More liquid lidquidity they tend to perhaps not get what the other assets needed in the final rule. Weve been aiming at one goal and having a different result. To me it seems like its a problem for two reasons. One, more Community Banks, in particular, especially in a state like arkansas and other states like alabama and tennessee and other states represented here, its a good business. Its relatively safe assets. Two, its also that for the people we serve the consumers of those banks rather than dealing with a small bank in a place like del county arkansas. My time has expired. I want to thank you for your time. Thank you for increasing the number of our candidates we have in washington today. Thank you. I apologize for being in a closed session for two and a half hours involving iran. I hope the key questions i hoped to ask have been asked by others. I came to say i thank you for being here and these distinguished witnesses here. To try to cause them to not be such a threat theres no question thats whats happened in the process is our Community Banks have been tremendously affected. Were losing Community Banks left and right. The asset base they have to deal with relative to compliance is causing them to be non noncompetitive. I look forward to working with you some alleviate some of it thats been placed on them. I thank you. I look forward tworko working with you. I do have detailed questions that ill send through qfrs. I look forward to additional hearings. Thank you. Im going to follow up on senator moran and others here. Small bank have millions and millions of People Living in small communities in this country. He was talking about a small bank inability to make a plain vanilla blue chip loan on a piece of real estate because of regulations. Do yall understand that. Nobody wants a failing institution or a troubled institution. Shouldnt banks have clarity in what they can do and to make it work . We have Banking System because we have a free market economy. Going to keep it that way. Want to have access to capital want those debts paid back. We understand all that. Isnt there some way to regulators to solve some of those problems, at least try to . Is it a question of capital . Is it a question of management . Is a problem over regulation . I dont know. They put out a notice of proposed rule making and small bank. The expanded rule definition except about 1700 more institutions bringing the total to a little over 4,000. The small Bank Expansion will pick up about 700 additional institutions. We do think that with those proposals it will make it easier for banks in Rural Communities to comply with the abilities to repay rules. Some of the issues were hearing around the appraisal thresholds that may also be helpful for the kind of situation that youre describing. We will continue to work on that as we move through the process. The areas you listed, i would say all the above for different reasons. I think the new and amount of regulations have that impact on institutions. To the extent theres relief you need to give them that relief. One of the things were doing at the occ is doing that assess assessments of laws and rules that arent necessary or should be modified. For example, when the ots was combining the occ, were undertaking a review of all the regulations to make sure they are fair and balanced and consistent. The other part of the management is very critical. With the complexity of the industry industry, making sure they have the right skill set is key. If they cant acquire that thats where our collaboration emphasize a sharing of resources which for some institutions is harder to do. Its important to look for opportunities to manage the coasts, off load the costs and get the expertise you need. I would say one of the challenges weve been in again is a tremendous period of change. One of the additional charges is the sorts of the uncertainty there. Whats the legal uncertainty . Do we have any precedents on how that will be interpreted . I think it creates challenges for our Financial Institutions as far as the lending process. We understand that. What we can do about it as regulators is to provide when its in our authority to do so clarity about how well review it. We have published a lot of guidance to try to help understand the new rules and how well examine for them. We also do a lot of training and outreach. Were serving in these Rural Communities to help them understand those areas and to get training and to share best practices. You want to comment . I do. While we recognize theres improvements in these areas we would like to see any Mortgage Loan held in portfolio would qualify under the qm rules. When youve made a loan youre holding in portfolio youve already done the analysis. We would really like that to be something that is initiated. We feel like that would be an improvement in those areas. Thank you. I want to thank all the Witnesses Today who will be following up with each of your agency as we begin consideration of regulatory relief here. We want your input. The record will remain open for the next seven days. Thank you very much for your appearance today. The committee is adjourned. And now live to london for british Prime Ministers question time. Each week the house of commons is in session we bring you Prime MinisterDavid Cameron taking questions from members of the house of commons live wednesday mornings here on cspan2. Here on cspan2. We invite your participation via twitter using hashtag pmus. Practic washington members are finishing up other business. And now live to the floor of the british house of commons. In november last year the Prime Minister said been in 2010 but there were 356 fewer. Thats one area. Recently in may 2010 invested the government over 200 times. When with this government stop meddling . The honorable gentleman should beware the uks Assistance Authority authority has on several occasions down the opposition guilty of using statistics in a misleading way and thats the function the whole account. Order. Questions to the Prime Minister. Number one. Thank you, mr. Speaker. This morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. Does my right honorable friend recall the general election of 1983 a conservative landslide win which i and 100 others were elected for the first time. Is he aware since that time unemployment was 3 million. Today it is 2 million. The workforce with 24 million today it is 30 million. Women in the workforce were 9 million today 14 million. Does he agree that these comparisons coupled with [inaudible] in the form of a left wing Opposition Leader [shouting] i am very grateful to my right honorable friend. I wasnt a voter in 1983 but it is true that this government is cutting unemployment and its also true that every Labour Government always puts up unemployment. What we can see in his own constituency is the claimant count has fallen by 55 since the last election. But it does speak to a Bigger Picture which is this government has created 1000 jobs for every day that it has been in office. And we all were member the production of a leader of the labour party that our plans would cost 1 million jobs come with unemployment tumbling perhaps today is the day he should apologize. [shouting] ed miliband. [shouting] mr. Speaker, an hour ago we learned up a taxes scandal including a former treasurer of the tory party who, between them have given nearly 5 Million Pounds to the conservative party. How can the Prime Minister explained the revolving door between tory party hq and hsbc . I saw this list just before coming to Prime Ministers question and one with the woman is labour donor lord paul who funded gordon brown election campaign. I am very clear. People should pay their taxes in our country and no government has been tougher than this one in chasing down tax evasion and tax avoidance. Lets talk about the difference between him and me. None of these people have given up any on my watch. He is up to his neck in this. [shouting] sound like gave him appears for good measure. So now can he explain what steps is going to take to find out about the text avoid ms. Of lord of think . I will tell him about the difference between him and me. When people donate to the conservative party you dont pick the candidate, they dont choose the policy and they dont elected the leader. When the trade union funds the labour party, they pay for the candidates, they pay for the policies and the only reason he is sitting there is because a bunch of trade Union Leaders decided he was more left wing than his brother. [shouting] he can cant get away from a. Is a dodgy Prime Minister surrounded by dodgy donors. [shouting] no gimmie didnt just take the money. He didnt [shouting] it has always to be said, the questions will be heard and the answers will be heard because this is a demographic chamber. I dont care how long it takes, they will be heard. Ed miliband. And he didnt just take the money. He appointed the man who is head of hsbc as a minister. Mr. Speaker it was in the Public Domain in september 2010 that hsbc was enabling tax avoidance on an industrial scale. Are we seriously expected to believe that when he makes Stephen Green of minister he had no idea about these allegations . Im glad he is brought up the issue of Stephen Green who was the trade minister in this government. This is the same Stephen Green who gordon brown appointed as the head of his Business Advisory council. This is the same Stephen Green who labour welcome as a trade minister into the government. And it is the same Stephen Green who is a shadow business secretary looking a bit coy today invited on a trade mission as late as 2013. We know what happens, mr. Speaker, every week he gets more desperate because he cant talk about the economy, he cant talk about unemployment so he comes here, he comes here with fiction after fiction. Let me deal while i have a moment with the fiction with last week. He came here, and if you remember he talked about something called intermediary tax relief. It turns out mr. Speaker, [inaudible] as long as it takes as long as it takes. [shouting] i said the question must be heard. The responses must be heard. The Prime Minister. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week the labour leader asked me six times about the tax treatment of hedge funds. Now, turns out that the treatment he is complaining about was introduced in the autumn of 1997 by a Labour Government. [shouting] it further turns out, it further turns out that it was extended in 2007. Now, who was in power in 2007 . Labour. Who was the city minister in 2007 . I think will find it was ed somebody. [shouting] ed miliband. Mr. Speaker, i know the Prime Minister doesnt care, i know the Prime Minister doesnt care about tax avoidance but this day of all days he is going to be held accountable for answering the question. Now, he is pleading ignorance as to what was happening with Stephen Green, but today we discover the minister in charge in a press release in november 2011 which referred to the investigation into the hsbc geneva account holders. Has the Prime Minister expect us to believe that Steven Creighton three years of the minister he never had a conversation with himthem about what was happening at hsbc . Why did labour welcome Stephen Green . Why would they still booking meetings with them in 2013 . My responsibility is to tax laws of this country, no one has been tougher. Let me remind him about what we found. Hedge funds cutting their taxes by flipping currencies, allowed under labour, banned under the tories. Foreigners not being stamp duty allowed under labour, banned under the tories. Banks stopped paying tax on all the profit, allowed under labour, banned by the tories. Those two in the treasury with the friends of the tax dodger. We are the friend of the hardworking taxpayer. [shouting] hes banged to rights just like is a donors. And doesnt this all sounds familiar . The Prime Minister appoints someone to a senior job in government. There are public allegations but he doesnt ask the questions. He turns a blind eye. Isnt it just the behavior we saw with andy coulson . It is mr. Speaker, desperate stuff because they can talk about the economy because its growing. They cant talk about unemployment because it is falling. They cant talk about their Health Policy because it is collapsing. What have we seen this week . He cant even go in front of a business audience because they have defended every business in the country. He can go to scotland because he is toxic. They cant talk to women because they got a pink bus touring the country. They even defended britains none. To what people look a labour and said they havent got a prayer. [shouting] mr. Speaker, he took the money. He gave the job to that of hsbc and he lets the tax avoidance get away with it. Theres something rotten at the heart of the conservative party and it ism. [shouting] for 13 years they sat in the treasury they did nothing about tax transparency. Nothing about tax dodging to nothing about tax avoidance but this government has been tougher than any previous government. Thats why theyre desperate. Thats why they are losing. [shouting] thank you, mr. Speaker. At the we can, graduates of the university enjoyed yet another year of success. Last week [inaudible] fastestgrowing Digital Economy in the United Kingdom. With my right honorable friend agree with me that the talent of our people combined with a longterm economic plan that britain remains a world leader in the Creative Industry . My friend is right to our Creative Industries are a vital part of our economy and our country. When we look at film and television and you see the great results, the high hopes we have for the oscars, reddish television and film conquering the world the university plays an important part because it strengthen some of our digital effect specials, because many of our creative people is a key part of this vital and growing industry. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Last week Prime Ministers question, i warn the Prime Minister but falling wages. This week he says [inaudible] im glad to see his waking up to reality but we do not agree with me that the people who most are the families who have lost 1600 pounds a year [inaudible] giving massive tax cuts. What the lady will find is right now it is good that wages in the Public Sector and the private sector are growing ahead of inflation. And, of course, because we raised the 10000 pounds, the amount of money you can earn before you start paying taxes as a result people are betting off. In scotland there are 175,000 more people in work today than when i became Prime Minister. So as a result of growth in the jobs market, growth in wages cuts in taxes increase in minimum wages, things are Getting Better for families in scotland. For years the Supermarket Chain has been sitting on an antisupermarket in my constituency. Does the Prime Minister agreed the Supermarket Chain should be forced to release assets that they dont need rather than allow them to be a blight on the beginning of the . I think what we need to see a Successful Development go ahead and the use of these brown field sites. If they cant be used for retail, then it could be used for other uses. One of the changes we have made is to liberalize the use classes in planning so that we dont have longterm planning blight development not going ahead in towns and cities warehouses and jobs and investment are needed. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Given the Prime Ministers newfound concern that employers should give decent pay raises can explain why he didnt apply that principle to his own government when they decided not to influence the recommended 1 pay increase for nhs staff the . What we have done with nhs staff is make sure the lowest paid people in the nhs are getting a pay rise and, of course, in the nhs you have regression pay so everyone will get at least a 1 rise but many people because the progression will get a two three, or 4 rise. Alongside that they rise they will be paying less in tax the council tax has been frozen, diesel and petrol prices are coming down and people can see the standards of living are rising because weve got a lot of economic plan and we are sticking to it. Mr. Speaker, more than ever before business students and commuters in hampshire use the trains to get around but they are increasing frustrated about trains ducked in the analog age. Camera right honorable friend consider this important issue and see what the government could do to help commuters and others get access to wifi on our trains speak with i think she is right to raise this. Its vital for businesses and for individuals to be able to access wifi into their work and other contacts while they are untrained. On train. Im pleased to announced plans that will see the rollout of free wifi on trains across the United Kingdom from 2017. The government will invest nearly 50 Million Pounds to ensure that rail passengers are better connected, passengers that make over 500 million journeys every year will all benefit from this investment. Them motor build the car that my severely disabled constituent is set for 11 years is being taken from him in two weeks. All with hereditary paraplegia unable to walk without crutches or sticks, he is deteriorating sadly by the week. Ive been told his case will be reconsidered and yet the department for work and pensions is callously snatching it from you on the 25th of february. Will the Prime Minister immediately rectify this heartless and disgraceful injustice . Im very happy to look at the individual cases that the right honorable gentleman raises but of course, with the replacement of the disability living allowance with a personal independence payments, the most disabled people will be getting more money and more assistance rather than less. But as i said i will happily look at the case. Given the widespread cynicism about politicians promises and claims, will my right honorable friend remind people however long it takes that this government has presided over the creation of more than 2 million additional private sector jobs, which is far, far more than we ever promised . Doesnt that our efforts to cut the deficit would destroy jobs and . My right honorable friend is right. The figures are clear. We have created 2 million additional private sector jobs. If you look at the exit number of people in work public and private sector combined, it is 1. 75 million more people. He hind those statistics are families have now got a pay packet and a job and the chance to be more secure future. And all of this at a time when the leader of the opposition was very clear he wanted that our policy would cost 1 million jobs. He was 1000000 wrong, and its time they withdrew what they said and apologize for all those statements. Mr. Speaker, in november 2012 hmrc and the Committee Said there were a dozen prosecutions in relation to the case law. None of them have come to court yet. Can he expect to us why that is the case of . First of all on prosecutions for tax evasion, the figures have gone up fivefold under this government since 2010. 2650 cases leading to hundreds of years of imprisonment taken as a whole. Thats whats happened to but there is an important point here, which is in our country the tax collection agency, hrm sikkim isnt even of government independent of ministers, and that has to raise the taxes and carry out the investigation and order the prosecution. Its very important in a free country that ministers are not given the details of who is being investigated and what the prosecutions are. Now, this doesnt happen in other countries and we have a word for it, its called corruption. But it seems to be the path suggested by the Party Opposite. Thank you mr. Speaker. [shouting] order, order. The honorable gentleman is entitled to be heard with courtesy. Thank you, mr. Speaker. My constituents in montgomeryshire not able to see the gp as quickly as they showed. Does the Prime Minister agree that we need to train more gps to take for plans for surgeries to be open seven days a week and in the evenings . Will he press for similar things be available to my constituents . I will certainly press for the change because weve now got 1000 more gps operating in england. Weve made a commitment were going to have seven day openings, eight in the morning until eight anything. Thats already available to some 4 million people. We will spread that across the country and i would urge the nhs in wales even at this late stage and deliver them in wales more to the point because it is their decision to cut the nhs does land of the nhs in wales with these difficulties to reverse that policy and look at how we can expand access to gps in wales because its the right policy. [inaudible] was opened by and others. With the Prime Minister be prepared to meet a group from the committee . The issues of security of synagogues and other jewish buildings it is too urgent to wait until my . Can i commend them for the work he does in fighting antisemitism, and i know it takes that honor roll inside this house and outside the house with the work that he does but it is very vital to reassure jewish communities at this time, particularly after the heightened tensions because of what happened in paris and other issues. Ive met with the jewish leadership council. I discussed with him the issues. We do make available support. Ive make sure the police have contacted all the relevant organizations to try to work with him but im very happy to sit down with millers apartment and hear their views, to. Thank you, mr. Speaker. [inaudible] have awarded 14 grants for the basis of funds totaling over 1. 7 billion pounds. This is like integration of 158 jobs, many in manufacturing, 60 fall in unemployment we have seen locally. Will the Prime Minister commit to further investment in northern manufacturing to rebalancing our economy . Im very glad that the honorable gentleman sees there is a manufacturing revival taking place in britain. Weve seen investment and output increase but that is happening in all the regions of her country which is worthwhile. We will be playing our part by investing 10 Million Pounds in the developed of defense Manufacturing Research center in south yorkshire. I think these and other by the catapults can make a real difference in terms of backing the revival of manufacturing in our country. Thank you very much mr. Speaker. Ive been reading the report, and the fact is that the last government, the Labour Government prosecuted more companies for Corporate Tax efficient than this government has done. Many people want money and our consumers who do not pay the tax. What is he doing . What this government has done is when we chaired the g8 we put at the head of the agenda the issue of taxes transparency and tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. And we now have 90 countries automatically sharing their tax information, including switzerland. So the events that were discussing of the events which by the way at allegations of crime that all took place when labour were in power were this to happen again we wouldnt have this situation because we have the automatic Transparent Exchange of tax information. Something this government put on the agenda and the Party Opposite only started talking about it after we did that. Thank you mr. Speaker. According to a recent survey, 40,000 patients, the accident and Emergency Service at our county hospital is the number one in the country. Here, here. What my right honorable friend praise all the staff worker and to reassure the hospitals for southwest and north, the money will follow that good work of . I certainly join my honorable friend in congratulating the county hospital in Nhs Foundation trust. I think their work shows what can be done when we better integrate health and social care. And also we will look at how we can treat frail elderly people and the community, often people who have more than one physical condition that need treatment. The best place for them is often not transborder trade and Community Hospital and looking after their ailments and helping them to do better at home. That is what we should be focused on. That is what the Simon Stevens plan is for the nhs and it is plain weve come up with the money to get it well under way. A e. Does the Prime Minister have conversations with the lord green as attacks went at hsbc . If not order, order. I said order to i said of him ago the honorable gentleman from montgomeryshire had right to be heard with courtesy. The honorable lady has a similar right to be heard with courtesy and be in no doubt she will be heard with courtesy. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I just wanted to know if the Prime Minister has had conversations with the lord green about tax avoidance at hsbc . And if not, why not . When i appointed Stephen Green, every proper process was followed. I consulted the cabinet secretary, consulted the director for propriety and ethics. And, of course, the house of lords appointed commission now looks at someones individual tax affairs before giving them a plug i made the appointment goes welcomed by labour after years later they were Still Holding meetings with him a. [inaudible] to give her children best of in life. What does my right of a friend think she needs, measures to are those who work hard get onto the right thing, or cheap patronizing [inaudible] [shouting] i think what of britains families need to get on most of all is the security of a good school plays and were providing them, its good of a good job and were providing them, and the secret of the safe community, and we are providing them. But have to say labours campaign, the wheels, i would say the wheels are falling off the wagon i think the wheels are falling off the bus but we now know it is not going to be driven by anyone on the front bench. Surprise, surprise. Its going to be driven by unite. [shouting] thank you, mr. Speaker. The prime the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister may have been brief about the care quality commission, publishes reports on my local hospital yesterday. It found that we have an extremely dedicated hardworking professional staff team, a Patient Safety has been put at risk by Staff Shortages and the fabric of the building which was described by consultative report by something out of the third world. With the Prime Minister meet with me and, indeed, my colleagues to look at how we can secure the funds to make our constituents save . What i would say to the honorable gentleman is the cqc investigations and findings are clearly disappointed but does seem as if the trust is taking immediate steps to address the issues that have been raised. Raising standards around Infection Control and cleanliness, enhanced frequent train and recruit more permanent staff. But i think this does go to a bigger point which is four years in our images when theres a problem with i hospital swept under the carpet rather than properly examined and inspected and if necessary put into special measures and then corrected. That is now what is happening in our Health Service and that is all to the good. Its important to say this on the day when sir robert franciscus, with his report about how important it is that will listen to whistleblowers in the nhs. And unlike the Party Opposite we are determined that we will listen to the frances report and whistleblower to i am certainly sure the Health Sector meets with his colleagues and others to make sure that this hospital gets the attention it deserves. Sir peter tapsell. May i put it to the Prime Minister that from that present monroe onward at his been generally acknowledged by leaders of great powers that be avoidance of war it is often wise to acknowledge the concept of traditional spheres of authority and power, and that while ukraine is of absolutely no significant strategic importance to britain, greece most certainly is. And that unless western statesmen show greater skills than they have in recent years greece is going to pass into the russian sphere of influence without a shot being fired. Its difficult to answer the father of the house without a long historical not hysterical. [laughter] historical answer, but i would answer when it comes to ukraine it doesnt matter on our continent of europe to make sure that we dont reward aggression and brutality with appeasement. That would be wrong and that is what it is right to the sanctions in place. It is right to keep the European Union and america together on this issue. And it is right to stand up to president putin. On the issue of greece, of course there is a british interest here, which is what want stability and growth on the continent of europe. The eurozone crisis has held back that growth and that stability, and so we want those concerned to come to reasonable agreement so that europe can move forward. It is good that the british economy is growing and jobs are being generated by we have to recognize that our largest market at the moment is still relatively stagnant and the situation in greece doesnt help that. Mr. Speaker, the our efforts in newcastle involving my constituents to report for benefits fraudsters. Can ask him why he feels so complaint doesnt feel as strongly about tax avoidance . Will be report, did he have a conversation with lord green about tax avoidance . I do feel strong about tax evasion and tax avoidance. Let me tell you can when it comes to income tax some of the things people used to get away with. Under labour people avoid paying tax like calling their salary from the company a loan. Allowed under labour, banned under the tort. Businesses could avoid paying tax by paying employees through trust. Allowed by labour banned by the tories. Time and time again it is this government that is come along and cracking down on tax evasion. Thank you mr. Speaker. I am a proud yorkshireman. When i come to london im proud that the im proud the red carpet used for the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey was made in my constituency but im proud the upholstery and buses was made in my area as well. I wonder do with mortgages last week with 2. 9 Million Pounds [shouting] a question to one sentence. Local manufacturers. The awardwinning can i tell them that the Prime Minister will continue to put yorkshire at the heart of [shouting] im afraid, mr. Speaker, the truth is you cant fit all the good things happening into yorkshire in one question. Its impossible. He couldve added his medals at the olympics but he couldve talked about the cricket, but the point is the longterm economic plan was announced for yorkshire and northern lincolnshire sets out transport investment from investment in science helping universities getting by the industries that are growing the fastest. Thats what another conservative government would do, success for yorkshire, security for families in the yorkshire. Can be Prime Minister confirmed that between may 2010 and december 2013 he never once had a conversation with Stephen Green about allegations of tax avoidance by ukip, hsbc . [shouting] we found every procedure that you should come and disappointment was welcomed by the labour party. But more to the point between 20102014 we have passed law after law cracking down on tax evasion, cracking down on aggressive tax avoidance, seeing more prosecutions. All of the things that labour failed to do over and over again again. Dr. Julian huppert. Thank you very much mr. Speaker. Colleges an excellent job educating our young people but they struggled to get by because unlike the academy reform, they have to pay vat over 300,000 pounds each to with the Prime Minister scrap this attacks on the learning . I will look very carefully of what the audible gentleman says but i know its important we try to treat education institutions fairly, we all want to see them continue to grow success of our schools and colleges. Order. Question 15, closed question. Number 15. The Prime Minister. We should be proud to in the magna carta, our country established rules of justice and freedom which 800 years later still inform our constitution and resident around the world. While theres a longstanding debate over the issue, there are no plans at present for a written constitution. I note that. What he agreed to the art unacceptably high levels of voter disengagement with more people staying at home than vote labour and conservative at the last election . Would he commit his government now to prepare an all Party Convention to Constitutional Convention to give every uk citizen a copy of our societys rulebook of either statute of the union or a written constitution as a part of a lectors feeling once again that they own our democracy . Obviously i always look at the right honorable gentleman suggestion very carefully because he is made a number of sensible crossborder interventions over recent years, but i have my doubts whether another talking convention is the answer. I think we need to look at some of the constitutional issues that leave people feeling left behind not least english votes for english laws come and make sure we put them in place. And the discipline i have with the labour party is they are prepared to talk of all party talks on wales or on scotland or on northern ireland, but when it comes to english people in making sure they have rights in this house, they are completely absent from the debate. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Article 39 of magna carta has in it the origins of a right to trial by jury. A recent report, not satisfied with undermine the right to a free press, also wants to restrict the rights of trial by jury. Will my right honorable friend as long as he is a Prime Minister defend our historic wrights . I am great supporter of jury trial but i think it is one of the important things we have in this country that safeguards peoples rights and freedoms i dont want to see it reduced. Order. Here on cspan2 we will now leave the british house of commons as members move on to other business. You have been watching Prime Ministers question time aired live wednesdays at seven in eastern apartment is in session. I remind you can see this weeks session began sunday nights at nine eastern and pacific on cspan. And for more information go to cspan. Org and click on series to get every program we have erred from the british house of commons since october of 1989. We invite your comments about Prime Ministers questions via twitter using the hashtag pmus. This morning intelligence and counterterrorism officials testified about the threat from homegrown terrorists and foreign fighters editing of the House Homeland Security committee. Live coverage begins this morning at 10 a. M. Eastern on cspan3 and cspan. Org. Here are some our featured programs for this president s day weekend on the cspan networks. An outbreak of measles has led to more than 120 cases in the u. S. So far this year. Mostly among unvaccinated children. The director of the Cdcs National Center for immunization and respiratory diseases and other Public Health experts testified at a Senate Hearing about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Senator Lamar Alexandar chairs this twohour hearing. [inaudible conversations] the Senate Committee on health, education, labor and pensions will please come to order. This one where holy hearing about the reemergence of vaccine preventable diseases. Senator murray and i will each have an Opening Statement and then will introduce our panel of witnesses. After our witness thats why senators will each have five minutes of question that we have two panels today. And two hours for the ringgit will end about noon so well have an hour for each panel and i will in the first panel at 11 00. From smallpox to fully we have learned in the United States that vaccines save lives. Yet a troubling number of parents are not vaccinating their children. Last september this Committee Held a hearing about the ebola virus. Eyewitnesses include every physician, dr. Dr. Kent brantly, who work in liberia and to contracted ebola and pray for father in sierra leone began to warn us about how rapidly the virus was spreading there. The number of people being infected with ebola was doubling every three weeks and many of those infected were dying. Because for ebola there was and is no cure, and there was and is no vaccine. This produced a near panic in the United States. It changed procedures in nearly every hospital and clinic. I remember one chattanooga Public Health officer saying, ma its all ebola all the time every day. In response, congress appropriate more than 5 billion to fight the spread of the virus. The impact of efforts to fight evil is the number of ebola cases is declining. At the same time here in the United States were experiencing a large outbreak of a disease for which we do have a vaccine. Measles used to second up to 4 million americans each year. They played it wasnt on preventable childhood illness. But the introduction of the vaccine in 1963 changed everything. Measles was declared eliminated meaning absence of continues disease transmission for greater than 12 months from the United States. Then from 20012012 the median number of cases reported in all of our country was about 60. Today, e10 2015 the 41st day of the year and already we have seen more cases of measles than we would in a typical year. One Measles Outbreak in palatine illinois, a suburb about a half hour from chicago has affected at least five babies all less than one year old. Infants and individuals who are immune old compromised artificial protected by what is called herd immunity, meaning when more than nine out of 10 of people around them are vaccinated so they dont get sick. And that keeps the babies and others who cant get vaccinated from getting sick. That herd immunity is incredibly important. Measles can cause lifethreatening complications in children such as pneumonia or swelling of the brains. Eyewitnesses a will talk more not just about what is causing this outbreak but why some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children to measles is only one example. This hearing, which was planned before the Measles Outbreak, reminds us of the importance of vaccines. And analysis of immunization rates across 13 states performed by u. S. A. Today found the following hundreds of thousands of students attended schools ranging from small private academies in new york city to large public Elementary Schools outside boston a native american reservation schools in idaho where vaccination rates have dropped precipitously low sometimes under 50 . California is one of the 20 states that allow parents to claim personal belief exemptions from vaccination requirements. In some areas of los angeles, 6070 of parents in certain schools have filed a personal belief exemptions and those Elementary Schools vaccination rates are as low as those in chad or in south sudan. The purpose of this hearing is to examine what is standing between healthy children and deadly diseases. It ought to be vaccinations but too many parents are turning away from sound science. Sound science is this. Vaccines save lives. They saved the lives of people who are vaccinated to protect the lives of affordable around them like infants and those who are ill. Vaccines save lives. They protect us from the ravages of awful diseases like polio which invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis. I can remember as a child how parents were frightened by the prospect of polio for their child. I had classmates who lived in the iron lungs. Our majority leader contracted polio as a child. Or whooping cough is another example which causes thick mucus to acumen and the airwaves and to make it difficult for babies to breathe. Or diphtheria, that through infection that affects the mucous membranes of ear nose and throat and can an advanced stages damage her heart, kidney and nervous system. We have learned that vaccines save lives. They take deadly, awful ravaging diseases from horror to history. So it is troubling to hear that before we even reached valentines day this year, 121 americans are sick with measles, a disease eliminated in the United States 15 years ago. It is troubling that a growing number of parents are not following the recommendations of doctors and Public Health professionals who have been making those recommendations for decades. At a time when were standing on the cusp of medical breakthroughs never imagined cutting edge personalized medicine tailored to an individuals genome, for example, we find ourselves retreading old ground. I now turn to senator murray for her Opening Statement spent thank you very much, chairman alexander. And thanks to all of our witnesses for coming and sharing your expertise with us today. Keeping our children and families healthy could not be more important so im glad of the opportunity to hear from all of you about the threat of vaccine preventable diseases still those in the United States and discuss what we should be doing to take these threats off the table. Theres no question weve come a long way when it comes what was once widespread and extremely dangerous illnesses. Vaccines are truly one of our countrys greatest Public Health successes. Thanks to them we know how to prevent illnesses that struck so many children as recently as a generation or two ago like polio or whooping cough and measles. Not recent news about the Measles Outbreak in many states, including my home state of washington take a clear the vaccine preventable diseases are still a threat. And that we cant afford to become complacent about protecting the progress that weve made the bottom line, distance children across the country needs to be vaccinated but it also means we need to be vigilant about breaking down any barriers that families may face when it comes to accessing certain vaccines. And we need to ensure that in any cases where takeup rates are low we are providing information and spreading awareness so that more people can be protected. The hpv vaccine is a great example. It prevents lifethreatening cancers including Cervical Cancer which impacts thousands of lives in the United States each year. Despite that cdc reports that takeup rates for the vexing are still unacceptably low, many people continue to be exposed the deep sleep harmful illicit that couldve been prevented. I know several of our witnesses said that a lot of work on this issue. I will have questions about what we can do to encourage broader use of vaccines. Looking for to update from dr. Shuck at about the reason is outbreak and the work that cdc is doing to continue to encourage vaccine but im very eager to hear from doctor kelly moore about the role of states in preventing and responding to outbreaks like this one. I know that dr. Sawyer and and doctor jacksonville to provide valuable insight into ongoing nationwide efforts, increase in mutation rates and keep children and families healthy. I want to thank again all of our witnesses for the important work youre doing and for taking the time to be here with us today. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator murray, thank you for you and your staff working together so that we jointly invited the witness today. That always produces a better hearing a good variety of these to each witness will have up to five minutes i will ask you dr. Schuchat, if youll summarize your views in five minutes so senators could have a chance to get their questions. Then i will introduce, they will take an hour. I said before some of the senators came in, we will have to end the first panel at 11 so we can get to the second panel which will go on until 12. I hope all of us can get questions in the first benefit if not you will be first in line on the second panel. Dr. Schuchat is the director of the National Center for immunization and respiratory diseases at the centers for Disease Control and prevention. Shes worked at cdc since 1998 on immunization, respiratory and other infectious diseases. She is a rear admiral in the u. S. Public Health Service commissioned corps and was named assistant Surgeon General of the United States public Health Service in 2006. Dr. Schuchat welcome. Good morning mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. Our nations immunization system is strong protecting the health of americans, saving lives and money. But this is outbreak of measles demonstrates how interconnected we are. Many threats, including measles or just an airplane right away. Despite High NationalImmunization Coverage against measles, last year we had more cases of measles in the u. S. Than weve had since 1994. Since january 1 we have already had more measles cases this year than weve had in most full years since 2000, when homegrown measles was eliminated in the u. S. From january to agree six this year 121 people from 17 states have reported that measles. Most are linked to an ongoing outbreak that originated at disney parks in california during december. Most cases were not vaccinated or didnt know if they had been vaccinated. Recent patients with measles have exposed others in a variety of settings, including at schools, child care emergency departments, Outpatient Clinics and airplanes. These episodes require a Rapid Response coordinated across local, state and federal jurisdictions. And the backbone for such a response comes from the Public Health immunization infrastructure. The systems and people that protect our community from vaccine preventable diseases. Today and were talking about measles but we could just as easily be talking about a resurgence of the whooping cough, meningitis outbreak on college or adapting to a shortage of a popular combination vaccine. We need a strong immunization system that takes care of the everyday prevention and ushers the quality of clinical practice, but is also robust enough to respond to emergencies and ready to launch mass vaccination for the next pandemic. Whether a vaccine is given in a private Doctors Office or at a Community College the Public Health system plays a Critical Role in making sure vaccinations accessible, safe and effective. And used in the best way to protect all americans. And that our immunization policies are based on a strong, Scientific Foundation continually reviewed. Our priorities for maintaining a Strong Program include preserving core Public Health infrastructure at the local, state and federal levels. Maintaining adequate vaccine purchased to provide a safety net for uninsured adults and corresponding to outbreaks and other urgent vaccine needs. And making Strategic Investments to enhance the musician infrastructure an evidencebased and improve efficiency. Coverage for many childhood vaccines is above 90 . And reported cases for most vaccine preventable diseases are down by more than 90 . And most parents are vaccinating their children with most of the recommended vaccines. Less than 1 of toddlers have received no vaccines at all. Immunizations continues to be one of the most costeffective Public Health interventions. For each dollar invested in the Childhood Program there are 10 of societal savings, and 3 of direct medical savings. The past 20 years of u. S. Childhood immunization has prevented over 300 million illnesses, 732000 deaths, and resulted in 1. 4 trillion in cost. In many ways though cost savings. In many ways though we are a victim of our own success. Because of our success, fewer and fewer doctors nurses and parentsparents have witnessed the series and sometimes lifethreatening consequences of these diseases. Because of our success, parents may wonder if vaccines are necessary, and they were that the risks were temporary discomfort may outweigh the benefits of protecting their families from vaccine preventable diseases. The increasing measles cases should be seen as a wakeup call. Measles is very contagious and quickly uncovers pockets of under vaccination. In the 1980s and early 90s Measles Outbreaks uncovered systemic problems with poor children have access to vaccines, leading to the creation of a vaccine for Children Program. Today, measles in the u. S. Is an indicator of how globally interconnected we are. When we see outbreaks associated with importation, measles and covers those people in areas in the u. S. That opting out of immunization. We have indications that some of those unvaccinated microcommunities may be getting larger. Our immunization system has risen to challenges in the past and cdc will work with partners to keep measles from regaining a foothold in our country again. Working together we can keep these numbers down keep measles from returning and threatening the health of our communities, and sustained the enormous health and societal benefits that our Immunization Partnership has achieved. Thank you. Thanks, dr. Schuchat. About 10 years ago senator frist our majority leader and also physician led a group of us in South African and there we found maybe it was 12 years ago, found the president of south africa had rejected the signs on hiv aids decided it wasnt the virus, caused by a virus and that figure was elimination of poverty, setting back south africa for years in terms of its ability to deal with hiv aids. Now today there is information thats on the internet, which is where we were told the president had found his information some years ago that says that the was a study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield alleging a connection between measles, moms and rubella vaccine, mmr and autism. Lets say youre a physician, pediatrician and a pair consensus ive been on the internet and i am concerned because i found that, according to this medical journal, there is a relationship between this measles and mumps vaccine commend the possibility of my child being autistic. What would you say to that parent . Autism is a terrible condition. That paper that youre mentioning has been totally discredited but it was found to be fraudulent and it is not the case but there have been dozens of studies of vaccines, and the question of autism that they dont cause autism in the are highly effective and safe and are a good way to protect yourself from vaccine preventable diseases. Is a totally discredited. What did you mean by that . The information in that particular report was found to be fraudulent why a british investigator. Some of the information wasnt correct in terms of the notes that were submitted to by their been dozens of studies that were better to try to understand whether there is a link between vaccines and nazism. It was sort of the natural question some parents had because the onset age for autism. But no studies have been incredibly reassuring to what i talk to the public, i talk to parents i like to explain that its a physician and as a Public Health expert i can say that vaccines are very safe and effective and while autism is a terrible condition from one thing we know is that vaccines dont cause autism. You would say to the parents of that article was just flat wrong . Thats right. And that numerous studies have shown that it is wrong. And what happened to the author of the articles because he lost his medical license. Because why . Because of the fraudulent behavior. Behavior. Because of fraudulent behavior. Weve been talking about a variety of vaccines. It struck me as we were so worried about ebola in the fall last fall we are still worried about it that many of the Public Health people would point out to me from tennessee that we have the flu season coming up. How Many Americans die each year from flu . You know flu is very variable but it can be between 3000 you really good year to about 50000 in a severe year. This is a quite severe year. 3000 to 50,000 could die from flu. Is there a vaccine for flu . Thats right but there there are several different vaccine for influenza. Right now about 46 of americans get a flu vaccine each year. Would like to be much higher. So we do recommend everybody six months and over get a flu vaccine every year. Measles is not just a running nose, is it . It is a serious disease but what would you say to a parent who comes and says im going to opt not to get the measles vaccine . What are the risks of that . How many children who contract the measles die . You know before there was measles vaccine in the u. S. 400500 children in this country died. The risk of dying is much higher in countries that are poor where malnutrition is a problem. So we have about 150,000 deaths from measles around the world each year. It used to be millions and thats actually an improved because of high uptake of measles vaccine. But would it be accurate to say if your child contracted missiles in the United States, the chances of a death would be about one in 1000 . Thats right, but remember there are other problems with measles not just that rare risk of dying. Even a mild case of measles is a really scary thing for a parent. My mom was something about what id measles she was scared to take my temperature because i looked so horrible and it had been so high and she was worried it wasnt coming down. Measles can be pretty scary for parents even the mild cases. There are other complications besides death. Children to get pneumonia. They can get dehydration but they can also get a neurologic problem, encephalitis, which can be quite scary and severe. Thank you. Senator murray. Dr. Schuchat, thank you so much for being here and thank you for all the work you do to protect our families and children across the country. There is no doubt that challenges remain with regards to immunization rates to American Families brought access to no cost of vaccines is clearly a key factor in maintaining and improving our vaccination rates. In my home state of washington, we have a universal Childhood Vaccine Program which provides recommended vaccines for all children but another number of important federal programs that ensure access to free vaccines in our country. Can you describe cdcs effort to ensure all americans to have access to the vaccines they need without cost sharing including vaccines Children Program . And particularly why that is so important