♪ ♪ >> Renee: WE WRAP UP OUR SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION WITH U.S. SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL.

WE CATCH UP WITH THE LEADER FROM OUR STUDIOS IN LOUISVILLE TO TALK WITH HIM ABOUT COVID, INFRASTRUCTURE, THE $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET RECONCILIATION MEASURE AND MORE.

NOW ON "CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE."

LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL, THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME FOR US IN YOUR HOME CITY.

THANK YOU, SIR.

SO LET'S JUST JUMP RIGHT INTO THINGS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.

AFGHANISTAN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TIME LINE, THE EVEN THE REASON ON WITHDRAWAL OR THE DECISION TO MAINTAIN THE TIMELINE FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN.

YOU HAVE HAD SOME PRETTY SHARP CRITICISM OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS ACTIONS.

THE PRESIDENT, OF COURSE, HAS SAID HE HAD NO CHOICE AND TO PROCEED AND HAD EVEN ASSERTED JUST RECENTLY THAT IF AFGHANISTAN IS UNABLE TO MOUNT ANY KIND OF REAL RESIST TONS THE TALIBAN NOW, HE SAID, "THERE IS NO CHANCE IN ONE YEAR, FIVE YEAR OR 20 YEARS MORE, THAT THE U.S. MILITARY BOOTS ON THE GROUND WOULD MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE?

>> THE PRESIDENT GET CREDIT FOR BEING CONSISTENT.

THAT'S BEEN HIS VIEW FOR DECADES.

LET ME GIVE YOU MY VIEW.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHY WE WENT THERE IN FIRST PLACE.

IT WASN'T TO CREATE A JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY IN AFGHANISTAN.

IT WAS TO KEEP THE BARBARIANS, THE TALIBAN, FROM RUNNING THE COUNTRY SO THEY COULD ENABLE GROUPS LIKE AL QAEDA TO ATTACK US HERE AT HOME.

THAT'S THE MISSION.

AFTER 20 YEARS, I THINK YOU CAN SAFELY SAY IT WORKED.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A MASS CASUALTY ATTACK HERE FROM OVER THERE SINCE THEN.

WE HAVE KEPT THE PRESSURE ON TERRORISTS IN SYRIA, IRAQ, AND AFGHANISTAN.

THE CHOICE WAS ALWAYS, DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT THEM OVER THERE OR FIGHT THEM HERE?

THEY ARE INTENT ON DOING US HARM.

SO WHERE WERE WE WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN FINALLY DID WHAT HE SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO DO, IF HE GOT ELECTED?

WHICH BY THE WAY IS NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WANTED TO DO.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

>> OR PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID HE WANTED TO DO IT POLLS WELL IF IF YOU ASK THE QUESTION "DO YOU THINK WE HAVE BEEN THERE TONGUE?

I SUSPECT IF YOU ASK PEOPLE THEY THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN IN GERMANY, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA TOO LONG, THEY WOULD SAY YES.

SO, YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE CONTEXT.

WHY DID WE GO THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

AT THE TIME THE PRESIDENT MADE THE UNFORTUNATE DECISION TO LEAVE, THINGS WEREN'T WORKING.

WE HAD ABOUT 2500 TROOPS THERE.

FOR COUNTER TERRORISM PURPOSES.

AND FOR ONGOING TRAINING AND MORALE FOR THE AFGHAN ARMY.

AND BY THE WAY, THE NOTION THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO FIGHT IS NOT TRIAL.

THEY LOST ALMOST 70,000 PERSONNEL OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

WE LOST 2400.

SO, IT WASN'T BROKEN, AND IT DIDN'T NEED FIXING.

BUT HAVING MADE THE DECISION TO WITHDRAWAL, YOU COULD ONLY CONCLUDE THESE PEOPLE COULDN'T ORGANIZE A TWO-CAR FUNERAL.

AND, THE BOTCHED EVACUATION IS HEARTBREAKING, DANGEROUS, AND A SIGNAL TO ALL OF THE TERRORISTS IN THE REST OF THE WORLD, THAT THE TALIBAN OF ALL PEOPLE, DEFEATED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THOSE YOUNGSTERS CLINGING TO THE SIDES OF THE PLANES TAKING OFF, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE STORY DIRECTLY RELATED TO ME.

WE HAD A FORMER SCHOLAR AT U OF L, WHO IS THE DAUGHTER OF VIETNAM BOAT PEOPLE.

GRADUATED FROM U OF L, WENT TO LIEU SCHOOL, WENT INTO THE J AG CORP IN, AFGHANISTAN, HAD AN INTERPRETER.

THE LAST WEEK OR SO, BEEN TALKING TO HER INTERPRETER WHO IS STUCK IN A HOUSE IN KABUL AS THE TALIBAN IS GOING DOOR TO DOOR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DESPERATE TO GET OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT, SOME RAY OF HOPE THAT THIS PERSON MAY GET OUT THROUGH THE HELP OF THE CANADIANS AND MAY GET ON A PLANE.

BUT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE.

SO, HERE IS WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE AT THIS POINT.

BY THE WAY, THE PRESIDENT HAS GOT MORE TROOPS THERE NOW THAN HE HAD BEFORE HE DECIDED TO GET OUT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

IN ORDER TO AID THE EVACUATION.

>> YES.

>> Renee: 5,000 THERE NOW?

>> YES.

AND WE HAD 2500 BEFORE.

LOOK, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A DEADLINELE.

ALL AMERICANS WHO WANT TO GET OUT NEED TO BE GOTTEN OUT.

AND,.

>> Renee: THE AFGHAN ALLIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AFGHAN INTERPRETERS AND OTHERS WHO WORKED WITH US OVER THE YEARS, ARE ENTITLED TO GO SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD AND HAVE A NEW LIFE.

AND WE WEST OWE IT TO THEM TO DO THAT.

SO I DISAGREE WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS.

THE DECISION TO LEAVE WAS A MISTAKE.

THE WAY IN WHICH WE'RE LEAVING HAS BEEN COMPLETELY BOTCHED.

>> Renee: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

>> WE SHOULD HAVE STAYED THE COURSE.

>> Renee: AND STAYED THERE INDEFINITELY?

>> YES.

WE STILL ARE IN GERMANY.

WE'RE STILL IN JAPAN, WE'RE STILL IN SOUTH KOREA.

LET ME SAY IT AGAIN: WE HAD 2500 TROOPS THERE.

IT COST ABOUT 1% OF THE PENTAGON BUDGET, 1% OF THE PENTAGON BUDGET TO KEEP THEM THERE.

AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ATTACKED AGAIN FROM OVER THERE IN 20 YEARS.

SO IN MY VIEW, IT WASN'T BROKEN AND IF NEED FIX BUG THAT'S NOT MY DECISION TO MAKE.

HE MADE IT.

AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT.

THE TERRORISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE CHEERING THIS AS THE TALIBAN FLAG GOES UP OVER THE PALACE IN KABUL.

>> Renee: DO YOU BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE USED AIR STRIKES?

>> I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE USED WHATEVER IS NECESSARY AT THIS POINT TO GET EVERYBODY OUT.

OUR PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH US, WHO DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE WORLD INCLUDING SOME OF THEM COME HERE TO START A NEW LIFE.

>> Renee: WORDS OF WISDOM, PRESIDENT TRUMP NEGOTIATED THE DEADLINE WITH THE TALIBAN.

>> I ARGUED WITH HIM ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

>> Renee: WHY WOULD YOU NEGOTIATE WITH THE TERRORISTS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 9/11?

>> I WOULDN'T HAVE NEGOTIATED WITH THEM.

I THINK THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE A MISTAKE IN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM.

I DON'T THINK THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS BOUND BY AN AGREEMENT THAT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION MADE.

HE HAS BEENSBILY BUSILY DOING EVERYTHING ELSE AT WORK.

HE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE THE FACT THAT DONALD TRUMP TALKED TO THE TALIBAN AND AGREED TO ME IS A DETERMINATIVE FOR HIM.

>> NOW THE TALIBAN HAS GOTTEN ACCESS TO U.S. WEAPONRY.

>> YES.

>> Renee: ARSENALS SO ARE YOU CONCERNED PARTICULARLY ON THE EVE OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, WHAT RISK DOES ALL OF THIS -- >> IT IS AN UTTER DEBACLE IN EVERY WAY.

UTTER DEBACLE.

A STAIN ON OUR NATIONAL HONOR.

AND WORSE T SA IG ON.

>> LOTS OF STORIES COMPARING.

>> HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE.

THERE WAS NOBODY IN VIETNAM ORGANIZING TO COME AND ATTACK US OVER HERE.

THIS IS MUCH WORSE THAN VIETNAM BECAUSE THIS WAS A HAVEN OF TRAINING GROUND FOR ATTACKS ON THE U.S.

HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT RESETTLEMENT.

BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THAT BEFORE.

AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

WE KNOW THAT TWO DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE LEADER, SENATOR, STATE SENATOR MORGAN McGARVEY AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JOANIE JENKINS WROTE A LETTER THAT WAS ALSO COPIED TO YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL DELEGATION AND THE OF GO NOR ASKING YOU ALL TO WORK TOGETHER TO WELCOME REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN HERE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I DO.

I AGREE WITH IT ENTIRELY.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE ONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> WELL, THESE RESETTLEMENTS OF REFUGEES ARE PRIVATE GROUPS LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND OTHERS AT WORK.

FOR EXAMPLE, AS YOU KNOW I THINK WE HAVE A RATHER LARGE BURMESE POPULATION IN BOWLING GREEN IN LOUISVILLE.

I THINK THEY WERE ALL PROCESSED INTO THE COUNTRY THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

SO WE HAVE NON-PROFITS AND OTHERS THAT WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE WHO COME IN AS REFUGEES.

>> Renee: WE KNOW THAT THE IDEA OF RESETTLEMENT OF AFGHAN REFUGEES HAS CAUSED SOME OF IT A SCHISM IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THOSE WHO ABIDE BY THE AMERICAN FIRST TRUMP WAY OF NOT TAKING IN IMMIGRANTS BECAUSE OF THE TERRORIST THREAT AND WE'VE HEARD MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TALK ABOUT THEY ARE ALREADY PUTTING TERRORISTS ON PLANES AND SENDING THEM TO THE U.S. AND OTHERS WHO CONSERVATIVES WHO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OUR ALLIES.

HOW DO YOU AS MINORITY LEADER HELP BRIDGE THAT GAP IN IDEOLOGY OR THINKING ABOUT HOW TO APPROACH IT?

>> I'M NOT SURE THAT WE HAVE A GAP IN THE SENATE.

BUT IN ANY EVENT, MY VIEW IS WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FRIENDS, TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO START A NEW LIFE.

SOME OF THEM IN AMERICA AND SOME OF THEM OTHER PLACES.

WE OWE IT TO THEM.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE 3.5 TRILLION BUDGET RECONCILIATION MATTER.

DID YOU SUPPORT THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE MEASURE.

AND CURIOUS, WHEN THIS CAME UP DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND THERE WAS A TRILLION DOLLAR MEASURE THERE, YOU DID NOT SUPPORT IT, CORRECT?

BECAUSE OF COST.

SO WHY NOW?

WHY IS NOW THE TIME TO SUPPORT?

>> I DIDN'T NECESSARILY OPPOSE IT DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

IT JUST NEVER CAME TOGETHER.

JUST NEVER WAS AN ACTUAL PROPOSAL.

MY WIFE IS THE SECRETARY OF LEY TRANSPORTATION AT THE TIME, SO I WAS AWARE OF THE DISCUSSIONS.

IT JUST NEVER COALESCED.

I HAVE NEVER FELT THAT THE FACT THAT I OPPOSED MOST OF WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS DOING MEANS THAT WE SHOULD DO NOTHING.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS SOMETHING THAT AMERICA NEEDS, NOT IN DISPUTE, BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THINK OUGHT TO BE DONE, NOT IN DISPUTE.

SO I HAVE ALWAYS FELT AND LOOKED FOR THE AR AREAS WHERE WE CAN AE ON AND DO SOMETHING AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WE COULD DO TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHY I VOTED FOR IT.

I THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO PASS.

REGRETFULLY, IT IS ABOUT THE ONLY THING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS DOING THAT I THINK IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNTRY AND ON ALL OF THE REST OF IT, WE'RE IN A BIG FIGHT.

>> Renee: HOW MUCH DOES KENTUCKY STAND TO GAIN?

>> I THINK -- I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE FIGURE.

BUT IT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.

>> AND CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR WHO WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH RECENTLY HAD CRITICISM IN THAT HE FELT IT DIDN'T ADDRESS RURAL NEEDS AS MUCH AS METROPOLITAN MASS TRANSIT.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> WELL, IT IS A DEAL BETWEEN DEMOCRATS WHO THESE DAYS LARGELY URBAN PARTY, AND REPUBLICANS THAT ARE THESE DAYS LARGELY A RURAL PARTY.

THEY HAVE THE WHITE HOUSE.

THEY HAVE A TINY MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE A 50/50 SENATE.

I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE MOST RECREWE COULD HOPE FOR GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Renee: SO THE $3.5 TRILLION RECONCILIATION THEY SURE YOU HAVE DIFFERENT VOWS ABOUT?

>> IN MY VIEW, IT IS ABOUT AS CATASTROPHIC AS THE $1.9 TRILLION DEMOCRAT ONLY VERSION OF THE SO-CALLED RESCUE PACKAGE THAT PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHICH HAS CREATED RAGING INFLATION AND DIFFICULTY OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE IT HONESTLY, TOO EASY TO STAY HOME.

THIS IS IN THAT CATEGORY, ONLY EVEN WORSE BECAUSE IT HAS MASSIVE TAX INCREASES IN IT ON COMPANIES, ON INDIVIDUALS, AND THE MOST DEVASTATING PART OF IT IS CALLED, A TAX ON WHAT IS CALLED STEPPED UP BASIS.

THAT IS, THE RISE IN VALUE OF YOUR FAMILY FARM AND YOUR BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT TAXED AT DEATH.

NOT TAXED AT DEATH.

STEPPED UP BASIS.

RIGHT NOW, AND I HAD A PRETTY BIG HAND IN THIS IN THE 2017 TAX BILL, AN $11 MILLION PER PERSON EXEMPTION FROM THE ESTATE TAX AS WELL.

AND YOU HAVE TO BE WORTH MORE THAN $11 MILLION PER PERSON.

HUSBAND AND WIFE GET $11 MILLION EACH.

WHAT THAT DOES, IS PROTECTS FAMILY FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES FROM HAVING TO BE SOLD IN ORDER TO GET DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

SO THE CURRENT ESTATE TAX LAW IS VERY FAVORABLE TO A STATE OURS.

BUT, WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS TAX THE INSIDE BUILDUP, THEY WANT TO AT A HIGHER CAPITAL GAINS RATE THAN WE HAVE NOW AND LOWER THE EXEMPTION TO $3 MILLION.

DEVASTATING BLOW TO THE MIDDLE CLASS, THAT WORKED A LIFETIME TO BUILD UP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE WORST FEATURES OF IT.

BEYOND THAT IT IS HOW THEY SPEND IT.

THESE WANT TO CREATE.

THEY WANT TO CREATE PROGRAMS OUT OF THIS MASSIVE TAX INCREASE.

>> Renee: HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE IS HOW THEY DESCRIBE IT.

>> HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT SHOULDN'T BE FINANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN SUCH A MASSIVE WAY.

I THINK IT IS A BIG STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF TURNING THIS INTO A SOCIALIST COUNTRY.

BERNIE SANDERS MAY HAVE LOST THE NOMINATION BUT HE WON THE WARTANT WHAT DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON ARE.

AND WE'RE DOWN TO, I THINK, MAYBE 8 OR 9 MODERATE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE, AND MAYBE TWO IN THE SENATE WHO COULD CONCEIVABLY RESIST THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN CHANGE IT.

>> -- AND KRISTIN CINEMA.

>> NONE OF MY GUYS WILL VOTE FOR IT, HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL VOTE FOR IT SO THE TWO DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE, THAT YOU MENTIONED, COULD ACTUALLY CRAFT THE ENTIRE BILL BECAUSE IT WON'T PASS WITHOUT BOTH OF THEIR VOTES.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR EYES ON.

>> YES.

>> SPEAKER PELOSI DID MAKE A DEAL SHE WOULD VOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE BY I THINK THE DATE IS SEPTEMBER 27 SO THAT MAY BE ENOUGH OF A PERSUASIVE POINT.

>> THAT WILL BE UP TO THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO DECIDE WHETHER THAT GETS THEM ON BOARD.

WHAT I THINK IT DOES GUARANTEE IS, THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, WHICH PASSED THE SENATE, IS -- WILL BECOME LAW BECAUSE, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

>> THAT'S A DONE DEAL.

>> YES, THE HOUSE IS NOT GROWING TO PASS A SENATETH SEPARATE VERSION.

WHAT BASICALLY, IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS THE HOUSE IS GOING TO VOTE FOR THE SENATE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT I VOTED FOR, AND SEND IT DOWN TO THE PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE SO THAT'S ONE PIECE OF GOOD NEWS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

AND I THINK THAT, REALLY, A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS FOR KENTUCKY BECAUSE I WAS MEETING WITH KENTUCKIANS FOR BETTER TRANSPORTATION JUST THIS WEEK, AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT, STATE GOVERNMENT IS EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE'VE GOT MAJOR BRIDGE PROJECTS, AND DOWN IN HENDERSON AND OF COURSE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY, THAT COULD AND LIKELY WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS.

SO I THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR KENTUCKY, AND THAT'S WHY I VOTED FOR IT.

>> Renee: YOU MENTIONED WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE AS THE $3.5 FRILL I DON'T KNOW HAS BEEN COINED, -- HAS BEEN COINED, UNPAID LEAVE, CHILD CARE.

MANY SAY THAT'S CRUCIAL TO HAVING A GROWING AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY.

HOW DO REPUBLICANS SEE THAT, THAT THAT'S NOT A PART OF BUILDING -- >> HERE IS THE PROBLEM.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM.

THESE ARE GOING TO BE WHAT'S CALLED ENTITLEMENTS IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE THERE FOREVER UNLESS YOU CHANGE THEM.

AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING HERE IS TAKING A TEMPORARY INFUSION OF CASH AND CREATING PERMANENT ENTITLEMENTS.

AND ENTITLEMENT MEANS THAT WE DON'T ACTUALLY EVEN VOTE ON IT.

IT IS AUTOMATIC.

AND SOME OF THEM ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR.

MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ARE ENTITLEMENTS.

HOW MUCH OF THIS CAN THE COUNTRY HANDLE?

WE ALREADY HAVE A DEBT THE SIZE OF OUR COMMITTEE COME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II.

RIGHT NOW.

PART OF THAT WAS NECESSARY BASED ON THE PANDEMIC AND THE 100-YEAR COUNTRY.

>> Renee: BUT IT ALSO EXISTED UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> OH, PROBABLY SUPPORTED WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

IT WAS A 100 YEAR PANDEMIC.

THAT'S OVER WITH.

WE HAVE THREE VACCINES THAT WORK.

WE KNOW HOW TO STOP IT.

THE COVID, WE KNOW HOW TO STEP COVID, 90% OF PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW ARE UNVACCINATED.

GET VACCINATED AND YOU'RE NOT GROWING TO DIE.

IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

SO, THE CRISIS IS EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH IT WE HAVE A SOLUTION TO IT.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING, IS BUILDING IN LONG TERM PERMANENT BENEFITS THAT THE COUNTRIES SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD.

ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT AND I HAD A FORMER COLLEAGUE SAY, IN EVERY SOCIETY YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE WAGON AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE PULLING THE WAGON.

IF YOU PUT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WAGON, PRETTY SOON YOU CAN'T MOVE IT.

AND, OUR DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS HAVE NEVER SEEN A GROUP THAT THEY COULDN'T -- THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT IN THE WAGON.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT COVID WITH WHICH YOU JUST ALLUDED TO.

AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT MASK MANDATES AND VACCINATIONS.

WE DO KNOW THAT FLORIDA, THERE WAS A NEW YORK TIMES STORY ON THE DAY THAT WE RECORDED THIS PROGRAM, THAT THEY ARE SEEING THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC SO FAR THAN ANY PREVIOUS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC.

TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF HOSPITALIZATIONS, DEATHS ARE ON AVERAGE OF 227 A DAY.

ORLANDO RESIDENTS ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSERVE WATER IN ORDER TO LIMIT THE STRAIN ON CITY'S SUPPLY OF LIQUID OXYGEN THAT THAT CAN BE USED TO PUT PURIFY THE WATER AND FOR COVID PATIENTS DOES THAT SIGNAL A DANGER OF LIMITED MITIGATION MEASURES?

SOME WOULD SAY, LEADER McCONNELL THAT GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS IS DOING IT WRONG AND KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IS GETTING IT RIGHT AND HE AND THE LEGISLATURE IN KENTUCKY NEED TO STAY THE COURSE.

>> WELL, SHEER IS WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE.

>> HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW FOR SURE.

VACCINATIONS WORK.

IT IS NOT IN DISPUTE.

IT IS PROVEN A FACT THAT VACCINATIONS WORK.

THE WHOLE ISSUE OF MANDATES, AND MASKING AND ALL OF THE REST, I THINK IT IS A BIT CONFUSING.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO THE PROBLEM, GET VACCINATED.

I'M NOT A GOVERNOR.

BUT, IF I WERE GOVERNOR, ON THE VACCINATION ISSUE, WHY NOT LET SCHOOL BOARDS AND BUSINESSES MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

SCHOOL BOARDS AND BUSINESSES MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> Renee: NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS HAS BEEN DONE IN KENTUCKY.

>> SCHOOL BOARDS AND BUSINESSES MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FACT.

THEY KNOW THE VACCINES WORK.

MANDATES FRANKLY PARTICULARLY BY GOVERNMENT, TEND TO CREATE MORE ANIMOSITY THAN THEY ARE WORTH.

SO, AGAIN, I'M NOT -- THE GOVERNOR -- I WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE VACCINES.

OPERATION WARP SPEED IN THE CARES ACT THAT I WROTE, $50 BILLION, THREE VACCINES IN LESS THAN A YEAR THAT WORK.

YOU REMEMBER, BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST, I WAS A POLIO VICTIM.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

>> I PAID ATTENTION TO THAT.

IT TOOK 70 YEARS TO COME UP WITH A VACCINE.

TWO VACCINES THAT WOULD WORK.

WE DID THIS IN UNDER A YEAR.

THAT WAS OUR ROLE, THAT WAS OUR PART.

BUT I HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY PERPLEXED BY THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING PEOPLE TO TAKE IT.

AND SO, THAT ENDS UP IN THIS DISCUSSION OF MANDATES.

AND MY VIEW IS, THAT IS A DECISION BEST MADE BY SCHOOL BOARDS, AND EMPLOYERS.

>> AND WE ARE SEEING, EVEN IN YOUR DISTRICT OR, WELL, YOUR HOME, BELLERMAN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED MANDATORY VACCINES.

WE KNOW THAT BUSINESSES ARE DOING THAT YOU AND DON'T BEGRUDGE THOSE BUSINESSES AND UNIVERSITIES OF DOING THAT.

WHAT ABOUT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IF THEY WERE TO DECIDE?

>> I JUST SAID, I THINK THAT, EMPLOYERS AND SCHOOL BOARDS, ARE PROBABLY THE BEST WANN ONES TO MAKE THIS DECISION.

I THINK IT DOESN'T CREATE THE KIND OF ADVERSE REACTION THAT YOU GET WHEN STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS START TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

SPEAKING OF, ABOUT THE VACCINES AND YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, IF IT WORKS, BUT, SOME PEOPLE WONDER IF IT IS SAFE, IT MAY WORK BUT WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS FOR WOMEN IN CHILD BEARING YEARS?

WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THE CONCERNS ABOUT LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF THE VACCINE.

AND QUITE HONESTLY THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO HAVE PEDDLED SOME DISINFORMATION ABOUT THE VACCINE.

WHERE DO LEADERS LIKE YOU, COME TO WAGE THIS GAP IN THE UNDERSTANDINGOF THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THESE VACCINES?

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL RECENTLY THAT THE FLU VACCINE WAS ONLY 50% EFFECTIVE.

SO 100% EFFECTIVENESS IS PROBABLY NEVER GET THAT.

I THINK THE REASON PEOPLE HAVE TO BE REASSURED IS THE F.D.A.

NOW APPROVED THE PFIZER, SO, IT IS SIGNED OFF BY THEM.

WE KNOW THAT0% OF THE PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL ARE UNVACCINATED.

HOW MUCH MORE DO WE NEED TO KNOW?

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISINFORMATION PEDDLED, LARGELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT'S CREATED RELUCTANCE.

>> Renee: STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA WOULD BE YOUR OTHER PIECE OF ADVICE?

>> WELL, I -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> I CAN ONLY SAY WHAT I KNOW TO BE THE FACTS.

THAT 90% OF THE PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS ARE UNVACCINATED.

THAT'S NOT SPIN OR OPINION, THAT'S A FACT.

>> Renee: BUT OTHERS SAY WELL, THE 10% THAT YOU DON'T -- >> BUT YOU HAD THAT WITH THE POLIO VACCINE.

AND, I JUST TOLD YOU THE FLU VACCINE IS APPARENTLY ONLY 50% EFFECTIVE.

THAT'S NOT AN ARGUMENT AGAINST.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

>> THE BEST ADVICE YOU'RE GIVEN AND TAKING IT.

>> Renee: FORMER KENTUCKY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JEFF HOOVER HAD AN INTERESTING KEITH TWEET A FEW DAYS AGO CALLING OF UNAND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL DELEGATION, AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TO ALL GO ON A STATEWIDE BUS TOUR TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VACCINE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> LOOK, I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY HAS BEEN A MORE OUTSPOKEN PROPONENT OF GETTING VACCINATED THAN I HAVE, INCLUDING SPENDING MY OWN CAMPAIGN MONEY TO ADVERTISE HERE AT HOME TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO IT.

>> Renee: BUT IF THERE WAS A UNIFIED FRONT OF BOTH OF THESE POLITICAL PARTIES, THE SAME MESSAGE.

>> YEAH, I -- I THINK.

[ LAUGHTER ] I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN WHAT POLITICIANS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS.

THE BUS TOUR MIGHT BE INTERESTING.

[ LAUGHTER ] I'M NOT SURE THEY WOULD BE PERSUADED BY IT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE PERSUADING?

>> I THINK THAT EMPLOYERS AND SCHOOL BOARDS MAKING THE DECISION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT VACCINATED ARE MANDATED IS PROBABLY GOING TO END UP GETTING THE JOB DONE.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED AS WE SEE THESE EMERGING VARIANT, DELTA WE KNOW WHICH CAUSED THIS LATEST SURGE, SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONNECTED THAT TO THE BOARD BORDER CRISIS.

DO YOU BELIEVE TO WOULD THE CASE?

OR IS IT A PROBLEM OF THE UNVACCINATED?

>> WELL, I MEAN WE DO HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BORDER AND MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE INFECTED BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE A SEPARATE SUBJECT FROM WHETHER OR NOT AMERICANS ARE OBTAIN TAKING GOOD ADVICE AND GETTING VACCINATED.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WAS RECENTLY VOTED ON IN THE TIME THAT WE HAVE REMAINING IN THE HOUSE.

VOTING RIGHTS.

ON TUESDAY, THE 24TH, THE JOHN LOUIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT PASSED THE HOUSE ALONG A PARTY LINE VOTE.

YOU KNEW THE LIGHT CONGRESSMAN VERY WELL.

I REMEMBER WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT YOU WITNESSING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG INTERN WITH SENATOR JOHN SCHERMAN COOPER AT THE TIME.

SO I'M CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR VIEW OF THAT, BEFORE THE PEOPLE ACT IS ALREADY AWAITING ACTION BRING THE SENATE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS JOHN LEWIS ACT?

>> WELL, FIRST THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IS STILL INTACT.

THE SUPREME COURT DID NOT STRIKE IT DOWN.

THERE ARE TWO MEASURES THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO PASS WHICH BASICALLY, AMOUNT TO A FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF HOW WE CONDUCT OUR ELECTIONS.

THE RATIONALE THEY ARE USING FOR BOTH BILLS, IS THAT SOMEHOW, STATES ARE INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE BASED UPON RACE.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT.

NONE.

ZERO.

SO, THE QUESTION FUNDAMENTALLY IS, DO YOU THINK THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO BE IN CHARGE OF RUNNING ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS?

THE ANSWER IS, NO.

IT SHOULD NOT BE.

AND THAT'S WHY THERE WON'T BE A SINGLE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE SUPPORTING IT.

THE FACT THAT ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE FOR IT, AND ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST IT OUGHT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.

THEY ARE TRYING TO RIG THE GAME, TO GIVE THEM AN ADVANTAGE.

IN EVERY DEMOCRACY THERE IS A TEMPTATION TO TRY TO CHANGE THE RULES TO ADVANTAGE ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT AND IT IS NOT GOING PASS.

>> Renee: IN TIME WE HAVE REMAINING LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY.

AND OF COURSE THERE IS ALWAYS MIXED REVIEWS ON HOW THE ECONOMY IS PERFORMING, HOW WE'RE DEALING WITH ISSUES LIKE COVID AND THE RARE OCCASION, ONCE IN A CENTURY, THESE KIND OF MATTERS COME ALONG.

WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO GET THE COUNTRY BACK ON COURSE IN YOUR VIEW?

>> >> WELL, I THINK THAT WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE GOING INTO THIS YEAR.

WE HAD THREE VACCINES THAT WORKED.

THAT WILL STILL BE ULTIMATELY HOW WE GET PAST COVID-19.

WE DID NOT NEED A HUGE FEDERAL INFUSION OF CASH.

LET ME QUOTE LARRY SOMMERS, SECRETARY OF TREASURY SAID BACK IN FEBRUARY, THE $1.9 TRILLION SO-CALLED RESCUE PACKAGE THAT PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR, WITH ALL DEMOCRATS AND NO REPUBLICANS GOING TO CREATE INFLATION, AND JOBLESSNESS.

WE HAVE BOTH OF THOSE PROBLEMS.

INFLATION, AND DIFFICULTY OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

SO, I THINK THAT EVERYTHING THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

THEY DID NOT GET A MANDATE TO DO THIS.

THIS IS A 50/50 SENATE.

A COUPLE OF SEAT MAJORITY.

OUR DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS IN THE HOUSE.

THERE IS NOT A MANDATE TO TURN AMERICA INTO BERNIE SANDERS' VISION OF WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE.

AND THAT'S WHY THERE IS A HUGE FIGHT GOING ON IN CONGRESS OVER THIS.

THIS IS EXTRAORDINARY STEP IN MY VIEW IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

ALL GOING TO UNFOLD HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

AND, I AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO STOP IT.

>> Renee: LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022, YOU BELIEVE THAT THE HOUSE WILL FALL BACK INTO REPUBLICAN HANDS?

>> WELL, HISTORICALLY, YEAH, HISTORICALLY, THE TWO YEARS INTO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION ARE GOOD FOR THE PARTY, NOT OF THE PRESIDENT, AND, I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL GET BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE BACK NEXT YEAR.

THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING IS NOW DOWN IN THE LOW 40s, WORSE THAN DONALD TRUMP AT HIS WORST MOMENT.

AND I THINK THAT'S LIKELY TO CONTINUE PARTICULARLY WITH THIS WHOLE EFFORT TO EXTRACT US FROM AFGHANISTAN BEING BOTCHED SO TERRIBLY.

SORT OF A METAPHOR FOR THE WHOLE INCOMPETENCE THAT WE'RE SEEING ON FULL DISPLAY OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> Renee: LEADER McCONNELL, I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: OUR THANKS TO U.S. SENATE MINOR ANY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION PARTICIPATING IN OUR CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE SERIES.

YOU CAN WATCH ANY OF THE INTERVIEWS ONLINE ANY TIME STREAMED ON OUR WEBSITE AT KET.ORG.