canister and breathe in. they call it a revolutionary new way to get energy, but the fda says that arrow shot misleading consumers by saying the product can be both inhaled and ingested, which is not possible. they also have questioned about marketing to those under age 18. and finally the national urban league will be calming on african-americans to get out and vote come election time as a means of countering state laws with the groups that threatened education and progress made by afterwardses. borrowing from the occupy law street movement the national urban lead made occupy the vote a theme for the annual state of black america report. the report is released tomorrow. back in a minute with more "washington today."

as the apec conference winds down with remarks over the last couple of days by congressional leaders and sunday the speech by president obama, the israeli prime minister spending a couple of hours on capitol hill and the hill newspaper reporting that top republican and democratic leaders fimpled u.s. solidarity with israel today amid growing concern over iran's nuclear program. the israeli prime minister met with reporters on capitol hill joined by the speaker of the house and the democratic leader, nancy pelosi, in which the prime minister is saying that the u.s. congress will never allow israel to stand alone. those comments from john boehner. speaker boehner added that the growing threat cannot be

ignored. here's a portion of that stakeout from capitol hill earlier today. >> i'd like to welcome prime minister netanyahu to the united states capitol. the united states congress will always stand by israel and the united states congress will never allow israel to stand alone. the looming threat of nuclear iran cannot be ignored. ambiguity that could lead to serious miscalculations, which is what we collectively hope to avoid. it's my sincere preference and belief that the united states and israel both need to be clear in its communications with each other and our communications to the iranians. now is the time to stand together, and we are here today to tell our prime minister that congress intends to do so. madam pell sichlt pell sichlt.

>> thank you mr. speaker. i'm pleased to join us in welcoming our distinguished guest, the prime minister of the jewish state of israel once again to the capitol of the united states. i associate myself with your remarks in terms of our commitment to the security of isra israel. our strategic partner is mutually beneficial to both of our countries. rejecting containment of iran and stopping them, preventing them from having a nuclear weapon is in our interest. it's in the interest of israel and the region that would be a threat to the united states and to the world. so we have to be very clear about the fact that stopping the spread of nuclear weapons has been a pillar of u.s. foreign policy. a democratic and republican presidents have supported that. so this is about israel, our relationship with them, our support for their security,

preserving and strengthening the qualitative military edge, the commitment that we have to foreign cooperation with israel in terms of military and other assistance. it's a relationship that has shared values and shared vision as you said last night, mr. prime minister. it's one that is a source of pride to us and i always like to take the opportunity to say that the establishment of the state of israel is one of the greatest political achievements of the 20th century. we take pride in america to be within minutes recognizing that state of israel and that state of israel is our good friend and you are our good friend to this congress. welcome. >> thank you, thank you. thank you, speaker boehner, and thank you former speaker nancy pelosi and thank you all, my friends.

friends that i've known for many years, personal friends and friends of israel and champions of the israeli american alliance. we've had a very good visit in washington. first in my discussions with the president in the oval office, and then in meetings with our delegations. then with the opportunity i had to address aipac last night and now culminate inning this remarkable display of solidarity here in the congress of the united states. it's bipartisan. it cuts across the senate into the house. there have been wonderful expressions of support that you just heard from mr. boehner and mrs. pelosi.

i think it reflects the general sentiment that we see here today. i think that as we face the challenges that confront our world, the world of the united states, israel, the free nations and, in fact, all nations in the world today, those great challenges require really three qualities to address them successfully. the three are clarity, courage, and wisdom. i don't think that there is a place anywhere else on earth where we can match the clarity, courage, and wisdom that i find here in the halls of this institution and amidst these

friends. i want to thank you for your friendship. i want to thank you for your support. i go back to israel feeling that we have great friends in washington. thank you. thank you very much. [ applause ] >> israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu was joined by the speaker of the house john boehner and the democratic leader in the house of representatives nancy pelosi. joining us on capitol hill is russell berman. thank very much for being with us. >> thanks for having me. >> let's begin with the meeting that took place at the capitol following the israeli prime minister's session yesterday with president obama. what came out of this congressional meeting? >> we saw something that we've seen a lot in recent years, aa bipartisan show of solidarity between the leaders of the democratic party and the republican party in congress with the prime minister of

israel, benjamin netanyahu. john boehner said following the meeting that the united states congress won't allow israel to stand alone. the prime minister had a lot of praise for both parties and this, of course, follows this meeting yesterday with the president. you know, we also heard from nancy pelosi who echoed what the speaker of the house john boehner said in terms of standing -- the united states standing with israel. >> let's stay focused on the middle east for a moment. senator john mccain made news as he called for air strikes to call for civilians in the government crackdown in syria. what news came out of speaker boehner's comments today? >> john boehner is not on board with this at this point. he said at this point of time with a lack of clarity, exactly what is going on in syria that it would be premature for the u.s. military to get involved.

so he is -- he is keeping his distance from the call from john mccain yesterday for air strikes. >> in your opinion will senator mccain's comments resonate? will others get on board to support this type of military action in syria? >> i wouldn't be surprised if you saw some members who would echo senator mccain. there's clearly a hawkish element in not only in the republican party but, you know, you see joe lieberman, the senator from connecticut, who has been allies with mccain and lindsey graham. but there's a bit of a different tenor in the house that we saw last year with libya, and that is something that i think the speaker was referencing where there's a leariness among members in both parties to get involved in another military conflict. so john boehner is clearly saying here, you know, let's wait and see.

it would be premature to go in right now. >> we're talking with russell berman. his work is available online at thehill.com. a procedural vote in the senate failed. this is a $109 billion re-authorization over the next two years. what's the status of this in the senate and i guess more significantly what's the view of the speaker of the house, john boehner? >> in the senate we're hearing we may have a deal on amendments holding up the senate bill. the underlying bill in the senate has bipartisan support. so it's a matter -- we see this a lot of times in the senate -- getting to a vote on that underlying bill and getting through amendments. so the expectation is that one way or the other that will happen. now, in the house it's a different story. speaker boehner's transportation and highway bill has been bessetbeset with problems. it seems they don't have a clear path forward, and for the first time at least publicly we've

heard the speaker said that one option would be for the house to simply take up the senate bill if and when that passes. so they're going to meet with their members tomorrow, but it's not clear yet what path it is going to take. >> in your piece for the hill newspaper you point out that the speaker is looking for a formula to pass the measure either a short or long-term extension. specifically, what's in na formula? bhaets he need or looking for? >> they abandoned the original idea that would cost $260 billion. the originals thought that was too costly, and census in the republican party thought there were too many cuts to mass transit programs and to amtrak, especially those in urban and suburban districts. he couldn't get the votes for that. he turned to a shorter term bill

of 18 months and 20 months. we try to satisfy the conservatives and get 218 republican votes, or he could say, well, i'm probably not going to get to conservatives anyway, so let's see what i need to do to get some democratic support and get it through the house. so that's where they are right now. >> can you outline what is in this highway bill? >> well, it would extend the surface transportation programs. it would provide funding for infrastructure and crucially for the speaker the hallmark of what he wants to do is to take an expansion of domestic energy production and use those royalties from the oil drilling as a funding mechanism for the

infrastructure and mass transit programs, because it's not mass transit but for the infrastructure and highway programs. we've seen a trend where the highway trust fund is just going bankrupt and depending on which bill they take, it's a few years or it's ten years down the line where that is going to run out of money. they would need to raise the gas tax, which there's not a lot of support for doing that, so boehner's idea is to expand domestic energy production, which they want to do anyway, and use those revenues to pay for infrastructure. >> you've indicated some of the possible options for the speaker of the house. what happens next? what are you looking for? >> well, there's going to be a big meeting among the house republicans tomorrow morning where they discuss the options that they have, and i think coming out of that meeting the leadership will have a better idea of whether there's a formula for passing a bill out

of the house and whether they have to wait and see what the senate passes and then react to that, whether it's accepting that version, which probably hoyer, the number two democrat said it would have democratic support in the house, or maybe make changes to that. we should have a little bit more clarity tomorrow. >> a busy day on capitol hill. russell berman, thanks for putting all these issues into perspective. his work is available online at thehill.com. appreciate your time tonight. you're listening to "washington today" on c-span radio. let's pick up on one other note regarding the transportation bi bill. in a sign of just how bad congressional dysfunction has gotten, senate republicans today blocking the advancement of a transportation bill which as you heard a moment ago is a piece of legislation that traditionally has enjoyed, broad bipartisan support. the vote in the senate today was 52-44.

it was a procedural vote that fell short of the 60 needed to take up the bill. senator harry reid wondering why everything has to be a fight. they're close to an agreement on a number of amendments brought up for consideration so the issue continues in the senate. senator reid is vote inning way to bring it back to the senate floor. here's how it unfolded early today on capitol hill. we'll begin with harry reid of nevada. >> here's what i have learned today is senator mcconnell pulled micah from managing the highway bill and givesing to shus ster. i knew his father very well. we were both senior members of our transportation committees. we worked together on several highway bills. his name was bud shoe ster. if his son is anything like the

dad, it will help get this bill done. we have to go back to a time when we worked to get things done, not create issues ideologically. highway bill is important. it's not a bill we should be doing changes in the clean water act or clean air act. we shouldn't be declaring war and doing all these things have nothing to do with the highway bill. so speaker boehner has said today i'm told -- i haven't seen it -- i was told he said we would be willing to take up the senate-passed bill. the house has been in a state of disarray for going on two years. so we hope that they can move from that state and help us get a highway bill passed if we're fortunate enough to work our way through the filibuster the republicans have here. >> senator reid earlier today on capitol hill and politics pennsylvania writing about bill

schuster. he's currently the tenth ranking republican on the house transportation and infrastructure committee. after weeks of delays from the committee chairman john mika from florida, the speaker of the house designated schuster as the point person to shepherd it through the house of representatives. politics pa writes it's where the rubber meets the road in washington, d.c. and it's on life support, criticism of the transportation funding bill yielding a major promotion for congressman bill schuster this week. he's charged with shepherds the $250 billion bill passed some objections from conservative republicans and also opposition from democrats in the house of representatives. this issue has a long way to go. more from the senate, though, with senator mcmitch konl of kentucky. >> with regard to the highway bill, we're very close to having agreed after weeks of discussion to a series of amendments. there's no good reason why we can't finish the highway bill

this week, and i fully expect that we will. interestingly enough, there were as many or month demands for amendments on the democratic side or republican side, so we were wrestling to put together a package to allow us to move forward. >> the comments of mish mcconnell earlier today on capitol hill. laborers international union of north america is taking aim at the transportation bill critical of those members of congress who don't support it. here's the latest radio ad from organized labor. ♪ america's bridges falling down fall down all around the country ♪ ♪ it's a problem here and now ♪ america's bridges are falling down all around the country ♪ ♪ most are old and need repair ♪ america's bridges need repair all around the country ♪ >> the average age of a u.s.

bridge is 45 years, dangerously close to the life span of 50 years. more than a quarter of our bridges are deficient and obsolete. because of tight budgets, bridge maintenance is in jeopardy. ♪ america's bridges falling down falling down ♪ ♪ america's bridges falling down all around the country ♪ >> text bridge to 69866 and let mitch mcconnell know we need a real highway bill to save our bridges and lives. >> that radio ad from laborers international union of north america trying to push the transportation bill through the house and the senate. well, congress did get some business done today. today the vote was 370-39. the measure, which takes aim at china, here's how fox news is reporting on the action today on capitol hill. congress overturning a court decision and reaffirming the government does have the right to impose higher tariffs on goods from china and other

state-run economies that sub sid dies their exports to the united states. the house vote was 370-39 sen sending debate. now, as fox news writes on its website, the speedy and bipartisan congressional action coming after a federal appellate court ruled back in december that the commerce department did not have the authority to levy the punitive tariffs because congress had never explicitly given the agency the right to do that. the congress department has been applying -- would have been viewed as the countervailing duty since 2007. this legislation ensures that 24 existing higher tariff orders, as well as six pending investigations against imports from countries like china and vietnam, will continue to be valid, but again, this now means that these countries could face higher tariffs for those goods coming here to the united states. here's how the debate unfolded on the floor of the house of representatives. congressman richard neil is a democrat from massachusetts and representative dana roarbacker,

republican from california. >> i certainly rise in support of this legislation, which confirms that the commerce department can continue to apply countervailing duties on subsidized imparts from countries with nonmarket economies such as china and vietnam. in fact, this legislation strengthens the opportunity to use an international forum with the prescribed purpose of resolving disputes. if our trading partners are not playing by the rules, it's imperative that the united states have the tools to challenge these unfair practices. countervailing duties level the playing field for u.s. employers and workers, and allow them to compete against imports that are subsidized through unfair trade practices. if this is in a word unfair. since the commerce department started applying these duties in 2007, it is estimated that countervailing duties and

protected an estimated 80,000 jobs in the united states. at the same time it's important to point out this is not a protectionist measure. it strengthens our hand in dealing with negotiations. so let's pass this commonsense legislation, and keep american jobs defended against unfair trade practices. michigan? >> thank you at this time i yield two minutes to the distinguished gentleman from california. >> gentleman from california recognized for two minutes. >> i rise in favor of hr-4105 because we need to have every tool we can muster to fight china's unfair trade practices which not only steal markets and jobs from american producers, but also provides beijing with a means to finance its military buildup and expanding influence around the world. this bill should not have been necessary. it overturns a faulty court decision that claimed u.s. law

prohibits the department of commerce from applying countervailing duties to nonmarket economies. yet nonmarket economies where the government directs business through trade subsidies, national planning and state ownership of firms, this is where the greatest abuses occur that distort the market. unfortunately, our system to combat trade abuses and unfair foreign practices does not work we have had a massive transfer which is evident when we see that we have had a massive, historic transfer of wealth from the american people to china over these last few decades. that policy should have been corrected long ago to prevent this depp rafation of the american people. >> from the floor of the house earlier today before the house passing 370-39 this tariff bill. you heard from congressman richard neal in massachusetts and just a moment ago california. some more debate on this issue. the national association of manufacturers welcomed the

congressional votes on countervailing duties saying that failure to act would, quote, leave manufacturers in the u.s. defenseless against rampant deep pocketed chinese and other government subsidies. but voicing opposition, the conservative group club for growth which said that it makes it clear that congress wants to escalate the trade war rhetoric with china. this is "washington today" on c-span radio. just about a month ago he made an appearance on c-span's "washington journal." today the announcement that congressman donald payne, the elder statesman of the new jersey congressional delegation passed away after battling cancer for the last month. he was suffering from colon cancer. according to the star ledger, new jersey's largest newspaper, he was 77 years old. congressman payne announcing just a month ago that he was undergoing treatment for colon cancer. but that he expected to make a full recovery. last week, though, his health took a turn for the worse. he was hospitalized here in washington at georgetown university but then went back to his hometown of new jersey friday, in a medical transport.

and today tributes flowing in for congressman donald payne, including his colleagues from new jersey, chris smith and frank pallone. >> mr. speaker it is with deep sorrow that i inform the house that our dear friend and colleague don payne has passed. he had colon cancer. in a few moments a privileged resolution will be offered on the floor that recognizes and honors this extraordinary man who dedicated his entire life to public service. a man who made a significant difference in the lives of many in his district, in our state, in the nation, and in the world. elected in 1988, after first serving as a newark city councilman and essex county freeholder this high school teacher, coach, turned politician went on to be the first african-american ever to serve in congress from the state of new jersey. don fought tenaciously to combat the hiv/aids pandemic and mitigate the loss of life and morbidity from tb and malaria on the subcontinent of africa.

he core authored the sudan peace act and worked tirelessly to end the genocide in both south sudan, and darfur. matter of fact, he even risked his life in somalia, was shot at in the pursuit of peace. i know firsthand, mr. speaker, how much he truly cared and how hard he worked for peace and reconciliation in ravaged -- war ravaged nations. i served as the ranking member of the africa committee when he chaired it, and he served as ranking member when i chaired it. finally, just let me say that this man who also served as the chairman of the congressional black caucus, and until his untimely death today, chairman of the congressional black caucus foundation, he was predeceased by his wife hazel, don is also the father of three, grandfather of four, and great-grandfather of one. donald payne, mr. speaker, will be missed. i yield to my good friend and colleague mr. pallone. >> thank you my friend. mr. speaker, i can't believe that don payne is not with us

today. i'm looking over there where he would often sit and i would come down on the floor and ask him to do a one-minute or special order and he always had a smile on his face. you know, he was very proud of his african-american roots. and it was one of the reasons that he would off gone to africa and champion so many causes for those in africa. he cared so deeply about his hometown of newark and the other towns that he represented. always looking out for those in need. the disadvantaged. the poor. those were the people that he cared about and spent so much time trying to deal with their problems and make their life better. but i think more than anything else, i remember don's smile. don always felt that things could get better. that we could work together. you know, i think a lot of people don't know that his district was very diverse. there were many african-americans, but there were many people of other nationalities. we would often talk about the italian americans that he had lived with and grew up with and worked with in his district. and he always felt that we could

have a better world. the democrats and republicans could work together, that people could work along ethnic, you know, across ethnic and racial barriers. and he always made me feel, no matter how down i was on a particular day, that this place was important. and that we could make a difference in people's lives. so i will sorely miss him. and i would ask this afternoon, at the end of the day, probably around 4:00, we have unlimited one-minute and we're going to have a bipartisan hour special order where members can come down and pay tribute. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. >> the gentleman from new jersey. >> mr. speaker i do ask for a moment of silence to remember our dearly departed friend don payne. >> ayes? >> observe a moment of silence. >> and that moment of silence for the passing of congressman payne, and the comments of congressman chris smith, republican of new jersey and his democratic colleague frank

pallone, as you heard just a moment ago. the house of representatives paying tribute, and they are doing so at this hour, live on c-span television, tributes to congressman payne. at the moment representative clark from the brooklyn, new york, area is on the floor of the house. you can watch it live. it's also streamed on our website at c-span.org. well congressman payne is a former teacher. he'd also a former executive from the prudential insurance company, a local city council member before serving eleven terms in the house of representatives. while in the house, he was known as an advocate as you heard just a moment ago for his constituents. the star ledger in new jersey saying he was a champion of education, and the de facto ambassador to africa. at the end of today's news conference, the president had this to say. >> i want to publicly express condolences to the family of donald payne. congressman from new jersey. a wonderful man, did great work both domestically and internationally. he was a friend o