Transcripts For CSPAN Morning Hour 20150224

Signed, john a. Boehner, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore the chair will alternative recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip limited to five minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 1 50 p. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer. Five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. There are a lot of talk of cliffs here in our nations capital. We have fiscal cliffs that we faced with the debt ceiling. There was the sequestration cliff. We had obviously the cliff surrounding the government shutdown. This week we face a Homeland Security cliff. Where because our republican friends have been unable to Reach Agreement and they have held hostage the budget of the department of Homeland Security, we face a situation where well either shut down those operations or hopefully people will come to their senses and take action. But again, its government by cliff. We are facing in march the s. G. R. Cliff that if government doesnt move forward to deal with the meetingful solution to the Sustainable Growth rate, we are going to see a grammatic reduction in government reimbursement under medicare to providers. And looming in the background something that we talked about last summer because congress refused to deal meaningfully with Transportation Funding. There will be another cliff may 31 as the Transportation Fund loses its ability to fund. Already there are programs around the country in local and State Government that are trying to factor in reduction of important construction work that they arent certain they can do this summer. Well, we are putting in the background another cliff. Its one that will not probably get the attention that it deserves, but one that deserves people to focus on the impact on 11 million of our most vulnerable citizens. Over the course of the years, there have been opportunities within the trust fund that funds retirement and disability that are basically for most people they are synonymous. They are paid by the same tax on our earnings and that our employers pay, but they have been segregated into two accounts. One dealing with disability. One dealing with retirement. Over the history of these two programs they have spent at different rates. 11 times in the past under republican and democratic president s alike, congress has moved to shift money from one trust fund to another to be able to even it out. And not run out of the ability to pay benefits. The last adjustment was made in 1994, but the disability was only adjusted for about 20 years. At the time it was understood that there would be a need for more action dealing with disability because of a very fundamental demographic change. We have a lot more women in the work force, and the babyboom generation is moving into the years in their careers where they are more prone to disability claims. And sure enough, that projection is right. Around december of next year, we will no longer be able to pay full disability payments unless there is an adjustment. Well, the fix that has been done over the years, 11 times, on a bipartisan basis, is made infinitely more difficult because of a rule change that our friends in the republican side have adopted for this congress. Under what they have approved, it will be impossible to make that simple adjustment that we have done time and time again. If a Single Member of the house of representatives objects this is setting up an artificial crisis. There is a need to adjust funding for both Social Security and for disability because combined about 2023 or 2024 34,er rather, they will not be able to pay out full benefits. Thats why its important for congress to be able to step forward and deal with it meaningfully. But its not something we do in a crisis, and its not something that should be done picking out the one area of the 11 million citizens that rely on these for disability payments. It should be done thoughtfully and carefully. If people are concerned about fraud and misuse, i would suggest that my republican friends look at what they did in the budget process where over the last three years they have cut 7 out of the budget for Social Security administration that could have gone to deal with enforcement. That could have gone to deal with fraud and abuse. That could have gone to make sure that the program is operating properly. Instead, we have set up a crisis to try and force reductions in benefits for some of our most vulnerable. I think its not the way we should go. We shouldnt be having government by cliff, but we also ought to be dealing with it in a thoughtful and reasonable fashion to make the adjustments that make it sustainable. And in the meantime, the Republican Leadership ought to waive that rule like they routinely do for things that they care about like passing billions of dollars of unfunded tax cuts to be able to allow the rebalancing to occur and the decisionmaking to be made in a thoughtful and reasonable fashion. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Poe, for five minutes. Mr. Poe this week we learned three British School girls between the ages of 15 and 16 left their families and have gone to fight with isis in syria. How were they recruited to join . Apparently through social media. They are not alone. Terrorists have used twittory radicalize thousands twitter to radicalize thousands of young minds around the world and recruit new jihadists. They have also used it to fundraise millions of dollars for their reign of terror. They use twitter to broadcast its propaganda to the world. On february 3 isis tweet add video of its evil horrific burning of a captured jordanian pilot. Last august when isis release add gruesome beheading of american journalist james foley, it did so on yes, twitter. There are many more examples. Now, all of these groups, isis, aqap, aqin are officially listed as foreign designated terrorist organizations by our government. Federal law prohibits giving aid or helping a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. These f. T. O. s use twitter, an american company, as a tool and no one is stopping them. Why are American Companies and the u. S. Government allowing social media platforms to be hydrogened tsh it hijacked by terrorists. Some suggest if the government shut down social media accounts, such would be violating terrorist free speech rights. They are wrong. There are no constitutional protections to those who insight who incite violence. No one sports the bill of rights more than i do, but free speech has limitations, just as there are no constitutional protections for child pornography. Terrorists should have not access to american controlled social media platform so they can kill, rape, pillage, and burn. Theres precedent for this position. The Supreme Court has already ruled and held in the case of holder vs. Humanitarian law project that if someone has aided a foreign terrorist designated organization, they do not have constitutional protections of free speech. Twitter has argued that the feds do not want the terrorist accounts twitter accounts taken down because the feds want to track the bad guys. However keeping these twitter accounts up has neither stopped nor slowed terrorist regrumet propaganda, cause for violence, and their fundraising efforts. Instead allowing the terrorists to continue using twitter has helped radicalize hundreds of foreign fighters and raised for them millions of dollars. The sad reality is that today there are more terrorists using social media than ever before. Private American Companies should not be operating as the propaganda mouthpiece of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Mr. Speaker, during world war ii we would have never have allowed americas foreign enemies to take out ads in the New York Times recruiting americans to join the nazis, go ahead, and fight and kill americans. But today it is no different. Social Media Companies need to do more. Private companies not only have a public responsibility but a legal obligation to be proactive. Heres what section 219 of the immigration and nationality act says. That it is unlawful to he provide a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization like isis with Material Support or resources, including property, tangible or intangible or services. Thats about as comprehensive as you can get. You dont need to be a Law School Professor to understand this law actually applies to twitter. Its mindboggling to think those who behead and burn others alive are able to use their own companies against us to further their cause. This is nutty. But that is exactly what is occurring. As a result, there are more than 15,000 foreign fighters, many of whom have been radicalized on line, now fighting in iraq and syria. This is more than there were in the 14 years of war in afghanistan. Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations should not be allowed to use private American Companies to reach billions of people with their violent hate propaganda and recruitment. Its time to put a stop to this. Its time for twitter to take down terrorist accounts. And thats just the way it is. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Hoyer i appreciate what the gentleman has just said. But, mr. Speaker those challenges and threats and undermining of our National Security are at risk this week by our own hand. That is the congress of the United States. The department of Homeland Security is not funded. There are 230,000 people who work at that department. 30,000 of them will be laid off. Mostly administrative personnel. The others known as critically important essential employees on the frontline will work but they wont get paid. We can lament what others have done to undermine our National Security. And share, i think in a bipartisan way, the conclusion that we ought not to further those enterprises. But as i said mr. Speaker, by our own hand we are about to shut down the department of Homeland Security. And we have but four days to pass a bill continuing its funding. I will say with all due respect, mr. Speaker, to my friends on the other side of the aisle, shutting down government is a strategy they have employed on a number of occasions. 1995, we shut it down twice for almost a month. Maybe a little longer. Just a few months ago we shut it down again, as a strategy not as a happenchance, but as a strategy. And again, mr. Speaker, there are those who are saying in this house well, it wont matter we shut down the department of Homeland Security. Some of the folks are funded on fees others will be required to work anyway, so lets just keep playing this russian roulette. With americas security and the safety of americans. Mr. Speaker, we are approaching the 11th hour and the house has not yet been given the opportunity to vote on a bill that essentially was agreed to by the republican Appropriations Committee. And we essentially passed it and we passed it for a short period of time. There was no debate on funding levels, mr. Speaker. There was no debate on whether this provision and that provision should or should not be in the bill. We passed it. And then the republicans, mr. Speaker, to accomplish another objective have done what then the republicans they said in the pledge to america they would not do. And that is put two different issues in the same bill. Well, they put a poison pill in this bill. And if we fail to act and send the president a bill he canned will sign, a bill free from partisan policy riders then thousands of our Homeland Security agents will be furloughed and almost, as i said 200,000 others will be forced to work without pay. Is that what americas come to . Surely not. The impact of our on our Border Security Law Enforcement Homeland Security will be serious and make our country more vulnerable to threats. I came to the rostrum after a gentleman on the other side of the aisle correctly expressed concerns about the threats that confront us. I would hope he would join me in advocating and urging the Republican Leadership to bring to the floor a clean and by clean i simply mean a bill on which both parties have essentially agreed. Chairman mike mccaul, the republican who leads the House Committee on Homeland Security said yesterday mr. Speaker this is the republican chairman of the Homeland Security committee, and i quote, i fully believe we should not be playing politics with the National Security agency like the department of Homeland Security. Particularly given the high threat environment that were in right now. What american would say makes sense to play politics with Homeland Security in light of what the gentleman has just referenced and which all of us know to be the case . We have people who want to harm us as a people and as a nation. And mr. Speaker, this body has the responsibility to the American People to do everything we can to make them as secure as we can and to make our country as secure as we can. Senator lindsey graham, with whom i served in this body, who now represents South Carolina and is a republican member of the senate and an expert on National Security, he told his republican colleagues this and again i quote, the worst possible outcome for this nation is to defund the department of Homeland Security given the multiple threats we face to our homeland, and i will not be part of it. None of us ought to be part of it. 435 of us ought to vote to fund the Homeland Security department starting on friday. I urge the republican majority to heed this advice of mr. Mccaul of mr. Graham and frankly countless other republicans in the senate and some in the house to do the responsible thing and let this house work its will on the single subject of our National Security. If a clean Homeland Security appropriation bill were to come to the floor, i am confident and i tell my friend, the majority leader, mr. Speaker every democrat will vote for it. Were 188 strong. Surely there are 30 responsible republicans who care more about our National Security than their politics who would join us in voting for that bill. Im confident of that. Many more, i think than 30, but at least 30 would be needed with 188 to get to the 218. And we would fund the department of Homeland Security and we could do it tomorrow. We could probably do it today by unanimous consent. Well, no, i dont think we could do it by unanimous consent because theres some that continue to play politics with our National Security. If the majority is dissatisfied with our immigration policy which they articulate and legitimately can have an alternative view to express and try to enact, thats the democratic process is. Offer a bill to change that which they do not like. Not hold hostage the department of Homeland Security until the hopefully from their standpoint, the president is bludgeoned into signing a bill that he does not agree with and he does not believe is good for our country and believes is bad for our economy. If the majority is dissatisfied, bring a bill to the floor. Former Homeland Security secretary tom ridge, also a republican, with whom ive served when he was a representative from pennsylvania, subsequently the governor of pennsylvania and then our first secretary of Homeland Security, i want to quote him as well as i quoted the other two republicans that ive quoted. Political policy excuse me political folly and bad policy. Thats tom ridge, former republican governor and said i believe the political repercussions could be severe and on top of that, the men and women of the Homeland Security deserve better. Who wants to work for an employer that simply takes them hostage every few months and says to them, you may or may not get paid, you may or may not be able to come to work, you may or may not be able to do their job . It depends upon whether or not our political ends are to be served. I urge my Republican Leaders to keep their pledge to the American People to consider issues one at a time. Bring a comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. If you dont like what the president s done bring a bill that changes that. We have the power to do that. Do it. We can work on a bipartisan way to change our immigration policies through legislation and fix what everybody in this body believes is a broken system. Bring a clean appropriation bill to the floor to fund the department of Homeland Security and then as well bring a bill to the floor on a comprehensive Immigration Reform or the bill that our republican friends think is the appropriate bill to fix a broken system and well vote and debate on that. But let the department of Homeland Security do its job for america, for americans, lets exercise responsible adult legislating this time. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from florida, mr. Jolly, is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Jolly thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor an Exceptional Group of young men in Pinellas County florida, the honor guard in largo. Last week i had the pleasure of visiting with 21 young men who recognize the importance of respect, discipline, commitment and speaking out against bullying. These are remarkable young men in third fourth and fifth grade. The Honor Guard Program was started by the former principal, a teacher and her husband and they continue to lead the program today under the leadership of the principal dr. Kathy bentley. The purpose of the honor guard is to have tructure, leadership in youngsters who might face academic or behavioral challenges. Each student signs the honor guard pledge which reads as a fugit Honor Guard Member im a student leader of this school. As a member i promise to be truthful respectful and hardworking. Ill act like an honorable gentleman and respect and honor the flag of the United States of america. I understand my success is my nations success. Each day the honor guard opens the school with a presentation of colors and the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Speaker, the young men committed to this program represent future leaders in Pinellas County and our nation and they deserve the recognition and encouragement of this body. Im honored to recognize fugit Honor Guard Members today. In third grade, romeo greeng greene, blake logan, troy mason, george mercado, mike and bryce. In fourth grade dominick, johnny j. A. Matthew and tyreke. And in fifth grade john, anthony, william, william, steven and andre. Today, these young men serve as role models to the rest of fugit Elementary School and are held to a High Standard both academically and behaviorally. I rise today to recognize their efforts and commend the leadership of fugit who are committed to the leadership of growing these men into future leaders. Id like to recite their poem. Its a fitting tribute from 21 young men to the exceptionalism of our nation. We are the beacon of light, the hope of man kinde, that shining city on a hill, the most beautiful the most bountiful, the most generous people in the world, the country that has birth the great titans of science and industry, the country that put a man on the moon, the country that has liberated millions from the clutches of evil the home of the brave, the Great Republic the United States of america. I thank the fugit honor guard for serving as an inspiration of so many, including to this member of congress. May god bless each of them and their families and may god bless these United States. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california, ms. Roybalallard. Ms. Roybalallard i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Roybalallard mr. Speaker, in december of 2014, as leveraged against the president S Immigration executive order, the Republican Leadership irresponsibly decided to hold hostage the 2015 funding for the department of Homeland Security. We are now 147 days in fiscal year 2015, just four days away from february 28 when the continuing resolution currently funding the department will expire. The serious consequence of inaction by the Republican Leadership is that it will leave the Department Without the funds needed to effectively fulfill its mission of protecting our homeland. It is unbelievable that given the urgency of our National Security House Republicans continue failing to put forward a realistic plan to fund the department of Homeland Security. Mistakenly, some republicans believe the department is doing just fine under the continuing resolution. Some even say its ok to let d. H. S. Funding expire. Other republicans suggest the preliminary Texas District Court injunction which blocks implementation of the president s executive actions on immigration is reason enough to continue holding hostage the funding for Homeland Security. These are dangerously wrong conclusions. Secretary johnson and agency heads have warned that if the c. R. Is allowed to expire, National Security operations will be disrupted and essential personnel will be required to work without pay. They also warn passing another c. R. Will not address the uncertainty of being able to meet our longterm National Security needs. Our National Security cannot wait for the unrelated issue of the president s executive actions on immigration to work its way through the judicial process, which at best is likely to take several months. By contrast democrats have a responsible solution. Two weeks ago, Appropriations Committee Ranking Member nita lowey, and i introduced h. R. 861. It is a clean appropriations bill that funds the department of Homeland Security for the remainder of fiscal year 2015. It is not a democratic bill. If it were it would more closely reflect democratic priorities. Rather h. R. 861 contains the precise language of a november 2014 bipartisan bill negotiated in good faith by chairs and Ranking Members of the housesenate Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee. This is the bill that was intended to be part of the 2015 omnibus legislation that funded the rest of the federal government. It is the bill that will enable the department of Homeland Security to address our nations current and most pressing security needs. I am pleased that h. R. 861 is cosponsored by every democrat in the house and we urge our republican colleagues to join us. This bipartisan bicameral bill will pass the house, pass the senate and be signed into law by the president. All it needs is for the Republican Leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Surely our nation need not experience attacks like those in paris and copenhagen before we show our resolve to fund our department of Homeland Security. Let us not wait around and hope Senate Republicans do the responsible thing. House republicans should lead by bringing h. R. 861 for a vote and making it clear to the American People that our nations security takes priority over political and unrelated policy debates. Failure to do so and letting funding for Homeland Security to expire or taking the easy way out by kicking a viable solution down the road with a continuing resolution represents a failed your in fulfilling our most basic responsibility as members of congress to protect the American People and our country from harm. Lets pass h. R. 861 today. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina ms. Foxx, for five minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. Today i rise to recognize a Pioneering School in wilkes bear, North Carolina. Established in 2009, Wilkes Early College high school is a partnership between Wilkes County schools and Wilkes Community college. The School Provides a Small Learning Community of students the opportunity to earn both a High School Diploma and an associate degree. It is a fiveyear school which enrolls approximately 60 ninth graders each year and located on the campus of Wilkes Community college where students are enrolled in both honors level, high school classes, and college courses. The mission of Wilkes Early College high school is to provide a Personalized Program of study that will empower students to be Lifelong Community oriented learners who possess the technical and leadership skills needed for personal and professional success in a global community. The 40 annual fee which covers textbooks and enrollment, is an extremely affordable way to help students reach their education goals. Especially when you consider that the average tuition and fees was 2,305 for a public twoyear institution in North Carolina this year, and ,677 for ,677 for a public fouryear institution and those costs have increased 30 over the last five years. Many of the students who attend Wilkes Early College high school are the first in their family to attain college. As a result, principal stocks and his staff are working hard to outline expectations and guide students through the process of applying to a fouryear institution. Seminar classes are provided to assist students with Understanding College expectations, the application process, and financial aid. Last year, 21 students earned their associate degree in the schools First Official graduating class, and 20 students are expected to earn their degree this year. Wilkes Early College high School Provides an advanced educational experience that equips students for success in college, career, and life. America needs more of this type of innovative learning. I yield back, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from hawaii, mr. Takai. Mr. Takai i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Takai aloha, mr. Speaker. Today marks four days until the department of Homeland Security runs out of money. We all had the opportunity for the first time this session to go back home last week for our district workweek and i had an opportunity to speak about this particular issue at the Honolulu International airport, where many of our d. H. S. Officials and employees are very concerned about this lapse of funding. Although some d. H. S. Employees would continue to work in the event of a shut down, they would be forced to work and forced to do so without pay. Creating a significant distraction and dealing a significant blow to morale. Every single House Democrat has cosponsored clean legislation to fund d. H. S. And it is clear that there are sufficient amount of votes to pass this bill now. Keeping americas family safe is the first responsibility and priority of this congress. We need to put aside the political gridlock that has plagued this house for too long and fund d. H. S. Now. An impasse in funding would close down the bulk of d. H. S. s management and support of Homeland Security infrastructure that was built following the 9 11 terrorist attacks. Essential funding for the department of Homeland Security is no place for grandstanding against Immigration Reform that strengthens our economy and our country. Lets remember it was the inability of this house to act on the senates comprehensive Immigration Reform bill that forced the president to take executive actions on immigration in the first place. I came to congress telling my constituents that i do not support government shut downs, federal furloughs or sequestration. And now some in this body think that to fix this with further inaction and further furloughs and government shut downs. I think not. Lets pass a clean bill. I yield back, mr. Speaker. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Denham, for five minutes. Mr. Denham madam speaker i rise today to acknowledge and honor the life of a beloved Community Leader and friend from Victor Valley College. Willie davis, also known as big will, was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and coach. He died at the age of 62 on tuesday, january 6 of this year. Willie began his career at Victor Valley College where he worked for 33 years. He was an active member of his community advocated for students, the disabled, and the disadvantaged. While there, willie also met a woman and cowork which later became his wife mary. He was a member of the victor valley Elementary School board for 16 years. He assisted the disabled through Job Opportunities and benefits served on the truancy board, and a member of the city of victorville Advisory Board and planning commission. He also served as a member of the committee for the victor valley federal credit union. And was currently serving as president of the board of directors for a charter school. For many years, willie would help serve meals to the homeless, with the salvation army. And recently he was recognized by the Los Angeles County alliance the california alliance, and National Alliance of black School Educators for his service as a school board member. In 2009, Victor Valley College presented him with a distinguished service award. Willie was a lot more to that than many of us students. The 33 years he spent there, he was a friend, he was a mentor, he would talk to you as you walked through the campus. He would recognize if you werent in class that day. Many times he would seek you out in the community to make sure that you were staying out of trouble. This mentor meant so much to so many of us that hes going to be sorely missed. In december Victor Valley College officials hosted a dedication ceremony in honor of the 33year college employee. Naming the colleges athletic training room after him. He served as the rams head football coach and Athletic Director and later became director of Student Services before retiring. He gave a lot of advice to many of us. Encouraging us to seek out other opportunities. For me i became student body president , and we had many other Football Players that followed in this same footsteps at willies request. He kept us busy. He mentored us. He got us involved and engaged. Madam speaker, please join me in honoring and recognizing Willie Davis Pringle for his unwavering leadership and many contributions. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia, mr. Beyer, for five minutes. Mr. Beyer i ask unanimous consent to address the house. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Beyer madam speaker, in he three short days absent congressional action, funding for the department of Homeland Security will lapse. The department will be forced to shut down. Should this be allowed, the vast majority of d. H. S. Work force will be required to work without pay until Funding Agreement is reached. The remainder, more than 30,000 dedicated individuals will be furloughed with no guarantee of back pay. Congress must act immediately to enact legislation that would fully fund the department and allow these men and women who live and work in every district in every state, to continue to carry out the critical message of keeping our nation healthy safe, and strong. But in the absence of such action with time running dangerously short d. H. S. Employees at the very least must be assured that there is an agreement in congress that they will receive their full pay in a fair and timely mapper. That is why i manner. That is why i along with my friend and colleague, mr. Whitman of virginia, introduced the d. H. S. Employee retroactive pay fairness act. This bipartisan proposal ensures all federal d. H. S. Employees receive retroactive pay for the duration of any shutdown regardless of furlough status. Madam speaker, as we wait for congress to do its job, we should not stop the men and women of d. H. S. From doing theirs. We must guarantee they receive pay and that they not become Collateral Damage of congress refusal to reach an agreement. Madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Walker. Mr. Walker unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. Revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Walker madam speaker, traveling throughout the district this past week people shared with me their frustration at the ambiguous language from this administration in describing the evils of radical islamist terrorism. Though i greatly respect the office of the president , i too, have grown weary at the timidity. While other World Leaders have come to the forefront, our president continues to be defensive at best. At first glance, the silence appears to be passive or poor leadership, but im inclined to believe that the president s posture is not one of weakness but rather an intentional directive in both rhetoric and action. It apierce his promise to take our country in a fundamentally new direction is being played out in real time. Instead of defending our liberty and our way of life, which is the most charitable in the world, our president seems to scoff at the belief that our country has been uniquely blessed by god. I would be remiss today if i did not pause and remember our egyptian Christian Brothers in the recent barbaric attacks in libya. Isis murdered innocent husbands and fathers who clearly died for their faith and their beliefs. Just this morning, we hear further reports out of syria that Islamic State militants have abducted dozens of christians, including women and children. Weeks prior the president chastised the Christian Community for getting on their judgmental high horses. Yet in describing our martyred brothers from egypt, the president refused to even utter the word christian. The undermining of our beliefs has become an issue with this president. This very week we face a constitutional crisis that was created solely by this administration. House republicans have passed legislation to fully fund the department of Homeland Security. Yet this president is now asking me and my colleagues to do something that for six years he said was outside the law on more than 20 occasions. Throughout history, strong leaders have exhibited strength in times of crises. Recently tony blair met with a few of us and gave a great speech on the concerns and the ills of extreme terrorism. He said this, and i havent forgotten, he said america, its not your job to be loved. Its your job to lead. Today, i beseech the president to lead by clearly defining this expanded extremism that is isis, al qaeda boko haram, al shabeeb, and other radical islamic fundamentalist. Wheres the outrage . There are times when riding the high horse of justice is our only option. The American People are demanding strength. It is time to speak out. Defend our inailentable rights of liberty and life, be courageous, be a leader, mr. President. The world is watching. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the the gentlewoman from new york, ms. Stefanik, for five minutes. Ms. Stefanik thank you, madam speaker. Do you believe in miracles . These were the iconic words uttered by legendary sportscaster al michaels, with just three seconds left in the historic match between team u. S. A. And the soviet National Hockey teams in the 1980 Winter Olympics in lake placid. With the eyes of the world on the lake placid games, through shear grit and determination, an amateur team u. S. A. Proudly did what many thought would be impossible by defeating the favored soviet team. This event was more than an ordinary hockey game and for many it was one more proud reminder of what a determined and United America can accomplish. I grew up hearing this story firsthand from my dad who was in lake placid with his best friend doug, when the Underdog Team u. S. A. Won and the crowds erupted in cheers. It was an aweinspiring moment for our entire country and the world. Our community in lake placid and the North Country still celebrates this incredible occasion. This past weekend, lake placid was proud to host a reunion celebrating the 35th anniversary of this game and hosting the players from the 1980 team u. S. A. Mens hockey team. Our North Country community is proud to be a home for this historic and inspiring event and i am proud to stand on the house floor today to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the miracle on ice. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. G. T. Thompson for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker soon the house of representatives is expected to vote on h. R. 5 the Student Success act. H. R. 5 represents a long overdue rewrite of the current no child left behind with new policies that aim to ensure that every student in this country have access to a quality public education. For years, our federal education policy has been failing our nations students. The statistics do not lie. Today, only 38 of seniors in high school can read at grade level and just 26 are proficient in math. While i do not believe that any member can be in total agreement with every aspect of the proposed bill, its important to recognize the underlying goal of reducing the federal governments role in education while empowering states and especially local School Districts with discretion over academic standards and testing. While truly wellintentioned, the current law places on due pressures on young lerners and has turned hard latin americanners and has turned hard workers into test proctors. This is not ensuring our children receive a quality education nor is it fair to our children who are receiving a wellrounded education but memorizing answers to specific test questions. It has become overwhelmingly clear that the washington bureaucrats dont know how to educate our children, but i can assure you that parents, administrators and local School Boards understand what is best for their children and its time for our federal government to take a backseat and give power over education back to the states, the true laboratories of innovation. Mr. Speaker, were not going to agree upon every issue when it comes to education. However, now is the time to act. Our children deserve as much. And our nations future depends on it. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until 2 00 p. M. Today. The house will consider three bills adding Computer Science to stem education. Consolidating f. C. C. Reporting quirments. Requirement. For more on that plan and we are joined by the scene of belly Christina Helen tony. Guest good morning. Host what was decided last night. Guest it is very procedural but its just standalone bill that its the president separate from the funding for department of Homeland Security. Basically, Mitch Mcconnell said this removes the excuse blaming democrats for blocking the spill. This was bound to happen in the last hour. In the final moments, he was testing a lot of republicans during to shift their tone a little bit perhaps the court ruling that blocks the immigration actions temporarily might give them a pass in the standoff. Host that is the headline on the Washington Post story. Who are the members of the senate that are seeing the exit ramp here for this funding battle . Guest they are being very careful to sort of tiptoe around it, because nobody wants to say hey, we want to let the president have a pass. They understand this is a popular issue with a lot of the Republican Base and they want to see the president held accountable for it. At the same time, no one wants to shut the government down. Even though, of course, they were able to win control of the senate last fall, that is still not the best strategy. Republicans like kelly ayotte are up for reelection in 2016. That is traditionally ace swings date. Democrats would love to we two win that state back. You heard from senator ron johnson from wisconsin another vulnerable republican of in 2016, moderating his challenge. Mark kirk did not vote last night. Hes probably the most honorable republican most vulnerable republican in the 2016 elections. Republicans came in and said they wanted to govern. They spent a lot of time on this issue and i think everyone is really eager to move past it. And another big fight they are having is this keystone authorization. Its finally on the president s desk and you will have your first veto probably. Host the keystone legislation the subject of an opinion piece in usa today today this morning. Usa today this morning. But going back to the vote, failing 13 those shy of what was needed. One other option being talked about, that your reporters talked about in their story on this was changing the filibuster rules in the senate. How much of a realistic option is that . Guest you are hearing from republicans like Richard Shelby talk about this. You are seeing a lot of House Republicans saying there ought to be away for you to have less than 60 votes to move legislation that is budget related or president ial nomination. This is something Mitch Mcconnell has given a lot of thought to. When harry reid invoke this option more than a year ago there were a lot of warnings you know, if a look and swing that the senate, they can turn this around on you. There are so many people who are perhaps lovers of procedures, maybe that is too strong a word. They are tied to logistics. There are people who are deeply emotionally tied to the way the filibuster works. There will be resistance to change from both parties no matter which way do decide to go. Host and the timing on capitol hill, the standalone vote that Mitch Mcconnell was talking about on just executive action when is that expected . And do we know if there is a can a clean funding bill on dhs asked that . Guest that is my strong prediction, that there would be a clean funding bill. It would be a wednesday vote with the house with the timing in the senate. But we are also hearing in the house, Speaker John Boehner it has been pretty clear that he blames democrats. But he will have choices as well. Probably the house is realizing its time to move past this and if they can split it into these two votes, that might satisfy they conservative base that conservative base. And they could move on to things that could work for them, like the keystone fight, or more economic issues. Host christina b Senate Republicans and democrats are meeting right now to discuss how they want to handle the Homeland Security Department Spending bill. Well watch to see what happens. Well let you know when we find out. In the meantime, house Speaker John Boehner is not talking about the spending showdown. Hes commenting today about the keystone x. L. Pipeline, the bill to authorize the pipeline goes to the president today. In his tweet, Speaker Boehner is encouraging supporters to retweet to tell the president to sign the keystone x. L. Jobs bill. President obama has said he will veto the measure. Other news, this afternoon Robert Mcdonald held a briefing with reporters responding to his blame to served in the special forces during his time in the military. That was found to be untrue. Hes holding that briefing at 3 00 p. M. Eastern today. C. Span will have coverage. Cspan will have coverage. John kerry goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this afternoon. Will be explaining the state departments budget request for the next year. The plan includes 50 billion for state and for the u. S. International development agency. Cspan3 will have live coverage of that starting at 2 30 eastern. Also the f. C. C. Meets tomorrow, it will be thursday to consider net neutrality. The chairman is recommending regulating the internet like a utility. Cspan3 will have live coverage of that discussion and possible vote. That will be thursday morning starting at 9 30 eastern. This sunday on q a, Baltimore Police commissioner anthony bat on the challenges policing the city. It was very clear to me i still had an issue with public trust and people believing things that were said. And regardless of the fact that i stand in front like i did for you today and say use of force is down 46 that complaints are down 53 , lawsuits are down, that officer involved shootings are dramatically down and we are moving a in all the positive ways, people in communities say we dont believe it. Sunday night at 8 00 eastern and pacific on cspans q a. N. S. A. Director mike rogers and assistant attorney general john carlin spoke to a sishe security conference monday. They also featured syrian cybersecurity specialist and a look at consumer issues. The new America Foundation hosted the conference. Its about an hour. Thanks so much, everybody. Thank you, admiral. Appreciate the privilege, pleasure torques have the time to grill you in front of so many people. We have the thank you, benefit today of some news which i know you love to talk about. Story on the front page of the New York Times about iran and iran finding out in advance about discovering a u. S. Effort to continue to attack its system. And then responding with its own retaliation beginning in august of 2012, including the attacks on u. S. Banks. First question i would ask is how much of a how much alarm to you that iran was able to discover this . My first comment, i honestly have not read what we are talking about. Im not in a good position. Let me summarize for you. Its an n. S. A. Document. Assuming its true, you can also say you have no knowledge of it. But the document saying it was written by your predecessor but saying that iran discovered a program by the u. S. Following the a couple years later to infiltrate the computer networks. It in part in response to that u. S. Effort that iran then carried out its own waive of retaliatory attacks, three ways of attacks beginning in august of 2012, including targets at the u. S. Banking system. First question, does that sound accurate to you . Again, i dont want to comment if i havent seen the specifics in broad reference if you want to have a broader discussion. Do the actions that nation states take in cyber certainly, understand that. The United States like many nations around the world clearly we have capabilities in cyber. The key for us is tone sure they are employed in a very lawful, very formulated, very regimented manner. I think you saw that in the president s direction to us in terms of ptd28. In which he laid out about a year ago in the conduct of intelligence heres the specific framework you use. These are the principles i want you to be mindful of. This is the legal kind of basis that will continue. Thats all that remains. Approach it differently and more general terms. The point this story raises, and well separate ourselves from the specifics. Is a dange theyre a number have mentioned, including your sefment the idea of making cyberattacks more costly in order to deter them. The the follow on them, if you carry out your own attacks, are you starting a vicious cycle of attack and retaliation and do we see that with for instance, a country such as iran . And that of course goes back even further. Well, escalation is not something that meets to the domain of cyber. True. So just as we