effort to deal with our debt and deficit and spend our dollars wisely it will inevitably be presented to us. but i do feel strongly about the particular base that we have in massachusetts given the unique capabilities and its ability to meet the challenges of the future. >> do you think the process in the past has worked, has been successful as structured? >> well i know that we have a base that was bracked and it's been a model as we move forward, it has been a model to redevelop and use the land that is left behind or the buildings that are left behind. it's not an easy thing at all. but my preference would be that we look at bases, foreign bases there are a lot of questions around why we have so many locations around the globe where they're no longer necessary, but we do know that we're going to have to deal with this process going forward and we want it to be in a reasonable way that allows us to each make the case

for the particular strengths of the bases that we happen to represent. >> finally representative son gas, i wanted to talk about combat and women in the military. should women be allowed in combat, officially allowed in combat? >> absolutely. they are in combat today. i can tell you as i've been to afghanistan and i met with female engagement teams these were units created given the unique cultural challenges of afghanistan where our male soldiers cannot really interact with afghan women there was a necessity to create these units composed of women so women could go into villages and interact with afghan women and learn more about what the threats were and get a better lay of the land. they are absolutely in harm's way. they have been trained to engage in combat. they are remarkable women. and whether or not they're trained to be in combat, i've

always met with a woman who was in charge of dealing with all the logistical challenges of getting all the supplies or whatever was needed across the southern portion of afghanistan to the different operating bases. always in harm's way as she and other women helped support that effort. i think we simply have to acknowledge that there is no front line in war today. that by 2025, 25% of our military could be women and they are going to be inevitably in combat situations. they need to be trained for it and protected so they have all the adequate protections and understanding of how to deal with it and also be given credit for it. >> representative nicky song gas is our guest. she has been in congress since 2007. her late husband paul son gas was a representative from massachusetts and died in 2002.

>> caller: good morning. back to the fast and furious. it strikes me that whole reason why it hurt the bush administration and then under obama administration has had to resort to such a risky tactic that was involved in the assault weapons is the lifting of the ban that we had for a number of years on the sale of assault weapons. although i'm in a very much strong second amendment state, there is absolutely no justification for a private individual to be in possession

of an ak-47 or an m-16. and i'd like to know if there's any move afoot in congress to reinstate the ban on the sale of assault weapons? >> representative. >> well, that's a good question. and i absolutely agree with you on -- on the limitations that should be in place around assault weapons. but there has been no recent effort to deal with that. but back to the fast and furious, i do think it was a very ill advised strategy under president bush as it has been under president obama. i do think we've engaged in the necessary oversight that it calls for given in particular the tragic consequences and outcome of it. i think the responsible individuals have been held accountable and removed from their positions. i think our attorney general has delivered the 7600 or more documents that he felt were

appropriate and we're really focussing on a very small band of those documents left. i think it's unfortunate it's come to this. i think there was a better way forward to deal with this. we will see. i will be reviewing the contempt citation as it comes to the floor and make a necessary decision. as for assault weapons, i do think they do not belong no the hands of individuals who have no necessity for using them. >> panetta proposes new sexual assault rules for the military, recent article in the paper. why was this necessary? why is he proposing this? >> the issue of sexual assault is really a agree jous one in the military. we had a hearing soon after i got there where the services came to talk about the various programs they had put in place to help those who had been assaulted. it was a new issue to me and

then i happened to go to a wounded warrior luncheon not soon after and was filled with primarily men who has been grievously injured in their service to our country. there were several women in the room and i went over to see what their experiences had been. in the course of the conversation i asked one of them, i said are the statistics and the information i'm hearing about sexual assault for real? and one of the women was -- >> we'll break away here and take you live to the white house for president barack obama and the education secretary arnie duncan. [ applause ] >> thank you. thank you, guys. thank you. everybody have a seat. it is good to see all of you. i love you guys, back. i have to say the -- i don't know about the choice of music coming in here, though.

i love my marine band, but this is a young demographic for the piano cocktail hour. so, some of the most fun i've had as president is when i get a chance to talk with you, college students about the importance of earning a higher education in today's economy. i commit the east room isn't as rowdy as car michael arena at unc. any unc folks here? in the house. here we go. coors center at cu boulder. i have to say that most of you are much more dressed up than usually when i see you in your own natural habitats.

but, our message today is serious. right now the unemployment rate for americans with a college degree or more is about half the national average. they earn twice as much as those who don't have a high school diploma. so whether it's at a four-year college or a community college or a technical program, some form of higher education, something beyond high school has never been more important. it's the surest path to finding a good job, earning a good salary, making it into the middle class. and at the same time, over the last two decades the cost of college has doubled. it's actually more than doubled. and that means and i don't have to tell you you're probably tallying it up right now the costs for you to take out loans has increased and you are more likely to rack up more debt. the average student who borrows to pay for college now graduates

with about $26,000 of debt from their student loans. americans as a whole now owe more on student loans than they do on their credit cards. and that is wrong because we cannot afford to price the middle class and folks who aspire to go into the middle class we can't price them out of the college education market. we can't stand by when millions of young people are already saddled with debt just as you're starting off. your parents, your grandparents, oftentimes they were in a position where when they got that first job, the first thing they're thinking about is how do i save to buy a home? and start a family. and if you're already dealing with a big bunch of debt before you even get started, that's a problem. and it's mind-boggling that we've had this stalemate in washington that threatens the make the situation even worse.

so the reason you're all here, the reason all these fine looking young people behind me are here is that in just over a week the interest rates on federal student loans are scheduled to double. i've been talking about this now for a month and a half, two months, three months. five months. i've lost track. we've been talking about it for a long time. if congress does not get this done in a week, the average student with federal student loans will rack up an additional $1,000 in debt over the coming year. if congress fails to act more than seven million student wills suddenly be hit with equivalent of $1,000 tax hike. that's nothing something that you can afford right now. now as i said, if this warning sounds familiar, we've been talking about this for months. congress has had the time to fix this for months. that's part of the reason why everybody here looks impatient.

this issue didn't come out of nowhere. it's been looming for months. we've been watching congress play chicken with another deadline. we're nine days away from when thousands of workers have oto walk off the job because congress hasn't passed a transportation bill. we're ten days away from nearly 7 ppt 5 million students seeing their student loan rates double because congress hasn't acted. this should be a no brainer. it should not be difficult. it should have gotten done weeks ago. now the good news is there are folks in congress trying to do the right thing. last month the democrats in the senate put forward a plan that would have kept these rates in place without adding a dime to the deficit. unfortunately senate republicans got together and blocked it. over in the house, the republicans said they'd keep these rates down only if we agreed to cut things like preventive health care for women

which obviously wouldn't fix the problem, but would create a new problem. this is -- even as they were voting lock step for an economic plan that would cut financial aid for nine million college students by an average of $1,000, and give $150,000 tax cut to wealthy americans. so i recognize there's been some effort to change the subject from this rate hike. one congressman warned that this is all about giving college students a free college education. which doesn't make much sense because the definition of a loan is it's not free. you have to pay it back. others have said we're just talking about student loans to distract from the economy. that doesn't make much sense because this is the economy. this is all about the economy. this is all about whether or not we are going to have the best

trained, best educated, workforce in the world. that improves our economy. and higher education cannot be a luxury reserved just for a privileged few. it's an economic necessity for every family and every family should be able to afford it. so you know, you guys during this period when you've been in college been some of the toughest economic times since the 1930's. and there's still a lot of challenges ahead globally. we can't control every economic head wind that we face. but this is something that we can control. this time we can do something about it. stopping student rates from doubling at tend of the month is something we can do right now to make a difference in the lives of all the american people. so there's still ten days for congress to do the right thing. i understand that members of both parties say they want to get this done and there are conversations taking place.

but they haven't done it yet. we've got to keep the pressure on. that's where all of you come in. over the past few months, there are so many students and parents who have been working hard to shine a light on this issue. you've rallied on campuses in your communities, you called, you emailed, you tweeted your representatives in washington. so you've played your part in making sure your voice is heard. and your democracy is responsive. my main message is as you guys embark on this day of action, i want to make sure you keep this going. don't stop until it's actually done. there's nothing more powerful than millions of voices that are calling for change and all of your voices can make a difference. so keep telling congress to do what's right to get this done. tell them now is not the time to double the interest rates on your student loans. tell them to double down on an investment in a strong and secure middle class and that

means your education. tell them now is the time to double down on an american where everybody who works hard has a fair shot at success. for those who are not here and are watching, if you tweet use the #don'tdoublemyrate. i tell you when i look at this group, you give me confidence. all of you are participating and making sure that this democracy works the way it's supposed to. we need outstanding engineers and we need outstanding nonprofit leaders and we need outstanding entrepreneurs. but we also need outstanding citizens. that's what you guys are displaying by your presence and your activities. so keep it up. let's get this done. thanks, everybody.

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and without action by congress by july 1st, the student loan interest rates on many federal student loans will double from 3 hadn't 3% to 6.8%. >> it will actually have a reduction in federal spending. make our deficit contributions. >> taking a look now live at the senate floor. that is senator pat roberts who is the ranking republican on the agriculture committee in the senate. is senate is wrapping up a couple weeks' work on the farm bill itself. final vote is expected this afternoon. they've been voting on amendments and debate is underway in the closing moments before final passage. live coverage of the senate is on c-span2. coming up this afternoon a book tv.org we'll take you live to the bookstore busboys and poets in washington for author

peter edelman. his book is so rich, so poor, talking about why our economy produces great wealth and poverty at the same time. that's live at 6:30 eastern at booktv.org. this weekend on after wards, katey pavlitsch details fast and furious. >> this was something that was swept you should the rug and kept from the american people and the mexican people as well. there are hundreds of faceless, innocent mexican citizens who have been murdered as a result of this. but the only thing that we knew outside of the government program was that guns from american gun dealers were going into mexico and causing all these problems with the cartel when really the government was sanctioning these sales and sending them into mexico. >> she's interviewed by national journal white house correspondent major garrett sunday night at 9:00, part of book tv this weekend on c-span2. >> how do you approach book interviews differently than news reporting interviews?

>> i think of the book interviews as gathering history. i think of interviewing when i'm working for the news side as gathering contemporary information. >> how difficult is it to remain impartial in your reporting and not get caught up in the hype of one campaign or another? >> i'm going to try to as best as i can give people as full an understanding of what is happening in this campaign. it's not that difficult to put your biases to the side. >> how has social media changed your line of work in terms of reporting and getting your news information? >> twitter in particular is now a primary news source for anybody who covers politics and anybody who pays attention to politics. twitter didn't exist four years ago for all practical purposes. >> sunday night purdue university students interview "the washington post" dan balz

on the news business. sunday at 8:00 on c-span. white house science and technology policy director holdren said yesterday that the united states continues to be a global leader in science and innovation, but admitted a better job needs to be done with science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. he testified before the house science, base and technology committee on the u.s. science policy and he talked about clean energy and the future of the u.s. space program, this is just earned two hours. >> okay. the committee of science, space, and technology will come to order and welcome to today's hearing titled office of science and technology priority with the effectiveness of the nation's science policies. it's in front of you are package con takening the written testimony and thank you for your testimony ahead of time.

today's witness is john holdren. we'll have our opening states. i'll begin with my opening statements. >> dr. holdren, thank you for joining us today and your dual role as president and science adviser and you have the presidency here and that's very important and as such you have a far-reaching influence on the administration's direction of science and technology and probably not for this committee not a more important position on the hill. the director provide to the president, but science and technology played a very vital role in the making of this nation and it will continue to fulfill that role in the future and as such, i doubt you'll find anyone here who would challenge the need for science and the need for technology advice in this white house or in any white

house. throughout the history of that advisory's come through in formal and formal methods. the office of science and technology policy we know today is reserved for the priorities act of 1976 which formally created both the office and established the roles and the science and technology was instrumental in the passage of this act and to make sure the office continues to function in the way that's beneficial to most americans and while they have joined us annually to observe the budget request and we have appeared before on specific issues from time to time, this is the first time this commi xhit this committee has met that was created in statute. in addition, to reviewing the responsibility, operations and management, we also look to the

function and shaping our nation's policy, it comes as no surprise, our main concern is the number of science and technology policy issues ranging from an unprecedented emphasis on clean energy at the expense of other priorities to the focus at the expense of basic, scientific research to the lack of clearly identified and human space flight and still awaiting action from the ustp and action and this includes transparency on the joint polar satellite systems from north to nasa and positions statement and education. dr. holdren, i know you take your role seriously and for science, space and technology and we also take our oversight roles and we look at your testimony and learning about the

current organization of the ustp and the administration as part of this committee's oversight responsibilities. i thank you and i yield back my time. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman and good morning. we are pleased to have this second hearing with dr. holdren. as you know, every year we invite the director from the office of science and technology policy to appear before the committee to help us understand not just this year's budget, but others as well. we live in an increasingly complex world and the -- sorry. and the challenges we face will be impacted by and hopefully alleviated by science and

technolo technology. as americans we celebrate the fact that a highly respected scientist such as dr. holdren has the ear of the president and is truly part of his inner circle of advisers on matters of science and technology. we, in congress, also can benefit from good advice on matters of science and technology policy. i'm being looking forward to the testimony today. the truth is that the ostp has been asked to do a lot by both congress and the president. in addition to our more visible initiatives i know you have to carry out other necessary inter-agency coordination, a job that probably goes underappreciated and undervalued by all of us. the work of the ostp staff helps to minimize a necessary duplication and research and development programs across the

government and ensure that significant research gaps are addressed. dr. holdren, you have been asked to testify about the structure, function and funding of your office as well as the two hats you wear as both science adviser to the president and director of the office of science and technology policy. you face many challenges, some of which you inherited, such as the north satellite program and others that are more recent such as the arm-twisting you've probably had to do to get agencies to complete their scientific integrity policies. i think we forget sometimes that your actual authority is limited and that much of what you accomplish is through your leadership persuasion and persistence. as you know, i care deeply about the need to remain competitive

and challenged in a world economy as well as improve the quality of life of all of our citizens. research and innovation are essential ingredients of any effort to meet these two rules. you have a number of initiatives under way related to the education, and i would like to hear how those are faring and any issues that you are facing with respect to research and innovation, i would like to hear about your efforts to promote innovation and to move new technologies toward commercialization. i know that the administration has a number of initiatives under way in that regard such as the start-up america initiative, and i would like to get your assessment on how well your initiatives are working and what additional steps may be needed and finally, in addition to hearing about your key priorities and goals for your office, i'd like to hear what

you might need from congress where it's related to a general function of your office or to a specific goal or task. you have an important responsibility and we want you to succeed. dr. holdren, i look forward to your testimony and i yield back the balance of my time. >> i thank you, and at this time, if there are others that have opening statements and they'll be added to the record, and at this time, dr. john holdren is the assistant to the president of the science and technology and the director of the white house with science and technology and the policy and co-chair of the advisers on the science and technology. prior to joining the administration, he taught at harvard and were director of the research center, as our witness should know have spoken testimony is limited to five

minutes, but you are a very important and valuable witness and we'll lead with you. and they would insist on it. it's easier for me just to take their position. we'll be fair with you is what i'm trying to tell you. and they'll have five minutes each to ask questions and they're able to provide some flexibility. you're the only witness today, doctor. i thank you for your testimony, reminding members of the committee that limit our question into five minutes now and we'll -- and the chairman recognizes himself for that. we recognize you at this time, sir, wheel i look