. >> good afternoon everyone and thank you to pete aguilar and vice chair ted lieu for your extraordinary leadership. and bringing us all together and putting together a phenomenal issues conference. for democrats in the house are unified, focused, fired up and ready to go in terms of continuing to put people over politics. over the last congress we were able to deliver significant be victories for the american people. from rescuing the economy through the american rescue plan from a deep recession to investing in our nations crumbling infrastructure and creating millions of good paying jobs. passing gun safety legislation for the first time in 30 years that will save lives. bringing domestic manufacturing jobs back home to the united states of america through the historic chips and science act. and bypassing the inflation reduction act, to strike a dramatic blow against the climate crisis standing up for clean energy economy, set our planet on eight sustainable trajectory for strengthening the affordable care act, lower health care costs and driving down the high price of lifesaving pres

we asked pete aguilar some of these questions. i was not happy with answers he gave especially on the bagel caucus and the food options at the capitol. what is your favorite place to get food in the united states capital? rep. stefanik: this is boring, i'm a creature of habit and i like the buffalo chicken salad at long horse cafeteria. jake: he said he liked the buffalo chicken sandwich. rep. stefanik: i like the buffalo chicken salad. jake: we are sensing a theme that buffalo chicken in the capitol -- it deserves further inspection and we at punch bowl news will take a look at the quality of buffalo chicken across the board. rep. stefanik: and to the right of where they have that salad area there used to be soups that they do not have any more. jake: i'm not an expert on the soups. you have not joined the bagel caucus but we will be having our own bagel event pretty soon. you are a big reader. what is the best book you have read recently? rep. stefanik: that's a great question. i am a very eclectic reader. i would say historical

we asked pete aguilar some of these questions. i was not happy with answers he gave especially on the bagel caucus and the food options at the capitol. what is your favorite place to get food in the united states capital? rep. stefanik: this is boring, i'm a creature of habit and i like the buffalo chicken salad at long horse cafeteria. jake: he said he liked the buffalo chicken sandwich. rep. stefanik: i like the buffalo chicken salad. jake: we are sensing a theme that buffalo chicken in the capitol -- it deserves further inspection and we at punch bowl news will take a look at the quality of buffalo chicken across the board. rep. stefanik: and to the right of where they have that salad area there used to be soups that they do not have any more. jake: i'm not an expert on the soups. you have not joined the bagel caucus but we will be having our own bagel event pretty soon. you are a big reader. what is the best book you have read recently? rep. stefanik: that's a great question. i am a very eclectic reader. i would say historical

last year we interviewed kevin mccarthy at the democratic retreat and hakim jeffries and pete aguilar and just aar note r the record, the republican conference did notec write any f these questions and had no editorial control, so here we go downwn the path. i'm jake from punchbowl news for those that don't know and hello to everyone in c-span land. let's start with the news of the day. president trump, former president donald trump as indicated he believes he will get indicted and arrestedt this week. you defended him. give us your read of the situation. >> so, first i want to thank you and punchbowl for hosting this today. i had the opportunity to speak with president trump this morning. >> that's news, you spoke to president trump this morning. >> i did. i think it's important to take a step back and look at how this is the epidermis asian of the weaponization of the federal government and the department against political opponents. donald trump is the leading republican candidate and every poll so he is the leading opponent of joe biden going into the 2024 presidential election. s

serves on the house appropriations committee, the gentleman from my great state of california, pete aguilar. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. aguilar: i thank the ranking member and i thank the chairman for his important work in this congress and in this committee. i rise in support of h.r. 1226 wounded warrior access act for the same reasons my colleagues mentioned. when a veteran claims, they are given a c file. they must make an appointment at the local v.a. office or travel there or submit a form through the mail or fax with no confirmation that it was received or submit a freedom of information request. throughout my time in congress i am not the om member who has heard from veterans who had trouble accessing c files and to put this in context, our veterans need these files to access the benefits they have earned or appeal the v.a.'s decisions about their claim. that's why, mr. speaker, this is so important. veterans in the inland empire and across this country need an easy way to access this information without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. this bipartis

this is a very robust agenda that has been put together quite ably by caucus chair pete aguilar and caucus vice chair ted lieu. the members are excited, we're excited for the opportunity to spend some time together talking about the future that we want to create for everyday americans. with the leadership of president joe biden, of course, who we will hear from later on this evening. the biden record on the economy has been incredibly strong. 12 million jobs created over the last two years. a record. in american history. we've invested in bringing domestic manufacturing jobs back home to the united states of america. invested in strengthening the health, the safety, the economic well being of the american people through the inflation reduction act as well as through gun safety legislation for the first time in 30 years. we've invested in the infrastructure in this country which will create millions of good-paying jobs as we fix our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, sewer and water system, mass transportation systems and also in trying to bring about high speed internet access never single

want to thank congressman -- and -- for being leaders in legislation and of course caucus chair pete aguilar who put people over guns and people over politics. thank you. >> at 9 a.m. eastern on c-span, the house completes work on energy legislation that seeks to lower energy costs by increasing oil and gas producon. on c-span2 at 10 a.m. eastern, debate on expanding federal programs to support local fire departments i reauthorizing a series of rent programs set to expire. in the afternoon, senators will vote on the confirmation of the assistant defense secretary for industrial base policy. at 9 a.m. eastern on c-span3, the house judiciary subcommittee hearing to explore whether the biden administration tried to influence or csor social media companies during the pandemic. these programs also stream live on the c-span now mobile app for our mind at www.c-span.org. >> c-span is your unfiltered view would government. we are funded by the tis

want to thank congressman -- and -- for being leaders in legislation and of course caucus chair pete aguilar who put people over guns and people over politics. thank you. >> c-span's "washington journal." every day we take your calls live on air on the news of the day and we'll discuss policy issues that impact you. coming up thursday morning, we will discuss this week's congressional hearings on bank failures, and congressional news of the day. pennsylvania republican congressman dan heuser. watch "washington journal" live on c-span, or c-span now, our free mobile app. join the discussion with your phone calls, facebook comments, text messages, and tweets. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. we are funded by these television companies and more. including buckeye broadband. ♪ >> buckeye broadband supports c-span as a public serce, along with these television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> and 90 -- and

i'm so thankful for the leadership of chairman pete aguilar. who has brought us together in such a phenomenal way. and for your kind words to vice chair ted lieu, their partnership, they're doing a tremendous job getting this conference off to an incredible start. thank you, governor moore, for your amazing words and for your incredible patriotic centered authentic leadership. it certainly is always wonderful to be with and inspired by and stand on the shoulders of the greatest speaker of all time, nancy pelosi, in her home city of baltimore, we are so thankful to you. and to steny. and to jim. incredible legislative giants. it is my honor to present someone who, of course, really needs no introduction. he is a leader for such a time as this. who has been able to, in two short years, turn things around in the united states of america. in an incredible way. doesn't just happen by accident. it requires leadership and intentionality and focus. particularly given the extreme nature of the opposition that we all have to confront. but the biden track

i was not happy with many of the answers pete aguilar answered. what is your favorite places to get food in the united states capitol? >> i like the buffalo chicken salad and longhorns. >> he said he liked the buffalo chicken sandwich! >> i like the buffalo chicken salad! >> the buffalo chicken in the capitol deserves further inspection and we punch bowl news will look at the quality of buffalo chicken across the board in the capital. >> to the right of where they have the cell area there used to be the soup that they do not have any more. >> i am not an expert on the soups! you have not joined the bagel caucus. who will be having our own bagel event pretty soon. you are a big reader, what is the best book you have read recently? >> is a great question. i'm an eclectic reader, i read widely. i would say hamnet, it is a historical fiction, it is a pretty lyrical, amazingly well written book, fictionalized account of shakespeare who lost his son who was one of two twins. that was a precursor before he wrote hamlet. i highly recommend it. it is great

california democratic congressman pete aguilar says the decision to label cartels as terrorists should involve the department of homeland security and others, but he agrees mexican drug cartels are a big problem. there's no doubt. >> that with the cartel is seeking to do southern border is as disastrous harmful. it puts people's lives in jeopardy. that's why senator graham says the terrorist designation is needed. we're going to unleash the fury and might of the united states. >> against these cartels. but the white house says labeling drug cartels as terrorists won't actually change much would not grant does any additional authorities that we don't really have at this time. instead, the white house says it's using sanctions against the cartels and others who enable them and the administration says it's working with the mexican government to find those responsible for the kidnappings and murders. united states will be relentless in pursuing justice for the victims. >> now, senator graham also wants to use the u.s. military to fight mexican drug cartels. but simply designating cartels a

i'm so thankful for the leadership of chairman pete aguilar. who has brought us together in such a phenomenal way. and for your kind words to vice chair ted lieu, their partnership, they're doing a tremendous job getting this conference off to an incredible start. thank you, governor moore, for your amazing words and for your incredible patriotic centered authentic leadership. it certainly is always wonderful to be with and inspired by and stand on the shoulders of the greatest speaker of all time, nancy pelosi, in her home city of baltimore, we are so thankful to you. and to steny. and to jim. incredible legislative giants. it is my honor to present someone who, of course, really needs no introduction. he is a leader for such a time as this. who has been able to, in two short years, turn things around in the united states of america. in an incredible way. doesn't just happen by accident. it requires leadership and intentionality and focus. particularly given the extreme nature of the opposition that we all have to confront. but the biden track

have you here in baltimore and i want to commend your first two first mates katherine clark and pete aguilar. pleas you and thank you. great to see you. and i would like to take a moment to thank nancy pelosi, jim clyburn and steny hoyerer for your leadership. it is very clear and welcome back to baltimore. it is very clear that each and every one of us continue to see higher shoulders that we stand on not because of the leadership you have already shown and the leadership you continue to show. god bless you so much. i am blessed with the best delegation and give a shoutout. i could not have better partners and i thank you and honor to stand with each and every one of you. god bless you. united states congress actually reflects the beautiful diversity of our country. now more than ever, this government looks like the people that it serves. and that's an achievement, frankly, that should be making all of us proud. because a government that looks like the people helps to deliver for the people it represents. i was very clear during our campaign that we were going to build and administration th

problem is there sweeping by present agreement to ban it including the democratic caucus chair pete aguilarho says a ban is on the table. we look forward to steps ahead but i don't think the doors closed. then he was talking about this generational gap between squad members like aoc and jamaal bowman who say don't ban it, but they are in their 40s, what kind of generational gap are we talking about? same age for the most part. that was not a good reason to explain their differences. stuart: i think there's a political element as well. if democrats ban tiktok someone will vote against the democrats. they could lose the had vote. the interior was secretary was -- pressed on biden's climate agenda and its reliance on china. >> the anti-mining policies strengthen china. this is the exchange and a budget hearing yesterday. >> and we had tons of environmental protections. china is -- tvs and renewables are dependent on these minerals and now you're telling me that you banding critical mineral mining in the united states doesn't deepen our dependence on china? >> we are approving lines. lauren: th

california democratic congressman pete aguilar says the decision to label cartels as terrorists should involve the department of homeland security and others, but he agrees mexican drug cartels are a big problem. there's no doubt. >> that with the cartel is seeking to do southern border is as disastrous harmful. it puts people's lives in jeopardy. that's why senator graham says the terrorist designation is needed. we're going to unleash the fury and might of the united states. >> against these cartels. but the white house says labeling drug cartels as terrorists won't actually change much would not grant does any additional authorities that we don't really have at this time. instead, the white house says it's using sanctions against the cartels and others who enable them and the administration says it's working with the mexican government to find those responsible for the kidnappings and murders. united states will be relentless in pursuing justice for the victims. senator lindsey graham says he also wants to use the u.s. military to fight against the cartels. but >> simply designating

pete aguilar said people over politics.re's a lengthy to-do list, ashley that focuses on the national security and social issues. when you look at all of that and what they're hoping to tackle and the reality of a divided congress at this point, where do you see opportunities for some bipartisan work? i'll be honest. i'm not as hopeful as some members of congress are. i think kevin mccarthy has made it very clear on what he doesn't want to do for the american people and i think there is an opportunity for that for democrats in washington to continue to call the questions on gun safety, on reproductive rights and on the economy and on the things that american people want their government to deliver and provide for them and let the votes and the roll call who won't even bring the vote to the player and those are republicans. what you're seeing is democrats saying this is our agenda or these are the policies that we really want to deliver for the american people and look who is standing in the way and those people standing in

california democratic congressman pete aguilar says the decision to label cartels as terrorists should involve the department of homeland security and others, but he agrees mexican drug cartels are a big problem. there's no doubt. >> that with the cartel is seeking to southern border is as disastrous it puts people's lives in jeopardy. that's why senator graham says the terrorist designation is needed. we're going to unleash the fury and might of the united states against these cartels. but the white house says labeling drug cartels as terrorists won't actually change much would not grant does any additional authorities that we don't really have at this time. instead, the white house says it's using sanctions against the cartels and others who enable them and the administration says it's working with the mexican government to find those responsible for the kidnappings and murders. united states will be relentless in pursuing justice for the victims in washington. >> alexandra limon. >> senate minority leader mitch mcconnell is being treated for a concussion this afternoon after a fall

california democratic congressman pete aguilar says the decision to label cartels as terrorists should involve the department of homeland security and others, but he agrees mexican drug cartels are a big problem. there's no doubt. >> that with the cartel is seeking to in our southern border is as disastrous harmful. it puts people's lives in jeopardy. that's why senator graham says the terrorist designation is needed. we're going to unleash the fury and might of the united states. >> against these cartels. but the white house says labeling drug cartels as terrorists won't actually change much would not grant does any additional authorities that we don't really have at this time. instead, the white house says it's using sanctions against the cartels and others who enable them and the administration says it's working with the mexican government to find those responsible for the kidnappings and murders. united states will be relentless in pursuing justice for the victims. >> now senator graham says he would also like the u.s. military to be involved in the fight against mexican drug carte

joining us now is congressman pete aguilar of california, who is the chairman of the house democratic caucus and makes him the number three in democratic leadership. congressman thank you for being here and i mean, obviously. there's often been tense moments in the halls of capitol hill. it's no stranger to that. but to see that moment today between thomas massey and your call your colleague jamal bowman. i wonder what you made of that. and this idea that if democrats could not get an assault weapons ban past when you had both chambers, how do you get one now passed down with republicans in control of the house. well thanks for having me katelyn polantz did pass an assault weapons ban last year. unfortunately the senate didn't take it up. we have to keep trying the frustration that you heard from my colleague jamal bowman is the frustration that all of us feel that all of us as parents feel jamal was an educator in a private life. he spent time in a classroom. he knows these issues incredibly well, and i think all of us are just deeply frustrated. that republicans have spent more time

i'm done, but i do want to bring back our distinguished chair pete ag did you lar -- aguilar who has a few more things to say. mr. aguilar: thank you. questions? >> how are you united going into 2024 -- [indiscernible] how are you preparing? how are you all -- different members from this caucus come together -- [indiscernible] mr. aguilar: the leader likes to say we win to govern and make people's lives better. we are talking about our agenda and talking about how to move this country forward. the important pieces of legislation that the leader mentioned, how we implement that moving forward. but to your question, bringing this caucus together. first economic panel that we are going to have are new democrats and progressives coming together on the same stage talking about an economic agenda that moves the country. we are unified and moving forward and excited about what's ahead and common purpose both serving our constituents and representing the country and making sure that hakeem jeffries is our speaker because our common values are more important than any disagreements we may have

and on the congressional event in washington dc pete aguilar said i think he can and should run in theouse caucus. and an individual talked about the voting rights and other things that are important to him. here is part of the president's speech yesterday. >> the right to vote. to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. with it anything is possible but without that right, nothing is possible. this fundamental right remains under assault. conservative supreme court has gutted the voting rights act over the years. since the 2020 election. and done sins -- dozens of anti-voting laws fueled by the lie and election deniers now elected to office. the new law here in alabama among other things a new congressional map that discriminated against like voters. and what should have been a nude predominately black district. -- been a predominately new -- new predominately black district. -- all of this after a deadly insurrection on january 6. host: one of the things that he touts as running for 2024 is the infrastructure law. this story is saying what is different with t