Libby is standing by live with us. As always, we have to take a back seat. So tell us, this was interesting because it is a bipartisan measure. Thats right. It was crafted by the chairman of the house and sinate Veterans Affairs committees. They were able to Work Together and get past the fighting over just how much this would cost. And in addition to providing for more doctors, nurses and new leases on facilities, it will also do something republicans were pushing for. Which is let veterans go outside the v. A. System if they live 40 miles away from a center or if have had to wait more than two weeks to get an appointment. Del, you will remember that is what started this scandal about four months ago when it was revealed that veterans facilities, including one in phoenix arizona were waiting for months to get appointments. Into this is one of those situations in washington where both sides of the aisle were equally outraged as both have a lot of military members in their voting repres
I also want to say a big thanks to americas new secretary of veterans affairs, Bob Mcdonnell who is here. Stand up, bob. [applause] as some of you may know, bob head of one of the biggest, most Successful Companies in the world. But he also was a west point grad, also a ranger who served valiantly on behalf of his country. And this is a labor of love for him, and he is hit the ground running. Hes heading out to the hospitals and clinics around the country, starting with phoenix tomorrow. So thank you, bob, for accepting this charge and this challenge, making sure that were doing right by our veterans. I know youre going to do a great job. Really proud of him. [applause] i want to thank all the members of congress who are here today, and i specia especially o thank those who led the fight to get bob and the va more of the resources and flexibility that they need to make sure every veteran has access to the care and benefits that theyve earned. Senator bernie sanders. Senator richard bur
In iraq. The u. S. Supreme court handed down two top decisions on the final day of its session. High court has ruled today, that Certain Companies can refuse to pay with certain types of contraception. Both in their churches and outside their chimps. Clumps. Churches. To deny their employees federally mandated benefits. Lisa stark is in washington for us and lisa this is something of a blow to the president s Signature Health care law. Tell us about the ruling. This was perhaps the most closely watched case of the session, tony. It broke down under ideological lines. Some companies can opt out and object to the religious mandate. Hobby lobby owns Something Like 500 Crafts Stores around the country and has 13,000 employees. The Company Owners say their, beliefs would not allow them to cover plan b which this their view is like having an abortion. The court did find that closely Held Companies like this can claim a religious exemption from the Obamacare Mandate on contraceptives. Laurie
I know. Were expecting big ideas out of aspen from you folks today and, i mean, if nothing else, the view is spectacular as we always know this time of year. Yes, i am Bill Griffeth here at cnbc headquarters, where we are watching a final hour of trade not only for this day, for the, month for the quarter, for the first half of this year on wall street, and kelly, as we know, the markets have continued to move higher. This will be the fifth consecutive month where the dow and the s p have moved higher. And by the way, eighth consecutive quarter for russell 2000. I believe thats unprecedenunpr. Well follow these markets here. Well hear shortly from the president as well. Lets tally up the gains this year, take a look at our lineup of heavy hitters as well including David Rubenstein, former treasury secretary Larry Summers. Thats all from aspen. Later on the program, john calmo joining us. Could you want anybody else . Well, yes, were awaiting the president. He is about to make a stateme
Forces are active inside Eastern Ukraine and russian financing is very active inside Eastern Ukraine. Thank you all. President obama is going to announce his pick to head the Veterans Affairs department, replacing eric shinseki, who resigned last month. Will be Robert Mcdonald, a former executive at Procter Gamble. We will be live here on cspan with the announcement expected in about a half an hour from now at 4 30 eastern. Burnish Prime Minister David Cameron reported to the house of commons today about his meetings last week with European Union leaders. The eu is set to elect its next resident of the commission in july. They have decided to nominate a person Prime Minister cameron have has opposed. This is about one hour. We will show you as much as much as we can before the president s announcement. I would like to make a statement on the European Council. Let me briefly report back on two other points. First, the council began in april with a moving ceremony to mark the 100th anniv