Unwavering commitment to make sure that the special counsel cannot be fired, that this investigation cannot be a victim of political interference. The president has indicated that he is averse to hearing about russia or considering its threat to this country. That aversion certainly sets back his ability to defend this country against the russian threat through sanctions and other means and deterrence that will assure that russia is made to pay a price so they do not do it again. In conclusion, let me just say that aversion must be overcome. We need to send a signal, as we did by passing sanctions, that we will take action against russia to stop it from interfering again in this election, that we will make sure that russia is made to pay a price, and that our constituents know that we will insist on a fair and independent investigation without political interference, passing legislation that is bipartisan. It has been offered by republicans as well as democrats, including myself, and i
Preparing capabilities for terrorism, operational coordination, Situational Awareness we would consider that an allowable expense. Are you aware of local Police Department that is purchasing an mrap with their own funds . Im not and nt i couldnt answer that question. The local Police Department buys it. I was around here but according to my briefing here, the First Program was authorized in the Defense Authorization bill. Primarily about the drug wars. Is that correct . Thats correct. What were local Police Departments missing that they needed to be funded or given from the Defense Department to combat the war on drugs. Let me be clear. We do this because were asked to do this. I understand. What what equipment were Police Departments were outgunned by drug gangs so they were looking for protection and fire power. This was expanded in 1997. My note says based on lobbying from Police Organizations. I cant answer why the authorization was expanded. At the time it was for counterterrorism
Perhaps saying the first thing that we would fund before we begin to Fund Anything else, not a federal mandate but first on your list must be body cams . Has that been discussed at doj or Homeland Security that these officers using this equipment that the best way to check whether or not it is being used appropriately is for every officer to wear a camera . Senator, the office of Justice Programs funs are available for Law Enforcement agencies to use to purchase body cameras and we see value in it. Our National Institute of justice is studying the effectiveness of body cameras and appropriate use of body cameras. But they can buy them now . Yes, maam. It wouldnt be hard if we decided before you get anything else we are going to insist you use our money for body cams before you buy other things like full blown battle gear or camouflage uniforms or grenade launchers. The money is formula money and we do not control how state and local jurisdictions use the money. Video cameras are on the
Decisionmaking about local Law Enforcement requests. The process that mr. Estevez has laid out, we dont coordinate that at all. You wouldnt know in issuing a homeland grant what the d. O. D. Has done in issuance of equipment to local agencies . Correct. So, how do you then know that in terms of the use of the homeland grants for this, that there isnt shouldnt be some followup . So, thats an entirely different story. I will say on the i know the Defense Departments equipment under the 1033 program is free. Grantees have paid for, i believe, transportation costs using grant funding. But its a very small percentage of use of grant funds. So, in terms of how grantees use equipment that has been acquired with our programs, for the state program, even the urban area program, the grants pass through the state. 80 of the state Program Funding has to go to local jurisdictions within that state. So, we work with the state in oversight. In their applications they tell us more and more detail now
Crisis before we look for reasonable solution. But looking at the whole picture, looking at the whole picture of the river helps us understand yes, why we exist the way we do here in the southwest. It also helps us understand the role of rivers surface water in arid regions, and other parts of the world. But it also gives us a larger picture, a piece of a larger picture of how humans relate to the environment and the stresses and strains that come along with it or the political fights that hamper, creating a sustainable relationship, all of the barriers that stand in the way of making better use of our natural resources. And we can look at what didnt work, plenty of fat, but we can also look at what did work and what is working now. And what kind of changes we can make. I think it would be a fabulous example for river watersheds throughout the world. For more information on all of the cities visited by booktvs local content vehicle, visit us online at cspan. Org localcontent. Up next o