Transcript for VP Pence tells Interim Venezuelan President Guaido 'we are with you 100 percent'

And yeah. Everybody welcome to the briefing room on this Monday and Devin Dwyer Washington helped get a great weekend I'm joined here by we Martinez or pentagon reporter great to have Louis here in person for once. I'm a lot to talk about today in fact the president is out of the country the vice president as on of the country where that's kind of a rare. Occur currents that have voted casualty. Charges Nancy Pelosi is the next a headline should something really go awry and it but obviously the president. Headed to Vietnam so lots talk about there but all eyes on the developments of the weekend and you've been tracking them as well in Venezuela. Where the showdown between president Nicolaus major role in the opposition leader Juan why Dell has intensified there was deadly clashes in the streets along the Colombian border. Vice president Mike Pence is there today to heap pressure on the bureau to step aside in fact he just met with opposition leader Wong why don't. And had this to say to reporters take listen. There isn't just from president felt. We are with you 100%. I want to assure you president goal. Tragic events of this past week and have only steeled the resolve of the United States of America. Stand with you. Stand with freedom loving people and Venezuela. Until liberty and the officers. As we continue. Bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on the Durham regime. We hope for a peaceful transition to democracy. But as president Chavez made clear. All options are on the table. All options are on the table that sort of hangs in the air Louie you cover the military the president. Has talked them. Potentially about using the united sits military in Venezuela. That's a huge. Possibility here give the president hasn't taken off the table I'll be quite significant for some and how. It would be and it's actually an affirmation who we heard from secretary of state Pompeo yesterday. And we heard from interim president of insulin like really kind you use the same language to the United States the outlet like yet he's considering all options. As well four or two and effect change there and seven as well but. I think we need a reality check about what is exactly the united states military bring to bear inside Venezuela and and I don't think it's much at all. MM Morgan and that in just a second house armor and in the conversation Eli Lopez he's the global opinions editor at the Washington important post joins us now live also Venezuelan native Eli great to see you again. I'll remind our viewers would YD trump administration all the sudden care so much about Venezuela I think. Print for people trying to follow along here this may still. The event of a surprise that there has been so much interest in what's going on that country. Well we have for Meyer remember that men and Venezuelan economy has collapsed he has created. Refugee crisis while president. Proportions in the continent there are over three million people have fled Venezuela in past years. Including a million just in Colombia with the potential to be stabilized already. Very fragile region. We have also new government's new sort of right leaning governments. In the region that are very concerned about the situation in Venezuela both neighboring Brazil and Colombia with a lot of stake who have seen. The results of the economic collapse and the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela firsthand. So of course you know the opposition has. Didn't committed to a strategy of cutting the community current crisis in humanitarian aid at the center. And the international pressure. Onward Euro has been really extraordinary just in the past month or so you have the United States recognizing the opposition leaders president. Our allies and number of western countries doing the same thing we saw a new sanctions today by the United States and some. Top Venezuela officials. Of course that need amassed on the borders ready to go into what how do you read. Merger row here what what do you think he's thinking at that at this point and how much more pressure. Is it gonna take on him to this to step down if at all. That's that's the question I feel like my dual axle needs to stand down he has presided over. The total collapse. Of of the wrestle economy would dire consequences. But you know he has been able to hold on because he's propped up by a military. That controls a lot of it essential elements of the Venezuelan economy and it's also a line and waited you know. Arm non state actors and guerrilla groups drug trafficking. So of course you know this strategy has been to increase the pressure on the military to maybe flip against a duo we haven't seen that I think the opposition. I was hopeful dead. Pushing the humanitarian aid. It is in making the makings of forcing them to do decide within him with the humanitarian aid and not movement who. We'll creates that create a fracture but that didn't happen so we have. You know the potentials having a military that's much more indoctrinated. Ankle he's a that previously. Bought and I think that's why they've Beebe who prospered over US military intervention is very dangerous. And it can be very disastrous because. You could be facing. An enemy that's much more committed. Yeah there have been some defections we saw over the weekend from the Venezuelan military are crossed into Columbia. But as you said that you I'm not as many perhaps as some had had hoped for expected. Louis. What's the US military. Posture in the region the president talks in a way it's a big stick around here that the US might intervene. But are we positioned to do that what sort of troops are in the area. Well the closest chief scenario being Colombia itself and let's not forget the Columbia has had a major drug problem for decades. And so for most of that time United States has been trying to help them with that drug interdiction program. So there about several hundred American troops that are presently in Colombia and those of his closest to the map here and those who is because if they would be the closest theory position. I'm into Venezuela but let's be realistic here they're not there in a combat role in an advisory capacity. Under their curious as with the embassy and also through assist. In policy making when it comes to drug interdiction so even know it sounds like a lot they're there but they're not a combat presence. Then moving beyond that we also have several hundred troops in Honduras. There's senator dale similar deal but they're also there mostly as a humanitarian. Relief project as well but the military can reaching out to literal in the Central American countries. I'm but that group that number of fluctuates between couple hundred in 8600 Anderson hundreds peak. And right now is that the low it. So nothing imminent at least despite the rhetoric and Eli. To you again how important is this eight that the US military's help bring to the Colombian border. You closely to have been tracking the situation down there I mean how critical is that and are you confident. As Mike Pompeo said over the weekend that it is truly humanitarian aid not something maybe more nefarious. What weapons or something a polite. Buffalo scene and you know evident. Befallen the senators are closely isn't real humanitarian aid needed humanitarian aid but of course is not enough humanitarian aid to change this tuitions are typically is adamant as well it's become. A potent political symbol no question about that I think. Be pushed by the opposition to let it in. It will be a very very very big symbolic political. Admission by only one hand but the world recognizing. Is disastrous policies have rock and his incredible record prices. And the opposition will be seen. As yield the one who's stepping up to provide. B.s this is the role to humanitarian haters blame right now I think everything should be done to get it in including working wave international organizations to. May be separated except some of it from the politics but there's no question that imitated is needed. So needed in Louis. You know there's Spence of skepticism about what the United States is doing with that aid. Any evidence that perhaps given our history into region of this corporately sending arms into the Central American countries under the guise of Bryson. And flower and the like that there anything that says make that is going on here now. They weren't DeVon for now I think many luckily I says that this is strictly humanitarian and they've been very open about it you know that put that open and a warehouse where all these materials are being sent and on the opening up to press coverage I'm we did see the open access that he C seventeens. Over the last week and applying and we've seen this stuff come out. I think there's a little bit of transparency that's under way here on the part of the US government but you're right. On the history an African intervention and hammers to suspend raises suspicions and hanging and multiple ventures. You know question that usaid is needed it's requested sought after Bryant right now in the present very focused on what's going on in Venezuela some sort of interest he Eli. I think he's so much Eli Lopez at the Washington Post a Venezuelan native appreciate you sir thanks for coming on churn your view Louis Martinez always great to see you. He thank you a shift gears now one of its speaking of the military and national defense there is of course the big fight under way here in Washington. Over the president's declaration of a national emergency down on the southern border with today for the first time the House of Representatives is gonna take a vote to block the president. Our John Parkinson is up on Capitol Hill he's been tracking the developments today John give us the lay of the land on the vote that's gonna come tonight and what it will mean. Oh win as expected they are due uploaded the president. Well this bill was filed on Friday and today it's gonna go through the house rules committee the big floor vote is actually gonna happen on Tuesday afternoon we think. And right now it's looking like it's just going to be pretty much Democrats that are voting support that we only see one house Republican so far congressman just in a mosh of Michigan. And he's the only one that cosponsored this legislation so far and really the only house Republican that we've seen. Express any sort of concerns about the president using his executive authority is. To divert this money towards his wall. Yeah and that's the key there I think we sure remind everybody John and help break it down here that. This is likely to pass in the house. May be even passed in the senate but the president of course could veto it. At the end of the day this isn't really gonna go anywhere at soccer stop the president but it could be significant write if a number of Republicans come out against president compliments. That's right once the house passes that were expecting it to go to the senate we'll have like fifteen days to consider up there it's going to be approvals resolution so the senate can't just. You know stick this in the stack of bills that they don't consider and divided government. This is something that is actually gonna come to the floor for a vote. And we've seen a handful of Republican senators expressed these concerns over the president reprogramming this money from different projects. And we've also seen this letter I think that were ready with some graphics on it 125 former Republican lawmakers including Chuck Hagel. Congressman or the senator from Nebraska became Obama's Defense Secretary he signed this letter and they're basically telling the president you know there's a couple of key things you remember. The power of the purse rests here with the legislative branch on Capitol Hill. And there is a legislative process to go through if you wanna get money for something it. That process RD and did a couple weeks ago we saw 35 day government shutdown over this but the president got. Just one point four billion dollars for his wall through the legislative process. And he needs what he thinks is about eight million dollars total to build 200 miles of border wall in right now is only got about 45 to fifty miles funded through congress. Yeah a much smaller than expected you were seen again here just as a reminder to everybody how the president plans to pull together the money. To build at eight billion dollar border wall he got so well over one point four from the spending bill but. As you see here the second and third and fourth categories are all the more controversial ones reprogramming money that congress has already allocated for other things it. John the president seems a little nervous about how Republicans particularly in the senate. Might go might deal a blow at least symbolically to hiss authority he tweeted just before leaving for Vietnam a few hours ago take a look he said our I hope. Our great Republican senators don't get led down the path of weak and ineffective border security. He wants a strong borders. But. I am struck by how many are may be tempted by these arguments in fact not just the 25 former Republicans who talked about John. But I've got another letter here from 58 former national security officials also going on record today. Including former secretaries of state CIA officials and the like saying that there's really no plausible reason for the president to set a precedent. Like this to declare a national emergency. It's going to be fascinating to watch that fight play out in the senate. Yeah there's definitely a pressure campaign happening on Capitol Hill are right now. Only just in a much though in the house is the Republican that looks like he's gonna vote with Democrats. And in order to sustain her to override a presidential veto they're gonna need two thirds majorities in both chambers so it take you know about sixty house Republicans. To vote against the president we don't see those numbers developing yet. And then it would also take you know about fifteen Republicans in the senate to flip and vote with Democrats fifteen between. Republicans to vote here and right now it looks like for C maybe eight to ten. That are showing you know some signals. Been ready to vote for this resolution of termination but we'll see how this plays out really they've got two more weeks to try and build support. For this effort here in the senate. My constitutional. Fight brewing on Capitol Hill as the house today. Prepares to vote on that first step to block president trumps emergency declaration on the southern border John Parkinson will be following that the whole way thanks so much John. I'm moving on out who different part Capitol Hill were a little while ago we heard from. Former comedian active comedian Jon Stewart who was weighing in on behalf of 9/11 first responders and other victims of the attack. In 2001 that survived it but have since been diagnosed with cancer some severe health problems from those 9/11. Workers at ground zero the government had set up a fund to pay for some of their health care. That fun we just learned last week as running out of money now it's up to congress. To do something about that norm Mary Alice parks. Joins us live now Mary Alice's been active coverings and the story today was at the press conference in and there are else sort of break this down what they're calling for and why. Is this even a question. Heidi that's named DeVon you're exactly right Jon Stewart was here today but without any jokes. Was there and like an adjuster we're used to seeing in sentences and almost angry Jon Stewart saying that he did not believe. The first responders that answered the call on 9/11 should have to be here in Washington at off. According to answer it and my friend here John Steele it is ridiculous. They have to continually come back to congress and ask for money for this son. Diane feel was a first responder who was hurt. Eighteen years ago and has been leading this effort to get more finding year after year time after time. Bill after bill to make sure that your guys are taking care of what's it like figured I. Let's maturing this eccentric. Mom 14100 plus meetings and it's. It's repetitious it's redundant but I'm missing game that they play and it's a game that I'm won't applying because we always went but. Israel not winning because we continue to let the men women and it's. The chip on my actually gets bigger every time a and brown listen listen cancels we got a big cart ahead of us but we're confident that we're getting a bill passed what do you media. That's going to ease the pain and frustration in the suffering of those who our pentagon on eleven. The matters of congress are here today explained that part of the reason the find is in need of more funding is because there have been more claims in the last few years. An uptick as new cancers have been linked back to that service in the response and the cleanup explicitly what you've seen and the friends of CS title with medical rituals. Juan I'll analytics predicted this when everybody else was shocked we learn we said this is gonna happen. Back in 2010 back in 2013 fifteen since he read you this is gonna happen. Nobody wanted to listen to us now Delis and it's a lesson in down. I see too many people suffer due to a really you're fearless but he's really struggles real. To separate Israel. And this policy go into effect and cut awards by 50%. It will make people lose their houses many people do make it tough decision of keeping the utilities on we'll put food on the table this is real. I you're learning alluding to this announcing from the Department of Justice just last month. That they would have to start limiting them the payout of claims made by some news first responders by as much as 50%. As the fun runs dry unless congress renews the finds in the next few years but I was shocked went back and Jon Stewart said. That he really applauded the child administration for administering the program well zapping your feeling. Yeah alone group to special medicines and DOJ appointee has been doing a great job so. Listen we don't want people I would. Administration. We don't pick on McConnell is in the senate but that they want to fight. Get a fight on the fact is congress could keeps putting your feet. On bills we cancers and respiratory illnesses have no date this bill needs to stay open listening to what is. While and I really appreciate you talking to us then I don't know if you have any questions for. Mr. film writer who runs a feel good foundation and has been leading the charge here on Capitol Hill back and forth the chain at new York and Washington. He had 269. Visits simply incredible to know that that's been going on for that long. Mary Alice thank you so much for bringing us that reporting him for bringing us John story as well thanks. To you are shifting gears now are to some 20/20 news a couple of nuggets. Over the weekend as candidates were out on the campaign drew we're here of the political reporter Johnny Republican a different color status today I should say classically oriented and last week at set off the twitters. The pattern but this is much more subdued Johnny two things come my this morning Warren offered the billionaire the Oracle of Omaha is weighing in. He's a Democrat of course threw his support behind Hillary Clinton Barack Obama. So whenever he says something it's a big deal when he came out now for the first time in said that he would endorse. Michael Bloomberg a fellow billionaire former New York City mayor. As a candidate for president and he also fired a shot across the bowel abnormal or another billionaire Howard Schultz Starbucks and you make us. That's the prediction worth from Buffett who is still a very influential name and voice. In democratic politics and I think it's interesting because it would be very impact fall for someone like Bloomberg to get in this race you really don't have someone who can sustain himself on his money and his resources like Bloomberg. And who has proven that he can build a pretty potent political operation he spent. 400 million dollars in the in the twenty team in terms for candidates he was very success where is he in this deciding process he is still actively considering it he was in New Hampshire couple weeks ago talk we've folks up there there is some chatter though that if former vice president Joseph Biden gets in the race that they admit that that may change Bloomberg's consideration if you once again and but it's still something and he is considering and he changes registration officially to a Democrat. A couple months ago that assessments are watching Bloomberg conventional wisdom is that maybe by the end April the field should be separate Democrats are watching Bloomberg watching Biden another normal watching of course has battled or being a former. I congressman from Texas El Paso, Texas heat just raised eyebrows today. Sending out a fundraising email although he is not actually running yet with an interest gene linked to a survey tell us about that. Threats of he blasted the C not to his big a supporter Ellis basically asking them like what we need to hear from you we need to hear what issues your interest and end which. Obviously gave a lot of people the impression that he may be gearing up to run for another office again he could. Potentially run for US senate in 220 but obviously in of the more speculation has focused on the presidential race. And it'll be very drilling is a very now influential young operational voice in the Democratic Party and he's won the biggest question mark still left and. An did you candidates or wanna be candidates actually get. Usable data from emails like this and he spent time traveling around the country did road trip ventures got polling organizations and other research group spent. What's the real reason for the season. Oh I think that's a good point now I think it's its right to raise that skepticism I think what this is more about how well is keeping them. In that same sort of theme in vain that bail had during his his senate campaign which is look we want this to be a campaign of the people a grassroots. Campaign so if he does get an. I think you will see him still strive to keep that authenticity a lot of them live streams and I would do continually throughout the campaign I think if he gets in the race I think you can expect to see a. A lot is out I think subsequent email is that Amy and I are making decisions about next steps have who would wonder that a decision it has setting back all right thanks stride for that will close out the Saturday with a look at last night's Oscars and a political moment nice moment. Offer civil rights icon and Georgia congressman John Lewis who of course took the stage. To a standing ovation at the Dobie theater there in Los Angeles as he introduced the back at best picture nominee the green book. He recently said in an interview about that movie I can bear witness that the portrait of that time and place in our history is very we are real he said it's seared. In my memory there's John Lewis on stage last night of course green book took home the biggest prize of the night. Best picture need to see that one haven't seen it yet but John Lewis getting our rightful nod from the academy of last night for his part. In our history so kudos to John Lewis and we should debt and the show today with a guarantees of our coverage this week where big week ahead ally happening here in Washington particularly on Wednesday. With the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen testifying for the first time publicly about his relationship that's all day during the day when CNN Wednesday night. What special coverage here and ABC news lot of the president's summit with Kim Jung on in Hanoi Vietnam the second face to face meeting we'll have. I'll bring you all the live pictures and the play by play of that meeting into the night and overnight and Wednesday hope you join us Wednesday into Thursday. And possible press conference by the president as well. Joining OI will be up all night premiere and hit the supermodel and journals I gotta Saturday. If thanks for watching that briefing room today we're back here tomorrow at 3:30 eastern time join republic on Devin Dwyer we'll see that.

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