julito77's MyC-SPAN

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testified before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on the central bank’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress. Chair Yellen told committee members the Fed is likely to keep interest rates low “for some time” in the face of uneven economic growth. She also commented on the possible effects of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, adding that the Federal Reserve would be monitoring the outcome for potential consequences.

A group of Senate Democrats held a news conference to talk about their legislation to expand gun control laws. One speaker was Senator Chris Murphy (CT) who led a nearly 15-hour filibuster to secure a commitment from Republicans to bring votes for their amendments to the chamber floor. Joining the senators at this event were relatives of victims of the San Bernardino, California, and Charleston, South Carolina, mass shootings.

State Department Special Envoy for Libya Jonathan Winer testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to update the members on the security and economic situation in Libya. He said that engaging public service municipalities was a key to success in Libya but also discussed the continuing struggle of the Libyan government to maintain control past the capital.

Mary Jo White testified at an oversight hearing on what her Securities and Exchange Commission agency is doing to protect investors. She answered several questions on the effectiveness of corporate disclosures and Wall Street regulations.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) criticized presumptive 2016 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for his comments against U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel who was overseeing a lawsuit against the now defunct Trump University. Senator Warren called him a “thin-skinned, racist bully” and a “wannabe tyrant” who should never be president of the United States. She also called on the U.S. Senate to give President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a hearing and a vote.

This was the opening of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy 2016 National Convention, held at the Capital Hilton.

Governor Charlie Baker (R-MA) delivered the commencement address to the class of 2016 at Nichols College in Worcester, Massachusetts. He told the students to step outside of their comfort zones after graduating, and talked about the importance of failing.