democratic friends would at least want to give the senate an opportunity to make improvements to the bill if they want to make such improvements. why would our friends want to stand tall for the ability of politicians to do things president obama himself has described as unwise and unfair? why would our friends go to the mat to protect the political class from the consequences of overreach president obama has referred to himself as ignoring a law? well, here's the good news: there is a way forward, there's a way to end this democratic filibuster. all it requires is a little common sense and a little democratic courage. remember several democrats previously indicated unease with the idea of overreaching in ways president obama has seemed to imply would, quote violate the law, end quote. so now's the time to back those words up. now's the time for our friends on the other side of good

conscience to vote with us to break this party's filibuster of homeland security funding and help us protect american democracy. now, mr. president, i would ask unanimous consent that the motion to proceed to h.r. 240 be agreed to and that it be in order for the managers or their december knees to offer amendments in alternating fashion with the majority manager of his diss ig knee being -- designee being authorized to -- is there objection? >> mr. president? reserving the right to object. mr. president, there is bipartisan objection to the request by the majority leader. but, mr. president, it is worth spending a minute or two hearing what republican senators have had to to say the last few hours. john mccain, senior senator

from arizona is that the definition of insanity, voting on the same bill over is and over again? jim inhofe i think three's enough. there's division within the conference on this. jeff flake arizona, we can go through the motions, sure, but i don't think we're fooling anybody. another republican senator i wish we could take no for an answer and figure out the next step. well, mr. president what has happened in the last 30 hours? we knew 30 hours ago about isis. we watched the their brutality killing thousands and thousands of innocent people. going back, i guess, in memory to the days we thought would never exist again killing thousands and thousands of people those many centuries ago, genghis khan killing thousands and thousands of innocent people. isis has been doing this.

but they've also added some things that we have watched not because we wanted to, but because they've forced us to. beheadings. somebody kneels down in front -- they cut off the head with a knife. they film that send it around the world for us to watch. but what happened 30 hours ago? the brutality that we thought had reached its pinnacle got worse. what isis did approximately 30 hours ago is put the jordanian pilot in a cage, a cage, dump flammable liquid over that cage and then film that man being burned alive for 22 minutes. we have been forced to watch that. yes, isis is awful. the worst. uncivilized. we're dealing with that. now, mr. president, republicans

forced this entirely unnecessary debate. all over the papers -- not only the nevada papers, but pick up the new york time, pick up "the washington "the washington post" -- you'll see a picture of a young woman from nevada. her name is blanca. a young woman now, she came to the united states as a baby a baby. because of the direction taken by the president to have the united states, this young woman and hundreds of thousands of others who dreamed of being able to lead a different life are now leading a different life. blanca has gotten two college degrees now. she's going to law school next year. he she works. she pays -- she works. she pays taxes. why in the world are republicans afraid of blanca gamez? why? why? it's been said by martin heym

rick by claire mccaskill it appears republicans in the senate are more grade of the dreamers than you are of isis. well, mr. president i know that the chairman of the subcommittee on homeland as it relates to -- [inaudible] came to the floor yesterday and talked about regular order. i say to my friend that regular order in the senate has a number of different connotations. one of them is clear so clear and that's why john mccain spoke out, jeff flake, jim inhofe and others spoke out. because in the senate we need to fund our different subcommittees and appropriations. we've done that except homeland security. we have these terrorist acts all over the world taking place right now. we saw it in canada, we saw it in australia, all over the

european community, in paris, in -- all over there. we have had so many frightening things happen, and we, the united states of america are in a position where we're not going to fund homeland security because of blanca gamez? mr. president we would love to debate immigration. we've done it here on senate floor before. it was a wonderful bipartisan debate. and we're willing to do it again. and i'm going to offer consent -- i'm going object to my friend's consent agreement. that's on the record. i'm going to make my own consent agreement that, seems to me, to be pretty good. and what i ask is consent to 272 which is the homeland security appropriation act for this year 2015, at a time to be determined by senator mcconnell after consultation with me but no

later than monday march 16th the senate proceed to consideration of border security economic opportunity immigration and modernization act as passed by the senate in a vote of 68-32 in the year of 2013, the next of which is at my desk. that is my consent agreement. >> mr.-- [inaudible conversations] >> there's an objection to the request by the majority leader s. there an objection to the request of the democratic leader? >> mr. president reserving the right to object just a reminder there's no republican opposition to the consent that the democratic leader objected to. it's clear on our side. it would allow us to have a fair amendment process. if there are differences with the house regular order as a remedy it's called going to conference. none of this is possible while the democrats continue filibuster even getting on the bill. and so, therefore i object.

>> mr. president -- >> objection is heard. >> mr. president? >> democratic leader. >> let me again state words that i didn't make up. john mccain, he is, i think actually paraphrasing what albert einstein said. a true definition of insanity is someone that keeps doing the same thing over and over again with the same result. that's what john mccain said. is that the definition of insanity voting on the same bill again and getting the same result? jim inhofe, i think three's enough. jeff flake, i don't think we're fooling anybody. another republican, i wish we could take no for an answer. mr. president, there is bipartisan support to move forward on a free-standing bill that sends homeland security directly to the president. we want to do that. that's what should be done. that's regular order and if you and the rest of the republicans -- i say this to the presiding officer -- want to come and debate immigration we're willing to do that and that's what my consent agreement

calls for. >> mr. president? >> majority leader. >> as my good friend the democratic leader, reminded me for eight years the majority leader always gets the last word. [laughter] and so let me say again the consent that i offered to which the democratic leader objected was unanimously approved on our side. and what it would do would be to set up an order for amendments rotating from side to side which is exactly the open amendment process that the democratic leader seems to feel somehow we are preventing. that's exactly what i offered. i'm not going to propound it again, but i'll just lay out, you know what it said. to offer amendments in an alternating fashion with the majority manager or his designee being recognized. so that's about as open as i can imagine.

and so -- and it was, there were no objections to it on the republican side regardless of how members who are being quoted by the democratic leader may have observed the overall process for going forward. there is no objection over here to having amendments on both sides alternating from one side to another. >> mr. president? >> the minority leader. >> the american people are crying out that we defend our homeland. they're doing it around the rest of the world. why shouldn't we? that's what this is all about. we want to debate immigration, go ahead and debate immigration but not on the backs of homeland security leaving it totally naked and not giving us the ability to do what needs to be done to protect our homeland. >> mr. president, there is a bipartisan desire to fund the department of homeland security and i'm sure we'll resolve this sometime in the next few weeks. i yield the floor. >> under the previous order, the lineup time is reserved --

leadership time is reserved. under the previous order, the time until 11:30 a.m. will be equally divide in the usual form. >> mr. president? >> chair recognizes the assistant democratic leader. >> mr. president the calendar of business has been put on desks of senators. the calendar of business makes reference on page 12 to s. 272. now, that's a bill that's been introduced by senator shaheen of new hampshire who's on the floor here and is the ranking member of the appropriationings subcommittee responsible for the -- appropriations subcommittee responsible for the department of homeland security as well as senator barbara mikulski of maryland who is the ranking democrat on the appropriations committee. this, on page 12, is the answer to our dilemma. this solves our problem. s. 272 is a bill that's going to fund the department of homeland security for the remainedder of this -- remainder of this year. this department that we count on every minute of every day to protect america will receive all

the funds they need, and they'll receive it almost immediately. because there's no debate between the house and the senate about how much to send to the department. the debate comes down to all the other extraneous matters which the house republicans added to this bill. i thank the senator from new hampshire and the senator from maryland. we have page 12, s. 272. what the senate heard just a few moments ago from our democratic leader is something that none of us will ever get out of our minds. imagine, imagine this jordanian pilot captured by isis put in a cage covered with flammable fluid, liquids. they started a fire and burned him to death. you know, the king of jordan was visiting the capitol when that horrible news came out and rushed back to be with his countrymen. and he has now vowed that

jordan -- which has played a crucial role in trying to find peace in the middle east -- is now dedicated to stopping isis even more. so if isis thought they were going to break the resolve of the king of jordan and the jordanian people exactly the opposite occurred. if isis is resolute in their barbarity, we need to be resolute in protecting our country. and to think that we are caught up in this political debate over immigration and the president's actions and not funding the department of homeland security is disgraceful. the secretary of the department of homeland security came to our lunch just a day or two ago, and he said trying to operate this department, department of homeland security, with this temporary funding is like trying to drive a car with a gas tank that only holds five gallonses and you don't know where the next gas station's going to be. well, that's what he's up against. and so the department of homeland security is unable to fund critical necessary

investments. so what is the issue? what is the political issue that is so important to the republicans that they would stop the funding for the department of homeland security? well i'll tell you what the lead issue is. the lead issue is dreamers. fourteen years ago i introduced the dream act. i said if you were brought to america as a child, a toddler, an infant a small child by your family and they didn't file the papers so that you could be legal in america and you grew up in this country and had no serious problems in your background graduated from high school and wanted to be part of america, we'd give you a chance. you'd get a chance at the dream. oh you'd have to go on to school beyond high school or enlist in our military. we'll put you on the path to legal status. well we couldn't pass that despite 14 years of efforts. it would pass in the senate not in the house and so forth. finally, president obama stepped up two-and-a-half years ago and said okay, there are about two

million young people in america just like this brought to the country when they were kids, and now they want a chance to work here to live here, to even go to school here without fear of deportation. he created something called daca the program allowed them to register pay their fees and be protected. 600,000 signed up. 35,000 in the state of illinois. they signed up so that they could get protection from deportation. the house republicans and republicans in the senate have insisted that we deport these young people. let me tell you the story of one of these young people very quickly, because i know that there are other senators seeking recognition. this is eduardo arias. he was brought to the united states from mexico in 1997 at the age of 7. he grew up in coast that mesa california -- costa mesa,

california. he dreamed of being a doctor. it was not until he applied to college that his immigration status made that next to impossible. he was accepted at the university of california riverside, but because he was undocumented, he didn't qualify for a penny of federal assistance to get through school. when he was a sophomore he met with a counselor to ask him i how am i going to get to medical school, and the counselor told him, you can't go to medical school. you are undocumented in the united states of america. he didn't give up. he did not give up. in 2012 he graduated from the university of california riverside with a chemistry major and research honors. and then a miracle occurred. president obama issued an executive order called daca and eduardo arias was given a chance to sign up for protection with this presidential order, and he did. after he received this daca

protection, eduardo worked for a year as a mentor for at-risk kids in his own hometown of costa mesa. the following year through americorps, eduardo worked as a health educator in local clinics, volunteering and working through americorps with some of the poorest people living in his community. during his year as a health educator, he decided now -- with the protection of daca -- to apply to go to medical school. eduardo arias is in his first year at loyola university chicago school of medicine. he is one of seven protected by daca who have a chance to go to school. but there's a catch. loyola university said you can go to medical school here, but for every year you're in medical school, you have to promise to give one year of your professional life working with the poorest people in my home state of illinois. in small towns and rural areas as well as big cities. and he agreed to it. he is a giving, caring heart.

he agreed to it. to finish medical school and be of service back to the poorest people my state -- in my state. why do the republicans want to deport eduardo arias? why do they want to take this outstanding individual who has struggled and succeeded in life who knows no other country but america and deport him to mexico? will we be a better nation if this young man is not a doctor? will we be a better country if he's not given a chance to give back? here's what he wrote to me in a letter about this daca program which the republicans want to abolish. daca changed my life. medical student arias wrote me. it opened the door to the future ahead of me. if it weren't for daca, i would not be here. i probably would not have pursued medicine. i'm blessed to have the opportunity to do what i love to do and to give back to the

country that has given me so much. mr. president, we are a nation of immigrants. immigrants have come to this country and made it what it is today. we should never forget that. this is the latest generation of immigrants who want to give back to america and make us a stronger nation. why the republicans are opposed to giving them that opportunity i cannot understand. they clearly have not met these young men and women. if they did, their feelings would change. so let's debate this. let's have the debate on daca, but not at the expense of the appropriation for this department. page 12, senate calendar, senate bill 272 offered by senator shaheen and mikulski. here's our answer. a clean bill to fund america and to protect against terrorism and as the democratic leader suggested, start up the debate on immigration. that's the right thing to do for our country. i yield the floor. >> mr. president? >> the chair recognizes the senator from maine. >> thank you, mr. president.

mr. president, in light of the eloquent remarks from the assistant democratic leader who is my friend i hope he will listen carefully to the proposal that i'm about to outline. mr. president, in just over three weeks, the law that funds the department of homeland security will expire jeopardizing the department's ability to carry out its critical mission. legislation to provide funding to the department throughout the remainder of this fiscal year has passed the house and is awaiting action in the senate but progress has stalled. the democrats have blocked it from even being considered because it is not a clean bill. on my side of the aisle, house

republicans have insisted that provisions remain in the bill directing the administration to spend no funds implementing a series of presidential orders issued over the past few years. the senate has held two votes this week to try to begin debate on this bill, both of which have failed on near-party lines. thus, we have reached an impasse. in an attempt to find a path forward, yesterday i filed an amendment in the nature of a substitute that would accomplish three goals. first, it would insure that the department of homeland security is fully funded to perform its vital mission to protect our people. second, it would allow the senate to go on record in strong

opposition to president's extraordinarily broad immigration executive order issued last november. and third, it would protect the dreamers whom senator durbin just talked about. now, let me go back to the november executive order. this particular executive order represents a misuse of the president's authority that threatens to undermine the separation of powers doctrine in our constitution. as the president himself has said more than 20 times, he does not have the authority to expand the law in this manner. he made the exact point in remarks of july 2011 when he said and i quote: i swore an

oath to uphold the laws on the books. now, i know some people want me to bypass congress and change the law to my own, but that's not how our system works. that's not i how our democracy -- not how our democracy functions. that's not how our constitution is written, end quote. mr. president, the president was exactly right when he stated that reality. the substitute that i propose would block the sweeping 2014 executive order, but it does not overturn the more limited executive orders from past years. specifically my amendment would not undo the 2012 deferred action program that allowed dreamers, young people brought to the united states by their

parents years ago, to receive legal status as long as they meet certain requirements. the house bill includes a controversial amendment which i do not support that would invalidate this 2012 program retroactively. my substitute accomplishes my third goal of protecting these children who have grown up here, who speak english, have clean criminal records and often know no other country. they did not make the choice to come to america, that decision was made by their parent or parents. my substitute amendment therefore, is straightforward. first, the amendment mirrors the underlying bill with respect to the funding levels provided to

the department of homeland security so that it can carry out its functions. ironically, there is not dispute over those funding levels. second, it strikes the house provision restricting the expenditure of funds to immoment the dreamers' program that i just described and that senator durbin just commented on. and third it retains the house prohibition on expenditures to fund the president's unauthorized action on immigration announced in november of last year. now, let me make clear that congress should consider comprehensive immigration reform. the fact that there are now an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the united states is irrefutable evidence that our

immigration and border security systems are broken badly. that is why i supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill that passed the senate in 2013. while i was disappointed that immigration reform legislation of some sort did not become law i reject the notion that its failure can serve as a justification for the action taken by the president last november. he cannot do by executive fiat what congress refused to pass regardless of the wisdom of congress' decision. such unilateral action is contrary to how our constitutional system is supposed to work, and it risks undermining the separation of

powers doctrine that is central to our constitutional framework. our constitution vets the power to make law in the legislative branch with congress not with the president. to the president, it assigns the obligation to take care that laws are faithfully executed. that was the rule used by the supreme court in 1952 in the famous youngstown sheet and tubing case that overturned president truman's executive order nationalizing the steel industry to prevent a strike during the korean war. as court explained the -- as the court explained, the president's power to faithfully execute the laws does not make him a lawmaker. the court said and i quote: the constitution limits his

functions in the law making process to the recommending of laws that he thinks wise and the vetoing of laws he thinks bad, end quote. in other words the president is not free to pick and choose among laws enforcing the ones that he likes and ignoring the ones that he doesn't. the president fully aware of this fact. he has often made the point that he could go with no farther than to protect the dreamers. here's what he said: congress has said here is law when it comes to those who are undocumented. what we can do is to carve out the dream act saying young people who are basically grown up here are americans that we

should welcome. but if we start broadening that then essentially i would be ignoring the law in a way that i think would be very difficult to defend legally. so that's not an option. those are the president's own words. action taken by the president in november is a direct contradiction to his own statements. by acting unilaterally, ironically the president is making it less likely that congress will act to pass comprehensive reform. his undermining -- he is undermining the efforts of those of us who favor immigration reform birdie accelerating energy and attention -- by diverting energy and attention from that goal. i urge my colleagues to give consideration to the proposed compromise that i filed as a

substitute yesterday. it will insure that the many men and women -- that the men and women on the front lines of the department of homeland security can do their vitally important jobs. it will overturn the president's misuse of his executive authority last november and it will protect the legal status of children brought to this country by their parents years ago. mr. president i believe i have put forth a reasonable constructive compromise that could get us out of this impasse that is such a disservice to so many. i hope my colleagues will join

together and support the substitute i have proposed. thank you, mr. president. >> mr. president? >> senator from new york. >> well, thank you, and first, i want to once again compliment my colleague, the senior senator from maine. she is always looking for compromise, she is always looking to try and work in a constructive way, and i appreciate -- i don't appreciate the results she's asked for which i'll talk about in a second, but i always appreciate her efforts. now, mr. president, we have a very simple position here. it's a position that's logical it's a position even republicans, as leader reid have mentioned -- has mentioned, have talked about. pass a clean homeland security bill and then go to the floor and debate amendments. debate senator collins' amendment, despate senator cruz's amendment, debate any immigration amendments you want. but to repeat we will not be held hostage.

the american people don't want a gun to their head particularly when it involves security to debate immigration. we know that. we know what the junior senator from texas is doing. everyone on the other side knows it. and, of course, we're not going to go along. so my dear friend from maine comes up with a new solution. all it is it's still hostage taking because it's attached to funding the homeland security bill. we're now only debating the size of the ransom. and we will not do it. we are not going to be pressured, be bullied that we have to do this or that immigration reform as a price to fund homeland security. it's too vital to america it's too vital to our country, it is

not the way legislating should work, and my dear colleagues from the other side should have learned the lesson a year and a half ago when they threatened to shut down the government unless they get their way no matter how deeply they feel of the substance, they lose. the junior senator from texas is leading his republican colleagues at best into a cul-de-sac and at worst over the cliff. and i don't think they want to follow, but the house is in a box and says show us, show us that the senate won't pass bill. well we won't. we are not into hostage taking. we are not into being bullied. we are not into legislating with a gun to our head. and my guess is the white house would not support anything like this either. so to my dear republican friends, go back to the drawing board. you control the senate. you're in charge.

it's your responsibility to find a way out of this. and our way is simple. as leader reid outlined, first pass clean homeland security. protect our security. then place on the floor immigration, we welcome the debate. we welcome the debate on mr. cruz's amendment we welcome the debate on senator collins' amendment but not as a hostage taker. again, all senator collins is doing is saying what is the size of the ransom but we're still doing hostage taking. i yield the floor. >> mr. president? >> senator from alabama. >> how much time is left on this side? >> there's ten and a half minutes left. >> mr. president, i would ask to be notified after seven minutes. >> the chair will so notify you. >> mr. president, the key part

of the's unlawful executive -- the president's unlawful executive amnesty, the overwhelming majority of it actually involved in the house bill deals with adults providing them work permits. it's not about the young people as has been discussed. it involves a million-plus people. so we've talked at length about the president's executive action and how he is unlawfully unconstitutionally making law. senator collins laid that out. when only congress can make law. we have shown that the law he has created is law that he proposed and that congress specifically rejected. we've shown that the president himself has at least 20 times said he does not have the power to take this action rightly declaring he's not an emperor -- that's his words -- and that

congress makes law and that is so true. so now senator mcconnell has moved to brick up the house-passed legislation that fully funds all lawful aspects of the homeland security department. and all its lawful actions to protect the homeland. but the legislation has one thing in it; it simply bars the president from spending any money to to execute his unlawful executive directions. you can fund the department but you can't to that. it stops the department of homeland security from outlaw activity. this is a matter of great constitutional importance. it is in addition a matter of great importance to working americans. and we've got to get clear about this. what the president is doing b is

giving lawful status to over four million adults, persons who entered our country against the law or came in and overstayed their time. these persons under current law cannot be hired by any business or employer. but the president wants them to work anyway. congress considered and rejected this plan. the result is that the president's plan will be a further kick in the teeth to down and struggling american workers. the facts are clear on this. i've not seen them disputed. median family income since the recession 2007, 2009 has declined by almost $5,000. this is a catastrophic event. this is unbelievable damage to american middle class workers. this is median income. such a decline is unprecedented

since the great depression 80 years ago. while some say jobs and wages are recovering, we can stop and we can stop worrying about that. the facts show otherwise in addition to depressed incomes america has the lowest percentage of persons in the working years that are actually working in 40 years. so consider this, there were huge worker layoffs during the 2009 recession and many more had their hours reduced as a result of obamacare and other events. there are other factors that combine to reveal that job and wage conditions are much worse than the unemployment rate would indicate. gallup has done some numbers showing that under that employment statistic if you work part time a i few hours -- just a few hours, you're counted as employed. if you're an engineer and work at mcdonald's because you have

nothing else, you're counted as employed. but despite these problems -- a slow economy job-killing automation and low wages -- the president is carrying out his unlawful plan rejected by congress that would give five million persons unlawfully here legal status, a social security number a photo id and the right to take any job that may be available in america. his policies are in perfect accord with those of his nominee for attorney general loretta lynch. when i asked her this simple question last week, i got a surprising answer. question: who has more right to a job in this country? a lawful immigrant who's here or a citizen or a person who entered the country unlawfully? answer: "i believe that the right and the obligation to work is one that's shared by everyone in this country regardless of

how they came here." and, certainly, if someone is here regardless of status, i would prefer that they would be participating in the workplace than not participating in the workplace, close quote. so that's the testimony just last week by the chief law enforcement officer in the land who's supposed to be enforcing the laws of the country. that's her view of who should be working. regardless of how you came here you're entitled to work and apparently take any job in america. i think it was a moment of candor that may have been inadvertent. she tried to modify that later, i acknowledge but essentially all she said was, well, i don't think anybody should work except those the president says should work. and that would include the five million who are here unlawfully. so let's be clear these five million persons with their new government-issued documents will be able to apply for and take

any of the few jobs now available in the economy. sadly, the problem in america is not too few workers, but too few jobs. last year the administration celebrated the creation of over two million jobs. the president's actions to unlawful immigration over twice that many workers in one single executive actment millions more americans who lost jobs during the recession still haven't found work today. so is this the right thing to do? i don't think so, and neither do the american people by a wide margin. but arrogantly the president refuses to listen to the legitimate concerns of hurting americans. he dismisses them -- and supported by his palace guard in the united states senate who block legislation -- >> the senator from alabama has

used seven minutes. >> i thank the chair and will wrap up and i'll save some time for senator hoeven. so he pushes on to advance the interests of immigration, activists, political consultants lusting after votes for the next election and big business interests lusting after lowerrer wages. business -- lower wages. businesses who have become so transnational that their interest no longer can be seen as compatible often times with american workers. so the president supports them he represents the interest, but i also represent the interests of dutiful american citizens and the lawful immigrants who followed the rules. who is speaking out for their interests? they're the ones that are forgotten. so i'm going to make a prediction. their voices are going to be heard. no longer in secret will the legitimate wishes of good and decent americans be denied. the people's voices will be heard. the day of special interest

operatives tone-deaf politicians and those with the loudest voices will end. this time the american people will get what they rightly demand; the protections of the laws already on the book, they will force the political class to end the massive lawlessness and to produce an immigration system that serves the national interest, not the special interests. they will force these self-interested forces out of the seats of power and demand policies that protect their wages, their jobs their national security and their government budgets. mr. president, i thank the chair. i appreciate the opportunity to speak on this, and i hope when we vote soon, that our colleagues will recognize that it's time to maybe consider about the opportunity senator collins has said will be provided them. to have amendments, and we'll go fort and do the -- forth and do the right thing for the american

people. i would yield the floor. >> mr. president? >> the senator from north dakota. >> mr. president, i'd like to thank my colleagues both from alabama and from maine for coming down to the floor and saying let's do the work of the senate, let's advance to this department of homeland security bill, let's offer amendments, let's have the debate let's fund department. but let's make sure that we do it in the right way is. the right way. and where we protect the checks and balances built into this government by our forefathers. mr. president, for the last few days i've come to the floor for the importance to voting yes on the motion to proceed to the department of homeland security appropriations bill for 2015. h.r. 240. i wish that weren't the case. i'd hoped that by now we would be much closer to passing a funding bill for the department that the senate would have proceeded to the dhs appropriations bill and that we could begin the process of debate, of considering amendments and of developing

consensus, of getting our work done. yet here we are on the third day just trying to proceed to funding the department of homeland security a department that everyone agrees is vital. and that's what this bill does it funds the department. fully and completely. and it does it in the right way by enforcing the law. mr. president, i don't have to tell my colleagues that the defining attributes of the senate come from the senators' ability to debate and to amend legislation. debate and amendment -- >> time has expired. >> mr. president, i would ask unanimous consent for another three minutes. >> is there objection? >> [inaudible] >> seeing none -- senator from new hampshire. >> i certainly want to give my colleague time to finish his remarks. i just wanted to make sure that there would be an opportunity for me to also speak before the vote. >> senator would be advised there are 9:54 remaining. >> that's fine.

>> mr. president, i'd be willing to defer in the order too, if the -- if my colleague from new hampshire prefers to go and i can follow. either way. okay, thank you. i'd like to thank the gentlewoman from the great state of new hampshire. debate amendment. debate amendment that's what we're talking about. we're talking about going to this bill that funds the department of homeland security and having the debate and offering amendments. that's what i'm asking for, and that's what we need in order to address the issues like the one that my good friend and colleague from new hampshire raised on tuesday. she's the ranking member on the appropriations subcommittee on the department of homeland security, and she asked me to request in terms of a parliamentary point of order budget point of order, and she made the inquiry. and it's a valid point of order one that and should be debated, and we should have the

opportunity to vote on it. but you can't vote on it unless you proceed to the bill. and so let's proceed to the bill. let's have that debate. bring up the point of order and let's have a vote. let's have amendments. that's how we do our work in the senate. but despite the best efforts of republicans to provide that opportunity for debate by proceeding to this bill to move forward, we're met with nos from the other side of the aisle. in essence, we're being filibustered a tactic that was decried as obstructionist in the previous congress. and in case my friends on the other side of the aisle think that this is going unnoticed they should check the headlines. mr. president, look no further than an article from cnn on tuesday. quote: democrats block funding for dhs to protect obama immigration orders end quote. or the washington times quote: democrats filibuster dhs spending bill, block gop amnesty

debate, end quote. mr. president these headlines speak to a central flaw in the arguments of those who say we need a dhs bill but then vote against this senate proceeding to that very bill. so on the one hand they're saying well, we need a bill, but they won't go to the funding bill that is here before with us and that's exactly what we're voting and trying to do, is to proceed to the dhs funding bill. with an amendment process. with open debate. just yesterday one of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle stated that the senate takes up h.r. 240 the homeland security appropriations bill, it would simply be a delaying tactic. well, how can moving to the bill that directly addresses the dhs funding issue constitute delay? in order to pass the dhs funding bill, we have to be allowed to proceed to the bill. the truth, of course, is the delay is, in fact, coming from those who won't allow us to take

up the bill debate it and consider amendments and pass -- >> senator's three minutes have expired. >> with that, mr. president, at this point i would yield to my colleague. >> senator from new hampshire. >> thank you very much, mr. president. mr. president in a few minutes the senate's going to cast yet another procedural vote on the department of homeland security's funding bill. the bill that's before us, the house-passed version of the funding bill, can't become law. we've already heard the president reaffirm yesterday that he's going to veto the house-passed bill that's before us. and that means that we could face a shutdown of the department of homeland security and at this point given the threats from terrorism given the work that's done by department of homeland security, that's just not a tenable position to be in. let me just say i very much

appreciate the efforts of my colleague, my neighbor -- colleague from my neighboring state of maine, the senior senator from maine, senator collins. but the amendment that she's put forward still raises some serious concerns about the impact on our security. because it includes language that would defund all of the department of homeland security directives from november 20, 2014 which would direct -- so it would defund those provisions that direct law enforcement officers to place top priority on national security threats, convicted felons gang members illegal entrants apprehended at the border. it also defunds um the southern border and approaches campaign which establishes three joint task forces to reduce the terrorism risk to the nation. and as she's indicated, defunds the deferred action programs.

and while she's suggested that it would allow the 2012, um executive actions that refers to the dreamers to stay in place it raises serious questions about whether u.s. cis could effectively process renewals of those dreamers like the young man that senator durbin spoke so eloquently about so that who knows what the court action could be on that. so i think while i appreciate the effort, i don't think it adequately addresses the concerns that we have in the democratic caucus that we need to pass a clean bill, we need to have a separate debate about immigration. the presiding officer worked very hard two years ago to help us get a comprehensive

immigration reform bill that most of us, all didn't agree with everything in it, but most of us supported. and we're happy to have that debate. but what we need now is a clean bill, one that allows the funding for the department of homeland security to go forward. and i noticed on the news this morning, um, one of the issues that is at risk in this debate over whether we're going to support funding for the department and the security of this nation versus an ideological objection to the president, um this morning one of the lead items on the news had to do with the cybersecurity breach at anthem. the second largest health insurance company in the country. i happen to have my health insurance through anthem so i paid particular attention to this. but one of the things that's in this clean bill that was agreed

to last december by senator mikulski and congressman rogers was funding for the cybersecurity center within the department of homeland security to address the next generation threat to our cyber networks. that's critical funding that we need if we're going to intercept the kinds of breaches that we saw with anthem and heard about this morning. and yet that funding is at risk because there's not agreement to get a clean bill done to fund department of homeland security. now, what we've heard from almost everybody who's spoken is that we agree that we should fund the department of homeland security, that we agree to the dollar levels that are in that bill we agree to making sure that the safety and security of this country should be paramount so -- and we've heard a number of our colleagues from the other

side of the aisle and from the house who have said ultimately, this is about getting a clean bill. so we should do that now. we should provide certainty, we should get this done, and we should stop having an ideological debate about whether we're going to support immigration and the president or whether we're going to support the safety and security of this nation. i think we should all be able to agree that the safety and security of america comes first and we should get this clean bill done and then we can go on and debate immigration reform. so can you tell me, mr. president, how much time i have left? >> there's one minute and 20 seconds. >> um, well, thank you. i think it's worth noting some of the great work that's done by the department of homeland security which interfaces more with the american people than any other department. every day customs and is border protection processes nearly a million travelers entering the united states and seize ises

19,000 -- seizes 19,000 pounds of illegal drugs between the ports of entry. the transportation security administration, the people who work at our airports screen two million passengers and their baggage. the coast guard patrols 3.4 million square miles of u.s. waterways and conducts 54 search and rescue missions that save lives annually. every day fema provides 3.7 million in federal disaster grants to individuals and households and provides 22 million to states and local communities for disaster ponce and re-- response and recovery. every day the federal law enforcement training center trains 8,000 officers from across the country. this work is just too important for our security to be delayed or disrupted because of ideological reasons concerning immigration reform. mr. president my colleagues, we need to pass a clean full-year homeland security funding bill. we need to pass it without

controversial risers. i hope we will do that and i yield the floor. >> the senate today voted for a third time not to move forward with the homeland security spending bill. democrats oppose the legislation because it would repeal the president's executive actions on immigration. the vote was 52 in favor and 47 opposed, 60 votes were needed for the bill to move forward. democratic senators and republican senator dean heller of nevada voted not to advance the bill. all other republicans voted in favor. senator barbara boxer of california did not vote. on the other side of the capitol today, house speaker john boehner and minority leader nancy pelosi held news briefings for reporters. up next here on c-span2 a few minutes from each briefing. first, congresswoman pelosi on israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu's upcoming address to congress, and then speak or

boehner on the use of -- speaker boehner on the use of military force against isis. >> you said to be leaving the option of boycotting open. >> i don't think anybody should use the word "t boycott. ". >> well, not attend. >> this is not, i mean, people are here doing their work, they're trying to pass legislation, they're meeting with their constituents and the rest. it's not a high priority item for them. so if you want to invite a head of state and have that invitation shared by your other leaders, because that's usually how it is, how house and senate, democrat and republican work with the white white house, you have to demonstrate you're going to fill those seats. sometimes it looks at every member in the average age of congress is 21 years 08, and we know that's not the case. [laughter] not even close. you can just imagine how low the ages of some of the people sitting in those seats. >> to be clear are you leaving the option of not going on the table? are you considering -- >> i'm seriously considering

going. i mean i am -- as i said as of now it is my intention to go. of it's still my hope that the event are not take place. will not take place. there's serious unease. but don't even think in terms of the word boycott. members will go or they don't go as they usually go or don't go. >> well, i clearly believe that -- and i've always believed, that when it comes to fighting a war, the congress should not tie the president's hands. now, i'm expecting that there will be an authorization of the use of military force sent up here in the coming days. and we're going to go through our rigorous set of hearings and continue to discuss this. it's also going to be incumbent upon the president to go out there and make the case to the american people for why we have to fight this fight. and his actions are going to be an important part of trying to get can for us to get the votes

to actually pass what -- an authorization. it's going to be -- this is not going to be an easy left -- >> [inaudible] an aumf? >> i believe that yes. >> the political landscape has changed with the 114th congress. not only are there 43 new republicans and 15 new democrats in the house and the 12 new republicans and 1 new senator in the senate. there's the first woman veteran in the senate. keep track of the members of congress using congressional chronicle on c-span.org. the congressional chronicle page has lots of useful information including voting results and statistics about each session of congress. new congress best access on c-span c-span2 c-span radio and c-span.org. ..

this weekend we partnered with time warner cable for a visit to corpus christi, texas. >> we are at the library. doctor hector p garcia papers of the flagship collection. he made it his life to help

local and yet mexican-americans learn to be more cynically active and get the benefits they had coming to the which were sometimes difficult to obtain. these three items represent an incident that occurred early. killed by a japanese sniper. his widow arranged to have his funeral conducted by the only funeral home in her hometown near corpus christi they were willing to conduct a funeral but not to allow his body to remain in their funeral home overnight for fear of offending the white citizens of the area.

he conducted a letter writing campaign. a response came from lyndon johnson who had recently been elected senator. he staked his belief that it was wrong for a fallen soldier to be discriminated against after death. he offered burial and the arlington national cemetery command that is where private longoria was laid to rest. >> watch all of our advanced saturday at noon eastern on c-span2 book tv and sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock on american history tv. members of the 1st special service force and world war ii earlier this week were awarded the congressional gold medal in honor of there service. service. an american canadian special

operations unit formed in 19 82. we will here from readers about the house and senate and members of the special service force. >> since the days of the revolution congress has awarded gold medals to express the people's appreciation for distinguished achievements. the 1st recipient was gen. george washington himself in march 1776. today pursuant to house resolution 324 we will resolution 324 we will present a gold medal in honor of the 1st special service force. the force was activated in 1942 as an elite unit of

1800 american and canadian commanders. just how elite? well, well, for every man that they lost they killed 25. for for every man they captured they took 235. the force was so. was that the enemy dump them the devils, and devils, and so effective today that our special forces refer to them as pioneers. these men represent the finest of the finest. so today we bestow them -- bestow on them our highest honor. let me thank all of you for being here

especially the ambassador, secretary, and all of our army leaders. of course, in addition to many family members we are humbled to have some 42 veterans of the force. please join me now a welcoming force. please join me now a welcoming these great men to alcohol. [applause] [applause] back. >> ladies and gentlemen please stand for the presentation of the colors by the united states army color guard, the singing of the canadian and the united states special anthems and the retiring of the colors. ♪

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, gentlemen, please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states senate gives the indication. >> let us pray. eternal god the heavens tell stories of your glory and the skies display your marvelous craftsmanship and

the wisdom of your loving providence you blessed the world with the 1st special service force a joint world war ii american canadian commando unit that made the freedoms we enjoy today possible. lord, we praise you for the volunteers who comprise this 1800 person force that contributed immeasurably to victory over tyranny using they're intensive training, these patriots in uniform were willing to give they're all to ensure that liberties bell would continue to ring. bless this opportunity you

have given us to celebrate and honor their competence, courage command commitment with the congressional gold medal. amen. >> ladies and gentlemen, the representative from the district of florida, the honorable jeff miller. [applause] >> with each passing day the greatest generation is in more danger of becoming a distant memory, but we must not forget. that is why it is imperative

for those of us who have the ability to preserve the memory of your service and sacrifice. the metal we are presenting is a token of our gratitude for your heroism, the most important aspect of today's event is that it provides us an opportunity to strengthen the great legacy of the 1st special service force. a time the time when we desperately need heroes, wage war against tyranny our two nations banded together and successfully defeated evil. the 1st special service force is a shining example of what can be accomplished when america and canada stand together. your action embodies what president john f. kennedy said geography has made as neighbors history has made

us friends economics has made as partners and necessity has made us allies. those who nature hath joined together let no man put asunder. those words are as appropriate today as they were more than half a century ago. president kennedy added them before the canadian parliament. it took four years to make this day a reality. when i look at this crowd and see the faces, all faces of all the 1st special service force veterans in attendance, i know that it was worth it. god bless our nation and may god bless you. [applause] [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen united states senator from montana, the honorable john tester. [applause] >> thank you. today is a very good day. today we honor our group of men who many dedicated themselves to assuring that this great nation would remain free and we honor the enduring between the united states and canada. these men made up of patriots from two nations were assigned the mission that the world had never seen. they played an important role in defeating our enemies during world war ii. of the men of the devils brigade paved the way for the special forces units that we are today. they organized and trained at fort harrison in my home state of montana. today today fort harrison is the headquarters for the

montana national guard. it is where montana citizen soldiers still trained and prepared to deploy. on on the same grounds the devils brigade did 73 years ago. the men we are honoring today trained in rugged conditions at the top a mountain peaks in the rockies, skiing and rock climbing and frigid temperatures of the montana winters. little did they no that there spirit would not only help change the course of world war ii but it would also change what it means to be an elite member of the military. today they're legacy lives on in american special forces units represent the best of the best serve our nation. i am proud that the service members called montana home and am proud of those men and women who are willing to share the sacrifice and

fight for the liberties that we hold so dear. on behalf of all montanans and americans this metal is a small token but a powerful symbol of your bravery, commitment, sacrifice, and dedication. thank you for your service to this great nation. god bless you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen gentlemen, the united states army band and cores. [applause] ♪♪ ♪ ♪ ♪♪

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the army guard. [applause] ♪ ♪

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♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, the democratic leader of the united states house of representatives the honorable nancy pelosi. [applause] >> good afternoon. speaker, leader, senator minister, general mr. ambassador secretary thank you and all of you our special guests, what a wonderful afternoon wonderful afternoon it is and made possible because congressman jeff miller and senator john tester introduced legislation remembering our special forces, the 1st special service force. thank you.

mr. chairman, thank you, sen. you can applaud them. that would be good. appmack again. [applause] thank you, mr. speaker, for bringing us all together. it is fitting that we are gathered here because the heroes we honor today help when the fight to free the world tyranny. for generations our northern neighbor has been vital as a trusted ally and friend to our country. the 1st special service force made up of men from both the united states and canada continue that tradition. canadians and us citizens men who made their living laboring as lumberjacks and trappers, mountaineers and minors answer the call to serve and change the course of war. two great democracies came together to help defeat the axis. together they trained for stealth combat and arctic conditions. together they sacrificed personal safety to save the world.

i take special pride in recognizing that the leader of this elite unit, a man of courage, conviction, conviction, and character was a proud son of san francisco who returns to his beloved california after the war. [applause] undaunted by the seemingly impossible mission before him, frederick raised, trained, and let and let the unit and was awarded a record eight purple hearts. today it is our privilege to honor him and especially the people the lead come of those who are here for those who are not with us. we us. we are honored that some of these legends are hear today , and we remember that so many husbands and fathers, sons and brothers never returned. the 1st special service force was given the moniker black devils conducting

night missions with their faces obscured by black polish. under the cover of night they charge through the mountainous terrain surprising enemy camps, camps, capturing thousands of prisoners and eventually breaching the gates of rome to help liberate the eternal city. today a plaque hangs on a section of the wall surrounding roman honor of there sacrifice. although the 1st special service force was disbanded in 1944, the legacy lives on today. today's special forces, the us army special forces known as the green berets and the 1st special forces operational detachment delta known as the delta force, force, some are with us today. thank you for your service. these heroes remind us that although victory is never certain, where their is courage, unity, people are willing to sacrifice there own comfort to help save the lives of others victory is

possible. it is our privilege to present the congressional gold medal to the world war ii veterans of the 1st special service force and to recognize the enduring partnership of canada and the united states. may god continue to bless our country. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen the assistant democratic leader of the united states senate the honorable dick durbin. [applause] >> welcome to all of you heroes from canada and the united states to come hear today for this great honor. he may have heard that we had a little snowstorm in chicago over the weekend. more than 19 inches of snow more snow and 24 hours than we usually see in two or

three months. yesterday morning the snow was still falling in the wind was blowing. someone asked, do you think louis knox and casey are going to make it hear to washington? i said, nothing, not even an historic blizzard is going to stop the devils brigade from being here. i honor them today. louis knox in the front row had a tough time. he volunteered when down to to the post office and volunteered to serve in the marines. they took a look at the young man and said, sorry with that over but you will never be able to serve. six months later he was in the army and became a part of the elite fighting force. thank you for being with us today. [applause] casey is here. he fought at the battle

among the 1st allied soldiers to enter rome and liberated from the nazis hear today with one of his 11 children the former mayor of illinois. when casey came home from world war ii like a lot of genuine heroes of war he did not have much to say. he left the war on the battlefield. forty years later his family coaxed the stories out of him, and 50 years after his return from world war ii he traveled back to europe back to the places where he fought to visit the town's that the force and liberated. near the beachhead in italian man finally realized to they were dropped to his knees crying. then he pointed to a plaque written in italian and english trying to explain what this was all about his own son. this is one of the soldiers, he said, you save to save her village. was 50 years after the war had ended.

he turned to his son and said to him all these years i wondered what i was doing here. now i know why we fight. [applause] the 1st special service force were all volunteers. the astonishing fact is not how many of them didn't finish but how many of them survived. they operated in the cover of darkness using unconventional warfare tactics and support of other units. every mission was a suicide mission. when a forstmann when a wall it was from a hospital bed. that that is true. more than one wounded man hearing that his unit was heading back lifted up from his bed and rejoined his unit unit, states, bandits, and many times dressed in a hospital robe.

units suffered 2300 casualties, more than 130% of more than 130 percent of they're original combat strength but never lost a mission, not, not one. the 1st special service force -- [applause] the force existed for two years but the spirit lives on. the regiments and all of today's special forces. for decades after the war the stories was classified top secret. now we no. the congress of the united states and freedom loving people around the world say thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the majority leader of of the

united states. the honorable mitch mcconnell. >> sometimes truth can be more impressive than fiction when it comes to the heroes we honor today, that is certainly the case. members members of the elite devils brigade excelled in rockclimbing and amphibious assault. they advanced on skis and through the air survived by stealth and trained and emotions. some of there more daring mission plans would have made james bond blush. through through it all they help save a convent and chaos defeat some of the greatest menaces the world has known but this is not some hollywood script but a

true story about a fearless a fearless group of young comedian -- canadians and americans who are willing to put they're lives on the line in the truest sense of the term. some probably did it to protect neighbors and families others to defend cherished democratic ideals many likely fought for all these reasons and volunteered for this danger. here is how the forces recruiting slogan read vigorous training hazardous duty for those who measure up get into the were quick. typical madison avenue this was not but it was honest. dark masses, boot polish, you encourage fighting knives gripped tightly

elements purged consciously and held strong against the forces of fascism. the devils brigade they might unleash a reign of terror against the nazis became a feared adversary. these devils only rented space in the shadows, moved within darkness in order to defeat, and today hear they are chapters of freedom, heroes into nations saviors to many others. to you we offer our most profound gratitude for distinguished service. to the families gathered today though that your level made a difference, the veteran you loved made a contribution to history that we as a people we will not soon forget.

as the son of a world a world war ii veteran i am particularly determined to ensure that we don't. it may only be a peace of metal but it carries the gratitude of the nation. may you always remember. thank you. >> ladies and gentlemen, the honorable speaker of the house. >> let me thank you for being here today. it will happen so fast. essentially built overnight. all at the mercy of muscle

mom, some 200 weddings took place and just like that they were off. all told, less than a a year and a half before being disbanded. cannot explain how they did what they did. you will see there is even more marvel -- more to marvel over. consider how all these men from all they did was depression and war. as they came home their was a future to look forward to. they made sure to pass on the glory to others, but not the stories were the struggle. these were remarkable acts of humility but to them it is what you did to protect the ones you love.

for. for a time that was asked, but now we no who was who and what was what. we are hear because from all that darkness came an outpouring of grace. from a small unit came a grateful generation of force in its own right. and from a brief window in history came a lasting commitment to do one thing this was not. for these men saved the free world. share they're stories for years to come. in honor of these for special service.

thank you. we will now do the presentation of the metal right here in front. if i could have the stage participants.

[applause] [applause] [applause]

>> i start off by saying i was at one time an amateur politician. it will probably show today. honorable members of the canadian government, especially the senate and house of representatives. it is my sincere privilege to accept this mysterious award on behalf of the canadian for special service force world war ii veterans , family members, and the force members who are no longer with us. i acknowledge the presence of both canadian and american military personnel. these are historical model special force members today.

please give them all that you can. it is an honor to address this audience especially the world war ii veterans and family members of the 1st special service force hear today on this occasion for the presentation of the congressional gold medal to the veterans present in memory of those on. in closing i must say i am most honored and humbled. i thank you all for allowing me to speak on behalf of the force members presence and forstmann who are no longer with us. us. may they rest in peace.

thank you. [applause] [applause] >> american veteran of the 1st special service force. [applause] >> it is great to be hear. honorable speaker honorable speaker of the house mr. john weiner distinguished members of the congress my esteemed

brothers of the 1st special service force, family members and guests i would like to thank everyone who undertook this very important and noble assignment to honor and recognize the most versatile and effective world war ii fighting unit from the usa and canada. the 1st the 1st special service force was activated july 1942 under the able command of lieutenant robert t frederick who became a brigadier general at age 36 and the youngest major general and 37. under his command and profound composed of 900 men usa neither mental canada and the combat troops.

should between 30 and 35,000 prisoners of war and a remarkable show of 25 inmates to one enforcement. since the 1st shot was fired on april 19 1775, the beginning of our quest for independence and freedom 1.3 million men and women have given they're lives to safeguard american freedom and to keep old glory waving hi and proudly. one of the most important command components under the fss accomplishment on the battlefield the profound he stressed the importance that line officers should leave from the front as he

did in many battles. he commended with an iron fist in a velvet glove. general frederick was wounded eight times in combat. from the helena montana independent. the force never yielded an age of routes that are left battle with indecisive conclusion. the force one everything it fought for. i will now conclude my presentation by reading a prayer the muscles are on or about may 231944 prior to the beginning of the offensive battle to liberate rome, italy. look, i have never spoken to you but now i want to say how do you do.

they told me you did not exist. exist. like a fool i believe all this. last night i saw your sky. figure that they had told me a a line. had i taken time to see things i would have known they were calling a spade a spade a spade. i wonder, god if you changed my hand. somehow i feel you understand. funny, i had to come to see your face. i guess there is not too too much time to say, but i am sure glad that i met you today. i guess the zero hour will soon be hear but i'm not afraid since i know you're near. there is a signal. i like you a lot. i want you to know. know. this will be a horrible fight.

who knows. i may come to your house tonight. tonight. though i was not friendly to you before i wonder if you wait at the door. look, door. look, i am crying, shedding tears. i wish i had known you this many years. well, i have to go now. goodbye. since i met you i am not afraid to die. this prayer was found on the body of an american soldier killed in action on the beach at. this prayer has brought me many of my convictions. when i enlisted enlisted in the army on august 51931 my mother gave me a rosary which i wore out german, plus three more additional ones.

they delivered. may god bless america and they the immortal souls of all men killed in battle rest in peace. amen. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the commander of the united states special operations command. [applause] >> is my pleasure to be hear

on such a momentous occasion the former members of the 1st special service force better known as the devils brigade. today i represent those who came behind. mr. speaker, congressional leaders the sting the civilian and military guests thank you for the opportunity to get hear today modern day special forces. they aren't in the the nickname of the black devils because of the brigade members. they conducted they're night operations the indomitable spirit of what it means to serve the devils brigade

u.s. army green berets and the canadian special operations regiment. both organizations secured honors one by these highly successful. and like the brave men of the 1st special service force par special force today handmaids distinct similarities, members come from all walks of life many were rangers, lumberjacks, north woodsman, hunters, prospectors, and north woodsman, hunters, prospectors, and explorers intelligent, athletic, disciplined, and well-trained, received rigorous instruction in the use of stealth tactics hand-to-hand combat, parachuting, explosives, demolition, and amphibious and mountain warfare. moreover, standards were extremely high, as was they're decor. especially selected to tackle the worst of his problems and were the elite forces of there time and

thus the pioneers of our two nations special operations forces. like current warriors who have been fighting for these last 14 years the members of the devils brigade were also patriots who saw a higher calling during a time when they're countries in the world needed the most, and many of them made the ultimate sacrifice. and for this age and every one of us today should bestow upon them should bestow upon them the sincere gratitude for amazing contributions and accomplishments on the battlefield in italy and france 70 years ago today and for showing the way for today's special operations forces. gentlemen, the living members of the 1st special service force, you should be proud of not only what accomplishes on the battlefield that close and professional relationship that ties our two countries

together today. rest assured your legacy lives on in today's american and canadian special operators. without your service and sacrifice it is possible that we americans and canadians may not have had the same luxuries of freedom and prosperity that we enjoy today. thank you for this opportunity to be here and for the pioneers and patriots of the spur special service force, both of our countries and citizens owe you a boundless set of gratitude. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentleman the honorable aaron o'toole. [applause]

>> mr. speaker congressional leaders, distinguished guests distinguished guests veterans of the 1st special service force and your families it is my honor to be hear on behalf of prime minister stephen harper and the canadian government with two of my parliamentary colleagues. i am honored to be hear as canada's veterans affairs minister and as someone who wore the canadian armed forces uniform because of inspiration from your generation. i want to thank the united states congress for this prestigious honor extraordinary recognition for extraordinary efforts. 1800 american and canadians came together to form the 1st special service force. they were united in training to become a commando a commando force that would be disruptive from the battlefields of europe and also were united in the knowledge that there service and a unique style were extreme risks.

and they're service was tremendous and indeed legendary in italy and in france, in particular where they fought for 99 days without relief. so we are fortunate that this special occasion allows us to bring some of them together. we get to here from charlie and eugene. we get to remember those or not with us like tommy prince for manitoba canada's most decorated aboriginal veteran of the 2nd world war. thank you. please. [applause] our nation rewarded the military metal and yours the silver star. in fact, 11 of 59 silver stars awarded by the us government to canadians serving under command in the devils brigade. today we must also remember

the 463 of your comrades did not return from the war. in many ways the devils brigade have also symbolize the unique ability have two of the world's great nations to work together to secure freedom far from shore's not together bagpipes, young men from toronto and topeka. they served and trained together and sacrifice together. the book of john says greater says, greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend. in the 1st special service force they were neighbors who became allies and became friends and were willing to sacrifice for their friends and for the principles that the unit stood for.

this shared tactic between our nations began before the devils. i was i was on the hallowed ground of arlington today to see the canadian cross of honor erected in 1930 in those majestic fields to honor the 3,000 americans who died in world war i serving the canadian unit. the heroics of the devils brigade continue. joint defense of north america through norad, korea where tony prince served in the battle of the korean war. in afghanistan with a 40 americans americans who died serving alongside canadians in kandahar are held as close to her chest as the hundred and 58 men and women we lost in a dangerous process. and today our royal canadian air force and our soldiers from the successor unit to

the devils brigade are serving in cause of freedom and alongside our allies and friends like those in the united states. it is my honor to represent canada today to thank you for recognizing the special veterans and allowing us to remember the service and sacrifice there unit represents. thank you very much. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please stand as the chaplain of the united states house of representatives gives the benediction. >> let us pray. lord, in the hands and

hearts of this nation be raised in prayer and praise for these heroic members of the 1st special service force and and elite unit made up of american and canadian soldiers. this legendary special force was tasked creating havoc behind enemy lines during world war ii and laid the foundation for today's special forces units in the modern-day special forces in canada. after extensive training in 1942 their helena, montana, the special the special force was deployed to nearly all theaters of the war and emerged as a recognized unit in ngo italy in 1944 where it earned the nickname the devils brigade from they're opposing german forces. may the breath of god uphold they're noble and heroic story.

we thank you, zero god, god, that our two nations remain good neighbors and stand ready to assist one another in any time of danger. bless all women and men in military service both in canada and here in our nation and bless their families. god bless canada the true north strong and free and god bless america and grant us peace both in the present and with you forever. amen. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the departure of the official party.

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♪ ♪ ♪ in a senate hearing on the financial exploitation of seniors the grandson of -- described how she was fraught defrauded of millions by her own son and susan collins chairs the senate