develop add friendship with mrs. brooks. didn't you? >> yes. >> and you were aware that are mr. rupert murdochs had a good personal relationship with mr. brown. were you? >> yes. >> and was it explained to you, or did you work it out anyway, that that was likely to be an impediment, to say those terms, to the "sun" shifting sides? >> i think both that rupert -- a strong relationship with rebekah brooks. i knew we had our work cut out to win over the "sun" yes, but i felt what we had on our side was that "sun" readers were leaving the government and dumbcoming towards us. it was going to try to get a center right pro-enterprise, pro-family small seed conservative paper back into the fold. >> and was it your understanding that the final decision would be made by rupert murdoch or at the very least it couldn't be made without his consent? >> i didn't know. obviously, he would have a big say in it, but i sensed if we could show that some readers were moving in a conservative direction, we would have a good -- a good effort a good chance of winning support. as i say, this was one of

mrs. brooks, you may clear from the statement was a friend. may not again be possible to identify the date but would you have counted her did you counter amongst your good friends, say by 2008? >> yes, we were -- we got to know each other. because of you know role in india, my role in politics we struck up a friendship. that friendship grew even though she was at that stage still her people still supporting gordon brown and she was quite personal supportive of gordon brown. our relationship got stronger when she married charlie brooks, whom i've known for sometimes and is a neighbor. >> she gave some evidence as, if i can put in this way, the quantity -- text messages. ghana ask you this straightforward question? do you agree in general with the gist of her evidence on that matter? [inaudible] spent answer phone calls i'm not asking you to count them up but approximate how often did you speak to her by phone and including by mobilephone? >> in opposition, perhaps particularly 2006 seven, not a hu

, was it brought to your attention that mrs. brooks went to see two of your special advisors i believe on the 11th of may? >> i don't really. it might well have been. i don't really the exact conversations. i do really recall, because i can see where -- my life behind the question which is are you treating different investigations and campaigns fairly? and i do remember consulting the sector 10 about the step that the police were about to take backed by the government which is some funding for this and it was drawn to my attention that there was a special procedure used in various cases, and it was going to be used in this case, and he was satisfied that it will be dealt with. so the importance of making sure things were done properly, and i believe it was. >> were you aware of any pressure being put on you directly or indirectly by mrs. brooks to cause this review the take place? >> you mean you mean, pressure? no. i was not aware of any pressure. >> so if there wasn't pressure, was any influence then sought? >> well, clearly, this wa

were you aware from your personal interactions with mrs. brooks of the shift of support from labor and the person fiction of mr. brown to the conservatives in the person fiction of mr. cameron? >> i don't think i was actually aware that the shift was going to occur until it occurred. obviously there was a debate going on and obviously i hoped that news international would carry on supporting the labor government, but i don't think that i actually knew of the decision, as it were. >> so there was no discussion between you and mrs. brooks which would have gave you a prior indication that it might occur, is that it? >> certainly it was pretty obvious there was a strong debate going on within the organization as to what they were going to do. as i say, my position was clear and it was clear throughout that i wanted them to carry on supporting the labor government. >> were there any discussions to the reasons for the shift or not? >> i mean i think it had to do with basic policy questions and, yeah, this was a conversation that was pretty active within

in your discussions with mrs. brooks, were you as it were seeking some sort of reference from her or was it far more informal? >> i can't seeking a reference. like this with editor of the newspaper, you can't seek formal references. i am sure i would have asked how effective he would be. this conversation may well have taken place after we made the decision. i can't recall exactly when the conversation took place. in the end, it was my decision. i was satisfied this was the right thing to have a former tabloid editor to help us with our communications. it was my decision. >> sometimes the discussions are going people's couch and integri integrity. did you have a discussion on those lines? >> i'm afraid i don't recall, but i think the most important thing i would have wanted to know is would he be good at the job? i was convinced he would be because as i said, it's the massive pressures you face. you need someone with those sorts of skills. i'm sure that's what i would have been thinking of. i'm sure effectiveness is goin

mrs. brooks his explain to you or did you work it out anyway, that that would likely be an impediment if i can put it in those terms, to "the sun" shifting sides? >> i think both, robert byrd had a strong relationship with gordon brown. rebekah wade had a strong relationship with gordon brown. i knew we had our work cut out to win over "the sun," yes. but i felt we had on our side was "the sun" readers were leaving the government and coming towards us. so i thought passionate as i said right throughout our task was to try to get what i see a sort of a center-right pro-enterprise, profamily small c. conservative paperback in. >> and was it your understanding that the final decision would be made by rupert murdoch, or at the very least, it couldn't be made without his consent of? >> i didn't really know how these -- >> i assumed he would have a big say in a but i sense that if we could show "the sun" readers we are moving in a conservative direction, we would have a good good effort a good chance o

we know that there was some discussion about the one aspect to have the bskyb here mrs. brooks which you were a party to. it was reflected in an e-mail we have. under tab 9, mr. osborne, it's the e-mail the 14th of december, 2010, which is page in the prop file 01679. so you'll see that at the bottom right-hand side of the page. this relates to the ofcom issues letter. and mrs. brooks e-mails mr. michel and says same from g.o., that's obviously you, total response. and be her evidence was that this was conveyed as -- at a dinner the previous evening, the 13th of december. do you remember anything about that occasion? >> well, i certainly remember the dinner. it was a dinner with my wife and i, the brooks and the lewises. in a restaurant. i don't have any recollection of the conversations, but i don't question that it took place. i'm not doubting what mrs. brooks says. i noticed in her evidence to this inquiry she said it was perhaps a three minute conversation and that i looked slightly perplexed. i have read the ofcom issues letter in preparation for appearing before you today

mrs. brooks's reaction to andy coulson? was she favorable? >> she thought it was a good decision because she thought he was an effective operator. >> your evidence is that there was a meeting -- probably in march 2007. andy coulson places the meeting as being in your office, that is paragraph 29. might that be correct? >> my recollection is that the meeting took place in my office. for me, that was the key meeting about deciding whether or not to employ him. i lived in back over the records and has been difficult to piece together -- i have been back over the records and it has been difficult to piece together, but that is my recollection. >> there was a later discussion, this time by telephone, in late may of 2007, paragraph 31. on that second occasion, you raised the issue of phone hacking. >> my recollection is that i raise the issue a phone hacking and saw the assurance in the face to face meeting we had in my office. that is my recollection. i vaguely remember the telephone call. it was very important that i needed to ask him that questi

mr. brooks, if i can move to her. was she someone who exercised power in your view in a very different way? >> rebekah brooks is important because she was editor of the sun. it would be interacting often with them. but as i said to you earlier there was no doubt who was the key decision maker. at that point at any rate. it may have changed when she became -- when she took over. >> did she not exercise power in the sense as she were the center of a network and also on occasion capable of administering personal attacks? >> so far as i was concerned, the central network, i mean i think, for example, going to social occasions at which she would be part of it. i don't think there were very many of those when i was there and probably got to know her better after i left office. of the attack side, let me make one thing absolutely clear. i did never and would never have her or anybody else to conduct a tax on individuals. despite what people may think and some of the stuff that's written, i absolutely hate that type of politi

have to have a relationshf of trust with him.pfpfpfpfpdpfpd >> what, if anything, waspfpfpff mrs. brooks reaction to the ide that mr. coulson be engaged? was she very favorable? >> as far as i remember, you know, she thought it was a good pfcision because she thought hef was an effective operator. >> your evidence is that there was a meeting, we think it was probably in march 2007. if one ties that out with mr. coulson's evidence, he places the meeting as being in your office in the leader of the opposition building, might i be correct? >> my recollection is that the meeting took place in my office d for me, that was a key abou deciding whether or not to employ him. i have been back over the diaries and records, and it's fficult to piece together, bu that's my recollection, that it úds that sort of a key meeting.d >> and his evidence is also,hdhd that there was a laterpdhdhddddd discussion, this time byúdúdúd telephoneúd --ed >> yes.údúdadadad >> in latead may 2007.eeadadadad paragraph 81 of his statement.ed it was on t

mrs. brooks has stated on a but both that they had consent from your wife to run a story on december 6. do you deny consent was given? >> absolutely. my wife has given a statement to that effect. >> if no consent was given, you and your wife must have been extremely upset and angry. why was no complaint made until june, 2011? >> that is not correct at all. the trivialization of this is unfortunate. when we found out this happened and we had our previous experience and a medical information about our daughter had been made public before she died, we thought the only way to deal with this was to get the press complaints commission through the editors of the major newspapers to reach an agreement that they would not publish information or photograph our children. before i became prime minister, we set in motion this procedure that we would ask the editors of all the newspapers. we felt this was a structural problem, not just a problem with one newspaper. we wanted them to agree our children would no

mrs. brooks a number of personal notes in 2006 and 2010 in which she expressed her gratitude to the support given to her. >> i think my wife is one of the most forgiving and would be kind to people regardless of what happened. i do not think that is evidence that we gave explicit permission. >> the last question that concerns you. the records show there are 13 meetings between you and -- you or your wife after mrs. brooks. why did you have those meetings? >> i am not sure there were that many. i didn't we had regular meetings. what is the role of a politician, particularly someone who is prime minister? he has a duty to explain. you have to engage with the media. they are a medium by which the concerns of the nation are expressed. we were a country in war in afghanistan and before that in iraq. we were a country that faced a great economic crisis. i would at been failing in my duty if i had not tried. i listed all of my meetings. partly people that actually did a huge amount. i met mall because i

mrs. brooks and her witness statement, paragraph 61, states that tony blair and his aide were convinced that gordon brown and his aides had conspired together in order to force the resignation. do you agree with that? >> i don't think that is tony blair's you. it is certain that my view. this is again, you are relying on secondhand conversations that are reported by people who are not participants in the events. so i don't take that as a serious comment about what happened. >> were your age involved in using the media to force or attempt to force mr. blair's resignation -- this is in 2006? >> i would hope not. >> but where they involve? >> i would hope not. i've got no evidence of that. >> now, mr. blair said that he did know whether you, mr. wheeldon, mr. mcbride and mr. balls were briefing against him in the media. did you authorize your aides to brief against mr. blair? >> no. >> do you think they may have done so without your explicit approval, even with your knowledge speak with obviously di

mr. brooks. we told by mr. brooks, after testifying that he was just chose ton testify in jerry sandusky's defense just this past ob monday. that just gives you a sense of how quickly the defense is still putting together its case. >> jason carroll, appreciate it. so what can we expect once the defense team lays out their case? let's bring in former l.a. deputy district attorney marcia clark. she's the author of the book "guilt by degrees." also with us, criminal dense attorney mark geragos. and rush university medical center and child psychiatry to the american medical association. mark, so these two former penn state coaches say it wasn't at all uncommon to see a coach showering with young boys. that many of the coaches did that. adult males did the same thing. this isn't really a legal question, but i've been on teams in college. i've never heard anyone on the planet do that before. does that really sound like a good defense to you? >> well, actually, i can make some jokes, but i won't. the thing i like about

mr. brooks, the gentleman from alabama. >> thank you, mr. chairman. in the state of the union i addressed the president reiterated his call to congress to pass a clean energy standard which would require ufilters to sell and use electricity from sources like wind and solar. the department of energy has undertaken numerous analyses of the impact of the obama's clean air standard on prices including one requested by xharm hall and another requested by senator bingham. both department of energy studies found that obama's clean energy standard would significantly increase electricity price and result in heavy economic costs to to the people of america. doctor, do you agree that president obama's clean energy standard will result in increased electricity costs to american consumers? >> first of all, let me note that the clean energy standard is not just about wind and solar. it's about nuclear energy. it's about fossil fuel energy with improved emission control technologies. it's the view of this admission we need all of those in increased measure in order

. >> in relation to mrs. brooks, do you feel that you got too close to her when you were in power? >> look, rebekah brooks mattered obviously because i think he was the editor of "the sun" during my time. she had come to this monsignor position in international after i left. i guess frankly towards the end particularly, and i think you'll see a lot of meetings and calls towards the end, there wasn't a great deal of support left. so those people that did, sure, i was pretty close to. again, i mean bluntly, the decision maker was not rebekah brooks in relation to this. >> it was obviously mr. murdoch? >> yes. he was the key decision maker for sure. >> a schedule of all your contacts with editors between may, 1997, and june, 2007, has been provided. it runs to 18 pages. i'm sure we can put that on the screen. >> yeah. >> if there's any one point arising out of those earlier interactions, it's dinner at must sayerman's on the 15th of september, 1994, which had been arranged by gus and jillian fisher. first of all, do you remember anything about that? >> i remember that such a dinner to

mr. brooks said about [inaudible] i would like mr. brooks he is wrong on his comments that just proves and name which of those that he is in favor of that mr. obama has achieved. guest: i think the question is what has obama achieved. well, he certainly has pulled the economy back from the brink. i mean, i think that where it progresses people feel there should have been a greater push in some areas. one example of that is getting some additional money to float a budget which would have led to less layoffs at the state level. but it's unquestionable that he has pulled the economy back from the breenching. we're not back to where we need to be yet but we're not in the middle of a depression. obama care for some of its flaws is a big deal. the fact that younger folks can stay on their parents' insurance until they're 25, 26. that you can't be denied for preexisting condition. that if you get cancer you can't get kicked off, there's a lifetime limit or something like that. or if your child gets an illness from birth. those things are all

. >> mrs. brooks, what she's someone who exercised power in your view? >> rebecca brooks was important because she was the editor, and i was interacting often with them. there wasto you earl no doubtier, the key decision maker. -- as i said to you earlier, there was no doubt he was the key decision maker. at that point anyway. >> did she not exercise power incapable of administering personal attacks? >> so far as i was concerned, for example, going to social occasions to which she would be a part of it, i do not think there was many of those when i was there and probably get to know her better after i left office. let me make one thing absolutely clear. i did never and would never have asked her, or did anybody else, to conduct attacks on individuals. despite what some people think, i'd take that type of politics and did not engage in it. >> her statements make it clear in the bundle, she says a number of things. i have had any formal and informal social meetings with him, some of which we spoke in detail. we also spoke on the telephone on a variety of i

mrs. brooks's reaction to andy coulson? >> she thought it was a good decision because she thought he was an effective operator. >> your evidence is that there was a meeting -- probably in march 2007. andy coulson places the meeting as being in your office, that is paragraph 29. might that be correct? >> my recollection is that the meeting took place in my office. for me, that was the key meeting about deciding whether or not to employ him. i lived in back over the records and has been difficult to piece together -- i have been back over the records and it has been difficult to piece together, but that is my recollection. >> there was a later discussion, this time by telephone, in late may of 2007, paragraph 31. on that second occasion, you raised the issue of phone hacking. >> my recollection is that i raise the issue a phone hacking and saw the assurance in the face to face meeting we had in my office. that is my recollection. i vaguely remember the telephone call. my recollection is that i knew it was very important that

through the founding of this country hundreds of years this lack of trust in a leads is nothing new mr brooks now while you might argue that these are just a handful of examples just think of the fall of the went along with watergate with the false w. and d. claims the congressional insider trading trading even obama's failure to follow through on taking down those fat cat bankers americans got screwed their own government their own elected leaders turned their backs on the public and why do politicians usually do things like this i don't know maybe to get reelected pretty self-serving if you ask me so of course there's going to be an air of skepticism but i think that it's easy to say that it's no longer just an assumption that corruption has been proven time and time again but does get one last javid brooks also pokes protest movements writing the following you end up with movements like occupy wall street in the tea party as they try to disperse with author already all together they reject hierarchies and leaders because they don't believe in the concepts the whole world should be like the

mr. brooks? >> thank you, mr. chairman. in reviewing your written statement that have been provided to our staff, one thing in particular, i don't believe it likely this congress or future congress sustains up to 20,000gis in afghanistan over 25 years and another $3-$5 billion for the aftergan government and people. he concludes with given american politics and budget constraint it would be likely we're not able to do some of the things as suggested. on the other hand, i'm looking at other testimony of mr. boot and general kean. one wants us to provide $6 billion a year for the afghan national security forces. we've also got a request of perhaps up $25-$35 billion annually for united states support personnel and special operation forces and got the comment it costs approximately $6 billion to fund the nasf, and discussions are ongoing to reduce it to $4 billion resulting in a reduction from $352 to 30,000 beginning in 2014. it makes no sense. that's quoting from some of the excerpts of the testimony provided. let me try to

. >> in your discussions with mrs. brooks, were you seeking some sort of reference from her or was it far more informal? >> i wasn't seeking a reference. i mean, when you're employing some, like this within an editor of a newspaper, you can't seek sort of formal references. i'm sure i would have asked, you know, how effective he would be. but it may well have been, this conversation may well have taken place after i made the decision. i can't recall exactly when the conversation took place but in the end it was my decision. i was satisfied this was the right thing to have a former tabloid editor to help us with our media and communications. and it was my decision. >> back to live coverage of theo british phone hacking investigation now as testimony continues with prime minister david cameron. >> answer about this issue of social contact between myself and my wife and rebecca and charlie brooks. and mrs. cameron keeps, perhaps a better weekend diary record than i do. and she points out that we were only in the constituency 23

mr. brooks said he has an exemplary character. he's topnotch.e heard a wrestling coach come in and say i saw something strange there, but he was with jerry sandusky. quote, he's a saint. so, you know, it is that specter of power and now the lack of power that jerry sandusky has. you know, i went over to the bar today to ask about one of the witnesses. and jerry sandusky started talking to me. i was so stunned, i went to ask the attorney about one witness who was in a wheelchair, an army veteran. i wanted to know was he wounded in battle. and the attorney -- the assistant attorney said i don't know. jerry, what's the story? and sandusky came over to me and just started talking. oh, his leg got blown off. then he came home and he was in a motorcycle accident. now he's paralyzed. it's terrible. i thought to myself, this guy does not know when to not talk. or people not to talk to. so if he does take the stand, we're back to that question. i just don't see any pluses for the defense. >> well said. thank you. great reporting there. >>> up next, blind

mr. brooks, for five minutes. mr. brooks: thank you, mr. speaker. today i rise to commend the united states space and rocket center on its upcoming june 15, 30th anniversary of space camp. established in 1982, space camp in huntsville, alabama, is a national leader in informal science, technology, engineering and math education and work force development. space camp uses the leading edge of space flight technology simulation to teach campers real-world concepts and skills which translate into future academic and professional careers for students and teachers. the space camp program provides an essential public relations and support role to both government and private space programs by inspiring and training america's next generation of explorers, engineers, scientists and leaders. with of ciswith nearly 600 graduates of the program, space camp has a 30-year track record of success and inspiring young people to pursue successful careers, particularly in stem fields. space camp alumni includes nasa mission control directors, nasa scientists, nasa engi

mr. brooks. i asked the witnesses that he would provide your comments in writing back to the committe for mr. brooks questionably will go to mr. cooper. >> tnk you, mr. chairman. i ink the witnees. if you have a pendingvoteut e f e henelif ooo fe suppli through pakistan, particularly if you make a dramatic curtailment in aid to pakistan in second, legions of ansf troops, what isks do we face them a trainer f that could turn agasus? you epwib osess w b igro j in. obviously they've had a main supply of vene for a number of mentzer were able to sustain the force that w have. coicn eblhed. atin hrtd rf i think it's overstated dependent deaminase to plow route. certainly desirable because it easier to use and less costly although pakistanis don'twant phr tosfor chalngesy ben i k ou llk the issue at the table in my judgment terms of a relationship with pakistan on this issue because we do have alternatives in most romntically, for sizes coming down sigilyere eret. his ie ansf clearly in terms of what w

mr. brooks: i reserve. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from alabama. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentleman from arizona rise? >> i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. schweikert of arizona, at the end of the bill before the short title, insert the following, section, none of the funds made available by this act may be used to enforce part 429 of 430, code of federal regulations with respect to schauer heads as the term is defined in section 430 .2 of such title. the chair: pursuant to the order of the house today, the gentleman from arizona, mr. schweikert and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from arizona. mr. schweikert: i'm going to refer to this as the law of unintended consequences. six months ago i was visiting one of my

mr. brooks had made her feelings about mr. watson pretty well known to my wife. that is all the new intermission i think i brought to this. >> there may be a misunderstanding. that is why i try to tease this out. did you see the text message to refer to? did that relate to earlier events or did it relate to phone hacking? can you remember? >> news international had taken the view that, watson was to be held culpable for anything that had happened in 2006. this was still the line that it wanted to pursue. i do not want to get involved in this because i did not understand everything that happened. it was a legal case taken about defamation with mr. watson. perhaps there could be proceedings. there was animosity between use it to national and mr. watson. i was merely reporting when he spoke to me that i was aware that news international wanted to get rid of him. >> this is because of alleged machinations of mr. blair, not because of his assistants and the phone hacking interview? >> i do not know. all i reported to him was that news international had made it clear t

mr. brooks argues that big government policies have weakened the american traditions of entrepreneurship, personal responsibility and upward mobility. this is about an hour, ten minutes. [applause] >> good evening, carl, and thank you very much for the welcome. it is a realleasure for me to be here to make an introduction of someone who i know needs no introduction here at aei. i first met arthur brooks several years ago shortly after becoming the minority whip. and i'll never forget the discussion that we were supposed to have for about 15 minutes that lasted perhaps an hour. when we first met in my office in the capitol. and i was struck then and have continued to be impressed by arthur brooks and his ability to in a very concise way articulate what it is that we're about as free market conservatives, as people who love liberty and treasure the freedom upon which this country was built. and, you know, i heard arthur's story then, and, you know, the fact that he and his wife met in spain and were there, and the french -- [inaudible] which was difficult for me to imagine because of his cu

mr. brooks argues that big government policies have weakened the american traditions of entrepreneurship, personal responsibility and upward mobility. this is about an hour, ten minutes. .. to in a very concise way articulate what it is that we are about. as free-market conservatives, as people who love liberty, and treasure the freedom upon which this country was built. and, you know, i heard parker's story then. you know, the fact that he and his wife met in spain and were there, the french hornist, which is just unbelievable for me to imagine because of his current duties, but all the more impressive, all the more impressive. he really showed me then -- and this was about the time when you are right in the battle. we were treated to excerpts of the battle in double street journal and other publications. and i would, along with many of my colleagues colleted our those columns wedding for the release of the book. we got the book we so quickly that we were not going to be disappointed, that the battle lines were drawn. he so clearly has been able to spell out the two different visions tha

mr. brooks, for five minutes. mr. brooks: mr. speaker, last week the white house decreed partial amnesty for an estimated three million illegal aliens and mandated the acceptance of illegal alien worker permits. first, mr. speaker, it's unconscionable to pit unemployed americans and illegal aliens in a competition for scarce jobs. in 2009, the pew hispanic center, found 7.8 million struggling american families have already lost job opportunities through illegal aliens. america suffers an 8.2% unemployment rate. even worse, hispanic americans suffer an 11% unemployment rate. even worse, african-americans suffer a 14% unemployment rate. even worse, american teenagers suffer a 25% unemployment rate. all are hammered by a white house decrow that grants as many as three million illegal aliens work permits. i understand heart felt compassion for illegal aliens, but where is the compassion for millions of americans who are unemployed and suffering from jobs lost through illegal aliens? where is the compassion for american taxpayers who

believe in liberty and civil rights you know it's not i have some words later on in the show for mr david brooks but at the basically which is blaming us today and said that we have no right to really be so disenchanted with our institutions here but you know . we just want to talk about this idea of justice the idea of a bay. and it is everything just is it a myth is it a mockery of the system of justice is the supreme court makes one decision and yet none of these people actually get to see their day in court none of them are actually released we have a lot of other people too that have been cleared for release by by military commissions and reports that have looked at this why are they calling home with us what i'm really disappointed of president obama who campaigned for in two thousand and eight because he should be using the bully pulpit to educate the american public i mean you mentioned a majority of the detainees at guantanamo eighty seven of the hundred sixty nine men that are there are men that have been cleared for release or transfer that we are government in your view the f.b.i. ev

mr. brooks, there was a brief meeting with mr. murdoch and ms. brooks. think meeting is a quite ambitious noun. my recollection was as i was leaving, was in the building, and i exchanged very few sentences with them up perfectly civilized, amicable greeting in a court order corridor in the building where the lunch was being held. >> and the first is the smaller meetings and phone calls 13820. how many of these would be one to one without and adviser their? >> i think a fair number of them. these are not really patented. sometimes an adviser would say en, sometimes not, he would usually be decided spontaneously, partly depending on my judgment of the what th was would perform. there is not really any rule. i'm afraid i just don't recollect it but a fair number of these would've been meetings where i would've met and met predicted individuals on down, one to one. a meeting with paul baker on ly 22, 2010, was that one to one? >>

mr. brooks from alabama. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from alabama is recognized for 10 minutes. mr. brooks: thank you, meek. i support representative broun's motion to instruct. let me explain why. for six decades america's been the greatest nation in history. we are blessed with a standard of living envied by the world, a military unmatched in history, freedoms that others can only dream of. why is america great? because americans before us sacrificed that their children, their grandchildren, their country would enjoy a better future. our founding fathers exemplified america's spirit when they stated in the declaration of independence, and i quote, and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. in contrast, today's washington abandons america's foundational principles. today's washington supports unsustainable spending, binges that abandon our children and grandchil

mrs. brooks had made her feelings about mr. watson pretty well known to my wife. that's all the new information i think i brought to this. >> yes. there may be a misunderstanding. that's why i was trying to tease this out. did the text message you referred to, did that relate to earlier event, or did it relate to phone hacking, can you remember? >> this was -- news international had taken the view that tom watson was to be held culpable for anything that had happened in 2006, i think. and this was still the line that they wanted to pursue. you, i don't want to get involved in this because i don't understand everything that happened. there was a legal case taken about defamation by mr. watson, and for all i know there are still proceedings. i don't know. but there was an animosity between news international and mr. watson. and i was merely reporting to him when he asked me about these things that i was well aware that news international had wanted to get rid of his when he was a minister. >> this was because of alleged machinations against mr. blair, not because of