mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i thank my friend from delaware. i ask unanimous consent that the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the consideration of s. res. 191 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 191 designating june 20, 2017, as american eagle day and so forth. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of s. res. 192 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the

mr. mcconnell: so, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 4:00 p.m. monday, june 12. further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning business be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. finally, following leader remarks, the senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to calendar 110, s. 722 postcloture. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: so if there is no further business to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until the price is president for human rights abuses. the free number is administrator of the federal emergency, white house budget deputy and the head of the office of information and regulatory affairs.

mr. mcconnell: i think -- mr. schumer: since our leader has said, our republican leader, that there will be plenty of time for a process where people can make amendments. you need time to prepare those amendments. mr. mcconnell: i think we'll have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill. mr. schumer: will it be more than ten hours? hoip i think we'll have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill. mr. schumer: i rest my case. a senator: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from michigan. ms. stabenow: madam president, as a senior member of the united states senate finance committee which held more than 50 hearings, round tables and walk threws on health reform, we spent eight days just marking up the bill in committee who considered more than 130 amendments, more than two dozen republican amendments being agreed to at that time in the committee, a committee that posted their legislation online for six days before the original committee markup, a committee that spent then with the senate 25 c

mr. mcconnell: i think -- mr. schumer: since our leader has said, our republican leader, that there will be plenty of time for a process where people can make amendments. you need time to prepare those amendments. mr. mcconnell: i think we'll have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill. mr. schumer: will it be more than ten hours? hoip i think we'll have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill. mr. schumer: i rest my case.

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the mcconnell second-degree amendment, number 233, be withdrawn, the pending cloture motion with respect to amendment 232 be withdrawn, that the amendment be modified with the technical changes at the desk, and that at 2:00 p.m. wednesday, june 14, the senate vote on adoption of the mcconnell-for-crapo amendment number 232 as modified with no intervening action for debate and no second-degree amendments in order to amendment 232 prior to the vote. finally, that following leader remarks on wednesday june 14, the time until 2:00 p.m. be equally divided in the usual form. the presiding officer: is there objection? mr. schumer: reserving -- i will not object, but reserving -- first i want to thank the majority leader, as well as senators corker, cardin, crapo and blown. this is an example of where we can work together on issues that we agree on. i think it will do a lot of good in both direc

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask consent that further proceedings under the quorum be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of executive calendar 120 through 152 and all nominations in the air force, army, marines, and navy with the exception of colonel delarigs, that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, that no further motions be in order, any statements related to the nomination be printed in the record, the president be immediately notified of the senate's action, and the senate then resume legislative session. the presiding officer: the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that w

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, reserving the right to object, my colleague, senator cornyn, was going to ask the question, which i will answer, which was the majority leader's referring to a bill that he hadn't seen a copy of because it hadn't yet been released, so the speech you just heard was about a bill that he hasn't seen. with regard to his consent, i object. mr. schumer: mr. president. the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. schumer: mr. president, parliament privilege -- not parliament privilege. leader time. the presiding officer: the senator has the floor. mr. schumer: thank you. 142 pages thus far of this supposed bill have been printed online, and that's what i have used. mr. durbin: mr. president. the presiding officer: the minority whip. mr. durbin: mr. president, several weeks ago, the house of representatives passed a bill to repeal the affordable care act and to replace it. it was passed without hearings. it was passed without an amendment process, and it was passed before the con

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, could we have order in the senate. the presiding officer: we'll have order. order in the chamber. the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, and the president be moodily notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. the clerk will report the motion to invoke cloture. the clerk: cloture motion: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of marshal billing billingslea, to be assistant secretary for terrorist financing, department of treasury. signed by 17 senators. the presiding officer: the question is, is it the sense of the senate that debate on the nomination of marshall billingslea of virginia to be assistant secretary for terrorist financing, department of the treasury, shall be brought to a close? the yeas and

mr. mcconnell: madam president, reserving the right to object. i remember full well seven years ago. senator reid was the majority leader. we are called into session the monday after thanksgiving and we stayed here seven days a week until christmas eve. so why did we stay in session seven days a week from the monday after thanksgiving until christmas eve? our democrat friends didn't want anybody to go home. they didn't want anybody go home and have to explain what they were in the process of writing in the majority leader's office. so i think it's pretty safe to say this is -- this subject has been very partisan from the beginning. not a single republican voted for the bill. and our friends on the other side have made it perfectly clear no democrats will be voting to replace it. so through that process, our colleagues on the other side had 60 votes at the time. obamacare was imposed on our country. over the last seven years we've all witnessed and debated its many failures. over the last seven years republicans have offered ideas on a better way forward. over the last seven years dem

mr. mcconnell: i object. the presiding officer: objection is heard. a senator: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from pennsylvania. mr. casey: madam president, this past friday when i was back in pennsylvania, i had the opportunity to meet a family that i've referred to very often on the floor, the simpson family.and their son is on the you a tism spectrum. i have talked -- you a -- autism. we have the beginnings of a debate of what will be in the senate bill if one emerges and i think if -- if we're going to be up front about what happens to families and individuals like roan, it would be important to know what happens to a family that has a loved one with a disability in context with both the senate bill emerging and the house bill. on behalf of roan and those who have a loved one with a disability, i ask unanimous consent that no motion to proceed to calendar no. 120, h.r. 1628, the american health care act, be in order until the bill is jointly referred to the committee on finance and the committee on health, education, labor, and pensions. the presiding off

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: moi to proceed to scif session to proceed to consider the nomination of nomination 154, neomi rao, to be administrator of the office of information and regulatory affairs. the presiding officer: question is on the motion to proceed. all in favor say aye. mr. mcconnell: yea. the presiding officer: opposed, nay. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have t mott session agreed to. the the clerk will report. the clerk: executive office of the president, neomi rao of district of columbia, to be administrator of the office of information and regulatory affairs. mr. mcconnell: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the motion. the clerk: cloture motion: we, the undersigned senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule 22 of the standing rules of the senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of neomi rao to be administrator of the office of information and regulatory affairs, signed by 17 senators as follow

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, reserving the right to object, my colleague, senator cornyn, was going to ask the question, which i will answer, which was the majority leader's referring to a bill that he hadn't seen a copy of because it hadn't yet been released, so the speech you just heard was about a bill that he hasn't seen. with regard to his consent, i object. mr. schumer: mr. president. the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. schumer: mr. president, parliament privilege -- not parliament privilege. leader time. the presiding officer: the senator has the floor. mr. schumer: thank you. 142 pages thus far of this supposed bill have been printed online, and that's what i have used. mr. durbin: mr. president. the presiding officer: the minority whip. mr. durbin: mr. president, several weeks ago, the house of representatives passed a bill to repeal the affordable care act and to replace it. it was passed without hearings. it was passed without an amendment process, and it was passed before the con

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i say to my colleague, i have a few more items here and i will be finished. i ask unanimous consent the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate complete its business today it adjourn until 11:00 a.m. thursday, june 22, further, following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved until later in the day, and morning business be closed. further, following lead leader remarks the senate proceed to executive session and reassume consideration of the billingslea nomination and that all quorum calls and leader remarks be considered postcloture. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask that the senate stand adjourned following the remarks of our democratic colleag

mr. mcconnell: seven years ago democrats imposed obamacare on our country. they said it would lower costs. it didn't. in 20 -- from 2013 to 2017 premiums have on average doubled in a vast majority of states on the federal exchange. next year obamacare premiums will go up across the country once again, potentially by as much as 43% in iowa, 59% in maryland, and even a staggering 80% in new mexico. does it sound like obamacare is working? they said it wouldn't increase choice -- they said it would increase choice. they said it would increase choice, but, of kowrgs, it didn't. this year 70% of american counties have had little or no choice of insurers under obamacare. next year at least 44 counties are projected to have no choice at all, meaning, yet again, americans could be thrown off their plans in states like missouri and ohio and wisconsin. does it sound like obamacare is working? democrats tell us it would be wrong for the senate to actually address these problems in a serious way while the law they've defended for seven years teeters -- literally teeters

mr. mcconnell: mr. mcconnell: if i may just do a wrapup here. mr. wicker: i would be delighted to yield. mr. mcconnell: i thank my friend. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today it adjourn till 12:00 noon wednesday, june 21. further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. further, following leader remarks the senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the mandelker nomination postcloture. finally all time during morning business recess, adjournment and leader remarks count postcloture on the mandelker nomination. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: if there's no further business to come before the senate, i ask it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of senator wicker and senator hassan

mr. mcconnell: since obamacare was imposed on the american people, it has been higher costs for the middle class. we watched obamacare unravel before our very eyes with each passing year and now it teeters on the edge of collapse and we face a choice -- allow the unsustainable obamacare status quo to continue, hurting more americans, or take action to finally move forward. early on democrats made it clear they did not want to work with us toward the goal in a serious or bipartisan way. i regret that, but we have a responsibility to move forward, and we are. as i've said, our entire conference has been active and engaged on moving beyond obamacare for quite some time now. we have focused on stabilizing insurance markets which are collapsing under obamacare, improving the affordability of health insurance which keeps getting more expensive under obamacare, freeing americans from obamacare's mandates which forced them to buy insurance they don't want, strengthening medicaid for those who need it the most, and preserving access to care for patients with preexisting conditions. those are the pr

mr. mcconnell. it's an extension of the republican party, and if it fails, it will not go away, which is why those who oppose it must keep their feet on the gas. >> he comes up with his own promise to his party in the senate which is, i will move on. he told them from the outset that he was willing to lose. he will move on no matter what the vote was. he now has a pressure he created for himself, which is the pressure to move on. >> right. and also, at some point, he has to move on. they have to pass a bill to raise the debt limit, they have to pass spending bills for the next fiscal year. there are other things that really are must pass that the senator has to do. at some point they will at least have to set health care aside. the other thing is insurers are going through the process of setting premiums for next year. they're spooked by health care in the market. the longer that goes on, the uglier the insurance situation gets for them and the republicans have to take care of that. >> thank you for

mr. mcconnell: are we in a quorum call? the presiding officer: we are not. mr. mcconnell: this morning, mr. president, the senate continues to send its prayers to all the victims of yesterday's horrific shooting. we know our house colleagues are all thinking about their colleague, majority whip scalise. it's been an immensely difficult 24 hours for all the victims, including mitt mike have a -- mitt mikva who remains in i.c.u. and the others. those officers didn't back down when faced with this threat. instead, as the capitol police always do, they put themselves in harm's way to help protect others. without them, we know so many more would have been injured. so we want to continue to express our gratitude to all those who courageously put their lives on the line to keep the capitol community safe. in doing so, we're also reminded of the bravery of our colleagues on the field yesterday, those who stepped in to help friends who had been injured as they waited for first responders to arrive. i think it says something about the character of those people as well. the

mr. mcconnell: madam president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: seven years ago, the democrats forced an unfair health care system on our country that they called the affordable care act. it turned out to be anything but that. they told americans it would lower their premiums, but obamacare has increased premiums by an reasonabl average of 105%e vast majority of states often the federal exchange since 2013. unless we act, we can expect similar trends for years to come. they told americans it would expand choice in the health care marketplace, but obamacare has left americans in 70% of u.s. counties with little or no options for insurance this year. unless we act, we can expect things to get worse. they told americans it would allow them to keep their doctors, their plans, and they are ability to keep the smartest health care decisions for their family. but instead obamacare forced millions off the plans they liked and forced millions into plans they either didn't want or couldn't afford. so unless we act, more americans will be left trap

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senate majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the motion to reconsider with respect to the svinicki nomination be considered made and laid upon the table and the president be immediately notified of the the senate's action. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate be in a period of morning business for debate only and with senators permitted to speak therein. the presiding officer: without objection. the senator from hawaii. ms. hirono: mr. president, we are all one diagnosis away from having a serious illness. lots of us believe getting a serious illness is something ha happens to other people. i was one of them. my moment of reckoning came two months ago. my doctor told me i have kidney cancer. it's a moment everyone dreads. thankfully, i was -- i have health insurance. no one should have to worry about whether they can afford the health care that one day might save their life. health care is personal and it's a right, not a

mr. mcconnell say they're not even working with us. do you think that's going to happen?r are they rallying from inside their own ranks? >> i think if the democrats come forward and work with republicans, it's going to be something very similar to what mitch mcconnell said yesterday after the meeting at the white house. you know, if we have to go to senator schumer and work with them, then the republicans are not going to like whatever we end up coming up with, because many of our, our mean republican ideas, will not be included. democrats, anything that involves repealing obamacare will not be on board with that. i think if the democrats do get on board it will be because republicans decided to nix the idea of repeal. and simply move forward with changing and improving, as democrats and republicans -- well, not republicans, have said, we need to this point. >> molly, let me ask you about an interesting dynamic played here. you heard lisa murkowski earlier make reference to the fact that president trump didn't have any military experience or political experience. that cou

mr. mcconnell: i suggest the absence of a he quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: quorum call: the presiding officer: the democratic leader. mr. schumer: i ask unanimous consent the quorum be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. schumer: thank you, madam president. madam president, we're only a little more than a week away from having to vote on a secret republican health care bill. according to the timelines given by the majority leader to the press. just one week away from voting on legislation that will reorder one-sixth of our economy and impact every single american in this country, and not a soul in america has seen it. i have never seen a more radical or reckless legislative process in my time in politics. write the bill in secret, discuss it in secret, send it to c.b.o. in secret, and then rush it to the floor with no committee hearings, no amendments and just ten hours of debate for the minority. that's not how america ever got big things done. that's not how we do bi

mr. mcconnell: madam president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask that s. res. 184 be star print. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business if adjourn until 9:00 a.m., wednesday, june 7, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved until later in the day, finally that following leader remarks the senate proceed to calendar no. 110, s. 722. the presiding officer: is there objection? the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: i ask that the senate stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the the presiding officer: the we will carry his small testimony and the intelligence committee and the entirety life thursday 9:30 a.m. eastern on c-span three. and online a

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: we've been debating obamacare's fail use and -- failures and what to do about them for so many years now. we've heard so many distress stories from constituents who have been hurt. thankfully the senate will have a chance to turn the page on the failed law. the entire senate conference has been engaged on moving on obamacare for some time. we've had many productive discussions on the way forward. we're united in our belief that the american people deserve better than obamacare's unsustainable status quo. while it's disappointing that our democratic colleagues decided early on they didn't want to work seriously with us on solution, senate republicans remain focused on the following -- stabilizing insurance markets which are collapsing under obamacare, improving the affordability of health insurance, which is spiking under obamacare, freeing americans from obamacare's mandates, which forced them to buy insurance they don't want, strengthening medicaid for those who need it the

mr. mcconnell is doing everything he can, he will do to drag it takes to try and across the finish line. if you are afraid of becoming one of the more than 22 million americans who will lose your health insurance because of trumpcare, make sure you make your voices heard. not just to your senator but to your member of congress, make sure they know what is at stake for you and your family. my family is living with alzheimer's in a nursing home if there are thousands of people in california and millions across the country who rely on medicaid to stay in assisted living facilities. if trumpcare passes, the real-life nightmare that families with loved ones will have to face is unimaginable. that is the true human cost of trumpcare. not measured in dollars and cents, measured in life. is at stake. we will continue to push back against this terrible, mean-spirited bill and i am pleased to stand with my colleagues. member on my ranking the committee. >> we are paying tribute to our ranking members. what is inent on this senate bill is so clear but what is more important is what is in the afford

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: every week it seems we hear more news about the failures of obamacare. for instance, two weeksing a, we learned that nearly 70,000 people in parts of missouri and kansas would lose their last insurance provider on the obamacare exchanges in 2018. from rural towns to kansas city, these americans are being left without options. last week we learned that thousands of obamacare customers in nebraska would be left with only one provider on the exchanges and that the remaining insurer hasn't even decided if it's going to stay through 2018. this week we learned that a number of health insurers participating in obamacare exchanges had declined by nearly a quarter from 2016 to 23017. -- to 2017. it has become painfully clear that obamacare is failing to live up to its promises and is collapsing right in front of our eyes. if this continues, more americans are likely to lose their insurance options. more americans are likely to see their premiums continue to rise. more americans are l

if mcconnell gets those for afford, the conservative bloc, including two of mr.rump's highest profile opponents in the primary, ted cruz and rand paul, would present the final hurdled. ted cruz and likely issuing a midday -- and mike leigh issuing a midday referendum they cannot support the legislation as written. the fate of the bill could ultimately live with curzruz. he has spoken with his texas colleagues, who on thursday was carrying a memo in his jacket pocket that contained a list of his demands that marked the pas s. i the end of next week, it will be clear if he got there. in the olympia, washington. independent color. caller: as a real dilemma. middle-class americans with the high deductibles and premiums are being absolutely decimated here they are losing their houses, they are not going to the doctor, they are not taking care of their health. on the other hand, we have people that have dropped out of school, had children out of wedlock, chose to sell drugs and center working, and cannot get a job. those people, the poor, are not .etting covered they n

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i know the entire senate will join in echoing the sentiments of the president this morning. we're deeply saddened. we're all concerned for those injured. we will keep them in our prayers, and we'll continue to send them every wish for a quick and full recovery. we're grateful for all those who stepped in to help, those practicing on the field, first responders, and of course the capitol police officers on the scene. we're deeply indebted for their service. we again salute their continuing and unfailing bravery on behalf of the capitol community. the congressional baseball game is a bipartisan charity event. i know the senate will embrace that spirit today as we come together in expressing both our concern and our gratitude. the presiding officer: the democratic leader. mr. schumer: i join with the majority leader in offering our prayers for those who are injured. i was absolutely shaken by the news of a shooting early this morning at the baseball field in alexandria where ma

mr. mcconnell: if ness to further business to come before the senate, i ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: we will stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m. . >> mr. chairman secretary mattis i'm a new congressman and i have to tell you i am surprised but we have across the globe and i quickly became the captain of a 335 ship me. with that to future defense strategy might change or evolves? and don't want to put words in your routes. so soweto's major conflicts simultaneously so do you envision and i know your crystal ball may not be perfect but what about that aspect changing over time?. >> the enemy or our adversary that is like what he uses with that unpredictable phenomenon that they deal with that is called war. that is why you have to be prepared for that is everything about the of military that has a shock absorber and then to be more than one adversary and in one arena if they have mischief in mind they will take advantage and then to be more proposed over one thing. >> but if somebody asked you with that billion dollar reduction with the shipbuild

mr. trump given mitch mcconnell of kentucky breathing cheering ite a bill, on the effort from the sideline, but with the floor shutdown looming, the president plans to up his involvement with phone calls and tweets to get he bill through the house last month. the senators, as we said, meeting blind closed doors this to learn more about the legislation. bird ran into a republican she alaska and asked her if had seen a bill text this morning or quote, i am not a reporter and i'm not a lobbyist, seen nothing. some republicans complaining about access to the legislation. new senator from maryland, democrat, republican carmen, s are giving san diego a run for her money, show us the bill. then, so that is couple of he reactions, democrat in michigan, this is not about if and how the g.o.p. can count to people's this is about lives and americans deserve answers. draft blicans showing legislation today to their colleagues, a vote could happen next week. expecting the congressional budget office to by monday.ation front page of "wall street journal" says senate republicans pass legislation next wee

mr. mcconnell: madam president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: last week the senate voted on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis to advance the iran sanctions bill currently before us and we'll take another vote today to proceed to that bill. i want to thank the chairs and ranking members of the foreign relations and banking committees: chairman corker, chairman crapo, for their efforts to craft much-needed additional sanctions on russia as well. i'd encourage members of both parties to keep working together so we can pass the critical iran sanctions legislation very soon. now on another matter, seven years ago senate democrats on the obama administration forced obamacare on the american people. obamacare never actually lived up to what democrats had promised. from rising costs to shrinking choices and collapsing markets, the problems associated with obamacare grew across the country as the years passed, leaving the american people literally to pick up the pieces. obamacare's years' long legacy of failure will only get worse unless we ac

mr. mcconnell's push to get this through.cause it will show a lot of americans losing their insurance or not be on insurance. it will highlight the fact this is not a repeal or replace bill at all. it is really a tax bill and insurance bill for risk pools for the insurance companies. it is sort of like what abraham lincoln used to always like to ask. if you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does a dog have, it is still four. calling this repeal and replace has nothing to do with it. cheryl: there are some very specific things the gop republicans will not support this. the biggest is medicaid really. barrasso republican senator said the plan is not a replace. when it comes to regulation, when it comes to medicaid committees are big financial risk that the gop bill is taking on. this could definitely hurt states. >> yes. the prescription for health care is a good dose of federalism. there are some things within the bill that do block grant things back to this day a little bit. we're a long ways away. on a radio program thi

mr. mcconnell needs a 50 of his 52 republicans, four have already said no as of right now. what does it mean for next week? walks the wealthy. >> the first thing that will happen is will get a cbo score,o and analysis from the congressional budget office which will estimate how many people will lose their insurance because of the changes and how deep the cuts to medicaid are going to be. those things are going -- and the impact on the budget will be in terms of how much this will reduce the deficit. that will determine a lot how people vote, several of the district moderates were worried about the medicaid are waiting for that cbo score before they make a decision. already, mcconnell is in the hole, for conservatives that can support the bill as drafted and they are willing to negotiate but the moderates are waiting for the cbo score, coming out early next week and then mcconnell will move ahead and schedule a vote whether he has the votes or not and rolled the dice and hope that he can change people's minds on the floorr during the debate by allowing them to have amendment

mr. mcconnell, who has been toiling for weeks, mostly in private, to put together a measure to satisfy hardliners and moderates told mr. priebus that it not on jeopardized this bill's prospects but also imperilled mr. heller's already difficult reelection. "this just shows you they don't have the votes right now and they can't count on mine going forward o ". a call are asked, how do you reason with a president who lies 97% of the time? heller responded it is frustrated to deal with a white house that is not 100% accurate. >> it's very polite of the senator. >> we do need to talk about the press briefing yesterday. >> we'll get to that. >> which was incredible. >> the press secretaries are incredible. this whole thing is unprecedented. >> it really is. >> it's crazy. >> incredibly stupid would be a mild way to put what this ham-fisted without has done in treating members of congress that they need to persuade. it seems like he's lost dean heller for good. so take that one off -- >> check. >> check. >> i mean, how do they guest this passed even two weeks from now when they come back from recess sm

mr. mcconnell. appeal be introducing this commonsense legislation here very shortly. and with that, mr. president, i yield the floor. and i would note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: quorum call: a senator: i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call be suspended and i be recognized to address the issue of russian sanctions. the presiding officer: without objection, the senator from arizona. mr. mccain: mr. president, i rise in the destabilizing activities act of 2017. for too long the myopic focus on the iran deal blinded the united states to iran's persistent campaign to destabilize the middle east and undermine america's national security interests. iran has been given a free pass to detain u.s. sailors in clear violation of international law, conduct ballistic missile tests in violation of the united nations resolutions, supporter i.r.s. groups across the region, and prop up the assad regime in syria. it's long past time for the united states and international community to hold iran accountable, not just for its commitments

mr. mcconnell is pulling the strings that does point.e said he hasn't seen the health bill even though he is on the working group charged with writing it. being written by a small number of staffers. if you are frustrated by the lack of transparency i share your frustration he said. in terms of what happens after the bill is released and after the senate votes on this bill the washington examiner notes that if republicans can clear this bill it would go back to the house which would either accept it or demand a conference hammer out a final compromise. we want to hear your thoughts this morning on what your message with the to senators as they discussed the health-care legislation. republicans (202) 748-8001. democrats (202) 748-8000. .ndependents (202) 748-8002 yesterday sean spicer talked about the white house's involvement in this than it is beings the bill developed. here's what sean spicer had to say. i don't know that. i know there was some chatter today. the president has been on the phone extensively with the leader and she senat

mr. mcconnell called up the white house chief of staff and said it was beyond stupid they were doing thatey brought it up in yesterday's meeting in the white house. >> there is a phrase in politics. it is called breaking your pick. you try something and fail. and it sends forth the word that you're weak. is it that bad or just about snark where is it limited to? or is it limited? >> i think it derives from the fact he does not have a real vested interest in the policy. you have one of the three players in this who doesn't have a stated policy objective. it's one thing to be flexible in materials of the way it is wrichblt it is another thing to not have any position to stake out. today was really interesting. trump was asked a detail question about medicaid. he that brushed it off. what are the no fly zones on the bill? what are his red lines and she totally punted. it doesn't seal like they have any set principles in terms of what they want out of this bill. >> let me ask but this president. do you have a expense this is a permanent problem that has now become obvious? >> i think the real

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: yesterday the republican senate took another step to advance key sanctions legislation to hold iran accountable. the iranians are pursuing a regional strategy intent on empowering shia militias, hezbollah, their houthi proxies and other groups. after years of the obama administration's willingness to ignore iran's maligned activities and failure to address iran's provocations, we finally have an administration that shares our desire to take a stronger approach to keep the american people safe. this legislation will enhance our ability to hold iran accountable, which is of great importance given iran's continued testing of ballistic missiles, its harassment of u.s. vessels at sea, and its support of terrorism across the region. at a time when we face many challenges both at home and abroad, we must do everything we can to enable our country to counter threats where they exist and protect the american people. that's why we'll keep working to pass this iran sanctions legislatio

mr. mcconnell, we won't even take it to the shore. what does that tell you? >> it's not an easy thing. three cycles it is not that easy. some voters, we saw during the 2016 cycle, who really don't like obamacare. i spoke to a lot of voters, trump supporters. the reason i like him, i'm opposed to obamacare. other voters, in arkansas, say i like obamacare. good for me and help me get insurance. make no mistake about this, when you change an entitlement program it is incredibly hard because you are taking something away from people. that's what year seeing. this is not proposal. it involve as human toll. >> there are more of the republican party. but when there are month, from different parts of the country. people from the rural states dealing with medicaid and the issue. susan collins from maine, moderate but from a rural state tweeting after the cbo report came out, i want to work with democrats and the gop to fix the problems. the senate bill won't do. it i will vote know on a procedural motion. medicaid hurts most vulnerable americans. senate doesn't fix the problems for rural maine.

mr. mcconnell says don't criticize the secret process, here's the chance. if a republican like susan collins opposes it, would they move it knowing you would lose mike lee, rand paul, ted cruz, you don't have the votes in the end. can the democrats, even though they were involved until now, be able to push it one way or the other to make it acceptable to 50? >> i think it depends which democrat you're talking about, are they up for re-election, is it something they've already staked their reputation on. an interesting one is the opioid legislation that doesn't exist yet. odds are somebody's going to try to insert that into the bill. and will senators, democratic senators from places like west virginia, from places that are hit hard by this crisis really be able to say, well, i didn't do it because there is procedurally a more bigger gain down the line that i couldn't vote for it -- that's difficult to translate to people at home when it's not -- when it's an issue you said you care about that they care about. you will see splintering on amendments when it h

mr. mcconnell, tell us what's in it. >> sounds like obstruction, senator. >> well, it is but it's one of we're trying to do. the obstruction is make sure they bring it out into the light of day. we're not going to let them fast track this thing onto the floor with no votes, with no discussion, so that they're going to have people vote on something that will haunt the american people. talking about 23 million who will be thrown out on the streets without insurance and tax increase on vetraerans, as many as 7 million. this is a bill that takes health care away from the working to give tax cuts to the rich. >> most democrats like you are passionate about this subject. but if the republicans do come to an agreement they do come forward with a bill and send to the house and house signs it and goes and passes it on to the president. what can democrats do to stop it? is there any path whatsoever? any strategy? >> well, i don't think there's much we can do to stop it but can make it clear to the american people what has happened to them and we will see that all those americans who will lose heal

mr. mcconnell?ink we'll have opportunity to read and amend the bill. >> seth: "i think we'll have ample opportunity to read and amend the bill" is the longest euphemism i've ever heard for, "go [ bleep ] yourself." [ light laughter ] you can't even guarantee it takes longer to debate a healthcare bill than it takes to binge-watch a season of "empire." [ light laughter ] and to paraphrase "empire," republicans, "if you want cookie's nookie, ditch the mitch." [ light laughter ] this is a dramatic break from how the legislative process is supposed to work. of course, when democrats worked to pass obamacare in 2009-2010, it was a much more normal process, with over 100 hearings and months of debate. today's process is far worse, and yet you'll never guess how much of what mcconnell is totally cool with today, he complained about back then. >> the bill we're being asked to consider was assembled behind closed doors, out of sight, without input from the public. nobody has seen it other than the handful of

mr. mcconnell won't let the republicans see what's in it. >> ramesh, steve, heidi, i'm sorry, that's all.ia 6 is not the only race on the ballot next tuesday. this is a story about mail and packages. and it's also a story about people and while we make more e-commerce deliveries to homes than anyone else in the country, we never forget... that your business is our business the united states postal service. priority: you for years, centurylink has been promising fast internet to small businesses. but for many businesses, it's out of reach. why promise something you can't deliver? comcast business is different. ♪ ♪ we deliver super-fast internet with speeds of 250 megabits per second across our entire network, to more companies, in more locations, than centurylink. we do business where you do business. ♪ ♪ >>> well, in case you missed it, the georgia 6 congressional race is not the only special election that is happening this coming tuesday. there is another house seat left open by another of the president's cabinet members. democrat archie parnell and republican ralph norman are facing off

mr mcconnell did not believe he could get its roof. this is a setback for the republicans?ns expressing concern about the bill. they wanted to try and get this path before the end of the week because republicans are going home for the 11th ofjuly recess where they are going to be bottas abating in parades and meeting with constituents and holding town halls. they will get an earfulfrom their holding town halls. they will get an earful from their voters on the left and right about this bill, which was generally not that popular. they will have to address it when they come back in july, will have to address it when they come back injuly, and they only have three weeks to get through it before they leave for august. there isa before they leave for august. there is a lot of pressure, and being more they push us back the harder it will be to pass the legislation. they push us back the harder it will be to pass the legislationm they push us back the harder it will be to pass the legislation. it looks like something president trump said on the campaign trail for the white house th