Transcripts For CSPAN House Session 20150304

Signed, john a. Boehner, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 6 2015, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited to five minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. Gutierrez, for five minutes. Mr. Gutierrez id like to congratulate the speaker and the republican majority for coming to their senses and allowing the house of representatives to pass a bill funding the department of Homeland Security for the rest of the fiscal year. Seems odd i would have to come to this well to congratulate the majority for funding one of the largest and most important departments in the u. S. Government. And i could not congratulate the majority alone because the bill funding the department of Homeland Security was passed largely on the strength yes, of democratic votes. The vote was strong 57167, but 182 of those votes came from democrats. In fact, every democrat who voted voted to keep the department of Homeland Security open and protecting america until the end of the fiscal year. 100 . Only 75 republicans supported paying our Border Security and Airport Security professionals. Mr. Speaker, it should never have come to this. On the one hand, it should never have come to this because members of congress should never play around with the paychecks of our fellow Government Employees and threaten them with furloughs in order to score partisan cheap political points. The real people with real lives who work at ohare and midway and at ports airports, border crossings, the real people with mortgages, car notes and tuition bills who provide the security our democracy depends on do not deserve the way they are treated by this congress. Lurching from Funding Crisis to shutdown to lastminute votes is no way to run the greatest democracy the world has ever known. We know theres a sensible bipartisan majority thats willing to compromise and do what has to be done to keep the basic functionings of government operating. That group voted yesterday, and the leadership should find a way to let that sensible majority govern despite those who take every opportunity to make governing next to impossible in this body. Secondly, it should never have come to this because the premise on which this funding and shutdown crisis rested was never logical or necessary. Those who oppose the president exercising powers granted to him by the congress have filed a lawsuit in federal court. They picked a sympathetic judge and won a temporary injunction on the implementation of the executive actions the president announced last november. If they really believe in the strength of their case, this threat of a partial Government Shutdown was unnecessary. Clearly they agree with me that their case is weak and that courts will eventually overturn the temporary injunction. But the logic was always sideways. The very president ial actions that some in the Republican Party object to are not even funded by the appropriations made by congress. The criminal background checks, the adjudication of each persons application is paid for in full by the fees of 465 for each immigrant. So this was never a logical funding matter. With or without funding for the department of Homeland Security, the premise that the congress could have deportees who grew up in the United States or who are the parents of u. S. Citizens never held water. Even if people cannot come forward to apply and pass a criminal background check and get to the back of the deportation line, the basic way the president and the secretary of Homeland Security prioritize deporting criminals, drug dealers, drunk drivers over moms, dads and dreamers, that would not change. Think about it. It is as if the republicans were saying they are so upset about their obsession with Border Security and their conviction that president is not doing enough about Border Security that they were willing to defund Border Security in order to make their point. Jon stewart cant right that stuff that good. He doesnt have to. And heres the biggest reason why it didnt have to come to a shutdown showdown. Republicans in the house could have taken action last year to fix our broken immigration system so that we dont have to continue this fiction about deporting 11 million undocumented workers. They could have had a vote to reform our immigration system so people can apply for visas and come legally in the first place rather than being forced in the black market where there are smugglers. They could have allowed a vote to put everify in place, put serious jail time for employers in place and target our enforcement resources on felons, not families. I stood here nearly every week last year and said if the republicans failed to act, the president would be forced to act within the limits of current law to rescue American Families and target our enforcement resources on criminals. I was right and for the record i told you so using a countdown right here on the house floor. The coalition to pass reform, which is made up of almost all of the democrats and about a third or more of the republicans, the same coalition that enacted the bill to fund the department of Homeland Security in yesterdays votes existed then and it exists today if our leaders are willing to Work Together to address Immigration Reform. Its not too late and i predict that Republican Party will continue boxing us into a corner until they address this important american priority. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Mcgovern, for five minutes. Mr. Mcgovern i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker, later this morning i will be joined by my republican colleague, congresswoman lynn jenkins of kansas at d. C. Central kitchen to officially relaunch the house hunger caucus. I couldnt be happier that we are continuing this important bipartisan caucus in the 114th congress. Im thrilled to have her partnership in this caucus and i look forward to working with her. Mr. Speaker several years ago my good friend and former colleague republican congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson and i founded the house hunger caucus as a forum for members to discuss advance, engage and work on issues related to domestic and International Hunger and Food Insecurity. Over the years the house hunger caucus has hosted a number of briefings on topics ranging from introductions to the major domestic and International Hunger programs, to food deserts in rural and urban america, to Global Agriculture and farmertofarmer initiatives to International School feeding and child nutrition programs, just to name a few. And the caucus just doesnt look at existing programs. It also gets involved in emergency responses as they are unfolding. In 2011, during one of the worst droughts in recent memory, the hunger caucus held timely briefings on the u. S. Response to the famine in the horn of africa. Members and staff were able to hear directly from those on the ground providing assistance to deal with this unprecedented crisis. One of the most important objectives of the hunger caucus is to foster Better Communications among antihunger advocates by bringing together stakeholders from federal agencies state and local governments nonprofits faithbased organizations academia and business to discuss longterm strategies for ending hunger. The caucus also serves as a vehicle for antihunger organizations to communicate directly to congress about hunger and Food Insecurity issues. You know one of my Top Priorities for the hunger caucus this year is to make sure we hear directly from those who have experienced hunger and poverty firsthand. We need to make sure that their voices are heard in the discussions here in washington. One of the greatest assets of the house hunger caucus is that it is bipartisan republicans and democrats. It is a way for members to come together to work to end hunger. Mr. Speaker, there was not a Congressional District in the United States of america that is hungerfree. Not a single one. According to the usda, more than 17. 5 million american households were food insecure in 2013, meaning that their access to adequate food was limited by a lack of money or other resources. 5. 6 of households were considered to have very low food security. In other words, those households were hungry. Hunger disproportionately affects the most vullmerble among us, vulnerable among us, children, seniors. One in five children experienced hunger and increasingly veterans and military families are experiencing hunger. On the International Side about 805 Million People in the world or one in nine suffer from hunger, according to the most recent u. N. Reports. This is a decrease of 100 million over the past decade and 209 million since the early 1990s. The u. S. Can be proud of its leadership in reducing Global Hunger and addressing the root causes of Food Insecurity. Through partnerships with other Nations International organizations and our own farmers n. G. O. s and private sector communities, we are advancing Agricultural Development increasing child nutrition reducing malnutrition among infants and children, empowering Small Farmers around the globe especially women, and providing nutritious meals in school settings. While the journey is long, we have a coordinated and proven set of programs that effectively address hunger. As we reestablish the house hunger caucus, i cant think of a better place to show it than the d. C. Kitchen. Which has 80 nonprofit partners. One of d. C. Central kitchens greatest strengths is the culinary jobs program where people faced homelessness, addiction or incar ration, participate in rigorous job training in a rigorous job training program. As part of our kickoff this week, the house hunger caucus will host a briefing for house staff entitled domestic hunger 101 tomorrow at 1 00 p. M. The briefing will be given by c. R. S. Experts and is intended to present a broad overview of the major domestic antihunger programs. I look forward this important work with congresswoman jenkins. I encourage my house colleagues to join the house hunger caucus. As members we dont have to agree on everything but to agree on something and ending hunger is something we can agree on. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has yielded. The chair recognizes the gentleman from kentucky, mr. Barr, for five minutes. Mr. Barletta mr. Barr thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today i rise to discuss the negative consequences of the doddfrank law as well as reforms to the law that would represent muchneeded solutions for middleclass families in kentucky and across the country. When this act was signed into law nearly five years ago, its supporters made many promises. President obama claimed it would, quote, lift the economy, and it would help protect main street not wall street. In both of these instances, the opposite has proven true. While the president is claiming victory on the economy, many kentucky families and families across america are still hurting. Last year the u. S. Economy grew at an anemic 2. 4 . The ninth year in a row of growth below the postwar average of about 3 . President reagan also inherited a very difficult economic situation. However if this recovery had progressed at the same rate as the reagan recovery of the 1980s, the economy would be about 2 trillion larger, which works out to be about 1,500 more per family per year. This is hardly the boom that the president talks about. Growth this low for this long is simply not fast enough to lift incomes for most americans. A primary cause of the weakness of this recovery is the avalanche of red tape coming out of the Obama Administration, including the nearly 400 new rules and regulations arising from doddfrank that are crushing small communities around the country. Doddfrank imposes costly and burdensome restrictions on Community Banks and Credit Unions that limit their ability to loan money to their customers which is hindering Economic Growth and hurting low and middleincome americans the hardest. A Community Banker in my district told me that before doddfrank, lending decisions were often made based on a business judgment about the character and the credit worthiness of their customers. People in small towns across america, they know each other and local banks and Credit Unions are in the business of helping their neighbors. These institutions assume the consequences of their decisions at no risk to the Financial System or to taxpayers who have been on the hook for bailouts. And so theyre willing to take a risk, both in terms of how to best help their customers achieve his or her dreams and provide a reasonable return to the shareholders of the bank or members of the credit union. But that same banker told me that after doddfrank, the government, the government is making the decisions instead of the shareholders or the bank board. Imposing a onesizefitsall, topdown mandate on local Financial Institutions. Rather than working with people, this Community Banker now deals with mountains of paperwork and federal regulators. The result has been a disaster. The number of Community Banks has declined by 9. 5 . There have been far fewer new Community Bank charters and less services and products now offered to customers. It has bureaucracies on top of an overly complex financial regulatory system. New accountable bureaucracies like the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and the Oversight Council operate largely out of public view and are subject to almost none of the checks and balances imposed on other government agencies. For example, the bureau deemed bath county kentucky, with a population of 10,000 people as nonrural. Making it even more difficult for people to secure loans from Community Banks and Credit Unions. Think about this, the ridiculous scenario of washington, d. C. Bureaucrats labeling one of the most rural parts of america as nonrural and hurting the people as a result. Shockingly, this Unaccountable Agency provided to valid justification for how they came to this conclusion, nor any means to challenge this arbitrary determination. After i introduced legislation along with members of both parties to address this issue, the agency after more than a year of delay finally relented and expanded its definition of rural to include bath county. While this is a positive development for this kentucky county, the process remains opaque, arbitrary, and not subject to appeal, and our Rural Communities continue to struggle with onesizefitsall regulatory approaches for which they lack the resources to comply. This week i would reintroduce the helping expand lending practices in Rural Communities act which would give individuals an appeals process by which to contest this designation. Doddfrank includes other rules which are holding our economy back. It is harder for creditworthy low and moderate income americans to buy a home. The volcker rule has made u. S. Capital markets less competitive internationally creating unnecessary obstacles for u. S. Companies to raise the funds they need to grow their businesses and create jobs. Despite the stated intentions of this law, Community Banks and Credit Unions have been left to comply with onerous new regulations intended to prevent a repeat of the financial crisis they did not cause. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Million barr thank you, mr. Speaker. Lets join together, cut red tape and unnecessary regulation that is are holding our communities back. We can create real opportunity the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Barr by repealing this law and starting over. Thank you, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore members are reminded to heed the gavel. The chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen, for five minutes. Mr. Cohen thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor a great baseball player and baseball player befriended me and a great human being who passed away on sunday. Mini minoso. The cuban comet, mr. White sock. Minnie was born in 1925 on november 29 in cuba. He played baseball in cuba, had the opportunity to come to america and play in the negro leagues. For being a black cuban, he wasnt allowed to be in the major leagues. He played three years with the new york cubans, and then because of bill virginia tech, one of the leaders, the American Leagues branch ricky, gave him opportunity to play baseball in the major leagues and after playing in the minors in san diego, he came up with the Cleveland Indians but was quickly traded to the Chicago White sox where he started his career in 1951 and became known as mr. White sock. He was a great white sox baseball player, one of the greatest players in the 1950s. And a great emmiss airry of latin american baseballers. He was the first black latin american baseball player. First black white sox baseball player, and second africanamerican in the American League after larry doby. He had a great career. He did everything in baseball. He hit for average, he hit for power, he had speed, great fielder. Great competitor. He was a great human being. In 1955, i was recovering from polio. And i lived in memphis, tennessee. I went to an exhibition baseball game where the white sox were playing the cardinals. And i had a white sox cap unlike this one this is a mini minoso cap and i white sox tshirt and i was on crutches getting autographs. A player came and gave me a baseball. I thanked him. I went to my dad and told my dad about it. We went down to thank the player. He was white. Pitcher named tom. He said, dont thank me, thank that player over there. That was number 9 for the white sox, minnie minoso. In the entire baseball field of 50 players or more, one cared about a young boy with polio who was a white sox fan and wanted to do something for him. But in segregated memphis, a black player didnt feel comfortable doing that. He did it through a white player. It taught me at a very early age about the horrors of discrimination and prejudice, racism. He became my friend. I visited him in chicago and went to the bhox locker room. He gave me his bat. When he came to memphis i visited him at the motel which is where the black players stayed. It was where dr. King was killed and now its a great Civil Rights Museum in memphis. Another lesson in discrimination for me that taught me well and to this day to be vigilant against all forms of discrimination. Followed minnie my whole life, he was like part of my. We moved to los angeles, we went and visited. He came up to my dad and said doc, hows the kids leg . Hows he doing . He always was concerned. He was a great human being and great baseball player. He was denied one of his lifes goals into being voted into the Baseball Hall of fame. I tried to help him with that. Baseball made a mistake. They should have put minnie into the hall of fame being the first latin american black player, first latin american player, really, in the big leagues. He died sunday. Visitation is friday at Holy Family Church in chicago. Funeral is saturday. Ill miss him. Hes a lesson in why sports are bigger runs, hits, and errors. Its about human beings and humanity and young kids. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. Some the gentleman has yielded his time. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pafment, mr. Rothfus for five minutes. Mr. Rothfus thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week the notre dame family lost two larger than life figures. One a holy cross priest father hessberg, served as president for 35 years and oversaw Remarkable Growth of the university named for our lady. The father was known and recognized around the world. The other was a layman, charles rice, who taught at Notre Dame Law School for 40 years and was a retired marine, devoted husband to his wife without whom he could never have accomplished his work. A devoted father, and an academic who dove deep into the philosophical underpinnings of law. It is estimated at that he taught half the living alumni of the Notre Dame Law School. While much has been written and said these last few days of father hessberg given the National State he walked, has been less than professor rice except for colleagues and prolife and religious liberty advocates have given in the days since he passed. To my left is one of those iconic figures from the 1960s. Dr. Martin luther king and the father standing together for racial equality in chicago. What allowed these two remarkable men to come together in spite of different back grounds and traditions was a common understanding of justice that was grounded in our western and judeochristian philosophy of law. It was this same philosophy at the heart of what was taught at notre dame. In Martin Luther kings letter from the birmingham jail written two years prior to the famous selma march that will be commemorated this weekend, dr. King addressed his fellow clergymen, many of whom were criticizing his tactics in confronting unjust jim crow laws. One may well ask, dr. King wrote, how can you advocate breaking some laws and not others . The answer lies in the fact there are two types of laws, just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but morm responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one was a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I dr. King, said would agree that with Saint Augustin that an unjust law is no law at all. Dr. King then asked now, what is the difference between the two . How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust . King answered that a just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law, or the law of god. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of st. Thomas aquines in a he continued, an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. These words will be very familiar to any of charlie rises students. Indeed, a significant amount of his work dealt with natural law. Natural law principlals were recognized in our deck lation of indens with jefferson referencing the nature of god and endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights including the right to life. He was a 2350ers defender of the right to life. He believed every human being whether an elderly grandmother young adult incapacitated through an accident or disease, an unborn child capable of feeling pain, or three week old unborn child whose heart had just begun to beat had an unalienable right to life. For charlie those lives and all human lives are sacred because they are a gift of god. In the year since roe vs. Wade, professor rice never waivered from his core conviction on the right to life. He became increasingly confirmed for the religious freedom and conscience right of individuals when he saw government coercing them into practices that violated those rights. He told his students, never be afraid to speak the truth. He certainly never was. For him, the truth was clear. The right to life and freedom of religion, both of which are specifically mentioned in our nations founding documents, are under attack. But professor rice never gave up. He believed that one day those rights would be protected again. He continued to defend those rights to the day he died. His work in defending life and religious freedom will continue. It are live on in his wife, his children, and grandchildren, as well as the countless lives he touched. May professor rice and father helpberg rest in peace. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has yielded. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. 23 hours ago in this chamber israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was given a large megaphone to undercut american diplomatic attempts at restraining Irans Nuclear ambitions. One has to go back to the days of Douglas Macarthur being fired by president truman who was then invited to congress by the Republican Leadership to a raptureous audience. History has shown that General Macarthur and the Republican Leadership was wrong. Truman was right. And deemed one of our best president s for the hard, difficult decisions he made to much political criticism. And history has not been so kind to the career and personality of General Macarthur and the deliverer message he delivered to that congress. I suspect that history will not be kind to yesterdays speech and the decision to stage it. The Prime Minister delivered no alternative vision other than an impossible set of demands that would ensure negotiations by america, our allies, and the russians fail. He seemed to doom americans and iranians to be permanent enemies, even though the iranian people, distinct from the ayatollahs and their minions, by all accounts are the only country in the region other than israel that has a positive view towards americans. Think about that. But the flaws in netanyahus speech were more fundamental. He had no alternative vision no outline of a plan that would do anything other than lead to war. His remarks continued a series of dire predictions that i have heard from him since i first came to congress in 1995. He had the same servitude when he testified before congress about what a positive transformational event it would be for the United States to go to war with iraq. It was good politics at the time, probably even for most americans, and im sure it was good politics in israel. But it demonstrated spectacularly bad political judgment. Cheerleading the United States into the worst Foreign Policy disaster in our history. Costing us trillions of dollars with no end in sight. Costing hundreds of thousands of lives. And crafting the middle east in turmoil. Indeed irans ayatollahs were the only winner in the wake of that tragic war urged on by netanyahu. It allowed iran to have an outside influence in the very countries that netanyahu mentioned. The middle east is in crisis on the defensive with isis forces that are only slightly larger than the authorized strength of the California National guard. Netanyahu produced a vision thats bound to fail and at what cost to the americanisraeli leadership . Making israel a partisan issue harms israel, according to a good friend of mine who worked for aipac for years. More troubling, the Prime Minister did not offer one word about his failure to produce a peaceful twostate solution. I would have welcomed even a word about the pending humanitarian crisis in gaza. Im not talking about war with the militants. Im talking about 1. 7 Million People in the land where 95 of the water is already unfit to drink and by next year it will be the case with all domestic water. And if no action is taken, by 2020 that damage will be irreversible. But i was encouraged by the aipac conference where i dont necessarily agree with all of their policy prescriptions dealing with iran i was heartened to see there were two wellattended Panel Discussions featuring an israeli expert that highlighted why it was both in the interest of israel and gaza to solve the pending water and sanitation crisis that is easily within the power of israel, the United States and other donor nations. I saw that as a bright spot in a troubling day. If we concentrate on simple, commonsense steps where we can Work Together to save lives and improve the future, i think theres a lot more on the horizon that we can accomplish. I stand with israel. Thats why i choose not to undercut our diplomats in the midst of negotiating by attending that joint session. Netanyahu offers one perspective, certainly not mine but challenging his ideas is not antiisraeli any more than challenging the ideas of president obama is antiamerican. Ill welcome a feasible alternative to a bad deal, but ive yet to hear one especially from the Prime Minister. Until then, i will stand with israel by empowering our negotiators and not undercutting them. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from hawaii, mr. Takai, for five minutes. Mr. Takai aloha mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the 50th anniversary of the Selma Voting Rights Movement and of the selma to montgomery marches that led to the passage of the Voting Rights act. Nothing so far has moved me more as a freshman member of this august body than to sit down and talk with our colleague, john lewis, who years ago was the chairman of the student nonviolent coordinating committee. Ive had many occasions since the beginning of this congress to speak with congressman john lewis about the events of 50 years ago. Hes the only living big six leader of the american civil Rights Movement still with us. It will be forever be my honor to have sat next to mr. Lewis when president obama gave his state of the Union Address earlier this year. It was not lost on me that i was sitting and listening to president obama while sitting next to a man whose actions 50 years ago helped pave the way for barack obama, a black kid from hawaii to become president of the United States. The freedom marches mark a significant turning point in americas history. As an ethnic minority myself im thankful for those who paved the way for the freedoms and the liberties that all of us as americans enjoy. They suffered insults and physical harm, yet, their spirit remain unbroken. The right of our citizens to vote is one that runs through the foundation of our country. To prevent or inhibit the vote of a citizen is an action that i feel contradicts the very principles on which this country was established. Even our even in our Current Society there are efforts being undertaken to limit citizens of our country from casting their vote. This is a despicable practice and highlights to me the importance of the Voting Rights act and the need to remain vigilant against those who seek to reverse the Great Strides made by this country towards equal rights for all. The brave actions taken by the civil right marchers 50 years ago still resonate with our society resonates with our society today. Thats why im proud to join the 50 years of the freedom march. Looking at photos i was struck by photos of dr. Martin luther king, congressman john lewis and others leading the 54mile third march, arms length together in solidarity wearing what looked like what double carnation hawaiian lei, looking into the matter further, i learned they were in fact wearing lei. Why were they wearing lei . The importance for standing together for civil rights for all. Many may not know this but dr. Martin luther king actually came to speak at the university of hawaii in 1964. He came for a civil rights symposium being held at the university. It was during this time in hawaii that he began a deep friendship with the reverend abraham akaka, former pastor on oahu and the first chairman of the Hawaii Advisory Committee of the civil rights commission. In the spirit of aloha, which means compassion, peace and love the reverend akaka send sent to selma the lei for leaders of the protestors to wear. Ill be marching this weekend, mr. Speaker, and to honor the traditions and bonds established years ago between hawaii and the alabama civil rights leaders, senator mazie hirono and i will be presenting lei to congressman lewis and others. This is a tribute to the marchers 50 years ago and reverberated to our nation and to hawaii a state that was only six years old. As we travel across the 54mile historic trail and cross the famous edmund pet us bridge on set pettus bridge on saturday, well remember the lives who lost, remember the those who paved the way, seb bright the hardfought victories and know that the fight is not yet over. I look forward to participating in this historic weekend and i thank the faith and Politics Institute for coordinating our congressional pilgrimage to alabama. I yield back. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has yielded. The chair recognizes the gentleman from puerto rico, mr. Pierluisi, for five minutes. Mr. Pierluisi i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. The speaker pro tempore without opposition. Mr. Pierluisi mr. Speaker, this is the fifth time this year that i have addressed this chamber about puerto ricos political destiny. I recently introduced a bill that would provide puerto ricos admission as a state once the majority of puerto ricos electorate affirms their desire for statehood in a federally sponsored vote. The bill already has 70 cosponsors, 56 democrats and 14 republicans. In contrast to puerto ricos current territory status statehood would deliver to my constituents what all free people deserve full Voting Rights, full selfgovernment and full equality under the law. And unlike separate nationhood, which is the only other nonterritory option available to puerto rico, statehood would help rebuild the islands shattered economy and improve its quality of life. Indeed, the fact that statehood would be in the best interest of puerto rico is beyond reasonable dispute. There will always be politicians in puerto rico who claim otherwise for ideological reasons but their arguments are detached from reality. Today, i want to outline why statehood would also be in the National Interest of the United States as a whole. There are three main reasons. One, moral one moral one economic and one political. First the moral reason. In 2012, my constituents held a free and fair vote in which they rejected territory status and expressed the preference for statehood. At a Subsequent Senate subcommittee hearing, then chairman ron wyden said the current relationship between the United States and puerto rico undermines the United States moral standing in the world. Senator wyden posed this question. For a nation founded on the principles of democracy and the consent of the governed, how much longer can america allow a condition to persist in which nearly four million u. S. Citizens do not have a vote in the government that makes the National Laws which affect their daily lives . If puerto rico desires statehood, i cannot identify any moral basis upon which congress could decline that petition. Especially in light of the enormous contribution that island residents have made in our armed forces over generations. How could the u. S. Government, a champion of democracy and selfdetermination around the world, disregard those principles with respect to its own citizens without losing credibility at home and abroad . The second reason that statehood is in the National Interest is economic. Last year the g. A. O. Published a report about the fiscal impact of statehood on the federal government. The report confirms that statehood will enhance quality of life in puerto rico but it also alleviates any concern that statehood would have an adverse impact on the u. S. Treasury. As the g. A. O. Explains new federal outlays to puerto rico would be significantly counterbalanced by new federal revenues generated from the island. The truth is this this nation will benefit when puerto ricos economy is strong, when its residents do not need to move to the states to achieve their dreams or vote for their National Leaders when individuals and businesses on the island flourish and when the corporate and individual tax base expands. The u. S. Stands to gain from the state of puerto ricos success just as it currently pays a severe price for the territorys shortcomings. Finally, let me turn to the political dimensions of this debate. The evidence indicates that either National Party could be competitive on the island. I am a proud democrat, but the prostatehood party are leading to hundreds of thousands of equally proud republicans. Voters in puerto rico have elected two republican governors and numerous republican senators representatives and mayors at the local level. I can say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that they should not view the perspective state of puerto rico as either a blessing or a curse for their partys for turns but rather as an opportunity. Statehood is not only in puerto ricos interest, it is also in the National Interest. Statehood will make puerto rico stronger and it will make the United States a more perfect union. God bless puerto rico the next state of the United States of america. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has yielded. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon today. A look here at the crowds gathered outside, supporters of the law, opponents of the law. Supporters of the case and opponents and others. Lets take a look some of the sights and sounds outside the Supreme Court today as the case, king v. Burwell, is being argued at this hour in front of the justices. In fact, wall street journal, one of many sites is blogging live, they report the challengers alternative barely got a dozen words out before Justice Ginsberg interrupted him to ask about his plaintiff standing. We want to let you know that the oral argument will be heard this friday night here on cspan. More about that in just a bit. You can continue to watch our live Coverage Today over on our companion network cspan3. Here on cspan well take you back across the street to the u. S. Capitol to hear from the House Foreign Affairs committee. They are hearing today about the conflict in ukraine and specifically hearing from the ambassador, the victoria nuland, assistant secretary forure asian affairs. They got under way about 45 minutes ago. Live coverage here on cspan. And you better have this done when its three. And she would go one, two, two and a quarter, two and a half, two and three quarters. She would give it more time. That seems to me what they are doing. We are so waiting and hoping that things happen that putin just looks at this as a sign of weakness. I think the strongest thing we can do now is to provide defensive lethal weapons. Thank you, mr. Ranking member. Obviously this hearing gives us an opportunity for all of you on both sides of the aisle to register your views on this important subject. I would say as i said in my testimony that we are watching very intensively whether or not the february 12 agreements are implemented. I cited some concerns already today following on the vicious taking. As i said we have other tools in our arsenal, including deepening of the sanctions. We are in consultation with our allies now on how that would go if we see more violations. In your written testimony statement, you mentioned im quoting you, in the coming days quote, not weaks or months, we need to see full unfettered access to the whole conflict zone, including the territory for osce monitors. Does this include territory along the boarder with russia . Will we press for osces ability to inspect the socalled humanitarian convoys regularly entering the ukraine from russia . We have been pressing for that. In particular the two border posts that osce has been able to monitor on the border. Unfortunately, these convoys seem to find roads, 10 kilometers north or 10 kilometers south of where the osce monitors are and just wing right by. The minksminsk implementation called for monitoring and verification of ceasefire along the internal line as well as these pullbacks with heavy weapons. What is required by the agreement is not simply to see tanks and artillery pieces on roads moving back, but to be able to count them, to be able to see them in permanent storage, to be able to come back on a regular basis to ensure that they havent moved or been reemployed elsewhere, but also eventually redeployed elsewhere, but also have access to the entire special status area. That will certainly be necessary if the political pieces of minsk are to be implemented. New elections, etc. , so we can be sure it is free and fair and osce elements can get in. Let me ask you one final question. Im really concerned that the minsk Implementation Agreement does not provide ukraine control over its own border with russia until the end of this year following constitution reform in ukraine that is acceptable to russia. Can you allay my fears and help me make sense of this . You are correct, mr. Ranking member, that the way the Implementation Agreement was sequenced on february 12 restoring ukrainian sovereignty on the eastern border is the last item and it doesnt happen until the end of 2015 but as i said in my statement we are also firm with our allies and partners that means we will not be rolling back sanctions on russia until minsk is fully implemented. That is part of what we have. The ukranians, as you know, are in the process of working intensively now to reform the constitution. Taken new steps to accelerate that work, including this bill that i mentioned to provide greater powers to the regions even in advance actuality regions of ukraine, even in advance of constitutional reform. So we are cautiously optimistic with european and u. S. Help there will be constitutional reform in ukraine in 2015 that will meet the standards. And well see whether the separatists are willing to work with the government and whether we actually have elections and new eastern ukrainian authorities who can work on decentralization there. Thank you. I think you hear my frustrations, the chairmans frustrations. Thank you personally for your hard work and your good work. Thank you. Thank you very much, mr. Engel. Ill recognize myself. Madam ambassador many members of our committee will continue to hammer the Obama Administration on this damaging and unnecessary and senseless delay in providing the lethal aid ukraine so desperately needs. Youll continue to hear this kine line of questioning, because despite this fragile ceasefire ukraine continues to suffer casualties at the hands of separatists backed by moscow and the ukraine government fears that putins thugs are simply using this opportunity, this ceasefire, to regroup their forces in preparation of yet another offensive. Ukraine is in such tragic need of lethal aid from the u. S. , and as you have heard, both the head of our nations Intelligence Community and the head of our Defense Department agree. Yet just last week secretary kerry testified before our committee, as you have heard from the chairman and the Ranking Member, that no decision on lethal aid has been made yet. And so we ask and continue to ask, what is the hold up . Our allies need our assistance now. Enough with the excuses. What part of the interagency process is the decision lethal aid for ukraine currently stalled . Does the Department State department believe that the United States should send lethal aid to ukraine . Yes or no. And you said that the president has not made a decision yet, but you didnt say what you believe and what the state department believes. I would like to hear that. Also the act and list, the tragic murder a few days ago of the russian Opposition Leader came just days, as we know, as he was about to publish evidence of the Russian Military in ukraine. Have his murderers been sanctioned as human rights violators under the act . And can you give us an update on the progress or lack thereof of adding names on that act so we can sanction those violators . And also secretary kerry has said that Russian Foreign minister lied to his face about russian involvement in ukraine. What is the extent of russian involvement . Are russian solders in ukraine . Are we prepared to say that . Participating in the conflict . And on the 123 agreement, ill ask you to give me written responses to these because theres a series of questions. I have been advocating for the administration to withdraw from the u. S. Russia Nuclear Cooperation agreement, the 1, 2, 3 agreement to prevent the potential future use of u. S. Nuclear technology and assistance against our own interests. And given putins continued aggression, will the administration suspend the russia 1 2, 3 agreement . Lastly, i have been critical how the administration plans on using funds to provide democracy and human rights in russia, especially after 2012 when putin kicked out usaid from russia. Please update the committee on what the administration plans to do with that money that is been left over from the russia u. S. Russia investment fund. Thats a lot, congresswoman. Let me go a through them quickly. Thank you for letting me take the 1 2, 3 question in writing. I want to make sure we get it right. With regard to the process, the president did ask agencies for recommendations and advice. Those recommendations and advice have gone forward to him. I think you will forgive me if i take the same position my secretary took when he was here that we will provide that advice confidentially and ill decline to speak to in an open hearing. With regard to the brutal murder of boris, i think you know before this we had met our annual statutory requirement to provide more names under the legislation, but that was before this event. So as we look at our list at the end of this year, we will see what we can learn about who the perpetrators are. We have made absolutely clear publicly and privately to the Russian Federation that the International Community will expect an investigation that meets International Standards and that finds not only the shooter but the orderer of the murder. Not headed by putin. I know my time is expiring, but if we were to add aggressively add more names to that list of human rights violators, i think that we would see a change and russia knows we are not serious about implementing that legislation. I would love to get the answers to my questions in writing. Thank you. We go to brad sherman of california. Ambassador, one thing i noticed about your Opening Statement was your lavish praise. The Ukrainian Parliament passing so much substantive legislation and you compared it to congress. I didnt compare it. I would just note for the record and maybe it wasnt a comparison, but came very close that every day someone in the Administration Urges me to work hard to block legislation they dont like. And 99 of the bills that the administration does not want on the president s desk are not there due to the hard work of your allies here in congress. If you want lots of legislation passed, be sure that that is a consistent view of the administration. Many of my colleagues at the beginning talked about how we need a strong policy. Who would come here and advocate the weakpolicy. But we do need to put this week pol weak policy. But we do need to put this in process. We seem to face unlimited challenges china, south china sea, afghanistan, some difficulties in pakistan, and other places. We have to go with the strength and nuance although frankly i think in this case a little bit more strength, a little less nuance. Theres talk about a capturing and going and building a land bridge to crimea. My concern is they want to build a land bridge to moldova and take all of ukraines coastal territory and access to the black sea. A lot of discussion of whether we should provide lethal weapons albeit defensive lethal weapons to ukraine. Such heatal aid would have an effect on the battlefield, but also a political effect. These arent weapons they are getting their hands on from pair guy pair way. These are weapons from the worlds superpower. We can give ukraine monny, we can give them weapons or we could give them weapons. If they had money they could buy weapons. If the Ukrainian Government had sufficient money is there anything that they in the way looking at the defensive weapons that are being discussed, that they could not buy from some source . So real question here is it can we have the battlefield effects suggested by my colleagues by providing money . First of all, congressman, i certainly didnt mean any invidious comparison. I was simply giving props to the i understand. With regard to your concern about a race all along the southern rim of ukrainian territory, not only a land bridge to crimea but onward to moldova, we worry about that, too. That is why we are paying such close attention today to these villages between the seas fire line if you could focus on the question i asked. With regard to what one can buy on the international market, a number of the things that the ukranians have requested are not readily available unless the u. S. Were to license onward export, and we have a number of countries, including our allies we are just talking antitank weapons. I see those in world war ii movies. They have also been out shopping on the world market and have had a lot of difficulty getting countries to provide in the absence of the u. S. Providing. Yet our enemies turn money into weapons with great ease. You mentioned the importance of if we could have order in the committee. You mentioned the regions and the devolving power to the regions, controversial in kiev yet if power is devolved to the regions that undercuts russian propaganda. It creates more support for ukrainian state. Is it true under the present constitution the governor of each state is appointed by kiev . I know there are gentlemen from texas whether president obama will appoint their governor. I dont think that would be a way to be popular in texas. Have the ukrainians changed their system so each region could elect its own governor . Victoria congressman, thats one of the issues thats going to be debated as they move through congressional reform. As you know, their system is similar to the one in russia and other postsoviet states and the parliament is locally elected. On this issue of decentralization, just to say it is actually broadly popular across ukraine, not just in the east, you know, one of the ways that they are in power in kiev manages things and moscow helped them manage things is because everything was centralized. There was broad support of decentralizing Tax Authority local policing all these kinds of things and i think youll see that. Mr. Sherman and hopefully electing your own governor would be part of that because our friends in kiev need to help them 70s, not just ask for our help and they could help themselves a lot by countering that russian propaganda. I yield back. We go to mr. Critz smith of new jersey mr. Cris smith of new jersey. Mr. Smith i believe delay is denial and i believe we have a de facto defensive weapons arms embargo on ukraine. And its reminiscent to me to the balkans war when we totally misguided fashion ensured that bosnia and the croatians did not have the ability to defend themselves against any lohse vits aggression and now we see that aggression to our good friend and ally the ukraine. When you get to secretary of defense carter, James Clapper and as one of my colleagues already mentioned and i read his speech and its an excellent speech that was given by our top military Commander Lieutenant general ben hodges, he has made a number of important points, i think in his speech perhaps chief of which is while ukraines defense capability might not necessarily turn the tide overnight or soon when it comes to the military situation, it will make the diplomatic solution more probable probably and thats exactly what happened, as we all know, when the croatians broke the arms embargo. They were able to break the arms embargo and put them to flight. I think the ukrainians are waiting for the kind of ability to defend itself. Theyre all saying, do it, mr. President , and hes refrained from doing it its baffling. When you get two World Leaders between september and yesterday publicly admonishing president obama in joint sessions of congress, it is time to wake up i believe respectfully, and take their views into much greater account. You know, as my colleagues have said, and i believe it as well, delay is denial. People are dying over, over 6,000 are dead. Many of those are children and women. You know, and i do think it may even be speaking to another issue andes that the hollowness of our military increasingly. We are not there yet. Thank god. We are on a slope of being weakened. As general hodges pointed out, germany and we know Angela Merkel has not went with military capability. Only 42 of germanys typhoon vehicles are available. 39 of the tornado bombers special force had to pull out of a joint exercise because there was no working helicopter. A hallow force is a great invitation for vled mir putin to continue his ways. I think we need to step up and help ukraine. I was at a winter meeting and ukrainians and while they dont want to say this publicly just Like Netanyahu was atuesdayive in the opening speech, part of his speech was praise for obama, they dont want to say publicly they need us so they have to thread lightly and on eggshells. They said how profoundly disappointed they are in president obama, especially in light of people around him saying please, mr. President , this is a time for american leadership. So when will that decision be made . You know, the pipeline took six years and then finally we found out where are the president really stood when he vetoed the bill for the keystone pipeline. What, is it next week, tomorrow . There are statements by port shenko todayed a money port portoshenko not to be premature, his word, in being optimistic about where mens 2 is taking us. There are pair less i thank god for the 452 o. S. E. Monitors on the ground doing the work but its reminiscent in croatia and bosnia. I remember meeting them with their white suits on and saying, how many are being killed, how many were being raped . It was horrible stuff. They were brave. The o. S. E. Need defensive weapons and need them now. I yield. Tomorrow, maybe, are we going to find out from the president the latest denial . Victoria thank you, congressman. I think as you heard in our Opening Statement we are watching the implementation of mens. We do have concerns about new firing on the ground in the last couple of days. I do think the environment and whether this is implemented will affect the calculates both on the sanctions side and on the security support side. Mr. Smith thank you. The pilot, member of the parliament is in her 11th day of hunger strike. What are we trying to do to help her release . Victoria we have grave concerns about her condition. We believe she was illegally abducted across the border. If russia wanted to give a humanitarian gesture there would be more impactful they could do quickly than to release her today. We have concerns about her health. She was seen by a european doctor last week or two weeks ago. As you know, when are taking in no calories every day matters. So we in every meeting we have at every level, notably, including secretary kerrys meeting with the foreign minister over the weekend, we raised her condition and asked she be released immediately. Thank you. We go to mr. Gregory meeks, the Ranking Member of the subcommittee on europe. Mr. Meeks thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me say for me its complicated. I dont think it has one solution to it. Whether it is giving weapons, thats going to be the be all and end all thats going to resolve this problem or not, im not sure where im at on that. Let me ask one question. I know weve been a lot on weapons. I think by now everybodys clear, im a multilateralist. I think the world is different. We cant just do things on our own. I think it is leadership when you bring in countries together and you have them work and stick together. I think thats leadership. Its difficult. Its easy to do things by yourself. It is harder to do things in conjunction with others. And thats real leadership in my estimation. Now, where is and im not sure even on weapons im not sure where im at because you dont like to see this. Have we had dialogue and where is our e. U. Partners on giving defensive weapons to ukraine and in my mind im still unclear what is defensive weapons . What are offensive weapons . Whether or not those weapons if youre in battle, everyone says that ukraine cannot beat russia. Can russia takes those weapons away from the ukrainians . But where is our e. U. Partners on the issue of harm arming ukraine . Victoria thank you congressman. Thank you for your support of europe as the new Ranking Member of the subcommittee. Im a multilateralist too. Managing our response on ukraine spend almost as much time working with nato and e. U. Partners as we do work with ukraine because it makes it impossible for the kremlin to divide us. There are all 28 allies have provided nato allies have provided some form of Security Assistance to ukraine. It can take take the form of training. It can take the form of support for the medical needs of the military. The u. K. And poland have announced, as youve probably seen in the press, to start training ukrainians on the lines of the notifications that we have sent up to you all. Where the divide happens and where the debate is happening and there are allies and partners on both sides as there are folks in washington, is on the question of the lethality of the weapons. So nonlethal defensive weapons, everyone has been supportive what have what we have done. Different allies on different sides, the president obviously, has discussed this with all of his partners. Most notably with chancellor merkel when she was here. The Vice President talked to a lot of partners at few nick as well as secretary kerry so that conversation continues. Mr. Meeks even as we can deal with whats taking place militarily you know, a few folks i have spoken with, they are really concerned with the dire straits of the economics, of the economy of the ukraine. And fact, some have said to me that economy and corruption could cause the ukrainian this government to fold even before we get further down the road. And that even the money that we give, some question whether or not its going to where its supposed to go, is it getting into corrupt hands . My question is, what is new in this government and its legislation that changes our calculation on this front and gives encouragement because many im told politically politics are local. That many of the individuals in ukraine are more concerned about the economy and corruption right now thats their first concern before we move on for that, so where are we there . Victoria thank you congressman, for raising this point. This is the other major line of vulnerability for ukraine and where we have to shore her up and we thank you for your support and generosity on this committee for last years 1 billion Loan Guarantee and then our request for the second 1 billion Loan Guarantee which is the u. S. Contribution to the multilateral effort that the i. M. F. Is leading. As youve seen in the last few weeks, as the ukrainians have started the very hard legislative work and implementation work to attack the problems in the economy, it has been extremely intense. I gave a long list in my Opening Statement. Youll see a fuller list in my long statement of all the legislation that they passed to establish an Anticorruption Bureau to clean up public procurement, to open the Banking System to scrutiny, to get others to start paying their taxes, to break up public and private energy monopolies, all these kinds of things but it will require implementation. And most of the economic support funds we asked you all for ukraine for 2015 and again for 2016 go to the u. S. Mentors and advisors, our ability to work with them on implementing legislation, help them be public in these things. But it is a long, long road, but they are seizing it by the horns. Thats why weve structured our support to ask you for the second billiondollar Loan Guarantee now but not to come back to you for the third one until the fall when we see how they implement because our assistance, like everyones assistance is tied to performance. The ukrainian people expect no less. Thats what they stood in the snow for and thats what we expect as well. Congressman meeks thank you. Congressman royce we go to mr. Dana rohrabacher of california, chairman of the europe, european and emerging threats subcommittee. Congressman rohrabacher thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Let me agree with mr. Meeks that this is a very complicated issue and perhaps a lot more complicated than the black and white alternatives that we have been hearing about today. At one point weve heard that the ukraine desperately needs economic help. And i would hope that our goal is to do whats right by ukraine and bring peace to ukraine and not our goal being to basically defeat and humiliate russia for actions that it has taken. Because if thats our goal, the people of ukraine will continue to suffer and suffer and suffer. Back to the ukraine desperately needs economic help, this whole incident in history started when the government of what you call the rotten regime that preceded the current government of ukraine went to our european allies to ask for help that it desperately needed for its economy and the deal that was offered by our european allies was not sufficient and in fact much less than what the russians offered them instead. And when that deal was taken by the rotten regime that you mentioned, all of a sudden thats when it became so rotten that we no longer are the people or the people could no longer put up with it. The Pivotal Moment wags when it accepted the deal that was moment was when it accepted the deal that was offered by russia which our european allies were not willing to do. That ignited this situation. Thats what turned the policy type of situation and perhaps the and perhaps the overturn of rotten government through a electoral process into instead the overturn of the rotten regime by violent demonstrations and nondemocratic means of overthrowing that regime. They could two years later could have kicked that guy out with a free election. They didnt wait. Let me ask you about ok. Lets hope what were doing now is aimed at trying to end the conflict that started in that more complicated way than black and white. What people are advocating that we send weapons and to ukraine, the defensive weapons would any of these weapons be under do we see any of these weapons becoming part of the arsenal of that part of the Ukrainian Army that is financed which i believe the third of the Ukrainian Army that is in conflict is financed by an aligarch, a private citizen who happened to be a multibillionaire . Voim first of all, congressman thank you. Ill especially take issue with some of the facts you presented here. Congressman rohrabacher go right ahead. Thats fine. Victoria first of all in the fall of 2013, the reason that folks went to the midon was not because money was taken from russia. It was because former president yanakovich that he was promising his people. Congressman rohrabacher have you read that agreement . Victoria i have. Congressman rohrabacher do you believe that agreement was superior to what the russians were offering . Victoria let me speak to that. So in the same period in the fall of 2013 when yanakovich was talking to the association, he was working on an i. M. F. Package similar to what is offered later and what we have now. I was working, as the u. S. Governments representatives to him to try to get him to meet i. M. F. Conditions. I had more than 30 hours of meetings with him. And he declined to meet me. Congressman rohrabacher i only have 25 seconds before they cut me off. Victoria let me speak to the weapons issues. Congressman rohrabacher its not your time. Theyll cut me off in 15 seconds. I hope that what were doing is try to bring peace to the ukrainians and not to humiliate the russians and theres a lot of people and i understand i was a big cold warrior as well. Our goal is to try to have peace in that part of the world, not to try to humiliate russia again and again and again. Theres too many people being killed out there. And i would hope that we have that with decentralize, which seems to be accepted by both sides, that that strength of those that area of Eastern Ukraine can remain part of ukraine, even though you have the separatist violence going on with promise of decentralization and respect for everybodys rights and an end to the violence, that we can end this situation and that that should be our goal and i would hope that we dont get caught up in trying to reestablish a cold war with russia because we have so many people who have grudges and should, by the way, i understand that. Russians during the cold war human ukrainians but our goal shouldnt be right now them pay for that during the stalin era. Im sore ue but theyre going to cut me off right now. Congressman royce well go to gerry connolly. Victoria mr. Chairman can i . I think its important for the record to say that only thing that United States and our European Partners want from russia with regard to ukraine is to leave ukrainian territory. Leave ukrainian territory with their military, with their advisors to allow the border to close, to allow sovereignty to be restored. And as we said, these sanctions will be eased when mens is fully implemented. My concern it is the policies of the kremlin that are hurting the russian people now, hurting them economically, having their sons come home in body bags. Thats what i worry about. Ive spent 25 years of my life trying to integrate russia into europe and into the International System and i worry about the fate of russia citizens as much as ukraines. Congressman royce well go to mr. Gerry connolly of fairfax virginia. Congressman connelly thank you, mr. Chairman. I heard my friend from california. I got to say the logic of the Ukrainian Government made bad decisions and therefore russia had to respond is a pretty killing message to others in europe including the ballotics and former soviet satellite states. Sovereign nations get to make decisions, even decisions that may be unpopular in the kim lynn and they can do so without the fear of being invaded and their territory annexed illegally and i would hope that all of us would keep that in mind. Madam secretary, mensk agreement, does the agreement include interallia, the deoccupation and deannexation, illegal annexation of the crimea . Victoria congressman, it does not. The problem in crimea will continue. Congressman connelly then i have a problem with you and your policy. You say the United States will start rolling back sanctions on russia only when the agreements are fully implemented. Well, that means youve conceded crimea. Is that u. S. Policy . Victoria it is not sir. Congressman connelly why would you roll back why would you roll back i swear im not playing with the audience. This is a passion with me. With started with crimea. Why would you make a Statement Like that . Youre saying as long as you clean it up in the eastern part of the ukraine, we will roll back sanctions. Thats what you say on page 3 of your testimony. Victoria i do indeed. Let me explain if i may. Thank you for the opportunity to do so. Over the course of 2014 we put in place four, five rounds of sanctions with the europeans. The first two were a direct response to crimea and then in december we add sanctions on crimea which effectively make it impossible for any u. S. Firms to invest there. Those sanctions will not be rolled back unless there is a return of crimea to ukraine. So the sanctions that were talking about rolling back are other sanctions that were applied in smons to actions in Eastern Ukraine but crimea sanctions will stay in place and the point here is to demonstrate that if you bite off a piece of another persons country it dries up in your mouth. Congressman connelly well, you got kind of two categories of sanctions, crimea sanctions and noncrimea sanctions. Victoria yes, sir. Congressman connelly if youre vladimir putin, how seriously do you take that . Victoria well, you take it seriously because theres no u. S. Investment going into my korea now and its incredit crimea now and its increedly expensive for them to maintain. Congressman connelly i would respectfully suggest madam ambassador, we need to reexamine that policy because it is not deterring behavior by putin in the eastern part of the ukraine. People are dying. You yourself in your Opening Statement documented Illegal Movement of military equipment across the border with impunity. And it seems to me that youve unwittingly sent a message to the kim lynn, wink, blink get out of the Eastern Ukraine and maybe it can be ok. That may not be your message but if youre a k. G. B. Thug, the aggressor, in this case, thats the message hes hearing. The evidence on the ground would suggest thats the case. Victoria first of all, if i may and i think it might be helpful if we sent our sanctions team up to show you the breakdown between what we hold for crimea and what we hold for Eastern Ukraine. I think that might not be congressman connelly state and victoria state and congressman congressional that would be great if they brief congress. Victoria when at the come back from europe. In my statement, we have begun consultations this week with our European Partners on deepening sanctions if we do not see how many violations has there been on the agreement . We have counted there have been over 300. Victoria they have been more than 100. Isnt there a prorks there isnt much teeth . With the best of intentions, merkel and olum is trying to negotiate with nothing backing it up. Wouldnt it be useful to have the United States and its nato partners at least threatening to provide defensive equipment and defensive weapons and training for the Ukrainian Military so thats a piece of whats behind the agreements . Victoria well, as you know, it was in the week leading up to the agreement that the conversation between us and our allies went public so its very much in the ether here but i think equally importantly is to be in line with europe on the additional sanctions if the agreements are further violated or there is land grab grab and thats what were working on now. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, my time is up but i want to echo, i think, your opening comments. Mr. Connolly, yes. When one wonders when the United States government at the state department decides a policy is not working and rethinks it because people are dying despite the best of intentions and i hope we come to some point where we rethink our policy with respect to the ukraine and crimea. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, mr. Congressionally. We go to mr. Salmon of arizona chairman of the subcommittee on asia. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you so much for being here today, ambassador. To date the sanctions that have been imposed on russia have had really little impact on putins decisionmaking. The administration has stated that additional sanctions are being considered but without the commitment of some of our allies some of our european allies oto enforce those sanctions or impose sanctions as a body, the likelihood of those sanctions having much effect are not real great. Are there other sanctions that the administration is considering and do you believe it will impact putins decisionmaking in the near ferm . You stated in your opening comments that whats really impacted them is the price of oil. And that its really brought their economy to their knees. So im wondering if maybe its time also for us to consider our policy in selling natural gas to our european allies. The process just hasnt moved very quickly and one of the reasons i know germany has been so red sent to allow us reticent to allows us to provide arms to the ukrainian is their heavy reliance on natural gas from russia. Same thing has been true on support of sanctions. Isnt it time for us to start pulling out the stops and start selling l. N. G. To our allies in europe . Victoria thank you congressman. As you know most l. N. G. Goes to asia because the price is higher. Under the Transatlantic Partnership if we have a trade between the europeans and the United States then they would go to the top of the cueue in terms of acquiring l. N. G. Its a fair point where we could or should do more. With regard to sanctions, we have not yet changed his decisionmaking decisively but we are having a profound effect on the russian economy and we do think it is the trifecta of sanctions, low oil prices and 15plus years of economic mismanagement in russia. I can go through some of the statistics but i think you know them. Foreign currency reserves down 130 billion just over the last year. Credit at junk, inflation running 15 and 40 in food prices. So, you know, hes hes kremlin policy is under stress here which is why it is important to keep these sanctions in place. And to consider deepening them. We have, as i said, working with the europeans on what more we would do secretary tarially if we do not see minsk implemented, if we dont have an end to the ceasefire violations if we do not have a heavy weapons pullback, on and on but also even deeper sanctions if we have a further land grab. And we are, as i said, watching these atrisk villages and our sanctions team is in europe this week. The chairman mentioned in his Opening Statement that we made a pretty ironclad promise to ukraine when they agreed to get rid of their nuclear arms and to date the u. S. And Nato Response to the russian aggression has been pretty muted at best. In fact out of the 118 million nonlethal assistance the u. S. Pledged last year my understanding is only about half of it or about half of it was delivered by year end. Dont you believe that there will be longterm consequences for the u. S. And nato if we fail to live up to our commitments to defend our allies . When are we going to make that decision as far as whether or not provide at least defensive weapons to ukraine . I know that question has been asked and hopefully you carry that back to your boss because as far as were concerned, nothings going to get better unless we step up our commitment to honor the promises that we made and my feeling is nobodys going to trust us in the region if we dont honor those commitments. Victoria thank you, congressman. I yield back. I thank the gentleman for yielding back. We now go to Brian Higgins of new york. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Secretary, how many russian soldiers are in ukraine today . Victoria congressman, i am not in a position to give you a definitive number in this unclassified setting. Youve seen ben hodges make a calculation from u. S. Army europe. I would say its in the thousands and thousands. Nato victoria sorry let me also just while i have you here say that what we can say in this unclassified setting is since december russias transferred hundreds of pieces of military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, raw systems, heavy arrillry. The Russian Military has its own robust command structure in Eastern Ukraine ranging from general officers to Junior Officers as the president said not too long ago. They are funding this war, they are fueling it and commanding and controlling it. In practical terms, does that constitute invasion . Victoria we have made career that russia is responsible for fueling this war in Eastern Ukraine. Yes or no, constitutes invasion . We have used victoria we have used that word in the past yes. If ukraine was a member of nato under the collective defense posture of article 5, what would the consequence of russias invasion of ukraine be . Victoria well, article 5 would give all of the 28 allies a responsibility to defend ukraine from aggression. Just to make clear that even in 2008 when ukraine was discussing with nato an improvement in its relationship at that stage we were only at the membership action plan, which is the preparatory phase. Isnt in reality putins concern about america encroachment and nato encroachment on what was formerly the soviet union . Victoria i cant speak to whats in president putins head. Thats a place i dont think i can go. What i can say is theres no justification for being concerned about countries peacefully associating with a defensive alliance. Weve said for 25 years that nato is not a threat to a russia that does not threaten us. Russias defense spending has tripled since 2007. Today its involved in about a 300 billion program to modernize its weapons. New types of missiles bombers and submarines are being readied for deployment over the next five years. Spending on defense and security this year will increase by 30 in russia, representing 1 3 of its federal budget. Putin has said very clearly that nobody should try to shove russia around when it has one of the worlds Biggest Nuclear arsenals. Last count russia had 8,000 Nuclear Weapons. He has threatened to use Nuclear Weapons on a limited basis if thats possible to force opponents, specifically the United States and nato to withdraw from a conflict in which russia has a stake such as in georgia and ukraine. That is pretty ominous. Thats a pretty ominous statement. Your thoughts. Victoria well, we obviously have grave concerns about the massive increases in Russian Defense budgeting over the recent years. Its particularly concerning given whats happening to the russian economy and to the russian people. As i said before, inflation across the country now running 15 , 17 . Food prices ramp antley increasing, including 40 in some areas. Credit at zero. The inability of russians now to travel because they cant get homes because they cant get loans. This is a kremlin that is prioritizing foreign adventures over the needs of its own people and thats worrying. I yield back, thank you. We go now to mr. Randy weber of texas. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Madam ambassador, you mentioned earlier the body bags, the boys going back to russia that it had to be tough on them. Do you know what the body bag is, the number of soldiers theyre losing . Victoria its not possible, congressman, to have a final count because of what russia has done to mask these numbers. As you know, they have criminalized discussion of it inside russia. They have threatened mothers and wives and family members. So you dont know. Victoria the ukrainians assert at least 400, 500 people. They check into it too deeply they lose benefits . Victoria absolutely. So whats the body count for ukrainians . Victoria as i said in my statement, close to 6,000 lives have been lost in this conflict or over 6,000, i believe. How long do you think we have before ukraine becomes another crimea . Thats annexed into russia . Victoria well, as i said, congressman, the entire thrust of our policy is stop where it is and roll it back. Thats why weve been imposing these increasingly tough sanctions and you see the russian economy suffering as a result providing increasing amounts of Security Assistance, albeit on the nonlethal side. But the sanctions havent stopped the body bags from flowing both directions, have they . Victoria they have not and this is what we continue to try to seek is a full implementation of the commitments that vled mir putin himself just made less two weeks ago in minsk. Do you trust him . Victoria i dont think thats a good word. I think youre wise in that regard. You said its difficult for russia to sustain their occupation of crimea. In your comments i recallier. Victoria i didnt say it was difficult for them to sustain it. I said therm hemorrhaging money. Extremely expensive for them to sustain it. Maybe thats our problem in congress. That should be viewed as a difficulty. So theyre hemorrhaging money. So you dont think that that makes it difficult for them to sustain their occupation . Victoria well, they still have, as you know, more than 300 billion in sovereign wealth. What theyre doing now is using the money of the russian people, the hardearned money that should go for their longterm protection, to prop up this puppet annexation occupation. So we made it difficult for them to sustain their to you dont want to use the word difficult. You made them spend money to sustain their occupation . Victoria we are declining to invest in this territory that is now occupied, yes. So theyre spending a lot of money. How do we make it that difficult and more so for them for in the ukraine . Victoria well, as i said, as we continue to watch this implementation or nonimplementation of minsk were looking at the next range of secretary tarial sanctions either to deepen the sanctions on the finance side, on the energy side, on the defense side or to add sectors of the russian economy. Would you agree we could make them hemorrhage money in ukraine if were destroying their tanks as they entered country . Victoria well, they have been hemorrhaging their money on weapons. Thats not my question. If were knocking out their tanks left and right, does that cost a lot of money . Victoria certainly money down the rathole, thats for sure. And wed certainly rather have body bags going back to russia than our side of the border . Victoria we want peace and a end to body bags in any direction. Do you think putin understands peace or do you think he understands force . Victoria again, im not going to get inside his head. Its not a place to be. Ok. Well, fair enough. If youre married, like i am, sometimes its difficult to get in your spouses head. So lets put you over in the president s head then, can i do that . Victoria youre welcomed to try, sir. No, i think the comment is youre welcomed to try. Is the president disengaged, not worried about this . Victoria absolutely not, the president has been the leader of this ukraine policy. Hes been enormously engaged. Ive been in meetings with him where hes passionate. Hes got 21 months left. How many more body bags have to take place in ukraine before you before we send them lethal . And ill just call them lethal weapons. I hate the word defensive weapons. I mean a weapon is a weapon. So how long is it going to take . How many more body bags before we get in gear to make this decision . What do you think the president s thinking . Victoria again, these are his decisions to make. We will certainly convey to him your concern. Ok. Your decision from my advantage point is what kind of pressure, what kind of information are you giving fought president that says mr. President , we need to act . Victoria congressman, as i said a little bit earlier on in this hearing, im going to take the same position that my secretary took when he was here last week. The president has asked us for our advice. We have provided it to him. But im going to keep that advice confidential for purposes of this hearing. Mr. David cicilline of rhode island. Thank you, mr. Chairman. And thank you, ambassador nuland, for your testimony. I want to begin by also recognizing the tragic murder of russian Freedom Fighter boris nepsov, who was brutally murdered in the streets of moscow and to urge our government to do anything we can to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific crime are brought to i know many in this country are sending thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, these socalled tragic events are quite common for those who dare to criticize mr. Putin and his cronies and i think its important that we acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of this Freedom Fighter. I thank you for your testimony. I want to just focus on the corruption efforts that are under way. As you well know, ukraine has historically had the distinction of being dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt countries in the word. World. I wonder how the new government in kiev is doing . Are we going far enough . What are we doing to support those efforts . Are we seeing the tough decisions that need to be made and the kind of prosecutions and firings and the development of an independent judiciary to help vaps the anticorruption efforts that was a source of so much of what happened at the midon . I just wonder if youd speak to some of those issues. Victoria thank you, congressman. Corruption has been a countrykiller for ukraine. Its also been an opening for malign influence from the outside in ukraines business. Not only because ukraines own citizens demand it, because the Democratic Health of the country demands it. This has been a major focus of our collaboration with the Ukrainian Government. As i said at the outset, they have just over the last three months passed an enormous amount of legislation, much of it designed to tackle corruption, just to name a few things. A new anticorruption strategy, a new public procurement system, the creation of an Anticorruption Bureau and National Agency for prevention of corruption. Strengthened antimoney laundering regulations, disclosure of public officials, domestic and overseas assets for the first time partial judicial reform including a prosecutor general. More to come. The u. S. Is providing some 38 million in the assistance money that youve given us for that purpose. We have advisors and trainers in many of these entities. Were also supporting Civil Society for oversight and reform. Other new positive developments that go to the corruption and past dirty money practices theyre standing up a new patrol police. The police, as you know, have historically been subject to bribery. The new prosecutor general has issued arrest warrants, new arrest warrants for some of the corrupt officials. Theres a new apple budsman appointed ombudsman appointed. They have cut payroll taxes to reduce incentives for unreported wages eliminated eight regulatory agencies and consolidated them into one, increased transparency of stateowned companies, made banking recapitalization more transparent. A lot of this is legislation on the books. We now have to see it implemented. We have to see oligarchs and everybody pay their taxes be immune to special and sweat heart deals. We will watch like a hawk. The ukrainian people will watch like a hawk. The people will be judged by this flokal elections in october. Ukraine son the path. They have to stick it now. Great. Thank you. Just turning to a new subject, could you speak a little bit what role the ukrainian reliance on Russian Energy is playing in this conflict and what the u. S. And our allies are doing to help alleviate ukrainian reliance on russia . Are european allies able to separate themselves from their own energy needs as this sort of conflict continues . Victoria congressman, as you know energy has long been a noose that kremlin has had around the neck of subsequent generations of leaders. This government is bound and determined to break them. Our first effort was to help them get gas from parts of europe other than russia so we worked with hungary, slovakia and poland last year to start slowing gas flows into ukraine. We worked with the European Union as they have brokered the gas deal that ukraine wut cutt which was a much fairer deal for the winter of 201420 15. We are now working with them, as i said, to open up, demonopolize the Energy Sector to help them get more of their own energy out of the ground to work on energy efficiency. If youve ever been in kiev in the winter and had government windows open, you know how badly that is needed. About third of the heat is going out the windows that shouldnt. So were working on all of those things to break the dependence but also to help ukraine get to that place where it can be an Energy Supplier for europe. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. We go now to mr. Scott perry of pennsylvania. Thanks, mr. Chairman. Ambassador great to see you. Please dont take any of the comments personally but as an american quite honestly i am disappointed and disgusted with the ineffectual and pathetic response from this had a mferings regarding this this administration regarding this circumstance in ukraine. Let me start by out by saying, does the administration agree because we heard in other forums about grievances, legitimate grievances, so does the administration agree with the justification from putin regarding the protection of ethnic russians in any way, shape or form . Victoria there is nothing that justifies the kind of violence that weve seen russia unleash in Eastern Ukraine. I agree with you. But victoria however they have legitimate grievances does russians have legitimate grievances . Victoria russian speaking ukrainians have long wanted some of the things that russia championed for them, language, rights decentralization. But all of those things were on offer first from the Transitional Government of yatsenyuk onward and now with poroshenko. History sometimes gets lost on us as we go through our days. I just want to make sure that administration is familiar and aware of the history of stalin and khrushchev in the 1920s and the terror famine and starvation of the ukrainian people and deportations and the reestablishment of russians into the ukraine and so when putin says that hes going to protect these russianspeaking citizens, with all due respect, they were moved into ukraine by killing the ukrainians and its important to know that history when we talk about legitimate grievances. So im concerned i, too, agree we should send defensive weapons to ukraine. Im in the agreement camp on that. So does the current posture of the strategic patience that i hear about, how does that fit in . How does their decision not to send defensive weapons at this point, how does that fit into strategic patience or is it part of it . Victoria nobodys been patient what weve been seeing in Eastern Ukraine. The ukrainians have been patient because they have no choice. Victoria we have sent, as you know 118 million in defensive weapons. Forget all that other stuff. Defensive weapons. I imagine youve been to a war zone. I have. Victoria yes. Blankets and all that, they dont stop bullets and tanks. You have to defend yourself. Harsh words. We have to get back to you and were deciding that doesnt help. Im talking about defensive weapons and strategic patience, where does thatg on the other . That hinge on the other . Victoria i would note again the counterfire radar batteries we did send saved lives. It enabled the Ukrainian Forces to target where firings were coming from so they could defend support it. With all due respect, that is the absolute minimum standard. It is not going to be effectual. Thaws why i said pathetic and ineffectual is valid, in my opinion. Let me ask this can you explain the concerns within the context, the concerns about providing defensive weapons within the context that president requested hundreds of millions of dollars from this congress for moderate fighters in syria . In that context where well send those folks weapons, weapons, not defensive weapons, but weapons and training that somehow ukraine and the people that have been there that are more like us than the other, they cant have those weapons . How do we how do we reconcile that . Whats the calculation there . Victoria well as you know, the train and equip request for syria goes to the need to defeat the isil threat which is an exowe sention threat to the home exowe tension threat to the homeland. Do you find that to be a little incongruent . We dont know the syrian fighters are. Today theyre fighting isis. The next day were fighting assad. Dont you find that a little incongruent . Have the ukrainian people said theyll fight the United States kill us . Have they ever said anything like that . Victoria well, certainly we will register your strong position on this issue, congressman. I would say that 118 million in security support is not nothing. I hear you want to hear more. At the end of my time here, we hear sending defensive weapons will escalate the problem. Not sending them, that will escalate the problem. There will not be a problem because there will be no more ukraine. Thank you. I yield back. We go now to lois frankel. We go now to lois frankel of florida. Thank you mr. Chair. I was on that trip with you and mr. Engel when we went to ukraine last year. Thank you for your testimony. I want to say that there is i feel anxiety when i hear some of my colleagues, their unflattering remarks. Ill tell you why. When we were in i have three questions. When we were in ukraine, we heard im going to followup mr. Cicillines question, because he was with us. We heard time and time again how the corruption of the Ukrainian Government undermineded the government, undermined the government, which you alluded to, allowed russias aggression to proceed. But it was not just the laws. It was cultural. And so id like you to, if you could, expound, number one, first of all, would you have even considered giving weapons to the previous government yanakovich, would you consider that . And is the culture or the corruption that was in ukraine, which youre waiting to see if reforms take place, how does that affect whether or not youre willing to turn arms over now . Thats number one. Number two could you tell me the sanctions on russia, what are the implications relative to the issues that were facing in syria and iran . Have there been any implications . Be and number three if you could get to it could you tell us in your opinion what are the implications on our allies and relative to the budapest agreement if we do not resist russias aggression . Victoria well, the last one is a big one so let me just quickly go through the first ones. Our security relationship with ukraine was has went through ups and downs after independence in 1991 related to the quality of government at the top. Under the yanukovych regime, our concerns not only about the military but also our concerns the human rights record so we were doing very little. With regard to our current cooperation, were subject to leahy standards and appropriate vetting of units. One of the major lines of effort that we have going in our advisory effort with the Ukrainian Military is to root out corruption and infiltration of that military. So thats something that we work on very hard. We have, as secretary kerry has made clear when he was up here and every time hes before you worked hard to continue to be able to work with russia on global fathers where our interests align so that takes you to the work we do on the p5 plus one, not as a favor to moscow to the United States but because they too, have no interest in a Nuclear Armed iran. Similarly, our work on afghanistan, our work to try to come to terms with the violence in syria which has not been completely successful, but those conversations continue. We judge they do it out of their own interest not as a favor to us. With regard to the threat to allies, we have not talked today but have in the past about the intensive effort under way in the nato space to ensure that that article 5 deterrent is absolutely visible, land, sea and air. We have young americans, as you negotiation in the three Baltic States and poland and soon to be in bulgaria and romania showing presence. Were working on new headquarters laments in other ways to be able to reinforce am them very quickly reinforce them very quickly if we need to. If the violent sweeps across ukraine, if ukraine breaks apart, falls, etc. , i personally dont think the effort to gobble countries will end there. And what you said before the president has is taking our considerations as to whether to give weapons to ukraine. What are the considerations . Victoria without getting into it in too detailed a way in this setting just to say again, that we are giving a significant amount of nonlethal security support, defensive weapons to the ukrainians. The issue is whether to increase the lethality. The issue is the kinds of systems. On the one hand, it goes to the ukrainian need and desire to defend against the incredibly lethal offensive things that russia has put in since january, february on the other side on the other side it actually goes to whether it goes to harden or whether it escalates and is considered provocative and makes it worse. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chair. Thank you. Lets see. Im going to yield the chair here to mr. Tom emmer of minneapolis, minnesota. Why dont you go ahead and chair this. I have a meeting im late for. Thank you, mr. Chair. Madam secretary, youve already answered quite a few questions, but i want to run through something so you can clear this up for me. The minsk agreement, you referenced what russia had agreed to implement. Could you please quickly tell me what have they agreed to implement and what have they implemented since the agreement . Victoria thanks congressman. First a reminder that february 12 agreement was an implementing agreement on prior commitments made by both russia and the separatists on september 5 and september 19. So the full package includes obligations both for the ukrainian side and for russia and the separatists. First and foremost in the february 12 package is a full ceasefire on the fighting line, a full pullback of heavy weapons to their ranges by both the ukrainians and the russians and the separatists. Full access for osce monitors to that zone to inspect and verify to the rest of ukraine. Then on the ukrainian side thereafter you can continue to watch this live on cspan. Org. Were going to leave this now. The u. S. House is gaveling in momentarily for their last legislative day of the week. They will take up today reauthorizing amtrak. Their debate will include seven amendments, and that will do it for the house this week. Theyve canceled thursdays session due to an anticipated snowstorm on the east coast. The senate meanwhile, is in session. Voting at this hour on a bill that would nullify a National Labor Relations Board rule on union elections. The senate also expected to take up the consideration of a veto the president s veto of the keystone x. L. Pipeline bill that passed in the house and senate a couple weeks ago. Follow the Senate Debate on cspan2 and here on cspan, live now to the house floor. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] the speaker the house will be in order. The prayer will be offered by our chaplain, father conroy. Chaplain conroy , god of the universe, we give you thanks for giving us another day. Lord, you have promised to be with all people wherever they are, whatever their need. We reach out in prayer for the homeless, the poor those anxious about the future those who are ill, or those to whom freedom has been denied. Bless the members of this peoples house, inspire them as representatives of the American People to labor for justice and righteousness in our nation and our world mindful of your concern for those most in need. For all the riches of our human experience, o lord we give you thanks. Make us aware of our responsibilities as stewards of your define gifts and empower us with your grace to use our talents in ways that bring understanding to our communities and to our nation and peace to every soul. May all we do be done for your greater honor and glory, amen. The speaker the chair has examined the journal of the last days proceedings and announces his approval thereof. Pledge of allegiance will be led by mr. Cartwright. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god fludge indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The speaker the chair lays before the house the following enrolled bill. The clerk h. R. 240, an act making appropriations for the department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2015, and for other purposes. The speaker the chair will entertain up to 15 requests for oneminute speeches on each side of the aisle. For what purpose does the gentlelady from North Carolina rise . Ms. Foxx i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, mr. Speaker. The speaker without objection. Ms. Foxx thank you, mr. Speaker. I believe in an opportunity economy where hard work, education, innovation and risk are rewarded and we empower individuals not government. Imagine what determination and a degree can do for todays young people, providing they have a variety of choices to meet their needs and good information about the investment theyre making. Paying for college is hard work, and its getting more difficult as tuition and fees continue to increase at rapid rates. Luckily, American Families have an investment tool known as a 529 plan to help them save for their childs college education. Last week the house approved Bipartisan Legislation to expand strengthen and improve 529 plans which nearly 12 million families have utilized to help plan for their childs education. With Student Loan Debt surpassing credit card debt, we need to do everything we can to encourage American Families to save for college and invest in their childs future. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan rise . Mr. Speaker, i seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Kildee well, yesterday, democrats in the house stood united to ensure that the department of Homeland Security was funded for the remainder of the year. After bringing our nations security and Public Safety to the brink of shutdown, twice in the last two weeks, the speaker finally relented and allowed the majority, the will of the majority of the house of representatives to be heard on the floor. All democrats and a good number of responsible members on the other side joined together to make sure that Homeland Security was funded for the remainder of the year. Its complitely unacceptable that we have seen, since completely unacceptable that we have seen since this congress has reconvened manufactured political crises that divert us away from the real issues that American People want us to take up. Americans at home are worried about making ends meet. They work hard harder and harder and they cant receive to get ahead. They cant save for retirement. They cant guarantee their young kids that theyll have a chance to attend college. Thats what they want us to take up. We cannot continue manufactured political crises intended to pandor to the most extreme voices in this body. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from South Carolina seek recognition . Mr. Wilson i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Wilson mr. Speaker, it was an honor to have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak to a joint session of congress yesterday. Israel is one of our countrys closest allies and an essential partner in restraining Irans Nuclear thrit and combating the fwrogesh threat and combating the threat of isil. Hearing Prime Minister netanyahu warning the world of a Nuclear Threat of iran, i was reminded of another great leader who addressed congress, Winston Churchill and Benjamin Netanyahu are the only two foreign leaders to address a joint session of congress three times. Like many i believe that Prime Minister netanyahu is the churchill of our time. Both men had to fight against Global Threats of unmatched and bar billions baric proportions barbaric proportions and advancing appeasement over strength. I believe we heed netanyahus words now before its too late to stop the spread of Nuclear Weapons. In conclusion, god bless our troops and may the president , by his actions never forget september 11 and the global war on terrorism. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker on february 9, the new york state of court of appeals, gene, was confirmed. I have known gene. Mr. Higgins he went on to judicial service, first as a City Court Judge and later to the new york Supreme Court. He had a landmark ruling confirming new yorks Marriage Equality statue. It is with tremendous pride that we now see gene taking a seat as an associate justice on the most celebrated top level state court in the United States. His service will be a great credit to those to whom hes sworn to serve. Mr. Speaker the new york court of appeals gained a towering intellect, a booming voice, a compassionate heart and an accomplished lead guitarist. My best wishes go to gene, his wife colleen, and their daughter, ann. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Thompson mr. Speaker, yesterday the house voted with bipartisan support to pass h. R. 240 legislation to fund the department of Homeland Security through september 30 2015. It is our constitutional duty to ensure that our country remains safe and playing politics with Homeland Security funding when the world is as dangerous as it is today is simply unacceptable. Make no doubt about it, its critly important to stop the president s action on immigration, but at a time like this it would be gravely irresponsible to have the department of Homeland Security shut down or even have the appearance of that. When the executive and legislative branches of our government is in disagreement the Judicial Branch must play referee and thats exactly took place when a federal judge sided with a complaint filed by 26 states in opposition of the president s move toward amnesty. Now that our federal courts have halted president obamas executive actions, further rulings will see if he overreached his constitutional authorities. Mr. Speaker considering all the fax fakts, voting yes on our Homeland Security funding yesterday was the right decision. However, this does not compromise my decision of standing strong against the president s actions. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker i rise with some relief to note that yesterday we did come together and fully fund the department of Homeland Security, a number of us came together and ignored the extremist shutdown crowd and did the responsible thing and funded this department. Mr. Cartwright i regret that department had to spend millions of dollars for a shutdown they anticipated having to go through. Nevertheless, this is a department that protects our nation at a time when isil is executing journalists and aide workers and christians and muslims. Whenial that back is threatening our nations biggest shopping mall, we need the department of Homeland Security and i say bully. Let us continue to do the responsible thing and fund our departments, including the department of Homeland Security. I yield back mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. It is very clear that we cannot trust the tyrannical regime in iran. For many years, our own state department has determined that iran is one of the worlds leading state sponsors of terrorism. As Prime Minister netanyahu reminded us yesterday the iranian government has consistently called for the destruction of israel and has referred to the United States as the great satan. Does this sound like a negotiating partner that we can trust . If anyone is unwilling to acknowledge their support for terror groups like hezbollah or their hateful words towards america and israel, then consider how this regime acts towards its own people. Mr. Stutzman they stifle dissent by restricting the most basic Political Freedoms within their borders the freedoms of Speech Assembly and press. They often jail Opposition Leaders and journalists and hold them without cause. If iran wants to be considered a legitimate power, they should stop arming and aiding terror groups and open up their political system to prove to the world that they are committed to freedom and peace. They can start by releasing all Political Prisoners including Washington Post reporter jason, who has been unjustly imprisoned for over 200 days. These steps should be taken before the u. S. Continues to negotiate any nuclear deal. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . I seek unanimous consent to deprem. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you mr. Speaker. Last week we were pushed to the brink of shutting down the department of Homeland Security, the agency tasked with safeguarding our homeland from threats here and abroad. Mr. Aguilar all because congress couldnt do its job. Only weeks after horrific attacks in paris and with news of isis every day, the House Majority risked the National Security of our country to play party politics. We continue to govern in crisis mode, threatening the safety and lives of the american homeland. So my colleagues can score political points. Enough is enough. Threatening the shutdown of the d. H. S. Was reckless, unnecessary and completely avoidable. The House Majoritys games have forced congress away from its most critical priority, working for middleclass families, to create jobs, improve transportation and infrastructure, invest in education and protect programs for our seniors. Its time to stop playing political games and get back to what the American People elected us to do. Thank you and i yield back the balance. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Ms. Roslehtinen i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized 1. Ms. Roslehtinen thank you so much, mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor Army Connelly ason to the house of representatives major trent colestock. The army has recognized his patriotism, ability and promoted him to the rank of major on february 1. Born in my hometown of miami, florida, and raised in Mineral Wells texas, trent graduated from Texas Christian University where he earned a degree in Business Administration and army commission. During his congressional assignment, he earned a masters degree in legislative affairs from George Washington university. Commissioned as the Second Lieutenant in the armys Field Artillery branch, trent has served as fort drum, fort hood and in iraq for Operation Iraqi freedom. Throughout his career in our proud military, trent has got many accolades including the combat badge, the bronze star medal and the Iraqi Campaign medal. Its my distinct pleasure, mr. Speaker, to join with major colesteeks family and peers to his Outstanding Service to our nation. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute, mr. Speaker, and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Green mr. Speaker, i rise in support of significant benefits and services that our local radio stations provides to our communities. Ry cannot say enough about the benefits local radio provides constituents in our district in houston and Harris County texas. Local radio provides amber alerts, local news, weather and critical emergency alerts which we all know too well along the gulf coast we need. Radio provides entertainment, music free to the public. For nearly 90 years, congress has recognized this fact and has not imposed performance fees on local radio stations. That is why im pleased to reintroduce, along with my fellow texans congressman mike conaway the local freedom radio act, h. Complet res. 13, it should not have any taxes or fees for playing overtheair radio free. 20 of the full house shows their commitment to protect local radio and all the benefits it provides to our communities. I want to thank all the original cosponsors this resolution thank local radio for serving our communities and i yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, president truman had a plaque on his desk that said the buck stops here. Many veterans are wondering why it doesnt apply to the v. A. The house passed h. R. 280 which gives the secretary the authority to make sure the bucks do stop on backbone newses given to management of the v. A. Which is very backlog. I urge my colleagues in the senate and the president to join in this effort. Its time to send a message to the v. A. Days of rewarding subpar work service and for hidden or lost files or long waiting periods are over. We need to have reforms in the system the veterans deserve. Including my Community Veterans have waited far too long to have claims processed and struggling to access the care they need and deserve. Countless examples of disfunction the v. A. Is falling short. Does anyone think the v. A. Deserves bonuses for failing our veterans when they have people waiting for care, having their claims serviced . No. I think not, mr. Speaker. The v. A. Bonus bucks stop here. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, today is the funeral for one of the most influential figures in Higher Education the Catholic Church and domestic and imaffairs, father theodore hessburg. He served as president of the university of notre dame and transformed the college into a world renowned institution. He was granted 150 honorary degrees, more than any other person. This congress awarded him the congressional gold medal in the year 2000 being the first figure from Higher Education to receive the congressional medal and appointed by republican and democratic president s to 16 president ial commissions arranging from atomic weapons policy, to immigration, to civil rights. Mr. Speaker i am very proud to be a graduate of the program in Public Service and hope to be able to live up to that awesome example he set. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from New Hampshire seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. I rise today in support of four hightech fields that are dominating the digital age, the field of science technology, engineering and math, for driving our nations innovation and competition generating new ideas industries and companies. Just last week, i had the opportunity to Tour University of New Hampshires laboratory to see just how important the stem field is to the granite state. The Interoperability Lab is the only nonprofit test lab in the world that provides industry expertise and real world training for our stem workers. It is imperative that congress advocates, because the demand for these individuals only continue to grow. The office of science and Technology Policy estimates that stem jobs will grow over two times faster from 2008 to 2018. We must ensure continuation in these fields and i thank you and yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Hahn mr. Speaker, i rise to express relief that congress has funded the department of Homeland Security. We averted an unnecessary and harmful crisis. We should not have reached the point where the department was on the brink of a shutdown. The department of Homeland Security was created after the devastating september 11 terrorist attacks and performed vital functions to protect americans against ongoing terrorist threats. We are talking about fema which responds to emergencies and disasters t. S. A. , which makes flying safer the secret service, customs and Border Protection and other Important Services the coast guard, which patrols our waters and helps protect communities like mine, near the port of los angeles. Its also a part of the department of Homeland Security. We must do even more to improve Port Security and shutting down the department would have been a step backwards. We must stop the crisistocrisis governing around here. The American People deserve better than this political brinkmanship. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. I rise today to congratulate Midwest Marketing cooperative located in hayes kansas. Midland started with 81 farmers who put up a total of 10,000 to be capitalizing their new cooperative. Since that time it has grown to 1,000 members and has over 122 million in annual sales. They operate 11 elevator locations, two full service gas stations, five automated fueling stations, two feed mills. And their fivecounty service area, they employ 62 fulltime employees. Parttime it increases to 120 people. It has returned over 162 million in patronage to their members. Thank you to midland who are keeping kansas agriculture and our Rural Communities strong. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from ohio seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Beatty thank you, mr. Speaker today i introduced a bipartisan resolution that would honor the selma to montgomery marries with a commemorative stamp. I thank the 102 bipartisan house members who cosponsored this resolution and the original sponsors, congressman byrne congressman hurd and congresswoman sewell. The selma Voting Rights march was a Pivotal Moment in our history that brought americans to march from selma to Montgomery County 50 years ago. This stamp celebrates the march and reminds us to protect Voting Rights. For 125 years, the United States Postal Service has been shoing states to celebrate cultural milestones. Surely the protection of Voting Rights is a Landmark Development in our nations development. It is my hope that as we remember the struggles and the discrimination and inequality, that we will lift our hearts and unite to find bridges to equality and justice. Mr. Speaker, i ask all members unite with me and ask the oversight and Government Reform Committee for a hearing on this stamp. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from hawaii seek recognition . The gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Takai aloha, today i honor the career of a man who was instrumental in education policy. I had the pleasure of working with john for the past 20 years and visited my home state of hawaii twice during his time with the National Association of federally impacted schools. From 1988 to the present, john has served as executive director and association representing over 1400 Public School districts. In that position, john oversaw major changes in the Impact Aid Program that were included in the 1994 esea and again in 2000 and 2001 with the passage of the no child left behind act. We are indebted to johns leadership. Millions of children in School Districts in this nation have benefited from his hard work. Though he will be missed, i wish john and patty the best in their retirement. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from the District Of Columbia seek recognition . Ms. Norton permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Norton there is a dustup over d. C. s marijuana law. It has been tempting especially several times when the government shut down shutting down the district with it, although the district is no part of that dispute. The majority language in the appropriation bill said the district couldnt enact marijuana laws. The law was enacted. When approved by the voters, there was nothing further to be done. Small amounts of marijuana became legal in the district smoke in private. On thursday, d. C. Has taken no further official action in compliance with the law. The most important impet us for passage by residents were two independent studies which show all of those who carry marijuana convictions are young africanamericans. That was the last straw for substance that is defacto legal for most americans. D. C. Passage is neutral on its face. It doesnt recommend a substance. We ought to have the same liberty that americans already enjoy. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition . Permission to address the house for one minute, revise and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker mr. Green houston has lost a firefighter in the line of duty. The state of texas has lost a first responder, but america has lost a hero. Mr. Speaker today, i pause to honor a hero, captain dwight bizzell, 58 years of age. Promoted to captain in 2008. Father to dwight, son of charlotte, husband to pamela. Died in the line of duty february 21, 2015. I ask that we have a moment of silence for a hero who died in the line of duty. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from michigan seek recognition . The gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in recognition of my delta significance ma theta sisters. The sority was found in 1913 at houfered university by 22 brave young women and sought to promote Academic Excellence to provide scholarships and support the underserved and stimulate participation in the formation of positive Public Policy and to highlight issues with recommended solutions to problems in our community. Mrs. Lawrence since its founding, it has distinguished itself as a Public Service organization that boldly confronts the challenges of africanamerican women and all americans. The women continue to push for many of these same issues and they were at the confirmation hearing of Loretta Lynch also a member of delta significance ma theta and they will be with many members with the annual pilgrimage. This journey allows us to visit not only the site of the civil Rights Movement but to hear the stories of hope that emerge from the civil Rights Movement. This month 102 years ago, the women marched in the historic sufferage march as the first public act. This weekend i will join my sisters again and Congressional Colleagues as we cross the bridge to show how we must continue to work and still have work to do. I yield my time. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Speaker, last Year Congress awarded the congressional gold medal to the 65th infantry regiment an allpuerto rican unit known as the borinqueneers. Mr. Grayson more than 100,000 borinqueneers served in world war i and world war ii and the korean war. They fought as far back as the American Revolution and then to do so honorably to this day. They have given their lives to this country despite their enduring decades of prejudice against them. The borinqueneers have been recognized with distinguished service crosses, silver stars, bronze stars and purple hearts. However, it was not until last year that mast jor Sergeant Juan negron was prost human yussly recognized. Today thousands of borinqueneers have made my home of Central Florida their home. Its my goal and my honor as their representative to ensure they receive this long overdue recognition. Puerto rican veterans should not have to wait any longer to get the equal treatment they deserve. Today i ask the president to make sure they receive their congressional gold medal as soon as possible. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from texas seek recognition . Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute please. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Jackson lee i thank you very much. As a member of the Homeland Security committee and one who was in a security briefing this morning, i cannot celebrate more to the brave men and women of the department of Homeland Security that many of us stood up collectively together as americans and provided for full funding. Let me thank them for their service. Let me move on. Yesterday, another very provocative and important action was done. The department of justice report came out regarding the city of ferguson where it found that blacks account for 85 of traffic stops, 90 of tickets issued and 83 93 arrests. Mr. Speaker this is not about ferguson, though many are trying to heal and we offer sympathy, again to Michael Browns family. But its about america. I call upon my republican friends and democratic friends. We act on facts. These are facts that are probably implicated across america. Ive introduced the build trust bill and i hope we can come together and find a way, both in terms of our Law Enforcement and making sure that they go home to their families but also have a just and fair pattern if you will, of treating the citizens of every town and city and state in this nation, we owe that to our beliefs in the constitution, mr. Speaker, and i encourage a bipartisan effort to look at how we can address these questions across america. We deserve that as americans. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentlelady from florida seek recognition . Ms. Frankel thank you mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the members. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized for one minute. Ms. Frankel i thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the Passenger Rail reform and investment act, and i appreciate the bipartisan work of our committee leaders. Florida is the Third Largest state in the nation with a growing population booming tourism and expanding trade opportunities. And that means more trains and more cars transporting more people and cargo over our 458 rail crossings in south florida and thats why stakeholders in south florida are pleased this rail bill authorizes 150 million per year for four years for states and local governments in our region to upgrade the safety features at crossings and improve traffic coordination to prevent accidents and ease congestion. Transportation moves our economy. The rail bill facilitates it to be done safely and efficiently. I urge its approval. And i thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i rise i rise and ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on h. R. 749. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Pursuant to House Resolution 134 and rule 18, the chair declares that the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union considers h. R. 749. The chair appoints the gentleman from maryland, mr. Harris, to preside over the committee of the whole. Mr. Shuster mr. Speaker i ask i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of h. R. 749 which the clerk will report by title. The clerk a bill to reauthorize federal support for Passenger Rail programs and for other purposes. The chair pursuant to the rule the bill is considered as read the first time. The gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Shuster, and the gentleman from oregon, mr. Defazio, each will control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Shuster mr. Chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Shuster thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to begin by thanking chairman denham, Ranking Member defazio and capuano who have all worked well on this bill together. I also would like to thank ms. Brown who in the last congress when this bill started on its path to thank her for her great work. Ms. Brown is from the state of florida. Since i became chairman of the subcommittee in the 112th congress, the Railroad Subcommittee and since ive become chairman of the full committee, this has been one of my Top Priorities to pass a bipartisan Passenger Rail bill that reforms amtrak and im so happy to be here on the floor today with a passenger reform and investment act of 2015. Previous bills resulted in some real improvements to amtrak, which were seeing today. Ridership is up 14 . Revenue is up 37 . And the northeast corridor, the profits are up an amazing 250 . The last bill created the northeast Corridor Commission which has helped the states apple frack and d. O. T. Finally Work Together on planning the future of the corridor. However more work needs to be done to help amtrak maximize its strengths and tackle some of the longstanding challenges. Thats why we introduced the Passenger Rail reform and investment act of 2015. I know some of my colleagues are skeptical about amtrak and Passenger Rail in general because of its current stracture, amtraks finances have not been structure amtraks finances have not been transparent. The profits on the northeast corridor have subsidize many losing routes. This bill makes significant reforms to eliminate those issues. In particular, we focus on the northeast corridor in this bill which truly is nationally significant transportation corridor with 18 of our population and 20 of our g. D. P. Produced in the northeast corridor on 3 of our land mass, its one of the most densely populated it is the most densely populated area of the United States and one of the most densely populated in the world. So Passenger Rail is needed. By separating amtrak business lines, the northeast corridor profits stay in the corridor allowing for more investment there. Setting the other business lines apart allows the corporation make better informed business decisions. This will help make amtraks operations much more transparent for the states and the congress. By focusing our resources on the northeast corridor and existing corridors where Passenger Rail makes sense, we hope to improve Passenger Rail without breaking the bank. Finally well provide environmental reviews for rail projects, something thats important not for Passenger Rail but will include freight rail in these environmental reviews which will help them expand their rail network to help america move its freight more effectively and efficiently. Its something we already do are doing in highway and transit and Water Infrastructure projects. This will help make our limited federal dollars go further because we all know time is money and when dealing with when dealing with infrastructure projects. I know on both sides of the aisle, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to do more, have more money invested. Colleagues on my side of the aisle think we may be doing too much spending too much money, but these reforms are going to move amtrak in a positive direction. Its not going to solve all of our problems today but i think it substantially moves the ball down the field to get to a point where someday maybe amtrak can stand on its own two feet. This debate has been raging in this assembly for the last 40 or so years. My colleagues on the other side point out no Passenger Rail operates without subsidies. Theyre correct. Theres also theres no freight rail system in the world that doesnt get theres only freight rail system in the world that doesnt get subsidies and thats in the United States of america, our freight rail system. So i think we can move amtrak in that direction. My colleagues on my side of the aisle argue amtraks been a failure, lets get rid of it. I dont think thats the answer either because as i mentioned earlier, there are places in this country that desperately need to have an expanded Passenger Rail service. And when the United States is moving towards 400 Million People we need that Passenger Rail service in various parts of this country so we need to make sure were building today a better amtrak to serve the future of the American People a people thats growing. This is a bipartisan bill, so neither side got everything that it wants. But its a good, strong reform bill. I firmly believe will significantly improve amtrak. So i urge all my colleagues to support this bill and look forward to working with the senate to take it to the president s desk. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from pennsylvania reserves his time the chair the gentleman from pennsylvania reserves his time. The gentleman from oregon is recognized. Mr. Defazio i thank the gentleman and yielding. I want to thank the chairman chairman shuster from pennsylvania. I want to thank the committee chairman, mr. Denham, and subcommittee chairman and mike capuano who serves as Ranking Member on our side for a bill thats an ok bill. This is in the tradition, the greatest tradition of the transportationinfrastructure committee is we have differences over the future of rail and the funding levels that are needed. But there is consensus that this is important to the country and we can continue that debate as we continue to improve the operations of amtrak. An awful lot of the focus is on the northeast corridor. Thats essentially the cash cow, and in the northeast corridor now in the rail air market 78 of the washington, d. C. New york travelers are now using the train. So thats a success story, and there is a lot of focus on that but amtrak is bigger than that we are a large nation. I remember after 9 11 when i had a federal official here from my region, head of the power administration, he needed to get back for some important meetings in the west, he took the train. There was no plane option. So, you know maintaining a national network, i believe, is essential. And we need to keep that perspective in mind as we look at amtrak as a whole, not just a corridor in one of the most populated parts of the country. In west we have two Long Distance trains, the coast star light from seattle through Portland Eugene down to los angeles. And the empire builder, which starts in seattle and portland converges in spokane. Kind of unique route and continues on to chicago. We also have a statesupported route in oregon which is an international route. It goes from eugene oregon, to vancouver, british columbia, and ridership last year was up to a million on that route as interstate 5 becomes more and more problematic and congested particularly over the line in washington state. So these are essential assets to give people an alternative. And i would also say that, you know, we need to be planning for a better future, and last year oregon did get about 20 million grant through the inner city Passenger Rail Grant Program to finish planning preliminary Engineering Work for the possibility of a higher speed route. Not high speed. Were not, unfortunately, thats not in the cards in the near future, but we have a wonderful train set and a stellar train set which can travel a lot faster now because of the current routing and congestion and were planning on doing that working cooperatively with the freight railroads and also looking at some alternative routes for at least part of that train. Id also point out that this bill, the railroads themselves, the freight railroads, which the chairman mentioned, are investing a phenomenal amount of money in upgrading their tracks, their system, their power. There are still a lot of projects that are undone and dont have potential Revenue Sources and particularly for the short lines. So im really pleased that this bill streamlines the Railroad Rehabilitation and improvement financing program. Rrif, sounds like something my dog would say. In any case, this is very infinitely, bureaucratic process. The bill requires that loans be done within 45 days of getting a complete application. And it also contains strong buy america provisions. It will be allamerican steel, iron and manufactured goods, so i think thats an improvement on two levels and thats a needed change. Can make improvements on some very aged parts of the neck here and other places where they have Critical Infrastructure needs around the country. That wasnt to be in this bill. But this bill does leave us that option in the future and we strongly i strongly and i believe most on this side of the aisle will support this legislation. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman from oregon reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Shuster yield one minute to the the gentleman from nevada mr. Hardy. Mr. Hardy i support this bill. I believe it will bring eff, savings and Greater Transparency to amtrak. And instead of increasing government interference, this will create Development Opportunities for the private sector and encourage nonfederal participation by unlocking new revenue treems. This bill is common sense and straightforward and reduces red tape by streamlining environmental issues, as a Small Business owner, it makes perfect sense to me that we direct track to target investments with the potential success and conduct an analysis for longdistance routes. Im excited to further empower states to have a greater role in managing their routes. States must be equal partners with greater say in ensuring that the residents, amtrak passengers, get the best benefit. That is why, mr. Speaker, i stand in support of this Bipartisan Legislation. I yield back. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania reserves his time. The gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Capuano i yield three minutes to the the gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler i rise in support of the Passenger Rail reform and investment act of 2015. This bill authorizes 7 billion for Passenger Rail including 5. 8 billion for amtrak over the next four years. This bill is not perfect, but i appreciate developing a bill in a bipartisan planner. This bill reforms the way amtrak funding is thorded. Rather than authorizing separate appropriations for debt service and capital and operating services, the bill creates new two accounts. The bill creates a new program to provide grants to the states funded at 300 million annually. The northeast corridor contains four of the 10 largest metro areas in the country and home to 51 Million People and the economy is the fifth largest in the world between france and germany. If the northeast corridor were to shut down for one day the potential impact on the u. S. Economy could be 100 million in transportationrelated impacts and productivity losses. There is no question that it is absolutely in our National Interests to do everything we can to maintain and develop the northeast corridor. But new yorkers also understand the importance of maintaining a national network. Im pleased that it has flexibility to keep the National Rail system operational. The bill requires plans to implement specific improvements and free of poisonpill antilabor provisions. All of this is good. But we cannot lose sight of the Bigger Picture is that we are still underfunding amtrak. We spend more than 50 billion for highways and transit and 15 billion on aviation and amtrak is 2 of federal transportation spending. The rail system needs at least 52 billion for 20 years just to meet ridership demands and bring the system to a state of good repair. The president s budget request includes 5 billion for rail. Half of that is intended to bring assets to the country, including 550 million. 2 billion for highspeed rail and Commuter Rail and the rail Safety Measures proven to be so necessary by the accidents on metro north, north and connecticut. This bill before us simply authorizes current funding levels. Given the budget constraints, it is probably the best bill we could hope for if we want to move a bipartisan bill. I thank chairman shuster and Ranking Member defazio to advance a bill that moves the process forward. I look forward to working with you and the rest of my colleagues to make sure it receives the attention and resources it deserves. For now its a good bill and i urge its adoption and yield back. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Shuster and now, its my pleasure to yield two minutes to the newest member of the committee, the gentleman from pennsylvania mr. Costello. Mr. Costello i rise to support thr nations transportation infrastructure. Amtraks northeast are a critical thread in the transportation fabric in my district. For me, amtrak equals septa as 90 of the daily train rides are Regional Commuter lines. This important legislation does something very significant, mr. Speaker. It keeps receive news generated on the northeast corridor for re investment. It compels amtrak, the federal Railroad Administration and states to Work Together and develop and implement a fiveyear northeast Corridor Capital investment plan. For my district, it offers more promise for the metro project. For the concept of utilizing existing rail beds known as the green line. And of course, it makes available more federal funding for new train stations to replace aging training stations. I want to thank chairman shuster and chairman denham for their smart reasoned approach, for their leadership in strengthening rail network. This is a great bill and great for southeastern pennsylvania and great for this country. I yield back. The chair the gentleman from massachusetts. Mr. Capuano i would like to yield three minutes to the the gentlewoman from ohio. The chair the gentlelady from ohio is recognized. Mrs. Capito i thank the Ranking Member for ms. Kaptur i thank the Ranking Member member and thank the chairman and chairman and rim of the full committee, mr. Defazio for bringing this important Passenger Rail and investment act before us. As the representative of the busiest amtrak station in ohio at toledo and the amtrak stations in sandusky and lorraine, i rise to urge passage of this important bill to continue and advance Passenger Rail Service Across our nation. When i was born the population of the United States was 146 million. Today it surpasses 320 million. By 2020, our nations population is projected to reach half a billion people. As time moves forward, the necessity for Passenger Rail will become clearer with each passic day. Many of our urban centers are clogged and the railroads have severe freight rail and Passenger Rail conflicts because they are forced to use the same tracts. Imagine, we are living in the 21st century and intelligentered to 19th century rail passage ways. Rail is booming up from 108,000 passengers in 2007 to 160,000 passengers in 2013. A trend in my district has grown as well with toledo passengers on the northwest ohio corridor increasing from 53,000 to 77,000 over the same time. Imagine the traffic jams if all these individuals traveled by karin sted of rail. It is not just the northeast part of our nation that needs added attention to Passenger Rail service as important as it is. It should include the Great Lakes Region. The corridor stretches the length of my district and connects it from pittsburgh, to cleveland, to sandusky to gary to chicago needs special attention, too. During an extended stretch last year between july and september the cap limited which runs from washington, d. C. To chicago and includes my Northern Ohio stretch completed 2. 7 of its trips on time. 2. 7 out of 100 on time. The dramatic increase of freight rail bumps Passenger Service. We need both. But what we have are these lengthy delays to passenger Service Across our vast regions. I would like to insert the record two articles detailing these troubles. Our region needs customer convenient hours and passengerfriendly arrivals and departures. Our Great Lakes Region needs a Capital Investment plan for Passenger Service. We need evaluation for statesupported routes. Our region Needs Development and Service Planning to remedy growing congestion and inefficiencies that benefit no one. Not the Freight Lines or the Passenger Service and surely not the communities they are supposed to serve nor connectivity to inner city Passenger Rail service. I appreciate the efforts of the chairman and Ranking Member and subcommittee chair in working together in producing this bill. I ask that our vast midwest industrial heartland region may have an additional 30 seconds that our vast industrial heartland region not be excluded for alternative Passenger Rail Service Pilot programs, opportunities for rail investments, station improvements and historic preservation, nor publicprivate partnerships that can advance modern Passenger Rail in this vital corridor of our country. I thank you, mr. Chairman. And mr. Ranking member, and i urge adoption of the Passenger Rail and investment act. And i yield back my remaining time. Thank you so much. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Shuster its my pleasure to yield five minutes to one of the principal authors of this piece of legislation, gentleman who did yeoh mans work on this bill, the gentleman from california, mr. Denham. The chair the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Denham a lot is talked about bipartisan in this body and often times a bill will come to the floor and you may hope that one party or the other might throw some votes your way and might get lastminute votes. True bipartisan is what has happened in this committee. Myself, chairman shuster Ranking Member defazio and Ranking Member capuano, we have worked together to form not only a bipartisan bill, but to actually educate every one of our members. We want to talk to members of both parties and now even both houses to make sure we are actually reforming something thats going to create not only a more efficient system but create american jobs. I thank each of those individuals for their willingness not only to Work Together but to work hard. It takes time to set up meetings and explain all the things in a large bill. And we have done that. And saw bipartisan and unanimous support, first out of the transportation and infrastructure Committee Last year, now again this year, unanimous support out of the rules committee, any bill that we get real structural reform. After 35 years, this splits off the northeast corridor, so if you are riding the train in the northeast corridor, your profits, the money that these riders are spending will go back to fixing your rail. So we make sure you are upgrading the infrastructure and creating jobs and creating a more efficient amtrak. Thats something the riders in the northeast corridor should be proud of, but should be a lesson for every other corridor across the country that you keep your profits and improve your infrastructure and have greater ridership numbers in the process. Now amtrak has made some Great Strides and in this bill, we are cutting the authorizations by 40 . Its a great opportunity to highlight some of the successes they have had, but also demand more. This also defunds highspeed rail. We want to make sure what is happening in california does not happen in the rest of the country, where you have got great rail transportation going, we want to make sure that we dont have the same challenges that are plaguing californias highspeed rail that has tripled in price. We have other conservative issues in here that will get rid of waste and that includes the food and beverage losses that we see year after year. We want to make sure amtrak is eliminating those losses. This bill to american infrastructure, it creates jobs to fix old problems. It unlocks a program that has millions of dollars in it, when you have a new project, this is one of the least areas that you want to work in because rrif is so much of a challenge. Long time lines, long approval processes. If you are going to invest in something you want to know, am i go go to win out this loan application or something that is going to hinder or slow down. We want to streamline that. Those who need the access to capital to actually have the benefits of that program. This introduces competition and leverages private sector to reduce the amtrak subsidies and use the station to be more profitable. Amtrak has stations in many key cities that can be utilized to increase profits from everything to the restaurants and shopping they have there, but also being able to advertise in those stations and advertise on the right of way the right of way that amtrak has to be able to use billboards, set up cell sites. There is so much profitability that we can have by having amtrak as a partner. One of the challenges the freight rail has is the red tape they have to go through on the environmental process, Historical Review process, and in this reform bill, we are not saying you dont have to go through that process, we are saying we are going to streamline it so you can go through it quickly. There are ought to be timelines. You ought to be able to meet timelines so you can plan your infrastructure, those jobs so you can actually move America Forward and move our rail forward at the same time. This also empowers states. We have taken this reform bill to the next level. We reformed the state routes last bill. We are doing it this time to empower states to have more control over their routes. If a train is going to come through their district or their state they ought to have some input on to the only whether or not that is stopped but increasing ridership in that process. They ought to have skin in the game. This allows them to do that. One area i just want to mention that i think that has created more bipartisanship than anything else in this bill fb else should receive some recognition is my dog, lili, who will now be able to ride on the train will the gentleman yield . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Denham if youre on the northeast corridor and you have never ridden a rail before because you have a pet that you either have to leave at home or a pet that youre going to now take a car in, you are now going to have the opportunity to ride on amtrak, not only in the northeast corridor, but all across the country. This is something that we have had pet owners reach out to us on from every different state asking that they actually be able to do this. I can take my dog back and forth to california on the airplane. And i pay an additional fee to do that. But it is something that provides me the ability to be able to travel with my pet. Why wouldnt we do that same thing on amtrak . If amtrak is looking for more riders, greater revenue, why wouldnt they be able to compete in this one more area with our airlines . This is a commonsense opportunity for those that want to take rail to be able to travel with their pet. I would like to say that it has been something thats to the only helped this bill to pass but brought on greater bipartisanship. Its taken a lot of work. I appreciate the chairmans work on this and Ranking Member. It has been a great bipartisan effort. Im looking for passage today. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. The chair the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Capuano the gentlelady from washington, d. C. Three minutes. The chair the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Norton thank you, mr. Speaker. The amtrak reauthorization before us today speaks volumes for the chairman and the Ranking Member of our committee. The first bill on the floor since 2008. Its a bipartisan bill. But it also speaks volumes that amtrak has performed so well without additional revenue. This bill leaves amtrak at about level funding, just a tiny bit more. When we call amtrak americas railroad, that is not a metaphor, mr. Speaker. All of its stock soned by the department of transportation. The reason for that is that the private sector in the 1970s found running a railroad to be a money losing proposition. And asked the federal government to take over amtrak. Amtrak, of course, is a fiction. It is constructed structured as a private company, but like every railroad in the world it is either subsidized by the government or the public cannot afford to ride. The bill has almost no funding, yet it has scored without new funding already great points. Amtrak has essentially overseen the revival of train travel in the United States of america. It has done so in a way that the government can take almost no credit for. For example ticket revenue was 1. 5 billion in 2005. Then we go five years later to 2010, its 1. 8 billion. Today its 2. 1 billion. Yet the average ticket has increased only 5 every five years over that period. Amtrak knows what the market is about and it has grown based on volume. Not revenue. The railroad has been phenomenal and seen Phenomenal Growth in passengers, reaching records as high as its highest record in 1988. When the equipment was much newer. An important measure of efficiency is simply the number of seats filled. More seats filled today than at any time. Its on time performance above 80 . Thats amazing when you consider that amtrak does not own most of the tracks it runs over. They are owned by the freight companies. First cause of delay, frequent freight traffic. Second cause of delay, reduced speed needed for maintenance. Amtrak has shown it knows how to run a railroad and to run a railroad on time. But amtrak needs to be able to run a 21st Century Railroad until we could i have another 30 seconds . Until the federal government owns up to investing more in the railroad that we own amtrak will be running a 20th Century Railroad, or is it a 19th Century Railroad, mr. Speaker . I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Shuster thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I appreciate chairman denham coming up and talking some of the important reforms in this bill. I wanted to add to that one of the key things we do in this bill is we are empowering the states. There are 19 states and 21 state supported lines. And i just looked to pennsylvania i think the prime example of what happens when states Work Together with amtrak. Again, this bill from my colleagues, especially on my side of the aisle that i hope are listening to this debate, we are going to empower those states to have equal say with amtrak when youre investing dollars in these various lines around the country. The example is the keystoneline in pennsylvania from harrisburg to philadelphia. Several years ago the state of pennsylvania and amtrak each invested 100 million into that line. They decreased the travel time by about 20 minutes from philadelphia from harrisburg to philadelphia and philadelphia to harrisburg. They increased their reliability. And that ridership over the past several years has gone up almost 80 . And this year, this First Quarter, they are projecting, they are going to make a profit on that line. Thats exactly the kind of example that we in Congress Need to look to. My friends on both sides of the aisle, we can have a bert amtrak if we do things more businesslike. These reforms that are if this bill are significant. Just to name a few of these lines that are state supported, the hardland flyer in texas. And texas heartland flyer in texas. Texas right now is investing private dollars in rail. This will help them develop these lines. These environmental reviews will help texas. You look to the sacramento to San Francisco corridor, another statesponsored line. California and amtrak get together they can make improvements on that line to help the movement of people in that corridor. Go down to the washington, Lynchburg Newport news norfolk, richmond, virginia. The state of virginia and amtrak can come together, make those investments, and thats one of the fastestgrowing corridors in america. I know the folks that represent norfolk and that part down in southern virginia and washington, d. C. Growing area, Passenger Rail is essential. You got corridors all around. Carolina raleigh, the Technology Corridor there in raleigh connecting to the largest city in the carolinas, charlotte. Again, a state sponsored line. Its going to give North Carolina the ability to work with amtrak, to have power when they make those investments to upgrade those lines. In some of these areas again, theres 19 21 corridors in 19 states. This is really important. Some of those fastgrowing Southern States look at this bill, this empowers the states, it has the reforms. So i believe that all members should be able to support this as real reform and improving amtrak. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from the chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts. Mr. Capuano may i inquire the time . The chair the gentleman from massachusetts has 15 minutes. The gentleman from pennsylvania has 14 minutes. Mr. Capuano i yield two minutes to the gentlewoman from florida. The chair the gentlelady is recognized for two minutes. Miss ms. Brown thank you, mr. Speaker, and members of the house. Let me thank mr. Capuano and the for their leadership in bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor. I know that both sides had other provisions that they wanted included in the bill. I personally wanted to include much more funding for amtrak but in the tradition of our committee, we compromised. And developed a bill that ensures that our nations radge rail system will Passenger Rail system will have the opportunity to thrive. This legislation maintains Long Distance routes, protect hardworking amtrak employees, invest in the northeast corridor, promotes minority opportunities in rail improves access to the ryp loan program, and take another r. I. P. Loan program, and Passenger Rail service to the gulf states. More and more americans turning to rail as their preferred mode of transportation, amtrak is building the infrastructure and organization to meet this demand. Am track carries a Record Number of 31. 6 million passengers in 2013. Their ridership has grown across the system for over a decade. With last year ridership numbers being the largest in the history. Currently they serve more than 500 destinations in 46 states. And provide the only Public Transportation option for millions of rural americans. Let me rehe pete that. Currently they serve more than 500 destinations in 46 states. And provide the only Public Transportation option for millions of rural americans. Amtrak has increased revenue, reduced debt, implemented new Passenger Service improved their infrastructure, and purchased trains that are being built in america with 100 of American Made parts. May i have another minute . Mr. Capuano another minute. The chair the gentlelady is recognized for another minute. Ms. Brown thank you. Amtrak reduced congestion, improve our Energy Independence and it plays a vital role in emergency preparation and recovery as it did in 9 11 bombing and hurricane katrina. There is no perfect deal, but this is a perfect start and i he encourage all of my colleagues and i encourage all my colleagues to support this legislation and lets keep amtrak moving forward. As i close, i just want to be clear, i support this bill and i would ask all of my colleagues to vote yes on the amtrak and move it forward. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from massachusetts reserves. The gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Shuster i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from massachusetts. Mr. Capuano id like to yield 1 1 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from nevada. The chair the gentlelady from nevada is recognized for 1 1 2 minutes. Ms. Titus thank you. Thank you for yielding. I appreciate the hard work that went into this important legislation to ensure Passenger Rail Service Remains a viable option for travelers across the country. In particular, i need to know as a pet lover im very happy to see the language based on chairman denhams pets on trains legislation, which im a cosponsor. But i do have concerns that the bill we are going to pass today doesnt set us on a course for building out services to parts of the country that do not now have access to Passenger Rail. I represent las vegas which welcomes more than 42 Million People from around the world to our world class resorts, casinos restaurants shopping, shows, etc. More and more of these visitors are coming from asia andure orop where Rail Services are accessible and efficient. Unfortunately, the last amtrak train to Service Las Vegas departed from the station behind the union plaza in may of 1977. Over the past 18 years las vegas has continued its transformation into the premiere International Tourist destination. Since the train stopped running, nearly a million more residents now call Southern Nevada home and 10 million more people come to las vegas for work and play every year. This growth has put enormous strain on our highways and airports, so while i will be supporting this legislation, i do hope as the body advances further policies regarding Passenger Rail, we recognize the need to build out Rail Services to communities like las vegas not just maintain the Current System. Thank you. I yield back. Mr. Shuster im prepared to close if he is prepared to close. The chair the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized. Mr. Capuano this bill is pretty good and deserves our support. Im looking forward to voting yes on this bill and getting it passed in the senate. And considering what is going on in congress, this bill is my idea of a perfect situation. We didnt get everything we wanted and they didnt get everything they wanted yet we are moving forward. I thank the chairman and Ranking Member being the perfect members of congress, someone who knows what they want and how to compromise to move the bill forward. Im honored to be here and horpped to be working with such fine people. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. The gentleman has 14 minutes remaining. Mr. Shuster i want to close by emphasizing again that this is truly a reform bill and crafted on a bipartisan basis. There is significant reforms in here. It is going to make amtrak more transparent. Metrics to measure like businesses do and havent done it for the 40 years or so they have been in existence. We have environmental streamlining that benefits amtrak projects but going to benefit the freight rails as they spend 18 of their revenues, almost 30 billion they will invest across the class of one railroad to go into their infrastructure which is incredibly important to move the freight in this country and having an efficient economy and also breaks out the amtrak into business lines, leaving the profits on the northeast corridor and the other profits on other corridors, but thats the biggest corridor and thats the one that makes money leaving it there to invest in that corridor. By the way, as they reinvest those dollars we can learn what is happening on the northeast corridor because there are corridors that need to be developed because of the growing population and we empower the states on the 21 statesponsored lines those 21 lines, states will have equal say ill say, with amtrak. So if texas as they develop their corridor down there, they are going to work with amtrak. The North Carolina lines, the virginia lines that run to washington, d. C. And other places. California, those statesponsored lines will have the ability to make those investments with amtrak to improve those lines. Again, i just want to talk about the keystone line, because thats a prime example of what can happen in a corridor when the state and amtrak Work Together. Ridership almost up 80 . They are going to be projecting a profit for the First Quarter this year which is the first tile in history. When you do those kinds of reforms and have transparency and give states power and you streamline the environmental route process, those are the kind of good things that can happen. And again, this is not perfect. Amtraks not perfect but we are moving the ball in the right direction. We are moving the ball so we can see a better amtrak and improve Passenger Rail. And i truly believe you need Passenger Rail. 10 11 corridors in this nation where pap lation is growing and population of the United States is growing and see the prime example of the northeast corridor. They have to have Passenger Rail. There are about 11 million riders 12 million riders on amtrak, but 250 million that connect to amtrak through the tran it systems. So it is an incredible link that needs to be maintained and improved and this bill i believe does that. I would encourage all my members to come to the floor today and vote in favor of this reform bill that will make amtrak better and drive down what the federal government puts into this system. This bill does that. I encourage the support of h. R. 749 and i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. All time for general debate has expired. The bill should be considered for amendment under the five minute rule it shall be to consider under amendment an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of rules Committee Print 1149. That amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in house report 11436. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report by a member designated in the report shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and opponent, but shall not be subject to amendment and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. Its now in order to consider amendment number one printed in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Mcnerney i do have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 1 printed in house report number 11436, offered by mr. Mcnerney of california. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 136, the gentleman from california, mr. Mcnerney and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Mcnerney i thank chairman shuster and Ranking Member for their work on this. It has been a bipartisan effort and long time since we have seen a rail bill and we need to do something to improve our rail system. This bill authorizes 7. 2 billion for paining rail over the next four fiscal years and improve service and longterm stability and has a wide range of support from all the stakeholders. I have two amtrak stations in my region. Both of them are in communities that are devastated by the economic downturn and unfortunately our Small Businesses have been slower to recover from the recession because they have less access to capital and information. Section 208 of this bill directs amtrak to submit a report to congress within one year on the options to enhance Economic Development around the amtrak stations. This provision requires amtrak to issue a request for proposals seeking persons or entities to carry out these proposals. My amendment encourages the process to be inclusive of socially and economically disadvantageed businesses while keeping the intent to strengthen multi modeal connections. Capturing related streams, meeting revenue resources, we need to encourage our socially and economically disadvantaged businesses a chance to provide input and feedback on Station Development proposals in and around amtrak chupets. A disadvantaged business is one that is at least 51 owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or groups. Among the Minority Business Development agencies, only 2 of all minorityowned firms are considered high revenue, meaning businesses with annual resets over 1 million. These enterprises account for 68 of total receipts and 61 of all jobs produced by all minority enterprises. As these businesses grow and innovate, so do the rest of our economy. Our society and economy is made stronger from diversity and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses should have information to compete and be included in Business Development with public and private entities. The department of transportation has done very well in recognizing the role of disadvantaged businesses play in the community. We must make sure this remains true of amtrak. And need to see that these disadvantaged areas develop in sync with the money that is being spent. We want to make sure the information is there so they can compete on a fair basis. My amendment has a chance to invest in the Passenger Rail service and spur innovation growth and investment in the surrounding communities. And i encourage the adoption of my amendment. And i reserve. The chair the gentleman from california reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Shuster i claim time in opposition to the amendment, even though i do not oppose. The chair without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Shuster this amendment does clarify that disadvantaged businesses can compete for contracts in the bill dealing with the redevelopment of stations. A lot of these stayings are in downtown areas that are desirable for development, so we want to encourage that. So this amendment strengthens the bill. And with that, i yield. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania jeeleds back. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcnerney it doesnt cost anything and it will help some of our disadvantaged communities. As the chairman said, these are in the downtown areas that need the most help. I encounseling my colleagues to support the amendment and i yield back. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number 2 printed in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Fitzpatrick i have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 2 printed in house report 11436 offered by mr. Fitzpatrick of pennsylvania. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 134, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Fitzpatrick and a member opposed will each control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania. Mr. Fitzpatrick i commend and congratulate mr. Shuster who his thoughtful approach to this Passenger Rail reform bill which is poised to pass and i encourage its passage here today. Our nations veterans are the most highly skilled work force in our nations history the product of rigorous training and team work and ability to succeed where others might fail. No wonder than that 2. 5 million veterans own and operate their own businesses creating and sustaining jobs for hardworking americans. The current pool of veteranowned businesses is getting older with recent data showing 75 of veteranowned businesses were aged 55 and over. As this older generation of veterans look towards retirement, United States will lose a key driver of Economic Growth. We need to encourage the next generation of veterans, the more than 250,000 Service Members currently transitioning from military to civilian life, to take up the jobcreating mantle of starting their own businesses, and the numbers are on our side with one in four veterans saying they are considering starting or buying their own business. We cannot miss this opportunity. My amendment under consideration today works to ensure we as a congress are doing Everything Possible to level the Playing Field for these veteran entrepreneurs when competing for federal contracts. Its a simple premise that my constituents in bucks county pennsylvania know and understand as fairness to veterans. The amendment is straightforward. It adds veteranowned Small Businesses to the Small Business participation study required under section 305 of the Passenger Rail reform and investment act. Section 305 directs the secretary of transportation to conduct a nationwide disparity and availability study on the vaket and use of certain classes of Small Businesses. While im a supporter of having a completely level Playing Field throughout federal contracting for every Small Business the fact is today, some get a preference when doing business with the federal government when veterans do not. This amendment begins the process of addressing that zrepsi zrepssi. It is not about overhauling the Current System but making sure if anybody is going to get a preference, veterans should at least have an equal shot. Adding them to the study included in the Passenger Rail reform and investment act will give the department of transportation a better understanding of the availability of veteranowned Small Businesses to help rebuild our crumb pling infrastructure and highlight the benefit of embracing veteranowned businesses in all future federal infrastructure projects. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense amendment and ensures fairness to our veterans. The chair does the gentleman reserve . Mr. Fitzpatrick i do. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania reserves. Mr. Capuano i claim the time in opposition even though i do not oppose the amendment. I congratulate mr. Fitzpatrick. Its a great amendment and i look forward to supporting it and with that, i yield back. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Fitzpatrick i thank the gentleman from pennsylvania his amendment would ensure the veteranowned Small Business be mr. Shuster i thank the gentleman from pennsylvania and i support the hiring of veterans and i appreciate mr. Fitzpatrick for offering this bill and will strengthen the bill and i support it and yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Fitzpatrick i thank you for your support. There is no cost to including veteranowned Small Businesses in the participation study. No cost to the federal taxpayer good for our nations veterans and businesses. I encourage my colleagues to support this. And i yield back. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number three considered in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Mr. Mica i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 3 printed in house report number 1136. Offered by mr. Mica of florida. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 134, the gentleman from florida, mr. Mica and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. Mr. Mica i yield myself four minutes. The chair the gentleman from florida is recognized for four minutes. Mr. Mica mr. Speaker, my colleagues, first of all i want to thank both sides of the aisle, particularly the leadership of chairman shuster, mr. Defazio, mr. Capuano, and others, mr. Denham all for working together in a bipartisan effort. Last reauthorization i did with mr. Oberstar was the first one we had done in about 10 years. That was the precedent of this bill. And we need to do that. We need to act responsibly. We need to improve rail Passenger Rail service in the United States. We need to take amtrak from and this country from a third world Passenger Rail service with a sovietstyle operation, into the 21st century. I think we can begin to do that with the amendment that i have offered here today and that we have a bipartisan agreement on. Its not everything id like. Im going to try to strengthen it as it moves through the process, but this amendment would potentially open the northeast corridor to express service from washington, d. C. , to new york city and to boston. Right now its great to have mr. Capuano here. The service from boston to new york city runs 68 miles an hour on average. Thats third world kind of operations. I believe that we could have express service for less than 2 1 2 hours in that corridor, closer to two hours with this amendment. That goes 83 miles an hour. Thats our High Speed Service in the United States. We are about to put significant amount of money into the northeast corridor, and i have no problem with that. This bill authorizes that money. Some direct appropriations, about half a billion dollars a year for each of the next four years. And then it also allows the revenue coming in to the northeast corridor to stay in the northeast corridor. I have no problem with that. But again what did the rest of us get in the country by putting this money in . I think we have subsidized amtrak fairly well. Right now every ticket is underwritten last year 4. 98. This will also provide a subsdy. I have no problem. What do we get back . 70 of all the air traffic delays in the country are out of the northeast corridor. The chronically delayed flights. Well see that, too, today and tomorrow. But we can do a much better job improving service. So imagine getting from here to penn station in less than two hours, and from boston down to penn station in record time. Finally, others have done this. Virgin trains in england. One of the leaders in innovation has increased traffic from 14 million in the corridor from london up to the north of england, from 1 million to 28 million passengers 14 million to 28 million passengers in less than half a dozen years. An incredible record that we could replicate here. We only have 31 million passengers on all of amtrak last year. A little less than that. And we could double the number of people employed, the number of people working. I have always supported labor in this. We are not trying to do this in any substandard wages. We want to make certain that all of those commitments to our brothers and sisters and labor are honored. This is the beginning of a proposal to open this up the northeast corridor and commission actually will report back to congress with these proposals. It wont be buried. Its going to come back to us and then we can move it forward. Its time to take us into the next era of Passenger Rail service in this country. I reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman from florida reserves the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts seek recognition . Mr. Capuano i rise to claim time in opposition even though i dont oppose the amendment. The chair without objection, the gentleman from massachusetts is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Capuano i thank the gentleman from florida. He stands up tall to defend the idea of Passenger Rail. We totally agree on that concept, we totally agree on trying to make, especially the northeast corridor, a more efficient rail. This commission might help us. I hope it does. I am pleased to stand up today and support this amendment. And congratulate the gentleman for offering it. The chair the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from massachusetts yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Mica i yield 30 seconds to chairman shuster. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for 30 seconds. Mr. Shuster i rise in support of this amendment. I believe once again this study can have positive impact on us. I also commend the chairman, former chairman of the committee, for his passion. Hes absolutely right as far as getting these trains to run faster, less stops. We can create, i believe, in a longterm, create an express corridor. While the europeans are moving at speeds twice that rate, we can do better in the United States. I believe this study will help us move in that direction in the future. I thank the gentleman, support the amendment. The chair the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from florida. Million mica reserve. Im prepared to close. The chair the gentleman is the only one that has time remaining. The gentleman yielded back. Mr. Mica thank you so much. In closing in 2010 when we were in the minority we had a little more time on our hands i published this report in the Transportation Committee. The federal government must stop sitting on its assets. Listed in here is the northeast corridor. Its one of the greatest assets we have from here to boston. And we need to utilize that asset. We can put in better service. I think we can do this through this particular amendment. Weve got to stop sitting on a valuable asset. Its the only corridor that we own. The other 22,000 miles of rail service is all on Freight Private rail. We can and we must adopt this amendment to get us on our way. Thank you. I hope everybodys onboard. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. Its now in order to consider amendment number 4 printed in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from california seek recognition . Ms. Brownley mr. Chair, i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 4, printed in house report number 11436 offered by ms. Brownley of california. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 134, the gentlewoman from california, ms. Brownley, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california. Ms. Brownley thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to offer a simple, commonsense amendment to the Passenger Rail reform and investment act of 2015. My amendment would require each state to develop a grade crossing action plan, identifying specific solutions for improving safety at rail highway crossings. Furthermore, my amendment would direct states to focus resources on crossings that have experienced recent grade grossing accidents, multiple accidents, or crossings that are at high risk for accidents. Mr. Speaker, a week ago tuesday our nation witnessed yet another tragic rail accident in my district when metro linked Ventura County line 10 crashed into a truck along the train tracks. There are many Unanswered Questions about this accident. One issue is abundantly clear. As a nation we must do more to address railhighway crossing safety and address the backlog of safety projects nationwide. Currently california ranks second in the nation in the number of crossing accidents. Nationally the federal Railroad Administration estimates that there were over 2,000 accidents at Railroad Crossings in 2013, with 251 fatalities and 929 injuries. As many residents of Ventura County know, this is not the first time an accident has occurred at the rice avenue intersection. This is a heavily used corridor for both rails, goods movement, Passenger Rail, both amtrak and metro link as well as automobiles and truck traffic. Unfortunately, like many local communities across the nation Ventura County cannot on its own fund rail highway crossing safety improvements. As a member of this committee, i am pleased that this bill provides funds for Passenger Rail infrastructure and i strongly support the provisions that permit funds to be used for crossing safety improvements. Because we all know these investments benefit not only safety but also our regional and national economies. In 2014 we invested 220 million in the railway Highway Crossing Program at the federal level. And yet under title 49, only 10 states are required by federal law to have action plans, prioritizing rail Highway Safety improvements. It is critically important for congress to ensure that federal dollars for Passenger Rail Infrastructure Improvements are used wisely. We must also ensure that federal funds are prioritized to address safety improvements at the most dangerous crossings first. My amendment would get at the heart of this issue by requiring every state to have a specific plan in place that will ensure both the wise use of tax dollars and address rail, highway grade crossing safety in a systematic way. I ask my colleagues to vote for my commonsense amendment. I reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman from california reserves the balance of her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Shuster i claim time in opposition although do i not oppose the amendment. The chair without objection, the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Shuster thank you, mr. Chairman. I thank the gentlelady from california for offering this amendment. While grade crossing incidents have dropped 40 since 2000 the tragedy of events in ms. Brownleys district reminds us how important it is to be aware of grade crossings. This amendment to require states to develop plans to improve safety at grade crossings within their borders adds strength to the bill. There are similar grade crossing reporter requirements in the federal Highway Program and we should work with the senate during conference to reauthorize the surface transportation programs ensuring theres consistency among the requirements at those grade crossings. With that i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman from pennsylvania yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from california is recognized. Ms. Brownley thank you. I thank the chairman for your extraordinary work on this bill. And bipartisan bill as well. And i thank you for accepting the amendment. Rail highway crossing safety problems are not unique to my district. Sadly my colleagues have also experienced a recent tragedy. On monday Long Island Railroad train struck a car stopped on the tracks in. In february, a metro north train struck a sport utilityity vehicle, tragically killing the driver and five train passengers in valhalla. I strongly believe that congress along with state and local governments must address the safety issue as a matter of urgency. And i urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlewoman from california i thank the gentlelady for yielding. Id like to speak in support of her amendment. The chair does the gentlewoman ask unanimous consent to reclaim her time . Ms. Brownley yes. The chair gentlelady is recognized. Does the gentlelady yield . Ms. Brownley yes, i yield. The chair the gentleman from florida is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Id like to support this amendment and urge my colleagues to do so. They are putting in a high speed rail in my state now. Running over 100 miles through my district. Something that will go 120plus miles an hour through the middle of small towns and communities which are ill prepared and illequipped to safely facilitate the high rate of traffic. I wish i thought ahead to bring some illustrations, photographs, or diagrams intersections. Mr. Posey that this train will go blazing through without many thought to the pedestrians, the vehicles, the men, women, and children in the community that would be put in danger by it. I think this is a great amendment. If youre going to use federal money, i see that the gentlelady said its for projects that use federal money, not an unfunded mandate, but if youre going to use the federal money, you are he going to use these r. I. P. Loans, some of which ahere to be in the process of being granted in direct conflict of the requirements granting the loans. The very least we can do is insist that the money is used safely in our districts. So i thank the gentlelady for yielding and urge my colleagues to support this great amendment. Thank you. The chair the gentlemans time has expired. The gentleladys time has expired. The question sont amendment offered by the gentlewoman from california, so many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the aye vs. It. The amendment is agreed to. The chair the committee will rise to receive a message. The speaker pro tempore the house will come to order. The chair will receive a message. The secretary mr. Speaker, a message from the senate. The messenger i have been directed by the Senate Passed s. 8, an act providing for the congressional disapproval under chapter 8 title of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to the presentation case in which the concurrence of the house is requested. The speaker pro tempore the committee will resume its sitting. The chair the committee will be in order. It is now in order to consider amendment number 5 printed in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Perlt pearl i have an amendment at the desk. Cleck clerk amendment number 5 printed in house report 11436, offered by mr. Perlmutter of colorado. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 36 the gentleman from colorado mr. Perlmutter and a member opposed each will control five minutes. Mr. Perlmutter my amendment to h. R. 749 requires the Government Accountability office to conduct a study and submit a report to congress evaluating the effectiveness of the federal Railroad Administrations 2005 rule on the use of loco motive horns. After 10 years being in effect i believe its fair to update and modernize the train horn regulation allowing flexibility for new technologies and innovations that may come vaket. The basic premise beyond the rule would require train operators to sound horns at certain levels while passing through Railway Crossings to alert motorists and pedestrians. While the current allows communities to apply for silent zone status, the requimets for obtaining a waiver are cost prohibitive and time consuming. Achieving quiet zone status can take years of work and cost millions of dollars. By requiring the g. A. O. To study the train horn rule, im confident they can craft an updated rule striking the balance between Public Safety and providing communities flexibility to establish quiet zones. I hope the study will provide insight on how the f. R. A. Can update train horn re requirements including barriers and Warning Signals and other features to keep the public safe. Last year i attended an event for the unveiling of a new quiet zone in one of the cities of my district, which was established after significant investment from the city. I want to thank the f. R. A. And state officials in working with commerce city, but we need to review how long and how costly these quiet zone applications can be. Just last week another city announced four planned Railway Crossing impofments to establish quiet zones. According to a story the city has been in discussions for more than five years in getting the quiet zones approved. I ask that it be in the record. Its time for congress to analyze the effectiveness of the train horn rule and improve the ability for our communities across the country to continue investing in Railway Crossing safety. A more flexible rule could enable these communities to Craft Solutions reducing noise, promoting Economic Growth and ensuring the safety of residents. With that, mr. Chairman, i ask for an aye vote on this amendment and i reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Shuster i claim time in opposition although i support the amendment. The chair without objection, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Shuster past couple of weeks have seen some startling accidents at grade crossings having an independent entity review the train horn rule would be a good start to ensure that such actions dont occur in the future. The rule is one that took the federal Railroad Administration almost 10 years to complete and finalized in 2005. So this would be a good time to revisit the if he cantiveness. With the rise of freight traffic on previous lower capacity routes, more communities are seeing more trains going through the towns that are used to lower traffic. Looking at crossings, the creation of quiet zones would be a helpful tool. So i recommend support for mr. Perlmutters amendment. And i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Perlmutter i thank the chairman of the Transportation Committee and all the members for working with me. I would ask for an aye vote and i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number 6 printed in house report 11436. For what purpose does the gentleman from california seek recognition . Mr. Mcclintock i have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 6 printed in house report number 11436, offered by mr. Mcclintock of california. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 134 the gentleman from california, mr. Mcclintock and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california. Mr. Mcclintock this amendment removes the taxpayer subsidies and requires amtrak to operate as a business as we were promised it would when it was established back in 1971. Every year as amtraks losses have mounted, congress has shoveled more money at it to keep it afloat. Every year its congressional supporters have promised reforms to bring these losses under control and every year these promises have fallen flat. This year, were told look at the new reforms we are building into this. In five years theyll have their act together. Well, how many times have we heard this promised . Back in 1997 facing mounting critism, the amtrak reform and accountability act required amtrak to operate without any federal operating assistance after 2002. When that didnt happen, in 2008, Pete Sessions attempted to eliminate its expensive route from authorization. Jim oberstar called any reduction in subsidies a preemptive strike and promised that the bill was chock full of reforms that would solve amtraks problems. When that didnt happen, in 2014, paul broun proposed eliminating subsidies just as my amendment does. Tom latham said, i can see amtrak could be more efficient, however it has made significant improvements in this area and moving in the right direction. Moving in the right direction . This year, taxpayers will subsidize amtrak in the amount of 1. 4 billion. The bill authorizes, 1. 4 billion next year. We will shell out 45 every time a passenger steps aboard an amtrak train, that is 45 per passenger per trip and directly build to taxpayers, up from 32 from six years ago. Despite endless promises things arent Getting Better. Amtrak claims this is a reduction in authorized funding it received 1. 4 billion in 2015. The same as this bill authorizes in 2016. Over the next 10 years, subsidizing amtrak will cost taxpayers 49 billion. Let me put that in familysized numbers. The average American Family will have to could you have up 392 over the next 10 years just to cover amtraks losses. What is that 392 out of a familys taxes pay for . Its food and beverage employees who are paid 106,000 a year to provide a service that lost over 800 million over the past decade just selling snacks on amtrak trains. Are we seing any improvements in service . Not hardly. Its ontime performance has significantly declined. Bigger losses declining service, that is not moving in the right direction. That was a false promise then like all the other false promises we have heard since 1971. And last years appropriations debate, amtrak warned that cutting off the subsidies would eliminate transportation. It does no such thing. Amtrak claims it is running a profit on the northeast corridor. Nothing in my amendment would change this. Anything amtrak makes on these profitable routes, amtrak keeps. With this amendment amtrak could continue to operate in the northeast corridor from its own profits and subsidize its other moneylosing operations to the extent that its profits would cover them. However this amendment would end the practice of forcing american taxpayers to underwrite another five years of broken promises. I reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from from florida seek recognition . Ms. Brown claim opposition to this amendment. As i stand up here today i know that if mr. Oberstar were here, the transportation guru, he would be standing for amtrak and im going to stand up in place of mr. Oberstar and lets start out with this amendment would kill amtrak. It would Saddam Hussein h shut it down. It would strand millions of passengers, destruct commuter operations and add to our already congested roads and airports and eliminate 20,000 jobs nationwide and jeopardize local economies and businesses that depend on amtrak service. Amtrak provides the majority of all Passenger Rail service in the United States with more states and localities across america turn to Passenger Rail to meet the Transportation Needs of our citizens. Amtrak reduces congestion and improves our Energy Independence. One full passenger train can take up to 250 to 350 cars off the road. Passenger rail also Consumes Less Energy than both automobiles and commercial airlines. And with that im going to yield a minute to the chairman of the committee, mr. Shuster. Mr. Shuster i thank the gentlelady. I rise in opposition. I certainly appreciate the gentlemans concern. He has been a true deficit hawk and one of the great challenges we face in america is reducing the deficit. And there has been a longstanding debate in this congress about Passenger Rail in this country. I believe its necessary. I think that what we have in this bill and i have watched for the past 40 years also some of these broken promises. Im committed though and i think we committed in this bill to putting forth reforms streamlining, empowering the states, which is a huge step in the right direction giving states the ability to be at the table and invest their dollars and force amtrak to do things effectively. I feel confident in the way the country is going with population growth and corridors expanding, we have to have Passenger Rail to move people around in these densely populated corridors. I rise in opposition to the amendment and i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock i would simply respond to the ridership claims it has no impact on congestion, because the rider ship you have to compare its 31 million trips to the 650 Million Airline trips per year. The average american logs 15,000 miles per year by car, 1,800 miles biplane and 20 miles on amtrak. If amtrak is making a profit, it can use those profits any way it wants to continue its operations and subsidize its losing routes, but should not be tapping further into taxpayers pockets. Voters have elected the biggest republican in the house since 1928 with a mandate to stop wasting money. This government is spending american earnings well above 40 as an average of our economy. If we cut this one of the most outrageous subsidies, voters will have every right to ask what good are we. I yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Ms. Brown how much time do i have . The chair 2 1 2 minutes. Ms. Brown i reserve. The chair the gentlewoman reserves. She has the only time remaining. Ms. Brown i yield to the gentleman from oregon. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Defazio lets back up for a minute. The gentleman would do, they can keep operating the northeast corridor. Thats good because threequarters of the people going from washington, d. C. To new york are choosing rail to air and i dont know where we would fit more airplanes in the congested skies. But thats not true. Because of the other routes, particularly Cross Country and western routes the obligations under their contracts to their existing employees who would lose their jobs, other obligations they would have for abandoned lines and stations and all that, would total billions of dollars. So even if they theoretically and you would have to do further changes this the law rather than taking away the money could operate the northeast corridor they couldnt because of these other obligations. Any money would have to go there and they would be immediately bankrupt because it would exceed their receive news. So thats one, perhaps unintended effect of the gentlemans amendment because he does seem sympathetic to the fact that threequarters of the people going from washington, d. C. , to new york is choosing air over rail. Ridership is up 14 . Thats actually four Million People in one year that revenue is up and the operating losses have been cut in half. Theyre down 48 . There is no Passenger Rail system that operates you know like amtrak across the continent as large as ours without assistance from the government. On 9 11 i had a federal official who had to get meetings in the northwest, he took a train. We have an aging society. When i dont have to get on an airplane every week and i can take more time to get somewhere and i think a lot of other people as they are aging would like to avoid the hassles of air travel, i believe in the northwest, we are in a cooperative arrangement and i pointed that out earlier with amtrak where they operate our train. An acela train which was purchased. The ridership is up it about a Million People per year and growing quickly to avoid the already overcongested i5 between eugene. Where you have to spend time sitting in your car. It would deprive americans from all this for ideology, to the good reasons but ideology. We should be investing more and building out a robust 21st century rail system like every other industrial country in the world. Why do we have to be third world . The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Mcclintock i ask for a recorded vote. The chair pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from california will be postponed. It is now in order to consider amendment number 7 printed in house report 1136. For what purpose does the gentleman from illinois seek recognition . Mr. Lipinski i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 7, printsed in house report number 11436 offered by mr. Lipinski of illinois. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 134, the gentleman from illinois, mr. La pin skirks and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Lipinski mr. Chairman before i discuss my amendment, id like to thank chairman shuster, chairman denham, Ranking Member defazio Ranking Member capuano, and former subcommittee Ranking Member brown for all their hard work for bringing this Bipartisan Legislation to the floor so early this year. This bill shows us what congress can do when we Work Together to build consensus, and he yes compromise. Compromise to get things done to improve our nations transportation infrastructure. This bill makes much needed reforms to amtraks Business Model and loan program which i hope will unlock the potential financing source for the create rail modendization program in northeastern ill know and help Commuter Rail agencies make important improvements such as installing positive train control. Im pleased that a bill contains provision extending buy america requirements to ryp projects. I have been mentioning this need since 2009 and i78 glad to see we are codifying these requirements to ensure this 35 billion loan program is investing our dollars in american materials and american robs. Jobs. My amendment today is a small but important addition to this bill. It sharpens the directive in section 211 that requires amtraks Inspector General to conduct a review of amtraks boarding procedures. Section 211 is a good step towards improving the experience of amtraks riders and the efficiency of amtrak operations. This amendment builds on provisions by clarifying that the amtrak i. G. Should consider the boarding needs of passenger that is use mobility devices including all forms of wheelchairs such as passenger was items such as bicycles. This will make sure the i. G. s report considers the neads of all its riders and focus on complying with americans with disability act, and harnesses a potential revenue stream from bicyclists and other users from nonmotorized transport. Right now amtrak uses patchwork procedures that make it difficult for an individual using a wheelchair or traveling with a bike to get on and off the train. The amtrak Inspector General issued a report in august of last year that found that only 10 of amtrak stations are fully a. D. A. Client which demonstrates the need to not only look at each stations infrastructure, but how each station gets passenger from station to platform to train. We need to make sure that amtrak is serving all of its customers to the best of its abilities and accordance with the law. Similar difficulties exist for other forms of transportation such as bicycles. Only 38 of amtrak lines provide Baggage Service for bicycles while only 18 of lines allow for roll on Bicycle Services complemented by ad hoc policies. Mobility is important to reducing congestion. If we improve the boarding process, we improve quality of service and help encourage ridership. This amendment is supported by easter seals, people for bikes, united spine association, the league of american bicyclists, aarp, the National Disabilities Rights Network transportation for america, and the adventure cycling association. Mr. Chairman, i urge my colleagues to support this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Shuster i claim time in opposition to the amendment even though i do not oppose the amendment. The clerk without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Shuster thank you mr. Chairman. This it amendment simply clarifies when the amtrak Inspector General looks at ways to improve amtraks boarding procedures at major station it is consider passengers using wheelchairs and other nonmotorized transportation. I know this is near and dear to the hearts of mr. Lipinskis constituents. So again i rise in support. At this time id also like to take the opportunity which i neglected to do to thank the staff for their work over the paths year past year. We rely on them to make a lot of this come together. Their hard work and dedication deserves recognition. I thank on the rail subcommittee mike, fred david christa, on the democrat side, jennifer and rachel for their hard work. Our Communications Team jim, justin, Michael Keith from our front office, jennifer, beth, carl, claire, isabelle, denny and mary. To all of them i thank them for their very, very hard work on helping to put this bill together. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Lipinski i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. Mr. Shuster i yield one minute to the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer. The chair the gentleman from oregon is recognized for one minute. Mr. Blumenauer thank you. I appreciate the gentlemans courtesy and permitting me to speak on this. I express my appreciation to the chair Ranking Member of the subcommittee and chair, this is i think an example of congress doing what it should do. I appreciate it as alumni member of the t. N. I. Committee. Im proud to see this move forward. Rail corridors are absolutely critical in terms of being able to promote mobility as the chair of the bike caucus. I am particularly interested in this amendment. The committee ended last congress on a high note with wrrda and being able to start this congress on a high note with a really thoughtful approach to amtrak moving this forward i think is a signal that the theres no other committee that has more potential to do more this congress to help rebuild, renew the economy and get america moving. This is a tremendous signal about whats possible. I lend my congratulations to the committee, the chairman shuster, Ranking Member defazio, Ranking Member brown and look forward to working with you on more excitement as we move forward. I yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Shuster i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from illinois is recognized. Mr. Lipinski how much time do i have remaining . The chair 1 1 2 minutes. Mr. Lipinski i yield myself the balance of the time. The chair without objection, so ordered. Mr. Lipinski i want to thank again chairman shuster for his work, Ranking Member defazio. This is what we need to be doing coming together working these things out. Theres so much that America Needs done wheps it comes to transportation and infrastructure especially when it comes to transportation and infrastructure. I thank the chairman for his great work in leading this committee. We have a lot of other issues to work on. Other forms of transportation. But this is a good example of what we can do by working together. I ask my colleagues to support my amendment and support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is on the amendment can do by working offered by the gentleman from illinois. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. Pursuant to clause of rule 18 proceedings will now resume on those amendments printed in house report 11436 on which further proceedings were postponed in the following order. Amendment number 6 by mr. Mcclintock of california. The Unfinished Business is the request for recorded vote on amendment number 6 printed if house report 11436 by the gentleman from california, mr. Mcclintock on which further proceedings were postponed and which the noes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 6 printed in house report number 11436, offered by mr. Mcclintock of california. The chair a recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a 15minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the chair on this vote the yeas are 147, the yeas are 272. The amendment is not adopted. The question is on the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Accordingly, under the rule, the committee rises. The chair the committee of the whole house on the state of the union had under consideration h. R. 749 and pursuant to House Resolution 134, i report the bill back the house with an amendment adopted in the committee of the whole. The speaker pro tempore the chair of the committee of the whole house on the state of the Union Reports the committee has had under consideration h. R. 749, and pursuant to House Resolution 134, reports the bill back to the house with an amendment adopted in the committee of the whole. Under the rule, the previous question is ordered. Is a separate vote demanded by any amendments to the amendment in the committee of the whole . Separate vote demanded of any if not, the question is on adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amend the. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed will vote no. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. The question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. The aye vs. It. Third reading. The clerk bill to reauthorize federal support for Passenger Rail programs and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the house will be if order. The house will be if order. Frotches the gentleman from new york seek wreck seek recognition . I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The speaker pro tempore is the gentleman opposed to the bill . Yes, i am, in its current form. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. The clerk will report the motion. The clerk mr. Moves to recommit the bill h. R. 749 to the committee on sprorgs and dispense with the reading of the bill. The speaker pro tempore is there objection . Without objection the reading is dispensed. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, i offer this amendment today as the final amendment to the bill. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman will suspend. The house will be in order. Will members please remove their conversations off the house floor. The gentleman may continue. Mr. Maloney mr. Speaker im proud of the bipartisan work that committee has done and i want to commend the chairman, mr. Shuster also mr. Defazio messrs. Denham and capuano and all of the staff for all of the work that went into this legislation. This is a good bill, and it makes key investments in our Rail Infrastructure and in rail safety. And i want to personally thank the chairman mr. Speaker the house is not in order. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman will suspend. The house is not in order. I want to personally thank the chairman for all of the hard won work on this bill and what i offered on positive train control and grade crossings, the need which has been dramatically demonstrated by the terrible accidents in places like valhalla new york, in oxnard california. However, we can make this bill better. My amendment would not kill the bill nor send it back to committee. If adopted it would proceed immediately to final passage. My amendment simply provides 150 million annually to amtraks Police Department to address critical security needs. Amtrak Security Forces isnt large but its task is monumental, protecting nearly 32 million passengers that use amtrak every year. My amendment gives those Security Officials the resources they need to prevent and defend against terrorist attacks from additional crime units to explosive detection equipment we need to make sure that Amtrak Police officers nationwide have the capacity and capability the house is not in order. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman will suspend. The house will be in order. Will all members please remove your conversations from the house floor. The gentleman may proceed. Mr. Maloney to have the capacity and capability to protect passengers. The amendment also requires amtrak to implement a Veterans Hiring Initiative specifically designed to hire veterans with experience working with military dogs, k9 units. Amtrak has a long history of providing Career Opportunities to veterans as well as active duty military members, but under current law is not required to do so. Its not required to seek out veterans for open positions. And with more than 200,000 active duty Service Members transitioning to civilian life we can today guarantee that amtrak will seek out veterans for new hires. In the last 10 years, more than 800 attacks have occurred worldwide against passenger and Commuter Rail systems, killing thousands. Many remember the horrifying images of the terrorist attacks in madrid london. In mumbai terrorist attacks have killed hundreds of people. All of us here in both parties understand the real dangers our country is facing. I have no doubt that one of the greatest threats we face is to our u. S. Rail systems and subway and commuter systems in particular remain a top threat. Information taken from osama bin ladens very compound in pakistan indicated that al qaeda was considering attacks on a number of u. S. Rail systems. Our intelligence and Law Enforcement officials have foiled several threats in just recent years. In 2009 a jihadic plotted to bomb a new york subway very similar used in the 2005 london attacks. In 2011, two al qaeda supported terrorists were arrested after plotting to bomb and derail a train between toronto and new yorks penn station. At a time when heightened security and growing threats like isil, were asking amtraks police force to do more with less. Amtrak reports that security funding overall has decreased by more than 50 since 2011. We need to reverse this trend to protect the security of our national Passenger Rail system. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense amendment, to provide the necessary funding, to ensure the safety and security of amtrak passengers and rail commuters. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Shuster i rise in opposition to the motion. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Shuster thank you, mr. Speaker. This amendment will do nothing more than kill the bill. H. R. 749 is a bipartisan bill with heavy, heavy reforms that will improve and advance Passenger Rail in this country including security. Weve taken that into consideration. I agree that securitys important, but we cover the cost in security activities in this bill. Both sides over the past two years to craft a bill that i believe is exactly the kind of legislation the American People want. Its a reform bill. Its commonsense reforms. Theres never been an amtrak bill with these kinds of reforms in it. Empowering the states. Mr. Speaker the house is not in order. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. Mr. Shuster this bill empowers the states with those 19 states that have 21 supported amtrak lines, they are going to be able to have a seat at the table make the investments to improve Passenger Rail in those 19 states. Its going to give the commission on the northeast corridor more say, more teeth to be able to force amtrak to do things. Its going to keep the profits of the northeast corridor in the northeast corridor so that heavily congested area of the country that needs to have Passenger Rail and all along the way learn the lessons of when we make those investments how we can go out to the other corridors around this country that are going to need Passenger Rail. This bills not perfect. Amtraks not perfect, but i truly believe that this bill sets amtrak on the course to reform itself, to improve itself so in the future they can move towards going away from the subsidy that the federal government of the federal government. Thats my goal, to have an amtrak that doesnt have any federal subsidies. So these reforms are put in place, strong reforms. As i said, weve never had an amtrak bill like this before, and it was done on a bipartisan basis. We can be proud of it. The congress can be proud of this bill. The American People will be proud that were doing something, and i urge my colleagues to vote no on this motion. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman may not reserve. Mr. Shuster i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Without objection, the previous question is ordered. The question is on the motion to recommit. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The noes have it. The question is on mr. Maloney mr. Speaker, i request a recorded vote. I request a recorded vote, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman requests a recorded vote. Those favoring a recorded vote will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20, the chair will reduce to five minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote on the question of passage. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 184. And the nays are 232. With none answering present, the motion is not adopted. The question is on passage of the bill. Those in favor, please say aye. Those opposed, please say no. The ayes have it. The bill is passed. And without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. Mr. Shuster i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. Those favoring a vote of the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 316 and the nays are 101. The bill is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from virginia seek recognition . Mrs. Comstock i ask unanimous consent that the committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of h. R. 1213 and ask for its immediate consideration in the house. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 1213, a bill to make administrative and technical corrections to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The speaker pro tempore is there objection to the consideration of the bill . Without objection the bill is engrossed, read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The gentlewoman from virginia seek recognition . Mrs. Comstock mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns today it adjourn to meet at 2 00 p. M. On friday, march 16, 2015. The speaker pro tempore does the gentlewoman mean march 6 . Mrs. Comstock oh, yes. March 6. Friday, march 6, 2015. The speaker pro tempore werks. Without objection. The chair announces the speakers appointment pursuant to 2u. S. C. 05 501b and the order of the house of january 6, 2015, of the following members to the House Commission on congressional mailing standards. The clerk mrs. Miller of michigan chairman, mr. Latta of ohio, mr. Rodney davis of illinois. The speaker pro tempore the chair lays before the house a communication. The clerk the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, sir, this letter serves as my official resignation from the House Committee on science, space and technology. It has been my pleasure serving on this committee since being elected to congress. Signed, sincerely, frederica wilson, member of congress. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the resignation is accepted. The chair will now entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentlewoman from arizona seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Sali thank you mr. Speaker ms. Mcsally thank you, mr. Speaker. On saturday, Border Patrol unveiled a new statue honoring slain agent brian terry at the knackow, arizona, border station in my district. Named in agent terrys honor. The statue, depicted here, shows agent terry carrying a member of his Border Patrol Tactical Unit on his shoulders. And is a fitting tribute to a man who loved his job and his fellow agents. Agent terry entered the service with the Border Patrol on july 23, 2007, before that he served in the u. S. Marine corps and as a Police Officer in michigan. On december 10, 2010, agent terry was on petroleum with three of his patrol with three of his fellow agents in a canyon in arizona when they came across five individuals suspected of crossing the border illegally. The agents approached the suspects and were fired upon, prompting them to return fire. In the gun fight then sued, two agents were wounded, including agent terry. He died from his wounds in the desert later that morning while waiting for medical assistance. Mr. Speaker, i ask you to bring the house in order. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. Ms. Mcsally thank you, mr. Speaker. Agent terrys sacrifice is a constant reminder of the dangers those who defend our homeland face every time they put on their uniform. Their job is to protect our communities and often they are the last line of defense against terrorist attacks on our country. Agent brian terry gave the ultimate sacrifice, to carry out his duties and every day agents like him put everything they have on the line to keep us safe. They deserve everything we have to support them. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. For what purpose does the gentleman from maryland rise . Seek recognition . Mr. Hoyer i ask to speak out of order for one minute to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Hoyer thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker the assassination of russian Opposition Leader boris last friday in front of the kremlin was a reprehensible act that demands a thorough and independent investigation. He was a political leader who had fought for democracy inside the system. His murder took place against the backdrop of putins continued suppression of the rule of law political debate and human rights in russia. His murder follows the murder of other critics of putins tyranny. Anna and sergei. Today putin is rebuilding many of the barriers to individual freedom, democracy and selfdetermination that were thought relegated to what president reagan called the ash heap of history. As former chairman of the Helsinki Commission in the final years of the cold war, i witnessed the yearnings of the russian people not to be bullied through fear and control by their leaders. Vladimir putin and his heveragemen have created a culture of henchmen have created a culture of terror for those who oppose his rule and increasingly isolated russiaia from the world. Congress and the russia from the world. Congress and the American People must keep speaking out against the erosion of the basic freedoms the russian people achieved in the 1990s. This week mr. Speaker, the thoughts and prayers of the American People are with the family of boris and millions of those whose hopes and dreams he fought for throughout his life. The speaker pro tempore the chair will receive a message. Messager mr. Speaker, a message from the speak president of the United States. The secretary mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore madam secretary. The secretary im directed by the president of the United States to deliver to the house of representatives a message in writing. The speaker pro tempore the chair will receive a message. Messager mr. Speaker, a message from the senate. The secretary mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore madam secretary. The secretary mr. Speaker, i have been directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has not passed the s. 1, an act to improve the keystone x. L. Pipeline. It failed passage. Over the veto of the president. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition . I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana is recognized. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to honor the life and legacy of theodore hesber. As president and public face of the university of notre dame, for so long, his passing isnt just deeply felt in south bend, indiana, but all across our great state. A lifelong educator, father hesberg spent the vast majority of his 97 years giving lessons that everyone regardless of age, profession or station in life, can learn from. A few of those lessons i think are especially apt for those of us in this body. Chief among them, quote, the very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You cant blow an uncertain trumpet unquote. Too often those of us in Elective Office find it easier to blow the horn of opposition rather than committing ourselves to the hard work of developing constructive policies. As we reflect on his legacy at this time, my hope is that we will all follow the advice that father hesberg exemplifies so well throughout the course of his distinguished career. Mr. Young and rededicate ourselves to laying out a positive vision and concrete solutions that will move our great nation forward. Thank you, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Are there further requests for oneminute speeches . Under the speakers announced policy of january 6 20 15, the gentlewoman from new jersey, ms. Watson coles is recognized for 60 minutes. The speaker pro tempore the the gentlelady is recognized. I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. We have spent the last week and a half debating funding for the department of Homeland Security a debate that started because my colleagues didnt like the president s action. Ms. Watson Coleman House republicans finally did do what they ought to have done all along and joined with democrats to pass bipartisan funds through fiscal year through fiscal year 2015. That legislation has restored certainty for thousands of employees at the department of Homeland Security and even more importantly it importantly it ensures the safety and security of our entire nation. Mr. Speaker, while we settle the funding for d. H. S. , we havent addressed the issue that led us to the impasse in the first place. Republicans in both the house and the senate wanted to hinder the president s Legal Authority to better manage our broken immigration system. They have called it illegal amnesty and many of their conservative counterparts have gone as far as calling the president a tyrant. But they have not offered any plan of their own. Today during this special order hour, i would like to take the opportunity and on behalf of our progressive caucus to join with my colleague, the congressman from arizona, express our concerns from the progressive caucus perspective on our plans for the future as it relates to immigration. To that extent mr. Speaker i extend as much time as my colleague from arizona needs. Thank you very much. Mr. Grijalva thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentlelady from new jersey for having this opportunity for us to come and talk about the root issue that she explained, the root issue that caused the almost the potential of d. H. S. And that department having to be shut down because of the amendments added by this house of representatives to an appropriations bill a bill that should have been clean, it was a bipartisan piece of legislation, but amendments were added to it, amendments that were against the president s executive order amendments that are aimed at undoing any progress that had been made with dreamers, the daca, amendments that were punitive in its entirety and did not seek any solution to deal with our broken immigration system. Thankfully, the adults in this house took control. A clean bill was passed with overwhelming and unanimous support from democrats and with significant support from our republican colleagues. That being done, that example should be a par binger that on mustpass legislation critical to the future of this nation, critical to its tranquility that we stop playing games with that legislation. And that the track to deal with Immigration Reform should be a track that we all pursue. But to try to put meanspirited, divisive gotcha grandstanding amendments on a piece of mustpass legislation, whether it is Homeland Security the other day transportation in the future that is not governing, that is merely pandering to a political ideology that has nothing to do with the underlying bill. As it did with National Security. Let me talk a little bit about how we got to that situation, as the gentlelady said. In the time that i have been here, Immigration Reform and the broken system has been an acknowledged fact by all sides. There was an attempt that the senate a year ago passed a bipartisan bill, overwhelming support that took us in the direction of a very critical first step to reforming this broken immigration system. For a year we waited for the leadership of this house, the Republican Leadership, to bring that bill up and let the peoples house work its will. That never happened. And time and time again we admonished the leadership in saying, if nothing is dobe by this house to allow an up or down vote on that piece of legislation the Senate Passed, the president will have no option but to relieve the anxiety, relieve the painful family divisions that were going on in this country, and to prevent Additional Community trauma that many of our communities were facing with the high level of detentions and deportations, the splitting of families even when there was u. S. Citizen children or a spouse involved. The president waited he waited a considerable amount of time, and i was one of those that criticized that waiting period that should be done immediately. But at the end, the president put the executive orders together to the expansion of daca for dreamers, for young people and dapa, for those individuals parents who have citizen children that they too would get the twoyear umbrella of protection, could work and could come out of the shadows. And this was not an automatic as it has been exaggerated by the opponents of his actions. This was a process that requires documentation and that requires qualifications in order to be eligible for the programs. And as the president said, now, department of Homeland Security, i. C. E. , Border Patrol, can now concentrate on the smuggling and organized crime that occurs along our boarder that is the root cause of much of the violence and heartache we see on our border. In arizona theres been close to 5,000 individuals who have lost their life in the desert trying to cross to the United States. Countless acts of violence and all generated by human traffickers, drug smugglers, and organized crime on both sides of the border. Time to concentrate on that very obvious threat to american security. The other is to go after the people we dont want here. Another exaggeration to say that this is blanket amnesty. It is not blanket amnesty. Far from it. We, like everyone else, the people that dont belong here, because of felonious behavior violence, drug smuggling, and breaking the laws of this nation, those are the people that i. C. E. Should put its emphasis on and get rid of felons, as the president said, and not families. So the president did that order much to the outcry of some colleagues of mine on the other side of the aisle. Not all. I would never paint the whole Republican Caucus with one brush. But there is a significant number that see the issue of immigration in a very different and clouded way that clouded way has to do more with ideology, it has more to do with a sense that its us vs. Them, and an insecurity about the change in about the changing demography of this country and what it means to this nation. And that insecurity is just that, an insecurity, not founded in fact, and not founded on the immigrant history of this nation. As a first generation american, i can tell you, the pride and the values that i have were grown in this country, were nurtured in this country and serving in this body could be the highest honor i could ever have. And that story is repeated day in day out, for the history of this nation that the immigrant community has come to give and to contribute, not to take. The president has wide latitude as president with executive orders. Court case, an injunction to hold the implementation of his executive orders in texas where a Selection Process chose this judge for his previous legal opinions and his previous Public Comments regarding the issue of immigration decided very much with the opponents. I am totally confident, totally confident, that as we move up the chain of the federal court system, that the Constitutional Authority that the president has for these executive orders, as previous president s have had for these executive orders will be redeemed and that lower injunction will be overturned. In the interim, we continue to tell people in the undocumented community, immigrant community, come forward. Bring your documentation. Begin to prepare yourself for an opportunity to be one of the people and families that qualify for this program. What the president did with those executive orders is significant in many ways. Those executive orders mended the social fabric of this nation. One of the most divisive issues has been immigration and maybe its a good election employee ploy to continue to beat that horse dead to get elected, but in the longterm, in the generational term of this nation, it does nothing but divide us along very superficial issues, divides us along the issue of race and divides us along the issue of language and country of origin. Those are not divisions for the social well being of this nation that we can tolerate. Immigration reform is also about the domestic tranquility of this nation and to heal that social fabric thats been ripped. I also want to say that the progressive caucus from the outset has been a tireless advocate for comprehensive Immigration Reform, humane policies, familycentered reforms, and reforms that deal with the reality of what is around us and doesnt ignore it. Im proud to be a member of that caucus and for its steadfast and unwavering support not only of comprehensive Immigration Reform but of the president and his executive orders. Five amendments were presented as part of the d. H. S. Bill which were the center of the controversy and the ones that were eliminate sod we could finally vote on a key piece of legislation. One amendment, aderholt amendment, prohibits any funds or fees to be used to carry out the majority of the president s executive order including dapa and daca. Reality. Fact. The prohibition is irrelevant and moot. All the costs of this Program Comes from the individual making an application. It is a feedriven process. There is no specific allocation that this body has made to it or that the department is making to it. The blackburn amendment which i thought was particularly was of particular anguish to everyone. This amendment would end the daca program, the Dreamer Program for dreamer children susceptible to deportation. Those almost 300,000 if not more young people that qualified under daca suddenly with that amendment would have that protection taken away and their status would now be back in the deportable status. That amendment in and of itself does nothing for National Security. Does nothing to address the issue of a broken immigration system. But indeed as a adds a level of cruelty to the whole process of trying to solve this problem. The preventing the president from being able to have new enforcement priorities, going after christmases and felons as opposed after criminals and felons as opposed to going after families and breaking up families one of the amendments was meant to stop that. The salmon amendment made no sense that people undocumented people are not able cannot receive and participate in the Affordable Care act. Employees cannot register and have them employed period, by federal law. It was just to state the obvious and try to create an issue in which there was none. And there is no prioritization where people under this executive order would be ahead of other people. Two different processes. One is for a legal reprieve and protection that lasts up to the tenure of this president and the other, natural sigs and getting legal permanent status, continues to be a process. One process doesnt get in front of the line of the other. I want to go back to one point and then yield back to the gentlelady. At some point were going to have to deal with the issue of Immigration Reform in a constructive proactive way. Its going to have to be dealt with because i think the Economic Security of this country is at stake the domestic wellbeing and quality of life for this country is at stake. The economy is at stake and the security is at stake. And if for no other reasons to look at the benefits of those areas in the discussion of comprehensive Immigration Reform, we can continue on the path of making Immigration Reform and immigrants the cannon fodder in the 2016 election we could continue to make Immigration Reform the Collateral Damage in any piece of legislation that is brought before this congress, the assumption that the individuals affected by these laws are not real human beings. We can continue to deny the obvious and the reality of this nation, that when you have 11 million undocumented living, working amongst us, that the prudent, smart and pragmatic thing to do is to deal with that issue and not exploit it or ignore it. Weve heard so much pandering to this issue, weve heard the Young Children in detention that came in that surge across the border six, seven months ago, their rate of infection was no higher than the rate of infection for children throughout this nation. The pandering about terrorism coming over the border, not one incident has been qualified as fact. That indeed that has become a pathway for terrorism. The issue that somehow it is tearing at what america is i think thats the most important point that we should take into consideration. From many there is one. Is the motto that this nation holds dear to itself. That all of us come here and that by being here we begin to form this union of ours. Integrating the values, the aspirations, the rule of law and the history of that nation in making it one. We continue to pretend that we can have a twotiered Society Without consequences to the economy and the social wellbeing of this nation is wrong. It is wrong on very humane and just reasons. But its profoundly wrong on what this nation is and what i learned and all of us have learned this nation is and will continue to be, a nation founded on the rule of law, a nation founded by immigrants. I also want to say, and ill say it as delicately and as carefully as i can. The issue of Immigration Reform to many people that are citizens maybe second, third generation, whose original folks were immigrants, that happen to be of color, that happen to come from a country of origin where the language and the culture was different from the mainstream of this nation, that have integrated fully and have contributed to the defense and the wellbeing of this nation, feel that the constant drumbeat of accusation its us versus them, of division, that this issue not only is an issue of Immigration Reform for the people that need it and for the nation that needs it, but its also an issue of civil rights. That no one should be profiled into a situation that theyre less than someone else because of where their parents came from, because of the language they spoke or the country that they came from. Or the color of their skin. Thats not america. And we continue to pander to those emotions as a means to score political points and possibly with an election, that we do it at our own peril. So for many generations of americans who have served this country our rights, our presence our history and our ability to proudly stand with anyone else and be as american as the next person. So with that let me turn yield back to the gentlelady from new jersey, thank her so much for organizing this and thank her for the opportunity of time that shes granted me to be able to state some things that sometimes the confines of our debates here dont allow us to do. Thank you very much and i yield back. Mrs. Watson coleman thank you very much. Im very grateful to my colleague the gentleman from arizona, for sharing his vast knowledge, experience and dedication to such an important issue. Im relatively new to this chamber but i must tell you that as i have been working here and observing, im always reminded of the fact that this is a nation of immigrants. This is a nation that was conceived by immigrants it was created by immigrants it was made great by immigrants, because all of our Founding Fathers who are responsible for the way this country operates and the way we operate this democracy came to this land from another land. According to our polling that has been released by the Public Religion Research institute in february, 77 of the country supports either a pathway to citizenship or permanent legal residence for undocumented immigrants. Only 19 want to enforce deportation. Citizenship is also favored over deportation in every single solitary state in this nation and frequently by very wide margins. The last congress, as raised by my colleague from ashese noted, from arizona noted, the democratled Senate Passed legislation that would have provided that pathway for 11 Million Immigrants seeking the American Dream but currently living in the shadows. That bill also would have strengthened Border Security something i hear my republican colleagues argue about quite frequently. That measure passed with significant republican support. 632 vote. Yet our speak 6832 vote. Yet that speaker, Speaker Boehner declared that bill was dead on you a rifle in the house. Its not just my constituents, its not just democrats that know its time for change on immigration. The American People are quickly reaching consensus that the American Dream should not be withheld and that theres nothing to fear from those who are seeking it. The American People are beginning to understand that absolutely deplorable rhetoric used to keep immigrants in the shadows is just that rhetoric. The American People are starting to agree that our legacy as a nation of immigrants means that offering the same opportunities to new generations should be the order of the day. Mr. Speaker, im callinging on my republican colleagues right now to open the discussion on real Immigration Reform. This, as i said, is a nation of immigrants, built by people who came from different worlds seeking opportunities to change their futures, so we should be having a conversation about how we honor that legacy and protect the promise of the American Dream for a new generation that is ready to work hard, play by the rules and seize it. This is not just a nation that will thrive by keeping our immigrants in the shadows. This is a nation right now that is just gaining traction and Economic Growth, with plenty of people still looking for employment and a government too burdened by austerity measures to provide any real relief. So we should be having a conversation about the economic benefits of comprehensive Immigration Reform and the extraordinary impact it would have on job creation and innovation. Its not just the right thing to do, its the fiscally right thing to do, it is the morally right thing to do and it is a timely thing to do. So we need to let go of our excuses and end the scare tactics and lets get together and pass comprehensive Immigration Reform right now. Mr. Speaker thank you, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. The chair lays before the house a message. The clerk to the congress of the United States, in accordance with language under the heading coast guard operating expenses of the department of Homeland Security appropriations act, 2015, the act, i hereby designate for overseas Contingency Operations , global war on terrorism, all funding designated by the congress in the act pursuant to section 251b2a of the balanced budget and emergency deficit control act of 1985, as amended, as outlined in the enclosed list of accounts. The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed memorandum from the director of the office of management and budget, signed barack obama, the white house march 4, 2015. The speaker pro tempore referred to the committee on appropriations and ordered printed. Under the speakers announced policy of january 6, 2015, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Kelly, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Mr. Kelly i thank the speaker and i rise today to honor the great life of father hesberg. Today i looked up on wikipedia some information about father hesberg. It says born Theodore Martin hesberg, may 25, 1917 in syracuse new york, United States. Died at age 97, notre dame indiana, United States alma mater, the Catholic University of america, profession, priest. Religion, roman catholic. And then it shows a signature. Today in south bend indiana, at the university of notre dame, flags are flown at halfstaff to honor a giant among men, a warrior for peace and champion for civil rights. Father theodore hesberg. I want to you just think for a minute, left your mind drift to what we will see in the future as a tombstone thats going to say on it, going to have father hesbergs name and its going to say, born may 25 1917, died february 26 2015. I want you to forget about those two dates and for a minute think about the 97 years in between those dates. The 97 years that father hesberg spent on earth. A man is measured by what he accomplished while he was here. For those of us at notre dame, i think its important to go back and think about just who father ted was. Father actually passed away last thursday at 11 30 p. M. I want you to think about father hesburghs last day. He rose in the morning, it was very important for him to celebrate mass, which he did that day. Throughout the course of the day, he wasnt feeling quite right but again he was 97 years old. That evening, as he was accustomed to do he smoked a cigar and then he went to bed and for whatever reason he was surrounded by some very good friends, but he was also surrounded by a nun. Father hesburghs last moments was a recitation of the rosary. He was very fluent in five different languages. The language that he thought was the most beautiful was the french language and the rosary was recited in french. Picture, if you can a 97yearold man, lying in a bed, friends around him, knowing that something was going to happen and father hesburgh closed his eyes. And passed. But think about the glorious moment right after the closing of those eyes. Because in the next instant we were open. Not on earth, not on the university of notre dame, not in a bed where he was a dying old man, but in heaven surrounded by all those folks who knew father ted. Who loved father ted. And who had been patiently waiting for his arrival because thats what we believe. We know that he is at home. Now, i told you father hesburgh was born in syracuse, new york, he was educated at notre dame and at the gregroirn university in rome from which he received a bachelor of philosophy. He was ordained a priest at what is now the basilica of notre dame on the campus in june of 1943. Earlier today at 2 00, the funeral mass for father hesburgh was held at this same change, the sacred heart basilica on our beautiful and beloved campus. As i stand here the funeral mass is concluded an the Notre Dame Community will be following father ted on st. Marys road out to his final resting place at the Holy Cross Community cemetery. It will be a sad march but it will also be a rejoicing march because we certainry, we miss him and are going to miss him but we rejoice in what he was table accomplish. For generations of students at notre dame he was simply known as father ted. Thats all. Father ted. I was one of those people that was fortunate enough to be there when father ted was there. Some of my colleagues, i think that peter king was there, Peter Visclosky was there, Keith Rothfus was there and my good friend senator donnelly was there. Today, senators donnelly and koets and i wanted to pay tribute to this National Treasure by introducing a bicameral resolution to honor the life of this truly amazing man. Father ted faithfully served notre dame for decades. Serving as notre dames president for 35 years, from 195 2 to 1987. Mostly when people talk about notre dame they talk about, oh, yeah, heck of a football team. And at times we have been very good. But what he was able to do is transition us from not just a team or a Little School in the midwest that was known for the way we plied football. We were not called the fighting irish, we were tchailed ramblers because we had no home. We had to go around the country to play different teams. We rambled around the country. The ramblerings. Ramblers. Then we adopted the name the fighting irish. It was a name that honored the fact that people were coming from all over the world and there was not a lot of higher institutions institutions of Higher Learning that they could get entrance to, but noter dame was one of those. His leadership in notre dame didnt stop at south bend and it didnt stop at the universitys gates. His commitment to education and social justice extended way beyond the boundaries of my alma mater and well beyond indiana. And in fact, well beyond americas shores. His dedication is one of shared humanity that knew absolutely no bounds. The strong belief that what unites us is far greater than that that divides us made him a champion of civil discourse and social justice. One only needs to look at a photo that i brought with me today and in the annals of america its hard to look at dr. King and father ted and not look at these two lions for social justice these two lions for civil rights and not understand that they were locked arm in arm on a mission that they knew had to take place, that they could no longer turn a blindy or deaf ear to. Thats who father ted was. He believed in the very soul of who he was, the very fabric of who this man was that this is what america needed. He not only preached it he, not only taught it, he lived it. So this week, and this is truly i think its prove den rble. The 50th anniversary of the march on selmas bridge, the Edmund Pettus bridge, the 50th anniversary, this was called bloody sunday new york 1965 hardpressed to imagine that that could have taken place, but it did. And well sell bait the 50th anniversary of it this saturday. Thats what helped secure the passage of the Voting Rights act so that every american citizen could equally participate in her democratic process. This was a milestone. This wasnt just something to be marked on a calendar. This was a great event. In terms of how we advance democracy in our country. Now as we honor selmas legacy this saturday, i know that the spirit of these two great lions, these people who stood up when it took time to stand up when it wasnt really easy to stand up and took a lot of colonel, they stood up for what they knew to be right what they knew to be true and what they knew to be truly american. Now, i can be the imagine right now that when father closed his eyes last thursday night and then suddenly opened them again, who was around him . Who surrounded him, who he was able to share that moment with was incredible. Im sure dr. King was there with him. I want to tell you about this man, father hesburgh held six major appointments, covered every time of civil right concern and social concern Third World Development that every person could understand. He won the president ialed me oofl freedom eric won the congressional gold medal. Won the silva nussfare award, the Public Welfare medal. Though he counseled popes and president s, father hesburgh was first and foremost a priest. A priest on the campus of notre dame. And he had said, i never really wanted to be anything but a priest which is in itself a great and unearned grace. I thope live and die a priest i hope to live and die a priest, nothing more, but nothing less, either. Now for decades hes been considered the most influential priest in america and in the world he looked at as his flock. He was truly a shepherd who lived with his flock. He demonstrated this by his tireless work and his historic various to our country, to our church and to the world. Robert woodington a contemporary of sir thomasmore wrote in 1520 of sir thomasmore, hes a man of thomas more, hes a man of singular wit, i know not this fellow, where is he is of gentleness and affability and his time requires a man of marvelous firth and sometimes of a sad gravity is truly a man for all seasons. At the end of the day, father hesburgh was truly americas renaissance man. He was truly our man for all seasons and much like sir thomas more was to his contemporaries over 500 years ago. Father ted left this world a better place because he took it upon himself the responsibility to inspire others here and abroad, to pursue a life of justice and peace. Truly blessed are the peacemakers. Now as father hesburgh is known to say he, too, is resting in the loving hands of our savior bathed in the light of eternal life. These words were spoken by father hesburgh to secretary Condoleezza Rice upon the passing of her father. He is now at peace with god, hes with a god he served so well during his lifetime on earth. I will just leave you with this one thought. A good friend of mine i grew up with and graduated with a guy named larry, had gone to see father. Keith rothfus and i received his blessing ehe was celebrating his birthday and we knelt down and he gave us his blessing. But larry and father were having a talk about ethics. He said, ethics is fun to intleckalize but ethics without the heart is missing something. So if ke can concentrate on those words, let those words soak in, seep in to who we are, i think we can truly hon hi nor him in a way that eens the most by trying to emulate his life and trying to Carry Forward the issues he had. I know hes now at peace with the god he served so well in his life. May peace be with him. With that, i yield back my time, mr. Speaker and i thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Kelly i move that the house do now adjourn. The speaker pro tempore the question is on the motion to adjourn. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. Accord, the house stands adyourned until storm increased in intensity, these big structures literally were turned into match sticks. The 1900s storm struck galveston saturday, september 8, 1900s. The storm began toward noon increased in dramatic intensity and then finally tapered off toward midnight. This hurricane was and still is the deadliest natural event in the history of the United States. Watch all our events from galveston saturday at noon eastern on cspans book tv and sunday on cspan3. Here at cspan around this time we talk to you about our student documentry competition. The goal with the annual competition is to challenge middle and High School Students to think about issues that affect them and their community. The 2015 theme for student cam this year was the three branches and you. We asked students to tell us a story that demonstrated how a policy law, or action has affected them or their community. And in addition to telling it through video, we asked them to use cspan programming in their video and explore alternative points of view. Before we meet the one of the grand Prize Winners and watch a portion of their grand prize video, heres a little bit more background on the competition. There were five top themes among the many entry this is year. They were education, health economy, equality and immigration. We received more than 2,200 entries from 45 states and the District Of Columbia. Students were able to enter as a team of up to three or individually. And there were four categories in which they could enter, broken down by regions at the high school level, High School Eastern states, High School Central states and high School Western states. Middle schoolers competed separately. In the end 150 student prizes were awarded totaling 100,000. Now its time to announce the grand prize winner a team of eighth graders from lexington, kentucky were named the grand Prize Winners in 2015 for their video on the minimum wage titled the artificial wage. Their Cable Provider is time warner cable. Heres a small clip from the winning piece by anna, katie and michael. Sydney jones is a single mother with a 4yearold child. She has to make tough choices every week since she has to make ends meet on a minimum wage job. 7. 25 an hour. She said 15,080 a year isnt enough for her to get by. It is hard because sometimes i have to decide like, if my son needs underwear, im going to have to be late on the bill on a bill to buy underwear or im going to have to ask people to borrow money. So it is hard, sometimes. Sydney is not alone. According to the bureau of labor statistics, 3. 3 million americans make minimum wage or below. Thats 2. 6 of all u. S. Workers. Most minimum wage workers are employed in fields like food service, retail sales or personal care such as day care. Rosemarie gray makes minimum wage as a custodian. Want to be able to take care of ourselves, pay our bills and pay for housing and we cant do that on minimum wage. Just cant system of they have all these programs like food stamps, you know. Theyre going, why do you need food stamps . Because youve got to eat. When you dont make enough to feed yourself and pay all your bill you just dont. The push is on to raise the federal minimum wage from 72357b9 an hour to maybe 10. 10 an hour, which would provide a little over 21,000 a year if the individual works 40 hours per week. Its been six years since the minimum wage was raised. Some in congress say now is the time to raise it again. Things are Getting Better. The problem is, theyre only Getting Better for some. We know that corporate profits have continued to break records while americans are working harder and getting paid less. But some, like kentucky congressman andy barr, say raising the minimum wage will cost jobs, citing a nonpartisan study by the Congressional Budget Office. If we mandate a higher minimum wage in those entry level jobs, then we would lose 500,000 to a million jobs immediately, those lowincome jobs. Thats the last thing we want. We dont want to create more unemployment. We want higher employment. Representative barr says more education and better worker training are the keys to improving the lives of minimum wage workers like sidney and rosemarie, not an artificial wage. Now its time for taos meet one of the students thats on the grand prize winning team, her name is Anna Gilligan and shes joining us from lexington kentucky. Hi anna, congratulations to your team. Anna thank you so much. Host where were you when you heard the news youd won . Anna i was in my Principals Office with my team and a few teachers and i got the call and for the first time in my life i didnt have anything to say. Host isnt that terrific. Were you surprised when you won . Did you feel when you sent it in that it was a winner . Anna my team and i, when we were making it, we said, lets show so and so. We wanted to get the word out and let people know. We had no idea. Theres always somebody better out there and we didnt know that this was a possibility. Host how did you choose the topic the artificial wage which deals with the minimum wage . Well, we were looking anna we were looking through the clips you had available and were all passionate about human rights and i was like, oh, lets look at, minimum wage, you know, hey, for the people. Give them more money, help them out. And you know, right there were like, yeah thats what were going to do we want to help people. Host its interesting, when people watch your video, and i hope theyll take time to find it on our website, off decided point of view, the three of you, that you speak through. Was it your opinion when you started out the piece . Anna no, our opinion changed. When we first started researching, we saw the top layer. If you give people more money, theyll be happier and they can buy more things. But you know, we started to dig a little deeper, found out the cost of inflation and people can just send work elsewhere and put people out of a job so we decided no it is not best for the workers and our community. Host how did you find the people you interviewed, particularly those who were working on minimum wage, to interview for the piece . Anna my father had a job connection he, found them through a job fair and we were able to coordinate those interviews through a program called jubilee jobs so they were like, all right, we have three people, if you would like to interview them, they are happy to tell you their story. Host were you happen toy were you surprised they were willing to share their lives with you . Absolutely. Anna we had one interesting view, one of the gentlemen said no, i dont think this is a good idea. And that just shocked us. So just everything about it, it was very interesting. Absolutely. Host is have you worked with video before or is this your first documentary project . Anna this is my first time, michael is very experienced and he helped out with the technical aspect of that. Host how did you put your threemember Team Together . Anna it was originally katie and i, because weve been friends since fourth grade and i was like, how are we going to put this together, who will help us make this a story and not just facts and i was like, michael, hey why dont you come help us out. He was like, great. Host closing question, how will you celebrate your win, both at school and what will you do with your prizewinning money. Anna starting out, we didnt think this would happen so i havent made any plans. Invest in the stock market, do something worthwhile and maybe learn a little bit. Host do you know how your school will celebrate . Anna well watch this on tv and were going to have an assembly. Anna were going to have an assembly and all sorts of fun stuff. Host im sure all the other students in your school will be happy to cheer you on. Congratulations to you for your big win this year. Were very proud of you. Anna thank you so much. Host in addition to the grand Prize Winners, there were first prides winners in each category. First prize in High School East went to a team. First prize central went to a senior who talked about natural resources. Another Cox Communications company team won in High School West who focused on the individuals with disabilities act. And heres our first prize in middle school went to two young ladies from silver spring, maryland, with their Cable Service provided by comcast. They chose medical Research Funding for their video. Finally, one more prize. Mckinley lare, our first prize winner in the High School Central region also won our first ever fan favorite prize. This was student cams first time allowing the public to preview and cast votes for their favorite documentary. You should know that all 150 main pleases were decided independently of the public vote but during a week of voting with 325,000 votes cast, mckinleighs documentary received 195,000 votes. Shell be recognized as the th years fan favorite and win an extra 500 cash prize. Congratulations to all the student cam winners and all the state of the unions who entered this year. You can watch the winning entries on our website at studentcam. Org. The Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case of k. V. Burwell, dealing with federal subsidies under the 2010 Health Care Law. A number of people including one of the plaintiffs and an attorney who argued against the law spoke to reporters after todays argument. Pam herself a plaintiff argues that she and ham hearst, a plaintiff, argued that she and others shouldnt be taxed for something they dont with want. Also speaking the former acting solicitor general in the Obama Administration. This runs 20 minutes. My name is pam hurst im here with my husband. Decisions made here in washington dectly affect middle class families like ours and we believe its time that though who have been hurt by washington take a stand. Thats why doug joined the case. We never imagined we would end up at the Supreme Court. But that just shows you how important this case is not just for us but for others around the country who are affected by obamacare. There are millions of americans who have lost their plans or their doctors or who, like doug and i, are forced by the Internal Revenue service to either buy insurance we dont want or face a tax penalty. We want americans to have options. We believe there is a better way to take care of people who need help. But there is no reason to force millions of us to pay tax penalties if we dont join a government program. We elect our state and National Leaders to write laws. We do not elect the inch r. S. We believe preventing the inch r. S. From writing our Health Care Laws is the right thing to do for our family and our country. This is why we are here. What the Internal Revenue service has done isnt fair, it isnt right, and it isnt legal. We look forward to the Supreme Courts decision and hope the rule tissue and hope that the court rules to protect our choice and the laws that govern our nation. Thank you. Is there a better way to cover the uninsured without some kind of subsidies . Im mike carver, i argued on behalf of the plaintiffs in this case. Very gratified that the court had a full and candid exchange of viewpoints. I believe our case was very compelling so im hopeful and confident that the court will recognize the merits of our statutory interpretation and not let the i. R. S. Rewrite the plain language of the statute. Thank you. Were you concerned about Justice Kennedys question . Jus tiki began and i had kay began had a justice kaye gann and i had a kagan and i had a candid exchange but there are other justice. As i said approximately four types i very much want them to read the statute as a whole because it dramatically reinforces our point, principally the point that a clear purpose of the statute was to encourage states to establish their own exchanges which is dramatically undermined and frustrated by the i. R. S. Rule which provides subsidies regardless of whether the states do that required task. How concerned were you about Justice Kennedys question about your reading of the law would be the federal government coercing the states into creating exchanges . Right, but after the conversation i think it became clear in everyones mind that this reading would be far less coercive than the sthroferingse medicaid statute theyd upheld in nfib and it would be a greater intrusion on state sovereignty to accept the governments positions because this would allow the federal government to union latrlly impose the employer mandate on state and local employers as well as other employers in the state. You made different arguments about a year ago. Last time we were arguing that Affordable Care act should not be the law of the land. Here we are arguing that it should be the law of the land and shouldnt be dramatically altered by an unelected bureaucracy. Do you see any contradiction in that . I think its perfectly consistent. In both circumstances i have to accept the courts decision that this is now the law of the land. Now that its the law of the land we need it to be neutrally and fairly interpreted. Thats exactly why were here, to vindicate the rule of law. You say it should be the life of the land but couldnt it be a death nell to the Affordable Care act . Youve seen the poplar press. Seems the leaders in congress are well prepared to deal with transition issues and i assume the states if they dont will have incentive to go ahead and create the exchanges they would have created but for the i. R. S. s continue rah vention of the law. How do you cover millions of americans who might lose their Health Insurance without some kind of subsidy or whatever youre going to call it . If youre arguing theres a compelling policy reason to help these people im our im sure the elected officials at the state or federal level will listen to that and the court is not prepared or equipped to say they make policy rather than the legislative branch. What about the issue that the states clearly did not feel they had this literally bizarre. They had three years, they read the statute, the only reason they were confused about it was because the i. R. S. Pulled a bait and switch on it. It said state and federal. If theyd implemented the law the state woufs known what the deal was in the statute. Its a little it takes a lot of chutzpah to come in and say, ince since we changed the statute and caused 2 3 of the states not to have state exchanges thats an argument in favor of our regulation, which is what the government was saying. Are you surprised by how the argument went today in any way . Im never surprised by vigorous questioning by well informed and articulate justices because thats certainly the norm. Are you at all concerned about this causing the insurance system to collapse as some people fear . If the theory is that insurance premiums will skyrocket for everybody, that simply confirms my political point that that would mean not only people receiving the subsidies but people in low income strata would demand that either congress or the states do this. The difference is that it would be done through the legislative process rather than the i. R. S. Hijacking the legislative process. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Im scott pruitt, the attorney general from oklahoma. As the attorney general in oklahoma i was a part of leading the first case on this in september of 2012. I do want to speak to the states interests. But first i want to thank you to the hursts for their comments today, the courage it took to participate in this case and i think they should be shown appreciation for the courage theyve shown. And i want to say thank you to michael who has shown great leadership great accruemen great advocacy in this case. But as a state, the state of oklahoma, like 36 other states across the country had a very clear choice to make and made a decision not to set up a state Health Care Exchange this issue is not just about subsidies. As michael indicated, when you invite the subsidy into your state, youre inviting the employer mandate in your state and the individual mandate enforcement. S that comprehensive challenge based upon a single section of law. It goes to the very structures of the federal governments ability to enforce the law. When states made the decision over the past the last couple of years, whether it set up an exchange or not, they made the decision understanding the policy consequences of subsidies, employer mandate penalties and the enforcement of individual mandate. The policy implications of a victory are significant. As michael indicated, both the state and federal government stand ready to respond to whatever policy implications may occur by the court doing what the statute intended, doing exactly what the statute says which is if the state chooses to set up an exchange. You have 37 states who said no and that should be respected. It is not a power of the inch r. S. To disregard the plain reading of a statute, to offer a rule that they thue was inconsistent with the text of the statute. Thats what the case is about today. This is an adherence to the rule of law. The argument that was presented by michael and the plaintiffs and the petitioners is spot on with respect to the text of the statute and the intent and decision that the states have made. Thank you for the time today. My name is elizabeth wydra, i represent the members of congress who authored the law and more than 100 state legislators who helped implement the law and who support the Obama Administrations case. Im join pid by neil, the former acting solicitor general. And a partner at hogan and logans. The court did what it does, questioned both sides. I told you yesterday i thought it would be a good day for ethe government i would say its an extraordinary day for the government with a magnificent performance by the solicitor general and questions that heavily indicated that the court is likely to rule in favor of the government. Its often hard to tell in oral argument. Theyre asking tough questions of both sides. But i have to say this is a pretty extraordinary day for the government. It began really about five minutes into mr. Carvins argument. My friend mr. Carvin emphasizes what looks like a very strong point, the law says the words established by state in it to get subsidies. Shouldnt that mean that only staterun exchanges have subsidies . Within five minutes Justice Breyer said, hey, were not reading the constitution, were reading a tax code. It has defined terms and those defined terms quite clearly say that when the federal government runs an exchange it is such an Exchange Just like the state one and should be eligible for the subsidies and when mr. Barillo took the podium i think you saw that heavily hammered, the idea that this isnt an ambiguous provision, its a provision that everyone understood at the time provide subsidies to both federal and state exchanges. Thank you. I want to emphasize one of the points that Justice Kennedy made today which is that the law was written by congress to provide a Affordable Health care to all americans and to provide for state slecksability. But ironically, its Michael Carvin and the petitioners argument that would be coercive to the states, not respect the states choice in this matters. Congress specifically aloud for flexibility for states to set up their own exchange or to allow the federal government to run those exchanges in their stead. We believe that if the Court Follows the plain text of the law, if they follow their clear precedents on the idea that you read a law in its entirety and in its context just as tissue Justice Kagan made very strong points about the need to read the law in context its clear that tax credits are available to all americans no matter which state they live in, no matter which Exchange New York matter which entity runs the exchange in their state. We saw members of congress in the audience and they know very well what they wrofmente we filed a brief in the case indicating to the court that everyone at the time understood the law to allow for tax credits regardless of whether the state or federal government facilitated exchanges and even opponents of the law you know, congressman paul ryan was in the audience today he was on record during the time of enactment saying there wasnt any difference between state or federal run exchanges and that what mattered was your income eligibility for these tax credits, not who ran the exchanges. We believe it was a great day for the government and we are very confident in the results. Just to pick up on one Point Elizabeth said, mr. Barrilli mad an important point when he said these parts of the act werent passed mt. Middle of the night. They were things that had been debated for months openly in committee and not a Single Member of congress adopted or said a word about what these challenges are saying today. S that novel interpretation discovered as Justice Kagan said a year and a half after the law was enacted. Its not Something Congress had in mind at the time of the act. How worried were you by Justice Kennedys question . I think it goes to the absurd interpretation that the petitioners are asking the court to adopt. It makes no sense that congress would have written the law to coerce the states when they were intentionally trying to give them a choice and also that they would have tried to coerce the states in a way that no one understood to actually be cosersing the states at the time. Its not a good to threat if you dont articulate the threat and no one understands theres a threat being made until a year and a half lit later. I was herltened by his taking seriously the concern to the imbalance in state and federal relationship that would result from the interpretation being pushed by the petitioners. I suspect the government was hardened by Justice Kennedys question which said if your interpretation is adopted, wont that really unconstitutionally coerce the states . But more heartening was the combination of Justice Kennedys question read against Justice Kagans preceding question, which was, hey, if congress is trying to coerce the states why dowled would they do it in this obscure provision about coverage . Thats not the way to do it system of it really does look like a gotcha game that the challengers have brought today with no gotcha ultimately at the end of the day. Lets say for your point of view [inaudible] thats beyond what im the lawyer so im not going to get into that. But we go do have studies showing there thereby disruption to the health care marget as a whole. Economists have filed briefs noting there would be a death spiral resulting and you know as solicitor general said today its beyond belief to think that this congress would do something to fix it. What does that mean . Literally was what does it mean to the average person in california who happens to be covered by the exchange there . Well so the question regarding the death spiral that would result in the states that idea that costs would rise, people would become uninsured and you know we have experts filing briefs on this matter, you know literally quantifying the number of people who could lose their lives as a result of losing coverage if the tax credits are taken away. But they wouldnt be taken away in states that have exchanges, whats what thats what im asking . You have to read the expert briefs with the economists and experts who have weighed in with the court. Everybody who has a stake in the Health Care System doctors, patients nurses, Insurance Companies, hospitals have filed in support of the governments position in this case and in support of the availability of tax credits. Let me say one word about this. I represent the American Hospital association. They filed a brief in this case with the opening line saying the Health Insurance of nine million americans plus are at stake in this case, all potentially taken away. These are people who have never had insurance before, many have never had insurance before, for the first time theyve been able to have it under the Affordable Care act and if this novel interpretation by the challengers is accepted by the Supreme Court, its going to be deaf stating for the consequences to americans and their health. We do have an expert we do have an expert who can speak shortly about the death spiral consequences. My name is elizabeth wydra. I represent the members of congress and state legislators who filed a brief in support of the administration. I work with the constitutional accountability center. Im what . Im dr. Emanuel. I happen to be on the brief with the economists system of lets just explain the death spiral scenario. Imagine that you have 11 Million People now in the exchanges losing their subsidies and you have the simultaneous requirement that you cannot exclude people or you have to sell insurance to people who have preexisting conditions who are likely to be more expensive. The Healthy People who are getting subsidies, who will no longer be getting subsidies will stop buying insurance. Youre going to concentrate the people who are buying insurance are as those people who have preexisting conditions and are likely to have high medical bills and will drive up the preemwrum for insurance. More people will exit the marget because the premium will be too expensive for them and you will then again raise the premium because youll have very sick people buying insurance policy. The consequence is an unsustainable market. This is why the Insurance Industry does not oppose oppose this is position. It will kill the Insurance Market without the states, without a statebased exchange. It is very destabilizing. Its been well establishes because no exchange worked without subsidies before. We tried exchanges before. And they would not work. And i think as correctly put by sliss for general birelli, the federal exchanges then would basically be a shelf game. They wouldnt theyd be a Shadow Exchange no one would guy and no one would sell on those exchanges. What would be the Ripple Effect in other states . It probably insurance is done state by state. They would be relatively insulated but youre talking about 34 states in the majority of the United States. Despite the fact that Many Insurance Companies and hospitals are multistate or interstate corporations, again it wouldnt affect well, you can still have insurance in states and a lot of states have players that are only in their state. A lot of blue cross and blue shield plans, for example are statebased. But it would, the Insurance Companies are very, very nervous about this because it would totally destabilize the system. Let me make one more point. One of the Reasons Congress cant easily solve this problem the way Justice Scalia suggested is there is a big scoring issue. You would have to find about 350 billion to actually remedy the problem based on the way the Congressional Budget Office scores this. And there is no way of finding 350 billion to solve this problem. It is a very difficult problem. Not trivial as Justice Scalia suggested, they can just pass a law and say the federal Exchange Works in the state. Theres a huge cost to that monetarily because suddenly if the subsidies arent part of the Affordable Care act, you have to find the money to pay for these new subsidies in a new way. Whats your first name . Ezekiel emanuel. What did you think i thought the government did an extraordinary job. I agree with neil i think don birelli was forceful in this and provided a coherent explanation for why the interpretation theyre offering is the right one. Thank you very much. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] you would see what they used to call when i was a kid a muth and a mutt and jeff combination, or stickball set. Washington was a large man. Six foot, very robust, terrific natural athlete. And madison is a skinny little guy. This sunday on q a, historian david o. Stewart on founding father James Madison and the partnership he is made to help the nation. His gift i wroit most about is his ability to form partnerships with the great people of his era, but it also alludes to his gift to the country of his talents and what he was able to do to help create the first selfsustaining constitutional republic. Sunday night at 8 00 eastern and pacific on cspans q a. The cspan citys tour takes book tv on the road, traveling to u. S. Cities to learn about their history and literary life. This week we partner with comcast for a visit to galveston, texas. People throng to the beach. And the rising tide, the rising wind, certainly drew them. They watched in amazement as both of these factors battered the beach front structures. At that time we had wooden bathhouses out over the gulf of mexico and we also had piers and we even even even had a huge pavilion called olympia by the sea. As the storm increased in spencity these beach structures literally were turned into match sticks. The 1900 storm struck galveston saturday september 8, 1900. The storm began toward noon, increased in dramatic intensity, and then finally tapered off toward midnight. That evening. This hurricane was and still is the deadliest recorded natural event in the history of the United States. Watch all our events from galveston saturday at noon eastern on cspan2s book tv and sunday afternoon at 2 00 on American History tv. A Justice Department investigation has concluded theres racial bias within the ferguson missouri, Police Department and the citys Municipal Court. Outgoing attorney general eric holder spoke about the investigation earlier this afternoon that was prompted by the Police Shooting of Michael Brown last summer. This is half an hour. Good afternoon. Id like to take some time this afternoon to talk about the two informations the Justice Department has been conducting in missouri the last several months. The matter we are here to discuss is significant. Not only because of the conclusions that the Justice Department is announcing today but also because of the broader conversation and the initiatives those conversations have inspired across the country on both the local and national level. Those initiatives have included extensive and vital efforts to examine the causes of misunderstanding and mistrust between Law Enforcement officers and the communities that they serve. To support and strengthen our Public Safety institutions as a whole and to rebuild confidence wherever it has eroded. Now, nearly seven months have passed since the shooting death of 18yearold Michael Brown in firgson, missouri. That tragic incident provoked widespread demonstrations and stirred really strong emotions from those in the ferguson area and around our nation. It also prompted a federal investigation by the United States department of justice with the criminal section of our civil rights division, the United States Attorneys Office for the eastern dribblingt of missouri as well as the f. B. I. Seeking to determine Eastern District of missouri as well as the f. B. I. Seeking to determine if this violated federal civil rights law. The promise that i made when i twopet ferguson and at the time that we launched our investigation was not that we would arrive at a particular outcome but rather that we would pursue the facts wherever they led. Our investigation has been fair and rigorous from the start. It has proceeded independently of the local investigation that concluded in november. And it has been thorough. As part of a wideranging examination of the evidence, federal investigators interviewed and reinterviewed eyewitnesses and other individuals claiming to have relevant information and independently canvas more than 300 residences to locate and interview additional witnesses. This morning, the Justice Department announced the conclusion of our investigation and released a comprehensive 87page report documenting our findings and our conclusions that the facts do not support the filing of criminal charges against officer Darren Wilson in this case. Michael browns death, though a tragedy, did not involve prosecutable conduct on the part of officer wilson. Now this conclusion represents the sound, considered, and independent judgment of the expert career prosecutors within the department of justice. I have been personally breefed on multiple occasions about these findings. I concur with the investigative teams judgment and the inability to meet required federal standard this outcome is supported by the facts we have found but i also know that these findings may not be consistent with some peoples expectations. Too all those who have closely followed this case and the national dialogue, i urbling you to read this report in full. Now i recognize that the findings in our report may leave some to wonder how the departments findings can differ so sharply from some of the initial widely reported accounts of what transpired. I want to emphasize that the strength and integrity of americas Justice System has always rested on its ability to deliver impartial results in precisely these types of difficult circumstances. Adhearing strictly to the facts and to the law regardless of assumptions. Yet it remains not only valid but essential how such a statement of events was able to take hold so readily. A possible reason was uncovered in a second federal investigation, don by the civil rights division, determine if Ferguson Police officials have engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of violations of the United States constitution or federal law. As detailed in our searing report, this investigation found a community that was deeply polarized. A community where deep distrust and hostility often characterized interactions between police and area residents. A community where local authorities approached policing not as Public Safety but a way to generate revenue. A community where it was disproportionately found to harm africanamerican residences. And where it seems to stem from racial bias both implicit and explicit. And a community where all these conditions, unlawful practices and constitutional violations have not only severely undermined the public trust, eroded Police Legitimacy and made local residents less safe but created an intensely charged atmosphere where people feel under assault and urge siege by those who were charged with serve and to protect them. Of course, violence is never justified. But seen in this context a highly toxic environment, define pid mistrust and resentment, intird illegal and misguided practices, its in the difficult to imagine how a single tragic incident set off the city of ferguson like a powder degree. In a sense members of the community may not have been responding to a single altercation but to a general distrust. They have been subject to unreasonable searches and seizures, exacerbated by disproportionate use of these tactics against africanamericans an driven by overriding pressure from the city to use Law Enforcement not as a Public Service but as a tool for raising revenue. Now according to our investigation, this emphasis on Revenue Generation through policing has fostered unconstitutional practices or practices that contribute to constitutional violations. At nearly every level of fergusons Law Enforcement system. Ferguson Police Officers issued nearly 50 more citations in the last year than they did in 2010. An increase that has not been drive or even accompanied by a rise in crime. As a result of this excessive reliance on picketing ticketing, today the city generates significant revenue from enforcement of Code Provisions along with taxes and other Revenue Streams in 2010, the city collected 1. 3 million in fines and fees collected by the court. For fiscal year 2015 fergusons city budget anticipates the revenues to exceed 3 million. More than double the total from just five years prior. Hour re our review of the evidence and our conversations with Police Officers have shown that significant pressure is brought to bear on Law Enforcement personnel to deliver on these revenue increases. Once the system is primed for maximizing revenue, starting with fines and fine enforcement the city relies on the police force to serve essentially as a Collection Agency for the Municipal Court rather than as a Law Enforcement entity focused primarily on maintaining and promoting Public Safety. In a wide variety of tactics including disciplinary measures are used to ensure certain levels of ticketing by individual officers regardless of Public Safety needs. As a result, it has become common place in ferguson for officers to charge multiple violations for the same conduct. Three or four charges for a single stop is considered fairly routine. Some officers even compete to see who can issue the largest number of citations during a single stop. A total that in at least one instance rose as high as 14. And we have observed that even minor Code Violations can sometimes result in multiple arrests, jail time, and payments that exceed the cost of the original ticket many times over. Now, for example, in 2007, one woman received two parking tickets that together totaled 152. To date, she has paid 550 in fines and fees to the city of ferguson. She has been arrested twice for having unpaid tickets. And she has spent six days in jail. Yet today, she still inexplicably owes ferguson 541. And her story is only one of dozens of similar accounts that our investigation uncovered. Over time, its clear that this culture of enforcement action is being disconnected from the Public Safety needs of the community, often to the detriment of community residents, has given rise to a disturbing and unconstitutional pattern or practice. Our investigation showed that ferguson Police Officers routinely violate the Fourth Amendment in stopping people without reasonable suspicion. Arresting them without probable cause. And using Unreasonable Force gerns them. According to the Police Departments own records their own records, its officers its officers frequently infringe on residents First Amendment right, they interfere with the right to Record Police activities. And they make enforcement decisions based on the way individuals express themselves. Many of these constitutional violations have become routine. For instance even though its illegal for Police Officerses to detain a person even briefly without a reasonable suspicion, its become common practice for officers in ferguson to stop pedestrians and to request identification for no reason at all. And even in cases where Police Encounters start off as constitutionally defensible, we found that they frequently and rapidly escalate and end up blatantly and unnecessarily crossing the line. During the summer of 2012 one ferguson Police Officer detained a 32yearold africanamerican man who had just finished playing basketball at a park. The officer approached the man while he was sitting in his car and he was arrested. The cars windows appeared to be more heavy tinted than fergusons code allowed so the officer did have legitimate grounds to question him. But with no apparent justification the officer proceeded to accuse the man of being a pedophile. He prohibited the man from using his cell phone and ordered him to get out of his car if a pat down sirge even though he had no reason to suspect that the man was ared and when the man objected citing his Constitutional Rights, the Police Officer drew his Service Weapon pointed it at the mans head, and arrested him on eight different counts. Now this arrest caused the man to lose his job. Unfortunately this event appears to have anything but an isolated incident. Our investigation shows that members of fergusons police force frequently escalate rather than defuse tensions with the residents they encounter. Such actions are sometimes accompanied by First Amendment Violations Including arresting people for talking back to officer, for recording their public activities or engaging in other conduct that is constitutionally protected. This behavior not only exacerbates tensions in its own right, it has the effect of stifling Community Confidence that is absolutely vital for effective policing. And this in turn deepens the widespread distrust provoked by the departments other unconstitutional exercises of police power. None of which is more harmful than its pattern of Excessive Force. Now among the incidents of Excessive Force discovered by our comprehensive review, some resulted from stops or arrests that had no legal basis to begin with. Others were punitive or retaliatory in nature. The Police Departments routine use of tasers was found to be not really unconstitution unonly unconstitutional but abusive and dangerous. Records showed a history of using unnecessary force against people with mental illness. And our findings indicated that the overwhelming majority of force, almost 90 , is directed against africanamericans. This deeply alarming statistic points to one of this the most pernicious aspects of the conduct our investigation uncovered, that these policing practices disproportionately harm africanamerican residents. In fact, our view of the evidence found no, no alternative explanation for the disproportionate impact on africanamerican residents other than implicit and explicit racial bias. No other basis. Between october 2012 and october 2014, despite making up only 67 of the population, africanamericans accounted for a little over 85 of all traffic stops by the ferguson Police Department. Africanamericans were twice as likely as white residents to be searched during a routine traffic stop even though they were 26 less likely to carry contraband. Between october 2012 and july 2014, 35 black individuals 35 black individuals and zero white individuals received five or more citations at the same time. During the same period, africanamericans accounted for 85 of the total charges brought by the ferguson Police Department. Africanamericans made up other o over 90 of those charges with a highly discretionary offense described as and i quote, manner of walking along roadway. Unquote. Manner of walking along roadway. And use of dogs by Ferguson Police appears to have been exclusively reserved for africanamericans. In every case of a recorded person being bit by a police dog that person was africanamerican. The evidence of racial bias comes not on if statistics but also from remarks made by police, city and court officials. A thorough demofplgse records including a large volume of work emails shows a number of publicer is vapts expressing racist comments or gender discrimination demonstrating, quote, test views and don straiting grotesque views of africanamericans in which they were characterized as other and i want to emphasize these conclusions are drawn directly from the exhaustive Findings Report that the department of justice has now released. Clearly these findings and others included in the report show that though some Community Perception of Michael Browns tragic death may not have been accurate, the widespread conditions these were paced on and the climate that gave rise to them were all too real. Some of those protesters were right. This is is a reality that our investigators repetedly encountered in their interviews of police and city officials. Their conversations with local residents and their review of thousands of pages of records and dock yulets. This evidence pointed to an unfortunate and unsustainable situation that has not only severely damaged relationships between Law Enforcement an members of the community, but made professional policing vastly more difficult. And i think very significantly, unnecessarily placed officers at increased risk. Today, now that our investigation has reached its conclusion it is time. It is time for fergusons leaders to take immediate wholesale and structural corrective action. Let me be very clear. The United States department of justice reserves all of its rights and abilities to force compliance and to implement basic change. Nothing is off the table. The report from the Justice Department presents two sets of immediate recommendationers in ferguson Police Department and the Municipal Court. These recommendations include implementation of a robust system of True Community policing increased tracking, reviewage analysis of ferguson Police Department stop, search ticketing and arrest practices. Increased civilian involvement in Police Decision making. And the development of mechanisms to effectively respond to allegations of officer misconduct. It also they also involve change tolts nice pal court system including modifications to bond amounts and detention procedures and to the use of arrest warrants as a meevens collecting owes fines an fees. In compliance with basic due process requirements. Ensuring meaningful, sustainable and verifiable reform will require that these and other measures be part of a Court Enforcement remedial process that includes involvement from Community Stake holders as well as independent oversight in order to remedy the caught that we have identified to address the underlying culture that we have uncovered and to restore and rebuild the trust that has so padly been eroded. Now as the brother of a retired Police Officer i know that the overwhelming majority of americas brave men and women in Law Enforcement do their jobs honestly work integrity and often at great personal risk. I have immense regard for the vital role that they play in all of americas communities. And sacrifices that they and their families are too often called to make on behalf of their country. It is in great part for their sake and for their safety that we must seek to rebuild trust and Foster Mutual understanding in ferguson and in all communities where suspicion has been allowed to fester. Negative practices by individual Law Enforcement officers and individual departments present a significant danger not only to their communities but also to committed and hardworking Public Safety officials around the country who perform incredibly challenging jobs with unwavering professionalism and uncommon valor. Clearly we owe to these brave men and women to ensure that all Law Enforcement officials have the tools, training and support they need to do their jobs with maximum safety and effectiveness. Now over the last few months, these goals have driven president obama and me to announce a series of Administration Proposals that will enable us to heal mistrust from wherever it is fun from a National Initiative to Building Trust and justice tos aher to a historic new task force on 21st Century Policing which will provide strong federal support to Law Enforcement and every level on a scale not seen since the johnson administration. These aims also have led me to travel throughout the country to atlanta, to cleveland, to memphis, chicago, to philadelphia oakland as well as to San Francisco, to convene a series of round Table Discussions dedicated to Building Trust and engagement between Law Enforcement civil rights youth and Community Leaders from coast to coast. As these discussions have unfolded i have repeatedly seen that although the concerns we are focused on today may be particularly acute in ferguson, theyre not confined to any one city state, or geographic region. They implicate questions about fairness an trust that are truly national in scope. And they point not to insurmountable divides between people of different perspectives but to the shared values and the common desire for peace, for security, an for Public Safety that binds us together. Binds Police Together as well as protesters. Although the dialogue by itself will not be sufficient to address these issues because concrete action is what is needed now, concrete action. Initiating a broad, frank and inclusive conversation is a necessary and productive first step in all the civil rights divisions activities in ferguson as in every pattern or practice theyve launched over the last six years, our aim is to help facilitate and inform this conversation. To make certain that it leads to again, concrete action and to ensure that Law Enforcement officers in every part of the United States live up to the same high standards of professionalism. It is clear from our work throughout this country, particularly through the work of our civil rights division, that the prospect of Police Accountability and criminal Justice Reform is an achieveable goal. One that we can reach with Law Enforcement and Community Members at the table as full partners. Last august when i visited ferguson to meet with concerned citizens and Community Leaders, i made a solemn commitment that the United States department of justice would continue to stand with the people there long after the National Headlines had faded. This week, with the conclusion of our investigations into these matters, i again commit to the people of ferguson that we will continue to stand with you and to work with you to ensure that the necessary reforms are implemented. And even as we issue our findings in todays reports, our work will go on. It will go on as we engage with the city of ferguson and surrounding municipalities and surrounding municipalities, reform their Law Enforcement practices and establish a Public Safety effort that protects and serves all members of the community. It will go on as we broaden this work and extend the assistance of the Justice Department to other communities around the country. And it will go on as we join together with all americans to ensure that Public Safety is not a burden undertaken by the brave few but a positive collaboration between everyone in this nation. The report we have issued and the steps that we have taken are only the beginning of a necessarily resourceintensive and inclusive process to promote reconciliation, to reduce and eliminate bias and to bridge gaps and build understanding. And in the days ahead, the department of jus till will stay true to my justice will stay true to my promise, vigilant in its excuse and determined in the pursuit of justice in every case, every circumstance and every Community Across the United States of america. Thank you. [applause] right after the attorney general spoke, we heard from members of the Congressional Black Caucus who also reacted to the Justice Department investigation that found there is racial bias within the ferguson missouri, Police Department. We begin with remarks from c. B. C. Chair g. K. Butterfield of North Carolina. This is half an hour. Let me say good afternoon to all of you and thank you so very much for responding on short notice. As all of you certain lino by now, just a few minutes ago attorney general eric holder released a comprehensive 102page report on Police Misconduct in the city of ferguson, missouri. So i begin by thanking general holder for this quality work that he has produced. Many americans may find this report very surprising. But to us in the Congressional Black Caucus, it simply reaffirms that which we already know. For years the Congressional Black Caucus has asserted that black americans are treated unfairly and disproportionately in the criminal Justice System. We know it because we represent these communities. We see it every day. I know it because i served as a trial judge for many years and saw abuses at the Law Enforcement level and in the administration of justice. Police bias and excessive use of force are real in the Africanamerican Community. The report finds that from routine traffic stops to the number of arrests made, the Police Department in the city of ferguson routinely i repeat that routinely violates the Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties of black residents more than any other group. Ferguson Law Enforcement efforts are focused on generating revenue, that is so sad, that is so disappointing. But ferguson Law Enforcement efforts are focused on generating revenue and their practices violate the law and undermine community trust, especially among africanamericans. The ferguson Police Department engages in a pattern of unconstitutional stops and arrests in violation of the Fourth Amendment and also engages in a pattern, a pattern of First Amendment violations. The ferguson Police Department engages in a pattern of First Amendment violations. The ferguson Police Department engages in a pattern of Excessive Force in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Ferguson Municipal Court now were moving to the court system, the ferguson Municipal Court practices substantial and unnecessary barriers to the challenge or resolution of knew municipal Code Violations and imposes undue harsh penalties for missed payments or appearances. Theres a wellfounded mistrust between the Africanamerican Community and Law Enforcement officers. We recognize the overwhelming majority of Law Enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and most of them are doing a good job. But unfortunately there are some officers who abuse the sacred responsibility to protect and to serve by using excessive and sometimes deadly force when a less severe response is warranted. This is a transformative moment for our country. And congress has a Critical Role to play in helping to restore trust in the criminal Justice System, to ensure that every american is treated equally before the law. Black residents in ferguson have called for justice on this disparity for many years. The Congressional Black Caucus has been to ferguson on several occasions. And we know it. They have been calling for justice for years. Their calls were ignored. The world now knows the truth about ferguson and the criminal Justice System. In the report, the attorney general offered some recommendations on how these problems can be remedied. And i will begin by reading them, if i feel that im going too long, i will stop. But im just going to call out a few. He recommends implementing a robust system of True Community policing focused stop search, ticketing and arrest practices on community protection, increased tracking and review and analysis of the data. He recommends that the use of force use a reporting review and response to encourage deescalation and the use of minimum force necessary in a situation. Thats what weve been talking about all the time. Deescalating the use of force. Implement policies and training to improve interactions with vulnerable people. Change response to students to avoid criminal criminalizing youth while maintaining a learning environment. Implement measures to reduce bias and its impact on police behavior. Improve and increase training generally, increase civilian involvement in Police Decision making, improve officer supervision, recruit hire and promote in a better fashion, develop mechanisms to more effectively respond to allegations of misconduct, publicly publicly share information about the nature and impact of police activities. And then it goes on to make recommendations that also pertain to the court system as well. But in the interest of time, i will not get into those recommendations. Ladies and gentlemen, im pleased that the time to yield whatever time he may need to the Ranking Member of the judiciary committee, the dean of the house of representatives, mr. Conyers of michigan. Mr. Conaway thank you mr. Chairman mr. Conyers thank you, mr. Chairman. I think examining how many of us are here indicates how strongly the Congressional Black Caucus feels about Law Enforcement and the Africanamerican Community. Back in 1994, i was able to put into the crime bill section 14 141 and that deals with the practice investigation and highlights things that are going on in police democratics all over the country. And its in that spirit that we now are proud of the job that the department of justice is doing because they come in with a very impartial method of examining this. I think your summary was excellent and we have to continue putting this in the spotlight. I notice that this and other Police Relations matters are now getting more attention than theyve ever gotten before. It used to be that there was hardly any mention of them. I think thats a good step forward. And i think this will be instructive for many of the investigations and reviews going on in Police Departments all over the country. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Butterfield thank you so much mr. Chair. Let me thank my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for their support over the last six months since Michael Brown lost his life. And let me single out too john conyers and marcia fudge who two days after Michael Browns tragic death requested myself to the Justice Department a practice and patterns investigation which the result we have seen today and heard from the attorney general. Mr. Clay you know, the farreaching report announced today represents an important path forward towards achieving equal justice under the law in ferguson, missouri, and repairing some of the deep divisions and very real disparity in local Law Enforcement which the community has endured for far too long. The disturbing findings in this report demand urgent remedies which must be swiftly implemented, without obstruction or delay and without further denials of the painful and undeniable facts. It should serve as a template for transportational change, not just in ferguson, but across this nation. The tragedy of mike browns unnecessary death, along with the Police Killings of eric gardner, tamir rice and many others, have illume mated illume name thed illuminated a system of local law enebb enforcement in criminal justice that in too many cases does not provide equal justice under the law. For persons of color in this country. While im extremely disappointed mike browns kill already not face criminal charges, his death has forced our nation to begin a long overdue conversation on race and the disparities it continues to perpetuate for too many americans. Im extremely grateful that attorney general eric holder personally responded to our urgent request to help after the Tragic Police killing of mr. Brown with great strength and real concern. His staff at the Justice Department has conducted both federal investigations with integrity, energy and determination. And i continue to stand with mike browns family and with the Peaceful Protesters who are part of ferguson. And please understand that mr. Browns family has experienced a tragedy like none of us not many of us can say week of also experienced. So, my prayers go out to that family. At this point ill yield back to the chair and take any questions. Mr. Butterfield thank you. I also recognize that the other c. B. C. Member from the state of missouri is present with us today and supports our work. Mr. Cleaver. Mr. Cleesker passes. A at this time im going to recognize the assistant leader of the House Democratic caucus, no stranger to anyone in this room, mr. Clyburn. Mr. Clyburn thank you very much mr. Chairman. I thank you so much for bringing the nations attention to this very very critical problem. But i want to emphasize one thing. When i went to ferguson, i found out its not just ferguson. There are townships or jurisdictions that seem to be all around st. Louis with this problem, its very pronounced. I could not believe it when one person told us, having been ticketed three times in three different jurisdictions on the same morning for a tail light. For a tail light. This morning, the young africanamerican woman told her story of being ticketed for a broken wind shield. And because she could not pay the fine on time, it compounded over time. And now shes being prevented her lifelong dream of entering the navy. Until all of this is cleared up. These things have never have a devastating impact on the lives of people in many instances, theyll never get over it. I think its time for us in this congress and around the country to come to grips with the fact that this is not isolated to ferguson. These are patterns that we have found throughout our Congressional Districts all over the country and we are not playing the race card. We are responding to those who did. Thank you. Mr. Butterfield next will be the Ranking Member of the crime subcommittee on the committee on the judiciary. Ms. Jackson lee. Ms. Jackson lee let me thank my chairman and the members who are here for their galvanizing and standing today in response to a report that there should be no offer of congratulations, it should be an offer of recognition for what the Congressional Black Caucus has done for decades in finding fighting against the ills of a misdirected criminal Justice System. I count my colleague, congressman bobby scott, my Ranking Member and chairman, john conyers, and i thank lacy clay for reminding us that we should still be in prayer for the Michael Brown family and for the families of those who now have lost their lives, the mothers who suffer, so the message today by this report and the report that has just come out from the White House Task force on these very issues is to affirm that america has a problem. And the problem is not a republican problem or a democratic problem but the solution will be republican members and democratic members passing criminal Justice Reform as the congressional black caw can you has advocated for for decades. My memory of going to ferguson was a little narrow street where Michael Brown lost his life. That i managed congressman clay has walked imagined congressman claw has walked on on many a day. It was a shocking experience because it was a neighborhood street a street where tricycles and bicycles and grandmothers and mothers dads and children who play ball or push strollers, but there was this enormous memorial for a young man who did not need to lose his life. I add my appreciation to the attorney general for realizing the difficulty of the civil rights charges for understanding that he needed to penetrate or the team needed to penetrate into the underbelly of what is happening across america. I hope that we will be moving forward, i close by saying this. I started by viewing this as an american problem and crisis. And i hope that we will find the tools. Ive introduced a bill, the trust bill, that deals with this stopping of africanamericans and others for tickets and revenue. Finally, the cadet legislation, which speaks to gathering the singse of how many science of how many are subjected to lethal homicide, called justifiable homicide, whether its a Law Enforcement officer or whether it is a person that is a civilian on the streets of america. This cannot be an issue that we face alone. We lead this issue as a Congressional Black Caucus, but this is an issue that draws all of america and we ask america to stand with us as we make america better and reform the criminal Justice System. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Butterfield thank you ms. Jackson lee. The gentleman from the state of virginia, who is also on the judiciary committee, mr. Scott. Mr. Scott thank you mr. Chairman. In addition to whats been said about the need for discussion, i think its important to note action which has been already taken. About a year and a half ago, about a year and a half ago, the house passed the death in custody reporting act, it was passed bied senate last december and signed by the president. It provides a report of any death in the custody of Law Enforcement, that is jails, prisons, or in the process of arrest. Be reported to the department of justice. Many have talked about the attorney general the chair of the the chief from philadelphia, chair of the president s task force have all talked about the need for data, the death in custody reporting act will provide that data. So its very important to note that the congressional black can you Congressional Black Caucus hasnt only been talking about doing things, weve actually take than action and theres a lot more that were going to do. Mr. Butterfield we have four more presentations. They will be brief and then well open it up for questions. Next will be the gentlelady from california, ms. Maxine waters. Ms. Waters thank you. Used to be on judiciary committee. Now ranking on financial services. I want to thank the chair and the Congressional Black Caucus for coming together to recognize a number of things that have occurred around this ferguson incident. First of all, of course, we are deeply saddened that the Justice Department was not able to find that Michael Browns civil rights had been violated. However, having gone there, they learned a lot about ferguson. They learned about the traffic stops, they learned about the fines, they learned about the disproportion fines and the amount of money that africanamericans were paying, that contributed to the revenues of not only ferguson, but all of these adjacent cities. Im from st. Louis, missouri. I was born in st. Louis and i lived in a little town right outside ferguson. Theres a whole string of towns that includes ferguson and on and own on and on where these africanamericans coming through these little jurisdictions not only are stopped and fined and then the fine goes into warrants and then they go to jail. And this has been going on for years. And so im pleased that our attorney general was at least able to identify this. But thats not the only thing or things that are wrong with places like ferguson. Week of also discovered in this conversation that the high school there was not accredited. And instead of allowing the students to go outside of that jurisdiction to high schools that were credited with good teachers etc. , they waived the rights and allowed those students to stay in that high school thats not accredited. We also learned that the residents there cant own their homes. Because the banks and Financial Institutions will not give mortgages on 50,000 homes and less. So, we have a lot of work to do. In addition to all that you hear that my colleagues are working on in order to deal with some of these Police Practices and abuses, we need to deal with the Education System, blacks are not represented on any of these jurisdictions, whether it is the school board or the city council or the Police Department. And we have to work as much as we can. Some of us are working in different areas. Washington university sits right there and what are they doing to deal with the Education System . St. Louis university is right there. What are they contributing . We have a lot to go a lot of ways to go in this conversation. But im very pleased that we have come thus far and that we are totally committed to the proposition that we cannot only raise the level of awareness about ferguson, but about all of the cities and towns and jurisdictions that are being treated this way. Thank you very much. Mr. Butterfield thank you. Next will be congresswoman lawrence who, as most of you know, was a former mayor of a major city in the state of michigan. Mrs. Lawrence thank you. I want to say that im so glad that the department of justice put forth this information. Being a mayor and equipping my police force to provide Public Safety for our community, this issue is very, very important to me. And its one that i will say that history has taught us that mankind will give us an opportunity to learn and to better ourselves. I do hope that this death of this young man will not be in vain. We must require federal dollars to be tied to communities that invest in Community Policing and thus in training and accountability of their Police Department. I slept every night depending on my police force. But i also invested and demanded that each resident of my community is treated with respect. We must, as a country, demand that. Because where you live and the income that you make should not determine how youre treated by our Police Department. And we now have been given the opportunity to make things right and make sure this mans death was not in vain. Thank you. Mr. Butterfield thank you. The final presenter will be congressman al green from Harris County, city of houston, state of texas. Mr. Green thank you mr. Chairman. I would like to thank mr. Clay for the outstanding job that he has done to keep these issues at the forefront of our thoughts. Mr. Chairman, if i may say so, the Justice Department has but only confirmed with empirical evidence what the anecdotal evidence has revealed to us for many years. We have known anecdotally, by simply going to any courtroom almost any courtroom in this country, and just visually seeinging the people who are there. If you walk into that courtroom, youre going to see poor people and youre going to see minorities. And youre going to see them begging and pleading for an opportunity to have more time to pay fines that minimum wages cannot afford. This problem is pervasive and the working with the City Councils working with the judicial systems, has created a circumstance whereby under the guise of Law Enforcement and Public Safety people are being taxed. This is but another inindividualious tax that has been imposed upon poor people and minorities. Its time for us to act. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Butterfield i thank all of my colleagues. Questions . Yes, sir. Questioner so the attorney general, they would not be charging dan wolf with any crimes related to the death. I was hoping that you and congressman clay could just i know you said you were extremely disappointed in that. Hoping you could detail a little bit more your feelings on that and also the specific details of mige Michael Brown didnt have his hands up when i was fatally shot. Mr. Butterfield all right. Mr. Clay we want to deal with this in a macrosense. Overhauling the entire Justice System. We know that there was a miscarriage of justice at the local level. On part of the st. Louis county prosecutor. The way the case was presented to the grand jury, the fault of the grand jury system. All of that came into play in this case. Its unfortunate. And im going to leave it there. Thank you. Mr. Butterfield next question . Anyone else . Yes, sir. State who you are. What media. Questioner im an intern at cspan. But im curious [laughter] i guess this is for representative jackson lee. Criminal Justice Reform, what would that look like . Is that reducing mandatory minimums for ferguson for, or does it go even further than that . Ms. Jackson lee youre looking a the combined members who have really led on criminal Justice Reform and it is a myriad of issues. Weve had the opportunity to meet with a number of officials, including the white house, on issues concerninging the importance of the broad look of criminal Justice Reform, mandatory minimums is certainly one of those Prison Reform issues of training, which youve heard all of our members speak of. But we are mourning, of course, the loss of Michael Brown and eric garner and the array of individuals. And with congressman clays leadership were focusing on this report so that we can expand the findings of this report to look to the ills that are in jurisdictions throughout. And that covers everything. It also covers rehabilitation. Good time early release. Many of us are introducing legislation, so were looking at comprehensive immigration excuse me, comprehensive criminal Justice Reform, not Immigration Reform, today, but were also looking to listen to all of the principles, families , advocates, people in Law Enforcement, i think the Congressional Black Caucus, as the chairman has said and the members have said, we mean business. We mean business in getting the criminal Justice System reformed. Building on the likes of many of our members such as the Ranking Member, john conyers. Mr. Butterfield thank you. All right, we thank you. All right. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] leaving the controversial project to await an Administration Decision on whether to permit it or deny it. The senate mustered just 62 votes in favor of overriding veto. A 2 3 was needed. 37 senators voted to sustain obamas veto. The Senate Action means the house of representatives will not vote on an override. Also today, from the baltimore sun, reptsive chris van hollen, a Maryland Democratic and fastrising star in his party, told supporters today that he will run for the senate seat being vacated by senator mccullsky next year, becoming the first to formally jump into a race that more than a dozen people are considering. Chris van hollen is the top ranking democrat on the house budget committee. Earlier today the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case king vs. Burwell which looks at the Health Care Law and subsidies provided to those enrolled in federalrun exchanges. After the oral argument today, we heard from several people involved with the case. Including former health and Human Services secretary kathleensy billous. Heres a look. Keath lean is he bill yulls. Heres a kathleensy billous. Heres a look kathleen sebelius. You would argue its a matter of is he man ticks . I think it is a matter of is he man ticks. As established by the state, seems to be the hinging language in the plaintiffs case. But theres nothing else in the framework that would suggest this was meant to be a [inaudible] what was the impression you got from the arguement . Can you tell us that . I thought that, again, they were very clear i read the briefs i saw, the ruling, i mean, i thought the solicitor general did a very good job refuting at every step along the way why this could not have ever been the intent. And particularly the notice provision is very strong. Over three years there was never a sense, if you dont do this, this will be the consequence. Youve had these conversations with governors about specifically prior no, no, no. I said that we had conversations with governors starting day one. [inaudible] it was never [inaudible] i sat through a lot of the congressional testimony. I worked with the committees. No one ever suggested that only if a state establish an exchange would their [inaudible] you say the intent is clear. Do you feel more confident about this . I felt confident about that too. I just think that this congress that passed the bill in 2010, the president signed, intended for a national program. Nationally Insurance Companies have to play by different rules. Nationally citizens are entitled to subsidy and nationally theres an individual responsibility. It doesnt say only if you choose to set up your exchange do these things happen. So you would have really [inaudible] the other pieces would stay in place and the rest would i really have to go. Im sorry. I really have to go. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] that just some of the reaction following todays oral argument before the Supreme Court in the case king v. Burwell which looks at the Health Care Law and subsidies to those in federal exchanges. You can watch more reaction tonight at kl eastern here on cspan. Tomorrow on washington journal, former undersecretary of state Nicholas Byrnes looks at Foreign Policy challenges for the u. S. After that john wonderlick breaks down the growing controversy over Hillary Clintons use of personal emails during her years as secretary of state. Plus your phone calls, Facebook Comments and tweets, all on washington journal, live thursday morning at 7 00 eastern on cspan. Earlier today, the House Armed Services Committee Held a hearing on military strategy in afghanistan. Operations commander general John Campbell testified on the troop drawdown strategy and Counterterrorism Operations against the taliban. This is a little more than two hours. The committee will come to order. Today the House Armed Services Committee Meets to discuss the conflict in afghanistan. Week of been engaged in military action in afghanistan for 14 years. The predictions that this would be a long conflict have proven accurate. While there have been setbacks in recent years, theres also cause for cautious optimism. The United States and its allies especially the Afghan Forces have made some meaningful gains. Mr. Thornberry counter insurgent is one of the toughest types of war a democracy can fight. While this conflict has been a difficult one, its not impossible. Both our future security and the future of the Afghan People depend on our success. The people of afghanistan currently have, in my opinion, the best opportunity for a stable, relatively peaceful country that they have had in over four decades. Together with the cooperation of our allies in the kabul government, we built a 352,000strong afghan National Security force. Although that takes times, the ansf is growing capability. But now is a critical moment. We must not repeat the mistakes of iraq or an early withdrawal that was based in my view on political, rather than strategic, calculations contributed to the rise of isil, or answermy once devastated has reconstituted it self to pose an even bigger, more deadly threat. Although the operational outlook is very different than iraq afghanistan could also become unstable, should the United States end the mission before the Afghan Forces are capable of providing their own security. We should not have, in my view, a timebased withdrawal from afghanistan. And i hope that the president reconsiders his distribute approach hes previously announced and listens to the request of president ghani. Today i hope to resolve to hear answers on some important questions such as what objectives must be met to secure our gains, what are the key tactical and operational challenges facing the ansf . And is our presence and the allied presence in afghanistan adequate to meet those challenges . Finally, as Congress Considers the president s counterisil aumbings mf request, what imple cakeses would that have on future operations against terrorist groups in afghanistan. We are fortunate to have general campbell with us to answer these and many other questions today. But before turning to him id yield to the distinguished Ranking Member, mr. Smith. Mr. Smith thank you, mr. Chairman. I appreciate you holding this hearing. I want to thank general campbell for being here and also for his service. Hes the absolute right man for the job in afghanistan. Certainly hes a lot of experience there. I think there has been progress especially since general campbell took over. Really laid the foundation at least to build off that solid government and build a partnership. Unlike in iraq, where we had, you know very, very strong difficulty getting any sort of bilateral Security Agreement that would allow us to stay, week of achieved that, as the chairman mentioned president ghani wants us to be there and hopefully we can make that relationship work to help maintain the security. Ultimately that, you know, that is the big challenge. Afghanistan has got to be responsible for itself. Theyve got to be able to provide for their own security. And theyve made Great Strides in doing. That as im sure the general will point out. Theyve taken the primary security role throughout the country. And have done ok. Not going to, you know, sugar coat that. Its still a very tough fight. But theyve held their own. Theyve managed to keep the country relatively stable in light of the insurgency and we need to build on that because ultimately in afghanistan and iraq and all of these countries, western military forces cannot impose security on another country. A fine line between helping them and appearing like a foreign occupying force. In this case as we draw down and up the responsibility of the afghan Security Forces, i think weve done it about right. Giving them that responsibility. But Going Forward there will continue to be many, many challenges. The government still has corruption problems. The taliban are still very active. The border issues with pakistan have not been resolved and we definitely have a security interest in that region. As ive said many times before in this committee, i wish we didnt. Its a very, very difficult place to deal with. But we do. The taliban, al qaeda, these are groups that are part of the Larger Movement that threatens us. We need a strong presence that there that can help maintain that and one that builds tore selfsufficiency and the Afghan People being able to stand on their ofpblete i look forward to hearing from the general today on how were progressing on those goals and where we go from here. With that i yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Thornberry thank you, sir. Just on an administrative note all members offices were notified that for the purposes of this hearing we are going to go in reverse order. Part of my think something that weve had a number of members, newer members, who have set through a long time on other hearings before youve gotten to answer questions. In addition, those of us who have been here a while have had the opportunity to ask a number of questions about afghanistan and so this is a Good Opportunity for newer members. After we hear from general Campbell Well start, go in reverse order, for everyone who was here at the time of the gavel, and then as we always do recognize members in their order of appearance of coming in to the committee room. General campbell again, thank you for making time to be with us. Without objection, your full written statement will be made part of the record. And the floor is yours. Mr. Campbell i thank you for the opportunity to be before you today. Im honored to lead and represent the service men and women of the United States forces afghanistan. Id like to begin by thanking the committee for your steadfast support of our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen our marines and our civilians. Due to your leadership and commitment theyre the best trained, best equipped force our nation has ever deployed. And their outstanding performance bears testimony to your backing and the backing of the American People, so thank you very much. Id like to pay tribute to our military families, theyre the Unsung Heroes of the conflict. In many ways our frequent absences from home are harder on them than on us. Wut their support and strength, we could not proceed. Thank the military families. Id also like to recognize the over 2,200 service men and women who who who have been killed in action in afghanistan and the over 20,000plus who have been wounded each day. We striving to bring meaning to their sacrifices and we honor their memories and loved ones by continuing to build a secure and stable afghanistan. And by protecting our own homeland. Over 13 years have passed since the 9 11 attacks and we havent forgotten why we first came to afghanistan and why remain there. Since 2001, the extraordinary courage of our forces have ensured that another terrorist attack originating from afghanistan and directed against the u. S. Homeland has not occurred. Over six months have passed since i assumed command and much has changed since then. Afghanistan, the region, the enemy, and our coalition have undergone many tremendous transitions. Most of these have been very positive. Id like to emphasize a few of these today in order to place our Current Campaign in context. And to really reaffirm the conditions that exist for us to achieve an enduring peace and potential strategic win for afghanistan. In september, afghanistan completed the first peaceful democratic transition in its history. This was after a prolonged, very prolonged campaign. This transition was a monumental achievement. It represents the afghans commitment to a democrat and open suite society. The difference between the new National Unity government and its predecessors is night and day. President ghani and chief executive abdullah have embraced the International Community, our coalition and the Afghan National Defense Security forces or the ansf. Our partnership is strong. We now have a radified bilateral Security Agreement and i would just tell you a lot of people worked very, very hard for. That the nato status of forces agreement, which grant us necessary authorities to continue our mission. Dynamics within the region continue to evolve as well. President ghani has made regional engagement a top priority, in order to address shared security and economic interest. Nowhere is this more evident than in pakistan and afghan relations. The pakistani talibans murderous attack in peshawar on 16 december may prove to be their 9 11 and really a game changer for the region. Most senior pakistani officials recognize they can no longer separate the terrorists from bad terrorists. And in the last few months, ive witnessed firsthand substantive improvement in their interactions between afghan and pakistani militaries. Theyre now talking. The Pakistan Army chief of staff remarked during his recent trip to kabul, the enemies of afghanistan are the enemies of pakistan. And this is a constructive admission. Were doing everything we can to promote their closer cooperation. While we must temper expectationsics remain optimistic that both countries are working toward a more productive relationship. The enemy remains in a state of flux too. The taliban failed to achieve any of their stated goals in 2014. They failed to disrupt the elections, they failed to undermine the political transition. And they failed to prevent the Afghan Government from signing a longterm Security Agreement with both nato and the United States. On the battlefield they achieved no enduring gains. The talibans Senior Leadership is in disarray. Constantly pressured by the ansf, suffering from dissention within their own ranks and lacking popular support, theyve turned to high profile terrorist attacks, particularly against soft targets inside of kabul. In a desperate attempt to remain vell ran the, theyre failing to win over the afghan population. With the coalition off the battlefield, theyre primarily killing their fellow afghans and muslims. And theyre murdering innocent civilians. Its time now for them to lay down their arms and heed president ghanis call to help rebuild the afghan nation. The possible rise of isil is also a new development. Thus far we believe that the isil flebs presence in afghanistan represents a rebranding of the taliban but were still taking this potential threat with its dangerous rhetoric and ideology very, very seriously. And were working very closely with ansf to evaluate and understand the dynamic nature of this fledgling network. The potential emergence of isil represents an additional opportunity to bring both afghanistan and pakistanis together to confront this common threat. We will continue to engage leaders from both countries on ways we can collaborate to meet this challenge. Were all driven to prevent isil from establishing a meaningful foot hold in central asia. The United States forces afghanistan and our coalition have undergone tremendous changes as well here in the last six months. On january 1, United States forces afghanistan formally ended its combat mission, Operation Enduring freedom. And commenced its new mission, operation freedom sentinel. Week of also ended all detainee operations, simultaneously troops from 41 nations, which comprised the new nato mission, Resolute Support, began executesing their train and advise and assist mission. On january 1 the ansf resumed capabilities. Theyre ready and its time. In their second fighting season in the lead, they were challenged and tested. But they held their own against a very determined enemy. On the battlefield, the ansf fought tenaciously and demonstrated their increasing capabilities. Today the government of the Islamic Republic of afghanistan remains firmly in control of all 34 of its proinvention capitals and all of its major cities. The Afghan Special forces in particular have proven to be the most proficient in the entire region. Theyve constantly executed unilateral direct Action Missions using their own intelligence, using their own special mission wing helicopters to carry out long range searches. These are remarkable capabilities for any military. For both the ansf and coalition afghanistan continues to be a dangerous place. We lost a coalition solder from turkey last thursday in a Suicide Attack inside of kabul. Ansf casualty rates increased in 2014 or 2014, excuse me. Roughly 5 to 7 higher than they were in 2013. However, i think this must be viewed in light of the fact that their operational tempo was four times greater than it was in 2013. And that over 100,000 Coalition Forces were not on the battlefield. Even considering their higher casualty rates, the ansf attrition rates, which account for all losses to the force, have not impacted combat readiness too severely. Army and Police Recruiting has not been a problem. Afghan use continues to youths continue to join the ranks of the ansf and Security Forces are widely respected and viewed as a honorable, patriotic profession. The Afghan Nationally army remains the most trusted institution in the country. After watching the ansf respond to a variety of challenges over the past six months, i dont believe the insurgents represent an existential threat to the government. However, ansf still need a great deal of help in developing the systems and processes necessary to run a modern professional army and police force. They also need sustained support in addressing the capability gaps of aviation, intelligence, sustainment and special operations. To address these gaps, our Advisory Mission and mentorship will continue to be vital. Our advisors are at the security ministries, at the army corps level and police zones and those remain our main efforts. Although clear challenges exist, i do believe that the ansf capabilities, their capacities and the morale will be sufficient backstopped by our advisory efforts. This will provide for afghanistans longterm security by the end of the Resolute Support mission. President ghani recently remarked that, and i quote compelled by tragedy and cremeanted by mutual sacrifice, the partnership between afghanistan, nato and the United States has entered a new phase, end quote. I believe what is a very critical inflexion point in our campaign. Many challenges remain before us as a new Afghan Government continues to form, its still finding its footing and must do so while contending with a security threat, corruption and economic challenges. Yet all of these changes transitions over last six months offer us really a tremendous opening in an opportunity and an opportunity. The Ghani Administration offer us a strategic opportunity to develop a Strategic Partnership that will stable ites afghanistan and then in turn provide and offer greater security for the region and ultimately the United States homeland. There is a new spirit of cooperation in kabul. Something we didnt have before. And i firmly believe that our concurrent counterterrorism and train and advise assist efforts will reinforce and deepen our Strategic Partnership and shape conditions for a favorable outcome to this conflict. We could offer no greater tribute to the American People, our fallen and their loved ones than by maintaining our commitment to a longterm stability of afghanistan. And the enduring protection of our homeland. Id like to direct the members attention to the charts and a couple offenses photo graphs to your right front that weve displayed. Weve also provided paper copies for you to look at and im often asked, what have we accomplished . What have we achieved . What is success . That is been worth it . I frequently share these statistics and images to underscore the tremendous progress thats taken place in afghanistan in the last 13plus years. Every measurable piece you take a look at, roadways, people that use the internet, number of people in school, females in school the work force, pretty incredible. Unprecedented. The Life Expectancy increased to just in the last 13 years. Thats unprecedented. A remarkable investment, a remarkable return on our investment. Few countries advance so rapidly over the last several years. That success and the coalition and ansf created the conditions for that success. 741 million life years of afghanistan people based on new Life Expectancy. I want to underscore that were underwriting this progress not just for the afghan bus for the American People and the afghans but for the American People. Next will be pictures of where we were in 2001 and where we are in 2014. The first one shows inside of kabul. Then and on bottom now. Then kabul at day orca bull at night, im sorry or kabul at night, im sorry. Sixth Fastest Growing city in the country. Remarkable difference. Week of undercut the terrorists appeal which feeds on desperation and instability. The hard work and significant sacrifices of countless u. S. And Coalition Military personnel and civilians over the last 13plus years has created the conditions where afghans can now take the responsibility for their own security and governance. The afghans welcome the opportunity to shape their destiny. But they will still desire and need our assistance. Were supporting the emergence of a secure, prosperous afghanistan that desires to be and can be a reliable, Strategic Partner. And one that will never again allow terrorists to use its territory to launch, to plan and launch attacks against us. President ghani has asked for additional flexibility in the nato and u. S. Mission to account for the fact that the government remains in transition. He acknowledges that while the ansf are better equipped, better equipped and trained than ever, work remains to build a bureaucratic processes and systems. Additionally, he believes that a sustained u. S. And nato commitment provides vital stability to the country as a new government solidifies. A tremendous psychological boost to the Afghan People. We will continually assess the progress of Resolute Support and United States forces afghanistan is currently involved in a comprehensive winter review of our campaign. This review is taking a look at all of our lines of effort, not just the military, and i provide various options and recommendations for adjusting our force posture through my chain of command. One issue is determining how long we can stay engeaged at the regional level before we concentrate inside of kabul. Once again, i express my profound gratitude to the Committee Members for your unfailing support of our mission and our troops in afghanistan. Im humbled and privileged to lead the men and women of their caliber and courage and every day theyre making all of us proud. I ask that my original statement submitted earlier be taken for record. I do look forward to your questions and i notice that the first two rows are filled so i looker forward to that as well. Thank you look forward to that as well. Thank you. Mr. Thornberry thank you. I appreciate the da da that you brought to us data that you brought to us. Some of this is surprising to me and some of the information about the attitudes of the Afghan People i think are helpful to us. Particularly helpful to us. I think mr. Smith and irgoing to withhold our i are going to withhold our questions at the moment. I would request if we could put the posters down just to unless members have questions about it, just to not block folks view. And i would yield five minutes to the distinguished gentleman from new jersey, mr. Mcarthur mr. Macarthur. Mr. Macarthur thank you mr. Chairman. And, general i also really appreciated your comments and want to echo what you said about our men and women in uniform and their families and the sacrifices theyve made. I think its important at every opportunity to remember them. I had a question about a comment that secretary carter made yesterday and want to get your take on it. Secretary carter told the senate Armed Services committee that withdrawal from afghanistan would be conditionbased. It seemed to me that hinlted that maybe there was no Firm Deadline for withdrawal. And my understanding has been that there has been an articulated plan by the president to have troop drawdowns by the end of 2016. So my question for you is, do you think that extending withdrawal past 2016 would help you better accomplish your goals on the ground . Mr. Campbell sir, thank you for the question. I did see the secretarys comments. Sir, i really provided options that stay within the frame wisconsin of what the president put out framework of what the president put out there. It shows going down to 5,500, down to between 1,000 and 1,500 by the end of 2016. The options i presented do not go past 2016. They are all providing flexibility within 2015 and 2016, sir. Mr. Macarthur not to put new a difficult position relative to stated goals by the president , but its helpful for us to get your perspective as the commander on the ground. You showed tremendous progress here, which we i think all celebrate and want to see that continue and be in a position to be sustained after our mission there is complete. What would be your level of confidence that you can achieve that by the end of 016 . Mr. Campbell honestly, ill be very candid and i owe you my best military advice, as do i to my chain of command. I dont know what we can accomplish in the summer fighting season of 2015, at the trainadvise level were conducting. He just supported a mission on 1 january. What i really want to make sure we can do is get through a full, what we call a fighting season april through late september time frame focused on train advise and assist, plus with our c. T. Mission. If we can if we look at the downsize of the 5,500, that could take our eye off of focus on train, advise and assist when we really need. It thats why the flexibility i think is very important. As a commander on the ground, we take a look at all of the different conditions out there. We continually make assessments, taking into account the enemy situation, the friendly forces, how theyre doing, the people, the different regions. And so all of those will go in as i continue to make assessments and provide. That i do need to understand and see what we can do with these new entities, what we call train advise, assist commands. This is a new dynamic. We havent been at that level before. My initial aelse isment right now is we continue to work very well. The afghans really do, you know, over the last 13plus years have continued to develop. This is my third time in afghanistan. My last time was as the regional command, east commander, 101st 20102011. Visited a couple times between 2011 and when i took over this summer but the difference from back in 20102011 to where we are today is night and day. Its incredible. The afghan Security Forces continue to progress. They have an operation ongoing now, i wont go into great detail because its an operational detail, but this is an operation that was entirely planned and led from the afghan perspective. I took back briefs on it three weeks ago when i was down in hell monday. This is a three helmand. This is a threecorps operation. It has supporting efforts from the 205th in kandahar. Ive never seen an afghan operation that was that complex back briefed to me and the Senior Leadership inside of afghanistan and the police and the army side and the integration between all of the Afghan Security pillars, the police and the army their intelligence was pretty remarkable. So i think they continue to get better and better. Ill know better after this fighting season to see how it goes. But do i believe that the flexibility that weve asked for in several different options that we put forward will provide us a better opportunity to take advantage of things that have changed over the last six months. President ghani and his embracing of the International Community, the relationship between pakistan and some changes in leadership in the afghan Security Forces. I really do think that leadership and Holding People accountable really makes a difference. Mr. Macarthur thank you, general. I yield back. Mr. Thornberry thank you. Mr. Ing a whichler. Mr. Aguilar thank you, mr. Chairman. I appreciate the change in format. Ill be sure to add you to the Christmas Card list. Thank you for that. Thank you, general, for being here. With respect to the aumf, if congress were to pass the proposed aumf, could you provide us with examples of what you could and could not do within that . Mr. Campbell thanks for the question, sir. I have not read the entire aumf. I could tell you from looking at it briefly that what that would provide, i mean, the authorities i have today and the resources i have today, i can continue to work hard at the c. T. Mission and the train, advise assist mission that i have. With the aumf, the way i understand it now, with now no geographical boundaries, i think i still would be able to prosecute what i need to for today. After 2015, where my authorities may change, through today i have no issues. Mr. Aguilar have attention policies changed . Mr. Campbell yes. Do i not have the authority to detain the insurgents. All detainees we would have had, theyve been turned over to afghanistan or other countries. I have no detention facilities inside of afghanistan. Mr. Aguilar thank you. One of the things weve talked about ex tinsively is risk extensively is risk. Can you talk to us, and you mentioned in your testimony that it wouldnt be affected too severely, but could you add some more color to the discussion of risk associated with the proposed drawdown . Mr. Campbell risk takes in a lot of different factors. The risk to the coalition of u. S. Forces, the risk to the afghan Security Forces i think again, any commander on the ground would like to have more resources, more people. We continue to work hard through that. As i make the assessment today and take a look at many of the things as weve drawn down, i dont say withdrawal, but were in a continuous transition, i think for the next two years plus it will be a continued transition. We have to adapt to those transitions. As you transition, you lose people, which provides security. Most of my force protection of security is by, with and through the afghans. As we consolidate, week of gone from 300plus cops, combat outposts and Forward Operating bases, to less than 25 today. So that increases the risk in some areas to force protection, to security. As you continue to transition forces, you lose some resources. So the number of aircraft, the number of i. S. R. Platforms all those things goes into the calculus as i take a look at the risk assessment, both to the risk to the mission and to risk to force. Again, as i looked at flexibility, president ghani asked for flexibility, as i looked at that, i did take into account all those to try to mitigate risk of force as we move forward. Ago can you give us examples . I know mr. Aguilar can you give us examples of things that president ghani may discuss when he addresses this Congress Later this month . Mr. Campbell first off, sir, with president ghani and dr. Abdullah the senior the c. E. O. It is a new dynamic. Ive had to deal with president karzai when i first got there. I think the American People, all the people need to understand that every time president ghani or dr. Abdullah address a crowd, they thank the International Community, they thank the u. S. In particular, they pick the u. S. Out. They thank them for their support. They thank the families for the sacrifices of their sons and daughters. You never would have heard that before. It is a completely different atmosphere. I think the president will talk to all of you about that. I think hes quite proud of that. Hes quite proud that hes taken on his leadership role as a commander in chief. Hes visited training sites iraqis visited military hospitals, he en sites hes visited military hospitals. I eand attend their National Security conferences. Im able to talk to him about different Security Issues at any time. But i think hell really talk about where afghanistan has come over the last 13 years where its Security Forcesr where it would not be without the help of the Great Coalition and the u. S. In particular, not only for the men and women that made sacrifices and the Economic Impact that the u. S. Provided. He may talk a little bit how he sees the future and how he will get after corruption and how he will broaden the prospective and deal . Terms of a regional aspect and the entire region and how he needs to do that from an economic perspective. He is looking forward to it and all of you will find that he will be very engaging and his message will be one of thanks and has a great vision for the future of afghanistan. The chair mr. Knight. Night night lets talk about mr. Knight lets talk about readiness of the forces. And now be retired. And have been or seen battles over the last 24 years. So here in congress, we worry about things about sequestration and readiness of force and wonder about ratios of young men and women being over there for a year and being back here for a year. Can you give us the readiness of force today as compared to four, five years ago or maybe even 10 years ago. General campbell i can give you a perspective of the readiness of the forces as i get. Little bit different perspective when i was a vice chief of the army. All the forces i get in afghanistan particularly from the u. S. Are trained at the highest level and are focused on their mission in afghanistan. All the missions prioritize their deploying forces first and get the necessary training because they will be putting their lives on the line. On the sequestration, it was six months ago when i was a vice and i continue to talk to Senior Leadership from all the services that with sequestration that would devastate the services to provide the same type of forces. My son is a sergeant in the army and been to afghanistan in twice. He was a navy second airborne and i worry about both as a father and as a chand commander the ability to provide the very best training and all the resources that go with that with our soldiers, sailors airmen and marines and sequestration would dampen or elevate the risk absolutely. Mr. Knight i think you have a lot of committed people here that believe that, too. When we talk about detainees and you say you turn them over to Security Forces or afghanistan, what happens from there . Is there a prosecution . Is there some sort of judicial action there or are they just detained or are they released . General campbell all of the above, quite frankly. But with the detainees that we have. There was a long process that we went to get assurances from countries to make sure that the right assurance was in place they would be tried if they had to go through that process that they would be treated humanely. That was carefully taken a look at out of all the detainees that were released. No longer do we have detention facilities inside of the afghan system that continues to grow. Ous of the air base is the best detention facility outside of afghanistan and continues to be the Gold Standard that they have there. They are in the process based on direction of president ghani to move the detainees and move them to kandahar, inside of kabul to make sure they have the right securities, without going through the proper trials. I think they continue to work that hard. It is a Gold Standard and has the right prosecution efforts, has the right folks judges all kind of contained in one unit a system that will help build that capability for them. Mr. Knight i yield back, mr. Chair. Chairman mr. Moulton. Mr. Moulton i was impressed what i saw in the codel two weeks ago and i share the chairmans view of the situation in iraq where i think that all the progress we made or all of the progress we made during the surge has been squandered by withdrawing too quickly and not providing the diplomatic support that we knew was necessary. Ambassador crocker and general petraeus called for. What specifically are you doing differently in afghanistan this time around . I have the highest respect for president ghani but im not interested in hearing what is different about our partner. After you invest trillions of dollars of our National Treasure and invest thousands of lives, we shouldnt leave the Eventual Success of our mission up to the whims of our partner. Im interested in what you and the u. S. Effort there is doing differently from iraq. General campbell thanks for the question. I was back here doing testimony. I spent 18, 19 months in iraq as a onestar back in 2006, 2007 during the surge inside of baghdad and the fundamental difference is the afghan Security Forces and their leadership and their determination to make sure and they see the news and they see the news what is going on in iraq and they will not let happen what happened in afghanistan what happened in iraq. During the political instability last fall, people thought they would divide among the ethnic fractures, which is what happened inside of iraq. In afghanistan, they did not do that despite a lot of talk. They took that as a point of pride to make sure they didnt fracture that and were above that and a national force. And take great pride in doing that. The training i have seen is afghanled training. Asked the core commander to look at some training. He took me to medical training and marksmanship training. This was unannounced. Mr. Moulton thats what the afghans are doing different than the iraqis. What are we doing to ensure that. President ghani is a great partner. He could be gone tomorrow, what sort of backstops are we putting in place if this starts to head south we can recover and wont end up with a situation like we had in iraq . General campbell Ministry Level what we are doing with the m. O. I. And m. O. D. That control the military and police. We are working on the programming, planning and budgeting and working on the sustainment and working on the Strategic Communications and intelligence. These are essential functions that we think they need to continue to have as we come out of there. Our continued work in those areas at the Ministry Levels will continue to help. The other pieces, they are looking hard to ensure they are a professional army and have leadership courses that continue to go on. They pick bright leaders and bring them into special courses on leadership and leadership makes a difference. Mr. Moulton are you seeing the state department devote the level of resources to continue this mentorship and support . General campbell we have a great relationship with the folks. And we are connected right next to the embassy. They are engaged in all the other ministries. And the n. G. O. s and they are dedicated and continue to work very hard. All the coalition, all the state department and the different embassies are passionate about where afghanistan can go. They are excited about the future of afghanistan and everyone is working hard and the fact what has happened in iraq gives them more determination. Mr. Moulton my last question, just to ensure that we are maintaining our commitment to the longterm stability of afghanistan as you said earlier in your spoken testimony, what is the ongoing financial commitment of the United States to make that happen . General campbell we are looking very hard how we can be more efficient and reduce that, but its about 4. 1 billion and f. Y. 16 it is because of efficiencies that we have garnered in forces and we will look at that very hard. But they are dependent on the u. S. And donor nations to have this army and police. I join congressman moulton and congressman ashford and glad to see the troops deployed from my district. In late february, the d. O. D. Announced the three units as the upcoming forces in afghanistan and one is the second brigade of the 10th mountain brigade in fort drum. It has supported operations to both iraq and afghanistan. So based upon my visit and our privilege of meeting with president ghani and the upcoming deployment of soldiers in my district that i represent, i would like to know from you your assessment of the risks to the security situation as we draw down in afghanistan and how that will impact our future operations against the taliban. General campbell thank you for visiting and thanks for the question. I have one over here that commanded the third brigade and 10th mountain was in the southern part of afghanistan back in 2010 and 2011 and appreciative of the 10th mountain support. Theyll come in and work the train, advise and assist. The president has told me thats his number one priority. I look at that every single day and monitor the threat streams both inside of kabul and our combat outposts and we are looking at ways to mitigate that threat. It will be a very dangerous environment. There will be insurgents who want to kill our soldiers. We shouldnt make we shouldnt put that aside. That is out there every single day. Every day, what we cant do is become complacent. We tell our soldiers in a ninemonth rotation, they will have the opportunity to make a difference. It may only be 15 seconds in their entire tour when it comes in terms of force protection. They have to be ready all the time. The services do a great job of preparing our soldiers to understand the risks that will become when they do deploy and many of our soldiers have been there numerous times. It is changing. The green on blue incidents that have been in the news the last several years where Police Attack u. S. Members and that continues to get much less as we mitigated that through our own training with different programs rnings provide overwatch. The afghans are a much better job of vetting police and soldiers and how they do their training and we cant be complacent. Believe me, the force protection is utmost in our mind and our predeployment training, we are reminded to go through processes to make sure that they dont become complacent. I wanted to ask one followup. In our discussions with president ghani, we talked about the threat of isis and the potential to grow in afghanistan and most recent recruiting efforts . Can you talk about what those challenges are going to be, not just in the shortterm but in the longterm. General campbell thank you for the question. It is a potential threat. It is a concern to him and it is a concern to me. We engaged with our Afghan Security partners in making sure we see what they see. And all the other intelligence organizations that we have inside afghanistan. We come together to discuss that potential threat. I would tell you right now we have seen some recruiting in different parts of the country. We have seen some nightletter drops. We have not seen it operationized or money come in or forces come in to prosecute targets. But it is a potential threat for afghanistan and pakistan. It is an area where afghanistan and pakistan can continue to Work Together to go after a potential threat that is already displayed how horrendous they will be. And the Afghan Security institutions and the army and police have told me they will not let it happen. And the dynamics inside of afghanistan are different than iraq, with the sunni prosecution, the political piece, this is not just this just doesnt happen in the last several months but has been building up in syria, iraq and afghanistan. It is a different dynamic with the culture you have there as well. We will see it and continue to monitor it and make sure we have a strategy that can attack it in a shortterm, midterm and longterm. Chairman mr. Ashford. Mr. Ashford thank you. I can tell you when we went to see general ghani he was so terribly appreciative of your efforts and the efforts i was also happy to hear from president ghani of his relationship with the university of nebraska at omaha and the afghan studies program that has been going on there for over 30 years. I was glad to hear that. And i thank congressman wilson, who is chairman of our emerging threats subcommittee, and my two colleagues. It was an opportunity for me and our district to see what was going on. Just we went to obviously to jordan and iraq and to afghanistan, so we got the entire picture in a way. And there was a critical question that was asked that i was left with, we have many fewer members of the Armed Services in iraq than we do in afghanistan and for historic reasons and for reasons that you discussed, can i just ask you to comment a little more on the situation. If the isis situation it already is very dangerous, but more troops from the american side are necessary or whatever the event talt may be. Could you comment on the relationship. President ghani did talk about what you suggest that they are observing, watching. You talked about his Pakistan Pakistani his discussions with pakistan which seems very, very positive. But this threat in syria and iraq which is growing and were contained to a certain agree. Thats the same middle east area. Could you comment a little more on that relationship. What if it becomes more difficult for the iraqi forces to be successful in their country. General campbell i cant comment on the iraqi forces but comment on the Afghan Forces. The Senior Leadership have told me on several occasions that they will not let what happened in iraq happen in afghanistan. They are very determined about that. They have gone out of their way to tell me. That question has been raised in many different instances, as they have talked to the leadership. The president wants people to understand that the environment in afghanistan continues to evolve. It is a dynamic environment and doesnt want his forces to become complacent and what happened in syria and iraq and in this network, that it evolves very, very quickly and wants to make sure his forces and his Intelligence Services are taking a look at everything. And making sure that it doesnt get a foothold inside of afghanistan and continues to spread. And he can be help with this association with pakistan because they have the same issues and that relationship in understanding that they have a common enemy they can work toward together, can help them. They are looking at this very hard, he gets several security updates every day and the piece continues to be on his mind. But in the National Security Council Meetings that i sit in, he has the Senior Security folks in there but they view it as a potential threat and ensuring they have a strategy as we move forward and will continue to evolve over time. I had a question about pakistan but im sure it will be asked and answered. Its good to see you again. I sleep better at night knowing youre there. The former Deputy Commander and acting commander of special forces in iraq. I think we left iraq too soon. When we left iraq on a time line rather than condition on the ground, it affected the sunnis. We disenfranchised them, i believe. We isolated the kurds and empowered a centralized a government to be noninclusive and the result was a vacuum and what we are seeing today is being filled by isis and the concern of the committee remains the same. Looking forward, what would you consider to be your three priority conditions and what the end strength to support that and lastly, in my experience having the Detention Center, at least a temporary Detention Center gave us the ability to rapidly turn around sensitive site exploitation and do followons that made a difference on the ground and not having the ability to have a Detention Center, at least a temporary Detention Center, to many would adversely affect your ability when you find a target, rapidly turn around. If you could comment on that whether it adversely affects your ability to turn around. General campbell thanks for your service. If i could answer the last one first and come back and answer the isis piece. We try to instill in our afghan partners, all the operations should be intelligencebased. We have a Good Relationship with the intell service. As they have the detainees, we work the relationship to make sure we can partner with them and the intelligence and information they get from their detainees, we try to make sure they can get that information as well, because it impacts our force protection and we can help guide them. They are building a fusion cell, which combines them together, lessons we have learned over years and years. They are stovepiped. And m. O. I. And m. O. D. Working off pieces. They are testing this with a pilot down in northern hell money and we are hell monday as they do helmu province as they get the intelligence force to drive the other targets. I think our relationship over the last 13plus years of working with them at the Ministry Levels and core levels, we have a relationship to enable to make sure we can help them with that intelligence. We still have a lot of work to do with that. They dont have the same type of platforms that provide us some of that. We share where we can, but we have to continue to build their capabilities. We are working on how we build the intelligence capability. It is one of the eight essential functions. My Senior Deputy chief of staff for intelligence, the j2 was the centcom j2 before this assignment. He is the senior intel adviser to help build those exabets. I feel much better than we were were. On the isis piece on conditions, i look every single day and assess conditions. Time is one of those conditions. Number of people on the ground from a coalition perspective and Afghan Security perspective. I look at all of those. I want to look at what happens after this first full fighting season where the afghans are totally on their own. They have led it for the first two years. But this is the first time they are on their own and we are in train, advise and assist and they are working for intelligence and those areas. I cant give you a number that i would feel comfortable with. I would need to let this play out. But we are the best thing that we can do to hedge against afghanistan not becoming an iraq, our number one priority would be to continue to train, advise and assist and build their own capability both in close air support, both in the special operating forces, which increases their c. T. Capability and president ghani has said, he is a Strategic Partner and wants to build the afghan c. T. Capability and we will continue to work on that. Do we have the ability if you have a high priority target can we be present during those initial interrogations. The chair the gentlemans time has expired. General campbell i would rather talk to you about that in a closed session. Ms. Graham military and Law Enforcement. My husband happens to be Law Enforcement and i know how important it is to have that close relationship often that those closest to us can have the greatest impact on our behaviors, so is the military involved working with local Law Enforcement and do you see that as a positive development with the changes in Law Enforcement recently in kabul . General campbell thank you, maam for the question. In afghanistan, it really is. We talk about security Pillars Police and army being two different pillars. When these pillars, they do cross, they do Work Together, the army and police and are much stronger and cant be beat. And i attend a saturday brief three, four hour session which we call the security senior shera and senior members, so the police and army interaction is daily every single day. The police operate a little differently. They have the Law Enforcement aspect and continue to work through that. But in many places, they are the only Security Institution in the far reaches of afghanistan. And so they are a threat to the insurgents. The Afghan Local Police which were designed to provide security are probably the most attacked. They have the least amount of training and dont have the same weapons as the regular police or the army and they do get attacked, but they do stand up and are protect and feared by the taliban because they are linked to the people inside the communities. The linkage between the police and the army is a strong one. In the provinces, they have occps and they are institutions that the governors have police, army and intelligence folks inside an Operational Command and control element at both the regional and then at the province level. They sit right next to each other and interact with the higher headquarters which has police and army. In my headquarters, i have army, afghan Army Representatives Afghan Police that sit right next to each other inside my combined joint operations center. And the intelligence piece or the terrorist appeal piece, less than 10 of the people in afghanistan embrace the taliban and that number continues to go down and a lot of that is because of the actions of the taliban and they understand that the civilian casualty piece like 75 are caused by insurgents, our records show that 90 are caused by the terrorists and the people are tired of this and they want a better life. They want to be able to send their kids to school and have a roof over their head and have a job. So they understand. 85 of the people want this government. They want it to do well and they are tired of what the taliban and what they represent. So thats a big change from where we were a couple of years ago. Ms. Graham thank you very much for that positive report. President ghani get his title correct. And lets hope what you have accomplished in afghanistan will continue and can be spread throughout the region. Thank you for your time, general, and your service. The chair ms. Walorski. Mrs. Walorski it is disconcerting how much information the president of the United States has given out and how we read it every day in the media. We learn about the drall, the troop size, all kinds of unbelievable information. And to kind of follow up on my colleagues comment and i dont want to ask you this for public disclosure, i want to know the detailed plan b what are the flags and the signs that are going to trigger our reengagement should this go awry . I want to know we have a plan and i dont want to ask it for public for everybody and the world to listen, but i would ask you to provide it in writing or classified briefing, what are we going to look for without more loss of blood and life and engagement from america. And my other question is on the new aamuf, i atten