Examined. Is that correct . Yes, sir. Mr. Starr, in our last hearing, the Inspector Generals Office released its 2014 reported on highthreat programs directorat. One of the Inspector Generals key findings in that report is that this newly created body was, quote, helped create a culture of share responsibility within the department and has forged strong partnerships with Regional Security officers and counterparts in regional and functional bureaus as well as within the inner agency community. I think thats an extremely positive finding given the fact that the accountability review board considered the lack of shared responsibility around Security Issues to be systematic failure just two years ago. Mr. Starr, could you discuss how you think the creation of the highthreat program has created a culture of shared responsibility and state department . And then my final question, to tell us, how does this culture of shared responsibility that the i. G. Praises at our embassies abroad. Thank
This point. I think there has been a culture change in the department. I think having to weigh the importance of our programs and why were in very danger places under the vp2 process has brought a laser focus on why were there, what the real threats are and have a clear understanding of the threats, not ignoring the threats, what weve done to mitigate those flets and then a decision at the end of that is our presence still adequate and is our presence warranted, despite all these things, i think, has brought a new culture to the department in many ways. I think i have never seen security taken as seriously as it has been in the last two years. And i say that not lightly because ive been here a long time and security has been taken seriously for many, many years in the department. But i think this some of these processes we have put in place this time are new to the department and are doing exactly what the arb wanted and what youre talking about. Is it working itself into the culture .
Review board report to upgrade security for personnel at highthreat posts. Has this been done . Not according to the facts ive heard. So, in fact, the department has yet to comply with benghazi arb recommendation 11, correct . We believe benghazi arb 11 intended for there to be Marine Security guards at all high threat posts. So i want to hear you say yes, that is correct. Thank you very much. Ive got 24 22 seconds left. I did want to touch a little bit on the local guard force. Real quick, mr. Linick, if i can just get to the findings with you. A, b, Regional Security officers took it upon themselves to vary the vetting and approval process and failed to ensure that the security contractors provided all the required documents. Thats correct . Thats correct. So, did any of the Security Companies that had contracts fully perform all vetting required in their contracts . No. We looked at 87 personnel files and none of them none of the security contractors performed all of the vetting req
Led to the deaths of Christopher Steven and shaun smith and the remaining personnel escaped a ietzsche facility known as the annex. The it culminated in an attack that killed tyrone davis and glenn dougherty. What i read is the now official position of the u. S. Government filed in u. S. District court by the department of justice and a motion to detain the one defendant who has been captured and will stand trial. 20 or more men, the weapons of war arsons and sustained attacks, precision mortars terrorist groups. It is interesting note the word terrorist so rarely used after benghazi by people in position of powers used in the very word charging the very defendant accused of killing our four fellow americans. Conspiracy to provide material to terrorist resulting in death. Thats the charge. Thats the official charge, the official position of the United States government. But in the days after the attack in benghazi, the word terrorist was edited out and changed. Now the administration u
Reforms, if passed, would diminish u. S. Influence on the i. M. F. , would reduce our ability to control the decisions of the i. M. F. , would move the funds from one in which we have Veto Authority to one we have no Veto Authority. Astoastonishingly, madam presid, this bill would expand russias influence and control over the i. M. F. Let me repeat that. A bill that is being ostensibly introduced to punish russia for their act of war and act of aggression, would expand russias influence over the i. M. F. And decrease the United States of americas influence. Madam president , i agree with my friend from alabama, who suggested moments ago this is through the looking glass. This makes no sense. I would challenge any of my friends here to stand up here and explain why a sensible response to what russia has done is to expand russias influence in the i. M. F. And to diminish americas influence. That makes no sense whatsoever. And, madam president , i want to close with two points. Number one