mr. cummings and i would like to know. since you're shaking your heads and smiling now, if that stops between now and november 15th, one of you will tell us? >> yes, sir. >> mr. cummings? >> i'm going to encourage you to do that. just do it, please. >> we will do that. >> and i'm not trying to be smart. miss tavenner, i know -- and all of you, i know you're trying to do what's in the best interests of the american people. i understand that. but it seems as if what we want is the highest level of best practice. am i right, mr. chairman? >> absolutely. >> and miss tavenner, i couldn't help but -- when i was thanking you on behalf of my constituents, i could see a tear come up in your eye. you know, so often i think federal employees -- a lot of people don't realize that a lot of our employees, most of them are not in government for the money. they're in it -- and i have people coming to work for our committee all the time who are willing to take reduction of salaries from the private sector, because there's something about t

mr. cummings.thank you for acknowledging that homeland security and this committee have worked together on a number of issues. before i start i want to put into the record by reading it the words expressed by mr. obama, our president, just last as, madam director, you made it very clear that the general assembly you protected not only the president, but 140 heads of state. and the president said, the secret service does a great job. i'm grateful for all of the sacrifices they make on my behalf and all my family's behalf. i wanted to just add that, because the president has confidence. i also want to it knowledge that your storied history equates to thethe storied history of secret service starting in 1865. that it has continued in that service. our hope with this hearing, as my colleagues have said, between the publicans and democrats, that we would alter this headline that i hold up that says "the secret service opens door to ridicule." i disagree with that and i say, it opens the door to restruct

mr. cummings keeps making that point. it's about reputation. this is the expectation that the president will be protected, the president and his family will be protected. [inaudible question] >> well, i have confidence in what he does say. i do think that the challenge may require more than one person and i i would like to see the investigation of the culture and the procedure and the accountability and the secret service. because i have the confidence in mr. cummings, i do think that the challenge may go beyond because some problems existed before she was there. and so again, we will learn more about what they have been learning and who has come forth, but i think that and i understand that she is the top person and the buck stops here and there are those that are calling for her to step aside as was whether she does or not. we need an investigation and her leaving doesn't end the need for us to know a lot more about what is happening. but again, i would accept the recommendation of the ranking member on the committee. >> when we had some of t

mr. cummings. i now recognize the gentleman from utah mr. chaffetz the subcommittee chairman on national security for his opening statement. >> i think the chairman and i think the ranking member mr. cummings and he's absolutely right. it's not a republican issue or democratic issue periods in american issue. i don't want to make a political football that we in the united states of america are critical on issues we do hold ourselves accountable so i appreciate you sharing. we have wonderful men and women who serve the nation and put their lives on line. the walkway from family and spouses and they don't know what the day is going to bring them. they do so in a very honorable way. we thank them for their service and dedication. i have serious concerns about the current leadership. i've concerns about training and i'm concerned about protocol. that's what i want to get out today. since the current director has taken on this role is important to note that she was the chief of staff in 2008. in the last couple of years she was the chief of staff

mr. cummings? >> mr. torbay i want you to comment on that in a minute. i'm curious you deal with this every day, but i want to go to some other things first. i know your organization is incredibly busy. but your input is very crucial. in addition to your detailed written statement, you provided some pictures and i'm hoping you can explain what we are seeing. first i believe this picture is a ebola treatment center. can you describe what we are seeing here? >> of a ebola treatment unit is the isolation unit. what you see is the workers in yellow suits with a mask or a actually in the restricted area. no one is allowed to go in there without a full personal protection equipment and training. and outside they are taking notes that the supervisor to make sure that proper protocols are taking place as they are entering the treatment unit. >> in your testimony you said you need about 840 of these every week. you've also said, and i quote, the current demand for exceeds the manufacturers for the overall sanity are producing at full capacity. you go on to say th

mr. cummings. i did not see the entirety of the hearing yesterday because i an event for the prime minister of india, which was wonderful, but here's what i would say. in terms of the secret service and the protection of the president of the united states, an independent investigation as to what is going on at the secret service. the protection of the president has to be precise. it has to be flawless, and there has to be accountability, and when that is not the case, it is an excusable that someone would jump over the fence and into the white house. inexcusable that someone would then the elevator with president of the united states with or without a weapon. i think independent investigation is what is needed, not just to hold people accountable, but to see how we should go forward in a way that, again, has precision, accountability, and is flawless. the protection of the president is really important to our , the reputation of the secret service, and mr. cummings keeps making that point, and i ag

mr. cummings for holding this extremely important hearing.director pierson, let me be frank, i believe you have done a disservice to the president of the united states. not only have you compromised his safety and security, you have compromised the safety and security of his family and the staff of the white house. xhe pattern of la security and follow basic circles indicate a culture at the secret service that needs to change. bele the president may not in a position to publicly criticize this failure to adequately protect his needs, i will. this president has far too much to worry about them up both here and around the world. he should have not to also have to be concerned with his personal safety and security and that have his family. is,y question, director, why should we have confidence in the secret service's ability to protect the president and the first family when there has been such a pattern of lax security? >> i believe the incident on september 19 is not representative of a pattern. as i have stated, there have been others have a

mr. cummings? >> mr. torbay, i want you to comment on that in a minute. i'm curious -- you deal with this every day, but i want to go to some other things first. i know your organization is incredibly busy. but your input is very crucial. in addition to your detailed written statement, you provided some pictures, and i'm hoping you can explain what we are seeing. first, i believe this picture is a ebola treatment center. can you describe what we are seeing here. >> this is an ebola treatment unit. this is the isolation unit. what you see is the workers in yellow suits with a mask or a actually in the restricted area. no one is allowed to go in there without a full personal protection equipment and training. and outside, they are taking notes, and the supervisor to make sure that proper protocols are taking place as they are entering the treatment unit. >> in your testimony you said you need about 840 of these every week. you've also said, and i quote, the current demand far exceeds the supply. the two manufacturers for the overall production are at full c

mr. cummings. i didn't see the entirety of the hearing yesterday because i was at events for the prime ministers of india which they were wonderful but here is what i would say in terms of the secret service and secret service and protection of the president of the united states, there has to be an independent investigation as to what is going on. the protection of the president has to be precise and flawless and there has to be accountability and that is not the case. it is inexcusable that someone would jump over the fence and into the white house and inexcusable that someone would be on the elevator with the president of the united states with or without a weapon and so i think an independent investigation is what is needed not just to hold people accountable but how we should go forward in a way that has position, accountability and is flawless. the reputation of the secret service mr. cummings keeps making this point and i agree with him it's about reputation. this is the expectation the presi

mr. cummings for his clothes. there was a statement made to seeseems like an eternity ago bt maybe 15 minutes ago about following people for 21 days after they land. dr. lurie, currently in there is no visa restriction or law that gives you specific authority. do you believe you have the authority under existing public health laws to force follow-up daily, temperature checks and the like? let's assume for a moment we take the gentleman from florida's analysis that a plane comes in, a person tests unless you said elevated temperature for a moment, whether they test positive later or not. for othefor the other people one plane, do you have the authority then to compel them to be tested, or is it just hope for the best that they were recognized high temperature and report? >> i believe that we have the authorities at wendy's but we are constantly looking at in updating our policies based on the situation at the time, and she would continue to look and make sure we have the authorities that we need. >> in addition to

mr. cummings. i did not see the entirety of veering yesterday as i was at some events for the prime minister of india, which was wonderful, they were wonderful. but here's what i would say. in terms of the secret service and the protection of the president of the united states, that has to be, there has to be an independent investigation as to what is going on at the secret service. the protection of the president has to be precise. it has to be flawless, and there has to be accountability when that is not the case. it is inexcusable that someone would jump over the fence and into the white house compound excusable that someone could get on an elevator with the president of the united states, with or without a weapon. and so i think an independent investigation is what is needed. not just to hold people accountable but to see how we should go forward in a way that they can has precision, accountability, and his flawless. because the protection of the president is really important to our reputation,

mr. cummings for giving me this opportunity. we need to deal with the virus at its source in west africa. steps can be taken to deal with this. we need to immediately increase treatment capacity by deploying and training proper health personnel. we need commodities as we discussed and ambulances. we need financial resources. we need further containment of the community level as well. we need to contain it at that level. this is a global issue. it's not just a west africa issue. we need to work together as one team to tackle this and put an end to this outbreak. once we do so many to continue the investment in rebuilding the whole care system in west africa as well as preparedness and other countries. we need to make sure that this outbreak does not reoccur. the u.s. has and is playing a pivotal role. i am proud to say that the u.s. has led the way and continues to answer the call and other countries are following the lead. >> mr. turner asked a great question and the chairman tried to get some clarification of the military folks

mr. cummings thinks that she should go, i subscribe to his recommendation. however, i don't think -- i don't say that he is saying this, that's all that should be done. there has to be an i wanted pent investigation. has to be accountability. >> some of the top lawmakers say firing pierson won't fix bigger issues at the secret service. >> i think, though, it would be premature at this point in time. she came on board after most of these scandals are taking place. i think that's the whole point of this independent review, this independent commission to investigate and review the policies and review her conduct as well, so i would prefer to have these experts look at the matter and report back to congress. >> house speaker john boehner said a few minutes ago he fully supports congressman mccall's plan for a top to bottom independent review of the agency. gretchen. >> all right, mike. what do we expect in court for the white house fence jumper? >> well, omar gonzalez is in u.s. district court in washington at this hour. gonzalez is facing a three-count indictme

mr. cummings, and i asked for a hearing because we needed to get the transparency and make it available tomerican people. that's the beginning of the fix. if this administration opens up, which has not been their way of doing business and they make witnesses available and they allow the information to be made available to congress and congress then makes a decision with the president that we're doing the right things, then confidence is restored. that's what we're doing with the war if you will, the battle against isil, where now there's an engagement and members of congress and others like myself are going over to see how things are going. the american people expect their congressmen to in fact be part of that process, to come home, even during elections and say they made mistakes, but they are getting it right or they're getting closer to having it right and we will look other their shoulder and make sure they get it right on behalf of the american people. i think that's what we're doing and i think considering we're only a few days away from an election, we're doing it at an incredibly

mr. cummings, and this is the way of opening up, and doing business, and they make the business to open up, and make the information available to congress, and congress then makes a decision with the president that we are doing the right things, and then confidence is restored. that is what we are doing with the war, if the you will, the battle against isil, and we are now having an engagement, and members of congress and myself e how is it going, a a nd the american people expect the congressmen to in fact be a part of the process to come home even during elections and say, hey, they made mistakes, but they are getting it right or closer to having it right, and we will look over the shoulder, and make sure they get it right on behalf of the american people. that is what we are doing, and i think that considering that we are only a few day ss away from the election, we are doing it on an incredibly not partisan basis by all of the committees. >> and quickly, would you call on the governors of new jersey, republican, and illinois and new jersey, saying, stop it, it is discouraging workers a

mr. cummings for holding this hearing. the panel, you've been very helpful. there has been some contrast between the testimony this morning and i want to drill down on that because sometimes that is helpful when people in the panel disagreed. dr. lurie, you testified in the written testimony that we are better prepared than ever and you have one of those comprehensive response on the ground. on the other hand our inspector general, you were commenting on how the analysis done by dhs, how the equipment purchases are not adequate and in some cases the wrong equipment, or in some cases the usefulness of the equipment, drugs beyond the expiration date. dr. lurie come you testified you have a very aggressive system in place in the other hand, president burger for national nurses united said it they've done a survey. they have done a survey of 3000 nurses. from every state in the union and the district of colombia. they have not been trained to deal with ebola, and preparedness is woefully insufficient and dangerously inadequate. so, those are two different stories

mr. cummings, i thank you for your understanding. let me relate some in the ui discussed yesterday, if i may. in washington dc, and around the country, there are a number of systems that we all know. baltimore has it too. rhey are microphones that hea gunshots, can identify the direction, can quickly and without human intervention figure out whether or not a real shot has been fired, confirm it, and often give a very accurate direction. that kind of technology isn't so odd that we don't see it in our cities. i think that is the reason i went on so long with this question. know, knows this. the district does have a sophisticated system. i think the committee will want to make sure that not only does the white house have a higher level of awareness of the system, but that the district system be enhanced if necessary to make sure that something like this never happens again. i think the john the first patients. >> thank you mr. chairman. -- piersonarson , i've thought about this long and hard. tohink my major concern goes the culture. t

mr. cummings for holding this hearing. the panel, you've been very helpful. there has been some contrast between the testimony this morning and i want to drill down on that because sometimes that is helpful when people in the panel disagreed. dr. lurie, you testified in the written testimony that we are better prepared than ever and you have one of those comprehensive response on the ground. on the other hand our inspector general, you were commenting on how the analysis you to the dhs -- done by dhs, how the equipment purchases are not adequate and in some cases the usefulness of the equipment, drugs beyond the expiration date. dr. lurie come you testified you have a very aggressive system in place in the other hand, president burger for national berkshires united said it they've done a survey. they have done a survey of 3000 nurses. from every state in the union and the district of colombia. they have not been trained to deal with ebola, and preparedness is woefully insufficient and dangerously inadequate. so, those are two different stories of what's going

mr. chairman, ranking member cummings, and members of this committee this concludes my opening statement. i'd be happy to answer your questions. >> thank you. mrs. tavenner? thank you. >> mr. chairman issa, ranking member cummings, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here today and i want to make everyone aware that cms strives to be as responsive as possible. i understand we have provided over 140,000 pages of documents to this committee. transparency is important and that's why i am pleased to be here today and have the opportunity to answer your questions, and we will continue to produce documents. in the almost five years that i've had the privilege to work at cms, my focus has been on how we can best serve our beneficiaries, including seniors on medicare, adults and children on medicaid, and consumers enrolling in the marketplace. when i come to work each day, i work to expand coverage and competition, reduce cost, improve quality in ways that make a difference in people's lives. we are making real and important progress. as of august 15th this year, we have

mr. cummings, i thank you for your understanding. let me relate some in the ui discussed yesterday, if i may. in washington dc, and around the country, there are a number of systems that we all know. baltimore has it too. rhey are microphones that hea gunshots, can identify the direction, can quickly and without human intervention figure out whether or not a real shot has been fired, confirm it, and often give a very accurate direction. that kind of technology isn't so odd that we don't see it in our cities. i think that is the reason i went on so long with this question. know, knows this. the district does have a sophisticated system. i think the committee will want to make sure that not only does the white house have a higher level of awareness of the system, but that the district system be enhanced if necessary to make sure that something like this never happens again. i think the john the first patients. >> thank you mr. chairman. -- piersonarson , i've thought about this long and hard. tohink my major concern goes the culture. t

mr. mins explains. cum mins explainmins explains >> 31 past the hour.ning us with the must read opinion pages, msnbc contributor mike barnacle. i have the new york times serving without protecting frank rooney. what we have discovered about the crackerjack operations of the secret service boggles the mind. we can fly drones over pakistan, we can't summon a proper lock smith to 1,600 pennsylvania avenue. time and again washington validates the naysayers who like to dismiss it as the capital of bureaucratic incompetence. in the end, it's people that make the difference t. secret service needs better ones. joe. >> i couldn't agree more. i mean, donny deutsche, you talk about, you know, obviously, we talked about branding. you talk about marketing all the time. you brought up a good point earlier today right now the federal government, itself, is just awash in one scandal after another. this is a real governing crisis that goes all the way into the white house now. >> it really does. although this is an incident to the secret service. if you are an american

mr. peltzen in the case of pepsico, they seem to be going after the suma cum lauds of the equity world. why is that and is it justified? >> no, it's not justified. i think jim cramer is right on the money as he generally is. in pointing to the irony of going after places like, you know, dow or due upon, strong performers, not to mention looking at the record performance we have coming in from pepsico at all-time highs, both on the frito lay and the snack food side as well as on the beverage side. strong revenue growth and profits. a lot of new products coming out in the midst of all of this. how in the world -- or tim cook, of course, the topic of the afternoon right now is how could you not be investing in and be enthusiastic about apple, is to suggest a cash flow issue because it's a ready target. carl kicks up a lot of dust. he's a brilliant investor. he doesn't always get them right. he's had colossal failures. blockbust blockbuster, wci, xo, pkf, these companies all went to zero while he was on the board, generally the chairman of these enterprises. they lost all their value. >> no