CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview With Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) On An Economic Stimulus Package

Interview

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BALDWIN: Let's start here. Joining me now, Democratic Congressman John Garamendi of California. So, Congressman, thank you sir, for being on with me.

REP. JOHN GARAMENDI (D-CA): Good to be with you.

BALDWIN: Congresswoman Shalala went on to say that she would'nt sign off on just one stimulus measure, that the U.S. needs a comprehensive package.

(15:40:00)

Do you agree and if so, is there any one particular measure that you're most likely to support?

GARAMENDI: Well, first let's consider that $8.3 billion was approved by the Democrats in the House of Representatives, ultimately by the Senate and the President signed that just last Friday. That money is out there to help first responders develop the vaccines, develop the testing. All of that is in play. Also, assistance to hospitals and others that are going to have to provide services. So that is a significant amount of money that should flow immediately into the economy. That is stimulus and that should be helpful.

Congresswoman and Secretary Shalala is quite correct, a payroll tax holiday doesn't solve the problem. A lot of the people are definitely not even working today or working at a minimum wage. What they do need is paid sick leave. That's extremely important. And also, we need to make sure that the small businesses that are not

able to really afford a layoff at all and for the down side of this because it is the service economy, where most of the small businesses are, that are actually going to get whacked and they already are, so the small business thing is extremely important. We're not here to bailout Wall Street. The big corporations got a huge bailout in the 2017 tax cut. Right now they should be able to weather this storm.

Beyond that, we need to make sure that our military around the world is ready for this. We had hearings early this morning about CENTCOM meaning the Middle East and Africa. We know that Europe, all of the military around the world is hunkering down dealing with this, trying to make sure that they are prepared to protect this nation should it ever come to that and not let the virus, the coronavirus interfere.

BALDWIN: How about back home for you in California. I know your district includes Travis Air Force Base where the CDC says more than 900 people from that recently docked cruise ship, the Grand Princess, could potentially be quarantined. So 21 people out of 3,500 on board have tested positive for coronavirus. So, Congressman Garamendi, how do you ensure that every single one of the folks gets tested?

GARAMENDI: Well I'm unfortunately not able to ensure if I could, I would, but I could scream and yell and jump up and down and work with the supervisors in the county that are trying to prepare for what is a public health emergency. Also worked with the Governor's office, yes, there are going to be hundreds. We don't know the exact number at Travis Air Force Base. They have been on a ship in which we know there was coronavirus illnesses and infection.

So, we want to be absolutely certain that the federal government really tightens down all of the procedures so that there is a very low or hopefully no chance of infection getting into the community.

We do and we should expect that some of those people will display symptoms or be testing positive. Where will they go? That number will simply overwhelm the health facilities. In talking earlier today with Supervisor Hannigan, Erin Hannigan, they are a county, public health system, the hospitals and others are very, very concerned about what will ultimately come of the evacuees from the ship should they test positive or should they display symptoms, overwhelming the system. They're going to have to be spread out around other parts of the nation and not just overwhelm what is already going to be a very stressed system to begin with.

BALDWIN: Yes. And again, just keeping in mind, 21 testing positive for coronavirus out of just 45 who were tested out of 3,500 people who were on that cruise.

One more just for you personally, just given that several members of Congress are in self-quarantine, are you personally worried about just your own personal travel from home to Washington and do you think Congress should stay home for a minute?

GARAMENDI: I believe -- I'm responsible. I have a job to do. I represent not only the people in my district, but I also have a responsibility to this nation and beyond. And that means I'm going to appear for work. I'm going to go to work. Yes, I flew from Sacramento to Baltimore, Washington on a plane and I'll eventually this week fly back to California.

I'll do my best to protect myself as well as encourage my passengers on that plane to protect themselves. With regard to my staff in Washington, I've instructed them that public events are not necessary. We can do phone calls and should it become necessary, if any of them become -- showing any of the symptoms, get tested and don't come to the office. I think that is the order of the day for not only my office but others.

But personally, I've got a responsibility. I'll carry out my responsibility here in Washington and back in the district.

(15:45:00)

And I'll do my best to protect myself, no handshakes, we have a sign on our door, you're welcome but don't expect to shake hands.

BALDWIN: No, it is a lot of this these days. Even for people who come on my show. I hear you loud and clear.

GARAMENDI: We can call it the fist bump.

BALDWIN: There you go. There you go. Congressman Garamendi, thank you very much. Stay well to you and of course to your staff there in Washington.

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