0 we are saving $20 million cut to the military. there are various things that go into this and this 1% cut in the cost of living for a military retiree but at age 62 the cola goes back to the full cola. that's one of the tradeoffs. my preference, i would not have preferred that. but in terms of the overall package, you will find that moat in the defense community vigorously support this legislation. >> as you well know, sir, one of the other tradeoffs to use the phrase you just expressed, is the issue of the extension of unemployment benefits. our own kelly o'donnell is reporting that some democrats in the senate may ultimately vote against it this budget based on congress on record. the laundry list of things that concern the american people, passage of the farm bill. there's still the issue of food stamps and that continues to be a sticking point. as i mentioned, extending unemployment insurance and raising the debt ceiling by february 7th and increasing the minimum wage which our new wall street journal poll shows 63% of americans support that, as well as immigration reform. when you hear least productive, least active, most unpopular congress, what is your reaction to that? >> i think it's an accurate assessment. and i am as frustrated -- i've never seen it like this. hard to get agreement. but all of those things that you mentioned, now that this budget agreement has been done and this week we will also pass the defense bill, those two big ones behind us, then we'll start in afghanistan since august 2012. the senate foreign relations committee has started a hearing on the american response to the sectarian violence that started nine months when muslim rebels overthrew the majority government. it is now a humanitarian crisis in which children are often the victims of brutal attacks. unicef says children are being killed because they are christian and muslim and the numbers are staggering. as much as 6,000 children recruited into arms groups, 2.3 million children, half of the country's population are being affected by the conflict there. the humanitarian group doctors without borders says even hospitals have been under attack by armed mobs. the violence also made it very difficult to different food aid with u.n. warning that a quarter of the country could go hungry. joining me now by phone is sylvan -- for doctors without borders. in the capitol african republic. thanks for joining us. >> thank you. >> tell me what you've seen. >> well, it's been quite some time that i have been here and seen the evolution of the rebel ongoing from areas where they unfortunately terrorized a population that played out into the bush with no means to live by, no shelter, no drinking water, limited amount of food and most importantly no access to health care because -- have fled to the capital outside the country. on top of that, you compound that with the -- almost 600 people lost their lives and doctors without borders treated 200 wounded. >> doctors without borders as i mentioned yesterday, criticized the u.n.'s humanitarian agencies at what was called unacceptable perfo performance in addressing needs of these many victims and the senate foreign relations committee will hold a hearing on the american response to the growing crisis. what do you believe needs to happen as it relates to at least the u.s. portion of this? >> well, the international humanitarian intervention and our partner, the u.n. agency, that they need to give up their activities and we're seeing small steps being taken which hopefully should try to play into a better work for the central african population. they need help now, not tomorrow. >> thank you so much for joining us. we appreciate it. we hear our connection is spotty but your words i hope have been heard loud and clear. thank you. >> thank you. >> still ahead, pope francis removes an outspoken conservative cardinal from the vatican's influential congregation for beneficiary opens rebishops replacing him. explaining the most talked about position. murder capital no more, homicides in chicago set to hit a 20-year low. but one researcher says the quote inequality of violence in chicago have skyrocketed where the poorest neighborhoods are also the most dangerous. is there an economic solution to the city's crime problem? and you can join our conversation on twitter. we'll be right back. my customers can shop around-- see who does good work and compare costs. it doesn't usually work that way with health care. but with unitedhealthcare, i information on quality rated doctors, treatment options and estimates for how much i'll pay. that helps me, and my guys, make better decisions. i don't like guesses with my business, and definitely not with our health. innovations that work for you. that's health in numbers. unitedhealthcare. hi boys! i've made you campbell's chunky new england clam chowder. wow! this is incredible! i know. and now it has more clams! [ male announcer ] campbell's chunky soup. what? [ male announcer ] it fills you up right. that isn't the least bit over the top. it's thoughtful, considerate, well-planned. ♪ it's one of a kind. it's completely unexpected. ♪ it's the best gift ever. there's still time to give a personalized photo gift from shutterfly.com. create yours today and save up to 50%. ♪ createavo: thesales event and save up to "sis back. drive" which means it's never been easier to get a new 2014 jetta. it gets an impressive 34 highway mpg and comes with no charge scheduled maintenance. and right now you can drive one home for practically just your signature. sign. then drive. get zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first month's payment on any new 2014 volkswagen. hurry, this offer ends january 2nd. visit vwdealer.com today wout of landfills each year? plastic waste to cover mt. rainier by using one less trash bag each month, we can. and glad forceflex bags stretch until they're full.* so you can take them out less often.