mr. jacobson question to test?uest:the act of four years ago the fda has been slow at finalizing regulation. we really can't say whether it has achieved desired -- desired effect. host: ebola talked about issues of pathogens and the responsibility of the food industry and taking arab -- care of these issues. let's look at the blue bell ice cream situation where it was scary at was found in the ice cream. mr. william, did the company do enough to prevent this from happening? guest:guest:one of the problems we have is pathogens are let ubiquitous. they are everywhere. there will always be food safety problems. there is no such thing as perfectly safe food. what we hope to do is a lot better than we are doing now. i am concerned that this particular set of regulations with hell. fda is required by every presidential executive order since 1980 to go out and find evidence that the regulations will work. they had been unable to do that. they simply don't have evidence that this will improve moves host: -- food safety. ho

asisstant secretary jacobson: thank you so much, mr. chairman and ranking member for the opportunity to testify on u.s. cuba policy today and your interest in the hemisphere more broadly. let me underscore this unique moment in the america's for the united states. it's remarkable to see how u.s. relations with countries of the hemisphere are increasingly characterized by mature partnerships and shared values and interests. the partnerships we have with canada, brazil, chile, colombia and so many others is extraordinary. i am especially i had proud of the renewed commitment to working with central america and our $1 billion 2015 request that we believe will strengthen regional security, prosperity and good governance. since i last appeared in february, we began to see the administration's new approach on cuba providing space for other nations in the hem is sphere and around the world to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in cube -- cuba. at the summit of the americas in panama, engagement by the president and secre

mr. chairman. >> thank you both for being here. secretary jacobson, before i get to my questions i wanted to ask, you discussed that we were in these discussions with the cubans and we have distinct views on human rights and i don't mean to say this is what you meant but let's be clear. these are not distinct views that are legitimate. that is view of human rights we have and a view of under human rights they have which under no circumstances fits under any definition of human rights. their views are not legitimate, they're immoral. the notion that you can round up people and arrest them because they disagree with the government, the idea that you can send thugs to panama to beat up democracy advocates you would say their views are flat out wrong and immoral in their views is. are. >> we have said clearly we don't think those views accord with international standards and the universal declaration of human rights? >> so the cubans are flat out wrong? >> on repressing people's rights to free speech we think there's no equivalence. >> there's no moral e

mr. chairman, secretary jacobson, i want to kind of talk about the legal authority that president obama's using to take his actions. 1996, in reaction to the cuban downing of two civilian aircraft, congress passed the cuban liberty and democratic solidarity act of 1996 libertat act. the primary purpose number one, assist the cuban people and redpan theirregain freedom and prosperity as well as enjoying communities in the hemispheric region. third one, provide for the continued national security of the united states in the face of continuing threats from the castro government of terrorism and theft of property of united states nationals. that was the purpose. it was noteworthy about the act is, it codified all restricts under the cuban system control regulations that were enacted or promulgated by the treasury department in 1963. it codified the cuban embargo. what's nose worthy this had long lasting effect on u.s. policy options of cuba because the executive branch is spreened from lifting the economic embargo without congressional concurrence until certain democratic conditions set forth

mr. chairman redo welcome of the witnesses that will testify today and take you for this opportunity. >> thank you very much. our first witnesses the honorable jacobson assistant secretary of state western hemisphere affairs has led the state department discussions regarding establishing diplomatic relations the second witnesses the ambassadorship and to the state department most recently serving as american ambassador to brazil, also as senior director for the national security council. keep your comments brief and we will accept your written testimony. thank you. >> thank you for the opportunity to testify on u.s. cuba policy today and you're interested in the hemisphere more broadly. i will underscore this moment it is remarkable to see how u.s. relations are increasingly characterized by mitscher partnerships and values. ha the partnerships with canada and brazil improvement and mexico is extraordinary. also to work with central america and the trade go countries including the f y 2016 request to strengthen regional security and good governance. since i last appeared in february we see the new approach on cuba providing space for other nations ar

mr. chairman today is the 113th anniversary of cuban independence day. it is a bitter-sweet date given the cuban people's languishing for more than 55 years under a dictatorship. as assistant secretary jacobson opens negotiations between cuba and the united states tomorrow let me be frank, i have deep concerns that the more these talks progress, the more the administration continues to entertain unilateral concessions without in return getting agreement on fundamental issues that are in our national interests and those are the cuban people. so i know you said in response to another question, these are things we did not negotiate, these are things decided unilaterally. i can't believe that. the cubans said, you want a relationship? you've got to return the three convicted spies, three convicted spies of the united states, including one who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, of three u.s. citizens in international airspace. check, we gave them the three spies. you want a relationship? take us off the list of state sponsors of terrorism. check, we gave them that. you want a relationship? stop or change the democracy programs that we do throughout the world because we don't like those

charles, michael james and gary jacobson benjamin, nichlas cook willard james and john hands, robert, dennis edward kinney. god bless the united states and god bless those troops. mr. speaker i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from montana yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from illinois seek recognition? ms. schakowsky: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. schakowsky: i rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the head start program. head start is near and dear to my heart. i began my career as a head start teacher in the chicago public schools. i have never forgotten how the program made a monumental difference for its students. and this congress should not forget those kids, either. since its inception, head start has served 32 million children in all 50 states, the district of columbia puerto rico, and the u.s. territories. last year in my home state of illinois, there were 130 early head starts and head start providers, providing quality teachers. and there is an economic impact. head start accounted for more than