Southwest texas juniorcollege andso the satellite location here in new valley. I am steve switzer. This is a year like no other. This is an election like no other. S ea and this is a debate like no other. We are here in a mostly empty reauditorium the pandemic is required that. And you might Notice Center stage is at eight by 12 plexiglass wall. A part of what we will do tonight is politics through the lexi glass. We only had our photographers in this auditorium we are following strict protocols the three of us are on stage. The two candidates in myself and we had people from southwest texas juniorcollege. We are thrilled to be bringing this to you as i said off the top from the heart of district 23. I also want to say we havert the time keeper who is to my right. She is going to be keeping time sheoi is from this area to send her im glad we can cut down on your commute. Two people who want to take over the Office Currently held by congressman will hard. The first democratic among her
Ksattv. Rep. Will hurd rtexas who announced that he will not run for reelection. Togood evening at welcome southwest texas junior college, and Sul Ross State University satellite location here and you bow they. I want to explain this is a year like no other and an election like no other. And this is a debate like no other. We are here in a mostly empty auditorium. The pandemic has required that. You might notice centerstage as an eight by 12 foot plexi glass wall. Part of what we are going to do is politics through the plexiglas. We have our photographers in this auditorium. We are following strict protocols. The three of us are on stage, the two candidates and myself, and people from southwest texas junior college. We are thrilled to wring this to from the heart of district 23. We have a timekeeper to my right who is going to keep time and she is from this area so, sandra, im glad we could cut down on your commute. Let me the candidates. Two people who want to take over the Office Cur
The three of us are on stage, the two candidates and myself, and people from southwest texas junior college. We are thrilled to wring this to from the heart of district 23. We have a timekeeper to my right who is going to keep time and she is from this area so, sandra, im glad we could cut down on your commute. Let me the candidates. Two people who want to take over the Office Currently have i urd, who chosell h not to run for reelection. Jones, amongtiz her endorsements, joe biden. Her opponent, republican Tony Gonzales back by our current president , donald trump. Tonight, these two square off face to face. I want to welcome Gina Ortiz Jones and Tony Gonzales. Thank you both for being here tonight. Thank you. Thank you. The debate is simple. I have got over the rules with the campaigns. I will be giving the campaigns but we have questions submitted online from viewers. For most questions the respondents will have one minute to answer. Then i as moderator have the option to expand on
Committee members will be asking him about a whistleblower complaint that top dhs officials interfered with Intelligence Reports to protect President Trumps image and immigration policy. The committee will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to recess the hearing at any time. Before we turn to the substance of todays hearing let me address a House Keeping matter. First let me remind members should during these proceedings with the exception of when theyre speaking take precautions in light of covid19 including by wearing a face cover such as a mask. Were also limiting staff attendance at the hearing. I would encourage and urge unless youre speaking to please be wearing your mask. Were also conducting this hearing in the Capital Visitors Center auditorium, which affords Additional Space for those present to remain fizz any distant from one another. Before i get into the other House Keeping matter let me just express my best wishes to the president and first lady for
Analysis and as we refer to as ona. Left the committee, no choice but to issue a subpoena on tuesday for his appearance at this hearing today. The department has persistently slow walked security clearance requests from counsel for their clients mr. Brian murphy, a lawful whistleblower and the former acting head of ina and the element within dhs in proceedings before this committee. The committee repeatedly offered to dhs that it would withdraw the subpoena for mr. Maurers appearance if the department authorized the attorney clearances in time for mr. Murphys often rescheduled deposition. Unfortunately dhs refused to do so. Therefore, were Going Forward today with his testimony. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. On august 3rd, amid public reporting of american citizens being scratched off the streets of portland by Law Enforcement officials from the department of Homeland Security, this committee launched an investigation into serious allegations that dhss intelligence a