and they were not allowed to vote for united states senators. llowed to vote for electo electors who had the in an electoral college and those election toors would be f vote for whoever they wanted for united states president. that was left to the state legislators to decide who they would be. the founding fathers never believed in democracy. they never believed in one man, man vote. and they certainly never believed in one person, one vote. and so when it came time to design the united states senate, since they were not believeres n one man, one vote, each statewide get two senators. the big states would get two and the tiny states would get two. i can understand why that would seem fair at the time. but they never dreamed there would one day be a state called california with the population almost the size of england and delaware would become even smaller in relative size to what it was then compare today the big states when it was a founding member of the united states of america. the population gap between the big states and the small states i

it's time to send mike braun to the united states senate from the great state of indiana. use] i mean, the choice in this election couldn't be more clear. the choice in this election couldn't be more clear the candidates for the united states senate that president trump and i are fighting for every day, real results for hoosiers, unprecedented obstruction in the united states senate, a choice between prosperity or progress, a choice of moving america forward are taking our country back. i mean, think about it. joe donnelly's party wants open abolish they want to ice, they want government run health care, they want social -- they want socialized medicine. his party repealed creating jobs and opportunity all across the state of indiana. the truth is, if his party takes charge on capitol hill, their entire agenda is to undo all of the progress that we've made in the last two years. but we are not going to let them. we are going to reelect and expand these republican majorities and we are going to send mike braun to washington d.c., am i right? [applause] now make no mistake ab

it's time to send mike braun to the united states senate from the great state of indiana. lause] and the choice in this election couldn't be more clear. the choice in this election couldn't be more clear. the candidate will use senate is committed to the agenda that president trump and i are fighting for every single day. real results for hoosiers and every american. or someone who is part of the resistance, , unprecedented obstruction in the united states. choice between prosperity and progress in the failed policies of the past. it's a choice between moving america forward and taking our country back. i mean think about it. joe donnelly party wants open borders, abolished eyes, government run healthcare, socialized medicine. in fact, his party wants to repeal the tax cuts that are creating jobs and opportunity all across the state of indiana. i mean of the truth is democrats take charge on capitol hill, their entire agenda is to undo all the progress that we have made in the last two years, but we are not going to let him. where going to reelect and expand the republican

and so when it came time to design the united states senate, since they were not believers in one man, one vote, each state would get two senators. the big states would get two. the tiny states would get two. i can see how that was fair at the time. they never dreamed there would be one day a state call to california with the population almost the size of england and that delaware would become even smaller in relative size to what it was then compared to the big states, when it was a founding member of the united states of america. the population gap between the big states and the small states is bigger than ever and keeps getting bigger all the time, so the votes of new yorkers and californians become worth less every day in the united states senate compared to the votes of people in the dakotas and wyoming and most of the confederate states and so the senate is now deeply undemocratic ally getting worse every single day. people who live in countries that have never really pretended to be fully democratic don't feel the disappointment and sickness that americans feel when democracy s

the truth is, it's about to make schumer the net united states senator. for the united states senator into resistance in washington d.c. i've a message, on behalf of myself, the president and conservatives everywhere, it's time to vote no on joe donnelly, it's time to send mike to the united states senate. from the great state of indiana. [applause] the choice in the selection couldn't be more clear. the candidates of the unit as senate, president trump and i are fighting for everyday. real results for hoosier. unprecedented destruction. prosperity of progress. choices we live in america for, making our country better. think about it, joe donnelly's party once open borders, abolish ice, socialized medicine, his party grief repealed creating jobs and opportunity. all across the state of indiana. the truth is, the democratics charge, on capitol hill, their entire agenda is to undo all of the progress that we've made in the last two years. but we are not going to let them. we are going to reelect and expand these republican majorities and we are going to send

this, time for democrats to end their charade before they do more harm to the senate, the supreme court and the united states of america. thank you, mister president, i yield before. >> the potential of being a historic week in america. the last we 10 days have been very troubling to me as a united states senator, as an individual citizen, husband, father, son. i'm very troubled today by the extreme measures that we see being made right now about a case that my colleagues across the aisle are trying to make today. i'm outraged actually. after a personal incident involving my wife and myself this week we have seen firsthand the lengths to which members of the other side of the aisle will go to distract us away from the truth. this body, the united states senate, has become nothing more than a bully pulpit for someone's special cause when it should be a deliberative body. we should be finding the truth here. my democratic colleagues claim they want to work with republicans. they talk all the time about working in a bipartisan way and yet when you get into the heat of the battle, nothing could be further from t

it's time to take a full vote before this body, before the united states senate. we hope in the next few hours, next day to have this fbi report and to put this sad soccer to bed. it's time to put partisan politics and delays behind us. it's time to confirm judge brett kavanaugh to united states supreme court. i want to say one more thing. it's time for this body to reread the oath of office, , to uphold and defend the constitution of the united states, to make sure that what we say in this body is the best and the very best america has to offer, to move our concerns for word. thank you, mr. president. i yield the floor. >> mr. president, i rise to say in public today what i've been discussing with many individual nebraskans over the last 17 days about the #me too movement, the important #me too movement, about a nation that is accelerating our dissent into tribalism, and about our continuing decline here in the senate as a deliberative body. or as the nebraska one

and the standing of the united states senate. so as the supplemental fbi investigation wraps up, let's be mindful of what our colleagues across the aisle say they expected from this supplemental background investigation because they, too, understood we're approaching the end of this process. for example, the senior senator from minnesota says let's give this one week. she said that last friday. and she indicated her support for the investigation, even saying we're all in a better spot now than we were before. well, i hope that's still her position. we had our colleagues across the aisle agree to both the timeline and the validity of this last step in judge kavanaugh's confirmation. the junior senator from delaware during the hearing called for the same amount of time, just one more week. and in a television interview, the junior senator from hawaii shade that seven days is enough time to, quote, get to the bottom of these allegations. so i hope, mr. president, that our colleagues will remember their own words. their own statement

washington, not wanting to be embarrassed again, knowing that he needed the consent of the united states senate to get someone into that role picked one of the sean's own -- senate's own. he picked oliver ellsworth who was the foremost expert on the judiciary in the united states senate and he became the chief justice of the united states supreme court. his bust sits inside the old supreme court chamber here in the united states senate today. i tell that story only because it's a reminder that at the very earliest stages of the american republic, the senate decided to exercise its indies cession when it -- discretion when it came to decisions of the united states supreme court by the president of the united states. george washington figured out pretty quickly that it not owe automatic deference when it comes to choices placed before the senate. it is advice and consent. in fact, that practice of refusing to give complete and total deference to the executive has continued up until this day from world war ii until this moment i think the number is seven -- seven selections by the president that u

high school and if you have the opportunity to ascend to the highest court in the land the united states senate will scour your high school yearbook and ask you about inquiries made not by you but others this is a national embarrassment and what i read about the mccarthy hearings the senator from wisconsin riding high on the concerns but he went to four but was asked by one of the lawyers by a young man who was being interrogated who asked senator mccarthy i have yet to gauge the depth of your quality and recklessness but at long last have you no decency? but those lines at the hearing for judge kavanaugh because his whole process has been unfair to doctor ford and judge kavanaugh come it is cruel to the judges family and reckless to the extreme and an embarrassment and a stain on the reputation on the standing of the united states senate. as the supplemental investigation wraps up let's be mindful of what the kglleagues across the aisle expected because they also understood the senior senator from minnesota said give this one weekd and to say we are in a better spot now then we were before.n a

for the united states senate. we have never seen a nominee to the supreme court treated so badly although we do know that starting with the robert bork confirmation hearing

for the united states senate. we have never seen a nominee to the supreme court treated so badly although we do know that starting with the robert bork confirmation hearing and the confirmation process became all too ugly. but as we know now, the supplemental background investigation by the fbi with allegations sprung on judge kavanaugh on the eve of his confirmation. never a whiff of these on the previous six investigations are by the judiciary committee and i think it's telling with the last-minute ambush with those political operatives masquerading to have the best wishes at heart. hearing from rachel mitchell the council from arizona interviewing doctor ford and , i appreciateh the professionalism which how she approached the job not many one would have sought because she knew she would be thrust into the vortex of this huge national debate and the circus atmosphere the judiciary had become and to do a public service and was not pressured in any way to prevent -an - present her own analysis but chose to do so.

most be set, the united states senate m ost ofte n be set, the united states senate most often to turn away from the darkness, we can vote to set a precedent about fairness and judgment that will define this body for the better. we can vote to confirm an excellent supreme court justice who will make the senate and the american people proud. i yield the american people proud. i yield the floor. a reminder to our guests in the galleries, expressions of approval or disapproval are not permitted in the senate galleries. under the previous question, not all time has expired, the question is on the nomination. is there a sufficient second? can we restore order in the gallery? is there a sufficient second? there is insufficient second? inaudible the sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery. the sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery. inaudible the sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery. the sergeant at arms has restored order in the gallery. the sergeant at arms will restore order in the gallery. the plaque may continue. —— the clerk may continue. mr

as a united states senator, i will work with senator jon kyl who has been a leader on the issue of wateruring his time in the united states senate. it is our duty to not only preserve our own water supply for the next 100 years, but to partner with states in the region -- colorado, new mexico, nevada, and california -- to protect our state in future years. it is working together, republicans and democrats from states across the region, that is how we will find a solution to these challenges. but i firmly believe that as arizonans, as americans, we have the resources, we have the tools, we have the skills, and we have the knowledge. we can address issues of climate change together and do so without harming our business prospects, and without harming what makes arizona so amazing. folks know this about me but i am an outdoor enthusiast. every morning i get up and i go outside to either run, hike, bike, swim, every day, and i want to make sure that we can protect that beauty, why we love arizona so much for our future generations. rep. mcsally: i can't believe this is the last question. we

united states? mr. stewart: yes, it's an absolute circus. what is happening in the united states senate is a national disgrace. and here's the thing. while you have these guys listening to these unfounded accusations, rumors, and innuendo that date back 36 years ago two when he was in high school they are not looking at , their own senate. what we just found out was that the united states senate and the rest of congress paid $17 in 268 separate sexual harassment and racial discriminant clayson -- discrimination claims against members of the senate and congress. and that didn't happen 36 years ago. that happened this year. $900,000 was paid alone last year to settle sexual harassment claims and racial discrimination claims against united states senators. i challenged senator kaine last night to release the names of the members of congress who have been accused with settlements resulting, who have been accused of racial discrimination, sexual harassment. he refused to release the names. he said he asked for more information. but in his own letter dating -- dating in seven -- senator 2017.

and to this institution of the united states senate. so there is a lot of work to do in restoring those norms and rules that have been so badly shattered. >> i want to ask you, senator, about something that your republican colleague, susan collins said in her lengthy speech yesterday on the senate floor. she talked about the fact that in this country, people should be presumed innocent, and although this is not a court of law, we made that very clear over the past couple of weeks, you are an attorney by training, you were an attorney general in your home state of connecticut, that notion of being innocent until proven guilty is probably coursing through your sceveins every day. so given that, doesn't senator colins have a point, that there was no proof, so should judge kavanaugh be given the benefit of the doubt? what is your response to that. >> the presumption of innocence is central to our judicial system, our sense of fairness, and our constitution. but there was a lot of powerful and credible proof here. not only the testimony, abs

but a level of anger which i have seldom seen, perhaps never seen in the united states senate. when judge kavanaugh attacked those who had raised these questions about him and said though he bore no ill will toward dr. ford, he called her allegations, quote, a calculated and orchestrated political hit, citing, quote, apparent pentup anger about president trump and the 2016 election and then he added, revenge on behalf of the clintons. it is hard to imagine a person aspiring to serve on the highest court of the land where your temperament is so important, where you have to make certain as best you can, that you take politics out of your legal equation, would be so direct and so specific in blaming his plight on, quote, revenge on behalf of the clintons, closed quote. this grace note. political grace note from brett kavanaugh, this lock her up grace note may be appealing to some on the political spectrum, but it speaks volumes about this judge and how he would serve if he ever had a opportunity to be on the supreme court. it's been said over and over again by the republican major

just found oute was that the united states senate and the rest of congress -- in 260illion and eight parate sexual harassment and racial discrimination claims against, wait for it united states senate members and members of congress. and i did not happen 36 years ago, that happened as late as this year. $900,000 was paid off alone last sexual harassment claims and racial discrimination claims against the united states senators. when i challenged senator kaine last night to release the names of the members of congress who withbeen accused settlements resulting, who have been accused of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, he refused to release the names. he said, he asked for more information. but in his own letter, dated december 20 17, senator kaine said he would not release the. names of those accused. yet again, it is ok to believe the names best believe accusations. at an all about the rest of you, but false accusations do happen. is it right to expect that he is guilty based on an acquisition that is inconsistent? i think that is wrong and a double standard. i think if the s

as a member of the united states senate, senator flake sits on the energy and national resources committee, the foreign relations committee, and the judiciary committee. recently, he authored "conscience of a conservative: a rejection of destructive politics and a return to principal," which has been described as "the new york times" and others as a thoughtful defense of traditional conservatism. prior to entering politics, the senator served as executive director of the goldwater institute, where he worked to promote a conservative philosophy of less government and individual responsibility. senator flake is a dual graduate of brigham young university where he earned his bachelors and masters degrees. he and his wife currently live in mesa, arizona and have five children. we are very glad the senator could be here tonight given how busy his last few days, minutes, and hours have been. ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming united states senator, jeff flake. [applause] sen. flake: thank you. thank you all. isalvo, thank you for having me here at the institute of politics. thanks

it is my pleasure tonight to welcome united states senator jeff flake from arizona. senator flake was first elected to the senate in 2013 and previously served six terms in the house of representatives. as a member of the united states senate, senator flake sits on the energy and natural resources committee, the foreign relations committee, and as you know, the judiciary committee. recently he authored conscious of a conservative, a rejection of destructive politics and a return to principle, which has been described by "the new york times" and others as a thoughtful defense of traditional conservatism. prior to entering politics, the senator served as executive director of the goldwater institute where he worked to promote a conservative philosophy of less government, more freedom, and individual responsibility. senator flake is a dual graduate of brigham young university where he earned his bachelor and master's degree. he and his wife cheryl are here with us tonight and currently live in mesa, arizona, and have five children. we are very glad the senator can be her

time in the united states senate.t is our duty to not only sliprve our own water force the next 100 years but to partner with states and the colorado, new mexico, nevada, california to ensure we have a regional strategy move to protect our state in though paw ture years. it is working together republicans and democrats from the state is a cross the region the is how we'll find solution to these challenges. but i firmly believe that as and americans we have the resources. we have the tools. skills and the knowledge. we can address issues of climate change together. ourdo so without harming business prospects and without harming what makes arizona so amazing. know? folks know about me. i am outdoor enthusiasts. goevery morning, i get up, i outside to either run, hike, bike, swim, every day. and i want to make sure that we can protect that beauty while we arizona so much. for our future generations. the can't believe this is last question. main, we do have to address issues of climate and water is for arizona. it other i

when this is all said and done, will the senate, the united states senate, be a place where women are heard, where their voices are respected, or where women are ignored and undermined and attacked? will the senate do its job? truly do its job to properly investigate the president's nominee for a lifetime position on our nation's highest court including pushing for a full fbi investigation where at least doctor ford and brett kavanaugh are interviewed and making sure all relevant witnesses are heard and all relevant information is brought forward? or will we allow politics and partisanship to take over and rush this through before our job is complete? finally, will the senate make sure we don't put someone on the bench who has repeatedly had problems with the truth under oath, who display truly serious temperament issues, who has not demonstrated the judicial independence that we expect run nominee to the supreme court and has displayed a shocking lack of fitness for this role? those of the questions we need to be asking today and there is a lot of work that needs to be done before we

as a point of personal privilege, i have been confirmed by the united states senate three times, and two of those times, it was under the watchful eye of senator hatch. as a young conservative coming being justn, and absolutely mortified of the thought of sitting in front of the united states senate, to know that there was someone there who loved this country, who cared enough about me to take a special interest in my own confirmation hearing, meant the world. there are several of my mentors and friends in this room tonight, and i certainly count senator hatch among them. he has been a protector of religious liberty, and that is important to each and every one of us here. landmark religious freedom restoration act, he has been a staunch defender of our constitution. one would think that you wouldn't have to say that about a united states senator because you would think they all are, but in this case, we know that we have a defender there, and one who holds our founding documents in high esteem. he has proven to be one of the most respected statesman in the the unitedn, in states senat

this is a dark period for the united state senate. never before have we seen a nominee to the supreme court or any court treated so badly, do know that starting with robert bork's confirmation hearing that the gloves came off and its processes became unfortunately all too ugly. as we know now, there has been ordered a supplemental background and it nation by

do you think the united states senate, in particular, senator feinstein, didn't handle this correctlym the outset and made dr. ford more vulnerable than necessary? >> i wouldn't say she didn't handle it right. she followed the leadership of the survivor. people shouldn't have to be forced out of -- to tell their story. if she asked for privacy, i understand why senator feinstein decided to respect that privacy. i think this is really indicative how we don't understand in this country the life cycle of a survivor, and what it takes to actually mount up the courage to come forward, particularly in a situation like this. i think it was handle fine. i wish that after it was revealed and after it was leaked it was handle better. >> alyssa milano, i want to get you to respond to what emily wrote in "the atlantic this week. the problem with #believesurvivors. even as we must treat accusers with seriousness and dignity we must hear out the accused fairly and respectfully and recognize the potential lifetime consequences. and if the end is the search for truth, it is justice for religion. >> t

the american people are sick of the display that's been put on here in the united states senate in the guise of the confirmation process. the fbi is finishing up a supplemental background investigation and it will soon add this information to the file for the senator's consideration. this is standard practice. percy printed last week's agreement of a delay no longer in when we the senate will vote on this nomination this week. the senate will vote on thishi nomination. when we do we will be voting on one of the most impressive qualified supreme court nominees in our nations history. we will be voting to confirm a justice with sterling academic credentials whil while he acknowledged brilliance and exemplary judicial temperament and a proven commitment to complete fairness on the bench. that is exactly what the senate will do this week. >> first, i'm glad the majority leader and i get along. i'm glad we are able to do certain things together like the appropriation bill that cannot hold me back from

have come to expect from a supreme court justice. >> politically brave votes are rare in the united states senates years pass without seeing one from either party. today senator heitkamp had another senator's words in mind when she made her decisions. >> when you make decisions about what you're going to do in your life, history will judge you but more importantly you'll judge yourself. >> here is the full text of that passage of a 1966 speech by senator robert kennedy that senator heitkamp quoted today. "history will judge you, and as the years pass you will ultimately judge yourself. on the extent to which you've used your gifts to lighten and enrich the lives of your fellow man. in your hands is the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit." heidi heitkamp might lose her senate seat because of her vote on this nomination. she knows that. she is prepared for that defeat. but for the strong defeat is never the end of hope. and there is no better example of that than the one given by robert kennedy in the one speech that he ever delivered in north dakota i

to go back to the united states senate. rator: congresswoman, you have your moment for closing remarks. rep. rosen: i want to thank channel eight, univision, i want to thank senator heller for a great debate tonight. thank you. i want to tell you come a career -- i want to tell you, a career politician often loses touches with the people they represent. as your next united states senator, i promise to take your stories, to listen to them and to take them with me to washington and let them inform the legislation i do going forward. i'm proud of my record and i'm proud to continue to work on that. i also want to tell you that as an elected official, it's not just a job. it's an honor, a privilege and a responsibility, and it's not a responsibility i take lightly. what i hope to do, like i said, is continue to listen to your stories, to really hear you. i promise to fight for nevada, put you first each and every day, and i promise to make you. -- make you proud. i hope i have earned your vote tonight and i thank you for watchin

the manner people are sick of this display that's been put on in the united states senate and the guys of a confirmation process. the fbi is finishing up a supplemental background investigation that will add this information to judge kavanaugh's file for senators consideration. this, mr. president, is the standard practice. thone pursuant to last week's agreement of a delay no longer than one week, the senate will vote on this nomination this week. the senate will vote on this nomination this week. when we do, we'll be voting on one of the most impressive, stunning supreme court nominees in our nation's history. we'll be voting to confirm a new supreme court justice who possesses sterling academic credentials, widely acknowledge legal brilliance, and g-esmlery judicial temperament, and aproven k34eu789 to complete fairness on the bench. that is exactly what the senate will do this week. >> mr. president, first i'm glad that the majority leader and i get along. i'm glad we're able to do certain things toget

mcconnell can't wait to be completed and thoughtfully considered by his colleagues to the united states senate and it is said over and over again he blames us for delay but if we take a day or two or more to thoughtfully consider what the fbi finds is it thatat our responsibility for lifetime appointments to the highest court in the land? that should be his responsibility as well this has been a celebratory chapter in the history to be remembered to have a supreme court nomination for swing vote that could tip the balance for decades that is something we obviously take seriously in a moment with these allegations to face this issue at every sector of american culture. and most importantly to be fair for doctor ford who had the courage to step forward and who has the right to tell us his memory of the events and to be taken seriously ass well the fbi investigation although resisted is a step in the right direction i hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle how they will vote on the kavanaugh nomination review their findings and answer the question is brett kavanaugh the right person at

united states was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity. those are the words of henry , mr. president, kentucky's own. the decision the united states senators will make today will echo in the history of our nation. ourvery survival of constitutional form of government requires an expert and independent judiciary. without fair and impartial courts of justice as alexander hamilton put in the federalist papers, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing. rights andguard our the senate guards our courts. that mr. president is why today is such an important day. that is why the vote we take tos afternoon, a vote confirm a new associate justice of the supreme court of the united states represents one of the most consequential decisions a senator ever makes. the members of this body art duty-bound to confirm justices of the supreme court who are men and women of the highest character and the most superlative qualifications. fortunately, that is just the sort of nominated who stands before us today. weeks ago, the president byinated a jurist described legal peers of all political stripes as a superstar, a seriou

is a point of personal privilege, i have been confirmed by the united states senate three times and two of those times, it was under the watchful eye of senator hatch. as a young conservative coming to this town and being absolutely mortified at the thought of sitting in front of the united states senate, to know that there was someone there who loved his country and cared enough personally about me to take special interest in my own confirmation hearings, and there are several of my mentors and friends tonight in this room and i certainly count senator hatch among them. he has been a protector of our religious liberty and that is so important, i know each and every one of us here, with his landmark religious freedom restoration act, he has also been a staunch defender of our constitution. one would think you wouldn't have to say that about a united states senator because you would think they all are. .. we need you now more than ever. by all measures senator hatch has been one of the most impactful and respected legislator of modern times. since starting in congress in 1977 until his r

the standing rules of the senate do he be move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of brett m kavanaugh to be an associate justice of the supreme court of the united states, signed by 17 senators as follows. >> for a period of morning business the -- about objects. >> so mr. president i ask you when the senate completes its business today adjourn until thursday october 4th match following the prayer and pledge the morning hour deem expired. and the journal of proceedings be approved for date. and the time reserved for later in the day and morning business be closed. finally following leader remarks, the senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the cevanaugh nomination. >> is there objection? without objection? >> no further business to come before the senate i asked that we be adjourned under the previous order. >> the senate stands adjourned until 11:00 am tomorrow. >> today the senate debated but kavanaugh supreme court nomination. they also agreed to a five-year rethroes of the faa which includes $1.68 billion for hurricane florence relief, and lawmakers sent opioid abuse legislation to the president. live coverage of the senate

in the united states senate, alan dixon was still al the pal, but he was not a really high-profile senator. you know how there are all those little sidebar stories today about the timing of the brett kavanaugh vote this weekend might be upended because senator steve daines of montana has his daughter's wedding to go to? with every story there is a picture of steve daines, but literally that picture could be any guy on earth, that could just be clip art because you have never seen steve daines before, and there is no way you would know he was a senator without google. that was alan dixon. he was not a household name, not a recognizable figure. and part that of is because he wasn't controversial at all. he was go along to get along. he was a centrist. he was a moderate. he was sort of low profile. the other senator from illinois was paul simon, a liberal, wore a bow tie, he was instantly recognizable. paul simon was the one from illinois who ran for president. al the pal, the other senator from illinois, he was never going to run for president. but he was everybody's friend. he was considere

united states senator fred harris is with us today. senator harris is twice elected to the united states senate from the great state of oklahoma that we all now stipulate is part of the united states -- little inside job. like the namesake of this school, senator harris really has devoted his life to fighting for raise equity and social justice. senator harris was a very active member and now soberly, the only surviving member of president commission on's civil disorders that came to be known as the kerner commission. as national chair of the democratic party in 1969 and 1970, senator harris caused reform of the party to make it fully democratic and representative of women and minorities. have him to thank for a lot of change that was initiated during that time. he was thereafter and influential 1976 populist them accredit candidate for president of the united states, and here i stopped to tell you -- no joke -- i was a freshman in high school and my charge was to write an honest social studies paper on the topic of my choice of a polit

yucca mountain was stopped twice in the united states senate because of me. didn't offer a single amendment. rep. rosen: you voted for that, senator. sen. heller: she voted to take that money away. rep. rosen: not true. sen. heller: if my opponent is elected to the senate, we will have yucca mountain. steve: thank you both. >> you each get a full minute and a 32nd rebuttal. veterans are a major topic. can each of you name the most important bill for veterans that needs to pass in the next session of congress, and how you will make sure it does pass? sen. heller: i sit on the veterans committee. i passed over 40 pieces of legislation for veterans. when i got to the u.s. senate we had the worst regional office in the country. i took 3, 4, 5 years if you are transitioning from full-time military to become a veteran. i sat down with bob casey, a democrat from pennsylvania, he had the second worst in the country and we looked at the red tape making it so difficult. i had to fire the director of our regional office in nevada. and now it takes less than 120 days to g