reaction with donald trump's bernanke is right it will not help the security of israel or the united states. to push away the allies said necessary to destroy a isis to bring about security he is not a serious person or a serious candidate he makes the task a lot harder. >> he makes that conflict harder? >> it will never be solved until the palestinians themselves recognize the right to exist of a jewish state. until they do that no need to begin a conversation but they also make it harder and the terrorism has to be

written to get to other issues. and the 80th you push away potential allies because of our vacillation that are not interested to align with us that we're not serious it is another version of barack obama the country will not succeed without a set of common purpose is to go forward. >> what they do to repeat the narrative? >> no more questions about donald trump you have been thinking audiences to let you complete sentences. is that a nod in that direction? >> it is refreshing to have

a conversation rather than 140 characters to elect a president of the united states. and to give people the full measure of a person is part of the process why i like new hampshire it takes the first in a share primary status seriously i don't think they will support a person who is not a serious candidate. that damages their brain and one dash brand. >> he is not a serious candidate. he had a chance to have a second act. he is that a gifted politician that is not a compliment. he is said gifted politician and is gifted beyond belief and is a great entertainer but to have a front-running candidate to say i might be president to learn who was

the head of the forces are how we create a strategy he isn't taking it to the next level. we have to go. take care. >>. >>. >> he is unencumbered. i have read this book is about veterans. with the governor of missouri the heather that has disaster relief.

but i was sad a town meeting last night. so to questions. [inaudible conversations] ninety%. >> this is from stealing a crystal that we just talked about. end to be just out of the marines. and working for his dad.

just strong, articulate. so how did we get better rins three connected? so it doesn't tell the veterans administration or anybody. just as we did with prison reentries six months prior. they don't know the challenges or the skills. it should be a total assessment wherein there are these entities to do this and accepted. they should go when to say here are my skills.

>>. >> but the main thing is a disaster recovery. one of the founders committed suicide. >> didn't they have a telethon? >> a concert in washington in the mall and had great entertainers. >> said and what hedger percent of those kids volunteer. >> that is a great point.

>> it is a great advice. [inaudible conversations] >> i will be back.

>> that country need somebody with is the only candidate that i know that doesn't require the experience of the global view. and that this is significant but what is the most unique event as well as the challenges. and with those candidates.

but with bad elimination phase. and to look at the desire for possible leadership at a decibel rumble -- level. >> you know, the reason how important is new hampshire

to start consolidate people around that? >> i have been appear many times and with every campaign with the caucuses in in i was there is so much energy and resources with the retail nature of the politics to take it seriously. because of those personalities over people start to pull back bellaire's and when they do that it is very unique. to.

>> i dunno who said that decades ago with a town meeting to a town meeting to a town meeting. that is retail politics at its best. >> it is your area of expertise but donald trump is considering visiting israel. there has been a lot of tension over there. >> i think donald trump is about publicity rather than a serious mindset rather than trying to redress a wide range of security challenges in this country.

again they will follow them with their cameras then people will be distracted from their real business that doesn't have to hop on the plane and it is more about peter. and with the process. >> if you have someone out there to represent america? >> but his comments with regard to muslims the means

into the isis narrative. and the other person is responsible for that is obama. to say over here maybe 1 billion plus peace-loving muslims to have a small group of islamic radicals that is the president's job not to accuse us of the distinction with all those peaceful loving muslims contributing their families but you cannot say that he is not willing.

>>

>> health care will only get more and more complex. we will need more nurses to hit to those needs that but we don't emphasize that. >> politics that i have been part of all my life is not so different with the racketeers and it is the

less obvious tuesday for 25 years of my career i've looked at america as an idea. and look at politics as a debate republicans believe in liberty democrats believe in equality. republicans equality of rights. democrats equality of outcome. it is the point of view of the criminal underclass is complete and total nonsense.

>> the we have a system where members of congress spend time raising money and they cannot help but to be more focused and concerned with a tiny fraction of 1%. that is where the basic equality is denied. is a weekly press conference in annapolis he talks about the omnibus spending bill as well as other priorities for

house democrats. this is 20 minutes. >> good morning. this will be passed. several times to come into this room toward knowledge another tragedy. into arcade three year anniversary from cindy foote elementary school. -- sandy hook and those 1,000 days have been a little more than 1,000 mass shootings. almost one a day. that an san benardino is a book and that it has claimed

over 90,000 american lives. we have a responsibility to redress this is an epidemic. we had it yesterday here across the country to honor those who not only lost their lives but across their country. end with the bill to close the loophole to put funds in that he and some of -- guns of the fbi tear what was. >> and debating the bill. but again this morning they block it for the seventh time. 90 percent of democrats of already signed to force of

vote and to demand action. and with the theme of the of visual just a moment of silence to honor them. and then with that federal research on gun violence. it is in the bill. the american people want the fact.

so even under the committee at the time with the republican majority in congress. so with the omnibus and the tax is to continue to have a big focus with the gun violence prevention. to have moments of silence. so we have two bills before is the omnibus in order to keep government open we must pass this bill.

the republican leader has announced we could get it on tuesday i thought we were closer than that but nonetheless the bill is the other part of and i don't see much support on the democratic side. a massive permanent give away of attacks extender package. the republican deficit hawks are adding hundreds of billions of dollars to the endangered species list. and with fairness and

simplification and to simplify to lower a the corporate rate to create a good paying job. here at home. and this bill includes hundreds of billions of dollars of tax breaks while neglecting hard-working talent. some of that is rewarding overseas activities. and with this better indexed and then to put pockets with american people. with the landmark pledges -- legislation. and then it is time to be indexed.

could end their route in their letter that while we agree with permanent extensions for key refundable tax credits concerned that the current agreement is weighed too heavily. the omnibus and tax extension bills must be separated and i assume there will be as i say there is one group of members depending on what it is to see what comes back in the extender bill that has very low support.

>> elicit this is ben planned for a number of years. had to intercept people with bad intent? >> we do have more questions we have never the whole story yet but we have a responsibility to protect the american people any way we can and we have to keep that balance according to a reheard. but from what we heard yesterday it would have been very hard to detect. >> this is the unfolding case. >> had republicans responded

? or can the democrats reached a deal? >> this is a compromise and we have the responsibility to keep government open and this is what we're striving to do. with some of those bad writers and are in the bill or that are part of the process. so we need to think in the positive. >> i thought you were going to ask me about the 49ers. [laughter] >> they are opening all of

these games straight. [laughter] >> we have the golden state warriors across the bay area [laughter] >> the speaker said they're working on the center's is there a possibility if you get tax extenders that it is considered that sense. >> what is the question? you're looking at these two pieces of legislation side-by-side. >> so the question is? is that called the negotiations are working?

>>. >> i thought you were going to say if they joined them together. i would not recommend anybody else go for that. unless they have a republican votes to do that. >> senator cruz to get as many as they came and. civic you already had your question. >> doesn't look likely you can get a deal? >> we can have a republican in extender bill. when they say i hold up the bill i was not for it to i think it is far too extensive and it is destructive of the future it is a long way to go with

hundreds of billions of dollars of permanent tax extenders no reason to go down that path about the child tax credit is historic to the levels at which we took that but it is time to have the index. so that when members even think they would not be for the bill because it is too big it is the ability to get something done for the future i said to senator hatch that i am holding it up i cannot do both. but then lifting the ban or

all the money that that is for the oil industry is too big and not fair and does not have the support of house democrats. i am not speaking for anyone except house democrats. . .

we created that. but you should not be having it permanent and unpaid four. that is the issue. some of them are terrible and permanent and unpaid for they have no justification. we have to pay for september 11. we have to find the money to pay for 9/11, the health and compensation of people who when an emergency. in an emergency risk their lives, have consequences. we owe them. permanent unpaid for tax breaks.

this is not the right way to go. but theygo. but they have the majority and this is there vehicle. harrison negotiation going on. and again, i am not part of that because i don't believe in it. it is a long way to go. and by the way, they are members. as i listen to what you have the say i notify them of what i year. they don't even negotiate on it for anything. i think the american people understood all this talk about the budget and the rest. so much praise. 70 percent higher. 500, 1.2 trillion.

now republicans come in with this. we have the majority if you want some of these extensions to happen you have to go big. and big means unpaid for, permanent, take it off the table so that they find different for how we want to invest in the future. take it off the table so these are taking care of and 80 discussions we have a simplification or fairness in the tax code that really create growth and good paying jobs. many more people participating in the prosperity of our country. it is about trickle-down, trickle-down, trickle down. this is the current manifestation. they have the majority. they need to be negotiated with. >> give some leverage in a discussion.

>> verify it. the child tax credit, too big and destructive. >> they are not going to index it. they put big oil in there. when you see the bill and say how could we get better balance of the bill, they come in and say not indexation, let's go to the other side and do big oil. it is not even attempt. if they had to vote this is what they want to do comeau we do not want to be accomplices. >> you and your position. >> you don't have to talk to them. in other words, we have shared values. this will be approved by the negotiations that the white house will have because they want to sign something.

they will have enough republican votes to put in their special interest to pass this in the 2nd. that is why don't want to join saddam the bus bill. i don't know what happened to the whole package. but i think cheap -- keep government open for the american people. they have indicated that they would be willing to shut it down, so we have to work hard. any suggestions are opportunities to work together comeau we have that responsibility to find common ground. somebody have this idea about another package. supporters of that.

[inaudible conversations] >> such an authentic person. i always felt there was more to the story. certainly what i wrote about. she became the 1st modern 1st lady. she really invented the modern 1st lady. >> sunday night historian betty boyd caroli discusses her book lady bird and linden. incorporating recently released pages. >> a perfect example of the conclusion i came to which is those women saw something in those men,, the ambition,

the opportunity to really climb and make a mark on the world and mary them in spite of parental objections. she is a good example of that which is why decided i had to find out more about her. >> sunday night at 8:00 o'clock eastern and pacific on c-span q&a. >> abigail fillmore was the 1st 1st lady to work outside the home teaching a private school 1st white house library. jacqueline kennedy was responsible for the creation of the white house historical association. a suspected communists sympathizers.

these stories and more our featured in c-span book 1st ladies. the book makes a great gift for the holidays. fascinating women and how they legacies resonate today. first lady available as a hardcover or e-book from your favorite bookstore or online bookseller. >> the us is set to open a new london embassy in 2016. state department officials were recently before the house oversight committee to give an update. this is two and a half hours.

>> good morning. the hearing will come to order. in july we learned how the state failed to properly acknowledge known risk in the construction of the new embassy in kabul afghanistan. hundreds of millions of dollars more than budget. in september we saw how long delay today we hope to understand the state department progress in the building a new embassy in london for perhaps the single largest expenditure we have had on such a building. obviously the united states needs a large secure and functional embassy in the capitol of one of its oldest and most important allies. our presence is noteworthy and it needs to provide a variety of functions.

they issued a report on the findings regarding the london embassy construction. enough not necessarily the case. states perimeter certificationpremature certification and construction violated federal law and its own internal policies which requires states to approve the new embassy would be safe before construction began. last tested the embassies outside wall and test is designeddesigned to ensure the safety of the building and its personnel. rather than admitting in violated federal law the

state double down outside the building a curtain wall have failed several computerized blast tests. let's put up a picture of the rendering of what the new embassy is supposed to look like. the outside of the building called the curtain wall had failed several blast tests. >> thank you. you can take that down.down. diplomatic security required overseas building operations to do a full-scale blast test that blast test did not start until pretty much after state certified to congress that the curtain wall safe. after the certification construction began.

freely spending tax dollars on its embassy in conflict construction around the world yet it is self funding the london project through sales of other properties. but that is part of the problem with the london embassy construction. the current embassy was sold to a group of investors and they have to leave the current space by early 2017. significant financial penalties will be incurred should construction run over schedule. as we have learned, most of the time that has happened. throw straight -- drove them to take significant risk. never before used by the state department. did not fully understand the contract. the lack of understanding resulted in overseas

building operations. the inability to account for roughly $42 million. i don't believe the money is missing. i can't tell the difference. i don't know how i did gone missing. even accepting that the conclusion shows a state trying to be too aggressive a construction schedule made another campbell. they did reject the offer for future training, but there are some other contracts and challenges we have. the state department, $1 million on a granitea granite sculpture that was

too heavy for the new embassy. however no one figure that out before spending the money. they glass should have been earning frequent flyer miles as the press reports indicate they have manufactured, shifted and then sent back across the atlantic for installation in london. "for the blast testing. finally the documents produced to the committee show that the state authorized with appeared to be $12 million in soil. stay does not mine building embassies in places where the soil is contaminated. we would like to learn more about what is happening there. we need to get people and say facilities.

we don't need to take wild risks and freely spend money that could otherwise be used to give folks in high risk places of the safer facilities. building and construction is a volatile situation. there are many moving parts and things change and adapt over time. we understand the needs to be some degree of flexibility, but with two outstanding recommendations we would like to have those resolved and have this discussion. this is a billion dollar expenditure, and we need to get it right because london is one of our most important embassies on the face of the planet and we need to make sure it is done right and properly and that we account for tens of millions of dollars that we cannot seem to find. with that i recognize the distinguishing member. >> thank you for calling today's hearing. our 1st hearing on the london embassy project back

in july of last year, our diplomats deserve -- our diplomats overseas deserve the most secure embassies in the world. today a year and a half later i am pleased that experts from the state department and its construction contractor have confirmed that this project is meeting all security specifications. including for the blast curtain wall that is being built to comply with all of the required security standards. the recent attacks in paris as well as those here in the united states remind us that we face threats not only in the high risk locations like afghanistan and of course london has been the victim of its own horrific terrorist attacks including the 2,005 suicide bomb attacks against the public transit system that killed

52 people as well as the stabbing last friday. the pto's which are still being investigated. as the president discussed sunday night, terrorist threats continue to evolve here and abroad. written testimony today highlights the department's efforts to research, develop, and evaluate new and innovative methods in order to protect our people in the face of this ever changing threat. in addition to meeting all of the required security standards construction of the london embassy remains on budget and on schedule according to the state department. in her written testimony today lidia doing is, the director of the bureau of overseas building operations

stated this project is on budget and on schedule to be completed at the end of 2016. some people may not know this, but this entire project is being funded through proceeds from the sale of our existing embassy property in london meaning that this project poses no additional cost to the united states taxpayers. meeting budget and schedule milestones during a large-scale and complex project is no small feat. the department has a rigorous construction schedule so that it can move our personnel from the existing outdated embassy to the new facility as quickly as possible. i also want to thank the inspector general for being here today and for the work of his office and ensuring that funding is being used judiciously on this project.

we have come a long way since the massive cost overruns and delays that we saw in the construction of us embassy in iraq during the previous administration. however, it must always strive to continue improving our process. i think the inspector general for his report and look forward to the hearing about any remaining concerns that may still need to be addressed with regard to this project. the new embassy currently being built in london will have more stringent security features and many other high-profile buildings throughout the world, including the building we are sitting in right here today in washington dc. these features include glass resistance setbacks from the street and a number of other specifications. today i hope our state department witnesses will discuss all of these issues

but i also hope they will address one more. while we must ensure that our diplomats serving overseas have secure facilities, we also have to make sure that they are able to do their jobs. according to press reports many diplomats orare concerned that the united states will not be well served by preventing a diplomats from being able to interact abroad. they are concerned that a fortress mentality will impair there work. so, in addition to addressing security concerns which are paramount, i hope eyewitnesses will also discuss how they plan for the new embassy to operate in a way that maximizes the critical international diplomacy while keeping diplomats safe. with that i yield back. >> think the gentleman and hold the representative --

hold the record open for five legislative days. we will now recognize our witnesses. please welcome back ms. miss lydia monies, director of the bureau of overseas building operations of the united states department the state. mr. gregory starr, assistant sec. of of the bureau of diplomatic security at the united states department of state and inspector general of the office of the inspector general at the united states department of state. welcome all. witnesses are to be sworn before the testify. please rise and raise your right hand. all the witnesses answered in the affirmative. we appreciate limiting verbal comments to five minutes. your written statement will be entered into the record.

you are now recognized for five minutes. >> bring those mike's right up close. there we go. >> chairman, ranking member, i appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the us department of state project to build a new embassy in london. i am director of the bureau of overseas building operations, the single property manager for all us government diplomatic property overseas. managing the design, construction, acquisition, sale, and maintenance of that apartment's worldwide property portfolio. the worldwide property portfolio. the property platform supporting 275 missions and 190 countries with over $14 billion in projects in

design and construction. like you come the state department is deeply committed to the safety and security of our personnel serving abroad. they meet the security and life safety standards required by law and our team of experts. we worked with all steps of the process to ensure security standards are met in the security considerations are addressed in operation. the department of state opened a new us embassy in london located on grosvenor square not surprisingly security and life safety standards have evolved significantly since that time and the chance does not meet current safety standards. in addition after more than 50 years of occupancy the facilities aged and is in need of investments in infrastructure. at that time the major rehabilitation of the facility was estimated to cost $550 million and to

take nearly seven years to complete. the quandary was after such significant investment the chancellor would not meet the most critical security standards. we began exploring alternative solutions and developed a plan to finance a new embassy project through an innovative property swap of existing us government property. the project remains financed entirely, and i'm pleased to report the project is on budget and schedule. someone asked about the innovative design. a strong design that makes not only the departments high standards for security and safety but also stringent local requirements for design and sustainability, essentially

a steel framed you with a glass curtain wall. efficient, makes maximum use of development rights unlimited real estate makes use of best practices more than innovation.innovation. this committee has inquired about the use of oscar law, non-loadbearing exterior walls that typically provide for large unobstructed spend the glass across multiple floors. the systems have been used by the design and construction industry since the early 19 hundreds, and the department has used curtain wall systems since the mid- 1950s. among the benefits when used in a steel frame construction, they are particularly efficient in terms of space utilization and can be erected faster than the built in place solution effectively shortening construction duration. more importantly regardless of design or construction methodology materials all new embassies and consulates adhere to the security and

safety standards. when looking at the challenges the department could have simply stopped. would have been funded with appropriated dollars and not resolve the significant security deficiencies. the department developed an innovative financial and design solution that will provide for modern, secure facility. the developmentthe development of creative solutions mindful of limited resources is what government should be about. we must protect staff serving abroad and use lessons learned to design and build embassies and conflicts the better serve our mission and colleagues. in the short and long-term security, safety, and excellence in diplomatic facilities are mutually reinforcing.reinforcing. us embassies the world over serve as visual reminders. they are symbols of america's culture and values

and safe, secure, and functional platforms. with the depth and breadth of its responsibilities are embassy will soon have a platform that does all of these things and that better supports the critical work with one of our oldest friends and most important allies. i look forward to answering your question. >> your recognized for five minutes. >> chairman, ranking member, distinguished committee members, i want to thank you for your invitation to appear to discuss the construction of the us embassy in london. we look forward to working with you to examine the issue and illustrate how we collectively support the men and women who served with the safe and secure facility. as the assistant sec. i work every day with my colleagues to ensure a safe environment for our people. environments in which we operate require

comprehensive planning, agile decision-making and deft diplomacy. most of all, they require us to be present, fully engaged and 100 percent committed to the security of our people. the us embassy in london is an exceptionally important platform for diplomatic and consular engagement to advance national interest. as you know, i work closely with my colleagues as the department bills diplomatic missions that increase the safety and security as well as meet rigorous security standards. concerning the us embassy in london ds has worked throughout the design and construction project to ensure that this project would be executed while meeting the security standards. as you know, the threats are ever evolving. ds commits a significant amounta significant amount of time and effort and

energy toward research and evaluation in order to ensure our facilities are able to combat such threats. the outcome of this innovation provides different designs and building methodologies the common with the department. we owe it to our diplomats along with our security professionals in the field to provide them with safe and secure platforms from which they can operate. thank you and i will be glad to answer any questions you have. >> thank you. you are now recognized for five minutes. >> ..

>> >> when it exempted $42 million of additional money without sufficient justification. we found the department's practice in both areas with the added expenses did not fill the requirements for ago as a result we made a full recommendation in the process of being discussed by the department to be close to discuss our finances first the standard requires most new office buildings to