MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Politics Involving in Not Passing Unemployment Insurance and the Hobby Lobby Court Case

Interview

SEN. BARBARA BOXER, (D) CALIFORNIA: Great to be with you.

SCHULTZ: Senator, your response to Speaker Boehner`s calling this extension a joke.

BOXER: Well, they are unreal. You could happy birthday and they`d say, "How dare you." I mean, seriously, this is a page out of George Bush`s book when we had the Medicare part D, prescription drug serge. Everybody said, "Lets extend the deadline." George Bush extended the deadline. I never heard the Republicans complain. Look, again, it`s all about politics, Ed.

You mention the six million, how about the three million kids who were on their parents insurance, who couldn`t be before? And the eight million seniors who are saving money through the Medicare part D and the 100 million people who now can get free preventive services? I could go on with you. So, we have millions of reasons to be grateful for this law.

And I think you`ve got it right, you`ve put in to historical perspective. It doesn`t matter what the numbers are. They`re playing politics. And, you know, if you look back, this law is being vilified by them just like they`ve vilified social security. The Republicans called it a mockery and a sham and Newt Gingrich said Medicare should wither on the vine and Bob Dole was bragging that he voted against it.

So, putting it into that context, what you see is this is another great step forward for the American people.

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

BOXER: And the numbers are proving it.

SCHULTZ: Senator, take us back, you touched on something that the mainstream media has not focused on. Medicare part D.

BOXER: Yes.

SCHULTZ: That was under the Bush administration.

BOXER: Yes.

SCHULTZ: President Bush extended the deadline, where were the -- scratch you memory, where were the Republicans? Were they complaining about a change in the deadline? Were they talking about what the law was and what had to be done?

BOXER: They were for it. We all were for it, because they supported their president. And we supported President Bush who was our President at that time. But because it`s President Obama, if he says A, they say B, they can never be on the same page. It is sad, not even on foreign policy that you stop with the waters edge. So Ed, here`s the deal, they`re going to vote probably for 55th time to talk away the benefits from millions and millions of Americans.

And I think by the time, November rules (ph) around, people are going to say, you know, "Who`s really on my side? Who`s fighting to give me a fair shot? And I think the answer is .

SCHULTZ: Yeah.

BOXER: . Democrats are not perfect but we sure are on their side.

SCHULTZ: What are you`re thoughts on the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case, what unfolded yesterday? Senator lets just say the Supreme Court sides with Hobby Lobby in their decision. What does this mean?

BOXER: Oh it`s very dangerous. Because what it means is that anytime a private sector or corporation decides that they don`t want to follow a lot because they have a moral objection, maybe it`s the vaccinations, maybe it`s the immunizations, maybe it`s the HIV treatments. There`s nothing that will stop them from just saying, "We`re just not going to cover it." So it`s -- we`re not going to follow the law.

And this is really a terrible thing, because we`re a government of buying for the people. The reason we have elections is to elect people to pass laws. If the law is unconstitutional, that`s one thing. But we have a religious exemption in the Affordable Care Act. You know that. And a lot of people .

SCHULTZ: Yes.

BOXER: . thought it went too far. We have a religious exemption. But just because I may I have an objections to something doesn`t mean I should force my employees to follow, you know, my religious freedom. Everyone has a religious freedom. So you got to follow the law. I`m hopeful .

SCHULTZ: Yes.

BOXER: . the court will not do that kind of a radical decision, maybe they`ll just come in somewhere in the middle. But, I`m praying hard on it.

SCHULTZ: Well, this is undoubtedly discrimination in the public workplace.

BOXER: Yes .

SCHULTZ: It doesn`t matter .

BOXER: . it`s discrimination.

SCHULTZ: . who owns the business. It is discrimination across the board against women. No doubt about it. Senator Barbara Boxer, great to have you. Yes?

BOXER: Ed, can I just say one quick thing?

SCHULTZ: Yes.

BOXER: I never heard Hobby Lobby complain about providing Viagra. But they pick on women, it`s wrong, you know, it`s wrong.

SCHULTZ: It is wrong. And I hope the court gets their head screwed on right .

BOXER: Yeah.

SCHULTZ: . with this one, they should. Thank you Senator .

BOXER: I hope so.

SCHULTZ: . appreciate your time. Well, I mean, it`s just common sense. What it is, is discriminating against women on the workplace.

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