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infrastructure, upgrading technology, empowering opportunity, and communities big ansmall. charger is connecting us. >> charter communications, supports c-span 2 as a public service, along with these other television providers. giving you a front row seat to democracy. workers this>> a very good wedny morning to you. you can go ahead and start calling in now, especially we want to hear from rail workers this morning. that railroad strike, just one of the topics that president biden met with congressional leaders at the white house to talk about yesterday. here's some of president biden's remarks ahead of that meeting. >> and there's a lot to do, including resolving the train strike and that -- what we're doing now, and the congress, i think, has to act to prevent. it is not an easy call, but i think we have to tear it. the economy is at risk. we are going to work together to find -- covid, and the war in ukraine.

all controversial and consequential notions. we're going to find other areas of common ground, because the american people want us to work together. and so, i'm going to stop there and get started, because i'm sure there is -- you can decide. we're here to work on at. we thank you for your time. >> president biden at the white house yesterday, promising to get work done, especially when it comes to that looming rail strike and potential government shutdown. december 16th is the deadline to fund the government. we will get more to those stories in just a second, but a few more major headlines this morning, a lot going on this week on capitol hill. a lot going on today as well. this news this morning, sometime after 9 am eastern today, house democrats are set to elect hakeem jeffries of new york as their new leader. a watershed moment, they call it, for both the house democratic caucus and congress. jeffries is the first new leader for half democrats in two decades.

nancy pelosi took the reins of the caucus on january 3rd, 2003. that was two years in the george w. bush's presidency, and two months before u.s. invasion of iraq. the story knows jeffries will become the youngest congressional leader, at 52. he is five years younger than house minority leader kevin mccarthy, 20 years younger than senate majority leader, chuck schumer, and 28 years younger that senate minority leader, mitch mcconnell. this also means all four congressional leaders are set to once again be men. from this morning's punchbowl news, some other stories from capitol hill, this from yesterday. if you are watching the senate on c-span two yesterday evening, the senate on tuesday evening past the respect for marriage act, which shrines marriage equality into federal law, granted protections of same-sex and interracial couples. the bill passed in a 61 to 36 vote, with 12 republicans joining democrats to vote for it. three senators didn't vote. the bill includes a bipartisan

amendment that clarifies protections for religious liberties and it will now return to the house for an additional vote before it goes to president biden to be signed into law. more on that coming up in our 8:00 hour. we will focus in on that bill, and one other story for you. the united states pledging $53 million more to kyiv to help their electrical grid. that's a story from the new york times. american officials announcing that on tuesday, to repair the electrical grid and also seeking to rally other allies to make similar offers. the commitment came as diplomats from more than 30 countries gathered in bucharest, romania, where the nato secretary general made clear that the alliance might one day expand to include ukraine. a stance opposed by russian president vladimir putin. that's the story from the new york times. so, a lot going on this morning. we are taking down at the beginning of our program here on those pledges. that pledge by president biden, and congressional leaders, to work together to solve these

looming economic issues. that railway strike is the most immediate, but a potential government shutdown, if a government funding bill isn't reached here in the next couple of weeks and early december, a lot to go over but we especially want to hear from you. your thoughts on whether you think congress can work together. phone lines, again, democrats, republicans, and independents as usual, we will start on that line for independents. this is bill, in probably, texas. good morning. >> morning, john. >> go ahead, bill. >> well, the only question i have is about the paid time off. from what i've heard on those, the paid time off is the problem workers have with the new contract. i'm just trying to understand that do they get paid time off for what is the problem they have with that? >> built, the contract right now, the negotiations that went on with the white house includes 24% pay increase and an additional day off, but the

problem is that the workers looking for more days off, and congressional leaders tweeting out their concerns after that announcement by the white house. this is congresswoman alexandria ocasio-cortez yesterday afternoon, saying on twitter that railroad workers grind themselves to the bone for this country as their labor producers billions for wall street. they demand the basic dignity of paid sick days. i stand with them. if congress intervenes, it should be, she says, to have workers backs and to secure their demands in legislation. that is from congresswoman aoc. your thoughts on that, they'll. >> well, i agree that they need to have a paid time off. i would think there would be some kind of federal law that would cover that. this part of their employment, see, i have to side with the workers on. that they need the paid time off. >> bill, here is the wrap up from the washington post on the negotiations that happen in recent weeks. for rail unions out of 12 voted

down a tentative agreement that was brokered with the help of the white house. that deal offered union numbers that 24% pay raise by 2024, annual bonuses, $1, 000, and a cap on health care premiums. carriers also agreed to give conductors and engineers a single additional paid day off and new flexibility to call out three times a year for routine doctors appointments. but many workers argue that these gains don't address issues related to chronic understaffing that prevent that from going to the doctor and attending to emergencies, as well as the lack of paid sick days. that is the washington post's wrap up. this is vanity this morning, out of exeter, california. a republican. good morning. >> good morning. i have family that are real workers in iowa, and they are also impacted by student loans. so, i'm really calling about legislation 25 98, hr nine

point 10, for bankruptcy being returned to student loans. it gets confused with student loan forgiveness. students don't need student loan forgiveness, rail workers don't need student loan forgiveness. what they do need bankruptcy returned, because bankruptcy is in our constitution, article one, section eight. we need that legislation passed. so, i'm calling on senator cornyn and hawley and there are bipartisan co-part, senator durbin, pelosi, and schumer, to get this as 25 98 and eight are nine point 10 to the floor for a vote. it needs to pass this year. >> angie -- >> it affect our economy. >> we'll talk more about student loans in the future. today, we are focusing on those economic issues, those looming deadlines, the potential real strike around the holidays and the potential government

shutdown if a federal funding bill isn't reached. back to the real issue, coming off of president biden promises yesterday to work with congressional leaders, that clip we showed you earlier, the new york times in their lead story today notes that the rare bipartisan promised to act came as some of the nation's largest business groups warned of dire consequences from that rail shutdown. mr. biden would promise to be the most pro-union president in the country's history said the federal government must short-circuit the collective bargaining, in this case, for the good of the country as a whole. speaker nancy pelosi saying the house would vote on wednesday on a tentative agreement that mr. biden's administration helped negotiate between the rail companies and the unions earlier this year. that is to wrap up from the new york times, the headline from the washington times this morning. this is how they put it. rail unions feel betrayal from biden intervention. workers get left without their sick pay. this is elroy in west memphis, arkansas. a democrat. good morning. >> good morning.

i was calling to let you guys go that all they have to do is real, really get together and say what they have to say on -- i just wanted to let you guys know that my line had been taken over by u.s. government. i can't say what i want to, but in the future, hopefully, congress and the supreme court will help get through what they have to get through. >> all right, that's elroy. this is jeff in the basket, a republican. good morning. your thoughts on these looming economic crises? >> hey, good morning. i am a conductor in northwest nebraska. but they lead guard, which is the largest rail yard in the country, and we do feel betrayed by the service and the labor endorsed president.

our congress, and those who want to intervene. but i want to bring up a point. executive order 13706, that is a seven day six-day mandatory for federal contractors. that deals with the government, and contracts with the government. when we were mandatory with our vaccines, back in 2000, 2020, those vaccine mandates, we were forced to have them to be an employee. union pacific railroad, under the federal contractor clause. so, this executive order, 13706, i believe should be enforced and followed at a seven day paid six day for federal contractors. i just wanted to make that point. >> hang on the line there, this is the executive order 13706, establishing paid sick leave

for federal contractors. you can read about it at d.o.l..gov, that department of labor, weight and our division there. as this ongoing battle over paid sick leave pace out, but is fair? what are you looking for here? what do you think is imported enough to threaten this strike around the holidays for? >> it's more than fair. we are under an attendance policy that forces people to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, on call, with only ten hours rest in between. they can force us to work that way, and if we have to take the day off for any health reasons, we have derogatory notations, points taken away on our attendance. basically, three face off in a three month period could have been terminated.

we have several people around bailey yard in north plath that either have serious health conditions because of this, fatigue, and because of sleep deprivation. we have doctors that have testified this is bad. cardiovascular damage to your heart and stroke risk are several things that can happen. as a matter of fact, we have a conductor who was called on a work train, and he was left out at her sheet, nebraska for two hours, and died on the way to the hospital because management in and get him off the train. these are health conditions, and they are all good friends of ours. we work with these people. we had a woman who was 48 years old. she got home from a 14-hour shift but he was on the train two hours after 12 hours, and she had a massive heart attack.

she's got kids and grandkids, and it's sad. through the covid pandemic, we had several people who basically were medically restricted from the job and had to medically retire, if they could, or be restricted because they were forced to work through the pandemic. in fact, their coworkers and their families. >> was this an issue before the pandemic, or was exacerbated by all the mandates from the pandemic? >> the psa are, which the railroads started basically, started here in 2012, 2013, but in 2015, and 16th, they really started cutting staff. >> psr? >> precision schedule railroading. they cut the staff, and they are for a cut management staff.

they lost 200 plus out of corporate headquarters, actually, gave us a resources we need, whether it was crew management, dispatch, or anybody assisted us as resources. they locked them out. they basically fired them, and they kept 30% of our workforce, whether those conductors, engineers, and across the board, even in other crafts, electrician and mechanical. >> and jeffrey, are you part of a rail union? >> yes. i'm part of smart. >> and how long have you been a union member? >> part of smart for 15 years. before that, i wasn't united steel workers for 20 years. >> working in railroads all that time? >> now. i worked for goodyear tire prior to 2006. >> how do you think this and here, jeff? >> i hope it doesn't end like air traffic controllers did.

they, reagan basically didn't listen to their concerns and fired them all. they walked anyway. we have a high percentage of our membership the i don't know if they are stressed or what they are, but if they don't get better working conditions, they're walking anyway. basically, they're either resigning or not answering the phone anymore, or just basically if this goes, they take back and they leave and they choose their family over the railroads. >> thanks for talking about it, calling from the breath go this morning. appreciate that. gene is next, out of louis berke, ohio. independent. good morning. >> hi. as i understand this, the unions, the rail companies and their workers, the unions can't agree. so, the government, the congress is going to step in and the side? is that true? >> here's how the new york

times put it. they can do it better than i can. with the railway companies on able to reach agreement with all their unions, mr. biden has decided to force a deal on the party. some union leaders back that move as necessary, but others said rank and file members would be angry at mr. biden, blocking their ability to demand a better deal. under the railway labor act, union up lawyers who refused to work after congress would act here would be conducting and illegal wildcat strike and they could be replaced by the companies. >> well, yeah. i think if we have to impose, if the government has to impose one side or the other, they should impose the side of the workers. the union demands should be upheld because the rail companies have made record profits. i think everybody should get at least ten paid sick days off every year, regardless of what job it is, and the way. thank you. >> thanks for the call from ohio. the number, if you want to join the discussion this morning,

talking about these looming economic crises, and the potential railway shutdown and a potential government shutdown later in december, it is 202, 74, eight 1000. that democrats. for the republicans, -- independents, 202748 8002. as we noted, especially, we want to hear from railway workers, if you're watching this morning. back to the white house roster, day this is house republican leader kevin mccarthy after that meeting with president biden that we showed you the first part of that meeting earlier. it was discussing the railway issue and other economic issues that the country is facing. >> it's unfortunate that we're here, because i know the president told us all that this was solved. long before the election. and now, we find ourselves in the last moments, the last hours, asking us to rush a bill to the floor. nobody wants the economy to fail.

nobody wants this to happen. but this is another situation where the administration told us one thing, just like they told us about inflation, it was transitory. we found it was not. this was a negotiation selected by this administration. this was something that was celebrated by this administration, that was fixed. and now, right before a holiday season, right when farmers need to ship their goods and others, you have to rush something to the floor. >> do you think it will pass? >> i think it will pass. it's unfortunate that this is how we are running our economy today. this has all got to stop and change. we need an economy that is strong. if you are passing a bill to force the rail workers to work, how strong is your economy? if you have gas prices that you can't simply depend upon and continue to rise, you are going into winter, and you are wondering, can you afford your winter heating? that is not an economy that is

strong. i think that is why in this election, they made a change in congress. that is what we are going to focus on for the american people. we are going to make an economy that is strong. it does not government dictated, where someone can work. we are going to have an economy or workers can work. we're going to have an economy that has energy prices that are lower. that you have money to fill up your tank and still go to dinner. we're going to secure our border so your kids know they are safe. and then, we're going to have a government that's accountable. no longer is the administration going to look in the eye and lie to you and tell you the border is secure when it's not. >> house republican leader kevin mccarthy there, after his meeting with president biden and other congressional leaders. more reaction on the railway front, specifically from members on capitol hill. senator john hickenlooper, the democrat from colorado saying, railroad companies are holding the american economy hostage over 56 annual hours of sick leave. we can keep our economy humming, our supply chains open, and

treat workers with dignity. and this from the coal melina talk us, a republican from the house, a major real strike would have a disastrous impact on our economy and our supply came and consumer costs. the white house and congress must encourage the railroad industry and unions to negotiate a fair deal and we must be ready to intervene should mom not be made. that is some of the reactions on capitol hill. here is some of your reaction this morning. via your tweets and your text messages. any saying, i agree with the rail workers, that they need more time off. i think there needs to be more workers hired and trying to make this possible. maybe make shorter work weeks to make up for hiring new employees. larry from new jersey, rail transportation is the lifeblood of this nation's commerce. who is against the collective agreements for the welfare of the workers? that's what needs to be looked at. and one more from tony in florida. people act as though the binary choice is to ignore china's repression or undertake hostile action. talking about issues in china,

we are focusing on the rail issues this morning. the economic issues, and we ask you to call in about that as well. this is derrick in brandywine, maryland. an independent. >> good morning, how are you doing? >> i'm doing well. kawhi had. >> so, yeah. i work for amtrak. i've been there for almost 19 years now. you know, it's sad that this contract is being held up, because they don't want to give sick leave. they called off sick, you could be reprimand. we had to work through the pandemic, they didn't give us no pay. just, we are do you work? it's very rare you don't have sick leave. they're holding up this contract because they don't want to give us sick leave? that's to be discussed. we didn't have hazard duty pay, we have to work through the pandemic, a lot of people passed away because of the pandemic, get fired because they didn't want to get the vaccine.

like i said, if biden backs the railroad, like you said, then why are you forcing them to make us work? you could force them to give us sick leave! that's what i have to say. >> what do you do for amtrak? >> i'm a technician. i work on the hub. physically, a train mechanic. >> derek, what happens if you come down with covid tomorrow? if you test positive for covid? can you call out? >> i can call out, but i'm not going to get paid! that's what's so disgusting about it. you take off, you have things like mla, but if you're tracking down because people don't have six feet, but you have malays -- your vacation time, because you're sick. you're the qishan is for you to be on vacation, not because you're sick! >> derek, how many unpaid sick days have you had to take here in the last couple of years? >> me, personally? i have a lot of health issues,

so at least two, three weeks a year. i'm thinking maybe three days a month, because of my illness. >> and you're not getting paid for those days? >> i'm not getting paid! on top of you're not getting paid, there's an element of you being reprimanded or fired. like the one gentleman said, you created the environment. they could fire you! and we work on the railroads. you know nothing? if it's not you having to deal with just the hazard of the job, you've got to deal with the elements, being outside. it's a disgrace, man. >> derek, talking about it from brandywine, more aligned. this is david the flint, michigan. democrat. good morning. >> good morning. yeah, i just heard of a gentleman said. i agree with him. if you have some sick days. i retired from general motors influenza. but we had 56 days, and a lot of time we were sick, i used my

vacation days. i didn't mind doing it, but i think the workers should get five days. i think biden is doing a great job, he is trying to keep the economy going, and i think the union should try to work with him, because he is for the american workers, and he has proved it over and over. i think they should all try to settle this together. and just like mccarthy said, the republican, of course he is going to fixed up to make biden look bad, but the republicans have to do a lot of investigations of biden's son. they're not going to do nothing for no workers. anyway, have a blessed day. >> david, flint michigan. this is howard in somerville, texas. republican, good morning. >> yes, sir, good morning, how are you doing? >> i'm doing well. >> yes, sir. i think they should have six days. but i think we get prayed

pretty well. the people work around the railroads we'll get paid very well, but they should have six days -- six days, and maybe use their vacation days. i had to work through the pandemic and the job that i had, and in hazardous material, i had to do that. i don't know what the previous color was talking about the republicans making the president look bad, he's making himself look bad. nobody is adding to that. but something needs to be worked out, the president got to step up! >> and howard, the contract negotiated, and additional paid sick they bought a 24% pay increase by 2024. that's what this contract that the white house has been involved in the go she aging, it seems like that would be what congress would impose if they do go ahead with this legislation. do you think it's fair? >> i guess they should, you know, get paid i thought a week or two ago, the president said he took care of this!

they did y'all come out and you have on your show? >> this was kevin mccarthy's point in what he just said, the clip we just showed you, that the white house said they had taken care of this. >> yes. >> anything else wants to add, howard? >> up, just have a nice day. their hope y'all have a great day, and have a great week, sir. >> thank you, you too. back to lake charles, so easy, ana a rail worker, right. good morning. what kind of work do you do on the rails? >> yes, sir. i was a switch man, like charles, louisiana, for 42 years. and i haven't heard mentioned yet about what's happened to the railroad people. the workers, the switch men, in particular, in switching up and like charles. when i retired in 2015, we had four men on the job.

there were four men, one engineer and three switch men on the grounds. then after i retired, they cut down to two switch men. now, they've cut down to one switch men in the yard on the job! right now on the job, there's an engineer and one switch man. that's it. it became very hard for the switch man to go from a three man job to a two man job, now down to a one man. i haven't heard that mentioned. i need it to be mentioned, there's a lot of pressure on this switch meant right now. it's not safe to work with only one man on the ground. if something happens -- >> for those of us who don't know, what does a switch man do? >> well, they work on a yard, and there's one engineer that runs the engine, and they gather up cars, they switch cars out, and they we have a lot of industry in this area, and that's what's going on.

anyway, there is only one man on the ground, by himself, and he could get hurt real bad. usually, if they have another man, they can swap out. but now, there is only one man on the ground. >> did you ever see an injury in a switch guard when you are on the job? >> since i've been working, two men died on the job. there was one when i was still working for, before i retired, he got killed. >> and that was at a time when there were more switch men in the yard together? >> yes, but things happen. it's a dangerous job. a very, very dangerous job. people don't mention that, how dangerous the jobs. it takes a lot of, a big toll on men working this job. >> all right, thanks for talking about. it's out of lake charles, louisiana.

some stats from a couple of the papers about what a potential rail strike could mean for this country. this is from the washington post. a real strike with threats in the nation's coal shipments and supply of drinking water, while also shutting down passenger rail and shipments of goods as the holiday season rubs up. the u.s. economy could lose two billion dollars a day if rail workers strike. that is according to the association of american railroads, and industry trade group. then, one other stat from the new york times wrap up of the negotiations here. the american trucking association, another industry group recently estimating that relying on trucks to work around a real stoppage would require more than 450,000 additional vehicles in this country, calling it a practical impossibility, given the shortage of equipment and of course, drivers right now in this country. this is great and a southpaw in, ohio. and independent. good morning, thanks for calling. >> good morning. you know, i've been listening to all this and somehow, i

don't understand how the republicans all of a sudden our big union backers. i mean, reagan took down the air traffic controllers union! i don't understand, you know? i've been a union man, i am a union man. i still belong to a union, i am an engineer. i don't get paid holidays, i don't get sick pay. it's just work, every day i went to work, work myself on the job. when you're building stuff, you look for another job. but i don't know. i hear a lot of fussing and complaining, and it's mostly republicans vying for political points to me. >> you think the rail workers are asking for too much here? >> no, no. i really don't. i mean, you can't shut the nation down over it. i mean, there's a lot of companies. it's simple as this. the companies make great profits.

they get paid their people well, in industries, they do take care of their people, health insurance, vacations, retirements. this becomes the economy of straight out capitalism, simple as that. >> that's grading in south point, ohio. it's just after 7:30 on the east coast. talking about congress and the white house yesterday pledging to avert this real strike, it's also avert a looming government shutdown, a story on the government shutdown from the wall street journal, the congressional leader signaling yesterday that talks on reaching a long term agreement to fund the government remains difficult ahead of that looming december 16th deadline. top democrats say they are seeking a full year dubbed in on the bus that would allow lawmakers to boost spending, allocate money to new priorities. they also acknowledge that they might have to settle for a continued solution. here is senator mitch mcconnell talking about it. >> we had a robust discussion

at lunch, and this will continue in the coming weeks. over the weight and the session, with regard to government spending. it's a difficult choice, frankly. if you are interested in reducing spending, probably the best way to do that would be a one-year cer. if any is concerned about the defense of our country, and the funding of ukraine for, you are somewhat hesitant to go in that direction. i have members in a variety of different positions on this. i think the way forward is to continue to discuss it. and to see what is in the best interest of the country. see how many people we can bring together on both sides of the aisle, and figure out how to finish up this year sometime before christmas. >> senate minority leader mitch

mcconnell yesterday on capitol hill at the senate party lunches. this morning, the senate meets at 10 am eastern. the house is in that 9 am eastern. it's a shorter washington journal this morning, and in this first hour of the washington journal, about the pledge by president biden and congressional leaders yesterday to avoid that shutdown, to avert a railway strike. this is ella calling from north miami beach florida, republican. , good morning. >> yes, hi, good morning. you know, i don't know if the viewers know this, but railroad workers do not pay into social security. they pay into something called the railroad retirement program. if they want, and their employers, they don't pay fica, either, which that doesn't go to social service programs in the united states. it goes through the employer, the owners of the railroads,

who have to pay fica equivalence for their workers. and so if they want to receive benefits, they have to apply, the workers have to apply to the railroad retirement, to get through the railroad retirement program, and then they get their benefits, disability, and other things through the railroad retirement. now, what i have an issue with his at an american taxpayer who pays into social security, and most of us do, and social service programs, is that congress wants to subsidize the railroad workers in order to keep them working with american taxpayer dollars. i think -- but they have to do an act for railroad or tyrant program, which was established in 1937, something they are about, they need to get rid of that, and every worker has to pay into social security and fica, taxes

taken out of that paycheck. why should i go bail out amtrak and other private institutions with american taxpayer dollars who with workers who do not pay into that system? >> lsu, you have family members in the rail industry? how much do you know about the retirement program? >> during an academic program, i elected to do a report on the railroads. and i learned about it. if you want to learn about it, just go look at the railroad retirement program for its workers. so, they are not being honest with the american people. you have to move all those workers into social security, like everybody else, otherwise we are just bailing them out. how do you know that those amtrak and other private railroads are even paying their fair share, not getting into it, which is why they don't have the money to offer their workers what their workers need?

i don't want to bail them out! so, get rid of that! it's from 1937! and biden always says, oh no, i have been writing amtrak and amtrak is a great program, but he neglects to say that they're not paying into social service programs! so, no. repeal that act and make is a level playing field, how tax dollars are collected by workers in the united states, and then distributed to support these programs. >> that is relative north miami beach florida. this is joseph in canton, ohio. independent. good morning. >> good, morning how are you doing? i have not got the watch too much of this. i only turned on about ten minutes ago. the last lady that was speaking, on the republican party, i

believed a lot of what she said. but she does not understand the railroad workers make an agreement. they are a union i am a retired union person i've seen people that were retired that had to go back to work, every 5 to 7 years the stock market makes an adjustment. and they lost all their money. they tell you to keep the money in their, but they i have made over a quarter of 1 million dollars, retired. in my union. so i am a union person and i think the government needs to stay out of it. i understand that we should not pay to bail them out but i do not understand why the government has any involvement in this at all. i know that the economy is all

about money but maybe there is more to life than money. thank you. >> that is joseph in ohio. this is j in florida. democrat. good morning. >> hello, thanks for taking my call. you played a little bridge with mccarthy earlier and he was emphasizing that biden in the administration knew about these problems long ago it did not do anything. and now they're being forced to rush something through. first of all, they get a lot of time and biden did talk to the -- and from mccarthy, one of the biggest issues in any retired union is sick leave. i think mccarthy gets a lot of time off. they take a lot of breaks in

the make a nice wage. i do not think he is worried about sick leave as an issue. railroad workers work hard. and are an important are important to this country. obviously. as a showing up now. but i would like you to just maybe, if you could hear somebody could put on the screen, how much time congress work to take off and get off. it seems like they are never there doing anything. he is worried about some big rush now? get off your you know what. >> that is jay in florida speaking of kevin mccarthy. another headline stemming from his meeting at the white house yesterday. mccarthy condemns racists guests of trump but will fall to the former president. mccarthy's incentive, days the new york times writes, on donald trump's decision to have dinner with the racist holocaust denier who leaves the right nationalist movement america first. and can, you asked the artist unprovoked or is also made antisemitic comments.

pressed about the dinner reporters yesterday on tuesday, he left that meeting at the white house. he criticize mr. fuentes and here is some of what he had to say. >> i don't think anybody should spend any time with nick fuentes. he has no place in the republican party. i think president trump came out four times and condemned him, and did not know who he was. >> [inaudible] >> i condemn his ideology. it has no place in society. >> [inaudible] >> the president -- know who he was. and the president -- he knew who kanye west, is he did not know who fuentes is. . >> kevin mccarthy yesterday. after the meeting at the white house it was on capitol hill yesterday that senate minority leader mitch mcconnell also got questions about that same meeting that president trump had. former president trump.

this is mitch mcconnell's response. >> let me just say there is no -- in the republican party for antisemitism or white supremacy. and anyone meeting with people advocating that point of view in my judgment are highly unlikely to ever be elected president of the united states. >> senate minority leader mitch mcconnell yesterday after those tuesday and senate party lunches, about 20 minutes left in this segment. the washington journal talked about that meeting in the white house. that meeting or president biden, congressional leaders, are vowing to avoid a shutdown. to avert a railway strike. your thoughts on phone lines, democrats republicans and independents as usual, and we especially love to hear from rail workers in the segment. this is village charleston, south carolina. republican.

good morning. >> good, morning how are you all, doing this morning? we have two people on their just. recently the young lady who was talking about the unions and not paying social security. she lived at one thing. i know the railroad workers because i have family. and they don't pay social security. but also, all the government workers that work get to opt out of it to if they want to. everybody needs to know without. to them to paint a social, security they have their retirement plans to. they are not looking out for anybody in this country. as far as the united states and the tax players bailing out all of these companies time after time after time after time, we have veterans and kids with -- and people that can't afford food. these are big types, multibillion dollar companies. somebody making $30,000 a year has to pitch in and bail out every time we turn around. sooner or later the american people are going to be stripped of it. you need to go in. vote to get all these people

out of office. so the country can take care of itself. >> he is getting involved in this railway strike a cable level and to bailing out the railroads? >> i think we lost the caller. this is giron and newville, kentucky. independent. good morning, you are next. >> hello. how are you doing? >> i'm doing well. go ahead. >> this is more of. question i've heard the new york city, the waste leaving in new york city, they ship 2.5 million pounds of waste per day. out of new york city. out across the rest of the united states. to get rid of its. 2.5 million per day, just out of new york city alone. that was just amazing to me and i just wanted to quote on it. thank you. >> where did you read, that iran? >> it was on the internet. >> maybe a segment to do

sometime down the road. but we will focus on these looming economic issues of countries facing, whether the railway strike or government shutdown. this is more rain in clear, field of pennsylvania. a democrat. good morning. >> good morning to you. yes, i will answer that question. no, i don't believe that congress barreling into the railroads you asked that other gentlemen, that is a bailing out. i don't believe that. but also, i believe that the railroad is the background of our country. i think that they should be given the five -- pay that they want if not more. they have dangerous jobs, like other jobs in our country.

and i think that they are entitled to what the pay increase that they want. and i heard that one gentleman say, wow. he has a dangerous job, to. and that he, you know, doesn't believe that there is obviously more dangerous. . you want to, say two, that two billion dollars will be lost if they strike. well, you know. >> >> i think it was 2 million a day, more rain. what's the estimate. >> that's right. two billion a day. you know, i was watching, as you brought up, different clips. and i see a bunch of gentlemen sitting around a table in suit, and i'm going to be 70 years old in two weeks, and i'm thinking about those railroad workers. they are out there, on the railroad, working those jobs. how difficult they are and how

hard they work, and how dangerous, you know, that they are. you know? i think about that. i, thought. i would like to see them take on the suits and go back to work some of those jobs. instead of just sitting around, talking. and kevin mccarthy! lately, all i see him do is complain! about everything! i am a democrat, and i have nothing against republicans, but i don't see them doing anything by complaining! we need the help of the railroads. >> you talk about that table at the white house they were sitting around, discussing this yesterday. there was this woman at this table to, speaker nancy pelosi, and she came out and offered her comments after that meeting, alongside senate majority leader, chuck schumer. here is some of what she had to say. >> the president made his statement yesterday. tomorrow morning, he asked

congress to act. tomorrow morning, we will have a bill on the floor. we could come up as early as 9:00 in the morning with the legislation. that's accepts the original agreement, plus the additional benefits that were gained in further discussion. i salute the president and secretary waltz for their leadership and improving. that was a negotiation between labor and the railroads, who presided over by the president, the administration. so we will bring the agreement to the floor. it is not everything i would like to see. i think we should have paid sick leave, but every country, every developed country in the world has it. we don't. nonetheless, we have an improved situation. again, i don't like going against the ability of unions to strike, but weighing the equities, we must avoid a strike.

jobs will be lost, even union jobs will be lost, water will not be safe, product will not be going to markets, and we could lose 750,000 jobs, some of them union jobs. that must be avoided. so, tomorrow morning, in the house, we will bring up allegedly, send it over to the senate -- >> and leader mcconnell and i agree, we will try to get it done asap. while the actual deadline off the railroads being shut down is the eighth, our real deadline is sooner than that, because as the speaker mentioned, many of the people who, many of the suppliers, if they believe there may well be a shutdown, will then not send their goods. chlorine, that desperately needed perishable, cities and towns throughout america need that fluorine for their water supplies. to keep them safe. so, the real deadline is sooner.

we are going to try to solve this asap. but one other thing i should say on the budget, as the speaker mentioned, on the funding, there was goodwill in the room. a desire to come together and solve this problem. that made us feel quite good about it. >> that's pelosi and chuck schumer after the president yesterday, asking you about your thoughts on the pledge to avoid that real strike, and to appoint -- avoid a government shutdown. there was a call earlier who was wearing comparing retirements and employment benefits for union railroad members, specifically with members of congress. members of congress, like other federal employees, can be covered with a retirement plan of their choice under the civil service retirement system, where the federal employees retirement system, according to 2019 congressional research service reports. eligibility for both programs,

based on age and number of years served, and other special requirements. when it comes to paid holidays, this wrap up from usa today notes that members are subject to ten paid federal holidays, according to the 2022 legislative calendar. that same amount as other federal employees. but there is no designated limits on paid sick days or vacation day. representative served for two years, while senators serve for six. they could to suspend that time however they like. mark strength, a director of research at the congressional institute, a public policy research organization, called usa today, members work pretty hard. he said, in a exchange with usa today, especially when they are back home, including weekends. members will take it weeks occasion in august and they will take some time after an election, but how much time they take is an individual choice. that again, specifically for members of congress. this is rich, long island, new york. republican. good morning. >> okay, good morning.

how you doing? basically, what it's coming down to with the railroad's the workforce has been reduced over the past several years. they're being asked to work longer shifts. what they're really arguing about is they want you get 15 six days, and they are willing to settle for four or five. this way, if they do take a day off, do something with the family, or go to the doctor, the dentist, they at least get paid for the time they are taking off. that's what it's all coming down to. they are just asking for 15 sick days, but basically, they are willing to negotiate on that. that is basically what the whole argument is all about. -- >> rich, are you in the rail industry, or have family and friends are? >> no, i was watching something the other day on the news. i think fox business or something like that, or maybe the other guy up there, bloomberg, and i was just

paying attention while doing something around the house, and that's what is basically coming down to. >> you -- >> they call and say they get covered. >> what do you think is fair? four, five, 15? what do you think the negotiation can from that? to >> split it down the middle. they want 15, give them half. and then it will be all be taken care of. i don't know why the federal government gets involved. i hope it doesn't turn out like something that happened in the 80s. and what happened back then. and the other thing is i don't know why they wait until last minute with this stuff. the truth had been going on well before, get all settled out. the way to the last 50 minutes. the other thing is joe biden might do. it and getting back to the trump thing at mar-a-lago, no one can blame what al sharpton -- or visit obama in the white house. they did it once again. >> -- in new york. when it comes to congress

getting involved, here it is the editorial board of the wall street journal who says that biden's right to ask congress to intervene and stop a damaging strike in the wall street journal editorial board never often has been to criticize the biden administration, when i think there. wrong saying that it's right here. congress has a role to play after rail workers and four of the 12 unions rejected the deal that was approved back in september by their leaders. it workers freight unions voted to adopt the deal that was proposed by the presidential emergency board over the summer. congress has often settled rail disputes after deviation fails. wall street journal saying congress -- saying the biden was right there. robert is in the constitution, state independents. >> good morning. are you talking to, me robert? i just wanted to mention, if

you want to pay an ex postal employee, a 49. years for the three years, 39 years,. not pay social security. i don't make a ton of people are paying into the not getting a check. are you, what are you get a. track well here is my check. the money is only when i was in the marines. i get $66 a. matt and that is my, comments are. to make that clear. in social security you do not get a big track every month. >> robert, there is a separate retirement program for the postal service. right? >> will, happen sir, that one came out 1983. you had a choice, you can stay in the old system -- or you can pass and go. i had a choice, i can say with

the old system. the new system in the post, office anyway, after a three they have to pay into social security. and that helps with their retirement. let's be perfectly clear, under the old, system i get $66 a month. through social security. because i did not. payette have a good, day sir. >> this is an in new york. a democrat. good morning. >> good morning to you,. i want to echo a few callers back, about sending waste garbage to new york city into other communities. i happen to live in upstate new york community, where that happens. they actually come by train. it is very loud and stinky in our community. you could do a segment on that. i think it would be very enlightening to. folks my point, is there is a bigger picture here.

once again, america lags against other developed first world countries. and taking care of. people. it is all boiling down to sick leave. you have to take him in consideration. if your child is sick or your spouse is sick or you are sick, you should be able to take paid sick leave. just like members of congress. it also goes back to people going into a horrible debt. just because they have to be hospitalized or have some costly treatments. i do put a lot of faith in the younger generations of our country. i think they're gonna be able to turn things around, a couple generations from now. and i think they're gonna save us just like they have in the past elections. thanks so much. >> this is anna. new york this is james gonzales, louisiana, republican. james, good morning. >> good morning. yes. i just wanted to say that we are talking about the workers and the government.

no one is talking about the ceos. their profits are staying the same and climbing every year but they do not want to share it with the workers who are bringing the profit in. it is not the government. it is the -- who did not want to give their employees their income. everywhere you go, they are cutting back on labor. but they are demanding more from -- come on now, that is not fair. that's all i had to say. cleveland, ohio is next. this is. john good morning. >> thank god i'm not in a nursing home in a wheelchair. land labor capital is the original economics. we have forgotten about labor for a long time, firing air traffic control. and i am not -- with covid we had to learn

anything about sickness the people who sit at the wrong -- and the people who buy houses, and get people out of the homes. they are sick in the head. that is a mental disease we have. we never learn from our experience. that is the only thing you can -- the way some of the committees argue. i was told our c-span turkeys in 1979 in 90 80, i had to call today. you do not understand the sickly is a civilized way of seeing who are our neighbors. capitals and work all the time. i think economics one. time i used to go to wall street. years ago. not as an investor. but as a -- who can read both tween the lies they word of the coulee. the modern term for something else.