the senate adopted it. another of our democratic friends said his amendment would've our us with knowledge and help us make informed decisions to protect consumers, key sectors of our economy, and our energy security. the senate adopted that and then come to. there's a lot from both parties to write in this bill.

it was also to include the priorities, on both sides of the aisle as well as in the committee. and outside the committee. we agreed to clear the bill to clear exports.

it was written by senator barrasso and others, agreed to include major efficiency bill headed up by senators portman and shaheen and include mineral security that i met with senators about the use of hydro power, clean renewable resource favored by almost everyone in the chamber. we agreed to expedite natural gas pipelines without sacrificing any environmental review, this was an effort led by senator cavanaugh. we agreed to a new oil and gas permitting pilot program, one of several ideas, we picked up a proposal from senator collins to boost the efficiency of schools, we agreed to approve our nation's cybersecurity based on legislation for senators rich and -- we made innovation a key

priority to promote development of new technology. as part of that we agreed to reauthorize many of the energy related portions thanks to leadership of senator alexander. we agreed to take common-sense steps to promote geothermal energy which is a key issue to so many of us. we agreed to promote vehicle innovation based on bipartisan measure from our friends from michigan senators peters and alexander. we agreed to reauthorize colette the the primitive energy based on another bipartisan proposal from senator mansion and portman. in the context of broader bill and only in the context of the broader bill we agreed to reauthorize and reform the land and water conservation, what we came away with was a good timely bipartisan measure is that have

very real chance of being the first energy bill to be signed into law in over eight years. it is a measures that will help america produce more energy. it will help americans save money and it will help to ensure that the energy can be transported from where it is produced to where it is needed. it will bolster our nation's status as the best innovator in the world, something we should all aim to support. it will boost our economy especially our manufacturing and it will cement our status as a global energy superpower and it does all this without imposing any new mandates and without adding to the federal deficit and because of all of that you see good strong support for this measure. that was the bill, that was where we started and when we came to the floor it got better.

our starting point in the senate was good and strong and since we have taken up the debate for a week now we have continued again to work in a very open, very bipartisan, sometimes lengthy and tedious process but it works. we committed to an open amendment process and most members have held back on with you call them gotchas or give mes or poison pills there has been a great deal of cooperation, we voted on 38 amendments now, accepted 32 of the 30 eighth, we added even more good ideas and even more members to an already bipartisan bill. and i will recount a few of the things we have done with that. we agreed to destination's efforts to develop advanced nuclear technology, this is a great amendment led by senators whitehouse, hatch, and durbin.

we placed our strong support for carter in capturing utilization storage technologies thanks to an idea from senator whitehouse, mansion and franken and we reaffirmed the need for consistent federal policies that recognize carbon neutrality of forest biomass, an effort championed by senators collins, king, franken, crapo and rich. you don't often see these large groups of senators coming together in a way that we have seen under this bill. some would look at the names and that i read, that they had anything to work on but these issues broadened together. this has truly been a team effort with members reaching out to one another, lining up behind each other's ideas. working to ensure their adoption. the best proof of that is a simple review of our bill.

energy policy modernization acting clouds priorities sponsored or co-sponsored by 62 members of the senate. when was the last time we saw that level of cooperation and collaboration. 62 members. more in three fifth of the senate contributed something to this energy bill and when done processing the amendments we are not done with that. my staff and the staff of senator can well have been comparing notes about feedback we have been getting outside the chamber and what we found from the very time we started working through the committee process to the time on the senate come outd supported the bill, or certainly pieces of it. we've had provisions endorsed by major associations whose membership account for hundreds of companies and millions of american workers. this includes u.s. chamber of commerce, american chemistry council, national electric

manufacturers association, alliance of automobile manufacturers, just a few there. we've also heard from labor groups on north american building trades iewn, united auto workers, united brotherhood of carpenters have weighed in. we've got a huge coalition from the alliance to save energy to seattle city light that has welcomed the work we're doing on efficiency. i've gotten good strong support from the alaska natural resources, crystal bay native association, car dough about a cooperative -- cardova, a whole lot more. we heard from the people who keep the lights on, who produce materials that make modern life more enjoyable whether it is the american petroleum institute, national mining association, american exploration and mining, the business council for sustainable energy, american power association, edison

electric and others and others. the reality is those who have weighed in and supported this measure are too many to name this morning, but that's a good problem to have when you're legislating that you run out of time in outlining the coalitions that have come together in support. and just so i don't get in any trouble here this morning, i want to be clear that many of the groups and the entities that i have listed have endorsed parts of the bill -- not all of it. i'm not suggesting that everyone who likes our work to streamline l.n.g. exports is automatically supportive of what we're doing to clean up the u.s. code. and that's entirely fair. not everything in this is going to appeal to everyone. and in a lot of ways, that's how things work in a place like the senate. not everyone likes every provision of this will bill. i don't like every provision of this bill. not everyone is getting everything that they want.

it's pretty tough to find a situation where you get 100% of everything that you would want. this is not the bill that i would have written on my own, but it is the bill that we have written together first as a committee of 22, now as a senate working together. our work has produced a good bill, a good bill worth debating, worth advancing and worth passing. and that brings us to the point where we are at with the cloture vote that we will soon take. this vote is on the first of two cloture motions that we will need to approve before we can move to final passage. there's two votes. there's one on the substitute and there's one on the underlying bill. this means that this is, this vote that we will see very shortly is a means to advance debate, not to conclude it on our energy policy modernization act. and it's also a choice so i think it's important to lay out

clearly to members where we are, what we're voting on this morning. by voting for cloture, members will be ensuring that we remain on this bill for at least another 30 hours of legislative activity. you will be voting to continue this process, to continue this debate, and to continue processing amendments whether by voice as we have done so many of them or by roll call vote that we hope to set up. you will also be giving us the time that we need to focus on matters that are simply not settled yet. and as we have heard from our colleagues from michigan, there are some matters that they wish to have resolved that are not yet settled. but this allows us that time to do that. but to do this in a way that is going to be acceptable to the majority of our members. and the reality is if you aren't comfortable with where we are 30 hours from now, you can still vote against the next cloture

motion that comes up. that's one choice, and that's going to be my choice. but here's the other. if you vote against cloture, you will be effectively voting not to prolong debate but to move us off of this bipartisan bill. you will be voting to effectively be giving up on so much of what we have done, a year of process, agreement on almost 50 energy bills that we have incorporated into this base bill. and the strong approval of 32 separate amendments, and counting, that we have advanced to the floor. and i believe you will be voting to give up our best opportunity, certainly our most immediate opportunity to address the issue to help the people of flint, michigan, and in other parts of

the country that may have similar issues. every time i leave the senate floor, at least this past week, i'm kind of swarmed by reporters who want to know what's going on, what's the latest discussion, what's going to happen with flint? is flint going to bring this bill down? so i want to speak directly to this this morning to ensure where members -- let members know kind of what has gone on. because we haven't been out here on the floor all day yesterday, hashing things back and forth. we've been discussing very earnestly -- and again i believe very constructivively -- constructively, what are our options mplets how how can we find a path forward that will yield a result to help the people in michigan? the first thing i will say is that i share the concern, the

heartbreak for what the people of flint, michigan, have faced and are facing. it's a crisis, it's a tragedy. it is heartbreakingly avoidable. and unfortunately, we look at how we got here, and it is a failure of local, state and federal government po regulate and monitor that city's water supply. and what has happened in flint has hurt people. it is hurting children. and it has damaged property. it has left families in a horrible, horrible predicament through no fault of their own, where they can't, they can't drink their tap water. they can't bathe their children. and there is plenty of blame to go around here, and i know that my colleagues from michigan would agree with me. but our job here in the united states senate is not to play

this blame game. it's to own up to what that federal role is, because i believe that there is that federal role. and then on that basis, do what we can to help, make sure that our response is proportionate to that role. so why then, why then consider all this in the context of the energy bill, you might ask? and it's a fair and legitimate question. well, it's because it's the first piece of legislation that's on the floor since the extent of the crisis in flint became clear to us. senator stabenow and i began discussions about the situation in flint in very early december as we were trying to move through an omnibus bill to see if there wasn't something that we might be able to address through the appropriations bill. but since that time, again, more has been learned, and we are

here today with legislation that allows us an opportunity to consider it. so i didn't shy away from this discussion as hard as it was. i didn't say hey, that's going to be a poison pill, i can't deal with it. i said let's try to figure this out, because if we don't address the situation, whether it -- it's not going to go away. we've got a role here. let's figure out what that responsibility is and engage. and senator cantwell and i have been fully engaged, most directly with the senators in michigan, trying to find a responsible path forward. and the negotiations have been earnest and in good faith and ongoing. but i think that there has been a little bit of confusion about the status of the negotiations. i want to outline where -- where i believe we are right now. we have made headway on federal assistance, something that we know can't be borne by our energy bill alone.

we have found programs that could be good fits to provide aid. we also recognize that this is not flint's burden alone, that there are other communities in other states, including my state, that face similar crises as a result of government failures. and we hear about them. we as members talk about the situations. the senator from maryland i think used the phrase we are all flint. i think we all have situations, maybe not to the crisis proportion, but they have with a presidential declaration in michigan, but we have recognition that we all have issues that are troubling us a great deal when it comes to how we provide for -- for safe -- safety, safe drinking water for our families. our problem is not about whether we should offset the costs of this assistance. it's how we do so in a manner that does not destroy the

underlying energy bill, does not violate the constitution or the rules that we have here in the senate. and i made very clear when we began the outset of the debate on this measure that we've got to make sure that we don't have scoring issues with c.b.o. and that we have to make sure there are no other issues because that will kill the bill. that will kill the bill. then nobody wins. then we don't have an energy bill, then we haven't addressed the situation in flint. so this morning, i filed a second-degree amendment to provide support for the people of flint, and what my amendment will do will make up to $550 million available, including $50 million immediately for the people of flint. what we're seeking to do here is

bridge the gap between what has been proposed and what i believe the senate can agree to. it requires 90% of the money that we provide to be paid back over time. its cost is fully offset with a pay-for that we have been working back and forthwith c.b.o. and are confident that they accept. it includes provisions that we have been working with the senators from michigan on as it relates to e.p.a. notification and loan forgiveness and language that i think has been in all different iterations of measures that have been going forward. i'm told that on the house side, they are looking at that as well. but kind of that's where we are at this time as we're going into a cloture motion. i think we have made progress. i believe we have made progress. we're working constructively to help the people of flint, and what we would do with this second-degree would be able to

provide $550 million available to them. it's been challenging. it's involved a lot of hard work to get to this point, but i think we owe it to every american, whether you are in flint or somewhere else, to do that work, overcome that challenge. so, mr. president, we have -- we have -- we have gotten to where we are in the discussion again. we've got the cloture motion going forward. we have been trying to make the good progress. we have been trying to conduct an open and fair amendment process. we want to process more amendments this morning so that we can move to complete the bill. and so i would ask at this time unanimous consent that it be in order to call up the following amendments to make them pending, and that would be the stabenow amendment 3129, a murkowski

second-degree on flint 3282, cantwell 3242, flake 305, flake 3050, murkowski-cantwell 3234, isakson 3202, markey 3232, and cassidy 3192. the presiding officer: is there objection? ms. stabenow: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: thank you. reserving the right to object, i first want to again thank the chair. she lists a lot of bipartisan efforts that have gone on. i know a lot of work. nowhere in that list of folks whose needs have been -- whose needs have been addressed are the children of flint. the presiding officer: the senator will state her objection. ms. stabenow: we want to get this solved, not just have votes that go down. i object. the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. cornyn: would the chairman of the energy committee yield for a question? ms. murkowski: yes. mr. cornyn: mr. president, the

chairman of the energy committee has done tremendous work with the ranking member, senator cantwell, to try to find some way to address the concerns, the legitimate concerns that we all share and have with what's happened in flint. but it's my -- i just want to clarify some basic facts. it's my understanding -- and i just ask for a comment or an answer from the distinguished senator from alaska -- isn't it true that there is not yet a comprehensive assessment and plan in place by the state of michigan or flint as to how they might even spend this money at this point to address the concerns about lead in the water supply in flint? ms. murkowski: it is my understanding that there is an assessment and analysis that is due out, i believe, towards the end of next week, if not the end of next week, that the state has

aggressively been working to do to determine the cost as well ad move forward with an action plan. that's my understanding. mr. cornyn: so, mr. president, if the senator will yield for another question? so since there is no plan yet announced or in place, it strikes me as putting the cart before the horse to say the senate ought to vote on a $600 million emergency appropriation to deal -- to pay for a plan which is not yet -- which has not yet been created and disclosed to the -- to the american people. i would just ask the senator, isn't it a fact that the state itself has already appropriated $40 million to deal with this issue on an emergency basis, and the obama administration has made available another $80 million through the e.p.a. that's available to the state of michigan to help flint deal with this problem.

so a total of roughly $120 million already made available. ms. murkowski: i can't speak to the accuracy of exactly how much has been made available by the state. it is my understanding that the state has received through the e.p.a. the -- the state's annual receipts from the -- the e.p.a.'s clean water fund that they receive on an annual basis. so i don't know if that is specific to flint or whether that is the state's -- the state's share as the state of texas receives and the state of alaska receives, but it is my understanding that the president did make that announcement. ms. cornyn: mr. president, if the senator will yield for another question? ms. stabenow: if i might ask the leader to yield for a question, and possibly we could certainly share the information?

mr. cornyn: mr. president, the senator is out of order. i would ask the senator from alaska -- the presiding officer: the senator from alaska has the floor. mr. cornyn: i would ask the senator from alaska if she would yield for one last topic on this question? the presiding officer: will the senator yield? ms. murkowski: yes. mr. cornyn: i would ask the senator from alaska, isn't it true that after the senators from michigan made this demand for a $600 million earmark, in effect, before a plan was actually put together by the state of michigan or the city of flint, either to analyze the problem or what the solution might look like and how much it might cost, that you in your capacity as the bill manager have undertaken an effort to try to come up with some compromises. that, in fact, i believe you mentioned a compromise which would include some up-front funds, $50 million, plus a loan in effect that could be paid back over time. but i would just ask the senator, doesn't it make sense that because there is no plan in place, because there is money

already available for flint and michigan to begin to address this problem, wouldn't it make sense for us to take our time and to handle any additional requests for funding from flint or michigan through the regular appropriations process? i believe the senator is the chair of the ranking -- is the chair of the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over these issues, and i'm just wondering whether that wouldn't be a more orderly, more responsible process than at $600 million earmark for a plan -- before a plan is even in place? ms. murkowski: well, to the senator's question, i have been working, i think, aggressively and constructively with the senators from michigan to try te can provide for a level of response. i don't doubt the -- the anxiety, the urgency that the

people in flint must feel. to be in this situation is not a place that any of us would want any of our constituents to be. and so there is i think an imperative from those that are seeking this assistance that given that there is a federal role, how can we help to facilitate the appropriate response on the federal side? and so if there is a way to help expedite funding to move towards a solution, i think that that is appropriate. i think the senator's question is are we jumping -- jumping ahead here if we don't know how much? i think it is fair to say that the original estimates were based on the declaration -- the disaster declaration the state had requested. i think it's going to be not

only critical to understand what the cost is that we will hopefully learn next week -- i know they have been working aggressively to determine that -- but also kind of the spend plan because we do know -- we saw this with the stimulus, that you can get almost too much money, if that's possible, too much money going and you can't spend it out in the way that is best needed. i think we want to be thoughtful stewards, responsible stewards of the taxpayer dollars in recognizing that, and i think we also want to recognize that the role that we should have should be a proportionate role, so how we can be working to advance that is something that we have been attempting to do. i think the solution that i -- ms. stabenow: would the senator yield for a question? ms. murkowski: just one moment. the solution that i have put down this morning that i think recognizes that there is -- is assistance that is needed, and this is where the opportunity to

access loans through the program that will be available not only to the state of michigan but to other states should they be in a similar situation, so that -- that avoids the earmark because i, too, want to make sure that we have a situation that we don't allow to continue but we also don't want to -- in michigan, but we also don't want to see it in other states as well. so we do that through opportunities for loans through withia. but the direct assistance that would come which would be $50 million in addition to what may be out there already from e.p.a. and through the state i think is a reasonable approach, and again it is one that is paid for, legitimately paid for, and i think that that is an important part of our responsibility here as well, to make sure that we can not only

address the urgency of a situation but also the responsibility that we have not only to the people of flint but to all of our constituencies. and, mr. president, if i can just -- the presiding officer: all time for debate has expired. ms. stabenow: would the distinguished leader yield for a question? mr. president, i have been asking for the opportunity to ask a question. i would ask consent to be able to ask a question. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. ms. stabenow: is the chair aware that the dollars that we have asked for require a comprehensive plan from the state and that at this point only $28 million, most going to health, has been allocated by the state? ms. murkowski: through the chair, i am aware that what you have required as well as what we have been working on jointly does require a -- an action plan

that describes the spend-down and how that would be allocated. and it's my understanding that it will be very helpful to have that -- that analysis from the state that will be forthcoming hopefully next week. that we

put out.y next week. that we [inaudible conversations] >> nice to meet you. >> so many candidates in the margin of error. today, if you like this, vote your conviction, go with your gut, vote for her and she will win. the opportunity in this state to show that we want our candidate for president, we do not want the media to determine it for us. i encourage you. one other thing. that are some meetings in the back. i encourage you all to pick one up and learn about who she is and experiences that in for her

character and our character is decisionmaking and i would like to know what types of things i want to elected the president of the united states. i am sure you do as well so thank you for being here. it is my pleasure to introduce carly fiorina, chairman in montana. [applause] >> good morning. how is everybody doing today. the fourth generation manchester native, wonderful to bring carly fiorina here. the only thing i am disappointed about is when i was a kid in manchester we didn't cancel school for a little bit of snow. what is up with this? we tell the candidates around the country who come here and visitors in new hampshire, anyway, we are accommodating them so they can meet people and

thank you for turning out this morning in such great numbers. i am honored to be her state chairman. carly fiorina is a principled, passionate and positive conservative in the great leader for the nation and she will be at great president of the united states. what we need to do in new hampshire especially now, especially now when she has been denied or is being denied a place on the debate stage is send a loud message is the we don't let anybody else tell us how we are going to vote or run our primary. carly fiorina deserves to be on the debate stage tomorrow night, don't you think? [applause] it is not just about carly fiorina. she has earned the right to be there. it is about the new hampshire primary. and so for the next few hours, next few days as we head into the new hampshire primary if you like what you see this morning, if you like what you hear, if

you can visualize carly fiorina as commander in chief and our president, then please don't recommit to voting for her, please commit to tell your friends and neighbors through social media, after services on sunday if you go to church or synagogue or wherever you keep -- see people in new hampshire ask them to vote for carly fiorina, make the case for her because that is how we will make our decision. one voter talking to the next. that is the way it is done in new hampshire. has always been done that way. we can send a powerful message. here in new hampshire is the voters, new hampshire who make decisions about the next president, not the national media, not the national republican national committee. let's make sure we do our job. now my job is to introduce to

you the next president of the united states, carly fiorina. [applause] >> good morning, thanks for coming through the snow. i know you are hardy people. have been looking in that museum back there, the museum of how the new hampshire primary has played out in new hampshire and few specifically in manchester and i have to say that it is the people of manchester, new hampshire, that have got me this far. because you see, when i want my candidacy i was 17 out of 16 candidates. nobody had never heard of me. less than 4% of the ever heard of me. the pundits wrote me off and the polls would not list my name. and here we are, there eight of us left. former governors, a sitting

governors, senators. the things that was mentioned about the debate, it is not about me. is proof positive that this game is rigged to. is why i am running for president because we have to take our country back. you may remember when all this debate stuff started the media and political establishment in washington said the voters can't handle so many candidates so they came up with all these criteria to decide which candidates, it was polls. a funny thing happened this week. the people of iowa voted, they voted. in that vote i beat two guys that are sitting on that debate stage and i am tied with jeb bush. last thing i knew of the 10 delegates counted but apparently the political establishment in washington and the media establishment in new york city

decided votes don't matter, delegates don't matter. the leasing that matters is we establish criteria using polls in january. guess what? they think they get to pick presidents. it is an insult to the people of new hampshire. you pick presidents, you are the first in the nation primary and they are taking away your power. i have observed up close and personal how seriously you take this responsibility. nobody had ever heard of me when i launched this thing that you showed up. you show up in living rooms and dining rooms and town halls and museums, and listens, and because you take responsibility seriously you listen to all of us that you listened over and over again. i learned the new hampshire way, got to see you five times. i respect that.

you also know that even in this day and age of media, there's nothing like sitting and looking at a candidate in the eye and asking a question and understanding how they are going to respond. it is not the same as a nationally televised debate. i think you can handle eight candidates on the debate stage but the political establishment says you can't. i am counting on you. i am counting on you to do the job and pick the president. the game is rigged and that is why i am running for president. our country is being taken away from us. our politics and government taken away from us. you first in the nation primary status is being taken away from you. i decided to run for president after a rotary club meeting in new hampshire. it was in the summer of 2014, i was giving a speech at a rotary

club. if you have been to rotary clubs you know the way it goes. you have lunch and the club does the business, and this man comes up to me and says in a not polite way i am not going to agree with you on anything. how do you know that? i am a democrat, you are republican, we are not going to agree. maybe you might be surprised. i gave a speech not about politics, i gave a speech about possibilities, the reality that this nation has always been a place of limitless possibilities for so many people from so many circumstances and so many parts of the world. and teaches gifted by god and more potential than we realized. you know, we don't think of ourselves as a nation of

limitless possibility any more. that really landed with me. it is true. we don't think of ourselves as a nation of limitless possibility any more. when we no longer see ourselves that we are we are losing the core of who we are. i know this has been a nation of possibility for me. and business and cherry or policy work all over the world for decades and every corner of the globe i can tell you with certainty is only in this nation that a young woman can start the way i did, it tightening, filing, answering the phone for a nine person real-estate firm. go on one day to become the chief executive of what we turned into the largest technology company in the world to run for the presidency of the united states that is only possible in this great nation.

[applause] >> there have been plenty of people who told me to sit down and be quiet. don't rock the boat or challenge the system. settle for the way things are. high am running for presidency of the united states because the american people being told to sit down and be quiet, settle, do not challenge the system, accepted the way things are and i don't think we can do that anymore. we are being told to sit down and be quiet about our god, our guns, the horrors of the abortion industry. we are being told to settle. settle for a nation where record numbers of men are out of work, record numbers of women are living in poverty, working family incomes have stagnated for 40 years despite all the promises of all the politicians. we are destroying more small and family-owned businesses than we are creating and that matters because small and new and family-owned businesses 3 two thirds of the new jobs in this country, they employ half the people and we need more jobs.

as this is going on the rich are getting richer, the powerful are getting more powerful, well connected getting better connected. we are being asked to accept a system of government and politics that no longer works for the people who pay for it. let us consider the government for a moment. it has gotten bigger and bigger for 40 years. it is bloated, inert and corrupt and 80% of the american people figured this out. it is bloated, spends more money every year and never can do anything unless it asks for more money. is inert, the department of homeland security is supposed to be able to keep track of people who oversee visas but they can't. 12 years ago they were given a bunch of money and a mandate to fix it and they told us last week that they haven't fixed it, the money is gone, there is no

system and they still can't keep track of anybody. they are in the planning stage. why are we selling for this? why are we settling for a system of politics where honestly politicians promise us the same things over and over again and they never deliver. you are pretty sophisticated consumers of politics, ladies and gentlemen. as yourself this. how many presidential elections have you heard the same things? we are going to secure the border. we have been talking about that for 25 years. we are going to reform the tax code. we have talked about that for 25 years. we are going to reform social security. i have a plan. we are going to care for our veterans, we are going to get debt and deficit under control, rollback regulations, has any of that happened in the last 40 years? no. it is a lot of talk. it is a lot of talk. this game we have got going on

in washington d.c. between government, politicians and media executives is not working for us anymore. i am frustrated. i am fed up. we can solve our problems and heal our wounds but cannot do so unless we remember who we are. hours was intended to be citizens government. ladies and gentlemen, i am running for the presidency of the united states because i think it is time to restore power where it belongs, back in the hands of the citizens of this great nation. i think it is time. we have to take our future back, we have to take our politics and our government back. i am running because citizens, people of new hampshire it is time. we must take our country back. [applause] >> i want to tell you a little story. about your power. and why we must restore your power. and i will as president.

remember the scandal in the va, 18 months ago? we learned to our words that veterans were dying waiting for appointments and bureaucrats were cooking the books to cover it up. the citizens of this nation were so horrified that you flex your muscles, you use your power, you flooded congress with protests and congress, based on all that pressure and power did something, they did something unprecedented. they passed a bill in three weeks, it sailed through the senate 99-0, president obama signed it. beyond that, it was unprecedented because the bill said the we could fire a 400 senior executives in the va. that is a breakthrough. you can't fire anybody in the federal government for anything. but you got that done. them, unfortunately, we all

moved on and pressure stopped. despite all the beautiful speeches by all the politicians many of whom are running for office nothing happened. in fact, three people were fired, two of them are suing the federal government to get their jobs back. 307,000 veterans have died before they got healthcare. and the va handed out $142 million in bonuses for superior performance. ladies and gentlemen, we cannot settle for this anymore. it is a stain on our nation's honor. our politicians are not working for us and our government doesn't work for us either. we have to take our country back. [applause] >>-use to a world where people are held accountable and one thing we don't do is ever hold

government or politicians accountable for anything. do we holds an accountable for their promises? do we hold accountable was for their performance? note. i have laid out a blueprint for the settings we must do to . i have laid out a blueprint for the settings we must do to . i have laid out a blueprint for the settings we must do to. i have laid out a blueprint for the settings we must do to keep our country back. i want to talk about those things but i want to tell you first why i wrote it down, i want you to walk out of your holding that blue piece of paper. i want you to hold me accountable. i don't want there to be any confusion about what i said i will get done with your help. i want to come back here and say how are we doing on this blueprint. i want to clarify the challenge. these are the things we have to get done. told me accountable. let me give one example, one of the items on here and how you help me get it done.

i said the government spent more money for 18 years, what we ask the government to do we need more money. have you ever noticed that? they send more money every single year in the answer is always the need more money, care for our veterans, we need more money, secure the border, protect the nation we need more money. how is that possible? i will tell you how is possible. with the government budget secure a government agency or given a budget and once you had that budget, you own it. the taxpayers don't own it, you own it and the only thing you do every year is make sure you spend every dime of that budget with you need to or not and go to congress and ask for more. the fancy word for that racket is baseline budgeting. ask yourself this question. how do you budget?

how do we all budget? we examine every dollar. we can cut any dollar, we can move any dollar. that is how the rest of us budget. that is the only way to spend less money over all and still have enough to do the important things. the fancy word for that is zero based budgeting. i call it common sense and good budget. i am the only person running for president who is talking anything about zero based budgeting. you probably don't know because they don't want you to know, there is the bill for zero based budgeting sitting on the floor of the u.s. house. it has been sitting there. nobody wantss to vote on it. why do you suppose that is? when we know where the money is being spent and sui can say we have too many irs agents and not enough fbi agents, take the money from there and put it over there that challenges the system. you are going to help me get that bill voted on. i'm going to use your power to

get it voted on. you know how i am going to do that? every week i will go into the oval office and i am going to say to you please take out your smart phones. i got to say there are a lot of footballs in new hampshire. you might think about upgrading some time between now and january but whatever. i will ask you to take out your smart phones and i am going to say my fellow citizens do you agree with me that we need to finally pass that bill for zero based budgeting? chris 1 for yes. there is an apps for citizen government, ladies and gentlemen, technology is a powerful tool. we use technology to do foolish things like vote people of islands and pick our favorite songs. i am going to use technology for something important, to restore power into the hands of the citizens of this great nation. so press 1 for yes and we will

get this done. before we get all this done, before we press 1 for yes, before we take our politics and government and country back, we have to win. we have to win in november. whether you made up your mind to support me or not, in your heart of hearts you know you cannot wait to see me debate hillary clinton. you can't wait. [applause] >> if you ever thought the game was ragged despite the fact that mrs. clinton has escaped prosecution more times than al chapeau, she won six coin tosses in a row in iowa. really? you know why you can't wait to see any debate hillary clinton? you know what is going to happen. i am going to win. because you have seen me, great debater and fearless fighter who is not afraid to say she is a

liar with no track record of accomplishment. [applause] >> i will close appear in a moment so i can take your questions. the thing is now is about more than winning,. the media covers politics like it is the game. like it is a sport. who is up, who's down, whose team is winning, whose team is losing. in your bones you know it is not a sport and it is not a game. these are very serious times, these are pivotal times for the republic. so you need to ask yourself now as you consider your awesome responsibility on tuesday what does it actually take to do the job of president of the united states? the job needs doing now. i would argue that this. i would argue you need a president of the united states who has created a job, saved a

job, protected a job, who understands how the economy works. we need a president, commander in chief, who knows the world and who is in it. i have more foreign policy experience than anyone running. i have met more world leaders than anyone with the possible exception of hillary clinton but i didn't do photo ops with these people. i had private meetings with allies and adversaries alike. i held the highest clearances available to a civilian, that is why i no hillary clinton needs to be prosecuted. ..

towel. technology is pretty important. it's a tool, a t tool uncle used as i described to you but it's also a lot been. it's a weapon that is being wielded against us by her enemies and we're losing the war in cyberspace. we cannot lose that war so we better have a president who understands and knows what to do about it. finally, the most important of

all we need someone who understands what leadership is. let me tell you what leadership is. leadership is about making a tough call in a tough time in standing up and being held accountable. we have people running for president who have never made a tough call. sorry. a tough vote is not a tough call. been a leader means you've got to challenge the status quo because the only way you solve festering problems, the only way you produce results is to challenge the system. that's what leaders know. do you know how you know how you go from secretary to ceo quits to challenge the status quo, produce results, solve problems over and over and over, and you lead. the most important lesson i ever learned about leadership, and i will close with this, i learned a long time ago when i was a secretary. i used to think as that young woman typing in the middle of a recession, i used to think that a leader was whoever had the big

office, the big title, but they participate. then i got older and wiser and i learned there were people with big offices, big titles, big egos to go along with it and they were not eating. leadership has nothing to do with the size or the shape of your office -- not leading. it has nothing to do their title. it has nothing to do with your ego. a leader is a servant. the leader serves. the highest calling of a leader is to unlock potential in others. my highest calling is to restore citizen government to this great nation. my highest calling is to take power out of the havens of the to view, the money, the power, the decision-making that has been concentrated for too long in the hands of too few. and put it back in hands of the many, of the many citizens of this great nation. so people of new hampshire i ask you, stand with me, do not settle any longer.

stand with me, fight with me here could not accept the system anymore. do not sit down and be quiet. vote for me because it is time that we take our future back. it is time that we take our politics and our government back. citizens, join me. it is time. we must take our country back. [applause] raise your hands high because these lights are bright. it's hard to see. yes, ma'am come in the short. redshirt. >> what can we do with abc news speaks what do we do with abc news. i would tell you, flood abc news and the rnc as well with your comments. flood them on twitter. call the president of abc news. stand up, let people know.

you can do your job. you can do your job. [inaudible] >> keep doing it. keep doing it. pressure works, folks. [applause] >> maybe that's because you're flooding it, good. keep it up your look, this is not about me. yes, i want to be on the debate stage but one thing you can count on, i'm a fighter and i'm not going to sit down and be quiet and i'm not going to go away. i'm going to run this race all the way. use in the out of here with the wind at my back, i will go all the way. this is not about me right now, although i'd like to be on that stage. i'll keep going. this is about you. you are being told by a bunch of people in washington, d.c. and new york city so now you can't handle this. i think you can handle it, so flood them. [applause] >> i'm a high school senior from massachusetts and as you know,

masters as some of the best education system in the country. my question to you is about common core. a lot of students and faculty members at my high school have a lot of concerns about common core and concerns about nationalizing education. what i want to know is what are your views on common core? how are you going to take those views and turned into policy as president of the united states? >> common core is a really bad idea. [applause] and by the way, here's the truth about massachusetts, and it's the truth about our whole nation. some kids in massachusetts get a really good education, and too many kids in massachusetts get a really bad education and it has to do with where you are growing up. that's a problem. that's not what this country is supposed to be about. so let's examine how we got here. the department of education has gotten bigger and bigger than 40 years. we have put more money into the

department of education under republicans and democrats alike. we put more power in the department of education. common core, republican support that. raced to the top, no child left behind. they are big bureaucratic programs and they have done for the quality of our education. in fact, the more money and i was in washington the worst our education system has become. it's also true that the worst come what i'll call the outcome can't has become, if you're a poor kid, you are trapped right now in a failing school. do you know who thinks that's okay? democrats and the teachers union. let me carry a little story. windy chicago public teachers union struck and should conquerr chicago is another place where if you richard durbin all right. if you were poor you're getting a lousy education. you don't have a chance in life. not in this century. brainpower is so smart asset you can have. so there's a strike over what? teacher accountability in the classroom. ahead of chicago public teachers

you and takes to the microphone and says this. we cannot be held accountable for the performance of students in our classroom. because too many of them are poor and come from broken families. so what was she saying, folks? she was saying if you're poor and you come from broken family you can't learn and we don't have to teach you. that is not what this nation is about. so let us quit spending money in washington, d.c. on bureaucratic programs like common core written in large part by textbook companies and testing companies will have something to gain. that's called crony capitalism, folks. [applause] and let us send the money to communities and states. let us give parents real choices so their kids have real chances. let us make sure that parents and communities have the power to shut down failing schools, to

make sure every student has whatever choices they want, vouchers, parochial, homeschooled, you name it. when paris have choices think it's a chances. let us make sure that a great teacher in front of the classroom as all the support and the tools and the encouragement they need, which is not whether getting from the teachers unions. [applause] >> i want to thank you for going to the march in washington. what you said -- >> i am a fearless fighter, folks. and we must restore the character of our nation by stanley for life and religious liberty. >> just going back to what the first lady asked, will you go to a debate saturday? show up physically or are you going to go into a fundraiser and say ivories all this money instead of?

>> the short answer is i'm not sure. if they don't let me on the debate stage i don't have credentials, folks. so you know, folks, it's a rigged game. we've got to take our politics back. we've got to take our government back. we've got to take our country back. if you ever doubt it, i've been talking about this weekend ever since i announced my candidacy. if you ever doubted it was a rigged game, consider what's going to go on in the state of new hampshire on saturday night. >> manchester is a refugee resettlement city, and the strength of our city and state resources each huge force schools and for all kinds of services for the families that can appear. some do well and some don't do well at all. would you describe to us your concerns into programs for border security?

>> so thank you. as you can see it's one of the items on the blueprint. let's start with the basics. we have to secure our borders. and nation that cannot protect its border cannot protect its sovereignty. and it's not just the southern border. drugs are pouring across the northern border. my husband frank and i buried our younger daughter to addictions. so i know what the people of new hampshire are going through, too many people across this nation. have to secure our borders. this isn't rocket science. for heaven' heaven's sake. we'll have to secure a border. it takes money, manpower, technology. but mostly what it merely takes its actual leadership that is prepared with produce results of the accountable. we have been talking about this for 25 years. you have people running around for prejudicing they're going to secure the border. where have they been? to have been in politics their

whole life. we've got to secure the border. we have to enforce the laws we have. do you know that san francisco has been a sanctuary city since 1989? we have 300 of them in this country. we've had them for 20 plus years. we are not enforcing our laws. number three, we've got to fix the legal immigration system. i told you that will store about the department of homeland security. we don't even know who overstays the visa. that's ineptitude. we can track billions and billions and billions of moving objects but we don't know who overstayed a visa? its incompetence. we don't have an employer verification system that works. so we don't hold employers accountable for hiring illegals. that's a lack of responsiveness and incompetence as well. we've got to fix that. cannot be done? of course they can be done but you better have leadership is prepared to stand up and be held

accountable for getting it done. as far as refugees go, here is my view. if we cannot adequately that these people come if we do not know who they are and what the art of with intentions are, they don't get to come. sorry. we know our government cannot adequately vet a lot of these refugees because they are coming from war-torn nations that we don't know who they are. as we have seen in dangerous times you can't just let anybody in because we have big hearts. finally we are going up to decide what to do with people who have come in illegally and stated publicly. in my ear you have forfeited your right to apply for citizenship. because we cannot say to the people who did it the right way, and i know a lot of them, people who did the right way who stood in line, to raise their hand, the study our history, who took the oath, you cannot say to them there is no reward for following the law. and there is no consequence for breaking the law. because when we say that, we

undermine the character of this nation. [applause] >> thanks for coming this morning. >> thank you for coming. >> you made it through the weather, so thank you. i'm curious about social security a sort of a math problem. that's been a problem you referenced it since the beginning of what are some the things you might consider at some of things you would not consider when looking at social security? >> i appreciate the question, and you might notice that social security isn't on this list. not because it isn't important. it's a vitally important but because until we get these things done, we are not fundamentally restoring people's faith and trust and the responsiveness and competence and honesty of their government. and until we restore people state and honesty, honest, competent government, why should they trust we're going to reform social security?

these are basic things. let me also remind you of this. every cycle you have candidates run on reforming social security. have we ever done it? nope, never dedicate and is that because you are not good ideas. there are really good ideas. it's just people never get around to it. let me tell you when it's done. when we restore trust and competence and responsiveness in government, then we're going to get around to talk about some of the good ideas and i'm going to engage directly. it's not going to be some backroom deal because it your money actually. let me take the principles that i will apply. number one, social security is a contract that the government entered into with its citizens. it is a commitment that was made. and i don't believe in breaking contracts or breaking commitments. politicians are breaking his

contract all the time. social security recipients are being told you don't get your cost-of-living increase but we're going to vote ourselves a pay increase in congress. that's breaking a contract. we do that over and over again. the politicians do it over and over again. i will keep the contract and honor the commitment. second principle, i don't care whether you are 25, 55 or 75, any time you put into social security is your money. it's not the governments money. they can't take it away from you and put in the general fund because they don't know how to manage their money. it's your money. it belongs to you and, therefore, you are going to be engaged in the citing what you want to do with your money. [applause] >> years ago nikita khrushchev made a statement that he would

defeat us from within and the schools, institutions, government everything has come to place burkett -- [inaudible] we have a social 20 flies office of the land which i hope you have instead of him. and so the pendulum issued on their side. will would you do to cause the pendulum to come back without taking away i religious choices and our freedom of speech? >> so, that's a great question because in your bones you know we are losing something vital in this nation. you know we are at a perilous time and it's exactly to the point of the character of our nation, the foundation of our nation, the possibilities represented by this nation. first thing on a i'm doing is running for president. the first thing you can do is vote for me on tuesday not to

make sure everybody you know votes for me. we have got the right leader in the white house, okay? secondly on this blueprint, restore the character of our nation. stand her life and religious liberty. religious liberty is under assault in this nation. i really was struck by the fact that president obama went to visit a mosque. good for him, but i've never heard president obama stand up and talk about the endless acts of violence against jewish synagogues in this country. and i've never heard him talk about the genocide that is going on in the middle east against christians. and the last time i looked, does the government is suing the little sisters of the poor in the supreme court because they want the federal government, through obamacare, to be able to tell a set of catholic nuns how to practice their religion. folks, this is where we have

come to. our own government is suing the little sisters of the poor in the supreme court because the government thinks they know best how to practice religion. we have to take our country back. but let me assure you as a person of faith, my faith has seen me through bad times, a battle with cancer, the death of our daughter. my faith has seen me through bad times. i know. people of faith, people of sincere faith, whatever their faith, people of sincere faith make better leaders. because faith gives us humility. and humility is important in a leader. they tells us that anyone of us can fall, and anyone of us can be redeemed. they tells us that each of us are equal in the eyes of god and that gives us into the and humility, and both are really

important in a leader. it gives us optimism as well. we know there is a better way. we know there is a better place. we know people and rise to the occasion. so in addition to stand for religious liberty and life, i will stand up and proclaim my faith because i think, folks, we need more per in public life, not less. [applause] -- we need more prayer. >> okay, sure my mic. how is that? come on. you are doing awesome. okay, you wrote it down. how about we read it together? okay.

this is korda. awesome job or just a question. you were in charge of the business. what can i do to grow up to be a leader? korda, that is a great question. let's hear it. [applause] so here's the answer. anyone can lead. anyone can lead. because do you know what leadership is? leadership is about unlocking potential in other people. leaders are made, not born. so anyone can lead. korda, if you want to be a leader, then you will be. you can't let other people tell you, you can't. you can't tell other people to tell you to sit down. you can't let other people tell you to settle for the way things are. know what you are made of it and, korda, i can tell what you're made of so aim high and to lead. [applause]

ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming this whether i want to leave a little time so we can shake hands and take pictures. if he didn't get questions answered, please go onto carly for president.com. i have a pretty cool search engine you're pretty the website it doesn't look at anybody else's. you're not going to read a bunch of policy papers. which are going to see is me talking to you. i think that's more accountable and more responsive than some paper written by somebody else. please come on up so i can the fbi just possible and take a picture. however, i just want to tell you i have a little. i have a little bit it seems that i think. one picture, one vote. one picture, one vote, okay? citizens, stand with me. we've got to take our country back. [applause]

[inaudible conversations] unfortunate we are having some technical issues with our signal from the museum in the state of, actually in new hampshire with carly fiorina is making an appearance there this plan. we apologize for the problem. our road to the white house cover -- coverage will continue with vermont senator bernie sanders in manchester. these taking part of the politics and eggs breakfast and c-span love-life coverage and we'll be live on c-span2 at 10 eastern with a discussion on puerto rico's debt crisis and we'll hear from bipartisan policy center panel on how to put the commonwealth on the path to financial security.

the president of colombia is in washington today visiting with president obama. people hold a joint press conference with suggested john kerry. you can see that at two eastern on c-span. back on the campaign trail this evening as hillary clinton and senator bernie sanders will be speaking at a new hampshire democratic party dinner in manchester. c-span's live coverage will get under way at seven eastern. >> the citizens of the greatest they are not easily one. then be in place a hotbed of political discussion. in village, town and city voters brave snow and sleet to cast their votes. thanks to the people of new hampshire speed is good to be back in new hampshire. >> first in the country primary.

>> it's great to be back in new hampshire. >> one report has called a hampshire's primary the most cherished of america's civil tribal rights. >> governor, thank you so much for coming today. >> this is a place we can observe a candidate in the heat of a dialogue come and beat up getting tough questions about the positions on the issues. it's not just a place where it's a scripted speech. >> new hampshire takes its first in the nation primary status really seriously. >> this is one of else's a town hall meeting we are going to be having. >> this is my 20th town hall meeting. >> welcome to our 100 townhall meeting here in new hampshire. [cheers and applause]

>> president obama and climate president juan manuel santos announced a new partnership yesterday called peace colombia for president obama is proposing financial aid to colombia reinforce security. u.s. set a goal to remove every landmine in colombia within five years. this is about 30 minutes. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states, the president of the republic of colombia. [applause] >> thank you. thank you so much. please be seated. good evening. [speaking spanish]

thank you all for being here as we reaffirm our great partnership between the united states and colombia. and as we celebrate a decade and a half of progress under plan colombia. it's a great honor to welcome my good friend president santos, first lady, their outstanding sons who are want is a uva and he reminded me the basketball team is better than the kansas jayhawks. i want to recognize former president estrada. we are honored to have you here as well. and i want to thank all the leaders, although members of congress who have been critical to this partnership over many years. it's been a bipartisan effort of

support, democrats and republicans, business leaders, faith communities, civil society, our military that has done outstanding work. and i special an and to recognie someone who's played a vital role in the peace process that's our special envoy. so thank you for the good work you do. [applause] >> in the united states we are big fans of colombia. we love its culture. we love its contributions. we love chiquita. [laughter] carlos beyer, you know. [laughter] we are joined by many friends from colombia.

we have a lot of proud colombian americans, that includes some of the great talents who are here tonight. we've got actors like john. where is john? right there. [applause] juan pablo montoya. [applause] former shortstop for my beloved chicago white sox, orlando cabrera. [applause] there we go. so the bonds between our countries are not just at the level of government. they are people. they are cultures, friendships and family. and reflective of that is a santos and just had another very productive meeting. this is one of the strongest partnerships in the hemisphere. and increasingly we are global

partners. the partnership grounded in mutual interests and mutual respect. and we discuss ways in which we can continue to strengthen our ties with trade, more investment in clean energy, ever deeper cooperation in the region. of course much of our work focus on how diseases incredible moment of promise in colombia. we all remember a time not long ago when colombia was torn apart like terrible violence, plagued by insurgency and civil war. many of you who are here lived through those times. some of you here lost loved ones or friends, colleagues. and that's why the united states and colombia forged what became known as plan colombia, starting with president, and going over administration of both countries but we are proud to support colombia as you strengthen your security forces, you reform land

loss and bolster democratic institution. so plan colombia has been a tribute to the people of colombia and their efforts to overcome so many challenges. and after 15 years of sacrifice and determination come a tipping point has been reached, the tide has turned. as president santos will be first to tell you, obviously series of challenges remain. but from cartagena, there's no denying colombia's remarkable transformation. today's colombia is a country of artist and at worst and dynamic cities. new businesses along with giant outdoor escalators up the hillsides are literally lifting people out of poverty. children who once lived in fear now the chance to pursue their

dreams. in short, country that was on the brink of collapse is not on the brink of peace. i had the privilege of seeing some of this extra change myself when i visited cartagena get us to believe what i said then. in colombia today there is hope. now fully realizing that of requires a just and lasting peace. the president santos, i said the privately, i want to reiterate publicly how much i admire the great courage and resolve you showed interest in negotiations to end the war. you have committed to that upholds colombia national and international legal obligations you put victims at the center of this process. i want to thank all of the parties for their efforts including the government of cuba for hosting the talks. we all know is easier to start wars and in them, but after half a century of wrenching conflict, the time is come for peace. it's time to make real the words

of the young colombian is to do a thing of want to see die over and the website is down is the son at the end of the day. of course peaceful just be the first step to any agreement have to be implemented. and just as in the states have been colombia's border in a time of war, i indicated to president santos, we will be your partner in the wage peace. so did i'm proud to announce a new framework for the next chapter of our partnership with going to call it peace colombia. [applause] as colombia transitions to

peace, the united states will work with you hand in hand. i'm proposing that more than $450 million be devoted to helping to reinforce security gains, reintegrate former combatants into society and extend opportunity and the rule of law into areas deny them for decades. we will continue to stand for human rights and justice for victims, and will keep working to protect our people as well as the colombians from the ravages of illegal drugs and violence of drug traffickers. as part of our global de-mining efforts, the united states intends to support colombia as a works to remove every landmine in the country within five years. that's our goal. secretary kerry well leader this effort -- [applause] i want to thank our partner

norway, and we invite others to join in this really important work so that every colombian child can walk into a brighter future free from fear. i can't emphasize enough how this is a concrete manifestation that we can achieve in a relatively short timeframe. that not only ensures that innocents are not injured or killed, that also means that land that may have been very difficult to develop or farm, now is available. we are very proud to be part of that effort. and i indicated to president santos that as the negotiations concluded, assuming success, assuming embraced by the colombian people, we will continue to solicit ideas from your government and the colombian people about how else we can help them mobilize the international community support

your efforts. but the point is about because of the vision and leadership of not only the colombian people and colombian government, but also democrats and republicans, members of congress, so many invested so much in this effort many years ago, we want to make sure that we are showing the same commitment going for. we don't consider this an and to our friendship under partnership, but rather a new beginning. just as we did 15 years ago we intend to bet on colombia's success. we are united by a common efficient, a future that's more just, more equitable, more prosperous for all of our people. one of my most memorable expenses in colombia when i accompanied president santos as he granted land title to to

colombian communities. it was a wonderful day. not just because we were hanging out with shakira -- [laughter] there in the placid they san pedro, we watched the descendents of slaves laid claim to a piece of new clinic a good reminder of what peace means in people's daily lives. what's possible when people are in power, no matter what you look like a would become from. and that's a vision that president santos believes in, a vision we share, that this is not just an abstract exercise at the highest levels of government. this is something that has to affect ordinary people in increasing their security and their opportunity. that's what we mean when we talk about building a truly peaceful,

prosperous colombia. that's what we hope to help you realize, a place as the great novelist once imagined come a place where no one will be able to decide for others how they die. where love will prove true, and happiness be possible. and industry what colombia will have no greater friend than the united states of america. mucho gracias. [applause] >> thank you very much, mr. president. good evening to all of you. you said at the beginning that

americans love and admire colombians. i must say the same thing. columbians love and admire americans. and they love you very much. you are the most popular person in the colombian polls. [laughter] [applause] >> that's not true here in the united states. [laughter] [speaking spanish] >> translator: today i come back to washington and to thank you. i think the people of the government of the united states for the support they have given to colombia during the last 15 years, and to project our

cooperation throughout the next few years. there are many people that i would like to recognize for the support who have participated in the administration of plan colombia the past 30 years. many of them are present here today. the ex-president of the united states, bill clinton and george w. bush, as well as my predecessors, simon bolivar. the second is come ministers and ambassadors and high officials of both government. the senators, the congressman of the united states end of colombia. the leaders and members of the armed forces and the police of both countries, a businessman, and so many people who have contributed to this plan, thank

you all very much. and thank you to you, president obama. because you have not only maintained your support for plan colombia, which have inspired us to find a better and deeper partnership between our two countries. today we can say without a doubt that the goals that we had in 2000, such as biting the drug wars, strengthening institutions and imposing the rule of law, and to take social programs to great parts of remote colombian territory have been, those affected have been met. today's colombia is much, much different from the colombia of 15 years ago. our country at that time was going to the worst recession

from economic recession of the last 70 or 80 years. we were very far from controlling our own territory, and we were very close to being declared a failed state. practically a third our national territory was controlled by paramilitary. another third was being controlled by the guerrillas, and both are financed by drug trafficking. we had a very dark and uncertain future. today, the outlook is completely opposite. today we see the future. we've got to the worst economic recession in our recent history keeping leaders in economic growth in latin america. and not just growth. were also leaders in job

creation and reducing poverty, and strengthening our middle-class. we have gone from the shameful international championship of being the first in murders and kidnappings, to the lowest indexes of these crimes that we've ever had in the last 40 years. and despite the increase over the last two years, the coca-cola vision and colombia, almost 60% of the cultivation has gone down. the number of rural families that are involved in this business of cultivating coca has been reduced by two-thirds. and all of that, well, it will continue very vigorously and decidedly to fight against drug trafficking. so much so that last year we

were able to overcome all kinds of records in the volume of cocaine seized. more than 250 tons of it. the thousands of families entered into the legal economy, thanks to your help, thanks to plan colombia, has shown us the way of what our cooperation can be over the next 15 years. in fact, we have already implemented a comprehensive policy of crop substitution that contemplates every link in the chain of drug trafficking. and it will be much more effective because it will attack the roots and not just the symptoms of the problem. all of these advances are due in great part to the fact that 15 years ago when we were in such a serious straits, that columbians received a friendly hand.

and that friendly hand came from here, from washington, from both sides of the aisle, democrats and republicans. and thus, it has remained. a lot of people say that plan colombia is the bipartisan incentive that has been most successful over the last two years. but people perceive it as exclusively military or security initiative, but it was much more than that. it's true that plan colombia help us to have the most powerful armed forces, the most effective armed forces of colombia has ever had in its history. and day-to-day are out there training armed forces of other countries -- and today they are

out there training of the armed forces. there was a comprehensive strategy, a strategy that also bet on social programs, on justice, on rural developments, and on strengthening our democratic institution. in the name of the residents of that forgotten colombia for finally saying the state, thank you. in the name of the rural dwellers who are now cultivating legal crops and have better their conditions in life, 90. in the names of millions of colombians who are starting to live without fear, thank you. but above all in the name of new generations throughout colombian territory, and the names of those children who can see a better future now, thank you. thank you very much.

dear president obama, if in colombia we are on the brink of a peace agreement, i can say without a doubt that colombia was crucial, that plan colombia was to show in helping us get there. from the very beginning you, mr. president, supported a risky and bold step of trying to achieve peace in our country. you were one of the first persons i confided my intentions to start a peace process. back when many, the great majority, thought that it was basically a mission impossible. many people warned me that it would be political suicide, making war is so much easier than making peace.

and you not only believe it was possible, you encouraged me to go ahead, and gave me your full and enthusiastic support. since then, you have walked by our side. and today, mr. president, you stand with the colombian people when we are on the verge of transforming this dream into reality. i believe also that i speak for all the people in latin america and the caribbean, all the people who live south of the rio grande, when i say to you, thank you. thank you, mr. president, for your audacity and reestablishing diplomatic relations with cuba. thank you for understanding that peace in colombia means peace for the entire region.

peace will be the cherry on the cake of plan colombia. and the start of a new chapter, new chapter of collaboration and friendship between our two nations. a chapter that we have decided what it could mean to call plan colombia, peace colombia. this will help us to solve a new nation, a country that will be safer, more prosperous, more just and equitable, better educated, and, of course, happier. we will be a country, a confident nation that will continue to earn the trust and admiration of the entire world. and we will build this new country and cooperation shoulder to shoulder with a dear and true friend, the united states of

america. thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

>> the president of colombia is here in washington today visiting with president obama. this afternoon he will hold a joint press conference with john kerry. c-span will have a life beginning at 2:00 eastern. we will be live on c-span2 in just a couple of moments at 10 eastern as we bring the discussion on puerto rico's debt crisis. also whether i guesstimate bipartisan policy center panel and with the commonwealth on a path to financial security. that is live in about eight minutes here on c-span2. our go to the widest coverage will continue with vermont senator bernie sanders was in manchester and after taking part in the politics and eggs breakfast. c-span wildlife coverage shortly. it starts at 10 eastern. back on the campaign trail this evening. hillary clinton and senator sanders as we speak at a new hampshire democrat party dinner. it takes place in manchester. live coverage starts at seven

eastern. carly fiorina mentioned saturday night's republican presidential debate in manchester, new hampshire, during a campaign stop this morning. here's who made it. john kasich, jeb bush, marco rubio, donald trump, ted cruz, ben carson and chris christie. the space results from iowa, new hampshire and national polls. she pointed out she got the same number of delegates as jeb bush but as "washington post" shows her polling numbers national have dragged her down. governor kasich who pulled logan iowa is polling higher in new hampshire. both situation both carly fiorina from the abc debate. during her life campaign stop in manchester this morning she talked about the network's decision to drop her from the debate stage tomorrow night. >> it is proof positive this game is rigged. and it's why i am running for president because we have to take our country back. you may remember when all those debates that started, the media

and political established in washington said that voters can handle so many candidates. we have so many candidates. then they came up with all these criteria to decide which candidates were on which stage. remember that? a funny thing happened this week. the people of iowa voted, right? they voted. and in that boat i beat two guys are sitting on the debate stage, and untied with jeb bush in delegates. the last thing i knew votes and delegates counted. but apparently the political establishment in washington and the media establishment in new york city has decided no, votes don't matter. delegates don't matter. the only thing that matters is that we established some criteria using some poll way back in january and so we will stick to that. so guess what? they think that they get to pick presidents. it's an insult to the people of new hampshire. you pick president.

you are the first in the nation primary, and they're taking away your power. you see, i have observed up close and personal how seriously you take this responsibility. nobody had ever heard of me when i launched this thing, but you showed up. you showed up in living rooms and dining rooms and town halls and museums, and you listen. and because you take your responsibility seriously, you listen to all of us and you listen over and over and over again. i've learned a new hampshire way. i've got to see you five times, right? i respect that, and you also know, you know that even in this day and age of media that there's nothing like sitting and looking at a candidate in the eye and asking them a question understanding how they're going to respond but it's not the same as an ad. it's not the same as a nationally televised debate. i think you can handle eight

candidates on the debate stage. the political establishment and abc says you can't. i'm counting on you. i'm counting on you to do your job and pick a president. >> if they caucus is the test of a candidates organization, which is what we saw in iowa, a primary it's a test of the candidates message. a primer is different because you go in, cast your ballot and then you leave her first caucus we spent a coupl couple of hourd around giving speeches and in making decisions. what we will see a new hampshire and what we've seen in the past is the field begins to wind outcome of special on the republican side. it's a two-person race for the democrats. it's a question of expectations. which candidate is able to meet or exceed those expectations and russia in new hampshire because it is the first real test of voters who go to the polls. if you saw our coverage right before the iowa caucuses the one thing we're able to do that no other network it is really take

it to the camping grounds, take it to the venues as the candidates tried to close the deal for the iowa caucuses. we would've the same thing right before the new hampshire primary on tuesday. if the candidates crisscrossed the state, our campaign bus will be on the road as well and really give you a sense, the flavor of what's happening in this key state against the first in the nation primaries. new hampshire has a long and rich history and for those of you who are not in msha, a chance to watch it all unfold. >> this weekend for c-span cities tour hosted by our communications cable partners explores the history and lit agriculture of santa barbara located approximately 90 miles northwest of los angeles on the california coast because it is nicknamed the american riviera to do with mediterranean climate and also for its spanish influence and mission architecture. on booktv we learn about the

history of endangered species in california from peter algona. next find out about rising sea levels of the threat they pose to coastal cities. >> three and a half million people in california live within three and a half feet of modern see love. many of the bay area that a lot of people to move. >> and we will visit the old mission santa barbara to tour their archives and and see items which tell the story of the mission of the shroud area. on american history tv we will travel back to the silent movie era and the about the super bowl santa barbara played in the industry as we explore the start of the american film manufacturing company, also known as the flying a studious which produced silent films from 1912-1921. next will visit the old mission

santa barbara's outdoor museum and discover how the spanish introduced plans to the native indians who cultivated many of these and changed the landscape of california. finally, we'll hear about want of santa barbara's earliest and most long lasting industries. due to its mild climate, the city and the traffic there he was promoted as health resort and destination for travelers in other parts of the u.s. as early as 1870. tourism related a part of the city's economy to this day. >> the south facing coast a them all the sunshine. the fresh ocean air, and i was recommended in there is this is brochure and. dodges with attempted santa barbara, fresh ocean air, fresh mountain air. and so that was seen as the cure for so many people in the 1870s to 1880s when we do not as a tourist city but as a health resort. >> watch c-span city tours.

that c-span cities to work working with their cable affiliates and visiting cities across the country. >> live now to the bipartisan policy center here in washington or a panel discussion on porter because of debt crisis. should get underway in a moment. [inaudible conversations] ..