Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20151105

Itself as a large land mass. About 7 of ukraine with the occupation of Eastern Ukraine and as i said with a ceasefire with the beginning to pull back of heavy weapons those that have access to that territory increasingly monitors have had access to encourage and accelerate that process. Is the answer is zero . As of todays zero. How has it delivered against ukraines ability against syria . Drew bipartisan generosity we have supplied over to a hundred 66 million of support that is training for the National Guard and providing lots of really. What about weaponry . What has been given to the Ukrainian Government to recapture the territory . Those including shortrange or longer range have not provided that assistance but we have provided with that, that protection. With your indulgence another minute . Their reason the congressman from new york the house passed a resolution in march of this year about 88 bipartisan vote that is overwhelming and a little unusual. That resolution is an overwhelming bipartisan practice that the house strongly urges the president to fully and immediately exercise provided by congress to provide ukraine with lethal weapons system to enhance the ability to defend their sovereign territory from the unprovoked and continuing aggression of the Russian Federation for i hope to carry that back this administration that message with the double benefit since he helped ukraine fight against russians and i would submit it weakens russia is serious. And syria would help to leave alleviate that problem. Ted thousand isis spiders having killed this year but it seems like despite that they have been replaced by new recruits. If we destroy them how do we cut off the new recruits . That is a big challenge. I will tell you the steps undertaken various under general allans position unfortunately he is getting ready to leave that with the uae to message and get to the young men to persuade them that isil is not a viable future we have work to the turkish government to close the border most of the border is now closed in the worked with them to deport individuals to try to cross over. We have worked with the gulf allies of those who may undertake extremist activity but it is a big challenge because to tap into the sunii grievances and a big way as we press on this obviously a that is key to restrain the growth of ijssel. Have we had success . Really they are a handful of americans and quite frankly though Law Enforcement agencies and communities they work with is key to have good relations in these communities to these young men who are susceptible but the sophistication of these messages is very alarming better as time goes on we are Getting Better to understand the counter message. We dont talk much about syria about what is our strategy to deal with that . To have an outcry that affiliates the al qaeda family it to be successful on the battlefield i am sure to have some non extremist fighters because some have been affected and essentially have nowhere else to go so the strategy is they will not be part of any political settlement that has been developed over time. I yield back. Ambassador, the understanding with russia as a secretary pulled together to russia has been violating turkish airspace was there an understanding they will cease and desist against our nato allies . The date of the russian incursion as you know, the Nato Alliance issued a strong statement. Did you get an assurance they would cease and desist . The turks have now gone and a reassurance. But not us in the meeting that we call together . They say it is it and unacceptable to be in the nato air space. Did we get insurance from the russians . They made clear to us they do not intend to do it again but obviously we have to watch what they do rather than what they say. Do we have any engagement with their military activities . This is about russias escalation into syria. In terms of direct negotiations the department of defense conducted a very limited exercise with the russians we have an agreement on safelight that we have tested but were not collaborating with them where we can be. No, no, no my question is not collaboration rules of engagement that there isnt a collision. That was the goal of this agreement but we have now concluded we will stay away from each other with an emergency communication and the emergency hot line. Thanks for yielding. I will assad not yield to you have more time that all of us combined. Just kidding. Ambassador patterson. To save you have been involved in those conversations you recall that . Is the president aware . The and our Senior Leadership meets on these issues. How long have these conversations been going on . Quite a while. Easily two years. You said that russia was spending 2. 5 Million Dollars per day on military excursion. How long can they sustain that . I said between two and 4 million per day and it could be more than that. In a country like russia where there is only one prime Decision Maker if russia does sizes to make this a private priority it could be for some time. See you have not calculated what is the outlay of expense . It was about 8 million per day. So two or four times the amount russia used with those air strikes . That would include iraq but were not the russians in rehab different standards you said earlier the gulf countries are were not taking in refugees but they were very generous with their money . Was that you embassador . I am fascinated by my colleagues idea to orlandos in the ukraine to defend or with the russia x expense as one of you have said to be very generous with their money does that help in that regard . As that question then raised . What about the question why wont they take refugees . They have very different types of societys. But they do want them to continue as they know it. The isil runs their society will be gone. Yes and they have paid close degree of military cooperation with our partners cyberand military and intelligence with the very close relationship. They could pull up the tent city to take refugees even with the european nations . Dont you agree . I am not sure that is true with the level of social services and infrastructure is better in europe but we do want them to play a more active role and we do want them to provide funding for these activities. Gerry connolly asked the question and did your opinion what will happen if the russian aircraft dropped say bob a bomb over there . What happens . We have these procedures in place that were designed to avoid any conflict. With our pilots be authorized to shoot them down . Without getting into classified information where we anticipate the russians have been far from the territory because their operating against isil and our concern it is is support of assad. Keep our fingers crossed. I yield back. I will play off some of the comments that we talk about our goal is to destroy isil it is clear we dont have the forces but i think miss kelly pointed out the coalition of 10,000 isis spiders and the challenges it is replaced to have success but that is to stop the replacement talking about what we can do with the border with those with african countries or the western states. I do think were losing of propaganda war bin and isil has shown they can use the internet very efficiently and social media efficiently and maybe this is a question for you, are we doing enough to slow down their ability to recruit . We are Getting Better. For instance that has to be an arab and in an arab country they have begun to put out products to discourage young men from joining isil. Working with a broad range of coalition a working groupon messaging and we have a large operation at the state department that works on designing the most appropriate message. So we are making progress. Let me take to misha. That has the most she heidis per capita than any country in the world but we have worked on intelligence issues encountered messaging and trading religious leaders. I dont want to overstate this but we have our making progress. The chairman has led us on hearings but we have to redouble our efforts we dont have to fight them on the battlefield. I agree that russias involvement is very counterproductive and exacerbating a challenging situation indus certainly escalating the refugee crisis and it does threaten to wreak havoc with our allies like turkey as they struggle with the refugee crisis. There has been some discussion to create a safe zone within syria but those that believe the conflict zone . It would take a massive commitment of their power air power with the fights fight against isil. Nine is considered viable because of the enormous resources it would require for the population in it. Is that an option being discussed . Not an easy option. That is constantly under review but that is the current status. I yield back. We now go to the chairman emeritus. I continue to be extremely frustrated by the administrations inability to articulate a strategy in the middle east as a whole despite the office audit does not appear the president really wants assad to assume removed from power but have on the region are the allies are the National Security if they dont wish to do anything about it do we need additional evidence to prove the current chaos is not working . The president seems to read out the clock until it is somebody elses problem i dont think history will look kindly on these choices. I would like to get some yes you and knowing answers do you believe that isil and assad are separate issues . No. There interlinked. You believe the atrocities are a recruiting tool for isil . Absolutely. Is it possible to defeat isil of the massacres continue with help . They are linked. Is a possible to negotiate a solution with the opposition . Possibly. Are we pressuring iran and russia to stop the assad massacre . On a daily basis. Should we infer the president agrees war with russia and iran school to keep assad in power than he would have us believe . They said many times his departure is critical. With the National Security objectives in syria if it is complete opposite . Is the goal is to have sufficient Common Ground with a political settlement he is not naive about this this is what the followup process is about. Does that entail keeping assad in power . No. Absolutely not but it may entail some negotiation for his departure. And we work with hugh to achieve that supplement to go somewhere else . With the vienna process obviously our gulf allies as they are intimately involved and were constantly in touch with members of the moderate opposition from those leaders in exile. To the sea and as is imperative to deal with that situation . With the gulf allies and they are determined you will not remain in power. To followup and then with the different communities we represent with those civilians from the assad regime. And how is that parity manifested . We provided over to the halfMillion Dollars so were trying to support the syrian population under great stress. So as we prevent assad from attacking his own people. Said those that we have seen heavy are protecting and yet those airstrikes seem to be targeting those that are supposed to be the good guys. Cadre mentioned a 90 of the strikes were the antireceive forces and then we can talk more about bad. There has been a lot of discussion in the open press about likeminded factors and with another band of bad guys. With those that we would normally see as our enemy. As the al qaeda affiliates it is possible some members of the opposition had in our else to go. And we will read with that thinking. They give to our witness list for being here but i have to tell yearold i am concerned the absence of a coherent strategy to defeat isil by russia and the escalation to define what success is continues to plague us in syria the best way to press the administration to vigorous the debate the use of military force that the president is required to articulate a strategy with the al likelihood of success i realize it is complicated there are not easy answers but if your written testimony indicate the strategy of the conflict with the policy and military action to achieve a political transition of course, that is not a strategy but a goal. So we need a detailed plan of action to achieve those and it is a strategy. That is what we are missing and what is critical. The said the coalition has made progress in the military campaign against isil but as of october of this year half of all the territories as opposed to july 2014 when they controlled onethird so is that correct that isil has more territory now than they did . And how is that progress . Certainly there has been progress with the efforts of everybody and considerable progress at the top of my head those very important ones with the battlefield that was a leader of isil was the intelligence bonanza so there was progress but everyone else has said it will be a multiyear campaign with considerable resources to prosecute. To support the moderate opposition who is the moderate opposition as they authorize another 100 million expenditure . There are reports there are as many as 1,000 armed militia groups and it comes about working alongside some of those groups. Who are we talking about as we speak about moderate opposition . Do day include elements. I will take a civilian moderate opposition that is the groups in syria at livid turkey and lebanon and other places at that is decided by dash designed to keep them viable for a future syria. Even in areas under control of isil we provide money to city council and health clinics. The president had Just Announced the Kurdish Forces in that region. Can you tell me what the end goal of this is . How can we be sure this limited deployment doesnt have a wider deeper military engagement . Finally, you mentioned Financial Support and a number of refugee organizations and there is not sufficient support from golf countries. Are there other countries that are not doing as much as they should be . We are hearing very different stories from refugee organizations that they are dealing with the crisis on the ground. Let me provide you with a list of support i have from the golf. I think some of the traditional refugee agencies, there is not enough money. There is simply not enough money for this enormous humanitarian catastrophe. Let me stress that. I think the golf nations have been generous and often their money is put through local red cross and local agencies. Perhaps there is some concern about that, that they are not going through international ngos. What about the 50. We talked a lot about this dreaded g of the Ground Support and working with partners. These 50 special forces are to work with the Syrian Arab Coalition which has had success in controlling the border and to improve their capacity. I think anything else will be provided to you in a classified letter. Thank you. We go now to dana from california. Thank you very much. Let me just say, i am very frustrated by talk about russia and i spend my entire lifetime to defeat the soviet union. I was very pleased to be part of the Reagan Administration where we brought down a regime who wanted to impose an atheist dictatorship throughout the world to promote their ideology. Russia is expected to be treated as friends after the fall of communism and what has risen instead is a hostility that i find so overwhelming that it is damaging, not only is it damaging russia and their ability to establish themselves in a new world role, role, because it is after all a major power in the world, they have interests even if they are not communist. They are major power with interest, just as we are. But the double standard that we have been judging russia is just overwhelming. We sit here and say russia wants to keep asad in power, how horrible that is because asad is a dictatorship as if saudi arabia is in a dictatorship and wouldnt murder millions of people or thousands of people to stay in power. What about other golf states run by kingdoms who would murder their people and great number. They are no different than ashad. A fact they might be better than ashad because some of them are religiously motivated to the point, sort of like communism was a religious conviction, well well their form of islam sometimes put them at odds with sunnis or shiites killing each other. The double standard that we have been judging russia with and basing our policy on that double standard has caused us great harm. Putin, five years ago try to work out a compromise with us. We turned him down that would have created some sort of resemble us of stability in syria. Now thats gone to hell we cant look at him as a partner in cooperation to make it better. I believe that is what prevented us from creating a policy that will create a more stable middle east. Gaddafi, we made an agreement with him about qaddafi. What did we do . We broke that agreement and that resulted in order to have the alternative, the non qaddafi, non islamic alternative in power. Did that make it any better question i know. Half of libya is controlled by people who want to murder us because they are radical muslims. Had we been working with the russians all along in good faith, i believe the situation in the middle east would have been different. I think it wouldve been better, more stable and let me just note that i can remember the charges, the monstrous charges against us in iraq. How horrible it was that our troops were murdering people by the thousands. Most of those reports were false and wrong. They were lysed by people who wanted to achieve a political and by claiming that we were massacring people intentionally in iraq. I dont know, is it possible that some of these reports that we are getting that asad is a murderous dictator, but some of the magnitude of his oppression and murder of his own people might be exaggerated to achieve certain political and . I would think so. I have a little time to answer, let me give you a question so you can bill please feel free to disagree. I believe it i know you have your beliefs too. Their honest disagreements. Let me just ask then about, if then ashad is removed and we get this third alternative, why want to be just the same as what happened with qaddafi where the radicals who hate us see a weaker adversary and it will come in and replace whatever that regime is very quickly with a regime that will control all of syria and they will be radicals that will be our worst nightmare. Why wouldnt that happen in syria the way it happened in libya . I need to say something. With respect, i cant let it go by in comparison of a shot with qaddafi. These countries are not in our image but there is no way they opened zero press or kill their citizens to the extent are you saying they wouldnt do that. They wouldnt suppress their people if there workers decided to rise up. Yes im saying that. Thats very naive. I know very well they would not do that. That is not how it works there. Let me try to answer your question about syria. There is broad consensus in the International Community that the institutions in syria would remain intact. The intelligence, the military, the police, the civil service, the structures like Health Structures and the goal is to remove ashad and his closest advisers and have this political process that would lead to a new government. It is not to destroy the institutional structure. In libya i would argue there werent any institutions. Okay, youve outlined it well. Why do we have to go in and make that decision in syria . Why is it that the United States needs to step into this faroff land, rather than going to other places to perfect, why do we have to go in and do that when we know youve got these radical islam us who are just waiting on the sideline for some type of instability that they can take advantage of . Because our National Security is at stake in the region and the security of our allies like israel and other countries like lebanon and jordan. And turkey. They are ultimately affected by what happens in syria. Right and instead of dealing with putin instead of demonize him, perhaps we could have more stability there and our friends would be better off than the current policy of whatever we do, dont work with russia and get rid of ashad. Is also happening us with general cc who has a pivotal role in the middle engine middle east. Your time has expired or going to grace from new york. Thank you and thank you to our witnesses for being here and all that you do for our country. My question is about growing concern of advanced russian armies entering syria at unprecedented levels and the possibility for advanced arms to pass to Syrian Forces and even to groups like hezbollah. What is the u. S. Prepared to do to counter this . What have we done and what could we do more of to ensure these russian arms dont end up in the hands of has blood . We have the same concerns that you do about advanced weaponry flowing into syria from russia, iran and we have made these concerns regularly with the russians including at the president ial level. We are continuing to monitor what exactly happens with them. The russians, as you know, know, have made a decision to put in ground artillery and that is exacerbating the calm flicked further in. My second question is, russian has conducted airstrikes some strikes which are only about 30 or 40 miles from the israeli border. Moran has also sent troops and military advisers to shore up. They are bringing them to israels doorstep. Jihadist groups also continue to gain territory in northern and southern syria. In your opinion, how likely is it that fighting in syria could spill over into israel and what are the Major Concerns from the israelis and what can the u. S. Do to help . Congresswoman, nothing is more important to us than a National Strategic plan. All of these things you have been discussing with the russians strikes, the iranian president , president , we are in constant president with the Israeli Government and we are working very collaboratively with this issue. I would say the israelis can pretty much take care of this problem and they have shown that in a number of ways that we can perhaps discuss later. We have lots of collaboration on this issue. On a broader issue, we have given millions of dollars, billions of dollars including arms over the last three years. These are concerns that we share with israel and we meet with them and address them in all kinds of ways. Thank you. I yelled back. I yield back. My question is on syria. Ive been briefed on the target packages in syria. I think as you indicated, when you dont have a strategy and you fail to have a strategy, you end up with a power vacuum and now we have russia filling that power vacuum. Not unlike the terrorists do. Now it is a really complicated situation from my perspective. When i look at the target packages of russians strikes, as you mentioned, only 90 are anti ashad and only 10 are even remotely targeted toward basis. It raises a question of why is russia there. What is their intent . Ive talked to our partners in the middle east. Some say russia has told them to defeat asus and others tell me that the only reason they are there is to support the asad regime. Very briefly, what do you believe is russias intent . I think their main intent was to shore up ashad. He was losing ground significantly when they decided to come in. They also want to protect their interest and reassert themselves but their primary interest was to shore up this area. Heres the problem is now present. When i talked to the special forces guys, there are best but theyre not going to win the day. If there was a strategy fighting the sunni extremists, when i talk to nations like jordan, they are willing to put a ground force in there to defeat asus but they would never do so if it empowered ashad. Now that the russians are in their backing a sod, doesnt look like he is going anywhere anytime soon. Where do we get our ground force now . Investor can speak more about this. Weve been working very closely on an enhanced effort with the turks to close the border. As i mentioned, the Syrian Arab Coalition which will be supported by our special forces and, frankie mr. Mccall, weve had lots of discussion with our allies and jordan about the possibility of introducing Ground Troops. I think they have probably told you that too. Thats the status of that at this point. We work very closely with the jordanians about the issues in southern syria. Jordan has been one of our best friends in the region but its going to be difficult to get a ground force now that ashad is not part. Its going to be difficult to get ashad out now that the russians are in their. Let me stress that that is our goal to get ashad out and we dont think the russians have such an easy walk through syria with the opposition of the war. There may be a political method we can exploit to move him out. I think if you could reach a political reconciliation, thats a possibility. Right now its about working with the russians so we dont kill each other over there. Do you foresee any remote possibility of a joint strategy to defeat asus . In partnership with the russians . The only way we would end up in a joint strategy as if they agreed to the general premise that we have to have a ceasefire. We have to have a Transitional Government and we have to have a decision on getting rid of ashad. Thats what the secretary has been working on. In the meantime we are working on isis and theyre working on a different part of syria. I dont see working together militarily and lessens all efforts on the transition and that would allow us in turn to focus. And i would be very careful in trusting them. I will tell you based on the boston bombing experience, we have a a common enemy and thats the jihadist. We know there are thousands of them joining isis. I predict that russia will have a Homeland Security problem out of their own. As that becomes more of a problem for them, their desire to move to protecting the regime will shift. Thats not what the Russian Military is currently focused on. We reach this agreement which i disagreed with, but nevertheless, iran has taking several provocative steps including support for terrorist activities and missile development. The cards forced is a terrace arm of iran. I sent a letter to the president of United States requesting that the ir gigabyte placed on the terrorist list because they are the terrorist group of iran. Do we keep the sanctions in place on the terrorist activities that iran wants to take the hundred billion dollars and ship them towards these activities what is your response to whether or not designating that is a good decision . Im certain there are sanctions. Theyre not designated as a Foreign Terrorist Association which would make a difference. I cant answer that question. Ill have to get back to you. I would not think they would meet the legal criteria, but i dont really know. I defer to an on the questions involving iran. I look forward to the president s response that i have not received yet one at this time. The chair now recognizes mr. Sherman. Its always good to have you here. We hear folks say where is your strategy that implies that the United States is in control of events that we own them. That the outcome is determined what goes on here in washington. Thats a very dangerous viewpoint. We can be a force group for good but to control the outcome, i would ask anyone to put forward a strategy that would lead us to peace, stability and democracy in syria with modest american casualties and modest american cost. George w. Bush had a a strategy to achieve that for iraq. It failed in the future, those who say wheres your strategy are really saying why cant you control the world at no cost and that is a silly question we are told that the evils of ashad deliver recruits to isis. Thats correct. We should also point out that the actions of many still in the baghdad regime do just as much to help isis recruit. Just because the averment in baghdad was installed by us doesnt mean its part of a solution. Its part of a problem and we ought to be looking very carefully at our aid to baghdad when the wall street journal can put on the front page how hundreds or how so many hundred dollar bills, amounting to tens of billions of dollars are shipped from washington and disappearing in iraq except they are turning up in isis investor pattison i have one little bit of advice for you and that is you should hire a couple folks who are experts in islamic philosophy. You cannot understand and you cannot argue or persuade if you do not understand the mindset of both our friends and our enemies, both of them. If you need congress to say not everybody has to pass the Foreign Service exam, one or two experts, that exam does not ask the difference. You need some experts in this both to talk to our friends and understand our enemies. As to chemical weapons, we achieved a victory in regard to getting all chemical weapons out of syria. Now coloring still exists. Its unfortunate that chlorine has been used illegally as a weapon but those chemicals that are illegal, per se, appear to be removed from syria. You did have a great result on that issue. The solution to the refugee crisis is peace in syria, syria, not to cancel syria and move its population to europe we had a policy that many of us pushed here in congress to arm the reasonable elements in syria. That policy has basically failed. It has failed for a couple of reasons. First you did eight years after we started pushing for it. Second it is still subject to the incredible and ridiculous condition that those we arm have to convince us that they do not intend to fight ashad. Any reasonable patriotic syria intends to fight aside. No wonder we only find 50 people and we only have five on the battlefield. How do you find somebody who is reasonable doesnt hate ashad. I will point out that while isis has the bad taste to put its murders right there on television, it is the Shiite Alliance that pose the greater threat to the United States. It killed far more innocent people and has called killed far more americans. Now turning to russia russia is not in a terribly strong position. They cannot Waste Resources on peripheral matters. The you crane is a Vital National interest. If it fails to protect russianspeaking persons, putin is gone. If the u. K. And is successful, it becomes a marital demanding them to change and follow that model. Given the very close history between the ukraine and russia. Syrian contrast is not at the center of russians universe. There are substantial cost to what they are doing. Syria and ashad are very close to the center of irans National Security. They dream of a shiite control from eastern iran and ashad has been their longest ally. One would raise the question, not why is a rant doing what theyre doing, but why is russia. Then we look at the timing. Russia deployed forces at substantial longterm risk and forced to russia. It became certain to those who were observing, especially here in congress, that iran would get its hands on the hundred and 30 billion. First they sign the agreement. Then you had to look around here and make sure congress wasnt going to blow up the agreement. That was pretty apparent a few weeks after it was signed. Then it was pretty much like a day or two after a lot of us concluded that congress was not going to prevent this agreement from going into effect that iran was going to get its hands on the money and russia started out. If iran is giving the money to ashad so he can give money to russia or if he is sending it directly to russia, would we know about it . So i will ask both of you since one focuses on a ran in the middle east and one on europe, if there was a transfer of a billion dollars would we know about it and would it be public . Congressman i dont think at this stage we have seen any evidence of payments to russia. On the contrary we see them hemorrhaging money on their latest adventure in syria. If there was a transfer, and obviously arendt doesnt have its hands on the money yet, but if there was a transfer this winter, winter, are you confident that you would know about it . Let me answer that is not confident but i think the chances are very good. And ambassador newland . If it was in any dollardenominated form, we would likely know. If they wanted to do a bushel of iranian currency, maybe not. Euros i think we would know. You would know of a transfer of 1 billion . Then let let me ask obviously north korea was paid half a billion for alkyl bar and the tremendous aid that they provided. Did we know about that or did the israel he is bring to us the fact that he was a nuclear site. That happened many years after north korea received payment. I dont know the answer to that. I know we have extremely close cooperation with the israelis and they have sources we dont half. Have. Israel spied of the location. Nobody spotted the money so the confidence that that bad guys cant move money without us knowing or that russia is financing this without being paid by iran, is untested. I yield back. Thank you. The use of dod, of these 50 special operators below the other folks that arent characterized as boots on the ground, its an extension of diplomacy to use of exacting the policy that we would like to see happen in the middle east, or anywhere. Its just an extension. I think you could kind of see it as that. With that in mind, is there any, because this keeps on being stated that this is not a combat mission. Is is there anywhere in the mix that the state department is in the chain of command for these special operators or people who wear a military uniform or are paid by the Department Department of offense acting in syria, is there any state Department Involvement in the decisionmaking process about what they do, where they go and how they conduct their business . Absolutely, first of all the state department participates in all these discussions and they work closely with the turkish government to work on the effort to close the border. These special forces advisors are critical to that effort. Yes weve been deeply involved in that. Youre involved in the chain of command . Certainly not. They are not the chain of command but the overall policy process on these teams that have discussed these efforts to great length with the turks. The military command then makes the decisions and issues the orders is what youve come up with. The president of the United States comes up with an instruction of what to do. Of course these special forces advisors are under the command. So what is their mission . These, up to 50 . What is their mission . Congressman, with respect, i think we will defer that in a classified session to dod. Youve had the discussions, right. You just said you had the discussion but you cant tell me the mission right now and thats classified yet everything i read is to advise and assist. What we cant sit here and tell you is where these folks are to be deployed, who they will work with, how many are going to beyond the ground. Okay i didnt ask you any of that. So to advise and assist to what end . Whats the goal . The goal is to enhance our efforts to defeat isil. Wed be happy to give you a briefing on that. Close the borders so isis cant get recruits and isis cant export products and to put pressure on them which is basically isis headquarters. This goes to a larger strategy. If youre telling me its to achieve the goal of closing the border and somehow at some point defeat isils, i dont want to put words in your mouth, but thats what i hear. How does the border defeat isis question weve got 50 guys that are going. Doesnt that just strengthen ashad . So youve got isis and local sunni insurgents that are fighting him. We take isis, lets just say in a Perfect World everything in a strategy that we have, if you want to call it that, with these 50 guys defeat isis. Doesnt that strengthen ashad ashad . You cant solve the problem of isil separate from the problem of ashad. I understand that, but tell me what happens if you get what you ask for and theyre assisting and advising and defeat isis. Is this is ashad strengthened or weakened . Youve got rush of their right behind him attacking the very people that weve trained and supported. You have to do both. Youre not doing both, were doing one. Were fighting isil and trying to get so you dont want to answer that, but i would say it does empower and increase the power of ashad. It does that. So with all due respect to the gentleman who is just setting here who said there was no strategy and that a strategy assumes that we can control everything from the United States, thats absurd. We had a strategy in world war ii and we couldnt control stalin or the Emperor Emperor of japan. But we had a strategy. Sometimes we had to deviate and adapt, but we had a strategy. Now im going to take some liberties because everybody else seems to have done that. The president has said his White House Press secretary said this is not a combat mission. Is there a combat zone . There dropping bombs and shooting in other . Is it a combat zone or isnt it . Its an extremely complex battlefield and what your president just said is what you just quoted back to me which was in advise and assist. Right so the not supposed to travel and advise with opposition groups but it says the situation can change as needed. Im can ask you what changes would dictate, what situation would dictate them changing not patrolling or traveling with your going to tell me thats a classified setting. No im not going to tell you that. And to tell you i dont know and thats up to the president of United States. He always reserves the right to change the role of american forces. Let me ask you this. If this isnt combat zone in these forces are not on a combat mission, how is it that in may, Delta Force Commandos entered syria aboard helicopters and killed an Islamic State leader in and about a dozen military fighters in one of our soldiers was killed a week and a half ago. If thats not a combat, what is that . That was a mission to save hostages. I know that, but you understand when these young men and women raise their hand and say theyre going to defend the constitution and pledge their lives and its with the proviso that the commanderinchief and administration and powers that be dont let them sacrifice their lives for nothing. These people are going into combat. Were saying its not combat, but of course it is combat. Of course its combat. They go into combat because the president of the United States orders it. Thats right, they dont come back with the purple heart because they werent in combat. To understand the ramifications of pledging your life and pledging their lives. It is important. Just a couple other things. Because i reject the whole situation and the gentleman next to me who said there was no strategy. That those of us who said there was no strategy didnt have a strategy. Thats absurd. There isnt a strategy. This is all tactic. That george w. Bush didnt have a strategy. You may not have agreed with it and i didnt always agree with that at times but it was a strategy. I would also object that the warner rack has stabilized the area. It wasnt perfect but it wasnt what it is now. I want to think the chair and both of you for being here today. Would you say our mission has been a success the last four years in syria . Is the inability to make a decision a few years back complicated where we are today . I dont want to speculate on that. I dont know when i wasnt around on those decisions. I dont want to speculate. We are where we are. So lets look forward. The policy Going Forward is that we can have 50 special forces and continue with the airstrike. One day russia attacked 94 targets. We attacked one. Were to start and have been calling out russia for violating International Law with respect to the rules of engagement. Were going to ask ashad to stop dropping feral bombs on his people. We will have a meeting with iran in this strategy, as best i can discern is going to work because this is too complex for russia. They will lose interest and run out of money and its just too difficult. Is that a fair statement of arch strategy Going Forward . If it isnt, please enlighten me with how you believe the strategy is different than what i just described. I think i strategy. No i dont think thats a fair characterization. Ive heard a number of times today russia isnt going to be in it for the long haul. They dont have the money and they have other problems. This is not a strategic interest that they want to put resources behind. It seems to me that the gamble were taking is that russia is going to lose interest. Our strategy is to mobilize the rest of the International Community including golf allies and turkey to work for a solution. To work hard to defeat isil. I think the contributions on the defeat of isil and the, and the strengthening of our position, i think that will all accelerate the defeat of isil and thats a key element. I believe that has been underplayed in this hearing. Were talking to the russians. I have two questions. Are they listening . Are they really listening to what our objectives and goals are and what evidence do you have that the facts were talking to the russians is moving them around and what are different goals are in syria. Congressman, as we have said throughout the morning, conversations we have been having with them have not affected their military choices. They have not changed their pattern of bombing. They have also not taken us up on our insistence that a minimum price for ashad should be to get him to stop barrel bombing. On the military side i would say theyre not listening. They are also not listening to the golf arabs or the europeans or the vast majority of innocent, peaceful sunnis who are greatly concerned. That said, we do have them in this political process that sec. Carey is leading. They are in the minority in terms of their perception of how long ashad should stay. The question is whether continuing to participate in that will bring the force of the majority to come because them to reevaluate their view. You said a few moments ago it would be difficult, and if im putting words into your mouth incorrectly, please correct me, but i think you said it will be difficult to get to a Transitional Government if russia never gets on the same page with respect to our goals in syria. If they never listen to us with respect their military operations, what do we do then . I dont think i quite characterized at the way you did. The Syrian People should be in charge of their own people. The other piece of this which was underplayed this morning which i would defer to assistant secretary patterson is where the syrian representatives, whether they are regime folk other than ashad or whether they are part of the opposition given the fact that the country is being torn apart with whats happening now. Just looking down the road, if russia doesnt want to move toward a Transitional Government, what do we do then . Again i dont think we can project a Straight Line from here to there. We are increasing their support, we are trying to mobilize the rest of the International Community and we will see. This thing is costing them and its also costing them at home. All yelled back, but i think this is a mess. When we had good options, we didnt make a decision several years ago. I think what someone said earlier today is exactly correct which is we are just trying to run out the clock and so the next administration will inherit a situation in syria that has russia just as engaged as it is today and our options will be even more limited. Thank you, i yield back. The chair recognizes this gentleman. I think you both for being here. Im amazed at the level of what appears to me, ive only been in congress for the three years, but it appears to be high level of incompetence, lack of planning and strategy. Its almost laughable except theres been 250,000 syrians slaughtered. Billions of dollars that has cost us and the risk to our military and i look at this stuff and i just want to go through a timeline since my time in congress. Obama, august 2013, this administration was going to attack syria and do nofly zones. We sat at the white house. There was no strategy. They didnt have an estimate of the cost. ec b mr. Mcdonough, the chief of staff said it would be over 1 billion per month. I asked him how long it would take he said estimated ten years. Thats at 1 billion a month and we just shut down. There was no authorization to go over there. Or to attack a sovereign nation. President obama went on to say there is a redline if they use chemical weapons. They used it and there was no followthrough. They failed to act. The president and john kerry both said sod must go. Then they denied it and said they didnt say that, the world said that. John kerry said there was no diplomatic solution to the chemical weapons problem in syria yet two weeks later, after he said that, russia jumped in and showed leadership and within two weeks there is an agreement to get rid of the chemical weapons. I find it interesting that we didnt think that could happen yet russia brokered it and we wound up paying for it. President said no boots on the ground multiple times, no boots on the ground, no boots on the ground and then we went with a 500 million to train and equip an arm five or 6000 rebel fighters, whatever that is, and we find out a year later that the complete failure. Theyve trained possibly 40 40 or 50 but only five made it to the field at a cost of 50 million. Thats 10 million per fighter per fighter. Its got to be laughable other than its reality and its just bad form. I guess my question is why hasnt the president worked to create the safe zones when especially, the chairman of this committee, asked for that four years ago. Why has that not happen . Because its hugely difficult complex im in a stop you because you said that earlier today. Its difficult and, catered. Resource intensive. Im going to stop you there. I wanted you to bring this up. Its complicated, extensive, very costly. How costly is it to have 4 million displaced refugees that have disrupted the whole world as far as refugees just leaving their 7. 5 million displaced in syria. Thats pretty costly to is that . Isnt that disruptive . That is costly and were trying to contribute to alleviate that problem, but let me talk in more detail about some of these exclusion zones. The department of defense has not proposed an option that does not have a very significant contribution investment of u. S. Airpower. The airpower would be diverted against the fight against isil. The fight against isil which is a terrorist group is a threat to us and our allies and our neighbors. That is the first priority. It is also difficult to patrol and protect these save zones on the ground. The primary reason is the investment of airfare. If were going to attack this, we need to attack it. I have not seen even a hint of it over the last three years until russia steps in. Russia puts in 3000 troops and we respond with more Ground Troops after the president said no troops on the ground. My question, question, to both of you, is why should i or anyone in congress support anything this administration attempts with such a poor strategy of winning this. The president doesnt come out and acknowledge who were fighting, isil. Radical islamics. They wont acknowledge it but were going to go at this and try to defeat isil. I think its a joke. My question is why should i support anything they do with the lack of strategy that i see west mike youre talking about. We have the nuclear deal that does anything but protect us. Why should i support anything they are doing . I guess the short answer, congressman is that isil is a threat to us and to our european allies and the neighbors in the region. I think thats the short answer. Youve asked the much broader question but i think thats the short answer to your question. If were going to do it, lets do it right and lets make it count. Weve got troops on the ground and lets not play around. Without without objection im pleased to announce thank you mr. Chairman. Im sorry i didnt have the benefit of hearing the earlier conversation. We met in pakistan and that was a few days before there was a kidnapping attempt upon you. From there, i recall you went on to become ambassador in pakistan and egypt. I just want to thank you for your dedicated service. I dont think weve had any interaction but i appreciate your willingness to testify. One of the grave concerns in the middle east as this. Let me divert for a minute by telling you a story. I happen to be in an audience with pope francis and he was presented a small christian crucifix. It was warned by a young syrian man who was captured by the jihadist and he was told to convert. He refused. He chose christianity and he was beheaded. His mother was able to recover his body and found the cross and fled and made her way to austria one of the more dramatic parts of the crises that comes and goes in regards to our attention is the deliberate, systematic attack on christians and other faiths traditions and other religious minorities. By the way i have the largest population in lincoln nebraska. Is this genocide . I dont know the answer to that. I think thats a legal term. I think there will be some announcements on that very shortly. I would appreciate both of your willingness to engage robustly on this topic. The reason is that we have introduced resolution that does call this genocide. While there are Certain International implications from that, nonetheless, elevating the plight of christianity and other minorities from their home, raises the International Consciousness and provides a gateway for further strategy around security measures as well as once all of this hopefully and reintegration of those populations back into their rightful homeland. This is a very important gateway to use this resolution. This is a larger platform as to how to stabilize these areas and demand that the rich diversity of religious diversity be allowed to return and flourish as a part of any political or security deal moving forward. We have been able to form a new relationship with the kurds who have been very respectful of religious plurality and have undertaken waves of refugee populations as well as the jordanians. This is very important as we move forward and think through a strategy that brings about some stability. There is another problem that i would like to point out. Weve only admitted 53 christians as refugees, thats disproportionate to the population. Can you give any perspective on that, please . My colleague was here with mr. Rodriguez to talk about refugee admission of policy in the numbers, i think, we admitted about over 2000 syrians. We are planning planning to admit some more, of course. They have to meet very strict vetting requirements and research into their particular circumstance and background. I dont have an answer of why the christians are underrepresented it. I think one reason is they are not typically in refugee camps so they will be spread out through the population or they will be in some Church Basement or other circumstance rather than courted into some definable entity like a a refugee camp in i think thats part of the problem. This part of the population is under grave stress as are other. We entirely agree that these communities are under enormous stress and weve been in close contact with them through their religious leaders and country and leaders are here in the u. S. We are very mindful of the point that you make that they have the most desirable outcome which is to be reintegrated into these countries and not dispersed. We try to work with these communities and try to sustain them but i will take your point back about the refugee admissions and get you an answer. Thank you for accommodating me today and for speaking with me. The chair also recognizes thank you very much. I know you have been here for a while and i was over at the white house for a a series of appointments, but i did want to try to publicly complement both of you. Ive had the pleasure with dealing with you and meeting and your hardworking and smart and tenacious and all the nice things i can say about both of you. I want to thank both of you for your service to our country. It means a great deal we have people of your caliber and intellect and work ethics working for the United States of america. I just want to thank you. Ive treasured the times through the years that ive had the opportunity to speak with both of you in person and on the telephone and everything else. Thank you. I i will read the scripts very carefully, but neither one of you have ever said no to me when i needed to meet with you or ask you something so just a a great bipartisan thank you to both of you. The chair would also like to thank the ambassador for being here. Were sent here on a tough mission and please dont take any other remarks from the day as personal. We have a charge of of oversight to get the answer on behalf of our constituents and as you can tell many of us on both sides of the aisle are very frustrated. I do have one question before you pack it all up. I think a lot of people watch whats happening and they dont know the answer to this. Amb. Patterson, you said, i think you were asked earlier about the refugee flow into europe and why the arab countries were doing more. I think the sense was why are they taking many of these refugees and i think your answer was that they are very different societies and they dont accept, and so on and so forth, but with all due respect it seems like europe is very Different Society than much of arabia. Jordan and lebanon and turkey have taken millions. But there are others that border that have not taken. Yes. The other thing, i think the phenomenon we are seeing at this time is that most of them prefer to have joined i do not think that hasthere has been such a draw for refugees to resettle in the gulf. If they are not welcome in the gulf after leaving a war , i would imagine you will go where you feel more welcome. If you are not welcome at all you will choose the best of your options. So that is just a thought and a lot of americans asked that question. As much as it did to encourage partners and allies in the region to do more than what they are doing. I thank you. This hearing is adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] former North Carolina congressman howard cole died tuesday at the age of 84. He served 30 years in years in the house of representatives before retiring in january. Today members of the North Carolina delegation remembered him and speeches on the house floor. As a community ofa community of colleagues possessed a multiple layers of friendships unknown to the public i, this assembly take special notice today of the passing of howard coble, the much loved and respected member of 30 years from North Carolina. A gentleman to the core, may we all strive to embody his grace, class, and respect for this institution and for those among whom we engage in the work to be done here. May he rest in piece. And may everything done this day in the peoples house before your greater honor and glory amen. Today we mourn the loss of howard coble, a dedicated Public Servant and a champion for his constituents in North Carolina six district for 30 years. He never backed down from from a challenge to do what was right for North Carolina and always pushed washington to work better for those he represented. Howard was the essence of what it means to be a southern gentleman. Someone who simply exuded kindness, charm, and compassion. He was a man of integrity and principle, a representative who stood for what is right, and who fought on behalf of what makes america great. He will be missed, but his legacy of service and devotion to North Carolina will continue to be the standard that current and future leaders follow. We miss you. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Last night on election day in North Carolina we lost one of our favorite sons, howard coble, a man who served in these halls with the full decades,decades, yet his heart always belonged to the constituents of the old north state. I am honoredi am honored to stand with my colleague and others in technology are congressman. How are demonstrated humility and grace, and it was evident in the way he genuinely love the people he represented. He taught us many things but most of all demonstrated why statesmanship still matters. Howard understood why tone and approach continues to make a difference. He is often remembered by his attire, specifically the managers jacket. No, it did not match many times, but he was confident enough in who he was, and evidently the ladies seem to have no problem with it. He did more than simply make noise. He made a difference. It is an honor to follow him may. Ms. Lord comfort his brother and the entire family. With that, i yield back. Thank you. I rise today to honor former congressman howard coble who passed away last night. The epitome of a Public Servant who served in the us coast guard,guard, North Carolina state house command as the congressman for North Carolinas 6th Congressional District for more than 30 years. He dedicated his life to serving, and it was exemplified in the way he ran his office. As a freshman member of congress alleged to have them inbeen serving my constituents. He was steadfast, attentive, and put his constituents 1st. Some say he offered the best services of any member. How will never forget the night he welcomed me to congress, the day i was sworn in. He later wished me well. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and former colleagues during this difficult time. He will be missed but never forgotten. His legacy will remain throughout North Carolina as a man who served selflessly. I yield back, mr. Speaker. A little less than a year agoa year ago a number of us gathered on the house floor to bid farewell to our colleague. Asas he retired from three decades of service to the people of North Carolina. With a series of heartfelt tributes that they from members on both sides of the aisle or a striking reflection of the respect and admiration that so many of us felt, and he returned that affection always making the extra effort to get to know those with whom he worked, regardless of stature or party affiliation. He was also an effective legislature, tireless advocate for the 6th district taking on complicated and difficult issues in his leadership roles on the judiciary and transportation committees. I was fortunate to partner with him on a number of bipartisan initiatives from textile research to Disaster Relief to funding for his beloved coast guard. In an era where politics are too often fractious and divisive howards, robbery, good humor, generosity of spirit reflected the best of what this institution can be. Police andlisa and i are saddened by his passing enjoy his friends and colleagues and extending condolences to his family and in gratitude for his life. Coming up tonight on teewun, senatorschasing news, senators Lisa Murkowski and ben cardin debate and epa water regulations bill. Then sen. And president ial candidate marco rubio campaigns in manchester, new hampshire. Later, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on russias involvement syria. On the next washington journal talkshow host Armstrong Williams on the 2016 president ial race and the ben carson campaign. And we talked to congresswoman karen bass of our criminal justice efforts. Live with your phone calls,calls, tweets, and Facebook Comments at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on chasing. The 2016 open enrollment for the Affordable Care act started november 1. Thursday, sen. Ben sass of nebraska testifies about the closure of several healthcare insurance coops. Live with the house energy and commerce subcommittee on oversight and investigations at 10 00 a. M. Eastern on chasing three. This weekend on chasing cities tour along with our Comcast Cable partners, we will explore the history and literary life of californias capitol city, sacramento. On. Author Keough Santos shares the story of her japaneseamerican families survival of the depression, being sort doctor internment camps and bigotry. And herbert dandelion through the crack. Then a net cassis on sacramentos open resistance to probation and how it onearned the reputation as the wettest city in the nation command we will meet with author to discuss her book one wounded and missing all dead, a biography of elizabeth bacon pastor whose life was full of adventure, tragedy, and determination to recreate the image of her husband, general George Armstrong custer. The 1st account of georgias defense and say, no, that is not what happened. I know my george. He would george. He would not have done that. And she stood up for him and championed his action so that it was elizabeths voice and rose to the top of all of this not only because she was a woman and people were paying attention to what she had to say because she was georges wife, because she outlived all of them. Elizabeth is not die until 1933, and she is there for the 50th anniversary of the battle a little big horn. She is there for all of history, sohistory, so she can help shape what is being said about her husband. That way it does not go so far to the other end. On American History tv we will tour the mansion once owned by california governor and Railroad Tycoon leland stanford. Stanford negotiated deals at the mansion that helps complete the transcontinental railroad. Mr. Stanford was our last twoyear term governor. He was electedhe was elected and served all of 1862 and all of 1863, and he was part of a group of men who were emergence, and they were politically active and had similar ideas, and stanford was there 1st candidate that was successfully elected as government prosecutors are a governor command he was the 1st republican governor of california. Thatcalifornia. That will visit the japaneseamerican archival collection at Sacramento State university, which includes letters, photographs, diaries, and artwork from and artwork japaneseamerican communities following the attack on pearl harbor. Sacramento city a story ensures inside and artifacts related to the 1849 gold rush which were 300,000 people to california. Today we are in the center for sacramento history and hold the original records from the city and county of sacramento and your from the beginnings of the city in 1850 following up to present time. When you talk about the whole experience of coming to california to search for gold you will need supplies, probably would have gone and had your portrait taken in order to document yourself before your journey, but one of the important things you would have acquiredrequired was a map to figure out where you needed to go. This is a great map the goldfield. It would have folded up so that they could fit it into their pocket. Everything was lightweight, compact, easy to travel with,with, this would have been an essential tool. From 1849. So you can see how quickly the business of mining the minors and producing all of these things and people were quickly making money off of the people who are looking for gold. Quexs weekend watch the cities tour in sacramento breathing saturday and noon eastern on chasing news. And sunday afternoon at 2 00 on history tv. The chasing cities tour, working with cable affiliates and visiting cities across the country. Senate Natural Resources Committee Chair spoke about epa clean water rules and how they impact your state. She backed measure of disapproval against epa actions. Her remarks are followed by senator ben cardin who oppose the resolution. The senate blocked a separate measure requiring a rewrite. This debate is about 30 minutes. Ator mr. President . The presiding officer the senator from alaska. Senator from alaska. Mr. President. The senator from alaska. Request that proceedings of a quorum call be dispensed with. So ordered. I thank my colleague from ohio who has led the effort this morning as we speak about the waters of the United States real and the effort that she has led i would lead to a resolution of disapproval of this very wrongheaded will. I also want to acknowledge the good work of my colleague from wyoming as you yesterday we had an opportunity to again discuss the impact, the devastating impact of the lotus rule, as we lovingly refer to it as. But an effort, a combined effort to address the concerns that so many of us have across the country about the waters of the us role that has stemmed from the epa and the army corps. This rule, i think you have heard so many of us speak to, not only an overreach but a significant overreach that will allow for an expansion, and i believe, and dramatic and dramatic expansion of the federal governments ability to regulate land and water for the people in the state of alaska, they look to this particular rule that is out there. And they have said in no Uncertain Terms that this rule could have as damaging an impact on our state and our states ability to engage in any level of development. This role would have greater impact than most anything that we have seen horse. We will have an opportunity to vote on it in just a little over an hour. I have had dozens of meetings with constituents, meetings are, meetings with people really across the country you have raised this as an issue the epa administrator about the impacts of the role. I had an opportunity to have a field hearing in alaska earlier this year with senator sullivan joining me focusing on those areas of what we would consider to be federal overreach, those areas that hold our state back from any level of Economic Activity and development and time after time after time again, this expansive interpretation of the clean water act. The newly defined by epa. A concern about how its negative impact our state will be felt. In addition to many of the legislative efforts, as chairman of the interior appropriations subcommittee i included a provision within the interior appropriations bill to halt implementation of the world. I am a cosponsor of the billwe try to advance yesterday which was unfortunately blocked and i am a cosponsor my position is pretty simple. The rule cannot be allowed to stand. I certainly am not alone in this view. It stands out among many of the rules we have seen finalized by this administration. Of the controversial ones out there, i would argue that this is not in the top tier, if it is not the top it is certainly number two. And it is a rule that is controversial enough so that it draws bipartisan opposition to this rule as well. We have been large majority, a bipartisan majority of the house that opposes it command when we look to how this has been addressed by the states, some 31 states, including the state of alaska have sued to block it a wide rangea wide range of local government and business groups of in the same, and then just last month the 6th circuit of appeals issued a nationwide injunction to prevent implementation of the role. Now, i welcome what the courts have done so far, but i do not think that congress should sit back on this and hope that we get the right legal outcome. We should not just be sitting back because that right legal outcome may come, may come months or years from now or it might not be that right outcome. Our opinions here in congress are based not solely on what the court say we have to look to the reach for much of the impact of this rule, and then determine whether or not it is appropriate. Again, i answer to this is pretty simple. Simple. No, it is just not appropriate. The agencies are claiming that the role is somehow or other just a clarification and have gone one step further and renamed it calling it the clean water rules because who out there is going to oppose claim water . Nobody opposes clean water. We all strive for clearwater, cleaner air. This is something we should all be working two. But just changing the name does not make it so. In fact, this rule really is just muddying the waters, excuse the pun. All wepun. All we are doing here, or epa is doing is creating confusion, certainly creating uncertainty command it opens the door to Greater Regulatory cost and delays for projects all over the country. Now, there have been many colleagues that have come to the floor and talked about kind of a panic. When you Start Talking about categorical categorically jurisdictional waters. When you try to explain the significant nexus analysis the only people in the room that are really captivated by what you are talking about the lawyers. Most farmers in iowa, most minors in alaska are not thinking about what a categorically jurisdictional waters and whether or not there is a significant nexus from my little Mining Operation to a body of water. This is not where people are thinking. I want to use just a little bit of my time this morning to speak to how in the state of alaska people will be harmed by application of this rule, and to understand the reach of this rule in the state. The state of alaska, so alaska, so big we cannot fit it all on one shark because we need to europe to the aleutian chain and we dont have the southeastern. But we have the bulk. Alaska played in short discovered in water. It is just wet. According to our state government, alaska has more than 40 percent of the nation surface water resources. Think about that. Think about the entire United States of america, and did appreciate that in one state, in my state have more than 40 percent of the nations entire surface water resources. So we are talking over 3 million lakes, 12,000 members. We have approximately 174 million acres of wetlands. There are more wetlands in the state of alaska than the entire rest of the country combined. So all you colleagues and folks that are concerned about the impact of this rule, i dont mean to diminish her problems, think about where we are alaska we will you have more wetlands in the state of alaska than in all of the rest of the country combined. Amount of 283 communities in the state, 215 of these communities are located within either 2 miles of the coast or navigable waterways. We live on the water. Even in the inland part of the state where i was raised and went to high school. Lakes, rivers, up in the North Country here where you have just the small, little lakes come out in the whole southwest alaska. You fly over it, look at it, and it is just thought it with small little lakes and water. It is just west and alaska. And surprise. How is that considered in this proposed rule . In this waters of the us . Is it frozen . Is it waters of the us . We all know, butdont no, but we will go ahead and assume that it is going to be covered. So we have a map you where what you see is blue. The reason that is blue is because all of this is water. This is the National Hydrography data said, streams, rivers, and bodies for the state of alaska september 2015. Epa has produced maps in each of our 50 states. Colleagues in the house had to force the agency to release these maps last year , but again almost the whole state of alaska is shaded in which is what the epa wants to regulate under this rule. So what exactly could that cover. It could be a new runway project i will be subject to regulation or seafood processing plan in bristol bay. It can be a new neighborhood that wants to accommodate to deal with a growing population that will be subject to regulation. It could be a parcel of land of order them in the native land claims settlement act that just so happens to be in no wetlands area or have a small river present, but the fact that it was a conveyance of land under a native claims settlement act does not get you beyond regulations to epa. It can be the new Industrial Park in anchorage. It can be an Energy Project on the north arctic slope region. Again, it is wetlands or clearly permafrost or it could be our gas line. The proposed gas line kemal we were hoping to run a gas line. This is a major, major project our state legislature is working out right now. It will run across you want to talk about wetlands and rivers and areas that will be subject to this pairing requirement, it could be any of these traumatic my many are many more which brings me the potential impact. I am not certain that the is agencies will try to stop every project state. But i recognize that they could use this rule to stop a project i want whenever i want and for as long as they may want. Maybe not every project, but in the target could be. Think about that. If youre trying to make an adjustment decision, business seeking to expand paragraph that level of uncertainty. As tough. Test measures we know they can cast an extremely wide net with israel and we know regulatory decisions are not always fair or impartial or even logical within the administration, and we know again that almost everything in alaska is either near water, wetland, or permafrost. Add it all up in almost every project alaska could suddenly be subject to federal permitting under the clean water act, and that, in turn, means most projects in our state will end up costing more, taking longer, or being indefinitely delayed. I remind friends at the cost of securing can easily run 3300 33,000 and take over two years to do. Your adding cost and delay. Some Developers Just give up they raise the white flag. And they give up. All of this would be in addition to the significant regulatory burdens of alaska is already facing. One last example that i will leave you with, down here is 16 unit Affordable Housing project. The army corps required a 46,000 down payment to the Mitigation Bank prior to permitting. This is personal project