The committee will come to order. Senator Tom Carper will make the District Bill of columbia our nations 51st state. I would like to extend a warm welcome to washington, d. C. s delegate to the house of u. S. Representatives, congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and former senator and former chairman of this committee, Joe Lieberman. I appreciate your attendance here today and i just want to recognize your incredible leadership on this issue over many years. Its wonderful to have you here before the committee. For decades, you both have served us strong advocates in the conversation to give d. C. Residents an equal voice. And for the first time in nearly seven years, this committee will continue that discussion in here from the mayor, policy, legal and civil rights experts on how those lawmakers can finally, finally give d. C. Residents the same representation in congress as their fellow americans. The lack of representation for the residents of the cities, which serves as a beacon of F
Follow the process live on cspan, online or listen live on the free cspan radio app. The museum in washington, d. C. Is closing at the end of the month. They held the discussion this week examining the state of free speech in the u. S. We will hear from Chris Wallace, Eleanor Holmes norton and floyd abram. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the theater. I am chair and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum. [applause] we welcome you all here tonight to celebrate the museum and the First Amendment and to look forward to a new chapter. I would like to recognize several of the partners whom we are all so pleased to have with us this morning. Leslie hill and dennis carol, brian and myra and robin stroud will. We are also honored to have several of our trustees and trustee a maritime in attendance. Jim abbott, shelby carthy, mike mike pohlman, phil curry, r david edelman, felix gutierrez, jack malcolm john lee, peter prichard, mike reagan, john, mark and barbara wall. [app
Welcome to each of you and your friends and family members, joining us here today. Congratulations on your nominations and thank you for all of your Previous Service and for your willingness to take on these very Important Roles. These are all very different positions but each is critically important to the federal government and to our nations capital. I am pleased we are considering highly qualified nominees for each of these roles and in particular for several roles that have been vacant for far too long. Fema has been without a Senate Confirmed deputy minister eight or for nearly two years deputy administrator for nearly two years. Additionally, the d. C. Superior court is struggling with high vacancy levels. There are currently 14 associate judge vacancies on the court and im glad we have two nominees the superior court today. We hope to see several other seats filled shortly. Thank you for your willingness to serve and for being with us today. I look forward to hearing from each
republicans, 202-748-8001. .ndependents, 202-748-8002 you can also send us a tweet http://twitter.com/cspanwj or on .acebook the washington post front page this morning. writes obama has been making the case for months that a strategy to defeat islamic state and protect americans at home is slowly working. president obama in cuba yesterday in his address to the people of that country began his remarks talking about brussels. [video clip] president obama: the thoughts and prayers of the american people are with the people of belgium. we stand in solidarity with them in condemning these outrageous attacks against innocent people. we will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally, belgium come in bringing to justice those who are responsible and this is yet another reminder that the world must unite. we must be together, regardless of nationality or race or faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism. we can and we will defeat those who prey upon the ins
approved an emergency member that allows district employees to romain on the job. the measure would have paid thousands of city workers out of an emergency cash fund. also this morning, theyhey haven t said i do just yet but already some couples are having a few problems herems and there with getting married. that is all because of the government shutdown. it is amazing how far this reachous. the tent cel.cel. it s forcing people to find a a new lex for their ceremony or move the date. linda marshal continues our team coverage. the government is shutting down our wedding, not exactly what a bride and groom wouldroom have to post but this was the t case for one d.c.couple and they re among two dozen arezen are likely scrambling to come t up with plan b. it s frustrating especially over somethinglly that didn t need to happen. the government shutdownwn throwing a wrench in the plans of the couple. the two planned to be marriedarr this saturday at the jefferson memorial,