Today in Washington: Recent Episodes
C-SPAN
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testified for a third day at her confirmation hearing to be a Supreme Court justice before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She responded to questions on a variety of issues including limitations on executive power, court packing, overturning Supreme Court precedent, and being a defense attorney.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson testified at her confirmation hearing to be a Supreme Court justice before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On the first day of her confirmation hearing, Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson gave opening remarks to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She is introduced by retired DC Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Griffith and University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor Lisa Fairfax.
Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA) delivered the Republican response to President Biden's State of the Union address. Gov. Reynolds argued that the Biden administration's policies have negatively impacted American families and have moved the country backward. She talked about foreign policy, border security, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economy.
President Biden made his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The president addressed a wide range of domestic issues but began his speech talking about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, promising continued military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainians. President Biden went on to talk about the American economy, highlighting the American Rescue Plan and passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. He also spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for police, and immigration and border security.
President Joe Biden told graduates at South Carolina State University's 2021 fall commencement ceremony, "I've never seen anything like the unrelenting assault on the right to vote. Never." He also said "This battle is not over. We're going to keep up the fight until we get it done and you're going to keep up the fight and we need your help badly." He urged Congress to pass two Democratic-sponsored bills -- the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act -- that Senate Republicans have blocked.
NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, who is retiring at the end of the month, spoke about Americans' low confidence in government's ability to handle crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He was interviewed by Washington Post Senior Writer Frances Stead Sellers
Roger Stone spoke with reporters following an appearance for a deposition before the January 6 Select Committee where he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. He referred to the committee's investigation as "witch hunt 3.0."
@SenSchumer (D-NY): "Just because Republicans will not join us to defend democracy does not mean that the Democrats will stop fighting. This matter is too important not to act, even if it means we must act alone to get the Senate working."
@LeaderMcConnell (R-KY): "I understand my colleagues are frustrated … but believe me, lashing out at our democracy, at the Supreme Court, and at the Senate, itself is not going to solve anything."
Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the Jan. 6 select committee, outlined why she believes former President Trump's White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows is in contempt of Congress.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY): Meadows' testimony is needed to answer key questions about Jan. 6
DC attorney general files civil suit against Proud Boys & others for alleged role and actions in January 6 attack on US Capitol.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke on the floor of the Senate about the deadly tornado outbreak in Kentucky and other states. Sen. McConnell said, "Kentucky has been devastated but we have not been defeated." In addition, he talked about working with President Biden and Kentucky Governor Beshear (D) on the response efforts.
President Biden offers prayers to all those impacted by the deadly tornado outbreak in Kentucky and other states. He pledged federal assistance for those impacted. In addition, he said he will be making a visit to Kentucky where more than 60 people have died from the tornadoes.
President Biden addresses high inflation and his social spending plan also known as the Build Back Better Act.
Tom Hanks speaks about Sen. Dole at the National WWII Memorial, talking about Dole's his service in the war, recovery and dedication to keep going, and Dole being the main force to create the memorial.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Budget Committee Ranking Member, spoke of a new Congressional Budget Office analysis of the cost of the Democrats' social spending bill, saying it is many more times the announced $1.75 trillion. Sen. Graham also linked the increased spending to today's Labor Department inflation report.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier today spoke at a memorial for late Senator Bob Dole (R-KS).
President Biden tribute to Senator Bob Dole: "Bob belongs here. He, too, was a giant of our history. That's not hyperbole. It's real. Of wit and grace, of principle and persistence, of courage and conviction."
President Biden speaks to reporters before leaving the White House for a visit to Kansas, Missouri. He says putting U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine “is not on the table.”
@SpeakerPelosi on Bob Dole: "He was a person who taught everyone here about dignity, duty, integrity, and patriotism."
@SpeakerPelosi on if she thinks Capitol is safer than a year ago: "Of course I do. We'll always ensure that is the case...I don't think that whatever preparation anybody would have made that anybody could predict that the President of United States would incite an insurrection."
Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned on Tuesday that data around Omicron is still scarce: Scientists are waiting on lab studies to determine how well coronavirus antibodies, either from natural infection or vaccines, hold up against the variant. His remarks came during a White House Covid-19 Taskforce Briefing.
Sen. @RoyBlunt: "How many officers have left the department since January the 6th?"
U.S. Capitol Police IG Bolton: "I believe it's around 200 or so."
U.S. Capitol Police IG Bolton: "The department still has more work to achieve the goal of making the Capitol complex safe and secure."
He says only 61 out of the 200 security enhancements have occurred.
Reporter: "Should Americans be prepared for the likelihood to see American forces on the ground in the region in the event that Russia does invade?"
Jen Psaki: "Diplomacy is the right path forward here."
Attorney General Merrick Garland holds announces a lawsuit against Texas under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act challenging its redistricting plan, which it says discriminates against Latinos and Blacks.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirms that the U.S. will not send a diplomatic or official delegation to the 2022 Winter Olympics in China and will support U.S. athletes from home. Other topics include COVID testing, Russia-Ukraine tensions.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) responds to a reporter's question on whether GOP Reps. Boebert, Gosar and Greene are distractions for the party and could threaten their chances of taking the majority in November 2022. He said anything that distracts from the GOP message, "causes problems, yes." He noted that Rep. Boebert apologized publicly and personally.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) says he received death threats, including from lawmakers, for his vote on infrastructure.
When asked why he sounds congested, President Biden said ""What I have is a 1-and-a-half-year-old grandson who had a cold who likes to kiss his pop." President says he's tested for COVID daily and remains negative.
President Biden talked about the Continuing Resolution, an 11 week stopgap government funding bill, that passed Congress on Thursday, and when he signs it into law, will avert a government shutdown. He also spoke about the jobs report from the Labor Department showing 210,000 jobs created in November and the unemployment rate falling to 4.2%
.@SenMikeLee: "I don't want to shut down the government. The only thing I want to shut down is Congress funding enforcement of an immoral, unconstitutional vaccine mandate."
President Biden announces a new action plan to address COVID-19: "There are five key actions that I want to see us take this winter."
Dr. Anthony Fauci: "The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health and the CDC have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the omicron variant."
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Mark Meadows' book revealing that President Trump tested positive for COVID a three days before first debate: "I certainly was not aware of his test positivity or negativity...If you test positive, you should be quarantining yourself."
Q: "Mark Meadows has written a book revealing that President Trump tested positive for COVID a few days before your first debate. Do you think the former president put you at risk?"
President Biden: "I don't think about the former president."
Dr. Anthony Fauci answers questions on the severity of illness in omicron cases: "Be careful about breadcrumbs, they may not tell you what kind of loaf of bread you have...we believe that it is too soon to tell of what the level of severity is."
Fed Chair Powell to @SenToomey on inflation: "I think the word transitory has different meanings to different people...I think it's probably a good time to retire that word and try to explain more clearly what we mean."
@SecYellen: "America must pay its bills on time and in full. If we do not, we will eviscerate our current recovery."
.@PressSec on South Africa travel ban: "The objective here is not to punish, it is to protect the American people...this is not going to prevent, it is going to delay and that delay is going to help us have."
President Biden responds to the question of whether countries would hesitate to report new variants after the U.S. and other countries banned travel from Africa after the emergence of the Omicron variant.
President Biden delivers remarks on the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, which he says is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” He urges people to get vaccinated and get their booster if they were vaccinated before June 1.
Rev. Al Sharpton reacted to a guilty verdict for all three men in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. "That a jury of 11 whites and one black, in the deep South, stood up in the courtroom and said 'Black lives do matter.'"
Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan were found guilty of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
Energy @SecGranholm: "Obviously, the President does not control the price of gasoline. No president does."
President Biden: "I've asked the Federal Trade Commission to consider whether potentially illegal and anticompetitive behavior in the oil and gas industry is causing higher prices for consumers."
President Biden on high gas prices: "We're taking action...today I'm announcing the largest ever release from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve...today we're launching a major effort to moderate the price of oil."
President Biden on why he's renominating Jerome Powell: "Put directly, at this moment of both enormous potential and enormous uncertainty for our economy we need stability and independence at the Federal Reserve."
President Biden: "Today I am nominating Jerome Powell for a second term as Chair of the Federal Reserve. I'm nominating Lael Brainard to take the position as Vice-Chair of the Federal Reserve."
President Biden on the tragedy in Waukesha, WI: "My administration is monitoring the situation very closely."
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) spoke on the Senate floor about what he says is an unfair process by which the Senate is considering amendments on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.
President Joe Biden in the White House Rose Garden issued the traditional presidential pardon for this year's two selected turkeys, named Peanut Butter and Jelly. Before talking about everything we should be thankful for, he cracked a few jokes, also a tradition.
At the White House daily briefing, Press Secretary Jen Psaki talked about the historic nature of President Biden temporarily transferring power to Vice President Harris before he went under anesthesia for a routine colonoscopy during his physical.
@LeaderHoyer: "We are working at completing the Build Back Better Act today...It is my hope that we will complete this legislation today."
@PressSec Jen Psaki responds to a question about POTUS earlier saying he's considering a potential diplomatic boycott of Beijing games.
@SenJohnKennedy: "I don't know whether to call you professor or comrade."
Comptroller of Currency nominee Saule Omarova: "Senator, I'm not a communist. I do not subscribe to that ideology. I could not choose where I was born."
@SpeakerPelosi: "The House has resolved that Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona be censured...and is hereby removed from the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Oversight and Reform."
Complete remarks by Rep. Paul Gosar (@RepGosar) during House debate on his censure.
"I do not espouse violence towards anyone. I never have. It was not my purpose to make anyone upset."
Complete remarks by @RepAOC @AOC during U.S. House Debate on Resolution to Censure Rep. Paul Gosar.
"What is so hard, what is so hard about saying that this is wrong? This is not about me. This is not about Rep. Gosar. But, this is about what we are willing to accept."
The exchange between Sen. @LindseyGrahamSC & @DHSgov@SecMayorkas on the number of illegal crossings and undocumented people in the U.S. in 2021.
Sen. Graham: "Of the 1.7 million, how many people are still here?"
Sec. Mayorkas: "I would estimate, approximately 375,000."
@SenTedCruz: "Do you think it is a good idea to pay illegal immigrants 4½ times what we pay the family of a service member who's killed in combat? Will we get more illegal immigration or less illegal immigration?"
@SecMayorkas: "I do not think it would be a pull factor."
@SenatorLeahy on retirement and the conviction that brought him to Washington; "that the brighter horizons of tomorrow hold the hope of the future and the privilege I feel to serve in this body and trying to guide our wonderful country toward the future."
President Biden: "The world has changed and we have to be ready. My fellow Americans, today I want you to know we hear you and we see you. The bill I'm about to sign into law is proof that despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results."
Earlier today at the White House Senator Rob Portman of Ohio delivered remarks on the infrastructure bill signing.
@SenatorLeahy: "It is time to put down the gavel. It is time to pass the torch...It is time to come home."
Rep. Cathy Castor (D-FL) is asked about Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) saying he opposes a proposed $4,500 federal tax credit for union-made electric vehicles because he thinks they're "wrong" and "not American."
Secretary of State Blinken announces that all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who wish to, and are ready to, leave have been offered assistance. He also says Qatar will be the U.S. protecting power in Afghanistan.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is asked about President Biden's nominee to be FDA Commissioner, Robert Califf, who served in that position in the final year of the Obama Administration.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines joined a discussion about U.S. policy in space. Mr. Bezos discussed "a fragile earth".
Vice President Harris speaks briefly with reporters about her goals during her visit to France and her meeting with French President Macron.
@tamarakeithNPR: "Will the president be pardoning turkeys this year?"
@KJP46: "It is a regular tradition, so I’m assuming that will be happening. I don’t have any news or any schedule to share with you on that particular pardoning of the turkey event."
@SpeakerPelosi to @MrDanZak on Build Back Better: "Yes, we intend, that is our plan, to pass the bill the week of November 15th."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) spoke to reporters about the ongoing negotiations among Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and the House Democratic moderates and progressives to reach consensus on a social spending bill.
Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) spoke to reporters on the path forward for votes in the House on President Biden's social spending proposal and a bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Michael Powell recounts holding his the hand of his dad, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, on the last night of his life.
.@SpeakerPelosi answers questions on pending legislation: "We're going to pass both bills."
Dr. Anthony Fauci to @SenTinaSmith: "I think eradication is out. We've only eradicated one virus in history for humans and that's smallpox."
Sen. @RandPaul to Dr. Fauci: "Until you accept responsibility, we're not going to get anywhere close to trying to prevent another lab leak of this dangerous sort of experiment. You won't admit that it's dangerous, and for that lack of judgment, I think it's time that you resign."
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients: "Vaccines for kids ages 5 through 11 is a landmark moment in our vaccination campaign. The first mother to get her child vaccinated last night captured it well: 'It’s a sigh of relief.'"
@GOPLeader McCarthy answers questions on former President Donald Trump: "I guess I can’t be surprised, the morning after Republicans win across the nation, the media wants to try to find division."
Rep. @virginiafoxx: "Last night's victory in Virginia proves that the voices of parents matter. It proves that parents will not and cannot be silenced. Education is at the forefront of voters' minds because it matters."
President Biden on China's absence from #COP26: "It just is a gigantic issue and they've walked away. How do you do that and claim to be able to have any leadership now? Same with Putin and Russia."
@LeaderMcConnell on #BuildBackBetter: "This is a bill America does not want and does not need. The ideal solution would be to not pass it. But if it's to pass, it'll be written by Manchin and/or Sinema."
@SenSchumer: "I'm pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached to lower prescription drug prices for seniors and families in the Build Back Better legislation."
@Sen_JoeManchin (D-WV) on bipartisan infrastructure bill: "Holding this bill hostage is not going to work in getting my support for the reconciliation bill."
Prince Charles at #COP26: "The scale and scope of the threat we face call for a global systems-level solution based on radically transforming our current fossil fuel-based economy to one that is genuinely renewable and sustainable."
President Biden at #COP26: "This is the challenge of our collective lifetimes, the existential threat to human existence as we know it. And every day we delay, the cost of inaction increases."
@SpeakerPelosi: "For those who said, 'I want to see text,' the text is there for you to review, for you to complain about, for you to add to or subtract from, whatever it is. And we'll see what consensus emerges from that."
@GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy: "This is no longer a Congress where the best ideas compete. They're now competing for a vote based upon when Air Force One lands in Rome."
President Biden: "For most of the 20th century, we led the world by a significant margin because we invested in our people … but somewhere along the way, we stopped investing in ourselves, investing in our people."
Attorney General Merrick Garland to @SenWhitehouse on January 6th: "The investigation is being conducted by the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office and by the FBI field office. We have not constrained them in any way."
White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients: "Today we will hit 400 million shots in arms since the president's first day in office. 400 million shots in 9 months."
Dr. William Gruber, M.D.FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS Senior Vice President, Vaccine Clinical Res. And Development Pfizer Inc explains the vaccine for children ages 5-11 to the FDA panel earlier today.
@SenJoniErnst asks if Americans behind were left behind.
@ColinKahl: We did not leave Americans behind. They continue to get out.
Gen. Mingus: Yes ma'am, the last airplane left the evening of the 30th, the morning of 31st.
Ernst: Thank you for your straight-forward answer.
State Department Spokesman Ned Price speaks with reporters about the latest on the situation in Sudan.
@DamianCollins: "Do you think, unless there is change, do you it makes it more likely that we'll see events live the insurrection in Washington of the 6th of January this year? More violent acts that have been driven by Facebook systems?
@FrancesHaugen: "I have no doubt."
@MrJohnNicolson: "Is Facebook evil?"
@FrancesHaugen: "Good people who are embedded in systems with bad incentives are led to bad actions. There is a real pattern of people who are willing to look the other way are promoted more than people who raise alarms."
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke about his former colleague and close friend, Justice Antonin Scalia, at a Heritage Foundation celebration of Thomas' 30 years on the Court. Justice Scalia died in office in 2016.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Fox News' Peter Doocey engage in a tense debate over the president saying he visited the border in 2008
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki discusses today's Supreme Court action and the Texas abortion law. She stressed the president's continued commitment to a woman's right to choose.
Rep. @Jim_Jordan: "Will FBI agents be attending local school board meetings?
Attorney General Garland: "No. FBI agents will not be attending local school board meetings. There's nothing in this memo to suggest that."
@SpeakerPelosi on reaching an agreement on a framework for the president's "Build Back Better" proposal by tomorrow: "We've always been on track for doing that. The House has been on schedule."
@VP Harris on voting rights legislation: "We're not going to give up. We're not deterred. But there's still a lot of work to do."
@ParisHilton speaks at a news conference on Congregate Care Accountability: "Today I come here not as Paris Hilton, but as a survivor."
Exchange between @SenJeffMerkley and Rahm Emanuel on #LaquanMcDonald murder.
Merkley: "It seems hard to believe all those things happened and yet you were never briefed on the details of the situation when you were leading the city."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on his views of the Senate Democrat's agenda.
Sen. @ChuckGrassley : "Do you believe that illegally crossing the border between ports of entry should remain a crime under federal law?".
@CBP Commissioner Nominee Chris Magnus: "Senator, I do."
WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki answered questions today about the latest on the timing of a vote on President Biden's Build Back Better agenda in the Senate.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks on the passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Powell died from complications from COVID-19. He was 84.
@PressSec responds to question from @KellyO on the death of Colin Powell and the former secretary of state's breakthrough case of COVID-19, despite being vaccinated.
During a trip overseas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reacted to the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Mr. Powell died at the age of 84 due to complications with COVID-19.
Vice President Harris speaks about the passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell at age 84 after complications arising from COVID-19. She says he broke many barriers, “inspired so many people,” and that he did it with “dignity” and “grace.”
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh spoke about the ongoing negotiations among Progressive and Moderate Democratic factions in Congress over the social spending and tax bill known as Budget Reconciliation. Walsh was interviewed by Washington Post Opinion Writer Jonathan Capehart.
Former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) spoke of his long friendship with President Joe Biden, a former Senator (D-DE), as he introduced Biden at the dedication of the Dodd Center on Human Rights at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.
President Joe Biden visited a child development center in Hartford, Connecticut. He talked about the state of the negotiations over his Build Back Better "human infrastructure" proposals. He also mentions his contacts with former President Bill Clinton, who is in the hospital.
@PressSec to @edokeefe: "I can assure you, Ed, that this president has no intention to lead an insurrection on our nation's Capitol."
President Biden: "Let's be clear. Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us."
President Biden says FDA emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years old is expected in coming weeks and if it's authorized the US has purchased enough vaccines for this age population.
Dr. Anthony Fauci on concerns from airline pilots about COVID-19 vaccines: "We don't really see any true basis in that concern."
Dr. Anthony Fauci on phases of COVID-19: "It is going to be very difficult, at least in the foreseeable future and maybe ever, to truly eliminate this highly transmissible virus."
President Biden: "The port of Los Angeles announced today that it's going to begin operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This follows the port of Long Beach's commitment to 24/7 that it announced just weeks ago."
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland joined President Biden on the White House lawn to announce restored protection for the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah, reversing decisions by former President Trump to open these public lands to ranching, mining and oil drilling.
Whit House Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke about the Biden White House authorizing the release to Congress of Trump administration documents related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
While delivering remarks on the September jobs report, President Biden announced that the American unemployment rate is below 5% for the first time since March of 2020.
AZ election results in Exchange between@RepRaskin & @RepAndyBiggsAZ
Raskin: Donald Trump refused to accept the results & unfortunately we have one of the world's great political parties which have followed him off of the ledge of this electoral lunacy and it's dangerous for democracy.
@LeaderMcConnell: "Republican and Democratic members and staff negotiated through the night in good faith. The Senate is moving toward the plan I laid out yesterday to spare the American people a manufactured crisis."
@SenSchumer: "I have some good news...We have reached an agreement to extend the debt ceiling through early December, and it's our hope that we can get this done as soon as today."
@SenSanders: "Senator Sinema’s position has been that she doesn't 'negotiate publicly' and I don’t know what that means."
@PressSec on debt limit: "There's been no formal offer made. A press release is not a formal offer...We could get this done today. We don't need to kick the can."
Senator John Thune (R-SD) questions Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen on rank choice for timeline posts in Facebook.
Frances Haugen on Mark Zuckerberg: "The buck stops with Mark. There is no one currently holding Mark accountable but himself."
@FrancesHaugen: "I joined Facebook because I think Facebook has the potential to bring out the best in us. But I am here today because I believe Facebook's products harm children, stoke division, and weaken our democracy."
@LeaderMcConnell: "The majority needs to stop sleepwalking toward yet another preventable crisis. Democrats need to tackle the debt limit. We gave them a roadmap and three months' notice. I suggest that our colleagues get moving."
@SenSchumer: "We will need to get a bill extending the debt ceiling to the president's desk by the end of this week. We aren't asking Republicans to vote for yes, even though it's debt that they incurred, we are simply asking that they get out of the way."
Q: "Can you guarantee that the U.S. will not reach the debt ceiling? That that will not happen?"
President Biden: "No I can't. That's up to Mitch McConnell."
President Biden on Republicans: "I think, quite frankly, it's hypocritical dangerous and disgraceful. Their obstruction and irresponsibility know absolutely no bounds, especially as we're clawing our way out of this pandemic."
President Biden: "A failure to raise the debt limit will call into question Congress' willingness to meet the obligations that we've already incurred, not new ones."
Gov. @GavinNewsom (D-CA) announces first-in-the-nation COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all elementary and high school students attending school in person, pending federal authorization allowing coronavirus vaccines for children. Gov. Newsom spoke at a school in San Francisco.
@RepRichardNeal, chair of @WaysMeansCmte, spoke with reporters after House Democrats met with @POTUS in private on Budget Reconciliation negotiations.
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@POTUS told reporters after meeting with House Democratic Members of Congress in a closed session on the Budget Reconciliation bill negotiations, "We'll get it done."
@SpeakerPelosi to @LisaDNews on infrastructure: "We're on a path to win the vote. I don't want to even consider any options other than that. That's just the way it is. That's our culture...We go in it to win it."
@GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy on a clean continuing resolution that would fund the federal government until December to avoid a government shutdown: "I would vote for that. Yes."
Rep. Cori Bush: "My abortion happened on a Saturday...Choosing to have an abortion was the hardest decision I had ever made. But at 18 years old, I knew it was the right decision for me...in the summer of 1994 I was raped, I became pregnant and I chose to have an abortion."
During today's House Oversight hearing on Capitol Hill.
Gen. Milley says to @RepJimBanks on 'Peril' book: "I haven't read the book...I'm concerned that there's mischaracterizations of me becoming very politicized as an individual and that it's my willingness to become politicized, which is not true. I am trying to stay apolitical."
@RepMattGaetz: "You spent more time with Bob Woodward on this book than you spent analyzing the very likely prospect that the Afghanistan government was going to fall immediately to the Taliban. Didn't you?"
Gen. Milley: "Not even close, Congressman."
@SecDef Austin on Afghanistan: "We helped build a state, but we could not forge a nation."
Gen. Milley: "My loyalty is absolute...with respect to the Chinese calls, I routinely communicated with my counterpart General Lee with the knowledge and coordination of civilian oversight."
@SecYellen: "It is imperative that Congress address the debt limit. If not, our current estimate is the Treasury will likely exhaust its extraordinary measures by October 18th...America would default for the first time in history."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke today on the Senate floor about not passing the Democrat's bill to increase the debt ceiling.
@POTUS receives his @pfizer COVID-19 booster shot at the White House and then takes questions from reporters.
@POTUS on busy legislative agenda: "You know me. I'm a born optimist. I think things are going to go well. I think we're going to get it done."
Arizona Senate President Karen Fann (R) speaks about the report of the independent audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, which confirms Joe Biden beat Donald Trump. She says the audit was never about overturning the election results, but instead was about ensuring ballot integrity and security.
CDC Director Dr. Walensky outlines why she decided to expand booster shots to those 18 and older who are at high risk for exposure due to occupation including health care workers or institutional settings including prisons and homeless shelters.
While delivering remarks on the country's COVID-19 response, President Biden said that it is approved for the majority of Americans who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer shot for at least six months are now eligible for a booster shot. He went on to say they are still studying the data for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines before they can greenlight a booster for those two vaccines, but that Americans who were given the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson shots are still highly protected from the virus.
@PressSec Jen Psaki on revenue agreement: "We certainly think it's progress and it builds on the president's meetings he had yesterday with leadership, with moderates, with progressives to talk about the path forward."
Democratic Representatives Rashida Talib (MI) and Ted Deutch (FL) gave dueling floor speeches Thursday during a House debate over whether to provide $1 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
@PressSec Jen Psaki says Border Patrol agents will no longer be using horses in Del Rio, Texas.
President Biden: "The United States is buying other half-billion doses of Pfizer to donate to low and middle-income countries around the world...It brings our total commitment of donated vaccines to over 1.1 billion vaccines."
@PressSec Jen Psaki on a phone call between President Biden and French President @EmmanuelMacron: "It was friendly. It was one where we're hopeful and the president is hopeful this is a step in returning to normal."
Fed Chair Powell: "If progress continues broadly as expected, the committee judges that a moderation in the pace of asset purchases may be warranted."
@SecMayorkas : "I was horrified to see the images. We look forward to learning the facts...we will take actions that those facts compel. We do not tolerate any mistreatment or abuse of a migrant. Period."
President Biden: "We stand, in my view, at an inflection point in history. And I’m here today to share with you how the United States intends to work with partners and allies to answer these questions."
President Biden: "We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocks."
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a senior-level review of the investigation that found that 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children, were killed in an Aug. 29 U.S. drone strike in Kabul that the Pentagon initially said had killed an Islamic State fighter. The reviewer is to consider whether any military disciplinary action is warranted.
@PressSec on images appearing to show border patrol agents whipping Haitian migrants at the U.S. southern border: "I have seen some of the footage. I don't have the full context, I can't imagine what context would make that appropriate."
Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn spoke on the Senate floor in support of Senate Parliamentarian's ruling not to allow immigration provisions in the Democrats' $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. He said he hopes Democrats will "avoid nuking the rules of the Senate to achieve a partisan, political goal."
Senator McConnell says Republicans will not back legislation that raises the debt limit. Remarks are from the Senate floor.
Senator Schumer Says He's "Angered" by parliamentarian's ruling on immigration. From his leader remarks on the Senate floor.
Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee briefed reporters on law enforcement preparations and U.S. Capitol security for the planned demonstrations protesting the arrest of those charged in the January 6 Capitol riot.
During a press conference on law enforcement preparations and U.S. Capitol security for the planned demonstrations protesting the arrest of those charged in the January 6 Capitol riot, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said "we are working to ensure we do not have a repeat of January 6th." He went on to say there have been some threats of violence, and that they will not "tolerate criminal behavior of any kind."
U.S. Central Command Commander General Kenneth McKenzie provided an update on the August 29 drone strike in Kabul. He said that after review, as many as 10 civilians, including seven children, were killed in the strike. He also said that it was unlikely any members of ISIS-K were killed.
President Joe Biden criticized specific Republican governors who are opposing his COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses with over 100 employees, saying they are putting lives at risk.
Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) talked about her opposition to President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandates for businesses with over 100 employees. She was at a Hudson Institute event.
Defense Secretary Austin defended the U.S. deal with Australia to give the country nuclear-powered submarines. France criticized this mov
@PressSec on Gen. Milley: "The president has complete confidence in his leadership, his patriotism, and his fidelity to our Constitution."
FBI Director Wray following testimony from Olympic gymnasts: "I'm deeply and profoundly sorry to each and every one of you...that is inexcusable it never should have happened and we are doing everything in our power to make sure that it never happens again."
Simone Biles (@simone_biles) complete opening statement. "This is the largest case of sexual abuse in the history of American sport…It truly feels like the FBI turned a blind eye to us..."
@SenTedCruz to Sec. Blinken: "President Biden and the Biden administration have presided over the worst foreign policy catastrophe in a generation...just like Jimmy Carter owns the disaster of the Iran hostage crisis, you own this. The Biden administration caused this disaster."
@SenatorRisch: "Somebody in the White House has authority to press the button and stop the president, cut off the president's speaking ability and sound. Who is that person?" Sec. Blinken laughs and after being asked the question again: "There is no such person."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger on security measures for September 18th 'Justice for J6' rally: "The fence will go up a day or two before and if everything goes well, it will come down very soon after."
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to Sec. Blinken on Afghanistan: "The Trump administration failed in the setup. And I think the Biden administration absolutely failed in the execution of this."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "There's no evidence that staying longer would have made the Afghan security forces or the Afghan government any more resilient or self-sustaining. If 20 years and hundreds of billions of dollars in support, equipment & training did not suffice, why would another year?"
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee, discusses his proposed legislation to help get more emergency rental assistance to those who need it.
Jim Mattis, former Defense Secretary under President Trump, details where he was and what he was doing on 9/11/2001.
Following remarks at Brookland Middle School in DC, President Biden defended his vaccine requirements announced Thursday.
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member, expressed his opposition to the spending and tax increases in the Budget Reconciliation Bill, the legislation that Democrats are using to pass their priorities without fear of a Republican filibuster in the Senate.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announces the federal government is suing the state of Texas. He said, "the act is clearly unconstitutional under longstanding supreme court precedent." Saying the law deputizes all private citizens to serve as "bounty hunters."
President Biden on directing Labor Department to issue vaccine requirement guidance for certain employers
National Economic Council Director Brian Deese say large meatpacking companies are "pandemic profiteering" and that half of the recent rise in grocery store prices is due to prince increases in beef, poultry and pork. Deese was at the White House press briefing.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, DC, is asked about President Biden's saying he does not believe that life begins at conception and also about Texas' new law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
Former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), former House Intelligence Committee chair, says Congress should censure, but not impeach, President Biden, over what he calls the "debacle" of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Rep. Hoekstra spoke at a discussion on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks held by the Center for Security Policy
Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf (Trump) and former Assistant FBI Director Christopher Swecker (GW Bush) are asked about terror threats against the U.S. now that the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan. It was part of a Heritage Foundation discussion on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
President Joe Biden is asked by a reporter if he is surprised at the amount of hurricane damage in the neighborhood.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a news conference in Doha, Qatar with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Qatari Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, is asked about Congressman Michael McCaul's (R-TX) charge that the Taliban are holding hostage U.S. citizens in Afghanistan by not allowing chartered planes to take off.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) held a briefing on the damage and loss of life in New York due to flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
President Biden delivered remarks on the latest jobs number, claiming that he has created the most jobs of any first-time president in history. The president said his administration had added on average 750,000 jobs per month during this first year of his tenure. He argued that number is double any prior first-time president. The president also acknowledged the August 2021 jobs report lower than expected, saying he wanted to see a "larger number."
President Biden responded to a recent abortion law passed in Texas saying it "creates a vigilante system." The president is asking on Justice Department to explore the law.
NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky were asked by a reporter during the White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing about a new virus variant label mu, currently circulating in parts of South America.
During a Pentagon briefing with the press on the evacuation operation from Afghanistan, Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, commander, U.S. European Command, provided an update on the current evacuee efforts that continue in Europe. He said that since their operation in Europe began on August 20, they have been able to process 155 inbound flights from Afghanistan and taking care of 38,000 Afghan refugees. To date, the have had 16,000 Afghan evacuees depart from Europe for the United States.
President Biden outlined the federal government's response to Hurricane Ida in the aftermath of the storm. He spoke about the government agencies response and new tools being deployed in the gulf coast states.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Biden Administration & Afghanistan: “They made a political arbitrary decision to set a date certain. They departed from the major airfield. They never made a plan to make sure we got all the Americans home. And the end result was chaos."
Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin: "Now the war is over and we're entering a new chapter, one in where our diplomats and our interagency partners take the lead...I'll be traveling to the Gulf next week to thank our partners there who have done so much to help save & shelter Afghan civilians."
Gen. Milley: "War is hard. It's vicious. It's brutal. It's unforgiving. Yes, we all have pain and anger. When we see what has unfolded over the last 20 years and over the last 20 days, that creates pain and anger."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki: "We have enormous leverage over the Taliban including access to the global marketplace. That's not a small piece of leverage."
During a House Freedom Caucus Press conference on the situation in Afghanistan, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), chair for the Freedom Caucus, said the "most somberly" call for the resignation of President Joe Biden
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie: "I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals, and vulnerable Afghans."
Gen. Taylor #Afghanistan updates, incl. unmanned airstrike and rockets fired at the airport: "U.S. forces retain the inherent right of self-defense and are authorized to meet threats with a swift and forceful response. Force protection is paramount in this phase of the operation."
President Biden: "We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay."
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr.: "It's a hard day today. As you know, two suicide bombers, assessed to have been ISIS fighters, detonated...At this time, we know that 12 U.S. service members have been killed in the attack and 15 more service members have been injured."
Military troops must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo Wednesday, ordering service leaders to “impose ambitious timelines for implementation.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Afghanistan evacuation: "Since August 14th, more than 82,300 people have been safely flown out of Kabul...we've evacuated at least 4,500 U.S. citizens and likely more."
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Reps. Moulton & Meijer Afghanistan trip: "I just watched Speaker Pelosi answer that question. I think that's the most time she's spent on Afghanistan all week and it offended me."
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Peter Meijer (R-MI) going to Afghanistan: "This is deadly serious. I do not want members to go...It was not in my view a good idea."
WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki on coronavirus origins review/report: "He did not just receive a copy, he received a briefing yesterday on the 90-day origins report. It was a classified briefing...the intelligence community has been simultaneously working on an unclassified version..."
President Biden, "We are currently on a pace to finish by August the 31st. The sooner we can finish the better. Each day of operations brings added risks to our troops, but the completion by August 31 depends upon the Taliban continuing to cooperate."
WH COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients says the administration expects “more and more vaccination requirements” in private and public sectors.
Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor: "I'm pleased to report our best departure results since evacuation operations began have happened in the last 24 hours."
President Joe Biden called on more companies in the private sector to step up with vaccine requirements.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters today that Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin will update service members on their COVID-19 vaccination timelines.
Ned Price on COVID-19 testing in Afghanistan: "In Kabul, at the airport, we don't at present have the capacity to test every one of them."
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger says "Floyd Roy Rosenberry from Grover, NC was taken into custody without incident...he got out of the vehicle and surrendered...we don't know if there are any explosives in the vehicle. It's still an active scene."
Major General Hank Taylor: "The air capacity is set...that ability to air move up to 5,000 to 9,000 a day has been set and continues." He's joined by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby who also answers questions at today's briefing.
President Biden: "If you work in a nursing home and serve people on Medicare or Medicaid you will also be required to get vaccinated."
General Mark Milley said Wednesday during a press briefing at the Pentagon that U.S. intelligence didn't suggest the Afghan government would fall within 11 days.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said earlier today during a State Department press briefing that, the Taliban are blocking Afghans who wish to leave the country, from reaching the airport in Kabul.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, announces a plan to offer COVID-19 booster shots to fully vaccinated adults, 18yrs and older starting next month.
State Department Spokesman Ned Price announces that the U.S. is further reducing its civilian footprint in Kabul as the security situation deteriorates and the western city of Herat falls to the Taliban. Price also says the increasing violence is of "grave concern" and that U.S. forces are being sent to secure Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says the world is now dealing with a global outbreak of the Delta variant, which was first discovered in June 2020, and is now in at least 117 countries. He also highlights the efficacy of the Johnson and Johnson single-shot vaccine, saying it is 91-96 percent effective against death, 71 percent effective against hospitalization despite breakthrough cases.
New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (D) held a news conference to discuss the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo over sexual harassment allegations. She takes over as governor in two weeks, making her the first woman governor in New York.
Earlier today on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke about the Democrat's budget proposal and voting rights.
Following the passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and a $3.5 trillion budget resolution, Senate Majority Leader Schumer says he hopes to get the reconciliation bill done by September 15.
President Joe Biden delivered remarks at the White House after the Senate approved 69-30 a $1.2 infrastructure package. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives.
Democrats released a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that would boost spending on health care, child and elder care, education, and climate change while bypassing a promised Republican filibuster. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spoke about it on the Senate floor.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned that Republicans won’t help raise the debt ceiling as Democrats appear poised to exclude it from a spending package they can pass along party lines.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Pentagon making COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for U.S. service members.
President Biden spoke on the death of Richard Trumka, who died earlier Thursday at the age of 72. Mr. Trumka was the president of the AFL-CIO, one of the largest labor organizations in the world.
Dr. Anthony Fauci on boosters for immunocompromised earlier today during a White House Covid Taskforce press briefing.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday said Senate Republicans will not vote for legislation to raise the debt limit if President Biden and Democrats stick to their plan to push through a $3.5 trillion spending and tax reform proposal this fall.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announces that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has died. "The working people of America have lost a fierce warrior at a time when we needed him most," an emotional Schumer says."
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki answers questions from reporters on the WHO's latest recommendations on booster COVID-19 vaccines.
Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, spoke on the Senate floor for the first time Wednesday and spoke of the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ).
Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) delivered the Republican response to President Biden’s address to Congress.
President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take part in a debate at Belmont University in Nashville. Kristen Welker of NBC News moderates.
This is the final portion of the debate. It focuses on the issue of climate change and at the end, leadership.
This portion of the debate focuses on the question of immigration and its impact on American families.
This portion of the debate focuses on the U.S. economy and its impact on the American family.
This portion of the debate focused on questions of national security, including China, Russia, North Korea and others.
This is the full vice-presidential debate from Salt Lake City, Utah. There were nine topics and they included, covid 19 (1), job readiness (12), economy (23), climate change (34), foreign policy (50), SCOTUS (60), race and justice (70), election security (76), and the future of politics (85).
This final portion of the debate answered the question posed by a child from Utah about the future of politics and what they're seeing on television.
This portion of the debate looks at the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, and the issue of abortion.
This portion of the debate focuses on foreign policy, including China, and terrorist organizations.
The complete debate from Cleveland, Ohio on September 29th, 2020. Topics included the Supreme Court (3), health care (7), COVID-19 (20), the economy (35), law and order (55), accomplishments (65), climate change (75), election integrity (85)?
How confident should we be that this will be a fair election? What are you prepared to do in the next five weeks to reassure the American people that the next president will be the legitimate winner?
What do you believe about the science of climate change and what will you do in the next four years to confront it?
There has been a dramatic increase in homicides across the country, this summer specifically, you often blame that on Democratic Governors and Democratic Mayors but in fact there have been equal spikes in republican cities such as Tulsa and Fort Worth - is this really a party issue?
President Trump you nominated Amy Coney Barrett over the weekend to succeed the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the court, You say the constitution is clear about your obligation and the senates to consider a nominee to the court. Vide President Biden you say this is an effort by the President and Republicans to jam through an appointment and what you call an "abuse of power". My first question to both of you tonight is:
Why are you right in the argument that you make and why is your opponent wrong? And where do you think a Justice Barrett would take the court?
In order to make it easy to find the issues you care about the most in the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates we will be posting the different questions and answers from each debate separately.
Find them all here starting Tuesday evening as the debate progresses.
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C-SPAN providing unfiltered coverage of Campaign 2020.