>> washington journal continues. host: we have a busy week here in washington dc and here to help us break down very busy week in washington, d.c.. and help us here to break out down what might happen want to watch out for our two guests. joey garrison covers the white house for usa today, we're also joined by general delivered, of bloomberg news. he covers congress. both of you gentlemen, thanks for giving us your. time >> today, being a starting point as far as the january 6th committee hearing. another hearing. the focus on elections, jarrell dillard, what should people be watching for in this hearing that they have not seen in previous ones. >> today is the january six

committee's fourth hearing. today they are focusing on the pressure campaign on state officials to overturn the results of the 2020 election. last week, they focused on proving that trump led the pressure campaign on former vice president pence to overturn the results of the election. but now they're turning to state officials. one of the key witnesses as brad raffensperger the georgia secretary of state who was told after the election to quote unquote find more votes for trump. the georgia secretary of state chief operating officer also testify as well as the george are, former, georgia state election official, election official. as well as the arizona house speaker. >> has the committee itself said why a focus on elections is important to look at when you're talking about the overall events on the 6th of january? >> overall, the committee is trying to prove that trump lead this campaign to overturn the election. it was a multi faceted campaign on multiple but -- at the state level and at the federal level. that's really what they're

trying to prove with these hearings. >> let's turn to the white house for a little bit. jerry gerson, one of the things that came up during the conversation last couple of days was when it comes to the economy, what to do with the price of gasoline, the gas tax being something that the president be looking at. can you fill the blanks? >> yesterday, president biden, told reporters that he would have a decision on a gas task holiday. by this week. and that's actually something surprised that many this was back under consideration. the white house has always said that this was something on the table. senate democrats back in february recall put this proposal out there to suspend the gas tax until the end of the year. there are a lot of critics with this type of policy. for one, it would only save drivers 18 cents. as you know, many states, gas is $5. and then there are questions about whether it would deplete funds that are earmarked for

infrastructure road projects. the president biden is going to have a decision this week. it would be, if he does take it, a very his boldest step arguably toward cutting back, curving gas prices. it would be a controversial. and >> related to that the president also expected to at least discuss are meet with oil executives this week to talk about various things. what's the nature of those meetings. what is the president trying to get out of those? >> the nature of those meetings is the high gas prices. and the use of refinery supply and gas supply. it comes after biden to get a letter to ceos of gas companies basically scolded them for having record profits during the first quarter of 2022 this year. he told reporters yesterday that he wants to get an explanation as to how they, the oil companies have a 35 billion dollar profit amid this

inflation. the white house has said that they are exploiting this inflation situation for their benefit. there's going to be a lot, there is a major drop backdrop heading into the meeting. it will be interesting to see what comes out of. it >> our guest are with us until 8:45 if you want to ask them a question about what you might see in washington this week. some of the topics that we talked about, some others as well. you can call us at 202748 8001 republicans, 202748 8000 for democrats. independence, to as -- you can also to ask us what questions at 202748 8003. jake doral delivered, i want to turn back to you when it comes to the senate side of things. reports as of yesterday concerning what they're doing as far as gun legislation. catches up as to where they are. >> the senate has been negotiating for weeks over a compromise gun bill. democrats originally wanted to go much further. but they need senate republicans in the senate to vote for the legislation. they have been working out a

compromise. they did release a frame where. they have been going over it. it includes funding for states that an act red flag laws, closet trying to close the boyfriend loophole. increase background checks for younger gun buyers, ages 18 to 21. some additional penalties for those who try to evade certain requirements. some funding for mental health services and school safety. late last week the, sticking points proved to be the red flag laws and the boyfriend loophole. the boyfriend loophole refers to a law that prevents domestic abusers from buying guns. that only applies to domestic abusers if they were married to the victim. or had children, or some term of long term relation of the victim. there was some disagreement on how to define a dating partner if a provision is adding that would expand that to dating partners. and there is also some disagreements over red flag

laws. john cornyn, one of the leaders on this effort, wanted the funding to also be available to states who may not enact red flag laws. but they can use it for you, some of the funding for other purposes. >> as far as those two things, what's the potential of seeing the actual legislation this way. and also putting into context at the end of the week, congress is supposed to go off for two weeks. there was reported over the weekend that they continue to negotiate over this. they might be making some headway. like you said, there is a short time line on this. at the end of this week, both chambers of congress are going out for the two-week fourth of july break. this is running into july, right ahead of august, when they're going to recess. and then after that, the midterm election is going to be the focus. they have a short window to get this done. >> if it's possible to see a

debate and vote on the senate side. with house do the same, where they wait till after the break? >> that's not clear, it depends on how quickly the senate can get this done. >> again, the numbers will be on the screen if you want to ask our guest questions concerning anything you've heard about or other things. back to matters of inflation, joey garrison, you talk about gas prices. at the larger issue of the president is still dealing with the topic of how to put police or combat. it was the white house's strategy over all when it comes to addressing the concerns of inflation to americans? >> that's a good question. they're facing a lot of criticism for not articulating white the kind of vision is to combat this. right now the big question is, are we going to move into a recession? you see the line repeatedly from the white house from biden. that is not inevitable. biden said at the other day. on the sunday shows, treasury secretary janet yellen, others

put that out there. in terms of oil prices, they've kept the strategic reserve at a historic level. and really, in terms of the strategy to fight inflation, the white house has been proactive to say that we're going to let the federal reserve exercise its independence. there are interest rates have been raised by the fed. last week by another three fourths. that could have an effect in terms of cooling down the economy. although we've had unemployment reach alone, that could start to rise as a result of some of these strategies. and so, the white house is really walking this delicate line of telling the american people that the economy is better than when we took office. reporting a job growth. at the same time, there's a lot

of anxiety out there in among the public. biden is the, president biden is also telling people, telling american people he hears them then he understands them. as we all know, going into november, this is not a very good spot right now. >> november has it over it -- >> it is such a bad spot right now for the president. our usaid poll, the suffolk university poll, he reached a new low and the approval rating of 39%. really all across the board among polls, he's now below our read at that 40% mark. and that's a very dangerous spot right now. for the president. for democrats. that's why they have resisted this push from democrats for the gas patch suspension for several months. but really, he still-limited, the president is in terms of things he can do to fight inflation. this would be one perhaps a

simple step that people,, voters would understand. and that's why i think it really is being considered now. of usa today who covers the white house, and doral who covers congress. you are on with our guest, go ahead. >> hi, i am 28 and i heard you talking about people in washington, i am definitely watching. i think the gas text is the next biggest step that they can take. the easiest step. it is something he has been saying with different things. one thing i wanted to say it was i was hoping that joe biden would do a little different and it seems like trump never took anything for granted. usually blame, you take the

responsibility, people appreciate that. we keep saying that every decision you're making is not wrong, i think people can do that sometimes. i know from the beginning when you take the blame for something you just let people know you are doing your best. >> got you, christopher, thank you for the call, to one of his points, doral. we talked about the gas tax. we talked about the president wants to do, democrats in congress, are they behind this generally? is there dissent amongst the ranks? >> in congress in general there has been some debate over the gas tax. i think right now they are looking at the president to see what we are going to do on gas prices inflation and prices in general. they are working on trying to

revive some form of a reconciliation bill in different areas. they are working on that is that is a big problem for them coming into midterm. >> it is interesting as you look at the democrats with the suspension of the gas holiday. several democrats are in tough reelection fights and you can see how v they're looking at this issue and might be interested in it. after biden's consisted of being open to the possibility of it, i went back and looked at the last time this issue was discussed historically, and it brought back memories a fuel call in 2008 when john mccain and hillary clinton, both senators at the time running against barack obama during the greatness section were open. they started pushing the suspension of the gas tax holiday. barack obama was actually against it, just said it was a

gimmick turn electioneer. it would be interesting to revisit some of those comments from obama if biden were to end up going forward with this idea. >> from our line for democrats in missouri, this is george in troy, missouri. hello. >> hi, yes, i wanted to ask you a question. i do not know if it is an appropriate question but it seems to me that the democrats are always wanting to do things. i do not understand. if we lose our democracy, which may happen, i am afraid, there's only one party to blame. it is the democrats. if the democrats get to gather and we talk about it with the republicans do things, in world war ii and pearl harbor the

democrats are done for. declare war there is probably a guy that committed. >> since you identify as a democrat, are you saying that the january 6th hearings are not necessary? other necessary? >> they are necessary, yes. they are very necessary. i'm glad people are finally waking up to it. it seems the democrats always just want to talk about it, whereas the republicans are doing things about it. >> okay, that is georgia missouri. let me take his questions, if the house does switch over to republican power after november, what can we expect, potentially, from republicans as far as hearings and investigations of the current administration? >> there is a lot that democrats have done in terms of the january six committee and subpoena-ing different people. we can expect the same from

house republicans when it comes to the removal of members from committees. we might see some of the retaliation if they gain the house. >> i will add, i think you can see if they republicans were to get control the house judiciary committee and you might see hunter biden hearings, you must see hearings on the withdrawal from afghanistan. those have been some of the things that have been telegraphed so far that house republicans in the new majority would want to have public hearings on. >> let me follow up with one more question, generally democrats. what is the mood among democrats in the house about the potential of them losing power come november? >> they are remaining optimistic, many have said they hope to remain the power. they have a lot of inflation on their plate, having not pass

the reconciliation bill last year. they're trying to figure what they can do to gain voter support in the midterms. >> let's go to tom in portland, oregon. you're on with our guest, good morning. >> hi, yes, i wanted to make a comment that on all of these tv stations it is a good thing that they talk about all of the biden things that are going on. i was calling to ask either one of your guests, joey garrison was on, i am sorry i forgot the other. but i do not understand is why either one of your shoe

gentlemen or somebody, instead of talking about it, all of these problems, somebody needs to get in front of joe biden's face, grabbed him by his lapels and say, we are tired of hearing all of your spins, all of your lies, oliver blame game! the united states is not ready for this garbage, rotten, green deal! 25 years down the road. >> specifically, what would you like our guests to address? >> get in joe biden's face and say we are tired of what you are trying to tell everybody, why don't you just be honest and say get off this green deal. >> okay, you have made the point twice. we will leave it there. joey, as far as ultimately to messaging when it comes to

policy. >> yes, i mentioned dana green deal is something that has not been passed in congress so i am not sure what he is referring to. biden has been pushing major climate initiatives, those stalled but it is still something he is talking about when it gets to the g7. challenging the world to stay committed to the global efforts in climate will be a major thing, in terms of messaging i do think that we could be seeing the beginning of a slight shift. i think the white house, since biden was elected they have been very guarded with him in terms of limiting the numbers of times he speaks to reporters, press, et cetera. you will notice last week that for the first time he actually sat down with the print press in a long interview with the associated press. he talked to reporters multiple times during his swing this

past weekend. i think you have been hearing a lot of allies of biden saying, let biden be biden even if it comes with the gas et cetera. i think they want him to go out there and present the message more assertively than he has in the past, the question is instead of finding the right message that is with so many challenges with inflation. the top one, the head of november finding that right message is going to be the really hard part. >> i suppose democrats are also looking for that message as far as what they say, they can also come on and challenge on certain aspects of that was the case. >> right, democrats are looking for a unified messaging, especially headed into the midterms in their quest to hold on to both chambers of congress. >> arnold from virginia, hello, in lynchburg, independent line, go ahead. >> good morning, that's pretty

much goes to the two gentlemen on their who work for the media. for the past four years, the previous four years of the previous president all i heard about was russia collusion, russia collusion, russia collusion, fraudulent elections, fraudulent elections, the american people did not forget about these things. that is all we heard about, and so the first question i have for you guys with the comment is what happened to the russian collusion? that was on the front of your newspaper for the usa times, for bloomberg it was on the national news headlines as well. what happened to russia collusion? the second question, the second statement i want to add is with the media today, do you guys recognize the reason why people do not trust jew or trust the media? because of the inconsistencies that you guys presented when it came to president trump versus president biden. just all of the catastrophic

things that are going on today. >> that is arnold in virginia, joey garrison, as far as coverage of administrations and how it might change from one to another. or at least to the collars. >> yes, let me first address this first question in regards to what happened to russia. there was a long investigation led by mueller, there were eventually not any charges pressed for it. six months after that there started to be impeachment process on the ukraine call that president trump had on the time. i am not sure what you mean by what happened to it? it was a story and now we have moved on to other things. in terms of the reputation of the press all i can do is speak for myself, i tried to hold every elected official accountable. i was not a white house reporter during the trump years so i do not have any firsthand

experience on that, but i can tell you from all of my colleagues and myself that we do not try to have any difference in terms of our coverage when it comes to different politicians. >> jerome, do you want to add anything? >> i would say the same thing, i also was not a white house reporter or on the hill at the time, in my work oh do try to remain unbiased and hold every official accountable. >> from michelle in illinois, democrats line, good morning. >> good morning, i am calling because i am so tired of hearing this of policy, mcconnell, and the d.c. mayor. does any republican ever read the executive orders? executive order 10030 signed january 26th 1949 by hoover, under federal law the president,

the commander-in-chief is in charge of the d.c. national guard. he is the only other person who can authorize is the secretary of defense. it is by his authorization only, not the pelosi, not mcconnell, they republicans need to wake up and do your homework. this is just common sense. >> okay, michelle in illinois. joel, like we talked about there was another hearing today and another one later this week as far as the committee's work investigating january 6th, one of these series of during hearings are done where does the committee go from there? >> that has been the big question, what happens after these hearings are done? will there be a referral to the department of justice for criminal prosecutions? the members of the committee have strictly said that is not their jurisdiction, they are legislators, they just want to lay out the facts of what happened from the election to january 6th and afterwards. that is all that they want to

do, it will be up to the department of justice to decide whether they want to prosecute anyone and who they want to prosecute as they have been prosecuting some people who stormed the capitol that day. >> joel is right in terms of they have not specifically said whether they want merit garland to pursue charges, they really have outlined the blueprint for a possible criminal charge if the justice department wanted to go in that direction. above all they have made the point that the president has showed evidence suggesting that president trump knew that these various schemes to overturn the election were illegal. he knew that this, for example vice president pence did not have the authority to reject certified electors from states and avoid the president himself. he knowingly was defrauding the donors when he was asking for

campaign funds based on the big lie. i think there is plenty of meat for merrick garland to use, really there is already a blueprint out there. the question is rather prosecuting the president of the united states is something you have to be 100% certain on in terms of you having a clear cut case. desired appetite. the politics of doing that are just enormous. but garland hasn't really indicated one way or another, the white house hasn't publicly said which direction they want him to go. we haven't taken a stamps in terms of that, we have to see how it unfolds after concludes. >> have legislators themselves said they want to see a criminal charge against president trump. >> i think members have been very careful in their wording. talking to reporters after the hearing, this has been asked by reporters multiple times. they step to the fact that they

just want to lay out the facts here of what happened. they are not going to step into the prosecution. at least. now >> on the sunday show the other day, you had jamie raskin and others on there who were kind of tiptoeing on this line. yeah, we think these are very serious allegations that could rise up to the possibility of criminality. again we be very careful not to politicize the justice department. of course, after, all they use trump for many years of taking a personal using the office to steer the direction of the doj. >> for our gas, this is erik in michigan. independent line, high. >> good morning, good morning to your guess. i've been watching your show. before heading off to work. as a staunch independent, i am proud of that title.

the collars come in, the days come in, they listen no one is listening to each other, no one's understanding of respecting. at the end of the day, but people need to understand is this. the election in 2020 was about one thing and one thing only. removing the stench of donald trump out of the white house. biden was not a great candidate, he did not even campaign. to think he will run for reelection and have to campaign is laughable to me. he had two previous attempts at the presidency. there is a reason why he didn't do any, he didn't fare well. i challenge any and everyone. if you support him in 1988 or 2000, and you can prove to me that you supported him, then bring it. but no one can. at the end of the day,, again he is a -- nothing more, nothing less to remove the stench of trump. anyone could've ran for that position as a democrat won that office because that's how much america despised trump. fortunately though, the 16 hearings are galvanizing a

walking dead base. and there is a change that -- because there's no way they still have things on right now. >> i think we got your point, scholar. thank you very much. joey, let's start with that. we talked earlier before you guys came on as far as an election, another run of the presidency. president biden saying as much he plans to do it. how does a team, how does the team working for that cause? >> well, yeah, as you said, president biden has said that he plans to run again he. has to say that right now, otherwise it makes all the lame duck even for the midterm. after, if democrats lose the house, which i think is just been widely expected, and even the senate if things, which is increasingly more likely, there is going to be a lot of pressure the day after that from democrats to begin the process, is biden really the next candidate for the 2024 ticket?

of course, if you open up, biden, says he's not running, and there is a open primary for that seat. i think that's a dangerous spot for democrats to be on. you're not defending the last couple of years under democratic control. instead, your re-litigating everything. and there could be interparty fighting. there is not any logical candidate for a front runner. it would be a wide open race. i think that would be a very weak spot for democrats. biden, i, think has always seen himself as the democrat with who gave their party the best shot to beat trump. to the college point, i think that voters, democratic voters largely did see him as during the primaries the one who could defeat donald trump. i don't think biden is going to just he -- he would put some careful thought and any decision to not

run for reelection. if nothing else, he still sees himself as the candidate who can bring the democratic coalition together. and independents to defeat a trump candidacy. >> jarrell dillard, as far as you can sense it, the support for democratic legislators for another term of biden? >> many of them on the hill have said they support him. they have not been any of them that come out and say a wide and 24 hope to. i think they're staying behind and for now. >> even senator sanders himself said he would make another run for. it >> to clarify, i'm looking ahead to after this expected losses in november. that's when i think you're really going to have to the discussion within the party. you're starting to hear whispers of that now. i think it maybe becomes more public in six months from now. if we get to that. point >> ten more minutes with our guest, jarrell dillard, a bloomberg, and joey garrison, of usa today, who covers the white house. this is ron, run in ohio, republican. line your next, up hello.

>> good morning, just ask mr. garrison, is there any more information or the meeting with the oil exotic's, i have not heard anything specific on that. what is the president expecting to hear from them, are they all going to show up? how does that matchup with his planned trip, the saudi trip. i did not hear any more detail on whether that's still ago. and whether that, those two, things work against each other. do you have any information on that? >> color, thanks. >> thanks for the call. saudi arabia trip, that still ago. when he visits the middle east later this month the trip with the oil executives we haven't gotten a full account yet from the white house on what brought up that meeting. we're obviously going to ask during the press briefing today. president biden mentioned yesterday. it comes after he essentially again scolded oil executives

for these record profits. it'll be interesting to see where those discussions go. we're going to learn more about it. and then get an exact date of when that meeting will take place. >> joy garrison, this week perhaps the supreme court will hand down, at least today, later this week decisions and the opinions. one concerning abortion. how is the white house preparing for however that comes, considering what we saw from that political story months ago? >> politico reported that story in the draft opinion. the white house immediately came out and said that they're doing various ways to prepare for it. if abortions were to become illegal. so, i think they're going to talk more about they've had weeks to prepare. there's a limited number of things they can do to help women in a situation who are trying to have an abortion.

politically, president biden has tried to say this possibility of roe v. wade getting unturned is part of this quote, alter, white, ultra maga agenda. that a new term that he has thrown out during the midterm election here. i just want to paint every -- you know not, cannot a donald trump name, he's not on the ballot. but cast the opponents, cast republicans as this extreme right wing version that is out there. so that's kind of how they've matches this. yeah, as you, say this could happen any week now. it's going to be another political firestorm. if it when it does. >> democrats in the house, in the senate as, well how are they preparing for this? >> obviously, their hands are tied. they don't have the votes to pass any legislation on abortion. because of the filibuster in the senate. we can expect them to use this

when it comes to campaigning for the midterms. talking about abortions, you, no the rights that are happening with women rights at the state level, atp take you plus rights. democrats are going to use this. they're going to try and hit against republicans with. us >> go ahead. >> to that point, president biden, some of those comments, going back to after the draft decision was leaked. hey, tell voters that abortion rights are on the ballot in november. the big question is, are voters going to be more concerned about that, or the inflation that has dogged the presidency so much? there's evidence to suggest that even with the roe v. wade possibly being overturned, economic concerns are still going to top issues for voters. >> from jail in ohio, democrats line, thanks for waiting, go ahead. >> thank you the reason i'm calling and, i do want to bring

inflation down. i don't want to see republicans taking over the house and senate. one thing that i think is not discussed enough is the labor shortage. every section of the economy is suffering with us. as a democrat, i support the labor market. i want people to earn more money. there's just not enough people. even with the refineries we have a shortage of labor. oil companies are taking the labor from oil or oil companies. they are struggling to get people to actually make gas. why is that not being discussed enough. i wouldn't be the number one topic of conversation. especially with a baby boomer generation. they are retiring since 2010. labor participation rate is going down. even pre-pandemic because of the retirees. we don't have enough people to actually bring into the label market. we look at immigration.

issuing more worker visas. >> okay, jalen ohio, mr. garrison? >> i think the refinery issue is going to be a topic of discussion with oil executives. in terms of the layer shortage, unemployment now is very low. and so there is wide availability of openings. it is unique as to what we saw a couple years ago. i do think this issue that is being discussed, i don't have all the answers that you ask right there. you know, i did notice so it's something that the white house is looking at. >> a couple other things, mr. delivered, the house is expected to vote on a bill this week taking a look at veterans and eligibility. those who are exposed to toxic burns. can you explain to the viewers what is it about. and if it's expected to pass. >> i'm not familiar with this specific piece of legislation. >> okay, as far as the other issues, what do we expect otherwise? we're coming up on a break.

what could the house or the senate take up this week other than what we have talked about? >> right, so, on the big this week of the hearings, the house has smaller bills it working. on their always working on different things. a lot of which doesn't pass the senate. i definitely think the gun talks are going to be a major, major focus this week. >> let's hear from anthony. anthony in new york. the line for independence. >> hi, how are you guys doing? number one, when trump left office, inflation was under two, when biden, it's a 0.6. the january six committee, no one cares about. it's a one-way committee. you don't have the other side there. -- [inaudible] there are questions not being answered. you guys and the democrats hammered trump from day one. trump's -- [inaudible] at the front page of every newspaper, and be supported every day, 24 hours a day. that guy -- there are some things he he

should not have said, i understand. that the inflation levels under two. biden has won in this country. you guys protect him every step of the way. you only report have the stuff he does. >> okay, that's our caller. he made the statement, no one cares about these hearing anyway. how does that resonate? those on the committee themselves, and then other members of congress when it comes to public interest in these areas. >> right, that's been a big debate. how interested is the public in these hearings? the committee members keeps saying that they hope that americans are able to watch the hearings and be able to draw their own conclusion. from what they saw. they hope that that will be enough to help them out in the midterms. also to the other question, the hearings have been one-sided. kevin mccarthy did originally put forward some people to be on the committee, nancy pelosi, remove two people because of the concerns. kevin mccarthy, the remaining

three. and so, cheney and, kinzinger who have been very vocally bennett against trump and what he did with the 2020 election are on the committee. that's just kind of one of the reasons that it seems one-sided. republicans have been claiming that's one sided. there was an effort there. >> notably, the testimony has been from former trump allies, former trump officials. these weren't just republicans. some of these people, these are people working in the white house, working in pence's office that we've seen. sometimes even family members of donald trump. i think that needs to be pointed out here when we talk about the supposedly being one-sided. these aren't democrats talking in the evidence, this is people who work for the president and in hand. >> joey garrison's work can be found at usa today.com, he covers the white house, and doral