CNN "Newsroom" - Transcript: Interview with Charlie Crist

Interview

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With us now is Democratic Congressman Charlie Crist of Florida, he has introduced a new bill to help combat conservatorship abuse inspired by the Britney Spears controversy. Congressman, thank you very much for being here. What was it about the Britney Spears case that got your attention and caused you to jump in on this cause?

REP. CHARLIE CRIST (D-FL): Well, just the abuse that was involved in the conservatorship with her father. And the fact that I think the most heinous part of it was that an IUD had to stay inside of her. She couldn't make the decision about that herself.

That really stood out to me. And I thought she gave very compelling testimony when she was brave enough to talk about what was happening to her in this conservatorship. And if it could happen to somebody like Britney Spears, it can happen to anybody in our country. And that's what really spurred us on to do this legislation.

CAMEROTA: That's such a great point. Hers is such a high-profile case it's gotten so much attention but how widespread do you think toxic conservatorships are?

CRIST: I think far too widespread. You know, I represent a district in Tampa Bay in Florida, and, you know, we get calls about seniors that have conservatorships or guardianships as we call them in the Sunshine State. And people are getting abused all the time. So regrettably, I think it's a rampant problem. But with the passage of our legislation, we'll have an opportunity to really stem the tide on that and help people out so they don't get caught in a situation like Britney had to.

CAMEROTA: What's the biggest thing that your legislation would change about these?

CRIST: The biggest thing is that it allows for somebody who's in a conservatorship or guardianship to appeal to a court to get that private conservatorship extinguished and get a public one appointed, which would then also have caseworkers to give it oversight so that this kind of thing can't happen again.

CAMEROTA: While I have you, Congressman, I do want to ask you because you're on the House Appropriations Committee and that's the committee responsible for funding the federal government. You know that there's -- last night, Senate Republicans blocked the motion to fund government, and so this Thursday night at midnight, the government might shut down. How likely do you think that is?

CRIST: I'm an optimist, and I don't think that is going to happen. I don't think we want that to happen. Obviously, I think it was terribly irresponsible on behalf of the Republicans in the Senate to do what they did last night. That's not right. This should not be a political issue. This is an American issue about supporting our government, supporting our budget, and they did the wrong thing last night. But I think we can get to good before Thursday.

CAMEROTA: And if we don't, what are the real-world consequences?

CRIST: Well, let's all hope that we do.

CAMEROTA: Meanwhile, we have just been reporting that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now considering separating the two bills that we've talked so much about, the $1 trillion infrastructure bipartisan bill from the 3.5 social safety net reconciliation bill. As I'm sure you know, your progressive colleagues would very much like those to be in tandem, but we're hearing that Speaker Pelosi is open to now separating them. Do you think that they should be separated?

CRIST: I think they're both very important pieces of legislation. I don't care how it is that they pass. I think both of them must pass. That's my perspective. I think that we need to do what's right for the American people. Clearly, we need new infrastructure across our country, new roads, new bridges, new rail, better ports, better seaports, but I also think that we have additional things we need to address.

For example, in Florida, the restoration of the Everglades can be part of the $3.5 trillion package. So, both of them are very important to me. I don't care if they're together or apart so long as both of them pass.

CAMEROTA: But so, you think that the infrastructure bill will pass on Thursday?

CRIST: I do think so. I do. Because we need it. America needs it, and the American people deserve it.

CAMEROTA: What about the debt ceiling? You know, Republicans have said that they are not going to help Democrats suspend it or raise it.

CRIST: Well, we need to have it, and the debt ceiling has to be risen in order for us to be able to afford the things that we need to pay for, for the American people. My God, we're in the middle of a pandemic. If now is not the time to help the American people, I don't know when is. So, I think Republicans need to get with the program and do what's right.

CAMEROTA: Congressman Charlie Crist, thank you for deal with all these issues with us today.

CRIST: Thank you, Alisyn, my pleasure.

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