as congress debated extending both the tax cuts and ance, the >>> due to expire next month, as congressebated extending both the tax cuts and insurance. the president said that the economist agreed to not pass the extensions would hurt the economy. it's fragile and they are adding to the uncertainty. >> my message to congress is this. keep your word to the american people and don't raise taxes on them right now. and now is not the time to slam on the brakes. now is the time to step on the gas. now is a time to keep growing the economy, to keep creating jobs to keep giving working americans the boost that they need. >> and to stress the urgency that the white house unveiled the countdown clocks showing how long until the americans lose their tax cuts. the cut expires on january 1. >>> now that herman cain is out of the race for the presidential presidential -- the republican presidential nomination, they are scrambling to win over cain's supporters and to win the endorsement. they show us that one of them plan to build on the polls. >> he drew cameras and crowds in new york on monday aft

course it's a car right you've said rather famously that you had over one hundred members of congress in your pocket. as i recall only you and one other and one of those members of congress bob ney went to jail. how many members of congress do you figure the average lobbyist on k. street has in their pocket well the average big lobbying firm has the least a hundred that they have significant influence with and those by us that was the people we had significant influence we have probably touches with through over three hundred of them and the average five hundred twenty five thirty five didn't have the kind of the senate and any lobbying firm that's a major lobbying firm is going to have at least that and the minor burns are probably going to have half bad. ralph reed was in a secret partnership with you to screw the indians. and he went to scotland with you and bob ney and some of the others why did john mccain avoid calling ralph reed before congress when he was calling others to testify and why didn't ralph reed go to jail i mean isn't this an example of what can mccain and others still living in fear

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part of congress' job as congress has come to perceive it is to engage in deficit spending. one of congress' powers as members of congress who read the constitution will point out, is to borrow money on credit of the united states. and so it isn't enough simply to say congress, do your job, because it has regarded this kind of massive deficit as consistent with that mandate, consistent with that injunction. meanwhile, congress continues to occupy a larger and larger share of the american economy. we have to remember that for the first 150 years or so of our republic's existence, at the federal level we were spending between 1% and 4% of gross domestic product at the federal, national level with only two brief exception, once during the civil yar and one in the immediate aftermath of world war i. but that all started to change in the 1930's when we broke into double digits for the first time ever during peace time. we've never really gone back, and now the federal government is spending about 25% of gun annually -- g.d.p. annually. roughly a quarter of every dollar that moves

. >> this week's protest is happening as congress decides extend the payroll cut and unemployment benefits. both expire at the end of the month. obama is willing to scale back his social tax cut extension. lawmakers toblican passing a tax cut plan soon. are considering abandoning a planned. blocked.ns so far have >> deliberations are underweight robo-call case. is accused of trying to suppress african-american voters year.ction day last he testified in court that the script fora to abouted calls voters.democratic calls are sure to voters that martin o'malley had wind, implying they could stay home. >>> the iranian government says forces have shot down captured or taken control of spy drone. u.s. they are not saying it's the question is designed evade enemy radar. military says when it crashes, sensitive information by remoteed out control. seestill to come, we will the good news at your gas station, where tumbling across the board. >> the numbers are in for the of onlineweek shopping. how internet retailers faired. >> post office cutbacks may save the post office. not born to save you time

we should, as congress, come up with a plan, a balanced plan to reduce more than $1.20 trillion from the deficit. but i certainly oppose the idea of increasing the deficit and not looking for offsets. and i do think it makes sense to find a reasonable approach and a balanced approach rather than this across-the-board cut in both defense and non-defense. you put your finger on the big bump of the coming year, which is going to be december. while i very much hope the congress can resolve a lot of these issues we're talking about today, like the extension of the payroll tax and other issues, the big questions about the future of the economy and a balanced approach to the deficit are very likely to take place after the election. in fact, the election will be a great national debate about how best to approach those issues. in december of next year, in addition to facing the possibility of the across the board sequestered beginning in january, 2013, you also have the end of all of the 2011 -- by themselves, the amount of $4 trillion. what i mean by that is, if congress were to pack its bag

members of congress should post information about trades in electronic, searchable data bases. further, aswith personal financial disclosure reports, the willful failure to disclose information should be punishable under the false statements act. the bottom line is americans are increasingly frustrated with the congress viewed as part of the 1%, more than concerned with preserving that status than working to improve the standards of living of the remaining 99%. passing a stock act is a good first step in changing that image. thank you. >> thank you, mrs. sloan. now professor nagi from indiana, school of law. >> i am honored with the invitation to testify. i'm donna, nagia professor at indiana university, and i've co-authored a thesis on insider trading and other articles published in may on the topic of today's hearing. the article sought to debunc what was at the time, an urban millionth, that congress exempted itself or was immune from the law that prohibits insider trading. congress, in no way, sought to exempt itself. beyond that, the article concludes that insider trading is illegal u

fatigue causes a small number of american accidents and congress should broaden its scope as to why three to four thousand die from truck crashes each year. >> it's miss behaviors and mistakes, speeding, unsafe actions, that some people died decide to make. him are working to many hours and driving to many hours. >> reporter: they feel the rule must change. even at the cost of two billion dollars. >> we are trying to create a rule that will result in more rested truck drivers and bringing down the number of deaths and injuries that are happening because we have tired truckers on the road. >> reporter: a message ed and his family are now slowly becoming the face of. fighting through what they call the partisan farce of the congressional hearing process to be heard, to express that dollars are just not worth more than tears. >> 330 million of us who can share that cost. as it stands right now 3,000 families a year loose a family member and those three thousand bear the whole cost. >> reporter: numbers he hopes causes capitol hill pause as congress debates the cost of lives verses doing busi

an early holiday gift for millions of americans as congress passes an extension of the peril tax cut ending a washington standoff. washington standoff.

a major victory for commuters as congress imposes a cap on parking at the mark center.acility off interstate 395 at seminary road has been a lightning rod for controversy since it opened earlier this year. and the idea of this deal is to keep traffic from getting any worse when the building hits its full occupancy in march. >> basically it means that the pentagon is responsible for building the infrastructure necessary to accommodate the 6,400 additional employees who will be moving into that building. >> members of virginia's congressional delegation say they hope the cap forces the army to consider tell commuting. stagger schedules or more shuttles for employees. >> today was the first court hearing of the army private accused of leaking military documents. 23-year-old bradley manning faces the possibility of a life behind bars. most of today's proceedings, however, was all devoted to whether or not the judge in the case aught to recues himself since he is an army reservist who works for the department of justice full-time, which is the same organization already inves

the standoff continues as congress is deadlocked over a bill to extend payroll tax cuts. the senate rejected a bill that would extend the cuts by two months. the republicans want a full year extension and called on the senate to return from their holiday recess for talks. left blowing in the wind 150 million americans. >>> the house shot down a resolution from donna edwards to publicly condemn statements by a republican member earlier this month who compared the democrat's political message to the work of nazi propaganda. he was responding to questions of blame directed at the g.o.p. the measure was voted down along party lines. two council members face federal criminal investigations. a bill would allow expulsion of any member who violates reasonable ethics. and reduces the amount of money that can be privately raised by counsel members. >>> still ahead on this busy tuesday night. what went wrong? san francisco's mayor wants to know for sure. >>> the reason france will recommend that 30,000 women have their breast implants removed. >>> not just a dangerous job on the clo

. >> already on shaky ground pakistan's relationship grows a little more tense as congress freeze is$700 million and aid to the country. >> and lawmakers could vote today on a controversial plan to link the payroll ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] everyone deserves the gift of a pain free holiday. ♪ ♪ this season, discover aleve. all day pain relief with just two pills. man: my electric bill was breaking the bank. so to save some money, i trained this team of guinea pigs to row this tiny boat. guinea pig: row...row. they generate electricity, which lets me surf the web all day. guinea pig: row...row. took me 6 months to train each one, 8 months to get the guinea pig: row...row. little chubby one to yell row! guinea pig: row...row. that's kind of strange. guinea pig: row...row. such a simple word... row. anncr: there's an easier way to save. get online. go to geico.com. get a quote. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance. two of the three college students accused of injuring in other student in a hazing ritual faced a judge today. florida a and m university students are

the revelation comes as congress debates unemployment benefits, millionaire's tax and potential cut to food stamps. the report cites moody's analytics. now this is the kind of information that steels the occupy movement. now they have ammunition in their claim that congress is part of the 1%. and the cook here at the mini gourmet, even though he likes his job is not very happy with congress. >> it's insane. it's really insane. i can't believe that they don't step up and help out, you know. i just think if i had a lot of money -- if i win the lottery and stuff, i would help, you know, somewhere. >> among the top breadwinners on capitol hill, our very own nancy pelosi, said to be worth about $196 million. followed by california congressman darrylell issa betwn $1975 and $700 million, his net worth and third, senator john kerry out of massachusetts shall his net worth is $181 million. that is not music to the ears for folks here at the mini gourmet. i'm damian trujillo, nbc bay area news. >> damian, thank you very much. >>> an appeal to san jose's mayor this morning, asking him to delay a

congress? >> if anybody listened to the whole speech, i think he probably did make a convincing case. which portions get teased out as for the pressure on congress, he did give them a hard time. he did mention the payroll tax cut that he would like to see. he department talk about expanding it, but extending it which is a $1,000 tax hike that won't affect the middle class. this was a philosophical speech rather than an attack on congress. this wasn't a we can't wait speech. >> this was the direction he would like the country to move forward if he is reelected. that does it for this edition of "news nation." martin bashir starts now. somewhere over the rainbow, the president in kansas clicks his heels three times, but does congress have the courage to act and on the yellow brick road to the white house, the candidate with heart. >> we will compete in all 50 states. >> the tin man. >> his idea of a hands on approach to the economy is getting a grip on his golf club. >> and dorothy with wicked words for them both. >> if you want to talk about a poster child for capitalism is newt gingrich. >> mitt romney is

dysfunction as congress battles over the payroll tax cut and jobless benefits. now another capital showdown is on tap. >>> love and marriage. a surprising new survey finds the two increasingly don't go hand in hand. >>> liz taylor's treasures. massive diamonds and other jewels rake in millions at the auction of a one of a kind collection. captioning funded by cbs >>> this is the "cbs morning news" for wednesday, december 14th, 2011. good morning, everybody. thanks for joining us. i'm betty nguyen. >>> we begin in washington where congress remains in gridlock this morning. the latest flash point, an extension of the payroll tax cut which is now headed to the senate. now, the measure passed the house in a mostly party line vote last night. the president has promised a veto, but the bill seems sure to die in the democratic-led senate anyway. the 180 billion dollar measure would extend the social security tax cut and extend long-term employment benefits and prevent a cut in medicare payments to doctors. democrats want a more generous tax break and longer unemploymen

as congress was debating the payroll tax cut in november, more americans were buying new homes. november sales jumped 1.6%. that helped boost stocks on wall street today even though trading was light ahead of the holiday. the dow rose 124 points, the nasdaq was up 19 and the s&p 500 gained 11 points. trading volume was among the lightest this year with 476 million shares moving on the big board and 970 million on the nasdaq. despite that light volume, the major averages still racked up another strong week, the dow was up 427 points or 3.6% on the week. the nasdaq also up on the week adding 63 points or about 2.5%. the s&p 500 checked in with the best weekly gain, tacking on 3.8%. it's the final two days before christmas and last-minute shoppers are out in full force and their shopping while prices are dropping. as erika miller reports tonight, some stores have cut prices to levels usually reserved for after-christmas sales. >> reporter: if holiday spending is a little stronger than expected, retailers can thank shoppers like jaden fusia and her sister jillian. they spent $200 to

as congress was debating the payroll tax cut in november, more americans were buying new homes. november sales jumped 1.6%. that helped boost stocks on wall street today even though trading was light ahead of the holiday. the dow rose 124 points, the nasdaq was up 19 and the s&p 500 gained 11 points. trading volume was among the lightest this year with 476 million shares moving on the big board and 970 million on the nasdaq. despite that light volume, the major averages still racked up another strong week, the dow was up 427 points or 3.6% on the week. the nasdaq also up on the week adding 63 points or about 2.5%. the s&p 500 checked in with the best weekly gain, tacking on 3.8%. it's the final two days before christmas and last-minute shoppers are out in full force and their shopping while prices are dropping. as erika miller reports tonight, some stores have cut prices to levels usually reserved for after-christmas sales. >> reporter: if holiday spending is a little stronger than expected, retailers can thank shoppers like jaden fusia and her sister jillian. they spent $200 to

popular as congress. rd nixon during watergate. paris hilton, 6% more popular. america becoming a communist country, 2% more popular. pretty much the only person or thing or mineral or vegetable or fruit less popular is fidel castro. there is always next year. why is congress so unpopular? this next graph will help explain it. this is from the official senate website. if you judge it by the number of bills passed, this congress is the least productive since we began keeping records. less productive even than the 1947-1948 do nothing congress that harry truman ran against. list the less than do nothing congress. not as if there is nothing for them to do right now. unemployment is 8.6%. we are involved in multiple foreign conflicts. one of the warmest years on record. schools underperforming and the list goes on. jim cooper from tennessee had a few ideas about how to fix congress's record on popularity. welcome to the show. >> thank you. always good to be with you. >> are the american people right to be this

as congress was debating the payroll tax cut in november, more americans were buying new homes. november sales jumped 1.6%. that helped boost stocks on wall street today even though trading was light ahead of the holiday. the dow rose 124 points, the nasdaq was up 19 and the s&p 500 gained 11 points. trading volume was among the lightest this year with 476 million shares moving on the big board and 970 million on the nasdaq. despite that light volume, the major averages still racked up another strong week, the dow was up 427 points or 3.6% on the week. the nasdaq also up on the week adding 63 points or about 2.5%. the s&p 500 checked in with the best weekly gain, tacking on 3.8%. it's the final two days before christmas and last-minute shoppers are out in full force and their shopping while prices are dropping. as erika miller reports tonight, some stores have cut prices to levels usually reserved for after-christmas sales. >> reporter: if holiday spending is a little stronger than expected, retailers can thank shoppers like jaden fusia and her sister jillian. they spent $200 to

the perception that congress is exempted itself from insider trading law. if read asan exclusive statement of congress is insider trading restriction, it is at times genaro, at times over brought. i am more than happy to work with the committee and its staff to resolve these problems which i do not believe that all reflects the true intent of the drafters. thank you. >> thank you, professor. let me immediately accept your offer of assistance. truly, this is a field, we have a purpose. i think most of us on the committee, but this is a field of law with a lot of precedent and a lot of complication, so in trying to fix this problem we don't want to create other problems, or create other experiences, as you said. i look forward to the question and answer period. next, john coffey is a press for those are -- is a professor of law. >> thank you, chairman lieberman and ranking member collins, other members of the committee. i'm delighted to be here because i agree almost completely with my predecessor, professor, i'm going to edit out much what i was going to say, and made

. >> as congress haggles over the payroll tax cuts, why millions of americans could soon feel a pinch in their paychecks. >>dead heat. with the iowa caucuses two weeks away, a brand-new abc news poll shows a shakeup in the gop nomination. >>> and holiday glee. the military wives shooting to the top of the music charts this holiday season, bringing cheer and hope to many. ♪ >>> good morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. >> and i'm sunny hostin. the grinch appeared to be at work on capitol hill. a plan to extend the payroll tax cut was supposed to be a done deal. >> the senate passed a two-month extension and then went home for the holiday break. now, lawmakers in the house are ready to reject the deal. we're joined this morning by abc's tahman bradley live in washington with more on this ongoing drama. good morning, tahman. >> good morning, rob and sunny. late last night, house republicans ditched a vote on the two-month extension on the payroll tax cut. and today, the partisan fight in washington continues. the white house and congress continue to battle over a tax cut that could millio

strategic choices is due out next month, and will detail the tradeoffs that might have to be made as congress prepares cuts in defense spending. darren gersh takes a look at the challenges facing the u.s. military after iraq. >> reporter: now that the colors have returned from iraq, the military is preparing to make difficult decisions. hundreds of thousands of troops are likely to be cut, and defense analyst loren thompson says that's just the beginning. >> when you go into a withdrawal from a war and the coming of peace, there are adjustments that have to be made in the size of the force, in the composition of your investment budget, in the number of bases you operate. it is a huge change, and it is going to take the better part of a decade to unwind. >> reporter: in the process, the u.s. military may look very different. troops and ships stationed in europe could come home. the u.s. could seek more financial and military help from allies. former assistant secretary of defense lawrence korb says other big changes in commitments and investments might be forced on the pentagon. >> basically,

strategic choices is due out next month, and will detail the tradeoffs that might have to be made as congress prepares cuts in defense spending. darren gersh takes a look at the challenges facing the u.s. military after iraq. >> reporter: now that the colors have returned from iraq, the military is preparing to make difficult decisions. hundreds of thousands of troops are likely to be cut, and defense analyst loren thompson says that's just the beginning. >> when you go into a withdrawal from a war and the coming of peace, there are adjustments that have to be made in the size of the force, in the composition of your investment budget, in the number of bases you operate. it is a huge change, and it is going to take the better part of a decade to unwind. >> reporter: in the process, the u.s. military may look very different. troops and ships stationed in europe could come home. the u.s. could seek more financial and military help from allies. former assistant secretary of defense lawrence korb says other big changes in commitments and investments might be forced on the pentagon. >> basically,

. >> tom: stocks marked time after the sharp rally yesterday even as congress remains deadlocked on extending the payroll tax cut. the drag on the market came from the technology sector. the s&p 500 saw a little profit taking at the opening bell, pushed lower by business software giant oracle and its disappointing earnings last night. by late this afternoon, buyers were able to rally, with the index moving into positive territory less than an hour before the closing bell. oracle's 12% drop made it the worst stock today inside the s&p 500. volume was huge-- about seven times average. this is the lowest close for oracle since august. the company's revenues and earnings were less than anticipated, hurting oracle, but also causing questions about business spending on technology. fellow business software maker s.a.p. saw its stock fall more than 6%. salesforce.com shed 5% and i.b.m. dropped 3%. these have been growing their business services and software businesses. one beat down tech stock saw a little relief today. research in motion saw volume more than double with its stock rallying 10%. the l

inexcusable but as congress operates tis not a foregone conclusion.dent and his aids are saying he didn't get the tax increases about the wealthiest few americans paying their fair share, they insist that come february, it will be hard for republican members was congress without extending it before they face the voters and not asking wettleyest americans to pay their share. the president made a similar case in the end of 2010 and had to give in on extending the bush tax cuts for the rich . did it in the last three months and here on the millionaire surcharge. we'll see if he gives in or the republicans give in in february. >> the democrats gave up on the tax increase for the wealthiest americans because they didn't want continued grid lock. what is to say that will not be the case in february? >> that's right. democrats may feel confident and this president may be feeling confident they will pressure republicans as we get closer to the election in 2012, there is no guarantee that that will happen. republicans are sticking together on that issue so far

. >> tom: stocks marked time after the sharp rally yesterday even as congress remains deadlocked on extending the payroll tax cut. the drag on the market came from the technology sector. the s&p 500 saw a little profit taking at the opening bell, pushed lower by business software giant oracle and its disappointing earnings last night. by late this afternoon, buyers were able to rally, with the index moving into positive territory less than an hour before the closing bell. oracle's 12% drop made it the worst stock today inside the s&p 500. volume was huge-- about seven times average. this is the lowest close for oracle since august. the company's revenues and earnings were less than anticipated, hurting oracle, but also causing questions about business spending on technology. fellow business software maker s.a.p. saw its stock fall more than 6%. salesforce.com shed 5% and i.b.m. dropped 3%. these have been growing their business services and software businesses. one beat down tech stock saw a little relief today. research in motion saw volume more than double with its stock rallying 10%. the l

strategic choices is due out next month, and will detail the tradeoffs that might have to be made as congress prepares cuts in defense spending. darren gersh takes a look at the challenges facing the u.s. military after iraq. >> reporter: now that the colors have returned from iraq, the military is preparing to make difficult decisions. hundreds of thousands of troops are likely to be cut, and defense analyst loren thompson says that's just the beginning. >> when you go into a withdrawal from a war and the coming of peace, there are adjustments that have to be made in the size of the force, in the composition of your investment budget, in the number of bases you operate. it is a huge change, and it is going to take the better part of a decade to unwind. >> reporter: in the process, the u.s. military may look very different. troops and ships stationed in europe could come home. the u.s. could seek more financial and military help from allies. former assistant secretary of defense lawrence korb says other big changes in commitments and investments might be forced on the pentagon. >> basically,

. >> tom: stocks marked time after the sharp rally yesterday even as congress remains deadlocked on extending the payroll tax cut. the drag on the market came from the technology sector. the s&p 500 saw a little profit taking at the opening bell, pushed lower by business software giant oracle and its disappointing earnings last night. by late this afternoon, buyers were able to rally, with the index moving into positive territory less than an hour before the closing bell. oracle's 12% drop made it the worst stock today inside the s&p 500. volume was huge-- about seven times average. this is the lowest close for oracle since august. the company's revenues and earnings were less than anticipated, hurting oracle, but also causing questions about business spending on technology. fellow business software maker s.a.p. saw its stock fall more than 6%. salesforce.com shed 5% and i.b.m. dropped 3%. these have been growing their business services and software businesses. one beat down tech stock saw a little relief today. research in motion saw volume more than double with its stock rallying 10%. the l

as you can stay on it. it is an important part of the congress. does that cover what you now? n enforcement authority, our job is to investigate and file cases based on the violation of the law. we cannot file on the basis of ethics violations. anything that enhanced the ethical obligations of members of congress not to use informational for private gain helps us because they helped to establish this a duty of trust and confidence. if i were to go to court tomorrow, i would point to the ethics rules as a basis to say a basis exists but the benefit of the legislation is that the cannot guarantee there might to rule one way or another. but there if there were legislation that made it clear there was such a duty all of that ambiguity would be resolved. >> would that be enough rather than having legislation? >> i do not think it would be. there is a law this has such a duty exists? that is clear. that would reduce the uncertainty a court might not find. >> there seems to me a swell from some people that because congress is not a corporation or a company that they are not subject to

rating is up 4 points over this same time last year meantime only 12% of voters think congress is doing a good job. same asproval rating up three points to a whopping 83%. well, the national labor relations board dropping a high profile suit against boeing over the company's 787 dream liner. the board was fighting the company's plan to open a nonunion plant in south carolina. the machinist union accused boeing of putting the plant there as eretaliation for labor strikes at its facilities in washington state. the union has withdrawn those accusations and boeing has agreed to build the new version of its 737 in washington state. the labor reels board had faced intense criticism from some republicans or business groups for bringing the case. they accuse the agency of set ago dangerous precedent by interfering with a legitimate business decision. huge crowds of anti-protesting taking to the street. while blames hillary clinton. now vowing bigger rallies. details on that next. plus, dramatic rescues after a massive hospital fire. but nearly 100 patients did not make it out alive. and now charges against some ho

formerly known as blackwater wants back in scott horton is going to help us hash all out and then as congress engages in yet another battle over taxes we're going to speak to one venture capitalist that says that taxes on the rich should be raised and then the real job creators can be rewarded so it's not the rich that create the jobs then who is it we're going to have all that and more food and i could in a dose of happy hour but first let's take a look at what the mainstream media has decided to miss. all right so today president obama hosted the iraqi prime minister at the white house and it was a big event with a joint press conference at an air of celebration or at the least the president one of that to be seen as a historic event. coming days the last american soldiers will cross the border out of iraq after nearly nine years our war in iraq and this month we're here to mark the end of this war we discussed how the united states could help iraq train and equip its forces not by stationing american troops there or with u.s. bases in iraq those days are over so there's a stork moment a wa

>>> major victory as congress imposes a cap. >>> the office complex off 395 has been a lightning rod for controversy ever since it opened this summer the idea of this deal is to keep traffic from getting worse when the building is full occupancy in march. >> basically it means the pentagon is responsible building the infrastructure necessary to accommodate the 6400 additional employees who will be moving into that building that members of virginia's congressional education say they hope the cap forces the army to consider more shuttles for employees. >>> plus a winning season may be impossible. this morning redskins scans can move in a sweep of the giants. >>> a number of us will gain roughly 8 pounds this holiday season by doing one of these things, taste testing while cooking, stressing out or drinking more alcohol. >> terry mowen said i always taste test when i'm cooking. how else am i going to know if it is good or not? >>> log on to wusa facebook paige fan page and we'll have your answer. hi i would like to say happy holidays to my wife patty, my mother and dad and my brother an

as part of an effort by the congress to try to reassert its role in the budget process. and as a part of that they also created the budget committees and the budget resolution. but if they're going to be equal players in the budget process they really needed to have their own budget agency as opposed to relying on numbers that came from the executive branch and that's really the reason for the cbo. >> if you do say yes or no, as the cbo been successful? >> i think it's been phenomenally successful, and i think it's success is mostly measured by the fact that i think if you talk to most people in immediate cut in a deep most people if they're being honest with you on both sides of the aisle in the congress they would say that the congressional budget office, at least concerning the budget probably has the most credible numbers of medical information out there. that was not a foregone collusion but it was not something that necessarily was destined to happen. in fact, if you had said to someone in 1974 look, we're going to great and nonpartisan agency in the middle of the m

they're not nearly as low as the congress, but the congress as an institution will not be on the ballot next year. the president of the united states will be. >> senator blunt, let me ask you, the question of the tea party in congress, the tea party movement. a lot of controversy there and some people would blame the tea party for at least partially bringing down the numbers of the approval. but you also defeated a tea party supported member of the senate for your leadership position. do you think we're in a zone now where the tea party bubble is about to burst? >> no, i don't think that at all. i think the tea party has brought important issues to the table. i think their concern about fiscal responsibility, about paying the bill is a concern that they keep building that fire under and ron johnson, my opponent in this recent leadership race, is a great member of the senate. i look forward to working with him. i think that the focus on where are the private sector jobs and why is the federal government spending so much money was the focus of the tea party in 2010. it will be a big focus