The committee will come to order. Good morning. Recently hurricanes harvey and irma left a path of destruction along the gulf coast of texas, across florida, and throughout the caribbean. Homes, businesses, and entire communities were destroyed and lives were lost. Days after irma, we learned the tragic news that eight seniors, ranging in age from 71 to 99, died in a florida nursing home that lacked air conditioning because the power had been knocked out. One press account described the facility as a death trap because the elderly are particularly susceptible to heat related illnesses. Last month, this photo of residents of an assisted living facility in texas, who were trapped in waist deep water went viral. As these recent disasters made clear, Older Americans are particularly vulnerable, before, during, and even after a storm. In fact, when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the gulf coast 12 years ago, more than half of those who died were seniors. As the thenchair of the Senate Homela
Because the power had been knocked out. One press account described the facility as, quote, a deathtrap, end quote, because the elderly are particularly susceptible to heat related illnesses. Last month this photo of residence of an assisted living facility in texas who were trapped in waist deep water went viral. As of these recent disasters make clear, Older Americans are particularly vulnerable before, during, and even after a storm. In fact, when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the gold coast 12 years ago, more than half of those who died were seniors. As the danger of the Senate Homeland security committee, along with senator Joe Lieberman of connecticut, i lead a bipartisan investigation into the response to Hurricane Katrina at the federal, state and local levels. Our investigation which resulted in this weighty report revealed many weaknesses in our nations Emergency Response system. And although i doubt very many people read the whole report, it does have an excellent summary t
Is authorized to declare recesses at any anytime. Welcome to the hearing on examining antisemitism on College Campuses. Before i gave my opening state and before mr. Conyers gives hum ill yield to him so he can say word about the tragedy that occurred in texas over the weekend. The gentleman is recognized. Top of the morning and i thank you, mr. Chairman. Welcome all nine witnesses, alltime hearing, and the distinguished gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Sensenbrenner. Let me just say briefly that before discussing the important topic of todays hearing, i want to raise another issue that we must unfortunately confront with urgency. On sunday, gunman shot and killed 26 church goers in sutherland springs, texas. We now know that information concerning his courtmartial for Domestic Abuse should have been submitted by the air force to the National Incident criminal background check system. Should have been prevented from purchasing firearms from licensees gun dealers, via the brady background
Evening byte last the assistant attorney general sessions yes. Asked you direct mr. Boyd to drop. Response . Direct mr. Boyd to draft that response . Was it just you or anyone else question mark mr. Sessions i think it wouldve been a direction from me. Did you review the letter before it was sent . Yes. Essions id you agree with what was laid out . So. Sessions i think and the third paragraph it says, the attorney general has directed federal prosecutors to address certain situations raised in the letter. The senior prosecutors will report directly to the attorney general and the Deputy Attorney general. When you say the Deputy Attorney general, you referring to mr. Rosenstein . Yes. So you contemplate the senior prosecutors are doing the analysis and then reporting back, do you contemplate by using the conjunction and mr. Rosenstein would be briefed simultaneously . Mr. Sessions i would think so. Who is the final decisionmaker . You are mr. Rosenstein on these matters . Mr. Sessions i
The Judiciary Committee will come toward her, and without objection, the chair is to we welcome everyone to this mornings hearing on oversight of the department of justice. We begin by recognizing myself for an Opening Statement. Good morning. Today, we welcome Jeff Sessions, up for the annual department of justice oversight hearing. General, you have a long and distinguished career of service. You continued that service by leading the department of justice, an agency that by its very nature is prone to controversy because of the varied opinions on what it means to obtain justice. However, you clearly understand the department you need must have confidence of the american decisionsn when your are not always well deceived. The first year has not been without difficulty, which is expected at the outset of the new administration. You dont have the improper Political Engagement under the Obama Administration. More work must be done to ensure the department is operating to impartially admin