Being late. I really dont have any opening remarks but i welcome all of our colleagues that will do introductions and alternate over to senator feinstein. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. As you can see we have four nominees before the committee today. I would like to welcome the majority leader, thank you for being here. We have not had a Senate Confirmed director of the atf since march 2015. In fact, weve only had one Senate Confirmed head of the agency since the director position was subject to Senate Confirmation in 2006. I am very pleased that members of this committee will have the ability to question not only on his record but also on his priorities for combating gun violence should he be confirmed to this position. I really have been at this for so long and i have seen as experience so many senseless tragedies at the hands of firearms. From parkland to newtown from San Bernardino to sullivan springs, from las vegas to the streets of chicago, and most recently at a Food Festiv
The chair the gentleman will suspend. Pursuant to House Resolution 504, the gentleman from new york, the gentleman from new york, mr. Serrano, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. Mr. Serrano sorry for interrupting you, mr. Chairman. My amendment is very straightforward and prohibit funds allocated in the bill being used for the construction and operation of private forprofit prisons. The use of private the use of private prisons in our country is in a crises. People are being locked up in a facility that doesnt respect basic human rights. One in four people behind bars worldwide is in a United States jail. Thats right. The country with less than 5 of the worlds population accounts for a quarter of all the worlds prisoners. In fact, our prison population has continued to increase over the past few decades even as statistics have shown a decrease in crime. According to the f. B. I. , violent and Major Property crimes are at a historic low. Nevertheless, more and more ame
[gavel pounding] [indiscernible] attorney general sessions, welcome. For all the people in the audience, we welcome you as well. Think general set thank general sessions were being here that attorney general sessions were being here for the oversight hearing. His is an opportunity for congress to investigate and question the policies and actions of any executive branch. It is an opportunity for the executive branch to take any of thosey for policies and actions, and an toortunity for congress defend its constitutional powers and check any abuses by an overreaching executive branch, and it has been that way for 230 years. That wee complained have not had an oversight hearing with this attorney general earlier. Was that for deferring the attorney general should have his team in place before appearing before us. Certainly, attorney general holder and attorney general did have their respective teams well in place by the time they appeared here as you are now here. The other side has been b
British house of commons, and a statement on state Department Reorganization plans. Next, attorney general Jeff Sessions outlines plans to reinstate the federal Asset Forfeiture program and at a Justice Department meeting with state and local Law Enforcement officials, the program was shut down ounce it allows police to seize property of those suspect have had a crime even if they are never charged or convicted. Attorney general sessions hello there. Good, please have a seat. Well get started. Maybe we can chat a little afterwards, too. Glasses. I want to thank all of you for attending. I see many faces that ive gotten to know over the years and in the last few months in particularly and i want to thank our Law Enforcement partners, the major city chiefs of police association, International Chiefs of police group, and to many other officers from all over the country that are here today. I know this issue of forfeiture is probably your top issue, the thing that youve talked to me the mo
Glasses. I want to thank all of you for attending. I see many faces that ive gotten to know over the years and in the last few months in particularly and i want to thank our Law Enforcement partners, the major city chiefs of police association, International Chiefs of police group, and to many other officers from all over the country that are here today. I know this issue of forfeiture is probably your top issue, the thing that youve talked to me the most about, and the thing that President Trump has indicated that he understands and supports you in. So, thaunk for your service to the country, and all you do to make this a safer place. At any of these Law Enforcement partners will tell you, and as President Trump knows well, civil Asset Forfeiture is a key to that helps Law Enforcement defund organized crime, takes back ill gotten gains from them, and prevent new crimes from being committed, and weakness the criminals and their cartels. It weakance the criminal organization when you ta