quorum call:

the presiding officer: the

majority leader. mr. reid: is the senate in a quorum call. the presiding officer: the senate is in a quorum call. mr. reid: i ask that that be rescinded. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: mr. president, we have been working through this bill. i -- i congratulate our manager, senator rockefeller, who is one of the most experienced people in the senate and is a good manager. he's worked well with kay bailey hutchison, the co-manager of the bill and we've made significant progress. we have -- have just a few amendments that they're trying to work a way to the end of this. hopefully we can work out an agreement to complete this legislation maybe as early as tomorrow morning sometime. we are -- if we can -- he we have the first cloture vote tomorrow and we'll see what happens after that. we're -- we're -- everyone should understand it's wednesday and tomorrow's thursday and i know a lot of people have arrangements because we have a homework period the following

week and we want to go home if at all possible late tomorrow night or early friday morning, but we can't do that if there's work left to be done on this bill. so i hope that we can work something out so we can finish tomorrow. it would certainly be a doable thing. we know what we have left. the -- the work on the different issues have been extremely difficult and time consuming, but we've settled most everything here on the senate floor as we're supposed to do. there will be no more roll call votes tonight and we hope we can move forward to complete work on this most important piece of legislation tomorrow. this legislation is extremely important for our country. let's keep in mind, rather than talking about procedural issue. this deals with people. almost 300,000 jobs will be created or saved with this legislation. i repeat what i said on this

senate floor once before. mccarren airport in las vegas is the sixth busiest airport in our country. a manager of that airport, randy walker, when asked about this bill last week said, if this passes we'll finally be able to stop using world war ii technology to land and have airplanes take off. it's not just mccarren, las vegas, every airport in country, it's the same thing, world war ii technology. and we'll -- we'll be able to have a passengers bill of rights. that's just a very fine piece of legislation that has been years in the making and we're too close to the end of this to walk away from it so we have to finish this bill. it's jobs, real jobs, not make believe jobs. i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll.

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

quorum call:

mr. reid: i ask consent that the call of the quorum be terminated. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i now ask consent the

senate proceed to a period of morning business senators aid throwd speak up to 10 minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to s. con. res. 6. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: s. con. res. 6, concurrent resolution commending the national association for the advancement of colored people on the occasion of its 102 anniversary. the presiding officer: without objection, the senate will proceed to the measure. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating to this matter be placed in the record as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that the appointments at the desk appear separately in the record as if made by the chair. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous consent that 1:30 p.m. tomorrow senator coats be recognized for 30 minutes. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask unanimous

consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, thursday, february 17. following the prayer and pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved until later in the day, further that following any leader remarks, the senate resume consideration of s. 223, the federal aviation administration authorization bill. there be then two hours of debate prior to the cloture vote on the inhofe amendment as modified with the time equally divided and controlled between the proponents and opponents. finally that the filing deadline for second-degree amendments for 223 be at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: senators should expect the first vote of the day

tomorrow to begin about 11:30 with additional votes occuring throughout day with an effort to complete action on the f.a.a. bill. as i announced here a couple of hours ago, we can complete the f.a.a. bill tomorrow. if not, we'll have to work into the next day. we have two cloture votes setup and we're going to finish this bill before we leave here and that could mean some extended time. everyone knows that. everyone's been alerted to that. there's no reason to do that. all the issues have been laid before us. we know the votes we have and if people want to cooperate and finish this important piece of legislation, we can do that. if they don't, then they can sit around with the rest of us. we will not accomplish anything by not finishing the bill tomorrow except use up a lot of time. i know that next week is president's day recess and as i

have said on a number of occasions, this is not a time we go back to our states and hang around the swimming pool or take steam baths. the fact is, we go home to meet constituents. we need to be home during the week. -- week so we can go to places of business, meet with government officials who aren't working during the weekends. and so i would hope everyone would work toward that goal. if not, our first obligation is to complete legislation. we may have to be here longer than just tomorrow. so i would ask that we adjourn under the previous order. the presiding officer: the the presiding officer: the

>> this week david cameron responded to concerns about the recent rise in unemployment in the u.k.. now up to 7.9% with youth unemployment up to 10%. they talked about changing laws to find work or lose their benefits. also discussed, health care, preparations for the upcoming o olympic, and efforts to stop human trafficking. this is 30 minutes. >> questions to the prime minister. question one, mr. speaker. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i'm sure the whole house wishes to join me in paying tribute to the fallen in afghanistan.

karl marshall who died on monday. they were all brave and dedicated soldiers who served in afghanistan for the safety and security of the british people. our thoughts should be with their families, loved ones, and their colleagues. they will never be forgotten. mr. speaker, this morning i had meetings with colleagues and others, and in addition to the duties in this house, i will more meetings today. >> i associate my trust and my constituents with the prime minister's tribute to the fallen heros. one man who also served this country, by constituent, bill hunt, who with his wife lived in london. that's not 400 pounds a year, and it's not 400 pounds a month. it's an increase of 400 pounds a

week. will the prime minister like to answer mr. and mrs. hunt who are listening now and show some leadership and have the courts removed or justify mr. and mrs. hunt? >> i will look at the individual case that the honorable gentleman raise, but what i say is far from the money in social care, we increased by 2 billion pounds going into social care because we know how important it is. i don't think it's right to try to call some forced distinction between care of the local authorities and those by the private sector. there is good and bad practice in both. as we've seen in the hospitals in recent days, we need a change of culture in caring for the elderly to make sure they have the dignity they deserve. >> thiewng, --

thank you, mr. speaker. my constituent is one of 17 people in the united kingdom to have a rare genetic disorder, and the family is trying to raise 200,000 pounds for treatment in holland. can the prime minister look into the case and make sure the family gets the support they deserve? >> i'm happy to do as my friend asked. there's a big change taking place in medicine where more interest needs to be took expwoo diseases if this is how we're beginning to reduce disease and illness in the future. we are looking for instance at the whole issue of value-based pricing where we try to share the companies and the taxpayer the cost of developing them which is 5 good way forward in getting more treatments to more people more quickly. >> mr. speaker, i want to join the prime minister in paying tribute to private louis henry

from the third baa trailian, louis from the 4th battalion and all of these men showed bravery and dedication. our thoughts are with them and their families and friends as they grieve for them. mr. speaker, we now know that inflation is rising, and 66,000 young people extra are out of work. can the prime minister tell us whether his trust sheet is working? >> well, of course, today's unemployment figures are a matter of great regret particularly in terms of higher youth unemployment. i have to say, youth unemployment has been a problem in this country for well over a decade in good years and in bad. the level of youth unemployment actually went up by 40% under the last government, an extra 270,000 unemployed.

we have to sort out all the things that gets people back to work. it's an education that doesn't prepare for you for work, and it's a program under the last government that didn't work. he asked in terms much our economy, well, we are no longer linked with greece and ireland. we have a situation where market interest rates have fallen, our credit rating secured, there are 218,000 more people in work than there were a year ago. above all, it's what the governor of the bank of england said this morning. there has to be a plan a. this country needs fiscal consolidation to deal with the biggest budget deficit in peacetime. >> mr. speaker, we're doing well, but we're the only major european economy in 2010 where there wasn't economic growth and went into reverse. let me ask you about youth

unemployment. its own former chief economist said they were wrong to scrap the educational maintenance allowance, wrong to scrap the future jobs bond and should have been building on it, and i know he likes to make an industry of future jobs under the role of things to do, but what did he say before the election? he said it was a good scheme. he then inspired by what he saw. why doesn't he listen to young people and their families up and down the country and take real action to help them? >> well, first of all, the economists from the cabinet office, that the leader of the opposition just quoted said this, "i would not excuse the previous government on this. they failed to wake up to the problem early enough." the gentleman talks about what matters here is whether work programs are effective. what i now have is the figures for the flexible new deal, the

center piece of the last government's approach to the matter. i'll give the house of commons the figures because this shows what has been going wrong. 279,000 people took part in the flexible new deal. of those, how many got a long term job? 3800. it's not good enough. what we've been doing on welfare, education programs, back to work programs is not good enough. it needs to change. what we discovered today is there is great new work programs that you promise as the problems to have 250,000 fewer opportunities that are provided under the last labour government. now, look, we know that the view is auctioning off, but you have to do better than that. he is betraying a whole generation of young people. he's abolishing education

allowance, and he's abolishing the future jobs bond. change course and help the young people who need help up and down the country. >> let me answer on the work program. this is important. for the last 20 years, in this house and elsewhere, people argued why don't we use the savings from future benefits and invest those now into helping people to get a job and for 20 europes, the treasury has said no, including the time when those two gentlemen were sitting in the treasury advisory. now, for the first time under this coalition government, we're going to be spending the future benefits in order to get people training and work now. that is going to include in some cases spending up to 14,000 people to get people the capacity benefit a job. the figures he gives is wrong. the work program is the biggest back to work scheme this country has seen since the 1930s, and instead of being cash limited, it has no limits.

it can help as many people as possible from all of those different categories. the honorable gentleman mentioned internships. he did one of the debt of the labour party. he's so left winged, politically correct, and he's so completely ineffective. >> the house wants to hear mr. nicholas stone. >> mr. speaker, would the prime minister agree with me that deregulation is an extremely powerful weapon in economic reform? are you aware this program is not proceeding fast enough, and we need personal charge to see this process is hurried up. >> i agree with my friend. one of the problems is the huge amount of regulations particularly coming out of europe that we need to put a

stop to before they are introduced, and my right honorable friend in the business sector is doing a good job with the one in one out scheme. you cannot introduce one regulation until you scrapped one, but we have to go further and faster and be more ambitious in scrapping regulation that's holding back job growth in the country. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i invite the prime minister to look ahead to 2012 when we welcome million of overseas visitors to this country. what will the prime minister will think will be the abiding images they take home with them? will it be the olympic games, will it be the fond memory of the warm welcome of london offered by the new mayor of livingingston, or will it be the memory of the shocking images of homeless people all over the streets of london because of

this government's economic failure and poor benefit cuts? >> well, i noticed that the honorable member couldn't keep a straight face when you said that, but i have to say if he can't speak up for the olympics, there is a problem. this is going to be a great festival and something everyone who comes to the country is going to enjoy, and i look forward to welcoming them alongside with mayor boris johnson. >> thank you, mr. speaker. this weekend hundreds of people will arrive in brit tan to celebrate winning the government's pilot for super fast in north yorkshire and getting counties connected in years ahead, what will you give for commitments in the rules? >> that is right. we have made a big commitment to this, 530 million pounds going into the investment. it's important for rural parts of the country because we don't want them cutoff from the soup

information highway. my friend will be talking to them about broadband and the opportunities it brings. >> mr. speaker, can the prime minister tell us whether he is happy with his policy on forestry? >> the short answer to that is no. [laughter] i think we are -- it is as i've said before in the house, it is a consultation that was put forward. we've had -- we've had a range of interesting responses to the consultation, but i think what is important is that we should be making sure that whatever happens, we increase access to our fore rest -- forrests, in connection increase diversity and don't make the mistake made under the last government where they sold forests will no access rights at

all. >> even he must appreciate the irony, the guy who made the symbol of the tree of the conservative party, and now he says they're consulting on this policy. they are actually consulting on how to flog off the forests. is the prime minister saying he might now drop the policy completely? >> -- i would have thought the point is you listen to the answer, and then you make a decision. i know it's an alien con cement -- concept, but what's so complicated about that in >> everybody knows he's going to have to drop this policy. now, let me give him the chance to do this. nobody voted for this policy. 500,000 people have voted.

500,000 people signed a petition against the policy. why doesn't he say he's postponing the sale, but say he's canceling it. >> i think once again he wrote the questions before he listened to the answers, and i think the band way gone just hit a bit of a tree. >> may i take this opportunity to inform my friend it is the house that the public administration select committee is launching an inquiry into the big society. >> let me share my hope that as we consider things like voluntarying, promoting giving, decentralizing services that we receive positive evidence from

all sides of the house. >> i do, and i'm sure like everything my friend does will be wholly supportive of the government's position. my honorable friend makes a good point that it's more than volunteering, but opening up public services, and it's about giving peemg the opportunity to -- people to play a greater part in their community. i thought people across the house would recognize the big state approach has failed, and it's time for something different. >> is this upheaval of the health care resulting in longer or shorter waiting times? >> we want to see waiting times come down. that is the whole point. i think anyone who has watched what has been happening over the last few days where we see the status of care that some elderly people -- but i think the country is also interested in the standards of care in our

hospitals, and this idea that everything is right and rosy in the health service, so do we need to change the system and make it more related to what gp's and patients want? yes, we absolutely do. >> mr. speaker, will the prime minister join me in praising the work of the conservative administration in my constituency that saved a million pounds a year by switching senior management bureaucracy, measures unfortunately opposed by the local labour group? >> that's a bold point. we have made available all of this information. now local counsels have to set out expenditure on every item over 500 pounds so now people can see how much money is spent on salaries, how much money is spent on bureaucracy, and how much could be put in other organizations. we have given local people the

tools to hold their politicians to account, and i think it's a progressive step. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i talk to the prime minister for my constituency on unemployment in the area, but does he really think that to be part of the bank society that you talked about has been flawed because of the cuts in housing benefits on to the streets of the u.k.? >> what we're doing in terms of housing benefit was set out in the manifesto that he stood on which is to say we shouldn't be subsidizing housing benefits for people to live in houses that taxpayers themselves cannot afford. that is the principle in the welfare bill coming before this house shortly and i look forward to getting wide-ranging support. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister drew comparisons between caretakers and hospitals

with the allowance currently up for consultation. they are not just the latter years, but their whole lives are spent in care homes. this is not valid. will he ask his ministers to look again at this? >> this is what we have been looking at. the whole intention of the change announced in the budget in the spending review was to make sure that there wasn't an overlap in the way we judge people in care homes and people in hospitals. i think when he sees what's proposed in the bill, i think he'll see it meets his concerns. >> thank you very much, mr. speaker. when i asked about human trafficking in september, he has collapsed every government initiative on the issue including the excellent project that rescues women from prostitution. when i meet my colleagues from the portuguese parliament tomorrow who are signing up the

director, wait until i tell him our prime minister lost his moral compass on this. >> this government is supporting those organizations that are helping in terms of human trafficking, and we are committed to making sure we have the very best and toughest laws on human trafficking. i know that he works on this issue. i know my right honorable friend works on it and others have done so as well. the point about the human trafficking directive is it's not necessary for us to opt into that to give ourselves the strongest laws here in the u.k., and it's that i'm committed to doing. >> thank you, mr. speaker. labour led counsel is still obsessed with top-down housing targets leaving my constituents worried that the peaceful green fields in the valleys will be bulldozed away. will the trees be chopped down too? what if this bill gives my

constituent a real say on what goes on in their area. >> i'd make this point as well. under the top-down targets of the party opposite, house building actually fell to its lowest level in this country since 1923, so the top-down big state solutions didn't work, so by what we're doing with the new home bonus, rewarding local authorities who build houses means there's a real benefit for real communities if they want more homes and businesses because that is part of the economic development we evidencely need. >> mr. speaker, the overwhelming majority believes the local government spending is not simply too deep, but to politically motivate. can he tell the house why my constituents are wrong? >> i can say to him directly that i think the cuts being made by manchester city counsel are politically driven and are

politically interested. they are cutting grants by 15%. that is less than my counsel being cut by 23%, but a 15% cut in grants, and yet, they cut services by 25%. i noticed they still got 100 million times in the bank as balances and they have a chief executive paid over 200,000 pounds a year. i think people in manchester will look at the com and say -- counsel and say cut out the waste, the bureaucracy, cut the salaries, and then start looking at services. >> we now have human rights legislation being potentially used against sex offenders. are you aware my constituents take a backseat to prisoners put before the rights of law-abiding citizens in the country and should we scrap the human rights act with the european convention

of human rights all together? >> well, i have to say my honorable friends speaks for many people how offensive it is to have a ruling by a court that flies completely in the face of common sense. it's requiring sexual offenders to sign the register for life as they do now has broad support in this house and the country. i'm appalled by the ruling. we will take the minimal course to the ruling and close down loopholes. for instance, we'll make them report to the authorities before any travel and also that sex offenders cannot change their name to avoid having their name on the register. i can tell my friend the commission being established to look at a british bill of rights will be established imminently because we have to make sure decisions are made in this parliament rather than in the

courts. >> thank you, what action will the prime minister take from my constituent who wants to see much harder hitting labels on alcoholic drinks. >> well, i think what we should be looking at is what action we can take through the tax system, and we are looking at this in terms of dealing with the problem drinks and also tougher minimum pricing for alcohol. i think that's where we should be putting our attention rather than necessarily looking at labeling. i think the problem we have particularly are young people, particularly with people preloading before they go out for a night out, a lot of that is related to deeply discounted drinking in supermarkets and elsewhere, and it is that we should be dealing with first. >> thousands of young women drivers in u.k. are facing massive hikes in their motor

insurance premiums and that's a result of a further reinterpretation of the e.u.'s agenda equality directive by those on the benches opposite. what is it that my friend is able to say in terms of encouraging better risk assessment to avoid such unintended consequences? >> that's an important point. because of the way this has been handled, many people who face no insurance premiums because of their risk pay more. i'm afraid it falls to me to speak an eternal truth is that woman on the whole have better safety driving records than men, and as a result of this judgment, they won't benefit from lower insurance payments. what it says to me is we have to do much belter to risk assess and stop so much of the damaging regulation coming out of brussels. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the importance of internships in helping young people get jobs

has been in the news lately. will the prime minister take this opportunity to express his support for the new speaker's cross party initiative and it gives people from working class backgrounds the chance to come to parliament, be paid a living wage, and they may be the politicians of the future? >> i fully support what the honorable lady said. this is a very important scheme. in opposition, we worked with the social foundation to give internships like that, to shadow members, and we'll do it again. it's an important initiative, and i appreciate what the speaker is doing. >> thank you, mr. speaker. what investigation has the prime minister made on the allegations that they were turning down assessments of the u.k. economy? >> that's an incredibly important point which is the imac was reporting on the state

of the british economy and arguing that we did have a structural deficit, and it was a problem. there's an attempt to gag them by the party opposite when they were in power because they did not want to own up to the mess that they got this country into, and even now they are still denying the fact they left us with a dangerous fiscal deficit, the cause of many problems we face today. >> prime minister will be aware of the concerns of the coast guard. this week a cross-party opposition in the coast guard met and officials. is the prime minister aware of the figures of the coast guard over the last year 654 responses were given, and will he consider that once facing the numbers, should they be closed or the services from 19 coast guard stations -- [inaudible] >> i'm very aware of this issue,

and i know that you will be speaking to the executive state of transport about this. the point is this. the cost guard has to prove in this consultation what it wants to do is coordinate the number of opposites that are receiving calls in order to put more money and resources into the front line service which is actually the number of votes and rescues that there are. that is the aim of the policy that i fully accept. they have to prove that to people in order to go ahead with the proposals that they are making. >> thank you, mr. speaker. constituents explained to me that with a husband and a young family are told they would be better off giving up her part time job and relying on benefits. will the prime minister ensure this house we will give people the incentives and support and end the culture of welfare dependency? >> i believe my honorable friend

speaks about this in an absolutely correct way. for too long there's been a welfare system that pays you not to work, that gives you incentive that pays you not to work, and universal credit through the welfare bill means in every single case no matter how few hours you work, you are better off in work and working more. i think it's absolutely right and long overdue, and i hope this issue has support across the house of commons. >> there's been revelations about the falling level of health care for our pensioners. what does the prime minister say to the elderly population of the country by proposing to change the inflation length for the operating of benefits and pensions from retail price index to consumer price index, something that will cost future pensioners millions of pounds of lost incomes. how is that fair? how does that protect? >> the first point i make is that the state pension is under the triple law, going to be linked with whichever is

highest. we are taking the steps that the last government didn't for 10 years of relinking the state pension with earnings, and i think that an absolutely vital step in giving people the dignity and security they need in old age. >> mr. speaker, the government plans to ask the house to extend the patrol orders. as i'm sure the prime minister doesn't want the house to act without all the necessary information, can he assure members we will have legislation before being asked to vote on the exemption? >> that's an important point and obviously this is a big change we are making to the new system, and i'm sure the house will be consulted properly and what's being proposed will be made. he can get involved now as the policy is being developed. >> in 2008, your communication needs describes services as a

national service and in 2010 it shows 57% that unfortunately never heard of the review and services remain now as they were then. in the national year of communication and with the king's speech to raise awareness of the issue, can you clarify whether the government plans to meet the recommendations of your review and how they plan to do so facing such huge cuts? >> well, i think we'll see shortly the green prepare on special education needs where we are giving priority to this area because as i know from my own experience getting older speech therapist is extremely difficult. like every other area, there's constraints in resources, but i think we can do better by having a left confrontational system and have resources get to the parents who want to do the right thing for their children.

..?

>> on this thursday as white house press secretary, jay carney answered questions about when the president would begin negotiations on the country's long-term budget deficit. other topics include unrest in the middle east. mr. kearny previously served as communications director for vice president by date and before that it's time that esteemed washington bureau chief. this is about the imminent. [inaudible conversations] >> good afternoon everybody. how is everybody doing today? excellent. thank you very much. i'm glad to be here. i really appreciate the turnout. i've never seen this room was crowded. before we get dirty today, i have a presidential scheduling update for you. this afternoon the president will take television interviews with local television affiliates

in cincinnati, wcpo, richmond, debbie wbt and milwaukee amherst tv conglomerate. it's part of his continued effort to talk to americans across the country about his budget proposal and how it will prepare our country to win the future. these tv interviews are embargoed so you can begin refreshing those local tv websites now, which is where you'll be a lot to give information on what he said in this interview is. and with that, i beg to go to my briefing. i don't have the time for you. it's just this afternoon. >> welcome, jay. one question on the news today, but before that i wanted to ask you about, as you see the role of the press secretary, particularly, do you think when you come out you are your primary job is to promote the interests of the husband or is it to provide us with

information so we can inform the public? >> well, let me tell you this. we obviously all here served the president. i work for him. but the press secretary is a unique position within the white house. and not just because i am a former journalist, because i think every press secretary understood this and understands it. i work two promotes the president and the message that he's trying to convey to the american people. but i also work with the press to try to help you do your jobs, to help you cover the white house, cover the administration and report on what we are doing here. so i think it's been said before that the office the press secretary has a somewhat symbolically located about halfway between the briefing room in the oval office and i think that says something about what nature of the job is.

i mean, i do work for the president, but i am also here to help the press understand what we are doing, to give the best information i can get with the hope of victory team. and that's what we'll try to do. >> fair enough. one question on the budget. the president said yesterday in his news conference that what is needed now as an adult conversation and later he added we need a reasonable, responsible and initially probably somewhat quiet and toned down conversation. and i am wondering whether from the white house and there is a pledge to basically honor that. are you guys going to say we are not going to politicize this spending debate? >> look, the president has made clear, i think he did yesterday, that he takes very seriously they need to reduce spending in the near term. that's why his budget proposal does things like type $400 billion over 10 years to

reduce spending to get not just any but the deficit, which is very important. but he also understands that there needs to be a conversation about a long-term debt and nannies to be, as he said, an adult conversation where reasonable people from both sides sit down and talk about this major challenge that we face and ways to deal with it. and i think that needs to be -- we're going to succeed and get air, he needs to be civil and reasonable. i think he said each side needs to be willing to give. and remember last december -- we have a template for how this thing works, where people thought agreement couldn't be reached. both sides got together. each side gave a little better. neither side got exactly what it wanted, but the president and

the congress were able to achieve something in the interest of the american people that will help grow the economy, create jobs, make us more competitive in this very competitive 21st century. >> so should we expect an adult, civil tone coming from here? >> yes, absolutely. i may go to reuters. >> thanks, jay. israel said today that iranian warships plan to sell through the suez canal to syria. does the united states without provocation, and how should israel react? >> look, i think our position on iran and a variety of ways as well known. i would refer to youtube specifically to the state department. i don't have anything on the ship and the suez. >> a lot of spread of the unrest in egypt to other areas in the mideast -- the president referred to this issue yesterday

and said leaders of the countries need to get out ahead of the change. does the white house think the leaders in countries like libya or bahrain are ahead of that change? >> as he said, each country is different in how they respond to the expression of the legitimate aspirations of their people is very important and they need to do it in a way that reflects what we believe -- what the president said are these universal values that each government needs to respect. and those are freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, freedom of access to information, the internet in particular. and to respond to those demonstrations in a nonviolent way. we call it, as they did -- as the president did in egypt and as we are doing now, we call on both sides in countries where demonstrations are taking place to be nonviolent and for their governments to be responsive.

>> jake. >> j., welcome. >> thank you. >> if i borrow money from you to pay off the interest -- [laughter] if i borrow money from you to pay off the interest of the debt i owe jeff, am i not adding to my dad? >> well, without dealing with hypotheticals, why don't you -- >> the president thinks that borrowing, depending on the debt is not adding to the debt. i don't understand that mass. >> what the president made clear is we need to get to the place and his budget absolutely does this, where we are no longer spending more than we are taking in. and what the reality is like some families might have debt on their credit card with interest rates that have to be contended with. but the first important step to dealing with this issue is

getting your regular spending and income and balance so that you are no longer adding to the problem. the interest is something we have to deal with an interest payments are a major portion of our long-term debt. it is a problem that we need to address. but look, it is not an inconsequential deal to propose a budget that cuts as substantially as it does in targeted areas so that the federal government lives within its means in order to be able to continue to invest in the future because you have to have economic growth, job creation if we are going to address this overall long-term problem. >> basin and the president calls for mental conversation, he means the conversation should be forthright and politicians should not be kind to your language such as we should not

be adding more to the national debt, even if hundreds of billions of dollars are being added to the national debt and interest on debt that president obama himself helped to create. >> well, the debt has been created over a number of years, as you know and we came in here with an economic crisis like i daresay nobody in this room has ever need and which threaten to head straight into a depression if we didn't act. but i also remind you we inherited, when this administration came into office, an enormous debt that had been piled up in the previous eight years. and that is part of the problem and the interest that you are talking about his son that died as well. but look, i think it's important to step back. the president put forward a budget that seriously addresses the need to reduce spending, but also protects the key areas that he thinks need to be invested and so that we can remain

competitive, grow the economy, create jobs. and he looks forward to working with the republicans and democrats in congress to do with the budget proposals on the long-term debt. and he thinks there is reason to believe we can get this done. >> so you -- just two button mouse, you think we will not be adding more to the national debt is the statement that stands scrutiny? >> absolutely, absolutely. and jake, we'll explain precisely what that means in terms of new spending, getting our spending and income -- our income and spending into balance. that is an important step towards dealing with the deficit and our debt. >> jay, in terms of back him up a website which is not part of both a spending agree with the nonpartisan analysis. look at the interest on the debt. if the president budget passes,

annual spending minus interest will equal annual revenue in 2017. so basically that is the point when the debt can be put aside and basically the next six years, new spending is going to continue to add to the debt. so as not adding to the debt? and mean, it's not just interest on the debt. it is new spending in the next six years. >> we have our budget proposal and jack lew has been in far greater detail than i can do on whether budget proposal contains and the numbers that contained, but the president made very clear what his priorities are here and the reductions that we are looking to make and how that really is the only plan out they are. and out of manchu the only budget proposal out there right now that reduces spending and brings down the deficit. it is a very serious, reasonable

proposal that demonstrates the seriousness about the debate. >> right, but when politifact says is false for the president to say he's not adding adding to the debt, it doesn't matter? this white house is still going to continue to make the claim that you're not adding to the debt, even when nonpartisan people have looked at it that you actually are? >> will look, and i'm going to refer you to trim six. i'm an economist. you've heard that before. but it's absolutely true. >> there is a lot of work to be done, but we've seen so far as positive in terms of the egyptian government, active reforms moving toward elections, et cetera. we have this terrible statement put out by cbs, saying that one of their journalists was physically, sexually assaulted. what is the government doing to press the egyptian government for answers about what happened

and what they are going to do to bring people to justice? >> well, ed, as you know, during those events, the 18 days, the president made clear that our position was violence is unacceptable and that specifically harassment, detention, violent against journalists is unacceptable and the perpetrators of violence needed to be held accountable and that remains our position. >> right, but we now know there is one case where it happened despite the white house saying don't do this, don't let this happen. so i'm unclear. what is the white house doing to get answers from the egyptian government about exactly what happened, since it doesn't appear they followed up on your admonitions cliques >> well again, we stated clearly what are position as an we obviously have a lot of contacts to our embassy and elsewhere in

the current governments and we still believe that those responsible for this act and there was obviously other violent that needs to be held accountable. >> another question on each other. obviously, there is an optimistic tone with elections looking like a real possibility at some point. but there are also a lot of critics and analysts of egypt in the middle east policy who believe that these generals are going to get very comfortable with power and that's going to create a real problem and you're going to have maybe not mubarek, but you're going to have something not far from it. what is the white house doing to make sure that doesn't happen and the president to leave -- how concerned is the president they locate comfortable with power and keep it that way?

>> there've been a number of signs in the very few days since this transition in terms of the top leadership took place. but our position in terms of what needs to happen, the constitutional reform, lifting of the emergency law, release of political prisoners, those positions still pertain. and obviously, we are watching closely and advising and assisting where we can. but also it would point to you this is an egyptian process. the amazing events that occurred over those 18 days were driven by the egyptian people from all stripes -- all corners of society who went on the street to air their grievances and make demands for a more democratic representation kabila to participate in the process and to create greater prosperity and egyptian we support the egyptian people and not just as we did them because they think they have made clear that they want a

democracy and they want free and fair elections and we are obviously dishonest today as we were in the previous three weeks. >> as they are planning going on for the possibility they start to settle in? >> i'm not going to speculate about what may or may not have been. >> is they're planning going on just in case? >> we have seen our positions on what needs to happen and what is happening with the egyptian in terms of advising an esteemed, but it is their process. >> is it the government's call to inform? >> this is a process -- the beginning of a process, but he says in the months ahead it is sunday that he will be engaged and will never put an end point

of the process. >> the fact is the total national debt increases. how do you explain the average american that we are not adding to the credit card. >> i think it had not been an economist i will venture to explain the mayor: sometimes the horror of compound interest. it is another portion of the debt we have to pay in the growth of the data in future years. >> this afternoon when the president sits down with the democratic leadership, as part of the discu3 years. >> this afternoon when the president sits down with the democratic leadership, as part of the discussion time for this adult conversation on entitlements? is part of the meeting this evening but the senate democratic leadership of entitlements moving forward with entitlements?

>> the president is committed to meeting with both parties, both houses and this is one of those meetings. the senate democratic leadership will be here. kobe staffers who can discuss our budget proposal, but you know, i think that the president just released his budget two days ago. i think that is a focus right now. but as i said before, you know, he wants to have the discussion about the long-term debt, but it is important to understand that the budget needs to move forward and that addresses budget issues and has cutts addressed the 12% of our spending patterns nondiscretionary spending. in terms of the entitlement reform question, you know, he looks forward to discussions with leaders of both parties and members of both parties on how to move forward. >> well, the president reflected on his leadership yesterday talking about ronald reagan and

tip o'neill adult content with the republican congress. does he believe there is time to get something done on entitlements before returning to 201212 campaign of? >> the president is very confident that if we get together with both sides, members of congress, the president, that something can be accomplished. and he has -- he believes that the approach he's taking by putting forward a budget that is serious about the need to reduce spending, but is also serious about the need to continue to promote economic growth and innovation and building for the future in educating our children, that he has created -- helped create an environment where we cannot these conversations in a productive way. i think his seriousness about this issue is very clear and he wants to work together with members of both parties to get

there. >> jay, first of all, the interviews of cincinnati, richmond, milwaukee -- those are the three media markets of john boehner, eric cantor, paul ryan. coincidence? >> i think those are important states and parts of the country. he is eager to talk to and reach out to americans in all parts of the country to explain what he is doing on the budget comes explain his vision for the future, they need to reduce spending reasonably, promote economic growth and invest in the areas that will help us compete in a very competitive environment in the 21st century. >> so the fact that it played no role -- >> he speaks to -- he travels around the country. he has meetings with americans around the country and this is part of that process.

[inaudible conversations] [laughter] >> earlier today -- earlier today, cia director leon panetta was asked if the u.s. government captured osama bin laden what would happen to them. he said eventually you would move to guantánamo. believe it or not come the very first question robert intercede at his briefing was about the process of closing down guantánamo. is your very first briefing. is it now no longer a main policy goal of this administration to get guantánamo closed in the first term? with the cia director saying he's assuming guantánamo is going to be there take high-level detainees. >> while, i think the dni director is also followed up on that, but i would point out the president remains committed to closing the guantánamo bay because it is a national security advisory to do so.

>> the cia director is using -- i mean were -- is there no plan b? >> i'm not going to speculate on what would happen if we were to capture osama bin laden. i'm going to say that this government is very focused on bringing to justice perpetrators and the attacks on 9/11, but beyond that i wouldn't speculate about what happened. the president remains committed to closing guantánamo. >> tomorrow the president is made in a tie of it fundraiser, no public events in san francisco, and overnighting mayor. is there no politics at all? >> i think the president wants to discuss -- >> is dirty politics being discussed with the folks at all? >> i think the focus of the discussion is innovation and job creation and representatives of

businesses who know a lot about private-sector job growth. >> with the full list of attendees be released? >> by the way, tanks for retiring the pastel ties. no offense to robert, but it's nice to see a dark tie. >> welcome. and social security the president stated yesterday that he is slashing benefits. when he says slashing benefits, does that mean he's against significant cuts in spending or benefits or that he is really not any benefit whatsoever? >> i think the president was pretty clear the state of the union about his position on this, which is we need first of all, as all of you know -- some of you may even be economist. the social security issue is not a deficit near-term deficit issue. it's a problem of long-term debt. secondly, we do not -- the president wants to protect current retirees. he does not want a solution that slashes benefits.

and he wants to make it smaller because it is an important element of security for seniors. on the specifics, i'm not going to get into negotiating social security solution from this podium, precisely because the president said yesterday and has said many times, we need to get together and will get together with leaders of both parties who want to address this issue seriously. entitle spending in general and talk about ways to do that. [inaudible] >> /is a pretty vivid word. i'm not going to go beyond what the president said, but he would oppose any solution that slashes benefits. >> on continuing resolution debate come is the white house position that we should just continue at level funding for the rest of this year and deal with spending cuts for next year or could the white house expect the cuts being proposed by the

house, but what the white house be interested in some spending cuts this year? >> similarly i am not going to negotiate the cr from your, but i say this is going to be a process the president believes we can work through it and we haven't seen a formal proposal yet from congress on the cr. and we wait to see what it is. he has enunciated his principles and will let congress, you know, come together and create a product. >> to have an opening position going into conversations on the cr? >> the president made clear what his broad positions are, but we are looking to see where congress goes with this. mark. >> jay, welcome. on the cr, is there worry about a government shutdown after march 4th? >> you know, mark, it is our understanding that not only does

the president not believe that the government shutdown a good idea, but leaders of congress in both parties obviously want to avoid that and we believe we can work together to prevent that from happening. so that's what we think -- that's an important position to take. we think we can get there and avoid a problem like that. >> in on the ambush of the i.c.e. agent, but as president obama being told about that and what is the u.s. response? >> well, the president has been fully informed on what happened in mexico. and earlier this morning the president called the parents of special agent jaime zapata to send his and the shells heartfelt condolences on the loss of their son yesterday. the president told them that no words could express the sadness of the loss of a loved one. their son served our country admirably, the president said, and assured his parents that the

entire country was grateful for his selfless service and contributions to our nation. now, you should know that the u.s. law enforcement agencies are working close the book the mexican authorities to investigate the shooting and that the resources of the federal government are at the disposal of our mexican partners in the investigation and today secretary napolitano and the attorney general, eric coulter are formalized in a joint task force between the department of homeland security and the department of justice that will level investigative to mexico. >> but they work through here, but i promise i get back to you. >> is the white house where that iranian gunships have plans to travel through the suez? >> gorge were free to the state department on that. >> even on whether it has risen to the love of the state house?

>> we are aware, but i would refer you to this day. >> is the president aware? >> yes. terms of executives tomorrow, for they give any other names out. we know zuckerberg will be there. >> we will release a list by my habit to give it to you. so i'm not going to name them from here. >> given that zuckerberg is there and the >> given that zuckerberg is there and the facebook has ended play a role to revolutions in north africa, do you expect it to be a topic or was a more focused on domestic innovation ideas? >> i think it's -- the purpose of the discussion is on innovation and obviously over topics could come up. >> welcome, jay. >> thank you. >> the question about the tone that he wants to foster when and if you guys get to talking about the settlement reform. he said he doesn't think so with the practical enough. now that all three house republican leaders have said that they are going to offer some kind of entitlement reform

or cousin or 2012 budget, what is the message the president has two democrats about how they should react when those cuts are released. in other words, does he want them to hold their fire in the interest of creating the atmosphere he saw it yesterday or should they let loose? >> well, mara, let me just say that the president come as a noted yesterday in the press conference, you know, was glad to see republican leaders acknowledge as he did, in a state of the union, that are larger long-term spending issues, deficit and debt issues cannot be resolved by cuts in 12% of the budget, which is or not security discretionary spending. and i would just go back to say we welcome a conversation about how to address the entitlement issue. and i would remind you that the president has demonstrated his

seriousness about the need to reduce health care costs. health care costs are one of the big drivers in the deficit and debt and he did that with the affordability care act, which cbo has said will reduce spending by $230 billion over the first 10 years and a trillion over 10 years after that. again, we have more cuts primarily then we have laid down. he has already demonstrated his seriousness about beginning to tackle these issues and he looks forward to working with members of both parties, democrats and republicans in a calm, reasonable way to address this issue. >> the democrats are salivating to say the republicans are walking into a trap on this. i mean, what to think about that? >> the president's position has been made clear. he said it yesterday again on how he approaches this issue. he thinks that associate comes when people are reasonable, willing to sit down with together in a bipartisan way,

give a little, compromise and that's the only way we can address this issue. >> one more question on social security. the president used with flash, but senator used the word/and reduce benefits. but he also talked about current retirees. just to make clear, when the president talks about splashing in the fifth, is he talking about current retirees or talking about benefits and general? >> the president's position is clear, and i think david was articulating yesterday that we do not believe a solution can harm current retirees and that is what he was talking about. or he. >> jay, during the campaign, the president was so committed to transparency and openness in the process he said he got health care negotiations on c-span. yesterday he said it couldn't be effective. can you explain why this difference in transparency and health care? can you say what is private and

what should be a c-span, i've are part of process? >> well, the administration is committed to openness and transparency. we're also committed to getting things done. and i don't think the president said that every discussion of entitlement reform would be held in private, but i think you make clear, as i think some other leaders on the hill have made clear that one of the lessons we've learned in history and recent history anyway, about tackling these big difficult issues is that it helps to have quieter conversation about some of the issues, so was the president said, when an agreement is reached, first of all we can get there and then we all go into the boat at the same time so it doesn't tip over. >> that's the opposite of what the present set about health care negotiations on c-span yet he said he regretted that he had been more open about it after the shellacking. >> well, like i said, we are not saying every discussion --

>> but he said he wished they had been opened up. >> were talking about the entitlement issue. we are not saying every discussion would be in public or private. we are saying the president is committed to getting something done and that is what the american people respect and want him to do and there are ways to do that when were talking about these difficult issues. obviously holding meetings and having conversations but members of congress as one of those. let me move on here. yes. >> jay, what's not clear to me is why these adult discussions can start now. why do you have to wait until -- i don't know, what exactly are you waiting for? >> you know, the president made the point yesterday that there is -- we understand the urgency, we understand that people want a solution now. but this is a big issue. this is a hard nut to crack.

and we are at the beginning of a process in terms of the stage of the process. but as he pointed out yesterday, the deficit commission which he appointed really help change the conversation and created a framework for the discussion going forward. i mean, this process has already begun. the process began, as i said when the president addressed soaring health care costs in the affordable care act. it is present again in the way he addresses additional health care costs in his budget. it is present in the deficit commission he created in the conversation, you know, there is not a start date or an mandate that i'll announce them here. the are happening and they will continue to happen. >> in the near future, he does leave the impression that he is waiting for the other side, for

example, to come across with a budget plan and their proposals. >> i think everyone needs to move forward. and the president did think has discussed this, i know he has clearly about what his position is. and he will be having discussions and meetings and conversations on this issue in the weeks and months ahead. i think, you know, to announce a big meeting is not necessarily conducive to getting it done. the president is very serious about getting it done. >> i was going to welcome you, but -- [laughter] when the president said yesterday that there were months of discussions ahead, do you think exactly what he means was for the informal, lunch year, phone call bear, or will he foresee something more

structured? in terms of talking about, that follows up on the last question, but is that going to come at the end of the congressional budget process, which could be as late as october? >> i don't think again with the goal of addressing this in a serious way that there is a timetable that he or i or anyone else here wants to announce. i think the conversation he looks forward to having these conversations and you know, the overall process as i pointed out has begun and will continue in the weeks and months ahead. >> jay, welcome. a couple short questions. how often should a president have a news conference? >> i don't think there is a hard and fast rule. i think the president gave a press conference yesterday. he's given prescott says over

the course of his time in office and will continue to do so. >> how about events like cabinet meetings that used to be traditionally open to some kind of media coverage. will those be open in the future? >> there are no hard and fast rules. i think we are committed to providing access and were also committed to getting the work done here that the american people expect us to get done. let me say, i understand where you come from, literally. and you know, i want to work with you another few to get the access that we can give him that you need. >> how often do you think of brief? five days a week? >> saturday, sunday. go get sick of it if i do it that recovery. i am committed to briefing frequently. i want to see every day, but

i've had discussions with the correspondents association about my plans going forward and i just wanted to be -- to evolve. i don't have a new plan to lay on the table with how were going to do this. i want to see how it works. i may go to work with all of you to make it as productive for us than you as possible. >> to a preference on which cast of "saturday night live" plays here? a >> god forbid anybody does. [laughter] >> got me. >> jay, does the president wants to the provisions the patriot act extended? >> it is our position would be helpful to extend that to use. you know, we are working with congress to see what we can get done, but the answer is yes. >> of the need to be dialed back in any way? >> what we're asking them what what we said was with the

necessary provisions and precautions that there are safeguards, but we believe it should be extended tiered >> we believe civil liberties are adequately safeguarded? >> i think the position has been clear. we do one at extended in two years would be useful, we think so there is certainty in the community going forward. >> welcome. i'd like to give you another comment the president has repeatedly made, which is bad he doesn't want to kick these cans down the road in terms of entitlement reform, the big enchilada. i don't think he said that enchilada. how can you sort of -- how can you justify that the president has been articulated the position on these entitlement reforms. he mentioned yesterday that he favored something the commission

report he's articulated what is starting position might be. >> well, he has articulated a general physician in terms of the ways in which she is rad tackled some of these issues in the hawkers and he. i mean, you cannot forget that one major element of the affordable care act was to get control of soaring health care costs. and i refer you to the cbo and the projections on the savings over the first and next 10 years. i want to remind you that he said that he believes we need to have an adult conversation and that means that many adult and not do what he's looking for and what he believes the american people expect is a cooperative,

focus, sincere effort towards tackling these issues. >> what about the people who say is a president's responsibility to lead on this? >> he is leading. this is a president who has done big things. he has tackled hard issues. again, with point to them on the issue of reducing health care costs, what he did with the affordable care act, i would point you to the budget proposal he just put on the table, which only in washington would $400 billion b. not a lot of money. >> i think they understand -- americans understand that this budget proposal would reduce nonsecurity discretionary spending to its lowest level since dwight eisenhower was president. i don't want to embarrass people and asked who was alive when dwight eisenhower was president,

but that was a long time ago and that includes presidents reagan, clinton, bush. this is a long time. this is a substantial step forward that takes very seriously the need to reduce spending. and also to invest so we can grow. americans want this country to grow economically and be the economic powerhouse in the 21st century that we were in the 20th. in the 21st of june the 20th tv on their way to do that is to make the key investments in our infrastructure, innovation, industries and technologies that will drive job creation in the future in america and in education so we have the kind of workforce in science and knowledge in engineering and other areas we need in order to win the future. >> the fact that two comments really from republicans lately.

and one was speaker boehner saying so be it about jobs being lost. he is not going to take federal money now for high-speed rail. the macbook, we think that is an unfortunate decision, but i would refer you to the department of transportation. secretary lahood talks about that. this goes to the essence of what we're talking about. it's bipartisan support for the need to create the kind of modern infrastructure in this country that will enable us to compete. hasty drill is very much a part of that and we will make sure that the money is used elsewhere to advance the infrastructure and innovation agenda that is essential for economic growth. >> speaker boehner's comment about there'll be federal job losses. >> first of all, his figures were off, but the broader issue

is we are committed -- the president is committed to making hard choices, tough choices in terms of spending cut. he has demonstrated that in his budget and he is demonstrated by putting forward cuts in programs that he believes in deeply. but he understands that tough choices need to be made. >> the president supports public funding for public rock casting and calls herself taking. but if you think about republican efforts to cut and do you think it is primarily fiscal radiological? >> harder for you i'm not going to separate country and talk about automation, but but we'll take seriously republicans and democrats to tighten our belts, within our means. the budget is a roadmap to his priorities, that reduces spending where we can, where disgraceful or where it is

absolutely not necessary, the maintain spending in areas we think are important. >> just to clarify, does he think that they are american values in public rock casting? >> again, the budget represents his priorities and i think you can read into that. >> you know, idaho and virginia were important states and 12. will we see a string of local interviews in similar states like pennsylvania and florida? >> the president and officials to regional interviews all the time all over the country. i want to get you and then experiment a little bit here. >> does the white house send the mexican bar raid could make it difficult for the u.s. allied government to face them? >> what, the president believes is that bahrain needs to respect

universal rights of the citizens, the right to protest, the right to have their grievances heard and that they should refrain from violence on both sides. and you know, we're obviously watching event bahrain and the region very closely. but the position on all the countries is the same at the universal level. >> gas, savanna. >> okay. if the president is committed to making big budget choices, this is a tough budget and so on, why have all the public event since the state of union did not about budget pending, the spending quite so that exacerbate the perception that is more enamored with many dead heat at the cutting? >> again, with deutsche to the budget, savanna. he's talked very clearly at other venues in his weekly radio address. and we are talking about, you

know, priorities that have to coexist, exist together. we cut spending where we can to live within our means, but investor is absolutely necessary so the economy grows and were competitive in the future. you could maybe count the word studies address, that is dedicated to each issue. i think he balances very much both priorities. >> does the president have concerns with this relationship about the press? >> no, i think he feels he is a very good relationship with the press and that you guys do important work and no, not at all. >> can i follow-up on that? >> fan. >> yes, two questions. they are reasonable, well-respected people who say that now is not the time to take you about, that while you're at the end of the recession you should make these cuts, even if you're investing elsewhere. what is wrong with that logic?

>> i would point you to our logic, the president logic which is many to live live within our means, demonstrators serious and also investor is essential. you know, we feel that -- we need to be careful about cuts so that we don't fret the recovery, that we don't threaten growth, that we don't threaten our national security, but we obviously agree with others that spending cuts are necessary. >> a follow-up question with a high-speed rail. we will make sure that the money is used elsewhere. are you talking about federal money that's been allocated for florida, sending it to another state? >> will come i refer you to the department of trans3 state? >> will come i refer you to the department of transportation. a high-speed rail money as part of the recovery act is essential to the infrastructure agenda the president has. to so what is going to be respect regardless? >> i think again as part of the

president's priorities and he believes it's essential to creating a distraction but allows us to compete in the 20th century. edward other countries are advanced in high-speed rail. we need to believe and he believes that. and it's also an important job creator. yes, i said it would take yours. >> do you think that the incident of the attack on the federal agents will have any negative effect on the bilateral relationships, as it happened in 95 between the dea agent enrique camarena? >> we are very supportive of the mexican government and my answer to that is no. i don't recognize all of you, so i can't call up you by name. >> jay, can astro quake, did the president have words of wisdom or did he wish you luck before he came out here today? >> i spoke with him a couple times and he wished me luck. >> can i follow-up on that that, jay? >> not a follow-up on that.

>> jay, the president said yesterday that washington is impatient. but congress generally failed to pass a budget last year and now we're just a couple days before the cr period is the president patient or does he need to lean harder on congress and will he do that in the leaders meeting? >> evil have discussions in the meeting today about the need to move forward on all these issues. i think the impatience is not just the press. you know, he understands that when there is a big problem out there that everyone agrees needs to be solved, that there is an eagerness to solve it yesterday. but there is a process. he mentioned he jumped. you know, big things can often in three weeks. i am not saying this will happen in three weeks, but i think that she needs to let the discussions have been. you know, he has clearly articulated his position both in his budget and not how he was --

he believes the discussions of the long-term debt issue needs to proceed until follow those. >> thank you, jay. welcome. the president's response to the republican spending cuts seems to be a little peeved muted. these are in sec, fbi, climate change, global health. he doesn't seem to go after the project of the discussion with republicans about their view of government versus his, focusing more on entitlement were worms than the spending cuts. why is that? >> i disagree with that. i think first of all this is the beginning of a process. he is committed to cutting spending and reducing the deficit and that's why he put forward a tough budget. we need to tighten our belts where we can, but we have to do that in order to preserve the

ability to invest in the future and he's made very clear that those investments are important and protecting those investments are important because we do not want to create a situation where we stymie economic growth or limit the ability to pay jobs. >> you think the cuts are dangerous, not the one is going after investments, but inflate the sec and the climate change program. without getting into specifics, the president has made clear that he doesn't -- we cannot export arbitrary cut that undermined our ability to grow the economy or create jobs in the future or harm our national security or other essential functions of government. so you know, i would leave it at that. i want to take one more here and i will see you tomorrow. cheryl. >> on congress tax reform, secretary geithner this morning said he was looking for consensus on that.

is there any timetable on when that needs to get done and will that be part of a conversation with entitlement reforms or will that be separate? >> that another timetable for you. the president said it's important to simplify and lower the tax rate and a ready nature way for corporations to make america all part of the school and making america competitive, growing the economy and the 21st century. but i don't have a timetable and i think these are separate issues, but the conversations will occur in the same general time frame. that day. thank you, guys. [inaudible conversations] >> better than i could've ever imagined. [inaudible conversations] >> now in the house, members are continuing work on the continuing resolution to keep the federal government fund it after march 4th. we spoke to a capitol hill reporter for more on the measure. >> joining us to talk about this

is that john shaw of market international. john, thanks for joining us. well is the house is turning its attention this afternoon to see her come the proposed senate resolution to keep the government operating through september, how was the debate going so far? >> i think chaotic might be the operative word. this is unusual to have such an open process on a spending bill. and they are trying to come as you say, pass the funding bill for the 2011 fiscal year, which began october 1st to last year and runs to september 30 this year. they are way behind and they are trying to basically pass a bill prior to the current bill, expiring on march 4. so the house is trying by the end of the week to pass this bill. they are training to cut $60 billion from last year's spending level. as he said, there will be votes on a number of amendments over the next day or so, trying to cut that number even further. >> for the last we heard this morning there were about 600.

why so many amendments? posted these are coming from republicans and those with my republicans. >> well, i think this is part of the dominant narrative that has unfolded since the election. republicans ran happily on the theme of cutting spending. we have a lot of new members getting their first chance to show they are serious about expanding. i think there's almost a pressure to introduce as many amendments as possible. there is a general expectation that the leadership will make some conversations and have the number cut back dramatically. i would be very surprised if there are more than a couple dozen votes on amendments. as you say, there were hundreds filed so far. >> when can we expect final passage vote and will pass the mouse clicks >> i think it will pass in the end of this week, whether it's wednesday or thursday and i think it largely the package introduced, which cuts the

funding level of $60 billion below the current year. so that will be what the house and the senate. the senate is off next week, but when it returns the following week, is likely to take up this bill and although make very substantial changes to it. i think there's a general that they'll probably have to pass another stopgap spending bill because they said the current one expires march 4th. it seems almost impossible that the house and senate will be able to agree on a final package before march 4, so we may need another weeklong spending bill as they try to put together a final package. but it's going to be extraordinarily difficult. you have a republican leadership that will cut spending deeply. you're the democratic leadership in the senate that is much less interested in cutting his deeply. and you have a white house that is offered a veto threat to the house version of the bill. >> you mention again both chambers are the weeklong break

for president day next week. is there a timetable for getting the belt to the president? >> i don't think so. of course march for is a hard deadline in terms of keeping the government going and there's all sorts of speculation whether an impassively to the government shutdown. they think there's relatively little chance that will happen. i think it's more likely they will pass the one week stopgap bill to keep the government funding. once you get to the middle of march, i think it's going to be some really tough negotiations to see what they can finally put together for the physical 11 bill. remember this week the president introduced his fiscal year 12 and a bill, which they need to start working on before too long. i'm assuming by the middle of march or so, this funding level for fiscal year to 11 is resolved and will be difficult because you have republican leaders who want to cut deeply. senate democrats who don't want to cut as deeply and t