CNN "The Situation Room" - Interview with Joshua Gottheimer

Interview

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Joining us on the phone right now, the New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who's spending a lot of time working on this critically important issue.

Congressman, what are you doing to make sure this really high risk population in nursing homes not only in New Jersey but around the country -- what are you doing to try to make sure these people could stay safe?

REP. JOSH GOTTHEIMER (D-NJ): Hi, Wolf. Well, thank you for putting a spotlight on this because in New Jersey it's just devastating. You know, of the 10,000 deaths in New Jersey, more than half are in nursing homes long-term care facilities. The good news is we've all worked together and the governor announced last week that by the end of May, we have to have plans in place, testing in all the facilities, long-term care facilities for all the employees there are coming in every day, all the caregivers, and of course all the patients, and the residents who are there. But the numbers just keep adding up and it's -- you know, it's just devastating.

BLITZER: It's so sad to think about these elderly people, they're in nursing homes and they're so, so vulnerable. A lot of these nursing homes like Petri dishes out there.

Congressman, let me also show you and our viewers the 14-day trend in new cases in New Jersey. And it does look like New Jersey, at least right now, seems to be on the right track. Are you optimistic that you might soon be able to ease a lot of those serious restrictions?

GOTTHEIMER: I am. You know, the good news is while we still have cases increasing, the number of people on ventilators and in the ICU beds are about under a thousand which is, you know, frankly a great benchmark, you know, that we've achieved, and so I see the curve is -- because people have taken many tough choices, the curve is bent and we're really headed in the right direction now.

But we've got to stick with it, and that's what I'm concerned about. We've eased up on non-essential businesses are now allowed for curbside, but that's happening this week. The curbside pickup. I hope that helps a lot of our businesses especially our small businesses that are hurting. So we've got to get people, you know, back to work and safety. But, you know, it's going to take a lot of work to just make sure we keep those numbers down.

BLITZER: You know, Congressman, I want to show our viewers some of the video from Motion City Beach yesterday in New Jersey. There are a lot of people out, although it does look like groups are trying to keep their distance which is so smart.

What are you doing to ensure there isn't a second wave as restrictions clearly begin to ease in New Jersey?

GOTTHEIMER: Well, you know, Wolf, it's tough. You want to make sure we get people outside and, you know, I couldn't be happier to have people be able to go to beaches and lakes and to parks. That's great news. We just have to really be careful in how we do this. And I know all of our communities are taking steps to make sure that when we open and how we open is smart and safe.

But it's tough. You know, and we want people -- people have to be responsible and socially distance. That's going to be key, or otherwise, I know we'll have to take additional measures. But I'll tell you, it's great to have everybody outside. Now we just got to keep it safe.

BLITZER: That's critically important.

What do you say your constituents who are hurting financially with the stay-at-home order that is still in effect in New Jersey, and who desperately want to get back to work and make some money, put food on the table?

GOTTHEIMER: You know, I talk to our small businesses every day and of course people who want to get back to work and it's heartbreaking. You know, they just want to go feed their families. And you know, tough making ends meet. You know, the conversation I have is the same. That we all want to get back to work. You know, I just feel for so many people who are losing their businesses and losing their jobs. So we've really got to do this but we've got to get back to work in a

smart and safe way, you know, and make sure that we've got all the protective gears in place and the protective measures.

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And if we do that, I think we can get there. And to me we've got to get our economy stood back up and moving. But we want to make sure we take every measure because the worst thing that will happen is actually having another outbreak and go right back inside. And I know people couldn't handle that. So to me let's just make sure we take every measure possible. And it's not just in New Jersey, it's around the country.

But, you know, New Jersey and New York half the cases so that's why it's important that we get resources back here because we've been hurting for our local communities, for our cops, our firefighters. There's a lot of opportunity here to get growth but it's going to have to be done in a safe and smart way.

BLITZER: I know you voted in favor of the Democrats' $3 trillion aid package that passed the House of Representatives on Friday. But clearly Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, says it's not going anywhere in the Senate unless there's some major, major changes unfolding.

If he's watching tonight, what's your message to the Senate majority leader?

GOTTHEIMER: Let's sit down and talk. I mean, there's plenty in there we can agree on. And please, we've got to make sure we take care of the areas in the country that have been hardest hit in the eye of the COVID storm. You don't walk away, and our country never does from the areas that have been hit, whether it's a tornado or a hurricane, any kind of natural disaster. We've got each other's back.

You know, this package had tax cuts, was reinstating SALTs which are great for my district to get dollars in people's pocket to spend in our businesses. It helps our local (INAUDIBLE) communities to the smallest levels which I think Mr. McConnell would appreciate. But, you know, we've got to sit down and talk to one another. It's how we did these first packages. Bipartisan work, bipartisan cooperation. Country ahead of party. And that to me is the message I'd like to communicate. I'm really hoping in this coming week we can do that.

BLITZER: Let's see if we can get some negotiations going on the front.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer, thanks so much for joining us.

GOTTHEIMER: Thanks so much, Wolf. Stay safe.

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