sensenbrenner's recognize. rep. sensenbrenner: i would like to ask a few questions about the climate change talks in paris the president is committed to reaching a deal. do you support national negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions? admin mccarthy: i support efforts to develop a global plan to move forward. rep. sensenbrenner: global plan ends resulting in increases in the price of carbon, are you concerned about the fact that would disproportionately hurt poor and middle income people rather than people were in the upper 1%? admin mccarthy: i believe that the actions we take on a green will protect all of us of a more importantly those most vulnerable to changes in climate. rep. sensenbrenner: i think poor and middle income people will be most concerned about what happens to their expenses it should the price of gas and electricity and natural gas and anything else carbon related go up if you guys go along with the increase in carbon. are you concerned about the economic impact on the poor people? admin mccarthy

congressman steve chabot of ohio, the chairman of the constitution subcommittee at the time and jim sensenbrenner, chair of the full judiciary committee, we held hearing after hearing. we rewrote the definition of partial birth abortion so it was precise and clear and understandable and complied with the court's directive and in those hearings, we brought witnesses that put into the congressional record a mass of evidence that concluded that a partial birth abortion was never necessary to save the life of a mother. we did those things to conform to the directive of the supreme court because they read the text of the law. but today we have a supreme court that concludes that, well, the text may say one thing but we think the president would have preferred it to say something else and so did most of the people, maybe that voted to pass obamacare, that very partisan piece of legislation, thabe may -- maybe they ended --

it was introduced by republican congressman jim sensenbrenner and democrat bobby scott. on tuesday, obama recognized the bi-partisan effort. >> this is a cause that is bringing people in both houses of congress together. it has created some unlikely bedfellows. you've got van jones and newt gingrich. you've got americans for tax reform and the aclu. you've got the naacp and the koch brothers. [applause] no, you have to give them credit. you have to call it like you see it. amy: well, for more, we are joined by three guests who got a shout-out from president obama there and are at the center of this push to make the criminal justice system more fair. in boston, van jones is president and cofounder of #cut50, a national bi-partisan initiative reduce the u.s.'s incarcerated population by 50% over the next 10 years. he was president barack obama's green jobs adviser in 2009 and founded green for all. he is also a cnn political commentator. in wichita, kansas, we are joined by one of those unlikely bedfellows to whom obama referred. mark holden is senior vice president and ge

sensenbrenner: the time of the gentleman has expired. this concludes today's hearing and thanks to our witnesses for attending. without objection all members may have five legislative days to submit additional questions for the witnesses and additional materials for the record. and without objection, the hearing is adjourned. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> we are wrapping up a live hearing here on c-span 1. the house is in session today. a break in the house now as members prepare for legislative work later this afternoon. they're coming back in at noonan little more than half an hour at now. congressional approval for all executive regulations deemed to have an economic impact of $100 million. the rule for this bill limits access to the house floor during pope francis' speech to congress and that's scheduled for september 24. we'll have more live coverage of the house when members return again at noon eastern here on c-span. to take us up to the noon ho

the other is it's something more like the sensenbrenner deal which would have criminal sized people which created a profound lasting mark essentially on how people thought about the republican party. what do you think? >> i don't know if it's either one. i really think, you know, to josh's point just as we are over thinking who will be on stage and who is not going to be, i think folks are over thinking what's going on here with a lot of folks inside the gop. you know, what we call the base. this is not rocket science. it's not a complicated matter. this candidate, donald trump, is speaking authentically to a lot of fears and concerns. whether you agree or 'tis agree they could care less. >> that's true. >> you need to understand that. >> believe me, i understand that. >> not you personally but the great thinkers need to realize this is not complicated for them. until some of the other 15 figure out how to put themselves in that conversation in a way that they can bring serious policy tug discussions, proposals and bigger ideas than donald trump is talking about he'll own that space of th

sensenbrenner has with mr. scott, i believe. i'd like to see it on the floor. questioner: what are a couple of specific things that you think are important in criminal justice reform and where you differ with the president? the speaker: i don't think i want to get into all the details. i'm not the expert on these. but we've got a lot of people in prison frankly that really, in my view, really don't need to be there. it's expensive to house prisoners. sometimes these people are in there under what i'll call flimsy reasons. and so i think it's time that we review this process, they have, and i'm looking forward to putting those recommendations on the floor. questioner: the pope finished a trip to latin america where he spent a lot of time talking about capitalism. i wonder if you imagine he'll bring that message here when he comes to congress and does that put him at all on step with the agenda of your congress? the speaker: there's one thing we know about this pope. he's not afraid to take on the status quo or not afraid to say what he really thinks. i can tell

i'm pleased to have worked on this legislation with ranking member member conyers, chairman sensenbrenner and ranking member jackson lee. this bill makes needed improvements to the secret service and strengthens the security of the president and the white house complex, enhance secret service officers and agents' training and manpower. this improves transparency and accountability within the agency by requiring senate confirmation of the director of the secret service. the person entrusted to not only protect the president but head a $1.5 billion federal law enforcement agency should be subject to the same process of advice and consent of the senate as his counterparts at other comparable agencies. finally this legislation creates an ethics office in order to respond, rectify and prevent this conduct at the agency. the resources and improvements provided by this legislation will help to reform the secret service and restore the trust that congress, the president and the american people must have in the vital tasks that the secret service carries out every sing day. i urge my house colleag

sensenbrenner has with mr. scott.ople in prison that frankly, in my view, really don't need to be there. it's expensive to house prisoners. frankly, sometimes these people are in there under what i'll call flimsy reasons. so i think it is time that we review this process they have and i'm looking forward to putting those recommendations on the floor. >> john capehart, i don't know how that is going but to hear a republican speaker of the house say that has to be encouraging. >> i'm going to walk back what i said in my original answer a little bit. on the one hand, i noticed that he talked about how much it costs to house these prisoners. that's where you have some republicans on capitol hill who are latching on criminal justice reform because they see it as a way of bringing down government spending. but speaker boehner went the extra step by talking about the moral part of this problem, and that is, as he said, people in prison for quote flimsy reasons." that actually did give me -- i'm more hopeful than i was when t

the other is it is something like the sensenbrenner bill on immigration in 2006 which would have criminalized people here illegally that created a profound lasting mark on how a lot of people thought of the republican party. what do you think of it? >> i don't know if it is either one of those. i think that to josh's point, just as we are overthinking who will be on the stage and not on the stage, i think folks are over thinking what's going on here with a lot of folks in the inside the gop. this is not rocket science or a complicated matter. this candidate, trump is speaking authentically to a lot of their fears and concerns. whether you agree or disagree they could care less. what they do care about. >> that's true. >> but you need to understand that. >> believe me i understand that. >> not you personally but all of these great thinkers on this need to come to the realization this is not complicated for them. until someone, and i've said it for a while now, until some figure out how to put themselves in that conversation in a way they can bring serious policy discussions, and proposals and

sensenbrenner of wisconsin, mr. gowdy of south carolina, for the minority, mr. serrano of new york, mr. nadler of new york ms. bass of california. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will now entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. for one minute. the gentleman is recognized. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. in 1831, a tradition was started in huntington county, pennsylvania, which would go on to become a staple of the summer time agricultural expos. this august 9, the huntington county fair sell brating its 125th -- fair, celebrating its 125th fair devotes hundreds of agricultural exhibits ranging from equine shows to wine tasting. the huntington county fair provides areas of interest for almost everyone. mr. speaker, as a member of the house committee on agriculture, i am proud to rise today to congratu

sensenbrenner. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman and thank you so much administrator mccarthy for appearing before us today and for the important work you do to protect the health of oregonians and americans. i'm an optimistic person and i'm happy to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are concerned about low in many income people. i want to start by thanking you nor your support of the cleanup of the oregon site. we know bits been a challenge to find environmentally cost-effective vections towards the goal of presenting the public with a proposed cleanup plan in 2016. but after many, many years, we're all more than ready to resolve the situation in the portland harbor and i look forward to your continued work. >> the stated has been a wonderful partner in getting to this stage and we will get through that. >> i appreciate that on behalf of a lot of my constituents who have a lot at stake. so i just got back from oregon. people are very concerned about climate change and warming temperatures particularly with

and jim sense senbrener our colleague -- sensenbrenner who is so critical and his wife who herself suffered from a disability and showed such courage in encouraging all of us to support the americans with disabilities act. i mg mentioned local weeker then governor of connecticut, bob williams, an extraordinary individual, john wo rmp datch and patricia wright. there were thousands of others many of whom will not be known, but who came here to the congress of the united states, wrote their members, wrote them up appeared in forums on behalf of those with disabilities. the americans with disabilities act is now used as a sample and has been adopted in some 50 countries throughout the world, perhaps more. there is a disabilities-right convention which is pending and only three countries in the world have not signed on to that convention. unfortunately, we are one. i would hope that the senate would do that in this congress. senator bob dole has been an extraordinary proponent of that convention. so mr. speaker, i'm pleased to join my friend james langevin, who has been a beneficiary of the ame

i was reading this morning, jim sensenbrenner in the house of representatives proposed bipartisan legislationhis and saying what the president is doing is a politically motivated stunt. my sense is you know that might pull him back from wanting to work with him on this. is that an example of how others in the house and senate might respond? >> i don't think so abby. first you have a block of what i would say younger members of the republican party, ted cruz senator mike lee of utah several in the house, too, feel like criminals need to be changed. you have a strong caucus 15 or 30 members of the house and senators to move fast on the issue. the challenge is older senators. chuck grassley so far has started off last year pretty opposed saying mandatory minimums drive down crime. he's moved a little bit now saying, grassley is a figure in the senate and they're now saying saying something like open to changing some mandatory minimums and for drug crimes and increase them for white collar crimes and look at in his mind to keep tough on crime and balance out the approach to it. you are seeing old

jim sensenbrenner and others part of an effort to really forge a bipartisan bill and with the president'some progress. >> that is called the s.a.f.e. act, a bipartisan effort. but do you think it's feasible to get the support necessary to get on board? i mean it is encouraging to see bipartisan unity to move forward, but do you think the support is really there? >> here's the why. the federal prison population exploded tenfold in the last 25 to 30 years. the amount of money we spend, $80 billion, on incarcerating prisoners. let's just suppose that ten, 15 20% of that redirected to schools, to education, to early childhood, to job training to those things that prevent people from falling foul of the criminal justice system. it might improve things in this nation. so i believe that at this point i expect the president to give a passionate defense and he and his attorney general have felt passionately about this. and now, i think, thomas is a new momentum. >> let's give the numbers, the $80 billion number some back story here because the mandatory minimum sentences forect in the 1980s and po

sensenbrenner. the gentlewoman from oregon is recognized. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman and thank you so much administrator mccarthy for appearing before us today and for the important work you do to protect the health of oregonians and americans. i'm an optimistic person and i'm happy to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are concerned about the needs of low income people. that's some good news today. i want to start by thanking you for the epa's commitment to the cleanup of the portland harbor super fund site. i look forward to the feasibility study. we know it's been a challenge to find environmentally sound cost-effective cleanup methods that will allow the region 10 and local parties to stay on track toward the goal of presenting the public with a proposed cleanup plan in 2016. but after many, many years, we're all more than ready to resolve the situation in the portland harbor and i look forward to your continued work. together on this issue. >> and the state has been a wonderful partner in getting to this stage and we will get this over the

committee chairman bob goodlatte, ranking member john conyers, crime subcommittee chairman jim sensenbrenner and crime subcommittee sheila jackson lee. h.r. 1656 was related to shortcomings related to the secret service that have come to light in recent years. the image of this once reveered agency has become tarnished because of performance issues that resulted in security lapses. last fall, the judiciary committee held and important oversight hearing to determine or to review the operation of this vitally important agency. . then active director joseph clancy came before the committee to discuss the mission of the agency and issues relating to recent lapses in security that could have jeopardized the individuals the agency is sworn to protect. in particular, the committee engaged in a frank discussion about the unacceptable incident last september in which a man was able to jump over the white house fence, run past secret service officers and into the white house. we learned that, while there were performance errors made by some officers that day, the protective mission of the secret servi

senten brenner has with mr. -- sensenbrenner has with mr. scott, i believe. i'd like to see it on the floor. questioner: what are a couple of specific things that you think are important in criminal justice reform and where you differ with the president? mr. boehner: i don't think i want to get into all the details. i'm not the expert on these. but we've got a lot of people in prison frankly that really, in my view, really don't need to be there. it's expensive, the house -- who house prisoners. sometimes these people are in there under what i'll call flimsy reasons. and so i think it's time that we review this process, they have and i'm looking forward to putting those recommendations on the floor. questioner: the pope finished a trip to latin america where he spent a lot of time talking about capitalism. i wonder if you imagine he'll bring that message here when he comes to congress and does that put him at all on step with the agenda of your congress? bane there's one thing we know about this -- mr. boehner: there's one thing we know about this pope. he's

president, i ask unanimous consent that a member of my staff erica sensenbrenner, be given the privileges of the floor for the duration of today's session. the presiding officer: without objection. a senator: thank you mr. president. i yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the presiding officer: the senator from ohio. mr. brown: thank you. i ask unanimous consent to dispense with the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. brown: and mr. president i ask unanimous consent to speak as if in morning business. the presiding officer: the senate is in morning business. mr. brown: okay. thank you mr. president. i ask unanimous consent to -- that i will be joined -- to be joined in a colloquy with senator merkley of oregon and senator coons of delaware. the presiding officer: without objection. broinmr. brown: thank you, mr. president. during the financial crisis, $13 trillion -- $13,000 billion in household wealth was erased, 9 million jobs lost, 5 million americans, 5 million families, individual

also appreciate the support of representatives james sensenbrenner and sheila jackson lee who co-sponsoredill. i especially want to thank tonya ward jordan and paulette taylor and other members of the commission c4c, for their invaluable assistance on this legislation. i'm grateful that this bill has strong support of the make it safe coalition. both c4c and the make it safe coalition are dedicated to ending discrimination and retaliation against whistleblowers in the federal workplace and i applaud their leadership and their hard work. federal eeo programs are critical to ensuring that federal workplaces are free from discrimination and that any variance impeding fairness in personnel decisions are identify and eliminated. those programs exist to ensure that our federal workplaces uphold the guarantee of equal opportunity that is the right of every citizen in this great country. if discrimination occurs, these programs must be able to invest and adjude -- adjuth jude kate employee complaints impartially and in a timely manner. in fiscal year 2012 federal employees and job applicanted file

up next week to be considered by congress bipartisan support from republicans representatives sensenbrenner representative bobby scott a progressive democrat, speaker boehner came on board yesterday. so this is going to make a big difference because it is going to reduce the number of people who were admitted to present by getting rid of some of these harsh mandatory minimum sentence is going to provide some services for people once they are lockstep some incentives to have them go to high school to high school or at least complete their ged and get the kinds of hope here that they need so that they will be returned as contributing members of society rather than as criminals. now, look at what happens when folks get lots of timeout after being locked out. a lot of jurisdictions get proverbial subway tokens, pat on the back, good luck. guess what a year and a half later 60% are right back in prison. we have got to stop that vicious cycle. i am so happy that at last again republicans and democrats, this is an issue of all things bringing folks together. >> host: back to the sentencing project

of the texas supreme court, and senator berker a liberal democrat and a conservative, like jim sensenbrenner, and a liberal like representative bobby scott, all joining together to urge reform. lastly, let me mention one other aspect of our nation's crime problem. in my years as a judge, i handled over 10,000 cases because probably 97% or 98% of the defendants enter some type of guilty plea and applied for probation. every day for 7 1/2 years i would read several eight or 10-page reports into the defendant's background and it said defendant's father left home at 2 and never returned or left home to get a pack of cigarettes and never came back. over 70% of the defendants came from father-absent households. drugs and/or alcohol are involved in most cases but they are secondary to the absent father problem. years ago i read a report that said 57% of marriages break up in arguments, disputes or disagreements about money. as government has grown so much at all levels, federal, state and local, over the past 40 or 50 years, it has become a major factor in the breakup of the american family by taki