THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: I.C.E.

FROZEN OUT.

>> .

>> TAKING A SAFETY PROGRAM BECAUSE OF POLITICS.

>> A STRONG FORCEFUL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE IS NECESSARY.

>> Jeff: A MASSIVE SEWAGE SPILL IN THE POTOMAC AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

>> Announcer: CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS DAYS TO GO.

THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE IS JUST FOUR DAYS AWAY AND A BILL TO CHANGE THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL MAP TO ELIMINATE THE LONE REPUBLICAN SEAT REMAINS BOLTED UP.

ONE OF THE TOP DEMOCRATS HACK COME JEFFERIES DROVE TO INIDANAPOLIS TO TALK TO BILL FERGUSON.

>> WE MADE CLEAR OUR VIEW THAT A STRONG FORCEFUL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE IS THEY ARE TO THE UNPRECEDENTEDDED EFFORTS BY DONALD TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS TO GERRYMANDER CONGRESSIONAL MAPS IN RED STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE SOLE INTENTION OF RIGGING THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THIS IS THE SAME THING THEY TRIED TO DO FOUR YEARS AGO AND TRIED TO PUT IN AN 8-0 MAP IN MARYLAND T HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FAIRNESS BUT HAKEEM JEFFERIES.

>> Jeff: THE NEW MAP WOULD BE REJECTED BY STATE COURTS HE SAID.

>> WHAT WE CANNOT DO IS PROVIDE DONALD TRUMP ANOTHER MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT IS THE ISSUE HERE AND WHERE THE DIFFERENCE IS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A LEGAL INTERPRETATION AND A SINCERE, I SPEAK FOR MYSELF, SINCERE AND FULL BELIEF THAT THE MAP WE HAVE TODAY IS OUR BEST OPTION FOR FIGHTING AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND HAS A NEW LAW LIMITING COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION KNOWN AS I.C.E.

>> GOVERNOR WES MOORE SIGNED LEGISLATION CHANGING HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKS WITH I.C.E.

BUT IT HAS COME WITH OPPOSITION.

SOME LOCAL SHERIFFS ARGUE THIS COULD IMPACT SAFETY.

>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNED EMERGENCY LEGISLATION BANGS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FROM ENTERING 287G AGREEMENTS WITH U.S.

IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOM FORMAL.

PREVIOUSLY THEY HELPED ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS, THROUGH THE 287G PROGRAM.

EIGHT MARYLAND COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICES AND THE CORRECTION CENTER PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED IN 287G PROGRAMS.

WHEN FAMILIES ARE AFRAID TO CALL THE POLICE TO REPORT A CRIME AND TO SEEK HELP, NO ONE IS SAFER.

TRUST IS THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

THIS LAW HELPS BUILD THAT TRUST.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE SENT LETTERS TO ALL EXECUTIVE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS MOVING FORWARD.

THE LEGISLATION DOES NOT RELEASE CRIMINALS EARLY, CHANGE I.C.E.

DETAINER POLICIES, STOP COOPERATION ON VIOLENT CRIME AND END I.C.E.

NOTIFICATIONS OR TRANSFERS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND JOINTS TASK FORCES THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

ANYONE CHARGED WITH A CRIME IS ENTITLED TO DUE PROCESS AND IF CONVICTED MUST SERVE THEIR SENTENCE.

MEAN WHITE, HOUSE REPUBLICANS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE SAY TO GO SENDS MIXED SIGNALS.

>> THERE CAN BE AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT AND WAS MENTIONED THE GOVERNOR COMES OUT AND IS TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF HIS MOUTH, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM, THEN WHY PASS THE BILL.

>> HE BELIEVES IT IS A STEP BACK FROM PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> IT WILL WILL TAKE A LONGTIME PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM THROW IT OUT DUE TO POLITICS I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE GOVERNOR WHO SIGNED THIS.

>> AND THE CARROLL COUNTY SHERIFF SAID IN PART INIDANAPOLIS CAN DO AWAY WITH 287-G BUT MY OFFICE WILL TRANSFER INMATES THEY WANT FOR DEPORTATION.

IT HAS TO HAPPEN AS ALWAYS HAPPENED AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN RARLTDLESS WHO THE SHERIFF IS.

THE MARYLAND SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION HELD A MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW LOCAL SHERIFFS PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LEGAL CHALLENGE, BECAUSE I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WRONGED 54% OF MARYLANDERS AND THAT NUMBER WOULD BE HIGHER, IN A POLL SUPPORTED US WORKING IN OUR JAILS FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES WITH I.C.E.

AND, YET, I THINK THAT NUMBER WOULD BE AN 80% IF IT WASN'T FOR THE THINGS I SPOKE ABOUT FALSELY BERATING THE PROGRAM.

RIGHT NOW, NO LEGAL CHALLENGE IS FORTHCOMING.

>> THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT PLAN TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AND WILL NOT CHALLENGE THE LEGISLATION IN COURT.

>> Jeff: OUR HOSPITAL STAFFING CHALLENGES AFFECTING PATIENT CARE?

SUE COPPIN LOOKS AT THE ISSUE.

>> CYNTHIA IS A LONGTIME CRITICAL CARE NURSE CONCERNED ABOUT STAFFING SHORTAGES.

>> THE PROBLEM IS THE FLEXIBLE STAFFING MODEL DOES NOT WORK PEOPLE ARE GETTING INJURED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.

YOU ARE LIFTING HEAVY PATIENTS AND BEING SPIT ON AND SLAPPED I'VE BEEN PUNCHED, BEEN OFF FOR WORK INJURIES.

>> THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED SINCE COVID.

>> WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET ENOUGH STAFF SO THE WORK HAS BEEN SPLIT BETWEEN WHOEVER SHOWS UP AND NOT JUST THAT YOU ARE HIRING PERSONNEL WHO ARE AGENCY WHICH COSTS MORE MONEY.

IF THERE WAS INVESTMENT IN THE REGULAR STAFF, I THINK YOU'D BE ABLE TO MAKE THINGS MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY ON A BILL REQUIRING ALL BUT STATE OPERATED HOSPITALS IN MARYLAND TO ESTABLISH CLINICAL STAFFING COMMITTEES WITH BOTH MANAGEMENT AND STAFF REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEES.

>> WE HAVE A STAFFING CRISIS WHERE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE LEAVING THE FIELD BECAUSE THEY ARE BURNT OUT AND NOTABLE TO PROVIDE THE CARE THEY WANT TO.

AND THIS IS A BILL THAT WILL IMPROVE RETENTION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND MAKE SURE THAT HOSPITALS HAVE THE CHANCE TO IMPLEMENT STAFFING PLANS THAT WORK.

>> AND LORRAINE SAYS THE LEGISLATION COULD HELP WITH DEALING WITH THE WAIT TIMES AT EMERGENCY ROOMS AROUND THE STATE.

>> MARYLAND HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST ER WAIT TIMES IN THE COUNTRY NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE ENTERING INTO ER'S.

THIS IS A STAFFING HOSPITAL THREW PUT ISSUE.

BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE ENTIRE TEAM NOT JUST THE NURSING MANAGERS AND THE EXECUTIVES BUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE WORKERS, THE SUPPORT STAFF, TECHNICIANS, NURSES AND PHYSICIANS ALL COMING TOGETHER TO SAY THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE WE CAN.

AND MAKING THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AT AN ANNUAL BASIS.

>> AT THE HEARING OPPOSITION OF THE BILL CAME FROM THE MARYLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS INCLUDING WENDY, THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF NURSING OFFICER AT ST.

AGO NEWS HOSPITAL.

>> A WELL ESTABLISHED PROCESS FOR DETERMINING APPROPRIATE STAFFING THAT IS FORMULATED AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE STANDARDS.

SOME OF THESE INCLUDE THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL CARE NURSES, THE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSES, ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AND THE EMERGENCY NURSES ASSOCIATION.

>> OPPONENTS TOLD LAWMAKERS THE LEGISLATION WAS NO LONGER NEEDED BECAUSE OF REQUIREMENTS ENACTED BY A NATIONAL ACCREDITING BOARD.

>> THE JOINT COMMISSION INSPECTION ADOPTED A NEW PERFORMANCE GOAL ON STAFFING ELEVATING APPROPRIATE NURSE AND CLINICAL TAFFING TO A NATIONL PATIENT SAFETY PRIORITY BEGINNING LAST MONTH IN JANUARY 2026 EVERY JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITED HOSPITAL MUST DEMONSTRATE THEY ARE STAFFING TO MEET THE PATIENT NEEDS USING ASSESSMENTS, LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY AND DOCUMENTED STAFFING PLANS TIED TO MEASURABLE OUTCOMES.

>> BUT THE BILL'S SPONSOR DISAGREES.

>> I THINK THAT IN FACT, IT STRENGTHENS IT.

THIS BILL WE HAVE WOULD BE IN KEEPING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY WILL NOW HAVE TO BE MEETING AND IT WILL BE HELPFUL TOWARDS THAT END.

>> THE HOUSE HAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED A SIMILAR VERSION OF THE BILL BUT NOT SO IN THE SENATE.

THE SENATOR SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL IT WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS YEAR.

I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: LOW TEMPERATURES RESULTING IN HIGH UTILITY BILLS AROUND THE STATE IS A GREEN ENERGY PROGRAM HELPING?

NANCY YAMADA HAS THAT STORY.

>> LIKE MANY HOMES, THERE WAS NO INHALATION IN MY HOME -- INSULATION IN MY HOME.

>> BALTIMORE COUNTY RESIDENT IS TALKING ABOUT THE FINDINGS FROM AN ENERGY AUDIT SHE DID WITH EMPOWER MARYLAND A INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CONSERVATION AND GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS.

AFTER THE AUDIT SHE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> THE STATE BASICALLY PICKED UP HALF THE COST, THE HOUSE WAS MASSIVELY INSULATED.

>> THE END RESULT WAS A 40% REDUCTION IN LEAKAGE RATE AND SAVING ON THE BILL.

SHE IS SHARING HER STORY AS A LOW-INCOME ENERGY ADVOCATE FOR THE COALITION.

THE GROUP WAS AMONG THE AGENCIES WHO GATHERED IN ANNAPOLIS FOR AN EMPOWER LUNCHEON LEARN FOR LAWMAKERS.

ENERGY EFFICIENCIES IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO REDUCE DEMAND ON OUR ELECTRICAL GRID SAVING MONEY THROUGH IN-HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SAVING EVERYONE MONEY BY REDUCING THE NEED FOR NEW GENERATION IN THE STATE.

>> RATEPAYERS FUND EMPOWER MARYLAND BASED ON THE ELECTRIC USAGE WITH SOME PAYING UP TO $50 A MONTH THAT ADDS UP TO $300 MILLION AS LAWMAKERS GRAPPLE WITH HOW TO REDUCE SKYROCKETING ENERGY BILLS, SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY IT'S TIME TO REPEAL THE EMPOWER SURCHARGE WHILE NOT REPEALING THE PROGRAM ITSELF.

>> I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM IT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYTHING HAS BEEN BAD.

BUT IT WAS LARGELY A TAKING FROM EVERY RATEPAYER TO PROVIDE FOR SOME FOLKS TO GET EXTRA HELP AND WE JUST AT THIS POINT EVERY RATEPAYER IN MARYLAND NEEDS HELP SIGNIFICANT HELP.

AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO PHASE OUT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AND REEVALUATE THEM.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE IS PUSHING THE LOWER BILLS AND LOCAL POWER ACT THAT WOULD SECURE FUNDING FOR ENERGY PROJECTS, PROVIDE REBATES AND MODERNIZE THE POWER GRID WHILE THE ENERGY PROBLEMS STEM FROM DEMOCRATS' MISGUIDED POLICIES.

THE CHAIR OF THE ENERGY SUBCOMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT HERE.

>> THIS IS A RESULT OF A LOT OF POOR MANAGEMENT AT THE PJM AND FACT AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NOT REALLY DIGGING IN AND NOT CARING.

AND ALLOWING SOME OF THIS TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL AND NOT PLANNING PROPERLY FOR THE DATA CENTERS.

WE SHOULDN'T PAY FOR DATA CENTERS.

RATEPAYERS SHOULD NOT PAY FOR DATA CENTERS.

>> EFFICIENCY MATTERS FOR CONSUMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THEY ARE REMINDING LAWMAKERS THAT FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON THE PROGRAM, THERE ARE $2 IN GENERATED BENEFITS.

>> WHEN SOMEONE SAVES MONEY IT'S GOOD FOR THEM AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WHO DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE GRID INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION TO MEET THAT DEMAND.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND ANOTHER CHANGE AT THE TOP IN STATE GOVERNMENT RAPHAEL LOPEZ RESIGNED.

THE DEPARTMENT FACED CRITICISM FOR HOUSING FOSTER CHILDREN IN HOTELS.

ONE 16-YEAR-OLD DIED BY SUICIDE WHEN LEFT UNSUPERVISED IN A BALTIMORE HOTEL.

AND THE AGENCY'S PERFORMANCE WAS QUESTIONED AFTER AN AUDIT FOUND OTHER CHILDREN PLACED IN HOMES WITH REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS.

[♪♪] OUR NEWSMAKER CONGRESSMAN JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI OF MARYLAND'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> SURE THING, JEFF.

>> Jeff: PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN MAKING MAYBE UNPRECEDENTED USE OF THE PARDON POWER.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE LIMITS THERE?

>> JA, WE HAVE SEEN THIS ADMINISTRATION IN PARTICULAR GO OFF THE RAILS IN TERMS OF THEIR AUTO CONTRIBUTIONS OF PARDON POWER WHICH IS SWEEPING.

I'VE PARTNERED WITH REPRESENTATIVE A REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING UNUSUAL IN THIS PARTISAN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS COME TOGETHER AND PUT FORWARD A REFORM CALLED THE PARDON INTEGRITY ACT.

I THINK IT IS A STRAIGHTFORWARD MEASURE THAT WOULD ALLOW CONGRESS TO REVIEW THE MOST EGREGIOUS PARDONS THAT HAPPENED UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND WITH A TWO-THIRDS SUPER MAJORITY OVERTURN THEM.

THIS IS NOTE ELIMINATING THE PARDON POWER HAS BEEN PERVERTED TO BE A TOOL WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS REWARDING HIS ALLIES AND THE PRIVILEGED CAN GET OFF AND AVERAGE AMERICANS ARE LEFT BEHIND.

>> Jeff: THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WOULD IT NOT?

>> IS IT WOULD BE AND THAT WHAT IT IS NOW THAT IT IS A BIPARTISAN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT I LOOK FORWARD IN THE WEEKS AHEAD TO OPENING UP TO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE TO SIGN ON.

IT IS A HIGH BAR BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION WORTH HAVING.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PRESIDENT WHO PARDONED CRYPTO CON MAN WHO OWNS SOMETHING LIKE 80 PLUS PERCENT OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CRYPTO SCHEME.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHO GAVE $2 MILLION TO A TRUMP MAGA PACT AND WAS PARDONED.

TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE, YOU KNOW, NFL PLAYERS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DEFRAUDED THE GOVERNMENT.

JUAN HERNANDEZ PUT $4-- 4.5 BILLION DOZENS OF COCAINE ON TO THE STREETS OF AMERICA WITH NO CHANCE TO REVIEW IT.

IT'S GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL.

IT DIDN'T START UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT IT HAS BEEN, I THINK, ESPECIALLY EGREGIOUS.

BUT YOU NEED LOOK NO FURTHER THAN PARDONS BY PRESIDENT BIDEN, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT BUSH.

I'M SEEING ABUSES THAT I'M PROUD TO SAY THE ABUSES HAVE TO STOP AND PUTTING IT ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHECK ON THE PRESIDENT'S POWER.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD THE EFFECTIVE DATE BE?

IT HAS TO BE RATIFIED BY THE STATES WHICH WOULD TAKE FOREVER.

IF YOU DID NOT MAKEUP A DATE, 2038, OR SOMETHING, IT WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO PICK UP BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SEEM TO NARROW OWE WHO KNOWS WHO THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO BE THAT FAR OUT.

>> REALISTICALLY IT MAY NOT GET ENACTED UNTIL PRESIDENT TRUMP IS OUT OF OFFICE.

WE ARE USING HIS EGREGIOUS PARDONS AS AN EXAMPLE WHY THIS IS NECESSARY.

WE'RE SEEING A MILLION DOLLAR A PARDON A LOBBY AND INDUSTRY CROPPED UP WHERE PEOPLE ARE SEEKING PARDONS.

I DON'T THINK OUR FRAMERS ENVISIONED THAT WHEN THEY PUT THE POWER INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

THIS IS AN ABUSE THAT HAPPENED BEFORE.

I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STOP IT NOW.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY TO YOUR POINT WE DON'T ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

TWO-THIRDS OF CONGRESS ADOPTS THIS AND THREE FIFTHS OF THE STATE RATIFY THE AMENDMENT MY GUESS WE WILL BE WELL INTO IF NOT PAST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION.

I DO HOPE THAT IS WHY YOU SEE SOMEONE LIKE DON BACON TO HAVE COURAGE AND STEP UP IN LIGHT OF THESE PARDONS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Jeff: SHOULD THE PARDON POWER EXIST AT ALL?

I MEAN, WHAT IS IT THERE FOR?

IN CASES OF A MISS CARRIAGE OF JUSTICE?

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

I THINK THERE ARE PLACES WHERE IT MAKES SENSE THERE IS A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL A NATION.

THE INFAMOUS PARDON OF RICHARD NIXON BY GERALD FORD AND I THINK WE CAN ARGUE WHAT THE THRESHOLD SHOULD BE, IS IT A MAJORITY?

SHOULD WE HAVE IT AT ALL?

MY SENSE IS THAT AMERICANS ARE SENSIBLE, AND IF WE PUT IN THIS KIND OF PROVISION SAYING A SUPER MAJORITY OF CONGRESS CAN OVERTURN IT THE VIRTUE HAVING PARDONS REVIEWED WOULD HAVE PRESIDENTS THINK TWICE BEFORE THEY ISSUE OUTLANDISH REPRIEVES.

AND I THINK IF THEY DECIDED TO PROCEED THERE WILL BE MANY INSTANCES LIKE THOSE THAT I CITED THAT WOULD BE OVERTURNED AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WOULD CONTINUE TO FACE THE SKWUZ THAT WAS HANDED DOWN TO THEM BY A JURY OF THEIR PEERS AND THAT IS A GOOD POINT, TOO.

IN SOME CASES PRESIDENTS AND THIS HAS BEEN TRUMP AND BIDEN STEPPED IN WITH PREEMPTIVE PARDONS SO THE PUBLIC AND THE COURT SYSTEM NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO WEIGH-IN ON THE MERITS OF A CASE.

>> Jeff: SHOULD THERE BE A LIMIT ON USING THE PARDON POWER ON YOUR WAY OUT THE DOOR?

IN OTHER WORDS, AFTER THE ELECTION SOMEBODY IS A LAME-DUCK AND THEY DON'T FACE CONSEQUENCES THEIR PARTY DOESN'T FACE CONSEQUENCES.

COULD YOU FURTHER CONSTRAIN THE POWER IN, SAY, THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF A TERM?

SO IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO WRITE A CONTROVERSIAL PARDON, IT HAS TO BE DONE AT A TIME WHEN THE VOTERS CAN REACT IN SOME WAY?

>> YES, THAT HIGHLIGHTS AT CONTRIBUTIONS WE'RE SEEING.

AGAIN ABUSES HAPPENED UNDER DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE OUT THE DOOR PRESIDENTS ISSUED VERY CONTROVERSIAL PARDONS OF THE WEALTHY, THE WELL CONNECTED.

AND AMERICANS DON'T LIKE IT BY AND LARGE.

FOLKS ARE SICK OF IT AND THE SENSE OF PEOPLE IN POWER AND PRIVILEGED HAVE THIS ENTITLEMENT THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE AVERAGE AMERICAN.

ONE REFORM COULD BE PUTTING A TIME LIMIT ON WHEN THEY ARE ISSUED.

BUT I ALSO THINK MY CONSTITUTION AT AMENDMENT BY ALLOWING CONGRESS TO REVIEW IT AND OVERTURN IT WOULD HAVE THAT GUARDRAIL AND PROTECTION AROUND EVEN THE LAST-MINUTE PARDONS.

PRESIDENTS MIGHT BE MORE LIKELY TO ISSUE THEM BUT IT WILL PUT A LIGHT ON THEM AND ALLOW CONGRESS AND WE ALL HAVE TO RUN EVERY TWO YEARS, IT WOULD PROVIDE US A CHECK TO SAY NO, Mr.

PRESIDENT WE ARE NOT GOING TO APPROVE OF THESE PARDONS YOU ARE TRYING TO DO ON THE WAY OUT THE DOOR.

>> Jeff: I JUST HAVE A MINUTE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION FOR A SECOND.

WE'VE SEEN THE STATE MOVE THIS WEEK TO NARROW ELIMINATE 287G AGREEMENTS BETWEEN COUNTIES AROUND MARYLAND AND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AND BROADLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN TERMS OF THE EXCESSES OF I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT ALSO I.C.E., I THINK, OPENING UP A NEW OFFICE IN YOUR DISTRICT BUYING THIS WAREHOUSE IN HAGERSTOWN, WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE GOING FORWARD?

>> I'D LIKE TO SEE A RETURN TO WHAT AMERICANS SUPPORT AND THAT IS A SECURE BORDER AND A SENSIBLE IMMIGRATION POLICY THAT SAYS WE WILL PROVIDE A REASONABLE PATH TO CITIZENSHIP ALSO IF YOU ARE HERE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION AND YOU COMMIT SERIOUS CRIMES YOU WILL BE DEPORTED.

THERE ARE PLACES WHERE WE CAN AGREE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOT DOING THAT.

WE'RE SEEING THE OPPOSITE.

WE ARE SEEING I.C.E.

WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY OUT OF CONTROL, WE'RE SEEING THE KILLING OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, IN THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS.

WE'RE SEEING VERY AGGRESSIVE AGENTS TUESDAY OUT THE COUNTRY.

SO I LED A LARGE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND WE'RE PUSHING FOR WHAT I THINK ARE COMMON SENSE REFORMS TO I.C.E.

NOT EXTREME IDEAS.

THINGS LIKE BODY WORN CAMERAS AND DEESCALATION TECHNIQUES NOT OPERATING IN CHURCHES AND SAFE SPACES LIKE SCHOOLS.

I CAN'T GET MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS TO AGREE NOT TO DEPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS AND GET THAT INTO LAW.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING WE'RE ASKING FOR IN TERMS OF DECENCY AND REFORMS IS NOT SUPPORTED.

WE SEE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO SUPPORT IT WE ARE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING FOR THAT AND WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IN MARYLAND AND OTHER STATES IN RESPONSE THERE IS THIS OUT OF CONTROL I.C.E.

AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT THAT IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THOSE BASIC VALUES AND MOST AMERICANS WOULD AGREE TO.

>> Jeff: CONGRESSMAN JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW, JOINING US FOR THE ROUNDTABLE IS JEREMY COX OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY JOURNAL SIR WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING THE SEWAGE PILL INSIDE THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY THIS IS A HUGE PIPE THAT BELONGS TO DC WATER THAT FAILED, POURING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF SEWAGE INTO THE POTOMAC WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

>> RIGHT NOW THE SEWAGE SPILL IS MOSTLY CONTAINED AND WORKERS AS OF YESTERDAY FINALLY DUG DOWN AND FOUND THE PIPE ITSELF THAT COLLAPSED.

BUT NOT BEFORE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF GAL LEFT HANDS OF SEWAGE POURED INTO THE POTOMAC RIVER AND IT'S GONE FAR DOWNSTREAM AND ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT SEWAGE WILL BE WITH US FOR A LONGTIME IN THE SEDIMENT AND PROBABLY GOING TO BE IMPACTING WATER QUALITY AT LEAST THIS SEASON IF NOT BEYOND.

>> Jeff: SO, OF COURSE, IT ULTIMATELY FLOWS DOWN THE POTOMAC INTO THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY.

THE IMPACT HAS BEEN LIMITED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN COLD IN TERMS OF THE SMELL AND THE BACTERIA AND ALSO THERE'S BEEN A DECENT AMOUNT OF FRESH WATER COMING DOWN THE POTOMAC?

>> RIGHT.

AS THEY SAY DILUTION IS THE SOLUTIONS TO POLLUTION.

THE IMMEDIATE AREA WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING WATER TESTS SHOW VERY HIGH LEVELS OF E.coli BACTERIA WHICH COMES FROM ANIMAL GUTS INCLUDING HUMANS.

AND THE GOOD NEWS, IF THERE IS ANY, IS THAT IT DROPS OFF.

SO WHERE YOU HAVE LEVELS THAT ARE A THOUSAND TIMES ABOVE THE SAFE SWIMMING LEVEL IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF THE SPILL, IT GOES DOWN VERY QUICKLY DOWN TO BACKGROUND LEVELS WHEN YOU GET AROUND LIKE THE NATIONAL HARBOR AREA.

>> Jeff: DC WATER IS PROMISING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RESTORE THE WATER, AND I GUESS, ALSO THE OLD CANAL WHICH IS FUNCTIONING AS A HOLDING AREA NOW.

WHAT WOULD THAT ENTAIL TO UNDO THIS DAMAGE?

>> WELL, OVER THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS THEY WILL WORK ON INSTALLING AN EMERGENCY FIX.

SO A PIPE, BASICALLY TO REPLACE THE BROKEN PIPE.

A DIVERSION.

BUT YOU ARE RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S JUST PUMPS TAKING THE SEWAGE PUTTING IT INTO THE CNO KA NOL WHICH IS, BY THE WAY, PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

AND THEN PUMP TO GO BACK OUT INTO THE PIPE THAT ARE FURTHER DOWNSTREAM WHERE IT STILL WORKS.

THE PERMANENT FIX INVOLVES ACCELERATING A PLAN THAT WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS, BUT DIDN'T COME SOON ENOUGH OBVIOUSLY, TO REPLACE THE PIPE ALTOGETHER THROUGHOUT THIS SECTION AND THAT'S NOT EXPECTED TO BE DONE UNTIL NINE TO 10 MONTHS AFTER THIS EMERGENCY FIX IS FINISHED.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LAND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE POLITICAL BLAME GAME BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

THE PIPE BELONGED TO DC WATER.

ON THE OTHER HAND THIS HAPPENED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND THE POTOMAC BELONGS TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND IN THAT SECTION.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, LOOK AT THE CONTEXT TRUMP HAS A HISTORY OF ATTACKING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS WHENEVER HE IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU SEE IT WITH THE SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA WITH THEIR SEWAGE PROBLEMS.

ALONG THE TIJUANA RIVER AND MARYLAND AND DC GAVE HIM A KNIFE AND HE USED IT.

HE SINGLED OUT WES MOORE, THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND WHICH IS NOT EXACTLY RIGHT HERE.

BECAUSE WHILE THE SPILL IS IN MARYLAND, THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE IS DC WATER, WHICH IS BASED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHICH IS FEDERALLY CONTROLLED.

AND THEIR DISCHARGES WOULD BE REGULATED BY THE U.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DIRECTLY.

AND AS YOU SAID IT OCCURRED ON FEDERAL LAND.

SO FOR A LOT OF WAYS THIS WAS ALREADY ORIGINALLY A FEDERAL ISSUE.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ JEREMY'S REPORTING AT BAY JOURNAL.COM AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

TUNE IN TOMORROW AT 5:30 FOR THE MPT SPORTS DESK, WE WILL PREVIEW THE UPCOMING CIAA TOURNAMENT.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "STATE CIRCLE" AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]