tv Capitol Hill Hearings CSPAN November 11, 2011 6:00am-7:00am EST
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you very much. [applause] >> very appropriately, the majority leader ended his remarks about our students. that is where i thought we would begin. i ask you to respect the fine line between a question and a speech and make your question as brief as possible. we are starting with four student leaders. neither of us know what their questions are. you may know what the answers are thout knowing what the questions are, but do not. we will begin with george, the president of our student association. >> thank-you, mr. majority leader, for joining us at rice university.
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myself and my peers e encouraged to hear that education remains a top priority. considering the national economy and increasing global competitiveness, what can congress do to ensure that students remain and feel inspired and confident now and in the next 10 years? how are we putting american universities at the top? >> let me respond by saying, american universities, and rice being in the premiere rankings, are some of the crown jewels of this country. if you think about where we are headed this century as a country and how we are going to continue to lead, we are going toead by being innovators. that innovation stems from the kind of efforts and research that is ongoing in places like rice. we have to be committed, as a country, to allow for an enronment for that research to
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continue. from a funding standpoint, from creating an environment for public-private partnerships, creating an environment where we can take that research and those ideas and innovation and translate them into commercialization, bring them to market. right now, what we are seeing is that that process has become too difficult in this country. as students, you're going to look for opportunity in jobs when you graduate. that same difficulty in translating that resource into commercialization exists for job-creators in this country. it is too difficult because t risk is too high. we need to think, as america, we have got to be competitive. we have got to be able to match the efforts of those competitors in the far east, south america, and the west. weave got to adopt the mentality of an economic
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developer and to adopt a competitive strategy so that we can win. we have a lot of work to d as far as tax policy, regulatory policy, and access to capital in our markets and. let's thank you. i would like to say that at a price we are very excited that you are here today and that we have the opportunity to talk with you. many of our students are aspiring leaders and a look to you. and we are really supportive of what you do. thank you again for coming here today. >> our second question is from their representative of our graduate student association. kenneth. >> hello. i am a fourth year graduate student and i've applied to the ph.d. program and am a policy
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interning in the science and technology program. my question is a follow up to georgia. in the last several years, we've seen a -- we have seen several of the major science agencies budgets rema staant. i'm wondering as the budgets come to an agreement, where do see the science budgets going? the does, how you see that affecting our economy and for students coming into the market? specifically, in the south, who provides most of the outreach opportunities in running the gamut from a lot of the different fields. how do you see that affecting the progress that america is making in science and innovation? >> first of all, if you look at
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the proposals coming out of the house of representatives, we have put a priority on research. that goes back to my comments earlier about the need for universities such as this one to be in the forefront to help our country lead with innovation. that goal occurs in the context that makes a difficult outlook for the country. all of us know that we are generating deficit or dollars and have done so for the last severayears. we are being forced to choose priorities. research is a priority. there will also be the necessary decision making as those dollars flow. that is a decision that we are just about in the process of nsidering -- what will be the structure of research grants going forward? what will that be? as we look to some of our
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competitors abroad, there is a mindet of centralizing research grants and research, allow for easier priority making, allowing for more focused research dollar grants. in our country, we have seen a proliferation of a lot of innovation. it is not just one university, obviously. we have a much more entrepreneurial, competitive research in farming in this country. -- research environment in this country. we will continue to try to assess whether or not we are competing well, it is our research what we want? we also have to consider how we are going to take those ideas to market and create the jobs and opportunities for phd students and the rest? much of that has to do with the environment for people in this
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environment to take ris and the environment that this country offers to global investors to come here and take risks and build enterprises. right now, we see an alarming rate of decline in the startup world in this country. we have seen a decline in the number of ipo's in this country versus elsewhere. we have got to make sure that we get our regulatory system under control so that it is sensible in terms of regulation. but that we make sure that government is not the one that determines who can and cannot succeed. we have an even playing field for everybody. we have got to have jobs, the best and brightest coming here and staying here. if we have and continue to have peoplerom around the world wanting to come to rice and other universities, we ought to provide incentive for them stay. they can help create jobs.
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they can help us grow our economy. this is all part of the discussion that we are about in trying to maintain a competitive america in the 21st century. >> we have more student representatives and then we'll open it up. the next is the price young democrat leader. -- the r youngice democrat leader. we have a substitute a. >> thank you for coming to rights. i have a more specific policy question. the payroll tax cut is set to expire at the start of next year. this would result in $120 million of higher taxes for working americans and. my question is, how will the house leadership respond to the president's call for a payroll tax cut extension?
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>> republicans in general do not believe taxes should of on everybody, especially in an economy like this. that provision is a priority for the white house. it is part of the discussions on going on how we resolve the budget is used by the end of the year. we will continue to focus on that. we do not believe taxes should go up on anybody. >> the last of the questioners is anthony from the young conservatives. >> like you, i worry about our nati's ballooning debt. i am not convinced about the balanced budget amendment, which you have been a proponent of an. justice scalia has said it would result in a lot of lawsuits because a balanced budget would be up to the courts. how we resolve this if we pass
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such an amendment? >> if there are lawsuits, the courts will have to resolve it. the thinking is, a balanced budget amendment would be the check on unbridled spending in washington area we continue spend money we do n have. we are continuing to rely on global and domestic investors to buy our debt. if we do not demonstrate that we are going to be a viable ongoing concern fiscly, we will not be able to be the country we are. all we have to do is look to europe to see what we may become. we believe strongly that a balanced budget is something we should have. the discussion about what a balance is or not, i guess that legal question can be determined in courts. most americans have to live within their means, whether it in the household or businesses.
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most states have a balanced budget in met -- a balanced budget amendment. they exist in a way that has not been challenged in court. we are hoping we can move towards that end triet >> if you have a question, please line up behind one of the microphones. please keep it as brief as we can, because we have very little time. frankly, we will only ve time for four questions if people are very quick. >> i am a member of the debate team. one quick question about the republican platform on spending increases. right now, there is the ideology of maintaining or reducing spending. for what causes is the republican party prepared to increase spending? what would justify a spending increase? >> right now, we are all facing this incredible deficit.
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and the debt that we are all going to pay for. not just you, the future generation. what it should be about is asking, what are the priorities? what are the priorities for this country? obviously, national defence and the curity of our country comes first and foremost. but we will not have a country. we have got to make sure we are adequately funding that. one of the challenges for us is how we will continue to lead and beat the world superpower that we are if our economy is not strong. where are we going to go in terms of spending dollars or affecting reform to get our economy back on track? it is about defense, security, the economy. obviously, we care about health care. that is so personal for everybody. this country spends a lot of money on health care. there has been much discussion
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and debate because we have got to do something to deal with the spiralling costs. unfortunately, the president's bill that was passed two years ago did not do that. the congressional office has validated that does not balance costs in this country. many of us are fearful that that bill will affect the kind of quality of care that most americans get. we have got to put some effort into designing a system, whether it is spending money or affecting reforms, to get to the outcomes we want. >> thank you. >> i will be quick. you talked a lot about the inner city girl, ensuring equality of opportunity. with the economy the way it i, with the house pledge to not raise taxes, with our idea of doing more with less, how do you plan on clay -- on paying for
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those educational opportunities? you mentioned charter schools and that is great. for the public schools out there, how can we ensure that they continue to exist? that teachers can be most effective? how do we pay for that if we are not raising taxes and the economis struggling? >>irst of all, we have got to get growth going again. we need this economy to get back on track. i have spoke about the uncertainty that exists in holding capital and investors back. we have got to correct that. as far as the public school system in this country is concerned, all three of my chdren went to good public schools. unfortunately, a lot of children in this country are not fortune and do not have public schools. we have to look at how you make them good. the evidence shows it is not just money. some of the higher cost school districts are the least performing. we have got to effect reforms.
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you asked about raising taxes. the problem right now is this -- you have a budget situation that is disproportionately caused, at the federal level, by alth care entitlements. the facts are, 10,000 people every day turn 65 and become eligible for medicare. thmedicare program in this country i funded through premiums and taxes. the revenues derived from those premiums and taxes covers a little over half of that program. if you think about that, that is every day x 10,000. you are 50% in the hole. you cannot sustain that. you cannot tax our way out or grow your way out of that. we have proposed to reform the
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system and maintain the safety net of our entitlements for those who need them. that is why we have got to do that. if you do not do that and then you raise taxes, you are digging the hole deeper. you are asking people, those job creators that we desperately need to create jobs and get growth going again, you are asking them to throw good money after ba what you are also doing by saying raise taxes right now, you are not going to fix the problem, you are exacerbating the jobs and economic growth crisis because it is counterintuitive to thi you're going to raise taxes on those who want to invest. they are not going to do it because it lessens the likelihood of a return. >> you mentioned that your grandmother came over from europe to escape the discrimination based on her religion and to find the opportunity of the united
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states current throughout the history of our country, what we do is we have enacted legislation to protect those who are not able to get equal opportunity due to discrimination. what i want to know is why, in 2007, did you vote against the employment non-discrimination act that would protect people based on sexual orientation from discrimination in the workplace? >> and none of us on either side of the aisle, either side of the spectrum, one discrimination for anybody. you are right. this country was killed on equal opportunity d all people should be treated fairly. th particular bill was designed so that those employers who wanted to be able to hire individuals to further the mission of a private entity were making the case there were not
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going to be able to do so the way that bill was crafted. that was my vote. i understand your question. all of us should bdriving towards equality and opportunity for everyone. no matter what your background is or who you are. >> i would like to thank you for comi to rice and your belief in our students as the future leaders of the world. i appreciate your devotion to creating opportunities for all americans. my particular question concerns the american tax code. i spoke to inform members aeek ago and he mentioned criticism with the american payroll tax cap at $108,000 which would be neither progressive nor equal for all americans, but rather regressive. as well as those earning in the
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highest income brackets may spend 10-15% of their income on goods while those earning less will spend a higher percentage on goods and be taxed even more than those in the higher income bracket. i would like to hear your thoughts about what needs to take place to reform the american tax policy? >> most of us believe we need to reform the tax code. for a variety of reasons, we have a tax code that really skews the allocation of capital and gets in the way of our return to growth in this economy. you speak about the fairness issue in the tax code. i agree that the tax code does not breed their results. -- fair results. right now, you have 47% of the people in this country not paying income taxes for it to
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me, is that fair? everybody should have some skin in the game. even if it is just $1. we ought to have people willing to make sure that they are part of what we are trying to do, not just those who receive benefits and do not pay on the income side. but we do need to be careful. we need to be mindful of those at the lower end of the spectrum. we do not want to disproportionately burden them. but we ought to be looking at seeing h we can bring down rates. we know, from a competitive standpoint, the corporate tax system is non-competitive. next to japan, we are the worst. getting back to how we are going to grow the economy, we are not going to provide incentives for people to put their businesses here with that kind of tax system. we also disadvantage american- based multinationals.
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they look at other localities around the world that do not treat their counterparts for competitors like we treat them. they're going to take a second look about whether or not it makes sense to headquartered in america. we have got to bng down those rates and kill the loopholes that are the preferences that have appeared in the code over the last decade. those loopholes tend to skew allocation of capital. we do not want that. we want a simpler, more fair code that everyone can abide by and help promote an environment for growth. >> we are overtime. we will take two more questions. you can choose which combination you like to ask. >> on a different topic, when abortions were legal, women had them andhousands died orere physically maimed. according to your voting
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record, if you outlaw abortion, is that acceptable collateral damage to you? >> i do not know how we are going to combine that with another question. [laughter] if you look at my voting record -- what weo in congress is make sure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortion. that is what my voting record reflects. >> last question. >> houston is a leader in the energy industry. with companies like solyndra showing government handouts can be a waste of taxpayer money or the tax rates given to the oil industry during the great deession showing that th government can help industries become bedrocks of the country's industry, how does the united states help the emerging renewable energy market grow in the united states when other countries are offering these
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kind of handout that could give those companies an advantage? >> great question. we have got to stride and drive towards sustainable growth. you are right. the future is of the upmost importance. i was in houston visiting some of the employers and businesses here who are trying to do that. right now, although we want a much more diverse energy future, this country has been very blessed with a lot of resources in the fossil fuel our arena. many of the companies in houston are spending a lot of resources and time pursuing the exploration of that energy here in a clean and responsible way. what i think would work for them would work for industry players in any sector. that is certainty. that is an environment in which the tax code and regulatory
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pocy does not imposed greater cost risk. we have got to have a balance. we want to do a clean and responsibly. i think we can help compete in the clean energy world as well as any other industry. an informant to innovate and invest capital which involves certainty, a tax credit, a tax code and gains rates that are competitive globally. all things being held equal, if we can accomplish those things, i guarantee people will want to do business in america. we have plenty of work to do addressing those basics. i think that we can compete in any sector. >> please join me in thanking the majority leader for joining us. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011]
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condoleezza rice recounts her years in the white house. look for the complete book tv schedule at book tv.org and sign up for a book tv alert. >> the air force concerned that the cremated body parts of some war veterans were dumped in landfills so a review of the procedures at dover air force base and secretary panetta was joined by joint chiefs of staff chairman dempsey. this is general dempsey's first press reefing as secretary.
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certainly now is chairman of the oint chiefs and so i welcome >> i welcome him to this press briefing. briefing and just would inform him that there is a tradition that he could solve the tough questions. getting used to this job. let me begin also by wishing a very happy birthday tohe united states marine corps. they have their ballot this saturday. as you know, general dempsey and i have been working with the entire senior leadership of the department, including the service chiefs, the service secretaries, the combatant commanders and the undersecretary of defense. to implement the more than 450 billion in savings that we have been required to do over 10 years. that translates into around 260
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over five years as part of the budget that would be submitted in february. this process, and i have required this from the beginning, has to be driven by strategy. it has to be strategy driven. and it also has to be a team effort. my hope is that as we work through this, that we will put the entire leadership of the department, the military and civilian in the same place said that we can finalize this effort within the coming weeks. so, as we move ahead with this process within the department, all of us are obviously watching closely what happens on capitol hill and with the congressional super committee and we watch it obviously with great concern. as you know come as a super
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committee fails to reach an agreement with regards to additional budget savings, the penalty for that i sequester ende sequester a roach would virtually double the size of the cuts that we face here at the defense department. and would also force us to cut across the board all of these cuts would occur. i think this takes effect in january of 23rd team, said that obviously we would have a year were sequester would hang as a shadow over this dertment. i have learned by cutting in excess of 20% in every area, sequester will lead to a hollow force. and that may explain just exactly what we're talking about when we talk about hollow force. obviously, that which is hello
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retains a shell, but? a core. a hollow military has the organizational structure, but? the people, training and equipment that it needs to actually get the job done. it is a without sailors. it is a prepaid without all the. it is an air wing without enough trained pilots. it is a paper tiger. an army of barracks, building and tom's without enough trained soldiers able to accomplish the missio it is a force that suffers low morale, poor readiness and is unable to keep up with potential for series. and the fact, it invites to ration. a hollow military doesn't happen
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by accident. it comes from poor stewardship and poor leadership. i guess my message to the congress is that it might show the necessary leadership by doing the job that they've been asked to do. that means identifying savings in the two thirds of the federal budget that is still yet to be considered for deficit reduction and matthew along with additional revenues. in my conversations with the members of congress, and with members of the committee, i told them that if this nation has really young men and women who are willing to die and put their lives on the line in order to sacrifice for this country, it really shouldn't be too much to
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ask for the bears to sacrifice just a little to provide the leadership essential to lving the problems facing this country. this is a fundamental responsibility we have. it is also an obligation that we owe to our servicemembers and their families and the entire country should reflect.samaras we observe veterans day. on monday, i traveled to new york to meet with leaders in the business arena, to meet with those in government and nonprofit sector and i talk about how important is to help returning veterans find jobs in these very difficult economic times. she also mentioned as we move into these next few years and became a chart on process we are going to be adding to that burden. these are men and women with extraordinary skill, proven leadership. and yet the unemployment rate
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for veterans since 9/11 now stands at 12.1%. that is done except to vote. we can do better is a country and we are making it a priority here at the department to ensure that our servicemembers are given the support they need to pursue higher education, fd a job and to start a business. these obligations to servicemembers continuat every stage, to include ensuring their recovery and dignified return of our fallen heroes. this is one of the departments the sacred responsibilities. and that is why all americans, including myself are justifiably disturbed by reports of mismanagement, the dover report
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mortuary that came to light this week. when i came to this office in july in one of the first meetings on their investigation into dover. they were forthcoming with me. it was clear they took these allegations seriously and they were committed to strengthening the department's handling of the most sacred and solemn task. still, none of us will be satisfied until we have proven to the families of our fallen heroes that we have taken every step possible to protect the honor ad dignity that our loved ones richly deserved. that is why i ve directed at the request of the ar force and independent review of overall current operations at dover to
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evaluate the changes and the procedures that must be implemented. vice admiral doc or richard carmona, who is the former surgeon general of the united states, along with the distinguished panel will conduct a review. as you know, the united states produced its own report on this matter, which i received and reviewed in the last 48 hours. in light of the concerns that were raised inthat record, the secretary of the air force, mike donnelly that the disciplinary action taken was appropriate and provid me with the results of that review. in addition is the heiress he confirmed that its reporter. it is conduct in an additional investigation to determine whether there are reprisals
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against the whistleblowers. this is a serious issue. as someone who voted for the whistleblower legislation, i directed secretary donnelly to report back to me was the osc investigation is completed to ensure that all appropriate action has been taken in mind is that reporters. this department has to be fully accountable in what we intend t deliver on this matter. we have to be fully accountable on how we treated servicemembers full accountability is that we intend to deliver. having been to dover, i consider this a sacred place and responsibility and it is a place that must meet the highest standards for carrying for the
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remains of our fallen heroes. we can do no less. >> thank you, mr. secretary. as to begin by wishing to bring cory happy 236th birthday and also veterans around the wrld. i have been to several very moving veterans day events over the last 48 hours. if you were to go. it couldn't be prouder of their service. st to highlight a couple things the secretary mentioned. we are involved in a strategy review. looking out to 2020 to determine what is our joint force, weren't the armed forces of the united states need to be to ensure we provide the nation with the capabilities that it needs to provide our theaters, our senior leaders options in the environment we anticipate. and part of the environment we
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anticipate is a resource constraints that we haven't had to deal with here in florida. that's all working. as the secretary said, he has led us through a process and continues to lead a history process that ensures we have a collaborative effort. this is in two or three folks in the room trying to dream this thing up by themselves. so we're well on our way to answering those questions. i wil just and adequate with the secretary said about the events at dover. they are very distressing to u.s. and we intend, as the air force intends, to get to the bottom of it and to ensurethat we continue to improve processes that may not have been executed properly and old folks accountable for it's appropriate to accountable. without alternate back to you, sir. >> mr. secretary, the other day you mentioned a statement issued at the air force investigation was thorough and today you're asking to take another look at
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that. what changed into you think -- was the air force not as upfront with you about some of the general counsel criticisms at may have been made that you are now aware of? and general dempsey, there's been a lot of discussion about possibly increasing troop streth in kuwait. can you talk about how important you think that maybe for security in the regionand what possibly would be to missions and the capabilities you think would be necessary. >> on the first part of the question, i think they did do it are really poor. it was about 216 pages along some additional supplement that were added by the secretary, by the air force and all of that was forwarded to the office of the special counsel. and as a result of that report, they've taken a number of significant status to try to
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correct procedures that dover to ensure that what happened never happens again. but at the same time, obviously the office of special counsel then issued its report and i have reviewed tt they've they've raised additional questions, which i think got to be worked out. and for that reason, i want to make sure that we have taken every step possible to bring peace of mind to the family members of our fallen heroes. and for that reason, this review commission to look at the processes in features and make sure we are implementing the highest standards in dealing with the remains of our fallen heroes. and in addition to that, i want to make certain tha we've taken all all the appropriate disciplinary action. and for that reason, i vastly secretary to review that. >> with cooperative defense
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agreements with most all of the nations in the counsel. and in other parts o that region. and we routinely reviewed them. we have been going through process to review our posture. we are reviewing in terms of emerging and emerginthreats, opportunities, resources and bob will end up with n kuwait will be something that helps us meet our interest and mayors. >> mr. secretary, given the situation at dover, the office says council and veterans organization were wondering aloud why nobody has been fired essentially. up on the hill today, the chief of staff of the air force, general schwartz in a congressional hearing set, well, there was an inappropriate action, whether it constitutes wrongdoing is another matter. is the some legal impediment
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to firing anybody over this? and should there be a higher standard of conduct and accountability in dealing with america's wounded. >> that's exactly why that's for threview to make sure that appropriate actions were taken here. at the disciplinary was taken with regard to the commander thayer and the civilians that were involved. and it obviously for them in their careers has a serious and packed. but nevertheless, based on the seriousness of what to place here, it is my view that we have to look a not only that, but e reprisal issue to determine whether or not all appropriate an10 steps for making with regards to disciplinary action. you have to send a clear signal that these kinds of actions that took place cannot happen. >> in terms of discipline, is this just a clear
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black-and-white legal issue, or is there a higher moral staard that should be applied here? >> i think it to demand decision would review these facts. obviously, it involves what is the nature of the violation, is there a violation? how seriouis that? in addition, when it comes to dover as a moral standard that means we have to pay the greatest respect and reverence to the remains of our fallen heroes. that is what i think that to be considered in the situation. >> i want to follow-up on this because what i still don't understand is why is it credible to you to have the air force investigated thoughts on this matter, given that -- given how critical the special counsel report was of the air force, why have they investigate themselves and with respect, why should the american people after this,
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after walter reid, after arlington, why should they believe the military and the wounded that remains is the appropriate respect? >> first of all, the independent review is an independent review that i'm requesting take place here. independent review is going to be done by richard cremona, will include trent franks, a former member of the board here, houseboy. worst of cipher was represented the family are involved in the mission there. congressman vic snyder who is a democratic u.s. representative who has led a committee that reviewed this. da hughley, licensed genral direct your who served in the u.s. navy. jacqueline taylor who is executive director of e new england institute and internationally but as. and dr. bruce parks, a forensic pathologist. all will be involved in the independent review. with regards to the secretary
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repealing it, you know, the secretaries at the top of the chain of command when it comes to the air force. i want him to have that responsibility. i rust my donnelly. i thinke tried to do with this matter, to go after the issues involved here, to correct them into whatever was necessary and i trust he will try to do the same. when tell him to take a look and make sure your appropriate disciplinary action was taken here, i trust will do that. >> you were tol. >> will look into that situation. >> i know that something we should look at. >> they were the special counsel report. i talked to the special counsel and she said her office informed as the air force back in march,
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whether they inform the families are not. she pressed for that back in arch. air force informed families of those whose remains are mishandled just this past weekend. was that a wise course of action? should they have told them earlier? >> my impression is families were alluded to that earlier -- let me check tha out. the family should have been alluded earlier. >> as you know, the air force is not acknowledged culpability for this. do you think right? >> if i'm not mistaken, general schwartz in testimony today says he accepts full culpability for what to place. >> i wonder if you are general dempsey think that an apology is in order either to the families whose remains were mispled or less accountability in the report orthe ones who prior to 2008 remain in a landfill. is this the sort of thing good department should apologize for
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her? >> absolutely we should apologize if we haven't handled those remains properly, then it is our responsibility and we do with his family that apology. >> you haven't indicated that they have not apolized. in fact to the notification process, i am telling you firsthand that there were apologies rendered with that notification and deep expressions of regret as there should be. back to the landfill issue, as another secretary said it does go back to where the procedure was chage. by the way, the procedure is not uncommon elsewhere in the medical community outside the military. the disposition of human remains are separated from the principal portion. if you look into how it is handled routinely in civilian life, there are procedures exactly that way. we took a decision in 2008 to do
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at sea. >> in some ws do you believe that was wrong to put the military remains in a landfill? can y say unequivocally that was wrong to do so? >> i don't know what great books i cannot regard now that this has manifested itself. i think the review to the secretary has requested will help us learn a lot or that we didn't know before. >> on the issue of iran, there's been a lot of chater about bombing iranian securities. can you walk us your comments on complexities and the effect is that this kindf campaign? secretary gates and comparable length is set over the last couple of years that i manifest would set back their program by three years at most. do you still agree with that assessment? what complicity is the unanticipated effects of something like that? >> i certaly share the views of secretary gates and general
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malaise that they've expressed with regards to this in terms of the impact that it would have. i think you got to be careful of unintended consequences here. and those consequences could involve not only not really deterring iran from at they want to do, but more importantly, it could have a serious impact in the region and could have a serious impact on u.s. forces in the region. i think all of those things ne to be carefully considered. havingaid that, israel in the united states share three common concern with regards to iran. and the concern was reflect that in the ieee report issued thi week. and for that reason, it is important for us to make sure we apply the toughest sanctions. economic, diplomatic pessures
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on iran to change their behavior and we are in discussions with allies with regards to additional sanctions that are to be placed on iran. and when it comes to action against iran, i think it was the prime minister netanyahu himself who said that ought to be a last resort and we would with that. >> into the three years, i want to make sure it said tommy would've most delay two or three years at most. possessed of the current assessment? >> we see no change in the assessments. >> if the sanctions don't reach positive results, do you think he united states or israel can live with the nuclear era? >> we have made very clear that it's unacceptable for iran to accept a nuclear capability.
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we think that point time and time again and we've taken steps unimplemented sanctions to make it clear to iran. iran is a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty. they abide by standards and international rules. obviously the report from the iaea just indicate that is not the case. for that reason, it is important that the world come together to apply sanctions against iran and make very clear to them that they are going to pay a heavy price if they continue along this track. as to what happens down the road, i think our hope is that we don't reach that point and matter and decide that it should join the international family. >> secretary general dempsey. >> obviously the national intelligence estimates from the u.s. side said that the weapons
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program had halted n 2003. the iaea now says that this proceeding -- that iran is closerhan ever. do you share the assessment they are now closer than ever to nuclear weapon? since sanctions, diplomatic sanctions have not yet worked, is it not time to say this strategy has failed a new strategy needs to be put in place? >> well, first of all regards to the i.e. being report, that is the mind that t intelligence assessments certainly that i've seen with regards to iran. we have our always made the point that they continue to try to develop a threshold capability with regards to their nuclear capacity. but at the same time, there continue to be divisions within iran as to whether or not to actually build a bomb itself. so in many ways, the iaea report pretty much indicates that the continue work on that capability
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and that is pretty much reflect it in our intelligence assessment. nevertheless, the fact that a respected international organization like iaea has come to this determination, raises serious concern that iran continues to flaunt international rules and standards and as a result f that, it is very clear additional sanctions have to be applied. >> on the national guard becoming a full member of the joint chiefs of staff, that idea is out there, there is a hearing today are generally dempsey expects opposition. president about enteringhis campaign expressed his support. where do y stand and what is the administration stand? [laughter] >> on this fine i thank the chairman of the joint chiefs have indicated that, you know,
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that individuals at the table, but at the same time the person really doesn't have th kind of authority is that the service chiefs have. nevertheless, national guard is important, reserves are important. in turn says being a member of the joint chiefs of staff, joint chiefs of staff, and that he sent a letter to be reserved for those who have direct command and direct budgets they do with their military. >> i was asked as they always will be to give my own personal military advice. in fact, i swear i'm a out that is exactly what i promised to do and i gave my face today in a rather lengthy hearing and you're welcome to go and look at the trees get. >> have you really talk to the
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president about this particular issue, but if i know this president, i think he would seriously take into consideration recommendations of the chairman of the chiefs. >> referred to a different car related issue in the budget has committee, referred to in october report on contracting fraud. the reports on conclusions are that the penaltiesor contractors repeatedly involved in fraud inside these are big guys as well, that it's not clear frenemies are sufficient. more work eeds to be done and need to increase size and capability of the acquisition workforce to ensure that the interests of the taxpayers are protected. jubilate the remedies kiernan plays are sufficient to ensure the centrist? particularly at this time anemic the country decide 20% aoss e board but particularly now what is to speeten to make sure taxpayers and soldiers and sailors are getting in effect what they pay for?
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>> one thing i made clear as we've gone through this budget process is everything has to be on the table was good to look at everything. this is an area we have to look at when it comes to procurement reforms, when it comes to the kind of contract problems that you've reflected in your reporting. this is an area we'v got to look at cosida make sure that doesn't happen. not only does it impact on the taxpayers funds, but more importantly it impacts on the very weapons and technology that these contractors are involved in. all that concerns me. for that reason, that is part parcel of the areas that we are looking at is to make the budget decisions for the future. >> may be the budget cuts are going to impact the assistance programs to mexico. do you think that would have
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been? and also, do you have in the interview -- have you scheduled an a for mexico? >> i'm looking fward to doing that. i'm going to go up to canada i think next week, but my hope is to be able to do the same at mexico in the near future as well. and you know, with regar to the kinds of assistance that we provide mexico at the present time, in order to do with the drug cartels and try to assist them in serious problems that mexico is confronting, we certainly are contemplating any cutbacks in that area because that does involve the kind of assistance that we think is extremely not only to protecting the security of mexico, but protecting our security as well. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]
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>> secretary penetta were was at a news briefing yesterday. we'll tell you about c-span's veterans day coverage in a moment. this year marks the 100th anniversary of president ronald reagan's birth. a discussion on ronald reagan's domestic policies. on c-span 2. >> extremism and -- of liberty is no life. and let me remind you also that
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moderation in the pursuit of justice is -- >> he lost the election to lyndon johnson but barry goldwater's -- he is featured this week on "the contenders." live tonight at 8:00 eastern. >> in a moment on this veteran's day, your calls, emails and today's news. later we'll take you to arlington national cemetery. and president obama will deliver remarks. live coverage of that gets started at 11:00 eastern. in 45 minutes general jeffrey blew cannon joins us to talk about the transfer of
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