have that authority. >> you know, a failure, you're right. it would be it didn't pass because you didn't have that majority vote. point is -- secondly, the same issue with employee sanctions when they ruled in a 5-3 decision. the preemption issue is the same used. and the misinformation -- tourism is up in arizona. i get tired of the misinformation as we try to democrat gaug democragogue of a did -- i love my country, i love those that come. many that come are bad people, but some are good people escape be a terrible life, and i understand that, but we have a method of coming here and those laws must be honored. >> senator pyle release add statement saying he thought this is more political theater and not actually plent to about productive hearing. what do you have to say to that?

>> i don't entirely disagree with that. we knew this was mostly politic. they don't have a vote. the supreme court does. schumer can run the bill. may get it out of his committee, that's where it will die. it's a popular ville, he doesn't even probably get it out of the senate i guarantee how to even get it heard in the house. >> senator, was it worth your while to come out here today? >> absolutely. again, i wrote the bill. i fill obligated to defend it, and even though you worry about decorum and able to say what's needs to be said, i think it's important that i come out here and represent. >> even though will were only two senators, you think it was productive? >> doesn't mat fer there was 2 or 15 up there. where the story is told is in the media. i hope they cover it well. >> there were a lot of youth mentioned during this hearing. what is your message to them and their speck cases? will you want to see them leave the country?

>> i wouldn't put them in that position, because my heart goes out to them. again, we've already covered this. those exceptions, no blanket policy, just forgiving those who broke the law. those are good kids. my heart goes out. i'm not apologetic for having sat down with them and actual think was very tearful in terms of -- my mind was touches clearly. still, my heart is touched by kids too-of-who go to jail and break the law every day. americans. touched by parents who make terrible decisions every day. i can't change that. the laws must be enforced. >> you're not concerns as we -- can get in kids like this? >> must be -- first of all, only federal government can fix that. why spend a lot of time's in states i have no control over jer states have no ability to set conditions to come in or remain here.

>> deconcini was embarrassed. how do you respond? >> i guess sharing -- deconcini is a friend. maybe he shares the same feeling michelle obama felt, the only time she was proud of america is when they elected her husband. i'm proud of this country. what i'm embarrassed for is the victims of crime every day paper cording to a congressional report up to 9,000 americans killed at harnds of illegal aileen, i'm embarrassed my government doesn't have respect for the constitution and rule of law that citizen, maimed and injured every day. the wages suppressed. the cost sun measurable. that's what i'm embarrassed about. is those that refous refuse to do something about the damage to americans. >> how do you respond to the information that came out yesterday? immigration from mexico, net

zero. going the opposite way. over the past five years. >> that partly -- the recession. in arizona, you know, what's happening in arizona isn't happening in our states prarpd us. the national average in arizona. no other state's experienced that reduction. we've gone from 49th in the nation during a resergs to number 6 in job recovery and economic land -- job growth and economic recovery. arizona's done some things right. media play not print it, but we've done a lot of things right. >> did the senators tell you they weren't going to come? >> i did not get a call. i had no idea. >> were you expecting them to be here? >> yes, i was. >> it's not just about mere. this is -- under, arizona's right to protect a citizen be. protect jobs for americans. when the judge wrote for employer sanction, it's arizona's obligation to do that.

>> mr. pearce let me ask you a question, are you in any way -- are you ppointed you didn't have senator kyle here? >> probably had good reasons. i would have appreciated a phone call. this is his day. 1070 isn't about enforcement as much as arizona's right, whether you agree or disagree. this is about defending arizona's right. it's nover whelmingly supported by arizona and across the nation. it's passed, signed into the law. it is the law. and theals also a law that mirrors federal law. that ars ar took a lead in the nation to solve this national crisis. again, i tease people. over 50%, coming through arizona. unlike vegas what goes on in arizona doesn't stay in arizona. we've got to import our growth to the nation i. understand what you're saying, but are you

disappointed that he didn't show up, but no other, sfruben center showed pup. >> why do you think they didn't show up? >> no? . it would be unfair for me to assume why they didn't. i haven't had that conversation with them. >> are you aware of the arguments that this is having the unwanted effect of causing economic problems because of a lack of labor? >> absolutely not true. the foundation was a premiere research organization, illegals specifically, used social services three to four times out of any other demographic. we did bookings and charges. that illegal demographic commits violent crime three times more than any other demographic. those myths have to be set aside. they're just not true. >> we going to spend more than 70% of workers of undocumented? >> well, you know --

>> the statistics -- >> again, you got a -- if you're paying american the right rates, there's not a job they won't do. just addicted to cheap labor. one of the problem, i agree, raising kids today that don't know how to pull the ropes on a briggs and stratton engine. they don't want to work in a sweat environment. they want the air conditioning job. that's part of our problem in the culture today and we admit that. >> what are you hoping the supreme court will take into consideration? a lot of people are saying they'll wait the whole racial profiling discrimination that some claim sb 1070 promotes and generates? >> it prohibits. i don't know how they can say that. the supreme court already said you can ask that question, it's as legitimate as asking your age, date of birth, whenever you need to ask it, no restrictions. slap down the court decision that said that, question, kind of silly, fourth and 14th

amendment protected? he said, not true. law enforcement can ask has question. in arizona i took that into consideration because of the fact i knew the argument we made. i made it clear in the bill. you can't use racial profiling. you have to be legitimate contact. you know, stop. you must have reasonable decision -- the federal government doesn't put in theirs. >> are you confident the officers in maricopa county and all over the state of arizona are following that directive? >> yes, i am. yes, i am. i've seen them, watched the training. i know the good hearts of these folk. absolutely. when you make thousands and thousands, you're always going to find isolated incidents you may not agree with. absolutely. these are good men and women trying to do their job, they're cautious and respectful of civil liberties. >> thank you so much. >> thank you. >> i forgot to ask you your prediction? [ inaudible ]

chairman schumer announced legislation at the hearing forcing a floor vote on bill invalidating ars rz's imstrags statute in the supreme court upholds the law. writing the legislation would have little chance of passing in a stalemated senate or being approved by a gop-held house, but it would allow democrats to push their electoral advantage with latino voters just as the president's campaign heats up in july. the supreme court will hear oral arguments on arizona's immigrate law tomorrow. the justices will determine whether as arizona has the hort to enforce the immigration law or if the federal government has exclusive authority when it comes to immigration. you can hear the oral argument friday night at 8:00 eastern on c-span. and tomorrow morning, here on c-span3, more live coverage

from the capitol. janet innapolitano testifies, o the department's operations and we're expecting questions on immigration enforcement for secretary napolitano. she was arizona's governor before joining the obama administration. that hearing gets underway at 9:30 a.m. eastern with live coverage here on c-span3. c-span's congressional directory is a complete guide to the 112th congress. inside you'll find each member of the house and senate, including district maps and committee assignments and information on cabinet member, supreme court justices and governors. pick up a copy fors 12ds.95 plus shipping and handling at c-span.org slash shop. >> this is c-span3 with politics and public programming throughout the week and telling the american story on american

history tv. get our schedules and see past programs at our websites and join in the conversation on social media sites. defense secretary leon panetta says the u.s. is preparing potential military options in syria. but testifying before congress, he said diplomatic, not militariers for trying to push assad aside. he temperatured along side jen martin dempsey, chairman of the joints chief of staff for an hour and 45 minutes. >> we will come to order. i was just informed that first votes could happen between 10:10 and 10:25. secretary has a hard time at

12:30. so we're going to be as expeditious as we possibly can here. good morning, ladies and gentlemen. the house armed as much as committees meets today to receive testimony on the security situation in syria from the secretary of defense, the honorable leon panetta and chairman of staff martin dempsey, form perp gentlemen, thank you for your distinguished service to our nation and thank you for being here today. the syrian conflict is in its second year and the situation sun certain and dire. as we continue a cease sfooir in place coming on the heels of horrifying violence at the hands of the assad regime yet even though assad is committed to the cease-fire, reports indicate that he continues to infrequent violence on the people. assad's crackdown has been including human rights violation, use of force against

non-combatant civilians including children and interference wit provision of medical aid and humanitarian april simpson. the death toll is estimated at 9,000. while other estimates put the death toll as high as 12,000. just over a year ago in the midst of the arab spring, the syrian people passf fupeacefull took to the troops, allowing a free and fair democratic process. this desire for freedom and justice from an oppressive regime embodies the essence of what is driving the opposition, and is one we can relate to and should support's the president has stated that the violence in syria must end, and that assad must go, but remains completely unclear how the president will accomplish these goals. in addition to the humanitarian concerns that i believe we all share, i am very concerned about the implications for regional conflict.

as recently as april 10th, shot across refugee camps in turkey killing five individuals. additionally, violence spilled into lebanon and iraq could begin to behave erratically as it considers the prospect for the sunni-controlled government succeeding the assad regime and its western border, or alliances forming between sunni opposition and iraq's only sunni population. moreover, the situation presents a strategic opportunity to deal a blow to known supporters of terrorism in the region, as iran continues to backck the assad a support and resonance in syria. on the other hand, there's much you don't know. syria contains robust air defenses that limit military options. therefore, i'm not recommending

u.s. military intervention, particularly in light of our grave budget situation, unless the national security threat was clear and present. nevertheless, these reflections lead know to wonder what the united states can do to stem the violence and hasten president assad from power. we also need to understand what we are doing to secure the security, ensure the security of one of the world's largest stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons. to paraphrase general petraeus, how does this all end? i look forward to your insights into the security situation, and our way forward in syria. mr. smith? >> thank you, mr. chairman. in the interests of time let me just say that i agree completely with the chairman's opening remarks. the assad regime has made a clear and awful choice to simply kill as many of its, of his own people as he can to maintain

power. an international outrage that should be condemned by all nations. aapplaud the secretary of defense and the secretary of state for their work to call attention to this outrage and try to build international support to stop it. i think we need greater support and nations like russia and china should rise to the challenge and work with us to find a solution to this program. and they clearly have not done enough. the fact i don't see a military option in this area for a wide variety of reasons. i have a longer statement i'll submit for the record that explains that, but we should look at every possible option to stop this and i agree it has profound impacts on a region already unstable in many ways. i look forward to our testimony today to hear what our best options are to try to contain this and get a full briefing on where the situation is at and where they see it going, as difficult as that prediction might be. i thank the chairman and both of

our witnesses for their leadership for our country and for being with us today, and with that i yield back. >> thank you. secretary panetta? >> thank you, mr. chairman. representative smith, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be able to discuss what is obviously is ar tense and phied situation in syria. widespread demands for political change in syria started more than a year ago. in emerging out of the arab spring that was impacting on other sunday, and it obviously then hit syria as well, but rather than trying to meet a legitimate demand of the people, the regime, turned and said instead to violence against its own people. that violence has been brutal

and. has been deservastating. it's put the syrian people in a desperate and difficult situation. it has outraged the conscience of all good people. and it has threat chbed xmablt, in stability in the an porn participate of t participate-of--of- -- port part the world. the united states made clear it's lost its legitimacy and this crisis la no effective solution without assad's departure. as the president has stated, assad must go. recent days are testing whether the assad regime will live up to all of its responsibilities to the syrian people and to the international community. restoring calm to the cities and towns across syria is just one test for assad in the days ahead.

assad is responsible for fully abiding by the transition plan that has been outlined by the joint special envoy kofi annan, and he also faces deep skepticism about his motives. a skepticism place and a long train of assad's deceitful actions to date, including broken promises to his own people and to the international community. the united states is committed to holding the syrian regime to its obligations. we are leading an international effort to help stop the violence and the support a peaceful, political transition in syria. even as we speak, secretary of

state clinton is meeting with our international partners in paris to determine what additional steps should be taken to make that happen. we know achieving that end is a tough task. from every angle the situation in syria is enormously complex. there is no silver bullet. i wish there was, but there isn't. at the same time, the situation is of grave consequence to the syrian people. there are many others who are affected by what happens in syria's well, including syria's neighbors, turkey, lebanon, iraq, israel, jordan and all nations with a vital interest in the middle east.

meanwhile, it's fair to say that iran is syria only ally in the region. no other country stands to lose more than iran from the eventual fall of the assad regime, which is why iran is a porting the regime with material financial and technical assistance. we also know that the complex problems in syria cannot all be solved through the unilateral actions of the united states or for that matter, any other country. they demand a coordinated international response that is uniquely tailored to the situation we're confronting in syria. there are, however, certain principles that have guided the administration's response to unrest across the middle east.

these basic principles have shaped our responses in tunisia, in egypt, in libya and now in syria. first, we oppose the use of violence and repression by regimes against their own people. second, we support the exercise of universal human rights, and, third, we support political and economic reforms that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region. our policy in syria is very clear. we support a political and democratic transition that fulfills the syrian people's greatest aspirations. to support that objective, the united states is leading international efforts along five

tracks. first, we are supporting efforts to maintain international pressure and advance transition, political transition, in syria. we join with our partners in the united nations security council including now russia and china, in calling for the urgent comprehensive and immediate implementation of all aspects of the annan plan. second, we are further isolating the assad regime. we are encouraging other countries to join the united states, the european union and the arab league in imposing strong sanctions against it. these sanctions are putting assad under greater pressure than ever before. we are undermining the financial life lines of the regime.

three united states executive orders targeted senior leadership, commercial and the central bank of syria. the result is that 30% of the regime, of the regime's lost revenues, have occurred as a result of those sanctions. the u.s. and the eu have imposed a strong oil embargo. the exchange rate has depreciated by more than 50% and their gdp has been in a serious decline. approaching almost a minus 8% in 2011 and more now. third, we are strengthening and unifying the non-violent political opposition in syria. the united states is in the process of providing direct non-lethal support including communications and medical equipment to the civilian-led opposition.

for taking these actions in concert with similar steps taken by the friends of syria and other international partners to assist the opposition. fourth, we are providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the syrian people. with a total commitment so far in excess of $25 million. food rations, medical supplies, water, and other relief supplies have been provided. lastly, we are reviewing and planning for a range of additional measures that may be necessary to protect the syrian people. by acting along these lines, we are increasing pressure on the assad regime every day. make no mistake, one way or another, this regime will ultimately meet its end. there are legitimate questions about what steps are necessary

to achieve this end. some arguing for an approach similar to the one we took in libya. the fact is that our recent experience in libya is helping to inform the approach that the united states is taking towards syria. first our efforts are strengthened. strengthened by multilateral international consensus. that's extremely important to our ability to keep maximum pressure on the assad regime. second, we should maintain clear regional support from the arab world. the arab world itself. nations of the arab world are outraged at the regime and what they are doing to the syrian people. third, we should offer substantial u.s. contributions where we can bring unique resources to bear. fourth, we should have a clear

legal basis for our approach there. and that clearly involves close consultations with the congress. and fifth and finally, our approach must keep all options on the table. all options on the table. while recognizing limitations of military force, we must be prepared to take whatever action is required. but let me also say that the situation in syria is different from the one in libya. in some very important ways, this is not libya. in libya, there was widespread international support, in the arab world and elsewhere and a clear security consult authorization for military intervention. and nato was authorized to act on that. no such consensus currently exists regarding syria.

the opposition is also not as well organized and does not control territory, what we saw in libya. there are almost 100 different groups. on the one hand that indicates that this is an insurgency that is broad based. but on the other hand, it makes it difficult to determine who to help if they cannot organize as a single opposition force. we must be mindful as secretary clinton has noted of the possibility that outside military intervention will make a volatile situation even worse. and place even more innocent civilians at risk. the united states has made clear that we are on the side of the syrian people and they must know that the international community has not underestimated either their suffering or their impatience. e