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Questions over drone policy at Brennan confirmation hearing

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    Rep. Buck McKeon weighs in

  • Duration 3:38
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Go American and a bar all -- -- was killed by a drone strike in Yemen.

Congress had been denied the legal memos authorizing that strike until this past week.

When the erupted into the headlines during the confirmation hearing for John Brennan to lead the CIA.

Joining us now to talk about the program and what should be done about it is chairman of the house armed services committee California Republican congressman.

-- the -- congress been good to see you question that I have is why is this just becoming an issue now.

All -- was killed eighteen months ago we knew what was going on yet there there wasn't a whole lot of push back against.

Well it.

I don't know why all of a sudden that it's popping up.

Another two partial program won the CIA is in charge -- one the the military is in charge of I have up.

Nephew that was flying those planes over Afghanistan I went to Iowa Nevada to see where they where they operate and how they operate.

And up.

He explained to us they don't like to be called unmanned aircraft they like them -- term remotely piloted.

Because are actually many people involved in those flights you know.

He showed me where he sits in the left Seton flies the plane after.

Somebody in Afghanistan takes -- -- because of the time delay.

And his weapons officer sits in the -- -- is right.

And behind him is the attorney that -- that OK is there any weapon fire.

So that's how what's did functions in the in the military and I'm not -- I'm really not trivial it was to how the CI -- runs their mistrust do you DJ Kennedy had any problem though congressman with the idea of this of this -- this power.

To be judge jury and executioner all being said it in the White House within -- that any kind of judicial oversight.

Well and I don't think that's the case.

Because like I said we have an attorney standing behind the weapons officer that approves and the weapons fired so.

Were fully -- within the law.

And functioning you know we are -- war.

And whatever we can do to take out the enemy I I think we should do it.

And -- and we're -- we're functioning totally within the law.

So you don't you don't have any problem with the drone program because a lot of your Republican colleagues do they they don't think that the White House.

Should be able to unilaterally make the decision about targeting Americans for death overseas.

Well like I say.

There's 22 programs the CIA from that runs one and I'm not aware of how they how they function and then the military runs when I do know that the military.

Totally functions within the law I would would you be comfortable with the the court something like -- that the fights a court the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court.

Being kind of the -- Ultimate arbiter of whether or not an American -- can be targeted for drone strike.

Well -- I think that.

We need to understand how we were attacked on nine elevenths and ever since then and before that actually.

We've been involved in in a worldwide war against terror.

And I don't think we shouldn't handcuff ourselves when people are trying to kill us.

I would I would much rather take them out first before we put our people in jeopardy if even if we're talking congressman about an American citizen here.

We have American citizens that have tried to kill Americans.

And I think when they do that they give up some of their rights.

Congressman but the kid from California it's good to talk -- -- thanks for taking the time on this Sunday much appreciate --

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