(tense music)
- Hundreds of thousands of federal workers
are going without pay as thepartial government shutdown
drags into day 20. (ticking)
A look at the legalramifications of President Trump
declaring a National Emergencyto get a border wall.
And CBN News exclusive interview
with Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
All that and more,tonight on Faith Nation.
(friendly music)
Some federal workers arefacing their first missed
paychecks during thispartial government shutdown.
Welcome to Faith Nation.
I'm Amber Strong.
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers
are going without pay as thepartial government shutdown
drags on into day 20.
CBN News, CongressionalCorrespondent, Abigail Robertson
is on Capitol Hill with moreon hor government agencies
are grinding to a halt andhow that's trickling downhill.
- Well, Amber, this is ontrack to be the longest
government shutdown inhistory and federal employees
around the country are fed up.
Take a look.
(protest chanting)
Rallies in Washington andacross the country continue
today as federal workersface their first payday
with no check.
- While some in the publicdebate say that this
is a manufactured crisison the southern border,
I expect the men and womenin uniform gathered here
and those that might be looking on
know the truth of it.
- [Abigail] The VicePresident thanked customs
and border patrol agents.
- Thank you for stayingfocused on the mission.
- [Abigail] And theirfamilies for standing strong.
- And the President and Iand our entire administration
are going to continue to stand strong
until we give you the resources
and the reforms that you needto accomplish your mission.
- [Abigail] But agentstasked with securing
the US-Mexico border arenot the only Americans
affected as the shutdown grinds on.
- We tighten our belts,there's some things we don't do
that we normally might do.
And we just kind of wait it out.
- [Abigail] Victims of domestic violence,
who rely on Charities likeHope House in Missouri
are in limbo.
- It's honestly, day by day right now.
- [Abigail] With governmentgrant money also halted,
employees are committed tokeeping transitional housing,
civil, legal and support services open.
- At this point we are not talking about
stopping any services or closing services
or laying anybody off.
- [Abigail] Questionsalso surround Food Stamps,
covered under FederalSupplemental Nutrition Assistance
Programs, which arehandled by a now closed
Department of Agriculture.
- People are confused anddon't know what to expect.
- [Abigail] The government has guaranteed
those SNAP benefits through February.
Kevin Ryan is a Social Services Manager
at an Oregon food pantry.
- We're extremely worried about it.
We care about our clients andwhat they're going through
and this is gonna hit them hard.
- [Abigail] Matt Hall, withthe Transportation Security
Agency for 16 years, knowsthe drill and likely outcome
since this isn't his first shutdown.
- It will end.
This too shall pass.
- Indeed, Amber, this will end someday
but unfortunately it doesn'tlook like someday soon.
Congress has adjourned for the weekend
and we have yet to see a compromise
that leadership in bothparties say they will agree to
to reopen the government.
- The President declared today in a tweet
that the humanitarian crisison the southern border
is quote, an invasion.
The wartime rhetoriccomes as President Trump
inches closer to declaringa National Emergency
to ensure funding for aUS-Mexico border wall.
CBN News White HouseCorrespondent, Ben Kennedy,
has more on the President's next move.
- We have a country that'sbeing invaded by criminals
and by drugs and we're gonna stop it.
- [Ben] Border securitytook front and center
during today's roundtable at the White House.
- This is too simple, it's too basic.
If they can't do it, I will declare
a National Emergency.
I have the absolute right to do it.
It says, as clear as you can.
Now, what will happen, I'll be sued,
it'll be brought to the 9th Circuit
and maybe even though thewording is unambiguous,
just like with the Travel Ban,
it'll be appealed to the 9th Circuit
and we'll probably lose there too.
And then hopefully, we'llwin in the Supreme Court.
- [Ben] The TrumpAdministration is reportedly
laying groundwork to movemoney from the Army Corps
of Engineers and could meanfunds meant for disaster relief
from hurricanes and wildfireswould go toward the wall.
- If we don't make a deal with Congress
most likely I will do that.
I would actually say I would.
- [Ben] And Trump added thathe has every right to do it.
- I can't imagine any reason why not,
because I'm allowed to do it.
The law's a 100% on my side.
- President Trump couldactually use the National
Emergencies Act, it's beenaround since 1976 or so.
And sure, he could technicallygo down that route.
- [Ben] Democrats leadersshow no signs of giving ground
as they prepare legalarguments in the event
Trump acts on a National Emergency.
Even some Republicanshope Trump does not trade
disaster relief for a border barrier.
- I'm not for that idea right how.
'Kay, I'm for getting back to negotiation.
- [Ben] Congressman Williamsrepresents a district
between Fort Worth and San Antonio.
His state is still recoveringfrom Hurricane Harvey.
- Right now, that wouldbe the last thing I'd
want to see happen, is takemoney away from disaster relief.
(swoosh)
- Ben Kennedy joins usnow from the White House
and Abigail Robertson is back as well.
Let me go to Ben first.
Ben, is the President willing to declare
a National Emergency without the support
of Republicans in Congress?
- Well, Amber, the GOP is notunited behind the President
declaring a National Emergency.
No word if that's gonnaimpact his decision.
But as the deadlockstretches on, he's become
more vocal about declaringa National Emergency
at the southern border.
Lawmakers and the President remain locked
in a bit of a stalemateover the border wall funding
to the tune of $5.7 billion.
It's campaign promise thathe is not backing down from.
Senator Lindsey Graham saidDemocrats are not working
in good faith and gave Trumpessentially, the green light
to declare the emergencyand build the wall.
But today, Trump backtracked a bit
during the round table talks.
He said what we're notlooking to do right now,
is National Emergency.
He added that I'm notgoing to do it so fast
and that he wants Congress to do its job.
- Abby, you talked aboutthose federal workers
in your report earlier.
Is there any relief for themfrom banks and creditors?
- Well, Amber, we arehearing stories of some
credit card companies orlandlords who are being
lenient on federal workers.
But I think it's reallyon a case by case basis.
We have learned that federal employees
are able to file forunemployment and if they file
for that, they arereceiving checks but they'll
have to pay that moneyback once their back pay
kicks in, once the government reopens
and they are paid for thepast three or so weeks.
They will than have to paythat unemployment money back.
But that will provide themsome relief in the meantime.
And we've also heard alot of stories of federal
employees who are puttingtheir bills on credit cards
and hoping that theyreceive their paychecks
before those credit card bills are due.
But unfortunately, if they don't get them
they will be on the hookfor those credit card fees.
And I asked Senator Lankfordabout this yesterday.
And he told me thatunfortunately, there's nothing
that will protect them andthey will just be on the hook
for those fees.
Take a look.
- That's the challenge,
this'll be a real stretchfor a lot of families
through this and I have great empathy
for those folks.
And my great frustration is,as long as we're in a position
where for months andand months and months,
literally the President has said,
we're going to do bordersecurity this year.
And we get to the end ofthe year and the Democrats
said, no we're absolutely gonna
do nothing on border security,
that's a really difficult spot.
This is not like thiswas a surprise to anyone
in Washington, DC.
The President said, we'regonna do border security
starting in the summer.
And he said we're goingto do it in this year.
And so there may be peoplesaying they were surprised
at the end of the year, but if they were,
they weren't listening towhat he said all year long.
- And they are putting forth various bills
in both the House and Senate.
One that would protect these workers
from eviction, from ifthey're missing car payments,
things like that.
But unfortunately it's allleading to just a lot of extra
paperwork for these employeesand a lot of headaches,
a lot of phone calls.
And I'm sure that there'sa lot of case by case basis
where some of these peopleare really getting hurt
that might not ever see relief for some
of the financial things thatthey're left on the hook
for during this time period.
- Ben, really quickly,I hear faith leaders
were involved in thosediscussions there today.
- Yes, Amber, you're right.
A couple pastors and reverendswere a part of today's
round table right herebehind me at the White House.
Now, the President valuestheir input on border security.
Earlier this week, VicePresident, Mike Pence,
held a conference callwith 200 faith leaders
to stress the humanitarianside and the drug crisis
at the southern border.
- Abby, Ben, thank you guys so much.
- As the Presidentconsiders whether to declare
a National Emergency forhis wall, questions remain
over the legality of such a move.
CBN News Anchor, Jenna Browder spoke with
the Heritage Foundation'sHans Von Spakovsky
and got some answers.
- It depends on which moneyhe wants to try to use,
whether it's money atDHS or DoD or elsewhere.
- So you're saying he can do it,
it just depends how.
- I think it's likely he can do it.
But like I said, as youknow, the federal budget
is huge and it alldepends on the White House
finding money that'salready been appropriated
but isn't tied to a specific purpose
that he can, through thisNational Emergency declaration,
properly use for securing the border.
- Do you think, do you personally think
he should declare a National Emergency?
- Well look, I would certainly prefer
that this be done through Congress.
It's the job of Congressto appropriate the funds,
particularly the House of Representatives
under our Constitution, that's needed for
the federal budget and to accomplish
the kind of solutions topublic policy problems
that we all agree on.
But if Congress won't doit and if the President
believes that this reallyis a National Emergency,
if he believes nationalsecurity is threatened,
well yeah, he probablyneeds to consider this.
Look, to give you another example,
if the United States wereattacked by a military force
I don't think people wouldwant to wait for Congress
to appropriate the moneyand give the President
the permission for him to respond to that
and that he should waituntil Congress acted.
That's why there is a federal law called
the National EmergenciesAct, so the President
can act when he feels it's necessary
for either public safety reasons or for
national security reasons.
- We are in week three of thispartial government shutdown.
President Trump, he thinks he's winning.
Democrats, they think they're winning.
Hans, how do you see this playing out?
- Well, I think it's important for people
to understand that threequarters of the government
is not only operating but funded.
It's only about aquarter of the government
that is at risk here,including the Department
of Homeland Security.
It's not that that's a minor problem.
But when I hear people talking about,
oh, there's a completegovernment shutdown,
that of course is not true.
I actually think thePresident is probably coming
out ahead on this and here's the reason.
I think probably most peopleremember that more than
a year ago, the President offered
the Democrats a huge compromise.
He said that in exchangefor funding the wall
and border security thingsthat he thought were needed,
remember he agreed thathe would provide amnesty
and a road to citizenshipfor over two million
illegal aliens in thecountry, a much larger number
than the DACA beneficiaries,the Deferred Action
Childhood Arrival beneficiaries.
There's only estimatedabout 700,000 people.
So he offered a huge compromise,he offered citizenship
and amnesty, somethingthat a lot of people
on the right were criticizingand yet the Democrats
said no to that.
I think he's winning thisrace, this competition
or if you can call it that, this fight,
because I think a lot of people have seen,
look he already offeredto give the Democrats
a lot of what they like in exchange
for helping him secure theborder and yet they're saying no.
(swoosh)
- When we come back, a CBN News exclusive
with the Secretary of State.
The US has initiated the processof withdrawing from Syria.
CBN News, Jerusalem BureauChief, Chris Mitchell
spoke to Mike Pompeo aboutthe ramifications of that move
when it comes to America'sallies and Christians
in the region.
The US is beginning itswithdrawal from Syria
but so far troops are staying put.
A Defense Departmentofficial says some American
equipment is being pulled out.
The move adds to confusionover the timeline
on bringing US Service Members home.
In a surprise announcement last month
the President said troops
would be leaving Syria immediately.
That was walked backthis week by his National
Security Advisor who gavea timetable of months
or even years for withdrawal.
Currently about 2,000America are on the ground
there in Syria.
Secretary of State, MikePompeo used a Middle East
platform to tell the world about the role
America plans to play in the region.
Following his speech, Pompeo gave CBN News
an exclusive interviewabout why he believes
America is back and is a force for good.
- Secretary of State Pompeo came to Cairo
knowing many allies areconcerned about President
Trump's decision to pullUS troops out of Syria.
Pompeo told CBN News the region will see
a strong America pick upthe foreign policy mantle
it's historically held in the Mid East.
We interviewed Pompeo ata newly dedicated church
built by Egypt for Coptic Christians.
You just had a major speechabout the Middle East.
And 10 years ago, anothermajor speech was given
here in Cairo.
Would it be fair to saythat your speech was
America is back and it's a force for good?
- Absolutely, I want peoplethroughout the Middle East
and the world to knowthat America's involvement
in the Middle East isabsolutely a force for good
and we come here withno intentions to oppress
or to dominate butrather to free, to create
opportunities for everyindividual throughout
the Middle East to live theirlife, to have the freedoms
that we are also blessed withto have in the United States.
- [Chris] Pompeo's speechcame 10 years after
then, President Obamadelivered his blueprint
for the Middle East in Cairo.
- He told you that the UnitedStates and the Muslim world
needed quote, a newbeginning, end of quote.
The results of thesemisjudgments have been dire.
- [Chris] The Secretary ofState said that President
Obama's timid, hesitantand apologetic policy
allowed ISIS, Iran andother terrorists to thrive.
- We learned that when America retreats
chaos often follows, whenwe neglect our friends,
resentment builds and when we partner
with our enemies they advance.
- [Chris] Pompeo said thatall changed as the Trump
Administration pushed to decimate ISIS,
confront Iran and stand upto Syria's President Assad.
- The good news is this,the age of self-inflicted
American shame is over.
And so are the policies that produced
so much needless suffering.
Now comes the real new beginning.
- [Chris] Part of thatnew beginning is forging
a global alliance against Iran.
One of your themes ofthe trip is about Iran
and the danger to the Middle East.
Do you see nations aligningup with the United States
against the influence of Iran?
- Our team has done good work.
We've built an enormouscoalition that ranges
from Asia to North Africa,certainly to the Middle East,
countries all acrossthe world, understanding
that the threat from theIslamic Republic of Iran
is real and continuing andought not to be tolerated.
- [Chris] Another issue is in Syria
as Turkish President Erdoganis threatening US allies.
A few hours ago you metwith leaders in Irbil
about the Kurds.
And yet there's dangeroustalk coming out of Turkey.
What's your message to Erdogan, if he goes
ahead and invades the Kurds?
- Well, our message is straightforward.
The work that the Kurdishforces did with us,
alongside in Syria, has been important.
It took down a caliphate,99% of the real estate
that was held by ISIS.
We remember people sittingin cages, being burned.
Seems like a long time ago, but frankly
it's the good work thatthe United States did
with a big coalition.
And we'll work with the Turks to make sure
that there's security for them as well
and that the Kurdish peoplein Syria are indeed protected.
- What about the Christians in the region?
They have an appeal thatthey won't be eradicated,
that Christianity won't be eradicated.
What's your message to those Christians?
- That America is with them.
Christianity is at theheart of the history
of this place here in the Middle East.
All you gotta do is grab a Bible and read
the places and the names.
Christians have beencentral to Middle East,
we want to make sure that they continue
to have opportunities and freedom
and for Christianchurches to grow alongside
churches of other faith as well.
Our message is simple, is that we stand
for religious freedomeveryplace American diplomacy
is at work.
- Secretary Pompeo toldus he wanted to pass along
a simple but powerful message,that the United States
stands for religious freedom every place
American diplomacy as at work.
There could not have been a better place
to deliver it.
Chris Mitchell, CBN News, Cairo.
- For more news and informationfrom the Middle East
be sure to check out CBNNews's Jerusalem Dateline
which airs every Friday at 9:30 Eastern
on the CBN News Channel.
And for more info on how to tune in,
head to CBNNewsChannel.com
(swoosh)
Coming up, crisis pregnancycenters across the country
tend to focus on women caughtin an unplanned pregnancy.
But a baby on the way can catcha father off guard as well.
Next, one group's work toprovide counseling to men
facing unplanned fatherhood.
Abortion is the core missionof Planned Parenthood.
The group's president,Dr. Leana Wen acknowledged
what pro-life groups have said for years.
Wen was responding onTwitter to a BuzzFeed article
stating, she wanted to focuson non-abortion healthcare.
She said the headlines quote,completely misconstrued
my vision for Planned Parenthood.
She went on to tweet,
Her statement cuts against the narrative
the abortion providerhas repeated for years
that just 3% of its servicesare related to abortion
and the group is all about women's health.
Planned Parenthood performsapproximately 300,000
abortions per year, which is about 30%
of all abortions in the country.
Most of nearly 3,000pregnancy crisis centers
across America focus onwomen caught in an unplanned
pregnancy, but one Florida center
takes a different approach.
As Charlene Aaron explains, that clinic
helps expectant dads.
- [Charlene] Located nextto Florida State University,
a women's pregnancy center in Tallahassee
addresses the critical needsof unplanned pregnancies
in its community.
Started in 1985, itsmain mission is to rescue
babies from abortion, offeringfree pregnancy testing,
adoption referrals and ultrasounds.
- 80% of our clients willcarry their babies to term.
- Yet, babies aren't theonly ones saved here.
A women's pregnancycenter also has a ministry
for men, which encourages fathers to stand
in the gap and fight forlife, for their children
and their families.
- We've had men walk in the door
and say help, I needhelp with my girlfriend.
Or I've got a situation,I've gotten a girl pregnant
and I don't know how to help her.
Or my girlfriend just calledme, she's driving back
from Jacksonville, shetried to have an abortion
and she couldn't get it.
And I just found out she'spregnant and she wants me
to get her an abortion inTallahassee and I don't
know what to do.
- [Charlene] In the center'sJust for Men program,
trained male counselorswork one on one with men
seeking answers about fatherhood and life.
- I've counseled themmany times with the girl
in the room with us andit's a woman talking
to a man and I knowthe impact that it has.
But then I'll connect them to the man
and I'll see his body language change.
I'll see his eyes start looking
at the male counselor, he's engaged.
- We're just trying to bring to the men,
an understanding of the value of life
and the sanctity of life.
- [Charlene] The Center also offers
an abortion recovery program.
Counselor, Harold Francisoften shares his personal story
to help others like him.
- My wife and I, whenwe first got married,
we'd only been married about 10 months,
we did have an abortion.
- [Charlene] He receivedmuch needed healing
after completing the course,based on biblical principles.
- I think that I had asked many times
for God's forgiveness for what I had done.
It opened it up to methat there were issues
in my life that I hadn'tforgiven myself for,
which is directly related to the abortion.
- [Charlene] That enableshim to counsel other men
through their pain.
- I've had guys tell me in that room
things that they havenever shared with anybody
in their entire life.
I'm 69 and there's a youngAfrican American in there,
that's 19 years old andat the end of the session,
we're both crying and hugging each other.
- [Charlene] Daume oftensees that healing extend
to other family members.
- We've had fathers, oh my gosh, go from,
we're talking 50 year old men,bringing their 16 year old
daughter here, thinking thatabortion was the best thing,
and then meeting with a male counselor
and coming out of that room,saying to his 16 year old
daughter, baby girl, we've got this.
You don't have to do this.
I'm here for you, we'regonna make this work.
- [Charlene] Practicalneeds must also be addressed
for the soon-to-be dads.
- A lot of them are in toughsituations financially.
They're in between jobs,they're looking for jobs.
They haven't beenworking and they realize,
I really need to stepup my game and actually
go out and get a job now.
I give them assistanceand try to help them
with their job search, helpthem with their resumes.
- [Charlene] Several menhave even come to Christ.
- WE've had men, noteven come into the Center
but the woman give us permissionto call her boyfriend.
And the male counselor call the boyfriend,
and the boyfriend is going,really you're interested in me?
Really, you think my opinion matters?
Wow.
And then he'll start aconversation and we've had
counselors actually leadthem to Jesus on the phone.
Not expecting it at all, notexpecting this phone call
to be that kind of moment.
- [Charlene] The kindof moment the staff here
called nothing short of miraculous.
Charlene Aaron, CBN News,Tallahassee, Florida.
- That's gonna do it fortonight's Faith Nation.
But for the latest in breakingnews all weekend long,
be sure to check out CBNNews.com.
We're gonna see ya bright and early
or back on air on Monday.
Take care.
(friendly music)
- [Woman] I really.
