In whatever they do for you and humanity. Lord, give them the wisdom to refuse to deviate from integrity, coveting heavens approval in their labors for your kingdom. May they also remember that they are representing your divine purposes for our nation and world. Lord, thank you that your mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who come to you with reverence. May your glory endure forever. We pray in your merciful name. Amen. The president pro tempore please follow me in the pledge of allegiance. 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. The presiding officer under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved. Morning business is closed. Under the previous order, the senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany s. 1790 which the clerk will report. The clerk conference report to accompany s. 1790, an act to autho
Really understands. Its a great combination of things. This is the fourth position secretary bunch has had at the smithsonian. Something i dont believe any of your predecessors could claim in 1978 secretary bunch began his smithsonian career at the national air and space museum as an Education Specialist 11 years later he joined the National Museum of American History. He most recently served as the founding director of the National Museum of African American history and culture. As the founding director he led an 11 year effort in constructing the 400,000 squarefoot museum and helping raise the matching publicprivate private funds that match public funds and came up with the museum that tells an incredibly powerful story of that part of our history. And a lot of our history. Congress established the smithsonian in 1846 through uppercrust by a british scientist James Smithson who never visited the United States but he generously left his estate to the United States government to found
Affairs laura cooper. This was the Intelligence Committee six of the impeachment inquiry. The committee will come to order. Igood afternoon. This is the sixth in a series of public hearings. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recess at any time. There is a quorum present. We will proceed in the same fashion. I will make another statement and mr. Nunez will have an opportunity to make a statement. We welcome you and respect your interest. As chairman, i will make any steps to maintain order and ensure the committee is run in accordance with house rules. I recognize myself to give an Opening Statement in the impeachment inquiry. David hale is the undersecretary for clinical affairs, the third most senior person in the department. Laura cooper is the secretary of isense for russia, ukraine, responsible for broad range of countries in the former soviet union. They have several decades of National Security experience. Dedicatedd from other their onlyants, priority has bee
Institution testified on Museum Programs and operations. Before the senate rules and administration committee. Secretary bunch outlined his priorities for the institution and efforts to reduce the maintenance backlog. Committee on rules and administration will be called to order. Good morning. I want to thank my colleagues for attending, and before i get any further, thank secretary bunch for bringing some of their great collection for us to look at. But mr. Secretary, were glad to have you, and several people from your team here to back you up if you need it. But im confident youll be able to be the man at the microphone there. This is your First Official appearance before the senate rules committee. Were grateful to have you with us. Secretary bunchs appointment is historic in a number of ways. Hes the first African American secretary to lead the Smithsonian Institution as well as the first Museum Director who was then later appointed secretary in at least in around 75 years. Hes a h
About the violence against women act. And i speak to this body not just as a senator, but i speak to this body as a survivor of rape. And as the survivor of Domestic Violence. For months for months, the senior senator from california and i worked together on a piece of legislation that would reauthorize the violence against women act, a bipartisan effort, an effort that brought the senator and i together in an effort to reauthorize the bill with as much support in this body as possible. Now, we were working together in good faith. To make our way through the issues that affect so many women in abusive situations, partners in abusive situations, Domestic Violence situations where children are involved to find a common path forward to have this bill reauthorized, again with as much possible support in this body, at a time when america views us as so politically divided. What could bring us together . The issue of violence. Directed at women and children and survivors of Sexual Assault. T