CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview With Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)

Interview

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Joining me right now, Illinois Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. He serves on both the oversight and intelligence committees. Congressman, good to see you.

What is it like --

REP. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI (D-IL): Hey there, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: -- what is it like for you to see, you know, your community rallying around health care workers, you know, to donate life-saving protective equipment, supplies and how do you assess that along with the federal government's response? Do you feel like enough is being done from all corners? KRISHNAMOORTHI: Well, I think it's very good that people are rallying

to donate extra supplies of personal protective equipment and similar gear. But unfortunately the federal response and what we've seen coming from the White House specifically on this issue has been woefully inadequate.

My wife is a physician, and she had to go and buy a welder's face mask, because her hospital has run out of N-95 masks. She had to buy personal goggles from another store because they've run out of eyewear.

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KRISHNAMOORTHI: This is the type of thing where, you know, the President invoking the Defense Production Act and getting manufacturers to produce this commitment 24/7 is absolutely essential now more than ever because we can't allow these health care workers to get infected. They might spread the infection. And, of course, they could be out of commission to treat people who are sick right now.

WHITFIELD: Yes. We've even heard in some cases people have used swim goggles, you know, to try to protect themselves as well.

You know, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she did not mince words on the way that she sees the administration, particularly the President, handling matters. Listen to what she told our Jake Tapper earlier today.

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JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Are you saying that he's downplaying ultimately cost American lives?

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Yes, I am. I'm saying that because when he made -- the other day when he was signing the bill he said, just think, 20 days ago everything was great. No, everything wasn't great.

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WHITFIELD: And what are your thoughts on what the House Speaker said and the fact that the White House is now and the CDC is also talking about new restrictions? Travel restrictions?

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Well, I think if we've learned anything in this crisis it's that -- two things. One, you have to let facts and science dictate decision-making and nothing else. And then second, you have to move quickly to stop the spread of the virus.

And unfortunately, on too many occasions the President has not used facts and science, but rather other considerations to dictate his response to the spread of the virus.

And then he's also delayed testing. He's delayed, you know, social distancing requirements and so forth which unfortunately allows the virus to spread and people get sick. And they ultimately die. WHITFIELD: And people are frustrated, and there are a number of

criticisms that, you know, are being launched whether it be directly at the President or the administration. But then how do you use that energy or what are you hoping to advise to use that energy of frustration in which to promote some solutions in the near-term and long?

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Sure. Well, I think if -- there's any good news, it's that on Friday we did pass our phase three stimulus in a bipartisan and the President thankfully signed it into law. It's going to rush a lot of assistance to state and local authorities to help with the current crisis as well as rush assistance directly to small businesses and working families.

Now we have to do, I think, the hard work of figuring out what's next. Because what happened is, as some people have said, we've basically had the economy go into a medically-induced coma to stop and kill the virus.

Basically we've brought economic activity almost to a standstill, but when the economy opens up again and in let's say eight, nine, ten weeks, whenever the virus is killed, we don't know that the economy's really going to bounce back to what it was pre-pandemic levels.

So that's why now we have to channel our energy into figuring out what's next? What do we do next to help working families, small businesses and states and local authorities bounce back?

WHITFIELD: And what is the gauge or measuring stick which you're using in which determine when the economy should be reopened?

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Again, I think facts and science have to determine our decision-making on this. Did we flatten the curve? Are the number of infections per day going down? Have we seen the number of deaths or the rate of people dying going down? All of the questions that I think scientists and public health experts are asking.

We need to look to them to ask the question, ok, are we now getting better? Or are we in a different place? And that should dictate what our next step should be as far as opening up the economy.

WHITFIELD: All right. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Good to see you. Thank you so much. And stay well.

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Thank you so much -- Fred. Thank you.

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