In The News

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, joined CNN Newsroom for a wide-ranging interview discussing rising tensions in the Middle East, Senator JD Vance’s “racist” attacks on Haitian migrants, and the need to pass a bipartisan CR to avoid a government shutdown. 

Watch the full interview here and read the transcript below: 

JIM ACOSTA, CNN ANCHOR: But let's discuss now with Democratic Congressman Ami Bera of California. He serves on the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees. Congressman, thanks so much for being here.

What are you hearing about these attacks and, as Ben Wedeman was just saying a few moments ago, the potential for reprisals in the coming days?

REP. AMI BERA:  Yes, I think our concern is the potential of escalation opening a northern front. Obviously, things are still very tense. The questions we're starting to ask are why at this particular moment in time? Again, Secretary Blinken's in the region. We're doing everything we can to try to minimize escalation, get to a ceasefire, get to a release of hostages, and, unfortunately, I think this makes it that much harder.

ACOSTA:  And what is your sense as to why these attacks were initiated? Do you have that information?

REP. BERA:  Yes, I think we don't at this moment in time. I think the question really is, okay, why at this moment in time. Again, if the goal is to minimize an escalation of the conflict, to minimize the possibility of a regional conflict, it seems like we're headed in the opposite direction. And I think those are questions that we would have for the Israeli government.

I would hope that the Biden administration, I'm sure they are having those conversations. We're seeing the violence escalate in the West Bank. And I think this is moving in the opposite direction than what we'd like to see. We'd like to get to a ceasefire. We'd like to get to a release of the hostages and then hopefully chart a path forward.

ACOSTA: And, Congressman, a source tells CNN that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not meet with President Biden during next week's U.N. General Assembly in New York. Do you think that's a mistake?

REP. BERA:  I think it's a mistake from Prime Minister Netanyahu's perspective. But, again, he's been less than cooperative. I don't think there's a better ceasefire deal that is going to be on the table. I know Secretary Blinken, Director Burns, everyone's been working overtime. I know you're talking to the families of the hostages, they're very concerned. You know, my perspective from the Israeli population is that they would like to get the hostages released as well.

And, you know, I think the only ones that are benefiting from an escalation of the conflict really is around in their proxy groups. And, you know, I'm very worried about what comes next for Israel.

ACOSTA:  Indeed. And, Congressman, I do want to switch gears, talk to you a little bit about the campaign. I want to talk about those baseless claims about Haitian migrants eating pets and so on in Springfield, Ohio. Of course, we've noted, we'll note again, they are here legally but former President Donald Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, is calling them illegal aliens, quote, illegal aliens. Let's listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JD VANCE (R-OH): Kamala Harris used two separate programs, mass parole and temporary protective status. She used two programs to wave a wand and to say, we're not going to deport those people here. Well, if Kamala Harris waves the wand illegally and says these people are now here legally, I'm still going to call him an illegal alien. An illegal action from Kamala Harris does not make an alien legal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA:  Congressman, what's your response to that?

REP. BERA:  I think that rhetoric, the racist tropes that Senator Vance is using, are very dangerous. You know, TPS is a legal process. These folks have legal status. I listened to the mayor of Springfield. I listened to folks in Springfield. They don't want anything to do with this. Those are folks that are there legally, helping out with their workforce, and now they're being targeted. And, again, I think it is despicable what Senator Vance is doing.

ACOSTA:  And, apparently, Trump has said he may be going to Springfield, that he said he will be going to Springfield in the next couple of weeks. What do you think about that?

REP. BERA: I think it's a bad idea. I think you're just stoking and fanning the flames here in a really tense situation. These are innocent individuals who are legally in the country and to target them based on their race, the color of their skin, I think that is really despicable.

ACOSTA: And, Congressman, finally, I do want to ask you about this prospect of a government shutdown right before the election. House Republicans are apparently at square one after the speaker's proposal failed yesterday. Are you optimistic a deal will get done before funding runs out at the end of the month, or is it possible that former President Trump will be guiding those House Republicans toward a government shutdown?

REP. BERA: You know, I think it would be foolish to have a government shutdown. I think we will get a deal. I think, you know, talking to plenty of my Republican friends, there's a deal to be had, a clean continuing resolution that takes us to December. I think that's where we'll land and get that done probably next week.

ACOSTA: All right. Congressman Ami Bera of California, thank you very much for your time this morning, I really appreciate it.

REP. BERA: Thank you. Be well.