>> ongoing investigation, we're still going to follow up with you mr. tankerlyny on finding out how deep this goes. i appreciate you're going to share the audit with this committee. and i assume over the next couple of days or the next couple of hearings, especially with this investigation going on when somebody does get fired, i'm sure we'll hear about it it. i'd like to hear about it from you before i hear about it from the media. i assume when somebody goes to jail that will come through the doj. we will probably hear that from the press before e we hear it from you. and i think a big rer issue here is what gets paid back?

what are the taxpayers owed? i'd like to know who you are going after, what you're asking them to pay, and when they pay you the money, i'd like to know that too. we're drafting legislation to obtain approval for their budget each year. we want to ensure there's transparen transparency. we should have this this information a long time ago. there's no reason taxpayers shouldn't know these expendit e expenditures going forward. at least the idea, the concept of this, do you support? >> i would be happy to work with the committee on any such language. >> do you have any issue with provider greater transparency to this committee? >> no. >> sharing the budget from the public buildings fund with this committee? >> i can't see why we would have

any problem with that. >> thank you. as we talked about here -- let me just confirm. the hats off program is done e. >> yes, it is. >> we talked about the l.a. courthouse. are you planning on doing a new per speck tis on this project? >> mr. chairman, at this time, i don't know enough about this project. >> i would request you take a look at this issue and provide this committee with your recommendation on how you plan on proceeding forward on that issue. a much smaller issue, i'm also planning on putting through a bill on banning all coins.

it sounds like mr. walls would be joining me on that issue. >> i can't think of any reason as it pertains to gsa, but again i don't know enough to know how these have been used. >> you don't know of any reason why we would need? >> i can't think of any reason. >> okay. and -- i don't have anything further. to say i'm disappointed would be

an understatement. i've been outraged in my district. mr. walls e knows it because we work on a lot of veterans issues together. when we see our veterans going through is very personal. to see this type of abuse is -- it goes beyond irresponsible. i've had a good relationship with mr. peck. we really have. as a freshman coming in, i had a lot to learn. we have communicated quite often on cell phone and discussed how we could get the civilian property realignment act. i'm disappointed that more of this didn't come into light during those conversations. i would just say i hope that you and i have a better relationship so that you feel comfortable that we can have an off the record conversation if something does arise whether it's in this investigation or whether future investigations need to happen.

i'm very proud of the fact that this committee most often works on a bipartisan committee. i mean i think republicans and democrats probably agree on this committee more than most here in washington. so it's really disheartening when we see things being hidden from the taxpayer. that there aren't better decisions being made. so in closing, i would just say i look forward to having a better relationship, a more open relationship that we can share some of this information and work together, not only on a bipartisan level, but making sure that we can address this stuff together. i'd like to thank each of our witnesses for their testimony today. it's been some frank and difficult testimony. if there are no further questions, i ask unanimous consent that the record of

today's hearings remain open until witnesses have provided answers to questions that may be submitted to them in writing and unanimous consent during such time as the record remains open for additional comments offered. without objection, so ordered. i would also like to thank our witnesses for their testimony. if no other questions, this committee stands adjourned. next on c-span 3, members of the european parliament debate the situation in syria. then a senate environment committee hearing on gsa mismanagement. after that, gun violence victims call on congress to pass new gun laws. from the colonial era, prohibition to today, drinking for better or worse has been a part of the american landscape. saturday night a history of

alcohol in america. watch our simulcast with the american history guys. tales of beer and spirits of america, saturday night at 8:00 eastern. this weekend on c-span 3. coming up next on c-span 3, european parliament members debated the situation in syria tuesday as well as a peace plan set out by u.n. envoy. members voted in february to impose sanctions including a weapons e embargo and financial and banking restrictions. this 45-minute debate from france includes opening remarks from katherine ashton. we will now start debating the next point on the situation in syria.

i would now like to give the floor again to the high representative of the eu. >> mr. president, thank you very much. honorable members, we are all absolutely appalled by the horrendous levels of violence witnessed in syria. regime forces have bombarded with no regard for civilians. violence is not spared for children. everything that the violence and killings should stop and everyone is extremely worried by the potential for further millization and escalation of the conflict. the increased violence we saw leading to the cease fire deadline was totally unacceptable and reports about shelling in the city of homs and civilians killed are extremely disturbing. violence has e baited, but it's not enough. once again, i urge in the

strongest possible terms that the us is sags of violence is real and the plan is implemented immediately and in its entirety. honorable members will know how fragile and unstable the situation remains. the violence in homs, hanna are tragic reminders. you will have seen that the u.n. security council adopted unanimously and i emphasize on saturday a resolution of proving the immediate deployment of an advanced team of up to 30 mill stair observers to syria to begin reporting on the implementation of a full us is sags of violence. it is an important development for the implementation for the plan. together with our eu representatives of the u.n. security council to whom i pay tribute for their work and for their engagement and all our

member states, we have spared no effort to try to ensure the international community speaks with one voice. i and my services are engaged in particular with russia and china last week in the margins of the g 8 mission in washington to seek their support and a change in their position. the security council resolution presents finally a unified call to the regime and i quote, the urgent, comprehensive implementation of all the elements of the proposal in their entirety." this is not a matter of choice of the six-point plan is not optional. the government has to implement it fully. troops and heavy weapons have to be withdrawn from population centers, peaceful demonstrations, and freedom of association must be respected, provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting must be ensured.

mr. president, only through a credible and sustained halt in violence will they will able to develop a peaceful democratic transition. their response to the aspirations of all syrians. we are watching very closely the situation on the ground. we have called on all parties to comply with his plan, but given the government's responsibility if and their record of broken promises and unfulfilled commitments, this resolution is an opportunity for the regime to change course. action is what we've been calling for. and now it is of ut most importance that the menace of the security council continue to support the efforts and ensure that a fully-flejed observation mission in syria is operational liezed without delay. china and russia must continue to play to key role in bringing

an end to the conflict using their influence. i have on a number of occasions personally expressed my support to special envoy and told the secretary general of the u.n. with whom i met yesterday that the eu stands ready to provide any required support to the observation mission. in our cooperation with the league of arab states, we have helped to build the league of arab states to improve communications and we're training to develop their analysis and ability to respond to crisis situations. last week i convened the platform to bring together all of the services of the eas and the commission under the secretary general. we are putting all our instruments together coordinating closely with

humanitarian aid and support and reaching out to all the neighboring countries of syria in brus sells and authorities on the ground. we're working closely with member states to try to ensure an effective and coordinated eu response. we have suspended all types of cooperation, programs, and the european investment bank with whom we work closely has suspended all their loan operations to syria. we have nevertheless maintained aid that benefits the syrian population, students, human rights defenders and the opposition. those programs with syrian students and universities will continue. with supporting efforts to deliver shelter, medical supplies, food, and whatever is needed. we have put together a contribution of 29 million euros in humanitarian aid in syria and affecting countries. mr. president, support to the

countries is essential and i discussed these issues when i was in turkey over the weekend. the humanitarian and security situation on the turkish border is critical. and they have had fast and professional support to the 25,000 refugees in its territory. i have offered our assistance on a number of occasions and did so again this weekend. and i remain in close contact with him and his services for whatever is needed. we're also work closely and are ready to mobilize instruments to respond to their requests and i started to discuss the details of that support with the prime minister of jordan. honorable members, it's important we continue to act as fast as we can. many of the populations do not live in camps but with families. and that's why we're looking into broader and provider

support including assistance to host families and support to the regions and populations post directly affected by the inflow of syrian citizens particularly in health and education. to do this together with the commissioner, i proposed it's a matter of urgency and a special measure to reserve 23 million euros for funds to support specifically syrian civil society and refugees and affected populations in neighboring countries. besides our assistance, i want to make it clear we're ready to continue to impose sanctions and restrictive measures for as long as the repression continues. the last round was approved in the foreign affairs council and we're working on new sanctions and restribtive measures. my team is in paris taking a leading role in sanctions created at the meeting. honorable members, it's also important that our delegation

remains open in damascus for as long as it perms. we need to have eyes and ears on the ground and be close to the syrian population. the syrian people have asked us not to leave. they have diplomats within the delegation in damascus. i want to say word about the engagement with the syrian opposition groups. it's a critical issue where i believe the parliament has an important role to play. i thank you for your efforts in reaching out to opposition groups. our main objective remains to encourage all groups to put aside their differences and work together towards a stronger coordination and agree on a way forward for an orderly transition that's both inclusive and democratic. they need to build a common vision for the future of syria for all syrians and

affiliations. i have instructed to continue meetings with opposition groups and to reach out to minor groups to encourage them in this approach. the future of syria belongs to syrian people. the lives and their rights and aspirations must be respected. we need to do as much as we possibly can, but it's time to match his words with deeds. >> thank you very much for your speech. and i would like to give the floor. >> hi, ladies and gentlemen. there's a three-fold game going on in syria. you have saudi arabia and iran -- you have egypt and israel in the arab spring. then you have electoral campaign in the united states and you in

addition have to take into account the attitude of china and russia. the good news is the adoption of the resolution and the security council of the united states and it's important that this resolution should be with the new attitude of all the countries i just mentioned. and the attitude of the these countries has to be the same. this resolution now exists in the meantime and has time to carry on repressing the population. there's a special envoy sending two messages. we're giving more time in power. also until a resolution. china and russia believe it's okay for the people. now that we have the resolution,

it's important we take into account all these factors. the european union actions are welcome in regards to humanitarian aid and the funds being channelled by the commission under the responsibility of the commission. we now have to carry on the diplomatic approach under the guidance and we really do have to resolve this. >> thank you very much. madame gomez and i went to the syrian/lebanon border at the start of this month in order to meet part of the syrian opposition that has managed to get to beirut but to try to

understand the risk of an implosion in lebanon as a result of tensions between shiites and sunnis. now what came out of this, i don't know whether -- but certainly what we heard was that the syrians fear a political interest in syria being played out between sunnis and shiites. they will have their revolution stolen from them. but the plan is the only other

option from civil war. it's not a very satisfactory solution, but that's what they are saying there. it will have to be plus one that actually sees assad leaving in the near future and there are still efforts to be made. there are lots of talks to be had with the syrian opposition of the plan, but the fear of civil war is great. secondly, refugees. this is a huge priority. this is a priority which we think is humanitarian, but it's also a political one within lebanon because you have syrian opposition opposed to hezbollah and we must make sure we understand that. and we must make sure that you

quite maintained an embassy for the european union. >> i have exceeded your speaking time. i'll have to cut you off and pass the floor now. i'm really sorry. the floor is yours. >> mrs. ashton, you have given a very diplomatic speech, i should say. but this time i have to tell you that it's not my habit to agree, but this time i must admit that he is right. i don't think that we have -- or that the plan is working. there were more than 100 breaches of the plan the last two days.

there were more than 50 people killed yesterday. i don't e know how many there were today in syria. so how you can talk about the plan. it was not applied in practice by bashar al assad. so i think what we need the international community needs several hundreds of killings before everybody is recognizing that in fact it is not working because bashar al assad is not willing to apply it. so i think that all this is leading us again to an increase of killings and that's in syria. now the last is we should observe. and the international community saying okay, we shall give all. to put observers, you need several thousands of military

equipment to protect them. otherwise it's impossible. a specialist in a normal operation when you put 250 observers in syria on the ground. how many solliers you need to do that? and why we shall do it? to protect. not to protect the syrian people who are still under attack of bashar al assad. i think it is really not the way forward. what we have to observe, mrs. ash t ashton, what we know already that the plan is not working. that bashar al assad is getting more people. that we know that bashar al assad is ignoring his promises. that bashar al assad is simply continuing with strikes against humanity. is that what we need to know? we know it. so i think time is over now. we need to protect the observ s observers. what we need now is to act. and we know what it means.

safe zones, humanitarian corridors and support for the syrian opposition. and if we can do it with the security council, let's do it with the security council. because of the position of russia and china. we do it without the security council. but the community has an obligation. and finally the last question, can you give some information on the last incident with the german ship that is trying to deliver arms to syria. and that is directly breaching the arms embargo. this is more important than always putting your hammer down when we are talking serious problems as a crisis in syria. thank you. >> if i may, i believe that for

those in regulations are to be abided by, it's up to you how to organization. for your speech, you have three minutes to speak actually. now i will pause the floor for two minutes. >> the situation in syria is still terrible. most important is to keep up the pressure to offer helicopters, airplanes, and to support the operation because so far we don't see the results really needed. and we need to support politically and logistically. we can't just leave it to others to support them selectively. i think there's a risk that we will not see building up of common ground. but i think this could be our role. on the humanitarian side, we need to make sure the rights of refugees need to be guaranteed.

shooting at any side is unacceptable. having said that, it's also our duty to help and really support the refugees in the countries where it's arriving. but let me point out to one important topic. we need to end more inside ourselves. this needs to be serious about our own arms embargo. there are two incidents that i want to mention. it allowed the dock of a rationed ship carrying out more than 59 tons of weapons for assad despite clear evidence of its dangerous cargo. this is outrageous. cyprus cannot bay its financial bail out at the expense of the syrian opposition. and a german ship sailing under the flag of ann teeg away was stopped. the ship has changed its course

but as of today its exact wr whereabouts are unknown. i have sent you a priority written question on this asking you to investigate the role in the incident. so far i have not heard back from you. as a matter of urgency, we ask you in an open letter to investigate these incidents and also to finally develop a real monitory and oversight mechanism of our embargo systems. i will now deliver you this letter personally and i look forward to your answer. >> thank you. okay. you have the floor.

>> excuse me we are here not for the photographing. sorry. take the head phones to understand the blue card. >> okay. all i know is that last summer they suffered a terrible disaster a shipment of explosives reaching the embargo towards syria. 15 people dead and disaster. there is the case you have mentioned. the mention of the government is different. i have no hesitation whatsoever to condemn my own government if the representative here makes it clear was it a breach of the embargo. >> you are not asking the