Transcripts For CSPAN Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20150116

Defines us as diverse and democratic societies. Finally, i want to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate david on last months stormont house agreement. It is a tribute to the courage and determination of everyone involved, especially the leaders of northern ireland, and the governments of ireland and the United Kingdom. The u. S. Was pleased to play a small role in achieving this agreement. We will keep doing what we need to do to support the Peace Process and the Better Future for the people of northern ireland. Let me turn it over to my good friend, david cameron. Thank you very much, barack and thank you again for welcoming me to the white house. You are a great friend to britain and to me personally. As leaders, we share the same values. As you said, on so many issues we see the world in the same way. Most of the time we speak the same language. [laughter] in the last six years since he became president and in the nearly five since i have been Prime Minister, we faced big issues on our watch. Those challenges have boiled down to one word, security. Economic security, the jobs and Living Standards of our citizens, and National Security, the ability of our peoples to live safely and in peace. At the heart of both issues are the values that are countries cherish. Freedom of expression, rule of law, and our democratic institutions. Those are the things that make both our countries strong and which give us confidence that even in the midst of the most violent storms, with strong leadership we will come through to safer, calmer, and brighter days. During your presidency you have had to deal with the aftermath of a massive banking crisis and the recession. When i became Prime Minister britain had the highest budget deficit in its peacetime history. Our economy was in grave peril. Five years ago we had 110,000 troops serving together in afghanistan. Thanks to their efforts, today it is Afghan Forces taking responsibility for security in their country. But we continue to face difficult times for the world. We have to deal with the warning lights flashing in the global economy. Weak growth in the eurozone, slowdown in emerging markets that is why it is vital for our shared prosperity that we both stick to the longterm economic plans that we set out. We agreed that 2015 should be a pivotal year for an ambitious and comprehensive euu. S. Trade deal that could benefit the average household and britain by 400 pounds a year. The uk is now the top destination for american and foreign investment, with 500 projects last year providing 32,000 jobs. America is the u. K. s biggest trade partner. Our message on the Economy Today is simple. We are going to stick to the course. Seeing through our economic plans is the only Sustainable Way to create jobs, raise Living Standards, and secure a Better Future for hardworking people. Britain and america both face threats to our National Security from people who hate what our countries stand for and who are determined to do us harm. In recent weeks we have seen appalling attacks in paris, in nigeria. The world is sickened by this terrorism. We will not be standing alone in this fight. We know what were up against. We know how we will win. We face a poisonous and fanatical ideology that wants to pervert one of the worlds major religions, islam, and create conflict, terror, and death. With our allies we are confronted whenever it appears. The uk is the secondlargest contributor to the antiisil coalition. Antiaircraft have conducted over 100 strikes and will continue to play a leading role. We will deploy additional intelligence and surveillance assets to help iraqi forces on the ground. Most important of all, we must also fight this poisonous ideology starting at home. In the uk we are passing a law so that every public audit must combat extremism. Body must combat extremism. In europe, russia has chosen to tear up the international rulebook and trample over the affairs of a sovereign state. This threatens our stability and prosperity. It is important that every country understands that, and that no one in europe forgets our history. We cannot walk on by. We will continue to put pressure on russia to resolve this crisis diplomatically. At the same time we will continue our efforts to support ukraine on the path of reform, including with financial assistance. The reaffirm our obligations as nato partners to stand by our allies. We will be to beating an additional thousand troops for exercises in eastern europe. We are committed to ensuring that iran cannot develop a Nuclear Weapon. The best way to achieve that now is to create a space for negotiations to succeed. We should not impose further sanctions now. That would be counterproductive, and it could put at risk the valuable International Unity that has been so crucial to our approach. We also have to keep pace with new threats such as cyberattacks. We have today agreed to deepen our Cyber Security cooperation to better protect ourselves. Finally, we face the entire world faces a growing threat from diseases. Today our fight is against ebola. In the future it could be against a global flu pandemic. Through our action in sierra leone, the u. S. Action in liberia, france, and ginny, we are beginning to turn the corner. But we must get better at are spawning to these Global Health emergencies and make sure we can master them before they master responding to these Global Health emergencies and make sure we can master them before they master us. A new International Platform to stimulate the design and development of new drugs all of these things are needed. Let 2015, the gear we must crack ebola, also be the year we tackle extreme property poverty and climate change. We must set goals to eradicate extreme poverty. On climate change, we want an outcome in paris that keeps our goal of limiting Global Warming by 2050 by 2 degrees in reach. Those two things have the potential to give security to future generations to come. For almost two centuries, after those difficulties we were discussing earlier, america and britain have stood as candidates. In defending our freedoms and advancing our shared prosperity. Today as we survey a world in flux, our alliance stands strong, rooted in its long history, and reinvigorated by the challenges we face today. If our forebears could join us in the white house today, they might find the challenges we are facing, from isil to ebola cyber terrorism to banking crisis they might find those hard to comprehend, but they would surely recognize the ties that i does across the atlantic and the values that are peoples hold so dear. We have stood together so often, not just because we faced, and threats, but because we fundamentally believe in the same things. That is as true today as it has always been. It usually benefits are countries and the people we are here to serve hugely benefits our countries and the people we are here to serve. We will take a few countries questions. Jonathan of abc. You mentioned your opposition to the sanctions bill on iran. This is a bipartisan bill supported by some very senior top members of your own party and congress. Why do you oppose a bill that would only impose sanctions if you fail to reach an agreement and if the iranians failed to agree to take steps to curtail their nuclear program. Would you go so far as to detail a bill supported by Top Democrats in congress on this issue . To mr. Prime minister, i understand you have been making phone calls to senators on this issue of the iran sanctions bill. Is that correct . Are you lobbying the u. S. Congress on this . Mr. President , i would like to hear your reaction to the news that mitt romney is running for president again. On your last question [laughter] i have no comment. [laughter] on your first question, when i came into office i made a commitment that iran would not obtain a Nuclear Weapon, that we could do everything we could to prevent that. That is important for our security and important for the worlds security. If iran obtains a Nuclear Weapon, it would trigger an arms race in the middle east, make our job in terms of preventing proliferation of Nuclear Materials much more difficult. Given their missile capabilities, it would threaten directly our closest allies, including israel, and ultimately could threaten us. What we did was systematically with the help of congress, construct the most forceful, most effective sanctions regime in modern history. What was remarkable was that when i came into office, the world was divided around this issue. Iran was united. Through some very strong diplomatic work, we united the world and isolated iran. It is because of that work that we brought them to the negotiating table not for posturing, not for meetings that lead nowhere, but to a very hardnosed nuts and bolts discussion of their nuclear program. Their interim deal we entered into also froze progress on their nuclear program, rolled back in some cases the stockpiles of material they had already accumulated, and provided us insight into their program that was unprecedented. We have people on the ground who are able to verify and inspect and tell us what exactly is going on. Thats not just our assessment. That is the assessment of Intelligence Services around the world, including the israelis. The agreement is held and negotiations have been serious. We have not lost ground. Iran has not accelerated its program during the time these negotiations have taken place. Irans program has not only been in abeyance, but we have actually made gains in rolling back some of the stockpiles they had. We have on the table currently a series of negotiations over the next several months to determine whether or not iran can get the yes. What has been remarkable is the unity we have maintained with the world in isolating iran and forcing them to negotiate in a serious way. The p5 1 not only includes china, but russia. They have continued to cooperate with us and setting forth positions that would give us assurances that iran was not developing a Nuclear Weapon. I have always said that the chances that we can actually get a diplomatic deal of probably less than 50 50. Iran is a regime that is deeply suspicious of the west, deeply suspicious of us. In the past they have surreptitiously as secretly advanced aspects of this program. We have huge differences with them on a whole range of issues. But, if in fact we still have an opportunity to get a diplomatic deal that provides us verifiable assurances that they are not developing a Nuclear Weapon, that is the best possible outcome that we can arrive at right now. The question i have for members of congress, including those folks in my own party, is why is it that we would have to take actions that might jeopardize the possibility of getting a deal over the next 60 to 90 days . What is it precisely that is going to be accomplished . I can tell you what the risks are. I think david shares my assessment here. Under the interim deal that brought iran to the table, we were not supposed to initiate new sanctions. You will hear our arguments. These technically arent new sanctions, they are simply laws putting in place the possibility of additional sanctions. Asher you that is not how i assure you that is not how iran or our partners would interpret it. The likelihood of the entire negotiations collapse is very high. If that happens, there is no constraints on iran going back and doing what they came to do before they came to the table, developing a heavy water reactor that once built it extraordinarily difficult to dismantle, and very difficult to hit militarily. Going back at underground facilities that are very hard to reach militarily, accelerating advanced centrifuges that shorten the time span in which they can achieve breakout capacity. And they would be able to maintain the reason they ended negotiations was because the United States was operating in bad faith and blew up the deal. There would be some sympathy to that view around the world which means the sanctions we have in place now would potentially fray, because imposing those sanctions are a hardship on a number of countries around the world trade world. They would love to be able to buy iranian oil. The reason they have hung in there is because we have shown that we are credibly trying to solve this problem and avert a military showdown. On that context, there is no good argument for us to try to undercut, undermine the negotiations until they have played themselves out. He if if iran and sub not being able to say yes, if they cannot provide us the kind of assurances ends up not being able to say yes, if they cannot provide us the kind of assurances to conclude they are not obtaining a Nuclear Weapon we will have to explore other options. I will be the first one to come to congress and say we need to tighten the screws. Thats not the only options that will be available. I have consistently said we leave all options on the table. Congress should be aware that if this diplomatic solution fails the risks and likelihood that this ends up being a military confrontation is heightened. Congress will have to own that as well. That will have to be debated by the American People. We may not be able to rebuild the kind of coalition we need in that context if the world believes we were not serious about negotiations. I take this very seriously. I dont question the good faith of some folks who think this might be helpful. It is my team that is at the table. We are deep in this stuff day in and day out. We all make judgments blindly. We have been working on this for 5, 6, 7 years. We consult closely with allies like the United Kingdom and making those assessments. Im asking congress to hold off because our negotiators, our partners, those who arm most are are most intimately involved in this, suggest it will jeopardize the possibility of resolving providing a diplomatic solution to one of the most difficult and long lasting National Security problems that we have faced in a very long time. Congress needs to show patience. With respect to the veto, i said to my Democratic Caucus colleagues yesterday that i will veto a bill that comes to my desk. I will make this argument to the American People. I respectfully request them to hold off for a few months to see if we have the possibility of solving a big problem without resorting potentially to war. I think that is worth doing. We will see how persuasive i am. If im not persuaded in congress, i will be taking my case to the American People on this. The big picture is very clear. The sanctions that america and the European Union put in place have had an effect. That has led to pressure. That pressure has led to talks. I would argue with the president , how much better is that than the other potential outcomes. That is what we should be focusing on. I have contacted a couple of senators this morning. I may speak to one or two more this afternoon. Simply to make the point as a country that stands alongside america in these vital negotiations, that is the opinion of the United Kingdom that further sanctions or further threat of sanctions at this point wont actually help to bring the talks to a successful conclusion, and they could fracture the International Unity there has been, which has been so valuable in presenting a united front to iran. I say this as someone who played quite a strong role in getting europe to sign up to the very tough sanctions. I would make the point that those sanctions have had an effect. To those who said if you do an interim deal, if you even start discussing any of these things the sanctions will fall apart. The pressure will dissipate. No one will be able to stick at it. That has been shown not to be true. The pressure is still there. As the president says, if the iranians say no and there is no deal, lets sit down and work out whatever sanctions to put in place. We are absolutely united in a simple thought which is a deal that takes iran away from a Nuclear Weapon is better than either iran having a Nuclear Weapon or action to prevent it. It comes down to that simple choice. I think the way the president put it, i would not disagree with. Its very hard to know what the iranian thinking is about this. Im the first british minister in 35 years to meet with and iranian president. There is a very clear offer there which is to take iran away from a Nuclear Weapon and to conclude an agreement with them which would be mutually beneficial. A question from Nick Robinson of the bbc. A Prime Minister with extra security being put in place today for the Jewish Community and also Police Officers. Would people be right to conclude that the threats of an attack on the streets of britain is almost imminent . Mr. President , you have spoken of the threat posed by fighters coming back from syria. Do you ever worry that this is a legacy of the decision of the United Kingdom to stand on the sidelines during syrias civil war . If i may briefly on the economy, you say he you agree is it time to stick to the plan . We do face a very serious islamist extremist threat in europe, america, across the world. It have to be incredibly vigilant in terms of that threat. Weve got to strengthen police and security. Weve got to do everything we can to keep our country safe. That involves longterm, patient, disciplined approach. There is no single simple thing that needs to be done. It means closing down the ungoverned spaces that terrorists operate in. It means working against isil in iraq and syria, countering this death cult of a narrative that is perverting the religion of islam. It means working together with our oldest and best earners so that we share intelligence and security and try to prevent terrorist atrocities from taking place. It is going to be a long patient, and hard struggle. Im convinced we will overcome it. In the end, the values we hold to our freedom of democracy, of having open and tolerant societies. These are the strongest values there can be. In the end we will come through. Like some of the challenges our countries have faced together in the past, it will take great discipline and patience and hard work. You ask a question about immanence. We have a system in the United Kingdom where set levels levels are set by the center. They judge the threat we faced is severe. That means in their words, an attack is highly likely. If ever there is an imminent threat of attack, it goes to the next level up, which is critical, but it is their decision, not mine. My responsibility is to make sure we marshal everything we have as a country to defeat the threat. On the jewish communities, it is good that they metro police have announced they will step up patrols. I met with the Jewish Leadership Council earlier this week. We already provide through their Security Organization the Community Security trust to help protect jewish schools. You cannot simply rely on policing security. This is a job for everyone. This is a role we will all have to play in the vigilance and making sure that we keep our communities safe. With respect to syria and the connection to foreign fighters there is no doubt that in the chaos, in the vacuum created in big chunks of syria, the that is given an opportunity for foreign fighters to both come in and come back out. I chaired a u. N. Security council meeting, and we are now busy working with our partners to implement a series of actions, to identify who may be traveling to syria in order to get trained to fight for, to hatch plots that would be activated upon return to their home countries. Is a serious problem. The notion that this is occurring because the u. S. Or Great Britain or other countries stood on the sidelines is it mischaracterizes our position. We havent been standing on the sidelines. It is true we did not invade syria. Had we invaded syria, we would be less prone to terrorist attacks. I will leave it to you to play out that scenario and whether that sounds accurate. We have been very active in trying to resolve a tragic situation in syria. Diplomatically, to humanitarian efforts, through the removal of chemical weapons from syria that had been so deadly. And now, as isil has moved forward we have been very active integrating their capabilities inside of syria even as we are working with partners to make sure the foreign fighters situation is resolved. Davids point is the key one. This phenomenon of violent extremism the ideology, the networks, the capacity to recruit young people this has metastasized, and it is widespread, and it has penetrated committees around the world. I do not consider it a nexus to show threat it an existential threat. We are stronger, we are representing values that the vast majority of muslims believe in, intolerance in tolerance and working together to build rather than destroy. This is a problem that causes great heartache and tragedy and destruction. It is one that ultimately we are going to defeat. We cant just defeat it through weapons. What of the things we spoke about is how do we lift up those voices that represent the vast majority of the muslim world so that counter narrative against this nihilism is put out there as aggressively and nimbly as the messages coming out from these fanatics. How do we make sure we are working with local communities and faith leaders and families whether in a neighborhood in london or a neighborhood in detroit, michigan so that we are inoculating ourselves against this kind of ideology . That will be slow, plodding, systematic work. But its work that im confident we are going to be able to accomplish, particularly when we have strong partners like the United Kingdom. On on the economy,i would note that Great Britain and the United States or to economy for standing out what a lot of other countries are having problems. We must be doing something right. Thank you, mr. President. Good afternoon, mr. Prime minister. The question is for both of you. I want to make sure that we heard clearly what you both said you are sending a message, both of you, to iran and that the sanctions talks failed that war is the best next alternative. Atrocities in paris, belgium, i want to ask you both, do you think europe is at a turning point as to its recognition of what brassard, security flirting . You both talked about Cyber Security that is a crucial area for both countries. I like your comments on that. Im not, i repeat, not, suggesting that were at immediate war footing should negotiations with iran fell. As david put it simply, if in fact our view is that we have to prevent iran from getting a Nuclear Weapon, then, we have to recognize the possibility that should diplomacy fail, we have to look at other options to achieve that goal. If you listen sometimes to the rhetoric surrounding this issue, i think there is sometimes the view that this regime cannot be trusted. That effectively negotiations with iran are pointless, and since these claims are being made by individuals who see iran as a mortal threat, and one as badly as we do from preventing them from getting Nuclear Weapons, the question becomes, what other alternatives are available. That is why it is so important for us to find a deal it has to be a good deal, not a bad deal. I have already shown myself willing to walk away from a bad deal. No one is interested in some document that underlines our sanctions, and gives iran the possibility of whether covertly, or gradually building up its Nuclear Weapons capacity. We are not going to allow that. Anything that we do, any deal that we arrive at, if we arrive at one, would be subject to scrutiny across the board not just by members of congress more importantly, by people who actually know the technical aspects of how Nuclear Weapons can advance. And that the terms being met. The bottom line is this we may not get there, but we have a chance to resolve the nuclear issue. I should point out also even if we get a nuclear deal, and we are sure that iran does not possess Nuclear Weapons we still have a whole bunch of problems with iranon state sponsored terrorism, their rhetoric towards israel, the financing of hezbollah. It is not as if suddenly we have a great relationship with iran. It solves one particular problem that is urgent. Its all that better than the other alternatives that might present themselves. My main meshes to congress is hold your fire. No one around the worlddoubt my ability to get additional sanctions passed if these negotiations fell. That is not a hard boat for me to get through congress. The notion that we need additional sanctions or even the possibility of sanctions holding over their head to force them to better deal i think the iranians know that that is certainly in our back pocket. With respect to violent extremism my impression is that europe has consistently taken the seriously. During my presidency, we have worked collaboratively and with great urgency in recognition that not only do you have foreigners who may be trying to hatch plots in europe given large immigrant population, it is important to reach out to, and work with, local communities, and to have a very effective intelligence, and counterterrorism cooperation between countries. Theres no doubt that the most recent events has amplified those concerns. One of the things i have learned over the last six years is that there is always more that we can do, we can always do better, we learn from mistakes. Im confident that very strong cooperation already exist with europe will get that much better in the months and years to come. [indiscernible] heres where i think europe has some particular challenges. The United States has one big advantage in this whole process it is not that our Law Enforcement are so much better ours are very good our biggest advantage is that our muslim populations they feel themselves to be americans. There is this process of assimilation as part of our tradition that is probably our greatest strength. That does not mean that we are not subject to tragedies across america, bby thing that has been helpful, there are parts of europe where that is not the case. I think that is the greatest danger that europe faces. As they respond, it is important for europe not to simply respond with a hammer. There has to be a recognition that the stronger the tiesof a frenchman of north african assents to french values, french republic, sense of opportunity, that will be as important, if not more important, overtime solving this problem. I think there is a recognition of the across europe. The last point i will make and then i will turn over to david with respect to the issue of intelligence gathering, this is a challenge that we have been working on we have not software key on it. We have been ddialoguing with companies, and systematically working through ways in which we can meet legitimate privacy concerns, but also meet very real concerns that david identified, and my fbi director identified. Social media and the internet are the primary way in which these terrorist organizations are communicating. They are good at it. But we have the ability to track thatin a way that is legal and present oversight that is a capability that we have to preserve. The biggest damage that was done as a consequence to the snowdon disclosure was in some ways a complete undermining of trust something that was justified i would argue that although there are some legitimate concerns there, overall the United States government, and for what i have seen, the British Government have operated in a scrupulous and lawful way to try to balance the security and privacy concerns. We can do better. That is what we are doing. We stuff to find ways tomake sure that the United States can prevent real tragedy. We have to work through in many cases what are technical issues. We are working with partners like Great Britain, the United Kingdom. Oon the iranian issue, i will not add much to what the present said i will just say this point if there is not a deal, new pressure needs to be put on iran. Even if there is a deal, there needs to be transparency, and to make sure that this country is not creating a Nuclear Weapon. I would back up what barack says about recognizing that in so many other ways, we have some mmajor disagreements with what the iranians have been doing. Britain has suffered considerably. We approach us with a huge amount of skepticism. The goal of an iran without a Nuclear Weapon makes this worthwhile. Your question is this a turning point . I would say that we turn some time ago. Maybe britain in particular, because of the appalling attacks to happen in 2005, but there have been attacks elsewhere in europe. Since ive been Prime Minister, there has been one major plot every year. Quite a significant accomplishment that we have been able to prevent. The challenge that we face is absolutely there across parliament, across different political parties. I think there is an opportunity for countries in europe who have perhaps been less affected to work with them, and make sure that we share knowledge and skills. When you say a turning point it is making sure that your legislation is up to date, making sure you have programs that can channel extremist away from being radicalized, making sure the you are better integrating your communities. It is all the things. I very much agree with what barack says about building strong and integrated societies. It had been a mistake in the past when some countries had treated different groups, and different religious groups, as separate blocks, rather than trying to build a Strong Society together. That is what we should be doing. You should have, and i believe we have, a multiethnic party with opportunity. So that, within one generation or two generations, you can come to our country and serve at the highest levels of the armed forces, said at the bench of a judge. I have someone in my cabinet just like that. That is vitally important. You can have tragically all the Economic Opportunities and still gets seduced by this poisonous radical death cold of a narrative. You have seen in recent weeks people go to five for syria. You have had every opportunity an advantage in life. Never lose sight of the real enemy the poisonous narrative of islam. That is what we have to focus on. Recognizing that we lets never lose sight of the real heart of the matter. As for the issue of the techniques necessary for Intelligence Services to keep us safe all he would say, tthe present and i had a good discussion about this earlier, i do not think that either of us are trying to enunciate a new doctrine. The doctrine that i approach this i think it is a simple approach it has been possible, in both our countries, and in my country by a signed warrant, to potentially listen to a call between two terrorists to stop there activity. In your country, a judicial process. We believe in very clear front doors and legal processes to keep our country safe. My only country is that as technology develops, we should try to avoid the safe havens that can otherwise be created for terrorists to talk to one another. That is the goal which i think is so important. I have no doubt, as Prime Minister for four years, seeing how these Television Services work the life gets saved theres a very real connection between that. I think the final question is from itn. Prime minister, it is clear that there is a Social Security alert around Great Britain. Is that based on specific intelligence, should people be concerned about doing the daily activities this weekend . Mr. Present, you say there is a dialogue under way with big american tech companies. Do you share the Prime Ministers view that the current threat is so severe that there needs to be a swing of the pendulum in this area of private communications, potentially in facilitating dialogue . The threat that we face the level has been set at severe. That is set by independent organizations. To look at the evidence that is there, and set the level accordingly when it is set at severe, that means that the authorities believe a threat is highly likely. If we believed it was eminent, we would move to the next level, which is critical. We clearly to face a very real threat in our country. As i was discussing with the present, president , we have had a numberof threats on the Police Officers. That is the threat. It is regularly reviewed and updated, but it should not be moved unless there is evidence to do so. As far as the production to the Jewish Community, and indeed other communities, and indeed to Police Officers themselves this is based on what has happened in france on the whole picture that we see. It is sensible, precautionary measures to make sure that we do what we can to ensure those communities communities who are all too aware of the threat that they face. One of the most moving sites in paris was to see People Holding up signs saying i am a cop i am a jew. People wanting to stand together for communities who had been singled out. I think is very important that we stand up and speak out for the communities. In the wake of paris, our attention is heightened. I have to tell you over the last six years, threats are fairly constant. David deals with them every day. I deal with them every day. Our counterterrorism professionals deal with them every day. I do not think that this is the situation in which because things are so much more dangerous, the pendulum needs to swing. I think we need to find a consistent framework whereby our public has confidence that its government can protect them, but not abuse the capacity to operate in cyberspace. Because this is a whole new world, as david said, the laws that maven designed for a traditional wiretap need to be updated. How we do that needs to be debated, both here in the United States and in the u. K. I think were Getting Better at it. I think companies here in the United States recognize that they have a responsibility to the public. But also, want to make sure that they are meeting their responsibilities to the customers that are using their products. The dialogue that we are engaged in is designed to make sure that all of us feel confident that if there is an actual threat out there our Law Enforcement and Intelligence Officers can identify the threat and track that threat. At the same time, our government is not going around fishing into whatever text you might be sending on your smart phone. I think that is something that can be achieved. There will be situations that will be hard cases. For the most part, those who are worried about the brother sometimes obscured or deliberately ignore all the legal safeguards to have been put in place to assure peoples privacy, and make sure that the government is not abusing these powers. A man that end, there are times when Law Enforcement, and those of us whose job it is to protect the public, are not thinking about those problems because were trying to track and prevent a particular terrorist event from happening. It is useful to have civil libertarians, and others, tapping is on the shoulder in the midst of this process and reminding us that there are values at stake as well. I think david and i welcome that kind of debate. Technology is evolving in a ways that potentially make this trickier. If we get into a situation in which the technologies do not allow that all too track somebody that we consider to be a terrorist, if we find evidence of a terrorist plot somewhere in the middle east that traces back to london or new york, we have specific information and are confident that this individual or network is about to activate applied, and despite knowing that information, or having a phone number, or social media address, or email address, that we cannot penetrate that. That is a problem. That is the kind of dialogue that we are having to have with these companies. Part of it is a legal issue, part of it is a technical question. Overall, i am confident that we can balance this, aand we should not feel that because we have just seen such a terrific attack in paris that suddenly everything should be going by the wayside. We have, unfortunately, this has been the constant backdrop, and i think it will continue to be for any Prime Minister or president for some time to come. We have to make sure that we do not overreact, but that we remain vigilant. Thank you very much, everybody. I appreciate it. If you missed any of the news conference, we will show it again in its entirety at 8 00 pm right here on c span. Next tuesday, turn to c span for life state of the Union Coverage beginning at 8 00 pm eastern. Followed by the republican response by freshman iowa senator joni ernst. All of that live coverage on tuesday night on c span. Tomorrow morning, on washington journal, michael war and joins us at a look ahead to the 2016 gop president ial field. Then, the debate over standardized test and the state of education in the u. S. With the present of the National Student assessment association. The deadline for the c span student cam competition is tuesday. Get your entries completed bell. Produce a 6 55 minute documentary for your chance to win the grand prize of 5000. Here are some of our featured programs for this weekend on the c span networks. Find a complete Television Schedule at c span. Org. Let us know what you think about the programs you are watching. Colin, email us, or sends a tweet. Join the c span conversation like a fun facebook and follow us on twitter. Secretary of state talked about u. S. Solidarity with friends after the terrorist attacks earlier this month. The secretary was joined by the citys mayor during a 25 event in paris. This begins with a moment of silence. [speaking in french] representatives of the civil authorities, ladies and gentlemen, parisians, i am particularly pleased to welcome the secretary of state john kerry. A friend who has come with a message of affection, support, solidarity. I am very grateful to him. I wanted the short meeting to reflect paris. To reflect what we are. I want men and women, who are working every day, on a day to day basis, who have responsibilities, political responsibilities, who look after our children, who are living in line with our values, i would like to think and pay tribute to all the families to all the families of the victims of assassinations of these terrorist acts, which really have shaken our city and country, and i think the world as a whole. I would also like to pay chile to the heroes. Among them, the police, the Law Enforcement organizations which attacked, and have carried out these operations with great skill. I would like to also pay chile to the heroes notably the young, the fellow citizen, a citizen from mali, who made it possible to save the lives of many people in the kosher supermarket. Heat, and the manager of the supermarket, are here today. This Young Persons saved a lot of lives. We have experienced a very intense. , with a lot of drama and tragedy. The people of paris, the people of france, have risen to the occasion and say no. Note note to barbarity. Note to the objectives of the terrorist as described by them. The terrorists wanted to attack freedom of expression, freedom of speech by attacking charlie hebdo. And secularism, one of the factors that allows for freedom of speech. Some of us this morning accompanied this family and friends of charlie and the funerals. Freedom of expression and secularism, but also the terrorists wanted to attack the authority, by attacking Police Officers. The terrace also wanted to attack a fundamental element of our history the presence of jews in france in paris by attacking this kosher supermarket. We rebelled against this. We said that we do not accept, and we will never accept these values of the republic to be attacked. In paris, these values are particularly important because paris is the city where many of these values were designed, developed, and is where the declaration of the rights of man was published. Many members of the Jewish Community settled in paris in the 18th century because they were fleeing from problems in other parts of europe. Paris was recognized as the city where the Jewish Community could hold its meetings and houses institutions. The city has a special history where the values of the republic are not the only guarantee is of these values, we want to defend them. In the city hall of paris, mr. Secretary of state, the city hall of paris has witnessed many great historic events. The commune of paris in this very city hall, dramatic events. Revolution is also fought for secularism and inequality between men and women, and equality among all of our fellow citizens. I wanted to remind you all of this because this is what unites us. This is what brings us together, even though each of us may have different views. The beauty of democracy is to accept controversy. This city, as you have come to visit us here, and this morning you pay tribute to the victims by visiting the places where these attacks took place, i wish to say, this city is a friend of the United States of america. As soon as the world heard that these attacks have occurred, i received a telephone call from bill de blasio, the mayor of new york. He immediately called me to express the solidarity and affection. The fact that he supported us, and showed his friendship and compassion. I also received many messages from the mayors of other American Cities washington, philadelphia, chicago. Between our histories, there is a great history of friendship. Today, we are part of a network of french speaking American Cities. They are part of the International Organization i preside over. I chair and organization of french speaking mayors. In lafayette, next year, we will hold a meeting of french speaking cities. I would like to conclude this speech by saying that our friendship goes back a long way. It goes back to lafayette, and more recently, weve had the honor of holding ceremonies, memorial ceremonies, which were very moving. I am referring to the commemoration of the liberation of france. In this liberation, commemoration, there was something of fundamental importance the liberation of paris in 1944, which was the result of the parisian resurrection, but also with the support of our allied forces, notably the americans. I wanted to remind you of this. These are historical events that we have not forgotten. Although we are here today because of our friendship, because of the history we have been developing step by step, it is a human story. Thank you, john kerry, for visiting us. It is an immense honor to welcome you hereas the mayor of paris. [applause] thank you for that very generous welcome. Thank you for reminding us of the extraordinary history that ties us together. What an honor for me to be here in this historic building, which the marriage is talked about in shared some of the history. A moment ago in her office, she showed me a photograph, historic photographs of the resistance members in august 1944. A reminder of the closest doric inescapable relationship between our countries. I appreciate your very generous comments about our mayors. I know you have a warm relationship with them. Not only am i in a historic building, im with a historic map. She is the first woman to serve this office. That is no small thing. It is a privilege for me to be here with you. Im particularly honored to be with members of the Law Enforcement community. Those who were so directly engaged and affected by the events. You honor us, you honor me and my country by being here today. I thank you so much for that. On the day of the living nightmare that began at charlie hebdo, i had a chance to share a few thoughts with you from back home in washington. Today, i wanted to come here and share a hug with all of paris, and all of france. I wanted to express with you personally the sheer horror, and revulsion the all americans felt at the cowardly and despicable act. The assault on innocent lives and fundamental values. I want to thank the president and the mayor. Not only further always generous welcome, but for the great and grace that they have shown at this moment. I also want to thank our Embassy Personnel for their hard work and their support to the french people this past week. I particularly welcome these kids who have come here to share their vision of the future. A few hours after this nightmare which all began in the offices of charlie hebdo, i share with you some thoughts when i was still at home in washington. Today, i wanted to be here with you in order to share with paris, and the whole dance, our deep feelings. I wanted to tell you personally before and the revulsion felt by all americans faced with these cowardly and a noble and terrible attacks against innocent victims and the fundamental values. I wish not only to think the president , my friends, and the mayor of paris for their welcome, always warm welcome. I would also like to congratulate the courage that they have shown during this terrible ordeal which france has experienced. I would also like to pay tribute to the team of u. S. Embassy in paris our ambassador, and the support that she is given to the french people during these events. I represent a nation which is very proud of the fact that france is as old as i like. In the same way as lafayette crossed the ocean to support america, in the same way that general pershing and his men came to france one century ago shouting the same slogans as lafayette, here we are, back again. As we have to rise to the terrible challenges together, the United States and france will always be side by side, and will persevere side by side, will win, and vanquish over the days that have passed since january 5. Some people said that it was one of the most painful hours experienced by france, but we must look at the history of our people who over the decades have become, as another american who loves france, knew the price of conflict. The french became stronger, have become stronger. My mother is the source of my special affection for france the source of my knowledge of its history. She participated in the historical events of world war ii. An american lady born in paris, she became a nurse and care for the wounded. On the eve of the occupation of paris by the nazis, she fled with her sister on a bicycle and they cycled across france. They fled the bullets of the occupied. They ended up in portugal where they managed to get onto a ship, which took them to the United States. One of the most vivid memories i have of my youth was that of my first visit to france with my parents. It was the first time that my mother returned to france since she had fled during world war ii. I remember the noise we saw the ruins of paris that had been bombed, and the home in which she lived was completely destroyed, only a stone staircase stood. It was only years later that i fully understood the incredible price paid by the generations in the resistance the price they pay for freedom. The Soldiers Left the factories to save the world from tyranny. No nation knows better than france that freedom has a price. France was at the origin of many revolutions, including our own, the american revolution. Our commitment to freedom of speech and expression is an inspiration to the world. Words are often powers to drive the deep emotions that i have felt when i saw so many people from all over, from near and far, to parade, to march together. Those who wanted to divide these powers, ended up actually bring us closer together to each other. What the extremists fear the most was precisely that. Gnome one must get know one must get this wrong. What the extremist do not understand, what they cannot understand, is that decency encourage will never give way to terror. This reminds us of Something Else the fact that in the deepest darkest moments, we can bring light. For a long time, the fathers will build to say to the ch childr to their children and grandchildren, ordinary men and women suddenly became heroes. Im sure that you will talk to them about a muslim from mali who risked his life to save jewish customers in the kosher supermarket when he heard the attacker entering the supermarket. He didnt think of his own security, he helped over a dozen customers take reserve in the supermarket. He won the police, and his actions saved lives. When asked him why he did that, why he had done that, he simply answered, we are brothers. It is not a question of being jewish or christian, or muslim, we are all in the same boat, and we must get out of this crisis together. Im sure you will talk about who was a pillar of his community, dedicated to his family, and passionately interested in his job as a policeman. He was shot down savagely. When his brother paid tribute to him, he said, my brother was a muslim, but he was shot down by two false muslims, their terrorist and nothing else. Im sure that you will also talk about the young man with a great future who try to neutralize a brutal terrorist that lost his life because of this courageous act. We will never forget these heroes. We will never forget the victims of this tragedy. The world is facing cowardly assassins who were hiding behind baklavas and weapons of war. The difference between innocence and knowledge. The difference between life and truth. Between cruelty and generosity. Between life and death. I know they even as we speak, there are passionate debates over the complex issues that this tragedy has raised. Beyond politics or religion, satire, is a nation rich in love and short on hate. Today, i will join you in honoring those no longer with us, and shared with their loved ones the status of their loss. We simply will not descend into despair. We will turn this moment of profound loss into lasting commitment. We except with humility the responsibility that falls to each of us to defend the values that our society cherish and extremists fear the most tolerance, freedom, truth. In the end, our engagement, all of us in the struggle, is not a choice, it is a mandate. That as this very moment im speaking, debates are taking place on complex issues raised by this tragedy. What should transcend this debate beyond political issues, religious issues, or satire, is our aspiration, our joint aspiration, to create a world based on love and not hate. Today, here in paris, i join you in paying tribute to those who have left us, and sharing with their loved ones their pain and loss, but also the pride of their lives. We will not fall into despair. We will transform this tragic moment into a commitment. We except with humility the responsibility that each of us have two defend the values which are societies are attached to, and which extremists fear the most tolerance, freedom, truth. Finally, is the commitment of all of us in this fight it is not a fight, it is a mandate. It is our duty. Today, i am with one of my old friends from massachusetts who was a source of inspiration for several generations. He is respected because of his integrity and the beauty of the music that he has composed, which is listen to all over the world. He wanted to be here today with me to express his feelings and emotions. We are going to offer you a song, ladies and gentlemen. James taylor. [applause] u. S. Secretary of state, john kerry, here at city hall. Secretary of state john kerry ending his six day trip through asia and europe speaking in paris today. Back on capitol hill, the u. S. Senate was in session considering a bill that would authorize construction of the keystone pipeline. The house authorize the bill last week 20 democrats voting in favor of that bill. The house dabbled in this afternoon with what is expected to be brief. We will have live coverage at 4 00 pm. Until then, look at the Visa Waiver Program from todays washington journal. Host now joining us mark fray. What is the Visa Waiver Program . Guest good morning. Thanks for that question. I think it is important to start off segment with the Visa Waiver Program is, and perhaps more important, when it isnt. It allows people to come to the United States for short stays, for business and tourism purposes up to 90 days, provided those countries meet very strict Security Standards. What it ways is simply the consulate interview portion of the visa process. Whether go to the u. S. Embassy or consulate and apply for a v1 or v2 visa, dhs ways that portion of the interview. In its place, and put in another of other security requirements. Host what are some of the security requirements . Guest there are several. The Visa Waiver Program operates both on the level of the traveler, and the participating government. One of those requirements, for example, are an individualized screening. Essentially this means, a prospective user of the program goes online and filled out a form with biological information, name, date of birth, destination in the u. S. , National Identity number, a whole host of things that then dhs uses in its databases. That is step one for the individual to travel. That allows us to know even before that person comes to the airport and get on a plane, whether he or she may pose a risk to the United States. We can deny travel. Of course, there is conductivity between the airlines and dhs. Even for those who get authorization to travel, that is not guaranteed admission into the United States. Just like the visa is not direct admission to United States. That is step one. That is at the individual level. At the government level, countries are required to adhere to a number of standards. We use information to populate screening databases that i just talked about. Our databases are better because they are informed by information that our partner governments have. Number three, countries are required to submit to periodic audits by dhs, on the Security Standards. Government can see that their standards are up to our standards. If not, we can recommend changes and improvement. An understanding that even to make it into the program highdefinition, usa every close and strong u. S. Ally and partner. All this works together to create a strong platform to reduce risk to an individual traveler. Host if you or i wanted to go to london or sydni, you would just go online, buy a ticket, and go. Is it that simple for it to people in bs 38 countries if you lived in spain, france, or australia . Guest not quite. Before i get to that, i would like to point out one more thing. One of the other requirements of the Visa Waiver Program is that it is reciprocal. The reason we can get on a plane and go to paris or london or sydney without getting a visa is because these countries have the reciprocal arrangement with us. Without the Visa Waiver Program, you would be required to get a visa to go to london. To answer your question, it is not quite that simple. Before any of this happens, you have two go online, alert the United States of who you are the purpose of your travel. That information gets vetted. If it hits against one of these Law Enforcement databases, your authorization to board will be denied. There are other, multiple layers that dhs and the United States Government Employees for all travelers. We want to ensure that bad guys are not getting on planes. Behind the scenes, there is a whole host of information sharing and auditing capabilities the dhs employees to make sure the countries are meeting standards we set. While the individual traveler, it may seem as simple as going on, applying for their esta, there is a lot that goes under the water to make traveling safe and secure. Host that are feinstein senator feinstein had this to say [video clip] it is my belief that the Visa Waiver Program is the achilles heel of america. They can come back from training. They go through a visa waiver country, and they, into this country. There are nofly lists, there are terrorist lists, but they are in the tens of thousands and even millions. It is difficult to ferret someone out. There are still in travel documents. There are large numbers that they can pick up a false passport etc. We have a big problem in their. There. I think we need to take a look at the Visa Waiver Program and look at what we can do to prevent this kind of thing from happening because i believe it will happen if it has not already. Host mr. Frey . Guest i am well aware of her criticisms. The are not new. I guess i am disappointed to hear that because i think it reflects not quite as a detailed understanding of how the program operates as it could. But to take a couple of those points to illustrate what i mean. Mentioned stolen travel documents and the ability to have false passports. One of the key requirements is all passengers must travel with electronic passports, and that holds information, including biographical information, and digital photographs custom and border officials can unlock. That does not exist for nonVisa Waiver Programs. Electronic passports are very hard to forge very it is not like you can cut out a picture laminate it, and show it to the agent. They are complicated sophisticated documents. Visa waiver is aware of that concern, and we have instituted these requirements. I would also say that when she says it is time to take a look at the Visa Waiver Program, in theory, that is not a bad idea either. Historically, the visa waiver has undergone a number of iterations of reform and in hansen enhancement. It has continuously been evolving in the face of current threats. The biggest such reform was in 2007, when it implemented some of the things are talked about like the Electronic System for travel authorization. There are some things we can look for Going Forward to address current day traffic. In theory, and in general, i would agree with the center senator that it is worth looking at the Visa Waiver Program like it is worth working at any program, worth looking at any program, but i would disagree when she says it is the achilles heel, and previously she has used the term soft underbelly. If she thinks it is a soft underbelly, i am not sure what the hardshell would be. It has quite a bit of security. The numbers are up on the screen if you would like to talk with marc frey, former director of the Visa Waiver Program. 202 is the area code. Mr. Mr. Frey francis on the visa waiver list. What happened there recently. The people that committed the crimes over there, the terrorist act, could they have bought tickets to the u. S. Since they were not being monitored by the french . Guest great question. In this case, no. These individuals were on the nofly list. That information, provided by the french to us, most likely, would have prevented these individuals from getting on a plane. They could have bought tickets but once they started a process of boarding, they would have been denied. The underpinnings of the Visa Waiver Program is the informationsharing relationship. The thinking is and the theory is that the french, or the british, or the germans, have a better sense of who in their country are the potential bad guys, and they share that information with us, and we use that to enhance screening capabilities. In this case, no those two individuals could not have gotten on the plane. Secondly, the dhs inspections audit process that i mentioned, one of the things it looks at his countrys internal and external Law Enforcement capabilities. How good are they at identifying bad guys and tracking them . If we find flaws, we can work with them to improve. Host two countries want to be on the Visa Waiver Program list . Guest yes, very much so. Host why . Guest it does facilitate travel. It can be a difficult process to make travel arrangements to go to the capital, to get a visa in advance of your travel. With the Visa Waiver Program you can do most of this online. The other thing is it is somewhat of a status symbol. You are in the club of recognized u. S. Allies, and we get visafree travel to those countries. It is such an incentive, in fact, that countries that have wanted to be in the program has taken steps to improve their security well in advance of programs as because they know it will meet u. S. And it eventually. I will give you an example. Greece is a later entrant into the program. For quite a while, through the 1990s and the earlyto thousands, the greek passport was notoriously poor. The u. S. Government told the greeks the only way you will qualify is if you revamp your passport system, which they did, to the extent that they simply invalidated all issued passports and started from the beginning which was quite a painful step, but a necessary one, and they did this several years before Visa Waiver Program status was available to the. Other countries to them. Other countries begin signing these agreements with the United States that i mentioned, and begin to share this intelligence affirmation again, well in advance of Visa Waiver Program membership. Host i notice canada is not on the list. Guest yes, canada is not on the list for a variety of historical reasons. Both canada and mexico, for that matter, have different visa status. They have much more frequent crossing. They have, in effect, a visa status, but it is not part of this program. Host do they have easier requirements . Guest i would say host if we are living in toronto and we want to visit the u. S. For a week, can we buy a ticket and go . Guest you can buy a ticket. Host can you do that in mexico city . Guest you have to have a visa. I want to be careful here. I am a little out of my range but the issue is in some cases you do not. Obviously there are many communities across both borders were there is frequent crossing and they have Border Crossing cards and there are ways to easily cross the border. I want to be careful. There is a visa requirement through mexico, probably more so than there is for canada, and it is also important to be clear that with the Visa Waiver Program in particular, were talking about one category of travel shortterm or businessrelated travel. Student visas are not affected. Host lets take with calls. John in new york. Democrats line. You are on with marc frey. Caller good morning. I have a question with respect to the countries on the list. With the philippines be one of them . Guest no, john. The philippines are not on the list. The ones in the Asia Pacific Region are japan australia singapore, and perhaps a few others. Host why do you ask about the philippines . Guest i have some friends interested in traveling to the United States. Host is that your only question . Caller that is my only question. Host even though the philippines has a unique status with the u. S. . Guest in general, you have to meet standards to be eligible. If a country is willing to do the work and meet u. S. Requirements, they can begin the process, whether it is the philippines or the other. Some countries are much closer either because of securityrelated issues or potential migration issues, but there is nothing to stop the philippines from engaging with the u. S. Government and engaging this process. Host wasnt there a diplomatic snafu a couple of years back with brazil regarding this program . Guest i do not know if there was a diplomatic snafu, but i know the u. S. And the brazilians have been engaged talking about whether this would be possible Going Forward. As most things with international negotiations, two steps forward, two steps back. I think it is making some progress. Just last year, chile joined the program. It became the first Latin American Program country to join the Program Since uruguay was removed in the early2000s and it should be expanded to countries that are able to meet the security requirements, and brazil is potentially one of the countries it could be expanded to. Host richard. Pennsylvania. Republican line. Caller good morning marc. I would like to ask you a couple of questions and make a statement, if i could. Currently, today in this country, we have interstate checkpoints along the southern, northern, east coast, and west coast, of government agents standing checkpoints and tearing apart american citizens civil rights. They smash their windows, yank them out of their cars. They do not know the constitution, and when you explain it to them, they say no, sir, that is not right. It is not in the constitution. My question to you is why not trade the train these federal agents and put them on the border where they are needed to stop these people coming across the border and there is no one there to stop them, and spending all of this time delaying american citizens from going from one american state to another. Host richard, is that the only point you would like to make . Caller no, i would like to know what this man is going to do about this. Host i do not know if this is in your daily work or not mr. Frey. Guest i would say the majority of visa waiver travelers come to the u. S. By airports. They are not crossing land borders, so the Visa Waiver Program is different. It is not an immigration program. It is the precise opposite. It is shortterm stay, almost extensively air travel from europe asia, and now a bit from south america. I think these are two different issues. Host as someone who directed this program under 3, 4 years, under two administrations, would you like to see this program expanded . Guest absolutely. When i was with the program we did the first major round of expansion in years and europe in europe, and south korea. I was there for expansion into greece, and it has been expanded into taiwan and chile. It raises Security Standards for everyone. To the extent that countries are able and willing to meet and then maintain the program, it definitely should be expanded. Host portsmouth, rhode island. Democrat. Caller i think your idea of the computer chips on the passport is a great idea. I have a question that relates to getting out of the country if anyone has any idea how the female terrorist was able to travel from paris and get to syria. That is my comment basically. Guest thanks. I do not know that i can speak specifically about this particular instance, but i would say one of the things the Visa Waiver Program looks at, and that these audits that i mentioned check and review is the participating countrys ability to know who the potential that actors are and know their movement to know when they had departed paris, and to know when they come back. Some countries do a good job of this. Some countries probably could do a little bit better of a job but the point of the Visa Waiver Program is we have visibility at whether countries do a good job or bad jobs, and if it is the latter, we can give and Technical Assistance to help them bring their standards up to where we would like them to be. Host marc frey if someone from the u. S. , a u. S. Citizen, flew over to a european country, but then went into syria, or one of the countries that is in turmoil right now, is that tracked by the Homeland Security department . Are we aware . Is the u. S. Government aware of where we go . Guest yes and no. Certainly, we get information from airlines based on a persons itinerary and booking information. That is particularly required for both well, it is particularly important for flight coming into the country. Any last point of departure airport, for example, that has a direct flight back to the United States, the entire manifest of the plane is checked against multiple databases, whether you are under the Visa Waiver Program or traveling with a visa the manifest is that it. Vetted. At the same time when making an outlined outbound fight, it is screened internally. We have less visibility if you have flown to europe, transferred to a third country and from there gone overland across a border. Then, it is not about systematic tracking. It is about using intelligence capabilities and partnerships with friends and allies to track bad guys. If someone is on one of the lists, they will be flagged before they are able to get back into the United States. Host no african countries on the Visa Waiver Program. Guest that is right. Host . Host why . Guest primarily at historically that has to do with the other half of the program 97 out of 100 applicants has to be historically approved by the state department, and that metric is largely about economic migration issues, not necessarily security ones, but it is part of the original law and it maintains as one of the requirements of the program, and historically, because of social economic issues, african countries have had a hard time getting under the 3 threshold and that is before one or more of these countries could potentially be to security requirements of the Visa Waiver Program. Host mike. Worcester, massachusetts. Good morning. Caller good morning. I would like to ask how the underwear bomber and richard reid were able to enter this country. I understand the underwear bomber did not even have a passport. Guest let me take the richard reid question. I am glad you brought that up. It comes up quite often. Richard reid was a british citizen traveling under the Visa Waiver Program. This was back in december, 2001. That is quite a long time ago and in the interim there has been a number of enhancements made to prevent another richard reid from happening. For example, the individualized screening that i mentioned that is part of the Electronic System for travel authorization was not in place in 2001. It would be now. I think it is a bit telling that when people look for examples of bad actors exploiting the Visa Waiver Program they have to go all the way back to 2001 and richard reid because, frankly, there are not any more recent examples. One of the more recent examples, the underwear bomber i do not know that it is right he did not have a passport. I do know he did have a visa. He was not a Visa Waiver Program traveler and that is not to criticize the visa program because after that there were enhancements made to mention the visa process improved as well. Host marc frey, how quickly can updates be done on peoples profiles . Guest as soon as derogatory information comes in, and one of the benefits of the screening that i mentioned, even though it is valid for, two years, lets say, there is continuous vet done of the list. Tin if you got it today,g but next week if you got it today, if information is received next week, it could be revoked. Once it is received, we feed the information to the systems, the systems are updated, so if you had an authorization, you could find the next time you show up at the airport it would be revoked. Host clyde. New jersey. Go ahead with your question or comment for marc frey. Caller good morning, gentlemen. My question is, with the incident in paris, the whole world seems like they are uptight about the whole situation. I know we have the possibility of sleeping cells in the United States. I just wonder what is Homeland Security about the situation. Thank you. Guest clyde, thanks for the question. This issue of whether you call them sleeper cells or potentially radicalized individuals is important, and that is important for both european countries, or other alleys allies of hours in the Visa Waiver Program, but it is equally important for the United States. His recent case of the young man in columbus, ohio, who allegedly had a thought to have put bombs pipe bombs at the capital and otherwise create terror it is homegrown radicalism. That is a very difficult problem. I do not know that that is exactly my area of expertise but i know various government agencies, Homeland Security, the fbi, and others, are aware of this problem and are doing their best to address them. Host no muslim countries on the list either, of the 38 countries. Guest actually, vern i is on the list. It is not because their muslim countries, of course. As i said before, every country theoretically, can qualify and meet the program standards. Host what about china . Are they close to, would they like to be guest i think china would like to have easier visa access to the United States. I do not think china is close, and i have not seen indications that they have been pressing hard to have Visa Waiver Program status. Remember, not only do you have to have a good sense that the people who come here will not overstay their 90day period and we are comfortable with that for most of our european allies and asia pacific allies. I do not know how comfortable we would be on whether the chinese would meet the threshold. The other threshold, and this is important, i mentioned the audits that dhs undertakes. They are very apprehensive. Some might even say invasive. You have to have a level of cooperation with the host government that allows for very frank discussions of Security Capabilities and other things. So, i do not know that at this point in time we have a relationship with chinese leadership that would either one , put them in the bucket of close, u. S. Allies, like other countries are, but on a practical level that they would be willing to open themselves up to the level of inspection that is actually required for a country to maintain membership in the Visa Waiver Program. Host lets go back to that imaginary buy a ticket and can we fly into beijing . Guest no, we would have to get a visa. Host so, anyone that visits china has to get a visa, and a do they have to show up here in washington or a chinese consulate . Guest yes, and i do not know how many consulates there are, but yes, that is required. Host marc frey, how did you get into this line of work . Guest instant interestingly, i got a phd in u. S. Foreign policy, so it was natural i would come to washington, added that at the same time the department of lament security was standing up, and i saw it as Homeland Security was standing up, and i saw it as an opportunity to engage in vital work, so i joined up. Host and what are you doing now . Guest i am working for International Law firm based in washington on a number of international issues. Host sandra. Shelbyville, indiana, or is that shelley bill, tennessee shelbyville tennessee . Caller indiana. I know the rules have changed in this administration. In 2013, a special visa was issued for the Vice President of the International Union of the muslim brotherhood. The president is not allowed into their face because he has vowed death to all jews. No one knew he was here until there were pictures of him in the white house. When the white house was questioned about it, they said he was here to learn democracy. His remarks on facebook he was here to buy weapons. Host who was the person, one more time, the name . A caller abdu. Host is this a name you are familiar with, mr. Frey . Guest no, i am not. I believe he had a visa. You mentioned he was from uzbekistan, and that is a bit outside of what we are talking about. Host what is the overstate rate of the Visa Waiver Program . We are going to leave the last few minutes of this conversation and take you live to the u. S. House for a brief probe recession. The speaker pro tempore the house will be in