On cspan. Org. The senate is weighing in on defense policies for 2021. And now to live coverage. Senate here on cspan2. To or. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Eternal god, thank you for the gift of this day. Open the minds of our lawmakers and give them a vision of the unlimited possibilities available to those who trust you as their guide. May our senators embrace a hugh millty embrace a humility that seeks first to understand rather than to be understood. Inspire them to seek your wisdom as you sustain them with your grace, mercy, and peace. Lord, remind them that you will judge their fruits, productivey and faithfulness. We pray in your strong name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance i pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Grassley madam president.
We are following the attending physicians guidance on wearing face coverings at all times while not under recognition and the chair will only recognize those who are following the guidance. Today, the committee on Homeland Security is meeting for part two of our hearing to examine the National Response to the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Two weeks ago, the Committee Heard from state and local officials about how the Trump Administrations failure to respond to the pandemic has harmed their communities and our nation. We invited fema administrator peter gaynor to that hearing but he declined to attend based on white house guidance prohibiting administration witnesses from appearing before congress remotely. Guidance is that intended to undermine congressional oversight of the administration. The committee will move forward with his work today. Thecommittee also invited department of health and Human Services to participate in this hearing. Hhs refused to send a witness even though the
We are following the attending physicians guidance on wearing face coverings at all times while not under recognition and the chair will only recognize those who are following the guidance. Today, the committee on Homeland Security is meeting for part two of our hearing to examine the National Response to the worsening coronavirus pandemic. Two weeks ago, the Committee Heard from state and local officials about how the Trump Administrations failure to respond to the pandemic has harmed their communities and our nation. We invited fema administrator peter gaynor to that hearing but he declined to attend based on white house guidance prohibiting administration witnesses from appearing before congress remotely. Guidance is that intended to undermine congressional oversight of the administration. The committee will move forward with his work today. Thecommittee also invited department of health and Human Services to participate in this hearing. Hhs refused to send a witness even though the
Withdrawing the amendment. If there is no further debate, the amendment we are back live at the House Appropriations committee. Theyre working on 2021 spending levels for the defense, commerce, justice and transportation department, as well as the department of housing and urban development. The markup is excited to go into the evening. You are watching live coverage on cspan. Chair lowey for what purpose does the member from california rise . The member of california . Thank you. I havent amendment at the desk have an amendment at the desk. Chair lowey the clerk will read the amendment. I ask unanimous consent to dispense of the reading. Chair lowey without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Thank you. This amendment is straightforward. It would block a president from starting a war with iran absent expressed authorization from congress. This amendment consists of language that the house is already adopted as part of h. R. 550 in january of this year. Let me be
Chair lowey i will say good morning again. I call this meeting of the committee on appropriations to order. Before we begin, house rules require me to remind you that we have set up an email address to which members could send anything they wish to submit in writing. That email address has been provided to your staff. Our first order of Business Today is consideration of the department of defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021. I will not recognize to present the bill. Thank you, madam chairwoman. Before i begin my remarks, i reluctantly have to acknowledge this will be my final Opening Statement before the House Appropriations committee. I have no new revelations to make but for those of you who will remain on this committee, there are a few things i would like to say. Him saying them as someone who is so compulsive, he saved the congressional record on the day he was appointed to this committee after years of efforts, which makes mr. Rogers, my good friend, the only person