Senator chuck chuck ensley chairs this fivehour hearing. [indiscernible] [gavel pounding] [indiscernible] attorney general sessions, welcome. For all the people in the audience, we welcome you as well. I thank general sessions were being here that attorney general sessions were being here for the oversight hearing. His is an opportunity for congress to investigate and question the policies and actions of any executive branch. It is an opportunity for the executive branch to take responsibility for any of those policies and actions, and an opportunity for congress to defend its constitutional powers and check any abuses by an overreaching executive branch, and it has been that way for 230 years. Some have complained that we have not had an oversight hearing with this attorney general earlier. My reason for deferring was that the attorney general should have his team in place before appearing before us. Certainly, attorney general holder and attorney general lynch did have their respecti
The counsel have displayed have really helped bring together the u. S. And the arab world, particularly the araben gulf. The programs brought together really help build very important bridges between the United States and the arab world. When we talk about the middle east its too tempting and too easy to focus on the challenges and the problems. So i generally appreciate the efforts to highlight the best of their world and expose countries ask americans to the best of our culture, people and our leaders. Its important to show how we are building a positive path forward for your future. And dr. Anthony, i want to say this on behalf of everyone here, thank you. We are grateful to everything you and the council does to build these bridges every day. [ applause ] another very big thank you goes to our guest of honor, general votel, who i have the honor of introducing today. General votel is very much in the present taking on some of the biggest challenges. From syria, iraq to afghanistan h
Thank you. Im conscious that i am the second introducer and the final act before the main event, so i promise ill be brief. But let me start with bill, and thank you for that lufblly grukz. But i want to give a special thank you to dr. John duke anthony. Hes been one of the most active prow ponents for people who care about this region together. Not just in this conference but all the time. And the leadership that he and the counsel have displayed have really helped bring together the u. S. And the arab world, particularly the araben gulf. The programs brought together really help build very important bridges between the United States and the arab world. When we talk about the middle east its too tempting and too easy to focus on the challenges and the problems. So i generally appreciate the efforts to highlight the best of their world and expose countries ask americans to the best of our culture, people and our leaders. Its important to show how we are building a positive path forward
Attorney general sessions, welcome. For all the people in the audience, we welcome you as well. I thank general sessions were being here that attorney general sessions were being here for the oversight hearing. His is an opportunity for congress to investigate and question the policies and actions of any executive branch. It is an opportunity for the executive branch to take responsibility for any of those policies and actions, and an opportunity for congress to defend its constitutional powers and check any abuses by an overreaching executive branch, and it has been that way for 230 years. Some have complained that we have not had an oversight hearing with this attorney general earlier. My reason for deferring was that the attorney general should have his team in place before appearing before us. Certainly, attorney general holder and attorney general lynch did have their respective teams well in place by the time they appeared here as you are now here. The other side has been blockin
We could see mudslides, debris flow. Jessica flores is live for us in santa rosa. Reporter neda, as you said, that rain just keeps coming down here. Its not that strong right now but certainly stronger than the past couple of weeks. Thats causing concern because theres no vegetation in the burn areas to soak up the rain and also, the fire burned down underground pipes causing risk for sinkholes. So we have a Flash Flood Watch and crews out here concerned about those sinkholes. The sinkhole already opened up in the area over the weekend and crews were working to prepare that 4foot sinkhole. They are looking for burned plastic pipe. They have identified 20 years and that damage underground is increasing the possibility of sinkholes, especially here in the Fountain Grove community. Also the rain caused ash to flow, and they are trying to filter out debris. The water is safe to drink but it could wash that drink into watersheds. City officials are warning residents in the Fountain Grove ar