rick perry, why is he the right man for the job? >> he ran one of the most successful states in the union, the fastest job growing over 14 years. that state, as we all know, is one of the big energy pieces, footprint of the united states and i think what he has is a commercial attitude about energy. we will focus on the united states government if we're going to solve our entitlement programs and get that from the energy portion of the natural resources. he understands that. he's an entrepreneurial governor and cabinet secretary and he's got the admiration and respect of all of us, especially the president-elect. >> now, are we overstating or being too dramatic. when rick perry was first nominated and accepted, he didn't actually know what the job entailed and people are aghast. are we taking too much of it in. >> rick perry will be someone who doesn't have nuclear experience in the energy department. it's a misnomer. and what was interesting, that said, it's basically a misnomer because it's controlling our nuclear arsenal and some

listen to rick perry. believe he is now answering questions. >> been one not only think outside of the box, do some things that people might not necessarily have associated with a republican governor but to do it in a way that both sides of the aisle and people who really don't much give a tinkers damn about either political party but want to see results and that is what i will commit to you to find those results that will have a positive impact on your citizens of alaska and of this country. >> i appreciate that commitment, and i would commend to you that we can be that living laboratory. as wonderful as our national labs are -- stuart: this is very interesting because rick perry has just made two very important points which will probably insure his confirmation. number one, he says he regrets saying i want to get rid of the energy department. that is softening of his approach towards government. got it. second one, he says that global warming, climate change is partly the result of human activity. that i

. >>> rick perry's confirmation hear for energy secretary, i'll talk with governor tom richardson and if he thinks he's up for the job. i had that dream again -- that i was on the icelandic game show. and everyone knows me for discounts, like safe driver and paperless billing. but nobody knows the box behind the discounts. oh, it's like my father always told me -- "put that down. that's expensive." of course i save people an average of nearly $600, but who's gonna save me? [ voice breaking ] and that's when i realized... i'm allergic to wasabi. well, i feel better. it's been five minutes. talk about progress. [ chuckles ] okay. i'm raph. my name is anne. i'm one of the real live attorneys you can talk to through legalzoom. don't let unanswered legal questions hold you up, because we're here, we're here, and we've got your back. legalzoom. legal help is here. glad forceflex.p is here. extra strong to avoid rips and tears. be happy, it's glad. >>> my past statements about abolishing the department of energy do not reflect my current feelings. >> rick perry there on thursday on capitol h

been: rick perry has interested in energy for a long time which makes a lot of this. he was a longtime governor of the state of texas. that is a dominant oil and natural gas producing state. there's a lot of wind power in texas. he may several successful efforts as governor to expand wind power there as well. running the energy department is a really, sort of, fascinating job. sure, it is involved with research and development programs on specific energy technologies. the bulk of the budget is on something that's on related to energy, which is maintaining emissions and nuclear stockpiles. is in them is in -- perry for an interesting confirmation and will be asked about a series of nuclear security issues. a department he talked about cutting as a presidential candidate in 2008. guest: he had the famous moment momentople -- oops that people thought ended his candidacy. he cannot remember the energy department was the third one of them that he wanted to eliminate. one footnote is he is not the first likely energy secretary to be late in the department he tried to abolis

the room is filling up ahead of the hearing for rick perry to be the energy secretary. you can see senator cornyn, kowskir mikulski -- mur from alaska. the talking points memo this story, senator joe manchin is doing everything he can not to be labeled as a liberal in his upcoming election in 2018 and so today, he will introduce rick perry at his confirmation hearing. up for the been job himself, but announced he would stay in the senate. he is gearing up for what is going to be one of the toughest election campaigns of the 2018 cycle. you will see their today, senator manchin at the table in front of his fellow senators introducing rick perry to be the next energy secretary. c-span 2,ge on c-span.org this morning and the free c-span radio app. a couple of callers have mentioned those that are boycotting tomorrow's inauguration. a front page of "the washington times" says "the number of house democrats that have said they are staying away has risen to roughly 60 and the reasons range from russian hacking to president-elect donald trump's dispute with don lewis up -- joh

rick perry was elected repeatedly as governor of texas. he does not appear to face any significant obstacle at this point to his confirmation, guys. >> of course, i need to point out the obvious. it is ironic you're covering this. it is your question during that debate that you asked which departments he would eliminate. he said three and it was energy, he couldn't think of at that time. now we find he probably will become energy secretary here. >> reporter: that is true, guys, but after that event as well he showed -- he bounced back with the kind of humor and personal ease that he showed today. the guy is nothing if not resilient. >> he's very engaging, that's for sure. all right, john, thanks very much. john harwood in washington. >>> by the way, reminder cnbc special inauguration coverage begins tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern time. top wall street strategist to help you sort out where the markets could be heading next under a trump administration. so join us tomorrow. we've got a lot planned tomorrow. hope you can join us at that time.

oops. >> few hours ago rick perry said he regretted that. that brings us to today's microsoft pulse question, should rick perry run the federal agency he once pledged to apolish when he was running for president? that's the question. let us know what you think. it's pulse.msnbc.com. we will check the results later in the broadcast. >>> also border concerns. goddy schwartz is on the u.s.-mexican border as migrants rush to come into america before the president-elect takes office. >> we just saw them put a raft in the water. they know we're here. they spotted us. but it look like they are still going to come to shore. your insurance company won't replace the full value of your totaled new car. the guy says, "you picked the wrong insurance plan." no, i picked the wrong insurance company. with new car replacement™, we'll replace the full value of your car plus depreciation. liberty mutual insurance. [he has a new business teaching lessons. rodney wanted to know how his business was doing... ...so he got quickbooks. it organizes all his accounts,

so a rick perry. he is up for secretary of energy. senate democrats dedicated to putting up a fight against most of trump's nominees, but are any of those picks actually in jeopardy. we'll break that down for you. also, reaction not only in washington today. we have reporters across the country getting an up-close look at how donald trump may impact everyone in this country. a lot to get to as we look ahead to what is sure to be an inauguration day to remember. we begin with our top story. we said the festivities are under way now in this city, the inauguration concert, the welcome concert for donald trump to washington, kicking off right now at the lincoln memorial. this has been somewhat of a controversial event, basically since trump won the election several performers declined invitations to perform, fearing criticism from trump's opponents. but team trump has managed to pull together a full slate. we are expecting names like toby keith, 3 doors down, the piano guys and, of course, trump himself is expected to make remarks. we'll

first up, rick perry, trump's pick for energy secretary.hat hearing expected to get under way any minute. and next hour, steve mnuchin is in the hot seat tapped fortressry secretary. >>> back with me, phil malso /* joining our panel paul glassless. he's editor and chief for the washington monthly. welcome, welcome, welcome. should we start with the newcomer? >> yeah, we should. >> let's talk about mr. trump's speech. he said he sat down and wrote it himself. i know you've participated in many a presidential speech. do you think he did write it all himself? >> impossible to know. presidents don't typically write their own speeches although barack obama wrote quite a few of his. they will download their thoughts to a panel of speech writers and senior staff. they'll then look at draft, edit them very kafrlly. president clinton after multiple drafts would sit there and go line by line and rewrite as he tried it out. even if they don't write it themselves, they make it their own. >> i say that because donald trump is so much better when he spea

. >>> coming up tonight on c-span3, energy secretary nominee, rick perry's confirmation hearing. president obama's final news conference and outgoing fcc chair, tom wheeler. now to capitol hill where former presidential candidate and texas governor, rick perry, testified before the senate, energy and natural resources committee today as they considered his nomination to head the

of course, rick perry knew what the job entailed when he took it. on the day perry accepted the nomination, he specifically said he looks forward to "safeguarding our nuclear arsenal." today, washington times media critic tweeted "to be clear, "the new york times" report offers exactly zero support for its assertion. governor. didn't know what the department of energy did. but whatever." then, there is the nomination of betsy devos for education secretary. devos has been criticized by numerous media outlets. and on social media for allegedly saying schools need guns to protect from grizzly bears. a cnn headline said "citing grizzlies, education nominee says state should determine gun policies." in fact, devos was only referencing something senator mike enzi said about needing fences around a wyoming school to stop grizzly bears. listen. >> well, i will refer back to senator and the school that he was talking about in wyoming. i think probably there, i would imagine that there is probably a gun and the school to protect from potential grizzlies. >> a

it's not rick perry.pect when you think about it in terms of streamlining government, it makes no sense to have our nuclear weaponry in that department, given the fact we are dealing every single day, contentiously and increasingly contentiously with russia which has a stockpile of nuclear weapons. why is is not the nuclear arsenal under either state or on defense? >> again, this is all of the labs and future war head and war head testing and you could argue the pentagon has enough on its hands right now given all of the things in the in box of the secretary of defense. if it ain't broke, don't fix it. so many things going on that are facing this administration. >> might be time to fix it. >> no. it's like redecorating the operating room while the patient is on the table. they have enough to worry about without necessarily dealing with organizational issues whether this or the intelligence community. i actually don't think it's a time to start reorganizing the u.s. government. >> if that is not the case t

i want to go live to rick perry, he's giving his statement.kelly, interesting comments already from governor perry about the energy department, which one as a presidential candidate he said it was a department he wanted to get rid of. >> reporter: that's right. the former texas governor has explained to those who, especially on the democratic side, who have a very clear memory of what he said as a presidential candidate. he's also saying there are natural effects that are a part of that. he's speaking about the fact that he knows that this department he's asking to lead also includes the cyber piece that deals with the electorate grid, a far more vast portfolio than perhaps governor perry initially expected. he of course coming from texas has a lot of knowledge about the oil and gas industry and has wanted to be an ambassador for that sector of the economy. but you're referring to a very memorable moment for people who enjoy politics when rick perry said there were three departments of the federal government he would like to see closed if he w

we'll get to rick perry's confirmation hearing. >> the second time is a charm. luckily i have a guinness here to hold me over. perry famously wanted to get rid of the energy diplomat, but yesterday he said that was a thing of the past. >> if confirmed, my desire is to lead this agency in a thoughtful manner surrounding myself -- five years ago my thought of abolishing the energy department does not reflect my thinking. after so many reflections from the energy department, i regret my view from five years ago. >> reporter: he told the committee he believes some climate change can be blamed on humans, but that was not enough for some senators. >> i believe the climate is changing. i believe some of it is naturally occurring but some of it is caused by manmade activity. the question is, how we address it in a thoughtful way that doesn't compromise economic growth. it affects the affordability of our american jobs. >> how much does the science show that climate change is due to human activity. >> i will not say i'm a climate scientist. >> i don't think you're going t

former governor of texas rick perry going to possibly be the next secretary of energy.t was some of his testimony earlier today. the person who nominated him, who will be the president as of tomorrow afternoon, donald trump inauguration day coverage will ,tart at 7:00 a.m. eastern time january 20. that is the day that was initiated in 1937. ever since then, the inauguration has been held on the january 20 of the year following the presidential election. inauguration day used to be march 4. we bring you live coverage that you can follow right here with us on c-span starting at 7:00 a.m. eastern or go to www.c-span.org. you can find it to listen to online and on the free c-span radio app. and then at 9:00 eastern, a -- o show on a look now at the treasury secretary nominee and one of the exchanges that happened earlier today during his confirmation hearing. at a tweet from "the huffington post," talking about a gop senator who told a democrat to lineup during a confirmation hearing that didn't go well. here's the steve mnuchin information hearing. >> on have a valium pill

rick perry was ready for that in his opening statement saying he's changed his view.id this is no longer his view. he now sees a vital role that the energy department plays. throughout this hearing he was questioned on a number of topics but he would not get pinned down whether it was about his views about whether cutting funding on key energy programs, wouldn't get into details about that or questioning from bernie sanders about whether or not he'd use climate change as a crisis, side teped that question, as well. even whether or not to store nuclear waste at the yuck cag mountain waste dump in nevada. would not say his position on that. there were some lighthearted moments including one with al franken. take a look. take a listen to how some of the exchanges went earlier today. >> my past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the department of energy do not reflect my current thinking. in fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions the department of energy, i regret recommending its elimination. >> thank you so much for coming into my

joe machen announced support for perry. >> i believe rick has the experience and tenacity to serve ining had a chance to learn about the importance of this department, you have a very different opinion. >> perry told senators he regretted calling for eliminating the department of energy during the 2012 campaign. perry tried to take on a potentially controversial topic very >> i believe the climate is changing. i believe some of it is naturally occurring but some of it is caused by man-made activity. the question is how we address it in a thoughtful way. that doesn't compromise economic growth. it affects the affordability of energy or american jobs. >> than the issue of confirming members of the trump team. democrats rejected complaints from republicans that they are unfairly holding up the process. >> we have -- we intend to have a full and rigorous debate on the remaining nominees. >> some republicans suggest there could be a softening among democrats to get a few more noncontroversial nominees confirmed tomorrow. that may depend on the mood they are in following the inaugural festi

rick perry: i like getting past the rhetoric. yes, sir.i think it is important to talk about the 12th largest economy while i was governor. you are asking me -- bernie sanders: i am asking you if you agree with the scientific change isthat climate a crisis and we need to transform the energy system. perry: i believe that having an academic discussion, whether with scientists were with you, it is an interesting exercise. do i have a record of affecting the climate in the world and in this country? the answer is, yes. byowered carbon emissions 17% and sulfur dioxide by 66% and don't you think that is a good thing? bernie sanders: i think it would be a better thing for you to say that you recognize that we have a global crisis and that the united states of america should lead the world, working with china, russia, countries around the world to transform the energy system. let me change subjects. you mentioned that 60% of the department of energy's budget deals with the nuclear energy. many americans are concerned elect trump'st supporting mor

at nine thirty this morning - secretary of energy nominee "rick perry" will testify before the senate energy and natural resources committee. then at ten - the senate finance commmittee will hear from "steve mnuchin" - trump's pick for secretary of the treasury. the final cabinet pick, now complete. trump has chosen former georgia governor sonny perdue as his nominee for secretary of agriculture. since leaving office in 20-11, perdue h logistics firms. the department of agriculture has a 140 billion dollar budget and oversees the nation's farm policy and food stamp program. at least one cabinet nominee is getting the thumbs up from

we see rick perry now in his seat as well.hank you, chris. >> you bet. >> bill: so we spicer. >> shannon: we do. the setup there in washington this is going to be the first time he does go head-to-head with the press as he is preparing officially to become the white house press secretary. will they get into substance? we'll take you there live. hello, i'm an idaho potato farmer and i finally found our big idaho potato truck. it's been touring the country telling folks about our heart healthy idaho potatoes, america's favorite potatoes, and donating to local charities along the way. but now it's finally back home where it belongs. aw man. hey, wait up. where you goin'? here we go again. >> bill: just so you know we're watching the podium. sean spicer will be out any moment now. when it gets underway we'll take you there. we expect it and 9:30. you won't miss a thing with him. senate minority leader chuck schumer out of new york slamming the cabinet in waiting. he said the following just yesterday about republicans trying to ram

mnuchin but also former texas governor rick perry for energy secretary, nominee come his hearing has now been completed at this morning. they have taken a break. for more on this and what we can expect, we are joined in washington, d.c., by john who reports for x years. first of all, pretty sharp, blunt questions for mr. mnuchin, georgia senator bob menendez pressed concern about his credibility, mated 100 dulac $1 million in assets, in those foreclosures, how do you think he is doing successfully rebuffing the critics? >> for what i've seen, he is just done a fine peer this wasl fairly predictable. we knew the big weakness is for him, and i have not seen anything from today that leads me to think he's going to lose any republican votes which of course is the key metric there. we should bear in mind steven mnuchin has real vulnerability. he is not a republican, he was a democratic donor before he became a trump finance director. he worked with george soros, has hollywood connections, so i'm not saying it is a huge reservoir of goodwill for him, but i have not seen anything in his hea

and rick perry head to lead the department he said once should be eliminated. and the cabinet, whiter, more men than recent cabinets and for the first time since reagan, there is no latino in the cabinet. abc's mary bruce tonight. >> reporter: as his cabinet nominees barrel through capitol hill. >> let me get through, guys. >> reporter: donald trump is offering his support, with this bold declaration. >> we have by far the highest iq of any cabinet ever assembled! >> reporter: but the confirmation hearings are growing increasingly testy. today treasury secretary nominee steve mnuchin getting a grilling. the former hedge fund manager and goldman sachs executive confronting accusations he profited by fore closing on vulnerable homeowners. >> have been maligned as taking advantage of others' hardship in order to earn a buck. nothing could be further than the truth. >> reporter: during the height of the financial crisis mnuchin bought and turned around a distressed bang, we renaming it one west, which foreclosed on families including military families. >> you have

and rick perry head to lead the department he said once should be eliminated. and the cabinet, whiter, more men than recent cabinets and for the first time since reagan, there is no latino in the cabinet. abc's mary bruce tonight. >> reporter: as his cabinet nominees barrel through capitol hill. >> let me get through, guys. >> reporter: donald trump is offering his support, with this bold declaration. >> we have by far the highest iq of any cabinet ever assembled! >> reporter: but the confirmation hearings are growing increasingly testy. today treasury secretary nominee steve mnuchin getting a grilling. the former hedge fund manager and goldman sachs executive confronting accusations he profited by fore closing on vulnerable homeowners. >> have been maligned as taking advantage of others' hardship in order to earn a buck. nothing could be further than the truth. >> reporter: during the height of the financial crisis mnuchin bought and turned around a distressed bang, we renaming it one west, which foreclosed on families including military families. >> you have

when you read about story of what happened with former governor of texas rick perry and department of find that person they supposedly use as their source, he was not part of the transition team when governor perry received that nomination, from president-elect, and a quote from perry he understands what goes within with with being secretary of energy. you will see a media that will lose their validity, their intention is to try to undermine this incoming administration. liz: thank you colonel alan west, we appreciate you and your service to the country thank you. >> my pleasure, liz. liz: a live shot of make in great again, lee greenwood performed god bless the usa earlier. elect tried the crowd, stretchinstretching into the th. quite a moment to watch. 3 doors down is playing right now, toby keith is coming up, we'll bring that to you, president-elect will speak, we'll bring you president-elect trump's when he speaks. liz: let's take you to what is going on right now, three doors down. right now. later tonight there will be fireworks from the world famous fireworks company. tonight

it's about rick perry who testified on the earlier. we're asking, should rick perry run the federal agency he once pledged to abolish when he was running for president? he does say he regrets those words, but are you convinced? well, only 6% of you are. 94% say, no, he should not be running that agency. keep weighing in and we'll check back later in the hour. >>> still a lot of questions about what will happen to undocumented immigrants and dreamers in this country. we take you live to the border where time is of the essence for folks looking to make america their home. >>> as we head to break, a look back at a moment that truly put the power of barack obama's presidency into focus. at least for one little boy. >> jacob, what did you say that made the president do that and let you reach over and touch his hair? >> i asked -- i asked him if i could touch his hair. >> and why did you ask him that? why did you want to do that? >> because i was wondering if we had the same haircut and it was in common. >> and what did it feel like when you

transit for treasury secretary as well as former texas governor rick perry has been tasked before senators this morning. nicole: another cabinet pick also going before senators for questioning. more on that from adam shapiro. reporter: good morning, boring. good morning, nicole. tom price committed on them to be the next secretary of health and human services say he believed in six principal should he become the next secretary. this principles for health care would be affordability, accessibility, quality traces, innovation and responsiveness. the senators come at least democrats win on the attack specifically about the congressman's numerous almost 40 different investments in pharmaceutical come in a certain help their companies and racist that are up whether or not he is a member of congress benefited from what could have been inside information reason to push prices that the public didn't get when he passed out. listen to the exchange he had first with senator patty murray. >> congressman committee believe it's appropriate for a senior member of congress actively involved in policymakin

we are following confirmation hearings of two of president-elect trump's cabinet nominees, rick perry and steven mnuchin as -- the "new york times" reports today it was not until after he accepted the job that the governor, quote, discovered he would become the steward of a vast national security complex he knew almost nothing about, caring for the most fearsome weapons in the united states, the united states nuclear arsenal. and there was that moment in november he could not remember energy department as one of the agencies he wanted to eliminate. >> the third agency of government i would do away with the education, the commerce and, let's see -- >> organization, my. >> i can't. the third one i can't. sorry. oops. >> kasie hunt is covering steven mnuchin's and kelly o'donnell is covering governor perry. >> reporter: i've been watching governor perry's hearing. as you point out, that memorable moment from the presidential season has come back to at least haunt or perhaps challenge governor perry today. he did acknowledge that that view is no longer what he feels about the department o

rick perry making his case to lead the energy an agency he once wanted to eliminate. and famously forgot. >> the, um, commerce and let's see i can't. the third one, i can't. i'm sorry. oops. >> he admitted his previous position was also a big oops. >> in fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital funks of the department of energy, i regret recommending the elimination. >> reporter: another change of heart on climate change which perry once called a contrived phony mess. >> i believe the climate is changing. >> do you plan to protect the science research at doe related to climate? >> i'm going to protect all the science whether it's to the climate or to the other aspects of what we're doing. >> reporter: the senate is set to vote on two nominees. general james mattis for defense and john kelly for homeland it's a far cry from the seven confirmed on obama's first day. trump's press secretary accusing them of stalling. >> it isn't good for the government. >> reporter: democrats don't have the power to block nominees but they can delay and they're going to take the

we mentioned rick perry testifying tomorrow for the energy secretary position. we go to sugarland, texas. independent line. i was calling because i heard previously one of the republican callers mention that people are tired of being called names and that that is why trump one. which is interesting because during this hearing, i noticed that -- i can't remember the question that was asked about the southern confederacy, price said that there is good in every heritage. untrueck me both as very and speaking to exactly why people are questioning the racist beliefs of some on the right. i think it is unfortunate. he was asked about his support of a piece of legislation in his time at the georgia legislation, correct? yes.r: he was specifically asked about supporting the heritage of the southern confederacy. and he said there's something good about every heritage. to the u.s. he came house, tom price was in the georgia legislature. he was the first republican senate majority leader in that state's history and became a congressman in 2004 and won reelection in novembe

his choice rick perry, he graduated from texas a&m and the only reason i mention that is because whereou went to college tells us how smart you are. >> went to this school of finance right here, in this great state, right, the best school. best school, number one. okay. maybe the hardest school to get in to in the country. >> best business school in the world. i'm like a smart person. >> for the record donald trump didn't go to business school. he didn't go to the warton school for finance. he went to the university of pennsylvania where he took courses offered by the wharton school. he has a college degree and nothing more. no mba. since donald trump in pure elitist fashion believes where you got your degree tells you how smart you are it is worth noting if rick perry is confirmed as energy secretary, he got his phd in theoretical physics from stanford and the first obama secretary steven tsu won the nobel prize in physics so none of us, not even donald trump should care where he went to college because the nobel prize tells the story. and he has never said i'm a smart guy the way tha

. >> former governor rick perry will begin hearings. tracie, what should we look out for today?> reporter: okay. so first of all, let's start with minuchin. who wuz the finance chair for donald trump when he was a candidate. he also has ties to wall street. he's a former goldman sachs partner as well as a financeer in hollywood on the west coast. as they take a look at whether someone with close ties to wall street should be in charge of the treasury department. the other conformation hearing, former texas governor rick perry as energy secretary who reportedly, according to the new york timesthought a lot of his job would be promoting the oil and gas industry. he's from texas. but a lot of what the energy secretary does is protect our nuclear grid. a big part of their budget hads to do with so he's likely to be grilled on what his view of this job is really going to be. >> and donald trump is to pick perdue as his pick for agriculture secretary. sdplr sdplr >> reporter: it's the final pick. and he own as small agri business. he grew up on a farm in central georgia and he was an

the only source now says he was misquoted into that of course, it rick perry knew what the job entailed when he took it. in fact, on the day perry accepted the nomination, he specifically said he looks forward to safeguarding our nuclear arsenal. today washington times media credit tweeted to be clear and offer zero support for its assertion. it governor perry didn't know whatw what the department ofar energy did. but, whatever. but there's a nomination of betsy devos. she has been criticized of numerous media outlets and on social media for allegedly saying schools need guns to protect from grizzly bears. the cnn headline quoted citing grizzlies as educationzl nomines said they should determine gunes policies, in fact, divorce was only referencing something senator said about needing senses around a wyoming school to stop grizzly bears. listen. >> i will refer back to the senator that he was talking about in wyoming. i think they are -- would imagine that there is probably a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies. >> and when donald trump mays had final kingdom it's an s

reporter: repeatedly apologizing. >> i feel terrible for any mistakes at the bank. >> reporter: rick perry who couldn't remember he wanted to abolish the energy department. now saying he values the agency he's tapped to lead. >> in fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions, i regret recommending its elimination. >> reporter: he will oversee the arsenal. perry's advisers insisting he's up to the job. tonight we're learning that donald trump is going to tap woody johnson, the owner of the new york jets, to be the u.s. ambassador to the u.k. he will also face a senate confirmation. that's considered a plum host for major fundraisers. it was major backer of trump's in the general election. lester. >> thank you. business goes on inside the nation's capitol, outside washington, d.c. has been trans formed for the inauguration. this year planners are worried about potential attacks from big trucks or from drones. our justice correspondent pete williams has details. >> reporter: more than 100 blocks of downtown washington are closing to traffic with big heavy vehicles in place to

rick perry also in the hot seat today. mike emmanuel joins me live on capitol hill. how is steve mnuchin handling the incoming on his actions during the financial crisis today? >> well, good afternoon. no surprise steve mnuchin pushed back on any suggestion, criticism that he was a foreclosure machine. supporters note mnuchin has three decades of experience working in the financial sector in a variety of roles. he continues answering questions from the finance panel this hour. earlier, he talked about what he tried to do during the financial crisis. >> i was committed to loan modification, intended to stop foreclosures. i ran a loan modification machine. independent government reviews routinely showed that we had the most effective loan modifications of any bank. >> democrats are going after mnuchin about his vast wealth. they're also telling some sad stories about constituents who lost their homes during the financial crisis. march that? >> mike in terms of governor rick perry, former governor of texas, how did it go today he was introduced by a democrat, west virgi

parade of cabinet picks heading to capitol hill a day before donald trump takes office. >> first up rick perry nominated to lead the energy department that he once said he wanted to get rid of. perry may be questioned about a new york times report that said he misunderstood what the job was. thinking he would be an ambassador for the oil and gas industry. >> and a hearing for treasury secretary. he's expected to defend his record during the housing crisis after people who lost their hopes to foreclosures were on capitol hill yesterday asking democrats to reject his nomination. >>> and the president-elect's choice to run the environmental protection agency told senators he doesn't believe climate change is a hoax. which is what trump has called it in the past. as oklahoma attorney general, though, scott pruitt has sued the epa 14 times. he refused to say if he could recuse himself from the ongoing cases if confirmed as head of the agency. >>> trump's health agency was pounded over plans to replace obama care as well as his stock trades. >> reporter: on capitol hill a crush of confirmation heari

steve mnuchin and rick perry both face senate panels this morning. and then tomorrow, after the swearing in, the senate goes right back to work. they are trying to confirm three of mr. trump's nominees. >> we have team coverage. self protests already planned across the bay area. >> pete suratos live at galileeeo high school. what are we expecting, pete, a lot of people? >> reporter: yeah, good morning to you, laura and sam. this is being put together by teachers and staff at galileo high. i want to point out the principal of the high school just came out and said he had no idea about these protesters, which is pretty surprising. this is not sanctioned by the high school. let's show you video of the widespread protests we saw after donald trump was elected. a national day of action by public schools around the country. expect to see more of the protests around east bay put together by a national organization in protest of donald trump. here staff will pass out leaflets and hold hands in front of the school in solidarity. i want to point out this is be

rick perry in the hot seat as well as secretary treasury pick steven mnuchin. nd mnuchin will face tough questioning. watch. >> i'm just asking, did you buy the stock and then did you introduce a bill that would be helpful to the companies you just bought stock? >> the stock was bought by a broker that was making those decisions, i wasn't making those decisions. >> these are your stock trades, though, they are listed under your name, right? maria: mnuchin expecting line of questioning today. he's confronting claims that he took advantage of the mortgage meltdownead on saying, quote, my experience confirm that had we must identify and eliminate unwise and burdensome policies which contribute to the disastrous outcomes that came in the wake of the collapse. he goes onto say f confirmed as treasury secretary i will work diligently and compassionly for the american people so we don't endeer anything like the meltdown of 2008 again. joining us right now former chief of staff under george w. bush and director josh bolton right here was. josh, good to see you. thank yo

liking rick perry is kind of my guilty political pleasure.e that exchange, that good-natured exchange to the fact that donald j. trump is going to be president in minutes and the joy is spreading. the giddiness. fabulous. >> andy: i do take issue with perry saying that i think we found our "saturday night live" sound bite, because it was funn funny. [laughter] >> "saturday night live" actually is a very funny show. >> andy: sonny did you say your offer protesters as long as they're peaceful and get arrested question at >> i want them to be peaceful and in jail. >> andy: even if you're not breaking any laws? >> yes. >> andy: that might've slain your pain. >> i was hoping simony would notice, i was hoping it would be you. it's the insignia from the empire in "star wars" ." >> there were a multiple multif styles on all the planets. >> this is a v-neck sweater. >> andy: al, you talked about what the activists were actually planning to protest as the peaceful change of power. as long as a protest to the power is going to peacefully, isn't it okay?

rick perry had a somewhat upbringing and different professional place.on't think we're going to see donald trump disappearing, the old donald trump. and i also think that there's going to be an enormous amount of controversy as he starts down this -- >> what about the speech himself? he tweeted out a picture of himself writing his speech. a lot of people said there's nothing on that paper. >> i talked to him early in december down at mar-a-lago and he made it very clear he wanted to write it and keep the draft of it. he didn't like the ytd that people were going to be ghost writing it for him. i think maybe because he's being beat up so much as being a nonintellectual, jokes of him writing wit a crayon and the like. i think he said i can do this and i'll do the first draft. he also said he wants to keep it pretty short. he said people don't need to stand out and listen to long, boring, winded speeches. he said my long career of going to rubber chicken dinners and things, i never heard anybody say, god, i wish that speech was longer. >> he's right about t

energy secretary nominee rick perry had to explain why he wants to lead a department he once wanted to abolish. capitol hill correspondent has more. >> reporter: on capitol hill donald trump's pick for treasury secretary on defense over his role in the 2008 housing crisis. >> in the past it's [000:04:58;00] foreclosure machine. this is not accurate. >> reporter: he ran one west bank beginning in 2009, the height of the housing crisis. >> one west is one big mess. >> reporter: the bank foreclosed on tens of thousands of homes before he sold the bank in 2015 for $3.4 billion. it's made him the top target for democrats sparking the contentious hearing. >> senator, i've got a valium pill that you might want to take. >> reporter: at today's hearing, weeks after her husband died in 2014, she says she got a letter from one west demanding she pay off the reverse mortgage or get out. >> we lived in the house for 54. that's a long time and they're going to take your house. >> reporter: pressed by democratic senator brown he acknowledged foreclosing on military families. >> we foreclosed on certa

energy secretary nominee rick perry and treasury secretary steve mnuchin will both be testifying. i think no one understands the intersection of the american thanmy and energy industry the former governor of texas. he is known to the senate and the american people. reforms a great deal of coming to washington and nothing fence the message stronger the nominating a leader like rick perry taking the helm will do. steve mnuchin has established a andtation of being a leader an excellent communicator. these qualities will serve him well as he works to hamper out a tax package that will stir economic growth and create jobs and help hard-working americans and allow businesses to compete on a global basis. we will have staff announcements today. the death the assistance and the assistant to president will also release some of the noncommissioned sports -- support staff as well. this morning, we have officially filled the cap net the announcement of sonny purdue as secretary of agriculture. staff announcements and personal notes that i want to get through, we will announce they -- will rem

now to capitol hill where former presidential candidate and texas governor, rick perry, testified before the senate, energy and natural resources committee today as they considered his nomination to head the department of energy. mr. perry addressed comments he made in a presidential bid about wanting to eliminate the energy department saying after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the department of energy, i regret recommending its elimination. this is about three hours and 30 minutes. >>> good morning. where did he go? >> he's in the front row with his wife. >> okay. i'm looking for him. >> good morning. the committee will come to order. i'd like to welcome you all to our second cabinet level confirmation hearing of this inaugural week. i'd like to start by thanking senator cornyn, our senior senator from texas for being here to speak on behalf of our nominee. always good to have you before our committee and also our fellow committee member, senator manchin from west virginia is prepared to also offer introductory remarks for our nominee. governor perry, i would like t

lou: so rick perry seems to be moving ahead, mnuchin had a terrific hearing today.handled himself well. other circumstances there would have been a few senators including widen i would have -- >> i agree. i thought nikki haley had a good confirmation. lou: they were straight forward. >> yes. lou: and i think also that we're going to see sessions no matter what schumer said. schumer is an aggravated sucker. what do you do with him? you have been in this swamp a long time, what do you do with that critter? >> i remember dick gephardt, and nancy pelosi when newt gingrich was speaker, and speaker hastert, their job is to be no, to say no, to say no to anything and everything. no matter how reason able it is. lou: that is pretty dumb, isn't it? >> it is, but it is what they do best. lou: is there a solution to it? >> tactic to be anti-trump this is it, they are not trump. at the end of the day when will happen is donald trump will be measure -- >> that sound bite, listen to this. it is a lighter moment in midst of this silly nonsense that randy is describing. >> thank yo