so much of the media coverage in this issue has been dominated by the liberal democrats. we could be forgiven for thinking that today's future is about the future of the democrats. it is not about the future of the liberal democrats. it is about something much more important than that. mr. speaker, there are millions of parents and millions of current and future students to do not care about the liberal democrats. but they do care about the huge fee increase we have been asked to decide today. today's decision must be taken on the facts and on its merits. we do know that, if this tory measure goes through, with the support or extension of liberal democrats, that party will forfeit the right to call themselves a progressive fiscal party. but we also know, mr. speaker, that this house can stop this decision today. the deputy leader of the liberal democrats says he cannot support the government. as well he might because his local university will get his funding cut to 3 million pounds a year. it has already said that it wishes to charge the full 9,000 pounds tuition fee. the

. >> the governing conservative liberal democrat coalition refused to back down. the liberal democrats have upset many young supporters, who accuse the party of breaking an election campaign pledge to oppose any increase in fees. >>> let's get more analysis on this story. for at, we go tour correspondent in ldon. there are reports coming in that protesters attackedhe car of prince charles and his wife, camilla. what more can you tell us about that? >> this has been reported by the british media. that happened in central london, and it seems as though protesters just kicked the prince of wales' car. he was in there with his wife, on their way to the theater. it is reported date -- it is reported that day arrived at the theater on time. the protests started off calmy to begin with, but they have turned more violent. the protesters are most agree with the liberal democrats. they say it was complete u-turn. it had promised to abolish the tuition fee raises, and now in some cases the tuition fees will be tripled. >> tell us more about what this vote means for the gover

>> he is a little democrat. -- he used to be a liberal democrat. i do not think he belongs to any party, now. he is moving to the right of me in his own opinion. but that does not stop you working at "the guardian." in some ways, is more fun to be out of kilter with the majority view at your newspaper. you need voices that will understand, are sympathetic to, and will explain the coalition. >> you mentioned education. he said that you do not pay for education here. i heard on the radio the other day that students were demonstrating on the government's increasing the cost of university. if you go to a college -- one of the hard things we have trouble understanding,private education, here, is public and public education is private? >> we have endless confusion over this. over this use of language. public school in britain --in the old days, on the whole, rich people would have their children educated by a tutor. quite a lot of rich people and middle-class people decided to set up schools where you pay. the recall public schools. -- they were called p

. -- liberal democrats. i think that the role and strength and the potential schilling of the culture of the state depends on how much money it has to spend and how much money it gets from the taxpayer. the battle to push back the frontiers of the state in the battles to push back the amount of money that the state is claiming from the individual i think is the absolutely central battle in the first half of the 20th century. i often say we when i should say they. >> have you ever talk about the percentage of your income that goes to tax? >> yes. i have not made a total calculation. i do not need to. it is something approaching 60% of my income -- it would be in something more like 70% if you take the excise duties, the income tax, the capital gains tax and another one that we have not even mentioned called national insurance. i reckon that for every 100 pounds that i earn, i would be lucky if i get to spend more than 40 pounds and it may even be less than that. because theyhigher are not worth as much after

the first question is, can the conservatives and the liberal democratic coalition come together until the next general election which they say they will have an 2015. i think that it can. the arithmetic is all there. i do not think you will see a weak government. if the economy goes flat, the liberal democrats will still like they have been drawn into a much unfortunate experiment. if the economy crashes, whoever is the opposition will win the next election. if the economy goes well, people will think the coalition for making the cuts and making us leaner and healthier. >> what is your guess about the future? are you optimistic? >> i am guardedly optimistic. unless the world economy crashes, in which we would all be dragged down, i think the economy is in good hands. i will see a low growth for the next three or four years but i expect to see the cuts not hurting quite as much as everybody thought. these are changes that have to be made and we need to approach the next decade in a more fighting condition. >> matthew parris, thank you very much. >> it has been a pleasure. >> for a dvd

that is something, even for the liberal democrats.hings are so bad that the honorable member for birmingham, yardley is offering his own unique solution to the votes tomorrow. he says that if you run quickly, you can vote both ways. i have to say that if the kremlin were spying on the liberal democrats, we would know why -- they want a bit of light relief, frankly. let us have him on for another question, because he did not answer the first two. he says that he does not want the next generation to be in debt, so does he not understand the anxiety that students and parents have about starting their adult lives with a debt of 40,000 pounds? >> you cannot attack a plan if you do not have a plan. the fact is that he went into the last election with a 25% cut planned for the business department. he has absolutely no way of making the numbers add up. everybody knows that they said that they would not introduce tuition fees. they introduced them. they said that they would not introduce top-up fees. they introduced them. they said that they s

now, there are 57 liberal democrats. they are split four ways. that's something even for the liberal democrats. and things are so bad, mr. speaker, the honorable members of birmingham yeardley is offering his own solution to the vote tomorrow. he says if you run quickly, you can vote both ways. [laughter] >> i have to say, i have to say if the kremlin were spying on the liberal democrats we know why. they want to be of light relief, frankly. [laughter] >> let's have him answer another question, let's have him answer another question because he didn't answer the first two. he says he doesn't want the next generation to be in debt. so does he not understand the anxiety that students and parents have about starting their adult life with a debt of 40,000 pounds? >> i would say to the honorable gentleman you can't attack a plan if you don't have a plan. the fact is, they went into the last election -- he went into the last election with a 25% cut planned in the business department and he's got absolutely no way of making the numbers add up. what every

he's fallen more among liberal democrats than he has among conservative democrats. i think the polls in ferms of people supporting democrats, supporting this tax cut, i think they support it begrudgingly. i think there's a lot of people that don't support it enthusiastically. there is this uneasy relationship between the president and his base. that was heightened, the tension was heightened during thf latest compromise. >> i hate to use anecdotal information in the face of polls. i've been surprised how much e-mail and comment i've gotten from what i consider mainstream democrats as well as liberal democrats complaining about this tax cut agreement. it seems the democratic party rhetoric and the obama rhetoric in particular on the tax cuts prior to the election really got traction with obama supporters. i don't think the polls indicate that it got much useful political traction outside of obama supporters. but they definitely bought into the obama theory about why the top tax bracket should go up. and their disappointment on this is really strong in any kind of one

the liberal democrats are in a rage. what do you do now? >> first of all, let's be clear that what we agreed to is not just extending the tax cuts from the bush era, but also some tax cuts that we passed two years ago that go right to middle class families for college, for a child tax credit. it also includes a payroll tax cut of 2%, so people will have more money to spend in the coming year. it includes business tax cuts. for example, if you own a business, you can buy equipment next year under this plan and defer your taxes on that purchase. this is going to help our economy move. that's why, bob, all economists who have looked at this have said this will put a real charge into the economy. it will add a point or a point-and-a-half to our growth next year. that means more jobs. that means better news for the american people. >> schieffer: so why is the left side of your party, why are the liberal democrats so against this? i mean, they're not just against it, they're mad about it. they're in a rage. i mean, somebody in the house using the

the other 10 are liberal democrats the usual suspects like bernie sanders and patrick leahy of vermontthe opposition comes of course from the far left. and with yet another crushing defeat, the question is, can george soros, aryana huffington, the "new york times" and nbc even survive much longer as

. >> the governing conservative liberal democrat coalition refused to back down. the liberal democrats have upset many young supporters, who accuse the party of breaking an election campaign pledge to oppose any increase in fees. >>> let's get more analysis on this story. for that, we go to our correspondent in london. there are reports coming in that protesters attacked the car of prince charles and his wife, camilla. what more can you tell us about that? >> this has been reported by the british media. that happened in central london, and it seems as though protesters just kicked the prince of wales' car. he was in there with his wife, on their way to the theater. it is reported date -- it is reported that day arrived at the theater on time. the protests started off calmy to begin with, but they have turned more violent. the protesters are most agree with the liberal democrats. they say it was complete u-turn. it had promised to abolish the tuition fee raises, and now in some cases the tuition fees will be tripled. >> tell us more about what this vote means for t

at the moment the liberal democrats campaigned on a ticket of abolishing student fees altogether and now the anger is that they have turned around many old and they're now taking for a ride a student fees rather than abolishing them so there's a lot of anger at nick clegg the leader of the liberal democrats a lot of the chanting has been nick clegg shame on you for turning blue which is of course the color of the conservative party to say that's what's been going on today essentially those are the bad bones of the. demonstration peacefully before the bill was passed in the mold they know that it's winding down what are your thoughts on the events we saw today. it did start peacefully it started in quite a sort of jolie way everyone was ever was chanting and shouting and singing but then of course it's winter here in the u.k. and say darkness comes quite early and that's when sort of rounds around tough boss three four o'clock it starts to turn fairly nasty and it's interesting that a lot of the students who we've spoken to at previous protests really condemned and he still see a viol

it has to do with the liberal democrats and the coalition government.crats who got into bed with the conservative party in may. we don't do gridlock in the u.k. we have a machinery system. liberal democrats ran on the basis they would not have tuition fee increases. a lot of students voted for the liberal democrats and are angry. >> sean: here's the pattern. you raised the retirement age in france, people riot. you fire 490,000 workers that work for government in britain. raise the cost of tuition. in other words, you create the welfare state, socialism, all proms broken. unsustainable and people get violent when you have to make the cuts. because you cannot afford this cradle to grave -- >> fundamentally, it is moving forward important elements like national health service. [ unintelligible ] here in the u.s. are you dealing with the deficit? no. the republicans and the democrats have joined together to add almost a trillion dollars to the deficit over the next two years. >> sean: here's my point, you are not addressing it. socialism as an economic phi

>> they are liberal democrats. if you are hugely rich and a liberal democrat you get a pass.seen class warfare as nasty as it is today, as a result of this tax debate. i've seen it. >> bill: it is generalized. stupid. irrational. steven spielberg beyond wealthy. you take a guy like bill gates the same situation. and these people, they make an enormous amount of money. are they over-paying taxes giving away their wealth to the government? i don't think so. john kerry could have checked the box in massachusetts that said i would like to give mormon and pay a higher tack rate. he chose -- more money and pay a higher tax rate. he chose not to. i think this is a bogus, phony debate. >> thank you for that. a lot of people who are writing think that all rich people make spielberg . or john kerry . a lot of so-called rich according to legislation make $250,000. that's a lot of money, but it is not rich. i want to make -- what's that that >> bill: the only point i want to mention is that if the higher tax rate had been embraced, 50% of it would have been paid by small business, which

david camera now leads the government in coalition with liberal democrats. at a variety of austerity measures were announced. some have resulted in a backlash. they will face a rise in value added tax, goods and services being taxed at 20% instead of the previous 17.5%. all of this served as a backdrop for argues in london this fall, conducted in the studios of once mr. live, just across the thames river from the house of parliament -- in the studios of westminster live, just across the thames river from the house of parliament. >> you wrote that the truth is simple, we are living beyond our means. the change, if change what we were prepared to embrace is simple, we will have to live within our means. that was several months ago. >> all of us have had the impression of growing prosperity that seem to be beyond any explanation that we producing or supporting. when people said, i cannot believe what are we getting much richer, why are our house is worth so much more, the reply from the clever economists tended to be it had to do with financial services, the ci

he still wants to fight and believes that many liberal democrats want to fight for a change in that one piece that's a real sticking point, and that is the estate tax. van hollen says he's looking to bring it back a little bit, so in his words, it would be $25 billion for just over 6,000 families that would benefit. he would like to take that out. the white house has told us and certainly democrats on the senate side do not expect much change. there might be a tweak here or there, but any substantiative change, the white house indicates they don't think that's going to pass. so van hollen is trying to split the middle there, saying he doesn't think it will be derailed, but still wants to fight for that piece that matters so much to liberal democrats. >> we're going to have chris van hollen on in a minute. he's going to unveil and talk about this compromise a little bit more. kelly, let's walk through the schedule today. 3:00, the vote to basically end a filibuster. you get over the 60 vote, and then everything from there becomes a simple majority on all parts of the this tax bill, corre

even liberal democrats say they have to compromise. people know the country is in deep country and want to get things done. i think what's important about s.t.a.r.t. and the tax deal, it goes to one of those professional qualities in which the president's numbers are lower, which is accomplishing his goals. ironically, he could end the year with two really big wins for himself and the country that could affect that number. >> bill, our first sort of look at 2012. yes, it's early. we're going to, people will say, we just finished an election. what are you doing to us? we did. matched up the president against an unknown republican. he looks like he's in trouble there. just 42% say the president, 39% would plook at republican. everybody else, ub decided. names with the faces he does better. the president a 47% ceiling against romney or thune but blows away a certain other, the most well-known republican potentially in the field sarah palin at 55/33. focus on sarah palin. >> a 50% negative. so does nancy pelosi. i was here two months ago s

this man has been struggling to hold the liberal democrats together. the prime minister stepped in to make the case in back of his coalition partner. students way to find out how much university education will cost and the labor leader accuses ministers of betraying young people. at the center of the storm, the lib dem leader, offering concessions. >> under the new system, everyone will pay back less than what they pay under the current system. they will pay back every month. that is the case. the poorest will pay less, the riches will pay more. >> only the prime minister could triple tuition fees and claim it is a better deal for students. no one is convinced. quex by 3:00, the party leaders were preparing for interviews. mr. cameron told an audience the changes were fair. >> we have seen the marches and protests. we have seen how passionate many of our students are about this issue. let me tell you this, i am just as passionate. just as passionate the young people should have the chance to go to university, whatever their background. >> at the same t

peered >> output it output it to you that it's inconvenient to remember, but the problem is the liberal democrat that is member decisive interesting is the level democrat except for two gpss voted for the policy, literal democrats voted against the biggest ever rebellion and the liberal democrat that was formed in you couldn't carry a party with you. >> we did as you say have a substantial number of colleagues. we knew when i went to government that this is probably going to be one of the most difficult challenges that have faith. my job as the secretary of state is i inherited a system based on things that they were going to rise substantially. they were fully committed to making very deep cuts in my department, considered universities to read some of the brown reporter. my job was to try and make the system fairer, better and that's what i've -- >> that you haven't been able -- if you can't convince your own back and just, how do you convince the country? you can certainly hear the noise outside. people see this as a betrayal of principle at the first hurdle. the liberal democrats have failed

now people know that liberal democrats cannot be trusted? >> that is not correct at all. we had an agreement. we're implementing that agreement. we knew it was not going to be possible to deliver the commitment on tuition fees. we had a challenge which we responded to which was to enact policies which were to reduce the deficit while providing otherwise the fund universities. also, to change the system we inherited from labour to make it more progressive, more are related to people possibility to pay. we have done these things in difficult circumstances. >> esther nick clegg -- yesterday nick clegg justin this is a way to work with the coalition. what happened? >> we are not in an ideal world. we're in a tough financial environment, where there are difficult, painful cuts. >> before the election, liberal democrat mp'voteds against tuition fees. is that because you believed in it or you thought you would never get into power and were never going to have actually stick to your principles? >> we all signed up to that. >> did you agree to it? >> i supported my party's policie

the liberal democrats and other parties want chief cabinet secretary yoshito sengoku and another minister kicked out of cabinet because of how they've handled major issues. the opposition is vowing to not participate in legislative debates if that doesn't happen. kan says he wants to remove barriers to passing budget measures and other key bills. he also suggested the possibility of new cabinet appointments. analysts say kan is being cautious about changing his chief cabinet secretary, because sengoku plays a pivotal role in his administration. but ditching sengoku would help keep that rival faction we mentioned earlier at bay. it's led by ichiro ozawa. he doesn't like kan's chief cabinet secretary, and the prime minister is likely weighing that ahead of the possible reshuffle, especially because ozawa is making concessions of his own to keep the democratic party united. ozawa has agreed to explain his alleged funding irregularities to the lower house's political ethics council. he pointed out that the dpj's biggest pore, the trade union confederation nengo, is calling for solidarity with

peered >> output it output it to you that it's inconvenient to remember, but the problem is the liberal democrat that is member decisive interesting is the level democrat except for two gpss voted for the policy, literal democrats voted against the biggest ever rebellion and the liberal democrat that was formed in you couldn't carry a party with you. >> we did as you say have a substantial number of colleagues. we knew when i went to government that this is probably going to be one of the most difficult challenges that have faith. my job as the secretary of state is i inherited a system based on things that they were going to rise substantially. they were fully committed to making very deep cuts in my department, considered universities to read some of the brown reporter. my job was to try and make the system fairer, better and that's what i've -- >> that you haven't been able -- if you can't convince your own back and just, how do you convince the country? you can certainly hear the noise outside. people see this as a betrayal of principle at the first hurdle. the liberal democrats have failed

at the moment the liberal democrats campaigned on a platform of abolishing student fees all together but now that a lot of the ministers have voted in favor of increasing student fees we spoke to chris knights yesterday who's a professor of anthropology and also a seasoned demonstrator hardly a demonstration takes place in london without him being there and he said that he's determined to fight so and that's important. for me to. come again. shortly parish young people leading the struggle for freedom and first the students moved and then the work of this is exactly what's happening here except i think it will be a much bigger story right across europe and of course as chris knight says this is not an isolated incident this is part of a europe wide to me when we saw protests and demonstrations on continental europe in this over the summer events rising towards the u.k. and in the autumn winter there have been several processes of this kind although this was the biggest that we've seen in london so far and earlier this week we also saw a protest in dublin against an austerity budget t

at the moment the liberal democrats campaigned on a platform of abolishing university tuition fees altogether and now a lot of that ministers have voted in favor of raising university fees save say they really take to leeward. and there's a lot of bad feeling about that we spoke to chris knight university professor and a seasoned demonstrator hardly a demonstration takes place in london and he's not back. and he certainly it feels that the government has let the people down in this case let's hear what he had to say about this this protest is taking place from a vicious. spirit of sixty eight come again we. saw in paris and in prague of course young people leading the struggle for freedom and first the students moved and then the workers this is exactly what's happening here except i think it will be a much bigger scary right across europe and of course this is already a europe wide movements we saw demonstrations in europe which started during the summer and then have moved from continental europe to the u.k. and to ireland earlier this week we saw a big demonstration in. government through

the liberal democrats campaigned on a platform of abolishing you know best situation fees altogether and now a lot of that ministers have voted in favor of raising university fees we spoke to chris knight university professor and a seasoned demonstration from a vicious. spirit of sixty eight come again. in sixty nine to shape jordan parachute in prague of course young people leading the struggle for freedom and first the students moved and then the workers this is exactly what's happening here except i think it will be a much bigger scary right across europe and of course this is already a europe wide movements we saw demonstrations in europe which started during the summer and then have moved from continental europe to the u.k. and. this week we saw a big demonstration in. government through a the toughest budget in irish history. and e.u. and i.m.f. bailout this is certainly not something that's going to go away and in fact a lot of commentators a saying that this is just the beginning of what will be a winter of discontent and possibly also a spring of discontent. governments acro

at the moment the liberal democrats campaigned on a platform of polishing student fees all together but now that a lot of them ministers have voted in favor of increasing student fees so obviously that directly goes against a campaign promise that they've now with nato and so that's something that's not going to go away either mistrust in this coalition government we spoke to chris knight yesterday who's a professor of anthropology and also a season demonstrates that hardly a demonstration takes place in london without him being there and he said that he's determined to fight so and that's what he said. for me to. come again. shortly parachute in prague of course young people leading the struggle for freedom and first the students moved and then the work of this is exactly what's happening here except i think it will be a much bigger story about across europe. and of course as chris knight says this is not an isolated incident this is part of a europe wide to me when we saw protests and demonstrations on continental europe in this over the summer then surprising to woods the u.k. in the

we're not going to spend ourselves blind because some liberal democrats want to do that. >> there are some liberal democrats, as you know, would argue there are a lot of republicans there who need to take a look at spending, as well. always good to see you, senator. senator hatch, thank you for taking the time on this busy day. >> nice to be with you. >>> let's talk more about this with robert costa, and donna and drexel university trustee. thank you very much. robert, let me start with you. where do ai think this is going and what do you think what you just heard from the senator? >> i think senator hatch is making some good points. this is probably going to pass in the senate, chris. when i was outside of that house democratic caucus meeting last night and still many frustrations, but even progressive democrats told me last night that this thing probably will pass the house. that the democrats recognize they don't want to be responsible for middle class tax hikes come january. >> they don't want to be responsible, david, for middle class tax hikes and, yet, where is the outrage? eit

it's not about the future of the liberal democrats. it's about something much more important than that. mr. speaker, there are millions of parents and millions of future students who don't care about the liberal democrats but they do care about the huge fee increase we are being asked to decide today. and today's decision must be taken on the facts and on its merits. we do note that if this torrid measure goes through with the support or extension of liberal democrats that party will forfeit the right to call themselves a progressive political party. but we also know, mr. speaker, that this house can stop the decision today. the deputy leader of the liberal democrats said he cannot support the government. as well he might because his local university will get its funding cuts on 38 million pounds to three million pounds a year. as already said, if it wishes to charge the full 9,000 pound tuition fee. the leader of the liberal democrats said he may vote against the government. and i say to him and others, if he and every member of this

i think it's safe to say that liberals favor more and democrats favor progressive taxation. >> host: the author of three books already. nixon's shadow and presidential duals that came out in 2006. i remember that book. in fact, i got that book. where did you find those doodles? are those public record? >> guest: most of them are. i have to credit collaborators. they had come up with the doodles traveling far and wide to different presidential libraries and archives and brought to to basic books with the editor there then came to me and said, you know, she wanted a historian to put these in context to write the text for the book, do an introduction, and it seemed like a fun project and i could use the book to say something about, i think, our growing interest in sort of the personal, private, even psychological side of the presidency that over the course of american history, the president has become, kind of, you know, on the one hand so far out of reach, but on the other hand, has had to affect this style to feel like he's one of us, and these doodles are a way to imagine some insigh

a number of liberal democrats are not in favor of tax cuts for the wealthiest of americans, but its fate in the house is uncertain. >>> republican national committee chairman michael steele is seeking another term in office. the former maryland lieutenant governor announced a decision last night during a conference call. his tenure has been marked by gaffes. >>> cathy lanier is expected to stay on as d.c. police chief as vincent gray becomes mayor. but he could still change his mind. homicide's hit a 43-year low last year. your approval rating among d.c. residents is at about 80%. >>> it is 6:07. a chilly 22 degrees out there. >> a pre-winter storm slams the midwest and now it is looking for a new target. >> plus, the end of an era. but far sitting on the sidelines. >>> i'm christina from langston hughes middle school. we can say good morning in over 50 languages. >> good morning, washington! >>> it is 6:10. if you are just joining us, we have a few school delays and closings to pass along. schools in garrett county, maryland, are closed today. there is a two-hour delay in morgan county,

a lot of liberal house democrats were upset with a few things. number one, within the rule they were voting on, there was a chance to vote for an estate tax language that would be reminiscent of what they passed in 2009. a state tax language that democrats liked. however, if that language was adopted, the bill would automatically go back to the senate. there would not be a second vote where house liberal democrats could vote against the compromise bill. so essentially what they're going to do now is possibly go to house rules committee or have some sort of procedural maneuver on the house floor of which liberal house democrats will have a chance to vote for the estate tax compromise language they like, and then vote against the senate bill on the floor. there's also talk possibly about having new amendments added. a lot of liberal house democrats would like to see an amendment to extend unemployment benefits for 24 months, instead of the 13 months they're at now. there's also talk of upset house democrats with something of the social security pay

democrats. house liberals turned their back on the president over this tax cut deal and there is limited sympathy from the white house and senate democrats. >> it is not acceptable to the house democratic caucus. it's as simple as that. >> reporter: politically, liberal democrats feel ignored and claim the white house cut them out of negotiations in favor of republicans. >> we were told yesterday by the vice president this was a take it or leave it deal. we're saying leave it. >> reporter: substantively, liberals reject changes to the estate tax that would reduce how much wealthy families pay on big inheritances. >> the inheritance tax thing is something that goes far beyond anything that any of us anticipated. >> reporter: that one provision would allow wealthy families to save an estimated $70 billion over two years. liberals argue the rich just don't spend that money on the kind of essentials like food and clothes that would boost the economy. >> you know who benefits from the estate tax? the top 0.3 of 1%. 99.7% of families do not benefit one nickel. >> reporter: today, the president held his

a lot of this stuck in the craw of liberal democrats who have been unhappy for months. what were the things that really made people feel unhappy? >> the number one item was the concession on the estate tax. democrats in the house and in the senate are extraordinarily upset. they don't think president obama had to give up the estate tax because this is a tax, it currently has lapsed. for the past year we have had no federal tax on estates but it's about to spring back to life on january 1 and hit estates worth more than $1 million at 55%, which is the toughest estate tax we've had since the bush tax cuts were passed a decade ago. so house democrats are sitting here going, why did we have to give away the most generous estate tax provisions in decades? they've given them -- not only will they be taxing only estates worth more than $five -- $5 million for individuals and $10 million for couples, but only at a 35% rate. now house democrats are looking at this is ing, should we amend this thing, send it back to the senate and say, you fix it. >> but why did the administration

so liberal democrats met with speaker pelosi with their list of demands. for her part, speaker pelosi says that the house will definitely vote on this plan and possibly even these proposed changes. that will be sometime tonight. >> all right, joel brown, we'll look forward to more information. >>> president obama says that the u.s. has made significant progress in afghanistan since he laid out a new war strategy last year. his remarks come as the white house released a long-awaited report on the war. the evaluation finds that the taliban has been weakened, but that the gains made are fragile and reversible. >> i want to be clear. this continues to be a very difficult endeavor. but i can report that thanks to the extraordinary service of our troops and civilians on the ground that we're on track to achieve our goals. >> reporter: in an appearance with defense secretary, robert gates and hillary clinton, mr. obama said that those goals are to disrupt, dismantle, and ultimately defeat al qaeda. >>> a military jury at fort mead is delivering an army doctor who

the reason is republicans are more conservative than democrats are liberal. the republican party is a more politicized party than the democratic party. and republicans will have some real issues if on many issues given this tendency. >> ifill: we'll start all over again in january, folks. andy kohut, susan page, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> brown: still to come on the "newshour": health care for 9/11 first responders; new food safety rules and cuba's medical diplomacy. but first, the other news of the day. here's hari sreenivasan in our newsroom. >> sreenivasan: the federal government's operations are now funded at least through march 4. president obama signed a temporary spending bill today that freezes most agency budgets at current levels. and congress authorized spending another $160 billion on military operations in iraq and afghanistan. the bill includes a military pay raise of 1.4%. white house officials did damage control today after a lapse by the nation's top intelligence official. on tuesday, abc news asked james clapper-- the director of n