Transcripts For CSPAN2 Tonight From Washington 20130912

Military in the world. We certainly spend more on our military than basically the rest of the world put together but we dont know how to win wars. And it seems to me that there really has to be a Serious National Conversation as to why is that the case . Where does the fault lie . Is that our politicians are too stupid . Is that our generals are inapt . Is the size of the forces are too small or and this is my belief is that the fact that by its very nature war is unpredictable . To go to war is to roll the dice and you might win and you might not. Senate majority harry reid and republican leader Mitch Mcconnell came to the senate floor to mark the 9 11 attacks and to talk about syria. Later in the day senator reed announced the senate would stop work on a resolution to authorize military strikes against syria and will instead work on Energy Efficiency legislation. Mr. President , to i can mentor for those 12 years ago so clearly. Not far from here in s219. That was where leader daschle held his leadership meetings every Tuesday Morning at 9 00. I was the first one in the room and senator john breaux from louisiana came in and he said flip on the tv. There something going on in new york and so we turned on the tv. It look like something happened in new york. We just thought an airplane had malfunctioned or something had gone wrong and hit the tower. So the meeting started. The tvs were off and we were doing our business for the day and suddenly a group of Police Officers came in and grabbed senator daschle and took him outside and came back very quickly and said there is an airplane headed for the capitol. We have got to get out of here. There was confusion to say the least with staff and senators ordered out of the buildings, plural. As we left that s219 you could look at the window toward the pentagon and the smoke was just billing. You could see it so very plainly now at that time we didnt know what was happening. We just knew we had been ordered to get out of here and of course we have all memories of what took place that day. I was the assistant later as was nichols from oklahoma. Lott was the republican leader and daschle the democratic leader. We were taken from the east front of the capitol im sorry the west front of the capitol to a secure location in helicopters. The scene when i was taken to the west front of the capitol was eerie to say the least. There were lots of people in uniforms trying to create order out of confusion. Without going into a lot of detail we went to a location and the Vice President was there and met with us and kept us informed as to what was going on with the president. We spent the day there. We came back to the west front of the capitol were all members of congress gathered. And Barbara Mikulski for a of any one having a better suggestion she said we should sing God Bless America and she got the song started and that was extremely memorable. So, mr. President we are going to have the ceremony just a few minutes a few minutes up front that i will talk a little bit there. The four leaders have been asked to talk out there. We did have a moment of silence regarding the more than 20,000 who were killed. In new york, pennsylvania and at the pentagon. In addition to those 3000 who were taken from us permanently thousands and thousands of other people were injured, some of them permanently injured. Missing legs, blindness, paralysis. So mr. President i would just say that we raise our voices today in celebration of americas spirit and perseverance and we never forget 9 11. Mr. President it is worth mentioning also for sure that on this day we also honor what took place a year ago in libya where one of our stellar and passengers was murdered in three of his brave colleagues all killed in libya. Our country remains committed to seek justice for them and every american victim of terrorism. Mr. President that is what the debate if syria is all about, at terrorism. Before i begin the caucus yesterday when the president came, my introduction to the president was a film that was around created by senator feinstein and others. Its 12 or 13 minutes long and it shows what went on in graphic detail with this brutal chemical weapons attack in syria where these children are dying in dead. Remember these poisons hit the little kids first. We have someone on senator durbin staff who is palestinian. She does the lip counts for senator durbin and for me and i had her listen to the film. I watched it. She listened so she could give me some idea what people were saying and what they were yelling. It was so sad. And what they were saying was that mostly they were praying. It was very very sad to see People Holding their little babies. Brief, pre breathe and they could not breathe. They dumped water on them anything to give them some relief. Rows of these dead people hundreds and hundreds of children some of them dressed in their play close with fancy colorful little tshirts. So mr. President even as we pay tribute to americas freedom across the globe not only their right to liberty but also their right to live. Now the assad family is pretty good at killing people. The New York Times had an article in the last 24 hours about his dad because it was a failed assassination attempt killing 30,000 of the people he thought needed to be killed. 30,000. That country, syria, denies its citizens the right to liberty but even more significant the right to live. So mr. President i showed yesterday that caucus no one wanted to see that. It was all i could do to glance up once more. I had already seen it. Those divisions will always be in my mind. I showed the senators of the little boys in the, ice crusted shut frothing from the mouth with such unspeakable scenery, convulsing, writhing, spasms from poison gas he used to murder them. It was hard to watch but it was one that confirmed all of our convictions that the United States must not let the Syrian Regime go unpunished for using something out right. Those weapons are not to be used in war let alone a bunch of innocent people. Yesterday the president spoke to two caucuses. He spoke last night making the compelling case for military action against the assad regime. As the president said we have to send an explicit message to not only syria but the rest of the world. Remember who has more chemical weapons then syria . Only one country, north korea. Think about that. If they get away with this what is north korea going going to do clinics then are we going to have a marketplace for purchasing chemical weapons . The use of chemical weapons by anyone anytime anywhere including the battlefield should not be tolerated. Preventing these weapons from being used is not only in our own National Interest but its in the interest of the world. Diplomacy mr. President should always be the first choice. That is who we are as a country and so we have been asked to suspend a syrian resolution to allow for these conversations to take place around the world. Tomorrow our secretary of state is meeting with the russian secretary of state mr. Lavrov to explore if in fact this is a legitimate proposal. Talking and action are two separate things so that the republican leader now i have spoken and we will talk or today to see what we can do to get the president the time and space that our country needs to pursue these International Negotiations and so we will report back at a later time. America must remain vigilant and ready to use force if necessary. If congress should not take the threat of military action off the table. I want to spend a little time talking to senator menendez the chair of the committee. I want to talk to other senators who are trying to work something out on their own and i will do that. Leaders in damascus and moscow should understand that congress will be watching these negotiations closely. If there is any indication these are not serious and its up ploy to delay to obstruct or to divert then i think we have to hold the assad regime accountable. So it is our determination not to let assads atrocities go how we answered his question well continue to work on but its very clear we wouldnt be where we are today even my friend the junior senator from kentucky today said that the reason we have the possibility of a deal is because of the precedent threatening force. Its interesting the sod has events at night of even having chemical weapons. So its within serious power to avoid these strikes and swift and Decisive Action on the part of the assad regime to relinquish these weapons. We need a solution to succeed but just saying we want one doesnt mean it will happen. So he must quit leakproof the offer is real and not an attempt to all eyes are on president putin. We all know about the kgb. He was the president of that great big country and we are also grateful that even though relations arent perfect with russia they are okay. So much better than they have been prior to the breakup of the massive country the soviet union. So we hope that russia is a productive partner in these negotiations. Any agreement must in spite of the ongoing civil war. Keep the stockpiles out of the hands of terrorists. So in short mr. President i am happy that we have some conversations and hope this can be resolved diplomatically. I certainly hope so. I apologize to my republican leader for taking so much time. Mr. President. Republican leader. 12 years ago more than 100 members of congress in both parties stood together on the Capitol Steps to show our sympathy solidarity and resolve. Those of us who were there will never forget it. Later this morning members will gather on the same steps to remember once again those who died and to recommit ourselves to our national ideals. Our nation always pulls together in different that moment difficult moments. Its important we remember. So i look forward to joining congressional leaders and others out on the same step shortly on this day that has rightly become a very solemn one throughout our country. We remember today all those who were killed as well as the families they left behind. We remember them with renewed sorrow and we remember all who lost their lives or have been injured in the line duty defending our freedoms since 9 11. Today we remembered the resolve we shared on a clear september morning 12 years ago. In the days and months that followed the attacks of 9 11 we did not cower. We took the fight to the terrorists while here at home we opened our doors our wallets and their hearts to those around us. We persevered. We maintained. Together we will continue to do so as long as the struggle continues. Mr. President i yield the floor. Senate majority leader reed announced that he is pulling a measure from the senate floor to authorize military strikes against syria. Texas senator john cornyn wednesday talked about his opposition to military intervention. Madam president my dad was a pilot in the Army Air Corps in world war ii. He served in the eighth air force, that the 303rd bomb group stationed in malls worth of england and on his 26 Bombing Missions over nazi germany he was shot down and captured as a prisoner of war where he served for the remainder of the war. I learned a very young age that when we Start Talking about matters of war and peace that we must take these very very seriously. So i appreciate the fact that president obama came to capitol hill yesterday and spoke to both the democratic conference and the republican conference and i further appreciate very much the fact that president obama spoke to the American People last night. I actually wish he had done it a little earlier sense the chemical weapons attacks occurred on the 21st of august it was roughly three weeks after that he finally spoke to the American People and i think it would have been better for him and better for the country if he had done it sooner and demonstrated a greater urgency. But im glad he did it. When a president asks the American People to support our United States military and the use of military force he has a solemn obligation to communicate to the American People how able protect americas vital interests. He has an obligation to tell the American People why going to war is absolutely essential to u. S. National security. He has some application to lay out clear and realistic objectives and finally he has an application to explain how a military intervention fits within americas broader foreignpolicy strategy. Now ive used the word war advisedly because sometimes i think we get caught up in Political Correctness around here talking about Workplace Violence at fort hood, overseas contingency operations. As a veteran of the United States marine corps who served 40 years told me just this last week when i asked for his advice on what the president was asking us to do he said, anytime you kill people in the name of the United States government its an act of war. So like others in this chamber over the last few weeks i have attended meetings with the president where ive had the honor of being in his presence and listening to him in person on two occasions, no listening to other Administration Officials and i have sat through hours like all of us, hours of classified rethings with the Central Intelligence agency, the department of defense and the state department. I have listened intently as senator kerry described and what i thought at first was an inadvertent statement made as the result of fatigue and i can only imagine what he must have been going through shuttling back and forth around the world to try to resolve this issue but he described this strike as unbelievably small. I was further surprised when i heard the White House Press secretary said no, it was not a gaffe. He did not misspeak. We all misspeak from time to time so i expected him to say well he should have used other words or he might have used other words and senator kerry himself now secretary kerry said no i didnt miss a beat. I was encouraged to hear the president addressed the nation because i believe before you take your case overseas to American Allies that you should first make the case here at home to the American People. In making their case for a brief limited attack against syria Administration Officials have repeatedly said the u. S. Military intervention would not seek to topple the assad regime. Even though regime changes been the policy of the u. S. Government since at least august 2011. Their military campaign would not seek to change the momentum in serious civil war given though as i mentioned a moment ago our governments official policy is one of regime change, that assad must go. My view is that the u. S. Cat that allowed assad to remain in power with some of the Worlds Largest dock is a chemical weapons would not promote u. S. National security interest. Indeed, its not hard to imagine how that kind of intervention could actually backfire and end up being a propaganda disaster. Many of us are concerned about upholding americas credibility particularly when it comes to matters like this. I share their concern but it would really help if before we launch a halfhearted ineffectual attack that gives our enemies a major propaganda victory that we come up with a more coherent plan and strategy for accomplishing our Public Policy goals. You no, murphys law, what can go wrong will go wrong, there is a murphys law of war too. Perhaps many of them but one of them is no plan to go to war survives the First Contact intact. In other words, that you can plan to shoot the first hole at but you cant control what happens after that. In all likelihood such an attack would hurt our credibility and reduce u. S. Public support for future interventions. This is what i mean. If we were to take a limited military attack against assad in order to punish him for using chemical weapons, which is a horrific act on his part combat a barbaric act on his part but it left aside in power, what is he going to tell the rest of the world . He is going to say the worlds greatest military force took a shot at me and im still here. I am still in power. Id whine and america lost. That is how i can see this backfiring and in a serious way undermining americas credibility. Credibility that we must keep intact particularly as we look at larger looming threats like the iranian aspirations for Nuclear Weapons. I want to be clear though madam president i would be willing to support a military operation in syria but only if our intervention meant certain criteria. Number one, if it directly addressed the nightmare scenario of assads use of chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. Its not just his use of chemical weapons on his own people. Its the potential that those chemical weapons could get in the hands of alqaeda and other terrorist organizations and harm either americans or american interests around the world. The second criterion, i can support a resolution if it involved the use of decisive and overwhelming force without selfimposed limitations and without leaking to our enemies what our tactics are and what it is we would not do and ruining one of the greatest tools in a war which is the element of surprise. I mean why in the world would we tell assad what we are going to do and senator kerry said it would be a small attack. And why would we tell assad what we wont do . In eliminating both the ambiguity of our position and the potential threat of even more serious and overwhelming military force. Number three, i would be willing to support and authorization if it was an integral part of a larger coherent syria policy that clearly defined the political end end state. A clear member general petraeus the head of Central Command covering iraq and afghanistan talking about our policy in those countries. He said the most important question perhaps when you go to war is how does this and . We need a clearly defined political and state that we are trying to achieve by what the president requested and we need an outline of the realistic path to get there. And fourth, i believe that its important we have a sizable International Coalition of nations each of which his country bidding to the war effort. Now this is an amazing reversal for the president since the time he was a senator and a president ial candidate. To say we are not going to the United Nations and i understand why, because of china and russia and their veto of any resolution out of the security Security Council. We are not going going to go to nato and indeed the president seemed content or at least resigned to going it alone. And if its true that this red line is the International Communitys red line then the International Community needs to contribute to the effort to hold assad accountable. The problem is madam president that president obamas requested authorization for the use of military force under these circumstances fails to meet each of those criteria. The he has failed to make the case that a short limited military campaign with promote our vital interests and our National Security. He has failed to lay out the clear and realistic objectives that could be obtained through the use of that military force and he has failed to offer compelling prescription of how his proposed intervention what it rants americas rotter foreignpolicy strategy. Indeed how it would advance his own policy of regime change. Therefore, cant we were asked to vote on an authorization under these circumstances i would vote no. I am under no illusion and none of us are about the better depravity of Bashar Alassad. In the last two and a half years his regime has committed unspeakable acts of rape, torture and murder. The chemical weapons attacks by the way by senator, secretary carries testimony and house of representatives, there were 11 earlier uses of chemical weapons but they were smaller but can you imagine the difficulty of trying to impose a red line when that red line has been crossed 11 times before in the president finally decides to try to enforce it. But there is no question the use of chemical weapons show an appalling disregard for human life and a desire to terrorize the human population. I like others have consistently demanded that russia stop arming assad and stop defending him and blocking u. N. Security council resolutions. And aiding and abetting this barbaric atrocities against his own people. I want to see a Free Democratic syria as much as anyone else but that does not mean that i will vote to support a reckless illadvised military intervention that could jeopardize our most Important National security efforts. There have been a lot of people who have opined on the president s request. Some are better informed than others. One that i thought was particularly convincing was retired army general major robert that is written the path to war war but you bum evisceration quote violates every principle of war including the element of surprise achieving bass and having a clearly defined and obtainable objective. As i said we know that the latest chemical weapons attack occurred on august the 21st but president obama didnt address the nation for three weeks, until three weeks later. The syrians have of course had weeks to prepare for any impending military intervention in no doubt have moved the chemical weapons into civilian Population Centers to protect them from any attack and they have undoubtedly moved their other military equipment to other locations. With no element of surprise it makes the potential for success of any military intervention much less. It reveals that there is no real coherent policy in this regard. Consider what happened last monday that secretary of state kerry made what he calls an offthecuff remark about the possibility of canceling a missile strike if assad turned over all of his chemical weapons. In the same statement he said, he wasnt really sure that would work or he would ever really be serious about it that he did say it. Russia of course immediately responded by offering to broker a transfer of serious wmd. Now after spending weeks trying to make the case for war, cant president obama has asked that the boat in this chamber be canceled and is apparently treating the russian syrian proposal is a serious diplomatic reg through. I would caution all of us the American People and all of our colleagues to be skeptical for good reason at this lifeline of Vladimir Putin has now thrown the administration. Im going to remind the president and our colleagues that russia itself is not in full compliance with the chemical weapons convention. Nor is it even in compliance with Nuclear Arms Control obligations that are subject to an international treaty. Now the litany of russian offenses is long but i would remind president obama that since he launched the socalled russian moscow has vetoed even resolutions on syria sending advanced weaponry to the assad regime stolen Elections Come to stoked antiamericanism, made threats over a possible deployment of Missile Defense systems. It has expelled usaid from russia, pulled out of the nunnlugar cooperative Threat Reduction program. It has banned u. S. Citizen from adopting russian children and offered asylum to nsa leaker edward snowden. In short we have very little reason to believe that moscow is a reliable diplomatic partner. The russians are not part of the problem excuse me. They are part of the problem in syria, not part of the solution. Let me say that clearly. The russians are part of the problem in the syria out. They are not credibly part of the solution. Moreover, to i am coming to i am curious to learn how international monitors would adequately confirmed the disposal of chemical weapons by the terrorist sponsoring dictatorship amid a frozen civil civil war. You know well this strike that the president talked about mightve been limited in his imagination if you are Bashar Alassad this is total war because he realizes the only way he will leave power is in a pine box. He knows that. This is total war. I asked the president yesterday, so what happens if in order to punish aside we intervene militarily and it doesnt work quite in his fight for his survival and survival of the regime he uses them again in an act of desperation . The president said we will hit him again. Well clearly what has become a limited strike could quickly spiral out of control into a fullblown engagement in syria. I think the president s own words suggest that. But of course the assad regime is one that refuses to acknowledge the full extent of its chemical arsenal, and this is something we will be hearing more about. It has bioweapons capability. Bioweapons capability, actually a much greater threat to american interests than chemical weapons which are more difficult to transport and much harder to handle. This is the same dictatorship that was secretly working on a Nuclear Weapons program before the israelis took care of it in 2007. Madam president we have been told that however unfortunate president obamas red line comment might it then, upholding his threat is about maintaining american credibility and i admit american credibility in matters of war and peace and National Security are very very important but americaamerica s credibility on the world stage is about more than just president ial rhetoric. Its about defining clear objectives and establishing a coherent strategy for achieving that. In the case of syria president obama has not offered a Clear Strategy for clearly laid out his objectives. Given all that i am not surprised that the American People dont support the president s call for the use of limited military force in syria. Those are the calls i got in my office as they went back to texas. I kept hearing people who i would think under almost any other circumstances would say if americas National Security interests are at stake, then we are behind the president. We are behind military intervention but they simply saw an incoherent policy and objectives that were not clearly laid out to obtain the result that the president himself said is our policy. Well the most recent experience we have had as a country with limited war has been libya and i have heard the president tout that is perhaps an example about how we can get in and get out. In 2011 military operation that deposed smallmarket off he was supposed to be a showcase example of a limited operation which america lit from behind and still obtained its objectives without putting u. S. Boots on the ground. Unfortunately the administration had no real plan for what happened after gadhafi fell. We all know it was one year ago today in benghazi when terrorists linked to al qaeda murdered four americans including u. S. Ambassador chris stevens. Today libya is spiraling into chaos and rapidly becoming a failed state. Earlier this month it leading british newspaper ported that libya has almost entirely stopped producing oil as the government loses control over much of the country to militia fighters. All sorts of bad actors including terrorist groups are flooding into the security vacuum and libyans are increasingly at the mercy of militias would act outside the law. The madam president before he concluded i just want to say a few words about Americas Armed forces and americas role in the world. We all know and are extraordinarily proud of our men and women who wear the uniform in the United States military. No military in history has been more powerful. No military has ever been more courageous. No military has been more selfless and fought and bled and died to protect innocent people in far places across the planet. No military has ever done more to promote peace and prosperity around the world. I have every confidence that if called upon to act our men and women in uniform will do just that. They will perform their duties with the utmost skill, bravery and professionalism. But we should never send them to war tying one hand behind their back and ask them to wage limited war against addict tatar for whom is a said earlier this is total war. This is win or die. Military force is like a hammer. You cant thread the needle that president obama wants to thread with a hammer. I just want to conclude by saying that this debate which is important and serious and one that the American People expect us to have, this is not about isolationism verses internationalism. Believe me, i am no isolationist. And i fully support the Global Security bolt that america has played since world war ii, since my dad was a p. O. W. A World Without American Military dominance as Ronald Reagan noted would be a much more dangerous place. I believe peace comes with american strength however it will be harder to maintain our Global Military dominance if we waste precious resources. Our credibility and political capitol are hasty misguided unbelievably small interventions. Once again madam president i would be willing to support an authorization for a military strike against syria that met certain basic criteria that i have laid out but i cannot support an operation that is so poorly conceived, so foolishly telegraphed and virtually guaranteed to fail. Madam president i yield the floor. So the majority reed announced he is pulling a measure from the senate floor to authorize military strikes against syria. Senator Dianne Feinstein who chairs the Intelligence Committee said that she supports the use of military strikes if diplomatic efforts dont work. I rise to speak on the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Regime and the decision that is before the United States senate on how to respond to such inhumanity. I also come to the floor with the hope that the use of military force will not prove necessary and that the proposal to place serious chemical Weapons Program under United Nations control will in fact be successful. Last night in my view the president delivered a strong straightforward speech that directly outlined the Current Situation in syria. He asked that a vote of the congress to authorize military force against the assad regime be delayed so that a strategy could he developed with russia and the United Nations Security Council that would eliminate serious deadly chemical Weapons Program. I believe this is the appropriate path forward. And i appreciate very much the majority leaders holding off on bringing this resolution for a vote so negotiations can continue. Here in the senate there are discussions going on about how to amend the resolution passed by the Foreign Relations committee to provide time for diplomacy. Perhaps that wont be necessary. I would also like to take a minute to give russia credit for bringing forward this plan for a negotiated solution to the conflict. I disagree with the senator from texas as the Russian Ambassador described to me on monday of this week, russia is sincere and wants to see a United Nations resolution and supports the geneva to process which would accompany a nicosia that settlement to serious civil civil war. Based on my conversation with ambassador kinsley at a believe that Russia School is in fact to eliminate these weapons then i would point out that is also our goal. I very much hope that the path to settlement although complicated no doubt but if wellintentioned by all participants can be accomplished and i deeply believe that. And if the u. N. Security council can agree on a resolution to put this proposal into practice it with the worlds imprimatur on an important plan to safeguard and then to destroy syrias chemical Weapons Program, the first time in history that anything like this would have been done. Russias responsibility to get this done is enormous and to move with all deliberate speed. I think russia and syria must understand that the way to forestall a United States strike on syria is for there to be a goodfaith agreement and process underway to put all of syrias chemical weapons including munitions Delivery Systems and chemicals themselves under International Control for eventual demolition. Syrias chemical Weapons Program is maintained and stored across syria in more than three dozen sites. There are indications that syria currently has chemical weapons loaded and ready for Immediate Use in bombs, artillery and already loaded on planes and helicopters. All that needs to be inventoried collected and then destroyed as soon as possible if the effort is to succeed. This will be a large and complicated process and the agreement may take some time to put in place. But if it can be done we should take the time to get it done. At the same time, we cant allow there to be so much delay and hesitation as has characterized some arms control efforts in the past. It is clear to me that the United States is moving quickly already. Tomorrow secretary kerry and Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in geneva to discuss the specifics of how to move forward. I cannot stress enough the importance of this process. Not only is it a possible solution to the specter of future use of chemical weapons by a Syrian Regime and a way to ensure that extremist elements of the opposition did not gain control of these weapons but it also sets an important precedent for the United Nations to act to resolve conflict before there is large military confrontation. But it should be clear by now that the assad regime has repeatedly used chemical weapons so i would like to speak as chairman of the Senate Select committee on intelligence and lay out some of the unclassified intelligence that shows the regime was indeed behind this largest use of chemical weapons in more than two decades. The unclassified assessment is based on classified intelligence we have seen on the Intelligence Committee so here is the case. The Intelligence Community assesses today with high confidence that the Syrian Regime used chemical weapons, specifically sarin in the damascus suburbs in the Early Morning of august 21. This assessment is supported by all 16 of our intelligence agencies as well as other countries including the United Kingdom and france. They Obama Administration has publicly laid out its case at an unclassified level and i have carefully reviewed the classified information that supports those findings. First, there is intelligence indicating that the assad regime , specifically its military and the syrian scientific studies and Research Center which manages its chemical Weapons Program has used chemical weapons roughly a dozen times over the past year. On june 13, 2 months before this latest attack the administration stated that it had completed a review of all available intelligence and had concluded that the Intelligence Community had high confidence that the assad regime used chemical weapons including the nerve agent sarin on a small scale against the opposition multiple times. This followed similar assessments by france, the United Kingdom israel and turkey earlier this year. In some of these cases the regime may have been testing tes delivery vehicles or various amounts of chemical agents. Some were small scale tactical uses against the opposition. Perhaps assad was just trying to find out how the world would react to his use of chemical weapons but it has been more than a year since top intelligence officials learned of syrian preparations to use sarin in large quantities. Since then at numerous other briefings and hearings the Intelligence Community has followed this issue closely. On september 11, 2012, thats a year ago while prior tests against our embassy in cairo were underway and the attack on our diplomatic facility in benghazi was imminent i was again briefed on the administrations plans should assad such an attack. So the attack on august 21 in damascus was not a firsttime use. Rather, it was a major escalation in the regimes willingness to employ weapons long held as an aftermath by almost the entire world population. Now let me lay out the intelligence case that the assad regime used chemical weapons on august 21. Much of this is described in a fourpage august 30 unclassified document entitled the United States government assessment of the Syrian Governments use of chemical weapons on august 21, 2013. Madam president i would like to enter that document into the record along with a map showing the 12 areas near damascus reportedlreportedl y affected by chemical weapons on august 21. Without objection. Thank you madam president. We know that three days before the attack of august 21, syrian officials involved in the preparation and use of chemical weapons and associated with the syrian scientific studies and Research Center were preparing chemical munitions and the damascus suburb. That is according to the Intelligence Community. The intelligence specifically relates to an area that the regime has used for mixing chemical weapons including sarah and. The Syrian Chemical Weapons personnel were operated when present there from august 18 to two the Early Morning of August August 21 and finished their work shortly before the attack began. Some of the intelligence collected on the preparations for the attack is highly sensitive so the details of the syrian actions cannot be described publicly without jeopardizing our ability to collect this kind of intelligence in the future. But in numerous classified readings over the past two weeks members of congress have been provided with additional detail on the names of the intelligence officials involved and the stream of human signals and Geospatial Intelligence that indicates that the regime was preparing to use chemical weapons. So, we actually have names. It is from this specificity of this Intelligence Report that the Intelligence Community has drawn its high level of confidence that the regime was behind the use of chemical weapons. The strike began in the Early Morning hours on wednesday, kia august 21. It is beyond doubt that large amounts of artillery and rockets were launched from regime controlled territory in damascus and rains down on the opposition controlled areas of the damascus suburbs. There is satellite imagery actually showing this as well as thousands of firsthand accounts that began showing up on social media sites at around 2 30 a. M. The barrage continued for five days. While the use of chemical weapons appears to have been deliberate leg suspended by the regime after the first few hours. Since the attack physical samples from the area have them analyzed and the Intelligence Community assesses with high confidence that indyk quote Laboratory Analysis physiological samples obtained from a number of individuals revealed exposure to sarin meant. More than 100 videos, 170, were posted on line showing the effects of the chemical weapons on hundreds of men women and most troubling sleeping children who work dead or showing signs of exposure to the nerve agent. At my request the Intelligence Community compiled a representative sample of 13 videos which have been corroborated and verified. That is the point. These show evidence. The places have been corroborated. They could not be bogus. They are verified. This clearly shows the suffering and death caused by these weapons. The Intelligence Committee has posted these videos on our web site www. Intelligence. Senate www. Intelligence. Senate. Gov. I would urge americans to look at this. They are absolutely horrendous and should shock the conscience of all humanity. The videos show the physical manifestations of a nerve agent attack. Foaming mouth, constricted pupils which is a signature of sarin. Convulsions, gasping for breath, all happening as the nervous system begins to shut down. One video shows a lifeless toddler receiving emergency respiratory assistance. Another shows a young boy struggling to breathe gasping while his eyes are swollen shut and covered in mucus. The little girl looked just like my daughter at that age. Same hair, same pjs, same innocence. Except the little syrian girl was lifeless. She died from exposure tokerker a chemical. That the world so you lawed. It shows why we must do something. Fire in to densely populated areas, such as cities, they have an indiscriminate effect killing everyone their path, and causing suffering and eventual dote others nearby. We have evidence that the chemical attack was premeditated and planned as part of the regimes heinous tactics against the rebels. Also, there is intelligence that the Syrian Regimes was prepared. Additional intelligence firing the attack include communication that confirms their knowledge that chemical weapons were used. Was discriminated we intercepted communications involving a senior official intimately familiar with the offenses. We intercepted communications involving a senior official intimately familiar with the assessment who confirmed that chemical weapons were used by the regime on august 21. And what was concerned with the u. N. Inspectors obtaining evidence. On the afternoon of august 21, we have intelligence that Syrian Chemical Weapons personnel were directed to cease operations, end quote. This is direct evidence. To some of the intelligence case, i have no doubt that the regime ordered the use of chemical weapons on august 21. I also have no doubt that the use of these weapons by the military and under the guidance of syrians chemical weapon team, branch 450 operates under the command and control of the regime. Under the ultimate leadership. Let me move from the intelligence case of syrian syrias use of chemical weapon to the question before the senate how to respond. As i said in the beginning, it would be my strong hope that the United States and russia can come to an agreement with other u. N. Security Council Members on a way to resolve this situation peacefully. Not only is a peaceful solution preferred to the use of force. If syrias chemical Weapons Program including all of its precursor chemicals, equipment, delivery system, loaded bonds can be put in the custody of the United Nations for its eventual destruction, that would provide a much stronger protection against future use. And it sets an important precedent for the future, for the world to settle any other dispute of this nature. I have urged the Obama Administration to take all possible steps to make this proposal work. And i appreciate the president s decision to ask us to delay any use of force resolution so diplomacy can be given a chance; however, the senate may still face a resolution to authorize the use of force in the event that all Diplomatic Options fail. And many of my colleagues have noted that the threat of force has helped push forward the diplomatic option. The is my time up . Oh. The assad regime has clearly used chemical weapons to gas its own people. And i believe that it will most likely do so again unless it is confronted with a major condemnation by the world. That now is beginning to happen. The regime has escaladed its path from smallscale ones that killed six or eight to ten people to an attack that killed more than 1,000. We know that the regime has munitions that could kill tens of thousands of syrians in aleep pow. If the world doesnt respond know, we bear the responsibility of a larger tragedy happening later. Its not only syria looking at preparing and using weapons long banned by the International Community. Iran is watching intently at what the world will do to syria, and will apply the lessons it learns to the Current Development of Nuclear Weapons. North korea, which has refrained from using the Nuclear Weapons it has or the chemical weapon stockpile that actually dollars of of that syria may well use the assad example to fire on south career. And remember, we have 28,000 plus troops right over the border within a half hour. And more general countries around the world will see the United States as a paper tiger. When it promises to take action but fails to do so. Former secretary of defense, bob gates, whom i have Great Respect for, who worked in both the bush and the Obama Administrations, said exactly that when he came out in support of the resolution for use of force against syria. He said this, its a quote, i strongly urge the congress, democrats and republicans, to approve the president s request for authorization to use force. Everyones view on the current United States policy toward syria, failure by congress to approve the request would, in my view, have profoundly negative and dangerous consequences for the United States. Not just in the middle east, but around the world both now and in the future. I strongly believe that the major powers in the world have a responsibility to take action. When a country not only slaughters 100,000 of its own citizens, put millions in to homeless status, millions in to refugee status, but especially when its willing to use weapons against them that have been banned as an affront to all humanity because they are outlawed bay treaty joined by 189 nations, representing 98 of the worlds population. If the United Nations does not act in such cases, i believe it becomes irrelevant. If nothing is done to stop this use of chemical weapons, they will be used in future conflicts. Im really sure of that. American service men in world war i were gassed with their ally partners. In their briefings over the past week, the military has made clear to us that if we allow the prohibition on chemical weapons use to erode, our men and women in uniform may, again, suffer from these weapons on the battle field. Chemical weapons are not like conventional weapons. Consider for a moment how fair, for example, can kill indiscriminately. The closer you are to the release, which is lets say to a border artillery shell, the more certain you are to death. Its colorless, it is odorless. It spreads over a wide geographic area. It can shift from one neighborhood to another if the wind shifts. The gas clings to the ground, you cannot escape it. During world war i, chemical weapons, primarily chore rein, and mustards gas. I live by where mustard gas canisters were at fort leach, now american university, and roll down the hill in to a sub division where they have been cropping up and necessitating a major army corps. Of engineers removal of this gas as well as other things. Say that were used by both sides of the war. They caused an estimated 100,000 fatalities, and 1. 3 million injuries. 1,462 american soldiers who were killed, and 72,870 were injured by chemical weapons, which represented onethird of all u. S. Casualties during world war i. Since world war i, not a single United States soldier has died in battle from exposure to chemical weapons. However with, according to the United Nations office for disarmament affairs, since world war i, chemical weapons have caused more than 1 million casualties globally. During world war ii, nazi germany used Carbon Dioxide and pesticide such as sky con b in gas chambers during the holocaust killing an estimated 3 Million People that way. Madam president , i would like to enter a record that details a history without objection. Thank you very much. These past uses of chemical weapons make clear they should never be used again. And the entire world must stand up and take action if they are. In syria, the use of chemical weapons on civilians, on men, women, and children gassed to death was intention during the middle of the night while theyre sleeping is a travesty that reflects the hatred and increasing desperation of the assad regime. I also believe there are other chemical weapons that have been mixed and loaded to delivery vehicles with the foacial kill thousands more. Think about it, if he can slaughter 100,000 of his own people without a Second Thought what is he going do if we do nothing . What is he going do if the United Nations does nothing . What is he going do if the effort to reach consensus on the syrian on the Security Council doesnt work . And we dont anything . He will use them again. They are ready to go. The question comes, that have, we are yes, a paper tiger. Thats going ton the conclusion in iran and north korea. The answer is that we cannot turn our back. This use is prohint prohibited by International Law and condemned by the world action. Albert einstein said in a wellknown quote, the world is dangerous place to live. Not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who dont do anything about it. End quote. For more than ninety years, our country has played the leading role in the world. We are the nation that others look upon to stop repressive dictators and massive violations of human rights. We cannot i hope military force will not be needed we allow time for the United Nations and the parties on the Security Council to put an agreement together. And that the threat of force will be sufficient to change president assads behavior. If these diplomatic efforts at the u. N. Fail, i know were going to be back here on the floor to consider the authorization for use of military force. But i sincerely hope it wont be necessary. When the ambassador from russia described the intention to me on monday, it was sincere. So the ball is really in russias court. Russia is the leader in this. I trust that it is sincere. I trust that russia and the United States will come together and bring the other parties together, and that it will be possible for the United Nations to act so the united wont have to. I thank the chair. I yield the floor. A couple of live events to tell you about on cspan 3. The intelligence and National Security alliance hold a conference tomorrow. Well hear from house intelligence Democratic National Committee Mike rogers, and ranking member. Later former National Intelligence director john live coverage starting at 8 00 a. M. Eastern. And could not afford out of pocket payments. The several republicans came to the floor commemorate the 9 11 attacks and the attacks last year in benghazi that killed four american. Well hear from representatives. Claim responsibility for theth murder of our ambassador and three others. Its no coincidence that thesett two attacks occurred nearly at the same time and both occurred on september 11th. Ed on in the past the United States has always held and went after those responsible for this type of murder. In 1998 when the ken began were embassy was attacked and americans were killed. We responded. Of course, we responded after the firsthe s World Trade Center poeming. Ain d we respond and appropriatein an manner as we did on september 11th. Weem must respond today and must respond tomorrow. We must i am encouraged that the president will soon address the nation on what our response wile will be. We must hold those accountable personally and hold them personally accountable because we must let people understand they need to leave us alone. That is what the message needs o be, we must have justice against these terrorist attacks against individuals because, mr. Speaker, justice is what we do. Mr. Speaker, that was t that was the speech on gave on this house floor one year ago. Today. September 12th of 2012. Is when it was given. But it has been one year since the attack in benghazi, libya. And we still have no answers. Today, as we remember those who were murdered twelve years ago, on september 11th 2001, in new york in pennsylvania, the pentagon, young and old from countries all over the world, we should also remember those murdered one year ago in benghazi, libya. The benghazi killers run free today. Its ironic the greatest power that has ever existed with our vast resources of military litar intelligence, the n. S. A. Intelligence, the f. B. I. That we cant capture some killers who killed americans in benghazi libya. When the media can talk to them and we cant find them, capture them and bring them back to justice. Its been a year. What does that tell the families . What does it tell americans when we havent been able to accomplish this capture of terrorists . We know alsha rei ya was involved. I on the house floor so today i filed the we dont know what the current u. S. Policy is about americans killed overseas. All we get is a lot of words. Even the white house, the press secretary said, well, but benghazi was a long time ago. It seems like we get more words in something that is actually done in the benghazi episode. At least continue to test us because they no longer fear us, mr. Speaker, the world no longer knows where america stands when we are attacked at home or abroad. Not our enemies, not our allies, and not the american citizens. I wish he was just concerned as americans being murdered by terrorists in benghazi, libya. The Administration Needs to go after these terrorists by any means necessary and bring them to justice. Restore our credibility with the American People because just sis what we do in the country. The chair recognizes mr. Brooks for five minutes. Mr. Speaker, president obama without consulting continue or the American People intervened in libya civil war resulting in the murder of four americans including our ambassador in benghazi while creating yet a lot recruiting ground. Repeating the libya mistake in september 2012, the Obama Administration declared that america will intervene in syrias civil war and work, quote, to support a Syrian Opposition to hasten the day when assad falls. End quote. Shortly trft i National Security adviser susan rice and many others. And i have listened to president obama. The argument for attacking syria are on unpersuasive. And substantially different circumstance consistent with my 2012 opposition to intervening in syrias civil war, i will vote against attacking syria if and when congress has that vote. Theres not the required pub. Lick. Americans oppose attacking syria by a two to run ratio. Alabamas fifth Congressional District 1,272 citizens have contacted my office about syria. 1,267 citizens oppose attacking syria. A scant five citizens out of 1,272, five, support attacking syria. The president , last night, told america there is no evidence that syria is a security throat america that supports preeveryonive military action. Yet an attacks makes syria and its allies a security threat. President obama aired when he made syrias chemical weapon a right lane. But president does not justify war. The syrian war every dollar spent attacking syria worsens americas deficit and debt. Weakens our economy, undermines our ability to pay for National Security, and increases the risk of even more defense layoffs and furloughs. An american attack on syria aids and abets syrian rebels. They have beheaded christians solely because they are christians. One rebel leader killed a syrian soldier, cut open the chest, took out the heart, ate it, and bragged about it. Another rebel leader personally excuted helpless prisoner of war. I question the wisdom of helping rebels who may be even more evil an barbaric than syria president assad. Thats what president obama proposes. The white houses syria strategy is conflicting. The president claims he doesnt seek regime change. Yet in 2012 his administration said the exact opposite. President obama claims attacks will deter syrias chemical weapons use, yet his secretary of state insists a tax will be, quote, unbelievely small. I have reservation about the administrations ability to handle a delicate Foreign Policy matter. This administration bungled its fast and furious gun Running Program killing hundreds of innocent mexicos and american Border Patrol agent. This administration botched in benghazi and threw in a cover up for good measure. They illegally use the Internal Revenue service to attack political adversaries. The list goes on and on. President obama ult elevated cheerleaders but not players on the field whose military will help attack syria. America cannot perpetually be the worlds only policeman. In sum, i believe it makes matters worse not better absent a Major International effort to pun of chemical weapons. I cannot and will not in good conscious vote on the house floor on the Foreign Affairs or Armed Service committee to attack syria. Mr. Speaker, i yield the remainder of my time. Chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Mcclintock for five minutes. We have suffered with our war on syria. There are two good things that the president has done. They need to be noted. Last night he stepped back from an International Crisis that could have had catastrophic consequences by deferring to the russian diplomatic, thank god. Last week he stepped back from a constitutional crisis by deferring to congress the decision over whether to go to war as the constitution requires. Ive been deeply troubled by suggestions from any otherwise responsible officials and commentators from both parties that the president has independent authority as commander in chief to order an attack on other countries when it deems it necessary. It cuts right to the core of our constitutions design, and evinces an alarming deor it ration of the popular understanding of the separationofpowers that keeps us free. There is nothing more clear in the american constitution, than that congress has the Sole Authority to decide the question of war or peace. Only after congress has knead decision, does the president as commander in chief have the authority execute that. For centuries european monarch plunged their nation to bloody and debilitating war on whim. And the constitutions programmers wanted to protect the american republican from that fate. They thawnd a president , for example, might someday paint himself in to reterritorial corner and feel compelled to face exercising force. Thats precisely why they entrusted that fateful decision to the congress. James madison said single most important feature was the provision that gave the congress and not the president the trust and the temptation would be too great for my one man. War is in fact the true in war physical forces will be created and the executive will which is to district and war the public treasure to be unlocked and the executive hand to disperse these. Those to conduct a war in the nature of things be proper or safe judges of whether a war ought to be commenced, continued. Alexander hampton wrote one of the important differences between the british king and the american president. The king can plunge his nation to war on his command. But that the american president has no such authority. It gave careful consideration to the clause that Congress Shall declare war. They chose that word carefully to make clear that the only independent warmaking power of the president is to repel an attack. The war powers act makes it explicit, that absent congressional authority, the president can only order our armed forces in to hostility in response to, quote, a National Emergency created by an attack upon the United States, its armed forces, or territories or possessions, unquote. Anything else requires prior congressional action. You know, u. N. Participation act by which we entered the u. N. Requires congress act before American Forces are ordered in to hostility in u. N. Action. The war power act specifically forbids inferring from any treaty the power to order American Forces in to hostility without specific congressional authorization. Mom sow now some of you bypassed this. In kosovo or most recently libya to violate it now. Thats precisely the point. If any violation of this fundamental provision can be used for justification for outwright nullification. Any such violation must be vigorously resisted unless we lose for all time the most important check on the most momentous decision a government can make to go to war. War is direction on a hassive scale. To unlawfully initiate a thing is the highest crime a public of the power of impeachment were not intended as an act as that. I cannot imagine what it would be for. The president is absolutely right not cross that line. I yield back. Economic house members were briefed by obama Administration Officials about syrias chemical weapon. You are still introducing your legislation in moving forward with it . No, no, no. What were doing is putting forward a revised resolution that could be taken up in the house and in the congress if and when the president determines that it would be necessary to proceed with that kind of legislation. We agree we should take applause. The president , as you know, is going to be vigorously pursuing the proposal, the return russians put forward based on a lot of conversation taken place previously. The russians went from vetoing press releases at the United Nations to mentioned chemical weapons for the last three years. So their turn about is directly related to the president s incredible use of force. The president also made clear at the end of the day that threat may be required in order complete the negotiations with russians. To make sure they are serious in following through. Our revised resolution would be something on standby when the president decided he needed to have that additional pressure behind him. To make sure the imoashes negotiations are successful. Reporter [inaudible] give you more trust in the russians . I dont want to talk about the classified briefing. I think, look, the russians have a number of interests in seriously pursuing their own proposal. One, they also would like to see the chemical weapons put on the International Control because of the risk they could fall in to the hands of alqaeda extremists and other elements. The president made clear of any military action is not about regime change with assad. But with respect to deterring use of chemical weapons. There are a lot of reasons these should be serious and pursue Fire Department resolution we put forward, again, on hold has a number of elements. The main element says that thirty days after pass age the president would be authorized to use very limited ill get back to that in a minute. If the president certifies, number one, that assad has not signed the chemical weapon convention. I point out hes saying he will sign it. When just 48 hours ago, he denied in his interview with charlie rose he even had them. Solet just be clear about the impact that the threat of force had. So the resolution said after thirty days to take limited action if number one, assad has not signed chemical weapons convention. Or number two, the president certifies theres no credible plan to put assads chemical weapons stockpile under their viable International Control. If those are made, the president could take very limited action congressman connelly and i had an earlier version that specified the parameter of the action. It was considerably narrower than the resolution the president first presented to congress. And also narrower than the one that passed the senate Foreign Relations committee. Including obviously thing like no boots on the ground but more restrictive to make sure we are focused on the purpose. Because some others and some others have a broader purpose. Not the president. But there are others that would like to see a much larger u. S. Military intervention in syria and in their civil war. That would be, in my mind, a huge mistake. [inaudible] try to get the russians to focus on the sir the more recent discussions with putin. Its something they have been raising the russians. The farnlgt is fact is the russians hadnt gotten serious about the issue until now. I should also say that the revised resolution would also the purpose of the resolution has the president s stated deterring assad from using poison gas in violation of almost 90year rule. Reporter given the record of the u. N. , are you comfortable with the amount [inaudible] its important yo test the, you know, russian proposal. I think determine pretty quickly whether they are serious about Going Forward or simply trying to delay the president s proposed limited military action. I think question certainly test the seriousness of that. Getting a fullfledged man that takes longer. I think you can judge peoples attention relatively we just had, gosh, it was a packed room, and the Briefing Room where we had a classified briefing, once again, i have to make a point there is while they may be supportive of the president. Efforts and so what is very clear to me is that members of congress are trying to be a [inaudible] and they cant which is going on. I have to thank the administration, because they have reached out and made their top level representative diplomatic available to answer questions both in a classified and not classified setting. Whatever we asked. And so it continues. What we try to do is right is the actual visual images of the people who are dying from the use of these chemical gases. That speaks for itself. Death is ugly when its in war, period. The world has learned to sort of permit certain type of conventions within war to kill in certain ways to give license to kill. Killing is never attractive. When you see little kids on the floor, unable to control their physical activity, foaming at the mouth, it just sends chills down your back. This is not, even in war, what we expect, and so what the president , i believe, is trying to convey to the American People is hes reluctant warrior as anyone else. Sometimes when you exhausted all the other avenues diplomatically, economically, you have to decide. And the president is the decider, as they say. I believe he has gone through every effort to find a way short of military force. And certainly hes made it clear short of any war. We dont need a declaration of war in congress. We need to support the president in what hes calling for which is a limited and narrow military strike to deter the use of chemical weapons and degrade assads capability of using those. Which, by the way, assad admits he has. Which before he didnt admit. In this briefing within i think once again we have to drill down and the administration gave answers to questions that members are posing publicly but obviously privately in classified setting. I think its another chance for members to best answer understand what is before us. So we will decide to join the president or not. I hope people will see the president doesnt take them lightly. It might have failed if they brought it up. Any time you could resolve the issue of the use of chemical weapons, and not use further life. I think its great. I think the president tried to express that as well. But after years of trying to diplomacy after years of using sanctions and economic tools to try to get the Syrian Government to change, and try to get the russians from blocking progress to all the sudden see the last moment diplomatic effort by the russians. Theres reason to have pause to be skeptical, but as the president said, were going probe it as deep as we can to make sure its real. If its real, and if it gets us what we were trying to get otherwise, i think everyone would be very happy. I know, the president will make every effort to try to give not just syria a chance. But give the planet a chance to resolve this without further military force. So were looking forward to further information. We hope there is some progress and good work coming out of the u. N. We know it has to be something that is concrete, that is real, that is credible. You cant statements. So theres got to be consequence to whatever diplomatically the russians and syrians say they are willing to do. Is a step that will help us deter the use of chemical weapons. If the russians are serious and sincere. Not only deter but actually dismantle the chemical weapons. That would be good. Thank you. Thank you very much. On wednesdays white house briefing, press secretary staid will take some time toward diplomatic channel in going a plan for syrias chemical weapons inspect is under five minutes. It will take some time. There are technical aspects involved in developing a plan for securing syrias chemical weapons and verifying their location and putting them under an International Control. Secretary kerry is leaving for geneva, as you know, at the president s request to meet with his russian counter part. Where they will discuss this matter, and each side, the american and russian side will bring technical experts. Theres a team, a delegation to evaluate the proposal and to assess paths forward. I expect it will take some time. But we also are not interested in delaying tactics, and we believe its very important to hold assad accountable. What is, i think, very clarifying about this the president made clear all along, the potential use of limited military strikes by the United States was in response to assads use of chemical weapons. It was not, as he said, an effort to involve the United States militarily, directly in the syrian civil war. It was not designed to precipitate regime change. It was around the question of chemical weapons and if assads chemical weapons stockpile can be secured and removed from his possession absent military force, that would be a good thing. [inaudible] reporter specific gate when you want something to be done by or seventy progress. In talking to experts about the process its something that can take months and years to carry out. Dont you need to give some sort of firmer time table for when you need to see progress. Otherwise it could drag out and become a delayed tactic. Let be clear. The initiative has been presented only in recent days. We are deploying the secretary of state to meet with his russian counterpart and the discussions will take place. Separate that, there are discussions in new york if the United Nations around framing a United Nations Security Council resolution on this issue, and on the removal from assads control of his chemical weapons stockpile. Let be clear i dont want to suggest, because its essential not the case that we are interested in delay or avoidance of accountability here. And, you know, there are steps in this process if it to were succeed, that is obviously a demonstration in sincerity in a verifiable way to secure the weapon and remove them from assads control. Ultimately to destroy them. And the fulfillment of that process will take some time. The implementation of it, and, you know, would could begin obviously before the completion. And were going work with the russian, it would be irresponsible not to explore this potential diplomatic resolution of the very serious matter. You can watch our event and Video Library at cspan. Org. Former about cybersecurity threat and preparedness. We learned after 9 11 and after katrina, and keep learning after all the incidents that information and coordination sharing could have been better. Some people refer to a digital cyber pearl harbor. At least in that instance as historians say we didnt have notice of the emerging threat. I think sister a cyber pearl harbor. We have noticed. Its not an emerging threat. Its a constant and everychanging dynamic threat. Im end up being a cyber katrina, we had notice, but werent as prepared as we should have been and fat alan got there and cut through the problems and began to address the situation he confronted on the ground. Up next on cspan 2. On the next washington journal. A. New york city ceremony commemorating the 9 11 terror attacks. Well hear family members of the victims read the names of those killed twelve years ago. New york governor andrew cuomo, new jersey governor, new york mayor and Rudy Giuliani attended this fourhour event at memorial plaza. [inaudible conversations] [drum beat] [drum beat] [drum beat] o say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hail at the twilights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the pearl were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there 0 say does that spar spangled banner yet wave o er the land of the free and the home of the brave of the free [applause] [bells ringing]. [names being read] we miss all of you. We are twins forever. [names being read] [names being read] singled loco. Singled [names being read] singled loco [names being read] singled [names being read] uncle teddy, even though id never met you, i know that you are looking down on me today. I love you and say hi to pop up for me. God bless america. [names being read] [names being read] rick [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] life has not been the same without you. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] you are forever in our hearts [names being read] [names being read] you are a humble humanitarian concern daily with the goodness of people. We feel your presence in the lives of our two children. As my husband, you brought out every joyous day in our short 20 are together. Please rest in peace, my love. And my niece who is always in my heart until we meet again. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] we miss you every day, to my brother. And my unforgettable cousin. We love and miss you and we know that you are looking down on us. [bell chiming] [names being read] [names being read] my uncle and godfather, we remember you. In my nephew and godson, we miss you and think of you every day. God bless you. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] for my brother, your legacy will be forever remembered and you will never be forgotten it is said that in time that pain will go away, and im just waiting for the pain to go away. I will always remember you god love you and take good care of you, because i know that he is holding it. In the palm of his hand near his heart. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] to my beloved niece, marlene, your life will always be that of a hero and you will always be in our heart and soul. [speaking in native tongue] we love you, marlene. Into my nephew and godson, from brooklyn. Joe, we honor you today and all of those lost on september 11. Today i bring messages of love everyone sends their love and ask that you continue to watch over us all. Especially your wife, naomi, and your daughters amanda and isabel. God bless america until we meet again. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] at each year goes by, we miss you more. And my mother, the children remind us of you. We love you with the depth of our souls and we miss you. Always. At [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] we miss you. Thank you for the memories and for supporting us. Melissa is 16 years old now and she acts like you. Please keep watching the rest and we love you. We love you, daddy. To my fatherinlaw. I never met you, but i know that you would be wonderful. Your humor, your life, your memory continues to be with us. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] you are in our heart each day. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] we love and miss you very much. [names being read] i love you and miss you and think about you every single day. We know that you are looking down on us. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] to my honey, folate and love. Every day we look up to you. Thank you for the millions spending this moment with us. Dennis, we miss you every day. [names being read] we know you are always there. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] bastions of your presence is everywhere around us. We have not forgotten. Rest in gods peace, and may rick [names being read] [names being read]. I miss you, my love. [names being read] juan pablo. Benjamin keith clark. Eugene clark. Gregory allen clark. Many leroy clark. Sara m clark. Thomas r. Clark. Christopher robin clark. Donna marie clark. Michael j. Clark. Rachel emma clark. Kevin francis cleary. James be clear. Jeffrey w. Cloud. Susan murray kline. Steven copley. Jeffrey allen. Patricia a. Codey. Danielle michael coffey. And my brotherinlaw, thomas a. , we love you, tommy. We all miss you so much. And my god sister bella j. We love you and we miss you very much. ] [names being read] scott thomas coleman. Teray coleman. John michael colins. Michael l. Colins. Jeffrey duane coleman. Joseph kent. Linda m. Coleman. Patricia. My father, my heroic father, clint david, sr. Ill dont northern you from texas. Seoul e. And my brother, William Thomas dean. Billy, we miss you every day. We love you always. Ronald edward. [names being read] john e. Connelly, jr. James lee connelly. Jonathan m. Connor. Kevin patrick conners. Kevin f. Convoy. Brenda e conway. Dennis michael cook. Helen d. Cook. Jeffrey w. Koontz. Julienne d. Cooper. Owe receive john. [names being read] joseph albert. John jay corker iii. Alessandro. Robert joseph. And my breast best friend thomas swift. You are missed by everybody you touched in your life. A special person told me you are not god you [inaudible] my beautiful sister, we miss you every day. [speaking in foreign language] ruin [names being read] my uncle dennis p. Gearman. I love and miss you very much. My uncle captain danielle. We love you and miss you very much. Robert james crawford. Terra kathleen. Joe ann mary. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] my brother, my hero, timothy patrick. On behalf of your wife, your kids, our dad, your family and friends, we miss you every day. And my uncle, kevin james murphy. We love you, we miss you, and we know how proud you would be of your children and the people they have become. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] i was reminded steam would come of your ears and we could call you rhino. We love you, rhino. God bless you. And my son, Christopher Michael duffy. Chris, we miss you, we love you. And you have two new nephews to carryon your name. Jack christopher duffy, and christopher. [names being read] [names being read] my baby brother, when your name was taken. I miss your handsome, smiling face, and the way you laughed as you flipped burgers at your barbecue. Well never make sen sense of our loss. But we give with the senselessness. And we must bring purpose to our lives and your memory. We all miss you, and i love you so very much. Its my honor to be your sister and for having you as jasons god father and marks uncle rest over us and rest in peace. Youll always be in my heart. And my son. Paul, i can still hear you funny contagious laugh and see your handsome smiling space. Its twelve years. And that is true. But time can never take away our memories of you. Yesterday you were 28. Today you are 40. In our hearts, you are forever young. Dad and i are proud to be your parents. Well love you until the the end of time. Let freedom ring and God Bless America. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] and my wonderful mother. Mommy, i feel you here with me today. We love you and miss you so much. Thank you for being there for your grandchildren and watching over us. We love you. And my grandfather, firefighter robert james crawford. Grandpa, not a day goes by where i dont think of you. You are constantly on my mind. I would give anything to have my best friend back here be me. I miss you more and more every day. Thank you for being the most important american in my life. My hero, my angel, my pa. I love you to the moon and back. For always and forever. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] we love you we miss you. Your mother misses you. Your family, your brothers miss you. Your sisters miss you. I also want to remember my [inaudible] who passed away last year because of the tragedy. She suffered for 11 years. We honor you, christopher and julia. We thank god for you, we love you, but god loves you best. God bless the 9 11 families, and may god bless the United States of america. And my father, william john irwin. We miss you and ill remember you. Ill never stop thinking about you. I love you and will forever always miss you. [bells ringing] [moment of silence] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] and my husband, our cousin franky, forever in our hearts. Forever missed. 343 gone, but never forgotten. I never got a chance to thank my husband for the two beautiful, brave sons that he gave me. I know, hes up there so proud and love and with love. Your legacy lives on. Twelve years ago today, we lost so much. My family lost my cousin, and a man who would be so proud of his two boys following in his footsteps. A living legacy fdny. My dear brother, firefighter. I miss you and wish you were here with us today. Not just in our hearts but right here. God bless you, and God Bless America. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] and our son, scott jordon, who we have honored for the last twelve years with the Childrens Foundation and campaign to all [inaudible] [cheering and applause] and my father, christopher edward. We love you and are working every day to make this world a place you dreamed it would could be. [names being read] [names being read] my husband, the love of my life. Ronald paul, our three children, rony, robert, and lauren, along with our three grandchildren are helping hold the door just like you did on that horrific day. God bless america. And god bless the survivors of 9 11. My uncle. Youre forever in my thoughts. Theres not a day that goes by that i dont miss you. Youll always be my monkey. I love you. [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] [names being read] my father, paul m. Daddy, i miss you so much. Youre forever in my heart. And i know youre watching over us today. I love you, daddy. And my brother, john. Youre with us always, john, in your hearts and our thoughts. Take care of mom and dad. And guide our family from heaven. [names being read] [names being read] [speaking in spanish] i love you. Family and friends, we miss you until we meet again. My father, thomas jay fisher. Youll forever be in all of our hearts. I love you and will always be daddys little girl. [names being read] [names being read]