clearance protections period c-span2 at 8:00 a.m., the american israel public affairs committee annual committee continues with remarks from israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. the senate takes up a bill that eases dodd frank financial regulations. on c-span3, director of national intelligence along with the director of the defense intelligence agency testify on national security threats. coming up in an hour, vermont congressman peter welch, the chief deputy whip for house democrats discusses what government might do on guns and other issues. at 8:30 a.m., senior political reporter on role calls annual list of the richest members of congress. 938 -- 9:30 a.m., congressman tom reed, a member of the ways and means committee

and cochair of the problem solvers caucus. he is here to discuss the trump host: good morning. house meets at 10:00 with votes scheduled later this afternoon. thesenate has votes before weekly party lunch meetings. we are with you for the next three hours. primary season gets underway with "texas hold 'em" the first primary of 2018. as of today, democrats would need a 24 seat gain to win the --se and pick up to senates seats in the senate. our question, should republicans retain control of congress this fall? phone lines are open.

democrats (202) 748-8000. republicans (202) 784-8001. .ndependents (202) 748-8002 you can also catch up with us on social media. a very good tuesday morning two. andprimary day in texas many pages of national newspapers are focusing on the midterm elections today. here's the front page of the washington times did democrats put millions behind candidates in gop strongholds. the washington post, enthusiasm is high at primary season. the front page of the wall street journal today, focusing on the senate race. democrats hope run through trump country. one more from the wall street journal today, focusing on the house race.

a way to see it as retain the house. abby livingston is joining us. take us through the primary in texas. what races are you watching? guest: good morning. i've covered this delegation for several years. it's unprecedented how wild it is at the u.s. house level. we see more turnover than we've 2004, when they redistricted and we saw a lot of incumbents lose that fall. this is due to mostly retirement. there has been a pent-up ambition of people who wanted to be members of congress for a long time. we've got a field of candidates even 18 candidates for a single primary nomination. it's very volatile. we had in a runoff situation.

unless someone clears the majority, we have a runoff. we have a hard time being able to tell some of these fields who might be the next member of congress. host: when it comes to the house races, how many open seats are we talking about in texas? how many are being targeted by those who do the national race targeting? guest: there are two separate issues. there are seven seats off the top of my head that are vacated or seeking higher office. on top of that, there are three seats the house democratic campaign arm is openly targeting. dallas, a san in antonio to el paso seat. on top of these vacancies, we have an open primary where candidates are running for the nomination to take on these

members of congress. host: where does ted cruz rank in terms of democratic senate chances? guest: i think it's far down the line. there is undeniable enthusiasm on the ground for better over work. i see it. sleepereels like a campaign. the differences, texas is extremely big and extremely expensive. ted cruz is a very hard-working candidate. the next, hein will run a very vigorous campaign. people in washington decide how much to spend on senate races. they are looking at taxes and they see how expensive it is. there are 10 incumbents in states donald trump carried. they work, they protect income is before going on offense.

on top of that, you will have ofzona and nevada ahead texas. if this comes into play, it's going to be a very organic situation. races,n terms of other viewers around the country will know there is a bush on the ballot. guest: george p bush's running for reelection as land commissioner. it seems like he's going to be ok. he may have a runoff. he had a very aggressive challenge. it hasthings, much of been about how he's handled the restoration of the alamo. health relates to his administering harvey relief. there has been criticism leveled at him. host: who is laura mosier? for thehe's a candidate

houston-based seat against john culberson. she's a democrat. she's running as a real progressive. is this is with that a seat that includes an area called river oaks and it extends into the suburbs. it's a traditionally republican area. this has some of the wealthiest people in america. it has republican dna. there are more conservative democrats running for that seat. the national democrats made it extremely clear it's nothing prefer someone else, they don't want her to be the nominee. if she goes on to the runoff against another candidate, that could be where the next democratic civil war happens. it could be hillary versus bernie. host: we will see what happens tonight. what can we tell from early results? guest: we see a lot of democratic enthusiasm,

particularly in the urban areas. that should send a warning signal to republicans. it also needs a caveat. most of the incumbents in the state are republicans. there are some open seat races. the democrats have the competitive primaries. they are very excited about going out to the polls in choosing their nominees. the nominee is often decided on the republican side. this is a warning to republicans, but i want to underscore it with a grain of salt. host: abby livingston is a political report. thank you for your help talking about texas. good light -- let tonight with the coverage. we appreciate it. guest: thanks for having me. host: the phone lines are yours. we are talking about the midterm elections. that is subject for the first hour of the washington journal.

go ahead. caller: am i on? am i on? host: go ahead. i am 98 years old. give me some time to get my thoughts together. i want to pass on some stuff to your listeners. this is in reference to the voting. people get confused. let me say this, i know you've got other folks that want to say something. the voting rights of 1965 is where we got the option to vote. that wasn't true. was passed byment republicans. they gave black americans the right to vote.

a lincoln was a republican. he gave us our freedom. right now, i'm scared. i've got seven dollars. i've got four sons. of eight greatl great grandchildren. afraid. look what donald trump did on friday. he passed sanctions against north korea. individual, 28 ships. he didn't put no sanctions on russia. i will tell you this, that's a shame. has beening russia

korea. they are developing their missile capabilities. host: when it comes to the midterm elections, there is concern about russia in the u.s. midterm elections. here's a story from the washington times. that is today's washington times. jack is in arizona. theory going on

with the enthusiasm of the democrats, your previous caller russia. is no it's fake news. all hypedare getting up. all the liberals. republicans, they just show up. going to show up. at the end of the day, they are going to retain everything. they are still going to be whining about trump this and trump that. now look at all the things he's done. i watched obama for eight years. nothing but controversy. all of these problems. republicans, they are going to retain everything.

host: you say that as a democrat? jack was calling in on the democrat line. bruce is in baltimore. go ahead. caller: good morning. -- originally i was a democrat and for decades i was independent because i didn't supporting democrats or republicans. as far left as the democrats have gone, as ridiculous as they become, the hate they put out against donald trump and supporters. it's just ridiculous. understand what martin luther king talked about? i'm sick and tired about how

crazy the democrats have gotten. host: samantha is herein d.c.. caller: i was a republican from the time i was 18 years old. i worked actively in the party. the republican party we have ,oday is the party of racists russian collaborators. it is time for america to wake up and understand you've been drinking the kool-aid. republicanvote every don catcher to the white house out of office and make this country america again. nazis, get ino be the grave with hitler's. host: today is the primary in texas. the next date with the primary on the calendar is illinois two weeks from today on march 20. jason is in illinois.

go ahead. thanks for taking my call. i heard last week that russians are trying to influence the elections again and now they are targeting incumbents in office. was part of that. in the general election, i was pushing for trump. i'm not a russian. they are not doing their job. they get paid to do a job and they are not doing it. new blood in congress, i want everybody in illinois primary to vote. i'm an american citizen, i'm not a foreign agent. i'm pushing to get the

incumbents out of office. host: you think the president gets any blame for once happening? do you put any blame on the president? caller: how can you? he was a private citizen. he threw all of that away. do you want to know why? because he's got grandchildren. if we keep the people in office right now, no one is thinking about our kids. that's why i voted for trump. host: the wall street journal talking about the history of midterms. history may be on the democratic party side.

when the president's approval rating is under 50% like mr. trump's is, they have lost 40 house seats in midterm elections. democrats need to win 24. on this primary day in texas, should republicans contain control of congress? carmen is in pennsylvania. go ahead. caller: no to republicans. they should not retain control. they have been horrible. they'vethe eight-year gotten the majority in the congress.

they've done absolutely nothing in eight years except pass that ridiculous tax bill. we all know what a scam that was. in pennsylvania, the districts of been redrawn. the old eighth congressional district is now the first. because of that, there are six seats now that are going to be competitive, including mine. we need 24 seats to get the house back, pennsylvania could be six of those. if anti-pelosi would do the right thing and resign from the congress and go back to san francisco and play with her grandchildren, it would be a lead pipe cinch the democrats would pick up 40 seats. pelosi won't resign. host: how much are you going to be reading into that special election next week in the 18th

district? caller: it's going to be huge. it's hard to believe, that district is mostly union households. blue-collar workers. congressman murphy was winning year in and year out unopposed. that used to be unheard of. live there when john murtha was our congressman. somehow, the unionized blue-collar workers are voting republican. i haven't the faintest idea why. it's the beginning of the end for the republican control of the house. democrator lamb is the in that race. the president is headed to pennsylvania to get involved in that later this week.

joe biden is also heading to pennsylvania. weekend, those two candidates faced off in a debate. they were asked about president trump's tariffs last week. this is that moment in the debate. >> we do need to level the playing field. are still workers have worked hard for a long time and they make the best steel in the world. china has been making cheap steel. it's not fair and it's not right. to take a little time to see how this policy plays out. it's not clear who it's going to apply to. it was just yesterday that he on the baduld focus actors, china more than our friends. the important thing to me is the steelworker. that, we going to do

have to use the steel. we need to get the infrastructure going. use the steel to rebuild our bridges. we've already seen a lot of gridlock, even though everyone seems to agree we need gridlock -- infrastructure. can compete workers with anyone in the world as long as the playing field is level. many of our competitors around the world have had their thumb on the scale. i've always supported the steel industry. my purpose is to protect jobs in western pennsylvania. i think this is the first volley. i'm sure the lisa more negotiation and we will see what happens. host: this morning it, we are asking should republicans retain control of congress? democrats can call in at (202) 748-8000. republicans (202) 784-8001.

independents (202) 748-8002. you can catch up with us on social media. comments.few give us what you think. this is the topic for the first hour of the washington journal today. primary season gets underway in texas. ted is in new york. good morning. caller: good morning. you said history is the trend.

it is now crystal clear. this president is hated by people who think he is a racist. he is anti-woman and anti-black. russia has nothing to do with it. can't dol me americans the same. the politics is now rooted in hate. it whoever controls the congress, i don't know. they can't accomplish anything. outsiders fore our own fault. the president is his own enemy. he has to get rid of his family

members from his side. they have become a liability for him. the sooner the better. host: let's go to mississippi. it go-ahead it. caller: the republican should not contain control. host: james is in pittsburgh pennsylvania. go ahead. caller: good morning to all of the viewers. i have talked to you before, john. i'm an independent. i ran for governor before and people laughed. when i rane ballot for mayor of pittsburgh. the democrats took me to court and say i'm not financially.

people,ng we as independence need to get together and do the right thing. you have to study about george washington and the civil war, you have to know the history of america to be part of america. being an independent is hard. we are considered different. are you still there? i'm not the best football player. there's not a politician out there in america that's going to fight for people like i will. i'm from pittsburgh. they do everything to keep the independents out of the picture host:. host:do you think we will see more independents elected?

the voters are around america. we want to hear from all across america as we ask this question, should republicans retain control of the congress. one of the statistics closely watched throughout the election ballot, the generic asking simply would you vote for republican or democrat in your congressional race? this is the generic ballot over the past 14 months or so. democrats lead on the generic ballot by 9.3 points. it was higher at the end of last year. nearly 13 point lead on the generic talent. now it is down to 9.3. that statistic is from real clear politics.

that is their polling of polls. they put together all the different polls on the generic ballot. that is the average. jim it is in maryland, a democrat. i am beinghink redundant with other people. i do believe that doesn't really matter. the realm line is issue is money. i mean on americans. americans are expecting to get things for nothing. theave to realize what value is and what we want to invest in. the idea that somehow we are not and justlook long-term short-term is one of the major issues. both parties can't come to an agreement that they need to sell that to americans, that you

can't live on debt. i wante to think of what to do in the next 30 years. someone commented about thinking about your kids. that's a concern of mine. i don't want my kids to be andened with not having they have to pay bills that we aren't willing to pay for now. host: do you think the midterm will be caught up in the politics of now and not talk about some of those long-term issues? i do know. i hope that's the case. partisan, ando be i hope enough people come to vote and start to develop that vision of america. that may be unrealistic on my part. i hope we are not looking at candidates from both parties who take that position, who aren't

trying to be combative and thinking about how they're going to satisfy the short term. host: steve is in maryland, a republican. the main thing i see, republicans should stay in control. to followbeen trying the constitution. democrats are fighting them. restrictionmuch democrats want to do that goes against our founding documents. over taxation, the government contacts. there are so many over taxes between the fed and states, the gun control thing. there is not one other rights that is restricted as much as firearms. there are over 2 million firearm

regulations. every mass shooter over the past 20 years has been a prohibited person. the government doesn't put them they don't do what they're supposed to do. on the issue of guns, some news out of florida from yesterday. ismakers put guns in schools the headline in the new york times. republican leaders struck a compromise that would keep guns in schools by arming librarians, counselors, and coaches.

everyone else no matter how closely they deal with students could be eligible to carry. a school marshal program would allow superintendents to work with local sheriffs to arm people on campus. the restriction would eliminate the vast majority of school staff from participating. we are talking about the midterm elections. more electionone on the ballot in mississippi this coming, thad cochran announced that he will be resigning from the senate on april 1, ending a four decade career in triggering an election

that could dig out new divisions in the will republican party. he is been suffering from health problems in recent months. he missed several weeks after recuperating. host: back to the phones and your calls. sure republicans retain control of congress this fall. gary is in kentucky. caller: i've got a question.

do you think it's going to work? had control over the senate and house and presidency at one time. i think we are to retain the republican majority in the senate and house to get anything done. host: do you think that's going to be driving democrats, to put a check on president trump by getting democrats a chamber? caller: i don't think they are getting a check on him. what are you going to get done? done inoing to get 2020? there, theyd be in should have control of the senate and house and the

presidency. we might get something done. it has to be bipartisan by any means. it doesn't seem like democrats want to do that. after the loss of the election, they don't want to move toward the right. host: did you feel that way in 2008 when democrats controlled the house and senate and white house? caller: yes. the democrats had control at one time. we are still talking about the same thing that they should've changed back then. first, thatrica really sent me to his camp. i've seen everything going out of this country. it seems like it wasn't going anywhere.

the america first policy leaned me toward him. host: jackson, mississippi, and independent. go ahead. caller: i'm not from mississippi. i'm from michigan. host: go ahead. what i've got to say is the convention of states article five will take care of the whole mass. out startingvoted the midterm. everybody better start packing their stuff. trump said he is going to drain the swamp. the american people are wise to it now. there is too much corruption. they haven't done anything in 20 years. have gridlock.

just remember, convention of states. i wish you guys would have a little episode on that, to show the american people that we can legally go back to getting our back to the united states citizens. host: we have done segments on that in the past. i'm sure we will do some in the future. vegas, as in las republican. caller: i would like to say that the question should probably be republicansould the that thed at all democrats take over the house? i don't think they stand a chance. the guy from michigan was just mentioning about how the democrats need to take over in

his state. steel, whenffs with that comes back to michigan. a bunch of democrats tried to throw it down. i don't think they stand a chance to take over the gap in the house. i think trump will be reelected unless oprah winfrey runs. i hope he gets the things he's going to get done. host: it's a 24 seat gap in the house right now. two seats in the senate, that so much democrats have to pick up in each chamber to take over the majority. one of the all important numbers to watch it any congressional election cycle is the money chase. we can look to the congressional committee, the campaign arms of the house and senate. starting with the democratic

congressional campaign committee, that's the party arm for house democrats did they raised $114 million already. $77 million. cash on hand is $44 million. take those numbers and compared to the house campaign arm, the republican committee. $95 million.d they've spent about $56 million. they have a little over $50 million cash on hand. senate,t to the starting with the democrat senatorial campaign committee. millionraised about $50 , spending $40 million. then compared to the republican national republican senatorial

campaign, raising $46 million in spending 38 million dollars. getof those numbers you can from open secrets. you can get it from the federal election committee website as well. david is in baltimore. who should retain control of the house? caller: just a quick comment. i think democrats will get control of the house and should keep it. i am on my way to work. i can't say as much as i want. i've been talking to a lot of especially people, young whites. a lot of them are not satisfied with what staffing with the present administration. they are talking about voting democrats and voting the democrats -- republicans out.

alan is in nashville, tennessee. caller: the democrats of turned into the spectacle, the whole thing they just move further and further left. we can only see the fiasco that occurs with the mismanagement and corruption. it's ridiculous. this whole thing about gender specific path rooms and sanctuary cities and gun control, they are trying to turn america into a socialist paradise. i remember john kennedy. these people today are just socialists. god help us if they do get control of anything they are going to ruin this country. they want to get the military. --y want to turn this into

thank you so much. chris parnell is a former republican. he is a spokesperson for the breitbart news website. he is now a democrat and a member of usa today. he has a column in the usa today.

you can read his column in usa today. bob is in michigan. go ahead. caller: good morning. as far as i'm concerned, the republican should retain all their seats and i believe and the people got to quit paying attention to these so-called stars in hollywood. they to quit paying attention to them. democrats, all they want to do is be in front of the camera all the time. i am behind them 100 and 10%. think there is enough enthusiasm within the

republican party now that they control the white house and both chambers? is there an ethical republicans out? caller: i don't believe so. the democrats, they are so worked up, they still can't get over it that they lost the election. do they need to go to a head specialists? host: do you think republicans are worked up enough to come to the polls? caller: i believe they are. yup. host: bob in michigan. donald trump at the cpac monthence early -- last talked about republican tuesday as a. here's what he had to say. >> the word is complacent. it's a natural instinct. now you are happy and

complacent. don't be complacent. in, they will reveal your tax cuts, they will put judges in that you wouldn't believe. they will take away your second amendment. they will take away those massive tax cuts and they will take away your second amendment. what would you rather have?

the second amendment or the tax cuts? i don't want to get into that. coming up on 7:45 a.m. should republicans retain control of congress? we are asking this on primary day in texas. as you are calling in, we want to show you some other news around the country. we are focusing on the president. the lead story in the washington backlash,paris based leaders stepped up their efforts on monday to stop the global tariffs on steel and aluminum. the move could damage the economy and the message in the o

the midterm election. we are going to be talking more about the tariffs in our later segments. we will be joined by tom reed of new york. we will be joined also by peter welch of vermont. at the white house yesterday, the president hosting prime minister benjamin netanyahu. if this is a picture of them meeting at the white house yesterday. the story from the washington times notes that there will be a historic visit in may. he expressed optimism that peaceinians will come to

talks despite their opposition to his moves. these are some of the pictures of them meeting at the white house yesterday. back to your calls. go ahead. caller: the question was should should the gop retain control of congress. absolutely not. every day, the republican party has control of the congress. we chip away at democracy in america. we've lost all site of decency. over the past year, it's unprecedented. i've never seen it. it just makes me sick to think that this party is getting away with this collusion, alleged collusion with the russians.

i don't think they should retain control. host: was the best message democratic candidates should take when they are talking to voters. what should they be saying? caller: they should get a catch phrase like make america for americans again. make this one of the best societies in the world. host: do you think republicans have done better with their phrases? do you think make america great has been effective? caller: with the help of the russians, they have made most americans are immigrants that come here just to get free things and that's not correct. host: edward is in new jersey. go ahead. caller: i want to pick up a couple of things. this is off-topic. sonny bono was still alive and he ran.

host: ok. caller: then we have the former governor of minnesota, jesse ventura. say he decided to run and he was elected. and also arnold schwarzenegger. suppose he was running for president. how would people react to that? donald trump was an independent. he held no office. the other three were. i was told wrong on both parties. i am going independent from now on. host: is there an appetite for independents in this country? is it just going to be more republicans and more democrats? caller: we need to bring back the original constitution. host: meaning what? caller: the rights we have it,

we need our freedom. no more controlling the public. we need to reduce taxes. am not getting enough funds. i am disabled since 2000. i was disabled since i was born. host: that's edward in new jersey. go ahead. caller: i wonder when the republicans are going to grow a backbone. but on a witch. he was a witch hunt. he was and never trump are to start off with. he is pulling all kinds of ridiculous stuff. they need to let the government start running. the democrats are using it as a talking point. the republicans need to grow some backbone. host: has it been an important talking point? caller: it's a resist movement.

resist anything trump tries to do. on the cable news shows, a lot of focus on the mueller investigation in light of some the comments by a one-time trump campaign aide. he briefly met with a special counsel and as the new york time notes, he set cable news alike.

wanda is in michigan, a democrat. caller: good morning. andpe the democrats especially women democrats get the house and senate. we need protection from this crazy man we've got in there. women is the keyword to get the government back on track. that's all i've got to say. host: are democrats doing enough to reach out to women? caller: i think they are beginning to. i think a lot of phone calls, surveys, government papers through the mail. a lot of women are jumping on board. i'm glad to see that. host: who is it coming from? caller: it's coming from the

democratic party. host: the campaign committees? caller: yes. host: what message do you think works best reaching out to women voters? caller: if women want to be protected, i think we've got to stand up and protect ourselves. host: that was wanda in michigan. one of the political action committees supporting female candidates this fall is the vote me to pac. respect women. >> i wouldn't say i was a feminist. >> thank you all very much. host: we have five or 10 minutes left in the segment. should republicans contain retro -- control of congress.

you can keep calling in. democrats (202) 748-8000. republicans (202) 784-8001. .ndependents (202) 748-8002 we mentioned president trump met with the premise or of israel at the white house yesterday. today, the american israeli public affairs committee is holding their conference and we will be covering it live starting at 8:00. netanyahu will speak today along with mitch mcconnell. you can watch on c-span two and listen on the free radio lab. back to your calls. go ahead. caller: good morning. i do not think the republicans should retain power in the congress because they have forgotten that we have a

division of powers. they have to do their jobs. if the present doesn't want to do his job, they have to do their job. not acceptnt would the fact that the russians have intervened because he is hoping that they will do the same thing for this election cycle. republicans retained powers because of his leadership. the men -- democrats will have to know they will have to let people know why he does not acknowledge russia intervened. that's all i have to say. host: smithville, mississippi. good morning. caller: good morning. i just want to say that i think being fair to republicans and democrats, just be fair with people. ,he republicans said democrats

they shouldn't take the congress back. the democrats need to take the congress back because of fair-minded man like councilman mullen can see it. why can't the rest of the republicans see it? host: sandy is in portland, oregon. caller: good morning. i just think both parties really don't serve the public anymore. neanderthalsch of i would say running our government. when you listen to people like maxine waters with her file rhetoric and what schumer said the other day disgusted me.

nancy pelosi stumbling around words. it reminds me of that article his owne pharmacist had pharmacy not far from the capital building. they were talking about all the prescriptions they get over there. the majority are for alzheimer's and dementia. that really scares me. i would say the way things stand right now in order to get anything done it, i think trump scott a good pro american agenda. republicans should retain the house. the way to win is to just keep claim. -- playing. there, protesting out the more people see this, they are going to say i ain't voting for that. that's what i would do if i was running. you mentioned the trump

agenda, one item on his agenda are the stances on north korea. some breaking news out of the korean peninsula this morning, north korea is going to talk to united states about giving up its north career -- nuclear weapons. korean leader has agreed missilein from doing tests while engaging in dialogue with south korea. the chief said they expressed a willingness to talk to the united states in an open-ended dialogue.

host: florida is in houston, texas. means thehope by all republicans retain the house. host: why is that? caller: i've been a democrat forever. like all the things going on in the government with with theirlary, uranium deal she sold to russia, our technology. i just want to republicans to stay in. if they leave trump alone and let him do his job, the democrats are no good at. i am praising trump at this point.

a lot of democrats are changing to republicans because of hillary. it's too much. it's treasonous. host: joe is in new jersey. go ahead. caller: i have a couple of points. yes they have to retain, not just congress but the senate as well, it would be terrible. whatoint i want to make is did the russians do? i haven't heard anything about any voting machines taken over, i haven't heard about them raising the dead. what did they do? all we know is we got hillary's gmail's out. in theother things

dossier? what did they do that changed everything and made everything go so bad? host: do you think the emails are going to be a factor in the 2018 midterms? we lost euro. .e was our last caller we will be joined by the vermont representative to discuss what congress might do on the issue of guns. pathe joins us to talk about the richest members of congress. we will be right back. >> sunday night on q&a, the former u.s. border patrol agent talks about the line becomes a

has learned about our immigration system since leaving the border control. >> she was pregnant, that is why she cannot keep up. they were drinking filthy water from title tanks -- castle tanks. they made it to the village, and they called out to the agent who was supposed to take them in. i started talking with them, it turns out this pregnant woman had grown up in iowa. she spoke perfect english. she was a schoolteacher in iowa. that weher husband saw were talking, and had a connection. he leaned over and said, can you just can we skip the whole arrest and deportation thing, and you can drive us back to the border and we can cross back into mexico? be a brother? no -- i said no, it was

my job and i cannot do that. i took them in. but what i remember about that encounter, i remember asking their names. i remember introducing myself to them. i remember wanting to remember them because i had this connection and i wanted to hold them in my mind. i wanted that woman to be safe. and i wanted their child to be safe. then a couple hours later, i went back on control, was sitting in my car, and i had completely forgotten their names. and that encounter sticks with me because i think that is the .irst step in dehumanization forgetting what makes someone an individual. >> sunday night at eight eastern on c-span's q&a. >> washington journal continues. host: peter welch is back at our desk, a democrat from vermont.

issue ofin with the guns, a lot of talk about potential or new legislation in recent weeks. is anything going to happen at this point? guest: it's up to speaker ryan. there is a majority in the house that would vote for what i would call commonsense gun legislation, if the speaker would be willing to put it on the floor. likely that is our job. i think we would pass background checks, i think bump stock legislation would pass. i think there is an emerging debate about the use of combat weapons, which belong in the battlefield, and efficient get into our school. -- schools. the bottom line is, if these bills word to go to the floor, i believe they would pass. the way it works in the house, the speaker has the authority to say yes or no to give the house a vote or not. what i'm seeing speaker ryan with respect to guns, is the same thing i'm skiing with reagan -- speaker ryan -- i'm seeing with speaker

ryan in regatta daca, net neutrality, they have this congress that is stalled largely because the speaker will not move ahead due to his own divisions within his party. host: you mention come at weapons does a second ago, i assume you mean assault weapon bans. could you define what an assault weapon is? challenge.'s the i have it .20 two, that is a semiautomatic. but an assault weapon is an ar-15. a republican from florida wrote an extraordinary article about the ar-15. he was in the military, he lost two legs from the knees down. he's an extraordinary person. he spoke about the hours of training the soldier has before there even allowed to fire an ar-15.

then they start firing it, and they practice. they get immense training. those things are designed to kill and to the maximum damage. in we have a situation florida were a 19-year-old walked into a gun store, buy it, never be trained, walk into a school, and kill people. we can get to the definition, because those of us is support commonsense gun legislation totally understand. in vermont we do not really have gun laws, but a tradition a very safe use. there is a wonderful tradition of parents and kids getting out into the woods and hunting and target shooting. and the question for congresses can you have sensible gun safety legislation and continue to respect second amendment rights? i think we can. host: on the phone weapons ban, with that in your mind include a hand full of guns like the ar-15

? are you talking about hundreds of different kinds of semi-automatic rifle's. guest: i would be talking about the weapons largely used in combat and the knockoffs of that. the ar-15 is a good example because it is a combat weapon. brutality of it, if a bullet hits the person coming from ar-15 is much different than a noncombat weapon in terms of the damage it does internally. it is to kill. guest: a lack of movement from speaker ryan on this issue, how much to blame the nra? host: edwin speaker ryan. when you have a job and policy -- i blame speaker ryan. there are going to be pressures all the time. the nra has its point of view. in is in my view that the nra protecting second amendment rights to an advocacy of trying to arm america. it represents the gun industry more than the gun user.

think, isre here, i something that the speaker always has to stand up to. let me just say, it is not just the gun issue. net neutrality has been ripped up by the new fcc chairman. most republicans would support maintaining net neutrality rules that we had in place before they were ripped up. but the speaker will not give us a vote on that. practice which has unfortunately deviated from what speaker ryan, who was a colleague of mine that i respect, before he came in to speakership he was arguing that the house should do its will. and he is right. we should be voting on issues. and then the american people know where we stand. they know where we stand on guns, net neutrality, and daca. callers who call for more gun control are concerned about the nra influencing members of

congress. have you ever received money from the nrk -- nra? i have a thousand dollar contribution in 2008, and i have a d-rating with the nra. if you want to join in the conversation for republicans (202) 748-8001, for democrats (202) 748-8000, for independents (202) 748-8002. mark is on the republican line. caller: good morning congressman, how are you? guest: i'm doing good. caller: i have two things for you. i need to correct you on something, because i'm a former marine. there's a big difference between the ar-15 and the m-16 that the marines use. the m-16 has a selector switch

which puts it on fully automatic. the ar-15 is a semiautomatic weapon meaning that you have to pull that trigger every time you fire around. the m-16, no. that is a combat weapon. the ar-15 is nothing but a glorified 22. my second thing, you mentioned something about education. i was a range instructor when i was in. training, insive construed down m-16 and put it back together blindfolded. i know what the weapon does. out, doslation, hear me not change the age limit to 21, if they want to buy your so-called assault weapon, they should go through training with a paid instructor. they should go through the training, get a diploma upon

completion, that way the hands-on 101 with the instructor can evaluate the attitude and train the person in the use of the firearm. you see where i'm going with this? guest: i do, and i think mark has a point. the way it is now, a 19-year-old and walk into a store, buy a gun, with no training whatsoever. and training makes a difference. ultimately does the person more than the gun. a lot of people are extremely responsible using weapon. one of the approaches we take, i think that makes a lot of sense, not as coming from a military person who went to the training. that is a good idea. jerome, on the democrat line. if you go way back, when columbus came over here, he took america with guns. that is what he did.

when he took america with guns, we can go back in history and learn what they did. came, he came back here, and slaughtered the indians. gun.ok america with a that is what i think about guns, it is pathetic. host: would you like to jump in? guest: you are talking about not just guns, but about how native americans arsenal -- were slaughtered for so many years. you're right about that. but it was not just guns, it was the displacement of all of these people who had been here for a long time. , and athe trail of tears lot of issues more than guns that went into what -- into the

suffering you just described. do you have thoughts on arming mortals in school? guest: it's such a local issue. it is not approach i would take. the bottom line is that i think we have to take measures that make sure that people who are dangerous do not have guns. we need to have a significant background check, or the kind of training mark was talking about. if you have guns in schools, that such a local decision. who has it under what circumstances? what is the collateral damage in the accidental things that can happen? if you have a well-trained , in anwho has a pistol attack with some of the ar-15. i see that is something that can be addressed on a local level as opposed to washington dictating that. host: cody, on the independent line. caller: covers and the question

i have for you, is if you want to take away the guns and the ar-15, i do not agree with that. a hundred 87 people were killed with gasoline. what we do next? what else are we going to take away. , all of the civil rights have been destroyed. as an american i have no trust in you guys. you guys never make a decision to help us. the only decision you make is to hurt us. and 91 ago after guns. -- and now you want to go after guns. guest: you have a second amendment right, and i'm sure you are responsible using guns and have had training. in vermont it is a wonderful family tradition where fathers, and mothers, teach children how to hunt. i'm with you on that. but none of our constitutional rights are absolute.

speech, you free cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater because of the harm that can happen if you do that. hope, there would be a possibility of having gun and safety laws that would not allow mr. cruz to get a gun to do what he did. and what i'm hearing you say, is what i hear a lot of folks say. there were removal go overboard. and that is the argument against doing anything. thet the trust issue, and fact is i believe that we can do something defensible that will protect the public, and our kids in our schools, but not interfere with your legitimate right to have access to guns. host: another issue with talked with you before when you came on, was opioids. i know recently or governor, phil scott, was on capitol hill, testifying about this issue.

what would you like to tell your colleagues on capitol hill -- what was he here to tell your colleagues on capitol hill? guest: he was here to tell is what we all know, the opioid crisis is devastating. it is not a red district or blue district. everyone has folks that we know who is suffering from opioid addiction. .t is had an enormous impacts he was here talking about vermont, what we call the hub and spoke system. was the predecessor, first to really focus on the devastation of opioids. we began to treat opioids as a health issue, much more than is a crime. obviously a lot of cross of fusion -- prosecution has taken place. but treatment has you could get access to treatment, but in the

community there be places where you could get medicallycounity e you could get medically assisted treatment as well. he was promoting that. he had a good reception from the republican subcommittee chair, who is extremely gracious. -- was extreme and gracious. the hope is that of the federal level, we will get resources for first responders. big bipartisan issues and governor scott is following up on the leadership. guest: you mention raman's been doing this for a while, do you feel like you have reached a turning point in the -- you mention vermont has been doing this for a while, do feel a give reached a turning point in the opioid crisis? better, -- weten have gotten better, but there are folks coming back to communities where they have been peddling drugs. we also have prescription drugs leading to addictions. unremitting, the effort on

the part of predatory people and the perceptive ability that people have, and the physiological grips that these opioids can get on you. i think we have done a lot better with public awareness, and i think what was so important that we are now seeing in the country, is being discussed openly. it is a problem that can affect all of us. guest: tom, on the republican line. caller: thanks for taking my call. i wanted to say that convicted , they pose extreme danger to americans with their ability to vote. i was wondering if the democratic party, if it supports bans on voting by violently convicted felons, and if not why not? host: it's a state-by-state rescission -- decision.

in the state of vermont, felons can vote. even if they are serving. is that people go to jail, they pay their price -- the price for their crime. if most of them get out, some don't, that's a separate category. but most get out. we want as much as an opportunity to have those folks not commit another crime as possible. and any responsibility that people take on to start living a productive and honest life is a good thing. and voting is an important component of being a citizen. so person commits a crime, a felony, but they do their time, and they want to reintegrate and get a job and participate in civic light -- life by voting, i'm in favor of that. line, goode democrat morning. i think the second

amendment is an important constitutional right. i think we should have a common sense law, and psychological evaluations before you actually get a gun, and it should be revisited after you purchase a gun after several years. host: that make sense to me what you're saying -- me,t: that make sense to what your saying. it sounds like a background check. you want to make sure that there's not some dangerous conditions, that the person who is getting the gun can use it properly. that make sense to me. have 10 minutes left, peter welch, democrat from vermont. note that monday was supposed to be the day that the deferred action for childhood arrivals program officially came to the end -- to an end. it was delayed after supreme court ruling. there were protests still yesterday about this issue from daca supporters.

some of those protests taking place in front of democratic cap --rings, saying democrats democratic gatherings comes in democrats have not done enough. what is your message to those daca recipients today? host: the cause is righteous -- guest: the cause is righteous, and the president and my viewers -- and the viewers knowledge that. the daca people, some have served in the military, police after the floods in houston it was many daca people who work on the lot front lines -- on the front lines. really they have earned a legal status, and the only reason we are not doing that, again, is because speaker ryan, who is the authority to give us a vote yes or no to provide legal status to dreamers, will not allow it.

they are in jeopardy now. and the bottom line is that there is enormous frustration and anxiety because some people are being deported to countries that they do not know. they are being ripped away from their families. this is not the way for americans to treat some of our friends and neighbors. we could resolve this if we had a vote. host: when he began his interview, the president was tweeting this morning. here's what he had to say it 8:00. daca byaction of democrats. a deal can be made, where are you? the bottom line, dr. fouts, independent of all the other contentions issues that we have on immigration, deserve a yes or no vote on legal status. the president did not wedges that dream -- the president acknowledges that dreamers have the right to a legal status. a has nothing to do with legal immigration and border security

issues. but he is injecting them into those contentious debates. using them as a hostage to get his way on some of these other contentious issues. i think it is wrong, and kroll. -- and cruel. the president shall is have a vote on the dreamers, then we can have a debate on the border wall, border security, the issue of what he calls chain migration, or family unification. these are the issues we have to talk about. but we have to do that independent of these hostage -- of the hostagetaking of these dreamers. guest: are you against the front -- host: are you against the funding of a border wall? guest: i'm against a -- i'm for border security. when he said mexico is going to , and mexico objected, and he just that i'm going to make a 10 feet taller. the wall is really the campaign

rhetoric of the president. and the rhetoric of the president is that mexico is going to pay for. it is absurd. and he knows it. and most of the american people know it. when it comes to border security, where do you need a barrier? wearable electronics work? that is what we need to be focusing on. host: on the independent line, good morning. caller: just getting back to the gun solution, i think the best way to solve the problem is to bring back gun education to schools like they did back in the 60's. i do not know why they would take it out. currently hollywood is educating the children about guns. , the murder in the movie theater in colorado being the matrix. if we have responsible education on gun safety, we would not have to worry about people -- crazy people attacking children.

and like the gentle men earlier who called, in the 90's a guy used a couple dollars worth of gasoline and murdered about 90 people. and you are attacking guns? what is wrong with you guys. you cannot take away my rights. you raise a point. first of all i appreciate your comment about education. and the earlier caller talked about training. making sure you go through a course. those make a lot of sense. but can you have gun safety measures, including a background check with the requirement that you have training, without interfering with your second amendment right? i think you can. and i think your objection that if we do something reasonable, it could become something unreasonable, -- the argument that people can kill in other ways, the fact is that these guns, especially in

public places, like places of worship, nightclubs, movie theaters, and most terrifically our schools, that's a real problem. a thing going on with young people. we have this in vermont. our local police did a great job, within a half-hour of a report, they have their eyes on the guy. into his high school, and this is -- and this is a real concern. we want to keep our kids safe in school. host: nickless, on the republican line. nicholas, on the republican line. caller: the second amendment is not a right to harm, but rather the protection of oneself against the two radical government.

surely to protect oneself from the government, even in ar-15 is not going to be enough. haven't we got to face the you are going to allow the citizens see a no holds barred approach, that they should be armed with whatever they want on themselves with? we should repeal and revise the second amendment. i do not understand, did he say we should repeal the second amendment? he think should we redefine the second minute? -- second amendment? guest: the second amendment has been interpreted by the supreme court, and i'm not quite sure i understood the gist of the caller's question. he was talking about citizens arming themselves against our

government. i do not have that view. i have a lot of problems with our government, but i do not think we are the point of having firepower and citizen shooting at each other. host: do think that was the original purpose of the second amendment? was theu think that original purpose of the second amendment? -- i do notnally know enough about it to give a really good answer. patrick, on the line for democrats. caller: thanks for taking my call. we were talking about the second amendment, why can't we put a responsibility to the gun serial number? if you own a gun, how about time that gun to your financial status, or whatever, if it gets stolen, do not report it, if it gets used and you have not

secured a properly like when you have it at home, and it's not secured and it's used in a crime, tie it to you financially. so that it is attached to your livelihood. that will have a person be responsible for that gun and what that gun is doing. i raised kids, my guns have never been used in a crime, my kids have never gotten into my guns. i kept them under lock and key. i have been a responsible gun owner. guest: thank you for that. that's part of it i think. you have your guns in a gun safe , you do not let them do it stolen and used for crimes.

that is really good. but there is another issue with the guns. in is somebody like cruz florida, walking into a store, buying a gun, going to into a school, and killing 17 people. that was a person legally going into a store, buying a very lethal weapon, and the walking into a school. that is where some of our gun safety legislation has to address people earlier. we can make practical decisions come if you want to buy a certain type of gun, you get a certain amount of training. -- it would've been noticed and it would have had an impact on cruise. --cruz. the legal access to guns is what is a big problem, in addition to the responsible use and keeping them safe. of the segmentp

we noted your membership on the house oversight committee. what is your thought on the outgoing chairman, trey gowdy, doing a couple high-profile investigations that he has announced against members of the trump administration? we are going to miss him. i like gowdy. he is a very tough advocate. what i have always admired about is that he really cares about the rule of mall -- rule of law. drug investigation you supported the fbi and mr. mueller. he is been very careful about that, even if he is been critical about other things. and i think that he's been trying to get the travel records about mr. pruitt flying first class, he is appalled by that. get to the bottom of that and protect taxpayers.

you are not safe around trey, democrat or republican, if you are up to ripping off taxpayers. host: has always been that way? guest: it hasn't. of trey has been a breath fresh air. even if there are a lot of times he and i do not agree. host: our last call, mike, on the independent line. good morning. i have a couple of important points i want to make. the last time i checked, i have met -- have not met and 19-year-old who needs and ar-15 for protection. as far as training, i think it would be a little more educating if our society, in general, would understand that these weapons that we are putting out right now. a nine millimeter will give you

the same protection as an assault rifle. that does not mean we should lose our privilege to buy. but consumers should be educated , especially in who needs that weapon. i have not met one teenager who is been able to make a decision on life or death. secondly, and then i will be finished. licensing,es down to -- we require 15-year-old and 16-year-olds to have driver's licenses to make sure that they are behind the wheel. cars have been used in weapons -- as weapons. why do not require people who are buying weapons to take the same course to protect me as a person who may not be carrying right away, but i have the -- so i can have become the fate that the person -- complete faith

that the person carrying understands the weapon. that make sense. there is a question about raising the age to buy a gun. in vermont there are a lot of rural families, they go hunting. the kind of training the you were talking about, you have to go through driver's ed to get the right to drive a car. you can get that at 16, some places younger. that makes sense to me. i think it was a constructive suggestion. peter welch, democrat from her, thank you for being here. guest: thank you. host: coming up next simone pathe joins us to talk about her list on the wealthiest members of congress. we will be right back.

>> sunday night on q&a, former border control expert francisco cantu discusses what he learned about immigration system since leaving border control. >> they were lost for three days after their group left them. they were drinking filthy water from cattle tanks. ,hey made it to the village border control is called, i was the agent take them in. i started talking with them and it turned out that this pregnant woman had grown up in iowa. she spoke perfect english. she was a schoolteacher in iowa. i think her husband saw that we were talking, we had a connection, and he leaned over just,id hey man, can you can we skip the whole arrest and

deportation thing? can you describe is back to the border and let us cross back into mexico? be a brother? i do not hesitate, i said no, this is my job. i cannot do that. i took them in. what are member of that encounter was i remember asking their names. arm of introducing myself to them. -- i rememberting introducing myself to them. i remember wanting to hold them in my mind, i wanted that woman to be safe. i wanted their child to be safe. couple hours later, i went back out on patrol, i was sitting in my car, and i had completely forgotten their names. the reason that encounter sticks with me so much is because i think that is the first step in dehumanization. his forgetting what makes him on an individual. at eight night

eastern, on c-span's q&a. >> washington journal continues. simone pathe is a senior politics reporter at roll call. in 1990 the wealth of congress was one of the headlines. in this year they are richer than ever, but mostly the very top. collectively how rich are they? guest: the cumulative net worth has jumped by 1/5. because itt to me really symbolizes the disconnect between the american people and congress. there is a disparity between the median net worth, of the member of congress, about $500,000, and out of the american out -- american household, maybe $90,000. host: how many millionaires are there? guest: quite a lot. and beyond that we're talking about the wealthiest, issa is

$233 million. to put that in perspective, president trump was worth $1.1 billion at his less financial disclosure. this is the top five on the list. they've been doing this since 1990, if you want to join in the , for democrats (202) 748-8000, for republicans (202) 748-8001, for independents (202) 748-8002. host: what can we tell viewers about members of the top of that list. have they been around longer from certain states? guest: guest: it helped to look at the breakdown. a hundred 50 members of the -- what is interesting to

me is that only nine of our top 50 made the list because of inherited wealth. we think of members of congress as being the old landed gentry right? they have had money for generations? that is the case of some members, but a lot of them have actually made their wealth from new entrepreneur ventures, a lot of telecommunications, software entrepreneurs. that is only going to increase as the age of congress gets younger. host: who are those folks on the top five? issa, greg ginn afford, jared polis, dave trott, michael mccaul. guest: darrell issa is known as the voice of the car alarm, he tells you to step away from the car. next years list is going to look a little different. --gianfortete

has made his money from various software ventures. they started and he greeting card system and proflowers.com. there have been a lot of different tech ventures and dave trott has made his money in the home foreclosure business. not very popular on the campaign trail. and number five on our list is michael mccaul, he represents an interesting and frequent situation where most of his wealth exactly through his wife. the daughter of the clear channel communications founder. -- michaelel mccaul's wealth has been calculated at 13 million. that puts them at number five. the number one richest members darrell issa, his wealth calculated to be $283.3 million.

that's a significant gap between him and the second wealthiest member. how do you calculate these numbers? guest: we're looking at the assets and liabilities. then we subtract those numbers. what is interesting to remember, is that we are talking about a minimum. when we are tracked -- subtracting liabilities from assets, we're talking about a very superficial look at how much these numbers are worth. they're required to disclose their holdings in broad ranges. we are going with the minimums, and there are things that members do not have to disclose, for example the value of their principal residence. for most americans their home as their primary asset. we are also not counting their salary of a hundred and seven $4000. 174, 000

host: simone pathe is with us this morning. for democrats (202) 748-8000, for republicans (202) 748-8001, for independents (202) 748-8002. let's start with beverly on the republican line. caller: i'm a democrat. mayor,. government, the they raiseuncil, property taxes met help people to lose their homes. especially those not working. and their taxes keep going up. it's like they are stealing from people, and it is really a crime. they need to be investigated. tot: beverly we are going stick to the members of congress

and their wealth. we are talking about taxes and the impacts of folks on d.c.. let's talk about tax law, and how is expected -- how it is expected to impact congress. we have a lot of the wealthy member sitting on influential committees. the tax bill will probably benefit a lot of these folks at the top. i think the list is going to look quite different last year, especially because we are losing nine of our top 50 members, including darrell issa. about 157 members of congress had more than $10 million according to the calculations. -- concentrate for second on the hundred 23 members went negative net worth, what was that mostly due to? a lot of folk still have

student loans, that is a little slice of american life. we do not want to necessarily assume that they are totally in the negative, because there are all these other assets that we are not able to include. the value of their home. for most americans that is if asset they are earning my from. they only disclose the mortgage. so there is a mortgage on a home, we do not know what the home is worth. the negative is all we see. the number one porous member of congress, according to this calculation is a republican from california. always in a slightly competitive race, it's interesting. we are looking to see how many members are able to use their personal wealth to increase their electoral chances.

is at thehat he bottom has not harmed his chances. host: tom, on the republican line. i have followed the stories and assumptions about congress being elected and then becoming wealthy at the public expense. i have done a lot of research, and i'm attempting to find out what various members of congress are worth. i wonder why there is not a website, like the congressional website, where you can see how much a congressman is worth, when elective -- elected, and then when they leave office. i think i would show a trend of whether these people are .ecoming wealthy at our expense i do not have a specific way to do that, it is bothersome when we think that they're getting wealthy with insider

information, but there is no way to prove that. that has bothered me for a long time. guest: luckily roll call is here for you. we have the index going back to 1990. it does not cover all of these numbers. but for a lot of folks you could compare on our website what they were worth when they were first elected, to what they might be worth now that they are leaving. host: if you want to follow along, it is roll call.com/w ealth-of-congress. there is enough to find plenty of charts there. give us a call if you do it, and tell us what you are finding. jack, on the independent line. caller: good morning. i would like to know, first from the young woman, as to the wealthiest members of congress. i'm surprised senator feinstein is not on their.

i understand her husband is a billionaire in the private equity world. the second question, which of the members of congress are self-made? darrell issa is i think. and which have their wealth through inheritance? point, how to certain people, like you, get a name like simone? host: we'll stick with your questions about the chart if you do not mind. feinstein is not the top five, but here is the actual wealth of in congress index, she is the top 10 at $15.5 billion. guest: directly talking about her election this year, she is being challenged for the democratic nomination in

california. it is the top two states reagan of both parties running together. she is working to get the state party endorsement of the convention last week. we are discussing how much these numbers -- these members are putting into their own campaign. host: a large portion coming from a stake of at least one $5 million in hotel properties -- in $25 million in hotel properties. the top 10 members on the list and fiveive democrats, republicans. how to the overall list breakdown along party lines? wealth, 64ee more percent, held by republicans, even though they hold 54% of seats. and if you look at the breakdown by house and senate, it is republican senator's immediate wealth at 1.4 million, and for 946,000. is

host: it seems like house members have more of the richest members of congress and the senate, which might be somewhat surprising. guest: it is. 50% of the -- 50 of the senators are millionaires. only hundred 53 members of the house. there are some in your house members, so it is not surprising to see. host: richard, in nashville, tennessee, on the independent line. caller: a couple of questions really quick. the gentleman who called store my early -- stole my glory early. i do not have a problem with politicians having wealth, but there has to be an agenda that someone is in office for. ,f it's in personal business why my running for office? especially if i'm worth $200

billion -- 20 billion -- $200 million. this country has changed over the years. what i would say that everything pertaining to financial status should be public domain, because if you are building a public highway, this should be a public bid -- there should be a public knowledge of what they are making. and to make sure that after office they do not suddenly get a check from a foreign government. them come toe washington once he year -- once a year. but otherwise live with their constituents. i commend people who try to do a good job. it is a swamp. , why can't we have referendums on federal land? when we built the titan stadium we had a referendum in people

past it. the same thing goes to daca or anything else. let the people vote. host: we have your point richard, but we will stick to congress while we have an expert from roll call your to do it. nancy pelosi is on the list. host: she's number 30 on the list. guest: a lot of her wealth comes from her husband, a big investor. she is never had a salary before she was elected to congress. of course she is now one of the most powerful women in congress. host: her holdings include property is worth at least 23 million, including a napa valley vineyard worth at least $5 million. the a breakdown of each of top 50 in the print edition of roll call that cannot on february 27, you can also check -- that came out on

figure 27, you can also check out online. if you could also take us through the chart on the wealthiest women in congress? guest: women in congress exit have a higher median wealth than the men. one that i found interesting was diana 6lack, she's the wealthiest self-made woman, number 14 on our list. she and her husband started some .ort of drug testing company she is not returning to congress next year. she will not done the list next year, she is running for governor in tennessee. say something that the richest members are leaving? guest: that's a good question. it is hard to generalize. some are in turkey districts, darrell issa would be face -- in a tricky districts. darrell issa would face a difficult election. host: after they leave congress,

how many more millionaires are made in the years and decades after their federal service? guest: that's a great question, not something we could follow up on next year. we have simone pathe with us this morning. for democrats (202) 748-8000, for republicans (202) 748-8001, and for independents (202) 748-8002. mark, on the republican line. there's a guy named bob , he was governor until 86. then he went into the u.s. congress and senate. million from a states account that was

security savings. werehe former owners watching the whole ordeal. they settled out of court. host: so what is your question about the richest members of congress? caller: bob perry, made his fortune by stealing money. host: ok. larry, in wadsworth, ohio, on the republican line. caller: it's good to have something like this come up in reference to the full extent of government. if they can go the next level, not just talking about elected officials, but go further on down in reference to the full expense of payroll of the government, there's an

organization called open the books. if they could get some but if not to come in and talk about some of the expenses, they request information is here, -- -- ayear, there was an $50,000 increase in the reduction records of payroll. when it comes to these financial disclosure reports, do only members have to file yucca or just -- file? or staffers of certain member -- certain level? guest: we also look at candidates, already we have a lot of very wealthy folks running for congress, mitt romney for example. dave trone running for house again in maryland. a guy named mike groman in indiana.

some of the top line numbers for you again, the billion inalth $2.4 the hundred 15th congress, if you combine all of the assets and of course subtract all of the negatives as well. the median net worth of the member of commerce $500,000. is congressional salary hundred and $34,000. at president trump's last disclosure he was worth $2.3 billion. jewel, on the independent line. morning, id immigrated from the state of israel back in 1993. i have been watching these

lawmakers, the majority of them live in washington for years. and then you wonder why? them could practice their profession and make much more than the congressional salary. but it does remind me of the where theuntry, president has been in power for 10 years. here we have the president who gets to terms, but congress has been there for years, i wonder why? host: is there anything you want to take from that yucca -- that? guest: he raises an interesting point. we've seen an activation that some of these members who are serving on committees, could get

increased taxes breaks for them. it is a great resource that i would reiterate for viewers to go look up their own congressman's personal financial disclosure. you better sit down to the actual investment what these members are investing in and you can go look at the legislation and see if they are benefiting. the clerks of the house and senate have to disclose, you type in their name, and you have to know the year you are looking for. i will warn you that some of these are hand written, and they are difficult to read through. angratulations to paul pentel throughlo, who sorted a lot of this comes -- himself. host: how long did it take? guest: a while comic as we had one person caring all the weight . but he did a fantastic job. host: on the democrat line this morning. caller: i believe how they are

getting rich is because the lobbyists are paying them. the nra is one of them. we have look at the special interests. thank you. host: are we talking about donations? or do you think it's money under the table? we lost him. simone, if you could talk us through donations, and where they go? guest: a reminder to folks that we're not talking about campaign accounts. has nothing to do it donations that a senator running for reelection is receiving. that data is publicly disclosed. what we're looking at here are members personal wealth. a salary they might've received from previous jobs, the mortgages they have on their homes, the assets they home, stocks, blind trust, bank accounts, and other assets as well. on the poorest members of

congress list, is the former democratic national committee, debra wasserman schultz. guest: it surprising to folks because she's been in democratic politics are long time. this is not the first time she's been on this list. a lot of these folks are not necessarily in the negative net worth week as we do not actually know the value of their home. the home that she owns in florida, i think she has a second home somewhere. those could i should boost or the negative margin. host: anita, on the republican line. caller: yes ma'am, i would like to know why you think the president should have to give his records out to the public, negative andwas so always against the republicans.

why would they want his financials out there? they were not fair with him, why would they want him to put his records out there? host: is that something you have an opinion on? guest: i don't think the irs calling for him to disclose, it's other members of congress. its voters who want to see what he is worth. what we're really talking about here is transparency. these are the folks who are elected to represent us. , andare making the laws writing the laws that are affecting the tax structure. it is important to know how these people are doing on their own. and what other investments they might potentially have. hermann,t call, do have statistics on

member's of congress who lose wealth? that would be an interesting comparison. i encourage you to look at roll call. we can ask a compare who has slipped. call.com/w ealth-of-congress. thank you for your time. guest: thank you. host: up next, open phones.

>> the woman was pregnant, that is why she couldn't keep up. three days st for after the group left them, they trifrngidrinking filthy water f cow tanks, they made it to the border patrol got called. i was the agent that was in.osed to take them i started talking with them, it woman out this pregnant had grownup in iowa and she spoke perfect english. he was a school teacher in iowa. you know, i think her husband saw we were talking and we had a connection and he leaned over at one point and said, hey, man, just, can we skip the whole arrest and deportation thing, could you just drive us back to the border and let us mexico, be a o proth

brother. hesitate, i said, no this, is my job, i can't do that. in and -- but what i remember about the encounter, i and ber asking their names i remember introducing myself to to and i remember wanting remember them because i had this connection, i wanted to like wanted m in my mind, i that woman to be safe. be safe.heir child to and then a couple hours later, i patrol, sitting in my car, and i had completely names.en their the reason the encounter sticks with me so much, that is the humanization the is forgetting what makes someone an individual. eastern on ght 8 c-span's q&a. >> "washington journal" continues. host: for the next half-hour on "washington journal," open hones, any public policy you

want to talk about, phone lines are yours. democrats, 202-748-8000. 202-748-8001. independents, 202-748-8002. capitol hill yesterday. will n announced he thad n, ending his career, cochran has been suffering from and missed last fall from a urinary tract infection. quoting his statement yesterday, i regret my health has become an challenge, i intend to fulfill my commitment to the and senateississippi through the 2018 appropriations ycle, after which i will formally retire. he is the chairman of the appropriations committee. gavel will change hands

after his retirement. on the e was a reporter "washington post" story that i as just reading from and paul cane with this tweet yesterday cochran.e news about with his resignation, april 1, running for h not reelectio leahy will be the only republican left, should inublicans hold the majority senate. huck grassley would be the president pro tem next year majority. take over patrick leahy would be president pro tem. inside congress news there. want to get your thought what do open phones, you want to talk about, give us a call. john up first in brooklyn, new york. a democrat. good morning. calked good morning. so much for taking my

call. my comment is really fairness nd education, specifically for elementary and high school. inner cifically in the city for young black, hispanic on ents, being able to xhut withon -- out with an education that encompasses full breadth of i don't know if that is implemented properly. student comes out of high school to be able education to follow their dreams and be able to get into college and get a profession that can sustain a of in our society and i don't think that is being done think the don't details of the education that our children are getting is properly.ng addressed and it is a shame to our country witheveryone is not coming the best quality education possible.

sharon in troy, missouri, a republican. what is on your mind this morning? congress and senate and all those people raise -- a lves a permanent, their paycheck of $174,000, even after they retired, they still get it and ones in this nly country that still gets their aycheck off the working people of the united states. i think it is a crime and i think it should be taken away them. but they vote today in for themselves and i think it is a shame. so sharon, you don't think they should have a congressional pension? -- with all have a their money doshgs they need -- they are getting their paycheck, $174,000 after they retire, that a pension, that is their salary. retired, i didn't get my

salary and i worked for over 50 years, yet i don't get my paycheck. whatever i can get. their hink they're using position to vote in whatever they want, they will make sure get, they don't care about the people. host: to george in highland, independent. george, good morning. caller: good morning. comments. one on your last reporter, .imone pathe host: simone pathe from roll call. yau caller: yeah, senior political you ter is her title, if encourage her or watch her her, every th sentence that -- every answer started with the ord "so," if that is the senior nal level of a

political reporter, our failing us system is and she's not the only person that.does engli-phile, stickler for combr dpramar. irrita -- grammar. through the go list, what did you think -- aller: i haven't yet, but it -- i don't know how in depth it is, but i would like to know, the previous know, the d, you congressional people get their salary, this is not a pension, for life. you know, if you and i were keep on that, we could our salary for life, of course we'd to that. congress isption in

much people hate donald trump good and bad at a lot of things, i mean it is very swampy washington, the second point is, dave trott is retiring, he's my representative, i tried to contact his office numerous couple of e last years through phone calls, that s, through people knew him. -- initials a.a., donkey, but a t different term for donkey, that is the term for dave trott, he's from that area. you know, if you are not a big don'tto a politician, you get to talk to them. -- know, our politicians are i blame it kind of on you guys, the media, you don't get more in depth, you can't because you'll get fired by your bosses, but

to be a lot more woodward and bernstein type of reporting where now it is just the media, the relations firm for politicians and companies and such. get more in, let me depth on the pension issue. don't receive their full salary and their pension, this citing tcheck.org, congressional research service n rules of congressional congress. age 62, for pension at members are eligible for pension fthey completed 20 years of service or any age of r completing 35 years service. the amount of the pension depentedos years of service and verage of the highest three years of salary. starting amount of retirement 80% of may not exceed

his or her final salary. texas, an in austin, independent. martin, go ahead. good morning. at why there's a republican majority in the house the epublican majority in senate. the president is a republican, increase in the mmigration as far as deportations, why are there no penalties and i thought trump say on television russia, if you're listening, can you please get the rest of e-mails.s it sounds like some type of collusion right there.

missed it and i also wonder why there is still is no ts, why there mployer penalty for hiring illegals? i mean, they have all three th-- government that they're controlling. i-- get it.t control of house or senate could change this fall in the mid-term election and primary is officially underway today, with the primary texas.place in this is the front page of the star telegram out of texas. noting that texas democrats outpaced republicans n early voting, but today's choices will be telling. the story accompanying that house freedom caucus, conservatives in the house looking to gain members as republicans head to the polls today. itch is in chattanooga,

tennessee, a democrat. go ahead. wanted hey, yeah, i just to think about the republicans always asking the democrats to and quit this man talking bad about this man. listen, what they did to obama shame and i don't understand how they can forget the world that -- bush gave tax cuts at the end of his around like a chicken with his head cut off. again.omes this man he do another tax cut. it does not work. i don't understand why they that.understand what they did to obama and now ask us to work with this man, obama a chance. when you said we had control of the house and we didn't do daca, we had control of the house and senate, what we do? pass healthcare. do? you turned around and voted against it, how many time? did you do es benghazi? you never gave this man a chance and never worked with him.

what goes around, comes around, that is all i have to say. thank you. indianapolis, indiana, democrat. go ahead. caller: yes. is jeff. 'm calling to talk about the proposed trade tariffs. that donald trump was supposed to have graduated prestigious university, university of pennsylvania, what aret wharton school of business. e did take classes in economic theory, i was wondering why he tariffos these items is going to work and help bring back american jobs when whole idea is customers are item the best possible price and that is what they're getting? he thinksderstand why they are going to force american

and decide go back they want to pay higher prices same goods. then why would he think that hat is not going to cause american trading partners to against us on the items that we sell overseas? we in america just don't sell to americans, we also sell overseas. i don't know what -- him on he's get e thanksgiving idea from, but i agree with you on this one. bad idea. host: lead story in the "new york times" today on republican the president's proposed, he said he will week, 25% t this tariff on foreign steal. tariffs on imports of aluminum. we're going to be talking with member of congress, tom reed of new york coming up in 10 minutes. be talking to him about

that topic and also in morning,onal news this korean of cot -- the pen peninsula. willing to talk giving up about nuclear weapons. kim jong-un will refrain from missile test while engaging in dialogue with south to seoul ording national security chief after returning from talks with kim. president trump tweeting about this morning a few minutes ago. progress being made in talks with north korea for first time in many years, a serious being made by all parties concerned. the world is watching and false hope, but the u.s. is ready to go hard in either direction. this morning, he's been active on twitter so far today. we'll show you some of

tweets, as well, we keep taking call necessary open phones. anne in coleman, alabama, a republican. ann, go ahead. yes, concerning the money that leaders have made, remember that president obama just made his money off the whole time. ann? you still with us, thank you. ann might have hung up. west warick, rhode independent. go ahead. caller: yes, i was just going to ago.nt on a few callers why hasn't the republicans passed anything about e-verify have all threeey branches of government. yes, in the house they to, they anything in the house. the senate, you need 60 people o get something passed, they only have 51 and everybody knows

why nothing passes through the senate. and steel tariff, if you have metal, in the '80s or $5 a opper used to be pound. now it is only $2.50. $2.20 a ton, now not even $100. think the tariffs will help and that is all vito say. thank you. host: you talk about immigration issue in the first part of your "u.s.a. today," noting that yesterday was supposed to be the day the childhood ction for arrival program officially came to an end, supreme court ruling date by as much as a year. daca enrollees used monday to the white ss and house to push a law granting permanent protection. some protesters target the whit democrats who they target not pushing the issue hard enough. resident trump with couple

tweets this morning about immigration and the daca issue. is one from the president from about 8:45, a federal judge zuft ruled president trump has the right to end daca, had eight years to fix this and didn't, i'm dems, they are running out of time. that follows one more tweet from the president from earlier this morning, saying total inaction on daca by democrats, where are you? can be made. as we said, the president pretty twitter this morning. just before the last tweet, new ake news narrative, there is chaos in the white house. wrong, he said. people will always come and go, want strong dialogue before making a final decision. have some people i want to change, always seek perfection, no chaos, only great energy, the says.ent reuben, fort lauderdale, florida, line for democrats,

mind this our morning? caller: how you doing, john? host: i'm doing well. okay, president trump, he got in there on a kickoff. mean?ow what i he got in on a kickoff. election and everybody know that. end.ll pay for it in the host: okay. to tammy in ohio, line for go ahead.ts, yes, question regarding rescheduling of marijuana. to ou thank you is going happen, if you do, in the next few year? say, i'm a t to nurse, the people getting until it is uana, approved in the federal overnment or rescheduling is job consist still test for the drug and they can lose their jobs over this. think it is very important to

reschedule the marijuana. thank you. host: tammy, before you go, how would you answer the questions, you think it will ever happen? i don't think so, ut maybe if enough states legalize marijuana, like a few already, maybe they doll something about it, so, i then, i don't think think a lot -- even being a nurse, big pharma has a lot to this, it is medical part of gets to be the -- part of the regular thinking big i'm pharma might lose out on some things, shouldn't be for big pharma, should be for patients also. state you are e watching this time around in pushing legalization across the country? do you think one state might be

for this?point caller: i don't think it is one state. i think it is how many states. three, i mean, everybody knows it is not up here with heroin and methamphetamines. it's a no-brainer, but we're the government here. thanks for the call. line for miami democrats, go ahead. morning, how are you? host: doing well. caller: i got a lot of things, about three months i call you people. number one, i'm a 90-year-old yearsed vet, in april, 22 i've had prostate cancer and the -- takes care of me.

second amendment, these people think it is great to have amendment, maybe we should go back to slavery, when the second amendment was passed, was slavery. about medical, same old, we hink we are the greatest country in the world, we're not. guts, wer they hate our shouldn't even provide -- for it's terrible. just terrible, and if i got on know if he's a christian or not. 've been there for 51 years, they -- better not speak about life.guy, he's had all his host: the president said he's -- $58 a month. host: the president said he's a christian, why would you doubt him? caller: he's been married two or three times, twice, he's not.

he's a draft dodger. a draft dodger. host: all right. in hornsby, tennessee, an independent. ahead. caller: i've got a question about the ar-15, everybody keeps military weapon and what the cartridge does to people's bodies. collecting guns for i went with one time to the gun range, four rifle, 22-long 22-magnum,22-magnum is a d 556, which one weapon. host: tim, how many guns do you own? i have one, i ow gave my long guns to my grandkids, they bnt through safety course, an adult that has been through the hunter safety course. sure the age, it is his grandkids. years and hose 25

never shot. host: is hunting what you mostly use your weapons for? used to. go got a he just revolver. host: you bring up the ar-15, is useful for ng hunting? can anyone who hunts do that, do ar-15?eed an caller: a 22-long rifle is for shooting or maybe shooting squirrels and varmit. might shoot bigger va e ve varments. this is a varment rifle. ost: tim, new gun control laws or ideas out there that you would support? aller: i could cut down on magazine size with the gun itself is just framework, you in different, 10 or 2 different cart rinridgcartrin

buy that gun in. a company makes semiautomatic pistols that uses pistol -- not you go lt weapon until shoot somebody with it. ost: thanks for the call from hornsby, tennessee. irvine, california is next. democrat. good morning. caller: hi, how you doing? i want to comment about would be a better hing what one lady said to where it is legal all over. a lot of people die from alcohol the liver.rhosis of they do thingos alcohol nobody would do on marijuana. i want to comments about the gun thing. the problem with the gun system everybody said the person, the gun. guns when h the -- shouldn't on

et a trial, shouldn't get anything, my opinion. ellen is in -- good morning. caller: good morning. something i've been thinking i listen towhile as c-span is wide range of opinions hat are expressed by your audience and i'm just wondering what you and other moderators hink about the reason that you have such a broad appeal across i opinions, especially as listen to some that i find very agree with or tolerate sometimes. as curious how you moderators make sense of that appeal. it seems like there is something

there we could all learn from. host: we want to be a forum for to express their opinion and to call in on any side of political issue. want to provide that forum and let people do it. e've had 58 phone callos our program today and there's still about half an hour to go. allowing tou do that, by trying not to talk too much, we get as the chance to many calls in as we can. ilbur up next in stony creek virginia, line for democrats. ahead., go host: wilbur, you got to turn down your t.v. and listen through your phone. back to you.get marcella in davidsonville, maryland, line for republicans. marcella, good morning. caller: good morning. okay.e you can hear me my radio and phone are kind of connected, can you hear me okay? ma'am, go ahead.

caller: okay, so i am a pretty , very against n gun control. think that the minute we decide that we can control we can then maybe control guns. but guns are here to protect us that if we lose that protection, we'll be in big trouble. feel that almost, i tonight want to say that i know more than anybody else, but i almost americans really need to think hard about this.

they don't sell guns, they are parts.g gun you put it together and make your own gun. .un control i feel very strongly about this. feel like the people who are going to want to kill people are going to get guns and only not.st people are that is my comment. helendale, in california, a democrat. frank, good morning. caller: how you doing? host: doing all right, frank. go ahead. caller: yes, hi. calling this morning, i actually work for the federal bureau of prisons. want to let c-span know the people out there know that the budget is the trump cutting us 6500 positions across country. do know, it's very sad, we

matter and sometimes forget, we et lost as law enforcement as we are. we are all across the country and it is hurting our prison systems. frank, how does it specifically hurt where you work out in helendale, california? i live in l, california. i work at a complex and we have 1100 federal employees. lessens security and it becomes more dangerous inside the walls. you frank, do you think would like to stay with bureau of prisons, a job you'll be at time?long caller: i've been in the agency for almost 25 years, by far this the worst that i've seen

major cuts. i don't think people in the ommunities and people across the country understand. host: thanks for the call. last call of open phones this morning. up next on the "washington joined by newl be york republican representative om reed to discuss the trump administration's trade and tariff policy. we'll also talk about gun as well.egislation, we'll be right back. >> francisco cantu, talking book, a memor of experiences and he's learned about immigration since leaving patrol.er dpeekt the woman was pregnant, couldn't keep

up. they were lost for three days after the group left them. from cow ilthy water tanks. they made it to the village and border patrol got called and i the agent supposed to take them in. with them ed talking and it turned out that this regnant woman had grownup in iowa and she spoke perfect english. he was a school teacher in iowa. and i think her husband saw we a e talking and saw connection and he leaned over at one point and said, hey, man, skip the st, can we whole arrest and deportation you just drive us back to the border and let us mexico, be a to brother? you know, i didn't hesitate, i this is my job, you know i can't do that. in and what i emember about the encounter, i

remember asking their names, i wanting to remember them, i wanted to hold them in wanted that woman to be safe. the reason that encounter sticks with me so much, that is first humanization, forget whatting makes someone an individual. eastern on ght 8 c-span's q&a. >> "washington journal" continues. host: congressman tom reed is a from new york, a member of the house ways and us in ommittee, joining the wake of president trump's announcement of last week of 25% import, 10% eel tariff on aluminum imports. are you a member of congress who

president on this one? guest: i do support what the president is moving forward with here, at the end of the day, cannot continue the status quo the country. i'm free trader, i believe in open trade, i believe in fair and forcible trade. doing withesident is this in position of potential tariff is sending message new will be engaged in here. we will put america's interest first. host: define trade war, are you that?ed about guest: of course. as we go through this process, effect i think it will have. send to trading partners and ountries around the world, america will do trade differently, we're willing to trade with anyone, if they are respect the rules of the road and be held accountable. from republicanos capitol hill to the president's action on tariffs. means ioned ways and committee work. members of house ways and means circulated letter

for -- chairman of the senate finance committee predicting the ultimately ll reverse course on this legislation. i assume you weren't on that letter? guest: i was not. i declined to sign that letter. i understand the concern that is being raised. know the president, having been with him -- protracted nobody's interest. nobody's interest. both trading partners and us, i the end of the day, good, strong policy where we'll negotiate the potential concerns. host: you were talking about the president with last week? guest: trade. issues and overall trade agenda going forward. what i like hearing out of the leadership on the point of we're willing to enter nto trade agreements, going to negotiate for the american people and american interests as igorously as our trading

partners do. host: did you know tariffs were coming, there have been reports of a surprise. guest: there has been a lot of information, noise, nothing concrete, there are indications this was comeing and directly to concern the white house, but the end of the day, i understand what the president is trying to do and supportive of it. here, blanket tariffs there won't be exceptions for individual countries there, has that.oncern about explain why blanket tariffs are needed on steel and aluminum import. guest: look at steel industry and look at history and what trading partners have been doing regard to their dumping activities and things like china, dumping product on to the market. that is decimated the u.s. steel industry in my opinion, as well aluminum market. we need to recognize these have onsequences, decisions we've made for decades and going forward, putting marker out through the administration, we

to negotiate this way andface in vigorous these negotiations will be different than anything like before. tariffs to ber the lessened? guest: what you see out of the area that needs to be addressed. negotiating nafta, a lot of folks have been hurt by nafta, overall, nafta has been good in regard to opening up markets allies of canada and mexico. better, we need provisions to be enforcible. his tariff discussion is leading to impact on negotiations and at the end of the day, there will be positive when negotiations are concluded. host: do you being think we make it clear we don't want to leave nafta? overall. clear guest: i do believe. think all indication to trading partner necessary con s

canada and s in mexico, we want to be part of this. working together with common recognizing our interests are just as important as canadian and mexico interests enforcible to make even playing field for all of us critical piece that i think has been missed with lack of over last few ta decades. think of the you statements of president threatening to pull out of nafta if he can't get the terms of the he wants?ns that uest: doing what attracted me to support him in the first eight, he's disrupting, isrupting the way policy has been enacted for decades. that causes anxiety and fear, i that, we cannot continue the status quo, what we eed is what we're seeing here, disruptive force coming into negotiations and saying we need to do business differently the status quo is not sustainable for the american people. ost: we're joined by

congressman reed of new york. 10:00, the house will gavel in, be going to the house, of course when they gavel in. until then, the phone lines are yours to ask your questions, give us comments. democrats, 202-748-8000. republicans, 202-748-8001. and independents, 202-748-8002. ed is up first this morning in portland, tennessee, an independent. ed, go ahead. caller: good morning, hor are y'all doing? my call. for taking host: doing well. kwaukt question for mr. reed. do you believe good leaders lead by example? shoulds lead ader by example and action and words. caller: okay. there was a ship, u.s. ship that china sea the south by a cargo ship. the captain was sweeping, he had the navy. what is going on with the state

do you think anybody should be accountable in that department? guest: obviously common failing to fulfill their office across to be held nt needs accountable, including removing peep frel their position in the government. appreciate that. host: danny in charlotte, north carolina, a democrat. go ahead. caller: good morning. going dering how is this to affect president trump with his own products? assuming he's still has his china, so if in he's going to bring back to the is that going how o affect him and as far as him keeping his products in china, setting for, if any business personnel. had an issue with china, but you

also dealing with china, how does that work? host: that is the question, danny. your i understand concern, danny, how does this impact any american citizen oing business abroad or any company doing business abroad? -- china is a great example. it will make the american market more competitive. operations can come back to american soil and we can build and make things here in america forward. if the president leads us down that path and i believe he is, i think that is a good thing for all american people. host: we always ask for uestions from twitter and facebook, as well. steve says ask the new york ember of congress if he will keep his seat in november. with taxcan't be happy cut designed for red states. guest: i'm confident with the tax reform bill. worked six years on the ommittee and years before that

under chairmanships getting to graille. pleased with results across the across the state and across the country. pay from folks that are hard-working americans. describe them as crumbs, so out hard-working american necessary our district and across the country. we were talking to an individual last night who met retired a lroader from kentucky, $49 month, was the increase in take-home pay. to him, that was life changing. have to keep that in perspective as you live in this dc bubble sometimes. think those types of dollars are crumbs, those are hard-earned dollars. too. seeing better things, seeing minimum wages in orporate america going up to $15 an hour. we're seeing invest nment retirement programs, we're paid to nuses being and $2000 at a

clip. real money changes people's lives. i am confident when you look at the tax reform i am confident when you look at the tax reform bill, overall, and what we did on compromise the state and local tax cap,tion what to get that which protected 99% of the people in western new york, to me, that is a compromise that works for a lot of people. protecting 99% is something i believe in. the 1% to have historically have thought the battle to the nail. host: the primary season is underway today with primaries in texas. how much confidence is that among your leadership, speaker ryan of retaining control of the house, even as they look at eggs like the 2018 -- look at the house, like the 2018 valid,

which has democrats of nine points in a generic race between the house republicans and house democrat? guest: a lot of times between now and 2018, our leadership is confident. we will be in the majority following the midterms of 2018, but they do recognize, as i historically,t the trend is against us in the majority. looking at data, like that generic poll, now we are getting in the nine, single digit. if we keep doing our job, our job will speak for itself. ultimately, where the decision rests, is where it rested the american people. this is the people's house and they should speak and they do every two years and that is where these decisions made to be made and i trust their judgment. host: to missouri, jim is a democrat. good morning. caller: good morning. settings, when i was a

known entry school, we learned about terrorists and id -- idea was tothe protect american jobs and for low foreign wages. since their jobs have already gone to low wage foreign countries, how is a te jobf going to bring that back as long as there is income inequality? locally, there will always be lower wages. you talk about china dumping steel on the u.s., well, if you have chinese workers making two dollars a day, they are selling it at cost and the undercut american steel. works for bigmy corporations. it does not work for the american worker. if i were a blacksmith making

horseshoes, i could make a supply supply and shoes to my community. if i supplied horses to the world, it is a different dynamic. your $49 ant about man, being life-changing, you are in a bubble. local taxes are going to go up because of the loss of federal funds. that $49 a month is going to be added up a local taxes. guest: i will take the last point first. when we talk about $49 and you talk about a corporate enema hour, those are the life-changing impacts i am referencing. that barrelvidual, in kentucky, $49 for him and his

wife, they also enjoyed the $49 as my understanding is from the railroad industry, that freedom on a month-to-month acis is significant, and allow them to do many things they were not able to do before. i hear and listen to that story. a lot of people in washington, d.c., think that is nothing. it is something. it is something republicans and democrats applaud together. people can keep more hard-earned dollars in their pockets rather than sending it to d.c.. i understand your concern of taxes and local governments. i live in one of the highest taxed states in the nation, if not the highest, and i will tell you i hope our governor, and i have seen rhetoric out of our governor, recognizing with the cost put on the state government, he is choosing between increasing taxes and cutting spending. he says if we cannot increase taxes, we are cutting spending.

that is a positive outcome because that gets spending under control, taxes go down, and it makes new york state competitive and attracts people back to the country. when it comes to these tariffs, and understand your concern of cheap labor nationally and internationally, so when we say china is dumping steel here at a cost, that is not what dumping is about. they are dumping their excess steel below cost on to our market, distorting our market, and the problem i have is no one's standing up and saying, unacceptable, except the president of the united states. he is sending the message, we will not take that anymore. if you want to compete with us and go toe to toe to fight on a cost product, we can have that fight. if you have the even playing field, americans win that battle each and every day. i believe that. let's have the opportunity to have a fair fight. host: what is the problem solvers caucus? guest: it is something i am very

proud of. we started january last year, 24 democrats and republicans. i cochaired on the republican side. it is members organized to get a yes to govern. we said if we can get to a 75% consensus position like in health care and immigration, we will vote as a block, 48 coming together to get legislation to the finish line. we had changed the dynamic in my opinion a great deal. we now have 20 senators in the common sense coalition that is following our lead. working with arsenic partners and lamar alexander and very, we were the only bipartisan subsidy policy on the individual market place on the affordable care act that got out of our caucus and now is a cornerstone of some senate negotiations going on on the individual marketplace. what we do is getting to know each other as people, representing various philosophies across the spectrum

and we spent time together to have an honest debate and come to position that solved problems with the american people forget host: is that a problem solver solution to guns? guest: we are working on it as we speak. i am so proud of the caucus driven by its members. after the parkland horrific situation, our organ -- our members organically reached out and said, look, we all agree we need to do something, and i agree. in action is unacceptable and it wasn't acceptable from the last horrific situation, like the pulse nightclub, the sandy hook shootings, and other areas. we need to do what we can to address this. one of our meetings today, it is a problem solvers caucus from asterisk this week, and that is an issue to address. host: in virginia, sunday, independent. go ahead. -- sunny, independent.

on wheret just depends you are getting your news from. i read that president trump has agreed to having exemptions from the tariffs and from other countries, not so much. can you elaborate further on possible exemptions from other countries and why would they benefit them that as opposed to other countries? guest: there is a lot of different sources and acrosstion flying around the country. i have always hesitated to take a formal position to say this is the position available out there until you see it in black and white. i am referring to the white house. they will make their determination, but when it comes to exemptions and other policy, i think there can be recognition. as au are dealing with us level playing field and you are following the rules, we want to encourage that behavior that we

will stand by it. if we are talking exemptions that recognize that relationship, i am open to the conversation and that we are talking about now the nafta negotiations. host: before you leave exemptions, wouldn't that be for specific countries or companies? guest: i believe this is a country and country negotiation. there are different subsets of steel and different types of steel that potentially have unique characteristics in our military applications and elsewhere, as well as aluminum, so there could be a conversation along those lines but i am looking at it some country to country. if a country wants to play by rule-based trade that is even unfair and enforceable, let's have that conversation and use that as the poster child of the gold standard, if you would, for future negotiations with other countries that historically have not demonstrated that there and

even shake. host: you were talking nafta before i jumped in. guest: nafta is another example. when you see in negotiations from this administration is something that i appreciate. they are disrupting the traditional negotiations. they are sending the message that if you want to negotiate in good faith, for example, my understanding watching from afar is mexico seems to be sincerely interested in updating nafta for the 21st century and beyond. canada maybe is not as willing to negotiate at the table. if there is a conversation about potentially they are discussing splitting it up in regards to different negotiations, these types of activities, you know they cause a lot of fear and anxiety. at the end of the day, we cannot continue the status quo and we have an opportunity to fix that and recognize that. after was negotiated years ago.

internet economy was not even complicated -- contemplated. things we do in their phone in regards to commerce, never even discussed. now is the time to get it right and that is what i believe the administration is trying to do. host: cindy from california, a republican. reed.: hi, john and mr. thank you for the tax cuts. i am a republican in california, the only vote up here, but you probably understand being a republican in new york, but it is something for sure, we save $58 and threecents -- $58.3 a week, and that isunlike guest: the outcome we wanted. -- guest: that is the outcome we wanted. host: did you have a follow-up comment?

i appreciate that, cindy. obviously, her paying attention to that detail is something that resonates with me in and of itself. people are scratching their pad, like my mom did, raising the 12th of us as a single mom. i can remember at the end of the month, her pounding out on her month to see what she could do to sharpen the pencil the little to have extra for the kids and that is what american families do on a month-to-month basis. for people that think that 58 58.03 are crimes, it is disrespect to the american people. they are hard-working people in regards to this is real money that has an impact on your life. $3000 per year? another individual bought their

kid's college books with the money they saved under the tax reform bill. that is huge, a big impact. program,terday on this we spend time focusing on the implementation and glitches that have popped up, especially on the business side. to gou talk about efforts back and fix those glitches? how hard is that going to be for committee?d means guest: it is something when you take on an issue as complicated as tax reform, there are going to be outcomes and potential language issues in the legislation that need to be reviewed and looked at. the grain issue is an example of one. the issue of qualified home improvements and how they are classified for depreciation schedules is another area i believe is right for these technical corrections, if you would. as good, take the green issue. we wanted to stand with farmers and give them an opportunity to grow their business and to have

policy that encouraged our farmers to grow. but it has caused distorted effects as it is played and rolled out into the marketplace. the problem we have is, how do you fix the? right now, -- how do you fix that? right now, i don't see 60 votes in the senate that we could get because we will need 60 to do this. i don't know where that path is. i don't see it because there seems to be a willingness not to say, we are done. we will have to deal with this for political purposes in the 2018 election, and may after 2018, we can deal with it. that is wrong because the people suffering in the meantime are the american people who are being impacted by this legislation. host: did it happen after previous tax laws were passed that the parties can together afterwards to fix whatever glitches there were? guest: itguest: will be difficult, and this is why the partisan divide up washington, d.c., in my opinion, shows what

the priority is. the politics and power structures of d.c., and we forget who we are here to represent. the american people. to get 60 votes has been difficult. prior tax reform efforts, you look at the affordable care act and the lack of technical correction there. that is the problem in politics. host: congressman tom reed is a republican from new york. we appreciate your time. guest: always a pleasure. host: we will let you get to work as we take our viewers live to the house of representatives for coverage on c-span. signed, paul d. ryan, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the order of the house of january 8, 2018, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. the chair will alternate recognition between the parties. ti