--SUPERS--\nFriday\nDenver\n\n1:05 - 1:13\nJay Brainard\nTSA Federal Security Director\n\n2:05 - 2:16\nDavid Pekoske \nTSA Administrator\n\n --LEAD IN--\nAS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS PREPARE FOR THE BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON, A WHISTLEBLOWER HAS RAISED AN ALARM OVER AIRPORT SECURITY.\nAN EXCLUSIVE C-N-N INVESTIGATIVE REPORT RAISES SERIOUS ISSUES ABOUT THE PASSENGER SCREENING PROCESS.\nRENE MARSH HAS DETAILS. \n --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--\n(nats)\nMORE THAN 40 MILLION U.S. AIRLINE PASSENGERS ARE EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS THIS HOLIDAY - \nBUT THIS TSA SECURITY DIRECTOR SAYS YOU MAY NOT BE AS SAFE AS YOU THINK.\nJay Brainard: "What they're doing is injecting danger into the system."\nJAY BRAINARD IS THE TOP T-S-A OFFICIAL IN HIS STATE, AND HAS BEEN WITH THE AGENCY FOR 17 YEARS. \nHE SAYS TSA IS CUTTING CORNERS ON THE SCREENING PROCESS TO SHORTEN WAIT TIMES.\nONE EXAMPLE: TSA REDUCED THE SENSITIVITY ON ALL WALK THROUGH METAL DETECTORS AT AIRPORTS ACROSS AMERICA.\nJay Brainard: "They're reducing the concentration of metal that it would take to set off that alarm, so that you can speed up lines and have fewer patdowns." \nRene Marsh: "How do you know that's why they did it?"\nJay Brainard: "Because there's a memo out that supports it."\nTHIS TSA MEMO SHOWS THE ORDER CAME IN 2013 -QUOTE-- "CHANGING ALL WALK THROUGH METAL DETECTOR SETTINGS IN ALL LANES TO THE TSA PRE-CHECK SETTING TO "NORMALIZE THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE.." \nBRAINARD SAYS THE PRACTICE CONTINUES TODAY AND HE WORRIES BOMB MAKING COMPONENTS COULD GO UNDETECTED.\nJay Brainard: "You could have a 30-minute wait time ...and they treat it like it's a national emergency. It is such an unhealthy obsession of placing speed over security."\nBRAINARD SAYS THAT OBSESSION ALSO LED THE TSA TO DISABLE TECHNOLOGY ON XRAY MACHINES THAT SCREEN CARRY ON BAGS IN PRE-CHECK LANES... \nTHIS INTERNAL MEMO STATES AS OF LAST MONTH, THOSE XRAY MACHINES SHOULD BE OPERATED "WITHOUT THE AUTO DETECTION ALGORITHM ENABLED." \nJay Brainard: "Put simply, when the item comes through, a box would come around and surround the item and say 'hey, stop and take a look at this.' That box is no longer on the screen. TSA has made changes to the setting which really hamper the ability of the X-ray operator to detect explosives in carry on baggage.\nRene Marsh: "But TSA will probably say this is pre-check..."\nJay Brainard: "They have been putting millions of passengers intoTSA pre-check who aren't pre-check. They have been doing that since the inception of this program. So you do not have an entire population in pre-check that are vetted." \nCNN PUT THIS TO TSA ADMINISTRATOR DAVID PEKOSKE, HE THE AGENCY IS NOT PRIORITIZING WAIT TIMES OVER SECURITY\nDavid Pekoske: "I won't discuss any of our particular security procedures because that's really not appropriate for me to do. But rest assured that we do provide the level of security that we think is appropriate based on the risk of the passenger." \nBRAINARD SAYS THE ISSUES HE'S RAISED ARE ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC FOR AN AGENCY WITH A 95% FAILURE RATE IN DETECTING DANGEROUS ITEMS AT THE CHECKPOINT.\nTHAT'S ACCORDING TO A GOVERNMENT AUDIT IN 2015. \nANOTHER AUDIT TWO YEARS LATER FOUND THERE WERE STILL "VULNERABILITIES"\nJay Brainard: "When you sit back and you watch these things happen, it is the most frustrating thing you can imagine."\nGOING PUBLIC IS HIS LAST RESORT, HE'S FILED AN OFFICIAL WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT WITH THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL, HE'S SENT COMPLAINTS TO DHS, TSA, AND SENT LETTERS TO CONGRESS - NOT JUST ABOUT THE METAL DETECTORS, BUT ALSO THE XRAY MACHINES, A POLICY CHANGE ALLOWING SOME PASSENGERS WITH MEDICAL DEVICES TO DO A SELF PAT DOWN AND A NEW POLICY CALLED "BLENDED LANES," WHERE PRE-CHECK AND STANDARD PASSENGERS ARE MIXED IN ONE LINE…SOMETHING THAT COULD CONFUSE SCREENERS. \nJay Brainard: "They now have to mentally switch themselves on and off about what's permitted and what's not permitted with every other passenger. You know the last time I checked, our detection rates were not stellar. And it doesn't make any sense to introduce this kind of variable."\nLAST YEAR THE SPECIAL COUNSEL ORDERED DHS TO INVESTIGATE BRAINARD'S COMPLAINTS, WRITING " THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO OSC DISCLOSES GROSS MISMANAGEMENT... AND SPECIFIC DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY."\nJay Brainard:" My biggest fear is having something happen that costs American lives, and I didn't step up and put a stop to it. Or at least try. Because it's going to happen. It's not a question of if, it's a question of when. We are long overdue for another attack."\nTSA DID TAKE ACTION ON ONE OF BRAINARD'S COMPLAINTS.\nHE SAYS THEY CONTINUED TO USE AN INEFFECTIVE TEST TO DETERMINE IF NEW HIRES WERE COLOR BLIND-- A DISQUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITION, EVEN AFTER CONCERNS ABOUT THE TEST'S EFFECTIVENESS WERE RAISED. \nJay Brainard: "If you had something in a bag and if somebody were colorblind, they wouldn't see the bomb if they were the only thing in the bag." \nTSA IS NOW USING A NEW TEST FOR NEW HIRES. \nBUT ACCORDING TO THIS MEMO THE AGENCY WILL NOT FINISH RETESTING THE EXISTING WORKFORCE UNTIL THE END OF NEXT YEAR. \nBRAINARD KNOWS, DESPITE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS, AND CONSISTENT TOP RATINGS ON HIS TSA PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS ---SPEAKING OUT COULD COST HIM HIS JOB.\nJay Brainard: "I fully expect that the first discussion that they're gonna have is how they can fire me."\nBUT HE BELIEVES THESE ISSUES ARE TOO URGENT TO KEEP QUIET.\n --TAG--\nCNN REACHED OUT TO BOTH THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY'S INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AN UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO BRAINARD'S COMPLAINTS.\nBUT THERE HAS BEEN NO COMMENT FROM EITHER AGENCY. \n -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----\n --KEYWORD TAGS--\nTSA WHISTLEBLOWER AIRPORT SAFETY\n\n

LATEST ON CONTROVERSIAL CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE IN DALLAS. KATHLEEN SHANNON HAS MORE...

MISCELLANOUS VALLEE SHORTS #4

TAPE_NUMBER: EN9919/a IN_TIME: 11:25:29 LENGTH: 01:24 SOURCES: ABC; APTN/UNIVERSAL (UIP) RESTRICTIONS: ABC MATERIAL - NO ACCESS N.AMERICA/CBC *** MUSIC/PERFORMANCE RIGHTS MUST BE CLEARED FEED: SCRIPT: xfa NEW YORK, MAY 11 1999 BACKSTREET BOYS ON THE CONCERT CIRCUIT Hundreds of young fans were at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City to see the Backstreet Boys in concert on Tuesday night. The American boyband proved they're still very much at the top of their profession , despite younger bands like N-Sync biting at their heels. - The band is getting ready to release their second album, Millennium, on May 18th..They delighted fans with a preview of some of their new songs as well as many of the big hits. - Since the band first hit the scene back in 1995, the boys - Nick, brian, AJ, Kevin and Howie have dominated the charts throughout the world, have gone multi-platinum in 16 countries and sold over 10 million records worldwide. They've scored 4 Top Ten singles, including the number one sensation "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)." They've also racked up numerous awards, including the 1996 MTV Europe Viewers Choice Award, beating out the Spice Girls and Jamiroquai. - Backstreet Boys incredible saga began four years ago in Orlando, Florida. It was there that high school students AJ MCLEAN, HOWIE DOROUGH and junior high student NICK CARTER began to run into each other at local acting auditions. The three young men became friends and formed a singing group, inspired in part by Boyz II Men and Color Me Badd. The trio then decided to expand, by two. They met KEVIN RICHARDSON through a mutual friend. After scouring Orlando for a fifth member, Kevin thought of his cousin BRIAN LITTRELL, who was in Kentucky. A phone call was made, Brian relocated and The Backstreet Boys were ready to write the first chapter of their story. - At first the group did some of their favorite cover tunes, a practice that continues even today. Laughs Brian, "We still do Shai's "If I Ever Fall In Love," but eventually they began to find their own distinctive sound. Stressing their strong harmonies and a blend of pop and R&B, the fivesome began to try to secure a record deal. "We'd go to local labels and sing acappella in their foyers," recalls Howie. "We'd sing anywhere, for anybody." The hard work began to pay off and within six months of forming, BSB had become one of Florida's hottest live acts. They played everything from a high school gymnasium, Grad Night at Sea World, to an opening slot for Brandy. With all that stage experience and an indie single "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" under their belts, BSB started writing the next chapter. Their manager Donna Wright was friends with David McPherson of Jive Records. After pleading with him to hear the band, she called him during one of BSB's dates, held up her cell phone and let him hear the pandemonium the group generated. "We got signed right after that," smiles Brian. - In 1995, BSB began to lay down tracks and released "We've Got It Going On." The song took off in England and throughout the continent, where BSB's brand of R&B-Pop was just gaining a foothold. "Over there they had a bunch of what's called "boy groups,' so we had a ready made market," explains Brian, "but since we were Americans, we were a fresh new sound for Europe. We had more of an edge, and unlike a lot of those other boy groups, we were more than just a bunch of pretty guys. We could sing." In a short period of time, "I'll Never Break Your Heart" began to climb the charts. Its success laid the foundation for what was to come. - In 1995, BSB won a Smash Hits Award in London for Best New Tour Act and performed the gold single "I'll Never Break Your Heart" on Top Of The Pops. - 1996 kicked off with BSB being voted #1 International Group by TV viewers in Germany. Their next single, "I'll Never Break Your Heart" went gold in Germany and hit #1 in Austria. By February, the up tempo jam had entered into video and radio rotation in Montreal. BSB's sold out shows, with hordes of screaming fans, soon became legendary throughout Europe and Canada. If BSB could accomplish all that with only two singles, just imagine the reaction when BSB's self titled debut album was released in April of 1996. That summer BSB embarked on a sold out 57 date headlining European tour. By the time fall came BSB fever had swept Asia, the Pacific Rim and Australia. The year continued with BSB wrapping up a second European tour and earning the coveted 1996 MTV Europe Viewers Choice Award. Then it was off to Canada, where their CD has gone six times platinum and hit the number one spot on the charts. BSB's 32 shows sold out in under 20 minutes as the intensity moved closer to the US. "It was some kind of year," laughs Kevin, and it only laid the groundwork for the next part of the BSB story. The homecoming. - Now back home in Orlando, BSB spent the early part of 1997 in the studio; crafting new vibrant songs, sharpening up their vocals, taking a more active role in the creative process and eagerly looking forward to bringing their infectious sound to a home grown audience. "We've always wanted to bring it back home," asserts Nick. "But we wanted to make sure we brought it back strong." - SHOTLIST: SHOWS : PULL DOWN THEATER ; PAN SCREAMING FANS ; FANS SINGING ; FANS GOING IN ; BACKSTREET BOYS PERFORMANCE ; BACKSTREET BOYS PERFORMANCE ?

TVU 21 TULSI GABBARD LOS ANGELES TOWN HALL ABC UNI 111119 2020 P2 [22:33:08] Money that they squandered public sector is the service provider, community is first and property. [22:33:17] Patch first power federally. But what happens is we're not voting for federal officials or state officials accountable for the money that is sent and it barely makes it to list. And we as public servants have to provide your services on less money. It's how you do it. It's not even a bigger budget. The champagne tastes when I hit the water level in the part of the company. So how is that as public sector employees? [22:33:42] We don't have enough affordable housing. I don't care for the communities they serve. That is the problem. And those who produce affordable housing is not the same thing as low income. When you have that for making eighty thousand dollars a year and they can live in the same communities and we're talking about two households. You know, you've got people, public sector teachers and working in public sector, good government jobs service. But you can't afford. [22:34:13] They can't afford to live. I just met certain people who actually sat on an airplane. I have quite a few members who live outside of our county. L.A. County is simply expensive strap. Gas is like, oh, yes, I it's probably going to be driving a friendly car. But I didn't read it from a truck. OK. So that is why we go for it. But what exactly are you. You just want more public sector officials accountable because this is too much to keep your lead in the public sector to go private because it's jumping into to the barrel. [22:34:52] So I'd like to know what your are. Sure. Thank you. [22:35:00] If you're in the public sector, because these jobs across this public sector, they are public service jobs. If you were in it just for the money, you would have chosen a different path. Exactly. Look, it starts with leadership. It starts with what kind of culture of leadership we are setting. I talk a little bit earlier about it, whereas whereas all of our taxpayer dollars going in the context of foreign policy, that because of these constant and countless regime change wars we've been waging since 9/11 alone. [22:35:35] We as taxpayers have seen over six trillion dollars taken out of our pockets, taken out of our schools, taken out of our hospitals, taken out of our infrastructure needs, taken out of our communities to continue to go and wage these wasteful, counterproductive wars that actually are counter to and undermine our interests in this country. [22:35:56] Our national. [22:36:01] So just as we must hold the Department of Defense physically accountable and responsible. Same goes for each of our federal agencies going through and saying, hey, what's the objective of these programs and departments? What are we actually trying to accomplish? How does it serve the common good and well-being of the people in our country? And looking at the costs that go into these programs, if they're not effective, if they're not actually helping people get more affordable housing, then those dollars should not be wasted. [22:36:43] And I've seen this these these things go programs that are started maybe with good intention a long time ago and continue to go on and go on and get reauthorized without really taking that hard line, having that self audit of what exactly are we trying to accomplish and are we being the responsible custodians and taxpayer dollars that we as elected leaders and leaders in our federal government have to be. [22:37:13] One last question, yes, ma'am. Right. [22:37:17] Yes. Really? I'm coming. OK. Thank you. [22:37:24] Hi. I'm really happy that you're me again and see you in the White House. And I wanted to know what you will do to preserve Americans freedoms, because as a Californian, I'm extremely concerned that over the past 40 years, we've had the removal of both religious and medical exemptions or vaccines. [22:37:54] And they show extreme corruption at the CDC and we desperately need to have an eye over our own bodily autonomy preserved. I love seeing hundreds of. [22:38:13] I haven't seen that documentary yet. This is awesome. Thank you very much. [22:38:21] I'm concerned about this issue. I need to learn more about what's been going on here in California. I'm conflicted. [22:38:30] My honest answer to you on this, because I understand the need for the preservation and personal choice. [22:38:37] There are also public health concerns that that. So I have to do my work to be able to give you a solid answer like this. As with every other issue, I'm going to do my own homework before taking a position on. [22:39:01] So got so many more questions here. [22:39:04] We don't have a lot of time tonight. I wanted to allows for some time to be able to stop it just being great. Say hello to you guys with more. We have to leave here. I want to say thank you most of all for your making the choice to come here tonight and to be a part of the solution. I want to invite you to join our movement, to join our campaign. California is voting very early this year and March. [22:39:35] Therefore, I don't yet know the date on November 20. [22:39:48] We're going to make the most we're going to make the most of that opportunity. I think we are. We are about 5000 contributions short of the requirement in the December debates. The point being, our campaign is firmly in every single respect of an people power. Been. Guys, you know, we had a critical line from some of the media and political operatives has the last. We don't have a number of field offices or physical headquarters opened up in an interface. I'll tell you why. Because we're saving money and it comes with the Internet that we have virtual headquarters. [22:40:35] We have people's garages and living rooms and volunteers were working on in the back of their cars. [22:40:41] We are bringing our message directly to people, not waiting for them to come to us. [22:40:46] And I want to ask all of you to come here and to help us in this mission, because we got a lot of work to do. Thank you for. GAGGLE 224210 Q: What do you believe the biggest challenge is facing our country? 224214 GABB>> I think the hyperpartisanship and the divisiveness that's tearing our country apart poses the greatest challenge for us to be able to come together and solve problems and move forward together as a country. Q: If elected, what would be one of the first moves you make in regards to foreign policy? 224238 GABB>> The greatest national security and existential threat that we face in this country is New Cold War and Nuclear Arms race that's ensuing with increasing tensions between the United States and nuclear armed countries like Russia and china. So, one of the first things I'll do is call for a summit with these two countries to begin the work, the diplomatic work to de escalate these tensions, work out differences that we have, find areas of common interest so that we can make progress towards reducing the number of nuclear weapons in the world. 224311 Putting an end to this nuclear arms race and making it so that not the American people or people of any other nation have to live in fear of nuclear war. Q: NH poll has you at 6%. Reaction? 224330 GABB>> I'm grateful for the support that we're seeing growing in places like New Hampshire and in other states in the country. Look, our pools are moving in the right direction, so it's encouraging. I take the approach in our campaign of being the tortoise rather than the hare. And so we are continuing to move forward in delivering our message. And we're seeing how it's resonating and that support is growing. Q: We have another candidate in the race right now who questions if the country is ready for a female president or a woman of color president. I mean, you're especially in that poll right now. You would just maybe address that issue. 224412 GABB> I think the country is ready. I think what people are looking for is a president who can unify our country, who will put the best interests of our country first, and who is qualified and ready to serve as commander in chief on day one. Q: Have you heard from Hillary Clinton at all? GABB>> No. Q: Are there any--- GABB>> neither directly or indirectly Q: What is your opinion on what is going on in Bolivia with Evo Morales, who was just ousted in what appears to be a U.S. backed coup? 224447 GABB>> I'm really gathering the facts and the information around this. I don't have the full picture or the full story. There are a lot of different narratives being brought forward on what has led to his announced resignation. And so, I need to get the facts first. Thank you. Q: Would you consider meeting with your Hong Kong as prime minister? And if you did? What would you be your ideological coach to bring peace to that region? 224515 GABB>> Yeah. Of course, we've got to have the courage to meet with leaders of other countries in the pursuit of peace and national security. Look, India and Pakistan have a long standing conflict with many issues that they need to resolve themselves. I think both leaders have recognized that it's only through those direct negotiations and diplomacy that they do that. And I think in the interest of peace, given that these two countries are nuclear armed nations, to do what we can to be able to support those peaceful negotiations and all of our best interests. Thank you. Q: If you if you don't win the Democratic nomination, would you consider a third party? 224559 GABB>> No. Anyone who says otherwise is not interested in the truth. I've been asked this question since probably I started running for president and every single time my answer has been the same. Yet for some reason, there are voices within our political sphere who continue to traffic in this rumor mongering, and I just think it's unfortunate because they know it's not true and they're using it as a way to try to undermine my campaign by making people suspicious that something else is going on. 224633 Nothing else is going on. I'm running for president. I plan on being the Democratic nominee that is best positioned to defeat Donald Trump. Q: You talked about how you don't have many field offices at a time when other campaigns are closing offices, slashing staff. The lean campaign strategy of your campaign right now. How you expected to get the nomination, the way you're running it now? 224656 GABB>> Well, you're seeing a lot of people who opened a lot of field offices now having to shut them down and some of those people are seeing their poll numbers dropping. My trend in polling is moving in the right direction. We are using---being very fiscally responsible with the hard earned resources people are donating to our campaign and using those dollars to reach voters directly. 224719 I give so much credit to our incredible volunteers who are pouring their heart and passion and time and resources into this campaign because they believe in our mission of putting service above self and the change that we are trying to bring about. I think there's nothing more powerful than that to help us win this election. Thank you. ###

**SEE IN-08FR FOR SCRIPT INFO**\n\n --SUPERS--\nFriday\n\nLondon\n\nTheresa May\nUK Prime Minister\n\nMay 24, 2019\n\n\n --LEAD IN--\nPRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY HAS CONFIRMED SHE WILL STEP DOWN ON JUNE 7TH -- \nAT THE END OF A WEEK OF INTENSE SPECULATION OVER HER FUTURE.\nMRS MAY ANNOUNCED HER DATE OF DEPARTURE IN AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH ON THE STEPS OF DOWNING STREET IN THE LAST HOUR.\n --SOT--\nTheresa May, UK Prime Minister: "Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as Prime Ministerm I have striven to make the United Kingdom a country that works not just for a privileged few but for everyone and to honor the results of the EU referendum. Back in 2016 we gave the British people of choice against all predictions the British people voted to leave the European Union. I feel as certain today as I do it three years ago that in a democracy if you gave people a choice you have a duty to implement what they decide. I have done my best to do that. I negotiated the terms of our exit and new relationship with our closest neighbors that protects jobs our security and our union. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal. Sadly I have not been able to do so. I tried three times. I believe it was right to persevere even when the odds against success seemed high but it is now clear to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new prime minister to lead that effort. So I am today announcing that I will resign as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party on Friday the 7th of June so that a successor can be chosen. I've agreed with the party chairman and with the chairman of the 1922 Committee that the process for electing a new leader should begin in the following week. I have kept her majesty the queen fully informed of my intentions and I will continue to serve as her Prime Minister until the process has concluded. It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit. It will be for my successor to seek a way forward that honors the result of the referendum. To succeed he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not. Such a consensus can only be reached if those on both sides of the debate are willing to compromise. For many years the great humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton who saved the lives of hundreds of children by arranging that evacuation from Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia through the Kindertransport was my constituent in Maidenhead. At another time of political controversy a few years before his death he took me to one side at a local event and gave me a piece of advice he said 'never forget that compromise is not a dirty word, life depends on compromise.' He was right. As we strive to find the compromises we need in our politics whether to deliver Brexit or to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland we must remember what brought us here. Because the referendum was not just a call to leave the EU but for a profound change in our country. A call to make the United Kingdom a country that truly works for everyone I am proud of the progress we have made over the last three years. Well we've completed the work that David Cameron and George Osborne started. The deficit is almost eliminated. Our national debt is falling and we are bringing an end to austerity. My focus has been on ensuring that the good jobs of the future will be created in communities across the whole country not just in London and the southeast through our modern industrial strategy. We have helped more people than ever enjoy the security of a job. We are building more homes and helping first time buyers onto the housing ladder. So young people can enjoy the opportunities their parents did. We are protecting the environment eliminating plastic waste, tackling climate change and improving air quality. This is what a decent, moderate and patriotic conservative government on the common ground of British politics can achieve, even as we tackle the biggest peacetime challenge any government has faced. I know that the Conservative Party can renew itself in the years ahead that we can deliver Brexit and serve the British people with policies inspired by our values: security, freedom and opportunity. Those values have guided me throughout my career. But the unique privilege of this office is to use this platform to give a voice to the voiceless, to fight the burning injustices that still scar our society. That is why I put up funding for mental health at the heart of our NHS long term plan. It's why I am ending the postcode lottery for survivors of domestic abuse. Which is why the race disparity audit and gender pay reporting are shining a light on inequality so it has nowhere to hide. And that is why I set up the independent public inquiry into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower to search for the truth so nothing like it can ever happen again. And so the people who lost their lives that night are never forgotten. Because this country is a union not just a family of four nations but a union of people all of us whatever our background the color of our skin or who we love, we stand together and together we have a great future. Our politics may be under strain but there was so much that is good about this country so much to be proud of so much to be optimistic about. I will shortly leave the job but it has been the honor of my life to hold the second female prime minister but certainly not the last. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love." \n\n -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----\n\n --KEYWORD TAGS--\nBREXIT EUROPEAN UNION ENGLAND UK THERESA MAY RESIGNATION PRIME MINISTER BREXIT\n\n

The National Fair Housing Alliance holds a news conference to release a report showing that housing discrimination continues throughout the US.

<p><b>--TEASE--</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p>https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/1-million-wealth-gap-white-black-hispanic-families-rcna149252 </p>\n<p></p>\n<p></p>\n<p></p>\n<p>A $1 million wealth gap now divides white families from Black and Hispanic ones, research shows</p>\n<p>New research from the Urban Institute shows the persistence of a wealth gap that has plagued American workers and families for generations. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The average wealth gap between white families and Black and Hispanic ones reached a new high in 2022, topping $1 million in household wealth, according to a new report. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>New research by the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank focused on economic and social policy research, found that the average wealth of white families in 2022 reached a record high of over $1.3 million, compared to about $227,000 for Hispanic families and $211,000 for Black families. This report marks the first time the institute has recorded a seven-figure disparity in average wealth for both Black and Hispanic households.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The median wealth for white families was $284,000, compared to $62,000 for Hispanic families and $44,000 for Black families. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>“Inequities measured at the median will give you a better sense of the comparisons across typical families, but inequities measured at the mean will give you a better sense of the macro-level disparities in wealth accumulation in this country — generally, and by race,” said Madeline Brown, a senior policy associate at the Urban Institute. She added that both numbers are important to consider because they are the result of structural racism.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>“One million dollars in a gap indicates that we still have severe racial wealth inequity in this country,” Brown said. That lifetime difference in accruing wealth severely affects families’ ability to “buy a home, invest in their children’s college, invest in their children’s businesses, support their families,” she added.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The report shows how racial and gender gaps in earnings, retirement savings and emergency savings can contribute to a lifetime lag for individuals and families. But homeownership is the primary driver of wealth-building in the U.S., the report said, and continues to lag for Black families in particular because of “the stubborn legacy of racist housing policies.”</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The average white homeownership rate has increased from about 64.9% in 1960 to 73.1% in 2022, according to the report, while Black homeownership has gone from 38.2% to 44.3% in the same period. Hispanic and Asian families both saw their highest recorded average homeownership rates in 2022, at 51.1% and 63.2%, respectively, but still lagged behind the rates of white families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The research also found that significant disparities continue in individual lifetime earnings between white, Black and Hispanic people. Data shows the average white man born between 1960 and 1964 earned $2.9 million over the course of his career, compared to less than $1.8 million for the average Black man and about $1.7 million for Hispanic men. The average white woman in the same age bracket earned $1.7 million over the course of her career, compared to less than $1.3 million for Black women and $883,000 for Hispanic women.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>“In a nation that professes that those who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded with social and economic upward mobility, these persistent disparities are a stark reminder that, as a society, we have not achieved this goal,” the report said.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The Urban Institute’s data comes largely from the Survey of Consumer Finances conducted every three years by the Federal Reserve. The 2022 survey was the first time data was disaggregated for Asian Americans, who had the highest average family wealth of any group that year at $1.8 million. Other data shows that household income varies greatly among Asian American groups.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>When it comes to solutions, the report proposes a series of policy changes to help close the racial wealth gap, including limits to the mortgage interest tax deduction and reparations for Black Americans.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>“Looking at that $1 million gap, reparations are, depending on how they’re delivered, a promising policy in bringing that gap down,” Brown said. “Because the history is such that these policies have compounded on themselves and created a situation where, overall, our wealth distribution in this country is incredibly inequitable.” </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>https://apps.urban.org/features/wealth-inequality-charts/ </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Nine Charts about Wealth Inequality in America</p>\n<p>April 25, 2024 </p>\n<p></p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Wealth inequality is higher in the United States than in almost any other developed country and has risen for much of the past 60 years. Racial wealth inequities have persisted for generations, reflecting the long-standing effects of racist policies, not individual intentions or deficits. In a nation that professes that those who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded with social and economic upward mobility, these persistent disparities are a stark reminder that, as a society, we have not achieved this goal.</p>\n<p>These charts tell the story of wealth inequality in the United States. The first three show wealth disparities over time across race and age. The remainder demonstrate how gaps in earnings, homeownership rates, retirement savings, emergency savings, benefits from tax subsidies, and intergenerational transfers contribute to wealth inequities. We also identify evidence-based solutions that policymakers can implement to reduce systemic inequities and build wealth for all Americans.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>1. Wealth is increasing but so is inequality. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>In the past 60 years, America witnessed a massive transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthiest families, increasing wealth inequality. In 1963, the wealthiest families had 36 times the wealth of families in the middle of the wealth distribution. By 2022, they had 71 times the wealth of families in the middle.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Between 1963 and 2022,</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>families near the bottom of the wealth distribution (those at the 10th percentile) went from having $23 in debt to $450 in wealth,</p>\n<p>those in the middle (50th percentile) nearly quadrupled their wealth (from $50,598 to $192,700),</p>\n<p>those near the top (at the 90th percentile) saw their wealth increase more than sixfold (from $294,573 to $1.9 million), and</p>\n<p>the wealthiest families—those wealthier than 99 percent of all families—saw their wealth increase more than sevenfold (from $1.8 million to $13.6 million).</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>As a ratio, this gap decreased somewhat between 2016 and 2022, when the wealthiest families’ wealth dropped from 107 times greater than that of families in the middle to 71 times greater.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Though the ratio remained relatively high during this period, it decreased the most during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially because of stimulus checks. Between 2019 and 2022, the wealthiest families’ wealth dropped from 91 to 71 times middle-class families’ wealth. The only other time that wealth inequality had decreased since 1963 was between 1989 and 1995, when the wealthiest families’ wealth decreased from 49 to 42 times that of middle-class families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>2. Wealth gaps by race and ethnicity are large. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Over the past four decades, the difference in wealth held by white, Black, and Hispanic families has grown. In 1983, the average wealth of white families was about $320,000 higher than the average wealth of Black families and Hispanic families. By 2022, white families’ average wealth ($1.4 million) was more than $1 million higher than that of Black families ($211,596) and Hispanic families ($227,544). Put another way, white families had six times the average wealth of Black families and Hispanic families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>In 2022, the Survey of Consumer Finances disaggregated data for Asian families for the first time. Asian families’ average wealth was $1.8 million—1.3 times the average wealth of white families. However, more disaggregated local analyses point to large differences in wealth among Asian Americans.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The differences in wealth accumulation by race are the result of structural racism. Structural racism refers to the historic and current policies, programs, and institutional practices that facilitate wealth accumulation by white families while creating barriers to wealth building for or stripping wealth from families of color.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>3.The wealth gap between Black and white families widens with age.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>On average, white families accumulate more wealth over their lives than Black or Hispanic families in the same age group, widening the wealth gap at older ages. Consider those born between 1943 and 1951. When they were roughly in their 30s in 1983, the average wealth gap between white and Black families was $181,677, with white families having three times as much wealth as Black families. By 2022, when they were in their 70s, that gap surpassed $1.4 million, and the average white family had more than four times the wealth of the average Black family.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>4. Differences in lifetime earnings widen wealth gaps.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Money saved from earnings is a source of wealth building for many workers, but earnings differ by race and gender. The average white man between ages 58 and 62 in 2022 earned $2.9 million over his career, while the average Black man earned $1.8 million and the average Hispanic man earned $1.7 million. Women earn less overall but gaps remain: the average white woman earned $1.7 million over her career, while the average Black woman earned $1.3 million and the average Hispanic woman earned $883,000.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Educational attainment is not enough to overcome these differences: even among people who have a bachelor’s degree, all women of color earn less on average than white women, and all men of color earn less on average than white men.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Labor market inequities, including employment discrimination that results in occupational crowding in lower-paying roles—and uneven pay across identical roles (PDF)—contribute significantly to earnings disparities.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>Policies that provide sustained, high-quality employment throughout a person’s life, support educational and training opportunities, and combat wage discrimination could help close earnings gaps. At the federal level, standardizing pay data collection and implementing proactive audits could help detect and combat payment discrimination, and a federal job guarantee could ensure anyone who wants a job can access one. At the state and local levels, working to ensure wages can sustain families; leveraging workforce investments to improve job quality, such as paid sick time and paid family and medical leave; and offering sector-based skills training for in-demand jobs could also better support wealth building.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Research shows that even at higher income levels racial wealth gaps remain. People of color often have additional familial financial responsibilities and fewer inheritances, so having a higher income may not be enough to accumulate wealth at rates similar to those of white families. Baby bonds (or “child trusts”) and reparations for Black American descendants of slavery could help close these gaps.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>5. Exclusionary homeownership policies have benefited white households at the expense of households of color, particularly Black households. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Homeownership is the main way people build wealth in the United States. Yet in 2018, the Black-white homeownership gap reached 30.5 percentage points, its highest level in 50 years. Black homeownership rates declined the most following the 2008 housing market crisis and only started to recover in 2019, just before the pandemic hit. Though 2022 estimates suggest homeownership rates among Black, Hispanic, and Asian families are increasing, Black Americans remain the only racial group with a homeownership rate below 50 percent.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Racial disparities in homeownership persist today because of the stubborn legacy of racist housing policies, such as redlining and racial covenants. In addition, racial differences in the three Cs that determine mortgage access—credit, collateral, and capacity—add to the disparities that discrimination created, though the metrics don’t explicitly include race. Moreover, real estate agent steering, industrial zoning, and appraisal bias, which are all rooted in racist practices, leave the values of Black-owned homes lagging those of white-owned homes.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>Closing gaps in homeownership rates will require expanding mortgage credit access, increasing the supply of affordable homes, equalizing the costs and benefits of homeownership, and helping people remain in their homes.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Potential opportunities include reforming local land-use and zoning policies to expand the supply of affordable for-sale housing, deploying federal resources to increase the development of affordable housing stock, and expanding down payment assistance, particularly for first-generation homebuyers.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>6.Because of differential access and earnings, Black and Hispanic families have less retirement savings than white families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Retirement savings provide stability and security for families as workers age out of the workforce. However, disparities in retirement savings have increased fivefold over the past three decades. In 1989, white families had about $50,000 more in average retirement savings than Black families and about $35,000 more than Hispanic families. In 2022, white families had about $260,000 more in average retirement savings than both Black and Hispanic families and about $20,000 more than Asian families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Structural barriers, including occupational crowding, have created inequities in earnings and access to and participation in workplace retirement savings plans. Among families with access to retirement plans, those with lower incomes contribute smaller portions of their incomes and are more likely to withdraw money early to cover financial emergencies than families with higher incomes. Families without meaningful retirement savings are more likely to experience poverty and to depend on Social Security or safety net programs as their sole source of retirement income.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>To eliminate disparities in retirement savings, policymakers could develop government-backed universal retirement accounts (such as OregonSaves), enhance job quality, expand access to payroll deduction workplace retirement savings programs, and encourage employers to offer retirement plans with features that boost participation, such as automatic enrollment. Tax subsidies could also be oriented more toward workers with average or lower earnings, such as through the retirement Saver’s Match (PDF).</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Embedding emergency savings accounts into retirement accounts, as introduced in the Secure Act 2.0 (PDF), could be another option. Creating a distinction between emergency savings and retirement funds will offer participants clarity: one account serves immediate needs, while the other is earmarked for long-term retirement planning. This approach empowers employees to navigate unexpected financial crises without compromising their retirement security by resorting to emergency withdrawals.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>7. Black and Hispanic families are less likely than white families to have emergency savings. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>How much savings is adequate to withstand economic shocks depends on many factors, but one month of income can be sufficient for most families enduring an unemployment spell or unexpected expense—and can even prevent financial hardship in the long term. Yet only about half of households had this amount of liquid savings in 2022 (51 percent), which is the highest rate ever measured in the Survey of Consumer Finances. More than half of white households (57 percent) and more than one-third of Black households and Hispanic households (38 and 35 percent, respectively) had this level of emergency savings, compared with nearly three-quarters of Asian households (72 percent). These findings suggest the vast majority of Black and Hispanic households could face hardship because of common financial emergencies. Families with unpaid credit card debt may be especially vulnerable, given credit card debt constrains household budgets, even for those with higher incomes.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>These disparities are the result of exclusionary and discriminatory policies, such as redlining in the financial industry and means testing in public benefits programs, that have historically penalized and discouraged people of color and lower-income households from building savings.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>Policymakers can remove barriers and expand access to opportunities to build liquid savings. Raising or eliminating asset limits in public benefits programs, as California recently initiated with its Medi-Cal program, is one approach.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Families could also benefit from policies and programs that help them save for everyday emergencies and protect their finances from economy-wide shocks. Matched savings programs, where a nonprofit entity, the government, or an employer rewards initial and regular deposits of liquid savings, have been shown to increase savings and reduce hardship. Guaranteed income programs provide predictable funds to help families meet basic needs and weather unexpected events without depleting their savings or going into debt. In addition, automatic enrollment in emergency savings accounts, which recent federal legislation permits, nearly doubles the likelihood that people will save. Finally, enhancing the country’s automatic stabilizers, such as expanded refundable tax credits and enhanced unemployment benefits, could better protect families during economic downturns.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>8. Federal tax policies fail to help families with low incomes build wealth. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>The federal government spends more than $300 billion on housing and retirement tax subsidies to support asset building, but families don’t benefit from them equally. More than 80 percent of these subsidies go to taxpayers in the top 40 percent of the income distribution, while the bottom 20 percent receive less than half of 1 percent of subsidies. Black and Hispanic families, who have lower average incomes, receive much less of these subsidies than white families.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Many of the safety net programs that families with low incomes participate in, such as food and cash assistance, focus on income and keeping families afloat, but they would benefit from complementary wealth-building programs. Unfortunately, some existing programs discourage saving. For instance, many families won’t qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits if they have $3,000 in assets.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>To help families with low incomes accumulate wealth, policymakers could consider making current tax deductions more progressive, including by limiting the mortgage interest tax deduction and using the revenues to provide a credit for first-time homebuyers. They could also consider policies that permit and incentivize families to save while they benefit from income-based safety net programs, as the bipartisan Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Savings Penalty Elimination Act would allow. Federal policymakers could also promote retirement savings through a Saver’s Match and automatic enrollment (with opt-out options) in various types of retirement accounts.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>9. White families are more likely to receive an inheritance than families of color. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>In 2022, white families were nearly four times more likely to receive an inheritance than Black families and about five times more likely than Hispanic families. Though these disparities have fluctuated in size somewhat, they’ve largely persisted since 1989. Researchers estimate that intergenerational transfers explain 12 to 16 percent of the racial wealth gap.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Intergenerational wealth transfers vary by race because of racial disparities in wealth and earnings. One study showed that the shares of Black and white families who intend to leave a sizeable estate are similar, but Black families are less likely to be homeowners or to have the necessary large amounts of wealth and income to do so.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>POLICY SOLUTIONS</p>\n<p>Facilitating intergenerational transfers, including through wills and legal property transfers, is essential to narrowing wealth disparities. State and local governments as well as nonprofits and philanthropies could support wealth building among people of color by offering estate-planning assistance, particularly geared toward low-income communities.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Nonprofits can look to Invest STL’s pilot program for promising strategies. The program aims to help Black residents build wealth by offering estate-planning support, a financial planner, and funds for investment and immediate debt mitigation. Local leaders can also help residents navigate the legal process to resolve land ownership through legal education and heirs’ property resolution services. In the South and central Appalachia, Black families often hand land down to younger generations without legal documentation proving ownership. Some estimate that these transfers, called heirs’ property, make up more than a third of Southern Black-owned land and are worth more than $28 billion. Families with heirs’ property may not be able to secure a mortgage or home improvement loan but are responsible for taxes and other liabilities and can have their property taken away through court-ordered sales.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>Promising federal policies to narrow racial wealth gaps</b></p>\n<p><b>Wealth inequality in the United States is a complex and persistent challenge that requires bold policy solutions. The inequality is vast because of policy choices, and it can be reduced through policy choices, too.</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>The solutions above show that policymakers at all levels have a role to play in eliminating racial and other wealth disparities. However, the following federal policies could have the greatest impact, particularly if implemented together:</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>Establish universal early-life wealth-building accounts scaled to parents’ wealth.</b></p>\n<p><b>Develop universal sponsored retirement savings accounts.</b></p>\n<p><b>Reform safety net program asset tests.</b></p>\n<p><b>Limit the mortgage interest tax deduction, and use the revenues to provide a credit for first-time homebuyers.</b></p>\n<p><b>Institute national reparations policies.</b></p>\n<p><b>By addressing what’s driving economic inequality, these strategies could ensure all people have a fair shot at building wealth.</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p>File</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--VIDEO SHOWS</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--LEAD IN</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--VO SCRIPT</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SOT</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--TAG</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>-----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--KEYWORD TAGS--</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--MUSIC INFO---</b></p>\n<p></p>

1600 COHEN HRG WITNESS FS9 81 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HEARING: Michael Cohen, Former Attorney to President Donald Trump Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 10:00am Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 WITNESS: Michael Cohen Former Attorney for Donald Trump Michael Cohen Testifies Before House Oversight Committee 2/27/19 Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Committee about various investigations related to the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. 162729 Mr. Cummings >> Mr. Cohen I want to finalize this issue in truth in testimony form. The form requires do you list your contracts or payments originating from a foreign government not from all foreign entities. We said we would give you to consult with your attorneys. Have you done that and do you have any additional information? 162800 Mr. Cohen >> My four attorneys continue to believe as they did before that the language of the truth in testimony forum which I was given and assigned to right before this hearing and which requires disclosure of any contracts or payments from foreign governments in the last two years did not apply to my work for bta bank which is Kasak owned entity. They advised that had entities been intended for disclosure, that word would have been in the disclosure definition. If the committee's counsel has a different view that I should disclose my contract with BTA bank, we would be willing to do that. >> Mr. Chairman? >> Let me finish. >> Sure. Mr. Cummings >> I want to understand clearly, you are -- you sought the advice, is that right? Mr. Cohen >> That's right. Mr. Cummings >> And counsel advised you to say what you just said, right? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Cummings >> And you know that to be the truth, right? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 162910 Mr. Meadows >> I thank the chairman for his courtesy. Instead of making points of order and going back and forth on this, perhaps the way to do this is to request he give to this committee all of the foreign payments that he has received over the last two years, whether they are an entity or government. We have strong believe there is over $900,000 that came from the government of Kazakhstan on behalf of Mr. Cohen. It is either the truth -- the whole truth or nothing but the truth. The rules look at foreign payments that come from or with foreign governments. The bank he is talking about is owned 81% by Kazakhstan the government. 163007 Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> reclaiming my time and then we're going to move on. First of all, let me be clear. I said to Mr. Cohen that if he came in here and lied I would nail him to the cross. Didn't I? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. You did more than once. Cummings: So if there's any ambiguity I want that to be cleared up. I have no problem working with you to make sure that's straightened out. I don't want him to think one thing and we think one thing. We can clear that up. We have other members that are waiting. Mr. Meadows >> on that subject, i don't think we should limit it to the BTA bank which has the affiliation with Kasakhstan, I thin kwe should look at Korea air space industries and any other client that's foreign that may have some connection to that respective country's gov't. I hope that his attorneys look at all those and we get the exactly right as Mr. Meadows wants. 163101 Mr. Cummings >> Reclaiming my time. We will take that certainly under advisement. I am a man of my word. We will work with you and see what we can do to come up with that. I don't think it's an unreasonable request. Mr. Khanna >> I want to focus my questions on the smoking gun document you have provided this committee. This document is compelling evidence of fed and state crimes including financial fraud. You provided this cmte with a check from president donald trump revocable trust account which is marked as marked as exhibit 5b. It is a check for $35,000 and it is dated March 17th, 2017 after the president took office. It is right now on the screen. Do you see it, sir? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 163154 Mr. Khanna >> To be clear the revocable trust is the trust the president set up to hold his assets after he became president. Is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Mr. Khanna >> Do you know why you were paid from the trust as opposed to the president's personal account? Mr. Cohen >> I don't know the answer to that. Mr. Khanna >> Did you think it was odd he paid you once and he is paying you through the scheme of a trust? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be honest, I was just happy to get the check. 163221 Mr. Khanna >> Today you testified that the check was signed by Don Jr and the Trump org CFO alan weiselberg, is that correct. Mr. Cohen >> that is correct. Mr. Khanna >> Acc to criminal charges against you you sent monthly invoices containing false info to an individual ID'd as exec 1. Weiselberg is exec 1, correct? Mr. Cohen >>yes Mr. Khanna The criminal charge against you then states that exec one forwarded your invoice to someone referred to as exec 2, presumably Don Jr was signing this chceck as exec 2. Correct? Mr. Cohen >>I believe so. 163302 Mr. Khanna >> payments like this check resulted in numerous false statements in the books of the trump org. This is financial fraud. It was disguised as a payment for legal services to you but this was not a payment for legal services, was it Mr. Cohen ? Mr. Cohen >> no sir. Mr. Khanna >> It could give rise to serious state and federal criminal liability if a corporation is cooking its books. Based on your testimony today Donald Trump Jr. and Alan Weiselberg Directed this payment to you and approved this. 163351 >> Mr. Trump initially acknowledged the obligation I was instructed by Allen at the time that we were going to do this over 12 installments. And what he decided to do then was to have me send an invoice. In which case they could have a check cut. Yes, the answer would be yes to your follow up. Mr. Khanna >> and Donald Trump Jr. obviously signed off on this? Mr. Cohen >> It would either be Eric Trump, Donald Trump Junior, and/or Allen Weisselberg. Always Allen Weisselberg on the check. Mr. Khanna >> And you think executive 2 is Donald Trump Jr.? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> They knew this payment were false and illegal, correct? 163430 Mr. Cohen >> I can't make that conclusion. Mr. Khanna >> You told representative Kelly that the president was aware of this scheme, is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Khanna >> I just want the American public to understand the explosive nature of this testimony. Are you telling us, Mr. Cohen, that the president directed in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr. As part of a civil criminal -- 163501 >> part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud. Is that your testimony today? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> And do you know if this criminal financial scheme that the president, Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump Jr. are involved in is being investigated by the southern district of New York? Mr. Cohen >> I would rather not discuss that question because it could be part of an investigation that's currently ongoing. Mr. Khanna >> But I just want to American public to understand that solely 163530 >> apart from Bob Mueller's investigation there is garden variety financial fraud and your allegation and the explosive smoking gun document suggests that the president, his son and his CFO may be involved in a criminal conspiracy and isn't it true, Mr. Cohen, that this criminal conspiracy that involved four people that there is only one person so far who suffered the repercussions and that's why you're there jail? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be going to jail, yes. 163558 Mr. Khanna >> The three other people though who are equally involved in this conspiracy, is that true? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. That's true. Mr. Khanna Thank you Mr. Cohen. I yield back my time. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Mr. Gomez Mr. Gomez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen, I'm going to tackle the president's tax returns. During the 2016 campaign you said you personally wouldn't, quote, allow to release those returns until the audits are over. Unquote. 163630 >> For the record nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax returns even while under audit by the IRS. Mr. Cohen, do you know whether President Trump's tax returns were really under audit in 2016? Mr. Cohen >> I don't flow the answer. I asked for a copy of the audit so that I could use it in terms of my statements to the press. I was never able to obtain one. 163659 Mr. Gomez >> Do you have any insight or knowledge about what was in the President's tax returns that he refused to release? Mr. Cohen >> I do not. Mr. Gomez >> Can you give us any insight into what the real reason is that the President has refused to release his tax returns? Mr. Cohen >> The statement that he said to me, was that what he didn't want was to have an entire group of think tanks that are tax experts run through his tax return and start ripping it to pieces and 163730 then he'll end up in an audit and he'll ultimately have taxable consequences, penalties and so on. Mr. Gomez >> So that's a point he said he didn't want to release his tax returns. He might end up in an audit. So could you presume from that statement that he wasn't under audit? Mr. Cohen >> I presume that he's not under audit. Mr. Gomez >> And the reason that I bring this up because I'm also the only Democrat on this committee that also serves on the Committee of Ways and Means. It's the Chief Tax Writing Committee in the House of Representatives. 163801 >> And it's the only committee in the House of Representatives that has jurisdiction to request an American's tax returns. And that includes the President of the United States. My constituents need to know whether the President has financial ties that are causing him to protect his own bottom line, rather than the best interests of this country. Can he be blackmailed because of his financial and business ventures? Including by foreign governments? And I know the opposition, the first thing they will ask or say 163830 >> is that he released his financial disclosure forms. But I believe that there are other things we can learn from his taxes. Do you have any idea what he can learn in his tax returns if we got our hands on them? Mr. Cohen >> No, I have actually - I have seen them I just have never gone through them. They are quite long. 163851 Mr. Gomez >> Quite long. One of the things I also find ironic is the way they're also attacking you as to undermine your credibility, is one of the ways, by saying that you committed bank fraud and tax evasion. 163902 >> And the reason why is a big deal, is that it really goes down to a person's character when it comes to taxes. But yet the Republican minority never asked to see his taxes. Something that for 40 years Democrats and Republicans alike have released their tax returns to prove to the American people that they didn't have financial interest that would be leverageable by a foreign government. 163926 >> This minority refuses to ask for his tax returns. I also want to kind of go on, I'm noticing a pattern. I'm noticing a pattern. About the president and those in his inner circle. Special Counsel Mueller has indicted or received guilty pleas from 24 people and 3 companies that we know of. The longest one being long term Trump advisor Roger Stone. 163954 >> It includes six former trump adviser. It appears that a president has a fondness for entrusting those who will one: lie for him, two, break the law for him, three, cheat the system for him. Essentially he wants to surround himself with people just like him. Would you agree with that statement? Mr. Cohen >> With the facts and circumstances, it appears so. Mr. Gomez >> Mr. Cohen, the American people have a lot of questions when it comes to this president to his conduct. When he went to Helsinki and he bowed before Putin and nobody could really understand why he acts the way he acts. We believe the way we gets those answers is looking at everybody that surrounds them, who he has been associated with and his tax returns. That's the only way we can get down to the bottom line. Thank you and I yield back. Mr. Meadow >> Mr. Chairman, I have a unanimous consent request. He begged me to give him a job in the administration. He is still lying under oath. I asked unanimous consent. I have one more from Bob Diddle. Getting sick watching these hearings I know Michael Cohen personally for many years. He told me several times he was very angry and upset he didn't get a post in the white house and that he would do what he has to do now no protect his family. Close quote, I ask that that be-- 164153 Mr. Jordan >> All right. I ask unanimous consent written in Salon Magazine by Stanley Bran former house counsel to Tip O'neill The title is oversight looks like an illegitimate show hearing. I asked unanimous consent that a letter requesting you call to testify at this hearing also be part of the record. Mr. Cohen >> Mr. Chairman, can I respond? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Just one second. The article. I want to deal with this one right away. We -- when we saw that article we knew it was inaccurate. just on basics. The case is that Mr. Brand are distinguishable what's going on here. We got former general counsel it is February 2019 and where are we? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Where are we? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez 164324 Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen I'd like to quickly pick up on some previous lines of questioning before getting into my own. So I may go a little quickly to get it all in in 5 minutes. First my colleague from Vermont had asked you several questions about AMI, the parent company of the national inquirer. And in that you mentioned a treasure trove, a quote, treasure trove of documents in David Pecker's office relating to information assembled from all these catch and kill operations against people who potentially had damaging information against the president. You also mentioned that the president was very concerned about the whereabouts of the documents and who possessed them. Does this treasure trove of documents still exist? 164406 Mr. Cohen >> I don't know. I asked had asked David pecker for them. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> So you would say the person who knows the whereabouts of these documents would be David pecker? Mr. Cohen >> David Pecker or Barry Levine or Dylan Howard. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >>Okay thank you. Secondly, I want to ask a little bit about your conversation about my colleague from Missouri about acid inflation. To your knowledge, did the president ever provide inflated assets to an insurance company? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who else knows that the president did this? 164436 Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg, Ron Leberman and Matthew Calamari Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And where would the committee find more information on this? Do you think we need to review his financial statements and his tax return in order to compare them? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. And you would find it at the trump org. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much, And the last thing here, the trump golf organization currently has a golf course in my home burrough of the bronx, Trump Links. I drive past it every day between going between the bronx and queens. 164508 In fact. The Washington post reported on the Trump Links Bronx course in an article entitled taxpayers built this New York golf course and trump reaps the rewards. That article is where many new yorkers learned that taxpayers spent $127 million to build Trump Links in a quote generous deal allowing president trump to keep almost every dollar that flows in on a golf course built with public funds. It doesn't seem to be the only time the president has benefitted at the expense of the public. 164543 Mr. Cohen, I want to ask you about your assertion that the president may have improperly devalued his assets to avoid paying taxes. According to an August 21st 2016 report by the Washington post where the president claimed in financial disclosure forms that trump national golf club in Florida was worth more than 50 million he had reported otherwise to local tax authorities that it was worth quote no more than 5 million. Mr. Cohen do you know whether this specific report is accurate? 164617 Mr. Cohen >> It is identical to what he did at Trump National Golf Club at Bryer Cliff Manner Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> To your knowledge was the president interested in reducing his local real estate bills? Tax bills? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> How did he do that? Mr. Cohen >> What you do is you deflate the value of the asset and then put in a request to the tax department for a deduction. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you. In October 2018 The New York Times revealed quote president trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s including instances of outright fraud that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents. 164658 It further statement from Mr. Trump quote he also formulated a strategy to undervalue his parent's real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns, sharply reducing his tax bill when those properties were transferred to him and his siblings. Mr. Cohen do you know whether that specific report is accurate? Mr. Cohen >> I don't. I wasn't there in the 1990's. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who would know the answers to those questions? Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And would it help for the committee to obtain federal and state tax returns from the president and his company to address that discrepancy. Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much. I yield the rest of my time to the chair. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >>Ms. Pressley 164746 Ms. Pressley >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. One more time, Mr. Chairman I want to thank you for your leadership and for the way which you comport yourself. I know there are some that would have you believe the more you say something the more true it is. But in fact this committee. thanks to democratic majority has been doing to work of the American people. Before this alone we looked at the issue of making election day a federal holiday, reducing drug pricing and pursued subpoenas to reunite families and recently before we returned here, tried to pass a universal background check gun bill. 164821 We are doing the business of the American people including today. It has been said that the best sunlight -- sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Let there be light. The point of oversight, is for us to pursue the trust, to pursue the truth and justice for the American people, to understand if lies, deceit and corruption are threatening American democracy and our safety. Mr. Chairman, charities should not be abused as personal piggy banks. It is against the law and extremely unfair to charities that play be the rules. A line of questioning that we have not yet addressed is that of the abuses of the Trump foundation. 164915 The President's charitable foundation agreed to dissolve in response to an ongoing investigation and lawsuit by the NY AG. The NY AG found clear and repeated violation of state and federal law.. In mid 2013, you arranged for a straw purchaser, paid 60,000 for a portrait of Mr. trump? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Pressley >> Why would the president want to bid at the price of something he was ultimately paying for? Mr. Cohen >> It's all about ego. Mr. Pressley >> How was it paid for? Mr. Cohen >> I believe it was paid for by a check from the trust. Mr. Pressley >> And abuse and again, you know, this is not a partisan pursuit here. I think we are demonstrating patriotism. Did they reimburse? Can you explain the mechanics of that payment? Mr. Cohen >> I'm not involved. Mr. Pressley >> Did the president know what was happening? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Pressley >> How did he know what was happening? 165028 COHEN >> He tasked me to find the straw bidder, to ensure that his painting which was going last in the auction would go for the highest amount of any of the paintings that have been on the auction block for the day. PRESSLEY>> What happened to the painting? COHEN>> I believe it's in one of the clubs. PRESSLEY>> According to the New York attorney general Mr. Trump used the foundation to pay $10,000 for the winning bid that ended up in one of his golf courses in Miami. Are you familiar with that transaction? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Are you aware of any other instances where the trump foundation was used to benefit the trump family? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Could you elaborate? 165110 COHEN>> There was a contract that I ended up creating on Mr. Trump's behalf. It was a Ukrainian oligarch by the name of Victor Plsik (?). It was that Mr. Trump was asked to come into participate what was the ukrainian American economic forum. I wasn't able to go. I was able to negotiate 15 minutes by Skype where they would have a camera very much like that one. They would translate Mr. Trump to the questioner and he would respond back. I negotiated a fee of $150,000 for 15 minutes. I was directed by Mr. Trump to have the contract done in the name of the Donald J. Trump foundation as opposed to Donald J. Trump or services rendered. PRESSLEY>> Thank you. Any other abuses of the foundation you would like to share? Again, it is against the law and extremely unfair to clarities playing by the rules. COHEN>> Not at this time. PRESSLEY>> And then for the balance of my time would you agree that someone could deny units to African Americans, lead the movement refer to to it as country and refer as fond people have a black friend and still be racist? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> I agree. >> Her time has expired. You play answer the question. >> Yes. >> I have two unanimous consent es since we are finishing up. I want to go ahead and -- 4:53:06 PM >> Give me one second. >> Yes, sir. >> I want today get to him and come to you. >> Okay. >>Ms Tlaib. >> Thank you for the committee on the sole purpose of exposing the truth. Some of my colleagues can handle the truth. They want criminal schemes to stop especially those from the oval office. We are upset that some of our colleagues are so disconnected of what it means to have the president sending checks to cover bribe payments you made on 4:54:07 PM his behalf. One in 2017 of March and another August 2017 after he was sworn in as president. They are upset while my colleagues are trying to discredit by some of your own unlawful acts and lies they are disconnected with the fact that you were the personal lawyer for this president and this president close you as his legal counsel. My stance has always been the same based on the facts not on future reports that we are all waiting on. My residents back home don't need a collusion cause with a foreign government to know this president has disregarded the law of the land, the united States constitution and he misused his pardon powers. Filed in December of last year they stated in particular and as Cohen himself has admitted with 4:55:12 PM respect to both payments he acted at the direction of individual one. Based on what we flow now is that he used his money and platform to enrich himself, his grant and in the process directed you. And you covered it up, correct? >> That's correct. >> Mr. Cohen, with this do you think the president of the United States is making decisions. They said you used horrible words about like Muslim Americans and immigrants? >> Yes. >> Just to make a note Mr. Chairman, just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they aren't racist. It is insensitive some would 4:56:14 PM even say it's the fact that someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee is alone racist in itself. >> Mr. Chairman I ask -- >> I reclaim my time. >> Setting a president -- >> Mr. Chairman the rules are clear -- >> Cover up and hold onto business assets to campaign finance laws. What we have here Mr. Chairman is criminal conduct and pursuit of the highest public office by Mr. Cohen and individual one. I hope that the gravity of this situation hits everybody in this body and across this body. Thank you. I yield the rest of my time. >> Mr. Chairman, I ask that her words which she is referring to an individual member of this body be taken down and stricken 4:57:15 PM from the record. I'm sure she didn't intend to do this. But if anyone knows my record as it relates it should be you, Mr. Chairman. >> I would like -- >> Hold on. >> I want the words read back. >> No. >> We want to know exactly what she said. >> Would you like to rephrase that statement? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I can actually read it from here. Just to make a note that just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they are racist. It is insensitive some would say it to use a black woman as a prop. I can submit this for the record if they are thinking that's what I'm saying. As a person of color that's how I felt at that moment and I 4:58:15 PM wanted to express that. I'm saying it is a racist act. >> I hope not. I need to be clear on this. >> Mr. Meadows. Wait a minute. >> I defended you. >> Mr. Meadows. I'm the chair. >> Yes, sir, you are. >> I will clear this up. >> Now, is it -- I want to make sure I understand. >> I'm trying as a person of color to express myself and how I felt at that moment. For the record that was my intention. >> Mr. Chairman, there's nothing more personal to me than my 4:59:16 PM relationship. My nieces and nephews are people of color. Not many people know that. You know that Mr. Chairman. To indicate that I asked someone who is a personal friend of the trump family who has worked for him, who knows this individual it is racist to suggest them to come in here for that reason. The president's own person, she is a family member Mr. Chairman, you and I have a personal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ve go down this direction is wrong, Mr. Chairman. >> I want to thank the gentleman for what you're saying. If there is anyone who is sensitive with regard to race it's me. So I get it. I listened very carefully. I think she said she was not calling you a racist. I thought that we could clarify that because Mr. Meadows you know of all of the people on this committee I have said it and got in trouble for it, that you're one of my best friends. I know that shocks a lot of 5:01:02 PM people. >> And likewise, Mr. Chairman. >> I could see and feel your pain. I feel it. And so -- and I don't think she intended to cause you that, that kind of pain and that kind of frustration. Did you have a statement? I will yield to you. >> And to my colleague that was not my intention. I do apologize if that's what it sounded like. I said someone in general. As everybody knows in this chamber I'm pretty direct. If I wanted to say that I would have but that's not what I said. Thank you Mr. Chairman for allowing many we to clarify. It was not referring to you at all as a racist. >> I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and working to clarify this. I appreciate the chairman 5:02:15 PM intervening. >> I knew the unanimous consent. I think I need to officially withdraw my request. >> You did it? >> I did. >> Okay. Sounds good. Now, I will recognize you for your unanimous consent. I think you want to put in records and documents. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. I ask that the la times article of July 16, 2018 actually be put in the record which outlines the $1.2 million statement. >> Without objection to order 5:03:16 PM any other unanimous consent requests? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to make Washington post profile of Michael Cohen part of the record. The story shows Cohen to be a selfish manipulator. >> So ordered. >> I ask unanimous consent to make the Washington post article south Korean firm paid him $150,000 as it saw as part of the record. I ask to make sentencing statement part of the record. It is a statement establishes 5:04:16 PM that Michael Cohen continues to falsely blame his crimes on blind loyalty to the president but only Cohen is to blame for as many false statements. I ask unanimous consent to make the CNN article part of the record. His accountant was required a lawyer in his sentencing memo. They sent him to blame tax evasion on his accountant. >> Without objection to order. >> Two more. >> To make February 26th, order filed by appellant division regarding disciplinary proceedings part of the record. This order which proactively applies starting February 28th establishes Cohen committed a serious crime and ceased being an attorney when he was convicted of lying to congress. >> Without objection so ordered. 5:05:30 PM The article describes a lawyer, Cohen recording his client, trump without the client's knowledge. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask consent to make the Huffington post article part of the record. It is a place for women that describe business oriented. >> Without objection so ordered. >> Thank you. >> I would ask to make the April 20th, 2018 article in mother Jones titled Michael Cohen said he he has never been the Prague part of the record. >> Without objection to order. >> Thank you, sir. >> Very well. 5:06:41 PM Mr. Cummings >> I have some closing remarks. Mr. Cohen >> I have some I would like to say myself. Is this appropriate time? >> Yes. Mr. Cohen >> I appreciate the opportunity to share some final thoughts. I knowledge I have made my own mistakes and I have owned up to them publicly and under oath but silence and complicity in the face of the daily destruction of the our basic norms and civility to one another will not be one of them. I did things and I acted improperly. I blindly followed his demands. My loyalty has cost me everything, my family's happiness, my law license, my company, my livelihood, my honor, my reputation and soon my freedom. I will not sit back and allow 5:07:43 PM him to do the same to the country. Given my experience working for President Trump I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. This is why I agreed to appear before you today. In closing I would like to say directly to the president we honor our veterans. You tell the truth even when it doesn't you. You respect the law and our incredible law enforcement agents. You don't Vil annize them. You don't disparage gold star families, prisoners of war and other heros who have the courage to fight for this country. You don't attack the media and those that question what you don't like or don't want them to say. You take responsibility for your own dirty deeds. You don't use your power to 5:08:44 PM destroy the credibility of those that speak out against you. You don't demonize those looking to America for a better life. You don't vilify people based on the god they pray to and you don't cuddle up to our adversaries at the expense of our allies. You don't shut down to appease your base. This behavior the office of the president and it simply is un-american. It's not you. So to those that support the president and his rhetoric as I once did, I pray the country doesn't make the same mistakes that I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying and I thank you for the additional time. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Jordan >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. 5:10:01 PM He said he never defraud any bank. He is going to prison for that very offense. Earlier he admitted to having consulted agreements with at least two foreign entities owned by foreign governments. He said to chairman Cummings that Donald Trump directed him and the trump organization to go book his officer and figure out how to make a $130,000 payment. 5:11:01 PM In his testimony he says Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds to avoidfully money being traced back to him that could negatively impact the campaign. In response to him paying to set up the fake Twitter account that he didn't direct the commission of that Twitter account. He says I didn't set that up and it was done by a young lady that works with the firm. He did asking them to set it up according to the owner of red finch. The attorneys with the southern district of New York stated that this was when canned about this they said I wouldn't call them liars but that statement is not accurate. Mr. Chairman, I think maybe more importantly is what we should have been doing 5:12:25 PM today. That's what we shoush focused on not this sad display the last several hours. It's not my words. You can take the words of former general counsel. I hope we learned some things here today. The first for the gentleman going to prison in two months for lying to congress. I don't think that's what we should be focused on. I yield back. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Cummings FINAL REMARKS 171249 >> You know, I sat here and listened to all of this. It's very painful. It's very painful. You made a lot of mistakes Mr. Cohen, and you admitted that. And one of the saddest parts of this whole thing is some very innocent people are hurting too and you acknowledged that. And that is your family. 171336 So You come here today. Deep in my heart --when I practice law I respect a lot of lawyers who got in trouble and you've come saying 'I had made my mistakes but now I want to change my life'. And you know, if we as a nation, did not give people an opportunity after they made mistakes to change their lives, a lot of people would not do very well. 171430 I don't know where you go from here. As I sat here and I listened to both sides, I just felt as is if -- and people are now using my wording that they took from my that they took from me that didn't give me any credit. We are better than this. We are so much -- we really are. As a country, we are so much better than this. You know, I told you -- and for some reason, Mr. Cohen I tell my children, I say when bad when bad things happen to you, do not ask the question why did it happen to me, ask the question buy did it happen for me. I don't know why this is happening for you. 171531 But my it's hope that a small part of it it is for our country to be better. If I hear you correctly it sounds like you're crying out for a new Normal for us getting back to Normal. It sounds to me like you want to make sure that our democracy stays in tact. The one meeting I had with Mr. Trump I said to him, the greatest gift that you and I Mr. President, can give to our children is making sure that sure that we give them a democracy that is in tact. 171619 And a better democracy than the one we came upon. I'm hoping that the things you've said today will help us get back there. I mean come on now, when you go according to WaPo our President has made at least 8,717 -- 8,718 false or misleading statements. That's stunning. That's not what we teach our children. I don't teach mine that. For whatever reason, sounds like you got caught up in it. 171701 You got caught up in it. You got caught up in it. And some kind of way, I hope that you will I know that it's painful to go to prison, I know it's gotta be painful being called a rat. A lot of people don't know the significance of that. But I live in the inner city of Baltimore and when you call somebody a rat, that's one of the worst things you can call them because in prison that means a snitch. 171738 I'm just saying. And so, president called you a rat. We're better than that! We really are. And i'm hoping that all of us can get back to this democracy that we want and that wwe should be passing to our children so that hey can do better than what we did. So you wonder whether people believe you- i don't know. I don't know whether they believe you but the fact is, that you've come, you have your head down and this is one of the hardest things that you could do. 171816 Let me tell you the picture that really really pained me? You were leaving the prison. You were leaving the courthouse and I guess it's your daughter had braces or something on. Man that thing, that thing hurt me. As a father of two daughters, it hurt me. [MICHAEL COHEN CRYING] I can imagine how it must feel for you. I'm just saying to you, I want to first of all thank you. I know that this has been hard. 171851 I know that you face a lot, I know that you are worried about your family, but is is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of this destiny, will lead to a better Michael Cohen. A better Donald Trump, a better United States of America and a better world. And I mean that from the depth of my heart. When we are dancing with the angels the question will be asked, in 2019 what did we do? 171940 To make sure we kept our democracy in tact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing? People come in here and say this is the first hearing. It is not the first hearing. The first hearing was with regard to prescription drugs. Remember, a little girl - a lady sat there. Her daughter, died because she could not get three hundred and 33 dollars a month in insulin. That was our first hearing. Second hearing, HR1 voting rights, corruption in government. Come on, now. We could do more than one thing. We have got to get back to Normal. With that this meeting is adjourned.

00:00:00:01 Logged in DC by Tiane Austin - tiaustin DC MS ID# 10542949 (pt. 1); 10542951 (pt. 2); 10542953 (pt. 3); CUTS & Elements from Paul Courson: 10543446 AX MS ID# 10544379 (pt. 1); 10544708 (pt. 2); 10545058 (pt. 3) SHOT DATE: 10/24/14 LOCATOR: DC SOURCE: POOL (C-SPAN) RX: 428 TX: 755 FONTS: Rep. Darrell Issa (R) Chairman, House Oversight Cmte. (R) California Rep. Elijah Cummings (D) Ranking Member, House Oversight Cmte. (D) Maryland Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) Utah Rep. Michael Turner (R) Ohio Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) New York Rep. John Mica (R) Florida Rep. John Tierney (D) Massachusetts Rep. Patrick McHenry (R) North Carolina Rep. Stephen Lynch (D) Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch (R) Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan (R) Ohio Rep. Jim Cooper (D) Tennessee Rep. Robin Kelly (D) Illinois Rep. Blake Farenthold (R) Texas Rep. Danny Davis (D) Illinois Rep. Trey Gowdy (R) South Carolina Witnesses: Nicole Lurie, M.D. Asst. Secretary, Health and Human Services Michael Lumpkin Asst. Secretary, Dept. of Defense Major General James M. Lariviere Deputy Dir., Political-Military Affairs (Africa), Dept. of Justice John Roth Inspector General, Dept. of Homeland Security Deborah Burger, RN Co-President, National Nurses United Rabih Torbay Senior Vice President, International Operations, International Medical Corps --- SOTs: WX- / TRT: OC: WX-ISSA/RON KLAIN TRT: 25 OC: PROFESSIONAL IN CHARGE 09:37:48 President Obama's appointment of Ron Klain to serve as the Ebola czar sadly, in my opinion, shows the administration has, on one hand, recognized the missteps and, on the other hand, is not prepared to put a known leader in charge or, in fact, a medical professional in charge. 09:38:13 WX-ISSA/MISSTEPS TRT: 28 OC: LONGER BE TOLERATED 09:41:04 It would be a major mistake to underestimate what Ebola could do to populations around the world. And any further fumbles, bumbles or missteps, or relying on postulates, certainties told to us by people who in fact cannot defend how that certainty came to be, and when it fails to be correct, how they could have been so wrong, can no longer be tolerated. 09:41:32 WX-CUMMINGS/NINA PHAM TRT: 50 OC: AND THEIR COMMITMENT 09:44:17 I want to express our thanks to Nina Pham and to Amber Vinson, the two nurses from Texas who contracted Ebola when they treated Mr. Duncan. By now, we've all seen their pictures, two brave young women who risked their lives to simply Do their jobs and to feed their souls, just like nurses across this country every single day, 24/7, 365 days a year. I understand that Ms. Pham's condition has been upgraded, and Ms. Vinson has now been cleared of the virus. We thank them for their bravery and their commitment. 09:45:07 WX-CUMMINGS/CAN’T IGNORE AFRICA TRT: 42 OC: THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE 09:45:08 This new case in New York should also demonstrate that we can no longer ignore the crisis in West Africa. We can no longer ignore it. Nearly 10,000 people have died from this disease or are battling with it as we speak, many in the most gruesome conditions imaginable. I firmly believe we have a fundamental moral and humanitarian obligation to address the crisis in Africa. We are the richest nation in the world and we have the resources and expertise to make the biggest difference. 09:45:50 WX-LUMPKIN/OBSERVATIONS FROM LIBERIA TRT: 48 OC: RAPIDLY GROWING EPIDEMIC 09:53:29 First, our government has deployed a top-notch team experienced in dealing with disasters and humanitarian assistance. Second, the Liberian government is doing what it can with its very limited resources. Third, the international response is increasing regionally, due to our government's response efforts. Fourth, I traveled to the region thinking we faced a health care crisis with a logistics challenge. In reality, what I found was that we face a logistics crisis focused on a health care challenge. Fifth, speed and scaled response matter. Incremental responses will be outpaced by a rapidly growing epidemic. 09:45:17 WX-LUMPKIN/NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE TRT: 15 OC: THE UNITED STATES 09:54:19 the Ebola epidemic we face is truly a national security issue. Absent our government's coordinated response in West Africa the virus' increasing spread brings the risk of more cases here in the United States. 09:54:34 WX-LUMPKIN/DIRECT PATIENT CARE TRT: 07 OC: OF DOD’S MISSION 09:55:12 Direct patient care of Ebola-exposed patients in West Africa is not part of DOD's mission. 09:55:19 WX-LUMPKIN /MILITARY CAPABILITIES TRT: 11 OC: SUPPORT AND TRAINING 09:55:20 Secretary Hagel approved unique military capabilities falling under four lines effort: command and control, logistics support, engineering support and training. 09:55:31 WX-LUMPKIN/NO DIRECT CARE TRT: 6 OC: IN WEST AFRICA 09:56:19 The U.S. military personnel will not provide direct care to Ebola patients in West Africa. 09:56:25 WX-ROTH/DHS MISMANAGED PROGRAM TRT: 31 OC: LITTLE OF OTHERS 09:58:47 Our audit concluded that DHS mismanaged their program in three ways. First, we found that DHS did not adequately conduct a needs assessment before purchasing protective equipment and antiviral drugs. As a result, we could not determine the basis for DHS's decisions regarding how much or what types of pandemic supplies to purchase, store or distribute. As a result, DHS may have too much of some equipment and too little of others. 09:59:18 WX-ROTH/EQUIPMENT SHELF LIFE TRT: 11 OC: FINITE SHELF LIFE 09:59:47 DHS purchased much of the equipment and drugs without thinking through how these supplies would need to be replaced. The material DHS has purchased has a finite shelf life. 09:59:58 WX-LURIE/BETTER TO RESPOND TRT: 18 OC: AFFECT THIS COUNTRY 10:02:16 Thanks to the foresight of the Congress, the leadership of this entire administration, the dedicated work of HHS and the inter-agency whole of government approach we are taking, we are better positioned than ever before to respond to Ebola, as well as a range of other threats that may affect this country. 10:02:34 WX-LURIE/EBOLA VACCINES TRT: 45 OC: VIALS FOR USE 10:03:53 Not long after this epidemic began, I convened the Federal Medical Countermeasure stakeholders to see what could be accomplished as quickly as possible. Thanks to past investments, we've leveraged U.S. government-wide assets to urgently speed the development and testing of vaccines and therapeutics for Ebola. 10:04:11 These advances are allowing us to create Ebola countermeasures in record time so that we'll have products to use as soon as we have the necessary proof of efficacy. 10:04:21 Our strategic investments in the countermeasure infrastructure, including our Centers for Innovation and Advanced Development and Manufacturing, established in 2012, a newly established fill-finish manufacturing network, will be used to get Ebola vaccines and therapeutics into vials for use. 10:04:38 WX-LURIE/HHS ADJUSTMENTS TRT: 21 OC: THROUGH FIVE AIRPORTS 10:05:36 Based on the first U.S. cases, HHS has already made adjustments to minimize the spread of Ebola. These include tightened guidance for the use of personal protective equipment, an expanded aggressive national education campaign for health care workers, and screening and active monitoring of passengers entering the United States, now funneled through five airports. 10:05:57 WX-BURGER/CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER TRT: 32 OC: INFECTED SO FAR 10:07:27 The Ebola pandemic and the exposure of health care workers to Ebola in Texas, and the real threat that it could elsewhere in the U.S., represent a clear and present danger to public health. 10:07:39 Every R.N. who works in a health care facility could be Nina Pham or Amber Vinson, both of whom contracted Ebola while treating Thomas Eric Duncan at Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. 10:07:53 One patient diagnosed and dead in this country, two nurses infected so far. 10:07:59 WX-BURGER/INCONSISTENT RESPONSE TRT:22 OC: VULNERABLE TO INFECTION 10:11:11 The response to Ebola from U.S. hospitals and governmental agencies has been dangerously inconsistent and inadequate. The lack of mandates and shifting guidelines from agencies and reliance on voluntary compliance has left caregivers uncertain, severely unprepared and vulnerable to infection. 10:11:33 WX-BURGER/PROTECT NURSES TRT: 18 OC: MORE INFECTED NURSE 10:12:11 We are your first line of defense. No nation would ever contemplate sending soldiers into the battlefield without armor and weapons. Give us the tools we need. All we ask from President Obama and Congress is not one more infected nurse. 10:12:29 WX-LARIVIERE/TESTING MILITARY PERSONNEL TRT: 13 OC: ISOLATE THEM EFFECTIVELY 10:23:09 We will be testing personnel twice a day while they are deployed, to take their temperature and to ensure that that -- that if they were exposed and they did become infected, we could isolate them effectively. 10:23:22 WX- LARIVIERE-TURNER/10 DAYS VS 21 DAYS OC: UNITED STATES CITIZENS LARIVIERE 10:23:23 The zero to 10-day timeline that you discussed is the timeline that will take place in country. Commanders will have the authority to remove their personal.. TURNER: 10:23:34 But, General, as we already know from the doctor in New York, he indicated, if the news reports are correct, that his symptoms occurred at 11 days... LARIVIERE: 10:23:41 Yes, sir. TURNER: 10:23:42 So isn't your 10 days too short? LARIVIERE: 10:23:43 Yes, sir. Well, the 10 days were in country. The 21 days can't start until they're actually out of the affected area. So the 21-day monitoring period will take place... TURNER: 10:23:50 Which means they could be traveling on day 11, and no longer isolated LARIVIERE: 10:23:53 They could be traveling on day 11, but they will... TURNER: 10:23:56 Which would result in additional exposure. LARIVIERE: 10:24:01 No, sir. It's -- we will try to limit their exposure prior to their departure, but the 21-day timeline won't start until they're back in the United States. TURNER: 10:24:09 Well, my time is up, but I want to indicate, I am highly skeptical. The American public is worried. I believe these need to be revised. The Ohio delegation sent to CDC they believe theirs need to be revised. The American public is concerned that people who are exposed are having too much contact with the American public and raising the risk to the United States citizens. 10:24:26 WX-TORBAY/NO SYMPTOMS, NO TRANSMISSION TRT: 18 OC: TRANSMITTING THE DISEASE 10:34:16 If there are no symptoms, there is no transmission. That's the first thing. Unless the patient develops symptoms, the patient cannot transmit the Ebola virus. 10:34:25 So, monitoring temperature is critical. Because as long as the patient is asymptomatic, there's no risk of transmitting the disease. 10:34:34 WX-ISSA-TORBAY/10 DAYS WAITING PERIOD OC: THAT’S CORRECT ISSA 10:35:33 So, if I heard you correctly, the fact is, the 10-day waiting period has absolutely no value. That, in fact, the only real question -- the only real way to ensure that someone is not contagious, or not going to become contagious, is for them to be outside the risk area for 21 days. Not exposed to other people who exhibit symptoms for 21 days. Is that correct? TORBAY: 10:36:01 I think where the 10 days comes from is that the majority of symptoms appear within seven to 10 days after... ISSA: 10:36:08 Or 11 in the case of the gentleman in New York? TORBAY: 10:36:12 That's absolutely. I said the majority. There are exceptions. The incubation period is two to 21 days. That's why it is important to wait for 21 days after the last known exposure to the virus. ISSA: 10:36:21 Again, "known exposure," that's correct. 10:36:24 WX-ISSA-LURIE/CDC WRONG OC: MEAN HE’S WRONG 10:37:20 We have the head of CDC -- supposed to be the expert -- and he's made statements that simply aren't true. Doctor, you can get Ebola sitting next to someone on a bus if they, in fact, throw up on you, can't you? That's reasonable. LURIE: 10:37:41 The way you get Ebola is by exposure to body fluids. ISSA: 10:37:45 OK. LURIE: Yes. ISSA: 10:37:47 So, when the head of the CD says -- says -- CDC says, "You can't get it with somebody on the bus next to you," that's just not true. When the head of the CDC says you cannot, in fact -- that "we -- we know what we're doing," but, in fact, health care professionals, wearing what they thought was appropriate protective material, got it, then that means he's wrong. 10:38:07 WX-MCHENRY/MILITARY EVACUATION TRT: 42 OC: WANT TO CONTROL 11:09:29 Well I think you should get familiar with acquisition process if we currently have one plane that is controlled by the State Department. I'm asking the Department of Defense, with the mass number of airplanes, equipment and training capacity that we have, nearly -- spending nearly half a trillion dollars annually in the Department of Defense, if you need it, we will get it. We will demand it. 11:09:52 Because if we're putting these men and women in harm's way potentially where they can contract Ebola, the idea that we have one airplane as the United States to get these men and women out of country in a safe manner if they contract what is absolutely horrible, which we want to control -- which we absolutely want to control. 11:10:11 WX-LYNCH/NO HAPPY TALK TRT: 20 OC: START TO WORRY 11:12:44 I understand we don't want to panic people. But we also don't need happy talk in terms of what we're dealing with. And maybe it's just me, but lately, when a government agency comes before this committee, especially, and tells me, `There's nothing to worry about; We got this', that's when I start to worry. 11:13:04 WX-JORDAN-LURIE/NIH FUNDING OC: COORDINATING ALL THAT...YES. JORDAN: 11:22:38 Are you familiar with the fact that $275,000 on a restaurant intervention to develop new children's menu was spent, of NIH -- NIH dollars? You familiar with that? Are you familiar with the fact that $2 million were spent to encourage the elderly to join choirs -- money from NIH -- are you familiar with that? LURIE: 11:22:57 I'm not familiar with the details of grant programs at NIH... JORDAN: 11:23:03 $53,000 on a project studying size. You familiar with that? Are you familiar with the fact that $39 million of NIH funding was spent for all kinds of things that -- I mean, I guess -- cut to the chase -- one of -- you know, one of the things you learn in your first economics class -- not that I was a great student, but I did study a little economics. And one of the things they tell you is the term "opportunity costs," right? When you -- when you spend and allocate resources for one for one thing, you, by definition, can't use those resources for something else. And so, here's what I think a lot of American people want to know. Why, in fact, did we spend so much money on, for example, $374,000 to host fruit and vegetable puppet shows for preschoolers, when, in fact, some of this money -- as catalogued by the press account and by staff, totaling $39 million -- could have been used to help with treatment for something like Ebola, and potentially, a vaccine? Are you involved in the decisions that NIH makes when they're deciding how to allocate some of that money? LURIE: 11:24:11 I'm involved in the decisions related to our biodefense and our preparedness programs for emerging infectious diseases. Yes, the NIH, the CDC, the FDA, my office, DOD, DHS, the V.A., and the Department of Agriculture all work together on those issues. JORDAN: 11:24:27 But aren't you the point person in coordinating all that? LURIE: Yes. WX-JORDAN-LURIE/EBOLA VACCINES TRT: 29 OC: AND WALTER REED JORDAN 11:26:17 Might we be a little closer to having a vaccine today if you weren't allowing all the millions of dollars -- $39 million -- to be spent on what many Americans view as questionable uses for their tax dollars, particularly in light of the fact we have an Ebola outbreak in the United States? LURIE: 11:26:31 Thanks to the investments that we've had in biodefense, and our focus and the Department of Defense's focus on this critical issue over the past decade, we now have two vaccines in safety testing and at the NIH and Walter Reed. 11:26:46 WX-GOWDY-LURIE/RON KLAIN OC: TO BE POLITICAL 11:53:27 I'm just lost as to why he wouldn't pick somebody with a medical or a health care background to be the Ebola czar. I just -- I mean, can you understand why people might possibly think this could perhaps be a political pick instead of a medical, science, health pick? Can you understand how people might be just a little bit suspicious? LURIE: 11:53:51 I can understand the public's concerns about a whole variety of issues. I believe that Mr. Klain has tremendous experience in doing the job that he... GOWDY: 11:54:00 Well, cite me all his medical background then, because I was gonna let you go, but you said he has tremendous experience. Cite me all of his medical, infectious disease, communicable disease, health care delivery background. LURIE: 11:54:13 You know, one of the terrific things about the way the government works together is that experts come together all the time... GOWDY: 11:54:19 I'm gonna take that answer as a "He has none." LURIE: 11:54:22 There are a tremendous number of doctors that he has at his disposal. He has me. He has Dr. Frieden. He has Dr. Fauci. He has Dr. Collins. You could go on and on and on. GOWDY: 11:54:29 Yeah, and it would just make -- but you know what? We had access to all those people before we had Mr. Klain. All those people worked for the government before the president hired Mr. Klain, didn't they? So why pick a lawyer to head our response to Ebola? I just -- you know, color me cynical. It just appears to be political. 11:54:49 -- Sot pulled by Nunu ISSA/Burger exchange CDS just wrong TRT: OC Ms. Burger ISSA 10:37:22 We have the head of CDC, supposed to be the expert, and he made statements that simply are not true. Doctor you can get Ebola sitting next to someone on a bus if they in fact throw up on you. Can’t you? That’s reasonable. Burger : The way you get Ebola is by exposure to body fluids. Yes. ISSA: So when the head of the CDC says you can’t get it from somebody on the bus next to you that just not true. When the head of the CDC says we know what we are doing but in fact health care professionals wearing what they thought was appropriate protective material got it, that mean’s he is wrong. When the head of the CDC goes on television and says sometimes less protection is better and then has to reverse the protocol so we no longer have nurses Ms. Burger who have their necks exposed that was just wrong. --- ROUGH LOG: Issa 9:30:56 committee comes to order...Americans have a right to know that the money is well spent and works for them 9:31:19 responsibility to hold govt accountable 9:31:27 taxpayers want to be safe, want to know that our govt is prepared 9:31:36 we leave no stone unturned ensuring today that America is ready 9:31:47 March 2014, another outbreak of ebola 9:32:07 by August, ebola spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia 9:32:18 largest in history, claimed 4000 lives today...first travel associated in the United States and rapidly changing 9:32:40 Americans are worried about govt response to contain ebola 9:32:52 high fatality rate 70 ... 9:33:06 major economic impacts...yesterday's news...a doctor tested for ebola 9:33:25 no new ebola cases in Nigeria 9:33:39 nurses have gone through the 21-day period...system is good but not perfect 9:34:01 as long as our response is well coordinated there is an ability to contain this disease 9:34:58 without evidence, the CDC declared that a nurse must have contracted it through a breach of protocol 9:35:25 medicine is the businiess of evaluating a patient 9:35:40 nurse was cleared to board a commercial flight 9:36:19 we need to know why there has been breakdown... 9:36:42 are the training an equipment adequate? is the airport screening reliable? 9:37:04 what threat does ebola impose to international trade 9:37:15 govt is suppose to rely on planning. 9:37:53 Ron Klain...sadly shows the administration has recognized the missteps and not able to put a medical expert in charge************ 9:38:25 is the interagency already in place and he is overseeing it? 9:38:54 we did invite Klain to testify and we are disappointed that he was not able to...he just started 9:39:17 i have traveled to the WHO headquarters..pandemics are already planned for 9:39:31 we have also invested billions of dollars to be prepared for them (pandemics) 9:39:45 this is not a new problem...in 1918, the influenza outbreak killed 20 million people around the world 9:40:22 the flu spread fast around the base and based worldwide. soldiers were put on ships...adding to the disase and suffering 9:41:08 it would be a major mistake to underestimate what ebola can do around the world....missteps can no longer be tolerated************** 9:41:40 take the problem seriously and recognize what we don't know could kill us Cummings 9:41:55 thank you mr. chairman 9:41:59 reason why we have an oversight committee 9:42:09 yesterday dr. spencer, working with doctors without borders, tested positive for ebola.. 9:42:36 thomas duncan walked into hospital next month 9:42:49 NY had been preparing for this for weeks 9:43:03 transferred spencer to bellevue hospital, isolation unit, treating him and tracing his contacts immediately 9:43:32 they were also realistic and worked diligently and effectively 9:43:42 many questions about this new case but we cannot assume it will be the last. 9:43:52 this is our watch. we must be vigilant...protocols and training procedures 9:44:16 want to express thanks to Nina Pham and Amber Vinson who contracted ebola....we have seen their pictures...nurses across this country everyday************* 9:44:58 Pham has been upgraded and Vinson cleared of the virus 9:45:10 this new case should demonstrate that we can no longer ignore it********* 9:45:26 10,000 are battling disease 9:45:37 we have a fundamental, moral obligation to address the crisis in Africa...we are the richest country in th world....addressing ebola crisis is in our self interest as a nation************** 9:46:11 we need to address this outbreak at its source in Africa...most likely it will spread to the rest of the world 9:46:33 if we don't take action it will cause much, more in the long run 9:46:42 health care experts know how to fight the disease. 9:46:59 early diagnosis...safe burial 9:47:10 challenges in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea...alarming rate... 9:47:26 adopted resolution 9:47:41 provided a 6 month budget...hundreds of millions of dollars short 9:48:02 they need resources...basic as food, fuel 9:48:34 today i want to ask our witnesses what they think is our most important steps 9:50:08 to my fellow committee members, it is not a time for us to move to common ground...move to higher ground. Lumpkin 9:52:22 chairman, thank you for opportunity 9:52:36 national security priority...due to US military capabilities...interim solutions to h 9:52:57 US military efforts...reduce human sufferings 9:53:11 my observations of the crisis 9:53:22 after visiting Liberia a few weeks ago...first our govt has deployed a top-notch team dealing with disasters...second the liberian govt is doing what it can, third, outreach...fourth, we face a logistic crisis, fifth, speed matters, finally ebola is a national security issue...the virus spread bring ************ 9:55:14 direct patient care is not part of DOD mission*********** 9:55:27 command and control, engineering support and training************ 9:55:40 designating named operation...providing strategic airlift... 9:56:09 preparing to train personnell 9:56:21 US military will not provide direct care to ebola patients in west africa************** 9:56:36 operation onward Liberty and we are expanding region efforts 9:57:29 international community to Roth 9:58:06 good morning, thank 9:58:14 DHS must have ability to continue its operation 9:58:31 we recently conducted audit of those efforts 9:58:41 the report of the audit 9:58:49 DHS mismanaged their program in 3 ways...antiviral drugs, we could not assess what types of equipment needed...might have too much of some equipment and not enough of others************ 9:59:36 significant quantity 9:59:49 DHS purchased the equipment to be 9:59:58 finite shelf life...************ 10:00:12 the dept believes that their entire stockpile will not be effective by 2015...hoping to extend shelflife******* 10:01:04 found drugs not being properly stored 10:01:14 we made 11 recommendations 10:01:24 department is taking action Lurie 10:01:56 i appreciate the opportunity to talk to you today 10:02:06 we are working 24/7 to ensure we are prepared to prevent spread 10:02:31 we are better positioned better than before to respond to ebola********** 10:02:43 since my confirmation in 2009, we have worked hard to prepare for 10:02:58 created new opportunities for coordination and strengthen our ability 10:03:15 as you know, 4 cases of ebola have been in US...we are pleased the nurses are doing well 10:03:36 we are extremely serious in protecting our nation's security 10:03:49 medical counter measures 10:03:55 I convened the medical stakeholders..past investment...urgently speed... 10:04:22 investments in infrastructure 10:04:37 ebola vaccines in vials for use...public and private ...get vaccines....*********** 10:05:00 public health...state and local health depts.... 10:05:12 we have been using this 10:05:21we have launched a 10:05:39 HHS has made adjustments...tightened guidance...screening of passengers at 5 airports****** 10:06:05 medical evacuations with DOD and State, and worker safety...top priority is keep our nation safe***** 10:06:40 efficient use of investments provided 10:06:49 as a result HHS has provided help Burger 10:07:19 co-president of natinal nurses united 10:07:28 the ebola pandemic...in Texas...clear and present danger to public health...every nurse could be Nina Pham or Amber Vinson....one patient dead, two nurses infected so far********* 10:08:08 85 of nurses say they are not adequately trained...67 say hosp is not ready, 84 say hospital has not provided proper trianing********* 10:09:13 leaving necks exposed, two nurses became infected...that's what happens when you leave training 10:09:35 we have called on President Obama to use Exec authority ....full body hazmat suits... 10:10:55 the risk to the population at large starts with the front line at hospitals 10:11:14 the response to ebola has been dangerously inconsistent and inadequate...reliance on voluntary...vulnerable to infection********* 10:11:51 the new CDC represent progress, but still unclear*** 10:12:15 we are your first line of defense...give us the tools we need...all we ask from Obama and Congress...no more infected nurse*************** Torbay 10:12:56 thank you 10:13:06 our response to Ebola has been robust, we will have 800 10:13:22 our ebola response started in late June in Sierra Leone 10:13:46 when our emergency team landed in Liberia in August...fallout from ebola brought country to 10:14:16 mothers shunned life-saving vaccines 10:14:28 with funding from USAID, we opened 70 beds in Liberia, currently we have 53 beds occupied 10:14:50 one of just 2 operating in Liberia...we hope to open 3 more ebola centers...hope to open training center 10:15:23 fast-paced, 7 to 12 day 10:15:38 strong guidelines are important but must we combined with training 10:15:59 we need to contain disease at its source 10:16:07 operational ebola treatment units...referral systems, limiting the spread of the virus is essential 10:16:36 contact tracing is critical 10:16:45 recommendations: human resources ready...protective equipment, clear protocols for health care workers...open air space 10:17:57 we need to build stronger health care in the region Turner (R-OH) 10:19:02 I spoke with Hagel...p 10:19:24 i am skeptical of DOD protocols...ebola coming here or people falling ills, 10:19:47 American public is concerned that people exposed to virus....on Oct. 10th ebola came to visit Ohio, Amber Vinson came to OH, 300 people came in contact with her 10:20:27 Oct 20th, Ohio contacted CDC...trying on wedding dresses, 10:21:03 quarantine someone up to 10 days, but doctor became infected on the 11th day... 10:21:36 i am very concerned abou the multiplier effect tha 10:21:47 CDC and DOD guidance should be revised. 10:22:05 do you believe Oct. 10 guidance Lumpkins 10:22:23 we are not doing direct patient care Turner 10:22:31 that does not mean no one will be exposed to virus 10:22:42 patient one was not a healthcare provider Lariviere 10:23:06 the protocols we put in place, we will be testing personnell twice a day while they are deployed..************** 10:23:25 0 to 10 day timeline that will take place in country 10:23:44 ten days is in country, 21 days monitoring Turner 10:23:54 which means they could be traveling on day 11********** Lariviere 10:24:03 we wil try to limit their exposure...21 day will ********** Turner 10:24:12 i am highly skeptical...American public is concerned.*********** Issa 10:24:41 if someone like the doctor comes back they could show symptoms after the monitoring period Lariviere 10:25:33 the 10 days is to limit their exposure in country in Liberia, they will be then screened...once they have flown back they will be given a 21 day monitors...at their unit where they will have their temp taken************ Cummings 10:26:51 i know your organization is busy, inaddition to written statement you gave pics...please explain 10:27:11 this picture is an ebola treatment center Torbay 10:27:25 this is the isolation unit...restricted area Cummings 10:27:54 you said you need 840 suits every week 10:28:56 in this picture, there's a truck in the background, what is this truck used for? Torbay 10:29:07 makeshift ambulance 10:29:47 transport patients Cumminigs 10:30:00 pic from Sierra Leone, fluid everywhere and people removing dead body Torbay 10:30:19 the body is at its highest, need proper burial 10:30:34 spray with disinfectant...need proper burial prot 10:30:59 need more burial teams...we need bodybags, training Cummings 10:31:17 i want to show a short video clip Torbay 10:32:42 thank you, we need to deal with ebola virus in west africa, immediately deploy and train health personnel, we need financial resources...this is a global issue. 10:33:22 we need to continue the investment...we need to make sure this outbreak 10:33:42 US has led the way... Cummings 10:34:02 what was your Torbay 10:34:20 if there are no symptoms, then there's no risk of infection, transmitting disease*************** 10:34:58 monitor their temperature for 21 days 10:35:07 we ask them to stay out of the risk area, there are high risk 10:35:22 monitoried Issa 10:35:35 the 10 day waiting period has no real value, the only way is for someone to be out of the risk area for 21 days****** Torbay 10:36:04 the 10, majority of symptoms show symptoms...best to wait 21 days*********** Lariviere 10:37:09 people working in labs are low risk Issa 10:37:19 i want to pleasant 10:37:25 the head of CDC made statements that aren't true...you can get ebola sitting next to someone on a bus if they throw up on you*********** Lurie 10:37:47 the way you get ebola is through bodily fluids**************** Issa 10:38:39 when head of CDC gave false information...************ Burger 10:38:40 i don't know if the nurses were instructed that it was okay for their necks to be exposed Issa 10:38:58 the head of the CDC was wrong Burger 10:39:11 the nurses were not protected Issa 10:39:51 face mask, they could have had a rotating inventory 10:40:15 did you look into that at all Roth 10:40:21 they did not look into that at all Issa 10:40:28 those options will need to be looked at 10:42:02 they are capable of not Issa 10:42:32 ebola is a 35 year old disease and it is not new? 10:43:23 should we be looking at infectious disaease as a failture of not just ebola but infectious diseases? Torbay and Burger say yes Lurie 10:44:00 ebola and flu are very different 10:44:43 we are learning more about ebola, we are tightening up our policies as quickly as possible. Maloney (D-NY) 10:45:33 moment to commend the healthcare professionals in NY 10:48:08 the CDC is assisting us daily on its effort 10:48:34 three members are flown in 10:48:45 the CDC ebola response team will arrive within 24 hours...it happened in NY 10:49:05 NY city and state will begin active post arrival...screenings at airports 10:49:57 ebola is not airborne, only through bodily fluids 10:50:17 the american health system is working on 2 vaccine 10:50:30 request that statement into record 10:50:51 how does program help to make sure our hospitals are prepared in emergency Lurie 10:51:11 we were gratified last night for NY's response 10:51:23 program gives money Mica (R-FL) 10:53:30 it's not going away anytime soon it is Torbay 10:53:41 we are Mica 10:54:05 this is the report I got, healthcare workers there or here 10:54:30 thank you Burger for representing the nurses, do you know how they became infected? Burger 10:54:42 thanks fo the whistleblowing, they did not have optimal standards Lurie 10:55:15 most recent guidance changed a couple of days ago 10:55:30 the funneling to airports was last week Mica 10:55:43 it's not working, craig spencer, he's a medical professional, he reported himself. we are not prepared 10:56:18 didn't you just testify 10:56:37 this is a bottle of hand santizer..it's expired 10:56:50 how do i tell the American people we are prepareed...the equipment you cited in this report is out of date************ Tierney 10:57:53 Nina Pham is ebola free and will be release 10:58:35 do we have a large enough response 10:58:44 is the international effort large enough? is there sufficient training and equipment? Lumpkin 10:59:18 we have gone in with speed and scale, the internatioal community is coming together Tierney 10:59:37 is response enough? Lurie 10:59:43 it has taken time to get the resources in place there...we are finally seeing many other countries of the world step up Tierney 11:00:12 are people trained enough? Torbay 11:00:22 the US and UK, need rest of the world to step up 11:00:39 supplies are coming in, we hope the pipeline will continue 11:00:55 we cannot forget Guinea. 11:01:02 businesses need to start more 11:01:34 international interventions should continue Tierney 11:02:10 waiting until they get auditing later 11:02:21 ebola has been around for a while 11:02:33 what are we doing to make sure we Lurie 11:02:54 we do need to think about developing products now Patrick McHenry (R-NC) safety fo Lumpkin 11:05:09 my answer is yes McHenry 11:05:53 if someone becomes ill in country Lumpkin 11:06:06 they will be returned to US Lariviere 11:06:12 to take care of troops in country, Liberia and Sierra Leone..treated in country and sent home...they will be cared for in country 11:07:02 any aircraft ... 11:07:15 if they have symptoms then aircraft by State Dept 11:07:39 the DOD has a statement McHenry 11:08:09 how many patients? 11:09:17 if something happen 11:09:34 I am asking the DOD, spending half of trillion, if you need it, we will get it, if we are putting men and women in harm's way...the idea that we have 1 airplane...which we want to control, raises great concerns...we are asking you, what you need and we will get it. we don't want to put our men and women in harm's way...proper protocols are there.***************** Lynch 11:12:53 we don't want to panic people but we don't want happy talk. i start to worry.************ 11:13:18 nurses on the ground. 11:13:53 we need to make sure we protect our nurses 11:14:08 by this january CDC estimate 1.2 million infected with ebola 11:14:59 the current approach is a post arrival 11:15:44 we are going to set up these hospitals in the US and wait for these patients to arrive. 11:16:09 we ought to be on the ground there. 11:17:00 we need to help our brothers and sisters in Africa, but we have to look at this seriously and have scientific based approach. it doesn't help to have ...whole different story Lurie 11:22:16 i meet tieh Jordan 11:22:26 $39 mill that could have gone to ebola vaccine, are you familiar with story? 11:22:42 275 thousand, NIH money to develop new children menue Lurie 11:23:03 I am not familiar with different Jordan 11:24:02 some of this money from NIH could have been used to help ebola. are you involved in 11:26:07 coordinating policy Lurie 11:26:15 I would stand by Jordan 11:26:22 wouldn't we be closer to vaccine today if you hadn't spent Lurie 11:26:35 thanks to investments in bio-defense, we have 2 vaccinnes in NIH and Jordan 11:27:17 puppet shows for pre-schoolers************** Lurie 11:27:34 I don't believe that would have been the case************* Cooper Burger 11:31:33 they need a team that they report too... (meeting) Gowdy 11:54:44 why pick a lawyer to ************ Kelly (D-IL) 11:55:56 DOD's roll in West Africa, why is the US military to critical? Lumpkin 11:56:27 we can mobilize quickly, ability to 11:56:47 it was raining 6 to 8 Kelly 11:58:42 status update? biggest challenges? Lariviere 11:59:00 personnel split 11:59:36 identified the training effort in Morovia Lumpkin 12:00:14 we have an opportunity to flood the zone...motivate the international community Chaffetz 12:01:40 how many USAID employees are they supporting? 12:02:14 is that correct 21 days? Lurie 12:02:22 that is correct Lariviere 12:03:03 up to 10 days ...limit exposure Ch 12:03:20 i don't understand the 10 days 12:03:46 talk about fever and other symptms Lurie 12:03:54 diarrhea, muscle aches, fatigue Cha 12:04:05 those other symptoms could be happening and you don't have a fever Lurie 12:04:20 you only transmit the disease when you have a fever 12:05:16 secondary screenings 12:05:27 the reason we have moved to active monitoriing.... Maloney 12:08:28 why not quarantine in the country Lariviere 12:08:38 it has to be outside of the infection zone 12:15:51 not to my Farenthold 12:16:13 wouldn't over abundance of caution 12:16:29 this is my 2nd hearing on ebola Mica 13:11:37 Who's job is it to protect the American people? 13:11:52 this is a scathing report...we spent millions of dollars and are not prepared********* 13:12:23 should quarantine the Lurie 13:19:12 anyone with a fever or other symptoms should be required to give a travel history ### (0:00) /

1600 COHEN HRG DEM ISO FS7 79 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HEARING: Michael Cohen, Former Attorney to President Donald Trump Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 10:00am Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 WITNESS: Michael Cohen Former Attorney for Donald Trump 162729 Mr. Cummings >> Mr. Cohen I want to finalize this issue in truth in testimony form. The form requires do you list your contracts or payments originating from a foreign government not from all foreign entities. We said we would give you to consult with your attorneys. Have you done that and do you have any additional information? 162800 Mr. Cohen >> My four attorneys continue to believe as they did before that the language of the truth in testimony forum which I was given and assigned to right before this hearing and which requires disclosure of any contracts or payments from foreign governments in the last two years did not apply to my work for bta bank which is Kasak owned entity. They advised that had entities been intended for disclosure, that word would have been in the disclosure definition. If the committee's counsel has a different view that I should disclose my contract with BTA bank, we would be willing to do that. >> Mr. Chairman? >> Let me finish. >> Sure. Mr. Cummings >> I want to understand clearly, you are -- you sought the advice, is that right? Mr. Cohen >> That's right. Mr. Cummings >> And counsel advised you to say what you just said, right? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Cummings >> And you know that to be the truth, right? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 162910 Mr. Meadows >> I thank the chairman for his courtesy. Instead of making points of order and going back and forth on this, perhaps the way to do this is to request he give to this committee all of the foreign payments that he has received over the last two years, whether they are an entity or government. We have strong believe there is over $900,000 that came from the government of Kazakhstan on behalf of Mr. Cohen. It is either the truth -- the whole truth or nothing but the truth. The rules look at foreign payments that come from or with foreign governments. The bank he is talking about is owned 81% by Kazakhstan the government. 163007 Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> reclaiming my time and then we're going to move on. First of all, let me be clear. I said to Mr. Cohen that if he came in here and lied I would nail him to the cross. Didn't I? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. You did more than once. Cummings: So if there's any ambiguity I want that to be cleared up. I have no problem working with you to make sure that's straightened out. I don't want him to think one thing and we think one thing. We can clear that up. We have other members that are waiting. Mr. Meadows >> on that subject, i don't think we should limit it to the BTA bank which has the affiliation with Kasakhstan, I thin kwe should look at Korea air space industries and any other client that's foreign that may have some connection to that respective country's gov't. I hope that his attorneys look at all those and we get the exactly right as Mr. Meadows wants. 163101 Mr. Cummings >> Reclaiming my time. We will take that certainly under advisement. I am a man of my word. We will work with you and see what we can do to come up with that. I don't think it's an unreasonable request. Mr. Khanna >> I want to focus my questions on the smoking gun document you have provided this committee. This document is compelling evidence of fed and state crimes including financial fraud. You provided this cmte with a check from president donald trump revocable trust account which is marked as marked as exhibit 5b. It is a check for $35,000 and it is dated March 17th, 2017 after the president took office. It is right now on the screen. Do you see it, sir? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 163154 Mr. Khanna >> To be clear the revocable trust is the trust the president set up to hold his assets after he became president. Is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Mr. Khanna >> Do you know why you were paid from the trust as opposed to the president's personal account? Mr. Cohen >> I don't know the answer to that. Mr. Khanna >> Did you think it was odd he paid you once and he is paying you through the scheme of a trust? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be honest, I was just happy to get the check. 163221 Mr. Khanna >> Today you testified that the check was signed by Don Jr and the Trump org CFO alan weiselberg, is that correct. Mr. Cohen >> that is correct. Mr. Khanna >> Acc to criminal charges against you you sent monthly invoices containing false info to an individual ID'd as exec 1. Weiselberg is exec 1, correct? Mr. Cohen >>yes Mr. Khanna The criminal charge against you then states that exec one forwarded your invoice to someone referred to as exec 2, presumably Don Jr was signing this chceck as exec 2. Correct? Mr. Cohen >>I believe so. 163302 Mr. Khanna >> payments like this check resulted in numerous false statements in the books of the trump org. This is financial fraud. It was disguised as a payment for legal services to you but this was not a payment for legal services, was it Mr. Cohen ? Mr. Cohen >> no sir. Mr. Khanna >> It could give rise to serious state and federal criminal liability if a corporation is cooking its books. Based on your testimony today Donald Trump Jr. and Alan Weiselberg Directed this payment to you and approved this. 163351 >> Mr. Trump initially acknowledged the obligation I was instructed by Allen at the time that we were going to do this over 12 installments. And what he decided to do then was to have me send an invoice. In which case they could have a check cut. Yes, the answer would be yes to your follow up. Mr. Khanna >> and Donald Trump Jr. obviously signed off on this? Mr. Cohen >> It would either be Eric Trump, Donald Trump Junior, and/or Allen Weisselberg. Always Allen Weisselberg on the check. Mr. Khanna >> And you think executive 2 is Donald Trump Jr.? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> They knew this payment were false and illegal, correct? 163430 Mr. Cohen >> I can't make that conclusion. Mr. Khanna >> You told representative Kelly that the president was aware of this scheme, is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Khanna >> I just want the American public to understand the explosive nature of this testimony. Are you telling us, Mr. Cohen, that the president directed in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr. As part of a civil criminal -- 163501 >> part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud. Is that your testimony today? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> And do you know if this criminal financial scheme that the president, Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump Jr. are involved in is being investigated by the southern district of New York? Mr. Cohen >> I would rather not discuss that question because it could be part of an investigation that's currently ongoing. Mr. Khanna >> But I just want to American public to understand that solely 163530 >> apart from Bob Mueller's investigation there is garden variety financial fraud and your allegation and the explosive smoking gun document suggests that the president, his son and his CFO may be involved in a criminal conspiracy and isn't it true, Mr. Cohen, that this criminal conspiracy that involved four people that there is only one person so far who suffered the repercussions and that's why you're there jail? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be going to jail, yes. 163558 Mr. Khanna >> The three other people though who are equally involved in this conspiracy, is that true? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. That's true. Mr. Khanna Thank you Mr. Cohen. I yield back my time. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Mr. Gomez Mr. Gomez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen, I'm going to tackle the president's tax returns. During the 2016 campaign you said you personally wouldn't, quote, allow to release those returns until the audits are over. Unquote. 163630 >> For the record nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax returns even while under audit by the IRS. Mr. Cohen, do you know whether President Trump's tax returns were really under audit in 2016? Mr. Cohen >> I don't flow the answer. I asked for a copy of the audit so that I could use it in terms of my statements to the press. I was never able to obtain one. 163659 Mr. Gomez >> Do you have any insight or knowledge about what was in the President's tax returns that he refused to release? Mr. Cohen >> I do not. Mr. Gomez >> Can you give us any insight into what the real reason is that the President has refused to release his tax returns? Mr. Cohen >> The statement that he said to me, was that what he didn't want was to have an entire group of think tanks that are tax experts run through his tax return and start ripping it to pieces and 163730 then he'll end up in an audit and he'll ultimately have taxable consequences, penalties and so on. Mr. Gomez >> So that's a point he said he didn't want to release his tax returns. He might end up in an audit. So could you presume from that statement that he wasn't under audit? Mr. Cohen >> I presume that he's not under audit. Mr. Gomez >> And the reason that I bring this up because I'm also the only Democrat on this committee that also serves on the Committee of Ways and Means. It's the Chief Tax Writing Committee in the House of Representatives. 163801 >> And it's the only committee in the House of Representatives that has jurisdiction to request an American's tax returns. And that includes the President of the United States. My constituents need to know whether the President has financial ties that are causing him to protect his own bottom line, rather than the best interests of this country. Can he be blackmailed because of his financial and business ventures? Including by foreign governments? And I know the opposition, the first thing they will ask or say 163830 >> is that he released his financial disclosure forms. But I believe that there are other things we can learn from his taxes. Do you have any idea what he can learn in his tax returns if we got our hands on them? Mr. Cohen >> No, I have actually - I have seen them I just have never gone through them. They are quite long. 163851 Mr. Gomez >> Quite long. One of the things I also find ironic is the way they're also attacking you as to undermine your credibility, is one of the ways, by saying that you committed bank fraud and tax evasion. 163902 >> And the reason why is a big deal, is that it really goes down to a person's character when it comes to taxes. But yet the Republican minority never asked to see his taxes. Something that for 40 years Democrats and Republicans alike have released their tax returns to prove to the American people that they didn't have financial interest that would be leverageable by a foreign government. 163926 >> This minority refuses to ask for his tax returns. I also want to kind of go on, I'm noticing a pattern. I'm noticing a pattern. About the president and those in his inner circle. Special Counsel Mueller has indicted or received guilty pleas from 24 people and 3 companies that we know of. The longest one being long term Trump advisor Roger Stone. 163954 >> It includes six former trump adviser. It appears that a president has a fondness for entrusting those who will one: lie for him, two, break the law for him, three, cheat the system for him. Essentially he wants to surround himself with people just like him. Would you agree with that statement? Mr. Cohen >> With the facts and circumstances, it appears so. Mr. Gomez >> Mr. Cohen, the American people have a lot of questions when it comes to this president to his conduct. When he went to Helsinki and he bowed before Putin and nobody could really understand why he acts the way he acts. We believe the way we gets those answers is looking at everybody that surrounds them, who he has been associated with and his tax returns. That's the only way we can get down to the bottom line. Thank you and I yield back. Mr. Meadow >> Mr. Chairman, I have a unanimous consent request. He begged me to give him a job in the administration. He is still lying under oath. I asked unanimous consent. I have one more from Bob Diddle. Getting sick watching these hearings I know Michael Cohen personally for many years. He told me several times he was very angry and upset he didn't get a post in the white house and that he would do what he has to do now no protect his family. Close quote, I ask that that be-- 164153 Mr. Jordan >> All right. I ask unanimous consent written in Salon Magazine by Stanley Bran former house counsel to Tip O'neill The title is oversight looks like an illegitimate show hearing. I asked unanimous consent that a letter requesting you call to testify at this hearing also be part of the record. Mr. Cohen >> Mr. Chairman, can I respond? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Just one second. The article. I want to deal with this one right away. We -- when we saw that article we knew it was inaccurate. just on basics. The case is that Mr. Brand are distinguishable what's going on here. We got former general counsel it is February 2019 and where are we? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Where are we? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez 164324 Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen I'd like to quickly pick up on some previous lines of questioning before getting into my own. So I may go a little quickly to get it all in in 5 minutes. First my colleague from Vermont had asked you several questions about AMI, the parent company of the national inquirer. And in that you mentioned a treasure trove, a quote, treasure trove of documents in David Pecker's office relating to information assembled from all these catch and kill operations against people who potentially had damaging information against the president. You also mentioned that the president was very concerned about the whereabouts of the documents and who possessed them. Does this treasure trove of documents still exist? 164406 Mr. Cohen >> I don't know. I asked had asked David pecker for them. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> So you would say the person who knows the whereabouts of these documents would be David pecker? Mr. Cohen >> David Pecker or Barry Levine or Dylan Howard. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >>Okay thank you. Secondly, I want to ask a little bit about your conversation about my colleague from Missouri about acid inflation. To your knowledge, did the president ever provide inflated assets to an insurance company? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who else knows that the president did this? 164436 Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg, Ron Leberman and Matthew Calamari Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And where would the committee find more information on this? Do you think we need to review his financial statements and his tax return in order to compare them? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. And you would find it at the trump org. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much, And the last thing here, the trump golf organization currently has a golf course in my home burrough of the bronx, Trump Links. I drive past it every day between going between the bronx and queens. 164508 In fact. The Washington post reported on the Trump Links Bronx course in an article entitled taxpayers built this New York golf course and trump reaps the rewards. That article is where many new yorkers learned that taxpayers spent $127 million to build Trump Links in a quote generous deal allowing president trump to keep almost every dollar that flows in on a golf course built with public funds. It doesn't seem to be the only time the president has benefitted at the expense of the public. 164543 Mr. Cohen, I want to ask you about your assertion that the president may have improperly devalued his assets to avoid paying taxes. According to an August 21st 2016 report by the Washington post where the president claimed in financial disclosure forms that trump national golf club in Florida was worth more than 50 million he had reported otherwise to local tax authorities that it was worth quote no more than 5 million. Mr. Cohen do you know whether this specific report is accurate? 164617 Mr. Cohen >> It is identical to what he did at Trump National Golf Club at Bryer Cliff Manner Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> To your knowledge was the president interested in reducing his local real estate bills? Tax bills? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> How did he do that? Mr. Cohen >> What you do is you deflate the value of the asset and then put in a request to the tax department for a deduction. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you. In October 2018 The New York Times revealed quote president trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s including instances of outright fraud that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents. 164658 It further statement from Mr. Trump quote he also formulated a strategy to undervalue his parent's real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns, sharply reducing his tax bill when those properties were transferred to him and his siblings. Mr. Cohen do you know whether that specific report is accurate? Mr. Cohen >> I don't. I wasn't there in the 1990's. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who would know the answers to those questions? Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And would it help for the committee to obtain federal and state tax returns from the president and his company to address that discrepancy. Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much. I yield the rest of my time to the chair. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >>Ms. Pressley 164746 Ms. Pressley >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. One more time, Mr. Chairman I want to thank you for your leadership and for the way which you comport yourself. I know there are some that would have you believe the more you say something the more true it is. But in fact this committee. thanks to democratic majority has been doing to work of the American people. Before this alone we looked at the issue of making election day a federal holiday, reducing drug pricing and pursued subpoenas to reunite families and recently before we returned here, tried to pass a universal background check gun bill. 164821 We are doing the business of the American people including today. It has been said that the best sunlight -- sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Let there be light. The point of oversight, is for us to pursue the trust, to pursue the truth and justice for the American people, to understand if lies, deceit and corruption are threatening American democracy and our safety. Mr. Chairman, charities should not be abused as personal piggy banks. It is against the law and extremely unfair to charities that play be the rules. A line of questioning that we have not yet addressed is that of the abuses of the Trump foundation. 164915 The President's charitable foundation agreed to dissolve in response to an ongoing investigation and lawsuit by the NY AG. The NY AG found clear and repeated violation of state and federal law.. In mid 2013, you arranged for a straw purchaser, paid 60,000 for a portrait of Mr. trump? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Pressley >> Why would the president want to bid at the price of something he was ultimately paying for? Mr. Cohen >> It's all about ego. Mr. Pressley >> How was it paid for? Mr. Cohen >> I believe it was paid for by a check from the trust. Mr. Pressley >> And abuse and again, you know, this is not a partisan pursuit here. I think we are demonstrating patriotism. Did they reimburse? Can you explain the mechanics of that payment? Mr. Cohen >> I'm not involved. Mr. Pressley >> Did the president know what was happening? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Pressley >> How did he know what was happening? 165028 COHEN >> He tasked me to find the straw bidder, to ensure that his painting which was going last in the auction would go for the highest amount of any of the paintings that have been on the auction block for the day. PRESSLEY>> What happened to the painting? COHEN>> I believe it's in one of the clubs. PRESSLEY>> According to the New York attorney general Mr. Trump used the foundation to pay $10,000 for the winning bid that ended up in one of his golf courses in Miami. Are you familiar with that transaction? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Are you aware of any other instances where the trump foundation was used to benefit the trump family? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Could you elaborate? 165110 COHEN>> There was a contract that I ended up creating on Mr. Trump's behalf. It was a Ukrainian oligarch by the name of Victor Plsik (?). It was that Mr. Trump was asked to come into participate what was the ukrainian American economic forum. I wasn't able to go. I was able to negotiate 15 minutes by Skype where they would have a camera very much like that one. They would translate Mr. Trump to the questioner and he would respond back. I negotiated a fee of $150,000 for 15 minutes. I was directed by Mr. Trump to have the contract done in the name of the Donald J. Trump foundation as opposed to Donald J. Trump or services rendered. PRESSLEY>> Thank you. Any other abuses of the foundation you would like to share? Again, it is against the law and extremely unfair to clarities playing by the rules. COHEN>> Not at this time. PRESSLEY>> And then for the balance of my time would you agree that someone could deny units to African Americans, lead the movement refer to to it as country and refer as fond people have a black friend and still be racist? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> I agree. >> Her time has expired. You play answer the question. >> Yes. >> I have two unanimous consent es since we are finishing up. I want to go ahead and -- 4:53:06 PM >> Give me one second. >> Yes, sir. >> I want today get to him and come to you. >> Okay. >>Ms Tlaib. >> Thank you for the committee on the sole purpose of exposing the truth. Some of my colleagues can handle the truth. They want criminal schemes to stop especially those from the oval office. We are upset that some of our colleagues are so disconnected of what it means to have the president sending checks to cover bribe payments you made on 4:54:07 PM his behalf. One in 2017 of March and another August 2017 after he was sworn in as president. They are upset while my colleagues are trying to discredit by some of your own unlawful acts and lies they are disconnected with the fact that you were the personal lawyer for this president and this president close you as his legal counsel. My stance has always been the same based on the facts not on future reports that we are all waiting on. My residents back home don't need a collusion cause with a foreign government to know this president has disregarded the law of the land, the united States constitution and he misused his pardon powers. Filed in December of last year they stated in particular and as Cohen himself has admitted with 4:55:12 PM respect to both payments he acted at the direction of individual one. Based on what we flow now is that he used his money and platform to enrich himself, his grant and in the process directed you. And you covered it up, correct? >> That's correct. >> Mr. Cohen, with this do you think the president of the United States is making decisions. They said you used horrible words about like Muslim Americans and immigrants? >> Yes. >> Just to make a note Mr. Chairman, just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they aren't racist. It is insensitive some would 4:56:14 PM even say it's the fact that someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee is alone racist in itself. >> Mr. Chairman I ask -- >> I reclaim my time. >> Setting a president -- >> Mr. Chairman the rules are clear -- >> Cover up and hold onto business assets to campaign finance laws. What we have here Mr. Chairman is criminal conduct and pursuit of the highest public office by Mr. Cohen and individual one. I hope that the gravity of this situation hits everybody in this body and across this body. Thank you. I yield the rest of my time. >> Mr. Chairman, I ask that her words which she is referring to an individual member of this body be taken down and stricken 4:57:15 PM from the record. I'm sure she didn't intend to do this. But if anyone knows my record as it relates it should be you, Mr. Chairman. >> I would like -- >> Hold on. >> I want the words read back. >> No. >> We want to know exactly what she said. >> Would you like to rephrase that statement? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I can actually read it from here. Just to make a note that just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they are racist. It is insensitive some would say it to use a black woman as a prop. I can submit this for the record if they are thinking that's what I'm saying. As a person of color that's how I felt at that moment and I 4:58:15 PM wanted to express that. I'm saying it is a racist act. >> I hope not. I need to be clear on this. >> Mr. Meadows. Wait a minute. >> I defended you. >> Mr. Meadows. I'm the chair. >> Yes, sir, you are. >> I will clear this up. >> Now, is it -- I want to make sure I understand. >> I'm trying as a person of color to express myself and how I felt at that moment. For the record that was my intention. >> Mr. Chairman, there's nothing more personal to me than my 4:59:16 PM relationship. My nieces and nephews are people of color. Not many people know that. You know that Mr. Chairman. To indicate that I asked someone who is a personal friend of the trump family who has worked for him, who knows this individual it is racist to suggest them to come in here for that reason. The president's own person, she is a family member Mr. Chairman, you and I have a personal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ve go down this direction is wrong, Mr. Chairman. >> I want to thank the gentleman for what you're saying. If there is anyone who is sensitive with regard to race it's me. So I get it. I listened very carefully. I think she said she was not calling you a racist. I thought that we could clarify that because Mr. Meadows you know of all of the people on this committee I have said it and got in trouble for it, that you're one of my best friends. I know that shocks a lot of 5:01:02 PM people. >> And likewise, Mr. Chairman. >> I could see and feel your pain. I feel it. And so -- and I don't think she intended to cause you that, that kind of pain and that kind of frustration. Did you have a statement? I will yield to you. >> And to my colleague that was not my intention. I do apologize if that's what it sounded like. I said someone in general. As everybody knows in this chamber I'm pretty direct. If I wanted to say that I would have but that's not what I said. Thank you Mr. Chairman for allowing many we to clarify. It was not referring to you at all as a racist. >> I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and working to clarify this. I appreciate the chairman 5:02:15 PM intervening. >> I knew the unanimous consent. I think I need to officially withdraw my request. >> You did it? >> I did. >> Okay. Sounds good. Now, I will recognize you for your unanimous consent. I think you want to put in records and documents. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. I ask that the la times article of July 16, 2018 actually be put in the record which outlines the $1.2 million statement. >> Without objection to order 5:03:16 PM any other unanimous consent requests? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to make Washington post profile of Michael Cohen part of the record. The story shows Cohen to be a selfish manipulator. >> So ordered. >> I ask unanimous consent to make the Washington post article south Korean firm paid him $150,000 as it saw as part of the record. I ask to make sentencing statement part of the record. It is a statement establishes 5:04:16 PM that Michael Cohen continues to falsely blame his crimes on blind loyalty to the president but only Cohen is to blame for as many false statements. I ask unanimous consent to make the CNN article part of the record. His accountant was required a lawyer in his sentencing memo. They sent him to blame tax evasion on his accountant. >> Without objection to order. >> Two more. >> To make February 26th, order filed by appellant division regarding disciplinary proceedings part of the record. This order which proactively applies starting February 28th establishes Cohen committed a serious crime and ceased being an attorney when he was convicted of lying to congress. >> Without objection so ordered. 5:05:30 PM The article describes a lawyer, Cohen recording his client, trump without the client's knowledge. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask consent to make the Huffington post article part of the record. It is a place for women that describe business oriented. >> Without objection so ordered. >> Thank you. >> I would ask to make the April 20th, 2018 article in mother Jones titled Michael Cohen said he he has never been the Prague part of the record. >> Without objection to order. >> Thank you, sir. >> Very well. 5:06:41 PM Mr. Cummings >> I have some closing remarks. Mr. Cohen >> I have some I would like to say myself. Is this appropriate time? >> Yes. Mr. Cohen >> I appreciate the opportunity to share some final thoughts. I knowledge I have made my own mistakes and I have owned up to them publicly and under oath but silence and complicity in the face of the daily destruction of the our basic norms and civility to one another will not be one of them. I did things and I acted improperly. I blindly followed his demands. My loyalty has cost me everything, my family's happiness, my law license, my company, my livelihood, my honor, my reputation and soon my freedom. I will not sit back and allow 5:07:43 PM him to do the same to the country. Given my experience working for President Trump I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. This is why I agreed to appear before you today. In closing I would like to say directly to the president we honor our veterans. You tell the truth even when it doesn't you. You respect the law and our incredible law enforcement agents. You don't Vil annize them. You don't disparage gold star families, prisoners of war and other heros who have the courage to fight for this country. You don't attack the media and those that question what you don't like or don't want them to say. You take responsibility for your own dirty deeds. You don't use your power to 5:08:44 PM destroy the credibility of those that speak out against you. You don't demonize those looking to America for a better life. You don't vilify people based on the god they pray to and you don't cuddle up to our adversaries at the expense of our allies. You don't shut down to appease your base. This behavior the office of the president and it simply is un-american. It's not you. So to those that support the president and his rhetoric as I once did, I pray the country doesn't make the same mistakes that I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying and I thank you for the additional time. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Jordan >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. 5:10:01 PM He said he never defraud any bank. He is going to prison for that very offense. Earlier he admitted to having consulted agreements with at least two foreign entities owned by foreign governments. He said to chairman Cummings that Donald Trump directed him and the trump organization to go book his officer and figure out how to make a $130,000 payment. 5:11:01 PM In his testimony he says Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds to avoidfully money being traced back to him that could negatively impact the campaign. In response to him paying to set up the fake Twitter account that he didn't direct the commission of that Twitter account. He says I didn't set that up and it was done by a young lady that works with the firm. He did asking them to set it up according to the owner of red finch. The attorneys with the southern district of New York stated that this was when canned about this they said I wouldn't call them liars but that statement is not accurate. Mr. Chairman, I think maybe more importantly is what we should have been doing 5:12:25 PM today. That's what we shoush focused on not this sad display the last several hours. It's not my words. You can take the words of former general counsel. I hope we learned some things here today. The first for the gentleman going to prison in two months for lying to congress. I don't think that's what we should be focused on. I yield back. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Cummings FINAL REMARKS 171249 >> You know, I sat here and listened to all of this. It's very painful. It's very painful. You made a lot of mistakes Mr. Cohen, and you admitted that. And one of the saddest parts of this whole thing is some very innocent people are hurting too and you acknowledged that. And that is your family. 171336 So You come here today. Deep in my heart --when I practice law I respect a lot of lawyers who got in trouble and you've come saying 'I had made my mistakes but now I want to change my life'. And you know, if we as a nation, did not give people an opportunity after they made mistakes to change their lives, a lot of people would not do very well. 171430 I don't know where you go from here. As I sat here and I listened to both sides, I just felt as is if -- and people are now using my wording that they took from my that they took from me that didn't give me any credit. We are better than this. We are so much -- we really are. As a country, we are so much better than this. You know, I told you -- and for some reason, Mr. Cohen I tell my children, I say when bad when bad things happen to you, do not ask the question why did it happen to me, ask the question buy did it happen for me. I don't know why this is happening for you. 171531 But my it's hope that a small part of it it is for our country to be better. If I hear you correctly it sounds like you're crying out for a new Normal for us getting back to Normal. It sounds to me like you want to make sure that our democracy stays in tact. The one meeting I had with Mr. Trump I said to him, the greatest gift that you and I Mr. President, can give to our children is making sure that sure that we give them a democracy that is in tact. 171619 And a better democracy than the one we came upon. I'm hoping that the things you've said today will help us get back there. I mean come on now, when you go according to WaPo our President has made at least 8,717 -- 8,718 false or misleading statements. That's stunning. That's not what we teach our children. I don't teach mine that. For whatever reason, sounds like you got caught up in it. 171701 You got caught up in it. You got caught up in it. And some kind of way, I hope that you will I know that it's painful to go to prison, I know it's gotta be painful being called a rat. A lot of people don't know the significance of that. But I live in the inner city of Baltimore and when you call somebody a rat, that's one of the worst things you can call them because in prison that means a snitch. 171738 I'm just saying. And so, president called you a rat. We're better than that! We really are. And i'm hoping that all of us can get back to this democracy that we want and that wwe should be passing to our children so that hey can do better than what we did. So you wonder whether people believe you- i don't know. I don't know whether they believe you but the fact is, that you've come, you have your head down and this is one of the hardest things that you could do. 171816 Let me tell you the picture that really really pained me? You were leaving the prison. You were leaving the courthouse and I guess it's your daughter had braces or something on. Man that thing, that thing hurt me. As a father of two daughters, it hurt me. [MICHAEL COHEN CRYING] I can imagine how it must feel for you. I'm just saying to you, I want to first of all thank you. I know that this has been hard. 171851 I know that you face a lot, I know that you are worried about your family, but is is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of this destiny, will lead to a better Michael Cohen. A better Donald Trump, a better United States of America and a better world. And I mean that from the depth of my heart. When we are dancing with the angels the question will be asked, in 2019 what did we do? 171940 To make sure we kept our democracy in tact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing? People come in here and say this is the first hearing. It is not the first hearing. The first hearing was with regard to prescription drugs. Remember, a little girl - a lady sat there. Her daughter, died because she could not get three hundred and 33 dollars a month in insulin. That was our first hearing. Second hearing, HR1 voting rights, corruption in government. Come on, now. We could do more than one thing. We have got to get back to Normal. With that this meeting is adjourned.

1600 COHEN HRG GOP ISO FS8 80 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HEARING: Michael Cohen, Former Attorney to President Donald Trump Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 10:00am Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 WITNESS: Michael Cohen Former Attorney for Donald Trump 162729 Mr. Cummings >> Mr. Cohen I want to finalize this issue in truth in testimony form. The form requires do you list your contracts or payments originating from a foreign government not from all foreign entities. We said we would give you to consult with your attorneys. Have you done that and do you have any additional information? 162800 Mr. Cohen >> My four attorneys continue to believe as they did before that the language of the truth in testimony forum which I was given and assigned to right before this hearing and which requires disclosure of any contracts or payments from foreign governments in the last two years did not apply to my work for bta bank which is Kasak owned entity. They advised that had entities been intended for disclosure, that word would have been in the disclosure definition. If the committee's counsel has a different view that I should disclose my contract with BTA bank, we would be willing to do that. >> Mr. Chairman? >> Let me finish. >> Sure. Mr. Cummings >> I want to understand clearly, you are -- you sought the advice, is that right? Mr. Cohen >> That's right. Mr. Cummings >> And counsel advised you to say what you just said, right? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Cummings >> And you know that to be the truth, right? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 162910 Mr. Meadows >> I thank the chairman for his courtesy. Instead of making points of order and going back and forth on this, perhaps the way to do this is to request he give to this committee all of the foreign payments that he has received over the last two years, whether they are an entity or government. We have strong believe there is over $900,000 that came from the government of Kazakhstan on behalf of Mr. Cohen. It is either the truth -- the whole truth or nothing but the truth. The rules look at foreign payments that come from or with foreign governments. The bank he is talking about is owned 81% by Kazakhstan the government. 163007 Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> reclaiming my time and then we're going to move on. First of all, let me be clear. I said to Mr. Cohen that if he came in here and lied I would nail him to the cross. Didn't I? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. You did more than once. Cummings: So if there's any ambiguity I want that to be cleared up. I have no problem working with you to make sure that's straightened out. I don't want him to think one thing and we think one thing. We can clear that up. We have other members that are waiting. Mr. Meadows >> on that subject, i don't think we should limit it to the BTA bank which has the affiliation with Kasakhstan, I thin kwe should look at Korea air space industries and any other client that's foreign that may have some connection to that respective country's gov't. I hope that his attorneys look at all those and we get the exactly right as Mr. Meadows wants. 163101 Mr. Cummings >> Reclaiming my time. We will take that certainly under advisement. I am a man of my word. We will work with you and see what we can do to come up with that. I don't think it's an unreasonable request. Mr. Khanna >> I want to focus my questions on the smoking gun document you have provided this committee. This document is compelling evidence of fed and state crimes including financial fraud. You provided this cmte with a check from president donald trump revocable trust account which is marked as marked as exhibit 5b. It is a check for $35,000 and it is dated March 17th, 2017 after the president took office. It is right now on the screen. Do you see it, sir? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 163154 Mr. Khanna >> To be clear the revocable trust is the trust the president set up to hold his assets after he became president. Is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Mr. Khanna >> Do you know why you were paid from the trust as opposed to the president's personal account? Mr. Cohen >> I don't know the answer to that. Mr. Khanna >> Did you think it was odd he paid you once and he is paying you through the scheme of a trust? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be honest, I was just happy to get the check. 163221 Mr. Khanna >> Today you testified that the check was signed by Don Jr and the Trump org CFO alan weiselberg, is that correct. Mr. Cohen >> that is correct. Mr. Khanna >> Acc to criminal charges against you you sent monthly invoices containing false info to an individual ID'd as exec 1. Weiselberg is exec 1, correct? Mr. Cohen >>yes Mr. Khanna The criminal charge against you then states that exec one forwarded your invoice to someone referred to as exec 2, presumably Don Jr was signing this chceck as exec 2. Correct? Mr. Cohen >>I believe so. 163302 Mr. Khanna >> payments like this check resulted in numerous false statements in the books of the trump org. This is financial fraud. It was disguised as a payment for legal services to you but this was not a payment for legal services, was it Mr. Cohen ? Mr. Cohen >> no sir. Mr. Khanna >> It could give rise to serious state and federal criminal liability if a corporation is cooking its books. Based on your testimony today Donald Trump Jr. and Alan Weiselberg Directed this payment to you and approved this. 163351 >> Mr. Trump initially acknowledged the obligation I was instructed by Allen at the time that we were going to do this over 12 installments. And what he decided to do then was to have me send an invoice. In which case they could have a check cut. Yes, the answer would be yes to your follow up. Mr. Khanna >> and Donald Trump Jr. obviously signed off on this? Mr. Cohen >> It would either be Eric Trump, Donald Trump Junior, and/or Allen Weisselberg. Always Allen Weisselberg on the check. Mr. Khanna >> And you think executive 2 is Donald Trump Jr.? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> They knew this payment were false and illegal, correct? 163430 Mr. Cohen >> I can't make that conclusion. Mr. Khanna >> You told representative Kelly that the president was aware of this scheme, is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Khanna >> I just want the American public to understand the explosive nature of this testimony. Are you telling us, Mr. Cohen, that the president directed in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr. As part of a civil criminal -- 163501 >> part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud. Is that your testimony today? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> And do you know if this criminal financial scheme that the president, Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump Jr. are involved in is being investigated by the southern district of New York? Mr. Cohen >> I would rather not discuss that question because it could be part of an investigation that's currently ongoing. Mr. Khanna >> But I just want to American public to understand that solely 163530 >> apart from Bob Mueller's investigation there is garden variety financial fraud and your allegation and the explosive smoking gun document suggests that the president, his son and his CFO may be involved in a criminal conspiracy and isn't it true, Mr. Cohen, that this criminal conspiracy that involved four people that there is only one person so far who suffered the repercussions and that's why you're there jail? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be going to jail, yes. 163558 Mr. Khanna >> The three other people though who are equally involved in this conspiracy, is that true? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. That's true. Mr. Khanna Thank you Mr. Cohen. I yield back my time. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Mr. Gomez Mr. Gomez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen, I'm going to tackle the president's tax returns. During the 2016 campaign you said you personally wouldn't, quote, allow to release those returns until the audits are over. Unquote. 163630 >> For the record nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax returns even while under audit by the IRS. Mr. Cohen, do you know whether President Trump's tax returns were really under audit in 2016? Mr. Cohen >> I don't flow the answer. I asked for a copy of the audit so that I could use it in terms of my statements to the press. I was never able to obtain one. 163659 Mr. Gomez >> Do you have any insight or knowledge about what was in the President's tax returns that he refused to release? Mr. Cohen >> I do not. Mr. Gomez >> Can you give us any insight into what the real reason is that the President has refused to release his tax returns? Mr. Cohen >> The statement that he said to me, was that what he didn't want was to have an entire group of think tanks that are tax experts run through his tax return and start ripping it to pieces and 163730 then he'll end up in an audit and he'll ultimately have taxable consequences, penalties and so on. Mr. Gomez >> So that's a point he said he didn't want to release his tax returns. He might end up in an audit. So could you presume from that statement that he wasn't under audit? Mr. Cohen >> I presume that he's not under audit. Mr. Gomez >> And the reason that I bring this up because I'm also the only Democrat on this committee that also serves on the Committee of Ways and Means. It's the Chief Tax Writing Committee in the House of Representatives. 163801 >> And it's the only committee in the House of Representatives that has jurisdiction to request an American's tax returns. And that includes the President of the United States. My constituents need to know whether the President has financial ties that are causing him to protect his own bottom line, rather than the best interests of this country. Can he be blackmailed because of his financial and business ventures? Including by foreign governments? And I know the opposition, the first thing they will ask or say 163830 >> is that he released his financial disclosure forms. But I believe that there are other things we can learn from his taxes. Do you have any idea what he can learn in his tax returns if we got our hands on them? Mr. Cohen >> No, I have actually - I have seen them I just have never gone through them. They are quite long. 163851 Mr. Gomez >> Quite long. One of the things I also find ironic is the way they're also attacking you as to undermine your credibility, is one of the ways, by saying that you committed bank fraud and tax evasion. 163902 >> And the reason why is a big deal, is that it really goes down to a person's character when it comes to taxes. But yet the Republican minority never asked to see his taxes. Something that for 40 years Democrats and Republicans alike have released their tax returns to prove to the American people that they didn't have financial interest that would be leverageable by a foreign government. 163926 >> This minority refuses to ask for his tax returns. I also want to kind of go on, I'm noticing a pattern. I'm noticing a pattern. About the president and those in his inner circle. Special Counsel Mueller has indicted or received guilty pleas from 24 people and 3 companies that we know of. The longest one being long term Trump advisor Roger Stone. 163954 >> It includes six former trump adviser. It appears that a president has a fondness for entrusting those who will one: lie for him, two, break the law for him, three, cheat the system for him. Essentially he wants to surround himself with people just like him. Would you agree with that statement? Mr. Cohen >> With the facts and circumstances, it appears so. Mr. Gomez >> Mr. Cohen, the American people have a lot of questions when it comes to this president to his conduct. When he went to Helsinki and he bowed before Putin and nobody could really understand why he acts the way he acts. We believe the way we gets those answers is looking at everybody that surrounds them, who he has been associated with and his tax returns. That's the only way we can get down to the bottom line. Thank you and I yield back. Mr. Meadow >> Mr. Chairman, I have a unanimous consent request. He begged me to give him a job in the administration. He is still lying under oath. I asked unanimous consent. I have one more from Bob Diddle. Getting sick watching these hearings I know Michael Cohen personally for many years. He told me several times he was very angry and upset he didn't get a post in the white house and that he would do what he has to do now no protect his family. Close quote, I ask that that be-- 164153 Mr. Jordan >> All right. I ask unanimous consent written in Salon Magazine by Stanley Bran former house counsel to Tip O'neill The title is oversight looks like an illegitimate show hearing. I asked unanimous consent that a letter requesting you call to testify at this hearing also be part of the record. Mr. Cohen >> Mr. Chairman, can I respond? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Just one second. The article. I want to deal with this one right away. We -- when we saw that article we knew it was inaccurate. just on basics. The case is that Mr. Brand are distinguishable what's going on here. We got former general counsel it is February 2019 and where are we? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Where are we? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez 164324 Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen I'd like to quickly pick up on some previous lines of questioning before getting into my own. So I may go a little quickly to get it all in in 5 minutes. First my colleague from Vermont had asked you several questions about AMI, the parent company of the national inquirer. And in that you mentioned a treasure trove, a quote, treasure trove of documents in David Pecker's office relating to information assembled from all these catch and kill operations against people who potentially had damaging information against the president. You also mentioned that the president was very concerned about the whereabouts of the documents and who possessed them. Does this treasure trove of documents still exist? 164406 Mr. Cohen >> I don't know. I asked had asked David pecker for them. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> So you would say the person who knows the whereabouts of these documents would be David pecker? Mr. Cohen >> David Pecker or Barry Levine or Dylan Howard. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >>Okay thank you. Secondly, I want to ask a little bit about your conversation about my colleague from Missouri about acid inflation. To your knowledge, did the president ever provide inflated assets to an insurance company? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who else knows that the president did this? 164436 Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg, Ron Leberman and Matthew Calamari Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And where would the committee find more information on this? Do you think we need to review his financial statements and his tax return in order to compare them? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. And you would find it at the trump org. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much, And the last thing here, the trump golf organization currently has a golf course in my home burrough of the bronx, Trump Links. I drive past it every day between going between the bronx and queens. 164508 In fact. The Washington post reported on the Trump Links Bronx course in an article entitled taxpayers built this New York golf course and trump reaps the rewards. That article is where many new yorkers learned that taxpayers spent $127 million to build Trump Links in a quote generous deal allowing president trump to keep almost every dollar that flows in on a golf course built with public funds. It doesn't seem to be the only time the president has benefitted at the expense of the public. 164543 Mr. Cohen, I want to ask you about your assertion that the president may have improperly devalued his assets to avoid paying taxes. According to an August 21st 2016 report by the Washington post where the president claimed in financial disclosure forms that trump national golf club in Florida was worth more than 50 million he had reported otherwise to local tax authorities that it was worth quote no more than 5 million. Mr. Cohen do you know whether this specific report is accurate? 164617 Mr. Cohen >> It is identical to what he did at Trump National Golf Club at Bryer Cliff Manner Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> To your knowledge was the president interested in reducing his local real estate bills? Tax bills? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> How did he do that? Mr. Cohen >> What you do is you deflate the value of the asset and then put in a request to the tax department for a deduction. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you. In October 2018 The New York Times revealed quote president trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s including instances of outright fraud that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents. 164658 It further statement from Mr. Trump quote he also formulated a strategy to undervalue his parent's real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns, sharply reducing his tax bill when those properties were transferred to him and his siblings. Mr. Cohen do you know whether that specific report is accurate? Mr. Cohen >> I don't. I wasn't there in the 1990's. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who would know the answers to those questions? Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And would it help for the committee to obtain federal and state tax returns from the president and his company to address that discrepancy. Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much. I yield the rest of my time to the chair. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >>Ms. Pressley 164746 Ms. Pressley >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. One more time, Mr. Chairman I want to thank you for your leadership and for the way which you comport yourself. I know there are some that would have you believe the more you say something the more true it is. But in fact this committee. thanks to democratic majority has been doing to work of the American people. Before this alone we looked at the issue of making election day a federal holiday, reducing drug pricing and pursued subpoenas to reunite families and recently before we returned here, tried to pass a universal background check gun bill. 164821 We are doing the business of the American people including today. It has been said that the best sunlight -- sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Let there be light. The point of oversight, is for us to pursue the trust, to pursue the truth and justice for the American people, to understand if lies, deceit and corruption are threatening American democracy and our safety. Mr. Chairman, charities should not be abused as personal piggy banks. It is against the law and extremely unfair to charities that play be the rules. A line of questioning that we have not yet addressed is that of the abuses of the Trump foundation. 164915 The President's charitable foundation agreed to dissolve in response to an ongoing investigation and lawsuit by the NY AG. The NY AG found clear and repeated violation of state and federal law.. In mid 2013, you arranged for a straw purchaser, paid 60,000 for a portrait of Mr. trump? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Pressley >> Why would the president want to bid at the price of something he was ultimately paying for? Mr. Cohen >> It's all about ego. Mr. Pressley >> How was it paid for? Mr. Cohen >> I believe it was paid for by a check from the trust. Mr. Pressley >> And abuse and again, you know, this is not a partisan pursuit here. I think we are demonstrating patriotism. Did they reimburse? Can you explain the mechanics of that payment? Mr. Cohen >> I'm not involved. Mr. Pressley >> Did the president know what was happening? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Pressley >> How did he know what was happening? 165028 COHEN >> He tasked me to find the straw bidder, to ensure that his painting which was going last in the auction would go for the highest amount of any of the paintings that have been on the auction block for the day. PRESSLEY>> What happened to the painting? COHEN>> I believe it's in one of the clubs. PRESSLEY>> According to the New York attorney general Mr. Trump used the foundation to pay $10,000 for the winning bid that ended up in one of his golf courses in Miami. Are you familiar with that transaction? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Are you aware of any other instances where the trump foundation was used to benefit the trump family? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Could you elaborate? 165110 COHEN>> There was a contract that I ended up creating on Mr. Trump's behalf. It was a Ukrainian oligarch by the name of Victor Plsik (?). It was that Mr. Trump was asked to come into participate what was the ukrainian American economic forum. I wasn't able to go. I was able to negotiate 15 minutes by Skype where they would have a camera very much like that one. They would translate Mr. Trump to the questioner and he would respond back. I negotiated a fee of $150,000 for 15 minutes. I was directed by Mr. Trump to have the contract done in the name of the Donald J. Trump foundation as opposed to Donald J. Trump or services rendered. PRESSLEY>> Thank you. Any other abuses of the foundation you would like to share? Again, it is against the law and extremely unfair to clarities playing by the rules. COHEN>> Not at this time. PRESSLEY>> And then for the balance of my time would you agree that someone could deny units to African Americans, lead the movement refer to to it as country and refer as fond people have a black friend and still be racist? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> I agree. >> Her time has expired. You play answer the question. >> Yes. >> I have two unanimous consent es since we are finishing up. I want to go ahead and -- 4:53:06 PM >> Give me one second. >> Yes, sir. >> I want today get to him and come to you. >> Okay. >>Ms Tlaib. >> Thank you for the committee on the sole purpose of exposing the truth. Some of my colleagues can handle the truth. They want criminal schemes to stop especially those from the oval office. We are upset that some of our colleagues are so disconnected of what it means to have the president sending checks to cover bribe payments you made on 4:54:07 PM his behalf. One in 2017 of March and another August 2017 after he was sworn in as president. They are upset while my colleagues are trying to discredit by some of your own unlawful acts and lies they are disconnected with the fact that you were the personal lawyer for this president and this president close you as his legal counsel. My stance has always been the same based on the facts not on future reports that we are all waiting on. My residents back home don't need a collusion cause with a foreign government to know this president has disregarded the law of the land, the united States constitution and he misused his pardon powers. Filed in December of last year they stated in particular and as Cohen himself has admitted with 4:55:12 PM respect to both payments he acted at the direction of individual one. Based on what we flow now is that he used his money and platform to enrich himself, his grant and in the process directed you. And you covered it up, correct? >> That's correct. >> Mr. Cohen, with this do you think the president of the United States is making decisions. They said you used horrible words about like Muslim Americans and immigrants? >> Yes. >> Just to make a note Mr. Chairman, just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they aren't racist. It is insensitive some would 4:56:14 PM even say it's the fact that someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee is alone racist in itself. >> Mr. Chairman I ask -- >> I reclaim my time. >> Setting a president -- >> Mr. Chairman the rules are clear -- >> Cover up and hold onto business assets to campaign finance laws. What we have here Mr. Chairman is criminal conduct and pursuit of the highest public office by Mr. Cohen and individual one. I hope that the gravity of this situation hits everybody in this body and across this body. Thank you. I yield the rest of my time. >> Mr. Chairman, I ask that her words which she is referring to an individual member of this body be taken down and stricken 4:57:15 PM from the record. I'm sure she didn't intend to do this. But if anyone knows my record as it relates it should be you, Mr. Chairman. >> I would like -- >> Hold on. >> I want the words read back. >> No. >> We want to know exactly what she said. >> Would you like to rephrase that statement? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I can actually read it from here. Just to make a note that just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they are racist. It is insensitive some would say it to use a black woman as a prop. I can submit this for the record if they are thinking that's what I'm saying. As a person of color that's how I felt at that moment and I 4:58:15 PM wanted to express that. I'm saying it is a racist act. >> I hope not. I need to be clear on this. >> Mr. Meadows. Wait a minute. >> I defended you. >> Mr. Meadows. I'm the chair. >> Yes, sir, you are. >> I will clear this up. >> Now, is it -- I want to make sure I understand. >> I'm trying as a person of color to express myself and how I felt at that moment. For the record that was my intention. >> Mr. Chairman, there's nothing more personal to me than my 4:59:16 PM relationship. My nieces and nephews are people of color. Not many people know that. You know that Mr. Chairman. To indicate that I asked someone who is a personal friend of the trump family who has worked for him, who knows this individual it is racist to suggest them to come in here for that reason. The president's own person, she is a family member Mr. Chairman, you and I have a personal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ve go down this direction is wrong, Mr. Chairman. >> I want to thank the gentleman for what you're saying. If there is anyone who is sensitive with regard to race it's me. So I get it. I listened very carefully. I think she said she was not calling you a racist. I thought that we could clarify that because Mr. Meadows you know of all of the people on this committee I have said it and got in trouble for it, that you're one of my best friends. I know that shocks a lot of 5:01:02 PM people. >> And likewise, Mr. Chairman. >> I could see and feel your pain. I feel it. And so -- and I don't think she intended to cause you that, that kind of pain and that kind of frustration. Did you have a statement? I will yield to you. >> And to my colleague that was not my intention. I do apologize if that's what it sounded like. I said someone in general. As everybody knows in this chamber I'm pretty direct. If I wanted to say that I would have but that's not what I said. Thank you Mr. Chairman for allowing many we to clarify. It was not referring to you at all as a racist. >> I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and working to clarify this. I appreciate the chairman 5:02:15 PM intervening. >> I knew the unanimous consent. I think I need to officially withdraw my request. >> You did it? >> I did. >> Okay. Sounds good. Now, I will recognize you for your unanimous consent. I think you want to put in records and documents. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. I ask that the la times article of July 16, 2018 actually be put in the record which outlines the $1.2 million statement. >> Without objection to order 5:03:16 PM any other unanimous consent requests? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to make Washington post profile of Michael Cohen part of the record. The story shows Cohen to be a selfish manipulator. >> So ordered. >> I ask unanimous consent to make the Washington post article south Korean firm paid him $150,000 as it saw as part of the record. I ask to make sentencing statement part of the record. It is a statement establishes 5:04:16 PM that Michael Cohen continues to falsely blame his crimes on blind loyalty to the president but only Cohen is to blame for as many false statements. I ask unanimous consent to make the CNN article part of the record. His accountant was required a lawyer in his sentencing memo. They sent him to blame tax evasion on his accountant. >> Without objection to order. >> Two more. >> To make February 26th, order filed by appellant division regarding disciplinary proceedings part of the record. This order which proactively applies starting February 28th establishes Cohen committed a serious crime and ceased being an attorney when he was convicted of lying to congress. >> Without objection so ordered. 5:05:30 PM The article describes a lawyer, Cohen recording his client, trump without the client's knowledge. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask consent to make the Huffington post article part of the record. It is a place for women that describe business oriented. >> Without objection so ordered. >> Thank you. >> I would ask to make the April 20th, 2018 article in mother Jones titled Michael Cohen said he he has never been the Prague part of the record. >> Without objection to order. >> Thank you, sir. >> Very well. 5:06:41 PM Mr. Cummings >> I have some closing remarks. Mr. Cohen >> I have some I would like to say myself. Is this appropriate time? >> Yes. Mr. Cohen >> I appreciate the opportunity to share some final thoughts. I knowledge I have made my own mistakes and I have owned up to them publicly and under oath but silence and complicity in the face of the daily destruction of the our basic norms and civility to one another will not be one of them. I did things and I acted improperly. I blindly followed his demands. My loyalty has cost me everything, my family's happiness, my law license, my company, my livelihood, my honor, my reputation and soon my freedom. I will not sit back and allow 5:07:43 PM him to do the same to the country. Given my experience working for President Trump I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. This is why I agreed to appear before you today. In closing I would like to say directly to the president we honor our veterans. You tell the truth even when it doesn't you. You respect the law and our incredible law enforcement agents. You don't Vil annize them. You don't disparage gold star families, prisoners of war and other heros who have the courage to fight for this country. You don't attack the media and those that question what you don't like or don't want them to say. You take responsibility for your own dirty deeds. You don't use your power to 5:08:44 PM destroy the credibility of those that speak out against you. You don't demonize those looking to America for a better life. You don't vilify people based on the god they pray to and you don't cuddle up to our adversaries at the expense of our allies. You don't shut down to appease your base. This behavior the office of the president and it simply is un-american. It's not you. So to those that support the president and his rhetoric as I once did, I pray the country doesn't make the same mistakes that I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying and I thank you for the additional time. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Jordan >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. 5:10:01 PM He said he never defraud any bank. He is going to prison for that very offense. Earlier he admitted to having consulted agreements with at least two foreign entities owned by foreign governments. He said to chairman Cummings that Donald Trump directed him and the trump organization to go book his officer and figure out how to make a $130,000 payment. 5:11:01 PM In his testimony he says Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds to avoidfully money being traced back to him that could negatively impact the campaign. In response to him paying to set up the fake Twitter account that he didn't direct the commission of that Twitter account. He says I didn't set that up and it was done by a young lady that works with the firm. He did asking them to set it up according to the owner of red finch. The attorneys with the southern district of New York stated that this was when canned about this they said I wouldn't call them liars but that statement is not accurate. Mr. Chairman, I think maybe more importantly is what we should have been doing 5:12:25 PM today. That's what we shoush focused on not this sad display the last several hours. It's not my words. You can take the words of former general counsel. I hope we learned some things here today. The first for the gentleman going to prison in two months for lying to congress. I don't think that's what we should be focused on. I yield back. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Cummings FINAL REMARKS 171249 >> You know, I sat here and listened to all of this. It's very painful. It's very painful. You made a lot of mistakes Mr. Cohen, and you admitted that. And one of the saddest parts of this whole thing is some very innocent people are hurting too and you acknowledged that. And that is your family. 171336 So You come here today. Deep in my heart --when I practice law I respect a lot of lawyers who got in trouble and you've come saying 'I had made my mistakes but now I want to change my life'. And you know, if we as a nation, did not give people an opportunity after they made mistakes to change their lives, a lot of people would not do very well. 171430 I don't know where you go from here. As I sat here and I listened to both sides, I just felt as is if -- and people are now using my wording that they took from my that they took from me that didn't give me any credit. We are better than this. We are so much -- we really are. As a country, we are so much better than this. You know, I told you -- and for some reason, Mr. Cohen I tell my children, I say when bad when bad things happen to you, do not ask the question why did it happen to me, ask the question buy did it happen for me. I don't know why this is happening for you. 171531 But my it's hope that a small part of it it is for our country to be better. If I hear you correctly it sounds like you're crying out for a new Normal for us getting back to Normal. It sounds to me like you want to make sure that our democracy stays in tact. The one meeting I had with Mr. Trump I said to him, the greatest gift that you and I Mr. President, can give to our children is making sure that sure that we give them a democracy that is in tact. 171619 And a better democracy than the one we came upon. I'm hoping that the things you've said today will help us get back there. I mean come on now, when you go according to WaPo our President has made at least 8,717 -- 8,718 false or misleading statements. That's stunning. That's not what we teach our children. I don't teach mine that. For whatever reason, sounds like you got caught up in it. 171701 You got caught up in it. You got caught up in it. And some kind of way, I hope that you will I know that it's painful to go to prison, I know it's gotta be painful being called a rat. A lot of people don't know the significance of that. But I live in the inner city of Baltimore and when you call somebody a rat, that's one of the worst things you can call them because in prison that means a snitch. 171738 I'm just saying. And so, president called you a rat. We're better than that! We really are. And i'm hoping that all of us can get back to this democracy that we want and that wwe should be passing to our children so that hey can do better than what we did. So you wonder whether people believe you- i don't know. I don't know whether they believe you but the fact is, that you've come, you have your head down and this is one of the hardest things that you could do. 171816 Let me tell you the picture that really really pained me? You were leaving the prison. You were leaving the courthouse and I guess it's your daughter had braces or something on. Man that thing, that thing hurt me. As a father of two daughters, it hurt me. [MICHAEL COHEN CRYING] I can imagine how it must feel for you. I'm just saying to you, I want to first of all thank you. I know that this has been hard. 171851 I know that you face a lot, I know that you are worried about your family, but is is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of this destiny, will lead to a better Michael Cohen. A better Donald Trump, a better United States of America and a better world. And I mean that from the depth of my heart. When we are dancing with the angels the question will be asked, in 2019 what did we do? 171940 To make sure we kept our democracy in tact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing? People come in here and say this is the first hearing. It is not the first hearing. The first hearing was with regard to prescription drugs. Remember, a little girl - a lady sat there. Her daughter, died because she could not get three hundred and 33 dollars a month in insulin. That was our first hearing. Second hearing, HR1 voting rights, corruption in government. Come on, now. We could do more than one thing. We have got to get back to Normal. With that this meeting is adjourned.

1600 COHEN HRG SWITCH FS10 82 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM HEARING: Michael Cohen, Former Attorney to President Donald Trump Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 10:00am Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 WITNESS: Michael Cohen Former Attorney for Donald Trump Michael Cohen Testifies Before House Oversight Committee 2/27/19 Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Committee about various investigations related to the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. 162729 Mr. Cummings >> Mr. Cohen I want to finalize this issue in truth in testimony form. The form requires do you list your contracts or payments originating from a foreign government not from all foreign entities. We said we would give you to consult with your attorneys. Have you done that and do you have any additional information? 162800 Mr. Cohen >> My four attorneys continue to believe as they did before that the language of the truth in testimony forum which I was given and assigned to right before this hearing and which requires disclosure of any contracts or payments from foreign governments in the last two years did not apply to my work for bta bank which is Kasak owned entity. They advised that had entities been intended for disclosure, that word would have been in the disclosure definition. If the committee's counsel has a different view that I should disclose my contract with BTA bank, we would be willing to do that. >> Mr. Chairman? >> Let me finish. >> Sure. Mr. Cummings >> I want to understand clearly, you are -- you sought the advice, is that right? Mr. Cohen >> That's right. Mr. Cummings >> And counsel advised you to say what you just said, right? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Cummings >> And you know that to be the truth, right? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 162910 Mr. Meadows >> I thank the chairman for his courtesy. Instead of making points of order and going back and forth on this, perhaps the way to do this is to request he give to this committee all of the foreign payments that he has received over the last two years, whether they are an entity or government. We have strong believe there is over $900,000 that came from the government of Kazakhstan on behalf of Mr. Cohen. It is either the truth -- the whole truth or nothing but the truth. The rules look at foreign payments that come from or with foreign governments. The bank he is talking about is owned 81% by Kazakhstan the government. 163007 Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> reclaiming my time and then we're going to move on. First of all, let me be clear. I said to Mr. Cohen that if he came in here and lied I would nail him to the cross. Didn't I? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. You did more than once. Cummings: So if there's any ambiguity I want that to be cleared up. I have no problem working with you to make sure that's straightened out. I don't want him to think one thing and we think one thing. We can clear that up. We have other members that are waiting. Mr. Meadows >> on that subject, i don't think we should limit it to the BTA bank which has the affiliation with Kasakhstan, I thin kwe should look at Korea air space industries and any other client that's foreign that may have some connection to that respective country's gov't. I hope that his attorneys look at all those and we get the exactly right as Mr. Meadows wants. 163101 Mr. Cummings >> Reclaiming my time. We will take that certainly under advisement. I am a man of my word. We will work with you and see what we can do to come up with that. I don't think it's an unreasonable request. Mr. Khanna >> I want to focus my questions on the smoking gun document you have provided this committee. This document is compelling evidence of fed and state crimes including financial fraud. You provided this cmte with a check from president donald trump revocable trust account which is marked as marked as exhibit 5b. It is a check for $35,000 and it is dated March 17th, 2017 after the president took office. It is right now on the screen. Do you see it, sir? Mr. Cohen >> Yes, sir. 163154 Mr. Khanna >> To be clear the revocable trust is the trust the president set up to hold his assets after he became president. Is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Mr. Khanna >> Do you know why you were paid from the trust as opposed to the president's personal account? Mr. Cohen >> I don't know the answer to that. Mr. Khanna >> Did you think it was odd he paid you once and he is paying you through the scheme of a trust? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be honest, I was just happy to get the check. 163221 Mr. Khanna >> Today you testified that the check was signed by Don Jr and the Trump org CFO alan weiselberg, is that correct. Mr. Cohen >> that is correct. Mr. Khanna >> Acc to criminal charges against you you sent monthly invoices containing false info to an individual ID'd as exec 1. Weiselberg is exec 1, correct? Mr. Cohen >>yes Mr. Khanna The criminal charge against you then states that exec one forwarded your invoice to someone referred to as exec 2, presumably Don Jr was signing this chceck as exec 2. Correct? Mr. Cohen >>I believe so. 163302 Mr. Khanna >> payments like this check resulted in numerous false statements in the books of the trump org. This is financial fraud. It was disguised as a payment for legal services to you but this was not a payment for legal services, was it Mr. Cohen ? Mr. Cohen >> no sir. Mr. Khanna >> It could give rise to serious state and federal criminal liability if a corporation is cooking its books. Based on your testimony today Donald Trump Jr. and Alan Weiselberg Directed this payment to you and approved this. 163351 >> Mr. Trump initially acknowledged the obligation I was instructed by Allen at the time that we were going to do this over 12 installments. And what he decided to do then was to have me send an invoice. In which case they could have a check cut. Yes, the answer would be yes to your follow up. Mr. Khanna >> and Donald Trump Jr. obviously signed off on this? Mr. Cohen >> It would either be Eric Trump, Donald Trump Junior, and/or Allen Weisselberg. Always Allen Weisselberg on the check. Mr. Khanna >> And you think executive 2 is Donald Trump Jr.? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> They knew this payment were false and illegal, correct? 163430 Mr. Cohen >> I can't make that conclusion. Mr. Khanna >> You told representative Kelly that the president was aware of this scheme, is that correct? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Khanna >> I just want the American public to understand the explosive nature of this testimony. Are you telling us, Mr. Cohen, that the president directed in conspiracy with Allen Weisselberg and his son, Donald Trump Jr. As part of a civil criminal -- 163501 >> part of a criminal conspiracy of financial fraud. Is that your testimony today? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Khanna >> And do you know if this criminal financial scheme that the president, Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump Jr. are involved in is being investigated by the southern district of New York? Mr. Cohen >> I would rather not discuss that question because it could be part of an investigation that's currently ongoing. Mr. Khanna >> But I just want to American public to understand that solely 163530 >> apart from Bob Mueller's investigation there is garden variety financial fraud and your allegation and the explosive smoking gun document suggests that the president, his son and his CFO may be involved in a criminal conspiracy and isn't it true, Mr. Cohen, that this criminal conspiracy that involved four people that there is only one person so far who suffered the repercussions and that's why you're there jail? Mr. Cohen >> I'll be going to jail, yes. 163558 Mr. Khanna >> The three other people though who are equally involved in this conspiracy, is that true? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. That's true. Mr. Khanna Thank you Mr. Cohen. I yield back my time. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Mr. Gomez Mr. Gomez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen, I'm going to tackle the president's tax returns. During the 2016 campaign you said you personally wouldn't, quote, allow to release those returns until the audits are over. Unquote. 163630 >> For the record nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax returns even while under audit by the IRS. Mr. Cohen, do you know whether President Trump's tax returns were really under audit in 2016? Mr. Cohen >> I don't flow the answer. I asked for a copy of the audit so that I could use it in terms of my statements to the press. I was never able to obtain one. 163659 Mr. Gomez >> Do you have any insight or knowledge about what was in the President's tax returns that he refused to release? Mr. Cohen >> I do not. Mr. Gomez >> Can you give us any insight into what the real reason is that the President has refused to release his tax returns? Mr. Cohen >> The statement that he said to me, was that what he didn't want was to have an entire group of think tanks that are tax experts run through his tax return and start ripping it to pieces and 163730 then he'll end up in an audit and he'll ultimately have taxable consequences, penalties and so on. Mr. Gomez >> So that's a point he said he didn't want to release his tax returns. He might end up in an audit. So could you presume from that statement that he wasn't under audit? Mr. Cohen >> I presume that he's not under audit. Mr. Gomez >> And the reason that I bring this up because I'm also the only Democrat on this committee that also serves on the Committee of Ways and Means. It's the Chief Tax Writing Committee in the House of Representatives. 163801 >> And it's the only committee in the House of Representatives that has jurisdiction to request an American's tax returns. And that includes the President of the United States. My constituents need to know whether the President has financial ties that are causing him to protect his own bottom line, rather than the best interests of this country. Can he be blackmailed because of his financial and business ventures? Including by foreign governments? And I know the opposition, the first thing they will ask or say 163830 >> is that he released his financial disclosure forms. But I believe that there are other things we can learn from his taxes. Do you have any idea what he can learn in his tax returns if we got our hands on them? Mr. Cohen >> No, I have actually - I have seen them I just have never gone through them. They are quite long. 163851 Mr. Gomez >> Quite long. One of the things I also find ironic is the way they're also attacking you as to undermine your credibility, is one of the ways, by saying that you committed bank fraud and tax evasion. 163902 >> And the reason why is a big deal, is that it really goes down to a person's character when it comes to taxes. But yet the Republican minority never asked to see his taxes. Something that for 40 years Democrats and Republicans alike have released their tax returns to prove to the American people that they didn't have financial interest that would be leverageable by a foreign government. 163926 >> This minority refuses to ask for his tax returns. I also want to kind of go on, I'm noticing a pattern. I'm noticing a pattern. About the president and those in his inner circle. Special Counsel Mueller has indicted or received guilty pleas from 24 people and 3 companies that we know of. The longest one being long term Trump advisor Roger Stone. 163954 >> It includes six former trump adviser. It appears that a president has a fondness for entrusting those who will one: lie for him, two, break the law for him, three, cheat the system for him. Essentially he wants to surround himself with people just like him. Would you agree with that statement? Mr. Cohen >> With the facts and circumstances, it appears so. Mr. Gomez >> Mr. Cohen, the American people have a lot of questions when it comes to this president to his conduct. When he went to Helsinki and he bowed before Putin and nobody could really understand why he acts the way he acts. We believe the way we gets those answers is looking at everybody that surrounds them, who he has been associated with and his tax returns. That's the only way we can get down to the bottom line. Thank you and I yield back. Mr. Meadow >> Mr. Chairman, I have a unanimous consent request. He begged me to give him a job in the administration. He is still lying under oath. I asked unanimous consent. I have one more from Bob Diddle. Getting sick watching these hearings I know Michael Cohen personally for many years. He told me several times he was very angry and upset he didn't get a post in the white house and that he would do what he has to do now no protect his family. Close quote, I ask that that be-- 164153 Mr. Jordan >> All right. I ask unanimous consent written in Salon Magazine by Stanley Bran former house counsel to Tip O'neill The title is oversight looks like an illegitimate show hearing. I asked unanimous consent that a letter requesting you call to testify at this hearing also be part of the record. Mr. Cohen >> Mr. Chairman, can I respond? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Just one second. The article. I want to deal with this one right away. We -- when we saw that article we knew it was inaccurate. just on basics. The case is that Mr. Brand are distinguishable what's going on here. We got former general counsel it is February 2019 and where are we? Mr. Cummings, Chairman >> Where are we? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez 164324 Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Cohen I'd like to quickly pick up on some previous lines of questioning before getting into my own. So I may go a little quickly to get it all in in 5 minutes. First my colleague from Vermont had asked you several questions about AMI, the parent company of the national inquirer. And in that you mentioned a treasure trove, a quote, treasure trove of documents in David Pecker's office relating to information assembled from all these catch and kill operations against people who potentially had damaging information against the president. You also mentioned that the president was very concerned about the whereabouts of the documents and who possessed them. Does this treasure trove of documents still exist? 164406 Mr. Cohen >> I don't know. I asked had asked David pecker for them. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> So you would say the person who knows the whereabouts of these documents would be David pecker? Mr. Cohen >> David Pecker or Barry Levine or Dylan Howard. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >>Okay thank you. Secondly, I want to ask a little bit about your conversation about my colleague from Missouri about acid inflation. To your knowledge, did the president ever provide inflated assets to an insurance company? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who else knows that the president did this? 164436 Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg, Ron Leberman and Matthew Calamari Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And where would the committee find more information on this? Do you think we need to review his financial statements and his tax return in order to compare them? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. And you would find it at the trump org. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much, And the last thing here, the trump golf organization currently has a golf course in my home burrough of the bronx, Trump Links. I drive past it every day between going between the bronx and queens. 164508 In fact. The Washington post reported on the Trump Links Bronx course in an article entitled taxpayers built this New York golf course and trump reaps the rewards. That article is where many new yorkers learned that taxpayers spent $127 million to build Trump Links in a quote generous deal allowing president trump to keep almost every dollar that flows in on a golf course built with public funds. It doesn't seem to be the only time the president has benefitted at the expense of the public. 164543 Mr. Cohen, I want to ask you about your assertion that the president may have improperly devalued his assets to avoid paying taxes. According to an August 21st 2016 report by the Washington post where the president claimed in financial disclosure forms that trump national golf club in Florida was worth more than 50 million he had reported otherwise to local tax authorities that it was worth quote no more than 5 million. Mr. Cohen do you know whether this specific report is accurate? 164617 Mr. Cohen >> It is identical to what he did at Trump National Golf Club at Bryer Cliff Manner Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> To your knowledge was the president interested in reducing his local real estate bills? Tax bills? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> How did he do that? Mr. Cohen >> What you do is you deflate the value of the asset and then put in a request to the tax department for a deduction. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you. In October 2018 The New York Times revealed quote president trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s including instances of outright fraud that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents. 164658 It further statement from Mr. Trump quote he also formulated a strategy to undervalue his parent's real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns, sharply reducing his tax bill when those properties were transferred to him and his siblings. Mr. Cohen do you know whether that specific report is accurate? Mr. Cohen >> I don't. I wasn't there in the 1990's. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Who would know the answers to those questions? Mr. Cohen >> Allen Weisselburg Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> And would it help for the committee to obtain federal and state tax returns from the president and his company to address that discrepancy. Mr. Cohen >> I believe so. Ms. Ocasio Cortez >> Thank you very much. I yield the rest of my time to the chair. Mr. Cummings, Chairman >>Ms. Pressley 164746 Ms. Pressley >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. One more time, Mr. Chairman I want to thank you for your leadership and for the way which you comport yourself. I know there are some that would have you believe the more you say something the more true it is. But in fact this committee. thanks to democratic majority has been doing to work of the American people. Before this alone we looked at the issue of making election day a federal holiday, reducing drug pricing and pursued subpoenas to reunite families and recently before we returned here, tried to pass a universal background check gun bill. 164821 We are doing the business of the American people including today. It has been said that the best sunlight -- sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. Let there be light. The point of oversight, is for us to pursue the trust, to pursue the truth and justice for the American people, to understand if lies, deceit and corruption are threatening American democracy and our safety. Mr. Chairman, charities should not be abused as personal piggy banks. It is against the law and extremely unfair to charities that play be the rules. A line of questioning that we have not yet addressed is that of the abuses of the Trump foundation. 164915 The President's charitable foundation agreed to dissolve in response to an ongoing investigation and lawsuit by the NY AG. The NY AG found clear and repeated violation of state and federal law.. In mid 2013, you arranged for a straw purchaser, paid 60,000 for a portrait of Mr. trump? Mr. Cohen >> That's correct. Mr. Pressley >> Why would the president want to bid at the price of something he was ultimately paying for? Mr. Cohen >> It's all about ego. Mr. Pressley >> How was it paid for? Mr. Cohen >> I believe it was paid for by a check from the trust. Mr. Pressley >> And abuse and again, you know, this is not a partisan pursuit here. I think we are demonstrating patriotism. Did they reimburse? Can you explain the mechanics of that payment? Mr. Cohen >> I'm not involved. Mr. Pressley >> Did the president know what was happening? Mr. Cohen >> Yes. Mr. Pressley >> How did he know what was happening? 165028 COHEN >> He tasked me to find the straw bidder, to ensure that his painting which was going last in the auction would go for the highest amount of any of the paintings that have been on the auction block for the day. PRESSLEY>> What happened to the painting? COHEN>> I believe it's in one of the clubs. PRESSLEY>> According to the New York attorney general Mr. Trump used the foundation to pay $10,000 for the winning bid that ended up in one of his golf courses in Miami. Are you familiar with that transaction? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Are you aware of any other instances where the trump foundation was used to benefit the trump family? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> Could you elaborate? 165110 COHEN>> There was a contract that I ended up creating on Mr. Trump's behalf. It was a Ukrainian oligarch by the name of Victor Plsik (?). It was that Mr. Trump was asked to come into participate what was the ukrainian American economic forum. I wasn't able to go. I was able to negotiate 15 minutes by Skype where they would have a camera very much like that one. They would translate Mr. Trump to the questioner and he would respond back. I negotiated a fee of $150,000 for 15 minutes. I was directed by Mr. Trump to have the contract done in the name of the Donald J. Trump foundation as opposed to Donald J. Trump or services rendered. PRESSLEY>> Thank you. Any other abuses of the foundation you would like to share? Again, it is against the law and extremely unfair to clarities playing by the rules. COHEN>> Not at this time. PRESSLEY>> And then for the balance of my time would you agree that someone could deny units to African Americans, lead the movement refer to to it as country and refer as fond people have a black friend and still be racist? COHEN>> Yes. PRESSLEY>> I agree. >> Her time has expired. You play answer the question. >> Yes. >> I have two unanimous consent es since we are finishing up. I want to go ahead and -- 4:53:06 PM >> Give me one second. >> Yes, sir. >> I want today get to him and come to you. >> Okay. >>Ms Tlaib. >> Thank you for the committee on the sole purpose of exposing the truth. Some of my colleagues can handle the truth. They want criminal schemes to stop especially those from the oval office. We are upset that some of our colleagues are so disconnected of what it means to have the president sending checks to cover bribe payments you made on 4:54:07 PM his behalf. One in 2017 of March and another August 2017 after he was sworn in as president. They are upset while my colleagues are trying to discredit by some of your own unlawful acts and lies they are disconnected with the fact that you were the personal lawyer for this president and this president close you as his legal counsel. My stance has always been the same based on the facts not on future reports that we are all waiting on. My residents back home don't need a collusion cause with a foreign government to know this president has disregarded the law of the land, the united States constitution and he misused his pardon powers. Filed in December of last year they stated in particular and as Cohen himself has admitted with 4:55:12 PM respect to both payments he acted at the direction of individual one. Based on what we flow now is that he used his money and platform to enrich himself, his grant and in the process directed you. And you covered it up, correct? >> That's correct. >> Mr. Cohen, with this do you think the president of the United States is making decisions. They said you used horrible words about like Muslim Americans and immigrants? >> Yes. >> Just to make a note Mr. Chairman, just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they aren't racist. It is insensitive some would 4:56:14 PM even say it's the fact that someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee is alone racist in itself. >> Mr. Chairman I ask -- >> I reclaim my time. >> Setting a president -- >> Mr. Chairman the rules are clear -- >> Cover up and hold onto business assets to campaign finance laws. What we have here Mr. Chairman is criminal conduct and pursuit of the highest public office by Mr. Cohen and individual one. I hope that the gravity of this situation hits everybody in this body and across this body. Thank you. I yield the rest of my time. >> Mr. Chairman, I ask that her words which she is referring to an individual member of this body be taken down and stricken 4:57:15 PM from the record. I'm sure she didn't intend to do this. But if anyone knows my record as it relates it should be you, Mr. Chairman. >> I would like -- >> Hold on. >> I want the words read back. >> No. >> We want to know exactly what she said. >> Would you like to rephrase that statement? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I can actually read it from here. Just to make a note that just because someone has a person of color, a black person working for them does not mean they are racist. It is insensitive some would say it to use a black woman as a prop. I can submit this for the record if they are thinking that's what I'm saying. As a person of color that's how I felt at that moment and I 4:58:15 PM wanted to express that. I'm saying it is a racist act. >> I hope not. I need to be clear on this. >> Mr. Meadows. Wait a minute. >> I defended you. >> Mr. Meadows. I'm the chair. >> Yes, sir, you are. >> I will clear this up. >> Now, is it -- I want to make sure I understand. >> I'm trying as a person of color to express myself and how I felt at that moment. For the record that was my intention. >> Mr. Chairman, there's nothing more personal to me than my 4:59:16 PM relationship. My nieces and nephews are people of color. Not many people know that. You know that Mr. Chairman. To indicate that I asked someone who is a personal friend of the trump family who has worked for him, who knows this individual it is racist to suggest them to come in here for that reason. The president's own person, she is a family member Mr. Chairman, you and I have a personal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ve go down this direction is wrong, Mr. Chairman. >> I want to thank the gentleman for what you're saying. If there is anyone who is sensitive with regard to race it's me. So I get it. I listened very carefully. I think she said she was not calling you a racist. I thought that we could clarify that because Mr. Meadows you know of all of the people on this committee I have said it and got in trouble for it, that you're one of my best friends. I know that shocks a lot of 5:01:02 PM people. >> And likewise, Mr. Chairman. >> I could see and feel your pain. I feel it. And so -- and I don't think she intended to cause you that, that kind of pain and that kind of frustration. Did you have a statement? I will yield to you. >> And to my colleague that was not my intention. I do apologize if that's what it sounded like. I said someone in general. As everybody knows in this chamber I'm pretty direct. If I wanted to say that I would have but that's not what I said. Thank you Mr. Chairman for allowing many we to clarify. It was not referring to you at all as a racist. >> I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and working to clarify this. I appreciate the chairman 5:02:15 PM intervening. >> I knew the unanimous consent. I think I need to officially withdraw my request. >> You did it? >> I did. >> Okay. Sounds good. Now, I will recognize you for your unanimous consent. I think you want to put in records and documents. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. I ask that the la times article of July 16, 2018 actually be put in the record which outlines the $1.2 million statement. >> Without objection to order 5:03:16 PM any other unanimous consent requests? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I ask unanimous consent to make Washington post profile of Michael Cohen part of the record. The story shows Cohen to be a selfish manipulator. >> So ordered. >> I ask unanimous consent to make the Washington post article south Korean firm paid him $150,000 as it saw as part of the record. I ask to make sentencing statement part of the record. It is a statement establishes 5:04:16 PM that Michael Cohen continues to falsely blame his crimes on blind loyalty to the president but only Cohen is to blame for as many false statements. I ask unanimous consent to make the CNN article part of the record. His accountant was required a lawyer in his sentencing memo. They sent him to blame tax evasion on his accountant. >> Without objection to order. >> Two more. >> To make February 26th, order filed by appellant division regarding disciplinary proceedings part of the record. This order which proactively applies starting February 28th establishes Cohen committed a serious crime and ceased being an attorney when he was convicted of lying to congress. >> Without objection so ordered. 5:05:30 PM The article describes a lawyer, Cohen recording his client, trump without the client's knowledge. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I ask consent to make the Huffington post article part of the record. It is a place for women that describe business oriented. >> Without objection so ordered. >> Thank you. >> I would ask to make the April 20th, 2018 article in mother Jones titled Michael Cohen said he he has never been the Prague part of the record. >> Without objection to order. >> Thank you, sir. >> Very well. 5:06:41 PM Mr. Cummings >> I have some closing remarks. Mr. Cohen >> I have some I would like to say myself. Is this appropriate time? >> Yes. Mr. Cohen >> I appreciate the opportunity to share some final thoughts. I knowledge I have made my own mistakes and I have owned up to them publicly and under oath but silence and complicity in the face of the daily destruction of the our basic norms and civility to one another will not be one of them. I did things and I acted improperly. I blindly followed his demands. My loyalty has cost me everything, my family's happiness, my law license, my company, my livelihood, my honor, my reputation and soon my freedom. I will not sit back and allow 5:07:43 PM him to do the same to the country. Given my experience working for President Trump I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. This is why I agreed to appear before you today. In closing I would like to say directly to the president we honor our veterans. You tell the truth even when it doesn't you. You respect the law and our incredible law enforcement agents. You don't Vil annize them. You don't disparage gold star families, prisoners of war and other heros who have the courage to fight for this country. You don't attack the media and those that question what you don't like or don't want them to say. You take responsibility for your own dirty deeds. You don't use your power to 5:08:44 PM destroy the credibility of those that speak out against you. You don't demonize those looking to America for a better life. You don't vilify people based on the god they pray to and you don't cuddle up to our adversaries at the expense of our allies. You don't shut down to appease your base. This behavior the office of the president and it simply is un-american. It's not you. So to those that support the president and his rhetoric as I once did, I pray the country doesn't make the same mistakes that I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying and I thank you for the additional time. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Jordan >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. 5:10:01 PM He said he never defraud any bank. He is going to prison for that very offense. Earlier he admitted to having consulted agreements with at least two foreign entities owned by foreign governments. He said to chairman Cummings that Donald Trump directed him and the trump organization to go book his officer and figure out how to make a $130,000 payment. 5:11:01 PM In his testimony he says Mr. Trump directed me to use my own personal funds to avoidfully money being traced back to him that could negatively impact the campaign. In response to him paying to set up the fake Twitter account that he didn't direct the commission of that Twitter account. He says I didn't set that up and it was done by a young lady that works with the firm. He did asking them to set it up according to the owner of red finch. The attorneys with the southern district of New York stated that this was when canned about this they said I wouldn't call them liars but that statement is not accurate. Mr. Chairman, I think maybe more importantly is what we should have been doing 5:12:25 PM today. That's what we shoush focused on not this sad display the last several hours. It's not my words. You can take the words of former general counsel. I hope we learned some things here today. The first for the gentleman going to prison in two months for lying to congress. I don't think that's what we should be focused on. I yield back. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Cummings FINAL REMARKS 171249 >> You know, I sat here and listened to all of this. It's very painful. It's very painful. You made a lot of mistakes Mr. Cohen, and you admitted that. And one of the saddest parts of this whole thing is some very innocent people are hurting too and you acknowledged that. And that is your family. 171336 So You come here today. Deep in my heart --when I practice law I respect a lot of lawyers who got in trouble and you've come saying 'I had made my mistakes but now I want to change my life'. And you know, if we as a nation, did not give people an opportunity after they made mistakes to change their lives, a lot of people would not do very well. 171430 I don't know where you go from here. As I sat here and I listened to both sides, I just felt as is if -- and people are now using my wording that they took from my that they took from me that didn't give me any credit. We are better than this. We are so much -- we really are. As a country, we are so much better than this. You know, I told you -- and for some reason, Mr. Cohen I tell my children, I say when bad when bad things happen to you, do not ask the question why did it happen to me, ask the question buy did it happen for me. I don't know why this is happening for you. 171531 But my it's hope that a small part of it it is for our country to be better. If I hear you correctly it sounds like you're crying out for a new Normal for us getting back to Normal. It sounds to me like you want to make sure that our democracy stays in tact. The one meeting I had with Mr. Trump I said to him, the greatest gift that you and I Mr. President, can give to our children is making sure that sure that we give them a democracy that is in tact. 171619 And a better democracy than the one we came upon. I'm hoping that the things you've said today will help us get back there. I mean come on now, when you go according to WaPo our President has made at least 8,717 -- 8,718 false or misleading statements. That's stunning. That's not what we teach our children. I don't teach mine that. For whatever reason, sounds like you got caught up in it. 171701 You got caught up in it. You got caught up in it. And some kind of way, I hope that you will I know that it's painful to go to prison, I know it's gotta be painful being called a rat. A lot of people don't know the significance of that. But I live in the inner city of Baltimore and when you call somebody a rat, that's one of the worst things you can call them because in prison that means a snitch. 171738 I'm just saying. And so, president called you a rat. We're better than that! We really are. And i'm hoping that all of us can get back to this democracy that we want and that wwe should be passing to our children so that hey can do better than what we did. So you wonder whether people believe you- i don't know. I don't know whether they believe you but the fact is, that you've come, you have your head down and this is one of the hardest things that you could do. 171816 Let me tell you the picture that really really pained me? You were leaving the prison. You were leaving the courthouse and I guess it's your daughter had braces or something on. Man that thing, that thing hurt me. As a father of two daughters, it hurt me. [MICHAEL COHEN CRYING] I can imagine how it must feel for you. I'm just saying to you, I want to first of all thank you. I know that this has been hard. 171851 I know that you face a lot, I know that you are worried about your family, but is is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of this destiny, will lead to a better Michael Cohen. A better Donald Trump, a better United States of America and a better world. And I mean that from the depth of my heart. When we are dancing with the angels the question will be asked, in 2019 what did we do? 171940 To make sure we kept our democracy in tact? Did we stand on the sidelines and say nothing? People come in here and say this is the first hearing. It is not the first hearing. The first hearing was with regard to prescription drugs. Remember, a little girl - a lady sat there. Her daughter, died because she could not get three hundred and 33 dollars a month in insulin. That was our first hearing. Second hearing, HR1 voting rights, corruption in government. Come on, now. We could do more than one thing. We have got to get back to Normal. With that this meeting is adjourned.

TVU 22 BETO OROURKE PITTSBURGH PA TOWN HALL ABC UNI 092519 2020 120607 Hey. how's everybody doing? Good to see you. Thank you, first of all, thank you Grace for helping organize this for bringing so many good people together on such a beautiful day, under such a beautiful sky as we walked over here. So many people so kind, so warm to us. 120629 This guy in a black sabbath t-shirt yelling out "Hey Beto" as we came in. Another guy gave me a plastic pumpkin that I will treasure forever (crowd laughs) I just met Trudy the 2 year old dog who gave me a big kiss as I came in. Maybe the best part of the day so far. And then all of you being here in this extraordinarily beautiful community. The last time I was here was 25 years ago and at that time I was living in Brooklyn New York. 120702 And the night before I came here I was at a bar and having a couple of beers, saw an old friend who was from Pittsburgh and had gone to school with me in New York and asked her what she was up to and she said, Well, tomorrow I'm moving back to Pittsburgh, I'm packing up everything in my apartment and I'm going back home. 120724 And I said, Well, who's helping you out? And she said well, really no one, I'm gonna do this by myself. And so you know, here we are a couple of beers into the night and I gallantly volunteered my services and the services of my unassuming, defenseless friend sitting next to me. And so bright and early the next day we wake up remembering that we made this commitment to come to Pittsburgh and to drive in this rental UHaul truck to come here. 120756 A city I've never been to, and frankly, not a city that I had a very positive impression of. I mean, the things that I had heard about Pittsburgh and remember, Texas is the home of the Dallas Cowboys Okay, so, and the way that I felt about Pittsburgh, maybe not, to be honest with you and frank and candid maybe not the most positive feelings in the world. We get in the truck wiht all the equipment after we've loaded it in, all the furniture and we make the drive, I don't know what it is, five hours or more to -- six hours. 120831 We were young and we were driving fast. So, and we come into the outskirts of the city, and it is, it is just devastatingly beautiful. I come from the Chihuahuan desert in El Paso Texas, which is -- (lady in crowd screams, crowd laughs) -- and all 1 of you know what I'm talking about. 120854 It is beautiful in its own right, we're in the Rocky Mountains in the Mountain West where the only city in the state of Texas that's in the mountain time zone. We are closer to Chihuahua city or Santa Fe, New Mexico, or Phoenix Arizona than we are so our own state capitol in Austin, Texas. But coming into this community, so green, beautiful hills, stately homes, and just really kind people. And then all this water and these rivers and these bridges and this fierce pride that exists in Pittsburgh, as we got to meet people in the community was really inspiring. 120931 Very cool, and driving in last night, we have been yesterday in Cincinnati and in Dayton, and in Columbus, and after being at Ohio State we drove here to Pittsburgh, and it was that same feeling. I'd over those 25 years, just how beautiful this city is and we saw it again this morning in the people that we've met with so far. 120954 And I got to tell you, it binds us together, the people of Pittsburgh, and the people of El Paso my city is one perhaps not unlike the way some feel or traditionally have felt about Pittsburgh. Where you don't know the real beauty, the real magic. The true secret of our community. This, this mountain, Chiuauan desert city, that is connected not divided by the Rio Grande River with Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico forming the largest bi-national community in the Western Hemisphere. There are 3 million of us speaking two languages, who come from two countries two histories, two cultures, who are joined to form something far greater and bigger than the sum of the parts or the people involved. 121041 The first night of the first date that I ever had with my wife, which was a blind date. This was 15 years ago before Tinder was invented so we didn't, we didn't have the chance to scope each other out, or to swipe left or right. I took her over to Ciudad Juarez. She wasn't from El Paso, to the Kentucky club where the Margarita was invented, walked down Avanida (?) Juarez over to the mission of Guadalupe which has been there for 330 years. 121106 And we took in the sights and the sounds and the smells and the people dancing and just being out and living their lives, and I could see, Amy, getting what was so magical about El Paso and Juarez, and our community, maybe not unlike me coming to Pittsburgh and seeing the magic here and 14 years later we actually celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary yesterday. 121130 3 kids, Ulysses and Molly and Henry, who are 12, 11, and eight years old. All of them are going to schools in el Paso. The same schools I went to, schools where they're learning math today in English. Tomorrow they'll be learning math in Spanish, their entire curriculum and education and life is dual language. Making the most of that bi-national community where before that might have been a mark of shame, right? 121159 Something that we were defensive for, apologized for. If you were speaking Spanish in the halls of Mesita, the school that my son Henry goes to, you might be disciplined, keep it up you might be suspended. Now we celebrate this as our competitive advantage in our community. It's what sets us apart. (speaks Spanish) Our city, of immigrants and asylum seekers and refugees and the sons and daughters of immigrants and asylum seekers and refugees, is one of, if not the safest cities in the entire United States of America. 121237 So all that rhetoric about immigrants coming to invade our country, about asylum seekers as the president calls them being animals, or an infestation, predators and killers, there are children her so I will not use the 4 letter word that comes to mind. But it's bullshit. 121254 We are safe not despite the fact that we are a city of immigrants, and that we're connected to the rest of the world, we are safe because we are a city of immigrants and that we're connected to the rest of the world. Those who left their hometown, who left their country, who left their families to start a new as strangers in a strange land to do better for themselves and their kids, just like I want to do better for myself and my kids but who were also called to do better for all of us, inspired by this idea of America 243 years ago we said to the world. 121334 That we are all created equal, and though we never live up to that promise or fulfilled that potential, we've never stopped trying until perhaps now under this administration. And with this president. Because he's description -- I'll give you a mic in a little bit bud -- because his description of these immigrants, as an invasion, describing those who come from Mexico as rapists and predators and killers, those asylum seekers who traveled from Honduras, and Guatemala and El Salvador more than 2000 miles, much of that on foot, some of that on top of train known as the beast, or La Besita, to arrive here as vulnerable. And as defenseless as a human being can be. 121420 Very often kids without their parents who are as young as my children are, no one sets their eight year old daughter on a 2000 mile journey unless there is no other choice but to send their daughter on a 2000 mile journey. And how did we meet them? How did we welcome them, this country of immigrants and asylum seekers and refugees? Under this president, we placed them in cages. If they were lucky enough to show up with their parents that mom or dad who risked their very life to bring them here was sent to the very country from whence she fled in the first place. 121459 We have lost the lives of seven children just over the course of the last year in our custody and in our care in a border patrol station, just outside of El Paso, Texas. Kids separated from their parents, sleep on a cold, concrete or under a tin foil blanket. This administration, arguing that we shouldn't be forced to put diapers on the behinds of toddlers, that we shouldn't be forced to provide toothpaste and toothbrushes and soap a change of clothes to those kids who are living and sleeping in their own filth. 121534 This is the wealthiest, the most powerful country on the face of the planet. And this is how we, this is how we treat and how we will be judge for taking care of the most vulnerable among us, but it gets worse and we bore the brunt of that in El Paso, Texas. This rhetoric. This language of fear and incitement and paranoia, describing people as animals to dehumanize them. That's the first step to putting them in cages and taking their lives. 121605 And then at a rally in Florida in May of this year when the President is warning again about this invasion And asking - (person in crowd shouts "Fuck them/him") --- asking the crowd there "what are we going to do to stop these people from coming to this country," and someone yells out "shoot them." And the entire crowd roars in laughter and in consent. 121631 And the President of United States of America, the most powerful man in the world, he smiles and he laughs as well. On August 3 of this year, a gun man, armed with an ak 47 a weapon designed and engineered and sold to the militaries of the world, because it is so devastatingly effective at killing people efficiently and effectively in as great a number as possible drove 600 miles from Allen Texas to El Paso, Texas, but before he did his mom when she learned that he ordered that ak 47 called the police in Allen and said What in the hell does my son need with a weapon of war? 121711 He is not in the military, you don't need an ak 47 to hunt. You don't need it for self defense in your home. And the police in Allen said, I'm sorry ma'am this is perfectly legal, nothing we can do about it. That man listening to our President warning about an invasion drives 600 miles with that ak 47 walks into a Walmart on the Saturday before school would start that next Monday in El Paso, Texas, and opens fire 121739 on people who were buying their back to school supplies, on parents and grandparents who are with their kids and grandkids. Kills 22 people. A 15 year old boy who's about to start his sophomore here of High School. A 90 year old man who was there with his 87 year old wife, they'd been married for 17 years. They had survived one another for that long and everything that life can throw at them, but they were no match with someone armed with a weapon of war, the high impact high velocity rounds that were shot out of that gun shredding everything inside of his body, so he would bleed to death before anyone could get to him and help him. 121820 We have to draw the connections, make sure people understand the consequence, and cost of this president, he does not just offend our sensibilities when he talks about immigrants in this way. When he welcomes violence out into the open and into our communities, when he talks about banning all people of one religion from the shores of a country that is comprised of all people from the planet over. The mosque in Victoria Texas was burned to the ground, within 24 hours of him signing an executive order, attempting to ban Muslim travel to the United States. 121857 When he yells out at one of his rallies, that we should send her back, talking about a duly elected representative in the US House of Representatives, who happens to be a woman of color, the signal is sent and received. When he describes Klansmen and neo nazis and white supremacists as very fine people. When white supremacist terror is on the rise in every community in this country, and you saw it right here on October 27 of last year, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he lives not a finger to defend us. 121932 You understand what we are up against in this country. So yes, we must see this clearly. We must speak honestly, and we must act decisively. Here's what we do, beyond universal background checks and red flag laws and ending the sale of weapons of war, we will mandatory buyback every ak 47 and AR 15 that is out there. Bring them back home. 122000 They should not and they will not be used against one another, againt our kids, agaisnt our fellow Americans. We'll also acknowledge the truth, that when Christopher Ray, the director of the FBI, testifies this year before Congress, he says the majority of the domestic terror groups that he's investigating right now are of white supremacists. Hate crimes are on the rise, every one of the last three years, in this country. 122029 We're going to make it the number one domestic law enforcement priority, and we are going to shut down these groups, protect our fellow Americans. And to those who've been marginalized, or hurt or harmed by this president we're going to lift them up. Right after El Paso we went to Forest and Canton, Mississippi sites of the largest single state ice raid in the history of this country. And those workplace ice immigration raids are up tenfold under this administration, striking terror and terrifying those communities of immigrants. 122111 Who by the way, were working in chicken processing plants making $8 and 25 cents an hour maybe all the way up to 11 bucks an hour. Working one of the toughest jobs in the United States of America. Nearly 700 families, broken up. 122126 Not a single one of them posing any threat or violence to the United States of America, but the message unambiguously sent: you should live in fear to go to work, to take your child to school, your kid may not know if you're going to come home at the end of the day. So the answer to that is not only defending those communities of immigrants, but rewriting our immigration laws in our own image, in the image of Pittsburgh in the image of El Paso, freeing every single dreamer from any fear of deportation by making them US citizens in this their true home country. 122202 Legalizing millions more like those who are working in those chicken processing plants, and no longer building walls or cages, or persecuting and prosecuting those who are fleeing historic violence and persecution. And by the way, droughts like the one that we see in Guatemala, which was not caused by God, nor by Mother Nature, nor by the people of Guatemala, byut by you and me, our emissions, our excesses, our inaction in the face of the facts and the science and a changing climate. 122237 We got to be there for them. And we gotta confront this challenge. Avail ourselves of this opportunity. In 1979, we knew everything we know today in the year 2019 about climate change. We understood that if this planet cooks another degree and a half Celsius, the storms, the floods the droughts the fires that we see today that are killing thousands of people around the world will pale in comparison for what is to come. 122311 Cities like El Paso Texas will no longer support human life. It's warming as fast as any city in the United States of America right now. We broke every heat record on the books in the month of August, in 2019, so these 10 years, which is all the scientists say that we have left, must be used to maximum advantage to free ourselves forever from a dependence on fossil fuels to embrace wind and solar and the high wage high skill, high valued jobs that come with them. 122343 To ask or allow our rural communities and our farmers to lead the way as well, planting cover crops to pull more of that carbon out of the air, and sequester it in the soil. Use precision, or no till farming and regenerative agricultural practices to make sure that they are doing their part that we're all doing our part. Given the challenge that we face no half measures, no half steps, no half the country. 122412 Not just Democrats or Republicans or independents, not just big cities, not just small towns, but all of us as Americans first before we are anything else. And only in that way willl we meet this challenge, and lead the world, to ensure we do not cook this planet beyond our ability to support human life and the other life around us. 122432 What do you all say? You in for this challenge? I just met -- and I think I saw Alex here earlier, some of the folks I was meeting with from SEIU, and I see Savannah right over here. There's Alex in the back. We were talking about, dignity, and being treated with respect in the workplace and having that dignity in our lives. 122459 We were talking about this great wealthy country, but millions looking in from the outside, on that greatness, on that wealth, on that success, unable to fully participate in it. We were talking about ensuring that one job is not enough, so you don't have to work a second or a third because we decided that a minimum wage of $15 and no less should be the minimum wage for everyone in the United States of America. We decided that health care should not be a function of luck or circumstance or privilege. 122537 But it's just something that you can count on so that you're well enough to finish your education here, or to go to work or start a business, or tour the country in a punk rock band like I did when I was 17 and 18 years old. Whatever you were placed on this planet to do I want you to be well enough to do it. I don't want you to have to live in fear of the medical bills that James described, though he works at the hospital here in town, he cannot afford to avail himself of the care at the hospital here in town. 122605 Not unlike the story that I heard in Charleston, South Carolina, met a woman named Louise Brown, who 50 years ago, marched, so that she and other women of color would be treated equal to the white men who worked in the same hospital, and I said Louise thank you for doing all that work, we made such great progress. And she said, actually no we haven't. 122625 50 years later, those who work in that hospital in Charleston, just like UOMC here in in Pittsburgh are unable to afford the care that they are providing to others, right now, and women, especially women of color are making 61 cents on the dollar that a white man makes in this country. Latinas making 53 cents on the dollar. So in order to have dignity, and economic justice for everyone, not only must we paid a minimum wage that is a living wage, not only must we having universal health care that means Primary Health Care, prescription medication, health care, mental health care in this country. 122705 That also means that every woman makes your own decisions about her own body and has access to the care to make that possible. But we must also -- we must also end discrimination in that workplace. One of the best ways to get there, is to ratify the equal rights amendments so that's in the Constitution 122732 It is perfectly clear that everyone would be treated equally in this country. And speaking of equality and civil rights, in far too many states in this country, including in my home state of Texas, you can be fired for your sexual orientation. In my home state of Texas, 30,000 Kids recently in the foster care system, Child Protective Services so underfunded understaffed that those kids were sleeping on top of the desks, underneath the desks in the CPS offices at night. 122807 And yet in Texas, by law, you can be too gay to adopt one of those kids into your home. So what if we decided we were going to stand up for the full civil rights of every American and sign into law the equality act, so not matter who you love you are treated with equality in this country. 122829 Bottom line, we want everyone in this country to rise to their full potential, as a nation to fulfill our promise and in order to do that, you got to be able to live without fear. You gotta be able to live without being held down. And the last thing that I will say, and grace mentioned this in her introduction, our criminal justice system, which tonight will have 2.3 million people behind bars, the largest prison population on the face of the planet, and it's happening here in what is reportedly, the world's greatest democracy. 122909 That prison population disproportionately comprised of people of color, too many there for a nonviolent drug crime, like possession of marijuana, a substance that is legal in more than half the states in the union today. To do so at extraordinary costs, not just to us as taxpayers, but to that person who's been deprived of their liberty and also understanding that it is not by accident that that prison population is more black and brown than the general population in this country. 122940 A war on drugs has become a war on people and some communities more than others, though white Americans and black Americans will use marijuana at the same rate, only black Americans are more likely than not to be stopped by law enforcement, to be frisked, to be patted down, to be arrested, to be incarcerated, and upon release to be forced to check a box on every employment application form, saying that they have a conviction, making it less likely that they will get the job. 123008 No longer eligible for federally supported student loans to come here to this university, or to qualify for a home loan, or a loan to start a small business. Their future, their options, their choices, narrowed and constrained. What's the way out. Number one, Let's end that war on drugs, legalize marijuana in the United States of AMerica. 123032 Use our powers of clemency to commute those sentences of everyone who is behind bars and expunge the arrest record of anyone arrested for possession of marajuania in this country. But in addition to doing this, and ending for profit prisons in America, ending a cash bail system in this country, we have to get to the foundational systemic endemic problem that we have in America, that is a problem of our very creation and helps to describe or explain why our capitalism in this country is so brutal. 123114 Because what if we acknowledged that the start date for this country is not the Fourth of July 1776 but the 20th of August, 1619. The first time someone kidnapped from west Africa was brought here against their will and as a slave in bondage, forced to create the wealth and the success, and the greatness of this country literally on their backs, from which their descendants alive today in 2019 are still not able to fully participate in. 123148 10 times the wealth in white America than there is in black America.Texas, a state ranked 50th and voter turnout, not by accident, but because of the color of your skin you were drawn out of a congressional district to diminish the power of your vote. In Georgia, Stacy Abrams would be the governor, if not for racist voter ID purges in that state. A maternal mortality rate crisis that is 3 times as deadly for women of color in this country, 123219 And in our kindergarten classroom, in my home state, and this is true too much of the country, a black child is five times as likely to be suspended or disciplined, or expelled. That six year old child who was recently handcuffed and arrested for throwing a tantrum is not the exception in this country. That is the rule in this country for far too many people in this country. 123243 The best way to address the systemic racism that we see in this country, that is every big part of this country for as long as we've been a country, is to sign into law the reparations bill offered by Sheila Jackson Lee so that the full tory of this country is told to everyone in this country. Only then do I believe a very divided, highly polarized America, can come together, not again, because we were never together in the first place, but can achieve that promise that we describe to ourselves and the rest of the world back in 1776. 123319 That is why I'm here today with you in Pittsburgh. That's why I'm running to serve you as the next president of the United States of America. And that is why I'm asking for your help - if you want to be part of this campaign, join this effort, go to our website, Beto Orourke .com. We would love to have your help. 123339 This is the kind of company I want to keep Thank you all for being here today. Gracias. Cynthia Cano right here, hold that microphone up, She's got a microphone if you've got a question, a comment an idea. We're going to take this microphone to you and bring as many people into the conversation as we can. 123359 Q>> Securing our elections with paper ballots. Would you include a provision for a disabled person to tell someone else who they vote for if they are unable to do so themselves? [Beto hugs the man, who says he is a long-time supporter] 123530 BETO>> so, Benjamin, is talking about election security. Very appropriate given the news that we've learned today about our president, inviting yet another foreign power to involve themselves to invade this country's democracy and invite the question about whether or not the vote that you cast is going to go to the intended recipient. 123605 To question whether or not we're going to be able to decide our future together, and on our own, and to decide who is going to be allowed into that ballot box. I talked about racial gerrymandering that's taken place in Georgia, and in Texas for that we need a new voting rights act that removes every single barrier to every single person in this country. We need to have automatic and same day voter registration, we could add 10s of millions more to the rolls able to participate in our elections. 123634 And to Benjamin's question: we need to be able to verify, and then audit our elections, at every level of government so the question is about paper ballots because we don't trust the integrity of an all digital all internet based system right now. And we should not trust that. We should be able to have a paper receipt, but his question is for those living with disabilities in this country, how do we ensure their autonomy and independence and privacy in the ballot box? 123703 You ask if we will make provisions for those who need that help. And the answer is yes, and we will make that amendment, and we will name it after you when we pass that and sign it into law. It'll be the Benjamin Amendment. So thank you. Yeah. Really great question. Q>> I'm from el Paso -- BETO>> What school? 123731 Q>> Del Vaya (?) So I'm from the lower valley. How do you find common ground with those Republicans who don't feel the way I feel how do we find common ground with them 123828 BETO>> Thank you for being here for asking then question and for being so honest and even vulnerable, talking about what you feel like now after Pittsburgh. After El Paso, after what's happened, and will continue frankly to happen in this country until we decide we're going to change it. I was telling someone earlier today. One of those stories that stays with me from El Paso was being at the makeshift Memorial outside of the Walmart and a young woman who's a mariachi came up to me, she said hey Beto, Do you remember me I played in one of your events last year, 123901 And we got to talking and I asked her how she and the rest of the mariachi were doing. And she says, I no longer will play in public. I'm such a symbol for Mexican culture that I feel like I have a target on my back and I'm just not going to do that anymore. And I thought that was a really sad indictment on all of us, that this young woman no longer feels comfortable in her community, sharing her culture and and bringing us all in to her traditions, just a part of life, as you know, in El Paso, Texas. 123929 So want to share her story with those owners of ar 15s who say, look, I acknowledge that I don't need this to hunt. I acknowledge, I don't need it for self defense, but I just like owning it. I love the way it feels, I like collecting it. I like to go to the range, and use it for target practice. All that may be true, but this is a weapon designed for war. We wouldn't say it's okay to have a bazooka or to drive a tank down the street. In that same way it's not okay to have a weapon which in under three minutes, killed 22 people --- when the Second Amendment was written. It took three minutes to reload your musket. 124005 Three minutes to kill 22. In Dayton Ohio where we were yesterday in under 40 seconds, 10 people were killed by one of these weapons of war. What I would share with them is the story that I heard in Odessa, Texas, another site of another mass shooting in West Texas. Seven killed in that community. And I met a mother who lost her 15 year old daughter, watched her bleed to death in front of her eyes as she waited because there were so many people shot, not enough ambulances to get to them in time. 124036 That mother asked me, Why do we allow this to happen in this country? What is it going to take. And I can't look her in the eyes or look myself in the mirror or see my kids and think about what I owe them and fear their judgment and not do and say the right thing right now. You ask what I'm hearing from the rest of the country, owners of ak 40 sevens and ar 15s are stopping me in airports, and they're saying you know what, you're right. I don't need this. 124104 I'm a republican, voted for Trump, will not vote for you in this next election, but I've got three kids in school as well. I have grandchildren. I care about them. I want them to be okay, I'm going to sell my weapon back. There are others, to be clear, who disagree, but that's okay, this democracy can handle the argument, the disagreement, the debate, and then ultimately do the right thing for you and everyone in this country by buying those guns back off the streets and that's what we're going to do. Thank you or asking the question. 154131 Q>> Do you feel you've betrayed environmentalists by taking money from fossil fuel industires and big oil? BETO>> That's okay, let's let her ask the question, cause I can't hear. Q>> ---- (microphone cuts out) --- why do you take money from big fossil fuels? 124209 BETO>> I'm so glad that you asked this question publicly, so that I can answer it publicly. I have signed the fossil fuel pledge, I don't take any money from any packs and corporations, any lobbyists, any oil, gas or fossil fuel energy executives at all. Okay. I don't want there to be a conflict or a perceived conflict of interest, given the challenge that we face right now. 124232 I mentioned earlier, it is going to take all of us doing all we can to completely free ourselves from oil and gas to make sure that we are 100% renewable energy, and that we get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions, as soon as possible, no later than the year, 2050, and halfway there by the year, 2013, 124251 If we can get there sooner, by God, we will. We're going to do everything that we can. So, I want to clear up the misperception that you have and the confusion that you might have introduced. I'm not taking money from the fossil fuel industry. Thank you for asking the question. Q: I'm liking all the things you're saying about like universal healthcare and buying back AR-15s and stuff. I was just curious, my inferene is that you'll pay for that with a raise in taxes, and I'm wondering how you'll like push that upon an America that is very resistant to that. >> Tax the rich! 124349 BETO>> Really good question. We want to do a lot of great things. But it's gonna create a need for resources, for money to invest in health care, in Universal pre k, in making sure that college is affordable for all, and that we wipe clean the debt of those who dedicate their lives to public service. So, somebody mentioned earlier, they said it as succinctly as possible, tax the rich. Those who, those who are doing really well at a time of historic wealth and income inequality should be asked to pay their fair share. 124423 In fact, the people of the future will not be able to believe that in the face of more than $100 trillion in infrastructure needs, or the fact that people are dying of diabetes and the flu and curable cancers in this country, or that we have to marshal all the resources in this country against climate change, that our answer that in 2017 was a $2 trillion tax cut that flowed disproportionately to the wealthiest and corporations who are already sitting on record piles of cash. 124452 The answer to this, take a corporate tax rate that moved from 35 to 21% back up to at least 28%. That generates hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 10 years. Tax capital or returns on capital, the same that you tax ordinary wage income. That generations hundreds of billions of dollars over the next ten years. Ensure that there is a greater tax on wealth and especially intergenerational wealth, the ability to pass on a huge fortunes that have been emassed and to entrench wealth where it is, remember 10x the wealth in white America than there is in black America. 124530 There is no chance to break out of this unless we break this system up. And then a couple of other choices that we can make that sound like they're unrelated, but they're very much connected to the resources of this country. We are in our 18th year of war in Afghanistan. Our 28th year of war in Iraq. We've been there every single year, every president since George HW Bush in 1991 committed this country to that country. But we're also at war in Syria, in Somalia, in Yemen, in these other countries of the world away, spending hundreds of billions of dollars, adding trillions of dollars to the debt. 124609 Our answer to this is to end those wars, to bring these servicemembers back home, to decide that we will not start new wars going forward. And use the dividend to invest in veterans who bore the battle to make sure that they're okay, and then to address the needs that we have in this country. We have more than enough resources, we just got to direct them in the right place. Thank you for asking the question. Q: A lot of people are dying from guns, but probably are dying from hospital care and pharmaceutical companies that abuse the privilege. On the news last night, a lady went to get a heart test, $780. She went somewhere else, it was $8,001. There's something obviously wrong with our health system. It can be fixed. What do you think you can do? 124704 BETO>> Thank you. You're absolutely right. And many of these pharmaceutical corporations, for example, are able to act with complete impunity. They sell back to us the medications and the cures that we all developed as American taxpayers. Our investment in the research and development, the clinical trials. We purchase the medications and cures for Medicare, Medicaid, Tri-Care, and VA beneficiaries, and yet they're sold back to us at the highest rates on the planet. 124737 We have an opioid epidemic in America that has killed hundreds of thousands of people over the last 10 years. And though we have the largest prison population on the planet, and there are people serving time for marijuana possession, not a single executive from Purdue Pharma or Johnson and Johnson has done a single hour in a jail or paid any meaningful price. So making sure that those who profit from the status quo are held accountable and that there's real justice and that we follow the lead of your attorney general here Josh Shapiro who's going to make sure that he's in this fight until the very end to hold them accountable. 124812 That's part of it. Making sure that everyone who is uninsured today is immediately enrolled in Medicare, the best bang for the buck, a 2% overhead rate compared to private insurance, which is 15 or 16%. Those who have insurance but cannot afford it, because they can't come up with a copay or the premium or bridge the deductible, they're able to move into Medicare as well. 124838 But those, especially members of unions, who fought for health care plans that they liked, that work for them and their families are able to keep them, because that's the choice that we made. That gets us to universal, guaranteed, high quality care. And if we compliment that by holding those who are obscenely profiting from healthcare in America today, where we spend more than any other country, but we do not get the best results, more than any other country, then we will have a health care system that delivers for everyone. 124906 Thank you for asking. Appreciate it. Thank you all so much for being out here today. [speaks in Spanish] Thank you for having us. We'll see you soon. Thank you Pittsburgh. Gracias. Thank you very much. Thank you. ##

TAPE_NUMBER: EN9920 IN_TIME: 10:59:23 LENGTH: 03:58 SOURCES: APTN RESTRICTIONS: No re-use/re-sale of film/video clips without clearance, No access Internet Music/performance rights must be cleared. FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY) SCRIPT: xfa Story: Backstreet Boys Location: New York Date: May 17th On the eve of the 'MILLENNIUM' release, BACKSTREET BOYS hosted an internationally televised press conference in New York City to announce plans for their worldwide arena tour kicking off on June 2 in Ghent, Belgium. 'MILLENNIUM', the highly anticipated album by the BACKSTREET BOYS - NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH, BRIAN LITTRELL, A.J. McLEAN and KEVIN RICHARDSON - hits the stores today, May 18th worldwide. Howie D said he hoped the album would be 'heard for another thousand years to come.' Last week hundreds of young fans turned out in New York to see the pop pin-ups perform a special warm up concert. With their perfect harmonies and scintillating stage dance routines, the American boy band proved they're still very much at the top of their profession, despite younger bands like N-Sync biting at their heels. 'MILLENNIUM' is the follow-up to BACKSTREET BOYS' self titled U.S debut album and the group's third international release. The first single 'I want It That Way' is already #18 on Billboard's 'Hot 100 Singles' chart in its fifth week. The BACKSTREET BOYS, currently recognized as one of the biggest international pop groups, have dominated worldwide charts and have received gold and platinum awards in 45 countries with over 28 million albums sold. The group are winners of the 1998 MTV Video Music Award as well as the 1998 Billboard Music Award for 'Best Group and 'Best Adult Contemporary Group'. They have just picked up four awards at the 1999 World Music Awards for 'World's Best Selling Pop Group,' 'World's Best Selling R&B Group,' 'World's Best Selling Dance Group,' and 'World's Best Selling American Group.' The 42 European dates announced encompass 13 countries and will wrap up on August 7 in Stockholm Sweden. After this first leg of the tour, the group will take a break before hitting the U.S portion which will resume in September. Members of the group, who have been itchy to stretch out creatively, have taken the opportunity on 'MILLENIUM'. KEVIN RICHARDSON, wrote the acoustic-framed ballad 'Back To Your Heart' while BRIAN LITTRELL wrote 'The Perfect Fan' - a song written for his mom. Since the band first hit the scene back in 1995, the boys - Nick, brian, AJ, Kevin and Howie have dominated the charts throughout the world, have gone multi-platinum in 16 countries and sold over 10 million records worldwide. They've scored 4 Top Ten singles, including the number one sensation "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)." They've also racked up numerous awards, including the 1996 MTV Europe Viewers Choice Award, beating out the Spice Girls and Jamiroquai. Backstreet Boys incredible saga began four years ago in Orlando, Florida. It was there that high school students AJ MCLEAN, HOWIE DOROUGH and junior high student NICK CARTER began to run into each other at local acting auditions. The three young men became friends and formed a singing group, inspired in part by Boyz II Men and Color Me Badd. The trio then decided to expand, by two. They met KEVIN RICHARDSON through a mutual friend. After scouring Orlando for a fifth member, Kevin thought of his cousin BRIAN LITTRELL, who was in Kentucky. A phone call was made, Brian relocated and The Backstreet Boys were ready to write the first chapter of their story. At first the group did some of their favorite cover tunes, a practice that continues even today. Laughs Brian, "We still do Shai's "If I Ever Fall In Love," but eventually they began to find their own distinctive sound. Stressing their strong harmonies and a blend of pop and R&B, the fivesome began to try to secure a record deal. "We'd go to local labels and sing acappella in their foyers," recalls Howie. "We'd sing anywhere, for anybody." The hard work began to pay off and within six months of forming, BSB had become one of Florida's hottest live acts. They played everything from a high school gymnasium, Grad Night at Sea World, to an opening slot for Brandy. With all that stage experience and an indie single "Tell Me That I'm Dreaming" under their belts, BSB started writing the next chapter. Their manager Donna Wright was friends with David McPherson of Jive Records. After pleading with him to hear the band, she called him during one of BSB's dates, held up her cell phone and let him hear the pandemonium the group generated. "We got signed right after that," smiles Brian. In 1995, BSB began to lay down tracks and released "We've Got It Going On." The song took off in England and throughout the continent, where BSB's brand of R&B-Pop was just gaining a foothold. "Over there they had a bunch of what's called "boy groups,' so we had a ready made market," explains Brian, "but since we were Americans, we were a fresh new sound for Europe. We had more of an edge, and unlike a lot of those other boy groups, we were more than just a bunch of pretty guys. We could sing." In a short period of time, "I'll Never Break Your Heart" began to climb the charts. Its success laid the foundation for what was to come. In 1995, BSB won a Smash Hits Award in London for Best New Tour Act and performed the gold single "I'll Never Break Your Heart" on Top Of The Pops. 1996 kicked off with BSB being voted #1 International Group by TV viewers in Germany. Their next single, "I'll Never Break Your Heart" went gold in Germany and hit #1 in Austria. By February, the up tempo jam had entered into video and radio rotation in Montreal. BSB's sold out shows, with hordes of screaming fans, soon became legendary throughout Europe and Canada. If BSB could accomplish all that with only two singles, just imagine the reaction when BSB's self titled debut album was released in April of 1996. That summer BSB embarked on a sold out 57 date headlining European tour. By the time fall came BSB fever had swept Asia, the Pacific Rim and Australia. The year continued with BSB wrapping up a second European tour and earning the coveted 1996 MTV Europe Viewers Choice Award. Then it was off to Canada, where their CD has gone six times platinum and hit the number one spot on the charts. BSB's 32 shows sold out in under 20 minutes as the intensity moved closer to the US. "It was some kind of year," laughs Kevin, and it only laid the groundwork for the next part of the BSB story. The homecoming. Now back home in Orlando, BSB spent the early part of 1997 in the studio; crafting new vibrant songs, sharpening up their vocals, taking a more active role in the creative process and eagerly looking forward to bringing their infectious sound to a home grown audience. "We've always wanted to bring it back home," asserts Nick. "But we wanted to make sure we brought it back strong." Always a big draw in Europe, the Backstreet Boys will face stiff competition from fellow boys band rivals Boyzone whose enduring popularity continues unabated. This week they celebrated their sixth number one in Britain with the single 'You Needed Me.' SHOTLIST: WS PAN INT HALL; MS BACKSTREET BOYS PHOTOCALL; PAN ALONG GROUP; PERFORMANCE; WS PRESSER; C/A PRESS; SOT NICK; VIDEO CLIP `AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME'; SOT KEVIN; PERFORMANCE; SOT BRIAN; WS PHOTOCALL; PAN ALONG GROUP?

AP-APTN-2000: US Beyonce Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:US Beyonce- NEW Grammy-winning singer helps fight hunger LENGTH: 02:31 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: General Mills' Hamburger Helper STORY NUMBER: 610594 DATELINE: New York, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 02:31 SHOTLIST (including transcript): General Mills' Hamburger Helper New York - 22 June 2009 1. Wide shot of Hamburger Helper truck 2. CU of ShowYourHelpingHand.com poster 3. CU of Beyonce/Donate Here poster 4. Wide shot of Beyonce walking on stage 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "Well families are really struggling right now during this economic downturn and I wanted to do something to help. So I teamed up with General Mills, Hamburger Helper for the Show Your Hand Helping campaign and our goal is to help Feeding America deliver 3.5 million meals to local food banks. But we can't do this alone, so we need people to get involved so we can reach our goal. 6. CU, then pan out of donated food 7. Wide shot of people putting can foods in boxes 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "You know something I recently learned that really surprised me: one in eight Americans struggle with hunger, and it's crazy. I also learned that it's a problem, especially for kids. It's getting worse during the summer because the kids are on summer vacation, they lose access to school lunches, so they turn to local food banks for help, and I really wanted to help, but I can't do it on my own." 9. Mid shot of crowd and photographers 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "I'm asking all of my fans to get involved too. They can bring non-perishable food items to my U.S. concerts and that will be donated to Feeding America. And if they can't make it to the concert, it's OK, but there are many other ways to help. Just go to ShowYourHelpingHand.com to learn more." 11. Wide shot of Beyonce on stage putting food in boxes 12. Mid shot of crowd 13. Mid shot of Beyonce posing with food BEYONCE HELPS FIGHT HUNGER Beyonce is providing food for thought, literally. The 27-year-old entertainer announced yesterday (22 June 2009) her partnership with Feeding America and General Mills to help fight hunger. "Well families are really struggling right now during this economic downturn and I wanted to do something to help," she said. Beyonce made the announcement in New York outside of Madison Square Garden, where she opened up the U.S. leg of her "I Am" tour Monday (21 June 2009). She performed at MSG again Tuesday night. Beyonce's is partnering with General Mills' Hamburger Helper with the goal of helping Feeding America deliver more than 3.5 million meals to local food banks through the Show Your Helping Han campaign. Those interested should visit www.showyourhelpinghand.com for more information. The Grammy-winning singer is inviting fans in the U.S. to support the campaign. "They can bring non-perishable food items to my U.S. concerts and that will be donated to Feeding America," she said. Beyonce's U.S. tour will wrap up on August 2 in Las Vegas. Here are additional U.S. tour dates: Jun 23 2009 Baltimore, MD First Mariner Arena Jun 24 2009 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center Jun 26 2009 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center Jun 27 2009 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex Jun 29 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center Jul 1 2009 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena Jul 3 2009 New Orleans, LA Superdome (Essence Music Festival) Jul 4 2009 Houston, TX Toyota Center Jul 5 2009 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Jul 7 2009 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Jul 9 2009 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena Jul 10 2009 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena Jul 11 2009 Anaheim, CA Honda Center Jul 13 2009 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Jul 16 2009 Minneapolis, MN Target Center Jul 17 2009 Chicago, IL United Center Jul 18 2009 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Jul 20 2009 Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Molson Amphitheatre Jul 21 2009 Montreal, CAN Bell Centre Jul 23 2009 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Jul 24 2009 Meadowlands, NJ Izod Center Jul 30 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Jul 31 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Aug 1 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Aug 2 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas APTN APEX 06-23-09 1619EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-2000: UK Natalie Imbruglia Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:UK Natalie Imbruglia- NEW Singer has filmed an appeal to raise awareness of the importance of the global water cycle LENGTH: 02:03 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: Ecover/WaterAid STORY NUMBER: 610598 DATELINE: UK, recent LENGTH: 02:03 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ALL SUBSCRIBERS PLEASE ENSURE THAT FILM CLIPS ARE CLEARED FOR MEDIA BROADCAST AND/OR INTERNET USE OR THAT THEY COME WITHIN THE PROMOTIONAL WINDOW FOR YOUR TERRITORY. CONTACT DETAILS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND BELOW. SHOTLIST (including transcript) :- Ecover/WaterAid UK, Recent 1. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid 2. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid 3. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid NATALIE IMBRUGLIA RECORDS CHARITY FILM Singer Natalie Imbruglia has filmed an appeal to raise awareness of the importance of the global water cycle. The star brings the cameras into her home to offer water saving tips for people in the UK, such as having a shower instead of a bath, and fitting water saving devices in toilet cisterns. She explains how actions in UK homes can have an impact on those elsewhere around the globe with limited access to clean water. Imbruglia also advises using eco-friendly detergents, to minimise impact on the aquatic environment. The full film has been posted for internet viewing at www.ecoverwateraid.com/natalie. APTN APEX 06-23-09 1623EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-2000: US McMahon Remembered Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:US McMahon Remembered- NEW Fans remember McMahon at his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame LENGTH: 01:53 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television STORY NUMBER: 610603 DATELINE: Hollywood, Calif., 23 June 2009 LENGTH: 01:53 SHOTLIST: Associated Press Television Los Angeles, 23 June 2009 1. Wide pedestrians on Hollywood Boulevard 2. Close street sign: Hollywood Boulevard 3. Wide worker places wreath and flowers on Ed McMahon star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 4. Close Ed McMahon ribbon on wreath 5. Close note on memorial wreath from Hollywood Historic Trust 6. Medium tilt down Ed McMahon memorial wreath to Hollywood Walk of Fame star 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kim Ward/Onlooker at wreath ceremony, on Ed McMahon: "He was a great sidekick to Johnny Carson. 'Star Search' -- a lot of stars became famous because of him. Publishers Clearing House -- he could've came to my house and said 'Hey, you're a winner! Ten million dollars!' He was just a great guy." 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Schriber/Onlooker at wreath ceremony, on Ed McMahon: "I mean he was almost as important I think as Johnny himself in those shows. You know, the shows always began with Ed saying at some point along the line 'Here's Johnny!' A very important contribution, I think. Sorry to see him go. I understand in recent years he had fallen on hard times." 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Marlene Cote/Passerby, on EdMcMahon: "I remember when he used to come to the houses. People used to win money. He used to be a giver, not a taker." 10. Wide camera operators gathered at Ed McMahon's star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, tilt down to star 11. Close Ed McMahon star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 'TONIGHT' SIDEKICK ED MCMAHON DIES AT 86 Ed McMahon, the loyal "Tonight" show sidekick who bolstered boss Johnny Carson with guffaws and a resounding "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" for 30 years, died early Tuesday. He was 86. McMahon died shortly after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center surrounded by his wife, Pam, and other family members, said his publicist, Howard Bragman. McMahon broke his neck in a fall in March 2007, and battled a series of financial problems as his injuries prevented him from working. On Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood on Tuesday, workers placed flowers and a wreath bearing McMahon's name on top of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cameramen and reporters gathered as onlookers -- tourists and locals -- remembered McMahon. "He was a great sidekick to Johnny Carson. 'Star Search' -- a lot of stars became famous because of him," tourist Kim Ward said. "Publishers Clearing House -- he could've came to my house and said 'Hey, you're a winner! Ten million dollars!' He was just a great guy." Tom Schriber, another tourist, said: "I mean he was almost as important I think as Johnny himself in those shows. You know, the shows always began with Ed saying at some point along the line 'Here's Johnny!' A very important contribution, I think. Sorry to see him go. I understand in recent years he had fallen on hard times." McMahon and Carson had worked together for nearly five years on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" when Carson took over NBC's late-night show from Jack Paar in October 1962. McMahon played second banana on "Tonight" until Carson retired in 1992. McMahon's medical and financial problems kept him in the headlines in his last years. It was reported in June 2008 that he was facing possible foreclosure on his Beverly Hills home. By year's end, a deal was worked out allowing him to stay in his home, but legal action involving other alleged debts continued. Born Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, McMahon grew up in Lowell, Mass. He got his start on television playing a circus clown on the 1950-51 variety series "Big Top." But the World War II Marine veteran interrupted his career to serve as a fighter pilot in Korea. McMahon and Clark also teamed up as pitchmen for American Family Publishers' sweepstakes, with their faces a familiar sight on contest entry forms and in TV commercials. McMahon was known for his ongoing commercials for Budweiser as well. Besides his wife, Pam, McMahon is survived by children Claudia, Katherine, Linda, Jeffrey and Lex. Bragman said no funeral arrangements have been made. APTN APEX 06-23-09 1623EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-2000: US Nick Cannon Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:US Nick Cannon- NEW Host of 'America's Got Talent' on season 4 LENGTH: 04:17 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television/NBC STORY NUMBER: 610589 DATELINE: Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 04:17 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: COMMERCIAL MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEO AND OR PERFORMANCES, MUST BE CLEARED ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN LOCAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND COPYRIGHT AGREEMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICABLE COLLECTING SOCIETY. DETAILS OF THE TRACKS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SCRIPT.YOU HAVE EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR USE OF ALL AND ANY CONTENT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SERVICE, AND FOR LIBEL, PRIVACY, COMPLIANCE AND THIRD PARTY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THEIR TERRITORY. SHOTLIST (including transcript):- NBC Universal 1. Show clip: 'America's Got Talent' AP Television -- via satellite Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Cannon/Host: "Any changes to the show? Other than the new black guy hosting the show? (Laughs) No, it's so many changes. I've been a fan of the show for the past three seasons and to kind of be the host now and step in to see the extraordinary talent that's come out, I believe there's quite the buzz on the show, so I think that even brought out the most amazing talent this show has seen thus far. And I mean the judges are there, they're excited as possible, and I think we just trying to do a bigger, better, and you know, more extravagant." NBC Universal 3. Show clip: 'America's Got Talent' AP Television -- via satellite Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Cannon/Host, on if he'll do anything differently than previous hosts Regis Philbin and Jerry Springer: "To me, I'm all about having a good time. I don't even really see it as hosting the show, I see it as just me hanging out with, you know, the public. It might be a different approach because I'm kind of more, you know, a laid-back, class clown type of character." AP Television Los Angeles, 21 May 2009 5. Wide of Orpheum marquee reading 'America's Got Talent/LA Auditions' 6. Walking shot of people waiting to audition in Los Angeles 7. Wide of contestant on stage, zoom out to mega wide shot AP Television -- via satellite Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Cannon/Host, on whether America has any undiscovered Susan Boyles: "I always say we got Boyle and beyond. We got every type of talent, I mean, we got wonderful singers just as Susan was, then at the same time we got some phenomenal young people, we got some amazing dancers, we got some strange, quirky people that just want to be on TV. I mean, we got it all." AP Television Los Angeles, 21 May 2009 9. Mid-shot of contestant playing keyboards during audition AP Television -- via satellite Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Cannon/Host, on the craziest talent he's seen: "So far, I've seen a man drill into his face and that was strange. He had a power drill and he was drilling into his face. I don't ever want to see that again, but it was talent in some people's book." AP Television Los Angeles, 21 May 2009 11. 'America's Got Talent' judge Piers Morgan talks to a reporter 12. 'America's Got Talent' judge Sharon Osbourne talks to a reporter 13. 'America's Got Talent' judge David Hasselhoff talks to a reporter AP Television -- via satellite Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 14. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Cannon/Host, on the show's trio of judges: "We get a chance to hang out all the time. I mean, in Vegas me and Piers was playing basketball. He's horrible. He should never pick up a basketball ever again. You know, Sharon Osbourne is probably one of the most lovely, nurturing people in the world. She's just always all smiles and hugs and David is just a bucket of fun. He makes me laugh every time we hang out." AP Television Los Angeles, 21 May 2009 15. Wide shot of quintet performing 'Twist and Shout' a cappella 16. Wide shot of judges' backs as they critique a performance NICK CANNON TAKES OVER 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT' Nick Cannon -- recording artist, actor and Mariah Carey's husband -- can add a new title to his resume: Reality TV host. The 28-year-old Cannon will conduct the fourth season of "America's Got Talent." The variety show features everything from frisbee-catching dogs to singers, dancers, and a guy who demonstrates his unique skill -- power drilling his face. "I don't ever want to see that again, but it was talent in some people's book," said Cannon during a satellite interview to promote the show. The show is hoping for a ratings bump this season, following the buzz generated by Susan Boyle on the UK counterpart, 'Britain's Got Talent.' "I always say we got Boyle and beyond," said Cannon. "We got every type of talent, I mean, we got wonderful singers just as Susan was, then at the same time we got some phenomenal young people, we got some amazing dancers, we got some strange, quirky people that just want to be on TV." Cannon succeeds Jerry Springer and Regis Philbin as host, but wasn't very specific when asked if his hosting approach would be radically different. "I see it as just me hanging out with, you know, the public," he said. "It might be a different approach because I'm kind of more, you know, a laid-back, class clown type of character." Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff return as judges. Cannon said he's close to all three of them. "We get a chance to hang out all the time. I mean, in Vegas me and Piers was playing basketball. He's horrible. He should never pick up a basketball ever again. You know, Sharon Osbourne is probably one of the most lovely, nurturing people in the world. She's just always all smiles and hugs and David is just a bucket of fun. He makes me laugh every time we hang out." 'America's Got Talent' premieres June 23 on NBC. The winner gets $1 million (USD). APTN APEX 06-23-09 1624EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-2000: US Vincent Longo Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:US Vincent Longo- NEW Celebrity makeup artist gives tips for a fresh summer look LENGTH: 03:00 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television/Beauty 360 STORY NUMBER: 610597 DATELINE: New York, 18 June 2009 LENGTH: 03:00 SHOTLIST(including transcript):- Beauty 360 Ridgefield, Connecticut, 18 May 2009 1. Medium shot, Vincent Longo applies lipstick to model 2. Close up, Vincent Longo doing makeup Associated Press Television New York, 18 June 2009 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Longo, Celebrity Makeup Artist: "The thing is this, makeup should be seen like your wardrobe. Each season you change your wardrobe. The sweater that I had last season that was a certain color, doesn't necessarily fit this season because for some reason it looks odd." Beauty 360 Ridgefield, Connecticut, 18 May 2009 4. Medium shot, Vincent Longo applies blush to model 5. Close up, Vincent Longo applies eye shadow to model Associated Press Television New York, 18 June 2009 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Longo, Celebrity Makeup Artist: 'The look for this summer and the start of the spring was kind of slowly to move away from the bronze look. For many years we've seen that bronze look, the goddess look and it was pretty prominent. I feel this spring/summer we're starting to move away from all of that and playing into more of a natural complexion if you want, the natural hue of your own skin." Beauty 360 Ridgefield, Connecticut, 18 May 2009 7. Medium shot, Vincent Longo applies foundation to model 8. Close up, Vincent Longo applies foundation to model Associated Press Television New York, 18 June 2009 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Longo, Celebrity Makeup Artist: "I feel that one of the things women should put away for the spring summer is definitely too much shine on the lips. Be it the outline, the contour that goes on beyond the natural lip line with lots of globby gloss on your lips. I feel that is totally dated. It does not look chic. It does not look now." Beauty 360 Ridgefield, Connecticut, 18 May 2009 10. Medium shot, Vincent Longo applies lip liner to model 11. Close up, Vincent Longo applies lipstick to model 12. Close up, model looks into camera Associated Press Television New York, 18 June 2009 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Longo, Celebrity Makeup Artist: "I don't feel that there should be too much of the smokey eye. Like we've seen the smokey eye, we've played with it, it's fantastic. I feel the smokey eye should be more for fall, those wintry season. When it comes to spring/summer, absolutely as we were saying before, a strong lash line is very cute. It's very sexy." 14. Close up, Vincent Longo applies eye makeup to model 15. Medium shot, Vincent Longo applies eye makeup to model 16. Close up, Vincent Longo applies eye makeup to model 17. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Longo, Celebrity Makeup Artist: "The lips are definitely the focus. With those bright, beautiful colors that give just a nice statement to the whole look." 18. Close up, Vincent Longo applies lipstick to model CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST: GLOSS IS OUT, BRIGHT LIPS ARE IN Vincent Longo, creator of Vincent Longo Cosmetics and makeup artist to stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts, says it's important to switch up your cosmetics each season. "Makeup should be seen like your wardrobe," says Longo "Each season you change your wardrobe. The sweater that I had last season that was a certain color, doesn't necessarily fit this season because for some reason it looks odd." His first tip for a chic summer look: lose the bronzer. "For many years we've seen that bronze look, the goddess look and it was pretty prominent," he says. "I feel this spring/summer we're starting to move away from all of that and playing into more of a natural complexion if you want, the natural hue of your own skin." Longo says another "dated" trend is excessive gloss: "I feel that one of the things women should put away for the spring summer is definitely too much shine on the lips. Be it the outline, the contour that goes on beyond the natural lip line with lots of globby gloss on your lips." Along with bright, bold matte lip color, Longo advises women when it comes to lashes, the bigger the better. "When it comes to spring/summer, absolutely as we were saying before, a strong lash line is very cute. It's very sexy," he says. His final words of wisdom are to toss the ever-popular smokey eye look and instead go for bright colors on the eyes, dewy cheeks and a well-defined lip. APTN APEX 06-23-09 1625EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-2000: US The Cleaner Tuesday, 23 June 2009 STORY:US The Cleaner- NEW Benjamin Bratt on 'The Cleaner' and Whoopi Goldberg LENGTH: 04:41 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television, A&E STORY NUMBER: 610583 DATELINE: New York, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 04:41 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: COMMERCIAL MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEO AND OR PERFORMANCES, MUST BE CLEARED ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN LOCAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND COPYRIGHT AGREEMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICABLE COLLECTING SOCIETY. DETAILS OF THE TRACKS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SCRIPT.YOU HAVE EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR USE OF ALL AND ANY CONTENT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SERVICE, AND FOR LIBEL, PRIVACY, COMPLIANCE AND THIRD PARTY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THEIR TERRITORY. SHOTLIST(including transcript):- A&E 1. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "For those people out there who don't know what the show is about I play a recovering heroin addict who is now devoted to helping other addicts put their lives back on track." A&E 3. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Part of the crux for my character William Banks in the first season is it was always an awkward balance between what he did as a profession and what he strives to be which is a good husband and a good father. For however how much success he had in his job he was a miserable failure at home. He was never there." A&E 5. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Warren Boyd is the real life guy on which my character is based and he still cleans (laughs) he does indeed. At any given time while on the set you can see him with multiple, digital devices talking to his team. He's a bit of a mysterious guy and it remains kind of an enigma to me even but once you meet him you can kind of get the natural gravitas, the natural aura that he has in his persona and you kind of get that he's no joke. And the character that I play really is based on him and his life maybe 13 years ago when he first started helping people with recovery." A&E 7. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Most people they sort of forget that she's a brilliant actress. She's inarguably an American icon and she's in our lives daily if you tune into 'The View' but um I think it's been awhile since she's actually acted by her own admission and the fact that she (A) started off as a fan of the show and developed a friendship with the show runner Jonathan Prince and then when invited jumped at the chance to come play with us. It really speaks highly of the show and of course we all were amazed and it was so fun to play opposite her. She does have one of those little gold statues as you know from a film she did called "ghost" and so to play with someone of her caliber and her soul really she's an amazing woman and has been really, really great for us." A&E 9. Clip- "The Cleaner" RETURN OF 'THE CLEANER' Benjamin Bratt is back playing a recovered drug addict trying to help others get clean by any means necessary in 'The Cleaner.' The show's second season premieres Tuesday (23JUNE2009) on A&E in the United States. What many people don't realize is Bratt's character is based on a real man named Warren Boyd who is an executive producer on the show. He also still works as an addiction counselor. He's even worked with individual celebrities but won't say who. "At any given time while on the set you can see him with multiple, digital devices talking to his team. He's a bit of a mysterious guy and it remains kind of an enigma to me," says Bratt. Whoopi Goldberg has a recurring role on this season of 'The Cleaner.' "It really speaks highly of the show and of course we all were amazed and it was so fun to play opposite her," says Bratt. "The Cleaner" airs Tuesdays at 10/9C on A&E. APTN APEX 06-23-09 1627EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM -------------------

TVU 23 BERNIE SANDERS COUNCIL BLUFFS IA TOWN HALL ABC UNI 110819 2020 P2 194326 And then I -- And then I started working in the restaurant to supplement my income, because my mom was now on the brink of foreclosure, our home was about to get taken away. And so I did what I could, and I started working a second job and, and this is the reality of America today. When we wake up and we feel like anything could happen. We're one accident away, one, one car breaking down away, one diagnosis away from everything falling apart. 194403 And there is no reason that in the richest country in American history -- in global history to, you know, almost in global history -- that we should be living like this. It's wrong. We should not be living like this, and we don't have to live like this, and we don't have to accept this. Because in the wealthiest nation in the world, we can choose to become an advanced society. 194437 And I think that at the core, at the core, that's the decision that we need to make this year, now, today is what is the difference between here, what is the distance between here and there, what is the distance between what we have today and an America that guarantees health care, education, and housing as human rights. 194510 Because the thing is, is that none of this is an accident. Okay? None of this is an accident. Climate change is not an accident. People passing away because they can't afford their insulin is not an accident. Millions of Americans that go without insurance, that is not an accident. They are not coincidences of America today. They are consequences of the system that we have. These are consequences. They are consequences of a political system and an economy that prioritises corporate profit at any and all human, economic, and social cost. 194614 And here's the deal. The deal is, is that it's not one person that's going to change that. I'm not going to change it. Senator Sanders alone is not going to change it. We have to change it together, together. And I want to talk tonight a little bit about what that means, how do we change this together. Because while we have a plan and while we have an agenda to pass a green new deal, to pass, to pass Medicare for All, to make colleges, public colleges tuition free to any and all who seek -- to seek to have an education in America. 194705 The thing is is that these policies are not self enacting. The only way that we achieve and become an advanced society is not through a technocratic policy proposal but through a political revolution of working people in the United States. So tonight, and this campaign, and everything that we're here to talk about tonight is actually not about Bernie. And it's not about me. We're here to talk about you. 194746 That's what this is about. That's what a political revolution is about. It's about being seen and seeing each other. And the way that we create this movement, because you know I see a lot of of the coverage sometimes of our political campaign, of this presidential race, this is not something that we watch. We don't watch the polls, we change the polls. Whether you're running for city council, whether you're running for your PTA, whether you're running for president, this is not about something that we allow to happen to us. 194830 We don't let this race happen to us. We don't watch the presidential race. This is not a movie. This is a movement. So here's the deal. I, you know, and, and what it also -- and so the deal is -- sorry, and here's the deal. The deal is -- I'm like, I've got so much going on in my mind, because I'm just talking to you all this evening. I was like trying to prepare some remarks on the plane, I was like, I'm just going to talk to them. Okay? 194906 And so here's the deal is that we have to -- [FEED FREEZES] stitch ourselves together, we have to connect ourselves to one another. I came here today from the Bronx. And the thing is is that our destinies are tied, and there's so many folks that want to say, what do Iowans believe, what do New Yorkers believe, what do Texans believe, all of us need health care. That's what all of us need. All of us make college. All of us need to save this planet. 194947 But the deal is, is that, Iowa, you're the first in the nation, baby. You need to set the tone. And so you need to understand that when you walk in on caucus night, you're not just going in and walking in for yourself. You're not walking in just for your family or just for your neighborhood. I'm asking you to bring other folks with you. That's what I'm asking you to do. 195019 I mean that in the literal sense but I also mean it figuratively, because in order for this to work. I need to go back home to the Bronx and tell my community in the Bronx, we need to fight for Iowa. And what I'm asking you all to do is to walk into that caucus and say you all -- I'm going to fight for the Bronx. Because there's a lot of talk about unity. But I want something better than unity. I want solidarity. 195057 Unity means, I guess we're in this room together. I guess we're in this together, I guess. Right? But solidarity means I fight for you, and you fight for me. That's what solidarity means. So I want us to think, because when Senator Sanders uses the term, when he, when he walks up to this podium and when he says, brothers and sisters, that is a choice. That is deliberate. And that is what this means. It means we are in this movement to gather. 195139 And so what it means is that each and every one of us needs to get bigger in order for this to succeed. Every single one of us has to grow. I'm here today in Iowa, because I want to grow, because I want to learn, because I want to learn about your fight so that I can take that and stitch it together with the Bronx, and stitch it together with Baltimore, and stitch it together with rural upstate New York, and stitch it together with our black brothers and sisters in the south, and stitch it together, and stitch it together with our immigrant neighbors at the border, and stitch it together with our queer brothers and sisters fighting for recognition, and stitch it together with the poor who trying to make a living and stitch it together with people trying to afford chilcare. 195230 We need to stitch this movement together bit by bit, stitch by stitch, and that is how we are going to win. That's how we're gonna win not just this -- not just in this presidential cycle. That's not how we're going to win a Bernie Sanders presidency, although -- it's not only how we're going to win a Bernie Sanders presidency, but that's how we're going to win our future back. That's how we're going to win our country back. 195300 That's how we're going to win it all, because we're not going to get there with Medicare for some. We're not going to get there with public college for some. We're not going to get there with a living wage for some. We are rooting this movement in principles of universality, no ifs, ands, or buts, every single human being on this land deserves a dignified life, and that's what we're fighting for. 195334 And with that, I want to introduce to you all my tio, our tio, but also the senator who has paved the path for us to talk about this today, who has helped created the space along, shoulder to shoulder with each -- [feed freezes] -- and every one of us to be here today. Senator Bernie Sanders. BERNIE SANDERS 195456 You are a loud crowd! Thank you all very much for coming out. Let me thank, let me thank -- Let me thank Ali Peeler, Neil Francis, (?), Trisha (?), Jessica Burbank, Kenneth Hanson, Michelle Amir. And let me give a very special thanks to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes for joining us. 195549 And here is the truth. You know, as I am a member of the United States Senate, and I kind of follow the Congress a little bit, and I honestly cannot think of any one member of the Congress in less than a year, you know sometimes we forget this, Alexandria was elected less than a year ago. Served less than a year. And yet, I cannot think of any member of Congress who has done more within one year to fundamentally transform American politics. 195639 Alexandria has been a bold and leading voice for the working families of our country, for the women of our country, for people of color, and for the immigrant community. She has been an inspiration to millions of young people and has made it clear that the younger generation of this country will not patiently wait on line for power. They want their agenda moving forward, they want that progressive agenda passed now. 195738 Alexandria understands as I do and as you do, and we've worked together on this issue, that it is unacceptable that Wall Street makes billions of dollars a year charging you and the American people, 20 or 25 percent, interest rates on your credit card on money they get for two and a half percent. That is called usury, and we are going to end that. Alexandria understands that in the richest country in the history of the world, it is totally vulgar and unacceptable that tonight, a half a million Americans are sleeping out on the street or are in emergency shelters and that 19 million Americans are paying half of their limited incomes for rent. 195852 And that is why we are going together to end homelessness in America and build up to 10 million units of affordable and low income housing. And perhaps among, among many other issues, perhaps most importantly, the Congresswoman understands what Donald Trump does not. And that is that climate change is not a hoax but an existential threat to Iowa, our country, and the entire planet. 195950 And that is why she introduced the concept of the green New Deal, a proposal we incorporated in our climate change legislation, which is the most comprehensive climate change proposal ever introduced by any candidate running for federal office. And our proposal understands that we have a moral, moral responsibility to make sure that this planet is habitable and healthy for our kids and future generations. 200052 And that is why we are going to take on the greed and corruption of the fossil fuel industry. And whether they like it or not, we are going to transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency and sustainable energy and create up to 20 million good paying jobs. And tomorrow at Drake University in Des Moines, we are going to do a whole conference on climate change. And I hope some of you will be able to attend that. I think you'll find it very interesting. 200150 So let me thank Alexandria for all that she is doing and for being part of our campaign. And in this unprecedented moment in American history, let me thank the several thousand people who are here tonight, the many more who are watching this event on live stream, thank you all for being part of a political revolution. 200238 A revolution which will not only defeat the most dangerous president in modern American history, a president who is a pathological liar, a president who is running an incredibly corrupt administration, a president who is a racist, a sexist, a homophobe, a xenophobe, and a religious bigot. 200320 Other than that, pretty good. But what our -- and this is an important point -- our And this is an important point, our political movement is not just about the defeating Trump. It is about transforming our country and creating an economy and a government that works for all of us, not just the 1%. And when our campaign talks about us, not me, that's not just a bumper sticker, although it is a pretty good bumper sticker. 200414 What that is about, I think, are two things. Number one, it is the understanding, as Alexandria said, that whether you live in the Bronx, whether you live in Vermont, whether you live in Iowa, Nebraska, or wherever you live, we are in this together. And that we become more human when my family cares about your family, and when your family cares about my family. Donald Trump believes that the future of politics in America is to divide the American people up based on the color of their skin, based on where they were born, based on their sexual orientation or their religion. 200530 Well, Donald Trump does not understand what America is about. And that is why Donald Trump is going to lose this election. We are going to win the Democratic nomination, and we are going, and we're going to defeat Trump, because we are doing exactly the opposite of what he is doing. 200615 He is trying to divide us up. And we are bringing our people together, black and white and Latino, Native American and Asian American, gay and straight, immigrants and native born. 200650 We're going to win, because when we bring our people together around the principles of justice, economic justice, social justice, racial justice, environmental justice, when we do that, there is no stopping us. >> [chanting "bernie"] 200731 Now, people sometimes say that Alexandria and I are an odd couple, that she is so old and I am so young. But that's okay, I'm not an ageist. No, but here is the point. The point is, as you heard Alexandria's family came from Puerto Rico and struggled to maintain and live a life of dignity. 200809 My family fled, my father fled anti-semitism and poverty in Poland and came to this country. My campaign manager's family came from Pakistan. We have my wife came from Ireland. People in this room came from all over the world. That is what -- that diversity is what makes us great. And that is something that Trump and his friends will never be able to tear apart. 200853 Now, it is important, and I'm picking up on a point that Alexandria made. It is important to take a hard look at where we are as a people today. The media or Trump often talks about how great the economy is. Wel, the economy is not great when half of our people are living paycheck to paycheck. 200925 The economy is not great when 87 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, when 30,000 people a year die because they don't get to a doctor on time because they're underinsured, and when 500,000 people go bankrupt because of medical bills. 200957 This economy is not doing well when hundreds of thousands of bright young people are unable to get the higher education they dream of and when tens of millions, including many in this room, struggle with the incredible oppressive burden of student debt. 201033 The economy is not doing well when we got senior citizens in Iowa trying to survive on 12 or 13 thousand dollars a year Social Security, when many workers, 55 or 60, don't have a nickel saved for retirement, and when many of our senior citizens are cutting their prescription drugs pills in half because they cannot afford the outrageous price that the pharmaceutical industry is charging us. 201117 Meanwhile, while so many of our people are struggling, while child care is unaffordable, while teachers are taking money out of their own pockets to buy school supplies, while all of that is happening, there is another reality taking place in America today and that is that the wealthiest people in our country have never, ever had it so good. 201154 And we are looking at more income and wealth inequality today than at any time since the 1920s. Today, the wealthiest three people, three people, own more wealth than the bottom half of this country. Today the top 1% own more wealth than the bottom 92%. Over the last 30 years, the top 1% have seen a $21 trillion increase in their wealth, while the bottom half of the American people have actually seen a decline in their wealth. 201249 As I have traveled around Iowa, I have talked to too many workers who tell me how difficult it is to take care of their families on 10, 11, 12 bucks an hour, and they're working 50 or 60 hours a week. Meanwhile, 49% of all new income goes to the top 1%. 201318 Today, 25 hedge fund managers earn double the income of 140,000 kindergarten teachers. And here's something that we should never forget, that when we talk about income and wealth inequality, it's not just that one group has a lot more money than another group. People on top are living 15 years longer than the people at the bottom. 201354 In other words, poverty in America, and there are 40 million people living in poverty, is a death sentence. And for the last three years, we have actually seen a decline in life expectancy in America. Now, that is where we are today as a nation, a nation in which a handful of billionaires exercise enormous power over our economy and the political life of our country while many of you are struggling to put food on the table. 201436 And given that reality, it is clear to me and I believe to you, that the enormous problems facing our country cannot be solved by the same old, same old style of politics. 201503 The time is now to tell the corporate elite with all of their greed and their corruption that enough is enough -- that this country belongs to all of us, not just the few. 201541 We need a new vision for our country, and that is what this campaign is about. And in terms of that political struggle that we are engaged in and how we bring about the transformative changes that we need, let me quote a statement from Nelson Mandela, one of the great political leaders of our period. 201617 A man who spent most of his adult life in jail fighting apartheid in South Africa. And this is what Mandela said, I want you to hear this clearly. He said and I quote, it always seems impossible until it is done. 201642 It always seems impossible until it is done. In other words, what Mandela was talking about is that whether it is the economic establishment, whether it is the political establishment, whether it is the media establishment, they want us to believe that real and fundamental change can never, ever take place. 201717 They want you to believe that poverty is always going to be with us. They want you to believe that all you deserve as a worker is 10, 12 bucks an hour. They want you to accept the fact that you do not have health care, and maybe you will never have health care. 201743 They want you to believe that education is not a human right, that housing is not a human right, that a decent job is not a human right. The greatest obstacle that we face is not just Wall Street. It's not just the insurance companies, and the drug companies, and the fossil fuel industry. 201815 It's not just the military industrial complex or the prison industrial complex. The greatest obstacle that we face is the limitation to our own imagination. If you believe, if you believe as they tell you that health care is not a human right, you will never have health care. 201846 If they tell you you've got to continue working for starvation wages, you will continue working for salvation wages, if that is what you believe. So what this campaign is about, it's not just taking on the political establishment, not just taking on the economic establishment. What this campaign is about is a new vision for what Americans are entitled to as human beings. 201928 This campaign is about thinking big not small. This campaign when we talk about us not me is the understanding that the only way that real change ever takes place, has ever taken place is from the bottom on up, not from the top on down. 202002 Because when tens of millions of people stand up for justice, there is nothing that the corporate elite can do to stop it. So let me just give you a glimpse about what the progressive agenda means to ordinary Americans. 202034 We believe that quality education is a human right from preschool to graduate school. We believe that it is a terrible, terrible tragedy for the young children, for our little kids, that they do not have quality childcare or pre K, and that working families cannot afford that child care and that the workers who do the work with the little kids are almost always underpaid. 202118 If you love this country, you love the children. And if you love the children, we are going to have universal high quality affordable childcare. We are gonna have the best public education system in the world, because we are going to honor and respect our teachers and provide them with the compensation that they deserve. 202200 We are going to make public colleges and universities tuition free. And we are going to cancel all student debt in this country. >> [chanting "Bernie"] 202226 Now you're gonna hear -- You're gonna hear from our critics, and they are all over the place. Well, how are you going to afford the 1.4 trillion you need to make public colleges and universities tuition free and cancel all student debt over a 10 year period? How are you gonna afford it? 202247 And our response is that eleven years ago, apparently we could afford to provide trillions of dollars in zero interest loans to the crooks on Wall Street who destroyed this economy. Apparently, we could afford to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks and subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. 202319 Apparently we could give more than a trillion dollars in tax breaks under Trump to the 1 percent and large profitable corporations. Well, between you and me, if we can do all that, I think we can cancel all student debt in this country. In my view, every American who wants a job should be able to find a job through a federal jobs guarantee program which pays them a living wage. 202409 Brothers and sisters, there is an enormous amount of work that needs to be done. We need child care workers. We need teachers. We need millions of workers to help us rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. We need many millions of workers to help us transform our energy system. 202431 We need workers in health care as more and more people will come into the health care system because they have insurance. We need more doctors. We need more nurses. We need more people to take care of an aging population. 202450 There is more than enough work to do. Let us guarantee a job for everyone who is prepared to do that work. Four years ago, when I came to Iowa, I said something that I have believed for my whole adult life. And that is that health care is a human right, not a privilege. 202522 And I talked about the need to expand Medicare to cover every man, woman and child in this country. Four years ago, that seemed like a radical idea. Ain't so radical anymore. 202549 And it's not radical because the American people, the people in Iowa, the people in Vermont, people all over this country understand the incredible dysfunctionality and cruelty of the current system. Brothers and sisters, hear this. We are spending twice as much per person on health care as do the people of any other country. 202616 We're spending close to eleven thousand dollars a year, twice what the Canadians spend. And yet, despite that, we have 87 million who are uninsured or underinsured. High deductibles, high copayments. We have 30,000 who die each year because they don't get to a doctor when they should. And as I mentioned earlier, really this is really unbelievable when you talk about the cruelty of the system. 202644 Half a million people go bankrupt every year because of medical bills. Think of it. Somebody is diagnosed with cancer or Alzheimer's or some terrible illness, you got enough to worry about dealing with your illness, ou should not have to worry that your family's going bankrupt to pay the bills. 202715 Now, people, people talk about it. Everybody's got a health care plan out there. I know that. Healthcare for some, healthcare for this one, healthcare for that one. So let me tell you what Medicare for all is. First of all, we expand Medicare to cover dental care, to cover the hearing aids, to cover my glasses to cover home health care so folks are not pushed into nursing homes. 202754 And under Medicare for all, this is just building on what the Canadians and people all over the world have done. There is -- there are no premiums. There are no-copayments. There are no insane deductibles. You know, you talk to people, who have, oh yeah, I got a insurance program, I got a $12 thousand deductible. Doesn't kick in unless I get hit by a truck. 202825 And we end all out-of-pocket expenses. That is Medicare for all? You go to any doctor you want, you go to any hospital you want, you don't take out your wallet, you don't take out your credit card. 202849 And people say, oh, Medicare for all, it's so radical. You tell me how every other major country on earth has managed to provide health care to all people at a fraction of the cost. Please don't tell me we can't do that in the United States. 202915 People say, oh, Medicare for all is going to be disruptive. Not at all. In fact, it is the easiest way to do universal health care. So a four year transition period right now, Medicare eligibility is at 65 first year down to fifty five, then forty five thirty five. [20:29:32] We cover everybody a complicated a bit. Don't let anybody let anybody tell you that this is a debate about health care. [20:29:46] It is not. Nobody can rationally defend the cruelty and dysfunctionality of the current system. We spend a fortune and we get very little value for it. Here is what the debate is about. [20:29:59] Last year, you'll all be pleased to know that the health care industry made a hundred billion dollars in profit. [20:30:13] And the CEOs of the insurance companies and the drug companies doing phenomenally well. You all know that not only do we pay the highest prices in the world for health care. Many of you are paying 20 percent of your incomes for health care. But we pay by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. Couple of months ago, I took a trip from Detroit into Canada with people who were dealing with diabetes. Anybody here know folks who are dealing with diabetes? And we bought insulin made by the same company who sells the product in the United States. Same company for one tenth the price in Canada. And it's not just insulin. By the way, you want to talk about crazy. Twenty five percent of the seven and a half million people in this country who use insulin are rationing their insulin. Elderly people cut their prescription drugs in here. Meanwhile, the six major drug companies made 69 billion in profits last year. [20:31:33] Under Medicare for all, we are going to take on the drug companies and by the way, they're not just greedy. [20:31:39] They are corrupt and they are engaged in massive price fixing and collusion. [20:31:45] So to the pharmaceutical industry with all of your money and all of your power. We are going to take you on. You're no longer going to rip off the American people. [20:32:03] And under Medicare for all. [20:32:06] Nobody in America will pay more than two hundred dollars a year for their prescription drugs. [20:32:20] Love you, too. Donald Trump. [20:32:32] I was thinking of how to describe Donald Trump. [20:32:36] He himself believes he is a stable genius. [20:32:44] Maybe not. Maybe not. [20:32:49] Donald Trump thinks that climate change is a hoax. And this is not just a danger for our country, but obviously for the entire world. And that is why our administration. [20:33:10] We'll not only take on the fossil fuels and the chin, I want you to think about this for a moment because this is the kind of corruption that we are taking on. You got drug companies, as you know, being sued for many billions of dollars. The manufacturers of opiates, opiates who were selling their product knowing that it was causing addiction and death. That's who we're dealing with. And then you've got the fossil fuel industry. I want you to think about this for a second. These guys have known for a very long time. [20:33:42] They're engineers. They're scientists are not stupid. They have known that the product that they are producing carbon is helping to destroy our planet. And yet they have lied. They have funded organizations and think tanks that have tried to obfuscate the reality of what the fossil fuel industry is doing. [20:34:06] Think about it, guys sitting them making huge amounts of money while they destroy the planet. [20:34:12] So tonight we say to the fossil fuel industry, your short term profits are not more important than the future of this planet. [20:34:31] And not only will we transform our energy system. [20:34:37] We will lead the world in transforming the global energy system. [20:34:52] Tonight in America as we speak. There are currently two million people behind bars. Two million people. We have more people in jail in the United States than any other country on Earth, including China, communist authoritarian country. Four times our size. And that is why we are going to bring fundamental reform to a broken and racist criminal justice. Instead of spending 80 billion dollars a year locking up our fellow Americans, we are going to invest in our young people in jobs and education, not more jails and more incarceration. [20:35:57] No more private jails and detention centers. [20:36:07] And we are going to end the horrific so-called war on drugs, which has hurt so many. [20:36:20] We are going to legalize marijuana. We are going to expunge the records of those arrested for possession. And when marijuana is legal in every state, we're not going to allow a handful of corporations to make billions in product and profit. We're going to help those communities that were hurt most, the African-American community, Latino community. [20:37:04] We're going to help them earn an honest product, honest profit when marijuana is legal. [20:37:16] Brothers and sisters. I am sick and tired. I know you all. [20:37:21] Trump and his allies demonizing the immigrant community in this country. [20:37:33] And I feel that especially strongly as the son of an immigrant, we are going to go forward and pass comprehensive immigration reform and a path toward citizenship for the 11 million undocumented. [20:37:55] On our first day in office, we will restore the legal status of the one point eight million young people eligible for the doctor program. We're going to end the ice raids that are terrorizing. [20:38:23] And we're going to develop a humane border policy. [20:38:31] Not a policy where federal officials are snatching babies from the arms of their mothers. [20:38:41] Not a policy in which children are locked up in cages. And families are separated. [20:38:53] Brothers and sisters, I know that all of us recoil in horror. When we hear about another terrible mass shooting in the United States. So I want to assure you. That our administration will not be intimidated by the end are a. [20:39:24] The American people, whether in rural communities or urban, whether they are gun owners or non gun owners, understand that we need a common sense gun policy in this country. [20:39:44] People who have histories of violence should not and under our administration will not own guns. We're going to do away with the gun show loophole. We're going to do away with the so-called straw man provision, which allows people to legally buy guns and sell them to criminals. [20:40:13] We are going to end the sale and distribution of assault weapons in this country. You know, as a United States senator, I often hear my conservative colleagues go to the floor and talk about their vision of small government, how they want to get government out of the lives of the American people. [20:40:47] Well, I say to those conservatives, if you want to get government out of the lives of the American people, understand that it is the women of this country who have the right to control their own bodies, not the government. You can't talk about getting the government out of people's lives when you have politicians at the local, state and federal level telling every woman in this country what she can or cannot do. And here is my promise to you. [20:41:35] I will never nominate anyone to the U.S. Supreme Court was not 100 percent pro Roe v. Wade. [20:41:56] As brothers and sisters, what the political revolution means is that we're ending politics as usual. We don't have to hustle money from billionaires or from super PACs. Because we have earned the respect of working people all across this country. And I've received more individual contributions than any candidate. [20:42:25] At this point in a campaign in American history. [20:42:35] And that average contribution is sixteen dollars. [20:42:42] And that money is coming from teachers. [20:42:46] It is coming from workers at Amazon, at Wal-Mart and McDonald's and Burger King, people who are struggling to keep themselves going economically. But they understand. That when we are all working together, we can bring about the transformative change that this country requires. [20:43:09] And let me let me conclude by getting back to a point that Alexandria made. And that is at the end of the day. The 1 percent is enormously powerful. I'm a U.S. senator. I deal with these guys every day. You don't know how much wealth and power they have. [20:43:31] You don't know about the six Wall Street banks that have assets of over 10 trillion dollars right now here in Iowa. You're seeing ads on television coming from the health care industry, lying about Medicare for all. They have unlimited sums of money to do those ads all across this country. The military industrial complex has managed to create a situation where there are massive cost overruns, where the Department of Defense is the only major agency of government. [20:44:07] Never submitted to a independent audit. And we now spend more money on the military than the next 10 countries combined. [20:44:21] And by the way, we intend to end the endless wars. [20:44:35] But the political revolution is not just taking on greed and corruption of the corporate elite or the political leadership of this country. It is more than that. It is making each and every one of you and all Americans understand that when we stand together. [20:44:54] When we rebuff Trump's Trump's effort to try to divide us up by the color of our skin or whatever, that when we stand together for a common humanity and humanity that understands whether you're black or white or Latino, you want your kids to have a great education. You want your kids to drink clean water. [20:45:17] You understand that no matter what background you have, health care is a human right. People should not be penalized for decades in pain or student debt for the crime of getting a higher education. [20:45:35] When we understand that as human beings, economic rights are human rights. [20:45:48] That you are not really free if you're working for nine bucks an hour and you don't have health care, that you're not free if you can't afford to get the higher education you dreamed up that you are surely not free. [20:46:03] If the planet is undergoing cataclysmic changes as a result of climate change. [20:46:13] So what this campaign is about is all of us coming together. [20:46:20] To understand that if we stand together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. [20:46:27] And here in Iowa, you guys have a very oversized role in American politics. You all know and I know that you take it seriously. You are the first caucus state, the first state that will be voting. [20:46:44] And I believe that if we win here in Iowa and I think with the kind of volunteer support we have, we all gonna win here in Iowa. [20:46:58] If we win here in Iowa, I'm pretty confident we're going to win in New Hampshire. We're going to win in Nevada. We're going to win in California. We're gonna do really well in South Carolina. [20:47:07] And when we do all of that, we have a direct path not only to victory, but to the opportunity to transform this country in a way that has never been seen in the modern history of this country. So this struggle, this struggle is not just about you or you or you. It's about future generations. It's about whether, in fact, this planet remains healthy and habitable. [20:47:49] We are living in an unprecedented moment in American history, and it goes beyond Trump and his lies and his corruption. It is a moment in which we have got to summon up the courage to take on the corporate elite and their greed and their corruption. So this is the moment for us to stand up, not just for ourselves, but for our kids, our grandchildren and generations yet to come. [20:48:20] Let us go forward together. Let us win this election. [20:48:24] Let us transform this country. Thank you all very much.