[inaudible conversations]. We will come to order. Good afternoon this is a fourth in a series of hearings we are holding as part of the inquiry without objection the chairs authorized to declare a recess at any time. There is a quorum present. Well proceed today as an Opening Statement than the Ranking Member can make his Opening Statement and then we will turn to the witnesses and then two questions. Without a now recognize myself to give an Opening Statement into the impeachment inquiry of donald j. Trump the 45th president of the United States. This afternoon well hear from two witnesses Ambassador Special representative for ukraine negotiations and to morrison former senior director for European Affairs at an sei appreciate the minorities request for these witnesses as well as undersecretary of state from whom we will hear tomorrow progress we have heard from other witnesses when joe biden was considered whether to enter the price one the president ial race in 2020 giuliani began a
All morning with your phone calls, Facebook Messages and tweet. Journal, 7 00on a. M. Eastern wednesday morning. The House Intelligence Committee has just wrapped up public testimony from kurt volker, the official envoy to ukraine and tim morrison. As part of the inquiry into President Trump. We will show that now in its entirety. The meeting will come to order. Good afternoon. This is the fourth in a series of public hear chairman schiff the chair is recess at to declare anytime. I will make an Opening Statement and the Ranking Member will make his Opening Statement. We will proceed in the same fashion. I will make Opening Statement and the Ranking Member will have opportunity to make Opening Statement. Then we turn to the witnesses for Opening Statements and then to questions. With that i now recognize myself to give an Opening Statement in the impeachment inquiry of Donald J Trump. This amp we will hear from two witnesses requested by the minor. The special representative for the uk
Concerns and if im forgetting one, please remind me, but the two concerns i had, was one i did not see representatives of sc legal on the call and i wanted to make sure that the Legal Adviser and his deputy were aware of the call and i was also concerned about taking steps to protect the memcon limited disclosure for fear of the consequences of it leaking. And you were concerned about it leaking because you were worried about how it would play out in washingtons polarized political environment, correct . Yes. And you were also worried how that would lead to the bipartisan support here in congress of towards ukraine, right . Yes. And you were also concerned that it might affect the ukrainians perception negatively. Yes. And in fact all three of those things have played out. Havent they . Yes. You didnt ask the lawyers to put her on the code word system, correct . I want to be precise about the lexicon here. I did not ask for it to be moved to a compartmented system. Okay. You just wante
Today to receive testimonies on oversight of i. C. E. Since are they doing enough. Good afternoon. We should discuss the enforcements and detention his abilities and both of dhs is doing enough to enter i. C. E. His own detention standards are being met. Before we start, lets take those moment to acknowledge some of the challenges the subcommittee had in arranging todays hearing. Or holding two channels this afternoon because i. C. E. Declined to sit on the same panel with the contractor. For the purpose and lack of cooperation makes it more challenging for congress to do his job. The meeting with dhs leaders, is important to the subcommittee to bring everyones voices together. That is how we can best identify challenges and find ways to solve them. This issue is particularly important to me as to advices facilities, detained towards a part of 1300 migrants in my home district. I have visited these facilities. I have concerns about some of the conditions of confinement. Im not alone in
Subcommittee had in arraigning todays hearing arranging todays hearing. I. C. E. Declined to sit on the same panel with knack mote toe nakamoto, the contractor it chose. The departments lack of cooperation makes it more challenging for congress to do its job. At a meeting with dhs leaders, its important to the subcommittee to bring everyones voices together. Thats how we can best identify challenges and find ways to solve them. This issue is particularly important to me as two of i. C. E. s facilities detain upwards of 1300 migrants from in my home district. I visited these facilities, and i have concerns about some of the conditions of confinement. And im not alone in having these concerns. Dhss own office of Inspector General last year found these processes for oversight and con finement were insufficient to stay compliance with i. C. E. s own standards. It might be that inspectors are set up to fail. For example, i. C. E. Has a contractor who is responsible for evaluating compliance