particularly in the area that we, in our country, are the end of manifest destiny -- not to leave out alaska or hawaii -- we have a natural border to our consonant. we have anybody that -- embodied that -- there is history that says the jewish community says that they will currently be west, to the east, rather than east, to the west. running on that context then, what are some of the things that we see -- particularly in the world of inclusion, that will become the mainstream into the future? i think of the issue of -- people of color or lgbt jews or jews in interfaith relationships -- or all the different ways in which jewish identity itself can change. what are some of the things you think that are kind of burdening up here that actually are going to be the prairie fire, so to speak, east? >> i'm proud to say -- as you acknowledge, that this community and federation have been cutting-edge in determining and defining approaches that do typically role in a wave eastward. we're looked at for those reasons. you mentioned one on significant realm, which is the realm of identification and acceptance. who

to make more, if they're able to get an icbm that can reach any part of the united states -- hawaii, alaska, or the west coast -- we are in big trouble. and i think we got to be a lot tougher with the chinese. the chinese are playing footsie with the north koreans, and the leader of north korea is erratic at best. that's putting it kindly. and the chinese have an obligation, not just to themselves, but to the world, to do more. we ought to tell the chinese they're gonna come in for some, you know, some tough stuff from us, and that could even be economic, if they don't do more to squeeze north korea. the chinese have the ability to stop north korea because 90% of north korea's trade is over that north korean-chinese border. we have some tools to pressure them. we should be using them. >> you're up for re-election for a fourth term this fall. >> yes. >> i assume you don't anticipate too tough a fight, given that you're a senior senator and figure to be the senate democratic leader. >> well, bill, you know, the candidates who lose are those who take things for granted. i don't. i work every bit a

or puerto rico were staunch republican entities. >> the last time we added, alaska and hawaii came in as a pair. hawaii was a staunch republican place and alaska was full of democrats. trust me, i don't think i'm breaking news that the election night in november. we are not great at predicting the future of political alignment. they need to put it on a timeline. he has done a lot to force the issue and he is probably to be commended for doing that. >> i think we are going to bring the conversation here to a close. i think it's important that we think that this is a crisis. there has to be action now. there is a lot of support for the principal that antonio laid out although disagreement about the details. details are important and i think we have also toward this could be broad about puerto rico. it could affect other territories. much like like gaming and energy that may be headed about financial problems. this is something that is going to keep coming up. we encourage them and provide a place for leadership and commend antonio for the treasures provided and urge congress to get to w

the senator who was chairman or ranking member of the appropriations committee, senator stevens in alaska. they split a huge pot of money, per capita, alaska and hawaiind west virginia were the top three. they write the bills, they have the last chance to put in their particular projects and that is how it gets in. it is not an open process. it is behind the scenes. the east-west center is still there because the new senator keeps putting it in there. brian: you have done this for almost 30 years, why did you start with this center? thomas: we started out following the report of the grace commission, i joined the organization after working for six years for congressman hamilton fish of new york. we started looking at how we could best get people to pay attention to wasteful spending. we tend to find things that are interesting, different or easy to understand because the government is so large an organization like citizens against government waste has to cut through the noise, members of congress talking about the wonderful things they are doing and try to get people to be more involved. and make it more personal so they understand the impact on them

or puerto rico were staunch republican entities. >> the last time we added, alaska and hawaii came in a pair. hawaii was a staunch republican place and alaska was full of democrats. trust me, i don't think i'm breaking news that the election night in november. we are not great at predicting the future of political alignment. they need to put it on a timeline. he has done a lot to force the issue and he is probably to be commended for doing that. >> i think we are going tori

or puerto rico were thought-provoking entities that they could be a state tomorrow night. [laughter] its inertia is point the last some added alaska and hawaiiame in for a previous also because hawaii was staunch republican place and alaska was full of democrats. trust me. i don't think of breaking news election night in november measure the opposite. we are not great at predicting the future of political alignment. >> i have to give credit for the congressman to advance this agenda and put on a track. is probably to be committed to put the agenda, the agenda of status on some track. it faces and a lot of other issues. >> i think we're going to bring the conversation it to a close. i think it's important as a think about is to think this is a crisis. it has to be action. i for a lot of support around the country principles that antonio laid out although disagreement about the details. details are important. i think we've also heard this could be more brought about puerto rico. it could affect other characters to one topic that didn't come up was the sovereign status of american native tribes who are not states that have a good relationship w