mr. wilson: mr. speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule 1, i demand a vote on agreeing to the speaker's approval of the journal. the speaker: the question on agreeing to the speaker's approval of the journal. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, ates have it, the journal stands -- the ayes have it, the journal stands approved. the gentleman from south carolina. mr. wilson: mr. speaker, i object to the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present and i make a point of order that a quorum is not present. the speaker: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question are postponed. the pledge of allegiance today will be led by the gentlelady from california, ms. hahn. ms. hahn: please join me. i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker: without objection, the gentleman from maryland, mr. hoyer, is recognized for

mr. wilson: mr. speaker, yesterday the president unveiled his budget and used the military as a punching bag to push his big government programs. according to a recent charleston post editorial, quote, congress should proceed with extreme caution before going along with the latest recommendations for savings through deep defense cuts. if america rapidly retreats from the world power status, our enemies will jump into the void. we can't unilaterally end the islamic readycal terrorist war on us and we shouldn't ignore history lessons about what happens when the united states tries to isolate itself from the menaces that threaten the international community, end of quote. at a time when threats are increasing and countries on nearly every continent are in turmoil, it's naive for the president to downgrade our military strength. maintaining our national defense is the primary function of the national government. i find it dangerous that the president suggested this proposal which places american families

mr. wilson: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. wilson: mr. speaker, for the last four years, american families have watched as obamacare has destroyed jobs, increased insurance premiums and denied access to trusted medical professionals. you can't keep your doctor. from day one, the administration's not been honest with the law's effectiveness or its implementation. this unworkable, irresponsible law continues to plague families. we must work together to repeal and replace obamacare. house republicans know that commonsense solutions exist which will provide relief to those who have fallen victim to the president's countless broken promises. unfortunately, the administration and senate democrats have refused to work with us to make changes and restore health care decisions back to the american people, not to big government. as the open e

mr. wilson from south carolina for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman, for having this hearing and thank tk you for your commitment to this country and i look forward to reading the report in any way we can be helpful. in fact the issues that we're dealing with, even going back 14 years ago, there was a report about it house armed services committee special oversight panel on, in regard to the department of energy reorganization and it was ably chaired by soon to be chairman mac thornberry. and in this report he said that the central purpose of the new organization, the national nuclear security administration, and nnsa, is to correct the confused lines of authority and responsibility within the doe nuclear weapons complex that contributed to the mismanagement and security problems at the department and to provide a clear mission focus and accountability for d.o.e. personnel involved in the nuclear weapons program. it also said that there was an intended effect to provide substantial degree of independence but not total independence from the de

mr. wilson: recently, i received a heartbreaking email from connie in south carolina. because of obamacare, connie's health care policy premiums have increased $100 a month and her deductible has grown to over $2,500 a year. she explains the truth, despite senate smears. these unexpected costs have created significant burdens for her family. she's the mother of a child with mental health issues. it is shameful that government regulations are making her choose between seeking medical assistance and feeding her family. connie writes, quote, it's heart wrenching that as a mother i have to second-guess myself any time i think about taking my children to the doctors. i may have coverage but i pay my premiums and i don't have enough left to pay for the doctor visit itself, end of quote. obamacare is threatening the middle class and destroying american families and jobs. on behalf of mothers and fathers across this nation who are suffering at obamacare's expense, it's time for the president to work with congress, to repeal this unworkable law and replace it with commonsense s

mr. wilson: mr. speaker, transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging for our veterans. the skill sets learned while serving in the armed forces are highly valued and confidence is extraordinary of veterans who have proven work ethic. with record unemployment, we need to work together for jobs. yesterday the office of the second congressional district conducted a veterans job fair thoughtfully hosted by the shrine club to support our brave men and women who have faithfully served our country. the event was to better connect our veterans with the resources available to them. i'm very thankful for the local businesses, schools, government agencies, and veterans organizations were on hand to offer assistance. as the son of a veteran, as a retired member of the south carolina national guard, and being the very grateful father of four sons currently serving in the military, i appreciate our veterans' dedication to protect our freedoms. it is my hope this veterans job fair will prove ben

mr. wilson. >> thank you, mr. chairman. and madam secretary and general we much, thank you for being here today. join with congressman forbes, that you make every effort to promote religious freedom to our servicemembers. my dad served in the air force in india and china. i know of the capabilities and competence of our military and very grateful to be, uncle of a person serving in the air force today. and i just know of your capabilities. secretary james, the primary russ national security launcher for satellites uses a russian made engine called rd-180. defense daily reported this week on this engine and stated, quote, it is rumored that russia could cut off supplying the rd-108 in the u.s. to in response to the economic sanctions, end of quote. i understand we have a two-year stockpile of on these engines but i also know the air force just committed to a five-year procurement of the atlas launch vehicle. there are at least three american launch vehicles that utilize american-made engines that offer the full range of capa

mr. wilson. >> thank you for being here today. i want to join with congressman forbes. i hope you will make every effort to promote and preserve religious freedom for our service members. it is important to me. my dad served in the air force in india and china. i know of the capabilities and confidence of our military and i am grateful to be -- very grateful uncle of a person serving in the air force today. i just know of your capabilities. the primary u.s. national security launch of the satellites uses a russian-made engine. reported that this engine is rumored that russia could cut off supplying it to the u.s. in response the economic sanctions. i understand we have a two-year stockpile on these engines, but i also know the air force is committed to a five-year procurement of the vehicle. there are at least three american launch vehicles that utilize american-made engines that offer the full range of capabilities without relying on russian components. i believe it is on the interest of our national security that we should shift to american-made engines. what is your

mr. wilson. >> madam secretary and general welsh thank you for being here today. i want to join with congressman forbes and i hope you will make every effort to promote religious freedom for our servicemembers. in particular it's important to me. i know of the capabilities and confidence of our military and i'm grateful to be the uncle of a person serving in the air force today. i know of your capabilities. secretary james they primary security launch for settlers uses a russian-made engine called rd 180. defense daily this week reported on the sangin and stated that quote it is rumored that russia could cut off supplying the rd 1802 the u.s. in response to economic sanctions end of quote. i understand we have a two year stockpiling of these engines but i also know the air force committed to a five-year or cure meant of the atlas launch vehicle. there at least three american launch vehicles that utilize american-made engines that offer the full range of capabilities without relying on russian components. i believe it's in the interest of our national security that

potential di environmental impacts contaminating the soil water and air with toxic materials mr sharon wilson says the majority of americans are on the side of cleaner renewable energy. there actually has been quite a bit of research and we do know that there fracking causes a lot of harm fracking able drilling has tremendous emissions the methane is bad for our climate we do know that water is getting contaminated and eighty six percent of americans watch clean renewable energy resources anyone who watch what's happening in the united states and in australia and canada would know that there are too many problems to go forward with this at this time across the atlantic the e.u. parliament has voted full time for environmental checks on oil and gas exploration but it's excluding shale gas these has angered green politicians who insist leaving out fracking represents a major setback now among european countries it's britain and poland who are pushing most aggressively to develop the industry with spain and romania following their lead yet other states like germany france and vogue area have dec

mr. joe wilson, south carolina. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you, mr. secretary, for taking the time to speak to us today about the president's budget for the department of state. clearly this is a chaotic and dangerous time for the department as america faces many challenges around the world with the benghazi murders still unsolved. while we have you here, i share in everyone's concern about the ongoing situation between ukraine and russia. peace is threatened by president putin's regional aggression. i believe it is paramount importance if the united states exhibits strength and determination toward the russian federation. however, the disastrous decision by the president and his budget to halt progress on the mixed oxide fuel facility at the savannah river sight will allow the russians the option to stop this position of 34 metric tongues of excess weapons grade plutonium. over the weekend "usa today" ran a story in which secretary ernest moniz of the department of energy commented, at the right time, unquote, the u.s. will have to re-engage in pluto

benji vasquez of falls church is nominating wilson boulevard in falls church as our pothole alert of the day. mr writes, there are about 10 to 20 potholes on wilson boulevard between arlington boulevard and north livingston streets. mr. vasquez says he drives that stretch of road every day to get to work and he says please help us get this fixed. well, thank you for helping to alert your fellow commuters about these and know that our pothole patrol team has reported this stretch of road to the transportation department responsible for fixing the potholes on wilson boulevard. if you at home have a pothole that is driving you crazy and you'd like us to help, send us an e-mail to tellwusa9.com. please include the cross street and take a picture, too, if it's safe. >>> time to answer our question of the morning. the average person will receive 965 in their life. is it a, paychecks, b, oil changes, or c, bruises? >> rose katherine young wrote c, which is bruises. she was leaning toward a, paychecks but did the math based on her work history starting with summer jobs. many of us earn paycheck before h

mr. porfido to the position to the mental health board. but given that ms. wilson has come before us previously and we have encouraged in the past people to come back and that there are two supervisors who also support ms. wilson, i will support that motion. >> so, without any objection, motion passes. [gavel] >> so, thank you very much for coming today. so, madam clerk, item number -- what is it >> 4. >> item number 4 is a hearing to consider appointing one member, term ending january 1, 2019, to the elections commission. there is one vacant seat and two applicants. >> okay. there are two applicants. so, applicant number one, dominic ryan paris, would you -- >> good afternoon. do you have any starting questions or shall i just go into my spiel? would you still have faith in our american democracy if your vote didn't count? this is actually the question that got me interested in elections and voting during 2000. we all know it happened in florida, but what really isn't known is that 4 to 6 million votes were lost during that election, not due to fraud or anything,

mr. porfido to the position to the mental health board. but given that ms. wilson has come before us previously and we have encouraged in the past people to come back and that there are two supervisors who also support ms. wilson, i will support that motion. >> so, without any objection, motion passes. [gavel] >> so, thank you very much for coming today. so, madam clerk, item number -- what is it >> 4. >> item number 4 is a hearing to consider appointing one member, term ending january 1, 2019, to the elections commission. there is one vacant seat and two applicants. >> okay. there are two applicants. so, applicant number

mr. prime minister, thank you so much for those remarks. i'm damon wilson, executive vice president here at the atlantic council. i want to reiterate fred givens welcome to you, mr. bayh mr. conn and to all of our guests. thank you for those remarks. it's all about freedom. ukraine will never surrender and an inordinate sense of optimism and this time a child i want to get our conversation with a few questions and then return to the audience. you're just coming from the white house. many of us were watching sort of in real-time as you're sitting with president obama in the oval office getting a very strong statement of support from the united states, your visitor on the eve of the vote in crimea is that symbol of support. in private conversations but what were you seeking on your visit to washington? how have your talks gone? do you feel comfortable that the united states and the european union are now prepared to act in concrete terms in support of ukraine? >> i will try to do everything i can. it was very open and frank discussion, and we avoided in all t

unable to cater for new financing recent months wilson told all about it a lawyer in the country we are joined on my independent filmmaking sick and can then mr tan them a thank you very much to come in with the pride and the meat was saying that they were needed taxi coming just ahead of the parliamentary elections which you can run next month to think in your opinion is that the timing linked to that. the whole bunch of other things going on a tko i would crawl up to his attention to what's happening in syria. the same forces that i would really just wants to do tomorrow. that's what the united states american seventeen eighties is the same model that warming up now in iraq and syria and money. linnea especially. so what's her name is erin context is that the syrian government and its army and its allies defeat hezbollah and others on achieving strategic success against the death squads that this was in syria was sleeping to come over from iraq as well the ics. so visit kosovo reported that orders for portsmouth to reinforce the train. in the province in iraq and the syrian side. so this will be squeezed in syria they tend to focus more on

mr. issa has made an enormous mistake. this is a democracy. in those other examples, at least people were allowed to speak their minds. i thought congressman wilsonhe president, that's awful. but i would much rather have more free speech than less. and there is something chilling about somebody in power pushing a button and silencing the democratic voice in that room. >> would you agree with that, he shouldn't have cut the mikes? >> he shouldn't have cut the mikes. and harry reid has abused his power more than all these small-scale republicans put together. >> thank you very much to both of you. and now a terrifying scene caught on tape. rescuers and bystanders rushed to save three children. this is on the beach here. minivan driving into the ocean. officials say it does not appear to be an accident. the mother and children were rescued from the vehicle with no serious injuries. this could have become a horrific story. the children are aged 10, 9 and 3 and they're currently in the care of the florida department of children and families. according to the police report, the mother's sister called police for a well-being check. she advised the call

mr. vasquez, we are appreciative of you calling our attention to these. and please know our pothole patrol team is reporting the stretch of road to the transportation department responsible for fixing those potholes on wilsone have a pothole that's driving you crazy and you'd like us to try to help get it fixed, e-mail us by going to tellwusa9.com. please include the cross streets and a picture if you can if it is safe. >>> our time right now is 5:59. no more snow but it's still very cold out there. >> what can you expect? howard, over to you. >>> we do have the cold and the wind today. grab the sunglasses but also a little time this morning. you need to scape your car if it's been outside overnight. many temps in the 20s. we'll only be 34 at noon. 37 at 5:00 with a high around 40. watch out. winds this morning gusting to 40 miles an hour. andrea and mike? >>> we begin with a look at what's making news this morning. the top four candidates in d.c.'s mayoral race have one more chance to separate

mr. chairman, ranking member burr, and senator in see. my name is mei cheng, i'm health policy research analyst at the woodrow wilson school of public and international affairs, princeton university. thank you for inviting me to testify. i have been asked to give an overview of single-payer systems, and i hear, my written test and into a few salient points. and overarching point made in my testimony is that single-payer systems are not the same as socialized medicine's or socialism, as is so often assumed in this country. in socialized medicine, government owns and operates the health care delivery system and finances it. the health system americans reserve for the military veterans, for example, the va system is purely socialized medicine. single-payer systems typically are just social insurance, like the social security system. under social health insurance the government nearly organizes the financing of health care but the health care delivery system typically is private and can't include for profit entities. medicare, for example, social insurance, it is social insurance but not socialized medicine. the main characteristics of single-payer syste