Very direct and grilling questions of witnesses that would come before our committee. Sometimes there would be a tense moment. But ralph always had something funny or a story to tell that broke the ice. Youve seen a number of members of the texas delegation here today, particularly the republican delegation and every thursday, we have lunch together. Talk about whats good for texas. But what was always a thing that we always looked forward to, we couldnt wait until ralph got there so that we could ralph could share a funny story. And you know, one of the things that ill miss most about ralph is those times when hed be on the floor or he would be at lunch, sharing those stories. Now one of the things about ralph is that as he got older, he got wiser. And in fact he, got so wise, in 2004, he realized he needed to be a part of the Republican Party and so he switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. We were so glad to welcome him to that. So as i said, its been an honor a
Assistance. Not because we intended it, but because our ally in iraq collapsed. Comprehensively. Now were talking about well, maybe, what we have to do is have a smaller, you know, fast force that can go in. Well train them. We wont train hundreds of thousands and theyll do it. Youve talked in response to judge poe about the training and we all hope that works. But i dont think i dont know anyone who seriously thinks that you can train effectively even with successful vetting 5,000 insurgents who are moderate and maybe secular and theyll be reintroduced to syria and turn the tide. In fact, all of the indications are the moderate, you know, are part of the insurgency such as it is has collapsed in syria. Is actually losing ground catastrophically, almost to the point of extinction. And so you decided decentralization, security reforms and the new government is reaching out to regional capitals as if that is going to turn the tide. Maybe you didnt intend for that. I guess, i would like t
Referred to on sanctions is in the context of the additional more severe sanctions which were imposed by the United States and by europe late this summer in response to the intervention in donbass. And these should be understood as separate baskets. Vice President Biden and others have been very clear that for the United States, a prerequisite for discussing the relaxation of sanctions is full implementation of the minsk agreement to include the withdrawal of all russian fighters and heavy equipment, the restoration of ukranian control over the border monitored and the release of all prisoners. Russia has not done any of those things. To the contrary, as we have said, as recently as last week, secretary kerry pointed out that since september 5, since the signature of the minsk agreement, hundreds of russian tanks and heavy military equipment items have moved into ukrainian territory. And we know that Russian Troops have remained in donbass providing command and control to the separatis
Indian country but also an issue for all of rural america. Its why i included in my opening remarks the fact that we in 2014 established nearly 10 million of contribution toward expanded Broadband Access. We have completed the rule making process to institute and implement the new farm bill provisions you referred to. Thats now putting us in a position to begin making decisions about where resources go. We announced today the project in mexico which is the first project under the substantially Underserved Trust Area provisions of a previous farm bill. Thats 5. 5 million that will be committed to expanded Broadband Access in new mexico. We are very much committed to this. I would say that there are two specific ways that you can address the issue. One is through our normal program, Distance Learning telemedicine program. Now with the new farm bill rules well certainly be prioritizing areas that are most in need. Working with the fcc to make sure that they put pressure on Telecommunicati
They sign their names inside the desk drawers to show that they sat there. All the leaders of the republican parties and all the leaders of the democratic parties are in the center front row seats. Beside them would usually be the party whips, and behind them the senior members of the party. Thats the seat of in leadership . The senate is the 100 personalities are a huge influence on the senate. Even a small change in membership has an impact. Large changes have very large impacts. And especially the leadership. Because theres a certain rhythm that is established by the leader. Leaders talk about quality of life. They decide whether or not youll work on mondays and fridays, how late at night. They decide the tempo of the senate. And so a lot of it has to do with their own personalities. Mike mansfield is very different from a robert bird, even though they were from the same party. Mansfield was much more laid back, bird a much more handson leadership. You see that in the Republican Par