murray thank you for joining me. t [dance music] - good show tonight, mr.y, kenneth, why aren't your teeth glowing in the black light? - you'll have to ask the fella who whittled 'em for me. ♪ - it's her, isn't it? - i don't kiss and tell, jack.

mr. murray, thank you so much for coming on. mr., doctor, what are we talking here?les is fine with me. >> chuck. >> charlie even. >> your cv is impressive. the american enterprise institute, the author of such book as losing ground and the bell curve. the new book is called "coming apart: the state of white america 1960 to 2010." all right. [ laughter ] this book is incredibly important to me because i am white america. all right? i'm default white american. are you a white guy. i don't see race. could you tell me you abwhite -- >> i come from smalltown iowa. it gets no whiter than that. >> stephen: what is the state of white america, sir? >> we've got a problem. >> stephen: okay. who is the problem? who can we blame. >> just about everybody. we've got problems at the top and the bottom as well. the short story is this: we have developed classes in this country that are different in kind from anything we've ever known before if this keeps on america is not going to be the america we knew. >> stephen: what are the two different classes. just talk about white people,

murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington is recognized. mrs. murray: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that david panelli from the national highway traffic administration be given floor privileges during the duration of s. 1813. the presiding officer: without objection. mrs. murray: i come to mark international women's day here on the senate floor. this day, which across the globe 0 is celebrated in many different ways, is a day to reflect on the acheevmentz of women, achievements in politics, business, society. it is a die reflect on what -- it is a day to reflect on what the woman's role was in the not-so-distant past and to celebrate how far we've come. but, unfortunately, on this international women's day in the year 2012, we cannot celebrate the progress we have made without also acknowledging the unsettling truth that that progress is under threat. today a shadow has been cast on this day of celebration by efforts to turn back the clock here in washingt

mr. murray, are there any members of the public that would like to come forward? we would welcome someone to come forward. we will be on break until 5:30. >> four commissioners? >> stay right up here. >> thank you very much. this meeting is -- what are w >> let me reconvene the meeting of the public utilities commission. we are pleased to be joined by the commission of the southeast facilities utility. >> madame secretary, can you call the role for the commission, please? we have a quorum. >> thank you. >> as our first order of business, we wanted to have some opening comments by myself and by the president of the southeast community facility commission really to set the stage for what we're having today. we are here to listen today. there is nothing on the agenda that is an action item today. we are considering a report that was drafted for the use of this facility over the long term and we're making some changes. our intent is to reflect the needs and desires of the community. we need to hear from you to make sure that we have it right. we have no particular age

mrs. murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senior senator from washington state is recognized. mrs. murray: mr. president, thank you so much. and i want to thank the senator from california and the many senators who've stood up proudly to fight for a woman's right to make her own health care decisions. certainly in this year of 2012, after decades of fighting to make sure that women have rights and opportunities to be whoever they want and to make their own health care choices, this vote, this vote today is an affirmation of that if we can beat back this blunt amendment. we are at a very serious time in our nation's history. our economy is struggling. we are getting back on track. millions of families get up every day and are concerned about whether they can afford their mortgage or send their kids to college. i have to tell you, millions of women in this country did not think they would have to get up this morning and worry about whether or not contraception would be available to them depending on w

mrs. murray: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: madam president, thank you so much. and i want to thank my colleague from california, senator feinstein, for her longtime advocacy on this. and to our colleague from minnesota, senator klobuchar, for leading the effort this year to reauthorize this critically important bill to protect women in this country from violence. i was very proud to be here with the senator from california back in 1994 when we first passed the violence against women act or vawa, as we call it, which created this national strategy for dealing with domestic violence. and since we took that first historic step, vawa has been a great success in coordinating victims' advocates and social service providers and law enforcement professionals to meet the immediate challenges of combating domestic violence. this law has helped provide lifesaving assistant to hundreds of thousands of women and their families. it's been supported by democrats and republicans along with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges,

murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: mr. president, i am so honored to join with so many of my senate colleagues and people from maryland and across this country in recognizing and congratulating the amazing woman that you just heard from, my good friend from maryland, senator barbara mikulski, who as you have just heard has just become the longest-serving female member of congress in the history of the united states. you know, this is really an achievement that takes courage, takes passion, and it takes commitment. those are three things that all of us who know her so well know she has in abundance. mr. president, my good she taugs about the legislative process, the rules on the floor and the many more subtle rules off the floor. in short, senator mikulski showed us the ropes and she has done it every day that i have been he here for all the women that have come since she's been here. because while she knows it's important and courageous to lead

mrs. murray: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: madam president, thank you so much. and i want to thank my colleague from california, senator feinstein, for her longtime advocacy on this. and to our colleague from minnesota, senator klobuchar, for leading the effort this year to reauthorize this critically important bill to protect women in this country from violence. i was very proud to be here with the senator from california back in 1994 when we first passed the violence against women act or vawa, as we call it, which created this national strategy for dealing with domestic violence. and since we took that first historic step, vawa has been a great success in coordinating victims' advocates and social service providers and law enforcement professionals to meet the immediate challenges of combating domestic violence. this law has helped provide lifesaving assistant to hundreds of thousands of women and their families. it's been supported by democrats and republicans along with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges,

mrs. murray: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. urray: madam president, thank you so much. and i want to thank my colleague from california, senator feinstein, for her longtime advocacy on this. and to our colleague from minnesota, senator klobuchar, for leading the effort this year to reauthorize this critically important bill to protect women in this country from violence. i was very proud to be here with the senator from california back in 1994 when we first passed the violence against women act or vawa, as we call it, which created this national strategy for dealing with domestic violence. and since we took that first historic step, vawa has been a great success in coordinating victims' advocates and social service providers and law enforcement professionals to meet the immediate challenges of combating domestic violence. this law has helped provide lifesaving assistant to hundreds of thousands of women and their families. it's been supported by democrats and republicans along with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges,

mr. bill murray, ackroyd says, does not want to be involved.probably because bill murray's playing a lot of golf. he doesn't want to be chasing ghosts. >> who are you going to call? >> i don't get it. >> he thinks he's funny. thanks for being with us. join us at 5:00, 6:00 and 11:00. >> stay-puffed marshmallow man. one of the coolest criminals in history.

mrs. murray: thank you, mr. president. mr. president, two years ago, health insurance companies could deny women care due to so-called preexisting conditions, like pregnancy or being a victim of domestic violence. two years ago, women were permitted to be legally discriminated against when it came to insurance premiums and were often paying more for coverage than men. two years ago, women did not have access to the full range of recommended preventative care like mammograms or contraception and more. two years ago, the insurance companies had all the leverage, and too often it was women who were paying the price. mr. president, that's why i am proud to come to the floor today, two years after we passed the affordable care act, to highlight just how far we have come when it comes to making sure women across america get the care they need at a cost that they can afford. because of that law, women will be treated fairly when it comes to health care costs, deductibles and other -- costs. deductibles and other expenses will be capp

murray: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from washington. mrs. murray: mr. president, i am so honored to join with so many of my senate colleagues and people from maryland and across this country in recognizing and congratulating the amazing woman that you just heard from, my good friend from maryland, senator barbara mikulski, who as you have just heard has just become the longest-serving female member of congress in the history of the united states. you know, this is really an achievement that takes courage, takes passion, and it takes commitment. those are three things that all of us who know her so well know she has in abundance. mr. president, my good she taugs about the legislative process, the rules on the floor and the many more subtle rules off the floor. in short, senator mikulski showed us the ropes and she has done it every day that i have been he here for all the women that have come since she's been here. because while she knows it's important and courageous to lead

mrs. murray: mr. president, i come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to vote in support of thomas rice. he's been nominateed to serve as the next federal judge for the eastern district of my home state of washington. mr. rice is a distinguished attorney who has dedicated hits professional -- his professional career to serving the public in the u.s. attorney's office. in that time he earned the respect of federal judges, opposing defense attorneys, his fellow prosecutors and local law enforcement officials. mr. rice has a deep connection to eastern washington and its legal community. he graduateed from gonzaga university with a degree in accounting. then he returned on a full scholarship to earn his law degree. after earning that degree, mr. rice moved directly into public service as a trial attorney with the department of justice in washington, d.c. he then returned to the eastern district to work in the u.s. attorney's office climbing the ranks to become the first u.s. attorney responsible for

mr. murray talking about his book. pittsburgh, paul, a democrat. good morning. caller: u.s. for taking my call. -- thank you for taking my call. i wanted to speak about ron paul. nobody covers ron paul in the mainstream media, but he is the only candidate that wants to lower the deficit. he has proposed a budget that blowers the deficit. the media will not cover and the voters do not seem to understand this either. the deficit is the biggest problem we have. we have $80 billion going out of our country every month to pay the interest on our debt. guest: there was a time when ron paul did not get much media coverage. now, he gets a lot. i read stories about him every day. there was one this morning i read when i got up. he was in 20 televised debates among candidates said he was a factor in those. ron paul 's views have become well known. he says he can cut one trillion dollars out of the federal budget his first year. he wants to get rid of the the reserve. he has very controversial isolationist views on foreign policy so i think he would've had a complaint a few months ago

quorum call: quorum call: quorum call: mrs. murray: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent the quorum call be lifted. the presiding officer: without objection. under the previous order, the senate stands in recess subject to the c they will take the official senate photograph today and they're expected to gavel back in at about 2:25 eastern when they return they will continue working on a bill rolling back tax breaks for the five largest oil companies. live coverage of the senate here on c-span2. >>> a live picture now of the supreme court where justices today heard day 2 of oral argument in a series of cases about the health care law. today a look at the constitutionality of the individual mandate portion of the law which is scheduled to go into effect on january 1st, 2014 and would require most americans to get health insurance or pay a fine the court will relies same day audio of the oral argument today. it is expected 1:00 p.m. today. we'll have it for you as it is released on our companion network c-span3 and it will be available on c

mr. murray talking about his book. pittsburgh, paul, a democrat. good morning. caller: thank you for taking my call. i wanted to speak about ron paul. nobody covers ron paul in the mainstream media, but he is the only candidate that wants to lower the deficit. he has proposed a budget that blowers the deficit. the media will not cover and the voters do not seem to understand this either. the deficit is the biggest problem we have. we have $80 billion going out of our country every month to pay the interest on our debt. guest: there was a time when ron paul did not get much media coverage. now, he gets a lot. i read stories about him every day. there was one this morning i read when i got up. he was in 20 televised debates among candidates said he was a factor in those. ron paul 's views have become well known. he says he can cut one trillion dollars out of the federal budget his first year. he wants to get rid of the the reserve. he has very controversial isolationist views on foreign policy so i think he would've had a complaint a few months ago about ron paul

mr. shirer, thank you again. we'll begin with you. >> chairman murray, ranking

mr. secretary, for the two staff that you sent up to alaska. i think it was last week or the week before. and the chairwoman murray, and also it's important to come up to alaska to understand what rural is all about. i know you have been there. thank you for your visit an your team's visit. it makes a difference to the people there. but also i think it opens the eyes to a lot of folks how we have to deliver healthcare in the most remote rural areas of this country. thank you for that commitment. let me if i can, i know we have had some conversation with regards to the ideas of the alaska heroes card and the idea of trying to weave through this access issue in parts of the country that have limited access to veterans care. in alaska specifically. we talk about the roadless areas. those areas of 80% of the communities of alaska do not have access by roads. so when we read -- and i noted your testimony about internet connect. there's no mobile van possible. so i know we have talked in a very positive way about how to create this access. i want to check in with you on kind of update of that. i know we have kind of tal

mr. coffee, sam glazer, died this month at 89. his invention was a big leap making coffee more convenient at home. >>> and what is breakfast without a bagel? murrayder, who introduced much of america to bagels tied thursday in florida. he was 81. he turned his father's small bakery into a frozen foot giant. >>> and coming up, she may not look like a super hero, so, what was this wonderwoman's big idea for bringing power back to a small town? getting grime from deep inside grout takes the right tools, but also a caring touch. you learn to get a feel for the trouble spots. to know its wants... its needs...its dreams. ♪call 1-800-steemer. so i wasn't playing much of a role in my own life, but with advair, i'm breathing better so now i can take the lead on a science adventure. advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an anti-inflammatory and a long-acting bronchodilator, working together to help improve your lung function all day. advair won't replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be used more than twice a day. people with copd taking advair m

mr. edwards categorically denies that he was involved with any prostitute or service. these allegations are false." investigative reporter murrayeiss stands by his story. >> i'm not saying whether she's telling the truth or not. what i am saying is that she told this story to the investigators and they found that her story was credible enough that they pursued it. >> reporter: meantime tonight fox 5 uncovered some striking similarities between the millionaire madam's alleged operation and an earlier call girl ring run by brazilian bombshell andrea schwartz. she's a madam who allegedly helped set up eliot spitzer. court records show like gristina she catered to wealthy and powerful men operating out of a luxury apartment building in midtown providing sex, security and secrecy. former federal prosecutor doug burns reviewed the court records we obtained. >> what strikes me is there's a certain similarity in the story line. i mean first of all, the geographic location where it's happening, the socioeconomic dimension, you know, high level, high priced, wealthy individuals patronizing the entity. >> reporter: since the millionaire m

mr. john clease. pretty much monty python was kind of a bible for me, woody allen movies i adored. bill murray>> oh, bill murray. have you ever met any of these people and been star strucked? >> totally. i went to john's birthday because my friend had put him in a movie. and i just kind of sat in the corner blubbering most of the time. and then i did a movie with steve martin last summer that came and went. but it was like i had won a prize where i got to be with steve martin. >> was he as you had imagined? >> he was that and more so. he's the renaissance man. >> sure. he's so smart. >> and he's so smart but he actually listens to what you're saying which is rare when you meet really sometimes really big famous people. sometimes not. but just listened and really was very thoughtful and then, of course, was incredibly funny. >> are your kids funny? >> yes, i think. the 7-year-old, whenever i tell a joke to him he will kind of stop and goes, okay, daddy. no jokes for a week. and then he'll go back to what he's doing. >> that is very good. >> so he tells me, no jokes for an entire year now. and t

mr. edwards categorically denies he was involved with any prostitute or service. these allegations are false, end quote. investigative reporter murray weiss stands by his story. >> i'm not saying whether she's telling the truth or not, what i'm saying is she told this story to investigators and they found it credible enough to pursue it. >> reporter: fox 5 uncovered striking similarities between the millionaire madame's alleged operation and an earlier call girl ring run by andrea schwartz, a brazilian bombshell. the madame who set up eliot spitzer allegedly. she catered to wealthy and powerful men, operating out of a luxury apartment building in midtown, providing sex, security, and secrecy. former federal prosecutor doug burns reviewed the court records we obtained. >> what strikes me is there is a certain similarity in the storyline. first of all, the geographic location where it's happening, the socioeconomic dimension, you know, high-level, high- priced, wealthy individuals pate robbizeing the entity. >> reporter: there has been tremendous interest in a potential client list since the arrest. the former detective said we could

mr. table the blunt amendment and to tell women in this country everywhere that we stand with them in the privacy of their own homes to make their own health care choices. >> in fact, as senator murray had requested, the amendment was tabled. but it remains a political issue for democrats and for republicans, the u.s. conference of catholic bishops also contending they could take this case to the courts. today in iowa, vice president biden acknowledged that the administration "screwed up the first iteration of the contraceptive mandate." that's the headline from arnie par rins writing the story for the hill newspaper. this measure was eventually changed to please angry catholic leaders writes the newspaper. the vice president who by the way is catholic said that the second version of the rule is where it should have been in the first place. it was prompted by a question from one of the students. here's how the exchange unfolded. >> i have to raise this question for my family because you were introduced as a faith based man. propose obama was quoted in a commencement address at the university of notre dame saying let's honor the conscience of those who disagree was abortion and draft

mr. speaker. there was a case called murray v. kurlet. i don't know that's well urine varsally recognized, that was a case that took player out of the public schools. there was an argument made before the activist court in 1963 that there was a separation of church and state. and that that separation of church and state was firm enough and solid enough that we could not pray in our public schools because that advocated for a religion. so i'll read to you the language that surely had to be reviewed by the supreme court justices. it says congress shall make -- the first amendment, mr. speaker, congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of there. and it goes on -- thereof. it goes on freedom of the speech, press, and others. it says congress shall make no law. there was no law that came from congress that established a religion. the law that congress made just didn't exist with religious freedom because congress understood that the first amendment means what it says. but the original u

murray state. look all these losses here. that leaves me with only three teams in the final four and less of a chance of actually getting anywhere. >> how about that wolf blitzer. >> mr has syracuse, he has all four teams going in, but syracuse is his winning team and i wonder if he knew that the ineligibility of that center would play such a big role in syracuse's run to the final four. >> we'll see, wolf blitzer, coming up here on the sit room. >> i went with my gut, i went with my heart. i'm from upstate new york, syracuse is in upstate new york, i figured if i changed it and decided i was going to do something else, it would be bad. so i stuck with syracuse, i'm going with syracuse, i'm in it all the way with syracuse. so that's good, right, brook? >> i do have crazy love for you wolf blitzer. but i don't know about that. anyway, what are you talking about on the show today. >> we got a lot of hard news coming in at the top of the hour, two hours worth, including all the political stuff going on and there's a lot of political stuff going on, the actrimony. and where is newt gingrich, why isn't he campaigning in illinois as he should be if he's serious about winni

mr. secretary for the trip to alaska, last week or the week before. chair and murray, it's important as you know to come up to alaska to understand what rural is all about. thank you for your visit and your teams visit. it makes a difference to the people there but also i think opens the eyes to a lot of folks as to how we have to deliver health care into the most remote rural areas of this country so thank you for that commitment. let me if i can and i know we have had conversations secretary in regards to the idea of the -- and the idea of trying to weave through this access issue in parts of the country that have limited access to veterans care in alaska specifically. with we have talked about the roadless areas, those areas of 80% of the communities in alaska that do not have access by road. i heard her testimony about internet connect and there is no mobile band possible. the mobile van is there and that's the only way to get it so i know we have talked in a very positive way about how to create this access and i just want to check in with you on the update of th

murray, begich, kohl, nelson of florida, lautenberg, shaheen, bloomen that will, cardin, coons, feinstein, leahy, durbin, lieberman, schumer. cloture motion, we the undersigned senators in accordance -- provided mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: i have filed 17 cloture motions. the clerk has read the first one. there are 16 others. i would ask the chair if it would be in order for a unanimous consent request that the -- following the 16 nominations that were not yet read into the record, it would appear as if the same action occurred on those procedurally as the first one that was read. the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection. mr. reid: i now ask the senate resume legislative session. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: quorum call: quorum call: quorum call: quorum call: mr. durbin: madam president? the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: i ask consent the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. durbin: and consent to speak in morning business. the presiding officer: without

mr. secretary, for the two staff that you sent up to alaska, i think it was last week or the week before. chairwoman murray for sending committee staff also. it's important, as you know, to come up to alaska to understand what rural is all about. i know that you have been there, thank you for your visit and your team's visit. it makes a difference to the people there, but also i think it opens the whereas to a lot of folks -- eyes to a lot of folks how we have to deliver health care in the most remote, rural areas of this country. so thank you for that commitment. let me, if i can, and i know we have had some conversation, mr. secretary, in regards to the idea of the alaska heros' card and the idea of trying to weave through this access issue in parts of the country that have limited access to veterans' care n. alaska specifically as you know we talk about the roadless area, those areas of 80% of the communities of alaska do not have access by road. so when we -- and i noted your testimony about internet connect and then get the mobile van out there. there's no mobile van possible. the mobile van is in the

mr. secretary, for the two staff that you sent up to alaska. i think it was last week or the week before. the chairwoman murray for sending committee staff also. it's important, as you know, to come up to alaska to understand what rural is all about. i know that you have been there. thank you for your visit and your team's visit. it makes a difference to the people there, but it also, i think, opens the eyes to a lot of folks about how we have to deliver health care in the most remote rural areas of this country, so thank you for that commitment. let me, if i can, and i know we have had some conversations, mr. secretary, in regards to the idea of the alaska card and the idea of trying to weave through this access issue in parts of the country that have limited access to veterans' care and alaska, specifically, as you know we talk about the roadless areas. those areas of 80% of the communities of alaska do not have access by roads. so when we read -- and i noted your testimony about internet connect and then get the mobile van out there, there's no mobile van possible. the mobile van is in the air and that's th

mr. blumenauer: thank you, madam speaker. recently there have been a series of very powerful articles in the popular press about what we call, end of life. the most recent was by dr. ken murray in the "wall street journal" last week entitled, "why doctors die differently." these series of articles focus in on this end of life period. usually the most intense, the most painful, the most expensive, it's too often confusing for patients and their families. too often we find people don't get the care they want and they need. this has been a passion of mine for years now to make sure that families and patients are equipped to deal with the end of life. it was my legislation that was in the health care reform that was unfortunately not in the final legislation because the reconciliation process wouldn't allow the senate to consider it in the house bill. we are working on it again with legislation entitled, personalize your health care, h.r. 1589. to make sure that these provisions that are strongly supported by the public finally become law. i think perhaps the best case that i have seen for this legislation is found by dr. murray in his article, "why doctors die differently." it

murray lender lit up the world. we will miss him. yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. thompson, for five minutes. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, today the supreme court will begin hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of the president's health care overhaul, the so-called affordable care act of 2010. with the court still months away from its decision, in many ways the verdict has already been cast by countless american families and small businesses impacted by the law. in 2010 then speaker nancy pelosi suggested, quote, we have to pass the bill so we can find out what's in it, end quotes. two years since passage, american families have found out the hard way with increased taxes, regulations, and a slew of broken promises from fictitious cost controls to limitations on consumer choice. most recently the nonpartisan congressional budget office served a devastating blow to president obama as most frequently used tag line, if you like your present coverage you can keep it. the c.b.o. reports suggested there will be a net loss of employer-base

florida, lautenberg, shaheen, blumenthal, coons, feinstein, leahy, durbin, lieberman, murray, schumer and pryor. mr. reid: mr. president, this is an extremely important bill. that's the postal reform legislation. we have been waiting to get to it for a long time. we're going to move to that next week. i ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum under rule 22 be waived. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. reid: mr. president, i ask we proceed to a period of morning business, with senators allowed to speak for up to ten minutes each. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. durbin: mr. president. the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: i rise to speak about a disturbing made recently about the national football league. the national football league investigation revealed that the new orleans saints had allegedly been operating an illegal bounty program. under this bounty program, players were reportedly given significant sums of money in direct exchange for intentionally injuring opposing players, for disabling them, for having them carried off the field in a

mr. shirer, thank you again and we'll again with you. >> chairman murray, ranking member burr and members of the committee would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the invitation to be here before you today and testify on behalf of the american legion, nation's largest patriotic wartime veterans service organization about the president's proposed bum jelt for the department of veterans' affairs. the american legion is greatful to the increase in budget to deal with the need of our nation's veterans for those who have borne the weight of war for this nation we must always remember a promise made and promise must be kept. we like, we find like-minded allies who recognize the importance and even duty to insure we're keeping the promise to america's veterans. chairman murray, you know the importance of holding government to the promise made to our veterans. american legion in washington state no how tirelessly you fought for the veterans at the army hospital center to assure wound in war were not being given the short end of the stick in the interest of financial savings. american