mr. smolken was, quote, a near constant presence during your trip but mr. smolken has also been involved in other matters with the epa during your tenure, for example, he arranged your meeting with canadian prime minister steven harper, tried to plan two other trips to australia to address a business council for international understanding and dined with you on multiple occasions in 2017. did you discuss official epa matters with mr. smolken during any of your extensive interactions with him? >> i'm so glad you've asked this question about morocco because it's one of those situations that we were on the ground for 36 hours -- >> i'm -- sir, i just asked you a very specific question. >> and i feel like -- chairman, if i could -- >> did you discuss -- did you discuss -- madam chair, he is not answering my questions. >> you need to give him an opportunity to answer. >> you made a lot of statements, senator, with respect to characterizing the morocco trip and there was a free trade agreement you know they have environmental chapters that are part of those. the f