>> i think the reason democrats chose elijah cummings was to provide a counterpart to issa. they really -- democrats are concerned that these investigations are primarily aimed at embarrassing barack obama as he looks to re-election in 2012 and that issa's main purpose might be, they're concerned to really embarrass the president instead of looking for true accountability and government -- in government waste and abuse and looking out for consumer interests. they feel it's more partisan in nature system of they put elijah cummings in that role to be a strong counterpart, to go toe-to-toe with issa and i suspect we'll see this throughout issa's chairmanship in the years to come as he starts launching investigations, elijah cummings will be a check on him, saying, is this really in the american taxpayers' best interest to launch this investigation. >> susan crabtree, editor of "the hill," thanks for being with us. you can read her writing at thehill.com. thanks again. >> tonight, president obama delivers the state of the union address to a joint session of congress. live cover

to the chairs whom i have observed since my election to congress a mere six years ago, elijah cummingsl wat, chairladien kill patrick and my tutor, oakland, california's barbara lee. please know that i will not allow pride to prevent me from imitating the best that i have seen in each of you. whom i consider the vastness of the challenge ahead, i can't help but chant the prayer of the old fisherman when he took his little craft up on the ocean. he prayed, oh, my god, my boat is so small and the sea is so great. nevertheless, all anxiety was cast away from the flame of the lamps of my 42 colleagues. we're at a critical point in this nation's history but as african americans we lived the bitterness of slavery and oppression, held on to the hopes of progress, and for generations reached for and in countless cases achieved the american dream. today, the c.b.c. declares what the song writer, we ain't no ways tired. from the chains of slavery across the bridge in sell ma and to the highest office in the land, we climb the great ladder of equality, and advancement. yet, there is more work to

representative elijah cummings, seventh district, maryland.epresentative donna christensen, delegate, virgin islands, first vice chair congressional black caucus. representative danny k. davis, seventh district, illinois. representative gregory meeks, sixth district, new york. representative william lacy clay, first districts, missouri. representative david scott, 13th district, georgia. representative g.k. butterfield, jr., first district, north carolina, second vice chair, congressional black caucus. representative al green, 9th district, texas. representative gwen moore, fourth district, wisconsin. representative yvette d. clark, 11th district, new york, secretary congressional black caucus. representative keith ellison, fifth district, minnesota. representative hank johnson, fourth district, georgia. representative laura richardson, 37th district, california. representative andre carson, seventh district, indiana west congressional black caucus. representative donna edwards, fourth district, maryland. representative marsha fudge, 11th dist

talking to an investigator who mentioned there are a lot of people on the hill, particularly in elijah cummingsthat the administration will take too much of a legalistic approach. there is a sense from the clinton ministration that the white house -- clinton administration that the white house might want to be more transparent and not fight issa note-by-note. are they going to lawyer up too much? a lot of democrats think this needs to be a pr offensive against issa. guest: that is one point that you sort of got to. throughout this house republican majority, there is a question overreach. how much can the house republicans pursue their agenda and pursue some of these agendas -- issues without overstepping too much? the american people want to focus on jobs and the economy and, you know, on health care reform and trying to go back and dismantle the health care bill -- a lot of americans, voters -- they feel like they want to turn the page on these issues and move on. the same i think would be issa investigations -- with the issa investigations. the house needs to walk a fine line as to how they g

she also happens to be married to a friend, my colleague and former chair elijah cummings. dr. maya rockymore leaves the global policy solutions that washington d.c.-based policy firm that works to create and advance social change strategies for the world. a former adjunct professor and the women in politics institute at the american university. she has also served as a vice president of research programs of the congressional black caucus foundation, a senior resident scholar at the national urban league, chief of staff to congressman charlie rangel and professional staff of the house ways and means committee. let me just also say that as a pastor in my real life, we look at checkbooks as a statement of who a person is. we say quite often if you would like to see the belief of a human being go through their checkbook. it will reveal what they believe, with the support, what they like, and what they want in the future and what is true of individuals is quite often true of nations so we believe that the united states budget is a declaration of who we are. are we a nation of compa

she also happens to be married to a friend, my colleague and former chair elijah cummings. dr. maya rockymore leaves the global policy solutions that washington d.c.-based policy firm that works to create and advance social change strategies for the world. a former adjunct professor and the women in politics institute at the american university. she has also served as a vice president of research programs of the congressional black caucus foundation, a senior resident scholar at the national urban league, chief of staff to congressman charlie rangel and professional staff of the house ways and means committee. let me just also say that as a pastor in my real life, we look at checkbooks as a statement of who a person is. we say quite often if you would like to see the belief of a human being go through their checkbook. it will reveal what they believe, with the support, what they like, and what they want in the future and what is true of individuals is quite often true of nations so we believe that the united states budget is a declaration of who we are. are we a nation of

elijah cummings offered several amendments for changing the rules package. this is one hour and 35 minutes. >> the committee on oversight and government reform will come to order.itteen i want to welcome you all here. timing is everything. all would chairman towns please come to the center place he finds comfortable. >> if you'll bear with us for a moment. i asked german towns, who is anr ordained minister to do the opening prayer for this ord congress. would you please all rise. >> let us bow our heads because we need to pray here. creator and god, we gather in your presence to begin our work gaer in yoof the american people. let the will to do what is righo supercede the titles of democrat or republican. help us to understand that weat are one nation under god. let us realize how important it is that we work together, understanding that there is nonh big i and little u. helpless to use this opportunita to lift people up. give us the wisdom and guidance to better stewards for our an ge fellow citizens. help to correct the mistakes we have made in the past,

recognize and congratulate the gentleman from maryland, the ranking member of government reform, elijah cummings, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. cummings: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i rise before you in opposition to the bill we are considering today. i've heard from many of my constituents and small business owners who are grateful for the benefits of this law. children with pre-existing conditions are no longer being denied access to private health insurance. mafrlede small businesses offering health insurance to their employees are eligible for a 35% tax credit. further raverpbinging member of committee on government -- further, as ranking member of committee on government and oversight reform, i know that this would eliminate the private health plan providing coverage for many uninsured americans with pre-existing conditions. i find it repugnant that republicans want to strip americans of this law's protections that will save the lives of our fellow citizens. i urge a no vote on this bill and i yield back. the speaker pro tempo

tonight, i will be sitting with representatives elijah cummings and also joining the rest of the arizona delegation in honoring gabby giffords. i'm excited about those who are joining us in this effort and looking forward ahead. thank you very much. >> thank you, dr. gosar and i know we would be happy to answer any and all questions. yes. >> senator, if someone were to go back and review the c-span video of last year's state of the union address, would they see you, senator udall and you congressman schuller standing and cheering when president obama's made his unprecedented attack on the supreme court justices for their decisions in the citizens united case. >> i don't know. i don't remember. i do know i had concerns about that case and that's a whole other topic, of course. but we're turning the page. this is a new start. this is a reset. we're not only going to reset our economy. those of us here and many others tonight want to reset the way we work together. look, partisanship at its best is about promoting ideas that a particular party believes will enhance the party's prospects but

recognize and congratulate the gentleman from maryland, the ranking member of government reform, elijah cummings, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. cummings: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i rise before you in opposition to the bill we are considering today. i've heard from many of my constituents and small business owners who are grateful for the benefits of this law. children with pre-existing conditions are no longer being denied access to private health insurance. mafrlede small businesses offering health insurance to their employees are eligible for a 35% tax credit. further raverpbinging member of committee on government -- further, as ranking member of committee on government and oversight reform, i know that this would eliminate the private health plan providing coverage for many uninsured americans with pre-existing conditions. i find it repugnant that republicans want to strip americans of this law's protections that will save the lives of our fellow citizens. i urge a no vote on this bill and i yield back. the speaker pro tempo

texas, and she also happens to be married to a dear friend, my colleague and former cbc chair if elijah cummings. dr. rockamore leads a firm that looks to advance social change strategies for the world. she is a former adjunct professor in the women and politics institute at america unit -- american university. she has also served as the vice president of research and programs of the congressional black caucus foundation, as a senior resident scholar at the national urban league. let me also just say that as a pastor in my real life, we look at check books as a statement of who a person is. we think quite often that if you would like to see the real beliefs of a human bit -- human being, go to their checkbook. it will reveal what they believe in, what they support, what they like, and what they want in the future. what is true of individuals is quite often true of nations. we believe that the united states budget is a declaration of who we are. are we a nation of compassionate people looking to put forth a budget that describes ways in which we will make sure that every citizen in this country,

recognize and congratulate the gentleman from maryland, the ranking member of government reform, elijah cummings, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. cummings: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i rise before you in opposition to the bill we are considering today. i've heard from many of my constituents and small business owners who are grateful for the benefits of this law. children with pre-existing conditions are no longer being denied access to private health insurance. mafrlede small businesses offering health insurance to their employees are eligible for a 35% tax credit. further raverpbinging member of committee on government -- further, as ranking member of committee on government and oversight reform, i know that this would eliminate the private health plan providing coverage for many uninsured americans with pre-existing conditions. i find it repugnant that republicans want to strip americans of this law's protections that will save the lives of our fellow citizens. i urge a no vote on this bill and i yield back. the speaker pro tempo