Apparently, one congressional effort that can’t succeed is worthy of attention on ABC and CBS, but the other is not. The difference? The two networks yawned at a pro-life attempt to protect infants who survive abortions. But Good Morning America and CBS This Morning hyped the mostly Democratic move to terminate Donald Trump’s national declaration of emergency on the southern border.
On CBS This Morning, co-host Norah O’Donnell explained, “The House is expected to pass a resolution today aimed at terminating the President's national emergency declaration at the southern border. Democratic leaders say it violates the constitutional balance of power.”
She added, “Only one Republican Congressman is supporting the resolution.” Stating the obvious, O’Donnell noted, “President Trump says he will veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.”
Over on Good Morning America, reporter Mary Bruce cheered the “unprecedented move”:
This isn’t just Democrats that here are laying the groundwork for this unprecedented move to try and terminate the President’s national emergency declaration. You also have Republicans signaling that they are on board. And if this is able to pass through the House and Senate, well then it could set up the President to make his first ever veto.
Bruce is being imprecise with her language here. The campaign in the House to overturn the declaration is mostly Democratic, with only one Republican supporting it. In the Senate, there are currently two, with more possibly to follow. Either way, it will be vetoed and stopped, should it pass the Senate.
So, we have a congressional effort that will not be successful getting attention on ABC and CBS. Yet the networks ignored another unsuccessful bid, this time by Republicans to protect infants to survive abortions.
From the Associated Press:
Senate Democrats on Monday blocked a Republican bill that would have threatened prison for doctors who don’t try saving the life of infants born alive during abortions. The measure seemed doomed from the start but offered the GOP a chance to appeal to conservative voters.
The vote was the latest instance in which Republicans have tried to go on offense on the issue and put Democratic abortion-rights lawmakers in an uncomfortable position. Supporters said the measure presented lawmakers with a simple, moral choice.
In fact, the pro-life legislation garnered 53 votes, just 7 shy of having enough to end Democratic delays. What’s the difference between the two efforts? Perhaps liberal journalists are sparing Democrats the awkwardness of opposing such legislation.
In total, CBS This Morning spent 21 seconds on the emergency declaration efforts. Zero on the abortion bill. GMA offered 26 seconds on the former and zero on the latter. NBC’s Today skipped both efforts. (Monday’s evening news also ignored the Senate’s abortion bill.)
Transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more:
CBS This Morning
2/26/19
7:30AM ETNORAH O’DONNELL: The House is expected to pass a resolution today aimed at terminating the President's national emergency declaration at the southern border. Democratic leaders say it violates the constitutional balance of power. Only one Republican Congressman is supporting the resolution. The Senate will vote next. President Trump says he will veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.
Good Morning America
2/26/19
7:08AM ET
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Meantime, the House voting today to reject the President’s emergency declaration on the border wall. We know it’s going to pass the House. The big question, what’s going to happen in the Senate?
MARY BRUCE: Yeah, George. This isn’t just Democrats that here are laying the groundwork for this unprecedented move to try and terminate the President’s national emergency declaration. You also have Republicans signaling that they are on board. And if this is able to pass through the House and Senate, well then it could set up the President to make his first ever veto.
