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♪ host: good morning. it is friday, november 15th. we begin with president-elect's cabinet picks. he unveiled half a dozen nominees yesterday this morning. we begin by getting your thoughts on his pick so far and asking you if you would like to see serve in a cabinet post and a second trump administration. the lines are split political parties. democrats, (202)-748-8000. republicans, (202)-748-8001. independents, (202)-748-8002. you can also send us a text at (202)-748-8003. if you do, include your name and where you are from. otherwise, catch up with us on social media, on x --@cspanwj come on facebook, facebook.com/easement. good friday morning. start calling in now.

"the washington post" with their graphic, a wrap up of donald trump's cabinet picks. he has built off the positions. the latest yesterday in terms of his nominees. robert f. kennedy, jr. for health and human services secretary, doug collins, the former georgia congressman for veterans affairs secretary, and then donald trump that he the cat out of the bag last night at an event in mar-a-lago that would be officially nominate doug burgum, the north dakota governor, the interior secretary. we are talking about those picks and then the upcoming confirmation process, as well, as we ask you who you think should be in president-elect donald trump's cabinet in his second administration. phone lines for democrats, republicans, and independents. donald trump spoke about some of his nominees at mar-a-lago last night, starting with rfk junior. [video clip] president-elect trump: great

guy, great mind. i think he's right, he would like to make people healthy. it has driven him while the past years. the democrats did not treat him well.he was doing fantastically well . i think he came out with some role that you had to get 75% of the vote to qualify to be the primary. that was a pretty dumb thing to get, and he was doing incredibly well and he decided he could not do it, went independent, and now he's with us all the way. today i nominated for him, if you like health and people who live a long time, it is the most important position, rfk junior. probably -- bobby? [applause] people like you. don't get too popular, bobby. you know this to mark you have reached about the level. now, we would like you to come

up with things and ideas and what you have been talking about for a long time. i think you are going to do some unbelievable thing. nobody is going to be able to do it like you, and he feels it his heart, so congratulations also to your family. [applause] and, a woman, who was a democrat and who was independent, she went independent. last week, senate she would like to be republican because this is what i stand for. i have always admired her because she was loaded up with common sense, and it is all about common sense. we are conservative in this room. we can understand the other side, but what we really are his people with common sense, and i think that is why we won with the numbers we did. goals -- tulsi gabbard. thank you. [applause] and, you have how it has taken

people a long time and that name is emblazoned into their mind. he is working with elon musk on efficiency. they are working on efficiency, among other things, they will be saving money, making our country stronger and better, and they will come out with individual reports with a big one toward the end, and you put those two together, it is going to be really great. [end video clip] host: president-elect donald trump last night at mar-a-lago, also the adventure he let it know that doug burgum would be getting efficiently that nomination for interior secretary. that is expected to come today. donald trump has been releasing his official statements on his true social. you can follow them as they go, but rolling them out pretty quickly this week. at the end of this week in the wake of those nominations, we are asking you who you would like to see in a second trump cabinet.

line for democrats, republicans, and independents. on the line for independents, rob, florida, good morning. caller: good morning. thank you for taking my call. what is the question? who we would tuesday the on the cabinet? -- who we would choose to be on the cabinet? host: that's the question, rob. caller: it is a good choice to choose robert kennedy, but i'm surprised how the left, the democrat media, just ripped the guy apart. they used to be so proud of the kennedy name, and it seems like fox news and the republicans took control of respective robert kennedy junior. i think matt gaetz is a good choice. i think that they are a little afraid of him because, you know, there is an old saying, what goes around comes around.

he will not go about trying to cause any problems or scandals. he will govern himself accordingly. there will be some accountability. no doubt about it. i would like to say one more thing. i listen to this show every morning. and i hear mostly 90% older people. i'm 63. maybe 70, 80. and it is just constant trump flashing on and on, calling him every name in the book, the guy won. give him a break. he got a huge portion of electing him, voting for him from nonwhite voters. tremendous amount. give the guy a break. he came in there, you know, everybody, roger stone, giuliani , all these men who were great men, never had a criminal record, now they all have these criminal records that are

fabricated upon by the weaponized democrat party and that democrat run media. host: that is rob, independent in florida. you talk about how the media is reacting to donald trump's picks. robert f. kennedy, jr. is the subject of the lead story in "the new york times" today, select the him as health secretary a skeptic read unclear if they will confirm unorthodox hhs nominee, saying that in selecting mr. kennedy, mr. trump is picking someone who was at war with a public health agencies that he would oversee. that is the second lead story of "the new york times." richard, new jersey, you are next. caller: good morning. it is obvious what is going on here. he is trying to appoint people, the two agencies, where he knows the people in the agencies are going to hate them.

each agency, what he is hoping for is for a lot of people to quit. and he can stuff them with people who are going to be his loyalists. this is right out of dictator playbook. if he does not get to be dictator, it is one heck of a lie. republicans in the senate stopped him, and that is a thin reason to rely on. he is on the path, no doubt about it. host: what do you think about the process of recess appointments to avoid going for a confirmation process? caller: he knows that people do not want these people to be appointed, so the people from the agencies i'm sure are complaining like crazy. obviously, he is going to force them in their without approval for obvious reasons. a lot of people don't like them. one quick comment on the

elections. the democrats failed to feel the pain of the people who were suffering greatly from inflation, and that is where they failed, in my opinion. just basically, it was the economy, which inflation is all over the world, by the way. the reason biden because there is nonsense really. but these people get in those agencies, and we will see a lot of people quitting, and we will be down that road to dictator. he is trying to put people who will back him up when he starts breaking the law again. host: on recess appointments, if folks have not heard that term before, "the wall street journal" with a helpful, quick definition and history of it. the constitution empowers the president to appoint officers of the u.s. subject to the consent of the senate, and 1000 positions today require senate

confirmation. framers of the constitution view this as a way to promote the government through better qualified officials. the senate, however, was not conceived to continuously be in session, and 18th-century communication and transportation meant that weeks could go by before lawmakers could reconvene for an emergency. to keep government staff, the president's allowed vacancies while in recess but those commissions expire at the next end of the session of congress, and that means a recess where they cannot hold off much longer than two years, the length of a congressional session. perhaps one way for some nominees to avoid a confirmation process if that is the route that republicans choose to go. phil, florida, republican. caller: you know, there are questions that have been to that last caller. your opinion should count and 75

million people should not count, you are calling him hitler. you are the hitler. i think mr. trump has got all the right in the world to have as many people as you would like, whoever he would like, as his candidate. we do not complain about biden's choice, and i do not want some guy with a beard and a dress teaching my kids. host: that is still in florida. allen, new york, independent. caller: good morning. i would just like to say, sadly, let this crime shall begin. -- clown show begin. robert kennedy's last person. he has no medical background. he has no administrative background. he comes up with the craziest theories that are just too weird , and matt gaetz has never tried a case. i mean, let me just conclude with in my life, the unsolvable

mystery is antisemitism because as far as i know, jewish people never really impact anybody. but having donald trump as president, like i said, he's a narcissist. host: are there any picks that donald trump has announced so far that you do agree with? caller: the senator from florida, rubio is not a bad pick. other than that, they all stink. host: james, new orleans, republican. caller: morning. how are you doing? can you hear me? host: i can. caller: i think all the picks trump has made our good. i just hope he picks somebody to run the atf office that is not

anti-gun, that has a little bit more brains than the morals that are there. host: who would you like to see? is there somebody in mind? caller: anybody who is pro-gun, pro-second amendment for the atf because the man who is in charge there now is a total dummy. he knows nothing about firearms, and that is one show they had on cbs, where they could not even put a clock back together. it is pitiful. i think all the other picks are pretty good for what is going on. and kennedy, i don't have a problem with kennedy or any of the other people he picked because i think it is time that people wake up to on the money the democrats spent on the illegal aliens dipping into the social security fund, and giving them all these free cards, telephones, and free housing, while veterans are suffering out here. it is time to start taking care of americans.

shutdown down the border. deport them all. when they deport these people, they should look into their cell phones and other pictures to see if any of them are doing illegal activities, like smuggling drugs or people. and then what they should also do is take down all of their phone numbers and everything else to see who they are talking to. then, they should deport them all. people don't realize once you are deported by the federal government, it takes 20 years before you can come and file any paperwork. i don't have anything else to say. host: judith, arizona, democrat. good morning. caller: good morning. thank you for taking my call. i'm just not agreeable with president trump, president-elect

trump's choices. simply because they hold no experience in the field. it is like the gentleman said, robert kennedy, he has no scientific or medical background. he had all these conspiracy theories going on. to be ahead of the health organization is scary. and matt gaetz, he is rambunctious and rude, and i don't think he has the experience for attorney general. he does not carry the temperament. and then you have the secretary of state, rubio. he has no experience. he has been in politics. he might have been the better one because he's been there. host: let me ask you about donald trump's nominee for

secretary of defense. this is their argument for him as secretary of defense, saying that he has been put forth and he's not part of the club that usually runs the military, a retired generate, a west point graduate. instead, he pegs that -- pete served in iraq, and he advocates for veterans. he is not the type to be impressed by exelon commanders who would put soldiers, airmen and marines in danger before retiring to a cushy board position with the defense contractor. that is there already meant for pete hegseth. what do you think? caller: usually when a president picks his administration, they to someone with experience in politics, people who have been there, a military general, people who really know what they are doing. when you are picking people just because you think they can do it

and they don't have any experience, it is like a buddy going on the job and learning on the job. and with the crisis situation we are in now, we cannot wait for these bad decisions two up and wonder they are good. -- two up and wonder if they are good. a lot of these people need to be vetted. matt gaetz has a little thing going on. they need to be vetted. who goes on a job who has not been vetted? either they ask for your credentials and everything and your background, they know everything about you, your experience. a lot of people go into these jobs with no experience. host: you mentioned matt gaetz, what he has is house ethics going on since 2001.

he officially stepped down from the house. not under the jurisdiction of the house ethics committee. stepping down from his seat. but this "new york times" wrap-up of the investigation claimed he engaged in sexual misconduct and prolific drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the floor of house of representatives, misused records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and accepted gifts under house rules, among other charges. and lawmakers demanding that house ethics committee still release that report. matt gaetz is no longer in congress ahead of a potential confirmation hearing. this is john, ohio, independent. caller: good morning. i'm an unaffiliated leftist, and i never thought into any political party or organization, but two very interesting

positions that i mostly support are robert f kennedy and tulsi gabbard. but because they have taken a position, democratic and republican parties are bipartisan warmongers, and i think that is the existential threat to humanity with both parties and the politicians being led by military and cia complex, media, cia industrial military industrial media complex, and robert kennedy, every hourly newscast, with a kind of dripping sarcasm is really, i think, criminal because he has been involved in exposing the big pharma corruption, the links between big pharma, and the military

industrial complex, and their control over the politicians and the government because of the billionaires that control the media and the 1500 right-wing a.m. radio stations that are ready to slander and smear anyone who questions these wars. that are leading to actual probable war by firing, billions of dollars of weapons and missiles into russia right now. host: got your point. mention tulsi gabbard nominated director of national intelligence, a previous advisor to the president on intelligence matters related to national security. a budget of $76.5 billion. tulsi gabbard was on fox news on wednesday, and she was asked

about how she perceived the reaction to her nomination for that post. this is what you have to say. [video clip] >> how do you think foreign capitals are taking your nomination and the nomination of other people in the national security apparatus? >> good question. i think president trump has already shown how active he has been in not waiting around for day one on january 20 or 21st, but he is already leading and engaging with so many of the world leaders around the world, on the phone constantly, and he is showing the kind of leadership that the american people voted for. >> do you expect resistance from the inside? there was a lot of resistance the first term. how would you deal with that? >> the american people delivered quite an incredible mandate for change in the selection with the popular vote and electoral vote overwhelmingly, saying good luck donald trump as president, and we have had enough of the harris

second biden regime. of course there will be resistance and change from the swamp in washington. i think that is kind of the point. the american people are saying, hey, stop looking at yourself, stop focusing on your own power, position and bank accounts. how about we have leaders in washington who are actually looking out the american people? on every issue across the board, that is what it comes down to her what president trump is trying to accomplish, we have to make sure our government puts the interest of the american people first. [end video clip] host: tulsi gabbard on fox news wednesday evening. this friday morning, we are getting your reaction to donald trump's cabinet picks, asking who you would like to see president-elect donald trump's cabinet. maria, new jersey, independent. go ahead. caller: good morning. i would like to complement the gentleman who was on just recently, pretty much summed up our problems with the connection with worldwide, the one

appointment i approve there is tom homan because he knows how to do the job, but i feel that until we get rid of [indiscernible] that it is all of our intelligence to the russian empire and their satellites, and it just goes around and around. and then we have to investigate in arms, and our own people are suffering. also, i hope dreamers are expelled first. they gave up all the money we invested in our education. host: going to be our last caller in this abbreviated first segment of "washington journal" today, but stick around. lots to cap about. 9:00 a.m. before the house, so we will be joined by key members

of congress. first is congressman rahall and republican of south carolina -- first is congressman ralph norman, republican of south carolina, and then later, it will be brad schneider who will be here to take your calls. stick around. ♪ >> since 1979, in partnership with the cable industry, c-span has provided complete coverage of the halls of congress, from the house and senate floor, to congressional hearings, party briefings, and committee meetings. c-span gives you a front row seat about how issues are debated and decided, with no commentary, no interruptions, and completely unfiltered. c-span, your unfiltered view of government. ♪ >> join book tv this weekend for the texas book festival, live from austin.

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winning the speaker vote on the house floor on january 3? that first evoked of the new congress. guest: well, i think it will be an eastern time -- an easier time. i think people are rallying behind mike johnson. that is his choice, and i think we will give mike the leeway he needs to really, for most of the agenda, what does president was almost overwhelmingly elected to do. i'm excited about it. host: you are quoted as saying that speaker john says challenges what it has -- johnson's challenges what his has always been but with trump, it will be easier to deliver. what you mean by that? guest: what we faced with the biden administration where share vetoes on any subject we wanted, the conservatives wanted to push. with president trump, it is a whole different thing now. president trump will be a backstop of getting this country back on track.the last four years have been dismal.

this country responded in a way that i'm glad they did, which is we cannot keep going like this. the fact they gave donald trump an overwhelming vote of support i think will carry through the new year, the next four years honestly. host: after that speaker vote, it gets less attention, but it is the vote on the rules of the 119 congress. you tweeted this week regarding the proposed new house rule, we have absolutely no room for error in 119 congress. why are we already seeking to punish members for voting their conscience? what are you talking about? guest: that when came up, the amendments that we said yesterday, they withdrew that. look -- host: what were the amendments about? guest: about voting against the rule that you get basically put in timeout and you get kicked off. it was discussed, but never put before biden. it was not the right thing, along with a lot of other people. the only people that can punish

you are constituents in your district. and that is all 435 members of congress. so the right thing was done, and what was important to a lot of people was the threshold for votes to vacate going up from one to nine, which was fine with this. we are off to a great start. host: delegates had the motion to vacate a little bit more to those who are not attuned to congress speak. guest: motion to vacate is a rule that any member could basically put a vote on four, as stated for kevin mccarthy. matt gaetz. to take him out of the speakership. so one person doing it, it takes an additional eight now to do it, so they thought that was supported, so it was the right thing to do. and it has been in existence for a long time. over 200 years.

and then nine has been raised, and that is what we will abide by. host: do you agree that it should be nine people coming together to make that motion to vacate, or do you think one person should still have the power within a conference? guest: i'm fine with nine. what i rather have less question mark yes. the hundred 35 members have a vote on it, so when one person brings it up, -- 435 members have a vote on it, so when one person brings it up, but i rather have it in three? yes. nine is a compromise. i'm fine with that. host: what you think of donald trump's cabinet position pick so far, coming pretty quickly this week? guest: donald trump has done a tremendous job with talented business people in place to get this country back on track. typically, you have a government position, particularly the biden administration, just people who have been a government their whole lives. they are elitist with the biden administration, look what the

results were. president trump will deliver everything he says. look at the glorious four years we had when he was in office from 2016 to 2020, he will deliver, and we will back him up as members of congress. host: if you are a united states senator, are there any pick so far that you would not support? guest: absolutely not. i agree with everyone. i don't know of a weakling he has had. the kennedy appointment got a lot of press, and a lot of people were supposedly upset, but that was the right thing to do. kennedy does not have to do this. he has a passion for health care. i think he will do a good job. but donald trump puts the right people in the right place to do what is right for america, and that was on full display. host: about half of those positions, at least the nominees have been named so far, if donald trump is selecting, who

would you like to see one of those other positions that have not been filled? guest: that is up to donald trump. he knows the backgrounds of people, the strengths and weaknesses. everybody he has picked will get the job done, particularly with elon musk with scaling down government. the american people are thirsty to rein the government and spending, and these people will do it. the big thing they are doing is publicizing the cuts that let american people see first-hand. that is just one of his picks. donald trump, his record proves he puts good people in good places, and he did it with his business, and he will not do it for the country. host: let me give you the phone numbers to call in, congressman norman with us until 7:50 a.m. eastern. it is (202)-748-8001 for republicans. (202)-748-8000, democrats. independents, (202)-748-8002.

folks are calling in, congressman heard i would like to get your thoughts on the senate majority leader. guest: well, i would prefer scott, he's more conservative, and i think he more lines with donald trump and i think that was president trump's pick. but we will see how it works out. hopefully it will. this signals that he is telling the nation and president trump resonates and hopefully it follows through. host: do you have any thoughts on whether that is a good appointment for the body? guest: you look at the past, i think president bush at under 79 recess appointments. it still takes 51 senators to agree to go to recess, but, but, to stall any of these picks with the condition of the country, it is not the right move. i hope the senate approves the picks that donald trump has.

i hope they have the discussion and debate but at the end of the day, don't drag it out for the main reason to stall this administration. the american people are giving a resounding vote of confidence for donald trump, and that includes his picks. host: ralph norman, taking your phone calls this morning. we will start with david in north carolina, independent. caller: good morning, everyone. i would like to congratulate the president for winning, and he is going to a whoever he would like to. those opposing him did not vote for him. question for the congressman, congressman, going towards exit 90, there is a dead deer sitting on the side. why is nobody picking it up? also, all the road conditions going to work, when are we going to fix them up? and there's one story about you, congressman, i saw you once at the ymca and raquel.

one of your relatives was playing there, basketball, and you are handing out candy, you went to the vending machine and you handed out candy to one of the kids, and you make sure to give the other kids candy, too, so i still remember that. keep up the good work. thank you. guest: thank you so much. i did not get fully the question about 77 and the workers and he was going to pick them up, it is a backlog. we have transportation issues all over the country really. that is one of jobs that each state has to deal with, south carolina is no exception. the good news is we are growing, april coming to south carolina, we have to make sure the roads are in place before the businesses are opening and to get ahead of it to get people in and out, but it is a backlog. i agree. and i do remember giving candy out to at the y. you have a good memory. that was a long time ago. host: for viewers who are

unfamiliar with the geography, raquel is close to charlotte. guest: 20 minutes to get to raquel -- rock hill, if the traffic backs up, it will take 30 or 35, but i'm fortunate that many members of congress have more distance to travel but it is convenient for me. host: ralph norman is taking your phone calls this morning. this is kim, wisconsin, democrat. -- tim, wisconsin, democrat. caller: good morning. thank you for taking my call. i would have to say that [indiscernible] i don't think [indiscernible] i know they would like to disband the education department

and put it back in the hands of the state, and i agree with it in a lot of ways, but i would also like to see [indiscernible] prickett downstate by state, how many people you have got, so on and so forth, and give it back to the states, and let them decide when they have crisis. it seems that would be a better way to go. thank you. host: congressman norman? guest: i really block grants. i think what this commission will do is streamline government. people would like government out of their hair. they want government in particular regulations during the biden administration that has cost this country to go into a tailspin. that is what american people are thirsty for. that is the support they did. i agree with the statement on letting the state spend their own money, and we at the federal

level have got to stop and impose the regulations, and i call it strangulation by regulation. that is what people are tired of. let businesses do what they do best. they are the backbone of america, that is what makes a great, not america -- not the government. host: are there certain departments he would eliminate? guest: department of education. it is easier said than done, but hopefully we will rein that in, if not abolish it. doj has been weaponized against conservatives. look what they did to president trump. 91 indictments were a joke. people know that. so that is just two of them that i do away with with the department of education, and the department of justice has got to be reined in from going out to americans. trump said they are coming after us and it has got to stop. host: sack, louisiana,

republican. good morning -- zach, louisiana, republican. good morning. caller: how are you all doing? i would like to see mr. trump and his administration start recognizing the lord almighty and his son jesus christ. i know it is outdated but to me it is a real thing. it is breath in your lungs. guest: i agree 100% with you. america has had a front row seat to the bullet that came within micro inches of killing the president. that turn of the head was providential. i think trump knows god spared his life. we are one nation under god, and i think it ought to be front and center stage. god has given us one more chance to save this country.

i say that unapologetically. we have gotten away from it. everything from our schools are public institutions. you have got to put god front and center on the stage, and i look forward to this president doing that. and president trump has done a good job in his first four years, and i think will do a better job the next four years of leading this country in jesus christ. host: how should you put god front and center stage, as you say? guest: acknowledge him during the daily prayer, take that seriously, just like we do the pledge. it all starts with god. i think people now, we are fortunate, we have got a president who will highlight that. and will not be embarrassed about it. president trump is not. none of us are perfect. we have got one that was, and that was a surprise, and think you will find that more, not

just for public safety, but indeed when the people he has put in office, are people of faith. that is still important. host: about 10 minutes left with congressman norman. sylvia, pennsylvania, democrat. caller: yes, thank you. good morning. [indiscernible] you forgot about that. he was something about god during that time. how do you support him? thank you. guest: was this again? host: sylvia, bringing up january 6. go ahead, congressman. guest: january 6 was a sham. i was there. there was not any insurrection. a lot of unanswered questions would come out. the president authorized the national guard to take control of that.

why didn't nancy pelosi go along with that? why were people who were elected in the capitol not held accountable? a lot of unanswered questions. pelosi kicked off some of the conservatives who would have asked tough questions like jim jordan and others. they'll come out in time. that was not an attack of government. we voted that night. the democrats, just because they publicized it, and had hearings on it, which were fake, to be honest with you. so the truth will come out on that, as it always does. host: when you say it was a sham, what do you mean? guest: they admitted, how do you have a sham of a hearing when you don't have cross-examination? why did they kick jim jordan off? liz cheney was a part of that. this was a vendetta against donald trump.

and the american people did not buy it. and you saw shirts all over this country said i'm voting for a felon. people knew it was not true. so the january 6 commission was no different. again, the american people spoken they do not believe it. we were here, and what they tried to convey was not real. it was tragic because he lost lives, but it did not have to happen, but it did, and i hope when the truth comes out, the american people will see it. host: would you like to see some of those convicted of crimes in a court of law since january 6, the doj investigation, that thousands of people, would you like to see them released from jail? guest: what happens to the ones in jail open washington, they just get a trial, they just get thrown in jail, and if you get a traffic ticket, you get your day in court. why wasn't that to the initial

58 put in jail in washington? host: what about those who had their day in court? guest: i have not followed those -- it has not been fair. the doj has gone after and is still going after. they're going after those they think violated the capital on january 26, but instead of going after the invasion, no, once everything comes out, the trials that have been held, i don't think there has been a fair trial like the ones against trump in new york. it was not fair. i went to one of them. and the judge was openly hostile to president trump. that is not the way the american governme whost: diane, republicd morning. caller: yes, i would like to say thank you for congressman norman

for his support for donald trump. and, remember, they are complaining right now about his nominations, but we still have a judge in charge of jason, and he was nowhere to be found because he was on paternity leave. we had sam burton, whatever his name was, department of energy, stealing our money, and they would like to complain about matt gaetz? i don't think so. hang in there. host: congressman, you supported nikki haley, talking on c-span and primary night in iowa. should we have a cabinet -- should he have a cabinet position? host: that is up -- guest: that is up to donald trump. i support all of his picks. i don't think nikki haley would like a cabinet position.

she has other things she is doing in south carolina. president trump, it is up to him, he's made the right pick, and he will continue to. as mentioned, it has been a disaster it -- was not just buttigieg, but look at me or garland. violations of subpoenas on the robert hurt case and the president, holding information. that has been overlooked. but it is a new date in this country and the american people are excited. host: one or two more phone calls. round, pennsylvania, my free democrats. -- line free democrats. caller: lindsey graham said in 2015 if you nominate donald trump for president that he would destroy our party. he has, he has trained you all to liars. they are lying about january 6, they are lying about the justice department being weaponized.

january 6 was a coup. jim jordan was not allowed on, and he was involved in the coup. the guy who tried to shoot trump, he was a republican named crooks, which cruz, thank god, has a sense of humor. host: congressman norman? guest: that is a ridiculous statement. he has his right to his opinion. if he is happy with invasion of those who come in from over 170 countries, that is his opinion. if he does not [indiscernible] lakeland and riley being one of them, that's his opinion. i just disagree with it. look at the results of the election, 75 million people, 312 electoral votes. american people don't agree with that.

we just have to have two separate trains, and i think the train of donald trump is going to be successful. somebody asked me about revenge, donald trump put it in a great way. success will be what this country will have, not revenge. host: last call from georgia, yvonne, independent. caller: good morning. my question to you is this, i'm so tired of republicans lying, what you all are doing, as you all would like a white race country, or you all are in control. you have white, christian nationalist people, and you all think we do not see you all. you think trump is not racist? host: got your point, you've got the final minute, congressman. guest: he has got his point of view. donald trump is not racist.

that is a joke to even say that. he is the most fair, the most successful president we will have had in a long time. if the caller would like to keep down that train of saint every thing is racism, i just disagree. the success of this country will be phenomenal under this administration, and he can continue to fight for what he thinks is right, which is totally different than what the public side and what the american people said this last election. host: congressman roth norman, republican of south dakota, always appreciate your time. thank you. guest: thank you. host: coming up for the next 40 minutes this morning, we are going to be an open forum. and then post open forum, we will talk to another member of congress, brad schneider, democrat of illinois. go ahead and call with your open forum phone calls. we will put the numbers on the screen. we will get to your calls after the break. ♪

>> attention middle and high school students across america, it is time to make your voice heard. c-span studentcam documentary contest 2025 is here. this is your chance to create a documentary that can inspire change, and make an impact. your documentary should answer this year's question, your message to the president, what issue is most important to you or your community? whether you are passionate about politics, the environment, or community stories. studentcam is your platform to share your message with the world. with $100,000 of politics, including a grand prize of 5000 dollars, this is your opportunity to not only make an impact but also be rewarded for your creativity and hard work. ter your submissions today. scan the code or visit studentcam.org for all of the detas on how to enter. the deadline is january 20, 2025.

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45 years of covering congress like no other. since 1979, we have been your primary source for capitol hill, providing unfiltered coverage of government. taking you to where the policy is debated and decided, all with the support of america's cable company. c-span, 45 years and counting, powered by cable. >> "washington journal" continues. host: this morning, the houses scheduled at 9:00 a.m. eastern. it is an abbreviated "washington journal." freshman members of congress are on capitol hill today, and heading up to the east front right now for their freshman picture, freshman orientation week for those who won the race is i will be seated in the 119th congress. house members are gathering on the house side on the eastern

front for their annual picture or their biannual picture for the incoming class. we will show you that when it happens, but it is open forum right now on any clinical issue you would like to talk about. phone line numbers are on your screen. caller already on the lines. this is randall in kentucky. caller: the fellow you had on previously from south carolina, on these picks for trump, when biden picked his, they were just like the biggest jokes, and they thought people would say they were the greatest but they were jokes. he had lloyd austin a secretary of defense. he was out for weeks. and the head of the defense department.

for secretary of navy, i mean, do you not know what the secretary of navy is and does? sec. of transportation way. the head of teachers union. made jokes with the american people. attorney general hated [indiscernible] supreme court, by the way, nominated did not even know what the definition of a woman was. host: is there anybody you would like to see in a second trump cabinet? caller: i'm just going down through the ones i'm trying to explain how sorry these picks were of biden's administration to compare it to what they're saying about trump's picks. the one thing he should really remember, whenever you talk about matt gaetz, he is heterosexual.

there is an old, biblical saying , apply this everything you see, there is an old biblical saying that you will choke on heterosexual, but you will swallow a -- host: all right, texas next. caller: good morning. i would just like to say i'm disgusted by people who picked trump, and now trump is picking matt gaetz. he is a six trafficker. it is just not right. host: donna in beaumont, texas. lawmakers demanding the release of an ethics committee probe on matt gaetz, a probe dating back to 2021, house ethics committee has been conducting that investigation. here is what they claimed that he shared inappropriate images or videos on the house floor,

engaged in sexual misconduct, converted campaign funds to personal use, and accepted impermissible gifts under house rules. there was a statement earlier this week from the senate judiciary chairman, dick durbin. he will not be the chairman in the 119th congress, but he is until the end hundred 18th congress. this is his statement after donald trump picked matt gaetz as his attorney general, saying in light of donald trump selection, a former congressman matt gaetz, i'm calling on how ethics to share the report and all relevant documentation on matthew gate -- on matt gaetz with the committee. the sequence and timing of his resignation raises a serious question about the contents of the health committee report, we cannot allow that information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the american people. make no mistake, this could be relevant to the question of his confirmation of the next attorney general of the united states and our constitutional

responsibility. this is peter, statistics, independent. -- massachusetts, independent. caller: good morning. what i have got his right now, i'm speaking in all caps and an excavation every so often. i'm destroyed about the pixie's making. they are just horrible. if they are anything like the last time he was in. matt gaetz, ugh. nano -- you know, we have a captain who is going to be the secretary of defense? we have got a traitor to the democratic party. i don't know. i don't know. anyway, i have got a plan. i've been not sleeping.

i have the trump depression i guess, i don't know. if i was joe biden, i would retire, and make kamala harris the 47th because the maga's have a 47 instead of 48 on their hats, but then i would take joe and put him in jail with ethic arguments, then i would take trump, raid mar-a-lago, bring him out back, and shave his -- host: this morning, it is showing you what is happening on capitol hill this morning, the freshman members, the elected members that will be freshman in 119 congress gathering on the steps on each front raid on the house side, there are house members therefore there portrait , there picture they always take ahead of the new congress. we will let you watch that as we

hear from gary in tennessee, independent.good morning . caller: thank you, john. in your first session, a man made an interesting point. there are a lot of us old people watching c-span. very few young. i'm 70's, gray-headed old man, and i would like to say that we have screwed this country up with the people reelected. we have george bush, spent four years after a war that may have been necessary, nationbuilding in afghanistan, a big, giant rock that exports poppy seeds for heroin. then we had barack obama with eight years, doubling down all our tax dollars while some people were really hurting in this country. now the young people have spoken.

i am close with a lot of young man at 20 to 48 years old. they've all got two young kids. one of them voted for harris. he is absolutely a liberal. that is his prerogative. those who sit on their couch and let them have it. i have worked for two billionaires in my life i'm a i was a grain of sand on their beach. they didn't know who i was but after that i started my own business. there are no stupid billionaires unless they inherited their money. host: do you think there should be an eight limit on service on elections in this country or as an appointment to the supreme

court, you talk about old people sifting of the couch. caller: those are some wise old constitutional guys and that is how the system works. we have screwed it up. we have a system where our government is spending $15 million to run a windmill that produces $5 million with of energy. it is the young people's money and the people in the inner cities that are hurting. we are a elf -- wealthy nation and the politicians have ripped us off. it is time for us to shut up and fled the young kids have their country and somebody show us how it is done. host: this is christopher in massachusetts, good morning.

caller: i have a curious question about haiti. the stuff that is going on in haiti has been going on so long. what is our country doing about haiti? host: this is joanne in memphis, tennessee. good morning. caller: my question is, why are there not wax -- any blacks in his cabinet? host: ivanka, tampa, florida, a

republican. good morning. -- yvonne, tampa, florida, a republican. caller: i am said that trump got in. i am from new york. people ask why a black hasn't been voted in. if you have to vote someone in it should not be based on color, it should be more about level of education, a love for god and what you can do to make a difference in this country, and that goes for any office that you are in, a local office, just start there. it is sad how everyone is looking at the demographics and judging from the outside and not looking at the fact that trump is getting the job done. no one can do it like trump.

host: this is allen in arkansas, independent. good morning. caller: good morning. i have been waiting for you to be on. you have been so helpful the other times i have called in. host: let's talk about what you are talking about today. caller: i am impressed that you remember that. host: what do you think happens in the coming months in the trump administration when it comes to the war in ukraine? caller: again, i just wanted to say, i was a broadcast professional 55 to 60 years ago

and was on the radio and my two claims to fame were spending an hour and a harm -- hotel room and did an interview before a news conference and i didn't want to wait after his conference to get an interview. he invited me into his hotel room for an hour with his wife getting dressed on the other side. the other is a talk show i had 55 years ago was with the absolutely brilliant political scientist and he was a professor at the university, just a brilliant political scientist.

he had come on for an hour on the talkshow and before he really out of life, as the political scientist that got the democrat elected from arkansas. i just have this history in broadcast and i didn't get to make the point about the woman to connect her to president elect trump, again inviting asking you to invite her for an interview program. i have called during the week and talked to your people on two different occasions.

host: what is the name again? caller: ana from ukraine. she is in her 40's but because of this political career, i have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of people and i remember the first time i heard rush limbaugh's name. he turned out to not have an impressive career. this woman, and i say these things because i have had this experience with meeting so many different people. host: i appreciate you telling us about that. the house freshman class picture taking place, just wrapped up the picture and now they are mingling with each other and have been in freshman

orientation all week learning the ropes and have put offices together in the budget together. and that all takes place ahead of every new congress. it will be the 119th in the first vote they will have is for the house speaker. we will be there for it and you can watch it here. taking phone calls as we continue to show you what is happening on capitol hill today. this is barbara in connecticut, good morning. caller: i was calling to say, how come half of america seems to have lost its mind and met the cabinet picks are sensible? you have bobby kennedy brings dead bears to central park, kristi noem who shoots her dog and a gravel pit. what is the matter with people? there are things that bobby

kennedy wants to slow down research into new drugs, big farm and all that and yet one out of five children in this country diagnosed with cancer do not live. it is crazy to me. i just don't understand it. thank you. host: on the line, good morning area -- morning. caller: when the biggest concerns is the kennedy appointment. it has been on the news that we have measles reemerging on nonvaccinated children. what is going to be the new prerequisites. do we stop the vaccines for measles and does that start a new epidemic.

when they talk about dropping the department of education, i am 73 years old and i sub at the junior high level. the uniform standards throughout the united states, especially for math and science, in order to get in. you can't do certain thing by states.u hao have a standard to get students to a certain level to get them eligible for college. host: what rate do you substitute? caller: seventh and eighth grade. host: have you subbed the election? caller: i worked yesterday. host: our kids talking about the election question mark -- our

kids talking about the election? caller: we direct them to the social studies department. i explain that as an educator i can't tell you who i'm voting for because it would flavor what you are thinking because at that age they are parroting their parents and their parent is in the same line that i am, it sets up a problem for the parents and the. we do not make political comments to students at that age. january six was karen this where they took sides and that leads them to something else the

current speaker spoke about january 6 being a sham, when you look at the television footage and saw members of congress hiding underneath chairs and saw a guillotine put up about the different ways the rotunda was trashed, i don't see how any adult member of congress that has taken an oath can say that was a sham. that is almost -- this day of prayer, i am all for that. i was raised catholic and definitely believe in christ but how does that bring in the jews and buddhists that event been around longer than we have. we have a day day -- nation of different faiths. that is what brought us here,

religious freedom. host: anthony in florida, independent. good morning. caller: i try to call in monday on veterans day but i call this the americans show, and i am very appreciative when i do get in. i wanted to call in and talk about what veterans day means. i served on the uss john kennedy and every time. host: that is a carrier? caller: she has been decommissioned. was the last nonnuclear carrier and every time pulled all, that is where i get when i call you big john.

veterans day means so much because when i was serving on the cruise missiles and everything no country, russia, china they don't want any of us. in nutley the machinery but the heart that we have. i don't care who the president is, this country is fighting. host: what years were you in the navy? caller: i was on my way, they don't have the boot anymore but

-- host: you joined right out of high school? caller: it was the greatest decision i made. when you see bill with the pretty glasses, tell him we missed him. host: the big john is that the one that saves the minors? caller: yes. host: ray in glendale, arizona, democrat. caller: what i would like to do is do your viewers a favor and put up -- host: what is the word? caller: if you look it up, it is

a government or society made up of the least mollified in funds was citizens. host: does that say you are not happy with the cabinet picks? caller: i am excited it is going to be very entertaining. host: this is eric in upper marble, maryland. good morning. caller: i am a retired vet and i have concern with american people who don't understand the constitution. one of the previous callers talked about the supreme court justice who didn't know the definition of a woman. people don't understand it is their job to uphold the constitution.

i took an oath to defend the constitution and it feels like the constitution is being overlooked and discarded and we are picking and choosing which individual rights we are going to respect. i don't understand where we are as a country. former president elect trump at one point spoke of terminating the consists -- the constitution. it is concerning that a lot of the american public doesn't grasp with the constitution is an with the job of the supreme court is. the picks of the supreme court that trump did, we basically had i would say to that basically they, whether you are pro-life or pro-abortion it is about individual rights and read him and they they will not touch the

laws. that is my comment. it was concerning to hear someone say she didn't know the definition of the woman. the job is to interpret the constitution. host: democrat, florida. caller: i have a question announcement about it both have been depressed they threw away a lot of the.

i don't understand how a felon can run for president. host: omar in d.c., republican. caller: good morning and i am a republican because i inherited republican label from my grandparents from south carolina. my comments will be about that. the labels are not important. it is which party was about social justice in the era. i am a lincoln and frederick douglass republican. the representative norman did not talk about the court of shame in south carolina which is an area and a lot of these guys

like to attend like littered who in was blinded. it was a song wrote about the blinding of isaac littered. value conservative and still want health care for all goods were all in good housing for all. don't know how it is that the idea that one is a social justice warrior has come to be something in contradiction to the idea of having family values representative norman would like to pretend there are still no results of structured racism, he is wrong. all you have to do is go there and if you are from there as my

family has been, you can see that. he talks about disunity and all of that, you need to remember of the coast of south carolina those were defendants from gambia and their religion was systematically eliminated. so this was during the antebellum period and we have many books now about this issue. these guys like norman don't tell the whole. we need to deal with that reality area -- reality. host: on the blinding of isaac water, a book discussion about

that -- isaac woodard, a book discussion. if you are interested about that and other ideas on isaac woodard. next caller. caller: during this election or before the election, i never thought we would see genocide in my time in the mood of the people, you have to look at it, it wasn't that people didn't vote for biden but a lot of people didn't vote because of the way things looked. you look at the wars and israel controls this great weather we want to admit it or not and find

had a chance to stand up and be stronger and do the right thing for israel which they could have gotten rid of yahoo!. i think this country has gone into a different direction. it has been led by cpac. host: what do you think happened in the middle east with u.s.-israel relations donald trump. i know mike huckabee is cap to be the representative to israel. caller: you argosy war with iran in the russia take part of ukraine. it is going to be seeing nato

practically gone. another thing biden tried to do is fight that war. he should have just come out and told the american people that you could do it. you can't fight when the other party is against you over here. he got himself into trouble and when you look at the world before the election, it was just chaos and the democrats, 10 million people less voted for biden than the last time which should have been the other way around. that should tell you something. host: this is james in cleveland, ohio, a line for democrats. caller: i am calling in to make

a particular,. during the trump inaugural address located life was spared by god and basically that god has sent here as moses to lead the people of the darkness. in particular, is that trump has the darkness is to get my head around what type of god would bear away like a man like trump. host: mary, akron, ohio, republican. caller: i wanted to talk about during the debate on the cat

story came up about the patient in springfield, ohio. i wanted to give a relevant story about haitians in the united states and the haitians that the democratic party shackled down in flames and flew back to katie and life to them. the democratic party were using people from haiti just like they have used the black people to get their votes. how it all started was mexico released all the nations into the united states because they were having a three-date holiday . they ended up under the bridge september 2021. the more conservative democrats were hearing all kinds of things from constituents that we can't have all the migrants coming into the country, not migrants, illegal aliens.

it was orchestrated they were going to fly them out and take them back to haiti. they lied to the haitians. host: where did you find this out? caller: this comes from immigration studies. nobody reads anything. i don't watch cnn and fox and i don't get my information from them. they should be due more investigating. they lied to the haitians and boarded them on buses, took them to the claims, it shackled some of them down like slaves. them back and when they realize they weren't being flown into the interior of the united states. they took over the plane. host: are you talking about the center for immigration studies? is that where you write about this? caller: yes.

i don't know why you don't tell the story about how they shackled them and lied to them. and now they are down there rioting. those haitians have been living in brazil and chile in different countries peacefully. they came here because joe biden opened up the border. host: one more call, pamela in kansas, democrat. caller: good morning. i would just like to state during trump's run for this current session i call it of his coming presidency, he kept saying, we, the country, we, the people in the united states were

the enemy from within. he has many people behind him who have that same belief that the citizens of the united states of america unless they support trump wholeheartedly, you are the enemy. host: 30 minutes before the house comes in. we will take you there gavel to gavel. in that time we will be joined by rep. brad schneider, a democrat, to talk about what to expect in the upcoming congress. >> since 1979, in partnership, c-span has provided complete coverage of the halls of congress from house and senate

floors to congressional hearings, party briefings and committee meeting. at c-span gives you a front row seat to how issues are debated and decided with no commentary, interruptions and completely unfiltered. c-span, your unfiltered view of government rated -- government. >> looked tv every sunday on c-span two features leading authors discussing latest nonfiction books. here's a look at what is coming up. all weekend, book tv takes you live to the texas book festival in austin. coverage begins saturday and continues on sunday at 12:15 p.m. eastern with discussions on abortion, gun violence, infrastructure and more. at 5:00 eastern, and authors forum and discusses books on military leadership and adapting to the battlefield. 10:00 p.m. eastern on

afterwards, a journalist shares his book that looks at how the metals needed in technology and renewable energy is impacting geopolitics and the environment. watch book tv every sunday on c-span2 and find a full schede in your program guide or watch online anytime at book tv.or >> the house will be in order. c-span celebrates 45 years of celebrating congress like no other. since 1979, we have been your primary source for capitol hill providing unfiltered view of government taking your the about -- policies are debated and decided. and, 45 years and counting,

powered by cable. >> "washington journal" continues. host: from now until the house comes in, we are joined by rep. brad schneider, and what is your explanation as to why we are going into the next two years with the republicans in control of the white house, senate and house. guest: publicans and one a majority. at the top of the ticket come the presidential race, democrats didn't make the case across the country and have to do a better job of reaching out to voters want to hear a message from the democrat that addresses everyday concerns and give them confidence we will lead in it the direction that will improve the quality of life.

democrats picked up seats. we have gone from 100 members to 108. are the moderates in the middle. to do better in the next election. host: the coalition is something you want to be chair of. what would you do as chair of the new democrat coalition? what can you do? guest: we are 108 members or 108 49 on those not been called. what that our voices are heard and we have to stand up for our principles and making sure we are investing in our community and stand against actions. stand ready and willing together to work across the aisle to try

to put forward policies that will improve people's lives. host: is it as simple as saying democrats moved to far left. guest: among the new democrats we have added members in some cases, across the board, we need to do a better job with where priorities are and focus on those things that matter to them on a day to day basis. we can't shy away from it. i think the democratic message has to. i think it is putting emphasis on policies such as the infrastructure bill, the chips and science act in the

legislation that needs to get done that affects lives in a positive away. host: in a usa today opinion piece, one of the reasons why somebody voters turned away from democrats the selection because they were sick of being called racists, trans-phobic or sex is for having these that diverted from the far left. what do you think? guest: again, as a moderate, i believe we should listen to everybody and to speak to them with respect. i represent a district where i won my first race and i have worked with people in the district and i listen to the people i represent. i told them i run as a democrat and represent everyone. we are a big country with a lot of diverse ideas in a country

that welcomes those ideas and we can differ with each other but do it with respect. if we can get that message across we will do a much better job. host: are you going to continue to serve on the foreign affairs in the 119th? guest: i hope so. i serve on foreign affairs and if there is a spot i would love to continue to serve. host: what are your thoughts on donald trump's picks that impact foreign affairs including marco rubio? marco rubio's u.s. senator and i disagree with much of his position but he has earned respect and qualified for the position. i have grave concerns about the nominees. who are not seriously and that

can be dangerous in those positions whether it is tulsi gabbard for national intelligence. and matt for attorney general. i have worked with both and i don't think either one is qualified. their views and perspectives and priorities would make them. dangerous in those roles. host: what about mike as the ambassador to israel? guest: we don't have a lot of common views but my hope is if he does become ambassador we will continue to work together to try to advance is for israeli, palestinians and all those in the region. host: highly do you advance peace in that region? guest: we have to find a way to end the war. as long as hamas is a threat to israel in rates over gaza, as

long as hezbollah, we have to create a path where people can live together and respect each other's place in the region. they've talked about the abraham accords saying they both belong to the same land and they have to find a way for those people to live together and lift up the land and each other. host: their representative is with us until health gavels in. (202) 748-8000 for democrats, (202) 748-8002 for republicans, (202) 748-8002 --(202) 748-8001 for democrats, (202) 748-8002 for independents. host: about the salt taxes? guest: they capped deductions at

$10,000 per household so even a couple with two incomes are capped at the $10,000. it was targeted in states like illinois, california and new jersey in effect states that have higher property taxes. it is a double tax. states can make the decision to invest in communities and pay for schools and do so with property taxes or state income tax and other measures. these citizens in these states are now being taxed twice by the cap. i think it should be repealed. i was hoping we could move towards that if the democrats were in the majority. it is a bipartisan issue. it affects both democrats and republicans and it violates the principle by double taxing american citizens.

host: let's chat with callers. michael, democrat. caller: what i wanted to say, first of all, back to the first point you made about governor huckabee. he is the man and let me tell you about his agenda. he said do not have a state. said the one hand is only for israel. he said they have to get 50 arabs and persians and relocate the palestinian. post to be a. if you read the bible you will learn that israel and palestine are brothers abraham had an

illegitimate in his name was ishmael. host: i want to bring it back to today. set mike huckabee granted you clemency and you were in prison and he going clemency? caller: he granted me clemency. that is why i called. i wanted to call about all over the united states were discriminated in this election because they like -- allowed donald trump to do it i can't buy a pistol and i got out of the penitentiary 22 years ago. truck controls all of the nuclear weapons. host: there is a lot there that the caller brings up. what do you want to touch on? guest: starting out mike huckabee and what he said about

the middle east and i mentioned that i don't agree with the positions of governor huckabee. i believe that both israelis and palestinians have long claims to the same land and it has been a challenge in the region for centuries, i believe that israel has the right to defend itself and to protect its borders and citizens and do everything it can to rescue hostages. i also believe that a pathway to peace to states. i have talked about this for a very long time, a jewish democratic state in israel living with security and peace alongside a palestinian state that doesn't threaten israel it is not governed by h. everest organist -- not governed by a terrorist organization.

it has to be true and real peace. going back to the abraham accords and working with countries and building on the prospects for normalization to try to work with the palestinians to create real responsible government that respects the needs and rights of the people but also works towards peace and prosperity with the israelis. that is the path we have to find . as long as you have those things on the path is difficult to create. host: arthur out of michigan, republican. caller: i would like to make a point. a lot of people that watch the news, people are suffering because of high everything, gas,

energy, everything area when you lose income when i lost my wife last year, it does hurt. i think when she paid all her money into taxes, she should have been able to collect, i should have been able to collect half of hers. but when you lose a spouse, the highest one. as far as the election, i just want to say, people cried out. that is why they switched, because they are hurting in everyday life. and when you hear his stories of people coming here other countries getting $1400 a month for groceries. the only way -- and i was a democrat and grew up in a democrat family.

we switch over, with my wife in the 80's because of the way things were going. people have to live then we all have to live together. we are all brothers and sisters. we have to live the truth and be good to everybody. guest: i am sorry about your loss. i know i my dad and i hope you are doing well and you are 100% right. inflation has affected all of us but especially the working families and families already stretching to make ends meet. as we grow the economy, it is help to many but if you are on a fixed income and depend on social security, inflation takes

a real bite. when you lose a spouse, when both are on a fixed income, the rent doesn't get paid in half and the electric bill doesn't get paid -- cut in half. we need to respond to that. i hear what you are saying and would like to address that. to make sure social security remains strong for so many people in this country who depend on social security just to get through month to month. we have to make sure we protect that. and also contribute to build the country in their retirement years to have security for them. i agree with you 100%. host: to the callers point, you were one of the early voices calling on joe biden to step aside in the presidential election. if he had stepped aside sooner,

do you think democrats would have done better? guest: it is hard to say. president david first said he was going to be a one term president creating a longer ramp for paris or in what else to step in, you look at his first two years of his term, historic, transformative legislative path, all the by positive impacts for years if not decades. in july of this year i talked to president by on passing the torch which he did there will be a lot of analysis on whether he did it soon enough if it would have made a difference. i hope in the weeks and months and years ahead we can build on the successes that president biden laid out in congress

passed a do good things for the american people going forward. host: 10 minutes before the house comes in. bill is on the line from buffalo, new york, independent with congressman brad schneider. are you with us? is mel, republican. caller: thank you for taking my call. my question is concerning matt gaetz. i was interested in the charges being held against them. i guess the department of justice dropped the charges and hear a go but it made me curious why trump would select him. so i went on young turks and after they were talking about him, they talk about a

documentary and the people who made the documentary called "the swamp." it came out in 2020 and that exposed that we only have a party and why congress has a hard time getting things through . my question is, if all of these things are exposed to watching this on hbo max, if all of these things are exposed showing how the lobbyists pretty much control a lot of what congress does it has much turned our

congresspeople to fundraisers more than representing the people. would the representative you have on right now, when he wrote if he had the choice for matt gaetz to take care of and get the lobbyists out of congress so they could do the work of the people? host: congressman? guest: thanks for the question. i will split it into. i have worked with matt gaetz and would vote for him for anything but you are 100% right about the impact of big money united with great consequences. members of congress are forced fundraiser. it is a part of the process. because of citizens united, what

is known as dark money or the money where you don't know who is behind a personal or an attack against a member, and it doesn't matter which party, we have circumstances where one candidate may get there message out talking in positive ways but outside groups that have nothing to do with the candidates come in and spend it 10 times as much money attacking the candidate. it can be outside groups that have no idea of what the values of the district are. it is a problem. i support supreme court decision we need campaign finance reform and we need to bring integrity back and make sure the voters have a chance to hear the voters of the people running to represent them and that those voices are drowned out by those outside of the district who can

create a different dynamic. host: new jersey, michael, independent. caller: good morning. i am a 66 year old man and a lifelong democrat but this summer i registered as an independent. i saw this train wreck coming for the democrats. here is what i want to ask the representative. aipac attacks democrats and makes them lose and the democrats never say anything about that. that is my concern. host: congressman? guest: a lot of groups are spending a lot of money. they do support democrats and republicans. i was endorsed by them and many of my colleagues were also

endorsed as well as republican. like any group they have an issue they care about, we are seeing it across the country. it doesn't mean that it is determinative. but we need to make sure the voices of the candidates are heard and that those voices are not by outside groups. host: what does it take to get an endorsement from aipac? guest: they all look at the record which is where i stand on issues and it is standing in support of strong u.s.-israel relationship and i would've leaders in supporting that. but they look at the answers to the questions on the

questionnaire and the fact that i have been to fan or reproductive rights in freedom. groups look at my record of standing up and calling for reducing violence in the country . if you -- host: troy in rancho mirage, california. caller: good morning, mr. schneider. as that person born and raised in illinois, i appreciate your service to the state and country. i am one question and one concern. everyone discusses social security and people retiring under dignity and whatnot, but it is the money that we have paid in over the years through our employment that is rightfully ours.

so that disturbs me. but the question i have is no one seems to be talking about the election results and why the democratic party failed this go around and i believe a lot of the results of that failure would be due to a lot of news outlets putting out false information. i think scott fox news and the lawsuits regarding the voting machines and the people are in their own corners only listening to fox news may not hear the truth. i am not being that all news entities are fully 100% objective, but that is just an

observation of mind that i feel it has a lot to do with the election. you have social media posting lies in different countries putting out this information. i think our own the news outlets are guilty of that and when donald trump about fake news, and yet i think about fox news. anyway. i appreciate your response. guest: i appreciate the question. we have a couple of challenging that challenges. i was growing up we had three major networks. people would be watching similar news and getting not necessarily unbiased but balanced perspectives. today in the environment we have multiple people channels and fewer people getting their news

from tv, people are falling into silos. there are no news outlets in various online sources all have the respective biases. as consumers we need to recognize and understand the biases and do it we can to try to get a balanced source of information by going to more than one source. there is another issue that should concern us all and that is the disinformation campaigns of some in the united states but also foreign actors, russia, china, iran and others try to create distrust aired the example was the efforts to destroy the confidence in our election system. the thing that has to be pointed out and screamed from the top of the roots, we had an election

that was open, fair, did not have violence across the country it is resulting in a transfer of power that will be peaceful as it should be in goes back to the very roots of the country. i want to make sure that everyone in the country knows they can cast their vote safely and easily and that the vote will be counted. i also want them to know when they go to cast the vote, we have to do a better job of warming citizens. also trying to get into the schools and teach young people how to think critically and get their own news from various sources and be informed consumers of information and smart makers of decisions. host: i always appreciate when members zoom from the offices where it is that a ukrainian flag over your shoulder? guest: is a ukraine flag and was

given to me by a group from chicago and they came to tell me about stories of their loved ones and friends fighting against russia's illegal invasion of ukraine. i keep it in my office as a reminder of what is at stake that if russia wins, the world is threatened. host: i appreciate the time. i will let you get to your work on capitol hill. guest: thank you. host: that will do us -- do it for us on the "washington journal." i hope you have a great friday.