(Dramatic Introduction Music)
- [Pat] Welcome folks tothis edition of the 700 Club.
What we gather, satellitephotographs have shown
members of the RevolutionaryGuard, Iranian Guard
placing what look likemissiles on small craft
in the Persian Gulf andthis may be what triggered
the alarm where PresidentTrump was saying all personnel
in Iraq need to be evacuated.It hasn't been shared
with Congress and ithasn't been made public,
so is that the cause? It maywell be and Iran may well
be planning some violentaction in the Gulf.
We just don't know that yet.
But turning closer to home,on April alone, 100,000 people
tried to enter our countryillegally. 100,000, and that's
just the people who weredetained at the border.
Today, President Trumpannounced a new immigration plan
calling for sweeping changesbased on merit and he still
hasn't dealt with the Dreamersand the Democrats are saying
"Look, don't you thinkyou ought to take care
of the Dreamers?" And I totally agree.
The people, the young peoplewho've lived here ... their
lives and they dream ofbecoming American citizens.
And Trump was willing togive on that some time ago,
but that's not on this plan.The CBN's Jenna Browder reports
from Washington, Democratsare already against
the President's plan.
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- [Jenna] President Trump will lay out
his new immigration plan ina Rose Garden speech today.
He is expected to focus on two key issues,
legal citizenship and border security.
- [President Trump]Tremendous problems of course
at the southern border. Fromdrugs to the wrong people
being allowed to comein because of a corrupt
and broken system.
- [Jenna] His plan aims tooverhaul the Green Card System
and put more emphasis onpeople with high-level skills,
degrees, and command ofthe English language.
- [President Trump] Idon't think most countries
are giving us their finest.
- [Jenna] What's not changing,the number of Green Cards
given out each year, whichwill stay at 1.1 million.
Democrats say that thePresident's plan fails to address
the critical issue ofDreamers. Young people brought
to the United Statesillegally by their parents.
This all comes as the crisisat the border escalates.
In April and March alone,200,000 people were detained,
trying to cross illegally.Now back-ups are being called
in to help. CNN reportingthe Transportation Security
Administration will sendhundreds of officials
to help control the overflow of migrants.
Senator Lindsey Graham has released
his own immigration planthat seeks to reform
the asylum process. Graham'sproposal would require
asylum applicants fromCentral America to apply
for asylum in their respective countries.
- [Senator Graham] The situation we have
on the border today is horrible.
- [Jenna] The AssociatedPress visited eight cities
along the border and found13,000 asylum seekers
on waiting lists to get into the country.
Often exposed to gangs andextremely dangerous situations.
Democrats say they must bea part of this conversation
and some Republican lawmakersagree. Without cooperation
from both sides, the President'splan has little chance
of getting anywhere. InWashington, Jenna Brower CBN News.
- [Pat] Thanks Jenna. As Isaid at the top of the show,
in other news, the WhiteHouse has surveillance photos
showing Iranian-backedmilitia loading rockets
onto small ships in the Persian Gulf.
John Jessup has more on that story.
(dramatic transition music)
- [John] Thanks Pat. TheNew York Times reports
senior administration officialsare revealing information
to counter-claims that thereis no significant threat
from Iran. Images not yetreleased to the public show
missiles being loaded ontoships, believed to be run
by Iran's RevolutionaryGuard. That's raising concerns
of possible launches at U.S. naval ships
in the Persian Gulf. Europeanofficials and some members
of Congress claim the theadministration is over-reacting.
The Washington Post reportsdisagreement in the White House
with President Trump reportedly wanting
a diplomatic approach,while senior advisers push
for military action. ThePresident blasted reports
of conflict within theadministration, tweeting
"There is no infighting"."Different opinions
are expressed and I make adecisive and final decision."
"All sides, views, andpolicies are covered,"
and he ended with saying
"I'm sure that Iranwill want to talk soon."
Well, leaders from Venezuelagovernment and the opposition
are reportedly meeting in Norway.
Members of the NationalAssembly, which support
opposition leader JuanGuaido, say the two sides
are there to resolve thepolitical crisis in their country.
Venezuelan dictator NicolásMaduro did not confirm
the meeting, though he didsay his Information Minister
is on a very important missionoutside of the country.
Well, GOP Leaders arepressuring house Democrats
to pass a bill protectingIsrael from a global effort
seeking to isolate Israel. In February,
the Republican Senate voted overwhelmingly
to approve a measure weakeningthe Boycott, Divestment,
and Sanctions Movement,but it's been stalled
in the House. CBN NewsCapital Hill Correspondent
Abigail Robertson has more.
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- [Abigail] The move toforce a vote to protect
Israel comes as Israelicelebrate the founding
of the Jewish State, amidrenewed Palestinian protests.
(people yelling protests)
- [Abigail] Palestinian activists
protesting a major international event
in Israel are only part of agrowing anti-Israel movement.
- [Rep. McCarthy] There is arising trend in anti-Semitism
across the world.
- [Abigail] Now Republicanleaders want to force a vote
that would protect Israel from boycott,
divestment, and sanctions.
- [Rep. McCarthy] The BDSMovement seeks to prevent
individuals, private companies,and even entire countries
from doing business withIsraeli firms. The ultimate aim
is to exclude, isolate,and de-legitimize Israel.
- [Abigail] Instead,lawmakers want to give
state and local governmentspermission to refuse
to work with companies involved in BDS.
- [Rep. Scalise] Where youhave members of Congress
expressing anti-Semiticviews on a regular basis now
and also embracing andsupporting this boycott
and divestment movement.
- [Abigail] Minority WhipSteve Scalise believes Israelis
wouldn't be the only oneshurt by the BDS Movement.
- [Rep. Scalise] The BDSMovement would hurt Palestinians
who are making good wages.
- [Abigail] A bi-partisanproposal to counter BDS passed
the Senate with 77 votes in February,
but hit a roadblock in the House.
- [Rep. Kustoff] Let's senda signal again to the Nation
and to the world.
- [Abigail] House lawmakershope a forced vote will
reignited that legislative option.
- [Rep. McCarthy] There isan opportunity for those
Democrats, who believe instanding up to anti-Semitism,
have an opportunity to do so.
Do not let your leadership stop you.
- [Abigail] Lawmakerssay the bill is necessary
to contend with a growingvoice in Congress supporting
the Anti-Israel Movement.
- [Rep. Zeldin] We shouldnot have to be talking
about a member of Congress, whotime after time, after time,
is making anti-Semitic remarks...
- [Abigail] Lawmakers inthe house need 21 Democrats
to sign the petition toforce a vote on the floor.
That's fewer than thenumber of Senate Democrats
who supported the anti-BDSbill back in February.
Reporting from Capital Hill,Abigail Robertson CBN News.
- [John] Thanks Abigail. Pat, back to you.
- [Pat] I don't know whythe Democrats don't condemn
the remarks that have beenmade by that member, who has
been so anti-Israel,who's statements have been
so extreme, and that lady still sits
on the Foreign Relations Committee
of the Houses of Representatives.
And so far, the leadership has not taken
the condemnation action inany way, shape, or form.
And I don't think theDemocrats want to be perceived
as anti-Israeli but itlooks like that's the way
it's coming down. The Republicans are now
the Pro-Israel party and theDemocrats are turning out
to be the Anti-Israelparty, and I wonder if the
Jewish donors who haveso vigorously supported
Democrats in the past,will continue to do so.
It seems like they oughtto switch sides. John?
- [John] Pat. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
signed the toughest abortion bill
in the country into law Wednesday night.
The Governor said the billis a powerful statement
to our Alabamians deeplyheld belief that every life
is a sacred gift from God.
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- [Gov. Ivey] All human life is precious.
- [John] The law makes abortionat any stage of pregnancy
a felony, punishable byup to 99 years in prison
for the abortion provider.There is no exception
for rape or incest, only ifthe expectant mother's health
is at serious risk. Thelaw doesn't go into effect
for six months, but is expectedto face legal challenges
to stop it. And that's thegoal, to go to the Supreme Court
to overthrow Roe vs. Wade,the 1973 landmark decision
that legalized abortionnationwide. Louisiana is poised
to pass a law banning abortionsafter a fetal heartbeat
is detected, and Pat,Missouri is also close
to passing one banning abortionsafter just eight weeks.
- [Pat] There are many, manystates that are now passing
these bills. In order to get cert,
there needs to be either a large number
of states in favor of thistype of action, or else ...
there's got to be a split in the Circuits
and I don't think we've gotthat yet. But without question,
they're going after Roevs. Wade. Roe vs. Wade
was ill-decided, it was based on that
Griswald vs. Connecticut,the decision that talked
about per-numbers andemanations and all that nonsense
that entered into our jurisprudenceand as I've said before,
I don't think this particularbill is the case I would want
to bring to the Supreme Court.I think that you want to get
something that you know is going to win.
I don't think that will. John.
- [John] Pat. This month,thousands of college students
will walk across the stageand collect their diplomas.
But most are leaving schoolwith more that just a degree.
They are also saddled ofhundreds of thousands of dollars
of crippling debt. SomeDemocratic presidential candidates
are proposing giving free tuition
to solve the college debt crisis.
As Jennifer Wishon explains,some churches and charities
are also stepping up to help.
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- [Maya] College is alot. It's a lot of money.
- [Jennifer] Maya Thompsonis a graduating senior
at Howard University. She's also a mom.
- [Maya] Some days I work five days a week
and other days I work two days a week.
- [Jennifer] Recently, she and 33
other Howard students receivedsome divine intervention,
courtesy of a D.C. area church.
Over forty days, thecongregation of Alfred Street
Baptist Church fasted, prayed,and gave as God guided them.
This is the fruit of the100,000 dollars they raised.
- [Howard] We heard the Lordsay we ought to do something
for some people who aregetting ready to graduate,
so ... came over here toHoward, pulled out the names
of Seniors who had someholds on their accounts,
just because of balancesthat were left over after
financial aid and all of that,and we want to let you know
that your account is paid in full, man.
You're clear to graduate.
(Joyful outburst)
- [Jennifer] Tuition at publicuniversities cost three times
what it did in the late'80s. Graduating Seniors can
rack up 20,000 - 40,000 dollars in debt
by the time they collect their diplomas.
Nation-wide, Americans owe1.5 trillion in student debt.
- [Jennifer] So how did studentsget into this mess of debt?
Some say the government is toblame. Colleges know students
have easy access to billionsin Federal Aid, encouraging
them to drive their tuitionprices higher and higher.
- [Mary] We're seeing the price
of college increase exponentially.
- [Jennifer] Mary ClareAmselem follows college trends
for the Heritage Foundation.
- [Mary] If we had a robustprivate lending market,
we would have private lenderscompeting to give loans
to students and collegescompeting for students,
rather than the other way around.
- [Jennifer] The situation is dire.
- [Maya] A lot of students in my school,
we share books, so likeif someone has a book,
"Hey, can I take a picture of that page?"
- [Jennifer] Some studentsfind themselves choosing
between college expenses orputting food on the table.
Reports from Mississippi andKentucky revealed the growth
in students turning to food pantries.
As for Maya Thompson, sheplans to return to Howard
next year, to surprisea student with a gift
in the same amount Alfred StreetBaptist Church gave to her.
- [Maya] I can't wait to put a smile
on another student's face next semester.
- [Jennifer] A good deed put into motion
by a faithful congregation.
Jennifer Wishon, CBN News Washington.
- [John] The gift that keeps on giving.
Thanks Jennifer. Pat, back to you.
- [Pat] I might say thatgovernment loans ...
We at Regent University discourage people
from taking on large amounts of debt,
but some people wantthat, and the question
is how fast can you pay itoff. As a matter of fact,
Regent University is nowconsidering for their employees,
some kind of program that helpsthem pay these debts down,
but it's a long-term process.It's got to be some place
where the interest ratestops, so if you start having
compound interest on thoseloans, they never get ahold
of them. It just almost an impossibility.
Unless people take positions in companies
that are paying big money, and this means
the teachers, for example,being litigated against
because the pay forteachers is fairly low.
And so you go into thevarious skill-sets that pay
higher wages that people canafford to pay off those debts.
And other skills, liketeachers, there needs to be some
real serious considerationfrom the Federal agencies
of loan forgiveness, forthose people who have taken
on those debts.
