Higgins who recently wrote about donald trump and his overseas investments. That is it for today. See you tomorrow. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] next, attorney general Loretta Lynch testifies before a House Committee about the Justice Departments 2017 budget request. Then, live at noon, republican president ial candidate john kasich holds a town hall meeting in nashville, tennessee. Campaign 2016 is take you on the road to the white house. Today is the South Carolina democratic primary. Our live coverage begins at 7 00 andern with Hillary Clinton bernie sanders. We will also get your reactions. Join us today. On wednesday, attorney general Loretta Lynch testified before a house panel about her departments 2017 budget request. She also talked about president obamas plan to close the andlity at Guantanamo Bay improving relations between communities and Law Enforcement. This is just over two hours. The appropriations subcommittee will come to order. It is a privilege to have you with us here today, attorney general lynch. Our first hearing together with you as the attorney general and me as the chairman. On behalf of the Law EnforcementCommunity Across america and for all of us as americans who depend on the good work that you and your officers and every Law Enforcement officer at the state and local level do, we want to thank you. We are counting on you to keep us safe, to ensure that laws are enforced as written by congress. We are immensely grateful for the sacrifice that you and everyone in uniform make on behalf of our great country. In fiscal year 2017, we will work to ensure that the department of justice has the resources that it needs to do its job, not only enforcing our laws as written by congress, but to combat cybercrime, gangs, terrorism, Human Trafficking, and espionage. Of course, our subcommittee is responsible to ensure that hardearned tax dollars are spent wisely and frugally, in compliance with federal law as written by congress, and we are confident that the relationship that you and i and your staff have are developed, have developed, we are moving in the right direction. We will find ways to continue that cooperation and ensure that money that is hardearned that our constituents pay to the irs and the federal government is used to heat our streets safe and is spent wisely and frugally. It is very important, and i know you as the new attorney general will do all you can to ensure that we dont hear that any of our hardearned tax dollars are spent for lavish parties, unnecessary expenses, or unauthorized activities. In our hearing today, and in the weeks and months to come throughout the remainder of president obamas term in office, i know you will work to convince this committee that the department of justice is working to diligently enforce federal law and spend our hardearned tax dollars wisely and frugally to protect us. Even though there are federal laws the administration wants to change but does not have congressional support to change, it is our sponsor as good stewards of our constituents dollars. I would like to hear how your department is protecting the second minute rights of americans, ensuring Second Amendment rights of americans, ensuring that officials are not releasing violent alien criminals into communities. As the new chairman of the subcommittee, the rule is that if a federal agency or state or local government expects to receive general federal money, they have to comply with federal law. I am delighted with the letter you sent me. It seems like we are on the same page. Very pleased to hear that. We also want to talk about what the department of justice is doing to combat cybercrime and espionage, and above all protect the United States from terrorism. I look forward to working with you throughout the year as the appropriations process moves forward. I would like to recognize the Ranking Member, mr. Honda from california, for any remarks he would like to make. Thank you. I would like to thank you for your leadership and a very collegial and open atmosphere amongst the members of our subcommittee. I would also like to welcome to our subcommittee attorney general lynch. Thank you for coming here to testify today. As our nations chief Law Enforcement officer, we are grateful to you for your service to our country and commitment to upholding the rule of law. We also are thankful for the thousands of hardworking men and women at the department of justice to work around the clock to keep us safe. I look forward to building upon last years successes by putting together a strong appropriate bills that supports the mission of the Law Enforcement agencies and protecting the American People. Especially among the most vulnerable among us. Im pleased that the president s budget provides for a healthy increase for what has been a relatively stagnant department of justice. I think we all agreed the mission of the department is and thatto our country they have the resources it needs effectively enforce our nations laws. With that, ive want to thank you again for joining us this morning. I look forward to hearing your testimony and response to questions from the members of our subcommittee. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, mr. Honda. Madame attorney general, you are recognized for your opening statement. If we could, id encourage you to keep your statement to five minute, summarize, and that will give us additional time for questions. Again welcome. , we look forward to hearing your opening statement. We will proceed. Thank you. Madame lynch thank you. It is an honor to appear before you today. Im grateful for the opportunity to discuss the 2017 budget for the department of justice which reflecting our commitment to creating the stronger nation and more empowered communities that every american deserves. In the last year, thanks to the thousands of dedicated men and women who served the department of justice and thanks to the ongoing support of the distinguished committee, we have taken tremendous steps toward that goal. We have prosecuted violent extremist and dangerous criminals. We have defended the integrity of our markets and the beauty of our natch really resources. Weve also worked to end Human Trafficking, to disrupt the flow of Illegal Drugs and weapons, and to eradicate international corruption. Weve created new opportunities for Second Chances in our Justice System and new foundations of trust in our cities and towns. These are real and meaningful achievements. The request set forth in the president 2017 budget request will allow us to build upon this encouraging progress. As always the department of justices First Priority is the safety and security of the American People. The president s budget would invest an additional 781 million in the National Security capabilities. Including critical measures to address radicalism and sophisticated encryption. That request contains funds for a new, stateoftheart fbi headquarters which would reduce insufficiently and streamline streamlineencies and communication and significantly boost our ability to thwart terrorists threat. It invest for 63 million intelligencesharing capabilities. This would allow us to more ally coordinate with the central partners and the counterparts overseas. It is a direct 38 million for the tools that we need for encrypted data and communication so we can investigate and prosecutor criminals and terrorists to attempt to hide the evidence of their crimes. As weve seen recently, this is not a theoretical issue. As weve made clear the going dark problem is a very real threat to Law Enforcements mission to protect Public Safety and ensure that criminals are caught and held accountable. It is a long standing principle in the Justice System if an independent judge find reason to believe a certain item contains evidence of a crime, that then judge can authorize the government to conduct a limited search for that evidence. If the government needs the assistance of third parties to ensure that the search is actually conducted, judges all over the country and on the Supreme Court have said that those parties must assist if it is reasonably within their powers to do so. Thats what weve been asking. We owe it to the victims and public whose safety we must protect to fully investigate terrorists attacks on american soil. As technology continues to evolve, were also focused on stepping up our work against those who attempt to use the energy to attack americas infrastructure, steal trade secrets, and jeopardize the privacy and property of everyday citizens. Accordingly, the fiscal year 2017 budget would dedicate 121 million in Additional Resources to investigating cybercrimes and fortifying the Justice Departments Vital Information networks. The majority of our resources, 85 million, will be used to enhance the fbis ability and capacity to collect and analyze digital evidence and to increase the overall number of cyber investigations. Together this important funding will allow us to keep pace with the fastchanging landscape of cybercrime. Now our commitment to protecting the American People is matched by our dedication to ensure that they benefit from a criminal Justice System that is fair, efficient, and responsive. The fy 2017 budget request and increase of 247 million for one of our most successful and Ground Breaking undertakings in the area, the smart on crime initiative, which encouraging alternatives to incarceration for the nonviolent. A portion with go to the portion would go to the bureau of prisons the entry rehabilitation and Mental Health programming. Which are essential components to help formerly incarcerated individuals make the most of their Second Chance while ensuring our communities are strong and safe. Those are the kind of communities that we seek for every american. They require bonds of trust and respect between Law Enforcement officers and the people we serve. Helping to repair is one of my top priorities. The president s request reflects that focus with an increase of 25 million and an number of programs designed to Foster Collaboration between residents and Law Enforcement, including racial reconciliation and data collection. It includes additional funds for the Smart Policing program, which encouraging local jurisdictions to improve policecitizen interactions while developing costeffective solutions to crime in their communities. It enlarges our investment in the communityorientated policing Services Hiring program which extends funding to state and local departments to hire or retain officers so that they can continue to meet the full range of their constituents needs. Those of us who work in Law Enforcement have a special responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us. Few crimes prey more on the vulnerable than Human Trafficking. Which destroys families, weakens communities, and erodes the basic foundations of decency and security. The fy 2017 budget sets aside 89. 3 million for the departments efforts to combat the scourge, including 45 million for efforts to help victims of trafficking rebuild their live and reclaim their futures. 89. 3 million for the departments effort to combat this scourge, including 45 million for efforts to help victims of trafficking rebuild their lives and reclaim their futures. We are also resolved that each and every one of our young people should grow up in safety and security, which is why the budget includes a net increase over 64 million for office of Justice Program grants focused on juvenile justice and atrisk youth, including an increase of 25 million for the Delinquency Prevention Program which seeks to prevent young people from entering the criminal Justice System by providing assistance and guidance as early as possible. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, i look forward to working with this committee and with congress to secure the timely passage of the president s budget, which ises for a total of 29 billion in discretionary funding for the department including 27 billion for federal programs and 2 billion for state, local, and tribal assistance programs. This level of funding will ensure that the outstanding men and women of the department of justice whom i am so proud to lead can continue their tireless work to protect americas citizens, to defend americas values, and strengthen americas communities in the days and months ahead. I thank you once again for the opportunity to appear before you today and im happy to answer any questions. Thank you, mr. Chairman and mr. Ranking member. Thank you very much. Madam attorney general, theres been a lot of concern expressed by our constituents and citizens across the country about proposal just released yesterday that the department of defense released to close the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay that holds 91 detainees and as you know in the fiscal year 2016 appropriations act for the department of justice it includes two very specific provisions that prohibit funds from being used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer of detainees to the United States or its territories and that prohibits the department of justice from acquiring, or modifying any facility in its territories to house the detainees and i want to reassure the country and the congress. Would you agree the federal government is prohibited from establishing such facilities and from transferring guantanamo detainees into the United States or its territories . Thank you, mr. Chairman. That is the state of the law most recently passed in the ndaa and certainly as it respects the departments appropriations. We also do not participate in any efforts to do so. I believe the president s plan reflects the administrations ongoing goal to close Guantanamo Bay because of the ongoing problems it causes our country particularly abroad as a terrorist recruiting center and certainly in our National Security work we do see the effects of that. The administration is committed to closing that and, of course, we support those efforts. I would note that the administration is committed to working with congress to make that happen and certainly in light of the current statutory framework we anticipate that is what will occur. So, if theres anything we can do, well help in that regard. You wont take any action of any kind to assist in the transfer of guantanamo detainees into the United States until Congress Changes the law. Certainly that we would be prohibited from doing so. Im not aware of any efforts to do so at this time in any event. Thank you very much. In january the Obama Administration announced new executive action dealing with americans right to keep and bear arms and thats a source of great concern to americans across the country. Certainly the Second Amendment is an absolute right guaranteed to all americans and as the subcommittee chairman its highly important that ill do everything in my power to ensure that that right to keep and bear arms is protected. I was particularly concerned about the guidance on firearms on licensing that was published as part of this executive action. And i wanted to ask in particular if the guidance will the guidance in any way impact or affect hobbyists who may engagejsqk in just ordinary lawful transfers. Thank you for the question, mr. Chairman, and i agree with you its a very important issue and worthy of debate. The guidance recently published by atf which will be distributed at gun shows and individuals who have questions about whether or not they are required to obtain a license to sell firearms is designed to gather existing law in one place in a clear, easily understandable version of the various court cases that have opined on this issue. So, that individuals who have those questions, who routinely come to atf, either the atf booths at gun shows or frankly even by calling atf headquarters, will be able to have at their fingertips an outline of what the current law requires and, of course, the current law does contain the exception if one is a hobbyist or a collector, you are not engaged in the business of dealing with firearms and a license is not required for those types of transfers. Similarly if one is a Family Member or giving a gift, again, a license is not required for those types of transfers. Terrific. Thats what im aiming at. I want to make sure people listening if you are a hobbyist or you are transer iffin