adherence of those standards. we inspect in the coast guard to make sure that they are doing what they claim to be doing on paper. when we find evidence that they are not, then we apply sanctions up to and including the refusal to allow vessels from that port to arrive in u.s. countries. the steam standards -- it is more important to do that in the aviation world. we know that we have significant concerns with foreign fighters, with increasing radicalization of terrorist groups, and they are continuing to focus on the aviation system. if confirmed i intend to work with counterparts around the world, particularly those countries with last points of departure for the united states and to ensure that there is an

oversight mechanism. >> the things we discussed and closed session was the role of pat downs. it is a sensitive and awkward situation that is important for our security, but is difficult for those trying to esnsure security and the passengers that and/or this -- endure this. i'm sure that some of the countries may have figured a better way to do this. i would ask that as you get settled in, that we look around the world and say dozens of nations deal with these issues, maybe someone has come up with a better mousetrap that we can learn from. the last thing to ask, a variation of what i asked yesterday, with the

organizations, give us a short to do list. one of the things that chairman johnson and i talked over with the committee, one of the things that we look at izzy is the gao, government accountability office. give us a short to do list, if by some small chance you are confirmed, there would -- what would be a couple of things you could do that would be particularly helpful. for you as a leader and for our country, what can be helpful? mr. neffenger: thank you for that. thank you for the offer to help. i believe strongly in working with the congress. you have an important role to

play in making sure the right legislation and laws are in place to make sure that a mission like the security of our transportation system to succeed. if confirmed i will bring you a list of those things that i think can be most effective. i really do appreciate the willingness of every member of this committee with whom i have met. i promise it will be coming just as much from my side as it is from your side. what i would like to do is bring in a very open manner the challenges i find and where they need to be addressed by the work that this committee can do, and something that the agency has the ability to do, but that you need to be aware of. senator: i close by saying that jeh johnson is not given to hyperbole.

he said we have got our leader for tsa, he said it is an admirable -- admiral named pete in the coast guard and you will like him. i must say, i am impressed. hopefully you can get confirmed and go to work. senator sands: they need to get to another nominee so i will flag two questions, one of which i will submit by letter and the other will ask here. i appreciate your desire to skate to where the puck is going to be, in the threats we face from the homeland and japan he -- jihadi abroad. i appreciate your clear concern for the morale issues inside the organization. there are lots of good and freedom loving americans inside the tsa. my worry about the magnitude of

the challenges we face does not start with workforce issues. you have flagged some technology failures but i think we have big leadership problems inside the organization and are at a a -- at a gap as far as strategic priorities and measurement. you mentioned yesterday that there is this tension between a couple different tsa missions, but almost none of the metrics go to the success that entered acting prohibited weapons and materials. i'm curious and will submit by letter about your familiarity with what briefings and performance metrics the secretary receives on a weekly basis. some of us who have been pushing for a number of months have not got adequate answers from the department about the frequency and the quality of the performance metrics inside the key components and agencies. i would like to understand what

familiarity you had with the briefings of the leadership teams and what you expect to be included as far as the performance metrics in your potential new role. we will submit that by letter today. the final question that i will ask in person, i had a chance to meet with inspector general john roth three times in last week and appreciate the work of his organization. he said directly to us some times in classified settings, but also in a public hearing the other day that he does not believe the leadership of tsa clearly understands the nature of the risks that they face. i am curious which camp you would put yourself in. do you believe he is right? do you think that the leadership has understood the nature? mr. neffenger: i had a chance to

sit down with inspector general roth in my preparation for this. i understand the risks. i think there are people who do understand. what i want to understand is, how effective are those voices and how well can they be heard and more importantly why does the information appeared to be challenged in making it to the right level for organization. it is tied directly to your previous question. i look forward to answering that question and engaging with this committee and the in the future to make sure that the things that we do measure are the right things. just like security the measure you put in place might be appropriate today but not for tomorrow. you have to continually refine and you have to be relentless in your examination of those measures. >> thank you sir. >> i just have to commend the president and secretary for

finding such a quality individual, such as yourself. someone who is very well-qualified and suited for this position. this enormous challenge. i certainly what to tell you and voice my appreciation for your past service and willingness to serve. a number of us have already voted for your confirmation, we will try to move this confirmation as quickly through the senate so you can get on the job. we are so thankful for your willingness to serve. the further commitment to have this committee here to have your back, we will commit ourselves to keep this nation safe. thank you again and we look forward to working with you in the future. >> thank you. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014]

>> education undersecretary ted mitchell and tennessee senator lamar alexander on the cost of higher education. after that hillary clinton opens her presidential campaign with a rally in new york city. that's in a clock a.m., your calls -- then at 7:00 a.m., your calls and comments on washington journal. >> on newsmakers, representative jason chaffetz talks about how he wants to run the committee including the secret service the irs, and border security. today on c-span. >> like many of us, first

families take vacation time. like presidents and first ladies, a good read can be the perfect companion. what better book than one that appears inside the personal life of every first lady in american history? "first ladies," inspiring stories of fascinating women who survived the scrutiny of the white house. a great summertime read. available from public affairs through your favorite books for -- bookstore or and bookseller. -- online bookseller. >> discussed president obama's

plan to make first two years of community college free. this is almost an hour. >> we have a packed house today. i'd like to welcome all of you here today and those of you watching the live stream. this event is made possible by the gates foundation and the women's foundation. we would love for you to share your comments and questions via facebook and twitter. if you have a question just go ahead and line up and please state your name and organization. we also are taking questions via twitter and you can use #askmj.

if you haven't already please download the app and you can learn about our program. we will be using that moving forward. sixty years ago president lyndon johnson signed the higher education act into law with the goal of making college more affordable and more assessable for students. forward. sixty years ago pres. lyndon johnson signed the higher education act into law with the goal of making college more affordable and more assessable for students. what reforms and innovations are needed? here's a brief overview of the event which features two keynote speakers. first secretary of education ted mitchell will take the stage

followed by lamar alexander. to close up the program our staff correspondent will moderate our expert panel discussion. just a reminder you can use twitter and facebook during our program. please welcome to the stage u.s. president undersecretary ted mitchell.

>> good morning everyone. it looks like we've got quite a good group. thanks to the national journal the gates foundation for inviting me to be a part of this. the next american series is important because we need more than ever strategic thinking and action as we attack the unprecedented challenges and opportunities presented by this legislation. we are redefining what colleges how much it costs and how much it should cost.

it's important to take note of what happened in the last century. both laws advance the advanced the idea and made a commitment to equal access to a quality education is a moral imperative and a civil right in america. when they signed it in 1965 they called it a promise that leadership of our country believe it is the obligation of our nation to provide and permit and assist every child born in these borders to receive all the education that they can take. since then it has been our mission to make that promise real for every student. we've made progress but the task has never been more urgent and our work is far from complete. president obama captured the urgency of higher education for all with the goal that he set

soon after taking office that america will again have the best educated population and the most competitive works out force, measured in part by americans leading the way in postsecondary degrees and credentials. to achieve that goal we worked with partners at the national state, local and institutional level to strengthen the educational pipeline. we've been modernizing the teaching profession and making college affordability college quality and completion for all students a top priority. we look forward to deepening that in the conversations ahead i had on the higher education act reauthorization. today thanks to the hard work of educators, families and communities that we have a high graduation with.

the biggest gain is being made by low income, students of color and disability. the achievement gap has begun to close as we reach this historic milestone where the majority of our students in the educational system are now coming from minority communities. we can now equipped minority students with better skills to be prepared for college and later in life. administration has certainly tried they've increased the total aid available to students. they've created tax benefits

that add up to $12 billion of resources to families. as a result more are going to college than ever before. still despite that financing completion is complicated. especially for those new to the college experience, displaced workers, veterans, and working individuals. it is a result of opportunity and is an opportunity for us to think differently about higher education. families it can be hard to gauge what will be expected and secure the funds that will be needed. too often and for too long our most honorable students end up

with no degree and debt that can persist for years. this too has to change. why? well first and foremost this is a matter of principle. opportunity for everyone, that's the north star. this is also about the prosperity and never in our history has the ability to complete college exam been important for our national competitiveness. college, college, the ticket to the middle class must not become a ledger luxury good. there is good news. we've seen reform on campuses

and national networks. we need to bring these islands together to create an overall goal for the future. overall one of the best pieces of news is the consensus that the president said in this state of the union address, universal access to education extends from pre-k up until college. we need to set plans to increase college graduation rates. we are seeing more enrollment in high school programs and programs that ensure a seamless transition. inspiring the administrations

own ideas. we need a nonprofit and coalition effort to help meet the president's goals we need technology to both broaden and deepen and often lower costs for education. all of this suggests that this is a hopeful time for higher education. managing change at this particular time in a way that benefits all students will take institutions, accreditors, nonprofits and congress and unprecedented in investment and innovation.

were innovating at the federal level. as you earn loan repayment policies they are trying to make the task to repay loans possible. were using loans to find out what works for adult learners and adopt those processes nationwide. we are continuing to hold institutions accountable to prove the value of their programs and protect students and to safeguard the taxpayers. since taking office, the presidents objectives for higher education, recognizing both the

opportunities and challenges facing our nation have been consistently aimed at meeting the north star goal of quality education for everyone. we must ensure affordability and improve outcome. we have set the course for this effort working with congress whenever possible to make sure that we take action to make continued progress to make sure all americans have the knowledge and skills they need to grow our economy and strengthen our nation. some of this work was accomplished without funding but more work remains that requires legislative action to protect what we have achieved together and make some key changes to improve the overall programs. we hope that the conversations provides congress with the moment