i'm focused right now on what the fair and 1447, equal housing act. thating this election there would be bipartisan approach to implement similar legislation here in virginia. this is prohibiting discrimination based on sexual and tory -- sexual orientation in regards to housing. i am hoping wondering from any of the candidates whether or not -- what the position is on hr 1447. >> voices from the states on c-span. >> on newsmakers, we are joined by linda sanchez, vice chair of the house democratic caucus. she also serves on the tax rate for many is the former chair of

the caucus. thank you for being with us today. i want to start with the shooting and las vegas. after the shooting in orlando, really tried to push and nothing has changed. realistically, is this moment different and what can democrats do? >> the situation is slightly different. it is the same tragedy that seems to repeat itself over and over. we have limited venues by which to try to force action on some sensible gun violence prevention legislation. america's galvanized attention on this issue and it was impactful, but we have to use different strategies for different situations and because we do not control the agenda, we're not able to set hearings are scheduled specific pieces of

legislation. there are limited avenues we have available to us. we are pushing when we can and reaching out to republicans to try to see if we can get members on the other side of the aisle to stand with us on some of these sensible measures . to will continue to do that -- we will continue to do that. but there have been some members hesitant are not willing to pursue, so public sentiment can roll the ball down. we are looking for people to stand up and voice their concerns and their desire to see sensible gun violence legislation passed in the house. >> one of the more striking elements of this is that very quickly this week several republicans suggested they are at least open to discussing legislation. somewhat as far as to say they support senator dianne

feinstein's legislation that would ban one of these accessories used by the shooter that itegas, contributed to such a lethal event and should be banned. make ofious to what you the republican response, which is different than we have seen from previous shootings. might it make sense for democrats instead of releasing and reintroducing the reams of proposals you often do after these situations to just perhaps focus on what feinstein is realizing there may be a legitimate chance or for a bipartisan agreement? >> we are heartened to see there are republicans who have expressed desire to support the legislation that feinstein introduced. we will seize on every opportunity to try to address the problem. we are willing to work with republicans and to build consensus and make that happen.

up to now, it has been difficult to get them to acknowledge there is a problem. legislating based on the last incident is not always the most legislate because each situation is different and it takes many different types of actions to curb the problem. believe me, gun violence is an epidemic just as deadly as the opioid crisis, and yet until now, most republicans have been unlling to even knowledge there was a problem. >> how do you get gun owners to trust you on this issue that this isn't a slippery slope toward taking away all guns? what is your message to them? we recognize there is a constitutional right to bear arms but that does not mean it is absolute. rightm of speech is a brain cannot yell fire in a

crowded theater. i think many gun owners who are responsible are starting to wake that they can help be part of this solution if they are willing to stand up and bump this black or white world, either you are pro-gun or anti-gun, and that is not the case at all. we want people to have firearms but do it in a responsible manner. if you look at cars, they can be deadly, but you have to be licensed to drive, carry insurance, meet safety standards. i do not think it is unreasonable to say to address this epidemic we really need to look at many different ways in which we can help ensure the wrong people are not able to have access to guns. those severely mentoring -- ill, people who have a history of domestic violence, violent criminals, terrorists.

i think the majority of american people believe that we should limit access to those groups of people and yet we have not been able to see the republican leadership step up and allow us to address any one of those things. >> use of the congress should not just legislate the last disaster. in a situation where republicans are giving an inch, should democrats be willing to take that little bit? >> democrats welcome that and we are willing to work with republican counterparts, even in the most incremental changes that can help prevent deaths. absolutely we are willing to do that, but as i said, that is one piece of the problem and there are many more. we're happy to serve that piece and happy to work with our republican colleagues. as if guns were not complicated but all over the country

and in states like california, we are expecting the issue to intensify in the coming days with the administration releasing some ideas on what exactly could be done to not only address immediate concerns about the future of dreamers but also immigration policy generally. when it comes to possibly resolving the status of the people who are protected by the program, how far are democrats willing to go on that agreement? what would perhaps be unacceptable to your caucus if called upon to vote on some kind of agreement that couples resolving the daca issue with border security measures, which seems to be the type of agreement that the president struck last month? >> i think the agreement that was struck was an agreement to

try to reach an agreement. i do not think there were specifics embedded in the casual conversation. i will say this. that theeresting to me republicans want to tear border security with resolving the daca issue, because dreamers are not a threat to our national security. they already live here and are fully vetted to be recipients. there are some of the brightest and most hellion -- talented people in this country and they want to contribute. i look at a clean dream act as something that has overwhelming support across the country, regardless of political party. it also has a lot of said were in the congress. i believe if a speaker would schedule a clean dream act legislation, there are enough republicans that would join with democrats to pass that easily. this were is sort of want to pair it with border security.

i'm interesting to see what their proposals are because apprehensions of the border are at the lowest point they have been in decades. there is not an overwhelming toblem at the border continually waste precious resources and things like a wall, which is a medieval solution to a modern tech problem. this isn't smart use of our taxpayer dollars. the hispanic caucus has been very engaged in this issue. they are meeting on a frequent basis to talk about what types putproposals might be forward, but there are certain nonstarters in building a wall at the border is a not earlier. non starter. it has to be the consensus of the hispanic caucus and the sessions are ongoing. >> with five months left before the programs and, are democrats

in a position to say no to a proposal? >> of course we are. we have the leverage in terms of popular sentiment. everyone across the u.s. has an opinion, but pulled after poll shows vaster poll americans agree with allowing daca recipients to think the country and they want to see a fix for it. i think the pressure will be wrapped up much like in the debate.are once constituents voice their opinions to the representatives, i think that creates a lot of momentum. time is a finite issue, we have a short amount of time in which to resolve this great i think the pressure -- resolve this. i think the pressure will continue to increase and push republicans to act because that has been the major impediment. the speaker, regardless of him spouting his religious faith and empathy, has unable to schedule a dream act -- the dream act for

a vote. if we schedule it, we will have the votes to easily pass a clean dream act. >> he raised this issue with the president when he met with him recently. what was his response? talentedieves these individuals should be allowed to stay. when he was asked whether or not he would personally engage on try to helpd republicans in the congress to work on this issue and move it forward he dodged and was evasive with whether or not he would be directly involved. i do not know to what extent we can count on the president to also apply pressure to congressional republicans into -- and to the speaker to vote on the bill. president obama has an opinion on this. do you think it would be helpful for him to be more involved than he has been?

>> i know former president clearly try to step out of the limelight and resume as normal as a life as they can. personally, i would welcome president obama getting engaged on this issue and trying to help galvanize. i think we will need support from all corners to make this happen. we have been dealing with republican obstruction of this and withyears now, wouldunning short, i -- i certainly welcome obama's engagement. >> what is your relationship trump?th president >> when i invited a handful of democrats to sit down and have a discussion about tax reform, that was the first time i was invited to the white house. i was one of a number of members there. my interaction with him was limited by and the short amount of time i had i tried to raise theissue of dreamers,

woefully inadequate response to andto rico and the disaster humanitarian crisis going on there and also throw my two reform, as well. he opened the meeting by saying what a great bipartisan effort that was but for many of us, that was the first time democrats had been into the room to discuss it with republican counterparts and the president himself. >> when you met with the president officially to talk about taxes, you remember the ways and means committee. this asstion to you on it was on immigration and gun control. ingwhat way are you hop democrats can influence this debate driven by republicans? what would be a top of mind concern for democrats if they do succeed? to

>> i believe in the best of circumstances. cover and tax reform is a heavy lift trade in this set of lit.mstances -- in this set of circumstances where republicans hide in a room id do not let anybody see it, think they will have substantial problems. they did it with the repeal and bill.e trumpcare they were never able to bring it across the finish line. i really believe you have to have a bipartisan effort in order to get a comprehensive tax reform down. we remain committed to working with our republican colleagues, we would like to be invited to the table to talk about our principles for tax or. clearly -- tax reform. favor reform that makes the task of simpler and fair. there are many working families across the country who are feeling the pinch.

the president said the republican plan is a tax cut for the middle class but when you talk about repealing the estate tax, the-- the state people who are affected are the most wealthy. when you talk about the production of state and local taxes, first aid like california you -- four states like california, middle-class families will be hit with a huge tax problem. we will like to see the anttribution tables -- we w to see who really benefits under their plan. i really know that it is not the middle class will get the bulk benefit. it will be incredibly wealthy individuals. iswant something that distribution only neutral, simply that the benefits are spread among everybody, not just

one group at the expense of another. we want to see if they are serious about providing some for middle-class americans and working americans. >> is there anything that is a nonstarter or a real priority for you? >> the fact that it is not revenue neutral raises a hair on the back of my neck. for years republicans have been pounding the table say we cannot burden our children with death, but when they want to give tax cuts to corporations unwelcome andealthy americans -- wealthy americans, that is irresponsible and they are hypocrites when they say they need to do something about the deficit but then passed the next tax cut. i think ultimately the american people will see through that. they run of these huge deficits when they are in power and

double and they say we have these terrible deficits, we have to do something about it. the first thing they want to do is cut social security benefits are medicare, many programs that help keep people out of poverty. talking about ultimately giving a tax cuts wealthy americans on the backs of those who can least afford it. >> i sense it is frustrating to be a democratic member of the house of representatives right now, given there is little opportunity for you guys to influence the debate. but a little about that also explained to viewers why americans should elect more democrats into the house in november 2018. >> it is a source of frustration oft we have a majority republicans and a speaker who does not want to govern to the

center. he wants to cater to the whims of the far right and they're very fractured. they cannot even agree amongst themselves. been incapablee of governing, of doing basic things to try to keep government running efficiently. i think democrats are more responsible when we look at who needs help, how do we make six there? emocrats are about fairness and giving people a fair shot. we are not about stacking the deck against them. completely field is for those who have money. in this country, americans are sensing something is wrong with our system. as long as we continue to elect republicans who want to continue to help benefit those with wealth and privilege, we ar egoing to see an american -- we are going to see an america that

is fundamentally unfair. we do not give americans a per shop when redoing the state -- a e notshot when we ar allowing people in states like california and new jersey to detect with a pay in-state taxes on their federal tax returns. we know how to govern and we get business of the government completed. we help make the system there and we stand up for the little guy. that is the basic principles of the democratic party. >> to follow-up on that, who is the leader of the democratic party right now? >> it depends on who you ask. leader pelosi in the house and chuck schumer in the senate. each individual member of the congress is a leader in their own district. we have a lot of talent on the bench, and i think we need to

really help develop that talent and give people opportunity. i do not think there is one leader of the democratic party. i think there are many people country inmove the the right direction, and it is imperative among democrats to be part of making that change happen. >> if democrats win back the house in 2018, will they keep the same leaders? >> i personally think our leadership does a tremendous job, but i do think we have this breadth andand -- depth of talent in our caucus and it is time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. i want to be part of that transition and help that happen. too many great members here who do not get the opportunity they should.i would like to see that change. >> would nancy pelosi when a

caucus leadership fight if she were challenged? >> i don't know. there are a lot of members in our caucus and everyone has their opinion. i do not know the answer to that is. >> but if i think it is time for a generational change what you does thatting, mean win or lose next year it is time for her to go? >> i don't want to single her out. i think it is time to pass the torch to a new generation. they are all from the same generation and their contributions to the congress and caucus are substantial, but i think there comes a time when you need to pass the torch and i think it is time. >> and who is ready to take up the torch right now? >> it is interesting because there are many talented members of our caucus, many of whom do not have any position or title. as the interested to see who is interested in stepping up and taking on the responsibility, because i know we have the talent.

>> what would you want to do? >> i would like to be part of transitioning that leadership to a new generation. >> you are the youngest member of leadership right now. do you see yourself as moving on orthat moving on generation do you think you would be part of the new?when i came >> -- >> when i came in to congress i made a promise to myself or if i got to a point where i felt like i was not making a difference it would be time to pass the torch to some real to have the energy and passion to continue the fight. i feel blessed in that i still love what i do. i do not intend to be carried out of congress in a pine box. that is not what i envision for myself. i envision egan new the house to help contribute and make a difference for a certain amount of time. i think i am well-placed to help make that transition to a new

generation of leadership. >> can you contextualize what you have just told us? you cover mistaken -- california politics more than i but you are being much more exclusive when saying it is time for a change than other people. we say this -- we hear this mumbled or quietly, but we do not hear this. >> i will say this to you. when i ran for vice chair of the caucus, it is because i thought there were things we could be doing differently and better. the platform that iran on was a platform of change. they lively believe the best players off the field sometimes because they happen to be newer or not have the seniority that other members dp. -- do.

bea caucus, we could stronger if we develop the talent we have individually. each individual makes our caucus stronger. i believe there comes a time when you have to provide this opportunity to members who are talented or they will begin to leave. they will leave to run for governor or senate or other more local positions. i do not want to lose the talent we have. i think it is time for us to have a serious discussion within our caucus about how we going to operate moving forward. i'm not a person to say on the sidelines and complain about -- complain about something. that is ultimately why i decided instead ofcongress, complaining i decided to do something about it. that is why i ran to be a member of leadership and i'm working hard to make the caucus more democratic and did try to provide those opportunities for some very talented members. we have about 60 seconds left in our discussion.

to clarify, because you're saying you are concerned about younger members perhaps leaving, do you know of more of your colleagues who are planning to retire or run for higher office then have said so? >> let me make a slight correction to that. i did not think younger members. i said new or members. if you look at several members that we know that are leaving to pursue other opportunities that i think are talented members. i haven't heard of others that are planning on stepping out. we do see that happen. we see that we lose members to run for other offices because they are in a system where they allowede they are not to use their talents and expertise to the fullest benefits of the caucus. >> congresswoman linda sanchez, the vice chair of the house democratic caucus. think you for being our newsmaker this week. ank you for being our

newsmaker this week. we turn to our roundtable discussion. a lot of discussion glad she might not survive. she admitted that edwards. even with what congresswoman sanchez suggested, it shows that she is still just as much at risk if not more so. certainly if the party found to take back the house next year. >> that is something we always

hear behind-the-scenes and whispered. it was shocking for me for the moment. i've not heard a california democrat biggest lizard. thanks we hearing about loss of talent, it wasn't that she talked about a little there. can you flesh it out? you have several members of the house democratic caucus wanted for higher office. where things to happen with senator feinstein, if she decides not to run for reelection, there could be what how many? you have several in other states running for governor or for the senate or potentially retiring. if they hold on, it is because they think the party has a chance at recapturing it.

members who could conceivably be in washington for a well are living because they say is not worth sticking around. it doesn't sound like that is quite enough. >> interments of what is enough, what did you get about what would be enough for 2018? what do the house democrats need to deliver rock? >> she satellite she was talking about new positions. and she has been talking about this for years. people knew what she was saying about expanding the field for candidate since the beginning. she was saying the same thing that they needed to be more opportunities for newer members to be experts within the party.

somebody who is in to be in ahip circle circle of trust and several iople she has to consult, think it speaks volumes of what she knows she is hearing from an effort colleagues. the mood job to know and the opinions of members of the democratic caucus. >> at there is a challenge, as a tim ryan again? what are some names that are in the discussion right now that she might be referring to? >> she is somebody who would like one of those positions. whether it is the majority leader, the assistant majority leader, and is the chairman of the caucus.

he was taking advantage of the position last year and looked beyond washington, potentially to even think about running for president and passing on the government just -- governorship. he told me and a lot of other reporters he is pulling out of more ambitious things. we may see him do something else instead. a he did not provide as big challenge. i think -- i think that you saw that district was in the caucus. this was the most votes he ever had cast against him as later. a small percent of the overall caucus. is, and but we are not necessarily ready to say

this, ready to go. he did say that he considered retiring. at least whether to be in power for the first two years. >> thank you for joining us on his uighurs -- newsmakers. this week on capitol hill, the house takes up a double body funny for hurricane and wildfire relief and the national flood insurance program, also on the agenda, registration protecting whistleblowers in the federal government and the defense programs bill. the senate is in recess this week, returning next monday when they will send the nomination of leicester gingrich to be ambassador to the vatican, live on c-span two. coming up live in just under an hour, a discussion about u.s. ch