Good afternoon everybody. The subcommittee will come to order. I have to apologize in advance. I have to step out and have asked congressman to preside in my absence. So thank you for that. I want to thank everybody for joining us for todays hearing of the subcommittee on Economic Opportunity where we will begin our first oversight hearing on the implementation of hr 3218, the harry veterans assistance act of 2017 this bill was designed or signed into law on august 16th, 2017 and a great example of what congress can do with we put the American People and in this case our Veterans First and foremost in addition to the efforts of chairman row and other members of this committee, it was it result of the good efforts of many of our vsos. Two of whom are joined with us on the panel, student veterans of america. This was the first major improvement to the gi bill since 2011 and brought forth by many members of this house. To serve either in uniform or along side their active duty spouse or p
I have to apologize in advance. I have to step out and have asked congressman to preside in my absence. So thank you for that. I want to thank everybody for joining us for todays hearing of the subcommittee on Economic Opportunity where we will begin our first oversight hearing on the implementation of hr 3218, the harry veterans assistance act of 2017 this bill was designed or signed into law on august 16th, 2017 and a great example of what congress can do with we put the American People and in this case our Veterans First and foremost in addition to the efforts of chairman row and other members of this committee, it was it result of the good efforts of many of our vsos. Two of whom are joined with us on the panel, student veterans of america. This was the first major improvement to the gi bill since 2011 and brought forth by many members of this house. To serve either in uniform or along side their active duty spouse or parent. While we can all be proud of the collectedive achievemen
By mutual of america designing customized individual and Group Retirement products. Thats why were your retirement company. Additional support has been provided by and by the corporation for public broadcasting, and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. From the tisch wnet studios at Lincoln Center in new york, hari sreenivasan. Sreenivasan good evening and thanks for joining us. California Officials Say this weeks fast moving wildfires in the northern part of the state have killed at least 35 people, making them the deadliest in state history. The fires have destroyed close to 6,000 structures and forced the evacuation of 100,000 residents. Today, more than 10,000 firefighters battled 16 large wildfires that have burned more than 214,000 acres of land. California wine country has sustained the worst property damage, especially in the napa valley and sonoma county, fires there are only 45 contained. Newshour weekend special correspondent Joanne Jennings
That their home countries can at some point also be free. As a former immigration lawyer i have seen it at work firsthand. The time has come for reform of the program. A few problems have come to light include fraud, executive authority and the House Judiciary Committee has highlighted over the last few years. We all know this former fbi director made troubling statements about the inability to properly vet and form are Administration Officials knowledged in testimony that state and local consultation throughout the process has not been as robust as needed in all cases. In fact i have been approached by colleagues involving this issue. These issues i have mentioned as well as others lead me to introduce hr 2826 the Refugee Program the bill sets the ceiling at 50,000 taking this responsibility of the president and placing it where it should be with us in congress. The bill recognizes they should have a true say in whether or not they are able to resettle. It contains provisions aimed at
Immigration and Border Security will come to order without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time. We welcome everyone to detodays hearing on oversight of the United States refugee admission program. And im now recognizing myself for an opening statement. I have long been a supporter of u. S. Refugee admission programs and the important humanitarian mission it serves. The United States and the peace and democracy under which we live should give hope to those around the world who face persecution by their government that their home countries can at some point be free of such tyranny. As a former immigration lawyer, i have seen the u. S. R. A. P. At work first hand. I have seen those who have been able to avail themselves of it come to this country and thrive. But just like with many government programs, that start out with the best of intention and over the years prove to need updates, the time has come for reform of the program. A few proble