mr. menendez. i think this is an important point for me. when i came to the senate and the foreign relations committee, the first legislation of any import was the treaty and i got very involved in it because they think the responsibility put on me of everything we do without is the most important we could do. verification, limitation of arms with us in russia and so i got really into the weeds. probably too deep to comprehend that i did it anyway. i finally voted for it and they did so because it was clearly evident there was no other agreement we were into with any other adversary our ally in the world that better verification, that are mandated access for the united states of america and better access for them than us. am i right on that? >> i would agree with that, senator. >> i want to carry that forward. the mess we did with iran here, but it did not have any verification that we couldn't verify military bases and things of that nature. it had gaping holes which is why he voted against it or wanted to vote against it because it didn't

mr. menendez niece asked his questions now. let's not make it worse by adding to the cost of automobiles for consumers at a time when our economy is doing well. let's focus on worker retraining, better cte and training for other people. thank you for being here. i will turn to mr. menendez. >> thank you very much all for your testimony. saying i'megin by glad we are focusing today on how to deal with the impact of the global economy. that arew tariffs tactfully and carefully targeted on the right products and countries could be part of a comprehensive trade and economic strategy aimed at helping working families and businesses succeed. unfortunately we don't have such a strategy from this administration. as our friends in united auto workers and pointed out, a targeted enforcement approach is needed and not all trade deficits have the same impact. canada's 16.7 billion finished automobile deficit is nearly offset by our $14.7 billion surplus in bodies and parts. said in the case with this administration, their scattershot, twee

mr. gates stores. tariffs are going to hurt the whole supply chain. >> inc. you. -- thank you. >> thank you, senator menendez. >> i guess it's mr. portman? >> senator portman, i believe, will you wrap this up? >> if you want to go ahead, that's fine with me. first of all thank you for the ranking member who had other responsibilities i had two markups and two hearings going on at the same time this morning and i really appreciate you all being here. i was hearing some of your back and forth questioning earlier and i heard my calling from michigan claimed that michigan is the auto state. ohio is really the auto state., in fact we are the countries leading manufacturer of transmissions. so maybe fewer auto plants per se, but we are a huge auto state. >> senator portman if i could interrupt you i have to leave, but i just wanted you all for being here it has been a stimulating hearing and we are all in agreement in a lot of ways. and you're not wasting your time so we are glad you're here. senator portman if you will forgive me if you will close it. there i think the senator makes a good point that there is som

mr. menendez: mr. president, i rise today to oppose president trump's nominee for commission to the i.r.s., mr. charles rettig. now more than ever the american people need government officials who are willing to stand up and speak truth to power. unfortunately, mr. rettig failed to convince me that he's up for that part of the job. during his time before the senate finance committee, of which i serve, mr. rettig gave me no indication that he would protect new jerseyans facing the threat of double taxation under the tax bill passed by this congress and signed into law by president trump late last year. nor did mr. rettig express any respect for the rights of states to administer their own constitutionally upheld charitable contribution tax credit programs. instead mr. rettig left me all but certain that he would be a rubber stamp for this administration's politically motivated tax policies and allow a backdoor tax increase on countless middle-class families. at a time when we need independence and impar

mr. chairman. >> and the ranking member menendez thank you for your service and the chance to explore these issues with you. we haven't talked about chemical weapons. the recent national security strategy the new great power competition with russia. i am wondering if this area effect that to large they have not yet declared the organization for the prohibition that is a despicable practice with the murderous regime heated use of chemical weapon does the administration believe in the lateral measures or should we work . . . . >> were referencing the statement with where we stand with russian actions in syria and the asad regime. >> to assess that russia may seek to reconstitute a large-scale chemical weapon capability? do you think the goal is a smaller program that allows it to carry out attacks like the one that recently happened in the united kingdom? so make i anticipate the build on the existing program. and continue to expand for new emerging technologies as well. >> would you agree there's a distinction between a large-scale production in terms of capability to improve and deploy chemical we

mr. robert menendez, who is currently under senate ethics investigation for having illegal relations with minors? , cory booker,cus who has allegations against his conduct with a 15-year-old girl? guest: i do not know that we can resolve all of the issues that you have addressed, political issues or those specifically. i would like to just say why i described judge kavanaugh's views as extreme, and it is very simple. there is a long history of the ist society seeking judges that would change the approach to the constitution, essentially to make it more originalist, protection alist approach. longhave been opposed to a series of republican justices, appointed bycordins opponent republican presidents. they opposed 10 in a row and never satisfy the federalist society, because they were fair-minded guardians of the constitution, so they do not want another sandra day o'connor or anthony kennedy or another lewis powell. they want extremists. that is the reason i turned justice kavanagh "extreme." it is in the context of that. , and let's go to ahmed he opposes judge kavanaugh. ahmed, go ahead.

mr. chairman. >> thank you, senator. senator menendez. >> mr. chairman, i think it's senator portman then senator men mendez. >> i guess that's right. >> senator portman, i have to leave you. will you wrap this up? >> yes. that's fine. bob, if you want to go ahead. >> thank you for your patience. i have two mark ups and two hearings going on at the same time this morning. and i really appreciate you all being here. i was here earlier to hear some of your back and forth questioning and i heard my colleague from michigan claim michigan is the auto state. ohio is. we're the leading manufacturer of engines and transmissions. maybe a fewer auto plants, per se, but we're a huge auto state. >> i have to leave but senator portman will take over. i want to thank you for being here. i think we're all pretty much in agreement. senator portman. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> i think the senator makes a good point. there's consensus building around what i consider the misuse of section 232. it's meant for national security purposes, and, again, from my state