Transcripts For CSPAN Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20160613

Not as points of view that divide us. We will see what proposals members of congress put forward in the house gavels in at noon. The senate set to meet a little bit later, this afternoon. There is one more shot of the the flying at half staff on United States capital on capitol hill in washington, d. C. That will do it for washington journal. We will take you to the u. S. Institute of peace where the dalai lama is set to give remarks, scheduled to talk about engaging youth peace activists from around the world advocates from around the world. We are alive at the u. S. Institute of peace as the audience awaits remarks on the dalai lama, here to talk about his joint effort with the institute to bring people together. This is live coverage on cspan. It is a very serious tragedy what happened in orlando. Prayer. Ave silent thank you. Although some are quite skeptical about the effects of prayer. It has to come through action. Serious action, continuously, despite difficulties, and a lot , we cannot lose our determination, our courage and on top of that, some prayer is ok, no harm. Without action, it is just prayer. I am quite skeptical. Thank you. Thank you, everyone for joining us. We are gathered with a heavy heart after this weekends events, but with a conviction that the mission and vision of a World Without violent conflict is more important than ever. I am the president of the United States institute of peace. Was founded by congress 30 years ago with the vision of a World Without violent conflict and dedicated to the proposition that peace is possible, article and essential for our global security. We are very honored to have been able to work with work in partnership with you, your holiness, of bringing a group of 28 youth leaders from 13 Different Countries that are affected by conflict to a dialogue. To talk about what of the ways to find inner peace and compassion, to keep that conviction of peace going, even as you live and work in a troubled world and i think the events in orlando have underscored for us how important that is, globally. Thank you for joining us, and what i would like to do before asking you to make a few videots is show a quick that gives everybody a sense of those who participated in the dialogues and the importance of that kind of journey to find the inner peace that enables one to go forward. When i read the word, i thought this was a junk mail. This program is different from any i have ever seen. Where 28rdinary moment youth leaders from conflict zones around the world came together to be meant toward by the dalai lama meant toward mentored by the dalai lama. I was shaken for about 15 minutes and when his holiness walked in, it was a great moment. When his holiness entered the hall, i felt optimistic. Difficult ow a bunch of young people who experienced deep tragedy and lived in regions of conflict, and they chose to use that energy, and turn it into something constructive. In tunisia, we are facing an identity crisis as in people are not hopeful, anymore. Forgiveness is signs of strength. Utilize friendship or trust with leaders like you to bring peace between the tribes in my country . Empowered that the dalai lama what he said was how encouraged he was by meeting with these young people. Holiness, buts the people from this program, they all inspire me. After meeting his holiness, there is a kind of energy. It is us who should build our country, who should make changes from the inside. Determined, passionate, committed, action oriented leaders who are building peace and have been inspired by our two days. Very very encouraging. And myel like my School Spirits have been lifted. He has so much confidence in us, in ways our actions can make a difference. Ability toin our make significant changes in our communities. The compassion and love he has shared with us in my community. [applause] your holiness, that was a powerful and transformative dialogue that we shared with you , with some remarkable leaders from many difficult countries. We are joined today with two of our youth leaders, victoria and michael. About yourked a lot vision of the 21st century as being the century that is free from violent conflict. Visionery much a usip and mission as well. Who will be the builders of peace of the next century, and we are honored to have you here today, with us, to continue the dialogue and continue that search, and we will ask our youth leaders to make a few comments, but we would like to first ask you to share some reflections with us. Over the years, i have had serious discussion with educationists. I want to share one point. A scientist mentioned, according to an experiment, a very young , only six months old. Look language has not yet developed. Showing hild it was shown two cartoons, one with two children helping each other, another with two children with negative attitude. The second cartoon showed the with negative personality. Then, these scientists human nature is more compassionate. Really feel that, i this real hope. When you have trouble, i think of that infant child. Everyone has some type of problem. Is experience of problems our own problems of experience. Ue to problems of fear mental attitude makes a big difference. System, if you are in a em, strong if your mental attitude is stable and healthy, then but youturbances, fear, will not disturb the deeper level of your mind, so that is yourhelpful to maintain. Hysical health i met children yesterday as they came through airports. My friend said judging your 60s and heks early asked me what is your secret and i told him, it is my secret, i do not share. [laughter] life at him, my 16, i lost my own freedom. Age 24, i lost my own country. A lot of sad situations, a lot of problems. To preservef work our culture. So many problems. Tibet, we are sort of hoping a lot of hope on me. My mental level is quite peaceful. Peace of mind my mind is quite sharp. Many friends and many scientists appreciate the sharpness of my mind. I can reach a deeper level of peace, so i told him, that is my secret, peace of mind. 7 billion human beings are the same human beings. I have never considered being something special. We are the same. Mentally, emotionally, physically, we are the same. Someone who can carry the practice, why not kindle that . We desperate moment all have the same potential so is verye, peace of mind interests. Individual mine. Compassionate compassion isel good for others, but not necessarily one person. It is totally wrong. Compassion time in germany, i was meeting one late evening road outked into the of habit, then i met some people crossing the street. I am usually just smiling. Street, oneugh the young lady came through and as. Sual, i smiled that lady seemed to develop some ,uspicious, why is this person this strangely dressed person smiling . Thatsort of looks shows my compassionate attitude, but thisappy, easy, other person, that lady, got more suspicion. The practice of compassion. Yourself,t goes to and constantly goes that way, you really get peace of mind, and then the matter how troublesome your life, you can keep peace of mind and that and more Peaceful Mind with a lot of friends. We need friends. Mind is veryte helpful and healthy and creates friendship. Friendship based entirely on trust based on the sense of their wellbeing. Admire these people, showing interest. You shouldnterest, implement as i mentioned earlier, you should carry circle. On in your own one individual to share with r own circle, and each then 100 people, then 1000 people, then 10,000 people, that is the way we change humanity. The 7 billion people. I would like to invite michael to say a couple comments and i also want to know, for those who are watching us online or using dalai that it is mausip. Ama dalaila one of my heroes went to u. S. E town and said each time and strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million Different Centers of energy, those ripples told a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. It was an extraordinary , to spend timeme with 28 centers of energy and daring. I found individual stories from south sudan and nigeria and afghanistan, but what they hold in common is most impressive. Each, in one way or another, has witnessed horrors, all have refused to be either bystanders were combatants. Instead, they have chosen to be instruments of healing, asserting a common humanity in the midst of conflict. During our time, we saw them develop a sense of community. Those who stand for principal at the beginning can be alone at the beginning. They can work for many years in relative isolation and it was moving to watch these men and women find the shelter of one another. It was also inspiring to watch them be inspired by someone who is known their struggle. Hope, hise ripples of holiness is a boulder thrown into a pond. I dont think anyone will forget the generosity of his attention, his good humor, and his tireless focus. Participants were interested in the techniques of movement lamasg, but the dalai primary message was spiritual, how the practice of tolerance and compassion requires a healthy mind and body, how a genuine smile, not one you call a diplomatic smile can express respect and build trust. It is hard to describe what happened before us, but for the junk people, it was a graduatelevel seminar in loving love and kindness, a master class in being fully human. I am involved in a lot of think tanks, and they are fine in their own way, but this work by usip is what real influence looked like. Andw the passing of wisdom passion to the next generation of leaders, leaders of movements, even future leaders of their own countries. They came away changed and i was privileged to witness it, thank you. [applause] we have with us, one of these two, but first from morocco, who joined us at the conference. Hello. I am from morocco and i worked at a call to culture center, 2007,as created by in in the largest slum in morocco. And 2007, the city of casablanca was shook and my horrific terrorist attacks, and all the terrorists numbers came from. Our center was created in 2007 to give the opportunity to at risk kids and vulnerable youth to become good citizens through art, culture, education and various training and peaceful think and conflict resolution. In ourme my experience work, and let me share with you what i learned from my experience. My experience helped me look deeper in my soul, sparked new things that did not exist, before, and set the flames that were burning already. By sharing my story with his holiness and youth peace holders, i learned how to share things that terrify me so i can flourish. Rience and i learned to be more honest with myself, to see the weakest, most fragile parts of myself and not only acknowledgment, but owned them. I learned that we dont have to be afraid to peel back our layers and open ourselves to love, because we are all the same, members of the same family, as his holiness said. I learned that love, peace, gratitude and compassion are not ready made, it is not something we do, it is something we are. Of ourt the core existence, we are love, peace, this is why we are here, and it is what we all need and want. It is what brings us richness, meaning and fulfillment to our life. Is onlyd that knowledge real when it is shared, and now i know that it is our duty as peace builders and citizens of the world to build a generation who choose peace, who choose peace every day and who choose peace again and again. Thank you. [applause] thank you. Invite victoria, who is joining us from nigeria. Nigeria. From in 2013, i started an organization to help tutor in my community, realize true selfidentity and work for peace. This was deeply inspired from my background. Teach childrento on selfidentity, selfregulation and even know they come from communities, they have the choice to choose to walk for peace. Was a unforgettable experience, meeting his holiness and learning from my fellow youth advocates. We have a deep role to play to ensure that the world becomes peaceful. It was deeply inspiring, hearing the stories from youth of afghanistan, iraq, tunisia and many more. This shows that we can continue to work for peace as young we have a role to play to encourage our peers to work for peace and put it into violence and extremism. ,his is possible and essential and i see it is a jet joint effort6. Starting from our families, our communities, thank you very much. [applause] thank you. These were the voices that gave so much hope. We would like to continue the conversation. I have a number of questions from people who would like to ask you, and i want to give you ilamausip. Is, as at question selfproclaimed feminist, what methods do you have for girls growing up in environments of violence and extremism, and what rule what role do you see girls and women playing in countering violent extremism . Since many years, i expressed the humanrhaps population was quite small, and colonists population increased and the poverty,em ownership issues came up, and crimes also happened, so then the issue came. At the time, no educational rule. Physicalbecome ngth, ann, education came ,ducation brings more equality so very powerful feminine leadership. , we mustting education for onee effort heartedness. Biologically, females have more understanding, that is what some scientists said in their investigations. Therefore, we need special with the emotion of compassion, love, women should take more active roles. That is why you see my friends describe me as a feminist. Feel 200 different nations with the majority of leadership, female, maybe less trouble, less violence. Exceptional, so average, goes to the biological factor, that is why more females should take more active, more effort to promote human love, human compassion. Within the present circumstances environment, people being killed, sometimes in the name of religion and many. Nnocent people dying, terrible saw the situation with each individual, we cannot remain indifferent. Seriously, these some kind, these also of causality, and these are a causes. Of certain the fundamentals of because here, fear, hate, too much selfcentered attitude. Of sense of oneness with our human brothers and sisters. We really need a sense of oneness. On each continent, they depend on one another. Ancient time, more or less selfsufficient and independent, but we had a global economy, and , globalronment issue warming, also creates more and more negative. We have to act. Unitedly, connect , thistively, otherwise century could also be miserable. Basic human nature is more compassionate, so we have the of universal love on the basis of oneness, of through a lot of problems we are facing, it is our own creation. Too much bias, too much so education, we can remove these things. Attemptthat way, if you now, asake the effort of this century could be more compassionate. Re in europe, more and more people express that they are global. Itizens and they are wonderful ushink circumstances compel and we have to act as one. Umanity practically and morally, we have to s a hopeful sign this build on what you said, but we have a number of rest from some of our media guests, all of which are very related to the events in orlando and they are specifically asking, especially related to the role of religious hostility, religious ideology, especially with targeting our lgbt brothers and sisters, how do we transform that . Over 57 years, i live in india. India, the most populated developed country with a lot of problems. Over 2000 years, religious harmony beside homegrown itions, from outside, he the literally took over mitch to mecca to show nonsectarian. Harmony, so such a big nation, india, can maintain this harmony, so why not the rest of the world . If you make attempt in earnest, reduce sectarian feeling. Education, secondly, contact. I noticed Indian Muslims and militant muslims an Indian Muslim from childhood, they take for granted ofre are a large number , the majority of these , and also buddhist quite a big number of hindus, so therefore, that makes the differences. In arab countries, there is only one religion. Contact is something i think is very important. Education, and teaching old world tradition. Three aspects of these major one is teaching of love, forgiveness, tolerance. Second, and we witness a number of christians dedicated their life to serving other people. I think the islam practitioner should not create any bloodshed. If a person create bloodshed, then the reality in reality, they are no longer a practitioner of islam. Notvery meaning of jihad is harming others, but to combat your own destructive emotions. That is the true meaning. Therefore, all practitioners of religion teach forgiveness, compassion. The other aspect is philosophy, and there are big differences. These religions believe creator, these religions, no concept of creator, so big differences. Then we have to ask, what is problem of these different recipes philosophies . To some people, a concept of god is very powerful. God as our father and creator. We are all the children of such a wonderful and compassionate. Ather these three do not believe in. God or creator if you create good actions, it means you help another, you get the difference is that the difference is a fitness emphasis, but same purpose, to bring more compassion. Sometimes, the a lot of different religions with different philosophies and views. Just one religion, like one market, one item, customers would be less and less. You have variety, then more. Eople come the third aspect is cultural, so now one example. At the time, animals were , to affect the farmer economy. Circumstances, he had special emphasis on andt give any form of life after that, buddha, buddha come. So cultural aspect, existing makesstances of society some influence. , under difficult , sometimes you see the emphasis like that in order to survive your own Community Like that. Then jesus christ come. You see more emphasis about patience. If someone hit you, show like that. Ohammed. Life. Ther no proper rule of law like that. Emphasises, so the sharia law. Due to the circumstances. That cultural aspect of all religion. System india, the caste is quite serious. From a loweroup caste. We had some discussions. I told them like this. This is the social sort of system, at that time a feudal , it is the same sort of slave. D like so the caste system related to the feudal system. The feudal system changed. Now there is a certain cultural aspect, religion with the feudal system. Now comes change. For that, the politicians and. Ven governments cannot do much cast systemthe comes from the same source,. Reator an spiritual leaders should , with rituals and prayer, must come out. The caste system is outdated. Them. Old they arranged certain meetings. Then i am ready to come, i told them. So like that. Aspect, inl buddhism, i think comparatively the buddha makes certain rules mortar microchip principles principles. Citic with monks, about 100 actions. Carriede actions only by a group of monk. No single monk held authority. Buddha himself, exception. [laughter] dalai lama the follower of him, never give authority to one Single Person. That rules action later. There are certain types of rituals that need to be performed across the monastic line, but no Single Person has the authority to preside over the right. The right has to be performed collectively. Dalai lama it has been too long. That is why you see some now west,eminists from the they want me to give highest ordination for female, for nun. They have the impression i have final authority. And i told them no, i have no authority. Only some kind of international monks decide. Otherwise you see, [indiscernible] in the of the problem situation with the full ordination for women is one requirement is the senior administrator of the vow has to be a nun herself. Because of that difficulty in tibet, the institution of ordination of women was never established. In order to redress address that, there needs to be a much more collective consensus among the monastic establishment. Dalai lama as far as study is concerned, i have authority. I actually appealed to years ago in india the nunnery should start serious study. Now this year, they are agreeing to give highest authority. Equal to the doctor in divinity doctorate in divinity. Dalai lama i have that freedom. The other thing, i have no freedom. Buddha gives equality for female and male. But when we come together, the. Onk should be first [indiscernible] there is a hierarchy, even though there is an egalitarian opportunity for men and women for ordination. But because of the cultural influence, there is a hierarchy established. Maybe not senior. But in terms of hierarchy, the nun would be lower compared to a junior monk. Things, on so these some occasion, i suggested maybe now the time come we need some modification or to change like that. Institutionse, the [indiscernible] unscriptural to. In 2011, i totally retired. Not only myself but also the fourcentury Old Institution has now ceased voluntarily. Happily, probably. Some impact on the feudal system. Outdated so weem must catch up to the present reality or time. You are describing a practice of change that is only successful in a more inclusive way that creates the bottomup engagement in change, which is something we learn a lot in how to build successful, sustained peace. But it also takes time. You talked about actions you took 40 years ago now coming to fruition. One of the questioners, and i think it is a question for many of our youth leaders, this is from linda pace at the International Student exchange. How do you keep youth leaders who are essential for building peace into the next century from becoming discouraged at the pace of change . How do you encourage them to not become discouraged . It is an experience. When you leave your own country ,ndividually or a small group when you meet other people from other countries, you get more encouragement. Becauseis a worldwide of that contact, a relationship, like your organization. The group also need money. Organization is in a different place, a different continent, more meeting if possible annually. That gives them encouragement and a sense of community. Questione a wonderful from a man from nigeria who asked how we encourage religious leaders to play a constructive role in encouraging youth. Manyember you commented conferences happen around the world. Oftentimes, all they do is disturb release and disturb the doves. How do we turn that into the action you are urging us to focus on . Dalai lama many years ago, since many years, i suggested, i requested out of india the Indian Government should organize International Religious conference. And not just a conference. , leaders makeng some statement. Somesome scholars, secondary leadership spend more days and serious discussion and experience hows the different religious expenses can live together. That group coupliment girds that group a pilgrimage to different holy places within india. I started the practice since 1975. Available, i wanted to make the poker rich in india pilgrimage in india. And also disparate israel fatima. I would take more time. I want to share my own on a small schedule. So we sit together, a few other christians and myself in some organizations. After that, a short meditation. Then everybody stand and leaving. To the beautiful magistrate smiling towards me. Buddhist. And also i am a student of those and others. Aboutot of discussions creating these things. Am a student there,ringing christians bringing muslims there, it helped. Also, millions of people get inspiration, benefit from these traditions. Years, andst 2000 still millions of people get immense inspiration. These different religions are sources of inner peace. That has helped. That is sufficient reason to admire, so i practice that. Mary showed, i feel me some decision about my action. [laughter] dalai lama [laughter] [applause] india isa so i think an example of different religions living together. So now we have to work and make clear. I wish some arab countries, some hardline muslims should invite and try to make friendship. Then use their fear or distance feeling. Talk. Hands, meet, when we go to one Muslim Community there, previously i was told even some are clothed with one buddhist and they wash. Then they sort of eat together. I was passing through this area together. D with them they have many traditions. Eat, you see,nd from the kitchen like that. That. That so like sometimes people because of different faith, distance, that distance. Me somehat eventually creates distrust or suspicion. That nice word will not have much meat. Touch each other, have a meal together. And then make friend. Then we can discuss some of our differences, some of our similarities. Herenk a lot of problems are the same problem in the middle east. I think response from america, because of then, september 11 event. I love president bush. As a human being, wonderful person. Since our first meeting, we have become very close friends. So after iraq crisis happened, another occasion of my meeting, i told him i love you. I respect you. But where some of your policies are concerned, i have reservations. [laughter] dalai lama he smiled. I think the practical level, deceit american force, American Military power, yes . Easily can crush. But American Military power cannot change others mind or emotion. Friendship, through affection, then can you change their mind. In tibet also, there are some hardline chinese officials that believe the power of the gun suppress over 60 years cannot change their mind. Only affection, friendship. Person. Sorry. [laughter] dalai lama my answer always too long. I admit the mystical bad habit. That is my weakness. When my mouth is open, then blah blah blah continuously. That my weakness, sorry. This will be our final question. Is for the network from religious and traditional peacemakers. They are asking what you would do to continue to continue to support his so they can become the peacemakers that help us have a 21st century free from violent conflict. Dalai lama i think there is nothing secret, nothing else. , this unity, what a benefit. Less distance, what a benefit. Builds more fear. Make friend. Basis ofndship on the this person being another human sister, and i am one of the human brother. Out of 7 billion, we are same. According to religion, we are all children of god. There are differences here and there. They are minor. Basically, we are same. This feeling and try to implement as much as you can. Seminar, not one lecture, book group discussion. What is the benefit . Distance, what is the benefit . Will benefit no benefit. One religious group go to mars. One religious group go to moon. And then we find some other places to go. Then we fight here and go different planet. That is impossible [laughter] dalai lama we have to live on this small planet. Live harmoniously, happily, a sense of brotherhood, sisterhood. There is no other choice. See . Followers of other traditions impossible to eliminate. We have to live together. Many religions friendly expressing. Billionstian over one cannot eliminate over one billion muslim. Either the muslim cannot eliminate that. We have to live together. That is reality. Much happier. Things. Odshed, these television on killing and particularly the children, women facing , they are our brothers, our sisters. To beimpossible indifferent. As a community of human beings, as a social animal, they are happy, we also feel happy. They are suffering, we also feel suffering. Uncomfortable. We can achieve or and make effort. Whether it is you are not, that is a different question. Everybody here, and not only here some human being eventually have to die. At the end of our life. Then we accept our life. You made some positive attempt, than you feel happy. Life morent your destructively, at that moment you really feel regret or unhappy. There is a person that really carry life more compassionate, or sense of helping other people, serving other people. When that person pass away, more regret and also free. So that is nice. Other hand, if you carry your life bullying other people, cheating other people like that, people whoath come knows you feel very happy. The trouble they have no longer, very happy. [laughter] dalai lama so what do you want when you pass away . More people concern your death or happy . What do you want . [laughter] dalai lama huh . At least i want when i pass away and more people remember me at least some prayer, and i feel happy. Then at the time of my death i say troublemaker no longer. Oh, how nice. [laughter] little possibility of that. [laughter] dalai lama so, thank you. Thank you, my brothers, my sisters. We all family. There are differences. Some can do more. Some can do less. But we all are part of humanity. We are part of the human society. , i wouldrly america consider this nation a leading nation of free world. You can really make some serious contribution for better world. First, you yourself, your own place, you should create certain positive thing. Than more other people then more other people get more inspiration. Like that. Seriously atink whatever way you can do, practice, into action like that. Ok. Do you agree . [laughter] on the blackhen inican sister, one time africanrica i visit one family. Her now south africa now already get the market of them operative democratic constitution and revolution. Nelson mandela president , wonderful. Emotionally, it take time to change. With suchack people. Onfidence and work hard one of the guests told me, we black people bring level inferior brain level inferior. I shout and argue. No specialist any differences of brain due to different color, the specialist, the scientist will say no differences. Experience some discriminations, some hardline chinese officials make some dissemination because tibet discrimination because tibet backward. Only a question of opportunity. Opportunity come. We want to be equal like that. So i explain, explain. Africanthat native understanding, and he respond to me. Now we are equal. At that moment, i felt true relief. At least i helped, i changed one persons mental attitude. Certain confidence is very essential. So please, work hard. Some people say of black people they are different or backward. You except im backward, totally wrong. We are same human being. Therefore, with. Confidence, work hard. [applause] thank you, your holiness. [applause] i want to thank everybody for coming today. Our deepest gratitude for joining us today, your holiness. We have an Audacious Mission of envisioning a World Without violent conflict. Sometimes people say this is crazy talk. You have given us hope and encouragement to continue to pursue this very bold and audacious vision. And we thank everybody here for your continuing support, engagement, and work on this pathway. I want to conclude by noting we are 100 days out from the International Day of peace on september 21. I encourage everybody to join in taking action, moving toward the International Day of peace and making it every day. Thank you, once again. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. [applause] dalai lama now International Day of peace should create a whole year, a whole century. A whole decade. Then a whole century. Yes. [laughter] [applause] with your encouragement, yes. [applause] a lot of work to do that without pay. [laughter] thank you, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the official party departs. Dalai lama thank you. See you again. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] dalai lama thank you. Dalai lama wonderful, wonderful. What an opportunity to meet such an people young people. I wish to meet more. I will have the opportunity to see more different faces. [laughter] and no more [indiscernible] [laughter] if you missed any of this gathering, you can watch anytime online on our video library. Go to cspan. Org. In the wake of yesterdays mass shooting in orlando, florida, pennsylvania senator bob casey is planning to introduce legislation that would restrict people of hate crimes from owning firearms. This bill would toughen current federal law barring people convicted of a felony from purchasing or owning a gun by applying the same restrictions to those who have done guilty of misdemeanor hate crimes. The senator revealed his new legislative priority during a News Conference in pittsburgh this morning. You can read more about it at politico. Com. We expect yesterdays tragedy to be a focus of todays White House Briefing with press secretary josh earnest. President obama yesterday addressed the American People calling the shootings an act of terror and hate. The White House Briefing scheduled for 12 calling 45 eastern. You will be able to see it here live when he gets underway. We will hear from congressional lawmakers about orlando as house members expected to cause for a moment of silence for the victims of the shootings tonight at 7 00 eastern. It will start the day at noon with general speeches and later whole debate on several bills, including one to change the freedom, another to combat organ trafficking. Later this week, members expected to continue working on federal spending legislation for 2017. Most of this week will be focused on Defense Department spending. This will be the first appropriations bill to be considered under new house rules by Republican Leadership to limit amendments instead of having an open amendment process. We could see members attempt to add gun control legislation to the mix this week. Watch the house live here on cspan at noon eastern. The senate is looking to finish up work on the 2017 Defense Authorization bill which they continue debating today. Expect a vote on final passage tomorrow. The senate also expected to hold a moment of silence for the victims of the Orlando Shootings shortly after they gavel in. See the senate live on our companion network, cspan2, beginning at four click eastern today. Greta this week, we want to welcome congressman xavier becerra. Thank you for being here. We also have Cristina Marcos with the hill, and erica werner, reporter, and erica will kick us off. Erica thank you for being with us. Hillary clinton wrapped up with a big win in california these past days, but there are a lot of committed sanders supporters across the nation. What does Hillary Clinton need to do to get those people enthusiastic about their campaign . Xavier more of what she has been doing, reaching out, showing people how she will be the president that will bring real change, meaningful change, deep change, where no longer will we have to wait for a congress that is gridlocked and essentially asleep at the wheel, but we will actually improve Health Care Opportunities through the Affordable Care act, we will make sure that our Foreign Affairs are the things that we want to see our nation be involved in, not things that get us into battles. We are going to make sure that as president she has the support of the American People to help lift wages and decrease the debt burden on students that go to college. I think there are many things she will be able to do between now and november. It is all about convincing the American People about there was is someone who wants to build bridges and opportunities, not walls. Cristina senator warren, there is a lot of speculation she could be Hillary Clintons Vice President. What do you think of the idea of having an all woman ticket. Is america ready for two women on a president ial ticket . Would Hillary Clinton be better served by having another constituent like hispanics . Xavier i think the secretary has a good number to choose from, including her Vice President ial running mate. You as someone like senator warren and it would be a onetwo punch, very effective onetwo punch. My sense is that the secretary will have an opportunity to make a selection based on what she thinks is best. I have total faith that she will look this over carefully and her decision will be like many of her decisions, a wonderful one for the American People. Darker your name has been floated for Vice President. Do you want the job . Xavier there is a lot of talks that represent that could be in play and democrats have a chance to gain the majority. I have been working for quite some time at that. I would be fortunate if i could see democrats reclaim the majority in the house and reclaim the majority of the senate. Working with the president clinton, i would be looking for ward to working with her as a member of congress hopefully in , a leadership position, but let me tell you, it is an opportunity that we all of forward to having a good november. The most important thing for me is a good november. Where i am, my thinking is i will hopefully be an Effective Member in the house of representatives and that is what i will work towards. Greta following up on leadership in the house erica we have the top three Democratic Leaders that have been in place for some time now, does that leave you and others somewhere to rise with new blood at that top of the democratic ladder . Xavier there are many ways to express your leadership in congress. More than just having a particular position. I have been strongly supportive of our democratic leader, nancy pelosi. I will continue to be supportive. She has been a phenomenal leader, certainly for democrats in the house. As long as she is interested in being a champion for working families, i think she will have strong support in the democratic caucus. My opportunities come from being in a position to help manufacture real opportunity for a lot of americans. What that position is, i cannot tell you right now, but come november, i hope there will be a place for someone like me. Cristina your term as chair expires at the end of this congress. What could be next are you in a path for leadership as the top three members are not going anywhere . Xavier you are asking a guy who is the first in his family to go to college, probably never dreamed growing up that i could be a member of congress, let alone helping the next president of United States get elected, so when someone says, what is next i am an optimist. , i have an education that cannot be taken from me. I have a wonderful family that has been very supportive through the years. The sky is the limit and i want to make sure that when the window opens, i can jump and i intend to do as much can to be a leader for the country wherever the opportunity presents itself. I believe given my two decades in the house i have an , opportunity to do something there. When, how, we will see. Erica i wanted to ask about the senate race in california. Due to the new primary rules, we will have two democrats competing against each other, Kamala Harris and loretta sanchez, you have not endorsed. Im wondering why he wouldnt endorse the latina in the race . Isnt there time for a latina leader in california with such a large percentage of hispanics in the population . Xavier it certainly is time for california to have someone at the top someone like loretta sanchez, who is a qualified and capable leader who happens to be latino. It could easily be said the same about harris as well. In california, we are beginning to get these capable leaders who happen to be people of color and opportunity. I think it is going to be a fantastic contest. We have a good choice to make between the two candidates. I look forward to that debate and campaign. I may decide to endorse. I have not made any decisions as of yet to endorse, but i am thrilled that we have two capable leaders that are competing to be californias next senator. Erica what do you republicans in california are going to do . There is some suggestion they would get behind sanchez. What do you see on that . Xavier that will be interesting. That is the dilemma republicans face in california and throughout the country. The party of lincoln has become the party of trump and they are beginning to see the consequences of that. I hope they make smart decisions. I hope they do not feel like they can sit this out. It is important to have all californians participate. Whether you are a democrat, republican, or independent i , think it is important for them to take a close look at candidates. I am thrilled there are two democrats. But i hope people in california will look closely and feel comfortable making their selection. Cristina going back to when you see yourself as being member of the house rather in another position, are you willing to put your name out there and project that democrats will win the house this year with trump essentially being a drag on the republicans . Xavier i am willing to put my name out there on a lot of different things. In terms of this election, i would say that i put my name out there and say that democrats will do very well in november because i believe americans will see that there is a real contrast between the party of trump and the party of Hillary Clinton that wants to create jobs, increase wages, give People Better Health Care Opportunities, fight for students who do not want to be burdened by debt. At the end of the day i feel , comfortable saying that november is a good year for america. Democrats will reflect better what america lives for and we will do well. I tell you today that that means the congress will flip and become democratically controlled. I hope so and i will work really hard for that, and we have phenomenal candidates that i can tell you right now, the supervisor in Santa Barbara county was the top gogetter to replace lois in congress and did way better than any expected. Of very contested seat. I believe he will be the next member of congress because he has worked so hard. He happens to the democrat and a very talented guy. That is the quality of candidates democrats are putting forward. They give me hope that this is going to be a congress that wants to work with the president and not get in the way. Greta should senator sanders be the Vice President s pick . Xavier i think he has earned an opportunity to be considered, but that decision is totally, totally left to the person who worked very hard and earned a nomination, so secretary clinton has earned the right to make that selection. The good thing is i have total faith that she is going to make a really good selection. I have confidence that her decisions will be great for america and one of the most important ones that she will make will come early with her selection of the Vice President. Greta what should be the role for senator sanders Going Forward in the party . Xavier big, inferential big, influential, active. I hope he is as animated in november as he has been throughout the primary process. He has awoken many folks, he has made young people believe, he has given democrats an opportunity to bring in to our party so many different faces. I thank him for all he has done, but i dont want to say for all he has done because he still has a lot to do. His voice will be important out there because he inspired people that began to distance themselves from the electoral process and our government. And our government needs to have people wanting [indiscernible] to be involved. Greta think back to when this all started in the primary season. Do you think you would have ever said that senator sanders has a big role to play in the Democratic Party . Xavier no, no. You know what . This is america. That is the beauty of america. Who also would have said that the Republican Party would become the party of trump . You never know. If we do not have active participation, we could go in different directions. I think the two parties are going in different directions. The party of lincoln is becoming the party of trump. The party that fought with roosevelt, kennedy of opportunity now look at clinton with a worthy partner in whatever capacity he wishes to have and she lets them have, we will continue to show people we are the party of opportunity. And the future. Erica back to the house agenda, speaker ryan has been rolling out an agenda for the future. One of which this week was around poverty programs and instituting in particular new work requirements for some of those programs. What were your thoughts on that is there any value to that . , xavier it is hard for me to go beyond what speaker ryan said about donald trump. Too listen to him about what he says about poverty because he has endorsed donald trump. He has claimed donald trump has uttered racist comments about a constituency, a community in america that has worked very hard. And i say this like the judge, who donald trump has attacked in a racist fashion, i like the judge. I am the son of immigrants as well. Of mexican heritage. I have worked very hard. I would hate for someone to say that simply because i have mexican heritage that all of a sudden i cannot be a member of congress. When someone like this because the speaker of the house of representatives, second in line to succeed should something happen to the president , that our candidate for the white house has uttered racist remarks and i am endorsing him for the white house, it is hard for me to believe that paul ryan can believe that with donald trump as president , we will tackle poverty the right way. Remember it was donald trump who , said in 20072008 that he was looking forward to the wall streetdriven economic crash that caused millions of americans to lose their homes. Why was he looking forward to it . Because it would give him an opportunity to purchase these homes at cut rates and make a lot of money. You can talk to me all you want about policies on poverty but if , you are supporting the guy he wants to make money off of the desperation and difficult economic circumstance of millions of americans, it is hard for me to believe they will have a good antipoverty stands. The less good and high poverty program. Cristina speaker ryan announced that starting with the next appropriations bill, amendments will be limited and members of either party will not be able to offers many amendments as they like anymore. And democrats have said that is hypocritical. Beforethe same time of republicans took over the house in 2011, democrats also planned down on appropriations bills, so is it fair for democrats to bring those charges against republicans now when they did the same thing . Xavier it goes back to what i was saying about trying to believe what speaker ryan is saying about poverty when the guy he supports was happy to make money off of people in desperate economic straits. In this case, it was speaker ryan who said we would have very open to the credit process when it comes to moving the bill through the house of representatives for debate. And now he is saying, that is gone so he is blocking that open debate that he said would be the marquee of his speakership. Am i surprised . Are we surprised that things are being blocked in the house of representatives . This has been the biggest graveyard for good ideas that we have ever seen in this democracy. Time after time, whether it is the jobs agenda the president tried to push, whether it was making improvements to the Affordable Care act, the house of representatives, republicans, congress have locked that progress, so im not surprised good now speaker ryan has decided to block open debate on the house floor, but i just said, it is not so much whether not fully open debates, it is getting things done. I think most of america would say, if you could get meaningful things done, maybe we could accept that. The problem is, you are upset cutting off debates and not getting things done. It is the worst of all worlds. Greta what is your prediction for what could happen later this year legislatively in the house . Where can republicans and democrats come together . Xavier [laughter] that is the answer. There are not that many opportunities, unfortunately. Most of the president s proposals have been blocked. Most of what we see being put forward in the house is not something that is really going to get the president ial signature to become law. And we are seeing more and more posturing being done through the official channels of the house of representatives for political campaigning then we are for actual policymaking that helps people know that their wages will not go up or that their children can afford to go to college or that we will not get into a war that is unnecessary, so we are already hearing that Republican Leadership is telling us that we are going to skip out of town, out of washington mid july and be out until september. Obviously, we cannot do much work if we are already going to miss the week of the fourth of july. And we only have a couple weeks left in june. In september, have to at least accomplish the job of getting the budgets done, which republicans have not been able to do half of the work that should be done by now. And we are done in you can see september. How little time will be left to get meaningful work done. Greta does that Mean Congress is heading toward another omnibus . Xavier that has been the mode of operation. You wait until the cliff. You fall over, you panic and try to do something at the last moment. Wait, wait, wait and then we start to panic and them before we rush out to finish campaigning, we try to get this done, probably patched together a temporary budget. Greta i should explain that a package of spending bills is altogether. Xavier yes. Erica one important bill that the pass this week with bipartisan majorities was the puerto rico rescue bill, attempting to help puerto rico get out of this massive debt. You voted against it. Why . Xavier i respect the work that was done on that bill. That was a bipartisan bill. Actually bipartisan in the vote for and against. Quite honestly, you need to see more work done like that. This is the difficulty for me. My state of california updo years back was in a very difficult Economic Situation with its budget. We had a budget deficit the size of most states entire budget. Their budget, the deficit. We were going to have a difficult time. When i want to tell the people of my state that the way to fix our economic crisis is to slice the working wages of the lowest income californians by nearly half, when they had no role in this hedge fund driven debt crisis, what i want to see californians be told that the people who will solve the restructuring that has to go on in california to get us out of this economic difficulty would be people from outside the state of california . I could not accept that. At the end, as much work as an i know a lot of people put into this, i am not going to tell the american citizens in puerto rico that someone else will determine how they govern themselves and how they get themselves back into economic prosperity. Nor am i going to tell, for sure i am not going to tell hardworking puerto rican to make a little more than the minimum wage that they will seek their wages slashed in half because that is one of the provisions that some members of congress think have to be included to get puerto rico out of the economic crisis. They did not cause this and im not about to tell american citizens in puerto rico or in my state of california that they have to see their wages sliced in half to fix a problem they did not cause. It is like the housing crisis and the 2008 wall streetdriven economic crisis that we face, a whole bunch of americans lost their homes. They had little to do, if nothing to do, with the crisis. Yet they paid the biggest price. How many wall street bankers went to jail . I think we are still trying to find erica isnt that letting one. The perfect be the enemy of the good . Xavier no, because no one will say that we were looking for perfection and no one would tell you that this bill was perfection. What we are looking for is something that works. I cannot tell the american citizens in puerto rico that i think this works better than what would have at least included the slicing of the minimum wage for american citizens in puerto rico, and certainly a fair way of determining what the next steps are. The puerto rico is going to get itself out of the crisis, it will be Puerto Ricans who do it. It should be a solution that they come up with. I am concerned that this board that will govern and determine all these things could essentially include people who connection to puerto rico. I would not want that for californians. I would not other folks in other parts of the country to tell how california could get ourselves out of the mess we are in and i would not tell californians who are making minimum wage that they would have to cut their salaries in half so the problem could be solved because of what Hedge Fund Managers and others did. Greta we have time for a couple more questions. Cristina if Hillary Clinton were to win the presidency, what policy do you think she should push forward in her first 50 days . Xavier i believe you will almost immediately see her actions to give more americans a chance to get better jobs. She has talked about making investments in some of the projects that we have not watched this congress support. Fixing our roads and bridges, improving our schools. The things that we know we have to do, but we have been putting aside and waiting for the day that the bridge collapses or the school has a leaky roof, so she is saying, we have got to do it. Lets do it now. It puts a lot of americans to work. Americans who may not be College Graduates but they may get a decent wage working in construction, and it gives them a chance to buy that home or send their kids to college. I believe she is going to work as vigorously as she can to find a bipartisan solution to immigration. She has said that already that she would introduce a bill and work with congress. She knows what she is talking about there. I do believe that she would try to tackle the student debt crisis almost immediately because it cannot wait. Kids are making decisions. My eldest daughter is about to Start College in the fall. I am fortunate my wife and i both got professional degrees, but there are a bunch of families like my parents, a construction worker and clerical worker, they make tough decisions on it their child can go to college. They should not have to worry that debt will prevent the child from going to a good school. Cristina you mentioned infrastructure, immigration, reform, Student Loan Debt which , of those three do think she should prioritize . And is Immigration Reform in the realm of possibility with republicans [indiscernible] xavier i believe secretary clinton see the rest of the conversation online. We will go live to the house. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms. Washington, d. C. June 13, 2016. I hereby appoint the honorable mark meadows to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, paul d. Ryan, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 5, 2016, the chair would now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour. Pursnt