ms. kelly: thank you, mr. chair. many of us have become so accustomed to using technology in our day-to-day lives that it seems second nature to examine the social media accounts of individuals applying for security clearance. however, it's important to note that when incorporating social media into the background check process, a number of steps must be taken going far beyond reviewing friends, a facebook profile. ms. cobert, o.p.m. does background checks governmentwide. the data collection of these investigations are completed by federal contractors in part because we must comply with the various laws governing what information can be collected, used and stored by a federal government. is that accurate? ms. cobert: congresswoman, we work with federal contractors in the investigative process to enhance our capacity to conduct background investigations. they have to follow the same federal investigative standards that mr. evanina referenced. the individuals from those contractors who work on in

that's ms. kelly, correct. > mr. meiburg, these have changed through policy and process and not through change.ive >> that's correct. your agency in have -- >> congresswoman, i do, in fact, that.e it is always the case that we always do better and we strive to do that. but we believe we have the tools agency to execute effective conduct and discipline. >> it's important to remember protections are there for a reason. in 2018 the board issued a that stated more than a century ago the government spoiled system in which employees could be reason including

. >> thank you, ms. kelly. >> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations

the chair recognizes the gentle woman from illinois, ms. kelly, for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chair. many of us have become so accustomed to using technology in our day-to-day lives that it seems second nature to examine the social media accounts of individuals applying for a security clearance. however, it's important to note that when incorporating social media into the federal background check process, a number of steps must be taken that go far beyond those we view as a friend's facebook profile. dr. cobert, opm conducts approximately 95% of background checks governmentwide. that's in our notes. the initial data collection portion of these investigations is completed by federal contractors in part because you must comply with the various laws governing what information can be collected, used and stored by federal government. is that accurate? >> congresswoman, we work with federal contractors in the investigative process to enhance

ms. kelly: thank you, mr. chair. many of us have become so accustomed to using technology in our day-to-day lives that it seems second nature to examine the social media accounts of individuals applying for security clearance. however, it's important to note social incorporating media into the background check process, a number of steps must be taken going far beyond reviewing friends, a facebook provial. s. cobert, o.p.m. does background checks governmentwide. the data collection of these investigations are completed by federal contractors in part because we must comply with the various laws governing what information can be collected, used and stored by a federal government. is that accurate? ms. cobert: congresswoman, we work with federal contractors in the investigative process to enhance our capacity to conduct background investigations. they have to follow the same federal investigative standards that mr. evanina referenced. the individuals from those contractors who work on investigation

ms. kelly. ms. kelly: thank you. mr. rhoades, you told committee staff after march 1, 2015, no one has told you that they believe wait times are being falsified, is that correct, is that what you said to the committee staff? mr. rhoades: ma'am, i described to the committee staff march 1, 2015, i was aware of an incident in minneapolis where a manager was in our coordination center. he was counting the wait times of the people in the check pount -- point line and he was pulled away. he counted 18 minutes. a new manager came in and she counted somewhere around five but we reported 18. ms. kelly: so is that a yes? mr. rhoades: that's as best as i can tell is march 1, 2015. but as i stated earlier, ma'am, when the airport police start having police officers count your wait time, it's an indication of trust and so i would maybe look at that as the measurement that when police organizations at airports are starting to count the wait times of your checkpoint security queue, something's wrong. ms. kell

ms. kellycertainly. we had a lot of influential economist getting behind the main vote, but none so more influential than mark carney. you cannot say he has a political bias, he has his year -- year to the ground, and yes to deal with the fallout of any breaks out -- brexit that might come about in june. looking at the last couple of years, there has been softness in the u.k. economy, and we fell into industrial recession just recently, and of course, growth is looking softer. you can blame brexit to some extent for that, but ultimately, to say he was very pessimistic about the outcome of a brexit is one thing, but then i think it was a little too optimistic to think everything would be rosy if, in fact, the u.k. decides to remain. at this moment in time, i think we could be looking at rate cut further down the line in any scenario. --nie: it was a unanimous decision, but from what you are saying, it may be a mistake -- do you think there should have been a different decision than maintaining r

>> yes, ms. kelly, that's correct. >> thank you. mr. meiburg, these improvements at epa have occurred through changes in administrative policy and process, not through legislative change, is that correct? >> yes, congresswoman, that's correct. >> mr. meiburg, in your opinion, do managers at your agency have sufficient tools under current law to deal with allegations of misconduct like the ones we've heard about today? >> congresswoman, i do, in fact, believe that. it is always the case, as ranking member cummings said in his opening statement, that we can always do better, and we strive to do that. but we believe we have the tools we need in the agency to execute effective conduct and discipline. >> okay. it's important to remember that due process protections in our federal civil service laws are there for a reason. in may 2015, the merit system protection board issued a report that stated, and i quote, "more than a century ago, the government operated under a spoiled system in which employees could be removed for any reason, including

this morning we are joined by two mothers, ms. kelly jansen, ms.karen siegel both of whom tragically lost their son as a result of of injuries sustained while playing youth sports. one son was a promising athlete in colorado, mystical son patrick was a star running back of elizabeth ward high school in my district and played football for the moment he could pick up a ball. we greatly appreciate your willingness to share your story as it reminds us of why it is so vital we continue to examine this issue. in our second panel will have dartmouth had football coach and representatives from sports organization, usa football, usa hockey, and usa lacrosse, to oversee and provide guidance to youth sports leagues. really hear from practices like pros to find out options to keep athletes a. we are prominent researchers in the field, they'll be able to speak on how we can approve research and surveillance, better monitor injuries, and better monitor injuries, and minimize the risk of injury aced upon science. i appreciate all of our panels for joining us this

kelly is recognized for five minutes -- ms. kelly is recognized for five minutes. >> misconduct from a few bad apples gives all the other federal employees a bad name. as elected officials, we can relate. our goal is to ensure agencies .ct quickly and fairly this committee has worked with agencies to improve and streamline their internal procedures by preserving employee rights. today we read about the new -- we heard about the new policies. mr. sullivan, you state since the hearing in april 2015, the agencies internal adjudication process has "genetically improved," is that correct? >> yes. >> these changes have occurred through process, not through legislative changes. is that correct? >> yes, congressman. have sufficient tools under current laws to deal with allegations of misconduct, like the ones we have heard about today? >> i do believe -- we can always do better and we try to do that, but we believe we have the tools we need in the agency to execute effective conduct and discipline . >> it is important to remember that due pr

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to

that's ms. kelly, correct. > mr. meiburg, these have changed through policy and process and not through change.ive >> that's correct. your agency in have -- >> congresswoman, i do, in fact, that.e it is always the case that we always do better and we strive to do that. but we believe we have the tools agency to execute effective conduct and discipline. >> it's important to remember protections are there for a reason. in 2018 the board issued a that stated more than a century ago the government spoiled system in which employees could be reason including ofbership of any other party and more.ent constitutional due process law ctions rose from the that congress enacted to fix that broken system. r. meiburg, is it necessary to address serious misconduct. >> we believe that we can misconduct ous -- ugh the >> steamlined the disciplinary congress? agree with that. by-weekly meetings have dramatically improved the process. >> thank you. to me that agencies currently have the tools to deal with allegations of misconduct they

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to

>> yes ms. kelly, that is correct. >> mr. meiburg, these improvements have improved through changes in administered policy and process, not through legislative change comes that correct? >> yes congress woman, that is correct. >> do managers in your agency have sufficient tools under current law to deal with allegations of misconduct like the ones we have heard about today question. >> congresswoman, i do in fact believe that. it is always the case as ranking member cummings said in his opening statement that we can always do better. we strive to do that but we believe we have the tools we need in the agency to execute effective conduct and discipline. >> it is important to remember that due process protections in our federal civil service laws are there for a reason. i may 2015, the merit systems protection board issued a report that stated and i quote, more than one century ago the government operated under a spoiled system in which employees could be removed for any reason including membership into a different political pa

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to

. >> thank you, ms. kelly. >> we'll now recognize the gentleman from georgia for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. ms. brennan, how many -- i think i heard this. i just want to clarify. how many employees at the postal service total? >> we have 498,000 career and 136,000 flexible or noncareer employees. >> okay. what was the 7.5 million referred to? >> it includes private sector as well as the postal service. >> okay, so more or less, what, 550,000, 600,000? >> roughly 634,000. >> 634, okay. and yet we all understand we've got a declining industry as a whole through -- because of a variety of factors, digital and so forth. does the postal service have too many employees? >> we have a requirement, our universal service obligation, to deliver to all 155 million delivery points, 135 million of which are physical delivery points, the other 20 are post office boxes, so that requires an extensive network and that network includes employees, facilities, vehicles and -- >> i understand that, but is it top heav

. >> no objections. ,he gentlewoman from illinois ms. kelly is recognized for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chair. applesuct from a few bad gives all of the other hard-working federal employees a bad name. as elected officials we can relate to that also. our goal is to ensure that agencies act swiftly and fairly in cases like these. this committee has worked with agencies to help them streamline their internal procedures. today, we have heard about the new policies and information sharing processes. solomon, -- mr. sullivan, you said in your testimony that in april 2015, the agency's internal adjudication process has dramatically improved. >> that is correct. >> these improvements at epa have occurred not through legislative change. >> that is correct. >> in your opinion, do managers have sufficient tools under current law to deal with allegations of misconduct? , i do believean that. it is always the case that we can always do better and we strive to do that. we believe we have the tools we need in the agency to execute effective conduct an

the chair recognizes the gentle woman from illinois, ms. kelly, for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chair. many of us have become so accustomed to using technology in our day-to-day lives that it seems second nature to examine the social media accounts of individuals applying for a security clearance. however, it's important to note that when incorporating social media into the federal background check process, a number of steps must be taken that go far beyond those we view as a friend's facebook profile. dr. cobert, opm conducts approximately 95% of background checks governmentwide. that's in our notes. the initial data collection portion of these investigations is completed by federal contractors in part because you must comply with the various laws governing what information can be collected, used and stored by federal government. is that accurate? >> congresswoman, we work with federal contractors in the investigative process to enhance our capacity to conduct background investigations. they have to follow the same federal investigative standards that mr. evenina referenced. th

y hasta hoy la cifrha subido a ms de 100.... kellyllos sepan cmo evitar la propagacin de los grmenes que a veces tienenvirus mortales... melindlandau/sad distritescolar la jefa del departamento de sad del distritescolar dicque la escuela se comunic inmediatamente con su despacho, que han estado limpiando intensamente e lugar, pero no saben de dnde vino el virus y no lo han iminado por completo... hay pequenos brotes que aparecen... los estudiantes no tuvieron sudesayuno en el comedor sino ensus aulas, para mantener en umnimo el contacto... a los padres les alertaron sobrela situacin por telfono y correo... hilda gonzlez/madre -no tiene miedo de que el virus est poac... o tieneconfianza de que si no cerraron la escuela...? -el virus va a estar por todaspartes ahorita pero no todos se enteraron a tiempo... alejandra melo/madre me estoy enterando porque ud me est diciendo no saba nada... pero la esua afirma ntar con un sistema automatizado que le informa inmediatamente aos representantes... jess radillo/subdirect or la nica rn que puedoe

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to

. >> thank you, ms. kelly>> i'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather thano consensus this and look at what we uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to the brand new park that is under co

ms. kelly: i rise in recognition of national infrastructure week. our national infrastructure is in dire need of repair. the american society of civil engineers' most recent report card gave american infrastructure a d-plus. many of us here are parents. if your child came home with a d-plus, you would work with them on their homework, find a tutor, maybe punish them. yet our response to a near failing infrastructure grade is negligent. -- neglect. in the short-term investments in our infrastructure creates jobs. in the long-term they help communities grow and expand opportunity. i recently met with transportation secretary fox to discuss the proposed airport. with the national spotlight on the long lines at o'hare and midway, it is clear that the chicago region needs an investment in a new airport to exspant the region's air traffic capacity. investing in infrastructure is a win in both the short-term and the long-term. so this week i urge my colleagues to stand with me and work together to invest in our future by improving and strengthening our nat

. >> thank you, ms. kelly'm happy to add for this particular report those underutilized sites rather than look at a new list we decided to consensus this and look at what we've uncovered from the two civil grand jury and the lyric report looked at over 5 hundred report and identified questionable properties underutilized not vacant but underutilized we began our process with that list and directly with the departments when we were convinced through observation and or reports provided that utilization was stepped up sympathy didn't make the list for the properties not the case they're on the list i hope that background is he felt. >> thank you complooup. >> next, we have presentations by your enterprise departments not within the jurisdictions of the ordinance so we do understand those departments have significant land holding that maybe appropriate more affordable housing development a good example the site on 12r50er9 and fulsome that is owned by the puc but we'll be built more affordable housing next to the

megyn kelly finally sits down with donald trump after ms. of being attacked with the billionaire saying he has some regrets about language and certain twitter tirades. >> you would be amazed at ones i don't re-tweet. >> bimbo? thank you was a re-tweet. >> did i say that? >> many times. >> okay. excuse me. >> we will look at the high steaks interview and what the kickics say. >> and bob woodward why the "washington post" suddenly has 20 reporters investigated donald trump. what about hillary clinton? >> and different fusing liberal bias accusations at facebook with tucker carlson. >> remembering morley safer, a giant. and a gentleman. this is "media buzz" and i am howard kurtz. the crash of the egyptair airplane dominated the news for day with donald trump quickly tweeting it looks like terrorism. he got into it on msnbc. >> the worry also is how you will be a president and present your positions and your words. there are concerns you could be trigger happy with your words. for example --. >> for really i didn't want to go into iraq. we canno

kelly, thank you. we're also learning more about the victims of flight ms 804, msnbc's amand is in cairo. relatives held a memorial. that's ahead of a more formal memorial on monday there in cairo. >> reporter: that's correct. what we saw today was more of a private ceremony that was held at a church for one of the flight attendants on board ms 804. there was after friday prayers yesterday, again, a small intimate gathering by the family at a larmer mosque for one of the co-pilots of the flight. egypt air announced it is going to hold a larger memorial service for all flight crew members and the two pilots on monday evening, that is scheduled to take place in a cairo suburb at one of the mosques there. that is going to at least expected to draw large crowds because they are announcing it publicly. the country no doubt is in mourning. we're also learning some of the profiles of the passengers and including those flight attendants. one of the women we learned her identity, a canadian mother of three works for ibm. she was in france for work, scheduled to come back to egypt with her family.

kelly, thank you for that. we stay in that time zone, also learning more about today's victims of flight ms 804. ayman is in cairo, relatives of the victims held a memorial and what did you see? >> reporter: yes, as you can imagine this is a difficult time for the family members, there are those family members some still holding on to hope despite the odds that there may be some way that their loved ones will be recovered alive. but for others, the memorials are being held. as we saw the past 24 hours or so there have been two separate memorials, one for the co-pilot. earlier at a church service in cairo as well there was a memorial service for one of the flight attendantings. egyptair released the names of some of the crew members that worked on the plane. among them two members of the crew. we've learned some of the profiles of some of the other passengers on board including a worker for procter & gamble living in france with his wife and child. they have now returned to cairo as well as a canadian national who left her three children behind here. also we're learning from egyptair they plan on

ms. shah is an attorney and a hotel owner in atlanta, georgia. our third witness is kelly buckland. mr. buckland is the executive director of the national council on independent living. and our fourth and final witness is david weiss. mr. weiss is executive vice president and general counsel of d.d.r. corps. a company that owns and manages retail properties. each of the witnesses' written statements will be entered in the record in its entirety and i would ask that each witness summarize his or her testimony in five minutes or less. to help you stay within that time, there's a timing light in front of you. the light switch from green to yellow indicates that you have one minute to conclude your testimony. when the light turns red it indicates that the witness' five minutes have expired. before i recognize the witness, it is tradition of subcommittee that they be sworn. so if you would please stand to be sworn. for those of you who can't stand, just -- do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help y

ms. shah is an attorney and a hotel owner in atlanta, georgia. our third witness is kelly buckland. mr. buckland is the executive director of the national council on independent living. and our fourth and final witness is david weiss. mr. weiss is executive vice president and general council -- general counsel of d.d.r. corps. a company that owns and manages retail properties. each of the witnesses' written statements will be entered in the record in its entirety and i would ask that each of you witness -- each witness summarize his or her testimony in five minutes or less. to help you stay within that time, there's a timing light in front of you. the light switch from green to yellow indicates that you have one minute to conclude your testimony. when the light turns red it indicates that the witness' five minutes have expired. before i recognize the witness, it is tradition of subcommittee that they be sworn. so if you would please stand to be sworn. for those of you who can't stand, just -- do you solemnly swear that the testimony that you're about to give will be the truth, the whole

kelly is in paris for us with the latest. thank you so much with the new pieces of information we got in today on msnbc. we're also learning more about the victims of flight ms-804. he is in cairo where relatives of the victims held an emotional memorial today. >> the sun has set on another day of the on going search and recovery operation taking place in the mediterranean. so far no indication from the egyptian military whether or not they have been able to find that black box that includes both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. that would be a key piece of the puzzle in trying to determine what happened to flight 804. however the egyptian military did release today for the first time some images of the debris collected at sea. some of the stuff identified with the egypt air logo indicating that that is the debris belonging to the wreckage of that flight. we also saw some personal belongings ib colluding a purse and shoes. it's a very pain staking time for family members. we heard from egypt air that they'll be collecting dna samples from the living family members to try to match it with the remains that are collected to help with the

ms. schakowsky for five minutes. >> first of all want to thank the moms that were here. i want to thank kelly and karen. mr.'neil, you showed that 80 of doctor mctigue answering my question at the roundtable, and i want to focus on ctv because i think very little focus has been on these subconcussive brain injuries. and as she said, it's about limiting a head injury that occurs on every single point of the game at every single level of the game. and ifalpa that question to jeff the of the nfl, the chief person for health and safety. and said what do you think? is cte link to football? and he said yes, certainly. and little did i know that this was a kind of explosion that happened outside, outside that room. and even have started some conversation about what is the future for football? is there a future for the kind of football that we play? so there's been a lot of talk about concussion, but i wanted to ask now more about, about cte. so dr. talavage can what does your research indicates about the effect that routine hits sustained by high school football players and younger have on brain function, even tho

ms. shaw. i now recognize our third witness, is the microphone close to you and on? >> can you hear me? >> yes, yes, sir. >> mr. chairman and ranking members and members of the subcommittee, my name is kelly, i'm executive i'm executive director of the national council and independent living. nickel is the oldest cross disability national grassroots run by them for people with disabilities. we go by nickel. it includes people's disability center for independent living, statewide independent living councils and other disability rights organizations. nickel advances the rights of people with disabilities and we have vision a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully. centers for independent living address discrimination and barriers that exist in society through direct advocacy. these barriers are sometimes hard architectural but more often reflect attitudes and principles that have been reinforced for generations. they have deterred people with disabilities from working, leading being many in poverty and unjustly detained in institutions. as my own life experience has proven, with increased opportunities individuals with disabilities can claim their c