Matthew David Albritton's MyC-SPAN

Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Eric Haney discussed his memoir Inside Delta Force, published by Delacorte Press. A behind-the-scenes chronicle, the book reveals the story of the elite counter-terrorist unit, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-D or Delta Force. His training included advanced work with explosives and weapons, and a “final exam” in which the class was sent to Washington, DC and given assignments that involved evading the FBI. A question and answer period followed the presentation.

Josh Rogin spoke about a State Department report on the terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya and testimony by officials before a Senate panel the previous day. He also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

Following oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, lawyers for the petitioners spoke to reporters and answered questions on the steps of the Court. The petitioners were the proponents of the ballot initiative known as Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.

The Supreme Court heard argument in Hollingsworth v. Perry, docket number 12-144, on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 law. Nearly 18,000 same-sex couples were married in California, but same-sex marriages came to a halt in November 2008, when the state’s voters passed Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to get married. Questions by several justices focused on whether the central purpose of marriage was procreation, and on whether proponents of the ban had legal standing to bring the case after the state of California declined to do so when the referendum result was overturned by a federal court.

On June 26, 2014, the court ruled that Proposition 8's backers lacked standing to defend the 2008 law because California’s governors and attorney general had declined to defend the ban, thus meaning same-sex marriages could continue in the state.

Michael O’Hanlon talked about the U.S. missile defense capability. He responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Topics included the 30th anniversary of President Reagan’s “Star Wars” speech, North Korea’s recent nuclear weapons tests, Iran and Afghanistan.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced the government’s proposed tax and spending plan to British House of Commons members. Opposition leader Ed Miliband responded.

Prime Minister Cameron answered questions from members of his coalition and the opposition. He answered several questions on the British economy and the eurozone bailout of Cyprus. Opposition Leader Ed Miliband said the situation in Cyprus was undermining the basic trust in banks across the eurozone.

U.S. European, Northern, and Southern Command leaders testified on their fiscal year 2014 budget request. General Jacoby said the U.S. could defend the entire country from an Iranian long-range missile threat but warned of the evolution of North Korean and Iranian threats. Other topics included the impact of automatic defense cuts on defense, cyber security, drug trafficking, and the Syrian civil war.

Irving Lachow talked about the growing threat of cyber attacks against the U.S. from countries such as China, and other groups. He responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

The Senate Banking Committee held a hearing on the nominations of Mary Jo White to become chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). and Richard Cordray to continue leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.