DOCSLIB.ORG

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations for 2016 Hearings Committee on Appropriations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations for 2016 Hearings Committee on Appropriations STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2016 HEARINGS BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS KAY GRANGER, Texas, Chairwoman MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida NITA M. LOWEY, New York CHARLES W. DENT, Pennsylvania BARBARA LEE, California ANDER CRENSHAW, Florida C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, Maryland THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska JOSE´ E. SERRANO, New York CHRIS STEWART, Utah NOTE: Under Committee Rules, Mr. Rogers, as Chairman of the Full Committee, and Mrs. Lowey, as Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee, are authorized to sit as Members of all Subcommittees. ANNE MARIE CHOTVACS, CRAIG HIGGINS, ALICE HOGANS, SUSAN ADAMS, DAVID BORTNICK, and CLELIA ALVARADO, Staff Assistants PART 4 PUBLIC AND OUTSIDE WITNESSES ( Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 97–394 WASHINGTON : 2015 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HAROLD ROGERS, Kentucky, Chairman RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN, New Jersey NITA M. LOWEY, New York ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, Alabama MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio KAY GRANGER, Texas PETER J. VISCLOSKY, Indiana MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho JOSE´ E. SERRANO, New York JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON, Texas ROSA L. DELAURO, Connecticut ANDER CRENSHAW, Florida DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina JOHN R. CARTER, Texas LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, California KEN CALVERT, California SAM FARR, California TOM COLE, Oklahoma CHAKA FATTAH, Pennsylvania MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR., Georgia CHARLES W. DENT, Pennsylvania BARBARA LEE, California TOM GRAVES, Georgia MICHAEL M. HONDA, California KEVIN YODER, Kansas BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota STEVE WOMACK, Arkansas STEVE ISRAEL, New York JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska TIM RYAN, Ohio THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, Maryland CHARLES J. FLEISCHMANN, Tennessee DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington HENRY CUELLAR, Texas DAVID P. JOYCE, Ohio CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine DAVID G. VALADAO, California MIKE QUIGLEY, Illinois ANDY HARRIS, Maryland DEREK KILMER, Washington MARTHA ROBY, Alabama MARK E. AMODEI, Nevada CHRIS STEWART, Utah E. SCOTT RIGELL, Virginia DAVID W. JOLLY, Florida DAVID YOUNG, Iowa EVAN H. JENKINS, West Virginia STEVEN M. PALAZZO, Mississippi WILLIAM E. SMITH, Clerk and Staff Director (II) C O N T E N T S MARCH 25, 2015 Page Granger, Hon. Kay, opening statement ................................................................. 1 Lowey, Hon. Nita M., opening statement .............................................................. 1 WITNESSES Albright, Alice .......................................................................................................... 32 Ardouny, Bryan ........................................................................................................ 175 Arnold, David ........................................................................................................... 214 Beckman, David ....................................................................................................... 40 Bilimoria, Natasha F. .............................................................................................. 265 Bourgault, Jeanne ................................................................................................... 203 Calvelli, John ........................................................................................................... 48 Carter, Joanne ......................................................................................................... 133 Davidson, Dan .......................................................................................................... 125 Derrick, Deborah ..................................................................................................... 258 Hannum, Jordie ....................................................................................................... 66 Klosson, Michael ...................................................................................................... 12 Kohr, Howard ........................................................................................................... 2 Koloski, Metodija A. ................................................................................................ 193 Koppel, Andrea ........................................................................................................ 109 McQueen, Mary C. ................................................................................................... 231 Memmedli, Bedir ..................................................................................................... 275 Millan, William ........................................................................................................ 164 Nahapetian, Kate ..................................................................................................... 185 O’Keefe, Bill ............................................................................................................. 94 Petrisin, Sue ............................................................................................................. 75 Stoner, Dan .............................................................................................................. 142 Stratford, Lynn ........................................................................................................ 242 Sullivan, Lucy Martinez .......................................................................................... 250 Williams, Victoria Quinn ........................................................................................ 83 SUBMITTED MATERIAL Written testimony for the record ............................................................................ 283 (III) STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015. PUBLIC AND OUTSIDE WITNESS HEARING OPENING STATEMENT BY CHAIRWOMAN GRANGER Ms. GRANGER. The hearing will come to order. I want to welcome everyone to today’s hearing for the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. I also want to thank all the witnesses for being here today. I want to note for the record that all written testimony received by the subcommittee will be given the same consideration. Each wit- ness will be given 4 minutes to provide remarks, and Members will have 1 minute to ask questions. Witnesses are reminded that the Members have your full testimony, and you are encouraged to sum- marize. I will yield first to Mrs. Lowey for any opening remarks. OPENING STATEMENT BY MRS. LOWEY Mrs. LOWEY. Well, thank you. I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming our distinguished wit- nesses here today. Thank you for coming to our subcommittee to present your views on the fiscal year 2016 budget. Our public wit- nesses, along with all those submitting written testimony for the record, represent a broad cross-section of interests. Leaders from industry, civil society, and the faith community have all publicly recognized the importance of diplomacy and devel- opment to our national interests, and the role of our civil society and private sector couldn’t be more important in translating policy into action. Collectively, you provide a critical commentary for this subcommittee to consider, particularly as the House is considering the Republican budget resolution which, if it were a real budget plan instead of a political document intended to provide rhetorical red meat to the base, would place our national security at risk by massively reducing nondefense discretionary funding. By 2025, it would slash important investments in our inter- national diplomacy efforts, development programs, and lifesaving humanitarian assistance. Your voices need to be heard on the im- pact of your work, the implications for our national security, should the SFOP’s allocation face a 25 percent cut. I look forward to hearing from you all and thank you for the im- portant work that all of you do throughout the world. Thank you. (1) 2 Ms. GRANGER. We will now hear from Mr. Howard Kohr. You are recognized for 4 minutes. We appreciate all of your hard work in ensuring that the strong and steadfast relationship between the United States and our longest-standing ally, Israel, is maintained. Thank you. OPENING STATEMENT OF HOWARD KOHR, CEO, THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Mr. KOHR. Thank you, Chair Granger, Ranking Member Lowey. It is a privilege to be here again to have this conversation about this in front of this very distinguished subcommittee. I first want to start, first of all, just our appreciate to both of you and the members of this subcommittee of the model you set, frank- ly, for the rest of Congress in the bipartisan way you work together for the good of our Nation. And it truly is a model that should be replicated throughout the rest of Congress. I also want to take a moment to recognize Anne Marie and Steve, excellent staff directors that you each have, for their terrific work as well. And I also want to recognize my colleague, Ester Kurz, who is here with us today, and does remarkable work. Since we were last together, there is more instability, more chaos, frankly, more dangers in the Middle East. Events in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, now Yemen, as well as the rise of ISIS, a re- minder of the dangers that exist in the Middle East, as well as Iran’s continuing efforts to spread
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 153682NCJRS.Pdf
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. .. .; J , ..~. .;"~ • .' ~ .~ _... '> .' UJ.l.IU.ll Calendar No. 605 102n CONGRESS REPORT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 102-1070 • ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1991 REPORT OF THE • SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL ONE HUNDRED SECOND CONGRESS FIRST SESSION SCNAC-102-1-14 N'CJRS ACQUISITKON,; Printed for the use of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control U.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE • o WASHINGTON : 1992 :au • SELECI' COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL (102D CoNGRESS) CHARLES B. RANGEL, New York, Chairman JACK BROOKS, Texas LAWRENCE COUGHLIN, Pennsylvania FORTNEY H. (PETE) STARK, California BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York JAMES H. SCHEUER, New York MICHAEL G. OXLEY, Ohio CARDISS COLLINS, TIlinois F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., FRANK J. GUARINI, New Jersey Wisconsin DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida ROBERT K. DORNAN, California WILLIAM J. HUGHES, New Jersey TOM LEWIS, Florida • MEL LEVINE, California JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma SOWMON P. ORTIZ, Texas WALLY HERGER, California LAWRENCE J. SMITH, Florida CHRISTOPHER SHAYS, Connecticut EDOLPHUS "ED" TOWNS, New York BILL PAXON, New York JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR., Ohio WILLIAM F. CLINGER, JR., Pennsylvania KWEISI MFUME, Maryland HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina NITA M. WWEY, New York PAUL E. GILLMOR, Ohio DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey JIM RAMSTAD, Minnesota ROMANO L. MAZZOLI, Kentucky RON DE LUGO, Virgin Islands GEORGE J. HOCHBRUECKNER, New York CRAIG A. WASHINGTON, Texas ROBERT E. ANDREWS, New Jersey COMMI'ITEE STAFF EDWARD H. JURlTH, Staff Director P&'rER J. CoNIGLIO, Minority Staff Director (Ill 153682 U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice .
    [Show full text]
  • HS Meeting Brochure.Pub
    Welcome to the 2016 PNWA Annual Convention Dear PNWA Members, Welcome to Vancouver, Washington and to our 2016 Annual Convention! It has been a busy year in the Northwest, with a lot of activity at our ports, terminals and along our waterways. This is great news for our region and for PNWA, as we continue our successful advocacy for policies and projects which support economic development and the environment. I am pleased to report that our association continues to grow, welcoming nine new members this year. These new members are adding to our strength here in the region and in Washington, DC. A strong, diverse, vocal membership like we have at PNWA is so important as we look ahead to a new Administration, the usual uncertainty in federal funding, a changing regulatory climate, and much more. 2017 will be an incredibly important year for this group. With the coordinated efforts of our membership, from Southern Oregon to Northern Washington and all along the Columbia and Snake Rivers to Idaho, we are well positioned to navigate these challenges and opportunities. It continues to be my great honor to be the President of this uniquely successful organization, and I look forward to the next year with confidence that we will continue to succeed. Thank you for attending this week, and please enjoy the conference. Captain Paul Amos Columbia River Pilots President, PNWA Dear PNWA Members, It is a pleasure to welcome you to our 2016 Annual Convention. I would like to extend my thanks to the Port of Vancouver for helping us host this year’s event.
    [Show full text]
  • Thank You Guide
    Great American Outdoors Act: Thank You Guide Phone District 1 Representative Suzan DelBene 202-225-6311 ​ ​ District 2 Representative Rick Larsen 202-225-2605 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 3 Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler 202-225-3536 ​ ​ District 5 Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers 202-225-2006 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 6 Representative Derek C. Kilmer 202-225-5916 ​ ​ District 7 Representative Pramila Jayapal 202-225-3106 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 8 Representative Kim Schrier 202-225-7761 ​ ​ District 9 Representative Adam Smith 202-225-8901 ​ ​ ​ District 10 Representative Denny Heck 202-225-9740 ​ Senator Maria Cantwell 202-224-3441 ​ Senator Patty Murray 202-224-2621 Email to Co-Sponsors District 1 Suzan DelBene - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 2 Rick Larsen - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 6 Derek C. Kilmer - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 7 Pramila Jayapal - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 8 Kim Schrier - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 9 Adam Smith - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ District 10 Denny Heck - [email protected] (cc: [email protected]) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Senator Maria Cantwell - [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Senator Patty Murray - [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Dear Representative / Senator _____ and [ staff first name ] , ​ ​ My name is _______ and I am a constituent of Washington's [#] Congressional District, as well as a representative of [Organization]. I am reaching out to give a huge thank you for your co-sponsorship and vote in support of the Great American Outdoors Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Lobbying Contribution Report
    8/1/2016 LD­203 Contribution Report LOBBYING CONTRIBUTION REPORT Clerk of the House of Representatives • Legislative Resource Center • 135 Cannon Building • Washington, DC 20515 Secretary of the Senate • Office of Public Records • 232 Hart Building • Washington, DC 20510 1. FILER TYPE AND NAME 2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS Type: House Registrant ID: Organization Lobbyist 35195 Organization Name: Senate Registrant ID: Honeywell International 57453 3. REPORTING PERIOD 4. CONTACT INFORMATION Year: Contact Name: 2016 Ms.Stacey Bernards Mid­Year (January 1 ­ June 30) Email: Year­End (July 1 ­ December 31) [email protected] Amendment Phone: 2026622629 Address: 101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20001 USA 5. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE NAMES Honeywell International Political Action Committee 6. CONTRIBUTIONS No Contributions #1. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,500.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Friends of Sam Johnson Sam Johnson #2. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $2,500.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Kay Granger Campaign Fund Kay Granger #3. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $2,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: Paul Cook for Congress Paul Cook https://lda.congress.gov/LC/protected/LCWork/2016/MM/57453DOM.xml?1470093694684 1/75 8/1/2016 LD­203 Contribution Report #4. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: DelBene for Congress Suzan DelBene #5. Contribution Type: Contributor Name: Amount: Date: FECA Honeywell International Political Action Committee $1,000.00 01/14/2016 Payee: Honoree: John Carter for Congress John Carter #6.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for 2009 Hearings
    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2009 HEARINGS BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina Chairman JOSE´ E. SERRANO, New York HAROLD ROGERS, Kentucky CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK, Michigan JOHN R. CARTER, Texas CIRO RODRIGUEZ, Texas ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, Alabama NITA M. LOWEY, New York KAY GRANGER, Texas CHET EDWARDS, Texas JOHN E. PETERSON, Pennsylvania LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, California JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON, Texas SAM FARR, California CHAKA FATTAH, Pennsylvania NOTE: Under Committee Rules, Mr. Obey, as Chairman of the Full Committee, and Mr. Lewis, as Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee, are authorized to sit as Members of all Subcommittees. BEVERLY PHETO, STEPHANIE GUPTA, JEFF ASHFORD, SHALANDA YOUNG, JIM HOLM, and ADAM WILSON, Staff Assistants PART 3 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Page Addressing the Challenges of Protecting the Nation’s Physical and Cyber Infrastructure ..................................................................................... 1 Border Security Programs and Operations—Challenges and Priorities .......................................................................................................... 88 Cargo Container and Supply Chain Security ............................................ 372 Coast Guard 2009 Budget on Maritime Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection ..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Congress of the United States
    Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20510 June 16, 2020 Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Commissioners: On behalf of our constituents, we write to thank you for the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission’s) efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work the Commission has done, including the Keep Americans Connected pledge and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, are important steps to address the need for connectivity as people are now required to learn, work, and access healthcare remotely. In addition to these efforts, we urge you to continue the important, ongoing work to close the digital divide through all means available, including by finalizing rules to enable the nationwide use of television white spaces (TVWS). The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the consequences of the remaining digital divide: many Americans in urban, suburban, and rural areas still lack access to a reliable internet connection when they need it most. Even before the pandemic broadband access challenges have put many of our constituents at a disadvantage for education, work, and healthcare. Stay-at-home orders and enforced social distancing intensify both the problems they face and the need for cost- effective broadband delivery models. The unique characteristics of TVWS spectrum make this technology an important tool for bridging the digital divide. It allows for better coverage with signals traveling further, penetrating trees and mountains better than other spectrum bands. Under your leadership, the FCC has taken significant bipartisan steps toward enabling the nationwide deployment of TVWS, including by unanimously adopting the February 2020 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which makes several proposals that we support.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Scorecard 109Th Congress 2 0 0 5 - 2006
    IRANIAN AMERICAN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Congressional Scorecard 109th Congress 2 0 0 5 - 2006 Please visit us on the web at www.iranianamericanpac.org About IAPAC IAPAC is a registered bipartisan political action committee that contributes to candidates for public office who are attuned to the domestic concerns of the Iranian American community. IAPAC focuses exclusively on domestic policy issues such as civil rights and immigration, and it encourages Americans of Iranian descent to actively participate in civic affairs. Mission • To support and promote the election of candidates for federal, state and local office, regardless of party affiliation, who are attuned to the domestic needs and issues of the Iranian American community • To support and promote Iranian American participation in civic affairs Issue Advocacy Civil Liberties: Balancing Civil Liberties and National Security in the Post-9/11 Era. Protecting our security and ensuring that the government does not infringe upon basic constitutional rights have long been important issues for civil libertarians and certain ethnic communities. IAPAC believes that our government must take the appropriate measures to protect our nation from further atrocities, but that it can do so without eliminating basic constitutional rights. Immigration: Immigration reform that is driven by proper national security concerns and remedies based on a fair and accurate appraisal of deficiencies in the immigration process, and not simply on national origin. Specifically, IAPAC advocates for a fair and measured execution of federal regulations governing the issuance of non-immigrant and immigrant visas for Iranian nationals. Congressional Scorecard The IAPAC 2005-2006 Congressional Scorecard rates members of Congress on votes and other positions taken in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 109th Congress, which affect the domestic needs of the Iranian American community.
    [Show full text]
  • New York's Requests for Forthcoming Package of Federal COVID19
    The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Charles Schumer Nydia Velasquez Jose Serrano The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand Hakeem Jeffries Eliot Engel The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Lee Zeldin Yvette Clarke Nita Lowey The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Peter T. King Jerry Nadler Sean Maloney The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Thomas Suozzi Max Rose Antonio Delgado The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Kathleen Rice Carolyn Maloney Paul Tonko The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Gregory Meeks Adriano Espaillat Elise Stefanik The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Grace Meng Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Antony Brindisi The Honorable The Honorable The Honorable Tom Reed John Katko Joe Morelle The Honorable Brian Higgins April 15, 2020 Re: New York’s Requests for Forthcoming Package of Federal COVID19 Response Legislation Related to Child Welfare and Family Wellbeing Dear Senators and Representatives of New York: We write to you on behalf of the children and families of New York State, who are living in the epicenter of the COVID19 crisis in the U.S., with recommendations on how forthcoming federal legislation can help address our communities’ needs and bolster child welfare and family wellbeing. Children and families are more vulnerable than they were before the pandemic, and the economic fall-out from the COVID19 crisis will require sustained state and federal support. Routines are being disrupted, jobs have disappeared, and many children are isolated from their 1 friends, extended school communities, and other adults who help ensure their health and safety. Now, more than ever before in this crisis, the COVID19 response must have a dedicated focus on child welfare.
    [Show full text]
  • House Section
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 113 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 159 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 No. 52 House of Representatives The House met at 10 a.m. and was Now is the time to choose the budget and their families. When he served for called to order by the Speaker. that reflects our American values. The 10 years as my legislative director, f American people and future genera- John was instrumental in crafting the tions of Americans deserve a balanced Federal Employee Pay Comparability MORNING-HOUR DEBATE budget. Act and in making sure Congress The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the f passed it into law. Mr. Speaker, that order of the House of January 3, 2013, was a bipartisan law, and it was Presi- the Chair will now recognize Members JOHN BERRY dent George Bush I who signed that from lists submitted by the majority The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. COL- piece of legislation into law in 1990. and minority leaders for morning-hour LINS of New York). The Chair recog- In that undertaking and in many oth- debate. nizes the gentleman from Maryland ers, John Berry made a real difference The Chair will alternate recognition (Mr. HOYER) for 5 minutes. for the more than 62,000 Federal work- between the parties, with each party Mr. HOYER. Preliminary, however, ers and everyone else who calls my dis- limited to 1 hour and each Member to my remarks, I want to say I thank trict home.
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Point Draft Letter
    April 26, 2007 The Honorable Dale Klein Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Dear Chairman Klein: I write to express my strong support for H.R. 994 and S. 649, and to call on you to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester County, New York. I commend Congressman John Hall for his leadership in sponsoring H.R. 994, and the dedication of the bill’s co-sponsors from the New York Hudson Valley—Congressman Eliot Engel, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey. I also applaud Senators Clinton and Schumer for leading the charge in the Senate by co-sponsoring S. 649. These bills direct the NRC to conduct an ISA of Indian Point before the plant can be relicensed. Never has the need for this type of evaluation been greater. Indian Point’s two commercial nuclear reactors are located in a densely populated area of New York, on the east bank of the Hudson River 24 miles north of New York City. According to a 2003 study by James Lee Witt Associates, 298,000 people live within the ten-mile circular area surrounding the plant. Bear Mountain State Park, Harriman State Park and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point are also located within the emergency planning zone. Given Indian Point’s close proximity to New York City, a serious accident could threaten millions of people in the greater metropolitan area. Indian Point has been plagued with significant operational difficulties.
    [Show full text]
  • 115Th Congress 285
    WASHINGTON 115th Congress 285 Washington, Seattle, WA, 1990; professional: business executive; director, Washington State Department of Revenue, 2010–12; married: Kurt; two children: Becca and Zach; committees: Budget; Ways and Means; elected simultaneously as a Democrat to the 112th Congress and 113th Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Rep- resentative Jay Inslee; reelected to each succeeding Congress. Office Listings http://delbene.house.gov facebook: facebook.com/RepDelBene twitter: @RepDelBene 2442 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 ............................................... (202) 225–6311 Chief of Staff.—Aaron Schmidt. FAX: 226–1606 Legislative Director.—Lauren Soltani. Communications Director.—Ramsey Cox. Scheduler.—Melissa Plummer. Canyon Park Business Center, 22121 17th Avenue Southeast, Suite 220, Bothell, WA 98021 ....................................................................................................................................... (425) 485–0085 204 West Montgomery Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 ...................................................... (360) 417–7879 District Director.—Molly Keenan. Counties: KING (part), SKAGIT (part), SNOHOMISH (part), WHATCOM (part). CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS: Blaine, Bothell, Carnation, Concrete, Darrington, Duvall, Everson, Ferndale, Gold Bar, Granite Falls, Hamilton, Hunts Point, Index, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Stevens, Lyman, Lynden, Medina, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mount Vernon, Nooksack, Point Roberts, Redmond,
    [Show full text]
  • Outside Witness Testimony for FY2016 for the Record by Bedir Memmedli, CPA Co-Founder and Board Director, U.S
    Outside Witness Testimony for FY2016 for the Record by Bedir Memmedli, CPA Co-founder and board director, U.S. Azeris Network (USAN), Washington, D.C. Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs I am grateful for the opportunity to submit a testimony on behalf of the Azerbaijani-American community and our grassroots organization, which wants and promotes fair and needs-driven foreign assistance, based on three important criteria: 1) Allied relationship of the recipient state with the U.S; 2) The recipient nation must have a demonstrated and certified necessity and need to be able to absorb the aid; 3) Legality of the aid and compliance with the U.S. and international laws. We are of opinion that there is a great imbalance in the U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan vs. Armenia. Azerbaijan, a victim of Armenian armed aggression and occupation, always gets much less than the smaller, but very aggressive Armenia. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), since 1992, Azerbaijan has got a total of $1 billion in U.S. aid, while Armenia got over $2.2 billion. This is despite the fact that Azerbaijan is more than twice the size and population, and has several times the size of refugee/IDPs who were expelled from their homes as a result of Armenia’s ethnic cleansing. Furthermore, in the light of the ongoing occupation of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan which runs against the fundamental principles of international law, we believe the US Congress should make sure that there is no direct military aid to Armenia.
    [Show full text]