WEBVTT ADAM: WELCOME BACK TO "CLOSE UP." SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM OREGON, IS OUR FINAL GUEST . WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. YOU WERE OUT IN FRONT ON THE CHILD SEPARATION ISSUE, IMMIGRATION RELATED. AMONG THE FIRST, IF NOT THE FIRST, TO DEMAND ENTRY INTO ONE OF THESE DETENTION CENTERS. DO YOU BELIEVE IT’S TIME TO ABOLISH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OR "ICE"? >> I THINK THE KEY THING RIGHT NOW IS TO FOCUS ON THE MEDIA CHALLENGE -- A MEDIA OF GETTING 3000 CHILDREN REUNITED WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THEY HAVE SAID THEY WANT TO GO FROM FAMILY RECONCILIATION TO FAMILY INTERMENT. A GROUP OF US WILL FIGHT IT WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE. ADAM: WHAT IS THE WAY TO HANDLE THIS? YOU CANNOT JUST HAVE PEOPLE SHOWING UP AND GETTING INTO THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? >> THE WAY TO HANDLE IT IS THROUGH THE FAMILY CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. THEY KNEW WHERE THE FAMILY WAS. IT WAS AUDITED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF HOMELAND SECURITY. HAVE FOUND FAMILIES SHOWED UP -- IT FOUND FAMILIES SHOWED UP FOR 97% OF THEIR CHECK INS AND 100% OF THEIR HEARINGS. WINDIER SEE SOMETHING THAT WORKS SO WELL THAT 100% OF THE PEOPLE SHOW UP? WHEN PEOPLE COME FLEEING PERSECUTION AND SEEKING ASYLUM, THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO TREAT THEM WITH COMPLETE RESPECT. WE ARE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS. MANY OF OUR FAMILY HISTORIES INVOLVE PEOPLE FLEEING CIVIL WAR, FAMINE, RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT. ASSIGN A CASE MANAGER. IT IS AN INEXPENSIVE PROGRAM THAT WORKS WELL. ADAM: IF THESE FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO BE REUNITED, WHAT SHOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FEDERAL OFFICIALS? >> THE HEARINGS ARE DECIDED ON BY THE MAJORITY PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN SAYING WE CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS GOING ON, THIS IS UN-AMERICAN TO INFLICT TRAUMA ON CHILDREN TO SEND A POLITICAL MESSAGE OF DETERRENCE, TO INFLICT TRAUMA ON CHILDREN FOR ANY REASON. I SAY, WILL YOU HELP DO A HEARING? WILL YOU HELP TO A PRESS CONFERENCE? WILL YOU HELP COSPONSOR A BILL? THEIR ANSWER IS I AM JUST NOT COMFORTABL MAYBE I WILL CALL UP THE ADMINISTRATION AND WHISPER IN THEIR EAR. THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE. THIS IS STANDING UP FOR FUNDAMENTAL VALUES. YOU DON’T DELIBERATELY HARM CHILDREN. I’M GLAD THE ADMINISTRATION IS INVOLVED IN REUNIFICATION. THEIR MOVING AT GLACIAL SPEED. ABSOLUTELY, FAMILY INCARCERATION CANNOT HELP EITHER. WE NEED TO HAVE REPUBLICAN FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES JOIN US IN THIS EFFORT TO STAND UP FOR THE DECENT TREATMENT OF PEOPLE FLEEING PERSECUTION. ADAM: A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE. D.C. YOURSELF EVENTUALLY VOTING FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF BRETT KAVANAUGH? >> NO WAY. PRESIDENT HAS SAID HE WILL ONLY NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL VOTE AGAINST THE A.C.A. BILL OF RIGHTS. HE WILL ONLY NOMINEE SOMEBODY WHO WILL TEAR DOWN ROE V. WADE. THAT IS BELIEVABLE. WE NOW HAVE A TAPE OF KAVANAUGH SAYING HOW GREAT IT WAS FOR REHNQUIST TO DISSENT ON ROE V. WADE. IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT HAS CHOSEN THE NOMINEE WHO HAS AN EXPANSIVE VIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER THAT MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR A KING IN A KINGDOM BUT NOT FOR A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC AND A PRESIDENT. HE BELIEVES A PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED, SHOULD NOT BE INDICTED. THAT IF THERE IS A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE AND FIRE THAT PROSECUTOR AT WILL WITHOUT CAUSE. THIS IS COMPLETELY OUT OF SYNC WITH THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OF OUR CONSTITUTION. A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIAL SLIDE TOWARD THE POWER OF TYRANNY, EXACTLY THE SORT OF THING GEORGE WASHINGTON WARNED AGAINST. ADAM: MUCH ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ IN NEW YORK WHO WON THE PRIMARY IN NEW YORK. DO YOU BELIEVE, AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, THAT SHE AND HER PLATFORM ARE THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY? >> I THINK THE FUTURE IS FIGHTING FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES PRETTY HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, LIVING WAGE JOBS. THOSE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS FOR FAMILIES TO THRIVE. THEY ARE BEING IGNORED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. IT IS NOT INTEREST TO THE PRESIDENT. IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE WE SHOULD ALL BE IN THIS COUNTRY DOING FAIRLY WELL ECONOMICALLY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY FAMILY TO THRIVE. THAT MEANS INVESTMENTS IN THOSE KEY AREAS. ADAM: YOU ARE FROM OREGON. YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING AT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT SOMEDAY. WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO HAVE AN OREGONIAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE? >> THOSE WESTERN, COMMONSENSE VALUES. I THINK ABOUT HOW MY MOTHER RAISED ME IN A BLUE-COLLAR COMMUNITY. SHE SAID DO WHAT IS RIGHT, DO YOUR BEST, AND NEVER STEP ON ANYONE TO GET AHEAD. OF MY FATHER SAID NONE OF US HAVE EVER GONE TO COLLEGE. WE BELIEVE IN EDUCATION. THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO GO FORWARD IN LIFE DESPITE WHICH SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS YOU COME FROM. THOSE VALUES WE MUCH NEED IN THIS NATION. ADAM: SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THAT WRAPS UP THIS EDITION OF "CLOSE UP" NEW HAMPSHIRE. THANKS FOR WATCHING. WE’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK. HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY.