Transcripts For CSPAN Morning Hour 20150204

The clerk the speakers room washington, d. C. , february 4 2015. I hereby appoint the honorable david w. Jolly to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. 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 andinit leadersorng hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majory d noty leaders and e nority whip limited to five minutes but in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from florida, mr. Ross, for five minutes. Mr. Ross mr. Speaker, i rise this morning to bring to the attention my colleagues an important event taking place in the 15th Congressional District of florida which i have the privilege to represent. With the opening in tampa this friday, our state marshalls, the strength of all of floridas public universities to respond to the Cybersecurity Work Force needs. The center will help generate the next generation of technology, to prevent cyberattacks, to help them prevent and if necessary respond to cyberthreats. I want to congratulate the board of governors for our State University system, our Florida State legislature, our Florida Governor for recognizing the critical importance of the growing cyberthreats to our residents. They recognize with our growing reliance on Internet Connectivity each and every day, cybersecurity becomes increasingly more vital. Cybersecurity reaches from National Security to personal security, from data storage, to banking security from Health Care Privacy to transportation safety. In just seven short months the center has enrolled the first 100 students and a special cybersecurity masters degree program. Just last october, the program became second in the nation to be part of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and cybersecurity. The center continues to address the serious shortfall in our nations Cybersecurity Work Force to provide online degrees certificates, recognize specializations to enhance the Cybersecurity Work Force, mitigate cybersecurity threats and attract new businesses to florida and across our great nation. Most importantly, the university will reach out to our nations heroes who have proudly served in uniform and returned to civilian life, to continue to protect our homeland. Tampa is the best place with the close proximity of the u. S. Central command the u. S. Special Operations Command at Mcdill Air Force base. National, state and local businesses, large and small will benefit from the continuing outreach at Educational Programs offered by the Florida Center for cybersecurity u. S. F. Mr. Speaker, i applaud u. S. F. s energy and innovation in responding to the national and international cyberthreat. This is the type of quick and thorough response our nation needs as we bring together the best of our public and private sector has to offer in protecting our citizens and businesses to the ongoing threat to our personal security. Congratulations, u. S. F. , and go, bulls. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, mr. Speaker. One of the areas where congress has repeatedly come together in a nonpartisan fashion to make Real Progress has been legislation dealing with the protection of animals. This is something that unites us, as weve been able to deal with a series of commonsense steps to assure we meet the standard of care. Thats why it was so horrific to read the terrible frontpage article in the New York Times on january 20 about the federal Animal Research center in clay center, nebraska. Moving from the front page to two full pages on the inside were truly grotesque and horrifying examples of animal abuse. A young cow had its head in a cagelocked device to keep her immobile while she was repeatedly you can only describe it as sexually tortured, by as many as six bulls to be studied for her sexual libido. Her back legs were broken, the cow understandably died from her injuries. There were other experiments detailed, sheeps and pigs without consideration of Animal Health impact. It detailed horrifying and often unsuccessful results. At least 6500 animals were known to have starved to death at this facility and unknown numbers died from negligence, from easily treatable infections exposure to bad weather or attacked by predators. All of this at a cost of almost 200 million of taxpayer money over the last 10 years. Resulting in this grotesque abuse of animals. While theres the ability to abuse nenlt and even torture farm animals because theres no law that requires their protection. There is a loophole in the Animal Welfare act which exempts farm animals used for research. Think about it. If you are abusing, neglecting or even doing that for research its absolutely unjustified and outrageous. This week, congressman michael fitzpatrick, my cochair of the Animal Welfare caucus and i are introducing the aware act which would require that in federal facilities animals use farm animals used in Agriculture Research be included in the definition of animal under the animal well fair act. Seems really simple. It would ensure these animals are treated reich other warmblooded animals in other federal Research Facilities. Its time that we step up to stop this horrific abuse. Theres no reason that the usda Agriculture Research facilities experimenting on farm animals should not be held to the same standards as federal Research Facilities that conduct lifesaving Disease Research with the same kind of animals. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this aware act, the animal well fair and Agriculture Research endeavors. It is supported by the humane society, the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, the humane legislative fund, and countless people across the country who deeply believe in animal well fair. This is our job in congress, and this is a small step that we can quickly make to show that we respond to animal abuse and that the federal government will lead by examples. And i would urge my colleagues to join congressman fitzpatrick and i as members of the congressional Animal Protection caucus to Work Together on behalf of gods creatures who cannot speak for themselves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from puerto rico, mr. Pierluisi, for five minutes. Mr. Pierluisi mr. Speaker today im introducing the most forceful and vicious statehood admission bill for for the reek in u. S. History. The bill fatally has 51 cosponsors from both parties. Before i describe the bill, let me explain its background. In 2012, the puerto rico government sponsored a referendum in which voters rejected puerto ricos current territory status and expressed a clear preference for statehood. In the 113th congress, the president proposed and Congress Approved an appropriation of 2. 5 million to fund the first federally sponsored status vote in puerto ricos history. The funding will remain available until it is used by the puerto rico government. While the law does not prescribe the exact format of the ballot, it does establish important conditions. Namely, the law provides that the u. S. Department of justice must certify that ballot and voter identification materials are consistent with the u. S. Law and policy. The bipartisan bill im introducing today flows from and builds upon the 2012 referendum and the federal appropriation enacted in response to that referendum. In other words this bill is being filed now because the Strategic Foundation is firmly in place. Every action i take is designed to advance the statehood cause because it is beyond dispute that territory status is the main source of puerto ricos grave economic and social problems. My constituents have no interest in symbolic gestures or empty rhetoric. They care only about concrete steps that bring puerto rico closer to equality. My bill would authorize a vote to be held in puerto rico within one year of the bills enactment. That is by no later than the end of 2017. The ballot would contain a single question shall puerto rico be admitted as a state of the United States . To conduct this vote, the puerto rico government may use the 2. 5 million that Congress Already approved since this format clearly satisfied the conditions of the appropriations law. If a majority of voters affirmed their desire for admission, the bill provides for an automatic series of steps to occur. First by february, 2018, the president would issue a proclamation to begin puerto ricos transition to statehood. Second, the president would appoint a commission to prepare a report that describes the federal laws territory of puerto rico differently than the states. The commission would complete the report by july 2018. The congressional committees of jurisdiction could then enact legislation to phase in equal treatment of puerto rico during the transition period so the admission process is structured and orderly. Third, in november 2012, the american citizens of puerto rico would vote for president and Vice President , two u. S. Senators and voting members of the u. S. House. Finally, on january 1 2021, the president would proclaim puerto rico to be a state. Puerto ricos congressional representatives would be sworn into office and puerto rico would be treated on equal footing with all other states. My bill is modeled on the legislation enacted by congress with respect to alaska and hawaii. When alaska and hawaii were territories, they each held votes sponsored by their local governments in which voters expressed a desire for statehood. This is also what occurred in puerto rico in 2012. Ultimately, congress enacted an admission act for alaska in 1958 and an admission act for hawaii in 1959. Those acts of congress provided for admission to occur once a majority of voters in each territory affirmed in a federally sponsored vote that they desired statehood. That is precisely what my bill would do with respect to puerto rico. Every member of congress pro cosponsors this bill who cosponsors this bill is standing up for a powerful principle which is this, the people of puerto rico are u. S. Citizens. They have enriched the life of this nation for generations and they have fought and died to defend her. Thus, if a majority of puerto ricos voters affirmed their desire in a federally sponsored vote to become a full and equal part of the american family, the will of the people should be honored. Democracy requires no less. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Costello, for five minutes. Mr. Costello thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week my fellow Chester County congressman patrick meehan, introduced the Service Member for lawful understanding treatment and education act, otherwise known as the salute act. I want to praise congressman meehan for his leadership on this issue and speak a little bit about it in support of the salute act. Its going to help veterans overcome addiction and ptsd by providing yearly funding for veterans treatment courts. This is an opportunity for all of us to help troubled veterans break free of the cycle and get the help that they need. It is estimated that one in five veterans returning from afghanistan and iraq will experience a stressrelated mental illness. Veterans treatment courts assist soldiers who are charged with nonviolent crimes, who are struggling with certain addictions or mental illnesses. Veterans treatment courts provide an opportunity for them to get their lives back on the right track and not spiral down a track of addiction. Pennsylvania as you may know is the hub of veterans courts. 1 counties have them. In fact, three counties that i represent 18 counties have them. In fact three counties that i represent, and i have seen firsthand as a commissioner how impactful and effective they can be. I witnessed first hand how important it is to the lives of returning veterans. I share with you a quote that i received from Chester County District Attorney tom hogan. These brave men and women have sacrificed so much to serve our country and he protect our freedom. We owe it to them to help them when they return home. Veterans court provides the structure and support to address the unique needs of combat veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system. It is our duty to thank our veterans by offering help as they readjust to civilian life. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the salute act. I want to thank again congressman meehan for introducing it and when the time comes i encourage my colleagues to support this act. It is commonsense legislation that will help our nations heroes. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from new york mr. Jefferies, for five minutes. Mr. Jefferies mr. Speaker i rise today in full support of president Barack Obamas fiscal year 2016 budget. It is a budget that is firmly rooted in middle class economics. Designed to benefit working families and middle income americans. It is a budget that will facilitate access to quality, affordable childcare. And dramatically expand prekindergarten education. In a way that will allow the children of middle class americans to get off to a faster start in life. President obamas budget with the full support of House Democrats will also address wage stagnation. It is designed to put more income, more money in the pockets of middle class americans and those who aspire to be part of the middle class. And address the fact that since the early 1970s productivity of the American Worker has increased consistently. Yet middle class wages have remained stagnant. Thats a systematic problem that president obama, leader pelosi, and House Democrats are determined to address. On behalf of the middle class. President obamas budget is also designed to increase the affordability of a college education. We know that americans right now are burdened with more than 1 trillion in student loan debt. That type of debt limits the ability of younger americans to purchase a home, start a family open up a new business take a chance. It limits their ability to robustly access the american dream. President obamas budget is designed to allow the sons and daughters of the middle class to pursue their dream in a more meaningful fashion. When president Obama Took Office he inherited an economic train wreck as a result of the Great Recession handed to him by the policies of the previous Republican Administration and through the leadership of president obama working closely with democrats in the house and the senate, we have turned the economy around. Gotten it back on the right track. And so the question that we in this Congress Face today is that will we continue the policies of middle class economics designed to benefit working families and moderate income americans . Or are we going to regress to the policies of trickledown economics that have failed middle class americans time and time again . Im in my second term. When i first got to the congress i assumed that trickledown economics was dead. Doomed by the fact that it has failed. Over and over again. But apparently its been revised and its most recent incarnation House Republicans would like to drop the top tax rate from 39. 6 on the wealthiest americans all the way down to 25 . And their argument is, dont worry, everybodys going to benefit. But that hasnt worked in the past. Im convinced that middle class economics is far more preferable to trickledown economics, which as it relates to the middle class simply means you may be lucky to get a trickle but youre guaranteed to stay down. Thats what the record says. Bill clinton inherited a recession. The top tax rate on high income earners was 31 . He raised it to 39. 6 . And the purveyors of trickledown economics predicted economic doom and gloom. What happened . Because president clinton focused on the middle class more than 20 million jobs were created. He then handed over a Budget Surplus to president bush and his coconspirators in the congress. Like drinken sailors, they blew that Budget Surplus on failed wars in iraq and afghanistan and on a tax cut that disproportionately benefited the wealthy and well of. Did trickledown economics work when they dropped the top tax rate to 35 . No. During the bush presidency, 650,000 jobs plus were lost. President obama inherited this economic mess, and in partnership with democrats in the house and the senate renewed his focus on the middle class. Even raised the top tax rate back up to 39. 6 . Doom and gloom was predicted, but what happened . The economy is humming. Stock market is way up. Gas prices are way down. The Unemployment Rate has come down. Economic growth is exceeding all of the competitors across the world. Theres more to be done, but for us to be successful weve got to abandon the focus on the wealthy and well off and pursue middle class economics. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from iowa, mr. Young, for five minutes. The speaker pro tempore thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor a native iowan, john, from west des moines, iowa, for his service to our great country. He was a member of the elite First Special Service Force that became renowned for their missions in italy and Southern France during world war ii. He was in washington d. C. Yesterday in the great Capitol Building here, along with nearly 40 of his fellow veterans known as the devils brigade. To receive the prestigous congressional gold medal, the highest honor congress can bestow upon civilians. For the men of the devils brigade, this is an honor highly deserved. John, this hero, this iowan, stood for all those who could not be here so that they may be never forgotten for their selfless and heroic service. We must never forget those that answered the call to serve, to protect our rights, and our liberties, and make this a safer world. For this nation and the cause of freedom. To john and your fellow members of the devils brigade, from a grateful nation, and from this grateful iowan congratulations on this highest of honors and god bless you. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Boyle, for five minutes. Mr. Boyle thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise to speak briefly about two aspects of the president s budget that really struck me and a number of my constituents in philadelphia and Montgomery County as so important. As a new member it has been a special honor to be serving in this chamber and have had a few incredible incredibly special moments that all americans can identify with. The swearingin of a new congress, something that dates back to right after our First Congress was sworn in, right after the u. S. Constitution was signed in philadelphia. One of those other moments, the actually mandated moment, is when the president comes to congress to give a report on the state of the union from time to time as the constitution says. So sitting right here in this chamber, hearing president obama speak about the state of our union, would be exciting in any year in any circumstance. But it was especially this year, because for the first time in six years after the deepest and darkest recession in almost a century, we have turned the page. After six rather difficult years of digging our way out of a ditch, we now can build a foundation to move forward. And there were two areas specifically that the president focused on. One is universal college education. As the first in my family to go to college, i know i wouldnt have had the opportunities that i have had in life without a Higher Education. I needed a combination of scholarships and Student Loans and every sort of work study job imaginable to get there, as well as help from parents and even grandparents. That is a story similar to so many working and middle class americans. But for too Many Americans today the costs of a Higher Education is simply unaffordable. The question is, do you go without it at all, even though 2 3 of the jobs by the end of this decade will require so many form of a Higher Education . So do you just forego a Higher Education all together . Or do you take on tens of thousands of Student Loans . And then be burdened paying back that debt upon graduation . Either scenario is far from ideal. So what the president said, and i completely agree with, is that lets make two years of Community College universal and free in this country. Now, that may be unthinkable today. 100 years ago it was unthinkable that a free fully funded High School Education would be universal. And yet for us that is reality today. It would be unthinkable for americans of my age and even an older age to imagine a time in which high school was not universal. Lets get there with two years of a college education. The second area the president focused on was the childcare tax credit. For so many working families and young families affording childcare is simply unaffordable. We have an opportunity through this budget to change that. To build on the successes of the last six years and finally prepare to make this century the second American Century. Ensuring that we have good high quality, affordable childcare is vital to this middle class. The reason why the last century was the American Century was because he we had the largest and most productive middle class in the world. Access to Higher Education, access to childcare are two necessary ingredients to making sure we have a strong and vibrant middle class in the 21st century. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon today. Senate Armed Services committee is holding a confirmation hearing nor Ashton Carter who you see on the screen. Hes president obamas nominee to be the new secretary of defense. Live coverage of that hearing is under way on cspan3. And you can watch the entire hearing tonight at 8 00 eastern on cspan. Over now to a House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing and that hearing is on the president s recently announced shift in cuba policy that would normalize relation was cuba and lift many travel and economic sanctions that have been placed for 50 years. Speaking now is Roberta Jackson state departments chief officer charged with implementing thepolicy. Shell be joined own treasury officials this year. Congressman ed royce is chairing this hearing. The successful resolution of these issues will enable a future u. S. Embassy to provide services commensurate with our Diplomatic Missions around the world. I hope you wont object to having seen our diplomats in action most recently if i take this opportunity to salute their tireless effort to advance our interests on the island. They are dedicated public servants. We have only just begun this effort to normalize relations and we appreciate that there is a diversity of views in the u. S. Congress on this effort towards cuba. We hope that we can Work Together to find Common Ground towards our shared goal of enabling the cuban people to freely determine their own future. Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. Smith. Thank you chairman royce. Ranking member engel, and members of the committee. Thank you for the invitation to appear before you today to discuss our recent amendments to the cuban assets control regulations. Ill be addressing the key changes we made to the regulations that treasurys office made on january 16 to implement the changes to u. S. Policy toward cuba announced by the president the month before. These amendments, sanctions related to cuba in a number of key areas including, travel remittances, financial service, and trade. And they are intended to have a direct and positive impact on the lives of the cuban people. Cuba is the only sanctioned program that restricts travel to a country. The recent regulatory amendments ease the travel restrictions by generally licensing certain travel within the 12 existing categories of travel and regulations. This means that the travelers who sea the criteria of the general licenses may travel to cuba and conduct travel related transactions there without requesting individual authorization from ofac. Travelle to cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited. These expanded general licenses are intended to lessen the burden on authorized travelers, making it easier for americans to travel to cuba, to interact with the cuban people, provide humanitarian assistance, and engage in certain educational and cultural activities. The regulatory amendments also authorize airlines to provide air Carrier Services to from, and within cuba in connection with authorized travel. Air carriers wishing to provide Services Still need to secure Regulatory Approvals from other concerned u. S. Government agencies such as the departments of transportation and homeland security. Travel agents and Tour Group Operators also now may provide travel services in connection with authorized travel. These changes are intended to make authorized travel easier and less expensive by reducing the paperwork burden for and increasing Competition Among those providing travel and carrier certificate is visses. Carrier services. To improve the speed and efficiency of payments between the United States and cuba, ofac has authorized u. S. Banks to establish u. S. Corresponding u. S. Accounts and allow travelers to use their credit and debit cards within cuba. Within the context of trade, they also modified the regulatory interpretation of the term cash in advance, which describes the financing requirement for trade between the United States and cuba, that is imposed by statute. Ofac has now revised its interpretation of the term to alout export of american produced agricultural, medical, and other authorized goods to cuba so long as payment is received by the u. S. Exporter prior to the goods arriving to a cuban port. This change should increase authorized u. S. Exports to cuba. Cuba has an International Penetration of blocksly Internet Penetration of blocksly 5 , one of the lowest in the world. In order to better facilitate the free flow of information to from, and among the cuban people, it eased restrictions to better provide efficient and adequate Telecommunication Services between the United States and cuba and to increase access to telecommunications and Internet Based Services for the cuban people. As i conclude, i should make one thing absolutely clear. Even with these changes i described, most transactions between the United States and cuba most imports, most exports, and most other activitieses remain prohibited. As ofac implements these changes, we will continue to enforce the Cuban Sanctions Program vigorously using all of our available tools and take action against violators as appropriate. The president s december 17 announcement laid out a new course for relations with cuba. Ofacs amendments to the regulations in concert with the regulatory revisions my colleague at commerce will highlight, marks significant changes to our cuban sanctions policy that implement the new changes announced by the president. These changes are intended to directly benefit the cuban people and help them to determine their own future. Thank you, im happy to answer any questions. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member engel, members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today to describe the department of commerces regulatory revisions to implement the cuba policy changes announced by the president on december 17. That the president noted these changes are intended to create more opportunities for the american and cuban people, promote positive change in cuba, and influence outcomes throughout the western hemisphere. On january 16, the department of commerces bureau of industry and security b. I. S. , amended the export Administration Regulations to authorize the export and reexport of certain items to cuba that are intended to improve the Living Conditions of the cuban people, support private sector Economic Activity strengthen Civil Society in cuba, and improve the free flow of information to, from and among the cuban people. The i. S. Amended the regulations to expand two existing general authorizations or license exceptions in the commerce regulations, create a new license exception, and describe a licensingpolicy. Licensingpolicy. Under the embargo trade with cuba, all items subject to the regulations, require license for export or reexport to cuba unless authorized by exception. They administer these exceptions with relevant throw. Thus the i. S. May issue licenses for specific transactions or make types of transactions eligible for license exceptions that support the goals of the United States policy while the embargo is in effect. Only items of lower technological sensitivity subject to limited export restrictions are eligible for these license exceptions. The first license exception that was expanded is the license exception related to the gift parcels, the change here is to allow consolidated shipments of gift parcels to go under this exception. Previously they required individual licenses. This change will enable more donations to the cuban people because individuals wish to know doe nate eligible items will no longer have to search for lanced consolidator. They also expanded license exception consumer communication device devices to now also authorize the commercial sale of commercial communication devices such as cell phones, mobile phones, computers, radios, and digital cameras. Previously these were only authorized under the license exception, if they were donated. Now they can be sold commercially. The new license exception that we created is support for the cuban people. This license exception enables the export and reexport to cuba of items intended to empower the private sector by supporting private Economic Activity. Authorized items include Building Materials for private sector use tools and commim for private sector agricultural activity, and goods for use by private sector entrepreneurs such as ought heo mechanics, bashers, hairstylist, and restaurant yures. Its intended to meet the president s goal of supporting the private secretariesor and cuban sitens to lower prices to gain better economic independence from the state. Other provisions of the license exception authorized the temporary export by persons leaving the United States of items for their use in archaeological cultural, ecological educational, historic preservation, scientific, or sporting activities. It authorizes the export and reexport of certain donated items for use by the cuban people engaged in the activities i just mentioned, and the export and reexport of items to human rights organizations individuals, or nongovernment organizations that promote independents civil activity. These provisions implement the president s goals of harnessing the power ever people to People Engagement and helping the cuban people reach for a better future. As the president observed, nobody represents americas values better than the american people. To implement the president s goal empowering the cuban people by increasing access to information, particularly through the internet, and their ability to communicate with one another and people in the United States and the rest of the world, license exception authorized the export to cuba of items for the establishment and upgrade of Telecommunications Systems in addition to the consumer communication devices authorized by license exception c. C. D. Related provision ever license exception authorized the export and reexport to cuba of certain items for use by news media personnel and u. S. News bureaus engaged in gathering and dissemination of news to the general public. Lastly, this rule recognizes that environmental threats are not limited by national borders. And circumstances may warrant the export or reexport of certain items to cuba to protect u. S. And International Air quality, water quality, and coastlines. Although preexisting licensing policy provided the flexibility necessary to authorize such transactions, we have amended the regulations to improve such exports. In summary, these regulatory revisions implement the president s recently announced cuba policy changes consistent with the comprehensive environment of the United States maintains on trade with cuba. The changes support the president s goal of the United States becoming a better partner in making the lives of ordinary cubans a little bit easier and more free. And is in line with u. S. National security interests. I would also be pleased to answer questions. Thank you. Thank you. Id like to go to assistant secretary jacobson with a question. Administration negotiators stated that they did not seek human rights concessions in exchange for taking steps towards normalization. You know our concern about the state department and you not being included in this on the front end. Being kint in the dark on it. But kept in the dark on it. But the reality is that prodemocracy and human rights activists in cuba have lamented that human rights werent integral to these secret negotiations. In fact the lead cuban government negotiator who would be your counterpart, he said, change in cuba is not negotiable. We have no indication here that the cuban government intends to give ground. So if the regime refuses to ease its repression on the people in cuba how do our concessions advance the interests of the cuban people . Let me be clear, mr. Chairman, on part of this. I think its crucial to understand that there really were no concessions from the obama administration. Moving forward with the establishment of diplomatic relations is not a gift or a concession to governments. Its a channel communication. As you know having embassies in countries is often not seen by governments as a gift. Quite the contrary we are quite irritating to governments sometimes. And in fact its not necessarily something that the cuban government wanted. But we think the things that were announced on december 17 are a much more effective way to pursue our own national interest. We believe that we can more effectively pursue the human rights policies, the democracy policies that we want in empowering the cuban people and in having that direct channel with the cuban government to convey those concerns and to work with allies around the hemisphere who no longer fear association with the policy they did not support. I could just point out, what youre leaving out of the equation here is the fact that under these initiatives that the white house took, without the state department, the white house took, the white house is now increasing the amount of dollars that flows into cuba specifically that 234r0es flows into the regime and helps the regimes bottom line, at a time when the regime, as you could have told the white house now faces being cut off in terms of the subsidy from venezuela. So at the very time you would think we would exert leverage, you have a situation instead where youve got sort of a lifeline. Thats my concern. Let me go to another question i had and that is last week raul castro stated that normalizing bilateral relations with u. S. Would not be possible until the u. S. Returns the naval station at Guantanamo Bay to cuba. Is the administration considering transferring this military asset back to the cuban people . Ill remind you when we talked with the state department before on negotiations on another subject, the state dint spokesman said une state Department Spokesman said unequivocally the United States is not considering the release of any member of the cuban five one of who was convicted for his part in killing four americans, for alan gross. Weve got a little history of hearing one thing and then finding out another after the fact. But on this question on guantanamo the issue of guantanamo is not on the table in these conversations. I want to be clear that what we are talking about right now is the reestablishment of diplomatic relations which is only one first step in normalization. Obviously the cuban government has raised guantanamo. We are not interested in discussing that. We are not discussing that issue or return of guantanamo. We also, i want to be clear, we didnt return the cuban agents for mr. Gross. We returned the cuban agents for an intelligence agent that we wanted. Let me ask you one last question. For years the castro regime has perceived broadcasting by our office, cuba broadcasting as a threat. Last week the cuban government referred to these as illegal and castro has demanded that the broadcast be stopped. To what extent from our blasts been discussed as part of these broadcast been discussed as part of these talks . The cuban government has raise the both radio and tv both in migration talks and they raise them again as part of a list of things that they object to in the normalization talks. But we have no plans to end those, either. I know that cubas demanding that they be shut down. Im hoping to hear you say that we are demanding that cuba drop its jamming. Im going to go to mr. Engel because my time is up. Thank you. Thank you. Secretary jacobson, let me just give you a broad leeway because you have answered some of this. I wanted to hear more. How do you answer the critics who say that we gave away the store . That weve we had leverage and we just tossed it away, didnt get concessions in exchange and if we didnt, doesnt it show you that the true intentions of the castro regime . Raul castro has reportedly said touted the fact that he gave up nothing. Essentially we made all the concessions. How do you answer that . I appreciate the question congressman. I really do, because i think its important theres nothing in what we decided on the 17th that we believe is a concession to the cuban government. It is true that we have begun to talk about diplomatic relations. It is also true that we are going to try and move forward with embassies in each others countries. We strongly believe that having an embassy in havana will enable us to do more things that help us more effectively empower the cuban people, not high, necessarily, on the cuban governments list of desires. We also believe that by allowing American Companies to engage in Telecommunications Sales and acting to get greater information into cuba to work with the entrepreneurs who i sat down with while i was there, we can begin to increase the pace at which people separate themselves from the state. Also not something that the cuban government has on its list of priorities. I think that they may tout this as support for their government, but we have diplomatic relations with lots of governments around the world with whom we sharply disagree. Its a channel. Its a mechanism. Its not, as somebody said yesterday on the senate side, its not the good housing keeping seal of approval. We will continue to speak out on human rights, support democracy activists, but we believe that this policy has become such an irritant in our work with other latin american countries, with ourure peaian allies, that with our european allies, that it works with bringing out that support in cuba. I mentioned in my statement that i was pleased with the release of the 53 political prisoners, but obviously much more remains to be done on the human rights front in cuba. The havanabased Cuban Commission on human rights and National Reconciliation reported 8899 shortterm detentions in 2014, that was a 39 increase over 2013. So whats the obama administrations strategy for pushing the cuban government to improve its human rights record . Are we working with other governments in the region and in the European Union to urge the cuban government to put an end to shortterm detentions and harassment of dissidents . I think thats a really important point because i think this question of shortterm detentions is a crucial one. We obviously have seen a shift from longer term sentences to shortterm detentions. That number has gone way up in the last year. Its of enormous concern to us. And we have made it clear both to the cuban government directly now and these talks and others, but also with allies to international organizations, that its unacceptable. We do believe and we have had those conversations already that the new policy enables us to work better with other governments. The reaction of many governments in the region was we strongly support your policy shift. It has changed the dynamic. What can we do to help . As we prepare for the summit of the americas, which you mentioned, we believe that cuban Civil Society activists, independent human rights activists will have an opportunity to interact with latin american leaders for the first time. All of those things i think will help. That same National Commission has noted noticed a drop in shortterm detentions in january. Not a trend. I want to be clear about that. We cannot know whether that is the beginning of a trend. And we will be watching that very carefully because it must end. Not just come down, but it must end. You mentioned Civil Society. I want to ask my final question about Civil Society and the some of the americas. What conversations have you had with your panamanian counterparts to ensure that theres robust participation from cuban Civil Society at the summit of americas . And in your discussions with cuban government officials in havana, did you urge them to allow the Civil Society leaders from the island to participate in the summit . Did you encourage cuban political dissidents to participate in the summit . The answer to all those questions is yes. We have had extensive conversations with the panamanian government, with the nongovernmental organizations that will be organizing the Civil Society forum, with other n. G. O. s around the hemisphere, including in the United States. As well as making sure that the rule for the Civil Society summit are not the same as in previous years. Previously it has been that you could only participate if you were an n. G. O. Registered with the o. A. S. , which would preclude cuban independent organizations. That will not be the case this year. So that cuban dissidents and independent organizations may be invited. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. We go now to ileana roslehtinen. Thank you so much, mr. Chairman. As we know, the u. S. Has been negotiating in secret with this sadistic dictatorship for now 20 months because its still secret. For 18 of those months, the white house negotiated in supersecret to trade three convicted spies for an intersent american. Even if you say that was not a swap thats just so disingenuous. Assistant secretary jacobson, this week in the senate, just yesterday, you testified, quote, this policy is not based on the castro regime changing. You said more or less that now. We have no illusions over that. End quote. Let me get this straight. We are tell graphing to the castro telegraphing to the castro regime ahead of time it doesnt have to change. We have no illusions that its going to change. So are we going to get further concessions from this administration . What is the point of negotiations if you say we are negotiating, we have no illusions, lets see where this leads us. Media have been reporting just this week that arrests in cuba for last month, in january decreased to only 178. Making it seem like the arrest of peaceful prodemocracy activists, 178 of them is a low number. Only in castros cuba could the arrest of 178 people in one month be considered a victory. For the president s state of the Union Address last month, i invited marlena, the daughter of armando, they were also kept in the dark about this tradenontrade swapnonswap. Her party was murdered by the castro regime when his brothers to the rescue plane was shot down over international waters. On december 17, the president released and pardoned hernandez a cuban spy, who was convicted in our u. S. Courts for conspiracy to commit murder for his connection to the shoot down. So the family wanted me to ask you these questions assistant secretary jacobson. How will i explain to my three little girls that their u. S. Marine vietnam veteran grandfather was denied the only justice for his murder when her regardo hernandez was Gerardo Hernandez was set free pardoned, and returned to cuba . Next question, why was the u. S. So willing to give hernandez the opportunity to father a child while he was in prison . Very interesting. When some of the victims of the shoot down will never be able to have children of their own . Now as if negotiating in secret is not bad enough, the castro regime continues to defy this administration as the chairman had pointed out and the Ranking Member, setting preconditions publicly on the negotiations such as the demanding the return of the land of guantanamo, which is so vite allege to u. S. National security interests vital to u. S. National security interests. It is so pathetic for this strong wonderful, generous country to look so weak when negotiating with the castro regime. Isnt it true that cuba owes american taxpayers at least 8 billion in certified claims for the unlawful taking of property, of businesses, of unpaid debt owed to the american citizens . Isnt it true that cuba has failed to pay these claims for close to 60 years, and isnt it true that u. S. Law requires that these claims be resolved before relations be normalized . So i urge all of your departments to explain how illegally confiscated properties will be resolved. U. S. Claim holders deserve their claims to be protected. Dont you agree . And assistant secretary jacobson its important to note that what the castro regime will do with this new assistance that president obama is going to provide on telecommunications. In 2012, Pope Benedict visited the island as you know. The castro regime responded with rounding up and arresting hundreds of Civil Society individuals and he blocked the phones of the opposition leaders. As we know, castro held an american in jail for five years for trying to provide internet equipment to the Jewish Community in cuba. So the track record is clear about castro and his hatred of this telecommunication equipment. In the latest misguided talks the castro regime asked the u. S. Intersection to stop providing interknit services for the Internet Services for the cuban people. The track record is clear. Has no intent of opening up the internet or telecommunications opportunities. In fact, given that opportunity its probably going to be used to further oppress the people of cuba. And then just one last, you can answer whenever you can, the secretary kerry lie to the United States congress when he told us that we would not free up these convicted murderers, these convicted spies . Or was he kept out of the dark of these negotiations . And would you were you part of the negotiations from the start or did you enter them later on . Ive run out of time. Thank you. Im just going to suggest a response in writing. That way we can go to mr. Brad sherman of california. Thank you. It says that our policy toward cuba the last 50 years has failed, this comes from an american view that its all about us. That the only thing that if cuba isnt better, it must be our policy that would have been different. Our policy is exactly different or has been for the last 50 years than europe and canadaspolicy. Maybe its their policy that failed to bring democracy to cuba. Maybe its ours. Ms. Jacobson, cuba got caught smuggling 240 tons of weapons to north korea, violated u. N. Sanctions. Cubas not cooperating in the u. N. Investigation. Are these reasons to keep cuba on the state sponsor of terrorism list . Congressman, we are undertaking the review of the state sponsor of terrorism list right now. We are evaluating all of the information i know that. We also made clear when we were looking at that incident that we did not we do think cubas behavior violated the sanctions regime. The only entity that was sanctioned, as you know, as a result of that investigation was the north Korean Company which can no longer operate. Ive got to reclaim my time. Ive got so many questions. Miss jacobson, americans paid in blood for cuban independence. We got a base in gaunt gaunts guantanamo thats valuable to our National Security. Are you prepared, and hopefully this is a yes or no question, to say right now this administration will not abandon return, or fail to pay the modest fee so that we can have that naval base for the next two years . I dont see that discussion taking place. Thats not what i was asking for. That was in your testimony. What can you make a commitment . You got to see it from our side here. We were shocked, so you telling me that youre not thinking of something means i got to get shocked tomorrow. The administration was so angry that they hadnt been consulted on bringing one guy to speak here. There was not a lot of consultation on this change of cuba policy. Would the administration object to language in our appropriations bill designed to make it impossible for this administration to