chafechafe the united states congress -- mr. chaffetz: the united states congress dictating to the people of puerto rico about this vote is ironic. there's no need for the united states congress to pass this bill. no need. four times, in 1952, in 1967, in 1993, in 1998, the people of puerto rico were able to vote on this. they didn't need the approve of the united states congress to do it. they don't need it today. but it's a manipulation of the process to try to get a desired outcome. if you want to vote on statehood, take a straight vote. do the people of puerto rico, yes or no, do the people of puerto rico want statehood? simple, straightforward, to the point, and let's understand if that's truly what they want. i'm a conservative person. i do not believe that i should be trying to manipulate what's happening in puerto rico and what they want. and finally, i will add -- i will end with this. please, as you consider this bill, understand that you are empowering people to vote on this election that has no business voting in this

voice in the united states congress on this subject matter. in the state level we had then our governor, tom vilsack, filed an executive order. he was the fresh governor. maybe a little bit fresher than the president has been in this period of time. i think it was in the first couple three months of his office. governor vilsack signed executive order number 7 and i looked at it and said he violated the separation of powers and legislated by executive order. when i raised an objection of course it was refused and denied. the executive office didn't respond to legislative office. we filed a case called king vs. vilsack. this is now our secretary of agriculture vilsack whom we had a good exchange in the ag committee i think just yesterday. but in this issue we disagreed. he agreed that he could amend the code of iowa by executive order and i believe the legislative powers are vested within the legislative branch of government. and most of our state constitutions, including iowa, are modeled off of our federal constitution. so they take an oath to

the true culprit here sadly is the united states congress, not arizona, because we refuse to take action. states are being pressured on all sides to act. states have passed the patch work of laws in an attempt to deal with the pressing issue of immigration. these local laws have unintended consequences that lead to disastrous results as we will see in arizona. the arizona law is a similar ton and only congress can truly solve the crisis. immigration is fundamentally a federal issue and yet we here in congress continue to fail in meeting our responsibility that's allocated to this body and the federal government. until we can pass comprehensive immigration reform, these misguided local laws will continue to be passed in vein attempt to address the issue at a local level and we will continue to suffer from the unintended consequences and abuses that they foster. arizona will suffer because of this law. how can we expect to recover from our recession if we scare honest hard-working american families. blanket discrimination is not the way to solve the crisis. in order to present more states

. >>> in the united states, congress seizes on the paper trail from goldman sachs as the primary reason for financial reform. >>> and welcome to "worldwide exchange" i'm christine tan here in asia. taking a look at where the bourses are doing. 4:00 p.m. here in singapore. australian market is closed today to commemorate anset day. we're getting markets finishing broadly higher, all with the exception of china. all these u.s. data, u.s. data and of course greece asking for the emergency aid helping to boost sentiment. risk aversion really reducing, investors really liking the markets right now. nikkei 225 up 2.3% finishing up the key 11,000 mark. shanghai markets still under pressure because of concerns about monetary tightening, talk about inflation and property bubble. that is pulling the shanghai market lower. the hang seng is down. it's up 1.6%. a bit of bargain hunting going on on property. starting with the massive sell-off in the last few days. kospi, and the aussie market as i mentioned is closed today so that is reflected on friday's close. elsewhere, we're continuing to watch t

united states? or is it the case that no treaty is all of the united states unless congress passes the statute -- is that law of the united states unless congress passes the statute saying so? law requires both houses to act. this is different of the world. england, you have to get parliament to pass a special law. the treaty does not bind unless they do. the man who signed the treaty or got the queen to sign it also has the majority in parliament, so it is not such a tough thing. do remember jack kennedy saying this? it was a slight deviation, but it is relevant. he said that jack kennedy and harold macmillan were in bermuda discussing the blue streak missile. after their discussion, they were talking about the budget. president kennedy was describing to the prime minister how he was going to work with congress to get it through and he hoped that certain parts would. how do you get your budget through? he said, get our budget through? we have a majority. what determined in the cabinet what the budget will be and they passed it -- we determine in the cabinet what the budget will be and they pass it.

said you know, next year is going to be the 50th anniversary of bob dole's election to the united states congress and are you guys planning anything? i said as a matter of fact we are. we are planning our presidential lecture series which is one of our signature series on that topic. and he proposed the idea of doing a conference that focuses on the senate, and it just fit perfectly, a perfect way to conclude the series. so we were very excited about that and very excited about what burdett has put together. one of the things we have heard in the course of the series consistently is that the united states senate needs more people like bob dole, like his career exemplifying bipartisanship, stability and a willingness while having strong philosophical beliefs, to reach across the aisle and try to work with others with different points of view. we heard from bob dole's biography. we have heard from members of his staff. we have heard from the first and until he recently retired only historian of the united states senate and finally we heard from one of his very prominent colleagues, former senator j

people thank you want to represent, look 'em straight in the eye and say, elect me to the united states congressd i will go to washington, d.c. and try to make washington as inconsequential in your life as i can. that is a simple but straightforward -- >> sean: what are some of the worst words in the english language, i'm from the government and i'm here to help. thank you governor perry. coming up indiana congressman mike pence. ♪ raymond james financial advisers understand there's no one exactly like you. with a culture of independence they have the complete freedom to offer unbiased financial advise that's right for your goals. no matter how often. raymond james. individual solutions from independent advisers. black one! where? [ vrrroooooomm! ] black one! where? [ vrrroooooomm! ] black one! ow! where? [ male announcer ] the volkswagen tiguan. the only compact suv with a turbocharged engine, standard. [ vrrroooooomm! ] black one! where? there. [ male announcer ] stng at $23,200. it's a whole new volkswagen, and a whole new game. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ ing ] [ cheering ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> sean: welcome back to th

. >> pew poll took aim at the united states congress. it found 65 percent of americans have an unfavorable view of congress. worse congressional rating in quarter of a century. >> country is in dire need of leadership. we just need leadership up there right now. >> state delegate anderson has his theory on the politics of the poll. which includes the passage of health care reform and our slumping economy. >> these polls are, basically the frustrations of americans based upon what is going on right now. >> people are not only angry, they are fearful. because they believe that government is interfering in their lives. >> now, 70 percent of all people polled believe the federal government is also wasteful and inefficient. and 52 percent believe it is too big and powerful. now to read the entire poll, head to foxbaltimore.com/news links. michael buczyner fox 45 news at 10:00. >> thanks mike. >> now that brings us to the question of the day. do you trust the government? so far, 6 percent say yes. 94 percent are saying no. shirley writes on our

both of them have earned the admiration of both sides of the aisle in the united states congress and deserve commendation for their leadership. mr. speaker, i understand that some members of congress have concerns that the results of the election would be automatically implemented. i was discussing with my colleague, ms. ros-lehtinen here, some faulthood -- falsehoods, falsehoods being said on radio and other media that the vote today is one that would set up a process that would automatically be implemented. that is not the case. the results of the plebiscites are nonbinding on congress. so in order for the results to be put into effect, whatever the results of the referendum would be, congress would need to debate again and again pass legislation. in other words, new legislation. my position with regard to the status of puerto rico is that the people of puerto rico have the right to decide the political and legal status of their wonderful island through a fair, neutral, as well as federally recognized plebiscite. i have ultimate admiration for the people of puerto rico. they are a w

after the agreement was signed by both the ambassador for the united states if iraq and maliki that it was officially published to the congress of the united states. now, this is incredible. >> the role of congress is -- >> just to publish the thing. >> we tan to go to questions very quickly, general mcmaster and general keane. >> i just have one quick comment. i think you underestimate the degree to which you get access when you embed u.s. troops. we're in amongst -- we're working with iraqi leaders, iraqi police, iraqi -- you need it get there with security obviously, because our enemies are operating in and among the population an are targeting journalist. the most dangerous course of action would be not to embed journalists and to rely on stringers, because the stringers who are in those communities oftentimes are in influenced by our enemies, and i think can almost read some stories in some print media and i know exactly that the stringer is planting that propaganda from the enemy in american papers. now depends i guess on thette tore's familiarity with the situation, to be able to weed that out, but we have to remember

and today congress officially joins in that mourning. the united states and indeed the entire world mourn the loss of president kaczynski and first lady, maria kaczynski, and those who perished in last week's crash. we stand by our friend and ally, poland, as they mourn the president and first lady, the chiefs of the army and navy, the president of the bank, the deputy minister and dozens other parliament officials. the pain of the loss is unimaginable. and our thoughts and prayers rest with the families, friends and loved ones of the victims. their loss strikes a blow to the hearts of polish citizens, all polish americans. my niece is a polish american. and all who believe in a future of peace and prosperity for poland and for every nation. i'd like to talk about the president. few leaders have proven greater champions of progress and human dignity than president kaczynski. he was a true advocate of liberty for poland, for poland's families, workers and citizens. his life was defined by a long struggle for freedom, and by the ultimate victory of democrac

only after the agreement was signed by both the ambassador for the united states in iraq that it was officially published to the congress of the united states. now, this is incredible, the role of congress -- just to publish it. >> want to go to questions very quickly. >> i think you underestimate the agree of access. we're in amongst populations and working with iraqi leaders, political leaders, police and army. you need to get there with security obviously because our enemies are operating amongst the civilians. the most dangerous course of action would be not to imbed downists and rely on stringers, because the stringers are oftentimes influenced by the enemy, and i can read some stories and i know exactly that the stringer is planting that propaganda from the enemy in american papers. its depends on the editor's familiarity with the situation to wed that out. the enemy is counseling on this propaganda and disinformation so it's in our interest to give the maximum access to the media. we don't lie. the enemy lies. >> after being in iraq when a time when they were negotiating this with the iraqis on the status of forc

and we both believed that individual mandate passed by the united states congress is not authorized underhe commerce clause of the united states constitution. and so we think it is not a proper act on the people of virginia. we passed a bill during the course of this last general assembly session that went into effect to weeks -- two weeks ago tonight says it is not permissible to force the citizens of virginia to purchase health insurance under penalty of law. we've got standing under that new end actment that i signed today. that's the basis for our lawsuit against the federal government. >> greta: you obviously saw this coming if it had been discussed and you passed a new law and signed it. what is your legislature democratic majority or republican majority? >> this was a bipartisan effort. primarily introduced by republican legislators. but we have a democratic senate it passed 23-17 in the senate. and we have a republican house but it passed overwhelming. 66-29 that's what the minority leader voting. i was a bipartisan effort. you may have seen the other night that 7 out of the 11 un

united states? or it isn't the case that nobody is the law of the united states unless congress passes a statute saying this treaty is the law of the united states. you know the difference. the senate has to ratify a treaty, but a lot requires both houses to act. a little tougher to get through. this is different all over the world. england, you have to get parliament to pass a special law. you have to. the treaty doesn't bind in less than they do. but wait a minute. england. a man who signed a treaty or got the queen to sign and also has a majority in parliament. so it isn't such a tough thing. remember jack kennedy's famous line? this is a slight deviation but it is relevant. he said that jack kennedy and harold m l1)cl0 millan, this is years ago, were in bermuda discussing the blue streak missile. and after their discussion, they were just talking and they were talking about the budget. and president kennedy was describing to the prime minister m l1)cl0 millan how he's going to work with congress to get it to andy help certain parts would in others when they can he said how to get your budget throug

the united states congress right now is facing low approval ratings, a rising public anger, and a vicious4/7 news cycle that keeps turning day in and stay out, and i always have people come up to me, whether it is in airports or whether i am in malls or one of the orphanages but i do, and they always say, i bet you're glad to be out of congress, expected me to say, those guys are horrible, and i always surprised them and say, is the greatest job i will ever have, and i' thank god every day and was given the opportunity to see what happens behind closed doors. are we critical? yes, we are, but that is our responsibility, but i agree with bobby kennedy that those of you who are not only members of congress but those of you that are associated any -- in any way, you are in an honorable profession, and i am proud to know you. [applause] since i now work in media, i am not as proud to know -- i am joking. i am very proud of what i learned in the media as well, and there are so many people that go around and have been going around the past 18 months to two years, setting their hair on fire, tal

but if -- it's up to the united states congress to fix our broken immigration laws. people shouldn't be able to cross the border or overstay their visas without permission and businesses shouldn't be able to exploit cheap labor off the books, undermining jobs for american citizens. we in congress have a unique opportunity now to take action. the american people are tired of excuses, tired of demagoguery, they want a solution that works and ensures that we have zero illegal immigrants in a year and in 10 years and in 20 years rather than seeing an increase from 10 million or 12 million to 20 million or 25 million or 30 million. what is national sovereignty mean if you don't even know who is within your borders or what they're doing? or whether they're criminals? and why are we putting over 300,000 of them up at expensive hotels at over $100 a day at taxpayer expense? is that part of the solution? doesn't sound like part of the solution that the people of arizona want. doesn't sound like part of the solution that the american people want. obey our laws, learn english,

only -- sojourner truth as the only standing figure now of an african-american woom in this united states congress, this great heroine, this great woman added her leverage, her power and her support in sisterhood to ensure we place sojourner truth, a suffragette and abolitionist here. . let it be known we do recommit ourselves to the universal access to education for all children. for the education of america's children, for reminding us that haiti's children now suffering in the wane of an earthquake must be provided education. and to be reminded that there is no shame in being an agitator and provock tour and someone who -- provock tore and someone who vites -- fights. and the women and men and the many different rainbow colors of many different rainbow colors of these united states people will be indebted to you for saving some many of us. may god bless your soul. the rest in peace as we celebrate your life. god bless you. i yield back. cut the gentleman from texas has 17 minutes remaining. the gentleman from texas is recognized. >> i continue to reserve. >> the gentleman from michigan is recog

spent easter weekend with my father, who turned 89 on the 22nd of march and he served in the united states congress energy and commerce committee 45 years ago when medicare was passed. and he told me a number of stories about how ferocious that battle feels -- how ferocious it was. how ferociously a number of people opposed medicare's passa passage, and how differently it looked then than it does now where he is now a pleased beneficiary and reminded me that over 45 years there have been changes, there have been a number of improvements, but the basic tenet that once you turn 65 in this country that you have health security was a promise made then and a promise that we intend to keep now. and it was interesting having his historic perspective on this beginning of this new chapter in american health security. >> thank you. i'm going to have to go to the house for action on a bill that going to be pending shortly. so, if i have to leave before the hearing is done, it is nothing you said. i just have to get over there. >> i'm pleased to hear that. >> meanwhile, what i would like to do is run a second

china policy, our support of them versus -- but taiwan and tibet not having stability in the united states congress. as much as i would like to have clear articulation, the reality is what would that be? that we'll go to war, take steps beyond where we will today. i think we're making steady progress. it's likely, david, they're going to have to be clearer -- so many davids on this set here. gregory here, to suggest this engagement thing is not working to some extent, i think -- >> let me go a little larger and talk about presidential leadership and put it in the political context. there is an opposition party and the republicans are trying to figure out how to mount that opposition as we're in an election year. there was a gatherings of republicans, southern republican leadership conference. you heard two prominent republican voices, newt gingrich and sarah palin talking about how republicans position themselves to counter president obama. let's watch that. >> what the left wants to do is say we're the party of no. here is what i want to ask you to encourage every candidate you know, every incumbe

and today congress officially joins in that mourning. the united statesand indeed the entire world mourn the loss of president kaczynski and first lady, maria kaczynski, and those who perished in last week's crash. we stand by our friend and ally, poland, as they mourn the president and first lady, the chiefs of the army and navy, the president of the bank, the deputy minister and dozens other parliament officials. the pain of the loss is unimaginable. and our thoughts and prayers rest with the families, friends and loved ones of the victims. their loss strikes a blow to the hearts of polish citizens, all polish americans. my niece is a polish american. and all who believe in a future of peace and prosperity for poland and for every nation. i'd like to talk about the president. few leaders have proven greater champions of progress and human dignity than president kaczynski. he was a true advocate of liberty for poland, for poland's families, workers and citizens. his life was defined by a long struggle for freedom, and by the ultimate victory of democracy

united states senate. this is part of a broader picture of gridlock of the congress of the united states as we have seen the popularity and approval rating of members of the house and senate fall precipitously because of what america is seeing going on in the -- in this body and across the rotunda in the house of representatives. we see a stimulus package where there is very little willingness on the part of people on the other side of the aisle to negotiate with people on this side of the aisle. we have seen a health care package enacted into law without a single vote in the united states senate. in the house of representatives, 176 republicans said no and one said yes. on reconciliation, all 177 said no and all 41 in the united states senate said no. there has been a point reached where there's really an issue of whether there could be governance at all with an obstructive majority standing fast. we have seen a slight break in ranks when the issue came up on the vacation for the payroll t tax, one republican stood up and voted with democrats and that led a few others to -- to join. and on unemployment com

particularly by the congress of the united states. almost exclusively, their concern was that congress of the united states not providing money. they have tried to find ways around to fund these international activities. we saw in the case an effort to use royalties from mining activities to fund the authority set up by the law of the sea treaty. we saw in copenhagen, numerous schemes for taxation to fund environmental activities under the various proposals that were being negotiated in copenhagen. we see even today proposals by prime minister gordon brown of the united kingdom for an international banking tax to set up a fund that would be used for future bank bailouts. the ideas come in a variety of different forms, all -- often very technical, often obscured in a larger efforts that mean they did not get a lot of attention. let me be very clear. the minute the united states loses the sole authority to tax its citizens and to decide where those tax revenues go, the minute that authority is delegated to international organization, it

>> well, what i see really is being in the united states congress.a tremendous honor to be able to serve there. it's the people's house. it's really meant to be the f fulcrum of our government where the people have their voice. it's an honor for me to serve there. i don't look any higher than that. i just look at the house where i'm serving today. i'm really about more making sure that our nation follows our constitution, the bill of rights, the declaration of independence. that is my focus right now. i see that our nation strayed. i want to make sure that going forward we get back to our constitutional roots. that's our greatness. that's what i hope to continue to encourage. >> chris: congresswoman bachmann, thank you so much for coming in today. now what we've had you on "fox news sunday," we'll have to have you back to talk some more. >> be delighted to. thank you, chris. >> chris: up next, a supreme court justice announces his retirement. and washington braces for another confirmation battle. who is on the president's short list? our sunday panel

such as the road map for america that is being supported in by an abrupt budget hawks in the united states congress. are going to support things like issues american people want to address, are we going to try an appeal to -- try and do what we tried to do last. go all over the world and try to find her voice. we know what the american people want to hear, conservative values, they want to hear things that create jobs, the main thing, want to hear things that cut the deficit, they don't want to your health care, they want to hear things that benefit them on everyday life level. frankly there are some conservatives that aren't addressing, they sank i can be conservative and win but in the grand majority in the republican party is doing a fine job and i think in november probably we have a chance of winning back the house, i don't think we will win it back entirely but it will get close to having a full majority. one. >> you know so much. if republicans do have a majority, does pelosi still have to stay? >> no, the speaker of the house is always selected by the majority in congress so nancy pelosi wo

oklahoma congressional leaders who was serving as -- she brings with her a resolution from the united states congress welcome congresswoman mary fallon. [applause] >> good morning. secretary napolitano, governor henry, and our other distinguished guests. it is my great honor to introduce a special resolution the united states congress co- sponsored by the entire congressional delegation, and it reads: resolution, remembering the victims of the attack of the federal building in oklahoma city, oklahoma on april 19, 1995, a terrorist detonated a truck bomb at the federal building in oklahoma city. this is one of the worst terrorist attacks to ever occur on the united states soil, taking the lives of 168 people and injuring more than 850 others, many of them united states government employees that work in the federal building. and whereas this cowardly act of domestic terrorism affected thousands of families and horrified millions of people across the united states of america. and whereas the people of oklahoma responded to the tragedy through a remarkable effort of federal, state, and local personnel. i

the cause of a bailout to again be a situation that the united states congress has to address gives megreat concern. this is particular legislation as part of this package which would set up a fund of $50 billion, certain companies designated as too big to fail. i think that's the wrong strategy. i think, therefore, you are guaranteeing future bailouts. you are saying to these companies, you are too big to fail, the federal government is giving you its staff of approval. we will come in and rescue you with taxpayers or shareholder dollars for that case. i think it sends the wrong incentive, promotes the risky behavior, and at the same time, it creates an unfair playing field for those institutions which have played by the rules and had sound financial management. we should not forget in this debate and discussion that the way business is supposed to work in the country is you put together a venture to sell a product or service. if you succeed, you have a profit. if you fail, you go out of business. the failures of the american economic system are in many ways just as important as the s

now you have prominent members of the united states congress stiring up all this kind of thing.nd that's a different dimension altogether, and the danger that it can pose could be to create a lot of timothy mcveighs. that's what worries me. >> do you see parallels? >> i do see parallels. the troubling thing is it is not the political rhetoric and the speech so much as it only has to touch one person. timothy mcveigh was one person. he had a few people around him who assisted him on this, but it was really his driving force. the most difficult thing from a law enforcement point of view is trying to find that lone wolf, whether it's timothy mcveigh or eric rudolph a few years later with the series of bombings that he perpetrated. not as deadly, but nonetheless terrifying to people. and this kind of rhetoric. all it has to do is touch one or two people who are unhinged and we can see this same kind of thing blow up again. as i said, we've had people who have had bombs before and other agendas, but the frightening thing is to give people a platform that seems to legitimize what they

oklahoma congressional leaders who was serving as -- she brings with her a resolution from the united states congress welcome congresswoman mary fallon. [applause] >> good morning. secretary napolitano, governor henry, and our other distinguished guests. it is my great honor to introduce a special resolution the united states congress co- sponsored by the entire congressional delegation, and it reads: resolution, remembering the victims of the attack of the federal building in oklahoma city, oklahoma on april 19, 1995, a terrorist detonated a truck bomb at the federal building in oklahoma city. this is one of the worst terrorist attacks to ever occur on the united states soil, taking the lives of 168 people and injuring more than 850 others, many of them united states government employees that work in the federal building. and whereas this cowardly act of domestic terrorism affected thousands of families and horrified millions of people across the united states of america. and whereas the people of oklahoma responded to the tragedy through a remarkable effort of federal, state, and local personnel. i

united states air force and the air force care program. i'm pleased this legislation includes h.r. 228, the blind veterans of america charter bid congress in 1958 which is exclusively dedicated to serving americans blind and visually impaired. there are approximately 160,000 legally blind veterans in the united states but approximately only 35,000 are currently enrolled in the veterans health administration services. it is estimated that there are over one million low-vision veterans in the united states, and incidents of blipedness among the total population of 26 million is expected to increase over 46% over the next few years. this is because of the most prevalent cause of blindness is age related and the average. this bill provides scholarship for training individuals, and i ask my colleagues to support it and thank you for including h.r. 228. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady's time has expired. the gentleman from indiana reserves. the gentleman from california. mr. filner: mr. speaker this bill adds an important provision to the department of veterans' affairs. the author of that legislation is mr. hare of illinoi

only -- sojourner truth as the only standing figure now of an african-american woom in this united states congresse, her power and her support in sisterhood to ensure we place sojourner truth, a suffragette and abolitionist here. . let it be known we do recommit ourselves to the universal access to education for all children. for the education of america's children, for reminding us that haiti's children now suffering in the wane of an earthquake must be provided education. and to be reminded that there is no shame in being an agitator and provock tour and someone who -- provock tore and someone who vites -- fights. and the women and men and the many different rainbow colors of these united states and around the world people will be indebted to you for your common touch, but for your spirit and, yes, for saving so many of us. may god bless your soul. may you rest in peace as we celebrate over these days your life. god bless you, dr. dorothy height. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas has 17 minutes remaining. the gentleman from michigan has 5 1/2 minutes remaining. the

making me believe that i can be anything i wanted to be because today i am a member of the united states congress. states congress. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker: under clause 5-d of rule 20, the chair announces that the house in light of the administration of the oath of office to the gentleman from florida, the whole number of the house is 431. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, five-minute voting will continue. the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentleman from maryland, mr. cummings, to suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1062 as amended, on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 177, house resolution 1062, resolution recognizing the coast guard group astoria's more than 60 years of service to the pacific northwest, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to the resolution as amended. members will record their votes by electronic v% the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 401. the nays

and we have not -- the congress of the united states has or hasn't authorized a global war. the bush administration and the obama administration doctrine is if this is -- there's no battlefield here. that's why it's a problem for domestic. you know, when padilla arrives in the o'hare airport and is seized and put in the naval brig for the next three and a half years as an enemy combatant. so the -- if we admit this notion that we're at war with all of these smallish groups. with the same thing they have in common, they are not states. they haven't controlled states. then how do we declare war on them? now. the key issue, of course, we have to take proactive measures in a structure which is -- but we have to be problem-oriented in evolving new constitutional concepts. not just call it war. not to encourage extravagant analogies to what franklin roosevelt was up to in a total war for civilization and say, well, that's just like a problem which would be a terrible thing. destroying half of the city of the united states. but that's really -- we were up to much worse in the deck

you know, for the media and also for the congress of the united states. you can imagine a four-star leader resigning over a matter of policy with a president or a theater of war within 24 hours after that resignation, where is he? before the television cameras -- >> he's on night line. that's where he is. [laughter] >> most of my military friends would probably shy away from that. but they would -- they would answer the call to testimony before the congress. and given a full explanation of what that is. the american people would have the benefit of that. the congress, you know, would have the benefit of that. i mean, it's an important issue. i think sometimes it's overstated in terms of what military impact can have on policy formulation. because at the end of the day, military executes that policy. that's primarily what it's function is. but it does not minimize the importance if those leaders believe that policy is wrong. they have a moral problem with that policy. or they have some other execution issue with that policy, then they should speak. and mos

view, which would crystallize that issue a little bit more for the media and also for the congress of the united states. you can imagine a four-star leader resigning over disagreement over policy with the president and within 24 hours after the resignation where is he? in front hoff the television cameras. >> on "nightline." >> most of my military friends would shy away but they would answer the call to testimony before congress and give a full explanation. without -- the congress would have the benefit of that. it's an important issue. i think sometimes it's overstated in terms of what military impact can have on policy formulation, because at the end of the day, the military executes the poll simple that's primarily what its function is; but it does not suggest or minimize the importance of what the leaders believe that policy is wrong, and immoral, a problem with the policy, or they have some other execution issue with the policy, and they should speak. most of the ones i know would. clearly some that would not. i would like to think that those are -- coming behind us -- i wrote a book. >> a marvelo

john conyers and i authored a resolution that passed the united states congress honoring the life andy pelosi personally signed it last night. and asked me to present a copy of that resolution francis, which i will do in just a moment. [ause] >> the speaker who broke a glass ceiling asked me to give her personal condolences to the family and her regrets nor not being here. ben hooks came to the inaugural yesterday because of the terrible weather he was not able to attend but he was there in spirit and in the hotel. i extend my condolences with hooks' family, his siblings, patricia, his daughter, my friends michael and michael, jr., who he took in as if his own children. i was lucky to have him as a friend. times are getting tight in this country but they're getting better. but times must be getting tight in heaven as well. because god took benjamin hooks and dorothy hite, a life well lived. [applause] [inaudible conversations] >> abraham lincoln died on april 15th, 1865. when his cabinet secretary heard the news, he said now we belong to the same ages. exactly 145 years later, on apri

acres and the architecture of the capital manages about 150 acres of brown on behalf of the united states congress have about 70 groundskeepers now on staff that manage the browns from day to day. there are a series of landscape architects and horticulture and trees surgeons who come together to make these capitol grounds look as beautiful as they do today. >> a couple of thing to note about the flowers. first you see on the capitol square itself, the square bordered, capitol square is the historic district of the capitol grounds. we try to maintain those grounds as close to the original design as we can. there are a few floured areas on capital square itself, but not that many. you will see many of them in the senate and house office building, on the library and the supreme court, as well as the botanic gardens. we plant 70,000 tulips and another 100,000 pansy's across capitol grounds, at and the tulips begin to fade out, we replace those, about 80,000 annuals each year. >> the grotto is really an unknown treasure. people do not realize it is there. it is surrounded by landscape and matured trees

and finance committee and now serves on the financial institutions committee here in the united states congress. the gentlewoman from the great state of california, jackie speier. ms. speier: thank you. i thank the gentleman from the great state of california. you know, today we had a hearing in financial services committee in which we looked at the -- sort of an autopsy of lehman brothers. lehman brothers is particularly problematic for california but also for many other states and local jurisdictions because so many of these local jurisdictions had money invested in what were investment-great instruments atleeman -- investment-grade instruments atleeman's. and when lehman's went bellyup they lost everything. in san mateo county, $100 million just gone. even though it was prudently invested in investment-grade investments in lehman's. many developments that were supposed to take place didn't happen. it was interesting today because mr. fold, the former c.e.o., said lehman brothers was risk averse, ironic when a company had $20 billion or $30 billion that basically just evaporated overnight. i

we have a solemn urgent one and i think sacred obligation in the united states congress to find the truthdo it fairly and carefully, and take action in their honor. these men have given us all they can and we must honor their sacrifice. i think the presiding officer and yield the floor. >> we be prepared to commit that a republican president to and republican congress and february and march of 2013 every radical bill passed by this administration. ..

in the congress of the united states. none. why?ost of a gay person today to be in the republican party, which is no longer a conservative party. it is a fundamentalist party. is impossible to sustain. log cabin republicans which 10 or fifteen years ago who once had a chance of making it have all about given up. the right wing fringe of the log cabin republicans a group called geoproud actually cosponsored a booth at the conservative conference which is going on in d.c., which i'm so sorry i'm missing. [laughter] >> and what's interesting about those gay republicans is they're all openly gay. you know what's also interesting about them is they all support equal marriage rights, military service, openly gay military service. and they all oppose constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage. there are no gay people left in this country able to actually support the agenda of the republican party. because the closet itself, the atmosphere that it created has disappeared. it's gone. it's over. that's what's happening. in britain, to give

had a wonderful thing which capped a trade surplus in the united states -- which kept a very steady trade surplus in the united states. congress killed it in the middle of the 1970's. the trade surplus became a trade deficits. that trade deficit is now in the trillions of dollars. i think we need to get our priorities corrected and put an end to these things that really cost the united states -- now our sovereignty. china has become a creditor nation. the united states is now a debtor nation. host: mike freeman sends us this tweet. those are his alternatives to a vat tax. next is a call from john on the line for republicans. good morning. caller: good morning. i agree with that position that says that if there is a small tax, it should be used exclusively for one purpose and one purpose only -- to pay off the debt. another place that i would like to see cut are government employees and their pensions. that's a huge strain on our country. there would be no problem at hiring them at half what they're paid now, and have their pensions eliminated, and have them have to save for their old age like the rest of us. host: thank you. m

the house my dear friend jeff lakeview shares was made the miss congeniality title in the united states congress thank you for your inducement and leader in the senate bill elimination of the practices of the american people who have so much dislike senator demint to i appreciate and also the fact he is willing to stand up others who may be more influential it is interesting this morning that you would be the would unveil the 20th pig book in boston thousands of people are gathered in a tea party this morning. thousands and thousands of people and tomorrow all over america, hundreds of thousands of non billions will be gathering in different places an outrage that they are tired and tired of the unnecessarily and corrupted influence of spending while the city of phoenix, arizona had a cut the budget by 30% last year in congress we increased domestic spending by 20%. thousands and thousands of earmarks wasteful and unnecessary programs it would take me a long time to enumerate. we have a deficit of 1.4 trillion dollars my favorite bumper sticker recently said please don't tell the president what

i've been in the united states congress for a while and we've got a lot of great people who have comeisn't it interesting how the freedom is so attractive? [cheering] you look happy to me. you don't look pingree. that's because you get it and you are smart enough to get off your couch and do something about that so this november what do you say let's take back our country. [cheering] how many of you think we are going to do it? i know we are going to it is all about this coming november. we have to take the house and the senate and two years from now barack obama is a one-term president. and we are not just sending anybody to washington this november, we are sending constitutional conservatives this november. [cheering] and we are going to allow the most courageous, the strongest constitutional conservatives that have set in the presidency since abraham lincoln and george washington. it is so unbelievable to all of us as we have watched what happened over the last 18 months. to the history of the country, our private economy has been private. that seems normal, doesn't it? but what ha

in the sound of my voice to call or e-mail and help me to talk to chairman miller in the united states congress, in the elementary and secondary education act, to pass opportunity academies, residential opportunity academies on all around the center. >> the national urban league will expand its efforts to provide job training for formerly incarcerated african- american men. we will take an initiative called the urban youth empowerment program and add 10- 15 sites within the next 12 months. part of reunifying the family is giving men dignity through work, and then they can do a better job to support their obligations. >> let me sound two warnings. we are losing our kids right around seventh grade, before they ever get to an hbcu. we talk about elementary and secondary. elementary, 1-6, secondary 9-12. but in seventh and eighth grade is where we are losing them, and we have to zero in on that. that is what we're trying to do. >> real quick, ages 8-18 is our focus. we will work with you and others. our focus is getting 1 million at mentors into our communities. >> how many now? >> we are working w

secondly, freddie mac and fannie at the behest of the united states congress, us, started buying those securities to meet the desire to have more affordable housing in america. a noble goal but a goal that was being achieved by loaning people money that could not pay it back, loaning them the down payment they didn't have, by not validating the credit, their employment or anything else. and so when this thing really did collapse, when everything went down and went down fast, it was in large measure because freddie and fannie created the marketplace that started the buying of these securities around the world, these mortgage securities, number one, and equal with that is moody's and standard rated them as investment grade when they obviously were not. now, i would think that as we move towards a debate on this bill when that time comes and it would come, that it would be a bill that included freddie mac and fannie and included moody's and standard. and i do understand there are some references to moody's standard, but i would submit the best accountability for moody's and standard is fo

presided over the biggest spending increases in history, created more debt than any congress in the history of the united states, and passed unprecedented tax increases. so it's not credible to claim they're cutting taxes. and it's near unanimous opposition in this congress to the president's proposal to cancel america's manned space program. what the president's proposing is like privatizing the united states navy. imagine if america would have to call up a private contractor and ask if we could rent the aircraft carrier harry truman to go to the red sea for a week. that's what the president's proposing on the manned space program. that's why there's unanimous opposition. mr. speaker, 27 astronauts and nasa leaders have joined together in a magnificent letter they published in "the orlando sentinel" on sunday that strongly urges the congress to drop this misguided proposal that forces nasa out of human space exploration for the foreseeable future. they said canceling nasa's human exploration after 50 years of unparalleled achofmente makes america mediocre and will eliminate our leadership in space. thank you.