President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognizing bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognize these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognising bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognise these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalised, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognizing bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognize these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump's assertion that he would be open to accepting a foreign power's help in his 2020 campaign ricocheted through Washington on Thursday, with Democrats condemning it as a call for further election interference and Republicans struggling to defend his comments.

An expert in constitutional law told the Associated Press that the assertion is not appropriate and "it may be unlawful".  Syracuse University College of Law Professor William C. Banks says "as a legal matter the law forbids accepting campaign contributions from foreign entities or anything of value."

Banks said, "the law here on just receiving information is a little bit murky because someone would have to determine whether the information that he received is of value. You would think that in the circumstances of the 2016 election or an upcoming 2020 election, information about an opponent would be of value and therefore unlawful."

He went further to say, "it turns on whether what he's heard is of value or if it's of value and it has an impact on his campaign. If his campaign is going to use that information, then he's violated the campaign finance laws."

Trump seemed to dismiss the threat posed by Russia's interference in the 2016 election, one that led to sweeping indictments by special counsel Robert Mueller, and his incendiary remarks come as congressional investigations into the meddling have quickened.

Asked by ABC News what he would do if Russia or another country offered him dirt on his election opponent, Trump said: "I think I'd want to hear it." He added that he'd have no obligation to call the FBI. "There's nothing wrong with listening."

Meanwhile, a federal watchdog agency is recommending that President Trump fire one of his most ardent defenders, counselor Kellyanne Conway, for repeatedly violating a law that limits political activity by government workers.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which is unrelated to special counsel Robert Mueller's office, said in a letter to Trump that Conway has been a "repeat offender" of the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media.

Professor Banks said, "There's very little question on the basis of what the inspector general found that Miss Conway violated the Hatch Act multiple times."

Syracuse, New York - 13 June 2019

++SKYPE INTERVIEW++

++AUDIO AND VIDEO AS INCOMING++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"I don't think it is appropriate and it may be unlawful. The law clearly forbids foreign interference in our elections. Obviously, ours is a democratic system and we want the voters to choose who it is that represents us. If the president accepts information from a foreign entity about an opponent he's, he's undermining that democratic principle."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"As a legal matter, the law forbids accepting campaign contributions from foreign entities or anything of value. So the law here on just receiving information is a little bit murky because someone would have to determine whether the information that he received is of value. You would think that in the circumstances of the 2016 election or an upcoming 2020 election information about an opponent would be of value and therefore unlawful."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Again it turns on whether what he's heard is of value. If it's of value and it has an impact on his campaign. If his campaign is going to use that information, then he's violated the campaign finance laws."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Now we're talking about a political problem, one that Congress could, of course, address in an impeachment proceeding. I think it's very much against the norms and values of the presidency to allow any foreign entity to influence in any way a democratic election for president of the United States whether or not it's forbidden directly by a statutory provision."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Well, he's tone deaf or perhaps he's trying to protect his son who was involved in the 2016 meeting with the Russians. Or perhaps he forgot that he simply said some weeks ago that he would not accept such information in a future election. It seems that he contradicted himself. That's not  unusual for this president either."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"There's very little question on the basis of what the inspector general found that Miss Conway violated the Hatch Act multiple times by seeking out and naming political opponents and criticizing them publicly while serving in her official capacity. That's a clear violation of the Hatch Act, but of course, now it's a question of what the president or anyone else does with that information. The chance of her being sanctioned or dismissed for having violated the Hatch Act are pretty slim I would think."

++BLACK FRAMES++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Well, these are named officials - Miss Conway is in a named position. It's different than someone, a functionary at one of our federal entities or agencies making an offhand comment outside the workforce. She's a very visible and public figure who makes public statements for the administration on a regular basis. So I think there's no question that her statements would be subject to the limits of the Hatch Act."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump's assertion that he would be open to accepting a foreign power's help in his 2020 campaign ricocheted through Washington on Thursday, with Democrats condemning it as a call for further election interference and Republicans struggling to defend his comments.

An expert in constitutional law tells the Associated Press that the assertion is not appropriate and "it may be unlawful".  Syracuse University College of Law Professor William C. Banks says "as a legal matter the law forbids accepting campaign contributions from foreign entities or anything of value."

Banks said, "the law here on just receiving information is a little bit murky because someone would have to determine whether the information that he received is of value. You would think that in the circumstances of the 2016 election or an upcoming 2020 election, information about an opponent would be of value and therefore unlawful."

He went further to say, "it turns on whether what he's heard is of value or if it's of value and it has an impact on his campaign. If his campaign is going to use that information, then he's violated the campaign finance laws."

Trump seemed to dismiss the threat posed by Russia's interference in the 2016 election, one that led to sweeping indictments by special counsel Robert Mueller, and his incendiary remarks come as congressional investigations into the meddling have quickened.

Asked by ABC News what he would do if Russia or another country offered him dirt on his election opponent, Trump said: "I think I'd want to hear it." He added that he'd have no obligation to call the FBI. "There's nothing wrong with listening."

Meanwhile, a federal watchdog agency is recommending that President Trump fire one of his most ardent defenders, counselor Kellyanne Conway, for repeatedly violating a law that limits political activity by government workers.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which is unrelated to special counsel Robert Mueller's office, said in a letter to Trump that Conway has been a "repeat offender" of the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media.

Professor Banks said, "There's very little question on the basis of what the inspector general found that Miss Conway violated the Hatch Act multiple times."

Syracuse, New York - 13 June 2019

++SKYPE INTERVIEW++

++AUDIO AND VIDEO AS INCOMING++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"I don't think it is appropriate and it may be unlawful. The law clearly forbids foreign interference in our elections. Obviously, ours is a democratic system and we want the voters to choose who it is that represents us. If the president accepts information from a foreign entity about an opponent he's, he's undermining that democratic principle."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"As a legal matter, the law forbids accepting campaign contributions from foreign entities or anything of value. So the law here on just receiving information is a little bit murky because someone would have to determine whether the information that he received is of value. You would think that in the circumstances of the 2016 election or an upcoming 2020 election information about an opponent would be of value and therefore unlawful."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Again it turns on whether what he's heard is of value. If it's of value and it has an impact on his campaign. If his campaign is going to use that information, then he's violated the campaign finance laws."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Now we're talking about a political problem, one that Congress could, of course, address in an impeachment proceeding. I think it's very much against the norms and values of the presidency to allow any foreign entity to influence in any way a democratic election for president of the United States whether or not it's forbidden directly by a statutory provision."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Well, he's tone deaf or perhaps he's trying to protect his son who was involved in the 2016 meeting with the Russians. Or perhaps he forgot that he simply said some weeks ago that he would not accept such information in a future election. It seems that he contradicted himself. That's not  unusual for this president either."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"There's very little question on the basis of what the inspector general found that Miss Conway violated the Hatch Act multiple times by seeking out and naming political opponents and criticizing them publicly while serving in her official capacity. That's a clear violation of the Hatch Act, but of course, now it's a question of what the president or anyone else does with that information. The chance of her being sanctioned or dismissed for having violated the Hatch Act are pretty slim I would think."

++BLACK FRAMES++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) William C. Banks, Syracuse University College of Law:

"Well, these are named officials - Miss Conway is in a named position. It's different than someone, a functionary at one of our federal entities or agencies making an offhand comment outside the workforce. She's a very visible and public figure who makes public statements for the administration on a regular basis. So I think there's no question that her statements would be subject to the limits of the Hatch Act."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says the Trump administration will make school safety "our top national priority" after last week's attack on a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pence recounted President Donald Trump's calls for strengthening the federal background check system for purchasing firearms and for regulating bump-stocks like those used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

It was a markedly different tone than that deployed on stage minutes earlier by NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre, who delivered an unbowed defense of gun ownership and lashed out at Democrats - saying they are using the tragedy for "political gain."

Pence also criticized what he described as "fawning media coverage" toward the recent appearance of Kim Jong-un's sister at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

Pence said, "So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships."

"We stand up to murderous dictatorships," he said.

National Harbor, Maryland - 22 February 2018

1. Mid of Mike Pence approaching podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Yesterday, President Trump and I met with the family of Meadow Pollack and other students and families reeling from the attack in Parkland. We also met in the White House with families from other communities who've experienced the same violence first hand, and as the President said, we'll never forget it. We prayed with them, we listened to them as they poured out their hearts. As the President has said, no child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Earlier this week, President Trump called on Congress to strengthen background checks, and two days ago, he directed the Department of Justice to expedite the regulation of bump stocks. Later this week, when the President meets with the nation's governors in our nation's capital, we'll make the safety of our nation's schools and our students our top national priority."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"I can assure you all of this, President Trump and our entire administration will continue to take strong action to make our schools safe, and to give law enforcement and our families the tools they need to deal with those struggling with dangerous mental illness."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"You know for all the media fawning over the sister of the North Korean dictator, I think it's important that every American knows who this person is and what she's done. The sister of Kim Jong-un is a central pillar of the most tyrannical and oppressive regime on the planet. An evil family clique that brutalizes, subjugates, starves and imprisons its 25 million people. Even the United Nations reported that, in their words, the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have a parallel in the contemporary world. That's why the United States government has sanctioned her for her role in abetting North Korea's horrendous human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. People are routinely jailed and executed for the most minor acts of defiance, and every American remembers the heartbreaking story of Otto Warmbier. So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships, we stand up to murderous dictatorships."

6. Wide of Pence after speech

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says the Trump administration will make school safety "our top national priority" after last week's attack on a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pence recounted President Donald Trump's calls for strengthening the federal background check system for purchasing firearms and for regulating bump-stocks like those used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

It was a markedly different tone than that deployed on stage minutes earlier by NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre, who delivered an unbowed defence of gun ownership and lashed out at Democrats - saying they are using the tragedy for "political gain."

Pence also criticised what he described as "fawning media coverage" toward the recent appearance of Kim Jong-Un's sister at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

Pence said, "So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships."

"We stand up to murderous dictatorships," he said.

National Harbor, Maryland - 22 February 2018

1. Mid of Mike Pence approaching podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Yesterday, President Trump and I met with the family of Meadow Pollack and other students and families reeling from the attack in Parkland. We also met in the White House with families from other communities who've experienced the same violence first hand, and as the President said, we'll never forget it. We prayed with them, we listened to them as they poured out their hearts. As the President has said, no child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Earlier this week, President Trump called on Congress to strengthen background checks, and two days ago, he directed the Department of Justice to expedite the regulation of bump stocks. Later this week, when the President meets with the nation's governors in our nation's capital, we'll make the safety of our nation's schools and our students our top national priority."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"I can assure you all of this, President Trump and our entire administration will continue to take strong action to make our schools safe, and to give law enforcement and our families the tools they need to deal with those struggling with dangerous mental illness."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"You know for all the media fawning over the sister of the North Korean dictator, I think it's important that every American knows who this person is and what she's done. The sister of Kim Jong-un is a central pillar of the most tyrannical and oppressive regime on the planet. An evil family clique that brutalises, subjugates, starves and imprisons its 25 million people. Even the United Nations reported that, in their words, the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have a parallel in the contemporary world. That's why the United States government has sanctioned her for her role in abetting North Korea's horrendous human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. People are routinely jailed and executed for the most minor acts of defiance, and every American remembers the heartbreaking story of Otto Warmbier. So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships, we stand up to murderous dictatorships."

6. Wide of Pence after speech

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says the Trump administration will make school safety "our top national priority" after last week's attack on a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pence recounted President Donald Trump's calls for strengthening the federal background check system for purchasing firearms and for regulating bump-stocks like those used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

It was a markedly different tone than that deployed on stage minutes earlier by NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre, who delivered an unbowed defense of gun ownership and lashed out at Democrats - saying they are using the tragedy for "political gain."

Pence also criticized what he described as "fawning media coverage" toward the recent appearance of Kim Jong-un's sister at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

Pence said, "So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships."

"We stand up to murderous dictatorships," he said.

National Harbor, Maryland - 22 February 2018

1. Mid of Mike Pence approaching podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Yesterday, President Trump and I met with the family of Meadow Pollack and other students and families reeling from the attack in Parkland. We also met in the White House with families from other communities who've experienced the same violence first hand, and as the President said, we'll never forget it. We prayed with them, we listened to them as they poured out their hearts. As the President has said, no child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"Earlier this week, President Trump called on Congress to strengthen background checks, and two days ago, he directed the Department of Justice to expedite the regulation of bump stocks. Later this week, when the President meets with the nation's governors in our nation's capital, we'll make the safety of our nation's schools and our students our top national priority."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"I can assure you all of this, President Trump and our entire administration will continue to take strong action to make our schools safe, and to give law enforcement and our families the tools they need to deal with those struggling with dangerous mental illness."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Mike Pence, Vice President

"You know for all the media fawning over the sister of the North Korean dictator, I think it's important that every American knows who this person is and what she's done. The sister of Kim Jong-un is a central pillar of the most tyrannical and oppressive regime on the planet. An evil family clique that brutalizes, subjugates, starves and imprisons its 25 million people. Even the United Nations reported that, in their words, the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have a parallel in the contemporary world. That's why the United States government has sanctioned her for her role in abetting North Korea's horrendous human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. People are routinely jailed and executed for the most minor acts of defiance, and every American remembers the heartbreaking story of Otto Warmbier. So for all those in the media who think I should have stood and cheered with the North Koreans, I say, the United States of America doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships, we stand up to murderous dictatorships."

6. Wide of Pence after speech

For months, the president has been threatening to stop payments that reimburse insurers for providing required financial assistance to low-income consumers, reducing their copays and deductibles.

Administration officials say the decision could come any day.

Playing defense, some insurers are pre-emptively raising premiums for next year. For example, BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona this week announced a 7.2 percent average hike for 2018. But there would likely be no increase if the subsidies are guaranteed, the company said. And BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina earlier requested a 22.9 percent average increase. With the subsidies, the company said that would have been 8.8 percent.

The "cost-sharing" subsidies are under a legal cloud because of a dispute over whether the Obama health care law properly approved the payments. Other parts of the health care law, however, clearly direct the government to reimburse insurers.

With the issue unresolved, the Trump administration has been paying insurers each month, as the Obama administration had done previously.

Trump returned to the subject last week after the GOP drive to repeal the health care law fell apart in the Senate, tweeting, "As I said from the beginning, let ObamaCare implode, then deal. Watch!"

He elaborated in another tweet, "If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies...will end very soon!"

It's not accurate to call the cost-sharing subsidies a bailout, says Stephanie Altman, director of health care justice at the Chicago-based Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. "This is not a subsidy for insurances companies. It's not a bailout. It's a promise that the Affordable Care Act made to insurance companies to compensate them for providing health insurance to low income consumers who can't afford full price health care," she said.

That's at the root of the Trump administration's potential legal problem if the president makes good on this threat.

Chicago, Illinois - August 1, 2017

1. Medium of Stephanie Altman looking at papers on a table.

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"Right now, the Affordable Care Act makes a promise. There will be insurance companies for everybody to enroll in at a price that you can afford. If the payments aren't made to insurance companies and they leave the marketplace, that promise will be broken."

3. Medium of Stephanie Altman looking down at papers.

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"Insurance companies won't get the payments that they've been promised under the Affordable Care Act and therefore they will have no choice but to leave the markets or raise premiums. And consumers will be the ones who suffer."

5. Wide of Stephanie Altman working at table.

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"This is not a subsidy for insurances companies. It's not a bailout. It's a promise that the Affordable Care Act made to insurance companies to compensate them for providing health insurance to low income consumers who can't afford full price health care."

7. Medium of Stephanie Altman working at table.

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"If the Trump administration doesn't make these payments, or Congress doesn't step in, consumers will lose access to health insurance coverage or face premium spikes that are so high they can't afford insurance."

9. Medium of Stephanie Altman working at table.

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"This will affect insurance companies, but it is not a bailout for insurance companies as the Trump administration has said. It will really affect consumers. Insurance companies have been promised these payments under the Affordable Care Act, and they will have no choice but to leave the markets if they don't get paid."

11. Close of Stephanie Altman's hands as she points to a paper map that shows "Trump Country," which she says would be most affected.

12. Close of Altman's finger pointing to "Trump Country" on a paper map.

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephanie Altman, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law:

"Congress can fix this if President Trump doesn't make these payments. They can step in right now and appropriate the funds to pay the financial assistance that will help consumers continue to be covered by health insurance."

14. Wide of Stephanie Altman seated at table, looking at map and papers.