The next is a transcript of an interview with Sen. Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado, that aired on Nov. 26, 2023.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to the senior Colorado Democratic Senator Michael Bennet. Good morning to you, Senator.
SENATOR MICHAEL BENNET: Good morning, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, when Congress comes again from this break, they’ve a whole lot of work to do. I perceive you might be a part of a small group who has labored throughout the break on this very powerful situation concerning the US border, and President Biden’s requests for about $14 billion to assist with it. The place do talks stand now?
SEN. BENNET: Properly, I feel the actually necessary factor that there is broad bipartisan help for within the Senate proper now, is that we have got to get the recognition-we’ve bought to get the Ukraine funding completed as a part of this bundle, we bought to get the Israel funding completed, the humanitarian funding completed, and the funding for Southeast Asia as nicely. There are some Republicans who’ve mentioned that with a view to do this, with a view to have that vote, they wish to see one thing completed on the border. And I feel we now have had good conversations during the last a number of days. And earlier than that, tried to see if we are able to get to some form of resolution. I imagine, after all, that the Ukrainian folks have earned a vote to help them with no negotiation on the US border, however there are others within the Senate who really feel in a different way and we’re making an attempt to see if we are able to get to an answer.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And also you point out that as a result of as I perceive it, the indication within the Republican held Home is that border must be bundled with Ukraine assist with a view to get it by way of. Is that also the case?
SEN. BENNET: That’s what, yeah, that’s nonetheless the case from the Home. I imply, when you consider what the- the braveness of the Ukrainian folks has meant for humanity, it actually has been extraordinary. They’ve taken again over half the territory that Putin took from them, they’ve rendered the Black Sea Fleet. Putin’s Black Sea Fleet cannot do what- what they tried to do. So, the grain you had been speaking about, it was Cindy McCain, is definitely going out due to what the Ukrainian folks did. And now the US, I feel, has an obligation to proceed to help them on this combat, not only for Ukraine, however a combat for democracy. And I do not know whether or not the Home will come to the conclusion that that is sufficient for them. So, we’re persevering with to see if there’s one thing we are able to do on the border. My- my view is, there’s at all times room to make our immigration system higher on behalf of the American folks. And I hope folks of fine religion can come collectively and attain an answer.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. So, on that entrance, in case your leverage right here is the border, inform me what’s the sticking level at this- this stage? Is it nonetheless that Republicans are urgent to tighten {qualifications} for claiming asylum and there is some Democratic resistance? Is it resistance to together with Dreamers? What are the specifics that you simply’re really capable of deal with?
SEN. BENNET: Properly, the- clearly I might find it irresistible if we may embrace the Dreamers in this- on this bundle, 90% of American folks imagine that the Dreamers ought to have a pathway to citizenship. There was a dialogue about whether or not or not we ought to consider altering the asylum normal. One of many issues all of us have to acknowledge, I feel, as People, is that, during the last 10 years, gangs south of the border have created a billion-dollar enterprise, that is smuggling human beings throughout your entire world, to the southern border and the southern border as the results of that’s being undermined and is being more- rather more tough to handle. That is been an issue in Republican and Democratic and, you understand, administrations. And if we are able to discover a method to assist repair that in a bipartisan method, that may be nice. The purpose I am making an attempt to make is that whether or not we succeed or not, by way of attending to that settlement, this Ukraine funding has to occur for the sake of democracy and for the sake of the western world. Putin, you understand, believes he may lose on the battlefield in Ukraine. The battlefield he is making an attempt to win on is the battlefield on Capitol Hill, and Democrats and Republicans have gotten to come back collectively to be sure that does not occur.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you could have clear steerage from Chief Schumer on how he needs this to play out within the subsequent few weeks? I imply, you are working out of time in 2023.
SEN. BENNET: We’re working out of time in 2023. I’ve actually talked to Chief Schumer, virtually day by day besides Thanksgiving and his birthday over the course of this vacation weekend. I’ve had the prospect to speak to Democrats and Republicans individually. All people is aware of what’s at stake right here. And everyone is aware of how brief the time is. You mentioned at first of this interview, Congress has a whole lot of work to do. That is true. For as soon as we should always do this work as a substitute of taking part in politics, the stakes are simply too excessive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the opposite battle that we’ve not talked about with Israel and Hamas. President Biden mentioned, when he was requested, “it’s a worthwhile thought,” raised by some Democrats, that there ought to be circumstances positioned on Israel assist. Now you have heard the Nationwide Safety Adviser keep away from any specifics there. Are you asking for any circumstances to be positioned on assist to Israel?
SEN. BENNET: I have never to this point. However I feel that is a debate we will certainly- we will have within the coming days. Within the meantime, it is vital that everyone perceive that Hamas, you understand, is a terrorist group, that- that Israel has to defend itself, that it has been made rather more tough due to Hamas’ use of civilians as human- as human shields, and that it’s incumbent on Israel however that, and however that tough situation to fulfill the very best normal. That is critically necessary for Israel to be sure that they kill as few civilians as doable, as they defend themselves in opposition to Hamas, and that they subscribe to the rule of regulation. And I do know we will have a debate about that within the Congress, and maybe we should always, however we now have at all times dissatisfied ourselves after we’ve not met the very best requirements after we’ve been in armed battle. And I feel Israel goes to be dealing with that top normal as nicely, which is the precise normal for Israel, for these of us that help Israel, and the precise normal for these of us which have excessive aspirations for democracy, which these of us which might be supporting each Israel and Ukraine at this second, have.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Senator, we’ll proceed to trace the work you are capable of get completed. We’ll be again in a second.