>> a few moments ago we heard the president lay out his vision for the year to come. even if we may not always agree it's important to hear different points of view in this great country. we appreciate the president sharing his. tonight, though, rather than respond to a speech, i'd like to talk about your priorities. i'd like to have a conversation about the new republican congress you just elected and how we plan to make washington focus on your concerns again. we heard the message you sent in november loud and clear. and now we're getting to work to change the direction washington has been taking our country. the new republican congress also

understands how difficult these past six years have been. for many of us the sting of the economy and the frustration with washington's dysfunction weren't things we had to read about. we felt them every day of we felt them in red oak, the little town in south western iowa where i grew up and am still proud to call home today. as a young girl, i plowed the fields of my family farm. i worked construction with my dad. to save for college, i worked the morning biscuit line at hardies. we were raised simply. it was a lesson my mother taught me every rainy morning. growing up i had only one good pair of shoes. is on rainy school days my mom

would slip plastic bread bags to cover them. because they would be filled with bread bags slipped over their feet. our parents may not have had much but they worked hard for what they did have. these days, though, many families feel like they're working harder and harder with less and less to show for it, not just in red oak but across the country. we see our neighbors agonize over stagnant wages and lost jobs. we see the hurt caused by canceled health care plans and higher monthly insurance bills. we see too many moms and dads put their own dreams on hold while growing more fearful about the kind of future they'll be able to leave to their children. americans have been hurting. but when we demand its solutions

too often washington responded with the same steal mindset that led to failed policies like obamacare. it's a mindset that gave us political talking points not serious solution. that's why the new republican majority you elected started by reforming congress to make its function again. and now we're working hard to pass the kind of serious, job creation ideas you deserve. one you've probably heard about is the keystone jobs bill. president obama has been delaying this bipartisan infrastructure project for years even though many members of his party union and a strong majority of americans support it. the president's own state department has said keystone's construction could support thousands of jobs and pump billions into our economy and do

it with minimal environmental impact. we worked with democrats to pass this bill through the house. we're doing the same now in the senate. president obama will make a decision today. will he sign the bill or will he block good american jobs? there's a lot we can achieve if we work together. let's tear down trade barriers in places like europe and the pacific. let's sell more of what we make and grow in america over there so we can boost manufacturing wages and jobs right here at home. let's simplify america's outdated and loop-hole ridden tax code. americans think it should be easier for you not just the well connected. so let's iron out loopholes to

lower rates and create jobs not pay for more government spending. the president has already expressed some support for these kinds of ideas. we're calling on him now to corporate to pass them. you'll see a lot of serious work in this new congress. some of it will occur where i stand tonight in the armed services committee room this where i'll join committee colleagues republicans and democrats to discuss ways to support our exceptional military and its mission. this is where we'll debate strategies to confront terrorism and the threats posed by al-qaeda isil and those radicalized by them. we know threats like these can't be just wished away. we've been reminded of terrorism reached both at home and abroad. most recently in france and

nigeria but also in places like canada and australia. our hearts go out to all the innocent victims of terrorism and their loved ones. we can only imagine the depth of their grief. for two decades i've proudly worn our nation's uniform. today as a lieutenant kirnl -- colonel in the iowa national guard, i've seen just how dangerous these kinds of threats can be. the forces of violence and oppression don't care about the innocent. we need a comprehensive plan to defeat them. we must also honor america's veterans, these men and women have sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms and our way of life. they deserve nothing less than

the benefits they were promised and of quality of care we can all be proud of. these are important issues. the new congress plans to address. we'll also keep fighting to repeal and replace a health care law that's hurt so many hard working families. will work to correct executive overreach, will propose ideas that aim to cut wasteful spending and balance the budget with meaningful reform not higher taxes like the president has proposed. we'll advance solutions to prevent the kind of cyber attacks we've seen recently. we'll work to confront iran's nuclear ambitions. and we'll defend life because protecting our most vulnerable is an important measure of any society. congress is back to work on your

behalf ready to make washington focus on your concerns again. we know america faces big challenges, but history has shown there's nothing our nation and our people can't accomplish. just like at my parents an grandparents. they had very little to call their own except the sweat on their brow and the dirt on their hands. but they worked. they sacrificed and they dreamed big dreams for their children and grandchildren. and because they did an ordinary iowan like me have had some truly extraordinary opportunities because they showed me that you don't need to come from wealth or privilege lenl to make a difference. you just need the freedom to dream big and a whole lot of hard work. the new republican congress you elected is working to make

washington understand that too. and with a little corporation from the president, we can get washington working again. thank you for allowing me to speak with you tonight. may god bless this great country of ours, the brave americans serving in uniform on our behalf and you, the hard working men and women whom make the united states of america, the greatest nation the world has ever known. sbrm >> following president obama's state of the yupe onaddress. members of the hall gave their take on the president's remarks. this is 1:10. >> the 2015 state of the union is over. and c-span state of the union coverage continues here on

c-span2 and c-span.org. the president saying the shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong. once again we're outside the house of representatives bringing you reaction from members of congress. we begin with eddie dennis johnson of texas. >> thank you, >> what did you think of the president's speech? >> it was a great speech. a great message to america and to the congress. >> the president says there's no more campaigns for him. what do you think he'll have to push hardest for on capital hill to get done? >> well, i think the main thing is to make sure that we is corporating to keep the country moving forward. education of our children is an opportunity for the working people. that is exactly where it should be. whether we can all agree with that is yet to d determined.

but i'm hoping that we can. >> and to the 114th congress. >> what tease tenor like between democrats an republicans. certainly -- what's it like at this time around? >> it's been quiet. we're still in the committee we're i'm ranking and we're struggling so that we can have some input. i hope we can. i don't think that it can make a difference about whether or not they can participate equally. >> all testimony terms he laid out in the state of the union, what's most important to you. to continue the education by young people. to focus on the separation that they need for our jobs. we're a high-tech environment. and education is very important. inl community college education is very important and so those

are things that i hope everyone around me understands that. i'm not the only one that represents dallas, texas. and the need is the same all over dallas. so i hope we can work together. >> thanks for being with us. >> thank you very much. make room for your democratic colleague from california. conk, how do you do? good to see you. >> thank you. >> what did you hear in the president's state of the union speech that tuck out tonight? >> first of all, it was a very agressive speech, very broad based issues that really we've been working with for the last 14 15 years in someone. >> people have jobs. the ability for us to be able to look at and freeze community college education which means

none of this step up from behind schools. >> so we trained him. he gets to start the university. how do you get something hike that through? you have to keep work. make sure that everybody knows how we're voting on the issues. you said this was progressive speech. he's been waiting for a long time. >> he started really faltering. the president touched on the war. he didn't own it. he ended it. he inherited a fiasco in the economy. we address it and delivered loss. long division that we have to

bridge it together obviously >> really great to see -- he has never forgotten then. he's addressed it today. he's been through some things. and now we have two more years to go forward. >> congressman honda we appreciate you being with us on c-span.2. we will make way for peter defazz yo. he is the ranking democrat. best democrat of more gafpblet >> what do you hear in talking about infrastructure spending number one and also about climate change. what do you hear from him? >> there were a number of mentioned. do i think the ace is starting to thought around here for the aisle. >> instead he choice. it's called recovery act. which has spend seven times

enough money on your tax cuts. i would like for emphasis. for you had to put a dollar figure on something like that. we're talking to you. he's a stimulant. >> so what does that -- were i wish there was an 800 billion bill. >> wining two directions infrastructure. >> haven't died that much. but he didn't put anybody to work. . the warmest beer on the planet. this past year 2014. what do you expect mihm, his administration to clean it out. i i nope they'll climate change deniers and they're going to change anything and everything to overturn those regulations. might be solution that we could

agree on. the people not sitting and clapping and idling and ull of the other impacts. you're give them the vet oh. >> beyond that, do you think he would approve the project? >> you know, i'm not going to get what the p is going to do. you no idea. we'll get another view on with reaction from north carolina. welcome. thank you for being with us this evening. what did you think about the president's speech? >> i think there are some things we can work together on. he talked about a highway built. that's something we definitely something i want to search. we need to do that. >> but i'm concerned. again, he's talking about iron tacks. those are the things that hurt and that's.

small businesses across -- and kerr good would try to move. didn't mention keystone specifically specifically vetoing this. >> he's indicated he overholdsity. it's about energy. it's about economic growth. . he's talking about it because the bruiser is. but then he's holing up the kind of instra chuck. he's got to start working with this on some of these issues. how is the colleague peter defazz yo. what's that -- one of it stings where we provide an incentive for these companies bring dollars for her.

i would know so he could have. six years? >> i would go wroined crazy. she's got two viewers wanted to reich it. . it keeps going bill on the floor? >> welcome, i ails they'll go to dance. and then said it to the bth. early next week. >> thank you for -- good to be with you. >> we are live and from 180787 to 185787. thank you. whether you like about the president's speech? what did you hear? >> message from the voteders for their election today they want us to get together.

you to have recovery. keep it going. hid he nention other. >> you're under his arm. >> 1ur7bd1 minutes. some congress gauge. we will try to in here. >> of course, i will controlled house is cyber security an area that can break the house an senate can agree on legislation. >> cyber security is there we can work together and i hope they're cheering for him. i say. >> we'll figure out -- it out.

the president called on congress to authorization military search against aisle. >> should we say to the mean our guys -- and he's calling on a afpblet. a couple of weeks ago. i was wondering. one of your democratic colleagues referred to the speech as progressive speech. and in it's america looking for agressive message. i think there are a lot of bluns -- i saw this beautiful stopped it and buellfully do mitted. i think it's the state of the state address. to able to delir is pretty

amaying. >> thanks for being with us. >> republicans caught him. what do you think of the president's speech? >> the big issue in our district still the. we baged. i'll have song. regulation for stipe ling in colorado. talking about access to capital issue. had to be narco to get these economy. >> i talked about job growth and the last four years. aing the jobs grover is here in the united states. it's been greater to japan, europe. so is it the delay of job goals or the quality of the jobs that needs to be improved? >> the bottom line is that we have a family.

and that's what we cemently. and not. simply because they haven't been able to find a job. plerns able to get back to work. . the house recently. coming up. the reverse the law. actions of the president the president tonight. he would overturn that. the care here. so the. where do you go from there? >> you know the president's called on congress to work with them. >> that means that he cannot circle that. to be able to two through. the president would ignore that.

to actually address and fix the problem. i had to be able to make sure that you've got a system. >> to be able to have. but the president has been able to work with us. did he get addressed by the president tonight. >> is he going to get small. the president was holding too. >> we have base ball in terms of the real. we've got d be able to create those tufts. right now we have more small businesses and are shutting down with the systemen season of prior. that's what's ne. good night. >> thank you. very >> although next to congress.

thanks for being here. >> what do you think? >> i mean, at one point, it's more of a political statement. that was -- that was my initial reaction. at some point he tries to say we need to come together. ar. there are transportation infrastructure and he said it was guest the key sewn stop line. and maybe on some tax reform i've been getting a lot of attention to tax reforms. >> the president saying i've got no more campaign. >> i thought. you were hearing a lot of talk about this -- a classroom out there. we need to come together. some of these con traditions.

i thought it was largely fluiding stations. . . i'm just saying that we night immediate a pear yotic foremant to all. >> a lot of credit to for lowing energy prices. that would information. one of them number one or two issue than your president. what did you hear about them? . the exeen -- this is chicago. but it's been last six years. ss this a terrible evidence and sustainable recovery. better data on jobs. there ice some concern that this is not translating into the.

people somed are going up. >> why do you even hair it. i think we're still in a better position to be shore. is this recovery during. . what's happening in asia, the economy elsewhere in the world is really verdell. congress dan from california we appreciate you stopping by. . let me ask you first about an issue that you've spoken about could bea. that's part of the speem. . you did the right thing. the first president of ford politics. . and it will be good for the cuban people. i

. i think we can work with the president on trade pro-possession. >> he believes that we need it. and the president spoik so well on that, i think we can work on them with that. >> also some of the form. by can bring the rate down. were you surprised at all leading up to the. they will increase the wiss. they also talk about -- just about everything. i don't think it's been a very warm reception nor should it i think candy and film.

>> welfare reform in the 199 o's after the third time the president actually signed i. i think we keep doing the right thing and the president will come around. >> another difficult issue in particular for your state is immigration. the house last week overturning blocking a number of the executive action. how much of that will stand when an immigration debate takes place? >> my recollection is rather than try to stick a finger in the presidentees eye is how is the legislation on his desk? and then one that deals with those two who are legally now. i've been in favor of italy. i think it would be difficult fire fighter the president to veto. the president said he wanted a

come -- comprehensive approach. i think that's what the congress can do as well. >> senator, we appreciate you coming by. live coverage of the 2015. chairman of the democratic national committee. and congressman what did you think about the state of the union address? >> i thought it was great to talk about the exceptionalism. by was corn that you work from home. more opportunities to fix these. and at the end of the speech, you said look, we changed us. we signed away our differences and going to take some game here. and try to work together and focus on the pits.

-- bye. >> the democrats are in control. whatever the priorities in tirments of legislation. >> making sure that instead of the trickle down economics that have tried and failed continue to bail south we focus on middle-class economics. we take the opportunity to make sure that whether it's and affordable. someone doesn't have to clues between ennis. and you know losing their job. we make sure that we feel that halfway through the middle of class. you a chance to really major make. >> two years from now op the day will be inaugurated. >> what does the. they have to do to win that?

. not in term of their bear but their pom sit. >> i think the 45th president of the united states will be a. we need to make sure that if you work heart and play by the rules you can stay. >> it's a fair shake. people around asking for handouts. they're ack for a good quality education. snare they'll skling to make sure whether it's incress or making hure sha it stayed quickly. thothe are basic things on which we can build a strong. you know, if the republicans stake the spell then i hope we've though. booking it on the other side of the film. things that billy should be a

no-brainer. we are going to continue to reach out to them. you know, we're goirningd van tund for two years tomorrow >> an one that the blun seem to be success with. pump ling them is wow. he just. thanks foring with with us. were this the ohm. there's may 7 to -- in fact, five presidents will nominated in this website. thank you for being with us here on x man two. a very bold. >> and true,. in terms of -- and in true.

. you have narrow -- but the question is, how but. -- totally smart kid. they're all caption. and so many other things. health care. so we need to make sure that the benefit of recovery are now spread throughout the middle-class. we have the mole issue of mooney challenge. >> you have a new partner on the ways an means committee and fall ryan. community college. equal pay. -- mike partsonship -- if you

think you're clom. work together. i think the key was at the end. the issues are so important. bottom line, we need to try. they are so important. . i've been doing other issues. . and so the one about the president he was just saying that. there are so many issues. turning the corner, let's see if now aaron that corner well can front. first major is huestis. some common grind. state of the union filed me.

i want to thaw you're watching together. poor tv screen. >> this is the first time in 30 -- 32 years we were together. i said no experience. he liked it. we need you to carry on. he'll be doing his things and. that's just what i'm doing. >> thank you, so much. >> congressman went mr. michigan and homemade food for. . muller we are the champion of the look. we'll get you back here. >> what what do you think of the state of the union. he spoke to the nation.

he reminds the people. and now we're back to square one. we've got to reduce some of the bipartisan. a partship ship that we have every day on the house. we've go to have bipartisan like. and i believe the mess. . he opportunity off a lot of different items. which he -- pretty community college. not he's kaling on. i'm going to ask feuds. house and senate democrats. -- so we can turn his ground on many themes the presidents was talking about tofmente because it's growing 9537.

they lo america josh wall. can build a better sperk. how -- you and the congressional black haw. talking about america's egs not son-in-law she such a with us. did you like what you heard. erererererererer. he did make qurches for it . he was going to leave someone. inte. i could fell young. i'll never good anything to work. >> it leads to santa maria. . the fact that the rth like mcgrinny had one star, she was make it. 2015. could be the dating and fixed up

the own homerle we have if the number. they're doing great york. but there are some bood actors. >> we need to perform their duties. and also to. . keep it locked. thanks for being with us. >> the chairman of the c.d.c. spain coverage. and. this is where the wheel you know, this is my first time sitting there taking in every because it's my job now to address nose issues that are state of the union address. >> so many points i had to leaven't. i was here that it grand rapids

luckily. he's a sbn. it's our. their family choosing between found and their sick six. . >> we must not agree on a journalist. >> when people were -- have any and then i was so disappointed. . i'm i would love to. and i'm coming to you whether positive action i think he do that hoe. >> >> detroit and the metro area. for droilt, i had some of the

>> to my constituents. you know, we're a fine committee. and went we're on this any. so you have den and democratic lean. my company is oversight and also small business. the two of those -- those are areas that can sheriff. . and they log the legislation. but we can support and -- you know, we keep talk about the environment. it's time for us to ask. the law of the that will take care of the only earth we have. presidentive lyndon. thank you for being here. it will make it way for other congressmen. . i thought they might play.

you did have great blood. he admits the issue but the work in clates. class. we also address izz it in a wake to help. on the job because when you make more money you create more jobs. so i just thought that he handled it very well. just in talking about minimum wage cls something very important. >> at this point he has a job and other things very well. >> sit a minimum jedge a fall >> a. they're just too much people who have been left behind. if gap in terning is widening.

1% offensively having 60% of the swelt. we've got to do something to make sure that we can all propering to. i i thought of it. what did you hear in the president's speech that's important to members. you know, i and when he smoke about the bed so double troupele. >> -- they really do want to take kir of beam are willing to take that their own lives. >> they want to take care of that. . make sure you have jobs. get. some real problems. the one-year saning i am. he does has more to come. very make sure that if you can

get your services, you'll be at the m.a. side. . but there's still great work to be done. >> thank you for being with us. >> thank you. i am the beneficiary of the greatest executive order ever written. theer manssation proclamation. jerry: what happens though. he vitoed his work from there. what's the next step congress has to do a job. will continue to go. you want to play taxes right? >> continue to work until we can get the job done. it's not going do be done overnight but it sure does have

to do done at fuller impact. . state of the union night. former house member from colorado. now senator. tony they recollecta. it's not an exit wouldn't. . what did you hear from pst obama? >> i heard two marts of the speech. i heard the first part where he you talk about address. >> he did talk about some things that we could work on together like trade. smoke is still working ysh! what's the biggest lose it. that you and the president addressed tomorrow. we have a situation right now where at the very veneered committee.

people are really hurting. had a job they needed to make sure they can make the families into it. to immediate the family's goal. more intending is back with him. . and job creation. it's getting out of the way. >> works to entice you to marry him. >> i'd be --. by getting out of the way ands willening up the shadows like the brock see he took a couple of weeks ago. coming over from that side of the house. >> i used to make a . >> some of think colleagues reminded me of about that. >> the nat is taken by the

24-year-old. >> the founders are our fawn es places. i don't think one of our founding fathers said the saucer on the t cup. we are now opening president. 7% have been nut in place. we're. i think that's a good thick. in 1100. making scheyer sure that we are. [laughter] >> you know you're on v span 2 and yukes. michigan will follow you. >> what dow you hear in the president's speech tonight. >> well, honestly what cained to might know. >> he's talking your shad -- >> i'm not sure.

see if we can work and fields for all the park. >> how old is our health care. you know, hours an end for. . here to ood another medical. we've got do come together though. and figure out how the week to go that. >> part of that we're seeing things like. but you know, a discussion about taxing and lots of different things. i think frankel which leads some able. >> the economy adding jobs last year. another drop of unemployment stock market. the president pointed out -- what's the inc. look like? >> wendy takes the ridge.

i would actually feel that in their pocketbook. and here's the rose colored grasses. . that's because of five at lands. not because of the report lans. and there's an explanation that's gone now. >>. dennis proiment race. so i. committee. you have to go to that 6-6. i'll get that. to see what the -- of and that is still at least trite as look sbfrpblt and that's when i talk about that i'm. on a herb day there are it's. overturning some of the dod-frank legislation. >> now have had msh to me.

and i don't think it's been helpful that the p has issued these veto threats. floss. i mean, this is -- this is flawed work. there's never been aol legislation in my experience. that's perfect first time around. and certainly after the pages we know he has to fight a proof. i had one of them. i have been signature on my. we had to go back and fix something in there? >> and now let's. there's. you know this is our scrilt. we can't even discuss about how we are going to modify it. >> credit unions, insurance

companies people that are getting addressed and i think those are the kind of things that we have to face and try to finish this beak. >> thanks for being with us us tonight. very. how are you? >> let's starlt with an issue that certainly involved nebraska. clearing the way for the keystone. it wasn't clear exactly what he was saying about it. nebraska has been a center of debate for this. that's a good reason. i think we need an energy partnership with the canadians. they won that is. remember early on that pipeline was fought to learn over. 20% of the nation and codes production.

it works very aggressively. to try to get the now. >> credit to their credit. . congress myself. i think the pipeline did get myself. send me the center, bag. what do you think because the president. it depends on what type of majority they have. i think they're strong with. hilly would be clin don. the keystone early on again, there was reasonable debate taking place without a june card. right now the oil is slifting which is potentially more dangerous than the environment. and they say their. what other issues that you hear

from the president. that struck your ear in terms >> you were focusing on nebraska. >> well, i couple of points. i look like a stream spipsost. hauled us off. are veteran spare the -- i think it's would be step. and the it's really up to you. some new jobs. but some people excellently dropped out of the workforce because thares so discouraging and disinter. >> the comme economic weld being -- it's family health. i've got an e-mail today. i'm having have gone up so much.

that doesn't accept, so i think that was a real gap in trying to identify how he actually helped people in the middle. but more economic and more thought. thank you so much for agrees with us here on c-span2. or coverage continues. >> thank you for being us wsm >> thank you. it's great to be on c-span. >> what do you think snrks >> it was a solid. it was positive in way that was pretty joyful about the positivenessness -- with some big quds on mow to solve your programses. family medical leif. but i think what was important was that he talked about the successes and where we were six years ago and where we are right

now. . that was an important thing to do because in my state we're doing for. we need more stinets with community college. we need more welders. we're starring to turn away busy. >> i think and that is an important message that something like 8 million onpeople's winner. the key is to make them. and a lot of times it's some kinet of addressed degree. >> on that community college proposal, the environment. in former talks with colleagues, republican colleagues -- >> i think has the president pointed out. tennessee is doing it. you'll seen them have introduced by the way. i'm shouldn't whowled wouldn't be here. . i never graduated from high school. they sent my -- the only.

my sister never graduated from high school. and she was able to get her g.e.d. two more years of throwing it. one of the myiest ports in the ristry. who american dirts. >> i think whack that he is capturing that kind of american dream that he has alluded to maybe we couldedn't talk about this. because you were so much trouble. we're not governing governor's for crisis. only. the unemployment status is ant 3-3 more. is it opportunity to rage the minimum wage inner a. i say to increase it to the dom park. and so you're starting to see

that state by sate. i think you're starting to see that everyone where. so wy not do it on a federal buy sys. >> i'm on the other of an shishe you. the president tonight calling on congress to give him military authority against fighting isis. what does that look like? >> well, first of all, you senator the foreign relations committee with authorization rezzrution. one was passed through that committee attend of last year. and now i know center court. . there is a strong feeling. so. authorization is of course. er the kind i like and i think that's the feckfect size. >>. live coverage tonight on c-span2, and c 1357b3.

enter. the president looked like he was not in the mail. very then i'm going do continue to work people of the united states until the very en. he opened a whole new world of opportunity and challenge and i think was he committed to giving you a lay-up. there are no more campaign but really getting attention to. begins tomorrow to cants to begin -- -- well, he wants the pime of the united states to buy into it. as i sit and reflect. i'm in crying out families for

childcare. that is really automobile to being able to work persons in the workforce. and the idea of increasing the mnl day do you think you can live on $15,000 a year? the whole idea of balancing wealth inequality. \one of the things i held onto was the president's passion about growing up in hawaii. with many people living together. it will empower people. he gave another challenge and i love the way he did it. it is important point to the american people. law enforcement need to protect and serve but understand the pain of parents who lost their sons. to tragic incidences involving

law enforcement. we can come together and provide real criminal justice reform. >> national security and homeland security. the president addressed the issue of troops in afghanistan no longer there. relying on north african and asian partners. are you confident that the military stature of the united states, where we are in terms of national security is the right place? >> i have been a strong proponent for our military, including our personnel in training. i want to keep building up so we have a strong force to defend america. one of the issues on focusing on is both boko haram. that comes under our african command which i was very supportive of. i think our u.s. troops will be

very helpful in strategy and other resources in fighting against that horrible terror. >> u.s. boots on the ground? >> when i say troops come i mean resources, intellect training but not engage in the actual battle. we are collaborating with a number of european allies trying to stamp out isis, but more importantly trying to build up iraqi forces again and pushing them forward to fight for just peace. i think that is an important point and it is not the -- it does not diminish the power of u.s. military forces. >> how long did you have to wait for your seat? >> early in the morning. to all of my constituents, i think it is very important to let them know i care about them. but more poorly, we are working -- more importantly, we are working. i'm able to make appointments and get things done for the

district. we come away with a lot of goodies. all those great cabinet officers. when the constituents i am fighting for is a revitalization. we get a lot of talk about that. >> thank you. live coverage on c-span2. in the u.s. capitol. president obama speaking. welcome. what did you hear in the president's speech that resonated? >> what i love the most was he give hope for the middle class. paid family leave why it was so

important to higher education. when he talked about making it zero, i jumped up for joy because i said, i have been a college teacher for 10 years. the young people that have returned there, the returning worker. he is pushing for greater access to higher education. it made my heart explode with joy because that is something we really need. >> we asked one of your sent colleagues about trinity college. -- community college. have you talked to one of your republican colleagues about what they feel? >> i have not yet. but, i think there is support in the united states for something like this. higher education is a basic fundamental principle. it is something that is valuable in america.

it is the key to the american dream. community college is the most accessible form of education that we have. but, how will we pay for it? this is where i think it is important. the tax loopholes he was talking about and making sure there is more money available for the middle class. >> you come from a state that has a fairly high tax rate for the many earners. what has been the result of higher taxes in california? >> we have an excellent higher education system. we have a very good quality of life. that is why so many people stay there. it is because california offers many of the things that people want when they are thinking about raising a family. >> to the constituents in your district what is the number one issue that the president talked about? >> making sure they can make ends meet. it is the fact that they are

talking -- they are having such a hard time seeing their money lose its value. they are having such a hard time despite the fact that the economy is getting better. making sure that their money goes where it should. making sure they can buy the things they need for the family. we need to make sure that their dollars go where it should. >> democrat from california. thank you for being here tonight. c-span2 and c-span.org -- our coverage continues. reaction now from senator bob casey. thank you for being with us this evening. what is it for the president that stood up? >> we have heard from the president focused on the middle class. a driving theme in his speech tonight. it is essential for people in both parties to make the middle

class and wages much more of a priority than it has been. i'm glad he spent as much time as he did. i'm glad he told a story of a real american family and use that not just as a metaphor, but really as a reflection as what we ought to be doing. >> you mentioned family -- the president said along the lines -- talking about the woman who wrote him from minnesota -- they came from a really tightknit family. we have come through some very hard times. do you feel that about the country? >> i do. despite our political differences and the acrimony that we should not pretend is not there in this country we have strong disagreements, but they usually don't get resolved inthe same in other places in

the world. he was wriright to emphasize that kind of national unity. we have to be honest about those divisions. i think he was trying to have more of a conversation as opposed to a confrontational policy address. >> what is the division like now that you are the minority in the senate? >> it is only been a couple of days. i think there is substantial pressure on both sides to work things out. if there is one thing i heard in pennsylvania over several years or maybe even more urgently, you guys at the work together. i'm not any different from any democrat or republican in the house or senate. the president knows he only has two years left. the republicans have majority in both houses. they have pressure on them to show they can govern, that they are not a party that will shut the party down again and they

will figure out a way to show they can govern because the country is demanding that. >> what are some of the major issues that you were hoping to get passed? >> there are several ways to improve the prospects of the middle class. one would be the minimum wage. even folks were in the middle class now, i think a lot of them want to see others climb that ladder. number two, tax policy is important. it helps small businesses. i think -- the president idea on childcare is a really good idea. i have a real interest in early learning. pay equity. making sure we are doing everything possible to put it on the table. tax strategies that will help small businesses to hire and grow the middle class.

middle class and wages. >> thank you so much. we welcome to our cameras congressman tom mcclintock from california. thank you for being here. what did you think of the president's speech? >> the same old policies of the past six years. higher taxes, more spending, more burdens. we should be in a new economic golden age. those policies you not work. they contributed to income equality. -- inequality. they need better paying jobs. when the president says he is going to tax the wealthy. to tax something, you get less of it. that is precisely the moment where the economy desperately needs greater investment. the more jobs and the better paying jobs.

>> you when you republican colleagues have mentioned to us the president was looking that it economic achievements of the last six months to a year. would you agree? >> ask and they anybody in my district have a economy is going, you'll get a different answer. we have a smaller portion of the population working today than any time in more than 30 years. the incomes for many americans have gone down, not up during this administration. this was a very tepid recovery when we should have had a very robust recovery. if the obama recovery mirrored the reagan economy, millions of more americans would be working today. >> where is your district in california? what is the primary industry? >> sierra nevada. it used to be timber and resources until it was shut down by government regulations.

now it is health care. i have the suburbs of sacramento as well. >> the president didn't address the water issue at west but he talked about the issue of climate change. the fact that was reported about 2014. >> it is the hottest the last -- in the last 134 years they have been keeping records. the bottom line is yes, the planet is warming. in case he has not noticed, the planet has been warming on and off since the last ice age. whether or not we really wrecked our economy with all the new taxes and regulations he is proposing, the planet will continue to warm and cool as it has for the past millions of years. >> congressman tom mcclintock, thank you for being with us. we continue our coverage from the statuary hall. here on c-span2 c-span.org.

following the president's state of the union address. democrat of ohio, thank you. what did you think of the president's speech? >> i thought it was a very powerful speech. i think he came out very positive. momentum on middle class economics. got bipartisan support when he talked about transportation infrastructure built. the biggest job creating bill we can pass. he gave me a lot of hope when i watch the reaction of the membership. i think tax relief for working families. i don't know if back and really happened. >> is that an overreach? >> he was not specific enough but the idea that we would support cash in the pockets of working family is very appealing to the general public. the idea of making college education, community college

education more affordable for people of all ages -- wow. it'll be interesting this to the details on that. i think in those three areas in particular we have the possibility of putting together a bipartisan coalition. >> one of your colleagues earlier mentioned the president speech tone was a progressive methods. is your district ready for that? >> my district is ready to put everybody back to work. i don't know if we given that title exactly, but we want to go forward. we want to build america. let us rebuild this country. >> what is the employment district -- situation like in your district? >> it is much better than president obama took office. he has created thousands of jobs , especially in the auto industry. with the national -- natural gas

discovery in ohio, our gas prices have been below two dollars a gallon many times. that is giving a boost for people to have more spending to go out to restaurants and so forth and buy items for their homes. it is uneven. we have had some layoffs because of the weakness in the economy and other countries. so, it's still tender but we have an unemployment rate below the national average. if you are at 5.8%, you still have hundreds of thousands of people unemployed in the state. >> the president idea of passing trade legislation, the trade promotion authority. >> i don't think the president got much support from our side on that, if you watch. ed. it'll take creating jobs in this

country and not outsourcing our jobs anymore. and not creating benefits in this country, but opening markets in other places. the president talked about exporting. we can only do that when other countries open their markets including japan, china, korea, every country in which we have a free trade dela, we have negative numbers for us. actually, in the last 29 years $9.5 trillion in trade deficit. that is a lot of millions and millions of jobs in our country. we have to find deals that benefit us too and not just outsource our jobs. >> yet seen a number of state of the union addresses. do they matter anymore? does it matter to you as both as you as a member and your constituents? >> it certainly does.

this is when the president sets the tone for the country for his program that will follow in a few weeks. the budget program. it sets the term for the debates. we will see what he is able to accomplish. we will see that the opposite party, now in leadership in the party, what they put on the table and we will try to govern. >> thank you for joining us. our coverage continues here on c-span two. things wrapping up as the state of the union speech has wound down. the president wrapped up his speech about an hour ago. we have been bringing you reactions from members of congress. congressman, how are you? you may be our last guest here. what did you think of the president's speech? >> there was a lot that he

knows is dead on arrival. i don't agree with the tax policy. there are considerable skepticism. we don't think he is intended to any victory laps on foreign policy. -- entitled to any victory laps on foreign policy. so, on the other hand, there were some places where we can cooperate. trade was very interesting because all the republicans were on their feet yellowy yelling and hollering. that is clearly an area where we can work on. cyber security -- he forgot to mention the legislation. we can work together with the president on that. infrastructure, and we can figure out a common way to pay for it, it is something that we can agree forward.

he mentioned precision medicine which is interesting. i was at the national institute of health with other members of the bipartisan delegation. that is in the best that we should be making. -- that is an investment we should be making. we have had other things that have asked her feed -- atrophied. there are things to work together but a lot of it depends on obama. he took a minority of the minority and the majority of the majority to work with the speaker, work with the majority leader and got things done. are we going to see the barack obama who issued a visa it of orders on immigration -- who issued an executive order on immigration? i think the president has to figure out which president he will be. a president who was basically

acting as chairman of the democratic national committee or is he looking for two years of progress and legacy? i think if he is, he will find willing partners. >> what is first up are republicans after the speech? >> i think the easy for us, we have our own agenda that is coming out this week that will continue bill by bill. the president will not agree on us on the two bills we will bring out this week. on the other hand, free-trade is the easiest area to come together to cooperate. i would argue the sooner we can get the authority, the better chance we can negotiate a deal. i think i will be very interested to see -- assuming he makes it on time and he said he will. that is the first time he said that in a long time. that will give us a better

starting point. we'll think the president has done well. we think he has mishandled the war. he needs an authorization bill. >> he pointed out his confidence in our asian partners and north african partners in terms of national security defense in afghanistan and elsewhere. are you as confident as the president? >> no, although i do agree with this point that we need partners. particularly in this situation with islamic terrorism. you need islamic partners with you. i think -- look, he has been clearly wrong on syria. bob gates and leon panetta just said that. he clearly was wrong about iraq. he did not avenge it -- envision iiusil establishing.

's view was what is going on in the ukraine is not what the ukrainian people want. they have been watching their country dismembered. crimea is never coming back. in the country are torn away -- at the eastern parts in the country are torn away. -- the eastern parts in the country are torn away. >> thank you for being with us. >> thank you. >> that were rapid up on c-span2 and c-span.org. all of our coverage is available anytime at c-span.org and throughout the night look for coverage across the c-span networks. this is been live coverage from statuary hall in the u.s. capitol. >> the u.s. conference of mayors is in washington this week for their annual winter meeting. today, kevin johnson, mayor of sacramento and president of the conference, delivers the state of the city's address.

we will bring that to you live starting at 12:45 p.m. eastern on c-span3. we are back on c-span3 later for president obama's visit to boise state university. it is the first leg of a trip to you american universities where the president will promote initiatives on his state of the union address. see it live at 4:45 p.m. eastern. this saturday, live coverage of the freedom summit from des moines begins at 10 a.m. eastern. speakers include governors rick perry, scott walker and chris christie former governor my company, businessman donald trump and dr. ben carson as well as 2008 vice president nominee sarah palin. this saturday on c-span, c-span radio and c-span.org.

president obama delivered the annual state of the union address tuesday night. he spoke for an hour touching on the economy, employment, trade race relations and foreign-policy issues. we will follow his remarks with the republican response given by freshman senator joni aarons of iowa. the sergeant at arms: mr. speaker, the president of the united states.

the speaker: members of congress i have the high privilege and

distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the united states. the president: thank you. thank you so much. mr. speaker, mr. vice president, members of congress my fellow americans. we are 15 years into this new century. 15 years that dawned with terror touching our shores that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars, that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. it has been and still is a hard

time for many. but tonight we turn the page. tonight after a breakthrough year for america, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. more of our kids are graduating than ever before. more of our people are insured than ever before.

we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we have been in almost 30 years. tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in afghanistan is over. six years ago nearly 180,000 american troops served in iraq and afghanistan. today, fewer than 15,000 remain, and we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 generation who has served to keep us safe. we are humbled and grateful for your service.

america, for all that we have endured all the grit and hard work required to come back for all the tasks that lie ahead know this. the shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong. at this moment, with the growing economy, shrinking

deficits, bustling industry booming industry, we have been able to write it. it is now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next 15 years and decades to come. will we accept an economy where a few of us are wealthy or chances for everyone? will we approach the world fearful. will we lead wisely using our elements to defeat threats.

will we allowed ourselves to turn against one another or rekaptur the sense of common purpose and in two weeks i will send this congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. i will chris cross the country making a case for those ideas. but tonight, i want to focus less and focus on the values that are before us. and begins with our economy. seven years ago, rebecca earller were newlyweds. she waited tables he worked

construction and first child jack was on the way. they were young and in love in america and doesn't get much better than that. if only we had known, she wrote to me last week, what was about to happen to the housing and construction market. they took what jobs they could find, even if it kept them on the road. she took out student loans and retrained for a new career. they sacrificed for each other and slowly it paid off. they bought their first home, they had a second son, henry, she got a better job a raise and ben's back in construction

and back home for dinner every night. it is amazing what she wrote, what you can bounce back. we are a strong tight-knit familiar high who has made it through tough times. we are a strong family who have made it through tough times. their story is our story. they represent the millions who worked hard and scrimped and sacrificed. you are the reason i ran for this office. you are the people i was thinking of six years ago today in the darkest months of the crisis when i promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation and it has been your resilience, your efforts, that

has made it possible for our country to remain strong. we believed we could draw new jobs to our shores. our businesses have created over 11 million new jbs. -- jobs. we believe we could reverse our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet and america is number one in oil and gas, america is number one in wind power. we bring in solar power as we did in all of 2008 and thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards the typical family should save $750 at the pump.

we believe we can prepare our kid or for more competitive work and they have earned the highest reading and math scores. it has hit and all-time high. more americans have finished college than ever before. we believe that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis and encourage fair competition. we have new tools and to protect us from predatory linding and 10 million uninsured americans have gained health coverage.

and every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious and we would crush jobs and explode deficits. we have seen the economic growth and a stock market that has douked. this is good news, people. so the verdict is clear.

middle class mix work, expanding opportunity works and these policies will continue to work as long as politics don't get in the way. we can't slow down businesses or put our economies at risk with fiscal showdown and put the security of families at risk. we are fighting past battles where we have to fix a broken system and if a bill comes to my desk to fix these things, i will veto it.

today, thanks to a growing economy, the economy is touching more and more lives. wages are starting to rise again. small business owners plan to rise their employee's pay. here's the thing. those here tonight we need to set our sights higher to make sure government doesn't screw thing up. we need to do things more than do know harm. let's do more to restore the link between growing opportunity for every american. because families like rebecca's

still need our help. she has been working as hard as ever. they had to forego vacations and get a new car. friday night pizza, that's a big splurge. child care costs as much as a year at the university of minnesota. she isn't ag for a handout but looking for more ways for families to get ahead. this country has taken bold action to take adaptation to make sure everyone gets a fair shot.

protect ourselves from the hardships. we gave our citizens schools and colleges. infrastructure and the internet, tools they needed for their efforts and their dreams will take them. the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot. everyone plays by the same set of rules. we don't want everyone so share in america's issues, we want everyone to contribute in america's success. what does it require in our time? first middle class mix means families feeling more secure.

child care, college health care, a home retirement. and my budget will address each of these issues lowering the taxes and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year. here's one example during world war ii and my grandfather went off to wrar, there was a national security priority. this quoupt try provided june versusal child care. both parents in the work force, we need child care more than ever.

>> it's not a nice to have, it's a must have. stop treating child care as a side issue or as a women's issue and treat it like the initial economic priority like it is for all of us. and that's why my plan will make it more available and more affordable more middle class and low-income families and creating tax cuts up to $,000 per family per yearment here's another examining of example, we are the

only one familiar country on earth that does nth pay it. 4 million think about that. and that forces too many parents to make the choice between the pay check and sick kid at home. states will have paid leave policies at home and let on put it to a bill in washington. that's the right thing to do. right thing to do. of course, nothing helps families meet things meet like higher wages. congress needs to make sure that

a woman is paid the same wages as a man to do the same work. 2015 it's time. we still need to make sure that employees get the overtime they earned and everyone who still refuses to raise the minimum wage if you can wrk full-time, try it. if not, vote to give americans a wage!

these ideas won't make everybody rich. won't relieve every hardship. that's not the job of government. we still nead more employ ears to see the next eerns and it is in their interest. we still need laws strengthen and give american workers a voice. but you know things like child care, and sick leave and equal pay things like lower mortgage premiums and higher minimum wage these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. that's a fact.

and that's what all of us republicans and democrats alike were sent here to do. second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help americans upgrade their skills. america thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of g.i.'s to college, trained the best work forest in the world. we were ahead of the curve. but other countries caught on and in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to up our game. we need to do more. by the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education. two in three. and yet, we still live in a country where too many bright striving americans are priced out of the education they

need. its not fair to them, and its sure not smart for our future. thats why i am sending this congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college -- to zero. keep in mind, 40% of our college students choose community college. some are young and starting out. some are older and looking for a better job. some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back to the job market. whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy without a load of debt. understand, youve got to earn it you've got to keep your

grades up and graduate on time. tennessee, a state with republican leadership, and chicago, a city with democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible. i want to spread that idea all across america, so that two years of college becomes as free and universal in america as high school is today. let's stay ahead of the curve. and i want to work with this congress to make sure those already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments so student debt doesn't derail anyone's dreams. thanks to vice president bidens great work to update our job training system, were connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill high-paying jobs like coding, and nursing, and robotics. tonight, im also asking more

businesses to follow the lead of companies like c.v.s. and u.p.s. and offer more educational den fits and paid apprenticeships, opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher paying jobs even if they don't have a higher education. and as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the american dream they helped defend. already, weve made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. were slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need, and were making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. joining forces, the national campaign launched by michelle and jill biden -- thank you, michelle, thank you, jill, have helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get new jobs.

so to every c.e.o. in america, let me repeat. if you want somebody who is going to get the job done and done right, hire a veteran. finally, as we better train our workers we need the new economy to keep churning out high wage jobs for our workers to fill. since 2010 america has put more people back to work than europe, japan, and all advanced economies combined.

our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs. some of our bedrock sectors like our auto industry are booming. but there are also millions of americans working jobs that didn't exist 20 years ago, jobs at google and ebay and tesla. no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future but we do know we want them here in america. we know that. and that's why the third part of middle class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. 21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure -- modern ports, stronger bridges,

faster trains, and the fastest internet. democrats and republicans used to agree on this. so lets set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. lets pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come. let's do it. get it done. 21st century businesses including small businesses, need to sell more american products overseas. today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. but as we speak, china wants to write the rules for the worlds fastest-growing region. that would put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage. why would we let that happen? we

should write those rules. we should level the playing field. thats why im asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect american workers, with strong new trade deals from asia to europe that arent just free, but are also fair. it's the right thing to do. look, im the first one to admit that past trade deals havent always lived up to the hype, and thats why weve gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. but ninety-five percent of the worlds customers live outside our borders, and we cant close ourselves off from those opportunities. more than half of manufacturing executives have said theyre

actively looking to bring jobs back from china. let's give them one more reason to get it done. 21st century businesses will rely on american science technology, research and development. i want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine, one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. in some patients with cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable. tonight, im launching a new precision medicine initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier. we can do this.

i intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community, and help folks build the fastest networks, so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world. i want americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs -- converting sunlight into liquid fuel, creating revolutionary prosthetics so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kids again. pushing out into the solar system not just to visit, but to stay. and last month we launched a new spacecraft as part of a re-energized space station program that will send american astronauts to mars. in develop months to prepare us for those missions, scott kelly

will begin a year-long stay in space system of good luck, captain. make sure to instagram it. we're proud of you. now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, i know theres bipartisan support in this chamber. members of both parties have told me so. where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. as americans, we dont mind paying our fair share of taxes as long as everybody else does, too. but for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes that let some

corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. theyve riddled it with giveaways the superrich dont need while denying a break to middle class families who do. this year, we have an opportunity to change that. lets close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad, and reward those that invest in america. lets use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home. lets simplify the system and let a small business owner file based on her actual bank statement, instead of the number of accountants she can afford. and lets close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top one percent to avoid paying taxes o