going to the region was 3500 miles going the opposite direction. and good day, everyone. a busy day in washington. we expect to hear the white house take on the georgia special election and more about the future of the iran deal. joining me now is chief white house correspondant halle jackson. sean spicer will get a lot of questions. the georgia election. both sides claiming victory. the young 30 something democratic former congressional said sayi saying we're in a run off and it was a victory for the republican

candidate. >> listen, they say that they want the win here. they say it is not a win, the president is personally invested in what is happened in georgia and what is a proxy war. it will be whether or not the president will campaign for the republican challenger in this race. she says hey, i hope so, essentially talking about this phone call. how much political capital is president trump willing to spend here. when you look ahead to, like the montana special election coming up in may, what do democrats see as they read the tealeaves here as a strategy for 2018 and will this be a rallying cry on the flip size for republicans as well. the patriots are in town, a lot

happening. >> everything showing up except for tom brady who is not coming. and halle, you're valiant for everything that is happening behind you to keep carrying on. and the numbers tell the story, 78%, a good showing, tom price, of course vacating it to become a cabinet secretary. this is an area they have time to arm themselves. >> yes, again this is the district that has been in republican control since the carder administration. and one of the reasons the republican feel was so crowded is it is a district that launched significant careers. so i do think that it is a solid

red district, and the chances just get a little trickier down the road because as you saw, the democratic momentum pouring in around him, that will still happen. >> let me play a little of senat senat senator joani ernst on tuesday. >> we have a president with a number of flaws. i support more of the policies, not every policy, but there are policies i support. >>son than, one of those that she doesn't support is his decision not to release his taxes. she doesn't like some of the things he said about women, and she said he should spend more

time at the white house and not the southern white house. >> she is talking about a president. >> wendy: low approval ratings. also as you said, she and a lot of others are trying to create distance. you don't want to be tied to that person. i found it extraordinary she had the courage to say i agree with some policies but not all. trump supporters want you to support him 100%. given what senator ernst said, we're looking at something where dcs are using momentum. i interviewed karen bass, and she talked act how the defeat of the american health care act was so important by democrats and

progressives, that by coming out and showing up you can effect change. that on top of doing better in kang, and you put on top of that trump care, and what they have to do, even if assaf loses in june, it is a sign this this is a marathon, not a sprint. >> and a lot of foreign policy issues, north korea, iran, if we don't get interrupted by sean spicer, let me play lindsey graham talking about the pre-emptive strike.

it is making the south koreans, and officials in china very nervous. they have been asking for the rhetoric to be dialled down. >> if the u.s. was to launch a p p pre-emptive strike. >> it would be bad for china, japan, south korea, what it would not do is hit america. >> and one of the things we're learning is there is doubt that we could even shoot down a intercontinental missile if they developed one. >> yes, they were talking about the preparedness of action from south korea. he believes we are, as a country, well prepared for the threat from north korea, but the

comments were striking. in that sound bite you played, wil willy geist said would you support a pre-emptive strike. this is an escalation of the tough talk that we're hearing from people like vice president pence who said to u.s. troops that the swors is aimed and ready to strike. making clear where the u.s. stands, and it is the message they have been delivered for the last four days or so. >> and the other big issue was a letter that rex tillerson sent at 10:45 last night. the quarter of 11:00 p.m. with a minute deadline saying iran is abiding by the deal, they're not cheating, but we're thinking about tearing it up because

we're thinking maybe we should reimpose sanctions, based on iran being a terror sponsoring state. the plan was that they're almost going to create a bomb if we don't do something now opinion. >> but the administration tieing that to the iran nuclear deal. and you summed it up, talking about how hidden yes, there is an acknowledgment that iran is not cheating. but it is a republican talking point, and it is not just for then candidate trump, but for his challengers as well. it is raising questions about how the process works from here

and how and what involvement will the secretary have in this 37. >> also overnight, maybe you can weigh in on this, the blogs and official statements, and others comments from south korea, and japan, about the carl vincent. the fact is that the ship was not where it was suggesting that it was. it was 3500 miles from what they said. >> it feels like a bad game of telephone where they came out with one increate statement, and then doubled down, and the president was describing it, and sean spicer describing the aircraft carrier steams towards the korean peninsula.

it seems to be a mistake. but that is not what you want in i did bl dipl ar dip diplomac diplomacy. she will continue part of her cruise down to that region, but she was on her way to korea. we don't generally give out ship scheduled in advance. we did exactly what we said we would do. she will be on her way, and i will determine when she gets there and where she operates. >> some of the commentary in asia has been biting. can we really trust donald trump? do they know what way they're going. it signals weakness.

>> if secretary mattis said a week ago what he said this would not be a story and this gets to a matter of credibility. when the president of the united states makes a statement that the warships are going, there is an armada, and not only does it not exist but the ship that is supposed to be going there is not only not there, but it is thousands of miles away, it gets to the credibility of the of the president. the situation is going to present itself in the future. hopefully not the near future, when president trump will be, what he is relaying, trust

worthy, and dependable. >> and now back to the domestic side, jason chaffetz saying he will not seek reelection. that is a big deal. >> it is a huge deal and it is surprising. i take him at his word, but in general when they say they want to spend more time with their family it normally means there is a bit more there. it seems like he thinks public service should be temporary. he may want to come back, but i think people are going to try to figure out is this a real expectation or is something else going on. >> a very important paper in salt lake is that he is the 2020 gooub e goouber in ee eer -- gubernator.

>> also separate himself from the president of the united states who, as i mentioned before is generally not popular and in utah specifically is not popular. >> and there was a big expose suggesting that the white house was scrambling to come up with any proof to back up president obama surveilling him. and this is how they came up with the devin nunes deal. and that is how they targeted imunfairly and inaccurately for the unmatter of facting. >> i will say the white house typically operates in reverse. >> hold that thought, ashley and

jonathan. here is sean spicer. >> thank you, we want today make sure the pool could set up for this afternoon's major event. the president will speak via video conference with the commander of the international space station and her fellow as t -- she will be the most time spent in face of any american ast astronaut. they are looking to pursue a career in stem fields. as you're all aware in addition to signing the nasa transition

authorization act, the president signed the inspire women act that ensures that nasa will continue recruiting women for important stem related jobs in aerospace. a job particularly important to this president. we're working to make this conversation available throughout the country. they are orbiting 220 miles above our heads. it will stream live. while we're on the topic. the president will welcome the palestinian president abbas to wash on may 23rd. they will reconfirm the commitment to pursuing and concluding a conflict ending

settlement between the palestinians and israel. we'll have further guidance on that visit as we get closer to the date. the president will give the commencement address at the academy at the academy on may 17th. moving along to current events, the president signed an important piece of legislation for veterans. it eliminates the sunset day on the veteran's choice program that gives veterans who are unable to schedule an appointment at a va facility in a timely or convenient matter the ability to receive care from an eligible nonva health cahea provider. th the vice president is continuing on his international tour today.

on tuesday, he spoke to 2500 servicemen and women on the dek of the u.s.s. ronald reagan in japan. he then met with and delivers remarks to japanese business leader and stopped by a youth baseball clinic before leaving japan. he is scheduled to lan in jakarta right about now. we'll have further updates on his travels this week. this is also national park week. ryan zinky is meeting with five rangers of national parks. he lead a class of junior park rangers, and today he will visit golden gate recreational area. since being sworn in, he met with rangers at nine national parks. he will make that ten when he visits shenendoha.

they free of charge this saturday and sunday. anyone who is interested in finding a local park or information can go to nps.gov. and just moments agohe president announced he will hold a press conference next thursday to discuss the progress for our nation's veterans. we'll have updates on the guidance next week. john? >> first, georgia's sixth congressional district, lindsey gr graham saying this is a wake up call to the republican party that a lot of moderates are emerging in the south to a greater degree and the republican party needs to pay attention. i don't imagine the outcome of the run off is in that much question, but does senator graham have something there that the republican party needs to pay attention to changing

demographi demographics. >> we talked about changing demographics throughout the country, and we made head way doing that. that in large a part is how we won. we talk about the republican party winning at so many levels. he got 306 electoral votes. i think we did pretty well in november and we continue to pick up seats. >> the fact that he came so close to 50%. >> there was one candidate on the democratic side that spent over $8 million -- that they backed, and when you look at the total republican vote, it was over that. this is a district that was very close on the presidential level last cycle, and the democrats

went all in on this. they were clear going into this election. they sd that their goal was t get over 50%. they came up shor if you look at what his percentage of what it was presidentially, it tracks. i think this was a big loss for them. the bottom line is they went all in on it, and they said they're goal was to get over 50% and they came up short. >>tillerson's level, are they saying there is no evidence that iran is cheating? >> the letter says the president is directing an inner agency review on the deal, as to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes out, and i think the statement that the secretary of state made clearly stated that he is directing the national security council to

lead and interagency review to evaluate and whether or not sanctions related to iran, pursuant to the jcpoa, are vital to national security. the letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do to make sure they're living up to their agreement. >> is the president concerned that he may be cheating? they're developing a new centrifuge that he thinks could be a violation. >> i think that is why he is asking for the review. if he didn't, and he thought everything was fine, he would have not allowed this to move forward. i think she is doing the pruden thing. >> can you take us through the events of the white house. they were thinking this vessel was thousands of miles away from the actual location. >> can you tell us what the

events were that lead people to think it was -- >> they put out a release talking about the group in the korean peninsula. i think we were asked very clrlabouhe use of a carrier group and what it meant. we were -- that is what we discussed. i would refer you back to any issues with that to the department of defense. >> did the president speak too quickly on the location of the vessel? >> the president said we have it going towards the peninsula. >> sean, just want to follow up on that. you know, obviously with the president of the united states saying there is military hardware going to a region in the middle of a crisis, the united states is encouraged. when that happens to not be the case, they can interpret that as

false encouragement. >> respectfully, jessica, i ask you to either touch base with pacom or the defendant of defense. they are going to the korean peninsula. >> but it is headed there now. >> yes, but that is not what we ever said. we said it was heading there and it is, so that remains -- >> but that is if that is the impression there should have been clarification, but they put out a release talking about what it would be and that is where it ended up. >> why did the administration never clarify? because the media reports was that it was going there now. >> we were asked a question.

>> no, no, that's not true. what i was asked is what signal did it send it was going there. it signalled foreign presence. you are asking me why -- i don't know, that is a question that should have been followed up with the department of defense. i think we answered it very correctly at the time? >> isn't that misleading? >> no one knew until -- what part is misleading? we were asked a question about what signal is sent. we were ask what signal is sent. >> what is misleading is people thought it was headed there now and it will be there weeks later. >> i understand the question, what i'm getting at is it was announced that it was going. it will be there. we were asked a question on

that. i think the other questions should be asked of the department of defense. john. >> the forng ministry spokesman said that china is increasingly frustrated with north korea. you may have seen they put out a simulate simulated video what is the american white house reaction to that video and to the comments by his foreign ministry spokes person? >> i don't think that we're going to comment every time they put out prob began da. they look forward to join us. i think the i think it is

important to see them headed in is direction. i think it is a very positive side for them to play a larger and larger role. i think it is in everyone's interest. >> how strong is that influence if the foreign ministry spokes person for china, that the president is depending on for this particular incursion, is saying that he himself is increasingly frustrated with the north koreans. >> i think it is positive to see chao in a take positive signs. that is a positive thing. i think that time will tell, but i think seeing a unified effort is a positive step to protect not only our national security interests but those in the region. >> thank you, sean. a few weeks ago, i asked you

about the president's up coming trip to roam and whether or not you have an audience with this pope, and that this is part of modern history going back to 1959 when president eisenhower had an audience with pope john the 23rd. you said it is something you are definitely in favor of. a few days ago the financial times reported that sorgss in the administration said this was very unlikely to happen and tt for the first time since ly 60 years ago, the president would not have an audience with the hopope, why? >> yes, at this time going to brussels and sicily, if we have updates on the schedule, i'm sure we will let you know about any additional stops.

>> are you in touch with the holy sea about -- >> i appreciate the effort, but i think until we have a update i'm not going to go there. >> back on iran and the state department's letter to congress, there has been some talk about stricter sanctions on iran for the ballistic missiles test, are you concerned that tougher sanctions on iran would motivate them to violate the nuclear deal? >> any action that we would take, if we get, is something that gets vetted through the inner agency process. trying to achieve the affect that we want. so sanctions have been effective in many cases and i think that as we mentioned a lot of times he didn't telegraph what action he will take, but as we conduct the review of options, having different entities --

>> but in consideration of those potential sanctions. >> we're well aware of any potential negative impacts that an action could have. regardless of being economic, political, or any. >> the president has said though that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with iran. how specifically does he plan to get a new deal snl is that something he still wants to do? >> that is why we're undergoing this inner agency review. getting the entire team to look at it in part of the next 90 days review. so we will have recommendations present to the president on where the deal stands. >> looking ahead to the 100 day mark, can you say what the

single piece of legislation that you got through congress that was on the president's agenda? >> we're not done. we have 100 days, there is a lot of executive orders and i think the president is not only pleased with what they have done, but when you look at immigration in particular, we see a drop at the border. i think on jobs, there has been a lot of activity. but then there are pieces like what we did today that i think if you're a veteran that certains our country, you have options to get health care in a timely manner and a gee graphically friendly manner, it is very helpful. i think there sf a lot for

veterans and immigration reform, we are now at a dozen congressional review acts that have been signed that have a positive impact, and will have a positive impact on job creation. only one had ever been signed in history before, that is a pretty signicant achievement for this president, and when you loo at the confirmation of neil gorsuch, but i think we're very pleased with what the president has accomplished and what he noticed yesterday in wisconsin, the amount that he has done overall has been significant. >> first, on the potential for democrats, is the president, is the budget supplemental, defense spending cut and other

discretionary spending, including funding for the wall, will they insist that the cr that will be necessary to keeping up after next wleek include those priorities, or will it will b flat. >> those discussions are on going. but as you correctly point out, the president's priorities are very well known, what he wants to do for military and homeland security. but i think to start negotiating in pub lick would not be a prudent thing do as we get closer to that deadline. so respectfully we're days away. >> late last night, it is the

best money, lot of money from corporate owners, the president ran on a drain the swamp slogan being concerned. it is a real conflict of interest for those donations. >> i think that this is just like a campaign in the sense that you have the -- that there is full disclosure on this for a reason so you know what is happening. i think funding the inaugural committee is a nonpartisan activity that is going back every administration going back through administrations. so this is a time for our tradition. i think a lot of americans, companies, entities are proud to support the inaugural, and i think that you have seen that over time. there are people who really take pride in helping us show the world a peaceful transmission of

power. >> i want to go back to yesterday -- >> you want to go back, huh? >> the president said about the issue with the local dairy producers and dairy farmers, that the white house would work on that very hard -- starting today, that's what he said, calling canada and asking for a solution. has the white house been in contact with anyone in canada or ottawa? >> i'm well aware of the president's comments on that. all i will say is that the president is going to make sure that we follow up on that. david jackson. >> very quickly. you said on nafta, you said you want very big changes, are we getting rid of it once and for all. are we at that point?

>> we'll see what pans out in the notiegotiation, but i think there is an opportunity that just -- >> can i get some help? >> i think i got this, but thank you. >> are you sure? >> maybe. >> thanks,man, i'll see glow a minute. >> hold on one second. >> all right, that was cool. real quick, how do you follow that? just to john gizzy's point, we will be reaching out to the vatican to see if a meeting with an audience with the pope -- >> thank you, sean, what is the white house with the deportation of -- >> i think there is, that situation is evolving right now. there is a lot of things being looked at in terms of the

circumstances surrounding that, and i would ask you the same contact with the homeland department of security. >> i think that -- i don't want to comment right now in the sense that there are circumstances regarding things that need to come out, or be further looked into, and i think it will be an issue. i respectfully say that i don't want to rush to judgment. there is a lot of details. there is an issue and i think the department of homeland security is the best place to get updates. >> two topics, one is a follow up, i want to ask about georgia. is the president planning to campaign for the republican challenger there? >> i don't know. if needed, i think he will do everything he can to maintain majorities to further the party. >> he is expending too much political capital on a race that

republicans should be winning easily? >> it is interesting. i thought some of the coverage was intriguinintriguing. the democrats went all in on this race. they spent $8.3million. they said on the record their goal was to win this race. they lost. and the reaction has somewhat been that they almost won. no, they lost. they made very clear what their goal was in this race. they spent $8.3 million, and threw everything and the kitchen sink at it and lost. not in terms of their stated goal. they said their goal was to win the race with over 50%. they spent $8.3 million. they ran to win, and they lost. something i north of describing that as a loss is -- it is sort of inconceivable to me in the sense that that was what they're goal was to do. and they said we want to win tuesday night with over 50%. they came up short.

they put all of their money and fire power in there and they came up short. it is a loss. there is no other -- >> just to that second topic, i'm not speaking specifically about this case because i understand you're referring to dhs, but there is confusion, what is this president's position on undocumented immigrants living in this country that have not committed serious crimes. >> i think his priorities have been clearly laid out first and fore most. he wants to make sure that those who have not committed are crime are dealt with first and foremost and we continue to address immigration going forward. >> but those that have not posed a threat. >> theoal and the focus has been on people who do not pose a threat for national security or -- >> but this is a case where someone does not pose a threat. >> i respectfully snugt this particular case facts are not

completely out yet so i would rather not jump to judgment on what is happening. >> but there are others -- >> thank you, i just want more clarity on iran. is the president determined to pull out of this of agreement as he promised in the campaign, or will that decision be determined by this review. >> i think part of the review, the inner agency process is to determine where iran is in compliance with the deal, and to make recommendations to the president on the path forward. >> he might or might not decide to pull out. this decision is yet to be made? >> that's why he is doing a review. >> that was a campaign promise. >> right, i understand that, the point that i'm making is he asked the inner agency team to conduct a review as the secretary laid out in the letter last night, anita. two questions on one issue. my colleague who is currently in

k colombia learned that the president met with two representatives from colombia. one, why that s not released publicly to the press, to the ol at the time, and secondly, can you talk a little bit about the point of that visit and do you all stand by the -- >> i will be glad to look into the circumstances. i don't have anything for you at that time. ly get that and -- >> are you saying it didn't happen? >> no, i'm unaware. >> can you get back to me on the policy issue, but why not release that? >> i don't know it is the case, until i know it's tough to answer the second question. thank you very much. we'll have an event for you tomorrow. thank you. and joining me now at the

end of sean spicer's briefing, jonathan capehart. washington post white house reporter ashley parker. sean spicer navigating these questions about iran, about the uss vincent saying we never said exactly where it was. >> yeah, i think the white house was probably ill-certaserved in. it looks like the errors were at the pent gone in this case, and it feeds a narrative of incompetition. . immigration, health care, and some of the other issues. it is a middle of a crisis. >> ashley, sean miss espicer is correct, the democratsai they're goal was to get 50% a not have a run off, and there is

a run off. i think it is hard to genuinely argue that having a democratic nearly get to 50% come out so far ahead. it is a district that is ruby red, i would not chalk it up as a win either, but it was not ain based on the stated goal of the democrats. nbc chief white house correspondent halle jackson. i want to ask you about sean spicer's fluid explanation of past statements and by the president of the united states. they were certainly very vague about the location of the

carrier, but that it was steaming towards the sea of japan. >> the carrier certainly knew where it was, and secondly it is worth knowing that there is occasion occasionally a slippage into gears. the four-star admiral who commands the specific fleet. what is disturbing is that it turned into a conversation that makes it look as though the united states did not have intent. it did not follow through, it did not have determination, that is how it is being played right now unfortunately. you said sean spicer navigated the questions. they need to navigate that carrier right back north toward the korean peninsula. and they can go 800 or 900 miles

a day. it can be in position quickly, and it will be, i'm convinced, to service if necessary. >> admiral, i want to ask about gronkows gronkowski's special -- we'll see what pans out in the negotiation, but i think there is a -- >> need some help? >> i think i got this, but thank you. maybe. >> thanks,man. i'll see glow a minute. halle, do you need some help? that's a great line. >> listen, andrea, i'm wearing eagles green for a reason, but sean spicer is a patriots fan. a moment of levity in the briefing room pip think it was a surprise. sean spicer seemed to hand it will pretty well.

afterwards he chuckled. i guess that is just gronk being gronk. >> sean spicer, you know, the political side of this briefing, in terms of what they're dealing with, they have jason chafetz who is retiring, some say prematurely. others who we have shown are kind of returning away from the president even though we have not reached the 100 day period. it feels like 2018 and everyone is trying to figure out how they associate themselves with the president. we're not even at day 100 and you have a republican from iowa saying i don't agree with the president oven all policies. you have a very close special

election in georgia where the democrat plows away the nearest person. and it comes a week or two after what should not have been such a close race in kansas. and his president whose approval rating is near 40%. depending on the job approval pole that you look at. you have a president not popular, republicans on the hill know it and they're doing things to self protect. >> a radio interview out in utah, let's play that and i'm going to ask you about that, michael. >> we have been thinking about this as a family for a little bit, i got on my knees and prayed about it, but on march 26th i turned 50, i was sleeping

on a caught in my office. i have a wife i love and kids i adore. i spend about 1500 plus nights away from my family. and it was sort ofime to reevaluate and recalibrate. sometimes what people say are really the story. sometimes it is a life changing moment and a mid-life decision making. >> the real question is what your tolerance for that kind of life is, and that can change over time. it is a difficult life. i admire people in the congress. i don't disdain them. but you have to make those calculations, some of which are political, about what your level of tolerant for that lifestyle is. >> i don't want to let you go without asking you about iran. there was a lot of confusion, but the letter as written

notifies the house but that we may reconsider because of an issue not part of the negotiation, their continuing support for terror. is that an appropriate step that it may blow up the narrative? >> i have to stipulate by saying i have not been a big fan of the initial deal. but the time for debating it is over. if it was a good deal or a bad deal, it's a done tale if is retrainingran in a vitally important area. i think on a separate track you can have a conversation about additional measures to take against iran far wide variety of things including support for thunderstorm, aggressive actions all over the middle east and so forth, but to blow up that deal i think would be a big mistake at this point. it would add one more very die

knackic and dangerous element into a system that is already quite volatile. >> ashley parker, all of our panel, thank you for joining us. and just back from a congressional trip to the middle east, we'll talk about that and more coming up on "andrea mitchell reports" here on msnbc. she categorizes with a swipe and is ready for tax time. find more than $4000 in tax savings. visit quickbooks-dot-com. so we know how to cover almost alanything.ything, even a coupe soup. [woman] so beautiful. [man] beautiful just like you. [woman] oh, why thank you.

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welcome back. republican congressman darrell issa of california has just returned from a congressional trip to the middle east, where he met with displaced syrian families living in lebanon, jordan, and egypt. he joins me now. i want to talk to you about your trip. i know you have some pictures, as well. let me just ask you about the political news overnight, the georgia sixth district, this was a republican seat. this democrat came close, 48.1%, close to that 50% of the runoff, and the republican leader only got 19% of the vote. is this a signal of difficulty for republicans in the era of donald trump? >> well, i don't know that we can call it a great victory for republicans, but when you have 11 candidates and lots of outside groups bashing each of the republicans, you're going to tend to depress the vote. but in an 11-way race, the now

republican nominee is looking at a district that only performed 1 point differently in this race than they did in the presidential race. i think that's where you have it. this was a trump district by six points, 53-47. so it's not a lot different. this is a well-educated suburban district. what i do think is republicans have to come together. we have a common candidate now that will vote for a conservative agenda, a pro-business agenda. that's really what republicans have to debate going into the general, and i think they'll be just fine. >> your own experience in your district with people coming to you and there have been some protests and you've been trying to reassure your constituents. you were quoted as saying, i'm not as conservative as you think. how do you gave nate you navig? >> well, i'm a bit of a

libertarian republican, and i have a voting record that shows that's my wing of the republican party. that was the answer to a question where someone said you vote 100% with the freedom caucus. they scored that at heritage action. i'm in the 50s. sometimes there are differences that occur, sometimes they're about your district o your state. or your personal values and i tend to be moref a libertarian, and that tends to give me a slightly different score. those protesters come every week. i greet them personally when i'm in town. and we're trying to deal with the fact that there are legitimate concerns in my district, and i suspect all around the country how do we fix our broken health care system, and back to the issue that perhaps you had me on for of the 5 million displaced syrians that countries in the area -- throughout the area, including europe, are dealing with.

these are people that in some cases we can't even get them basic education, and that's going to be a whole generation lost if we don't. >> let me ask you about your trip, what you learned, how did it inform how you'll address the issues of immigration and refugees, as well as the executive orders. >> i'll note my key counterpart was congressman juan vargas, who i served with on the foreign affairs committee, and he's from san diego. i think what i can say we saw and discussed together was the fact that these individuals didn't say they want to come to the united states or europe, they said we want safety, we want to get back to our home in aleppo or anywhere else in syria. but we can't right now, and until we can, help us get jobs, be sell sufficief-sufficient.

when you talk to a head of household that can't work, they want an opportunity to be that head of household. so lot of those issues we saw, we visited schools that are doing two or even three shifts and very stressed as far as educating these individuals, some of whom had a year or two without school, because they were in a war zone. those are the things we saw and heard that we're bringing back. and i'm toing tgoing to share , we can have a discussion about any cut, but the one cut congressman vargas and i and others saw, the cut to the state department is not an area to cut. we need to figure out how we're going to make sure that these children get fed, clothed, and educated so we don't have a generation of future terrorists in a country that is always problematic. syria is not going to be an easy

fix. but it's going to be broken if we have millions of kids that grow up without an education, only looking to the mosque for guidance. >> these are insights that you could share with secretary tillerson, if you have any way of, you know, reporting back to the state department, because he has not objected to these cuts. >> well, i think the discussion of cuts is early. you know, it's very popular in the united states to say why are we giving aid to foreign countries? when we look at the question of, can we take 100,000 or 200,000 syrian refugees, that's not where the debate would be. i don't think that's where congressman vargas would say. the debate has to be how do we deal with 5 million and growing syrian refugees, and that doesn't include iraqis and other displaced persons. as we have that debate, the one area that i think we can save money, we can save money on some of the bureaucracy at state.

i think rex tillerson is exactly the person to go in there and fix a broken spending system. but you're not going to fix it by shutting down the u.n. support for refugees. that's an area that we actually get a good value on. and remember, rex tillerson's not the only one at the table. you've got secretary former general kelly there talking about what he's learned in his years in the military dealing with south america and what he's going to deal with if we don't fix situations overseas. so i think when we look at the entire national security team, you're going to see a group that says it's cheaper to fix a problem over there than it is to buy bullets. and so i think the balance, one thing you know, this president has shown he'll say one thing, but given different facts, he'll make different investments.

he's already said, we're not going to unilaterally disarm, we're going to make sure america is competitive that's a change in position but not a change in values that america needs to be successful exporting around the world. >> we have a few seconds left. your reaction to jason chaffetz's decision to retire? >> he earned his way to the chairmanship, but i also know that he sleeps in his office, as so many members of congress do. i'm very fortunate, as you know. i don't have to do that. but it's one of the areas we need to fix. we do need to fix the support systems for members of congress so they're not constantly choong between family and service. d i know that's not popular. but i think it's important for people like jason who made a tremendous sacrifice for a lot of years. >> thank you very much. thanks for being with us. become home with your report. that does it for us. this edition of