January 12, 2017 C-SPAN News
Retired Gen. James Mattis, the Trump administration’s Defense Secretary nominee, discussed a number of topics at his confirmation hearing including U.S.-NATO relations, Russia, U.S. intelligence reliability, the defense budget and military readiness. He testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. On NATO, Mr. Mattis called it the most successful military alliance. He acknowledged President-elect Trump’s skepticism of NATO but added that in conversations with him, Mr. Trump has shown an openness on the topic. The President-elect has also questioned U.S. intelligence. Mr. Mattis said he has a “very high, high degree of confidence” in the nation’s intelligence community. To wrap up the more than three-hour long hearing, senators voted to pass a bill out of committee to give Gen. Mattis a waiver allowing him to serve as Defense Secretary even though he’s only been out of military service since 2013. Under existing law, there is a 7 year wait period for retired military officers to serve as Defense Secretary.
Monthly Archives: February 2017
General John Kelly Department Of Homeland Security Confirmation Hearing
January 11, 2017 CSPAN News
Retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, the nominee to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the incoming Trump administration, responded to questions regarding border security and immigration policy, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He was introduced by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates. General Kelly said that he did not think Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would be a high priority for deportation and building a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border would not be sufficient and a layered defense strategy was needed for border security. After the hearing the committee’s chair and ranking member, Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) spoke to the press. They said they anticipated that he would be confirmed by the Senate.
Rex “Drill-Baby-Drill” Tillerson Secretary Of State Confirmation Hearing
(PART #1) January 11, 2017 CSPAN News
Former ExxonMobil Chair and CEO Rex Tillerson testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on his nomination to be the next secretary of state in the Trump administration. He answered questions from committee members on a wide range of issues concerning foreign affairs, diplomacy, international human rights, regional conflicts around the globe, and U.S. security interests at home and abroad.
(PART #2)
Senators And Top Intel Spooks ACT Like “RT News” Is A Major Threat At Hearing On Russian Hacking
January 10, 2017 C-SPAN News
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was joined by the heads of the FBI, CIA, and the National Security Agency in testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee on their collective investigation and findings on Russian influence in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The men reiterated many of the points made in their unclassified report on Russia’s influence, including their conclusion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was directly involved. In his first congressional appearance since the election, FBI Director James Comey faced sharp questioning on whether his agency was investigating potential connections between either of the presidential campaigns and Russian officials, and he said he couldn’t comment on whether or not such an investigation was ongoing.
Sen Graham “I’m Not Saying They Changed The Outcome Of The Election But It’s Pretty Clear They Did!”
January 10, 2017 C-SPAN News
Senator Lindsey Graham questions the integrity of the 2016 election and Russian hacking of the election at the confirmation hearing of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination to be attorney general in the Donald Trump administration.
“Religions Are Teaching Our Children About Justice” First Lady Michelle Obama’s Farewell Address
January 06, 2017 C-SPAN News
In her last official remarks as first lady, Michelle Obama talked about some of the educational initiatives of the Obama administration including her “Reach Higher” program, and called on the nation’s youth to empower themselves with a good education. She also discussed the contributions of school counselors who were honored at this White House ceremony. She was introduced by the 2017 School Counselor of the Year, Terri Tchorzynski, of the Calhoun Area Career Center in Battle Creek, Michigan
John Kerry Final Press Conference As Secretary Of State
January 06, 2017 C-SPAN News
Secretary of State John Kerry said U.S. international standing had improved since 2009 when President Obama first took office. Speaking at his final press conference at the State Department, Secretary Kerry reflected on foreign policy challenges and successes, including the strategy to defeat and destroy ISIL*, the Iran nuclear agreement, the Paris climate agreement, and relations with Cuba. *The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or DAISH/DAESH in Arabic), is a militant group that has called itself the Islamic State.
It’s Official! Donald Trump Wins! Joint Session Of Congress Certifies Electoral College Vote Count
January 06, 2017 C-SPAN News
The United States House of Representatives and the Senate convened for a joint session of Congress to verify certificates and count electoral college votes from each state for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.