>> WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING THE SENATE BACK IN 2020.

WE NEED A CLEAR CANDIDATE WITH A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE, WE NEED TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.

>> BONNIE: HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO THE CONTRARY.

THIS WEEK WE REPRESENT REPRESENTATIVE DONNA SHALAL.

FORMER SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES UNDER BILL CLINTON.

SHE'S ALSO BEEN AT THE HELM OF TWO MAJOR UNIVERSITY AS WELL AS THE CLINTON FOUNDATION.

NOW, SHE REPRESENTS FLORIDA'SEN 27TH DISTRICT.

WELCOME, DONNA SHALAL.

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

YOU SAT IN AS HOSTED OF THE SHOW MANY YEARS AGO SO WE HAVE KNOWN YOU FOR A LONG TIME.

NOW, TELL ME ABOUT WHICH IS I'M SURE THE QUESTION YOU'RE GETTING ALL OVER THE PLACE, WHY -- WHAT MADE YOU RUN FOR CONGRESS AFTER HAVING BEEN A CABINET SECRETARY?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOKE UP ONE MORNING IN THE SPRING AND I TURNED DOWN THE TELEVISION AND I JUST GOT PISSED OFF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON.

IT LOOK LIKE -- I MEAN OUR COUNTRY WAS IN BIG TROUBLE WITH THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP THAT WAS GOING NONE WASHINGTON.

NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT BUT THE CONGRESS ITSELF AND I JUST COULDN'T STAND ON THE SIDELINES.

>> BONNIE: NOW, YOU TOOK A DISTRICT FOR MANY YEARS WAS REPRESENTED BY A REPUBLICAN AND YOU RAN AGAINST LATINA.

HOW DID YOU WIN?

>> DONNA.

FIRST OF ALL I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.

SECOND I COULD HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

I KNEW WASHINGTON THAT I HAD LIVED IN THE DISTRICT FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS AND THAT THEY NEW ME.

THEY KNEW THAT I HAD DELIVERED THEY UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

THERE IS GREAT PRIDE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

THEY KNEW ME PERSONALLY BECAUSE I WAS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I RECEIVED VOTES FROM ALL SEGMENTS INCLUDING REPUBLICANS.

>> BONNIE: WHAT CHANGES DID YOU MAKE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI AND HOW DID YOU IMPROVE IT?

>> DONNA: WE MOVED INTO THE TOP RANKS OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES.

WE BUILT A HUGE MEDICAL COMPLEX, SOME OF THE BEST DOCTORS IN THE WORLD THAT WE RECRUITED.

WE IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT BODY.

WE HAD A $6 BILLION IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO IT IS A REMARKABLE SMALL 15,000 STUDENT PRIVATE UNIVERSITY THAT HAS HAD AN ENORMOUS IMPACT.

>> BONNIE: SO TELL ME WHAT IS ANYONE ON YOUR LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR?

>> DONNA: IT HAS TO BE HEALTH CARE.

STOPPING THE ASSAULT ON PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

THIS ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL HAVE FILED TO ELIMINATE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS COVERAGE AS A REQUIREMENT NOT JUST IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BUT IN OTHER HEALTH CARE THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

IF YOU DON'T COVER PREEXISTING CONDITIONS, YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

WE WOULD HAVE MADE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BUT THE REPUBLICANS WOULDN'T LET US RIGHT AFTER THE BILL WAS PASSED.

THE SUBSIDIES ARE PROBABLY NOT DEEP ENOUGH AND IF YOU DON'T GET SUBSIDIES, YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS PROBABLY GETTING HAMMERED BY THE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE INCREASES ARE STEADYING OUT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS REALLY UNSETTLE THE MARKET AND WE'VE GOT LOTS MORE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO COVER WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> BONNIE: UNSETTLE THE MARKET MEANING CAUSED INCREASES IN PREMIUMS?

>> DONNA: FORCED INCREASES.

WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO THEY TRY TO PREDICT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN WASHINGTON.

THEY COULDN'T READ THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY JACKED UP THEIR RATES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

AS SOON AS THE PRESIDENT REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT THAT EVERYBODY HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THAT CAUSED LOTS OF CONSTERMATION IN THE MARKET.

SO SOME OF THAT HAS SETTLED DOWN, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE WANT TO SETTLE DOWN THE MARKET.

WE WANT TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COSTS.

DRUG COSTS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE JUST TOO HIGH, NOT PREDICTABLE.

EITHER FOR INDIVIDUALS OR FOR CORPORATIONS.

THEY'RE GOING CRAZY AS WELL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VERY HARD LOOK AT DRUG COSTS.

I LIVE IN AN AREA IN WHICH SEA LEVEL RISE, CLIMATE CHANGES, LIFE OR DEATH FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.

AND SO DEALING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES TAKING A GIANT STEP, PROTECTING THE EVERGLADE AND CLEAN WATER, BUILDING SEA WALLS.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND THEN GUN CONTROL.

WE'VE GOT TO AT THE MINIMUM DO SOMETHING ABOUT BACKGROUND CHECKS BUT I'D LIKE TO DO AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

WE DID IT IN '94.

I THINK WE CERTAINLY OUGHT TO TRY TO DO IT NOW.

>> BONNIE: HEALTH CARE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CAMPAIGNED AGAINST IT.

IT SEEMED AT THE TIME ANYWAY THAT THE COUNTRY WAS AGREEING WITH HIM OR MAJORITY OF VOTERS WERE AGREEING WITH HIM ON THAT POINT AND, THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONCE HE STARTED TO REALLY DISMANTLE IT, HEALTH CARE BECAME -- THE ACA BECAME VERY POPULAR.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT PUBLIC OPINION SHIFT, WHICH WAS PRETTY MASSIVE HAPPENED?

>> DONNA: FIRST OF ALL THEY PAINTED ON REPEAL AND REPLACE.

THEY HAD THE VOTES ON REPEAL BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES FOR REPLACE.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A REPLACE THAT MADE ANY KIND SENSE.

IN MY DISTRICT, WHICH IS MIAMI BASICALLY, ALL OF MIAMI, 100,000 PEOPLE HAVE THE ACA.

HAVE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE ACT THROUGH OBAMA CARE.

BOY, THEY DO NOT WANT THAT INSURANCE TO DISAPPEAR BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN GET INSURANCE.

>> BONNIE: WHERE WERE THEY WHEN TRUMP WAS RUNNING AND SAYING LET'S REPEAL AND REPLACE.

>> DONNA: IT WAS KIND OF A REBELLION AGAINST THE STABILITY MENTAL.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT DEMONSTRATED HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HEALTH CARE.

HE COULDN'T MAKE THE CASE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE NOR COULD THE REPUBLICANS.

THE STRATEGY FOR THE ACCOUNTABLE CARE ACT IS A REPUBLICAN IDEA.

IT CAME OUT OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

SO IT'S BEEN A REPUBLICAN IDEA FOR A LONG TIME.

BUILD EXCHANGES, GIVE PEOPLE CHOICES, PROVIDE SUBSIDIES FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD IT.

AND FILL IN THE GAPS FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T AFFORD IT.

>> BONNIE: IS THAT A GOOD WAY TO DO IT, DEMOCRATS AGREE THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO DO IT.

>> DONNA: THAT IS A BIG DEBATE WE ALL BELIEVE IN UNIVERSAL COVERAGE AND ALL BELIEVE THAT HEALTH CARE OUGHT TO BE A RIGHT.

WE ALL BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO HAVE INSURANCE, GOOD INNOCENCE THAT IS AFFORDABLE THAT'S OF GREAT QUALITY THAT PRODUCES GREAT OUTCOMES FOR EVERYONE.

AND WE OUGHT TO COVER EVERY ONE.

WHAT WE DON'T AGREE ON PROBABLY IS WHAT THE STRATEGY SHOULD BE.

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IN SINGLE PAYER.

OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD SHORE UP THE REPORTABLE CARE ACT, IMPROVE MEDICARE AROUND LET PEOPLE BUY INTO MEDICARE THAT CAN'T FIT INTO ONE OF THE PROGRAMS.

>> BONNIE: GUN CONTROL, OF COURSE UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON AUTOMATIC WEAPONS WERE BANNED AND IT WAS THAT WAY FOR 10 YEARS.

HOW IS IT HAPPENED THAT THAT IS LEGAL NOW AND THAT KIDS CAN GET THEM AND GO INTO CUES SCHOOLS AND KILL OTHER KIDS?

>> DONNA: IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE POLITICALLY.

MORALLY IT IS NOT A COMPLICATED ISSUE AT ALL.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSAULT WEAPONS.

IT IS NOT A HUNTING RIFLE.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO USE TO PROTECT YOUR HOME.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MILITARY USES.

BUT THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN VERY POWERFUL AND HAS CONVINCED AMERICANS THAT IT IS NOT AN ASSAULT ON GUNS.

IT IS AN ASSAULT ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE PERFECTLY WILLING TO SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT BUT WE DO THINK THAT MILITARY STYLE WEAPONS OUGHT TO BE BANNED.

I COME FROM A FAMILY OF HUNTERS I'M FINE WITH HUNTING RIFLES -- >> BONNIE: WHERE DID YOU GO WISCONSIN?

>> DONNA: I GREW UP WISCONSIN BUT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW LIVES IN NORTH DAKOTA.

MY BROTHER DOESN'T BELIEVE ANYONE SHOULD HAVE ASSAULT RIFLES.

HE SAID JOIN THE ARMY IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT ONE OF THOSE MILITARY TIME WEAPONS.

AND MY FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS.

NOR DO MOST AMERICANS.

AND MOST AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT ASSAULT WEAPONS OUGHT TO BE BANNED BUT THE POLITICS HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT UP UNTIL NOW.

WE ACTUALLY NEGOTIATED AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

WE PASSED THE BRADY BILL.

OUR FIRST STEP WILL PROBABLY BE BACKGROUND STEMS.

>> BONNIE: CAN YOU GET THAT THROUGH THE SENATE WHICH IS STILL REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED?

>> DONNA: I THINK SO.

I THINK SO.

IT HAS TO BE BIPARTISAN.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT WANT IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO BUT THE VAST MAJORITY WANT IT.

THEY WANT TO PROTECT KIDS.

THEY WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHO GETS ACCESS TO WEAPONS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> BONNIE: THE NRA, SOMETHING INTERESTED HAPPENED.

THEY LOST LIKE THEIR DONATIONS WENT DOWN BY I THINK IT WAS 20% LAST YEAR.

HAVE THEY OVERREACHED ARE THEY AT THE POINT NOW WHERE AMERICANS SAY TO THEMSELVES, GEE, AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING TO BE AGAINST.

>> DONNA: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THEM.

I DON'T CARE IF THEY HAVE 20% LESS INCOME I WOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION AND THEIR ABILITY TO GIVE MONEY TO VARIOUS CANDIDATES OR TO MAKE THEIR CASE TO THE MEDIA.

HERE'S THE STORY.

I WAS CAMPAIGNING IN A RESTAURANT.

I MET A YOUNG FAMILY AND THE MOTHER WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO HER YOUNG SON WHO WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD, HEY, SHE'S RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

HE COULDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND IT.

HE SAID YOU RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND I SAID NO ALREADY I'M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN CONGRESS TO HIM.

AND I SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

HE SAID I WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

I SAID THAT IS PERFECT.

BE A POLICE OFFICER.

THAT IS A GREAT PROFESSION.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER?

HE SAID BECAUSE I WANT TO PROTECT THE KIDS IN MY SCHOOL.

NO KID IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD GROW UP PICKING A PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PROTECT THE KIDS IN THEIR SCHOOL.

HE AND THE KIDS IN HIS SCHOOL SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT SAFETY.

I NEVER WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY WHEN I WAS A KID GROWING UP.

THE KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY MANY OF THEM ARE WORRIED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN SCHOOL, IN THE COMMUNITIES, IT'S NOT JUST IN SCHOOLS.

IT IS NOT JUST PARK LAND OR SANDY HOOK.

IT IS ALSO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> BONNIE: IS THE POLITICAL WAIVE THAT WE SAW WITH THE REACTION TO PARK LAND OF THE -- >> DONNA: THE 40 PEOPLE THAT FLIP SEATS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM PAINTED ON THIS ISSUE.

I CERTAINLY DID.

AND SO THEIR CAUSES IS EMBODIED IN ME AND IN SO MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES.

>> BONNIE: DESCRIBE THE CLASS TO ME.

>> DONNA: THE CLASS IS VERY DIVERSE.

WE HAVE GOT A PEDIATRICIAN.

WE'VE GOT A NURSE.

WE'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE STATE LEGISLATORS.

WE HAVE GOT TWO NATIVE AMERICANS, FIRST TWO NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN ELECTED EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN.

SO IT IS -- IT IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF CLASS.

A DIFFERENT FEEL TO IT.

IT IS NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT GREW UP IN POLITICS.

IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT RAN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES THAT HAD THEIR OWN SPECIALTIES BEFORE THEY RAN FOR OFFICE.

>> BONNIE: WHO ARE MORE IN TOUCH YOU THINK WITH GRASSROOTS AMERICA?

>> DONNA: EVERYBODY THINKS WE RAN THE BIG NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS AND WE DIDN'T RUN A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.

I TALKED AS MUCH ABOUT TRAFFIC AS I DID ABOUT BIG ISSUES LIKE HEALTH CARE.

>> DONNA: NANCY PELOS.

IT IS NOW SPEAKER BUT SHE HAD A ROUGH ROAD GETTING THERE.

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HER?

>> DONNA: I'M A LONG TIME FRIEND OF NANCYS.

I DID NOT ENDORSE HER IN THE PRIMARY.

I TOLD HER I WAS STAYING OUT OF ANY ISSUES BECAUSE IT WAS PRESUMPTUOUS OF ME TO ASSUME I WAS GOING TO GET ELECTED.

BUT RIGHT AFTERWARDS I DID ENDORSE HER.

I THINK SHE'S AN EXTRAORDINARY LEADER, A VERY SHREWD LEADER.

I DON'T THINK SHE HAD A ROUGH GO.

THIS IS THE KIND OF POLITICS YOU WOULD EXPECT.

SOME PEOPLE WANT SOME THINGS.

SHE NEVER GAVE WAY ANYTHING THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK WASEL ETHICAL AND WAS IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> BONNIE: WOULD SHE HAVE HAD ANY EASIER TIME IF SHE WAS A 78-YEAR-OLD MAN INSTEAD OF A SURVEYED YEAR OLD WOMAN?

>> DONNA: THE TWO MEN IN THEIR 70S WHO ARE ALSO IN LEADERSHIP DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM AT ALL.

WAS THERE A DIMENSION THERE?

CERTAINLY.

ALL OF US KNOW THAT.

BUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT SHE IS SHREWD AND SMART AND SENSIBLE AND COMPASSIONATE AND SHE HAS DEEP ROOTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND SHE CARRIES FIRST ABOUT THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT HER AS ARE MY COLLEAGUES.

>> BONNIE: YOU'RE VERY CLOSE TO THE CLINTONS.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE HILLARY RUN AGAIN?

>> DONNA: I DON'T THINK SO.

>> BONNIE: WHY NOT?

>> DONNA: I THINK HILLARY HAS OVERRED OTHER THINGS THAT SHE WANTS TO DO.

NO.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A WHOLE NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE OF VARYING AGES.

YOU HAVE MIKE BLOOMBERG AND JOE BIDE UNON ONE SIDE.

YOU HAVE MITCH ATLANTA DREW AND A NUMBER OF WOMEN THAT ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER WE HAVE A HUGE PRIMARY IN SOME OF THESE STATES.

THE MORE THE MERRIER AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK A WOMAN CAN SINCH THE MOVE.

WE HAVE KERSTIN TALKING ABOUT IT ISN'T THAT RIGHT FROM NEW YORK.

ISN'T THAT RIGHT FROM CALIFORNIA AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

>> DONNA: ELIZABETH WARREN.

OF COURSE A WOMAN CAN SECURE THE NOMINATION.

WE HAVE DONE IT ONCE.

CERTAINLY I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE.

RIGHT NOW -- >> BONNIE: SHOULD IT BE HEALTH CARE?

>> DONNA: OF COURSE IT HAS TO BE HEALTH CARE.

WE'LL NEVER FINISH.

IT HAS TO BE THE ENVIRONMENT AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.

SENSIBLE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

WE BELONG IN STRONG BORDERS BUT WE HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE FOR FIND A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THEM.

NOT JUST FOR THE DACA KIDS THAT I CARE ABOUT FOR A LOT BUT THE OTHERS HERE WE HAVE TO EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS TO VENEZUELANS AND TO NICARAGUA AS WELL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THIS COUNTRY BUT REMEMBERING THAT WE'RE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

WHICH IS WHAT THIS PRESIDENT AND THIS ADMINISTRATION FORGETS >> BONNIE: AND YET PRESIDENT TRUMP RAN AS AN OPPONENT OF IMMIGRATION.

WANTS MANY FEWER PEOPLE COMING IN.

HE WANTS NO ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS.

AND HE SEEMED TO APPEAL TO A SEGMENT OF VOTERS, YOU KNOW, A LARGE SEGMENT OF VOTERS WHO APPRECIATED WHAT HE WAS DOING ON THAT FRONT.

>> DONNA: THERE CERTAINLY IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE ARE VOTERS IN THIS COUNTRY THAT BELIEVE WHAT THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES.

BUT HERE IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS.

HE WANTS PEOPLE WHO ARE WEALTHY, WELL-FED AND WELL EDUCATED.

LOOK, I DON'T -- I WANT SAFE BORDERS.

I WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AN ORDERLY WAY BUT THIS IDEA THAT YOU HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY AND TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY IS OUTRAGEOUS.

THIS COUNTRY WAS NOT BUILT BY PEOPLE WHO CAME HERE WITH GREAT WEALTH.

IT WAS BY -- BUILT BY PEOPLE WHO HAD SPIRIT AND THE HUNGER TO SUCCEED AND WANTED GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> BONNIE: HR 1 OF ALL THINGS IS ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION.

IS THERE A LOT OF THAT GOING ON?

>> DONNA: THE FACT IS WE HAVE A MESS ON OUR HANDS.

WE ARE TECHNOLOGICALLY SOPHISTICATED AND WE HAVE NOT APPLIED IT TO THE VOTING PROCESS IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE ARE THE GREAT CHAMPIONS OF TECHNOLOGY AND WE HAVEN'T APPLIED IT TO THE MOST BASIC FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> BONNIE: BUT, YOU KNOW, ON A LOCAL LEVEL, THERE ARE COUNTIES THAT ARE USING 30-YEAR-OLD, YOU KNOW, COMPUTERS LIKE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE 70S WHEN THEY WERE THIS BIG AND HAD ONLY TEXT ON THE SCREEN.

HOW DO YOUFICATION, YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE INVESTMENT.

>> DONNA: IT HAS TO BE A FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO THE STATES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THE STATES HAVE TO FEEL THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> BONNIE: THIS PAST ELECTION, SEEMED TO GO REASONABLY WELL.

YES, THERE WERE OUTBREAKS IN AREAS OF THINGS LIKE THE NORTH CAROLINA VOTE.

BUT WE DIDN'T SEEM, AT LEAST THAT WE KNOW NOW, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE BEEN INVADED BY THE RUSSIANS AND RACES MADE UP BECAUSE OF VOTES, YOU KNOW, OF FAKE NEWS COMING FROM, YOU KNOW , EASTERN EUROPE.

THAT SORT OF THING.

>> DONNA: I THINK THE WHOLE WORLD WAS WATCHING INCLUDING EVERY AMERICAN TO MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS DIDN'T TAKE PLACE AND WE HAVE SOME TECHNOLOGY IN WHICH WE'RE FOCUSED ON WHETHER THERE IS BEING CYBER ATTACKS BY OTHER COUNTRIES AND IT WAS A PRIMARY WHICH MEANT THAT IT WAS RELATIVELY LOW TURN OUT.

THE REAL TEST WILL BE IN 2020 IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

AND WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT.

BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

THIS IS WHAT WE BASE OUR DEMOCRACY ON.

>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP WON FAIR AND SQUARE OR WAS THERE TECHNOLOGICAL EMEDALLING BY RUSSIA BY PETER TIEL, REPUBLICAN, IN SILICON VALLEY WHO WAS VERY WEALTHY WHO USED -- HELPED USE A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY SUPPOSEDLY TO MICROTARGET VOTERS?

>> DONNA: LOOK, EVERY PARTY MICROTARGETS VOTERS.

I'M NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT.

THERE CLEARLY WAS RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE.

CLEARLY THERE WERE GAMES THAT WERE BEING PLAYED.

BUT WE ACCEPTED THE ELECTION AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS PRESIDENT.

WHAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IN 2020 IS THAT WE PREVENT ANY KIND OF -- ANY KIND OF NEGATIVE ACTIVITY THAT AFFECTS THE OUTCOME AND I THINK AMERICANS ARE MORE AWARE BECAUSE THE INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY TOWARDS WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE DONE.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE RUSSIANS BUT IT IS THE CHINESE.

IT IS EVERYONE WHO HAS ACCESS TO HIGH-POWERED COMPUTERS.

>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK DONALD TRUMP IS BEATABLE BY A DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT?

>> DONNA: OH, YES.

>> BONNIE: WHY?

>> DONNA: WE JUST BEAT HIM.

WE JUST BEAT HIM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND MANY OF US USE HIM RAN AGAINST HIM AS WELL.

YES, HE'S BEATABLE.

>> BONNIE: BUT NOT IN THE SENATE THE REPUBLICANS STILL -- >> DONNA: BUT THAT WAS THE NUMBER OF SEATS AND THE KINDS OF SEATS NET SENATE.

IN THE -- WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING THE SENATE BACK IN 2020.

WE NEED A VERY GOOD CANDIDATE WITH A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.

WE NEED TO BRING THE COMPASSION BACK.

WE NEED TO REMIND EVERYBODIED EVERYONE AGAIN THAT WE'RE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND THAT WE'RE DECENT PEOPLE AND THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS AN ATTACK ON POOR PEOPLE T ARGUING THAT YOU CAN'T GET A GREEN CARD IF YOU TAKE ANY KIND OF BENEFIT AT ALL.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE CHILDREN HUNGRIER AND SICKER BY SOME OF THE RULES THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING IN PLACE.

WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO MAKE OUR AIR AND WATER LESS CLEAN BECAUSE OF RULES THAT ARE REGULATIONS THAT ARE BEING ROLLED BACK.

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE GOT ELECTED BECAUSE THEY SAW THAT THERE WAS A DANGER OUT THERE IS IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK IT WILL BE REFLECT IN THE ELECTION OF 2020.

>> BONNIE: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR LEGISLATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE?

ARE YOU GOING TO AUTHOR ANY BILLS IN THAT AREA?

>> DONNA: I'M GOING TO CO-SPONSOR SOME BILLS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED.

SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE INTRODUCED BILLS.

HERE WHAT IS WE NEED IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

WE NEED A BIG INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

WE HAVE TO BUILD SEA WALLS AND WE HAVE TO BUY STREETS AND PROVIDE BUMPS.

>> BONNIE: CAN YOU BUILD ABOVE THE SEAWATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> DONNA: THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

BUT SIMULTANEOUSLY WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

SO THE FACT THAT WE PULLED OUT OF PARIS I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE AND YOU'LL SEE THIS GROUP, THIS MAJORITY GROUP STARTING TO TAKE SOME STRONG STEPS WHETHER OR NOT THE REPUBLICAN HEALTH SENATE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WE'LL EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THIS IS IN FACT LIFE AND DEATH FOR OUR PLANET.

AND AMERICANS HAVE TO DO THEIR FAIR SHARE.

>> BONNIE: YOU THINK FLORIDIANS ARE MORE SENSITIVE TO IT BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE STATE?

>> DONNA: I DO.

WE HAVE NO CLIMATE DENIERS IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

>> BONNIE: YOU HAVE A LOT TO ROLL BACK.

HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE IF DEMOCRATS CAN SUCCEED WITH LEGISLATION BETWEEN NOW AND THINGS THAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS SAY, DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE TO HURT THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> DONNA: WE COULD STOP SOME THINGS.

WE COULD STOP SOME REGULATIONS.

WE COULD STOP SOME REGULATIONS THAT WEAKEN OUR LAWS ON CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER.

WE CERTAINLY CAN STOP THE REGULATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE FOOD OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF CHILDREN AND THE SNAP PROGRAM, THE SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR POOR KIDS.

WE'VE GOT TO STOP SOME OF THIS CRAZINESS THAT -- REAL EVIL POLICIES THAT ARE GOING ON.

SO WE CAN STOP SOME THINGS.

LOOK, I'VE TALKED TO SOME OF THE NEW REPUBLICANS THAT ARE COMING IN.

THEY WANT TO GET SOME THINGS DONE, TOO.

>> BONNIE: HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO REPEAL -- TO UNDUE THE DAMAGE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ON HEALTH CARE, ET CETERA?

>> DONNA: WE HAVE A COUPLE OF YEARS TO TRY TO GET SOME THINGS DONE.

LET ME TELL YOU, WHEN I BECAME SECRETARY OF HHS, IT TOOK US A MONTH TO REVERSE A LOT OF THE THINGS INCLUDING WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

WE SIMPLY HANDED THE PRESIDENT A BUNCH OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND WE PASSED LEGISLATION, DOUBLED THE EARNED INCOME -- THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

SO WITH THE RIGHT CAPITAL OFFICERS AND RIGHT PRESIDENT, WE CAN RIGHT SOME OF THESE THINGS.

SOME OF IT IS DAMAGE THAT WILL LIVE WITH US FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

PARTICULARLY OUR REPUTATION AROUND THE WORLD.

PARTICULARLY WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH IMMIGRANTS.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH IMMIGRANTS AND WITH UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 20 YEARS.

THEIR CHILDREN ARE AMERICANS.

THEY'RE NOW SCARED TO DEATH TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR MEDICAID, FOR THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANTS, FOR FOOD STAMPS, FOR FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES.

THEY'RE WORKING EVERY DAY AND TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THEIR KIDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THESE PROGRAMS.

WHO IN THIS COUNTRY WANTS A MILLION KIDS WITHOUT HEALTH CARE COVERAGE BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO REGISTER THEM BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY'LL BE SENT OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF COUNTRY.

>> BONNIE: IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING DO WATCH YOU IN THE HOUSE AND TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO, YOU KNOW, AS A LEGISLATIVE AND HEAVYWEIGHT AND A FORMER CABINET SECRETARY.

WE'LL BE WATCHING YOU CLOSELY AND TALKING TO YOU A LOT, I HOPE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, REPRESENTATIVE SHALAL.

>> DONNA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, BONNIE.

GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> BONNIE: THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION FOR TO THE CONTRARY.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND FOLLOW OUR WEBSITE, PBS/TO THE CONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

ONLINE EPISODE OF "TO THE CONTRARY," PLEASE VISIT OUR PBS WEBSITE AT: PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

>> BE MORE, PBS.