[T.j. Holmes, Cnn Anchor:] Good morning, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes here. Eight a.m. here in Atlanta, 3:00 p.m. in Syria and Israel and that is where we do have some breaking news this morning where pro- Palestinian demonstrators are trying to cross the border into Israel. They're trying this at several points, including at Golan Heights. Not only is the Israeli army waiting for them, they're firing warning shots in the air. Firing warning shots on the ground. There are reports of people being killed. We will take you there live, straight ahead. Also, if you're receiving welfare benefits in Florida well, you could be drug-tested for illegal drugs. Yes. We'll be talking about a new law and we'll be talking about it with a man who signed it into law. The governor of Florida, Rick Scott, here with me live in just a couple of minutes. But let's start with this tense situation that is developing right now in the Golan Heights along Israel's border with Syria. Also, the border at the West Bank. Take a look.
[Holmes:] What they'are chanting here is "Ali Saleh has escaped." That is President Saleh. He is no longer in charge and he is no longer in the country. A transfer of power went from President Saleh to his vice president. Saleh is hospitalized in neighboring Saudi Arabia after a rocket attack on his presidential palace. CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom live for us in nearby Abu Dhabi. Mohammed, everybody is wondering this is what the people wanted. They seem to have gotten what they wanted. He gave up power. But is this permanent?
[Mohammed Jamjoom, Cnn Correspondent:] Well, that's the big question right now, T.J. And even though there's tens of thousands of people celebrating throughout different cities of Yemen, including Sanaa, and they're very happy that President Saleh has left, I'm hearing from more and more outspoken members of the youth revolution movement there that are saying, you know what, it's still too early to celebrate. Right now, we still don't know what's going to happen with the transfer of power. Yes, the vice president is technically in charge. But we have to remember that in Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh's son basically runs the republican guard there and his nephew runs the central security forces. That's the anti-terrorism forces. So, still a lot of power held within the hands of the direct family members of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. They're not sure how exactly this is going to shake out and if President Saleh will remain outside of the country. Now, one very interesting developments to report we've heard from two Yemeni government officials in the past 10 minutes who have told us that now, al Qaeda is one of the primary suspects in the attack on the presidential palace on Friday that injured President Saleh. So, how that's going to play out? We're not sure either. But it's certainly increasing worries that al Qaeda will be trying to take more advantage of the political strife and turmoil and chaos throughout that country
[T.j. Holmes:] Mohammed, one more thing here, quickly, what do we know about the condition of President Saleh at this time? "Reuters" is reporting that, in fact, he is in surgery there in Saudi Arabia. But how much do we know about the extent of his injuries?
[Jamjoom:] Well, we're still trying to find out exactly the extent of President Saleh's injuries. The Yemeni officials maintain that he's OK, that he's just getting a checkup, and that he's going to be back in Yemen soon. But we've heard from other officials who've said that he's in surgery. And there's a lot of speculation in Yemen that the injuries sustained by President Saleh are far more dire than initially reported by the Yemeni media. The fact that nobody's seen him on camera, there had been no pictures of him released since this attack really adding to the speculation. And many wondering how tenuous not just his grip on power but how fragile his health is at this moment
[T.j. Holmes:] Mohammed Jamjoom, we appreciate you as always. Thanks so much. To our viewers, I want to get back to what we are watching along the borders of Israel this morning. It's been a breaking situation for the past several hours where a number of people, pro-Palestinian demonstrators, are trying to cross the border on this day into Israel. This is happening in a number of places. This is happening at the Golan Heights at the Syrian border. Also happening at the West Bank. Our chief Jerusalem bureau chief, Kevin Flower, is in the West Bank right now. You have been watching this scene as we have play out for the past several hours. What is happening right now?
[Kevin Flower, Cnn Chief Jerusalem Bureau Chief:] Well, what's going on here at checkpoint is there have been basically pro- Palestinian protesters that have been trying to make their way from this West Bank area to the checkpoint, which is called
[Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, Idf Spokesman:] One of the most difficult areas were the area of
[Flower:] Now, all of these protests are going on to mark what is the 44th anniversary of the Six-Day War the 1967 war in which Israel captured various territories from its Arab neighbors, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Golan Heights. And this is basically this is the second time in a month that mass protests like these have taken place and they're expecting more of these to take place as we get closer to September when the U.N. is expected to hold a vote on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.
[Holmes:] All right, Kevin Flower today for us from the West Bank Kevin, we appreciate you, as always. You heard him talking about the Six-Day War there, and this is really these demonstrations are to commemorate that war. Take a look at what we are talking about here the borders of Israel before 1967. You might recall it wasn't too long ago that President Obama caused quite a stir few weeks ago when he said that the region should start negotiations for peace with those 1967 borders. Now, here is what the borders look like today 44 years after the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel forces captured all of Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan, as well as the Golan Heights from Syria, also the Sinai Peninsula, and Gaza from Egypt. The outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates delivered news pleasing both Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. troops stationed there. The secretary arrived in Kabul yesterday, his farewell tour of sorts as he retires later this month, coincides with the proposed drawdown of NATO troops in Afghanistan. President Karzai thanked Gates for his years of service. Gates had this to say about that planned drawdown.
[Robert Gates, U.s. Defense Secretary:] It seems to me that between the successes that we've already enjoyed and the increased capacity of the Afghan forces, we are in a position, based on conditions on the ground, as the president has said, to consider some modest drawdowns beginning in July.
[Holmes:] Secretary Gates' visit was marred by another roadside bomb attack that killed four NATO troops. Those victims have yet to be identified. Well, there is a showdown brewing over airport security screening in Texas. This is going on between the state of Texas and the Department of Justice. And you might be caught in the middle, you, the traveler. The Texas House of Representatives passed legislation last month prohibiting TSA screeners from conducting invasive searches. The Justice Department warning against passage now by the Senate that the lawmaker who introduced that bill and demonstrators at the Capitol yesterday in Austin are urging passage.
[Unidentified Female:] We shouldn't have to have people put their hands all over our bodies because it is invasive, it is sexual assault. We're not asking to be touched in that way and it's really inappropriate.
[Rep. David Simpson , Texas State House:] There is no federal law we're contravening. There was no federal law that requires that they touch us in our private parts as a condition of travel. That's outrageous. Police officers can't even do that.
[Holmes:] Now, the Justice Department contends the ban on searches would conflicts with federal law, says if the law is enacted, the Justice Department would order the cancellation possibly of flights into and out of Texas. Now, we're talking about one state here. But certainly, Texas is not the first state to introduce such a bill. In March, New Hampshire introduced a bill that would make those intimate pat-downs, touching or viewing people's private parts make that a sexual assault. Our affiliate WMUR tells us those convicted would be required to register as sex offenders. New Jersey, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Pennsylvania, they are all considering similar legislation. And in Utah, one lawmaker plans to introduce a similar bill that would limit pat-downs and he says Utah needs to stand with Texas. Well, at 11 minutes past the hour, let me turn to our good friend, Reynolds Wolf, keeping an eye on all things weather-wise. Severe weather this weekend was heat related, but also keep an eye on that mess in Arizona right now.
[Reynolds Wolf, Ams Meteorologist:] Yes, I know. Isn't it amazing, watching the flooding, watching, of course, the heat and, of course, the fires in Arizona? The four corners really under the gun right now in terms of rough fire conditions. In fact, 260,000 acres burned in Arizona alone. You see the video, you see those images. Please know that there are many firefighters battling not only the rough topography, but also, of course, the intense heat, the flames, zero contained at this time. Over 200,000 acres burned and, unfortunately, the weather is not going to cooperate. They can expect very low humidity. At the same time, wind picking up this afternoon which will help fan the flames. And there is plenty of fine chaparral and other foliage to cause those flames to continue to burn, a lot of fuel out there. We're going to have some sound coming up fairly soon, give us an idea of what these guys are dealing it on the front lines of the blaze. That's moments away. Plus, we're going to take a look at those flooding conditions in parts of the northern plains, along the Missouri River,
[T.j. Holmes:] All right. Reynolds, we appreciate, buddy. We will see you here in just a second. Well, at 12 minutes past the hour now. Florida has a new standard for people on welfare. Beginning July 1st, if you want welfare benefits, then you have to undergo drug testing. Governor Rick Scott signed that legislation on Tuesday. It requires welfare recipients to pay for the drug screenings up front. However, if they pass, they will get a refund for it. But if they fail it, they don't get the refund and they don they don't get the welfare. Governor Rick Scott taking some time out with us here this weekend on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING to join me live. Sir, it's good to see you once again. We do appreciate you being here. This is certainly a topic that's gotten a lot of attention across the country. So, we appreciate you talking about it. Also, we'll be talking with the executive director from the ACLU, which, of course, as you know, is suing you over some of the changes you've made down there. We'll get that reaction in a second. But, I think, Governor, everyone could agree that state taxpayer funds should not be going to fund someone's drug use. I think a lot of people would agree with that. However, do you believe that a great number, significant number of welfare recipients in your state are drug users?
[Gov. Rick Scott , Florida:] You know, T.J., I don't know. But I know it's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction. On top of that, you know, this is this is going to increase personal responsibility, personal accountability. We shouldn't be subsidizing people's drug addiction. And you have to remember, welfare is for the benefit of our children and they shouldn't be the money should be going to take care of them, not for somebody's drug addiction.
[Holmes:] OK. I guess I guess that's one of the points that people have and one of the problems they have. You just said that you don't know if they're using drugs, if welfare users or welfare recipients are using drugs. So, if you don't know, why treat them like you suspect that they are?
[Scott:] I'm not at all. I just want to make sure our taxpayers are not interested in subsidizing drug addiction. I mean, it's no different than think about it, if you apply for a job, they're not saying you use drugs. They're just saying, in that work environment, they don't want you to use drugs. In this case, we do not want to subsidize drug addiction. We want to give everybody an increased incentive not to use drugs. It's better for our families. It's better for the individual, and it doesn't waste taxpayer money.
[Holmes:] And like you said, you don't want to subsidize drug addiction, but I keep going back to this point because this is one people are getting on. You don't want to subsidize it, but what evidence do you have that you are now or you have been? What evidence is there that there are people in your state who are drug users? I mean, it's OK if you just say you believe that plenty of people on welfare are drug users but it doesn't sound like you want to say that.
[Scott:] Sure, T.J. Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people not on welfare. But the bottom line is this
[Holmes:] Sir, to that point, a lot that would stop people in their tracks. And I don't have whatever study you are referring to, but you're saying that people out there who need this assistance, lost jobs, are on welfare have a higher tendency to use drugs.
[Scott:] Absolutely. Studies show that people on welfare are using drugs much higher than other people in the population. But the bottom line is, if they're not using drugs, it's not an issue. Our taxpayers don't want to subsidize somebody's drug addiction. It's going to increase personal responsibility. It's the right thing to do for Floridians.
[Holmes:] Sir, do you think this is going to cost your state which a lot of states are having all kinds of budget issues and you've certainly gotten some flack in your state for the sacrifices you proposed making there. Do you have the money to pay for this? How much is it going to cost if you have to pay for these drug screenings?
[Scott:] It's an insignificant cost, T.J. The bottom line is
[Holmes:] How much?
[Scott:] we're not going to use taxpayer money we'll see how many people fail the test, and how many people pass the test. But we have the money to pay for that. But the bottom line, we're not going to subsidize somebody's drug addiction. We want more personal accountability. We want the money to be spent on our children.
[Holmes:] Another question here, and you've answered this to some degree there. There is a firm or clinic there or a company that runs a number of clinics in your state of Florida. And those folks do drug screenings called Solantic. Now, you transferred your interest over to your wife, still in the family even though it's some would say it is or is not a conflict of interest. But can you tell us here that Solantic, the company that your wife now has that interest in that does drug screenings will not be receiving any state funds to pay for any of these drug tests?
[Scott:] T.J., you must not have heard. But I agreed to sell that back in April so that's we're just waiting on licensure and it will get sold in the next couple of weeks. So, I will have no involvement. My family won't have any involvement. But this bill, T.J., is the right thing for Floridians. This is a bill that's going to make sure our taxpayers are not subsidizing drug abusers.
[Holmes:] Now again, the sale and all that will go through but again, even though, will Solantic be used at all that company be used at all for any of these drug screenings?
[Scott:] I won't be involved. I won't be part of making any of those decisions. They don't have contracts as far as I know now with the state. So, I have no idea.
[Holmes:] But would you say that they should not? It looks like a conflict of interest even though the interest or the company is in your would be in your wife's name though. Sounds like or a lot of people have suggested you're making policies there, you're testing state employees now and the welfare workers or welfare recipients as well to get drug testing and the biggest one of the biggest in the state that does drug testing is your old company.
[Scott:] T.J., I'm in the process of selling it. My wife won't have an interest. We contract to sell it back in April. We're just waiting for state licensure right now to sell it.
[Holmes:] All right. Well, Governor Scott
[Scott:] There won't be any conflict.
[Holmes:] Won't be. All right. And I know that there is a panel there that ruled there wasn't a conflict of interest on this. Need to say that as well, they ruled as well. Governor Scott, we appreciate you. You've been generous with your time this weekend and also last weekend discussing this. It has the attention of a lot of people all over this country. Other states are keeping an eye on seeing what's happening in your state as well. But, Governor, we appreciate you. You enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
[Scott:] All right. Have a great day,
[T.j. Holmes:] All right. We're at 18 minutes past the hour. Not done with this topic just yet. After the break, we'll talk to the executive director of the ACLU in Florida about the impact of this new law and also a lawsuit that they are getting now getting ready to take on Governor Rick Scott. That conversation, right after the break.