Fox News "The Story" - Transcript: Interview with Reps. Tom Reed and John Garamendi
Interview
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MACCALLUM: So there's a look at the White House tonight where the President is no doubt thinking about whether or not he's going to sign this immigration compromise deal that was reached by Republicans and Democrats and avoid another shutdown which could happen as soon as Friday. Among other things, this new deal would allocate $1,375,000 for 55 miles of more -- of new wall, new fence, whatever you want to call it, along the southern border.
But now there may be another deal on the table. The President tweeted this moments ago. "Was just presented the concept and parameters of the border security deal by hard-working Senator Richard Shelby looking over all aspects knowing that this will be hooked up with lots of money from other sources will be getting almost $23 billion for border security. Regardless of wall money, it is being built as we speak."
Here now with the inside story two congressmen involved in the border deal negotiations, Republican Tom Reed and Democrat John Garamendi. Gentlemen, welcome. Thank you very much for being here. Congressman Reed, let me start with you what do you think -- what does he mean by that? What does the president mean by that?
REP. TOM REED, R-N.Y.: Yes. I think what the President's looking at is the money that's in the appropriations process not to get to inside D.C. but this is money that can be reprogrammed, that can be looked at for national security use. And I think what the President is doing is coupling this deal with those resources and committing the first priority that we should all be, protecting our border.
REP. JOHN GARAMENDI, D-CALIF.: Tom, you and I have been working together in harmony but that's not a harmonious statement. Those additional money beyond the $1.3 are projects that have already been appropriate and these are civil works projects and military construction projects that were deemed by Congress by the military by communities across America that were necessary to recover from the various disasters and to prevent flooding in the future. In my own area, it's about $2.5 billion, absolutely essential flood control programs.
MACCALLUM: Well, let me ask you this -- let me ask you. You both -- this for Congressman Reed, sir, would the money that the President is talking about take away from disaster relief were rebuilding money? Is that true?
REED: Yes, there there's different pots of money that could be reprogrammed and put towards border security, not just at the border but across the whole spectrum of border security. So you know, I understand the concern that John is raising. It's a legitimate concern. But these this money is on the table and let's put it to use to protect our fellow American citizens.
GARAMENDI: Tom, we've worked so closely together but the reality is that money has been appropriated for specific projects, some $4 billion in Houston, Texas to repair the levees and the dams in Houston, another $2 billion in Puerto Rico, money in Florida, money in California. All of it absolutely essential to protect lives in the communities all across the nation.
Could the President do it? He'd have to declare a desire a national emergency to do so. At least in the Army Corps of Engineers, there is some military construction projects that have in the past been re-allocated for work in Afghanistan and Iraq. But once again all of these are deemed to be highest priority by local communities, by states, as well as by -- in the military.
MACCALLUM: Understood, but really in the scheme of things, the gap that exists between the $5.7 billion that he wanted in the $1.3 close to $1.4 that is in this deal could potentially be closed with transfer authority funds that are taking from some other projects and moved as the money is moved around. Are you saying, John Garamendi that would be a deal breaker for you if that gap was close that way?
GARAMENDI: Well, I think it's a one-two punch. The first punch would be the signing of the current legislation that has been the compromised by the committee. The second punch would come later. But I will tell you, there will be a huge outcry and there will be lawsuits left, right, and center --
(CROSSTALK)
MACCALLUM: Because you don't want the border to be secured?
GARAMENDI: No, not at all. I want people to be protected, protected with these flood control projects, with the disaster relief money --
MACCALLUM: All right
GARAMENDI: -- that we have already held the hearings, made the determination that these projects are essential for the protection of life throughout the United States.
MACCALLUM: Last quick thought, Congressman Reed.
(CROSSTALK)
REED: But I think the first -- but I think the first step needs to be recognized. And I think that's where there's a (Inaudible). Let's avert the shutdown, move this issue to $1.3 billion that we have agreed to --
GARAMENDI: Exactly.
REED: -- that seems to be a reasonable proposal that I can support and then move on to this other issue. But first and foremost, let's take care that this week --
(CROSSTALK)
MACCALLUM: Would Republican support for this bill fall apart if the president sticks to his word there?
REED: Well, I think there is support from the center out approach on this compromise because I think there's many of us who want to avert the shutdown, get the money going to the border to secure the border, as well as border security improvement and elsewhere which is also going to be --
(CROSSTALK)
MACCALLUM: Congressman Reed --
GARAMENDI: Let me -- just one thing here.
MACCALLUM: Real quick.
GARAMENDI: One thing here is that the process of legislation goes forward, this is not the end of the process. If the president has projects that he thinks are critically important, come to the legislature and we'll talk about funding those things. And it's quite possible some or maybe all of them would be funded.
MACCALLUM: All right. Congressman Garamendi and Congressman Reed, good to have both of you with us tonight. Come back, hope you come back.
REED: Thank you.
GARAMENDI: Thank you.
MACCALLUM: Thank you very much, gentleman. Good to see you tonight.
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