Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20140621

Eurozone separate a largely jobless recovery. I if we have if you include the underemployed, the unemployed, and those who have given up and simply stopped working, we have 14 million unemployed or underemployed and we have the lowest Labor Participation rates since. The 1970s. Thats the fiscal and economic picture. Then you look at the cultural picture, and we have one out of every two majors in america ending in divorce. We have a majority of all the children being raised in America Today are being raised by one of their two parents not present in the household. 40 of all the children born in america this year will be born out of wedlock. That figure is 72 in the africanamerican community, it is 53 in the latino community. Folks, there is no way to sustain vibrant communities with that many children being born and raised out of wedlock. Without the benefit of the tough love and the nurture of both parents. According to the centers for disease control, one out of every four 18 to 24yearolds in America Today is a regular that is to say a weekly or more frequently regular user of marijuana or other illegal drugs. One out of four. Highest level since then 1970s, and when states around the country are beginning to legalize marijuana in violation of federal law this Administration Announces publicly they will no longer enforce federal law. They just pick and choose which laws to enforce. In new york city, 80 of the graduates of public high school, 80 , require remedial classes to perform basic functions or are functionally illiterate. And in this city, new york city and other major cities, an africanamerican under the age of 25, an africanamerican male has a higher statistical likelihood of being killed before the age of 25 than an american soldier did in iraq or afghanistan. Now, thats the domestic picture. And, folks, these are tough words. But they are the truth. As a society, after 50 years of, if it feels good, do it, we have reaped what we have sowed. We have turned our backs on god, and his precepts, and like a prodigal child we now live with those consequences. Beyond our shores, russia has seized crimea and threatens not only ukraine but the other former baltic republics. Sierra is in flames. Do syria is in flames, a blood theirsy tie runt hassledderred innocent civilians and three Million People are displaced in syria, and surrounding areas, including a million refugees in jordan alone. We have an Al Qaeda Shaw shoot on the verge of toppling the government of iraq and this administration fiddles while rome burns. And i dont know about you but i thought it was more important for barack obama to come back to washington and convene an emergency meeting of his National Security council than it was for him to stay in palm springs and play golf for two days when al qaeda was marching across the middle east. [applause] in iran, the mullahs stand 120 and 180 days of having enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb and there are 30,000 centrifuges spinning at their nuclear installations. Now, i ask you, do i paint an accurate picture . Or die exaggerate . I think its an accurate picture. And this is our message to the people of america this weekend. These are not just money problems. And these are not just military problems. My friends, these are moral problems that will only be solved with moral and spiritual solutions. If you dont believe me, just look at the moral and spiritual corruption that has led to a hearing going on right now in the house of representatives as we speak in which the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Internal Revenue service is being called to testify under oath about what was a systemic and deliberate campaign, i believe, cords nateed with the white house and the Justice Department cords nateed with the white house and she Justice Department to try to harass, intimidate, and silence opponents of this administration. And after they got called on that, they have now destroyed the evidence of their crime. And make no mistake about it, my friends. These were federal crimes. It is a crime to abuse the power of the Internal Revenue service for political purposes and those who were responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. For that abuse. [applause] now they say that two years of emails between lois lerner, the white house, and the department of justice, are missing. They cant find them. This is the bureaucratic equivalent of the dog ate my homework. This comes after the emails have been under subpoena for, i believe, two and a half years. In which the irs has claimed they were complying. And not only did lois lerners hard drive crash, but the hard drives of six other irs officials who were involved in this conspiracy, have also crashed. And while this was going on, you probably know i knoll you know this year, the irs attempted to promulgate new rules that would have cracked down on the ability of grassroots citizen organizations like faith and Freedom Coalition, and others, to educate, inform, and register voters prior to election. And i dont know how closely you looked at this, but these regulations were so draconian and so nefarious that they would have prohibited Voter Registration drives in churches within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election. They would have outlawed the ability of groups like ours to even post to the voting record of an incumbent member of congress on a web site. Folks, this is a total infringement of our godgiven not just our american rights our godgiven rights as free people. And we were not about to take it lying down. So, faith and Freedom Coalition, in the spring of this year, emailed, phoned, texted, testmessaged, and otherwise contacted approximately two million of our close personal friends and said if you dont speak out now, theyre going to take away your First Amendment rights, and let me tell you what happened. 71,600 members and activists and supporters of faith and Freedom Coalition filed comments with the irs. That was roughly half of the 150,000 comments that were received and the irs has now announced they have stopped that rulemaking procedure because of the efforts that you undertook. We have to remain vigilant because when they made that announcement, they said we stopped this rulemaking procedure and turned off the switch and now going to start a new rulemaking procedure. So were going to have to do it all over again and thats fine. Because the price of liberty is eternal vigilant, and let me tell you what we are going to do after wi kill this regulation. Were going to see a new senate and a new house. Come january of 2015. And we are not going to stop until we abolish this agency, clear that building, fumigate it, i think we ought to raise raze that build though ground and build a monument on the rubble so future generations will know we stood up and stopped tyranny so they would remain free. [applause] later on ill tell you what i really think about this issue. Im sort of dialing it back right now. But you know what . As important as that is and it is important its important for us to make sure, as the apostle paul so eloquently says, that we complete the work and we finish the job of those who surround us like a great cloud of witnesses. And call us to complete the job, because were not here this morning by accident. The price of our ability to organize, to mobilize, to vote, to encourage likeminded citizens to do the same, to contact our elected officials, to make our views known, to petition those in government, and make them responsive to our will, folks, this is not the norm, not only in the history of western civilization in this planet, its not the norm today. Look at crimea, ukraine, libya, look at what is unfolding in egypt and throughout the middle east, and i mentioned iraq and syria. This is a precious right that has been purchased with the blood of patriots, and we should not take it lightly. And as important as it is, i really believe this with all my heart, whatever problems we have as a nation, god is bigger than every one of them. And whatever problems we have and i think this is probably always been true but i think the lord has brought to us this place so that we all realize it and its irrefutable. Look, were going to turn out a big volt in november. And believe you me, change is coming. The cavalry is on the way. But what ails america is not going to be solved by throwing out one group of politicians and replacing them with another group of politicians. And its not going to be solved by repealing their bad laws and replacing them with other laws. Now, those are important things but to there is only one thing, only one thing, that will bring this nation back to economic, military, and moral greatness, and that is we need an awakening, a moral and spiritual awakening that will call our nation back to brokenness, humility, reliance, and dependence upon almighty god. Thats what this nation needs. You know, when Ronald Reagan took the oath of office and you may remember that reagan had asked, when he was nog rated, inaugurated, to move the ceremony that had been held on the east side of the capitol throughout history, and he asked it by moved to the west front of the capitol. So that he could look down the mall, at the washington monument, the lincoln memorial, the jefferson memorial, and take in the what had made america great. And before he stepped to that podium to deliver that inaugural address, when he took the oath of office, you may know that he took the oath by placing his hand on his mother nells bible. His mother was a deeply committed christian. Reagan didnt leave lead a charmed life. He was the son of an alcoholic. He grew up in a home that knew the tragedy and the pain of chemical dependency, and he became a believer when he was i think 11 or 12 years old. It was his mothers bible that welsh thumbed, welsh marked bible that guided him through the turbulent childhood, and that bible was opened to second chronicle 7 14. That is where he placed his hand. That was his theme verse. And that verse says if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my faith, and turn from their wicked ways, then will i hear their prayer from heaven, and i will forgive their sins, and i will heal their land. I want you to think about that verse for a minute, and note that it doesnt say, if others will pray. If all those sinners or all those bad people or all those folks on the other side of the divide if they will. No. It says, if my people, if the people called by my name, that means us. Were the ones who have to repent. We have allowed this to happen. And i dont know about you, but im done letting it happen. In the country that i love. Hear. Hear hear. , so let that verse be our verse. Let that repentance begin this weekend. Lets humble ourselves. Lets usher in by the power of the holy spirit that awakening and restore our land. Thank you all very much and god bless you. [applause] thank you very much. More in the warehouse. I like that. I havent heard that one before. Little wisdom from brother benny. Thank you so much. And thank you, ralph, for inviting me to be back, and thank you all for being here today. I wanted to come with a special message, a message ive been delivering really since a year ago at the value voter summit where i talked about how we as a movement have to identify the fact that, as a movement, we have not been connecting with the people who are hurting in this country and providing them a message and a plan for them to embrace and live the american dream. The bottom line in america is a lot of people are struggling. A lot of disillusionment and like america is heading on the wrong track, for very good reasons. Ralph just listed a whole bunch of them, as though problems confronting this country. But as conservatives and as value voters, our message in my opinion over the past 20, 30 years, has gotten stale and has gotten out of step. With where americas problems are. We are a party, we are movement, that continues to focus on certain issues that i believe are, well, lets just say, not as relevant to average americans as they used to be. We used to be a movement, if you looked at least from me, you had folks that if you looked at our voting patterns, suburban areas used to be very strong, conservative areas, and elected republicans. Cities were not so good. Now its not the case anymore. In fact, the conservative movement is no longer the movement of the corporate boardroom or the country club. In fact the vast majority of our supporters are the folks that hold traditional values like you and theyre not business people. Theyre workers, people who work for a living, for somebody else. But if you listen to the message that we have been delivering for the past 30 or 40 years we dont talk about workers. I mentioned in the speech last year, at the National Convention two years ago, how we spend an entire day on the stuck of, you didnt build that. On she subject of, you didnt build that and one Business Owner after another came up to the podium saying, yes, we are did build that. Every think how many Business Owners versus how many workes . Ever think about who is struggling most in america with stagnant wages and falling behind with inflation and the lack of opportunity . Probably the 70 of americans who dont have College Degrees but if you listen to the message we have been delivering its all about the Business Owner, about the corporation, about wall street. And its not about average working americans. Thats why i decided after the peach last year to write a book called blue collar consecutives. Because, ladies and gentlemen, thats the future for america. We have to start to be the country again that believes that everybody in america rises and we have to have a game plan that doesnt say, if businesses do really well, everybody else will do well. Well, that just hasnt been the case. We see wall street at new highs, real estate values climbing, and the average american not doing so way and not feeling like anybody cares about them. In the last election, 23 of the people at the exit polls said the most important issue for them was does this candidate care about people like me . And guess who those people who that was their most important issue . They were average, lower, and middle income people. And guess how our candidate did . As to whether he cared about people like them. He got 19 of that vote. Ladies and gentlemen, were not going to win very many elections if people dont think we care about them. If the average american doesnt think that we have an agenda and a message for them, you know what the most popular word is in everybodys lexicon . Their own name. Everybody loves to hear their own name. Yet when we get up and paint a picture for america, we go up and talk about tax cuts, balanced budgets, right . We talk about running in reining in the size and scale of government. Im for progrowth policy but where in that picture is the average northwestern where is their name . The average american . Where is theirs name . We have to start painting a picture that includes their name so they can see themselves in the great artwork of america. This is where i think some elements of our party dont understand, dont understand how important two major issues are. Number one, values. You see those folks i have been talking about, they agree with us on values. They know the importance of life and marriage. Anyway know the importance they know the importance of strong values and virtue in their community. In fact you know that every family in america is a little business. You think about it. Every family unit runs a business. They have revenues and expenditures, they have to operate, balance their budgets. And when those Little Family units are not functioning well, the economy doesnt function well. You know, the word economy comes from the greek word which means home. The first economy is the home. And yet you see many people in our party and the movement who dont want to fight for the most basic institution that holds the family together, and thats the institution of marriage. You people who dont understand the value of having two people in that home raising children and providing for the next generation. As a much more efficient economic unit. I shared during the campaign if you could three things in america, if you work, if you graduate from high school, and you get married before you have children, you have less than a two percent chance of ever being in poverty in america. Yet you never hear either party out there talking about marriage, not the definition of marriage, but reclaiming marriage for the good that it is for our economy and our country. Marriage is an institution. That helps our country. You want limited government . You want more married people in stable families in america. [applause] marriage is a public good. And if you think about the policies that the other side has put in place and we have tacitly agreed with, it actually stops people from getting married. Our tax code is antimarriage. Our benefit structures, you heard this year last year, when they were talking about obamacare, obamacare discourages work, right . Because the more money you make, the less subsidy you get and therefore you actually are worse off by the more you work. Thats also true with all welfare benefits. Its discourages work, discourages thats one thing that will give you out of poverty. Let me tell you what else happens witch these benefits. It discourages marriage. I was in wisconsin, during the campaign, and a guy is running for the congress right now said showed me a document in wisconsin that if youre a single mom, with two children, making 150,000 15,000 a year in wisconsin you were eligible for 38,000 in benefits. But if you got married you lost them all. Now, think of the economic decisions that we are forcing upon women trying to raise children. Who would like to be in a relationship, a married relationship, but cannot because its economically devastating for her and her children. What are we doing . Is there anyone fighting on this . Do you hear any republicans or conservatives fighting to say, we need to help people. Encourage people to get married. Form families. Have father involved and men involved in the lives of raising children, because children need mothers and fathers. [applause] we need to have an agenda that speaks across the economic spectrum. We need to be the party of the worker. Not just the party of business. We need to be the mom that says, the movement that says we want to make things in america again. You want to create wealth and opportunity . A company sold a few months ago, whatapp, sold for 19 billion. Know how many employees they had in 55. Now, imagine an 19 billion manufacturing company. How many employees, how many households, how many wages, how many communities, would that manufacturing facility support in people say, oh, thats old technology. Those days are past. No, theyre not. We can still make things in america. If we create an economic environment where manufacturers can be profitable. A lot of manufacturers want to move back from overseas, having tried that expert and found the government instability, patent protection, legal protections, just arent what they are. Lets be a party that says we want to make things in america. We want to have Strong Families and communities. We want to create energy to keep lower our costs down, build in the infrastructure of america so that 70 of americans who dont have College Degrees can have jobs that can sustain their families. Thats a vision for america. Its about good, solid, family values, good, hard work for people who want to work, 9 00 to 5 00, and by the way, republicans, its okay, and conservatives, its okay for people just to work 9 00 to 5 00. And have the opportunity to raise a family on the wages that you make just working eight hours a day. Its a good thing for us to be on the side of the worker. We have an opportunity right now, were in a crisis point as a movement, were trying to go which way are we going to go, how do we define ourselves . Look at the polls. They dont like any of us. They dont like republicans or democrats. They know democrats are just promising the world and stealing their money. And leading them down to a culture of decay. But they dont think we care about them. Why . Because we never talk about them. Ladies and gentlemen, its time to Start Talking to america again. Ronald reagan, is always the person we go back to. Ronald reagan would be appalled. He would be appalled today. If all we were saying is, we need to do what we did 40 years ago. If thats our movement, reagan ray didnt say we say we need to look another what the republicans did. Ladies and gentlemen, we have an opportunity to help transform america. Lets start today. Thank you. God bless you. [applause] good morning everyone what the great grouper are you feeling good . Are you feeling well love . Take you for that warm introduction. I may be the big United States congress but i am not leaving the tough fights. I am in its for the long haul. God bless you all for i am grateful to be here i am sure the last couple of weeks you are following the arecoline tin box to work as the media as ben telling us she has made so many unforced errors that barack obama is seriously considering to making her his new vice president. [laughter] but believe it or not Hillary Clinton and i do have a lot in common. Boast both of us were members of the United States congress and we are the only to women to ever participate in a president ial debate. She on the democrat side in may on the republican side. With that effort because many believe it or not work for the repeal of obamacare by the time we were through the process every one of the male candidates adopted that position and i am extremely proud of that. September [applause] but with msnbc for various reasons interestingly the obama ship is sinking aided in already feels like it is december 2016 because his presidency is virtually over. [cheers and applause] the president s Approval Rating is that the alltime low even with mild leftleaning state in minnesota because the American People simply do not trust him. It is not hard to figure out why. Event to mysteriously as it to years of emails to the essential to the investigation and a when your attorney general is only to one political party. It is the greatest generation Wonderful World war ii veterans while still demanding to give themselves huge bonuses while they were busy cooking and club books for . Was said to our religious liberties are under a fullscale attack every day of the week as well as the First Amendment rights of free speech. President Barack Obamas legacy will be in by predicted one year ago the establishment of lawlessness in the United States of america. Especially when it comes to the issue of free writing obamacare. That is his legacy. This is not our vegas a. We will fight back at every turn of the lawlessness of the United States. Here is the understatement of the year. United states order is not secure. Thousands illegals come over the southern border even reported that hundreds of illegal aliens by the hour are surging across the border. That is with no resistance from the government. And lets spend our time talking about a football mascot that seems to be important. I serve on the intelligence committee. With worldwide terrorism if you skean the globe it is clear that we live been profoundly dangerous times unlike anything we have seen in the course of the lifetime. But a former secretary of states as a president who thinks releasing five Top Operational bidders of the taliban has a note to National Security risk to the people of United States of america. I beg to differ with that assessment. [cheers and applause] that includes my former secretary of state lew clinton here reinstates a daily she is not commander in chief material. She failed to inspire confidence in the with her abject failure benghazi should disqualify her from ever being considered for the presidency. [cheers and applause] mrs. Clinton has to explain why she repeatedly ignored requests after a request for increased security with the Benghazi Mission in the compound to explain why when americans are under attack she failed to pick up the phone to call the commanderinchief and to send in military reinforcements to rescue our brave americans on the ground . She has to answer why she repeatedly took weeks after this tragedy, i continued to blame the internet video that she said it sold the profit mohammad in what she said and that was where they picked up on sunday. That he was the parts of the process that might. She cannot keep her story straight even though the media obsesses on her it is time for real interview and that accountability will, from the American People. [cheers and applause] but reveal where Hillary Clinton Foreign Policy has gotten us to dates in the United States. Terrorists are on the march in iraq last week when we woke up to found out that it was so brutal and so violent that even al qaeda has renounced them. They are called isis and took over onethird of iraq in a stunning display with they have taken not only americas tanks and highpowered weapons also taking over the chemical weapon cachet as well. As a result of the Foreign Policy failures of barack obama and Hillary Clinton. Tanks are rolling into ukraine would week ago today. Iran continues unimpeded with the Nuclear Weapons program. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed. Recognize i ran will have a Nuclear Weapon unless we have the new commander in chief to stop the Nuclear Program from iran. [cheers and applause] brutal terrorist or killing christians in syria. In killing innocent women and children. That is a list of the horribles. Just from the last few weeks. Decisions have consequences why elections matter. To understand what works and what does not work given the real world of real bad guys. With the good intentions somehow equal success. It is not a time for fantasy reform policy. With our strongest ally in the world our friend israel. And through the unity government is now a reality that means the Muslim Brotherhood violent terrorist organization with american blood on its hands will become of member of the palestinian authority. Just last week after our president released the five worst terrorist in those other the sworn enemy of the taliban. Just within a week high dash kidnapped three innocent jewish teenagers looking for a ride home from school. One is an american citizen from new york city. The official for a top publications not only celebrated the kidnappings but compare these three young boys to rats you were real dead with a fishing pole. Barack obama thinks they should give more plant to people who want to exterminate. These are hard times to stand with israel. Quite simply the United States of america cannot remain silent with antisemitism is antisemitism in our own backyard. Writing a wonderful call love this week to speak of the antisemitism across the globe include a new york city were the metropolitan opera is running a production called it is a sympathetic portrayal of terrorism. Against the jewish people. The story of a disabled Senior Citizen american she wished individual who was in a wheelchair that was chosen because of his jewish background to they took leon in his wheelchair and threw him off the cruise ship he was on with his wife and in cold blood murdered him. And now the metropolitan opera is running eyre production sympathetic to the terrorist you did this action. Do we understand we are now living in a new age of the insane antisemitism . Weld responded to this . We cannot let this go unaddressed. The path our president has us on this truly transforming america into what we no longer recognize. The path that projects weakness abroad that but i do know as a lookout to all of you is this. That is not your view of america. Not here at home or abroad. And that is what gives me hope because i know without a shadow of a doubt if you look across the United States people are scared to death so much so that two Police Officers approached me as i mind my own business billy to my office they came up to me and recognize me and said mrs. Bachman i dont know what is happening down at the white house view in your colleagues have got to do something in the United States congress. You can no longer be silent but stand up for us. Stand up for america. [cheers and applause] start doing the right thing. You cannot let this president prevail. [cheers and applause] because of there is one thing we do about americans americans, it is this, americans love america. And they expect the people that they work and sweat to put into office will stand up for them and stand against the insanity that is coming out to the white house today. Bill you do that . I will do that. I fully believe with our trust in our hand and the living god and creator god of the ages the alpha and the omega, the beginning and end the all why is the all seeing, the whole the god of the universe with ever trust in him even lifetimes of today is not over. It is not too late. He says he is there. We pick up the phone. Recall. We cry out danehy and he is there for us. He will deliver with his6 ;nn strong right arm and with that i say god bless you. [applause] immelt imagine being governor of the second wealthiest state per capita in america and not being able to meet payroll . I had to choices to negotiate with my Democratic Legislature down ball or given the state of the constitution i could go into a room and make the cuts that were necessary and signed the executive order not involving the legislature at all. With you have gotten to know me a little bit if you think i took choice number one the the room now. [laughter] per car went through the budget and impounded 2. 2 billion with the stroke of the pen to get our budget back in balance but how to write an ounce this . I did this in my office with the treasury and my staff. By aspirin refers joint session speech and i said it is about the budget crisis and they asked for a copy of my text before hand. I said no. We dont give out copies. But they said it is tradition i said you can begin and attack it before i give it. I will pass. But this is not vegas and i am not wayne newton. I am the show. No preview. [laughter] with the 152nd version of the speeches but i should have given i said this is your problem. You created it. Youd dump dead at my doorstep provide just went into my office and cut 2. 2 billion of spending i fix your problem. You can thank me later. Have a good day. I left. [laughter] [applause] you can only imagine the reaction i got. They were outraged. They called me all these names. Julius caesar. Napoleon. These people that i admire so much. [laughter] the next day i saw this and it president who is the president of the ironworkers coming through the same side door at the statehouse. I said i thought about and what you said touch me. So i will vacate the executive order i will send the problem to you and you can fix it. He said governor dont overreact i thank you did tell a good job by donny to fix that. [laughter] i tell you that story because it is about how you establish credibility to make hard decisions in then to stand up for the things that you believe in to have the credibility you need to lead. Not just on issues like the fiscal issues where state spending today on Discretionary Spending than it was seven years ago in new jersey where recapped property taxes where we reform teacher tenure and increase Charter Schools is althings that have been done in the last 4. Five years with a Democratic Legislature. And also to figure out a way to get things done the way people are tired of a government that is constantly bickering with each other to get nothing done to allow the country to retracted a stalemate with no progress being made for wealthy need to do to make our country a better place. I wake up every a morning with the Democratic Legislature knowing that i dont get everything that i want to. There is a comfort in building your willing to work as hard as you need to work for the things that i just listed. When i decided to run for governor with the supporters and consultants they went through that checklist 25 number the candidates stand and they asked ray stood on the issue of life for bryce said prolife and they said there has never been a prolife candidate elected statewide and well take one can be elected. You need to think about this issue. I said i already have. This is my issue. We would speak very frankly about the sanctity of life and how i believe every life is a gift from god that is precious and must be protected. [applause] i told people from new jersey those that disagree but they had a right to know what was in my heart because the fed knew have a window how they will be. One other thing about this issue before i move on. I cannot tell you how many times people have said how is it a Republican Party is a National Party when they are so intolerant of one certain issues . We have different definitions of intolerance name site colin powell, condoleezza rice, tom ridge, republicans you are pro choice i said to a number of people of maybe the one prolife democrat who is ever been able to speak at a democratic National Convention since roe v wade . Dont straighten yourself theirs is the party that its in tolerant. [cheers and applause] we should tell luggers sitter around to allow ourselves to be punching bags to used about us and not the Republican Party with differing ideas on this issue. Giving a speech in new jersey last week about an issue that is directly connected for me personally to my staff on life. What we do with the drug problem in america. Every day. Every day. We have people of every age, religion, every socioeconomic class falling victim to is the disease of a drug addiction. We have tried for 40 years with the war on drugs that is why against everyone involved for drugs in america. It has not worked what works is to give those people nonviolent drug offenders, it attics the ability to get the tools they need i doubt there is any person in this from that does not have the alcohol addiction touch their families or neighbors or friends. In for those who dont agree , the treatment for those with those violent social pathogen and dealers the people talking about are those who commit petty nonviolent crimes to support their addiction i believe if you are prolife you need to be prolife for though whole life not just afford to be prolife when the human being is in the room. So sometimes then it is messy because human beings make bad choices. We are flawed and those that make a bad decision with the disease that can ruin your life. So when we say we are prolife for the entire life to share of there days to be a culture of life that Pope John Pauls second spoke about. We needed to be there even for those who stumble and fall. That is the true meaning the completes meaning of being prolife. [applause] rate paid to be prolife because education is the way to have the fullest guide given potential it was not working. We have children every day that fall further behind with the educational system to care about the potential of children. We the to fight that fight as well. But life is precious. Says david n. A classroom you deserve a great education we the to have more Charter Schools and vouchers so they can make a choice for their child. [applause] we need to all teachers to the Higher Standards and fire the bad ones. [cheers and applause] rate paid to make our First Priority of the guide given potential that is why we fall further and further behind because our peters are in the throes of the influence of the special education interested in this country that are well funded to protect their turf. It is not just their turf but our turf that our children learn and grow and develop we need to do much better that is why we have done the things and our country needs to do more. Because every child has the right to reach his her full potential and it is our job to do what we need to do for them. Also making sure that our friends know who our friends know who they are in the adversaries know who they are as well. And we see all across this world that this administration pulling back of american influence and ideas around the world has catastrophic a fax of every corner of the of gloat global. Is nothing more than the failure of the american leader to speak clearly and profoundly the of what the role is and to draw the redline in syria to not to enforce it to her americas credibility in a way that is not good for the world to cause the issues whether iran or north korea. All of these things happen in my opinion because of a lack of clarity and principal of leadership and worst of all sitting in the midst of this between democracy and human rights in that section of the world who now feels at risk because of the actions of his administration. We need to stand up for it in and fight for it. [cheers and applause] that is what i mean of our adversaries not knowing who they are either. I am accused of lots of Different Things and called lots of different names but in direct has not been one of them. [laughter] the fact is leadership is about telling people who you are and what you stand for to speak directly and loudly and understandably so not only your supporters know who you are but the people against you have respect for where you stand and willing to fight. That is what we need to do in this country. [applause] ironically everybody that is what creates the opportunity for principled compromise. You do not enter a principled compromise of a person you do not believe has principles you dont compromise with someone you dont fear because if you have nothing to fear you think he will get what you want. The fact is this is all about getting us to appoint that the Government Works for those who pay the bills or raise our families that run the of volunteer organizations and charitable organizations that is a new jersey when we want rehabilitation for everyone who needs it that means everyone that provides it. Private organization they all have a role to play to make our government and society better. Then of these are easy but theyre all completely within our grasp. Of we are willing to stand up and leave again. I know living in this state i live in that if it is possible there for goodness sakes it is possible anywhere if you jersey. [applause] and it is not easy to do. We fight everyday to make it happen. We would not be here today with the leaders to help to build this country, the everyday people and those who put themselves up for the leadership. And to think about what our responsibility is to be a part of this change been preaching to the choir because you want to be a part of the difference but what of our Founding Fathers said in the end of his life john adams second president one of the authors of the declaration of independence said the concern about the country he had helped to found near the 50th anniversary. I hope you understand all that we have sacrificed to secure laverty. I pray you will make a good use of debt. For if you do not taisho of repenting have been for having made the sacrifice at all. The sacrifices made by washington and adams palin comparison to what i am asking you to be involved in today. We do not want to be the first generation to break the most solemn of american commitments to the office place better for the next generation that was left for us. Let us not be part of the adams repented havent for have been to make that sacrifice at all. Think you for having me today and for what you do. [applause] [cheers and applause] stake here. Thank you for being here. That is one of the great things about being involved why i enjoy coming to this conference to be here and i sincerely mean that because one of the problems we have in this country is not enough people involved in the process. Politics is no longer a spectator sport. You have to be in the game and why you were here today. End if they give for inviting me to be here. I was here last year. And the message i have this year is very similar to that message of last year. Because a lot of things have not changed. They have only gotten worse. The same message, new facts. Allowed me to begin with something that may resonate with most of the people in this room. We are troubled on every side. But not distressed. We are perplexed but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Cast down but not destroyed. Who am i talking about . As soon as like coronation. British is also the words of the apostle paul to the caribbean sea. They have seen this picture before and that is the picture of greasy today. And just like pauls message was one of dont give up that is my message to you about what youre facing in this country you have many great speakers to talk about the problems. I dont have to remind you but i some of the problems that this nation faces through his administration with three words. A crisis of crises. [laughter] plural. Think about it. It is not just one crisis. There are several crises. [laughter] that this administration is dealing with and the democrats are dealing with. Take your pick. There is none such thing to have a favorite crisis. [laughter] of iraq. Collaborating with the iran. Obamacare. The veterans administration. The epa. A sluggish and a stalled economy. Todays illicit good thoughts . The answer is no. But if that is not bad enough news i have even worse news for you. If you have heard me speak i will pull you down the fort for your playback up. You will be pretty depressed by the time i get ready to pull you back up. [laughter] is administration has shown that it does not understand the least bit about Crisis Management when no one. Not 101, number one. 101 is usually the most basic course i call it a Crisis Management 1. Theyre not even familiar as what a first grader would do to solve this crisis. [laughter] [applause] a first grader would approach sees problems a lot smarter than this administration. Not to be insulting but i will tell you the truth. You heard me say that before. When you put these crises together we have not the making of the failed presidency that is bad news for the people of United States of america and for us. It is bad news. My first message to you is stay informed. Stay informed. The Mainstream Media is complex set in the coverup and in the denial and overlooking of information for the American People. Most people dont even read dont even know were in this bad of a condition because you will live here on the six and 7 00 news that only 58 percent of voters voted in the last election the Mainstream Media said it was a record. What about the 42 has stayed home . I heard people say i dont vote because i dont know what is going on. I say good. Stupid people are writing american i am glad some of them stay home. [cheers and applause] the solution is simple. Those of us that are informed me have to help the stupid people. And you have got to be ambassadors of intelligence ambassadors of the information so stay informed to. Stay informed. If you get the chance to talk to a liberal over the weekend let me give you statistics. They dont like fax. They cannot handle the facts the most recent survey has shown over 3,000 counties across this country up until now the average increase of premiums is 49 . That does not count 2014 on top of that. A 49 . Then they give you a couple of other things. Every vote counts. I hate it when somebody says my vote does not count. Actually in 2012 in the iowa caucus. You will remember because you were involved mitt romney won over Rick Santorum by eight votes. Eight. But have all my relatives have more than eight boats. [laughter] remember the big controversy over the hanging chads and florida . Bush finally won after the votes were cast every vote counts. In the 1994 the second Congressional District in connecticut was decided by 21 votes. And in 1984 the eight Congressional District of indiana every vote counts. Stay informed. If you get an opportunity to convince people it counts then use those stats. People dont know how bad it is. Second, telling me how much time i have. [laughter] with mr. Turing tomatoes and onions that may i will get off the stage. Stay involved. You are here because you are involved or stay in party politics. That is good for you support your favorite candidate in the are involved in the Tea Party Liberals and the democrats try to make you feel ashamed when you should be proud to be part of the teapartier movement in america. [cheers and applause] teapartier is an attitude. Then they tell you what the tea Party Attitude is. Less government, less taxes and more individual responsibility and live by the constitution. Of that is what it says. What is wrong with that . [applause] i am not mad at you righteous get passionate. I encourage you to stay involved dont be intimidated by not staying involved to take back our country. Third, and finally ralph ralph, state inspired. The liberals want you to do believe that we cannot take the country back. Said driver that brought me over here said what do you think about obamacare . I said it socks sucks. [cheers and applause] [laughter] can anything be done about it . Yes. Is called repealed and replaced they want you to believe it cannot be repealed and replaced. I can tell you there was a very good solution plan on the table in georgia that most people never heard of. Their solutions out there better than that that is part of the challenge why we have to focus on 2014. Believes in tomorrow to stay informed. How many grandparents are in here today . Grandparents, i am one also. Chine to prepare our grand kids for the future. But we have another challenge that there is a future there when they get there. Conservatives all over the country. We have a dual responsibility. So i message is simple. Stay informed to learn something. Come to the conferences tuesday involved. Is no longer a spectator sport. You have got to be in the every arena. Because i was called to run. People ask me recently and i asked this all the time will you run again . I will remind them that currency says in god we trust. It is not in the god that i trust. Liberals dont understand that. They go crazy. When he referred to do the bible and your faith i will continue to stand and referred to my face whenever i get an opportunity which is why i applaud you for attending the faith and Freedom Conference here in washington d. C. But i will leave you with these words. [laughter] i closed my ipad. [laughter] i speak at a lot of colleges and universities on purpose in there recently spoke at Morehouse College at a predominantly black school they have theyve republicans club. [cheers and applause] a young man that is now a graduate of morehouse wrote a commentary that a letter posted on my website with something that i have been using ever since as a reminder of the greatness of this country that america is the place that the feats nightmares with dreams. The american dream. That is the america we are fighting for. Stay informed. Stay involved. And state inspired. Stay in the fight to take back our country. Thank you very much the. [cheers and applause] the thesis of the book that is being ignored, left behind, not included in the discussion for either party. Particularly i would argue the Republican Party i call them bluecollar conservatives, the folks that are working people people, most dont have College Degrees, that still understand the value of work and responsibility and to to understand the importance of family and faith and you said those are conservative Republican Voters that they are not. They are not voted at all because they dont see their party talking to them about the concerns they have to create an opportunity to live the american dream. The committee will come to order. We planned on a business meeting to subpoena to use sets of documents that was a longstanding request from the committee from v. A. The date provided information about removal of six employees over the last two fiscal years and this request was made by multiple members of this committee including myself in multiple hearings going back through february they deliver the second set of documents which i requested october 2013. So each individual for fiscal year 2011 and 2012 although the response to our request was delayed the production was sufficient so after consultation with the Ranking Member we will belong to have a business meeting. So it is to award bonuses to executives at the department of Veterans Affairs will get that outlandish culture and the crisis that seems to have despite the fact that the performance fails to deliver on our promise to our veterans. As the investigation and contusions coverups are exposed how the department has arrived to the point it is today. Sadly it has eroded Veterans Trust with the mission. Part of that mistrust centers that employees are motivated by financial incentives alone and i can see why that perception is out there. Instead of using bonuses as an award on behalf of the veterans cash awards are seen as the entitlement and have become irrelevant to the quality of work product for our know we all agree preventable patient death and the backlog of claims cost overruns and construction delays and deliver behavior are not behaviors to be rewarded. But despite startling issues that come to light to highlight the same issues so those getting fiscal your 2014. It was paid out over performance of words for fy 13 days awards went to a least 65 of the Senior Executive work force at the department and and not a single list manager bought a 470 individuals received less than a fully successful Performance Review for the last fiscal year. Not one. To look at the investigation you would find the issue we raised a day is questions from seven years ago. There seems to be little if any improvements. The b. A. Construction and chief admitted he could not explain why he collected almost 55,000 in performance bonuses with failed construction plans that cost our government nearly 1. 5 billion of cost overruns. December 2012 in the investigation talk about an outbreak that led to a least six patient deaths the director there received a perfect Performance Review and Michael Moreland to oversaw the pittsburgh operation at the time collected a 63,000 bonus the average american that is considered to be a competitive annual salary not a bonus. The Medical Center director received near the 12,000 bonus despite the open investigation into veterans exposure to hepatitis bb and c under his watch those who over receive multiple preventable death also received bonuses over his four years there former director of the of the eight Regional Office in waco taxes receive 63,000 in bonuses and the average disability claim processing time multiplied to an inexcusable muffles. Unfortunately i could go on and on these are not the only instances of those charged to manage the of Health Care Facilities coming far below a short of the quality so there are far too many examples that prove bonuses to manager good performance progressively as we had previously heard the request for monetary gain rather than Public Service has led to data manipulation of a secret list with a false perception that is timely and responsive to veterans and the scandalous and criminal and that would argue that their runs far deeper than just phoenix. Today we will explore a the circumstances around the performance bonus award to the former director to ms. Sharon holman she was given and 8,200,500 bonus for her performance during the fiscal year 2013 only after allegations against her cave to light as a result of this committees work did a conscientious employee examine whether she received a bonus and 2013 when we questioned the award they determined she was given a bonus due to an administrative error. However documentations in all Performance Reviews are old and it be reviewed and signed by the secretary. Furthermore her direct supervisor susan bauer stated it made that sharon received her bonus for a highly successful breeding and improving access concerns and the wait list. Perhaps we should docile question her qualifications these stories do not match up and it brings into question and the transparency and diligence when insuring thousands of dollars in bonuses. Although acting secretary gibson has pled of freeze on all bonuses for the time being it is still the committees responsibility to understand the rationale for awarding five figure bonuses to individuals who have clearly fallen short of the departments mission and their commitment a performance bonus award should not be received because you could check off a few boxes on a form it should not be the expectation it is not an entitlement those at the department of Veterans Affairs are there to serve veterans and their families anything less should not be reported. The mean the system is not the business the virginia should begin to debut here what they have to say about their review systemize senior managers who have overseen failure have received thousands of dollars in bonuses and how loved these could have led to the terrible situation the department is now an. With that i am recognized the Ranking Member for his statement. Thank you very much for having this hearing and the witness for coming as well. But this book entitled the greatest management principle ever the things that are measured are the things that get done. We have seen this statement within the v. A. In a negative way as stated the focus on unrealistic wait time measures of the employees to manipulate the system you like they are meeting the measured standards. The things that they get measured and rewarded are things that are done well. They will look at the second piece how the executives are awarded and how the system does or does not incentivize the things to get on well. The floor of the get into that discussion there are a lot of employees to do things well. The shine the light of those who do not spell let me pause to shine a positive light on the hardworking employees for those whod do things well. And we must not forget that and thank you for your service for setting an example hopefully all the employees within the v. A. Look at the bottom line. With that i would ask unanimous consent the remainder of remarks be put into the record and i yield back. Without objection should you have one would be entered at the appropriate time. We have one panelist we will hear from the honorable teeeighteen from the department of Veterans Affairs please stand and raise your right hand. You solemnly swear under penalty of perjury the test when youre about to provide is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth . Give abc did the statement as part of their record and 84 being here you are recognized for five minutes to make chairman miller distinguished members of the committee thank you for the opportunity to appear to discuss the Management System of a bite to express on behalf of the v. A. Workforce a commitment the department of veterans to accomplish this mission paid must recruit and retain the best talent they require special skills of Health Care Information technology and benefit delivery. In particular croupier requires Senior Executives you manage facilities and programs as we compete in public and private labor markets to remain competitive you must rely on tools to recognize superior performance. Also acknowledge remus do a better job to hold our leaders accountable senior bishop must become of war is engaged to include counseling and documentation. We realize that improvement also serves as a model for the appraisal process. The key is stringent than precise implementation whether executives to a general schedule employees but also to have Performance Management has many challenges in this objective and complex it used to identify superlative in the foundation and Senior Executives must understand have the critical elements that are practical to Performance Management purposes and also understand the process and how to document some decisions will be defensible. To confident they communicate and prevailed during the due process steps that follows v. A. Is fortifying executive Performance Management and how to confront for performance we cannot assume we are skilled in these areas they must receive frequent and better training under guidance the data shows the implementation of the process is more rigorous over the last few years between 2010 to 2013 v. A. At decrease the outstanding rating from 35 percent down at 21 now have a Senior Executive performance appraisal system to receive certification agencies must demonstrate the policies in devaluation Senior Executives and distribution of awards also to make the distinctions to receive the certification the failure to receive certification has consequences to a federal Agency Progress outlined monetary awards redesigned to be part of the conference when dash compensation in failure to recognize whats the v. A. Times for other agencies are the private sector as the most effective senior talent the process used is described in my written testimony but i will touch on the high points that as uniformity to the weight executives with the single performance Management System of title five and title 38. We use five rating levels and published standards presently the appraisal system goes beyond the minimum standard and in 2011 v. A. Added reviewing officials that is not required. This official is responsible for highlighting key areas of disagreement and in addition the pork Performance Review committee to conduct an additional review prior to review of the review board. Of the edition of this committee is an added feature as the consistency. We are also redefining the policy to ensure clear and concise guidance on the process in closing is clear that v. A. Has to do a better job to be held accountable for poor performance to establish clear standards and then hold them accountable they cannot assume we are adequately skilled soviet taking steps to refine the training courses to address the shortfall. To continue to attract and retain the best and brightest leaders. Think you for the opportunity to appear before you today and a look forward to your questions. You call your testimony through 2013 not as a Single Member of those individuals received less than fully satisfactory or successful breeding. Is that correct . Train wreck correct. Of nova and what we know now about the actions taken inactions of facilities all across the country do think the departments assessment 100 percent of senior managers have been fully successful over the past four years is in line with reality . Mr. Chairman if we knew what we do today at that time it is unlikely that performance would have reflected at the time the reports were written. Do you go back and change the review based on information that has been gathered after the fact . Mr. Chairman you cannot go back to change our rating once a has been issued to an employee. Even if there is information that was headed . Mac is that no law or a rule . It is all lost the macanese to be changed. There are other ways to discipline employees for misconduct. Wait. You tell me if you find out somebody does something that specifically harms veterans that is potentially criminal that the departments position is you would not go back to change somebody is raging to do that . If we had the ability. So my question is is that something you would recommend to have that changed so you can go back and change Performance Reviews . I could agree with that if it was across the federal government. Were focused on v. A. And they aint been doing very well lately. I would hope the acre and frustration is that i hear in the secretarys voice will filter through every employee or the central office. Things have to change it cannot be continued. I concur. Spending considerable time in pittsburgh in the water system and it is proven at least six preventable deaths. During this time period the director had the responsibility to oversee this facility but was given a 63,000 bonus. Are you aware of that . I am aware. During questioning at a field hearing in pittsburgh on september 9 he told this committee was his understanding that secretary did not have the authority to rescind the bonus of a blood kin to that. Did anyone ask you about the authority to rescind a bonus prior to that case . Note mr. Chairman. Guest to ask the office of general counsel . I am not aware. It is safe to say he sought his own Legal Counsel and never booked acted at all . To american witticism he discussed it with general counsel and their views about rescinding bonuses or awards based on a rating already given to win employee if fidelity is we have no authority to take everything back or the award which is the result of the rating. Cattery take helens bonus back . That was erroneously released. The v. A. Has a Standard Operating Procedure any employee with an investigation ongoing that we have been made aware of with the Inspector General or other venues they are on a deferred the list. Her name was on the deferred 2013 last. Her preteen should not have been released. It was never definitively said that was the final rating