Transitions, sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspans q a. Former House Speaker john boehner joined a discussion on the Incoming Biden Administration and the 117th congress. The mir i hadian International Conversation also included former transportation secretary Rodney Slater who served in the linton administration. Ms. Verstandig thank you, thank you. Its an honor and privilege to be here. Meridian has been very much a part of my personal and professional life and i very much appreciate the opportunity to be in dialogue with this distinguished group of panelists today who are both friends and colleagues and i think that group is very much representative of the things that you just laid out. And theyre the themes of disgraced democratic experience this great democratic experience that we here in america undertake and have undertaken for the last 240 years. But it is a Bipartisan Group and if i can just add a p. S. On my personal bio, as everyone who knows me well, not only do i do National Security and Foreign Policy, but having served and worked on the hill, and i have a very much, in my d. N. A. , the essence of bipartisanship. For me, looking at this biden transition and where were going with that transition, its very much anchored in the clarity of what i call roles and responsibilities. And those roles and responsibilities are on behalf of all of us. As americans. And were all standing together, because as you said so well, were faced with challenges here in america. But theyre global challenges. So americas leadership will be executed with the degree of humility and transparency and we look forward to engaging with our colleagues on capitol hill, with the American People, and with our friends in the global landscape. So with that, may i turn over and ask our colleagues, id like to get into the nuts and bolts of this transition. So we live and breathe it here in the nations capital. But lets tried to a little bit better job educating this transition educating. This transition is a little tricky. Its different than what it has been in the past. T it is being rolled out quietly. If i may add, Speaker Boehner, if you would just, from your vantage point, give us a landscape, the congress is critically important to the rollout of this transition because its anchored in the new incoming cabinet members. So id like each of you after Speaker Boehner to offer his framework, to also pick up on that. So both rodney and former congressman crowley, if you could also address that issue as well. Speaker boehner, over to you. Mr. Boehner well, toni, thank you. The good to be with all of you. I hope that everyone finds this very interesting. You know, divided government has served america pretty well over the last 200 years and looks like we may be headed toward a divided government once again. Of course there are two senate races in georgia that have yet to be decided. But for this conversation, my assumption is were going to end up having a divided government. And as you look at the new administration, theyre going to find, i think, some opportunities to work with the congress. Its not going to be easy. It never is. It was never intended to be easy. But when it comes to the makeup of the new cabinet, i think youll see republicans on the hill by and large be supportive of the president elects picks. There will be some, there will be a couple, i would guess, that arent going to quite pass the test. But theres going to be i think quite a bit of respect for the people that president elect biden chooses for his cabinet. Mr. Crowley i would really agree with john on this, Speaker Boehner. I think the American People expect that the senate will cooperate and give to president elect joe biden what hes entitled to and thats a workable cabinet. I wouldnt necessarily call that bipartisanship as much as its the expectation the American People have placed on the senate in their role, to confirm. And so i think that we may very well see i expect we will see some republicans in that mix. Some will have an easier time than others. I know that, from the outset, my good friend, mira danden has been singled out so far. I think shes wonderful. In this world of hyperpartisanship, to criticize her for having been partisan in supporting joe biden when some of the verbiage that weve had to deal with over the last four years she really pales in comparison to that in terms of he use of that. I hope thats not a person people target and say heres our problem, so to speak. But who knows. Ell see what happens. Ms. Verstandig rodney . Mr. Crowley youre muted. Mr. Slater thank you. Is that good . Ms. Verstandig thats good. Mr. Slater thank, toni. Thanks to meridian for affording us this opportunity, its a great organization, we look forward to discussion. Id like to echo the sentiments of Speaker Boehner and congressman crowley. I think that clearly this issue of divided government is before us and knot with standing whatever happens in the Georgia Elections, its still going to be a slit, almost down the middle, congress and youll have a change in the white house but this is a country that is pretty much split down the middle. And its going to take a unique, i think, president in the white house to attempt to bring that together and the good thing that the president elect has said is that hes going to be a president not only for those who voted for him but for those who voted against him as well. He believes that thats the responsibility of a president , fankly, the only office in our country that is voted on by all of the people of the u. S. He has a wonderful running mate and now Vice President elect in senator harris. They make a wonderful team. One other thing id like to say about the cabinet is that the president elect has said hes going to have a cabinet that looks like america, feels like america. You see that coming into focus. I think hes made some tremendous selections thus far. Tony blinken as secretary of state, we all know him very, very well. He will clearly be a secretary of state more in the traditional sense and we can get into that a little later in the discussion but clearly reaching out to our allies and trying to reestablish relations with those very, very important. Ill just close echoing joes tanden, bout neera shes a great person. I think the president elects cabinet is going to get a good everview. Theyre all people of substance and capability. Hes clearly making that a priority. And hes looking them as a team, as much as individual members, because with the challenges we face theyre going to have to work as a team, clearly led by his vision and his encouragement in their service to the American People. But its a very exciting time. Ms. Verstandig thank you, i think you all vlade this out quite well. I think i want to pick up on lets get into some granularity. You mentioned the Georgia Elections. Lets get into, what is the pivot point on the Georgia Election that references an impact on the cabinet selection and the degree to which the republicans appear to be divide bud even if the Georgia Election turns to two more democratic seats in the sthath its still going to be close. President elect biden has a deep and rich background coming from the senate. And respect from his colleagues. Lets talk about two components. One, what happens after the Georgia Election . Is there a paradigm shift we can look at more of a consensus . Two, what can the republicans in the senate do that can help foster this more collegiality, beginning to break down some of so we can begin this process and everything doesnt need to be on the front page of our respective newspapers or dia, just to be more quietly have Building Measures on this critically important rollout of confirmation process. Bobby rodney, lets start with you since you were the last. Mr. Slater sure, toni. Im clearly looking forward to hearing from the comments of my colleagues as well. S i think about it, its quite significant for this race nvolving two really senate positions in georgia. And its in georgia. I mean, as a native of the south, im excited about that. I remember during the Clinton Campaign back as far as 1992, when georgia was a target for thengovernor bill clinton, meeting with thengovernor zell miller and laying out a strategy to speak to the south and try to bring the south into the fold. Again, georgia came into the democratic column during that time and we havent won it again until this time. Nd president elect biden did tremendously well in georgia. The numbers actually continue to rise over time. And now weve got these two senate seats. I think its good, again, that we have two rather than one because it just puts everything on the table. There is the presumption that democrats may not come out in a runoff election. I dont think that thats going to be the case. I think its going to be very close. Everyone knows that President Trump is going to go to georgia this weekend. Which will be very interesting. President elect biden and Vice President elect harris have said that they will probably be going at some point. This is a very, very important election. Im excited about it. Warnock and rafael john horsaw i think are tremendous democrats for the are tremendous candidates for the democrats. I think they say a lot about what the new south represents. I think its going to be a competitive race. Im happy its in the south, it forces the nation on a state that was very important in the president ial election and it will mean a lot when it comes to the ability of the of the president to get some things done. But again you touched on his relationships with senators across the political divide. I think that thats going to come into play here as well. So helling more, whatever the outcome, but clearly if he has a majority or a split 5050 with the Vice President breaking the tie thats a big difference when it comes to your strategy and your movements as far as leadership. Ms. Verstandig thank you for that granularity, i think its a great snapshot. Speaker boehner, lets put you in the middle here. Theres a great deal of curiosity why your former colleagues in the republicancontrolled senate, theyre only now beginning to quietly speak up about supporting this transition process. Whats your take . How do you evaluate the landscape right now in the enate . And whats your evaluation on georgia . Mr. Boehner i think republicans in the senate are looking forward to the transition. They all know its coming. It is in fact happening. But all the action is about georgia. You have members who are going to be chairman of the committee or they could be the Ranking Member. Its a really big deal. All eyes are on georgia, all hands are on deck in georgia. And so until georgia gets decided, things will get bet the only things that will get done are the things that have to get done. Funding the government by the end of next week. Probably some small covid relief bill that could be attached to such a bill. Doing something about the National Defense authorization act. Maybe a few other cats and dog there. But other than what has to get done its all about georgia. Ms. Verstandig former congressman draw lee . Mr. Crowley i would just add to what john has just said as well, i agree with the importance of georgia. John boehner just said the difference as to who is the chair or the Ranking Member in the senate. Why that is so critical is that if democrats are able to capture the senate, even with a 5050 split, the use of reconciliation as a tool to pass a much broader agenda for democrats, that opportunity exists. Without it, it doesnt. And i think thats an important thing. I think youll see more of what the president campaigned on, had an opportunity to see the light of day in the senate. Lets keep in mind one thing. That the results of this election are becoming more and more clear. And that is, although the American People rejected soundly donald trump, they did not reject republicanism writ large. When you look down the ticket, overall, republicans gained positions in the house of representatives, they were expected to lose them. They didnt lose the senate so far. And going deep, they maintained control of the state legislative bodies they had already. And theyll have an oversized difference on reapportionment. When you look in terms of where the republicans stand right now and democrats, this is pretty split decision here in many respects. But everything comes down to the georgia these two georgia seats. And you know, i think rodney is right. I think democrats have a better than normal chance in georgia for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is theyve had the highest turnout in a long time, almost five million votes. They dont expect that many right now. The president continues to attack the system overall. And that is leading some republicans to lose faith in the entire system. Well see what happens in terms of that runoff. Ms. Verstandig congressman crowley, thank you very much. For the audience id like to point out what you just experienced is an extraordinary lesson in our democratic process here in america. As much as i par it is pate in that process, i really respect each of you for your very thoughtful and granular comments. Its quite extraordinary. I hope you all will think about going on the road and educating in terms of young people because one of the things that were seeing here as we discussed, the cabinet selection, is that we ant the cabinet selection as president elect biden said, to look like america. We need to listen to america. Just like we need to listen to our international colleagues. We think all too often forget how messy the democratic experience is but how incredible it is. So i want to thank each of you for that. Lets broaden our lens a little bit if were going to continue transition in discussing some of the policies. Id like to hear your evaluation on cabinet choices thus far. Each of you have referenced a bit, touched on what i call growth and responsibility of the cabinet appointments. Theyre not all filled out yet. Theyre being thoughtfully rolled out. Lets start with the top one, rollout asl security tony blinken as proposed secretary of state. Avril haynes, Jake Sullivan in n. S. C. The Economic Team is rolled out. Id like to get your each of you to offer comments on the selections and also, if you could, differentiate the significance of those that require confirmation against those that dont, for example, jay sullivan as National Security advisor. I think it would be helpful for our audience to better understand why some require confirmation and what that means and why other positions dont. So congressman draw lee, lets start with you, tuck please. Mr. Crowley i think president elect biden, as secretary slater has alluded to, when he made his speech about healing america, talked about what he perceived as what we need to do to move america forward. And part of that was to bring what i think is going to be the most diverse cabinet as well as white house staff that weve ever seen. Probably even more diverse than president barack obamas, which was very diverse itself. In terms of, you know, i think both Speaker Boehner and secretary slater, who has gone through the confirmation process himself, he may even have more insight into that as well, knows that certain positions within the white house do not require the confirmation of the senate under the constitution, but some do. Including the cabinet positions. And i do think with tony blinken, for instance, president elect biden has chosen someone that will reestablish our ties to our traditional allies. I think we all recognize that china is still a problem regardless of party affiliation. I think reengagement in the pacific is going to be critical for us. I also going back to my first point in terms of europe in particular, reestablishing these ties that have been traditional allies in the postworld war ii era, reengaging the paris accord, i think trying in some way to work with our European Partners to wrangle iran back into the umbrella of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. I do think that was a critical point. I think tony is someone who is respected on both sides of the aisle. As is jay sullivan who worked for secretary clinton, people know of his intellect. Again, diversity in terms of haynes and others bringing diversity and intelligence is critically important as well. Ms. Verstandig thank you, congressman draw lee. Secretary slater, i know youre having technology problems, but if youre up and able to engage, i think congressman crowley did, you know, reference, and i think on this panel youre the one who served in the cabinet with confirmation, if you wouldnt mind giving us your perspective, we would really appreciate it. Mr. Slater sure, sure. First of all, i think its very important for an administration to look like america. The president elect has talked a lot about our power as a country, whether thats militarily or economically. But hes also talked about the power of our example. And when people around the globe can look to the u. S. And see the longest democracy in the history the world, the most diverse democracy, and see that represented, and seeing it operate capably, thats a very strong example. That is the power of that example. By the way, i would like to say that this, you know, the difficulty of govern governance and the structure that we have, its all intentional. James madison and the other founders, they designed this government as it is with the separation of powers so that we thed not sort of give in to strong man kind of philosophy of governance. That there would be a team effort. And that to really get big things done, you have to have cooperation and collaboration. So this is quite natural, to see, you know, it play out and the difficulty of it. The most significant thing about the most recent election, i think, is that you had a historic election as far as a sufficient number having arisens are concerned. More than 100 Million People voting, you know, prior to the election. Absentee. By mail. And then on election day, some 50 Million People voting. That is significant. And i think it speaks volumes about the health of our democracy. I also think that, you know, this development as it relates to appointments speaks to that as well. Id we mentioned blinken, ke to also mention alejandro ayor cass, homeland mallorcas, Homeland Security secretary, first cue pan america appointed to that position. This continues to build on the example of the Obama Administration. Id also like to mention that president clinton, Vice President gore in 1993, they basically said as well, were going to have an administration that looks like america. And if you go back and look at it, you see that. And the good thing about that kind of commitment is that we know that you can have that commitment an still have excellence. Thats where looking at the individual choices that are being made. This Economic Team led by janet yellen, she is one of the most apable economic minds in the world. She served as the chair of the economic advisors during the clinton years, she was chair of the fed, now shes the first secretary of as the treasury. When you think about historically alexander hamilton, all his wonderful work, now hes there and what we can now shea she is there, what we can expect from her. It is exn exciting time. And the team theyre putting together. Very, very fascinating. Im exciting excited about the appointments that have been made. Weve got some big ones yet to come. Im looking forward to that. And just a quick point about the process. I have to tell you that one thing that ive really respected here is that ive had a couple of friends, so you hear the news, and then you reach out to them to congratulate them, and you realize theyre saying, no, no, no, no. Until it is officially announced im going to respect the process, im going to respect the president elect, the Vice President elect, and their considerations. There are a number of names out here, choices have to be made. And lets respect that process. So you know, we are going to see a lot of names. And theyre working with a tight group of people, the good thing is that theyve got people three and four deep to be selected from. Which i think also speaks well of the talent pool of the country. So i think its going to be very exciting. And i will say this. E reason we had to get the transition process officially under way is because there is a vetting process that goes on as well. And you really have to have the space, you have to have the resources to start getting into that. And so that too is why that g. S. A. Decision was so critically important to get this process officially under way. The good thing is that with the knowledge, capability of the president elect and his team and their knowledge about washington and its dynamics, they were able to actually get things going without some of that official, you know, acknowledgment. But the fact that its now under way, i think were going to start to see a lot of these appointments roll forward more expeditiously. The final thing ill say this goes back to something joe said earlier about the significant of having a chairmanship as compared to being a Ranking Member. As you know, because its so close, there are a number of people that the president elect would probably like to consider in both the senate and the house , that he may not be table really get to because he needs them where they are. Because of the power dynamic. A lot of them, if they arent selected, theyre going to feel a lot better if they can become the chair of a very important committee. So ill just close with that to ay, people are looking at this in a lot of ways from a lot of perspectives and thats one that i dont think we can fail to really consider and understand its importance. Ms. Verstandig rodney, we both served in the clinton administration, im glad you great rollup. T, let me ask, cant help but ask, you referred to, you hear a lot of names, why dont you share with us some of the names youre hearing on transportation and energy or others that you might have picked up . Come on, rodney. Mr. Slater i was trying to get away not getting into a lot of the name others than those that have been selected. I will say this about transportation. I think one, the person who is selected is going to be a person who can deal with both republicans and democrats. Thats really always been the case when you think about transportation. Id also like to say that maybe its an opportunity for the president elect to at least consider whether he might have someone somewhat of the someone of the opposite party. Youve got that dynamic at play. But you also have a list of very, very capable people, and you know, weve seen some of them. And you know, its a way to bring someone from the state and local level into the cabinet post. During that first clinton cabinet, federico pena, former mayor of denver was selected. In the second term, i was i became secretary but i also had worked as a highway commissioner in arkansas at the local level. Youve got a number of mayors being considered now. Mayor garcetti. Mayor former mayor rahm emanuel, both very, very capable. Joe washington who is heading the transition, who leads the l. A. Transit association, very, very capable. Did a wonderful job in denver. I know hes pulling together information that will be of benefit to the president elect, Vice President elect when it comes to filling all of the posts across the department of transportation. Youve got federal highway administration, federal transit, i mean, its just a wonderful organization. So i want to mention that. D then, you know, youve got the john who was deputy secretary under the clinton administration, who is probably under consideration along with the three i mentioned. Theres a wealth of talent, again, for the president to select from. All the people i have mentioned, i know well. Theyre my friends. And you know, they know that i mention them because theyre capable, clearly, of occupying the post. But they all know this is a choice for the president elect and the Vice President elect and members of their team. And they also know that whatever the decision, number one, there may be others to be considered for them, because these are people who can play different positions, but also, that there will be still the need for thotes in the private sector and an invitation for those in the private sector to be supportive of this administration. Weve seen the president elect move on that already by bringing business and labor together. Earlier this week he met with Small Business leaders. And a lot of frontline employees. I mean, were going to see him engaging the private sector as well and challenging us all to be concerned about the common good. Ms. Verstandig rodney, thank you for that. What youre clearly indicating is that the Biden Administration is really looking to bring all he stake holders to the table. We have so many challenges in front of us. Thats really the only way we can move forward. Speaker boehner, youve had a chance to kind of sit and listen a little bit but now were going to go back to a combination of policy, politics and the congress. Id like to to the ask, if you could give thus elandscape as you see it on Priority Issues and the National Security policy priorities. Were looking, coming off of whats now the congress that you yourself just mentioned, the president is unclear whats going to happen to the National Defense authorization act, which is now in conference and is, by all accounts, is in a bit of trouble. That really is not a very positive prequel. Your thoughts . It would be unprecedented if the ndaa was not passed and agreed to. Secondly where do we stand on the domestic landscape with an emergency economic package for hose who are suffering so much with regard to the covid pandemic . And how do you see them pivoting to a new congress under the Biden Administration in the sense of how this congress, its going to be tight by all ccounts, listening to that landscape. How do you see this new Congress Working together with both house an senate together but also with the Incoming Biden Administration, to begin to actually frankly do what we used to do, and that is have legislation thats signed into law. Thats a strange concept these days. Speaker boehner, may i turn the gavel over to you. Mr. Boehner lets break this down into prejanuary 20 and postjanuary 20. During the transition, as i mentioned earlier. Theyve got to find a way to fund the government. I think theyre pretty close. Agreeing to a large appropriations bill. Theres going to be some covid relief. Not sure what they can agree to. Im not sure this will happen by the end of next week but i do think that those things will happen. On ndaa, the National Defense authorization act, if its like any other year, therell be a 2 3 vote, enough votes, to override the president s direct veto. So they may be working to shore up the votes to make it clear that theyve got the votes to override the veto. Well get through all of that. But once we get postinauguration day, i think both parties have an opportunity to show the American People, hey, its time to go. I think president elect biden understands what hes dealing with. I think hell reach out to the Senate Majority leader. I think theres going to be some room for doing some things together. Whether its a covid relief whether its covid relief, whether its an infrastructure bill, you know, we can try to get a big weve been trying to get a big infrastructure bill passed for many years. These are two places where theres a better than even chance you could find common ground. I think rodney and joe would both agree thats the place to get to. Theyre going to have their disagreements. As rodney pointed out before, the founders that built this tension into our system, you know, with three separate but equal branches of our government that tension is there and its there on purpose. To try to minimize the amount of movement that can really happen in our government. If you look at our government, we can move a little bit to the right, we can move a little bit to the left. We dont have a winner take all. So i think that both sides will to an opportunity to begin show the American People yes, theres a chance we can, in act, govern. Ms. Verstandig well said. I couldnt agree with you more. I am cautiously optimistic in this process. Mr. Boehner dont get too optimistic. Ms. Verstandig invested in the process. Toni, can i add to that . S. Verstandig sure. Mr. Crowley we are looking at prejanuary 20 and postian 20. Right now the republicans have a comfortable margin, that shifts after january 20 as well. Whats important to know is that heading into 2022, 2020 is behind us. Were heading to 2022 now. As i mentioned earlier, republicans were Successful Holding off a great effort by democrats to recapture state legislatures. In those states where republicans control everything, theyre going to have an incredible influence on the making of new congressional districts. So heading into 2022, we have that going as a problem for democrat 2022 and added to that is going to be that the incumbent president in his first midterm elections, historically tends to lose seats in the house of representatives. Now i know that nancy pelosi knows that. It would be interesting to watch and see just what happens here in temples of pre and post. We havent dealing with the greatest National Security threat, immediate threat, covid19. So i do think that thats why were seeing this movement, especially postelection, by this gang of whatever theyre calling themselves now, john, in the senate, im not sure, the gang of what, but this bipartisan effort to get something passed, even shortterm, and then try to get something more done postjanuary 20. House democrats will be in an interesting position to see how they conduct themselves with that smaller majority. You know, i think one thing nancy pelosi knows is that the road to controlling the house of representatives was through the bread basket, the iron belt, iddle america. Not districts like mine in new york or in inner city bus in challenging districts. Thats how they won the house of representatives. Thats how they were able to hold on so far, republicans took many back, but thats where the challenge will be in 2022 for democrats. Keep that in mind as with well. Mr. Slater toni . Ms. Verstandig weve got to get into some policy. Mr. Slater i was about to Say Something about transportation so let me let you go on. Because the speaker had mentioned that. I think its a great policy area for cooperation. Let me just let you ms. Verstandig no, no. Mr. Slater thank you. I department mean to jump ahead of you. The speaker mentioning the opportunity for compromise on an infrastructure measure, i do think that that is right on target. And as he noted, its something that weve been talking about now for a number of years. I mean, talking about it at the highest levels. Ne thing that i will say about president elect bide season that when he talks about Building Back better, he clearly starts with covid as as congressman crowley noted. But when he starts to pivot to beyond covid, its really infrastructure. He says, you know, its about more, though, than highways and rails, even though hes talking about a second rail revolution which is quite exciting. But its about more than the concrete, asphalt and steel of transportation. Its about broadband. Its about building on all we have discovered in this time of covid when it comes to telework and telemedicine and making sure that those investments are made in middle america. Thats really the key here. So im very, very excited about this and i think were going to see this administration lead with infrastructure in the forefront. He basically says that it is the newfoundation on which were going to build this new growth economy, a Fourth Industrial Revolution economy with 5g and automeags and those sorts of things. Its an exciting time. But he says were going to do that with a focus on workers as well so were bringing them along as we deal with these difficult challenges we face. And ill just sort of close there. But it also underscores, frankly, the importance of that secretary of transportation. Right . Because thats going to be the Cabinet Department that works with the white house, with the treasury, with commerce, with all the other agencies across the government to really lead in that process. So again, mr. Speaker, great job teeing up that issue as one where we can really have republicans and democrats working together. Ms. Verstandig well said by all three of you. I completely agree. Im going to now pivot. Theres so many other questions we need to get to. We have a robust set of questions from our ambassadors who are joining us today. Room, may in our chat the ambassadors, the singaporian ambassador, thank you for joining us. This question, theres obviously a lot of interest in asiapacific. So the question is, how should foreign governments deal with the divided government weve been talking about . And would a Republican Congress oppose the Foreign Policy choices of the Incoming Biden Administration . Let me turn it over to our panelists. Who would like to take a shot at hat one . Mr. Crowley i would say, weve had a divided government before, how have foreign governments dealt with divided government in america in the past . I think therell be opportunities for bipartisanship here. I think we all recognize what those exiss ten rble threats are to the United States, the Security Issues that we deal with, thats why i mentioned earlier, going back an reestablishing our traditional alliances, reestablishing at least, you know, theyve always been there, but i think in terms of placing importance on them with europe. Working partnership to really really strategize on security matters, on trade, how to we deal with chi sna china . I think those will be all the issues well be working with again. Our traditional allies and beyond that as well. Weve had divided government in the past, well have it in the future, well find ways to deal with the issues that affect the United States and the world. Ms. Verstandig to follow up on that excuse me for interrupting, do you see a Biden Administration in at least the first year reengaging on a broader trade landscape in an asia pacific context . Speaker boehner . Mr. Boehner well, i was a big t. G. P. , and i would imagine thered be conversations. Without trade Promotion Authority, the administrations hands will be tied. Think doing trade Promotion Authority in a new congress is a tall ask considering the number of new members who have never dealt with this issue. So i think therell be an engagement. I think itll be slow. But i think the motions in the right direction will be a signal to everyone. Mr. Crowley back to multilateral trade agreements and emphasis on terms of bilateral. I do think, you know, looking at t. P. P. , i think its a big, big step. I dont see that happening certainly in the first two years is my sense. I think itll be more baby steps. But i think we do need to recognize the advancement of china in terms of its alliances within the pacific and beyond. He quest for a bluewater navy. I dont want to use the threat word but in terms of what theyre attempting to do, what the impact will be, is something well be grappling with for decades to come. So i do like john support our engagement in terms of trade but look beyond this pacific, look at again, europe. I think the e. U. And our work and working toward an agreement there. Bel itll be difficult because the multistates involved in it, their nationalism will be at play, whats happening with brexit will have an impact in terms of getting an agreement with the u. K. Or the e. U. As well. But writ large, biden will look to reengage worldwide and trade is one aspect, not only economically but in terms of how we deal with our allies. Mr. Crowley yeah, toni, id agree with that and i i mean, m a little more optimistic that we might move a bit more quickly in the pacific region. I think for not only economic interests but security interests in particular. And as you know, there was a recent announcement involving some of the major countries in the region coming to an agreement with china on a trade agreement. We need to be very sensitive to that. Enhance our own interest in that region as well. I think the question coming from singapore and i think about apan and australia, india, and clearly our relations with china but im thinking about just how portant this region is to to our economic prowess and our economic relations, vietnam, i mean this is a powerhouse region. I also think that the Vice President elects own interest, her heritage in the region, is something that could come into play here and clearly our Economic Team and our Diplomatic Team all understand the criticality of this region. But definitely as has been noted, atlantic alliances, those have been challenged a bit. So weve got to shore those up. But im excited about the role that we will reestablish for ourselves on the global stage. I think the world with the reaction to the election, theyre signaling a desire for that. So im looking forward to see how it unfolds. Ms. Verstandig thank you very much. We have another question, pivot o the opposite continent and a question from our colleague from angola, the ambassador from angola. What would be the politics and plcy of the Biden Administration thwart the african continent, countries such as angola, nigeria and south africa, which are so crucial . Rodney, do you want to start . We only have a few minutes. Mr. Crowley ok, ill be ms. Verstandig weve got to make time for the middle east. Mr. Crowley ok, yes, yes. First of all, im excited about the opportunities for africa. I think Linda Thompson greenfield, the u. N. Selection that the Vice President has made, clearly knows africa. She was the assistant secretary for africa in the Biden Administration i mean, im sorry, in the obamaBiden Administration. Shes now going to be our u. N. Representative. Very well equipped to play that role. Nterestingly, treasury, with deyamo is our secretary there, his family hails from nigeria. And we know ability his wonderful experience in the Obama Administration but the experience he developed with black rock. I think well see voices inside the administration speaking to the importance of africa. Id be remiss if i didnt mention the name ron brown. Because ron brown as the clinton secretary of commerce, building on the president s message, the importance of the message of dealing with the economy, really worked hard to open avenues for us with africa. Turning from aid to trade. And the agoa, african growth and opportunity act initiative. I think thats all there to be built upon. Much like we did in the Bush Administration in particular and in the Obama Administration. So im excited about this opportunity with u. S. Relations with africa. Ms. Verstandig i would like to turn to Speaker Boehner if i could please and Speaker Boehner, i was going to ask you do speak on both the african comment and take an a question from the egyptian ambassador, thank you, ambassador, great to have you participating. Hes asking about iran, which will be among americas first Foreign Policy primary challenges, among many, and hes question, how will the Biden Administration reconcile what seems to be somewhat of a lower level of engagement with the middle east in general on one hand, and adverse behaviors through the the region on the wars, thereby exacerbating not confined to afghanistan and aq but involve libya, syria, yemen an others. We are really coming to the end of our time today but Speaker Boehner if you wouldnt mind commenting on both africa and the middle east, wed appreciate it. Mr. Boehner theres no question that the strategic importance of africa is growing for the united tates. And i think americas relationships with the countries that the ambassador named, id probably add some more such as kenya, i think its becoming more important with each passing year from an Economic Perspective but also a geopolitical perspective as well. I think the Trump Administration under secretary pompeo has shown a clear understanding of this with its policies over the past four years and i frankly fully expect that the Biden Administration will as well and perhaps even more so. Angola is a very good example of the transformation that were witnessing in the relationship between the u. S. And the leading countries of subsaharan africa. Remember a generation ago, angola was a soviet satellite country, caught in a proxy war between the superpowers. Angola has been cranking down on corruption and working with the u. S. Government to increase American Private investment. So this is a step in the right direction. I suspect the Biden Administration will continue. When it comes to the middle east, its going to be fascinating because clearly the Rump Administration is anxious to nail down this relationship ith israel and israel with its competitors if you will, in the neighborhood. And so i think youll see the Biden Administration move rather cautiously. While they said they would reengage with iran, they put a number of caveat place. And so, i think youll see the Biden Administration move pretty cautiously when it comes to all things in the middle east, especially iran. Ms. Verstandig thank you very much, Speaker Boehner. I see that our time has come to a close. Id like to express my gratitude to meridian and to our panelists, this was quite an hour discussion, i hope well be able to reconvene because we left so much off the table. Stewart, i turn this over to you. Stewart thank you, toni, for so deftly guiding us in this very broad discussion. Id like to thank everyone. The group we have here are the pragmatic leaders we need to be, i think, guiding our country Going Forward and i know the speaker has a book coming out in april. Were looking forward to that. But joe crowley, Rodney Slater, Speaker Boehner, thank you so much for sharing your perspectives. President trump will be in georgia tomorrow. Hes speaking at a rally in valdosta in support of incumbent republican senators david perdue and Kelly Loeffler who are in runoff elections against democratic challengers. Watch the rally live on c span saturday at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. Then on sunday, senator loeffler and herdemic challenger, Rafael Warnock hold a debate ahead of elections on january 5. Live debate coverage at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. You can watch these events live online at cspan. Org or listen ith the free cspan radio app. Book tv on cspan2 has top nonfiction books and authors every weekend. Coming up this weekend, saturday at 8 15 p. M. Eastern, coverage of the 71st annual National Book awards. Sunday, live, at noon eastern, on in depth, a conversation with author and chair of African American studies as princeton university, eddie broad jr. , author of several books. Here we are, after electing the first black president in 2008, the country responded by, what, Voter Suppression law, voter i. D. Law, the tea party. And then we elected donald trump. So were at a crossroads, who are we going to be . At the heart of it all has always been this moral question. Who do we take ourselves to be . Join the conversation with your calls, tweets, teches and facebook messages. At 9 00 p. M. Eastern on afterwords, National Review correspondent Kevin Williamson and his book big white ghetto on the politics an everyday lives of White Working Class americans in appalachia. Hes interviewed by Washington Examiner columnist and cnn contributor, this sunday on cspan 2. American history tv on cspan3. Exploring the people and events that tell the american story. Every weekend. Coming up this weekend, saturday at 10 00 p. M. Eastern on real america, as house officials prepare to roll out a vaccine against the coronavirus, we take you back in time for five arkivel films about vaccines and the fight against disease. On sunday at 6 00 p. M. Eastern, on american artifacts, tour new york citys Tenement Museum with reconstructed dwellings that show how immigrant families coped with crowded dwellings and poverty. And a look at leadership in the cold war with historian william hitchcock, author of the age of eisenhower. Then at 9 00 p. M. , a u. S. Constitutional debate. Hosted by the Colonial Williamsburg foundation. Featuring a reenactment from Founding FathersJames Madison and george mason on issues from the bill of rights to slavery. Watch American History tv this eekend on cspan3. Next, former c. I. A. Director john brennan participating in a discussion with National Security experts on threats facing the u. S. And priorities the Incoming Biden Administration should focus on. The panel also exemployers Foreign Policy and its intersection with National Security. The center for strategic and International Studies hosts the 50minute conversation. Good morning everybody in d. C. , good evening to nerve korea, welcome. This week on the capital cable, global threat. The bidenharris transition and