Leaders are not allowing lengthy debate. Later this week theyll take up a bill funding defense related programs, also for energy, water, legislative branch, v. A. , military construction. Votes later. Live coverage now here on cspan. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy let us pray. Lord our god, thank you for giving us another day. As they are returning to the capitol, please be with the members of this peoples house and all their undertakings today. You know them through and through. You know how they relate with one another and know them as the American People do as the 115th congress of the United States. Lord, help them to know you. As ultimate truth, send your spirit upon them that you might find a dwelling place among them so that all your people can place trust in them as leaders as well as their representatives. May all that is done this day be amen. Ur greater glory the speaker pro tempo
Particularly those aimed at dealing with those who sponsor terrorism. We also have sanctions against countries that are violating our International Norms on democratic principles. Russia is top on that list. And im going to ask you questions for the record as to your views on the current sanctions and strengthening sanctions. Bipartisan legislation to strengthen the sanctions, particularly with russias attack against americas democratic election institutions. But i want to make sure i understand. You are committed to enforcing the sanctions against russia. 100 so. And i think the president elect has made it very clear that he would only change those sanctions if he got, quote, a better deal and we got something in return, whether it was on nuclear arms or other areas. But yes, senator. And in response to the question that was asked about using the irs, make sure it was not used for partisan reasons, you will enforce these sanctions without regard to a persons Party Affiliation or offic
Test. Test. Test. Thank you. Senator, if i could just interject, you mean, youll help us modernize the irs . It would be one of my great priorities. That would be a wonderful thing. I hope thats at least a bipartisan issue that we can all agree on. Since the chairman used part of my time, id like to get this question here. H in 2012, i used the International Tax reform act to help fix the tax code and promote u. S. Economic and job growth and that bill would help to right the ship and make more certain so that u. S. Companies are not at a competitive disadvantage with foreign companies. It would give American Companies ens incentives to create jobs in the United States so they can win globally. I would encourage u. S. Companies to develop and keep rights to their ideas and invenges in the United States rather than shift them over offshore. Do you agree it places u. S. Companies at a competitive disadvantage with foreign counterar counterparts and work with me on International Tax refor
Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be the secretary of treasury. And this is yet another nomination on which the majority has walked away, unfortunately, from a 20year bipartisan approach when it comes to the vetting process. In 2009 when tim guide near was guide ner was president obamas nominee, a vetting issue came up and both sides of the finance committee carried the investigation out to its conclusion. But the situation has turned out quite differently this time. There were several properties in the United States and abroad worth a hundred Million Dollars missing from mr. Mnuchins disclosure. He failed to disclose several positions in various firms. He misled the public. He misled the committees about his banks forecloser tactics and he appears to have hidden key data requested by members of this body. Frankly, i dont believe these investigations would have been uncovered at all if not for the work of the minorities investigations team. The majority, however, looked the other way and
Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be the secretary of treasury. And this is yet another nomination on which the majority has walked away, unfortunately, from a 20year bipartisan approach when it comes to the vetting process. In 2009 when tim guide near was guide ner was president obamas nominee, a vetting issue came up and both sides of the finance committee carried the investigation out to its conclusion. But the situation has turned out quite differently this time. There were several properties in the United States and abroad worth a hundred Million Dollars missing from mr. Mnuchins disclosure. He failed to disclose several positions in various firms. He misled the public. He misled the committees about his banks forecloser tactics and he appears to have hidden key data requested by members of this body. Frankly, i dont believe these investigations would have been uncovered at all if not for the work of the minorities investigations team. The majority, however, looked the other way and