The conditions for bringing a lawsuit against a foreign state. The Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing is chaired by senator Lindsey Graham of south carolina. Generally speaking, we have a foreign sovereign immunities act , basically shutting off lawsuits against other nations because whatever we do to them, they can do to us. We made exceptions to it. We have amended the act regarding terrorist activities. This is not an issue i take lightly. Ive thought ang lot about. My colleagues have worked to put together legislation, they have reconciled the legislation. Want to have a hearing about what it would mean if we amended the act to allow suits against china. And why would we take this unprecedented step . This is the third pandemic to come out of china. The coronavirus came from hunan province, but it was a mistake in a lab or spread at a wet market, i dont know, but we do know where it came from. We know china failed to inform the world about the nature of the virus that did restrict
I have an Opening Statement i would like to submit for the record. Ill do so without objection. And make a few comments. Today, were having a hearing about the foreign sovereign immunities act, coronavirus and addressing chinas culpability. Generally speaking, we have a foreign sovereign immunities act basically shutting off lawsuits against other nations because whatever we do to them, they can do to us. We made exceptions to it. We have amended the act four years ago regarding terrorist activities. This is not an issue i take lightly. This is something i have thought a lot about. My colleagues have worked to put together legislation. They have reconciled the legislation. I think senator blackburn, hawley, and others, and what would it mean if we amend suits to china. And why would we take this unprecedented step . This is the third pandemic to come out of china. The coronavirus came from wuhan province. Whether it was a mistake in the lab or spread at a wet market, i dont know, but w
The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Cornyn madam president , before congress adjourned for the holidays, our colleagues in the house of representatives carried out their sole priority for 2019, which was to impeach President Trump. That was their numberone objective in 2019. While its no secret this is something theyve been dreaming of since the day that President Trump was inaugurated on january 20 of 2017, it certainly took our colleagues in the house on a roller coaster ride and the country as well. Ive likened it really to not a roller coaster ride but to a threering circus. It does not reflect particularly well i think on their on their body or on the seriousness of the process. In marv last year, here in march of last year heres an important quote to remember speak pelosi cast a lot of doubt that an Impeachment Vote would even happen. This is march 2019. She said, impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless theres something so compelling and overwhelming and bi
[ screaming ]. The video and images have been pouring into fox news and this showing people scrambling out of the back of the venue last night as others hung from windows and trying to escape. It was the worst of several shootings throughout paris. According to reports, the gunman wearing suicide vests burst into the concert hall and sprayed the crowd and took dozens of people hostage and executing them one by one and one survivor says it was ten horrific minutes. The attack was for syria and said that they could blame the president for frances involvement in syria and shouted god is great as they reportedly reloaded. Investigators say that eight attack ers in total and eight dead. Seven killed themselves and one hit by police as he exited the concert hall. New this hour and con firmtfirm that one of the bombers is a young frenchman. The u. S. State department reporting that americans are among the injured. More on that in a moment. French president calls it attack on war. Translator w
Like oh pwplbama has said all wars must end its on the scope of the president s war powers and the use of military force. They include the draw down of u. S. Forces and the rise of new groups like isil that threaten regional stability. This past february president obama submitted the proposal if a new force organization targeted at isil. The responsibility of congress in responding to new threats. Whether the nature of new threats like isil require us to rethink traditional conceptions of the war powers and the optimal ways of the powers should be exercised. Were fortunate to be joined by a distinguished panel of experts. Ill introduce the panelists to you and theyll speak in order and after that well have time for questions and answers. I would ask in advance when you have a question please come up to the mike phones to ask your question. First well hear from Lieutenant Colonel. Hes at the department of law at west point. Hes the u. S. Army judge advocate who was deployed to iraq as t