is the healthy clean, beautiful, evergreen state. i will not end in the deepest part of my heart i hope you we will not allow this threat to stand. we also no the challenge of carbon pollution brings great economic opportunities to our state. companies moving full speed ahead to seize these opportunities and create jobs. not only one of our state's largest solar panel manufacturers that produces the most powerful solar panels in the industry. groundbreaking batteries leading the way in the field of storage technology for global energy and mcdonald miller which is not only producing the carbon footprint of commercial buildings but last year they added 300 jobs in our state. we are leaders in this

state. when we act others follow. let's shape that action together and fashion a carbon plan suited to the genius and capabilities of our great state. [applause] we can do this. it has already been done successfully in many other places including ten american states and 35 countries. i cannot tell you today what our joint effort we will produce, but i can but i can say that after six years of no progress on this front washingtonians deserve access. and developing my budget i took the same approach of looking to tested solutions for revenue proposals.

has the nation's most unfair tax system the nation's most unfair tax system from our lowest paid pay nearly 17 percent of there income in taxes and that top 1 percent pay less than 3 percent. a new teacher page three times more in taxes as a percentage than our wealthiest citizens and we no their are many forces driving inequality but we can make policy choices that move us toward an economy that works for all washingtonians work toward a fairer tax system, and we should this session. [applause]

[applause] that is why i am proposing to eliminate five tax loopholes that no longer measure up when compared with educating our kids why we're asking the wealthiest washingtonians to do a little more by proposing a new capital gains tax. it is estimated that less than 1 percent of the state's taxpayers would be affected exempting capital gains and retirement accounts, homes, farms, and forestry. this idea is new to us in our state but certainly not a knew concept nationally.

forty-one states have the system already. already. it works command here is something else that we can do to bring a modicum of fairness to the tax system a system that relies so heavily on sales tax revenue and effexor working families so disproportionately i am proposing we fund the working families tax rebate passed in 2008 but never funded. [applause] this could help more than 500,000 working families in washington mostly in rural and economically struggling counties. i have always believed that if you work full time you should be able to provide your family's most basic need, and that is why i will continue to work with legislators to help working families through policies such as the minimum wage increase in paid sick leave. [applause]

so we begin this 64th legislative session at a clear crossroad's the time of recession and hollowing out is behind us. it is now time for reinvestment. i have a deep and abiding belief in our ability to lead the world and to build on our 1st 125 years. that is why we should choose the upward path that leads to more opportunity for greater prosperity, and a better quality of life for everyone. let's walk this path together. we can make this choice with the full confidence that their are no better people to invest in and no better

place to invest in washington and no better time to invest in 2015. [applause] so let's get to work. [applause] thank you. [applause] [applause] >> tonight president obama delivers his state of the union address live coverage at 8:00 p.m. eastern including the president's speech the gop response and your reaction through open phones live.

watch the pres.'s speech and congressional reaction from statuary hall, the state of the union address line. >> we have been taking your comments throughout the day. the pres.'s state of the union address provides transparency and the level of accountability. more of telling people what they want to here. same old same old. you can leave your opinions. >> tomorrow on washington journal a a review of the "state of the union" address with three members of congress.

>> this saturday live coverage of the iowa freedom summit. former governor mike huckabee, businessman donald donald trump doctor ben carson, as well as sarah palin.

>> t-1 providing live coverage and every weekend book tv for 15 years the only television network devoted to nonfiction books and authors. brought to you as a public service by your local cable or satellite provider. watch us in hd like us on facebook, follow us on twitter. >> ahead of the "state of the union" tonight more of our continuing coverage of the nation's "state of the state" addresses. addresses. now to new jersey governor chris christie. this comes courtesy of new jersey television and runs 50 minutes.

[applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause]

[applause] [applause] >> thank you. [applause] >> thank you very much. [applause] >> thank you. [applause] >> thank you very much. thank you very much. mr. speaker mr. senate

president, lieutenant governor, former governor's members of the state legislature honorable members of the supreme court family and friends and citizens of the state of new jersey i come before you as required by the state constitution to report on the condition of our state. the "state of the state" continues to get better. better off than it was last year and it is certainly far better off than it was just five years zero. while many 1st years of the 2nd term shot hangover from the campaign and its partisanship we together have fought through that and have a competence to show for that action in 2,014. in a year with plenty of

politics from some overly partisan corners of this chamber new jersey has made progress growing our economy creating jobs reforming reforming the criminal justice system and improving some of our most challenge cities we have done it because the majority of us care more about our state and new jersey's middle-class than we do about scoring partisan political points. since last january the total number of people employed in new jersey has grown by over 90,000 command a number of unemployed has dropped by nearly 30,000. we recorded our 5th consecutive year of private-sector job growth and the unemployment rate continues to steadily go down. we have attracted and retained companies from subaru usa to the philadelphia 76ers, grown our economy and more people are working supporting their families and more

people today are knowing the power of going to work every day in new jersey than did so one year ago. that is good news for new jersey families. [applause] now, we have done this while holding the line of on government spending and government employment and together extended the successful on a key driver of property tax growth and passed real criminal justice reform in new jersey. this bipartisan reform the failed system we will help to keep violent offenders off the street and give nonviolent offenders who often sit in jail on the because they cannot afford bail a chance to truly reclaim their lives. this this is good for public

safety good for families and good for new jersey. [applause] now despite this progress, despite so much evidence of an improving new jersey it has become fashionable to run down our state. state. i get it. that is politics. let's be clear. our growth has been part of a trend that began five years ago. it is easy to forget where we were and how far we have come. five years ago the unemployment rate was 9.7 percent. over 440,000 new jersey and were out of work. today it is 6.4%. we have

cut unemployment by over one 3rd in the last five years, and that is good for the new jersey families now working. [applause] we have created over 150,000 private 150,000 private sector jobs in new jersey and just five short years five years ago we faced massive consecutive budget deficits 2 billion for fiscal year 2010 and projected 11 billion for fiscal year 2011 on a budget of only 29 billion. we fixed it by making hard choices the way middle-class families have to in their homes. today we have balanced five budgets in a row and together we will balance a 6th this year. we did not do it to washington way. we did it by cutting spending, shrinking government and fundamentally reforming the way that government operates this administration believes

today and has always believed that new jersey and america will be a better place for middle-class families when we shrink the size of government at every level. [applause] let's remember, back then state spending has grown by 66 percent from 2001 to 2,008. today discretionary spending is to it a half billion dollars below we will be spent in fiscal year 2,008. that is fiscal restraint. [applause] back and then the size of state government was out of control. today control. today the number of state government employees is 85 hundred lower than it was five years ago without one

layoff at the state government level. back then new jersey's highest in the nation property taxes increased more than 70 percent and ten years. we averages 7 percent growth in property taxes per year every year for ten years. today we have now had four years of less than 2 percent annual property tax growth because the property tax that we passed together that is working, continuing to work for the people of new jersey a bipartisan achievement by everyone in this chamber. [applause] we also came together to

extend the reforms of interest arbitration awards which has continued to make property tax control possible. in these past five years we have delivered needed tax relief to small businesses in new jersey. the $2.3 billion in small business tax relief improving the business climate in making our state competitive. that approach that approach is explicit in the sweeping bipartisan changes that we made to the new jersey's economic incentive programs. i want to congratulate you. we have better targeted them to areas of our state that need this investment the most. the verdict is an. early returns show that it is working to attract and retain businesses in key parts of our state. those progrowth policies and streamline economic efforts abroad and more than $12 billion $12 billion of new public and private

investment. the deeper they work in a more businesses like what they see. companies have chosen new jersey as a home for expansion. we we have many assets that some other states cannot match. a highly educated workforce, a world-class transportation network, proximity large markets the jersey shore so many attractions, and it has led just being number two in america in biotechnology, number four in per capita income, number three in the use of solar power and in the top ten in data centers across the country. the result of this past year's survey said it better than i can. overall our members believe the state is continuing to move in the right direction things are looking good. i know that many of you in

this room believe that income tax increases are the way to go. sometimes we are simply going to have to disagree. i don't want that to be any mistake about it i will veto any more income tax increases that come before me. [applause] and i will do it for one simple reason. the higher our taxes are the fewer people and businesses will come to new jersey and the more will consider leaving. raising raising taxes is the old trenton way, and it did not work.

people and businesses did not support them and voted with their feet and left our state. between 2,004 and 2,008 the departure of wealth investment, and income was staggering some $70 billion left the state. we have begun a knew direction, and we need to go further. despite all of our progress we have more to do. we have to open our ears and listen to our people. we need to open our eyes and see what is happening around us. new jersey just lost mercedes-benz usa to the state of georgia. in the early's says -- in new jersey since the early 1970s leaving because it cost less to do business in georgia than a dozen new jersey. don't take my word for it.

the leaders of mercedes said it for themselves as they announced the departure. economic incentive laws help, but lower taxes are much better. we will not win the fight to keep them create good paying jobs from middle-class families unless we lower taxes, yet i cannot make this a reality alone. it is you and quite frankly only you the state legislature, who can lower taxes further and make new jersey more prosperous for middle-class families and their children. i urge the legislature to open your eyes and ears to the lessons of mercedes departure and to act now to lower taxes and to prevent and other such departure and the employment displacement that it leads to from middle-class families in the state. [applause]

[applause] [applause] we have also done much to a former education system. for for the 1st time in 100 years we came together to reform tenure. for the 1st time we brought the concept of performance-based pay to schools and our largest cities so that we can pay the best teachers more. we have reformed and reenergized public education under the of a cooperative school advisory board in support of mayor and

council, expanded charter schools throughout the state and together have an active the urban hope legislation to create renaissance schools and our highest risk districts. on this we cannot and we should not rest. a great 1st step would be to listen to the visionary of senator cain and passed the opportunity scholarship back. let's give families and alternative keep driving for better outcomes, give parents and students more choice not less choice, more choice. at its heart education is

about realizing the potential of every individual. these past few years you have joined me in applying this principle to those who face special challenges including the disease of drug addiction. we expect that the mandatory drug court program you helped me enacted to 40 counties building on those in which courts were established immediately after the law's enactment. i have i have a simple view of this. drug addiction is a disease. it can happen to anyone. at any time. from any station in life. but it can be treated. [applause] crying at the senseless needless funerals of our

children and our friends is not enough. every life is an individual gift from god no matter what condition we find it in. no life is disposable at any stage of life. they have an obligation to help people help people reclaim our lives, and if we have the tools to help those with this disease to save there own lives in my opinion it is a set for us not to use those tools and help give them their lives back, requiring mandatory treatment instead of prison for nonviolent drug offenders is only one step but it is an important one. treatment is the path to saving lives, and i want to make this clear.

for as long as i am governor of new jersey treatment will be mandatory in that system we will not yield to the scourge of drugs in our society. [applause] .. >> >> who are trying to help

and in the time we have instituted a review program to make it available to law enforcement and in new jersey law we have saved over 700 lives. [applause] if -- giant frog trying to give the non-violent offenders to higher education to the new jersey step program and today is our next up to help those battling the disease and drug addiction by approving the way we deliver these services. right now a number of federal state and county government programs that are nonprofit partners to find and deliver some form of adult addiction services. how to access those could be very difficult and overwhelming to someone when confronted with the

unintended bureaucracy and the effects of their condition. contacted multiple agencies to figure out the rate treatment is challenge enough but even more so for these individuals were in crisis. a freer easier to make it easier for those individuals access the right services at the right time we will save lives. the issue the administration will launch the first phase of the reform effort to make them available to a single point of entry. to make it so there is no wrong door in this approach those facing addition to make one phone call to access available sources and resources across the state. one of the al called to provide real-time information with treatment options to connect them to the help they need right there and then this is have

good government is opposed to working by coordinating all programs and services to help those dealing with addiction to help to maximize resources to be sure dollars are not going to waste to get real-time intermission from our partners across the state. think about a. to connect with someone the best work for there recovery process. utilizing services and once the report is under way to adults with mental illness. planning is already begun. so that we're being more efficient and more targeted. going back to 22 to better

connect populations in need of assistance and that is where seniors are people with disability or substance abuse problems or mental illness. also looking at the difficult steps to reform the state medicaid program. for senior citizens and people with disabilities easier access to care and a choice. to deliver the right level of service to the right person and most important in the right place. with the assistance and care to have people to be at home with their families. weld reducing our alliance on tradition -- traditional care of nursing homes or developmental centers. to hold down costs for seniors of urgent --

developmental disabilities. new jersey's medicaid spending now imagine this. the medicaid spending growth has trailed the national average now the second lowest in the region. and for those who are paying for them and that is how government is supposed to work. [applause] so now we will take this model directly to our communities. last fall we created the addiction taskforce, a 12 member team shared by pastor

joe carter by the baptist church with a predecessor mr. mccready thank you for standing up to be a part of the solution. [applause] this group is working to fight drug addiction to end the stigma associated with this disease to focus on treatment and prevention. i think all of them for their willingness to step up for the fight and come forward with a one-stop model to connect comprehensive services to tax offenders battling addiction as they leave drug court or incarceration and re-enter society. by helping individuals connected dots to employment and training services, think about what we're doing. we are hoping family their

own foundation for a successful free entry into society. think about what that does for the state to be positively affected to have this number of their own clan. no longer drug-addicted drug-addicted, living outside of incarceration incarceration, working and paying taxes to be a role model for children and grandchildren. and patterson, and it took city, a toms river, trenton and jersey city, one single location will be run by a nonprofit organization and coordination of the administration and community partners. for those of us suffered from addiction at a critical juncture to re-enter society

helping to them avoid a cycle of dependency by transitioning from private sector to use the services of the workplace. it is the best way to ensure the people, we're not talking about statistics but people. people who could be my son or daughter or your son and daughter were has been banned wife. so beyond the statistics to be hopeful again. and it has productive members of our society and we will fight to make it happen. [applause]

but now of all the long-term challenges that we face covered one of the largest and most immediate is our obligation to provide pension and health benefits for state and local employees. not just a new jersey problem but a national problem. states across the country struggling with pension and health costs are eating up every tax dollar they can get the first act of the to solve this problem but to go up against the labor and in

part it was loud but the right thing to do. together read defy conventional wisdom for those that have taxpayers against $120 billion of the next three decades. this was a huge first up. today the health of the pension system is stronger than a was when we got here five years ago. in fact, gains have totaled over $35 billion which is way above projection made by the actuaries thanks to sound management and smart investment strategies. but it is under fire at - - underfunded because of poor decisions made by both parties over decades, not just years. the is have made the system unaffordable for call but we do not have the luxury to ignore this problem.

our administration has contributed more money to the pension system than any administration in the history but it is not enough. let's repeat that again to buy amid all the clamor clamor, this administration has contributed more money to the public pension system than any administration in history and it is not enough it is an insatiable beast. the pension funds problem is long-term not short-term. it relates to every other program that you may favor or treasure with state government. right now the $90 billion unfunded liability for pensions and health benefits is three times the size of the annual state budget. in order to close the

current unfunded liability with just the pension system alone each and every family in new jersey would have to write a check for $12,000. that is the nature of long-term entitlements that grow faster than the economy and our problem here is no different than washington. for all these reasons last summer i appointed a commission of experts to make recommendations for pension and health benefit costs. asking to think outside the box i think the members of the commission for resistance secretary of united states treasury for this pressing issue. the long term solution a health benefit plans are difficult and worthy to achieve.

we took the first deaths in 2011 let's make 2015 the year we finish the job. [applause] >> america remains a country the economy is growing but not enough. to jersey's economy is growing but not enough. but at the same time real wages it is not as strong as it could be or should be we are a nation set by anxiety and it is understandable that economic growth is ruled by postwar recovery standards in america is leadership is called into question because of a

pattern of a decision and it -- and during this time the leaders of washington would rather stope division for their own political gain. and if it is bipartisan in nature. as i travelled the country is the most probable a motion more than a narrow or fear or anxiety in the suburbs of maryland from kansas and teachers in colorado veterans in maine and workers in arkansas. the wisest words came from

an 82 year-old woman per troy shot her hand -- i shot her he and and she did not let go and held on tight. she said governor, i am 82 years old. i have a question. yes ma'am? what has happened to our country. we use to control the events now they control us. we have the tools not to except that anxiety or given to it. we though time and again and has delivered the most good for the most people. we know the policies of lower taxes have created higher economic growth for our middle-class. we know a commitment to education at every level we

just have to have the courage. and to truly empower principals, parents, teacher s, students to reach for their highest aspirations. we need the wisdom to invest in schools, colleges, universit ies that will help shape our children there. we know our ability to make investment in education and infrastructure and our cities and communities is dependent on our willingness for the cost of entitlements we know this as a people and the result is a sense of drift so be clear about our direction here. we need to address this anxiety head on. we need to renew the spirit in the hopes of our state and country and people.

a renewal of our commitment to the hard-working families that are the backbone of the state. of renewal in commitment to the belief our people deserve better than a national government that in turn suffocate our people. a renewal to the deal to make that happen in that new jersey's best days lie ahead and we don't have to accept anything less. our commitment to the belief that new jersey and its people deserve better from us. ice. those they have chosen to lead them. we need a new jersey renewal and american renewal. and i renew my commitment to new jersey today to make the lives of our citizens more prosperous, more healthy, better educated and truly optimistic.

so when we stand here in one year, by the way i will be standing here in one year. [laughter] [applause] for some reason i see less applause on this side of the room. i don't understand. [laughter] i will try one more time. i will be here in one year. [applause] our today is better than our yesterday and our tomorrow is filled with real opportunity for new jersey's families. we may argue from time to time over the best means to get things done that is the

nature of public debate and i am only willing to engage in it with you but our goal together to make sure it is a better life as possible. through determination and hard work and the commitment of the greater good. to put aside party and pettiness. [applause] i am honored to be joined here today by three leaders who have helped to make it happen. the mayor of camden, the superintendent and then

chief of the metro division of the camden county police department these are getting the job done. [applause] think about camden. a city riddled with violent crime of five years ago be set fire corrupt and ineffective government at any level five years ago. a school system that failed the families every single day almost five years ago.

then an outstanding leader step forward for mayor. then the county government to lead boldly and then i asked all of you to support the with the new vision for camden. the conversation is we demand partnership and accountability. and because of that we are getting results a city a that has suffered from the investment for decades. in this city is suffering from epidemic crime we terminated the city police department and parting with the county with 400 officers

for the price your paper 260. again, for every mayor city in this chamber for every mayor listening on television for every mayor that were read this 400 police officers on the street for the same price we were paying 250. murder is down 51% below where is once the most dangerous city in america. [applause] firearm results are down by

one-third in the city that was once called the most dangerous city in america. it was once called most dangerous city in america the men and women of the police force to bring calm and peace across the city. in the kansas schools. we have partnered with the al local groups with a renewed accountability better being to build once again in this city of camden in a public part - - private partnership hold a.m. and optimism is that

been the fear of failure is down i have ben in camden high school a number of times of the football field and in the classroom and once again they are feeling a sense of pride where they go to school and what they're future looks like a. a new medical school the new investment by of rutgers university helps to think bright young citizens to the neighborhoods. no one in i mean no one would have believed it was possible five years ago it is happening because of action and results ahead of politics and partisanship and a shared failed history. i'm a republican. she is a democrat and has not mattered for one minute. i make this offer to every major city in vivid new jersey if you were willing to put down i will extend my

hand in partnership we will rebuild your cities. [applause] the january 13, 2015 we had the beginning of the new year ended two-time interstate's history. this year led us recommit to the principle of action to create the conditions for growth to prepare our children for a better future to address the long-term

problems to value every lifetime matter what condition the matter what stage that is our job as public servants and should be our common agenda for the year ahead. i believe in a new jersey renewal that can help lead to an american renewal both with every individual home in the state all round the world. and my prayer today is you will join me in that renewal as so many of you in this chamber and state have done with me before over the last five years. i an incredibly proud to be the governor of new jersey

and i will never ever stop fighting for our new jersey we will. thank you. god bless you. god bless the great state of new jersey. [applause]

[applause] [inaudible conversations] and [applause] want one when

[applause]

[inaudible conversations] >> please remain standing for the benediction to be delivered. a number of presidential republican candidates had been invited to speak including former governor mike huckabee, donald trump and dr. ben carson as well as 2008 vice president nominee sarah palin. the i was afraid of so many kicks off live this saturday

at 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span, the c-span radio and c-span.org. >> president obama gives his state of the union address to a joint session of congress we will have the speech of the republican response. house leader nancy pelosi each previous the president's address in here are there remarks from the house floor. >>. >> mr. speaker this weekend we observe the celebration of the life of martin luther king, jr. talking about engagement from the american people for justice and peace in debt was exciting to see the response across the country when the issues are in the forefront.

tonight we will hear from the president of united states. from what i'd hear it will reflect what we have seen across the country in terms of what he said last year that when america succeeds with college affordability affordability, child care care, sick leave and all the issues and hopefully it will reflect what we talk about opening day. better infrastructure and bigger paychecks. as we all know despite all the economic gains and indicators that talus progress has been made in our economy it is reflected in the paychecks of america's working families. finally will be increasing that paychecks starting from

initiatives that benefit the middle class and those who aspire to it. all of that a reflection of love the engagement of what martin luther king talked about everything we could do in a bipartisan way. to find common ground lattice work together to get it done to build confidence among the american people and keep america number one with education and innovation as a factor for peace in the world. with that i yield back. >> mr. speaker the president addresses the you give promising more government, more spending and more taxes. obviously the president did not read the november memo from america in the election of persistent big

government. king george 1/3 impose the stamp act 250 years ago this year but the columnist decried the new tax. more confiscation of property is not a sound solution and after all taxes are already too high. revenue into the federal coffers is set a record level and americans are already hammered by obamacare tax is after all raising taxes is not a proven economic theory to grow the economy. we need less tax we should consider the up their attacks it does not discriminate. the president should remember history and not follow the old failed policy of king george road back three but less taxation and less government and more freedom for our citizens that is just the way it is.

>> in the old days people went to working in factories and paid for their labor and working 95 but today we all were given these factories like google or facebook or twitter but we are working 24 hours a day. to revisit the knowledge we are creating the value for them. worse from that because what the companies are doing is learning more and more about

this from our behavior of what we publish, photographs publish, photographs, ideas, but we by and say and don't say to -- about and they transform us as the product so not only are we working for free but it is the ultimate scam of the hitchcock movie.

[inaudible conversations] good morning. 84 joining us today says senator short on time he has thought hard stop at 9:30 a.m. to get back to the hills a level get into the introduction and we will skip key would say because the reason we are here to hear the chairman of the senate finance committee. senator hatch is in his seventh term as utah senator the most senior republican in the west senate today and is a longtime friend of the american business community. as chairman of the senate finance committee he is an advocate of fiscal

responsibility through the nation's tax code to expand trade with exports as an advocate for improving the health care system. the chairman will unveil the 2015 policy agenda for the committee which as timing hasn't is to the "state of the union" and we hope to hear more about his plans for comprehensive tax reform and the committee may address the entitlement and what the future may hold on trade agreements and to appreciate your leadership to recognize any suggestions you may have that we might do to help you would be appreciated. 2015 will be a busy year for us in of the senator has many accomplishments i will

mention one he is proud of he is married to a late hadj proud parents of six children, 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren please join me to offer a warm welcome to senator hatch. [applause] >> actually 15 great-grandchildren. and that seems to be bumping up all the time. you do a great job here at the chamber and how to make things right. everybody here at the chamber does good work in to keep everyone informed a

very kvetch appreciate the advice and counsel has offered to members of congress over the years. it is an exciting time to be in washington if you are a republican. with the results of the last election voters gave us the opportunity to do great things and believe me we will not waste that opportunity for geithner today speaking as the chairman of the senate finance committee. has the largest jurisdiction of any committee in congress to impact of the lives and livelihood of each and every american an. jurisdiction over the tax code and health care policy. jurisdiction over our trade policy in the entitlement programs in there is much more. great senators the on both sides of the aisle. i am grateful to the senate leader and my colleagues for intrusting be with this opportunity.

over country faces a number of significant challenges. despite recent upticks economic growth over the last several years has lagged behind that story to levels. even though we have seen a decline in the end obliterate labor force participation rate is dangerously low and we go with the big reasons people are not looking for jobs in a more. our national debt is over $18 trillion. and only projected to expand in the coming years. we have a entitlement crisis to take our economy down

with that. we will need the new agenda that puts a healthy economy and job creation first. an agenda ed to get hard-working taxpayers greater security and independence to put our government on a better and responsible fiscal flooding. that is what i am here to talk about today as chairman of the finance committee and what to do all i can to put our country on a better pass to insure all americans have an opportunity to prosper. for what is the ambitious agenda to lay that out today i am fully aware the word ambitious is another synonym for unrealistic for i can only offer my commitment to make every part of this

agenda a reality. this is not the first time i have chaired a committee and while there are show the unique challenges to every committee those who know me can attest to work to get things done. to see what we're tackling the 114th congress, tax reform. my top priority is to reform our nation's broken tax code. it is long overdue. i do think there is one person who would disagree with that sentiment. comprehensive tax reform is the central if we get our economy moving again. the current tax system is a roadblock that stands between us and sustained prosperity. i don't believe reform should be considered optional. it is essential if we're serious about building and maintaining a healthy economy.

over the past few years i have laid out seven - - several principles. the first is growth of the economy. growing our economy should be the highest priority as we undertake tax reform. and it robust growth our children and grandchildren face a dim the future. and other essential principle was fairness. it should treat severely taxpayers similar. it should not pick winners or losers -- losers. it should be the base of a fair tax cut of. with that important principle, every year american spend more and more on gdp well really we spend more than the gdp of total gdp of new zealand. just to comply with the tax code alone. these billions of dollars

could be put to better use elsewhere into providing greater financial security for families and individuals. permanences another principle. taxpayers can plan for the future without wondering if the tax code will change for years year. also to promote american en competitiveness under the current system to face disadvantaging is relative to foreign counterparts. we made to eliminate the impediments in the world marketplace. we also need to promote savings and investment. right now the tax code discourages people from saving for future

generations and that needs to be changed for tax reform. and with revenue neutrality looking for additional revenues or spending we are not engaging in tax reform we are just plain and simple raising taxes. and taxpayers is a needless destruction in my opinion. anyone who would publicly argue that the american people are under taxed for american businesses are under tax. we need to remember that as we work to reform and because of that some of them are inverting because of better tax rates and at this point sadly obama leggett said we have seen reports in the "state of the union" address calling for tax

hikes to simplify the tax code to help the of middle-class and that is proposing something damaging to help to expand the economy to promote savings and create jobs. his proposal would descend a message to actually help promote the health of the economy. the president may be using language typically associated with tax reform but his bills depart from the principles that we set for word. it is essential if we enact reforms and helping get the president to reverse course. simplicity is important to create creative advertising but this is about more of

redistribution with added complexity in class warfare at job creation small businesses and tax reform which is unfortunate. because we believe real leadership from the white house not just talking points if tax reform will ever be successful we need that leadership. so my seven principles are how we get to reform? i am sure all if you are aware of the recent steps taken from the finance committee. last week we appointed leaders to five tax reform working group's study various areas of the code to find solutions to offer proposals for reform. this process puts us on a path where bipartisan tax reform will be achievable the five working groups to income-tax personal to his business and three savings and investment ever for international tax number five committed to build the

infrastructure my hope is the committee members will use this opportunity to uncover a real tax reform solutions to give real idea is for tax reform i believe that is just what they will do their all committed to the process and that will work. and al their doubting the intent of the process this is not an exercise or theater nor is it just for show. this is a very real undertaking i don't want to just read these a framework gore proposal that does not tax reform is to make the new law the purpose of this endeavor is to produce a bipartisan tax reform legislation to be introduced martin by the finance committee leaders this year. i am sure you have your own thoughts on what the final product should look like and

i look forward to hearing from you as the process moves forward. we also have to work to find the highway bill. it expires in may and butter we address that as a stand-alone or as a part of tax reform we will work to find a long-term let -- funding solution for the highway and i agree that a gas tax is unlikely even though the contractors agree with that. i think we can find other solutions. and it should not be partisan and i am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides to find a solution to this important issue. also the agenda of has an interest of international trade this is another area

where the 95 percent of the population, 60 percent of the purchasing power besides outside of united states. to be able to compete on the world stage they need to have access to the foreign markets with a vibrant foreign economy to provide greater prosperity for individuals and businesses. engaging in the biggest negotiants of history in the asia-pacific region, the other is our allies from the european union the transatlantic trade and investment partnership. my job is to help ensure that these trade agreements meet high standards to

provide the very best opportunities for american workers every president since fdr has sought efforts to negotiate to conclude high standard trade agreements and you will not get them unless you pass it i have been amazed this president has pushed hard after saying he would never did. in the last century no major trade agreement has been concluded are enacted in congress and then they must succeed. and i would argue the opposite is true.

and in hands is congress's role for the administration waited for tpa legislation and my plan is to move carefully to mark up the bill. i am currently working with a ranking member widened to seek if there are so they can introduce a bicameral bill in this congress that we could move been short order.

and with members of his party with the "state of the union" address hoping we can get this done quickly that is what i am committed to do. there are other important elements of the trade agenda but this congress passed to remove the generalized system of preferences to authorize the customs and border protection enforcement agencies with their growth and opportunity act. all of these are important. my plans to move sooner rather than later with these priorities as well. health care of a bite to take a few minutes to talk about policy. there is a lot to discuss of course, heading over every discussion is the affordable

care actor could know what in this room should be surprised to learn that i oppose the affordable care a backdoor aid should be repealed. and to get enacted into law. but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do nothing but yet we cannot repeal obamacare we will continue to use strike away piece by piece. last week i introduced introduced, reintroduce bipartisan in legislation of the medical device tax and planned to introduce of bill to reduce the employer mandate overwhelmingly the hero's at the bipartisan measure to find work by exempting them from the employer mandate that past 100 percent in that house.

this will be the first bill of the finance committee that is the plan of the leadership there are other bills in the pipeline many of which expose the negative impact on jobs they and the economy included legislation in to restore the 40 hour work week. sova to work on these white he is right and they are wrong but let's be clear it is not enough for the entire congress to send messages we need to work toward positive solutions of our own. with the last congress have worked with senator byrd and coburn as an alternative for the patient care act.

so to expand choice or curbing health care cost to inject the market forces into the health care system. this congress and will work to bring others on board with their thoughts and critiques and i know they will continue to offer guidance. it is important is -- important because as we all though the supreme court is going to rule of the legitimacy of the obamacare subsidies by june. can they give subsidies to the two exchanges? of course, the language is a big u.s. to rule of that legitimacy by the end of june of course, i express my

own opinion and i will not speculate today i just say we need to be prepared because should the court ballonets subsidies with the additional damages of the health care system. . .

>> we will address this challenge once and for all. while we are on the subject of medicare i want to talk about the programs overall. we are facing in efficiency in the years to come if we don't don't act on medicare medicaid and social security. they are out of whack. the stakes are enormous. we are talking about tens of trillions of dollars.

you heard that right. tens of trillions of unfunded liabilities. our nation's permanent fiscal health and the future of the safety net stands in the balance. everyone is talking about entitlement reform but few are willing to do anything about it. our friend on the other side are trying to destroy social security is the word but nothing could be further from the truth. they keep kicking the can down the road on the issue and we to act sooner than later. in the last congress i proposed five bipartisan bills on entitlement and shared them with anyone who would listen. the president wouldn't listen. four focused on medicare and included raising the eligibility age, reforming the supplemental

insurance, simplifying cost sharing and introducing competitive bidding in the system. the fifth reform was with medicare and setting limits opfederal medicare spending. each of these ideas in the past have enjoyed the support of members of both parties. this isn't a republican wish list of terrible things we would like to do to medicare and medicaid. these are reasonal ideas i put forward to begin to discussion. we need to talk social security. a program with 25 million in unfunded obligations. the funds are projected to be exhaust exhausted sometime around 2016. there is an urgency to act. that is not creating a false crisis. it is a fact.

even social security trustees who include officials from obama's administration urge action and agree. in pact in their words, not mine quote legislation action is needed as soon as possible. i will be working with a bicameral and bipartisan legislation to motivate dialogue and confront social security changes in congress. that will require my friends on the other side take up my offer to engage in dialogue at the very least. something thus far they have been unwilling to do. if we don't face the fact this is unsustainable and do nothing to put them on a sustainable path than simple budget arithmetic means our taxes will have to rise and rise significantly over time. of course our income tax system is illsuited to having greater

shares of the economy from private hands so the result of failing to confront the unsustainable way would be a way for them to add more value added taxes or carbon taxes. i believe taxing americans must be avoided if we value the american economy. okay. pensions. another priority for me this year will be pension reform. the purpose of pension reform is to help hard working americans achieve independence, the safe retirement act, is designed to do this. the finance company will take it up in this congress and dl increase opportunities for americans to save for retirement and help make sure

that their money last lifetime. no small feat in the world where people are living longer and longer lives. my bill does a number of things. it would create a starter 401-k plan designed for small or start up businesses that are not in a position to contribute but want to help their employees save. it allows unrelated self-employment employeers to pull their resources and have lower cost. in addition the safe retirement acts requires fix annuity for retirement and tackles one of the most pressing retirement problems facing the country: the problem of local and federal pension plans that are bankrupting state and local governments.

look at illinois. that is the biggest problem they have. california. you can name almost all blue states. they are in trouble. the urban institute established a system for evaluating pension plans across the country grading seven separate criteria. and i am glad to say the safe retirement plan is the only plan in the country to receive all a's. they gave my plan the highest grade in the country. my plan represents the best solution to the growing pension crisis in america. finally, the safe retirement act makes sure that hard working americans will continue to have affordable access to professional investal advise by securing the ira rule to the treasury department and requiring them to consult with the security and exchange commission when practicing rules

related to the professional standard of care owed by brokers and advisors to ira owns. it only makes sense to give treasury the lead. they are in the tax cut afterall. i look forward to seeing the safe retirement act enacted into law. and i would like to talk about the debt ceiling which is going to come our way likely some time about mid-year. it is yet another major item falling under the finance committee's jurisdiction. it makes you wonder why i went on this committee to begin with. it is at this point uncertain how the near extension of the debt limit will be processed and what that will entail. human resources. another area under the financial committee jurisdiction is that of human resources and welfare.

i have a full agenda there as well. the federal government needs to be a better steward of taxpayer dollars and ensure that funded social interventions produce positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families. we should fund what we know works relative to the child welfare system and stop spending scarce taxpayer dollars on what actually hurts children. there are a number of funding streams in the jurisdiction for the senate finance committee that have languished for years without appropriate oversight and evaluation. i will review programs like the temporary assistance for needy families, and the social services block grant, to determine if they are producing positive results and if not what we can do about it. i worked with senator bennett of colorado last congress to introduce public and private

partnerships to promote interventions. sometimes this is referred to as social impact bonds. this approach to social service delivery could offer states and the federal government a viable pathway to innovate promising strategy to achieve positive result and save taxpayer dollars at the same time. i plan to continue work in this area during the 114th congress. last but certainly not least, and you are probably glad i am getting to the end of this but you can see the committee has tremendous jurisdiction and we have tremendous problems. so last and certainly not least i want to talk about oversight. the finance committee has a tradition of oversight whether it is our administration agencies under our jurisdiction or some cases the private sector. i plan to make sure that

tradition continues. my goal as chairman is to be aggressive but fair in our oversight efforts. for too long agencies under the committee's jurisdiction has avoided oversight by denying request for oversight. that is a dog that will not hunt. we need to look closelyae at the impl implementation of obamacare. the government spent millions on exchanges that were not implemented and now they want them to spend hundreds of thousands more to help get their federal exchange in working order. we need to know what happened and if that money will be paid back. we will hold the administration

accountable for their management of our entitled programs and expose any choices that have led to the loss of billions of taxpayer funds. we will need to ensure accountability from the administration on the opec programs and actions undertaken at the treasury social security administration and other agencies. these agencies are responsible for spending tens of billions on administrative cost alone. and for literally trillions of payments to and tax received from hard working american workers and businesses. those responsibilities have for too long been executed into the shadows that exist in treasury and social security. we have a responsibility to all-americans to ensure they know how their resources are being utilized and take decision making out of the shadows and into the light of the day. oversight of the administration is one of the most important

jobs of any committee and i will make sure our efforts yield results and improve the way our government functions. many of these agenda items is the question of whether congress will use budget reconciliation and that question has been raised in regard to health care and tax reform particularly. when it comes to items that fall under jurisdiction of the finance committee my preference is to work toward bipartisan solutions. however we should not and cannot take any tool off the table. the stakes are just too high to limit ourselves like that. should we decide to go that route, i will work with my colleagues on the budget committee to make sure whatever we do on the finance jurisdiction is affective. we have a lot on our plate given

the challenges we face and the size of our jurisdiction that is the way it has to be. but i think it is good thing. the senate finance committee has a long history of effectiveness and bipartisan. i have been proud to serve on this committee for that reason. i look forward to working with republicans and democrats to make the agenda a reality and i look forward to working with you and take your suggestions. i want to go back to what i said about ambition. some call the person who is ambitist full hardy but i believe we must have ambition if we are going to help the country prosper, and we must have ambition if we are going to do good thing for the american people. i want to tell you how much i appreciate the work of the

united states commerce and appreciate their support on so many issues that have helped to make this country a better place to live work and raise families. i want to thank you all this morning for what you do. god bless you. and god bless our wonderful country. [applause]

>> tonight, president obama delivers his state of the union address and we will have the speech, the gop response given by joni ernst and your reaction on open phones. watch the president's speech and congressional reaction from stachary hall in the united states capital. the state of the union address is live on c-span c-span2, and our radio station. >> you can weigh in with our facebook question of does it matter? deb says of course it matters. regardless of what state the union is in. it especially matters this year because obama is a lame duck and not acting like one. and art writes no he will ignore the constitution, the will of the people and the law. i have no respect for anyone who tries to rob me of my rights.

earlier today, house minority leader nancy pulouis and ted poe gave their reaction ahead of the president's remarks -- pelosi -- >> we observe the celebration of the life of the reverend martin luther king, jr. he talked about engagement for the american people jobs, justice for peace and it was pretty exciting to see the response across the country at a time when the issues were at the forefront. tonight we will hear from the president of the united states and from what i hear it will reflect what we have seen across the country in terms of what he said last year. when women succeed, america

succeeds. about college affordability, child care and sick leave and all of the issues that enable families to succeed. and hopefully it will reach out to what we talked about on opening day: better infrastructure and bigger paychecks. despite all of the economic gains and indicators that tell us progress has been made in the economy, and indeed it has, it isn't reflecting in the paycheck's of america's families. so i know he is going to talk about increasing the paycheck starting from initiatives that benefit the middle class and those who aspire to it. all of it is a reflection of the american people and all of it about engagement for what martin

luther king talked about. hopefully we are able to do it all in the bipartisan way. let us find the areas of common grouped, work together to get it done, build confidence between us and the body and among the american people, and keep america number one in education, innovation, and justice and a factor for peace in the world. with that mr. speaker, i yield back. >> mr. speaker, the president addressed the people tonight promising more taxes and spending. the majority of the union rejected the policy in the election of persistent big government. king george the third imposed to stamp act 250 years ago this year. they cried out over the tax. this isn't a sound solution. afterall taxes are already too

high. afterall revenue into the federal coffmaners is at a record level. americans are hammered by obamacare taxes and raising taxes isn't a proven economic theory to grow the economy. we need less tax. we should consider the fair tax that doesn't discriminate in taxation. the president should remember history and not follow the old policy of king george the third. we should give less government and more freedom for our citizens. and that is just the way it is. >> c-span's coverage of president obama's state of the union address begins at 8 eastern. plus the republican response and action from you and members of congress. later at 11 another chance to see the president's speech followed by your comments.

>> senate majority leader mitch mcconnell talked with people at the capital about what he hopes the president will speak about. he commented on some of the areas the republicans and democrats agree on as the senate majority move forward. dan fischer, rob portman and shelly were live with him. >> this is a big day for the president coming up. it is important to remember it isn't unusual to have divided government. we have had it a lot. i hope to hear from the president an emphasis of things we agree on and things that give us a chance to advance the agenda of the maerp people. i think any president in this situation has a choice. he can act like he is still running for office or he can focus on the things that we have

a chance to reach an agreement on. obviously that is what i hope we will hear tonight. a speech that brings us together and doesn't push us apart. the american people have spoken and decided they want both parties to have some lever of power here in congress and i can they expect us to sort out the things we can agree on and try to make bipartisan progress. with that i will turn to senator corman. >> i lot of run up to the state of the union has been about what divides us between parties or capital hill and the administration. so i hope the president talks about what is uniting us and listening to the results of the 2014 election. it wasn't about electing a republican majority. it was about getting together and getting it done.

american workers and farmers are at a disadvantage because other companies areope opening up markets. he hasn't opened up anything and he is talking about leaving that authority and many of us would like to help give the american workers and service providers that authority so they can open up markets and compete on a level playing field with 95% of had consumers outside of the borders. let's hope the president talks about that tonight and does more than talk about it. let hope he goes to the caucus the democrats, and talks about the importance of this and get the economy moving where people are not left behind. export jobs pay more and have better benefits. it is a great example of what we could do together to help keep the american economy forward and

ensuring people are not left behind. >> hello, everyone. i am really looking forward to hearing the president speak tonight. i believe ever elected official got the message loud and clear from voters. i know i did from nebraska and i believe the american people sent a very very clear message. that is that we better work together and we need to get things done. we are trying to do that now on an energy bill on the floor of the united states senate. what i think the american people want, what i know nebraskaens want is security. we want national security. we want to make sure our country is defended. and our military has the resources they need to provide defense. we want economic security we want to make sure our families are taken care of we want to know that the middle class

people can have a good job and provide for their families and take care of them and save for their kids college education and maybe put a nest egg away, they can buy a home. we can do those things. we are ready to move forward and accomplish the tasks that are before us. i have been working with senators on the other side of the aisle on a number of bills. one is paid family leave act that senator angus king and i are working on. it is a great bill. it should peabe coming up to amend and vote on it. we have a pledge from the majority leader and you will see that from the republican conference that we are going to be debating amending and voting. in other words, we are going to do our job. so i hope that the president will put that message out there too.

that he is ready to do his job in working with us. >> good afternoon. i am shelly the new senator from the state of west virginia. as i was flying up here i was talking to my constituants. this is a time to come together. when i explained what the president -- what we were thinking is going to be coming forth, the early proposals by the president, the guy looks at me, rolls his eyes and says more gridlock? and that is what we are saying and i am saying. we want to work in a bipartisan way. we have keystone on the floor with great bipartisan support. i think a good transportation bill is a great way to get

americans back to work. that is a bipartisan issue on both sides of the aisle and capital. and that is a place like west virginia where it is transportation day here. they are looking for us to work together. i hope he strike as common ground, common sense, doable items where we can show that gentlemen i met this morning at the airport and others it isn't business as usual. we are ready to create a new day. we want him to join us in creating that new day working together and finding common ground. so thank you. >> what reforms do you think might be possible for obamacare or the dodd frank bill? >> we made a couple changes to dodd frank already. we are looking for ways to revisit both of those bills in

ways that would make them substantially different from what was in mind originally. we will have to see as we go forward. i don't expect a great deal of bipartisan on the revisitation of obamacare but we will do it. and people have an opportunity to see how the new majority feels in the senate about that unfortunate piece of legislation. >> [inaudible question] >> is it possible to actually put the tone issues and rhetoric aside and still be able to focus on areas of agreement? >> that is a question you ought to ask the president. every since the election he has

done almost without exception indicated he is not for much of anything the american people voted for last november. but look with all due respect, we are going to try to do what we think makes america a better place, hopefully he agrees to some of it. we have the trade authority, and we need to do a cyber security bill and we should be able to reach an agreement with the president in those two areas. looking at the rollout, speak of warmed over proposals, it looks like the same old taxes that the president has been advocating for the last six years. hopefully it is rhetoric and he knows we are not likely to pass these things and look for things we agree on to make progress

here. >> i would hope what he would emphasis tonight rather than another tax increase was tax reform something i thought we had the potential for some kind of agreement on. we had a number of discussions privately and publically about the need to address tax reform. that is not what i gather he is going to talk about tonight. at least not what they chose to highlight in advance of tonight. we might be able to make progress on that area. but another income redistribution effort or tax increase obviously isn't what we had in mind. thanks a lot.

>> tonight the state of the union, the gop response and your reaction live on c-span and c-span radio. on c-span watch the speech and the congressional reaction. tomorrow, a review of the state of the union. we will start with tom christ who discusses the house republican agenda as well.

and joseph crowley on house democratic legislative priorities. and roger wicker who is the national republican senator chair looks at the senate gop priorities for 2015. plus your phone calls, facebook comments and tweets. washington journal is live at 7 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> mitch mcconnell and dick durbin took to the floor to talk about the speech before the state of the union tonight. >> mr. president, tonight we will welcome president obama to the capital. we look forward to hearing what he has to say. we are looking forward to senator ernst address as well. she understands hard working families in a way much like

washington hasn't. she will explain the commitment of this new congress to work for policies aimed at the good jobs and better wages that americans deserve. tonight is a big moment for the president and for our country. the tone he strikes and the issues he highlights will tell us a lot about what to expect in his presidency's final act. there is a lot riding on it. we will be listening closely. one option is the path he has been on for many years. i sincerely hope he makes a different choice. the american people spoke in clear terms about this direction. they called for a new one. we should work together to make washington focus on their concerns. working with a new congress for positive change is the