The Alliance for Health Reform hosted a discussion on the future of Medicaid and how the program will be impacted by proposed health care policy. A panel of health experts cited several studies on Medicaid, and talked about access to health services in rural areas, the Republican failed effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and the role of state governments in providing quality health care to residents with proposed policy changes in play.
The U.N. Security Council meets to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley holds the Security Council presidency this month.
George Washington University and the American Bar Association co-host a discussion about the military's enforcement of rules and laws as they apply to free speech and sexual harassment cases involving service members.
Three former Pentagon officials testified at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the future of the U.S. armed forces, and in particular what opportunities exist to improve the services. They provided recommendations for creating cost savings and efficiencies, incentivizing defense innovation, managing the civilian workforce, and streamlining the acquisition system. In addition, witnesses all agreed on the need for aggressive defense improvements.
Acting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Chuck Rosenberg said he doesn't want to call it a crisis, but doing more with fewer resources is a challenge for the agency. His comments came during an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations. The acting Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director, Thomas Brandon, also testified on behalf of his agency. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) chairs the subcommittee while Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) serves as the ranking member.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations about foreign policy and national security. He talked about proposed Trump administration budget cuts and the impact they could have on national security. He also put forward a plan to increase the State Department's budget and increase funding for humanitarian aid in order to bolster U.S. security.
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice held a hearing to consider H.R. 1689, the "Private Property Rights Protection Act." Subcommittee members and witnesses discussed various applications of eminent domain in several states, and debated what the Constitution does or does not protect in terms of private property owners' rights and state and local governments' ability to take privately owned land for public use or benefit.
Richard Cordray, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), appeared before a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee to discuss the agency's most recent semi-annual reports detailing its activities. Members questioned him about the role of his agency in various areas of the financial industry, including its investigation of Wells Fargo involving the opening of millions of unauthorized accounts. The committee is chaired by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).
