A look at some of the winners and losers. Good evening. There are two words that the president s budget director used to describe the budget, Mick Mulvaney saying this is all about hard power. In putting together the discretionary budget, Mick Mulvaney said he listened to the promises the president made during the campaign and created a budget policy for each and every one. We had an America First candidate. We now have an America First president and we have an America First budget. First priority is defense spending, 10 bump, 54 billion. Homeland security gets an additional 3 billion while Veterans Affairs will add 4. 4 billion. 1. 5 billion will be tapped to begin construction of the border wall with 2. 6 billion mark may next year. To offset the increases, state Department Faces a 20 cut. Most of the 10 billion slashed will come from the foreign aid budget which estate Rex Tillerson said is just fine. The level of spending the state department has been undertaking in the past, particularly this past year, its sadly not sustainable. I am confident with the input of the men and women, we are going to construct a way forward that allows us to be more effective, more efficient and be able to do a lot with fewer dollars. Environmental Protection Agency will be cut 31 and lose more than 3,000 jobs. Hhs will be scaled back nearly 18 while housing and urban development will lose 6 billion, including Community Block grants that help fund meals on wheels. We cant do that anymore appeared we cant spend money on programs just because they sound good. Meals on wheels sounds great. Its a state decision. Say, we want to give you conservatives will applaud the increase in defense spendin spending. National endowment for the arts in public broadcasting, the new budget only holds a lien on the deficit and does nothing to reduce it. In congress, Republican Leadership reacted cautiously. Do i think we can cut spending and get waste out of government quest mike absently. Where and how, that something we will figure out. Its the beginning. Democrats wasted no time calling it downright mean. This budget is not a statement of values of anyone. President trump has shown he does not value the future of our children and working families. Omb director said this budget should come as a surprise to no one. What might surprise the president s how difficult it proves to be to get the budget you want through the congress you need. Bret john, there is a controversy over the lack of president ial portraits at va facilities across the country. The other day it was brought to the attention of florida congressman brian mast, who himself is a disabled veteran. That there werent any portraits of the president. West palm beach and other facilities. Mast, with a group of veterans, went to the va with their own portraits of President Trump and hung them up on the wall. After they left, va staff took them down which prompted the white house to send a directive to the va. Which it passed along to all of the hospitals across the country to allow dignified and appropriate unauthorized portraits to hang in va facilities until the official ones have been delivered bird we are told that the portraits that mast and the veterans provided our backup at the va facility in West Palm Beach and the of the official ones will soon be on the way. Bret john roberts, thank you. We should point out we are awaiting live remarks from President Trump at a reception at the white house in the east room, and they are the annual st. Patricks day reception. When he steps to the microphones, we will bring it to you. When it comes to money matters, most of us understand the importance of paying attention to the bills. With the National Debt on the rise and the debt ceiling deadline thats come and gone, why does it seem that elected leaders are dragging their feet when it comes to dealing with the debt . Tonight to look at it matters in this twopart series. Debt rising. The debt clock keeps ticking, each second moving closer to a total National Debt of 20 trillion. That comes out to about 61,000 of debt for every american citizen. Those seem like scary numbers, so you might think lawmakers would be scrambling to deal with the next fiscal cliff, raising the debt ceiling. Past crises have led to partial government shutdowns. Congressional leaders and Administration Officials are downplaying any immediate concern this time. We will deal with it certainly before the august recess, as to the other issue of a government shutdown, no one desires it. Bret what is it . The debt limit or debt ceiling is the congressionally imposed amount the u. S. Treasury can borrow to pay the governments bills. Raising the borrowing power allows continued spending on things like Social Security and medicare benefits. Tax refunds, military salaries, along with interest on the National Debt and other obligations. Ceiling is a misleading word. It implies a stopping point, but when it comes to the public debt, the sky is the limits. Nearly a quarter century ago, the outstanding debt was about 4 trillion. Budget cuts helps keep it in check but it began climbing again under president bush, and when he left office, he was about 12 trillion. It only accelerated under president obama, now approaching 20 trillion, showing little sign of slowing under the new chief executive. Government shutdowns, sequesters, suspension of the debt ceiling itself, the selfinflicted wounds have turned the debt ceiling argument into a political pinata. First thing to remember, we have always had a shared debt. At the birth of the republic it was 75 million, mostly war debt and the inability of congress to tax. The debt is not just a bunch of numbers viewed in isolation. Its now a Political Tool that lawmakers willingly use as a bargaining chip tied to budget priorities. Fiscal policy like spending and tax cuts can help drive the economy out of recession. Increased military funding can respond to National Emergencies like the 9 11 terrorist attacks. Flexibility is built into debt ceiling increases and has been used 22 times in the past 23 years. Its become a political football. What happens is instead of using the debt ceiling as a reminder or knowledge to get us back onto a smart and sustainable fiscal path, lawmakers and up holding it hostage and it becomes politicized. Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin warned Congress Department will have to take extraordinary measures to avoid default on the federal governments obligations. Shortterm accounting flexibility would eliminate an immediate collapse. Prolonged delays could hurt the u. S. Credit rating and further increase deficit costs into the billions. Seems like the legislative priorities are not so much about lets fix the debt, fix the deficit, control spending but really just to continue spending, continue todd to the debt and deficit. Bret if our creditors ever lose confidence and our ability to pay back our debt, Interest Rates could shoot up dramatically. That would be disastrous for anybody who has ordinary kinds of debt, mortgage, car debt, consumer loans, and for businesses that want to invest. It could be could precipitate another recession. He went up congressional leadership to determine when, not if, the debt ceiling will be raised. The government is not going to default. We will do it. Bret tomorrow our series on the debt ceiling dilemma focuses on the financial consequences for your wallet and what solutions are coming from your elected representatives. You are looking live at the white house. Vice president pence making remarks ahead of President Trump at the annual st. Patricks day reception at the white house for irishamericans. His grandfather emigrated to america from ireland. Enda kenny is essentially the Prime Minister. President of the United States of america, donald trump. [applause] thank you very much. Its a great honor. Taoiseach. Mrs. Kenny, ambassador anderson, dr. Lowe, Vice President pence. And distinguished guests. We gather here today in the white house to take part in the traditional shamrock ceremony and to celebrate the strong ties between the United States and a truly great country, ireland. I also want to extend a special welcome to a group of distinguished local, political, and society leaders. They are real leaders. With us from Northern Ireland, great people. Including the mayor of belfast and the head of Northern Ireland civil service. Thats a lot of power there. Through malcolm mckibben. Wonderful to have you. Where are you folks . Where are you . Where are you . Thank you. They are going to be having a great open championship very soon. I know that. At a great course, a great, great course. St. Patricks day has become a truly important occasion in the United States, one embraced by americans of all faiths and all backgrounds. Ive been to many of them, and we love it. The shamrock ceremony is a tradition that symbolizes the bond between our two countries. It dates back to 1952 when the irish ambassador to the United States, john joseph hearne, sent a box of shamrocks to a president who did a very good job, harry s. Truman. Our strong ties go back throughout american history. Irishamericans played a vital role in preserving our union during its hour of greatest need. So true. Played a very, very big role. Many distinguish themselves in the American Civil War with their grit and bravery and courage, earning the nickname the fighting irish. I know a lot about the irish. They fight. I know a lot. I know more than im ever going to tell you. When American Armed forces joined the fight in europe during world war ii, 75 years ago, our heroic troops first draft stepped off shifts in belfast harbor. Throughout the centuries, hardworking irishamericans contributed mightily to americas innovation and americas prosperity. They often overcame great hardship. Its, like, the hardship they overcame. For us, for our people, is inspiring and really helped a relatively young nation beyond what anyone really understands or knows. We want to thank you. Its just an amazing, amazing history. President john f. Kennedy, in an address to the irish parliament, said that it is that quality of the irish, that remarkable combination of hope, confidence, and imagination that is needed more than ever today. Now, he said that a long time ago. But its perhaps even more true today. The words of americas first Irish Catholic president ring just as true. We hope confidence, and i tell you. What we want now is a lot of things but we need that rate irish confidence, and they are confident people. Arent they . My god. I tell you what. We all wanted together, to grow in the 21st century. And grow we will. As i say, bigger and better and stronger than ever before. We must have the hope to believe in a better future, the confidence to pursue it, and the imagination to figure out how to get there. A new optimism is sweeping across our nation. You see that when you look at the numbers. The optimism is at the highest level in many, many years. As america gained renewed strength, ireland will find us to be an ever faithful partner and an always loyal friend. We will be there for you and will will and we will be there for you. [applause] so thank you for being here. I wish you a very, very happy st. Patricks day. And god bless you and may god bless ireland and Northern Ireland. And may god bless america. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. [applause] bret President Donald Trump at the white house with the taoiseach enda kenny. A lot of irish all over america. Tomorrow, st. Patricks day. Now back to the news today. House and Senate Leaders are saying there is no evidence that candidate donald trump was wiretapped leading up to the november election. White house meantime is stepping up its defense of the president s tweets and what may be coming next. There are new questions being raised in the Russian Investigation itself. Chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge has the report. Joint statement from richard burr and mark warner went beyond the president s claim. Based on the Information Available to us, we see no indication trump tower was the subject of any surveillance. Before or after election day 2016. White house spokesman said the committees statement is not the final word. The statement clearly says that at this time they dont believe it. They have yet to go through the information. For 7 minutes, spicer read through news reports about surveillance and tried to turn the tables. Where was your passion and concern when they said there was no connection to russia . Where was it then . Crickets from you guys. President took the same approach wednesday with tucker carlson. I read a New York Times article talking about wiretapping. There was an article. I read other things. I watched your friend bret baier where he was talking about certain very complex sets of things happening and wiretapping. A special report interview with the House Speaker cited unconfirmed claims. Bret june 2016, a fisa request, foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, to monitor communications involving donald trump and several other Campaign Officials. Have you heard that . None of us in congress are anybody i know in congress has been presented with evidence to the contrary of what you just said. Bret so you believe it to be true . We have seen no evidence anybody in this campaign or any other american was in on it with the russians to metal in the elections. Last night the president suggested new evidence would be available. We will be submitting certain things, and i will be perhaps speaking about this next week, but its right now before the committee. I want to leave it there. The former acting ca director and clinton loyalist told a washington Intelligence Groups another allegation is settled. On the question of the Trump Campaign conspiring with the russians here, there is smoke but there is no fire at all. No campfire, no candle, no spar spark. Theres a lot of people looking for it. He joins former Senior Intelligence officials. No evidence. But does it exist . Not to my knowledge. Friday deadline, House Intelligence Committee wants a cia, fbi, nsa to explain who identified americans whose phone calls or captured during foreign surveillance. Whether the names go beyond mike flynn. Ive been clear about my concern about the incidental collection on general flynn, how it was put into a product, how it was unmasked, how it was leaked to the public. Several crimes have been committed. Senior democrat on the House Government Oversight Committee released new documents. Flynn was paid by a kremlinbacked tv outlets. He received another 23,000 from russian businesses. Democrats are calling for an investigation. They say that the payments may violate a constitutional provision. Bret more on this with the panel. Up next, is the g. O. P. Health care plan on the ropes . We will have the latest. Stay tuned. At covers you part w, so when it comes to pain relievers, why put up with just part of a day . Aleve, live whole not part. Tell you what, ill give it to you for half off. Bret the plan to dismantle obamacare passed a key hurdle today but just barely. Still faces a tough sell as more lawmakers voiced their opposition even as the House Speaker promises to amend the plan. Mike emanuel has a Progress Report from capitol hill. The ayes are 19. No czar 17. Nos are 17. Republican Health Care Plan has taken another step but it was close. Conservatives joined with democrats in voting no. House Speaker Paul Ryan trying to bridge the gap between conservatives and moderates trying to pass the bill. Ryan praised the help hes getting from President Trump. He is making it easier for us to pass health care. His involvement and engagement, listening and negotiating skills bringing people together. So that we have a bill we can pass, get consensus on. Ryan has faced fire from Senate Critics like tom cotton, ted cruz command rand paul. Speaker said his focus is getting a bill that can pass the house, and the senate will play its role. They will have a every opportunity to make a change to the legislation. The house passes a bill, amends the bill, send it to the senate. The senate can amend it and then we go to conference. Nancy pelosi suggested ryan is willing to endanger his g. O. P. Members. This speaker has asked his members to walk the plank a very bad bill that has damaging consequences across the country that might not even become law. Raul labrador hit the speaker from the right saying maybe paul ryan needs to take a couple lessons from nancy pelosi an