mr. mcconnell: madam president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the consideration of s. con. res. 5, submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate concurrent resolution 55, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the capitol for the lying in state of the remains of the late george herbert walker bush, 41st president of the united states. the presiding officer: there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the consideration of s. con. res. 66 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: without objection. t

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: first, for the information of all of our colleagues, later this morning i'll introduce a continuing resolution that will ensure continuous funding for the federal government. the measure will provide the resources necessary to continue normal operations through february 8. let's review why this step was necessary. even if the -- even in the face of a great need to secure the border and following good-faith efforts by the president's team, our democratic colleagues rejected an extremely reasonable offer yesterday. it would have cleared the remaining appropriation bills which had received bipartisan support in committee and provided an additional $1 billion to tackle a variety of urgent border security priorities. i'm sorry that my democratic colleagues couldn't put the partisanship aside and show the same good-faith flexibility that the president has shown in order to provide the resources our nation needs to secure

mr. mcconnell: now, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12:00 noon friday, december 21. further, 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 for their use later in the day. finally, following leader remarks, the senate be in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: so, if there's no further business to come before the senate, i ask that is it stand adjourned under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until >> the senate gaveling out, they'll return tomorrow to vote on the house version of the government funding c.r. which could include funding for the border wall. that's being debated in the house tonight. the live coverage of the senate here on c-spa

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i'd like to say a few words following today's announcement from our dear friend, the senior senator from tennessee. the great state of tennessee's been generous to the united states senate over the years. a number of the state senators from both parties have enriched this institution through especially distinguished service and built reputations as national leaders. no one embodies this legacy more fully than lamar alexander. while i'm sure he will accomplish even more over the next two years, he is also one of the most consequential senators on domestic policy in memory. lamar was a success long before he became a senator. he already been a popular, accomplished governor, a brilliant secretary of education, but, fortunately, for this body and for our nation, 16 years ago the volunteer state saw fit to continue that career of excellence by sending lamar here. he's chaired the republican conference, he's chaired the help committee, for his colleagues in both parties, he is a

mr. mcconnell, moves to concur in the house amendment to s. 756, with an amendment numbered 4108. mr. mcconnell: i ask the reading be dispensed with. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment. the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the yeas and nays are ordered. all those in favor say aye. mr. mcconnell: i have a second-degree amendment at the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: the senator from kentucky, mr. mcconnell, for mr. kennedy, proposes an amendment numbered 4109 to amendment numbered 4108. mr. mcconnell: i ask that the reading be dispensed with. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask that the second-degree amendment be divided in three parts in the form at the desk. the presiding officer: the senator has that right. mr. mcconnell: i send a cloture motion to the desk for the motion to concur with further amendment. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the motion. the clerk: cloture motio

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 576, s. 1934. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: calendar number 576, s. 1934, a bill to prevent catastrophic failure or shutdown of remote diesel power engines due to control devices and for other purposes. the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection. the senate will proceed. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the committee-reported amendment at the desk be agreed to, that the bill as amended be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar number 585, h.r. 754. th

mr. mcconnell: could we have order in the chamber. the presiding officer: majority leader. mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i believe there are problems with the law governing the consideration of these types of resolutions. one of the biggest is the consideration of amends. -- amendments. i have a series of parliamentary inquiries that i think will help clarify the problems with the statute. parm meantry inquiry. does this statute provide any guidelines for the consideration of amendments on this resolution? the presiding officer: no, it does not. the statute does not set forth the text to be used in the joint resolution and this statute uses the expedited procedures from the arms export control act, a statute which does not allow amendments and so there are no parameters for the consideration of amendments built into the language. mr. mcconnell: i believe that most times the senate uses expedited procedures. we have either a germaneness requirement for amendments or they cannot be amended. can the chair expound on what sum of those are and what that concept means in the senate? t

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i move to proceed to legislative session. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed say no. the ayes appear to have it. the ayes do have it. the motion is great to. mr. mcconnell: i move to proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 1046. the presiding officer: the question is on the motion. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed say no. the ayes appear to hav-- the ay. the ayes do have it. the motion is greed to the clerk will report the nomination. the clerk: department of the treasury, justin george muc -- muchinich of new york to be temperaturety secretary. mr. mcconnell: i send a cloture motion to the desk. the presiding officer: the clerk will report the cloture motion. the clerk: cloture motion, we the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of the standing rules of the senate do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of justin mucinich to be deputy secretar

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask consent that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. mcconnell: i have one request for a committee to meet during today's session of the senate. it has the approval of the majority and minority leaders. the presiding officer: duly noted. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:00 a.m., tuesday, december, 11, further, 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 for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. further, following leader remarks, the senate proceed to executive session an r

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: majority leader. mr. mcconnell: the end of the year is fast approaching. there are a number of important items left on the senate's agenda and little time to address them. we'll clear more judicial nominees from the calendar, consider legislation supported by the administration to address criminal justice, and we need to pass an agreement to fill remaining gaps in appropriations, including critical funding for securing our borders. fortunately the senate took a major step yesterday by passing the farm bill. we got that much closer to delivering a big shot in the arms to farmers in rural communities across our country. along wildlife providing certainty to agricultural communities, i'm especially proud that the legislation will open a new door for farmers in kentucky and around the country to explore the full potential of industrial hemp. this is the culmination of a lot of work by a number of us here in washington but really the victory is for the growers, processors, manufacturers and consumers who stand

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i understand there's a bill at the desk due a second reading. the presiding officer: the clerk will read the title of the bill for the second time. the clerk: s. 3747, a bill to provide for programs to help reduce the risk that prisoners will recidivate among being released from prison. mr. mcconnell: i would object to further proceedings. the presiding officer: objection having been heard, the bill will be placed on the calendar. mr. mcconnell: so, mr. president, the senate began this week with a long list of important unfinished business, and make no mistake that list remains lengthy. it will require the continued good-faith efforts of members on both sides of the aisle to keep up the progress. we need to confirm more of the well-qualified nominees who remain waiting on the senate's calendar. we need to deliver the targeted resources that are necessary for securing our border and fund the remaining parts of the federa

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader is recognized. mr. mcconnell: i have on a red sweater this morning in the hope that christmas is not too far away from all of us, including the members of congress. with that in mind, let me give everyone an update on where we are. yesterday the democratic leader and i reached a procedural agreement to create space for ongoing negotiations over government funding. to provide flexibility as the white house and senate democrats continhe

mr. mcconnell: now, mr. president, earlier today, i finished my year-end tributes to several of my fellow senators, but unfortunately there is still on

dude it's environmental protection that punishes french people and that's precisely what mr mcconnell wants to make running a car too expensive for normal people. after months of planning and organizing the protests priscilla is now powerless to prevent nationalists using the movement for its own aims there have been several cases of right wing yellow vests subjecting car drivers to racist abuse and damaging their vehicles for silly is appalled. and we don't want people promoting a potties ideology. they can come as regular citizens because this is a citizen's movement. but we don't want them showing up to represent the. other parties have also attempted to instrumental as the protest movement purposively a little ski doesn't want them manning the barricades it's not a question of being left or right wing she says but justice for ordinary french. well the conversation continues online here at the day you'll find us on twitter either at the news or you can write directly to me brit goff t.v. don't forget to use the hash tag of the day and remember whatever happens between now and then

mr. mcconnell which involves changing it from a class i level, changing the classification and allowing more freedom for industrial help to become an agronomic crop that farmers can rely on and consumers with many valuable products that can be beneficial thank you for your call. it's an emerging crop and it's coming. we are working on it . >> i don't think we've even got to the place where we seen these being added to the farm bill . >> industrial hemp is a crop that's been used for cyber production and other benefits for consumers, way back to the romans. but i think it's just a matter of, as we look across the span and the available cropping system, it's on a search and there's a lot of interest in our states and many members are dealing with how to wrestle with these various programs and provide the opportunity for farmers to participate in research and we look forward to commercializing . >> you spoke about the previous trade agreement with china and mexico . >> we need trade stability, it looks like there is a formation of a 90 day negotiation period whereby we may not increase our tari

dude it's environmental protection that punishes french people and that's precisely what mr mcconnell wants to make running a car too expensive for normal people. after months of planning and organizing the protests priscilla is now powerless to prevent nationalists using the movement for its own aims there have been several cases of right wing yellow vests subjecting car drivers to racist abuse and damaging their vehicles for silly is appalled i don't know we don't want people promoting a potties. they can come as regular citizens because this is a citizen's movement. but we don't want them showing up to represent the. other parties have also attempted to instrumental lies the protest movement purposively a little ski doesn't want them manning the barricades it's not a question of being left or right wing she says but justice for ordinary french. well the conversation continues online here at the day you'll find us on twitter either at the news or you can write directly to me brit off t.v. don't forget to use the hash tag of the day and remember whatever happens between now and then

dude it's environmental protection that punishes french people and that's precisely what mr mcconnell wants to make running a car too expensive for normal people the. after months planning and organizing the protests priscilla is now powerless to prevent nationalists using the movement for its own aims there have been several cases of right wing yellow vests subjecting car drivers to racist abuse and damaging their vehicles for silly is appalled. and we don't want people promoting a party's ideology. they can come as regular citizens because this is a citizens movement. that we don't want them showing up to represent their policy. other parties have also attempted to instrumental eyes the protest movement purposively a little ski doesn't want them manning the barricades it's not a question of being left or right wing she says but justice for ordinary french. president has responded to the protests by saying he will talk with citizens groups but that the environmental tax will remain although russia has some one million people suffering from aids there's very little social awareness of

mr. mcconnell: now, mr. president, earlier today, i finished my year-end tributes to several of my fellow senators, but unfortunately there is still one more goodbye to a very special member of my own team. it's know exaggeration at all to say that for the past four years, hazen marshall has stood squarely in the center of every consequential decision and piece of legislation that congress has taken up. just wrap your mind around the job. the policy director in the senate majority leader's office. every day that hazen is driven here to the capitol and parked his big pickup truck amid all the hybrids and hatchbacks, he's come ready to work. as a visionary strategist, a lead negotiator, a graceful manager, a constant resource to key players on both sides of the aisle, basically something like an air traffic controller for the united states senate. with a job like that it's no wonder that when my chief and of staff and i set tout to lure hasten back to the? the in 2014, it didn't start out as an easy sell. for

bill that's going to be taken up on wednesday but it would be a nonbinding resolution and so mr mcconnell's argument to his fellow senators is that we should take a look at this and try to pass this version because it won't endanger our long running and necessary alliance with the saudi government of course whether the other senators are going to be persuaded by that argument we'll have to wait and see rosalyn jordan live for us there in washington thanks miles. the u.s. secretary of state says anyone found responsible for the killing of jamal khashoggi will be held accountable and there was no direct evidence linking the saudi crown prince my pump a.o. as for criticism from the senate's. secretary of state pompeo discredits himself the state department and our nation with these statements i was one of the twelve senators of both political parties who were briefed by general hospital two weeks ago she of course heads up the central intelligence agency the same agency the secretary pump ill used to be in charge of it it was clear within minutes of our briefing that this goes all the way to t

mr. mcconnell you are recognized. >> think mr. chairman. secretary byrne and chairman mason regarding legacy claims could you discuss how we won't leave these people behind? >> mr. secretary. >> i believe chairman mason is going to tell you that we will balance the resources that we have an a legacy claims are a priority. >> that is correct sir. the department made a commitment in march of 2015 when we started this process that led to the modernization act passing that we would prioritize it and we are keeping that commitment. i believe and i can't speak for mr. mclenachen but my understanding is the board specifically the caseload program is already in and they are testing the algorithm program which was built for the 5 digital services that has a prioritization peace and that prior to isis the legacy cases over the direct documents. >> we know what research it's going to take to complete our legacy appeals as well as the new system. we are separately out allocating resources to each of those. >> both of you and chair mason have you made e

mr. mcconnell: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i have a number of important topics to discuss this morning, but first and foremost i want to personally thank everyone in this building to gave so much of their own time and energy to facilitate the rituals that filled this capitol for the last several days. from the moment of president prt bush's bush's passing was made public, intricate plans were made to arrange a public tribute worthy of a national treasure and a rare patriot like job. -- like george bush. needless to say, the entire congressional family should be proud of the result. as our 41st president lay in state, the bush family, world leaders and tens of thousands of americans were welcomed to the capital to pay their respects. so i know my completion will join me in thanking the -- so my know my completion will join me in thanking. to the staff of the architect of the capitol, all the officers under the sergeant at arms, the secretary of the senate and her team, the press galleries, to the volunteers from my

mr. mcconnell: madam president. the presiding officer: majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i think it's time the senate subjects itself to a bit of a reality check. today is december 11. here are just some of the things the senate needs to accomplish before this congress adjourns: we need to confirm more of the president's nominees for the judiciary and for the executive branch, such as the well-qualified nominee to be deputy secretary at the department of treasury whom we are currently considering. we need to reach an agreement to fund the remaining one-fourth of the federal government that was not covered by regular appropriations. we need to make a substantial new investment in the integrity of our borders and the security of american families. we need to take up and pass the conference report for the farm bill to honor our commitments to our nation's growers and producers. this week alone we need to dispense with the debate pertaining to the situation in yemen and an attempt by some of our democratic colleagues to undo reforms that protect america's private pe

mr. mcconnell: colleagues, here is where we are. it's now clear there are enough votes to proceed to the pending legislation

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that the senate now vote in relation to the divisions of the kennedy amendment numbered 4109 in the regular order. further, that there be four minutes prior to the votes equally divided between the opponents and the proponents. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. mcconnell: so for the information of senators, the vote order will be division one, division two, and then division three. the presiding officer: there will now be four minutes of debate equally divided prior to the vote in relation to division one, amendment numbered 4109. mr. durbin: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: i have a unanimous consent request that is not controversial. i ask unanimous consent that rachel rossi, a detailee of my judiciary staff, be granted floor privileges for the remainder of the copping. the presiding officer: without objection. who yields time on the division? mr. cotton: mr. president. i wi

mr. mcconnell, and at that point in time i suppose mr. mccarthy.'m not going to negotiate here, but we are for keeping our borders secure. we are for keeping america safe, for keeping americans safe. the misrepresentations of the president on a regular, daily basis as to who is coming into this country should not confuse the american people. in fact, he says these are terrorists. we've had no terrorist acts coming from somebody coming across our southern border. does that mean we don't want to know who is coming into our country? of course not, we want secure borders but the wall is not an option. we made it clear. but we made it clear we're prepared to vote for the republican bills the senate sent to us unanimously. >> let me ask you something else on the russia investigation. new job postings have been shown and it appears to show house democrats are looking for lawyers with one posting, seeking executive branch investigative counsel experience. it sounds like you're gearing up for battle on the russia investigation for these various investigatio

mr. mcconnell tries to push this off into february, you can't assume that we're done. a lot of people around the president are a little surprised he hasn't found a way to sort of, you know, claim victory and go home rather than try to continue to force the issue and make himself look weak. he has some money in there. he could claim, see, i'm making progress, not as much as i want, instead he chose to present himself as the loser in this fight, maybe to keep the issue alive. maybe to show his base he's still fighting for them in a way they often don't feel about politicians in washington. >> michael steele, let's talk about that very question and a little bit about nancy pelosi. there are a lot of republicans that have been blaming her for this saying she doesn't have the latitude with her own members to really be a negotiator here. take us kind of behind the scenes in the house of representatives if you're looking at this kind of a landscape? >> the best opportunity to get this done was a wall funding for dreamer protection bill last year. there is no reason right now

mr. mcconnell: madam president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: yesterday the senate voted to pend the justice criminal investigation. we're considering the bill here on the floor this week. particular credit for this belongs to senator cornyn who has carefully and impressively balanced his role as majority whip with his own personal support for the legislation. his leadership has benefited everyone who shares his position and would like to see this bill become law and he serves every bit of their gratitude. with respect to the substance of the legislation, a number of members continue to have outstanding concerns that the bill currently leaves unaddressed. members will have the opportunity to debate and vote on the pending germane amendments before we vote on final passage. now, on another matter, madam president, to the untrained eye, it might seem that i've completed my thanks and farewells to all of my republican colleagues who will depart at the end of this congress. but i'd be remiss if i did not also mention the junior senator fro

mr. mcconnell here. let's go to kacie hunt on capitol hill. look at that. perfect timing. live television. >> disaster relief and border security. within the republican conference there's strong support for the president's reasonable request for more resources to tackle the urgent situation at our southern border. republican support the house passed bill which includes additional border security funding and we're eager to complete the remaining appropriation bills which the senate has already passed. however, obviously, since any eve eventual solution requires 60 votes here in the senate, it's been clear from the beginning that two things are necessary. support from enough senate democrats to pass the proposal at 60 and a presidential signature. as a result, the senate has voted to proceed to legislation before us in order to preserve maximum flexibility or productive conversation to continue between the white house and our democratic colleagues. i hope senate democrats will work with the white house on an agreement that can pass both houses of congress, and receive the pr

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: earlier today, our 41st president george herbert walker bush departed the capitol rotunda and was memorialized at the national cathedral. now his remains are on the way back to houston for a funeral service at st. martin's episcopal church before he is laid to rest right next to barbara, his loving wife and partner of 73 years, and their daughter robin. it has been reported that some years ago, as the bush family discussed funeral plans and the subject of lying in state came up, that the former president joked in a self-deprecating way do you think anyone will come? well, mr. president, they sure did. dignitaries, world leaders, thousands of americans from all walks of life waited for hours and streamed through this capitol to pray for and pay tribute to the life and legacy of george bush. i might add that in addition to that, on the way up to national cathedral, there were citizens on both sides of the road all along the way with their iphones, taking photographs of this gr

mr. khashoggi."mitch mcconnell/ (r) senate majority leader: "it's a clear and unambiguous message about how we feel about what happened to this journalist."meanwhile in the house, republicans sidelined debate on u.s. involvement in the war for the rest of the year. but house lawmakers on both sides expressing concern over the saudi crown prince's involvement in khashoggi's murder.rep. tom reed: "based on my information and what i have come to the conclusion where the crown prince's involvement here is accurate. // but at the end of the day, accountability needs to be imposed and there are appropriate sanctions that can be deployed."lawmakers have limited time to debate what to do about yemen -- with just days left before a possible government shutdown.in washington, i'm camila bernal. (ken) in 2017, u-s gun deaths reached their highest level in almost 40 years a new analysis of data done by the c-d-c found that almost 40,000 people were killed by guns last year. that's the the highest number of deaths due to gun vi

mr. khashoggi."mitch mcconnell/ (r) senate majority leader: "it's a clear and unambiguous message about how we feel about what happened to this journalist."meanwhile in the house, republicans sidelined debate on u.s. involvement in the war for the rest of the year. but house lawmakers on both sides expressing concern over the saudi crown prince's involvement in khashoggi's murder.rep. tom reed: "based on my information and what i have come to the conclusion where the crown prince's involvement here is accurate. // but at the end of the day, accountability needs to be imposed and there are appropriate sanctions that can be deployed."lawmakers have limited time to debate what to do about yemen -- with just days left before a possible government shutdown.in washington, i'm camila bernal. (grant)coming up... a story of one man overcoming the odds ... looking forward to the culmination of his achievements this weekend. (vicki)history made today... as space tourism comes one step closer to becoming a reality.we'll talk a

mr. mcconnell: i expect the maguire nomination to go by voice vote. mr. cornyn: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority whip. mr. cornyn: mr. president, could i rise to speak for the last time on the senate floor as the majority whip. but the -- with the swearing in of our colleagues in january will come the changing of the guard in our elected leadership of which i've been proud to serve since 2006. as we all know, the whip is also known as the assistant majority leader, and i've been proud to assist our majority leader and all that we've worked together to accomplish in the senate. i often tell people that whip sounds a lot more coercive than it really is because in the senate you really can't make somebody do something that they don't want to do. we understand the term comes from the old country. it referred to the person in fox hunting that was responsible for keeping the dogs from straying during a chase, something i've never done and no doubt will never do. one of the fathers of modern conservatism, edmund burke, in the middle of a contentious debate in the bri

mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent that at 3:45 p.m. today the senate vote on adoption of the conference report to accompany h.r. 2. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the following nomination which the clerk will report. the clerk: the judiciary, jonathan a. kobes of south dakota to be united states circuit judge for the eighth circuit. the presiding officer: is there objection to the nomination? is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the clerk will call the roll. vote: vote: vote: vice president: on this vote the yeas are 50, the nays are oo 50, -- 50, the vice president votes in the affirmative and the nomination is confirmed. the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the president will be immediately notified of the senate's action. the presiding officer: the senator from south dakota. mr. thune: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. the presiding officer: withou

mr. mcconnell to at least consider that option. neil: you mentioned the drama, congressman.hether the president provides a little of it, maybe not by design, or that wasn't his original intent, but between the revolving door at the white house right now and another key cabinet member leaving, talking about the defense secretary, there is a concern that maybe the wheels are off the administration's wagon here. that might be an overstatement and it might be, for example, the markets overreacting to this, but are you concerned that a lot of this rests with the president? >> well, some of it certainly does, to be fair. and i support the president, i respect the policies and i really mean that, the things he's been able to accomplish are remarkable, but sometimes he makes it harder for himself and frankly harder for me and others than it needs to be. i use the word drama, talking about the shutdown, not necessarily referring to the president, but general mattis is someone i have tremendous respect for, and we're going to miss him. i hope we can find someone equally as good. i dis

mr. mcconnell has been uncharacteristically restrained toward democrats on recent days -- in recent days.alks that matter are the ones between the white house and senate democrats. i'm pulling for them, he added. jeff merkley spoke yesterday, the senator, a democrat from oregon. it is what he had to say about the shutdown. think the president is determined to carry this forward until the democratic congress comes in. it's not about border security. he is sitting on over $1 billion. 94% of what we sent him last year he hasn't bothered to spend. you're not spending nine out of $10 on an issue, you don't care about it that much. this is politics, not policy. is something the president campaigned on and something the house voted to approve funding for. half of the senate is willing to support it. why are the democrats so there will be nothing for a border wall? why not given a little bit on that? >> we are willing to fund border security. the people want to spend money in a smart way. billion is 600,000 children attending head start. it is meals for seniors. --spend it on a four century fourt

mr. mcconnell on the fact that his wife has a position in the administration.ful that we are on the road to totalitarianism. the fact that the republicans say the word socialism because they really know what the word socialism really means -- it means the government has control of production. i do not think this country has fear of being socialist. it is not that way, it was not built this way, and they need to get a lot more educated. host: wendy in utah this morning. president trump is certainly paying attention to the ins and outs of the mueller investigation tweeting about it today. the is one of his tweets, biggest outrage yet in the long winding which -- witch hu nt, is the fact that 19,000 betweenssages zok at his fbi lover, lisa page, or purposely and illegally deleted. would have explained the whole hoax, which is now under protest. michael flynn will be in court today for sentencing in the investigation that went into the mueller investigation to his past deeds. appearance will be viewed as a key milestone in an investigation for 19 months with an inc

mr. mcconnell to take up the bill pledged swift action before the house leaves town.he latest bill payers investments in anti-recidivism programs in the expansion of early release credits with changes to sentencing laws. the authors have worked on revisions to accommodate wavering republicans. the bill is expected to have an impact on federal inmates and future offenders. state laws and prisons will not be affected. in dallas texas who opposes this effort. caller: to be honest, i oppose everything because building a wall is unnecessary. people will always find a way. everything going on today, the technology is becoming better. we have criminals finding ways .o get things done there is really no point to do a there are more ways to get into a country change -- it doesn't anything. should we have more security though? that would be nice, i think. at that end of the day, whoever needs to cross and they are starving and they don't have any way of making it in those poor countries and their kids are the most important thing, they have to find a way. how are you going to l

. >> leader mcconnell met with the president at the white house. after the meeting, the mr. trump "totallys quote, prepared for a very long the government shutdown." hadice ruth bader ginsburg two malignant nodules removed from her lung. no further treatment is planned. and85-year-old is resting is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days. more headaches for british holiday travelers. flights were

dude it's environmental protection that punishes french people and that's precisely what mr mcconnell wants to make running a car too expensive for normal people. after months of planning and organizing the protests priscilla is now powerless to prevent nationalists using the movement for its own aims there have been several cases of right wing yellow vests subjecting car drivers to racist abuse and damaging their vehicles for silly is appalled i know we don't want people promoting a potties ideology. they can come as regular citizens because this is a citizen's movement. but we don't want them showing up to represent the. other parties have also attempted to instrumental lies the protest movement purposively a little ski doesn't want them manning the barricades it's not a question of being left or right wing she says but justice for ordinary french. well the conversation continues online here at the day you'll find us on twitter either at u.w. news or you can write directly to me brit off t.v. don't forget to use the hash tag today and remember whatever happens between now and then t

. >> reporter: he's demanding $5 billion, summoning republican leader mitch mcconnell to the white house. mr. leader, are we heading for a shutdown? >> senator shelby and i, and some others who were invited down to the white house, had some good conversation about the way forward. >> reporter: but democrats are holding firm. >> you are not getting the wall today, next week, or on january 3rd when democrats take control of the house. >> reporter: just two days ago, the president seemed ready to fund the government without insisting on money for his wall. but then, a revolt from the white. >> it look like a lot of people's worst fears may be realized. >> it's becoming clearer and clearer that all we're getting are words, words, words. >> reporter: the president was listening and changed course. >> let's face it, i mean we have two talk radio show hosts who basically influenced the president. and we're in a shutdown mode. it's just, i mean, that's tyranny, isn't it? >> reporter: tonight, with hundreds of thousands of workers in limbo. a scramble to come up with plan "b." but the blame game is a

bitten our bums i'll bet a station how to cook for how our quality of food help mr didden she lays no no other marking rule mcconnell so what is the whole matter if you don't want to work on a lark and how that could be full on all occasions of so beautiful learn how to build to learn how i look back and feel and know what seven million and to know now human hearing and i am an entertainer and the telephone confided that you minister fratricide tell them. to howard so sort of so i don't really like that and received the last half an hour or so of not a measure so one of them again. i know who. live there are all accomplish and the human. fear i look at are them who are simply one is the help for that higher back then how to learn how to win some said i'm here or not. thought out but i think it a bad inside and was out of. a lot of them are a. few. who do yes. it is a menace loop that. just felt. that it to my sister. even . though she loved it as a look love they had on mission never had better give it up well enough i mean you know we need we lead and then a lot of that should it's a bit. of fear do what you wish.

mr. sarbanes: h.r. 1 is not being built for mitch mcconnell. it is being built, as the speaker designate said and the congressman just said, it is being built for the american people. this class has told us that this is what the people want to see. we are building that package for them. but, folks from across the political spectrum are demanding it. not just democrats, but independents and republicans. if you put that forward, you create political pressure that serves to every member of congress, regardless of which side of the aisle they are on, you need to step up and support restoring our democracy. we think there can be some very productive results for this and potentially bipartisan productive results as we move forward. that's what you get with a powerful, strong statement right out of the gate. that is the strategy of making this h.r. 1 and setting the table on this conversation. >> i would like to add, i am susan wilde, the representative of pennsylvania's 15th, but as of january 1, it will be pennsylvania 7th, the greater lehigh valley

the master negotiator of the art of the deal author or ghost author mr trump now seems to be negotiating with himself mitch mcconnell recess the senate trump holed up in the white house until his fly by in iraq but it now sounds like did i say wall let's make it a fence that i see five billion he's got people on fox news saying well maybe a little less than that do you sense that the tide is turning on this story. i hope the tide is turning so that the democrats who are being true to their base and trump who is trying to be true to his base are each able to save face so that they could negotiate some type of a way forward trumps problem is the conservative media particularly talk radio has been really holding his feet to the fire sure about maintaining his promises so this is a matter of nuance diplomacy and both sides face a problem if they can't get out of this without being without one being seemed. weak and bludgeoned into a pulp yeah you're absolutely right about talk radio by many yardsticks a couple of years ago you could have called rush limbaugh a mature act but he turned the president on a dime over the wa