President elect biden good afternoon. Today, im very proud to be announcing our health care and covid team at a critical time, as we near the end of one of the toughest years weve faced as a nation. More than 285,000 dead americans because of covid19, and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. Of covid19 and counting. Last week, covid19 was the number one cause of death in america. For black, latino and native americans, were nearly three times as likely to die from it, covid19 is a mass causality. For families and friends left behind, its a gaping hole in your heart that never will be fully healed. As a country, weve been living with this pandemic for so long, were at risk of becoming numb to its toll on all of us. Were resigned to feel that theres nothing we can do. And we cant trust one another. That we must accept death, pain and sorrow. Were in the midst of this deadly pandemic that has infected almost 15 million americans. 1 out of every 22 peo
Good morning, everyone. The committee will come to order. I welcome our witnesses in person and those that are appearing distancely. We look forward to their testimony and getting a better understanding of where the department of Veterans Affairs and the Third Party Administrators are in administering the mission act. Im also very interested in hearing more today about the caregivers implementation, as well. Almost every member of our committee, though not physically present at the moment, some are joining us in person and others will be joining us, almost every member of our committee will be participating and is expected in todays hearing. The focus of todays hearing is the implementation of title 1 under the mission act by the department of Veterans Affairs related to Veterans Community care programs and the program of comprehensive assistance to family caregivers. I scheduled this hearing because of my dissatisfaction with the pace of mission implementation. While va officials were
Flags were on the Capitol Building and at the white house are being flown at half staff in members of pearl harbor. Now live coverage of the u. S. Senate here on cspan2. The senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Great redeemer, guide our lawmakers along the best path to fulfill your purposes on earth. May they submit to your wisdom and providential leading, believing that you will supply all of their needs. Remind them that your unfailing love accompanies those who put their trust in you. Give our senators an attitude of reverential awe that will keep them from evil. Inspire them to rejoice and be glad, as they strive to live lives of purity and obedience. And lord, as we remember pearl harbor on this december 7th, thank you for your loving and prevailing providence. May we show our gratitude by facing the future without fear. We pray in your majestic name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting
Good morning, everybody. I think w had senator blumenthal remotely, ishat correct . Mr. Chairman. Is it okay if we move forwar absolutely. Thanks very much . Ill make a brief Opening Statement ts is about censorship, suppression and the 2020 election. A deep dive when it comes t twitter and facebook about the platforms and decisions they make, can we do better . Do we need to do better . The first thing i want to talk about here is health risk associated with social media. The 2018 Research Center survey of nearly 7150, 13 to 17 yearoldsnt 45 online almost constantly. 97 use socia media platforms such as youtube,st facebook or snapchat or instagram. Why are we having thisearing . Shes o companies offer, people like the politics ander u them. They probably more successful in their wildest dream they are having to make decisions that offend people on the left a the right. What we are trying t do is look at section 230 see if it nee to be modified or changed because section 230 basically
Sen. Graham i think we have senator blumenthal remotely, is that correct . Is it ok if we move forward . Sen. Blumenthal absolutely. Sen. Graham this is about censorship and suppression of the 2020 election. Sort of a deep dive when it comes to twitter and facebook about the platforms and the decisions they make, how they make them, can we do better, chemically do we need to do better . The first thing i want to talk about here is health risk associated with social media. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13 to 17yearolds found that 45 are online almost constantly and 97 use social media platforms such as youtube, facebook, instagram, or snapchat. If so why are we having this hearing . The products that these two companies offer, people like and they use. So the bottom line is theyve probably been more successful than their wildest dreams, and theyre having to make decisions that offend people on the left and the right. And what were trying to do is look at section 230 an