Particularly good moment to have this discussion. The Brennan Center, for those of you who do not know, is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our broken systems of justice d democrac and we ke t use the tools of advocacy, strategic negotiations to do just that. We work on what we think are very cutting edge issues, such as voting rights, money in politics, ethics, criminal justice reform, racial justice, fair courts, and a host of other issues to, again, do just that, make our democracy and justice systems stronger and more effective for all americans. Please follow the Brennan Center if you dont already on facebook and twitter. Be sure to check out our videos and podcasts on itunes, youtube, and in the multimedia section of brennancenter. Org. And with that said, i am pleased to introduce our moderator for todays program, kimberly atkins, who is the chief washington reporter and columnist for the boston herald. Please join me in welcoming kimberly. [applause]
We are so happy to see you here this afternoon. I am nicole austinhillery, director of the Brennan Center for office. We want to thank our friends here for cohosting this event with us this afternoon and being such a great partner for the Brennan Center for justice. On behalf of the Brennan Center we are pleased you joined us this afternoon for what we know will be an exciting and interesting conversation on president ial ethics law and this is a particularly good moment to have that discussion. The Brennan Center for those who dont know is a nonpartisan policy institute that seeks to improve our broken system of justice and democracy and we like to use the tools of advocacy, research, litigation and Strategic Communication to do just that. We work on what we think are very cutting edge issues like voting rights, money and politics, ethics, criminal justice reform, racial justice, fair courts and a host of other issues to do just that. Make our democracy and Justice System stronger and
Later, we will focus on yesterdays gop event in ames, iowa. Reaction to your comments of donald trump. We will begin with the effort this past week to reduce prison time for nonviolent offenders. Our phone lines are open and we went to hear from you. 202 7488000 if you support the efforts to ease mandatory prison sentences. If you oppose the idea, the number to call is 202 7488001. Finally for those of you that it had experience with the criminal justice system, heres the number to call. 202 7488002. As always you can send us a tweet or join us on social media and facebook or send us an email at journal cspan. Org. Good sunday morning and thank you for being with us. Many of you weighing in on our Facebook Page and the question were asking. These efforts to ease the mandatory prison sentences. The president , the First Time Ever a prison. He did so last thursday just outside of oklahoma city. From our Facebook Page that is this from kylie says cops are one step away from being a milita
To it. For the last several months, we democrats have been united in arguing that not one penny of tax relief should go to the top 1 , that any tax reform plan should be fiscally responsible so as not to put important programs like medicare at risk. Under this plan, the wealthiest americans and wealthiest corporations make out like bandits while middleclass americans are left holding the bag. When donald trump was talking about this plan over the last few days, he talked about focusing on the middle class and not helping the wealthy. The plan is a major disappointment because it so deviates from everything the president said. He hes talking the talk, but this plan shows he is not walking the walk. Just look at the ways this plan is a boon for the wealthy. Corporations have hired lawyers and lobbyists to exploit every single loophole to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. They get their rate cut from 35 all the way to 20 . Now, will this result in hiring workers . The track record s
Next up well hear from the Democratic Leaders in the senate and their reaction to the plan. Well show you what we can until the house gavels in at 3 00. Senator schumer ok. Good afternoon. Yes, it is afternoon. I want to thank our great Ranking Member of the finance committee, senator wyden, for being here with us today. Well, theres a lot to uncap in this outline. Get right to t for the last several months we democrats have been united in arguing that not one penny of tax relief should go to the top 1 . That any tax reform plan should fiscally responsible. Fiscally. So as not to put important programs like medicare at risk. Under this plan, fiscally respo. So as not to put important programs like medicare at risk. Under this plan, the wealthiest americans and wealthiest corporations make out like bandits while middle class americans are left holding the bag. When donald trump was talking about this plan over the last few days, he talked about focusing on the middle class and not helpi