we come on the air this hour with breaking news. you're taking a live look from capitol hill where the senate is reconvening for saturday session. at issue is the -- inflation act. they could cast their votes shortly, setting the stage for hours of debate and dozens of amendments. we'll check on our capitol hill correspondent just a moment to see when we can expect that final vote. and a good day to, from msnbc world headquarters, i'm cory apartment. this is out job alex witt reports. new reaction, to signing of a near total ban on abortion. indiana becomes the first post-roe --

it passed in spite of weeks of protests. -- new lap permits for borden shun only in cases of incest or. rape or if the fetus has a lethal anomaly. physicians would lose their licenses performing. portions the white house as it's another about a call step by republican legislators to take away women's reproductive rights and freedom input personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians rather than women and their doctors. meanwhile, in wisconsin, donald trump continue to push the big lie that he won the big election declaring this an except a week for his american first movement and marquette candidate that helped defeat. >> you probably saw that the trump endorsed candidates, like masters, easily won that nomination for the u.s. senate in arizona. terry lake won the nomination for arizona governor, to dixon

won the nomination for michigan governor. john gibbs, great guy, defeated ryan or congressman peter meijer. peter my error. >> also new in texas, a jury added 45 point $2 million in punitive damages to alex jones's bill for pain and suffering caused by his lies about the 2020 sandy hook elementary school massacre. jones must pay the parents of the serial victim at a total of 49 point $3 million. our report on reactions here in a moment. and to tensions overseas and china's military drills in airspace and oceans near taiwan. taiwanese officials say, today's show simulate and attack on their eyelet. i will ask the senator on the foreign relations committee about that in just moments. but now, the latest from capitol hill and the white house. we turn to nbc's julia tsirkin and mike motley for us this

afternoon. julie, let's begin with you. what is the timeline here on that look for the vote on the inflation reduction act, when we're looking, at and wonder senators from both sides saying? >> yeah, look, that's a big question not just in our minds but on the senators minds, as well. as they are all bracing to see when they are going to vote to kick off this process and take up the reconciliation bill that they have been working on. democrats have been working on, especially over the last 24 hours. trying to take through some of the procedural matters. we know that the parliamentarian has finished sort of describing the bill as we call. it that means she's finished hearing arguments from democrats and republicans. it turns out democrats will have their bill remain largely intact. there's some questions on the drug piece of this. on the insulin cap specifically as well. just a few moments there on the floor, as you're seeing on your screen. we are going to hear from majority leader schumer but, before that i want to take a listen to what he said yesterday and what senator lindsey graham said, as well. >> what will vote-a-rama be

like? it will be like hell. they deserve this, as much as i admire john manchin and sinema for standing up to the right at times. they are empowering legislation that will make the average person's life more difficult. >> republicans are scraping the bottom of the barrel for justification to oppose this bill. first they said it would increase inflation, that was debunked by expert after expert. then they said it would increase taxes. that was also proven false. they can't even seem to lay a glove on this. they don't know what to do. >> okay, so here is the deal. once they vote to get on to this bill, once everything procedural why is a squared away, then they have up to 20 hours of debate, equally divided among democrats and republicans before starting with lindsey graham referred to as a vote-a-rama. that means that on this budget bill, republicans largely will bring up to 50 amendments we are expecting, on various issues trying to force democrats to take hard votes.

what we have been hearing from democrats all morning is they are going to try to stick together, even voting no on amendments they may agree with, just to keep all 50 votes intact for the larger package. >> this is a monster saturday we have ahead of us. we appreciate your reporting on that. we will be checking in with you again, thank you. >> let's go to nbc's mike badly at the white house for. us present biden is taking victory laps here over the july stellar job supports which smashed expectations. but inflation concerns remain. so, president biden has insisted that the u.s. is not headed towards a recession. but does this reports exactly where the economy is headed? >> well,, cory think about where we were just about a week ago. the white house is really in overdrive trying to get that message across that despite the economic data that we saw last week, which show that the u.s. economy had contracted for a second consecutive quarter, typically end indication of recession. the white house making the argument, we were not. and part of why they said so was the because they were pointing to the continued

healthy jobs market. even just 48 hours ago, the white house is really downplaying its expectations for wet this july jobs number would look like. and it's not even their own best hopes. look at more than 5000 jobs created, across the number of sectors, especially in the hospitality and leisure industry. significant job gains since leaving the white house to really stand by that conviction that the u.s. economy is healthy, is not in the recession. that being said, all the white house enthusiasm for this good jobs has to be tempered by what the president indicated himself yesterday. they understand, americans are so frustrated with higher cost that they are dealing with. the president addressing that head on, yesterday. let's take a listen. >> i know people will hear today's extraordinary jobs report and say, they don't see it. they don't feel it in their own lives. i know how hard it is. i know it is hard to feel good about job creation when you already have a job, and you are dealing with rising prices, food, gas, and so much more. i get it. that is why i am doing

everything in my power to lower costs for families. >> and whether president says he is doing everything in his power to lower prices, one of those things is working with senate democrats to try to get this inflation package through. obviously it is going to be a tough call, but we just got in the last few seconds was a statement from jon pierre dressing some of what it truly was just talking about. the fact that we're talking about the senate parliamentarian giving the green light for most of what democrats want. this new statement, greene job here saying that we are making the senate made progress on to lower costs for families and tackle inflation inside the bill later today. you can expect with president biden, yes he is still isolating from that rebound case of covid. we are waiting for an update from his doctor on whether you are still testing positive. but you can ensure he and other white house officials, are working the phones to make sure that this legislation moves forward without any final hiccups, corey. >> and then if and when it does, exactly when americans will start to feel the effects of. that might, medley thank you from the white house. >> all, right let's bring in

ben cardin a democrat from maryland and a member of the farm relations committee. thanks for being on with us this morning. i want to jump in at the to the topic at hand, the inflation reduction. act so, we heard from our reported there what the weekend looks like on the hill. what is your sense of the timeline of when this might actually go to a vote after all of the steps that it has this will go through? >> well, cory, it is good to be with. you we are on the verge of making history here by passing this inflation reduction act. it is going to be helping americans with the cost of health care, with energy costs. it will help bring down the deficit. it will help us deal with climate challenges, it is a major step forward. we expect we will have our first vote on this later this afternoon. that will get us started. and then, it is really in the hands of republicans. they can offer as many moments as they want. they can talk pretty much over the next 20 hours if they want to. so they can keep the clock moving. but at the end of the day, if

we keep our 50 votes together, we will be able to pass this bill. >> all, right there is a lot to be excited for, it sounds like. what are democrats telling you they're most excited for, they found is the biggest win here, also how are democrats reacting to the changes that were pushed forward by arizona colleague kyrsten sinema? >> well, we recognize that is the challenging process and we have only a 50/50 senate. so, we have to get all 50 of us together. we recognize that we nearly have some challenges. the important point is that the major provisions are kept intact. what i am most excited about is bringing down the cost of prescription medicines. i'm excited about being able to deal with climate. this is a major reduction of carbon emissions. putting the united states in leadership in dealing with the threat of climate change. but also making energy more affordable. the major incentives for renewable energy sources. so, this is really a win-win-win situation. we are going to help the people

of this country with the costs, we're gonna bring down the deficit, and we are going to deal with moving forward on health care. the subsidies under the affordable care act are extended for three years. there is a lot in this bill that will help american families. >> how about that water and out of the minimum tax for all corporations. just a switch that had to be made there. do you feel or worry that this diminishes the democrats message? i mean this was one of the big promises during the last campaign election, if i'm not mistaken? . a >> i think the way that we are bringing in revenue is still gonna come from those corporations that have not paid taxes, that should pay their fair sir of taxes. we will be getting the savings under the prescription drug provisions, and we will be empowering the irs to be able to do their job. and to help average taxpayers to make sure that those in the high-end pay their fair share. so i think we've got that pretty much intact. obviously we would like to do more, but what is in this bill

has been very positive on how we raise the revenues we need to reduce the deficit and pay for this. >> senator, have you heard me a colleague bernie sanders on this? he has argued that this doesn't do enough for working class americans. >> i think senator sanders is not alone are disappointed that some of the provisions that were originally included in the reconciliation have now been discarded. it doesn't mean they're not gonna come back to them. we are gonna try to find ways that you can make childcare more affordable, that we can do with the medicaid gap that we have with those states that have not extended the medicaid coverage, that we will deal with other issues. as chair to small business committee. some of those provisions we need to come back to. so there is more work to be done, but make no mistake about, it what is in this bill is historic. dealing with the climate and. >> we are so sorry to interrupt. we actually have schumer speaking at this moment, we want to go to him to just a moment. we are going to hear about today's actions from senator

schumer. let's listen. then >> provided the largest investment in clean energy ever, in american history. for every child deprived of clean air in a neighborhood where they can play quite safely outside away from small again exhaust fumes, this bill will help reverse air pollution and help cleanup communities that have been endured the shadow of a congested highway in industrial say. and, as the most significant action of climate change ever, it will help deliver our children and grandchildren the planet they deserve. the inflation reduction act was written with the american people in mind. families, struggling to pay the bills, kills kids who struggle with ads on pollution, seniors who can't afford lifesaving medications. this bill is for them. for many years, many in washington promised to address some of the biggest challenges facing our nation. only to fall short. many have talked about the need

to act on climate change, they need to hold drug companies accountable, they need to make the tax code fairer. but when previous efforts have fallen short, this senate majority is on the verge of succeeding. after years of trying, we will finally empower medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drug costs. after years of trying, we will finally cap out of pocket expenses and make vaccines free for our seniors. after years of trying, after years of americans calling for action, particularly our young people, congress will pass the largest clean energy package ever. we will cut emissions by 40%, by 2030. helping us avert the worst consequences of a warming planet. >> okay, you have been listening to the senator chuck schumer who is introducing today's proceedings there on capitol hill. speaking, senator cardin, on many other topics that you and

i have just been talking about here. and many of the topics that you feel like our winds here. so my question to you is, what kind of ideas are you also expecting to have introduced today? we know that there is probably gonna be around several amendments. in fact, i want to read you a quote from senator chris coons. he said the vote-a-rama is going to start later than we imagined. it is going to run longer than we helped, and it is going to be more painful getting out of here than any of us have any reason to expect. what are your thoughts? >> well, the vote-a-rama is painful for everybody. it is painful for the members of the senate, it is painful for the supporting staff, it is painful for the american people who follow this. because it is mostly for show, not for trying to get something done. that is what is disappointing. i agree with senator schumer, i don't understand why republicans are joining us. these are issues that many republicans care about. at least i thought they did. the cost of prescription medicines, dealing with climate issues from public health point of view in from a global responsibility point of view. but instead, they are choosing to put us through a series of

votes. these votes will not change the outcome. if they are mostly gotcha type of votes, so they can use this. i have been in this business for a long time, so i have voted on every issue and i'm ready to vote and i'm not worried about that. i do think you will the see that we will protect the -- which means will be voting against some amendments that perhaps it was being offered in good faith you'd be able to put into the bill, but they are being offered in an effort to bring the bill down and we are not going to let that strategy work. -- >> before i let you, go i have to ask you very quickly since you're on the foreign affairs committee, i want to ask you about china and the military drills that are going on. how concerned are you that this will escalate a do you think is worth pelosi going to? taiwan let me be clear about this. a recognition of the status of taiwan means that members of the congress can certainly visit taiwan. i visited there many years ago. we've had open visits.

they have control over their territory from the point of view of allowing international guests to come there. so speaker pelosi was totally within her rights to visit taiwan. china's reaction is outrageous. and dangerous. there could be a miscalculation that could bring about a tragic circumstance. so china needs to get control of its own activities. this is outrageous, the response. we recognize that we have a -- intentional relationship with china with regards to taiwan that is not clear. we have a different view about taiwan than they do. we need to resolve that peacefully. one thing is clear, we will not allow china to use force against the people of taiwan. that would be outrageous. we are making that pretty clear in the way that we are conducting our policy. >> senator ben current, we appreciate it, we know you have a busy day ahead. thank you very much.

in a moment i'll be speaking with the former ambassador to china about those heightened tensions and whether some ominous headlines reflect upcoming reality. plus wet u.s. officials are saying to calm a situation. also the latest in the pursuit for freedom for britney griner. negotiations for prisoner swaps -- where they stand at this moment? moment?

pressure is building to bring wnba brittney griner home. russia saying, friday, it's ready to discuss the possibility of a prisoner swap with the u.s.. nbc's monica -- is at the white house for us. monika what's the latest on these efforts? >> the biden administration says it's working tirelessly to try to broker a deal with moscow to free americans brittney griner and paul whelan. the talks ongoing after griner was sentenced to nine years.

it's not the only challenge the white house is facing. negotiations to -- continue to free brittney griner and paul whelan. president brighten cautiously optimistic as the u.s. and russia pledge publicly to keep the -- discussions going privately. the biden administration offering to trade the basketball player, an american business man, for victor boot, a convicted russian arms dealer. >> if this trial and sentences somehow freeze them up to negotiate more sincerely, then so be it. let's do it. meanwhile, in the indo-pacific, another crisis unfolding. china firing back after nancy pelosi's trip to taiwan this week. carrying out military exercises, launching a nuclear summary, and flying fighter jets around the island. >> these actions are significant escalation. china claims the self rule territory as its own. the u.s. has stood firm in its

support of the one china policy, reiterating that hasn't changed well supporting china -- taiwan's right to defend itself. for the first time in years, there's no direct communication between washington and beijing. china cutting off high-level talks. speaker pelosi, defending her visit, despite the mounting tensions. >> they will not isolate taiwan by not allowing us to travel there. in addition to cutting off communications, they're not currently working with -- the white house continues to monitor all developments over the weekend, and will respond if china does continue to escalate. back to you. >> all right, let's bring in gary -- he's former ambassador to china and commerce secretary during the obama administration. also former government of washington, ambassador, welcome.

china's military drills continue today. john kirby and anthony liken both raising the possibility of a miscalculation, miscommunication, et cetera. china's mission fell near a japanese island. that country lodge a complaint through diplomatic channels. how far is trying to prepare to go? this >> they're really showing -- putting up a show of force, because president xi jinping is slated to be elected to an unprecedented third term almost a term for life. he has to show resolve to his own people in order to cement his election prospects. i think as the station -- even senator ben cardin, earlier, these acts by the chinese government are completely unnecessary and pose a danger of miscalculation, unintended consequences of maybe fighter pilots coming to close, and their airplanes

colliding. or two captains playing chicken, and there's a collision and loss of life. that would throw the area into unprecedented hostilities. that's what we need to avoid. and that's completely in the hands and the control of the chinese. they could have demonstrated their umbrage at speaker pelosi's visit by doing so many other things, but they didn't have to escalated to this extent. >> as they continue, even, taiwan officials say today that drills simulated an attack. previously, they said those wheels were more of rehearsals for a blockade. this is escalation concern you? >> obviously, the chinese have engaged in a whole host of military exercises and drills through the years. this is an expansion of that. the planes are coming much closer to the air defense zone of taiwan. their ships have crossed the midpoint of the straight. again, it's a possibility of miscalculation where you have

to navy captains who don't want to give way. their vessels collide, there's loss of life, and then that came through the entire region into warfare. that's what all sides need to avoid. >> we've seen it happen in history before. chinese officials even played up the fact that pelosi's third atlanta the presidency. what would you say is the benefit of her visit? was it worth the followed? >> again, it's a matter that the chinese could've handled. they could've calibrated the response in a way that is not lead to possible unintended consequences in a conflict. it's every right of speaker pelosi to visit. just within the last few months, a high-ranking u.s. senator, democrats and republicans have been to taiwan. former speaker newt gingrich visited taiwan several decades ago. it's her every right to visit taiwan. she was in the region, and given her strong record in

terms of pro democracy, speaking it against human rights abuses, she had to visit taiwan. >> saying that, do you take any significance in the white house coming out initially against her visit to taiwan? >> i think they were concerned about the timing of the visit, because, president xi jinping is up for election to an unprecedented third term. this is really appreciating his opportunity to be ruler for life. they knew that the chinese officials would have to respond to her visit with tough measures. thumping of the chest, et cetera. that's what they were worried about. there's never a good time for any american visit -- ranking official, to visit taiwan. we know that the chinese will respond in some ways to -- with rhetoric or increase thrills. but with just months before his election, she jinping -- we knew that he would have to

respond strongly. >> ambassador gary locke providing some context for us this afternoon, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> 12:15 on wednesday afternoon. that's what a job dropping revelation happened in a texas courtroom. the impact being felt in newtown, connecticut. and even washington, d.c.. we'll explain next. fields "open". who doesn't love "open"? offices. homes. stages. possibilities. your world. open. and you can help keep it that way. ♪♪ the unknown is not empty. it's a storm that crashes, and consumes, replacing thought with worry. but one thing can calm uncertainty.

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with tide pods ultra oxi. ♪♪ meta portal go. look professional. ♪♪ even if you don't feel it. meta portal. the smart video calling device... - right on time! - of course. that makes work from home work for you. so, shall we get started? breaking news from capitol hill where the senate has been in session. later this afternoon lawmakers will vote on a motion to consider this 40 billion dollar rig inflation rejection act that would then initiate up to 20 hours of debate on the hill. that is all before a series of votes on each of possibly dozens of amendments. just moments ago, senate majority leader chuck schumer gave an update on the voting process or on the senate floor. >> i am happy to report to my colleagues, that the bill we presented to parliamentarians remains largely intact.

the bill, when passed will need all of our schools, fighting climate change, lowering health care, cost closing loopholes to be used by the wealthy, and reducing the deficit. this is a major win for the american people and a sad commentary on the republican party is actively fight provisions that lower cost for the american family. >> all, right mitch mcconnell there speaking now and now it is unclear when that final vote will happen. we will keep you updated. look at today's other top stories now. doctors are fearing a single case of polio detected in new york. it could be the tip of the iceberg of a larger out break. unvaccinated americans are urging to get inoculated after water samples got into new york counties were found to contain the paralyzing potentially deadly virus. more than 60 million americans are under heat alert in the northeast.

the temperature surging today into the 90s and showing little signs of letting up. meanwhile, ten people, including three people are dead after a fire tore through a house in northeastern pennsylvania. officials say the victims range in age from 5 to 79, and includes several relatives of a firefighter who responded to the fire. three adults made it out safely. that correlates is still under investigation. >> there is the reaction today after a jury decided alex jones owes almost $50 million to the parents of a sandy hook victim. a mother and father of jesse lewis, speaking out after the decision friday. jesse was among 20 children killed at a school in 2012. as for alex jones, he is trying to cast doubt on his trial. nbc's priscilla thompson has more from texas. priscilla, what is the family saying? >> this is a major victory for the family, but they say it shouldn't have had to come to this to get to alex jones to stop lying about the shooting. meanwhile, alex jones is now saying that the trial was

raked. conspiracy theory of x jones considering to cast doubt. >> there's really weird stuff going on. >> after a resoundingly rebuke, in the infowars host was a order to paint additional 45 point $2 million in punitive damages to the parents of the sandy hook shooting victim. >> this is the verdict of the jury. >> that verdict, handed down just one day after the texas jury ordered that jones pay $4 million in compensatory damages for the years he spent calling the massacre a host. the nearly 50 million dollar payout, less than what the parents of six-year-old jesse lewis hoped for. still, they say it is a win. >> other parents, i want to represent you well. i know that you have endured pain just like i have over the past ten years. and this is a huge victory for all of you. but johnson to tierney says, it is not over. >> the first amendment is under siege.

and he looks forward to continuing the fight. >> jones, responded to the verdict last night saying he doesn't have the money has been ordered to pay, despite expert testimony that infowars is likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars. >> my net worth is below 5 million if you can't everything and got. >> all of this comes after a bombshell week in court, where years of jones's text messages were revealed, after being sent to the plaintiffs attorney by mistake. the messages, contradicting testimony jones gave under oath, with the potential to place him in even more hot water. >> i have been asked by the january six committee -- >> and the attorney for the family says that those text messages he received by mistake included messages between alex jones and trump advisor roger stone. now, at the january six committee is not commenting, but they did subpoena jones back in november, and they are looking into his actions

related to the january 6th rally, and later riot. back to you. >> priscilla, thank you. we are edging now to breaking news about the presidents covid status. let's go to nbc's mike milley at the white house. mike, what do you know? >> well cory, for the second time this hour i will talk about what difference a week has made. last week we're coming to you with the news that the president was experiencing a rare rebound case of covid-19 after having tested negative, but now we hear from dr. kevin o'connor, the presidents personal physician, that the president this morning has tested negative for covid-19. now he will continue, however, his isolation. and that is because the white house wants a second negative test before he then resumes his full public schedule. and it is going to be a full schedule, this week, cory. the white house was already announcing president biden on monday will be traveling with the first lady to kentucky to visit with some of those affected by this horrible floods. on tuesday he is expected to sign into law the chips bill, a major administration priority. wednesday also signing into law the pact act.

you will remember that that is the veterans expansion of benefits for those who have experienced respiratory and other illnesses because of exposure to toxic burn pits. and of course, we are all waiting and watching the senate today to see whether the senate and eventually the house will pass the inflation reduction act. so the president now, testing negative, is poised to resume a public schedule. of course white house officials have said all along that he has been working just as much from the residents and isolation as he would be from the west wing with his staff. but some good news from the presidents medical team today. hopefully for the last time, testing negative after that rebound case. >> and, so real quick mic, to be clear the president has to test negative first again tomorrow, and then he can resume any travel and take those trips. >> that is exactly right. the white house has said all along that it would take two negative tests for them to do that. this is now 17 days senses and michelle positive test. so it has been a lot of time that he has had to sort of largely on the sidelines. but he is eager to get back on

the road with the midterms. leaving >> an incredibly quick timeline. positive test, negative test, and a positive test again, followed by another negative test. meg medley, at the white house, thanks again. >> well the justice department january six investigation is getting closer to donald trump. what you make of the grand jury subpoena of trump's white house counsel, next. trump's white hous counsel, next. counsel, next. despite treatment it disrupts my skin with itch. it disrupts my skin with rash. but now, i can disrupt eczema with rinvoq. rinvoq is not a steroid, topical, or injection. it's one pill, once a day, that's effective without topical steroids. many taking rinvoq saw clear or almost-clear skin while some saw up to 100% clear skin. plus, they felt fast itch relief some as early as 2 days. that's rinvoq relief. rinvoq can lower your ability to fight infections, including tb. serious infections and blood clots, some fatal, cancers including lymphoma and skin cancer, death, heart attack, stroke, and tears in the stomach or intestines occurred. people 50 and older with

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department of justice zeroing in on donald trump's lawyers

who predicted efforts to overturn the 2020 election. a source tells nbc news that our federal ground jury subpoenaed the former presidents white house counsel pat cipollone. the highest white house official working for donald trump in the days leading up to january 6th. it was also known to be called by federal against guns to get us to testify the doj declined the comment. joining me now, harry lippman, he is former u.s. attorney and the host of talking heads podcast. welcome, harry. given the proximity of these lawyers, that cipollone and donald trump, how important could their testimony be to these this federal investigation, and should not be worried? >> yes, and hard to imagine more important. they are at the inner sanctum. they are there for everything, and remember, cipollone go to the general six committee and says some things but won't say anything that trump set. so we will go to a series of statements where filament and cipollone say, you cannot do

this mister president, it is unlawful. but what is the missing half of that puzzle? what did trump say? and we know what trump did. he disregarded their advice and flouted the law, so it is hard to imagine more damning words coming out of his mouth. and they can provide it chapter and verse. >> i guess the next question becomes, the question of executive privilege, right? when the january six committee interviewed cipollone, they were careful to step around questions that might have any sort of violation with executive privilege. do you think that is going to be the case, or a hurdle for the doj here as well? >> somewhat. so first, you are right. the january six committee has cut that deal with a baloney, but they didn't have any leverage that they needed to do this quickly. the law is clear. cipollone does have the right to withhold this based on executive privilege or attorney client privilege. the question will be, will he

nevertheless claim it and try to fight it out and litigate and maybe even take a hail mary pass to the supreme court based on the new personnel there. so, doj will make quick work of any claim. they will go to the chief judge in the district court will rule, nope, and you've got to. we have many precedents that make it clear, nevertheless, we have seen before people in the trump circle make great hay with delaying even though they have merit-less claims. and you know, time becomes a factor even if we're looking at the potential of moving into the specter, or the shadow, of the 2024 election, which could be a total game-changer. yeah, there's that old saying, justice moves on its own timeline. then there is this distinction here.

earlier, federal grand various subpoenas came for outside attorneys, like giuliani, who advised trump -- basically trump's yes man. what does it tell you that they're now interested in speaking with the legal counsel against advice -- to overturn the election? >> only by subpoenaing trump himself, which would be a very aggressive but possible move. he's not with their call a target. could they be making a more direct hit on him? could he be more directly in the cross hairs? eastman and giuliani, as they -- as you said, there yes men, they will try to protect trump. cipollone -- we know what they think about this. we know they think it was abhorrent. we know they think it was a transgression of his constitutional duties. if they can be made to talk, as opposed to eastman and giuliani, what's gonna come out is going to be much more damage. it's possible, we've been thinking, i've been thinking.

they need to turn someone big like meadows you can actually imagine they're putting together a solid case against trump on [inaudible]

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breaking news. you're looking live at the senate floor, where democrats are kicking off what could be a lengthy process to pass the inflation production act. the economic bill aims to address climate change, health care, and taxation among other things. joining me now is adrian -- aid to the biden, harris campaign. and -- kurt democratic >> welcome to both of you. adrian, we'll start with you. i want to get you. let's begin with you, adrian. part of what it took for democrats to get here to this point is to get senator kristen sinema on board. that was taking out attacks position that would have closed the loophole which would've -- that loophole allows the

wealthiest americans pay less in taxes. does this work against the messaging that the rich should pay its fair share. >> certainly there's going to be controversy around this. not everyone's going to be support this. it's not going to affect the support the legislation is the bottom line. this is how legislative sausage making works. is a term in basketball, survive and advance. that's what you're seeing play out in realtime. when it comes to pass the inflation reduction act. but i personally love seeing right now, on the floor, is that, yeah, you've got some members who maybe didn't get everything they wanted, but they understand the magnitude of this moment. they understand that we cannot let perfect be the enemy of the good. they also understand that kyrsten sinema is a key vote. we cannot get this passed without her. making a few concessions here in there, again, not ideal, but it's far better than not passing this legislation. now that we have her on board, it looks like we're the very

good place to start proceedings, start debate, and hopefully get this thing passed this week. >> kurt, hopefully we can hear you now. republicans giving us a preview of with the midterm messaging could look like in opposition to this bill. take a listen here part of wet lindsey graham had to say yesterday. >> as much as i admire -- for standing up to the radical left a time. they're empowering legislation that will make the average person's life more difficult at a time they can't afford higher gas taxes, they're gonna get. it anytime we create jobs, it's going to be harder because of the incentives to do so it will be gone. can democrats effectively combat that messaging? >> yeah, they can't. because lindsey graham is lying, here. folks i don't know what planet he lives on, we're lowering the cost of prescription drugs is a hardship for middle america. hardworking americans, people who need health care coverage

and access. i don't know what planet he's living on when he thinks his party, which helped lower taxes for billionaire, we're trying to provide meaningful relief for everyday americans is out of balance. we've seen the last couple weeks, republican party opposed veterans, stand with china, oppose lower prescription drugs. i don't think that's gonna be winning message for them in november. >> sometimes two-plus-two does equal four, folks. adrian, how much of a boost could it give democrats, midterm chances if this bill becomes law? >> it would be a substantial boost. we cannot dispel the fact that president biden is now, when this passes, will have passed four major economic bills. two of those bipartisan. most presidents would die to be in this position. would love to be where he is, going into the midterms, in terms of legislative accomplishments. now you've got to go out there and sell it. every single member of congress who supports this bill needs to go home to go back to their districts in august and talk about the merits of this bill.

to chris's point, talk about lower prescription drug costs. talk about historic investments in climate, addressing climate change. this bill will go down in history as one of the biggest achievements that democrats have done, especially in this modern day century. you've got to go home and sell. it it's going to get biden's numbers of. it's gonna give us the extra boost we need to carry us across the finish line of some of these key senate races. and frankly, i think it might mitigate the lessons we might have in the house. >> about the opposite question to you, if this bill doesn't make a pass the finish, line how much could it hurt the party's chances in the midterms? >> one of the key things that we have right now, for the first time in a long time is actual legislative momentum. we've got a lot done in recent weeks. from the gun bill, to the chips a bill. we've done things to meaningful address inflation, we've seen gas prices get lowered almost every day for a better part of almost two months now. so, i think that even if this somehow falls apart, there's still a lot that we get to

campaign on and sell to the american people. they can [inaudible] right now republicans have been at a conference where they're giving a standing applause to a guy who's saying that mixed races shouldn't happen. there advances and doubling down on this extreme agenda. where they think contraceptive should be [inaudible] where they think they should tell women what they can do with their bodies. they've moved so far out of the mainstream of america, it's going to cost them big-time. at this point, they're going to talk themselves out of the -- [inaudible] >> right, curtailed on something adrian that i want to talk to you about, what happened in indiana with that. about indiana the first state after roe v. wade to overturn -- after roe v. wade was overturned to pass a near total ban on abortion. your take on this? >> yeah, it's absolutely devastating for the people of

indiana. frankly to the people in the midwest, we're seeing more and more states that are imposing strict restrictions like this in the midwest which means that women who need to have abortions are gonna have to travel that much further to get them. but i think again, this goes back to what we saw happen in kansas. they're going against the will of the people. this is not with the people want. the supreme court may want this, there may be some republicans in congress, but it does not reflect the will of the people. i think the more states like indiana trying to impose these extremely horrific restrictions on women, the better off democrats are going to do at the ballot box. >> i want to note, that something i did mention before, as i was asking adrienne this question, the indiana legislature passed this bill versus the actual vote of the people that happened in kansas where it did not pass -- all right, hurt, and adrian thanks so much for being here. we appreciate your time today. >> big development on capitol hill this hour. a live report from there on how voting on the inflation

reduction act is expected to unfold over the weekend. whether it might be a bumpy ride, buckle up. plus growing threats of violence against election workers. all tucked in michigan's top election official about her fears and direct experience as we approach the midterms.

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our sweat. reports to begin this hour with breaking news. you are looking live on the senate floor where lawmakers are holding a rare saturday session. democrats beginning which could be a long process of debating and voting for these 750 billion dollar inflation act. lawmakers will soon cast their votes and set the stage for votes devoted to more. amendments been card when he is optimistic. that democrats will