CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Interview
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Our next guests are making an announcement here on our program, in hopes of convincing Manchin and other lawmakers that D.C. is indeed deserving of statehood.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and New York (sic) Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham are here with us.
Thanks so much, ladies, for being here.
GOV. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (D-NM): Thank you so much.
MURIEL BOWSER (D), MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, D.C.: Thank you very much for having us.
CAMEROTA: Governor, you are announcing today you're inviting Mayor Bowser to become part of the Democratic Governors Association. But, of course, she's not a governor. So how is this going to work? LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, look, she's an executive leader in the District
working on all of the things that Democratic governors are responsible, from continuing to save lives, get folks vaccinated in our fight against COVID, to every other meaningful issue, from voting rights protection, health care reform and access, educational investments for every single one of her constituents and families.
And that's exactly what the Democratic governors across this country are doing every day. And this partnership is an incredible announcement to really reinforce, that's what we're dedicated to and that's what we are about. And we're delighted to be able to make this announcement today.
[15:20:02]
CAMEROTA: Mayor Bowser, the House passed a bill to make D.C. a state last month. But now Governor Manchin, Democrat of West Virginia, says that he doesn't support it.
So, is it DOA?
BOWSER: No, it's not DOA.
And let me thank the governor for her leadership, leadership of the Governors Association, and her willingness to embrace the city, county and state that Washington, D.C., is right now.
Like she said, we function as a state in so many ways. We're treated as a state throughout federal law. And what's missing is two senators to represent us in the Senate, so, we will be just like every other taxpaying American.
What we know is that we have work to do in the Senate. And we have strong allies. The president of the United States has issued a very strong statement supporting statehood for D.C. Senator Schumer has been very strong in his support for D.C. statehood.
And so we know that they're going to work with Senator Manchin and others, so that this is an issue that is finally resolved, a wrong that is finally right in our democracy.
CAMEROTA: All right, we will follow that and see what develops.
In the mean time, Mayor, while I have you, I want to ask you about your new guidelines for reopening D.C. It's getting a lot of attention. Here's what you're saying: "Beginning May 1, multipurpose facilities and then use may host events such as weddings, provided that there may be no more than 25 percent capacity in any room, or up to 250 people."
Here's what's getting a lot of attention: "Standing and dancing receptions are not allowed."
What good is a wedding without dancing, Mayor? And why no dancing?
(LAUGHTER) BOWSER: Well, I think there's a lot of good to a wedding, like people starting off their lives together and doing it in a safe way, and not doing it in a way that puts themselves or their guests in danger.
And let me be clear. On May 1, we were proud of our residents and businesses who make conditions in D.C. such that we can start opening up these facilities. An alternate headline may be, now you can host a wedding in Washington, D.C., a regional meeting. You can have your friends and family for a family reunion and birthday parties at our hotels and restaurants.
And just like our restaurant guidelines suggest is that you have to be seated to enjoy the restaurant.
CAMEROTA: I see that -- we will give you a minute for your earpiece there.
In the meantime, Governor, let me ask you about your restrictions. You're doing something interesting. You're saying that, when New Mexico -- it can reopen when 60 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. That's interesting, because that's the incentive model.
So, you're telling people, hey, you want to reopen fully, then everybody needs to go out and get fully vaccinated. And not every state is doing that. And, in fact, I'm wondering if you think that President Biden should take a page from that and say things like, you will get more PPP or restaurant funds once you can show that everybody involved is vaccinated.
LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, I will tell you that I am incredibly proud of the president. He did exactly what we needed in the White House.
He followed science. It's evidence-based. And he has leaned in and led to make sure that Americans can get access to vaccinations and to make sure that our COVID-safe practices, right, are still robust across the country.
And it's put New Mexico in an incredible position. So, I do think telling people, look, at 60 percent, we know that we create a baseline of immunity. I think that's where the president is going with 70 percent at least having one shot. We need as much, right, of that baseline across the country to protect us from variants that are here, more that are potentially coming, so that we don't regress in our fight against COVID.
And I think New Mexicans will get -- will make President Biden and vice president very proud. We're likely to get beyond that. And I do want to point out that, even though we have created that incentive, we have been very clear that all of our very strict COVID-safe practices will remain intact, including mask mandates for everything except the CDC guidance for individuals engaged in outdoor activities and small vaccinated groups, that we're going to really stay the course to continue to protect New Mexicans.
CAMEROTA: Is there dancing allowed in New Mexico, Governor?
(LAUGHTER)
LUJAN GRISHAM: Well, I will tell you what, if you're socially distanced, and you're wearing a mask, and you meet the other requirements with our level of vaccinations, yes.
CAMEROTA: OK. Right. And--
(CROSSTALK)
LUJAN GRISHAM: But I will say that I want to give the mayor -- it takes courage to be really clear about what constitutes high-risk activities and behaviors.
[15:25:09]
CAMEROTA: Yes.
LUJAN GRISHAM: And it is something that Democratic governors are leading in this country, evidence-based.
CAMEROTA: I hear you.
But, Mayor, just -- just is there any way that you would reconsider, with masks on and, say, a card that shows fully vaccinated, that you would allow dancing?
BOWSER: We're absolutely considering opening more activity as our case rates go down and our vaccination rates go up. And that's in our hotels, and that's in our other venues.
CAMEROTA: Understood.
Mayor Bowser, Governor Lujan Grisham, thank you very much for covering all of these topics with us. Great to see you.
LUJAN GRISHAM: Thanks for having us.
BOWSER: Thank you.
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