joined now by Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales. Good morning to you.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES (R-TX): Good morning. Thanks for having me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to begin on the border. That’s your district.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How do the brokers that you just symbolize clarify the drop- off in crossings?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I feel a big a part of it – properly, first off, it would not should do with what Joe Biden has finished. We’re on tempo for 1.3 million individuals to return over illegally.

The numbers are down. The reason is Mexico. Lots of people do not understand Mexico has an election subsequent month for its presidency, 9 governorships and its congress. So, in lots of instances, the – these which might be working on safety platforms are maintaining the numbers down.

However the cartels are like – they’re like corporations. So that they’re taking a loss in Q1 and Q2 with the intention to improve the amount in Q3 and This autumn. So, if any – in lots of – in some ways, that is simply Mexico carrying Biden a pair rounds.

Now, if Joe Biden desires to safe this factor long run, I feel he must cease wanting on the Senate for an answer and look to the Home.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What do you imply by that? What are you proposing?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I feel there’s alternatives. Look, H.R.2 is an effective begin, however only a dialog.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That is a nonstarter.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Let’s simply say a dialog. The president has not had any actual conversations with anybody on the – anybody within the Home.

The Senate, sure, they’ve sat down, they’ve had these conversations. However, within the Home, they’ve given no oxygen to it. This can be a completely different Congress than in years previous. The Home is the place I imagine you begin, when you really wished to resolve it.

Now, if you wish to make it about politics and simply blame another person, then you definately maintain it within the Senate and also you say, we’re making an attempt, we’re doing the very best we are able to. However, in the meantime, Individuals are dying of fentanyl. The numbers, we’re on tempo for 1.3 million. It is insane.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, there’s a variety of coverage to get into with you on this and different subjects.

We’ll should take a break right here, so stick with me, and we’ll do this on the opposite facet of it.

We’ll be again in a second.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We will probably be proper again with much more FACE THE NATION and extra with Congressman Gonzales, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and an replace on election safety forward of November.

Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION. We return now to our dialog with Texas Republican Tony Gonzales.

Good to have you ever right here in particular person. You understand, Uvalde, Texas, that’s your district, 19 children and two adults killed at Robb Elementary some two years in the past. And that horrible anniversary was this previous week.

How is your neighborhood doing now?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: It is nonetheless therapeutic. It is nonetheless very uncooked two years later. In lots of instances you are consistently revictimized over and over.

The opposite a part of it to is, loads has modified, however loads hasn’t modified. Everybody talks about Robb, you realize, what occurred at Robb, everybody talks concerning the new elementary college, Uvalde Elementary College, however there’s 9 different faculties in Uvalde that, in lots of instances, are nonetheless in the identical scenario. Sure, they put some fencing up, however how will we defend our youngsters long run?

And one of many issues that I did – I imply I am in the course of a runoff preventing for my life politically on there, I held a bipartisan security – bipartisan college security caucus the place we introduced all these completely different companions collectively to have discussions on how we sort things. I had the superintendent of Uvalde, I had the brand new police chief of Uvalde. There’s a variety of adjustments occurring in Uvalde. One of many issues that got here out of that was $10 million for varsity security, not only for Robb and Uvalde Elementary College, however all the opposite elementary faculties as properly.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you talked about that runoff election and this main challenger you’ve gotten confronted. That is the twenty eighth. Within the preliminary you obtained 45 % of the first vote, simply in need of that fifty % threshold.

I wish to ask, as a result of final March you had been censured by the Texas Republican Occasion and also you related that to the votes that you just took to assist get the bipartisan Safer Communities Act by the Congress.

Do you are feeling that a number of the challenges you are going through now are due to the work you probably did after these college children had been killed?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: You understand, Margaret, you can’t be afraid to do what you suppose is correct. You are by no means going to get it excellent, however it’s a must to battle for the issues which might be essential to us. Conserving our youngsters protected from being murdered from loopy individuals, that needs to be essential to all of us. It should not simply be speaking factors. We could not – we should not simply blame another person, we should not simply speak about psychological well being, we must always truly do one thing about it to maintain us protected.

The Safer Neighborhood Act has prevented over 500 college shootings from occurring. However that’s solely the beginning. Now we have to do a lot, far more. A part of that’s, why is not there a nationwide normal for varsity security? Why are each – all these faculties in a silo with regards to preventing a few of these issues. And we’ve to present them the sources. We handed this invoice, however a variety of the cash has not made it again to the colleges.

I am not afraid of that vote. I am not afraid of this runoff. I ran very onerous with the intention to win this election, and I am going to hold delivering for my district.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It sounds such as you’re saying, sure, that that vote harm your prospects in your district?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I’m in a runoff for a cause. A part of that was that vote. And, you realize what, I knew it on the time. When any individual comes – I wish to name them the satan. When the satan comes and visits you and says, hey, Tony, you are going to do that or else, and also you inform the satan to go pack sand, you higher be prepared for a battle.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Who’s the satan?

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: The satan’s – has many faces and lots of names.

MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: And so what finally ends up occurring is, individuals – there aren’t any extra debates in Washington. All people is defending positions which might be already outlined for them. We received to get again to having debates. Actual conversations that assist actual individuals. It will probably’t simply be these, you realize, this cosplay. It needs to be actual individuals doing actual issues. You began this section with the For Nation Caucus.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: It was an awesome section of bipartisanship.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You are part of it.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I am a part of it. I am the co-chair for For Nation Caucus. That nearly didn’t occur. And the rationale it did not occur is as a result of everyone’s at one another’s throats. And no person desires to be seen with each other, roughly doing issues collectively.

It took a member of Congress by the identify of Jim Baird. He is one of many final surviving Vietnam veterans serving in Congress. I do not wish to share personal conversations of members, however he mainly instructed everyone within the caucus, he goes, this is the deal, sometime any individual goes to be there to honor your memorial, and I hope you’re taking the time to point out up. And I inform you what, that hit everybody fairly onerous and everybody put aside – and put aside our variations and put it collectively.

However this can be a larger factor that is occurring. You understand, the working collectively is nearly a foul factor in Washington. We received to push again in opposition to that. Let’s have debates. Let’s sort things. Let’s clear up actual issues for actual individuals.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I feel a variety of Individuals want to see that.

We simply confirmed video there of Jim Baird.

In your level, although, you realize, Donald Trump is campaigning, saying he’ll peel again all of Joe Biden’s restrictions on weapons. There weren’t a variety of restrictions on weapons on this neighborhood – Safer Neighborhood Act, however you are telling Republicans, do not repeal this. You are telling Donald Trump, do not repeal the work you probably did.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: I would argue there weren’t any restrictions on weapons on this invoice. This was a psychological well being invoice that received spun as a gun management invoice for the completely different, you realize, advocacies so they might marketing campaign in opposition to it or marketing campaign for it. What it was – what it did do is it supplied psychological well being sources and it gave background checks to minors. I am OK with background checks. Individuals needs to be OK with background checks. Now we have to do extra to maintain our youngsters protected at school.

My children go to high school with a bulletproof backpack. It’s best to take into consideration sending your children to high school with bulletproof backpacks. It is not truthful, it isn’t the world that we grew up in, however one thing has to alter. And it might probably’t simply be phrases. And it might probably’t simply be pointing blame. Now we have to resolve actual issues. Now we have to debate the problem and we’ve to resolve actual issues by bringing a reimbursement.

And considered one of my neighborhood tasks, I introduced $5 million again to the northeast unbiased college district in San Antonio for a fast response drive, basically a SWAT crew for the native ISD.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Loads to unpack there. However, thanks.

We’ll be proper again. And thanks to your service.

REPRESENTATIVE TONY GONZALES: Thanks, Margaret.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: A brand new file variety of air vacationers are taking to the skies this weekend in line with the TSA. That is regardless of extreme climate in components of the nation.

And there will probably be extra excessive climate this summer time. The 2024 hurricane season is projected to be busy in line with each U.S. and world meteorological group predictions.

We spoke with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday and commenced by asking if federal laws want to alter to cope with elevated air turbulence.

(Start VT)

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG (Division of Transportation): The truth is the consequences of local weather change are already upon us when it comes to our transportation. We have seen that within the type of all the pieces from warmth waves that should not statistically even be attainable, threatening to soften the cables of transit techniques within the pacific northwest, to hurricane seasons changing into an increasing number of excessive and indications that turbulence is up by about 15 %. Which means assessing something and all the pieces that we are able to do about it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Right here within the U.S.?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Properly, within the environment typically.

MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: However actually one thing that may have an effect on American vacationers, whether or not right here or overseas.

Now, there are protocols and patterns for issues like how pilots who encounter turbulence can notify those that is likely to be coming within the path, however I do suppose we have to frequently reevaluate that, within the face of the truth that these items are extra frequent and extra extreme than earlier than.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That horrific video that individuals had been terrified by once they noticed the Singapore Airways encounter such extreme turbulence that truly killed somebody –

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That was uncommon. However you are saying you do count on to see extra incidents like that right here within the U.S.?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: To be clear, one thing that excessive could be very uncommon, however turbulence can occur and typically it might probably occur unexpectedly. Our local weather is evolving. Our insurance policies and our know-how and our infrastructure should evolve accordingly too. That is all about ensuring that we keep forward of the curve, maintaining aviation as protected as it’s. It is not for nothing that it grew to become the most secure type of journey in America.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Boeing launched a report that stated they noticed a 500 % improve within the variety of worker submissions about security issues in the course of the first two months of 2024. That is, after all, in spite of everything these high- profile incidents that occurred with that aircraft door simply flying off. It is good workers are seeing one thing and saying one thing, however a 500 % improve, I imply, that may recommend that there are precise points right here.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: That is proper. There’s an encouraging half and a regarding half. The encouraging half is we would like Boeing and any producer within the aviation house to have a tradition of, when you see one thing, say one thing. We wish to be certain these mechanisms for reporting work. Now we have each whistleblower mechanisms to tell us one thing straight on the FAA, however in a wholesome firm that must also be occurring throughout the firm.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Had been they discouraging it earlier?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: If there have been proof of that, that may – that may result in direct motion. I am not right here to make an accusation like that right now.

If something, we would like you to err on the facet of reporting. So, that is the encouraging half.

The regarding half, after all, is that if any of these points are occurring in any respect.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: And that is why Boeing is below an enormous quantity of scrutiny proper now, together with from the FAA. The administrator took the extraordinary step of claiming that Boeing can’t improve their manufacturing –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: – till they’ve demonstrated that they will do it safely.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That FAA resolution additionally goes with it that 90-day timeline and report that Boeing has handy in.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: That is proper. That ends roughly proper on the finish of Could. So, we’re developing on the interval the place Boeing will put ahead their plan. FAA will entry it. Then begins a strategy of accountability, monitoring, ensuring they’re conforming to that plan and that it is getting the outcomes that it ought to.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That does not sound like that strikes shortly. I imply the FAA administrator was on one other community this week and stated Boeing has an extended street forward to enhance security.

How shortly is that this going to maneuver?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: They’re – sure, there – there must be some main change. And that is not in a single day work.

Now, to be clear, if there have been a right away security situation, any time there may be, FAA acts instantly. It is why it took the extraordinary step of grounding, for instance, all of these 737 Max 9 plane till they could possibly be particularly inspected and returned to service.

MARGARET BRENNAN: In order that maintain will not be going to be lifted subsequent week when the report is turned in? That is what it appears like.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: They are going to should do extra to show their readiness to soundly improve manufacturing. And once more, clearly the purpose is for them to take action, however solely on a protected and wholesome foundation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you about one thing that we hear rather a lot about on the marketing campaign path, and that’s electrical vehicles, electrical automobiles. Donald Trump repeatedly talks about President Biden’s resolution to drive the trade in the direction of making 56 % of automobile batteries electrical by 2032, 13 % hybrid.

Hearken to what he stated in New Jersey lately.

(Start VC)

DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Do you discover, he is making an attempt to avoid wasting {the electrical} car however not the fuel powered, which is the car that everyone desires.

They are going loopy with the electrical automobile, costing us a fortune. We’re spending tons of of billions of {dollars} subsidizing a automobile that no person desires and no person’s ever going to purchase.

(Finish VC)

MARGARET BRENNAN: He isn’t unsuitable on the buying.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Oh, he is unsuitable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He isn’t. Of the – of the 4 million automobiles bought, you realize, what, 269,000 electrical automobiles had been offered within the U.S. market. It is up like 2 %.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: And each single yr extra Individuals purchase EVs than the yr – the yr earlier than.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However why aren’t we seeing it transfer extra shortly.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Properly, that is actually essential. Each single yr extra Individuals purchase EVs than the yr prior. There are two issues that I feel are wanted for that to occur much more shortly. One is the value, which is why the Inflation Discount Act acted to chop the value of an electrical car. The second is ensuring we’ve the charging community we want throughout America.

However I wish to speak concerning the larger level right here, and I take this very personally as a result of I grew up within the industrial Midwest actually within the shadow of damaged down factories from automobile corporations that didn’t survive into the flip of the century as a result of they did not sustain with the instances.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. And lots of of these autoworkers are involved electrical automobiles require fewer people to fabricate.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: A very powerful factor is that the EV revolution will occur with or with out us. And we have to ensure that it is American led.

And that is what the president is targeted on. We do not need China – look, below the Trump administration, they allowed China to construct a bonus within the EV trade. However below President Biden’s management, we’re ensuring that the EV revolution will probably be a made in America EV revolution. That’s critically essential.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Due to these tariffs you had been speaking about that President Biden says he’ll roll out?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Properly, additionally simply ensuring that we spend money on America’s capability. Ensuring that we’re onshoring or good friend sourcing the – good friend shoring the supplies and the processing of what goes into these EVs, ensuring that America masters these processes as a result of, look, there isn’t any method that we’ll get to the center of this century –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: With the know-how that – that we counted on a century in the past. Now, there are, clearly, a variety of voices right here in Washington who’re concerned about maintaining the established order.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He says it’ll be one of many first issues he does if he is re-elected.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Can be blissful to see Individuals trapped with soiled and costly fuels. However the actuality – and I do know he is made a variety of guarantees to the oil and fuel CEOs about a number of the favors that he believes his administration will ship for them.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Nevertheless it – it, clearly, is resonating for him as a result of he would not carry it up so often if there wasn’t some anxiousness that he is tapping into. And let me ask you a couple of portion of this that I feel does fall below your portfolio, and that is the charging stations you talked about. The Federal Freeway Administration says solely seven or eight charging stations have been produced with a $7.5 billion funding that taxpayers made again in 2021.

Why is not that occuring extra shortly?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: So, the president’s purpose is to have half 1,000,000 chargers up by the tip of this decade. Now, with the intention to do a charger, it is extra than simply plunking a small machine into the bottom. There’s utility work and that is additionally actually a brand new class of federal funding. However we have been working with every of the 50 states. Each considered one of them is getting method {dollars} to do that work, partaking them within the first handful –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Seven or eight, although?

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Once more, by 2030, 500,000 chargers. And the very first handful of chargers at the moment are already being bodily constructed. However once more, that is absolutely the very, very starting levels of the development to return.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: The rationale that we’re investing federal {dollars} is to fill in a number of the gaps in areas the place it isn’t but worthwhile for the personal sector to do it.

Now, once more, nearly all of charging will occur at house. And in some senses an electrical car has extra in widespread – fueling it has extra in widespread with charging your telephone than it does with filling up a fuel automobile, in methods which might be each useful and difficult. However that’s precisely the transition that America goes by proper now. And the opposite factor, once more, is the value, proper?

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Now we have seen the price of EVs fall to now the place it is inside a number of % of an equal fuel automobile. Relying on the mannequin, it’s possible you’ll come out forward now.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Buttigieg, thanks to your insights at this time.

SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG: Thanks.

(Finish VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: For an replace on efforts safe our elections, we’re joined now by CBS Information election regulation contributor David Becker, the founding father of the Heart for Election Innovation and Analysis, and CBS Information nationwide safety contributor Samantha Vinograd, who was a prime counterterrorism officers on the Division of Homeland Safety.

Good to have you ever each right here.

I wish to begin with you, David.

We talked final week, and we’ll proceed to speak about, election safety and integrity. And we all know that prime officers have testified to Congress that election infrastructure has by no means been safer. However there are a variety of buts on this surroundings we’re going into.

DAVID BECKER: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: One particular instance, Republican activist in no less than three states now the place Donald Trump tried to reverse his defeat in 2020, almost all of them below legal indictment, at the moment are poised to reprise a job within the upcoming election as presidential electors. That is all “Washington Publish” reporting.

What does that imply for the integrity of the occasions they’re straight going to be concerned with?

DAVID BECKER: Sure, as you famous, the 2020 election was an unbelievable success with regard to election safety. Larger turnout than we have ever seen earlier than, in the course of a world pandemic, and that work has withstood the very best scrutiny we have ever seen in any election for now over three and a half years and never a single –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Resulting from courtroom problem.

DAVID BECKER: Sure, precisely. No proof in any courtroom of any downside.

And but we bear in mind going again to Detroit in 2020, assaults on counting facilities. There have been efforts to arrange pretend lectors, that are being litigated and legal prices have been introduced in lots of states. There have been efforts to fail to certify elections to present authorized impact to elections in locations like Arizona and New Mexico, and simply earlier this month in Michigan.

And it’s doubtless that we are going to see efforts like that by in – by supporters of shedding candidates in November of 2020 and afterwards. That is troubling. These are authorized duties that individuals should certify elections, notably when authorized challenges haven’t been profitable. However that stated, I feel election officers everywhere in the nation are prepared for that in some ways, similar to they had been in elections since 2020. They had been prepared for it in Arizona when it occurred, and New Mexico when it occurred, and simply earlier this month in Michigan election officers within the state shortly required that county to behave and certify the election.

So, we are going to count on that there will probably be efforts to decelerate, delay and even assault the counting, auditing and certification course of maybe within the final two months of 2024 –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

DAVID BECKER: However I am cautiously optimistic that election officers are able to hold that shifting on observe in order that electors might be ascertained on December eleventh, meet on December seventeenth and be counted on January sixth.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, Sam, you had been within the administration till lately. Spreading lies about candidates will not be unlawful. It’s protected free speech. However what David’s speaking about poses a menace on the state degree, and it is states that run these elections. How involved are you, and whose job is it to set the file straight?

SAMANTHA VINOGRAD: Properly, Margaret, simply because speech is protected by the First Modification doesn’t imply that it is price free. We all know that in at this time’s menace surroundings disinformation is, sadly, changing into the norm relatively than the exception with regards to election safety and it is having a direct impression. We all know that there is been an unprecedented degree of bodily threats arising out of election associated disinformation. January sixth is only one instance. The Division of Justice’s election threats activity drive has made 17 arrests, 13 convictions of their ongoing investigations.

And when election associated disinformation spreads, each American wants to grasp that does give a profit to our adversaries, Russia and China, who wish to sow discord and undermine our democratic processes. Individuals needs to be assured in our election infrastructure safety, however our info ecosystem stays extremely weak. And the federal authorities will not be and shouldn’t be the omni current truth checker for the American individuals. The federal authorities is present process rigorous processes to debunk particular inaccurate details about elections, as are state and native state board of elections.

On the similar time, social media corporations needs to be excited about what sorts of elections disinformation violate their phrases of service. And each American, frankly, has a patriotic responsibility to interact in further safety checks with regards to the knowledge that they’re digesting and sharing.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SAMANTHA VINOGRAD: Individuals lock their doorways. We put on our seat belts. We take safety precautions in different domains. And we have to apply that very same rigor to our info ecosystem for our nationwide safety and bodily safety as properly.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Now, we put loads on the voters to maintain themselves knowledgeable and definitely right here we are going to attempt to be truth checking, however there may be a lot disinformation, misinformation typically, however a variety of it is deliberate. I wish to ask you, David, Speaker Johnson instructed reporters earlier this week he knew intuitively that non-U.S. residents had been voting within the elections. He stated it isn’t simply confirmed, however he issued an announcement saying Russian spies, Chinese language diplomats and unlawful aliens are influencing the election.

How does an election official certify that somebody is a U.S. citizen once they come to vote?

DAVID BECKER: There are a number of protections round this. First, it’s in opposition to the regulation, there’s a federal statute, 18 U.S. Code Part 611 that claims it is illegal, as much as a yr in jail and fines if – for a noncitizen that votes. As well as, below the Assist America Vote Act, which has been in place for over twenty years, each single registered voter wants to offer I.D. earlier than registering. And that I.D. is nearly all the time a driver’s license quantity, which is checked in opposition to the motor automobiles file. And whenever you go to motor automobiles, you realize you want to present authorized presence. Most individuals present a delivery certificates from the USA or a passport, which reveals that they are residents. That may be checked in opposition to that.

MARGARET BRENNAN: If they do not have that?

DAVID BECKER: And if – in the event that they – if they do not have that, they will present a Social Safety Quantity, which can be checked, or they’ve to offer I.D. on the polls earlier than they vote. So, there’s absolute I.D. for voter registration. And we all know these two protections have been enormously profitable as a result of that is knowable regardless of what the speaker may need stated.

Georgia, as an example, ran an audit of their complete voter registration system. They discovered about 1,500 people who they could not affirm whether or not they had been residents or not and decided that actually zero of them had voted. Similar with different states have finished related issues. The info is all within the state databases. They will verify it. We might be very assured that voting by noncitizens is extraordinarily uncommon.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

DAVID BECKER: Nearly nonexistent. Not zero in all probability however very near zero.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sam, how a lot planning is the federal authorities doing going into this election once we know there could also be, maybe, even violent disagreement?

SAMANTHA VINOGRAD: Properly, I do wish to emphasize, it isn’t simply the federal authorities. Federal, state, and native officers are engaged in a spread of contingency planning for varied threats in areas, whether or not that be deep pretend circulating that might impression voter suppression, for instance. We noticed makes an attempt at that in New Hampshire. Or whether or not it is precise bodily safety incidents popping out of election outcomes. The federal authorities, with its state and native companions, is engaged in contingency planning for bodily safety threats and different threats that might impression the elections and its aftermath.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It’s good to have each of you right here to truth verify. And we are going to keep on it, as you indicated, Sam, a part of our responsibility as properly.

We’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us at this time. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week, for FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)