to fund it before it runs out of money by the end of the summer. and we will take your calls. "washington journal" is next. host: looking out at a live shot over the united states capital. good morning. monday, july 14. this is "washington journal." house republicans are moving plans to sue president barack obama over the administration's decision to employer mandate of the healthcare law. the house rules committee is expected to hold a hearing on this week with votes to come later this morning. this morning we want to hear your thoughts on whether or not you support or oppose this

lawsuit. the lawsuit -- and if you oppose the lawsuit -- us onn also reach out to social media. host: good morning. the headline from the hill this boehneron our topic, suit targets obama care delay. it will challenge the toinistration's decision unilaterally delay a requirement that firms offer health insurance to their employees or penalty, boehner said in a statement. the president changed the vote ofre law without a congress effectively creating his own law by literally waiving employer mandate and the penalties for failing to comply with it. that's not the way our system of

designed to work. no president should have the power to make laws on his or her own. that's a statement, again, from house speaker john boehner about lawsuit.ing another article taking a look at u.s.a. today.es fro richard wolf reports as if president obama doesn't have enough on his plate, the former constitutional law professor two and ad the last half years of his term in court battling republicans over whether or not he violated the constitution. house spore john boehner's plan to sue the president from going around congress on issues such as healthcare, immigration, and prisoner exchanges represented congressional reaction to arguably unprecedent presidential initiatives. boehner's legal challenge may be a long shot, particularsly in courts, that traditionally support the government. but if he carries his case to the supreme court, it could outlast obama's presidency. that story from "u.s.a. today."

call is from north carolina. tyrone is a democrat. what are your thoughts? or oppose this lawsuit? caller: i oppose the lawsuit. host: tell me why. about race andl hate and hatred. they've been wanting to do this since day one. them go ahead and do what they got to do. god will handle things in the end. host: next up larry also a democrat, in south memphis, tennessee. support or oppose the gop lawsuit? caller: i do not. against it. i oppose it. suing the president for passing their ideas. i think it's stupid. host: what makes you think it's stupid. caller: because they're suing him -- he was able to pass their ideas into law. they are suing him. i think it has something to do politics.and host: what makes you think it's racially motivated?

the statemente they made, whatever he's for, we are against even if it's our own idea. their statement speak for itself right there. host: another article on this topic from the huffington post. boehner'ss back lawsuit against obama saying impeachment sun likely. unlikely. house republicans signal they will rally around the lawsuit evenst president obama though critics on the right dismiss the move as a political stunt. several lawmakers on tuesday said the president leaves them with no choice but to sue, toing executive actions sidestep the gridlocked congress on issues that include healthcare, immigration, foreign policy, and energy. king, told theer post he believes the lawsuit is take, reasonable steps to we believe the president has been violating the law and going .round the law, king said caller from fort washington,

john, who opposes the lawsuit. caller: yes. soust believe that it's petty for congress to go out overg to sue the president something that they can't sit down and compromise. never, never before have congress tried to do anything like that. theink it's because of president's color. all, they just can't sit down and work and try to compromise. they just can't stand it because is doing a good job. that's the reason why i oppose that. i just think that the republicans can't find anything up with because they don't have nothing to run with. everything the president does, down.ant to knock it host: our topic again is the againstp lawsuit president barack obama. next up, nebraska. scott is on the line.

he supports this lawsuit. us why. it looks like we have lost scott. move on to to richard in houston, texas who opposes the lawsuit. caller: yeah, i oppose the lawsuit for two reasons. is theone, mr. obama poorest excuse for a president we've ever had. we all know that, i think. him is going to accomplish nothing. the republicans have done be obstinatery to and block every piece of legislation put before them since obama's election and they deserve what they're getting. republican. i'm just sick and tired of the republican congress as i think this country are. of thank you. york, mary ann is on the line. she supports this lawsuit. caller: hello? host: hey, mary ann. you're on. tell us why you support the lawsuit against president obama. caller: even though we're all thisand tired of all of

we're still --, i believe that obama has gone way to do his own .hing, his own way tutored byhat he was ist.mmunist and satan and all the lies that he's told. he'she biggest one is that christian. wouldian does as christ do. and christ would not support all other things that are evil. the phoneing us on now to give us a little bit more context on what's going on on is ian hill this week swanson, a news editor at "the newspaper. we've been talking about the republican lawsuit against president barack obama.

through that a little bit and what action we could see soon, even this week. guest: sure. see, we believe, on wednesday is that the house rules committee will vote on forward with the lawsuit. we fully expect that to happen. the rules committee is dominated republicans. that will bring the lawsuit to the floor. get a vote one'll the floor this week on the lawsuit that could happen, but certainly within the last three the congress will be in before the august recess, we're onng to see the house vote whether to go forward with the lawsuit. again, we fully expect them to to move forward with the lawsuit because the house has a .ajority of republicans host: and are republicans united lawsuit? are there any discenters who who sayissen te rs maybe this isn't the right way to go? guest: i think there are a on.le of things going you have a division among republicans over whether the president should be impeached.

there are some republicans that to go that far. many more who don't, who think thatwould be something isn't worth doing at all because it would go nowhere. they think that it could also bounce back and hurt them politically. so some people see this lawsuit thatway to sort of contain fire for impeachment that could maybe backfire and hurt republicans ahead of the mid-term elections. there's also a lot of just the presidentat among the republican party, republicans in the house in particular. and this is a way of sort of answering that anger with some kind of an action that will say, hey, we're trying to do something about this. host: another topic that has been in the news and on the congress is this idea of an emergency supplementary funding to address the border crisis. both sides of the aisle talking about that. there?e we likely to see guest: that's the other huge story of july that we'll be covering. whether congress can get that supplemental to the president's desk before they all

the augustfor recess. i think there's a lot of to getion for both sides something done before they leave, but there's really significant differences between and republicans over how that package should look. the big thing is whether you're going to change the law so that it's harder for people who are the country from central american countries to get these automatic asylum hearings. a law that they changed in 2008 that's really leading to a lot of people crossing the right now. and democrats and republicans disagree on how much you should tonge that law to try prevent more people from trying to come into the united states. about the highway trust fund deal? a lot of outrage from governors at the national governors meet who are very worried congress won't reach a deal. do you see one in sight? guest: yes. in fact, at the end last week it looked like the house and senate are becoming really close on deal that will provide som

some $10 billion to stop a shortfall in the highway trust fund. it's possible that they'll be able to move on legislation as this week to get that done. out of all the things we're i think that's the vehicle that seems the most likely to get done right now recess.he august host: one last question for you, ian swanson. we have heard that senate toocrats are moving forward come up with some kind of legislation to address the supreme court's recent ruling on what's been known as the hobby lobby case. what can you tell us about that? guest: senate democrats are withted to move forward legislation this week. it's going to get a vote, but like a a little bit lawsuit vote that we are talking about earlier against premeditate. that -- against president obama in that it's likely to not pass the senate. if republicans in the senate are able to prevent them from necessary toote proceed. so i guess i should say it's a little different from the lawsuit in that the lawsuit is at least likely to get through the house but not the senate. this is something on the hobby

be able tothey'll vote on in the senate, will motivate the democratic base, but it will not get through the and will not even get through the senate. host: ian swanson, thanks for usring your thoughts with this morning. guest: thanks for having me. host: this morning our topic, againstlawsuit president obama. next up, ohio, where mary is on the line. this it lawsuit. tell us why. caller: first of all, i am so listening to impeach the president over absolutely and every time it comes up it makes me want to laugh. i think the next thing they're say is let's impeach the president because he's using the wrong toilet paper in in the white house. don't the republicans find something substantial to fight ourt instead of wasting time and our taxpayer money? canton, ohio. you support the lawsuit. explain your views. do.er: yes, i but i'd like to say i couldn't disagree more with the prior

caller. have four dead americans in benghazi, we've seen the disrespect entirely for the rule of law, we've seen spying on ourcitizen americans, allies like germ germany. worldwas the reset of the obama was going to bring? we've seen separation of powers ruled.supreme court just and this president rules like an em peeral king deciding what he wants to enforce. the border? no big deal. in marine sits in a jail mexico. we have incursions across our not just these immigrant children but the mexican military which has fired on border patrol people. and nixon was impeached for much less. simplyimpeached for trying to use the i.r.s. to intimidate his political opponents. has, in fact, done. so we have' been stonewalled trying to get to the truth. these e-mails disappear. give me a break. it's a joke. even liberal law professor

turley from george washington university has said this president has violated his constitutional r restraints in e separation of powers. lawsuit to help. i would argue we should impeach this president because he so disregarded our constitution. you. host: a couple of comments from twitter this morning. to us to get your comments straight to us. onone --

in atlanta.aller is omar opposes the lawsuit. caller: yes. host: go right ahead. you're on. caller: this is the oddest thing. the mandate that the republicans -- it's a republican idea. the individual mandate. romney's -- basically it's state law for massachusetts. that's also heritage foundation. heritage foundation came up with that idea during the 1990's for when she wason pushing for healthcare. payer, they single came up with the individual mandate. anticipate then you can trace -- trace it beyond when herichard nixon proposed universal healthcare. that's the irony. boehner is actually have --that he should

president obama should have implemented the individual mandate. but here's the thing. implementing at the same time, opposed him implementing the individual mandate. to accommodate john boehner and the republicans in the senate, in the house, he i'll delay it. now john boehner says you didn't implement it. to sue you. going the irony is it's ridiculous. can't appease them one way or the other. president obama has implemented much republican legislation. they say he's bad for the economy. the white entered house, the -- wall street was at 8,000. it's 17,000. and they say he's bad for the economy? give me and the free thinking world a break. president obama is one of the most moderate democrats i've ever seen. host: another story making headlines this morning.

u.s.a. today. their headline reports va benefits paid to veterans. the federal department responsible for caring for mired in veterans scandal continues struggling with another major payingibility, compensation to those wounded or injured who grew ill from service in uniform. the v.a. managed to reduce a huge backlog in veteran claims for money, it was at the expense appeals to those decisions which are rapidly mounding. slate forto testimony monday. from "usaine again today." let's look at a couple more of your tweets on our topic this morning, the house gop lawsuit. los angeles, california. renee is on the line. she supports this legislation.

do.er: i sure hi. good morning. host: good morning. caller: i'm really upset about what's going on at the border. i think that could have been avoided. the money that he's asking for, the $3.4 billion, i don't think they should get the money for that. here who neede unemployment. i think that these people coming over here are not escaping any violence, no more than it was before. they're going to end up coming over here getting on our benefits. they have diseases. i'm just extremely upset with president. and, yes, i'm african-american. i am not democrat nor republican. really, really upset about this. host: if you don't mind, can you tell me a little specifically why you think this lawsuit is the right way to go. you listed off a lot of issues where you're dissatisfied with obama.nt caller: the thing is there's so much going on. like the other callers were saying, look at benghazi, the i.r.s., the veterans administration. other.e thing after the i'm really fed up. he seems so aloof about everything.

serious.ing on is he doesn't seem to be taking anything seriously. many people out here, i'm just fed up. host: let's take a look. e-mailsa couple of coming in. you can also e-mail us. ohio. george is on the line. he opposes this lawsuit. caller: hi. i'm a first-time caller. c-span.o thank you for

i oppose the lawsuit. a terriblelieve it's waste of money on something that republicans asked the president for. they asked for a delay. president goes through with it because the house after't act, then they go him. it's all a sham. tweetso reiterate the and the other callers, i hope thepeople can see that toublicans have done nothing improve the economy and to work on jobs. nothing except go after this president. is barbara.p she is in georgia. that.ogize if i butchered she supports the lawsuit. caller: i support the lawsuit the money took money, $500 billion, out of our

medicare. host: if you could turn down bit so we could hear you. you're on the air. ourer: we're having to pay bills now out of our pockets. medicare don't pay for it our money took all of out of the medicare to make his .wn obama care he hadn't done nothing but hurt this country since he's been in there. host: headline from "the new york times." holder voices, quote, extreme about terrorist bomb makers. attorney jenneric holder eric holder general expressed concern over reports the bomb makers from yemen responsible for the 2009 underwear bomb plot are now in syria, cooperating with foreign militants there possibly to develop new nearly undetectable devices. that's a deadly combination where you have people who have the technical know-how along the people who have this kind of ferver to give their

lives in support of a cause directed at the united states and directed at its allies. he said in an interview taped in for the abc news program "this week." that story in the "new york times" today. pittsburgh. you oppose this lawsuit. tell us why. caller: different reasons. democrat. i think the president's doing a good job. number two it could be embarrassing. there may be a record of the republicans actually voting in their 54 or so anti-obama care votes there may be a vote voting toof them delay the mandate. that would be embarrassing. number three, they just are gutless. they really want to impeach him. go impeach him. hand the election to the democrats. i'm hoping they will. just grow a pair and impeach him. that's what they want. no standing. they can impeach him. the judge will ask them is there recourse. and then they'll look into the constitution, yes, there is. impeach him. impeach him, boehner, grow a pair and impeach him.

host: e-mail from b.j. in annapolis, maryland. in st. louis, missouri. you support this lawsuit. why is that? morning.ood host: good morning. caller: i'm one of the long-term unemployed people. confused. they say it's the republicans, but it's also attached to another bill when it tries to pass. and president obama said -- i'm watching you on television. i'm getting confused even more now. of us wanted to know, all people that are on the extension it, who not receiving we should vote out of office. call.thank you for my maryland.lata, al opposes this lawsuit. caller: yes.

thank you for taking my call in place.st answer the question of the last caller of who are we suggest to -- i would that gop. makes no president sense. i don't understand where the threshold requirement is coming from. even see where the standing is. president obama is not the first created --hat has the history, a lot made from reagan down to bush.ent as a matter of fact when bush -- [inaudible] a lot .f regulations it's it's unprecedentedded for unprecedented-- for any president to repeal that many signings. race.it's just about

i'm a democrat. it's just about race. he's made so many options for congress, especially gop, to regulate, to legislate. i don't understand why. -- it's probably because he's a black guy. host: all right. a couple of more tweets. new rochelle, new york. cora on the line and opposes the lawsuit. caller: good morning. thanks for taking my call. yes. really think that boehner should really get his act together. that grown people compromise.own and

i think the president is doing the best that he can. much. only do but so if the people is not working with him, you know, that's the problem. the color of his skin. you know? because we have all kinds of colors ofh different .kin from the same country i think it's a waste of money. really see it. as a christian, you know, he's fighting against it. be praying for the president. that's what i'm doing. i thank you. host: another e-mail from mike in colorado. let's go to forth worth, texas. lawsuit.pposes the caller: hello? host: hi there.

morning?ou this caller: oh, i'm doing well. i was listening to the lady from few calls back. she was talking about how she's having to pay so much out of pocket. of that is because the my governorernors, included with this group, refused to expand medicaid for the people in their state. killing usslowly down here with that as we thet -- some can't afford obama care costs because they're blocking.all of this mr. boehner should be ashamed of himself saying he's going to against obama -- mr. obama, president obama, becausee obama care he -- a few days after obama care passed in october, it.mber, he signed up for what kind of hypocrisy is this? is so foolish. it is so foolish.

host: let's go to someone who supports this lawsuit. it's tom. fort lauderdale, florida. caller: good morning. when youhat happens cram a major bill down the throat of the opposing party. that goes both ways. the republicans shouldn't cram bills down the throat of the democratic party. that's what this is all about. thinkmination, if you this is about barack obama being black, then what you're really saying is if barack obama did everything that the republicans they still do, wouldn't like him. that is preposterous. the whole racial idea is preposterous. there are two things that have defined th the presidency of bak obama. not make hise did economic commission work and he walked away from it. two, he and the democratic party crammed this the down the throat of

republicans. his speech, his last speech on when he announced that tort reform would not be part of the bill, that's when everything blew up between the democrats and the republicans administration. that's going to be part of history. host: story from the associated press. governor's group skirts radio active common core. reviled by conservatives, the common education standards improve schools and student competitiveness are being modified by some republican governors who are what theyck against call the federal government's intrusion of the classroom. the common core standards were not on the formal agenda during a three-day meeting of the national governors association ended sunday. relegated to hallway discussions and closed door meetings among staffs.s and their the standards and even the words common core have become, in a sense, radio active. that was iowa's governor terry

branstat. is on the line. he opposes the lawsuit. ,aller: basically, i think well, i've been reading into it a lot and watching it a lot on the news. the republicans say let's spend $6 million when another is saying let's us use $3 million. the latter.ake the other parts of the money could be put to other issues. than that i don't see someone -- it's better to impeach him than sue him. reason for see no impeachment or suing when people looking at the benefits. they're looking at the negativities and everything else. it's not that we need to be looking at. the positive effects of everything.

right now, i get medicaid and all of that. i do good with that. check every month. i pay the bills. .elp me with everything now, one of my grandmothers, her been -- her medicaid has completely cut off by the state, but it's because the states are actually fighting with the .overnment as the other person from texas and government, they need to stay the same. they don't need to be fighting. know.t i don't know why they would be fighting anyways. host: let's take a comment from facebook.

from new york,ne supports this legislation. caller: good morning. you?re host: i'm well. how are you? caller: i'm good. .hanks for taking my call with all of this happening, i think there's an example that i compare to.ke to i can't remember the last time myt i was able to renew subscription for my penis enlargement. host: next up in fairfax, virginia, mary, who opposes the legislation. caller: yes, i do. day oneeel like from the republicans say no to everything president obama -- they have an obsession to say no .o everything they don't accept that they have a black person in the white house. in 2016ng to hurt them because the country's changing.

host: next is memphis, tenness tennessee. you oppose the lawsuit. why.us caller: let me say this first. what happened was that the american people chose this congress. an obstructionist congress. but, but, the obstructionist chose isthat we getting nothing done. the president can't do everything. lawsuiton i oppose the is because it is important that as opposedthing done whatever.rivoloties, you know, it's crazy. that's what we wanted. we got.hat thanks a lot. host: "usa today" headline, gop seeks changes to obama' obama's $3.7 billion border bill. they have a very neat graphic here. they write in a letter to the house speaker john boehner president obama asked congress for $3.7 billion to cope with the flood of immigrants from central america who are

illegally crossing the u.s. border. the administration says more than 51,000 unaccompanied u.s.a.n have entered the since october. later in the program we'll be joined by fawn johnson of "national journal" who will have to say on that topic. the herbert and kamil -- in georgia. you oppose the lawsuit. tell us why. caller: because -- you know what? theink when we look at it, majority of others voted for obama. think -- we see a lot of white americans who call who are in the one from florida. white america owns everything in .merica who you going to take it back from? corporations.e institutions. congress, senate. even the media. who could you blame? that's what we need -- who could blame? all the other americans want to indians,, the asians,

hispanics, and the blacks, they want to hear who could you blame majority always in control of everything in this america? ohio.columbus, you support the lawsuit. explain your views to us. caller: yes. away from the get tv. i'm just calling -- i support the republican party is doing only because i think they're running themselves into the wall with this. what better way to get the democratic party before the election? this.ort them doing i say go do it, please proceed republican party. please. host: take a look at some of the around -- pages from around the country. "gazzette," corbett, pension overhaul targets property tax issue.

vermont. ron is on the line. he opposes the lawsuit. go right ahead. caller: initially thought it was a good thing. ith the way things are going, think if the lawsuit takes its find thatthink you'll the courts will just support the be a unitaryn to executive where more and more power will just be given to the executive to the point where essentially we'll have a dictatorship. the matrix like maybe there were 50neos, in each time the establishment kind of mixes the

to make things more and more -- they'll get more and more control. happen.hat will host: back to twitter. next up, portland, oregon. william, you support this lawsuit. do.er: yeah, i i actually wanted to comment on what your previous caller said. a really interesting point but i'm kind of the polar opposite. i think it's really important to president in check. he's not above the law. it's important to clarify that a the same a't conviction. most people are like, oh, they're attacking obama.

really important. i would actually like to see that the president bush be put on trial for war crimes and things of that nature. thank you for taking my call. host: another front page. waterville, maine. lawsuit.es the caller: yes. i think if they want to help this country, i think they ought to get rid of boehner. he's the only one obstructing this government. without him, maybe we can get done.ing creedmore, north carolina. you support the lawsuit. tell us about that. will. caller: i do. it's a hot-button issue. president obama has made it a

the face ofve it in .he conservatives irresponsibility in the area of foreign policy, the middle east is on fire, syria, iraq, .fghanistan, north africa .t's just imploding and -- our southern .order is being overrun this hobby lobby situation where arbitrarily thinks that he's going to rule as a king or a .ictator work with the mainstream american, just the

american person. our economy is in the pits. one of the though executives of accenture, by 2030ng company, said willtandard of living our children will have a less standard of living than what we have for the first time american history. host: if you don't mind, can i ask you a question? caller: yes. host: if you've been listening this morning, a lot of callers have suggested while you might with everything president obama has done, this lawsuit is going to waste a lot of money and take a whole lot of time. what do say to people who think that? caller: well, you know, it to.n't have it could, but it doesn't have to. stake.stitution is at

and what is our constitution worth? this issue is, again, a hot-button issue that down the lineght of black and white. now, there's a few liberals, liberals, in there. but it seems from the caller , it's almostrd 50/50 black and white. and by the way, you're doing an job.anding thank you so much for c-span. host: another front page.

certainly an interesting situation there. new jersey maria is on the line. opposes the lawsuit. caller: hello? host: you're on. go ahead. lawsuit?pose the caller: thank you for taking my call. i oppose it because it divides the country. also oppose it because it costs taxpayers money. the republicans always feel that they're the party that can money, thisntry shows it's not true. toy're even on record voting delay the costs of letting healthcare.this also, it's on record that they voted that the president would companies having to take the healthcare. it's on film. tape.n why would they do this? it's a waste of taxpayers' money. not the rights way to campaign. thank you. host: front page.

mike in north carolina. you support the lawsuit. tell us about that. do.er: i i want to answer your question from the fellow from north the cost of the lawsuit. it might be several million dollars but certainly that could tuesdayn overcome on the gao audit and the president's own council on advisors told us at a thetol hill hearing that administration is working on with th come up the $100 billion in overpayments federal government to taxpayers. biggest portion was

almost $20 billion in taxpayments on the child credit. he couldld help us, stop $100 billion. of overpayments. and certainly a $2 million lawsuit is nothing compared t in overpayments from the federal government back do not writewho that money. host: one more tweet. california. roll any is on the line -- rodney is on the line who opposes the lawsuit. caller: i oppose the law course course -- because if you look at how the republicans are trying , thegineer this lawsuit lawsuit is basically a

for them to get something on president obama the supreme court because that's where they intend to take it so that they could be justifiable in this trying to impeach him. it's only a gimmick. to impeach him but they're going to use the lawsuit in order to get -- it's getting evidence to win court. first they've got to gain something. then they're going to turn impeach him.y to so the american public shouldn't be fooled by this lawsuit the lawsuit has bigger ramifications ahead. the exact attention, same thing i'm telling you, that's what the republican is trying to do. in my city of marietta where they turned the bus away. that was wrong. don't understand why our federal government don't take away the city federal funding and the police department federal funding because it's within their privy to do things like that. host: salem, oregon.

line. is on the you support the house gop lawsuit. caller: yes, i do, ma'am. i'llor several reasons but keep it brief. i'm a college student who audies political science for hobby, if you will. fought for independence in 1776. the way this had commander in acting, he acts and he is above the law that the young generation like myself who votedded for him in and 2012 basically gave him a free pass. well, ladies and gentlemen, i you, but we didn't give him a free pass. we voted him in for change. that change just a little too far. thank you very much, ma'am. ast: we're going to take quick break. when we come back, we'll be joined by "national journal" journalist fawn johnson. later in the program, "wall street journal" healthcare armour willphanie join us to discuss challenges facing new enrollees in the law.hcare

>> we are at the henry a. wallace country life center and west50 miles south of des moines. this is the birthplace home of lags.a. wall the wallaces of iowa consist of three generations of wallaces. patriarch was known as -- fondly as uncle henry. founder ofthe .allace his son was u.s. secretary of agriculture under woodrow wilson. and henry crmpletd's son --

son was born on this farm in 1888. he went on to become editor of wallaces' farmer magazine. he was then asked by franklin u.s.velt to serve as secretary of agriculture, which he did for eight years from 1933 to 1941. in 1941 to 1945 he was president. vice as u.s. secretary of agriculture, he is known for the agricultural adjustment act, which was the first time that were asked not to produce. at first people couldn't believe things that he was proposing regarding that, but then as prices went up, they started to listen to him. to him todayrefer as the genius secretary of agriculture. >> explore the history and literary life of des moines, iowa, saturday, noon eastern on c-span2's "book tv" and sunday afternoon at 2:00 on "american

tv" on c-span3. >> "washington journal" continues. to discussng us now the crisis on the border is fawn johnson, a correspondent for "national journal." with us thising morning. guest: it's good to be here. how are you? host: i'm good. thank you. wondering if you could talk to us a little bit about the president he's budget request to deal with the immigration issue. guest: the president is essentially doing what he should when you start to see a surge that we have seen over the of kids coming across the border. we've had some 40,000 kids in the last six months or so, maybe eight months, coming from el salvador, and honduras. our law, all of those children, if they are deemed to be unaccompanied minors, meaning not with anybody can take care of them, they are all entitled to an immigration hearing. don'tturns out, we just

have the resources to deal with that kind of number. fiscal 2012 -- i brought my cheat sheet here -- it was only about 20,000. thanefore that it was less 10,000. so essentially we've seen an minors fromf these these three countries in central america, and particularly over you know, since january, october, it's been really high. from requested money congress to be able to deal with this. about half of it actually would the health and human services department to handle the kids, essentially to find themers for them, to give healthcare to take care of them. and then to also try and place them with a family member or sort of guardian here in the united states. doll haveem actually parents here -- do have parents here in the united states so they were reunited with their families. then there's other parts of the request that involve border security. he wants to beef up the number of people who can try and stop these kids from coming across the border.

to addalso wants immigration judges and investigators to try to crack traffickin of the trafficking -- traffickers -- the trafficking networks. word i was loo looking for, that are coming across. that's a lot in supplemental request. there are some people in congress who think that he's for too much. it's gotten embroiled in quickly.relatively it makes sense that he would be asking for this kind of money to anl with, essentially, unexpected surge in minors coming across the border. >> you wrote an article for "national journal." the headline is obama's plan to deal with unaccompanied minors immigrationng advocates. tell us about that response. guest: let's be clear. talkingt article is about is the statement from the homeland security secretary, jeh would like toe see a 2008 human trafficking law the minors whoat are coming from central america

to not necessarily entitled an immigration hearing. advocates aretion not actually upset about obama's supplemental request. wholeheartedlyre in support of it. but they are concerned about changing this trafficking law trafficking law, it passed in 2008, overwhelmingly. unanimous consent, both house and senate. and it was signed into law by premeditate. eh -- byte as a president bush as a way to protect children who find anmselves in a country in undocumented status. advocates are concerned about well,ministration saying, maybe they don't need a hearing. maybe we don't need to give them a hearing. maybe we can send them back to their home countries like we do with mexico. situation.cate the immigration advocates would actually prefer to see the human law boosted in the sense that they would like to see kids who come across the have anrom mexico also immigration hearing. host: some footage of nancy

pelosi discussing the supplemental request as well as the changes to the 2008 law. we want to listen to her comments. i'll get your take when we come back. >> i really do think all of this has to be done on a case-by-case basis. if somebody has a the-founded -- a refugee, purpose of the legislation that you're talking about altering was to address the trafficking issue. know, that law was passed practically unanimously in the house and the senate, signed by w. bush, one of the last bills he signed as the united states, a bill about values to stop the king.ic so quite frankly if they wanted woulde it uniform, i rather they treat the mexican kids the way they treat the non-contiguous country kids. really what's important is to the supplemental. what price we have to pay to do

that, we'll see in the course of debate. but i would hope that they would made that change. i don't think -- it's not a deal breaker. host: your thoughts? guest: well, i want to back up a little bit in case some of your viewers are a little confused about what happened with this law. i was confused until about a week ago. mexicanon why we treat children differently than we treat the people from the rest of the world in this particular law is that back in 2008 when the law passed, most of the kids coming across the border were from mexico. a small number came from other countries, but for the most part they were coming from mexico. the idea was, at the time, we tod it o come up with a way work with the mexican government such that they can take care of the children. so what happens to mexican they come across border is they are apprehended and taken care of. toy are interviewed determine whether they are victims of trafficking and whether they face any kind of mexico.t home in

if it's clear that they've just been brought across the border people who they paid or something like that and that there's not anything -- like their's threatening particular lives, then they are offered the ability to return to countries on a voluntary basis. now, there's some question about how that actually happens. it's done by the border patrol. and the border patrol, they are not child welfare specialists. but a lot of the kids do actually -- they opt for .oluntary removal they're also told that they won't be prosecuted for crossing illegally,untry won't be deported, no harm, no foul. and then they are returned into the mexican child welfare authorities. so they are not just dropped off stop somewhere or something like that. this was determined in the law. it was something that they put a especially for in mexico -- there's also -- canada

also counts in this one but crosses the border in canada. so essentially work with the mexican governments. those sameve agreements with any of the other countries in central america. i think there's some effort to try to work with those countries. we at this point if it wanted to -- the law doesn't even allow for this country to offer this option of voluntary removal to the people from are mexico.of that's the explanation of how this happened. confusing.le why are mexican kids treated differently than other kids? and you heardtes, this from the minority leader, nancy pelosi, say this never should have been the case in the place. all minors who come across the needr are vulnerable and an immigration hearing. they need to be taken seriously and they need to have somebody on theirdvocate behalf. and the border patrol just simply isn't equipped to do that. what we're dealing with. the only question is, do change

a direction where everybody gets treated the same and that requires a lot of money resources or do you treat all of the central theican children the way mexican children are treated? to -- nancyting pelosi says it's not a deal breaker, would prefer not to do if that's the price we have to pay for extra money at the border, we'll take it. host: fawn johnson, a correspondent for "national journal," asked to join us -- join owto join our conversatio- , florida,er paulette on the democrats' line. turn down your tv. you're on "washington journal" johnson. caller: hello. good morning.

i'm commenting about the border. from jamaica. 1998, we had the same situation in our country with there.fleeing and coming our country is a christian nation. we do, we wasn't standing go home, children. we take them in and take care of the until, you know, government decide what they do with them. america is shooting them self in the foot. world is watching. even jamaica calling, what's object, grandma? what's going on over there? those people don't have any compassion? you know? i don't understand. head aroundrap my what i see.

guest: that's what i think a lot of people feel. certainly we all have compassion for these children. partnk the most important about what this caller just was telling us is that it is true watching hole world is watching. if what we tell them is if you your children, we will reunit them with their familie families -- all indications are that you can stay. there are very few -- i think only been something like 1,800 deportations over the last year. talking almost 60,000 people. these are unaccompanied minors the border. it's a difficult situation. this is the problem that a lot of members of congress are talking about. if you're going to create the usression that if you send your children, we will accept them, people will send their children here. host: david is on the line for republicans from new jersey.

comments.couple of i'll be very quick. please don't cut me off. johnson isl, ms. everything that is wrong with journalism. independented to be and looked at this hard-nosed and be a reporter. liberalshe's another that wants us to take in the world. facts.st a couple of we are out of money. we are broke. are $17 trillion going o on $18 trillion in debt. you talk about compassion. all the kids, american kids, being killed in weekend?very we need to take care of our own people. not having journalists that are reporting not advocating? concerned,exico is why are we not coming down on kids spen letting spend 1,000-plus miles in their territory to drop themselves on america's doorstep and then talk

compassion, we let in more legal immigrants than all the worldcountries in the combined. guest: that's not true, sir. i'm sorry. i don't mean to interrupt you but that is not true. let in nearly enough legal immigrants which is the reason why people are crossing illegally. now, i give you credit for the understanding that this is an issue, but i have to stop you when it comes to facts. that's not true. please?may i finish, guest: sure. go ahead. caller: what i wanted to say is, why are we not coming down on mexico for letting people come over 1,000 miles on their territory and then drop the problem on america's doorstep? this is insane. we need to control our borders. no nation can exist without sovereignty. guest: well, as we can see, this is a very tough and emotional for people. i think this is the situation

himself president finds in. how do deal with this situation? absolutely true that the mexican authorities could probably do more, especially to border their southern because their southern border is where all of these kids are coming over. and it's absolutely true that we could work with them a little bit better to control their own situations. but keep in mind that we're countrywith our own here. right now we have -- if you look in a couple of different ways, first of all, we've got thousands of children who are sitting in detention that are makeshift right now. that shouldn't be happening. they onlyto law really need to be in those places for 72 hours. a lot of them are there for a lot longer. got to deal with that first. it's kind of like if you have a blown-out you have a tires what do fix first? you fix the problem at the border. deal with these kids and get them through. that's the money the president is requesting. it's also to boost up border security. it's what the caller said they

wanted. working very is hard to try to figure out how to handle that situation. but as you can see, almost that you can do will make everybody happy. host: congressman republican chairman of the house committee news. fox let's listen. >> i think we have to act soon. at hand that demands a call for action. it's a very tragic human crisis the border, none like i've ever seen before. so i think we need that before august recess. >> what do you think the chances are? action?'re going to get >> i think very good if we can have a targeted appropriations bill -- much would be willing to vote for? >> that's up to the appropriators. but i think it's going to be, limited to the end of this fiscal year rather than appropriation. 4% of the president's supplemental budget deals with border security. we think more should be allocated towards that.

ofin, my bill that came out my committee deals with that in an accountable way with a two-year timeline to get operation control of the border, which is what most people want. most americans want security first. >> are you prepared to vote for money to accommodate these children who have already crossed? >> i think we have to deal with this in a humane compassionate way but i'm not in favor of building large warehouses in the united states to warehouse these kids. we need to have deterrents. i think if we're going to build facilities, perhaps we should thek about doing that in countries of origin in central america where they can better children.these >> that won't be cheap, will it? deterrence.'s about it's about security. it's about dealing with these children in a humane, to return themay safely to home. host: fawn johnson, walk us through the comments. guest: i think this is probably measured republican response that you're going to find to this issue. when this supplemental request

was on last week, i capitol hill and i heard much worse things about it. republicans literally rolling their eyes at me. it was just -- they couldn't of money.e amount they had thought it was going to be $2 billion. it turned out to be almost twice that. trust the president at all. so when we listen to mike mccaul, it's important to notice thinking about this in probably the most rationale republicans can. he wants to deal with the children at the border. in saying is correct that -- does it make sense to build these large, permanent facilities to try and house these children? the reason why the president has asked for that is that it's to haveto do that than temporary housing. this is something the hhs secretary was telling week.riators last but at the same time, anything that you do that looks like it's just going to mean that more people are going to think that they should come. and there's already enough misinformation being floated around in central america. there are people who thought

that june was a deadline, that they had to get here by june and they could stay here no questions asked. mesa,next caller, jan in arizona, a republican and from a border state. caller: yes. border state. i have seen it get worse and worse and worse. ms. johnson. you were talking about the president's worked hard on all of these issues. bit.sn't helped us a i want to say something. i listened to "morning joe" this came on.efore you they were talking to a .ommentator he was on univision. after -- he made a statement. he goes, i don't know what republicans want. this president has deported more anybody.an but you guys don't tell the facts. more because he's the first president in this country that if they're stopped at the border, he calls it deported. we haven't got any help. i wish these kids would be sent to the hamptons.

let's send them to cape cod. go spend the president's family atith his martha's vineyard. send them to new york, all of these different northeast countries and you would see things that change overnight. we have been stuck with it. we pay for about 8,000, 10,000 babies. will the federal government doesn't give us back a dime in arizona. we put them in school, pay for their babies, to have more babies, more babies, more babies. can't leavey america because these are american babies. how could these mothers, if this american mother she would be thrown in jail sending her kid across the country. sick.es me we keep blaming the people of america. blame these mothers. them.sick of we have no tears for these people. guest: the caller is right about the deportation stuff. it is true that part of the reason why the deportations have increased dramatically under president obama is that they are

cross the people who border illegally in different way than they did at the beginning of the obama administration. i actually was walked through exactly how they do that one of the biggest processing facilities that they have. so she's right about that. also right about the fact that there are many people -- i borderhe people on the states, god bless all of you, really do have the right to complain about how much th the president has been able to do. has been, and we all know this, that the president wants immigration immigrations a big reform that would allow some form of legalization for people here and meety certain qualifications. but he's being blocked by congress.s in the thing that advocates are upset about is that he is not own. enough on his i think that's also something that republicans are concerned about. they don't necessarily trust the homeland security is doing everything it can to stop people from coming across

the border. said, they need a lot more money if they're going to be able to do that. and that is something at the nots of congress and necessarily the president. i think the frustration goes all around. the border states really do have a legitimate complaint here. host: talk a little bit more about the trafficking victims protection act. about how --ed unaccompanied minors across the border. i'm curious if you're able to tell us how much of that has to do with that law or is there some other kind of force? guest: this is a tough question that is hard to answer. really know why all of these kids started coming across -- we can trace the fact increased dramatically over the last couple of years. so dramatic over the last -- since the beginning of this fiscal year and in october patrol actually had to rejigger its estimates. back and sayto go whatever we told you is going to happen. actually that's not going to

happen. pretty dramatic. why? well, i think there's a couple of reasons. that there is a ridiculous amount of violence in these three countries, theicularly honduras, murder capital of the world. there are parents here in the onted states and here undocumented status who want to bring those kids here as quickly as possible, especially the the girls, as soon as they start to become teenagers targets for all kinds of violence that we don't really want to talk about. so they need to get them out of happens.ry before that so that's one reason. i think it's a legitimate reason understand.need to this is a pseudo war zone that we're talking about here. is true that it there is an impression inside -- the country, from it in these communities that people who come here can stay. out.ars there are people who cross the live hereegally and in undocumented status. then they bring their children

up. are refugee situations. they can go to refugee get help, getto healthcare. and they're all set up just for purpose. the more that they state -- their immigration hearings take years. there's no reason to think if you bring your kid up here, that here.on't be able to stay there's probably a good chance that they can. there's that impression. i think this is the uncomfortable truth that the administration is having to deal with. what you do. how do try and say that you're going to take care of kids and way, you is a, by the really can't stay here when, in fact, that's exactly what's happening. host: new york, robert on the independents. caller: good morning. thank you for taking my call. i think the american people are very frustrated with the fact that the politicians, especially the president, have been lying for years telling us that the border is secure when it's

not. virtually secure any border. it's not going to work. the united states has been pumping money into these south american countries and mexico for years trying to help the people down there. they all have corrupt governments. we have no oversight over the money that's going down there. these politicians that are down and the police forces and the military are ripping the money off. high on theliving hog. and then we're supposed to feel sorry for these people that are countries.se the aclu lawyer that was on c-span on saturday was advocating for this $3.8 billion that the president asked for. acluondering why the lawyer never sued the federal government on behalf of the american people 20 years ago when there was money allocated in a law passed for them to nevera fence which was built and never finished so that these people that are coming that little river down there and walking off and

themselves over can't get in. if there's a fence there, they in.t be able to get they leave that border open. that's the excuse that they use. to use ourey want us tax money to take care of these kids. many americann so people myself on food stamps in we'reire life and supposed to worry about people from other country that are coming here. it's ridiculous. .here's no jobs here we're slowly trying to get out of this recession. ask us to now take in millions and millions more countries andher open our hearts is just not fair to us. guest: what can you say to that? . think that's absolutely right the issue about the border, let's talk about that for a second. caller is right. there was a bill passed to create a border fence years ago has never been fund. but i will also say i have been to the border and have seen the

there.hat they have up you can actually see the hand prints of people who can climb it. this.t know how they do there's no way that i can imagine myself doing it. amazing what kind of resources these people who are desperate will come up with. the issue that we're trying to understand. the border itself in a way it's porous. are parts of it where there are no fences, but also the groundensors in that as soon as somebody steps on it, they'll send people out there. they've got air patrol that is going over all the grounds people.for it's pretty impressive. now, not every sector of the is like that for sure, but it's a harder issue than fence.ilding a as much as the people who would like to see that happen have a want tote reason to build it, there are still people who will come across. host: our guest is fawn johnson, correspondent at "national journal." let's take a question from e-mail now.

guest: good question. he's right. actually, it's interesting. only difference between asylum refugee,ee is that a their case is considered inside country. asylum is considered outside the .ountry i think the best way to explain that is that we don't have the processes set up in the central american countries probably like should. asylum cases are generally meant .or ground warfare you know, the kinds of strife that would happen when an entire being tried tois be wiped out. this is not the case as in america. it's one gang versus another. i don't know how you accommodate. that. would make some sense for the various -- for john ofry to try to set up some

these in the home country to see if there's a way to deal with some of these kids. that a lot them would not qualify. cases are based on a credible fear of threat to you as a person not just that you're place.in a dangerous so i think if you feel like your good 50 at the -- 50/50 at the ambassador, you might -- at the embassy, you might want to try it. they say no, you probably still try to make the trip. jay on the line for republicans. caller: good morning. how are you? host: good morning. coming i appreciate you on and giving a different side of the story and a little more what's going on. it's hard to understand railingly. it's such a large -- understand.hard to caller: one thing i wanted to understand. billemocrats -- there's a in the house that it passed a while back with president bush trafficking the sex issue. modified so that

they can't use the turnaround addressed but yet the democrats are fighting tooth and nail to try to change that can be returned. i just want to know what the motivation is of the democratic to keep these children in the united states other than humanitarian because it's just as humanitarian to send them back and take care of them back try tos it is to establish something here. the way it is right now, where they're living in warehouses which is disgusting. the last thing i want to say is you kind of showed your hand in one comment that you were about a lady and the dangers of their children. and you said we need to bring them here. and you were referring to young girls. we don't need to bring them here. onneed to fix what's going so that they don't have to come here. you let your hand show in that comment. you. guest: just to be clear with you, i think that i was to what some of the advocates are saying,

ones like thehe aclu or some of these women's advocates that they have. theyyeah, that's what think. they think we need to bring them here and keep them safe. person's opinion or one group's opinion. there's others like yourself who think that perhaps they should stay. that's just one point to be made clear. thing tohe other remember is that there are democrats who are fighting the thisof changing trafficking law, but there are others like nancy pelosi, the leader of the democrats in the house, that says if it we have to change the law, it's not a deal breaker. personally know some immigration advocates who are idea ofpset about the changing that trafficking law. one democrat who actually it, dianne feinstein of california, gave a really moving thech last week in appropriations committee just talking about the reason why it passed. one of the things she described minors, young people, 13, 14 years old in

chains, you know, crying before immigration judge, not understanding what's going on. she said, when i saw that, saw personally, she said i just couldn't let that happen. so there's a lot of emotions on both sides going through this. i think it may be one of the that theicult things president has to deal with in his presidency. tough. really host: illinois, teresa on the .ine for democrats caller: good morning. question.ve a i have what i think might be a solution to the situation. very sad at, i'm the anger of my fellow american issue.s around this what i'm thinking of is the in syria and what is happening with jordan and turkey countries who are taking in the refugees, the children and the adults. turning them away and saying go back to that danger

zone? what i'd like to propose is that citizens,istian possibly, would christ turn away peril?ldren who are in would he be so money conscious? i don't think so. therefore, my solution is i've called my senator and a couple inother representatives their office, senator durbin here in illinois, i've opened up home. i'm a senior citizen. i'm a youthful senior citizen on security. i have a home. i have a bedroom. those children here and whoever is accompanying offer a respite and a haven for them in the meantime. my solution to my fellow american citizens. ms. fawn, i'm really sad, that people are angry with you. my goodness. you're just there talking about

facts. thank you so much. guest: thank you for that. that's verythink generous offer of you. i know that there are other people in the country who feel exactly as you do, that they a prominentally, democrat, martin o'malley, the governor of maryland, said over the weekend that he thought the children should be allowed to stay. he broke with the president on that. so there are a number of people feel that way. it's just a question of -- this is the fundamental question that deal withy has had to since the beginning, since people started coming here. how many can we bring in? many can we accommodate? what do we owe them? and what do we owe ourselves? no easy answer to that question. but i think what is nice to see is that there are people who are to figure out how to accommodate them. there will need to be some way though.it, you can't invite the entire country's children into this just don'tause we have the resources to help them.

host: related comment from twitter. the thing -- i, think the most dramatic change of 2008 trafficking law was that they actually -- that's what they did. analyze whether or not a child was in danger and then they would put them in foster care. to require the health and human services department when they are dealing ath a child to actually find relative or some sort of guardian inside the country. it turns out almost 3/4 of the have come across in an unaccompanied status are reunited with some form of member. and almost half of them are parents.with their i think this was -- people really were very excited about this because they thought it more sense than trying to put abandoned children in foster care. care, sure.er but if they have a mom here who is work and who can take them, why not put them with their

mother? host: absolutely. phoenix, arizona. border stateine, resident. caller: how are you doing? ofe you heard any reports people that get deported being shot as they get off the plane homethey're in their country? guest: i have not heard anything about that. but keep in mind when they are eturned, they are returned with with -- i'm speaking not just of minors but of people who are theirlly planed back to home cubt rise. -- countries. they are taken with the people the department of homeland security and are -- if they are children, they are released into of some sort of other official. so it's kind hard to have that happen. certainly, what happens to them don't know.we but at least initially when the andoff happens, it happens in safe environment. host: stevens point, wisconsin. republicans.ne for caller: how do you do? i say a very simple solution. they're illegal. no matter how long they're here. hey need to be deported, period

period. as for the lady who just called about being christian and fine lady but a we have american children appalacia. the she can open her home to the american children? all back and they won't keep coming. .f we hold our borders we keep them away. period. let them take care of themselves. you. guest: and that was something yoursenator jeff lake, senator from arizona, had said last week. nothing that's will deter families from sending anir kids up north than entire plane load of children coming right back after you spent thousands of dollars to spend them up here. what a number of republicans are calling for. they've been calling for it for years, let's be clear, even before this border search happened with minors. they've been saying we really on the be harsher deportations, particularly for people who are caught so that we

the impression that you can't come and stay. but the reality is that it's impossible to do that with all the people who are here. they really do met into the landscape. landscape.o the as much as the enforcers would like to ferret them out, it's very difficult to do. mean we shouldn't try. it just means it's very complicated and requires monday sometimes --that money and resource that sometimes need to go to other places. host: north carolina, steve on line.mocrats caller: good morning. i would like to make a comment situation.whole the fact is, war on drugs which a total drain and has of these people in south america zillions of theses to take over countries and run them like they want to run. and that's why these kids are coming. if you want to stop this, stop the war on drugs.

off.hose people's money it will stop the whole deal. thanks. guest: actually, it is drug wars flee.re causing people to it is also the drug smugglers, border in along the arizona that are causing people to cross the border. cartels that the border security people are time.g with all the i've heard a number of people mention the drug car when they talked about this. i think there was one congressman that i was talking to last week who said something you know, ifes of, we could stop americans from using the drugs, that would help cartels. and i thought, wow, that's about as easy as, you know, finding everybody who's here without papers and deporting them. .oint well taken and the question is, does a drug as,amount to the same thing say a war between two different ethnic groups that are warring in africa?

i don't know. that that's a question that congressmen and the with.ent are grappling host: another question from twitter. guest: you ask them. the people who are dealing with them, particularly the ones from the hell and human services department -- health and human services department, they can speak spanish well enough that talk to the children. you don't really know. a lot of it deals with interviews. are.pends on how old they the thing that i find interesting is that there's a of peopled network here in the united states with their home countries. much theyng how communicate back and forth. everybody has cell phones these days. like -- your mother has paid for you come across the border. you probably have your cell phone number. i think that that's how we learn about these things. all you have to do to find out whether or not somebody is illegal is just ask them if they have papers. and if they don't, i think we

to that answer question. host: new haven, connecticut. republicans.or -- on the line for republicans. caller: good morning. morning on the fox business channel on the "don who show" he had a guest asked a question that i had never heard asked before. relevant. is very he said -- what about the children in africa? in nigeria? what about the children in israel? what they are going on with today? somalia.ren in it is not our business as to how managed.ngs are as a former guest said, it is the advocates, with the pro noun we, the advocates want to bring the children here to take care they get a make sure better life. well, why don't you organize you advocatesl of who are really operating from the motive of racism and ethnic

bigotry, why don't you organize thoselves go to countries, and help those children become better citizens their countries? and theigotry, basism, policy -- racism, and the policy of the obama administration. been goingities have on in these other countries for years. years. why now? why do we ever a surge? the president promised to close fix the border. and now he sits there after he administration organized this en masse of children? to "don imus show" about maybe an hour ago. diedl, on his show, asked the question. guest: in countries in africa have asylum, we do policies and refugee policies for those people.

so as a country -- the caller disagree with this decision. but as a country we have decided to take in people who are real strife and violence in their home countries. the only problem is i don't anticipated 40,000 children in the course of nine months. in the central american countries. so that's a decision that we have made. the other thing that i would ofe just in the sense advocates is that one of the groups that has been doing a lot on this and that i've beebeen talking with that deals with these refugees a lot is a angelina jolieby and microsoft. aboutout the kids and trying to get them some legal rights because we realize they a vulnerable population. they are different from people who cross the border who are adults who, in theory, should know what they're doing. fawn johnson,t is correspondent at "national journal." thank you for being with us this it morning. pleasure. host: next, reporter stephanie armour will will join us to

discuss the implementation of the affordable care act. later, our weekly "your money" segment will look at the highway trust fund. right now let's go to an update from c-span radio. >> it's 8:30 a.m. eastern time. some international news this hour. groups and some in the british government are joining up to fight against increased electronic surveillance. groups including amnesty international, liberty and the american civil liberties union taking britain's spy agencies to court in a bid to set limits, even as the tries to pass legislation to extend its surveillance powers. a special court begins hearing the case today. back here in the united states, to aroup agreeing settlement over risky mortgages. the bank will pay anghly $7 billion to settle investigation into sub prime mortgages. those are the type of mortgages that helped fuel the financial crisis. the justice department had previously warned that it would sue the bank. jp morgan is the only other major u.s. bank to settle so f

far. is obama administration warning that the highway trust fund will no longer have enough money by early august to cover promised aid to states and the government will begin to stretch out payments. to expecte been told a 28% reduction in aid on average. "the new york times" reports that house and senate committees took steps last week towards shoring up the fund. the how's ways and -- house ways and means committee and the committee plan plans -- it instead would provide $11 billion to keep money flowing until about may. premeditate hiseditate will be turning focus to transportation issues this week. he'll discuss the issue tomorrow in virginia and thursday in delaware. c-span will be covering his remarks. latestre some of the headlines on c-span radio. >> now you can keep in touch with current events from the nation's capital using any phone with c-span radio on audio now. 202-626-8888.

listen to a recap of the day's events at 5:00 p.m. eastern on "washington today." you can hear audio of the five network sunday public affairs programs beginning sundays at eastern. c-span radio on audio now. 202-626-8888. long distance or phone charges may apply. >> for over 35 years c-span public affairs events from washington directly to you, putting you in the room at congressional hearings, white events, briefings and conferences. gavel-to-gavelem coverage of the u.s. house all as a public service of private industry. thee c-span, created by cable tv industry 35 years ago and brought to you as a public orvice by your local cable satellite provider. watch us in hd. like us on facebook. and follow us on twitter.

"washington journal" continues. host: joining us now to discuss the implementation of the affordable care act is stephanie a reporter for "the wall street journal." thank you for being with us this morning. guest: thanks for having me. appreciate it. host: in the rollout, when this first started, our conversation was.bout how rocky it give us a progress update. guest: basically things are ofng better for a number states but there are also a number of states where they have continued to be plagued by technology problems. we're seeing a lot of the issues for individuals who have signed up for coverage and are finding out months later even after they paid their premiums having coverage when they go in to see the doctor. we're still seeing problems and there.s out host: your headline was some still lack coverage under the healthcare law back logs, technical glitches stall insurance policies. walk us through some of the areas. guest: some of the states where we found individual problems were in nevada. aey actually have class-action lawsuit there. it's seeking class action status for individuals who have had

problems. had some.has massachusetts, we found some individuals that had some. in california. host: is there any count as to how many are affected or how problems are? guest: we know it's in the thousands. there's no one tracking to get a to how expansive this is. there's a significant backlog as well of people who have applied medicaid. but the lawsuit in nevada, they are saying alone that there's state.ds just in that host: any explanation from insurers or health and human why these issues are still happening which started months ago? insurers arehe saying is that they're pointing fingers at the state exchanges. these are some of the -- among set up their that own exchanges. people could do that or use the healthcare.gov site, the federal site. so they set up their own exchanges. and basically what's happening is they've had a lot of back logs. they've had trouble with the contractors that they used. they're saying that they're manually gosically through a lot of these applications at this point because of inconsistencies.

that's where they're pointing fingers. host: steffi arm yow -- stephanie armour joins us this morning. we've talked about states this morning. tell us what we're seeing at the federal level in terms of any technical glitches or back logs there. guest: some of the insurers did say they're seeing some of these problems as well at the federal site. but the federal site at this point what they're doing is enrollmentthe next period. with the new contractors lined up and trying to deal with some of the problems that plague it had when it first began. host: say i'm a person and i've insurance and i haven't been able to get it because of one of these technical reasons what do i do then? legal recourse? guest: that's a good question. this stillot of hasn't been answered in the courts because this is such a new issue. we haven't dealt with this

before. what some people are doing is trying to go to the insurers. we'resurers are saying getting this information from the state exchange. and the state exchanges that sayingoken with are they're trying to do whatever they can to help people whether it be getting insurance policies are they make sure backdated to when they first tried to sign up or that they're trying to expedite them through grievance processes, things like that. but for a number of these individuals that are caught, pay outstill having to of pocket and in some cases delaying care. sometimes with significant issues that and have happened. host: are these delays and flips congressogs something is looking at or expected to take action on? question.t's a good i haven't seen anything on the hill looking at what's happening level other than there have been some republicans are raisingho concerns about this and feel like this is yet another example manyy there are so problems, as they put it, with the affordable care act.

hand theher individuals i spoke with with health and human services say been some tragic situations are some concerns, but they're doing whatever they can to oversee things and hope started theirs on their own. from texas onller the democrats line. hey, willy, you're on "washington journal" with stephanie armour. through? caller: yes, i am. host: go right ahead. caller: oh. iwas calling to say that don't see how people can be so childrenas to not want with preexisting conditions, health conditions, how people be so humane. host: our topic is on the affordable care act. did you have a question or comment about that? caller: that's what i'm commenting about, ma'am.

host: ok. go right ahead. caller: ok. i don't understand how people so uncompassionate and so to take as to want .eople's healthcare away people with preexisting conditions and children with illnesses.other am i commenting about the wrong thing? host: do you have a response to the caller? guest: i'm kind of anticipating ist where you're coming from some of the criticism that have been raised about the affordable care act in saying that -- i'm not trying to put words in your mouth but trying to understand. are you saying that the critics the affordable care act, you're saying, are not being compassionate enough in terms of conditions?ing host: he's no longer on the line unfortunately. we'll move right on to augusta, georgia. martha is on the line for republicans.

caller: yes. i have a nephew. a bowling alley. he's borderline retarded. to come uphad with $1,000 on the lowest obama care that he could afford before hospital would cut his gallbladder out. to me that is just absolutely outrageous. on. it used to be before that he could go in and they would work out a little payment plan or something. no he's got to come up wit with $1,000. so the family and i had to pitch try to find $1,000 so this poor man could get his gallbladder out before it him.des in guest: that does sound like an unfortunate situation. i'm not sure what plan he purchased on the state exchange, but there are some plan options, for example silver, bronze, or gold, that have less -- not aite as an extreme, deductible. so i'm not sure what plan he had, but it sounds like a

difficult situation that you're in. host: i want to ask about some figures that gallup released last week. they reported that in the united the uninsured rate sinks to 13.4% in the second quarter. that's fallen 2.2 points and the lowest quarterly average beganed since gallup tracking this figure in 2008. is that significant? guest: it is. saying, look, are it's making a difference. we're seeing a decrease in the uninsured. and there's also been eight million people who have signed up through the affordable care for private plans. so they're saying this is sign of progress. sure, there's been some glitches, some technology problems, but that this is a on.tion of what's going if you look at the number of thate who have coverage would not have had it before, that this is a sign of success for the law. host: new hampshire, nathan on the line for republicans. caller: yes. good morning. call.you for taking my host: good morning. caller: i just wanted to -- maybe you could shed some light

on this. understanding is that this taxes, likedo my they're going to fine me and take my tax refund if i don't have healthcare. little bit disappointed about that, number one. havene who doesn't healthcare and i don't want the government telling me that i .ave to buy it guest: that's a very good point, nathan. it depends. if you don't have health at this point, there are a number of way that you can get an exemption to paying the fine. about $95the fine is for the first year. it's definitely worth going to site and look.gov at those exemptions. for example, if you had problems insurance plan, that could be one of the areas for an exemption. and i think that the boil boil administration has -- obama administration has tried to put some flexibility with regards to the penalty. a report that came out in june that said -- i believe it was only about four million in 2016 will pay any penalty at all. so it's worth checking that out

to see what might fit for your situation. host: question from twitter. been: massachusetts has having a number of problems with its technology site just in terms of people who did sign up also in terms of their expanded medicaid. they did have a program already started in 2006 that significantly expanded the had,h coverage that they but when they took this on as well as the medicaid upgrades to do, theyeded have had some problems with the gettingion process and people through that process. lenny on the, democrats line. caller: hi. good morning, everybody. here's my thing, with all due respect to you lovely young lady. you're from the washington journal -- i'm sorry, with "the journal," which is a rupert murdoch thing which basically is a little bit of youlict of interest in that

represent the healthcare thanance industry rather healthcare. and that's a little bit of a conflict of interest, not your fault. hadit would be better if we someone who was not on that sort of for-profit end of it. second thing is we need healthcare right now. we don't need more insurance frontrunning, extracting profit off matters of death which healthcare is matters of life and death. usual, the poor can never be made to suffer enough. a commodity. not there are things that work great on the free market that should be seen as commodities. this is not one of them. we are the only western economy that does not have national healthcare. call it what you want. would love to be able to go to the doctor, whomever, whenever,

nices paid very well, a salary, but doesn't have this service.e fee for is there anybody throughout who agrees with that? i'd like your comment. .hank you so much guest: i think there are a number of people who agree that we should have more of a or programealth plan like they have in many other countries. i don't think you're a lone whatsoever.t i think there's also a lot of critics on the other side who the system needs fixes but perhaps not that extreme. so that's been part of what the to come ups, trying with something that is going to appease both sides. you raise some good points just in terms of how is and alsoalthcare the importance of trying to have legislation that will bring down of these healthcare costs which have been escalating at a rapid pace. caller, tucson, arizona, joanie, a republican. say to i just want to that democrat that just called

in, hallelujah. i am not going to be voting the fall. in i am so disgusted with john boehner that i am embarrassed him ase republicans keep the speaker because he is keeping us hostage. regarding the affordable care act, i want you to know i love it. my son for the first time in eight years got insurance. he has a history of nonhodgekins lymphoma. he had no problem getting in. he has already used his insurance. to let people out there know that i have insurance through my company and it is insurance. his is great. so that's my comment. know how any of you feel about mine, but it doesn't make difference if you're a republican or a democrat, you need to be honest about what's going on out there. obama care is here to stay. it's here to stay because the insurance companies are never to stop lobbying for it. all the republicans that were

own up andneed to say, yup, you were right. there's nothing wrong with saying that. like it.ght even guest: that's very interesting. i don't flow where your son got a plan through, what type of plan he got or if he got on your policy because one of the things the affordable care act does is it allows children to stay on health policies much longer than previously was allowed. that's been something that's not been talked about much. that's made a big difference for a number of families as well. kalerthe previous mentioned -- caller mentioned boehner.aker john right now there's a lawsuit focusing on the affordable care act. that?you talk about guest: in terms of the employer mandate. yes. i think there's a lot of -- this still a very much bipartisan issue and an issue that's getting a lot of attention as we elections. i think there's some people who sort that, look, this is of political theater, if you will. there's others who say really what boil will boil did was

to -- what obama did was to overstep and he should not have delayed the employer mandate the and didn't have the authority to do so i. think it will be interesting to see what comes of this. host: houston, texas, democrats line. caller: yes. .es, ma'am i'm commenting on healthcare. all, before he had this bad accident.ad a ofhad a precondition, a lot stuff that he needed to do. , blue cross and blue shield, his insurance was over $200 a month. and then, two, he had a deductible. come out of the deductible of of $500. insurance. another

with his insurance now his $89.um is only he can go into the hospital and on $65ing, emergencies and they had $350 the other time. .o he's better now i'd like to comment on this because you all are saying this. then getting back to boehner boehner, and you ladies said too, it's boehner and them up there talking about the same get a credit to the small business ones so they could afford. that. when he delayed so they're going through spending all of this money on this. right. not friends, on the affordable care, they was in school and everything else, on their parents. their parents on thing. it was in school. until they get 26.

so that helps. will you please comment on that, please? guest: yeah. earlier,k, as i said that the ability for children to stay on their parents' plan has beeny're 26 something that's been what proponents of the law say is a success and is something that is overlooked by what they'res saying. so i think the point you raise about many of the children that stay on their to parents' plan is something that's been important to the obama administration to point out. host: you reported recently on some inspector general reports fail yours of the health -- failures of health exchange. you could walk us through? guest: which report was this? host: a july 1 report that says october and december the federal exchange was unable to resolve about 90% data. guest: on the inconsistencies. this is an issue that i think republicans are quite concerned about. there have been some inconsistencies with people who signed up for care in terms of

whether it be their address or their income level. able to sortbeen of rectify these inconsistencies. now, the obama administration is really very are small. they're usually minor things that they will fix. but the republicans are saying because of some of these problems, they are concerned that people, come tax season, they owe money, that they have incorrect subsidies. so both sides are watching this closely, especially in the next tax season in 2015. caller, mati in daytona beach, florida, on the line for republicans. caller: yes. hi. i just wanted to comment. i'm one of those republicans democrat in the fall because down here rick scott done anything for our medicaidand whatsoever. live on like $200 a month by the done on my social security. month --s make $12 a

my mom can't get about 3/4 of the of medicine she needs and she's had over 18, 19 surgeries in her life. she's been suffering for a long time because they can't afford the medicine. to go to theford doctor. the doctor wants $2,000 retainer in. to get where is the affordability down here in florida? know. what i'd like to and a second quick comment. i caught the florida department in a title 45 violation when they contacted my down in crescent city without my written authorization. had anid that they electronic signature. when i asked them to prove the document for my signature, they not do it. host: thank you so much for calling. guest: i think you raise an interesting point that is still playing out around this country point. that's the whole debate about states and whether they should expand medicaid. states that have an expand medicaid, there are a number of

ofividuals who are sort caught. they can't qualify for medicaid. have strong costs at this point. and there is some concern that the number of uninsured is in states thaty expanded medicaid. so i think that this is still an issue that's playing out significantly. there are some people that are having problems accessing point.ble carat this host: al in powder springs, georgia, on the line for independents. caller: hi. regardf the comments willing people who are so-called probably aren't against healthcare. they're against the affordability of it and all the that come with it. you have this independent payment advisory board that i don't think most people are aware of that's going to be able to decide whether or not you an operation based on your age. know as far as costs go, as

passed, my wife had insurance. the insurance went up 66%. ok? you go in and you look at a persone.gov, if makes $25,000 a year, the was $41 a month with a 1250 deductible. make $60,000 a year, the insurance shot up to right a $5,000 with deductible. affordable.s not basically what it appears to me did, they took the middle class and made them pay .or the poor because everybody's insurance went up based on how much money have, as far as that aca go. independent insurance, my wife's insurance wept up 66% -- went up 66%. deal.n as they made this

problems withof this so-called affordable care act. .t's not affordable people had bills and stuff based on their income. and then you want to tell them you got to pay $1,000 a month a $5,000eople and deductible? they can't do it based on the bills that they already have. thank you. guest: thanks. i do think you raise some good there. on one hand there have been some individuals i've spoken to who plans that were canceled or that they were told would not be affordable. they went on the healthcare.gov site and were able to find plans that cost less. that there's sort of two sides. there also have been people who have had the opposite problem happen. the obamaat administration says that they've tried to be somewhat flexible this. individuals who had plans canc canceled that they could not plan,nother affordable couldn't get an exemption from the penalty. so there are some things that

the obama administration says also trying to do to help people who had problems therding healthcare under the or state exchanges. host: another question from twitter. guest: i personally haven't thinkit had extensively i that there is some argument that it drives down costs. i think there's a number of aspects of the law aimed at costs. down putting payments to certain hospitals that may have tant rates.t that's one area they're trying to reduce costs. there's a number of components the law that are supposed to bring down costs that i think are also overlooked in terms of political debate. for: rita on the line independents. caller: yes. the peoplealk to about all of these immigrants coming in that we're going to

now -- pay for host: rita, our segment right now is on healthcare. did you have a question or the affordable care act? caller: yes. it is not affordable. much aurance is so month. and with a $5,000 deductible, cannot even see a doctor. by the time we pay our get thee, we deductible. how are we going to afford this? i'm in a situation right now i can't even pay my land insurance or i have a choice of paying my land insurance or my land.on my you are draining the middle class. we do not want to pay for people can't afford insurance. tell them to get a job. get two jobs. mye worked two or three jobs whole life! guest: one of the aspects of the affordable care act, according the hope thaters, with the expanded coverage that there will not be so many costs

comes totals when it uncompensated care and that that also will help drive down costs. a point that the proponents are making as a way as well to help make healthcare affordable with the broad and coverage base. island,w port, rhode melanie on the democrats line. melanie? have lost melanie. let's move along. georgia, david is on the line independents. caller: yes. i want to comment on the caller pumping upa that was obama and affordable care act .nd also about boehner what i hear a lot of is we're the only western industrialized doesn't have universal healthcare. is alley're not stating of these other western countri basis 40% your tax plus. put that out there to the people. be on, nobody is going to for that. as far as boehner suing the

what's happened is the president has overreached powers. he's done it so many times he thinks it's normal and it's right. right trackn the about this. affordable care act is going to way too long to get to affordable care. long.o in this economy, it simply is not going to be -- not going to work. simply not going to work. you can say it's here to stay. i don't believe so. guest: i think you raise some good points. this point inat terms of the republicans or the democrats and their debates that is necessarily pushing for a plan like some of the other countries have. really -- the question is, how well is the affordable care act currently working, fact that it had so many technology glitches, and how is it doing for people who coverage? get i think that's where one of the issues is right now, is for

they'reates where having challenges getting people coverage, for those individuals who want it. the can be done to make process a little bit smoother? host: our guest is stephanie armour of "the wall street journal." she covers healthcare. next call, asheville, north carolina millie on the line for independents. caller: good morning. i wonder if you can clear me.thing up for i'm constantly hearing that children can stay on their insurance. does the is that voluntary for parents or mandatory? guest: my understanding is it is a voluntary. some individuals may get insurance because they get employer-covered health plans before age 26 so it is not necessarily something that everybody needs but it is there as an option. host: our topic this morning a simple mentation of the affordable care act.

is stephanie are more of "the wall street host: let's go to a question from twitter. are about 30there million individuals who are and that number is not expected to change in terms ofy between now and 2016, if i understand it, according to the cbo report. these are people who may be in states where they did not expand medicaid, for example. there is political pressure in some states to expand medicaid. there may be some states as well you decide to go with a rolling out the federal health care -- their own state exchanges noted

that is something that is playing out. there are places where they have not expanded medicaid. that is the situation we are in. debbie iston, texas, on the line for republicans. caller: this whole obamacare is just a big farce. they never meant it to really work. we still have not connected to come,rs to confirm in which means we are going on the honor system. that is poitn 1. employee-based insurance from i still do, and across my boss more in taxes and fees and my policy went from 10% to 20% co-pay. those who have insurance are still picking up for those who don't. and the illegals who are coming over are already in the health system. we are giving them free health services now so they don't disease us all here.

we know they will go on obamacare and stated change care or federal exchange and ago care because we are just a humane country could but listen, lady, this thing is a big farce and people better wake up to obama sabotaging our country from the interior. this is not going to work, and never had any plans to work, and i'm one of the people being punished for all of those who are irresponsible in taking care of their own responsibilities. have a good day. guest: thanks so much for your call, i appreciate it very much. there are definitely strong feelings about this issue. this is an issue that people feel passionately for and against sore appreciate you calling and hearing your view. host: tennessee, jerry is also on the line for republicans. caller: i have a question for you.

the affordable care act, when i went to go register for it, it would not allow me to complete my registration unless i purchased a plan. i am a disabled vet in my last your income was $123. still not completely registered. when i tried to call them on their health line, they stalled for an hour and just never come an answer to the phone. originally i tried to register under my wife's name because my wife has no insurance and she has been disabled since 1993 and she has no medicare. when we ran under hers it listed me as being a prisoner in a state of tennessee and no i do correct -- no way to correct that so i decided to register under my name, but when i file healths, the va -- i get care through the v.a. and my wife does not get health care because tennessee opted out of it and i don't understand

how you can have a federal law were some states just say we will opt out of this. say we opted out of the health-care law, we can opt out of this law if they raise federal highway texas, we don't have to do it in our state. guest: thank you so much for calling. if frustration you experienced state to register on the exchange is indicative of problems i'm hearing from a number of people around the country. they say they have gone to the site and they have not gotten an answer, they have been on hold for an hour. a number of states say they have worked to alleviate that, they are trying to make things much smoother especially for the next enrollment period. but the points you raise very much speak to the stories i'm hearing from individuals about the problems they had signing up. some people were improperly put into medicaid. one woman in a catch-22 could not use either of them. you you are here -- what

are speaking to captain to frustration for other people as well. host: mike is on the line for democrats this one. -- this morning. caller: is it you that it is 1.2 million that they cannot verify through the irs, and they believe a lot of them are illegal? guest: not quite. one point 2 -- around that number of applications that have inconsistencies. that could be something as minor as an address that is not quite correct or the spelling on a name. some of those maybe more significant but they are in the process of trying to verify these. the number gets to 1.2 million. concern that some individuals may be getting incorrect subsidies and perhaps owe at taxes and and not be aware of that. about not heard anything these being undocumented workers

or undocumented residents of the united states. host: independents line in california. ifler: i would like to know the congress and the senate are going to be forced into this or can theyare act, get their private insurance. my second question is out of the 6 million people who lost their insurance that they liked before, you have 1.2 who are million,d, you have 8 you know -- didn't we spend about $1 trillion? that is quite a bit of money that the taxpayers are paying for people that are lost their insurance that are in chaos right now. if i could get your comments on that. guest: the obama administration did allow for individuals who had plans canceled to in some

cases buy basic catastrophic plans. they also allow those plants to persist for longer than originally expected. they also provide flex ability on the penalty for individuals who had plans canceled and felt they could not afford another plan. the obama administration says they are trying to do what they can to be flexible for those plans that were canceled for people who had plans that did not fit the minimum essential benefits that were required. host: south carolina. fred is on the line for independents. caller: my question is, to start off with on this thing come it was if you like your dr. you can keep it, if you like your plan, you can keep it, and now if you like the illegal immigrant, you can keep them. the $2500 that he saved us, what did he do with it? we didn't get it. what did fearless leader do without $2500 per family?

where is he spending that money? guest: i'm not sure about the $2500 per family. i do know that one of the goals of the aca, according to the architects of the plan, is to help bring down costs overall in terms of how much is being spent on health care in the united states. i do know that that is one of the goals of the law but i don't know anything in terms of any $2500 specific. you havephanie armour, been following the story of the health care and limitation. what are the next things people should be following? caller: what the states are doing to resolve the problems they have, and the gearing up for the next enrollment period. administration must the market place to run smoothly and want to get additional folks to sign up and there is going to and lot of average going on that will be another thing for people to watch. host: texas. anna is on the democrats line.

my husband has been retired a long time, since 2000. we have government insurance. i retired in 2010. our insurance, even before affordable care act, has gone up a lot. 3 are ins 5 children, college. he can now keep them on his plan until they are 26. my daughter on her job was able to go in and get insurance. in texas the people who are screaming -- rick perry opted out, opted not to take the $300 million in medicaid. that is why we are having so many problems here. our county taxes -- and i was saying to some people, find me some insurance, go to the affordable care act.

when people go to the county for the hospital, to get to the emergency room at the southwestern medical center here, taxpayers -- our county taxes go up. people are just screaming about nothing. if you go to canada -- one man was saying -- my son-in-law used to play cfl football. yes, the insurance is high there, but guess what, at tax time he got a refund back. i think we are a country that is just anything that anyone tries to do for us, we have complaints about. quit complaining. going research the insurance. -- go and research the insurance. you have computers. you can find a plan. if my son and daughter can do it, and they have families, you

can do it, too. the woman -- the lady was screaming about your taxes, you need to call rick perry and greg abbott to ask why they opted out of the $300 million. thet: one of the issues for states that opted out, some of the republicans in the those states have raised the concern wha -- how well they would be able to afford the expansion over time. i think that has been one of the concerns that they have had and they have raised. the democrats obviously have pushed those states to get the expansion. host: california. lynette on the republicans line. caller: yes, i have a question. i know president obama has delayed the employer mandate. if you delay that until after the midterms. now i am wondering if everybody

who has employer-based insurance is going to lose it is they are not government-approved plans. thank you. guest: i don't believe everybody's going to lose it. i don't think that is in the several he would anyone expect to have -- that is necessarily what anyone expects to have happen. we did a delay it for a year and at that point i think it will take and so there is -- there are definitely some employers who are trying to encourage people to look at plans on state marketplaces and exchanges. we may see some more of that shifting happen over time. that is one thing that will be interesting to watch, to see whether that becomes more and more where employers want people to get their health care coverage. host: stephanie armour covers health care for "the wall street journal." thank you for being with us this morning. guest: sure thank you. "ost: our "your money

segment looks at the highway trust fund. first, a news update from c-span radio. >> the israeli military says it found a drone along the country's southern coastline, the first time it has uncovered an unmanned aircraft since the campaign against gaza strip militants began last week. the drone was launched from gaza. hamas claimed it launched several drones at israel without immediately providing details on their missions. withl has charged 3 jews the kidnapping and killing of a palestinian teenager, whose death set off days of a violent protest. a spokesman says that the 3 appear before court today and the suspect admitted to abducting the teenager and setting him on fire. secretary of state john kerry holds sessions today with iran's top diplomats indicated to advance nuclear negotiations. the scheduled talks, day after

secretary kra -- secretary kerry and the foreign ministers of britain, france, and germany failed to reach a breakthrough on uranium enrichment and other issues standing in the way of reaching a deal to curb iran's nuclear program in exchange for the end of nuclear-related sanctions on tehran. those are some of the latest headlines here on c-span radio. at the henry a wallace country life center, which is 50 miles south and west of des moines. this is the birth place home of henry a. wallace. the patriarch was known as uncle henry, and he was the founder of "farmer magazine." his son was u.s. secretary of agriculture under woodrow wilson. henry's son was born on this

farm in 1888. he went on to become editor of "wallace's farmer" magazine and was asked by friendly roosevelt to service secretary or if agriculture -- asked by franklin roosevelt to serve as secretary of agriculture. he was then roosevelt's vice president. as secretary of agriculture, he is known for the agricultural adjustment act, which was the first time that farmers were asked not to produce. people couldn't believe the things he was proposing regarding that, but then as prices went up, they started to listen to him. people still refer to him today as the genius secretary of agriculture. >> explore the history and literary life of des moines, iowa, saturday at noon eastern onbooktv and sunday at 2:00

american history tv on c-span3. >> "washington journal" continues. host: every week at this time on "washington journal" we take a closer look at how your taxpayer dollars are spent. joining us to talk about the highway trust fund is aubrey layne, a board member of the market association of state highway transportation officials as well as the current virginia secretary of transportation. guest: good morning, glad to be here. host: what have you heard, first of all, from lawmakers as to whether or not there will be some resolution over the highway trust fund? guest: we did get a little bit of good news last week. it looks like folks in the house have reached some agreement that there will be a short-term fix, maybe taking us into next spring, which is welcome news. $11 billion. of course, at the state level it is hard to run a program just on short-term fixes. we hope it will reach a

long-term solution. at least there seems to be some action going forward. host: for viewers who may not know, why is the highway trust fund so important and finance so vital from your perspective? guest: i speak from -- i speak for the commonwealth of virginia. constructionhe fund dollars come from the highway trust fund. to the extent that those funds are not available, there is some 350 projects in the commonwealth of virginia that would be impacted, including many bridges, about 150 bridges. we all read in the national newspapers about the deficient bridges we have in this country. our 44 transit programs. and capacity -- new train cars related to those programs would be impacted. it is a significant issue, would have an impact on the traveling is nots life if it funded. planning curious, what

in virginia has been done to prepare for this going either one way and getting funded or one way and not getting funded at the deadline? guest: obviously, we have been watching this very carefully. fortunately, virginia last year passed legislation that increased transportation revenues at the state level, so we have the ability to go 60-90 days without impacting our overall funding program. the that is assuming that we would in fact get reimbursements from the federal highway trust fund. what we are doing is monitoring it. we are putting contingency plans -- a lot of things don't go on in the capital during the august time frame, but it is prime time for instruction projects -- construction projects. we don't want to slow the sound because if we do, those cost us more. is taken we will have to start curtailing our program. from "time"ne

magazine. "the obama administration is stepping up its effort to press congress for additional funds infrastructure projects and with just weeks remaining until the highway trust fund runs dry. will announce new executive actions to promote private-sector infrastructure investment and to help states and municipalities prepare for the impact of time and change on public works." is that good news for you guys? guest: it is good news. it is a long-term solution, if it gets enacted by congress. whatever gets done, there needs to be three major components. one is that it needs to be sustainable. having short-term fixes like we have done since 2008 is difficult for a long-range program. number two, it needs to be multimodal. it is not just highways, it is transit, it is freight. growth needs to be

talked about. that supportsx the trust fund has not been raised in over 25 years. it has lost over 50% of its purchasing power. you combine that with higher mileage, then the states are having a difficult time keeping up with the reimbursement being reduced from the federal highway. it sounds like what the president is looking to do is to address those issues will stop again, congress has. in buthas put a stopgap we need a long-term solution with those parameters. host: our guest is aubrey layne, virginia secretary of transportation. host: first caller is in california. ken is on the democrats line. caller: hi, how are you doing?

my understanding is that this fund -- it would cost $.15 a gallon more for gasoline to bring it up to par. you know, that is a small price to pay, especially where i live. the highways are so essential for getting people to be able to move around. bridgeu have -- if one goes out or something, we are in great, great big trouble. i'm sure it is like that across the country, where the arterial systems are getting so run down that it is actually -- you are the $.15re money than a gallon you would be paying to pay for alignments, tire damage, everything else that is going on. i think people need to know that, that not only does this create jobs and increase , and i don't see

where the hangup is on this at all. guest: ken, i have heard different estimates, whether it is $.15 -- that made just get us up to what we need to fund our current needs. but i do agree with you that the transportation impacts all our lives. it is not only a quality-of-life issue, but during this past winter, the commonwealth of virginia experienced many weather-related storms will stop fortunately, our rail was working when the highways were blocked. it also helped us in terms of dealing with those major disasters. the commonwealth of virginia also has major defense installations, and they have told us that not just the quality of life for their personnel but also their readiness function is impacted by congestion mitigation and the condition of our highways. i see it as a core function of

government. i believe the federal government has a role in this, from our toliest laws in this country support transportation, because it underpins our economy and way of life and therefore many of our freedoms. i do see it as a core function an our legislators will see it that way, too. tennessee up is al in come independents line. caller: i appreciate you taking my call. there is a misnomer here, it is called the trust fund. i'm working on this the same way as the social security trust fund and the trust fund that was supposed to upgrade the aviation system in this country. you are taking money from the taxpayer and they called the trust fund for certain purpose, and then they spend at least part of the money on things that are not in the charter for that fund. social security is the biggest one. but i would like this gentle man

to respond to the arguments being made to spend trust fund money that is supposed to go to highways for other things. and where did the $800 billion go for the shovel ready jobs that were supposed to fix highways that never got done? guest: well, a couple things there. i agree that the trust fund should be used for transportation. in fact, the commonwealth of virginia last year passed new legislation along with our revenue generation that restricted with the moneys could be used for, instead of a lockbox. in addition to just taking moneys out of the fund, sometimes other things aren't funded because they say "you have got money for transportation now." i agree 100% that the money should be is totally for what they were elected for. having said that, i also realize that money alone is not the answer. we have got to be good fiscal

stewards. again, the commonwealth of virginia this past year, governor mcauliffe asked me to work with the leadership in the house and senate, and we passed a law that prioritizes projects and gives the taxpayer a view as to what their return will be. i am 100% behind you that these moneys should be used for the specific purpose to which they were collected. you are right, i served on the commonwealth transportation board last few years when we had these projects that were being shovel ready, and i think some of the moneys were not used wisely because we haven't had reimbursements on the trust fund since 20,008 in a sustained -- since 2008 in a sustainable manner, and therefore a lot of our weren't developed and a lot of the money went to paving roads that did not need to be paid. that is why it needs to be sustainable so that we can plan for it. but i could not agree more that

we need to be good fiscal stewards in addition to making sure that we are putting the money on the right projects. host: i want to talk about that sustainability a little bit could use it repeatedly that you need something more than the short-term path, one of the proposals loading around in congress right now. getting ahe odds of six-year deal for the trust fund? guest: you are right, since 2008 when the trust fund started having these difficulties, there have been general fund appropriations but across, $50 billion. again, that is helpful. but many of these projects in the commonwealth of virginia and across our nation are multibillion dollars. environmental work alone takes years to plan, to go through. we would like to invest with our public -- excuse me, our private investors. but they need to make sure that there are dollars on these projects in that. without a sustainable program that we know moneys will be

coming in each month, that we can count on, it is hard to look more than a few months out into the future and that is no way to run any kind of program, particularly an infrastructure program with these long lead times. do you think that is actually going to happen? guest: i am an optimist, i hope that will happen.it has not been congress ry since 2008 and right now there seems to be a consensus to take us into may or spring of next year. but until we come to grips with that these are long-term problems that require investment -- a recent study just came out showing that america is now ranked 20th in infrastructure -- or 14th overall in infrastructure, 20th and roads, of nations across the globe could that is no way for us to be a leader. in our economy or in the world. and urgesk congress

them to come to grips with the fact that this is a core function of government, and it underpins our economy and competitiveness. host: speaking of competitiveness, we were looking at a reporter from the american society of civil engineers and they rank america's d+.astructure at why is america falling behind, and if it continues to do so what is the cost? guest: the 1950's and 1960's, the last really big infrastructure projects -- highways. a lot of it has to do with the political environment we are in. we understand that there are issues at the federal level as deal with the economic crisis and debt levels. infrastructure spending is

lumped in, unfortunately, with the 15 percent or so of total discretionary.s many of the issues we face are not discretionary spending. when you are looking for offsets in that small piece, there is so much to get to. it gets back to not necessarily being just financial. it is a political problem. we need to find the political will to invest in our future. i believe, as many of our politicians and leaders do, that america's best days are ahead of us, but only if we invest in it, and infrastructure spending is that he be a big part in it, so we have got you find the political will to do so. host: missouri. delano is on the line for democrats. caller: thank you very much for c-span. i want to make a comment to your listeners. i got on google, and according to the transportation secretary, 40% of our fuel tax -- federal fuel tax money goes to washington, d.c.

it doesn't go in for roads and bridges, it goes to washington, d.c. for earmarks. that is my comment, and i hope people are listening. thank you very much. guest: there are parts of the federal highway trust fund moneys that are called flex moneys, that can be used other than i was -- highways. but they have to be competitively bid and they are still on transportation projects. as i said in the opening here, i believe the transportation program needs to be multimodal. transit is becoming a bigger part of our transportation network. there are alternative methods -- bicycles, pedestrian walkways. they are all becoming part of our network. that needs to be recognized. whi -- what we should use our transportation dollars for the purpose of getting people to and

from their jobs, making them more mobile, not specifically picking a project to say this is what transportation should be, the end result. the previous transportation law started going down the path of measuring the impact and effectiveness of those laws. we have done the same in virginia on individual projects. yes, some of the moneys are used for other things other than highways. i don't necessarily think they are earmarks, but they are programs that are allowed to be used and competitive in the -- competitively looked at. host: correct me if i am wrong, by is mostly funded diesel and gasoline gases. guest: i think there are multiple ways. you are correct, right now it is through the federal fuel tax, which is 18.4 cents. it hasn't been changed in 25 years. i can tell you what we did in the commonwealth of virginia.

in order to make that tax float with economic activity, we have converted from cents per gallon to percentage per gallon, a sales tax at the wholesale level. the price of gasoline or economic activity changes, more taxes are collected to keep up with inflation. that is one thing that can be done. i started this conversation by saying that it is a production of government. we recognize that -- it is a core function of government. we recognize that in virginia and general fund sales taxes were also used to supplement. our private sector can be a part. we use public-private partnerships. 15% of our procurement in the commonwealth of virginia is related to those types of partnerships. instead of looking at it as a one silver bullet, programmatic approach needs to be taken a look at. i don't think there is one single thing. we recognize that in the commonwealth of virginia and we need to recognize that as a nation. host: north carolina. mike is on the democrats lien.

-- line. caller: yes, good morning. i want to make a, that presently we are paying $1.50 to two dollars more on fuel than what it should be if there was a regulatory board. taxes are getting ready to be increased for the public on gas and yet we have yet to put in royalties on the petroleum companies drilling on public waters. international it is just another case of more, more, more, more. you'll will never have enough committee will never taken off from the public -- you will never have enough, you will never taken off from the public, and will committees will never pay their responsibility in texas. it is really a pretty tragic situation, and the whole government is run by the oil and gas and energy industry, and

people are going down the drain. guest: well, your comment regarding the rise of gasoline -- the price of gasoline, we have found the opposite of that being true in the commonwealth of virginia. when our law was passed a year ago it changed from cents per gallon to wholesale tax per gallon. s -- it was 60% more per gallon than it is today. so actually it has dropped. when you inflation adjust the price of gasoline, it has not kept up with inflation now. i'm not saying it should be more or less. i'm just looking at the strip what is happened -- the history of what has happened in the commonwealth since we put in this legislation. i believe in looking for alternative sources and whatever this country should do in terms of becoming energy independent is something that needs to be looked at, but that is a policy that needs to be studied and how it impacts the environment and what have you.

i would ask us to look at how we are collecting this and make sure it keeps growth with what is going on with economic activity and needs. host: republicans line. tom in illinois. caller: yes, hello. i'm on the highway and bridge committee for hancock county. out there we keep getting less money, we keep getting more mandates put on us by the state. one of the things that just happened the last couple years, for every bridge we replace we have to pay a $10,000 epa fee so that they can come out and look and they don't do anything, they don't do anything at all, we just paid the $10,000 fee. the other things that we have to pay prevailing wage all the time, which makes the bidding thing always in the union realm, which is always higher. you can't get away from rules. you have so many roles that it

costs us so much money for some taxes more for more revenue to take care of these things. you are doing so much to make jobs and a lot of these jobs aren't needed, and that is my comment. guest: i understand exactly what you are speaking of good i mentioned early that the environmental process of a major project may take several years. looking at ways how we can streamline that process pocketed doing to protect the environment, i think -- while continuing to protect the american, i think that is key to keep in mind. but there should be ways to cut through that to make sure that the dollars we are collecting are really for these projects that are -- that we are good fiduciaries. that is one of the things in the commonwealth that we are looking out, how we do that working with our environmental partners, working with our federal and other agencies, but to stream my through -- i know the current administration, secretary foxx has put out some ideas of how to

do that. we are looking at that from the commonwealth of virginia's perspective and we want to make sure we are in this prototype programs, because if we can reduce the amount from when these projects started, it obviously saves us money. it is a better use and that for our taxpayers. -- better for our taxpayers. host: chicago, illinois. charlotte on the democrats line. caller: thank you for taking my call. i love c-span. first of all, i am ok with paying more money for gas if it is used for this purpose. the way gas prices fluctuate anyway, we can go -- right now in chicago, or the suburbs of chicago, we are paying $3.50, depending on where you buy your gas, which is great compared to what it has been lately. but tomorrow it could be $3.80.

two or three weeks from now to could be $3.95. it fluctuates so much that it almost to me doesn't even matter. if i thought that some of that price was going to help highways, i would be happy. i have a newer car, and driving down roads, i feel right now that the roads are not in good condition because last winter -- because of the last winter we had. it is really concerned. the little bit that you are paying more in gas it is supporting transportation across the country, i think it is really a good thing. and i also feel that we probably do need more regulators. the cry for smaller government -- i think it is very shortsighted when we say "oh, we want smaller government, less regulation." however, in the case like this if we had more regulators we

could be more confident that the money we're spending is being used appropriately. i just feel it would benefit so and areas of the country, in particular we would feel as we drive across the country that it is safer for all our citizens. guest: in the commonwealth of virginia governor mcauliffe has made clear that we will be good stewards of the taxpayers money. we hear a lot of exactly what you are saying, that people are willing to pay for investment as long as they can make sure that it is being used on what the moneys are collected for. very, very much agree with that statement, and we take it not only in actions but we passed laws to make sure that that becomes reality. in terms of the condition of the roads, you are right, it is not a static thing. this year we had a very, very tough winter in virginia.

that cost us additional money not only in moving the snow but now in repairing the roadways to keep them open for commerce. again, and this is not something that you spend on once and don't have to keep up. to new construction, maintaining our current system is just as important. we agree with you because it is so integral to our lives as a traveling public. host: aubrey layne, a question from twitter. guest: well, that wasn't the case in the commonwealth of virginia. we were at 17.5 cents a gallon, very close to the federal gas year. until last it has converted to 3.5% on the wholesale, and that was roughly the equivalent of 17.5 cents the price of gas at the time it was

sent. -- the time it was done. virginia, i will just say this, at that time ranked in the bottom 10% of collections, and we had the third-largest road network. i know other states are higher interim -- and in terms of my experience in the commonwealth we are in a total of about $.40 per gallon, less than $.40. i'm sure that changes around the country in that regard. but hopefully states are looking at what their needs are and basing their tax on what that is , because as important as it is to us to do the infrastructure, we shouldn't be taking more taxes that we are not using my sleep. -- not using my sleep. -- not using wisely. host: henry on the republicans line. caller: how you doing? good morning, c-span. host: morning. guest: morning. caller: i would like to see --

and the louisiana we have the third largest refinery in the world, and i think texas and louisiana should -- the citizens should have some of the cheapest gas, along with infrastructure. but what i find is that when you -- the governor here refuses everything with the federal government assisting him with. so there is a political thing i see from highways to even this affordable health care, which we can't even get here. it is something where is the you have a do-nothing congress -- aere as though you have do-nothing congress, shut the government down, and for us to try to get something done for these taxpayers in this country, you are going to have that cloud, that dark cloud to shut

the country down for us not to get anything done. once we can get together with the senate and the congress and have them pass legislation to get things done, we are not going to ever get anything done. we right now i see that if can just as a whole get together and pass some kind of laws to help this country, we will find that things will get done, and you see as far as the infrastructure, like i said, the state of louisiana, we refine and texas refine and we should have the cheapest taxes on gas, but we don't get together. thes like everything southern states really try to do to refuse the help that is

coming here, it's like, like you said, all political. and i hate to say it, and i will say on this air -- if we didn't have a black president we wouldn't have all those problems that -- guest: well, i do agree that it requires all levels of government working together. the federal, state, and local levels are all involved in transportation infrastructure funding. together, if we work the more efficient we are going to be and the more fiduciary responsibile we will be to our citizens. it is estimated we have over $1 trillion in this country of transportation infrastructure that needs to be addressed, and that grows every year the longer we put this off. it is both at the federal, state, and local level we are going to have to work on those as we coordinate across not only

commonwealths but across our country. our citizens are very mobile and they move across all those boundaries freely. that is one of the things that is great about our democracy, and i started the conversation saying that i believe that transportation underpins some of our very basic freedoms and way of life. host: our guest is aubrey layne of the american association of state highway and transportation officials, also the virginia secretary of transportation. next call is johnny in west chester, pennsylvania, republicans line. caller: yeah, i hear everybody thatshington recognizing we have to do something with the infrastructure. and it will improve the employment situation and get the country back on track. but i don't hear anybody in washington saying it's time to

reinstate the 34% corporate tax, which has cost us about $7 and adds to all of our problems, where there is not money for the v.a., not money to defend ourselves. and it is long overdue. 2008.pped in 2006 or .t has cost is a disaster -- caused a disaster. and it is time for people in washington to reinstate a 34% fororate tax and use it rebuilding the infrastructure around the country. n'tst: well, we have talk about that yet, but i do believe that infrastructure funding doesn't support jobs cross our nation -- does support

jobs across our nation. in the state of virginia, 43,000 jobs are supported, over 600,000 across the nation. it is important to our economy in that regard. i believems -- again, it is going to take all of us working together in both the state, federal, and local government. i believe the private sector can play a big part in this, as we work together and we should increase other jobs across our nation and across other disciplines. host: let's go to an e-mail question now. guest: well, as i said, there are various ways for it to be looked at. traditionally gas taxes have

been considered user fees. with electric or hybrid vehicles, that is part of the problem that we are not collecting as much of the taxes. not a problem because they are protecting the environment, but a problem in terms of tax electio -- tax collection. there are other things looked at -- in vehicle miles traveled, where you pay for the miles you have driven. you can do that through a flat fee, you can do that on an odometer type of thing. you can certainly do that through gps. of course, there are privacy issues with that and i understand those. by sayingy i started that there is not one silver bullet, there is not one answer. but what should be looked at is a program that should be fitted to what you are trying to pus -- trying to acorn -- accomplish. host: denver, colorado. jan is on the line for independents. caller: good morning. guest: morning.

caller: i know the roads are a lot of -- what, transportation debts is talking about, but i think if anything should bring the people together to realize is isd the infrastructure the fact that the ceiling fell down around the congressman's head last week, national treasures that belong to the people are being neglected. they are falling down around us. and everyone knows that these things are happening. no one wants to vote the money to fix it. -- fix congress' building because they are afraid they are more concerned -- they will look like they are more concerned about themselves than the people. .ut our roads are getting worse

the weather is changing and people are having floods and fire problems. here in colorado the roads, a lot of them can't stand the washout happen -- that is happening as the flooding occurs once the trees are gone, the , havings, floods continual problems with our highways. and small towns are being isolated at times, where people can't even get to them. it is really concerning. i think people should pay a lot more attention to that. thank you. i will listen to your answer -- course, speaking about transportation infrastructure, but there is no doubt we have other infrastructure needs across this nation. we are dealing with that in the commonwealth of virginia through our public-private partnership act.

but expanded it outside of transportation, looking at how we can do it across other disciplines. i note senator warner -- i know senator warner has recently introduced legislation which allows for different financing thes that would be at option of not only governments but private partners looking at how we finance transportation and other infrastructure. i could not agree more that infrastructure spending needs to be viewed as an investment, not , butas another cost investing in america's future. host: michael is on the line for independents. caller: thank you. mr. layne, i have 2 questions. the first would be regarding the davis-they can act. i am 63, and there was a dam in idaho and i have several friends in the construction industry. it took normally in idaho at the time was a six dollars an hour

minimum and they were getting $18 an hour to work on that dam. obviously, it is very good for them, but how do they figure good for the whole nation when they pay three times wages? i don't understand it. there have been four acts passed since 1931, and davis-bacon. -- youing is raising have got to be good stewards, spending money wisely. that is my first question. the second question would be, in the 1960's, diesel fuel was cheap. the only ones that used it were semis. and the big but then automobiles, the smaller vehicles started using it and they started raising the price of diesel to where it is more than gasoline but it takes less refinement and

expense to make these. taxuld like to know why the on diesel is raising the price of it more than just gasoline. guest: i will take your first question. in terms of wages, the commonwealth of virginia is a right to work state, although many of our federal contracts do have the guidelines of davis-bacon in there. we have done studies that looked at the silver line here in northern virginia where those contracts have not given rise or acts have not given rise to specific contracts costing more. many of those are done on a competitively bid aces that regard. -- basis in that regard. the jury is out as to whether or not the benefits of having these acts are outweighed -- outweigh the perceived notion that maybe it is costing more.

we have not seen that experienced significantly in the commonwealth. in terms of diesel fuel, that is a very good point. there is probably less being goesed and i think that into some of the reasons for the price of it. in virginia we are looking at the tax on diesel fuel. it is more than the gasoline tax . it was done that way to begin with because it was revenue neutral. if you look at cents per gallon. but that is something we will look at and i'm sure our legislature will take a look at, making sure we are incentivizing fuels for using possible -- fossil fuels that are less powerful to our environment. this year governor mcauliffe reduced the fee was associated with the hybrid tax on -- for using the roads, because we don't want to be seen as just incentivizing those people who are trying to protect the

environment. host: we have a virginia caller for you. tim is in alexandria on the republican line. caller: thank you for c-span. mr. secretary, how often do you practice your plan for evacuation? as a northern virginia and, i remember vividly when the hurricane was approaching houston, texas several years ago and they reversed all direction on the interstate, roadways, and it was a disaster. when the next big storm, or strike hits the metropolitan washington area, how are you going to move all the people moving southbound or west or east or away from washington? the other question, quickly come is just a springboard on the other gentleman about best value for your spending dollar. it is pretty well-known that

concrete as a building structure is more sustainable and more long-lasting than laptop acyl -- blacktop asphalt. do you factor that into your roadwork in the commonwealth? thank you very much. guest: sure, thank you for the question. becamethe first things i acquainted with becoming secretary of transportation was the process that we had to do with natural and other disasters. as we mentioned, we had five snowstorms and i quickly got involved into how we keep the roads clear and keep people safe during that time. mcauliffe very early in his administration convened a roundtable, tabletop setting where we look at evacuation planning. this happened to be from hampton roads but it could be from northern virginia also, and we became very concerned as a cabinet, the governor specifically concerned that what

was planned may not actually work. so to answer your question, i don't think any of the evacuation has ever been practiced in full. we certainly look at it each year. governor mcauliffe has convened a committee which i serve on of publictary moran safety and we're looking at how we can better do that. one of the big areas that is being inserted is lane reversal. us,state to the south of north carolina, used to have that plan and they have gotten away from lane reversal. we are taking a look at it now in the commonwealth. but a very, very good point, nothing is more important to us than the safety of our citizens and being able to evacuate them. in northern virginia's case, at least we do have rail, we have a couple different options we can do. but good point, tim, and we're working on that. in terms of asphalt versus concrete, depending on which on

tractors convention -- contract ors convention i am and i will have to be careful with my answer, but we have to look at the lifecycle. what is the cost of replacing the infrastructure, what it will also to maintain over its life. quite frankly we have found in many cases they are not the same, so we look at concrete, we look at asphalt, we look at the lifecycle and try to make a very good decision, monetary decision, based on those factors. host: unfortunately, we have got to leave it there. aubrey layne is a board member for the market association of state highway and transportation officials as well as virginia secretary of transportation. thank you for being with us this morning. guest: thank you for having me today. host: please join us again tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. eastern. have a great rest of your morning. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute]

>> a look at some of our live coverage today. dicking at noon eastern, cheney, live on c-span2. areressman this week, we also covering several hearings today. coming up at 5:00 p.m. eastern today, a house rules committee roadseet to talk about and transportation projects. atight on c-span2 starting 7:30, the house veterans affairs committee will meet and hold a series of meetings.