guest senior counsel with americans united for life and author of abuse of discretion, the inside story of roe v. wade, and melissa murray professor at university of california, berkeley law school, and former law clerk for sonia sotomayor prior to appointment to the supreme court. that is live monday night at nine eastern on c-span, c-span3 and c-span radio. for background on each case while you watch order your copy of the "landmark cases" companion book available for $8.95 plus shipping at c-span.org/landmarkcases. >> next week is off this week on "washington journal" with the featured nonfiction author monday through friday and want our conversation with you. starting monday december 21 at 9 a.m. eastern.

>> and on this wednesday morning and live look at the u.s. capitol where both the house and the senate will be in session today. the house got underway at 9 a.m. currently members are considering a bill governing stem cell research. that vote is taking place right now. later work as expected on an $1.1 trillion government funding measure. current funding runs out at midnight tonight. the senate will begin in about an hour from now at 11. general speeches on the agenda for most of the day as lawmakers await the government funding measure to come over from the house. you can see the senate live right on c-span2. off the floor both parties are holding caucus meetings at this hour. where cameras on capitol hill and we will bring you any comments from members after those meetings. yesterday delaware democrat chris coons came to the floor to talk about the iran nuclear

agreement. his remarks on the senate floor are about 25 minutes. >> mr. president, today our nation is a distracted by grave concern, by threats abroad and at home by concerned about our economy and our people. and i stand here today to call us to continue to be focused on something that's not currently the top of the news but on something that is a pressing an ongoing national concern. we need to be strictly and aggressively enforcing the terms of our nuclear deal with iran that we reached with a variety of our other international partners and that is currently moving forward. and we need to push back on iran's bat and disruptive behavior not just in its region but globally, and to give our administration and international agencies the resources and the nominees confirmed that will allow them to be successful in

enforcing our actions against iran. mr. president, just a few short -- a few short months because anyone what topics would be at the top of the list of america's foreign policy conversation for the upcoming presidential campaign you would have been hard-pressed to find anyone who did mention the iran nuclear agreement front and center. it completely centered the debate in this chamber and around the country last summer and fall. what a difference a few months can make. this morning many of us are deeply concerned about an alleged bomb threat in los angeles that is causing hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren to be sent home amid school day. and in response to the recent and horrific attacks in paris and in san bernardino we're focused on identifying the weaknesses and are persecuted and in finding ways to protect the american people without compromising our fundamental values. we are rightly focused on expanding the u.s.-led coalition

to defeat isis and findin find o assist our allies in providing safe haven to some of the millions of refugees fleeing terror and chaos abroad. sadly were also distracted by a republican presidential primary in which the leading candidate has cast aside the constitution in favor of incendiary rhetoric. that's why, mr. president, i rise today to make sure we remain focused on one of america's most important challenges to the united states at our key allies including centrally israel, which is enforcing the terms of the nuclear deal with iran. on september 1 after long study and a real reflection of significant debate, i ultimately announced my support for the joint comprehensive plan of action, or the jcpoa, also known as the iran nuclear agreement. just over a week later the review period ended and congress failed to reject the deal so it

moved forward. the agreement took effect a month and have played on october 18, known as adoption day, when iran agreed to give the international atomic energy agency, or iaea, dramatically expanded inspection and verification powers. we are now three months into the jcpoa and i wanted to take this opportunity today to assess areas where the obama administration and our international partners have done well over the past three months, and to highlight areas where we must do more. since the adoption day we have seen some progress and some real setbacks on implementing the terms of the deal. first to the positives, and there are some, iran has begun to reconfigure its plutonium nuclear reactor at arak took a no longer produced materials necessary for a nuclear weapon if the government has also started to dismantle its enrichment centrifuges and its infrastructure that would've

enabled it to use the uranium as a nuclear weapon in the short term. the iaea has also continued to make preparations and monitor and verify the deal, and to increase its number of inspectors on the ground, to deploy modern technologies, similar to iran's declared nuclear facilities, and to set up a comprehensive oversight program of our brand centrifuge manufacture facilities and its entire nuclear fuel cycle from uranium mines two mills to enrichment facilities. these steps are promising but by no means do they tell the complete story of iran's bad behavior since this deal was reached, nor do these few positive steps indicated that implementing the terms of this deal going forward will be anything less than exceptionally difficult. in fact, not only will enforcement of this to be incredibly tricky, but i believe exactly how we enforce them how effectively an aggressive and we enforce the jcpoa in these early months and years will set the

table for how we respond with iran commits major violations later. whether we respond now with iran commits minor violations around the boundaries of the nuclear deal will send a critical message to our allies and our adversaries alike. i'm confident that the actions taken by the united states and our allies to count and restraint iran in the middle east especially in the early months of the dual profound impact iran's behavior going forward. so mr. president, that brings me to less positive news. when i announced my support for the jcpoa last september i made a clip was based on a deep suspicion of the ramp, an inherent distrust of their intentions at a clear eyed commitment to aggressively oversee and the force of the terms of the deal. my concerns proved justified on october 22 when iran concluded a ballistic missile testing include violation of u.n. security council resolution

1929. those unlawful test came just days after adoption day under the jcpoa. and last week before the u.n. security council could finish their investigation to take any concrete action we heard reports of a second iranian ballistic missile test on november 21. i fear the iranians are taking action after action in this area and others to demonstrate that they are willing to flout international rules, regulations and restrictions, and an absence of our decisive action, these misdeeds by the iranians will simply continue and escalate. today a new report from the iaea gives a further justification to the distrust shared by supporters and opponents of the nuclear deal. the iaea report on the so-called possible military dimensions or pmd of iran's nuclear program out and a quote that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted

in iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort and for the activities took place after 2003. these activities included computer modeling that took place as recently as 2009. they pmd report details just how determined iran has been to develop a nuclear weapons capability. iran develop detonators. iran experimented with explosive technology. iran engaged in computer modeling, of a nuclear explosive. iran even set up organizations specifically dedicated to nuclear weapons activity. mr. president, it's not hard to connect those dots and the iaea did. that agency found that iran engaged in efforts to demolish them to remove and to refurbish facilities related testing nuclear weapons components. it's government offered misleading explanations of its past nuclear behavior. it's equally important to know what the iaea did not find. iran's weapons programs did an

advanced beyond an exploratory stage. the iaea found no indication there was a whole undeclared nuclear fuel cycle and i've been wanting of significant amounts of undeclared uranium. but despite the ambiguous nature of this report that take away i think it's clear. iran's nuclear weapons related activity at its sustained determination to hide and to obfuscate its behavior reinforced our justification for ongoing distrust in the iranian government, and for the strict monitoring and verification of the components of the nuclear deal. my colleagues and i have access to classified material, meaning we know more than is publicly known about the extent and direction of the nuclear weapons program in iran. but the iaea report is important because it establishes a baseline for iran's program. for our assessment of the breakout time and for our knowledge of how far they got in weaponization. knowledge of these efforts are

critical to our future enforcement of this deal. the iaea report also reaffirms that as implementation of the deal moves forward the international community must continue to seek and consider information about iran's past nuclear activity. so in my view, the iaea must maintain its ability to continue reviewing any new information related to iran's past nuclear weapons program. and we have to continue to assertively investigate any new acquisitions of iran covert activity or malfeasance. we have to continue to count to iran's rogue actions would only serve to isolate iran on the world stage by continuing to enforce sanctions without exception and be prepared to impose new sanctions if and when iran's behavior towards them. for example, the united states advisor to united nations samantha power was right to shine a spotlight on the recent nuclear come under recent ballistic missile test by recently cited. and to call for u.n. security

council investigation promptly. but that investigation is complete the security council should act. but if it doesn't i hope and expect that the administration is ready to enforce a series of unilateral american actions including direct sanctions against those iranians responsible for this violation. while these ballistic missile test are outside the parameters of the jcpoa, a response has to be strategic. and with to make sure iran does it can't continue to simply blatantly disregard the international community and the u.n. security council. since the announcement of the jcpoa the treasury department has taken steps to target iran's malign activity in the region. in november, treasury department designated three hezbollah procurement agencies and for companies in lebanon, china and hong kong for purchasing dual use technology on behalf of hezbollah.

the sanctions followed actions in july against three senior hezbollah military officials in syria in lebanon who providing military support to the syrian regime. and an additional hezbollah procurement agent who serve as the point person for the procurement and transient of weapons and material for the group and its history and partners for at least 15 years. these designations also follow treasures action star negotiations over the jcpoa when the department utilize multiple authorities and sanctioned more than 100 iranians and iran blinked persons and entities including more than 40 under its ongoing terrorism sanction authorities. this november treasury also participated in the u.s. the gulf cooperation council working group on iran through which participants discuss our joint efforts to counter iran's support for hezbollah, for the assad regina for other militant proxies in the region. that working group continues to improve information sharing and cooperation to take joint action

targeting iran's support for terrorism and its other destabilizing activities in the region and around the world. in early december and saudi arabia agreed to designate 12 hezbollah officials for terrorism, further disrupting their ability to raise and move funds around the gulf. implementing this agreement successfully will demand that we continue to develop discrete, clear and public responses to miner irene violations of the agreement. my view on this was shape in no small part by advice i got from a dear, long-term friend in new york who told me about his experience decades ago negotiating a complex commercial deal with iranians. after two years of excruciating and detailed back and forth negotiations, he told me they sat at the table to sign their agreement to begin the commercial partnership. and after shaking hands across the table, the late iranian negotiator said no my friend, the negotiations begin in earnest. all of us who have studied

iran's behavior, all of us who know the history of their work to conceal the nuclear weapons program and the work to destabilize the region know that iran will cheat on this agreement. they will dedicate the boundaries, find ways large and small to test us. for example, the nuclear agreement bars iran from enriching beyond the 3.67%. how will we respond if, for example, for one month iran claims it just accept enriched to 4%? we are unlikely to snap back the full multilateral sanctions regime because such a move would have little support in the international community for such a small and transient infraction and could be perceived as an overreaction. but inaction is not an option either. in coordination with our allies we must develop a menu of responses that allow us to respond quickly and precisely to miner violation of the due because there are no real minor

violations of the deal. otherwise iran would little by little it away at the constraints of this agreement and deterrence and our credibility will collapse. mr. president, in addition to deploying sanctions more effectively and ratcheting up as necessary, the international community must also increase our efforts to push back against iran's malign activity in the middle east. more specific web to enhance our campaign of interdicting iranian weapons shipment and support to its proxies in syria come in yemen and in lebanon. iran since the licit arms shipments to terrorist groups like hamas, hezbollah and the houthis. the united states maintains its authority to disrupted these shipments. we must use that authority to act and to demonstrate our we'll. we must use a metaphor to work with our partners in the region and our allies around the world to increase the tempo and scope of our interdiction efforts.

successful interdiction efforts not only get deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists but also deter iran and undermined its proxies throughout the middle east. we know that we can be successful and, in this aspect of enforcement because the administration has successfully disrupted iranian weapons shipment in recent months. and although we had been briefed many of us in a classified setting about encouraging development in this area, i think it's important we have at least one example that we can share with our colleagues in the world. so please take a look at this picture to my left -- >> we will leave history from house democrats, sorokin house republicans on a budget proposal. this is house speaker paul ryan. >> that advance republican priorities. first, we are lifting the governments 40 year old ban on crude oil exports. this is a big win for american jobs for energy industry, a big win for our manufactures and for

our foreign policy. we are increase military spending, tightening security requirements under the nation's visa waiver program. we are permanently reauthorize integrated health care benefits for our 9/11 first responders in a very fiscally responsible way. we are preventing a taxpayer bailout of a bonkers risk program they were freezing most operations and stopping the irs from suppressing civic participation in 501(c) organizations. were maintaining all of our pro-life protections including the hyde amendment and we're making cuts to the unfpa program. in addition to all of that we are entering washington's days of extending tax policies one year at a time. i cannot tell you how many times i have visited with small businesses and farmers who tell me give me some certainty in the tax code and i can go create jobs. we are finally delivering on one of those tax policies we've been

trying to for years to get certainty in the tax code so we can create more jobs. i think this is one of the biggest steps toward a rewrite of our tax code we have made in many years and will help us start april growth tax agenda in 2016. and lastly i said i inherited this process. let me be the first is i don't think this is way government should work. this is not how appropriations should work. so we played th the card we were dealt with as best as we possibly could and inheriting a process i know we need to restore to regular order. and i believe we've made the best of it. we listen to our members, but our committee take the lead and a place we've been able to accomplish so many things for the american people and i look forward to in 2016 just like web in the last six weeks dating congress working back on the way it should be working. getting back to a legal right in order that is what 2016 is going to be about. steering this battleship hard-working the way the people's house wasn't into it

was supposed to work with. >> the question is, minority they are nancy pelosi has expressed concern that putting the oil export ban on the omnibus tickets us as the it was to be some democrats a pass this bill or do you feel that putting on the omnibus you don't need democrat assistants speak with we have an agreement. in divide and but you don't get everything you want. republicans didn't get all we've want. democrats didn't get all the. this is is a bicameral cover my spear and a sense of people to like some aspects of this but that is a compromise that we have and the depleted we will have bipartisan votes on both of these bills. >> you don't anticipate reopening any of these issues? >> no. >> you have stepped up your outreach and a number of ways over these last few weeks a special on the omnibus bill starting off very early. what does a successful but look like for you in terms of republican votes? is a majority of the majority? is a 100?

>> 100 speak with i what the vote counters get to do that. i inherited a process at the end of the process and this is a process i didn't want to see congress repeat. i want to see congress get back to regular order early in that's why by the way by having the numbers we have, nina having a sequester, i think i put us in a much better position to have a much more full functioning appropriations process which i want to start earlier next year instead of doing these bills one at a time. we should not be piling to step up at the end of the. i don't think that's what we should govern and a deeply that this agreement gives us that much closer toward restoring a semblance of regular order. a source who votes for what i will do that up to the members of the congress. it is their decision to make. >> mr. speaker, members said you don't like it is some kind of agreement from harry reid as forcing a blocking spending bills. >> senator reid and i discussed this repeatedly over the last number of days. we want to restore regular order. we want to make sure we have a situation where a hous house pad

a progression giunta then actually consider an appropriation bill. senator reid blocked appropriate bills last year because a sequester issue. the reason he bought those appropriate bills is now going. and so i think he, to come onces to get back to regular order. i think he wants to get back to regular order and that's what has impressed upon me his goal to not block those coming up to the senate. whether to filibuster bill getting off the floor because of some writer i can't speak to that and that's something the minority will preserve the rights of any situation. i assume all minorities would deserve such right. senator reid has impressed upon his desire to get the appropriations process functioning again and about appropriation bills to come up for consideration. >> can you explain how the irs funding level was negotiated given that there was a prominent tax extenders bill? >> first of all the extended the of one of the most important tax

those without a long time. i've been on the ways and means committee for 15 years and we can try to get this in place for hard-working families, for successful small businesses, new businesses for as long as i've been here. i'm excited about this huge win for families, job creators, for certain for our economy. i think this will help us grow. with respect to the irs, i've got to tell you whether it was the oversight that jason chaffetz and his committee has been on the ways and means committee under the leadership of peter roskam we found the irs metals in the political affairs of people. they turn irs into a weapon in 2012 and we will not let them turn the irs into a political weapon again and that's why we're these critical these critical writers do with the irs so that people can express themselves can exercise their first amendment freedoms without fear of the irs coming up on them. as far as customer service that is an area we want to make sure the irs has what they need so that people can get their services done so they comply with their taxes.

[inaudible] are you confident there will be no shutdowns because i have no reason to believe are going to a shutdown. and defied a government you don't get everything you want to this is the result of a pop% bicameral compromise and i think everybody can point to something that gives them a reason to be in favor of both of these bills. >> will you be able to finish your work this week? >> we have a three day rule. i told the members are not going to wait the three table. i told the nurse we're not going the way this will. i told members of this when we are not going to wait the three day rule. because a way to go so far we will be attacks one person and the omnibus on friday. friday is friday. [inaudible] >> exactly. >> ultimately there's nothing on syrian refugees.

what -- >> as you know congress passed with a big bipartisan vote soon refugees the majority of the senate has given us a commitment that they will address this issue early in 2016 as will fit the bill we set over with a commitment to from the senate that they will bring up the refugee issue and do have a full debate on refugees. that's the way regular order works by the way. you pass ago from the house, ringwood up in the senate and the senate has committed to bring up the refugee issue to address it in regular order. >> the are a number of bipartisan things you guys are asking for, then soon refugees included, things that have received democratic support. the field like you did get enough? was a leverage problem? >> i think we played our cards the best we could given the cards were given, given the situation we inherited. a bountiful we been able to achieve. ending the 40 year ban on oil exports, tina what that does for our foreign policy, what that

does for job creators, for infrastructure? is huge to its permanent policy that is good for american foreign policy, but for energy and good for jobs. for temporary measures. i think that's a very, very good. for certainly in the tax code, i can tell you how many farmers and manufacturers i've talked to said you guys in congress pass an extent on december 11 that goes way december 31. how on earth can i make decisions with that kind of tax policy coming to washington? finally for the first time in over a decade we're providing the certainty to the taxpayers and they need so they can go out and plant and the best and create jobs. we have a lot of important policy riders. we are exercising the power of the purse. are exercising the power of diverse as much as i would want? know but that's what you get in divide government. >> mr. speaker, how important is it that republicans vote for this omnibus to improve negotiation posture nature? >> i think our members realize

that because of the we provide the more leverage we get ourselves. thank you very much. appreciate it. >> hearing from house speaker paul ryan as both parties updated report on progress in achieving an agreement on $1.1 trillion budget proposal. house democrats are next in a moment. a short time ago the house did agree to for the short-term funding to keep the government running through december 26. current funding was. current funding was set to run out at midnight tonight. the household a series of votes and you can see the house live on c-span. the senate is set to gavels in at 11. general speeches on the agenda while they await the house budget package. you can see the senate live right here on c-span2. while we wait for the senate we will show you know what house leaders had to say following their budget meeting with congressman richard my morning leader pelosi, congressman hoyer all address the media.

>> we will be quick today because there is a vote on the floor, want to give deliver an opportunity to give us a run do. we had a good meeting. memos were interested to find out what this package might look like and the leader gave us a rundown element turn to her not to give her comments. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman, for having to caucasus, asset and today, for us to anticipate and now review what we have seen so far in the legislation. i've urged members to review the legislation. it was filed at 1:42 a.m. so now we're seeing the actual language. to our concerns we have about jobs, about jobs that will lead the country is looking to ban crude oil but that is a remedy for refinery is not adequate and we are looking for one thing, one manifestation of job loss. we are concerned about ignoring the urgency of the situation in puerto rico where american

citizens are really in a situation that we must address a it won't cost american people one thin dime to enable, to allow puerto rico to restructure their debt and help declared bankruptcy. so there's two of the issues. members pictures to see what, the renewable packages to offset the damage done by the exportation or. but in a bigger sensor we are come a time when want good paying jobs which we have in our refinery nuclear shipping those jobs overseas. at a time when puerto rico has the urgency about the well being of that american territory where an american citizens live and have fought for our country come we are going, we are ignoring that come not do something substantial. i hope this big will today. at a time when the world is gathered in paris, whole world in every country in the world,

leaders of the world came together to go forward and have read reduced emissions, reducing depend on fossil fuels at shipping crude oil overseas, increasing our dependence on foreign oil. at a time when whole country is concerned about gun safety, the republicans have rejected our appeal to lift the ban on research. the list goes on and on about concerns we have. we are trying to be as positive as possible because we must keep the government open but we will make a knowledgeable vote about it and i'm very proud of our members seriousness about this. what you said before and i will yield to mr. herr to speak about the extender package which in my view, is practically and him around in terms of what it does come out damages the future and i spoke about that until we can mr. hoyer. >> we will have two -- only 75 votes. first of all, six of the bills

and omnibus we have and consider. this is irregular order. filed at 11:57 p.m., the other bill filed later than that. we need to fund government. should do so in a responsible way. members will consider the substance. there were good things and bad things. that is usually in an appropriations bill. having said that, this tax extenders bill is extraordinarily irresponsible. it ought to be rejected if it undermines a tax reform which every member says they want to see. it undermines the investment in our future and in jobs and in growth in our economy. and lastly it makes almost sure that we'll have to continue some type of disinvestment in our country because of lack of

resources.

>> while we wait for the senate to gavel in mike committee chair came to give a year end review of the budget. here's what that looked like. >> last year we made a promise to the american people, if we were elected it to the majority, we would get washington working again for american families. republicans in the senate have been focused on putting our country on not just another course, but a better course. this will allow us to begin rebuilding the trust of hardworking taxpayers which is seen their government become less effective and less accountable. over the course of the year as thes senate got back to work, tm american people got to see something that had been missing from this side of the capitol over the fast eight years.

that's an open and transparentgi legislative process. which included memberses from both sides of the aisle offering, debating and ultimately voting on amendments to not just budget resolution and reconciliation proposal but to a whole host of legislative measures. leader mcconnell promised this, it's happening with about and bills are passing. because people on both sides ofe the aisle are having an opportunity to represent their constituents to get votes on amendments. previous year we had 15 total votes on amendments. this year we've had 192 votes on amendments and year is not over. instead of allowing partisan point and gridlock to take precedence over responsible governs we're doing people's business and senate budget committee played a importante. role. the first balance budget in 14 years.

yes, congress, this year approvedd its first balanced tenure budget since 2001. americans who work every day to provide for their families andir pay their taxes understand that it's time for the federal government to live within itshi means, just like they do. hardworking taxpayers know they can't livet on borrowed money, and neither can our federal government. this balanced budget approved by congress shows these families that if they can do it, so can we. our goalou is to make our government more efficientive, accountable l. if government programs are not delivering results, with they should bed improved and if they're not needed, they shouldb be eliminated. a balanced budget will also help american tame its exploding debt which today totals almost 19 trillion dollars. every dollar interest on dealt is another dollar we cannot use for government services for

individuals in need or another dollar that won't be available for taxpayers for their own t needs. washington must live within its means.iv just like every hardworking family does every day, and we have to deliver a more efficientive and accountable government to american people that supports them when it must and get that out of the way when it should. to get our country and our economy become on track, americans must be allowed to spend time working to grow business or advance in o their b instead of worrying about taxes and inefficient regulation. we want to empower or job creators to find new opportunity to expand our economy, and most importantly assure each andme every american has the opportunity to find a good paying job and a fulfilling career. this is why the balanced budge also provided for repeal of the president's unprecedented expansion of government

intrusion into health care decisions for the hardworking families and small businesses. our goalin is to lift the burden and higher costs obama has placed on all americans. obamacare is saddling american households with more than a trillion dollars in new taxes over o the next ten years, and according to the congressional budget office obamacare will cost taxpayers more than $116 billion a year. for every american obama meant more government and rules and regulations along with soaring health cost and less access to care. the budget reconciliation legislation passed by the senate will eliminate more than one trillion dollars irillion in tas increases based on the american people but saving more than 400 billion dollars in spending. mostnd importantly, this bill begins too build a bridge from the president's broken promises

to a better health care system for hardworking families across the country.ie c the senate budget committee is important resource for fact and information aboutor the congressional budget process and the economy. that's why my committee recently began publishing its budget bulletin again to providet regular expert articles by committee analysts on the about ors before congress relating to the budget, to deficits, to death, and to the economy. this year the bulletin has addressed the highway trust fund debate. the defense spending, bca cap and special funding.re reconciliation of the byrd rule. budget enforcement from point to order. the appropriations process which is a spending bill, the debt limit debate, and the 2016 continuing resolution.

another important part of the committee's wok is to increase oversight and transparency with spending this is why i i have the budget to release regularck reports tracking budge dare impact of the enacted it legislation against the 2016 balanced budget resolution the republican congress approved. i provided the reports after each recess work period in order to provide a status update on congress's progress achieving the budget resolution plan. regularly providing information likema this will help foster fiscal transparency and over time encourage a heightened awareness of the importance of complying with the budget.it it will also help ensureco congress remains fobsed on fiscal responsibility. the recent spending only oer

budget process is in seriousf needed of reform which is why the senate budget commute thiste year has also focused on fixing our broken budget process. instilling with action, act aive legislation, oversight and spending transparency, thiso critical to strengthen our democracy, and reducing our nation's unsustainable spending and debt. now, we often talk about the threat america's growing debtng poses to our economy and our future. but the growth and federal regulations also poses a threat to long-term economic growth and job creation. the committee this year has been had working to shine a light on these regulations and the burden theyde have on each and every american. it's critical for lawmakers and hardworking americans to understand the true cost of regulations that are being issued byla the administration.

taming our regulation nation will help ensure that the federal government works for the people instead of people working forfe the government. but these aren't the only things that senate is accomplished. i was proud to be a part of the financehe committee's effort to replace the dock fix for the doctors could be paid properly and medicare recipients would be able to see doctors also to enact trade promotion to authority legislation to increase trade which increases dollars to the united states and a also to finance the highway trust fund. health education labor and pensions committees effort to reauthorize elementary and secondary education act and i commend my chairman for his work on those bills, today i also want to acknowledge senator cochran's work to lead the appropriations committee in reporting all 12 appropriations,

first time since 2012. distinctly they stayed within the budget on those, and motion were bipartisan. first time that all 12 appropriations bills have been voted out of committees since 2012. on energy issues including keystone pipeline and senator on his t efforts to protect victims ofyn trafficking. also proud to work this yore on some issues important to my home state of wisconsin by pushing become on the administration plan and waters of the u.s. rule primarily designed to eliminate the use of coal and drive up the price of electricity in this country which in essence will cost average american a lot more for their electricity but just as importantly, it will send jobs overseas where the energy cost less. this year congress alsoea

corrected a problem that theem 2012 highway bill created for wisconsin and i comment barrasso for effortses on that and thank mccain and isaacson to support troops and veteran and appreciate senator mccain working to me to ensure small businesses have help they need to compete for federal contracts. isn't an exhausted list.t an exhausted there are a lot more things i think we passed over 80 bill this is year. but these are some of the things that we can be proud of.th the senate's under new management, and these accomplishments and others still to come show hardworking taxpayers that republicans in thens senate are working to deliver a more effective and accidentable government. a government for the people and people but supports themt when it must and gets out of the way when it should. we've made great progress this but there's still more to be done. by working together, we're proving that we can deliver real solutions and real progress that

the american people want and deserve. i yield the floor. >> and those remarks from the senate floor yesterday, u.s. senate set to begin their workday in about 15 minutes 11 a.m. eastern today. lawmakers expected to spend majority of the day offering general remarks. will likely hear comments about ongoing budget negotiation to prove on a voice vote to get the government operating for another accident is days that will be through next tuesday. temporary government funding set to stop at midnight tonight. in the long-term budget proposal on their consideration would amount to 1.1 trillion dollars with coming fiscal year, and again you can see senate live when they begin their day, at 11 a.m. eastern. here on c-span 2 while we wait for the senate to gavel in at 11 discussion from this morning's washington journal. >> we're back with congressman leonard lance republican of new jersey represents the 7th

district. last had night as we werela talking with congresswoman debbie, both parties had your separate t caucus meetings with your rank and file. what are you told by the speaker about this 1.1 trillion spending bill? been hadhe bill has finalizes od. that there had been an agreement reached tweej tweenl the leadership in the house and senate as well. bill would be introduced last night and three day bill so the earliest is thursday. and we have another conference at 9:00 an i think that's true with our democratic colleaguesat as well. >> whatei had do you want to her from your leadership this morning about what's in this bill and mawk sure is not in this bill?wh >> i think most of us are undecided because we haven't seen what is in the built, bill, and we want to examine it thoroughly and make sure it is fiscally responsible. this is more thanfi a trillion dollars.

and this is really not the way moving forward i hope that we can proceed in what is known as regular order. but we want to make sure that contains appropriate funding fo the military and there's not a situation where we repeat this. but what should happen greta is the annual appropriations process conducted by thees appropriations committee and there are 12 bills that should be passed but that has been in the fact that the filibuster exists inhe the senate and senar reid has not permitted bills that should be brought to the floor to be brought to the floor. >> on this threat of isis, are you okay with the -- bill not including language tohe put a pause on thesore i can iraqi ref geed program? >> i would much prefer that that be contained in the bill. i, obviously, voted for that.

and unfortunately that did not reach the final document because of the white house and democrat did not favor it being placed in the bill that is very unfortunate. i don't know if for me it's ai deal breaker.he but i think it is unfortunate. now the bill does contain as understand the visa waiver which is another aspect that and ith voted for that as well and overwhelming support for that. but i would have preferred that there be in this bill a pause in syria and iraqi refugees. >> is that enough of an issue that you vote no in the end? >> i don't know,ly examine that closely. i certainly favored the original bill doing that had. what about 600 billion dollar price tag to this, this would extend some taxes for corporations some for individuals some very, very

narrow niche winners as well in this package. are you for this? >> likely to support that. but againment -- i want to see the development and taxe credit that is essential. unfortunately some of these extenders have been for a year or two so businesses could notfo plan appropriately, and there are permanent extensions to some provisions and there are -- longer term extensionings five years or so for others. i want to examine thes particulars of that as well. and we discussed the extenders bill in our conference last neeght and undoubtedly do is again this morning. >> what are your questions this morninged for the leadership? >> that is helping the business comungts inss this country to cs for american people and labor participation rate in this country is not as strong as it should be.rt not strong as it should be and not everyone has come out of the

recession of 2008 and i call it the great recession so tech policy should be bailed on principle this this helps create american jobs. so middle class americans. c >> will it? what provision could be included in the 1.1 trillion dollars spending bill that would create jobs? >> research and development clearly create jobs. there's no doubt about that. if companies invest in research and development that does create jobs. >> what about the we talked about visa waiver program. what about the affordable care act you're on the energy and commerce committee any provisions included in this bill to deale with republicans would look to change it but anything in there? >>ss energy and commerce and i first established in jury of jurisdiction for the president's healthli care legislation' important to me in the bill is

what known as risk cartes this means we cannot subsidize big insurance companies that was contained in obamacare. i, of course, am opponent of obamacare i wish it to be replaced, repealed and replaced it has to be replaced not just repealed. but under original legislation subsidies or o supposed to be given to insurance companies that's why many of them agreed to obamacare, and last year in the appropriations it bill i tok the lied in the house and marco rubio is taking the lead in the senate on this issue to make sure that there was budget u neutrality regarding trying toli subsidize the insurance companies. my understanding that that provision is contained again in the bill voting later this qook that's an important when the american taxpayers and i think that that is an issue this is

important to me and senator rubio it taking leads on the other side was capitol. >> if these insurance companies don't get those subsidies is that a way to -- up end the law and they leave -- they leave the affordable care act? >> they made a deal with the white house, and it is inappropriate for the white housee to expend funds without the appropriations process, and we're suing the white house on this very issue. the way that funds are appropriated greta in this country through the congress of the united states but not the executive branch but president has overreached significantly in this area. obamacare should be replaced and the american taxpayer should not be subsidizing these insurance companies. >> so here's the hl in usa today front phage that premiums have gone up, deductibles have gone up, many can expect higher premium and deductibles with this subsidy gone, is it because

of the subsidy being limited or o are we going to see even higher preem julys and deductibles? >> i don't think the two are related to each other. whether obamacare has been premiums going up, of promise of obamacare was that premiums would go down, if you looked your doctor you could keep your doctor and none of that has occurred. if we're able to elect are republican as the president of s the united states then we'll replace obamacare, and i don't think that was a topic of discussion in the presidential debate last nigh. but certainly that is an important it shall domestically as well as preeminent issue regarding security of the american people i believe that was the principle discussion last night. >> all right. what in the affordable care actl is driving higher premium and deductibles? >> a lack of competition in my judgment, and d we favor policyt is that lead to competition in

the health care market. and we think that will bring w premiums dun and result in high quality care for the american people. >> let's get our viewers involved okay lanked, california, cher is rei anil independent. >> goodd, morning.ll >> you're on the air sherry. caller: good morning, good morning greta. >> good morning. caller: i wanted to say happy holidays last time i spoke to you b greta was on the 14th, 204 on january. >> oh, happy holidays. caller: i'm calling to give greta to offer more food for thought. i'm so tired as i've said to you in the past when these republicans get on here always talking about the wars, obamacare, i wanted to -- staying on the line here because i want senator, congressman whatever he is to address the question, the the question not just dancing around it. i'm trying to read if he wants boots on the ground for example,

how many of his sons or daughters will he wantbo to offr up to go fight the war, not to hide behind the desk but on the ground. >> okay sherry we'll get an answer hopefully turn up the tv andll hear hat congressman has o say. >> thank you sherry merry christmas to you and youry family. i do not favor boots on thedo ground at this time in the middle east, i think you raise a very good point. i think we have to look to others in nato particularly those in that region of the qortd to step up to the plate. i would have gone into afghanistan at the beginning of theta last decade but i have mid emotion on the fact that we also went into iraq. i was not in congress at that time but more cautious going into iraq. my judgment we should have gone afghanistan because of the material attacks on our homeland on 9/11. butha i certainly recognize your point of view, and i do not

think we should put boots on the ground without making sure thatn our allies are involved and even then i would be reluctant to do so. you don't think boots on the ground are necessary does president needs a new authorization of military force? >> the president's suggestion on the fourth would loment limit his responsibility first time in american history that that's the case. i think we should examine that but in thought the president's speech sundays ago it was incredibly weak i think that was raised in the debate particularly by the candidate i'm supporting for president governor christie of my home state of new jersey. i think he demonstrated how strong health he would be as a r in chief. i don't think this president has put forth a plan. >>ch going to columbia, missour, beverly, democrat about good morning you're on the air. caller: good morning, is there anything in this bill that goes off the one percenters for them

paying more taxes because theyr keep saying we don't have job. well we can't fix jobs until the one percenters pays their fair share in this country. >> congressman? >> thank you. the bill ask not a tax bill. it funds the government for the remainder of the fiscal year from now until september 30th of next year. our fiscal year here in washington runs from october o 1st to the following september 30th. taxth extender bill relates to provisions in the tax code but it does not change rates in tax code. i believe thatha question need fund mengts tax reform in this country both at the individualnd level and at the business level. speak or of the house paul ryane certainly taking the lead in

that area and kevin brady u new chairman is working on that issue. i would t luke to see tax reform next year working with this white house ife that's not possible certainly with the election of the president next november. >> democrat in maryland.ra caller: hi good morning to youll both. my question is regarding the fact that i've heard your guest and several of the colleagues h advocate for the repeal and replacement of obama kaying and ian was wounding if republican party has made head way on an alternative for that. replacement. thank you. >> thank you, that is an excellent question.th i have advocated for one of the proposals that's been in the hopper for some time certainly within the hopper when obamacare was originally passed several

proposals, but i think republicans should concentrate on putting one proposal on the table and what i would suggest is -- greater competition purchase of policies across state lines. i do like the provisions in the health care law, no denial of coveragee based upon a preexisting condition. lettingl young people stay in their parents policies until they're 26 and then important to me is tort reform medical practice reform and that is not contained in the president's legislation. i think prices are rising for health care because there's not enough competition. i think competition would bring about -- lower prices or at least stabilizing price. >> we're going to leave the discussion at this point as u.s. senate is about to gavel in. lawmakers are expected to spend most of the day offering general speeches including comments about the 2016 budget negotiations. by the way in a vote house approved another temporary spending measure to keep the government running for another

six days. through next tuesday. now live to the floor of the u.s. senate. ..