This is just over three hours. Good morning, everyone. The committee will come to order. Before we begin this mornings markup, id like to extend a special welcome to some of the folks that are here this morning. They have come a long way. Several of alaskans have flown down are the north slope to be with us recognizing that this is their home. I think its important that they are here with us today. We welcome them. Id also like to add, just a farewell at the same time that we acknowledge a welcome. I dont see angela heres over there. But Angela Becker editman who has been senator cantwells staff director, i understand, is moving back to the west kocoast. And that this is perhaps your last day on the committee or last week on the committee. And i just i want to acknowledge the work that you have done. I think that, certainly, the staffs on our side have enjoyed the working relationship that we have had with you through some interesting and challenging issues and your leadership has been
So i certainly hope they would be but i have no confidence as i sit here right now that they will. Senator nelson when, mr. Secretary, when you look at a map like this, a map of syria that i assume you handed out, somebody did thats a mess. And maybe it is the only solution is the solution of a political exit for assad so that we can go after these extremist elements. By the way, i had to leave the committee to do an interview on cnn, and the whole focus that they wanted to jump on was your statement earlier in the hearing that we had only trained up 60. But i pointed out to them what you said was the vetting is very difficult and in fact we are vetting some several thousands additional and the vet is a lot more tore tuesdayous because you certainly dont want to have a guy trained up and then you ends up aiming his gun back at us. In iraq, do you think that this new Prime Minister has the capability of getting out of his shiite mold and does he have the capability of bringing all the s
Help them to see your glorious image in humanity and search for opportunities to empower those on lifes margins. Lord, inspire them to trust the unfolding of your loving providence, so that they will not become weary in doing what is right. May they live with such integrity that your purposes will be accomplished on earth, remind us all that it is in giving that we receive. And through dying to self we are born to eternal life. We pray in your great name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. 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. Mcconnell madam president . The presiding officer the republican leader is recognized. Mr. Mcconnell there are a lot of reasons to like the broad Bipartisan Energy bill which is before us. Youll like it if youre an american interested in producing more energy. Youl
What must be done. Cutting spending alone, i. E. Sequestration, is not the solution. Raising taxes is not the solution. It will take a combination of spending reduction, entitlement reform, and tax reform to stimulate more revenue. Hard and tough votes will have to be taken, but that is why we get elected to the United States senate. The world is waiting for america to lead on this issue. If we do, the u. S. Economy will respond in a very robust way. The gang of six laid the foundation for this problem to be solved and it is my hope that we do not leave the solution to the next generation. With what i have enjoyed most about congress and that is the opportunity i have had to spend with the men and women in uniform and those in the intelligence world, all of whom are willing to put their life in harms way for the sake of our freedom. Whether it was Robins Air Force , or dubail, jalalabad , i always get emotional telling the men and women how proud i am of them and how blessed we are to
The people who unconsciously dont know and dont care about the heavy weight that black folks have carried in this country over the centuries that they were brought here cannot possibly love the country as much as they would if they say it was not a ferguson problem. Its an american problem. And they should be able to ask, what is it that they could do . And i would humbly suggest the first thing you do is to acknowledge, acknowledge that you have that problem. Me people may talk about payment for restitution for past crimes committed against human beings. But that restitution could be the ability to say that were going to make certain that people of color in this country would be able to have access to the same type of education, live where they want to live, compete against anybody for the job and not feeling that theyre inferior because people have been taught that just because they have a different complexion that they are superior. And they take that because they were born on third