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• Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization, Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, April 14, 2015

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  This is the April 14, 2015 hearing, "Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization," before the Full Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. From the opening statement of Chairman John Thune: "So I look forward to discussing options for reform this morning. No matter who is in charge of the operation of the air traffic control system, airports are an integral part of our aviation system. Whatever path we take this year, we are sure to debate options for airport funding and how to maintain equitable access to funding for airports of all sizes. Ours is truly a National Airspace System, a system of airports and air traffic control infrastructure that ties communities, big and small, together, not to mention the vast users, from private pilots, commercial jetliners, military users, and even space tourism. As important as the safety standards and procedures for operating in the Nation's airspace are, so, too, are the standards and certification processes that ensure safety of aircraft in the system. If the United States is to remain at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing and innovation, the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] must be able to review and approve new aircraft in a timely and effective manner. Cutting edge technologies, from fly-by-wire airliners to unmanned aircraft systems, need to get to market quickly with FAA's gold standard safety certification." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michael P. Huerta.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2016
• Manifesto for Globalization

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  From the Document: "Globalization is under attack. From the right, President Trump thundered to the UN that '[w]e reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism. Around the world, responsible nations must defend against threats to sovereignty … from global governance.' From the left, Bernie Sanders proclaimed, 'Let's be clear. The global economy is not working for the majority of people in our country and the world. This is an economic model developed by the economic elite to benefit the economic elite.' US isolationism is part of a worldwide phenomenon: anti-globalizers have risen to power in countries from Brazil and Hungary to the UK. And they led efforts to build walls real and virtual against trade and exchange. From the intellectual right, globalization is blamed for cultural decay. From the left it is attacked as a source of inequality and repression."

  Center for Global Development

  Kenny, Charles

  2020-07
• Indian Law and Order Commission Report: A Roadmap for Making Native America Safer, Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, February 12, 2014

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  This is a hearing titled " Indian Law and Order Commission Report: A Roadmap for Making Native America Safer" held on February 12, 2014 before the Committee on Indian Affairs. From the opening statement of Senator Maria Cantwell: " Today's hearing is on the Indian Law and Order Commission Report: A Roadmap for Making Native America Safer. We will hear from the Committee's work to improve public safety and justice in Indian Country. The report was mandated under the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, which was enacted while a former colleague, Senator Dorgan, was Chair of the Committee. And the report specifically identifies problems that exist with public safety and justice in Indian Country and Alaska Native villages. More importantly, it proposes recommendations to address some of these issues." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Troy A. Eid, Affie Ellis, Tami Truett Jerue, Timothy Q. Purdon, and Kevin Washburn.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Advancing the Federal-Tribal Relationship Through Self-governance and Self-determination: Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, One Hundred and Twelfth Congress, Second Session, September 20, 2012

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  This is the hearing before the U.S. Senate, Committee on Indian Affairs entitled "Advancing the Federal-Tribal Relationship Through Self-governance and Self-determination." From the opening statement of Committee Chairman, Daniel K. Akaka: "From the Constitution, it is clear our Founding Fathers understood the sovereign authority of tribal nations, and their governments. It is also clear Tribal governments came in a diversity of forms. The broad terms Indian and tribes represented a diversity of peoples, with unique cultures, languages and traditions, indigenous to the United States. From our earliest days as a nation, we made treaties with the Indian Tribes, just as we did with a diversity of foreign nations, governing issues such as trade, peace, and other relations. With our westward expansion during the nineteenth century, federal objectives turned to Manifest Destiny and federal policies toward our Country's first peoples changed. The movement to remove the Native peoples began. The United States again relied on treaties with Tribes to facilitate the acquisition of Native lands, and often promised in exchange, to provide for Indian health, education, welfare, and housing, and a guaranteed right to self-governance." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Daniel K. Akaka, Lawrence Roberts, Ian Erlich, Charles Head, and D. Noelani Kalipi.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Indian Affairs

  2012-09-20
• State of U.S. Travel and Tourism: Industry Efforts to Attract 100 Million Visitors Annually, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, May 8, 2014

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  This is the May 8, 2014 hearing, "State of U.S. Travel and Tourism: Industry Efforts to Attract 100 Million Visitors Annualy," before the Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. From the Opening Statement of Brian Schatz, "This hearing will examine whether we are reaching our Nation's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors annually by 2021. We will hear from key industry stakeholders and get their perspective on how the Federal Government can better achieve this goal. Tourism and hospitality know no ideology. This is an area where we can work together across party lines to create and keep jobs in the United States. The travel and tourism industry is a major economic driver and job creator in this country. It generates trillions of dollars in economic output, making it our top services export, and supports more than 14 million American jobs. When international travelers come to the United States, they spend an average of $4,400 on food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment, which is directly infused into local economies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Roger Dow, Christopher L. Thompson, Mike McCartney, and Brad Dean.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Current Situation in Georgia and Implications for U.S. Policy, Hearing Before the Committee of Armed Services, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Second Session, September 9, 2008

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  From the opening statement of Carl Levin: "We hope our witnesses will provide some of the backdrop for the current disputes over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which date back to the early 1990s following the breakup of the Soviet Union and are rooted in ethnic differences going back hundreds of years. We also need to understand the immediate causes in the months leading up to the outbreak of hostilities in early August, what led to the Georgian government's decision to attempt to assert military control over South Ossetia, given its strong ties to Russia, and what led Russia to respond with a disproportionate military offensive extending beyond South Ossetia. [...]. This hearing begins Congress' review of the Georgia crisis and understanding its implication for Georgia's security, for the region, and globally. [...]. What is the right balance to strike between signaling to Russia that its claims of a sphere of influence which override the sovereignty of its neighbors are unacceptable, while keeping the door open to Russian integration into the broader international community and working with Russia in areas where our strategic interests are aligned, such as preventing a nuclear Iran or counterterrorism efforts?" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Carl Levin, Eric S. Edelman, Daniel Fried, John M. Paxton, and Michael T. Flynn.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• COVID-19 Vaccine Rumors and Conspiracy Theories: The Need for Cognitive Inoculation Against Misinformation to Improve Vaccine Adherence

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  From the Introduction: "Rumors and conspiracy theories, can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Monitoring online data related to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] vaccine candidates can track vaccine misinformation in real-time and assist in negating its impact. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccine rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, understand their context, and then review interventions to manage this misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance."

  Public Library of Science

  Islam, Md Saiful; Kamal, Abu-Hena Mostofa; Kabir, Alamgir . . .

  2021-05-12
• States of Emergency: The Failure of Prison System Responses to COVID-19

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  From the Webpage: "From the beginning of the pandemic, it was clear that densely packed prisons and jails -- the result of decades of mass incarceration [hyperlink] in the U.S. -- presented dangerous conditions for the transmission of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. More than a year later, the virus has claimed more than 2,700 lives [hyperlink] behind bars and infected 1 out of every 3 people in prison [hyperlink]. A year after we first graded state responses [hyperlink] to COVID-19 in prisons, most state departments of corrections and the federal Bureau of Prisons are still failing on even the simplest measures of mitigation. In this report, we evaluated departments of corrections on their responses to the pandemic from the beginning of the pandemic to July 2021."

  Prison Policy Initiative

  Herring, Tiana; Sharma, Maanas

  2021-09-01
• Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment in the COVID-19 Context

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  From the Introduction: "As donor institutions and governments seek to provide relief and support recovery from the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic and global recession, CGD's [Center for Global Development's] new COVID-19 Gender and Development Initiative [hyperlink] aims to ensure that their policy and investment decisions equitably benefit women and girls. Through the initiative we seek to deepen decision-makers' understanding of the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession and the containment, economic, and social policy responses to them, as well as propose evidence-based solutions to support an inclusive recovery. Recognizing that the academic and policy dialogue around gender inequality in the COVID-19 context has largely emphasized challenges facing women and girls in high-income settings, our analysis centers on women and girls in low- and middle-income countries (LICs and MICs). In this paper, we examine the impact of the COVID-19 global recession on women's formal and informal work and employment in low- and middle-income countries, including entrepreneurship, wage and salaried work, work in subsistence and commercial agriculture, and unpaid housework and care work, and make recommendations to promote women's economic opportunities and empowerment. We begin with a brief summary of a conceptual framework developed by drawing on evidence of past crises' gendered impacts and women's and girls' coping strategies in response to crisis."

  Center for Global Development

  O'Donnell, Megan; Buvinić, Mayra; Kenny, Charles . . .

  2021-04
• Northern Mariana Islands Immigration: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Mineral Resources Development and Production of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session on the Issues Associated with Immigration Into the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, September 22, 1994

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  From the opening statement of the Hon. Daniel K. Akaka: "Today's hearing will focus on issues associated with immigration to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including the increase in the number of non-residents, the lack of an efficient monitoring system to track their entry, as well as reports of labor, physical and sexual abuses against alien workers. Many of these abuses have been directed against women from the Philippines and the People's Republic of China. I am very anxious to hear from local and Federal officials on what actions they have undertaken or plan to undertake to address these problems. There is growing concern in Congress that the only way to stem these serious abuses is to crack down on an immigration policy that offers an open door to alien workers and organized crime. One solution would be to strengthen Federal oversight, assistance, and enforcement in the Commonwealth."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  1995
• Field Hearings for Fiscal Year 2008: Hearings before the Committee on the Budget, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session: February 20, 2007 - The Impact of Federal Funding on Law Enforcement and First Responders; August 7, 2007 - An Examination of Health Care Costs: Challenges and Options for Reform

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  From the opening statement of Kent Conrad: "As you know, we face now the challenge of writing a budget for the United States, and we have to do that in the next 30 days. So this is a critically important time to get input from those who are especially affected by these decisions. Let me just start and talk about the budget the President has sent to us and how it affects law enforcement and first responders. There are parts of the President's proposals that I must find--I must say I find startling. The first is the COPS [Community Oriented Policing Services] program that the President has proposed cutting by 94 percent; from $553 million to $32 million. A second area the President has proposed major reductions is the Byrne grants; so important to local law enforcement. $530 million provided in 2007 by the Congress, and the President has proposed cutting that 34 percent. On State Homeland Security Program funded at $535 million for fiscal year 2007, the President proposes cutting that 65 percent. […] On Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program. $382 million last year. The President proposes 263 million; a 31 percent cut. Firefighter grants. Last year Congress provided $675 million. The President has proposed $300 million; a 56 percent cut. Let me just say the needs of law enforcement, the needs of first responders have not been reduced. If anything, the need for law enforcement, the need for Homeland Security, the need for first responders' resources, has increased in the country. Certainly not been reduced." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kent Conrad, Candace Abernathy, Burch Burdick, Janis Cheney, Ken Habiger, Terry G. Hoff, Bruce Hoover, Mark A. Johnson, Paul Laney, L. John MacMartin, Keith Ternes, Terry Traynor, Mary K. Wakefield, and Dennis Walaker.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2007
• Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, July 28, 2010

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  From the opening statement of Patrick J. Leahy: "The Judiciary Committee today hears from Director Robert Mueller of the FBI for the fourth time this Congress. We held two FBI oversight hearings last year, and the Director appeared earlier this year to testify about national security issues. I welcome him back to the Committee. I would note the Director, the same as with his predecessor, has always been available anytime I have called or had questions. We have done briefings on both unclassified and classified matters, and I appreciate that and I appreciate his candor in responding. I wish I could talk about some of the things he has responded, but they were highly classified so I will not. But I just want to note for the record I appreciate his candor in that." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick J. Leahy, Jeff Sessions, and Robert S. Mueller, III.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Hearing Before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, One Hundred and Twelfth Congress, First Session, June 22, 2011

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  This is the June 22, 2011 hearing, "Oversight of Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Efforts," before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Patrick Leahy: "I thank the witnesses who are here today to discuss the enforcement of our Nation's intellectual property laws. This is an issue on which this Committee has focused a great deal in recent months, and there is good reason for it. While estimates of intellectual property theft are difficult to quantify, reports indicate that it costs the American economy billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lost jobs. This is unacceptable in any economic climate, and it is devastating today. Whether intellectual property theft takes place on street corners or on the Internet, it poses a threat to American businesses, American public safety, and even the American military. This problem, simply put, is an epidemic. Thanks to the work of each of our witnesses, however, it is one that we are making significant strides to combat." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick Leahy, Victoria A. Espinel, Jason Weinstein, Gordon M. Snow, Allen Gina, and Erik Barnett.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2015
• Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hearing Before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, May 16, 2012

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  This is the May 16, 2012 hearing, "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Patrick Leahy: "In the years since September 11th, the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] has played an increasingly important role in our Nation's counterterrorism and intelligence gathering efforts. Together with prosecutors, other law enforcement partners, and the intelligence community, the FBI has helped obtain hundreds of terrorism convictions in our federal criminal courts. Earlier this month, a federal jury in New York handed down a guilty verdict in one of the most serious terrorism plots since 9/11, which involved plans to carry out suicide bombings in the New York subway in 2009. Contrary to the fearful predictions of some, this major terrorism trial proceeded without a hitch in a federal court in the heart of New York City. There was hardly any disruption of the lives of New Yorkers who live and work near the courthouse. The defendant was convicted without the need for mandatory military custody or interrogation, and certainly without the need for indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay or elsewhere. He will be sentenced later this year, and faces life imprisonment. This is only the latest example of federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal courts successfully investigating and trying terrorism cases." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick Leahy and Robert S. Mueller III.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary

  2013
• Marijuana Cultivation on U.S. Public Lands: Hearing Before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, December 7, 2011

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  This testimony is from the December 7, 2011 hearing, "Marijuana Cultivation on U.S. Public Lands," before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. From the opening Statement of Dianne Feinstein: "We are here today to explore the increasing problem of domestic marijuana cultivation, particularly on U.S. public lands. Drug production was first detected in the Southern California National Forests in 1995. Today, there is domestic production in 20 states and 67 National Forests. Since 2006, 13,843,937 marijuana plants have been eradicated nationally and 12,081,168 of these have been in California alone. In 2009, nearly 10 million plants were eradicated from outdoor sites nationwide, representing a 153 percent increase from 2005. Outdoor marijuana cultivation in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington greatly exceeds outdoor cultivation in all other areas of the country combined." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dianne Feinstein, Charles E. Grassley, Michael Thompson, Gil Kerlikowske, David Ferrell and Margaret Mims.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Caucus on International Narcotics Control

  2011-12-07
• Transportation Security Administration's Airline Passenger and Baggage Screening, Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, April 4, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Ted Stevens: "The purpose of today's hearing will be to evaluate TSA's [Transportation Security Administration] physical screening of airline passengers and their baggage. The hearing will focus generally on TSA's security checkpoint screening processes, the agency's deployment of new screening technologies, screener workforce issues, and TSA's procurement processes. [...] Our committee wants to seek some information today from you as witnesses regarding ways to make passenger screening checkpoints more efficient, effective, without compromising privacy. We want to seek TSA's vision for the checkpoint of the future and review whether existing technologies can be integrated to a single more effective portal that can be applied in the short term." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ted Stevens, Senator (AK); John Ensign, Senator (NV); Daniel K. Inouye, Senator (HI); Frank R. Lautenberg, Senator (NJ); Mark Pryor, Senator (AR); Cathleen A. Berrick, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Edmond Hawley, Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, Gregory O. Principato, President, Airports Council International- North America (ACI-NA); Hasbrouck B. Miller, Vice President of Government Affairs, Smiths Detection; Thomas Ripp, President, Security and Detection Systems Division, L-3 Communications, Inc.; Timothy D. Sparapani, Legislative Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union; and the report "Luggage Security-More Safety, Less Hassle for American Travelers: a Private Sector Solution," by Richard A. Altomare, Coalition for Luggage Security.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Law Enforcement Responses to Mexican Drug Cartels Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, March 17, 2009

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  From the opening statement of Richard J. Durbin: "Over 6,200 people died in drug-related violence in Mexico last year. More than 1,000 people were killed in the month of January this year alone, including police officers, judges, prosecutors, soldiers, journalists, politicians, and innocent bystanders. Today, we are going to hear firsthand testimony from two Mexican witnesses about the devastating human consequences of this violence. One of these witnesses was forced to flee his hometown of Ciudad Juárez, a city of 1.5 million where public assassinations are carried out in broad daylight and more than 1,600 people were killed in drug-related violence in the year 2008. Last month, the city's chief of police resigned after drug cartels threatened to kill a policeman every day if he remained on the job. And just this weekend, nine bodies were found in a common grave outside Juárez. Mexican drug cartels also pose a direct threat to Americans. According to a recent Justice Department report, Mexican drug cartels 'control most of the U.S. drug market' and are 'the greatest organized crime threat to the United States.' In Phoenix, Arizona, last year, 366 kidnappings for ransom were reported--more than in any other American city--and the vast majority of them were related to the Mexican drug trade." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard J Durbin; Dianne Feinstein; Lindsey Graham; Charles E. Grassley; Amy Klobuchar; Jeff Sessions; Jorge Luis Aguirre; Denise Eugenia Dresser Guerra; Terry Goodard; William Hoover; Kumar C. Kibble; Michael J. Bouchard; Ronald E. Brooks; Paul Helmeke; Harold L. Hurtt; William M. Lansdowne; and Thomas W. Sneddon Jr.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, April 27, 2010

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  From the opening statement of Patrick Leahy: "I am encouraged by the Department's recent strengthening of airline passenger screening policies and the decision to move away from a country-specific screening policy in favor of a smarter, more flexible approach. And I hope that today we will hear more about the Department's efforts to improve security as well as the coordination with the State Department. Now, along our southern border, we are experiencing historic levels of drug-related violence that must be brought under control. Families are being murdered, law enforcement officers are being murdered, officials are being murdered, and brazen shoot-outs are taking place. The Department is centrally involved in the fight against cross-border drug, cash, weapon, and human smuggling." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick Leahy, Senator (VT); Jeff Sessions, Senator (AL); Janet Napolitano, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Silvestre Reyes, Representative (TX); and University Medical Center of El Paso.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2011
• Combating Money Laundering and Other Forms of Illicit Finance: How Criminal Organizations Launder Money and Innovative Techniques for Fighting Them, Modernizing the United States' Anti-Money-Laundering Regime, Exploring How Criminal Organizations Launder Money and the Innovative Techniques That Are Available to Fight Them, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Second Session, June 20, 2018

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  This is the June 20, 2018 hearing titled "Combating Money Laundering and Other Forms of Illicit Finance: How Criminal Organizations Launder Money and Innovative Techniques for Fighting Them" held before the Senate Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance. From the opening statement of Ben Sasse: "This is the third Banking Committee hearing on modernizing our Nation's outdated anti-money-laundering regime. Today we will explore how criminal organizations launder money and the innovative techniques that are available to fight them. [...] This discussion today will cover how to improve cooperation and coordination with law enforcement officials and how to incentivize and enable financial institutions to adopt innovative AML [anti-money laundering] techniques. This includes leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning while still preserving strict AML rules targeting criminal activity." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dennis M. Lormel, Tracy S. Woodrow, and Chip Poncy.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2019
• Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Protecting Our Communities While Respecting the Second Amendment: Hearing Before the U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights, One Hundred Thrirteenth Congress, First Session, February 12, 2013

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  "This testimony compilation is from the February 12, 2013 hearing, 'Proposals to Reduce Gun Violence: Protecting Our Communities While Respecting the Second Amendment' before the U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. From the testimony of Senator Patrick Leahy: 'Today's hearing focuses on ways to reduce gun violence while respecting Americans' Second Amendment rights. As a responsible gun owner and strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, I know we can do both. I have always believed that the Second Amendment affords a fundamental individual right. The Supreme Court has now clearly recognized that right, and it is settled in our law. Following the decisions in Heller and McDonald, there is no question that Americans have a right to self-defense and to keep a firearm to protect their families.' Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ted Cruz, Orrin Hatch, Patrick Leahy, Timothy J. Heaphy, Laurence H. Tribe, Daniel Webster, Sandra J. Wortham, Charles J. Cooper, and Suzanna Hupp."

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary

  2013-02-12
• Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, November 8, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Patrick J. Leahy: "When Attorney General Holder was here in May, details were just emerging about the successful military and intelligence operation that killed Osama bin Laden, which did provide a measure of justice and closure for Americans resulting from the horrific attacks of September 11th. That was not an isolated success; during the last few years, the Obama administration has successfully reinvigorated, retooled, and refocused our National security efforts. Now, the Attorney General, as he is in any administration, is a key member of that national security team. Under his leadership, the Justice Department last month foiled an assassination attempt in the United States of the Saudi Ambassador to the United States and prevented a major act of terrorism on U.S. soil. Last week, four men in Georgia were arrested in a domestic terrorism plot, accused of planning to use guns, bombs, and the toxic poison ricin to kill Federal and State officials. Earlier this year, the Christmas Day bomber, who was convicted in Federal court, pled guilty and faced a possible life sentence. Now, we have to ensure that we do all we can to assist efforts to bring terrorists to justice by providing the administration with the full array of authorities and options we need in our counterterrorism efforts. […] I urge that as they engage in important oversight, Senators respect the need for law enforcement and prosecutors to do their jobs to address the serious threat of violence posed by these brutal drug cartels. I do not think anyone wants to hamper the efforts of law enforcement agents against the Mexican cartels, including the ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution related to the tragic murder of Agent Brian Terry." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chuck Grassley; Patrick J. Leahy; Eric H. Holder, Jr.; Jon Corzine; Pat Quinn; Robert F. McDonnell; Jack Markell; Chris Collins; Ed Emmett; Pat Quinn; Mitch Daniels; Michael R. Bloomberg; Roosevelt Allen, Jr.; Robert Moore; Lyndon Bode; Stephen Nodine; Sam Cochran; Carlos A. Gimenez; Michael A. Delaney; Sonny Perdue; David A. Paterson; Marlin N. Gusman; Howard R. Bradley; Martin O'Malley; Michel Claudet; Andre J. Spano; Chuck Canterbury; and Ronald Weich.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and their Government-wide Implications, Joint Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management and the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, November 17, 2015

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  This is a testimony compilation of the November 17, 2015 hearing on "Examining Ongoing Challenges at the U.S. Secret Service and their Government-wide Implications" held before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management and the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency. From the opening statement of Sen. James Lankford: "At the outset, it is important to acknowledge the essential security role that the Secret Service fills, and its ongoing dedication to our country. However, the recent history of high profile and embarrassing scandals at the Service and the latest DHS Inspector General [IG] findings of wrongdoing cannot be swept under the rug. The IG's investigation reveals that unauthorized database searches of protected information began during a House Oversight and Government Reform hearing in March of this year. In the days that followed, many at the Secret Service continued to misuse their authority to access the sensitive employment history of Chairman Jason Chaffetz. The IG's report noted 60 instances of unauthorized access to the database by 45 Secret Service employees that violated the Privacy Act as well as internal and DHS policies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: James Lankford, Joseph P. Clancy, John Roth, and Joel C. Willemssen.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2015-11-17
• Campus Sexual Assault: The Roles and Responsibilities of Law Enforcement, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, December 9, 2014

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  This is the December 9, 2014 hearing titled "Campus Sexual Assault: The Roles and Responsibilities of Law Enforcement" before the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Sheldon Whitehouse: "The purpose of today's hearing is narrower, the role of law enforcement in response to sexual assaults on campus. As a former United States Attorney and as the Attorney General for my State, I am concerned that law enforcement is being marginalized when it comes to the crime of campus sexual assault. I am concerned that the specter of flawed law enforcement overshadows the harm of marginalized law enforcement." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Angela Fleischer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Claire McCaskill, and Kathy R. Zoner.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, April 30, 2014

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  This is the April 30, 2014 hearing on "Oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Patrick J. Leahy: "Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels. Overdoses from prescription opioids now account for more than half of all drug-related deaths. That is something we did not see not very long ago. Around the country, law enforcement is now demonstrating a strong commitment to creative approaches to combating drug abuse. We have seen that enforcement alone is not enough. No amount of arrests or seized drugs can truly break America's drug habit. We need a comprehensive approach--one that includes prevention, treatment, and re-entry services." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Michele M. Leonhart.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2018
• Building Climate Resilient Communities, Hearing Before the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, June 11, 2021

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  This is the June 11, 2021 hearing on "Building Climate Resilient Communities," held before the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. From the opening statement of Kathy Castor: "Members, as Congress continues to work on much-needed infrastructure and jobs legislation, the climate crisis keeps proving that we need generational investments that will create a stronger and more resilient America. As we speak, the West is facing a record-setting mega drought, increasing risks of dangerous heat waves and wildfires, and shrinking water supplies for millions of Americans. Severe storms, persistent droughts, massive flooding, and other climate-related disasters cost our Nation nearly $100 billion in 2020 alone. And earlier this year, Americans experienced a deadly and destructive winter storm in Texas, and historic floods in the Southeast. So we do not have time for half measures. The time to invest in resilience is now." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Eric Garcetti, Satya Rhodes-Conway, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Kirsten Wallace.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021
• H.R. 4360; H.R. 592; H.R. 1030; H.R. 4165; H.R. 4183; H.R. 628; H.R. 1424; H.R. 1911, and a Draft Bill to Extend Increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Paid to Surviving Spouses of Veterans Who Die from ALS, and a Draft Bill to Permit Appellants to Appear Before the Board of Veterans' Appeals Via Picture and Voice Transmission from Locations Outside the Department of Veterans Affairs, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, First Session, October 22, 2019

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  This is the October 22, 2019 hearing on "H.R. 4360; H.R. 592; H.R. 1030; H.R. 4165; H.R. 4183; H.R. 628; H.R. 1424; H.R. 1911, and a Draft Bill to Extend Increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Paid to Surviving Spouses of Veterans Who Die from ALS, and a Draft Bill to Permit Appellants to Appear Before the Board of Veterans' Appeals Via Picture and Voice Transmission from Locations Outside the Department of Veterans Affairs," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. From the opening statement of Elaine Luria: "I have heard from veterans and their families on the importance of getting timely and accurate decisions on their claims for VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] benefits. I have heard how devastating it can be for a veteran and their family when they are victims of fraud. Without pause, I know that Congress and the VA must do more to serve our veterans and protect them from fraudulent practices. I am grateful to my colleagues for their bipartisan efforts to work towards this goal. One example of this is Representative Brownley's bill, H.R. 592, the Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud Act, which would provide parity in protecting veterans who are victims of fraud." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Ronald Burke, Kimberly McLeod, Shane L. Liermann, Brian Dempsey, Patrick Murray, and Ashlynne Haycock.

  United States. Government Publishing Office

  2021
• Final Exercise Report: H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (May 19, 2009)

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  From the Executive Summary: "On May 19, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV, Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Program staff evaluated a plume exposure pathway exercise in the emergency planning zone (EPZ) around the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (HBRSEP). As part of this exercise all activities were evaluated the day of the exercise except the Medical Drill which was evaluated on May 20, 2009 at the Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. The purpose of the exercise was to assess the level of State and local preparedness in responding to a radiological emergency. This exercise was held in accordance with FEMA's policies and guidance concerning the exercise of State and local radiological emergency response plans and procedures. [...] State and local organizations (except where noted) demonstrated knowledge of their emergency response plans and procedures and successfully implemented them. No Deficiencies were identified. However, three Areas Requiring Corrective Actions (ARCA) were identified[.]"

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2009-08-11
• Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, December 14, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Patrick J. Leahy: "Today the Judiciary Committee will hear from Director Robert Mueller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Now, the Bureau plays an integral role in protecting our Nation's security through its counterterrorism investigations and intelligence gathering. Its work has contributed to more than 400 convictions in terrorism cases since September 11, 2011. Knowing this, I remain deeply concerned about a provision of the national defense authorization bill that would mandate--and I stress the word 'mandate'--as the Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee knows, the military detention of certain terrorism suspects, even if they are arrested on U.S. soil. Director Mueller has written that this provision would adversely impact the Bureau's ability to conduct counterterrorism investigations and inject 'a substantial element of uncertainty' into its operations. I appreciate what Director Mueller meant when he wrote that the misguided provision fails to take into account 'the reality of a counterterrorism investigation,' especially the successful convictions that we have gotten in our Federal courts. Now, Congress needs to do more to support important law enforcement efforts. We should give law enforcement the appropriate tools to combat the growing threat of cyber crime, something Senator Coons mentioned in the other room. More and more, American consumers and businesses are being targeted by sophisticated cyber attacks designed to steal their most sensitive information. In September, this Committee again voted for the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act. It is long overdue legislation that will provide tools to help law enforcement combat cyber crime. And the Senate and the House should promptly pass this measure." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chuck Grassley, Patrick J. Leahy, Robert S. Mueller, and Ronald Weich.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, March 30, 2011

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  This is the March 30, 2011 hearing "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," held before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. From the opening statement of Committee Chair Patrick Leahy: "This fall, the Director will complete his 10-year term overseeing the FBI. He and I were talking out back earlier, and I do not know when I have seen 10 years go by so quickly, and I am sure the Director feels the same way. He took over just days before the attacks of September 11th. And I told him a reference from Elizabethan England, which I will not repeat here, in the hearing room at that time, but it did seem like everything--it was almost as though they were trying to give the Director his full 10-year term in about the first 10 days, with all that went on. He has overseen a major transformation of the Bureau. While the FBI continues to perform all the functions of a Federal law enforcement agency, it has greatly increased its role in ensuring our National security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chuck Grassley, Patrick J. Leahy, and Robert S. Mueller.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Securing the Southwest Border: Perspectives from Beyond the Beltway, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, March 17, 2015

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  This is a testimony compilation of the March 17, 2015 hearing "Securing the Southwest Border: Perspectives from Beyond the Beltway," held before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. From the opening statement of Chairman Ron Johnson: "Securing our border is incredibly complex. The U.S.-Mexico border stretches 2,000 miles across four states and nine border sectors -- each with its own unique terrain and distinct challenges. For example, the Texas Rio Grande Valley (RGV) sector border is in the middle of the Rio Grande, a narrow, often shallow, and easily navigable river. Meanwhile, in Arizona, two north-south mountain ranges provide cover for smugglers and illegal crossers. Protected lands and a Native American reservation restrict access to approximately 80 percent of the Arizona border. Both push and pull factors drive illegal immigration, and an unsecure border not only contributes to our broken immigration system but also threatens Americans' national security and public safety. Any border security legislation must recognize that this is a multifaceted problem. And this problem is exacerbated by our lack of information. We don't know for sure how many people today are 'living in the shadows.' And, most important, there is no solid way to track illegal flow at our borders." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chris Cabrera, Mark J. Daniels, Howard G. Buffett, Othal Brand, and Monica Weisberg-Stewart.

  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

  2015-03-17