ralph waldo emerson, our flag will most defiantly remain unfurled. , a house hearing on islamic extremism in chechnya. during a white house photo op 's kingorgian -- jordan abdullah, president obama discussed the civil war and other issues pretty searing government has used chemical weapons in the two-year civil war prepress and obama called the findings game changer. he said the investigation continues. this is about 10 minutes. [no audio]

i want to welcome to the oval office once again king abdullah. his majesty is a great friend of the united states. jordan is a great partner to the united states on a host of issues. although we have recently seen each other, want to thank his majesty for the extraordinary hospitality he showed during our visit. there remain a host of issues in the region we will have a opportunity to discuss. first of all, i want to congratulate his majesty on syria -- the serious issue inside of jordan.

we have been supportive with respect to long guarantees and other efforts in part because we have also seen the abdulla take some very important steps to further open democracy and entrepreneurship inside of jordan. we want to encourage that because we think jordan can be an extraordinary model for governance in the region. we are going to have an opportunity to talk about the middle east peace process. last time i saw him, i had just come out of israel and the west bank. mr.nversations with netanyahu. jordan has enormous stake in peace. we do think there is a wind of opportunity that needs to be seized. we will consult how we can

jumpstart serious conversations that could lead to a peaceful settlement, and a secure israel with normalize relationship with its neighbors. and a palestinian state is sovereign. of great concern is the situation in syria. jordan has experienced an influx of refugees coming into the country from syria. people of and displaced. jordan historically has maintained open borders and allow these are few jeez on a humanitarian effort to come in. thes an enormous strain on country. we are mobilizing support to help with these rpg's -- refugees. our goal is to create a stable syria where civilians are not at risk. we both agreed at this point, president assad has lost legitimacy. a political to find

transition that allows a multi- thatdemocratic transition takes place so that syria can be a place for all people can come in peace and harmony. this would be difficult to accomplish. isome of you sell that i ask my people to read congress about the fact that we now have some evidence that chemical weapons have been used on the populations of syria. these are preliminary assessments. they sun our intelligence gathering -- based on our intelligence gathering, we have evidence of the use. there are a range of questions about how and where these weapons may have been used. we are going to. -- we are going to pursue an

investigation ourselves and consult with our partners in the region and the international community to make sure that we are investigating this as effectively and is quickly as we can. i meant what i said. i will repeat. it is obviously horrific when mortars are being fired on civilians, and people are being indiscriminately killed. to use potential weapons of mass destruction on populations crosses another line with respect to international law. that is going to be a game changer. we have to act prudently. we have to make these assessments deliberately. and around of us, the world, recognize how we theot stand by and permit systematic use of weapons like

a michael weapons on civilians populations. this is going to be something we will pay a lot of attention to to try to confirm, and mobilize the community around those issues. and everything that we do, we very much appreciate the kinds andupport, advice, counsel partnerships that we have with his majesty and the people of jordan. we look forward to a fruitful consultation this afternoon. >> thank you ray much. we are glad to be back here of -- we are glad to be back here again. our hearts and condolences to the terminus tragedy in boston, as well as that of texas, specially that of boston. we always stick together against our fight against terrorism. this is an issue we we will always be strong partners of.

on the issue of the peace process, when you were in jordan, you mentioned this stage. we will continue to work with our allies to see how we can get closer together. one of the major concerns is obviously the challenges of syria and syrian society, which is becoming more alarming. since her last visit to jordan, we have had 160,000 refugees. the revelation is so grateful to the support that you and your people have given to our country. you could not do more. we are so grateful. i want to express our appreciation for that. i think that we are both working hard for a political solution for syria that is

inclusive so that we can do it together,s we are now seeing -- surgeh of militant of militant terrorist organizations over the past several months. i am confident with your leadership, with the meetings we will have, we can find a mechanism to india as quickly as possible. last week, you had the prospect of [indiscernible] the position. the three of us are working hard in cooperation with the united states to try and find a just solution to the crisis. i hope that together we will be able to do something as quickly

as possible. [indiscernible] >> you guys all have the same question? one at a time. what we have right now is an intelligence question. as i said, knowing that potentially chemical weapons have been used inside of syria doesn't tell us when they were used, how they were used. obtaining confirmation and strong evidence, all those things we have to make sure that we work with the international community. we ourselves are going to be putting resources on this. a lotk that in many ways, has been crossed when we see tens of thousands of innocent people being killed by a regime.

but, the use of chemical weapons and the dangers that poses to the international community, to neighbors of syria, the potential for chemical weapons to get into the hands of terrorists, all of those things add increased urgency to what is already a significant security problem and humanitarian problem in the region. we are going to be working with countries like jordan to try to obtain more direct evidence and confirmation of this potential use. i've been very clear publicly but also privately that for the syrian government to utilize chemical weapons, on its people, crosses a line that will change my calculus and how the united states approaches these positions. .his is not an on or off switch

this is an ongoing challenge that all of us have to be concerned about. we're going to be working with the international community and our partners to keep our eyes on what is happening on the ground. to gather any evidence of chemical weapon use. at the same time, to continue to help with a moderate and inclusive opposition to help bring about the day when the syrian people once again focus on living their lives, raising their children, starting and obtaining basic human rights. this is going to be a long-term proposition. this is not going to be something that is solved easily overnight. i know that king abdulla is committed to try to find these kinds of solutions. saw my.

>> thanks everybody. >> thank you. >> obama administration officials have briefed members on the situation in syria. following the classified briefing, which included state -- john kerry, congress and dutch ruppersberger says he believes some chemical weapons has been used. the u.s. is still in the evaluation stage three this is about 10 minutes. [no audio]

>> hello. how are you all? first thing, this is to bring all of the members together to give them information in a classified setting. we feel that there has been some chemical weapons that have been used. we are still investigating who did it, and where it is coming from. right now, we are in the evaluation stage. one of the most important issues is that we do bring the other countries. we need to work as a team. like we did in libya. we brought the arab league involved. there was nato involved. it is the same situation here. i would say that i think it is very important for us to continue to talk to russia. russia could really make a difference and helping to resolve this serious, terrible situation, where people are being killed every day. >> how many incidents? how many incidents have -- do you understand? >> i cannot get into that. >> secretary kerry said there were two.

>> you got it then. i can't, because i got in a classified setting. >> do you think a red line has been crossed? >> i think that at this point, we have to keep evaluating where we are, and is a very serious situation. it is not about our country being involved. it is about getting all the countries involved and attempted to resolve this issue. it is a serious issue. you have issues involving immigration with different countries. you have turkey and jordan and evolve. this is a serious situation where you have a lot of in these camps and tents, without food. there is violence the goes on. there are a lot of issues that go on. >> you think that -- what are the challenges with syrian terms of if he were to engage with them? >> first, i don't think we as the united states want to go into another war. it is a very serious situation with people being killed.

what happens by the way, after assad leaves? that is another thing that we have to look at. all the countries that surround it. you israel, you have turkey, you have jordan. it is still a moving issue that we are working with other countries. as i said before, i think hopefully that russia understands how serious this is. not only with assad in power, but when he leaves. >> what about a no-fly zone? do you see those as options? >> all options are on the table. every option is on the table as far as serious concerns. one of the most important issues, there have been close to 100,000 people have been killed. it is nothing to stop. it seems that the balance of power goes back and forth. it seems that the opposition is stronger, and then the next thing you know, it goes back to assad into the government. we are very much concerned to about people from other countries al qaeda influence.

we are considered out when he does leave, and his government falls, where are those chemical weapons going to be? are they going to get into the hands of the bad guys? different groups, terrorist groups? including hezbollah. >> if he falls, would it take a ground force to stabilize the country? >> i can get into that strategy. i would think at this time, with all the other issues we have, we would do everything we can to avoid putting boots on the ground. we have unique resources that no other countries have. we can work with the other countries as a team to try and do what we need to do as it relates especially to the issue of chemical weapons. i will say when this issue but chemical weapons came up a month ago, russia did step up. they had influence over assad in his government. [inaudible] how confident am i? i can only get briefed and

evaluated, and howard -- and have our staff work on it. we feel chemical weapons were used in a very small way. >> speaker boehner urge the president to have a kind -- conversation with the country. with americans. in light of the latest development spree do think it is time for that? speaker boehner is urging the president to have a conversation on this latest developments. >> it is always good to communicate. right now we are not sure where we are going. i keep saying, russia is a key player. i think they are a game changer as far as resolving the issue and moving on with a post assad government. see you. you want asking about boston?

[indiscernible] he has been moved. [inaudible] one issue, the major issue to focus on, find out what happened when he was in russia. was he radicalize? did he get training in how to guilt -- build a bomb? it is not always easy to say you're going to build a bomb based on instructions produce a they have not tested bombs. the shoe bomber, times square bomber, we were lucky those not go off. they are pretty sophisticated. here you have a situation where these two brothers had successful bombs that went off. maybe they were lucky. maybe they -- i just don't know. i think that is the area i am think we need to focus on.

was the brother radicalize when he went back? those are things that we need to pull together. [inaudible] i know we are communicating. as all i can say. >> doesn't make any sense that someone who seeks asylum would go back to their own country? >> why would russia let them come in and go back out question is another issue. >> do of any concern about the mother, whether she -- >> she's a a person of interest premier looking at to see if she helped radicalize her son's or eye contact with other people and other terrorist groups. we do not want to put ourselves in the position where we have another threat out there. that their strategy might be to look at the united states as an area where they were successful. we have to focus on what happened with him in russia, and get as much intelligence as we can about terrorists in that

region. the russians row is concerned about the rebels. >> when it comes to the mother, what is your understanding of the tipoff that the russians gave to u.s. officials back in boston? >> i cannot discuss that. the mother did say that the blood was paint. i have to go. >> thank you. [no audio] now, a committee examines the status of the islamist terrorist groups in chechnya. it whether they are a threat to u.s. security. bombingboston marathon suspects have roots in that country and visited prior to

the april 15 attacks. this is about 90 minutes. >> i call to order this joint hearing of the foreign affairs solid -- subcommittee. [no audio] -- to the u.s. homeland. and i have two subcommittees, each will us will have five minutes to make opening statements.

without objection, all members may have five days to submit statements and extraneous material for the record. hearing no objections, so order. the objections -- the terrorist attack and bomb and have called it into a that has not received the study that it deserves. the terrorist brothers have roots in chechnya, even though the grub in america -- even though they grew up in america. chechnya, which includes dagestan, where the father of the two brothers lived. two major wars have been fought in chechnya in the 1990s. as the province sought in dependence from russia, many chechnya ends -- meant -- many

chechens fled. it is now a hotbed of radical islamic activity. there are reports that chechens fighting in afghanistan against the united states and nato troops. al qaeda has made recruitment of chechens a priority. the appearance of chechens outside the northern caucuses is ominous. the original uprising against russia was secular and nationalist area did within this context -- nationalist. there will be no motive to attack the united states, especially after we had given them sanctuary. in the worldview of some chechens, there is been obviously some worldview

radicalize as was the case of the two boston terrorists, who have turned from young people being raised here into a jihadist mentality of global war against infidels, which includes us. is this happening on a regional basis? this radicalization we saw with these two young men? why is it happening? what outside forces sought to transform the northern caucuses and central asia into a region of muslim extremism, which did not exist before? in particular, what impact the saudi arabia play, and other islam it -- islamist states in sending money and missionaries to the region to build mosques and schools to impact the minds of young people who make up such a large portion of the

population in central asia. greater cooperation with russia, and the governments of central asia, should be explored in order to properly understand and respond to this emerging threat. this part of the world is critical to the future of the human race. if it becomes dominated by a radical version of islam, it will change the cause of -- course of history in a negative way. use me. -- excuse me. muslims to serve you and progress. the jihadist mindset hates freedom. even as a minority viewpoint, radicals have done great damage throughout the muslim societies, from pakistan to afghanistan, through the caucuses.

they've attacked the united states, as well as russia. can i have a glass of water? barney. i have a cold today. -- pardon me. i have a cold today. we have -- we must find ways to expand our friendships with muslims to build a better future predict future should be a peaceful and prosperity for all people, especially the people of central asia, because all of us deserve to live in such a positive world. we want to find positive ways of moving forward with these people. we have gathered a panel experts to give us their advice today. the ranking member. >> thank you, mr. chairman.

we are examining a region of the world that until in the go most did not know a great deal about. the boston marathon bombings changed that. i would like to take a moment to acknowledge the victims and their families that were forever changed by this senseless act. thank those in boston who worked around the clock to save lives, and prevent other tragedies from occurring that we. their view of the world has become much smaller. the scope of their investigation grows. whether there is any kind -- connectivity with what happened nowoston and watertown, is extended into the northern caucasus. this committee has a responsibility to gather information that possible threats and home -- at home. although i wish that the discussion could have been taken place under different

circumstances, this is a discussion worth happening. it highlights why so many of us have concern ourselves with security, rule of law, and human rights issues abroad. according to the 2012 report from the international crisis group, our conflict in the north caucuses is the most violent today breed insurgents -- is the most violent today. while this policy has had successes, some have 574 insurgents have died through september 2012 in russia. there are almost daily attacks in the region as far as moscow great it is important to understand the description of terrorism within russia and the

as theuting factors, april 15 attack applies back home as well. began as an epic struggle decades ago has fueled into an insurgency. an insurgency that proves a threat to our homeland rate our world is more interconnected than ever. while we see strides in bringing together international business groups and communication theorks, we have yet to see cooperation in international security matters, and information sharing matters. there is a delicate balance between cooperation with russia on counterterrorism, and concerned over human rights abuses. in the wake -- in no way should this and are protecting the lives of innocent people. at the end of the day, the as always want. the investigation continues print out this hearing will be insightful as we move to strengthen our international information sharing and security

mechanisms. i look forward to hearing from our panel of witnesses, and excited to have dr. fraser here with us. he happened to be visiting. i want to thank you all for being here. i look forward to your testimony. i yield back. >> thank you very much for that thoughtful opening statements. andpeople who were hurt killed in boston, they are a part of our american family. just that everyone at 9/11, we grieve with you. we are committed to make sure that these things do not happen to other members of the american family. >> thank you. >> i recognize mr. poe, who is chairman of a subcommittee of his own, which focuses on such

threats of terrorism, as wells nonproliferation and trade. >> eress my 70s to the victims of the boston marathon. i want to praise the first was -- ish first responders would to the first responders further effort to catch these bad guys. i'm confident we will get to the bottom of this investigation. we learned of the perpetrators had planned travel to times square in new york after the boston attacks to unleash more mayhem and bombs. they had pie bombs and another pressure cooker bomb. american people want answers. so do i pray i want to thank the witnesses for being here. it is unfortunate no one from the federal government was here. they were invited to send one person. a lot of questions revolve around the elder brother's trip

to russia. the russians asked us to look into him. less than three months before he left for russia, the cia push to have him put on the u.s. counterterrorism watch list. for some unknown reason, his name was not on the concern of the u.s. government, so u.s. authorities did not like him. that meant u.s. customs not stop and question him, nor did he let the fbi know that he was back so the fbi could talk to him. notnot sure what he was under concern. even the russians were worried about this. it looks at what may have the same problem of information sharing or lack of it. the washington post reports this morning that a single u.s. customs official assigned to the boston joint terrorism task force received a warning that

the older brother suspected had turned -- return from a trip from russia. there is indication the customs official provide the information to anybody, including the fbi, with previously interviewed the militant. we should not be struggling with the same issue of information sharing among american agencies, and also communication with foreign governments who are concerned about terrorism as well. we do not know the attackers had connection to al qaeda, but ae evidence suggests connection to the magazine. traveled toother russia, then went to dagestan for six months between 2000 -- 2011-2012.

he might have been radicalized there. we are not certain if that is . both brothers were chechens. it seems the brother was the ring letter. bash ringleader. you can be sure there is no wanting to get their hands on young john hottest -- getting their hands on young jihadist. jihadist, if they cannot attack a russian target, america or europe is the best option for a al qaeda has encouraging those types of attacks or years. .ccording to terrorism expert al qaeda is under attack from every answer pretty answers to strike back in new york, madrid, london, toulouse, and possibly

boston. authorities in canada arrested two men for allegedly plotting to blow up a train. had provided direction and guidance. is call to global jihadist alive and well. we have many questions that we need answers from. the threat of terrorist attacks not die with bin laden. we must be realistic understand that. he must find out specifically what is taking place in chechnya. i yield back. >> thank you for the thoughtful and forceful opening statement. does anyone else have a desire for an opening statement? let me know that we did try to get a state department

representative here with us today. we wanted to send a witness to tell us what they thought was going on in central asia and chechnya. they declined. they are too busy to send someone here to the united states congress to speak with the american people through public hearings like this. they're too busy on other matters. that may well be part of the problem, and that this region does not -- has not gotten the attention it deserves. centralust know that asia as we're describing it represents a huge chunk of the planet. if that area comes under the domination of radical islam, that makes it its job to attack

the united states, or to attack other countries, other non- muslim people, they'll be a disaster for this planet. that will be ushering us into an era that will be hard, of violence and mayhem, that will be hard to get out of. we need to pay attention to the caucuses. we need to work with those people who will work with us to see that that does not happen. , do not believe we have worked paying attention care, as it on 9/11, and in boston. we also have not been cooperating and working as hard as we can with those other countries. i would put my finger on russia where we could have well worked a lot closer with russia than we have been.

as the judge pointed out, as the ranking member pointed out, we can do so without giving up our commitment to human rights, and not complain if the russians are doing something wrong predict an exception -- doing something wrong pray that should not prevent us from joining forces against rapid oh -- radical islam which threatens to kill our children to terrorize the world. i think they go over to dominate an area the size of central asia, everybody is in trouble. we have find witnesses. a professor at the institute of world politics. earlier he served as vice dean

of the social sciences and humanities at the university. atenior research associate , whicho college of tartu is in estonia. -- next we have -- i took this upon myself to reach out to the russian embassy. your russian counterparts, to see if we could recommend someone who could come here and discussed this very important

issue. we appreciate you being here with us today. i'm sorry that the russian embassy can send people, but the state department can't. he is a director of the new the city branch of institute for democracy and cooperation. he was a member of the presidential council of the russian federation between 1993- 2000 buried at vice president of the reformer foundation, and "democracyhe books and morality." he was awarded the russian medal of honor in 2009. we also have with us dr. greg douglas albert, professor of lyrical signs at georgia reach

in a gossip. he studies at that group identity -- he studies at the group identity. he holds an ma and a phd from the university of connecticut's. dr. fries are, who joined the international crisis group in 2004. she serves as the director of the european program. has are covering the caucuses both north and south, bosnia, turkey, and cyprus.

before joining the crisis group, she served as political officer in the osce election observation members -- missions. a phd from the london school of economics and a masters from the college of europe in belgium, which she obtained as a fulbright scholar. we welcome her with our witnesses today. we would ask for you to keep your testimony to five minutes. we will come back and ask questions once there is been everyone testified. if there is a though, it is the intention of this chair to recess, and to come back immediately ft -- after the last vote.

we should not be more than 20 minutes or half an hour. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you for inviting me. thank you for hiving -- having a hearing on such an important topic. our common horror at what happened in boston, and that the enormous respect we have for the people of boston in the way they responded. it was quite impressive. i must say that i want to associate myself with earmarks by the department states representation rate i was the only person employed in the u.s. government working on the non- of the soviets union. it was my hope that after the soviet union came apart, the number people who will be working in those areas would grow and we would all benefit from it. it is probably inevitable

whenever something that we know little about comes into our consciousness. that we jump to over possible .ocation -- oversimplification as what is happening in response to the poor in boston. we have had people use terminology which has been imported without much thought about what it means you think it is terribly important to unpack some of this oversimplistic language and to understand what is really going on, lest we be in a position to be many and also belated anyway that is against national interest. i would like to focus on three elements of this over civil vacation. first it has to islam. second is that the city -- atomicity. third is the experience of immigration among people of the north caucuses.

islam in the north caucuses is among the most very phenomenon in the world. it came three different ways. not until the 18th century in chechnya. dagestan is a vastly more islamic place. i am much more worried about the six-month and dagestan. it varies differently and how it is held by people there, and how much a lot of aids action. many of the people who are called muslims call themselves muslims know nothing about their faith. they are what the soviets called affect muslims. they know they are muslims. the not know what it means. a good muslim would know, you five -- you pray five times a day. he did not know. unfortunately, we use the term muslim without an appreciation

of the fact that what happened has happened in the north caucuses and even more in central asia. reflects the experience is of a community that had an identity but has no content for that identity. suddenly there were people available to provide that content. prior to 1991, very few people could've told you the difference between one story the koran and another. it was only published twice a people there. they do not know very much. i believe that the opening of the southern border may prove ultimately more faithful than the opening to the western border to your. i want to give you for statistics. in 1991, in the russian federation, there were 150 mocks. -- mosques. now there 1800. this past year there were 40,000 trips to mecca.

.he turks are heavily involved i highly about 2500 and the late 90s. it is now somewhere between a hundred 50. -- to a figure of probably about 1200 again. those numbers are even more dramatic in central europe. we can come back to that. with the spec to ethnicity, it was constructed bradys people at various experiences with what it means. most of the chechens were in fact ethnic nationalists. some who are, but overwhelmingly it is not the

case. if you look at central asia, you will see that that is also the truth. the springs immigration means that people are extremist because they are up against very difficult situations. one thing that has not been focused on is that many chechens feel they are about to be returned to the russian federation to chechnya because of what has been happening because of russian pressure in austria and elsewhere. people who fear they have no good options may do really bad things. three quick conclusions. we're learning that if we are going to compete in this ideological context, police power must be used. it will never be sufficient to solve the problem. second, we need to recognize that many of the problems we regards toth of islam and with guards to at the city -- and with regards to at

we had to copper with the russians in certain respects. we recognize that they are part of the problem. that has to be insisted upon. we need to understand that some of the things that are coming out in the coverage of the two terrorists chose that there are optimistic reasons for looking at islam. more and more muslims are learning the details of their faith. when i started studying it, you not ouret -- discussions for what is canonical. we know what happened when the bible was translated into german and english and the 15th century. it led to the reformation. the renaissance, and modern a -- m-- margin at the odernity.

we will see the same kind of troubles that the people of western europe understood. thank you ray much. >> that last point was very interesting read and never thought of that before. dr. albert? thank you. i appreciate the opportunity to speak about islamic extremism. i would like to remark my comments are directed at islamic extremists, and do not refund the general population of chechnya. this pertains to the islamist threat inside the area. there are some islamist almonds inside chechnya and the surrounding caucuses region. the global jihadist network is a question for debate. there is an islamist presence in the region. it poses little threat to the united states, although it may

pose a threat to forces worldwide. -- it was great to pull a while the former want a chechnya, the sea wants to reate -- connections to to all qaeda. saudiaging -- including arabia. although their arguments whether there are larger connections between the ce and al qaeda, there appears to be evidence of the two are connected, if only in a minor way. it is documented that al qaeda is more of a leaderless organization. via the is efforts

internet, which is a relationship it has with the chechens. it is more difficult to establish a clear connection between the two. there is a connection however small it may be. although there are historical links with chechnya and al qaeda, there is no evidence hat gabby is a member -- it must also be mentioned of the tactics resemble attacks carried out in chechnya, including delayed multiple explosions. the bombs are made slightly differently. the greatest threat is not an nationalistic chechen movement. it is not involve most of the chechens. probably less than one percent sympathizes with the movement rate it is a larger movement of jihadist connected to the

global jihadist it is a caucasian threat than a chechen threat. it is important to emphasize that an attack on the u.s. from the caucuses is highly unlikely. he chechens are generally not preoccupied with the united states. one has to consider the chechnya is to become more globally involved where other -- whether they will consider attacking the homeland. -- an attack is highly unlikely. the larger confederated network has had nothing to do with the planning, coordinating, or financing the attacks in boston. he is in the size his organization has no conflict with the united states. direct national groups

most of their concerns to combating the russian federation. a special buffet 2014 winter olympics approaching, it can be hypothesized there efforts are targeting those sporting events , or planning other attacks in russia. it is unlikely that u.s. military security and forces that are combating jihadist worldwide will face a continued threat from individuals from the chechen areas. the u.s. has faced these foes in the caucuses. we can safely predict that where there is the jihadist foothold, or where there is the chance of regaining ground, some chechens will be found there. unless more details are made i think it is highly unlikely that there is any reasonable strategic threat land

against the united states by the chechens. thank you very much. >> thank you very much. we love questions for you later. -- we will have questions for you later. you have to punch the button. thank you for joining us today. we appreciate hearing from a point of view that we wouldn't hear of otherwise. i think we should. he may proceed. >> thank you mr. chairman. it is a privilege for me to be here. to share some concerning perceptions which it happened in boston. first of all, i would like to if the size that this attack in boston have provoked feelings of solidarity with the american people, especially the citizens

of boston, for people of russia. this is the second time where president putin expressed his readiness immediately to cooperate with american authorities in order to find out what happened, and how we find causes which brought these tragedies. there is of course a kind of -- even during this previous two decades, when russia was fighting against chechens, russia did not get enough understanding, empathy, and support from our western partners.

this is something which really in public opinion. boudin was talking to the was talking to the people. he said that russia was the victim of international terrorism in russia from middle eastern countries from other places. radicals are coming and supporting chechen terrorists. unfortunately, our western partners were very reserved in order to exit port -- in order to give their support. this is one of the reasons that even now when you look at coverage of the events in boston, a lot of people are talking about deportations.

psychological problems concerning these people who grew up, and the injustices of the , try toauthorities justify motives. now is that america faced with homegrown terrorism. i think it is becoming more and motivesre that without -- no motives can justify the mass killings of innocent civilians, independently because no reconciliation can be justified with government acting -- and places like this

this i me the reason they acted this way. another important problem is that of course russia wanted to leaders of chechen terrorist from the uk and from the united states. -- by the way, he took a salmon boston when he left russia read unfortunately, -- by the way, he took asylum in boston when he left russia.

but the problem is that i would to say that chechen terrorists crossed the border of russia. now we have information in that chechens are fighting in afghanistan, and they're fighting against americans. they're fighting against nato. they are members of some groups in europe. they are now fighting in syria. american politicians and the american media is supportive to some groups of these rebels who are fighting against legitimate

weernments, at which meant heard some fighters over there, if we win, we are going to fight in russia, returning back to russia. russia,what i said in the general mood is that we are to understand that we russians have a common interest with the united states and we had disagreements. believesone in russia the american secret service's consist of nights on white on white knights horses.

>> thank you very much for that testimony. we recognize the frustration of who sees accept terrorism being committed against his own -- and acts of terrorism being committed against his own people. we will go into that in the question and answer session. have thery pleased to chairman of the full committee. would you like to make a statement? >> i appreciate that opportunity, i will defer and allow the witnesses each to testify. and then i might ask a question. >> we will put you up front. >> thank you very much, mr.

chairman for the opportunity to present today. i want to commend the subcommittee for focusing their attention on -- during such a critical time. a few words about crisis group, an independent bipartisan -- a nonpartisan group that provides analysis, policy advice, and recommendations to organizations on the prevention and resolution of deadly conflicts. the ambassador is our current chairman and the former chief -- and theat the former u.n. high commissioner for human rights is our current president. in 2012 and began has written two background reports that were published in october.

the challenges of integration, and conflict. integration,es it is long, the insurgency, and counterinsurgency. i would ask that these reports speak incorporated into the record. the third report, which will come out early this summer, which will look at the institutional causes of conflict. that will have a series of recommendations on how to deal with the violence. i should say that our staff travels frequently to the north -- ises talking to understand that these hearings take place in the aftermath of the boston bombings. there are two primary causes for conflicts. ethnic conflict and the islamic

insurgency. let me talk about the ethnic conflict. of their projects and their expanded use of armed discriminant in response during wars in chechnya. since 2003, the situation in chechnya has largely stabilized. handing over most economic and political power to local authorities. having said that, several conflicts continue to exist in the region. sometimes these lead to violence. very often, they are about land and control of power, the local power, and economic resources. we also see some conflicts between some of the republics. you still see tensions at the local level.

the other main source of conflict, which is the main issue of today, is the insurgency. what we should say is that the insurgency feeds off the ethnic conflicts. choosef the young people to join the insurgency. the main organization that is mobilizing the insurgency -- it was proclaimed in 2007. it is recognized as a terrorist organization by russia and the united states and by many others. it operates across -- it tracks youth and all different types of ethnicities. it attacks federal forces and local police and also civil servants and religious leaders. it has unified force, a unified costs, a very strong structure

with leadership. it is predominantly local, locally funded and it has all local aspiration. rarely a day goes by without an attack in russia. 750 people were killed in 2011 and almost the same number killed in 2012. so far this year, in the republic -- 67 people were killed. we remember the bombing at the airport in moscow in january 2011 that killed 37. the vast majority of attacks are against security services and traditional clergy. in february of 2012, the head -- said he would no longer be targeting civilians. main response's has been a very tough focus on

eradicating the insurgency with the massive security presence. forxale, a few days ago, between the 11th and 21st of april, there was a major security operation. resulted in the displacement of 5000 people. the russian government has also began to open it some room and started applying longer-term comprehensive approach to counter terrorism. i believe it is this approach that should be supported. integrationucuses into the rest of russia it is essential for healthy ethnic relations in the country. indicates of violence that more comprehensive approaches are needed. thank you very much. >> thank you. we appreciate all of our

witnesses today. i am going to recognize the chairman of the full committee for a statement or a question, whichever he chooses. >> thank you, mr. chairman. one of the observations, in my with members from they sharedsia, with me the way in which the qaeda linked organization was going house to whichin their states neighbors chechnya. giving young men of -- an option of either joining the movement or killing them. me, this wased to much more than a movement for

the chechnya independence. it was much more ambitious. you will see chechnya and said fighting in afghanistan, you will see them carrying out a sassy it -- assassinations in pakistan, all over central asia. in terms of the violence, the al qaeda-linked groups have ofeloped a methodology suicide bombings that they have carried to quite an extent. you've talked about the attack on the school where you have over 500 casualties, most of them children. this is fairly a regular occurrence from southern russia. when thesemoscow, fighters it into the city, it is pretty terrific what they do in

the subways -- a horrific what they do in the subways or in government buildings. the question going forward is with this commitment to -- given that encompasses such a large geographic area, the attempt to convert moderate muslims is a major challenge. i talked to a village leader and he told me about the situation in his village where 12 young men were receiving instruction in jihad. all 12 for decapitated. this is not a local custom. importation or the change of a culture. gradually, we are changing our culture to this al qaeda

psychology. gulf state culture in terms of capitation, but with the kind of mass killings we are doing, we are changing culture. i was going to ask you about that because it is a struggle ies.in the society' they felt they were losing the struggle. your insights? for raising this question. say thelike to situation is now much worse. the problem is that it is a multi-ethnic. are strained relations

between different ethnic groups. is mo prone -- it is coming from saudi arabia and the money is coming, the people are coming from there. weak.wer is very this is the problem which you can understand. you have a strong man in terrorist acts. every day practically, this is the problem of security and democracy. >> i think it might be a little bit more complicated than that. >> many states across southern russia. in moscow as well. with all the security in moscow,

they are not able to protect the subways. >> what we are seeing is an effort to recruit people who are identifying themselves as muslims. people who really know about is llama -- islam. the saudi missionaries have been most successful in areas where people do not know very much about is lomb. -- islam. this is a huge problem because if you see people acquire more people learn more about their religion, they will become more fundamentalist. as people learn more about our religion they become protected

against efforts to change their direction. in the case of the people of and the muslim population in the russian federation, what we have people who do not have that kind of training and are more susceptible for recruitment. it is very important to understand that. there is a process of immunization. those whoy muslims -- know a great deal about islam are able to say absolutely no to the missionaries coming from saudi arabia. the people who know much less about islam are far more likely to be recruited because they're waiting for someone to tell them what it means. >> thank you. we now recognize the ranking member on the terrorism subcommittee for his opening statement.

>> thank you, mr. chairman. those in have seen me on this committee have seen me use my question time to pontificate. i am filled with some any -- so many questions. i'll invite the panel to respond later. one relates to the history of the area where we are told stalin deported the entire chechnya and population. how many people were deported? how many of returned? who in the heck was living in chechnya in the meantime? how're they persuaded to leave? we see over 200 year alliance -- i think itmily may go beyond this hearing, but

this is both an alliance and very dangerous to the saudi royal family since most of those of want to kill the leaders saudi arabia are motivated by islam which is almost indistinguishable to the islam that is being propagated by money that comes from the gulf. i am going to be asking what are the training facilities in chechnya? we all knew that paul qaeda was operating in afghanistan, taking in -- al qaeda was operating in afghanistan, taking in people from all over the world.

is there anything on a smaller scale in chechnya? brothers be andctive in the bombing incredibly amateurish after the bombing. it would be interesting to see if they got any training beyond what they saw on the internet for the bombing. we will not know that in these hearings, but perhaps we will outw if there is a mini- qaeda for extremist islam in the region. i think i will save the rest of my questions for question time. >> thank you very much. ourill now proceed to questions and dialogue. let me begin by saying that

i think in 2004, the inrorist took over a school russia. is that city part of chechnya? or part of russia? it is a russian school. murdered in the end -- 180 children lost their lives. i remember calling the white house personally and i talked directly with condoleezza rice and i told her, now is the time that we can establish a close and positive relationship with russia. inruit them to work with us

areas of mutual interest that we could not do before. now is the time to stand with these folks. send president bush over there to stand next to putin and say americans stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of russia and the government of russia in opposing and feeding those who would murder children in order to obtain their political edge. thee have seen in boston, young man who put the bomb down did so by an eight-year-old boy. the answer was evident that no, the president did not go there. how many people here know that the russians have built a monument in memory of the people who were killed?

right across from where the world trade center was, there is a beautiful monument that was built by the russian people and the russian government expressing solidarity of seeing their people -- ordinary people losing their lives to a terrorist attack? that whatould hope happened in boston and the fact is related directly back to russia and chechnya, there is a line you could draw that i hope will motivate us to work with russia in order to defeat those who would murder children in order to attain their goals. the chechnya independence movement was originally secular

nationalists. i doi am talking about is, not understand how radical islam , they seem togod be the ones to justify acts of murdering innocent people, who are noncombatants. not targeting the army of someone, but targeting -- that is being done to terrorized into submitting to some of their radical religious thought. in the beginning, it was secular nationalists. radicalppears that islamist ideologies has pretty much dominated that independence movement. who now make ae common jihad against christians

and jews around the world. where did that come from? how did that happen? i am asking this of the panel. financing of the , and financing of these mosques, it did that have something to do with this? what kind of threats in the future? saudisd not permit the to build their mosques. they were criticized as a violation of their human rights. we know the saudi purpose was to develop a brand of islam that will target and killed children. as -- is thereme a way to counter that? are we right to condemn them for not allowing them to build their mosques?

>> as someone who was quite prevented the killing of boris yeltsin, prevented the killing -- extensions of killings at that time, i can testify that the national movement was completely secular. you saw as by which change is not that the entire movement changed, but the part that got attention changed. it was a product of three different factors. the first was that the national movement is articulated -- he believed as a nation, they had a right to independence. that was his personal belief. when they did not get any support for their position in the west, at a be damaging for support elsewhere. disappointed in are not having supported them, they turn to look to the only people prepared

aid ey were supporting them. aboutioned some numbers the people -- this is a good indication of how intense -- over the last 22 years, chechens have formed a 40% coming from the russian federation even though they formless the 1% of the russian federation. than 1% of the russian federation. you have real money coming in to build various kinds of things. i would argue there is still a chechen national movement that is committed to a secular and free chechnya. unfortunately, it gets very little attention in chechnya because it has been so unsuccessful. when people are unsuccessful,

and when people they hope to be their allies do not turn out to be, it is not surprised -- surprising that they turn to other people. imagine if a number of western countries where tople would be so committed the national independence and they were so frustrated that they were not getting outside support, they would go to ally themselves with those who help them murderer large numbers of children. excuse, them not getting support from the united states or from people who believe in democracy, it is no

excuse to help people who are willing to murder targets. >> i was not -- >> i am just trying to provide an explanation, because it is absolutely true. what was tragic is that those people who recognized what was going on were almost entirely ignored. there was a lot that could have been done and should have been done and was not done. i do not believe that we are -- we bear responsibility, either then or now, for what happened. >> given your familiarity with the russian government, i have a question. is the fbi investigating the boston bombing received information from russia. they saw additional information after their investigation. can you speak or shed some light on the culture that exists with law-enforcement and with

security officials in both countries? could you comment on howt could be improved? that -- this is my guess. cnn wanted me to comment about the contact between security forces, they said they are cooperating and we are not going to make any comments on this. my personal guess is that this is the problem of distrust between our countries and their security forces. russianaid that security law enforcement agencies asked the fbi to look at these guys, in this country

and in the west, the idea that russian authorities are oppressing them. this is some russian plot. this is not a terrorist, it is something else. that is why i am afraid they did not pay enough attention to the warnings. as a result, as i said in my on lawnary statement, enforcement authorities, and in political circles, and i know since 2001,ll, there is a feeling of a good trail. -- betrayal.

putin offered every opportunity and strongly cooperated in fighting againsthe and as bombs, lewis thinking -- in response we were thinking that putting that this cold war, distrust -- >> one of the things we want to perhaps come of this is a better opportunity to have security advisers and law enforcement network more closely, despite our differences and bothculties, because in countries, lives could be lost to the homeland as well. particularly with groups -- i had a quick question for the doctor. we are getting reports that

there are posters coming out in the north caucasus area, and actual support for the terrorists that conducted the boston marathon bombings. i don't know what information you might have on those reports. this is unusual but there is so much attention focused on the u.s., negative attention. can you comment on what you -- is there a different viewpoint now toward the united states? >> in our reporting so far, we have not really looked at the russian/united states relationship as it relates to the north caucasus. last week,ement of they clearly said they are not at war with the united states. it is not the ambition of the north caucasus insurgency and

terrorist organization to extend its war onto the united states or extend it beyond the region of the caucuses, including central asia perhaps. the posters that you are seeing are very troubling. to see there are people in this region who are taking pleasure in what happened in boston. some of this might just be local pride in terms of family links. but this is highly unfortunate. i don't think it reflects on the feelings of the general population in the region. >> thank you. do appreciate the efforts to distinguish muslim religious individuals from some of these extremist groups. it is an important thing to do. i will turn it back. , chairman of a

subcommittee on terrorism and nonproliferation. >> thank you for being here. the a little irritated that state department is not here. this is an important topic. they don't have all the information yet, they should at least show up. ironically russian government helped us get a witness here to help us from that perspective. you may be the last person in the state department network in this issue. maybe that is why you're the on them in here today. -- only one here today. i think radical islamic jihad ists do not come from one certain place in the world. they come from all over the world, and some are homegrown. chechnya is one of those areas that we need to focus on and work within a russian government on what is taking

place there. what takes place there has been taking place here as well with as influence and a red line far as what criminal activity is taking place in our own country. it's interesting, if dagestan is a place that is a haven for , why we philosophy would not be concerned about someone that is in the united states going to that area for six months. what was he doing for six months cap go through with this person -- who would this person have been meeting with to get an influence on al qaeda?

enlighten me on that. i can tell that you want to start. just wantjust -- >> to suggest that the insight we have brought the appearance of terrorism that it is often bred in field states where there are political institutions to run things. the new acting president of data described histan institution as a field date -- failed state. this opens the door to the kinds of things we have seen elsewhere. states that are not control their own population, operate as a state normally does, they inevitably opened spaces which are exploited by radicals of various kinds. there werere places

no outside official has ever been. it is a kind of a place topographically and demographically. goingssibility of someone there for six months and not being supposed to radicals in one way or another, strikes me as slim to none. wouldis not the place he go fishing. >> among other things. yous also a place where would expect that someone who went to have the troubled biography that he did it end up being an object of interest of not the right kind of evil. i am much more concerned with those six-month than the fact that he is a chechnya and. >> on the reclaim my time. that we ought to be concerned about that, especially of the russian givesment said, this guy

us two times that this is somebody we ought to be concerned about. all of a sudden, he comes back to the united states. aba customs official minute, maybe he di' i'll customs official knew it, maybe he didn't. i will let you weigh in on that. pic definitely poses a concern if we didn't communicate properly that he was visiting the area. i want to address the original point of who could this person have been meeting with that would have posed a threat? this is the organization that could be a subset -- >> how large yucc? >> may be less than 1000 individuals area did that is test conjecture. .- individuals

that is just conjecture. it is a confederation of alliances -- >> need to interrupt you one last question. in radical jihadist movement or isan on the increase it decreasing? i know something the russian government is concerned about. should we be concerned about it go >> yes, it is on the increase. >> i am out of time. know that i don't believe any americans are concerned if a country decides to have leadership that is religious and decide to have groups of people -- we need to be concerned if it happens to be a religion that convinces

people that part of their faith is to go mder other people's children. if they were taking over the part of the country, and just people who wanted to exercise a here wouldnobody have any objection to that at all. their independence and the right to vote, etc. >> perhaps they could reset the clock. have a quick history lesson for us as to the chechnya and deportations -- chechnyan deportations. >> the entire population in 1944 was deported by stalin. the numbers would be around 800,000. a quarter of those died in transit or were deported and russia to return --

resettled some people throw -- from the mainland and their homes. some chose to stay where they were when they were allowed to comeback or is there were issues and ethnic tensions. trauma known as a great and tragedy to the ethnic identity of chechnya. something strong in their historical memory. >> today and chechnya, how many of those russians are still there? >> is a good question. cup again thege saying that russians are killing and massacring all the chechnya anns.

>> there were tens of hundreds of thousands of russians -- >> 300,000 russians lived in chechnya. -- i want toy this join in the call for better relations between united is in moscow and point out that granted refugee status to this family. we would do that only if we were claiming they were oppressed by the russian government. he see the outcome. see the outcome. who can answer the question as are thelevel, what training bases for extremist islam and the dagestan area? is there a particular site with hundreds of people getting military training?

, they wereswer training over there and chechnya, and other places, because the central government was very weak. now they are limited because chechnya is totally under the the islam is over their traditional, meaning they are limiting. central government is trying to strengthen local presidents and local authorities, putting the security in. but this is a long-lasting process. >> the russian government told the older brother, if you six months in the russian federation. how robust is the russian intelligence and law enforcement system in the dagestan town

where the parents lived? russians toect the keep track of this individual during those six months? or is this an area where the government -- almost two months ago, the president of dagestan was proof that this is a , and ethnic lines are too many. too many ethnic groups, it is hard to get lost in that mountainous places were from village to village, different languages and ethnic groups are living. there are 30 different mutually non-intelligible language group. >> justin dagestan? -- just in

dagestan? >> speaking mutually non- intelligible languages. most are try or quadrille in role as a result. what that means is -- tri- or as a result. inot goes on that no one moscow knows. >> you have time for a one minute statement on your part and then we will be adjourning. >> i was paying attention closely to the testimony in my office and trying to multitask. compelled to come when you talk about the wide- open territory in terrain that is not manageable it reminded

me of some of what is taking place in columbia at a time when you try to bring some of those individuals back into society. whether or not there is something that was being done or might issue in the middle. takenwho are being towards terrorist or terrorist actions, bring them back into society so that they can re- assimilate into culture. predictor of best when you get terrorism is the unemployment rate of 18-year-old males, around the world. that trumps everything. in parts of the north caucasus, unemployment rates overall are ranging from 50%-70%. among young people, there are many cases 100% in terms of the officially recognized economy. what is the best thing that can be done?

toing to build factories give people jobs. people who are employed and integrated into society in that to are far less likely listen to a missionary from al qaeda. >> we have three minutes left. , thesest want to say committees in columbia. in russia they have started similar committees. this is something that i would say would be an area where the u.s. government and russia would be able to share experiences. >> thank you very much. we appreciate all of the witnesses. let us note at the end, during the cold war, i was the soviet union's worst enemy and nemesis because i believed that free people needed to determine who their number one enemies are and work to try and defeat them. that doesn't mean the people you work with are perfect.

we did bring down the soviet union. china radical islam and appeared to be the main adversaries of people in the free world. i hope we all work together against a religion that will motivate people to murder children and other threat. this hearing is adjourned. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2013] next, the house debate on faa funding to end the furloughs of air traffic controllers. frome house delegation massachusetts talks about the boston marathon bombings after that, president obama reports syria that may have used chemical weapons.

tomorrow, retired air force colonel discusses the next steps for the u.s. and its allies concerning syria. >> i said, i'm here to report reads the guard came up and said i knew one of your campaign managers in ohio. the guardn there, and said, you have some hate mail. it was from california and massachusetts. they gave me the mail. -- thethrough this

stripped down. i got into the intake, walked into prison. down into the courtyard. i uset use the language in the book. they tell me to get away from him. i don't know where to go. another prisoner said, where is your escort yucca -- escort? as said, i don't know. he took me the back way of the laundry room. a man is sitting there saying, are you the congressman? i used to be. he says, you are a republican, aren't you. >i said, republicans put me in here you know. he said, i am the mayor of east cleveland. i will get you some closed.

sunday atob ney 8:00 on c-span's "q&a." the house voted to end the furloughs for air traffic controllers. they want to use money from airport improvement and other counts. here is the floor debate on the issue just under one hour. >> i come today with a bill to provide up to $253 million from the airport improvement program or any other account in the faa to the operations account. the purpose is to restore a reliable and safe service in a commercial air traffic system for reducing or eliminating employee furlough days.

>> i think we agree the faa and the administration has handled the sequester poorly. the faa has negotiated in bad faith with the faa employees, the airlines, flying public, and the congress. the administration has played shameful politics with sequestration at the cost of hard-working american families. as i have often said, this is no way to run a government. the congress is stepping in to correct the problems, created by the administration's inaction. we are taking this step because of the mismanagement of this important function for the safety of all americans who fly and on behalf of the commerce that depends on a reliable air system. we are taking this action to end the administration's political games that are threatening our passengers' rights and safety. the fact that we are here today trying to solve this problem is a result of the sequester.

i remind you the president brought the sequester to the table. in an effort to avoid the arbitrary $1.2 trillion of cuts mandated by the budget control act, twice the majority in this house have passed legislation that would have replaced the sequestration with targeted spending cuts of an equal dollar amount. the senate has never considered either of these bills, and thus the sequestration was triggered. this situation goes to show we need to return to regular order and consider appropriation bills in their entirety and not rely on continuing resolutions to fund the government. under a c.r., there is no way to protect programs related to the safety of the american public. it shows we must have a long- term comprehensive solution to

our budget challenges, one that removes the sequester and provides sustainability and stability in the federal budget. mr. speaker, i put the administration, the secretary, the agency on alert that we are watching. we have questions that we want answered about how they are using these funds and how they are going to be managed by the department. like i said at the faa hearing this last wednesday, the safety of our air space cannot be subject to political posturing. i reserve the balance of my time. >> the gentleman reserves. >> mr. speaker, i ask consent to revise and extend my remarks. >> so ordered. >> i yield myself such time as i may consume. >> the gentleman is recognized. >> i would tell my dear friend

that we agree on one thing, and this is the notion that this is not a good way to run a government. i have to remind him and all my colleagues that a year and a half ago we were in this house, in this chamber talking about the budget control act, as i remember. a year and a half ago we had a vote. i did not support the legislation because i felt that sequestration was a bad idea. but the house passed the bill, the senate passed the bill, and the president signed it. for me, it is difficult to lay blame on any one party, because this was done in a bipartisan manner.

it is difficult for me to lay blame on one chamber, because both chambers passed the bill, because this was an action taken in the house, passed by the senate, and signed by the president. i have to tell you that the administrator was before our subcommittee this week. he detailed the cuts that he had to make based on the rules and regulations of the various laws that deal with sequestration. that is why towers were ordered to be shut, and that is what we had to furlough the faa air traffic controllers.

in his testimony, the administrator reminded us that in february of this year a letter was sent by secretary lahood to the leadership, including myself and chairman latham, that this sequestration was going to cause a problem in the efficiency of the air traffic control system because there would be a furlough of air traffic controllers in order to meet the cuts that were required by sequestration. that was done in february. in march, when it sequestration was invoked, the faa had to implement a plan to see what it had to do to meet the number of cuts it had to make, but not to take away the safety of our air traffic control system knowing that its efficiency would be diminished. today we are here bringing a fix to this situation.

furloughs have been taken, 10% of employees have been furloughed, and that has a result of passengers' inconvenience, delays, or canceled flights. the problem is, and i agree with

my chairman, this is not a good solution because there are other agencies that have to make their cuts and are in a crisis themselves. hopefully not. when we come back from our work time, there will not be another agency, another crisis that we have to start shifting from one account to save another account. mr. speaker, the solution is a comprehensive removal of sequestration, and that will only come about in my belief in my opinion if the house with its budget, the senate with its budget, will conference and work out the details that it needs to work out to have a comprehensive solution, not to our budget, but also to end sequestration, and that needs to be done in order we are not dealing with issue by issue, crisis by crisis.

so i agree with my chairman, that this is not a good way to run a government, but this morning i asked my colleagues to support the legislation, and i reserve. >> the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from iowa is recognized. >> i would yield one minute to the gentleman from north carolina. >> thank you. for this administration, the terms sequestration has become synonymous with fear. i have been disappointed that the faa chose to close the contract control towers in 149 airports, including my home town of concord, north carolina.

this airport is the third busiest in north carolina. it was named as an airport of national significance because it is the reliever airport for charlotte, which is the sixth busiest airport in the world. the decision to close these towers at a savings of $50 million is hard to understand when you consider the fact that the faa requested $15.1 billion for fiscal year 2013 and through sequester is receiving $15.9 billion, an increase over the amount of money the faa said they needed to operate. i can only conclude their goal is to make sequester cuts and threatens people's their safety. >> i would yield the gentleman 30 seconds. >> i will conclude by saying i support this bill because it ends the political gains by

giving the secretary the flexibility he needs to keep these towers open. >> mr. speaker, the gentleman from maryland is recognized for two minutes. >> i rise in opposition to this piece of legislation. >> visible above the water line for most americans and as time goes on without a big balanced deficit solution more icebergs will surface. more americans will be negatively affected.

while i want to tend delays, i will oppose this bill because it fails to address the whole impact of sequester. let me share a handful of examples of how sequester will affect americans. education, head start, 70,000 children will be kicked out of head start. nothing in this bill deals with them. furloughs for disability claims, nothing in this bill deals with them. 4 million fewer meals on wheels for seniors. 600,000 people dropped off wic. nothing for them.

housing, 125 less housing vouchers, nothing in here for them. emergency unemployment insurance cut for out of work americans, nothing in here for them. f.d.a. fewer food inspections, nothing in here for them. longer waits to approve new drugs, nothing in here for them. defense and homeland security furloughs equivalent to 1,000 fewer agents for the f.b.i., border, etc. on the job. 1/3 of air combat units are grounded, nothing in here for them. 89,000 agency wide furloughs in irs up to seven days -- may i have 30 additional seconds? >> you may. >> nothing in here for them. they serve 89,000 taxpayers trying to find help. we ought not to be mitigating the affect on just one segment when children, the sick, our military and many other groups will be impacted by this irresponsible policy are left unhelped.

instead of addressing this serious wound with a small band aid let's get to work on a real solution. let's go to conference and get a big deal. let's deal with all the adverse consequences of sequester, not just those that affect the powerful air travel letters of america. we ought to help them but we ought to help everybody else as well and i yield back the balance of my time. >> i yield myself 30 seconds. it's fascinating what the administration that insisted on the sequestration, the gentleman just spoke supported the sequestration. so now to come and make a statement is quite fascinating. mr. speaker i would yield one minute to the gentleman from new york. >> i'd like to thank the gentleman from iowa for yielding.

i support the underlying bill and before i make my comments i would ask my colleague from maryland we have an opportunity to send a message to america we have a bill that will address an issue that needs to be addressed on behalf of american citizens. let us start here on a bipartisan fashion to solve the problems. mr. speaker i rise in support of the underlying bill because i have heard from my constituents in new york where a contract tower is going to be closed. what this bill does is restore that funding on a common sense basis where that contract tower, my sincere hope and belief will be preserved and go forward. that will preserve the safety of my air traveling public. i'm proud to stand here today because of bipartisan efforts we worked together to solve this issue. let's pass this bill and move

forward. >> the time is expired. >> i yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from maryland. >> i thank you the gentleman for yielding. let me inform my friend in iowa he misstates my position. i have been gent the sequester every year i was on the appropriations committee. i opposed your cap bill which you supported which had sequester as the alternative. the president is against sequester, the senate budget is against sequester and you would not allow us to offer an amendment four times which would have precluded sequester, not only for air travel but for the children of head start and buy medical research. if you are going to state the facts, state the correct ones.

>> the speaker reminds all members to address their remarks to the speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentleman from north carolina mr. price. >> gentleman from north carolina is recognized for two minutes. >> hypocrisy is reaching new heights in this body. many said bring it on as sequestration loomed. many who really lished to this crisis. speaker boehner said the sequestration bill included 98% of what republicans wanted and republicans showed they valued their anti-tax ideology more than defense or any other cuts. now that sequestration fell as a result they claim it doesn't need to hurt very much. and when the cuts bite, the president must be doing this just to make a political point. so this apparently wasn't supposed to be about air traffic control. the read the bill caucus needs to read the bill. it was about air traffic control and today we are going to apply a much needed band aid. maybe tomorrow we can have a bill applying to cancer

research. then the next day let's have a bill about cancer treatments. then the next day let's have a bill about head start. then let's have one about tuition assistance to our military personnel. then let's have one about the border patrol. and by the way, if and when we apply these band aids, we need to realize we are shifting cuts to equally important areas that aren't in the news at the moment or that don't have powerful lobbies working on their behalf.

my colleagues, i want to address these crisis as much as any must be and contain the damage. but damage control is not a budget policy. sequestration is a self- inflicted wound unworthy of those who profess to govern. it's hypocritical and misleading having imposed on the administration to pretend that the president could fix this problem with a flick of the wrist. sequestration is a disaster. it needs to be reversed. it need to be replaced. by a comprehensive budget plan that includes tax expenditures which are the real drivers of the deficit. >> the speaker would now like to recognize the distinguished gentleman from arkansas for one minute. >> thank you mr. speaker. i rise today to encourage my colleagues to pass this measure to stop president obama's needless furlough of air traffic controllers. further this legislation empowers the f.a.a. to restore funding for 150 towers operated by private contractors around the country. the furloughs have received media attention this week but we shouldn't overlook the role these towers play in places like arkansas. these airports handle almost 30% of all aviation traffic

providing vital relief to some of our most congested airports. the importance of these towers can't be overstated. i introduced legislation to restore funding for those towers. i'm confident the f.a.a. will use this bill to restore funding for these essential contractor operated air traffic control towers. again, i want to thank my colleagues for their support for this measure and i yield back the balance of my time. >> before i yield time, i'd like to remind my colleague this bill was passed by the house, the senate and signed by the president. that is what brought us sequestration.

>> i thank the gentleman for yielding. this is an usual morning. we are because of the refusal of the republicans to come to the table for a conference. what is a conference? a conference is a public open meeting where differences between the house budget bill and the senate bill can be reconciled. it is done with transparency understand full public view. we have the american people be the judge of what is their statement of values. afraid of that public scrutiny the republicans have refused to appoint conferees for a conference. we call upon the speaker to amount conferees so we can have that public airing, that transparent view of something very important.

the republican leadership has said in the house and senate they want the regular order. what is the regular order? the regular order is the house passes a bill, the senate passes a bill. you go to conference. now afraid that their views may be rejected by the american people they don't want to go to conference. that's why we are here this morning for sequestration. what is sequestration? sequestration is a mindless across the board cutting of what we are now recognizing and republicans are recognizing as something that should not be cut. it affect it is efficiency and safety of our airports. that's very important. but as our distinguished democratic mr. hoyer has pointed

out, there is much more that need to be addressed instead of using this as a vehicle. one of the distinguished chairman said earlier the safety of our airports should not be subject to political debate. negotiate should the education of our children, the nutrition for our seniors, 4 million meals on wheels. tens of thousands of children thrown off head start. our defense mindless across the board cuts. what that means for our national security and for the workers in our national security sector. the list goes on and on. investments in our future. buy medical research cut by this. so i suppose if this is an example of governance that the republicans will next come one something else and say we should t exempt that.

why don't we just get rid of the problem? why don't we just get rid of the problem and go to conches? some of the press said to me does this hurt your leverage in going to conference. i said no this is an opportunity because it demonstrates to the american people how unwise this course of action is and how much better it would be to find solutions to get results in the regular order respectful of everyone's point of view but recognizing that decisions made here have an impact.

not only in the lives of the children and the lives of their teachers, in the lives of all consumers, it will have an impact on our economy as well. so this should be a clarion call. it's almost ludicrous to here my republican colleagues to get up there and talk about their individual airports. most of us have airports. we understand what this issue is about. why don't you understand that there is a great deal at stake including the efficiency and safety of our airports but also again the education of our children? how can we is it there and say 4 million males on wheels for seniors gone. -- meals on wheels for seniors gone. thousands of children off head start, but that isn't important. what is important is for the republicans to hold a hard line about the debate that a conference would provide. \some members vote the way they are going to vote on this but recognize that this is not the way congress should be meeting the needs of the american people. let's go to a conference.

mr. speaker, appoint conferees so we can end this mindless addressing the sequestration. thank you mr. speaker. >> the gentlewoman yields back. i would like to recognize the gentleman from pennsylvania for one minute. >> the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. >> thank you mr. speaker. i do support this legislation. on wednesday f.a.a. administrator admitted he saw no flexibility for the flying public. we are giving him this flexibility now. they blind sided everyone by failing to properly notify them about implementation of the sequester. they notified them a week ago about the specifics.

that is mismanagement. this bill nix it is problem by keeping air traffic controllers working and the towers operating. it provide the flexibility the f.a.a. need and should have been asked for by the administration. traffic case of mismanagement. please support the legislation. i yield back. >> any manifestation of approval or disapproval is in violation of the rules of the house. gentleman from arizona is recognized. >> mr. speaker i yield one minute to the gentleman from west virginia, the ranking member of the authorizing committee. >> gentleman from west virginia is recognized for one minute. >> i thank the gentleman for yielding. i support as the flight delays mounted this week due to the furlough and republicans claimed the f.a.a. had the flexibility

to avoid this disruption and politics were at play. that's like the pot calling the kettle back n. march many of these same members recognized the across the board nature of the sequester when there was a bill to avowed the furlough of meat inspectors. my good friend of secretary of traffic is a good honorable man. i take issue with those who accuse him of playing politics. those who take a piece mill approach. i share the concerns of others who are being burdened by the sequester such as a child thrown out of head start or a senior who depends on males on wheels. the sequester is not just an inconvenience to business travel letters, we are talking about transporting patients. >> time is expired. >> the gentleman from iowa is recognized. >> mr. speaker, i would like to

recognize the distinguished chairman of traffic infrastructure committee the gentleman from pennsylvania. >> the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. >> i rise in support so we can stop this needless pain on the american traveling public and our economy. the administration and the f.a.a. has refused for months to provide us with a plan to work with the airline industry to figure out how this could be implemented without all this pain to the traveling public and the economy. i'd like to remind my colleagues this industry provide a trillion dollars to our economy. it's important to the hardworking men and women of america that our airlines and folks are getting where they need to be on time without delay. this is damaging to the economy. this has been mismanaged and i believe this bill will force the administration to stop these needless furloughs so we can continue making sure that the airline industry is functioning to keep our economy growing and stop the safety concerns to the traveling public.

with that i yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. >> i yield one minute to the gentleman from washington. >> the gentleman from washington is recognized for one minute. >> thank you mr. speaker. before we pat each other on the back for this bill, i think it's important we recognize it's not fixing the bigger problem sequester created. head start students will have to find their own way to school as bus service is being cut because of sequester. now we can ask these four-year- olds to ride tricycles to class or book a flight. budgets are being cut mandated by sequestration. we're not doing anything to help the kid today.

we're not helping seniors who are getting males on wheels no longer delivered to them. it not just my district. every member represents a district whose kids and seniors are being hurt to clean up a failure we caused. this is a band aid and sequestration needs a triple bypass surgery. sequestration is a little bit like the person who kicks a boulder and then blames the boulder for his broken toe. congress created this problem. we need to fix it. i yield back. >> the gentleman from iowa is recognized. >> i'd like to recognize the gentleman from illinois for one minute. >> is the gentleman from illinois is recognized for one minute. >> thank you. i'd like to first thank the senate for sending this piece of legislation over to us to provide a fix, a fiction that isn't necessary to provide. but the administration through a lack of leadership is proving that we have to do this now. we are here today because this

administration has decided to put politics over passengers. from the very beginning of sequestration this administration and its departments claimed they didn't have the flexibility to avoid cuts that would affect americans the most. the proposed tower closings and furloughs that were announced are irresponsible and indefensible. the f.a.a. already has the flexibility we are granting them today but they are unwilling to take advantage of that. we are here today because it's time to stop the excuses. we oh it to the american people to pass this bill to get the f.a.a. to act responsibly to protect the traveling public. i urge you, tell your administration to grow up. >> the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from arizona is recognized.

>> i yield one minute to the gentleman from new jersey. >> the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for one minute. >> so ordered. >> we're here this morning because americans are understandably upset at sitting and waiting at airport gates. but there are other americans who are sitting and waiting. there are moms sitting and waiting at home to enroll their children in head start. after this bill they will still be waiting. there are pilots in our air force and navy sitting and waiting to fly their training missions, 1/3 of our planes are grounded. after this bill, they'll still be sitting. they'll still be waiting. there are senior citizens who need to go to chemotherapy at out patient clinics around this country but because of the cutback of sequestration their doctors aren't seeing them. after this bill, they will still be sitting and waiting. this congress has done too much sitting and too much waiting

when it comes to sequestration. the senate has passed a budget that ends sequestration. there is an opportunity to is it at a conference, negotiate and pass that budget instead of sitting and waiting, let's start working and negotiating and pass the senate budget. >> the gentleman from iowa is recognized. >> thank you mr. speaker. i'd like to recognize the gentleman from florida, for one minute. >> the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you. why are we here? we're here because of a colossal failure of leadership and the ability to manage resources. first of all i can tell you that there are plenty of air traffic controllers. just go online and get this report plan for the future. some of our airports have far more air traffic controllers than we need. in fact, air traffic control, the last ten years is down 27%

and we still have close to 15,000 air traffic controllers. this legislation does provide a figure leaf for the administration that says they don't have the authority. they have the ability and authority to move resources and people around. so that gives us the opportunity to get the flying public flying again. so again we have the resources, they have the money and here we are giving them the final figure leaf they have asked for and they say they need to get this done. i can tell you if ronald reagan were president, we would not be in this mess. thank you.

>> mr. speaker i yield one minute to the gentleman from maryland. >> the gentleman from maryland is recognized for one minute. >> thank you mr. speaker. after the vote on this today, members of this house are going to run for the airports. they are all going to be flying home on airplanes and yes they will make it easier for members of congress to get through these lines. and they will pat themselves on the back and say job well done. well obviously we should address the issue at the airports. but we need to address the other issues right now. and not make it easier for members of congress to fly home for a week away when we should be a week right here making sure we do not see the negative impacts of the sequester grind on for the kids in head start or seniors on males on wheels and folks doing important life saving research. mr. speaker, four times this year we have offered a proposals to replace the entire sequester, to achieve the same deficit

reduction without the kind of damage that's been done and four times we haven't even had a chance to vote on the floor of this house. now we're simply asking to go to conference which our republican colleagues complain they didn't pass a budget. they got one. let's go to conference rag than go home. >> the gentlemanognized. >> mr. speaker i would now like to recognize the gentlewoman from minnesota for one and a half minutes. >> she is recognized for one and a half minutes. >> it's high time that the f.a.a., mr. speaker, have the flexibility they need to have on closures of any air traffic control towers. it is my hope that minnesota and other airports do remain open. they are vital and much needed. we are looking at approximately 189 airports. i want to speak to something else. we were listening to representative hoyer and representative pelosi be extremely passionate about the loss we'll see for children through head start, for senior citizens through meals on wheels.

for children who will be dealing with other food nutrition programs. that breaks everyone's hearts. but i want to remind the people of this country that it was former speaker pelosi, senator reid and president obama who signed the sequestration bill and it was press secretary jay carney who admitted that the sequestration was president obama's idea. there are numerous republicans that voted against the sequestration because we knew all of these calamities were in the future. and so it reminds me of the shakespeare line thou protestith too much. didn't you know this was going to happen. that's why we voted against this bill. and the higher the level of passion that equals the conscious we're seeing of those who voted the wrong way on this

bill the first time. i'm for this bill and i yield back. >> the gentleman from arizona is recognized. >> mr. speaker before i yield time to the lady, i have to remind my colleague that i voted against that bill. and the bill passed because there was a majority of republicans who supported it. and so we just can't blame one house or one senate or the president because all of us share the blame. >> the republicans offered their bill. it was called cut, cap and balance. and they voted on that bill before we ever got to sequester. and in cut, cap and balance your alternative if you didn't reach your numbers was sequester. sequester was your policy.

and the c.r. you had mr. rogers bring to the floor which i voted against when it went from here to there as did every democrat, it said it was going to be subject to the sequester. >> the gentleman from arizona is recognized. >> one minute to the gentle lady from california. >> i rise to support the bill reducing flight delays act of 2013. i don't want anybody to be mistaken about why i support this bill. i want ms. backman to understand we know that she has led the tea party and the right wing on all of these issues and that she led on the discussion on sequestration. it was a bad policy.