Transcripts For CSPAN Politics Public Policy Today 20130920

Were closing their doors five years ago, plants like this were closing their doors. Manufacturing,f the Auto Industry was flatlining. Its own standing on feet and made smart decisions, andalan will tell you if gm chrysler had gone down, suppliers would go down, dealers would have gone down. All of that wouldve had a propellant had a profound impact on ford. I refuse to let that happen. We work with labor and management. Everybody put some skin in the game. We bet on the american worker. Today that that has paid off because the american Auto Industry has come roaring back. [applause] the big three are all profitable hiring new workers, not just building more cars. You are building better cars and trucks. Look at what is going on at the plant. F1 50 is built tougher and more fuel efficient than ever. [applause] you have trouble making them fast enough. You had to bring on a third shift of 900 workers to keep up with demand. [applause] invested 1. 1 billion in this plant, pretty new workers will be joining you on these Assembly Lines in Good Union Jobs building ford vehicles. [applause] more jobs building cars means more jobs for suppliers and distributors. The folksore jobs for who own the restaurants in town or the bars, depending on [laughter] it has an impact on your tax base. It has an impact on the teacher who teaches your kids, the First Responder who keep you safe. All those people are impacted by your success. That fundamental idea that when when some of us are doing well, it is ok. But when everybody has a stake, that is when things start rolling. That is at the heart of every decision i have made as president. When the middle class does better, we all do better. Do better. Workers do better. Verybody does better [applause] in the depth of the crisis, we passed the recovery act to make sure we put a floor below which this country could not fall. We put money in folks pockets with tax breaks helping to keep teachers and firefighters on the job. Our businesses have added 7. 5 million new jobs. [applause] we help responsible homeowners stay in their homes. One of the biggest settlements in history for people who wrongfully lost their homes. Today our Housing Market has healed. We took on the tax code that was too skewed to the wealthy. 2 toed those in the top pay more. Today middleclass tax rates are near the alltime low. Deficits are falling a fastest rate since world war i ii. That is what we did. We invested in new American Technologies to end our addiction to foreign oil. Arey we armored generating more renewable energy, produce more natural gas than anybody in the world. We are about to produce more of our own oil than we buy overseas for the first time in nearly 20 years. [applause] and we took on a broken health care system. Weeks, millions of americans who have been locked out of the Insurance Market are finally going to be able to get Quality Health care. [cheers and applause] out of every 10 americans currently uninsured, six of those 10 will be able to get coverage for less than 100 a month, less than your cell phone bill. [applause] working just like you have been working the last 4. 5 years. We have cleared away the rubble from the crisis. We have started to lay a new foundation for Economic Growth and prosperity. We all had to make adjustments. Im assuming some folks had to tighten their belts and get rid of debt, focus on things that matter, cut out things you did not need. We have shown the world the American People are tough, resilient. The only thing built tougher fordfor trucks ford trucks are the American People. That is what we showed them. [applause] that is the good news. Any working person, middleclass family will tell you we are not yet where we need to be. The economy is growing but it needs to grow faster. We are producing jobs, but we need to create more jobs and more good paying jobs. We have got to make sure we are rebuilding an economy that does not work from the top down, but works from the middle out. That gives opportunity to folks that still do not have a job. We have got to make sure workers are sharing in growth and productivity. Even though businesses are creating jobs, the top 1 took him 20 of the nations income last year. The average worker barely saw a radius saw a raise. It aint fair. It is not right. The trends that have taken hold the last few years of a winner take all economy, a few folks in the top doing better and better and everybody else treading water or losing ground, that is not a model we want. It has been made worse by the recession. What i have been doing the last couple of months, i have been visiting towns like liberty, traveling all across the country talking about what we need to do to reverse those trends and make sure we have a Better Bargain for middleclass americans. Pay good wages, education that prepares our kids for a global economy, a home that is secure, Affordable Health care that is there when you get sick, a secure retirement you can if you are not rich. All of those things that make for a secure life so you can raise your kids and have confidence they will do better than you did. That is what i am focused on. That is what you are focused on. That is what congress should be focused on. [cheers and applause] which brings me to the current situation. [laughter] about what is going on back in washington. Right now, congress is in the middle of the budget debate. There is nothing new about that. Every year, congress has to pass a budget. It is always a contentious process. Recovery stillur needs to build more strength, so it is important we get it right in washington because even though our success as a country is ultimately going to depend on great businesses like ford, hard workers like you, government has to do some things. Congress has to pass a budget to make sure our Education System ands and prepares our kids workers for the global economy. If were going to rebuild our roads, bridges, ports, government has got to be involved in that. If were going to have Scientific Research and development i was looking at all of this new equipment here. Some of the things that allowed the efficiencies of this plant andinated in laboratories scientists doing work on the government side. That is how we have always maintained our cutting edge. These are things that help us grow. These are things that help the private sector succeed. You whenell people tell you government is irrelevant, no. Everything we do has some connection to making sure we collectively as a democracy are making Smart Investments in the future. That is how it has always been. [applause] Look Congress is doing right now is important. Unfortunately, right now the debate going on in congress is not meeting the test of middle class families. They are not focused on you. They are focused on politics. They are focused on trying to mess with me. [laughter] you. Are not focused on you. Are not focused on [cheers and applause] there are two deadlines coming up that congress has to meet. I want folks to Pay Attention to this. Congress has to meet two deadlines. They are coming up quick. The most deadline, basic constitutional duty congress has is to pass a budget. That is congress 101. If they do not pass a budget by september 30 what is the date today . The 20th. If congress does not pass a budget in 10 days, a week from monday, the government will shut down. A Government Shutdown shuts down Many Services the American People rely on. This is not abstract. Hundreds of thousands of americans will not be allowed to go to work. Uniform,nd women in even those deployed overseas, will not get their paychecks on time. Small businesses will not get their loans processed. Happen asat has to long as Congress Passes a budget. Number one, pass the budget. Two, in the next few Weeks Congress must go to allow the department of the treasury to pay americas bills. Department, that is where we take in money and pay it. Real simple. This is usually done with a simple routine vote to raise what is called the debt ceiling. If you do not raise the debt ceiling, america cannot pay its bills. 1950s, congress has always passed it. Every president has signed it. Democrats, republicans, ronald reagan. [laughter] lyndon johnson. It does not matter. This is just a routine thing you have got to do so treasury can pay the bills. Not pass thises debt ceiling in the next few weeks, the United States will default on its obligations. That has never happened in American History. Basically, america becomes a deadbeat. World sees america not paying its bills, they will not bills fromreasury the United States. If they do, they will do it at much higher Interest Rates. F1 50e wanting to buy an will have to pay much higher Interest Rates eventually, which means you will sell less cars. That is one example of how profoundly distraught and destructive this could be. This is not an abstract thing. Raising the debt ceiling is not the same as approving more spending. Anymore than making your Monthly Payments adds to the koegel tossed as to the total cost of your truck. You do not say i will not pay the note for my truck because im going to save money. Your not saving money. You already bought the truck. You have to pay the bills. And younot saving money might have decided not to buy the truck and but once you bought the truck, you cannot say youre saving money by not paying the bills. Does that make sense . [applause] so raising the debt ceiling does not cost a dime. It does not add a penny to the deficit. All it says is you have to pay for what Congress Already said we are paying spending money on. If you do not do it, we could have another financial crisis. I know a lot of people are concerned about deficits. Our deficits are not coming down so quickly that by the end of the year we will have cut them more than in half since i took office. [applause] i just want to break this down one more time. Dealership andd drive off with the new f150. Unless i paid cash, i still have to pay for it each month. I cannot just say i will not make my car payment this month. That is what congress is threatening to do, just saying i will not pay the bills. There are consequences to that. The bill collectors start calling you. Your credit go south and you have got all kinds of problems. The same is true for a country. Thee do not raise this debt ceiling, we are deadbeats. If we fail to increase the debt limit, we would send our economy into a tailspin. Way. Is a quote by the do you know who said it . The republican speaker of the house, john boehner. He has said if we do not pay our bills, we will have an economic tailspin. Why has it not been done . Democrats and some Reasonable Republicans in congress are willing to raise the debt ceiling and pass a sensible budget. I want to work with democrats and republicans to do just that. Claire mccaskill is ready to do it. [applause] cleaver is ready to do it. [applause] just passed the budget and raise the debt ceiling, we can get back to focusing on growing oureconomy and educating kids, all of the things we have to do. Unfortunately, there is a faction on the far right of the Republican Party who convinced their leadership to threaten a Government Shutdown and potentially threaten to not raise the debt ceiling if they cannot shut off the Affordable Care ought Affordable Care act also known as obamacare. They are not talking about spending cuts or entitlement reform. Now they are talking about something that has nothing to do with the budget. Right . They are actually willing to plunge america into default if we cannot defund the Affordable Care act. Lets put this in perspective. The Affordable Care act has been in law for three years. The Supreme Court will do it constitutional. It was an issue in last years election. The guy running against me said he would repeal it. We won. [cheers and applause] the voters were pretty clear on this. Republicans in congress tried to repeal or sabotage this more than 40 times. Every time, they have failed. Is in place is already providing people benefits. It is not holding back Economic Growth. It is helping millions of americans, including some of you or your family members you may not be aware of. You can keep your kids on your own Health Insurance plan. Someone is raising their hand right here. Until they are 26 because of the Affordable Care act. [applause] that is one of the main reasons the number of uninsured among young people has gone down over the last three years. Fromrs are benefiting discounted Prescription Drug costs because of the law. If you have got Health Insurance, Insurance Companies cannot impose lifetime limits on you. They cannot use the fine print not to pay if you get sick. Insurance companies have to spend 80 of your premiums on your health care, not on administrative costs and ceo bonuses. Those are happening right now. And Health Care Costs have actually increased at the slowest rate in 50 years, so this is helping to reduce Health Care Costs across the economy. [applause] finally, starting october 1, it is going to help millions more people who do not have Health Insurance right now. Were going to set up rules so just like a worker at ford can benefit from good insurance rates with a lot of workers in one pool, now people who do not have the good fortune to work at ford can also get a good deal. That is what they are fighting for. They want to repeal all of that. They say were going to hold our ground. If you cannot do not repeal it, we will send the economy into default. They will send our economy into a tailspin just like Speaker Boehner said. They want to threaten to fall just to make sure that millions of americans continue not to have health care. D funding Affordable Health care would rob 25 million americans of the chance to get health care coverage. It would cut basic Health Care Services for millions of seniors on medicare already. That is what House Republicans are fighting for. They have gone beyond Holding Congress hostage. They are holding the whole country hostage. One republican senator called shutting the government down over the Affordable Care act, the dumbest idea i have ever heard. I agree with him. [applause] but that is the strategy they are pursuing. The house voted on it today. I tell you what. The American People have worked too hard for too long digging out of a real crisis just to let politicians in washington cause another crisis. [applause] this is the United States of america. We are not some banana republic. This is not a deadbeat nation. We do not run out on our tabs. We are the worlds that iraq investment. Bedrock investment. The world looks to us to make sure the economy is stable. Even threatening Something Like that is irresponsible. I will not negotiate over the full faith and credit of the United States. [cheers and applause] anyonet going to allow to harm this countrys reputation. I will not allow them to inflict economic pain on millions just so they can make an ideological point. But i need you to help. I need you to help Tell Congress to pay our bills on time, pass a budget on time, stop governing from crisis to crisis. Where itocus back on should be, on you, the American People, creating new jobs come a growing our economy, restoring security for middleclass families. That is what you deserve. [applause] it is like they do this every six months. [laughter] isnt it . I do not mind them disagreeing with me. If they would rather people not have Health Insurance, i am happy to have that debate with them. But you do not have to threaten to blow the whole thing up just because you do not get your way. [laughter] right . [applause] i think about something jordan said. Her grandfather worked in this plan, ill go, stepmom worked in this plan. Now she and her brother worked in this plan as the next generation of American Workers at great iconic american company. Our country is coming back because of the resilience and determination of American Workers like jordan and her family. Every day all over this country there are people just like jordan and her brother. They wake up, go to work, live up to their responsibilities, do their jobs, pay their bills. Shouldnt you expect the same thing from the people in washington . [applause] shouldnt you expect the same thing from members of congress . [cheers and applause] just do your job. Do not be the other guy. Be the guy who is doing your job. No obstruction. No games. Hostageng the economy if you do not get 100 of what you want. Nobody gets 100 of what you want. You know that in your own lives. I do not know how many are married, but you had better learn not to get 100 of what you want, otherwise you will be divorced quick, especially you man, i am telling you. [laughter] you should expect the same common sense out of congress. You should expect some theassion, compromise, conviction of leaders who wake up and go to work every day not to tear something down but to build something better. Not just for today but for the world we want to leave our kids. That is my conviction. That is my commitment to you. If we start thinking about you instead of politics and how you can get your base start up, stirred up, we will be able to get this country back to where we want it to be. If congress will act with the same decency you do every day, economy will be stronger five years from now, 50 years from now. As long as i have the privilege of serving as your president , that is what i will be focused on. Thank you, everybody. God bless. [applause] i will provide for you i will stand by your side leave behind your sorrows tomorrow there will be sunshine big wheels rolled through fields where sunlight streams the land of hope and dreams this train carries saints and sinners this train carries losers and winners carries hopesn and dreams dreams will not be thwarted faith will be rewarded freedom reigns [saxophone solo] whoresrain carries and gamblers this train carries lost souls train carries fools dreams will not be forwarded faith will be rewarded you are not alone dont pay no mind to the demons that fill you with fear trouble in life may drag you down you get up and down we are not alone own, makes this play sure place yourke this own politico reports president obama and former president bill clinton on tuesday will discuss implementation of the health the law in new york with Clinton Global Initiative and the human global assembly. That is a followup on the speech bill clinton gave in little rock earlier this month. That is in our Video Library at www. Cspan. Org. The president talking about what congress is getting done on the budget today. The house approved the continuing resolution funding the federal government passed the end of the fiscal year, september 30, through december 15. 230189. It also defines the health care law. Some reaction from cspan viewers via twitter. Frank says the house continues its guerrilla war against the American People by destroying our government. I like how people are trying to blame the republicans for trying to shut down the government. Republicans just past the budget. David says i want their crystal ball. Vote 230did pass the 189. And 20f that, one hour minutes of debate on the house floor. I yield myself five minutes. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes. The continuing resolution we bring up today will keep the government operating into the next fiscal year. Is base c. R. Straightforward. It is clean. It is shortterm. It continues reductions in federal Discretionary Spending. But most importantly, it will prevent the Government Shutdown. The legislation also includes an amendment to the base bill was adds theas the text bill to defund the Affordable Health care act. It will fund the government for the first 76 days of fiscal year 2014 until december 15 2013. Over 93 dollars billion in funding, approximately the same rate as the coast sequestration level with minor adjustments. The base bill is extremely clean. Additional provisions were only added in a limited number of cases where adjustments were needed to prevent catastrophic shortfalls or unintended disruptions to critical programs or services. It simply keeps the lights on in our government to provide for the safety, security, and well being of all americans. I would like to remind my colleagues in the house and the other body that a Government Shutdown is a political game in which everyone loses. It shirks one of our most basic duties as members of congress and puts our National Security at stake. Legislation if this is not enacted and we embark on a Government Shutdown, the consequences are severe. Our brave men and women in uniform do not get paid. Economy will take a huge hit. Our most formidable citizens, including the elderly and veterans who rely on critical services, could be left high and dry. A Government Shutdown, even the illusion of a threat of the shutdown, says to the American People that this congress does not have their best interests at heart. Resolution keeps this Congress Moving in the right direction. Solve thes time to urgent fiscal issues facing our nation, finding a balanced and attainable plan that eliminates sequestration, implements careful reforms for discretionary and mandatory spending, and keeps our economy growing. That house will pass this bill today and that the senate will act in short order so that this matter will be wrapped up well before the deadline on the 30th. I urge my colleagues to do their house andmbers of the to do what is best for this country and vote yes on this bill today. I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from kentucky reserves. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Thank you. I yield myself such time as i may consume. I will oppose this continuing resolution. On september 10, chairman rogers introduced the c. R. And his statement noted this bill is free of controversy own riders and does not seek to change existing federal policy. How things have changed. Unfortunately, this new package will attach not one but two politically motivated ill conceived doomed provisions. One directs the president s to pay certain debts but not others in case House Republicans are determined to default on americas obligations. The other would defund the Affordable Care act. The Affordable Care act has farreaching consequences for all americans. Is enacted,se c. R. No funds could be used to administer payments calculated on the basis of aca provisions. Patients, doctors, hospitals, medical suppliers, and other Health Providers would all experience significant disruptions read many of the improvements to medicare made by ca would also have to be bettered, such as coverage for preventive services, lower costs for drug benefits, stronger tools to combat health care fraud. Most importantly, undermining the implementation of the aca only gives our medical choices back to the Insurance Companies and keeps Health Insurance costs much too high for too many families. The House Republicans default plan is flawed as well. If theyrity proposes force defaults on federal debt, the u. S. Should prioritize payments to treasury bond holders. Owned. H, 47 are foreign while we pay back china, the following americans would be pushed to the back of the line. Troops,ion activeduty 780,000 troops in reserve, 3. 4 million disabled veterans who served their country with honor, 1. 1 million doctors, and others who provide health care to seniors with medicare. Schoolson children in that need payments to continue serving nutritious lunches, 44,000 National Institutes of conducting life saving medical research and providing an estimated 500,000 jobs. Jobs,uld be focused on leading people to work. Instead, the republicans want to play games of rinks manship of brinksmanship on the budget and debt limit even though the foreseeable consequence will be plummeting stock markets and businesses freezing hiring. Republican budget plan shortchanges american jobs and infrastructure. It results in education and defense layoffs. It closes headstart and Afterschool Program and divests in health research. The sequester will cost the 1. 6ed states economy up to million jobs over the next year. I hope that some point we are able to agree on a bipartisan c. R. That can be enacted. The one before us is not it. Unfortunately, we will be back here again next week facing the same crisis. I yield back. I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized. I yield two minutes to the chairman of the subcommittee on energy. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized for two minutes. I rise in support of the continuing resolution with no small amount of frustrations. We work hard on our energy and water bill putting months of work into it. It has passed the house and is now held up. Ours was tough but a balanced bill. We made difficult choices to get under the 960 billion cap set by the house while still funding our critical priorities. Strong national defense, the work of the army corps of engineers, and the work of the department of energy. All of that work will be thrown away unless we deal with sequestration and get back to what we call regular order. Coming up with an approach to or eliminates sequestration is going to take time. As those decisions are being made, our business must be kept open for business. The government must provide critical services. Government shutdown for services will be defended. Military members will not be paid. Their families will suffer. This would be an unpardonable breach of trust to our citizens in uniform. Many army corps of engineers activities would grind to a halt. That includes the dredging of waterways critical to american jobs and businesses and work on Flood Control structures. In our national laboratories, critical work to maintain the reliability of our Nuclear Weapons would also slow down. That would be unconscionable. Our Work Overseas to ensure Nuclear Materials are kept out of the hands of those who do our country harm would also be curtailed. Resolution for us is a limited, temporary measure which includes no objectionable provisions, ensures the government keeps its obligations to the American People. Theeserves passage so senate can quickly begin its consideration of the measure. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentlewoman from new jersey is recognized. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Without objection. This build the funds more than the Affordable Care act. It undermines medical care. Benefits in new Prescription Drug benefits. In increases costs to those with medicare advantage. It hurts children covered by chip as well as the disabled. More peril fors our country. Twon the house are like ships passing in the night. House republicans will pass this bill. It will sail off to the senate, surely to return after the senate has stripped off the effort to defund the Affordable Care act. Then it will be squarely up to the speaker of this house. Will he act as the captain of the entire house of representatives or remain a cap if of his right wing republican mates . About therry mainly risk to his speakership or the risk to our entire nation . , taking theicans ship over the cliff would take the nations economic wellbeing with it. This is the inevitable danger of the course being chosen today by House Republicans. Only those blinded by rigid ideology can fail to see it. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman yields back. Yorkentlewoman from new reserves. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized. I yield two minutes to the chairman from the Homeland Security subcommittee. The gentleman from texas is recognized for two minutes. Have pushed for the return to regular order. Will allowterm c. R. Us to do that by giving us time to finalize a broader budget , complete the appropriations bill, and get our fiscal house in order by getting the budget process back in regular order. Our appropriations process oversight of the sprawling federal bureaucracy. It matters to control our government spending. It is a basic duty of the congress that is explicitly spelled out in the constitution. Prevent acessary to disastrous Government Shutdown that no one wants. Thise the senate to pass and the president to sign it into law as soon as possible to avoid a devastating and avoidable Government Shutdown. Bill respondshis to the clear will of the American People by defunding obamacare, a tremendously flawed that will wreak havoc on businesses and citizens. Like it must be repealed thank you for your leadership and commitment to regular order and to ensuring in the next few 14ks we wrap up the fy process the right way, by conferencing all 12 appropriation bills. I urge members to support this and look forward to a quick passage in the senate and signature by the president to keep the government running and avoid a shutdown. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. I am pleased to yield to my good friend, chairman rogers. Minutes to the gentleman from texas. The gentleman from texas is recognized for two minutes. Today the constitutional conservatives in the house are keeping their word to our nation to stand true to our principles to protect them from the most unpopular law ever passed in the history of the country, obamacare, that intrudes on their privacy. Our most sacred right as americans is to be left alone. We have also kept our word in this continuing resolution to ensure our government continues to operate while we negotiate in good faith with the president and senate to find a way forward. Our shortterm resolution fully funds every aspect of the government. It is important to remember the senate has had the military construction and Veterans Affairs bill for over three months. They could have passed a long time ago. The senate has had the defense appropriations bill since late july. They could have passed that bill a long time ago and put it on the president s desk. We could have ensured our military would be paid. The senate has had the Homeland Security bill since june and they have done nothing. The senate has had the water bill since july 10 and have done nothing. We have done our job in the house. The conservative majority have kept our word to the constituents and the nation to do our job to fund the essential aspects of the government and ensure we have done everything in our power to protect our constituents from the most unpopular piece of legislation ever passed in the history of obamacare, by defunding it while protecting Core Functions of the government. It is essential we pass this continuing resolution today to ensure we have funding available to handle the disability claims backlog, the resources necessary for the military to continue to need the facilities they around the world to ensure our men and women have everything they need to protect this great nation and our freedom in every corner of the planet. I urge members to join the supporting this continuing resolution and keep our word to defund obamacare. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. I am pleased to yield five minutes to the outstanding Ranking Member of the defense subcommittee of appropriations. The gentleman from indiana is recognized for five minutes. I appreciate the gentlewoman yielding. At the beginning of my remarks, i would want to it knowledge i made a mistake and i have been for the nearly three decades i have served in the United States congress. That,et to have to admit at this morning in anticipation of todays debate, i took a look at article one of the constitution and realized in article one, section nine, paragraph seven, i have been misreading it all of these years as a member of the Appropriations Committee. The paragraph reads, no money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence of a continuing resolution. Says nothingion about appropriations apparently. , thisfiscal year 07 chamber and the senate, congress collectively, should have decisions, 84 Appropriations Bills. We have individually and acted enacted nine. Im appalled that in july and august, every member i have talked to in this chamber on havesides of the aisle said if we can only do a continuing resolution, we can prevent the shutdown of the United States government. In the United States congress, we consider it a success if all we do is pass a continuing resolution to do what we did in fiscal year 13. 12,we did in fiscal year fiscal year 11 10, 9, 8, and seven. We are governing this country by looking backwards. We have a responsibility to make decisions. I want to remind my colleagues just on the defense portion of this bill, some of the initiatives that will not take place because of the continuing resolution. Under the leadership of the members of the subcommittee, one our initiatives is to cut 153 point 5 million for unjustified cost growth of the joint strike fighter. One of the initiatives we would like to enact into law but cannot under the continuing resolution is for the ea18g. 13 1. 4 million for carryovers and cost growth. What we would like to do if we could legislate in this body is for the f18, we would like to trim 104 million. Imagine cutting the defense Million Dollars for money not needed in the coming fiscal year. Jammer, eneration 99. 9 million we would like to reduce because of poor Program Execution and contractor lays. In the last couple of months, we had a failed Ballistic Missile defense test. We would like to reduce that accounting. Take the initiative to cut it by 110 million. But lets do a continuing resolution. Lets not make a decision about how we should fund the National Park service. What about the u. S. Copyright office . What is there to fight over . Funding the copyright office. What about the bureau of engraving and printing . A catastrophic fight we are having because they will be under a continuing resolution. The National Institutes of allergies and Infectious Diseases i am concerned and want to make it clear i profoundly appreciate the leadership of chairman rogers and Ranking Member and get the job done but if this continuing resolution does not pass as is, until the summer 15th december 15, i have a profound failure that our congress would be so exhausted from looking too in other crisis next month, that we will do a c. R. For the rest of the fiscal year, and we will never go back to doing a governments of this. Ountry two minutes to the gentlemen from florida. Speaker. You, madam leadership inyour this very difficult appropriations process. I think everybody agrees that the appropriation process is one of the most important options of this congress, if not the most important. While we would all like to be here, having finished all of the bills, theres wasnt quite enough time. Why were asking today is for the members to adopt this continuing resolution. To continue pondering the government the next three months at the same level that was funded last year. That would give us the time as the body, to finish all of the Appropriations Bills. House,ve passed in this i know that the subcommittee that id share, financial services, we had a number of hearings about the members work , it to set priorities passed the subcommittee and the full committee and is ready to go before the house. There are some very important things and that bill. About the irstory and how they singled out groups and individuals based on their political philosophy, and subjected them to intimidation and bullying. We were all outraged, and so in our bill, we make revision provision. We hold you accountable, no more of this. What actually condition some of the funding to the irs as to whether or not they will put into place the safeguards that have been recommended to make su continue this kind of outrageous behavior , and also make sure that its does not happen again. So, i think we should pass this continuing resolution, to fund the government for this short. Of time, to put into place the spending bills and priorities that make the tough choices that we have to make in these times. Colleagues tomy vote yes on this continuing resolution, and i yield back my time. The german from new york is recognized. Gentlewoman from tech kentucky is rigorous. Yield to the gentleman from idaho. You that my tell good friend from indiana, i agree with them. The floore people on in the appropriate committee agree with them. We need to get back to regular order am aware we has individual Appropriations Bills and get them done. So far we have not been able to do that, so it is necessary to do a sort term cr c. R. We haverd a last heard that the House Republicans are trying to shut down the , and that is not true. We need to work on our individual bills, and that is what we are working on. We cannot fall into the abyss of a longterm c. R. We were outou know, reducing the number of fish in the streams the summer. We saw the effects of the fires in idaho and throughout the west. We were able to get into this c. R. 636 million additional dollars 636 million additional. If we do individual bills, we will be able to keep it, but we need to get into where we do individual Appropriations Bills, where we get our priorities met and some people think that a longterm c. R. Would actually reduce the spending. If we look at where we were last year the the epa spending about 75 million more than it would have. If you think that is the way to save money, it is not. We need to do our jobs. While i am talking about the forest Fire Fighting Service Provider to tell you about how the cruise and services around the country, they did an amazing, amazing job. They ought to be proud of the work they do, and we should congratulate them. The gentlest time has expired. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. The gentlewoman from new york reserves, the gentleman from kentucky is recognized. The yield one minute to gallon from texas. The gentleman from texas is recognized for one minute. The Affordable Care act is affecting my family. I am a single mother, i have raised five boys on my own. I currently work two jobs to keep up with my monthly mortgage and agility bills. This is because my primary employer would not hire me to work more than 29 hours per week thanks to obamacare. Now i have to work seven there is a week at two jobs to make ends meet. Wilan think of all i have these jobs of i am unable to abide supervision and for and that is idea why some i feel my son needs. My son is now living with relatives in another city. I feel depressed that obamacare has ripped my family apart, and their burden on me. Madam speaker, real person, real tragedy. It is time to defund obamacare. Expired. Nute has yorkentleman from new reserves, the dont want from kentucky is recognized. The yield two minutes to gentlelady from texas. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized for two minutes. Thank you for allowing me to speak, and for the hard work you put into the building committees. I rise in support of the continuing resolution to keep ie government operating, and hope that the resolution will help congress and the white house time to come together on the budget. Id share the state foreign operations committee, and funding the bill directly supports u. S. National security. The world has never been more dangerous, and to cut back our activities at this time would be irresponsible. Failed or failed to get a c. R. Enacted would weaken our ability overseas. We would radically reduce our influence in the middle east and asia. Military assistance to our allies, such as israel, would be not be as planned, potentially jeopardizing the effectiveness of our partners. This would also affect the jobs of american men and women through usmade equipment. Failure to pass this c. R. Could delay will the tatian of the benghazi accountability review board, and copper mines the safety of our diplomats who continue to serve a broad. We passedrtant that this resolution today and that the Senate Considered as soon as possible. It is the response ability of congress to keep the government open and working for those who elected us read this bill simply does that. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote yes, and i yield back my time to the chairman. From kentuckyan reserves, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. We reserve as well. The gentleman from kentucky. I yield two minutes to the chairman of the state subcommittee on appropriations, the general and from virginia, mr. Wolf. I want to thank chairman rogers for working on this bill, it is very important. I rise in strong support for providing continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2014 through december 15. This bill is needed to keep Vital Government Services and programs operating past the end of the current fiscal year on december 30. At the gentleman from kentucky has stated, they Appropriations Committee has had significant progress on the annual Appropriations Bills. However, additional time is theed to have completion on 2014 appropriation work. This continues with the Discretionary Program under sequestration including programs with the subcommittee such as operation of the federal prison system, which you cannot shut down. Is workingm that with regards to benghazi, says that all that who are working counterterrorism, we have seen storms hit this nation. Down, ourto shut that nation is in serious financial trouble, and it is well past the time we put everything, everything on the Table Including entitlements and agreed to a longterm bath solution which includes an end to sequestration. Hopefully the 76 days provided in the resolution from the chairman would provide enough time for an overall agreement to be reached, and allow for regular proration bills or fiscal year 2014. Felly members numbers of congress to support this c. R. We need to fulfill our basic constitutional duty. I yield back the bounds of my time. The gentle woman from new york is recognized. We reserve. Feete gentleman from tech kentucky is recognized. This to theo chairman of the agriculture subcommittee. Thank you madam speaker, and for givingn rogers me the opportunity despite to speak. I think it is very obvious by the comments that the republicans have made on our side this morning that we do need to keep the government open at its current sequester funding level and provide the Vital Services that our constituents have grown to expect from the government, and make sure that we do not have a Government Shutdown. As chairman rogers mentioned, i chair the appropriations subcommittee on agriculture. Is it soask, why important that we keep the government open . Can we not just go with another yearlong c. R. . I would like to provide some 2014n why the f14 f. Y is better for the taxpayer. In the tag appropriations bill we direct the states to be in full compliance with wic and snap eligibility standards, and we increase oversight for vendors to rein in the cost. We require the usda to report on strategies that are being able but it to help weed out fraud, waste, and abuse in the snap program. One thing that i hear a lot year not the School School year regulations for meals for the students. You andre the commodity future trade committee to onelop cost benefit analysis several dodd frank for visions that are very costly. Encouraged the usda to finalize inspection roles in poultry operations, to the reduce federal cost. Produce a lot of poultry, that is very important. In closing, i fully support this bill, and ask for my colleagues to do the same. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Yield two minutes to this distinguished gentleman from california. The gentleman is recognized for two minutes. I think you and Ranking Member lowe. I rise in opposition to this radical white ring effort right wing efforts to walk our economy off a cliff. I urge my colleagues on the other side to wake up from this radical west dream and come back to reality. It is time for us to go to the negotiating table, and talk about what we can do to avoid a Government Shutdown. Today count our covered away from millions of people i blocking funding for obamacare, this is the 42nd attempt to do so, and there is no chance of it happening. Make sure that we have paid china first, it should the we defund demand that obamacare, it would be the first time we default on our debts. Then only hope that Republican Leadership will eventually listen to the pleas from the americans in mind district and the whole country but to pursue despite partisan efforts. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentlewoman from new york reserves. I yield one minute to the gentleman from louisiana. You. Hank to fund thepport government while defunding the healthcare law, and make sure government has the money to pay its debts. This is not a republican idea, talk to the union members. Saidresident himself has he wants to delay components of the slot for those who have access to the white house. In america,ing jobs and causing people to lose the healthcare they have today. Facing over 50 increase in their healthcare premiums because of this law that is devastating our economy. The president has a minute knowledge it is he has signed several bills to defines defund different components of the law. The gentleman from kentucky reserves, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Minute least to yield two minutes to the general from organ. Work ofreciate the hard the Appropriations Committee, that have been placed in an impossible situation. We still have pending the tea house bill. If people were serious about cutting government spending, and enforcing the republican budget, we will be having a proration bills on the floor, and we would be dealing with it. We are not because the Appropriations Committee was given an impossible challenge. They were given funding levels that the house, the house will never approve. That republicans in the house will never reprove approve. And were sitting here with obamacare as sort of a sideline. Inis going forward, everyone this chamber knows that the president has signed it, and dutch train has left the stage that train has left the station. Talk aboutd to do is real things. The Appropriations Committee, if they were giving real spending these, and regular order, are published, distinguish people who care about the integrity of government. They could work it out. It wouldest way to do be if the Republican Leadership would allow a Conference Committee on the budget. This is what is handcuffing the upper Bridges Committee is that they are operating under unrealistic ideological doctrines that wont pass the house. If the Republican Leadership would appoint conferees, we can work with the senate to pass the budget, and work out something that is agreeable. Old we will not have this aaron, would not have the hard work of the Appropriations Committee and their staff off into the netherlands. And we can get bound down to cases. It does not have to be this hard, let regular order work, stop the sideshow. The gentlemans time has expired. For what purpose does the german from kentucky state recognition . Give two minutes to the gentleman from kentucky. Engage into colloquily. Youve been very receptive and i appreciate your efforts. Aret now colorado we experiencing major floods in 15 counties crossing over 2000 square miles. Overin areas have received 20 inches of rain, 19,000 pounds of been damaged or destroyed, vastecause of the devastation, we will be unable to provide an accurate Damage Assessment for at least rebates 30 days. Costs could exceed the 100 million cap which would explain the state income Disaster Relief act. This necessitates a response from the federal government. I asked the tattered chairman to consider working with me and other members of the colorado delegation to help the state recover from this tragedy. First, i want to thank the government gentle men from colorado for all of his efforts to help colorado through all of this turmoil and terrible disaster. And to recover from the flooding especially. I am aware of the dire need to help colorado and revived access to emergency resources, including access to emergency transportation dollars. I look forward to working with the dome and to advance this funding manner as quickly as forible, and i know i speak all of the staff when we say to the people of colorado that our hearts are with you and our prayers are with you. From kentuckyan reserves, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. . To yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from connecticut. I rise in strong opposition to this cynical and misconceived designed to push us into a Government Shutdown. Yesterday we saw this majority on a partyline vote rob food from the mouths of over 4 million americans including veterans. Seniors, and this would only further punish american families, and send our majority rates to the bottom. The majorities leadership has been quite explicit about their intentions. Cutswant to lock in the that we have seen to the Education Programs and help our grants. They want to make those cuts permanent. That is their opening position, and they have also been quite upfront about the only way they would mitigate against these cuts is in exchange for cuts to social security, medicare, and to medicaid. And even though these deep cuts are reducing harmful results all over the country, the majority wants to use that as leverage for further negotiation. , and it is ideology just a game to them. Peoples lives dont seem to matter. Let me just remind you of what is happening all over america because of the acrosstheboard cuts. Children are learning using access to Early Learning start programs. Would lose access to that support that they need to buy destruction that they need. Overburdened state local education product agencies are required to pick up a higher share of the cost for these 6 Million Students with special needs. Putting their parents jobs and families Economic Security even more at risk. Hundreds of thousands of unemployed adult veterans, seniors, and others are losing access to job Training Programs. Iomedicaledical b research that is being curtailed around the country has allowed me to stand here today, but they would cut it off. It would be delayed or lost, and the list goes on. We compromise our economy to help and the health, the wellbeing of americas families, and i stayed here in opposition. Instead of working to pass a compromise budget and a responsible manner, they have used this process to try yet again to derail the affordable deny americans Affordable Care for the 42nd time. T americans members of congress have Health Insurance. People in this nation cannot afford Health Insurance, but they would cut it off. They would make it impossible for people to get a mention of to keep their kids up to age 26 on their own Health Insurance coverage, and say to the Insurance Companies, go for it again, you can deny people healthovagta about preexisting conditions. Arele all over america struggling, and this budget resolution is designed to make it harder. We are talking about peoples lives, we have a more was bonds ability. We are here to represent the many people, not our own agenda or our own ideology. We have to do better, so we must vote against this bill. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized. How much time remains . The gentlewoman from new york has a 11 minutes and the gentleman from kentucky has six minutes. Matter speaker i am very recognize the distinguished donovan from romrgia gentleman fo georgia. Madam speaker, this is unbelievable. I cannot believe we are here again, with so much to be done, do. Uch do good we could republicans want to deny americans the chance to see a doctor. How may times are we going to do this . Medicaid, social , rity, as is my right we have spoken, the Supreme Court has ruled, the Affordable Care act is the law of the land. It is constitutional. It is compassionate. It is what is right. It is what is necessary. So much progress has been made a young people can be insured under their parents. Toe people can have coverage see doctors when they need to. Coverage that covers. We must fulfill our constitutional was bonds abilities to fund the federal government. We must keep the promise of health care to the American People. We will not go backward. We have come too far, and we cannot turn back. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. Every citizen of the United States should be able to see a doctor when they need to. Was is a resolution that stopped at it is not the rack away, it is not the america that we believed in. We should care for each other, we should look out for one another. We are one family, one house, the american house, and we should but that roof down on our heads. We should not hold it down to win political points. About for what, is right, fair, and just. The gentleman from kentucky reserves, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. I am pleased to yield one minute to the gentlewoman from california. Thank you very much matter speaker. Madam speaker. I come to the floor as a ,other but as a grandmother concerned about americas children. This lace is a mess. Lets get our house in order. We are legislators, we have come here to do a job for the American People job means that we must make a government run for the good of the people. We are not here to expand the government, nor to deliver made to eliminate it. Lets Work Together to do that. What ive seen on the floor today is that without a doubt, a measure designed to shut down government. A good have no other intent. Its purpose is clear. If our colleagues on the republican side deny that, they have no idea of the gravity of the situation, to quote the music man, of the trouble that is contained inht the resolution today. It is a wolf in wolfs clothing. Will cost at least a million jobs over the lattice course of the next year. It will not only do that, it will cut our investments in the future and education, biomedical research. Cure,e the power to through scientific opportunity we have a moral obligation to lead that with the resources. To respect the talent and god given intellect, and what do we credit. Ay no, and we are doing serious damage to science, to health, and not only do that, to our competitiveness as a nation. It is those investments, and not only that, it is the underlying , if that were not reason enough to say no, are you itding, no, then they cloak in wilson clothing, and say that in their view they will be fund the Affordable Care act. You know what that is about . That is simply about footing their friendsng back in charge of the decisions for medical care for your familys. It slashes the strongly bipartisan childrens Health Insurance program by 70 . It eliminates an initiative that provideS Health Care to millions of children. Statesst the United Senate with a b to approve proof majority. It wreaks havoc on a Healthcare System by disrupting provider payments for medicare and medicaid. In that you do not know what youre doing or this is one of the most intentional acts of brutality that you have cooked up. It cuts billions of dollars again, delaying important research, and denying medical breakthroughs for future generations. Democrats have a responsible andosal that balances reduces the deficit. It reduces the deficit and a and theble way, devastating acrosstheboard cuts in the sequester, and makes investments in the future and keeps government open. As opposed to this bill, intended to shut governments down. Mike calling mr. Hoyer has quoted some republicans about what they have said about dont it from us take it from us, it does not enable us to do the work of government. Is a terrible proposition for our families, community, and country. It is time for us to Work Together to ensure we do not endanger the Economic Security and prosperity of the American People. I urge my colleagues to vote no, and yield back the balance of my time. Back, gentlewoman yields and the gentleman from kentucky is recognized. I yield one minute to the distinguished majority leader of the house,. I want to thank the gentleman from kentucky, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee for bringing this will bill forward. I rise today in strong support of this provision. Many americans across this country are struggling, they are strongly to pay their bills. Their frustration with the government continues to grow. Americans, these hard working, middleclass americans are counting on their elected representatives to show leadership touring these hired times. Hard times. This resolution would keep the government in funded at its current level without increasing the levels while congress finishes working on a real budget. The americans are hard tired of seeing us squander their dollars. Possible to have two consecutive years of Discretionary Spending cuts this resolution would protect the working middle lass of the devastating effects of obamacare. Each week we hear stories about and smallemployers businesses are cutting back benefits, and cutting back hours. The president S Health Care law is turning our fulltime economy into a parttime economy. Even the heads of the major unions were once so supportive of obama care want to see this law drastically changed to stop andher nightmare scenarios left fund this law now, and protect the American People from the economic calamity that we know obamacare will create. Americans back home are fighting for their families, and we in congress were sent to washington by our constituents to fight for them. They have put faith in their leaders to do what is right. Congress, tore restore faith in our economy, and trust in our government, we should pass this continuing resolution so the senate can finally begin to do the same. I would like to thank the hisleman from kentucky for work on this measure, along with the help of the gentleman from , for their hard work on the issue, and i urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Kentuckyeman from reserves, and the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. Pleased to yield three minutes to the distinguished whip, steny hoyer from maryland. Thank you gentlelady for yielding,. Madam speaker, today we are funddering a measure to the government only if the Democratic Senate and democratic reveal will it is a latent act of hostagetaking. Lays thelican c. R. Groundwork for a default on our debt, and unthinkable act. Dangerous ande irrational policy of sequestration. Dissent ofi at the , spalding theding recovery are American People need. This destructive obsession with the repeal of the Affordable Care act, and the unrestrained hostility toward the government, undermined the republicans hollow claims. The majority does though notwithstanding their chairmans accurate description of their policy on sequester, and i quote him as unrealistic, and illconcieved. A policy which chairman rogers be broughtd, must to an end. Votes today in the hopes that his colleagues will come and i urge you to do just the opposite. They will continue a policy that will lead america into the client decline. Thell not be party to investment and the decline of americas greatness. The strength, readiness, and training of our armed forces, quality and viability of our infrastructure, the proper compensation and respect for those who labor and the or, and most certainly, the honoring of americas debts and obligations. Todays a bill undermines all of those priorities and more. I will not support it. I urge my colleagues to oppose it. It continues us on the path so aptly described by chairman lurchingis path from fiscal crisis to fiscal crisis. I urge my colleagues to oppose this will bill. I am for a comprehensive balance, and responsible policy that will put this nation on a fiscally sustainable, pay stable path. Willing to work with colleagues who would support such a bill. Andicans are hoping training that we will have such wisdom and such courage. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and commit themselves to adopting a bipartisan an effective alternative to this distractive and irrational path. The gentlemans tired have time has expired. Minute to the gamut from california. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The minority whip is dead wrong. This measure protects the full faith and credit of the United States i making sure our credit will be paid in full and on time. It is imperative that our creditors know that whatever battles rage in congress, their debts are absolutely secure. Our ability to pay all of our bills depend on our credit, and this guarantees it. I am getting frantic and heart calls calls breaking from folks who are having their work hours cut out or back because of obamacare, and this stops that train wreck. We have abandoned our responsibility to only use this a stopgap measures, and this bill does that. The gentlewoman from new york is recognized. I am pleased to yield one minute to the gentleman from virginia. Thank you. Thanboat is about more these to throw away revisions that we know are not going to be taken seriously by the senate and the country. I will oppose it for another reason, because i used to be very proud of this institution. I used to be able to go through my community and many who had newed as long as i have what it was like to be proud of congress and that we had improved the lives of our constituents. Our statek through proud of what we had achieved. We know what the government can do. This does not allow us to do what we can. We need to raise this government again. We need to do what congress was meant to do. We need to fund the government adequately to be a firstclass society, and work with a first class economy. We cannot do that on the cheap, and that is why we have to vote against this. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized. I yield one minute to the hardworking member of our Appropriations Committee, the gentleman from mississippi. Chairman to thank the for yielding and for his leadership. Tople sent me to congress preserve liberty for future generations i limiting government and growing the economy. There is not a single law worse for individual liberty than obamacare. Rid of obamacare and replace it with a system that provides choice, lower cost, patients in charge of their health care decisions. We are standing up for our principles, our constituents, and for americans. We will pass this bill today out of the house, and i urge my conservative colleagues in the senate to pick up this fight and stand with us to make sure we defund obamacare. The gentleman from kentucky reserves, the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. I am pleased to yield one minute to the woman from district of columbia. All of us are trying to keep the government open it, but the federal government and the moment is engaged in contingency plans in case of a set down hshurt down. Balance,l budget, this this 8 billion in local funds, has not read the d. C. Budget. It cost is in 2011 to prepare for a shutdown. When Newt Gingrich was the speaker of the house, he agreed ofh me to keep the district coffee open even as the federal government shut down, because one thing is clear about the only thing worse than covering down shutting down the United States government is closing innocent bystander without a dime in their name. Dont close down the nations capital. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized. Inquire tore the time remaining . I yield one minute to the derailment from nebraska. Clear,evidence is very obamacare is actually hurting people. Severaleard from constituents who said they received their notice that they no longer have their healthcare that their policy in the new exchange would have higher deductibles and copays. They are not sure what plan they can go on, and what the benefit will be. Kathleen is on a fixed income, and she has a polity with covered she does not want or need. Stories likemany obamacare is truly hurting people and squeezing them. I want the senate to join us in acting on eliminating the funding for obamacare. Lets help folks get the healthcare they need. How much time do i have . The gentlewoman from new york has two. 5 minutes remaining. Speaker, the American People are counting on us to do our jobs. Jobs. K together to create to keep the government open, and to keep the economy running. This is not the time, or the bills for working on health reform, or hampering the administrations ability to protect them faith and credit of the United States of america. With great suffering in the wake of another Natural Disaster in colorado, and all of those families who have lost lives, and property, this is not the time, my friends to limit the ability of the United States of america to give lip to the least of those. Republicans refused to Work Together with the senate and the white house to bring legislation to the floor today. Bill thate consider a we know is destined for failure in the senate and will be be taught by the white house. The majority has failed to lead. They refuse to appoint mentors to work with the senate. They cannot even pass their own spending bills in this chamber. We remember how the very tion bill transporta had to be pulled off the floor because they could not find the votes. To the American People and the economy, even when their own appropriations chairman, my fair and mr. Rogers friend mr. Rogers says we should end the sequester, find a balance plan forward, they are still playing little games. I urge my colleagues to oppose the will, support responsible replacement of the sequester with a balanced plan to create jobs and keep our economy moving. I know we can do it. I would be pleased to be part of that partnerships with the chair mr. Rogers. The gentleman from kentucky is recognized for to remaining minutes two remaining minutes. , evenare doing a c. R. Though the Appropriations Committee on the house side past 11 of the 12 else do the committee through the committee. Forremaining one is waiting time, as we have run out of time. That is what this continuing resolution will continue the government past september 30. We were unable to pass the appropriations ills singly on because of lack of floor time, but also because the house and the senate never agreed to an overall number which we could mark. Ablequently, we were not to bring those bills out because of that limitation. On till december 15, untill december we are given a number, with the senate, we will do so. This is a hardworking committee. We are pragmatists, we know we have to past bills to fund the government. Were intended intending to close down the government, we would not be here with this bill, we would just sit there. This is an effort by the Majority Party in the house to continue the government and avoid a shutdown while he work out these differences on the other bills for fiscal year 2014. This continuing resolution is straightforward, it is clean, it is short term, it continues reductions of federal Discretionary Spending. We have actually cut Discretionary Spending the past two years through and 120 billion. We are trying to be as possible, this will is responsible, and i urge the continuing resolution. Two democrats voted in favor. 0189. Nal vote 23 , senatorfter that vote statement gave out a that said the senate will not pass any bill that defund or delays obamacare. Gop killed the affordable twitter, another that they are not hiring because there is no demand for their products. Today, ginaington mccarthy revealed the ms changes new standards for a limiting carbon production at new power plants. Here is some of what she had to say today. That is why we are here today. Isare here to announce epa taking those important steps in proposals to eliminate pollutions from power plants. Theyof crehebon pollution. If these plants can admit it they can eliminate their Carbon Pollution by taking advantage of more advanced technology. These technologies offer th a clear path way forward today and in the longterm. Proposed standards are the first uniform National Limit on Carbon Pollution in new power plants. They do not apply to the existing power plants. It might be well if i repeated that one more time so that everyone gets it. These proposed standards are the First National standard on new plants, they do not apply to existing power plants. Todays proposal does said National Limits for national gas natural gaspar plants gas plants. Need togas plants would be a limit of 1100 pounds of co2 output per hour. Choose to alsold have some additional x average their missions by meeting a somewhat tighter limit. Entire remarks are available anytime at our website, c span. Org. Watch it tonight at 9 30. I had of that, chinas foreign minister speaking about the state of relations between the u. S. And china. Live coverage beginning 7 15 eastern on cspan. Many have said our report would either advocate near reinforcement of fortress embassies or closing down prisons. Our presence. No conclusion like that could be farther from the truth. We recognize perfection is not good men and women will still come forward to serve their country and risked their lives on the front lines of danger. We should continue to do all we can to protect them as they go about such challenging tasks. That was the sole purpose of our report, and it was produced with a deep sense that we had to get it right. Politics, elections, personal controversy, and all other external factors aside. This weekend, House Oversight examines the obama administrations response to the terror attack on the u. S. Consulate in in gusty. All weekend on book tv, from washington dc, live coverage of National Book festival. Your chance to talk to the us authors. Live on cspan 2, saturday morning starting at 10 00 eastern and sunday at noon. On cspan three, from converted horse tracks, high school gems, life for the nearly halfmillion german pows interned in the in america during world war ii. The subject is a very important and sensitive subject. We depend on whistleblowers. We value their information. It is very important that they feel comfortable coming forward and saying, i have interviewed information you need to have and my identity, i am very concerned about potential reprisal, you need to protect my identity. We understand that. The statute requires us to extend protections. Igsactice, what we as will do is advise whistleblowers of these protections. To say, to the extent you can give us specific information, that is much more helpful to thtbound helpful to us an general information. An educated and informed person may be able to guess as to the identity of the whistleblower. You need to be aware of that risk. More with phyllis fong and the role of an inspector general, sunday night at 8 00 on q a. Senate panel a heard testimony from several state department nominees. Pattersonson anne formerly served as ambassador to egypt. Gregory starr, nominated to permanently oversee Diplomatic Security overseas, has served in a role in acting capacity since february. They testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for just over an hour. I am pleased to bring before the committee to of the nations most experienced Career Foreign Service officers. Thessador and patterson is nominee for assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs. Stranger tor is no the committee as assistant secretary of state for Diplomatic Security. The lasterson has been two years serving as ambassador to egypt at a tumultuous time in egypts history. I want to extend my thanks for her service. She was in the eye of the storm winds of the arab spring begin to blow across the region. Her expertise and experience serve her well. She has a long record of Service Since she left her home in arkansas. She is exemplary of Foreign Service officers who put their lives at risk, often at times presence isrican necessary but not always welcome. We look forward to supporting her nomination. In doing so, i want to express several ongoing concerns in the region. The impact of sanctions on iran has been significant. While i support a diplomatic solution to the crisis and hope we can find such an opening, with the newly elected government in iran, at the end of the day we need to have a partner that comes to the table in good faith and with real offers in hand. More importantly, offering real actions. Until then, it is my view we must maintain and increase pressure on the regime in order to ensure the success that we want. I look forward to hearing your views on the situation in iran. I would also like to know your views on the next ups moving forward in egypt to realize the promise we had hoped for from the events in Tahrir Square in to anhat gave way increasingly undemocratic and insecure environment for all egyptians. In iraq, i have several concerns about our the dramatic relations following the drawdown of u. S. Troops. I am also disturbed by iraqs failure. I want to underscore iraqs failure, from my perspective, to the community, which most recently resulted in 52 deaths and the kidnapping of seven individuals who remain hostages. I expect the iraq ease i iraqis to hold the guilty parties responsible, and i also hold them responsible for the security of those at camp liberty. I hope the administration will send the same message. Finally, on the peace process, i support secretary kerrys efforts and believe we must continue to keep the palestinians at the table and engage in facetoface negotiation with israelis. I have implored israels courage in agreeing to the release of prisoners, and i hope the palestinians will publicly commit to remaining at the negotiating table and not pursue statehood or enhance status to any International Bodies while this is going on. Only through direct negotiations will we be able to realize a durable and realistic peace. You are no stranger to these convex issues. You are a decorated Foreign Service officer and i look forward to your testimony. Let me turn to greg starr, nominee for the domestic security, who appeared before the committee this summer to discuss a bill. The Embassy Security threat mitigation personnel protection act. You provided us with insight and the benefits of many years in Diplomatic Security. A special agent of the Foreign Service serving in tunisia, senegal, and the democratic republic of the congo. Later served in the technical Security Operations as chief of division for the worldwide local guard and Residential Security programs. A Senior Regional Security Officer at the embassy in tel aviv. Now you are returning, coming out of retirement, to be considered for under secretary of state for Diplomatic Security at a time when we sorely need your experience and expertise. Let me conclude by saying, i have said in the past and will say again, lessons are to be learned from the tragedies in nairobi, dar es salaam, and benghazi. They are and the medic of the broader issue we will increasingly face in the 21st century. It will require our unwavering commitment to protect our and the seas and those who serve this nation abroad. That will be your charge as assistant secretary. To strike the balance between sealing off vulnerabilities and continuing to conduct a vigorous and effective diplomacy that serves the National Interest. The fact is, we can never have absolute security in an increasingly dangerous world. But security alone is not our objective. At the end of the day we need to address both the construction of new embassies that meet security needs and we need to do what we can to secure existing highrisk tot where we need our people represent our interests and new construction is not an option. Is what the Embassy Security bill seeks to do. My hope is we will get it through the legislative process to achieve that. We look forward to hearing from you about the progress we have made and challenges we may have, and how we pursue them. Thank you both for your years of service. I know senator corker had some comments. Patterson,ambassador i will welcome your statement. Both statements will be fully included in the record, without objection. Thank you, mr. Chairman, Ranking Member corker, members of the committee. It is an honor to appear before you today as the president s nominee for assistant secretary for near eastern affairs. Like torman, i would introduce my husband david and my older son edward and my daughter. Mr. Chairman, i have prepared a longer statement for the committee, which i submitted for the record. I am grateful for the confidence shown by president obama nominating me for this position. If confirmed, i pledge to work with you to advance u. S. Interests across an important and complex region that is facing historic a people. Mr. Chairman, the changes taking place across the region carry the promise of a more Democratic Political order that will benefit the region and the United States in the long term. However, the region will remain volatile and often violent for some time to come. The challenges we face are complex, but our extensive security, economic, and humanitarian interests demand our continued engagement. The region has changed in the past few years, and there is no going back. If confirmed, my top priority will be to protect our country and our allies. Doing so will require vigorous effort to identify and disable serious chemical syrias chemical weapons. It will mean continuing to prevent iran from developing a nuclear weapon. We must continue to combat terrorism and combat violent extremism across the region. Secondly, we will continue to promote sustainable democratic transitions. But me stress again how hard this is going to be. The results of elections may not be to our liking. Transitions are often plagued by false starts and reverses. We will continue our efforts to promote democracy and universal rights, and we will stand up for the rights of women, christians, and other minorities. We need to support governments and the private sector to create Economic Opportunities and jobs. Many countries in the region need to fight corruption and cut subsidies to spur investment and growth. Our Global Economic leadership and our Assistance Programs both can lay a role. For press for open business and trade environments so american businesses have access. Hasful that our country 6757 men and women in iraq and afghanistan, i would focus on coping with the enormous sacrifices that our colleagues in the state department and the Intelligence Community and other civilian agencies are making. Supporting these professionals and their families as we continue to ask more of them. Regionworking in this has been deeply and disproportionately affected by of actuation, lengthy separations from family, and the sheer workload associated with living and working on the critical front lines of american diplomacy. Chairman, protecting our country requires us to practice diplomacy in dangerous places. Our people understand this. Calculated risk is part of what it means to be an american diplomat today. Our bureau will work closely with our ambassadors, with mr. Dramaticconfirmed, and security colleagues and all other elements of government to protect americans overseas. I understand fully the responsibilities arising from the attack on our mission in benghazi that resulted in the murders of four of our colleagues. If confirmed, i will work to fulfill our obligation to bring the perpetrators of that attack to justice. Allow me to briefly review some of your key concerns. Mr. Chairman, i know that the secretary of state has briefed and theyria negotiations under way at the United Nations and in the hague. I will simply reiterated his point that there can be no room for anything less than full compliance with our consistent goal of deterring and degrading syrias ability to use these weapons in the future. The threat of unilateral use of force by the United States remains on the table showed syria not comply. I had just completed two years as ambassador to egypt. An extraordinarily important counfoal security interest of the United States that deserves our continued partnership and support. Mohamed morsi was elected as president of egypt in the elections that were free and though the complex constitutional and Legal Process that produced these elections managed to confuse and upset nearly everyone. His removal from office on july 3 followed an extended series of political miscalculations and an inability to create an inclusive democratic process. In the end, egyptians will be determine whether that was correct. We have made our concerns of this method of government and the violence used against unarmed protesters abundantly clear. Our response to the situation in egypt will be consistent with u. S. Law, our National Interest, and our values. At the president s direction we have undertaken a major review of our economic and military Assistance Programs. As egypt changes, so too must our bilateral relationship. If confirmed, i will continue to urge the Egyptian Government to move toward a inclusive civilianled transition that year and hes universal rights for all citizens, including christians. I look forward to working with the congress to make sure we have the flexibility to respond to and influence changing events. Mr. Chairman, the United States is fully committed to helping israel and the palestinians negotiate a final status resolution to the conflict. We are fully and deeply committed to israels security. Our Security Cooperation has never been closer. Israel is our close friend and the regions only stable democracy. The United States also continues to assist the palestinians as they build governing institutions. As we mark 35 years since the camp david accords this week, the search for middle east peace remains at the very heart of u. S. National security interest. Secretary kerry has worked very hard for the resumption of which has required courageous leadership by Prime Minister netanyahu and president abbas. Mr. Chairman, iran is the world s foremost state sponsor of terrorism, including in iraq, syria, and lebanon. It continues to defy the International Community by pursuing Nuclear Activity in violation of its obligations. The United States will not allow iran to acquire Nuclear Weapons. Thanks to the indispensable role played by congress and with international support, we have put in place an unprecedented sanctions regime against iran. Mr. Chairman, i would like to knowledge the efforts you played, along with other members of the committee. Sanctions have hurt irans economy badly. The people of iran voted for change in the recent election a president hassan rouhani, who has demonstrated a remarkably different tone from his predecessors. But to make progress we need to see concrete actions. Mr. Chairman, if confirmed i pledge to work with you to assure the resources and tools to provide our bureau are supporting activities that advance our top National Interest. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Starr. R chairman, Ranking Member corker, members of the committee, i am honored to appear before you today. I would like to thank the committee for your continued support and interest in the bureau of Diplomatic Security programs protecting american diplomats abroad. Diplomatic security to safeguard american diplomats and facilities for the conduct of you and u. S. Foreign policy while maintaining the robust investigative programs that protect United States borders and our presence overseas. As the nominee to be assistant secretary at the bureau of Diplomatic Security, i am thankful to the president and secretary kerry for the confidence they have placed in me to lead to dramatic security in these difficult and demanding times. I have been a security professional for more than 30 years. My experience in the department and outside government has prepared me to take on the challenges of leading Diplomatic Security in the future. The world is changing, and so is the way in which diplomacy is conducted. Therefore, the way in which we provide security for our diplomats must change with it. We can never truly eliminate all risks faced by u. S. Government personnel as they advance our National Interests abroad. We in the department constantly reviewing evolving threats and seek to mitigate risk as much as possible. The challenges we have faced in the previous decade, over the Previous Year in particular, have been significant and growing. Our people are called upon to live and work in difficult and dangerous environments. We operate in these environments out of necessity, because that is where we must be to serve our nations interest. I have learned we cannot shut ourselves inside embassies and embrace a zerorisk posture and forego helping build the rule of law and strengthen diplomatic Democratic Institutions abroad. Itis these countries where is toughest to serve where american diplomacy pays the greatest dividends. This is the face of american diplomacy today, and it is my job to keep my people safe while and still allowing the important work to continue. As a Senior Leader within the medic security, i can tell you we are looking towards the next challenges and threats. We must continue to embrace change across the spectrum of security requirements. If confirmed, i plan to focus on three broad priorities. Staffing and resources, improving coordination on our investigative elements, and continuing to improve our protections for u. S. Personnel serving overseas. In terms of staffing and resources, i want to ensure we have qualified people with sufficient training and the right resources at our posts overseas in order to respond to each posts unique to cure the environment. We improve the training of our Foreign Affairs colleagues by expanding our Foreign Affairs counterthreat courses. On the investigative side, i will continue to ensure that our criminal investigators, background investigators, and Cyber Security personnel are working closely together, as well as with other department offices. Under my leadership, we have improved our coordination within the department and with my interagency partners in the department of defense and the Intelligence Community. Finally, we will continue to work closely with our partners in the bureau of overseas buildings operations and regional bureaus to provide safe, secure, and functional embassies and consulates that represent the United States abroad. In conclusion, i want to assure the community that we realize our work in securing outpost than protecting our people will never be done. We take great pride in our, judgments, but we are focused on the future. If confirmed, i pledge that through my leadership everyone in ds will understand they must lead by example, properly delegated authority, and be committed to continuously improving how we deliver security to our constituents and achieve our global mission. To be said that, i want clear that i believe that responsibility for the provision of security lies with the assistant secretary of Diplomatic Security and, if confirmed, i am committed to shouldering that responsibility. I will be glad to answer any questions you have. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you both for your statements. Ambassador, thank you for the indepth statement. Let me explore one or two of them with you. Havethe last two months we had over 1000 People Killed in egypt. Hundreds have been arrested for their political allegiances. Emergency uro beenmergency law has reinstated and extended for another two months. I look at our efforts here, and canceling bright star exercises, suspending the 16s, itof16s f has not indicated much in change of behavior of the present leadership inside the country. What other leverage do we have here to get back on the track to ensuring a civilian governments moving towards an inclusive egypt . What are your views on conditioning or restructuring in the current environment . Thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me say that certainly the incidents in the past few months , the killing of unarmed demonstrators and the reinstitution of emergency law, have been quite worrisome. Let me also point to a roadmap that the government has put forward. We will do everything we push them along that path to reinstating a civilian government. This does provide that opportunity to look at the Assistance Program in a new way. The president has instructed us to undertake a fullscale review of our Systems Program in egypt emma and egypt, and to look in the very least and ways to restructure those, particularly in the military assistance package. That process is ongoing, so i cannot predict what the results will be, but it is an opportunity to look at things in our assistance relationship. I might add that it is not just assistance that will encourage the government to resume a democratic path. Tourism has dried up. Investment has dried up. We have not seen a great deal of disinvestment for the moment, but engagement with the west is much more widespread than the assistance relationship. There are many in the Egyptian Government, certainly in the Business Community, who appreciate that they need those ties and need that revenue. I would appreciate, and i hope you will take back to the department, that it would be good to engage with this committee as they evaluate what the new Airline Might be for assistance. Paradigm might be for assistance. I was one of those who argued strenuously against freezing all aid to egypt, but i have to be honest with you, as i see circumstances unfold i increasingly am concerned about whether that now at this point is the right decision. I would look forward to a dialogue with the department to share views about how we move in a direction that achieves our goals inside of egypt. Let me turn to iran, quickly. I know there is a lot of bubbling expectation and hope, and i certainly share the hope words andof the limited actions that are being taken are an expression of something deeper. But at the phinney two the day, only actions as it relates to the International Communitys u. S. Ion, not just the position but the international position, will believe us to lead iran is sincere about changing their course toward Nuclear Weapons. The expression that they will never have Nuclear Weapons is not enough. If the world could just trust everybody, like assad who said he did not have chemical weapons but now admits he has. To say we will never have Nuclear Weapons is not enough. Since the iranian election, iran centrifuges,0 including 302ndgeneration once. One ones. Plutoniuming at a process that is very worrisome. Yet the United States has issued very few new sanctions. I would like to get a sense from you as to what more can the administration do to send a message to the iranians that we appreciate the words but we will only trust actions that go in line with the International Community. Think that isn, i right. We have seen some encouraging signs in the last few days. Of politicalber prisoners, some statements about the Nuclear Program. Thatundamental issue is iran has to comply with the provisions of their international obligations, both through the iaea and Security Council resolution. Ready for this hearing, i looked at the sanctions. I was surprised that how effective they have been. This is the most effective sanctions program i can ever remember. The effect on petroleum exports, cutting off iran from the International Financial system, the effect on inflation, the effect on the depreciation of might thethis what has brought them to this point. I think we need to see how the sanctions regime will play out. There are some targets coming up. The evaluation of the reduction in oil imports. I think we need to give it a little more time, but again, i look forward, if confirmed in this position, to working closely with you on the iranian sanctions program. Again, i think it has been very successful. One demonstration of that, i believe, was the election of president rouhani. Since the iranian people clearly voted for change. Let me close by saying, look, sanctions are a means to an end. As strongly as i have been an advocate and the author of them, act in were to accordance with the positions, the International Communitys positions, the Security Councils positions, then upon acting in that way, in a verifiable way, i will be one of the advocates of seeking to lift those sanctions. Because im sure the iranians wonder whether the sanctions would ever be lifted if they actually comply. I, for one, would be ready to do so, but only if in fact we have withiance in accordance the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the efforts of the p5 plus one. I will turn to senator corker. Thank you both, again, for distinguished careers. For theboth very suited positions you are nominated to, and i look forward to working with you both. In your case, ambassador patterson, moving from a field commanders position to a strategist. Some of us have watched and feel like sometimes the response to what is developing in the middle east are ad hoc. Especially in syria until recent times. Get aust wondering if you sense as to whether there is an overarching strategy in the fact, our whether, in Foreign Policy and our relationships in these countries are more dependent on events as they evolve. I would like you to expand on that, if you could. Thank you, senator corker. A very difficult issue, because frankly i think the arab spring, or arab awakening, as we now call it, came very rapidly. I think there is an overarching strategy towards the region, and i tried to lay that out in my longer written statement. The first is to try and promote some kind of democratic transition. These societies are not going to go back to where they were. They have gotten rid of old autocrats. There is a high degree of violence, a lack of institutional structures throughout the region. That, i think, is our first priority. It is going to be really hard, because each country has a different level of development. At the same time, we have these enormous security interest in the region, in syria, iran, libya, and we are going to have to pursue those simultaneously. Those would be the two overriding elements in our strategy, but the implementation of them is going to be extraordinarily difficult. It ist hazard to say going to be expensive at times. Look at the syria situation. I would say those would be our two priorities for the region. To promote our security interests, which are different from country to country, and to promote an overall broad strategy of democratization. A recent observation in the middle east would be that democracy means to many of the folks in the middle east that democracy is and election, almost a one and done mentality. An election occurs and then there is the consolidation of power. In iraq one of the reasons they are having the Security Issues i is have there is malik focused on appealing to the base. We have the same thing with morsi in egypt. Is there any light you might shed to us regarding how you see to reallving over time governance issues . Senator corker, that is going to be a huge challenge, because these countries elections obviously are not enough. These countries have no institutional structures. In the most fundamental way, evenhave weak structures to support an electoral process. We are going to have to help them develop rule of law systems to help them develop commercial regulations, to help them develop all the things, participation by minorities, which i think is probably the most critical element throughout the middle east. To have adequate participation by minority populations in the overall political environment. Withinvolves working political parties, working with civil society, and it is going to take a really long time. Because there is no history of this. I do not want to come before you and suggest this is going to be easy. We may be aided by having the support of many of our allies in this respect, but it is going to be a long, hard slog. I appreciate your comments about the sanctions on iran, and i do think they had a big effect. Chairmanon that our has had the biggest role, and i want to thank him for that. I also want to say i think the committees actions relative to syria a few weeks ago had a big effect on moving towards the discussions that are now underway. Thisrecently i read morning and heard through conversations last night that iranian issue is now being discussed. Of what is any sense happening right now relative to negotiations and how the syrian issue may lead to other conversations in iran that we might not be aware of . I do not have any information about that. Let me ask you this. The arab spring or awakening as you just call it, i know the chairman mentioned something about how we look at our National Interest in egypt. Of thelike at the time debate it was not the time to cut off all aid. Something like we will figure d in a wayto pursue ai that does further our National Interest and of the same time sends a signal to the Egyptian Military. Can you tell, with everything that has happened, we had a dictator that left, we had an election. Now we have a different situation. Has the arab awakening, as you called it, ushered in any difference in egypt at this point . Has anything really changed . Are we back where we started a couple years ago . Senator corker, i do not think we are back where we started, because the population is energized. This huge number of largely unemployed young man who have now the ability to communicate through means that they did not have even five years ago. The population is hugely energized, and at least in egypt believes that taking to the street and demonstrations is the way to express yourself politically. The trick for the International Community will be to try to have countries, not just egypt, get past that and challenge channel this enormous enthusiasm and, frankly, frustration of young people, which is very multifaceted, into legitimate political structures. I do not think it is going to go back by any means, but i do think that because of a combination of factors we may be offor a prolonged period instability in this region. Not just in egypt. I know my time is up and we have other panelist. I do not know if we will have another round. If we do not, i want to thank you both for your desire to serve in this way. Mr. Starr, i know we talked at length about the dramatic security. I know you have emphasized the the box stops with you buck stops with you. I like that attitude. I hope in the state department you will figure out a way to have a different degree of accountability than what we now have. I think the bill we have looked at here in the senate may help without. But i thank you for your willingness and look forward to working with you. Thank you, senator corker. Senator shaheen. Thank you, ambassador patterson and mr. Starr, for your willingness to continue to serve the country and take on at a important posts critical time. Ambassador patterson, i especially appreciate the kindness you show to a number of us when we visited pakistan during your tenure there, and your great work in egypt at a turbulent time. , actually want to start ambassador patterson, by asking you about the special immigrant visa program. In some of the countries that have been critical to the efforts in iraq , as imanistan, and sure you are aware, the special immigrant visa program was established by congress to address those people in iraq and afghanistan who have been very helpful to our efforts there and in many cases risked their lives and their families lives to help ensure that the americans who were on the ground were safe and able to accomplish their missions. I am very troubled that we are here with the special immigrant is duerogram for iraq to expire at the end of this month. I hope we will see willingness on the part of the house to extend this program. I know the senate is very committed to this. There is language on the Defense Authorization bill that senator mccain and i have offered to address it. Reassure thosen people who are in the queue to come to the United States to safety that they will have our assistance in doing that. I wonder if you could speak to what might happen to some of those folks if we are not able to extend this program and allow them to come to the United States. Thank you. Let me start off with my son, who is here today, edward. A few a captain in iraq years ago. He sent me an email about one of the interpreters with his unit who had pulled somebody some of the injured soldiers in his unit to safety. I feel a personal connection to this issue. The administration is asking for an extension. I know the number has been under the cap. 2500 people have been processed. We are trying to speed up the process, and i hope we can do that. I certainly promise you i will do everything we possibly can to speed that process up. For anare going to ask extension. Thank you. I appreciate that. It is a twopart problem. One is to make sure the program gets extended, that the authorization gets extended passive temper 30th. The other problem is to make sure the at the state department we are processing the special visas in a way that keeps people moving through the queue. To date thenk record has not been as good as i would like to see it in terms of addressing the people who are waiting. I appreciate that there are Security Issues that we need to address, but it would be tragic to fail to help the people who helped our men and women on the ground. Result, they and their families are at risk and threatened. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you. Can i also ask you if you wheregive us an update on the current israelipalestinian negotiations are . All of us have applauded the effort to restart those, and secretary kerrys tireless work in doing that. But we are watching with great interest and some concern about whether these talks are going to go anywhere. Have talked to secretary kerry about this. He is very optimistic. I must tell you, we all admire. Is leadership on this issue he really put an enormous amount of his personal prestige behind it. I frankly do not have any details offer you, because he has said he would like to be the one that will engage on this issue. So i will certainly convey that he may bet i think back in town and perhaps we can arrange a discussion with members of the committee. That would be very helpful. You willr. Chairman, facilitate that. Thank you. I am a must at of time. I wanted to ask mr. Starr one question. With the focus on what happened in benghazi, we know security in our embassies is critical and that, despite the to to medical diplomatic role, anyone assigned overseas is in a risky position and there is a potential for danger. At the end of the day it is really our host country that we depend on to address our Embassy Security. Can you speak to whether there is more that we can or should be doing in terms of working with those host countries on ensuring our embassies are protected . Thank you for the question, senator. Yes, i think that despite the fact that we work so closely with the Intelligence Community, the department of defense, others in the federal government all of these issues, in many cases it does come down to the state Department People on the ground and the host countries. We believe programs like the antiterrorism Assistance Program and other programs where we are trying to help host countries develop the capabilities to protect themselves and protect us of the same time, protect our persons, are critical. We need to continue these programs. They have been effective in the past. We look for opportunities to expand its programs. Quite honestly, that is an important factor beyond just continuing to say things like, we will hold the host country responsible. We have to help them be responsible. There are ways we can do this, and we will continue. If im confirmed, i will continue to look closely at the antiterrorism Assistance Programs. Dramatic security is the implementer. The bureau of counterterrorism is the director. We will work closely with them. Thank you. I hope you will share what happens with this committee. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I had a series of questions for you on syria and on egypt. But im going to set those aside because i have to tell you, i am shocked, absolutely shocked to sit here and have you describe the sanctions against iran after you have reviewed them, as you said, in your conclusion that they have been effective. You describe them as successful. I am one that was a sponsor of those. I have promoted them. I had reservations about them, but i got to tell you, if this is the administrations view, that these have been effective and successful, i hope you will take the message back to the state department that this is not a Mission Accomplished moment. Been an abjectve failure. You heard the chairman described the new centrifuges they have brought in, about the new technology they are using. I do not understand this. I am taken aback by your descriptions of what the sanctions have done. The sanctions were not put in place to impose some kind of pain or Something Like that. Change, inmposed to order to make conduct different. They have been an abject failure in that, and i would really hope administration, if that is their position, would rethink this. Senator risch, i certainly did not mean to imply that they have been successful in changing behavior. But they have certainly been very successful in causing pain in the iranian economy and hopefully they will be successful in bringing iran to the table to discuss these other issues that actually affect behavior. I totally understand your point that it is not just to cause pain in the economy, but also to change behavior. But causing pain in the economy is how sanctions work. The reduction in oil revenue has been dramatic. Cutting them off from the International Financial system has made it almost impossible for them to export or trade. Again, the distress in the population, which we think had an impact on president rouhanis election. So it needs time for diplomacy to work. We think there is still time, but let me again stressed, senator risch, the president s will notthat iran acquire a nuclear weapon. But i certainly understand your point. Let me say that i absolutely understand what matters is the result, not just economic pain. As we all know in this dogmatic business, vocabulary is important. I hope you would remove the word success and remove the word effective from the vocabulary when you are talking about this program. They are not in any way, shape, or form successful or effective in making these people comply with the conduct the world demands of them. So i would hope you would review that. Instead, go back to the point that we were going to try these things first. We were going to try sanctions first, but if all but that all options are on the table and every day that goes by it looks more and more as if we are going to have to turn to other options. Which we do not do want to do, the world does not want to do, and when we are done the iranian people are not going to want to do. I hope you revisit the language and the adjectives and vocabulary will we are using. Let me finish up with something much more colloquial. I understand this is difficult to do in an open setting as opposed to a classified setting, but i have a constituent you are familiar with, who has been held now for 418 days in prison in iran for doing nothing but being a christian and speaking about christian matters. I understand we do not have dogmatic relationships with the country and we all understand how difficult the relationship is. We also understand there are other channels that we cannot talk about here. I hope you will take back the message to the state department of how important it is that this fromeeper be released prison for doing something the world does not condone, simply for exercising his religious freedom. My time is up. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Let me take a moment i appreciate what the senator had you view thehow word success or effective. I personally believe that if we say the endgame we want, that is iran to deter its Nuclear Weapons program, have we succeeded in that no, not yet. , as ido believe that understood the ambassadors use of the word, which i would embrace personally, they have been effective in moving the iranians to a point to toerstand the consequences every day iranians in their lives, and therefore to the regime. To wegime ultimately once ants to be able to stay in power. Think our efforts as it relates to the Nuclear Power is about regime change. It is not. Thes about, as International Community has said, not to pursue Nuclear Nuclear capacity that could turn into a nuclear weapon. Not regime change, as much as i have issue with the regime. That is not the focus. Of the consequences of sanctions, especially if they continue to be vigorously enforced and ratcheted up, is the population inside of iran will increasingly clamber against the regime to change the consequences in their lives. So the regime will have to think about regime change, not from without, but from within. In that context, i think it is very important. And i do believe they have been effective. They can be even more effective. I would just say to all my colleagues, having just gone through the exercise of this committee about the question of the authorization for the use of military force as it relates to syria, each issue is different. But the absence of continuing to that mayanctions be what we see in the elections of rouhani. Ensuedcomments that have since. The result of the economic pressures they are continuing facing, continuously ratcheted up. If that is not successful, the only option left will be a vote for a use of force. And i hope that colleagues who feel, as i do, that iran at all costs cannot have the wherewithal to achieve Nuclear Weapons, will be in a position at that time to support the use of force. Because otherwise other we have sanctions vigorously pursued, hopefully with the goal we collectively want, or there is only one other option after that , assuming that is not yield the diplomacy we want. Mr. Chairman, first of all i thank you very much for those words. Again, i come back to the fact i think we should take out of this description of what is happening there the word success and effective. As you pointed out, they have not even been effective or successful in getting them to put their Nuclear Program on hold. Indeed, they are expanding it, as you eloquently described in your opening statement. I think that by using in front ,f a Committee Like this Foreign Relations committee of the United States senate, for the administration to say, well, we are pleased they have been expected effective and successful, back in iran, who watches these statements closely, they will breathe a sigh of relief and say, i guess they are not thinking about other things on the table. I think people should understand their and should understand in the International Community, the administration should understand that the other options on the table, we are getting closer and closer and closer to because of the ineffectiveness and lack of success with the sanctions. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I appreciate that, and i will not belabor that. We have a disagreement. The use of the word is in the context of having a biting economic consequence that may change part of the equation. But the gentleman and i share the same goal. I just hope that, as he and i share the same goal, that others who have expressed the willingness to share that same goal are also going to be willing to be supportive of what the president will need if diplomacy does not yield of the end of the day. Thank you, mr. Chair, and the committee. Thank you for being here today. I look forward to supporting your nomination and working with you in my subcommittee chairmanship capacity. I decided to give mr. Starr his money where for coming, so i will direct my questions at him. Some were things have happened since we went into recess. It would be helpful for the committee and all those watching this to understand your recent actions. On the fourth of august, the state department ordered the closure of 22 dogmatic missions across the middle east and north africa due to the potential terrorist threat. If you could, in the unclassified way, quickly walk us through making that decision. The decisionmade about when to reopen those consulates and missions please. Trying to keep this unclassified will be difficult. Specific threat information that was credible. It was not specific to where something might happen against us. In close collaboration with all werer partners, decisions made that closing some of our facilities would give us time to develop what that threat information was, to more quately put active protective measurements in place, to work with host governments who protect us while and we worked to counter that threat. It is important we have the capability to do things like that. I would not like to put something on i would like to put something on the record. Oftentimes we say that embassies have closed. In many cases we may have to close operations to the public, but the essential work that goes on in many of our embassies continues, in many cases. We do not abandon our facilities. There is much that still goes on while we may still be close to the public, but you are correct, there was specific threat information. Brush to a broad address that civic threat information. I think is indicative of the administrations willingness to balance that yes, we need to stay there and need to be able to continue in the long run with sometimes we need to take shortterm steps that are effective and help us mitigate threats. Mr. Starr, within the last week there was a significant attack on the consulate in erst prep s hr herat province. There were no casualties. I am hoping you could describe in an unclassified way the attack and how the state Department Personnel and others work to make sure it was rebuffed without any u. S. Casualties. Morning a 5 30 in the group of individuals which we now believe were led by the haqqani or wanted by the haqqani network, attacked our facility in herat, first with a large truck bomb that exploded, then followed by attackers wearing suicide vests and carrying attack weapons assault weapons and rpgs. Postsost is one of our not protected by the department of defense. It is to dramatic security along with a cadre of very experienced Diplomatic Security along with a cadre of very experienced contractors. It benefited from the fact that the nondefense personnel, the regular Foreign Service officers have gone through it before hand. Every one of them donned protective gear. They have been drilled to get immediately to the safe havens, which is exactly what they did. The drilling on the part of Security Officers and defensive personnel was incredibly effective and we neutralize the threat. The total number was eight attackers that our personnel neutralized. I would like to go on record saying that it was not without casualties to our side. When we look at the Afghan National police and guard force members that were killed in that attack, some of our own Afghan National employees that were translators and security personnel, and some other personnel that were wounded. It was significant, but the defense of the facility was effective. Our personnel were not injured. A very grim reminder of the challenges of the job. It sounds as if it was a job effectively done. Finally, we talked before, most recently in july, at a hearing future embassy Training Needs for state Department Personnel. It is still the position of the state department i know there is additional dialogue is it still the position of the state department that the best option fortraining is a center at pickett, virginia . It is my position. We very much understand that our world has changed. It is not just, a question of training Diplomatic Security. The entire Foreign Service needs to be prepared for the places they work. The entire Foreign Service needs to be prepared for the place that they work. Have a consolidated Training Center in a nearby area for all the other equities, the Foreign Service institute, the department of defense, the marine corps. This is still the most effective solution. I have some final questions. Will you commit to me upon confirmation that you will make an effort with the iraqis to make it clear to them that they are equally as responsible for the security of those individuals at camp liberty. And also to do all that they can. They will return the hostages that were taken . I want to ask what i have asked weve be responsive to questions from the committee . Absolutely. , how often will the state review the presence of highrisk posts through the board mechanism. Did the first review earlier this spring. This is something we call the security environment threat list. When we have that, it will be up by the end of this month and inill conduct another review october with conjunction with the regional bureau, and the other section of the department that is critical with usaid. The department panel, to thoroughly review the securities anization and paper they concluded their work on may 1. I am not aware that this has been released publicly. It will be released to congress. This report is ultimately releasable. I would ask for the department to release this upon completion. Is this the final determination . More or less. Can you speak to why those four. Ere not expected there is the chief of staff and we dont usually have chief of staff positions. This is just a technical response. Threat Analysis Section and if they should be part of the Intelligence Community. This would be part of the Intelligence Community while what we are is users of intelligence. Over the last year what we have done best is to increase our reach and depth into the Intelligence Community, and expanding the collaboration. This is the best answer to become part of the Intelligence Community. Part of the intelligence that we need. We are linked very closely, and finally two last things. There is the high risk and high threat boasts, the committee has not received an official copy but has had to rely on al jazeera and their link copy. The new position created for the undersecretary and the responsibility would be shifted from the young secretary management to this position. Do you have any recommendations . As i am there hoping to become confirmed, if your committee concurs, that is my first hurdle. Larger question of whether or not my position should be the undersecretary position, this is a larger issue that the Department Needs to look at holistically. One reason the recommendation was met was to ensure that the head of security, had access to the secretary of state and other senior officials if they needed it. It will be a long process to determine if we need the undersecretary of state for security. What i would like to do is assure you that i have the far, andat i need, so should i be confirmed i will have the access that i need. When necessary to the deputy secretary. And the undersecretarys of this department. This is the critical issue. I would expect you to have that asked that that access. Upon review of this committee. Let us know if you are not. Finally with reference to the Marine Security guards, which are flawed, my understanding is 35t two such detachments of new Marine Security guards are in place, with another expected by the end of september. That is three out of 35. How long will it take to get the full complement . I hope to have another six or seven activated by the end of this calendar year. We believe this is possible. There are issues to undertake like leasing the facility, making sure that this is safe, and the embassy and consulate profile so they have the right area to work out of. This does take a little bit of time. Ultimately this will be a three year process to put the detachment out there, but by the calendar end of 2013 i hope to have six or seven more activated this year. This is a threeyear process because of the physical aspect . Is this the resources or what . This is not the resources. First, we have to have the facilities. Embassy andlter the consulate properties so that we can have the electronics and secondly, the marine corps is upping the number of marines that they can provide for us and this activation plan is in accordance with how many marines can be turned out of the system in a timely fashion. 35 detachments is a lot of detachments. I believe it was the 1990s when we increase from about 112 to about 150 detachments. We have done this before and there are problems there are issues that come up that we must solve. And we have to set the three year timeframe, which is a realistic timeframe. I would also note that there are other programs, such as increasing the number of marines that we have at the high threat posts, which are a high priority for us, and sometimes instead of activating another detachment, we take the marines that could be available for that an increasing the number of marines we have at an existing facility. Of the committee wants to work with you to ensure that we can effectively and as quickly as possible achieve these goals. Let me say that we appreciate the men and women who serve and we see firsthand there efforts. Very briefly and i appreciate your patience and your service. Mr. Starr, we talked about the position that you have to fill, the Deputy Assistant with high risk, high threat posts. We have a piece of legislation out of committee that has some recommendations about qualifications for that person. I know that you had some concerns about that. For the record, can you state what those concerns are . I want to thank you for the work that has been done on the Embassy Security bill. It gives us resources and guidance that will help us go in the right direction. The Deputy Assistant secretary for high threats, which reports is a very big, position and something that we need, and works with us very closely. The committee was trying to ensure that this position met the highest of requirements but in trying to do that, some of the requirements were perspective prescriptive and i have concerns on if i can meet some of these requirements at were put down. What i need to be able to do is pick a most qualified person that i have within my organization to fill that is a shouldnt. This is just my concern, that some of the requirements were put down, with the best of intentions, to ensure that this person met the highest level of qualifications. It may be difficult to fulfill. Welle committee worked under the chairmans leadership, the goal to make it work is also a goal and i believe we should be able to resolve that issue. There were some concerns about narrowing down or shortening the Training Program down to 10 weeks. Been donethis had solely for monetary purposes but you believe the length of the training and what is being implemented, what is being put forth in the Training Program is thet the what you need for folks moving into Diplomatic Security posts . Time, this isent what i believe that we need. I will submit that what i have said is to have two iterations of the training, and then determine if we got out of it what we needed to do. We will review after we run this twice, and make sure this is exactly what we need. If you would share with us your sense of the shortcomings, what these are we would appreciate this. We will have a debate about this, i dont know when it will occur. You are trying to think of the best way to handle that and we talked a little bit about that yesterday and the day before. People go down to the senate floor and they talk about our influence on egypt. Hand,think on the other some of us talk about our National Interest, will you just talk about the influence countries,with other supplying other types of aid, and whether or not this is what we should look at, or if this is in the National Interest in how the aid is flowing . Let me talk about our National Interests. The relationship with the Egyptian Military. Let me say that i have been ofply influenced by some these issues by my experience in pakistan, where we cut off assistance to the Pakistani Military for 12 years, with disastrous strategic consequences because now we have a generation of people with no contact with the american miller military and no exposure to our values. I think that we have some very difficult political issues to work through. I think our relationship with the Egyptian Military and their relationship with their counterparts in the Israeli Military on the important issues of cap david implementation and border issues, this is the cornerstone of peace in the region. I think we have to look very closely at the role of our assistance in preserving our National Sick erie interest in egypt, protecting and working with our allies in israel. Sometimes countries dont do things exactly the way we wish for them to do them, but we still have an interest in preserving the relationship. Is that what you are saying . Often they dont do what we tell them to do, frankly, we have conflicting interests in many cases. Interests balance our and in this particular case, the camp david accord and the implementation is the cornerstone of peace in this region for decades. And it is important to sustain that and sustain the ties with the officer corps. Not just in egypt but other countries throughout the region. My sense is that after your experiences, you will shape the policy that will help influence egypt in a positive direction that maintains our natural National Interest. I look forward to working with you both. Thank you, sen. Corker. We urge countries to consider a course of action that we share our interests as well as theirs. We appreciate your answers to the questions, the record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow. If there are any questions that come to you, we urge you to answer so that we can consider you for the next is this meeting. With thanks to both of you and your families, who are here. The hearing is adjourned. Taking you live to a discussion about china from the Brookings Institution. We will build we will hear from the Foreign Affairs minister about the state of the the relationship between the United States and china. 7 15 ive at 715 eastern. To house approved a bill fund the government through december 15. This would cut funding for the health care law. Two democrats voted in favor. One republican voted against. This will go to the senate next week. Harry reid says that he will remove the language be funding the health care law. The house returns on wednesday for legislation work. You can watch this live on c span and cspan 2. Hua said glad this pill glad that this bill passed. Stop playing party politics. That rote another blaine wrote you can weigh in, go to twitt er. Com cspan. Many said ill report would create fortress embassies. No conclusion like that would be farther from the truth. We recognize protection and perfection is not possible. And good men and women will come forward to risk their lives on the front lines of danger. Should continue to do all that we can to protect them as they go about such a challenging task. That was the sole purpose of our report, produced with a deep sense that we had to get this right. And ors and elections smoke controversy and all external factors aside. Oversightekend, house reviews the obama administrations response to the attacks on benghazi. Weekend live coverage of the National Book festival with your chance to talk to the authors. Hutchison,ay bailey rick atkinson, and many more. Saturday morning, starting at 10 00 eastern. On American History tv, from converted horse tracks life for the half million million german prisoners of war detained during world war ii. The first lady who started the tradition of donating her gowns, watch our program on helen taft. On monday night, the series continues. We are at prospect garden. This is a garden that ellen is whengned, she she was in the white house, she brought the white house garden back to this garden. Letsys to the gardener, bring this section of this garden to the white house. And this becomes the famous rose garden. She does not live to see the rose garden completed. She is dying in the summer of 1914 and is wheeled out into the space outside in her wheelchair. She does not live to see the completion of this vision that she had four roses blooming at the white house. Meet the first and second wife of president Woodrow Wilson. Earlier today on capitol hill, and you caters and Business Leaders talked about how to improve Technical Education and Career Training. Provides funding for education but expires at the end of the month. Congress is considering reauthorization. This is just under one hour. Good morning. The subcommittee will come to order. Thank you for joining us to discuss career and technical Education Programs. I would like to send a warm welcome to our witnesses, whose testimony is invaluable to our efforts to strengthen the law. The perkins act provides technical funding, for what we call in the business, cte programs. They offer high school and theunity College Students experience to compete for jobs in a broad range of yields. Of states and School Districts and post secondary trulyutions implemented exceptional programs. Warchest technical high provided animal care for low income families. Residentrsity funds a veterinarian to have an onsite clinic, for handson experience. To have thenate principal who will share more information about this during her testimony. To prepare the students for high demand jobs in indiana, they offer Automotive Manufacturing and welding and other programs to allow students to learn new skills. Gateway Technical College offers more than 60 career Education Programs. Providing students with real world clinical and laboratory training. Did the bureau of labor statistics appointed 8 million americans between page of 16 and 24 are still looking for jobs. By strengthening the funding under the perkins act we can help more of these young people gain an edge in the workforce. Discussion, we must first assess the federal role in career and Technical Education. To receive funding these states must comply with a series of requirements, similar to those in the workforce investment act. Redundantallow averell mandates to make it harder for states to offer the Career Training opportunities that young people need. We must also discussed ways discussed ways to have these programs be effective. They must have the flexibility to work with local business communities to develop and implement programs that prepare students for in demand jobs. Coursework should provide students with the opportunity to to obtain relevant certificates that will allow them to more seamlessly integrate into the workforce. Recognizing the success of these programs depends upon effective teachers and we must examine away to recruit and retain educators without table experience. Dozens of states are struggling to attract teachers in several career sectors including Health Sciences and manufacturing, agriculture, and other rapidly growing fields. As he worked to rebuild the economy, these programs will put more americans on the path to the future. We will discuss a range of proposals to improve the act, including those that will increase Technical Education. I look forward to beginning this discussion right now. I will now yield to my distinguished colleague from arizona for his opening remarks. Thank you for the hearing. I agree, it is important to initiate the discussion about this important component of education in our country. With the career and technical Education Programs, many of them are funded under the Technical Education act of 2006. Millions ofe americans to succeed in college and careers and give them access to modern job skills. And what the employers are demanding. The career and Technical Skills among secondary and post secondary education students of all backgrounds. Helping to prepare them for in demand and high paying jobs is the goal. High quality, relevant and necessary for us to build a stronger economy. To make sure that students not only graduate from high school but also succeed in college and the global economy. Are, in that way securing our nations future. About two thirds of jobs through wire post secondary education. This will grow over the next years. There are 70 of these programs with over 200 29,000 students enrolled. Latino and over 40 of the students are of color. Investment in these programs has diminished in arizona after the horrible sequestration affect. The funding is at a historic low. Despite the state consistently performing well in student success. Forhould not cut funding the difference between getting ahead and falling behind for workers across the nation. Programs ford workbased learning opportunities that will help them in the workforce and further post secondary education. We know that career Technical Education is important for closing the gap. Academics across the country have demonstrated that offering rigorousacademically programs can reduce High School Dropout rates, and prepare students for higher earning and high skilled careers. High School Students who graduate from career academies make a 11 more than the than their counterparts. Eventually earns a four year college degree. Helps ournings economy, in strengthening and growing the middle class. I welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses. With the most extensive insights into these programs. We are grateful they are sharing her knowledge. Dress the reauthorization of this vital and important program. With that i will yield back. The subCommittee Members will be cementing written statements for the record. The record will remain open for 14 days. And other extraneous information will be entered into the official record. I would like to remind members that if and when we adjourn early, they may submit questions for the record. Are not sure when the votes will come today. They may come as early as 1030 or so. If this is the case we will have to adjourn and the hearing will not be returning. The witnesses are nodding like they have heard that story before. Now my pleasure to introduce our distinguished panel of witnesses. Mr. Vargas is the president of the associated builders and he has been active participants in 1989. A member of the Chapter National board of directors. Is the president of the high school, i am teachable. She was selected as the massachusetts principal of the 2014, and the Metlife National association of school principals, the 2014 principal of the year. We have john fisher, the Deputy Commissioner for transformation he has held positions at Plymouth State University and New Hampshire Community College. He serves as the president of the National Association of state directors for career and mr. Nelson is the operating officer at bain capital ventures. He has helped to Grow Companies in the Consumer Goods Industries including a variety of senior level positions at ibm. Welcome. Before i recognize each of you, let me explain our system. Really sometimes this is more for us. You will each have five minutes to present your testimony. The light in front of you will turn green, then it will turn yellow. Tothat point i will ask you wrap up your remarks as best as you are able. Our members will have five minutes to ask westerns of the panel. I would like to recognize mr. Vargas for five minutes. My name is alvin vargas. I serve in the pelican chapter in baton rouge, louisiana. The volunteer leaders are focused craftating construction programs, and Training Systems for more than 1900 students. 1983, we have funded more than 43 million in training costs. We have Partnership Agreements with 43 high schools and 17 districts including 76 classes with more than 1300 students per year. We also engage high School Students through craft competitions and a future building event. Members alone donate 50,000 per year in materials and what meant, volunteering 1600 hours plus in classrooms. The Louisiana Construction Industry Forces faces a workforce challenge. Project announcements within 60 billion of construction and the expansion of facilities is driving the need for skilled workers. Retirements and career changes, etc. , calls for more workers. Even with an exploding demand for the workforce, public high schools continue to focus on four college prep curriculums. This pathway is important but students should be offered for high income careers that do not require a bachelors degree. The should never come at the end at the expense of quality education. Abc and its partners are leading the charge to supply the workforce with future demands. Education stakeholders established a craftwork worse Development Task force to create a strategic roadmap titled building the craft workforce. For academically rigorous curriculum that will be consistently delivered across louisiana and their training providers. The Louisiana Community and Technical College system and the department of education has adopted the curriculum to blend construction with training and Community College programs. The training providers are focused on the capacity and highs will and facilities and funding with private providers. The delivery includes Industry Based certification, and weekend alternatives. The Louisiana State government has enacted innovative education choice,uch as chart giving high School Students the option to choose between College Preparation and Career Training. Students can customize their learning path by gaining industrybased certification and earning high school and College Credits. The Program Provides all Louisiana Students equal access to this training, and ultimately a career. First choice can serve as a step into high wage construction jobs or continue on for post secondary courses, to achieve this, we provide the students and parents and School Counselors collaborate to make sure that students register in courses that are relevant for their age. Abc is offering electrical pipe welding to 34 students. Our challenge is using our programs for the in demand industries that provide students with flexible training options from high school to post secondary credentials. This includes promoting new and existing partnerships between government and industry and education providers with clear accountability indicators and measures of success. On behalf of the pelican chapter, i would like to thank the committee for holding todays hearing on this very important subject. Thank you. Recognized for five minutes. Members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me here to discuss career and Technical Education and Training Programs. Ofm the proud principle worchester high school. Nationalected as the High School Principal of the year. This is the second largest city in new england, and we are the largest of seven high schools in the city. We have 14 different technical programs within for small learning communities. Apply for students lunch, free lunch. This was one of the most for performing vocational schools in the state. Presently we have a 92 passing rate, in english language arts. Year, science and last 96. 4 of our students graduated in four years. The achievement gap has increased significantly. Students prepare for success with a rigorous curriculum in the courses that provide academic with handson experience in the school and in the workplace through internships and cooperative education opportunities. They graduate with all of their academic requirements and national certification. Our students have graduated ready for college and careers. 13 directly went into the world of work and to resent joined the military. We have over 350 business and industry advisors that contributed to the director of success in the school and the students environment. With local business and industry related to the program and post secondary institutions. Guardiansd gardens they are magical partners to the Program Providing direction on equipment certification. And career opportunities. Provide College Credits to expand each students opportunity for post secondary success. Our allied Health Students graduate with diplomas and Health Certification in cpr. Assistants,rsing home health aide. Our students graduate with up to 18 College Credits from Northeastern University as well as being certified in a certified network. Assistance of the Higher Education partners we receive equipment at a lower cost, having students trained on the latest equipment. A donation from toyota has given area,6 bay service servicing 250 vehicles per month. We are committed to partnerships with two and fouryear colleges and universities. Our Animal Clinic was created by a School Partnership and provides affordable animal care for low income families in the area. Our students work alongside the doctor providing animal care. The collegeo Innovation School created a pipeline for our students to take temporary jobs upon graduation. With this 21stcentury focus we train students to meet the deployment implement plans of the manufacturing industries. These partnerships will keep jobs here for another 100 years. Through the leadership efforts of manufacturing and construction instructors are students work alongside to [indiscernible] energy home that competed in the solar decathlon, which was held this project help them hone their skills in the latest technologies and the latest fields, and to the fruit of their labors in a onceina lifetime Global Cultural experience. Successful Technical Schools require strong links to academic institutions. Our school and the citys success is intertwined. We are part of an economic engine for a highly trained and adaptable workforce, for the students to procure highpaying jobs in the field of their choice. I would be happy to answer any questions that you or other Committee Members may have. Mr. Fischer is recognized for five minutes. The subcommittee, thank you for inviting me here today. As Deputy Commissioner of education in vermont i am responsible for the innovation and transformation agenda, with a focus on Technical Education. Thei have the honor of National Association for state directors. As you take up the important work of reauthorizing the federal investment. I base my experience is in vermont along with those of my colleagues across the country. We start by saying investment is vitally important and it continues to be the major driver of innovation. 12 Million Students of all ages participate in these programs in every kind of community setting. Urban and suburban, and rural. These are delivered at numerous types of settings at the postsecondary level. This diversity is a reflection of the responsiveness to its community, employers and students. The diversity makes us unity behind a common vision for the future. In 2010, the state directors from across the country agreed to a common vision charting a Progressive Agenda that leverages opportunities presenting the perkins legislation. This vision seeks to break down the silos between academic and Technical Education and between and post secondary education, calling for strengthened partnership between employers and the Delivery Systems and programs of study around the National Career clusters, which are 16 at this point. Our federal policy we are leading Technical Education and the work worst development. Because of the promise of the work worse ct was important part of the states commitment to ensure that bmw has a Skilled Workforce that they need today and tomorrow. State, we are helping to restore and grow the economy. We are existing programs like automotive and advanced manufacturing, to reflect the changing workplace and technologies, introducing new programs like ill medical, computer science, nanotechnology, to support the emerging demands. These programs prepare students with skills and knowledge in what employers want. Serving a vital role in keeping the states in the u. S. Economy growing and innovating. Our partnership with employers is one of the most treasured aspects of our history. From industry giants like ibm, pacific,and Union Companies invest in the future by building robotic partnerships with education. From equipment donations to building curriculum, offering externships, and providing students with internships. These Business Education partnerships are essential to ensuring that we meet the needs of the 21stcentury economy. Todays economy require students to be prepared for options, being prepared for post secondary education and careers. This gives students the chance to be challenged i real world experiences. Become members of teams and find focus and motivation and confidence. Students are learning and earning at the same time, with the industry in the post secondary credentials along the way. Enrollment this has been a high policy in vermont a successful policy in vermont and across the nation. Likely tots were more go to college and persist at that level, and have a higher post secondary grade point average than their peers. Gives students a head start in the post secondary education, but at valid memorial high school, students in the health and Science Program can graduate from high school and earn an associates degree. This is college and career readiness. With perkins funding and requirements as an asked national catalyst, we transitioned the delivery model to programs of study, organized around the 16 career clusters, driven by career ready standards. Evidence thatg these programs of study produce quality outcomes. Including better secondary gpa and improved prospects towards graduation. There is a transformational role in showing that are most Rural Communities have access. In los angeles and chicago, we are transforming high schools and this is a matter of fact the. No matter what gender or socioeconomic status or race, all students should have access to programs to make them career ready. Finally, none of this matters unless we have evidence of outcomes. In vermont the Graduation Rate is 93 , compared to the overall graduate Graduation Rate of 87 . Thank you, mr. Fisher. Thank you very much and good esteemed members of this community. One ofeo of foster the largest and most experienced providers of online and hybrid education. I appreciate the opportunity to share some perspectives for a vital part of the educational economy. I come to you as an active observer, and my perspective starts with several important assumptions. This has worked and has improved the lives of millions of evil with strong state and federal policies. Record,at strong track there is a lot to be embraced going forward. This is not part of the educational economy that was broken. This can continue to improve for the future. Society is changing and education itself is changing and expectations are changing and the learning habits of students are evolving. It is in this contact i think there is a great opportunity to build on the role of this with schools and businesses across the country. We need to lay out a roadmap that will third further establish this roadmap. Seasonal y seasoned practitioners in the industry and people from outside of the industry who can help the next generation of students become lifelong learners. We have six recommendations and i wanted to highlight just three of those. What they share in common is all of them are implementing other parts of the educational economy in other sectors of the corporate economy. This is important to know. The melding of proven best practices with the best industries,om other so that we can optimize the Student Experience as well as return investments. We have three recommendations worth noting. The first is projectbased learning with the best of traditional practices to better personalize the Student Experience. This Means Project taste learning, with the traditional groundbased efforts for the best outcomes for the students. We want to embrace digital learning. The students have always wanted to embrace new technologies. We see this embedding further digital tools. The third is a change in perception. These are extraordinarily respectful applications, with a stable lifestyle, with Senior Management positions. We also know the degree to prepare students is often misunderstood. The reality is the alternative education for the pathway for traditional learners and adults needs to be encouraged by people and organizations of influence. There is a great opportunity to make this a new way to think about the economy for millions of people and we think the perception needs to be evolved and is used become a mainstream solution that is embraced like a traditional fouryear college. We know that a fouryear degree may not be practical for every student, or in some cases it should not be the first step. Of that islity trillions of dollars in student loan debt. There is a vibrant set of career alternatives to help themselves and their Families Build a more productive life. This is the time to lean in on the promise of the enabled careers. In summary we support and we know it can help fill the skills gap in this country. We have 123 in our history of the organization including who000 students today, compete in all aspects of high school and our career programs. We believe that this can improve everyones lives. Out of respect for the order to accommodate as many members as we can i will hold on my questions. Thomason, be mr. Recognized for five minutes. Chairman, thank you. Thank you for this hearing, and thank you for the panel and your testimony and experience today. This is a subject i am passionate about. Talking about greater opportunities for individuals and families. This is incredibly important. Ae important thing is having all five and trained work force. In the topic we are talking about, this all serves americas competitiveness. This is not a field of dreams, this is a field of jobs. Just want to ask, unanimous consent, to submit a statement from my cochair, from ongressman jim lange my first question is in the perkins act him a to focus on post secondary education. Have your programs strengthened with the post secondary education since the program was passed. Anyone who would like to feel that, please do. That first. Ress if there has been a leverage for change, in getting Higher Education to come to the table, and secondary education to come to the table, we never had the common vision around that. The post secondary elements of learning must begin in the secondary field. This was the perfect opportunity to look at articulation agreements, and now migrate to the real, robust programs. On the industry side, working with businesses, Apprenticeship Programs, that should start in high school, this has sprung up since 2006. Weare very fortunate partner and work very closely with all the president s, they sent their instructor to our school during the day, to bmt students, and give our several College Credits. Our students earned six College Credits, in addition to partnering with the technical institute, where our students consisted with the engineer students, and the modular home where they competed in china, and they actually asked six of our instructors to go with them to china for three weeks. To be part of competition. They approached us and our construction students actually we a Veterinary Clinic, and 200 thethe Veterinary Clinic to service the families that could not afford Veterinary Care before. Coming back to the business and industry, this basis has been incredibly important, and we prepare people for the jobs that are there, whether these are emergency industries or just in a transitional phase in terms of the workforce. What role does this industry play in the development and how role. Contribute to that business and industry is in a critical component. We spent a lot of time developing occupational demands. Track our can technical Education Programs based upon the demand of the work is. And the Technical College system and the High School System theyre intimately involved with this, and we now provide a path forward to to put meaningful programs in place to track the occupational demand. I think that we are just about out of time. If i can ask my remaining questions i will submit those to the witnesses, and if you could respond back in writing, that would be wonderful. The gentleman will yield back. May, let me submit for the record, if there is no objection, the statement from the Ranking Member. From the career and Technical Education. I would yield my time to ms. Davis, for any questions that ms. Davis may have. You have all touched on so many important areas, so thank you so much. We often worry about bringing things to scale, how to take the great expertise that comes with principals and educators in our system, and try to expand those and make sure that there is equality that we are looking or here. When we think about those partnerships and we know we are obviously dealing with what i have found to be very passionate teachers in this field. Theyet, what is it that perkins act can do to drive the best in professional education as well asa, expanding those partnerships. How would you like to see this, the combination of resources and reward, the grants that highlight the best practices. How would you do this, to make certain that it is getting the best that you have today. The perkins grant is essential for the functioning of the schools. Programs, theogy industry in Central Massachusetts it was essential to create pipelines for those jobs. We hired a phdey then ours, and since district has contributed to additional teachers, our students are all going into these majors. I would recommend that there are less for wireless for the money in regards to having more flexibility. A lot of the money is spent on professional development, which is essential for our technical teachers to stay current, and industry expectations. But the ability to use the money would be very helpful. I think the perkins act that so many important things but there is the opportunity to utilizinginformation, some nontraditional practices like innovation grants, that would attract not just the traditional cte to the table, but also people to outside industries. One thing that is learned is you have to harvest the best. But we live in an area that is more global and you have to have the same opportunities to be part of that conversation. There are aspects of the perkins act that could be directed to innovation and i think that that would create complement three perspectives for those and the very seasoned administrators and the faculty today. I would agree with everything that has been stated. Under the current funds we use reserve runs for innovation, and grant opportunity. To dod add what we need is build more robust data systems, to define the data once we are looking at. When we can do that in a more common way across the states, we can look at providing better professional Development Tom a and also engaging with business and industry to say, what are the emerging careers we have to develop rogue ramps for. Did you want to comment . I think that they covered the topic in terms of the partnerships we have with Public Education and Technical Colleges. That covers the needs and the discussions. We have to make sure that the data is representative of what we are trying to measure. That, we would welcome some insight about that. This is critical. We are never going to get where we want to go, without that. I think that you mentioned in louisiana, the course choice. That students have. Managed . Inf that order to have industries and engaging students at the site, which is the moment, i think, we takes resources, transportation dollars. How is it that we get there i see my time is up. We will see mrs. Brooks will be recognize. Thank you, mr. Chair. I know where congresswoman davis was going because im curious with respect. O the location issues as we look at the reauthorization of the perkins act im curious what you think the most important thing the federal government can do to help ensure that all students typeaccess to cte programs. As the mother of a son who graduated high school a few years ago, i wish he had done more cte programs. Then i have also been employed in the Community College system. Going back more with respect to my son, a large public high school, yet these programs are typically located at Career Education centers far away unless you have a fabulous Technical High School. Not every child is going to choose that. As they are exploring ideas, if they leave and go offcampus for that half day for those programs , they are missing the other college prep and advanced placement they need to go to college. We have a very big disconnect between our other academic rogue rams and these academic programs which people dont call them academic programs but i think they should. We had huge branding issues, as you have said, with cte. We also have these issues who students for students you cannot go explore because they get off of the college track. Im curious of you understand my frustration about career programs being located far away from our high schools and separate centers. What should we be doing in the perkins act to fix that . Areprograms that cte fabulous but not enough kids get to explore them because they think they will get off the college track. I would love to hear from all of you. I love the Technical High School programs but we cannot have them everywhere to the exclusion of our traditional high schools. In massachusetts, there are over 60 vocational technical , weols and in worcester have the academics and its a very different model than around the country. We have our students and academics one weekend the next in a technical program. Then they go back to academics. We have created authentic learning experiences that are projectbased. Because we have been so successful, they are now putting in a chapter 74 program two to beus the opportunity part of the experiences for projectbased learning. Outstanding. Others . Collects multiple levels of this. First of all, rebranding what career and tech is. What it looks like, what it sounds like, and what it produces. The outcomes are big on that. Data plays a big role in that. Recognizing the delivery can virtualtiple methods blended learning rather than bus everyopping on a day. We can recognize some of that learning does not take lace in the walls of a school, workplace learning, but really saying this is the 21stcentury programs, rich and academics, rich in experience, heavily backed by business. How would you rename and rebranded . I think thats part of the problem. Calling it Vocational Education is taking us back decades. Whether it is a comprehensive High School Im curious what you all think it should be renamed. Two thoughts. There are 5000 career academies and the doe definition is a school within a school where there is both Traditional School and whatever the right term is, vocational school. The future model needs to be the technologyenabled career and College Readiness academy. Or. Uld be and and not that is an important distinction. It an andy makes proposition. Theegins to not eliminate separate disciplines but integrated disciplines into real world problem solving. In terms of branding, i did note an example which is this campaign and there is a whitespace if you want to put a mark in their available to and open thefield jobs brand. I think the opportunity is to bring the private sector together who have a vested interest in an outcome such as this and begin to rebrand the marketing just like this campaign worked in general. The chair recognizes himself for five minutes. Continue on if you have anything else. Do you have anything to add to ms. Brooks question . Ando address facilities where they are located, we have taken a look at identifying high thatls across the state have technical labs, construction, automotive, healthcare, and working with the Technical College system and laid out a plan by which we can go out individually to try to reinvigorate without these programs. In addition we passed a huge bond issue to improve our the locations of the Technical College system. The key is bringing it back into the high schools and not reducing the rigor of the curriculum. That is key and we dont think thats even a topic for discussion. It have to offer the Technical Education as well. Thank you for that. What im going to do now is read my question into the record area and i will ask each of you to respond in writing, if you would, and then i will yield my time so we can get some questions. How can the federal Government Support more consistency programs without overburdening states, districts, or institutions . You have been great witnesses and your opinion is obviously valued if you could respond to the committee, it would be appreciated. Would yield the remainder of my time. One of the questions in is the impact of sequestration and what it means to your high school into programs in vermont and neck to be something they could see in writing. A general question that anyone could want to answer. You look forward to the reauthorization of the perkins act. What is the most important thing the federal government can that allp ensure students have access to high quality cte programs . What are some of the ideas that you might have as we go through this process . That is open to anyone. My recommendations for perkins. I think the grant in itself is very supportive of career and Technical Education, vocational school. We are able to use professional development and if we could be more flexible in the spending, it is just really hard to stay with equipment and technology constantly changing. It would be in support of having some more flexibility with regards to the funding stream and where we could spend the monies. That creating to outdoor ensuring the maintenance of the ability to be flexible and innovative within this, we can look at high skill, high wage, high demand careers but many times it only reflects existing industries. We need to look at the horizon and that takes a concerted effort with all sectors of the economy. Everybody agrees the importance of Workplace Training with cte. What are your thoughts about strengthening this process the role of apprentice options for the students . Could you repeat that . Strengthening the Apprenticeship Program in the course of study for students. Programntly the includes a four year Apprenticeship Program. We also have craft Training Programs. The acceleration of these learning experiences is brought on for the demand in the immediate need for trained, skilled craft workforce. My time is up, thank you. Click the gentleman yield back. They have called votes. I see no other members requesting to be recognized. With that, were going to wrap up this hearing. No long speech from me other than to say a sincere thank you for your leadership in the field. We definitely want to continue working with you. We believe in the value of what you do, these programs, and how integral you are and how important you are to education and the 21st century to the success of this nation. Again, thank you all for being here. Thinks the members for being here. Thank you for your leadership and expertise. To the members for being here. Seeing no further business before the committee, this hearing is adjourned. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2013] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] in about an hour, live to a discussion on china from the Brookings Institution and washington, d. C. We will hear from the chinese Foreign Affairs minister about the state of relations between u. S. And china, and interview style discussion with brookings senior fellow jeffrey bader. Live at 7 15 p. M. Eastern here on cspan. Earlier today on capitol hill, the house approved a bill funding the government for three months through december 15 and also cut funding for the health care law. It was approved 230189. In favor,crats voted one republican against. It will head to the senate next democrats voted in favor. The house returns wednesday at 2 00 p. M. Eastern for legislative work and you can watch them live here on cspan and the senate live on our companion network, cspan 2. Some tweeted after todays vote gop killed afford her bowl care act singlepayer demand federalizing insurer profits on human pain and suffering. Will of the people, passing continuing resolution defunding obamacare. Now its up to harry reid who listens only to obama and not the people. Obamay are not hiring for because of obamacare . A lie. They are not hiring because there is no demand for their products. Many have said the report would advocate fortress embassies or closing down our presents. No conclusion could be further from the truth. Inrecognize that perfection protection is not possible and financially men and women will still come forward to serve their country and risked their lives on the front lines of danger. We should continue to do all that we can to protect them as they go about such challenging tasks. That was the sole purpose of our report that was produced with the deep sense that we had to get it right. Elections, all other external factors aside. This weekend, House Oversight examining the Obamas Administration response to the terror attack on the u. S. Consulate in benghazi saturday, 10 00 a. M. Eastern. Tv, your chance to talk to the authors including former senator kay bailey she letn, david nassau, me know she younger, and many others. Sheila miashi. Life for the nearly half german half million german heer w sunday afternoon at 1 00 p. M. Pows. Million german the requested japanese cherry trees get planted along the tidal basin. Watch our program on helen taft saturday at 7 00 p. M. Were at prospect garden here in princeton, new jersey, the garden that ellen wilson designed when she was resident of Prospect House. When she was in the white house, she brings the garden or backyard to this garden at Prospect House and she says to the white house gardener, lets recreate the section of this garden at the white house. Of course, this becomes the famous rose garden at the white house. Ellen tragically does not live to see the rose garden completed. She dies in the summer of 1914 and she is wheeled out into the space outside in her wheelchair or she watches the garden work but she does not see the completion of this vision of roses blooming at the white house. Meet the first and second wife of president Woodrow Wilson live at 9 00 p. M. Eastern monday night on cspan, cspan 3, c span radio, and cspan. Org. Next, the administrator of the epa Gina Mccarthy talk about limiting Carbon Pollution for new power plants earlier today at the National Press club. This is about an hour. Good morning and welcome to the National Press club. My name is angela. Im a reporter for bloomberg and the 106th president of the National Press club. We are the worlds leading professional organization for journalists committed to our professions future through programming with events such as this while fostering a free press worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www. Pre programs donate to through the National Journalism institute, also visit press. Org institute. On behalf of members worldwide, i would like to welcome our speaker and those of you in the audience today. The head table includes guests of our speaker as well as working journalists who are club members. If you hear applause, members of the general public are also attending so its not a lack ofy journalistic objectivity. I would also like to welcome the cspan and public radio audiences. You can follow the action today on twitter using npclunch. After the speaker concludes, we will have a question and answer time and i will ask as many as time permits. I ask each of you to stand briefly as your name is announced. Right, reporter for bloomberg news, mark. Bill loveless, host of Platts Energy week. Margaret ryan, u. S. Correspondent for interfax national gas report. Harold wimmer, president and ceo of the American Lung association. Hand, energy wire. Kennethmccarry, mccarthy husband of our speaker. Alison fitzgerald, chairwoman of the National Press club speakers community and project manager for the center for public integrity. Speaking skipping over the speaker, a freelance editor and the Committee Member who organized todays breakfast, thank you, rod. Cox,end mitch hess evangelical environmental network. Deborah, environment correspondent for writers reuters. Bureau chief for argus media mayorproduces argus daley. And bob keats, senior press secretary for the National Resources defense council. [applause] barely two months ago, after 136 days of delay and wrangling with Senate Critics as well as answering more than 1000 wastions, our guest today confirmed as a 13th administrator of the Environmental Protection agency. Was alreadyy familiar with the agency she now heads. She served as the epa assistant administrator for air and radiation. Despite a background including leading efforts on Environmental Issues for republican governors in massachusetts and connecticut , our guest today could only muster six republican votes in the senate for her confirmation. That may not be surprising giving she is the point person to carry out president obamas pledge from his second inaugural address to respond to the threat of Climate Change knowing that failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. The residencewas latest articulation of a so called war on coal and the economies of states that depend on it production and use to generate nearly 40 of the nations electricity. President obama doubled down directing the epa to issue, by today, regulations to address the omission of Greenhouse Gases from new coal and natural gas fired plants and the expected backlash to the proposal was on display when our speaker appeared before a skeptical and at times Hostile Group of lawmakers on the house energy and Commerce Committee. Administrator mccarthy assured members of the panel that cold would continue to play an Important Role in generating electricity for years to come. Lessat is true, it may be about the details of the new proposal them the fact that whole generation is already being displaced by natural gas, being discovered and produced at a record rate because of technology such as hydraulic fracturing. When she is not drying regulations, she follows her red sox and has spoken about the thrill of getting to yell, play ball, at fenway park. Warme help me give a na National Press club welcome to or, ginanistrat mccarthy. [applause] thank you, angela. It was a long wait through the confirmation process, but oil was it worth it to be in this position and to work for and on behalf of the American Public and the great people at the epa. Its a Wonderful Agency and im proud to be where i am today. I also want to tell you that i thought six republican votes was pretty good. [laughter] maybe thats just me. I worked hard for those six votes. Roddick, thank you for all the work he did putting this together and thank you to the head table being assembled today. Good morning, everyone. Its great to be here and i appreciate your coming as well. Less than three months ago, president obama stood outside in the sweltering heat to unveil a new National Plan to confront the growing threat of Climate Change. Opinion, one in my of the most important speeches of his presidency. I will admit im a little biased. Those 45 minutes, the president laid out not only a vision but a plan for protecting our kids and families from pollution and fighting the threat of Climate Change. He called on agencies across the , includingernment the epa, to take action to cut Carbon Pollution, protect our country from the impact of an already changing climate, and to lead the world in this effort. One very important question that we all need to ask ourselves do we have the courage to act before its too late . How we answer that question will have a profound impact on the world that we leave behind for our children. They have called on the epa to take action and we have responded. Frankly, why wouldnt we . Our job is to protect health and the environment. This is the only agencies solely focused on delivering clean air, clean water, and a safe and to americanronment families. For more than 40 years, the epa has done its job well, with honor and with great distinction. For more than 40 years, the epa has worked tirelessly handin developing the best science available in being transparent in our decisionmaking. Weve done our job, as i said, with working from everyone from ande to state, ngos everyone in between to make sure that we progress in a way that across all regions of the country. The overwhelming judgment of science tells us that climate is real. Human activities are fueling that change. We must take action to avoid the most devastating consequences of Climate Change. We all know that this is not just about melting glaciers. Caused by Carbon Pollution is one of the most significant Public Health threats of our time. That is why the epa has been called to action and that is what todays action why todays action is so important and why we really need to talk about it not just this morning but when you go home in your own communities. It is a subject that deserves to be brought up and to be thought of as seriously as we can in our everyday lives. Its soxplain why important and why its so important in the epa and Public Health. Climate change is really about water. Clean, reliable sources of drinking water. Its about aging water and Wastewater Treatment facilities that end up overstressed and flooded during all of these extreme weather events. Its about mudslides. Its about storm surges, from pounding rains and its about sewers that will back up and overflow. Its about inadequate storm Water Systems that let pollution attack sensitive ecosystems, like the wetlands and our estuaries that threatens our fish and wildlife. It is about all of these impact adding up spoiling the beauty and vitality of some of this countrys most iconic water bodies that threaten our country, our safety, and the livability of our communities. Climate change is also about heat waves and drought. Droughts that drive up food prices, that , asaten our food supply well as the manufacturing operations that rely on water everyday to run their businesses and Climate Change is about wildfires like recent ones in in southwest, fires that 2012 alone scorched more than 9 million acres across eight states. That is an area more than two and a half times the great state of connecticut. Think of all of that property damage, the lives lost, air pollution caused by these fires. It destroyed landscapes putting communities and lives at risk. Climate change is also about the spread of disease. Warmer temperatures contribute to the rise of Small Creatures like mosquitoes and takes. Their bites may not seem deadly, but they spread diseases like what the west nile virus and lyme disease. They spread further and wider as the Climate Changes and most importantly, Climate Change is about clean and healthy air for all of us to breathe. It is about health. Carbon pollution and hotter weather can lead to longer allergy seasons, increased heat related death and erect threats to those who suffer from chronic lung and heart diseases. We all know that rising temperatures bring increased smog so let me drill down on this one issue just a bit. Has been studying in regulating pollution that leads to groundlevel ozone and what we call smog for decades. We know this issue. Is thing we know for sure that when the weather gets hotter, smog gets worse, and people of all ages suffer. Many of youthat know someone who is affected by smog. It makes it harder to breathe and to many of us have Health Challenges that smog can make worse. Daniel is a retired railroad executive from wheaton, illinois and he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or copd. It is a lifethreatening illness that affects lungs and the respiratory system. It is exactly the kind of condition that can be made worse by smog. Luckily, daniel received a Lung Transplant and his health has improved significantly other than when he was on deaths door. He made the trip to tell us of the story and he wanted to make one specific ask of our agency. He asked us to take action on Climate Change. They could make respiratory illnesses like the one he had been suffering from so much worse. Unfortunately, daniels story is all too familiar. It is not just adults or the elderly who suffer from air pollution. About our children, especially children and lower incomes and in urban communities. Toyour child does not need use an inhaler, then you are one lucky parent. One in 10 children today in the United States lives with asthma everyday. Inaid that correctly one 10. When it comes to health concerns, dont your children always come to mind first . At the end of the day, that is what this issue, Climate Change, is all about. That is why the epa cares about Climate Change and why we know we must take action now. That is why people from low income environmental injustice communities all across the nation are concerned about Climate Change because those communities are often so often most at risk when disaster strikes. That is why groups are speaking out against the threat of Climate Change and pollution to protect our children from those dangers. All is why faith groups of denominations are encouraging action. We must meet our moral obligation for the next generation and be stewards of our precious natural resources. It is those resources that provide the foundation for our health, our wellbeing and, yes, for our economy. The president Climate Action plan calls on federal agencies to take steady, sensible, pragmatic steps to cut the harmful Carbon Pollution that fuels our changing climate and to prepare for unavoidable impact based on the Climate Change that is already have a meeting and is inevitable. The United States could leverage our actions internationally so that we could address a Global Challenge in a global way. That is why we are here today. We want to limit Carbon Pollution from new power plants. They are the single largest source of Carbon Pollution. Plants, natural gas and coal fired, can minimize their Carbon Emissions by taking available modern technology. These technologies offer them a Clear Pathway forward today and in the long term. Let me get to the proposal just a bit. These proposed standards are the first uniform National Limit on Carbon Pollution from new power plants. They do not apply to existing power plants. I might repeat that one more time so that everybody gets it. These proposed standards are the first uniform National Limits on Carbon Pollution for new plants. They do not apply to existing power plants. Todays proposal does set separate National Limits for new natural gas power plants and for new coal power plants. Her plants would need to meet a limit of 1000 pounds of co2 per megawatt hour while new smaller natural gas plants would need to meet a limit of 1100 pounds of co2 per megawatt hour. New coal plants would need to meet a limit of 11 hundred pounds of co2 per megawatt hour. Coal plants could choose to also have additional flexibility if they want to average their omissions over multiple years by meeting a somewhat tighter limit. Of you may remember that we proposed standards for last year and you may be saying to yourself why are they starting all over again . Let me explain. We received extensive public ,omment on our last proposal over 2 million comments to be exact. On the earlier proposal, we generated considerable new data that came in through that comment time. We understood what technologies and we looked at recent trends in the power sector and we did democracy demands we paid attention. We read the comments. We thought about them. We decided to up date the proposal. What todays proposal reflected and were very confident that the Carbon Pollution standards we are proposing today for new power flexible andth achievable. They pave a path forward for the next generation of power plants in this country. The standards are flexible. They set different standards for different types of power plants. That is what the data helped us understand. These standards are achievable because it will secure major Public Health and Environmental Protections but they reflect the demonstrative performance of a variety of the clean, homegrown technologies. Technologies that are already entering the market and being constructed in plants today. Set the stage for continued public and private investment in technologies that are so important, technologies capture and sequestration. With these investments, technologies will eventually mature and become as common for scrubbersplants as have become for wellcontrolled existing plants today. If there is one thing ive learned over the course of my work in implementing the Clean Air Act it has been that power plants have really long lifespans. , even. Than mine sometimes 60 years or more, sometimes 70. People are making decisions about how to build new plants today which is one reason we need to act today. That is what makes standards for new power plants so very important and why this proposal ofes full advantage of all the cuttingedge technologies that increase efficiency and reduce waste. That translates into lower Carbon Emissions and more efficient, effective, clean energy. Is expectinge epa that we will get lots of comments on this proposal and we will do what we did before and gives each and every comment a thorough consideration. With all of this talk of cutting Carbon Pollution from new power plants, you are probably asking yourself, what is the epa doing about the pollution from existing power plants . Me explain a few things. First of all, addressing existing power plants is an important use of the president Climate Action plan. Committed to acting on reducing Carbon Emissions from existing plants as well. However, those proposed standards are on a longer time frame. A proposalrelease for Public Comment in june of next year that is june of 2014. Process already in order to meet that timeline. The process we started as one that involves engagement with states, local governments, industry leaders, ngos labor organizations, businesses and others who want to weigh in. We plan to be in very close consultation with the states. We have to ensure that any guidance that the epa puts out in june 2014 can translate into flexibility sufficient to account for the differences among our states and among the regions. That the epa you will follow the course that president obama charted in his speech in june. We want to get we will get to a point where we are Building Partnerships with states, local communities, and with local leaders so that we understand the options available in the options that must be available andake an existing standard effective carbon strategy. We can learn a lot from ongoing efforts to reduce Carbon Pollution. Those efforts have moved us toward a cleaner, more electric generated power already and we hope to build on the progress that is currently going on and, frankly, has been going on for years at the state and local level. 10 states are already participating in their own marketbased program to cut pollutions from carbon. I should make sure that Everybody Knows when i say bon. It is car ill talk about cars later, too. Car. Than 35 states have clean energy targets. More than 25 have already set Energy Efficiency goals and have cut their energy waste and over 1000 mayors across the country have signed agreements to cut Carbon Pollution. States and local communities are doing their jobs as incubators of innovation leading the way to cleaner, more affordable, more sustainable energy. Fighting Climate Change makes Good Business sense. Thats worth repeating. Climate change just makes Good Business sense. As the president has pointed out, more than 500 businesses including gm and mikey called and nike called this and i quote, one of the greatest opportunities of the 21st century. So we know rejecting our kids from harmful pollution is something that just cannot be solved overnight. It is going to take a broad, concerted effort from all levels of government as well as the private sector as well as individuals sitting here and beyond, as well as the International Community, but make no mistake about it. Epas action today to address power pollution from new plants is an important step forward in this Long Clean Energy journey and it is a necessary step to address a Public Health challenge that we all simply cannot afford to avoid any longer. Is we canews the challengeace of Climate Change but only if we Work Together. We have proven time after time that setting a fair clean act standards to protect Public Health does not cause the sky to fall. Crumble. My does not in fact, we are already seeing investments in clean energy payoff. Just this week, the department of energy released a report showing the cost of renewable is dropping while the use has grown. Just last year, in 2012, the u. S. Deployed almost twice as much wind as it did just the year before. Working together with input from states, communities, tribes, industry, and environmental advocates, we have grown our economy. We have driven innovation, we have created healthier, safer, more Livable Communities to hand down to our children and our grandchildren. Do not forget because i will thiss remind you under president s leadership just a few years ago, we established fuelric Greenhouse Gas economy standards for passenger vehicles. Those standards will save consumers thousands of dollars at the pump. Those standards did not cripple the Auto Industry. They made it stronger and they made it more competitive. By working arm in arm with industry, the united auto workers, consumer groups, advocates, and others we got the job done and we got it done right with the support of the Auto Industry, we achieved standards that will cut Carbon Pollution from our cars and half by 2025. The average driver will save dollars more than 8,000. Far from the Auto Industry collapsing its actually thriving. Over 300,000 jobs have been in that industry alone since the president of the United States rescued it from collapse. This proves we can improve pollution while creating jobs and strengthening the economy. The old rules said we could not protect our environment and promote Economic Growth at the same time. You heard it, you heard it. In america, we have always to use out sought out new technologies. We have used science, research and development, and discovery to make those old rules obsolete. We have the knowhow and the ingenuity to take on Climate Change. We can, we must turn this Public Health and environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. As the president has reminded us, all we need is the courage to act. For me, i muster that courage every time i look into the wonder of faces of my three daniel, maggie, and julie. In the end, this is really what this is all about for all of us, our obligation to leave our that is asworld healthy and safe as the one that we inherited. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you. Proposal on new coal power plants given the fact that Carbon Capture and other technologies are, at this point, not proven expensive than not yet ready for print . Who wrote that question . Were they listening to my speech . [laughter] probably. Not. Early i really appreciate the question and im glad it came up first. Is a technology that is feasible and available today. We know that. How do we know that . Its been demonstrated to be effective. We know that its been demonstrated and it is actually constructed on real facilities today, not just unconventional facilities but coal facilities. They are actually being invested in and being constructed and the designs are now available for others that are coming up. I think the coal industry and the investors said there needs to be a certain pathway forward for coal to be successful now and into the future. This proposal, rather than killing future coal, actually sets out a pathway forward for coal to continue to be part of the diverse mix in this country. Look. Coal will be part of the Energy Generation that we rely on substantially over the next few decades. Wouldnt we now with knowledge and invest in the type of technologies that will allow coal a future long beyond that . The president has made a commitment to support a Diverse Energy supply because it helps us economically, domestically, as well as it protects us from international concerns. We might as well invest today and set the pathway forward. This does that and we believe that, over time, you will be able to see that this is a reasonable, Cost Effective strategy as we move forward to keep coal in the energy mix. Extent, if any, did the epa consider making concessions to aid the coal industry are was that even a legitimate consideration during the discussions . The epa, and im very proud of the people do work thomas spent a great deal of time working with the industry themselves. We do it before, during, and after rulemaking and we do it for one reason. Epa, while we are solely looking at regulating pollution, we have to understand what kind of pollution reductions are doingable without significant damage to the companies that we are regulating. And i have said before, that our standards rather than doing damage can actually promote an industry sector to grow. What we did here in this proposal was we worked strongly with the utilities to understand what technologies were available. We will work with them over the comment. Whatnt them to understand type of Carbon Capture sequestration will be necessary and at what level because it is ccs buting to be partial it will be enough to make them competitive in a carbon constrained world and we have always, as the epa, do wonderful costbenefit analysis so that we can understand for the American People and the layout out in a public and transparent fashion so that they can understand the impacts of our rules and the Public Health protection to the costs associated and, in this case, we think we have done exactly the right job at looking at the science and the data tells us again to make a sensible, reasonable step forward to address what is essentially one of the greatest of the Health Challenges of our time, Climate Change. You told the house energy and Commerce Committee this week that coal will continue to be a significant source of energy in the u. S. For decades. What assurances do you have to offer to those who are skeptical of the epas motives . I think we have made our motives pretty clear. The epas job is to look at Environmental Health and protection. Actmplemented the clean air. We have aspirations outside of do not havey we aspirations outside of the authority that congress has given us. We just want to work on the pollutant regulated under the Clean Air Act and we have taken a look at how to be reasonable, rational, understand the data, look at the Technology Available , and make sure that we craft our decisions in a way that is fully sciencebased, fully data driven, and is reasonable and rational. Im not making a statement would this with this rule, nor would we ever about some independent choice about what fuels we like or dont like. Do,re looking, as we always the ways in which we can reasonably reduce pollution under the Clean Air Act with the authority that congress has given us. What steps will the epa take to ensure that electric consumers will not be harmed . Please explain regional flexibility sent some areas will feel more impact than others. That is a good question and let me make a note for myself so i dont forget. In this rulemaking, we have to keep in mind that this is about future power plants, new power so, really, we needed to understand what technologies were available and we needed to make sure that we wrote a rule that took advantage of the most costeffective technologies given the fact that any investment as large as a power plant will be hanging around for a while. We are going to be lagging with that plant and those Technology Choices for decades to come. Is ant think that regional issue. We think that is just about how you build a new power plant and how you use the most effective technologies. However, when you look at flexibility, when you look at two of the changes that you saw in the role that is different than the original proposal, one of them was on the natural gas side. If you look at the comments that came in under our proposal, there were questions and concerns about the levels that we had originally proposed and whether or not some of the smaller natural gas units used could really operationally and effectively obtain that standard in a consistent way. We have teed that up for a discussion establishing slightly recognizingandards operational issues. These are all technical discussions that we look at in great detail. We look at the averaging periods applicable to the standards. The 1100 pounds of co2 per megawatt hour is a 12 month average. A flexibility for those facilities that would allow them to average over a sevenyear period. Why did we do that . It is not we thought we would get lower Environmental Protection. It still requires partial ccs as it is designed and constructed. What we recognized is that ccs may provide a challenge out of the date as to whether or not you understand how to operate it effectively, whether or not you have all of the equipment you needed as tuned up as it needed to be so we gave flexibility to go to a slightly lower standard for the opportunity to have seven years to make the system right for you. That should be plenty of time is alreadyccs technically feasible, already available, and it is being constructed and facilities today. Why did the epa decided to shorten the flexibility option from 30 years to seven . That is a good followup question. I dont know. Im kidding. [laughter] we learned from the data that came in during the comments. We began to understand what the challenges were with this technology and as i said before, we started looking at the shift in the Actual Energy world was looking like. If you remember during the original proposal, we had 15 really traditional coal proposals that were out there were not getting funded and are not moving forward. What we realized was that the ones that are attracting investment and the ones that will provide fuel diversity and the certainty moving forward were ones that actually installed ccs. A pathwayood that was forward. What we were able to do was get a much better handle on the kinds of adjustments that would need to be made. He got a better handle on how long it would take to address those issues and we found a way to provide flexibility without losing the Environmental Protections that the original proposal had sought. Getting the environmental reductions at the same time as providing just the right flexibility that we need to make this work for the industry. Did the revised proposal factor in the outdated social cost of carbon values . Yes. Let me hit this issue, if you dont mind, a little bit more robustly because it has become an issue of concern. The epas job when we do rulemaking is to look at the costs and benefits of our rules and that means we are supposed to look at all of the benefits of the rules that we do, all of the costs to the extent that we can identify through here review processes. Back in the Prior Administration in 2008, they did start looking at the cost of methane and factoring that into their rulemaking. This did not begin with this administration. That is because everybody recognized that carbon actually had a cost. I think we now know the cost is a lot larger than we had originally proposed. , it isu reduce carbon factoring into the ability to in the Carbon Pollution changes that the world is experiencing relative to a changing climate. When this administration came in, then began a number process to look at what science has happened since then, what the theling shows us about earlier cost of methane projections. We updated it and we put it in a rule in 2010. There is a good technical document with that rule. I dont think it was an epa rule. Put it out and it was a document that was produced by the white house. Omb and the cea did a process and the epa was participating. It out and we had a good discussion. We got Public Comment and we move that forward with the rules. So we had a new cost of methane and what it said was that we were using three of the models that are always used, most effectively, to estimate Climate Impact and we said that as the models are updated or in two years, we should look at it again because the information is changing as science comes in. That is how we do our business. That is what we did recently. We did a not date. You know why . The models were updated. We did not change any imports. We just listened to what Peer Reviewed scientists and economists told us about the real social cost of carbon. Ae year we put it out in standard recently and it has caused anxiety which is why i wanted to explain this to you a little bit more fully although it may be boring or the heck out of some of you but it is an issue where people are concerned that we were not transparent. It went through a rulemaking process twice. It is in one physical you are concerned that we got somebody wrong, put some comments in. But its on the basis of peerreviewed science, whether about the Health Consequences or economic consequences. We are always open. We provide technical information. Thats all this is. When does e shall e. P. A. Expect to finalize the regulations being proposed today . Well, the Clean Air Act gives us a oneyear time frame, and let met explain why that is. Because when this particular rule goes out it really does send a signal to the agency, to the market, that if you expect to start up and construct a facility, then you need to Pay Attention to these particular standards because thats going to be your obligation if they stay the same. So it really has an impact and the Clean Air Act recognizes that and asks us to complete it within a year. Now, i will say that that doesnt mean that over the course of the com period we wont Pay Attention and there might not be adjustments but it does send a signal to the market right away and were hoping that that signal is that there is a way to build a coal facility that is clean and can operate for a long period of time in a carbonconstrained worldle if the plan works and survives legal challenges, will that put an end to the effort of the california ant northwest states plan to deal with it through a marketbased system . Yes, it will. Just kidding. Seeing if you were paying attention. [laughter] remember this is about new sources. No new, new, new. Just sending a message to the industry about what the latest technologies are and how we expect them to reduce pollutants under the clean air afpblgt as i indicated, an information will be available today, were really gearing up to start working with state and local communities and the business communities to begin to take a look at how we address the existing standard much the existing standard under the Clean Air Act is very different than the new source standards. These shouldnt indicate that we think we can retrofit existing facilities by plunking Carbon Capture sequestration on the end. Carbon capture sequestration is really being designed into these facilities, which is why its very appropriate to look at this technology in new facilities, which is why i dont want you to look at this proposal and say ah, i know what eepeep e. P. A. Is going to do with the existing. New process is likely anticipated. E. P. A. Sets the standard, we take comments, and eneverybody complies. Isnt life grand . It doesnt actually often work that way, but we hope. In the case of existing facilities, what we are really supposed po to do is establish a guideline and then the challenge for the states is to look at that guideline rk look at their own facilities and senled a plan back to e. P. A. That assures they can meet that plan and effectively reduce carbon in a way thats sensitive to local concerns and to understand how electricity is being generated in those states so that we can all Work Together which is why what were announcing today is a series of meetings and engagements with states and with local communities all across the region and with the Business Community and with utilities. You wonder why e. P. A. Is at every Energy Conference imaginable, this is it. Because we are going where people have information, where we can understand the issues, where we can develop a guidance that we put out in june. Now, i will say that the Clean Air Act inhis atute and many others requires that e. P. A. Work with states as coregulators in these tasks. I am looking forward to that. I have been one of those coregulators for many years when i worked at the state level. In this instance state and local communities have been far ahead of e. P. A. And the federal government in understanding what actions make sense for them and how they can reduce the carbon from their electricity sector. We will go out with a great process that will explain the flexibility in the statute, that will explore those issues, that will provide certainty to the states who are already addressing these issues effectively that we are going to Pay Attention to those processes, some of which i played a pretty heavy hand in crafting and i think theyre still pretty good, and well make sure that we look at these reasonable differences and that were totally respectful of respectful of the processes that are already in place and, frankly, these discussion discussions will given us a woifl opportunity to explain to the American Public that they need be not be afraid of the actions we will take to address carbon and Climate Change. All ll be hearing from over the United States about entities entities that have taken huge leaps forward and are learning how to shift money and put it to school teachers, for example, instead. I know the guidance we put out will respect this progress moving forward. C. C. S. Tech analogy technology is not currently being used on a commercial scale power plant. Is does e. P. A. Think c. C. S. Ready for use by the industry . Well, i probably should let all the technical people explain but let me pretend to aspirin what c. C. S. Is. Its the capture, the transportationion of the c. O. 2 and the storage of the c. O. It. Did, c. O. It. There is no question that the capture can be done effectively. The capture of c. O. 2 has actually been going on since the 1930s. We kind of know that one. We know how to transport. There is actually a fullscale plant. Its a gas iffyidation technology that is in operation today thats been using c. C. S. At a full scale, pulling out c. C. S. At percentages much higher than our proposal is contemplating and they have been doing it effectively for years. There is no surprise about how to do this. That hat doesnt mean over time themes these tech nologies cant get better. Sequestration is one area where we hope to advance. We know the department of energy has resources that theyve already announce hd, 6 billion in resources that are going to continue to fund the development of these types of technologies. This is what is going to ensure that we have a Diverse Energy supply in the future, and i feel very confident that the information we have in this document will show that we know how to not only do those three components but its been demonstrated in facilities that the part yall c. C. S. Capture c. C. S. Ks partial capture that is being demonstrated stood, what kind of facilities the u. S. Government thinks are going to be effective in a car bomconstrained world. Following up on that we have a couple questions about the kemper project, which one person describes as vastly overbudgetet. What are your conclusions at this point about how economically feasible that will be. Good question. Kem kemper is a Southern Company facility. I will tell you i cant speak to will whether its over budget. Ive certainly read that, but the one uniqueness you need to understand about kemper that i think makes it really not a good comparison, if you are wondering, or a good model if you are wondering if c. C. S. Is going to be Cost Effective and available, again we have four facilities currently in the construction phase. Ou know, at least one is 75 complete, thats integrating c. C. S. Into the zivene the facility. But the kemper facility is actual think very unique, not just in the c. C. S. But it has other unique technologies being tested by Southern Company because they have some proprietary oversight over those technologies. So it isnt just the c. C. S. , i think its the actual gas turbine that is different. So theres a lot of things different and unique about that facility which really tells me that they there may be a lot more going on than just whether c. C. S. In its traditional way can be put on that facility and work Cost Effectively. I would be remiss not to ask one of the many questions about fracking. Hat will your approach be to enforcement regarding v shale drilling and fracking . Its a good question. Its not the subject matter of today but ill take it on anyways. So no, its good because it is clearly related. This country has had an enormous increase in the amount of natural gas its generated and how Cost Effective and really inexpensive natural gas has gfpblgt become. I think thats one of the reasons you are seeing a significant shift away from coal and investigate investing in natural gas and im quite sure thats how everybody is looking at it. The fracking issue is one that e. P. A. Has been all over for quite a while. If you are unaware, we have an ongoing study that is really 18 Research Projects all into one to look at all the water issues associated with fracking, to make sure that we have the skibes to understand what its threat might be and whether or not there needs to be action and how that action should be taken. I think the president in the Climate Action plan actually addressed this issue in a couple of give different ways. Really the first way was he told us we needed to get what he called a methane strategy, and hes pulled all the agencies together to develop that. Now, the thing i think many of you may not know is that on the air side, e. P. A. Has already regulated fracking. The reason you dont know it is because we did it so well, nobody complained. Well, very few. I shouldnt say nobody. And what we said was and understood was that methane in the fracking process is emitted, and in that methane say lot of vool phil organic compounds. Those are air pollutants regulated under the clean air ack, and in order to address those we are requiring actions throughout the sector to take a look at natural gas wells and during the fracking process to make sure that they use either green completions which are phased in and going to be fully available in a few years, which recaptures the methane, then allows companies to make money because thats the product theyre producing. Thats the major constituent of natural gas and it allows them to capture the v. O. C. s so it doesnt contribute to what we all know are significant air quality challenges we are seeing in the western parts of the states that were never seen about. Again, ozone the so we are regulating the industry from the air quality side effectively. Its not just Cost Effective, its going to make some money, and weve done that working with the states hand in hand to ensure that as they are regular late, regulating, we dont duplicate their efforts but take advantage of it. We are helping them understand if issues are arising and provide Technical Expertise to them but we are effectively looking at fracking in general from both the water and air quality side and we know thats our obligation. Again thats e. P. A. s obligation to protect Public Health and the environment so we take it seriously an on the nam gas side as we do regulating coal and the emissions from coal. We are almost out of time but before asking the last question, a couple of housekeeping matters. First id like to remind you, on september 26 we will have new orleans mayor michigan landrieu and philadelphia mayor until nutter. November 11 we will have walt binther, president and c. E. O. Hwab. E charles sk sc and we would like to present our guest guest with the traditional National Press club coffee mug. As long as its less than 5, i accept. Yes. We buy them in bulk for a very good price. And one last question. You are here at the National Press club today. A questioner asked, now that you are administrator, will you allow more access for journalists to interview scientists and policy advisors . I would say e. P. A. Always allows access to our scientists but if theres any issues, well talk. Thank you for your attention. [applause] thank you, administrator mccarthy. Thank you all for coming today. Id also like to thank National Press club staff including our Journalism Institute and Broadcast Center for helping organization todays event. Finally, you can find more information about the national ress club at our web site, www. Press. Org. Thank you. Erify adjourned. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National able satellite corp. 2013] and now on to the Brookings Institution in washington, d. C. , where a discussion is about to get underway on china with chinas Foreign Affairs minister about the state of relations between the United States and china. Its going to be an interviewstyle discussion between wang yi and jeffrey bader. It will be live momentarily ere on cspan. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National able satellite corp. 2013] good evening, everybody. Thanks for the help. Its my great pleasure to welcome all of you here this evening for what is going to be a rare opportunity to hear from the foreign minister of the peoples republic of china, wang yi. As i look around this room i see many friends and sup orers of the institution. Friends of china, friends from china. And im grateful to all of you for making the effort to be here this evening. We also have quite a number of representatives of the diplomatic corps. I want to particularly thank the ambassador for the help and cooperation and extended hospitality, if i can put it that way, in putting this venings prom program together. About our about our distinguished guests career. He came into his pent post in march after spending virtually all his career, including a stint as a visiting scholar at a as a University Specialist on asia and articularly japan. As vice minister for the region that is asia, he played a vital role in getting the diplomacy involved with the north korean Nuclear Program on to a , and as ve track chinas ambassador to japan he was there at a particularly sensitive time in that bi lateral relationship, as i think everyone knows. Bit end of his 10year tenure as ambassador to japan, think it can be said that the p. R. C. s relationship was on a steadier course than when he arrived. He also served as director of the Taiwan Affairs office in the state council. He has graced us here at brookings with his presence before, busch series but this is the first time in his capacity as foreign minister and were all very grateful to hear his views on a new model for great power relations between the United States and china. That is the topic that occupied a good deal of time between our president s when we they met at sunny lands and a topic they returned to when they met at the g20 in st. Petersburg. Its also an issue that is very much on the agenda here at the brookings, the john l. Thrornton china center and our Brookings Center in beijing. So both in washington and in beijing, we at brookings are doing as much as we can to improve and identify areas of cooperation between the United States and china. We its in that spirit that welcome the foreign minister back to brookings tonight. Is going to offer some opening remarks. There are earphones on your tables. The simultaneous english interpretation can be found on channel 2. When he finishes his remarks there will be a conversation oderavetted by my colleague moterated by my colleague jeff bader, who was the founder of the Thornton Center here at brookings, also at the state department in and president bamas senior director for asia at the National Security council. So mr. Minister, again, welcome and the the podium is yours. Ladies and gentlemen, its my pleasure to be here to meet old friends and make new ones. Was preparing my speech in beijing, my colleagues english, me to speak and i agreed. But finally i found i have not had time to practice my english. So i decide to speak my own language, chinese. English, and i agreed. Georgetown know, they only gave me half a year. Maybe less time i can do it. O you can use the handset. [through translator] it gives me great pleasure to be book at the back at the Brookings Institution and share with you my thoughts on a new measure of relations between the u. S. And china. Before i start i wish to thank the Brookings Institution and the president , strobe talbott, for graciously hosting this event. Ver the past few years i was here several times to meet your experts and scholars. As the president said just now, at that time i wore the hat of the minister of the Taiwan Affairs office. I was in charge of affairs related to taiwan and the reunification be china, so the focused on the subject of taiwan. I remember at that time many uven wanted to ask me on issues of Foreign Policy, and my reply was always, sorry, theyre beyond my portfolio, but today i will not say sorry again, regardless of what questions you may ask. This is a year of great significance in u. S. China relations. Last june the two president s held a successful and historic estate in nnenberg california. The most important outcome is china and the United States agreed to build a new model of relations between the two countries. The agreement is strategic, constructive, and pathbreaking in nature. It has charted the future ourse for our relations. It will surely produce a positive and profound impact on indeed the ific and evolution of the international landscape. Come two greement questions. First, what is this new model about. And second, how to make it the. Eality esident pi ly gin ping has laid out the essentials for the new modelle none one number one, no conflict or confrontations, number two, mutual respect, and number three, cooperation the the first, no conflict or confrontation, is the prerequisite for the new model of relations between the countries. According to some studies of history there have been about 15 cases of rise of emerging powers. In 11 cases, confrontations as war broke out between the emerging and the established power. However, we now live in a different world. China and the United States and in fact all countries in the world are part of a community of shared interests. Countries are increasingly interconnected. Neither of us will benefit from con frontation. War will get us nowhere. We need to address the distrust and build confidence in the future of hinau. S. Relations. For l respect is important this new modelle china and the United States, different in social systems, history and culture yet connected by intertwined interests. Only by respecting each others system and path chosen by their people as well as each others core interests and concerns can we seek Common Ground and on that basis expand Common Ground and resolve differences so that china and the United States will be able to live together in harmony. Cooperation is the only way to turn the vision into a reality. Here is an enormous need and vast potential for better cooperation in all fields. Besides, the world certainly needs china and the United States, two major countries with great influence, to Work Together on issues ranging from counterterrorism to Cyber Security, nuclear nonproliferation, and peace in the middle east and development. Its only possible when both countries are committed to growing cooperation. Moreover, more over any winwin shouldnt be only beneficial to china and the United States, it should be beneficial to all countries in the world. Let me turn to the second question that its more important is how can we make the new model of relations a reality. Indeed this will be a systemic project that requires ideas and efforts of people from all walks of life in both countries. It also needs sustained political results, persistent commitment and tireless efforts of both sides. I know that Many American friends say to me that this new model is great, but it must not be just a slogan, i fully agree with them. It should not stay at a level of a concept only. It should become a reality through concrete action. American friends are very pragmatic. So are the chinese. This is why the moment i arrived in the United States, in the first meeting with the press, i said publicly that i am here this time to send a clear message, that is, our two countries should Work Together. Lets use concrete action to advance this new model. Lets carry out specific to ration to reflect or enrich this new model. There are so many areas that we can cooperate. I would like to talk about my observations on how to build a new model from the following aspects. First we need to enhance Strategic Trust to put this new model of relationship on a more olid foundation. We have all along emphasized that chinas development is peaceful in nature. We have never had the strategic intention to challenge or even to the United States in its position in the world. We work with the United States and all other countries for peace and common development. We are aware of the u. S. Statement that it does not see china as a threat or intends to contain china. Instead it wishes to see a strong and stable china. This is right. As long as china and the united tates can both stick to this Strategic Direction in their action, we will certainly build up Strategic Trust and strengthen the foundation for his new model of relationship. Second, we need to promote practical cooperation to put this new model of relationship on more shared interests over more than four decades since the establishment of our diplomatic relations, Economic Growth and trade have brought huge developments to each country. They have served as a stabilizer that enables china u. S. Relations to forge ahead despite wins. 500 billion u. S. Dollars and mutual investment more than 80 billion. According to the latest report from china u. S. Exchange foundation, in 10 years time, by 2022, our two countries will become each others top trading partner. By then u. S. Exports to china ill exceed 450 billion u. S. Which means over 2. 5 million jobs created in this country. The number of Chinese Tourists visiting the United States will 1. 5 to 10 million from million in 2012. These are conclusions of the joint study by chinese and american scholars, not from the chinese side only. I believe they will give a strong impetus to the historic process of this new model of relationship. Recently china has agreed to carry out substantive negotiations with the united treaty n the investment on the prebase of National Treatment and a list. This shows the great inseverity and resolve of the Chinese Government and deepen china and u. S. Economic trade cooperation. This will open up new prospects for bilateral business ties, also need for the two countries to tap cooperation potential in such fields as energy, Environmental Protection, urbanization, biotech and infrastructure. China takes u. S. Concerns on Market Access and i. P. R. Protection seriously and is prepared to take measures to address them at the same time china hopes the United States will ease its control over hightech export to china and give fair treatment to Chinese Companies investing in this country. Third, we need to enhance people to people and Cultural Exchange and put this new model of relationship on Stronger Public support. State to state relations at the end of the day are about people to people relations. In todays world, Public Opinion has increasingly become a significant factor shaping or even defining bilateral relationships. Friendship between peoples leads to nations and vice versa. The success of our endeavor to build a new model of major country relationships hinges greatly upon the understanding, involvement, and support of the majority of our two peoples. With this in mind, we need to encourage and expand into actions in various areas and within various groups including families, communities, schools, and n. G. O. S at the grass root level so that our peoples will understand each other better and deepen friendship. We need to strengthen Cultural Exchange and as the two sides meet and interact, they will gradually achieve mutual tolerance and inclusiveness. We also need to lead Public Opinion in respective countries that the voice advocating china u. S. Friendship and cooperation will become the mainstream in public support where our relations will grow stronger. Fourth, we need to strengthen cooperation in international and regional hot spots and global issues and put this new model of relationship on greater common responsibilities. The United States is the biggest developed country while china is the biggest developing country in the world. The two countries share evergrowing converging interests and shoulder increasingly greater common responsibilities on such measured issues as maintaining regional and International Stability and promoting Sustainable Development of mankind. Joint contribution to world peace and stability and progress of civilization is what the International Community expects of our two countries. It should, therefore, also be inherent future of this new model of relationship. China is prepared to engage in all i did mentional cooperation with the United States at regional and global levels. What we seek is not the socalled g2, but each complementing the other for its respective advantages. China is ready to shoulder International Responsibilities commensurate with its National Strengths and reality and together with the United States offer more quality public goods for the International Community. China and the United States can cooperate on any issue. We may not always see eye to eye, but that should not prevent us from talking to each other. As long as we truly act in a shared interest of the two countries and for the benefit of regional and global stability and the prosperity, our positions will get closer and our Strategic Trust will surely get enhanced. N Cyber Security, a peaceful secure open and cooperative cyberspace is in the interest of all countries in the world including china and the United States. China firmly opposes any behavior that disrupts order in cyberspace and endangers Cyber Security. As a matter of fact, china is a victim of hacking and other Cyber Attacks to safeguard Cyber Security, we need cooperation instead of finger pointing. The first meeting of china u. S. Cyber working group made a good beginning. We need to keep up constructive dialogue and to promote the formulation of the International Cyber rules to elp ensure Cyber Security. On Climate Change, our two sides have set up a Climate Change working group within the framework. As china is committed to deeping economic structural readjustment and accelerating the shift of growth model, addressing Climate Change meets its own needs of Sustainable Development in the first place. We are ready to enhance cooperation with the United States on Environmental Protection, Energy Conservation and emissions reductionnd alternative and renewable energy, take part in relevant Climate Change negotiations in a responsible matter and jointly contribute to Sustainable Development. On syria, china is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any country or individual. We believe that political settlement is the only right ay out in diffusing the syrian crisis. With support and early launch of the process to destroy syrias chemical weapons, at the same time a geneva two should be held as soon as possible, thus bringing the syrian issue back to political settlement. On palestine and israel, china a pro poted peace talks in proposed peace talks in a manner and pushed the two sides to make efforts on the Iranian Nuclear issue. China and the United States have close communication. There has emerged positive factors in Iranian Nuclear dialogue. We should seize the opportunities to work for early substantive progress in the dialogue. Fifth, we need to prioritize our cooperation on Asian Pacific affairs and start the building of this new model of relationship from the Asian Pacific region. The asia pacific is the worlds Fastest Growing and the most promising region. It is also home to most of the hot spot issues. China and the United States have more conversing interesting and interactions in the Asian Pacific more than anywhere else. It is both possible and imperative that our two countries start the building of this new model of relationship from the Asian Pacific. Just think if china and the United States can avoid conflict and confrontation in the Asian Pacific, there is no reason we cant coexist in peace in other parts of the world if china and the United States can respect each other and conduct cooperation on Asian Pacific affairs, there is no reason we cannot Work Together on other issues. How to turn the Asian Pacific into the testing ground for our new model of relationship, i think the following two points are extremely important. First, china and the United States should genuinely respect and accommodate each others interests and the concerns in the Asian Pacific. China respects the traditional influence and immediate interests of the United States in the asia pacific. We have never thought about pushing the u. S. Out of the region, rather we hope the United States will play a positive and constructive role in safeguarding peace, stability, and the development in the asia pacific. The vast Pacific Ocean is broad enough to accommodate our two big countries. He asia pacific has been the home and root of the chinese nation for thousands of years. Therefore, we hope that the United States will also respect hinas interests and concerns. The taiwan question concerns chinas sovereignty and the integrity. It bears on the National Sentiments of its 1. 3 billion chinese people. Right now relations enjoy a momentum of peaceful development. Its the common desire of people on both sides of the straits to have peace rather than war, cooperation rather than confrontation, and exchanges rather than estrangement. Gradual integration of the two sides through twoway interactions and cooperation will lead to ultimate reunification. This is a historical trend that no one can stop. For many years, the taiwan question has been a liability in chinese u. S. Relations that undermines mutual trust and disrupts cooperation. However, if the United States can go along with the prevailing trend of peaceful development, of relations and genuinely appreciate and respect chinas efforts to oppose separation and achieve peaceful reunification, the issue was a liability, the negative factors in our relationship will be turned into an asset and a positive factor providing long term steady grove of chinese u. S. Relations and opening prospect or allaround cooperation. Second, china and the United States should Work Together to produce substantive results in our cooperation over hot spot issues in the asia pacific. If we can succeed in doing so, we will be able to accumulate experience and strategic cooperation on a global scale and demonstrate to the rest of the world our ability and resolve to jointly safeguard Regional Peace and stability. A case in point is the Korean Nuclear issue. China and the United States have built much consensus on the issue. T is ouch common responsibility to maintain peace in northeast asia. Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the september 19th join statement. Before yesterday, china hosted an International Workshop in beijing to mark the 10th anniversary of the sixparty talks. China believes that dialogue and the negotiation is the right path toward a Nuclear Weaponsfree peninsula and that the sixparty talks have turned out to be an effective mechanism for dialogue. The parties concerned should recommitment themselves as soon as possible to a joint statement and the Work Together to create the necessary conditions for the restart of the sixparty talks. The u. S. Position on this is of vital importance. China is ready to keep in touch ith the u. S. Side. We were also ready to cooperate with the United States on other regional hot spot issues such as afghanistan. 10 days ago, the second china u. S. Collaborative Training Course to afghanistan diplomats was launched in washington, d. C. I sent con graceses to the program. Afghanistan is in the phase of crucial transition. What other country can proceed smoothly with the reconciliation and reconstruction including china, the United States, and other countries in the nation. China u. S. Cooperation on afghanistan has just started. There is Great Potential and room for enhanced cooperation if our two countries can work with each other and to bring out our respective strengths, we can turn the issue into a new highlight and cooperation. Ladies and gentlemen, not long ago, president gee and president obama met again on e margins of the g20 summit in st. Petersburg. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to this new model of major country relationship. The building of such a relationship requires not only political guidance from our leaders, but also and more importantly, the involvement and support of people across the society in both countries including the continuous intellectual input from action demonstratea. Institution is one of the greatest think tanks. What to do next is to look at what the Brookings Institute is working on. The Brookings Institution has always had a keen interest in u. S. Relations with china, but its purpose, the china center bringing together many Renowned Experts on china u. S. Relations and doing a great deal of work in promoting bilateral ties. I hope and im confident that as china and the United States build this new model, the Brookings Institution will continue to put a positive role and make major contributions. Thank you. [applause] now it seems i need to answer your questions. I would like to thank minister wang for andreas that was full of insight and full of ideas about how to build a new model of major power relationships. As the minister said, there was a concern at the outset that this might be just a slogan. I think what we have heard from the minister tonight are some excellent ideas about how to make this much more than a logan. Ts also important that this name of the relationship not simply be an umbrella for all of the old issues and all of the old disputes. We need to infuse this new model with some new determination to solve problems rather than merely repeat old positions and old talking oints. I think minister wang has blazed the path and shown us how to do that. So i would like to take advantage of my position as moderator and ask the first question, if i could, mr. Minister. And we thank you for being willing to take some questions that will doubtless be difficult and probably unpleasant. [laughter] my question is as it was indicated, you are almost in ainly the leading expert the Chinese Government on the subject of japan. Do you want me to complete the question . Although i must say that the gentleman who followed you as ambassador to japan also did a errific job. This way. For many of us it has been very upsetting to see the worlds second and Third Largest economies have their relationships, relationship become tense and deteriorate over what to many on the outside appear to be four un inhabited and habited rocks. I know it looks different in china and japan, but that is the truth. As foreign minister and as chinas leading japan expert, to u have ideas about how renormalize relations between china and japan in the coming months . Will it require some sort of reement about the islands, these four uninhabited rocks or will the two countries take a broader higher view and look at the many important common interests that they have and find a way to rebuild the elationship . He asked a very sensitive. Uestion from the beginning to answer this question, i want to first be very clear that it is chinas consistent and clear position that the islands are an integral part of the chinese territory and this position of ours has not changed and nor should it change. China has a Firm Determination to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, we are aware that the japanese side has its own thoughts and views and what should we do, it is chinas consistent position that when it comes to territorial disputes, we are ready to resolve the disputes through a ialogue and negotiation. Ut 41 years ago when china and japan broke their years of estrangement and achieved the normalization of diplomatic relations, leaders of the two countries reached a very important agreement or you can call it an understanding, that is, we have different positions on this issue and we can set aside our difference and take care of it or resolve it at some later date. This understanding has been incorporated into many diplomatic documents and the memory of reaching such understanding is still fresh on the minds of both japanese and chinese diplomats who are personally involved in that part of history. That has enabled the continuance of peace and stability on the islands and in their adjacent borders including in the East China Sea for so many years. However, to our regret, last year the japanese side decided to press its claim and control over the chinese territory, the islands, by nationalizing these islands and that move broke what existed over these islands in the past 40 years and under such circumstances, one can easily imagine that the chinese side must and surely make a response to it. So, the situation may seem complicated, but the whole story is actually a very clear one