Keeping Them Honest: Big talk on immigration, but where's the action?
One politician compared the immigration crisis to an invasion of the U.S., another suggested that children coming across the border could be violent gang members. A congressional candidate even protested a busload of YMCA campers after mistaking them for undocumented immigrants. Anderson is Keeping Them Honest as the clock ticks down to Congress' summer break.
Keeping Them Honest: Fact checking Pres. Obama and Gov. Perry
Last night on AC360, Anderson revisited one of Governor Rick Perry's more controversial comments on immigration:
"You either have an incredibly inept administration or they are in on this somehow, now I hate to be conspiratorial but I mean how do you move that many people from Central America across Mexico and then into the United States without there being a fairly coordinated effort?"
Today, Governor Perry tried to clarity those remarks. Anderson looks into that explanation along with President Obama's reason for not visiting the border during his trip to Texas.
Anderson discussed the politics of the immigration crisis with Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and documentary filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas.
Keeping Them Honest: Border crisis conspiracy?
President Obama described today's meeting with Texas Governor Rick Perry as constructive. The President also expressed plenty of frustration at the politics surrounding the country's immigration crisis. Anderson looks at how some of the political rhetoric has turned to wild conspiracy theories.
Anderson discussed all of this with Univision's Jorge Ramos, Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash and Senior Political Analyst David Gergen.
Keeping Them Honest: Sex offenders violating parole
Disturbing new developments in a story AC360 reported on last year: sex offenders in California brazenly violating their parole conditions and barely getting a slap on the wrist. Drew Griffin's report was sparked by a whistleblower who said she believed the public was in danger. Now that she has spoken out, she is paying a price. Drew Griffin has the latest.
Pamela Brown: Congress For Sale ... Keeping Them Honest
In the latest installment of "Keeping Them Honest," Pamela Brown examines a new policy that might suggest Congress is for sale.
Traditionally, politicians are required to release the names of those that foot the bill for lavish and luxurious "fact finding" trips to exotic locations.
However, a recent update to the guidelines distributed by the House Committee On Ethics omitted the requirement, thus allowing members of Congress to travel freely without noting whom paid for the trips in their financial disclosure forms.
So, what do you think? Is Congress really for sale? Should the requirement return to the guidelines?
Watch Brown's full report for the details, and the reactions that are rippling through Washington.
$25 million settlement in veterans charity case
The New York State Attorney General has reached a nearly $25 million settlement with one of the nation's biggest direct-mail companies. AC360's Drew Griffin has been reporting on the national charity Quadriga Art and the veterans foundation since the fall of 2010, broadcasting a series of reports that showed the charity sending practically all of the millions it raised back to Quadriga as payment for the direct-mail campaign. Almost none of the cash left over went to veterans, the CNN investigation found. Griffin has the exclusive details.
For more on the story, CLICK HERE.
Update: Drew Griffin clarified his remarks about donations:
Drew Griffin and the ongoing scandal at an Arizona VA hospital
Following up a stunning report from Monday evening, on Tuesday Drew Griffin joined Anderson Cooper with an update on the alleged fraudulent record keeping at an Arizona VA hospital.
As the allegations have gained Congressional attention, the Senior Investigative Correspondent noted that action is being taken by the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, consequences are slow to come, especially at the top:
"We do know the VA has begun the termination process with some of the executives there...but [former Phoenix VA Health Care System administrator Sharon Helman] is getting paid."
For more on the ongoing story, CLICK HERE for more on the story.
Rep. Jeff Miller reacts to allegations of fraudulent records at a VA hospital
On the heels of Senior Investigative Correspondent Drew Griffin's exclusive interview with an employee who says she was forced to cover up fraudulent records at an Arizona VA hospital, Congressman Jeff Miller joins Anderson Cooper with his reactions.
Calling the revelations "more than stunning," Miller surmises that the situation is not exclusive to Phoenix, but applauds Pauline DeWenter for summoning the courage to speak up amid altered death records of patients.
The Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Miller calls for accountability, and pledges to continue fighting for the rights of all vets.
CLICK HERE for more on the story.
International outrage grows over convicted Al Jazeera journalists
As outrage grows following Egypt's convictions of three Al Jazeera journalists, Ivan Watson joins Anderson Cooper with his personal insights.
Having worked in the past with one of the men currently imprisoned, Watson becomes visibly distressed during the interview, calling the situation "absurd" and "disgraceful."
Admitting to be angry, Watson says the men are guilty only of "committing acts of journalism."
CLICK HERE for more on the story.
VA death records altered, whistle-blower says
(CNN) – Records of dead veterans were changed to hide how many people died while awaiting care at Phoenix VA hospital, whistle-blower tells CNN in stunning revelations that point to a new cover up in the ongoing VA scandal.
Keeping Them Honest: 57,000+ military veterans are currently waiting for care
The allegation comes from the scheduling clerk who, for the better part of a year, says she was ordered to keep a secret waiting list in her desk drawer. Pauline DeWenter has never spoken publicly about any of it - until now.
Senior Investigative Correspondent Drew Griffin has the exclusive interview.
CLICK HERE for more on the story.
