in the past it wasn't. in 2005, 217 voted for the legislation. but the house wouldn't even take it up for a vote. how about that for a scandal? joining me now is jim mcdermott, democrat from washington. the state where that bridge collapsed and "the washington post" e.j. dionne. thank you both for coming on the show tonight. >> good to be with you, reverend. >> congressman, let me go to you first. isn't it in the republican's interest to deal with this and if they focused on building up america, isn't it in the interest than trying to tear down the president? >> well, they've clearly spent the last five years trying to tear the president down but they have done it by throwing society under the bus.