Have in america at its best. [applause] i have seen the hopeful faces from new york to california and our newest officers at west point, Colorado Springs new london. I have mourned with grieving families in tucson in west texas and west virginia. And i have watched americans beat back adversity from the gulf coast to the great plains from the midwest to the midatlantic seaboard. And i have seen gay marriage go from a wedge issue to a story of freedom across our country, a civil rights legal in states that seven in 10 americans call home. [applause] [cheers] [applause] and so i know the good the optimistic and big hearted generosity of the American People who every day live the idea that we are our brothers keeper and our sisters keeper. And i know that those of us who are here want to set a better example. So the question for those of us here tonight is how we all of us can better reflect americas hopes. I have served in congress with many. I know many of you well. And there are a lot of good people here on both sides of the aisle. And many of you have told me that this is not what you signed up for. Arguing past each other on cable shows, a constant fundraiser, always looking over your shoulder at how the reaction is to every decision. Imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns and if we did something different. Imagine if we did something different. Understand that better politics isnt one where tim democrats abandoned their agenda and republicans do as well that is where we appeal to each other with basic decency. It is one where we debate without demonizing each other. Were we talked issues and values and principles and facts rather than gotcha moments and trivial gaffes. Where we focus on the moment of every day lives. [applause] better politics is one where we spend less time drowning and pulling us into the gutter and spend more time looking young people up with a sense of purpose and possibility. And asking them to join in the Great Mission of building america. If we are going to have arguments, lets have arguments. But lets make the debates were the of this body and worthy of this country. We still may not agree on a womans right to choose, but surely we can agree that teen pregnancy is nearing an alltime low and every woman should have access to the health care that she needs. [applause] [applause] yes passions fly on immigration. But surely we can all see something of ourselves in a striving young student. And agree that no one benefits when a hardworking mom is snatched from her child. That it is possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. I have talked to republicans and democrats about that. It is something that we can share. We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred. That it is being denied to too many. And that on the 50th anniversary of the great march from selma to montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights act we can come together as democrats and republicans to make voting easier for every american. [applause] [cheers] [applause] we may have different takes on the events of ferguson and new york. But surely we can understand a father who fears that his son cannot walk home without being harassed. Surely we can understand a wife that will not rest until the Police Officer that she married will walk through the door after his shift. We can agree that for the first time in 40 years the crime rate and the incarceration rates have come down together. We can use that as a starting point for democrats and republicans. Community leaders and Law Enforcement to reform americas criminal Justice System so that it protects and serves all of us area. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] president obama that is better politics and that is how we start to rebuild trust and that is how we move this country forward. That is what the American People want. And that is what they deserve. I have no more campaigns to run. [applause] my only agenda i know because i won both of them. [applause] [laughter] [applause] [cheers] [applause] [laughter] president obama my only agenda for the next two years is the same as the one since i had as the day i swore an oath on the steps of this capitol. To do what i believe is best for america. If you share the broad vision that i outlined tonight, i ask you to join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it i hope that you will at least work with me. I commit to every republican here tonight that i will not only seek out your ideas but to work with you in make this country stronger. [applause] [applause] because [applause] because i want this chamber i want the city to reflect the truth. For all of our blind spots and shortcomings, we are people with the strength and generosity and spirit to bridge divides. To unite in common efforts and to help our neighbors whether down the street or on the other side of the world. I want our actions to tell every child in every neighborhood that your life matters and we are committed to improving your life and working on behalf of our own kids. I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift. And that we are people that value the dignity and worth of every citizen. Man and woman, young and old latino and asian, native american gay or straight. Americans with Mental Illness and physical disability. Everybody matters. I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world that we still know these things to be true that we are more than a collection of red states and blue states. That we are the United States of america. [applause] [applause] and i want them to grow up in a country where a young mom can sit down and write a letter to her president and write her story about these past six years. It is amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to. We are a strong tightknit family has made it through some very hard times. And my fellow americans we too, are a strong and tightknit family. We, too have made it through some hard times. We have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off and begun again the work of remaking america. We have laid a new foundation. A Brighter Future is ours to write. Lets begin this new chapter together and lets start the work right now. Thank you and god bless you. God bless this country that we love. Thank you. [cheers] [applause] [cheers] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] this state of the union is over and it cspan state of the Union Coverage continues on cspan2 and cspan. Org. The president saying the shadow of crisis has passed and the state of the union is strong we are bringing you reaction from members of congress, we begin with congresswoman johnson. It is certainly a great speech. The president said there are no more campaigns for him. What do you think that he had to push hardest for on capitol hill to get done . Well, i think it is amazing. He focused where the focus should be. He focused on tax reform where it should be and the education of our children and the opportunity for the working people. That is exactly where the focus should be. Whether we can all agree to that is yet to be determined. But i am hoping that we can. What is the tenor like between democrats and republicans, certainly the senate has changed over to republicans control, but what is it like this time around . We are trying to get it some people to have some input and i hope that we can. I dont think that it can make a difference as to whether we can all participate equally. In terms of the issues that we heard in the state of the union, what is the most important to you in congress . To continue the information education of young people, to focus on what we need for the hightech environment and its very important. Community College Education is very important and those are the things that i hope all the people around me understand. I hope that im not the only one that represents dallas, texas, there are several of us that do. And so i hope we can learn together. Congresswoman, thank you for being with us. A groom for your democratic colleagues in california, congressman mike honda. Its good to see you. What did you hear in the president s state of the union speech that stuck out to you tonight . My First Impression was we have been working since 2001. [inaudible] i think that what stuck out was the ability for us to work through a lot of issues. That would provide continuation of jobs, retraining of jobs, have young people start their university experiences. It is a republican dominated congress how do we get that through . We have to just keep putting it out there and make sure that Everybody Knows how we are voting on the issues. You said that this was a progressive stage. We have been talking about this for a long time. We started really faltering on all those things. [inaudible] [inaudible] and the we are trying to come together and adjust the issues that really create inequity in this country [inaudible] and we are trying to move forward and addressed these issues. Congressman honda, we appreciate you being with us on cspan2. We will make way now for peter defazio. Congressman what if you hear in particular with the president talking about the structure spending and also about Climate Change. There were a number of mentions of infrastructure and the ice is starting to thaw on both sides of the aisle. And this includes the recovery act, which spends money on tax cuts as it does on rebuilding america. So we were pleased it was mentioned. If you had to put a dollar view on Something Like that you are talking about the stimulation. There was an 800 billiondollar bill in about 15 billion went into Investment Infrastructure in the broadest sense of the term. That includes the stupid tax cuts it in and put anyone back to work. He brought up the warmest year of the planet this past year 2014. What do you expect him and his administration to do about that . I hope they continue to press forward on Carbon Emissions. Obviously the republicans are Climate Change deniers and they theyre going to try anything and everything they can to overturn the regulations, but an efficient system of transportation might be a bipartisan solution that we can agree upon that with lower Carbon Emissions by people not sitting in traffic and idling, giving them opportunities in terms of mass transit. Do think that the president will veto the keystone bill, beyond that you think he will approve the project . Im not going to guess what the president will do on the keystone. Congressman defazio thank you so much. We are now live on cspan2 with reaction. Senator, thank you for being with us. What did you think about the president s speech . He talked about the highway bill, he talked about cybersecurity. We need to look at that. Higher taxes more regulations those are the things that we have for economic job creation and that is what we will try to downplay that really helps our Small Businesses try to move the best we can. He talked about some veto threat didnt mention keystone specifically about vetoing that. What is your sense from this beach on where he stands on that issue . He indicated it, but think about how its energy, Economic Growth and its about National Security with energy security. And what he is talking about we are producing so much more in gas because we are energy secure, but holding up the infrastructure as well. So this is an advanced piece of legislation and he has to start working on some of these issues. What is the solution with transportation in terms of coming up with a funding of the gas tax . We had even defazio talking about transportation spending. We would like to provide an incentive for companies to bring these things back overseas, that can generate investment so we can pass this without raising taxes. And i think that that is a big reaction. Do you want to give us a timeline when you think that they will finish up this on the floor . I anticipate this, hopefully adapting and going to conference with the house and then the Senate Floor Action probably early next week. Senator john hoeven, thank you so much for being on cspan2. We are reporting live from the u. S. Capitol. The house of representatives. Senator tom carpenter, what did you like about the president s speech . A message from the voters, they want us to Work Together. They want us to get things done. They want us to figure out in the question is how do we keep it going. [inaudible] the second is to break through. [inaudible] and that includes searching Development Opportunities and whatever we have to do to progress forward. So you are in a Republicancontrolled Senate now. Cybersecurity, is in an area that the house and senate can agree on . Cybersecurity is an area trade policy is a good area. And i hope that their other reforms as well that can be looked at. So lets focus. Congressman, thank you for being here this evening. What did you think of the president s speech . Aspirational notes. Big issues. While we have made some progress regulations or stifling businesses. One example, a bakery in in colorado that has difficulty with access to capitol its inhibiting our ability to get the economy going pres. Talks about jobs growth comparing it to the last four years saying it has been better than japan europe, and advanced nations combined. Is that the rate of job growth or the quality of jobs that needs to be improved . An opportunity to be able to get a a job, maintain it, and see opportunities for a Brighter Future for their family is what we feel is missing in this economic recovery. Americans are now sharing in that prosperity simply because they have not been able to find a job. We need to unleash that economic potential again. What about immigration big issue in colorado. The house recently coming up with legislation to reverse a lot of these negative actions. The president tonight stating his intent to veto legislation that would overturn that poor dog frank or healthcare. What is the next step . You know, the president called on congress to work. That means that he cannot circumvent congress. We have a constitutional process. He circumvented those actions. Promoting on a stepbystep basis to address the problem and to be able to make sure that we have a system that is working for the American Public and to have immigration coming into the country. The Biggest Issue that did not get addressed by the president tonight. Really how we were going to get Small Businesses, role america pockets of prosperity in the country rural america. Basically doubledigit unemployment in terms of unemployment numbers. We have to be able to create opportunities. Regulation is stifling Small Business development. Right now we have more businesses shutting down the new business startups. We have to open that door. Here with us tonight. Thank you. We go next to the congressman from pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Thank you for being here. What did you here from the president tonight . My thoughts on the speech, more a political statement than a governing agenda was my initial reaction. At some. On the one hand he says we need to come together and at other times he throws down the goblins. Contradictions in his speech that struck me. There are areas where we can Work Together. Transportation to and infrastructure. He said he was against the Keystone Pipeline. It will be harder to get the broader infrastructure infrastructure, maybe some tax or form. I cannot get a good sense. More of a political a political tone to you in the present saying, i have no more to campaign. Who is that political tone directed at . Hearing a lot of talk more class warfare is what it sounded like to me. But then at the end of the speech he says you come together. A contradiction. So it was largely political. Some of the same statements you for before. If we increase the minimum wage he seems to think that all we will be well. We could have arguments about that issue. I dont think thats the answer to all of our economic challenges. Lower energy prices. And trade and other policies that would raise energy prices. So there are some contradictions. Number one or two issues in your district, and what did you here from the president about those issues tonight . The top issues in my district is just like everywhere. Its really about the economy. I agree that the economy is in a better position now. The real the real question is, is this a durable and sustainable recovery . We see better data on jobs but there is concern this is not translating into wage increases or even a higher standard of living. Too early . Way too early. I think the economy is in a better position, to be sure but we, but we are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. The danger on the horizon with respect to what is happening in asia and the economy elsewhere. We appreciate you stopping by. Thank you. We go next to the senate side the senator from arizona. Great to see you. Let me ask you 1st about an issue you have spoken about, cuba. The the president mentioning it in the state of the union tonight. The best part of his speech. He did the right thing. I dont often agree with the president on foreignpolicy. It will be good for cuba. What else stuck out in a speech to you . I i think we can work with the president on trade promotion authority, a bipartisan majority that believes that we needed. I think we can work with him on that. Also some of the tax reform we can bring the rate down. Were going to need to. Surprise that all that the pres. s president s proposal increased the rate on some income level . Talked about that. I was not surprised. I i dont think its getting a warm reception nor should it. He was going to mention it. The current debate in the senate on the Keystone Pipeline bill. If it passes the house, what will happen when it passes the senate and the president takes it back for a veto. Probably have 63 or 64 votes. So it we will get kicked back at some. Welfare reform the 1st time. So i think we keep doing it right thing. Another difficult issue particularly for your state is immigration. The house last week overturning or blocking a number a number of executive actions. How much of that will stand . A finger at the president legislation on his desk. We can do and enforcement bill. The deal of the guestworker plan. Here illegally now. Ive been in favor of Immigration Reform for a long time. Waiting for the pres. To veto. The pres. Has said he wants a comprehensive approach. We did that in the senate. Taking one item. Appreciated. Live coverage here on teewun and t3 on the 2015 state of the union. Debbie wasserman schultz. I was really thrilled that the president took the opportunity to talk about the importance of american exceptionalism and not just internationally but how it is important that we focus here at home now that we are coming out of the recession, more opportunities to succeed. At the end of the speech he challenged us to set aside our differences to say to our basis, we we will take some risk and put some skin in the game and try to Work Together and focus on the things in which we can agree out of all the issues of the president addressed tonight, obviously the democrats control the house and the senate, but what other priorities in terms of democratic. Well, making well, making sure that instead of the trickledown economics that have been tried and failed that we focus on middleclass economics whether it is making Higher Education universal and affordable and they lose their jobs they lose their jobs that we no that pathway to the middle class and make sure it is not just the wealthiest among us that have a a chance to really make a better way of life for themselves. Here on january 20. Two years from now. The democratic president looks like. The looks, the overall presentation. The democrats. We will focus on making sure that if you work hard and play by the rules you can succeed. People are asking for handouts but access to a good quality education that they can afford. Doesnt only focus on people who are wealthy but when it comes to work whether its increasing the minimum wage are making sure that those are basic things on which we can build a strong middle class. Does the still have a chance . Of the republicans take the president up on his challenge, then i hope so. It has lasted so long looking at the other side of the aisle, aisle, they sat on their hands a lot on things that should be a nobrainer. We will continue to try to reach out to them. Have voters choose. Ones that they seem to be obsessed and focusing on. Chairman of the Democratic National committee. Thank you for being with us. The house of representatives from 1807 to 1857. Five president s were nominated in this very room. Congressman from michigan, thank you for being with us. Ranking member on ways and means. And means. The president lays out a very bold tax policy. We have had to seeing now several years of recovery in terms of not only in discernible but unemployment going down. Now the question is how we make sure the middle class amid tax provisions. So many other things. So we need to make sure that the benefits meet the middle class. The whole issue. That is what this is really all about. You have a new partner on the ways and Means Committee you talk about Community College, equal pay changes in the tax code that the president has proposed. A glamour of bipartisanship and anything that the president mentioned that you think that your committee can Work Together on . I hope so. I think the key was at the end. Essentially the president called out on all of us. The issues are so important that we need to try. They are so important that we need to try. The middleclass stagnation, Climate Change, so many other issues. There issues. There may be disagreement but these are overarching issues. So i think the president was saying in a very personal way, look there are so many major issues now that kind of turn the corner in terms of the economic recovery. We have turned the corner. Lets see if now around that corner we can find on these major issues some Common Ground. But the state of the union. This is the 1st time in 32 years. So for me this was a new experience. I did not particularly like it. We need to carry on. He will be doing his thing. Keep doing your thing, and thats just what im doing. Thank you so much. Make room for congressman butterfield. Open that up. The new chairman of the congressional congress. We will get you back here. What do you think of the present state of the union . By far the best. Very comfortable tonight. He spoke to the nation, reminder the American People that the economy is moving growing, strong command we have to invest in the future we have to reduce the bipartisanship that we are having everyday on the house floor. We have to have bipartisan cooperation and i believe the message will resonate with the American People. Kicked off a lot of different items that she had laid out a couple of weeks ago. Paid leave, increasing the minimum wage, what of these items both the house and Senate Democrats or republicans find an area to agree on. We can try the Common Ground on many of the things that are talked about tonight. The stock market is doing reasonably well. Is time for us to invest in infrastructure and building a better america. You and the Congressional Black Caucus feel about the president tonight talking about americas reaction. Did you like what you heard from the president . Cannot dwell on it, but he did make reference to it. We met with the community, worshiped. I can tell you the problems are significant. Prosecutorial misconduct is prevalent all across the nation. The fact that he would make reference to it is wonderful. Theres so much right now between africanamerican communities and Law Enforcement command we cannot have that. 98 of 98 percent are doing great work. There are some bad actors. We doubt those who are not performing their duties and rein in prosecutors were out of control. The chairman of the cdc. Live coverage here. Reaction from statuary hall. Freshman from michigan. What did you think about tonight, just overall . You know this is my 1st time sitting there. To address those issues. I was glad to here that. Its something that is an economic development, our economy families choosing between a sick child in their job. The the minimum wage, how we must address the fact that when people work they deserve to have a quality of life. I was excited. Actually work with the different sides. Take care of the issue. I think he drove that home. Members of my class is said that is something we want. I cover detroit and the metropolitan area. Detroit,. Detroit, the wealthiest communities in the country and some of the most challenged. A followup to the state of the union for you in terms of translating what the president said into legislation and to your constituents. To my constituents, when we are on these committees, they are bipartisan. We have republican and democratic views. And your committee. Oversight and also Small Business. And so between the two of those, those, those are areas that we can take these issues and grind down those out those different views and bring forth laws and legislation that we can support. We keep talking about the environment. But in place the laws and legislation, regulations. Welcome to congress. Congress. Thank you for being here. Congressman out green of texas. What did what did you think of the president s speech tonight . Did quite well. He address the issue that only of what we call the middle class but the working class. Minimum wage is is very important to the people in this country. He also addressed it in such a way is to help people understand that it impacts more than just old persons who are on the job. When you make more money you create more jobs. Jobs. So i just thought that he handled it very well which is something important. At this. The economy is taking along pretty well. A federal minimum wage. There are just too many people were being left behind. The gap and the earning capacity of americans is widening. Make sure that we can all prosper together. The president speech that is important. Well, i have of of va hospital in my district. I think that that was something. People really do want to take care of people who are willing to risk their lives. Take care of them. We should be able to spend whatever it takes to make sure they get good jobs, good health care. Real problems. The one you are saying in your district is good. You are pleased with how the administration has addressed the issue. We still have more to do. If you cant get the services that you need, you can go into the private market. The democrat of texas how green, thank you for being with us. We also want to do something about immigration. 11 Million People living in the shadows. The greatest executive order ever written. I assure you. Immigration bill. Well, continue to do the right thing, continue to work for people who came here who want to pay taxes become of the rich, vibrant fabric of the United States of america and work until we can get the job done. Done. It will be done overnight, but we have to do it at some. We appreciate you stopping by and talking with us. State of the union night. A night. A former house member from colorado, now senator colorado. Thank you for being with us. Yet seen a number of state of the union. Again, i heard two parts of the speech. He chastise republicans, talked about more Government Spending to me talk to us on things that we can work on together like trade the 2nd part of the speech he was focused on working together. The Biggest Issue that you were the pres. s address address tonight. Its about making sure we are lifting people up. We have a situation right now where it looks good. You scratch underneath the service and people are hurting. People have not have the kind of opportunities that they need. What the pres. Talked about tonight is not going to do the job. Is there a role for government in job creation . Getting out of the way and making sure the Regulatory Framework works to not stifle job creators. Make creators. Make sure that they give Small Businesses the tools they need instead of actually creating roadblocks to job creation. Just a a couple of weeks. Can you give us your impression. I used to make a few jokes. My colleagues reminded me about that. The daytoday operation. What does it feel like . Obviously they made the chambers two very different places. One of our Founding Fathers said the fact is we are now opening up over the past several years members members have procedures put in place. We are having open debate and a voting on those. The Biggest Issue that you will work on . It is about the economy making sure were getting people back to work. Senator kori gardner. From michigan, representative from michigan, republican what did you hear in the pres. s speech tonight . Quite honestly what came to mind and i i wrote down on my notes was rosecolored glasses. The shadow of the crisis has passed. Tonight we turn the page. Page. Im not sure that the American Worker feels all of that. Stagnant wages a lot of questions about healthcare upward mobility. So i dont think were cross the rubicon to add to the metaphor but we have got to come together and figure out how to get this economy running. We have seen things. He did not talk about it directly tonight but it discussion about taxing 529 and a lot of things that will add more uncertainty. The economy adding jobs another drop of the Unemployment Rate the stock market president pointed out was going up. What does it look like . You said rosecolored glasses. When do you get to take them off . When people actually feel it in their pocketbook. Energy production is up. Well, thats because of private not public lands of exploration that has gone on one thing that struck me in all of this the Unemployment Rate gets quoted. I sit on the Financial Services committee, so i watch this closely. He closely. You have to go to the umbrella six line to see what the real number of unemployed and underemployed is which is at least till twice as high as the official Unemployment Rate. And i talk about the instability and uncertainty. House Financial Services. Trying to pass legislation overturning some of the dodd frank legislation. What it needs to be his make. Dot frank workable. I dont think thats been helpful. This is not holy scripture from on high. This is flawed work. There has never been legislation that is perfect 1st timeout. Certainly with 2000 pages we plus pages we no that their are serious flaws. We just have to face the reality. He already signed some of it from previous years. In fact, i had one of them on my wall what but we had to go back in and fix something. Now all of a sudden they are saying this is holy scripture we cannot touch or discuss how we will modify. Financial services companies, banks, etc. Credit unions, Insurance Companies people getting dragon the regulations that even barney frank and chris. Dot said were not the intent. Representative from michigan. We move on to nebraska. Lets start with an issue that certainly involves nebraska. The pres. Barely even touching on it this evening. He brushed by it. Nebraska has been a center of debate for good reason. I reason. I think we need a partnership with the canadians but one that is respectful of our environmental disability. The pipeline was cited to run over the aquifer. So. So a number of nebraskas were rightly concerned about the environmental impact. Turned it down. The pipeline did need to be moved. It seems prudent and reasonable. What do you think the next step this . It depends on what type of majority they pass it with. There is strong bipartisan support for this. Very strong advocates. This has been a significant shift, but there was reasonable debate taking place. Right now oil is shifting of the railcars, there are safety concerns, so it does seem prudent. What other issues did you here that struck your year . Well, a couple of points. The speech overall was aspirational. He called us to thank our troops. Troops. I think is construct as to the economy is a tale of two cities. Wages are declining. We need real opportunity healthy economy and one of the things that is deteriorating economic wellbeing is the rising cost of healthcare. I got an email today from someone who said, my healthcare cost is gone up so much that im having to go into government housing. That doesnt make sense. I think that was a gap a gap in trying to identify how we actually help people in the middle class. Thank you so much. State of the union night 2015. Our coverage continues. Thank you. It is great to be here. What did you think of the speech . I i thought it was a solid speech, positive and done in a way that was joyful. He clearly laid out the challenges and some the ideas on how to solve them in terms of Community College and childcare but what was also important was that he talked about the successes and where we were six years ago and where we are now. That was an important thing to do. We need more students with Community College degrees, more welders. I think i think that is an important message. We have Something Like 8 Million People who are unemployed, 5 million job openings. He do that through training. On that Community College proposal informal talks with colleagues, republican colleagues, what is their sense . As the president pointed out today tennessee is doing it. I am someone who would not be here if it was not for Community College. My dad his dad, my his dad my grandpa worked 1500 feet underground in the mine. But he went through the university of minnesota. A sister never graduated from high school about book but was able to get her ged a graduate i think the fact that he is capturing that kind of American Dream and he is willing to talk about it and say, hey, maybe we could not talk about this so much a few years ago we are stabling now. On the issue of minimumwage the unemployment is down. Is it healthy to call for raising the minimum wage around the country . Our state just increase the minimum wage to the ballpark of what has been proposed year. The starting to see that state by state. Why not to do it on a federal basis. The authorization for military force, calling on congress to give military authority. How does that take shape . You start the Foreign Relations committee. One one was actually passed through the community at the end of last year