clara: joining me is armen georgian. what do you make of china's reaction?n: this media briefing comes a week after a chinese defense ministry statement which said china could legally intervene in hong kong militarily could intervene. it said it had the right to do that. , hehis later statement seemed to be playing down the possibility of military intervention and was talking suppose, hei probably -- causes of these protests because he was talking about housing employment and things like that and saying there was a need to address those issues. there was a softer tone when it came to i suppose the deeper or broader context to what is happening. there was also an accusation leveled at the outside world with a spokesperson blaming foreign powers for stoking turbulence in hong kong. he did not provide evidence of that or mention any specific countries. that kind of phrase is aimed at audience. mainland this idea that foreigners are causing trouble plays to nationalist narratives and the protests -- does not fit in with a worldview of the chinese government. cla

child armen -- chairman, i yield back. >> thank you. i would like to welcome our witnesses. christopher curry, dhs management issues, u.s. government accountability office, dr. mike lee mann. distinguished professor of meteorology. and dr. judith curry, president, climate forecast applications network. please stand and raise your right hands. do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the whole truth, the truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god? please be seated. let the records show that the witnesses answered in the affirmative. microphones are sensitive so please speak directly into them. without objection, your written statement will be made a part of the record. mr. witt, you are now recognized to give an oral presentation of your testimony for five minutes. mr. witt: thank you, mr. chairman. it is my privilege to appeared the committee today. these issues involve how we work together to mitigate and respond to disasters. i've dedicated my professional and personal career working with communities on this issue. i had the privilege to serve as dir