kennedy for united states senate and it is signed by all parties massachusetts senators. like this happens, so many people get to take bows. the staff of the edward kennedy institute has done an incredible job in getting things ready for today and i want to mention paul ramey, chris cole, jay mccarthy and the person who pulled all of the things together both last night and today, lisa mcburney. thanks to all of you for the incredible work you have done. [applause] a dear friend of the senators, they think of everybody in this room, man who makes things happen at the statehouse, the speaker of the house. [applause] >> thank you very much peter and another big day today is opening day by the way. let's not forget that. the red sox are going to start a winning streak today is a matter of fact. [applause] off course by last prediction was that peter and i were going to retire so so much for my prediction by thank you peter for that kind introduction and it's a pleasure for me to join with my partner in the legislature, senate resident murray and offering the resolution and to

sincerely yours, diane feinstein, united states senator -- dianne feinstein, united states senator."applause] >> i don't know what to say. i'm so overwhelmed. it really feels good to get some recognition from the politicians and top politicians. i'm glad that i lived to see this day. [applause] and i want to thank all who have made this day possible, including all the people at the library that put this event together. thank you very much. [applause] >> now, i would like to introduce the driving force behind this program, and award- winning, internationally known storyteller, recording artist, and educator. she is a truth teller and an artist for social change. she has made it her life's work to tell history through the words of its off forgotten witnesses. zero two one-women shows -- she wrote two one-women shows. she told the true story of the 1955-1956 montgomery bus boycott through the eyes of four women. please help me welcome her. >> i guess you are wondering why i'm standing here. [inaudible] my teachers have been teaching me a lot about standing up for what is right. it was a

sure, when 90% of the united states senate agree on something and my view is that about the only things these days 90% of the united states senate agree on are probably mom, apple pie and chocolate ice cream. if they supported with this compromise with the speaker of the house knowing it, everybody expected this to pass. it's a very sad moment if a small contingency of republicans in the house of representatives are now willing and able to hold back this national consensus and do something that could lead taxes go up 160 million americans as we go into the new year. >> ifill: the house has to agree as well. as you know, john boehner says this is just insufficient, kicking the can down the road. why isn't it? >> that's not what he said. i think the house... the speaker of the house knew very well the negotiations that were going on. it had 89 votes. he said it was a good deal. we all understand what happened. this was an agreement. this was a compromise for everybody to extend tax cuts for 160 million americans and unemployment benefits for those looking for work. it was an agreement, an

ask robbed menendez and ask all the folks in the united states senate who want to impose the real sanction that will make a difference on iran and the president has opposed it. now that's just a fact. he also has recognized the state of syria, called assad a reformer, has continued to have an embassy there when in fact this is a real thug that is a real threat to the state of israel and to the stability of the region. and again here's the interesting link. this is a state of iran -- the greatest area he's appeased is iran which is the greatest threat and here he is, recognizing assad setting up an ambassadorship with the client state of iran who is a great funder of hezbollah, a threat to israel and the region. you go to egypt. again, he supported the muslim brotherhood as it turns out into overthrowing an ally in egypt. there is a consistent pattern of contingencies that have come up under this administration where he has opposed the freedom fighters and has gone with the radical islamists. that is a problem for the security of drl and our country. >> okay. let me move you on. i think we

united states senate, majority of the united states senate, unfortunately the senate requires a supermajority to do anything. to put a bill on the floor requires 60 votes. american public doesn't understand it. i don't understand it. a majority of the representatives, as a matter of fact, well over the majority voting for the passage of that bill and it still does not pass given the fact it has 51. we are going to continue to advocate on behalf of the working americans to get this -- make sure that their tax cuts was affected last year is extended and expanded so that we can continue to grow the economy, grow jobs, and create those 400,000 jobs that the economists believe will result. >> -- >> it has been something that republicans have used in their budgeting. if anything important is the economic security of america's families and we could use it for extending the payroll tax and removing all of the uncertainty in sgr. sgr is a -- initials for something that means that seniors will be able to see the doctor of their choice under medicare. it is very important to our seniors. and it is a pri

well, that's exactly what happened in the united states senate. they didn't like the house bill, as a matter of fact harry reid tried to put the house bill that the house members are talking about on the floor and the republicans objected. what they did was -- in consultation with john boehner came to an agreement. >> right. >> that agreement had 89 senators out of 100 agree on a proposition that would continue the middle class tax cut, would give certainty and assurance that as of january 1st there wouldn't be a tax cut, give 48 million americans assurance that they would still have access to their medicare doctors and give 2.3 million americans an assurance they wouldn't lose their unemployment insurance and therefore their ability to support themselves and their families. >> at this point -- >> that's what we're urging us to dosh. >> at this point having known -- we know how we got to this point. >> right. >> how do we move this thing forward? clearly we're at a gridlock here. do you have new ideas or suggestions? >> suzanne, when you say we're

now, what's the first thing that a united states senator does? a member of congress, the president, what is the very first thing that they do? they swear an oath to the constitution of the united states. what is the very first act that any american, or actually resident alien, joining the united states military does? they don't swear an allegiance to a president or a leader or a territory, they swear allegiance to the united states constitution. and that is the mission for which they're undertaking to protect. now, we see a number of cases cited, as i noted, ex parte querin, the german spy or u.s. nationals that were landed in long island, summarily executed under u.s. military justice. i would say at least there they were part of a foreign military trained in that mission and trying to carry out that mission when that rough justice was -- was put in place. with regard to jose padilla, he was a united states citizen. sometimes when i was at the state department, people would ask me, what -- who our ambassador to puerto rico was. puerto rico is par

sure, when 90% of the united states senate agree on something and my view is that about the only things these days 90% of the united states senate agree on are probably mom, apple pie and chocolate ice cream. if they supported with this compromise with the speaker of the house knowing it, everybody expected this to pass. it's a very sad moment if a small contingency of republicans in the house of representatives are now willing and able to hold back this national consensus and do something that could lead taxes go up 160 million americans as we go into the new year. >> ifill: the house has to agree as well. as you know, john boehner says this is just insufficient, kicking the can down the road. why isn't it? >> that's not what he said. i think the house... the speaker of the house knew very well the negotiations that were going on. it had 89 votes. he said it was a good deal. we all understand what happened. this was an agreement. this was a compromise for everybody to extend tax cuts for 160 million americans and unemployment benefits for those looking for work. it was an agreement, an

sure, when 90% of the united states senate agree on something and my view is that about the only things these days 90% of the united states senate agree on are probably mom, apple pie and chocolate ice cream. if they supported with this compromise with the speaker of the house knowing it, everybody expected this to pass. it's a very sad moment if a small contingency of republicans in the house of representatives are now willing and able to hold back this national consensus and do something that could lead taxes go up 160 million americans as we go into the new year. >> ifill: the house has to agree as well. as you know, john boehner says this is just insufficient, kicking the can down the road. why isn't it? >> that's not what he said. i think the house... the speaker of the house knew very well the negotiations that were going on. it had 89 votes. he said it was a good deal. we all understand what happened. this was an agreement. this was a compromise for everybody to extend tax cuts for 160 million americans and unemployment benefits for those looking for work. it was an agreement, an

this is something we seem to hear from him over the years he's been in the united states senate. nevertheless, that bill was passed by the house and senate and it will govern how much money the united states government will spend over the next year and it's significantly less than it was last year because of what the gop conference did, moving away from spending, which is the whole reason they got elected was to cut spending. so a lot going on here in washington, d.c. usually would be a speedy saturday. i spoke to almost senator who said i should be out christmas shopping right now. instead, they are working for the people that elected them. but they did the business they needed to do. the bill goes to the house next week and should pass there, and the government of the united states is funded. no shutdown today, alex. so things are looking up at least at the end of the year after so much dysfunction. >> at least for the senators, because they're off and running now with their shopping. the house, they are not free to do so quite yet. they're back this week. >> reporter: they are

i was in the united states senate and i fought and passed welfare reform. i was the principle author in the united states house and managed the bill on the floor of the united states senate. i was the leader on pro-life issues and profamily issues and i fought those issues and endured tough debates and won. i went out and fought on national security issues, conservative things like putting sanctions on iran and, again, the consistent track record of being there when good times and bad, and i think you heard the difference, you're not going to hear them talk about all the positions i took and flip-flopped on, i was there, i led, and i won. and if you're looking for someone who can be a consistent conservative, and there is others on this platform, but it can lead the fight, win the issues and, plus, win in states that are important for us to win elections like pennsylvania. >> all right, let's talk more about the debate last night. let's bring in cnn deputy political director paul steinhauser in des moines and ron brownstein from washington. good to see both

america, and it will be time for the united states senate to act. >> nbc's luke russert is followingils for us. is speaker boehner even going to have the votes needed to get through today? >> that's a good question, thomas. the how gop met today as a conference. i spoke to a member who went in there who said the leadership informed him they may not have the votes to pass a republican bill. the reason being they have an ideological opposition to extending the tax cut holiday, because they see it as a temporary band-aid. that all being said, it's believed the addition of the keepstone pipeline will get enough republicans on board, because they'll be seeing as being a pro-jobs growth agenda. that's the road to 217, there's been a a divide, and it's going to not be the easiest slam dunk, but it is expected to pass. le to what harry reid said about it on the floor of the united states senate. >> we have to understand as i explained to the speaker today, we're going to have to do this together. this ideological candy that they've added to this bill is not going to sell over here. >> that i

amending is consistent with the traditions and practices of the united states senate. yet regrettably, we will be denied that opportunity. which is unprecedented frankly, on this question. it's a question that clearly deserves much greater deference than is being accorded here in the united states senate. thomas jefferson once wrote "i place economy among the first and most important republican virtues -- yes, that's republican with a small r -- and he went on to say public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared. he wrote in 179 "i wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our constitution, i mean an additional article taken from -- taking from the federal government the power of borrowing. well, he understood. he understood the perils of borrowing and we're not even going as far as thomas jefferson was advocating. but he also recognized the danger of debt and deficits do matter. he said one generation should not pay for the debts of another, no more than we should pay the debts of a foreign nation. he couldn't have been more right. we have now entered

informationuc you d toar make sure that you are not part of multiple attacks on the united states of america. if the senator from california'e amendment passes, what kind of message are we saying to members of al qaeda, foreigners, who are planning attacks against the united states of america? vie we are laying out unfortunately in my view, a welcome mato to sy if you make it to america, heity won't be held in military custody. but if you attack us overseas then you will be held inwh military custody. why would we create a dualprio standard, where we should beri prioritizing, protecting our homeland, protecting the united states of america? this leads to an absurd result and i would hope that mysenatos colleagues would reject the senator's amendment to say that only those members of al qaeda don't make it to our homeland to attack us right here on our soil will be held in mandatory military custody. our goal has to be here to protect americans and to make sure that we don't create a dua- standard where if you are lucky, if you are captured over there, we are going to hold you in her military custody but if

. >> we had a tutduty to be here united states senators. >> reporter: threatening the senate which is now on vacation will stay on vacation even if the house tries to change the bill. if speaker boehner refuses to vote on the bipartisan compromise that passed the senate with 89 votes, republicans will be forcing a thousand dollar tax increase on middle class families. in the house, minority leader nancy pelosi wrote the only thing standing in the way of a middle class tax cut are tea party republicans. right now both sides are bigging this their heels. if the house won't pass the bill and the senate won't come back, most americans will see their taxes go up come january 1st. whit johnson, cbs news, washington. >>> republican presidential candidate mitt romney got a boost heading into the important iowa caucuses with the endorsement "the des moines register." the paper said in its sunday edition, quote. newt gingrich reacted to the endorsement saying it's a liberal newspaper and he says he is the true conservative candidate in this race. >>> take a quick break. coming up on the morning

president, that has 40 cosponsors here in the united states senate. it was introduced last week. many of our colleagues have taken the lead. senator hoeven from north dakota, senator johanns from nebraska, senator barrasso and others, who believe so strongly in the issue of economic growth, job creation, energy security, national security that we have introduced a bill that would allow this project, either one to move forward or have the president provide a rationale for why it won't move forward. pretty simple, straightforward legislation. it would allow 60 days from enactment of the legislation for a decision to be made about the permit. one way or the other, either it gets permitted or on the contrary the president gives an explanation as to why it shouldn't be permitted, but at least we get a decision made so there is some economic certainty for the people behind this project, the people who are making this investment about whether or not it's going to go forward. the one thing we hear over and over from business, small businesses across this country, large businesses, job cre

. >> guest: it got 51 votes in the united states senates. this is where majority rules. ly in the united states senate does it take 60 votes. we understand it will take a change. majority leader reid called me yesterday and said he will propose tomorrow a compromise plan to extend the pay roll tax cut. >> chris: how do you pay for it? what is the compromise. >> guest: he will offer at that point and it is indicated to me it will be paid for in a serious way. >> chris: with a tax increase or spending cuts. >> guest: it is up to him to define his plan or discuss his plan. it will be paid for, paid for in a credible and serious way. and represent a compromise from what is voted on last week and serious attempt to move the ball forward. we should not have a tax increase on the middle class. that makes no sense in this economy. >> chris: senator coburn. will the pay roll tax cut be extend what about unemployment benefits be extended for the 10th time at a cost of 50 billion. >> guest: probably they both will be extended. but the american people ought to be asking where is the

united states as children. they grew up every single day, just as we did a few moments ago in the united states senate, pledgingegiance to the only flag they have ever known, our american flag. they would sing the only national anthem they ever knew. it wasn't their decision to come to america. certainly joaquin didn't make any decision at the age of 6 months, but america was their home, and for tens of thousands of others in his status, america is their home and their future. but they are undocumented and their future is uncertain. i have a message today for all young people like joaquin -- don't give up hope. keep your dreams alive. america is a generous and caring country. we can and we will find a way, a fair and just way, to give you a chance to be part of our nation's future. if you or someone you know is feeling hopeless because of the failure of the dream act to pass in the united states senate, there are people available to help and talk to you. you can call the national suicide prevention lifeline. the number is 1-800-273-talk. that's 1-800-273-8255. today, my thoughts and prayers are with joaquin lun

articles based on their judgment of the needs of taiwan. 47 democrats and republicans in the united states senate -- almost half -- have signed a letter to the president of the united states supporting this sale. in the house of representatives, 181 democrats and republicans have signed a letter to the president supporting this sale. the senate, as you'll recall, madam president, in september previously voted on an amendment like this in the trade adjustment authority assistance bill, which ended up in a 48-48 tie. although the bill had strong bipartisan support, some of my colleagues said they preferred not to offer that amendment on that particular legislative vehicle but said that if i came back on an appropriate legislative vehicle, they would support it. and if there's a more appropriate legislative vehicle than the defense authorization bill, i hope someone would point that out to me. this is the appropriate vehicle. this is the appropriate time. this is the right thing to do for job creation in america. it's the right thing to do in terms of our national security and stability in asia. and

>> back in 1995 when i came to the united states senate the federal government contributed 3% of the cost of education and it now contracts 11% of the overall cost. so still 89% is picked up by state and local governments and with that 11% as teachers will tell you and administrators will tell you come enormous strings and all sorts of mandates, all sorts of requirements that eat up enormous amounts of time. if you relieve the mandates and the money and let the parents and teachers and the people in the local community make the decisions as to what is in the best interest of each child in america you are going to dramatically improve the efficiency and cost of education. the federal government makes education more expensive. the money that is contributed doesn't near make up for the costs that they impose and so actually relieving the mandates of the money will actually save money for the education system. >> even though, senator, you would agree that a lot of these states are broke and can't afford it the way it is? >> well, again, i mean the federal government really like i said bef

no one thought he had a chance but he won and won big and did 24 distinguished years in the united states senaterick moynihan? republicans are panicking. what does elizabeth warren think about the republican's reaction to her campaign? their attack ads against her. she's going to join me next. >>> and what could be the herman cain jokes. how did i get here? dumb luck? or good decisions? ones i've made. ones we've all made. about marriage. children. money. about tomorrow. here's to good decisions. who matters most to you says the most about you. massmutual is owned by our policyholders so they matter most to us. massmutual. we'll help you get there. diabetes testing? it's all the same. nothing changes. then try this. freestyle lite® blood glucose test strip. sure, but it's not gonna-- [beep] wow. yep, that's the patented freestyle zipwik™ design. did it just-- [both] target the blood? yeah, drew it right in. the test starts fast. you need just a third the blood of one touch.® that is different. so freestyle lite test strips make testing... easy? easy. great. call or click-- we'll send you strips

no one thought he had a chance but he won and won big and did 24 distinguished years in the united states senate patrick moynihan? republicans are panicking. what does elizabeth warren think about the republican's reaction to her campaign? their attack ads against her. she's going to join me next. >>> and what could be the herman cain jokes. like many chefs today, i feel the best approach to food is to keep it whole for better nutrition. and that's what they do with great grains cereal. see the seam on the wheat grain? same as on the flake. because great grains steams and bakes the actual whole grain. now check out the other guy's flake. hello, no seam. because it's more processed. now, which do you suppose has better nutrition for you? mmm. great grains. the whole whole grain cereal. have given way to sleeping. where sleepless nights yield to restful sleep. and lunesta can help you get there, like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without reme

. >> look, it got 51 votes in the united states senate. normally this is a country where majority rules. only in the united states senate does it take 60 votes. we underand it it is going to take a change. majority leader reid called me yesterday and said he will propose tomorrow a compromise plan to extend the payroll tax cut. you know, to me. >> chris: and how do you pay for it, what is the compromise? >> he will offer it at that point. i don't think it is probably in my purview to announce his plan. he indicated to me it will be paid for in a serious way. >> chris: tax increase or with spending cuts? >> again, i think it is up to him to define his plan, discuss his plan. but it will be paid for. it will be paid for in a way that is credible and serious. it will represent a compromise from what was voted on last week. and that it is a serious attempt to move this ball forward because we should not have a tax increase on the middle class. that just makes no sense in this economy. >> chris: senator coburn, will the payroll tax cut be extend

i was in the united states senate and i fought and passed welfare reform. i was the principal author in the united states house and managed the bill on the floor of the united states senate. i was leader on pro life issues and pro family issues and i fought those issues and endured tough debates and won. i went out and fought on national security issues, things like putting sanctions on iran and again ethe consistent track record of being there in good times and bad,ic you heard the difference, you're not going to hear them talk about positions i took and flip-flopped on. i was there, i led, and i won. if you're look for someone to be a consistent con seventive and there are others on this program, but that can lead the fight, win the issues and win in states that are important for us to win elections like pennsylvania. >> we try to move with -- tried to be liberal with the time. we are coming up to a commercial break but we give you, congresswoman bachman, 30 seconds to respond. >> you fight and i led. we were in the minority, nancy pelosi wasn't interested

let's check into that fight for control of the united states senate coming up here in a minute usual to "hardball." do republicans have a real chance of winning control of the u.s. senate next year? many gop leaders think the answer is yes, especially after yesterday's announcement by democratic senator ben nelson of nebraska that he'll not seek re-election in 2012. nelson was in a tight race in nebraska but now it seems that seat will go to republicans, a republican, whoever it is. the senate is currently split 53-47 for the democrats, meaning republicans need to pick up four seats next year to retake or take control. there's some formidable democratic contenders who could make that task a bit more difficult, like elizabeth warren up in massachusetts. so what's the outlook in 2012 for the senate? david calf any is a national political reporter for politico and christina bellantoni is with roll call. two experiments here -- expert here who do it all the time. let's take a look at the map, two key senate races, massachusetts and nevada where the democrats have a shot of picking up a se

it and i will guarantee you that the keystone pipeline will be in there when it goes to the united states senate. >> lawmakers have until december 31 to find common ground, they aren't taking any chances. the senate is working on a plan b that would extend the tax break until february, allowing lawmakers to head home and tackle the issue in the new year. tara for cbs news, capitol hill. >>> now that payroll tax cut bill also includes a provision to extend benefits for people who have been unemployed for a listening period of time. if the payroll tax bill or a short-term version of it does not pass, that means those benefits would vanish for millions of americans. >> baby jesus is back in his manger after being snatched tuesday night. he is part of a nativity scene at the central park shopping center in fredericksburg. the blue-eyed plastic figure was stolen once before back in 2005 and after that, he was filled with sand and concrete. he weighed 80-pounds when he was stolen. police found baby jesus, thanks to a tip. >> he had seen the photo of the baby jesus on facebook. and not only the photogr

hammered away on the fairness theme which is a winning theme in this country and yet we have a united states senatorommercial break that he has never been invited down to the oval office by the president of the united states. the democratic united states senator in an age politically when every vote is important in that particular body. and he does so little apparently to woo his party members, democrats in the house and the senate, and yet he is so great on the big stage. >> it's like he dwindles down almost. he becomes isolated. >> strange. >> it is very interesting. >> yes. >> coming up we have former campaign managers and mccain palin campaign steve schmidt will be here. also "the washington post"'s eugene robinson will weigh in on what could be an extended fight for the republican nomination. but first, bill karins with a check on the forecast. bill? >> well, good morning, mika. it is another easy travel day. we're in the middle of december when we can get some of those big snowstorms, ice storms, blizzards. nothing to talk about. it's amazing how quiet the winter is shaping up to be. we'll see