Sen. Corker Now A Yes On Tax Reform; National Park Leader Scolded For Climate Change Tweets.
BALDWIN: We are back with the breaking news on the Republican tax plan. As we have now learned that the U.S. Senator Bob Corker, Republican here, who had been quite a loud no on this plan has now turned to a yes. So, as we go to the White House, to our senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta, let's read some of your colleague and my colleague's Jeff Zeleny's reporting that Republicans close to the tax debate working with the White House and the hill tells Jeff Zeleny that Corker's yes bill that is a sign John McCain will not be able make the vote next week. And so obviously status and we wish him well, but that is unclear. But Jim Acosta, can you tell me how big after deal is this, not just for Republicans, but for the president.</s>JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and we certainly don't want to get into any kind of speculation about Senator McCain's health only to say we wish him the best. This statement came in from the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders on apparent Corker's yes vote. This just came in a few moments ago. I'll read it to you. It says the president greatly appreciates Senator Corker's phone call and pledge to support tax cuts. So apparently, they spoke over the phone. He sees a great entrepreneurial spirit being released in our country. And he is a part of that spirit when these massive tax cuts and incentives kick in, jobs and growth will follow at a very high level. That's a pretty happy statement coming out of this White House. It sounds like they see this tax reform bill as being almost being a done deal and on its way to the president's desk. And keep in mind, Brooke, there has been a lot of bad blood between President Trump and Senator Bob Corker. In recent weeks there was a war of words that they both engaged in. Bob Corker referring to White House as an adult daycare center and the president referring to him as little bob. So on. But it seems Bob Corker was able to get over some of the concerns that he's had about this tax bill adding to the deficit. You know, I'm old enough to remember, Brooke, when there were people in this town concerned about the mounting federal deficit. And Bob Corker raised that as one of the issues with this tax bill. Apparently, he has overcome those concerns and ready to get on board with his party. And the White House is very happy about that. There were some hand wringing over here in the last 24 to 48 hours as to whether or not they were going to have to steal a vote here and get a vote there. Obviously, they were bending parts of this bill to get to Senator Rubio's concerns about child tax credits. That apparently has taken place. Senator Rubio is on board. But getting Bob Corker on board is a very big deal for this White House, Brooke.</s>BALDWIN: The president said he wanted this on his desk by Christmas, and he may just get his wish.</s>ACOSTA: That's right.</s>BALDWIN: Jim Acosta, thank you.</s>ACOSTA: You bet. Sure.</s>BALDWIN: Interior secretary Ryan Zinke office is responding to a report that he went out of his way to berate the leader of a National Park. This is according to a report out of the hill, David Smith who runs the Joshua Tree National Park in California tweeted a series of posts saying that there is an overwhelming consensus that human activity is the driving force behind climate change. A source tells the hill that prompted Secretary Zinke to fly him Smith all away from California to Washington, so he could give him a quote unquote trip to the wood shed. Zinke spokeswoman said that account is false. They say yes, there was a meeting but it was scheduled to discuss quote myriad issues facing the park as it approaches peak season. With me now Richard Painter former ethics lawyer under Bush '43, and corporate law professor at the University of Minnesota. Richard Painter, nice to see you again.</s>RICHARD PAINTER, FORMER ETHICS LAWYER UNDER BUSH '43: Thank you.</s>BALDWIN: So, you heard the White House version is that they say that the trip to the wood shed is false. There was a different reason for this meeting. But Smith may have been out of step with the Trump administration's take on climate change. What do you make of this? Was that wrong of him to tweet that?</s>PAINTER: No. There is an important public education component to the national parks. And talking to the public about climate change and other important issues is very important. I don't think that they should spend a huge amount of time on the climate change issue. There are other people in this government who should be spending a lot of time on that issue, because it's critically important to our country. But those tweets were entirely proper. And did not use up government resources in any unreasonable way. Now, we don't know what the truth is with respect to the trip to Washington. But if he was called to Washington just to discuss that, at taxpayer expense, that's enormous waste. And the main issue is that if this administration denies climate change, and the fact that climate change is caused by human activity, they are just plain stupid. And none of them should be in there if that's their attitude.</s>BALDWIN: Well, you are entitled to that opinion. I want to get your take on Ivanka Trump. This is another story I want to have you weigh in on. This is according to the "Washington Post." She's opening up this new shop with all of her merchandise in, you know, in all places the lobby of her dad's building in Trump tower. She still works at the White House. Does this -- does this rub you the wrong way ethically speaking?</s>PAINTER: Well, she continues to own the business and, so she has all the conflicts of interest that come along with the business, and that includes the export-import business. She does a lot of business in Asia and China. That creates conflicts of interests for her and her husband. I wish she would sell the business if she really wanted to work in the government, but otherwise she can go ahead and sell her clothing out of the Trump tower. It looks like they just want to capitalize on the Trump name and charge a high margin and not have the money go to a department store like Nordstrom which won't sell her stuff anyway. It's one more example of capitalizing off the Trump name and the presidency.</s>BALDWIN: So, the optics of this in your opinion not so great?</s>PAINTER: Lousy. Lousy optics. Legal, yes. But lousy optics.</s>BALDWIN: Right. I think it was the lead in "Bloomberg" making the point, if you want to take the time and go through all the traffic on fifth avenue and go around the metal partitions and the security to get into this gift shop, it's the toughest gift shop to get into these days. Richard Painter, appreciate your voice. Thank you so much for that. We do want to take you back to capitol hill here. This is the huge breaking news we've been following where a crucial vote on this Republican tax bill now include two yeses from Senators Rubio and Corker. We're back in Washington in just a moment. But first, a sneak peek at this "CNN Heroes" gala live. 8:00 eastern here on CNN.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are everyday heroes, they inspire, and change lives every day.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We want to make sure that they make better choices when it comes to violence.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you lose your child, the love doesn't go away. It has to find a place. I'm lucky I found a place to put that love.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are truly what it means to be a hero.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is people helping people the best way we know how.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When they see me, they always feel happy.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just give them a chance. They can do anything you ask them to do.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This Sunday night, CNN presents a very special live event.</s>ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: I'm Anderson Cooper.</s>KELLY RIPA, CNN HOST: And I am Kelly Ripa.</s>COOPER: Join us live for "CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute."</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "CNN Heroes, An All-Star Tribute". Live Sunday 8:00 p.m. on CNN.</s>BALDWIN: Now have an update for you on a story that captured the attention of so many of you. This police officer who is adopting a baby from a mom who is homeless and addicted to drugs. CNN's Ed Lavandera follows up on this officer who went beyond the call of duty and the mother he is so desperately trying to help.