reporter: when and if sanctions are lifted, is the president knowing what his response? mr. earnest: we see those reports as those missile systems to iran. the united states has previously made known our objections to that sale. and i understand that secretary kerry. -- ok, i'm going out -- and decision making process that are russia is engaged in right now. but it's safe to say that russia understands that the united

states takes very seriously the safety and security of our allies. 4

believe is -- has been critical to our success. we'll obviously evaluate these two other proposals moving forward and obviously, you know we've been in direct

touch with russia to make sure they understand, and they do, about the potential concerns we have. reporter: and building off darlene's question, you can't get into specifics with the prime minister and how obama would respond. what can you tell us about the deliverables, expectations, what's the goal of this meeting? secretary earnest: well, the goal is to continue the deep coordination that exists between the united states and iraq. this is a partnership that the united states has obviously deeply invested in, and our success in working with an inclusive iraqi government has been important to some of the security gains that iraq has realized against isil in the last few months. there obviously is a a lot more work that needs to get done and we need to work closely with the iraqis and deepen our

coordination in the strea gee -- strategy that the president has laid out defeating isil. reporter: getting back to the nuclear deal and to follow-up on some of the president's comments from the press conference on saturday, is there any scenario in which the president would accept a nuclear deal in which the sanctions are lifted immediately at the consummation of a deal in the sense the iranians want to have that happen? are you ruling that out that's not going to happen? secretary earnest: we've been very clear what our position is and the position is different than the iranians which is one that insists upon removing all sanctions on day one. what we have indicated is the best course of action. is for the international community to provide phased sanctions relief to the iranians in exchange for their implementation of the deal.

and that would mean -- and i guess that would be backed up, of course, by an historically intrusive set of inspections that are frankly more rigorous and more detailed and more intrusive than any set of inspections that have been imposed on a country's nuclear program. that obviously is a critical component to this agreement as well. but what we would envision is essentially phased sanctions relief in exchange for successful implementation of the agreement and the iranians in a verifiable way living up to the commitments they made at the negotiating table. reporter: and you won't be -- secretary earnest: we've been clear what our position is. this is a position that iranian negotiators are very well aware of. this is something that's been conveyed to them around the negotiating table. the second thing i can tell you is this position about phased sanctions relief doesn't just reflect the position of the united states, it reflects the position of the international

community. again, this goes to my response to julia's question is how important for the international community to be remained united on this issue. that's how we've been able to maximize our leverage with iran to make them get the serious commitments we seek. there is opinion that phased sanctions relief is the most effective way for us to implement this agreement. reporter: and the president indicated he -- perhaps more of a flexibility on senator corker's legislation to give congress a final say on the deal. maybe i was misreading that a little bit. that's -- that's what i want to ask. does his veto threat still stand on that legislation or is he perhaps amenable working with the senator -- is the white house working with the senator's office, that committee in crafting something that's a little bit different that might go to the same type of, you know, goal of giving congress a final say? secretary earnest: well, those are two different questions. let me take the first one

because that's the easiest. the legislation as it's currently written is a piece of legislation that president would absolutely veto for a variety of reasons. you know, one specific example i can give you is a specific example i offered up for the first time last week which is there is a provision in the current version of the bill that would make the deal contingent upon iran essentially renouncing terrorism. it would require the administration to certify that americans weren't at risk from any of the terror activities that iran supports. we've been very clear about the fact that we hope to resolve this agreement in a way that would prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon precisely because we're concerned about the fact that if iran were able to obtain a nuclear weapon it would make their support for terrorist organizations even more dangerous and even more risky. so we do not anticipate in the

context of this agreement being able to resolve all of our concerns about iran's terror activities. in fact, that's the reason that we're pursuing this agreement, to ensure that iran can't obtain a nuclear weapon and share either that nuclear weapon or some of the technology or those materials with a terrorist organization. so that is why we would continue to strongly oppose that legislation and veto it because it essentially includes a provision that would make the deal impossible to implement. now, what's also true is that this administration has been deeply engaged with congress since the agreement was announced back on april 2. since that time there have been more than -- maybe it's exactly -- no more than 130 telephone calls that have been placed by everybody from the president, the vice president members of the cabinet and other senior administration officials on down to members of congress on capitol hill. now, you'll recall congress has been in recess the last couple

weeks. that means we have not been able to have as many face-to-face conversations that we would like but that will change today. what you also know, i believe, is that secretary kerry, secretary mow knees, secretary lieu will be convening classified briefings with members of the house and senate over the course of the next two days and, again, that reflects the fact we are at the beginning of the process of helping members of congress understand exactly what commitments iran has made so far and how those commitments we hope will be finalized over the course of the next 2 1/2 months. reporter: but in terms of crafting some sort of alternative, is that -- can an alternative be crafted that might satisfy your concerns and satisfy concerns of lawmakers to have some sort of oversight role? secretary earnest: that remains unclear.

the fact is the way the legislation scurntly writ written is something we strongly oppose. continue gwen, we continue to have extensive conversations from members of congress on capitol hill. we want to make sure that every member of congress that wants one gets a classified briefing from secretary kerry who is getting the negotiations, from one of the most expert. secretary lieu is obviously the leader of the cabinet agency that's responsible for implementing the sanctions regime that's been successful in pressuring iran. the briefing will also include intelligence officials who can offer an updated assessment about iran's nuclear program and our knowledge of their thinking so far. so we've obviously got a lot of -- there's obviously a lot to this agreement that has been reached so far. the other thing that will be included in that conversation is the acknowledgment that there are details that still need to be worked out and that's why the president wants

congress to ensure that our negotiators have the time and space they need to try to reach an agreement by the end of june. reporter: one last thing you mentioned, this will be world class economics week. i'm sure you saw the announcement video that was released by hillary clinton, her campaign over the weekend. and in that video she features a lot of working americans and everyday americans. at one point during the video she says the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top. she's obviously speaking about the economy. do you take that as a criticism? secretary earnest: i don't. i think the president would raise the same concerns. that there is more that we can do to invest in middle-class families, to make sure that middle-class families have access to the job training and education we know will be critical to the long-term success, not just of individual families, but of the country. that there's more we can do to invest in our infrastructure. that we know would create jobs right away. and lay a foundation for our nation's long-term economic strength. there are a host of changes we

can make to our tax code to make it a little bit easier for families to send their kids to college, to pay for childcare and those kinds of changes to our tax code are targeted at middle-class families and that stands -- those priorities are priorities that are broadly shared by democrats and they stand in stark contrast to republicans that are interested in -- just to take one example -- focusing tax breaks for not just the wealthiest 1% but the wealthiest .1% in terms of those estates that they're proposing no longer be subject to the estate tax. april. reporter: josh, i want to go back. does chirl clinton automatically give president obama's support because she was the secretary of state and because it was such a big deal from 2008 -- what happened in the campaign and the fact he made such a big deal as a team of rivals, does she

automatically get his support? secretary earnest: to answer that question is no. the fact is the president obviously had an opportunity to see up close how effective a campaigner she can be. she was obviously a very formidable opponent in the 2008 contest for the democratic nomination. during the general election in 2008, secretary clinton was a very effective advocate for president obama's general election campaign. and over the course of the president's first term here in office, secretary clinton proved to be a very effective secretary of state. over that time president obama's had the opportunity to build a strong personal relationship with her. as the president indicated in his news conference on saturday, the two of them have become friends but as has been speculated by all of you and many others, there are other people who are friends of the president who may at some point decide to get into the race.

so the president has not offered us any sort of endorsement at this point. this will be the responsibility of democratic voters to decide who should be the democratic nominee for president but i would anticipate that once that process has been concluded and democratic voters have decided who that democratic nominee, i'm sure they'll enjoy the support of president obama in their campaign. reporter: is there anticipation that not just hillary clinton but other democrats -- we know the republicans is slicing at this administration. is there anticipation -- excuse me -- of swiping at this administration for policies maybe not -- policies that might have failed to have their -- that the democrats will be doing that to this administration? secretary earnest: again. the democratic candidates will have to make their own decisions what their message will be. i think as jim pointed out, there's a lot of overlap in the priorities and values that

president obama has routinely expressed and the kinds of priorities and values i anticipate that a lot of democratic candidates for president will be making over the course of this year. reporter: lastly. loretta lynch again. 51 votes. why has it not come up for a vote yet? secretary earnest: that's the best question i've heard in a while. it's one that can be only posed i think to senator mcconnell. he's the one that's determining the floor schedule. ms. lynch has been waiting 156 days for her confirmation. she's somebody who got bipartisan support in the senate judiciary committee. she got that bipartisan support because she is a career prosecutor with a reputation of fairness and toughness. she's prosecuted terrorists. she's prosecuted white-collar criminals. she's prosecuted public officials who didn't keep the public trust. she's done all of that with professionalism, with dignity and with the interests of the american people at heart.

that's what makes her the right person to lead the department of justice over the course of the next two years or so and we continue to believe that republicans should stop for partisan reasons, preventing her from getting the vote she deserves. we're confident if she's given the vote she will be confirmed. reporter: so is it partisan politics? votes they haven't put to the floor, do you think race is a factor or not a factor? secretary earnest: in answering your first question, you have to ask senator mcconnell why she hasn't been given the vote she clearly deserves. reporter: on iran, as you're well aware, there are four americans still being held prisoner by the iranian government. has the administration been in contact with their families, has this deal come together? has there been further efforts to get those americans free in these -- i know you said -- has

there been parallel efforts to get those americans free? secretary earnest: look, john, i can tell you on the sidelines of the ongoing conversations that there have been occasional discussions about the u.s. belief that those americans who are unjustly held in iran should be released. we've made our views on that known very clearly to the iranians. the obama administration and even officials here at the white house do continue in regular touch with the families of those who are being held in iran. you know that -- just to give you one example. we know when president obama when he traveled to idaho, met with the family of one of the americans being held unjustly in iran. when we continue to have concerns about that and we're going to continue to advocate for their release. in fact, we're going to insist upon it. now, at the same time i've also been pretty clear about the fact that we do not anticipate

that we're going to be able to resolve our long list of differences with iran in the context of these nuclear negotiations. but it does not mean that the -- our efforts to secure the release of these americans is not a priority. reporter: so you say you're going to insist on it but it's still quite possible and unless you've seen movement even likely that if a nuclear agreement is reached and finalized those four americans could still be held prisoner by the iranian government? secretary earnest: well, what we've indicated, that our efforts to secure the release of those americans is on -- is separate from our efforts to try to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. but both of those things are priorities and we continue to be in touch with the families of those who are being held to make sure they understand that as well. reporter: and the iranians that were held hostage in 1979 and 1980 as you know never received any compensation whatsoever for

the 444 days they spent as hostages of the iranian -- in iran. they are here in washington this week trying to, you know, working with senator corker, trying to get a provision that any agreement that's done with iran must include a provision given compensation to those americans that were held hostage. what's the white house's position on that? secretary earnest: again, our view is that commitments that iran has made to limit and in some cases even roll back aspects of their nuclear program are critical to ensuring that iran's not obtaining a nuclear weapon. that is the focus of the negotiations that have been taken place for sometime. there are a whole host of issues on the side that are also priorities, but that are separate from our ongoing efforts to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. reporter: has the administration raced that issue of -- raised that issue of

compensation of the hostages from 1979, 1980? secretary earnest: i don't know. reporter: was there any heads up about the clinton's announcement over the weekend? and i noticed the white house -- the president's agenda this week looks roughly in line with mrs. clinton's agenda this week? has there been any coordination whatsoever? secretary earnest: no. this is a -- our efforts to focus on some of our ideas around tax policy and tax fairness and highlighting how republicans want to shower tax benefits on those at the top while the administration believes by targeting tax benefits to middle-class families we can maximize the impact of those benefits. that is something we have long envisioned making around tax day which is, you know, this

wednesday. so that's been our focus and this has been part of the plan for sometime prior to any announcement from any of the candidates. i'm not aware of any specific heads up that the president got. i can't sort of account for everybody that may have been in touch with the clinton campaign. you will recall that president had the opportunity in the last several weeks to have a private conversation with mrs. clinton. i don't know if they talked in detail about her rollout plans. but even if they did i probably wouldn't talk about it from here. mike. reporter: can you talk a little bit about the meetings with the jewish leaders today and what the president wants to say, what he wants to hear from them? there's obviously likely to be disagreement among those groups about the iran deal. and maybe say what the differences between leaders of american jewish organizations and jewish community leaders and why there's two separate

meetings. secretary earnest: yeah. the -- let's take your first question first. this will be an opportunity for the president and other members of his senior team to talk to these advocates for the jewish community about what's included in the interim agreement we reached with iran. iran's made some serious commitments to limit and even roll back their nuclear program in a way that would prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon. the agreement includes iran's cooperation with a set of the most intrusive inspections that have ever been imposed on a country's nuclear program. we want to make sure they understand the details of what's been agreed to so far. we want them to make sure that all of the details have not been agreed to, that the final agreement is one we're hoping to complete by the end of june. the president -- we will make the case to them and senior officials will make the case that this is clearly in the best interest of the united

states of america. that's why the president is pursuing this effort with the international community. the president clearly believes it's in the best interest of our closest ally in the middle east israel, and there will be ample opportunity for that to be part of the discussion as well. as it relates to the two different groups -- i can tell you some of them are elected representatives of organizations that advocate for either u.s.-israeli relations or the jewish community in the united states. you know, others who are participating in these meetings are merely outspoken advocates who may not hold official positions or leadership positions in those organizations but are in their own right affected advocates. i think in some cases they are members of these organizations but not necessarily in leadership positions. reporter: to follow-up, is the -- is part of what the president is hoping to do to get them to get these folks to come out and potentially lobby to the extent they agree with

them members of congress against corkerville or essentially try to put pressure on congress and do you know if he plans to bring up the concern -- and it may come up anyway -- whether he plans to bring up concerns that have been expressed between the tension between him and netanyahu? secretary earnest: well, we would welcome any public expression of support, certainly from these individuals who are elected positions in prominent organizations or advocates in their own right for the approach we're pursuing from preventing iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. we welcome that public expression of that support and we would welcome the expression of that support directly to members of congress. i don't anticipate that everybody who participates in this meeting will choose that course of action. but we are hopeful that people will enter into these discussions with an open mind. and i do think there will be an opportunity for everybody who participates in this

discussion, whether they are inclined to support the administration's position or not to get a very clear assessment from senior members of the inspect ppt's national security team about where things stand. i i do -- i do think for all of the differences that there is -- there will be unanimity of opinion around the room that we have to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. that are the destabilizing impact it will have on the region that the risk that would pose to israel is one that's simply intolerable and every person who will participate in those meetings i feel confident in saying is strongly supportive of the president when he says he'll do whatever it takes to prevent iran from preventing a nuclear -- obtaining a nuclear weapon. i think the president is prepared to make a detailed case about how this diplomatic agreement is by far the best way for us to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. reporter: you mentioned top officials. secretary earnest: the

president's national security advisors, susan rice is participating in some of these discussions. i don't know who else from the administration. a number of other administration officials will be in capitol hill. so i suspect it will be principally be white house officials who will be participating in these discussions. ok. reporter: i have a question about iran. you said and secretary kerry said nothing's agreement gred to until everything is agreed to. you say you will brief congress on what commitments they made yet the ayatollah called into question two of the basic once wuns, how the sanctions and inspections. what are you telling congress what's been agreed to if nothing has been agreed to secretary earnest: let's get to that. we have acknowledged that some elements to this agreement have not been resolved yet. well, some important ones but there are pretty basic elements that have. iran has agreed to not enrich uranium over 3.7% over the next

six years. there's the commitment that iran has made. now, they're implementing that political commitment is one that our people will get into in the next 2 1/2 months or so. there are details that have been locked down here. there are other elements of the agreement that other details need to be worked out including the -- the sanctions relief that iran is seeking for taking these serious steps. i don't want you to leave you with the impression that deal is done. there are still significant commitments and details that will be worked out and we'll be engaged in an effort to do that. reporter: before the announcement of the framework in geneva -- and the president said the chance is less than 50/50. what are the chances of getting something finalized? that will meet your criteria? secretary earnest: i think the fact we have been able to put in place this political framework enhances the odds of these final agreements getting done. but i would hesitate to put a

specific number with that assessment. reporter: said it over and over again under 50/50 before. why not put a number on it now? secretary earnest: maybe you can get him to do that at some point. i will not do that from here. i will acknowledge, though, that the president made that assessment about being able to reach a final agreement and now we got this political framework in place i do think it enhances the odds of us being able to reach a final agreement but it's by no means a foregone conclusion. doug. reporter: one of the problems with the framework being put in place -- and i think rand paul said this, quoting the biggest problem we have right now is every time there's hint of an agreement the iranian foreign minister tweets out in english that agreement doesn't mean what our government says it means. secretary earnest: well, doug, what i would say to that we saw a similar play around the joint plan of action reached by

negotiators back in november of 2013. that there was essentially a broad framework that was established knowing it would take a couple of months to work out the details. and over the course of november and december and january, negotiators worked through those details. in that interim period there is a lot of cry about what was included in the agreement and whether or not that would be memorialized in any sort of locked down commitment. what we saw was that technical negotiators were able to reach an agreement in january of 2014, i believe, that did live up to the fact sheet that administration put out in november of 2013. in fact, that agreement has been so effective there are some republicans advocating we should keep that agreement in place in perpetuity. never mind the fact that the republicans criticized this deal when it was first announced. we've seen these kinds of negotiations be subjected to a lot of politics and a lot of turbulence but time and again what we've seen is we've seen

the united states reach commitments and, tract commitments from iranians, that were subject to a lot of debate and then finally formalized in an agreement that satisfied the concerns of those who were criticizing the agreements on the front end. reporter: on the subject of russia, you said there's uninimivity international opinion that these sanctions be phased in how can you say that when russia is basically free languages its own sanctions for this oil for goods deal that's worked out and lifting of the embargo of the missiles? did secretary call secretary kerry in advance of this lifting of the embargo or just informed him it happened? and has there been any communication with the government of israel about the lifting of of the embargo? secretary earnest: i'm not sure of the conversation that the secretary of state had with the foreign minister.

all i know it was an opportunity for secretary kerry to raise our concerns. i don't know exactly when that conversation occurred or how it was set up. the state department may be able to give you more details on that. as it relates to the so-called oil for goods agreement, that's not one that's been reached at this point and we made clear to the russians our concerns about a proposal that's been discussed. it's not something that's been enacted at this point. i can't speak to any specific conversations that have been -- that have taken place between the united states and israel on this specific proposal of the russian sale of antiballistic missiles to iran but we continue to be in frequent touch with israel on a whole host of issues. i wouldn't rule out that a discussion of this matter has taken place. chris. reporter: the president seems somewhat frustrated at the pain yainian comments -- panamanian press conference of john kerry

-- secretary earnest: putting to mildly. reporter: and john mccain said there were widely different speculations and then on twitter he posted, so president goes to panama, meets with castro. i'm sure raul is pleased. any reaction to that? what does this say about efforts on the corkerville and sort of moves on the snill secretary earnest: what i would say is the administration will be engaged in an effort to help members of congress -- all members of congress who are interested in explaining to them in a classified setting the details, the commitments that iran has made so far. in the context of those negotiations that will be rooted -- sorry -- in the context of those briefings that will highlight the scientific aspects of this agreement. we will be focused on making the case that this is the best way for us to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. and when you consider the alternatives putting in place additional sanctions that would cause our international coalition to fracture or taking the military strike that would

not be as effective in limiting iran's nuclear program or at least for as long as getting iran to voluntarily make specific commitments to limit and in some cases roll back their nuclear program. it's pretty clear in the is the best opportunity we have to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and we certainly welcome any discussion and debate but the fact is the case here in the mind of the president very clear. and there's certainly is a lot of scientific evidence to back up this case but ultimately what we have said is there are details that still need to be worked out and we hope that congress while pursuing their rightful role, will also ensure that our negotiators have the time and space they need to try to finalize this agreement. reporter: it seems like the rhetoric has certainly not been dialed down by some of the opponents of the administration's approach to this. is the -- are these classified

briefings -- i know you talked about the scientific evidence and how you plan to use that. you talked about that for some weeks. is that the last-best hope coming to some sort of compromise with congress over -- whether it's corkerville or the oversight in general that congress wants to have? secretary earnest: i guess the first observation, chris, i would make is the escalating rhetoric we've seen from our opponents does could he inside with the re-- coincide with the release of the parameters of this agreement that a lot of people described as more detailed and more comprehensive than previously anticipated. so it might events some sort of concern they have with the success of our efforts. that they're feeling they have to ramp up their effort to try to undermine it. so while some people may be a little more pessimistic i have about the rhetoric of our opponents, i think they might be indicating some concern about the strength of our position. but i would not however conclude there the classified

briefings that are taking place over the next two days will be the last conversations to take place between senior administration officials and members of congress. we anticipate that we're going to continue to stay closely coordinated and to ensure that congress continues to be in the loop as we work to try to reach this final agreement by the end of june. reporter: just one thing on the economy. you say the president -- i guess it would be coincidental that the phrases we hear from you are pretty much the same as we heard from the clinton campaign middle class economics, paycheck fairness the plans she focused. secretary earnest: i wouldn't classify them as a coincidence. it's the priorities that president has championed are consistent with the values that most democrats share and consistent with the values that

they themselves prioritize. so i don't think it's particularly surprising that the kinds of early messages that we see from a democratic candidate for president seem to be largely consistent with the values and priorities articulating by the sitting democratic president. reporter: but not coordinated. is it however coincidental of the local anchors who the president will be spending some time with later today, at least three of them are from battleground states, wisconsin, ohio and pennsylvania? secretary earnest: i guess the other thing i would point out to you -- i believe -- i don't have a list. i believe they are represented by one republican member in the united states senate. reporter: and that might be -- secretary earnest: perhaps. reporter: if i could follow up on russia. you said it raised concerns including sanctions concerns. does that mean the united states is considering

additional russian sanctions? secretary earnest: who different things. i appreciate you giving me the opportunity to clarify. the oil for goods proposal that as i mentioned to doug has been discussed but not implemented is one that could run into some conflict with the sanctions regime that we put in place against iran. when i say i don't mean just the united states, the international community. the concerns that are raised by the possible sale of this antiballistic missile system is different than that. it's covered by a whole set -- another different set of concerns and agreements that we have related to this issue. so i think it's important to differentiate between the two but we obviously have concerns about both proposals and have made those concerns known to our russian counterparts. ok. bill. reporter: are you saying that there is so much more in the

classified information about this agreement that you can give to congress that you'll be able to convince the skeptics who are hearing from the other side what they think is not in the agreement? secretary earnest: no. i don't want to leave you with the impression there is -- that there are a lot of those details that are not publicly known. i don't want to leave with you that impression. there are some relevant to evaluating the deal that we cannot discuss in a public setting and that's why we'll take the opportunity to have that discussion in a classified setting with some members of congress. but the other thing that's true, bill, is that there are a lot of members of congress who quite frankly are not willing to evaluate this deal on the merits. they evaluate this deal on whether or not president obama supports it and if he does then they'll oppose it. again, that's the kind of partisanship that's infected so much what this president's

tried to do over the last six years and it's unfortunate that it's emerging in the context of such a critical national security priority for the united states. but the fact is that's what's happening. reporter: you won't convince them in any case? secretary earnest: some will oppose this deal no matter how good it is, i'll stipulate to that. margaret. reporter: would the president again fit if hillary clinton spoke out in favor of the iran negotiations in a public setting? the final deal and do you think that's a realistic ask? secretary earnest: well, i'm not aware of any specific asks that's been made along those lines. obviously, as the -- as an expert on foreign policy and as somebody who has devoted a significant portion of her career to the safety and security of the united states of america, i would anticipate she has a view on this but i don't know what it is.

reporter: you don't know what it is? secretary earnest: i don't. i suspect over the course of the next couple weeks somebody will have an opportunity to ask her but i'll let her speak for herself on that. reporter: i want to follow up on the two meetings with the jewish leaders. is the white house committed to releasing a list -- [inaudible] secretary earnest: i haven't seen a list but let me look into that. reporter: my understanding, tell me if i'm wrong -- the second meeting is largely jewish political backers and in some cases donors of the president? and i'm just wondering is the thinking in not putting them in the same meeting as the organization that different things will be discussed, that one is a more substantive discussion, one is a more political discussion by definition or is the second meeting larger or is the first one smaller? what's the thinking in sequestering the two? secretary earnest: the political contributions of the participants of the meeting was not considered when we were

handing out invitations. so i -- you're probably right that there are people participating in these meetings who have been politically supportive of the president. that was not a factor in their invitation. but the other thing is the president will participate in both meetings and i anticipate the discussion will focus on the same kinds of issues. in some cases concerns. in some cases our priorities for what we were hoping to achieve. i think a lot of this was the reason for two different meetings was simply to try to limit the size of the groups so everybody would feel like they have an opportunity to participate. so it serves up an uninteresting lodge cycle concern that's -- logistical concern that's driving this. i'll see what we can do on the list. reporter: south dakota is one of the areas represented speaking to the president later today. is there any update on any

plans [inaudible] last place of the country we can anticipate? secretary earnest: i don't anticipate any sort of announcement on those lines today but stay tuned. alley. -- a limbings. reporter: [inaudible] americans still in yemen. secretary earnest: it's my understanding there is -- i don't have an update on that. i don't -- i'm not aware of any u.s. government sponsored plans to evacuate private u.s. citizens from yemen at this point. reporter: and there was -- there's been a lot of discussion how to get these americans out. back in 2006 in lebanon about 15,000 americans were evacuated, thousands of marines were called into action to help them get out. i'm just wondering why is this situation any different? secretary earnest: one part of this that's relevant is that for years now the state department has warned americans about the dangers of traveling to yemen. but for more details on thinked' refer you to the state department. reporter: so it's just a we told you so is you shouldn't have gone? secretary earnest: well, i

don't think that's just it. [laughter] secretary earnest: but i certainly think it's a relevant fact. ok. j.c. reporter: just follow-up on yemen a little bit. is this administration relieved at all that pakistan a nuclear power will not in fact be involved in supporting the saudis in their defense against -- the -- in the peninsula of yemen? secretary earnest: well, we have seen the saudis take some steps to build an international coalition of some of their partners to try to address the concerns they have about the unstable security situation along their southern border. and they sought input and support in a variety of forums in countries throughout the region but ultimately those countries will be making decisions for themselves about how and whether to support that saudi-led effort. the saudis, as you negotiation made a specific request of the united states government for some logistical and intelligence support. that is support we have offered to them.

reporter: thanks josh. just real quick. you characterized republican opposition to the iran deal as partisan. how do you characterize democratic opposition? secretary earnest: i think there is some democratic opposition and i do think there is an opportunity for us, again, to make the case to them that the negotiations that we have undertaken if we can complete this agreement by the end of june would be by far the best way for us to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. and that is after all the goal that we all share, that certainly democrats understand that the president means it when he says he's going to use every element of his authority to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. this is what the president believes is the best way for us to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. that there have been a come other proposals that have been floating. we've seen people like the former u.n. ambassador john bolton talk about aggressive

military action against iran. the fact is to launch military action at this point against iran would only cause our international coalition to fracture. there are a lot of countries in the international community that would not support such an action. we've relied on their support to pressure iran. the impact of those military strikes would not be as -- nearly as enduring as the 10 or 15 or 20 years of limitations that this diplomatic agreement envisions. third, it would have the effect of essentially causing the iranians to kick all the inspectors out of the country. those inspectors have been critical to increasing our knowledge of eye rains a -- iran's nuclear program. it makes us harder for us to understand exactly what iran is doing. and finally and some cases most importantly, launching marlte strike against iran would only give iran the clearest incentive they need to unite

the country around pursuing a nuclear weapon. we talk about this breakout period that exists. right now our experts tell us it's two to three months. in the context of an agreement would lengthen that to a year. well, we would see iran take that action in all likelihood if they were subject fod a military strike because ultimately iran would have to conclude for themselves -- and i think it would be a pretty reasonable conclusion for them to say, if we were to prevent another military strike, we need goat ourselves a nuclear weapon. so that is why that course of action is so dangerous. now, it's an option that remains on the table, but it's not nearly as effective as this kind of diplomatic agreement would be. yet, the other proposals some have floated short of aggressive military action is putting in place additional sanctions on iran and what those individuals often say is that will apply greater pressure to iran and get them to offer up additional concessions. the fact is that analysis is just plain wrong. >> we're going to leave the

last 10 minutes or so of today's white house briefing to go to miami where florida senator marco rubio is announcing his campaign for the republican presidential nomination. senator rubio making the announcement of the freedom tower in miami. in the 1960's, federal government used the building to process refugees who fled cuba after fidel castro came to power. live now, senator rubio's campaign announcement, after a prior introduction we'll expect senator rubeo's remarks to begin just after -- rubio's remarks to begin just after 6:00 p.m. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> in so many ways we see our nation going in the wrong direction tonight. with the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, racial tension and the threat of terrorism on our very shores, we need your help in america. your work tells us that godliness makes a nation great but sin is a disgrace to any people. you also tell us when the righteous rule the people

rejoice. we've come here tonight to support a man that we believe loves you and loves this country, senator marco rubio. [cheers and applause] >> you're not supposed to clap in a prayer. let's finish. our prayer. so father, you tell us to pray for those in authority and you raised up senator rubio into a place of authority as our senator but now lord, with other possibilities that we may hear of tonight we pray that you will guide his steps and give him wisdom. lord, we thank you for his wonderful family, especially his wife jeanette. give them your wisdom in the days ahead and we pray you will be honored in all that is said and done. we know america needs to turn back to you.

we pray that you will raise up the right man at the right hour to lead us in that direction. and if this is the man you've chosen, we ask you to bless him and help him to succeed and we ask all of this in jesus name. amen. [cheers and applause]

>> we are live in miami for senator marco rubio's announcement entering the republican -- the campaign for the republican presidential nomination. after this we are going to show you a little bit of hillary clinton. she's heading to iowa tomorrow to have a roundtable discussion with teachers and students and that's at 1:15 p.m. eastern. you can watch that live on c-span2. hillary clinton, of course, announced her presidential campaign yesterday in an online video. again, we are live in miami for senator marco rubio's announcement that he's running for the republican presidential

nomination. looking further into the week, we'll be live tomorrow with a hearing on immigration issues. the head of the immigration and customs enforcement will testify before the house judiciary committee. you can watch that starting at 10:00 a.m. eastern. that's tomorrow on c-span3.

>> watching live coverage here or c-span. we're live at the freedom tower in miami where senator marco rubio shortly will announce his campaign for the republican presidential nomination. in the 1960's, the federal government used this building to process refugees who had fled cuba after fidel castro came to power. and senator rubio himself the son of cuban immigrants.

>> ladies and gentlemen, marco rubio! [cheers and applause] [crowd chanting "marco"] senator rubio: thank you. thank you. that is a lot of cell phones. thank you. thank you for being here. after months of delb ration and prayer about the future of our country, i have come here tonight to make an announcement on how i believe i can best serve you.

i chose to make this announcement at the freedom tower because it is truly a symbol of our nation's identity as a land of opportunity. and i am more confident than ever that despite our troubles, we have it within our power to make our time another american century. in the very room five decades ago, tens of thousands of cuban compiles began their new lives in america -- exiles began their new lives in america. that's part of a larger story of the american miracle. how united by a common faith in their god-given right to go as far as their talent and work will take them, a collection of immigrants and exiles, former slaves and refugees, together built the freest and most prosperous nation ever. you see, for almost all of human history, power and wealth belonged only to a select few.

most people who have ever lived were trapped by the circumstances of their birth. destined to live the life their parents had. but america's different. because here we are the children and the grandchildren of people who refused to accept this. [applause] both of my parents were born to poor families in cuba. after his mother died, my father had to go work when he was 9 years old. my mother was one of seven girls raised by a disabled father who struggled to provide for his family. when they were young, my parents had big dreams for themselves. but because they were born -- but because they were not born into wealth or power the future was destined to be defined by their past. and so in 1956 they came here

to america. to the one place on earth where the aspirations of people like them could be more than just dreams. here in america my father became a bartender. my mother, a cashier, a maid a k-mart stock clerk. they never made it big. but they were successful. two immigrants with little money or education found stable jobs owned a home, retired with security and gave all four of their children a life better than their own. my parents achieved what came to be known as the american dream. the problem is now, too many americans are starting to doubt whether achieving that dream is still possible. hardworking families that are living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected expense away from disaster. young americans unable to start a career or a business or a family because they owe thousands of dollars in student

loans for degrees that did not even lead to jobs. and small business owners who are luck to struggle under the weight of more taxes, more regulation and more government. why is this happening? in a country that for over two centuries has been defined by equality of opportunity? it's because while our people and our economy are pushing the boundaries of the 21st century, too many of our leaders and their ideas are stuck in the 20th century. [applause] they're busy looking backwards. so they do not see how jobs and prosperity today depend on our ability to compete in a global economy. and so our leaders put us at a disadvantage. by taxing and borrowing and regulating like it was 1999.

[laughter] they look at yesterday so they do not see the good paying modern jobs require different skills and more education than the past, so they blindly support an outdated hire education -- higher education system that is too expensive and too inaccessible to those who need it most. and they have forgotten, they have forgotten that when america fails to lead global payoff inevitably follows. [cheers and applause] so they appease our enemies, they betray our allies and they weaken our military. at the turn of the 19th century, a generation of americans harnessed the power

of the industrial age and they transformed this country into the leading economy in the world. and the 20th century became the american century. now the time has come for this generation to lead a way towards a new american century. [cheers and applause] if we reform our tax code and reduce regulations and control spending and modernize our immigration laws and repeal or replace obamacare, if we do these things -- [cheers and applause] if we do these things, if we do these things, the american people will create millions of better paying modern jobs. if we create a 21st century system of higher education that provides working americans the chance to acquire the skills

they need, that no longer graduates students with mountains of debt and degrees that do not lead to jobs and that graduates more students from high school ready to work, then our people will be prepared to seize their opportunities in this new economy. [cheers and applause] if we remember that the family, not the government, is the most important institution in our society. [cheers and applause] if we remember that all human life deserves protection of our laws. [cheers and applause] and if we remember that all parents deserve to choose the education that's right for their children then we will have a strong people and a strong nation.

[cheers and applause] and if america once again accepts the mantle of global leadership. [cheers and applause] by abandoning this administration's dangerous concessions to iran and its hostility to israel. [cheers and applause] by reversing the hollowing out of our military, by giving our men and women in uniform the resources, the care and the gratitude that they deserve. [cheers and applause] by no longer being passive in the face of chinese and russian aggression. [applause] and by ending the near total disregard for the erosion of democracy and human rights

around the world, especially cuba venezuela nicaragua. [cheers and applause] then, if we did these things, then our nation would be safer our world more stable, and our people more prosperous. [cheers and applause] these are the things that we must do. but this election is not just about what laws we're going to pass. this election is a generational choice about what kind of country we will be. just yesterday a leader from yesterday began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to yesterday. yesterday is over.

[cheers and applause] we're never going back. we americans are proud of our history. but our country halls been about the future. and before us now is the opportunity to offer the greatest -- author the greatest chapter yet in the amazing story of america. but we can't do that by going back to the leaders and ideas of the past. we must change the decisions we are making by changing the people who are making them. [cheers and applause] that is why tonight, grounded by the lessons of our history, but inspired by the promise of our future, i announce my candidacy for president of the united states. [cheers and applause]

i know my candidacy might seem improbable to some watching from abroad. after all in many countries the highest office in the land is reserved for the rich and the powerful. but i live in an exceptional country. i live in an exceptional country where even the son of a bartender and a maid can have the same dream. [cheers and applause] i live in an exceptional country where the son of a bar tendser and a maid can have the same dream and the same future as those who come from power

and privilege. [cheers and applause] i recognize the challenges of this campaign. and i recognize the demands of this office that i seek. but in this endeavor, as in all things i find comfort in the ancient command. be strong and crageowls. do not tremble or be dismaid for the lord, your god, is with you wherever you go. [cheers and applause] i've heard some suggest that i should step aside and wait my turn. but i cannot. because i believe our very identity as an exceptional nation is at stake and i can make a difference as president. [cheers and applause]

i'm humbled by the realization that america doesn't owe me anything. but i have a debt to america i must try to repay. this isn't just the country where i was born. america's literally the place that changed my family's history. i regret that my father did not live to see this day in person. he used to tell me all the time, he used to tell us all the time -- [speaking foreign language] [cheers and applause] that means in this country you will achieve all the things we never could. [applause] on the days when i'm tired or

discouraged, i remember the sounds of his keys jingling at the front door of our home, well past midnight, as he returned from another long day at work. when i was younger i didn't fully appreciate all he did for us. but now as my own children grow older, i more fully understand. my father was grateful for the work he had. but that was not the life he wanted for his children. he wanted all the dreams he once had for himself to come true for us. he wanted all the doors that closed for him to open for me. and so my father stood behind a small portable bar in the back of a room for all those years so that tonight i could stand behind this podium in front of this room and this nation. [cheers and applause]

that journey from behind that bar to behind this podium, that's the essence of the american dream. and whether we remain a special country will depend on whether that journey is still possible for those who are trying to make it right now. the single mother who works long hours for little pay so her children don't have to struggle the way she has to. the young student who takes two buses before dawn to attend a better school halfway across town. the workers in our hotel kitchens the landscaping screw crews in our neighborhoods the late night janitorial staff who clean our offices and even the bar tenders who tonight are standing in the back of a room somewhere in america. if their american dream's become impossible, we will have just become another country. but if they succeed, this 21st century will also be an

american century. [cheers and applause] this will be the message of my campaign. and the purpose of my presidency. and to succeed on this journey i will need your prayers and your support and ultimately your vote. and so tonight i'm asking to you take that first step with me by joining us at our website, mark owerubio.com -- marcorubio.com. my wife, ji net, and my -- gennett, and my four children will are here tonight. [cheers and applause] the next 19 months will take me far away from home. i'll miss watching amanda run

track. and daniela play volleyball and anthony play football and dominic play soccer. but i have chosen this course because this election, this election is about them. theirs is the most important generation in america. [applause] and i'll tell you why. because if we can capture the promise of this new century, they will be the freest and the most prosperous americans that have ever lived. but if we fail, they will be the first generation of americans to inherit a country worse off than the one left for their parents. the final verdict on our generation will be written by americans who have not yet been born. let us make sure they record that we made the right choice that in the early years of this century, faced with a rapidly changing and uncertain world our generation rose to face the great challenges of our time.

and because we did, because we did, there was still one place in the world where who you come from does not determine how far you go. [applause] because we did the american miracle lived on. because we did, our children and theirs lived in a new american century. thank you, god bless you. god bless the united states. thank you. [cheers and applause]

>> senator marco rubio announcing his campaign for the presidential nomination. live in miami. [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. 2015] hillary clinton is heading to iowa tomorrow and she's having a round table discussion with teachers and students in monticello iowa. that's at 1:15 eastern and you can see it live on c-span2. hillary clinton, of course announced her presidential campaign yesterday in an online

video. >> i'm getting ready for a lot of things. a lot of things. it's spring, so we're starting to get the gardens ready and that's legendary here in my own neighborhood. my daughter's about to start kindergarten next year and so we're moving. so she can belong to a better school. after five years of raising my children, i am now going back to work. trying to get more ready and more prepared. >> coming your way. >> right now i'm applying to be jobs. -- applying for jobs. >> i'm getting married this summer. to someone i really care about. >> i'm going to be --

[inaudible] >> i'm getting ready to retire soon. retirement. we've been doing a lot of home renovations. >> most importantly, we really want to teach our dog to quit eating the trash. >> so we have high hopes for 2015 that that's going to happen. >> i started a new career recently. this is a fifth generation company which means that a lot to me this country was founded on hard work and it really feels good to be a part of that. >> i'm getting ready to do something too. i'm running for president. americans have fought their way back from tough economic times. but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top. every day -- everyday americans need a champion and i want to be that champion. you can do more than just get by. you can get ahead. and stay ahead. because when families are strong, america is strong.

so i'm hitting the road to earn your vote. because it's your time and i hope you'll join me on this journey. [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. 2015] >> hillary clinton making her first campaign 2016 swing through iowa tomorrow. and it's live on c-span2 at 1:15 p.m. eastern. >> were you a fan of c-span's "first ladies" series? it's now a book published by public affairs. looking inside the personal life of every first lady in american history. based on original interview with more than 50 preeminent historians and biographies, learn details of all 45 first ladies who made these women who they were, their lives ambitions and unique partnerships with their

presidential spouses. the book, "first ladies" provides lively stories theefs fascinating women who survived the scrutiny of the white house, sometimes at great personal cost while supporting their families and famous husbands. and it even changed history. c-span's "first ladies" is an illuminating entertaining and aspiring read and is now available as a hard cover or e book through your favorite book store or online book seller. >> the house is back in session at 6:30 p.m. eastern, just a few moments from now. for votes on three bills dealing with financial services regulation. while we wait for that, a conversation with a capitol hill reporter about this week's agenda in congress. progress. host: congress returns from harold: we are joined by lauren fox. by lauren fox from "national journal."

a look think they have a lot to do in the coming weeks. guest: they certainly do. i think one of the first thing that congressmen and senators will deal with is they are clamoring around this deal with iran. they are concerned about that. it is something the senate foreign relations committee will turn to this week. house members are looking to the senate to pass the medicare doc fix. we are also seeing here -- you know, house republicans have a series of bills on taxes that they prepared ahead of the filing on april 15. host: on the issue of the doc fix, this headline -- senate wrangles over medicare payments fix. certainly, among the items to get fixed is a budget

resolution moving forward on 2016 spending. what do we know about that? guest: i think we should note that this budget is very important for republicans. this is what they ran on in 2014. it is important that they prove they can govern with his budget document. i think one of the sticking points here will be brought to the -- broad disagreement on military spending items. moving forward, i think that will be a sticking point. certainly, there are other differences between the senate budget and the house budget that will need to be worked out. that will be on top of the agenda. republicans note that this is a must pass piece of legislation for them. host: it is tax week. tax deadline on wednesday, the 50. the house focusing this week on tax legislation.

broadly, will any of that have any trackstion in the u.s. senate? what will we see? guest: one of them that six out to me is legislation to prohibit irs employees from using personal e-mail accounts to conduct official business. this harkens back to the scandal a couple of years ago for special application to certain groups that wanted special status. it is certainly not something that will pass without any democrat votes, and i don't see democrats willing to get on board with something like that. host: on the issue of personal e-mail accounts. the issue of hillary clinton's e-mail server came up. as congress is going intoo

recess, what is the status of the benghazi committee andy status of their request to interview hillary clinton? guest: i think we will have to see what trey gowdy is saying moving forward. something to remember is they have to be very careful. they are walking a fine line here between investigating the [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. 2015] >> we'll leave this now. the house has just gaveled back into session. of the bill h.r. 650 to amend the truth in lending act to modify the definitions of a mortgage originator and a high cost mortgage providing for consideration of the bill h.r. 685. to amend the truth in lending act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction and providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution senate concurrent resolution 11, setting forth the congressional budget for the united states government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth the

appropriation budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. the speaker pro tempore: referred to the house calendar and ordered printed. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, proceedings will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed. votes will be taken in the following order. h.r. 1259 by the yeas and nays. h.r. 1265 by the yeas and nays. h.r. 1480 by the yeas and nays. the first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote. remaining electronic votes will be conducted as five-minute votes. the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from texas, mr. neugebauer, to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 1259 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the lil. the clerk: h.r. 1259 a bill to provide for an application process for interested parties to apply for an area to be

designated as a rural area and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill? members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 401, the nays are one. 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider laid upon the table. the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from texas, mr. neugebauer, to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 1265 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title

of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 37 h.r. 1265, a bill to apply the requirements of the federal advisory committee act to the bureau of consumer financial protection. the speaker pro tempore: the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 401, the nays are two. 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, weck, the

motion to reconsider -- without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from texas, mr. neugebauer, to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 1480 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 43, h.r. 1480, a bill to ensure access to certain information for financial services industry regulators and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 401, the nays are zero. 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended the will is passed and without objection, the the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that the committee on house administration be discharged from further consideration of house concurrent resolution 9 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the concurrent ressligse. the clerk: concurrentes like authorizing the capitol advice tors' center of the days of remembrance of days of the holocaust. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection to consideration of the concurrent resolution? without objection the concurrent resolution is agreed to and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that the committee on house administration be discharged from further consideration of house concurrent resolution 34 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the house concurrent resolution. the clerk: concurrent resolution authorizing use of the hall in the capitol visitors' center to present a gold medal to the american fighters. the speaker pro tempore: is there objection? without objection the concurrent resolution is agreed to and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition? mr. harper: i ask unanimous consent that it may be in order

at any time on wednesday, april 29 2015 for the speaker to declare a recess subject to the call of the chair for the purpose of receiving a joint meeting, the prime minister of japan. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi seek recognition? mr. harper: i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns on tuesday april 28 rnings 2015, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. april 29, 2015. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent that i may be considered to be the first sponsor of h.r. 978 a bill represented by representative shock for the purposes of adding

co-sponsors pursuant to clause 7 of rule 12. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. young: i yield back. the chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota seek recognition. >> permission to address the house for one minute. the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. mr. olson: mr. speaker today there are over five million americans living with alzheimer's disease and they learn to live and cope. when a doctor gives the news to a patient, it is difficult to those who are afflicted.

i'm co-sponsoring a bill to provide them with a care planning session for those diagnosed. by giving patients and their caretakers an opportunity to play for the future, we can improve outcomes. mr. speaker, for millions of americans and the hope for als i'mers will give them the hope they need and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition? mr. langevin: move to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. langevin: mr. speaker, i'm absolutely thrilled to congratulate providence college on their first ncaa men's ice

hockey championship. they gained the lead. p.c. held off an attack on their goals for over 6:00. the team has so much to be proud with a 26-13-2 season record, they came in second place in their conference against boston university in the finals. i offer my congratulations to both teams but congratulations to the providence college men's hockey team. the entire ocean state is so proud of this accomplishment. congratulations and go friars. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek

recognition? >> address the house and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: for one minute. >> i'm proud to recognize the 2015 cumberland girls high school basketball team for winning the quad 8 title. they earned a 32-1 record and were the champions as well. this was their third state final appearance in a row. if you are looking for a reason for this incredible run of success i need to point you to their statement, which states, that this program provides a setting for girls to prepare for the game of life. through the teaching of hard work, cooperation rnings responsibility leadership, discipline and sportsmanship. the team fights hard and exemplary is a source of great

pride. we are thrilled, thrilled with and so proud of these fine young women. i offer my congratulations to the team, coaches families for their accomplishment. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina seek recognition? >> permission to address the house the speaker pro tempore: without objection. >> i rise to speak on the 50 st. of the elementary and secondary education act and ensure education for all students. i call on my colleagues and re-authorize this legislation. there has been republican attempts to set us back. 1965, h.r. , republican legislation that passed out of the committee will undoubtedly

undo the progress that we have made. a true display of ron r robin hood in reverse and strips it and leaving low-income students behind. for the sake of our students and schools we must re-authorize the principles of equal access to equal education to all. students can start out strong to ininvestigate in stem education we need it to put our students first. it shouldn't be a democrat or republican issue. i urge all of our colleagues to support our students. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. thompson: ask permission to address the house for one minute. while back this my district on april 4 i was proud to be in

the parkinson's race which is an event that seeks awareness of this disease. april is parkinson's awareness month and i met with lynn and the coordinator and angela, founder of the local nonprofit. angela was diagnosed with parkinson's at the young age of 3 and has been committed to raise funds to combat this disease. since they started the running for parkinson's race, they have helped to raise over $12,000. and i applaud angela and the partners for helping to bring hope and awareness for those living with this disease. i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition? mr. davis: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. since its inception, elementary and second tear act was and remains a civil rights law. it is protecting the rice ar educational opportunity of students living in poverty, students of color, students learning english and students with disability. in the last 50 years, we have made great progress. but tremendous work remains. in a re-authorization must maintain the strong civil rights protection of this historic law. we must advance progress, not undermine it. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition? >> permission to address the

house for one minute. without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> well amazingly in the fourth year of drought the bureau of reclamation decided to release 15,000 acre-feet of additional water to aid the down stream swimming of steel head fish this in a time of agriculture being cut from 100 to 150%, cities seen their needs being cut off. everybody having to scrimp and save in water except for the bureau's interpretation. we need to put them back into endangered species act. 15,000 acre-feet would be enough for 0000 house holds and yet

the allocation to move six fish down the stream is the priority down in california. we need to have smarter interpretation of endangered species act and mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia seek recognition? >> permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: wocks. mr. scott: i rise to recognize a significant milestobe stone that occurred 50 years ago. president johnson signed the elementary and secondary act. it followed the 1954 brown v. board of education act. unfortunately, communities with high concentrations of poverty have never enjoyed equal rights and for the last 50 years, it has remained the single largest

federal resource of schools. if we are to keep our promise, we must redouble our efforts to level the playing field by ensuring that they have the resources to achieve academic resources. this year, we need to renew it and bring our education system into the 21 century and must not waiver in our commitment to basic civil rights in education that we made 50 years ago this week. i yield back. . i yield the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you mr. speaker. today, april 13, marks the birthday of thomas jefferson, america's third president and one of our greatest who was responsible in so many ways for the creation of this great nation, who marked on his tomb

stone, thomas jefferson said on his very simple tomb stone, that he was the author of the american declaration of independence the author of the virginia statute of religious freedom, and father of the university of virginia. mr. culberson: those things that in his mind he had done for the united states rather than those things that the people of the united states had done for him. thomas jefferson always felt that his greatest achievement throughout his life was the preservation of the american republic. our system of separation of powers, of checks and balances, but above all he believed very strongly in all power not give tonight federal government, reserved to the states and the people respectively. that great good man was born on this day, april 13 1743rks and i hope that -- 1743, and i hope the congress of the united states and the people of the united states will continue to honor his legacy by preserving and protecting this great inheritance the american republic, with its separation of powers and its recognition that all powers -- power is reserved to the states or the people respectively. i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from texas seek recognition? ms. jackson lee: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: i thank you very much mr. speaker. just as the president does, the united states congress has the bully pulpit. in doing so, i believe that america cries out for a response over the past six months to a year, we've seen a number of tragic incidences occurring between civilians and police. in particular, we cite the tragedy of the shooting of walter scott in south carolina. all lives matter. and to those who have been petitioning and protesting, young people indicating that black lives matter is a reflection of the high number of african-americans that find themselves at the wrong end of a gun of someone engaged in law enforcement. we know that there are good people who serve this nation

and we are a law-abiding nation. mr. speaker, i think it is extremely important that we begin an open discussion in the congress, dealing with the issues of lethal force excessive force police training statistics. i intend to introduce and ask my colleagues to join me on the cadet bill, that wages a wide ranging perspective of the statistics of shootings in america civilian shootings on police and law enforcement shootings on civilians. because that is the science of criminal justice reform. i draw upon this to say, we cannot be silent anymore. people are hurting. and my sympathy to those who have lost lives, including law enforcement and our civilians. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. last month 18 members of the independent haitian assembly of

god, congregation from my district in florida, were involved in a fatal bus accident traveling home from a church congregation. the accident left 10 individuals with severe injuries, eight members of the congregation were fatally wounded. this weekend our community will join together to lay them to rest. but i want to take this opportunity to honor those victims who perished on the house floor today. mr. murphy: as it often happens in times of tragedy, our community has come together to support the entire independent haitian assembly of god community. our hearts go out to the victims of this tragedy, to their families, and this entire community. mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to submit the names of the victims who died in this terrible accident for the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. murphy: as a representative from this area, i offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased on behalf of every member of this body. our community is strong and we stand ready to support you as

you lay your loved ones to rest. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from ohio seek recognition? ms. fudge: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. ms. fudge: thank you very much mr. speaker. mr. speaker, on saturday, april 11, our nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of the elementary and secondary education act. seven years have passed since no child left behind. which was the last re-authorization of the s.e.a. signed into law. a new authorization a new re-authorization is long overdue. we need to make children our priority. by providing equal opportunity for a quality education for all children. the partisan manner this house displayed for esea's re-authorization is disheartening and leaves too many of our children behind. democrats and republicans should be working together to draft a bill that ensures that all students have access to a

world class education. that ensures that states set high standard and goals to ensure all students graduate career and college ready and ensures that strong accountability measures are in place for children and families. let us return to the table and draft a bill that will support an equitable 21st century education system. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: job -- the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? russell wilson wilson i ask unanimous consent to -- ms. wilson: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. ms. wilson: mr. speaker as we mark the 50th anniversary of esa -- esea, we reflect on this law. promises made to all american children. a promise that, no matter where you live or what you look like, you will not be ignored. a promise that no matter what

resources you have will you not be undervalued. it is a promise that no matter what you deserve -- no matter what, you deserve a equality education. esea was a substantial step toward fulfilling these promises but we still have work to do. as we work toward re-authorization, we cannot break those promises. we cannot break our promises to make every child count by failing to gather information on student achievement for all children. we cannot break our promise to value every child by failing to target funding at the schools that need it the most. we cannot break our promise to uphold the civil rights of all children, to have a quality education. because all children are worthy, we cannot break our promise. and thank you for all that you do on behalf of our children. they are our future. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. the chair lays before the house the following personal

requests. the clerk: leave of absence requested for mr. ruiz of california from april 13 through april 16. the speaker pro tempore: without objection the request is granted. under the speaker's announced policy of january 6, 2015, the gentlewoman from illinois, ms. kelly, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader. ms. kelly: thank you, mr. speaker. at this time i turn it over to my distinguished colleague from new jersey, congressmen donald payne -- congressman donald payne. mr. payne: mr. speaker, i rise this evening and i want to thank my co-anchor, robin kelly, congresswoman from illinois to be involved in

this special order tonight. thanks also to the members of the congressional black caucus who are here tonight on such an important topic. i'd like to enter into the record a statement by the honorable eddie bernice johnson from texas. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's statement will be covered under general leave. mr. payne: thank you. mr. speaker i'd like to thank the people at home that are tuning in to watch this. it's truly an honor to speak to them directly in their homes and to fight on their behalf and advance our shared priorities. that's why we're here tonight and every monday night the house is in session. to address the diverse issues affecting african-american communities throughout our nation.

to let you know that we are here fighting for you every single day. mr. speaker, this month is national minority health month, a chance to evaluate the state of black health, a chance to address health disparities affecting racial minorities, and to speak to efforts to advance health equity. today african-american and other minority populations lag behind in numerous health areas, including the access into the quality of care timelines of care and health outcomes. these disparities have devastating impacts on individuals and families, but also on our communities and our society as a whole. there are numerous factors that contribute to health disparities throughout new jersey's 10th congressional district and our nation as

well. poverty environmental threats, inadequate access to health care. and educational inequities. these are such interconnected issues that a piecemeal plan to fixing the problem will not work. a comprehensive approach, one that focuses on providing access to quality care for all, creating good jobs that provide a decent living, and increasing educational opportunities for low-income communities is only one way to eliminate the health disparities once and for all. with that, mr. speaker we'd like to get right into the members of the c.b.c. that are here. and i'd like to turn it over right now to the gentlelady from illinois who has been holding down the fort while i deal with my health issues, the

honorable robin kelly. ms. kelly: thank you. mr. speaker, i ask for unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my special order. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. kelly: thank you. i thank the distinguished gentleman from the garden state, my good friend, donald payne, i'm glad he's back. and in better health. for leading this congressional black caucus special order hour on the state of black health. it has been the refrain of so many people of all races across the country that black lives matter. we've gathered here this evening because black lives do matter. whether we're talking about issues of justice or economic opportunity or the health of our nation, black lives matter. the topic of tonight's special order hour is the state of black health c.b.c. assessment during national minority health month. each april we observe national minority health month to raise awareness about the gaping health disparities that impact

communities of color across the nation. many of us have been personally affected by the physical and emotional tolls that conditions like obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, breast and prostate cancer and hiv-aids have wrought on ourselves and loved ones and neighbors. last month marked 509th anniversary of the selma to montgomery marches, the generation-defining events that led to the passage of the 1965 voting rights act. like the right to vote, health care is a fundamental civil right that our leaders health professionals and communities must fight to protect. the affordable care act was a critical step in the march toward health equity for their -- but there's still much more to be done. dr. martin luther king expressed this a half century ago, when he said, of all the forms of inequality, unjustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane. i couldn't agree more. it's been the work of the

c.b.c. and the congressional black health brain trust that i chair to advance the critical phrase of the human rights and civil rights struggle, health equity. this year the c.b.c. health brain trust will focus on three core principals. strengthening our communities improving health care ac -- health access and marching toward a healthier future. the disparities facing minority communities in rural areas across the country are too numerous to name. to that end the congressional black caucus health brain trust will work vigorously to address the gaps that exist when it comes to reducing heart disease, kidney disease, lung ailments stroke oral health lupus, child nutrition, hiv-aids, mental health disorders gun violence as a public health threat, and other chronic and infectious diseases. i'm glad that during tonight's hour we will be focused on strengthening our public health infrastructure and developing community oriented multidisciplinary approaches to public health that will close

the national health disparities gap. this national minority health month the c.b.c. will work to expand access to health care, early health education and medical investments so that we can make our communities healthier and reduce the prevalence of diseases that disproportionately cut minority lives short. again i thank my co-anchor for the next hour and yield back the balance of my time. . mr. payne: have stepped into the gap left by the leaving of one of our former colleagues donna christensen from the virgin islands and ms. kelly has stepped up to fill the position -- the health brain trust, i

needed the proper term but she has been a fighter in this area prior to coming to the congress and has continued to demonstrate her leadership along these lines. at this point in time, it is my honor to have a member of the c.b.c., who has been a leader seasonned in so many areas and aspects and has been a real mentor and a role model for me as i come here and try to fight for the american people every day as he does for his quints in illinois, the honor ksh constituents in illinois, the honorable danny davis. mr. davis: i that i mr. payne for the leadership he provides and i'm delighted to be here

with my colleagues as we talk about one of the problems that exists in our country and that is the tremendous disparity that exists among african-americans latinos, nat i have americans, when it comes to health, and health care. many have continued to be disproportionately suffering. health disparities among minorities has been neglected in this generation and many they continue to lack access to reliable and quality health care. they are suffering more from poor health outcomes and animals are likely to die from

preventable cause is. examples of these health disparities include the following. the infant mortality rate for are more than two times higher than that for whites. african-americans with heart disease are three times more likely to be operated on by high-risk surgeons than their white counterparts with heart disease. the highest rate 1.6 times higher than that for white women with a cervical cancer death late that is 1.4 times higher than white women. prosecute ands have 2.2 times

higher and over 1.8 times higher than nonhispanic blacks. together, african-america answer and hispanics account for 27% of the total of the u.s. population and 62% of new h.i.v. infections. native americans have three times rates than the overall rate. of the one million people infected with hepatitis-b, half are african-americans. one of the bright spots until health care delivery in this nation now is the affordable care act. minorities make up about 0% of the population, but 50% of the

uninsured. currently the a.c.a. since its enactment has allowed health snurnings coverage for 16.4 million americans who are not insured prior to this law. another bright spot, are community health centers, which are celebrating their 50th year. the first of these centers were actually approved and funded. first one being a project between tufts university in boston massachusetts and in mississippi. it was called the tufts-delta project. and since that time they are now providing quality health care to more than 23 million low and moderate income individuals throughout the nation.

one of the great needs is the need for health education and the recognition that as people learn how to better care for themselves and to make more effective use of the resources that are available not only do we save money but we also save lives. i was amazed as people spoke against the affordable care act. many individuals were going to have access to a regular primary care physician. where they didn't have to go to the emergency room of hospitals and get what is called episodic care. while the disparities are great we know that progress is perhaps even greater. i end with being at a church just the other day where we were having something called organ

transplant funder. and the minister of this particular church had had two heart transplants and a kidney transplants, preached every sunday and owned a construction company. that's why we need to make sure we put adequate resources into research and the funding of new aprompse and new techniques. i want to thank my colleagues for this evening for the opportunity to talk about not only the great need, but also to talk about some of the progress that is being made. so i yield back to the gentleman from new jersey, my colleague, mr. payne, and thank you very much, sir. mr. payne: i would like to thank the gentleman from illinois who as i stated in my opening remarks about him has been a

deliberate and conscious fighter for not only his constituents but americans who find themselves facing these disparities all around the nation. next, it is my honor to have the gentlelady from alabama, who had a wonderful participation in her district last month of the 50th anniversary of the edmund pettus bridge where many of my colleagues were able to go down and celebrate that great victory in this nation's history. and i was sorry i couldn't be there, but i watched from afar and i was delighted to see such an outpouring of respect for a moment in our history that can never be forgotten and can never

let the clock be turned back. i would like to introduce the gentlelady from alabama, the honorable sewell. ms. sewell: i commend my colleagues for having this wonderful c.b.c. hour on minority health. i wanted to talk about how we in congress try to address these disparities. our nation celebrated the fifth anniversary of the affordable care act in march. this anniversary marked the historic progress our nation has made towards making health care not just a privilege, but a right for every american. the a.c.a. has significantly affected the minority population by trying to close the gap in the disparity by giving access

to affordable health care insurance to all americans. health insurers can no longer denny coverage to individuals because of pre-existing conditions and women no longer have to pay higher premiums than men. because of this law, millions of americans can go to the doctor and no longer risk their home savings and all that they have. for those who already had insurance the a.c.a. has meant new savings and new protections. this has been true in my home state of alabama, a state that did not choose to enact a health care exchange, a state that did not expand medicaid. more than 171,000 people of alabama enrolled in quality health care coverage at a price they could afford.

1.1 million with private health insurance now have access to free preventive services and those with medicare have saved more than $240 million in prescription drug costs. in 2014 nearly 90 the people of alabama served on prescription. yes even in my state of alabama, which chose not to enact the health care exchange, the a.c.a. is working. these are more than just numbers. greater access to health care insurance leads to a healthier population, which is good news, not only for the people of alabama but for all americans. the a.c.a. indeed works. that is why i have proudly defended the amplt c.a. against attacks to underminor repeal the

law. bipartisanship is possible. members from both sides of the aisle in both chambers must work together to strengthening our health care system and make sure that all americans have access to affordable health care insurance. 392 of us in the house of representatives agreed on a permanent fix to the flawed medicare doctor system. otherwise known as chip. this bipartisan agreement marked a historic victory for our children of this nation. it also was a victory for our seniors working class families. we must continue to work together to ensure the health care system is working for all of us. jon fortunately, for many working poor individuals and families access to quality health care is still out of their reach. an estimated 191,000 people of

alabama are uninsured because our governor has refused to expand medicaid. let me repeat that. 191,000 people of alabama would benefit if our governor would expand medicaid in the state of alabama. these individuals pay their taxes work hard and contribute to our community. our government should assist them in return. the governor recently created the alabama health care improvement task force to examine ways to increase access. i welcome my governor's establishment of this task force and i know when this task force meets it will recommend expanding medicaid. my home is we will put politics aside in migrate state of alabama and look what is in the best interest of all the people. clearly 191,000 people of

alabama, who fall in that gap, who can't get health care insurance because this state would refuse to expand medicaid. i find it ironic, mr. speaker that my governor would choose to recommend expanding taxes, increasing taxes on his current proposal in order to meet the shortfall that exists in my state. let's think about that. my governor would rather increase taxes than to accept money from the federal government to expand medicaid. somehow shortsided. no state that refuses to expand medicaid has been better off without it. without expansion, the dramatic health care needs of the working poor will remain unmet will face growing facing challenges

which will reduce services. according to a 2013 study conducted by a college the medicaid expansion would create $28 billion. there has not been an economic development in the state of alabama that would bring the state more than 30,000 new jobs annually. . medicaid expansion in our state would generate $20 billion in new economic activity and a $925 million increase in state tax revenues. yes, revenues. to our state. expanding medicaid is clearly not only a moral imperative, but i would say to you that it is an economic imperative in my state. with each day that our state delays expansion, miles an hour

alabamans are unable to work -- more alabamans are unable to work due town related health conditions. more rural hospitals have to cut services because of uncompensated care provided in their emergency rooms. with each day that my state delays expanding alabamans continue to forego the immense economic benefit that result from this investment. the greatest casualty, mr. speaker are the most vulnerable americans, the most vulnerable in our society the poor. the working poor. the unemployed. the uninsured. it is unacceptable, it is unacceptable that the state of alabama has not chosen to expand medicaid. we owe it to alabama taxpayers to expand medicaid now. and i want to commend my colleagues, my colleague, representative payne and representative kelly, for choosing to talk about the

effects of health care on minority populations. and i would add that in this day and age, when we have a law, the affordable care act, that stands ready and willing to help americans help themselves, after all, what we're saying is we're giving access to affordable health care insurance, insurance that they have to pay for insurance that they can get subsidized for if they are the working poor. we deserve it, as americans. in this great country, no one should go without health care. no one. especially those who are the most vulnerable in our society. i hope that through talking about the disparities that exist in minority health, we also remember that this great institution did do something that would help decrease that disparity. we chose to pass the affordable care act and every time we have defended it against repeal. it's time that states like the

state of alabama get with the program. it's time that states like alabama expand medicaid that we choose our people over politics. partisan politics should not rule the day. instead, we should care more about the people we represent than the partisan politics of each of our parties. i thank you, mr. speaker and i thank my colleagues for continuing the fight. c.b.c. hour -- c.b.c.'s special order hour is very important. it highlights not only what is important to minority communities, because what's important to minority communities are important to all vulnerable communities in america. so i want to thank my colleagues for continuing this great tradition. i want to thank them for choosing to talk about health care and the disparities that exist in this country. and i want to urge all of the alabama lawmakers who are listening to my voice, the state law make horse are in

montgomery today -- make -- law makers who are in montgomery today, we need to work together to expand medicaid in alabama. the medical case is there, the economic case is there, the moral case is there. let's do what's right for all alabamans and let's expand medicaid today. mr. payne: mr. speaker, i'd like to thank the gentlelady from alabama for her eloquent remarks on the topic of the evening. irrespective of where you are in this nation these issues are a common thread in communities -- like communities throughout this nation. and i'm not surprised that the gentlelady from alabama is able to talk about the same issues that we are able to talk about in new jersey and illinois and california and florida, across

this nation, across this great land. at this time i'd like to recognize an outstanding member of the united states house of representatives, in just her second term has demonstrated her superior leadership skills, a member of my class, the class of the class the honorable gentlelady from ohio, mrs. beatty. mrs. beatty: thank you mr. speaker. and thank you to my colleague, congressman donald payne, and congresswoman robin kelly, for leading this evening's critical discussion on the state of black health, a congressional black caucus assessment during national minority health month. mr. speaker it is no surprise that we are here today because certainly we have had many firsthand experiences to know

the disparities that exist across all america, but more specifically, across african-american communities, so to you, mr. payne, thank you for having the foresight to come tonight and to you, congresswoman kelly for taking a leadership position in helping us share with the nation the value and the importance of protecting all lives. but giving information to the nation about the state of black health. it is imperative that we continue to address health disparities that affect racial minorities and work together on the efforts to advance health equality. since july 1971, the congressional black caucus has sponsored national conferences and held brain trusts on -- health brain trusts on black

health. it is so timely that we have this discussion, as we observe national minority health month. tonight is a call to action, a charge for all of us to unite towards a common goal of improving the health of our communities. everyone in america should be able to live a healthy life, regardless of the color of their skin. mr. speaker, the good news is the overall health of an american has improved over the past few decades. this is in part due to the increased focus on prevention medicine and dynamic new advances in medical technology. however not all americans have benefited equally from the health care improvements. but since the enactment of the affordable care act, millions of americans now have access to

quality, affordable coverage. according to the american medical association, recent studies have shown that despite the study improvement in overall health of the united states -- steady improvement in overall health of the united states, racial and ethnic minorities experience a lower quality of health services and are less likely to receive routine medical procedures and have higher rates of morbidity and mortality than nonminorities. disparities in health care exist even when controlling for gender conditions age and social economic status. for example, cardiovascular diseases account for the largest proportion of inequality in life expectancy between african-americans and non-hispanic whites. according to the american cancer society

african-american women have a 44% higher death rate from breast cancer despite having a screening rate that is nearly the same rate for white women. according to the center for disease control c.d.c., the infant death rate among african-americans is still more than double that of whites. so mr. speaker, tonight you're going to hear my colleagues and i discuss much data and much statistics. because i'm from the great state of ohio. and ohio ranks 47th in the nation for infant mortality with black infants dying at twice the rate of white infants. according to 2015 study conducted by the kaiser family foundation in ohio an average

14.5% infants diaper every 1,000 live births, while 6.3 white infants diaper every live birth. ohio community leaders and the greater columbus infant mortality task force are working hard to lower franklin county's infant mortality rate and the infant mortality rate in all of ohio. so tonight i salute them for their research, for their education and for their consistency to save lives. the statistics are staggering. and we can and must do more to lower and eliminate them. the societal burden of health care disparities in america manifest in multiple and major ways. for example, a 2014 study by the joint center for political and economic studies concluded

that the combined cost of health inequalities in premature deaths in the united states were $1.2 trillion. $1.2 trillion is the cost between 2003 and 2006. that is why on march 23 2010 when president barack obama signed the affordable care act it was a monumental step that has helped us address the overwhelming statistics and health disparities within our community. i proudly supported the affordable care act because lives matter. all lives matter. black lives matter. now we have comprehensive health care reform that improves access to affordable health coverage and guarantees that the most vulnerable in our communities have access to care. by improving access to quality

health care for all americans, the affordable care act helps reduce health disparities. how does the affordable care act do this? this law invests in prevention and wellness, gives individuals more control over their care, and expands initiatives to increase racial and ethnic diversity in health care professions by strengthing cultural competency training for all health care providers, and improving communications between providers and patients. the affordable care act represents the most significant federal effort to reduce disparities in this country's history. congressman payne and congressman kelly, again i salute you and i'm going to repeat that because it is so important for us to let the nation know that the affordable care act represents the most significant federal effort to

reduce disparities in this country's history. the affordable care act also increases funding for community health centers, which serve an estimated one in three low income people and one in four low income minority residents. there are over 43 community health centers mr. speaker in ohio. including many in my district. the columbus neighborhood health centers heart of ohio family health centers and lower lights christian health centers. these community health centers provide outstanding primary care dental, behavioral care, and pharmacy services in our most underserved areas. in 2013 community health centers provided care to over 550,000 ohioans. and recorded over two million patient visits.

we have come a long way madam speaker, but there is still much more for us to do. all people should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential for health. we must continue to move forward to combat health disparities, build healthier communities and create a stronger country. in order to have successful nations i believe we must have a healthy nation. so let me leave you with something a national figure once said. if you neglect to recharge a battery, it dies. if you run full speed ahead without stopping for water, you lose momentum to finish the race. let us make sure that all americans can finish the race. thank you again and i yield back. mr. payne: thank you, madam speaker.

i'd like to thank the gentlelady from ohio. as i stated in my introduction of her, she is -- has just demonstrated an outstanding leadership in our class that is second to none. and we can always depend on her to bring some clear thought to these issues at hand so we'd like to thank her once again. . tomorrow, there will be a press conference at 1:30 with representatives carolyn maloney and representative butterfield on percent cyst tenth economic challenges in black communities.

the report is bleak. there is not a lot of good news in this report. nearly 1-7 americans have identified themselves as african-americans. african-americans have made social and economic progress since the civil rights act of 1964. the plaque community continues to face a-- the black community continues to face economic challenges. and on the well-being and they lack behind the majority white population and that is the overview of the report. that is just the start. but i hope the people watching

at home and my colleagues in earshot of me will be there tomorrow will be there to support our colleagues at 1:30. i would like to give my colleagues, representative kelly the opportunity to provide us some more information on the issue at hand as it was mentioned, the affordable care act, something that has passed in congress and there have been many attempts to repeal it, but the majority wasn't successful at doing that, because people understand what this legislation

has meant to this nation to see -- it makes sense for more people to have quality, affordable health care and that has been the issue. the first words in the act affordable, has been prohibitive for many americans that have the health care that they need and desire. this legislation, it has been available to 16 million people 16 million people have benefited from this piece of legislation that has been under attack. 16 million and one because i have heard a candidate, as the first person to announce they are running for president of the united states, who hales from

the great state of the state of texas, say that with him running, he and his wife will lose -- will stop working at her job, dedicate herself working that campaign. guess what? kind of coy shrewd way, he said, i will take the memo of getting health care for my family. you mean the affordable care act , sir? the issue you rail about constantly? for years? since you have come through the senate? well, that's different. it is absolutely incredible when

i sat there and watched him try to dance around that that he is now in the exchange. it was a sight to see. but i'll get off of that and ask my colleague from illinois to provide us some information. ms. kelly: something i want to speak about, as we discuss the state of black america, i want to address a topic that is left out of the health discourse and that is public health. dental health month and back in february i had the opportunity to go in my district to observe local dent activities performing screeningings. these types of efforts matter and this is critical.

all across our nation many communities are experiencing some serious oral health crises. far too many people are lacking access to dental care despite the access to social service organizations. we must recognize that access to departmental health care across the country is not equal. 50 million americans and 16 million low-income children go without the services they need. as we continue the national decisions on improving health care and reducing health disparities, it is important orally health be central. when they discuss it, the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. in seems to be forgotten in the current dialogue.

this year, i introduced h.r. 539, the action for dental health act which allows organizations to qualify for health and human services, to support activities that improve education. this includes developing and expanding outreach programs that will facility dental homes for adults and children. this bipartisan legislation will target crucial federal dollars, to provide proven oral health care, services in a manner that helps care. it will have an impact. i think the majority of my colleagues that regular visits to the dentists does more. they can tell a lot about your

overall health and whether or not you may be developing diabetes r diabetes or at risk for a stroke. as we take on the task of faking on healthier communities, oral health is a subject that must be addressed. this will reduce unnecessary health care costs and eliminating diseases. i recently visited a mobile departmental van in an underserved district in my district. they had a dentist to provide babies a toddlers to provide the first exam. i saw the need for dental care not only for them but for their parents. the gaps in dental care are particularly prevalent in

minority communities. many of whom have never been to a dentist. a 12-year-old boy from maryland who died from an untreated tooth infection. a condition that could have been resolved. this boy cost his life. how is that possible in the most innovative wealthy nation in the world. we should be doing more to support departmental proper jects and improve oral health. and care for children. we demow the linch has been well established. increasing access and removing barriers to health care must be

at the forefront. i'm working to increase access to dental care. and improving the state of black health in the state of american health, we need to lift it up and co-sponsoringing h.r. 539. and i yield back. mr. payne: i would like to thank the gentlelady from illinois. and that is so true and stated those issues. that is showing we have known for quite some quite time, oral care impacts so many other parts of your health. and you mentioned it could show you the onset of diabetes. and i mention diabetes, madam

speaker, is because is because i have been out for several weeks now with a foot infection. and it got pretty severe and had to be operated on. but what has complicated the circumstance with my foot is me being on diabetes etic, a very nb noncompliant diabetic a diabetic, did not take it seriously or the medicines i should have taken for years. and with this circumstance with my foot made it all so very clear what immediate needed to be done. the circumstance frightened me into doing everything that i am

supposed to do now, so you are looking at a compliant diabetic. but it is crucial and the diabetes is what has complicated the healing of my foot. now i'm a very fortunate person in this country. i'm living an american dream that i did not realize would happen to me because of another issue. my father losing his bought with colon rectal cancer. but we were fortunate. but we always had good health care. we are talking about the inhe can quits in this nation that people are not in the position that representative kelly, myself and other well-to-do

americans that have health care that keeps them alive. now whether you use it or not is really up to you, but we are afforded that opportunity to get great health care. we are talking about people that want health care, but cannot afford it and find themselves in emergency rooms as their visit to the doctor. they have to wait until they are very well ill and go to the emergency room. that cost our nation millions and billions. the affordable care act has given people the opportunity to get pre-screening and pro-care prior to showing up at the emergency room. so whether people realize it or

not, you end up paying for these people that cannot afford their own health care in your premium because someone is going to cover it. the hospitals aren't. we pay it. and our premium. as you get more people their own health care, it drives the costs down. it will drive the costs down in this nation. and we will benefit from more people being healthier. that's what the affordable care act is about, that's what it does. that's what it does. i'm so fortunate to live in this nation to be able to represent the 10th congressional district of the state of new jersey and to stand here and to fight not

only for the people of the 10th district of new jersey. that's what it's about. it's about the opportunity, the equal opportunity. and we see these disparities all across the board, all across this nation. it is incumbent to speak up for the residents that we represent. health disparities start in african-american communities. children of color who live below the poverty line are much more likely to suffer from asthma, develop adhd and contract diseases because they

cannot afford vaccinations. it is a situation across the board. cancer, african-americans have the highest death rate and the shortest survival rate of any racial ethnic group in the united states. i mean, and it just goes on and on. it is important that we get the message out and we will continue to fight with robin kelly representative kelly, head of the health brain trust. i know the work that she will do on behalf of the american people. so madam speaker, with that i'd just like to give ms. kelly the opportunity to close on what we feel is a dire, dire situation in this country, the inequity in health kiss parities and i yield to --

health disparities and i yield to my colleague. ms. kelly: thank you. i thank my colleagues who are taking the time during national minority health aare awareness month to -- awareness month to assess the critical state of health care in black america. it's too significant to adequately address in just an hour. as a recent c.d.c. health disparities report demonstrated, blacks diagnosed with h.i.v. are less likely than any other groups to be linked to care, retained in care, receive treatment and achieve adequate viral suppression. although black americans represent only 12% of the u.s. population, they accounted for 44% of new h.i.v. infections and -- infections and represented 49% of all deaths in 2010. furthermore, blacks also accounted for 49% of new aids diagnoses in 2011. according to the u.s. census bureau of 2010 population, 84%

of all reported tuberculosis cases occurred in racial and ethnic minorities. african-americans accounted for 40% of t.b. cases among u.s.-born persons. these facts account for a few of the health disparities affecting the state of black health. the congressional black caucus held a brain trust -- health brain trust is -- caucus' health brain trust is talking about that this. we will continue to work vigorously to address health gaps twisting in the communities and help access. black lives matter. the state of black health matters. we have confidence that if we all join together we can alleviate health disparities facing minority communities across this nation. i thank my colleagues and my co-chair, the honorable donald payne jr., for this hour of

discussion. this hour of opportunity and this hour of change. madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. under the speaker's announced policy of january 6, 2015 the gentleman from florida, mr. desantis, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. mr. desantis: thank you madam speaker. i rise today to discuss the situation with iran. president obama recently said that criticism of the concessions that his administration is making to iran, quote, needs to stop. well, i disagree. we in this body have a responsibility to speak the truth and to stop a dangerous deal. take a step back a little bit from some of the recent hub about a loo about whether -- hubabaloo about whether iran has the same understanding of the deal as the united states

does. it's true if you listen to the ayatollah he basically said the deal represents complete surrender on everything from day one. and the administration when they put out their fact sheet what they put out was different. here's a fundamental problem with this. even if you take the administration's talking point as the meeting of the minds even if you assume that this will be written down and memorialized and even assume that iran keeps the various components of the deal the fact of the matter is this, this framework provides international legitimacy for iran's nuclear infrastructure. and it allows iran to use advanced centrifuges immediately. now, that was something that just a few years ago was thought to be totally outside the realm of what was acceptable. i think the thought among u.s. policymakers going back several administrations, as well as other friendly countries, were

look, this is a theeatic jihadist regime in the middle east that is sitting on centuries worth of oil and gas. they don't need nuclear power for peaceful purposes certainly. so why would we allow them to pursue a nuclear program knowing the ideology of the regime, knowing the threats that they have made to israel and to the united states? of course they don't get a nuclear program. and yet understand this -- under this framework, their nuclear infrastructure is legitimatized. the sanctions relief that we're talking about is worth billions and billions of dollars to iran. it will give iran additional life blood to fomeant jihad and expand its influence in the middle east and beyond. even if you were somehow getting them to dismantle their nuclear program, when you talk about the leading state sponsor of terrorism, any sanctions relief they get is not going to

go to benefit the iranian people. that's going to be plowed into iran doing dastardly deeds. the sanctions are gone. as soon as that agreement is signed, they're gone. the administration said oh,, no we'll get rid of the sanctions as iran complies and if iran cheats, we'll snap back the sanctions. the problem is, is that is extremely unlikely. because what is going to be done are the international sanctions are going to be relaxed and then if down the road iran cheats, the idea that you're going to be able to snap your fingers and get all these other countries onboard to be able to reimpose sanctions is really a fantasy. in fact, just today brought news that russia is resuming sales of the s-30 missile system to iran. that's something they had stopped years ago. that is going to be business for russia, it's going to be something that's going to be a huge boone to iran in terms of

protecting its nuclear infrastructure from a potential attack. it's also interesting, you know, russia's the country that is supposed to store iran's uranium. and yet here they are doing business. so i think it's going to be very difficult to snap back international sanctions. if you were going to use sanctions in that way, the sanctions that would you want you'd want to come to congress and say, hey, congress, you relieve saxes, they're going to do this -- sanctions, they're going to do this, if you don't do it then you snap back because they know the congress will reimpose sanctions because we're eager to do that right now. you're not going to snap back international sanctions. i think iran understands that and they know that once those sanctions are removed, that is going to be a continual life blood to them and they will be able to cheat on the agreement, if they think that's what's in their best interest. i think one of the troubling aspects of this deal, this framework, is that the president himself you know, a year and a half ago he laid down some red lines.

he said, we know certain things need to be true to an agreement. iran does not need to have an underground fortified facility. he said, they don't need a heavy water reactor like they have at iraq. and he said, they don't need any type of advanced centrifuges if they're going to have a peaceful program. but if you look under the announced framework, even if what the administration says is true, it lives on. they say it's going to be a nuclear research facility. i'm not sure why you need to have a nuclear research facility fortified underground to prevent an air strike, if you're just doing peaceful research. iraq will still be there as a heavy water reactor and of course iran will have thousands of centrifuges. these are centrifuges that are not necessary to have a peaceful program. so those are red lines that were laid down and that had been crossed. the military sites, is there

going to be any unfettered access to iran's military sites? i think the answer seems to be absolutely not. certainly what iran has said, that is totally out of the question from their perspective but it's not even clear under the administration's framework whether those military sites will be sites that inspectors can access. and we know that in the past, in 2002, the only reason we were able to figure out that they were doing nuclear work at one of their military sites is because iranian opposition forces, for example who are opposed to the regime filled us in -- who are opposed to the regime -- folks who are opposed to the regime, filled us in. another flaw to the deal is, let's just say iran looks at it and said well, if we cheat, maybe they'll reimpose sanctions, we think it's unlikely, but we don't want to kind of take that risk. they have an incentive, if they want the bomb, to keep the

deal. because after 10 to 13-year period, everything is going to be gone. so if they keep the deal, given the amount of nuclear infrastructure they're allowed to keep, they are going to be able to build a bomb at the end of that 10-year or 13-year period. and that is totally outside the realm of what is ever thought to be acceptable. here you have a country that's very patient. they have a very, very serious ideology, that they're hell-bent on pursuing. if they have to wait 10 or 13 years before they're able to acquire a bomb, they may make that calculation hey, we'll just keep the deal and we're going to be home free. i think the longer that that happens -- happens, i think you're going to be in a situation where that may make a lot of sense for them and i think the international community will be much less inclined to want to do anything at the end of that 10-year or 13-year period. it's interesting to me, just looking at how this has

unfolded when the ayatollah goes out and says, death to america, we're not going to make any concessions, all this, the president's asked by the press, well the ayatollah's out there saying it, well look, he's got his hard liners he's got to pacify, we're not worried about that that's just for domestic political consumption. it's interesting because when prime minister netanyahu was in a political campaign and made a comment about the infeasibility of a two-state solution given the situation in the middle east, the administration really hung that on him and they said, oh, he said it, we're going to have to re-evaluate our posture at the united nations, we may go international to try to impose some type of two-state settlement on this situation, and there they were absolutely not willing to cut prime minister netanyahu any slack, so they cut the ayatollah of iran, a guy that has a lot of american blood on his hands, more slack than they will cut the prime minister of israel. and that to me is just

extremely frustrating. i think that when you hear people who will defend the framework, they'll say, either you support this framework or you want a major war. and i think that that's a strawman, but i think that it's a strawman just simply more than the fact that a lot of people think thatter this things we can do to get a better deal, but put that aside a bad deal makes more likely. because what you're going to see are countries in the middle east react to iran building a bomb. they're going to react to iran's designs for the region. we see iran, they're the leading patron of hezbollah in lebron, asass -- assad in syria, the hamas terrorists in the gaza strip, the huteys in yemen and of course the shi'ite militias in baghdad and other parts of shi'ite iraq. people see that. the sunni regimes see that. and they are going to respond and you will end up with a

potentially catastrophic arms race in the most volatile region in the world. final point i would just make, and i have some of my colleagues here, and we wanted to get some folks here who had served the country in uniform served in the iraq or afghanistan campaigns, and the reason is because i think that anyone who served in those conflicts knows that, at least i can say for iraq, probably the number one source of deaths for u.s. service members in iraq came at the hands of iranian-backed groups. maybe not the most -- i mean, it's probably pretty close, certainly hundreds of deaths, maybe as many as 1,500 deaths, for groups that would explode these huge e.f.p. bombs that would maim and kill indiscriminately. they were never really held to account for that. that brought a lot of anguish

to a lot of american families who don't have their loved ones coming home as a result of that despicable regime so this is not a regime that wants to be part of a good neighborhood. they don't want to be part of a peaceful international order. it's a regime dedicated to the ideology of jihad and they have proven time and time again that they are interested and that they are willing to kill americans with impunity with that i'd like to recognize -- impunity. with that i'd like to recognize a friend from new york who has in just a short time really, really been powerful in speaking the truth about this deal, about the failures of american policy vis-a-vis close allies of ours such as israel, and a fellow veteran with that i recognize the gentleman from new york for as much time as he may consume. .

>> thank you for your leadership on this critically important issue and i appreciate you pointing out the hypocrisy of the obama administration having nothing to say as the ayatolla and the people of iran and the leadership of the iranian government talk about death to america and thr president does nothing, excusing it. it's ok because of the hardliners in iran, yet will be critical of the israeli prime minister who is speaking of the two-state solution. and i appreciate your leadership on all these issues and pointing out a very hypocritical position. i'm here to articulate my concerns of the current status.

just recently, the president announced a framework agreement with iran. at that time, he released a fact sheet that fact sheet that within 24 hours saw the iranian foreign minister going on the twitter feed dissputing that fact sheet and calling it spin. both side, the obama administration and the iranian government, they are both spinning in different directions for their own domestic politics what is president an even agreement. an agreement calls for the meeting of the minds.

mr. zeldin: i don't know if anyone knows that the goirbletors left off a signature block on that fact sheet. iran's state-sponsorship of terrorism iran blowing up u.s. war ships, talking about the need to erase israel from the map. icbm's, these aren't part of the negotiations. nothing is reported the american people, how u.s. american citizens are being held in captivity by the iranian government and this president's tactics regardless of who the next president of the united states will be, these tactics

are cutting off the leverage of that next president who may be emboldend to tackle those challenges that iran sponsors terrorism around the middle east and around the globe. these talks are on pace to trace a nuclear arms race in the middle east. iran is not negotiating in good faith. and they smell american weakness not american strength. the obama administration believes that the only option is to cut a deal just to cut a deal. this president should instead with strength and courage as the leader of the free world be bringing the iranians to their

knees. that's what strength looks like. if you want to change sanctions, strengthen them don't weaken them. in 2009, the irians were emboldened contesting what supposed tb an election that was fully viewed as crups. where was president obama in 2009 when this opportunity presented itself for the iranian people where oil was $100 a barrel and our president could have excessed leadership then and we wouldn't be here today. the president said this is to cut this deal just to cut a deal. i don't buy that there aren't

other options to pursue. as i talk to colleagues on both sides of the aisle. sharing concerns of these new directions, there is resolve and commitment to sfind a new strategy. and if that time comes, when the president of the united states believes he must threaten the use of dropping a bomb, he must be prepared to do it and threaten to drop 2020 more. if that time in the future comes where this president or the next has to then drop another bomb threaten to drop 50 more, our enemies don't respect weakness but only respect strength. i stand with my colleagues who know there is a third option

that this president isn't telling the american people about his own demresk politics. and i challenges our president with strength to bring the irian government to their knees. you are the leader of the free world. act like it. i yield back the balance of my time. mr. desantis: i thank my friend from new york and those are great points. and we are going to have some good gates. i guess having done this deal after april's fools and the furs night back, we are just beginning. i would like to recognize another friend of mine mr. collins. mr. collins: this is an

important debate and with many decisions that you have in florida, what amaze es me, as what was just stated i am not sure what the president's gentlelady is here. iran decided to negotiate is that stanchingses worked. they were struggling and having to deal with the world that and i'm telling you what is i'm tired with president trying to earn accolades on the back of israel. israel is the one that is the one that is suffering. and they are on the tip of the atmosphere. we know that iran iran was behind and is behind most of the terrorism in the world.

yet, this administration turns a blind eye. they believe under the cloak of and iran comes to the table because they were suffering because sanctions were working. last week, the president gave an interview discussing a a plan of action. and the p-5 plus-1 action. they raised some flags for me. the first item of concern is to get a concession from iran is the need to cease this idea of a nuclear program. we didn't get concessions. the president said that in 13-15, iran will have the

ability to develop nuclear. i'm sorry mr. president, you will be out of the of of office. in 10-15 years if they have that capability. where will you be? private citizen? not in a chance. stand up while you can. we learned through this interview it isn't to reach the end, but to suspend their capability. and iran's restriction on producing uranium to build a bottom will only present for 10 years . the prame york and they have understandable concerns

with a regime that is becoming more and it is a casual matter. when asked, does iran asks israel's right to exist, the president reresponded with a smile. in and heard from benjamin netanyahu about the importance of this problem i'm not one to respond and right to exist until nothing should be on the table. and we should stand. and it is a tragedy among american life. iran has declared that israel should be wiped off. and the president smiles about this. excuse me. what is smiling about a country that wants to wipe off our our

ally. and iran has the ability to target and on the ground. such as hezbollah. the right between israel and hezbollah and the current -5 plus-1, has always been a relationship. i will continue to crilt size the deal and fight to maintain israelis' military edge in the region. and it is necessary for congress to be involved. it is the role of congress to that our national security and the safety ofal jice is maintained. there is some country that unfortunately through they choose to say they want to be outside the norm when they chose to say israel should not

exist and fund trime around a world, they shouldn't dictate terms. and shame on this administration. if they are continuing to win for their diplomatic action, this tration is doing it on the back of israel, and we will not stand for that. this is not a place to cry and win points on the back of our strongest ally. when you listen, you will understand. this is a bad deal. and time to walk away. mr. desantis: did you talk to the ayatolla people, did you talk to the negotiators about recognizing israel's right to

exist? this whole idea of deeth to israel and death to united states. not asking them to exist. the problem with that explanation is the whole underpinning rests that it might exeem. when you are 10, 13 years, you are at a nuclear iran. they assume there are goings to be changes and that makes less sense than it does already. and i note one more thing. who is cheering this deal? the head of hs hezbollah the head of the group. this is a group that they started funding in 1979, they were responsible for killing

over 240 u.s. marines at the marine barracks in 198 and instrumental in launching attacks. here's what the head of hezbollah said. iran will become richer and wealthier and more influential and will enforce the position. it will be able to stand by i its allies more than at any other time in history. hezbollah sees a stronger iran as a result of the deal, they see more support for terrorist groups in the gaza strip and more attacks against israel as a result of this deesm -- of that deal. that's very, very troubling. i'd like to take this time now