Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on his department's 2018 budget request. He was asked to defend the administration's proposals for spending reductions in diplomacy and foreign aid. The secretary also discussed strategies concerning sanctions against Russia, policy toward Cuba and the North Korean nuclear threat. This hearing was led by the subcommittee chair, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
Vice Admiral Thomas Moore, commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, delivered remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on maritime security and Navy maintenance challenges. He detailed the ongoing processes and plans for maintenance and new ship construction to work toward the goal of a fleet of 355 active ships by the year 2045.
Senate leaders set aside their usual remarks on upcoming legislation for the day and instead spoke about the Virginia shooting. They thanked Capitol Police for their actions.
Sen. Sanders says that the man who shot Congressman Steve Scalise along with 2 Capitol Hill Police officers worked on his campaign. From the Senate Floor.
Sen James Lankford (R-OK) said a prayer on the Senate floor today to show appreciation that more members of Congress weren't killed this morning. He's noticed people praying in offices through the Capitol complex. Sen. Lankford stressed that Congress needs to set a tone that the political parties can disagree without violence.
The founders of the Congressional law enforcement caucus say if not for the Capitol police, today's shooting would have been much worse. Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) & Roy Blunt (R-MO) spoke on the Senate floor and thanked law officers for what they do.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing examining the ideology behind violent extremism and what tools the U.S. can use to counter it. Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter called for more funding of ideological warfare programs and focusing on building partnerships with Muslim communities.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the president's 2018 State Department budget request. Members pressed Mr. Tillerson on proposed budget cuts that would impact humanitarian aid programs and other diplomatic efforts, the delay in hiring senior department staff, and resolving tense relations with Russia. The committee recessed at the end of this portion so members could join their colleagues on the House floor to acknowledge the shooting in Alexandria that injured Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and others.
Following a short committee recess, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson returned to addressing members' concern over cuts to the proposed budget. Mr. Tillerson was asked why he felt the U.S. should have stayed in the Paris climate agreement. He told members as a diplomat, he felt it was important to have a "seat at the table" which would allow more opportunity for engagement with many allies. Despite the president's decision to withdraw from the agreement, Mr. Tillerson assured members that the U.S. would not walk away from their commitments on the issue.
The Arms Control Association held its annual meeting to discuss issues of nuclear security and arms control policy. This portion featured an award presentation for the 2016 Arms Control Person of the Year. That was followed by a panel discussion about the relevance and efficacy of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation treaty and plans for the treaty's next review conference scheduled for 2020.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing examining the ideology behind violent extremism and what tools the U.S. can use to counter it. Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Michael Leiter called for more funding of ideological warfare programs and focusing on building partnerships with Muslim communities.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the president's 2018 State Department budget request. Members pressed Mr. Tillerson on proposed budget cuts that would impact humanitarian aid programs and other diplomatic efforts, the delay in hiring senior department staff, and resolving tense relations with Russia. The committee recessed at the end of this portion so members could join their colleagues on the House floor to acknowledge the shooting in Alexandria that injured Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and others.
