Days, the American People have witnessed earthshaking revelations about the outrageous behavior of President Trump. The appointment of former fbi director mueller as special prosecutor is a good first step. The action shows the urgency of investigating trump russia possible collusion and interfering in our election. It also recognizes the gravity of the president s abuse of power in trying to shut down the fbis investigations. Former director mueller is a respected Public Servant of the highest integrity. Everyone respects him. The Trump Administration must give former director muellers investigation the resources and independence it needs. Im concerned that director mueller will still be subject to the supervision of the trump appointed leadership at the Justice Department. We must remain vigilant to protect the integrity of the mueller investigation. A special prosecutor cannot take the place of a truly independent outside commission that is completely free from the Trump Administrations meddling. A commission is also necessary to address the broader vulnerability of our elections to foreign interference in the future. The investigation that what do we call him now, special counsel mueller is undertaking is about what has happened and is there wrongdoing. Were saying weve got to prevent this from happening in the future. That is one of the reasons we need an outside independent counsel. The Justice Department commission, independent outside commission. The Justice Department has a role to play and we respect that. The general counsel will continue to fight for vigorous congressional review investigation, as well. The senate is doing a bipartisan investigation. The house is moving forward. We have an Important Role to play. But with investigations inside the Justice Department and investigations inside the congress, it is necessary for us to have an outside independent commission, as well. Yesterday, House Democrats filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Bipartisan Legislation launching that commission. Hr356. Protecting our democracy act. Already, more than 176 members have signed. We expect to have well over 190 by the time we have the vote later today. The president has nothing to hide, then he and the republicans in congress should welcome independent investigations to remove all doubt of a coverup. The American People have a right to know the truth. There is reason to believe that the president s pandering to russia is endangering our National Security, our economy, and our democracy. In a few days, well be marking the first four months of the Trump Administration, the 20th. The 20th of may. Nothing. He has nothing to show for it. We havent seen any evidence of a jobs proposal. President loves to talk about the election. But the election was about jobs. Slow us the jobs. Where is his initiative . We were hoping to be working with him on an infrastructure bill right from the start. No sign of one. The president s budget will be coming down next week. Well see the president s Budget Proposal and all the broken promises to the American People that President Trumps budget represents. Instead of creating goodpaying jobs, investing in infrastructure, hes ransacking education and job training, cutting the Department Much transportation with a budget that is especially cruel impacts on rural communities. Reports suggest the cruelty of trumpcare which some people are now calling the death care, the death panel bill, will be amplified by new cuts to nih medicaid, Social Security disability benefits snap and other crucial social services. The president is gutting the epa and slashing funding for cleaning up Hazardous Substances and for enforce cutting funds for clean air and clean water. Why do people even think Public Policy is important . As a mother, what do i need government to do for my children and my grandchildren . Clean air, clean water. That you cant do for yourself. Clean air, clean water, food safety. Forget about it in the president s budget. The budget is youve heard me say over and over our National Budget should be a statement of our values, what is important to us as a country should be reflected in how we allocate our resources, our investments for the future. President trump has shown that he does not value the future of our children, our seniors and working families in our country. With that, ill be pleased to take any questions. Okay, michael. Reporter thank you, madam leader. He comes around now, right . Va the current political trajectory is not good for republicans. Do you anticipate a scenario where you will once again be speaker of the house in two years . We dont really talk Politics Around here that much. But if you want to talk politics, you can talk to our chair of our dccc lujan. I will say this going back to 05 and 06 when president bush was reelected president , at that time when we started our initiative to take back the house for the American People, president bush was at 5 . Everybody said you dont have a chance because be ready for a permanent republican majority. 58, by the time we made our contrast the next six months by september, the president was at 38 . When youre at 38 , youre well under 50, it doesnt have to be in the 30s. You get a very high caliber of candidate to run. Others in his own party might say maybe ill sit this one out. So ill be able to tell you more, that is to say, by like september. Reporter a followup question. A few of your members took to the floor and talked about impeachment. Do you support a move toward impeachment at this point. Is that a followup in would you call that a followup. We all get them, too. Its been awhile. Ive got some stored up. The issue of where we go from here with these investigations is to find the facts for the American People. It is important because i think were in very uncharted waters. I know family have harkined back to watergate or this or that, but this is something that has foreign intrigue. It has issues that relates to undermining our democracy by interference in our election. Its about show us your tax returns so we can see what will Public Policy is regarding that and do you have a russian connection, mr. President , in your dealings. And its very serious. So in order for us to move forward in a way where were moving forward with the American People, its very important that we do it based on the facts. Theres reason to believe that the president was engaged in some very inappropriate for the moment activity. But until you have the facts that you can present to the public in the Public Domain so that the American People are moving with you at the same time, i dont think that our democracy is well served. Now, my people are representatives. Thats your job title and thats your job description. So they will speak to what to express the representation that they have. And i understand i understand their enthusiasm. But as leader, i think we have to contain some of that in order to get the facts in a way that will be acceptable to the American People as we go forward. I yield. Yield backing . He yields back. Reporter madam, thank you. Question. Reporter the republicans are expressing some concern because of this malstrom with trump and everything about trying to move items on their agenda. Granted you dont agreed with their approach on health care and taxes. That said, does that in any political or legislative buoy you that this could sideline some of the things which you view as an anathema. They havent done very much and the election was i dont over six months. This would be the time of as ive said before the honeymoon, not a marriage but the honeymoon and that people would see what is the vision of our new president , what is his what does he know and what is his judgment on the choices he has to make. What is his plan to go forward. And usually that results in a president getting very high ratings. And the first months of his presidency. That has not happened. And because of the questions that have arisen about integrity and honoring our constitution, the republicans have been complicit in what looks like a stonewall of not wanting the public to know the facts. So im saying to those who want to take drastic action in terms of the president , show us the facts. We need to see the facts. And im saying to our republican colleagues, what do you have to hide . If youre so sure that nothing is there, you shouldnt be afraid to prove the point by having the investigations that are necessary. So we havent seen any Bold Initiative come forward. Weve seen a terrible what people are calling death panel bill come forth which can deprive up to 7 million veterans of their tax credit, 43 billion cut from helping poor children, the worst health bill, one of the worst bills, period, for women in the history of the congress as it increased costs, decreases benefits, has a harmful age tax, has 24 Million People off coverage. And undermines medicare. So very widely unpopular in the public. Where is their jobs bill . They could have introduced a jobs bill early on by four weeks into his administration, four weeks from the day of his inauguration, president obama signed the american reinvestment and recovery act. Reporter it would seem like theyre not getting very far on any of those things and you as trying to be this back stop on your side of the aisle to them trying to move their version of health care or their version of tax reform. This is going off the rails for them. Well, i mean, thats their problem. We have always said that we would work with them on simplify indication, fairness, review of the tax system in our country that we would talk about lowering the corporate rate. Closing special interest loopholes, having a tax bill that would create jobs, create growth, good paying jobs for americas workers. We look forward to that discussion. But so far, what weve seen is something that adds 5. 5 trillion to the deficit as it gebs tax breaks to the high end. Frickal down has never worked. But lets go to the table with something. They cant even come to ingredient among themselves whether its a border tax or one thing and another. They cant even come to ingredient themselves. They want to blame it on the fact that the president has acted in a way that gives people reason to believe that investigations are necessary. Youll have to talk to them about that, but theyve had plenty of time to come up with something other than making america sick again. Yes. Given the concerns youve expressed about President Trumps judgment, should our foreign partners be nervous right now about sharing Sensitive Information with the u. S. . Wouldnt you . Wouldnt you be nervous . This is as a person thats been involved in intelligencing for decades here, this is a discipline. This is something that you have to be with on a regular daily basis if youre president of the united states. And you have to understand that words weigh a ton. So what the president did not only possibly jeopardized an individual, an operation, but undermined the trust that Foreign Countries would have in sharing information with us. He shared information that wasnt ours to give. He did so in a manner that said well, i have a right to do it. Thats not the point. If you have a right to do something doesnt mean you have a right to do it wrong. And this is very serious. Im not sure, i mean, i think if he would get his daily briefing, what id like him to do, come to the white house, live where former president s have lived, be inspired by the challenges they faced. Be disciplined. Learn what youre supposed to learn. And not brag that you get more, you know more because you had a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing when it comes to intelligence and in terms of not understanding your responsibility. To total confidentiality. So in terms of Foreign Countries, of course, i just came backing from four Different Countries and people want to work with the president. They want to work with america. Liaison relationship in terms of intelligence are longstanding, one president and another. Thats the relationship that our countries and our people have with each other. What he did was very damaging. And so you have to ask those foreign governments what that means about how willing they might be to share intelligence with him. What does it mean for National Security if they dont feel as comfortable sharing that intelligence . Its not its not a strengthner, thats for sure. I mean, intelligence is one of the great preventers of armed conflict. When i first starred on intelligence early mid90s, it was about force protection. How do we protect our forces if they have to go into harms way. Became thats still our overriding purpose to avoid conflict if possible by intelligence, but if we have to go, to make sure that our military knows everything they need to know that is possible. So then later it became overarching issues like drug trade, terrorism, relationship between them and other issues along the way. And now that that was more in a bipolar world of soviet union and the u. S. Even though the wall came down in the 90s. Now we have asymmetric threats and you cannot, you cannot be frivolous with that. Youre the president of the united states. Leader of the free world. And what can i say . It places unruly, undisciplined, unreliable, and unsafe. It needs some adult supervision. Reporter what do you make of congressman chaffetz stepping down early supposedly to go to box news and what do you think if trey gowdy were to become chairman . Would that alleviate what the democrats see as lack of oversight of the Trump Administration . I just got off a plane. Last i heard he had a bad foot and couldnt serve. I dont know whats next. So i cant keep up with that. But i hope the Ethics Committee can because when you negotiate a professional agreement, usually you announce that when youre on your way out the door. Not six weeks later. As youre leaving six weeks later. I just i dont know enough about it to address it, and you have to ask Elijah Cummings what it means in the committee. I do know this. That were very, very proud of Elijah Cummings and the work that he has done on the government Government Reform Committee and also of adam schiff and the work hes doing on the intelligence committee. Leader pelosi, thank you. I want to go back to the issue of impeachment. Do you worry that democrats who use the term impeachment are overplaying their hands and potentially playing into the president s argument when he says things like, this is the greatest witch hunt in the american political history which he tweeted today. Honestly, honestly. How did you spell witch hunt . I see head council in one of his things. I didnt know exactly what it meant. I liked what senator mccain, he said this morning. No, no, ive been the subject of more he didnt say witch hunt but he said im didnt he say yesterday, the president Something Like nobodys been subjected to more criticism. Really . Youre telling me that . He doesnt have thick skin. Get some thick skin. Okay . Thats were talking frivolous now here in terms of what he says about how he characterizes any legitimate question about his outrageous and potentially dangerous behavior to the American People. I think that people are going to do what they do. We dont have unanimity often in our caucus. Thats why were the Democratic Caucus and we take pride in our diversity. And some people will its about timing. Some people will be more enthusiastic about something at some time. I hope some would curb their enthusiasm so we have all of the facts and have confidence that when the American People understand what is there, whether its grounds for impeachment or grounds for disappointment, then theyll know. Reporter any concerns it could undercut democrats politically, the talk of impeachment . No, freedom of speech is never anything that undercuts anything. Deputy attorney general rod rosen stein will being the house tomorrow. Will you be seeking specific commitments or assurances from him and also theres been some concern with a special counsel, maybe comey should not testify publicly. Do you still believe he should testify publicly. I hope that he will testify publicly. Theres also some concerns that perhaps the Justice Department would say were not going to release the comey memos. Eventually theyre going to have to. They might as well know that, right . Youre going to depend it. But i believe members will have questions about the integrity and the independence of this investigation. It is within the trump appointed Justice Department. When we were asking for a special prosecutor, now counsel, we were saying it should be appointed by somebody not appointed by President Trump. The highest ranking nontrump appointed official there. Rosen stein made the appointment. I think he had he came in with a strong reputation. The memo he wrote was bizarre. And now maybe he said ill appoint the prosecutor and were back on track. But it does raise suspicions. They can control the resources that are available. They can control the scope of investigation. And that may be okaying for a special prosecutor because of thats what the law is, but it speaks very eloquently and strongly to the need for an independent outside commission. So well be im sure members will be asking and if they dont, i will, but ill have other opportunities to speak with him. Ill usually allow it to be what the members wants to ask about. The most important thing is what is the independence of this commission. What is the discretion it will be allowed to have. And what is the attitude of Deputy Attorney general in that regard right from the start. Im concerned. Im concerned. Yes, sir. Reporter do you have doubts about director muler . No, not about him. I dont know that he would stand for any of this. But nonetheless, hes a professional. And its about timing and how you deal with things and the rest. No, i have the highest, as i said earlier, the highest regard for him, for his integrity, for his public service, and i think most people do. I think most people do. Okay. Yes,. Reporter the president s nafta letter. Im i. The president s letter on nafta on restarting negotiations. Youve been saying he could have started this on inauguration day. He could have. Is this frivolous what hes doing with nafta or can it result in change. I think its weak. I think its weak. I mean, i have ive said that the president s vague nafta let ser a stark contrast with the aggressive promises he made to hardworking families during the campaign. For all of his rhetoric, President Trump looks to be surely disappointing American Workers on trade. Our trade weve always said our trade ingredients must be judged on how they produce goodpepe checks for hard working americans. But this is like i dont know. Its weak. But right now, my colleagues across where are they . On the other side of this . I didnt know there was another side of this. You know more than i about this capitol. On the other side of this, theres a nafta press conference led by rosa delauro. Im sure youll get some strong views there. Its pretty sad. Look, its a 30yearold agreement practically. Everything needs to be subjected to scrutiny, everything. Every bill we pass and the rest. So important to subject it to scrutiny but not one day im doing it, the next day im not and in the meantime, ill issue this nothing 90day statement which doesnt give that much, doesnt give that much direction. So thank you all very much. The again, theres nothing as exciting than a high school graduation. Its because you know, theyre on to college or jobs or careers or whatever it may be. And theyre so young and optimistic and wonderful. Its pretty exciting. So exciting that im going to have another one in texas this weekend for my grandson. One in arizona, one in texas. Thank you all very much. Congratulations. Yeah, pretty exciting i have to say. How about those borders. Well, i thought you were going to ask me if i saw you earlier in the week when i was here about mothers day and what was the best mothers day present. Of course, the joy of seeing my healthy grandchildren and my five kids, nine grandkids. But i have to say that they were very happy with the turn around in the warriors game. I never had one doubt. We kept emailing each other, texting each other. Just hold on. Theyre going to cut the lead. Our second half is going to be like their first half. Were going to win wasnt it great . Im now going for 12 straight. Were up to ten. Up to 12 straight. Well see. Just accidental but since you asked. Golden state warriors. As theyre playing the cavaliers in the final . I think its going to be a different game. I was there for that game, yeah. That was terrible. About you, but i think its going to be a different story this year. But lets get through, dont underestimate the celtics. Thank you. Thank you. Earlier today, House Speaker paurnl spoke to reporters and took questions. Most of them focused on the appointment of Robert Mueller to be the Justice Departments special counsel overseeing the potential ties of russia and the trump campaign. This is about ten minutes. Good morning, everybody. Good morning. Good morning. Well, this is another busy week as we continue to make progress on our agenda for the American People. Today, the house conti
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