mr. mccain: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from arizona. mr. mccain: madam president, the resolution states that -- that the -- we honor the victims and heroes of the shooting on january 8, 2011, in tucson, arizona, and as we all know and the nation and the world knows that on january 8th, a gunman opened fire at an event hosted by gabrielle -- gabrielle giffords. among those who lost their lives was 9-year-old christina taylor green, dorothy morris, judge john roll, phyllis schneck and dorwan stoddard and gabe zimmerman. christina taylor green was a 9-year-old daughter of john and roxana green. she was born on september 11, 2001, had an interest in government and elected to the student counsel at mesa verde elementary school. dorothy morris was 76 years old attended the january 8 event with george, her husband, with whom she had two daughters and also critically injured as he tried to shield her from the shooting. john roll, who i will talk about later on, is a pennsylvania native who is 6 -- was 63 years old. he began his professional career a

mr. mccain. general. >> mr. hairman, senator mccain, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the events surrounding the inadvertent disclosure of information. i should make it clear at the outset that neither i nor my fellow witness are affiliated with the case -- , affiliated with the selection, and we cannot discuss matters beyond the scope of this hearing. as a senior military officer with contrasting experience, i have been asked to review the redacted record of the incident. i appeared today to address the process that was followed and how the air force maintained the integrity of the selection process. i know that committee members are aware that the air force is in the midst of selection, and will appreciate that my testimony will be limited to the specifics of this event and the analysis of the actions taken. the air force remains committed to an open and transparent selection. the department has replied -- the department has provided all appropriate documents, the summary state

mr. mccain of arizona, mr. mil -- kulski of maryland, mr. murkowski of alaska. >> would you all please raise your right hands? do you solemnly swear you will support and defend the constitution of united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that you take this oath freely without any mental reservation and you will well and faithfully discharge the duties that you are about to enter so help you god. >> i do. >> congratulations. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> the senate will please come to order. the clerk will call the names of the next group. >> mr. murray of washington. mr. paul of kentucky. mr. portman of ohio, mr. reid of nevada. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> could you all please raise your right

mr. mccain. you talk about how the dean was getting -- was being downplayed a bit. james carville wrote -- you said howard dean's snob did not matter because of one man's bruised ego -- guest: if you look at one of the main enemies that he made in his fight to rebuild the democratic party and decentralize power away from washington was rahm emanuel who in 2006 was running the campaign committee. he and dean got into a fight of how to fund the democratic party and also a larger vision of what the democratic party could be. rahm emanuel wanted to spend money on tv advertisements and target swing districts. there was a difference in opinion there. after obama made rahm emanuel his chief of staff, a fairly controversial decision, he was not the most popular figure in the capital. he made it clear he did not want howard dean around. not only that, but rahm emanuel had a very contentious relationship with the democratic base in general who worked so hard to select president obama. he went further and called them f'ing retarded. i think it had a bad affect on obama and his

mr. mccain. you talk about how the dean was getting -- was being downplayed a bit. james carville wrote -- you said howard dean's snob did not matter because of one man's bruised ego -- guest: if you look at one of the main enemies that he made in his fight to rebuild the democratic party and decentralize power away from washington was rahm emanuel who in 2006 was running the campaign committee. he and dean got into a fight of how to fund the democratic party and also a larger vision of what the democratic party could be. rahm emanuel wanted to spend money on tv advertisements and target swing districts. there was a difference in opinion there. after obama made rahm emanuel his chief of staff, a fairly controversial decision, he was not the most popular figure in the capital. he made it clear he did not want howard dean around. not only that, but rahm emanuel had a very contentious relationship with the democratic base in general who worked so hard to select president obama. he went further and called them f'ing retarded. i think it had a bad affect on obama and his

mr. mccain. you talk about how the dean was getting -- was being downplayed a bit.ote -- you said howard dean's snob did not matter because of one man's bruised ego -- guest: if you look at one of the main enemies that he made in his fight to rebuild the democratic party and decentralize power away from washington was rahm emanuel who in 2006 was running the campaign committee. he and dean got into a fight of how to fund the democratic party and also a larger vision of what the democratic party could be. rahm emanuel wanted to spend money on tv advertisements and target swing districts. there was a difference in opinion there. after obama made rahm emanuel his chief of staff, a fairly controversial decision, he was not the most popular figure in the capital. he made it clear he did not want howard dean around. not only that, but rahm emanuel had a very contentious relationship with the democratic base in general who worked so hard to select president obama. he went further and called them f'ing retarded. i think it had a bad affect on obama and his supporters. rahm

mr. mccain. you talk about how the dean was getting -- was being downplayed a bit. james carville wrote -- you said howard dean's snob did not matter because of one man's bruised ego -- guest: if you look at one of the main enemies that he made in his fight to rebuild the docratic party and decentralize power away from washington was rahm emanuel who in 2006 was running the campaign committee. he and dean got into a fight of how to fund the democratic party and also a larger vision of what the democratic party could be. rahm emanuelanted to spend money on tv advertisements and target swing districts. there was a difference in opinion there. after obama made rahm emanuel his chief of staff, a fairly controversial decision, he was not the most popular figure in the capital. he made it clear he did not want howard deanround. not only that, but rahm emanuel had a very contentious relationship with the democratic base in general who worked so hard to select president obama. he went further and called them f'ing retarded. i think it had a bad affect on obama and his suppo

mr. obama's 2008 foe john mccain lauded the president as a patriot writing we should mindful as we argue about our differences that so much more unites than divides us. already there is a small step toward that unity. >> so tonight i'm proposing specific steps -- >> reporter: as the president prepares to deliver his state of union next week, many members of both parties say they will cross the aisle that runs down the middle of the chamber and listen to the speech alongside their political opponents. >> that's symbolic, but maybe it sets a tone and everything gets a little biltmot more civil. >> reporter: there's a fuel schedule of events at the white house this week. on wednesday he hosted his hosts his chinese counterpart for an ofisht state visit. lester. >> thank you. >>> from overseas a story of nuclear politics and intrigue tonight involving iran and allegations that the united states was involved in a sophisticated attack on iran's nuclear program. it comes as iran tries to gain an edge before sbernlinternatio talks on its nuclear program later this week. john yang has the latest.

mr. chairman. >> thank you very much, senator mccain. general masiello. >> mr. chairman, senator mccain and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the events surrounding an inadvertent disclosure of information related to the kc-x program. i should make it clear at the outset that neither i nor my fellow witness, mr. shirley, are affiliated with the kc-x source selection and thus we cannot address nor speculate on matters beyond the scope of today's hearing. as the senior air force military officer with contracting experience, as well as experience in numerous source selection's i been asked to review the redacted record of the incident and the extent of the air force's response so that i could appear today to address the process that was followed and have the air force's actions maintain the integrity of the source selection process. i know that committee members are aware that the air force is in the midst of the source selection, and will appreciate that my testimony today will be limited to the specifics of this event and my analys

mr. mccain of arizona, ms. mikulski of maryland, mr. moran of kansas, ms. murkowski of alaska. the vice president: please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god? the group: i do. the vice president: congratulations. the vice president: the senate will please come to order. the clerk will call the names of the next group. the clerk: mrs. murray of washington, mr. paul of kentucky, mr. portman of ohio, mr. reid of nevada. the vice president: please raise your right hands. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this oath of obliga

mr. mccain of arizona, ms. mikulski of maryland, mr. moran of kansas, ms. murkowski of alaska. the vice president: please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god? the group: i do. the vice president: congratulations. the vice president: the senate will please come to order. the clerk will call the names of the next group. the clerk: mrs. murray of washington, mr. paul of kentucky, mr. portman of ohio, mr. reid of nevada. the vice president: please raise your right hands. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this oath of obliga

mccain? >> thank you, mr. chairman. madam secretary, the president said on tuesday night that he was in favor of repeal of 1099 and also believes that medic malpractice should be an issue that we should be addressing. do you agree with the president? >> yes, sir. >> would you submit perhaps for the record some idea of what the parameters of medical malpractice reform might be that suggestions the department might have? >> well, senator, as you know, the department has had authority -- >> would you -- the question is would you submit for the record? >> would i submit them? sure. >> thank you very much, since we tried repeatedly over a year to get some kind of addressing in the 2,700 some page document some action on what most experts agree contributes sometime 20, 30% to the additional costs of health care. you have granted over 700 waivers. now for employers and union plans from the "annual benefit limit restrictions in health reform bill." why not make those permanent? >> senator, the goal of the law in the area of the

mccain? >> thank you, mr. chairman.madam secretary, the president said on tuesday night that he was in favor of repeal of 1099 and also believes that medical malpractice should be an issue that we should be addressing. do you agree with the president? >> yes, sir. >> would you submit perhaps for the record some idea of what the parameters of medical malpractice reform might be that suggestions the department might have? >> well, senator, as you know, the department has had authority -- >> would you -- the question is would you submit for the record? >> would i submit them? sure. >> thank you very much, since we tried repeatedly over a year to get some kind of addressing in the 2,700 some page document some action on what most experts agree contributes sometime 20, 30% to the additional costs of health care. you have granted over 700 waivers. now for employers and union plans from the "annual benefit limit restrictions in health reform bill." why not make those permanent? >> senator, the goal of the law in the area of th

mccain? >> thank you, mr. chairman. madam secretary, the president said on tuesday night that he was in favor of repeal of 1099 and also believes that medical maractice should be an issue that we should be addressing. do you agree with the president? >> yes, sir. >> would you submit perhaps for the record some idea of what the parameters of medical malpractice reform might be that suggestions the department might have? >> well, senator, as you know, the department has had authority -- >> would you -- the question is uld you submit for the record? >> would i submit them? sure. >> thank you very much, since we tried repeatedly over a year to get some kind of addressing in the 2,700 some page document some action on what most experts agree contributes sometime 20, 30% to the additional costs of health care. you have granted over 700 waivers. now for employers and union plans from the "annual benefit limit restrictions in health reform bill." why not make those permanent? >> senator, the goal of the law in the area of the a

mccain. the presiding officer: the senator from utah. mr.atch: madam president, i certainly grieve and also appreciate all of the remarks of the distinguished senator from arizona. what a tragedy. but there are heroes there as well. and i appreciate his remarks. madam president, in recent months president obama has frequently discussed our nation's disturbing fiscal situation. he's right to do so. our yearly deficit and accumulated debt hangs over the futures of our children and grandchildren. though he was late to the table on this issue, president obama seems to have finally recognized the frustration and anger of the american people over our federal fiscal policies. recognize that you have a problem -- recognizing that you have a problem is an important first step and i applaud the president for speaking to our nation's structural deficits. but this is a critical issue and any solution will require that those responsible will give a full and fair accounting of the policies that have led to this crisis. 0 unfortunately rather than own up t

congress, i joined senators cardin and mccain in cosponsoring the justice for sergei monisky act which would block visas to russian individuals responsible for mr. minisky's unfortunate death. in this, the 112th congress, i will continue to highlight the treatment of opposition figures in russia and the regrettable erosion of the rule of law. i urge president obama and secretary of state clinton to make the attempt of opposition figure -- the attempt of opposition figures a central part to reset relations with russia. russia needs to prove that it is truly committed to the rule of law. and to human rights of all of its citizen including those who disagree with the government. without this, our efforts to find common ground on other issues of mutual concern will continue to be undermine. i than thank you, mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from iowa. mr. harkin: mr. president, first of all, i ask consent that the -- the remarks i'm about to make and the colloquy i'm about to engage in with the senator from new mexico appear unbroken by the statements by the -- by statement just made by the senator from mississippi whose statement

mr. reid: i ask consent that s. res. 14, resolution honoring the victims and heroes of the shooting on january 8, 2011, in tucson, arizona, submitted by senators mccain and kyl remain at the desk. that the senate proceed to its consideration at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, wednesday, january, 26, there be 3 1/2 hours of debate between the majority leader or the republican leader or designees. upon the use or yielding back of that time, the senate vote on adoption of the resolution, no motions to be in order, further that if the resolution is adopted, the the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table and there be no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: there -- is there objection? the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i ask that the presiding office of the senate be authorized to join with the like committee on part of the house to escort the president of the united states to the house chamber for the joint session to be held tonight at 9:00 p.m. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i'm told there are two bills at the desk for their first reading. i ask that you consider them en b

mr. president, first, i want to express my strong support for the resolution on the floor honoring the victims and the heros of the tucson shooting, and i thank senators kyl and mccain for introducing it. let me take this opportunity to express my sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives that morning and join with all of those persevering in prayer for the injured including congresswoman giffords. her condition, thankfully, still apierres to be -- appears to be improving day by day. we will never forget the heros of those who sacrificed their own safety that morning in tucson for the good of those around them. no other dedication of those who attended to the wounded immediately after the shooting both at the scene and hospital rooms in the days that followed. we thank all of them for giving us in the midst of had event some reason for hope and a powerful example of service to follow. it's my hope that today's resolution will help in some way to preserve the memory of the dead, the injured, and the heros of tucson. hopefully out of this terrible national tragedy, the rest of us can draw strength and inspiration, grow in concern for those around us, and

mr. chairman. i would like to say first that the air force did start off with this process in an unfortunate way. people from the boeing company and the air force went to jail. senator mccain smelled a rat early on. this committee was the one committee that was not consulted in how that original contract was awarded. senator mccain, supported by senator john warner challenged the situation. what we decided to do was to have a competition. it was the right decision to do. it saved $7 billion. i remember declaring senator mccain to be the $7 billion man as a result of having a competition in this process. a fair, objective competition is what we need and what we have committed to as a committee, as a congress. on happy eve of this final decision, we have people with political interests and local interest trying to destabilize the process. i am not happy about that. i wish it had not happened. i understand how important it is. it would mean a lot to my state just like it would mean a lot for other states if it were to go another way. we have to be sure we are not doing anything that says we expect the air force to do anything other than what we have directed them to do. the q

mr. mccain: madam president, i >> and present i ask unanimous consent further proceedings under the quorum call beit suspended.obje >> without objection. >> i call up resolution -- billf number 188 and ask for its immediate consideration.of >> the clerk will report. >> the bill will be received. >> madam president, and pleased introduce legislation with senator kyl that would designate the soon-to-be constructed federal courthouse in yuma arizona to be named in honor of chief judge john rollef who diee tragically during the senseless act of violence against congresswoman giffords and otheh arizonans in tucson earlier this month. p i had the distinct privilege of knowing and working with chief judge role for many years.t, in fact it was my honor to recommend him to president george herbert walker bush for t nomination to the federal bench in 1991. he served with distinction. most recently judge roll became known by so many new state of arizona for judicial conference and many in

mr. inhofe: madam president, i heard the trip bouts that were made today by senator john mccain and senatorjon kyl about the role that was played by the very heroic judge who lost his live in the tragedy that took place in tucson. shortly after the tragedy. senators mccain and kyl offices reached out to my committee, the committee on which i'm the ranking member and senator boxer is the chairman and talked about how they could go about honoring judge john roll by naming the new courthouse that will be constructed in yuma, arizona. many of us have come to know about the work of judge roll after the -- his tragic, heroic death in the recent shooting when he died protecting ron barber, congresswoman giffords' district director, sacrificing himself. but my office knew about it before, about judge roll's work on behalf of the judicial system in arizona. judge roll contacted my committee staff last year after a g.a.o. report criticizing the way that arizona was utilizing their courthouse space. and he wrote to us, and this is a quote, the letter from judge roll to us, he said, "on behalf of the d