More than 30 million people in the United States are affected by rare diseases, many of which are life-threatening conditions without available treatments. On Thursday, Feb. 29 at 2:00 p.m. ET, join Washington Post Live for conversations about the ongoing challenges around rare diseases, the paucity of medical data and the role of citizens in advancing research and solutions.
harper. thanks very much for coming in. congressman harper, first to you. assuming the senate passes this and by all accounts they will, now that mitch mcconnell and harry reid are aboard. if how will you vote, congressman? thanks, wolf. look, i don t think we can flirt around with disaster on the debt ceiling and while this doesn t have anywhere near what i would like to have in it, i will be voting yes because we have a lot of seniors, people that are dependent upon their pensions, other issues that are there. and we are pleased that we re going to have the income verification and the fact that this will go to the budget coniferees to hopefully address some of the real problems of the out of control spending we have seen out of this administration. it does continue, the spending, at least until january at the reduced level, the so-called sequestration level that other republicans wanted
he s a man of great integ receivy. i appreciate his honesty, his demeanor. he s been called all kinds of names in the process by the other side, and he was a gentleman. he kept his cool and he did the right thing. congressman harper? i don t think we could have a better speaker under more difficult circumstances than we have here. he s not in an enviable position, but he s certainly believes in regular order. he stood strong and so i m honored that he would be our speaker. all right, guys. i appreciate both of you joining us. do you have any idea when you re going to have that vote, either one of you? wolf, we would expect now that it would happen after the senate votes, so i would think some time this evening. then you guys get out of town, is that right? we haven t been told that yet, wolf. we ll wait for that. it s not a bad idea. we ll be staying in close touch with both of you. a quick break. more news right after this.
endorsed by aarp, an organization serving the needs of people 50 and over for generations. remember, all medicare supplement insurance plans help cover what medicare doesn t pay. and could save you in out-of-pocket medical costs. call now to request your free decision guide. and learn more about the kinds of plans that will be here for you now and down the road. i have a lifetime of experience. so i know how important that is. the big news from capitol hill here in washington, senate leaders from both parties have reached an agreement to end the government shutdown and raise the nation s debt ceiling only hours before this deadline hits. joining us now, north carolina republican congressman robert pitten jer and mississippi republican congress mann gregg
we have still large unemployment. we have the ability to move the economy along, but it takes a growing economy, it takes one where you have real spending that s in line with what your revenue is. you know, if you take in about $2.5 trillion, $3 trillion and spend $3 trillion, you have a problem. those are all important issues. congressman harper, let me bring you back in. you re going to vote in favor of it, and i m still unclear if congressman harp pitinger is going to vote in favor, but you re at least pleased the u.s. is going to pay all its financial obligations between now and february and that people are not going to have to worry about getting their social security benefits, veterans are not going to have to worry about getting their checks in the mail. and all the other expenditures that are so critically important to your constituents out there, congressman harper, you re not worried about at least between now and january or february, those folks having problems? well,