James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shakes hands with Sen. Richard Burr, the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Comey was set to testify on the FBI’s efforts to prevent a future terrorist attack and the importance of continued cooperation between the bureau and Silicon Valley regarding cyber encryption. (The Hill)
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter speaks with Senate Armed Forces Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) before the secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff testify before the committee regarding the ongoing fight against ISIS. (The Hill)
Sen. Mark Warner arrives at the hallway outside the Senate chamber doors as senators prepared to hold several votes related to the National Defense Authorization Act. (The Hill)
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), with other Senate Democrats, decries the Republican plan to pass a National Defense Authorization bill that maintains sequestration spending caps but increases the military budget through a separate process via Pentagon war funds. (The Hill)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) calls on the Senate GOP to work with Democrats in crafting a Defense authorization bill that can win President Obama’s signature. After the Obama Administration announced its intention to veto legislation that maintained sequester spending caps, several Democrats implored the Republican majority not to move forward with the legislation as is. (The Hill)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) holds a press conference, calling on the government to declassify the remaining secret pages of the 9/11 inquiry that many believe reveal Saudi Arabia’s role in financing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Paul’s remarks came a day after he single-handedly forced the temporary expiration of the national surveillance mass collection program authorized by the PATRIOT Act. (The Hill)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) leaves the Capitol building after railing on the Senate floor against the national surveillance program authorized by the PATRIOT Act. While Paul was not successful in ultimately killing the program, the presidential candidate’s tactics will likely cause the program to expire at midnight, at least temporarily. (The Hill)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) walks through the Senate carriage doors for a rare Sunday session. The Republican leadership called senators back early to vote on legislation reforming parts of the PATRIOT Act. (The Hill)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) walks out of the Senate chamber after gaveling in a rare Sunday session where the legislative body will debate a bill to reform parts of the PATRIOT Act before those provisions expire at midnight. (The Hill)
Francis Rivera - Photo Blog 