a host: > the work left for congress before the economies break. host: good morning. welcome to the "washington journal." after huddling with rank and file yesterday, house republican leaders announced they would avoid a government shutdown over president obama's executive action on immigration. we begin with your thoughts, republicans 202-7418-8001. democrats 202-7 now, 8-8000. independent, 202-7418-8002. send us a tweet@c-span or go to facebook.c facebook.com/c-span and e-mail

us: journal@c-span.org. we want to show you what the speaker of the house had to say yesterday talking to reporters about the options that republicans have on immigration. host: . host: /* this is a serious breach of constitution, to our system of government. frankly, we have limited options, limited abilities to deal with it directly. but that's why we are continuing to talk to our members. we have not made decisions about how we are going to proceed. host: speaker of the house speaking about the occasions they have. joining us is mike willis, a staff writer with "the hill newspaper." mike, what is the plan right now? caller: he said he hasn't decided on anything concrete. the thing they are leaning

towards is a two-step process, and it would be two separate bills. the first would address the immigration executive order directly. this is a conservative bill that would basically say it could exempt people from deportation. host: that's a symbolic measure because the senate is controlled by the democrats and harry reid said he is not going bring it up. even the sponsor acknowledges that wouldn't go anywhere. the idea is that it would allow conservatives to vent. they could push back against obama's executive order and wouldn't get in the way of the funding battle. the second part -- host: before you go on, when would that happen? when would that vote happen? caller: as early as thursday, tomorrow. again, they haven't designcided whether or not that would come up for a vote. host: this one, as you said, largest because senate democrats are not going to take it to the floor. what follows after that?

caller: after that, you go to the spending bill. of course, there are many conservatives who want to fight the immigration order in the funding bill this month. host: that's something that boehner does not want to do. host: that's the thing that could really pose a threat to the -- to government funding and could set up a sdhount, which issing exactly what they do not want. it hurt them politically last year and they don't want to do that again. particularly after an enormous election victory in november. so they set up what they would do is fund 11 appropriations bills for a year through september of next year. and then they would have a separate measure, a separate sliver that would fund department of homeland security only until sometime in march. what that would do, it would set up the funding fight on the immigration issue when republicans would come back with control of the senate and more seats in the house. of course, the department of

homeland security is the agency that would oversee the executive order changes. host: mike willis action to bedeler, what republicans would be voting for in the house is to fund the president's executive, but only until march, and then they would take it up again? caller: that's it. and you bring up a good point because there are a lot of conservatives. i say a lot. there are at least a dozen conservatives who yesterday said, there is no way we are going to vote for something that they consider unconstitutional even for a day, let alone for three months. so there is some opposition to obtain's plan. we just don't know how large it is. host: that's something that boehner, the republican leaders are doing right now is counting votes, trying to see if they are going to need democratic votes which action, of course, they don't want in this case. host: and could they get them? guest: that's unclear. nancy pelosi said last week, here? put out a statement and said we are not going to play this shutdown game. she called it a national

security threat. if you only wanted to fund the department of homeland ut security, it's a threat to national security. she didn't say no. she is not on the record say that but all signs are she opposes it. steny hoyer said that he is up in the air, that he won't say until he sees the bill. he left himself wide open. senator harry reid surprised a lot of people and came out and said, i could do that. i can vote for that bill. i think that that makes progress. a big accomplish is what he called it. so, if it gets over to the senate in that form, the idea is that it would probably pass. the question is: would boehner need the democratic votes in the house? and if he does, would nancy pelosi supply them? host: the up in the air question. host: so then, what happens? that gets them -- that brings the gavel down on the 113th congress. and then what happens next?

guest: then they come back and the republicans have much more power in the next congress, they can push back against the immigration order, not only in the funding bill coming up in march, but there is also a push to expand the house lawsuit against the white house. right now, it's focused on obamacare but they want to expand it to immigration. they want to take the executive order to the courts. you know, there is a big question about whether the bhs which overseas the changes to the executive order but is an agency that's funded by appropriations. but the little sliver of agencies that would implement the executive order changes is funded by fees from immigration applicants. so there is a big question about whether even through the power of the purse they would have any chance of curtailing the executive changes because congress doesn't control that little sliver agency directly. a lot of questions in the air, a

lot of legal scholars are weighing in, and a lot of disagreement there about what boehner can do, what power he can do. he said host: himself, our options are limited. you know, they are scratching their heads about this thing, and it may be what they have to do is legislate. maybe what they have to do is come back and move immigration reform which actually, mitch mcconnell said yesterday he is interested in doing. host: mike willis with t"the hill," we appreciate it. what are your shots on no shutdown on over immigration? and the house leadership coming up with a two-part plan. the first would be to vote as early as tomorrow on the house floor on a largely symbolic bill that would say that the president's executive action is unconstitutional, and then the second part would be to go ahead and fund the government, most of the government, through september of 2015 but not the homeland security department, and the president's executive action.

they would still fund it but only until about mid march. vivian in queen city, texas, a democratic caller, vivian, you are up first. go ahead. caller: hi. i am calling because i heard the gentleman talking about no shutdown. i think that that is great that the republicans have coughed up enough money by shutting the down the government. i am in ted cruz's part of the country, part of the state. i do not like what he is doing. i do not like what the texas government is doing. as far as the republicans, we've got most republicans in texas. they have ruined our government. they have divided it. we need to get together. the only way anybody can take advantage of you outside of your country is if you are divided,

and we are so divided right now, and it's basically because of the republicans, and it's basically because of race, because the president is black, they will not fund anything. they will not try to do anything that will make him look good. host: okay. vivians argue this is a matter of the constitution and they feel what the president has done violates that. jay, in southernerton, pennsylvania, a republican. what do you think? caller: hello, gretta. i wanted to say that i saw something in the local paper in bucks counts e, pennsylvania that remilded me of something. presidents have acted alone before. in 1916, woodrow wilson was told about some blood shed on the southern border and sent 5,000

troops to secure the southern border and 7th jalvary remained on the border securing every square inch. ineisenhower had a joint force that removed tens of thousands of illegal aliens by force in 1953 to the americans peoples, you know, applause. they liked ike. i wish we would frank this environmentally. we have 320 million people here okay. through legal and illegal immigration and chain migration, we will have a nation of about 4160 million people by 2050 or 2060. and democrats talk about overcrowded schools. you talk about global warming. you talk about clean water and

open space. you are kind of schizophrenic when it comes to this issue. at least the republican party is trying to stop this and return to insanity of asimilation. we need a halt on all migration. we need to reverse legal migration back to about 150,000 people a year for the next 40 years. host: do you agree with the republican leadership and the house? in order to avoid any sort of government shutdown, they have decided to go ahead and fund the president's executive action but only in the short-term, for three months and then hell return to it in march. do you think that's a good strategy? caller: no. i don't think so. neocons. george bush was no better than barack obama. they have fallen into the idea that you have to accept

multi-lingualism. somebody should have the courage to articulate that every single group has had halts on their migration to assimilate them. there is no pour weekan caucus. greta, you may be german like me. there is no german caucus. there is no italian caucus. there is no irish voting blocks anymore. hispanics have to play their part, asimlay late and it's a 2-way street. host: jack, i will leave it there. "the daily caller" has this headline, boehner retreats on amnesty. host: that's what they are calling this plan that the speaker of the house unveiled yesterday after huddling behind closed doors with rank and file. politico this morning has this headline: pelosi bail-out is the question. house g.o.p.s deal to keep the government open may fall apart without democratic votes.

t "the hill" newspaper as we told you reporting that the leader of the democrats and the senate, senator harry reid backed this plan by the speaker in order to avoid a government shutdown. so, he said, okay. if you are going to fund homeland security in the short-term, that's -- that they would be open to that over on the senate side. bill in springdale arkansas, independent caller. hi, bill. caller: good morning. host: what do you think of this? caller: i think the same thing about all of it. i don't think we are being represented in washington. and the reason we are not being represe representative. and you have had some alleged representatives here the people in the country seem to act like they want to laugh at them. they don't have to represent you because you are just a person with a social security number. if you have a social security numb number, you are not a free

person and you are obliged to the government. you are telling the government you can'tal take care of yourself when you are older. you stop being a state citizen. you become award of the federal government. host: ken in tacoma, washington, democratic caller. what do you think about this plan in the from the house republicans? caller: the thing it seems to me is that we have -- we had a reporter taking calls and he mentioned that there were about a dozen. he said conservatives that were adamantly against supporting this because they felt that it went against the constitution. it's homeland security. i believe that this just demonstrates a political play. i think that doing that is justno not supporting what's best for this country. and that has me concerned. host: okay. what do you mean? because putting the country at risk by not having a year-long

funding for homeland security? caller: exactly. i mean they have a number of departments that, you know, that if they want to do this, they cannot supporting fundingwise but they have chosen homeland security because it's tied in to the immigration problem that's being addressed here this is to me an area that just shouldn't be tampered with in my opinion. i don't know exactly what all would come out of that, but it will only be supported until march and then it's just going to be debate over if i can have my way from the left versus if i can have my way from the right. and it's all coming at the cost of homeland security. and homeland security doesn't just encompass the immigration problem but it encompasses a wide variety of things, all of which is very important to the citizens of this country. host: ken, we will take a listen to jeh johnson had to

say. he brought up this very issue: that is in judgment a very bad idea for homeland security, because during that period of a cr, we cannot engage in new starts. we've got some homeland security priorities that need to be funded now. for example, we are back in a presidential election cycle. i cannot higher new secret service agents until i get an appropriations bill passed by this congress. not another cr for a couple of months. i cannot continue to fund our enhanced detention capability in texas with another cr that gets me to march. i need the help of congress to support and build upon border security, which i believe all of you support. so, i am urging that we act on our current appropriations request now for the -- for the purpose and for

the sake of border security and homeland security. host: the secretary of homeland security yesterday on capitol hill. if you missed it, go to c-span.org. talking there about the risk of not giving his agency funding through the entire year of 2015. on capitol hill, geoff sessions who could be the incoming chairman of the senate budget committee tweeted this out: that the current house plan does not fulfill promise to voters on executive amnesty. he is not backing what house republican leaders would like to do over immigration. john fleming, another republican saying we cannot give senate democrats a pass on executive amnesty and, also, steve king who was on our show yesterday, republican of iowa, he's sweeting at jake sherman, the politico reporter, that i will vote no on any appropriations bill that includes dhs funding

but fails to strip money from obama's amnesty. apparently politico him misquoted. stenningny hoy year said i told press i will continue to urge g.o.p. leaders to pass an omnibus that funds the entire government so we can maintain confidence our economy. host: and it cost our economy 241 billion. now hearing talks, they may be back for seconds. unbelievable. house g.o.p. leaders saying yesterday they want to avoid a government shutdown and so they have come up with a plan that would be first a symbolic vote on president obama's executive action saying that it's unconstitutional, won't go anywhere because the senate democrats won't bring it up. second, they will follow that up with a funding bill that will keep the government running and most of it's agencies through september of 2013 but a short

term bill for the homeland security department. so they will fund president obama's executive action but only in the short-term and they will revisit it in march. host: that's the plan that they have. they are counting votes right now, and we will see where it all shakes out. gary in cleveland, ohio, republican. we turn to all of you. what do you think, gary? host: i think that this, first of all, the government sdhount is a misnomer. they are not going to shut the whole government down. the fact that the republicans are to blame for the shutdown last time, didn't they win by a landslide victory four weeks ago? so that i just don't see that even if they do shut it down, so to speak, would harm the republican party. second of all, i am really tired of both parties acting on their own behalf. as far as the immigration is concerned, i think that most of the -- the immigrants will

gobble up a lot of state taxpayers' money. they are going to take a lot of state -- going to get a lot of statewell and medical aid from the states. they are going to gobble up a lot of the jobs in the service industry that americans will work at. and i just need our borders to be protected. host: that's all. host: okay. gabe agree well in buckley, washington, independent. gabriel, go ahead. caller: yes. i stand behind mr. -- the president on the immigration. web having trouble with immigration for the last 30 years. nobody has done anything about it. apparently, we have forgotten that the land and everything that's been worked on, from the potatoes to the packing shed did to workers in hotels are all immigrants. up, i started as a farm worker, myself. i moved to california to get a better job, from $2.isn't, i

went to $25 an hour and $50 an hour and all-star, i think it was the republicans who cut the hours from 40 so they wouldn't have to pay for our insurance. now, we are suffering ever since then. if you are going to start with our sister country, which is mexico, the united states is going to suffer a lot. host: caller: because you are connected to brazil. if you attack mexico, you attack argentina. host: the lil reporting, g.o.p. lawmakers say there are 12 or 13 members who think impeachment is possible. they said 12 or 14 of his colleagues think it would be possible to i am paetsch the president over his immigration executive order. i have been saying in my district, when you award someone that's committed a crime, you, as that individual, if there is

an impeachment was authorized by those who developed the constitution. host: that's what you should consider says walter jones. he lamented nobody wants to talk even about impeachment saying he doesn't find the subject appealing either but that it may be the only way to halt the action to defer millions of deportations. leon, democratic caller in florida. caller: hi, there. my thoughts are congress is supposed to make the laws. the executive branch is suppose to enforce the laws. congress has allowed the executive branch not to enforce the laws. we have himgration reform for the past 30 years, all kind of laws that our congress has allowed the president to pick and choose which laws he wants to enforce and now, we have all of these problems because of the fact that congress didn't do what they are supposed to do and we've got an executive branch

that picks and chooses laws that they can enforce? host: crazy. host: leon, what's the solution then? caller: the solution is congress needs to start making the laws that they are supposed to. why do we have branches like apa setting up fines and stuff on people without representation of the people. congress is allowing them to make the different branches of the executive, all of the little power groups, to make laws, apa and all of that kind of crap. it's terrible. host: okay. all right, leon. well, on this issue of immigration and passing legislation, the president says i have to act because congress has not. u.s. "u.s.a. today," the headline is "not a lot of options." as we told you. they will say house home land

security said his panel will take up a am bill when the necessary congress con veeningz. house g.o.p. leaders never brought it to a vote. host: could happen in this next congress. on this plan that republican leaders are floating to fund the immigration bill to, to fund the immigration agency in the short-term but reconsider it in march, this is what "wall street journal" is reporting this morning on the white house. it says the white house spokesperson declined to say whether the president would sign a bill that didn't disappointed funneled for a full year. there are a number of proposals discussed. not an outright veto plan from house republicans. as welerred earlier, ifvans a -

can do it without house democratic votes. we will go to janice. an independent. good morning to you. independent caller in maryland? one last call here for janice. all right. let me try to move on here we will go to shelton in canon lake, texas, a republican caller. hi, there, there. caller: good morning. host: go ahead caller: anything we can do to stop obama's anti-stupidity. the caller like the first one who never tells the truth about anything, i don't care if people like her and obama and the independent lose her because i hired illegal aliens when i was an employer.

host: okay. are you still there? okay. we lost him. let me hoff on janice in odonton, maryland. you are on the air. ca i don't think we have janice. we have new phone lines as you know. let me give them to you. . we will get back to your calls here in just a minute. but let me give you some other news that's in the papers this morning. "washington post" this morning has this headline: obama picks carter to lead the defense department. as we told you yesterday, ashton carter is a physicist and a medieval scholar and he is expected to be president obama's nominee folead the pentagon and replace defense secretary chuck hagel. in the washington times reports this morning that along with a

deep resume, the 60-year-old pennsylvania native would bring some baggage to the job. mr. carter needed a special waiver to join the pentagon back in 2009 because of his history of work in the defense contracting industry. one of more than 40 high-rankingling appointees, the obama administration gave a waiver to allow them to serve in government in spite of the president's promise to halt the revolving door between federal employees and special interest groups. and the washington post reporting this morning on the nominee that he has gotten praise up on capitol hill. here is a quote: great, very highly qualified, says carl levin of michigan the current chairman of the armed service committee senator yon mccain who will replace levin called carter a non-controversial choice. both senators said they have yet to receive formal notification from the white house of carter's

election. carter is 60 years old, is little known outside washington but is renowned for his intellect. al rhodes collar, he earned a doctorate and holds al degree in physics and medieval history from yale, a long time faculty member at harvard. he began lecturing at stanford this fall. we are getting your thoughts on the republicans' plans in the house to try to avoid a government shutdown and temporarily funneled the president's executive action on immigration. barnard in tearington, pennsylvania, hi, barnard. go ahead. caller: hey. thank you very much for taking my call. one of the things i wanted to comment on was i don't know if everybody remembers chavez and denis ouilla. when our president went down there, he gave him a book on how to divide the government and become a dictator, which is

really bad. i i hope the republicans, democrats, independent, all of the people, black, white, yellow, green, get together. host: okay. mike in hinesville, georgia, democratic caller. hi, mike. good morning. caller: yes. i hope you will let me finish my comment the way you allow republicans to, and the caller before the last calling democrats idiots and so forth, and you were trying to get him back on the line even though he was extremely rude. you know, it's ironic to me. i said this before. republicans are the worst hypocrites on this plantet. this caller called this, said he hires illegals. he is a republican. he hires illegals, uses them tore their labor, makes money off of their backs and then tells black people. hey, you see, if these illegals

were not in this country, you would have a job. and black people go ahead and believe that, and they call in and say get all of these people out, all of these hispanic people out because they are taking our jobs. the same thing white people say about black people is the same thing black people are regurgitate being hispanics. they don't see that as racist, you know. it is divide and conquer. they use people for labor, make money off of their backs and tell people, these people shouldn't be here because all black people, you know, jrpings ose is taking your job, if t the not for that, ty roan will have a job. it's stupid for black people to call in and repeat that line. host: michael in new jersey, a republican am caller. hi, michael. caller: hi. good morning. host: good morning. caller: i just wanted to comment over the immigration law

and how they are supposed wanting to shut the government down. it looks like they are not going to. i want to comment that in 2016 that the executiveb executive order, you know the republicans can use the executive order because there is no way that democrats are going to win after the horrible job that they have done for the last six years. i think peeven are finally, waking up in this country and they want their country back. scan democrats want to give it away to people who weren't citizenship where people have fought, begin their lives to be citizens of this country. i think those are the ones who deserve it. and the ones who come walking across or sneaking in across the river, you know, when children can come unoccupied with their parents, i wonder how many terrorists can make it here if a 41-year-old kid can walk across a river. the democrats seem to think that the border is secure. well, why don't you tell these

little kids that the border is secure so of they can't walk across the river anymore. host: michael, we will leave it there. getting your thoughts this morning. we've got about 15 minutes left. house g.o.p. leaders saying no government shutdown over immigration. they will, in the short-term, fund president obama's executive action and fund the rest of the government through september of 2015. what do you make of this plan? we will get to more of your thoughts in just a minute. first action i want to share with you, also, what happened on capitol hill yesterday in the senate commerce committee, a hearing where they heard from sports communities, many officials about domestic violence. and here is the headline from "the huffington post." one executive cried through a hear senate vie looernings t operations troy vincent. here is some of his testimony. we have learned a great deal from our mistakes and by listening to experts in a

domestic violence child abuse and in sexual assault communities, the more we have listened and become more aware of these complexities, both with the problem and the solution. we are working hard to balance the issues of a fair processes with the goal of presenting and punishing these behaviors. mr. chairman and the committee, we believe that wearing a uniform of an n.f.l. player is a privilege. it is not a right. every member of the n.f.l. community must embrace thisnique le unique leadership role that we play in our society and the trust that you place in us. we look forward to working with the committee to achieve these goals i know we all share. host: on capitol hill with sport executives including troy vincent, n.f.l. executive, former player.

the player testifying about domestic violence, if you missed it, go to c-span.org. carl in chicago, a democratic call, hi, carl. good morning to you. caller: good morning. how are you, greta? i would like to say the republicans, with see how disturbed they are with the hatred of the president that he can't think rationally. i think a lot of republicans talk in about we need to secure the border. these people don't seem to think about america is an open society. we have allowed people to come. we allow people to leave. a secure border, if they thought through on what they would want the secure border to be would be something like in north korea and south korea, where you would have a land mass area guarded by guards who would shoot you if you come across. if you survive that, they would

put you in a workcam camp for who knows how long? we are an open siociety. republicans have built a room around are theirselves without a door to get out. and they don't have a solution for this because they can no longer think rationally by intelligent people. host: that's what hatred did for you. host: the washington post reporting this morning on this plan floated by the clan re leapership saying the heritage action chief executive,nique needham warns that conservative activists, especially our 10,000 sentinels will rally to defund immigration in the coming days shrugging off the device coming from the party's establishment. heritage action and the tea party group on this saying they are not in support of even funding this executive action for one day despite pleas from their leadership to do so in the

short-term and redress it, the issue in march when republicans control both chambers. in the news this morning, front page of "the new york times," i want to she had this headline with you the iraq government has reached an accord with the kurds. they agreed to a long term plan to share oil wealth in a far-reaching deal that helps reunite the country in the face of a bitter war with islamic extremists. it settles a dispute between g baghdad and erbil. it is like to halt the, in the short time, a drive by the kurds for an independent state which appeared imminent this summer. host: in the norm times this morning. also, many of you know, president obama has nominated loretta lynch to be his next attorn

attorney general. there she is shaking hands with dick durbin, the senator from illinois, democrats. she made the rounds up on capitol hill yesterday talking to many of them about her nomination and what she would do as attorney general. the "new york times" reporting that the senate judiciary committee has not scheduled hearings on her confirmation. it is not clear how much ferguson will factor in to those hearings. let's go to geoff in olympia fields, illinois, an intend caller. what do you make of the republicans' leadership plans in the house to avoid a government shutdown? host: good morning, greta. yes. i agree with the caller a couple of callersoos ago about the divisive nature in the which the republicans and democrats have made the immigration issue. i really think we as an american people should really require both parties to do their job in

which they are being paid to or which the american people are paying them to do their job and to, to discuss things and to makacts and arrive at a decision that's best for america. we are divided along rachel lines, along economic lines in terms of stratification within our society and we just need to -- we need to demand that it stops. i would like to encourage you all to actually add a united, just you divide us as well by the american -- by the republicans, democrats and independent. how about, can you add a line that's a people that support america because we need to quit denying it. greta, you do a fine job of allowing the american people to speak. we need some really united

people. host: okay. water ford works, new jersey, democratic caller, cornell. go ahead. call call good morning. host: good morning. caller: i don't agree with them shutting the government down because they did that before. was it 241 million or a billion? host: that was a tweet i read earlier from january shikowskia democrat of ohio. she put out that figure at 241 billion. caller: the bottom line is they call themselves conservatives. they are not conservative at all. the only reason why the president did that executive order which president bush, ronald reagan, executive order, because the congress won't do their job. if they were to put a bill outing, he would not be backed in a corner forced to do something.

as far as the gentleman who called earlier saying that they lost the election, he shouldn't do anything? tell me one president in the 6th year of his firm that the other party didn't take over? so they need to get facts straight. host: a couple of morehead lines for you, "the wall street journal" otisisi government has collapsed. the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu fired two ministers yesterday unravelling his ruling coalition, and then, also, seers, a headline in the "wall street journal" about russia this morning. russia sees savers leading to a recession. the economy ministry expects the west, punative measures in force by 20s 16 compounding damage from falling oil prices. russia could be heading into a recession because of oil prices and the sanctions. in economic news on the front page of the wall stre"wall stre

journa journal", auto prices zoom held by low prices. over all they hit 17, annualized pace in november, the highest november race since 2003. we've got a few minutes left here, getting your thoughts on house republicans' decision to go ahead and fund pompom's immigration plan. they will revisit it. ray, a democrat in arizona. good morning. host: good morning, geta. the reason i called -- caller: good morning, greta. the reason i called is america is just coming undone. the politicians no calms whatsoever be -- no you may answer the questions qualms by betraying citizens, veterans of the united states. when they took out the hail burton law, they violated everybody that ever invested in the stockmarket. they bailed out the banks.

my goodness. it's just terrible. host: all right. joe in new york, an independent. hi, joe. caller: hi, ghada. host: good morning. you are on the air. caller: i hope to make the point that president obama's action and this amnesty decree is unconstitutional under article 1, section 1, of the constitution. i would be opposed to funding any portion of his activities in this area. i had disagree with the temporary funding through march. may a make a quick comment on immigration? host: sure. caller: we are a nation of immigrants. we all noboknow that and everyb supports legal immigration. we legally give residents to over a markos moulitsas immigrants a year there is less than or 12 million supposedly.

the number is soft. i will levels in the country of that some 40% over stayed visas. so my message to president obama -- i will make this short. i know you've got a lot of callers here to president obama is to secure the borders, control visas. they are totally uncontrolled. and enforce existing immigration laws now and don't try to dever to this strange unconstitutional action you are doing. host: joe, what do you think should be done? is it worth a government shutdown to try to send a message. host: i think -- let me put it this way. i think you are framing the question wrong. host: okay. caller: we are talking about an unconstitutional act of the president. i would like to see people call in as to whether they feel that is unconstitutional or not. the shutdown is framing the

question the wrong way. the question is about the unconstitutional act. it's not about the shutdown. host: okay. all right, joe. susan in hampton, virginia, a republican. hi, susan, go ahead. caller: good morning. thanks for taking my call. hi. a couple of points: we have had several republican presidents, and i am a republican, who have had the money but did not close the border. he specially bush. i think he was an open-border kind of guy. host: that's my opinion. another point, the republicans keep saying we don't have a shutdown because them blame us. 10 if we do blame them, apparently it didn't hurt them in the long run because of the wave of republicans that were voted in. i think so they use that as an excuse. thank you. host: okay. kim in maryland a democrat. go ahead.

you were on the air. caller: yes. i fully support the president on what he did. congress did not do their job. i am an immigrant from west africa, been here for 10 years, going on 15. the thing people don't understand in america, the thing that attracts other people from different parts of the world to come to america is because america is great. they have one of the finest laws. if people -- people have been oppressed by their own government. people can find jobs with all of the aspirations, they can't do anything because they are telling me it will not allow that. they are trying to come to america. i was attracted to come to america because of that. if i can come and make something good out of nothing, and start

from scratch. now, it's americans now, the people who claim to call america our land, our country, they don't want immigrant did to come here, americans should not just stop going to work and the country drown. america is the greatest country in the world. you know what? they are going to stop saying immigrants colling in from all of the world. coming through these countries, the greatest country in the whole wide world, we are going to have people coming. i am a citizen. host: all right, caller. we will take a break. next, we will take with republican congressman kevin brady of texas about the possibility of government funding agreement that we have been talking about. tax extenders and, also, tax reform in the 114th congress. later, maryland democrat senator ben carter will discuss immigration debate and executive

order by the president. first, i want to show you on capitol hill yesterday, homeland security jeh johnson appearing before the homeland security committee to discuss the president's executive, he was questioned by representative pat trin mihan about the over reach of the president. here is that back and forth. host: congressman, this type of action has existed in one form or another going back decades. it was exercised in the reagan and bush. host: it was after authorizing ativity by the congress in which they were continuing to protect the class of people that the congress did not. the congress already clearly articulated an intent to include those and there was the fulfilling of congressional intent. here, you have created a class of people in controintervention of congressional intent. first of ail an assessedment

will be made on a case-by-case basis. if i may, sir, the way i look at it is this, and i know you will appreciate this. when i was an assistant united states attorney, we used to -- and i am sure this was true in your office when you were u.s. attorney, we used to enter into deferred prosecution with a person who has been charged where if you behave for the next six months, 12 months, year, whatever, we are going to dever prosecution. we all understand proscuetorial discretion. this changes that, however, which creates a class of people despite proscue torial discretion who may be here because the president created that data gory, not congress. host: that's a clear violation of the constitutional principles apart from our desire to work together, he's acting in a capacity beyond where the

ability he has to do so respectfully agree on what basis they are lawfulfully present how are they lawfully here when the intention was clear? they can be deportable. are sir, the congress -- the congress has not given me the resources do deport 11 million people. i appreciate that fact railroad they are here every speeder on 95 could be stopped but we can't stop everyone. host: doesn't mean that they aren't going over the speed limit. your level says there is no speed limit. host: if you missed the hearing go to our website, c-span.org to watch the entire conversation with the homeland security secretary jeh johnson testifying before home land security about the president's decision on immigration. joining us on the set is representative kevin brady, the chair of the ways and xheenz subcommittee on health. he is also the chair currently

of the joint comic committee, republican of texas. let's again with what they told reporters that this is the plan: they want a symbolic vote on the president's executive action come deming that as unconstitutional followed up by a short-term funding of this skufbl action. are you a yes, vote on this if it comes to the floor guest: you like the idea of it. the house passed many of these bills already. the senate has not. we think we have shaped really what direction the government ought to go for the next 10 months on so. secondly, the president has acted in our belief outside the constitution, we are just taking our constitutional responsibilities seriously. we will do a short term extension of homeland security where much of this discussion will center where we think is the right thing to do. the law that we are voting on, i

with wouldn't necessarily call it symbolic. it is our effort to actually stop what we believe is an unconstitutional action by the president. we know the senate will block this, but they have been blocking a lot of bills out of the house. we are hopeful because of the results of the election, that might have a different outcome coming next year. host: why folks are calling it symbolic because the house is still controlled by democrats. they are not going to bring it up. guest: our job is not to just recognize the senate as a do-nothing senate and has been. it's to do our job. we are going to advance what what we think stops this action and call on the president to actually sit down to vote with them on this issue. host: if you believe the president's action is unconstitutional on immigration, why would you agree to fund it for even one day? guest: well, we would not under this scenario. host: law we advance would stop

his actions we know it will likely stall in the senate. host: that's how we think is best to move forward. plus we would have the senate right now, a bill that was passed earlier this summer that declares daka and any extension of that illegal. the senate has a bill sitting in front of them today that they could take up, unfortunately, again, that will be blocked. host: why do you say you are not funding it when you are funding the department of home land security and -- host: for the short period but that is, frankly, they are not going to accomplish much in the next or two. i think with the new senate that the government just voted in, ig it puts us in a much stronger ha hand. host: what do you do you when you come back to this in march guest: we will have the real checks and balances of the constitution with the senate and the house both advancing their ideas on here. and on this issue, there is a number of approaches. obviously, limiting funding on

this, a straight just prohibition on the president's, exit i'ding legal review which i think is very import with our checks and influences includes the judicial system. we think that's important as well. there are two or three averages we can and will take. host: there are risks to not funding this for an entire year, the agency for the entire year. take a look at what he had to say yesterday on capital hill. host: nas judgment a bad idea for homeland security because during that period of a cr, we cannot engage in new starts. we've got some home land security priorities that need to be funded now. for example, we are back in a presidential electionciling. i cannot higher new secret service agents until i get an appropriations bill passed by this congress, not another cr for a couple of months. i cannot continue to fund our

enhanced detention capabilities in texas with another cr that gets me to march. i need the help of congress to support and build upon border security, which i believe all of you support. so, i am urging that we act on our current appropriations request now for the purpose and for the sake of border security and homeland skooufrment. host: congressman, you are from texas. guest: yeah. he should be having that discussion with the white house who acted on their own in a very reckless and provocative matter knowing that congress would react to that and so the president precipitated this whole issue and, yeah, there will be impacts but they have been driven by the president's actions, not by ours. host: some of your conservative colleagues say that republicans are not going far enough. would you agrto censuring the

president? guest: i don't think that accomplishes anything. i think sending a piece of paper and a slap on the wrist does nothing to change the constitutional -- in my belief, misbehavior of the president. i think our tools are the power of the purse. it is statutes and laws that we will fight to get to the president's desk. it is the court system as well. so, i believe the president acted outside the checks and balances? host: i think he is inciting new illegal immigration, shoving aside those who are waiting to come to america legally. i want to use every constitutional power we have vale to us, you know, in a responsible way to stop that action. host: there are some other actions. some are floated not inviting him to give the state of the union address. what do you think about that? guest: who has done that host: paul broun, republican of georgia and there have been others who have called for the speaker not to invite the president to deliver the state of the union address.

guest: look, i think we ought to stay focused on how our constitution works, which is he is the chief executive. we are the legislative branch. host: type of response, i think, is a bit silly. so let's do our jobs and do it in a responsible way. host: on this topic, i want to put on the table negotiations that have been happening over tax extensions. guest: yeah. host: explain for our viewers what this package is and where you come down on it guest: this is disappointing. we are one of the few countries in the world that have tee parts of the tax code that are extended for one or two years at a time including the research and development tax credit, so important to keeping r and d jobs and new ones here in the united states. unfortunately, house republicans with senate democrats had negotiated a package to start making some of those prove visions permanent.

the ways and means committee laid the argument out. unfortunately, the president vetoed that without seeing the full package, and now what we are left with is a one-year extension, in effect, saying for the current year we are in, those temporary tax revisions will stay as they are. it is very unsatisfactory and disappointing. this tax extender tail has been wagging the dog for far too many years. we are anxious to get to full tax reform where we really fix the broken code. so, i think this will be done. well, in effect, kiss our sister yet again another holiday season and start at the same place in january. i am hopeful this is the last time we do this. host: of this 50 or so specific tax extenders for individuals and businesses, are you on board with permanent -- making them all permanent? guest: no. in the hearings we held in the

ways and means committee, there were a number of key divisions, research and development tax credit which is modernized, made easier to use, happens to be my legislation. it's key to economic growth. host: clearly should be made permanent. the ability of local businesses, small business, to buy more buildings, equipment and software and write that off, very key to long-term job creation. so there are key areas that should be made permanent. the others should be part of our overall tax reform discussion. host: u.s.a. today editorial board ways in: rather than simplify the code, congress extends these tax breaks. this is what they write. temporary tax cuts don't have many virtues but one, they give congress repeated opportunities to reconsider whether individual tax breaks work or should be discarded. the 7.6 billion research and experimentation tax credit has been criticized for being poorly designed and less effective than

it could be as fostering invasion. alas congress tends to renew the extenders ex instead of subjecting them to scrutiny. guest: the house ways and means committee did that, laid out bills for that scrutiny, invited people to tell us what are the comic impacts and in big bi-partisan votes in the house did that, picked out several of them, modernized it, made it more available, bodily available in the economy and passed with, i think, 60-something democratic votes. we agree: some of these, we should take the asterisk off of them, make them permanent. the others, again, those are the tail of the tax code. host: washington times says if the extenders fall, taxpayers will face something like $4150 billion and industries that compete for the government's corporate welfare

rather than compete in open markets will have to learn how the rest of united states live. guest: you know, tell that to a company trying to make a decision on where to put their good-paying research and development jobs when they know globally, they are being courted with much lower tax rates and better insentiz to move those jobs outside the united states. we think having a permanent, modern, up-to-date research and development incentives for jobs here in the united states grows our economy and so again, why the ways and means committee and house republicans have made that clear, we want that permanent. host: that's a job creator. host: east, west journal editorialboard are weighing in on this saying let tax extenders die. let's hear from steve in troutrun, pennsylvania. you are up for congressman kevin brady, go ahead. caller: good morning to both of you. guest: good morning. caller: my point is, we have 415 to 50 million americans that

are very poor. me, myself, having a hard timekeeping my house running, keeping my truck running. taxes are so darn high. now, president obama wants to bring in all of these illegal aliens. he is starting off with 5 million. there is 11 million immigrant did in this count-- immigrants this country. a lot of them are getting welfare. i can't afford to keep myself going. and if they put 11 million people, illegal in this country, there will be no jobs. the past -- this past congress, for six years, they have not focused on jobs. but they talk good. they talk good speech on it. host: let the congressman jump

in. guest: i would agree there are a lot of people who can't find full-time jobs. this is the weakest most, most disappointing recovery in half a century. the house has acted on a number of provisions, including the keystone xl pipeline, tax provisions that would encourage more job creation here in the united states. all of those bills are sitting in that do-nothing senate. we arehoven come january we've got a new senate that will take them up. they don't have to agree with every one of them, by the way, but hopefully will pass it out. i think we have a chance of getting the economy going. staying the course, doing what's been done for the last six years in the white house, this won't get the job done...

who is fighting for them? the economy is getting better as i'm sure you know. the question of u.s. jobs, american jobs, is in my view, a separate issue. adding 5 million more competitors and you think that will make it easier question mark >> the estimate is that the potential classes up to 4 million and not all of those will apply. the goal is to encourage these

people who are now working off the books. we have undocumented immigrants in this country working off the books. to get on the books and pay taxes into the federal treasury, pursuant to a work authorization , the assessment is that that will not impinge upon american jobs and american workers. host: what do you think? house i think the white is blowing those assessments out of their ears. no one knows what jobs they hold or what skills they have and if they are working. what social security id numbers and others, i think any economic claim on this is just pure guesswork. reform thattion actually shuts the back door of the illegal immigration and fixes the front door and creates a visa program that meets our economy where it is not -- it is not who you know but what skills

you bring to the country, over time, that will help our economy grow, no question about it. this is nowhere near that type of approach. host: let's hear from dorothy in baltimore, democratic caller. jesus, in the name of why are these people so evil, hateful, mean, and mastery? it's ridiculous. you make your rules about working if they have bad credit. you don't follow the rules. you don't go to work until you get good and ready. you are looking crazy as usual. host: hold on, what are you talking about specifically? just likeecifically, they talk off the top of they desk the top of their head. i don't think everyone is created equally. look at the whole picture about the immigrants and anybody else. that's not right.

host: what do you disagree with? caller: i disagree with the congressman, republicans especially. they have no heart. host: let's take that issue, having no heart on this issue of immigration. guest: i thought that was my mom. washington, there is a lot of that. they don't see a congress connected to real people. they see this bickering and constant crisis. they see a white house that ignores what the american people want especially after an election going to opposite direction of what the american people want and they are frustrated. that is one of the reasons people at the polls in november made a major change and the composition of the senate. they expect us to solve some problems to get the economy going. for republicans, that will be

job number one. host: back to the immigration issue and the funding bill -- where do you think the votes are right now? guest: it's hard to know and we had a great meeting yesterday noodling through the options. we have several of them and people favor one or more or a combination. leadership was waiting where people wanted to go to put that package together. i think we will get it done and i think we will finish by the end of next week. we will see what the senate doesn't what the president does but we are not predicating our action on that. host: louisville, kentucky, a republican, good morning. caller: how are you doing? say that there emigrantsy 770,000 legally coming into this country every year. i think you are creating a situation where republicans are

considering a way to compromise with the democrats. ofkentucky, we've got a lot -- i'm sure in texas you do, too and it seems like you don't hunt what the right dogs. tough people in the obama administration who are out there pushing the republicans and trying to bait them and running over you all. it seems like we are just committing political suicide, not standing up for the right things. i wish the republicans would stand up and listen to people like congressman brooks of alabama because he is the only one who seems to make any sense. guest: congressman brooks is a good man. he is a key part of our deliberations. up for we are standing what this country needs. on the immigration issue, and

our approach is step-by-step we will first close the back door to illegal immigration so we don't repeat the immigration -- the problem in the future. second leg, fix the front door of legal immigration because that is broken. they have to have the opportunity to bring those schools -- the skills to the u.s. and waste thousands of dollars to do that and that is to be fixed. we think we should be training more american workers for the and today and in the future for the jobs we will fill to make sure we have a flexible lease of program where companies get the workers they need to be able to compete against anyone in the world. we've got the tougher question of what we do with those who are here already. in my view, citizenship should be reserved from -- for those who come through the front door of legal immigration. there are consequences for coming through the backdoor and how we do with them is a discussion we are having right now.

reform should be what makes america stronger. economy and our country strongest for the long haul? if we keep focused on that, we will come to the right answer. host: steve, independent. hi, steve. steve and iame is sharpton isg why al in $4 million behind on taxes and he can go to the white house and sit with president obama anytime he wants to. host: care to address that? guest: i was not aware of that. host: i don't know if he has the figure right. it's about the taxes that al sharpton knows. -- owes. guest: i wish the irs would

spend less time targeting organizations based on their political beliefs and more time collecting taxes from those who owe them and we would be in a stronger position. host: democratic caller -- caller: good morning, my comment is i'm wondering -- whatever happened to the bill for the long-term unemployed for the unemployment extension? it has been rough for me. i am 57 and been out of work for almost three years. i am doing my best and nothing is happening and i am having a hard time it seems like no one talks about it anymore and ask likes -- and acts like it's a dead issue. i read an article earlier that mitch mcconnell laughed about extending the long-term unemployment. was kind of wrong. true, what isas your comment? guest: i'm sorry you are

struggling in your jobs. i know pennsylvania is a state that has some real possibilities and entered -- in energy development and in texas and they are allowing responsible oil and gas production. people the same jobs for like you and i hope that is the case for pennsylvania. i would doubt that anyone in congress would laugh about long-term unemployment. it is tough on families. wouldestion has been -- we extend emergency unemployment benefits while the economy we are told is improving? even though the unemployment rate is going down, that program is designed for extreme three times where unemployment is high and going up. today according to the statistics, it is going down in most states. back to theoing

traditional level of unemployment which is shared between the state and the federal government. for the most part, it has encouraged people who are running out of those benefits to find that job, not only jobs that paid what they did before, we know that is tough. people often have to move to do that and that's tough on families. the approach right now is let's focus less on unemployment extensions and more on getting jobs going before people -- for people like you. host: rachel, independent. caller: they always talk about the constitution and socialists. radio, itn talk sticks to the wall, that's what you all talk about. against thevery is constitution and when they and that was supposed to keep them from coming over here and creating jobs overseas.

in mexico, it did not happen. that's the reason why they are coming back over here. nafta does not pay enough to be able to eat. okaying slavery. it's the fact that these companies don't have to pay what they have to pay the people that live here. this caller is frustrated, obviously, with the job situation but tanning it all on the wrong actions. what nafta did was recognize that the economies of canada and the u.s. and mexico working closer together could actually create more jobs and help us whether global recessions which is exactly what it did during the 1980's. i don't think mexico took advantage of the opportunities to actually grow their economy for the long haul.

i think you are seeing it now in their reforms with their energy area that could be a game changer for them. it could strengthen those jobs. as this woman correctly pointed out, the more opportunities there are in our neighboring countries, the less likely we are going to see a push for those coming into the united states especially through that backdoor of illegal immigration. i don't think nafta was the cause of that. i think frankly the opportunity for countries to grow more economically strong, i believe, free trade which is the ability for us to buy and sell and compete with as the government interference as possible where we have that freedom to buy good products at prices we want to pay not what the government tells us and businesses to compete when we build products here in the united states. we want to sell that around the world without government interference. i think that is key and america wins in those scenarios.

host: what you think about prospects for the transpacific partnership's in the next congress? guest: i think they are good. this is an exciting trade agreement. about 80% of all the economic growth in the world over the next five years will occur in this region. we want our american companies deep in the middle of it. this is a new structure. host: what region are you talking about? guest: the asia-pacific region, we have about 13 countries in that area that are growing in size that are american companies and want to compete but there are too many americans [indiscernible] so this agreement knocks down the barriers and gives us a chance to compete not just on products but services which we have a huge trade surplus. in it is exciting for job creation in the united states. host: this is from "the huffington post."

guest: i think they are dead wrong. especially among republicans in the house, we believe in the economic freedom of trade. we believe that trade promotion authority which is congress flexing its muscles and saying this, mr. president, every president, negotiate to these objectives, this will be the timetable and this is how you can do it. we will have the straight up or down vote and that's exactly how the constitution should work it we will have very strong support among house and senate republicans. is the president going to finally lead with his democrats and get them to the table?

if he does that, i am convinced that this and future presidents will have this ability to negotiate to the congresses objectives and will be able to tear down those american need not apply science. give us a level playing field around the world. host: let's hear from lewis in new jersey, a republican. caller: good morning. i am home today so give me a minute. republicans want city kids to go to charter calls to get an education in the first thing obama did as president was to shut down charter schools in washington. that's the first thing the new mayor did in new york. -- more comment a republican will teach you how to fish and feed you. democrat will tell you you are stupid to learn how to fish and will take the fish away. good day. guest: if there are any families

in america desperately need a good education, it is the inner-city families who most desperately need it. these are tough neighborhood environments. the public schools which we should do all we can to improve them, need another option for those parents. the charter schools provide that. we know from the results that not only do the kids prosper, the parents are more satisfied with it. when you give these kids an opportunity, every year whether it is first grade or fifth-grader seventh-grade, every year a child is in school is in critical -- is critical. charter schools provide that option for high-quality education. schools over the the next 10 or 12 years and we will eventually get them to where it should be. these kids need the help now. i agree with you, i don't understand why the president or any democrat has this war on

charter schools. host: frank from ohio, democratic caller. i'm glad that president gave the order -- gave the executive order. john boehner is from our state. one of these emigrants could be the next one that takes over cancer research and takes over the whole country and makes it secure. you republicans better get together with the democrats because this is what this country is founded on. we are founded on immigrants. this is how our country was founded. perhaps more correctly, we were founded on legal immigration. wheat want to make your that those who come through the front door have the means to immigrate into our country and reach their

dreams. they have been a huge part of our culture in the world. case, the president i think missed the vote because house republicans had passed legislation to allow more foreign-born students who are graduating in science and technology and math degrees to be able to stay in the united states and contribute to our economy. the president threatened to to be towed that. ag workers.eamlines the president threatened to veto that as well. justthe president says pass a bill, he is really saying just passed my bill. the way i wanted. checks not the way the and balances work. unfortunately, by going it alone and being provocative and reckless, i think it is made it harder to achieve that goal. host: on the prospects of overhauling the tax code next what i want to show you

the incoming chairman of the ways and means committee, paul ryan, had to say yesterday when he was talking with a bunch of corporate chief executives. [video clip] faster economic >> growth solve so many problems. tax growth is key to that so we intend on taking the issue up. the reason i hesitate to say it will get done as i don't know where this white house will come down on these things. it's important to note that in addition to c-corporate former we want a 25% rate and an international base where repatriation day as any day you wanted to be, we also have to remember that eight out of 10 businesses and america are not they are passed through so we want reform that applies and helps all businesses to get faster economic growth. the manner of how we do that is clear for people like paul ryan and orrin hatch but i don't know how clear it will be for this administration but we will see what we can do to get that. we have to remember that we

cannot endure the -- ignore the individual side of the code. perhaps that is not achievable with this president because he likes higher tax rates which i thinks hurt economic growth. if we can get halfway toward comprehensive tax reform, that's a good step in the right direction. host: congressman, what you think? four years on the ways and means committee, you hear chairman brian advancing that and a serious way over the next session and that's encouraging. we got some challenges we don't think the president will engage in a meaningful way which would be incredibly helpful. nonetheless, we are going to continue to advance program growth tax reform and lowering the business rates. we think we should also lower the small business rates as well which ties to the individual side and that makes it more justcult as chairman ryan alluded to.

our tax code is broken and we are so not competitive and we are a big drag and the economy in the united states. what people have talked about for 30 years, we are on the cusp of producing that real comprehensive tax reform. i would love to see the president host: get behind this. matt, from new hampshire. guest: good morning. caller: i have listened to this and i listen every day and watch the hearings. the war powers act says the president can act for 60 days. we are involved in iraq and other countries. have ato state that i family member who is directly involved in the combat. sat there and said how this president likes to do things on his own. congress has the duty to authorize war in our nation. -- i hear attempted

dribbles and drafts of very few people speaking about this. when is congress going to authorize our military? we have soldiers in harm's way. we have soldiers who can be killed. we have soldiers who have been neglected. i live in the state of new hampshire and we have 600 homeless veterans. it is a key part of our discussion. i think you will see a legislation bill in the next week and a half that authorizes our defense capabilities yet again for another year. the bigger picture that this gentleman talked about is is we will have a bigger picture discussion about the ability for the president to prosecute this war rather than based on the 9/11 threats of the future. i see that happening after the beginning of the year with a new congress in place. i don't know the exact timetable but it is certainly3 a high priority. host: huntington, west virginia,

democratic caller. caller: yes, i want to ask a question and go back to the guy from pennsylvania on the extended unemployment benefits. could not pass a bill for that but they can give themselves a raise last year. people on social security only got 1.7% raise this year. is congress going to give themselves a raise again this year? if they can find the money to give themselves a raise, why can't they find the money to help out the unemployed and the american people? guest: that's a fair question. congress has not given themselves a cost-of-living increase for six or seven years. ,ocial security, medicare cost-of-living increases have occurred, thankfully, in those areas and even some federal workers. the congress has not. host: what are your thoughts on the economic impact of falling oil prices?

for american citizens but also for fed policy and interest rates. guest: it is all tied in. we want lower and more affordable fuel. that's a good thing for our economy and families and businesses. energy industry in america is a technology driven industry . ways to produce oil economically at lower oil prices. this will reduce some of their investments next year and what they invest in. long-term, it is not a major threat. is thes been interesting feds quantitative easing as well as the new zero interest rate policy. it has had the effect up until recently of raising gas prices about $.50 per gallon of gas on average. we have been importing so much oil.

theou lower the value of dollar with quantitative easing, you actually raised energy prices. starting with a stronger dollar. we are not seeing much more production in the united states. some of the impacts of the past few years are starting to level out. we are getting back to a more true economy in the energy area. morell think if there are foreign policy hiccups around the world in energy producing states, you could see those prices worldwide go back up. host: if the prices continue to fall or they stay low at the pump, and that means more money in the pocketbooks of americans, then should the fed increase interest rates? guest: the answer is yes. question --e is no everyone knows they have to.

these years of near zero rates are unprecedented. and punishesavers seniors and distorts the market. if the fed does not begin in a very clear communication way that this is where we are going and how we are raising -- if they don't do it, they tell us the economy is so weak that they cannot begin the normalization of monetary policy. i think the sooner they layout that plan and follow it, i think the stronger our economy will be. host: if the increase interest rates, what happens to deficits? guest: it increases but the feds job is not to protect or shield the overspending of its federal government. it's job should be to protect againste of the dollar either inflation or deflation. that's what they are designed to do. all the other economic stimulus frankly is not produced economic impact.

now. did, it would have by it is the time to normalize and refocus the fed on checking the value of the dollar -- on protecting the value of the dollar. host: next is our republican color. you are on the air. go ahead. ifler: i would like to know when the republicans take over in january, if they plan on doing audits to these different departments to get rid of the tax fraud and abuse that are in the systems? the irs is getting bonuses. they are getting refunds to prisoners. they cannot -- they don't have the money to update their computer system. one more question -- when was our taxpayer dollars spent on the american taxpayer? all our money seems to be going aliens ande illegal

stuff for them. it is not being spent on us. i agree that there is way too much waste, fraud, and abuse not only in major programs for medicare to social security and disability and even the affordable care act but within the tax code, we see a great deal of fraud with those earned income tax credits in the child tax credits where by some estimates, we will waste $7 billion sending checks to people who are not eligible or their kids don't even live in the united states. the ways and means committee passed measures to address that fraud. it is unfortunately still sitting in the senate and we are hopeful as of january that a new senate elected by the american people will take up those issues. hard-earned tax dollars should wasted, frankly, be going to the american people are going back to lower taxes. independent.er,

caller: representative brady, i have a few questions -- trade on the transpacific pact. what is the republican party position on voting for fast track in the congress? i think the american people deserve the right to know exactly what is in that trade pact with fair and open debate like you guys always argue about. committee,nd means you brought up the child tax credit. pressure to under be temporary or reduced. time, there is over $400 billion of permanent tax cuts for corporations. they have been slow to higher in this country and many investments are kept offshore and not brought back.

they were brought back in the early to thousands but they did not create any jobs and shareholders got money but there was not as many jobs. generated. at the same time, the argument $7.25 is fine for a worker in this economy. the consumer needs money in his pocket and that's where you should focus. guest: lots of questions there -- you have to decide if you want the government to determine what kind of product you can purchase and at what price. i say most americans would say no, that is my choice to get as many products in the united states. and at the price we determine. ouramericans would say when workers produce great products, we should be able to sell it throughout the world including in the asia-pacific region which has a lot of new customers. we should be able to do that on a level playing field and that's what this trade dispute is

about. that's why republicans backed of this because when we have a level playing field, we create jobs here in the united states by getting new customers around the world. we think that is good. we think every president should have the ability to negotiate these trade agreements to the congress's goals and objectives on the right timetable with the transparency and openness you are talking about. repatriation does work. we are one of the few countries in the world. we tax people here and abroad. if a company is in ohio or new jersey and when they succeed and make a profit overseas, we actually tax them to bring those profits home to invest in america for new jobs and new research in anything. we tax them and punish them. we said let's stop punishing them and lower that it and let those profits flow back to the united states and invest in the

american economy. that's what we are pushing. we did it for one year in the mid to thousands and that's exactly what happened. let's make that permanent. our goalate the jobs, should not be to raise the minimum wage, it should be to get people off the minimum wage and in the higher-paying jobs. we are going to need a stronger economy to do that. fixing the tax code is key. host: congressman kevin brady, thank you. maryland next, democratic senator ben cardin will be here to discuss the immigration debate and congressional reaction to president obama's recent decision to go ahead on that executive order and later, we will open up the phone lines to hear from you about any post policy issues we discussed today on the show. last night, house speaker john boehner lit the graphical just let the capitol christmas tree. withree is decorated thousands of ornaments made by

children in minnesota. here is a little from last night's tree lighting. [video clip] is in aht, as our dome season of restoration, we are here to begin one of our own. scene was humbler on that first christmas as a group. of shepherds kept watch on a quiet night to these simple man that the angel suddenly appears is moreng that unto you in this day in the city of david, a savior, which is the grace of the lord. the shepherds do not just rejoice at this gift, they go and catch a glimpse of it for themselves. andus now go to bethlehem see what has come to pass. once they get there, they share the good tidings with the world. that is what makes christmas so magical. it's a time to rediscover for ourselves the glory of god's love. to see with fresh eyes the

beauty of simple things and traditions and to rekindle the hope of peace and goodwill to all just as the lights on the tree shine together to overcome the darkness. on behalf of my family and the people's house, i wish a happy christmas to all of you and to all a good night. moment now reached that that you have been waiting for and that is to go back inside. [laughter] to help is like this treatise here, we have a special guest from just up the road in maryland. he and his family are here with the help of the make-a-wish foundation. he will be spending christmas in new york. we have asked him to come down here to help us kick off this holiday season in our nations capital. ladies and gentlemen, join me in giving a warm welcome toerin urban. [applause] all right, are you ready?

let's start. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. [applause] ♪ good job. ♪ ♪ merry christmas] ♪ if you missed the

christmas tree lighting ceremony on capitol hill yesterday, and you would like to watch the whole thing, go to www.c-span.org. joining us this morning as senator ben cardin, democrat from maryland on the foreign relations panel and the finance committee. let's begin with the debate over funding the federal government and immigration. house republicans have said they will bring the bill to the floor that would fund most of the government through september of 2015 but they will only temporarily fund the homeland security department is a president obama's actions on immigration. it sounds like your leader is open to those votes coming up and are you a yes vote? guest: we are disappointed that the republicans are taking out the punishment on the people of this country in regards to their reaction to the president's emigration executive order. we should have a budget for all. and it's wrong to use a

continuing resolution because takess uncertainty and care of lester's priorities and set of this year. homeland security is critically important. it protects the security of this country and they should have a budget. there is no excuse because the appropriators have agreed on a budget. i don't understand what they are doing. i know senator mikulski from maryland, the chair of the senate appropriations committee, is working very hard and long to try to get an omnibus bill. we will do everything possible so we have a budget for next year. does that including voting no on a short-term funding bill for homeland security? guest: we will see how it's packaged together. there are 12 appropriation bills. there are 11 other agencies that are funded here. there are groups of other agencies so we have to take a look at the total package. i expect the senate will do the responsible thing and fight for an omnibus appropriations bill host: for funding the whole

government? guest: as much as possible. host: has the president poisoned the well by acting on immigration? guest: i don't think so, congress had a full two years to act on immigration bill and the united states senate did the right thing by passing a bipartisan bill. everyone acknowledges that our immigration system is broken and congress needs to act. the best thing is for them to act and we should not need the president to have to do executive orders. we should have passed legislation and the senate did that. our legislation was allen's and the president's actions are balanced. he cannot do everything we can do and we still can act. rather than complain, let's vote and pass a bill that we all can agree on. that's the best thing for us to do. i think the reaction about the president's executive order which is consistent with what the senate has done any purpose -- in a bipartisan manner is just wrong. issue is news yesterday that the president would nominate ashton carter and expected to do so as the next

defense secretary and you will vote on that nomination. what do you think? guest: he is well-known on capitol hill and has 20 of express and is known for his independence. i think the confirmation process will go smoothly. we will go through the process and the hearings which is important. on the hill and his experience will bode well for the nomination process. host: the other domestic issue is after another series of meetings about ferguson and the issue nationwide but he announced more money he would like congress to spend on putting body cameras on police officers as well as better policing. are you in support of those two ideas? guest: i think we need to take action. we have seen the needless death of michael brown and trayvon martin before that. when he to make sure that racial profiling has no place in law enforcement this country at any level. when he to have better police training.

i think the president's efforts to make sure this military style usedment is very carefully and we don't make excess equipment available to law enforcement locally that can be used to oppress the individuals right to first amendment rights. as far as body cameras, many local police department are using that today. it's an area that needs to be looked at carefully and can have a place in law enforcement. host: what do you think about this equipment? the president does not sound like you want to get rid of this program that gives the military equipment to police officers. guest: we have to be careful about that because we have seen the legitimate rights of people protesting peacefully has been intimidated. i think we have to be very careful with the use of military equipment by local law enforcement. host: on capitol hill yesterday, another nominee is loretta lynch

to become the next attorney general. did you meet with her? guest: i no longer serve on the judiciary committee. we will have that opportunity and her confirmation process has not started. i am looking forward to meeting her and getting to know her. ae certainly brings well-qualified background to this critically important position as attorney general. we have work to do in the senate in january. we have the attorney general and the secretary of defense which are critical appointment we have to get through the confirmation process. we have good people and i hope we can move the nomination process quickly. do you want her to mold herself in the way that attorney general eric holder has done on this issue of race? would you like her to follow in his footsteps? guest: i think he has done an incredible job in this country as attorney general. general is an independent position. it's part of the president's cabinet but you need the attorney general who is the

lawyer for the country so you want a person who will bring that independence to the office as eric holder did. i would expect we would see the lynch.ing from ms. we want to see a person that provides that type of independent view. in regards to ferguson, i am looking forward to attorney general holder's recommendations to end racial profiling in this country, i hope. he will come up with those recommendation shortly. i would hope we would see in transition the next attorney general implement a plan that we no longer have racial profiling in our country. host: whitney congressional approval? guest: we have a bill that will do that they would end all forms of profiling for would hope the congress would act. we are always stronger when we have legislative basis for our action. host: let's get to calls. ask senator ben cardin. fort lauderdale, florida, a republican. caller: good morning and thank you for speaking with us.

i have two questions for you and hopefully you can answer them for me. i live in south florida. populationsargest born outside the country and my dad came over illegally. i walk into any department store grocery store and no one speaks english anymore. my fear is that everyone comes one part of the world and they are dominating this area and there is no law that requires them to speak english and public . i am very concerned about that. secondly, on the point with the police, i have two nephews who served in the military and came home to become police officers. they have wives and young children. what do you tell them when they go out and protect the inner cities? attacked by aing

person, they have no way to defend themselves. guest: in regards to immigration reform, part of the bill that passed the united states senate, a bipartisan bill and immigration reform, it did require those who step forward to be proficient in english. they have to take english. english proficiency needs the part of immigration reform and we had it in the bill. i appreciate you bringing that issue up. responders,o first absolutely they have the right to defend themselves. they are putting their lives on the line and they rush into harms way to help save us. absolutely they have the right to defend themselves and want to make sure that is always protected in whatever we do. ending racial profiling is nothing to do with preventing law enforcement officers from defending themselves. we agree with that. host: los angeles, democratic color -- hello, i wanted to say

that the immigration thing is like an area 51 deal. everything is hidden. we put the time, border down right there and put up fences and assume that once people are over here and i am one of these guys that was born here. --ave a wife host: let me ask you to get to your question. she came over here.

she overstayed her visa. working for boeing. she is one of the best. guest: comprehensive immigration reform, the bill we have pastor the united states senate is incorporated by the president's executive order and it starts with border security. we want to make sure people coming to this country legally. we know who's in america. we have taken major step to make sure that's the case. less people are coming in today illegally than ever before. we are reducing the numbers and we need to do a better job on border security. we want to know who is in this country. as you pointed out, your wife ise in illegally but now she out of state associate is one of those was undocumented in the

united states. we want to he an orderly way where the people who are not properly documented can come forward if they are law abiding. if they agree to background checks and learn english and if they are willing to do all of that and come forward and go to the back of the line -- they cannot break in line and come before anyone else -- there is a pathway to be able to not only stay in this country and legally work in this country death -- but to become a citizen of this country. that's what comprehensive immigration reform is about and that's what we patented united states senate -- that's what we passed in the united states senate. host: what is the president saying he will allow? guest: the executive order deals with a statement of the people currently undocumented that have some connections to this country. they have a child who is a citizen who is a permanent

or has some permanent connection to the united states and allows those in -- and citizens to come out of the shadows and makes your they have not violated laws and have to pay taxes and have to agree to these provisions and have to have a provisional way to stay in this country and not have fear of being deported. host: they had to have been in the country for five years? and this only lasts for three years? guest: it's a temporary provision. it would be much stronger if congress passed the law. that's why those who are complaining, let's take this issue up and have legislation. host: in new york, karen, a republican. questioni there, my involves illegal aliens. you like to call them so many havebut documentation they bought off the streets. it claims them to be documented. wondering why the

urgent need for new regulations and new laws? we have laws on the books. the problem is enforcement. why i believesons american citizens are very wary of our congress is because you don't enforce laws. you create them but no one enforces them. raise a valid point. the concern is that the current legal system does not work. we want to make sure that it does work. ofhink the most obvious case those not in legal status are the dreamers, the young children who were brought here at a young age and have been here most of their life, who have been in our schools and served in our military and have been productive individuals. most people agree they should have a pathway to citizenship. we have had strong bipartisan

support for that. countrya system in this , the laws are not working. we want to make them work. yes, we want to make sure that people come to this country legally and if they have a certain status, they stay on that status and uncle out of -- that theywe respect the laws and we have to make sure the laws make sense and work and there is a strong bipartisan agreement and the -- in thetes congress united states congress that we need to reform those laws starting with border security but making sure those that are currently in the shadows have a chance to come out. they have to acknowledge their status and get background checks and learn english and pay their fines and taxes. they cannot break the line. that is what we are trying to do and i think most americans agree. yes, there will be a large number of people who cannot do that. they should be brought forward and they should be deported. host: florida, independent caller -- caller: good morning, senator

cardin. get 9 million illegal immigrants into this country? butsay the laws are broken the laws were made by congress. thatrning the 5 million the president wants to make legal immigrants, are they eligible now as illegal immigrants for federal programs and state programs like social security and medicare? all, those who are on or not entitled to benefits. numbers, i don't know if we have an exact number. one of the reasons why we need immigration reform is so that we get the numbers so that we know who is here and we can keep track of who's here. currently, we don't know that. that some ofsible

your coworkers may be undocumented. under the system, we get to learn who is here. most people acknowledge that it's not tactical to expect we're going to take nine or 12 million people come in many of whom who have been your most of their lives and our young people and are in our schools and all of a setting, we will remove them from the country. most people don't believe that is practical or realistic. what we are trying to do is understand who is here, have a reasonable path forward but making it clear that these individuals have to acknowledge their status, pay the cost of their actions including the cost of the entire process and their back taxes. host: another issue that congress must deal with is did -- is the defense authorization bill. this is from "the washington post or co ." guest: i think the defense

authorization bill is close to being done. last night they filed the legislation and it looks like it has been agreed to by the democrats and republicans in the house and the senate. i am very optimistic that you will see an overwhelming vote in the house and senate as early as this week on passing the defense authorization bill. for theprovide financing and authorization for not only the current military operations to deal with their current challenges with isl and other extremist groups but will provide for active military giving them a modest adjustment in their wages, salaries that will provide for the equipment that's necessary. leadership of the committee's coming together and i expect we will pass the bill. host: it does not deal with health care costs? guest: it does have some provisions dealing and changes with the health care cost of the military.

it's not without controversy but it's in the bill. they do try to deal with some of the longer term issues. host: kay continues the ban on bringing gitmo detainees to the united states? guest: yes but i'm disappointed with that. i think that delays what we need to do. i have been to guantanamo bay and i can type was one of the most expensive prisons you can find anywhere in the world. it's time we end this iconic institution that i think has brought world concern about our commitment to human rights in america. host: does it deal with sexual assault in the military? guest: there is a report by the president on this issue. it's not without controversy. brand'supported senator efforts and having an open process in dealing with sexual assault in the military.

the compromises moving forward. this bill generally moves forward with a new way of handling sexual assault cases within the military. it's not a strong as we would like to see. host: it still leaves in the chain of command? guest: chain of command is left intact but there is certain appeal processes that are available. it is not the total independent that we want. host: we will hear from doug in wisconsin, republican. turn down the tv and listen through your phone. caller: i turned it off. have is weroblem i passed a law and we are claiming illegal immigrants but the true problem is that we never and force the law. -- we never and forced the law. ./ enforced the law

if you don't enforce it, does not mean anything. but if youay that are in infant brought to the united states and you lived here for 15, 16, 18 years, you are really not the person who violated the law. the only country you know is the united states of america. you have been a productive person in this country and are now ready to help build this nation to its future. i agree that our laws need to be adhered to. be laws need to also modernized to deal with the current realities we have in this country. that's what the effort in the united states senate was all about when we passed the bipartisan bill to do that. i think we need now to move forward and understand how we do it the current situation. that's what most people want us

to do in a productive way. if we took a large number of people out of the economy, that would have a impact. to deport all these people would have incredible impact on this country. it is not realistic to expect that. rather than continuing to ignore the realities of our legal system and maintain the status quo, we need to find a way to bring people out of the shadows. those who cannot comply with the new rules, they have to leave. democratice is next, caller. caller: i was going to ask about the immigration bill. it has been passed through the years and everything. -- let me see how i

can say this. through,ple, to get it if they are legal. how is it going to go about? how are you going to prove if they are doing what they say they are going to do? guest: that is an excellent question and part of the process. therethe executive order, will be several months before we start into the process. there will be a full background investigation to get this new status. proofwill be required when they entered the united states. there is ways they can demonstrate that through work record or through their residence. they have to go through a test to find out if there is any criminal background they have been involved with in the united

states. they have to pay the cost of these procedures and make sure their taxes have been paid. they have to identify where they are so we can track them if they are eligible for this status the president has brought forward. all that needs to be done. today we have no idea when they entered the country or where they are. under this proposal, we will have that information. host: about 50 provisions that extend tax breaks for individuals and businesses. a lot of criticism today about the package. today," the last revision of the house extenders bill is a monument to lawmakers hypocrisy on budget discipline.

host: that group was slamming president obama for the national debt to top $18 trillion. host: they are democrats that support this tax package as well. guest: we should have a budget that deals with how we are going to fund government. that is what we need to do. in regards to what the republicans are doing in the house. it is already december 3. when you get to a one-year extension, by the time he signs it, it expires on december 31.

extensionuple week for these tax provisions, which makes no sense at all for planning. host: so what does that mean? guest: the transit parity provision that allows those who use mass transit to commute to work. if you notice the cap was reduced, you may have been driving your car this year because of the lack of parity. we changed the rules in mid-december. you have two weeks to use the transit system to get the benefits. if you're using business tax advantages, you can get that. in favor of businesses. it does not give you the predictability. there is a better way.

it is called the expire act. it past on a unanimous vote. it did not extend all -- it reformed many of the provisions to make it more effective. i am proud of the provisions i had on energy by nonprofits. you can get more benefits from the tax provisions that are there. any of the cost of any modifications to the tax extenders. the best way to go is tax reform. host: it looks like the house could vote on this package as early as today. aret is sent to the senate, you going to have to vote yes? guest: we are not there yet. senator wyden and hatch are still negotiating.

it is our hope they will take a look at what the senate has done with the expire act. it is done in a way that we reform the some, eliminate some. i hope the house would be willing to accept. host: donna in new york. caller: thank you for c-span. i would like to remark about encouraging illegals to come out of the shadows. i think it is ridiculous. you count on the -- you counted on the younger people to sign up for obamacare, and that did not work out so well. i watched jeh johnson this morning on c-span. i just find this is absurd and naive of folks to think that this is going to happen.

i do not think people trust the government, whether they are legal or illegal. so then the ones that come out of the shadows, how many are not coming out of the shadows? how is that going to affect our country? guest: i share your concern about whether people have trust in government and come out at the shadows. this is only a temporary program. you come out with some hope for comprehensive immigration reform passed by congress or that these orders will be extended. there is a legitimate concern about whether this executive order will bring as many people out of the shadows as we would hope. the best thing is for congress to act. if we passed a law, that would be a far better way, but it

requires congress to act. the senate has done that and the house has not. i disagree with you about the affordable care act. we have reduce the numbers of uninsured in this country. the affordable care act is working. we knew it would take time before we got to all of the country. we are getting there. the expansion of preventive benefits. it is working. did it have bumps along the way? can we make it better? yes. host: president obama will meet with mitch mcconnell behind closed doors, closed to the press. it is on the daily schedule. theiro you think about

relationship and for the congress? guest: i think it is important for the journey leader and the president to have a personal relationship and have trust between them. i am pleased to see the meeting is taking place. they served together in the senate. i hope i can figure out how they could have a good personal relationship. there will be fights along the way. we want to make sure for the good of our country we have the administration and congress on the same page as to how we can move this country forward. host: what do you think the sides agree to? guest: i would hope to get a budget. we understand the dollar amounts may be the easiest thing to agree on. let's get a budget and work in a constructive manner.

tax reform, i would hope we could get that done. we have important programs we have to we authorize. we might be able to get some bills done. if democrats and republicans , if we can dor that, i think we can create more jobs in this country and move this country forward. host: good morning, betty, cleveland, ohio. caller: i was going to ask the immigration question. i want to change the focus to tax reform. tested?we get tax cuts how can we get tax cut lean tested? why should the 1% and corporations get a lifetime cash

refund when even the poor people get limited cash assistance? people who can't float their own business ideas still get money free. how much of the debt comes from tax cut? we need to have tax cut mean tested. host: we will take that point. guest: we desperately need tax reform. off, you canll figure out a way to use the tax code to your advantage. you cane a corporation, figure out a way to not pay all taxes. there are few things in the tax code that can help a middle income family. theave the child credit, college opportunity tax credit

-- these are important provisions that help working families. we have to make sure we protect those provisions. if we can get into tax reform and do less of our policies through the tax code and more through the spending programs, you get better accountability. we try to do too much through the tax code. that helps higher income folks and businesses. middle income families can see their future grow. job in to do a better our tax code to help working families and a better job in our programs and government. int: pual in -- paul pennsylvania, independent. caller: good morning.

i have a brief comment, security and medicare. i saw an article where it is being offered to illegal immigrants now. social not mistaken, security is expected to go broke by 2025. the american citizens who have paid in their whole lives, and now they are handing it out to illegal aliens. i would like your comment on that. guest: we are not giving benefits to undocumented. medicare is in better financial care today than it was a few years ago. the funding has been shored up for over a decade. we still need to pay attention to it and make it stronger. social security is one of the

best funded programs in government. strong.vency is very we like to have a 75 year solvency. somehow many years ago we decided the test for social security should be 75 year solvency. can we improve it? yes. we are looking to make social security stronger for the future. it is a good shape today. we can make it stronger for the future. social security and medicare are on sound footing. the undocumented are not undermining seniors on social security. host: what is it they are talking about? what sort of deal is coming together? guest: we have a hearing today in the senate foreign relations committee.

we're trying to get as much information to enter the question. iran give up their nuclear weapon ambition? there is resolved by the international community to make that happen. i cratchit way president obama -- i congratulate president obama for keeping the coalition together. the sanction remain tight in place and iran is suffering because of the enforcement on these sanctions. i think there is a strong incentive for iran to give up their program -- nuclear weapon program. i know they want a nuclear weapon. we cannot let that happen. that is a game changer, not just for the united states and israel but the entire region. the best way is through

negotiations. there are other options available. of "theont page washington post'reporting the drop of oil prices could have an impact. guest: the profits of oil becomes less. iran's economy is dependent upon oil. the more oil they make available, the lower the price will be. the reduction in oil prices is working to the disadvantage of iran. even if they sell more oil, they will be making less money. host: they would continue to feel the squeeze? guest: absolutely. their economy is hurting badly because of the sanctions.

we have reduced the use of their oil in many countries. we have been able to get japan, south korea and china to use less iranian oil, as part of the squeeze on iran. iran's economy is very much impacted on this. they get relief if they enter into an arrangement to give up their nuclear weapon. host: what about the decision by saudi arabia to let this slide? guest: they understand the world market on oil. there are alternatives available today. if gasoline prices were not lower, the vitamins might also -- the volumes might also reduce. host: i know you have to run. thank you for your time. we will open up the phone lines.

a news update from c-span radio. >> the supreme court hears arguments in a pregnancy discrimination case. the case involves the galilee of united parcel service is refusal to grant light duty to a pregnant driver. ups says he it was within the law in 2006. foreign ministers and other officials representing 60 countries are meeting in brussels today to plan the destruction of the islamic state through. john kerry says the coalition will engage for as long as it takes. the coalition is working to counter growing support from other jihadists. ibm is promoting away from anyone to help in ebola research by using distributed computing.

they had teamed with scientists in southern california on a software project that combines the power of thousands of small computers to each attack tiny pieces of a larger puzzle that might otherwise require a supercomputer. people can allow processing capacity on their computers or phones to be allocated. some of the latest headlines on c-span radio. >> here is some of the programs you will find this weekend on the c-span networks. live coverage of the servers for marion barry. c-span, andng on compton, who recently retired as abc white house correspondent. saturday night at 10:00, assistant prefer certain jason sokol on how the northeast u.s.

was not always supportive of african-american civil rights. our live three-hour conversation with arthur brooks, with your phone calls, e-mails and tweets. saturday night at 8:00, university of michigan professor martha jones on female slaves and the law. statermer secretary of james aker -- baker on the fall of the western wall. let us know what you think about the programs you are watching. us or send usail a tweet. joined the c-span conversation. like us on facebook. follow us on twitter. >> "washington journal"

continues. host: we are back with open phones this morning. .epublicans, 202-585-3881 democrats, 202-585-3880. .ndependents, 202-585-3882 we will get to your thoughts in just a minute. headline from "the washington post" this morning. no shutdown but a non-conservatives. and they report --

host: it goes on to say that nancy pelosi warned republicans should not expect democratic votes for bills that provide short-term funding for immigration. host: they would take up legislation that would find the government and a shorter-term vale that would fund the homeland security department and the executive action but only until mid-march.

then they would address the issue when republicans control the house and senate. that is one topic for you this morning as we are in open phones. another topic is the defense authorization bill. legislation this congress must get done before it leaves. joining us on the phone is leo shane, congressional reporter with "military times." it sounds like they have come up with a deal. guest: they announced a deal yesterday, $585 billion defense authorization bill which should make its way through the house tomorrow and the senate next week. they have passed for the last 50 consecutive years. it is one there hoping to finish up. a contains a host of different military priorities, a lot of which had been settled and

debated for most of the year. we have seen lawmakers quibbling over some issues and that held up the agreement until yesterday. host: where are the controversial parts? the sticking points? guest: the last sticking points where these military benefits. the pentagon and white house have been asking for significant cuts to military housing announces, military pay and health care. theirare designed to trim personnel cost so they can move money to try and offset some of the you fax of sequestration. the house have held firm and senate members had gone along with these. increase the rate of inflation for housing allowances. three dollar co-pays for most

military drugs. in lower than expected military pay raise. they might seem like minor issues to your listeners. for a lot of veterans, it is a steady chipping away of military benefits, that they are being used to balance the budget. their paychecks will get hit before major weapons systems. host: how much money i we talking about? guest: they can save about $4 billion over the next five years by adjusting the pay raise by a couple of percentage points. for most, $200, $300 they might have been hoping for the enlisting guys. a lot of the advocates we talked to say that is real money. that is stuff that helps them keep up with the cost of food and the cost of living.

host: the white house accusing congress of micromanaging in this piece of legislation. guest: that have threatened veto on this, too. they have threatened that just about every year and never followed through. the pentagon and white house said, we laid out a responsible plan. there are some benefits cut in here. there are things we need to start doing. opponents say there is a major compensation commission report coming out in february. this is supposed to look at the date picture, all the benefits that troops receive. we look at ways to reform the retirement benefits and find some long-term savings. this report got delayed for a year. this will be a chance to do holistic reforms, not just these little cuts.

staffers yesterday said they felt they had to give the dod something, some advanced on savings to keep them from following too far behind. host: what does the legislation say on isis? guest: there is money as part of the contingency fund for the program and for the u.s. operations. the total is about $5 billion. anything on the authorization of military force for the operation. that is something the white house said they want to see before the end of the year. lawmakers had been scattered on that one. some have said the do not want to touch that issue until the new congress is seated. that is absent from here. what is in here is money so that operations going on can continue

and some refinement of what money will go towards training and equipping those syrian rebels to respond to the isis threat. host: on the nomination of ashton carter to become the next defense secretary. where does the nomination stand? why did he rise to the top over others? guest: a lot of folks are saying he was the last one standing. there were a handful of names out there who took themselves out of the running. right now, is looking like a confirmation process some time in january or february. there is not an official nomination yet. it is highly unlikely the senate could do with before they leave next week. but certainly the folks on the hill have a lot of positive opinions on carter.

i am not sure how big is profile is outside of washington. he is respected by lawmakers. there shouldn't be major controversy about his role. what we're hearing from republicans is that the confirmation hearings will focus on what they see as the mistakes obama has made in national security and less focused on whether or not carter is right for the job. host: why isn't his nomination official yet? was it leaked yesterday? guest: we're trying to figure that out. there is several news reports from other organizations. sources have put his name out there. other reports are identify him as the last man standing. right now the white house is beent onno official decision hs

made yet. it looks just like some more washington whisper down the lane and we will see what, exactly, develops. ,ost: all right, leo shane appreciate it. caller: any time. host: we are going to open the phones this morning. douglas, independent caller, go ahead. caller: good morning. a couple of comments, when they talk about the continuing resolutions, and i believe that senator cardin said that they should do their job and pass the budget, my recollection is that congress and the senate have not passed a budget in four or five years. i think he is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. referring to the paul and patty murray budget from two years ago. in the and it failed

senate, harry reid's problem, was it not? host: what do you think should be done, douglas? that havel the bills been passed in the senate should have been brought up by senator reed. secondly, from his comments about bringing medicare costs down, just this month my company canceled my benefits, i went to healthcare.gov to get new benefits and guess what? maintain my health care and maintain close to my deductible, it is triple what i was paying. i don't think that he is -- i don't think that abrupt -- that obamacare is ringing it across. thank you. democraticight, caller, jimmy? good morning. we were talking about crime in the united states. one of the problems is that change has to start from the top. let's give a for instance.

the supreme court says that corporations are business. i mean, are people. why are they not filling out the same tax form if i -- that i have to fill out, if they are people? you know, you have got people doing things that are -- blacks and whites -- that are not right. ok? other,y protect each instead of like in the military -- i was in the military for 20 years, from 65 to 805i served in vietnam. people need to do like the military. thatu have an organization is protecting the bad apples, maybe even 1% or 2% of them, get rid of them. make your organization stronger. thank you so much. host: joseph is next, from

kentucky, republican caller. hello, joint -- hello, joseph. youer: good morning, thank for taking my call. i have a comment and a question. recently i saw a youtube video of george bush who said in a quote that the american people knew -- if the american people knew what we were doing they would hang us from the light post in the morning. i am curious as to why he would say something like that. there's also a youtube video harry reid being interviewed by a man named jan hatfield. he asked harry reid if the income tax was voluntary and harry reid said no. you don't have to pay it. i am curious as to why they would say that. if you could answer those? that would be great.

host: we will put that out there for the viewers. the previous caller talked about the patty murray paul ryan budget deal that was passed in december of 2013. this is the news release that was put out, the caller said that it did not pass in the senate, but it did by a vote of 64 to 36, and then the house passed it 332 to 94. that was a two-year budget agreement made in december of 2013. the appropriators, the lawmakers on capitol hill that site how much is spent for each agency, it is what they are working off of now as congress tries to meet a funding deadline, december 11, that would fund the government through december of 2015. the plan floated by house republicans yesterday was a bill that would fund most of the government through september of

2015 in a short-term funding bill for president obama's executive action, the homeland security agency, going until about mid march. lewis, independent, hello. caller: good morning. host: morning. caller: i just wanted to make a comment. i guess with all of this they areon stuff making things that we are going to take those jobs, but i don't think that's true, though. i am in school trying to get my ged. i am the only hispanic in there. they are there to get the education that they did not have before.

the illegals they say are taking their jobs, but that is not true. american people do not have the jobs without the right education, you know what i mean? host: all right, alice. what is on your mind this morning? these are open phones. that whilethought is the congress is talking taxes, i think we need a national war tax . we have been to war for 10 years, 12 years now, and it has mostly been put on a credit card. talk about the national debt and all of this, i think that everybody needs to be involved. start with putting a price on every wall street transaction. put a nickel on a loaf of bread. everybody contributes. everyone is in. that is my comment. host: all right, alice. on this tax debate, this package

of 50 provisions for individuals and businesses that would be extended into next year, the house is working on a package of those that they want to send it to the senate. they could vote as early as today on it. editorial board from "the wall street journal" says to let tax and spending guy. formakes little sense republicans to make concessions to the lame-duck democratic senate now, this echoes the tom delay era -- "the washington times"

editorial board also ways in this morning. they say "the noise of the season, if extended taxpayers will say something like or hundred $50 billion in industries that compete for corporate welfare rather than open markets, they will have to ."arn how the rest of us live gary, radcliffe, kentucky. caller: good morning, i would just like to make a comment. when i was in the service 25 years ago, stationed in germany, my unit twice per year was in at theof border patrol gap. we were just outside of a check town there. , groundp's, vehicles -- if we could do all of that for a foreign country, i

just don't understand what is going on with hours. that's my comment. thank you. host: ok, thank you. robert, california, independent. good morning. good morning. i am concerned about this. my wife and daughter are naturalized citizens. my wife became a citizen when i was in be at mom, fighting a war we should not have been, but that is a different subject. this has been the responsibility of the people in washington, their incompetence to handle a problem. you have 90,000 illegal aliens crossing the country of mexico, crossing into the united states without inc. stopped. that's ridiculous. 60,000 people across the border got a ticket to report to immigration court. guess what? they did not report. we do not know where 60,000 of the 90,000 people are.

who they are or where they are. you have backdoor people like napolitano here in california who gave 5 billion to support illegal aliens in california colleges. this keeps going on and on. you have governor moonbeam sacramento who just authorized drivers licenses to one point 5 million aliens. when the government people keep the poor border patrol people are trying to stop it, the idiots in washington keep opening the back door. host: denver, colorado, you are next. my name is dave and i wish you would quit grouping the allanics with latinos, like latinos are hispanic. i am hispanic, but i am not latino from mexico. i cannot hear you, so i am just talking and hoping you can hear me. host: weekend, dave.

caller: as far as real americans, my family has been here since lewis and clark trespassed on our land. but as far as immigration, the hate is pushing back towards us. they hate us. they hate the hispanics here, they hate the whites here. they have one thing on their mind and it is revolution. listen to what they say -- we will not die, we will multiply. this is mexican propaganda. i have grandchildren and i am worried for them. would open people their eyes and read some of the mexican propaganda going on in mexico. like i said, they have revolution on their mind. your point. kurt, michigan, republican line. caller: good morning. host: morning. i think, iscarter, totally out of his mind.

he wants us to believe that we cannot enforce the laws on the books right now for immigration. but we are supposed to be able to vet 3 million or 4 million people through background checks and everything else but we cannot enforce the laws that we have now? and we will be able to enforce this new deal that they are coming out with? it is totally ridiculous. ok, kirk in michigan. another issue on the front page of "the washington times" this morning. headline.nors" is the "the u.n. remains with billions in pledge syrian aid, refusing to pin the funding shortage on any individual nation, claiming the deficit is best explained by the failure of many governments to come through on promises for broad humanitarian responses to the crisis --

host: the torilla, indiana, independent line. caller: thank you for taking my call. talking about eagles qualifying for medicare and social security, please, i wanted to make a question to those who can answer it -- what happens to all the money from all of the you legal immigrants that have been workings -- working for so many

years when on their paycheck they have been paying towards medicare, paying towards social security, their money has been going out and they are not entitled to get it because they are illegal and do not qualify for these programs? mouthn someone feel their saying that these people paying towards these programs, the illegals will then come and take this money -- it makes no sense. why can they not think about what is happening to all the money if all of the illegals that are working and paying towards these things will never be able to get their money back that has been going towards that? ok, victoria. jim, brookings, oregon, republican, what is on your mind? caller: what is on your mind -- my mind? the government cutting military pay. i would like them to cut their

own pay by a percent or two. in town areorkers now illegal, supported by business, supported by republicans and democrats both. until we get the american children off their rears to a sect -- except jobs, we will never solve the problem. they are hard workers and they show up every day. illegalsas hundreds of . they are the workforce. i don't know what we would do without them, actually. my biggest complaint is that senators and representatives need to cut their own pay. thank you. all right, jim. mark, hello. caller: yes, my comment this morning is about the ferguson issue. i would like to know -- a country that can put on man on the moon and 69, why can we not design a tranquilizer gun of

some kind that could have been used in this particular instance? it would not be able to be used in every instance, but i think it could have been in this one. lots of calls about immigration this morning. we want to show you what the speaker of the house had to say regarding the options they had to stop the president. caller: we are looking at a number of options in terms of how to address this. this is a serious breach of our constitution. this is a serious threat to our system of government. frankly, we have limited options , limited abilities to deal with it directly. that is why we are continuing to talk to our members and have not made any decisions about how to proceed. host: the speaker of the house yesterday discussing the republicans way forward.

this from legislators was forcing john boehner to partway oppose barack obama's personal amnesty for illegal immigrants, tuesday he said that he and his top deputies were proposing to modify complete 2015 on the list appropriations budget to block funding for critical agency after march 30. they were doing an unmodified butomnibus two weeks ago, then they felt some heat and drafted the modified budget, according to the camp from jim schultz. funding easy implementation of the de facto amnesty for 12 million illegals. but even if boehner's planned stops the funding after march, the agency plan began failing

late on tuesday because of rank and file opposition. unless he gets solid support for mainstream conservatives, the speaker would need support from demos -- from legislators for passing a major spending bill or it would be a severe repudiation of the midterm voters who recently boosted the boehner majority." that is from "the daily caller." "as morning on "politico," pelosi bailout," it may fall apart without democratic votes." sam, independent caller, good morning. caller: how are you doing? host: morning. caller: warning. i am calling in response to the comment made by president w bush . about what the american people

would do if they found out what happened behind the scenes, being former military and former security liaison. the american people should find out about it. it would cause a problem. as the people who have worked for the government in that capacity no, sometimes in my case in particular because of the ties to the government that i have done as far as serving my country and being a proud american, i want to know what has to be done in situations like that when you don't get current proper legal representation. when you have done the things that are necessary for the country to survive. what happens to the people that find out the things the president commented on? all right. some tweets from jeff sessions, saying "the current houseplant is not to fill rahm assist to

."ters on executive amnesty ind then steve king saying " will vote no on any thatpriations bill includes dhs funding but fails to strip money from the obama amnesty." the number two democrat from maryland, "i will continue to urge gop leaders for and omnibus that funds the government so that we can maintain economic confidence." "oneer democrat saying year ago the gop cost the economy $24 billion, now we have talks that they may be back for seconds, unbelievable." republican leaders saying yesterday that they want to avoid a government shutdown, which is why they are taking this two-pronged approach on the issue of executive action and

immigration. the vote could happen as early as tomorrow on what the press is calling symbolic legislation that would say that the president was wrong to act on the executive action, but democrats won't pick it up, followed by a funding bill to keep most of the government running through september of 2015 with only short term funding for the homeland security department. sean, hazleton, pennsylvania. caller: good morning. host: morning. caller: it seems to me that america is not a republican anymore, it is a corporation. republicans are i guess you would say the corporate branches of the government of the same bird. we need to change the flight pattern. we are going into an awful place. question --at guys she said that if we knew what

the government was doing they will be hung from the pole? go on youtube and see videos starting with george w. bush half dad talking about a new world order. they are giving all of their sovereignty to the united nations, right? , like signingafta the transpacific partnership soon. the patriot act, it is all giving up sovereignty to the united nations. soon the constitution is going to be null and void and they are for a paganp government. obama says we are a muslim nation now and it is time for us to have a spiritual resolution. >> we will leave it there. democratic caller. gloria, ".

caller: democrats and republicans should both be able to work for this to make english the american first language. when you go to california or speak a if you don't foreign language you are not going to get a sandwich or anything else. thank you. host: mark, maryland, independent caller. hi. got to listen to your phone, ok? turned on your tv. oh think we lost them. -- turn down your tv. oh, think we lost him. we have open phones right now, but we also want to show you what happened on capitol hill yesterday. there was a center cut -- senate

commerce committee hearing with sports officials talking about domestic violence. a little bit from the testimony currentr nfl player, executive vice president of football operations, troy vincent. [video clip] >> we have learned much from our mistakes. the more that we listen, the more we learn and become aware of these complexities. both of the problem and the solution. we are working hard to balance the issues of a fair process with the goal of preventing and punishing these behaviors. mr. chairman and the committee, we believe that when wearing the uniform of an nfl player, it is a privilege, not a right. tears] everyk member of the nfl community must embrace this unique leadership role.

that we play in our society. and the trust that you place in us. we look forward to working with the committee to advance these goals that i know we all share. yesterday vincent before the senate commerce committee talking about domestic violence. if you want to watch the whole thing, head over to our website. wilkins, democratic caller, what is on your mind? to talki would like about immigration. everyone calls to talk about the illegals. mostly white people. i would say that they are illegal themselves. this is a country of the indians. stop talking about immigration, this country was built on immigration. thank you very much. next to --oving on

lost that call, we are in open phones. the lines are open and we have new phone lines for you -- host: getting your thoughts on any issues that you have seen on the show or in the news recently. president obama, expected to nominate ashton carter to leave the pentagon. he is the former number two at the pentagon. morning inside of "the washington post" they had this to say about him -- "reaction was "he began lecturing at stanford

this fall." gary, tennessee, independent. good morning to you. what is on your mind this morning, gary? i am a stupids old man, but i watch every budget that they pass in congress. i have read articles about the of and their millions

dollars in fraudulent claims. i have read articles about medicare paying fraudulent claims, millions in that. until the congress cleans up the , befored of government they passed the budget they need to clean up their act. both republican and democrat. host: jim, republican. caller: hello. shit. keith.e move on to my apologies. keith, you are on the air. i read an article with a report from the u.n. embarrassing the united dates about the way that it treats people when it imprisons them or tries to imprison them here. it details john birch in chicago, who was convicted of heinous acts against people who were arrested.

you would want to be treated. they should be convicted and processed, but not terrorized, as the u.n. found this doing in the military and on the civilian side. just my point, i wish that policies could be built, no matter where people are from the east coast to the west coast, it will be treated fairly and processed through the legal system and territories that we have overseas, you know, fighting in afghanistan, iraqi, asia, europe, wherever we are, we should treat people fairly and not be afraid. illinois, make it quick, the house is about to come in. go ahead. caller: i would like to point out to the people that come on

here, especially democrats the talk about the illegal immigration thing about how we stole this land from indians? this country was never a country with indians. caller: all right, i will leave it there. the house is about to come in for its morning our and legislative business. live coverage, here on c-span. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's room, washington, d.c., december 3, 2014. i hereby appoint the honorable doug collins to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. signed, john a. boehner, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the order of the house of january 7, 2014, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate.