Our moderators, jim broudy and margery eagan. At evening and welcome to our audience here at wgbh and those watching at home for the first debate in the senate race being closely watched, not just here but all across the country. With the incumbent serving about the house of the senate the challenges for seven years under his belt and the house [inaudible] they will weigh their differences and their worldviews and ask for the rules there are no rules. The opening statements, no closings, no time limits although we will be keeping track of speaking time to keep things relatively even and we want to cover a lot of ground so brevity is appreciated. The free to talk to each other as well. In fact, we encourage it, gentlemen paid since we asked our studio audience not to applaud during the debate we want to take a moment to give senator ed markey and congressman joe kennedy a hand. [applause] gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us tonight. Marjorie, it is all yours. Some of markeys sup
Im chairman kilmer. Im excited to be here the first day of the new year. We had an incredibly productive last year with 45 recommendations to make congress more effective and officiate so it can better serve the American People. Im proud of what we accomplished as a committee so far and equally proud how we accomplished our Work Together. Every member of this committee has been fully engaged in the committees work and taken realtime to think about the issues in our mandate and their own perspectives and really listen and consider their colleagues perspective. This committee has worked because theyre finding Collaborative Solutions to the challenges this institution faces. The key word here is invested. Whether were talking about businesses or organizations or governments depend on people invested in the work that theyre doing and thats fundamental. Successful institutions also invest in themselves, their employees, infrastructure, overall Work Environment and experience. They think and
Coming up this morning, Theodore Johnson of the Brennan Center will join us to talk about the africanamerican vote in campaign 2020. Of the university of Virginia Center of politics will discuss the latest news in campaign 2020. Be sure to watch washington journal live at 7 00 eastern this morning. Join the discussion. Examinest, a hearing Congress Constitutional role as a coequal branch of government. We hear about the role of earmarks and transparency and how increased funding and staffing can lead to a more effective government. This is two hours, 15 minutes. The committee will come to order without objection. Articlering is titled one, capacity and equipping congress to better serve the american people. I now recognize myself for five minutes to give an opening statement. Im excited to be here today, gaveling in the first hearing of the new year. This committee has had a productive last year, passing 45 recommendations focus on making congress more effective and efficient so it can
Government of ukraine to publicly announce investigations that would benefit his reelection. Even as the trial kicks off new information is emerging. New documents are coming to light and new witnesses are speaking out. Also on the programme. On a visit to washington, the eus trade commissioner says theres no chance of an all encompassing trade deal with the uk by the year end, and the two sides will have to decide priorities in the weeks ahead. And the warning signs are everywhere forest fires, melting ice, drought, flooding. Sir David Attenborough says the world can no longer wait. Action is needed now on global warming. The moment of crisis has come. We can no longer prevaricate. As i speak, southeast australia is on fire. Hello and welcome im katty kay in washington. And Christian Fraser is in london. Right now, the chiefjustice of the United States Supreme Court is being sworn in for the impeachment trial of donald trump. At the very same time, the white house has been accused tod
Three house committees. How does it reduce drug costs, and why have Democratic Leaders made this one of their top 10 priorities . Its one of the parts of Nancy Pelosis for the people agenda. Its also what President Trump campaigned on. Year, theyt of this were negotiating on this bill. Democrats are moving forward with a slightly partisan vote. It would allow medicare to negotiate drug prices on the 250 most expensive drugs, and pressure Drug Companies to apply those new lower prices to private insurance through a series of taxes. To 100 drugsce up over a decade, the amount of drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies. Its really not going anywhere in the near term. Chuck grassley and ron wyden have come up with an alternate force manufacturers to rebate the government for price increases. That may have more of a chance. When the house finishes with this action, we may see it shift to the senate and vote on that. Perhaps a compromise in the new year on drug prices. The drug pricing bi