good day from msnbc, welcome to 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 achieve a

major victory. >> we expect one of our first vote on later on this afternoon will get it started. and then it is really in the hands of the republicans. they can offer as many events as they want, and they can talk pretty much over the next 20 hours or they want to. so if they can keep the clock moving, at the end of the day, if we keep our 15 votes together we can be able to pass this bill. >> also, breaking at this hour, president biden has tested negative for covid today. the president's physician announcing those results moments ago. and just ahead, we will go live to the white house on how this affects the presidents plans moving forward. meanwhile, indiana's past the state of the first state to pass abortions after roe v. wade is overturned. governor erin hoeven signing a total ban on the procedure after lawmakers approved. it senators on both sides of the aisle are getting reaction as the laws set to take effect september 15th. >> these kinds of decisions are never made in a vacuum. and there are polls going each

way, but actually the insistence here is that we protect as many people as possible. >> if you are pro-life, you can't be happy. if you are pro-choice, you can't be happy. i don't know who left your happy. all i know is, people need to go out and vote. >> that move by indiana republicans comes just days after voters in kansas overwhelmingly voted to protect abortion rights in their state. >> meanwhile, a jury in texas ordered conspiracy theorist alex jones to pay 45 point $2 million to the parents of a child killed in the sandy hook school shooting. that is on top of the four point $1 million that he must pay in compensation for claiming the shooting was a hoax. lawyers on both sides reacting as jones prepares to face two more trials for his crimes. >> when you add that to the plaintiffs and connecticut who are about to start to go to trial, and that to the other sandy hook families that we represent, as well as the other defamation suits against mr. jones, i think one thing is

clear. his time in the american stages coming to an end. it is done. >> we think that the verdict was too high. his reaction was that he had been found guilty before he ever had a chance to defend his case on the merits, >> all right, joining us now, nbc's julie -- and mike notley i think white house for us. julie, let's begin with you. how much progress has the senate meeting counseling the massive spending bill, when do you expect a final vote? >> they are still chugging along here. leader schumer and mcconnell gave speeches on the senate floor as they're working through the procedural processes. schumer says that the parliamentary processes largely over, but they are still working out some. kinks specifically as it relates to the drug pricing piece of this. there are two measures that would have been in this bill. they are waiting to see what goes on there that would have lower drug price costs for employers to get their health insurance from their companies. so that is one thing that they are still working on. i want you to take a listen though to whet leader schumer and mcconnell had to say in the last hour. >> democrats want to run

through hundreds of billions of dollars in tax audits, and hundreds of billions of dollars in reckless spending. and for what? for so-called inflation bill that will not meaningfully reduce inflation at all and will actually make inflation even worse in the short term? >> at every turn they have resorted to the decades old talking point of calling our bill nothing but wasteful spending. conveniently ignoring that our bill in fact lowers the deficit, and is completely paid for. >> look, by and large, schumer is happy. this bill remain largely intact other than those two things that i laid out for you. i caught up though with senator jon boone, who is a republican win, he's in leadership on the republican side just moments ago. he said those things that potentially could fill out the bill were expected. he also said that republicans may yield back some of their debate time once they get this process going, to move right into the vote-a-rama. that is a process where they can bring up really any amount of amendments that they like.

you see what is in the bill on your screen. republicans promising to make this as painful as possible for democrats, but through navalny, he predicts they might wrap all of this up tomorrow. not even using monday. but of course anything can happen when republicans have an unlimited chance to bring up these votes and put democrats in a tough position. >> all, right we appreciate that. thanks for starting us off, julie. >> now let's get to breaking news from the white house for the past. our nbc's mike motley is there for us. mike, what is the latest on the president's covid diagnosis. also your reporting on to the reaction of what's happening on capitol hill. >> yeah, that's right cory. you remember it was july 21st about 17 days ago when we first learned for the first time that president biden had tested positive for covid-19. now it was less than a week initially when he was able to test negative. you remember that triumphant return he made to the rose garden, only then, last saturday to have one of those rare rebound cases testing positive again. just in the last hour we hear from the president's doctor, dr. kevin o'connor, that he has

tested negative. but they want to wait for a second negative test before he will and his isolation period and resume a public schedule. to be honest, tweeting about with the president is already going to be doing today. he's watching this tournament in the senate, tracking key agenda items that he's been pushing since day one of his presidency, all represented in the inflation reduction act. the president yesterday celebrating that good jobs report, using it also to make the sales pitch for what this would mean for american families as well. let's take a listen. >> the inflation production act. that bill will lower protect struck shin drug costs by giving medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug prices. lower drug prices. that is something the american people have been promised for years, and decades. and we are on the verge of finally getting that done. >> so, the president of course has been largely on the sidelines because of his diagnosis these last two and a

half weeks. but it is also remarkable that he has had arguably some of the best weeks of his presidency during that time. you think about the passage of the chips act, the major ministry of priority, he's gonna sign that is a lot tuesday. the passage of the veterans expansion bill to help those who have been exposed to toxic burn pits. a really personal priority for president biden. he attributes loss of his son beau to his exposure while serving in iraq to burn pits as well. then the movement that is so far on track, the white house saying so far today, they are hiding that the news that julian was just laying out the parliamentarian largely green-lighting some of the provisions that this inflation reduction act. the president, really is going to be able to, once he resumes that public schedule go out and talk about something hungry accomplishments for administration that has really been stuck in neutral for a long time since the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill last november. >> yeah, mike manley, reporting from the white house. and as mike mentioned, the second negative test is required of the president

before he can travel and resume all of his normal schedule on monday. all right, joining me now is at democratic senator mokena's myth of minnesota. walk us through why we are seeing in the senate this afternoon. what do you think we realistically see this, pass what are the biggest? hurdles >> thank you, cory, it is great to be with you this afternoon. we have what is going to be a long and arduous task to get this bill passed. the reason for that is that even though the provisions of this legislation are broadly bipartisan around the country, we don't have a single republican vote for any of these provisions. so it is going to take us hours and hours and hours. well worth it as we think about the great benefit of lowering prescription drug prices for seniors, and of course there was significant climate legislation that we have ever seen in this country. but, i suspect that we will also be here for, i don't know, a day, a day and a half of voting on about republican amendments. >> so your republican colleague,

lindsey graham, houston that vote-a-rama will quote be like hell. or how concerned are you about these amendments that republicans are planning to opposing how it controls the? get >> well the reality is that if democrats vote down all of these bad republican amendments that are just designed to ruin this bill, it will take a long time, but it will be totally worth it. and it is so interesting that what they are doing here is they are essentially trying to stop us from lowering prescription drug top prices, they're trying to stop us from putting an annual cap on prescription drug costs for folks that are on medicare. so they will drag it out as long as they want to drag it out, but at the end of the day we are going to pass a really substantial piece of legislation. >> senator, your colleague kyrsten sinema has said that she would support the bill after the element was removed that would have closed that tax loophole allowing private equity firms to pay lower taxes. that is part of what it took to catch her on board. but part of her having a

problem with that part of it was also adding a new excise tax on stock buybacks. how do you feel that the swamp? >> compromises require compromise. you don't always get exactly what you want, and you have to agree to do things that you don't always agree with. i thought that it would've been really powerful to close that carried interest loophole which allows people that are making hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars in private equity to pay lower tax rate than firefighters and nurses and teachers. nonetheless, we have come up with an agreement, and a compromise that i think is well worth all of us supporting. and i personally think that the idea of putting an excise tax on stock buybacks, is a good idea and i'm happy to support that. >> so, is there a sense of any frustration at all between you, or maybe some of your colleagues about how much power some of these more moderate democrats like senator sinema, or senator joe manchin have had in this reconciliation process? >> this is the reality of the senate where you have 50 votes

and that means that the democrats have to find a place where we can all agree. and that is what we have done here. i will tell you that today as i anticipate being here for, i don't know, 24 more hours, 36 more hours, i am trying to have my resources, but i'm not feeling frustrated. i'm feeling incredibly excited about the work that we are gonna accomplish when we finally cast that final vote. who knows, i am hoping sometime on sunday. >> millions of americans are anticipating this. tell them exactly what this will do for them? what is the actual impact for your constituents. >> well if you care about lower prescription drug prices because you think that medicaid, medicare, should be able to negotiate with this backdrop drug companies, we are accomplishing that. if you care about capping prescription drug costs for seniors, we are going to accomplish that. and if you care about preparing for a clean energy future, and building the components for that clean energy future, here in the united states with good american jobs that reduce carbon emissions, that is what we are going to accomplish with

this legislation. it is a big deal. >> senator, i know you have a busy day so before i let you go, one more quick question. i need to turn to the fight for abortion rights. you have been a leading figure in this movement. indiana has now become the first state post roe v. wade being overturned, to pass a near total abortion ban. that move by indiana republicans coming just days after voters in kansas. now obviously there is a different, tier voters in kansas overwhelmingly rejected that proposal that would've said that there was no right to an abortion in that state. what do you make of these outcomes? what do you think it says about where we are headed in this country mont this issue in particular? >> well, cory, you are exactly right. what happened in kansas is by a wide margin the voter said that they wanted to see abortion protected in the kansas constitution. in indiana, extreme republican politicians said that they thought they should be the ones to decide about this most personal choices that people have. and they are stripping away the freedom, and the rights of

women. the indiana law is unbelievably extreme and it shows us that this is what extreme republican politicians want to. they want to ban abortion. that is what they're doing it and indiana and this is what we have to fight for. i think this will be a big issue on the ballot in november. >> senator tina smith giving us as much time as you possibly can before heading in on capitol hill. thank you, senator. >> thank you. >> now let's head to dallas where day three of the conservative political action conference, where cpac, is underway. donald trump will take the stage in just a few hours as the day's final speaker. nbc's gary graham block is there. gary, the first day has been filled with controversial speakers. what are you seeing there today? >> yeah, cory this is not your father cpac. every day has had a different vibe to it. and thursday we heard from people in the u.s. and abroad. we heard from viktor war bond the hungarian prime minister giving the key speech on

friday. on friday we heard from steve bannon who discussed his plan a discuss it with the whole crowd a dinner last night. his plan to get democrats out of office from school board all the way up to the u.s. congress and replace them about republicans. but a lot of what we heard yesterday, especially, it was really conspiratorial in nature. we heard from doctors, so-called doctors who are giving misleading medical advice. we are hearing from senators who are saying that they are painting a really dark picture of america. and we are also hearing from mike wendell who's discussing his thoughts on the 2020 election. but it is not just those folks. people who are attending this event as well. and here is what they had to say. >> we have never been in this part of the situation but, i believe in. it >> will it is -- . >> they have deliberately destroyed this country. they had an agenda and we need to stop it now. because this is our last

chance. for america, our freedom. i'm sorry. i'm a widow now, and this is terrifying to me. and i just want to spend the rest of my life without these fears. >> donald trump don't win, i am going to pray that god will just end it. i am very adamant about that. >> look at what we are going to see today. we are gonna get the results of the closely watched cpac -- which are is washed across the country. at least push of the conservative base is looking towards 2024. we are going to hear from some of the biggest names in the conservative movement today. including lori boebert, glenn, back and -- . if cory. >> dairy again block reporting in dallas. gary, thank. you >> election workers under siege. more than 1000 threats against them in just this past year. in a moment, i will speak to one official who went to

capitol hill this week to tell her story in a call for help. >> i was about to put my son to bet when dozens of individuals descended upon our home. growing in numbers over the course of an hour, they stood outside my front door waking my neighbors, shouting obscenity's, and graphic threats into bullhorns. bullhorns. bullhorns. our insoles are designed with unique massaging gel waves, for all-day comfort and energy. find your relief in store or online. new projects means new project managers. you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. when you sponsor a job, you immediately get your shortlist of quality candidates, whose resumes on indeed match your job criteria. visit indeed.com/hire and get started today. with godaddy you can start a stunning online store for free. easily connect it to social platforms and marketplaces. and manage all your sales from one place. because if you've got it, we've got you. start for free at godaddy.com/startfree

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the justice department said it reviewed over 1000 cases of threats to election workers in the past year. incidents of which a rose sharply after reporters after donald trump and his supporters claimed that the election was stolen. joining me now is secretary of state john benson who testified before the committee this week. jocelyn, welcome thank you for being here. describe for me the rise in nature of ongoing threats that election officials like

yourself and others and other states are receiving. and what is fueling them and i guess lastly what can the department of justice, justice department congress do about it? >> yeah, thank you for having. we as michigan's chief election officer, my job is this ugly ensure that elections are accessible, safe, and secure, and the results aren't accurate reflection of the voice of people. and that job for all of us on the scene local level is a rule rolled it increasingly force and that's, would be democrat, republican, for independent, to endure constant threats, harassment, false malicious attacks on our character and integrity, and sometimes even violence. and so i went to washington because we need help. we need help from every branch of the federal government. investment, greater protections for us in the field. and really a recognition that the misinformation, that frankly is furthered by some members of that u.s. senate, and even that committee itself, are falsehoods and lies about our elections process. they have consequences, and the

consequences are borne by election officials and every state in this country, and at the state and local level, and our. families >> and families, which is exactly what i was going to add as well. we want to listen to a clip of your testimony from this week's senate hearing where you describe some of the threats that you and your family have endured. >> i have experienced these threats firsthand. one night, in december of 2020 i was about to put my son to bed when dozens of individuals death descended upon her home. growing in numbers of a record seven-hour, they stood outside my front door, waking my neighbors, shouting obscenity, 's and graphic threats and double horns. to this day, these images, and this memory, that evening still hotly. not long ago, my son, standing in our driveway pick up a stick, turned to me and said don't worry mom, if the bad guys come again i'll get them with this. he is six years old. >> how do you deal with these threats? and further still, how do we

get enough people to do these essential jobs as there are continuing threats this? >> well, look, i started my career in selma alabama. investigating hate groups and hate crimes throughout the country. and i was recognize that as a foundational of my work that standing up for democracy does and throughout history has meant that you have to be prepared to endure threats. and it is unfortunate, but what is really unfortunate about today's strain is that there is something that our elected officials can do about it. first, those are spreading lies, candidates or otherwise to gain power raise money, they need to stop it. they need to understand that when they lie to people about the truth and security of our elections, the accuracy of the results, they hurt us and they put us in danger. and in addition to that, we hope that we will see the justice department and other law enforcement take these threats seriously and sequin consequences. the other thing for people to recognize is that, yes it is

going to lead to repercussions, but is causing a lot of us to become more emboldened in our jobs. and when i visited election workers on election day this week. we had a primary on tuesday. i was really struck by how much more dedicated they were and determined to protect our elections and i have ever seen before. and so there is a strength that is going to in our election official community as we continue to endure and stand up to these threats. and that gives me a lot of hope for the future. >> now, secretaries of state like yourself to hold much of the power in overseeing the states elections. so far for republicans who won that nomination for secretary of state have questioned the legitimacy of joe biden's presidential win. given that this position is supposed to be nonpartisan, do you think these candidates will be running without a party name? >> i do. i mean, this is a role that though it's an electric, one is really not a partisan or political one. we fight to ensure that every vote is counted and every voice

is heard. be they democrat, republican, or independent. and for this increasing trend of politicization of these roles, it is very troubling because we are the referees. we are the ones who call walls and strikes. we don't take sides. that is why i have never in my role endorsed anyone running for office in an election that i'm overseeing. and i think that we may see more regulations, perhaps even a code of ethics in place for secretaries across the country just like judges are required to stand for politics secretaries of state should be as. well >> on that, no one has an election transparency best practices that you've put in place to try to fight disinformation in michigan, and what do you suggest congress do? >> well, we found it is very helpful to get out in front of lies and falsehoods by simply being open and transparent and showing people just how secure our processes are, and inviting people who come in with skepticism, particularly those who have heard these lights and believe them, to simply see these processes themselves. if we can do that, and many of our clerks republican and

democratic clerks are doing this really more than ever before, showing and having for example before the election and accuracy test, a voting machine so that the public can view just how accurately they do count every ballot vote. that helps restore faith and ensure faith and our democracy which we all have got to step up and do right now. but that said, we what we need most frankly from any elected official across this country, particularly republicans, as to stop spreading these lies. knowingly doing so. we have had republicans in michigan actually investigate our election, and find through a report that it was an accurate reflection of the will of the people. republicans willing to stand up and put their country first, and start telling the truth, is really going to be critical so that we can emerge out of this moment together. unified as a country, if not across party lines. >> really quickly, before i let you go i want to ask you about the fight over abortion rights in the united states and a number of out of state abortion coming to michigan. it has troubled since roe v.

wade was overturned. a series of high stakes court battles over the states 1931 abortion ban has left those seeking and providing abortions in the state kind of in limbo. what can you tell us about what is going on your state right now? >> well, first, michigan is run by women. we have a female governor, a female attorney general, we are the only state the country where you see that. and that is really having an impact here. our governor has refused to extradite anyone who comes to michigan for abortion, and is working with the attorney general to protect the right to an abortion in our state. in addition to that, there is about initiative that potentially -- where voters will be able to vote to in shrine row and it's protections, and really the protections for reproductive freedoms in our state constitution. so voters are speaking out, elected leaders are doing their job, and i secretary of state just want everyone to vote and make sure that their voices are heard. and also to recognize that indeed are fundamental rights, freedoms, and our democracy are on the ballot this fall. >> get out the vote. less than 100 days left. michigan secretary of state,

jocelyn benson, thank you for being with us. jocelyn benson, thank you fo being with us. >> thanks for having. me >> the evidence that the general six committee may find from newly-discovered text messages from donald from alex. jones and should not be feeling the heat of an indictment? s and should not be feelin the heat of an indictment? the heat of an indictment? ♪ i've been everywhere, man. ♪ ♪ crossed the desert's bare, man. ♪ ♪ i've breathed the mountain air, man. ♪ ♪ of travel i've had my share, man. ♪ ♪ i've been everywhere. ♪ ♪ i've been to: pittsburgh, parkersburg, ♪ ♪ gravelbourg, colorado, ♪ ♪ ellensburg, cedar city, dodge city, what a pity. ♪ ♪ i've been everywhere, man. ♪ ♪ i've been everywhere, man. ♪ ♪ i've been everywhere. ♪

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our bargain detergent couldn't keep up. turns out it's mostly water. so, we switched back to tide. one wash, stains are gone. [daughter] slurping don't pay for water. pay for clean. it's got to be tide. breaking news, we are monitoring the senate floor as a rare saturday sessions underway. it promises to be along with. lawmakers will debate and vote on the inflation protection act which is already passed the house. it will undergo a lot of changes, dozens of amendments out for consideration. senate democrats are confident the bill will pass despite republican opposition. >> i'm happy to report to my colleagues, that the bill we presented to the parliamentarian remains largely intact. the bill, when passed, will meet all of our goals, fighting climate change, lowering health care costs, closing tax

loopholes. 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, as they actively fight provisions that lower costs for the american family. >> we expect to have our first vote on this later this afternoon. that will get us started, and then it's really in the hands of the republicans that they can offer as many amendments as they want and they can talk for the next 20 hours if they want to but at the end of the day if we keep or 50 votes together, we'll be able to pass this bill. >> all right, we're waiting the first vote on the motion that would begin the debate. we'll keep you updated. now today's other's top stories. can china is conducting military drills throughout taiwan for the third straight day. today taiwan scrambled jets to warn chinese aircraft --

that comes after beijing cut off contact on relations and climate change discussions following pelosi's visit. >> ukraine says russian forces have shelled a nuclear power plant. the largest plant in europe. the ukrainian official who spoke to nbc news says the radiation levels are normal but could increase at any moment, but there's a real risk of nuclear and radiation catastrophe if russia keeps selling the plan. and gas prices have dropped for the seventh straight week. the average cost is $4.08, down 70 cents from a month ago. >> we want to turn now to a development in the justice department's january six investigation. usa today is reporting donald trump's legal team is communicating with the doj, in an apparent attempt to block access to key conversations with his former top aides. nbc news has not independently

verified this report. joining me now is -- lowell, he's a reporter for the guardian. hugo, welcome. can you tell us about these conversations? >> i think at the moment they're very top level discussions between trump's legal team and the -- normals trying to figure out with the doj has, with where the doj wants to go. whether trump has significant legal exposure, or if it's just trump's aides. or if there's executive privilege that needs to be worked out. it's tentative still. it does reflect the trump's legal team seriously considers that the justice department's investigation -- may soon touch the former president. >> how significant is the reported open line of communication between the trump world and the department of justice. what does it tell as u.s. fires the doj is that in its investigation? >> this is coming from the

trump side, not the doj side. the doj has had conversations, again, very tentative with white house office of legal counsel preemptively because there will be these questions of executive privilege that need to be worked out. it's less from the doj side, and more from the trump side. trump is trying to figure out with the doj has on him. the justice department is just proceeding with their criminal investigation. they have several grand jury's open, they have criminal investigations open that are examining on january six, and whether there is any role by the former president. >> similarly, business insider is reporting that trump is brushing off concerns about the doj's capitol attack investigation while his lawyers warn that an indictment may be coming. do you see this as an early sign that the doj is preparing to criminally charge the former president? >> i would look less at what the former president is saying to his aides and advisers and look at what the doj has been doing, properly, and that's been very busy. if we go back to june, we know

that the attorney general, merrick garland, as the office of the legal county weather -- opening an investigation into the former president. that was almost like a message of some sort to the world. look, we at the justice department are seriously looking at investigating the former president. that's a very good sign about with where the doj's intentions are. recently, we've seen mark, sure and great jacob question before the grand jury. and now there's a grand jury subpoena to the former white house counsel pat cipollone. all these people around trump, they've penetrating trump's inner circle. they're all being brought before the grand jury, it's the strongest indication that the justice department is moving forward aggressively. >> i want to switch gears to the house special committee investigation. in your latest article you reported that the panel asked the lawyer representing the sandy hook families for alex jones's text messages.

if you remember they were accidentally sent to him by the legal team. my question, hugo, why does the committee want these text messages? >> it's really interesting. the january six committee has been trying to get alex jones's text messages for a while. they actually managed to bring him in for a deposition, only for alex jones to invoke his fifth amendment right against self incrimination. whether gonna figure out is alex jones's role with respect to january six. we know from previous reporting, and witnesses that have gone before the select committee, that on january three, alex jones was claimed he was asked by the white house and the secret service to lead a march from the ellipse to the capitol. we know the next day, trump's telling advisers he had no ideas about whether there is gonna be a march, or when the situation was going to be on january four. there's a bit of a dichotomy here. was there any directive from the white house to alex jones

to lead that march? if there was, the idea that trump didn't know is probably very, very small. trying to figure out the extent of that cooperation, if any. and the text messages can reveal. that >> the committee hoping that they're seeing a way and now that those text messages were accidentally sent to the other attorneys team. all right, we'll leave it there. hugo lowell, thank you so much for joining us today. a potential dramatic change in mid term trajectory. some of the myth -- the headlines say it all. republican prospects for winter pickups dim, what could issues -- which issues could make a difference at the ballot box? h issues could make difference at the ballot box difference at the ballot box this sub isn't slowing down time any time soon. i'll give it a run for its money. my money's on the sub. it's subway's biggest refresh yet. open. it's a beautiful word. neighborhoods "open". businesses "open". fields "open". who doesn't love "open"?

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new polling average indicates a dead heat between republicans and democrats for control of congress in the midterms. 5:38.com shows 44.2% of voters in favor of each party. the average polling done from real clear politics as well. but forecasting the democrats chances of controlling the sentence stand at 59%, with republican chances down to 41%. joining me now is -- at the institute of politics, and msnbc political contributor, thankfully. we want you to talk about this. john, thank you so much for being here. do we see the tide turning here?

it's probably too soon to ask this question, but do you think these numbers are sustainable into november? >> certainly if this week hasn't taught us anything, it's that -- how significant the stakes are, in politics today, and what we've seen from the election in kansas what we've seen from, the prospects of significant legislation passing the senate soon is just how critically important the issues are in this election. what we've seen is over the last several weeks, over the last several months, since the time of the aledo ruling was out there, we see a shifting from a race that most conventional wisdom indicated would be solid control of republicans, to something that you just indicated is a toss-up, now. again, polls are just a snapshot in time, but would i

believe, looking at the data from the cycle, it reminds me a lot of the 2018 cycle. the effect of parkland. we had a significant shooting. 17 innocent folks lost their lives. young people begin to organize. led to protests, protests lead to registering young people to vote. that led to aoc, surprising the world at the primary, in a historic turnout in november. this seems like the same sort of mood, but we'll see if that can continue over the next several months as you said. okay, so let me ask you. that some experts believe that the rejection that democrats can actually pick up sentence may be related to the weakness of some of the republican candidates. do you think that this forecast is realistic? >> it seems to be. both when you ask the generic question, which is do you prefer democrats or republicans to be in control, as you, said

it is pitch at a effectively a dead even race when you look at both sides. but more importantly, i think when we look at the trends in important states like pennsylvania, where john fetterman has been on the campaign trail for significant amount of time. he is still leading i think it is 11 points the last i saw on average. you look at ohio, which would be another democratic pick up, when you have congressman ryan significantly there as well. i think he is in the mid to high single digits. again, unexpected at this stage in the campaign. north carolina is essentially going to be a toss-up as well. so yes, i think that when i see him on the ground, when we set the statewide paul, if you look at the overall merit i do think that those numbers make sense to me when you had them all up. because all of the indicators are pointing in the same direction. >> talk about the issues, when we look at the most important issues concerning americans the economy still leads by leaps and bounds at 33%. gas prices are down, but only

incrementally over the last month. still nowhere near what it's considered normal. how are these economic issues going to play out in these coming weeks, do you, think when it comes to voters hitting the polls in november? >> so, what is interesting about the gas prices and inflation is that as they are going up, inflation is going up, it wasn't hurting democrats. during that time, the republican-leaning went from four, to three, to two, to one in the general ballot. present biden's approval has not been great this year but it hasn't gone down significantly since the gas prices went up. so the economy is an important issue, as we can see here, for third of americans. that means two thirds are choosing to focus on other issues that are more important than the economy, or as important. it is complex. and those issues, many of them actually are more aligned with democrats, frankly. health care, abortion, climate,

gun violence. certainly immigration and other things that would, that folks i think would prefer republicans. but it is a far more nuanced conversation than only focusing on what is the top issue. a third of the economy, to those are saying something else. >> and, when you say that it is a picture in time, a moment in time, we have no idea what that is gonna look like in a month at some of these other major issues to continue to play out. going back to the inflation and recession fears, as they remain a concern, they are high but there is also that stronger number of jobs reports than was expected. how much in peoples minds it's already baked in when it comes to their impression of the economy? >> well i think the democrats and republicans, a lot of that is baked in but what i just saw, i think it was a -- poll that was released a few days ago. they are asking independents how comfortable that they feel with one outcome versus another outcome, and over half of independents believe that republican control would be bad

for the middle class. that is the group of folks that we really need to be listening to him paying attention to in the coming weeks ahead. >> john dell of opiate, thank you for being with us in bringing down those numbers. >> thank you. >> after a big sigh of relief, a new political drama in the state of kansas, that is coming up next. state of kansas, that is comin up next. $30. (daughter) i've already told everyone! (nurse) wait... did you say verizon for just $30? (mom) it's their best unlimited price ever. (cool guy) $30...that's awesome. (dad) yeah, and it's from the most reliable 5g network in america. (woman) for $30 a line, i'm switching now. (mom) yeah, it's easy and you get $960 when you switch the whole family. (geek) wow... i've got to let my buddies know. (geek friend) we're already here! (vo) the network you want. the price you love. only from verizon. coarse hair thin skin when i'm shaving down there not just any razor will do venus for pubic hair and skin with a patented irritation defense bar for a smooth shave with blades that barely touch skin

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countdown to the midterm elections which are now 94 days away. today, we are taking a look at how a close race in a very key kansas city bourbon sweep district. in a rematch of 2020's race, democratic congresswoman truth davis will face off against republican -- in kansas is 30 and rational to strict. joining me now to discuss, that's bernard katie bernard. welcome, and is our sense that

this race could be even closer this year? >> almost certainly. in the race taking place this year we saw this district go from a [inaudible] to one that really will be a swing district to pick up two heavily republican tallies in more rural areas while leaving half of -- county in a fairly democratic -- . >> what kind of an effect on the election will redistricting abdu dissipate? >> david has a campaign to divide people. she has a bill to sell her message to audiences that do not know her, and didn't over her two years ago. she has to be with voters, and additionally these are places that, are less likely to vote for democrats. she is it's going to be to bring out really high margins in --

county and -- county. >> not only did her opponent gain constituents in this region but then she of course lost what would traditionally be her democratic voting constituents. now kansas an's this week rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have said that there is no right to an abortion in that seat. unlike this just why this decision impact a general action in that state? >> it will depend on how messaging goes. over the next few months, we are already seeing democrats getting ready to capitalize on that, telling voters that that vote was a battle but more -- . and therefore they need to continue to vote for people who support those rights. and meanwhile, republicans are pivoting to other issues. they are talking about inflation, talk about joe biden, and earlier this week amanda atkinson's did something [inaudible] kansas have voted on other issues. >> now, katie, before i let you go, let me know.

we heard from a public and what they want the issues to be ahead of the election, what are you hearing from voters? what are on their minds in other district of kansas sitting into these elections? >> at this point, obviously abortion is top of mine in kansas. it remains to be seen whether kansans [inaudible] now that they have voted to return the state level right. and we are also hearing things about inflation, about gun violence, the same issues that you're hearing across the country. and it is so early that i think it is probably too early to say what will be top of mind. >> katie bernard here, reporting on the very key race leading up to the midterms. thank you so much for letting us in on kansas's third district. we appreciate it. and that is going to do it for me here on this edition of alex witt reports. i'm cory coffin, i will see you tomorrow at noon. for now my friend yasmin goofy in continues our coverage in just a moment. oofy in continues our coverage in just a moment. just a moment.

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you. yasmin vossoughian i'm. we have a lot going on, on the saturday afternoon. the senate in a rare session he. everyone has been. this weekend. democrats soon in the senate in a rare trying to pass piece this major piece in a rare move trying to of legislation pass a piece of as republicans do legislation as republicans everything they can do everything they to make it difficult. we're following the can to make it difficult. we are fighting to live by live, minute by minute minute updates on the updates on the story. story waiting the awaiting the crucial first to first crucial first vote to get the process started. vote it's coming as