Admiral Michael Rogers, head of the U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency (NSA), gave testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee and shared his assessment on the state of worldwide cyber threats. He highlighted his priorities and goals toward making his command and agency as efficient and effective as possible, and spoke about the ongoing and increasing threats posed by Russia, China and non-state actors.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite and local officials testified before a Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee on the economic impacts of water resource projects. Other topics addressed included infrastructure funding, maintenance of ports and inland waterways, private-public partnerships and the impact of the Panama Canal expansion on U.S. ports.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer this afternoon outlined three next steps Senate Democrats are seeking related to the Comey firing: 1) a special prosecutor should be appointed, but not by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, instead the prosecutor should be chosen by the top career official at the Justice Department; 2) Comey should testify before Congress; and 3) Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy AG Rosenstein should separately brief all senators in a classified setting if necessary.
Acting FBI Dir. McCabe said that it is not accurate that the rank and file FBI workforce did not support Fmr. Dir. Comey. He said that he worked very closely with Comey, that he holds him in the highest regard, and that it was the greatest privilege and honor of his professional life to have worked with him. Sen. Heinrich (D-NM) then asked him if the FBI has enough resources, to which he answered specifically about the Russia investigation that yes, the FBI has adequate resources.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt reiterated his concerns over long term conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and stressed that it is Congress' job to chart a path out of it. He went on to urge lawmakers to act expeditiously on such legislation. Director Watt's position came during testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) chairs the committee while Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-IL) serves as the ranking member.
Earlier today, before the Senate adjourned, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer came to the floor to discuss President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey. He said the story out of the White House "continues to change" and is "contradictory." He said the American people need answers to why Director Comey was fired, and what was the reason for it. Leader Schumer said he asked Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for an all-Senators briefing with AG Jeff Sessions and Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein...and that McConnell has invited Mr. Rosenstein to brief Senators next week. Leader Schumer said he hopes it will be early next week, and that AG Sessions will make himself available too.
U.S. Representative Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) held a town hall meeting in his district to talk with his constituents on a number of issues. A major topic was health care and his amendment to the Republican bill concerning pre-existing medical conditions. Other topics included calls for an independent investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The event was held in the township of Willingboro, New Jersey.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black college as graduates protested with boos during her speech. At one point the school's president threatened to mail the students their degrees. Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona, Florida.
Former President Bill Clinton spoke about ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity at the annual summit of the Partnership for a Healthier America in Washington, DC.
U.S. Representative Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) held a town hall meeting in his district to talk with his constituents on a number of issues. A major topic was health care and his amendment to the Republican bill concerning pre-existing medical conditions. Other topics included calls for an independent investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The event was held in the township of Willingboro, New Jersey.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black college as graduates protested with boos during her speech. At one point the school's president threatened to mail the students their degrees. Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona, Florida.
