Major vacancies in the federal government. Today well confirm William Evanina to lead the National Counterintelligence and Security Center as our nation grapples with challenges at home, it is important that a complement of skilled professionals keep watch on our foes, adversaries and competitors. He will be the first Senate Confirmed director of the cnsc. He is the senior most expert in counterintelligence. He has served three decades as a special agent with the f. B. I. As chief of the c. I. A. s Counterespionage Group and one of the principal advisors to the director of the national intelligence. His long professional experience has given him al welltrained eye and hes made clear hes been focused on the most severe espionage threats facing our country today. Chinas insidious efforts to steal our industrial, governmental, technological and political secrets and russias continuing efforts to meddle in our democracy. So we have a qualified professional who is tailored made for an impor
Commitment to bringing you live gavel to gavel coverage of the u. S. Senate. You can continue watching this hearing online at cspan. Org. And now live to the floor of the u. S. Senate here on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Eternal god, we continue to depend on you to fulfill your purposes for our lives. You have told us that your purpose for us is that we live for your glory. As our lawmakers strive to do your will, bringing honor to your name, have your way in all they say and do. Send them your help from celestial portals, so that they will please you and be your ambassadors during these challenging times. Rescue them from anything that will keep them from remembering that nothing is impossible for you. Be exalted, o god, above the highest heavens. Let your glory shine in our nation and world. We pray in your loving name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me
Testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . Let the record show that the witnesses answered in the affirmative. You may be seated. The microphones are sensitive so you will need to speak directly into them. Without objection, your written statements will made be made part of the record. Mr. Holmes, you are recognized for your Opening Statement and when you conclude, dr. Hill, you will be recognized thereafter for your Opening Statement. Mr. Holmes thank you. Good morning, mr. Chairman. Members of the committee. My name is david holmes. Im a Career Foreign Service officer with the department of state. Since august 2017, i have been a political counselor at the u. S. Embassy in ukraine. While it is an honor to appear before you today, i want to make sure make clear i did not seek this opportunity to testify today. Since you determined i may have something of value to these proceedings and issued a subpoena, it is my obligation
On september 5th i took notes as senator johnson and senator chris murphy meetings with president s alinsky and chief were present selenski asked about the Security Assistance although both senators stressed strong bipartisan congressional support for ukraine senator johnson cautioned president s alinsky that President Trump has a negative view of ukraine and that president selenski would have a difficult time overcoming Center Johnson further explained that he had been quote shocked by President Trumps negative reaction during an Oval Office Meeting on may 23rd when he in the 3 amigos propose that President Trump meet president selenski and show support for ukraine on september 8th ambassador taylor told me quote now theyre insisting zelinsky commit to the investigation in an interview with c. N. N. Which i took to refer to this 3 amigos i was shocked the requirement was so specific and concrete all we had advisor ukrainian counterparts. To voice a commitment to following the rule of
Ukraine, President Trump it was said, has a negative view of ukraine, and president zelensky would have a difficult time overcoming it. Senator johnson further expla explained he had been quote, shocked by President Trumps negative reaction during an Oval Office Meeting when he and the three amigos proposed that trump meet president zelensky, and show support for ukraine. On september 8th, ambassador taylor told me, quote, now theyre insisting zelensky commit to the investigation in an interview with cnn. Which i took from the three amigos. I was shocked their request was so specific and concrete while he urged our counterparts to follow the rule of law, and generally investigating corruption allegations, this was a demand that president zelensky personally commit on a cable news channel to a specific investigation of President Trumps political rival. On september 11th, the hold was finally lifted after significant press coverage and bipartisan coverage. We were still concerned that pr