CNN "CNN Newsroom" - TRANSCRIPT Biden: U.S. To Send 31 Abrams Tanks To "Enhance" Ukraine's Capacity; CA Gov. Newsom Renews Call For Federal Gun Safety Legislation; Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) Discusses About The Mass Shooting At Monterey Park And What The Government Should Do; Opening Statements In Alex Murdaugh Double Murder Trial; Reps For Clinton, Obama, Both Bushes Say All Classified Docs Returned. Aired 3-3:30p ET
Interview
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BLACKWELL: Veronica Miracle, thank you so much. Just two days before the mass shooting in Half Moon Bay, 11 people were shot and killed in Southern California's Monterey Park. A 72-year-old man just started shooting there in a dance studio. A candlelight vigil was held last night for those victims.
Joining us now is Congresswoman Judy Chu, whose district represents or includes Monterey Park.
Congresswoman, thank you for being with us.
The Vice President will be in California today, will be in Monterey Park, what do your constituents need to hear?
REP. JUDY CHU (D-CA): They want to hear that there is concern for their welfare. They are, I think, in a state of shock right now. And they need to have that human touch from someone who is so high up, who is expressing concern for them and how they are feeling. But also, I think they want the reassurance that there will be the resources there available for them.
I've heard that some of the victims that are still in hospital are worried about how they're going to pay their medical bills or will they still have a job. These are things that we have to help them with and I think that Vice President Harris can do an excellent job in reassuring them.
BLACKWELL: Well, certainly, the compassion and condolences after all in a tragedy like this are welcome. [15:10:02]
But California governor, Gavin Newsom, says that's not enough, that there must be more. Here's a bit of his frustration.
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BLACKWELL: He says the federal government needs to do its job. What do you think that job is and could there have been legislation or is there legislation that could make these shootings, what we know about them, less likely to happen again?
CHU: Well, he is so correct. We need federal legislation, because there's nothing to prevent somebody from buying an illegal gun in Nevada and then crossing the line to California. And so it is important to have these laws across all these different states.
And we did pass the bipartisan gun safety law last year. It was a step forward and required such things as enhanced background checks for people under 21 who are trying to buy guns, amongst other things.
So that is good, but in terms of these mass shootings, one thing we need to do is to ban these high capacity magazines. That high capacity magazine is what killed so many people all at one time ...
BLACKWELL: Yes.
CHU: ... at that spa, at that dancing spa.
BLACKWELL: Yes. And we've seen, of course, these high capacity magazines in, unfortunately, so many mass shootings across this country. You've served on House Budget Committee Ways and Means as well, let me ask you quickly about the debt limit. We hit it last week, default could come in a couple of months.
Democrats want to clean bill, Republicans demand some cuts. There is an option of what's called the discharge petition. Democrats would need just a handful of Republicans to vote with them. They could pass legislation without the approval of the speaker, of the GOP leadership, should you take that route and do you think you can get five House Republicans who could defy Republican leadership to raise that limit?
CHU: Well, it is an intriguing idea. And I would certainly rather try something like that than default on all the bills. Remember, the debt ceiling only allocates monies to pay the bills that already outstanding. It doesn't create any new spending, so there shouldn't even be a discussion about this. And if we default, that would be devastating to the economy around the world. So if the discharge petition is the route, then I would certainly support it. I actually think that there are Republicans who are concerned about the economic safety of America and I - but I don't know if they would sign the discharge petition. I certainly hope so - I hope - I certainly hope that it would be in their conscience to do such a thing.
BLACKWELL: Congresswoman Judy Chu, thank you for your time.
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