[captioning performed by natonal captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> hearing from senate minority leader mitch mcconnell and others offering than the package approved in the senate this afternoon. the vote 74-26. 60 votes were needed for approval. an hour after it was approved president obama. well, coming up shortly we are going to take you to a hearing on ambassadorial nominations. it's set to take place at 2:30 in the dierkson federal building. :30 here on c-span. to that we'll go back to the phones and get your calls on the debt ceiling that was approved in the senate today. the numbers again --

202-585-3885 for republicans. democrats, call 202-585-3886. and our line for independents is 202-585-3887. our first call this afternoon, gee evena from milwaukee -- regina from milwaukee on the democrats' line. regina, do we have you? ok. we'll move on to stacy in new york on the independents line. caller: hey, how are you? >> good. go ahead, stacy. caller: i just want to make a comment about the debt. everyone says the richest pays their fair share. how about we just expand the base and have every american who works pay something, even if it's $1 a paycheck, just have somebody put in something so everybody's skin's in the game and stop saying the rich pay their fair share? i'm sick of hearing it. >> thanks, stacy.

next, thomasless ina. caller: they said the democrats took their eye off job creation. it's when the corporations and the investors sits on $2 trillion worth of profits and refuse to invest in jobs unless they get a better deal. these corporations are very much like the republicans. they want to hold the american worker hostage. the coincidence is that i live here in norman beach and john mica who earlier the democrat congress mentioned that he stopped funding. he supported a bill to stop funding for the f.h.a., over 90,000 jobs were lost, construction lost and 4,000 airline workers haven't been paid for 10 days. this congressman, this republican congressman refused federal money for a speed rail in florida. the federal government, the department of transportation was going to give him i think

$3 brl billion. he refused it so he could have a little train, he has a little train in the district where he lives, it will cost us millions in florida. they hate obama so much. they can't stand that he's anything that's worthwhile doing. it's so infuriating. >> next to gilbert in wisconsin. caller: yes. i was just wondering something. some of these i feel -- the way i feel about this whole thing going on, some of these people shouldn't have to live like the poor and the social security people. then they probably would think twice before they started knocking some of this down and putting us back on where we have to sit and wait and wonder if we're going to get this or get that. that's the way -- my view is about this. >> thank you calling in. gilbert on the republican line. next, robert, who's calling

from tampa, florida, on the independents' line. caller: my name is robert milligan calling from tampa, florida. i was going in a different direction on this but listening to the past couple people talk, it's kind of sad. when i grew up i was told, if you work hard you could have anything in this country. i'm sure when our forefathers put it together with the democratic and the republican party that's what they had in mind. so everybody could get a little bit of piece of this country. nowadays, it just seems like everybody is out for themselves. i heard a lady earlier in the morning on the talk show talk about how the fey partiers is damned and stupid. in a way she would be right. i think it's time this country goes in a different direction to get everybody thinking along the same lines again. the republicans working for

what the democrats want. the democrats working for what the republicans want. so all of us have a fair and equal chance at this great country of ours. because if we don't watch ourselves in the future, our children are going to be living in such countries that socialism is very much alive. we're headed that way. i just hate to see it. thank you for your time. >> n.s.a. for your call, robert, in tampa, florida. live picture from the dierkson senate office building. next we'll bring you a hearing from the senate foreign relations committee. they're looking at ambassadors to turkey and the czech republic. they were recessed appointments by the president and never confirmed by the senate. we'll get that to you. right now back to your phone calls. next to robert in marietta, georgia. robert's calling on the democrats' line. caller: yes. first time caller. it's really hard to get through. but nevertheless.

i'm glad that they approved the debt ceiling agreement and it passed and has been signed. it's just very heartening to see what this president has to go through. there's never been a president, and i can go back -- i'm 69. i can go back and remember eisenhower. no president has been through what this man has been through. i think when you've been through seeing discrimination throughout this country, it's easy to spot. it's easy to spot. what this whole thing is about, it's about this man is a black president. >> we're going to stop you there. we thank you for your call. we're going live to the dierkson senate office building for nominees for ambassadors

from turkey and the czech republic. >> all three nominees in the first panel and then we'll do questioning of mr. ford in the second panel. we're fortunate to have senator lugar here with us and we want to try and accommodate his schedule as well as senator lieberman's schedule. so on our first panel we'll consider norman to be ambassador for the czech republic. and francis to be ambassador to the republic of turkey. on the first panel we'll consider robert ford for ambassador to syria. senator casey from pennsylvania will be here. he chairs the subcommittee on near eastern affairs and he will share ambassador ford's questioning portions of the second panel. all of the posts are criticals

in safeguarding american interests around the globe. i look forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities the united states faces in threes important countries. we're doing this a little bit differently today and one of the differences is that both of our nominees on the first panel were nominated last year to serve on these positions. i think i chaired one of those nomination hearings last year. but both were considered and approved by the senate foreign relations committee and both were held up on the senate floor and was not confirmed by the full senate. seeing the importance of having an ambassador in these critical countries, the president chose to recess appoint both ambassador ric -- the two men

have been serving as ambassadors in prague and akara over the past seven months. a recessed appointment by the president lasts for only one calendar year so these two men have been renominated and the committee will reconsider their nominations. i intend to support their nominations once again. since both men have been serving on these rools we will hear about the plans they've already seen. welcome back and thank you for going through the nomination process again and take on these responsibilities at a very important time in our country. we'll consider the they have

demonstrated exceptional leadership in europe, particularly engaging the eastern neighborhood and pressing for further european integration. the czech republic has made contributions to international peacekeeping efforts in afghanistan, iraq and kosovo. in addition, the country's unique experience with democratic transitions should provide some lessons for the united states as we navigate the ongoing transitions in the middle east and north africa. today we also consider the u.s. relationship with turkey. turkey remains a critical nato ally with a predominantly muslim population in a volatile and geoplightcally strategic region of the world. recent events throughout the middle east and north africa have increased turkey's strategic importance as a center of power in this complex region. there's little doubt that turkey will continue to play an

influential role in many of the national security threats facing the united states. i remain a proponent of a strong by lateral relationship with -- bilateral relationship with turkey. however, it's also important to recognize where we have differences. turkey's troops continue to occupy the island of cyprus and the turkey government needs to have a just solution in cyprus. turkey's vote against a fourth round of sanctions in the u.n. security council raises concerns that the u.s. and turkey do not share the same threat assessment with respect to iran's nuclear weapons program. so i want to just briefly introduce our two nominees and i know that senator lieberman is here to provide an introduction for ambassador eisen. so i will let him do most of that introduction. as i mentioned, senator casey will be introduced our second panel nominee, ambassador ford, when he gets here.

i want to welcome ambassador ricciardone who was a longtime foreign service officer. he's the former ambassador to egypt, the former ambassador to afghanistan and served previously in turkey and throughout the middle east. he speaks a number of languages including turkish and arabic and finally and most importantly he's a graduate of dartmouth college in new hampshire. so, again, congratulations to all of you on your nominations. and i appreciate your willingness to come before the committee. as i said, we're fortunate to have senator lugar who is the ranking member of this committee here with us this afternoon and i know he would like to make a statement. senator lugar. >> i'm very pleased to join you, madam chairman, in welcoming our nominees to three very important countries. and our relationships with these countries are excellent

but we will have an opportunity to review events in each of the three as we welcome ambassador ricciardone, ambassador eisen and ambassador ford to this committee once again. turkey is underscoring its importance as an ally. in particular, i hope that ambassador ricciardone on the recent resignations of turkey's leaders and the effect it will have on political stability will be part of our discussion. moreover we'll be interested to hear about the dynamics related to the upheaval in syria. touchy's expanding participation in recent diplomacy and its ongoing role in the creation of a southern energy corridor. the czech republic remains an important ally of ours in central europe. we'll be interested to hear from ambassador eisen's recent

announcement in not part of the adaptive approach to missile defense. regional energy interconnections and diversification in the czech republic also remains fundamental to the united states and european efforts to improve energy security for the region. finally, this hearing is an important opportunity for the committee to review events in syria. the syrian regime is committed to the abuse of violence to suppress the will of its people. in the last few months alone, more than 1,700 people have been killed with more than 10,000 imprisoned. the toll on syrian civilians including children gets worse day by day. despite the regime's efforts to cut off the internet, cell phones, other forms of communication, the images continue to get out and the world has borne witness to these brutalities. the causes of peace, stability and economic advancement would benefit from a swift transition

to new leadership and a more representative government for all the syrian people. the alternative is almost certainly a cycle of ever widening violence and the prospect of sectarian conflict. the regime, of course, seems intent on playing the prospects of sectarian strife, has sought the aid of tehran as a means to hold on to power. we must explore ways to work with our allies to present a clear and unequivocal message to the president and those around him that the violence must stop and a credible political transition of reform must begin immediately. i note the government of turkey has taken a strong stance in this regard given the potential for increasing refugee flows. syria's government and business elite must understand the current path will only deepen their isolation and consequences for the regime and its leaders.

i look forward with the discussion with the nominees on these issues and others they will bring forward from their vast experience in american diplomacy. i thank you. >> thank you very much, senator lugar. and senator lieberman, we're delighted to have you with us to introduce mr. eisen. >> n.s.a. very much, madam chair, and senator luge a it's an honor to be here. i should express my appreciation to you on behalf of the nominees that you did not join the herd leaving washington after the vote at noon. and thank you for conving this hearing. i'm here to introduce ambassador eisen. i would be remiss if i didn't say i got to know that ambassador ricciardoan and ambassador ford. they are great, courageous representatives of the united states in which they have served and are serving now. i am here to introduce norm

eisen. this is not a political duty. it's a personal pleasure because ambassador eisen and his wife, lindsey, and his daughter, tamar, are personal friends of mine and my family. as you mentioned, i guess the reason i'm asked is that norman is one of those stateless people who lives in washington, d.c. so i occasionally do double duty by introducing such people. as you mentioned, senator sheehan, ambassador eisen was given a recessed appointment that was disposed of at the end of last year. he had a distinguished career as a lawyer here in washington and then was special counsel for ethics and governmental reform in the white house. i regret that it was necessary for the president to make a recessed appointment in this case, but perhaps there is a silver lining here in that we can now judge ambassador eisen

based on his performance over the past six months and that from all that i have heard has been really exemplary. since arriving in prague, ambassador eisen has been a whirlwind of activity, winning everything from the czech government to the american chamber of congress whose leader has said, and i quote, "in your short time in the country you have already made a significant impact and you have proven to be one of the most effective ambassadors to hold this post." he has been a tireless advocate for america's national interests in the czech republic, whether with regard to imposing sanctions against iran or winning contracts for american companies and with your permission i'd like to insert in the record a list of essentially thank yous and testimonials from american companies who have been doing business in the czech republic. >> without objection. >> for more than two years the ambassador arrived in prague,

the u.s. had no ambassador in the czech republic which spurred doubt and fears with our czech allies. they have been our great allies about our commitment with their country. this is not we in our national interest should we pete. so i hope that we could confirm, give a full confirmation to ambassador eisen this time. the czech republic has been an extraordinary partner and ally with the u.s. from the wars in iraq and afghanistan to the promotion of democracy worldwide. the czechs are really now one of our best friends and allies in europe and they deserve to have an ambassador from our country that's confirmed by the full senate. finally, as you may know, norm eisen has a deep personal connection to the czech republic. his mother having been born there, both she and his father survived the holocaust and is indeed a profound historical justice, an act of justice that

the ambassador's residence in prague, which was originally built by a jewish family that was forced to flee prague by the nazis who in turn, the nazis took over that house as their headquarters, now 70 years later is occupied by norman and his family. and i might -- on a point of personal privilege add that he and they observe the sabbath there friday and saturday night. if you need any evidence there is a god, i offer that to you. the story of norm eisen and his family and their path back to europe is a classic american story, a reflection of what our country's about at our very best which is also precisely why the ambassador has proven such an effective representative of our nation, our interests and our values. and, again, why i hope the committee can lead the senate in sending him back to prague as our ambassador as quickly as

possible. thank you very much for that. >> members of the families -- >> yes, i think we should ask as you're giving your testimony, ambassador eisen, and ricciardoan that you should feel free to introduce your family and let us welcome them as well. >> thank you, madam chair, senator lugar. >> thank you, senator lieberman. thank you, especially, for sharing the last story about the residence for the ambassador. as i said, we are going to begin the panel with ambassadors ricciardoan and eisen and will be hearing the opening statement from ambassador ford and then save his question and answer with the second panel. i wish you begin, mr. eisen and feel free to introduce family and friends who are here with you.

>> madam chair, senator lugar, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here again in connection with my nomination by president obama to continue serving as the united states ambassador to the czech republic. i am honored to have the confidence rand the trust of the president, of secretary clinton in representing our country. since you asked, i would like to introduce my wife, lindsey kaplan, an associate professor of english at georgetown university, and our daughter, tamar. and representing the united states in prague is a family effort. and i believe the czech people have come to appreciate my family as much as i do. well, almost as much as i do. when i was last before the committee, i reflected upon my

extraordinary good fortune as a first generation american from the vantagepoint of our small fast food restaurant in los angeles where i grew up. my mother, a czech, czech holocaust survivor and my father, an immigrant from poland, could never have imagined that their son would someday serve as the united states ambassador. as senator lieberman noted, and my mother put it recently, just little more succinctly, the nazis took us away in cattle cars and now my son has returned representing the mightiest nation on earth. as that sentiment suggests, my mission in the czech republic is strongly informed by my deep sense of obligation to this country. to the united states. since ply arrival in prague in january, i worked with a talented embassy team in three

principal areas. first, the defense and security relationship between the two countries. second, commercial and economic ties and, third, shared values. particularly the shared values of good governance and of civil rights for all. in each area, the relationship was good. but we have worked with the czech government, with officials across the political spectrum, with czech civil society and with the czech people to make it great. in the defense and security realm, the czechs are staunch allies. in the past years they've increased their contributions in afghanistan to over 700 soldiers and civilians. czech personnel operate in some of the most dangerous parts of the country and they have suffered numerous casualties there. when i recently visited afghanistan to thank czech and u.s. personnel for their service, the u.s. soldiers that i met with gave the czechs high praise. that included general petraeus

who explained the critically important responsibilities that our czech allies are carrying out side by side and day by day with their u.s. partners in afghanistan. the czechs are also a staunch friend of israel and a strong supporter of u.s. policy towards iran. they are one of our very best allies in europe on those issues and across the board. in their own neighborhood, the czech republic is a leading advocate within the european union for countries like georgia, ukraine and muldova, through the e.u.'s eastern partnership initiative. elsewhere from cuba to burma to belarus to north korea, the czechs are champions of human rights. we in embassy prague are proud to work with our czech partners on those issues. looking to the future of our strategic partnership, we're

broadening our cooperation, developing an approach that goes beyond any narrow focus to one with multiple areas of specialized cooperation where the czechs excel. they are partners in areas ranging from helicopters to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear mitigation to p.r.t.'s, provential reconstruction teams. in the economic and commercial area, embassy prague has actively advocated for american business during my tenure. we have san open door for u.s. firms and i have met with dozens of american companies from the very largest to the smallest. when they have concerns in the czech republic we vigorously work to resolve them, engaging all the way up to the highest levels of government if necessary. i have also encouraged czech investment in the u.s. traveling with government officials and czech businesses to scout business opportunities here that will generate good, high-paying jobs in the united

states. in our commercial and economic work, we have particularly emphasized civil nuclear cooperation. the czechs have six operating nuclear reactors and are planning an expansion worth up to $27.5 billion. it's one of the largest opportunities for u.s. businesses of its kind anywhere in the world. westinghouse, the u.s. competitor, wins that bid it will mean an estimated 9,000 new good jobs in the united states. across the united states. to support that bid, we have adopted a whole of government approach here in the united states and with embassy prague to establish a broad civil nuclear strategic partnership between our two countries. so with fostering relationships, to making regulatory exchanges, to working together to improve

nuclear safety, our two nations are building a model civil nuclear relationship for the 21th century. my third area of emphasis has been the shared values that bind our two countries together. czech and slovak national aspirations in the 20th century were first realized by the pittsburgh and washington declarations signed right here in the united states after world war i by president wilson's great friend and check low slow vockia -- czech, thomas maserik. the united states helped liberate czech from the nazis, supported the resistance against communism and then helped transform the goals of the velvet revolution into reality. i have carried that message of friendship, the length and breath of the country, visiting almost 20 cities and regions outside of prague in just about

six months on the job. my message is one of warm friendship but also candor. i have supported the initiatives of those in the czech government, the opposition, n.g.o.'s and the czech republic who is working for good government and cooperation. i believe we are working for a model in prague how to respectively but forcefully engage on those issues. we have also worked with the czech government to promote equal rinets and opportunities for all czech -- equal rights and opportunities for all czech citizens. my presence in prague is the child of a she can slovak victim, of -- check slovak victim, it's -- c czech victim, working with the talented interagency team at embassy prague. i've taken every opportunity to engage with the czech people and their government to advance our common goals and values.