michael greenberger at the university of maryland center for health and homeland security talks about the cost of federal disaster relief and we will also take your calls and look for your comments on facebook and twitter. "washington journal" is live every day at 7:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. announcer: the new congressional directory is a handy guide to the 114th congress, with color photos of every house member and senator, plus a bio and contact information. also, district maps, a foldout map of capitol hill, and a look at congressional committees, the president's cabinet, federal agencies and governors. it is $13.95 plus shipping and handling available on the c-span store. announcer: on wednesday, queen elizabeth delivered an opening.

the speech was written by the new conservative majority government and outlined the priorities for the coming year. this is 15 minutes. queen elizabeth: my lords, please be seated.

queen elizabeth: my lords and members of the house of commonsqueen elizabeth:, my government will legislate in the interests of everyone in our country. it will adopt a one-nation approach so working people get on, supporting aspiration, giving new opportunities to the most disadvantaged and bringing different parts of our country together. my government will continue with its long-term plan to provide economic stability and security at every stage of life.

they will continue the work of bringing the public finances under control in reducing the deficit so britain lives within its means. measures will be introduced to raise the productive potential of the economy and increase living standards. legislation will be brought forward to help achieve full employment and provide more people with the security of a job. new duties will require my ministers to report annually on job creation and apprenticeships . measures will also be introduced to reduce regulation on small businesses so they can create jobs. legislation will be brought forward to ensure people working 30 hours a week on the national minimum wage do not pay income tax and to ensure there are no rises in income tax rates, value

added tax, or national insurance for the next five years. measures will be brought forward to help working people by greatly increasing the provision of free childcare. legislation will be introduced to support homeownership and give housing association tenants the chance to own their own home . measures will be introduced to increase energy security and to control immigration. my government will bring forward legislation to reform trade unions and to protect central public services against strikes. to give new opportunities to the most disadvantaged, my government will expand the troubled families program and continue to reform welfare with legislation encouraging employment by capping benefits and requiring young people to earn or learn.

legislation will be brought forward to improve schools and give every child the best start in life with new powers to take over failing and coasting schools and create more academies. in england, my government will secure the future of the national health service by implementing the national health services own five-year plan. by increasing the health budget come integrating health care and social care, and ensuring the national health service works on a seven-day basis. measures will be introduced to improve access to general practitioners and mental health care. measures will also be brought forward to secure the real value of the basic state pension, so that more people can live in dignity and security in retirement. measures will be brought forward

to increase the rights of victims of crime. to bring different parts of our country together, my government will work to bring about a balanced economic recovery. legislation will be introduced to provide for the devolution of powers to cities with elected metro mayors, helping to build a northern powerhouse. my government will continue to legislate for high-speed railings between the different parts of the country. my government will also bring forward legislation to secure a strong and lasting constitutional settlement, dissolving wide-ranging powers to scotland and wales. legislation will be taken forward, giving effect to this -- the agreement in northern ireland. my government will continue to work in cooperation with the

administrations on the basis of mutual respect. my government will bring forward changes to the standing orders of the house of commons. these changes will create fairer procedures to ensure decisions affecting england or england and wales can be taken only with the consent of a majority of members of parliament representing constituencies in those parts of the united kingdom. my government will renegotiate the united kingdom's relationship with the european union and pursue reform of the european union for the benefit of all member states. alongside this, legislation will be introduced to provide for an in-out referendum for membership in the european union before the end of 2017. measures will be brought forward to promote social cohesion and

protect people by tackling extremism. new legislation will improve the law on policing and criminal justice and banned the new generation of psychoactive drugs. my government will bring forward proposals for a british bill of rights. members of the house of commons estimates for the public services will be laid before you . my lords and members of the house of commons, my government will continue to play a leading role in global affairs, using its presence all over the world to reengage with and tackle the major international, security economic, and humanitarian challenges. my ministers will remain at the forefront of the nato alliance and international efforts to

degrade and ultimately defeat terrorism in the middle east. the united kingdom will continue to seek a political settlement in syria and will offer further support to the iraqi governments program of political reform and national reconciliation. my government will maintain pressure on russia to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of ukraine and will insist on the full implementation of the minsk agreements. my government looks forward to an enhanced partnership with india and china. prince philip and i look forward to our state visit to germany next month and to our state visit to walter in november alongside the commonwealth heads of government meeting. we also look forward to welcoming his excellency, the president of the people's republic of china on a state

visit in october. my government will seek effective global collaboration to sustain economic recovery and to combat climate change, including at the climate change conference in paris later this year. my government will undertake a full strategic defense and security review and do whatever is necessary to ensure that our courageous armed forces can keep britain safe. my government will work to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons, cyberattacks, and terrorism. other measures will be laid before you. my lords and members of the house of commons, i pray that the blessing of almighty god may rest upon your councils.

announcer: back in washington, with midnight less than three hours away, it is looking likely that the nsa provisions in the patriot act will expire. the senate is in a quorum call right now as we approach the midnight deadline. they are open for speeches. earlier, the chamber did advance or move forward the bill that was passed in the house that would extend surveillance provisions. however, without unanimous consent by all senators come any further votes on this bill cannot happen until later this week. no more votes expected in the senate tonight. the chamber does remain in session for