The subcommittee on health will now come to order. The chair wishes to observe that this hearing was originally scheduled to occur last wednesday morning, but on that wednesday morning the capitol hill family and the entire country was shocked and horrified to learn about an awful attack that took place against our own. This past week has been sobering and difficult for all of us in many different ways. A number of friends indeed, a member of this very committee is still in the hospital and they continue to need our prayers as they fight to heal and recover and in the incoming days, join us again. Last weeks tragedy reminds us that what unites us is more of port and then what divides us. We are not first democrats or republicans, we are americans, we love our country, we respect our colleagues. We are saddened but we are strong, we are troubled but we will unite around our common duty and are Common Service to our fellow countrymen, that spirit of unity, pause for just a brief moment o
Democrats, 202 7370001 and independents, 202 6280205. Phone lines are open so start dialing in. Let us begin with the reaction from donald trump. He issued a statement yesterday after president obama expelled the Russian Diplomats as well as closing two compounds in the u. S. Saying it is time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. But in the interest of our country, i will meet with leaders of the Intelligence Community next week in order to be updated on the facts. From capitol hill, the chairman of the Armed Services committee, john mccain saying that the white house sanctions are long overdue but a small price for russia to pay for this reason attack on u. S. Democracy. Senator mccain promising tougher action against russia. Leader, the top democrat in the senate says strongly support the Obama Administration work to fight back against russias interference in our election system. And the top democrat on the Foreign Affairs committee, senator ben cardin sing the whi
Have the answers it needs from this government. We ask the department of justice to take her to court for targeting these groups and disclosing taxpayer obligations, which is a felony. After going over these steps and the facts, i would like to ask my colleagues across the aisle to tell me how it is that you can argue that we conclude this investigation . Is it because the president says so . Is it because Ranking Member cummings says so . How about attorney generic holder . Is it because there is a piece f evidence absolves her . If this is this strule a waste of time, prove it to us and we can move on. Until then, i recommend to my friends across the aisle quite crying foul. When get to the bottom of this, i hope there will be no one on days. Er side of the i do not find pleasure of holding eric holder in contempt. I do not enjoy holding any federal official in contempt. The situation a loselugse lose situation for all citizen, regardless of political beliefs. It is our job to procee
Deserve to hear those answers. Timehere comes a point in prompt otherthings things. Thatis instance, the idea has, ire rights that one think we have to deal with that first. As i said in my opening about whatit is not is bigger than us. T is bigger than this moment it is bigger than ms. Lerner. It is about generations yet unborn. I think somebody who asked the question, people laughed. It was a series question. People come before this committee in the future, will we have to read them their rights . Will we have to give them a miranda warning . Will we have to tell them that any syllable that is said may be used against them . Think we really have to be careful in the precedent we are setting. There will be disagreements with regard to the law. I have been practicing over 20 years. I had disagreements with lawyers. I remember in law school we would argue cases in the court read one person will look at the same fax and have one opinion. No matter how you look at the facts, the things th
Powers for purely political purposes. Part of a larger pattern of this Administration Using the irs to shut down its critics and opponents and to change the outcome of elections. When i go back home to the town Hall Meetings or when people come to my office, they will bring up the number 1, 2, 3 issues they are concerned about. There is always somebody in the back that says, wait a minute, what about my free speech rights . Why cant congress get to the bottom of this . That takes a rather lengthy explanation. There are those of us that are committed to do that. That is why they are frustrated, concerned, angry. That is why they think the america they have grown up in and appreciated and they want to leap to their kids and grandkids, the very fact they cant get up and say what is on their mind or take part in the political process, is in danger. Has been in danger. This is an attack. That is just the way we have to put it. It is an attack on the First Amendment rights of our citizens ju