Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) delivered remarks on foreign policy and participated in a discussion at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, DC. The senator discussed a range of foreign policy topics, focusing on the Chinese government's influence on nation states and global corporations. He also discussed the protests in Hong Kong and his recent trip to the region.
Sen. James Risch (R-ID), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke about China's economy and its political influences globally at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie discussed his department's priorities at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. He also addressed veterans' suicide prevention, VA medical innovations, and the ongoing investigation involving the deaths of patients at the Clarksburg, West Virginia VA hospital.
The Senate will resume debate on the nomination of Chad Wolf to be Homeland Security Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. A confirmation vote is expected today.
The Investigative Journal hosted a conference focusing on U.S.-Turkey relations. In this portion, the conversation focused on Turkish President Erdogan's agenda.
Current and former government officials spoke at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence conference in Washington, DC. During this portion, Chief Technology Officer for the United States Michael Kratsios discussed the importance of artificial intelligence, its challenges and its potential for the future.
The Senate will resume debate on the nomination of Chad Wolf to be Homeland Security Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. A confirmation vote is expected today.
President Trump and Turkish President Erdogan held a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House. They talked about U.S.-Turkey relations, combating terrorism in the Middle East, and renewed trade talks. President Trump also announced that Turkey will release Turkish-American NASA scientist Serkan Golge, who has been detained in a Turkish prison on terrorism charges since a 2016 failed military coup in the country. While taking a few questions from the press, President Trump was asked about the impeachments hearings, for which he called it a "sham."
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden held a rally at the New Hampshire State House after filing candidacy paperwork for the first-in-the-nation primary. He was introduced by his wife, Jill Biden, and John Lynch, the former Democratic governor of New Hampshire. After delivering remarks to a crowd of supporters in which he emphasized his what he called his ability to beat President Trump, Mr. Biden greeted and talked with supporters.
The House Intelligence Committee held its first open hearing of the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. Lawmakers heard testimony from William Taylor, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state. Both diplomats outlined their testimony from prior depositions.
Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) Ken Cuccinelli, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and others testified to the status of migration at the U.S.-Mexico border before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The panel testified to the progress made in adjudicating immigration cases, the current levels of migrants held in detention centers compared to previous years, and what can be done to assist law enforcement at the border. They also talked about how organized crime organizations and cartels have been able to increase the flow of narcotics over the last few years, even though the migration numbers have decreased.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified on monetary policy and the economy before the Joint Economic Committee. He said that he expects the U.S. economy to continue growing at a steady pace with a strong labor market, though "the federal budget is on an unsustainable path with high and rising debt."
New Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch outlined his priorities during remarks at his official installation ceremony. Several lawmakers and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is also the chancellor of the Smithsonian, were all on hand for the ceremony.
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on reauthorizing the USA Freedom Act of 2015, which bans the bulk collection of private records. Among the witnesses testifying were officials from the FBI, Justice Department and National Security Agency (NSA). The USA Freedom Act also extended several government surveillance authorities including the "roving wiretap," "business records" and "lone wolf" provisions originally included in the USA Patriot Act. In addition, intelligence officials called on Congress to renew the NSA's call detail records program, which allows the government to obtain certain telephone metadata records from telecommunications providers in order to identify contacts of suspected terrorists. The NSA recently announced it was suspending the program for technical and operational reasons.
