[indiscernible] [indiscernible] [indiscernible] call to order. [indiscernible] attorney general sessions welcome and for all of the people in the audience we welcome you as well. I think dash and i think general sessions for being here for this oversight. Is just one of the critical functions of our branch its is an opportunity for congress to investigate and question the policieses and actions of any executive branch its an opportunity for the executive branch to take responsibility for any of the policies and actions. And check any abuses high and overreaching executive branch. Its been that way for 230 years. Some have complained we havent had oversight hearing with this attorney general. My reason for deferring was that the attorney general attorney general should have his team in place before appearing before us certainly attorney general holder did have the respective teams in place by the time they appeared here. The other side has been blocking executive nominations for the past ten months. Significantly the department of justice. Enforcing laws in ensuring Public Safety against foreign and domestic threats and a lot of other responsibilities. Our citizens look to the department of justice to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime we rely on the department to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior in to ensure fair and impartial administrationf of justice they currently faces many difficult issues our country is challenged with the overgaard rowing threat weve seen them evolving around the world especially impact in europe. In the uk alone. In the past nine months i have a couple of paragraphs here of other things that have gone on both in europe and the United States that to save timeat im going to skip over but there has been a lot of People Killed and terrorist attacks in the western world our something that we ought to be very concerned about their real and we must protect our country by lawful means. Congress has tried to do so by providing lawful authorities such as section 702 of the pfizer amendment act. Congress passed the legislation and president bush signed into law in 2008 after more debate and president obamas support congress reauthorized the law in 2012 on change. The law is again up for reauthorization. Its scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Its up to congress to reauthorize the National Security tool while permit preserving privacy and civil liberties. General sessions i am interested in hearing your the on the important legislation. In september the fbi released its annual crime datath for the second year in a row it increase across the United States. They have seen massive increases in homicides. Baltimore, is on pace to top the homicide number even though the population is almost meet 8 million less. In a National Epidemic of overdose death in abuse of opioids drugs. Over 47,000 people died in 2014. 50,000 died in 2015 and last year 64,000 people. Now that we have a new administration i want to know what the department of justice is doing to reduce Violent Crime to ensure that the citizens around the country are safe i also want to find out, what the department is doing to combat Opioid Crisis a and we all care deeply about this issue. The abusepa of prescription painkillers there destroying lives in communities across iowa. And the nation as a whole i cosponsored the comprehensive addiction and recovery act known as terra it passed through this committee and signed into law last year it addresses the Opioid Crisis in a comprehensive way. By raising almost 900 million over five years just this past weekend reports suggested that Congress Gave a pass to Big Drug Companies making prescription opioids the Patient Access and effective Drug Enforcement act. Last year signed up on this bill. Now the former da employees are really against the law pointing fingers at lawmakers if dea head problems with this bill they were the ones that couldve given that. And have the expertise to Warn Congress and they didnt they signed into law. Im planning on having an oversight hearing that will include gearns department. I dont need to go through the history of that. The aft has recently briefed the judicial staff on the addition to guns called bump stocks we will be looking more at that issue. In september the president announced a wind down of the deferred action against childhood arrival programs. With the sixmonth extension my office received preliminary data showing 200021 individuals who had the status terminated for criminal gang activity. We want to know who they are and what kind of crimes that are committed and if there was any gangs. Separately, you announced earlier this year. Fifty more Immigration Judges were supposed to be added to the bench for this year and 75 more next year. We need to know what steps they have taken and what still needs to be done to reduce the immigration court. There is another issue that i want to address that came up in the news just yesterday. In june 2015 and again last weekek i wrote to the Justice Department about the acquisition of uranium one which was approved during the last administration. It resulted in rezoning 20 of americas uranium mining capacity. It turns out that during the transaction the Justice Departmentnt had ongoing criminal investigation for bribery extortion, Money Laundering they are involved in theco sum close to Vladimir Putin. All of this was going on the Clinton Foundation reportedly received millions of dollars from interested parties. They were one of the agencies that give a thumb up. The Previous Administration to approve the transaction in my letter. Pr they will approved the transaction. If they were aware of the criminal probe. This committee has an obligation to get to the bottom of this issue. The committee is also waiting for responses to 11 oversight letters sent to the Justice Department in which the attorney general has not recused. I expect the letters will be answered and most importantly those from the Previous Administration. I also want to ask about the firing of the former director in james comey. In for this country. They have to know why he was fired in the middle 70 high profile cases. So thank you. For being heree in for your continued service to the country. Thank you very much. Mister chairman. G this is the first time youve appeared before this committee. As a former member you know while the oversight authorityl. That we hold as i mentioned at the confirmation hearing. At the independence of the attorney general. For the attorney general master is the people in the law. Importantly his job is to enforce federal law. This is a trump era. What you mean like that. During the confirmation hearing. Enforcement of laws to ensure access. It would be a quote special priority. The Justice Department for nearly six years of the department of justice had argued that the texas law was unconstitutional. They have a disproportionate effect on minorities. The department dropped its opposition to the texas law. Nt under ohios procedures the voters who had it cast the ballot in six years and failed to return a postcard were removed from state voting rules. This process reportedly had that in one county alone. I hope the county which covers cleveland and the surrounding suburbs. It forbids the state from removing individuals in a post ohios purge some six circuit agreed that the process for removing them. They can cast them in the 2016 a president ial election. However, and now the department is taking the side of removing boaters from the rolls. Even though the last election clearly demonstrated how this eligible voters. I would not like to turn to lgbt rights. I worked to ensure the americans have equal rights and protections under the law and its important to me that we preserve these protections. They should not do that. Enter confirmation hearing you testified and i quote we must continue to move forward and never back down. Their safety. I was very pleased. They were taking that to send with tyler. It was initiated by you. I was concerned to learn that the summer the Justice Department switched its position on title vii. It does not protect the lgbt workers. And then on october 5 just two weeks ago you issued a memorandum and agency heads. That they might take the position that does not protect that. They were urging the courts to discriminate against all algae bt workers. There are other controversial policies the travel ban for example multiple federal courts found the muslim ban unconstitutional. B to the nations commitment. The Justice Department staunchly defends. The program be terminated. Theyve come out of the shadows. Two authorities they seek the opportunity to get it. Most of us believe the dreamers and body the mirror american spirit. They want to hear about the firing of fbi director james comey. Within days however the president admitted to lester holt on nbc news that he actually fired james comey because of the russia thing. Thats also been reported that the day before he fired director comey resident trump summoned his top advisers and told them that he have preparedrm a termination letter. Its important i believe to understand what role you head in that process including conversations with the president and others in the white house. And we expected answers. In conclusion attorney general. Our country depends. That on the independent. With these and other important issues. I think you mister chairman. I do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give before the committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . And nothing but the truth so help you god . Since we did not get a copy of the opening remarks. With to get to the question sooner. The Ranking Member in distinguished members of the committee. In honor of a lifetime. To serve as attorney general. You can understand and know. Twenty years and that committee with oversight. I understand the responsibilities i have. To be worthy of the trustd. And reduce Violent Crime. Stop deadly drug dealers and strengthen the rule of law. It is the exciting activity. Dealing with the terrorismus threats that he faced. An important step to ensuring that he is coming. Most may not know the Supreme Court one course injunction against that order. You can do that. We know. We have seen the fastest overall increase in Violent Crime in 25 years. The homicide rate. In 2015. I believe it is a trend that we must confront. One of the First Executive orders. And in simple terms to reduce crime in america. We have heard of that challenge we embrace it and we are setting about to do something about it. We understand the key fact and we all need to understand this. Nd 85 percent of a Law Enforcement officers at america are state and local. They are better trained and more professional than ever. As a huge factor in that decline in crime in my opinion that weve seen previously. And we know crime in america well never be reduced without a partnership between federal and state officers. They professionally applied and in accordance with scientifically proven policies can impact the crime rate. If we look at the cities. You noted. New york. Has dedicated itself over decades to highly effective pro actor policing. They sought 334 homicides last year. Only a third of the size of new york logged more than twice as many murders. The professionals in the department has been intensely studied how the prevent Crime Reduction techniques i was very pleased with their plan. Whatever the Violent Crime might be or have been in the next few years it will be lower if these policies are followed. I can assure you of that. Our aim is to see to focus on the most dangerous repeat offenders. It is one of the most effective tools congress has provided. I know a number of you are concerned about the operations of that program. I hear your concerns. I had established an asset for teacher to oversee the entirety of this program. To ensure that itat operates in an accountable and responsible way and be able to report to you that any time you need information about it. They are committed to protecting the civil rights of all americans. In two prosecute from violence. Every american regardless of who they are must be safe from violence and criminality. We will not shy away from defending First Amendment rights. To protect the right to speak and assemble peacefully. We are in the midst of the deadliest drug epidemic in this country has ever seen. Mi weve seen see nothing like it. Our availability of drugs and lower prices increase purity along with the deadly substance fentanyl has resulted in climbing and death death tolls across this country. Was 502000 last year. And 64,000 died in at 16. They began with Prescription Drug addiction. And then moved to heroin and sentinel. There can be no doubt we need a much stricter accountability in the manufacturing and prescribing distribution. We do not need to delay this any longer. We know that most of thehe heroine cocaine methamphetamine and fentanyl that fentanyl that is feeling bringing balance, addiction and death. An important factor in the longterm success for decades the American People have asked for a just, lawful system of immigration. They are right in their demands. We can and the illegality and present trump has set and on ambiguous message to the world. The flow has been reduced by almost half. A but there is more to do we can end the lawlessness. Legislation is essential. A result and effective plant. Including a border wall. Significant reform. And enhance interior enforcement. With the progress already achieved our country is on its way and whether its in and to sanctuary city policies or a verification system to ensure lawful employment they are supported by the best enjoyment of americans. There has been that in that respect of law. The agendas has been substitutedbe for following the law. This department of justice respects congress and the constitution in the constitution and we intend to enforce the laws as you had written them. To be lawful and contrary to the laws passed by this institution. In congress you now have the ability to act on this issue. I would just note that the president has said he wants to work with congress he is his heart for young people but we have got to have more than just an him in the city for friends. We need a good improvement in the illegality thats going on and there is an opportunity right now im telling you an opportunity now to do something historic. So the department is also directing the taxpayers dollars to the overwhelming number of cities and states that cooperate. It is not an entitlement. Its in allocation of taxpayer dollars to impact the goal. We urge our jurisdictions to cooperate with federal officials. And stop lettingin aliens back on the street that for them victimize the communities. It does not make sense. We are grateful that the overwhelmingly most cities and jurisdictions cooperate fully into those who have heard our message and are now cooperating so after 20 years in this body i understand the responsiveness something you had been vocal about ever since i had been on this committeeho and we are going to do so. We inherited a very significant backlog of unanswered congressional inquiries. Dating back to 2015. And we have already reduced it by halfha you can be sure that we will continue to reduce that. It will remain a priority of ours. A i want to address the latter the letter i received. That letter demanded thaty, i determine by today whether the president will invoke executive privilege about issues on which i maybe ask about today. Vo i have considered this request very respectfully. It is an important matter. But consistent with the longstanding power and policy. With the executive branch i can neither assert executive privilege nor can i disclose today the content of my confidential conversations with the president. Under the administration of both parties it is well established that a president is entitled to have private Confidential Communications with his cabinet officials and secretary of state. The secretary of treasury and certainly has counsel and the attorney general of the United States who provides counsel. And that such communications are within the core of executive privilege. Until such time that the president makes a decision with respect to this privilege i cannot wave that privilege myself or otherwise compromise his ability to assert it. As a result, during todays hearing and under these circumstances. We would not be able to discuss the content of the conversation with the president. I understand you have an important oversight and responsibility today and i hope you will respectct this longstanding practice and respect the duty that i feel and then i face. Mister chairman, thank you and i would be prepared to do my best to answer your questions. I would like to make two points before i start to ask questions. And only because you mentioned the back log of letters. In january the president put we wouldvisory that only answer questions for chairman of committees. That leaves out about 35 republicans at least. Pu republican or democrat. Chairman or not. The other thing is for the benefit of the committees in the long oversight hearing we are going to have today i think you for your cooperation on a request i made last timethi that if you get it at the end of your seven minutes and you start before the last second hits a and you ask a question go ahead and ask that question you get hit and answer it. Some of you noticed i think that there was special considera