us tomorrow morning on "washington journal," also heard on c-span radio. check out our freak c-span radio app. all of our programming is available at www.c-span.org >> newsmakers is next with democratic irishmen ben ray lujan of new mexico. that is followed by a subcommittee hearing on procedures to investigate misconduct by senior military leaders. later, president trump talks about tax policy and the midterm elections during a recent visit

to cincinnati. >> join us is ben ray lujan, he represents new mexico's third congressional district. thank you very much for being with us. joining us is the washington post and politico. but me begin with news this past week that you are getting 101 house seats to expand a pickup in the midterm election. how much is that going to cost you? rep lujan: we set a very aggressive budget. most importantly with the strategy behind the battlefield, i made a commitment to not concede one inch our republican colleagues. opportunities, we will expand. we will raise investments and most of the districts across the country.

we need over 60 of these districts to be competitive. by growing the battlefield and expanding into areas that republicans are surprised by, by not just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks, we are looking at strengths and how we have been able to out raise republicans. polling is on our side in many of these districts. we will continue to go to the battlefield. don't be surprised if it grows beyond 101 districts. it's not just 101 districts we have identified. 101 have credible candidates in them. we're still recruiting and we will continue through the filing. we have been able to out raise them by $20 million in 2017. one of the secrets we have is we made a substantial investment in our grassroots online fundraising. 60% now comes from grassroots supporters.

the average contribution is $18. we have the resources even though the koch brothers, paul ryan super pac have donated hundreds of millions of dollars. we will have the resources to compete. the dnc and debt, what is the price tag you are putting on this? rep lujan: i think the goal we have is to pass a very aggressive budget of $250 million that we believe based on how we can make investments and how we can work with our candidates to make sure those dollars stretch as far as they can and that will give us the edge we need to compete. at the end of the third quarter, out raise republicans. at the end of the fourth quarter, as many as 54 challengers out raise republicans. we have an edge. these republican super

pac's are out there that will be well-financed. that's no surprise. it's also part of what makes people disgusted with what sampling with citizens united and this outside secret money. some rosytled off statistics for you. democrats outed, raise those incumbents. can it's been sending fundraising on the democratic side. have been calling this a democratic wave in 2018. given the statistics you just listed and the results we've seen out of virginia and new jersey, are you ready to call this a wave? rep lujan: i will let people describe it any way they can. from the get go going into this year, the street is on our side. the data is on our side. from they demonstrated

women's march all the way to where we are today is on our side as well. i see a clear path to winning the majority. i never said it would be easy. that's the way we are taking our approach with the expansiveness of the battlefield. i think our chances are great. i am more and more optimistic every day. i'm not going to shy away from the clear challenges that are out there. it's important for our supporters at the grassroots to understand what we're up against. we have to do our part. if we all do our part, we will win back the house. >> you see it as a failure if you don't retake the house western mark rep lujan: it's always a failure if we don't get our goal. i know we will win seats. it's going to be tough because of the gerrymandered districts we are up against and the outside money will be a challenge. even with that, the structural

advantage we have raced on the polling, it gives democrats and inherent advantage to win back the house. also the retirements of some very popular republican mr. royce, even with in california, those are seats they did not have on their maps to defend. that's going to cost them a lot of money and a couple of those they will not be able to find a credible candidate for. that bodes well for us. i never said this would be easy and we have a lot of work cut out for us. we are working to make sure we get the job done. >> how significant was the ruling in pennsylvania to redraw the maps in that state? appreciate ist i it was the right one. the maps in pennsylvania were deemed unconstitutional. ,he maps also in wisconsin

north carolina, and texas have been deemed unconstitutional. the u.s. supreme court has put those on hold. that's a conversation for another day. pennsylvania has an understanding and an observation that the maps are unconstitutional. we will see what is presented. in gerrymandered states like pennsylvania, for democrats to have an advantage with motor performance but a structural disadvantage of 13 republicans to five democrats. that's a plus for pickup. i think that's credible and substantial and helps us with their maps to win back the majority. pennsylvania, there is a competitive race coming up in a month from when we are talking. in the first case, republicans millionding about $2 for each of those seats.

why is it not more invested in that race? rep lujan: when we look at these districts, it should worry republicans, even with the special olympics -- elections we were not successful with, they were all deep red seats that president trump selected for the map. they had to spend tens of millions of dollars trying to defend those seats. the margins shrank from that. when you look at virginia, new jersey, all of the other special elections, it does not bode well for them. pennsylvania, president trump won the district by 20 points. senator mccain won with more than 15. this should be a slamdunk district. they have a weak candidate and we have an incredible candidate, a federal prosecutor and marine.

that's for you see the investment. he has support from everyone he needs support from. he's making the case with his supporters. that's why he is in striking distance of pulling an upset. it's a tough district, very deep red and challenging. of his story and his ability to connect with constituents at have the ability to connect, that's why we see the numbers shrink. in arizona, that's a district that should be a slamdunk for republicans, it's the most byublican of the seats held our colleagues in arizona. why are they putting resources there? they are worried about something. that's indicative of we are seen going into 2018. where president trump won by 20 points, that map is very expensive and we are optimistic. >> he rim this committee in

2016. a lot of campaigns tied republicans to president trump. how do they feel that backfired? what to do learn about how to run against trump? what mistakes to jew make? make? you rep lujan: the american people are very familiar with his mistakes. we will litigate that case. i think you see the american people are tired of talking about this president. we will talk about what most important to the american people. that,can continue to do president trump is under one investigation and scandal after another that follows some, that's what they will have to explain. we are going to talk about real issues. >> if i could make a quick follow-up, you're not ready to

commit money to that election? rep lujan: i think, land is running his campaign and will have sport he needs. because of the strength he has out there, he is been able to communicate. it's taken all of these super pac's and outside money to give him a lift. that's indicative of the strength of him versus the public and it challenger and we will continue to see how he does. he is holding his own. he is making the case. i think he is the strongest voice we could have reaching out to the good people of the 18th district and pennsylvania. >> as you know, the special election is a month away. let's watch. >> how do we know he is a pelosi liberal? andpposed your tax cut defended obamacare. he worked in the obama

administration which put illegal immigrants who commit crimes back on the street. he negotiated the iranian deal the game billions to the leading funder of terrorism. to liberal on it too many issues. congressional leadership fund is responsible for this advertising. >> they have decided to distance themselves from nancy pelosi. they have said they want new leadership. as you mentioned, you are going to be pushing into a republican leaning district. when a candidate says i'm unadjusted and supporting nancy pelosi, what do you say to them? rep lujan: canids are running races across the country. they know the voices they will speak to their constituency. pelosi, no one works

smarter on the clock. they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to discredit her. it's a tough job. whoever is in that spot is going to be the beneficiary of republican attacks to denigrate those leaders. that is something she understands. nonetheless, we know we need to win district across the country. we trust our candidates. districts better than anyone else. we will work with them to assure they have the resources to connect with their constituencies. if democrats can win back the house, we will restore checks and balances and keep an eye on this administration. we are working to end back -- earn back the trust of the american people. we have a lot of work to do. for thee who is running house will have money withheld by you if they won't support pelosi? asked a similar

question by a few journalists. my response to them is the same to you. we will make investments to win these districts across the country. that is not something that will prevent me from making a difference in these districts. and endorsedel ran candidate who lost a primary. stepped investing in that race for the general election. races where an insurgent is raising more money than the candidate. which you consider that new candidate if they beat your candidate on the radar western mark -- radar? rep lujan: they have structural advantages. i will continue to stand by the endorsement with red to blue as identifying the most competitive seats across the country. the battlefield is 100 to one

strong. we need to see where we can make investments across the country and which districts for real. after the primaries, we continue to assess. based on the structural disadvantages the republicans have with history and data, we will be able to play in these districts. we will evaluate them one by one, primary after primary. have resourcesd put elsewhere? rep lujan: if we see that nominee can be a republican, it will be erased and we look at and make investments. we will evaluate one at a time. >> congressman rick nolan of minnesota represents the district that lost to trump heavily. he plans on retiring. speak to the 12 democrats who are running in

that district that trump won by enormous margins. how should they be running differently than those that run in suburban districts? rep lujan: there's not a member with more dignity and grit than congressman rick nolan. the way he approaches the conversation and reaches out to work with people is an example we can learn from. he is someone i will continue to learn from. i am honored to call him a friend. his district is an example where there was a shift to president trump read -- trump. andident obama wanted 2008 2012. continue to see this district as a competitive district. rick nolan one under the toughest of circumstances.

leaning up against the wall, rubble can's were able to make inroads. that against the environment we are it, the history of the data on our side, i'm confident we will hold this district. across the country, especially those that were won by donald 21mp, just yesterday districts moved that were won by president trump that are held by republican. they all went our way. that's indicative of what you are seen. this continues to be the same. i never said it would be easy. these districts are no exception. candidates and incumbents have voiced concerns of being connected with consultants and spending a lot of money that you don't need. are you doing anything to shrink the margin or the consultants are getting? rep lujan: stephen lynch is

someone i expect very much. he has a special place in my heart. my father was also an ironworker. when i hear stephen speak to me, --s like hearing i fit other father speak. his questions matter to me very much. , im a consultant perspective think it's important that these democratic committees earn the trust of organizers across the country. people need to see themselves in us. see townenergy that we to town and neighborhood to neighborhood that will put us over the top. we have to shake things up this past year. we always do a postmortem. we help out. we implemented recommendations this year. the buyers will be reaching out in connecting with

the american people on our behalf. also way the consultants were going to be compensated. this wasn't always welcome. it's important that consultants that win races and lose races are not compensated the same. the advice from mr. lynch and many of our colleagues has been implemented. i think we are stronger because of it. you have a number of democratic primaries in california where you've got half dozen candidates who are against each other. timesve set a number of and iready to intervene think he means through money in these primaries. where do you see the primaries in california that could be locked out because of the top two system? are there any you are watching? rep lujan: i appreciate you

executive director. he knows how to roll of his sleeves and win races. i'm honored he accepted the responsibility to be the executive director. many people across the spectrum recognizes work. i agree with him. when you go back and look at one of our colleagues races, we were not successful in getting him elected by providing support to him. time we wererst very humbled with this new jumbled primary system in california. it turns out the top two people that perform in the primary make it to the general. if you don't have a democrat in the top two, you are locked out. we learn from that. pete aguilar is a stellar member of the house of representatives. i see a great future in his

leadership in our caucus. this is something one unnoticed. another primary in a crowded jumbled primary. we provided support. that candidate continues to lock the race in. the work he is doing reaching out to the families of them devastated by fires in his district is an example. we will continue to look at these races. with darrellts issa and ed royce, the math has changed. we have to be in the top two or we don't have a chance. we will continue to look at these races and worked with the california delegation and have conversations with the incredible grassroots groups. we have over 200 in the state of california. we will work together to make

sure only do we have a democrat in the top two, that we can win these districts in november. >> the republicans are going to run on a strong economy and national security and the return as nancy pelosi as speaker of the house. what is the message this year? we are showing the american people that we have their back. what we have seen and bill after bill, repealing the affordable deliveredrepublicans was higher premiums and higher deductibles and higher costs. we wanted of the lower cost to make things better. this tax scam that promise to prioritize the middle class delivered a tax giveaway to corporations and the top 1%. why did 83% go to them and the other 99% get the rest.

what makes it to middle-class families, it just doesn't add up. the split is wrong. it's upside down and the american people see through it. actions speak lower than words. our republican colleagues are trying to make these empty promises. democrats are earning that trust. >> would you admit that the economy is strong today? rep lujan: it continues to build on the success over the last seven years. we will continue to reach out and talk to the american people. under republican leadership, their decisions and the policies they are advocating are hurting middle-class families. republicans say they will put them first, but their actions are hurting those families. , republicansxt took us further into debt and they are going to go after

medicare and medicaid and social security. they will not help millennials. i think there is an amazing opportunity for democrats to connect with those values and earn the trust to show that we have their backs. >> was your message to 70 who may have been critical of the tax bill and they are getting a higher check? are they going to lose the tax break they got? rep lujan: what republicans promised was they would prioritize middle-class families. they did not. even paul ryan when he was trying to salvage this, he had a chance to put a tweet out there that a woman was getting $1.50 more a week. understand what they are blind to. that's just not fair. it doesn't add up.

flawsd to fix many of the in the tax scam. there wasn't tax reform that was promised. why would these corporate giveaways made permanent and the middle-class tax cuts were not? to the top split 83% and the other 13% went to the american people. we will reverse that. middle-class families should be prioritized. was toer giveaway offshore american jobs. that shouldn't be the case. there should be an incentive to bring jobs to the united states. make sure the american people can retire with dignity. the assault they delivered that is going to raise premiums on health care. that is something we will

continue to highlight. it is something we need to address. message onthink the where you feel like the tax bill is not circling down. you are seeing this against them. president trump's numbers of gone up a little it. let's not trickling down is the economic benefit. it's a failed theory. it continues to hurt america. by republican colleagues are celebrating that he is in the 40's. think about that. he is the most unpopular president in history. no president under 50 has ever picked up seats in their first midterm. that does not bode well. all of this data and history matters. it opens the door. we need to continue as democrats. we did connect that the american

people. there are enough reasons to vote against the other side. show them lean in and a reason to vote for someone. that's what we will continue to do. >> we will conclude on that note. the congressman, thank you for being with us. we continue the conversation. david, let's begin with the democratic message. what is it? >> we asked about the messaging. you asked millennials. pretty hard to craft a bunch of policies they would put in place if elected. they can't punch through the news cycle. they are more successful by making the tax-cut unpopular at

the time. it passed with 25% support. they are waiting closer to the election and we will see premium increases and october. it's tricky to run in a time of economic prosperity as the change party. inhappened successfully 2006. if you hear them not being coherent, they are waiting it. message does not survive more than three or four hours in the truck new cycle. >> the republicans have a traditional message. we cut your taxes. send this back to congress. that's why they were so panicked. they were concerned that might not happen. they would have nothing to run on. it's not to say they don't have we've seen them bounce back. republican still have a clear

and simple message. >> how big is the pelosi issue? all of the special olympics -- elections have been in places trump one by a lot. they think that's overstated. i don't agree. all of the associations of liberalism and for aare, you're asking change election that would put a leader who's been there for 16 years back in power. all theepresents stereotypes that people have about democrats. she's from san francisco. she's been in charge for a long time. , although his numbers , the leadershit

always take a hit in poll numbers. he's not from a deep southern state. he's not evangelical. >> the republicans messaging on close to that they use for everything, they focus on her calling the benefits crumbs. they say she's a rich person from san francisco. that's not what she was saying. wealthy and is not from san francisco can make it more clear. your talking about why did corporations get the gigantic tax cut. they are so coffee will attacking her as a rich elitist. democrats don't appreciate how many vulnerabilities she has.

>> they want to distance themselves with pelosi and say things like i'm not going to support her when i go to congress. if they do flip the house, where is the leadership. it opens up an avenue for democrats who are running in these districts to show that they are going to do something different. >> tucson the congressman, it's not a condition. we will support you. >> pennsylvania 18 is a test case? >> yes. absolutely. he has said he would want new leadership in congress. if he is able to make that message clear to his voters, absolutely. this is a district that trump won by 20 points. two or three, that would be just as much of a

matter for republicans to any. pointscrats won by eight in john murtha's seat. was the majority stronger. republicans had no chance of winning. the value overstate of holding that seat, even if they do. just messaging is not anti-, republicans cut taxes because they want to cut soul security and medicare. it might be boring to some of us, he will stay competitive for that message. win or lose, people might overrate that race. look at how much that moved people who voted for trump. work is available online at the washington post,

politico. thank you for being with us on newsmakers. >> tonight, black lives matter co-founder with her book when they call you a terrorist. she is interviewed. knew we had to get people on board. we have to interrupt and people try to co-opt black lives matter. we ensured it wasn't co-opted. we challenged people in her own othernt to not say communities matter, with a focus on black people and be ok and be allies and in solidarity with black people. we took it out to the world.

>> next weekend, the state to her takes you to virginia. with the help of our cable partners, we will explore lynchburg's rich literary scene. on american00 history tv. working with our cable affiliates as we explore america. >> inspectors general for the military run capitol hill this week to testify on procedures for investigating misconduct by severe -- senior military leaders. they discussed how they prevent violations. this subcommittee hearing is just over two and half hours.

this subcommittee hearing is called to order. i want to welcome everyone to this morning' >> this subcommittee hearing is called to order. i want to welcome everyone to this morning's military personnel hearing. the purpose is to hear testimony from the department of defense and the services regarding efforts they have taken to investigate senior leaders misconduct. our military enjoys the highest confidence of any institution in american society.