mr. chairman. just creating a portal, a platform that everyone can use. it can be a versatile platform that meets all the different committees' needs but standardization would go a long way. with that, mr. chairman, i yield back. mr. kilmer: thanks, vice chair timmons. mr. latta. a reminder to members, if you have a question, feel free to raise your virtual hand if you want to get in on this conversation. mr. laturner: thanks very much, -- mr. latta: thanks very much, mr. chairman and mr. vice chairman, for this hearing and to our witnesses, thanks so much for being with us. my other life on telecommunications and energy and commerce, i'm just curious if either of you are doing electronically today, like what are we doing in both of your spheres out there when it comes to making sure that we're sieb secure out there? -- sieb secure out -- cyber secure out there? ms. szpindor: is that for me or either one of us? mr. latta: for both of you. ms. szpindor: i'm sorry. i didn't hear the question clearly. could you please repeat it. mr. latta: again, with everyth

just wrong. the snp's with mr leader says — just wrong. the snp's with mr leader says the _ just wrong. e - just wrong. the snp's with mr| leader says the prime minister should resign now. he leader says the prime minister should resign now.— should resign now. he really needs to _ should resign now. he really needs to understand - should resign now. he really needs to understand that. should resign now. he really needs to understand that he j needs to understand that he should go. we should be resigning tonight. and if he doesn't do that conservative mps need to hold him to account. mps need to hold him to account-— mps need to hold him to account. ., , ., have said that how mrjohnson performs today will be a key factor in forming their view on his future. that he is under pressure is certain, what happens next is much less so. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. let's get some of the day's other news. the canadian province of quebec has announced plans to become the first part of the world to impose a health tax on all those who refuse to be vaccinated against covid. the premier said th

mr. president, it's not just me making this argument. this is an article, mr. president, i submitted for the record last week from the "atlantic" magazine. not a republican mouthpiece by any measure. i'm going to read extensively from this article. it came out last year, because it really makes the point i'm trying to make. quote, biden has assailed georgia's new voting law as an atrocity akin to jim crow in the 21st century for the impact it could have on black citizens. but even once the g.o.p.-passed measure takes effect, georgia's citizens will have far more opportunities to vote before election day than their counterparts in the president's home state. where one in three residents is black or latino. to republicans, biden's criticism of the georgia law smacks of hypocrisy. they have a point says duane benefiting, a voting advocate with the aclu affiliate. the state, the state of delaware, is playing catchup in a lot of ways. the article goes on, mr. president. quote, delaware isn't an anomaly against president's date strong holds, it presents the president

mr. e, my was my last us canada. just hello the to pick off say that because they live in a one room flat. they don't let turn the less in or allowed the kitchen process to be filmed. they say don't test the children. but during our interview, gainey elisa father decided to ask her a few questions himself just to chill with us because i didn't realize because i get those cleared with them and then she's like, oh no. so that means these are going to south georgia g feel that he, if you and miss gave her the world, you bring the order. i just like that and then we'll visit was in.

mr. chair, that was the last caller. >> chair townsend: thank you so much. before we go any further member comments -- >> clerk: just real quick, mr. chair, if you can close public comment. >> chair townsend: i'm sorry. public comment is closed. the. >> clerk: thank you. >> chair townsend: i think it's no secret to any of you that i have been anxiously awaiting with tiptoe anticipation of our public meetings because i just kind of like what goes on with in-person meetings. but quite frankly, in may, i'll be 79, you know, and while my doctor is amazed at my health as am i because it's certainly not because i took care of myself, i just don't take chances and i haven't taken them for almost two years now. i don't want to start because of this task force. it is a -- i mean, we're looking at tv -- we're looking at the views, we know what's happening. so i don't think anyone would hold it against us if we would hold off on the public meetings that are scheduled now, the next couple, make them virtual and we still hopefully in the second district meeting for some of these districts, the ones that we're talking about now h

mr. carroll. just for housekeeping matters, i am the chair of the redistricting task force. thank you, mr. clerk, and could you please call item number one. >> clerk: members, when you hear your name, please indicate you are present. member jeremy lee, [roll call] mr. chair, all nine members are present. >> chairman: wonderful. thank you. mr. clerk, item number two, please. >> clerk: item two is to allow teleconference meetings. this is a discussion and action. the public comment number which i will repeat. enter the meeting id of 24 followed by three if you wish to be entered into the cue to speak. please wait until the system indicates you have been unmuted and you may begin your comments. for those members of the public who wish to via webex please raise your hand. mr. chair. >> chairman: thank you. mr. carroll, i think to all of our members, we have to do this and continue to do this until our state and city continues to be in a state of emergency actually only increased because of the omicron syndrome that's circulating now and i think it's obviously important and necess

mr. just told him not to come all to get back to like everybody else, but it's the is the talking and changing call. expect somebody to come across the world and that is who you are and then spend a week in jail, which is the fact that the was always reasons why people call me back, or maybe today and more than likely exams. but then tonight, let's move to the country. that's the boxes mark. it is all going to national. it's really good to have you with us today for this monday program. just a moment we'll be heading into cyberspace with 2 different stories, making headlines, a one the blocking of an official russian facebook page, but also the dismantling of an infamous hacking group by russia's federal security services or more of those stories. but back in a sec, lou ah, ah ah oh, driven by dreamer shaped banker senators with dares sinks. we dare to ask ah, quite right now it's only 20 parts down here at moscow. thanks for joining us. rushes media regulator is demanding answers from faceboo

mr. just told him not to come all to get back to like everybody else is the talking and change. you can expect somebody to come across the world and that is who you are. and then spend a week in jail was the fact that he was always reasons why people call me back or maybe did. and i'm all the medical exams. but then tonight let's move to the country. that's the bookmark. ah, the lynn has voice, strong opposition to a you plans to re brand gas and nuclear energy as green fuels. germany's economic minister had this to say, labeling nuclear energy as sustainable is wrong, given its high risk technology. this is more than worrying the simons come after the european commission published a draft proposal, which suggests classifying gas and nuclear as climate friendly energy sources is gain momentum. thanks to natural gas, hyper inflation and power prices sitting homes in factories across the continent. the commission just upon the proposal by saying that it would also facilitate the use transition to green. the activities covered in this complementary delegated act would accelerate th

you should have been much more clear about just mr. just told him not to come to get back to like everybody else, but the dropping and trying to call expect somebody to come across the wound and that you are and then spend a week in jail, which is the fact that he was there always we just want people call me back all the time or the medical exams, but the end of the day they come into the country. that's the box for me. oh no, no, they use care. this pointed the finger of blame and moscow saying that it was behind fridays, massive cyber attack on ukrainian government websites. it's an accusation which russia denies brushing it off as baseless. now this all comes attention to russia and the u. s. escalate, mary, comedian and officials claim russia is preparing a false flag operation in ukraine. moscow slammed those allegations as well, noting the nato promises to curtail its advances. close it's of russia have yet to be met. because national security advisor compared to current events to the ukraine crisis of 8 years ago, we saw this playboo

you should have a much more clear about just mr. just told him not to come to get back to me like everybody else, but the chopping and changing call expect somebody to come across the world and not until you are and then spend a week in jail, which are always we want people call me back all the time or the medical exams, the end of the day, they come into the country. that's the bottom line for me. now, amid the joke of its saga, travel to australia has in fact been eased for the vaccination with camber now deciding to recognise russia sputnik v job. let's go live now to professor catherine bennett, who's a chairman epidemiology as australia. deacon university. really appreciate your time. catherine, 1st of all, what do you make of this decision? are you surprised to now, i'm not surprised. we've actually been hoping that we would have this decision. the p g a has looked, all vaccines ending back continues to monitor them as new data comes in. so that they can take off any vaccines that make their requirements to make sure that they've g

mr. price: an open-door is an open door. we will not say anything -- reporter: the president just did. mr. price: i don't think the president did. the president said exactly what i reiterated just now. that nato is predicated on a set of requirements, that each aspirant country must fulfill. reporter: just because we are focused on this written response right now -- i know you are not going to preview exactly what this is going to say, but for our expectation purposes, will this written response speak in broad terms you have already made very public about the idea that the u.s. sees for the u.s. and russia potentially working together on strategic stability and the like? or would it have specific ideas, proposals that are on the table for negotiations? mr. price: i think the answer to that is both. we have been very clear about the areas in which there may be some utility. and where progress can be achieved when it comes to enhancing transatlantic security. when it comes to enhancing collective security. when it comes to addressing some of the concerns that russia has put forward. so, in th

so yeah, i should have a much more clear about it, mr. just told him not to come all to get back to like everybody else is the talking and change. you can expect somebody to come across the world not to hear you. and then spend a week in jail, which is effectively what's happening there always reasons why people call me back, or maybe today, i'm all the medical exams, but the android night late afternoon to the country. that's the boxes mark rushes, media regulator is demanding dances from facebook after it blocked an official account used by the countries delegation to high stakes security talks in vienna. it once the decision overturned and with immediate effect, the social media john says the account was blocked for posting prohibited content was set up to keep people informed about those security talks. those behind it sat said that it was used only tisha public statements by russian officials. well, speaking of russian officials, please to say we can cross live now to constantine got locked through the head of rushes, delegation to those

our attention. >> clerk: just a small bit of housekeeping if you can close public comment. >> chairman: i thought i did. public comment is closed. >> clerk: and beyond that, mr. chair, i don't have any further business on today's agenda. >> chairman: and i will promise you members just like in elementary school before our next meeting, i will write "close public comment" on my left hand to help me remember. thank you all so much for your attention, your time, and your speed. thank you and good night. have a great weekend and i will see you soon. we do have one meeting before we adjourn for the holidays, don't we? >> clerk: mr. chair, the next scheduled meeting is january 3rd. >> chairman: that's what i thought. well, in that case, you all please enjoy your holidays, have a great time and be safe and come back to us all of you. take care. >> right before the game starts, if i'm still on the field, i look around, and i just take a deep breath because it is so exciting and magical, not knowing what the season holds is very, very exciting. it was fast-paced, stressful, but the good kind of stressful, high energy. there was a crowd to entertain, it was overwhelmi

you should have a much more clear about just mr. just told him not to come all to get back to like everybody else, but it's the chopping and changing call. expect somebody to come across the world and not until you are and then spend a week and job, which is another thing that maybe just needs clarification for 4 views. is that today's court decision, this was not a balanced assessment of those. now that joke of which deserve a visa or not, this was purely decision and of whether the immigration minister was in his rights to do what he's done right or wrong. they weren't assessing whether he was right to do it. just what he entitled to do. it the question they were answering was, was the decision of alex or the immigration minister? was it unlawful? was it irrational? was it legally unreasonable? so basically the, the balance was in his favor. they had to just see how didn't overstep the mark correctly. so it was more likely that they were going to find in the minister's favor was not i, i mean, when, when you get in there as well, you'r

mr. just told them not to come all to get back to like everybody else, but it is the talking and changing. you can expect somebody to come across the world and that is, you know, you off and then spend a week in jail, which is the fact that he was concerned political. i'm a cheese on a lot of things and i think he's really screwed up because i think the way he's being treated is absolutely outrageous. after the 1st victory in the saga, talk of it was released from the detention center. we spoke to talk about your dad, an uncle who both agreed that he should compete in the australia open. i can say in my name, i personally mean isolated, you know, and this is all him, you know. and on the other side, as you know, he has the. busy corona in december, you know, and the, this is not a medical reason to get the law sign before a judge that she has the full time. but all, and he has a real, real, really unhappy and we are so sorry. we like to australian people, but the southern government isn't read

cannot do, but just to make you aware that there are some things that we have determined that we're going to need to work with you on and work with the committee to make this happen. mr. kilmer: sticking on the theme of staff retention, i was hoping for an update on just two specific recommendations the committee made. we've made a host of recommendations related to expanding the tuition assistance program and then you mentioned in your testimony the staff academy and certainly the opportunity for professional development can be part of retention. one of our recommendations in the last congress was for the creation of certification documents. so individual staff positions through the congressional staff academy, you can in essence validate your continued training and get certified and work your way up a certification ladder. can you give us just an update on both -- where things are with the certification within the staff academy and then the expansion of tuition assistance? ms. szpindor: certainly. as far as our staff academy certifications, as far as -- we do have some courses that are certified and we provide certifications for them. we are looking at other types

mr. i just quickly, before we go, our american scathe enough about the future of democracy in that country. i think so. i mean, at look, we're saying that only a wave of people attacking diversity, equity, inclusion, but in the south, in states like tennessee, in georgia state where i grew up and where i'm born. now you don't even have to have a license to carry a gun. i think people are highly worried. people are scared in fear is really driving polarization and any quality in america. ration rice, senior fellow at brookings. thank you so much for time. dr. young juice, or russia has sent paratroopers to kazakhstan after days of violent clashes between protesters and security forces across the country. catholics don's president had appealed to russia for help, after the worst unrest to hit their country in 30 years. in the country's biggest city, a marty security forces say they killed dozens of protesters who was storming government buildings. the protests were sparked by soaring fuel prices. the european union and the united states are calling for restraint. o, kazakhstan is facing its

and also sort of be a, was among offensive countries to get the vaccines in the beginning and mr. watches, just press it then was very proud about this, but they mostly are supporting him also because they see him as a national hero and john, which promoted serbia all around the world, which is not the easy for a balkan country. that was journalist. it's a very reporting come, great belgrade, we appreciate it. thank you. let's get a check now. some of the other stories making news this our a massive volcanic eruption of tonga on saturday has sent shock waves across the pacific. to nami warnings were issued in several countries. waves of more than a meter high hit, the island of tomba. the internet has been caught and the full extent of the damage is yet unclear. former ukrainian president, pedro pushing goes, said he planned to return from warsaw to ukraine on monday, despite the threat of arrest on treason charges. he's being investigated for financing russian back separatists and the war torn don best region through illegal coal sales, while in office. he cues the current government of trying

mr. torres, miss hash barger, i believe you are next. >> i think i am good. if i have question, i will just give it to you in writing. thank you, mr. chairman. >> i want to thank all of you, i want to thank the witnesses for being here today for your testimonies and members, for your questions. members of the committee may have additional questions of the witnesses. we ask that you respond expeditiously to them when they ask them in writing. the chair reminds members that the committee record will remain open for ten business days ask. without any further objections or business, this committee hearing is now adjourned. thank you very much. >>> download c pan's new mobile app and stay up to date with live video coverage of the day's biggest political events from live streams of the house and senate floor and key congressional hearings. the white house events, and supreme court oral arguments. even our live interactive morning program, washington journal, where we hear your voices every day. c-span now has you cover. download the app for free today. >>> up next, the veterans affairs departmen

mr. chairman. i just have a follow-up question. how can the ftc do more to get information out to seniors and all their communities so they can recognize this fraud more? i've been to facilities across new york, and i've heard story after story, stealing life savings, the grandchild scam, you know, all the different kinds of ways -- the irs scam. and it doesn't end. and we know a lot of these artists are -- scam artists are criminals, criminal networks. i know we arrested a criminal network from india, one from russia. the fbi works to subvert these kinds of frauds, but i feel that the ftc likes to work in perhaps a different way to make financial institutions more aware, to make sure seniors are more aware, to make sure places where seniors go, assisted living facilities are more aware. what can you do to help solve this problem? >> senator, maximizing our average, maximizing our ability to reach in the communities is just a top priority. and it is a challenge. it's especially a special challenge given the pandemic. i assure you o

mr. kirby. just wondered if you could tell us a little bit more about this directive from secretary austin on civilian casualties. how does this build upon -- does this incorporate any conclusions, or you know, how does this relate to the previous inquiries pushed by previous secretaries mattis and esper? thanks. mr. kirby: it's informed by the work that has gone before, clearly, by both secretaries mattis and esper. but i would say, you know, just philosophically even before that, i mean, you have to remember the secretary was a ground commander in iraq and afghanistan. this is not an cash iraq and afghanistan. -- ground commander in iraq and afghanistan. this is not an issue that he's not familiar with. so, it's informed by a lot, specifically the memo that you will see today. and the decisions that he has made in terms of standing up a civilian harm mitigation team, as well as ordering the establishment of a center of excellence, and some additional immediate steps which you'll see in the memo. th

mr. joyce. just trying to put these into silos, i'm not sure about civility, collaboration and leadership. they're all about the same thing. so going back to the sports analogy, the quarterbacks were the leader of the teams, they wanted to win, period. they made it a better team. what we have under the dome is we have two teams competing. it's different from everybody debating towards the thing, they're part of the same team. so what has been difficult for all of us is the team element has become more and more pronounced over time. so i just opened it to the three of you, because i think you're all talking from the leadership, you know, the more competitive, competitive,the leader, you know, all of a sudden you're going down one path and i can pick a couple of my committees where i have just a fiercest competitive leader in one committee versus a more collaborative leader in another committee. and you get different results. there's no question about it. so, in the setting that we have, which is diffe

mr. self? >> yes, just echo what mr. soroka said you utilized it for camera systems that we operate along with cameras for our harbor police department. >> great, ms. vick? i think you're on mute, ms. vick. >> we too have used port security grant to support our port. we also have camera systems that have been funded. and then we work with amar'e time incident of response team of our other local governments or assests if their use as well for radar detention search and rescue equipment, a vast lists of things like that. >> great, thank you. is aapa on? if they want to comment. i don't know if they're on there. >> i'm here. but i think the guys on the ground covered it well. >> i want to get you a couple of questions. i want to start with mr. connor on this next question. public private partnership such as tvp reverse program offer additional custom immigration and agriculture service. they informed the committee that overtime pay under the reimburse able service program has accounted for the processing of 2.5 million trav

mr. chairman? >> just about two minutes. just a little less. >> thank you, sir. so i'm going to follow up with that question for you if i can. do you agree nasa should be able to assure the u.s. scientific and research community as well as our international partners that there is a plan moving forward together, which provides for the continuity of scientific and research collaboration in space that does leave the world relying on china for activities in microgravity? what do you say to that? >> yes, thank you for that. our plan absolutely emphasizes that plan, so this important microgravity research can continue. when we define what we, nasa, are interested in purchasing services for from private space stations, it not only includes nasa research but also includes the same kinds of things that were enabling through the iss national laboratory today. so other government agency research, private industry incubation kinds of commercial research, education, academia research. so all of these things we think are important to continue as well as our international partn

mr. speaker let me just remind the house of the fundamentales difference between that party in this governmentould have out in july mr. speaker. they were calling to further restrictions. we have been able to keep this country moving. to keep the country safe and keep thele money coming to the people's pockets. >> mr. speaker i will slay with this isis doing its increasing taxes to the hard-working people of this country but that is what he did not promise in his manifesto but that isan what he is doing. and i quote mr. speaker, the poorest households spent three times more on household energy bills and the riches householdsho spend. on energy bills makes gas and electricity more expensive. not my words mr. speaker but the words of the prime minister himself. when energy bills high gains in april any decent would find a way to help rich farmers. even finally accepted labors call for energy bills will he finally stand up to his chancellor do the same? ask mr. speaker let me remind people of the previous answer. let me remind her cut two-point to million people a week. pension is supported at 30

just yesterday, mr.nt, the head of the international energy agency in paris said that russia is already, right now strategic strategically limiting natural gas to europe during this very cold winter to pressure european nations not to support ukraine as the russians as -- amass tens of thousands of troops on their border as we speak. for these reasons, mr. president, it has been the long-standing bipartisan american policy to do two things as it relates to energy security. first, we have sought, dating back to the 1980's, to block implementation of major pipelines from russia, from then the soviet union, into europe. the reagan administration did this with sanctions in 1982. and we have continued to work this element of our policy. the other element of american bipartisan policy as it relates to european energy security has been to help countries, former soviet union countries, particularly in the caspian and central asia area, to provide their own energy outlets in terms of natural gas and oil to europe

mrs. fischbach: thank you, madam speaker. i just want to remind everyone that the issue here is the federal takeover of elections. and the statement that i made was that someone -- or the statement that was made was about someone objecting to the certification and how that was somehow wrong and i just wanted to simply remind my colleague that he himself has voted that way. and many of the democrats have over the years voted to object to certification. and with that, madam speaker, i yield three minutes to the representative from new york. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. tenney: thank you, madam speaker. once again we find ourselves on the floor of the house of representatives debating legislation to enact the great takeover of elections by partisan federal bureaucrats and their friends across the aisle and prohibit the most basic voting rights and security measures entrusted to the states and the american people. the so-called freedom to vote act and the john r. lewis act, which democrats hope to attach t

johnson himself. messages, not just text from mr johnson himself.— messagesabove all is _ johnson himself. what is needed above all is doubling _ johnson himself. what is needed above all is doubling down, - johnson himself. what is needed above all is doubling down, a - above all is doubling down, a determination to rebuild trust between the government and the prime minister— between the government and the prime minister leading and the british people — minister leading and the british --eole. �* ., , minister leading and the british --eole. �*, minister leading and the british people. boris johnson's admission and apology _ people. boris johnson's admission and apology in _ people. boris johnson's admission and apology in their _ people. boris johnson's admission and apology in their has _ people. boris johnson's admission and apology in their has bought i people. boris johnson's admission i and apology in their has bought him and apology in their has bought him a little time, a pose until the report into what did and didn't happen in at number 10 is comple

mr. speaker, because all sight of those things -- >> order. >> i think the prime minister just got a grip of what he's about to say. prime minister? prime minister: we're going to deliver the people's policies and keep delivering from wales. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, one of the hardest things i have to do is speak to the family of ismail mohammad, he was 13 years old when he died on march 136789 he was one of the youngest people to lose his life to covid. i'll admit, mr. speaker, i broke down in the court. ismail's family like other constituents followed the rules. many were scared to go out. many of them had to bury their loved ones without being there. many of them walked past the covid memorial wall in my constituency showing their loss with their hearts. does the prime minister understand and not feel ashamed that his actions have brought disrepute to the office that he holds? prime minister: mr. speaker, of course i share the honorable lady's grief to ismail and i sympathize with his family and understand the pain and loss that everybody has experienced throughout this

we have more instances, so it's not just in kate's case one person, but more than one person giving people a heads up. so in your view, i guess we'll start with mrs. daniel just to go in order, in your view, would this legislation help reduce the risk, the risk of older americans being defrauded? >> yes, i would think that it would. there's lots of reports out there about, you know, with education and everything, that, i mean, i think it's very important with the education, with the risk that we're talking about, you know, i think it would definitely help. you know, i think that during the covid-19, it was more risky. and it still is because covid is still going on. so i would say definitely, it is. >> ms. williamson? >> i would also support the legislation. i think we need more tools to prevent -- to fight these scams up front. and simply the retail employees are the first line of defense. they're in these stores day in and day out. they know their customers. if they have more training and more information on these scams, they can simply warn the victims not to complete this transaction. and it's simply better to not have the elder transfer away

mr. levine? >> no, juste school -- our school f you don't know about it, had a long history in san francisco. 60 years. we're formerly located at the u.c. extension and elsewhere and we moved into this property in 1997. we started the project in 1992. we're a prek through 12 institution and about 1,000 students and we're about -- this is to refinance our existing debt which we started in 1997. so, that is what this is about. >> ok. thank you. can we go to public comments, please? >> yes, chair haney. operations checking to see if there are any callers in the queue. members of public who wish to provide public comment on this item should call 415-655-0001, meeting i.d. 24808654274 and then press pound twice. if you haven't already done so, press star 3 and a system prompt will indicate that you have raised your hand. first speaker, please. >> caller: good morning. thank you, many chair, supervisors safai and supervisor mar for holding this hearing and reviewing our tax reissuance for cranberrisinger da revenu

mr. young. just hoping what holler this and trust us. i just need the help of asking her the hope to state id, as i am to for the chemo, ignore, off of the other fuckers. so the, the cigarette is seen as a solution to the tobacco epidemic. why do you have to have her call and clocked virtually diversity? it's he got out of his medicines and also 50. she was with a stomach to go on to be up and young and review the syrian. he's out there until the time night are oakland on cell phones that's about co industry also sees the problem in the burning of the tobacco and not in the nicotine. for brendan, this is how problem i'm on to do some good list. does of a nicotine issue this probably visits with the kids vital visits robinson convinced viking to see to hopefully hoping conquer this off if i dont meaning visiting them on just nicotine of named in art and what does it mean for brent when are you on dot com get id either not even in fear on dozens of the business. yeah. flood, switching from one on to put sense or non non to put in vinegar m

mr. stewart can respond to that as he chooses. >> i would just say it's an interesting issue. [ laughter ] >> mr. cooper, can i follow up on justice kagan's questions earlier? because you were discussing with her whether it should be analyzed as an expenditure or a contribution. and you were pushing back and saying it should be an expenditure. but in your brief you also argued, i believe, that even if the other level of scrutiny, closely-drawn scrutiny applied that attaches to other than expenditures, you still prevail. i just wanted you to tell us why you think that. >> thank you, your honor. yes, we believe that any level of heightened scrutiny, closely-drawn scrutiny under contribution limits would doom this statute for the incongruities, if you will, that would make it quite clear. i would submit you to, justice kavanaugh, is that the statute itself, it does not, it does not advance the interests that congress had in preventing quit pro quo corruption. rather, it advances the illegitimate interest of incumbent protection and equalizing and leveling the playing field. those interests f

mr. president. i will just read the first graph of this associated press story dated december of this past year. quote, an associated press review of every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states disputed by former president donald trump has found that fewer than 475, a number that would not have, that would have made no difference in the 2020 presidential election, unquote. of course, pennsylvania was one of those states they looked at. so we know what happened in the election and we know why we can say with certainty that the big lie is nothing but a lie. after the election of 2020, in june of 2021, pennsylvania's republican controlled legislature became one of the many legislatures across the nation passing a voter suppression law. here's what they would have done if they were successful. they passed it, and this bill would have posed unconstitutional voter -- impose, i should say, unconstitutional voter i.d. restrictions, restricted mail-in voting. the mail-in voting they just voted in