Transcripts For CSPAN WH 20240705 : vimarsana.com

Deal is reached between russia and iran, the u. S. Is concerned that these negotiations are actively advancing. Good afternoon. Over the course of five days, there were aerial attacks against ukraine. These massive but varmints used drones and missiles against cities. This graphic shows that area from which the russians launched these missiles on both dates. As well as the impact locations inside rain. We are still assessing the impacts. We expected russia and north korea to learn from these launches. We anticipate that russia will use additional north Korean Missiles. These missiles are capable of ranges of up to 900 kilometers. This is a significant and concerning escalation. In return for its support, we sense that pyongyang is trying to get military systems from russia. And other advanced technology. This would have concerning security implications. We have also said public feet that russia is seeking to acquire missiles from iran. We do not believe iran has delivered those. However, the u. S. Is concerned that negotiations to acquire them are actively advancing. The Iranian Revolutionary guard showcased its close range Ballistic Missiles and other Missile Systems. This was the first public display of Missile Systems. More recently, in middecember, they employed multiple missile support systems to a Training Area inside iran. We assess that russia intends to purchase Missile Systems from iran. We are taking a range of steps with our allies and partners. This directly violates multiple Un Security Council resolutions. We will raise these at the Un Security Council and the man that russia be held accountable for yet again violating international obligations. We will impose additional sanctions against those looking to facilitate arms transfers. We will continue to release information to the public to expose these arms deals as we are doing today because we will not allow countries to aid russias war machine in secret. The most Effective Response to this is to continue to provide ukraine with vital air defense systems. To do that, we need congress to approve our supplemental funding for ukraine without delay. Russia is relying on its friends to replenish its military stockpiles. They are standing with russia. Ukrainians deserve to know that the American People and this government continue to stand with them. By providing ukraine with what they need. It is time for congress to act. Thank you. Can you talk a little bit about how you obtained the information . Where does it come from . Also, do you have any idea whether there are more missiles telling to russia as well . I think you understand i have to be very careful here. We have been able to downgrade this information in order to give it to you today. There is information from many different resources that is corroborated. I will not be able to go to all the pieces that helped us put this together. There was a wide range of intelligence sources over time. As for the inventory now, i want to be careful. I would put it this way. We have not seen anything that would tell us that russia is not still relying on munitions and missiles from north korea. As you remember, we also downgraded information about artillery shells. We are deeply concerned. That is why we will expose those actions. How close is russia to purchasing missiles from iran . We have not seen them consummate the deal. I think you said that truth is part of the reason russia is having to go to the sources. It is aimed at their Domestic Production. There is intelligence that Domestic Production of missiles inside of russia has largely recovered. And impacts now the daily production of missiles inside russia. That now exceeds what it was. How much does the u. S. Government believe they really need these north korean and ukrainian systems . Is that the scarier part that they are getting different systems than they have the capability to build . What difference does it make that they are getting them from north korea if they have the production capability themselves . There is an awful lot there. It is not his u. S. Sanctions and export controls. It is really international pressures. We believe they have been made effective. Because of this deal they have with iran. I cannot speak to the degree with which they Defense Industry has managed to overcome the pressure. We dont believe it has been fully circumvented. Under the International Economic pressure they are on there. We still believe the export controls put in place have had a detrimental effect on their ability. That does not mean that they have not tried to improve and increase the capacity. We have talked about this many times. This war machine is still capable. We are not seeing anything that would tell us that these particular capabilities add something that they do not already have. It certainly adds to his capabilities. Without getting into a debate of how much they have a have not improved their capabilities. They certainly were try to cover recover from the pressure they are under. This is of a larger effort by putin to weaponized the winter. Target specific civilian infrastructure. Lets go back to something you said yesterday. He said hamas still has significant forces inside gaza. How do you square that with the civilian casualties . Already essentially saying that this campaign is not effective . That is not what im saying at all. We are not chipping in from the sidelines here. And giving you a report card on all the operations. You can still be effective against the leadership of an organization and still have many members of the organization survive. They have gone after the leadership at various levels and they will continue to do that. I do not see the dissonance there. You deny that civilian casualties are disproportionate to achieving their effective of illuminating hamas . We have been clear about civilian casualties. Zero is the right answer. We want to see them do more to reduce the impact on the civilian population. We dont want to see a single civilian killed here. That many people have died. And hamas still has a significant presence inside gaza. At what point do you say that strategy is not working . That would be for the israelis to speak to. It is their operation. They have to make is because of decisions. They believe they still have a viable threat from hamas that the israeli people are still under. They have vowed to do september october 7 over and over again. We are continuing to talk to them about how they do that. Secretary blinken has said how they do it matters. We want to make sure they doing it effectively. Against the leadership of hamas. At the same time, protecting innocent lives. Isis has claimed responsibility for the attack in iran. Is that the u. S. Conclusion as well . What is your analysis of the string devices of isis . We have seen the public credit that isis has taken for the attack in iran. We are in no position to doubt that. What was the second question . What is your analysis of their strength given the fact they were able to attack . Difficult to make a quantitative or qualitative assessment of their strength. After this one event. I would say what we said before which is they do remain a viable terrorist threat. Certainly they are largely based out of afghanistan. That is where they had put her themselves. They continue to pose a viable terrorist threat to the people of afghanistan and to the region. Is this a sign that the threat is increasing . I dont think we can make that call right there based on this one attack. It would be imprudent to say based on this one thing, they have exponentially improved their capabilities or their resources to a certain degree. I dont think we are at that point yet. We have long maintained that they remain a viable terrorist threat. Yesterday you also said once again that you expect israel to operate within the boundaries of humanitarian law. The last time i asked you whether the u. S. Had a sense whether it was doing that or not, you said you do not know of any assessment. If that has not changed, is it just an honor system . That the u. S. Will take israel at its word . That it is not breaking any war crimes . The question i got yesterday was the expectation that israelis had an airstrike in lebanon. They have the right and the responsibility to go after hamas leadership. They said they would do that. We expected them to do that in accord with International Laws. It was not about civilian casualties. Or a supposed airstrike. To the thrust of your question, we continue to top talk to our counterparts. With the need to protect innocent civilian life. We have seen them actively demonstrate that they are making an effort. It doesnt mean that more cannot be done or should be done. We do not want to see a single more innocent life taken. They have reduced their reliance on airstrikes. So they can be more . They have publicize eras where people can be safe. They are making an effort. I hear what youre saying. You are doing a lot of talking to israel. Two partners in the region. Have you taken any action to assess whether israel is following the rules of war or not . I am not aware of any kind of formal assessment being done by the u. S. Government to analyze the compliance with International Law by israel. How can you be sure that the resources that the u. S. Are supplying our under those guidelines . We have not seen anything that would convince us that we have to take a different approach in terms of trying to help israel. There was a strike on baghdad today that killed a military commander. Wondering if you can confirm that the u. S. Was responsible for that strike . I think i will refer you to the department of defense for that one. Didnt you ask me yesterday about that . Somebody did. If you dont mind. I messed this up yesterday. Whether we think israel should agree to the norwegian plan. This is palestinian money. I got it wrong yesterday and i want to correct the record. Quickly on the strike in ukraine. Is the fact that the north Korean Missile landed in an open field indicative of failure . I think it is too soon to know that. We dont have any specific data analysis. It could be a missile malfunction. It might be the result of poor operational factors. Whether or not the crew did that. Thankfully all it did was put a hole in the field. But on the second of january, there were multiple missiles fired in ukraine. I said in my Opening Statement, we are still doing the assessment on the damage. Cannot be read as anything other than threatening to attack in yemen . It is a pretty clear statement of how concerned we had our partners are, particularly about what the houthis are doing in the red sea. We all telegraph our punches. Is there anything you can tell us . I will not get ahead of where we have been. About how seriously we are taking this threat. As the statement said, the houthis will be held accountable for the consequences. Iran made a couple of transactions withdrawing from the fund in oman. What were those transactions for . I do not have the details on that. I will have to get back to you on the. That. I hoped to get an answer today. I will come back to you. More broadly, is the administration reconsidering its decision to interrupt iran from allowing these sanctions and waivers to go forth given the attacks we have saying seen . The humanitarian aid . I am hoping we can get an answer. The assistant treasury secretary was testifying about this to a house subcommittee. He said any details about the transactions would have to be in a classified setting. Why would we need to have this be behind closed doors when that money is only supposed to be for humanitarian purposes . This is supposed to be a transparent paying. Thing. After that decision, more money was extended. This was money that was payments for electricity. Given the level of tax and the availability of these funds, is the u. S. Reconsidering the section waivers . I will have to get back to you on whether or not there has been some kind of procurement request by the iranians or the humanitarian systems. With that as a caveat, i would tell you that again none of that money goes to the iranian regime. None of that goes to the mullahs. If it has been allocated against, it would go to approved vendors that would purchase food, water, medicine. And then ship that directly into iran for the benefit of the people. Your question given the behavior of the state right now. Our issue is not with the iranian people. It is difficult to square anybody having a problem with the iranian people getting food, water, medicine, and agricultural products. This is what i was getting to. That is kind of what your question is getting to. It is not as if the mullahs are thinking how can we make the lives of the iranian citizens better . They are not making that choice. They are investing in missile technology. Helping ukraine sorry, russia, kyl innocent ukrainians. That does not stand up. It frees up money that they were going to use on food and water that now they are going to go by missiles with. Buy missiles with. I would argue that critics are incorrect. The regime has been doing that consistently over multiple president ial administrations. They have hegemonic ambitions in the region. They rad region. They have been investing money into advanced military capabilities to try to push forward that vision. It is not as if they have been prioritizing the iranian people. These funds are designed for the iranian people and their benefit only. A single lawmaker who has called to reduce the number of Border Patrol agents i would argue karina has talked about this. The fact they voted down proposed legislation that would at the president urging increase the number. Just by dint of the numbers of votes, House Republicans have said they do not favor increasing the number of border agents. You heard speaker johnson at the border yesterday. They are not interested in moving forward on the president S National Security supplemental which has 6 billion in there, much of it designed to give us another 1300 border agents. A reference to the dhs appropriations bill. They had a cr. But that bill, republicans say it would have increased the number of Border Patrol agents because it would have illuminated funds for Climate Change and clean energy programs. The white house issued a statement saying those cuts to those programs would be unpalatable for the president. This is the first im hearing this claim about illuminating Border Patrol agents eliminating Border Patrol agents. The proposed legislation has additional agents in and republicans voted it down. On ukraine, what options has the White House Administration reviewed to get aid to ukraine . If congress can deliver on the supplemental request. What conversations is the u. S. Having with its allies who are also supporting ukraine . Is it creating concern on their part if congress cannot deliver . Our allies and partners are watching what we do. U. S. Leadership matters. It matters a lot when it comes to being able to support ukraine. They are allowed to make their own decisions. They are sovereign nations. They will go. We want to continue to support ukraine for ourselves. We want our allies and partners to be able to do that as well. Only they can speak to the degree to which they are going to be willing Going Forward based on what we do. You know who else is watching . Vladimir putin. President she and beijing president xi and beijing. To your first question, as i said yesterday, we announced the distribution of the final Security Systems package for which we had replenishment money left to provide on the 27th of december. There is not any more money to do that. Im not going to get ahead of where we are and speak about hypotheticals, branches we might try to pursue Going Forward. We need this money. The answer to this problem as i said in my Opening Statement is Congress Acting on the supplemental request so we can continue to help ukraine defend itself. A quick question. Does the Administration Believe is linked to efforts to broaden the gaza war to the middle east . The u. S. Strike is the department of defense. Im not prepared to speak to that. I have not seen anything that indicates there is a direct link to what is going on in gaza with the attack in iran on the anniversary of custom soleimanis death. I have not seen anything that would tell me there is a link. While ukraine waits for a replenishment of their defense systems, are you worried russia could destroy some of them . Is it a priority to replenish them once you get funding . We would absolutely prioritize air defense capabilities with additional funding that we expect to get for ukraine and we hope to get for ukraine. Air defense will be top of the list. How do you balance president s within the coalition with governments that are considered a partner . I cannot speak to the specifics of this particular strike. I will just tell you we are grateful for the continued support we get from the government of iraq. We are in an advise and assist capacity to go after a still viable isis threat in iraq. That partnership continues. Unlike iran and the irgc, we respect iraqi sovereignty. You know what else we take seriously . Defending the lives of our men and women in uniform who are in iraq at iraqs invitation to help them get better against this terrorist threat. We take that seriously, too. We have a right and responsibility to make sure they are well defended. We will do what we have to do to protect our people. You said israel, you want to see zero civilian casualties. You have huge leverage over israel and how they conduct this war especially because we are seeing cabinet ministers attend a war cabinet in israel which we have not seen with other allies. Would you said you actually can help to push to reduce the number of civilian casualties . By february gazans are facing famine. We are mindful of the humanitarian crisis that exists in gaza, whether it is food, medicine, water. That is why to your specific question we have worked hard since the beginning of this conflict to talk to the israelis about how they are conducting these operations. Increasing humanitarian assistance inside gaza now. There are two gates open. Thats not by accident. That is because our american diplomatic efforts have done so much to get those gates open. Trucks continue to flow. Not as much as we want, but they are. We are trying to make sure we can alleviate humanitarian suffering. That takes a lot of tough conversations. But we are not shying away from that. Secretary blinken is on his way to israel to have these conversations with our israeli counterparts. Thank you. About chinese spy balloons. The Defense Ministry told us they spotted several balloons over the island. Do you have any reaction . Are you concerned about election interference as the election approaches . Im not in a position to confirm reports of balloons over taiwan. I will leave it to taiwan and beijing to speak to that. We want to support the democracy and the Democratic Institutions of southern taiwan. We want to see free, fair, open, and Transparent Elections there. We are certainly mindful that outside actors could try to interfere. We continue to urge anyone outside taiwan not to interfere in their ability to have a free, fair, and democratic election. Happy new year. On a somber note, the youngest hostage being held captive in gaza turned one yesterday in captivity. Wherever you are, happy birthday. We are all praying for you. I have two questions about the recent reports that came out regarding Al Shifa Hospital being used as a hamas control center. Can you share with us what new information has come to light now that you did not know back in february that you did not know back when israel took control of the complex . Im not aware of any new information that has come to light since the israeli operation on al shifa. Intel is only confirming what we already know then . Yes. What is your reaction to u. S. Funded agencies that have had a presence in hospitals being alleged to have been used . Does this make them complicit in anyway . How does the Administration View this . Is there any way you plan on adjusting your strategy . The u. N. Relief agency does important work. They are doing a lot of heavy lifting in terms of trying to get food, water, and medicine to the people of gaza all up and down the strip. They are doing it very much in harms way. You cannot hold them accountable for the way hamas uses civilian infrastructure including hospitals for command and control, storage of weapons, the holding of hostages. Should it raise the alarm that facilities are being used i will let the u. N. Speak to their agency and what alarms they want to raise. We give them 1 billion. They are important to getting humanitarian systems to the people of gaza and we are grateful for that work they are doing, very much in harms way. I will let them speak to whatever concerns they have over hamass activities and the degree to which they feel obligated to speak out. It is not some state secret that hamas hides itself and digs tunnels under residential complexes and neighborhoods. This is what the israelis are up against. A group that does not abide by the laws of war and has no compunction about putting civilian lives in greater danger. About the u. S. Service members mother and uncle who were safely freed thanks to a rescue operation from gaza. It happened in the last several days. The u. S. Military was not directly involved. Can you tell me what role the u. S. Played, how this came to be . How the white house became aware of the situation . What can you tell us . First i am glad they are out. I would couch this as part and parcel of an ongoing effort we have had working with israeli counterparts and the egyptians to allow for safe passage of americans out of gaza. It is part and parcel to that larger effort. This being related to a u. S. Service member did not make it different from any other american . The uncle was a u. S. Citizen. Im not sure if the mother was. Certainly considered them for all intents and purposes americans. There is no u. S. Military involvement here. This was not some special operation. One separate question. Would the u. S. Support israel if it pursued and killed members of hamas leadership in another country within the bounds of International Law . Say if it happened in qatar . I do not want to get into specific hypotheticals. As long as it is within International Law with that also apply . I am not going to get into hypotheticals. They have a right and responsibility to go after hamas leadership. Can you add more detail, can you say how many Ballistic Missiles russia is hoping to get from iran . Either close range Ballistic Missiles i dont have that level of detail. We dont believe a deal has been consummated. It is difficult to get into detail. You said there are several russia received several Ballistic Missiles. How many are remaining that can still be shot . Sort of a similar question. Im not at liberty to go beyond the information at the top. Last week Michigans Supreme Court rejected a challenge to keep donald trump off their 2024 primary ballot after colorado and maine removed the former president from their ballot. Michigan secretary of state Jocelyn Benson talks about elections and democracy hosted by the association of american law schools at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan, the free cspan now app, or online at cspan. Org. The house and senate are in recess and will return next week for the start of the second session of the 118th congress. The senate convenes on january 8 and the house on january 9. Both chambers face funding deadlines to avoid a government shutdown. The first on january 19 and the other on february 2. The sub committees on appropriations are ready to do the work. We are awaiting the other side, the other chamber to come forward with a number we can agree upon. Leader mcconnell and i will figure out the best way to get this done quickly. Neither mcconnell or i want a shut down. Follow when Congress Returns on cspan or anytime online at cspan. Org. Cspan, your unfiltered view of government. If you miss any of cspans coverage, you can find it anytime online at cspan. Org. Videos of key hearings, debates, and other events feature markers that guide you to interesting and newsworthy highlights. These point of interest markers appear on the righthand side of your screen. When you hit play on selected videos. This time this makes it easy to get an idea of what was discussed in washington. Spend a few minutes on cspans point of interest. Cspan now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of what is happening in washington. Live and ondemand. Keep up with the days biggest events with live streams of floor proceedings and hearings from congress, white house events, the courts, campaigns, and more from the world of politics. You can also stay current with the latest episodes of washington journal and find scheduling information for cspan tv networks and cspan radio. Plus a variety of compelling podcasts. Cspan now is available on the apple store. Visit our website, cspan. Org cspan now. Your front row seat to washington anytime, anywhere. Kentucky governor Andy Beshears state of the commonwealth address