ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for counter-terrorism in the region. from capitol hill, this is about 90 minutes. >> after recognizing myself and ranking member deutsche for five minutes, as soon as he shows up each for opening statements, i will then recognize other members seeking recognition for one minute. we will then hear from our witness and without objection, mr. ambassador, members may have five days in which to insert statements for the record subject to the length limitation and rules. the subcommittee invited the department of defense to send an official to testify before us this afternoon built dod stated that they were unable to participate at this hearing. and declined to come. but we got the better of the deal because we have you, mr. ambassador. the chair now recognizes herself for five minutes. on september 10th of last year, president obama announced to the american public his plan to degrade and destroy the terrorist group isil. while makin

ambassador firestein thank you for being here. given that the u.s. personnel has been evacuated, we look to you to tell us where u.s. policy toward yemen currently stands. will we continue to see increased level of involvement in the saudi led intervention? how can the security council resolutions pertaining be enforced and can there be a military solution to yemen's internal crisis? we look forward to your responses. appreciate you being here and i yield back. >> thank you very much, mr. deutsche. excellent statement. and we're so pleased to welcome ambassador gerald firestein, the principle deputy assistant secretary of the bureau of near eastern affairs. previously, he served as our ambassador to yemen from 2010 to 2013. so he knows this area very well. he has served in several different postings throughout the middle east including as deputy chief of missions in islamabad and deputy council general in jerusalem. thank you for your service, mr. ambassador. we look forward to your testimony. and may i point out your lovely fiancee sitting behind yo

. >> but in the video firestein is not anti gay. >> for me this is nothing against gay people. is about religious freedom. >> i think my heart dropped. i was a little shocked of of everything that was going on and most of it was we were just very hurt because of all the negativity that we were getting from the community outside of florida. >> sharon makes wedding cakes for living so with the focus on hate rather than love, it's been stressful. >> why your place? >> i have no idea. we have no idea why he even attacked us. >> you okay? >> yeah, i'm fine. thank you. >> shushes she's getting getting support from the community and more positive phone calls rather than negative one. she hopes to get business back to normal soon. >> we want to try to fix what damage he's done. >> sharon plans to hire an attorney to consider all her legal options. we of course will keep posted. >>> a community outside austin, texas has very unwelcomed guests and they're worried more could be on the way. residents say they're uncomfortable walking around this community because of alligators. neighbors s

ambassador firestein, thank you for being here. given that the u.s. personnel has been evacuated, we look to you to tell us where u.s. policy toward yemen currently stands. will we continue to see increased level of involvement in the saudi led intervention? how can the security council resolutions pertaining be enforced and can there be a military solution to yemen's internal crisis? we look forward to your responses. appreciate you being here and i yield back. >> thank you very much, mr. deutsche. excellent statement. and we're so pleased to welcome ambassador gerald firestein the principle deputy assistant secretary of the bureau of near eastern affairs. previously, he served as our ambassador to yes, ma'amen from 2010 to 2013. so he knows this area very well. he has served in several different postings throughout the middle east including as deputy chief of missions in islamabad and deputy council general in jerusalem. thank you for your service, mr. ambassador. we look forward to your testimony. and may i point out your lovely fiancee sitting beh

ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for

ambassador to yemen gerald fire firestein. he discusses the administration's partnerships and plans for counter-terrorism in the region. from capitol hill, this is about 90 minutes. >> after recognizing myself and ranking member deutsche for five minutes, as soon as he shows up each for opening statements, i will then recognize other members seeking recognition for one minute. we will then hear from our witness and without objection, mr. ambassador, members may have five days in which to insert statements for the record subject to the length limitation and rules. the subcommittee invited the department of defense to send an official to testify before us this afternoon built dod stated that they were unable to participate at this hearing. and declined to come. but we got the better of the deal because we have you, mr. ambassador. the chair now recognizes herself for five minutes. on september 10th of last year, president obama announced to the american public his plan to degrade and destroy the terrorist group isil. while makin