never before he said, has a distinguished member of the united states senate carried to completion a comprehensive history of the senate, drawing upon both his insights and recollection of -- and the most recent work of all scholars. now, all of senate bird's history lessons, of course, are contained in books. sometimes they're offered in private conversations. i certainly as senator loath just noted have benefitted from many of senator byrd's tutorials over the years. his most powerful history lessons, however, have been those delivered on the senate floor. we saw that again last week. these are painful days for the senate and for our entire nation. days of great potential consequence. our responsibility as senator byrd reminded us in the typically elegant ander diet remarks last week is to put the good of our nation first. to be guided in these difficult days by two things only -- our history and our own individual consciousness. if we flowed his advice, i believe future history books looking back on these days will record that we served our nation well. that is the same way i'm con

in 1980, he gave up the security of that lifetime appointment and joined the united states senate. he came to town as a unappointed senator to finish out the term of this mentor when president carter chose senator muskie as his secretary of state. in 1981, after one year in the senate, polls showed him trailing his likely opponent in the election by 36 points. when the last votes were counted in 1982, george mitchell was reelected with 61% of the vote. i am told that he still counts at election as is most gratifying, and frankly i can understand why. he was reelected by an astounding 81% in an election that remains to this day the most lopsided senate victory in maine history. that same year, his fellow democratic senators unanimously directed him that elected him leader. in all, he served more than 14 years in the senate, including six as majority leader. when senator mitchell was a federal prosecutor he once called the defense attorney that he not included in his brief. when he hung out the young attorney, who had overheard the conversation, had asked why he told the other lawyer,

i'm a first-term united states senator. been there four years. this is one of the few times that i'm going to see how the legislative process is supposed to work in the senate because what we expect after that procedural vote is hours of debate. amendments being offered. every member of the united states senate having an opportunity to offer an amendment we hope related to the topic of energy but that may not always be the case. that's the way the senate should have operated in the first four years i've been a senator and give everybody the chance to make their case and i think part of this will help reduce partisanship of the united states senate. if you get the opportunity to argue your cause, you get the chance to ask colleagues to vote yes or no, that vote occurs and debate occurs. you prefer to win but the idea you get to make a case for the things you believe in may allow this senate to work better into the future for the next couple of years. >> we've talked a lot about the job creation that this keystone pipeline would mean. let me ask you

state senator. she became a state senator, took a floor, held her ground. i watched her mature as a candidate through the primary for united states senate, then to the general election she matured again. now not only is she getting ready for this job, she is doing this job. she is the joy of all of us in this state who care about our voice going to washington dc. she gave a speech on tuesday night to rebuff the president. [applause] >> this is my comment. i said you are only known throughout all the 50 states. i can make you an international name overnight. let me write your speech. in her good judgment, she delivered a good speech and did not take me up on it. she is a great friend. and a voice from iowa to the rest of the country, welcome united states senator joni ernst. [applause] >> god bless you. thank you. thank you, so much. god bless you. god bless iowa. what a great day. hey, it is wonderful to be serving as your united states senator. thank you. steve, i am still waiting for a draft of that speech. we had some good laughs over that. he said he would be happy to write my speech. i was waiting for the draft, but h

president trying to figure out why this is the priorities of the leadership in the united states senate and this is the very first bill that we have seen come to the floor of the united states senate. which as i've pointed out earlier that seems to be no urgency. i'm told it's been delayed. the reason it's delayed is because the operators change the routes. they did their one route and they didn't have an alternative that violated state laws and now they are wondering because they change the route and why it's taking longer. it's not the governmental process. the proposers of this route did not have in order before they submitted the route that could be approved. one of the points i want to bring out about the process congress dictates where the pipeline should be as wrong. that is not our role. the regulatory process is here to protect the public to go forward but it was also trampling on states rights. there are some serious legal challenges pending in state courts as to the actions of governors the governor in dealing with a location issue. that should be resolved by the courts. we a

we never really had it in the united states senate. but i am sure if bob dole had chosen, he could have had lifetime tenure as the republican leader in the senate. and in fact, he holds the record in length of service as the republican leader. sometime in the minority, and sometime in the majority. but he was truly loved by his colleagues, i believe on both sides of the aisle. and on many occasions he express that love and received it from his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle in the senate. one of the great moments i will always remember in my experience in the senate was bob's last day in the senate. not because i would be successor, but because of what he had to say and the beauty and emotion of that moment and the outpouring of respect everybody in that chamber and in the gallery had for him. it was really a beautiful si ght. the love and appreciation for his leadership in the many legislative roles that tom expressed in his remarks will make that a memory in my mind as long as i surf your. -- serve here. but i do have

what a unique situation in the united states senate. we're going to let everyone say which side they're on. this will be a bellwether decision. are members of the senate in favor of 42,000 jobs for american workers or are they in favor of more washington delay? democrats will have a chance to make their arguments. the extreme opponents of this project will make misleading claims try to discount the pipeline's benefits and they'll try to stoke people's fears. we've seen it all before. at the end of the day here's what this autoall comes down to: -- here's what this all comes down to. four things. first, the stone to enstone will support more than -- the keystone x.l. pipeline will appellate court more than 42,000 jobs in the united states. second, it will be a private investment of $8 billion not taxpayer spending, private spending. third, it will have minimal effect on the environment. and, fourth, the pipeline is actually safer than other methods of getting that oil to manchetmarket. congress should approve this pipeline and pass this b

what a unique situation in the united states senate. we're going to let everyone say which side they're on. this will be a bellwether decision. are members of the senate in favor of 42,000 jobs for american workers or are they in favor of more washington delay? democrats will have a chance to make their arguments. the extreme opponents of this project will make misleading claims try to discount the pipeline's benefits and they'll try to stoke people's fears. we've seen it all before. at the end of the day here's what this autoall comes down to: -- here's what this all comes down to. four things. first, the stone to enstone will support more than -- the keystone x.l. pipeline will appellate court more than 42,000 jobs in the united states. second, it will be a private investment of $8 billion not taxpayer spending, private spending. third, it will have minimal effect on the environment. and, fourth, the pipeline is actually safer than other methods of getting that oil to manchetmarket. congress should approve this pipeline and pass this b

this is one of the most solemn responsibilities we have as united states senators, as members of the congress, and as members of the federal government of the united states. i deeply hope that the next several weeks and months will be time of productive discussion and a commitment to the -- at least the attempted solution, the beginning of a solution to this grave threat facing the united states of america. thank you mr. president. i yield the floor. mr. enzi: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from wyoming. mr. enzi:man, i rise today to -- mr. president i rise today to discuss several issues that i hope we'll consider in this congress. i sit up nights worrying about our thaition nation's debt and how it'll affect our children and grandchildren. i'm now the chairman of the budget committee so i have more responsibility. but we have a spending problem in this country and we cannot spend our way to prosperity. rather, we have to stop spending more thank we take in and find a way to start paying down $18 trillion. the debt is growing. in fact, last year -- last fiscal year

you are two black men of the united states senate. e a sense of whether or not you think there are forces in this country, in the house, in the senate who want to defeat him in part because she's the first black president. >> clearly, when george bush was the president or barack obama was president, there are people coming from partisan camps trying to take somebody down. i have not seen things i have seen in the obama presidency. for a president, i don't care who you are democrat or republican, when you give a state of the union address, you are speaking for the country. the globe is watching. they are watching in china. when you have a republican congressman heckle the president's seat, forget who the president is and show that level of disrespect then raise money on that, a lot of money that's unacceptable. i see how moments of that symbolize they are not going to give this guy a shot. but i want to give credence to something he said. i think when he talked about the corrosive talks, that type of partisanship, as soon as i open my m

perhaps i should start by telling you that the first time i walked into the gallery of the united states senate, it was almost sixty years ago. my great aunt mattie keene was then the personal secretary to the late senator k.d. mckellar of tennessee, and i came here to visit her in july of 1939 as a 13-year-old boy. and being the secretary to senator mckellar, she was able to procure gallery passes, and i visited the hall of the house of representatives and the senate. the senate had only the most primitive air conditioning in those days. as a matter of fact, it was principally cooled by a system of louvers, vents and skylights that dated back to 1859, when the senate vacated this chamber and moved down the hall to its present home. but in all fairness, the system didn't work very well against washington's heat and humidity. as a consequence, congress was not a year-round institution in those days. many of you who know me are now tempted to think that i am going to devote the balance of these remarks to a dissertation on the citizen legislature -- a congress that did its work and went home, rat

state senator. she became a state senator, took a floor, held her ground. i watched her mature as a candidate through the primary for uniteds senate, then to the general election she matured again. now not only is she getting ready for this job, she is doing this job. she is the joy of all of us in this state who care about our voice going to washington dc. she gave a speech on tuesday night to rebuff the president

. >> please remain standing as the chaplain of the united states senate dr. barry black, gives , the invitation. >> let us pray. >> god and father of all, we praise you for your infinite love that provides us with help when we need it most. we thank you for this congressional gold medal ceremony. in honor of world war ii members of the civil air patrol. we are grateful that this organization, as speaker boehner has pointed out, was created six days before the bombing of pearl harbor. it provided civilian air support that helped us win world war ii. thank you for its members who more than self their country loved and died so that this nation might live. inspire us, from this legacy of service and sacrifice, to give our lives for causes greater than ourselves, so that we shall leave this world better than we found it. we pray in your holy name. amen. >> please be seated. ladies and gentlemen, the united states representative from the 10th district of texas, the honorable michael t. mccall. [applause] >> thank you. what a great day. 73 years ago this week americ

he talks about the history and tradition of the united states senate. senator mcconnell, as you come to work each day, you look at this building, what does it represent to you? >> the history of the united states. and the symbol of the greatest democracy and the oldest democracy in the world. and i think about it really almost every day as i walk into a structure that had only then partially opened in may of 1800 when the government moved here from philadelphia and had been developing in phases. the greatest development, i guess, prior to the civil war. >> this office itself, describe it for someone who's never been here and what has happened here in the past. >> this particular space on the capitol is actually habitable right at the beginning when the government came down here from philadelphia. i don't know whether the walls were in place in the same way. but the house of representatives which was much smaller, met in this area. and the historic 36th ballot house of representatives vote determined whether thomas jefferson or aaron buhr would -- ehrenbe

here are some 28 words is the secret to leading the united states senate. the most profound appreciation and respect is the genius and the glory of this institution. very often, the course of my 18 years in the senate and especially in the last eight years as republican leader and then majority leader, i found myself engaged in fire breathing passionate debate with my fellow senators over the great issues of the times. but no sooner had the final word been spoken and the last vote taken than i would usually walk to the desk of my most recent antagonist, extend a hand of friendship, and solicit his support on the next issue for the following day. people may think we're crazy when we do that. or perhaps they think our debates are fraudulent to begin with, if we can put our passion aside so quickly and embrace our adversaries so readily. but we aren't crazy and we aren't frauds. this ritual is as natural as breathing here in the senate and it is as important as anything that happens in washington or in the country we serve, for that matter. it signifies that, a

united states. he did it in a state where only 2% of registered voters were african-americans. after four years, he ran for united states senatewon again, again making history at first black person elected to the united states senate. there's always a footnote that accompanies that fact about ed brooke. and that is during the time during reconstruction, the legislature voted twice to send black senators to washington. ed brooke was the first elected by voters. he had a solid resume, world war ii combat veteran. law school graduate. here's ed brooke making history on election night in 1966. >> and i say to you that i go to washington to do all that i can to bring peace on earth, to stop the war in vietnam. [cheers and applause] i go to washington to do all that i can to stabilize this economy and bring about a responsible society [cheers and applause] i go to washington to do all that i can to give equal opportunity to all americans for decent housing, quality education and equal justice under law. >> oh, did i mention he was a republican? yes. that's what some republicans sounded like in 1966. on the first day of the next sena

we were to pass cap and trade -- at that time there were two bills that were up before the united states senate. it was not in the house. just in the senate. those bills would have been cape and trade types of bills. they calculated what would this cost if we in the united states passed cap and trade. this was way back in 2002-2003. they said the range of the cost to the american people would be between $300,000 -- $300 billion and $400 billion a year. i do something i don't think very many people do this, but i always do it. every time i hear a large number, i go back and get the latest figures from my state of oklahoma as to how many families file a federal tax return. then i do the math to determine how much it's going to cost my average family who pays taxes. it came back in excess of $3,000 a year. and i thought that is a lot of money. let's be sure that there is science behind this idea knowing that it all came from the number of u.n. that's what started this whole thing. by the way this ipcc is intergovernmental panel on climate change. that's what -- and that's the united nations. so th

this was the scene at the united states senate. only 36 democrats voted no on the keystone xl pipeline. so mitch mcconnell and the republicans, they got what they wanted in the senate. they got a yes vote. but what a sad moment for democrats if they're concerned about climate changes to me no amendment is worthy of a democratic vote. no amendment could be placed on the table if the democrats are serious about climate change. i get this as number one, the democrats can be bought. seriously, they're not serious about climate change. they're only lukewarm. lukewarm. so in other words, they're not jumping in the lake. they only got their toe in there. this is not good. when you look at keystone what amendment out there is worthy of bringing the dirtiest oil on the face of the earth to market that will not enhance your pocketbook at all? but it will enhance the pocketbooks of the koch brothers. the very people funding citizens united and working blind that law to make sure they take down the progressive movement in the country. so we hav

victory as we talk about here, lyndon johnson had been elected to two offices, reelected to the united states senator and elected vice president of the united states and he couldn't hold both offices so he had to resign the position as the united states senator and that caused a special election for the first republican senator since reconstruction in any of the southern states not just texas. and he was elected in a kind of a corky and interesting way because he was running against a conservative democrat in name by the size delete the name of bill blakely has been appointed until the election ran for election and lost to tower. since the democrats had nominated a conservative as their candidates the liberal elements in the democratic party started doing something that's maybe major factor in the growth of the republican party. they decided that in order to control, to get the liberal control of the democratic primary and the democratic organization they had to drive conservatives away from the democratic primary in other words fewer conservatives voting in the democratic primary the more the libera

my experience as a mayor helped inform the urgencies that i feel here in the united states senate andsire, just to get to work. that's why, when i find folks across the aisle who are so firm in who they are and willing to reach out and share with you that sense of urgency, see what we can figure out together and move things forward until life gets better for people in south carolina and new jersey. that gives me hope. >> we'll leave it there tonight. tomorrow night, part two of our exclusive conversation with the only two african-americans serving in the senate. my thanks to whut in washington for letting us use their new set. it will be the home of "new view with ed gordon." thanks for watching. as always keep the faith. >>> announcer: for more information on today's show, visit tavis smiley at pbs.org. >>> i'm tavis smiley. join me for part two with an exclusive conversation with cory booker and tim scott. that's next time. see you then. >>> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. rose: welcome to the program. we begin this evening with senator mar

. >> fur term united states senator boxer will not run for re-election next year. >> the 74-year-old democrat from california released the announcement in a veto interview with her grandson. >> are you retiring? >> i will never retire. the work is too permit but i will not run for the senate in 2016. >> the video was posted on her pac for change website saying she has long list of thing she still wanted to accomplish but after three decades in washington it is time to come home. >> i will continue to work on the issues i love and i will have more time to help other people through my pack for change community and i have to make sure the senate seat stays progressive that is so critical. i want to help our democratic canidate for president make history. >> senator boxer will speak with credentialed reporters this morning about her decision to leave capitol hill. >> from her family to her checks, tote jays and constituents reaction to her soon-to-be retirement is pouring in. now to amy hollyfield in oakland. you talked with her son, amy? >> i d he called this bittersweet but more sweet

[applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the republican leader of the united states senate, the honorablech mcconnell. >> we often think of world war ii as an "over there" or the kind of conflict our soldiers deployed over seas to fight. millions of americans did do just that. many of us know a veteran who served and of course, we honor them. whatbut the reality is the second world war could become more of a "right here" war. for a time, german boats stocked -- stalked our coast. they could threaten to funnel more of europe's conflict across the atlantic. the point is, world war ii could have turned out a lot differently if not for the men and women of the civil era of patrol. they served selflessly, often at their own expense. they used their own aircraft. first, to spot german boats and later, do actually attack them. some did so with little more than a compass and a radio. emergency equipment, if they had any, might have consisted of a vest or an answerr aninnertube. they did all of this for their country. not for religious -- riches because they received if you and not for fame becaus

but i would hope very much that the united states senate does not reject science because in doing so would not only lead to bad public policy, but it would be an embarrassment before the entire world that the united states senate is rejecting what the overwhelming majority of scientists are telling us about what they consider to be one of the great crises facing our planet. so mr. president, i would hope very much that we would have for this amendment strong bipartisan support in the senate that says as a senate, we are going to listen to what the scientific community tells us and that we are going to develop public policy based on their knowledge and that information. and with that, mr. president, i would yield the floor. mr. cornyn: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority whip. mr. cornyn: mr. president i just had some concluding thoughts about the president's state of the union speech tuesday night. much of it we've heard before. in fact, what the president laid out was largely what his agenda has been for the last six years. in other words we've been there and we've don

hatch, a senator from thethe state of utah, to be presidenpro tempore of the senate of the united states. the vice president: without objection, the resolution is considered and agreed to. mr. mcconnell: i move to reconsider. mr. durbin: i move to table. the vice president: without objection. the vice president: please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god. mr. hatch: i do. the vice president: congratulations. [applause] the president pro tempore: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i have a resolution at the desk and i ask for its immediate consideration. the president pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution. the clerk: s. res. 4 notifying the president of the united states of the election of

joe biden, the president of the united states senate. you see this next group, thad cochran of mississippi, susan collins of maine, john cornyn of texas. the vice president of the united states, joe biden, he's shaking hands. i want our viewers to get a little flavor of how this swearing-in ceremony goes. let's listen to the vice president as he gets ready right now. >> you want to change your mind? please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office you're about to enter so help you god? >> i do. >> congratulations. >> there you see what's about to unfold, the newly elected and reelected u.s. senators being sworn in by the vice president, joe biden. gloria, you're up there on the senate, you wanted to clarify

is that the way that the united states senate is supposed to be conducted in this fashion?d up and yell and scream. i've been to many hearings where they do it. this is the first time where i've seen almost a physical confrontation with dr. kissinger who, again 91 years old? >> you know i'm wondering, senator, you spoke your mind. do you have any regrets about how blunt you were, calling them scum and all that. any regrets at all? >> no. because they are that. anybody who would do that kind of behavior is guilty of it. and it was terribly upsetting to me and, frankly, when someone does almost physically threaten someone, i do believe that they should be arrested. they want to demonstrate and be thrown out, that's one thing. and i have never -- you know, i don't like it but i have never objected to it. but what they almost did to dr. kissinger is -- that's beyond the realm of decent behavior, in my view. >> well, some on the left immediately interpreted that, that's how we feel about those who want peace. they are scum. >> well, they can say anything they want to and yet whe

this debate has gone on longer than an entire term of the united states senate. my colleague from florida senator rubio recently commented that the american public no longer has confidence that the federal government works anymore. he's right. and the american people are justified in their skepticism. he's right. this project is a perfect example of why. a debate over the merits of and drawbacks to the pipeline, a debate that centers upon sound science and agreed-upon ground rules is long overdue. such a debate represents the best traditions of the senate, a meeting of minds where respect and tolerance shape the contours of the gate and such a debate is valuable because a commonsense regulatory process is integral to a sound economy and the rule of law. time and again president obama has suggested that an issue such as this is too important to get bogged down in politics. and that we should trust in the integrity of the regulatory process. to this i have two replies. first, this is exactly the sort of debate that we should be having in the senate. this is the body

[applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the republican leader of the united states senate, the honorableitch mcconnell. [applause] >> we often think of world war ii as an over there war. the kind of conflict our soldiers deployed overseas to fight. of course, millions of americans did do just that. many of us know a veteran who served, and of course we honor them. but the reality is, the second world war could have become more of a right here war. for a time, german u-boats stopped our coast -- stalked our coast. we often forget it but those submarines actually sank american ships. if left unchecked, they could have threatened more of europe's conflict across the atlantic. the point is, world war ii could have turned out a lot differently if not for the minimum and of the civil air patrol. they served selflessly, often at their own expense. they used their own aircraft. first to spot german boats, and later to actually attacked them. some did so with little more than a compass and a radio. emergency equipment, if they had any, might have consisted of a vast or an inner to -- a vest or an

this was the scene at the united states senate. tone xl pipeline. so mitch mcconnell and the republicans, they got what they wanted in the senate. they got a yes vote. but what a sad moment for democrats if they're concerned about climate changes to me no amendment is worthy of a democratic vote.

. >> one of just three bob's currently serving in the united states senate and he would be the first to hold the office of president. he is tennessee senator bob corker. >> you sure know how to pick them. josh barro, you have a nose. >> is bob corker even aware that anyone is talking about bob corker running for president? >> he religiously watches "all in" every weeknight at 8:00 p.m. >> the republican primary voters eat that up, dude. >> i had corker ranked 26th out of 25. >> joy reid, we come to you. you have joran pataki -- >> we still have hrc on the board. >> i'm hoping for 19. >> ready for hillary. on the board. >> no. chris christie. >> chris christie from the shadow of the george washington bridge. he loves the cowboys, springsteen, and telling people to shut up. he is stronger than the storm, but is he born to run? he is new jersey governor chris christie. >> i think that is my favorite one we have seen so far. >> i feel like yelling at a teacher. >> i think that chris christie will run. i do think he will not play well in a state like iowa. i don't see how he playing well i

his magisterial "addresses on the history of the united states senate" chronicles the work of those senators, whether renowned or obscure, who have toiled in these halls for causes larger than their own advancement. their example brings to mind a cautionary observation by our speaker's favorite author--i had to double check that it was his favorite author. in "king henry the sixth, part i," shakespeare warns that glory is like a circle in the water. which never ceaseth to enlarge itself till by broad spreading it disperse to naught. our speaker's personal heroes--like richard russell of georgia --have been those who pursued duty rather than passing glory and who, in the process, won for themselves a lasting remembrance in the annals of representative democracy. it is appropriate that this evening we turn that accolade back on senator robert c. byrd of west virginia. we are honored to hear from this great and distinguished senator. i thank him for agreeing to be here tonight and giving us his thoughts and his ideas on what the senate is and will be. now, to formally introduce him even though

here in the united states congress one the department of veterans' affairs certainly in my view can solve this problem and if common sense doesn't prevail there then surely the united states senate, the u.s. house of representatives and the president could agree upon a legislative fix that is really nothing more than common sense. i'm talking about a veterans' issue, one that is certainly prevalent in a rural state like mine. my guess a very problem that's created in a state like yours as well mr. president. i was very pleased. i came to the senate floor and talked about the importance of passing and approving the choice act. we remember the scandal of last year in which it became clear that the department of veterans' affairs had significant problems across the country. the v.a. hospital in phoenix was a poster child for bad behavior that resulted in potentially death of veterans. one of the things that we did to try to help the department of veterans' affairs better take care of america's veterans was to pass the choice act. we did that in august of last year. it was signed into law. it's now being implemented by the department of veterans' affairs. there are many issues that

yesterday we inaugurated the 114th senate of the united states congress. we welcomed back many dedicated members and swore in many new ones. i have high hopes for our new colleagues. they share the resolve of my conference to restore the senate to a place of high purpose and they are determined to make a positive deference in the lives of the people who sent them here. the men and women we just swore in have inaugurated one significant change already and that's the majority we seated yesterday. i look to this new beginning with optimism and a profound sense of purpose. and i look to my colleagues with gratitude for their trust. next to serving the people of kentucky, this is the highest of honors. i recognize the serious expectations of the american people and i kno i recognize the serious expectations of the american people and i know they are counting on us and i do mean every single member of this body. we are in a moment of great anxiety as a nation. the people that we represent have lost faith in their government. they no longer trust washington to do

is what the scientific community overwhelmingly in the united states and around the world is saying. it is imperative that the united states senate goes on record in saying we agree with science. madam president, climate change is one of the great threats facing our country and the entire planet. it has the capability of causing severe harm to our economy to our food supply, to access to water, and to national security. and, according to nasa and noaa, 2014 was the warmest year ever recorded. the most recent decade was the nation's warmest on record. across the globe the 10-warmest years on record have all occurred since 1997. we know that the earth's climate is warming and doing so quickly. according to noaa, october august june, and may were the hottest october august, june, and may months ever recorded. the consequence of this rapid and dramatic rise in global temperatures will have a profound impact on billions of people throughout the world. what we can expect are more severe weather disturbances, more flooding, more heat waves more droughts, more forest fires, and salt water inundation of water supplies and agricultural lan

with the new leadership of the united states senate, the senate will govern, unlike senator reed ran the united they senate. already, we have had debate -- last week, 23 amendments and yesterday, 14 amendments. else invited have a tween republicans and democrats. now if our running the senate, taking up half the democrat amendments and half the republican amendments is not finding consensus, i do not know the name of the caller and what he wants, he needs to compare this last two weeks with the way the democrats ran the senate last year. >> jerry in alabama, independent caller. >> first of all, thank you for c-span. senator grassley, it is good to see you. >> thank you. >> here is my question. on november 11 of last year, loretto valid she would challenge all of the voter id laws. i never understood why a voter's identity process why does anybody have a problem with that? the excuse you usually get is it she's people out of their right to vote or it is too expensive to get a government issued photo id card. that is ridiculous especially when you have provisional ballots when you do no

and the answer to this was popular election of united states senators. >> did everybody get out quick before that, senators were chosen by state legislatures. >> which were purchasable by the economic powers that be. needless to say, the senate has to approve a constitutional and there was very little chance the senate as presently constituted was going to effect side it's on to the work by approving this. so what happened was a grassroots spontaneous, national movement arose to call a constitutional convention specifically about this issue, and they got to within one state, and then the senate blinked. but that's what it took to break the political logjam 100 you to go. >> for the super geeks in the audience, and some of you will know, article v of the constitution says the are actually two ways to change the constitution. one is if they if ratified in congress and in the states for the ratified, but also the states themselves can call for constitution -- i think it's two-thirds of the number you need to call, then -- yes ma'am ma'am. >> richard, why did president ford drop nelson ro

bit about this because i introduced the dream act, the first dream act 14 years ago in the united states senate. it's become a very familiar term. but when i first started no one had ever heard of it. what i found was there were young people brought to the united states by their parents at a very early age who had obviously no voice in the decision raised in america undocumented, went through our schools, were successful, had no criminal problems and wanted a future. they couldn't get a future under american law. the dream act would give them that opportunity to move to legal status. we've already invested in these young people, in their education, so why would we want to give up on their talents by deporting them after they're educated? well that's exactly what the u.s. house of representatives has proposed. in 2010, i joined with republican senator richard lugar. we wrote a letter to president obama. it said why would we deport these young dreamers? they offer so much potential for america. a gordon later, 22 senators joined me in sending a follow-up letter to the president and he issued his

i see another great icon of the united states senate with us today. all worked closely with and benefitted from. and to our distinguished colleagues senators warren and luger, welcome and thank you for what you have done for this country. and so many of you who are here today. and i'm grateful that you would take the time to visit us on the occasion. to the chiefs of the services our civilian leaders, and the combatant commanders, thank you. thank you for your unflagging service and your leadership and your commitment to this country. i want to particularly acknowledge acknowledge bob werk. bob werk our deputy secretary of defense. i thank him for his leadership and our strong partnership over the last year. and my appreciation as well for ash carter for his service during my partnership at the first year at the pentagon and for his chontontinued commitment to public service and my heartfelt thanks to my security and advance staff. each of you played critically important roles for which my family and i will always be grateful. to my personal staff and