CSPAN2 — Public Affairs Events
20260808 001500 UTC
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[00:00:02] THERE GOING TO BE MANY STRANDS
[00:00:04] OF THE DEMOCRATIC COALITION, MORE MODERATE, SOME
[00:00:07] CONSERVATIVE, THE THROUGH LINE
[00:00:10] FOR ME IS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
[00:00:13] AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, EQUAL
[00:00:17] ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. THAT'S THE
[00:00:20] DEMOCRATIC, UH, IF YOU WILL, UH,
[00:00:24] AXIS FROM ROOSEVELT TO KENNEDY,
[00:00:28] JOHNSON, THE BIDEN
[00:00:34] ADMINISTRATION. IT'S BEEN THE AXIS. AND I THINK LINING UP IN A CIRCLE OF FIRING.
[00:00:37] >> THE SENATE HAS BEEN IN RECESS, BUT IS NOW GAVELING BACK
[00:00:40] INTO SESSION. WE TAKE YOU THERE
[00:00:42] LIVE HERE ON C-SPAN, TWO.
[00:01:13] >> AND.
[00:02:14] ALL THE
[00:02:54] ALL THE. THE.
[00:03:14] >> AND WE ARE. LIVE HERE IN THE US SENATE, WAITING FOR A LAWMAKER TO SPEAK. SENATORS HAVE BEEN VOTING THROUGHOUT THE DAY
[00:03:18] ON SEVERAL BILLS AND ON NOMINATIONS. ON WHAT'S
[00:03:21] SCHEDULED TO BE THEIR LAST DAY BEFORE SUMMER RECESS. EARLIER
[00:03:24] TODAY, THE SENATE, ON A 86 TO 11
[00:03:28] VOTE, APPROVED LEGISLATION IMPOSING ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA. THAT BILL IS
[00:03:32] NAMED AFTER THE LATE SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM, WHO MET
[00:03:36] UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN KYIV AND CALLED FOR THESE NEW
[00:03:39] SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA JUST DAYS BEFORE HIS SUDDEN DEATH ON
[00:03:42] JULY 11th. SENATORS ALSO VOTED
[00:03:45] TO CONFIRM A GROUP OF 74 OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE AND
[00:03:48] JUDICIAL NOMINEES, INCLUDING TSA
[00:03:50] AND FEMA ADMINISTRATORS, U.S.
[00:03:53] ARCHIVISTS AND WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY BUDGET DIRECTOR. AND
[00:03:56] LATER TODAY, LAWMAKERS PLAN TO VOTE ON THE CONFIRMATION OF TODD BLANCHE TO BE THE NEXT ATTORNEY
[00:04:00] GENERAL. BILL CASSIDY OF
[00:04:03] LOUISIANA WAS THE LAST
[00:04:05] REPUBLICAN SENATOR TO ANNOUNCE HIS DECISION THIS MORNING THAT
[00:04:08] HE'LL VOTE TO CONFIRM TODD BLANCHE. ALSO, A FINAL VOTE IS
[00:04:12] EXPECTED ON LEGISLATION FUNDING. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED
[00:04:16] THE SEPTEMBER 30th DEADLINE TO DECEMBER 11th. SENATORS VOTED 91
[00:04:19] TO 6 TO ADVANCE THAT BILL.
[00:04:20] EARLIER, WITH SENATOR DARLENE
[00:04:23] GRAHAM VOTING PRESENT. YOU'RE WATCHING LIVE COVERAGE OF THE
[00:04:25] U.S. SENATE ON C-SPAN. TWO.
[00:04:39] >> BUT BEFORE. WE HAVE TO GIVE
[00:04:42] US. SOME.
[00:04:57] THE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, RUSSIA HAS
[00:04:59] BEEN CONDEMNED FOR YEARS, BUT
[00:05:01] WHAT IT HAS NOT YET FACED IS A
[00:05:04] COST HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE ITS
[00:05:08] COURSE. SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM UNDERSTOOD THAT THE BILL. HE
[00:05:12] LEFT US HIS FINAL LEGISLATIVE
[00:05:15] LEGACY DOES NOT STOP AT SYMBOLIC
[00:05:17] PENALTIES OR MERE GESTURES.
[00:05:20] IT'S A STRATEGY. IT'S A
[00:05:22] STRATEGY TO IMPOSE REAL COSTS ON
[00:05:26] THOSE SUSTAINING RUSSIA'S WAR MACHINE. LINDSEY, WHO IS A
[00:05:30] FRIEND OF MINE, UNDERSTOOD WHAT
[00:05:33] IT WOULD TAKE, NOT ANOTHER
[00:05:36] STATEMENT OF OUTRAGE, BUT A
[00:05:38] SERIOUS PLAN. A PLAN TO MAKE
[00:05:44] CONTINUING THIS WAR MORE COSTLY THAN ENDING IT. AND IT STARTS
[00:05:47] WITH AN UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH WE
[00:05:52] CANNOT CHOKE OFF THE WAR CHEST.
[00:05:54] WHILE RUSSIA'S LARGEST
[00:05:56] CUSTOMERS KEEP REPLENISHING IT, EVEN AS THOSE SAME GOVERNMENTS
[00:06:00] INSIST THEY WANT THE WAR TO END
[00:06:03] THE UNITED STATES, HOWEVER, HAS
[00:06:07] LEVERAGE. ENORMOUS LEVERAGE,
[00:06:09] ACCESS TO OUR MARKET CARRIES
[00:06:13] ENORMOUS WEIGHT. OUR ALLIES KNOW
[00:06:15] THIS. OUR ADVERSARIES KNOW IT,
[00:06:18] AND THE GOVERNMENT'S BUYING
[00:06:20] RUSSIAN ENERGY CERTAINLY KNOW
[00:06:23] IT. BUT WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT TARIFF THREATS OF THIS MAGNITUDE
[00:06:26] DO NOT STOP AT THE DOORS OF A
[00:06:29] FOREIGN MINISTRY. THEY HAVE REAL
[00:06:33] WORLD CONSEQUENCES. THEY CAN REACH FACTORY FLOORS, FARMS,
[00:06:36] SMALL BUSINESSES AND FAMILY BUDGETS. HERE AT HOME. THAT
[00:06:40] DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULDN'T ACT.
[00:06:41] WE SHOULD ACT. BUT IF AMERICANS
[00:06:45] MIGHT ABSORB SOME OF THESE COSTS, THEY DESERVE A POLICY
[00:06:49] THAT IS TRANSPARENT DISCIPLINED,
[00:06:52] AND TIED TO WELL, OBJECTIVES
[00:06:58] THAT'S WHY CONGRESS HAS A RESPONSIBILITY, A RESPONSIBILITY
[00:07:01] TO ENSURE THAT THESE AUTHORITIES
[00:07:03] REMAIN FOCUSED ON THEIR INTENDED
[00:07:06] PURPOSE, WITH CLEAR STANDARDS GOVERNING WHEN ADDITIONAL
[00:07:09] PRESSURE IS WARRANTED, AND WHEN
[00:07:12] DEMONSTRATED PROGRESS SHOULD BE
[00:07:15] RECOGNIZED. THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION
[00:07:18] SENDS A CLEAR AND A VERY
[00:07:23] IMPORTANT MESSAGE. THE PRESSURE AUTHORIZED HERE IS DIRECTED AT
[00:07:25] THE COUNTRIES FINANCING
[00:07:29] RUSSIA'S WAR AND MUST REMAIN
[00:07:31] TIED TO THAT MISSION. FULL STOP.
[00:07:35] THE GOAL AND THE RESULT CONGRESS
[00:07:37] SHOULD DEMAND IS A RACE TO THE BOTTOM. AMONG RUSSIA'S LARGEST
[00:07:41] ENERGY BUYERS, WITH EACH COUNTRY
[00:07:45] COMPETING TO CUT ITS PURCHASES
[00:07:50] FASTER THAN THE OTHERS. A RACE ONLY WORKS WHEN EVERY
[00:07:52] PARTICIPANT KNOWS THE RULES WHEN
[00:07:56] EVERY PARTICIPANT UNDERSTANDS THE OBJECTIVE, AND IN TRUST,
[00:08:00] THAT MEANINGFUL ACTION WILL BE
[00:08:02] RECOGNIZED. IF COUNTRIES BUY
[00:08:05] MORE RUSSIAN ENERGY, IF THEY
[00:08:07] CONCEAL TRANSACTION, OR IF THEY
[00:08:09] HELP MOSCOW EVADE SANCTIONS,
[00:08:11] WELL, THE PRESIDENT HAS EVERY
[00:08:14] RIGHT TO INCREASE PRESSURE. AND
[00:08:19] MY ENCOURAGEMENT. AT THE SAME
[00:08:23] TIME, IF COUNTRIES CUT THOSE PURCHASES, STOP ENABLING RUSSIA AND DEMONSTRATE THAT CHANGE
[00:08:26] WITH, UH, WITH REAL EVIDENCE,
[00:08:29] OUR POLICY SHOULD RESPOND
[00:08:32] ACCORDINGLY. THAT THAT IS HOW
[00:08:34] LEVERAGE PRODUCES ACTION INSTEAD
[00:08:37] OF SIMPLY IMPOSING COSTS. AND AS
[00:08:42] THIS LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD THROUGH THE PROCESS, I LOOK
[00:08:44] FORWARD TO WORKING WITH CHAIRMAN
[00:08:47] CRAPO AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP THESE TARIFF AUTHORITIES
[00:08:50] FOCUSED. AND ON THE THREATS
[00:08:52] CONGRESS INTENDS TO CONFRONT.
[00:08:55] THE VERY THREATS. LINDSEY GRAHAM
[00:08:59] WORKED SO HARD TO CONFRONT. THIS
[00:09:02] BILL PRESENTS A SIMPLE
[00:09:06] PROPOSITION COUNTRIES MAY
[00:09:08] FINANCE RUSSIA'S WAR, OR THEY MAY ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF ACCESS
[00:09:12] TO THE U.S. MARKET. BUT THEY
[00:09:14] SHOULDN'T EXPECT TO DO BOTH
[00:09:16] WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES. I YIELD
[00:09:20] THE FLOOR.
[00:09:34] >> MR. PRESIDENT. >> THE SENATOR FROM GEORGIA. >> MR. PRESIDENT, I URGE
[00:09:38] UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO ENTER THIS
[00:09:40] LETTER FROM U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE GREER INTO THE
[00:09:43] CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[00:09:47] >> MR. PRESIDENT, THIS LETTER
[00:09:50] RESTRICTS THE PRESIDENT'S TARIFF
[00:09:53] AUTHORITY UNDER THE LINDSEY
[00:09:54] GRAHAM SANCTIONING RUSSIA AND
[00:09:57] IRAN ACT. THIS IS A SMALL BUT
[00:10:00] MEANINGFUL VICTORY FOR ALL
[00:10:04] AMERICANS WHO CONTINUE TO SUFFER
[00:10:07] UNDER THIS PRESIDENT'S RECKLESS
[00:10:10] TARIFFS. LET'S BE CLEAR. PUTIN
[00:10:13] IS A WAR CRIMINAL, AND HIS WAR
[00:10:17] MACHINE MUST BE STOPPED. BUT WE
[00:10:20] SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PUTTING A CHECK ON
[00:10:24] PUTIN'S AGGRESSION AND PUTTING
[00:10:27] A CHECK ON THIS PRESIDENT'S
[00:10:31] TARIFF REGIME. THAT IS A FALSE
[00:10:35] CHOICE, AND IT IS ONE THAT I AM
[00:10:37] NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT. AND SO I
[00:10:42] HOPE IN THE COMING HOURS, THAT
[00:10:44] WE GO FURTHER DURING THE
[00:10:46] AMENDMENT PROCESS. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN
[00:10:50] STRIPPING OUT ANY NEW
[00:10:53] PRESIDENTIAL TARIFF AUTHORITIES. THESE ARE NOT NORMAL TIMES. THIS
[00:10:57] IS NOT A NORMAL PRESIDENT. IF
[00:10:59] YOU GIVE HIM AN INCH, HE WILL
[00:11:02] TAKE A MILE. WE DON'T HAVE TO
[00:11:04] IMAGINE WE ARE SEEING IT IN REAL
[00:11:08] TIME AND EVERYDAY PEOPLE AS A RESULT OF THAT, ARE STRUGGLING,
[00:11:12] STRUGGLING TO BUY GROCERIES, STRUGGLING TO BUY GAS,
[00:11:15] STRUGGLING TO BUY THEIR KIDS
[00:11:17] BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES. THEY
[00:11:19] ARE THE ONES WHO ARE SUFFERING
[00:11:23] THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS RECKLESS
[00:11:25] TARIFF REGIME. BUT THIS COMMITMENT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO
[00:11:28] GET FROM AMBASSADOR GREER IS
[00:11:30] MEANINGFUL, BECAUSE IF THE
[00:11:32] PRESIDENT IGNORES THE LAW, IF HE
[00:11:37] OVERSTEPS HIS POWER, WE WILL SEE
[00:11:38] HIM IN COURT. I HOPE THIS WEEK
[00:11:41] LONG PROCESS WAS THE FIRST STEP
[00:11:44] IN CONGRESS REASSERTING ITS
[00:11:47] ROLE, AND PLACING GUARDRAILS ON
[00:11:50] THIS PRESIDENT'S TARIFF REGIME.
[00:11:53] I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO GO BACK
[00:11:58] HOME AND TALK TO ORDINARY FOLKS
[00:12:02] OUTSIDE OF THE BELTWAY. THEY
[00:12:05] WILL TELL YOU THAT WHILE THEY SUPPORT ANY EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. AND
[00:12:09] THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, THIS
[00:12:12] ISN'T JUST ABOUT UKRAINE. IT IS
[00:12:15] ABOUT OUR OWN NATIONAL SECURITY. BUT WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO
[00:12:18] PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME
[00:12:20] BOLSTERING THE ECONOMIC SECURITY
[00:12:23] OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS. SO AS WE
[00:12:24] GO BACK HOME, ASK ANY PARENT YOU
[00:12:29] MEET HOW MUCH BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING COST THEM THIS YEAR. I
[00:12:32] CAN TELL YOU, AS THE FATHER OF
[00:12:35] TWO SMALL CHILDREN, THAT IT IS MUCH MORE THAN THEY WANTED TO
[00:12:39] SPEND. WHEN WE COME BACK TO WASHINGTON, WE CAN FIGHT FOR
[00:12:41] THOSE PARENTS AND BUILD ON THIS
[00:12:44] WORK TO CHECK THE POWER OF THIS RECKLESS PRESIDENT. BUT I'M
[00:12:48] GLAD THAT WE'VE GOTTEN AS FAR AS WE HAVE ON THIS ISSUE. I'D
[00:12:51] LIKE TO THANK MY FRIEND AND
[00:12:54] BROTHER, SENATOR CASSIDY, FOR
[00:12:57] YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS AMENDMENT PROCESS. AND I'D LIKE
[00:13:00] TO THANK SENATOR SHAHEEN AND BLUMENTHAL FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO
[00:13:03] FIND A SOLUTION AND A WAY FORWARD TO SUPPORT UKRAINE, TO
[00:13:06] PROTECT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR ECONOMIC SECURITY AT THE
[00:13:10] SAME TIME. AND WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK.
[00:13:12] >> MR. PRESIDENT, SHORTLY WE
[00:13:14] WILL VOTE ON THE RUSSIA
[00:13:17] SANCTIONS BILL, AS WE HAVE COME
[00:13:19] TO CALL IT. AND I WANT TO BEGIN
[00:13:23] BY THANKING MY COLLEAGUES FOR
[00:13:25] THEIR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR
[00:13:28] THIS MEASURE. AND, IN
[00:13:31] PARTICULAR, TO THANK SENATOR
[00:13:33] SHAHEEN BRITT WICKER, RISCH..
[00:13:37] WHITEHOUSE. DURBIN. AND, OF
[00:13:40] COURSE, SENATORS SCHUMER AND
[00:13:42] THUNE. THEIR HELP HAS BEEN
[00:13:45] INVALUABLE AS WE REACH THIS
[00:13:48] IMPORTANT MOMENT. LAST WEEK WITH
[00:13:53] PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WATCHING FROM THE GALLERY, THIS BODY SENT A
[00:13:56] POWERFUL MESSAGE TO VLADIMIR
[00:13:58] PUTIN AND ALL WHO ARE SUPPORTING
[00:14:05] HIM WITH FUNDING FOR HIS VICIOUS, BLOODTHIRSTY, ILLEGAL
[00:14:09] WAR AGAINST THE BRAVE, FREE
[00:14:11] PEOPLE OF UKRAINE. TODAY,
[00:14:14] PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IS WATCHING
[00:14:17] FROM UKRAINE AND PUTIN IS
[00:14:20] WATCHING FROM MOSCOW. I WOULD
[00:14:23] LIKE TO THINK THAT LINDSEY
[00:14:26] GRAHAM IS WATCHING TWO. AND I
[00:14:31] KNOW HOW PROUD HE WOULD BE OF
[00:14:34] HIS SISTER TODAY, WHO HAS TAKEN
[00:14:37] HIS PLACE ON THE FLOOR AND HAS BEEN SUCH A PROFOUNDLY STRONG
[00:14:40] AND EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR THIS
[00:14:43] BILL. TODAY, WE SAY TO THE
[00:14:46] PEOPLE OF UKRAINE, YOU ARE NOT
[00:14:51] ALONE. AND WE SAY TO VLADIMIR
[00:14:53] PUTIN YOU WILL NOT CONQUER
[00:14:59] UKRAINE. YOU WILL NOT DEFEAT
[00:15:03] THIS FREE, BRAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE
[00:15:06] TURNING THE TIDE AGAINST YOUR
[00:15:08] BLOODTHIRSTY AGGRESSION. NEARLY
[00:15:15] TWO YEARS AGO, LINDSEY GRAHAM
[00:15:18] AND I BEGAN WORKING ON THIS
[00:15:19] BILL. BUT REALLY, THE JOURNEY
[00:15:23] BEGAN WITH OUR FIRST TRIP TO
[00:15:25] UKRAINE TOGETHER SOME FOUR YEARS
[00:15:28] AGO. ROBERT FROST ONCE SAID,
[00:15:32] WHEN HE WAS ASKED HOW HE BEGAN
[00:15:34] HIS POEMS, HE SAID, A POEM
[00:15:38] BEGINS WITH A LUMP IN THE THROAT. OUR JOURNEY TOWARD THIS
[00:15:41] BILL BEGAN WITH A LUMP IN OUR
[00:15:46] THROATS AND TEARS IN OUR EYES.
[00:15:51] WHEN WE VISITED NOT LONG AFTER,
[00:15:54] THE RUSSIANS WERE PUSHED OUT OF
[00:15:56] THAT SMALL TOWN, JUST KILOMETERS
[00:16:01] AWAY FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S BUNKER, WHICH WE ALSO VISITED ON
[00:16:04] THAT TRIP. JUST WEEKS AFTER
[00:16:08] UKRAINE SUCCEEDED IN PUSHING
[00:16:11] THEM OUT. WE SAW THE MASS GRAVE
[00:16:16] WHERE PUTIN'S MILITARY SHOT
[00:16:21] INNOCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN
[00:16:23] THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS. WE
[00:16:26] TALKED TO UKRAINIAN TROOPS WHO
[00:16:29] LOST LIMBS, LOVED ONES WHO LOST
[00:16:33] SONS AND DAUGHTERS, FATHERS AND
[00:16:37] MOTHERS. WE TALKED TO CHILDREN
[00:16:41] WHO WERE KIDNAPED BY PUTIN,
[00:16:46] LITERALLY ABDUCTED AND PLACED IN
[00:16:51] EDUCATION CAMPS. AND. ON ONE OF THOSE LONG TRAIN RIDES, WE TOOK
[00:16:55] 6 OR 7 TRIPS INTO UKRAINE
[00:17:00] TOGETHER. WE BEGAN THINKING
[00:17:02] ABOUT THIS BILL TO IMPOSE
[00:17:05] SCORCHING SLEDGEHAMMER SANCTIONS
[00:17:08] AND TARIFFS ON UKRAINE, TO STOP
[00:17:12] THE FLOW OF MONEY FUELING
[00:17:13] PUTIN'S WAR MACHINE MONEY. THAT
[00:17:18] WAS ESSENTIAL TO HIS SLAUGHTEROUS AGGRESSION AGAINST
[00:17:22] UKRAINE. AND LIKE ONE OF THOSE TRAINS, THE JOURNEY TO THIS BILL
[00:17:26] WAS FILLED WITH A LOT OF BUMPS, A LOT OF STOPS, STOPS AND
[00:17:30] STARTS. AND THROUGH IT ALL, WHAT
[00:17:35] SUSTAINED US AS MUCH AS ANYTHING, WAS SENATOR GRAHAM'S
[00:17:39] OVERWHELMING SENSE OF OPTIMISM,
[00:17:40] HIS SENSE OF HUMOR, HIS BELIEF
[00:17:43] IN FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, HIS
[00:17:46] BELIEF IN AMERICA. AND SO THIS
[00:17:53] BILL IS A TRIBUTE TO HIM. WE
[00:17:57] DISAGREED ABOUT MANY ISSUES. HE
[00:17:58] AND I AND I COULD BE ON THE
[00:18:04] RECEIVING END OF HIS ANGER, AS
[00:18:07] WELL AS HIS PRAISE. BUT THE
[00:18:08] PARTNERSHIP THAT WE FORGED, I
[00:18:13] THINK, IS A LESSON WITHOUT
[00:18:18] EXAGGERATING IT, TO PERHAPS THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA, THAT, YES, WE
[00:18:21] CAN WORK TOGETHER AND ACCOMPLISH
[00:18:26] GOOD THINGS FOR THE WORLD ONE OF
[00:18:32] SENATOR GRAHAM'S FINAL ACTS AS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY WAS TO
[00:18:36] REACH AN ACCORD WITH THE WHITE
[00:18:37] HOUSE ON OUR BEHALF AND SECURE
[00:18:42] THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT. HE DIED LITERALLY THE NEXT DAY. I
[00:18:46] SPOKE TO HIM SHORTLY BEFORE HIS
[00:18:49] DEATH, AND I KNOW AS WELL AS
[00:18:53] ANYONE THAT THIS CHAMBER, THIS
[00:18:55] BODY, WILL NOT BE THE SAME
[00:18:58] WITHOUT HIM. WE MISS HIM. AND
[00:19:00] THIS BILL NAMED HIM IN HIS
[00:19:03] HONOR, CARRIES ON THE WORK THAT
[00:19:07] HE BELIEVED WAS SO IMPORTANT. IT
[00:19:12] WILL IMPOSE SCORCHING SANCTIONS ON THE RUSSIA WAR MACHINE AND
[00:19:16] THE SHADOW FLEET THAT SUSTAINS IT. IT WILL PREVENT CRITICAL
[00:19:19] RESOURCES FROM FLOWING TO THE
[00:19:22] KREMLIN'S COFFERS. IT WILL
[00:19:25] AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT TO IMPOSE DUTIES AND PENALTIES ON
[00:19:29] THE LARGEST PURCHASERS OF
[00:19:31] RUSSIAN CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL
[00:19:34] GAS, PUNISHING THE PROFITEERS
[00:19:38] FOR BUYING DISCOUNTED ENERGY
[00:19:39] PRODUCTS AND PUSHING THEM TO
[00:19:42] DECREASE PURCHASES. IT IS A
[00:19:46] POWERFUL DETERRENT AGAINST
[00:19:50] COMPLICITY IN PUTIN'S ILLEGAL
[00:19:54] WAR, AND IT PROVIDES A POWERFUL PRESSURE POINT IN STOPPING
[00:19:58] BUYERS OF RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS
[00:20:00] FROM CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE
[00:20:07] ESSENTIAL FUEL FOR THAT WAR
[00:20:08] MACHINE. IT WILL GIVE THE
[00:20:11] ADMINISTRATION THE TOOLS IT
[00:20:13] NEEDS TO PUNISH ANYONE WHO AIDS
[00:20:16] RUSSIA AS THEY CONTINUE TO EVADE
[00:20:18] UNITED STATES SANCTIONS AND
[00:20:22] PROMOTE STRONGER, STRICTER
[00:20:25] ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE SANCTIONS.
[00:20:26] FOR YEARS, COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN
[00:20:29] ALLOWED TO PERMIT BAD ACTORS TO
[00:20:31] BROKER DEALS AND SUPPORT THE
[00:20:34] SHADOW FLEET'S MOVEMENT. ALL
[00:20:36] AROUND THE WORLD, THEY HAVE
[00:20:38] BECOME FABULOUSLY RICH WHILE PREACHING THE NEED FOR PEACE.
[00:20:42] THESE COUNTRIES WILL BE EXPOSED
[00:20:45] AS FACILITATING EVASION OF
[00:20:49] SANCTIONS, AND IT WILL HELP US
[00:20:53] END THE WAR. THE GOAL IS PEACE.
[00:20:54] WE HAVE THE POWER TO HELP END
[00:20:57] THIS WAR, AND WE CANNOT STAND
[00:21:00] IDLY AS A YOUNG, DEMOCRATIC
[00:21:02] NATION DESPERATELY FIGHTS FOR
[00:21:05] ITS SURVIVAL AGAINST A MURDEROUS
[00:21:08] DICTATOR. WE KNOW FROM HISTORY
[00:21:11] APPEASEMENT IS A FAILED HOPE,
[00:21:18] AND HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY. WE CANNOT APPEASE PUTIN IN THE HOPE
[00:21:21] THAT HE WILL ABANDON HIS
[00:21:24] IMPERIALIST AMBITIONS, BECAUSE
[00:21:27] HISTORY SHOWS THAT HE WILL NOT,
[00:21:30] AND HIS AMBITION DOESN'T END IN
[00:21:34] DONBAS OR LUHANSK. IT REACHES DEEP INTO EUROPE, AND IT
[00:21:38] THREATENS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND OUR ALLIES. SECURITY. YES,
[00:21:42] WE NEED OUR ALLIES. AND THEY
[00:21:46] HAVE STEPPED UP TO AID UKRAINE
[00:21:51] IN THIS WAR. APPEASING PUTIN IS
[00:21:55] A DISSERVICE TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR MILITARY WHO
[00:21:57] ARE DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM ALL AROUND THE GLOBE, BECAUSE IT
[00:22:02] PUTS THEM IN GREATER RISK. IF
[00:22:04] PUTIN THINKS HE CAN MOVE AGAINST
[00:22:07] OUR NATO ALLIES, AND THEN WE
[00:22:09] WILL BE REQUIRED TO PUT OUR SONS
[00:22:12] AND DAUGHTERS IN HARM'S WAY FOR
[00:22:17] FOUR YEARS. UKRAINE HAS REFUSED
[00:22:20] TO BOW TO PUTIN'S WILL. THEY
[00:22:22] HAVE BEATEN BACK WAVE AFTER WAVE
[00:22:24] AFTER WAVE OF RUSSIAN ATTACKS?
[00:22:30] OUR MILITARY GAVE THEM MAYBE A
[00:22:33] FEW WEEKS IN 2022 TO SURVIVE
[00:22:37] PUTIN'S ONSLAUGHT. THEY PUSHED
[00:22:40] THE RUSSIANS BACK. IN THOSE
[00:22:42] WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST WAVE OF
[00:22:44] ASSAULT. AND THEY HAVE CONTINUED
[00:22:47] A BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN OF USING
[00:22:53] NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS AMAZED AND ODD THE WORLD, INCLUDING OUR
[00:22:56] OWN MILITARY, WHICH IS LEARNING
[00:23:00] FROM UKRAINE ABOUT THE USE OF
[00:23:03] DRONES AND OTHER UNMANNED
[00:23:06] WEAPONS PLATFORMS. THEIR
[00:23:09] INGENUITY AND DETERMINATION ARE
[00:23:12] AWE INSPIRING, EVEN AS THEIR
[00:23:15] STOCKPILES OF INTERCEPTORS AND
[00:23:17] OTHER AIR DEFENSE RUN DRY. AND
[00:23:21] WE MUST PROVIDE THE KIND OF
[00:23:23] MILITARY DEFENSE AID THE
[00:23:26] INTERCEPTORS, THE PAC THREE FOR
[00:23:28] THE PATRIOT SYSTEM, FOR THE
[00:23:32] THAAD PLATFORM THAT ARE
[00:23:35] ESSENTIAL TO DEFEND THE
[00:23:37] UKRAINIAN PEOPLE WHO ARE ENDURING NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AFTER
[00:23:41] NIGHT, MISSILES AND DRONES,
[00:23:43] KILLING CIVILIANS AIMED AT
[00:23:45] SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, MALLS,
[00:23:49] CIVILIAN TARGETS PUTIN NOT ONLY
[00:23:52] ABDUCTS CHILDREN, HE KILLS THEM
[00:23:54] IN THEIR BEDS AS THEY SLEEP WITH
[00:23:58] MISSILES AND DRONES THAT ARE
[00:24:01] AIMED PURPOSELY AT CIVILIAN TARGETS TO TERRORIZE AND
[00:24:05] INTIMIDATE THE PEOPLE OF
[00:24:07] UKRAINE. BUT THEY WILL NOT
[00:24:10] YIELD, AND TODAY, THEY CONTINUE
[00:24:13] TO STAND AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND
[00:24:16] LIBERTY, SHINING AGAINST THE
[00:24:19] DARKNESS. TODAY, WE CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THAT MILITARY AID
[00:24:22] THAT THEY NEED, BUT WE CAN TAKE
[00:24:24] THIS STEP, A STEP TO STAND WITH
[00:24:28] THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE AND SHOW
[00:24:31] THAT THEIR FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT I
[00:24:37] WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH SOME
[00:24:40] BRILLIANT RHETORICAL FLOURISH,
[00:24:43] BUT I'D RATHER JUST RECALL SOME
[00:24:49] OF SENATOR GRAHAM'S LAST WORDS.
[00:24:54] TO ME. HE A BIG EFFING DEAL. WE
[00:25:01] ALL DID GOOD DECORUM PREVENTS ME
[00:25:06] ON THE SENATE FLOOR FROM SAYING
[00:25:07] WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAID, BUT I
[00:25:12] WOULD LIKE TO SAY, LOOKING
[00:25:14] ACROSS THE CHAMBER WHERE HE SAT,
[00:25:16] THAT HE IS WITH US TODAY, AND
[00:25:20] THAT HE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE DOING.
[00:25:24] >> I RISE TODAY, AND I'M HONORED
[00:25:28] TO REITERATE MY FULL SUPPORT FOR THE LINDSEY GRAHAM SANCTIONING
[00:25:31] RUSSIA AND IRAN ACT OF 2026. MY
[00:25:34] LATE BROTHER, LINDSEY, WAS A
[00:25:37] FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT. HE WAS ALSO A
[00:25:40] PEACEMAKER WHO WAS DETERMINED TO BRING AN END TO THE CONFLICT IN
[00:25:44] UKRAINE. HE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO
[00:25:46] ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. LINDSEY
[00:25:49] TRAVELED TO UKRAINE ON TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, SEEKING AN
[00:25:52] END TO THIS WAR, AND DESPITE THE
[00:25:54] UKRAINIAN PEOPLE'S UNWAVERING
[00:25:57] RESOLVE TO FIGHT BACK, RUSSIA
[00:25:59] HAS REFUSED TO STOP. ON HIS LAST
[00:26:01] TRIP TO UKRAINE, LINDSEY
[00:26:03] CONTINUED HIS WORK TO ACHIEVE
[00:26:06] PEACE. HE UNDERSTOOD THAT PROVIDING PRESIDENT TRUMP THE
[00:26:08] TOOLS CONTAINED IN THIS
[00:26:10] LEGISLATION WOULD HELP PUSH
[00:26:13] RUSSIA TO THE NEGOTIATION
[00:26:15] NEGOTIATING TABLE. THAT HAD BEEN HIS GOAL SINCE DAY ONE. WE ARE
[00:26:19] ALL AWARE OF THE TREMENDOUS BLOODSHED FOR MORE THAN FOUR
[00:26:23] YEARS, PUTIN HAS WREAKED HAVOC
[00:26:25] ON THE LIVES OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE,
[00:26:28] KIDNAPING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
[00:26:30] UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND
[00:26:33] COMMITTING UNSPEAKABLE ACTS. THE
[00:26:36] WAR AGAINST UKRAINE IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY THE REVENUE RUSSIA
[00:26:40] RAKES IN FROM ENERGY SALES. WITHOUT THESE PROFITS, THE
[00:26:43] ABILITY TO FUND THE WAR WOULD BE
[00:26:45] CRIPPLED. THIS LEGISLATION HITS
[00:26:48] PUTIN WHERE IT HURTS. IT CONTAINS PROVISIONS THAT
[00:26:51] SPECIFICALLY TARGET THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING RUSSIA'S WAR IN
[00:26:55] UKRAINE. THIS BILL FORCES THOSE
[00:26:58] PRIMARY COUNTRIES KEEPING RUSSIA'S ECONOMY AFLOAT. TO
[00:27:01] MAKE A SIMPLE YET CRITICAL
[00:27:03] CHOICE, A CHOICE BETWEEN DOING
[00:27:06] BUSINESS WITH AMERICA OR BUYING
[00:27:08] CHEAP RUSSIAN ENERGY. THIS LEGISLATION TELLS RUSSIA'S
[00:27:12] CUSTOMERS THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NOT SIT BY WHILE
[00:27:15] THEY FUND PUTIN'S ASSAULT. THE.
[00:27:19] LINDSEY GRAHAM SANCTIONING RUSSIA AND IRAN ACT OF 2026
[00:27:22] WOULD END RUSSIA'S NETWORK OF
[00:27:25] AGGRESSION AND CRIMINAL LEADERSHIP. HISTORY TELLS US
[00:27:28] THAT WHEN AN AMBITIOUS DICTATOR
[00:27:32] GOES AFTER ONE NATION, HE TYPICALLY DOESN'T STOP THERE. MY
[00:27:35] BROTHER KNEW THIS WELL, AND I'M
[00:27:37] HONORED TO CONTINUE HIS WORK OF
[00:27:40] ADVANCING THIS HISTORIC
[00:27:41] LEGISLATION. I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP,
[00:27:45] MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR BLUMENTHAL, SENATOR BRITT,
[00:27:49] SENATOR, SENATOR SHAHEEN, AND SENATOR WICKER FOR THEIR
[00:27:53] LEADERSHIP IN MOVING THIS FORWARD WITH ME. I WOULD ALSO
[00:27:56] LIKE TO THANK OUR STAFF, ALL THE STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED SO VERY
[00:27:59] HARD. IN CLOSING OVER THE PAST
[00:28:03] TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES, AMERICA HAS STOOD AS A BEACON OF
[00:28:06] HOPE TO THE FREE WORLD, JUST AS
[00:28:09] THE BACKERS OF THIS WAR WILL SOON BE FORCED TO MAKE A CHOICE,
[00:28:13] EACH MEMBER OF THIS BODY MUST
[00:28:16] ALSO MAKE A CHOICE. WHETHER WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP TO
[00:28:19] EVIL, OR WHETHER WE WILL CONTINUE ON WITH THE STATUS QUO.
[00:28:23] IT'S TIME FOR A SHOW OF
[00:28:26] STRENGTH. IT'S TIME FOR ACTION.
[00:28:29] IT'S TIME FOR THE SENATE TO PASS THE LINDSEY GRAHAM
[00:28:33] SANCTIONING RUSSIA AND IRAN ACT
[00:28:36] OF 2026.
[00:28:46] >> MR. PRESIDENT, I FULLY SUPPORT TAKING TOUGHER ACTION
[00:28:50] AGAINST RUSSIA. THEY HAVE WAGED
[00:28:52] A DEADLY, YEARS LONG WAR ON UKRAINE, AND THE UNITED STATES
[00:28:55] MUST DO MORE TO TIGHTEN THE
[00:28:57] SCREWS ON THE PUTIN WAR MACHINE.
[00:29:01] SO I AM FULLY IN FAVOR OF STRONG
[00:29:03] SANCTIONS. BUT THIS BILL,
[00:29:05] DESPITE ITS TITLE, IS NOT JUST A
[00:29:09] SANCTIONS BILL. IT GIVES DONALD
[00:29:12] TRUMP MASSIVE NEW TARIFF AUTHORITY THAT HE CAN USE TO
[00:29:15] THREATEN OUR TRADING PARTNERS
[00:29:18] AND RAISE PRICES ON THE AMERICAN
[00:29:22] PEOPLE. I BELIEVE SENATORS WILL
[00:29:24] COME TO DEEPLY REGRET VOTING TO
[00:29:26] GIVE DONALD TRUMP THIS TARIFF
[00:29:29] AUTHORITY. THIS BILL GIVES TRUMP
[00:29:31] SO MUCH DISCRETION THAT HE CAN ULTIMATELY DECIDE WHAT COUNTRIES
[00:29:34] TO TARIFF OR WHAT COUNTRIES TO
[00:29:39] EXEMPT. HE CAN MODIFY TARIFFS AT HIS WILL. OVER THE LAST YEAR AND
[00:29:43] A HALF, AMERICANS HAVE SEEN WHAT
[00:29:45] DONALD TRUMP WILL DO WITH
[00:29:47] UNCHECKED TARIFF AUTHORITY. HE'S SEEN THEY HAVE SEEN HIS
[00:29:51] TARIFFS RAISE PRICES FOR
[00:29:53] AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES ON
[00:29:56] EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO HOUSING
[00:29:58] TO HEALTH CARE. AMERICANS HAVE
[00:30:00] SEEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND FAMILY
[00:30:03] FARMS SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD MASSIVE NEW TAXES
[00:30:06] ON MACHINERY AND MERCHANDISE.
[00:30:10] THE TRUMP TARIFFS GO ON AGAIN
[00:30:12] AND OFF AGAIN, DISRUPTING SUPPLY
[00:30:14] CHAINS AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT
[00:30:17] FOR BUSINESSES TO PLAN, INVEST
[00:30:19] AND HIRE OUR ALLIES, INCLUDING
[00:30:22] CANADA AND THE EU, OPENLY
[00:30:24] QUESTIONED THE RELIABILITY OF OUR NATION AND ARE LOOKING TO
[00:30:27] OTHER COUNTRIES FOR MORE STABLE
[00:30:29] TRADE RELATIONSHIPS. AS TRUMP
[00:30:32] TURNS THE TARIFF DIAL UP AND
[00:30:35] DOWN TO PUNISH OR REWARD
[00:30:37] COUNTRIES AS HE LIKES, THE
[00:30:39] PROCESS ENDS UP BEING A CORRUPT,
[00:30:42] TAXING OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO
[00:30:44] SETTLE. TRUMP PERSONAL POLITICAL
[00:30:47] SCORES. IF CONGRESS PASSES THIS
[00:30:49] BILL WITH THESE TARIFFS, MEMBERS WILL BE CONDONING THE TARIFF
[00:30:53] CHAOS OF THE LAST YEAR AND A
[00:30:54] HALF, AND INVITING, INVITING
[00:30:59] MORE. THIS BILL GIVES TRUMP CLEAR AUTHORITY TO PUT TARIFFS
[00:31:03] UP TO 100% ON THE GOODS AMERICANS BUY FROM MAJOR TRADING
[00:31:06] PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE. THAT
[00:31:10] INCLUDES 100% TARIFFS ON THINGS
[00:31:13] LIKE FOOD, MEDICINE, MACHINERY
[00:31:16] AND ELECTRONICS. CONGRESS WOULD EVEN BE LETTING TRUMP PUT
[00:31:19] TARIFFS ON ALLIES LIKE HUNGARY,
[00:31:22] SLOVAKIA, FRANCE, BELGIUM AND
[00:31:24] JAPAN. DONALD TRUMP CAN PICK AND CHOOSE EVEN MORE COUNTRIES TO
[00:31:28] TARIFF EVERY 180 DAYS. THAT'S
[00:31:33] BECAUSE THERE IS NO MECHANISM IN THIS BILL, NONE WHATSOEVER FOR
[00:31:37] CONGRESS TO ROLL BACK THE TRUMP
[00:31:38] TARIFFS. TRUMP CAN INCREASE OR
[00:31:41] DECREASE TARIFFS JUST BY NOTIFYING THE CONGRESS OF HIS
[00:31:45] DECISION. HE'S NOT GOING TO BE
[00:31:48] CONSTRAINED BY ANY KIND OF
[00:31:52] PAPERWORK OR RULES. COLLEAGUES, THIS BODY HAS BEEN FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL TO STOP TRUMP FROM ABUSING THE LAWS. ALREADY
[00:31:55] ON THE BOOKS, TRUMP HAS SHOWN US REPEATEDLY, HE WON'T BE LIMITED
[00:31:59] BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. HE'LL USE ANY LOOPHOLE TO SLAP TARIFFS
[00:32:03] ON OUR ALLIES AND MAKE LIFE MORE
[00:32:06] EXPENSIVE FOR AMERICANS. THE TRUMP TARIFFS ARE NOW RAISING
[00:32:10] PRICES, HURTING OUR ALLIANCES,
[00:32:12] AND OPENING THE DOOR TO
[00:32:15] CORRUPTION. THIS BILL WILL FURTHER INCREASE THE COST OF
[00:32:18] LIVING FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING. SO ALL
[00:32:22] OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO'VE SAID, LOOK, WE WANT TO HOLD DOWN THE
[00:32:25] COST OF LIVING. WE WANT TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE. THIS IS
[00:32:29] NOT GOING TO DO THAT. THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE THE COST OF
[00:32:33] LIVING FOR AMERICANS. AS WE GO INTO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. IT'D
[00:32:35] BE A NIGHTMARE FOR THE AMERICANS
[00:32:38] WHO WANT TO SEE THEIR GOVERNMENT TACKLE THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.
[00:32:41] IT WOULD BE A DANGEROUS MISTAKE
[00:32:44] TO SIGN OUR NAMES ON A BLANK CHECK. THAT GIVES TRUMP EVEN
[00:32:47] MORE POWER TO INDISCRIMINATELY
[00:32:50] USE THESE TARIFFS. SO I URGE MY COLLEAGUES THIS MORNING TO
[00:32:54] SUPPORT THE PAUL WYDEN
[00:32:56] AMENDMENT, WHICH WOULD STRIKE THIS NEW TARIFF AUTHORITY. IT
[00:33:00] WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT
[00:33:03] GIVING TRUMP POWER TO TAX OUR CONSTITUENTS FOR THE THINGS THEY
[00:33:06] BUY FROM TRADING PARTNERS AROUND
[00:33:07] THE WORLD. THERE IS NO NEED TO
[00:33:10] INCLUDE THIS NEW TARIFF IN THE BILL, AND THE FACT THAT THE
[00:33:13] WHITE HOUSE WOULD WON'T SUPPORT
[00:33:16] THE BILL WITHOUT NEW TARIFF POWERS SHOULD SCARE EVERY
[00:33:19] SENATOR IN THIS ROOM. TRUMP HAS SHOWN OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A
[00:33:22] HALF THAT HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED
[00:33:25] WITH UNILATERAL POWER ON TARIFFS. EVERYTHING HE'S DONE
[00:33:28] SUGGESTS THAT HE'S GOING TO ABUSE THIS POWER. AND I URGE MY
[00:33:32] COLLEAGUES THIS MORNING TO VOTE
[00:33:34] YES ON THE PAUL WYDEN AMENDMENT TO PREVENT THIS BODY FROM
[00:33:39] HANDING DONALD TRUMP A NEW TOOL
[00:33:43] FOR INFLATION AND CORRUPTION. I
[00:33:47] YIELD THE FLOOR. >> PRESIDENT, SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY.
[00:33:50] >> INCREASING TAXES ON AMERICANS WILL NOT END PUTIN'S WAR IN
[00:33:54] UKRAINE. THE DRAFTERS OF THIS
[00:33:57] LEGISLATION UNDERSTANDABLY WISH TO PUNISH VLADIMIR PUTIN AND
[00:34:00] SEND RUSSIAN INVADERS BACK TO
[00:34:02] WHERE THEY CAME FROM. BUT THIS
[00:34:05] BILL WAS WRITTEN SUCH THAT THE DRAFTERS FAILED TO SEE THAT IT
[00:34:08] WILL NOT BRING PEACE TO UKRAINE,
[00:34:10] BUT RATHER WILL DELIBERATELY
[00:34:12] MAKE AMERICAN FAMILIES POORER BY INCREASING TARIFFS, WHICH ARE
[00:34:16] NOTHING BUT A TAX ON IMPORTED
[00:34:19] GOODS TO SAVE AMERICANS FROM WHAT VERY WELL COULD BE THE
[00:34:22] LARGEST TAX INCREASE IMPOSED BY A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS. I OFFER
[00:34:26] AN AMENDMENT THAT STRIKES THE
[00:34:28] AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE TARIFFS OF
[00:34:31] UP TO 100% ON AN EVER CHANGING
[00:34:32] LIST OF COUNTRIES. MARK MY
[00:34:36] WORDS, THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST
[00:34:38] TAX INCREASE BY A REPUBLICAN
[00:34:43] CONGRESS. WHY WOULD REPUBLICANS DO. I PROMISE YOU, THEY WANT TO
[00:34:45] LOWER YOUR TAXES, BE VOTING TO
[00:34:50] RAISE YOUR TAXES, $500 BILLION. IN ADDITION, CONGRESS SHOULD NOT
[00:34:53] DELEGATE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL
[00:34:56] DUTIES TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. NOW, MY AMENDMENT DOES NOT TOUCH
[00:35:00] THE SANCTIONS, THE BROAD SANCTIONS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY
[00:35:03] THE BILL, NOR DOES IT TEST THE
[00:35:07] SPECIFIC TARIFFS ON RUSSIA, BECAUSE I SEE THE STRONG DESIRE
[00:35:10] AMONG MY AMONG MEMBERS OF THE
[00:35:13] SENATE TO USE ECONOMIC WARFARE AGAINST PUTIN. BUT I OBJECT TO
[00:35:16] ECONOMIC WARFARE AGAINST THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. ONCE UPON A
[00:35:20] TIME, REPUBLICANS WERE
[00:35:22] DISTINGUISHED FROM DEMOCRATS BY THEIR PERSISTENT CHANT THAT THE
[00:35:25] U.S. DEFICIT WAS THE RESULT OF A
[00:35:28] SPENDING PROBLEM, NOT A REVENUE
[00:35:31] PROBLEM. YET TODAY, MANY REPUBLICANS HAVE BECOME THE
[00:35:34] CHEERLEADERS FOR MORE REVENUE. THE BILL BEFORE US GRANTS THE
[00:35:38] EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE POWER TO
[00:35:40] RAISE NEARLY $500 BILLION IN
[00:35:45] REVENUE IN TAXES. I HOPE I AM
[00:35:48] NOT THE ONLY REPUBLICAN LEFT IN
[00:35:51] CONGRESS WHO IS HORRIFIED BY A BILL THAT PROPOSES TO RAISE
[00:35:55] TAXES, A HALF $1 TRILLION. IN
[00:35:59] ADDITION, THERE IS THE
[00:36:01] CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION CAN CONGRESS DELEGATE ITS ARTICLE
[00:36:05] ONE, SECTION EIGHT AUTHORITY TO
[00:36:06] LAY TAXES AND LEVIES? CAN THEY
[00:36:09] JUST GIVE IT AWAY TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR 100 YEARS
[00:36:13] OR MORE? THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID, WE CAN'T GIVE AWAY OUR
[00:36:17] POWER. AND WHY WOULDN'T IN WHAT WORLD WOULD WE WANT TO GIVE AWAY
[00:36:20] OUR POWER, THE POWER TO TAX AND
[00:36:25] SPEND WAS GIVEN TO CONGRESS. WHY WOULD THEY GIVE THAT TO THE
[00:36:27] PRESIDENT? WHAT SORT OF FECKLESS
[00:36:29] CONGRESS GIVES AWAY THEIR
[00:36:32] CONSTITUTIONAL POWER, THE POWER WAS DIVIDED FOR A REASON.
[00:36:36] MONTESQUIEU SAID, IF YOU BRING THE LEGISLATIVE POWERS TOGETHER
[00:36:39] WITH THE EXECUTIVE, YOU'LL HAVE
[00:36:41] NO LIBERTY. THE POWERS WERE
[00:36:43] DIVIDED BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE, SO WE COULD
[00:36:46] FIGHT FOR LIBERTY. SO IT WOULD
[00:36:48] MAKE IT HARD TO RAISE TAXES. THE
[00:36:54] ANSWER? CAN CONGRESS GIVE AWAY
[00:36:56] ITS POWER IS IN UNEQUIVOCAL NO.
[00:36:59] EMBEDDED WITHIN OUR CONSTITUTION IS SOMETHING CALLED THE
[00:37:03] NONDELEGATION PRINCIPLE, WHICH STATES THAT CONGRESS CANNOT
[00:37:07] DELEGATE ITS CORE LEGISLATIVE POWERS TO ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR TO PRIVATE
[00:37:11] ENTITIES. THE SUPREME COURT USED
[00:37:14] TO ENFORCE THIS NONDELEGATION
[00:37:16] DOCTRINE. MOST, MOST NOTABLY IN
[00:37:21] THE SCHECHTER POULTRY CASE. BUT
[00:37:23] THAT CASE WAS DECIDED IN 1935, AND FOR MUCH OF THE INTERVENING
[00:37:27] YEARS, THE SUPREME COURT HAS
[00:37:29] BEEN A RELIABLE ALLY TO LAZY
[00:37:32] LEGISLATORS. UP UNTIL RECENTLY, THE SUPREME COURT EFFECTIVELY RELIEVED CONGRESS FROM THE HARD
[00:37:37] WORK OF LEGISLATING. BUT THE
[00:37:39] TIDE IS TURNING. FRANKLY, WITH
[00:37:41] THE HELP OF SEVERAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES, JUSTICE
[00:37:45] GORSUCH FORCEFULLY MADE THE CASE FOR REVIVING THE NONDELEGATION
[00:37:49] PRINCIPLE BY ARGUING THAT IF
[00:37:51] CONGRESS COULD PASS OFF ITS
[00:37:53] LEGISLATIVE POWER TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, LEGISLATION
[00:37:57] WOULD RISK BECOMING NOTHING MORE
[00:37:59] THAN THE WILL OF THE CURRENT
[00:38:03] PRESIDENT. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS
[00:38:06] LEGISLATION IS THAT IT DISOBEYS
[00:38:08] THE CLEAR COMMAND OF THE
[00:38:11] CONSTITUTION. TAXES AND LEVIES MUST BE DETERMINED BY CONGRESS.
[00:38:15] MOREOVER, TAXATION BILLS MUST
[00:38:18] ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. DO NOT LET.
[00:38:21] SYMPATHY FOR UKRAINE BLIND YOU
[00:38:24] TO THE REALITY OF TARIFFS. TARIFFS ARE. TAXES ON IMPORTS
[00:38:27] THAT ARE PAID BY AMERICANS. THEY ARE PAID BY PARENTS TRYING TO
[00:38:31] PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ARE PAID BY STUDENTS SAVING UP
[00:38:35] TO BUY THEIR FIRST CAR. TARIFFS
[00:38:38] ARE PAID BY ANYONE WHO SEEKS TO
[00:38:40] SPEND MONEY ON ANY CONCEIVABLE PRODUCT. THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO
[00:38:44] WILL TRY TO PULL THE WOOL OVER
[00:38:46] YOUR EYES AND TELL YOU THAT
[00:38:48] DESPITE THIS PERSISTENT STICKER
[00:38:51] SHOCK, DESPITE THE FEELING THAT LIFE JUST KEEPS GETTING MORE AND
[00:38:54] MORE EXPENSIVE, THE TARIFFS ARE ALWAYS PAID BY SOMEBODY ELSE, BY
[00:38:57] SOME FOREIGN COUNTRY. THE MEMBERS WHO VOTE FOR THIS TAX
[00:39:00] WILL TELL YOU NOT TO WORRY. THESE TARIFFS WILL ONLY BE
[00:39:04] LABELED. THEY'LL ONLY BE LEVIED
[00:39:06] ON FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THIS
[00:39:09] ABSURD CLAIM IS PROVABLY FALSE. FIGURING OUT WHO PAYS TARIFFS IS
[00:39:13] EASY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THOSE WHO ARE GETTING
[00:39:16] REFUNDS. WHEN THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE TARIFFS, A WHOLE
[00:39:19] BUNCH OF PEOPLE LINED UP FOR REFUNDS. WHO'S NOT ON THE LIST?
[00:39:23] THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ON
[00:39:26] THE LIST. CANADA'S NOT ON THE
[00:39:28] LIST. MEXICO'S NOT ON THE LIST.
[00:39:30] AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE GETTING THE REFUNDS BECAUSE AMERICANS
[00:39:34] PAY TARIFFS. AND DO YOU THINK THE COMPANY PAYS THE TARIFFS?
[00:39:37] NO. THEY PASS IT ALONG TO THE CONSUMER. YOU'RE ALL PAYING
[00:39:41] HIGHER PRICES. EVERY TIME YOU GET SOMETHING THROUGH RETAIL,
[00:39:44] YOU'RE PAYING HIGHER PRICES. THE ENTITIES THAT LINED UP FOR
[00:39:48] THE REBATES AFTER THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE EMERGENCY
[00:39:51] TARIFFS WERE PRIMARILY AMERICAN
[00:39:53] RETAILERS, SUCH AS WALMART,
[00:39:55] TARGET, COSTCO, NIKE. LET ME
[00:39:57] REPEAT, CHINA IS NOT ON THE
[00:40:01] REFUND LIST BECAUSE CHINA
[00:40:03] DOESN'T PAY THE TARIFFS. AMERICAN IMPORTERS AND RETAILERS
[00:40:06] PAY THE TARIFFS, AND THEY PASS THE COST OF THE TARIFFS ONTO THE
[00:40:10] CONSUMER. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. A LETTER WAS SENT TO THE SENATE
[00:40:14] REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT LEADERS
[00:40:16] BY TWO DOZEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING THE
[00:40:20] CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION,
[00:40:24] THE NATIONAL RETAIL ASSOCIATION,
[00:40:26] WARNING ABOUT THE COSTS OF TARIFFS IMPOSED BY THIS BILL.
[00:40:29] HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM
[00:40:33] INDUSTRY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE NEW TAXES. THE POTENTIAL OF A
[00:40:35] NEW BROAD 100% TARIFF ON IMPORTS
[00:40:40] FROM SECONDARY COUNTRIES RAISES
[00:40:42] RISKS RAISING COSTS FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND
[00:40:45] CONSUMERS THESE NEW TARIFFS,
[00:40:48] THAT APPROACH WOULD EFFECTIVELY
[00:40:50] TAX U.S. IMPORTERS AND CONSUMERS
[00:40:53] FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ENERGY DECISIONS, CONDUCT THAT IS
[00:40:57] OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE AMERICAN COMPANIES. THEY FURTHER
[00:41:01] SAY TARIFFS OF THIS SCALE WOULD INCREASE COSTS FOR EVERYDAY
[00:41:04] CONSUMER GOODS, MANUFACTURING INPUTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS, WHILE
[00:41:08] CREATING SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTY
[00:41:12] FOR COMPANIES MAKING, SOURCING,
[00:41:13] PRICING AND INVENTORY DECISIONS
[00:41:17] FOR MONTHS ON END. IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO RETALIATORY TARIFFS
[00:41:20] AGAINST U.S. EXPORTS, SO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HELP EXPORTS
[00:41:24] TO TAX IMPORTS, BECAUSE THE OTHER COUNTRIES THEN WILL TAX
[00:41:27] OUR EXPORTS. TARIFFS ARE A BLUNT
[00:41:31] TOOL. THEY SAY, THAT CAN
[00:41:33] PENALIZE LAW ABIDING U.S. COMPANIES IMPORTING LEGITIMATE
[00:41:36] GOODS. INVITE RETALIATION,
[00:41:39] COMPLICATE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS,
[00:41:41] AND SHIFT COSTS ONTO AMERICAN
[00:41:44] FAMILIES WITHOUT ENSURING THAT PRESSURE REACHES THE INTENDED
[00:41:47] ACTORS. THESE TWO DOZEN ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR LETTER BY
[00:41:51] SAYING, WE URGE CONGRESS TO REMOVE THE TARIFF AUTHORITY FROM
[00:41:54] THE BILL AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON
[00:41:56] TARGETED SANCTIONS, STRONGER
[00:41:59] ENFORCEMENT AGAINST SANCTION, EVASION AND COORDINATED DIPLOMACY WITH COUNTRIES
[00:42:03] PURCHASING RUSSIAN ENERGY. ANYBODY CONCERNED WITH THE
[00:42:07] ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF AMERICAN
[00:42:09] FAMILIES WOULD COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. BUT IT'S NOT EASY
[00:42:13] TO FIND SUCH COMMON SENSE IN
[00:42:15] CONGRESS IMPOSING A 100% TARIFF ON ALL GOODS IMPORTED FROM
[00:42:19] COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA AND INDIA
[00:42:22] IS ECONOMIC, IS THE ECONOMIC EQUIVALENT OF SHOOTING OURSELVES
[00:42:26] IN THE FOOT, MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME AMERICANS ENJOY A HIGHER
[00:42:30] QUALITY OF LIFE WHEN THEY HAVE
[00:42:31] MORE PURCHASING POWER FOR
[00:42:35] EVERYDAY NECESSITIES. RECENT TARIFFS ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE
[00:42:38] ALREADY COST THE AVERAGE
[00:42:42] AMERICAN FAMILY $1,700, SO THE
[00:42:44] AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY IS
[00:42:46] ALREADY PAYING $1,700 MORE BECAUSE OF THESE TAXES THAT ARE
[00:42:49] PLACED ON THE THINGS YOU BUY.
[00:42:51] NOW, THIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, AFTER IT JUST GAVE THE AMERICAN
[00:42:55] PEOPLE TAX CUTS, GOING TO DO THE OPPOSITE, WHICH IS IT? ARE WE
[00:42:58] THE PARTY OF LOWER TAXES OR HIGHER TAXES? THIS WILL BE THE
[00:43:02] LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN RECENT
[00:43:04] HISTORY, PERHAPS THE LARGEST TAX
[00:43:06] INCREASE THAT A REPUBLICAN
[00:43:08] CONGRESS HAS PUT ON TO THE PEOPLE. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY
[00:43:12] TO THE PARENTS BUYING THEIR KIDS
[00:43:14] NEW SHOES FOR SCHOOL YEAR? THE MINIMUM WAGE WORKER WHO NEEDS TO BUY A NEW PART TO FIX THEIR CAR,
[00:43:18] TO GET TO WORK, OR THE SINGLE MOTHER BUYING DIAPERS WHEN THEY
[00:43:23] NOTICE THAT THEIR PRICES HAVE DOUBLED, THE COSTS OF THE
[00:43:26] TARIFFS ARE NOT STRICTLY MONETARY. THESE TARIFFS THREATEN
[00:43:29] TO UNDERMINE AMERICA'S STRATEGIC
[00:43:32] POSITION IN THE WORLD SOME NAIVELY, NAIVELY THINK THAT THE
[00:43:36] TERRORISTS WILL GET CHINA TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM RUSSIA.
[00:43:39] BUT IT MIGHT BE THE OPPOSITE. RECENT HISTORY SUGGESTS THAT
[00:43:43] THEY WILL INSTEAD PUSH RUSSIA AND CHINA TOGETHER. CHINA IS NOT
[00:43:47] GOING TO GET THIS 100% TARIFF AND SAY, OH, WE'RE SORRY, WE'RE
[00:43:51] NO LONGER GOING TO COOPERATE WITH RUSSIA. WE'VE KIND OF FORCED RUSSIA TO GIVE US THIS
[00:43:55] GREAT DEAL ON OIL AND GAS THAT WE PIPE INTO OUR COUNTRY. BUT
[00:43:59] WE'RE SORRY NOW, AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE UP ON THAT. NO, IT'S GOING TO PUSH THEM CLOSER
[00:44:03] TOGETHER. THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT ARE GOING TO
[00:44:06] BECOME MORE ALLIED SLAPPING 100%
[00:44:11] TARIFF ON CHINA MAY INADVERTENTLY SOLIDIFY THE
[00:44:14] GEOPOLITICAL ALIGNMENT WITH RUSSIA, AS BEIJING WOULD BECOME
[00:44:18] MORE, NOT LESS, RELIANT ON
[00:44:20] MOSCOW FOR ECONOMIC AND
[00:44:22] DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT. RYAN YOUNG IS A SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH THE
[00:44:26] COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE. HE POINTS OUT THAT
[00:44:30] RUSSIA IS THE JUNIOR PARTNER IN THE ALLIANCE WITH CHINA. YOUNG
[00:44:33] REMINDS US THAT CHINA AGREED TO
[00:44:35] A SECOND NATURAL GAS PIPELINE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, ON
[00:44:39] THE CONDITION THAT RUSSIA SELL CHINA ITS GAS AT A LOWER THAN
[00:44:44] MARKET RATE. YOU THINK CHINA IS GOING TO GIVE UP ON THAT? NO.
[00:44:47] CHINA WILL CONTINUE TO BUY ITS OIL AND GAS FROM RUSSIA AFTER THIS, AND THEY, IN ALL
[00:44:51] LIKELIHOOD, WILL RESPOND TO OUR TARIFFS WITH TARIFFS OF THEIR
[00:44:54] OWN. THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE
[00:44:57] THE SITUATION. IT'S GOING TO
[00:45:01] RAISE AMERICAN TAXES, DRIVE RUSSIA AND CHINA TOGETHER. AND THEN CHINA WILL ACTUALLY ADD
[00:45:05] TARIFFS ON OUR GOODS AS WELL.
[00:45:07] IT'S A HUGE MISTAKE. IMPOSING
[00:45:11] TARIFFS ON CHINA WILL REIGNITE THE TRADE WAR. BEIJING WILL CERTAINLY RETALIATE WITH THEIR
[00:45:14] OWN TARIFFS AND EXPORT CONTROLS.
[00:45:18] MAYA NIKOLAIDES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC
[00:45:22] STATECRAFT INITIATIVE AT THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL, REMINDED US
[00:45:26] THAT ON LIBERATION DAY, THE
[00:45:28] TERRORISTS PLACED ON CHINA IN APRIL 2025 DIDN'T CHANGE.
[00:45:32] BEIJING'S BEHAVIOR. INSTEAD, THOSE TARIFFS PROMPTED CHINA TO
[00:45:36] RESTRICT EXPORTS OF CRITICAL RARE EARTH ELEMENTS. WE ALREADY
[00:45:40] TRIED THIS ONCE. THEY RESPONDED BY RESTRICTING THEIR EXPORTS OF
[00:45:43] THINGS. WE NEED TO MAKE
[00:45:44] BATTERIES FOR CARS, AND THEN WE
[00:45:47] EVENTUALLY ENDED UP NEGOTIATING
[00:45:50] LOWER TARIFFS. DO WE WANT TO GO
[00:45:53] THROUGH THE SAME WORLD OF THAT
[00:45:56] AGAIN? LIKEWISE, IMPOSING A 100% TARIFF ON INDIA AT A TIME WHEN
[00:46:00] WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO COURT THEM TO HELP US IN OUR COMPETITION WITH CHINA, IS
[00:46:04] COMPLETELY SELF-DEFEATING. RYAN YOUNG, WITH THE COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE, WORRIES
[00:46:06] THAT IMPOSING TARIFFS ON INDIA
[00:46:08] WILL ALIENATE ONE OF THE MOST
[00:46:12] IMPORTANT STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN ASIA, AND A POTENTIAL COUNTERWEIGHT TO CHINA. SO AS WE
[00:46:15] TRY TO GET INDIA TO BE MORE ALIGNED WITH US, INSTEAD OF WITH
[00:46:19] CHINA OR RUSSIA, ADMIRABLE GOALS. WE PUT TARIFFS ON INDIA.
[00:46:23] AND WHAT DOES THAT DO? IT PUSHES
[00:46:25] THEM MORE TOWARDS CHINA AND MORE
[00:46:28] TOWARDS RUSSIA IT IS ALSO
[00:46:33] UNCLEAR IF TARIFFS COULD EVEN BE IMPOSED ON INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF
[00:46:36] THE EUROPEAN UNION, LIKE
[00:46:38] SLOVAKIA AND HUNGARY, GIVEN
[00:46:40] EUROPE, EUROPE'S COMMON TRADE
[00:46:43] POLICY IN 2025. U.S., EU BILATERAL TRADE WAS OVER $1
[00:46:46] TRILLION. THAT IS MAKING BOTH
[00:46:50] PARTIES RICH. WE HAVE BECOME
[00:46:54] EXTRAORDINARILY RICH AS A COUNTRY, AS INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS EXPANDED. IN FACT,
[00:46:57] PROSPERITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL,
[00:46:59] PROSPERITY OF THE COUNTRY IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE
[00:47:02] AMOUNT OF TRADE. THINK ABOUT
[00:47:04] THAT. TRYING TO TARIFF
[00:47:07] INDIVIDUAL EU COUNTRIES DIRECTLY
[00:47:10] UNDERMINES PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RECENT U.S.. EU TRADE AGREEMENT.
[00:47:14] SHOULD THE EU RETALIATE AGAINST THE U.S., THE RESULT WILL BE
[00:47:17] DISASTROUS FOR BOTH AMERICAN
[00:47:20] BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
[00:47:23] SUPPORT MY AMENDMENT THAT STRIPS THE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TARIFFS
[00:47:27] FROM THE LEGISLATION. IF NOT ADOPTED, CONGRESS SHOULD REJECT
[00:47:31] THIS STRATEGIC BLUNDER OF A BILL THAT WILL DO NOTHING TO BRING
[00:47:34] PEACE TO UKRAINE, BUT RATHER RAISE AMERICAN PRICES FOR
[00:47:38] AMERICAN CONSUMERS, FURTHER WEAKEN THE DOLLAR, DESTROY U.S.
[00:47:41] RELATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, AND
[00:47:45] DRIVE OUR ADVERSARIES CLOSER TOGETHER. I RECOMMEND A YES VOTE ON THE PAUL WYDEN AMENDMENT.
[00:47:50] >> MR. PRESIDENT. >> SENATOR FROM OREGON. >> JUST VERY BRIEFLY, MY
[00:47:53] COLLEAGUE HAS HIT A NUMBER OF KEY POINTS. AND TO CLOSE, I JUST
[00:47:55] WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS.
[00:47:58] THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS DEBATE, I'M SURE,
[00:48:02] THINK THAT STUFF CAN BE
[00:48:04] CORRECTED. STUFF CAN BE CHANGED.
[00:48:07] AND THE REALITY IS, UNDER THIS,
[00:48:11] THIS PARTICULAR BILL, CONGRESS
[00:48:14] HAS NO AUTHORITY TO MODIFY THIS
[00:48:16] DEEPLY FLAWED PIECE OF
[00:48:18] LEGISLATION. SO THE REALITY IS,
[00:48:21] IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WHEN
[00:48:24] WE'VE GOT FOLKS WHO ARE WALKING
[00:48:26] AN ECONOMIC TIGHTROPE HERE IN
[00:48:29] AMERICA, BALANCING THE FOOD BILL AGAINST THE FUEL BILL AND THE
[00:48:32] FUEL BILL AGAINST THE RENT BILL AND THE LIKE, THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS
[00:48:36] AND SAY, I'M GETTING POUNDED BY
[00:48:39] THESE NEW TARIFFS. I'M JUST
[00:48:40] GETTING HIT BY AN ECONOMIC
[00:48:43] WRECKING BALL. DO SOMETHING
[00:48:45] ABOUT IT. UNDER THIS
[00:48:49] LEGISLATION, CONGRESS CANNOT,
[00:48:51] YOU KNOW, MODIFY THIS BILL.
[00:48:54] IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE. SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE AMERICAN
[00:48:58] PEOPLE GET SOME ADDITIONAL ATTENTION IN OTHER AREAS OF THE
[00:49:02] ECONOMY, BECAUSE UNDER THIS LEGISLATION AND UNDER THESE
[00:49:05] TARIFFS, THEY ARE GOING TO GET HIT BY AN ECONOMIC WRECKING
[00:49:07] BALL, AND IT IS AN UNFORCED ERROR THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO
[00:49:11] HAPPEN. I YIELD THE FLOOR >> INCREASING TAXES ON AMERICANS
[00:49:15] WILL NOT END PUTIN'S WAR IN
[00:49:18] UKRAINE. THE DRAFTERS OF THIS LEGISLATION UNDERSTANDABLY WISH
[00:49:23] TO PUNISH VLADIMIR PUTIN AND SEND RUSSIAN INVADERS BACK TO
[00:49:25] WHERE THEY CAME FROM. BUT THIS
[00:49:28] BILL WAS WRITTEN SUCH THAT THE DRAFTERS FAILED TO SEE THAT IT
[00:49:31] WILL NOT BRING PEACE TO UKRAINE, BUT RATHER WILL DELIBERATELY
[00:49:35] MAKE AMERICAN FAMILIES POORER BY INCREASING TARIFFS, WHICH ARE
[00:49:39] NOTHING BUT A TAX ON IMPORTED
[00:49:41] GOODS TO SAVE AMERICANS FROM
[00:49:44] WHAT VERY WELL COULD BE THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IMPOSED BY
[00:49:47] A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS. I OFFER
[00:49:49] AN AMENDMENT THAT STRIKES THE
[00:49:52] AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE TARIFFS OF
[00:49:54] UP TO 100% ON AN EVER CHANGING
[00:49:57] LIST OF COUNTRIES. MARK MY
[00:49:58] WORDS, THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST
[00:50:01] TAX INCREASE BY A REPUBLICAN
[00:50:03] CONGRESS. WHY WOULD REPUBLICANS
[00:50:07] DO PROMISE YOU THEY WANT TO LOWER YOUR TAXES, BE VOTING TO
[00:50:10] RAISE YOUR TAXES, $500 BILLION
[00:50:15] IN ADDITION, CONGRESS SHOULD NOT
[00:50:18] DELEGATE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
[00:50:22] NOW, MY AMENDMENT DOES NOT TOUCH THE SANCTIONS, THE BROAD
[00:50:25] SANCTIONS THAT ARE PROVIDED BY
[00:50:26] THE BILL, NOR DOES IT TEST THE
[00:50:30] SPECIFIC TARIFFS ON RUSSIA, BECAUSE I SEE THE STRONG DESIRE
[00:50:33] AMONG MY. AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SENATE TO USE ECONOMIC WARFARE
[00:50:37] AGAINST PUTIN. BUT I OBJECT TO ECONOMIC WARFARE AGAINST THE
[00:50:41] AMERICAN CONSUMER. ONCE UPON A
[00:50:42] TIME, REPUBLICANS WERE
[00:50:46] DISTINGUISHED FROM DEMOCRATS BY THEIR PERSISTENT CHANT THAT THE
[00:50:48] U.S. DEFICIT WAS THE RESULT OF A
[00:50:50] SPENDING PROBLEM, NOT A REVENUE
[00:50:54] PROBLEM. YET TODAY, MANY
[00:50:58] REPUBLICANS HAVE BECOME THE CHEERLEADERS FOR MORE REVENUE. THE BILL BEFORE US GRANTS THE
[00:51:01] EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE POWER TO
[00:51:02] RAISE NEARLY $500 BILLION IN
[00:51:08] REVENUE IN TAXES. I HOPE I AM
[00:51:10] NOT THE ONLY REPUBLICAN LEFT IN
[00:51:14] CONGRESS WHO IS HORRIFIED BY A
[00:51:16] BILL THAT PROPOSES TO RAISE
[00:51:19] TAXES, A HALF $1 TRILLION. IN
[00:51:22] ADDITION, THERE IS THE
[00:51:24] CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION CAN
[00:51:27] CONGRESS DELEGATE ITS ARTICLE ONE, SECTION EIGHT AUTHORITY TO
[00:51:31] LAY TAXES AND LEVIES? CAN THEY JUST GIVE IT AWAY TO THE
[00:51:34] EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR 100 YEARS OR MORE? THE SUPREME COURT HAS
[00:51:38] SAID, WE CAN'T GIVE AWAY OUR POWER. AND WHY WOULDN'T? AND IN
[00:51:41] WHAT WORLD WOULD WE WANT TO GIVE
[00:51:45] AWAY OUR POWER, THE POWER TO TAX AND SPEND WAS GIVEN TO CONGRESS.
[00:51:48] WHY WOULD THEY GIVE THAT TO THE
[00:51:49] PRESIDENT? WHAT SORT OF FECKLESS
[00:51:52] CONGRESS GIVES AWAY THEIR
[00:51:55] CONSTITUTIONAL POWER? THE POWER
[00:51:57] WAS DIVIDED FOR A REASON.
[00:51:59] MONTESQUIEU SAID. IF YOU BRING THE LEGISLATIVE POWERS TOGETHER
[00:52:02] WITH THE EXECUTIVE, YOU'LL HAVE NO LIBERTY. THE POWERS WERE
[00:52:06] DIVIDED BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE, SO WE COULD
[00:52:09] FIGHT FOR LIBERTY. SO IT WOULD
[00:52:12] MAKE IT HARD TO RAISE TAXES. THE
[00:52:18] ANSWER? CAN CONGRESS GIVE AWAY ITS POWER? IS AN UNEQUIVOCAL NO.
[00:52:22] EMBEDDED WITHIN OUR CONSTITUTION
[00:52:23] IS SOMETHING CALLED THE
[00:52:26] NONDELEGATION PRINCIPLE, WHICH
[00:52:28] STATES THAT CONGRESS CANNOT DELEGATE ITS CORE LEGISLATIVE
[00:52:32] POWERS TO ANOTHER BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR TO PRIVATE
[00:52:35] ENTITIES. THE SUPREME COURT USED
[00:52:37] TO ENFORCE THIS NONDELEGATION
[00:52:40] DOCTRINE. MOST, MOST NOTABLY IN
[00:52:44] THE SCHECHTER POULTRY CASE. BUT THAT CASE WAS DECIDED IN 1935,
[00:52:48] AND FOR MUCH OF THE INTERVENING YEARS, THE SUPREME COURT HAS
[00:52:52] BEEN A RELIABLE ALLY TO LAZY
[00:52:54] LEGISLATORS. UP UNTIL RECENTLY,
[00:52:57] THE SUPREME COURT EFFECTIVELY
[00:52:59] RELIEVED CONGRESS FROM THE HARD WORK OF LEGISLATING. BUT THE
[00:53:03] TIDE IS TURNING. FRANKLY, WITH THE HELP OF SEVERAL OF PRESIDENT
[00:53:06] TRUMP'S NOMINEES, JUSTICE
[00:53:09] GORSUCH FORCEFULLY MADE THE CASE FOR REVIVING THE NONDELEGATION
[00:53:13] PRINCIPLE BY ARGUING THAT IF CONGRESS COULD PASS OFF ITS
[00:53:16] LEGISLATIVE POWER TO THE
[00:53:18] EXECUTIVE BRANCH, LEGISLATION WOULD RISK BECOMING NOTHING MORE
[00:53:22] THAN THE WILL OF THE CURRENT
[00:53:24] PRESIDENT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS
[00:53:29] LEGISLATION IS THAT IT DISOBEYS THE CLEAR COMMAND OF THE
[00:53:33] CONSTITUTION. TAXES AND LEVIES
[00:53:35] MUST BE DETERMINED BY CONGRESS.
[00:53:38] MOREOVER, TAXATION BILLS MUST
[00:53:40] ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. DO NOT LET.
[00:53:44] SYMPATHY FOR UKRAINE BLIND YOU
[00:53:46] TO THE REALITY OF TARIFFS.
[00:53:49] TARIFFS ARE. TAXES ON IMPORTS THAT ARE PAID BY AMERICANS. THEY
[00:53:53] ARE PAID BY PARENTS TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY
[00:53:56] ARE PAID BY STUDENTS SAVING UP
[00:53:59] TO BUY THEIR FIRST CAR. TARIFFS
[00:54:02] ARE PAID BY ANYONE WHO SEEKS TO
[00:54:04] SPEND MONEY ON ANY CONCEIVABLE PRODUCT. THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO
[00:54:07] WILL TRY TO PULL THE WOOL OVER
[00:54:09] YOUR EYES AND TELL YOU THAT
[00:54:12] DESPITE THIS PERSISTENT STICKER SHOCK, DESPITE THE FEELING THAT
[00:54:15] LIFE JUST KEEPS GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE, THE TARIFFS ARE
[00:54:19] ALWAYS PAID BY SOMEBODY ELSE, BY SOME FOREIGN COUNTRY. THE
[00:54:22] MEMBERS WHO VOTE FOR THIS TAX WILL TELL YOU NOT TO WORRY.
[00:54:26] THESE TARIFFS WILL ONLY BE LABELED. THEY'LL ONLY BE LEVIED
[00:54:29] ON FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THIS
[00:54:32] ABSURD CLAIM IS PROVABLY FALSE.
[00:54:34] FIGURING OUT WHO PAYS TARIFFS IS EASY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK
[00:54:38] AT THOSE WHO ARE GETTING
[00:54:40] REFUNDS. WHEN THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE TARIFFS, A WHOLE
[00:54:43] BUNCH OF PEOPLE LINED UP FOR
[00:54:45] REFUNDS. WHO'S NOT ON THE LIST? THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ON
[00:54:49] THE LIST. CANADA'S NOT ON THE LIST. MEXICO'S NOT ON THE LIST.
[00:54:52] AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE GETTING
[00:54:55] THE REFUNDS BECAUSE AMERICANS PAY TARIFFS. AND DO YOU THINK
[00:54:58] THE COMPANY PAYS THE TARIFFS? NO. THEY PASS IT ALONG TO THE
[00:55:01] CONSUMER. YOU'RE ALL PAYING HIGHER PRICES. EVERY TIME YOU
[00:55:05] GET SOMETHING THROUGH RETAIL, YOU'RE PAYING HIGHER PRICES.
[00:55:08] THE ENTITIES THAT LINED UP FOR
[00:55:11] THE REBATES AFTER THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE EMERGENCY
[00:55:15] TARIFFS WERE PRIMARILY AMERICAN RETAILERS, SUCH AS WALMART,
[00:55:18] TARGET, COSTCO, NIKE. LET ME
[00:55:21] REPEAT, CHINA IS NOT ON THE
[00:55:23] REFUND LIST BECAUSE CHINA
[00:55:25] DOESN'T PAY THE TARIFFS. AMERICAN IMPORTERS AND RETAILERS
[00:55:30] PAY THE TARIFFS, AND THEY PASS THE COST OF THE TARIFFS ONTO THE
[00:55:33] CONSUMER. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. A LETTER WAS
[00:55:37] SENT TO THE SENATE REPUBLICAN
[00:55:39] AND DEMOCRAT LEADERS BY TWO DOZEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS,
[00:55:43] INCLUDING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CONSUMER
[00:55:45] TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL RETAIL ASSOCIATION.
[00:55:49] WARNING ABOUT THE COSTS OF TARIFFS IMPOSED BY THIS BILL. HERE ARE SOME QUOTES FROM
[00:55:53] INDUSTRY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE
[00:55:55] NEW TAXES. THE POTENTIAL OF A
[00:55:58] NEW BROAD 100% TARIFF ON IMPORTS
[00:56:01] FROM SECONDARY COUNTRIES RAISES
[00:56:05] RISKS, RAISING COSTS FOR
[00:56:07] AMERICAN BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND CONSUMERS. THESE NEW TARIFFS.
[00:56:12] THAT APPROACH WOULD EFFECTIVELY
[00:56:13] TAX U.S. IMPORTERS AND CONSUMERS
[00:56:16] FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ENERGY
[00:56:19] DECISIONS, CONDUCT THAT IS OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE
[00:56:22] AMERICAN COMPANIES. THEY FURTHER SAY TARIFFS OF THIS SCALE WOULD
[00:56:26] INCREASE COSTS FOR EVERYDAY
[00:56:28] CONSUMER GOODS, MANUFACTURING
[00:56:31] INPUTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS, WHILE CREATING SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTY
[00:56:34] FOR COMPANIES MAKING, SOURCING,
[00:56:39] PRICING AND INVENTORY DECISIONS FOR MONTHS ON END. IT COULD ALSO
[00:56:43] LEAD TO RETALIATORY TARIFFS AGAINST U.S. EXPORTS, SO IT
[00:56:47] DOESN'T NECESSARILY HELP EXPORTS TO TAX IMPORTS, BECAUSE THE OTHER COUNTRIES THEN WILL TAX
[00:56:50] OUR EXPORTS. TARIFFS ARE A BLUNT
[00:56:54] TOOL, THEY SAY, THAT CAN
[00:56:56] PENALIZE LAW ABIDING U.S. COMPANIES IMPORTING LEGITIMATE
[00:57:00] GOODS. INVITE RETALIATION,
[00:57:02] COMPLICATE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS,
[00:57:05] AND SHIFT COSTS ONTO AMERICAN FAMILIES WITHOUT ENSURING THAT
[00:57:09] PRESSURE REACHES THE INTENDED ACTORS. THESE TWO DOZEN
[00:57:11] ASSOCIATIONS, IN THEIR LETTER BY SAYING, WE URGE CONGRESS TO
[00:57:15] REMOVE THE TARIFF AUTHORITY FROM
[00:57:17] THE BILL AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON
[00:57:19] TARGETED SANCTIONS, STRONGER
[00:57:23] ENFORCEMENT AGAINST SANCTION EVASION AND COORDINATED DIPLOMACY WITH COUNTRIES
[00:57:26] PURCHASING RUSSIAN ENERGY.
[00:57:30] ANYBODY CONCERNED WITH THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF AMERICAN
[00:57:32] FAMILIES WOULD COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. BUT IT'S NOT EASY
[00:57:36] TO FIND SUCH COMMON SENSE IN
[00:57:39] CONGRESS IMPOSING A 100% TARIFF ON ALL GOODS IMPORTED FROM
[00:57:42] COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA AND INDIA,
[00:57:44] IS ECONOMIC, IS THE ECONOMIC
[00:57:48] EQUIVALENT OF SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT, MIDDLE, AND LOW
[00:57:52] INCOME. AMERICANS ENJOY A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE WHEN THEY HAVE
[00:57:54] MORE PURCHASING POWER FOR
[00:57:57] >> EVERY DAY. NECESSITIES.
[00:57:59] RECENT TARIFFS ARE ESTIMATED TO
[00:58:02] HAVE ALREADY COST THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY $1,700, SO THE
[00:58:06] AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY IS
[00:58:09] ALREADY PAYING $1,700 MORE BECAUSE OF THESE TAXES THAT ARE
[00:58:12] PLACED ON THE THINGS YOU BUY.
[00:58:15] NOW, THIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, AFTER IT JUST GAVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TAX CUTS, IS GOING TO DO
[00:58:19] THE OPPOSITE. WHICH IS IT? ARE WE THE PARTY OF LOWER TAXES OR
[00:58:23] HIGHER TAXES? THIS WILL BE THE
[00:58:24] LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN RECENT
[00:58:27] HISTORY, PERHAPS THE LARGEST TAX
[00:58:29] INCREASE THAT A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS HAS PUT ON TO THE
[00:58:32] PEOPLE. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY
[00:58:35] TO THE PARENTS BUYING THEIR KIDS
[00:58:38] NEW SHOES FOR SCHOOL YEAR? THE MINIMUM WAGE WORKER WHO NEEDS TO BUY A NEW PART TO FIX THEIR CAR,
[00:58:41] TO GET TO WORK, OR THE SINGLE
[00:58:44] MOTHER BUYING DIAPERS WHEN THEY NOTICE THAT THEIR PRICES HAVE
[00:58:48] DOUBLED, THE COST OF THE TARIFFS ARE NOT STRICTLY MONETARY. THESE
[00:58:52] TARIFFS THREATEN TO UNDERMINE
[00:58:54] AMERICA'S STRATEGIC POSITION IN
[00:58:56] THE WORLD. SOME NAIVELY, NAIVELY THINK THAT THE TERRORISTS WILL
[00:59:00] GET CHINA TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES
[00:59:01] FROM RUSSIA. BUT IT MIGHT BE THE
[00:59:05] OPPOSITE. RECENT HISTORY SUGGESTS THAT THEY WILL INSTEAD
[00:59:09] PUSH RUSSIA AND CHINA TOGETHER. CHINA IS NOT GOING TO GET THIS
[00:59:12] 100% TARIFF AND SAY, OH, WE'RE SORRY, WE'RE NO LONGER GOING TO
[00:59:15] COOPERATE WITH RUSSIA. WE'VE KIND OF FORCED RUSSIA TO GIVE US
[00:59:17] THIS GREAT DEAL ON OIL AND GAS
[00:59:19] THAT WE PIPE INTO OUR COUNTRY, BUT WE'RE SORRY NOW, AND WE'RE
[00:59:23] GOING TO GIVE UP ON THAT. NO, IT'S GOING TO PUSH THEM CLOSER
[00:59:25] TOGETHER. THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT ARE GOING TO
[00:59:28] BECOME MORE ALLIED. SLAPPING
[00:59:34] 100% TARIFF ON CHINA MAY INADVERTENTLY SOLIDIFY THE
[00:59:38] GEOPOLITICAL ALIGNMENT WITH RUSSIA, AS BEIJING WOULD BECOME
[00:59:41] MORE, NOT LESS, RELIANT ON MOSCOW FOR ECONOMIC AND
[00:59:45] DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT. RYAN YOUNG IS A SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH THE
[00:59:49] COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE. HE POINTS OUT THAT
[00:59:52] RUSSIA IS THE JUNIOR PARTNER IN
[00:59:54] THE ALLIANCE WITH CHINA. YOUNG
[00:59:56] REMINDS US THAT CHINA AGREED TO
[00:59:58] A SECOND NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
[01:00:01] BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, ON THE CONDITION THAT RUSSIA SELL
[01:00:05] CHINA ITS GAS AT A LOWER THAN MARKET RATE. YOU THINK CHINA IS
[01:00:08] GOING TO GIVE UP ON THAT? NO. CHINA WILL CONTINUE TO BUY ITS
[01:00:11] OIL AND GAS FROM RUSSIA AFTER THIS. AND THEY, IN ALL
[01:00:14] LIKELIHOOD, WILL RESPOND TO OUR TARIFFS WITH TARIFFS OF THEIR
[01:00:18] OWN. THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE
[01:00:22] THE SITUATION. IT'S GOING TO RAISE AMERICAN TAXES, DRIVE
[01:00:24] RUSSIA AND CHINA TOGETHER. AND
[01:00:27] THEN CHINA WILL ACTUALLY ADD TARIFFS ON OUR GOODS AS WELL.
[01:00:31] IT'S A HUGE MISTAKE. IMPOSING
[01:00:34] TARIFFS ON CHINA WILL REIGNITE
[01:00:36] THE TRADE WAR. BEIJING WILL CERTAINLY RETALIATE WITH THEIR
[01:00:39] OWN TARIFFS AND EXPORT CONTROLS.
[01:00:42] MAYA NIKOLAIDES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC
[01:00:45] STATECRAFT INITIATIVE AT THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL, REMINDED US
[01:00:49] THAT ON LIBERATION DAY, THE
[01:00:51] TERRORISTS PLACED ON CHINA IN
[01:00:54] APRIL 2025 DIDN'T CHANGE. BEIJING'S BEHAVIOR. INSTEAD,
[01:00:57] THOSE TARIFFS PROMPTED CHINA TO
[01:00:59] RESTRICT EXPORTS OF CRITICAL RARE EARTH ELEMENTS. WE ALREADY
[01:01:03] TRIED THIS ONCE. THEY RESPONDED BY RESTRICTING THEIR EXPORTS OF THINGS. WE NEED TO MAKE
[01:01:07] BATTERIES FOR CARS, AND THEN WE EVENTUALLY ENDED UP NEGOTIATING
[01:01:11] LOWER TARIFFS. DO WE WANT TO GO
[01:01:11] THROUGH THE SAME WORLD OF THAT
[01:01:15] AGAIN? LIKEWISE, IMPOSING A 100%
[01:01:17] TARIFF ON INDIA AT A TIME WHEN
[01:01:20] WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO COURT THEM TO HELP US IN OUR
[01:01:23] COMPETITION WITH CHINA, IS COMPLETELY SELF-DEFEATING. RYAN
[01:01:26] YOUNG, WITH THE COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE, WORRIES
[01:01:30] THAT IMPOSING TARIFFS ON INDIA WILL ALIENATE ONE OF THE MOST
[01:01:34] IMPORTANT STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN
[01:01:36] ASIA, AND A POTENTIAL
[01:01:39] COUNTERWEIGHT TO CHINA. SO AS WE TRY TO GET INDIA TO BE MORE ALIGNED WITH US, INSTEAD OF WITH
[01:01:42] CHINA OR RUSSIA, ADMIRABLE GOALS. WE PUT TARIFFS ON INDIA.
[01:01:46] AND WHAT DOES THAT DO? IT PUSHES
[01:01:48] THEM MORE TOWARDS CHINA AND MORE
[01:01:53] TOWARDS RUSSIA IT IS ALSO UNCLEAR IF TARIFFS COULD EVEN BE
[01:01:57] IMPOSED ON INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, LIKE
[01:02:01] SLOVAKIA AND HUNGARY, GIVEN
[01:02:03] EUROPE'S EUROPE'S COMMON TRADE
[01:02:08] POLICY IN 2025. U.S., EU BILATERAL TRADE WAS OVER $1
[01:02:11] TRILLION. THAT IS MAKING BOTH
[01:02:13] PARTIES RICH. WE HAVE BECOME EXTRAORDINARILY RICH AS A
[01:02:16] COUNTRY, AS INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS EXPANDED. IN FACT,
[01:02:20] PROSPERITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, PROSPERITY OF THE COUNTRY IS
[01:02:24] DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE
[01:02:26] AMOUNT OF TRADE. THINK ABOUT
[01:02:29] THAT. TRYING TO TARIFF
[01:02:30] INDIVIDUAL EU COUNTRIES DIRECTLY
[01:02:35] UNDERMINES PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RECENT U.S.. EU TRADE AGREEMENT.
[01:02:37] SHOULD THE EU RETALIATE AGAINST THE U.S., THE RESULT WILL BE
[01:02:40] DISASTROUS FOR BOTH AMERICAN
[01:02:43] BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS. I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO
[01:02:45] SUPPORT MY AMENDMENT THAT STRIPS THE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TARIFFS
[01:02:49] FROM THE LEGISLATION. IF NOT
[01:02:52] ADOPTED, CONGRESS SHOULD REJECT THE STRATEGIC BLUNDER OF A BILL
[01:02:56] THAT WILL DO NOTHING TO BRING PEACE TO UKRAINE, BUT RATHER
[01:02:59] RAISE AMERICAN PRICES FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS, FURTHER
[01:03:02] WEAKEN THE DOLLAR, DESTROY U.S.
[01:03:05] RELATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, AND DRIVE OUR ADVERSARIES CLOSER
[01:03:08] TOGETHER. I RECOMMEND A YES VOTE ON THE PAUL WYDEN AMENDMENT.
[01:03:12] >> MR. PRESIDENT. >> SENATOR FROM OREGON. >> JUST VERY BRIEFLY, MY
[01:03:16] COLLEAGUE HAS HIT A NUMBER OF KEY POINTS. AND TO CLOSE, I JUST
[01:03:18] WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS.
[01:03:22] THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO ARE FOLLOWING THIS DEBATE, I'M
[01:03:25] SURE, THINK THAT STUFF CAN BE
[01:03:28] CORRECTED. STUFF CAN BE CHANGED.
[01:03:31] AND THE REALITY IS, UNDER THIS,
[01:03:35] THIS PARTICULAR BILL, CONGRESS
[01:03:38] HAS NO AUTHORITY TO MODIFY THIS DEEPLY FLAWED PIECE OF
[01:03:41] LEGISLATION. SO THE REALITY IS,
[01:03:45] IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WHEN WE'VE GOT FOLKS WHO ARE WALKING
[01:03:49] AN ECONOMIC TIGHTROPE HERE IN AMERICA, BALANCING THE FOOD BILL
[01:03:52] AGAINST THE FUEL BILL AND THE FUEL BILL AGAINST THE RENT BILL
[01:03:56] AND THE LIKE, THEY'RE GOING TO
[01:03:57] COME TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS
[01:04:01] AND SAY, I'M GETTING POUNDED BY THESE NEW TARIFFS. I'M JUST
[01:04:04] GETTING HIT BY AN ECONOMIC WRECKING BALL. DO SOMETHING
[01:04:09] ABOUT IT. UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, CONGRESS CANNOT,
[01:04:13] UH, YOU KNOW, MODIFY THIS BILL.
[01:04:15] IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE. SO WHAT
[01:04:18] WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE AMERICAN
[01:04:22] PEOPLE GET SOME ADDITIONAL ATTENTION IN OTHER AREAS OF THE
[01:04:25] ECONOMY, BECAUSE UNDER THIS LEGISLATION AND UNDER THESE TARIFFS, THEY ARE GOING TO GET
[01:04:29] HIT BY AN ECONOMIC WRECKING BALL, AND IT IS AN UNFORCED
[01:04:33] ERROR THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO
[01:04:33] HAPPEN. I YIELD THE FLOOR.
[01:04:38] >> THE LINDSEY GRAHAM SANCTIONING RUSSIA AND IRAN ACT, AND SO APPRECIATE DARLINE
[01:04:42] GRAHAM'S BEING HERE AND HER
[01:04:44] SUPPORT FOR THIS. UM, SO I'M
[01:04:46] HERE TO SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING
[01:04:49] BILL, BUT I ALSO AM HERE TO
[01:04:52] OPPOSE THE PAUL WYDEN AMENDMENT.
[01:04:55] NOW, I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN OF
[01:04:57] SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ON
[01:05:00] TARIFFS. I SHARE THOSE. I CO-LED
[01:05:02] AN AMICUS BRIEF CHALLENGING THE
[01:05:05] PRESIDENT'S ILLEGAL USE OF
[01:05:07] IEEPA TO IMPOSE TARIFFS, AND
[01:05:10] APPRECIATED SENATOR WYDEN PARTNERSHIP ON THAT. THAT
[01:05:13] ARGUMENT PREVAILED AT THE
[01:05:16] SUPREME COURT. I ALSO OPPOSE ANY ABUSE OF THE TARIFF AUTHORITIES
[01:05:20] THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS.
[01:05:23] BUT THE AUTHORITY IN THIS BILL
[01:05:26] TO IMPOSE TARIFFS IS VERY
[01:05:28] NARROWLY SCOPED, AND IT CONTAINS
[01:05:32] CLEAR GUARDRAILS. IT EXPLICITLY SAYS THAT THE ONLY COUNTRIES
[01:05:36] THAT CAN BE SUBJECT TO TARIFFS
[01:05:38] ARE THE TOP FIVE PURCHASERS OF
[01:05:40] OIL OR GAS. THE TOP FIVE, AND
[01:05:44] THE TOP FIVE SANCTIONS EVADERS
[01:05:47] FOR RUSSIAN OIL. SO IF WE'RE
[01:05:49] GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT
[01:05:52] PUTTING PRESSURE ON THAT, WE NEED TO PUT PRESSURE ON TO GET
[01:05:56] VLADIMIR PUTIN TO THE TABLE. WE HAVE GOT TO SHUT DOWN THE MONEY
[01:05:59] THAT HE'S GETTING FROM OIL AND GAS. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL
[01:06:03] WOULD DO. THESE TARIFFS HAVE ONE
[01:06:06] PURPOSE TO MAKE IT MORE COSTLY
[01:06:09] FOR COUNTRIES TO KEEP BUYING THE
[01:06:12] RUSSIAN ENERGY THAT FUNDS
[01:06:15] PUTIN'S WAR. AMENDMENT DOES NOT
[01:06:18] RESTORE CONGRESS'S
[01:06:22] CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OVER TRADE, WHICH, LISTENING TO THE
[01:06:23] AUTHORS, YOU MIGHT QUESTION. AND
[01:06:28] IF THIS AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXISTING
[01:06:32] TARIFF AUTHORITIES REMAIN EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
[01:06:35] THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD CHANGE WOULD BE OUR ABILITY TO PUT
[01:06:39] PRESSURE ON COUNTRIES THAT ARE
[01:06:40] STILL BUYING RUSSIAN ENERGY. SO
[01:06:43] I OPPOSE THIS AMENDMENT. I URGE
[01:06:46] MY COLLEAGUES TO OPPOSE IT AS
[01:06:49] WELL. AND I THINK ONE OF THE
[01:06:51] CRITICAL ISSUES HERE IS THE
[01:06:53] URGENCY OF WHERE WE ARE IN THIS
[01:06:57] WAR RIGHT NOW. THE MOMENTUM IS
[01:07:00] ON UKRAINE'S SIDE. THIS IS
[01:07:03] RUSSIA'S WORST SUMMER OF THE WAR YET, BUT WE KNOW THE SITUATION
[01:07:06] CAN CHANGE QUICKLY AGAINST
[01:07:09] UKRAINE. CHINA'S SUPPORTING RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO REGAIN BATTLEFIELD ADVANTAGE BY HELPING
[01:07:13] THE RUSSIANS DEVELOP THEIR OWN VERSION OF STARLINK. ONE OF THE
[01:07:16] THINGS PRESIDENT ZELENSKY RAISED
[01:07:19] A CONCERN ABOUT THE LAST TIME SENATOR GRAHAM AND I HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH HIM IN
[01:07:23] ANKARA, AT THE NATO SUMMIT.
[01:07:26] ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY,
[01:07:30] THAT TECHNOLOGY THAT CHINA IS WORKING ON COULD BE AVAILABLE AS
[01:07:34] EARLY AS NOVEMBER. THAT WOULD
[01:07:39] ADVANCE RUSSIA'S DRONE TECHNOLOGY TO CATCH UP WITH
[01:07:41] UKRAINE. THE BATTLEFIELD COULD
[01:07:43] LOOK SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN THE NEXT 6 TO 12 MONTHS, AND
[01:07:47] THAT COULD ROLL BACK UKRAINE'S
[01:07:51] ADVANTAGES. NOW IS THE TIME TO
[01:07:52] PUT MORE PRESSURE ON PUTIN. THIS
[01:07:57] LEGISLATION, IF IT'S ADVANCED BEFORE THE AUGUST RECESS, WILL
[01:07:59] BE AHEAD OF RUSSIA'S UPCOMING ELECTIONS. THEY HOLD THEIR
[01:08:02] LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS IN MID
[01:08:04] SEPTEMBER. AFTER THAT, PUTIN IS
[01:08:07] LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE
[01:08:10] CONSCRIPTION IN RESPONSE TO THE
[01:08:12] SEVERE SHORTAGE OF RECRUITS,
[01:08:15] BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING 35,000
[01:08:17] RUSSIANS A MONTH, ADVANCING THE LEGISLATION AHEAD OF RUSSIA'S
[01:08:20] UPCOMING ELECTIONS WILL INCREASE
[01:08:22] PRESSURE ON PUTIN TO SERIOUSLY
[01:08:25] REVISIT PROSPECTS FOR A PEACE
[01:08:27] DEAL. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE,
[01:08:30] RUSSIA IS WATCHING WHAT WE DO.
[01:08:33] WE HAVE THE HISTORY OF THIS WAR
[01:08:36] TO SHOW THAT EVERY TIME THE UNITED STATES BACKS AWAY FROM
[01:08:40] PUTTING PRESSURE ON RUSSIA, FROM
[01:08:43] HELPING UKRAINE, FROM FUNDING THE WAR, RUSSIA RAMPS UP ITS
[01:08:46] ATTACKS IN UKRAINE. IT KILLS
[01:08:49] MORE CIVILIANS. AND THAT'S WHERE
[01:08:52] WE ARE. IF WE CAN'T SHUT DOWN
[01:08:55] THE FUNDING FOR THE WAR MACHINE THAT RUSSIA IS USING AGAINST,
[01:08:59] AGAINST UKRAINE, THEN THEY'RE
[01:09:01] GOING TO KEEP AT IT. WE HAVE TO
[01:09:04] SHOW THE DETERMINATION THAT THE UNITED STATES FEELS TO SUPPORT
[01:09:08] THIS EMERGING DEMOCRACY, THAT SENATOR BLUMENTHAL WAS SO
[01:09:12] ELOQUENT TO TALK ABOUT. SO
[01:09:14] THAT'S WHY THERE'S REAL URGENCY FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY, NOT
[01:09:18] JUST TO PASS THIS UNDERLYING
[01:09:21] SANCTIONS BILL, BUT TO MAKE SURE
[01:09:23] THAT THE TARIFFS THAT ARE
[01:09:25] FUNDING RUSSIA'S WAR MACHINE
[01:09:29] CAN SHUT DOWN THE OIL AND GAS
[01:09:32] THAT IS KEEPING THAT WAR MACHINE
[01:09:34] GOING. SO I HOPE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL OPPOSE THIS
[01:09:37] AMENDMENT AND SUPPORT THE UNDERLYING BILL. THANK YOU, MR.
[01:09:40] PRESIDENT. I YIELD THE FLOOR.
[01:10:43] >> MICHIGAN >> [APPLAUSE] >> DEMOCRATS. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:10:45] >> WOO WELL, I AM SO THRILLED TO
[01:10:49] STAND BEFORE YOU AS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S NOMINEE TO
[01:10:52] BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN
[01:10:55] >> [APPLAUSE] >> I WANT TO START BY JUST SAYING THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
[01:10:59] BEING A PART OF THIS CRITICAL MOMENT FOR OUR STATE, FOR OUR
[01:11:03] DEMOCRACY, FOR BEING A PART OF OUR TEAM. AND THANK YOU FOR PLACING YOUR TRUST IN ME TO WORK
[01:11:06] FOR YOU TO TRANSFORM OUR STATE.
[01:11:09] WE CAN DO ALL OF THAT TOGETHER. AND WE HAVE TO, BECAUSE, I MEAN,
[01:11:12] LET'S FACE IT, RIGHT NOW, IT FEELS LIKE GOVERNMENT,
[01:11:16] ESPECIALLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IS SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE. WE
[01:11:17] DON'T WANT IT. OUR POLLING
[01:11:20] PLACES, MASKED FEDERAL AGENTS IN THE STREETS OF MICHIGAN. AND.
[01:11:23] ALL WRIGHT >> [APPLAUSE] >> TERRORIZING RESIDENTS,
[01:11:27] SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE. WE DON'T WANT IT. AND NOWHERE WHERE WE ACTUALLY
[01:11:31] >> [APPLAUSE] >> NEED IT. AND THIS ELECTION IS
[01:11:33] OUR OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT.
[01:11:36] IT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO GROW
[01:11:39] OUR COALITION, TO INCLUDE CITIZENS IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS
[01:11:42] STATE WHO BELIEVE, AS WE ALL DO,
[01:11:46] THAT THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE MUST ALWAYS BE GREATER THAN THE
[01:11:48] PEOPLE IN POWER.
[01:11:52] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:11:57] >> MY LIFE'S WORK IS ABOUT MAKING THAT PROMISE, THAT HOPE,
[01:12:00] A REALITY. I CARRY THAT HOPE WITH ME EVERY DAY. AS THE DAUGHTER OF
[01:12:04] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:12:04] >> PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, YAY
[01:12:09] THE WIFE OF A VETERAN AND THE MOM OF A TEN YEAR OLD LITTLE BOY
[01:12:12] WHOSE FUTURE WILL BE SHAPED BY
[01:12:16] WHAT WE DO NOW TOGETHER. AND THAT IS THE QUESTION FACING
[01:12:20] VOTERS THIS FALL. MY FRIENDS,
[01:12:23] WHO DO YOU WANT? MICHIGAN'S
[01:12:25] LEADERS TO WORK FOR? THE PEOPLE
[01:12:30] OR THE POWERFUL? RIGHT? THE
[01:12:31] PEOPLE? WELL, YOU ALL KNOW WHO
[01:12:34] I'LL WORK FOR. ALL OF YOU AND
[01:12:37] EVERY MICHIGANDER IN THIS STATE, NOT THE HIGHEST BIDDER, NOT
[01:12:40] CORPORATE INTERESTS, NOT DONALD >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:12:43] >> TRUMP. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:12:45] >> YOU. SO I'M ASKING YOU TO
[01:12:51] JOIN THIS INCREDIBLE TEAM OF DEMOCRATS RUNNING UP AND DOWN
[01:12:54] THE TICKET THIS FALL TO ENSURE
[01:12:57] WE CAN BUILD A GOVERNMENT WHOSE
[01:12:59] LEADERS WORK FOR YOU, WORK FOR THE PEOPLE, A GOVERNMENT THAT
[01:13:02] SAVES US TIME, SAVES US MONEY,
[01:13:04] MAKES OUR LIFE EASIER. A
[01:13:07] GOVERNMENT LED BY A TRIFECTA OF STATE LEADERS
[01:13:11] >> [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE]
[01:13:14] >> ALL OF WHOM? ALL OF WHOM ARE
[01:13:16] COMMITTED TO MAKING MICHIGAN A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN AFFORD
[01:13:20] TO LIVE AND TO THRIVE. WHERE
[01:13:24] CHILD CARE IS AFFORDABLE FOR ALL, WHERE HOMES ARE EASILY
[01:13:27] BUILT, SO THAT TEACHERS AND NURSES AND FARMERS CAN AFFORD TO
[01:13:31] LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY WORK, WHERE EVERY
[01:13:35] MICHIGANDER HAS ACCESS TO
[01:13:38] QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
[01:13:41] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:13:45] >> AND WHERE NO YOUNG GIRL HAS TO WORRY WHETHER SHE'LL WAKE
[01:13:47] UP, GROW UP IN A STATE WHERE HER REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS ARE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:13:51] >> PROTECTED
[01:13:53] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:13:57] >> AND WHERE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK, AND AIR IS CLEAN TO
[01:13:59] BREATHE. AND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM PREPARES OUR
[01:14:03] KIDS FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE. THAT'S >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:14:05] >> WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR. AND
[01:14:12] AS THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN, I WILL WORK WITH ALL
[01:14:15] OF YOU TO DRIVE DOWN COSTS WHILE EXPANDING OUR ECONOMY. AND YEAH,
[01:14:19] I'LL WORK WITH ANYONE TO GET THAT DONE. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, I'M ALSO READY TO STAND UP TO
[01:14:23] ANYONE, NO MATTER HOW WEALTHY OR POWERFUL, >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:14:26] >> WHO GETS IN OUR WAY.
[01:14:29] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:14:32] >> I'VE DONE THAT. I'VE DONE THAT AS SECRETARY OF STATE, AND
[01:14:35] I'M READY TO DO IT AS THE NEXT >> [APPLAUSE] >> GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN.
[01:14:39] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:14:43] >> I LOVE THIS STATE. LIKE ALL OF YOU, I LOVE THE PEOPLE IN
[01:14:46] EVERY CORNER, IN EVERY COUNTY.
[01:14:47] AND I KNOW WHEN I TALK TO THAT
[01:14:50] SINGLE MOM IN MUSKEGON WHO HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO EAT OR PAY
[01:14:54] RENT, OR WHEN I SIT DOWN WITH SENIORS IN WARREN WHO ARE
[01:14:57] ANXIOUS ABOUT PAYING FOR MEDICINE. AS THOSE COSTS SKYROCKET AND THEY'RE ON A
[01:15:00] FIXED INCOME, I KNOW OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MOMENT,
[01:15:03] MY FRIENDS, IS NOT JUST TO WIN THIS FALL, BUT TO DO RIGHT BY
[01:15:07] THEM, TO DELIVER FOR THEM. AND
[01:15:11] EVERY PERSON IN THIS STATE. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DEMOCRAT. AND THAT'S WHAT IT
[01:15:15] MEANS TO LEAD I WILL WORK FOR
[01:15:21] THAT VETERAN WHO DESERVES ACCESS
[01:15:23] TO HEALTH CARE THAT THEY EARNED.
[01:15:26] THE TEACHERS WHO DEDICATED THEIR
[01:15:28] LIVES TO PREPARING OUR KIDS FOR THE FUTURE AND DESERVE BETTER
[01:15:32] PAY AND MORE RESPECT OUR
[01:15:39] CAMPAIGN IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT ALL
[01:15:40] OF THEM, ALL OF YOU AND THE KIDS
[01:15:44] WHOSE FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT WE
[01:15:45] DO TODAY COST DOWN WAGES, UP
[01:15:49] END, CORRUPTION, PROTECT OUR RIGHTS, AND BUILD A GOVERNMENT
[01:15:52] WHO WORKS FOR ALL. THAT'S >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:15:54] >> OUR GOAL AND BY THE WAY, ALSO
[01:16:00] ELECT A GOVERNOR WHO KNOWS HOW
[01:16:01] TO STAND UP TO >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:16:04] >> BULLIES. AND BOY, DO I KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. LIKE WHEN, UH,
[01:16:08] WHEN DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO PRESSURE ME INTO TURNING OVER
[01:16:11] YOUR PRIVATE VOTING INFORMATION OR PRESSURE CLERKS INTO TURNING OVER THEIR BALLOTS, I SAID, NO,
[01:16:15] AND I'LL SEE YOU IN >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:16:16] >> COURT
[01:16:22] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND I WON.
[01:16:25] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:16:29] >> AND SO I ENTER THIS MOMENT, MY FRIENDS, KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO BE A
[01:16:33] GOVERNOR. THAT'S A GUARDRAIL, A PROTECTOR OF MICHIGANDERS, BUT
[01:16:37] ALSO WHO KNOWS WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY, FOR OUR
[01:16:40] ECONOMY. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT IT MEANS,
[01:16:43] EVEN IF IT MEANS SHELTERING IN MY HOME WHILE PEOPLE WITH GUNS
[01:16:46] GATHER ON MY FRONT LAWN, I WILL
[01:16:49] NEVER BE AFRAID TO STAND UP TO ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE WHO
[01:16:52] WOULD TRY TO TAKE AWAY YOUR >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:16:54] >> RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS. AND SO
[01:17:01] THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS THE CHOICE FACING VOTERS IN MICHIGAN THIS FALL. THAT IS THE CHOICE THAT
[01:17:05] I'M ASKING YOU TO PRESENT TO THEM. THE QUESTION, WHO DO YOU
[01:17:08] WANT YOUR GOVERNOR TO WORK FOR?
[01:17:10] WHAT DO YOU WANT HER TO STAND
[01:17:12] FOR >> [APPLAUSE]?
[01:17:16] >> AND WHO WILL SHE FIGHT FOR?
[01:17:21] NOW, MY REPUBLICAN OPPONENT, JOHN JAMES.
[01:17:25] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] >> HE, UH, HE'S ALREADY SHOWN
[01:17:28] US. WHO'S HE FIGHTING FOR. YOU
[01:17:30] KNOW, HE VOTED NOT ONCE, NOT
[01:17:33] TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES TO RAISE
[01:17:35] HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR HUNDREDS
[01:17:37] OF THOUSANDS OF MICHIGANDERS.
[01:17:42] WHEN MICHIGAN FAMILIES NEEDED HELP LOWERING HOUSING COSTS, HE
[01:17:45] STAYED HOME. AND WHEN PRESIDENT
[01:17:49] TRUMP TRIED TO OVERTURN A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION THAT HE LOST
[01:17:53] IN 2020, MY OPPONENT WAS RIGHT THERE NEXT TO HIM, PARROTING THE
[01:17:56] VERY SAME LIES, THE VERY SAME ATTACKS, BECAUSE HE ALSO DIDN'T
[01:18:00] WANT TO ADMIT THAT HE'D >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:18:02] >> LOST THAT ELECTION. YEAH, I, UH, I THINK, IN FACT, HE LOST A
[01:18:06] COUPLE OF STATEWIDE
[01:18:10] >> [APPLAUSE] >> ELECTIONS. BUT, UH, BUT MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS, ARE YOU READY TO MAKE SURE HE GOES THREE
[01:18:14] FOR THREE AND LOSES THIS ONE TO
[01:18:20] WELL, SO AM I. AND THE BOTTOM LINE, THOUGH, FOR ME IS THIS.
[01:18:24] MICHIGAN DESERVES A GOVERNOR WHO WORKS FOR YOU AND ANSWERS TO THE
[01:18:26] PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS, NOT
[01:18:29] THE DEVOS FAMILY, AND NOT DONALD
[01:18:34] TRUMP. YOU. AND SO HERE WE GO
[01:18:38] INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH THE WIND IN OUR BACK, WITH MOMENTUM ON OUR SIDE.
[01:18:42] MICHIGANDERS JUST MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD IN A PRIMARY WHERE
[01:18:45] MORE PEOPLE VOTED THAN EVER
[01:18:48] BEFORE IN A MIDTERM PRIMARY IN THIS >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:18:52] >> STATE. AND THEIR MESSAGE WAS CLEAR. THEY VOTED FOR CHANGE.
[01:18:54] THEY VOTED FOR LEADERS WHO WILL FIGHT FOR THEM. AND IF THERE IS
[01:18:57] ONE PARTY THEY TRUST FOR TO
[01:18:59] FIGHT FOR THEM, IT'S US. WE WILL STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE. WE
[01:19:02] WILL FIX WHAT IS BROKEN FOR THE
[01:19:05] PEOPLE WE SERVE. AND I AM COMMITTED AS THE NEXT GOVERNOR
[01:19:08] OF MICHIGAN, TO MAKING SURE WE MEET THIS MOMENT. BUT I CANNOT
[01:19:11] DO IT ALONE. I CANNOT DO IT
[01:19:13] WITHOUT YOUR HELP. I NEED YOU IN
[01:19:15] THESE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO KNOCK THOSE DOORS, MAKE THOSE CALLS,
[01:19:19] TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS. LEAVE HERE TONIGHT, READY TO REMIND
[01:19:23] PEOPLE WHAT IS AT STAKE AND WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE COME
[01:19:27] TOGETHER, WE CAN TAKE THE
[01:19:28] VICTORY WE SAW ON TUESDAY AND DELIVER ANOTHER ONE THIS FALL
[01:19:32] FOR >> [APPLAUSE] >> ALL OF US.
[01:19:35] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:19:39] >> SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU
[01:19:43] TONIGHT, AS WE SHOW THE NATION
[01:19:44] WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR
[01:19:47] AND WHO WE ARE FIGHTING FOR. ARE
[01:19:49] YOU READY TO WORK FOR DEMOCRACY?
[01:19:54] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:19:56] >> ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT FOR
[01:20:02] DEMOCRACY? ARE YOU READY TO VOTE
[01:20:05] FOR LET ME HEAR IT. VOTE FOR.
[01:20:11] VOTE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:20:14] >> FOR FOR. WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE TOGETHER, MY FRIENDS,
[01:20:18] YOU AND ME, WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS ELECTION, AND WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE STATE FOR THE
[01:20:21] BETTER. LET'S GET IT DONE.
[01:20:24] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:20:28] >> AND I AM EXCITED NOW TO
[01:20:31] INTRODUCE SOMEONE. FUN FACT, WHO I'VE KNOWN FOR A REALLY LONG
[01:20:34] TIME. UH, WE WERE STUDENTS TOGETHER LONG AGO. WE'RE
[01:20:37] COLLEAGUES NOW. WE'RE FRIENDS
[01:20:39] NOW. UH, YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS
[01:20:46] SECRETARY >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:20:47] >> PETE. I KNOW HIM NOW AS
[01:20:50] MICHIGANDER. PETE BUTTIGIEG.
[01:20:52] LET'S BRING HIM ON OUT
[01:20:58] >> COME ONE TIME. >> [MUSIC] >> OH
[01:21:01] >> [MUSIC]
[01:21:07] >> HEY, WAKE UP >> [MUSIC].
[01:21:08] >> KISS. WE GOT THE DREAMERS. DISEASE. >> [MUSIC]
[01:21:13] >> GOT YOU DOWN ON YOUR KNEES
[01:21:22] >> [MUSIC]
[01:21:22] >> THANK
[01:21:33] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT FEELS GOOD. USUALLY WHEN I'M ON THE
[01:21:37] ROAD, I SAY IT FEELS GOOD TO BE. AND THEN I TRY TO REMEMBER WHAT
[01:21:39] STATE I'M IN. BUT IT IS GOOD TO BE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:21:42] >> HOME IN MICHIGAN.
[01:21:45] >> [APPLAUSE] >> HUGE SHOWING TONIGHT. THANK
[01:21:49] YOU FOR TAKING SOME TIME ON A FRIDAY EVENING TO GET FIRED UP
[01:21:53] TOGETHER FOR THE WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING OVER THE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:21:55] >> NEXT 88 DAYS
[01:21:57] >> [APPLAUSE] >> I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF
[01:22:01] THE GREAT LEADERS WHO ARE WITH US, PEOPLE WHO HAVE STEPPED UP
[01:22:04] AT EVERY LEVEL, PEOPLE WHO WILL
[01:22:07] NEVER MAKE THE MISTAKE OF TREATING THE PRESIDENCY LIKE IT'S THE ONLY OFFICE THAT
[01:22:11] MATTERS, BECAUSE WE GOT SOME WORK TO DO RIGHT >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:22:13] >> HERE, CLOSER TO HOME. I'M
[01:22:18] THANKFUL TO BE IN THE CITY, LED BY MAYOR MARY >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:22:20] >> SHEFFIELD
[01:22:25] >> [APPLAUSE] >> TO BE IN THE TRADITION OF SENATOR SLOTKIN AND SENATOR
[01:22:29] PETERS IN THE STATE OF GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER, THAT WOMAN FROM MICHIGAN WHO GOT A WHOLE LOT OF
[01:22:33] >> [APPLAUSE] >> PEOPLE TO SEE OUR STATE DIFFERENTLY.
[01:22:36] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:22:41] >> I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU. EVER SINCE MOVING TO BE
[01:22:44] CLOSER TO OUR FAMILY IN GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, OR, AS I'VE
[01:22:47] LEARNED AS A MICHIGANDER, TO PUT AT THE AT THE END OF MY RING >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:22:50] >> FINGER, RIGHT THERE, I HAVE
[01:22:54] SEEN FOR MYSELF HOW THIS STATE
[01:22:56] CAPTURES SO MANY DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS OF AMERICAN LIFE, FROM THE AUTO TOWNS THAT REMIND
[01:23:00] ME OF WHERE I GREW UP, TO THE
[01:23:03] ROLLING HILLS AND CHERRY ORCHARDS WHERE WE LIVE NOW, TO
[01:23:07] ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT CITIES, WHERE WE ARE GATHERED
[01:23:09] RIGHT NOW. DETROIT, >> [APPLAUSE] >> MICHIGAN.
[01:23:13] >> [APPLAUSE] >> SO BEFORE I WAS YOUR
[01:23:17] NEIGHBOR, YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW ME FROM SOMETHING ELSE.
[01:23:20] LIKE MAYBE WHEN I DID WHAT, UH,
[01:23:24] ANY SUCCESSFUL SECOND TERM MAYOR OF THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN
[01:23:26] INDIANA WOULD DO AND SOUGHT THE PRESIDENCY >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:23:30] >> IN 2020. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:23:33] >> OR MAYBE YOU KNOW ME FROM MY UNEXPECTED SPECIALTY OF APPEARING FROM TIME TO TIME ON
[01:23:37] FOX NEWS
[01:23:40] >> [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE]
[01:23:42] >> OR MAYBE YOU KNOW ME, FROM WHEN I HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING
[01:23:45] AS YOUR UNITED STATES
[01:23:49] >> [APPLAUSE] >> SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:23:53] >> MAKING SURE WE GOT DOLLARS ON THE GROUND TO DO THINGS LIKE
[01:23:56] BUILD SAFER STREETS AROUND DETROIT, OR RECONNECT
[01:23:59] COMMUNITIES AROUND I-375, OR
[01:24:01] DELIVER THE STRONGEST EXPANSION
[01:24:04] OF AIRLINE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:24:07] >> PASSENGER RIGHTS EVER. >> [APPLAUSE] >> BUT RIGHT NOW, I AM HERE IN
[01:24:11] ONE SIMPLE CAPACITY. AND THAT IS, AS YOUR FELLOW PROUD
[01:24:15] MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT, WORKING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GREAT RESULT
[01:24:17] THIS NOVEMBER
[01:24:19] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:24:23] >> NOW WE HAVE JUST 88 DAYS TO
[01:24:26] MAKE SURE THAT THINGS GO RIGHT.
[01:24:29] THE STAKES ARE HIGH, AND PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE
[01:24:33] FROM AROUND THE WORLD, ARE WATCHING THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
[01:24:36] RIGHT NOW TO SEE IF WE HAVE THE
[01:24:38] CAPABILITY TO PUT TOGETHER THAT
[01:24:41] COALITION TO WIN. AND WE WILL
[01:24:46] >> [APPLAUSE] >> WIN.
[01:24:49] >> [APPLAUSE] >> WE'RE GOING TO WIN BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FOCUS
[01:24:53] ON WHAT'S AT STAKE, TO LOCK
[01:24:57] ARMS AS ALLIES. AFTER A SPIRITED PRIMARY, TO PULL TOGETHER IN
[01:25:00] COMMON CAUSE IN AN ELECTION THAT'S GOING TO DECIDE, IN NO
[01:25:04] SMALL PART, WHETHER THE AMERICAN DREAM COMES BACK. AND THE
[01:25:08] AMERICAN PROJECT ENDURES. MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE WORLD IS
[01:25:11] WATCHING. I'LL INVITE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE PRESS RISERS OVER THERE. NOT IN A CREEPY
[01:25:15] DONALD TRUMP KIND OF WAY, BECAUSE WE RESPECT A FREE AND INDEPENDENT >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:25:19] >> PRESS BUT RATHER TO AFFIRM
[01:25:27] WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THE CHOICES
[01:25:29] THAT OUR FELLOW MICHIGANDERS ARE GOING TO MAKE AT THE BALLOT BOX.
[01:25:33] IN JUST 88 DAYS. YEAH, WE'RE
[01:25:35] GOING TO WIN, BECAUSE WE AREN'T JUST OBSESSED WITH WHAT IT IS WE
[01:25:38] ARE AGAINST. WE KNOW WHAT IT IS
[01:25:41] WE'RE ACTUALLY FOR, AND WE'RE READY TO INVITE PEOPLE TO JOIN US IN A POWERFUL MAJORITY TO MAKE
[01:25:45] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:25:46] >> THAT REAL. WE'RE GOING TO WIN
[01:25:51] BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROJECT OF THE MOMENT IS NOT TO
[01:25:54] RETURN TO SOME PREVIOUS STATUS
[01:25:57] QUO. IT'S TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE BETTER NOT JUST THAN
[01:26:00] THEY ARE TODAY, BUT THAN THEY EVER WERE BEFORE
[01:26:03] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:26:07] >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE VALUES AND THE VISION TO DO THAT. I
[01:26:11] BELIEVE WE HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO DO THAT, AND I BELIEVE WE
[01:26:14] HAVE THE CANDIDATES TO DO THAT. >> [APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT
[01:26:18] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:26:23] >> TO PULL TOGETHER DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS, AND A WHOLE LOT OF WHAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO CALL
[01:26:27] FUTURE FORMER REPUBLICANS INTO THE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:26:30] >> FOLD WITH US.
[01:26:32] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:26:35] >> NOW, LOOK, IT'S NO SECRET THAT WE ALL MAY NOT HAVE VOTED
[01:26:38] THE SAME WAY ON TUESDAY. THAT'S
[01:26:42] OKAY. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. BUT
[01:26:45] HOWEVER YOU VOTED IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES, THERE IS A REASON YOU
[01:26:48] WENT OUT AND VOTED IN >> [APPLAUSE] >> THE FIRST PLACE, RIGHT? I
[01:26:51] KNOW THAT WHAT BROUGHT US ALL
[01:26:53] OUT TO VOTE. WHAT BRINGS US ALL OUT HERE TONIGHT, AND WHAT WILL
[01:26:57] PROPEL US TO VICTORY IN NOVEMBER, IS THE FUNDAMENTAL
[01:27:00] VALUES WE CARE ABOUT, THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE SHARE, AND
[01:27:03] THE NEED TO ELECT LEADERS WHO WILL REPRESENT US, THE CHANCE TO
[01:27:07] MAKE EVERYDAY LIFE BETTER IN
[01:27:09] THIS STATE AND IN THIS COUNTRY
[01:27:11] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:27:16] >> SO I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS. WHEREVER YOU SIT IN
[01:27:20] THIS BIG TENT OF OURS, AND IT IS
[01:27:22] A BIG TENT, BUT WHATEVER CORNER OF THAT TENT YOU THINK OF AS
[01:27:26] HOME, THERE IS A SET OF THINGS. AND I MEAN BIG, BIG THINGS WHERE
[01:27:30] WE AGREE WITH EACH OTHER. WE
[01:27:32] AGREE WITH MOST MICHIGANDERS,
[01:27:35] AND WASHINGTON AND LANSING
[01:27:38] REPUBLICANS DISAGREE WITH US. THAT'S WHAT'S AT STAKE RIGHT NOW. AND IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT
[01:27:42] LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTER. DEMOCRAT
[01:27:45] AND REPUBLICAN. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A LIFELONG
[01:27:49] DEMOCRAT TO BELIEVE THAT ONE JOB
[01:27:51] OUGHT TO BE ENOUGH IN THE AMERICAN
[01:27:55] >> [APPLAUSE] >> ECONOMY.
[01:27:56] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:27:59] >> A BLEEDING HEART LIBERAL TO SEE THAT COSTS NEED TO GO DOWN,
[01:28:02] AND WAGES NEED TO GO UP, NOT THE
[01:28:04] OTHER WAY AROUND
[01:28:07] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:28:10] >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELONG TO THIS POLITICAL PARTY OR THAT
[01:28:13] POLITICAL PARTY TO RECOGNIZE THAT GOD DOES NOT BELONG TO ANY
[01:28:17] POLITICAL PARTY IN THE UNITED STATES OF
[01:28:20] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:28:21] >> AMERICA. OR TO INSIST THAT
[01:28:25] PEOPLE OF EVERY FAITH AND ANY
[01:28:28] FAITH, IF ANY, ALL DESERVE EQUAL
[01:28:30] TREATMENT, RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND SAFETY IN THIS >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:28:34] >> COUNTRY
[01:28:36] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:28:39] >> THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN JUST SEE. WE CAN SEE FOR
[01:28:42] OURSELVES. DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS, AND A LOT OF
[01:28:44] PEOPLE WHO ARE USED TO VOTING
[01:28:46] REPUBLICAN, AND SO MANY OF THOSE
[01:28:49] THINGS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS
[01:28:52] FALL. WAR IS ON THE BALLOT >> [APPLAUSE] >> THIS FALL. >> YES.
[01:28:56] >> WE ARE ALL PAYING MORE AT THE PUMP, AND SERVICE MEMBERS ARE
[01:28:59] PAYING WITH THEIR LIVES BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP LAUNCHED A WAR ON
[01:29:02] IRAN WITH NO PLAN FOR HOW TO GET
[01:29:04] US >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:29:07] >> OUT OF IT. AND CONGRESSMAN
[01:29:10] JOHN JAMES VOTED TO SEND YOUR MONEY INTO THAT CONFLICT, WHICH TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT THE KIND
[01:29:14] OF GOVERNOR THAT HE WOULD BE IF
[01:29:18] HE GOT ELECTED.
[01:29:18] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:29:22] >> BUT JOCELYN BENSON SHOWED INTEGRITY UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURE AS SECRETARY OF STATE,
[01:29:25] WHICH SHOWS YOU THE KIND OF GOVERNOR SHE'LL BE WHEN WE SEND
[01:29:28] HER TO THAT OFFICE IN JUST A FEW
[01:29:30] WEEKS. WE NEED TO GET
[01:29:34] >> [APPLAUSE] >> JOCELYN BENSON ELECTED. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:29:38] >> CORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY ARE
[01:29:39] ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL. A FIRST
[01:29:44] FAMILY MAKING CRYPTO BILLIONS. WHICH IS NOT A SENTENCE I EVER THOUGHT I'D HAVE TO >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:29:47] >> SAY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
[01:29:50] TRADING STOCKS, POLITICIANS ENRICHING THEMSELVES ON THE JOB.
[01:29:54] IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY,
[01:29:56] WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO MAKE
[01:29:58] SURE WE FOLLOW OUR GREAT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DANA NESSEL,
[01:30:02] WITH A PROVEN FIGHTER LIKE ELIZABETH, WHO UNDERSTANDS HOW
[01:30:04] TO TAKE ON CORRUPTION. AND WITH
[01:30:12] OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM, UNDER THE PRESSURE THAT IT'S UNDER, WE
[01:30:15] NEED A PROVEN STATEWIDE LEADER
[01:30:17] OF INTEGRITY TO BE OUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE, FOLLOWING
[01:30:21] JOCELYN BENSON. AND THAT IS SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T JUST STAND
[01:30:24] TALL. HE THINKS BIG. AND THAT IS
[01:30:29] GARLIN >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:30:30] >> GILCHRIST. COMMON SENSE IS ON
[01:30:36] THE BALLOT THIS FALL. WE NEED TO
[01:30:40] KEEP INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE. WE NEED TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS. WE NEED TO
[01:30:44] PROTECT CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER. AND WE HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE BETWEEN THOSE PRIORITIES
[01:30:47] IN LANSING AND THE ENDLESS CULTURE WARS THAT SEEM TO
[01:30:51] CONSUME THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF
[01:30:53] STATE LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS. ONLY ONE SET OF CANDIDATES IS IN
[01:30:57] LINE WITH THE PRIORITIES OF MICHIGANDERS, WHICH IS WHY WE
[01:31:00] MUST PRESERVE THE STATE SENATE
[01:31:02] MAJORITY AND BRING THAT HOUSE INTO DEMOCRATIC HANDS SO THE
[01:31:06] GOVERNOR, BENSON, CAN WORK WITH
[01:31:07] THAT TRIFECTA.
[01:31:13] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE US HOUSE AND THE US SENATE, THE
[01:31:17] CHOICE COULD NOT BE CLEARER.
[01:31:19] WHEN IT COMES TO THE US SENATE, WE HAVE ABDUL EL-SAYED, WHO
[01:31:23] INSISTS THAT MONEY AND POLITICS
[01:31:25] HAS GONE TOO FAR.
[01:31:28] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:31:33] >> AND WE HAVE HIM RUNNING AGAINST MIKE ROGERS, WHO INSISTS ON >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:31:37] >> BEING PART OF THE PROBLEM.
[01:31:39] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:31:43] >> WE HAVE ONE CANDIDATE IN ABDUL EL-SAYED WHO WANTS TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
[01:31:46] AND KEEP MORE MONEY
[01:31:50] >> [APPLAUSE] >> IN YOUR POCKET. AND WE HAVE ANOTHER CANDIDATE, MIKE ROGERS,
[01:31:53] WHO LITERALLY VOTED AGAINST THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. AND YOU
[01:31:56] BETTER BELIEVE HE WILL CUT HEALTH CARE ONE MORE TIME IF YOU GIVE HIM A CHANCE IN THE UNITED
[01:32:00] STATES SENATE. SO WE WILL NOT
[01:32:02] LET THAT HAPPEN. MIKE ROGERS HAS DISQUALIFIED HIMSELF FROM GOING >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:32:06] >> BACK TO WASHINGTON. YOU GOT
[01:32:11] MIKE >> [APPLAUSE] >> ROGERS AND JOHN JAMES AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ON THE
[01:32:13] BALLOT RIGHT NOW IN ALL OF THESE KEY HOUSE DISTRICTS WHO THINK
[01:32:16] IT'S PERFECTLY FINE TO CUT
[01:32:22] SCHOOLS AND CLOSE HOSPITALS AND SHUT DOWN ROAD PROJECTS, ALL IN
[01:32:26] ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RICHEST INDIVIDUALS AND
[01:32:29] THE LARGEST CORPORATIONS IN THE LAND PAY A LOWER TAX RATE THAN
[01:32:32] THE TEACHERS WHO TEACH IN THOSE
[01:32:36] SCHOOLS, THE WORKERS WHO PAVE THOSE ROADS, AND THE NURSES WHO SERVE IN THOSE HOSPITALS. WE
[01:32:39] KNOW THAT WE CAN DO >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:32:42] >> BETTER THAN THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:32:46] >> WE KNOW THAT INVESTING IN HEALTH CARE AND FUNDING, NOT
[01:32:50] SLASHING SNAP AND SUPPORTING, NOT GUTTING HEAD START AND
[01:32:54] MAKING SURE THAT THE BEST AND
[01:32:56] WEALTHIEST ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES ACTUALLY HAS THE BEST
[01:33:00] FUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES. WE KNOW THE
[01:33:02] LEADERS WHO WILL DO THAT
[01:33:11] >> [APPLAUSE] >> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WITH US. THE PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN ARE
[01:33:13] WITH US, AND WE ARE WITH EACH OTHER ON ISSUE AFTER ISSUE AFTER
[01:33:17] ISSUE. YEAH, YOU ARE EITHER FOR
[01:33:21] OR AGAINST A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, AND WE KNOW WHAT SIDE WE ARE ON IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
[01:33:25] AND IN >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:33:26] >> THIS PARTY YOU ARE EITHER FOR
[01:33:31] OR AGAINST THE RIGHT TO BE WHO
[01:33:33] YOU ARE AND LOVE WHO YOU LOVE, WITHOUT SOMEBODY TELLING YOU
[01:33:36] WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO. AND
[01:33:38] MOST PEOPLE ARE WITH US ON THAT.
[01:33:41] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:33:44] >> AND I WOULD JUST ADD THAT WE ARE A PRACTICAL PEOPLE IN THIS
[01:33:47] PART OF THE COUNTRY. WE PAY ATTENTION, ABOVE ALL, TO
[01:33:51] RESULTS. SO TODAY WE WOKE UP TO NEWS THAT THE US ECONOMY IS
[01:33:55] LOSING JOBS. REMEMBER WHEN THEY PROMISED THAT THOSE TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY WERE WORTH IT
[01:33:58] BECAUSE THEY WOULD SPEED UP THE ECONOMY? THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED.
[01:34:02] REMEMBER WHEN THEY TOLD US WE HAD TO PAY THOSE TARIFFS THAT
[01:34:05] COST US A THOUSAND BUCKS A HOUSEHOLD, BECAUSE IT WOULD
[01:34:08] BRING BACK MANUFACTURING. THE OPPOSITE IS HAPPENING. JUST LIKE
[01:34:12] WHEN THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD
[01:34:13] DRAIN THE SWAMP, ONLY FOR THE
[01:34:16] SWAMP TO BE THE SWAMP IT HAS EVER BEEN. AND THE ONLY THING
[01:34:19] THEY DRAINED WAS THE REFLECTING POOL IN FRONT OF THE LINCOLN
[01:34:22] MEMORIAL. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:34:25] >> MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS.
[01:34:27] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:34:30] >> AND THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS ASKING QUESTIONS, PEOPLE WHO DID
[01:34:33] NOT VOTE THE WAY WE WOULD HAVE LIKED THEM TO VOTE. THE LAST FEW
[01:34:36] TIMES, PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVED IT WHEN THEY HEARD NO
[01:34:39] NEW WARS, WHO BELIEVED IT WHEN THEY WERE TOLD THAT COSTS WERE
[01:34:41] GOING TO COME DOWN. AND THE TIME HAS COME TO REACH OUT TO THEM,
[01:34:45] AND WE ARE NOT THERE TO SAY, WE TOLD YOU SO, WE ARE THERE TO
[01:34:48] SAY, THOSE GUYS DON'T DESERVE YOU. JOIN US AND TOGETHER,
[01:34:51] LET'S DO SOMETHING BETTER.
[01:34:55] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:34:58] >> NO TWO PEOPLE IN A PARTY, OR
[01:35:02] A COUNTRY OR A COUNTY OR A FAMILY AGREE ON ABSOLUTELY
[01:35:06] EVERYTHING. BUT ON EVERY ONE OF THOSE BIG ISSUES, DEMOCRATS
[01:35:09] AGREE ON WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO. MOST MICHIGANDERS AGREE ON WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO, AND WE GOT A
[01:35:13] CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. SO WE KNOW WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO
[01:35:17] THESE NEXT 88 DAYS, AND LET'S GET THE WORD OUT TO >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:35:19] >> EVERYBODY WHO WILL LISTEN.
[01:35:23] AND BASED ON THE ENERGY IN THIS ROOM, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO >> [APPLAUSE] >> DO JUST FINE.
[01:35:27] >> [APPLAUSE] >> IN NOVEMBER BUT WE GOTTA KEEP DOING THE WORK. NOW. AS SOON AS
[01:35:31] WE'RE DONE HERE, I'M GOING TO HEAD RIGHT BACK UP NORTH SO THAT I CAN BE THERE FOR THE BIRTHDAY
[01:35:35] PARTY WE'RE THROWING FOR OUR TWINS TOMORROW MORNING. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:35:37] >> BACK HOME.
[01:35:40] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:35:45] >> BIRTHDAY. THANK YOU >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:35:49] >> THEY'RE >> [APPLAUSE] >> ABOUT TO BE FIVE. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:35:52] >> WHICH MEANS IF YOU EVER HAD KIDS THAT AGE, THEY'RE STARTING
[01:35:54] TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. SOME
[01:35:58] ARE EASIER >> [APPLAUSE] >> THAN OTHERS IS A PINEAPPLE
[01:36:01] BIGGER THAN A GRAPEFRUIT? WHAT
[01:36:04] HAPPENED TO OUR OLD >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:36:05] >> DOG IS TAYLOR SWIFT REAL
[01:36:11] >> [APPLAUSE]?
[01:36:11] >> DO THE GOOD GUYS ALWAYS WIN?
[01:36:15] EVEN AT THIS AGE? I'M STARTING TO FIND IT CHALLENGING TO ANSWER
[01:36:19] SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COME MY WAY. I'M STARTING TO ASK
[01:36:23] JUSTIN AND ME ABOUT THE AMERICAN
[01:36:24] FLAG, WHY WE DON'T HAVE KINGS
[01:36:27] AND QUEENS, WHERE WE LIVE. YOU'RE ASKING SOME PRETTY POINTED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY I
[01:36:30] KEEP GOING TO THE AIRPORT EVERY
[01:36:32] FEW DAYS, BUT THIS RIGHT HERE,
[01:36:35] IS WHY I'M ON THE ROAD. FOR THE SAME REASON THAT YOU'RE WORKING SO HARD FOR THIS ELECTION,
[01:36:38] BECAUSE ONE DAY, THOSE QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO GET EVEN MORE INTENSE. THEY'RE GOING TO BE
[01:36:42] SAYING, HEY, PAPA, BACK IN THE
[01:36:48] 2020s, WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN
[01:36:50] THINGS WERE SO CRAZY IN THIS
[01:36:52] COUNTRY? WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT IT? AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO
[01:36:55] TELL THEM THAT BACK THEN, BACK
[01:36:57] IN THE 2020s, BACK WHEN
[01:37:01] POLITICIANS DREW MAPS WHERE THEY COULD PICK THEIR OWN VOTERS
[01:37:03] INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY >> [APPLAUSE] >> AROUND, BACK WHEN ONE JOB WAS
[01:37:06] NOT ENOUGH FOR SO MANY HARD
[01:37:09] WORKING AMERICANS, BACK WHEN
[01:37:12] SOME PEOPLE BARBARICALLY HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HEALTH CARE AND A
[01:37:15] MORTGAGE PAYMENT. BACK IN THE 2020s, WHEN THE AMERICAN DREAM
[01:37:18] WAS SLIPPING AWAY, WE DECIDED TO
[01:37:22] TURN THINGS AROUND BEFORE IT >> [APPLAUSE] >> WAS TOO LATE.
[01:37:26] >> [APPLAUSE] >> WHEN WE STOP PRETENDING
[01:37:29] THINGS THAT COULD GO ON LIKE THAT WOULD GO ON FOREVER, AND WE
[01:37:32] MADE SURE SOMETHING BETTER TOOK THEIR PLACE. AND I'M GOING TO
[01:37:35] TELL THEM ABOUT THE WORK WE DID RIGHT HERE IN MICHIGAN. IN THE
[01:37:39] GENERAL ELECTION >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:37:41] >> OF 2026. SO MY ONLY QUESTION
[01:37:44] IS, ARE YOU READY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THE STORY WE GET TO
[01:37:47] TELL OUR KIDS ONE DAY? >> [APPLAUSE] >> ARE YOU READY TO CALL PEOPLE
[01:37:50] INTO OUR COALITION WHILE THERE'S STILL A CHANCE? ARE YOU
[01:37:54] READY TO DO THE WORK? KNOCK ON DOORS, PICK UP THE PHONE,
[01:37:58] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND CALL FOR SOMETHING
[01:38:01] BETTER. THAN WE WILL BE PROUD OF THIS MOMENT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE
[01:38:04] WERE ABOUT TO DO NEXT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING UP,
[01:38:08] MICHIGAN. LET'S GET TO WORK >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:38:10] >> AND LET'S GET THIS DONE.
[01:38:19] SPEAKING OF GETTING IT DONE, I NOW HAVE THE PLEASURE OF TURNING
[01:38:22] OVER TO SOMEONE WHO IS LEADING THE EXTRAORDINARY TEAM, THE
[01:38:26] STAFF, THE VOLUNTEERS, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE MICHIGAN
[01:38:29] DEMOCRATIC PARTY. PLEASE WELCOME YOUR MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
[01:38:33] STATE CHAIR >> [APPLAUSE] >> CURTIS HERTEL.
[01:38:36] >> [MUSIC]
[01:38:42] >> AM I? HI. I'MA RIP THIS
[01:38:48] KILL. THE LIGHTS GO OUT TILL MY
[01:38:50] LEGS GIVE OUT. CAN'T SHUT TILL
[01:38:52] THE SMOKE A VERSE STARTS, I EAT
[01:38:59] IT IN EMCEES HEART. WHAT IS HE THINKING? I'M ABOUT TO GO
[01:39:02] AGAINST ME ABSURD HOW PEOPLE HANG ON EVERY WORD. I'LL
[01:39:06] PROBABLY NEVER GET THE PROPS I
[01:39:08] FEEL I EVER DESERVE.
[01:39:15] >> WE HAVE. >> SOME AMAZING CANDIDATES. YOU
[01:39:18] KNOW, I WANT TO TELL YOU ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN I RAN FOR CHAIR
[01:39:21] OF THIS PARTY, UH, I SAID THAT
[01:39:27] WE WOULD GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS
[01:39:30] OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY,
[01:39:31] CHOOSING CANDIDATES. THE PEOPLE
[01:39:35] SHOULD >> [APPLAUSE] >> CHOOSE. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:39:38] >> WELL, I WANT TO TELL YOU, YOU
[01:39:40] DID A FINE JOB I WANT TO SHOW
[01:39:44] YOU MY SHIRT REAL QUICK.
[01:39:47] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:39:58] >> GET THAT ON MICHIGAN DEMS.COM. HELP SUPPORT THE
[01:40:00] ORGANIZING PROGRAM THAT WE DO.
[01:40:03] UH, I WANT TO BRING UP THE REST OF OUR TICKET FOR A SECOND. UH,
[01:40:07] PEOPLE THAT ARE BECAUSE OF OUR TEAM
[01:40:11] >> [APPLAUSE]. [APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT
[01:40:14] >> [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]
[01:40:30] >> WE HAVE STATE BOARD OF
[01:40:33] EDUCATION MEMBER TIFFANY TILLEY.
[01:40:37] >> [APPLAUSE] >> UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BOARD
[01:40:40] OF REGENTS MEMBER AMIR MACKLIN.
[01:40:47] MSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES BRIANNA SCOTT AND >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:40:50] >> KELLY TEBAY OUR NEXT WAYNE
[01:40:54] STATE BOARD OF >> [APPLAUSE] >> GOVERNORS. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:40:56] >> SHARIF AKIL. AND IN THE NINTH
[01:41:00] CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, OUR NEXT >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:41:02] >> CONGRESSMAN, RAY POOLEY. WE
[01:41:08] ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE THEM ON OUR TICKET. WE'RE SO EXCITED FOR
[01:41:10] THEM TO BE PART OF TAKING
[01:41:13] MICHIGAN BACK. THESE ARE YOUR >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:41:17] >> CANDIDATES.
[01:41:17] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:41:22] >> GUYS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE
[01:41:26] FIRST TIME IN MICHIGAN HISTORY.
[01:41:28] THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME WE'VE
[01:41:32] EVER HAD AN OPEN GOVERNOR'S RACE. OPEN U.s SENATE RACE,
[01:41:35] OPEN, ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE
[01:41:38] OPEN. SECRETARY OF STATE, ENOUGH SEATS THAT WE CAN FLIP CONGRESS
[01:41:41] RIGHT HERE IN >> [APPLAUSE] >> MICHIGAN
[01:41:43] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:41:47] >> WE'RE DOWN THREE SEATS IN THE STATE HOUSE. WE GOT A ONE
[01:41:50] SEAT MAJORITY IN THE STATE
[01:41:53] SENATE AND TWO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES. ALL RIGHT, HERE IN
[01:41:56] MICHIGAN. NO PRESSURE. >> [APPLAUSE] >> EVERYBODY.
[01:42:00] >> [APPLAUSE] >> BUT WE ARE LUCKY. WE HAVE A
[01:42:03] GREAT TEAM OF CANDIDATES. UH, I
[01:42:08] AM SO PROUD OF THE CANDIDATES.
[01:42:09] WE HAVE. JOCELYN BENSON HAS BEEN
[01:42:12] A FIGHTER FOR >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:42:16] >> MICHIGAN. EVERY SINGLE TIME THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS
[01:42:20] COME AND TRIED TO CONTROL OUR
[01:42:22] ELECTIONS, WE'VE HAD ONE PERSON
[01:42:25] STAND UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND
[01:42:27] SAY, NO. AND I KNOW THAT SHE
[01:42:30] WILL TAKE THAT SAME PASSION TO
[01:42:32] INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS, INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
[01:42:36] AND MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO RAISE A FAMILY HERE IN MICHIGAN. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:42:40] >> AGAIN
[01:42:41] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:42:45] >> AND I GOT TO SERVE IN THE
[01:42:47] SENATE WITH GARLIN GILCHRIST. I
[01:42:50] WATCHED GARLAND FIGHT EVERY
[01:42:52] SINGLE DAY. YOU KNOW, WE PASSED THE LARGEST TAX CUT FOR WORKING
[01:42:57] FAMILIES. WE BROUGHT 30,000 KIDS OUT
[01:43:01] >> [APPLAUSE] >> OF POVERTY. WE WERE THE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:43:03] >> FIRST STATE, THE FIRST STATE
[01:43:05] IN 70 YEARS TO REPEAL RIGHT TO
[01:43:07] WORK
[01:43:11] >> [APPLAUSE] >> WE WE, WE IN MICHIGAN, YOU
[01:43:14] COULD BE FIRED FOR JUST LOVING
[01:43:16] WHO YOU LOVE AND BEING WHO YOU
[01:43:20] WERE BEFORE GARLAND STEPPED >> [APPLAUSE] >> OUT.
[01:43:23] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND OUR NEXT ATTORNEY
[01:43:27] GENERAL, ELIZABETH.
[01:43:30] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:43:32] >> NOT ONLY HAS HE. HAS HE BEEN
[01:43:34] A PROSECUTOR, BUT HE HAS ALSO
[01:43:37] BEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS FOUGHT CORPORATIONS THAT POISONED OUR
[01:43:41] WATER AND HURT OUR LAND AND HELD THEM ACCOUNTABLE EVERY SINGLE
[01:43:45] TIME. AND WE NEED A PEOPLE'S
[01:43:49] LAWYER LIKE >> [APPLAUSE] >> THAT.
[01:43:50] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:43:54] >> AND A GREAT FIGHTER IN ABDUL
[01:43:58] >> [APPLAUSE] >> EL-SAYED. >> [APPLAUSE] >> NOW
[01:44:02] >> NOW, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE. RIGHT NOW,
[01:44:06] REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO GO
[01:44:09] AROUND THIS WHISPER CAMPAIGN
[01:44:13] THAT ABDUL EL-SAYED IS NOT >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:44:15] >> AN AMERICAN
[01:44:18] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:44:22] >> THERE IS NOTHING MORE
[01:44:23] AMERICAN THAN ABDUL EL-SAYED.
[01:44:29] ABDUL ABDUL WAS BORN HERE IN
[01:44:34] MICHIGAN, AND HE WAS RAISED BY A
[01:44:36] DAUGHTER OF THE AMERICAN
[01:44:42] >> [APPLAUSE] >> REVOLUTION. HE WAS A CAPTAIN OF HIS FOOTBALL
[01:44:46] >> [APPLAUSE] >> TEAM. HE WAS A VALEDICTORIAN
[01:44:48] AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
[01:44:52] >> [APPLAUSE] >> MICHIGAN. AND AS A SPARTAN, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO ADMIT IT, BUT YOU GOTTA BE PRETTY SMART
[01:44:56] FOR >> [APPLAUSE] >> THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:44:59] >> BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT
[01:45:02] WHAT HE HAS DONE IS THE BEST OF
[01:45:05] AMERICA. HE HAS GONE AND TRIED
[01:45:10] TO FIX OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS
[01:45:13] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:45:22] >> AND IN PLACES THAT WERE BROKEN, IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
[01:45:25] THAT WERE HURTING, WHERE PEOPLE NEEDED HELP, ABDUL STOOD UP.
[01:45:29] EVERY SINGLE TIME. THERE IS NOTHING MORE
[01:45:34] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AMERICAN THAN THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:45:38] >> AND I WANT TO SAY THIS TO YOU. THERE IS NOTHING MORE
[01:45:41] AMERICAN THAN MEDICARE
[01:45:45] >> [APPLAUSE] >> FOR ALL. DO YOU KNOW THAT
[01:45:47] THERE HAS BEEN A MICHIGAN
[01:45:50] DEMOCRAT FIGHTING FOR MEDICARE
[01:45:53] FOR ALL SINCE THE 1930s IN
[01:45:56] MICHIGAN, AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO TELL THE LIE THAT IS
[01:45:59] NOT AN AMERICAN IDEAL. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? IF I WAS MIKE ROGERS,
[01:46:03] I'D TELL THAT LIE TO. BECAUSE
[01:46:08] HE'S VOTED DIRECTLY TO TAKE HEALTH CARE AWAY FROM THOUSANDS
[01:46:12] AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN
[01:46:17] >> [APPLAUSE] >> MICHIGAN. SO, OF COURSE, IF YOU WERE AGAINST THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, YOU'RE GOING TO BE
[01:46:20] AGAINST EXPANDING IT TO ANYBODY.
[01:46:23] AND THAT'S THE THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT FOR EVERY TIME THEY COME AND TELL
[01:46:26] YOU THAT HIS IDEAS OR WHO HE IS,
[01:46:33] MORE IMPORTANTLY, IS NOT AMERICAN, I WANT TO TELL YOU
[01:46:36] WHAT NOT AMERICAN IS WHAT'S NOT
[01:46:40] AMERICAN IS HAVING A PRESIDENT
[01:46:44] AND A CONGRESS THAT GAVE
[01:46:47] BILLIONS IN TAX CUTS TO
[01:46:50] BILLIONAIRES WHILE RIPPING HEALTH CARE FROM THE PEOPLE OF
[01:46:53] THIS >> [APPLAUSE] >> STATE.
[01:46:57] >> [APPLAUSE] >> WHAT'S NOT AMERICAN IS GOING
[01:47:01] TO A WAR OF CHOICE SOLDIERS
[01:47:07] ABROAD SO THAT THEY CAN RAISE PRICES ON EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN
[01:47:11] THIS ROOM. YOU KNOW, THEY TALK
[01:47:12] ABOUT AMERICA FIRST. THAT'S
[01:47:15] AMERICA LAST POLICY. THEY SAY
[01:47:18] THEY'RE AMERICA FIRST. WE ARE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:47:22] >> AMERICA FIRST. AND I, FOR
[01:47:29] ONE, AM TIRED OF THEM TRYING TO
[01:47:36] DIVIDE THIS COUNTRY. YOU KNOW, WE HAD RIGHT NOW THEY'RE ALL SAYING, OH, DEMOCRATS ARE
[01:47:39] DIVIDED IN MICHIGAN. DO WE LOOK DIVIDED RIGHT >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:47:43] >> NOW? SAW HALEY STEVENS, WHO LOST AND RAN A TOUGH RACE, GO UP
[01:47:47] AND HUG ABDUL EL-SAYED AND SAY,
[01:47:50] WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO
[01:47:52] TAKE THIS STATE AND COUNTRY BACK.
[01:47:55] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:48:00] >> NOW THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO DO IT. FOR THE NEXT
[01:48:04] THREE MONTHS, THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND TIME OVER AND OVER AGAIN,
[01:48:07] TRYING TO TELL LIES ABOUT ABDUL,
[01:48:11] TRYING TO TELL ALL THESE LIES. YOU KNOW WHAT? THE BEST PART
[01:48:13] ABOUT THAT IS? WE JUST GOTTA
[01:48:15] TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THEM. JOHN
[01:48:18] JAMES HAS RUN FOR GOVERNOR >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:48:21] >> TWICE. I'M SORRY. HE'S RUN
[01:48:22] FOR STATEWIDE
[01:48:27] >> [APPLAUSE] >> OFFICE TWICE. HE'S A TWO TIME LOSER >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:48:30] >> MIKE ROGERS COULDN'T EVEN WIN
[01:48:32] WHEN DONALD
[01:48:37] >> [APPLAUSE] >> TRUMP WON. THEY. MIKE ROGERS MOVED HERE BACK TO FLORIDA FROM >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:48:41] >> FLORIDA
[01:48:42] >> [APPLAUSE] >> HE WAS LIVING LAST TIME IN A
[01:48:46] HOUSE THAT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE
[01:48:48] WATER AND HE LOOKS PRETTY FANCY.
[01:48:52] SO HE WAS GOING SOMEWHERE RIGHT? AND WHAT ALL I'M SAYING IS, IS
[01:48:56] THAT WE, WE HAVE GOT A
[01:48:59] RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE THIS
[01:49:00] COUNTRY BACK AND I KNOW THAT
[01:49:06] WHILE WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY WE WANT TO SOLVE
[01:49:09] PROBLEMS, WE KNOW WHAT THE
[01:49:12] PROBLEMS ARE. AND IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU, DO YOU WANT
[01:49:16] DONALD TRUMP TO HAVE A SUPER
[01:49:17] MAJORITY ON THE SUPREME
[01:49:21] >> [APPLAUSE] >> COURT? SO WHAT RIGHT NOW DO WE NEED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE?
[01:49:24] WE NEED >> [APPLAUSE] >> FIGHTERS. WE NEED PEOPLE THAT
[01:49:27] ARE WILLING TO STAND UP AND SAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE NEED PEOPLE
[01:49:31] THAT AREN'T WILLING TO STAY. THE STATUS QUO IS GOOD >> [APPLAUSE] >> ENOUGH.
[01:49:35] >> [APPLAUSE] >> IT'S NOT. AND WE ARE LUCKY
[01:49:37] THAT YOU HAVE SENT US A FIGHTER.
[01:49:39] I AM PROUD, I AM PROUD TO SAY
[01:49:45] I'M PROUD TO INTRODUCE OUR NEXT
[01:49:49] US SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN ABDUL.
[01:49:54] >> AL-ZAIDI >> OH COME ON, COME ON. THAT'S
[01:49:57] JUST THE WAY IT IS. THINGS WILL
[01:50:01] NEVER BE THE SAME
[01:50:14] A CHANGE. IT'S TIME FOR US AS A PEOPLE TO START MAKING SOME
[01:50:17] CHANGES. LET'S CHANGE THE WAY WE EAT. LET'S CHANGE THE WAY WE
[01:50:20] LIVE. AND LET'S CHANGE THE WAY WE TREAT EACH OTHER. YOU SEE,
[01:50:23] THE OLD WAY WASN'T WORKING. SO
[01:50:25] IT'S ON US TO DO WHAT WE GOTTA
[01:50:28] DO I SEE NO CHANGES. CAN'T A BROTHER GET A LITTLE PEACE?
[01:50:31] IT'S WAR ON THE STREETS. AND A WAR IN INSTEAD OF WAR ON
[01:50:35] POVERTY. THEY GOT A WAR ON DRUGS. AND THE POLICE CAN BOTHER ME. AND I AIN'T NEVER DID A
[01:50:38] CRIME. I AIN'T HAVE TO DO. BUT NOW I'M BACK WITH THE FACTS.
[01:50:42] GIVING IT BACK. DON'T LET EM,
[01:50:43] JACK YOU UP, BACK YOU.
[01:50:46] >> [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]
[01:50:57] >> CAN WE GIVE IT UP FOR OUR
[01:51:00] DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR, CURTIS HERTEL?
[01:51:04] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND HOW ABOUT OUR NEXT
[01:51:08] SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, MEGAN KAVANAUGH AND >> [APPLAUSE] >> NICK HOOD
[01:51:11] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:51:16] >> OUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE, WHO STANDS TALL FOR MICHIGAN
[01:51:20] LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR >> [APPLAUSE] >> GARLAND GILCHRIST
[01:51:22] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:51:27] >> WASHTENAW COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND SOON TO BE MICHIGAN'S NEXT
[01:51:30] ATTORNEY GENERAL. ELIZABETH
[01:51:32] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:51:36] >> AND YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR,
[01:51:40] JOCELYN BENSON. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:51:42] >> I AM SO PROUD TO BE HERE. BUT
[01:51:45] YOU ALL KNOW THE DRILL. MONEY
[01:51:48] OUT
[01:51:56] FOR, HEY, WE GOT THIS. MY NAME
[01:51:58] IS EL-SAYED, AND I'M SO PROUD
[01:52:04] TO BE YOUR DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
[01:52:06] FOR U.S.
[01:52:10] >> [APPLAUSE] >> SENATE. >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND ALSO, IN THE SPIRIT OF
[01:52:14] UNITY, IN THE SPIRIT OF THE WORK, IN THE SPIRIT OF COMING
[01:52:17] TOGETHER. I WANT TO THANK BOTH
[01:52:20] OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO RAN HALEY
[01:52:23] STEVENS AND MALLORY MCMORROW FOR AN INCREDIBLE
[01:52:27] >> [APPLAUSE] >> RACE. THEIR INCREDIBLE PUBLIC >> [APPLAUSE] >> SERVICE TO THE STATE OF
[01:52:29] MICHIGAN AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT BOTH OF THEM WILL DO
[01:52:33] NEXT. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE
[01:52:35] THAT CALIBER OF PUBLIC SERVANT
[01:52:37] HERE IN MICHIGAN, AND I ALL KNOW I WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO RUN FOR
[01:52:42] OFFICE, AS I'M SURE. I'M SURE
[01:52:43] YOU'VE HEARD FROM MY OPPONENT
[01:52:48] AND APPARENTLY >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:52:49] >> DONALD TRUMP. AND WITH A NAME
[01:52:57] LIKE MINE, I NEVER THOUGHT RUNNING FOR OFFICE WOULD BE
[01:53:01] POSSIBLE FOR SOMEBODY LIKE ME. I WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR. I WANT TO
[01:53:05] BE A DOCTOR. BECAUSE I COULD GO 15 HOURS TO MY FAMILY'S NATIVE
[01:53:08] EGYPT, OR 15 MINUTES FROM WHERE
[01:53:09] I GREW UP, AND EITHER WAY, I
[01:53:13] WOULD CROSS TEN YEARS DIFFERENCE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY. AND IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHERE YOU GROW
[01:53:17] UP IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IT SHOULDN'T MATTER THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN SHOULDN'T MATTER WHAT YOU OR
[01:53:21] YOUR PARENTS DO FOR WORK. YOU DESERVE A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:53:25] >> IN THESE UNITED STATES
[01:53:26] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:53:34] >> I WENT TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TO LEARN HOW TO HEAL, ONLY TO REALIZE THAT TOO OFTEN, OUR
[01:53:38] HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS NOT JUST NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION. IT'S
[01:53:41] PART OF THE PROBLEM. FOCUSED MORE ON MONETIZING US BECAUSE WE
[01:53:45] GET SICK THAN CARING FOR US. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:53:48] >> BECAUSE WE GOT SICK AND I REALIZED WHEN I GRADUATED, AND
[01:53:51] YES, I DID GRADUATE MED SCHOOL >> [APPLAUSE],
[01:53:55] >> THAT I WANTED TO WORK ON THE SYSTEM, NOT JUST IN THE SYSTEM.
[01:53:58] I WENT INTO PUBLIC HEALTH, GOT TO REBUILD THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
[01:54:02] IN THIS INCREDIBLE CITY, LED WAYNE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
[01:54:06] >> [APPLAUSE] >> HUMAN AND VETERAN SERVICES
[01:54:08] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:54:11] >> WE PUT GLASSES ON. KIDS, TOOK ON CORPORATE POLLUTERS, MADE
[01:54:15] SURE THAT OUR KIDS WEREN'T DRINKING, LEAD IN THE WATER IN
[01:54:18] THEIR SCHOOLS ELIMINATED NONE
[01:54:22] >> [APPLAUSE] >> OF THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:54:23] >> NO, NO, NO. ELIMINATED
[01:54:26] UPWARDS OF $700 MILLION OF MEDICAL DEBT FOR >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:54:30] >> 300 000 PEOPLE. AND A PROGRAM
[01:54:32] THAT IS >> [APPLAUSE] >> ONGOING.
[01:54:36] >> [APPLAUSE] >> AND I'M NEVER GOING TO
[01:54:40] FORGET THE DAY WHEN THIS ADMINISTRATION FROZE FEDERAL FUNDS. Y'ALL REMEMBER THAT?
[01:54:43] I'M SITTING IN MY OFFICE AT THE GUARDIAN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT
[01:54:46] HOW TO MAKE SURE WHICH CHECKS GO OUT NEXT WEEK, HOW TO MAKE SURE
[01:54:50] THAT OUR KIDS KEEP GETTING THE VACCINES THAT THEY ACTUALLY DO
[01:54:54] NEED. HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH
[01:54:57] CENTERS DON'T SHUT DOWN. WHEN I GET A NOTIFICATION ON MY PHONE
[01:55:00] THAT AFTER HIS LONG AND STORIED CAREER OF SERVICE, OUR CURRENT
[01:55:03] US SENATOR, GARY PETERS, IS NOT SEEKING REELECTION. AND I HAD TO
[01:55:07] ASK MYSELF, WHERE IS THE FIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH? NOW?
[01:55:10] NOW, WHEN THEY WERE DODGING OUR GOVERNMENT, EVERYBODY THOUGHT IT'D BE JUST FINE. WE DIDN'T
[01:55:14] NEED THAT MUCH PUBLIC HEALTH.
[01:55:15] WELL, TURNS OUT,
[01:55:25] BREATHING AIR QUALITY THAT'S WORSE THAN SO MANY OTHER PLACES
[01:55:27] IN THE WORLD. NOW, DODGING
[01:55:32] LETTUCE IS SOMETHING I HAD TO WORRY ABOUT ABROAD. IT WASN'T SOMETHING I THOUGHT I'D HAVE TO
[01:55:35] WORRY ABOUT IN MICHIGAN. TURNS OUT, GOVERNMENT DOES THINGS THAT
[01:55:38] IT NEEDS TO DO FOR YOU, EVEN IF
[01:55:39] YOU DON'T >> [APPLAUSE] >> KNOW IT.
[01:55:43] >> I'M , >> AND I REALIZED I HAD TO ASK
[01:55:47] MYSELF, WHERE'S THE FIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH NOW? >> YEAH.
[01:55:50] >> IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED WHY RFK JR. RUNS PUBLIC HEALTH IN
[01:55:52] THIS COUNTRY, I THINK THE FIGHT FOR PUBLIC'S HEALTH NEEDS TO BE TAKEN >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:55:56] >> TO THE US SENATE. SO WE
[01:56:05] LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN, TOOK US TO
[01:56:08] COMMUNITIES BIG AND SMALL, BACK LAST APRIL, ROOMS OF FIVE
[01:56:10] PEOPLE, 50 PEOPLE, HAVING
[01:56:14] CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE WANT TO BE WITH, THE
[01:56:18] GOAL OF DOING THREE THINGS
[01:56:20] GETTING MONEY OUT A MINUTE. YOU
[01:56:27] SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SPEND TENS
[01:56:29] OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SELECTING
[01:56:32] A CANDIDATE OR PICKING A
[01:56:36] POLITICIAN, USING CORPORATE FUNDS. THAT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL IN
[01:56:39] THE UNITED STATES. AND WHEN I GET TO THE US SENATE, I'M GOING TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES,
[01:56:42] FOLKS LIKE LIZ WARREN, FOLKS LIKE
[01:56:46] >> [APPLAUSE] >> BERNIE SANDERS ALYSSA
[01:56:49] SLOTKIN, TO END THE CORPORATE CORRUPTION OF OUR POLITICS, END
[01:56:52] THE SYSTEM OF SUPERPACS, AND THE
[01:56:54] SYSTEM OF 501 C, FOUR S, AND ALL
[01:56:58] OF IT AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT
[01:57:03] MONEY IN POCKETS. WE'RE GOING TO STAND WITH OUR UNION SISTERS
[01:57:07] AND BROTHERS AND PASS THE PRO ACT.
[01:57:09] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:57:14] >> WE'RE GOING TO TAX BILLIONAIRES, THEIR WEALTH
[01:57:18] >> [APPLAUSE]. >> BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU TAX A BILLIONAIRE AT 8%. YOU
[01:57:21] KNOW WHAT? THEY STILL ARE STILL A BILLIONAIRE. KIDS, KIDS, KIDS.
[01:57:25] KIDS ARE GOING TO BE RICH. YOU'RE GOING TO BE OKAY. MAYBE YOU CAN PAY YOUR FAIR SHARE. SO
[01:57:29] OUR KIDS GET GOOD SCHOOLS AND FUNCTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND
[01:57:32] SOME HEALTH CARE
[01:57:34] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:57:38] >> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ON THE MONOPOLIES AND OLIGOPOLIES.
[01:57:40] WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN'T JUST RAISE OUR
[01:57:44] PRICES ON US, FORCING US TO PAY
[01:57:45] MORE OR GET PAID LESS FOR THE
[01:57:48] WORK WE DO. GUYS. OLIGOPOLIES, Y'ALL, WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA REGULATE OLIGOPOLIES. I NEED
[01:57:51] SOME MORE FOR THAT. >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:57:55] >> I WANT REAL >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:57:57] >> WONKY ON THERE. AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP OUR TAX DOLLARS
[01:58:01] HERE AT HOME INSTEAD OF SENDING THEM ABROAD TO FIGHT WARS. WE >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:58:05] >> HAVE NO BUSINESS FIGHTING
[01:58:06] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:58:14] >> AND WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO MEET THE UNMET PROMISE OF
[01:58:16] GUARANTEEING EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY THE HEALTH CARE
[01:58:19] THEY NEED AND >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:58:21] >> DESERVE THROUGH MAY I ASK
[01:58:26] YOU? WELL, DOCTOR, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR THAT? I DON'T
[01:58:30] KNOW, UH, MAYBE INSTEAD OF $252
[01:58:33] BILLION TO A ROGUE AGENCY LIKE ICE, MAYBE WE CAN ACTUALLY KEEP
[01:58:37] OUR MONEY HERE TO PROVIDE HEALTH
[01:58:41] CARE HERE. WE CAN HAVE A SECURE
[01:58:46] BORDER. WE CAN ENFORCE IMMIGRATION POLICY, BUT WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT SHOOTING PEOPLE IN
[01:58:48] THE FACE OR THE BACK OF THE HEAD.
[01:58:52] >> [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]
[01:58:55] >> MAYBE WE KEEP OUR MONEY HERE INSTEAD OF FIGHTING A WAR. WE
[01:58:58] GOT NO BUSINESS FIGHTING, RAISING OUR TAXES, OUR GAS
[01:59:02] PRICES TO FIVE BUCKS A GALLON, BURNING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO TEACH
[01:59:06] THE AYATOLLAHS THAT THEY HAVE A CHOKE POINT ON THE WORLD'S
[01:59:08] ENERGY SUPPLY, A WAR HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF, BECAUSE HE SHOULDN'T HAVE
[01:59:12] >> [APPLAUSE] >> GOTTEN INTO IT IN THE FIRST
[01:59:15] PLACE. I'M UP AGAINST A GUY
[01:59:17] NAMED MIKE ROGERS. AND MIKE
[01:59:22] ROGERS. WELL, HE'S DECIDED THAT
[01:59:24] HE WANTS TO FOCUS ON MY NAME MY
[01:59:29] 11 LETTER FIRST NAME. IF YOU
[01:59:34] DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY THE NAME,
[01:59:34] KEEP THE NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH. OR
[01:59:42] >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:59:42] >> JUST CALL ME ABDUL. BUT SEE,
[01:59:47] IT'S VERY FITTING FOR HIM.
[01:59:51] ROGERS. THAT'S HIS ANSWER. EVERY TIME A CORPORATION OR DONALD TRUMP TELLS >> [APPLAUSE]
[01:59:55] >> HIM TO DO SOMETHING. WE NEED
[01:59:59] YOU TO PUT A DATA CENTER IN THE
[02:00:01] BACKYARD. ROGER. MIKE, WE NEED
[02:00:05] YOU TO HIKE THEIR PRESCRIPTION
[02:00:07] DRUG PRICES. >> [APPLAUSE]
[02:00:11] >> ROGER. MIKE, WE NEED YOU TO RUBBER STAMP THIS WAR. WE
[02:00:13] SHOULDN'T BE FIGHTING.
[02:00:17] >> [APPLAUSE] >> ROGER. AND THIS ONE'S DONALD
[02:00:19] TRUMP. I NEED YOU TO LICK THESE
[02:00:24] BOOTS. ROGER
[02:00:41] AND I THINK. I THINK I SPEAK FOR
[02:00:46] ALL OF US HERE IN MICHIGAN WHEN I SAY THAT WE ARE DONE WITH ROGER'S. GO BACK
[02:00:50] >> [APPLAUSE]
[02:00:50] >> TO FLORIDA, WHERE YOU BELONG.
[02:00:57] TO MANY, ROGER'S. HERE'S THE
[02:01:01] THING ABOUT IT, THOUGH. THINK
[02:01:04] THAT WE WON'T STEP UP AND FIGHT.
[02:01:08] THEY THINK THEY'RE THE BIGGEST, BADDEST BULLY ON THE PLAYGROUND,
[02:01:11] THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW UP, AND WE'RE GOING TO RUN AWAY.
[02:01:15] BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHO WE
[02:01:17] FIGHT FOR. WE FIGHT FOR THE
[02:01:20] FAMILIES. BARELY ABLE TO PUT
[02:01:23] THEIR GROCERIES IN THE CART AND
[02:01:27] CHECK OUT. WE FIGHT FOR THE MOM
[02:01:29] WHO'S WORRIED ABOUT THE CHILDCARE. SHE NEEDS TO BE ABLE
[02:01:33] TO WORK A JOB THAT BARELY PAYS
[02:01:35] ENOUGH. WE FIGHT FOR THE FOLKS
[02:01:39] WHO ARE AFRAID ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GET SICK. WE FIGHT >> [APPLAUSE]
[02:01:43] >> FOR EACH OTHER.
[02:01:45] >> [APPLAUSE]
[02:01:50] >> AND WE DON'T BACK DOWN
[02:01:52] >> SO WHEN THEY COME AND THEY
[02:01:54] ASK JOCELYN TO CUT THAT
[02:01:56] EDUCATION BUDGET, JOCELYN BENSON
[02:01:59] WON'T WHEN THEY TRY TO TAKE
[02:02:04] AWAY OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES. ELLIE
[02:02:07] WON'T BACK DOWN WHEN THEY COME
[02:02:13] FOR OUR ELECTIONS, GARLIN GILCHRIST WON'T >> [APPLAUSE]
[02:02:17] >> BACK WHEN THEY COME FOR OUR
[02:02:21] UNION RIGHTS, WE DON'T BACK DOWN. WHEN THEY COME FOR OUR
[02:02:25] HEALTH CARE. WE BACK DOWN WHEN
[02:02:28] THEY COME FOR ONE OF US, WE WILL
[02:02:29] STAND UP. WE DOWN. AND MICHIGAN,
[02:02:34] WE WILL FIGHT TO BUILD THE AMERICA THAT WE ARE PROUD TO
[02:02:37] HAND OFF TO OUR KIDS AND OUR
[02:02:38] GRANDKIDS, BECAUSE WE WON'T BACK
[02:02:43] DOWN. MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS 88 MORE
[02:02:46] DAYS. WE WON'T
[02:02:54] >> TOWN GIRL.
[02:03:27] >> WE WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THIS
[02:03:33] HEARING. WHEN WE CONSIDER TODD
[02:03:36] BLANCHE'S NOMINATION TO SERVE
[02:03:38] AS THE 88th ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
[02:03:42] CONGRATULATIONS, MR. BLANCHE, ON YOUR APPOINTMENT.
[02:03:45] >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN
[02:03:53] >> THESE ARE THE GROUND RULES FOR THIS MEETING. I'LL HANDLE
[02:03:56] THIS HEARING. AS OUR COMMITTEE HANDLED THE NOMINATIONS OF
[02:04:00] ATTORNEYS GENERAL. BONDI AND
[02:04:03] GARLAND. I WANT EVERYONE TO BE
[02:04:08] ABLE TO WATCH WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION. IF PEOPLE BLOCK THE
[02:04:10] VIEW OF THOSE BEHIND THEM OR
[02:04:13] SPEAK OUT OF TURN, IT'S NOT
[02:04:18] FAIR. IT'S NOT CONSIDERATE. SO
[02:04:21] OFFICERS WILL IMMEDIATELY REMOVE
[02:04:24] THAT PERSON OR PERSONS. REMARKS
[02:04:33] AND THEN RANKING MEMBER DURBIN
[02:04:35] WILL GIVE HIS REMARKS. THEN I'LL
[02:04:38] CALL ON SENATOR MOODY TO
[02:04:41] INTRODUCE THE NOMINEE FOLLOWING
[02:04:44] THAT INTRODUCTION, MR. BLANCHE
[02:04:46] WILL PROVIDE HIS OPENING
[02:04:49] STATEMENT, AND THEN WE'LL REED.
[02:04:51] WE'LL TURN TO QUESTIONS. EACH
[02:04:57] SENATOR WILL HAVE TEN MINUTES TO
[02:04:59] ASK MY, MY STANDARD APPROACH HAS
[02:05:05] BEEN THAT IF YOU GOT ONE SECOND
[02:05:08] LEFT AS A MEMBER OF THE
[02:05:09] COMMITTEE, YOU CAN ASK YOUR
[02:05:12] QUESTION. BUT AFTER THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED, I'M GOING TO
[02:05:16] MOVE ON TO THE NEXT MEMBER.
[02:05:24] BEING HERE. AS I'VE SAID
[02:05:27] BEFORE, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST
[02:05:29] IMPORTANT OFFICES IN OUR
[02:05:32] COUNTRY. YOU WENT THROUGH A ROUGH SENATE CONFIRMATION A
[02:05:35] LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. SO YOU
[02:05:39] KNOW ALL ABOUT IT. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU COOPERATED WITH THIS
[02:05:43] COMMITTEE AT EVERY STEP AND FULFILLED YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
[02:05:46] IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE
[02:05:48] SIMULTANEOUSLY RUNNING THE
[02:05:52] WORLD'S LARGEST LAW OFFICE. THE
[02:05:56] SENATE HAS ALREADY JUDGED YOUR FITNESS FOR HIGH OFFICE AND
[02:06:00] CONFIRMED YOU AS THE
[02:06:02] DEPARTMENT'S SECOND IN COMMAND.
[02:06:05] TODAY, WE CONSIDER YOU FOR A
[02:06:07] PROMOTION, AND WE'RE NOT
[02:06:10] STARTING OUT FROM A BLANK SLATE.
[02:06:14] YOU HAVE A TRACK RECORD. MY
[02:06:18] DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES HAVE RELENTLESSLY ATTACKED THE
[02:06:21] DEPARTMENT, AND YOUR AND
[02:06:24] PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP.
[02:06:26] THEY'VE CALLED THE DEPARTMENT,
[02:06:29] QUOTE, UNQUOTE, A DISGRACE. AND
[02:06:34] SUGGESTED THE AGENCY IS BROKEN
[02:06:39] THEIR MEDIA ALLIES AND ACTIVIST
[02:06:42] NETWORKS HAVE ECHOED THAT
[02:06:44] MESSAGE. ARE THESE ASSERTIONS
[02:06:49] CORRECT? LET'S PUT ASIDE
[02:06:51] PARTIZAN CRITICISM FOR A MOMENT
[02:06:54] AND ADDRESS THE EVIDENCE. THE
[02:06:57] DEPARTMENT PRIMARY DUTY IS TO
[02:06:59] ENFORCE OUR NATION'S LAWS AND TO
[02:07:04] KEEP AMERICANS SAFE. SO HOW IS
[02:07:08] THE DEPARTMENT STACKING UP? THE ANSWER IS FOR THOSE WHO CARE TO
[02:07:11] JUDGE FIRMLY, FAIRLY. IT'S A
[02:07:13] RECORD OF SUCCESS. THE UNITED
[02:07:16] STATES HAS THE LOWEST MURDER
[02:07:20] RATE SINCE 1900. THE FBI HAS
[02:07:23] CAPTURED EIGHT OF THE TOP TEN
[02:07:25] MOST WANTED FUGITIVES. VIOLENT
[02:07:28] CRIME ARRESTS, BUT ARRESTS BY
[02:07:35] THE FBI ARE UP 184%. MORE THAN
[02:07:38] 849 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN
[02:07:41] DISRUPTED FROM CONDUCTING
[02:07:44] TERRORIST ATTACKS. THE ATF HAS
[02:07:48] SEIZED MORE THAN 44,000 ILLEGAL
[02:07:51] FIREARMS. THAT IS NOT A FAILURE.
[02:07:55] WHAT ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT'S
[02:07:57] RECORD ON ILLEGAL DRUGS? SINCE
[02:08:00] JANUARY OF LAST YEAR, THE DEA
[02:08:03] HAS MADE MORE THAN 6300 FENTANYL
[02:08:09] ARRESTS. IT HAS IT HAS SEIZED
[02:08:17] MORE THAN 5000KG OF FENTANYL
[02:08:22] POWDER, 55 MILLION FENTANYL
[02:08:27] PILLS. 20 240 ZERO KILOGRAMS OF
[02:08:32] METHAMPHETAMINE AND ONE AND 2/10
[02:08:34] MILLION KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE.
[02:08:37] THE FENTANYL ALONE AMOUNTS TO
[02:08:41] MORE THAN 428 MILLION FATAL
[02:08:44] SEIZURES. THAT IS NOT A FAILURE.
[02:08:49] AND WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING CHILDREN? OUR COMMITTEE HAS
[02:08:53] FOUGHT FOR YEARS ON A BIPARTISAN
[02:08:55] BASIS TO PROTECT OUR NATION'S CHILDREN FROM THE HORRORS OF
[02:08:59] EXPLOITATION. RANKING MEMBER
[02:09:02] DURBIN AND I, IN A BIPARTISAN
[02:09:04] WAY, ARE LEADING LANDMARK
[02:09:08] LEGISLATION. THE JAMES T WOODS
[02:09:10] ACT, TO TACKLE THAT VERY ISSUE.
[02:09:13] AND ONCE AGAIN, OUR PARTNERS AT
[02:09:16] THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAVE A
[02:09:17] RECORD OF SUCCESS. THE FBI HAS
[02:09:21] ARRESTED 2900 CHILD PREDATORS
[02:09:26] AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, A 70%
[02:09:30] INCREASE FROM 2024 AND LOCATED
[02:09:34] MORE THAN 6940 CHILD VICTIMS.
[02:09:38] THE U.S. MARSHALS HAVE RECOVERED
[02:09:42] MORE THAN 1182 MISSING CHILDREN.
[02:09:45] THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE FAILURE
[02:09:47] TO ME. IN CONTRAST, THE BIDEN
[02:09:51] ADMINISTRATION DIVERTED
[02:09:54] PROSECUTORS FROM CHILD SEX CRIME
[02:09:57] CASES ON JANUARY 6th. CASES.
[02:09:59] THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE. MY
[02:10:04] DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES HAVE CRITICIZED THE JUSTICE
[02:10:07] DEPARTMENT FOR A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. I'VE BEEN
[02:10:11] CRITICAL AS WELL AS I AM WITH
[02:10:13] EVERY ADMINISTRATION WHO
[02:10:17] OCCUPIES THE OVAL OFFICE. WHEN
[02:10:20] WE DON'T GET THAT COOPERATION.
[02:10:21] NO ONE CARES MORE ABOUT
[02:10:24] OVERSIGHT THAN I DO. IN ALL MY
[02:10:27] YEARS OF CONGRESSIONAL
[02:10:29] OVERSIGHT, THIS DEPARTMENT HAS
[02:10:32] BEEN THE MOST RESPONSIVE TO MY
[02:10:34] REQUESTS. THAT MEANS EVERY
[02:10:37] REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT
[02:10:39] ADMINISTRATION PREVIOUS TO THIS
[02:10:42] ONE. AND THE NUMBERS BACK THIS
[02:10:45] UP. SINCE JANUARY OF LAST YEAR,
[02:10:49] THE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED APPROXIMATELY 43,000 PAGES OF
[02:10:51] RECORDS. IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS
[02:10:55] FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE. TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE,
[02:10:59] THAT'S APPROXIMATELY THREE
[02:11:01] TIMES THE NUMBER OF RECORDS
[02:11:04] PRODUCED AN EQUIVALENT TIME BY
[02:11:07] THE BIDEN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.
[02:11:09] THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO RELEASED
[02:11:11] MORE THAN THREE AND 3/10 MILLION
[02:11:14] PAGES OF ADDITIONAL RECORDS,
[02:11:17] WITH MORE COMING EVERY DAY.
[02:11:19] THEIR WORK IS NOT DONE, AND I
[02:11:22] EXPECT CONTINUED RESPONSIVENESS.
[02:11:25] AND AS WELL, THE VERY IMPORTANT
[02:11:27] THING OF DECLASSIFICATION. BUT
[02:11:32] CREDIT SHOULD BE GIVEN WHERE
[02:11:35] CREDIT IS DUE. A FEW MORE
[02:11:37] SUCCESSES. THEY'VE ESTABLISHED
[02:11:40] THE NATIONAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO ADDRESS MORE THAN $5
[02:11:44] BILLION IN FRAUD AGAINST AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. THEY'VE
[02:11:48] REDUCED THE IMMIGRATION CASE LOG
[02:11:49] BY MORE THAN 468,000. THEY'VE
[02:11:55] CHALLENGED AND ELIMINATED RACIST AND UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION IN
[02:11:59] GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE
[02:12:00] SECTOR. THEY'RE EXPOSING AND
[02:12:04] ADDRESSING THE BIDEN ERA WEAPONIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT
[02:12:08] AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS.
[02:12:11] THEY'VE CAPTURED AND ARE PROSECUTING THE DICTATOR,
[02:12:15] NICOLAS MADURO FOR CRIMES
[02:12:17] RELATED TO NARCO TERRORISM. THE
[02:12:20] LIST GOES ON. THIS DEPARTMENT IS
[02:12:24] KEEPING AMERICANS SAFE, AND THE
[02:12:25] NUMBERS BACK THAT UP. MR.
[02:12:28] BLANCHE, YOU SHOULD TAKE PRIDE
[02:12:31] IN DELIVERING THE LAW
[02:12:34] ENFORCEMENT PROMISE. THE
[02:12:36] AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTED FOR IN
[02:12:38] 2024. BUT AT THE HEARING TODAY,
[02:12:41] WE MIGHT EXPECT THE OPPOSITE. MY
[02:12:45] DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WILL TALK
[02:12:45] ABOUT, UH, THESE. THEY WON'T
[02:12:50] TALK ABOUT THESE SUCCESSES. I EXPECT THE SAME PLAYBOOK THAT
[02:12:54] WE'VE SEEN FOR NEARLY EVERY ONE
[02:12:56] OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES.
[02:12:59] PURE PARTIZAN OBSTRUCTION AND
[02:13:02] PARTIZAN ATTACK. THIS APPROACH
[02:13:05] IS THE SAME ONE THAT WE'VE SEEN
[02:13:08] OVER AND OVER. IN FACT, IT BECOMES SUCH A PATTERN THAT I'LL
[02:13:12] JUST QUOTE MYSELF FROM A SPEECH
[02:13:14] I DELIVERED ALMOST A YEAR AGO
[02:13:19] REGARDING ANOTHER NOMINEE. LAST JULY, I SAID, QUOTE, SINCE THE
[02:13:21] VERY BEGINNING OF THIS CONGRESS,
[02:13:25] DEMOCRATS HAVE ENGAGED IN RELENTLESS OBSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN
[02:13:28] FOR NEARLY EVERY ONE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES.
[02:13:32] THEIR PLAYBOOK HAS INCLUDED
[02:13:35] MAXIMUM PROCEDURAL OBSTRUCTION,
[02:13:39] UNFAIR MEDIA ATTACKS, REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO ALLEGE MISCONDUCT,
[02:13:43] AND DEMANDS FOR DELAYED
[02:13:45] CONSIDERATION, RECORDS AND
[02:13:48] INVESTIGATIONS. LIKE CLOCKWORK, JUST BEFORE A HEARING OR A VOTE,
[02:13:51] WE GET ANOTHER BREATHLESS
[02:13:55] ACCUSATION THAT ONE OF PRESIDENT
[02:13:57] TRUMP'S NOMINEES NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. END OF MY QUOTE OF
[02:14:01] LAST JANUARY. SO HERE WE ARE
[02:14:04] AGAIN. JUST LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE
[02:14:07] DEMOCRATS AND THEIR MEDIA ALLIES AND ACTIVIST NETWORKS HAVE
[02:14:11] LAUNCHED THE EXPECTED CRUSADE
[02:14:14] AGAINST YOUR NOMINATION. TO BE
[02:14:17] CLEAR, THERE ARE FAIR QUESTIONS
[02:14:20] FOR MR. BLANCHE. I DON'T AGREE
[02:14:22] WITH HOW MR. BLANCHARD, THE
[02:14:24] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, HANDLED EVERY MATTER, AND I'VE DEMANDED
[02:14:28] ANSWERS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO
[02:14:30] SO. BUT MANY OF THE CRITICISMS
[02:14:32] AIRED IN RECENT DAYS, JUST
[02:14:35] COMPLETELY MISS THE MARK. AND
[02:14:37] I'LL GIVE ONE EXAMPLE. WE'VE SEEN A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN FROM
[02:14:41] FORMER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
[02:14:44] EMPLOYEES OPPOSING MR. BLANCHE
[02:14:50] NOMINATION. MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES AND THE PARTIZAN MEDIA HAVE PUBLICIZED THEIR
[02:14:53] LETTER FRAMING THE SIGNATORIES AS A GROUP OF NONPARTISAN,
[02:14:56] QUOTE, UNQUOTE, CAREER CIVIL
[02:15:00] SERVANTS. OF COURSE, THEY FAIL
[02:15:01] TO MENTION IN THAT LETTER WAS
[02:15:06] COORDINATED BY THE SAME GROUP
[02:15:08] THAT ENGAGED IN PARTIZAN AND MISLEADING CAMPAIGNS OPPOSING
[02:15:12] JUDGE BOWIE'S NOMINATION. THEY
[02:15:16] ALSO DON'T MENTION THAT THE
[02:15:17] LETTERS, SIGNATORIES INCLUDE A
[02:15:20] WHO'S WHO OF PARTIZAN ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING FORMER
[02:15:23] CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND
[02:15:26] JACK SMITH'S PARTIZAN
[02:15:30] PROSECUTORS. JP COONEY, MOLLY
[02:15:32] GASTON AND DAVID ROHDE. AND THEY
[02:15:36] CERTAINLY DON'T MENTION IT. MR.
[02:15:38] BLANCHE HAS RECEIVED LETTERS OF
[02:15:41] SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 600,000
[02:15:45] LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 23
[02:15:48] STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND SCORES OF FORMER JUSTICE
[02:15:51] DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. SO, FROM
[02:15:55] MY VANTAGE POINT, IF THE PEOPLE WHO ENGAGED IN IN THE WORST
[02:15:59] PARTISAN WARFARE, LAWFARE THIS
[02:16:02] COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN HAVE A
[02:16:04] PROBLEM WITH TODD BLANCHE,
[02:16:08] THAT'S A GOOD THING. IN MY
[02:16:11] BOOK. AS SURE AS SUNRISE TODAY,
[02:16:15] SOME OF MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WILL TELL US THAT MR. BRANCH HAS
[02:16:19] UNIQUE, UNIQUELY TERRIBLE
[02:16:23] NOMINEE. BEFORE THEY DO SO.
[02:16:24] HOWEVER, I URGE THEM TO REMEMBER
[02:16:27] THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF AND TAKE
[02:16:30] A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR BEFORE
[02:16:35] LECTURING ANYONE ABOUT PARTIZANSHIP AT THE JUSTICE
[02:16:37] DEPARTMENT. SO I HAVE ONE MORE
[02:16:41] SUBJECT I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS.
[02:16:43] DEVELOPMENTS IN MY. AND SENATOR
[02:16:45] JOHNSON'S JACK SMITH
[02:16:47] INVESTIGATION. SMITH'S TEAM
[02:16:51] SUBPOENAED THE NATIONAL
[02:16:53] ARCHIVES. JUNE 2023. THAT
[02:16:57] SUBPOENA SOUGHT TEXT MESSAGES
[02:16:59] FROM CELL PHONES CONNECTED TO
[02:17:01] TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS.
[02:17:04] THE DATE RANGE FOR THE RECORDS
[02:17:07] WAS OCTOBER 1st, 2020, TO
[02:17:13] JANUARY 20th, 2021. THE ARCHIVES
[02:17:17] THEN GENERAL COUNSEL GARY STERN
[02:17:20] EMAILED THOMAS ODOM, ONE OF
[02:17:22] SMITH'S DEPUTIES, ON AUGUST
[02:17:25] 21st, 2023, AT 12:19 P.M.. THAT
[02:17:33] EMAIL SAID RESPONSIVE RECORDS
[02:17:37] WERE READY ON AUGUST 21st, THE
[02:17:40] SAME DAY, 2023, JUST, UH, 20s
[02:17:46] LATER. WINDHAM HAD ALREADY
[02:17:48] DOWNLOADED THE TEXT, AND SHORTLY
[02:17:50] AFTER THAT, OTHER DOJ AND FBI PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE CASE
[02:17:55] DID AS WELL. WHISTLEBLOWERS TOLD
[02:17:58] MY OFFICE THAT SMITH DIDN'T PASS
[02:17:59] THESE RECORDS THROUGH A FILTER
[02:18:02] TEAM, AND YOU CAN SEE IN 20 MINUTES, THERE WASN'T TIME TO
[02:18:05] GO TO A FILTER TEAM. THAT FILTER
[02:18:07] TEAM WAS ALREADY IN PLACE. THE
[02:18:13] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS CONFIRMED THAT FACT IN A LETTER TO THE
[02:18:15] COMMITTEE, QUOTE, THE SPECIAL
[02:18:17] COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATIVE TEAM,
[02:18:20] APPARENTLY BY BYPASSED THE
[02:18:24] FILTER TEAM AND DIRECTLY ACCESSED THESE TEXT MESSAGES,
[02:18:27] END QUOTE. THE DOJ LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE ALSO SAID, QUOTE, THE
[02:18:31] SPECIAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE HAD
[02:18:35] PREVIOUSLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF
[02:18:36] THE RISKS THAT RECORDS RELATING
[02:18:39] TO MEMBERS, MEANING MEMBERS OF
[02:18:41] CONGRESS, COMMUNICATIONS COULD
[02:18:44] RAISE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS AND MIGHT BE PRIVILEGED UNDER
[02:18:47] THE SPEECH AND DEBATE CLAUSE.
[02:18:49] END OF QUOTE. THAT SPEECH AND
[02:18:53] DEBATE CLAUSE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE. EVEN IF
[02:18:56] SMITH'S TEAM HAD BEEN
[02:18:58] INSTRUCTED TO LOOK FOR CONGRESSIONAL OR OTHER
[02:19:01] PRIVILEGED INFORMATION, IT WOULDN'T MATTER, BECAUSE, IN
[02:19:05] THIS EXAMPLE, IT APPEARS THE
[02:19:06] FILTER TEAM WAS ENTIRELY
[02:19:09] BYPASSED. BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE
[02:19:14] COMMITTEE. SMITH'S OPERATION CUT CORNERS AND BLEW THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL STOP SIGNS.
[02:19:17] INSTEAD OF RESPECTING THEM. AND
[02:19:20] HAVING BEEN ADVISED ABOUT THE
[02:19:23] CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS, THE
[02:19:25] WHITE HOUSE MESSAGES OBTAINED
[02:19:27] AND REVIEWED BY SMITH'S TEAM
[02:19:31] INCLUDED COMMUNICATIONS WITH MANY SENATORS AND
[02:19:35] REPRESENTATIVES. THE COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDED MESSAGES
[02:19:38] WITH MEMBERS ON THIS COMMITTEE,
[02:19:40] INCLUDING THIS SENATOR. THE
[02:19:43] SUBJECT MATTER OF THOSE MEMBERS
[02:19:46] COMMUNICATION INCLUDED CORE
[02:19:48] CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS CONGRESSIONAL
[02:19:51] LEGISLATION, RESOLUTIONS AND
[02:19:53] INVESTIGATIVE WORK. IT ALSO
[02:19:55] INCLUDED OTHER INFORMATION
[02:19:58] IRRELEVANT TO JACK SMITH'S CASE
[02:20:01] AGAINST THEN CITIZEN TRUMP. INSTEAD OF THAT INFORMATION
[02:20:05] BEING WALLED OFF. IT WAS INTENTIONALLY SHARED. THIS IS
[02:20:09] ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS
[02:20:12] MISGUIDED INVESTIGATION WASN'T
[02:20:13] NORMAL, AND DEMANDS FURTHER INVESTIGATION. JACK SMITH'S
[02:20:17] OPERATION WAS A RUNAWAY
[02:20:19] POLITICAL TRAIN THAT IMPROPERLY
[02:20:23] OBTAINED CONGRESSIONAL INFORMATION. I'VE REQUESTED ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE
[02:20:27] TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO REVIEW THESE
[02:20:30] RECORDS. SENATOR DURBIN
[02:20:33] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.
[02:20:37] CHAIRMAN. MR. BLANCHE, THANK YOU FOR COMING BY MY OFFICE
[02:20:39] YESTERDAY. UH, I THINK WE BOTH KNEW GOING INTO THAT MEETING
[02:20:43] THAT WE HAD STRONGLY HELD POLITICAL BELIEFS ON BOTH SIDES
[02:20:46] OF THE TABLE, AND YET WE HAD, I THINK, A RESPECTFUL EXCHANGE.
[02:20:50] AND I THANK YOU FOR COMING BY. THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT
[02:20:53] YOUR STAFFERS WITH YOU. MY STAFF WAS THERE AS WELL. IF THERE WAS
[02:20:57] ANY MISUNDERSTANDING, MY REPRESENTATION OF YOUR REMARKS,
[02:20:59] YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO CORRECT
[02:21:02] THE RECORD IN A FEW MOMENTS. BUT
[02:21:04] I'LL DO MY BEST TO SAID AND
[02:21:06] ASK. MY STAFF HAS BACKED ME UP
[02:21:09] IN MY MEMORY OF IT. YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT, BUT THANK YOU FOR
[02:21:12] MEETING WITH ME YESTERDAY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE OBVIOUS
[02:21:16] EMPTY SEAT AT THE DAIS HERE,
[02:21:19] WHICH THE CHAIRMAN, UH, NEXT TO
[02:21:20] THE CHAIRMAN. THE COMMITTEE IS
[02:21:24] MOURNING THE LOSS OF OUR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND
[02:21:27] RANKING MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE. I SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE WITH SENATOR GRAHAM
[02:21:31] SINCE HE JOINED THE SENATE IN
[02:21:33] 2003. I'M GOING TO CHERISH MY MEMORIES OF BOTH OUR FIERCE
[02:21:37] PARTIZAN BATTLES AND OUR LANDMARK BIPARTISAN AGREEMENTS.
[02:21:41] HE WAS A TRUSTED FRIEND. MY MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK HOME.
[02:21:44] CAN'T BELIEVE IT. WHEN I SAY THESE THINGS. YOU MEAN THAT
[02:21:47] LINDSEY GRAHAM? YES, I DO. HE
[02:21:50] WAS A GOOD PERSON, A VALUABLE PART OF THE SENATE FAMILY, AND
[02:21:53] AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE PART OF THIS COMMITTEE. I'M GLAD THAT
[02:21:57] WE'RE HONORING HIM WITH THIS,
[02:21:59] UH, MEMORIAL TODAY. UH, LET ME SAY AT THE OUTSET THAT THE
[02:22:04] CHAIRMAN, UH, SPENT SEVERAL MINUTES TALKING ABOUT JACK
[02:22:07] SMITH. I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING
[02:22:10] CLEAR ABOUT JACK SMITH, WHO WAS
[02:22:13] A SPECIAL COUNSEL MONTHS AGO,
[02:22:15] PERHAPS SIX MONTHS AGO, MAYBE
[02:22:19] LONGER. HE VOLUNTEERED TO APPEAR
[02:22:21] BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE UNDER OATH
[02:22:24] AND TESTIFY ABOUT WHAT THE
[02:22:29] COMMITTEE. FOR REASONS I CANNOT EXPLAIN, THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY
[02:22:32] DOES NOT WANT TO BRING JACK
[02:22:35] SMITH BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE AND HAVE HIM TESTIFY UNDER OATH.
[02:22:38] THEY CONTINUE ON REGULAR BASIS TO TAKE EXCEPTION TO THINGS THAT
[02:22:42] HE SAID OR DID, OR ALLEGEDLY DID, BUT WILL NOT BRING HIM
[02:22:46] BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE. I DON'T GET IT. IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING
[02:22:49] THEY WANT TO RAISE WITH JACK SMITH, THAT PLACE IS WHERE HE
[02:22:51] SHOULD BE. SITTING UNDER OATH
[02:22:54] AND ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS, AND HE'S VOLUNTEERED TO DO IT. BUT
[02:22:57] THEY TURNED HIM DOWN MR.
[02:23:01] CHAIRMAN. WE ARE HERE TODAY WITH THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF
[02:23:05] CHOOSING THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF
[02:23:08] AMERICA. WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THERE'S A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE.
[02:23:11] THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO FIRE
[02:23:14] THE PREDECESSOR. UH, OF MR.
[02:23:17] BLANCHE. AFTER JUST 14 MONTHS ON THE JOB, AFTER COURTS AND GRAND
[02:23:21] JURIES BLOCKED HER FROM
[02:23:23] PROSECUTING THE PRESIDENT'S
[02:23:26] POLITICAL OPPONENTS. SEEMINGLY, PRESIDENT TRUMP BELIEVES YOU,
[02:23:29] MR. BLANCHE, WILL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL. WHEN YOU'RE FIRST
[02:23:32] NOMINATED TO BE DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[02:23:35] GENERAL. DEMOCRATS RAISED
[02:23:37] CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY SERVING AS THE
[02:23:40] TOP ATTORNEY IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
[02:23:43] IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES OF
[02:23:47] AMERICA. SINCE YOU WERE
[02:23:49] CONFIRMED, THE DEPARTMENT OF
[02:23:52] JUSTICE HAS LITERALLY VIOLATED DOZENS OF COURT ORDERS TO
[02:23:55] ADVANCE THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA. LAST YEAR, YOU DECLARED THAT THE
[02:23:59] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS, QUOTE,
[02:24:01] AT WAR WITH THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY. I BROUGHT THAT UP TO
[02:24:05] YOU YESTERDAY. I BELIEVE ALL OF
[02:24:07] US, BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE,
[02:24:09] NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH OUR RHETORIC WHEN IT COMES TO THE
[02:24:13] JUDICIARY. YESTERDAY, WE HAD THE
[02:24:15] TESTIMONY OF JUSTICES KAGAN AND BARRETT, AND THEY TALKED ABOUT
[02:24:19] THE IMPACT ON THEM PERSONALLY
[02:24:21] AND ON THEIR FAMILIES, WITH THE THREATS THAT HAVE BEEN
[02:24:25] INCREASING AGAINST THEM PHYSICALLY. ON THIS SIDE OF THE
[02:24:29] TABLE KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. WE HAVE A SIMILAR
[02:24:31] EXPERIENCE, BUT IT IS A
[02:24:34] RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS,
[02:24:37] LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, IN OR OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT. BE
[02:24:41] CAREFUL WITH WHAT WE SAY ABOUT
[02:24:43] THE JUDICIARY. THEY ARE DOING
[02:24:45] THEIR JOB. WE SHOULD NEVER, EVER
[02:24:48] COUNTENANCE VIOLENCE AGAINST
[02:24:50] ANYONE ON EITHER SIDE. ONE OF YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL ACTIONS IS
[02:24:54] ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL. MR.
[02:24:56] BLANCHE WAS TO ESTABLISH THE $2
[02:24:59] BILLION WEAPONIZATION, OR SLUSH FUND, TO BENEFIT JANUARY 6th,
[02:25:03] COP EATERS. WHILE IMMUNIZING PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM IRS
[02:25:07] LIABILITY. YOU DEFENDED THE
[02:25:09] SLUSH FUND BY CLAIMING, QUOTE,
[02:25:12] PEOPLE HURT. POLICE GET MONEY, HURT. POLICE GET MONEY ALL THE
[02:25:15] TIME, END QUOTE. DESPITE
[02:25:18] RESOUNDING BIPARTISAN CRITICISM
[02:25:20] AND ADMITTING THAT IT WAS A
[02:25:22] MISTAKE, YOU'VE REFUSED TO
[02:25:24] RESCIND THE ORDER CREATING THIS FUND. THAT ORDER CAN STILL BE
[02:25:28] FOUND ON THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S WEBSITE TODAY. WE
[02:25:32] TALKED QUITE UNDERSTAND YOUR
[02:25:37] EXPLANATION. I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE, OF COURSE, TO EXPLAIN
[02:25:40] IT. BUT YOU SAID IT WAS UP TO
[02:25:43] CONGRESS TO CODIFY THE
[02:25:45] ELIMINATION OF THIS FUND. THIS WAS A CREATION OF THE EXECUTIVE
[02:25:49] BRANCH. IT WAS NOT A CREATION OF
[02:25:51] CONGRESS. SO I HOPE STATEMENT.
[02:25:55] EARLIER THIS WEEK, A FEDERAL JUDGE CHARACTERIZED YOUR EXPLANATION OF THE SETTLEMENT
[02:25:58] THAT LED TO THIS FUND. QUOTE, AT
[02:26:01] BEST, MISLEADING AND AT WORST, DISINGENUOUS. YOU TOLD ME
[02:26:04] YESTERDAY THAT THE OPINION WAS,
[02:26:05] QUOTE, A HIT PIECE ON YOU.
[02:26:09] ANOTHER TROUBLING ATTACK ON A JUDGE FOR DOING HER JOB. THEN
[02:26:13] THERE'S THE COVER UP OF THE EPSTEIN FILES, WHICH FORMER
[02:26:17] ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI HERSELF SAID YOU WERE, QUOTE, IN CHARGE
[02:26:19] OF. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, MORE
[02:26:24] THAN 1000 FBI PERSONNEL WERE PULLED OFF OF OTHER PRIORITIES
[02:26:25] AND DIRECTED TO FLAG EPSTEIN
[02:26:29] RECORDS FOR ANY MENTIONS OF
[02:26:30] PRESIDENT TRUMP. WHEN SCRUTINY OF THE COVER UP INTENSIFIED, YOU
[02:26:34] PARTICIPATED IN MEETINGS IN THE
[02:26:35] WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM TO
[02:26:39] STRATEGIZE ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT PRESIDENT TRUMP, NOT EPSTEIN
[02:26:42] SURVIVORS. THE PRESIDENT. WHEN CONGRESS FORCED THE
[02:26:46] ADMINISTRATION TO RELEASE THE
[02:26:47] FILES, HUNDREDS OF SURVIVORS.
[02:26:51] PERSONAL INFORMATION WAS UNREDACTED, VICTIMIZING THEM
[02:26:54] AGAIN. MEANWHILE, THE NAMES OF
[02:26:56] POWERFUL EPSTEIN ALLIES REMAIN
[02:26:59] PROTECTED IN CLEAR VIOLATION OF
[02:27:01] THE EPSTEIN FILES TRANSPARENCY
[02:27:03] ACT. YOUR EXPLANATION? QUOTE, IT ISN'T A CRIME TO PARTY WITH MR.
[02:27:07] EPSTEIN. MR. BLANCHE, THESE
[02:27:10] SURVIVORS DESERVE MUCH BETTER. I
[02:27:12] WANT TO RECOGNIZE MANY OF THEM
[02:27:14] WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. I
[02:27:18] THANK THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE IN SPEAKING OUT. TOMORROW, WE WILL
[02:27:20] HEAR ONE OF THEM DURING OUR
[02:27:23] OUTSIDE WITNESS PANEL. I'D LIKE TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD SIX
[02:27:26] LETTERS FROM EPSTEIN SURVIVORS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BLANCHE
[02:27:29] NOMINATION. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO ORDERED.
[02:27:33] >> I'M ASKING YOU, MR. BLANCHE, TODAY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS
[02:27:36] ROOM, TO AGREE TO MEET WITH THESE EPSTEIN SURVIVORS
[02:27:40] PERSONALLY, AND TO BRING WITH YOU PROFESSIONALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, TO HEAR
[02:27:43] THEM OUT. THEY HAVE THE COURAGE
[02:27:45] TO TELL THEIR STORY, AND THEY
[02:27:48] SHOULD AT LEAST HEAR FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT THAT THEY TAKE IT
[02:27:51] SERIOUSLY. AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW
[02:27:54] WITH CONVICTED SEX TRAFFICKER
[02:27:57] GHISLAINE MAXWELL, AN ATTEMPT, I BELIEVE, TO EXONERATE PRESIDENT
[02:28:00] TRUMP, MISS MAXWELL WAS TRANSFERRED TO A MINIMUM
[02:28:03] SECURITY CAMP. THAT IS UNHEARD
[02:28:05] OF FOR OFFENDERS LIKE HER. YOU SAID IT WAS FOR HER OWN PERSONAL
[02:28:08] SAFETY. I HOPE YOU'LL EXPLAIN THAT TODAY. YOU TOLD ME
[02:28:12] YESTERDAY YOU WANT TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
[02:28:15] AND YOU LOVE PROSECUTORS. BUT
[02:28:18] YOU HAVE REMOVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT SOME OF THE MOST
[02:28:21] EFFECTIVE PROSECUTORS THAT HAVE
[02:28:23] EVER SERVED OUR GOVERNMENT. DONE THAT FOR PERSONAL REASONS.
[02:28:27] PERJURING CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT
[02:28:29] OFFICIALS WHO WON'T PRIORITIZE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INTERESTS OVER
[02:28:33] THEIR OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION.
[02:28:36] YOU FIRED THE CAREER PARDON
[02:28:40] ATTORNEY BECAUSE SHE WOULDN'T SIGN OFF ON RESTORING GUN RIGHTS
[02:28:42] TO A CONVICTED DOMESTIC ABUSER, MEL GIBSON, PERSONAL FRIEND OF
[02:28:46] PRESIDENT TRUMP. HE FIRED CAREER
[02:28:49] IMMIGRATION LITIGATOR EREZ FOR
[02:28:51] REFUSING TO FOLLOW UNETHICAL
[02:28:54] ORDERS FROM YOUR FORMER LAW
[02:28:56] PARTNER, EMO BOVE DOJ OFFICIALS
[02:28:59] TO LIE TO A FEDERAL COURT. YOU
[02:29:02] BRAGGED ABOUT FIRING CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS SIMPLY
[02:29:05] BECAUSE THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT'S
[02:29:09] CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT, INCLUDING
[02:29:11] FBI AGENTS WHO SPECIALIZED IN INVESTIGATING THREATS FROM
[02:29:14] FOREIGN ADVERSARIES LIKE IRAN.
[02:29:16] MORE THAN 1200 FORMER CAREER DOJ
[02:29:19] EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED FOR BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC
[02:29:23] ADMINISTRATIONS SENT THIS COMMITTEE A LETTER OPPOSING YOUR
[02:29:26] NOMINATION. BECAUSE YOU HAVE
[02:29:29] PURGED DOJ OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERIENCED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, PUTTING OUR NATION'S
[02:29:32] SECURITY AT RISK. I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER THIS LETTER INTO THE
[02:29:35] RECORD WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO
[02:29:39] ORDERED. >> YOU TESTIFIED UNDER OATH LAST
[02:29:42] YEAR THAT HIS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL YOU WOULD CONSULT WITH
[02:29:45] CAREER ETHICS OFFICIALS TO AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, A
[02:29:49] SIGNIFICANT CONCERN, SINCE YOU RECEIVED NEARLY $10 MILLION AS A
[02:29:52] PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY.
[02:29:55] BUT YOU'VE GUTTED THE DOJ OFFICES THAT HANDLE ETHICS AND
[02:29:59] PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER THE DEPARTMENT'S TOP CAREER ETHICS LAWYER ADVISED YOU
[02:30:03] TO RECUSE YOURSELF FROM ANY MATTERS RELATING TO TRUMP AND
[02:30:07] HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY. THAT
[02:30:09] LAWYER WAS FIRED EVERY SMARMY
[02:30:12] SUSPECT DEAL AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS
[02:30:16] CRYPTOCURRENCY BEHIND THE CURTAIN. AND AGAIN, IT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN IT COMES TO THE
[02:30:19] BILLION DOLLAR WINDFALL THAT WENT TO THE PRESIDENT IN HIS
[02:30:22] FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, SHORTLY
[02:30:25] AFTER YOU WERE CONFIRMED AS
[02:30:26] DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, YOU ISSUED AN ORDER DISMANTLING
[02:30:30] DOJ'S CRYPTO ENFORCEMENT TEAM
[02:30:32] AND SHUTTING DOWN ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE
[02:30:36] CRYPTO INDUSTRY. AT THE TIME,
[02:30:36] YOU OWNED AT LEAST $159,000
[02:30:41] WORTH OF CRYPTO RELATED ASSETS. WHILE YOU EVENTUALLY DIVESTED.
[02:30:44] THOSE ASSETS DIDN'T GO FAR. YOU SIMPLY TRANSFERRED THEM TO YOUR
[02:30:47] CHILD, YOUR CHILDREN, AND
[02:30:50] GRANDCHILD. WITH THE CRYPTO
[02:30:52] ENFORCEMENT UNIT OUT OF THE WAY.
[02:30:56] PRESIDENT TRUMP BROUGHT IN $1.4 BILLION FROM HIS FAMILY'S
[02:30:59] CRYPTOCURRENCY BUSINESS IN 2020
[02:31:01] ALONE. TAKE THAT ONE. TAKE ONE
[02:31:03] EXAMPLE OF THE DEALING IN THE
[02:31:07] ADMINISTRATION. IN APRIL 2024, THE FOUNDER OF THE CRYPTO
[02:31:11] COMPANY BINANCE WAS SENTENCED TO
[02:31:13] PRISON AND ORDERED TO PAY $50
[02:31:15] MILLION FINE FOR A MONEY
[02:31:18] LAUNDERING SCHEME. $50 MILLION
[02:31:21] FINE. HE THEN BROKERED A DEAL TO
[02:31:23] CHANNEL $2 BILLION INTO THE TRUMP FAMILY'S CRYPTO BUSINESS.
[02:31:26] WORLD LIBERTY FINANCE, AFTER
[02:31:28] WHICH PRESIDENT TRUMP PARDONED
[02:31:31] HIM. BINANCE ACCOUNTS HAVE
[02:31:34] FUNNELED ABOUT $1.7 BILLION TO
[02:31:36] IRANIAN ENTITIES LINKED TO
[02:31:41] TERRORISM. THE PRESIDENT'S WORLD LIBERTY FINANCIAL CONTINUES TO
[02:31:44] PARTNER WITH BINANCE. EVEN WITH THESE FACTS THAT I'VE SPELLED
[02:31:47] OUT IN THIS STATEMENT YOU
[02:31:50] RECENTLY CLAIMED, QUOTE, MR.
[02:31:52] BLANCHE, THAT THERE'S A TON OF
[02:31:56] EVIDENCE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS RIGGED. YOU SHOULD SEE WHAT
[02:31:59] HAPPENS IN THIS COMMITTEE ROOM
[02:32:03] THIS ADMINISTRATION APPEAR BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE. RAISE
[02:32:05] THEIR HANDS, TAKE THE OATH, AND THEN FEEL THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY
[02:32:09] MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
[02:32:13] EVEN JUDGES TODAY AT STATE LEVEL, AND HAVE DISTINGUISHED
[02:32:17] CAREERS IN LAW, START TO AVERT
[02:32:20] THEIR EYES, SQUIRM, AND THEN
[02:32:22] GIVE A SCRIPT WHICH DOESN'T
[02:32:25] ACKNOWLEDGE DONALD TRUMP LOST
[02:32:28] THE 2020 ELECTION BY 7 MILLION
[02:32:31] POPULAR VOTES, 7 MILLION VOTE,
[02:32:35] AND HE LOST BY THAT NUMBER. THAT'S A FACT. ANY EIGHTH
[02:32:39] GRADER IN AMERICA KNOWS IT AND CAN REPEAT IT FOR YOU. AND YET,
[02:32:41] WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO ASKING
[02:32:43] TRUMP JUDICIAL NOMINEES WHO WON
[02:32:46] THE 2020 ELECTION, YOU OUGHT TO SEE HIM SQUIRM. WHAT'S THE
[02:32:50] REASON? THE PRESIDENT'S HE
[02:32:53] BELIEVES IN HIS HEART OF HEARTS, THAT HE SOMEHOW WON THAT ELECTION, THOUGH HE CAN'T
[02:32:56] PRODUCE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT FACT. WELL, WE'LL GIVE YOU YOUR
[02:33:00] CHANCE. I HOPE THAT YOU'LL PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE TO SHOW,
[02:33:04] ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, THAT THE BIG LIE IS THE TRUTH OR NOT THE
[02:33:07] TRUTH. YOUR FIRST INDICTMENT OF FORMER FBI DIRECTOR COMEY FAILED
[02:33:11] IN A CASE BROUGHT BY AN UNQUALIFIED AND UNLAWFULLY
[02:33:14] APPOINTED U.S. ATTORNEY. LINDSEY
[02:33:16] HALLIGAN. SO NOW MR. COMEY IS
[02:33:19] BEING PROSECUTED FOR TAKING
[02:33:21] PICTURES OF SEASHELLS. THIS
[02:33:24] PROSECUTION, PERSONALLY ORDERED
[02:33:25] BY THE PRESIDENT, WHO DESPISES
[02:33:28] MR. COMEY FOR OVERSEEING THE INVESTIGATION OF RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016
[02:33:32] ELECTION. YOU HAVE ALSO
[02:33:34] BASELESSLY INDICTED THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, A CIVIL
[02:33:38] RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THAT HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO EXPOSE
[02:33:41] VIOLENT EXTREMISTS LIKE THE
[02:33:43] PROUD BOYS AND OATH KEEPERS, A
[02:33:46] GROUP WHICH WE IN THE SENATE KNOW WELL FOR THEIR JANUARY 6th
[02:33:50] ESCAPADE. THE SAME PEOPLE YOU GAVE A CLEAN SLATE FOR THEIR
[02:33:54] ROLE IN ATTACKING THIS CAPITOL. A FEDERAL JUDGE RECENTLY SINGLED
[02:33:57] OUT YOUR, QUOTE, REMARKABLE
[02:34:01] STATEMENTS TARGETING KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA AS EVIDENCE THAT
[02:34:04] HIS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION WAS,
[02:34:07] QUOTE, MARKED BY A RETALIATORY TAINT FOR SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTING
[02:34:11] HIS DEPORTATION. AND DESPITE MY REPEATED REQUEST, YOU HAVE YET
[02:34:15] TO PRODUCE THE DOJ MEMORANDUM, CONCLUDING THAT IT WAS LEGALLY
[02:34:19] PERMISSIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO ACCEPT A
[02:34:22] GIFT OF A LUXURY AIRLINER FROM
[02:34:27] THE ROYAL FAMILY OF QATAR. DESPITE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY FOREIGN GIFT
[02:34:31] PROHIBITIONS. EARLIER THIS MONTH, THAT JET WAS LAUNCHED AS
[02:34:34] AIR FORCE ONE, DESPITE CREDIBLE REPORTS OF SECURITY
[02:34:38] VULNERABILITY. LAST WEEKEND, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RESPONDED NOT BY ADDRESSING THESE
[02:34:42] CONCERNS, BUT BY SENDING FEDERAL
[02:34:43] AGENTS WITH SUBPOENAS TO THE
[02:34:46] HOMES OF THE REPORTERS WHO EXPOSED THESE LAPSES. IN LESS
[02:34:49] THAN 18 MONTHS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, YOU'VE SHOWN YOU'RE
[02:34:53] STILL PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY. YOUR TENURE CAN BE
[02:34:56] SUMMED UP IN THE FOUR WORDS YOU
[02:34:58] SAID, QUOTE, I LOVE YOU, SIR. TO
[02:35:01] PRESIDENT TRUMP. THIS WAS YOUR RESPONSE WHEN YOU WERE ASKED
[02:35:03] WHAT YOU WOULD SAY TO HIM. THIS
[02:35:05] NATION DESERVES AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO LOVES THE
[02:35:08] CONSTITUTION MORE THAN ANY SINGLE PRESIDENT AND ATTORNEY
[02:35:12] GENERAL, FOCUSED ON KEEPING AMERICA SAFE AND COMBATING
[02:35:15] CORRUPTION, NOT SATISFYING THE
[02:35:17] PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL
[02:35:19] GRIEVANCES, OR CHANNELING CRYPTO CASH TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S
[02:35:22] MAGA FAITHFUL. MR. PRESIDENT,
[02:35:25] MR. CHAIRMAN, I YIELD
[02:35:29] >> NOW WE TURN.
[02:35:32] >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND, MY GOODNESS, I EXPECT YOU'LL BE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT
[02:35:36] HOW ONE PERSON MAY INFLUENCE EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE AND
[02:35:39] UNDULY INFLUENCE EVERYTHING YOU DO. AND I HOPE YOU SAY YOU ARE
[02:35:42] ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. AND IT IS THAT GRANDDAUGHTER SITTING RIGHT
[02:35:46] BEHIND YOU SHE IS THE CUTEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN. GOOD
[02:35:49] MORNING EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR
[02:35:51] BEING HERE. UM. I HAVE THE
[02:35:54] DISTINCT PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD
[02:35:57] BLANCHE. HE SERVES AND HAS
[02:35:59] SERVED AS OUR ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OUR DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[02:36:02] GENERAL. UH, AND AMONGST ALL OF
[02:36:04] THE QUESTIONING TODAY, UH, MOST
[02:36:07] OF WHICH I HOPE IS IN GOOD
[02:36:09] FAITH. UH, SOMETIMES IT GETS
[02:36:11] LOST THAT HE IS A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND DEDICATED HIS
[02:36:15] LIFE TO, TO PROSECUTING FOR THIS
[02:36:20] NATION. UM, THE GREATEST TESTAMENT TO HIS GOOD CHARACTER AND WISE JUDGMENT IS HE IS NOW A
[02:36:24] FLORIDIAN. AND MY CONSTITUENT, AS THE NEWEST SENATOR FROM THE
[02:36:28] GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT HE
[02:36:30] HAS LED A VERY DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITHIN THE REALM OF THE
[02:36:34] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OF WHICH HE NOW SEEKS TO HEAD AS THE
[02:36:38] PERMANENT ATTORNEY GENERAL. AND BEFORE I GO MORE INTO THAT, I
[02:36:40] WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. BLANCHE,
[02:36:42] FOR OFFERING YOURSELF, NOT JUST FIRST AS DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[02:36:46] GENERAL, BUT NOW AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL. ANY ONE OF US ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE,
[02:36:49] SITTING HERE TODAY KNOWS WHAT IT
[02:36:51] MEANS TO SERVE AND WHAT COMES
[02:36:55] WITH THAT, AND WHAT THAT TAKES EVERY DAY, AND CERTAINLY WHAT
[02:36:58] THAT MEANS FOR YOUR FAMILIES THAT STAND BESIDE AND BEHIND YOU AND SOMETIMES HOLD YOU UP
[02:37:01] THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WE THANK YOU, AND WE THANK YOUR FAMILY
[02:37:05] THAT IS HERE TODAY. UM, SINCE
[02:37:09] PRESIDENT TRUMP, TRUMP TOOK OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING
[02:37:12] YOU, ENTERED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. AS YOU HEARD OUR
[02:37:15] CHAIRMAN SAY, YOU HAVE WORKED TO ACHIEVE THE LOWEST MURDER RATE
[02:37:18] SINCE 1900. VIOLENT CRIME
[02:37:20] ARRESTS ARE UP 184%, OVER 2400
[02:37:24] GANGS AND CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AND
[02:37:27] DISMANTLED. 2900. ALMOST 3000 CHILD PREDATORS AND HUMAN
[02:37:31] TRAFFICKERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.
[02:37:32] THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 70% SINCE
[02:37:35] 2024. AND WHEN IT COMES TO
[02:37:38] FIGHTING FOR A FENTANYL FREE AMERICA, WHICH WE BOTH APPEARED
[02:37:41] AT A SUMMIT THIS WEEK, YOU AND THE DEPARTMENT ARE EXCELLING
[02:37:43] THERE, TOO. DOJ HAS MADE OVER
[02:37:46] 6300 FENTANYL ARRESTS SEIZED
[02:37:48] MORE THAN 500 ZERO KILOGRAMS OF
[02:37:51] FENTANYL POWDER, 55 MILLION FENTANYL PILLS. THAT IS, FATAL
[02:37:54] DOSES ENOUGH TO KILL 428 MILLION PEOPLE. AND JUST SO THAT
[02:37:57] EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT MEANS, THAT IS MORE THAN THE
[02:38:00] POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES
[02:38:04] OF AMERICA. THAT'S JUST A FEW TOP LINE NUMBERS ON CORE
[02:38:08] OPERATIONS AT THE HEART OF DOJ'S MISSION. THE DOJ IS
[02:38:11] INDEED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF
[02:38:13] THE WAR ON FRAUD. AND I HOPE
[02:38:15] MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE DAIS WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO TALK ABOUT
[02:38:19] THAT TODAY, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION OF YOUR
[02:38:23] NOMINATION, BUT ALSO SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT
[02:38:26] THAT. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN FOR A LONG PROCESS TODAY, SO I WANT
[02:38:30] TO TAKE MY REMAINING TIME TO TALK ABOUT YOU, THE PERSON, YOUR
[02:38:33] CAREER. TODD BLANCHE, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE IS
[02:38:37] A PATRIOT WHO WAS RAISED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. HE SPENT
[02:38:40] NEARLY. HE SPENT NEARLY A DECADE IN WHAT IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF
[02:38:43] THE BEST PROSECUTING OFFICES IN THE COUNTRY, THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE
[02:38:47] SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHERE HE PROSECUTED DRUG
[02:38:51] TRAFFICKERS AND VIOLENT CRIMINALS. IN FACT, THIS CAREER DEDICATED TO JUSTICE.
[02:38:55] >> SENATOR FROM OHIO.
[02:38:58] >> NOTWITHSTANDING. RULE 22, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE PROCEED TO EXECUTIVE
[02:39:02] SESSION TO CONSIDER THE
[02:39:04] FOLLOWING NOMINATIONS ON THE
[02:39:09] SECRETARY'S DESK. PN1104-2. JOHN A GOODWIN IN THE ARMY AND
[02:39:12] ALL NOMINATIONS IN THE COAST
[02:39:13] GUARD, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
[02:39:16] PN846, THAT THE NOMINATIONS BE CONFIRMED. THE MOTION TO
[02:39:20] RECONSIDER BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON THE TABLE WITH NO
[02:39:23] INTERVENING ACTION OR DEBATE.
[02:39:24] THAT NO FURTHER MOTIONS BE. IN
[02:39:28] ORDER TO THE NOMINATION THAT THE PRESIDENT BE IMMEDIATELY
[02:39:30] NOTIFIED OF THE SENATE'S
[02:39:33] ACTIONS AND THE SENATE THEN
[02:39:36] RESUME EXECUTIVE SESSION .
[02:39:39] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:39:41] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE PROCEED TO THE
[02:39:44] IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF
[02:39:46] CALENDAR NUMBER 44, ONE SIX S
[02:39:49] .3897.
[02:39:50] >> THE CLERK WILL >> CALENDAR NUMBER 416, S 3897.
[02:39:54] A BILL TO REVISE ADMINISTRATIVE
[02:39:57] PROCEDURES RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, DEATH BENEFITS
[02:40:00] AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
[02:40:04] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE MEASURE.
[02:40:07] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:40:08] THE COMMITTEE REPORTED SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT BE
[02:40:12] WITHDRAWN. THE GILLIBRAND SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT AT THE DESK
[02:40:15] BE CONSIDERED AND AGREED TO THE
[02:40:17] BILL, AS AMENDED, BE CONSIDERED.
[02:40:19] READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED,
[02:40:21] AND THAT THE MOTIONS TO
[02:40:28] RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON THE TABLE. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:40:30] THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
[02:40:32] BE DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER
[02:40:35] CONSIDERATION OF S 4850 IN THE
[02:40:36] SENATE, PROCEED TO ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
[02:40:40] >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT. >> S 4850. A BILL TO AMEND TITLE
[02:40:43] 28, UNITED STATES CODE TO ADJUST
[02:40:47] THRESHOLDS RELATING TO JURISDICTION FOR INFLATION
[02:40:50] DISCHARGE. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE
[02:40:54] SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:40:58] THE BILL BE CONSIDERED. READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED, AND THAT
[02:41:01] THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON
[02:41:04] THE TABLE. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:41:08] >> ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE COMMITTEE ON BANKING,
[02:41:12] HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS BE DISCHARGED FROM THE. AND THE
[02:41:15] SENATE PROCEED TO THE IMMEDIATE
[02:41:17] CONSIDERATION OF S 1525.
[02:41:21] >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT. >> S1525A BILL TO DIRECT THE
[02:41:25] SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY TO STOP MINTING THE PENNY, AND SO
[02:41:28] FORTH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
[02:41:31] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
[02:41:34] COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED, AND THE
[02:41:36] SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE
[02:41:40] MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE LUMMIS SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT, WHICH IS AT THE DESK, BE
[02:41:43] CONSIDERED AND AGREED TO THE BILL, AS AMENDED, BE CONSIDERED, READ A THIRD TIME AND PASS, AND
[02:41:47] THAT THE MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER,
[02:41:49] BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON THE TABLE.
[02:41:52] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:41:55] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:41:57] THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BE
[02:42:04] DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF S 2677, AND THE
[02:42:05] SENATE PROCEED TO ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
[02:42:08] >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT. >> AS 2677, A BILL TO EXPAND THE
[02:42:12] SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH
[02:42:14] RESPECT TO SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
[02:42:17] IN TRADE.
[02:42:21] >> OBJECTION, THE COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE SENATE WILL
[02:42:24] PROCEED TO THE MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:42:28] THE GRASSLEY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT AT THE DESK BE CONSIDERED, AND AGREED TO THE
[02:42:31] BILL, AS AMENDED, BE CONSIDERED. READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED,
[02:42:35] AND THAT THE MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE
[02:42:39] AND LAID UPON THE TABLE.
[02:42:42] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:42:46] THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES BE DISCHARGED
[02:42:49] FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF
[02:42:53] H.R. 2196 AND THE SENATE PROCEED
[02:42:55] TO ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.
[02:42:57] >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
[02:42:59] >> H.R. 2196, AN ACT TO PROVIDE
[02:43:02] FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL
[02:43:06] SERVICES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION,
[02:43:08] AND SO FORTH. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE
[02:43:11] COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE
[02:43:14] MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:43:18] THE BILL BE CONSIDERED, READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED, AND THAT
[02:43:21] THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON
[02:43:25] THE TABLE. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:43:29] THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND
[02:43:30] NATURAL RESOURCES BE DISCHARGED
[02:43:33] FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. ONE, TWO, SEVEN SIX, AND
[02:43:36] THE SENATE PROCEED TO ITS
[02:43:38] IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION. >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
[02:43:41] >> H.R. ONE 276, AN ACT TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS FROM A
[02:43:45] PARCEL OF LAND IN PADUCAH,
[02:43:49] KENTUCKY. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE
[02:43:53] MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:43:56] THE BILL BE CONSIDERED. READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED, AND THAT
[02:44:00] THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON THE TABLE.
[02:44:03] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:44:06] >> CONSENT THAT THE COMMITTEE ON
[02:44:08] SCIENCE, ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE
[02:44:11] AND TRANSPORTATION BE DISCHARGED
[02:44:13] FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN
[02:44:16] THE SENATE. NOW PROCEED TO S RES 815. >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
[02:44:20] >> AS FAR AS 815. COMMENDING THE CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL TEAM AS IT
[02:44:24] CELEBRATES ITS 150th ANNIVERSARY
[02:44:26] ON AUGUST 29th, 2026.
[02:44:31] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE
[02:44:34] MEASURE. >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT
[02:44:37] THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO. THE DURBIN SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO
[02:44:40] THE PREAMBLE AT THE DESK BE CONSIDERED AND AGREED TO THE
[02:44:44] PREAMBLE, AS AMENDED, BE AGREED TO, AND THAT THE MOTIONS TO
[02:44:47] RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE AND LAID UPON THE TABLE.
[02:44:50] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:44:56] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
[02:45:00] BE DISCHARGED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE. NOW
[02:45:04] PROCEED TO, S RES 820.
[02:45:06] >> THE CLERK WILL REPORT.
[02:45:08] >> S RES 820, DESIGNATING AUGUST
[02:45:11] 7th, 2026, IS NATIONAL
[02:45:15] LIGHTHOUSE DAY. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE COMMITTEE IS DISCHARGED AND THE
[02:45:18] SENATE WILL PROCEED TO THE MEASURE.
[02:45:20] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO. THE
[02:45:23] PREAMBLE BE AGREED TO, AND THE.
[02:45:25] AND THAT THE MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, MADE
[02:45:29] AND LAID UPON THE TABLE.
[02:45:31] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION.
[02:45:36] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE SENATE NOW PROCEED TO AN EN BLOC CONSIDERATION OF THE
[02:45:39] FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, WHICH ARE
[02:45:42] AT THE DESK. S RES 843. S RES
[02:45:45] EIGHT. 44. S RES EIGHT. 45 S RES
[02:45:52] EIGHT. 46.
[02:45:56] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE SENATE
[02:45:58] WILL PROCEED TO THE MEASURES ON THE BLOCK.
[02:46:02] >> I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE RESOLUTIONS BE AGREED TO.
[02:46:05] THE PREAMBLES BE AGREED TO, AND
[02:46:07] THAT THE MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER, BE CONSIDERED, AND MADE AND LAID
[02:46:11] UPON THE TABLE. ALL AND BLOCK.
[02:46:14] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION
[02:47:46] >> RIGHT NOW, FOR
[02:48:27] >> THE U.S. SENATE TODAY,
[02:48:31] WORKING ON SEVERAL.
[02:49:04] >> WHEN WE CONSIDER TODD BLANCHE'S NOMINATION TO SERVE
[02:49:08] AS THE 88th ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES.
[02:49:12] CONGRATULATIONS, MR. BLANCHE, ON YOUR APPOINTMENT.
[02:49:14] >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.
[02:49:23] >> GROUND RULES FOR THIS MEETING. I'LL HANDLE THIS
[02:49:26] HEARING. AS OUR COMMITTEE
[02:49:28] HANDLED THE NOMINATIONS OF
[02:49:33] GARLAND, I WANT EVERYONE TO BE
[02:49:35] ABLE TO WATCH WITHOUT
[02:49:38] OBSTRUCTION. IF PEOPLE BLOCK THE VIEW OF THOSE BEHIND THEM OR
[02:49:43] SPEAK OUT OF TURN, IT'S NOT
[02:49:45] FAIR. IT'S NOT CONSIDERATE. SO
[02:49:51] OFFICERS WILL IMMEDIATELY REMOVE
[02:49:53] THAT PERSON OR PERSONS I'M GOING
[02:49:59] TO GIVE MY OPENING REMARKS AND
[02:50:00] THEN RANKING MEMBER DURBIN WILL
[02:50:03] GIVE HIS REMARKS. THEN I'LL
[02:50:08] CALL ON SENATOR MOODY TO
[02:50:12] INTRODUCE THE NOMINEE. FOLLOWING THAT INTRODUCTION, MR. BLANCHE
[02:50:15] WILL PROVIDE HIS OPENING
[02:50:18] STATEMENT, AND THEN WE'LL RE
[02:50:20] WE'LL TURN TO QUESTIONS EACH
[02:50:25] SENATOR WILL HAVE TEN MINUTES TO
[02:50:28] ASK QUESTIONS MY, MY STANDARD
[02:50:33] APPROACH HAS BEEN THAT IF YOU
[02:50:36] GOT ONE SECOND LEFT AS A MEMBER
[02:50:38] OF THE COMMITTEE, YOU CAN ASK
[02:50:40] YOUR QUESTION BUT AFTER THE
[02:50:43] QUESTIONS ANSWERED, I'M GOING TO
[02:50:45] MOVE ON TO THE NEXT MEMBER MR.
[02:50:51] BLANCHE, THANK YOU FOR BEING
[02:50:53] HERE. AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, THIS
[02:50:55] IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
[02:51:00] OFFICES IN OUR COUNTRY. YOU WENT
[02:51:02] THROUGH A ROUGH SENATE CONFIRMATION A LITTLE OVER A
[02:51:06] YEAR AGO. SO YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT
[02:51:09] IT. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU COOPERATED WITH THIS COMMITTEE
[02:51:12] AT EVERY STEP AND FULFILLED YOUR
[02:51:15] RESPONSIBILITIES IN GOOD FAITH.
[02:51:17] WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY RUNNING THE
[02:51:20] WORLD'S, UH, LARGEST LAW FIRM
[02:51:24] OFFICE, THE SENATE HAS ALREADY
[02:51:26] JUDGED YOUR FITNESS FOR HIGH
[02:51:29] OFFICE AND CONFIRMED YOU AS THE
[02:51:31] DEPARTMENT'S SECOND IN COMMAND.
[02:51:34] TODAY, WE CONSIDER YOU FOR A
[02:51:36] PROMOTION, AND WE'RE NOT
[02:51:39] STARTING OUT FROM A BLANK SLATE.
[02:51:42] YOU HAVE A TRACK RECORD? MY
[02:51:47] DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES HAVE RELENTLESSLY ATTACKED THE
[02:51:51] DEPARTMENT, AND YOUR AND
[02:51:52] PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEADERSHIP.
[02:51:55] THEY'VE CALLED THE DEPARTMENT,
[02:51:59] QUOTE, UNQUOTE, A DISGRACE. AND
[02:52:02] SUGGESTED THE AGENCY IS BROKEN.
[02:52:06] THEIR MEDIA ALLIES AND ACTIVIST
[02:52:10] NETWORKS HAVE ECHOED THAT
[02:52:13] MESSAGE. ARE THESE ASSERTIONS
[02:52:17] CORRECT? LET'S PUT ASIDE
[02:52:20] PARTIZAN CRITICISM FOR A MOMENT
[02:52:22] AND ADDRESS THE EVIDENCE THE
[02:52:26] DEPARTMENT PRIMARY DUTY IS TO
[02:52:28] ENFORCE OUR NATION'S LAWS AND TO
[02:52:31] KEEP AMERICANS SAFE. SO HOW IS
[02:52:35] THE DEPARTMENT STACKING UP? THE
[02:52:37] ANSWER IS FOR THOSE WHO CARE TO
[02:52:41] JUDGE FIRMLY, FAIRLY. IT'S A
[02:52:44] RECORD OF SUCCESS. THE UNITED
[02:52:46] STATES HAS THE LOWEST MURDER
[02:52:49] RATE SINCE 1900. THE FBI HAS
[02:52:52] CAPTURED EIGHT OF THE TOP TEN
[02:52:54] MOST WANTED FUGITIVES. VIOLENT
[02:52:59] CRIME ARRESTS, ARRESTS BY THE
[02:53:03] FBI ARE UP 184%. MORE THAN 849
[02:53:07] INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED
[02:53:09] FROM CONDUCTING TERRORIST
[02:53:12] ATTACKS. THE ATF HAS SEIZED MORE
[02:53:16] THAN 44,000 ILLEGAL FIREARMS.
[02:53:21] THAT IS NOT A FAILURE. WHAT
[02:53:24] ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT'S RECORD ON
[02:53:26] ILLEGAL DRUGS? SINCE JANUARY OF
[02:53:32] LAST YEAR, THE DEA HAS MADE MORE
[02:53:35] THAN 6300 FENTANYL ARRESTS. IT
[02:53:41] HAS. IT HAS SEIZED MORE THAN
[02:53:48] 5000KG OF FENTANYL POWDER, 55
[02:53:51] MILLION FENTANYL PILLS. 20 240
[02:54:01] ZERO KILOGRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE, AND ONE AND
[02:54:04] 2/10 MILLION KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE. THE FENTANYL ALONE
[02:54:07] AMOUNTS TO MORE THAN 428 MILLION
[02:54:13] FATAL SEIZURES. THAT IS NOT A
[02:54:16] FAILURE. AND WHAT ABOUT
[02:54:19] PROTECTING CHILDREN? OUR
[02:54:21] COMMITTEE HAS FOUGHT FOR YEARS
[02:54:24] ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS TO PROTECT
[02:54:26] OUR NATION'S CHILDREN FROM THE
[02:54:28] HORRORS OF EXPLOITATION. RANKING
[02:54:30] MEMBER DURBIN AND I, IN A
[02:54:32] BIPARTISAN WAY, ARE LEADING
[02:54:35] LANDMARK LEGISLATION. THE JAMES
[02:54:38] T WOODS ACT, TO TACKLE THAT VERY
[02:54:41] ISSUE. AND ONCE AGAIN, OUR
[02:54:45] PARTNERS AT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAVE A RECORD OF
[02:54:47] SUCCESS. THE FBI HAS ARRESTED
[02:54:52] 2900 CHILD PREDATORS AND HUMAN
[02:54:54] TRAFFICKERS, A 70% INCREASE FROM
[02:55:00] 2024 AND LOCATED MORE THAN 6940
[02:55:06] CHILD VICTIMS. THE U.S. MARSHALS
[02:55:10] HAVE RECOVERED MORE THAN 1182
[02:55:12] MISSING CHILDREN. THAT DOESN'T
[02:55:15] SOUND LIKE FAILURE TO ME. IN
[02:55:19] CONTRAST, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DIVERTED
[02:55:22] PROSECUTORS FROM CHILD SEX CRIME
[02:55:25] CASES ON JANUARY 6th. CASES.
[02:55:29] THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE MY DEMOCRAT
[02:55:32] COLLEAGUES HAVE CRITICIZED THE
[02:55:35] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LACK OF
[02:55:37] TRANSPARENCY. I'VE BEEN CRITICAL
[02:55:39] AS WELL AS I AM WITH EVERY
[02:55:43] ADMINISTRATION WHO OCCUPIES THE
[02:55:47] OVAL OFFICE. WHEN WE DON'T GET
[02:55:49] THAT COOPERATION. NO ONE CARES
[02:55:52] MORE ABOUT OVERSIGHT THAN I DO.
[02:55:56] IN ALL MY YEARS OF CONGRESSIONAL
[02:55:59] OVERSIGHT, THIS DEPARTMENT HAS
[02:56:01] BEEN THE MOST RESPONSIVE TO MY
[02:56:04] REQUESTS. THAT MEANS EVERY
[02:56:07] REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT ADMINISTRATION PREVIOUS TO THIS
[02:56:10] ONE, AND THE NUMBERS BACK THIS
[02:56:14] UP. SINCE JANUARY OF LAST YEAR,
[02:56:16] THE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED
[02:56:19] APPROXIMATELY 43,000 PAGES OF
[02:56:20] RECORDS. IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS
[02:56:24] FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE. TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE,
[02:56:27] THAT'S APPROXIMATELY THREE
[02:56:31] TIMES THE NUMBER OF RECORDS
[02:56:32] PRODUCED AND EQUIVALENT TIME BY
[02:56:37] THE BIDEN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO RELEASED
[02:56:40] MORE THAN THREE AND 3/10 MILLION
[02:56:44] PAGES OF ADDITIONAL RECORDS,
[02:56:47] WITH MORE COMING EVERY DAY.
[02:56:49] THEIR WORK IS NOT DONE, AND I
[02:56:53] EXPECT CONTINUED RESPONSIVENESS.
[02:56:55] AND AS WELL, THE VERY IMPORTANT
[02:56:58] THING OF DECLASSIFICATION. BUT CREDIT SHOULD BE GIVEN WHERE
[02:57:02] CREDIT IS DUE. A FEW MORE
[02:57:07] SUCCESSES. THEY'VE ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT
[02:57:10] DIVISION TO ADDRESS MORE THAN $5
[02:57:15] BILLION IN FRAUD AGAINST AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. THEY'VE
[02:57:17] REDUCED THE IMMIGRATION CASE LOG
[02:57:19] BY MORE THAN 468,000. THEY'VE
[02:57:25] CHALLENGED AND ELIMINATED RACIST AND UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION IN
[02:57:28] GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE
[02:57:29] SECTOR. THEY'RE EXPOSING AND RE
[02:57:33] ADDRESSING THE BIDEN ERA
[02:57:36] WEAPONIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT
[02:57:39] AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS. THEY'VE CAPTURED AND ARE
[02:57:42] PROSECUTING THE DICTATOR,
[02:57:44] NICOLAS MADURO FOR CRIMES
[02:57:46] RELATED TO NARCO TERRORISM. THE
[02:57:50] LIST GOES ON. THIS DEPARTMENT IS
[02:57:53] KEEPING AMERICANS SAFE, AND THE
[02:57:55] NUMBERS BACK THAT UP. MR.
[02:57:57] BLANCHE, YOU SHOULD TAKE PRIDE
[02:58:00] IN DELIVERING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROMISE. THE
[02:58:04] AMERICAN PEOPLE VOTED FOR IN
[02:58:07] 2024. BUT AT THE HEARING TODAY,
[02:58:11] WE MIGHT EXPECT THE OPPOSITE. MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WILL TALK
[02:58:15] ABOUT, UH, THESE. THEY WON'T
[02:58:19] TALK ABOUT THESE SUCCESSES. I
[02:58:21] EXPECT THE SAME PLAYBOOK THAT
[02:58:23] WE'VE SEEN FOR NEARLY EVERY ONE
[02:58:25] OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES.
[02:58:28] PURE PARTIZAN OBSTRUCTION AND
[02:58:31] PARTIZAN ATTACK. THIS APPROACH
[02:58:34] IS THE SAME ONE THAT WE'VE SEEN
[02:58:36] OVER AND OVER. IN FACT, IT
[02:58:40] BECOMES SUCH A PATTERN THAT I'LL JUST QUOTE MYSELF FROM A SPEECH
[02:58:43] I DELIVERED ALMOST A YEAR AGO
[02:58:46] REGARDING ANOTHER NOMINEE. LAST
[02:58:49] JULY, I SAID, QUOTE, SINCE THE
[02:58:51] VERY BEGINNING OF THIS CONGRESS,
[02:58:53] DEMOCRATS HAVE ENGAGED IN RELENTLESS OBSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN
[02:58:57] FOR NEARLY EVERY ONE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES.
[02:59:01] THEIR PLAYBOOK HAS INCLUDED MAXIMUM PROCEDURAL OBSTRUCTION
[02:59:05] UNFAIR MEDIA ATTACKS, REPEATED
[02:59:10] ATTEMPTS TO ALLEGE MISCONDUCT,
[02:59:14] AND DEMANDS FOR DELAYED CONSIDERATION RECORDS AND
[02:59:17] INVESTIGATIONS. LIKE CLOCKWORK, JUST BEFORE A HEARING OR A VOTE,
[02:59:20] WE GET ANOTHER BREATHLESS
[02:59:24] ACCUSATION THAT ONE OF PRESIDENT
[02:59:27] TRUMP'S NOMINEES NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. END OF MY QUOTE OF
[02:59:30] LAST JANUARY. SO HERE WE ARE
[02:59:33] AGAIN. JUST LIKE CLOCKWORK, THE
[02:59:36] DEMOCRATS AND THEIR MEDIA ALLIES
[02:59:38] AND ACTIVIST NETWORKS HAVE
[02:59:41] LAUNCHED THE EXPECTED CRUSADE
[02:59:44] AGAINST YOUR NOMINATION. TO BE
[02:59:46] CLEAR, THERE ARE FAIR QUESTIONS
[02:59:49] FOR MR. BLANCHE. I DON'T AGREE WITH HOW MR. BLANCHE OR THE
[02:59:53] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HANDLED EVERY MATTER, AND I'VE DEMANDED
[02:59:57] ANSWERS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO
[02:59:58] SO. BUT MANY OF THE CRITICISMS
[03:00:01] AIRED IN RECENT DAYS, JUST
[03:00:05] COMPLETELY MISS THE MARK. AND
[03:00:06] I'LL GIVE ONE EXAMPLE. WE'VE
[03:00:09] SEEN A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN FROM FORMER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
[03:00:12] EMPLOYEES OPPOSING MR. BLANCHE
[03:00:14] NOMINATION BY DEMOCRATIC
[03:00:17] COLLEAGUES AND THE PARTIZAN
[03:00:19] MEDIA HAVE PUBLICIZED THEIR
[03:00:22] LETTER FRAMING THE SIGNATORIES AS A GROUP OF NONPARTISAN,
[03:00:26] QUOTE, UNQUOTE, CAREER CIVIL SERVANTS. OF COURSE, THEY FAIL
[03:00:30] TO MENTION IN THAT LETTER WAS
[03:00:35] COORDINATED BY THE SAME GROUP
[03:00:38] THAT ENGAGED IN PARTIZAN AND
[03:00:39] MISLEADING CAMPAIGNS OPPOSING
[03:00:43] JUDGE BOVA'S NOMINATION. THEY ALSO DON'T MENTION THAT THE
[03:00:46] LETTERS, SIGNATORIES INCLUDE A
[03:00:49] WHO'S WHO OF PARTIZAN ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING FORMER
[03:00:52] CHICAGO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AND
[03:00:56] JACK SMITH'S PARTIZAN
[03:00:58] PROSECUTORS. JP COONEY, MOLLY
[03:01:01] GASTON AND DAVID BRODY. AND THEY
[03:01:05] CERTAINLY DON'T MENTION IT. MR. BLANCHE HAS RECEIVED LETTERS OF
[03:01:08] SUPPORT FROM ORGANIZATIONS
[03:01:11] REPRESENTING MORE THAN 600,000
[03:01:14] LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 23
[03:01:17] STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND SCORES OF FORMER JUSTICE
[03:01:20] DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS. SO, FROM
[03:01:23] MY VANTAGE POINT, IF THE PEOPLE
[03:01:26] WHO ENGAGED IN IN THE WORST
[03:01:29] PARTIZAN WARFARE LAWFARE THIS
[03:01:31] COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN HAVE A
[03:01:33] PROBLEM WITH TODD BLANCHE,
[03:01:36] THAT'S A GOOD THING. IN MY
[03:01:40] BOOK, AS SURE AS SUNRISE TODAY,
[03:01:44] SOME OF MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES
[03:01:45] WILL TELL US THAT MR. BRANCH HAS
[03:01:49] UNIQUE, UNIQUELY TERRIBLE
[03:01:52] NOMINEE BEFORE THEY DO SO.
[03:01:54] HOWEVER, I URGE THEM TO REMEMBER
[03:01:57] THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF AND TAKE
[03:02:00] A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR BEFORE
[03:02:02] LECTURING ANYONE ABOUT
[03:02:05] PARTIZANSHIP AT THE JUSTICE
[03:02:07] DEPARTMENT. SO I HAVE ONE MORE
[03:02:10] SUBJECT. I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS.
[03:02:12] DEVELOPMENTS IN MY. AND SENATOR
[03:02:17] JOHNSON'S JACK SMITH INVESTIGATION. SMITH'S TEAM
[03:02:19] SUBPOENAED THE NATIONAL
[03:02:23] ARCHIVES, JUNE 2023. THAT
[03:02:25] SUBPOENA SOUGHT TEXT MESSAGES
[03:02:30] FROM CELL PHONES CONNECTED TO TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS.
[03:02:34] THE DATE RANGE FOR THE RECORDS
[03:02:36] WAS OCTOBER 1st, 2020, TO
[03:02:42] JANUARY 20th, 2021. THE ARCHIVES
[03:02:45] THEN GENERAL COUNSEL GARY STERN,
[03:02:49] EMAILED THOMAS NOEM, ONE OF
[03:02:52] SMITH'S DEPUTIES, ON AUGUST
[03:02:55] 21st, 2023, AT 12:19 P.M.. THAT
[03:03:01] EMAIL SAID RESPONSIVE RECORDS
[03:03:05] WERE READY ON AUGUST 21st, THE
[03:03:07] SAME DAY, 2023. JUST, UH, 20s
[03:03:14] LATER WINDHAM HAD ALREADY
[03:03:16] DOWNLOADED THE TEXT, AND SHORTLY
[03:03:20] AFTER THAT, OTHER DOJ AND FBI
[03:03:24] PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE CASE DID AS WELL. WHISTLEBLOWERS TOLD
[03:03:26] MY OFFICE THAT SMITH DIDN'T PASS THESE RECORDS THROUGH A FILTER
[03:03:30] TEAM, AND YOU CAN SEE IN 20
[03:03:33] MINUTES, THERE WASN'T TIME TO GO TO A FILTER TEAM. THAT FILTER
[03:03:37] TEAM WAS ALREADY IN PLACE. THE
[03:03:41] JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS CONFIRMED THAT FACT IN A LETTER TO THE
[03:03:45] COMMITTEE, QUOTE, THE SPECIAL
[03:03:47] COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATIVE TEAM, APPARENTLY BY BYPASSED THE
[03:03:50] FILTER TEAM AND DIRECTLY
[03:03:53] ACCESSED THESE TEXT MESSAGES,
[03:03:55] END QUOTE. THE DOJ LETTER TO THE
[03:03:58] COMMITTEE ALSO SAID, QUOTE, THE
[03:04:01] SPECIAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF
[03:04:04] THE RISKS THAT RECORDS RELATING
[03:04:08] TO MEMBERS, MEANING MEMBERS OF
[03:04:09] CONGRESS, COMMUNICATIONS COULD
[03:04:12] RAISE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS
[03:04:15] AND MIGHT BE PRIVILEGED UNDER THE SPEECH AND DEBATE CLAUSE.
[03:04:18] END OF QUOTE. THAT SPEECH AND
[03:04:21] DEBATE CLAUSE IS A
[03:04:23] CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE. EVEN IF
[03:04:25] SMITH'S TEAM HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO LOOK FOR
[03:04:28] CONGRESSIONAL OR OTHER PRIVILEGED INFORMATION, IT
[03:04:32] WOULDN'T MATTER, BECAUSE, IN
[03:04:33] THIS EXAMPLE, IT APPEARS THE
[03:04:38] FILTER TEAM WAS ENTIRELY BYPASSED BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE
[03:04:41] COMMITTEE. SMITH'S OPERATION CUT CORNERS AND BLEW THROUGH
[03:04:45] CONSTITUTIONAL STOP SIGNS. INSTEAD OF RESPECTING THEM. AND
[03:04:49] HAVING BEEN ADVISED ABOUT THE
[03:04:51] CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS, THE
[03:04:54] WHITE HOUSE MESSAGE, OBTAINED
[03:04:56] AND REVIEWED BY SMITH'S TEAM,
[03:04:59] INCLUDED COMMUNICATIONS WITH
[03:05:04] MANY SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. THE
[03:05:06] COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDED MESSAGES
[03:05:08] WITH MEMBERS ON THIS COMMITTEE,
[03:05:11] INCLUDING THIS SENATOR. THE
[03:05:12] SUBJECT MATTER OF THOSE MEMBERS
[03:05:16] COMMUNICATION INCLUDED CORE CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES,
[03:05:18] SUCH AS CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION, RESOLUTIONS AND
[03:05:22] INVESTIGATIVE WORK. IT ALSO
[03:05:23] INCLUDED OTHER INFORMATION
[03:05:26] IRRELEVANT TO JACK SMITH'S CASE
[03:05:29] AGAINST THEN CITIZEN TRUMP.
[03:05:32] INSTEAD OF THAT INFORMATION BEING WALLED OFF, IT WAS
[03:05:36] INTENTIONALLY SHARED. THIS IS
[03:05:38] ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS
[03:05:40] MISGUIDED INVESTIGATION WASN'T
[03:05:42] NORMAL, AND DEMANDS FURTHER
[03:05:45] INVESTIGATION. JACK SMITH'S OPERATION WAS A RUNAWAY
[03:05:47] POLITICAL TRAIN THAT IMPROPERLY
[03:05:50] OBTAINED CONGRESSIONAL
[03:05:53] INFORMATION. I'VE REQUESTED ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL BLANCHE
[03:05:55] TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO REVIEW THESE
[03:06:02] RECORDS. SENATOR >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.
[03:06:04] CHAIRMAN MR. BLANCHE, THANK YOU
[03:06:08] FOR COMING BY MY OFFICE YESTERDAY. UH, I THINK WE BOTH KNEW GOING INTO THAT MEETING
[03:06:11] THAT WE HAD STRONGLY HELD POLITICAL BELIEFS ON BOTH SIDES
[03:06:14] OF THE TABLE, AND YET WE HAD, I
[03:06:17] THINK, A RESPECTFUL EXCHANGE.
[03:06:18] AND I THANK YOU FOR COMING BY. THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT
[03:06:22] YOUR STAFFERS WITH YOU. MY STAFF WAS THERE AS WELL. IF THERE WAS
[03:06:26] ANY MISUNDERSTANDING, UH, MY REPRESENTATION OF YOUR REMARKS, YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO CORRECT
[03:06:30] THE RECORD, UH, IN A FEW
[03:06:32] MOMENTS. BUT I'LL STICK BY WHAT
[03:06:34] I SAID AND ASK. MY STAFF HAS
[03:06:37] BACKED ME UP IN MY MEMORY OF IT. YOURS MAY BE DIFFERENT, BUT
[03:06:41] THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME YESTERDAY. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
[03:06:44] THE OBVIOUS EMPTY SEAT AT THE
[03:06:45] DAIS HERE, WHICH THE CHAIRMAN,
[03:06:49] UH, NEXT TO THE CHAIRMAN. THE COMMITTEE IS MOURNING THE LOSS
[03:06:52] OF OUR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM, FORMER
[03:06:56] CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE. I SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE WITH SENATOR GRAHAM
[03:07:00] SINCE HE JOINED THE SENATE IN
[03:07:02] 2003. AND I CHERISH MY MEMORIES
[03:07:05] OF BOTH OUR FIERCE PARTISAN BATTLES AND OUR LANDMARK
[03:07:09] BIPARTISAN AGREEMENTS. HE WAS A
[03:07:10] TRUSTED FRIEND, MY MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK HOME. CAN'T
[03:07:14] BELIEVE IT. WHEN I SAY THESE THINGS. YOU MEAN THAT LINDSEY
[03:07:17] GRAHAM, YES, I DO. HE WAS A GOOD PERSON, A VALUABLE PART OF THE
[03:07:21] SENATE FAMILY, AND AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE PART OF THIS COMMITTEE.
[03:07:25] UH, I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE HONORING HIM WITH THIS, UH,
[03:07:28] MEMORIAL TODAY. UH, LET ME SAY
[03:07:31] AT THE OUTSET THAT THE CHAIRMAN, UH, SPENT SEVERAL MINUTES
[03:07:35] TALKING ABOUT JACK SMITH. I WANT
[03:07:36] TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR ABOUT
[03:07:40] JACK SMITH, WHO WAS A SPECIAL
[03:07:43] COUNSEL MONTHS AGO, PERHAPS SIX
[03:07:45] MONTHS AGO, MAYBE LONGER. HE
[03:07:48] VOLUNTEERED TO APPEAR BEFORE
[03:07:51] THIS COMMITTEE UNDER OATH AND
[03:07:53] TESTIFY DID AS SPECIAL COUNSEL, AND TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THE
[03:07:57] COMMITTEE, FOR REASONS I CANNOT
[03:08:00] EXPLAIN, THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, DOES NOT WANT TO BRING
[03:08:02] JACK SMITH BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE
[03:08:04] AND HAVE HIM TESTIFY UNDER OATH.
[03:08:08] THEY CONTINUE ON REGULAR BASIS TO TAKE EXCEPTION TO THINGS THAT
[03:08:11] HE SAID OR DID, OR ALLEGEDLY DID, BUT WILL NOT BRING HIM
[03:08:14] BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE. I DON'T GET IT. IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING
[03:08:18] THEY WANT TO RAISE WITH JACK SMITH, THAT PLACE IS WHERE HE
[03:08:20] SHOULD BE SITTING UNDER OATH AND ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS, AND
[03:08:24] HE'S VOLUNTEERED TO DO IT. BUT
[03:08:26] THEY TURNED HIM DOWN MR.
[03:08:30] CHAIRMAN, WE ARE HERE TODAY WITH THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF
[03:08:34] CHOOSING THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF
[03:08:37] AMERICA. WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THERE'S A VACANCY IN THE
[03:08:40] OFFICE. THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO
[03:08:42] FIRE THE PREDECESSOR. UH, OF MR.
[03:08:45] BLANCHE. AFTER JUST 14 MONTHS ON
[03:08:49] THE JOB, AFTER COURTS AND GRAND JURIES BLOCKED HER FROM
[03:08:53] PROSECUTING THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL OPPONENTS, SEEMINGLY,
[03:08:56] PRESIDENT TRUMP BELIEVES YOU, MR. BLANCHE, WILL BE MORE
[03:08:59] SUCCESSFUL. WHEN YOU'RE FIRST
[03:09:01] NOMINATED TO BE DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[03:09:03] GENERAL. DEMOCRATS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S
[03:09:07] PERSONAL ATTORNEY, SERVING AS
[03:09:11] THE TOP ATTORNEY IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT
[03:09:15] OFFICER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. SINCE YOU WERE
[03:09:18] CONFIRMED, THE DEPARTMENT OF
[03:09:21] JUSTICE HAS LITERALLY VIOLATED DOZENS OF COURT ORDERS TO
[03:09:24] ADVANCE THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA
[03:09:26] LAST YEAR, YOU DECLARED THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS, QUOTE,
[03:09:29] AT WAR WITH THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY I BROUGHT THAT UP TO
[03:09:33] YOU YESTERDAY. I BELIEVE ALL OF
[03:09:36] US, BOTH SIDES OF >> THE TABLE NEED TO BE MORE
[03:09:39] CAREFUL WITH OUR RHETORIC WHEN IT COMES TO THE JUDICIARY.
[03:09:44] YESTERDAY, WE HAD THE TESTIMONY
[03:09:44] OF JUSTICES KAGAN AND BARRETT,
[03:09:48] AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THEM PERSONALLY AND ON THEIR
[03:09:52] FAMILIES, WITH THE THREATS THAT HAVE BEEN INCREASING AGAINST
[03:09:55] THEM MOST OF US ON THIS SIDE OF THE TABLE KNOW WHAT THEY'RE
[03:09:59] TALKING ABOUT. WE HAVE A SIMILAR
[03:10:01] EXPERIENCE, BUT IT IS A
[03:10:03] RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL OF US, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS,
[03:10:06] LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, IN OR OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT. BE
[03:10:10] CAREFUL WITH WHAT WE SAY ABOUT
[03:10:13] THE JUDICIARY. THEY ARE DOING
[03:10:14] THEIR JOB. WE SHOULD NEVER, EVER
[03:10:18] COUNTENANCE VIOLENCE AGAINST ANYONE ON EITHER SIDE. ONE OF
[03:10:21] YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL ACTIONS IS
[03:10:23] ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR.
[03:10:25] BLANCHE WAS TO ESTABLISH THE $2
[03:10:29] BILLION WEAPONIZATION, OR SLUSH FUND, TO BENEFIT JANUARY 6th.
[03:10:32] COP BEATERS WHILE IMMUNIZING
[03:10:35] PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM IRS LIABILITY. YOU DEFENDED THE
[03:10:38] SLUSH FUND BY CLAIMING, QUOTE,
[03:10:40] PEOPLE HURT. POLICE GET MONEY,
[03:10:43] HURT. POLICE GET MONEY ALL THE
[03:10:44] TIME, END QUOTE. DESPITE
[03:10:47] RESOUNDING BIPARTISAN CRITICISM AND ADMITTING THAT IT WAS A
[03:10:51] MISTAKE, YOU'VE REFUSED TO
[03:10:53] RESCIND THE ORDER CREATING THIS
[03:10:55] FUND. THAT ORDER CAN STILL BE
[03:10:57] FOUND ON THE DEPARTMENT OF
[03:11:01] JUSTICE'S WEBSITE TODAY. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY IN
[03:11:03] MY I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND
[03:11:06] YOUR EXPLANATION. I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE, OF COURSE, TO EXPLAIN
[03:11:09] IT, BUT YOU SAID IT WAS UP TO
[03:11:11] CONGRESS TO CODIFY THE
[03:11:14] ELIMINATION OF THIS FUND. THIS WAS A CREATION OF THE EXECUTIVE
[03:11:18] BRANCH. IT WAS NOT A CREATION OF
[03:11:22] CONGRESS. SO I HOPE YOU'LL CLARIFY THAT STATEMENT. EARLIER
[03:11:24] THIS WEEK, A FEDERAL JUDGE CHARACTERIZED YOUR EXPLANATION OF THE SETTLEMENT THAT LED TO
[03:11:28] THIS FUND. QUOTE, AT BEST,
[03:11:30] MISLEADING AND AT WORST, DISINGENUOUS. YOU TOLD ME
[03:11:34] YESTERDAY THAT THE OPINION WAS, QUOTE, A HIT PIECE ON YOU. ANOTHER TROUBLING ATTACK ON A
[03:11:38] JUDGE FOR DOING HER JOB. THEN
[03:11:41] THERE'S THE COVER UP OF THE EPSTEIN FILES, WHICH FORMER
[03:11:45] ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI HERSELF SAID YOU WERE, QUOTE, IN CHARGE
[03:11:47] OF. UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, MORE
[03:11:53] THAN 1000 FBI PERSONNEL WERE PULLED OFF OF OTHER PRIORITIES AND DIRECTED TO FLAG EPSTEIN
[03:11:57] RECORDS FOR ANY MENTIONS OF
[03:12:00] PRESIDENT TRUMP. WHEN SCRUTINY OF THE COVER UP INTENSIFIED, YOU
[03:12:04] PARTICIPATED IN MEETINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM TO
[03:12:08] STRATEGIZE ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT PRESIDENT TRUMP, NOT EPSTEIN
[03:12:11] SURVIVORS. THE PRESIDENT. WHEN CONGRESS FORCED THE
[03:12:15] ADMINISTRATION TO RELEASE THE FILES, HUNDREDS OF SURVIVORS.
[03:12:18] PERSONAL INFORMATION WAS
[03:12:22] UNREDACTED, VICTIMIZING THEM AGAIN. MEANWHILE, THE NAMES OF
[03:12:26] POWERFUL EPSTEIN ALLIES REMAIN
[03:12:28] PROTECTED IN CLEAR VIOLATION OF
[03:12:30] THE EPSTEIN FILES TRANSPARENCY
[03:12:33] ACT. YOUR EXPLANATION? QUOTE, IT
[03:12:35] ISN'T A CRIME TO PARTY WITH MR.
[03:12:38] EPSTEIN. MR. BLANCHE, THESE SURVIVORS DESERVE MUCH BETTER. I
[03:12:42] WANT TO RECOGNIZE MANY OF THEM WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. I
[03:12:45] THANK THEM FOR THEIR COURAGE IN
[03:12:47] SPEAKING OUT. TOMORROW, WE WILL
[03:12:49] HEAR ONE OF THEM DURING OUR
[03:12:52] OUTSIDE WITNESS PANEL. I'D LIKE
[03:12:53] TO ENTER INTO THE RECORD SIX LETTERS FROM EPSTEIN SURVIVORS
[03:12:57] IN OPPOSITION TO THE BLANCHE NOMINATION. >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO
[03:13:00] ORDERED. >> I'M ASKING YOU, MR. BLANCHE,
[03:13:03] TODAY, BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS
[03:13:06] ROOM, TO AGREE TO MEET WITH THESE EPSTEIN SURVIVORS PERSONALLY, AND TO BRING WITH
[03:13:10] YOU PROFESSIONALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, TO HEAR
[03:13:12] THEM OUT. THEY HAVE THE COURAGE
[03:13:15] TO TELL THEIR STORY, AND THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HEAR FROM THEIR
[03:13:19] GOVERNMENT THAT THEY TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW
[03:13:23] WITH CONVICTED SEX TRAFFICKER
[03:13:25] GHISLAINE MAXWELL, AN ATTEMPT, I
[03:13:28] BELIEVE, TO EXONERATE PRESIDENT TRUMP. MISS MAXWELL WAS TRANSFERRED TO A MINIMUM
[03:13:32] SECURITY CAMP. THAT IS UNHEARD
[03:13:34] OF FOR OFFENDERS LIKE HER. YOU SAID IT WAS FOR HER OWN PERSONAL
[03:13:37] SAFETY. I HOPE YOU'LL EXPLAIN THAT TODAY. YOU TOLD ME
[03:13:41] YESTERDAY YOU WANT TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
[03:13:44] AND YOU LOVE PROSECUTORS. BUT YOU HAVE REMOVED FROM THE
[03:13:49] DEPARTMENT SOME OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROSECUTORS THAT HAVE
[03:13:51] EVER SERVED OUR GOVERNMENT. DONE
[03:13:54] THAT FOR PERSONAL REASONS. PERJURING CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT
[03:13:58] OFFICIALS WHO WON'T PRIORITIZE
[03:14:01] PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INTERESTS OVER THEIR OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION. YOU FIRED THE
[03:14:05] CAREER PARDON ATTORNEY BECAUSE
[03:14:07] SHE WOULDN'T SIGN OFF ON RESTORING GUN RIGHTS TO A
[03:14:11] CONVICTED DOMESTIC ABUSER, MEL GIBSON, PERSONAL FRIEND OF
[03:14:14] PRESIDENT TRUMP. HE FIRED CAREER
[03:14:18] IMMIGRATION LITIGATOR EREZ ROYAL
[03:14:20] NAVY FOR REFUSING TO FOLLOW
[03:14:23] UNETHICAL ORDERS FROM YOUR FORMER LAW PARTNER, EMO BOVE AND
[03:14:26] OTHER SENIOR DOJ OFFICIALS TO
[03:14:28] LIE TO A FEDERAL COURT. YOU BRAGGED ABOUT FIRING CAREER LAW
[03:14:32] ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO
[03:14:36] INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT'S
[03:14:39] CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT, INCLUDING AGENTS WHO SPECIALIZED IN INVESTIGATING THREATS FROM
[03:14:43] FOREIGN ADVERSARIES LIKE IRAN.
[03:14:46] MORE THAN 1200 FORMER CAREER DOJ
[03:14:50] EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED FOR BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS, SENT THIS
[03:14:53] COMMITTEE A LETTER OPPOSING YOUR NOMINATION. BECAUSE YOU HAVE
[03:14:57] PURGED DOJ OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERIENCED LAW ENFORCEMENT
[03:15:00] OFFICIALS, PUTTING OUR NATION'S SECURITY AT RISK. I WOULD LIKE
[03:15:03] TO ENTER THIS LETTER INTO THE
[03:15:05] RECORD WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
[03:15:07] >> WITHOUT OBJECTION. SO ORDERED. >> YOU TESTIFIED UNDER OATH LAST
[03:15:10] YEAR THAT HIS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL YOU WOULD CONSULT WITH
[03:15:14] CAREER ETHICS OFFICIALS TO AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, A
[03:15:17] SIGNIFICANT CONCERN, SINCE YOU
[03:15:20] RECEIVED NEARLY $10 MILLION AS A
[03:15:23] PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY. BUT YOU'VE GUTTED THE DOJ
[03:15:25] OFFICES THAT HANDLE ETHICS AND
[03:15:30] PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER THE DEPARTMENT'S TOP ETHICS LAWYER ADVISED YOU TO
[03:15:32] RECUSE YOURSELF FROM ANY MATTERS RELATING TO TRUMP AND HIS
[03:15:36] PERSONAL CAPACITY. THAT LAWYER
[03:15:39] WAS FIRED. EVERY SMARMY SUSPECT
[03:15:41] DEAL IN THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS
[03:15:44] CRYPTOCURRENCY BEHIND THE CURTAIN. AND AGAIN, IT HAS
[03:15:48] HAPPENED. WHEN IT COMES TO THE BILLION DOLLAR WINDFALL THAT WENT TO THE PRESIDENT IN HIS
[03:15:51] FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, SHORTLY
[03:15:54] AFTER YOU WERE CONFIRMED AS
[03:15:56] DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, YOU ISSUED AN ORDER DISMANTLING
[03:15:59] DOJ'S CRYPTO ENFORCEMENT TEAM AND SHUTTING DOWN ONGOING
[03:16:03] CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE CRYPTO INDUSTRY. AT THE TIME,
[03:16:05] YOU OWNED AT LEAST $159,000
[03:16:08] WORTH OF CRYPTO RELATED ASSETS.
[03:16:12] WHILE YOU EVENTUALLY DIVESTED. THOSE ASSETS DIDN'T GO FAR. YOU
[03:16:15] SIMPLY TRANSFERRED THEM TO YOUR CHILD, YOUR CHILDREN, AND
[03:16:19] GRANDCHILD. WITH THE CRYPTO
[03:16:21] ENFORCEMENT UNIT OUT OF THE WAY.
[03:16:25] PRESIDENT TRUMP BROUGHT IN $1.4 BILLION FROM HIS FAMILY'S
[03:16:28] CRYPTOCURRENCY BUSINESS IN 2020
[03:16:30] ALONE. TAKE THAT ONE. TAKE ONE
[03:16:32] EXAMPLE OF THE DEALING IN THE
[03:16:36] ADMINISTRATION. IN APRIL 2024,
[03:16:38] THE FOUNDER OF THE CRYPTO
[03:16:40] COMPANY BINANCE WAS SENTENCED TO
[03:16:42] PRISON AND ORDERED TO PAY $50 MILLION FINE FOR A MONEY
[03:16:45] LAUNDERING SCHEME. $50 MILLION
[03:16:49] FINE. HE THEN BROKERED A DEAL TO
[03:16:53] CHANNEL $2 BILLION INTO THE TRUMP FAMILY'S CRYPTO BUSINESS.
[03:16:57] WORLD LIBERTY FINANCE, AFTER
[03:16:59] WHICH PRESIDENT TRUMP PARDONED
[03:17:02] HIM. BINANCE ACCOUNTS HAVE
[03:17:04] FUNNELED ABOUT $1.7 BILLION TO IRANIAN ENTITIES LINKED TO
[03:17:08] TERRORISM. THE PRESIDENT'S WORLD LIBERTY FINANCIAL CONTINUES TO
[03:17:12] PARTNER WITH BINANCE, EVEN WITH THESE FACTS THAT I'VE SPELLED
[03:17:15] OUT IN THIS STATEMENT YOU
[03:17:19] RECENTLY CLAIMED, QUOTE, MR.
[03:17:21] BLANCHE, THAT THERE'S A TON OF
[03:17:24] EVIDENCE THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS RIGGED. YOU SHOULD SEE WHAT
[03:17:28] HAPPENS IN THIS COMMITTEE ROOM WHEN JUDICIAL NOMINEES OF THIS
[03:17:31] ADMINISTRATION APPEAR BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE. RAISE THEIR
[03:17:35] HANDS, TAKE THE OATH, AND THEN FEEL THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY
[03:17:38] MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. YOU'LL
[03:17:41] SEE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EVEN JUDGES TODAY AT STATE
[03:17:44] LEVEL, AND HAVE DISTINGUISHED CAREERS IN LAW, START TO AVERT
[03:17:48] THEIR EYES, SQUIRM, AND THEN
[03:17:51] GIVE A SCRIPT WHICH DOESN'T
[03:17:54] ACKNOWLEDGE THE OBVIOUS. DONALD
[03:17:56] TRUMP LOST THE 2020 ELECTION BY
[03:17:59] 7 MILLION POPULAR VOTES, 7
[03:18:02] MILLION VOTES. POPULAR THAT
[03:18:07] NUMBER. THAT'S A FACT. ANY EIGHTH GRADER IN AMERICA KNOWS IT AND CAN REPEAT IT FOR YOU.
[03:18:10] AND YET, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO
[03:18:13] ASKING TRUMP JUDICIAL NOMINEES WHO WON THE 2020 ELECTION, YOU
[03:18:16] OUGHT TO SEE HIM SQUIRM. WHAT'S
[03:18:19] THE REASON? THE PRESIDENT'S BIG
[03:18:21] LIE? HE BELIEVES IN HIS HEART OF HEARTS, THAT HE SOMEHOW WON THAT
[03:18:25] ELECTION, THOUGH HE CAN'T PRODUCE ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT FACT. WELL, WE'LL GIVE YOU YOUR
[03:18:28] CHANCE. I HOPE THAT YOU'LL PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE TO SHOW,
[03:18:32] ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, THAT THE BIG LIE IS THE TRUTH OR NOT THE
[03:18:36] TRUTH. YOUR FIRST INDICTMENT OF
[03:18:38] FORMER FBI DIRECTOR COMEY FAILED
[03:18:40] IN A CASE BROUGHT BY AN UNQUALIFIED AND UNLAWFULLY
[03:18:44] APPOINTED U.S. ATTORNEY. LINDSEY HALLIGAN. SO NOW MR. COMEY IS
[03:18:48] BEING PROSECUTED FOR TAKING
[03:18:50] PICTURES OF SEASHELLS. THIS PROSECUTION, PERSONALLY ORDERED
[03:18:54] BY THE PRESIDENT, WHO DESPISES
[03:18:57] MR. COMEY FOR OVERSEEING THE INVESTIGATION OF RUSSIAN
[03:19:00] INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION. YOU HAVE ALSO
[03:19:04] BASELESSLY POVERTY LAW CENTER, A CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THAT
[03:19:08] HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO EXPOSE
[03:19:10] VIOLENT EXTREMISTS LIKE THE PROUD BOYS AND OATH KEEPERS, A
[03:19:14] GROUP WHICH WE IN THE SENATE
[03:19:16] KNOW WELL FOR THEIR JANUARY 6th
[03:19:19] ESCAPADE. THE SAME PEOPLE YOU GAVE A CLEAN SLATE FOR THEIR
[03:19:23] ROLE IN ATTACKING THIS CAPITOL. A FEDERAL JUDGE RECENTLY SINGLED
[03:19:26] OUT YOUR, QUOTE, REMARKABLE
[03:19:29] STATEMENTS TARGETING KILMER,
[03:19:31] ABREGO, GARCIA AS EVIDENCE THAT HIS CRIMINAL PROSECUTION WAS,
[03:19:35] QUOTE, MARKED BY A RETALIATORY
[03:19:37] TAINT FOR SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTING
[03:19:41] HIS DEPORTATION. AND DESPITE MY REPEATED REQUEST, YOU HAVE YET
[03:19:43] TO PRODUCE THE DOJ MEMORANDUM,
[03:19:45] CONCLUDING THAT IT WAS LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF
[03:19:49] THE UNITED STATES TO ACCEPT A
[03:19:51] GIFT OF A LUXURY AIRLINER FROM
[03:19:54] THE ROYAL FAMILY OF QATAR. DESPITE CONSTITUTIONAL AND
[03:19:57] STATUTORY FOREIGN GIFT PROHIBITIONS. EARLIER THIS
[03:20:00] MONTH, THAT JET WAS LAUNCHED AS
[03:20:02] AIR FORCE ONE. DESPITE CREDIBLE
[03:20:05] REPORTS OF SECURITY VULNERABILITY. LAST WEEKEND, THE
[03:20:09] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RESPONDED NOT BY ADDRESSING THESE CONCERNS, BUT BY SENDING FEDERAL
[03:20:12] AGENTS WITH SUBPOENAS TO THE HOMES OF THE REPORTERS WHO
[03:20:16] EXPOSED THESE LAPSES. IN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS AT THE DEPARTMENT
[03:20:20] OF JUSTICE, YOU'VE SHOWN YOU'RE
[03:20:23] STILL PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERSONAL ATTORNEY. YOUR TENURE CAN BE
[03:20:25] SUMMED UP IN THE FOUR WORDS YOU
[03:20:27] SAID, QUOTE, I LOVE YOU, SIR. TO
[03:20:29] PRESIDENT TRUMP. THIS WAS YOUR RESPONSE WHEN YOU WERE ASKED
[03:20:32] WHAT YOU WOULD SAY TO HIM. THIS NATION DESERVES AN ATTORNEY
[03:20:36] GENERAL WHO LOVES THE CONSTITUTION MORE THAN ANY
[03:20:39] SINGLE PRESIDENT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL FOCUSED ON KEEPING
[03:20:43] AMERICA SAFE AND COMBATING
[03:20:44] CORRUPTION, NOT SATISFYING THE
[03:20:47] PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL GRIEVANCES, OR CHANNELING CRYPTO CASH TO THE
[03:20:51] ADMINISTRATION'S MAGA FAITHFUL.
[03:20:53] MR. PRESIDENT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I YIELD.
[03:20:56] >> NOW WE TURN
[03:21:00] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. AND, MY GOODNESS, I
[03:21:03] EXPECT YOU'LL BE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW ONE PERSON MAY INFLUENCE EVERY
[03:21:07] DECISION YOU MAKE AND UNDULY INFLUENCE EVERYTHING YOU DO. AND I HOPE YOU SAY YOU ARE
[03:21:11] ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. AND IT IS THAT GRANDDAUGHTER SITTING RIGHT
[03:21:13] BEHIND YOU SHE IS THE CUTEST
[03:21:16] THING I'VE EVER SEEN. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR
[03:21:20] BEING HERE. UM, I HAVE THE
[03:21:23] DISTINCT PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE. HE SERVES AND HAS
[03:21:27] SERVED AS OUR ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OUR DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[03:21:30] GENERAL. UH, AND AMONGST ALL OF
[03:21:34] THE QUESTIONING TODAY, UH, MOST OF WHICH I HOPE IS IN GOOD
[03:21:38] FAITH, UH, SOMETIMES IT GETS LOST THAT HE IS A FORMER
[03:21:42] PROSECUTOR AND DEDICATED HIS
[03:21:44] LIFE TO, TO PROSECUTING FOR THIS
[03:21:47] NATION. UM, THE GREATEST TESTAMENT TO HIS GOOD CHARACTER
[03:21:50] AND WISE JUDGMENT IS HE IS NOW A
[03:21:53] FLORIDIAN. AND MY CONSTITUENT, AS THE NEWEST SENATOR FROM THE
[03:21:56] GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, BUT HE
[03:21:58] HAS LED A VERY DISTINGUISHED
[03:22:01] CAREER WITHIN THE REALM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OF WHICH
[03:22:04] HE NOW SEEKS TO HEAD AS THE PERMANENT ATTORNEY GENERAL. AND
[03:22:08] BEFORE I GO MORE INTO THAT, I
[03:22:10] WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. BLANCHE, FOR OFFERING YOURSELF, NOT JUST
[03:22:14] FIRST AS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, BUT NOW AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL. ANYONE OF US
[03:22:17] ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, SITTING HERE TODAY KNOWS WHAT IT
[03:22:20] MEANS TO SERVE AND WHAT COMES
[03:22:22] WITH THAT, AND WHAT THAT TAKES
[03:22:25] EVERY DAY, AND CERTAINLY WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR FAMILIES THAT STAND BESIDE AND BEHIND YOU
[03:22:29] AND SOMETIMES HOLD YOU UP THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WE THANK
[03:22:32] YOU, AND WE THANK YOUR FAMILY
[03:22:34] THAT IS HERE TODAY. UM, SINCE
[03:22:37] PRESIDENT TRUMP, TRUMP TOOK OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING
[03:22:41] YOU, ENTERED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. AS YOU HEARD OUR
[03:22:44] CHAIRMAN SAY, YOU HAVE WORKED TO
[03:22:46] ACHIEVE THE LOWEST MURDER RATE
[03:22:48] SINCE 1900. VIOLENT CRIME
[03:22:50] ARRESTS ARE UP 184%, OVER 2400 GANGS AND CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES
[03:22:54] HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED AND DISMANTLED. 2900. ALMOST 3000
[03:22:58] CHILD PREDATORS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED.
[03:23:00] THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 70% SINCE
[03:23:05] 2024. AND WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING FOR A FENTANYL FREE AMERICA, WHICH WE BOTH APPEARED
[03:23:09] AT A SUMMIT THIS WEEK, YOU AND THE DEPARTMENT ARE EXCELLING
[03:23:12] THERE, TOO. DOJ HAS MADE OVER
[03:23:14] 6300 FENTANYL ARRESTS SEIZED
[03:23:18] MORE THAN 5000KG OF FENTANYL POWDER, 55 MILLION FENTANYL
[03:23:22] PILLS. THAT IS, FATAL DOSES ENOUGH TO KILL 428 MILLION
[03:23:26] PEOPLE. AND JUST SO THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT MEANS, THAT IS MORE THAN THE
[03:23:29] POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES
[03:23:33] OF AMERICA. THAT'S JUST A FEW TOP LINE NUMBERS ON CORE
[03:23:37] OPERATIONS AT THE HEART OF DOJ'S MISSION. THE DOJ IS
[03:23:40] INDEED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF
[03:23:42] THE WAR ON FRAUD. AND I HOPE MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
[03:23:46] DAIS WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO TALK
[03:23:48] ABOUT THAT TODAY, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION OF YOUR
[03:23:51] NOMINATION, BUT ALSO SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT
[03:23:55] THAT. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN FOR A LONG PROCESS TODAY, SO I WANT
[03:23:59] TO TAKE MY REMAINING TIME TO TALK ABOUT YOU, THE PERSON, YOUR
[03:24:02] CAREER. TODD BLANCHE, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE IS
[03:24:06] A PATRIOT WHO WAS RAISED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. HE SPENT
[03:24:08] NEARLY. HE SPENT NEARLY A DECADE
[03:24:12] IN WHAT IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST PROSECUTING OFFICES IN THE COUNTRY, THE U.S.
[03:24:15] ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK,
[03:24:18] WHERE HE PROSECUTED DRUG
[03:24:22] TRAFFICKERS AND VIOLENT CRIMINALS. IN FACT, THIS CAREER DEDICATED TO JUSTICE AND THE RULE OF LAW STARTED EVEN BEFORE
[03:24:25] THAT. HE STARTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AS A
[03:24:29] PARALEGAL. I LOVE THAT STORY, HOW YOU STARTED THERE, AND YOU
[03:24:33] WORKED YOUR WAY THROUGH THE RANKS, AND IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT HARD WORK THROUGHOUT TIME. HE
[03:24:36] DIDN'T JUST CLOCK IN AND CLOCK OUT. HE DID REALLY GOOD WORK.
[03:24:40] SUCH GOOD WORK THAT HE WAS NOTICED ROUTINELY AND HONORED
[03:24:43] FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. IN 2011, WHILE HE
[03:24:46] WAS AT THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, HE RECEIVED THE
[03:24:50] DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AS AN ASSISTANT U.S.
[03:24:53] ATTORNEY IN THE CRIMINAL DIVISION. IN 2013, HE RECEIVED
[03:24:56] THE FEDERAL DRUG AGENTS FOUNDATION'S TRUE AMERICAN HERO
[03:25:00] AWARD. HE RECEIVED THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
[03:25:04] COMMENDATION THREE DIFFERENT YEARS HE RECEIVED THE U.S. DRUG
[03:25:07] ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION COMMENDATION, TWO DIFFERENT YEARS, AND A COMMENDATION FROM
[03:25:11] THE FBI. TWO SEPARATE YEARS. AND
[03:25:13] TO ROUND OUT THIS COLLECTION, HE RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE
[03:25:16] ATF IN THREE YEARS. I THINK THIS
[03:25:20] IS EMBLEMATIC OF A CAREER THAT WAS REALLY SPENT DOING THE WORK
[03:25:24] OF THE PEOPLE AND TRYING TO DO IT WELL, KEEPING HIS HEAD DOWN
[03:25:28] WITHOUT SEEKING RECOGNITION. BUT HE COULDN'T HELP BUT GET IT BECAUSE OF THE WORK AND THE
[03:25:32] SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE THAT HE WAS DOING. AND I REALLY THINK THAT'S AN EXAMPLE FOR ANYONE
[03:25:35] WATCHING TODAY. ANYONE IN THIS AUDIENCE, ANY YOUNG PERSON AT
[03:25:38] HOME, ANY YOUNG LAWYER, DO GOOD
[03:25:39] WORK. PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN. YOU
[03:25:43] ARE EVIDENCE OF THAT. YOU DO GOOD WORK. YOU DO A JOB WELL DONE, AND YOU GET NOTICED FOR
[03:25:47] THAT. AND YOU OPPORTUNITIES WILL
[03:25:48] SEEK YOU OUT. COMMENDATIONS WILL SEEK YOU OUT. MORE THAN
[03:25:53] NETWORKING, POLITICAL CONNECTIONS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT IS THAT IN WHICH PEOPLE WILL
[03:25:56] SEEK YOU OUT TO SERVE. AND IT MAY BE JUST THAT JOB WELL DONE,
[03:26:00] THAT GOT YOU RECOGNIZED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
[03:26:03] AND COMPLETELY CHANGED YOUR
[03:26:04] LIFE. SOME MEMBERS WILL TRY TO
[03:26:08] HOLD THAT AGAINST YOU TODAY. THEY WILL IGNORE THAT LONG CAREER AND EVERY COMMENDATION
[03:26:12] THAT YOU RECEIVED BEFORE YOU
[03:26:16] EVER MET OR SERVED OR ACTED AS AN ATTORNEY FOR, FOR THE
[03:26:20] PRESIDENT THEY'LL IGNORE ALL THOSE ORDERS, AND THEY'LL GNASH
[03:26:24] THEIR TEETH BECAUSE THEY DON'T
[03:26:26] LIKE ONE MAN. AND I BELIEVE THAT
[03:26:29] MISSES THE MARK. IT COMPLETELY
[03:26:33] IGNORES THE FACT THAT THE REASON
[03:26:36] YOU STEPPED UP TO SERVE IS BECAUSE YOU LOVE THIS COUNTRY.
[03:26:39] YOU DEDICATED YOUR CAREER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND IN
[03:26:42] FACT, YOU LIVED OUT THE MOTTO IN
[03:26:47] LATIN. I WILL NOT SAY THE LATIN, BECAUSE NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND
[03:26:50] THAT. BUT I WILL SAY THE MOTTO OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS,
[03:26:54] WHO PROSECUTES ON BEHALF OF
[03:26:57] JUSTICE, NOT WHO PROSECUTES ON BEHALF OF A POLITICAL AGENDA, OR
[03:26:59] TO TARGET SOMEONE WHO PROSECUTES
[03:27:02] ON BEHALF OF JUSTICE. AND YOU
[03:27:05] STOOD UP AND TOOK ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY. AND SO I HOPE
[03:27:09] TODAY'S QUESTIONS WILL FOCUS ON
[03:27:12] ALLOWING YOU TO EXPLAIN THE LEGAL POSITIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU'VE BEEN A
[03:27:16] PART OF, OR WHY YOU'VE MADE CERTAIN POSITIONS IN CASES OR
[03:27:19] COMPLIANCE WITH ORDERS, ALL THINGS THAT MIGHT GO TOWARDS HOW
[03:27:23] YOU WILL PERFORM ON BEHALF OF THIS GREAT NATION AND THE PEOPLE
[03:27:27] YOU SERVE, HOW YOU WILL EXCEL AS
[03:27:30] AN ATTORNEY GENERAL. BUT I SUSPECT THAT NUANCE AND GOOD
[03:27:33] FAITH WILL BE THE PRICE PAID FOR CLIPS AND LIKES BY SOME MEMBERS
[03:27:37] IN THIS ROOM. I HOPE TODAY IS
[03:27:41] THE EXCEPTION. NONETHELESS, I THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP TO
[03:27:45] SERVE ACTING AS THE ATTORNEY
[03:27:47] GENERAL IN THIS TIME IN WHICH WE
[03:27:49] ARE SEEKING FOR YOUR FORMAL
[03:27:51] NOMINATION. I THANK YOU FOR
[03:27:54] BEING WILLING TO TAKE ON NOT ONLY THIS NOMINATION PROCESS,
[03:27:57] BUT THE JOB ITSELF, BECAUSE THAT
[03:28:00] WILL BE AN ENORMOUS
[03:28:02] RESPONSIBILITY, NOT ONLY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE
[03:28:05] PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE, BUT FOR THE AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THIS
[03:28:09] COUNTRY MOVING FORWARD. SO I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WITH
[03:28:11] THAT, MR. CHAIRMAN, I INTRODUCE MR. TODD BLANCHE AS PRESIDENT
[03:28:14] TRUMP'S NOMINEE. >> THANK YOU, SENATOR MOODY,
[03:28:17] WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AT THIS
[03:28:20] POINT AND RESPOND TO THIS OATH?
[03:28:23] DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT THE
[03:28:27] TESTIMONY YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND
[03:28:30] NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP
[03:28:34] YOU GOD? THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE RESPONSE. NOW IT'S UP
[03:28:38] TO YOU TO, UH, TAKE WHAT TIME
[03:28:41] YOU WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT AND INTRODUCE ANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE
[03:28:44] WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY
[03:28:48] MUCH, CHAIRMAN GRASSLEY. AND THANK YOU, SENATOR, FOR THAT
[03:28:52] INTRODUCTION. I APPRECIATE YOU
[03:28:53] AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP. UM. GOOD
[03:28:57] MORNING. UM, CHAIRMAN GRASSLEY,
[03:28:59] UH, RANKING MEMBER DURBIN AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR FOR
[03:29:03] HAVING ME. UM, AS, AS, UH,
[03:29:07] SENATOR DURBIN SAID A MINUTE AGO, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER EACH
[03:29:11] OF YOU MY CONDOLENCES FOR THE
[03:29:13] LOSS OF YOUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR
[03:29:15] GRAHAM. HE WAS A PATRIOT AND A
[03:29:17] FRIEND TO SO MANY, TO SO MANY OF
[03:29:21] US. IT'S A LOSS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. AND I THINK HONORING HIM TODAY. AND AS HE'S
[03:29:25] BEEN HONORED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, IS, IS THE RIGHT
[03:29:27] THING TO DO. 17 MONTHS AGO, I
[03:29:32] SAT AT THIS TABLE AS THE NOMINEE TO BE THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY
[03:29:35] GENERAL. AND I TOLD YOU THAT SERVING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
[03:29:38] JUSTICE WAS MY AMERICAN DREAM.
[03:29:42] SINCE THEN, I HAVE. I HAVE HELPED LEAD IT, FIRST AS DEPUTY
[03:29:45] AND NOW AS ACTING ATTORNEY
[03:29:48] GENERAL. AND I'M HERE TODAY TO
[03:29:49] EARN YOUR TRUST ONCE MORE. I'VE
[03:29:55] LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM. I WAITED TABLES TO GET THROUGH
[03:29:58] COLLEGE, MOVED TO NEW YORK WITH MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG KIDS, WENT
[03:30:01] TO LAW SCHOOL AT NIGHT, READ
[03:30:06] TEXTBOOKS ON THE LATE TRAIN HOME WHILE I WORK DAYS AS A PARALEGAL
[03:30:10] AT THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
[03:30:13] FROM THAT START, I BECAME A
[03:30:16] PROSECUTOR AND SPENT NINE YEARS PROSECUTING VIOLENT GANGS AND
[03:30:19] DRUG DEALERS. I ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
[03:30:22] JUSTICE AS A LINE PROSECUTOR.
[03:30:25] THEN A DIVISION CHIEF. THEN, AS OF LAST YEAR, DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND NOW ACTING ATTORNEY
[03:30:29] GENERAL. BUT I DID NOT TAKE THAT
[03:30:32] PATH FOR A TITLE. I TOOK IT TO
[03:30:36] MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR AMERICAN
[03:30:38] FAMILIES AND THE TOWNS THEY CALL
[03:30:41] HOME. I AM EXCEEDINGLY GRATEFUL
[03:30:44] TO PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HIS TRUST
[03:30:46] AND TO MY FAMILY, WHO HAVE CARRIED ME THROUGH EVERY LONG
[03:30:50] DAY AND LATE NIGHT. MY WIFE, CHRISTINE, OUR WONDERFUL
[03:30:54] CHILDREN, SYDNEY AND JUSTIN, MY GRANDDAUGHTER BLAINE, WHO'S
[03:30:57] HERE TODAY. ALL OF THEM ARE HERE TODAY. MY WONDERFUL, UM,
[03:31:01] FRIENDS, MANY OF WHOM ARE HERE
[03:31:02] TODAY, UM, ARE REALLY WHAT, WHAT
[03:31:05] MAKE THIS WORTH IT? AND WHAT GETS ME THROUGH MY DAYS. AND SO
[03:31:08] I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR NOT ONLY BEING HERE TODAY AND
[03:31:10] SUPPORTING ME, BUT ALSO BEING, BEING WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE
[03:31:14] WAY IN THE JOURNEY THAT WE'RE
[03:31:18] ON TOGETHER. MY FAMILY'S
[03:31:20] BLESSINGS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL AMERICANS. WHEN A FAMILY CAN
[03:31:23] SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, WALK
[03:31:26] THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER DARK,
[03:31:28] AND BUILD A LIFE WITHOUT FEAR. EVERY PROMISE OF THE AMERICAN
[03:31:32] DREAM IS WITHIN REACH. WHEN THEY
[03:31:34] CANNOT. NONE OF IT IS. THAT'S MY
[03:31:38] JOB. SECURING SAFETY FOR EVERY
[03:31:40] AMERICAN. I'M PLEASED TO
[03:31:44] TESTIFY AGAIN TODAY TO TELL EVERYBODY HERE THAT WE ARE DOING
[03:31:47] JUST THAT. WE ARE KEEPING
[03:31:51] AMERICA SAFE. SINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK OFFICE. IT'S BEEN
[03:31:54] SAID A FEW TIMES THIS MORNING
[03:31:56] ALREADY, BUT IT BEARS REPEATING
[03:32:00] MURDERS ARE DOWN ROUGHLY 20%
[03:32:02] NATIONWIDE. WE HAVE THE LOWEST
[03:32:05] MURDER RATE SINCE 1900. VIOLENT
[03:32:07] CRIME ARRESTS ARE UP NEARLY
[03:32:10] 114%. WE'VE TAKEN ALMOST 5000
[03:32:15] CHILD PREDATORS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS OFF THE STREETS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS
[03:32:19] FILED NEARLY 100,000 INDICTMENTS
[03:32:23] AND INFORMATIONS SINCE JANUARY
[03:32:27] 20th, 2025. ADDITIONALLY, IN
[03:32:32] JUST THE LAST FOUR WEEKS, IN JUST THE LAST MONTH, WE'VE PAID
[03:32:35] $96 MILLION IN CLAIMS THROUGH
[03:32:38] THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
[03:32:40] BENEFITS PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE
[03:32:43] SURVIVING FAMILIES OF FALLEN
[03:32:45] PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, EVEN WHILE FEWER LAW ENFORCEMENT
[03:32:48] OFFICERS WERE KILLED IN THE LINE
[03:32:49] OF DUTY THAN THE PRIOR YEARS.
[03:32:54] AND OBVIOUSLY, THESE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS. EACH ONE IS A
[03:32:57] FAMILY THAT STILL HAS ITS SON OR
[03:32:59] DAUGHTER, AND AN OFFICER WHO
[03:33:02] CAME HOME FOR DINNER. IF YOU
[03:33:05] LOOK AT WASHINGTON AND MEMPHIS AS EXAMPLES WHERE WE HAVE WORKED
[03:33:09] WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
[03:33:11] PARTNERS, PULLING THOUSANDS OF
[03:33:13] CRIMINALS OFF THE STREETS IN
[03:33:16] THOSE TWO CITIES, HOMICIDES IN D.C. ARE DOWN ABOUT 60%, AND OVERALL CRIME IN MEMPHIS
[03:33:20] DECLINED BY MORE THAN 40%. WE'VE
[03:33:25] SEIZED THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL GUNS, BROUGHT MORE THAN 150
[03:33:28] MISSING CHILDREN HOME IN THOSE TWO CITIES, AND CLEANED UP PARKS
[03:33:32] AND SPACES. FAMILY ONCE AVOIDED.
[03:33:35] SO YOU CAN TAKE YOUR KIDS AND
[03:33:37] LOVED ONES THERE. ONCE AGAIN. WE
[03:33:41] ARE ENFORCING OUR BORDERS. WE ARE PROSECUTING THE SMUGGLERS
[03:33:45] WHO PROFITED FROM AN OPEN BORDER, REMOVING CRIMINAL
[03:33:49] ALIENS, AND DISMANTLING GANGS
[03:33:51] LIKE MS-13 AND TDA. WE'RE
[03:33:54] SMASHING THE CARTELS AND ENDING THE SCOURGE OF DRUGS IN OUR
[03:33:58] COMMUNITIES. WE DESIGNATED THE
[03:34:01] MAJOR CARTELS AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, BECAUSE
[03:34:05] THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE,
[03:34:07] AND WE'RE USING EVERY TOOL THAT UNLOCKED NARCO TERRORISM
[03:34:11] CHARGES, FORFEITURE, AND
[03:34:14] EXTRADITIONS. DOZENS OF CARTEL LEADERS ARE NOW IN AMERICAN
[03:34:18] CUSTODY. DRUG SEIZURES ARE
[03:34:20] SKYROCKETING, AND OVERDOSE
[03:34:23] DEATHS ARE FINALLY FALLING. WE
[03:34:26] ARE PROTECTING TAXPAYERS. LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT BROUGHT THE
[03:34:29] LARGEST HEALTH CARE FRAUD
[03:34:32] TAKEDOWN IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
[03:34:34] MORE THAN $14 BILLION AND
[03:34:37] ANOTHER $11 BILLION IN TOTAL
[03:34:39] FRAUD IN JUST THE LAST THREE
[03:34:42] MONTHS. THAT'S MONEY STOLEN FROM THE FISC STOLEN FROM
[03:34:46] MEDICARE, FROM SENIORS, WORKING FAMILIES. AND WE'RE CLAWING IT
[03:34:49] BACK. WE'RE DOING ALL OF THIS.
[03:34:51] I WILL ADD, THROUGH PARTNERSHIP,
[03:34:55] FEDERAL AGENTS, STATE TROOPERS,
[03:34:57] COUNTY SHERIFFS, LOCAL OFFICERS,
[03:35:00] AND STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN
[03:35:02] YOUR HOME STATES, ALL PULLING IN
[03:35:04] THE SAME DIRECTION. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE FIGHT CRIME
[03:35:07] TOGETHER. AND I WANT TO BRING
[03:35:09] THAT MODEL THAT WE'VE DONE IN A FEW TOWNS TO MORE COMMUNITIES IN
[03:35:13] EVERY STATE. ABOVE ALL, WE ARE
[03:35:18] RESTORING AMERICAN TRUST. IN
[03:35:21] RECENT YEARS, WE WATCHED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TURNED
[03:35:24] AGAINST MANY OF YOU, AND A
[03:35:26] FORMER PRESIDENT, AND IT DAMAGED
[03:35:28] THE PUBLIC'S FAITH IN JUSTICE.
[03:35:32] WE ARE FIXING THAT. MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE ON BOTH SIDES
[03:35:35] HAVE FAIR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HARD DEBATES OF THE PAST YEAR,
[03:35:38] AND I WELCOME THEM. I'M PROUD OF
[03:35:41] WHAT WE'VE DONE TO HELP AMERICAN FAMILIES SEE SAFER
[03:35:45] STREETS, AND TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT AT THE LIFE THEY'RE WORKING TO
[03:35:49] BUILD. NONE OF THIS IS A
[03:35:51] REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT ISSUE. EVERY SENATOR HERE HAS
[03:35:55] CONSTITUENTS WHO JUST WANT TO BE SAFE. THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS
[03:35:59] DEPARTMENT ARE THE FINEST PEOPLE
[03:36:02] I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH, AND
[03:36:04] LEADING THEM IS THE HONOR OF MY
[03:36:07] PROFESSIONAL LIFE. WE ARE
[03:36:12] KEEPING AMERICA SAFE, AND WE ARE
[03:36:14] JUST GETTING STARTED. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. I LOVE THE
[03:36:18] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CHAIRMAN, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE
[03:36:21] THIS COMMITTEE TODAY, AND I LOOK
[03:36:24] FORWARD TO TO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
[03:36:27] >> THANK YOU FOR THAT TESTIMONY.
[03:36:29] AND WE'LL NOW HAVE OUR TEN
[03:36:32] MINUTE ROUNDS OF QUESTIONING.
[03:36:34] I'LL START, AND THEN, SENATOR
[03:36:38] FROM ILLINOIS, UH, I'VE LONG
[03:36:43] BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT CONCENTRATION AND
[03:36:46] ANTI-COMPETITIVE CONDUCT IN
[03:36:49] HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY, BUT
[03:36:53] PARTICULARLY IN AGRICULTURE, FAMILY FARMERS DESERVE FAIR
[03:36:56] PRICES. UH, I HELD A HEARING ON
[03:37:01] ANTI-COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES IN
[03:37:04] THIS COMMITTEE LAST OCTOBER ON
[03:37:06] THE SUBJECT OF, OF AGRICULTURE.
[03:37:09] AS I RECALL, AS A RESULT OF THAT
[03:37:15] HEARING, THE PRESIDENT ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED IN
[03:37:18] YOUR DEPARTMENT. AND, UH, I'VE
[03:37:22] SENSED SOME PAUSE IN THAT RIGHT
[03:37:24] NOW. SO IF CONFIRMED, DO YOU
[03:37:28] HAVE A COMMITMENT THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE
[03:37:32] ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT A PRIORITY? AND SINCE I THINK
[03:37:34] THERE AREN'T TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT KNOW MUCH
[03:37:38] ABOUT AGRICULTURE, WITH SOME
[03:37:39] CONCENTRATION ON AGRICULTURE?
[03:37:43] >> CHAIRMAN. ABSOLUTELY. YOU'RE RIGHT. PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED AN
[03:37:46] EXECUTIVE ORDER. I HAVE WORKED
[03:37:50] CLOSELY WITH SECRETARY ROLLINS ON THIS VERY ISSUE. WE WE
[03:37:53] RECENTLY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING SOME OF THE WORK THAT
[03:37:55] WE'RE DOING TO, TO NOT ONLY
[03:37:58] DEAL WITH THE ANTI-COMPETITIVE
[03:38:01] BEHAVIOR THAT WE'VE SEEN, BUT ALSO TO HELP EASE PRICES IN THE CATTLE MARKET AROUND THE
[03:38:04] COUNTRY. SO, YES, CHAIRMAN, I COMMIT TO THAT.
[03:38:06] >> OUR COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED A
[03:38:09] LOT OF OUTREACH ABOUT THE
[03:38:12] DEPARTMENT'S LITIGATION POSITION
[03:38:15] IN LOUISIANA VERSUS FDA. THE
[03:38:17] PLAINTIFFS IN THIS CASE CHALLENGED THE RELAXED
[03:38:21] REGULATION GOVERNING MAIL ORDER ABORTION DRUGS. CAN YOU TELL THE
[03:38:25] COMMITTEE ABOUT THIS CASE AND
[03:38:27] EXPLAIN WHAT THE DEPARTMENT'S DOING?
[03:38:31] >> CHAIRMAN, FIRST, PRESIDENT
[03:38:33] TRUMP IS THE MOST PRO-LIFE PRESIDENT IN HISTORY. AND THE
[03:38:36] WORK THAT THIS DEPARTMENT'S DOING, UM, IN THAT SPACE IS, IS
[03:38:40] SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE FOR TEN YEARS FOR, FOR THE FIRST
[03:38:43] TIME IN A DECADE, HHS AND THE
[03:38:46] FDA ARE ACTUALLY TAKING A REAL LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH
[03:38:50] SOME OF THESE ABORTION PILLS AND WHETHER THEY'RE ACTUALLY SAFE
[03:38:53] OR NOT. AS IT RELATES TO THE
[03:38:55] LITIGATION YOU REFERENCED. I, IT
[03:38:58] WOULD BE IT WOULD BE WRONG FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT ANY LITIGATION
[03:39:02] STRATEGY BEYOND WHAT'S IN OUR BRIEFS, BUT SUFFICE TO SAY,
[03:39:04] CHAIRMAN, THAT, UM, AS WE TALK
[03:39:07] ABOUT IN OUR BRIEFS, WE ARE NOT
[03:39:09] IN ANY WAY DEFENDING WHAT, WHAT
[03:39:12] BIDEN AND WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION, WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION DID WITH, WITH,
[03:39:16] WITH RESPECT TO THAT JUDGE. BUT BEYOND THAT, I DON'T WANT TO
[03:39:20] COMMENT ON THE STRATEGY ABOUT THAT LITIGATION.
[03:39:22] >> THIS COMMITTEE HAS ALSO
[03:39:24] RECEIVED OUTREACH, OUTREACH
[03:39:27] CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT'S HANDLING OF THE INVESTIGATION
[03:39:31] AND RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES AND
[03:39:34] YOUR ROLE IN IT. SOME
[03:39:38] ALLEGATIONS INCLUDE PROBLEMATIC
[03:39:40] REDACTIONS, INSUFFICIENT EFFORT
[03:39:42] TO FOLLOW UH, INVESTIGATIVE
[03:39:45] LEADS, A REFUSAL TO MEET WITH
[03:39:49] VICTIMS, AND QUESTIONS REGARDING
[03:39:52] THE TRANSFER OF MAXWELL TO LOWER
[03:39:55] SECURITY PRISON. I WANT YOU TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND
[03:39:59] TO THESE ALLEGATIONS. WHAT WOULD
[03:40:01] YOU LIKE THIS COMMITTEE TO KNOW
[03:40:03] REGARDING THESE FILES?
[03:40:05] >> WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED THE THE EPSTEIN TRANSPARENCY
[03:40:09] ACT, UM, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE UNDERTOOK A HERCULEAN
[03:40:13] TASK TO REVIEW MILLIONS AND
[03:40:15] MILLIONS OF POTENTIALLY RESPONSIVE FILES. WE WERE
[03:40:19] REQUIRED UNDER THE STATUTE TO DO THIS EXPEDITIOUSLY AND VERY
[03:40:22] QUICKLY. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DID. SO. UM, WE REVIEWED
[03:40:26] OVER 6 MILLION PAGES. MANY OF
[03:40:28] THESE PAGES WERE NOT RESPONSIVE.
[03:40:30] AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WE
[03:40:34] INTENTIONALLY OVER COLLECTED, POTENTIALLY RESPONSIVE DOCUMENTS. SO, FOR EXAMPLE,
[03:40:38] THERE WAS A CASE GOING ON IN
[03:40:41] FLORIDA AT THE SAME TIME AS THE
[03:40:43] JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASE INVOLVING
[03:40:46] ANOTHER DEFENDANT NAMED EPSTEIN, HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH
[03:40:49] JEFFREY EPSTEIN. WHEN WE COLLECTED MATERIALS, WE
[03:40:51] COLLECTED EVERYTHING INVOLVING EPSTEIN, INCLUDING THE EPSTEIN.
[03:40:54] THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN. SO THE REVIEW
[03:40:58] OF MATERIALS INCLUDED
[03:41:02] NON-RESPONSIVE MATERIALS. UM, THE, THE, THE REVIEWERS WERE
[03:41:05] QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE
[03:41:07] FBI. UM, THEY TOOK PAINS TO
[03:41:12] APPLY APPROPRIATE REDACTIONS. UM, THERE WERE MISTAKES THAT
[03:41:15] WERE MADE. AND SO APPROXIMATELY 1% OF THE REDACTIONS HAD TO BE
[03:41:19] FIXED. AFTER WE RELEASED THE
[03:41:20] EPSTEIN FILES, UM, CHAIRMAN, WE
[03:41:24] HAD DOZENS OF LAWYERS ON CALL
[03:41:27] 24/7. WHENEVER WE LEARNED THAT
[03:41:29] ANY VICTIM'S NAME HAD BEEN
[03:41:33] IMPROPERLY NOT REDACTED, WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE DOCUMENT
[03:41:37] DOWN AND FIXED IT AS SOON AS WE COULD. THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE THE
[03:41:39] MISTAKES, OF WHICH I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT DOES MEAN
[03:41:42] THAT WE TRY TO FIX THEM. WE. WE
[03:41:46] COMPLIED WITH THE ACT. UM, WE. IT REQUIRED US COMPLYING WITH
[03:41:49] JUDGES RULES IN NEW YORK, UM,
[03:41:52] WHICH REQUIRED US TO REDACT
[03:41:54] CERTAIN VICTIMS NAMES, EVEN IF
[03:41:56] THE VICTIM WAS ALSO SOMEBODY WHO
[03:41:58] PARTICIPATED IN CRIMINAL
[03:42:00] CONDUCT. THE JUDGE DID NOT ALLOW JUDGES IN NEW YORK, DID NOT
[03:42:04] ALLOW US TO REDACT THOSE NAMES.
[03:42:07] THE OTHER THING THAT WE DID,
[03:42:08] CHAIRMAN, IS WE MADE UNREDACTED
[03:42:11] VERSIONS OF THE ENTIRE DATABASE AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY IN THIS
[03:42:14] BODY, AND WE DID THAT BECAUSE OF TRANSPARENCY. REMEMBER, FOR FOUR
[03:42:18] YEARS, THERE WASN'T A PEEP ABOUT
[03:42:21] JEFFREY EPSTEIN. UM, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID NOTHING TO BE
[03:42:24] TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE EPSTEIN CASE. WE HAVE BEEN
[03:42:28] EXTRAORDINARILY TRANSPARENT IN NOT ONLY PRODUCING THE RECORDS, BUT LETTING UNREDACTED VERSIONS
[03:42:32] BE AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY IN THIS
[03:42:34] BODY. AND IF, AFTER REVIEWING UNREDACTED MATERIALS, A MEMBER
[03:42:38] HAD CONCERNS ABOUT WHY SOMETHING
[03:42:39] WAS REDACTED, THEY BROUGHT THEM
[03:42:44] TO TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ATTENTION, AND WE ADDRESSED
[03:42:45] THAT. SO I, I, UM, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
[03:42:49] KNOW THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION, WHEN IT COMES TO JEFFREY
[03:42:52] EPSTEIN, HAS BEEN MORE
[03:42:54] TRANSPARENT THAN ANY PAST
[03:42:56] ADMINISTRATION THAN BIDEN WAS OR ANYBODY ELSE. AND WHAT WE DID IS
[03:43:00] WE COMPLIED WITH THE LAW. AND IF
[03:43:03] WE LEARN A NEW MATERIAL, WE WILL MOST CERTAINLY, UM, REVIEW IT
[03:43:06] AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE. WHEN IT
[03:43:09] COMES TO THE, THE VICTIMS OF
[03:43:11] THIS HORRIBLE MAN. UM, WE WILL
[03:43:14] NEVER, NEVER, NOT TALK TO
[03:43:16] VICTIMS. WE WILL NEVER, NOT DO
[03:43:20] EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROSECUTE
[03:43:22] ANYBODY THAT COMMITTED ANY CRIMES AGAINST ANY OF THESE
[03:43:26] WOMEN. UM, SO THAT NARRATIVE IS
[03:43:29] FALSE. UM, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH
[03:43:33] OVER 30 REPRESENTATIVES OF DOZENS AND DOZENS OF VICTIMS SINCE THIS PROCESS STARTED. ANY
[03:43:37] VICTIM, IF THEY'RE HERE TODAY,
[03:43:38] UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO, TO, OR THEIR LAWYERS TO, TO MEET
[03:43:42] WITH THE FBI. WE WILL 100%
[03:43:46] INVESTIGATE. THERE ARE NO CLOSED INVESTIGATIONS. IF WE LEARN
[03:43:50] TODAY, IF WE LEARN NEXT WEEK, IF WE LEARN NEXT MONTH THAT
[03:43:54] THERE'S AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WE CAN INVESTIGATE AND INDICT AND
[03:43:58] PROSECUTE OUT OF THE EPSTEIN FILES, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. WE
[03:43:59] WILL. AND SO, UM, WE, WE WORKED
[03:44:02] HARD. THE HARD WORKING LAWYERS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO, TO DO
[03:44:06] THE RIGHT THING WITH THE, WITH THE, TO COMPLY WITH THE ACT. AND
[03:44:10] WE DID, UM, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
[03:44:14] >> CHAIRMAN JACK SMITH AND HIS TEAM POSSESSED A REVIEWED
[03:44:16] CONGRESSIONAL INFORMATION AND OTHER SENSITIVE MATERIALS WHEN
[03:44:20] THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE. AND THEY
[03:44:22] WERE ADVISED NOT TO DESCRIBE THE
[03:44:24] STEPS YOU'VE TAKEN TO IMPOSE ACCOUNTABILITY SO THAT THIS
[03:44:29] EGREGIOUS AND PARTIZAN
[03:44:32] MISCONDUCT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. >> THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN DO,
[03:44:36] CHAIRMAN, IS BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, AND THAT
[03:44:39] REQUIRES US DOING A CHECK ON ON OURSELVES AND ON THE WORK THAT THAT HAPPENED BEFORE US. AND
[03:44:43] BEING TRANSPARENT WITH THIS BODY
[03:44:44] AND PROVIDING RECORDS TO YOU. I
[03:44:47] THINK WHEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND LEARN WHAT
[03:44:51] HAPPENED AND THE EGREGIOUS ABUSES THAT HAPPENED, UM, IT
[03:44:54] WILL BE A CHECK ON MAKING SURE IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. UM, WE,
[03:44:58] WE STRIVE EVERY DAY TO NOT ONLY
[03:45:01] MOVE FORWARD AS A DEPARTMENT DOING THE RIGHT THING, BUT TO
[03:45:05] MAKE SURE THAT ANY, ANY, ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE
[03:45:08] PAST, UM, WHETHER IT'S RELEASING
[03:45:11] EMAILS OR ADMITTING TO THINGS THAT WE DID AND THE DEPARTMENT
[03:45:14] DID THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE, UM, TO, TO MAKING, BEING
[03:45:17] TRANSPARENT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THAT. THAT'S THE BEST WE CAN DO. AND THAT'S WHAT,
[03:45:21] THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
[03:45:23] >> I MADE MESSAGES PUBLIC
[03:45:27] BETWEEN JACK SMITH'S OFFICE THAT
[03:45:29] APPEARED TO RELATE TO THE TRUMP
[03:45:31] CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT CASE. THOSE MESSAGES SHOWED GOVERNMENT
[03:45:35] PERSONNEL LEFT OPEN A CLASSIFIED
[03:45:37] FACILITY AND POTENTIALLY MISHANDLED CLASSIFIED
[03:45:41] INFORMATION, CAUSING A SECURITY VIOLATION, WHILE DEFENSE
[03:45:45] COUNSEL'S TO TRUMP. UH, DID THE
[03:45:48] GOVERNMENT APPRIZE YOU OF THESE
[03:45:51] ISSUES? AND SECONDLY, DID THE BIDEN JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DO
[03:45:55] ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MISCONDUCT?