>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSLEY JOINS ME ON THE STATE'S STRUGGLING VACCINE ROLLOUT AND ZEROING IN ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

WE'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAPITOL RIOT, THE ROLE SHE SAYS SOME OF HER COLLEAGUES PLAYED IN INCITING THE ATTACK, AND HER PUSH TO ELIMINATE THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

THEN, LATER, A MASSACHUSETTS COURT RULING CLASSIFYING PUPPIES AS LIVESTOCK IS RAISING A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

AND, FINALLY, MY THOUGHTS ON THE APPARENT GENDER DIVIDE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ABILITY TO WEAR A MASK CORRECTLY.

>>> AFTER WHAT GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER ADMITTED WAS A FRUSTRATING FIRST DAY FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO SIGN UP FOR A 75 AND UP COVID VACCINE APPOINTMENT, HE'S ADDRESSING AT LEAST ONE MAJOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROCESS, THE LACK OF A PHONE LINE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.

>> WE AGREE WITH THAT, AND THAT WILL BE HAPPENING NEXT WEEK.

THE PHONE PIECE IS SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HAD READY, AND WE WILL SOON, AND I IT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE.

>> Braude: I CERTAINLY HOPE IT WILL.

BAKER ALSO SAID THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW APPOINTMENTS WENT LIVE TODAY BUT WERE BOOKED UP QUICKLY.

AND DESPITE AN ADDITIONAL 20,000 DOSES EXPECTED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEXT WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SAID WE STILL WON'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE WHO'S ELIGIBLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>> BELIEVE ME, WE KNOW PEOPLE WANT TO GET THEIR SHOTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE TO HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE HERE.

WE CAN'T EXPECT THAT EVERYBODY'S GOING TO GET THEIR VACCINE RIGHT AWAY, TOMORROW, THE DAY AFTER, THE DAY AFTER.

>> Braude: NO, BUT MASSACHUSETTS HAS NOW FALLEN TO 37th PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO THE PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION WHO HAVE GOTTEN A VACCINE, ACCORDING TO THE "WASHINGTON POST."

IN A LETTER TO GOVERNOR BAKER THIS WEEK, CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSLEY NOTED, "DATA RELEASED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWS BLACK AND LATINX RESIDENTS MAKE UP LESS THAN 3% AND 4%, RESPECTIVELY, OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED THUS FAR, WHEREAS WHITE RESIDENTS MAKE UP NEARLY 60% OF THOSE FULLY VACCINATED.

SHE SAID SHE FOUND IT "INCREDIBLY TROUBLING" AND URGED HIM TO UPDATE THE STATE'S VACCINE DEPLOYMENT PLAN TO ADDRESS THESE INEQUITIES.

CONGRESSWOMAN PRESSLEY JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU, AS ALWAYS.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, JIM.

>> Braude: SO WHILE THOSE NUMBERS ARE APPALLING, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, HE IS OPENING UP A MASS VACCINATION SITE AT THE REGGIE LOUIS CENTER IN ROXBURY.

HE IS COMMITTED TO RESERVING 20% OF DOSES TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED.

WHAT IS HE NOT DOING THAT HE HAS GOT TO DO, ACCORDING TO YOU?

>> JIM, FIRST, LET ME SAY THE SOBERING STATISTICS THAT I ENUMERATED IN THAT LETTER, THAT BLACKS AND LATINX WERE GETTING 4%, PRAIRDCOMPARED TO 60% FOR THE WHITES.

SOME TENANTS WERE INCLUDED IN A PREVIOUS RELEASE PACKAGE, TO MANDATE THE COLLECTION OF RACIAL DATA.

WE KNEW, HISTORY HAS SHOWN US, THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WOULD BE HARDEST HIT BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURAL RACISM AND UNEQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT, WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED, ARE IN SUCH AN AN ANEMIC PRESSURE IS TROUBLING.

AND NEW VARIANTS ARE EMERGING, AND IT IS, QUITE LITERALLY, ABOUT SAVING LIVES.

THE FACT WE COULD RANK 37th IN THE NATION, WHEN WE ARE A HEALTH CARE MECCA, AND WE HAVE THAT EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, WE SHOULD BE A PACE-SETTER FOR THE NATION, JIM.

WE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL MODEL.

WE SHOULD NOT BE LAGGING SO FRIGHTFULLY BEHIND.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

IT HAS BEEN DELAYED.

IT HAS BEEN DISORGANIZED.

AND MIGHT I ADD, JIM, I WAS PARTICULARLY DISTURBED BY THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO THOSE THAT WERE 75 PLUS SEEKING TO ACCESS THE VACCINE AND SIGN UP THROUGH THE WEBSITE, TO BE TOLD PERSISTENCE BEATS RESISTANCE, IS JUST INSULTING.

REPRESENTING THE MASSACHUSETTS 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, I'M HEARING FROM RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT WHO ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF ACCESS.

AND PARTICULARLY FOR OUR ELDERS, THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE I'M ELEVATING, I HAVE GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN, UP FIVE HOURS, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Braude: HAVE YOU HEARD FROM GOVERNOR BAKER AFTER YOU DELIVERED THE LETTER?

>> I'VE NOT PERSONALLY HEARD FROM HIM, BUT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN IN -- AND MY STAFF HAS BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER.

JIM, LET ME JUST SAY THIS: WHEN I PUSHED THE GOVERNOR EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC ON THE CRISIS CARE STANDARD, HE RE-EVALUATED AND THEY CHANGED THOSE STANDARDS.

AND SO IN THIS INSTANCE, THAT'S WHY I'M PUSHING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO RECALIBRATE.

AND ALSO WHILE SENATOR WARREN AND MARKEY AND MYSELF SENT A LETTER TO OFFICES OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ASKING THEM FOR RACIAL DATA WITH REGARD TO THE VACCINE.

WE CALLED FOR RACIAL DATA IN TERMS OF INFECTION RATE, AND NOW WE NEED THAT FOR VACCINE ACCESS SO WE CAN, OFCAN COURSE CORRECT IN REALTIME.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY DOES IT MATTER -- YOU KNOW THIS FAR BETTER THAN I -- HOW THE GOVERNOR PERFORMS, IT ALSO MATTERS HOW THE MAYOR PERFORMS, OBVIOUSLY IN THE CITY YOU REPRESENT.

THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A NEW ONE, KIM JANEY, STARTING AS SOON AS MARTY WALSH IS CONFIRMED, ASSUMING HE WILL BE BY THE SENATE AND SECRETARY OF LABOR.

ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING ENDORSING THAT RACE?

ARE YOU GOING TO ENDORSE SOMEBODY BEFORE THE RUNOFF?

>> WELL, FIRST LET ME JUST SAY, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH SECRETARY WALSH IN FIGHTING ON BEHALF OF WORKING FAMILIES, ONCE HE GETS TO WASHINGTON.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON.

THIS IS AN HISTORIC TIME.

AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO SUPPORT MAYOR JANEY WHILE SHE IS IN THIS ROLE, TO ENSURE SHE IS SUCCESSFUL.

WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW, JIM, IS ENSURING THAT WE HAVE AN EQUITABLE RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, TO VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, AN EQUITABLE AND JUST AND ROBUST ECONOMIC RECOVERY FROM THE IMPACT OF THIS PANDEMIC ON THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATORS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH.

ALTHOUGH I'M VERY ENCOURAGED BY EARLY INDICATORS OF THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, TO ACTUALLY HAVE A NATIONAL STRATEGY WHEN IT COMES TO SLOWING THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS AND TACKLING IT, AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL VACCINE STRATEGY, WHICH WAS LACKING PREVIOUSLY, I'M STILL FIGHTING.

I'M FIGHTING FOR RELIEF FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS 7th.

THAT'S WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: WILL YOU TELL THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON WHO YOU'RE VOTING FOR BEFORE THEY VOTE?

>> JIM, WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW IS GETTING IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO THE FAMILIES IN THE MASSACHUSETTS 7th, AND THAT INCLUDES 2,000 RECURRING DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS, RENT AND MORTGAGE CANCELLATION, AND GETTING STATE AND MUNICIPAL AID TO THE COMMONWEALTH.

THAT HAS TO BE THE PRIORITY FOR EVERYONE.

>> Braude: FAIR ENOUGH.

LET'S GO FROM ONE LIFE AND DEATH CRISIS TO ANOTHER LIFE AND DEATH CRISIS ON JANUARY 6th.

YOU WERE ON THE RADIO SHORTLY AFTER THIS HORROW SHOW.

YOU SAID YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED.

CERTAINLY AFTER YOUR HUSBAND, CONAN HARRIS, CAME DOWN WITH COVID-19, AFTER YOU AND YOUR STAFF WERE STUCK IN THAT ROOM WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT, WHERE MANY OF YOUR HOMICIDAL REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, I WOULD ARGUE, WERE NOT WEARING A MASK.

HOW IS HE AND HOW ARE YOU THREE WEEKS AFTER?

>> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS 7th AND CONCERNED RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH AND COLLEAGUES WHO EXTENDED WELL-WISHES AND CHECKED IN ON OUR FAMILY AND WERE OFFERING MUTUAL AID AND CARE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HE IS DOING GREAT.

HE IS FULLY RECOVERED.

>> Braude: GREAT.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT IS THE AFTER-EFFECT OF HAVING LIVED THROUGH THAT TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE?

>> AGAIN, WHEN WE FIRST SPOKE ABOUT THIS, JIM, WHEN PEOPLE ASKED ME IF I WAS AFRAID -- AGAIN, TO BE BLACK IN AMERICA, TO EXPERIENCE TERROR BY THOSE THAT SEEK TO INCITE FEAR, WHO ARE WHITE SUPREMACISTS, IS NOT NEW.

THAT IS A CONFLATED PART OF MY EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK AMERICAN.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IT TOOK GREAT INJURY, LOSS OF LIFE, A VIOLENT MOB LANDING ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL, TERRORIZING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, OUR STAFF, FAMILY MEMBERS, COSTCUSTODIAL WORKERS, CAPITOL WORKERS, ALL IN PROXIMATE.

IT TOOK AN INSURRECTION FOR MANY TO REALIZE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, JIM, THE THREAT THAT WHITE SUPREMACY IS TO EVERY AMERICAN AND TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

SO AS COMMITTED I AM TO ENSURING THAT A BREACH LIKE THIS NEVER OCCURS AGAIN, WHICH IS WHY DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN IMPEACHED TWICE BY THE DEMOCRATIC-MAJORITY-LED HOUSE.

WE HONORED OUR OATH.

I'M CALLING ON THE SENATE TO OTHER THAN THEIR OATH, TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP, TO ENSURE HE IS BARRED FROM EVER SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE AGAIN.

TO THOSE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO AIDED AND ABETTED IN THIS INSURRECTION BY PERPETUATING THIS BIG LIE, JIM, WHICH WAS THE FOUNDATION OF THIS ATTEMPTED COUP, TO INTERRUPT THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER, THEY MUST BE EXPELLED.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, WITHIN HOURS OF THIS VIOLENT MOB SEIZING OUR CAPITOL, I WAS THE FIRST MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO CALL FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IN MY CAPACITY IN THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, AND THOSE INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDER WAY BY RELEVANT CONGRESSIONAL HOUSE COMMITTEES.

AND WE MUST KNOW EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND AGENCY WHO ENABLED THIS INSURRECTION, JIM, TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, BUT ALSO TO ENSURE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

AND THEN, JIM, THE HARD WORK THAT WE MUST DO AS A COUNTRY AND WITH THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION IS TO ROOT OUT THE SCURGE THAT IS WHITE SUPREMACY.

>> Braude: IF I MAY, CONGRESSWOMAN, YOU ARE MORE COURAGEOUS THAN I.

SPEAKING OF SCURGE, YOU GO TO WORK EVERY DAY WITH A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM COLORADO WHO IS REPORTEDLY A REPUBLICAN, SHOWED THE INSURRECTIONISTS AROUND THE DAY BEFORE, TO SHOW WHAT THE PRESSURE POINTS WERE, A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM GEORGIA, TO CITE TO THINGS, WHEN ONE SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWER WANTED TO HANG OBAMA, SHE SAID THE STAGE WAS BEING SET.

SHE LIKED A Facebook COMMENT ABOUT NANCY PELOSI SAYING A BULLET TO THE HEAD WOULD BE A QUICKER WAY.

ANOTHER CONGRESSMAN, WHO TRIED TO BRING A GUN ON TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE WHERE YOU WORK -- HOW DO YOU WORK IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT?

>> WELL, JIM, THIS IS EXACTLY WHY IT IS VERY OFFENSIVE WHEN PEOPLE ARE OFFERING EMPTY CALLS FOR UNITY.

UNITY AT THE EXPENSE OF MY VERY EXISTENCE IS A NON-STARTER.

THESE ARE DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS.

AGAIN, THEY ARE TREASONISTS BECAUSE THEY PERPETUATED THIS LIE THAT SOUGHT TO INTERRUPT THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

INITIATING A WAR AGAINST OUR COUNTRY.

THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO UNIFY WITH.

AND WE SHOULD NOT BE QUICKLY TURNING THE PAGE ON THAT WHICH OCCURRED ON JANUARY 6th.

THESE ARE ANTI-MASKERS, IN ADDITION TO THOSE FRIGHTENING STATEMENTS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY OFFERED, WE HAVE ANOTHER WHO SAID (indiscernable) DIDN'T OCCUR.

THESE ARE CONSPIRACY THERAPISTS,THEORISTS, AND THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO OPERATE THAT WAY, BUT THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THEY ARE A THREAT TO OUR VERY DEMOCRACY, AND EVEN TO OUR LIVES.

>> Braude: SO -- >> SO THE SCURGE WE SEEK TO ROOT OUT MUST BEGIN IN THE HALLOWED HALLS AND CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>> Braude: VERY QUICKLY, WE HAVE ALL READ ABOUT THE HORRIFYING SITUATION WHERE YOUR CHIEF-OF-STAFF DISCOVERED THE PANIC BUTTONS IN YOUR OFFICE WERE TORN OUT.

ARE YOU ANY CLOSER TO KNOWING WHO DID THAT?

>> THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL UNDER WAY.

BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THE PANIC BUTTONS HAVE BEEN REINSTALLED.

THAT WAS CERTAINLY UNNERVING.

>> Braude: AND IF I MAY, YOU SAID YOU WERE MAKING THE CASE FOR CONVICTION IN THE SENATE THE OTHER DAY.

I THINK THE MASKS SUGGEST, AND THE STATEMENT, AND THAT PRELIMINARY VOTE SUGGESTS THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF DONALD TRUMP IS NOT CONVICTED BY THE SENATE, SHOULD HE BE PROSECUTED BY CRIMINAL AUTHORITIES FOR HIS BEHAVIOR THAT DAY.

>> HE IS CERTAINLY CULPABLE.

HE INCITED AN INSURRECTION, ONE THAT RESULTED IN GREAT INJURY TO MANY, AS WELL AS LOSS OF LIFE.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT ANY SENATOR WHO HAS BEEN COMPLICIT IN THAT, AND NOT HOLDING ACCOUNTABLE SOMEONE WHO WHAT INCITE AN INSURRECTION, THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE RE-ELECTED.

BUT I FEAR FOR US.

IF THERE IS NOT CONSEQUENCES AND THERE IS THE NOT ACCOUNTABILITY, WHAT IS THE DETERRENT?

THIS IS AS MUCH -- >> Braude: DOES DONALD TRUMP BELONG IN JAIL?

>> I THINK THAT HE HAS COMMITTED MANY CRIMES AGAINST MANKIND AND CERTAINLY AGAINST HIS FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE WAY IN WHICH HE GOVERNED.

THIS IS AS MUCH ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AS IT IS ABOUT PREVENTION.

WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO -- >> Braude: CONGRESSWOMAN -- MY APOLOGIES.

THE DELAY -- MY APOLOGIES FOR INTERRUPTION.

I'M NOT BEING AS RUDE AS I APPEAR.

THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY.

YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE VIDEO THAT I THINK IS GOING TO MAKE YOU SMILE.

THIS IS VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS SWEARING IN TWO MEN FROM GEORGIA, REVEREND WARNOCK AND JON OSSOFF.

THAT SWEARING IN MEANS A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, IT MEANS OBVIOUSLY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A MAJORITY, OR AT LEAST A FUNCTIONAL MAJORITY WITH VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS BREAKING A TIE.

AND IT MEANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR CAREER IN WASHINGTON, THE LEGISLATION THAT PASSES THE HOUSE WILL AT LEAST GET A HEARING IN THE SENATE.

SO LET'S GO TO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW IS ON THE TOP OF YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, THE ELIMINATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

WE ALL KNOW THERE WAS A RUSH TO EXECUTE IN THE FINAL DAYS BY BILL BARR AND DONALD TRUMP.

AND THERE IS A POLL -- I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN GALLUP POLL, HIGHEST NUMBERS EVER FROM OCTOBER WHERE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC PREFERS LIFE IN PRISON VERSUS THE DEATH TOLL.

BUT I DON'T SEE THERE BEING ENOUGH REPUBLICANS, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT RUN, TO GET TO YOUR GOAL, AND DICK DURBIN'S GOAL.

ARE YOU MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE SHORT RUN THAN I AM?

>> OH, JIM, I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.

AND THE REASON WHY THAT IS BECAUSE PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SAID HE IS OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

THIS WAS REINSTATED UNDER TRUMP D.O.J., AND IN THE FINAL WEEKS AND DAYS OF THE ESSENTIALLY A KILLING SPREE, WE SAW MORE INDIVIDUALS EXECUTED IN THOSE FINAL WEEKS AND DAYS THAN HAVE BEEN EXECUTED IN THE LAST FIVE, SIX DECADES.

SO BY EXECUTIVE ACTION, I'M CALLING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TO USE THE FULL AUTHORITY, WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN, AND TO HALT FEDERAL EXECUTIONS, AND THEN TO RESENTENCE THOSE 1515 INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON DEATH ROW.

AND I'M CALLING ON HIM TO USE HIS FULL CLEMENCY POWERS.

AND THEN ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE, SENATOR DICK DURBIN AND I HAVE REINTRODUCED OUR BILL TO ABOLISH THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

JUST TO SHOW YOU THE KIND OF MOMENTUM, WE HAVE SOME 250 GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE ENDORSED THAT BILL, AS WELL AS OUR CO-SPONSORS, BOTH IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

WHEN WE INTRODUCED THAT BILL LAST YEAR, JIM, WE HAD ABOUT 20 CO-SPONSORS.

IT IS NOW QUADRUPLED.

WE HAVE OVER 80.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SENATOR DICK DURBIN IS THE CHAIR OF JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SO I THINK WITH THIS MOMENTUM, AND WITH A COMMITMENT EXPRESSED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, THAT OUR CHANCES ARE LOOKING GOOD.

>> Braude: WELL, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN, THOUGH.

I'M SURE MOST PEOPLE WATCHING THAT IN 1994 WHEN HE SPONSORED THE CRIME BILL AS A SENATOR, HE EXPANDED THE NUMBER OF CRIMES THAT THE DEATH TOLL WOULD APPLY TO.

HE SAID HE WAS AGAINST THE PENALTY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THE FIRST TEST FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IF HE DOES WHAT YOU SUGGEST, HE COULD COMMUTE THE SENTENCES OF THE 49 PEOPLE ON FEDERAL DEATH ROW -- NOT LET THEM OUT OF PRISON, BUT REDUCE IT TO LIFE IN PRISON, POSSIBLY WITHOUT PAROLE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE PUSHING HARD ON THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION TO DO WHILE YOUR LEGISLATION IS BEING CONSIDERED?

>> WELL, WHEN IT COMES TO THE RADICAL RE-IMAGINING OF OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND RIGHTING SO MANY OF THESE WRONGS AND ADDRESSING THIS, IT IS NOT A MATTER OF OR, IT IS A MATTER OF AND.

SO I AM PUSHING ON ALL OF THOSE FRONTS, TO USE THE POWER OF EXECUTIVE ACTION TO SUPPORT OUR BILL, TO USE THE FULL POWER OF CLEMENS SEE,CLEMENCY.

IT SEEKS TO DECRIMINALIZE POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS -- WE OFFERED THEM THAT AS A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF BOTH POLICIES.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT, BUT I KNOW HIGH UP ON YOUR AGENDA IS ELIMINATING STUDENT LOAN DEBT, CLOSE TO $2 TRILLION, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

AND ENSURING THAT THE $1400 ADDITIONAL, ON TOP OF THE $600 PROMISED TO AMERICANS BY NOT JUST DEMOCRATS, BUT AT LEAST A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANSIN THIS LAST ELECTION, BECOMES A REALITY.

BARACK OBAMA WAS CRITICIZED FOR WAITING TOO LONG TO ATTEMPT TO REACH BIPARTISAN ON A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS.

DO YOU WORRY THAT JOE BIDEN'S DESIRE -- THIS IS WHAT HE CAMPAIGNED ON, TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE, WILL FRUSTRATE THE ABILITY FOR YOU TO PASS SOME OF THE THINGS YOU CONSIDER URGENT?

>> I'M GOING TO PUSH THIS ADMINISTRATION TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED THEM, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE MOST MARGINALIZED, AND THAT INCLUDES $2,000 RECURRING CASH PAYMENTS, JIM, AMONGST MANY OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE A DECISIVE MANDATE FROM THE PEOPLE TO ADVANCE BOLD, PROGRESSIVE POLICIES, AND THESE ARE POPULOUS POP SEES, TO BE -- POLICIES, TO BE CLEAR.

THE ULTIMATE TOOL OF PERSUASION IS IMPACT.

AND CANCELING STUDENT DEBT, WHICH IS A $2 TRILLION CRISIS -- THIS IS A RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE ISSUE, AND IT IS CRITICAL TO AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY, A ROBUST ONE WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

THESE ARE POPULAR IDEAS AND THEY WILL START THE PROCESS OF MITIGATING THE HURT AND HARM CAUSED BY THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, AND ALSO THE NAGGING INEQUITIES AND RACIAL INJUSTICES THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR DECADES.

>> Braude: I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ARE WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> THERE'S LITTLE DEBATE THAT HORSES AND PIGS FALL SQUARELY WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK, BUT THIS WEEK A MASSACHUSETTS JUDGE ADDED ANOTHER ANIMAL TO THE LIST: PUPPIES.

THE RULING CLEARS THE WAY FOR AT LEAST ONE DOG BREEDER TO KEEP HER BUSINESS ALIVE.

BUT, AS CRISTINA QUINN TELLS US, IT ALSO RAISES SOME NEW QUESTIONS.

>> WELCOME TO MASSACHUSETTS BERNEDOODLES.

>> Reporter: KIMBERLY CLINTON RUNS A 24/7 OPERATION BREEDING BERNEDOODLES, AN IRRESISTIBLE MIX OF BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGS AND POODLES, SO IRRESISTIBLE THAT A SINGLE PUPPY SELLS FOR AS MUCH AS $6,500.

>> SO WE HAVE TWO GIRLS HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS A STAFF OF 22 PEOPLE, A PUPPY SALON, AND ALMOST TWO DOZEN BREEDING DOGS.

HOW MANY PUPPIES IN TOTAL ARE DOWN HERE?

>> THERE ARE 10 HERE.

GRACE IS HAVING FOUR, SHE HAS EIGHT, BENNY HAD NINE.

>> Reporter: CLINTON STARTED HER BUSINESS IN 2019, IN A RENOVATED BORN.

IT QUICKLY GREW.

AND WITH THAT, SO DID NOISE COMPLAINTS.

THE TOWN ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST, ORDERING CLINTON TO REMOVE ALL HER DOGS BECAUSE THE BUSINESS VIOLATED THE ZONING LAWS IN THIS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> HE'S THE ONE THAT PRODUCES THESE BEAUTIFUL BLONDIES.

>> Reporter: BUT CLINTON SUED THE TOWN, ARGUING THAT UNDER STATE LAW HER SIX-ACRE PROPERTY CAN BE CONSIDERED A FARM, AND THAT BREEDING DOGS, MUCH LIKE RAISING CHICKENS OR KEEPING DAIRY COWS, IS AN AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS.

>> DO I TREAT THEM LIKE CAGED CHICKENS?

OF COURSE NOT.

I'M A PERSONAL BREEDER, REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE, BECAUSE I BREED MY OWN DOGS, AND I SELL MY PUPPIES DIRECTLY TO THE CONSUMER.

>> Reporter: SO WE CAN'T CALL IT A PUPPY FARM?

>> RIGHT.

IT'S A FARM WHERE I BREED PUPPIES.

>> Reporter: THE JUDGE AGREED, RULING THAT SINCE HER PROPERTY IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A FARM, AND SHE'S RAISING THEM FOR PROFIT, THE DOGS CAN BE CONSIDERED LIVESTOCK.

BUT THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN FANCY DOG BREEDS.

ASHBY SELECTMAN MIKE McCALLUM WORRIES THE RULING WILL WEAKEN ZONING LAWS ACROSS THE STATE, ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO USE FARMLAND FOR ALL KINDS OF COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.

>> BECAUSE AGRICULTURE IS SUCH AN ENORMOUS RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS, THAT JUST SAYING, BLANKET, IT'S ALL OKAY -- THAT GOES FROM MASSIVE CHICKEN FARMS TO FEED LOTS -- THERE'S A LOT OF VERY INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE, AND I'M NOT SO SURE THAT THAT WAS THE INTENTION.

>> Reporter: AND HE SAYS IT'S HIGH TIME THE LEGISLATURE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT WHAT QUALIFIES AS FARMING.

>> INTERVIEW A THOUSAND PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND ASK THEM WHAT LIVESTOCK IS, AND YOU'RE UNLIKELY TO HEAR THE WORD "DOG."

PROBABLY A LOT OF CATTLE, A LOT OF SHEEP, GOATS.

BUT DOGS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> Reporter: CALL THEM WHAT YOU WILL, THESE DOGS AND THIS BREEDING OPERATION IS HERE TO STAY.

CHRISTINA QUINN, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: WE CHECKED IN WITH PEOPLE AT SEVERAL ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL, WHO ARE ALSO SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS AT THE IDEA OF DOGS CLASSIFIED AS LIVESTOCK.

THEY SAY, AT THIS POINT THEY'RE NOT SURE WHETHER IT WILL AFFECT THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH DOGS ARE BRED.

SO TOO, WHILE DOUBLE-MASKING, AS WE TOUCHED ON YESTERDAY, IS A RELATIVELY NEWER PHENOMENON.

>>> CLOSING IN ON A YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, YOU'D THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO PROPERLY WEAR A SINGLE MASK BY NOW, MAKING SURE IT COVERS BOTH YOUR NOSE AND YOUR MOUTH, AS I DEMONSTRATED A FEW MONTHS BACK.

BUT LAST WEEK'S INAUGURATION PROVED OTHERWISE BECAUSE, AS WE SAW, EVEN FORMER PRESIDENTS BILL CLINTON, GEORGE BUSH, BARACK OBAMA, AND CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS CAN'T SEEM TO GET IT TOGETHER.

TOO MUCH NOSTRIL AND NOT ENOUGH MASK, FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SETTING AN EXAMPLE!

THE "NEW YORK TIMES'" JAMES GORMAN NOTICED, TOO, AND COINED A NEW TERM FOR IT: "MAN-SLIPPING."

AS HE OBSERVED, IT'S NOT A DEMOCRATIC THING OR A REPUBLICAN THING OR AN INAUGURAL THING.

IT'S A MALE THING.

IT'S LIKE MANSPREADING, BUT WITH MASKS.

>> Braude: MANSPREADING, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, IS WHEN MEN SIT WITH THEIR LEGS SO SPREAD APART, USUALLY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THEY INVADE HALF OF THE PERSONAL SPACE OF WHOEVER IS UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE THE NEXT TO THEM.

AND THERE'S ONE OTHER PROBLEM WITH IT, TOO.

BUT, WELL, AT LEAST MANSPREADING CAN'T KILL THE WAY MAN-SLIPPING CAN.

SERIOUSLY, HOW MANY TIMES DO EXPERTS HAVE TO TELL US GOING COMMANDO-AROUND THE NOSE MEANS YOU AREN'T PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOU'RE NOT PROTECTING OTHERS FROM YOU.

SO STOP BEING A MASK-HOLE AND PULL IT UP!

AND BEFORE YOU GUYS START SENDING ME ANGRY TWEETS AND E-MAILS, CLAIMING WOMEN DO IT, TOO, JUST DON'T.

NOT TODAY.

AT LEAST ONE STUDY ALSO INDICATES TOXIC MASCULINITY MAY BE AT PLAY HERE.

BASICALLY, RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT THE MORE A PERSON BELIEVES MEN SHOULD BE "TOUGH," THE MORE NEGATIVELY THEY VIEW MASKS.

OR MAYBE, AS UBER EXEC RUBY ZEFO TWEETED, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT MAN PROBLEM.

HALF THE TIME THEY DON'T EVEN NOTICE, SHE SAID, LIKE WHEN THEY OFFER TO DO THE DISHES AND YET THEY MISS A PAN LID, A BIG BLOB OF SAUCE ON THE COUNTER, AND ALL THE SERVING UTENSILS.

"MANDLESS."

>> Braude: GUILTY.

BUT, AGAIN, THAT BIG BLOB OF SAUCE NEVER KILLED ANYONE.

AND AT LEAST IN MY CASE, IF IT WAS SAUCE COVERING HALF MY FACE, I THINK I'D NOTICE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

E-MAIL US, TWEET US, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

THAT'S IT FOR ME THIS WEEK.

BUT COME BACK TOMORROW FOR "BEAT THE PRESS."

EMILY ROONEY AND HER PANEL WILL TAKE UP WHETHER LOCAL MEDIA HAS BEEN TOO SOFT ON CHARLIE BAKER WHEN IT COMES TO ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE STATE'S COVID VACCINE ROLLOUT.

AND IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, THE GBH/"BOSTON GLOBE"/NAACP BOSTON SERIES, "THE STATE OF RACE" CONTINUES AS DAN LOTHIAN HOSTS A FREE, LIVE, ONLINE FORUM EXPLORING HOUSING INEQUITY.

YOU CAN CATCH THAT ON THE GBH Facebook OR YouTube PAGE STARTING AT 7:30.

THE ADDRESSES ARE ON YOUR SCREEN.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org