>> the gun debate and economic challenges. ♪ >> the nation on edge. >> fellow americans, enough. let's hear the call and the cry. let's meet the moment. let's finally do something. >> as president biden calls on congress to pass new gun laws. >> he began firing at anyone in his way. >> and more horrific mass shootings. including in tulsa, oklahoma. >> i think i've got partners at the table who have a lot of credibility in the republican caucus. that makes me feel good about our chances. >> hopefully we can find a way to come together and make some progress on this horrendous

problem, consistent with our constitution and our values. >> out of the darkness comes hope a bipartisan deal on guns could pass the senate. the head of the midterms, the white house tries to pivot its messaging on inflation and the economy. but will the strategy work? next. >> this is washington week. corporate funding is provided by. consumer cellular. additional funding is provided by co and patricia you and for the u.n. foundation. committed to bridging cultural foundations. sandra and carl delay magnuson. rose herschel and andy sure yves. robert and susan rosenbaum. e orcothn atrppuioand by contris station from viewers like you. thank you.

once again from washington, moderator yummy shall's indoor. >> good evening and welcome to washington week. across the country, shock and frustration since the massacre at buffalo three weeks ago, there have been more mass shootings than there have been days. since may 14, there have been at least 37 mass shootings in this country. that is according to the nonprofit gun violence archived. one was on wednesday. a gunman walked into a medical building and allegedly killed four people and himself. in uvalde, funerals have begun for the 21 students and teachers shot to death at robb elementary school last week. in a primetime, president biden addressed the nation. >> after columbine, after sandy hook, after charleston, after orlando, after las vegas, after parkland, nothing has been done.

this time, that can't be true. we must actually do something for god sake. how much more carnage are we willing to accept? how many more innocent american lives must be taken before we say enough? >> meanwhile a bipartisan group of lawmakers working to hammer out some gun reform bill say a "framework for a deal is close." join me to discuss with eugene daniels, playbook author and white house correspondent for politico, and andy hardy, congressional reporter for the new york times. so much going on. there was this primetime speech. president biden laid out so many things. what is it inside the white house and how much the president can influence congress? >> what you saw yesterday was the president talking to a bunch of different audienc.

first was members of congress where he was saying these are the things i want to do. the list we heard from him heading up to the task force during the obama administration. talking about assault weapons, talking about a registry, red flag loss. these kind of things have bipartisan support among voters. and more importantly, talking to the american people and channeling their frustration. the administration thinks it went well, that the speech did what it was supposed to do. the problem is and what you did not hear was executive action he is thinking of doing. in the white house, they have felt the did what they can do, and hands are tied due to the executive action. they have four different haunches of executive action on guns and safety laws. they cannot do much more. they are now worried watching members of congress go through what we have seen over and over

again, a bipartisan effort, come together to help something happens, and waiting on pins and needles to see if it does. >> the president at one point said "i told you what i want to do, the question is what will congress do?" that is squarely on your bead, all eyes on the bipartisan lawmakers. what more do we go, the framework they are close to or have settled on? is it going to happen? >> people are optimistic something is going to happen. senator cornyn from texas made a statement saying it would be embarrassing if we got nothing done. it was seen by advocates, a lot of people watchg as a strong statement to make. indicating something will happen. the question is how modest is it going to be? most democrats have been burned so many times in this kind of debate and assume it will be modest, it will not be lowering the age to buy an assault

weapon. something modest on background checks and red flag laws. modest is also -- getting something done to show legislation can pass in the senate, there can be 60 votes and the sky doesn't fall, and that they can start chipping away at the inability to do anything. what i'm really struck by is this sense that every time one of these tragedies happens, nothing is going to change. yet among democrats working on the issue, activists in this world, they are optimistic. they take a long view and feel something that will look small potentially matters quite a bit. modest is kind of the best hope. >> it is really interesting. covering newtown connecticut, i thought the world was going to change. as a decadent go, i thought that

as a naive reporter. but it does seem this time is different. in playbook, you pointed out in february 2020, president biden had this gun speech hoping to win nevada. when he was down and needing to win in the primaries in 2020, he pledged he would have gun legislation who first date in office and it did not happen. -- on his first day in office and it did not happen. >> he made a lot of promises. all of the democrats remembered. we were thinking about how we can possibly beat donald trump. think about not just a phase, but you have to get liberals excited to vote. he made very large promises on what he was going to be able to do with gun legislation. not knowing he would have 50 democratic senators to do something, anything on legislation. as you watch different constituencies import to the

administration, whether it is gun control advocates, civil rights groups because of issues with buffalo, all of those groups are pushing and talking to the administration asking what are you doing? they have done a lot of executive action, but they wanted to see the president get out more. he hasn't been super involve in the negotiations on what is happening with the bipartisan effort, giving the senators time and space to do that. metimes it is not always helpful for a president to jump in and negotiate, but that was giving advocates a little pause about what he was going to do. >> there have been more than 200 mass shootings this year. polling shows americans are open to backing things like changes in background checks. does the white house have a sense it will change? that all of this cultural things and the polling is kind of

giving this sense of urgency that something will be done? >> they are hopeful. but they watched sandy hook happen and nothing happened. a lot of folks working at the white house now or either working for president biden or somewhere in the administration at that time, so they have been burned on this issue before. so talking to folks, they are encouraged about what they see, not thinking something huge will happen. but they hope if you break a little crack in the dam, and have flooding rush in and changes happening -- senator chris murphy has been telling reporters if i can get my republican colleagues to realize the world will not end if we get something done on legislation, we can do this again." >> the crack in the dam. in some ways, it is if they can get a little thing done, it can overflow. i'm also interested in asking you about this. it is the house ll.

there's a bill happening going forward. what is the point of it if we know it will not be passed in the senate? >> it is still important to show support. the house bill, there is a bill senator schumer has to decide next week. he has to ge them space to have negotiations. he has to decide to bring it up to a vote. if there is not going to be a compromise, bringing a vote that can be a show vote. congress does this a lot. a vote they know will fail, but it has to show where everyone stands. they think 70% of the country supports background checks. republicans will have to stand there and vote no for something that has broad popular support. it is important for -- the house can pass a bill like that, why wouldn't they and say it is on to the senate to take action?

there is a bill waiting for them to vote on if it comes to that. next week, the real question for schumer will be do we have to take a vote on a bill that will fail, or is the bipartisan group going to come out with her framework? i would rather passe -- >> representative crist jacobs is this republican who represents a district 10 miles from where buffalo, new york, the masker happened where 10 black people were killed. he said he's in support of a federal assault weapons ban. and now, he faced a lot of gop backlash. tell me a little bit about wha he is going through, what republicans are thinking. >> he lasted seven days after coming out against -- for gun control efforts. now the story broke he's not running for reelection. that should temper anyone who is incredibly hopeful about the

party, where the republican party is, that the nra has a diminished state over republican lawmakers. there is no greed that is more important than a lot of people, no issue that defines the party so much as the secondmendment that states the feeling about government, independence, as this issue. it is a cautionary tale for anyone feeling like -- we watched the slaughter of schoolchildren and there will be a moment. seven days after coming out for gun control efforts, he's out of the race. >> despite the popular support we know and we talk about every time there is one of these shootings, there is not a lot of political incentive for republicans to do that. he is a perfect example. when you talk about voters,

things like gun control and abortion don't rise to the levels of -- democrats are the people who want to see this change or want. it is about the economy and inflation. >> you wrote what my turn is to our next subject. it is the economy. inflation is at a four decade high. grocery stores and gas stations, hitting americans so hard. with six months to go, the midterms, administration trying to shift its messaging on inflation and economy. the treasury secretary admitted on cnn that a year ago, she was incorrect when she said inflation would be transitory. she told the network "i think i was wrong about the path inflation would take." there is some good news that the may jobs report was better than expected, despite the economic slowdown. joining us to discuss is an

economics reporter for the wall street journal. thank you for being here. i want to start off with where we are. i'm so happy you are here. we really need an economics reporter to break it down for us. jamie dimon, the ceo of j.p. morgan chase, says there will be an economic hurricane. mothers will be able to find baby formula. we also have a jobs report looking better. break down where we are in the economy and horizon. >> the state of the economy is in a delicate place. there are a lot of bright spots. looking at the labor market, a solid jobs report today. if you look at the balance sheets, those are some of the positive signs in the economy. inflation at a four decade high, it is hitting families hard. you look at polling data and consumer sentiment data, families are concerned about the higher prices at grocery stores, gas pumps, it is a big problem.

you also have the federal reserve mounting this very aggressive campaign to lower inflation. raising interest rates, shrinking the balance sheet. they are tapping the brakes on the economy. that is giving corporate leaders and economists some pause. theear is the federal reserve will not bring down inflation without launching us into a recession. people are hopeful the federal reserve will be able to do it, but there is fear amongst some that they will not be able to do. >> another big question, what can president biden actually do? there have been so many presidents, from lbj, nixon, other presidents who tried to deal with inflation and failed. how much can he really impact the economy on his policy and messaging? >> he is trying. you saw him say that they are

going to be engaging in this month-long campaign to speako americans about the economy and reassure americans have a plan to fight inflation. if you talk to any economist, they say the president can't do much, his administration can't do much. the most powerful player is the fed. have to wait for the fed to make its move and see how they work through the system. from a political standpoint, it is impossible for the president and his administration to say it is the fed's responsibility and we will not do anything. so really trying to reset messaging. you see him talking about what they are trying to do, whether it beer a release from the net -- the energy reserves, or passing president biden's economic agenda. economists say those things don't move on inflation, particularly in the short term. >> this week began with president biden calling on congress to pass things like a

clean energy tax credit or investments and tax reform. how much is congress interested in what the president is talking about? >> there is a lot going on. i do think it is interesting president biden has spent the week -- for months, they have tried to be more optimistic about inflation and the economy than the reality has been. with janet yellen saying she was wrong and the administration -- they have positive economic indicators like the job numbers, but they are trying to show they are taking inflation issues more seriously. june will be an interesting month between the roe decision out of the supreme court, gunboat in congress, the january hearings. it will be a big month for

democrats to convince voters it is not just a referendum on the president and democrats in control of congress. it is a choice election. it is a big month where it will either happen or it won't. >> i want to ask about the challenges. i want to ask about janet yellen saying she is wrong. she fell on her sword. >> absolutely. something we don't often hear. when you think about the invasion becoming evident, the press secretary at the time kind of scoffed at the idea it was going to stick around for a long time. they kept saying it would be transitory, not around very long. that feels a lot different now. janet yellen saying i was wrong on this, that wasrought up to the current press secretary this week. were you wrong or will you say that as well?

kind of moving on and saying that. talking to the american people, what they have said is the whole time they felt they were not taking it seriously. president biden giving speeches, telling people i feel your pain. but talking about the economic indicatorshat are good for this administration or the country. people were not hearing that when the milk and gas was going up. now you have this issue of infant formula not being able to come to mothers and be on shelves. >> there are so many challenges. i want to get your sense of what you thought about janet yellen's comments. you told our producers people feel sour around the country. weigh in on her statements and how people are feeling being part of this. >> it was a rare moment from the treasure terri -- treasury secretary. he also heard her saying what we

have the inflation we have. she said there were circumstances that could not have been foreseen that caused supply shocks to the economy driving the inflation we are seeing right now. what i heard her saying is a pushback to the criticism republicans have constantly launched at this administration, that it was their policy is fueling the inflation we see. what you heard is a lot of reasons we have inflation, inflation is a global problem, supply chain issues. they are pushing back on the criticism from republicans. whether the messaging resonates with voters and breaks through, that remains to be seen. the administration has been messaging on inflation for months. we see the data, peopl are not buying it. they feel bad about the outlook of the economy in months to

come. so it is a difficult position for the administration to find itself in. >> going back to the great point about the challenge the white house faces. what are they dealing with and the overall mood? folks sound like they are overwhelmed, but like this is what the white house has to deal with. >> the mood is sour. in the country and the white house. so much is going on. the biggest problem we have been talking about the entire show is there is not much the white house can do for some of these issues. on inflation, guns, things american people want them to do. >> i should also say that they did not tell president biden about the baby formula. it wasn't until april. they are also walking back statements. there is a frustration. >> like a flurry of what seems like missteps. especially talking to the administration and asking why the president was not briefed on

infant formula when the people who make it new that the closing of the abbott facility would be an issue immediately. that is one of the many things they are dealing with. white house houses are hard. at a time when people are feeling how they are feeling, this administration feels like they don't have a lot to do, but are pushing forward, talked about chewing gum and walking at the same time. >> a lot of challenges to deal with. thank you for joining us and sharing your reporting. we will continue our conversation on the washington week extra. find it on our website, facebook, and youtube, and saturday. a look at mass shootings and gun violence in america and what can be done to curb this growing problem. thank you for joining us. good night from washington. >> corporate funding for washington week is provided by. >> for 25 years, consumer

cellular has offered no contract wireless plans to help people do more of they like. our customer service team can find a plan that fits you. visit consumer cellular.tv. >> additional funding provided by. for the u.n. foundation. committed to bridging cultural differences in our community. sandra and carl delay. rose herschel and andy shreve's. robert and sus rosenbaum. the corporation for public broadcasting. and contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you.

announcer: major funding for "tell me more with kelly corrigan" is provided by the john templeton foundation-- inspiring awe and wonder-- and by the gordon and llura gun. ♪ it's not easy to talk about death. it may be even harder to talk about dying or maybe dying or being told you're dying, but pandemic or not, these kinds of conversations are a requirement for the living. kate bowler has spent a lot of time thinking broadly and personally about death and dying. as a professor at duke's divinity school and a stage 4 cancer patient, she has cross-examined the topic from multiple perspectives-- historical, religious, medical. she has wondered aloud