Transcripts For CSPAN2 USAID Administrator On Presidents 2021 Budget Request 20240713

Development administrator mark green testified before the Appropriations Committee and Donald Trumps 2021 budget request for his agency, he fielded questions on the various foreign aid programs run by usaid and his agencys involvement in responding to the global coronavirus outbreak. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] the subcommittee on state, foreign operations and related programs will come to order. Administrator green, thank youou for joining us today. I really do want to thank you for your stewardship of usaid during very difficult times and for the dedication of our Development Professionals. Usaid helps the worlds most do need a kleenex . We are all carrying them around. Usaid helps the worlds mosta vulnerable, assists in recovery from natural disasters and humanitarian crises, and supports countries efforts to strengthen governance, rule of law, and human rights. This isnt just the right thing to do, it strengthens our National Security and advances american interests. And you certainly have your work cut out for you. There are more than 70 million refugees and displaced people around the world, which is fueled by conflict, natural disasters, and climate change. Ebola continues to simmer in the democratic republic of congo, while the Novel Coronavirus outbreak threatens to become a pandemic. Despite significant progress on our development priorities, we are currently off track to meet the Uns Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Our development and humanitarian efforts are our best hope to tackle these issues. This is why congress has disregarded this administrations last three budget requests, instead providing sufficient resources to effectively and efficiently fund some of our most critical Foreign Policy priorities. The administrations fiscal year 2021 budget request includes funding for several Development Initiatives that we support, such as womens Economic Empowerment, investments to strengthen emerging private sectors, and Global Health security. However, the administration cannot be successful in these initiatives if we under or defund the basics, which is exactly what the proposed 20 cut to our foreign assistance programs would do. For example, if enacted, this request would cut basic education by 66 and Family Planning by 59 . The administration cannot seriously believe that millions of women can achieve Economic Empowerment if they are unable to read, write, do math, ort control the timing and number of children they have. Any benefit from an increase in Global Health security would surely be offset by the proposed 34 cut to all other Global Health programs. Instead of requesting funding and implementing policies to ensure usaid can be successful, the administration seems intent on putting every possible barrier in your way. This is certainly true of the expansion of the global gag rule, the kempkasten determination against unfpa, and unfair stigmatization of multilaterals as wasteful and working against u. S. Interests. The administrations multiple policy reviews have also led to program delays and suspension of assistance. This subcommittee has always believed that our National Security is strongest when defense, diplomacy, and development are equally funded. Without robust funding for development and humanitarian programs, the u. S. Will fail to maintain our position as a leader on the global stage. This will not only harm the worlds most vulnerable. It puts u. S. Lives at risk and reduces our influence. We cannot, and will not, allow this to happen. Again, thank you for testifying today, and i look forward to our discussion. Before we move to your testimony, let me turn to mr. Rogers, the Ranking Member, for who is committed to these issues and has worked very hard as a partner, please, go forward with your opening statement. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair, and welcome, mr. Ambassador. We appreciate your being here to discuss the budget and spending plans. And a review of your work at the agency. Let me start by once again acknowledging the good work that you are doing at usaid and the collaborative manner in which you do it. These are not easy times to be engaged in international development. Challenging operating environments from insecurity, continue to mount as do the needs of those we aim to help. I salute your dedicated cadre of Development Professionals that too often are working in or near very dangerous circumstances. Your leadership and experience especially having served as an ambassador and coincidentally in this body, comes at a critical time because you are already keenly aware of the risks are Foreign Service officers face in carrying out their duties. In these uncertain times. I i want you to know that i am grateful for your leadership at usaid, and you have my support, for whatever that means. Turning to the matter at hand. The president s budget request for fiscal 21 is nearly a 20 cut from fiscal 20 budget. I suspect this proposed cut will be handled in a manner similar to prior years. I look forward to working with the chairwoman in the weeks ahead on the bill that provides more appropriate levels of funding to address the serious global challenges that we are confronted with this year. However, there are a few notable improvements in parts of the budget that deserve mention, including prioritized funding for the indopacific strategy countering chinese, russian, and iranian malign influence, and a focus on strength and engagement with the private sector. I hope you will address these topics as we go along this morning. As well is how you see the rule of usaid in afghanistan, as we enter this new chapter of our engagement there. Im also interested to more about how usaid has and will respond to the coronavirus outbreak. As you know weve been working hard on a supplemental appropriations bill to help in this regard, and hope and trust will pass that through the house this week. I was chairman of the full committee when we worked on the ebola outbreak, and also win zika hit. Having shepherded the supplementals to address those outbreaks to the congress, i knew when i became chair of this subcommittee that i wanted to create a pot of funding that could be tapped quickly to address an emerging Health Threat abroad. That is how we ended up with emergency reserve that you are able to draw from last week for your initial response. Im sure that the months ahead will not be easy in combating this current outbreak, but hope you would keep us informed, let us know will be continue to help in this global effort. There are more priorities that i will address when it comes time for questions. So in closing with his opening statement, let me once again thank you and the men and women from usaid or your hard work and your commitment to the service. We thank you. I yield. Thank you. And i will be calling on members based on seniority of members that were present when the hearing was called to order. I will alternate between majority and minority and each member is asked to keep the questions to within five minutes per round, but first, administrator green, we will be happy to place your full testimony into the record. If you would like to proceed by summarizing your oral statement, that would be fine. We will proceed as you wish id want make sure you leave enough time to get to everyones question. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair, Ranking Member rogers, and members of the subcommittee. I i do welcome this opportunityo summarize my testimony, but also to express appreciation for your ongoing support, particularly for the men and women, professionals at usaid all around the world, as you have noted they are working often in very trying circumstances. The president s fiscal year 2021 budget request approximately 19. 6 billion or usaid, its an effort to balance fiscal responsibility here at home with our leadership role in National Security imperatives on the world stage. Id like to begin by discussing some of the latest developments on a few other more pressing issues, like the drc where usaid continues to lead the u. S. Governments response to the ebola outbreak. There is solid progress to report. There were no new confirmed cases last week, the first time that is happen since the response began. To be clear, the outbreak is not over. Ongoing security threats could still unravel the progress, but nonetheless, there is reason to the optimistic. Of course one of the administrations very highest priorities is taking on the threat posed by the coronavirus. Last month secretary pompeo announced the u. S. Government would contribute up to 100 billion to up stem the spread of the disease internationally. That includes 37 million as was reference for usaid to work in affected countries. These resources are at work in a range of activities including surveillance, lab testing and public messaging campaigns. Were also sending a personal protective equipment to a number of countries. Theyre still much we dont know about the disease, but its worth noting that usaid is invested more than 1. 1 billion in Global Health security since 2009. Those investments have helped improve the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging disease threats like the coronavirus. From natural crises to manmade crises, there is yemen. In many ways the Worlds Largest humanitarian disaster. The fear by the houthis has forced us to plan partial suspension of programs in the countries north, the harassing aid workers and imposing numerous obstacles to service delivery. We cannot tolerate our assistance being impeded or diverted. The houthis must take action to in the interference. We will also be forced to limit where and what we provide. In northwest syria recent operations by syrian and Russian Security forces have displaced nearly 1 Million People from idlib and aleppo. A recent Security Council decision means an effect that u. N. Agencies can no longer use one of the only three entry points into northeastern syria, dangerously constricting our humanitarian lifeline. On a brighter note, last october usaid site its first Bilateral Agreement with venezuela in decades. It enables us to expand our support to independent media, Civil Society, the National Assembly and the government of interim president juan guaido. It will allow us to provide Additional Support once a democratic transition occurs. The request for venezuela includes 205 million from a Global Health fund for that important work. We are hopeful we get to that day and such funds can be expanded and invested. On related note i want to thank the subcommittee for its support of our work in colombia. A visit by her staff to our mission was deeply appreciated by our teams there. In the sahel, security conditions continue to deteriorate. The u. N. Estimates 4000 people have been displaced every single day since the year began. Usaid is providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, trying to help stabilize violence affected areas, it also counter extremist messaging. I want to take a moment and highlight two two successes ase talk about some of the challenges. There are great opportunities and progress we can report on. In india we hope to soon welcomed establishment of a new u. S. India Development Foundation that will enable us to serve anymore catalytic role and help the government more effectively mobilize domestic resources towards areas of ongoing need. And albania that are similar progress. Prime minister told me last november albania doesnt need more money. It needs more Technical Assistance and knowledge as it takes on corruption. We hope to soon see a u. S. Albanian Transparency Academy which will help foster a culture of transparency and accountability in the countries governing institutions. Our ongoing work bring transformation to the agency is becoming more tangible than ever. With your support we now legally established the bureaus resilience and Food Security, humanitarian assistance, and conflict prevention and stabilization. We hope they will soon be joined by the proposed bureau for policy resources and performance. Performance. The concept known for which is still waiting congressional concurrence. Its the most important remaining piece of our transformation, and i look forward to continue to work with you to answer any questions that you might have. Religious freedom isnt merely an American Value as we all know. Its a human right to sadly, religious plurality and the freedom to openly practice ones faith remains under threat in many countries. We are continuing to support communities in Northern Iraq and across the middle east, as they recover from isis brutality. The request includes 150 million to maintain and expand that work. We use those resources to assist communities of all faiths, that face discrimination and persecution wherever it occurs. We are also committed to helping countries struggling to provide highquality education for their children and youth. Madam chair, given your announced retirement plans, i wanted to take a moment to offer a note of admiration. Throughout your time in congress you promoted the transformative power of education. Youve also paid special attention to children living in conflict and crisis situations, and you worked tirelessly to provide them with access to educational services. Your work has created tools and rallied resources that provide hope, for a generation great risk. You may be stepping away from congress, not yet, but your legacy will live on in the millions of people whose lives you have lifted. Its only one of the recent you will always be my favorite jewish mother. Members come i appreciate your support, your guidance, your counsel. And madam chair, again its been an honor to appear before you. Thank you and i welcome your questions. Well, thank you very much, mr. Ambassador. First of all, i appreciate your very kind words. As you know i have felt this is been really an opportunity to serve and to do many good things, and it is really been a special opportunity for me to work with you. We are fortunate to have a person with your integrity, your commitment, your knowledge in this position. And theyre still many more months left. We could do a lot of good things together, so thank you again for your kind words. Now, i have many concerns, as does this committee so much for the efforts. [laughing] so ill begin with afghanistan. Because its been 17 years i believe, isnt that correct . And i am very concerned that the recently signed Peace Agreement with the taliban could undermine the more than 30 billion the subcommittee has provided since 2002 to help promote the rights of women and girls, strengthen institutions for good governance, and increase access to quality education. Now, under the Peace Agreement, can you share with us what is usaids role . Will our programs continue . Will there be any significant changes to u. S. Aid programming or presence . I have a second part but i will let you respond to the first . Thank you, madam chair. I cant tell you that i know all the terms of the Peace Agreement yet, and obviously we are at the front end of it. I think secretary pompeo has put it very well. Were at the moment of opportunity for the people of afghanistan and their leaders. What i can tell you from the usaid perspective is that in addition to focusing on the conditions necessary for peace and applying lessons that weve learned from the sears, we are dedicated to implement thing the goals in our country strategy, including womens empowerment and educational opportunity, particularly Higher Education opportunity. As weve spoken many times, the future of afghanistan, the sustainable, Bright Future for afghanistan is dependent upon increasing the role of women in the economy, in community leadership, and obviously thats very hard to do if those Educational Opportunities go away. So we continued to be dedicated to those goals. Now, can you ensure us, assure us, that the investments made to strengthen the rights of women and girls and increase access to education can be maintained . For example, the subcommittee has demonstrated strong bipartisan support for the American University in afghanistan. With our assistance you a you a f continue under the Peace Agreement . Let me break that apart if i can into two pieces first, in terms of overall the goals that we have shared a womens empowerment educational opportunity, what i can guarantee for you is that will continue to pursue those goals. We can never guarantee outcomes. We can guarantee the effort. With respect to auaf, as we talked about before, a uas has been operating under an extended cooperative agreement. The terms of which run out in may, however. Theyve been granted a nocost extension which takes them into the summer, and theyve been invited to compete for competitive funding, which is out there. Its procurement sensitive and im not even sure all those who have applied, but i can tell you that the goals of Higher Education opportunities remain as important to us today as they ever have been. I just wonder if the administration in orchestrating these Peace Agreements is consulting with you at all . Either looking for any assurance are you looking for any assurance that there may be actions that have to be put in place to preserve the next winter progress that has been made . Have you been part of any kind of discussions . What i can tell you is that we have staff who have been assisting our special envoy. We have certainly had the opportunity to express or to remind diplomatic representatives of the work that weve all been doing. And i know in the brief conversations that ive had that there is very much the sense that the work that we have been performing over the years has made a difference and it is worth continuing to pursue. What precisely it looks like ie months and years ahead, i dont know for certain. I do know that were going to continue to pursue that same strategy and the same goals that weve been talking about for some time. Thank thank you very much. I look forward to continuing that dialogue. Id like for the assurance that these programs will continue. Mr. Rogers. Thank you, mother nita. Columbia, our anchor, our best partner in the region. A secure and stable columbia is vital to our own National Security. In fact, residents trump and magis yesterday at the white house but they need our help. Theres no doubt about it. They are being swamped by a massive exodus from venezuela, their neighbor. Im told that there are now 4. 5 million venezuelan refugees and migrants living abroad, including 1. 7 million in colombia alone. A report of 2000 refugees crossing the border every day. All those numbers accurate . As far as we know those numbers are accurate and their projected to go to as high as 6 million by the end of this year. Well, the president is almost desperate, duque, in his request for help. Ongoing political human rights, socioeconomic developments in venezuela compel growing numbers of children, women, men to leave for neighboring countries within latin america and the caribbean. And, of course, they share a very long order with colombia. Long border. Is there extra help that we can give to them to deal with this growing problem . Congressman rogers, i think you put your finger on it very well, because it is two different things. So there is the support that we continue to provide for both venezuelans who are residing in colombia and have gone throughout the region, as well as support for the Host Communities as they deal with the burden of those migrants who have come over. But separately its also important for us to deal with colombia as our close ally in their own development challenges. Challenges. And so weve invested heavily in some programs that i know president duque is extraordinarily pleased with and very supportive of. For example, he often points to antman tiling project. I used to be a real estate attorney. Nobody ever thanked me for title work before, but the work that we have done in city of 1 Million People in colombia created the first ever fully titled, folded land tenure community. And that creates mentis opportunities for Economic Empowerment, particularly for marginalized community women, but we are not only kind to help colombia deal with the costs of those who have fled their from venezuela. Were trying to help colombia as our Development Partner and diplomatic partner strengthen the economy, bring about peace and reconciliation, bring governance to a largely ungoverned rule areas. So important on both fronts and its work that were actually dedicated to you. Again, i want to the members of the committee for the great support that you have shown, and the special attention your staff has traveled down to colombia, met with colombians as well as some of the venezuelans who have fled over and we really appreciate the support and counsel. Well, the president , colombian president , duque, says the very existence of the region is is he overstating the problem . I think it is one of the most underappreciated challenges in our hemisphere. When we talk about the challenges of displaced communities, i think most americans think of the far corners of the world, but this is our neighborhood, and you are exactly right. The venezuelans who have fled, 4. 5 million plus, on their way to six, many have gone through colombia. They are not just going to colombia. Theyre going to many other countries, peru and ecuador. In some cases up to the caribbean. It imposes tremendous costs and it has an impact upon provisional social services, access to education, Food Security and Economic Growth. So its very important that we continue our focus on this region, both on the humanitarian side and also looking for ways to build some resilience in these communities. Because at this point we dont see that, that tide, if you will, a forced migrants slowing down. It is two, three, 5000 and at some points. And those are enormous costs and have real impact. We need to focus on both. Thank you. Mr. Price. Thank you, madam chairman. Good morning, mr. Green. Glad to see. Appreciate your being here today. And i want to start by remarking that i feel were in a particular position to appreciate your good work, value your good work on our bipartisan house democracy partnership. Our mission is to work collaboratively to strengthen parliamentary institutions in developing democracies as you very well know. We simply could not do what we do without the National Democratic institute, the International Republican institute, they are funded directly of course the National Endowment for democracy but they are often find it in the countries we are working with the grants and cooperative agreements with usaid. When were in these countries we see broader evidence of your good work and your engagement. The contributions you make to almost all of our 24 partner countries. And as you might expect we may have some specific ideas about the treatment of these countries in your budget and we will be wanting to work with you on that. We do look out for this country and we value their transition to democracy and sometimes how fragile it can be. Speaking of which, i want to ask you about Central America. When a country is in bad shape where citizens are fleeing for their lives, it seems that would be in our National Interest to try to address the root causes of this outmigration and to Fund Programs often to your agency that seek to do that. But that isnt what weve seen in this administration. Since march of 2019, this administration has cut a withheld almost all foreign assistance including he managing ssns to the northern triangle countries. That would be el salvador, honduras and guatemala. Despite august continue to appropriate this funding. So obvious what issue is the merits of the case. The other is contravening congressional intent. Its my understanding that of the 1. 6 billion says appropriate to this region since fiscal 2018, the administration has invested only 200300,000,000, often accompanied im afraid as were all aware by the president s punitive rhetoric. So want to ask you about that. There have been over the years a lot of advocates, bipartisan all over the ideological spectrum, most famous i suppose general kelly when he was command of southcom. Theres been a lot of advocates for this kind of support for these countries, this kind of home country support to address the conditions that often prompt outmigration. Someone to ask you about that of course but it also want to ask you to take a few steps back here maybe this will help us understand whats going on here. What would you say more generally about the potential of for assistance in these situations works foreign aid can do some things, other things they cannot do. Humanitarian Development Economic assistance. What is the potential in Central America or anywhere else to address the root causes of people fleeing the country . Outmigration. So we are concerned about these cuts, very concerned about these cuts but also concerned about the general proposition that we are overlooking a potential that for assistance gives us to deal with Critical International issue. So thats what i would invite you to reflect on. Thank you, congressman. Very quickly on hdp. Thank you. I think the hdp partnership is a very important one. I will say very quickly is to plant the seed, we have a number of countries that are emerging into democracy and they often lack a couple of things that we sometimes assume either. Number one, transparency. They may not have experience in transparency at a think we can help strengthen that much to their benefit. But secondly, separation of powers. You and i have spoken about this. Theres not enough investment made in legislative oversight. State usaid, we tend to do with the chief executive, the executive branch. Im a big fan of hdp because its an Important Program in that area. Secondly, when it comes to the displacement challenges, there are a couple of parts to it. Number one is root causes, youre correct. And we have been working while were in this pause for our developer assistance into the northern triangle to develop methods for better calibrating the geographic sources from which outmigration is coming. So that when were able to get back to full work when the administration is satisfied that we have strong and willing partners and our host country governments, that we can better focus some of those programs. What the other piece that you are focusing on or that you pointed to, i think is the challenges perhaps not addressed enough but all of us. I do know weve got all the answers. So as chairwoman lowey pointed out so well in the opening comment she made, we have brought 71 million displaced people in the world and we have a generation thats going up displaced either in camps or in displaced villages. And i truly worry about their connectivity to the world around them. So we have to look at such things obviously as nutrition and health, education and how we provide education in these disparate settings. But also more broadly, connectivity. How do we help young people connect to the world around them so that as they grow up, they are ready to contribute to a more stable, peaceful, prosperous world . Its a daunting challenge, at i cant tell you i got all the answers but it is what is causing all of us to think a great deal and reflect upon what tools can be developed. So youre right, weve got not just in the northern triangle that many places in the world a couple of sets of challenges. Addressing the root causes that often drive people, which is often insecurity, lack of opportunity, oppression, conflict. But also those who are in motion, how do we help them so that we are not locked into cycles where people become vulnerable to the worst kinds of exploited forces in the years ahead . That something is causing us to think a great deal and reflect and we look forward to working with you on it because i think it is a daunting generational challenge for a. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair. Thank you. Mr. Fortenberry. Thank you, madam chair, for holding this important hearing. Administrator green, august when green, ambassador green, i never know what to call you but welcome to hearing. Thank you for a long and distinct public service. I think of one of best jobs in government. Its tough, difficult, hard to because its also a lot of fragmentation is a lot of variation to the types of problems that we have. The United States continues to lead the world in terms of humanitarian relief and, frankly, charitable generosity and you at the point that some grateful for that. I want to point something out to you or to the General Accountability Office come up on about a a year ago and asked hm to basically do a mapping strategy for all Food Security and assistance programs that america has, that were engaged with in terms of multinational organizations as well as touching upon a good of nongovernmental organizations that touch this space. As you are quite a Food Security is the foundation for stabilization as well as human flourishing. Id like you to address the question, how well Food Security through are made of Important Programs food for peace, the variety of other outreach efforts that you have through the micro types of programs that are out there are being fully integrated and socialize as again that foundational piece of your work. Thats just a broad kind of second, i like you to comment on it, but secondly, the same thing goes with conservation in biodiversity. As we were moving forward in s century, emphasizing the need for Environmental Security is absolutely critical. Holistic approach that includes persons and things is essential in my mind to your work. Again, please address how well written. Theres a new idea floating out there that is tactile, as region real to individuals and teams can embrace it. Thats planting trees. Provide stabilization biodiversity and address the issue of carbon in abbasid period vitally, if we have time to talk to you all a bit about Northern Iraq and your efforts there. Thank you, congressman. Any one of the topics you brace i think might be the topic for a good hearing unto itself. First off on Food Security, it allows me to point out that on the subcommittee and that usaid we had the great privilege of working in an area which every administration in modern times has created important tools. And feed the future, which was created during the obama administration, is a marvelous tool that we are all very excited about. We have continued to prioritize investments in Food Security through feed the future, but the global water judges will. Nutrition priority countries and resilience focus countries, all of those tools come together. In terms of how we are thinking about it, in the transformation process we have legally launched a new pierrot or resilience and Food Security, recognizing that Food Security is that simply a matter of providing food stuffs. It is also building some of the resilience to help community with stand future shock, plus on top of it, the greatest opportunities in most parts of the world for Economic Growth, for surging economically are in the Food Security repair if you dont get Food Security write it very, very difficult to go very far and provide opportunities for young people. In the transformation process we are elevating it and making sure that resilience goes along with Food Security. Conservation biodiversity, you and i share a great passion. I a big supporter of the carpe program which is the longest and largest Biodiversity Program as well as the delta program. But not only is it important for the goal of pursuing biodiversity in and of itself, which we elevate in our metrics, but also i want to point out that those efforts at combating violent traffic, art particularly important right now. If you look at where in recent years the most dangerous infectious outbreaks come from, almost all of it has some linkage to genetic causes. So tackling while attracting is not only good conservation measure, its a good health measure. Its increasingly important. So again its going to be elevated and prioritized in our work Going Forward because its also matter of health security. Ms. Frankel. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Greene, for being here. I want to add my comments to your organization. I covered all of the will. Ive met with many of your workers and the ngos that you find and just, i add the complement. My job is usually to get out of their way, quite frankly. Theyre talented. Dont take my questions personally today. I want, first i think ill start with this thread that want to ask you a question relative to that because i actually had a visitor in my office a couple months ago, and her name was doesnt matter, shes 31, a mother of two children from mozambique. Im not sure if i matter or somebody who knew her, but heres the story. She had lost her husband to aid in 2017, and turned to the Mozambique Association for Family Development for help when she discovered she had hiv, she was hivpositive. The clinic set a routine for her and she told me that if it wasnt for these visits she wouldnt be a live. However, there is a however to this. Apparently, when the was a cut from a this clinics money because of the expanded gag rule, it shut down and basically shut the place to go. So my first question, because i think people maybe dont understand this and maybe you could explain it. I know that federal money is not allowed to use for abortions so will not argue that. Im not going to argue that today. In the past other administrations, republican administrations have had whats known as a gag rule which would not permit a Family Planning, would affect organizations that did Family Planning. My understanding is under the Trump Administration with what i call its abortion obsession and its desire to placate the very extreme right wing of americans who are obsessed with abortion, that now the whole gag rule is now applied to all healthcare money. And so that its not just them with plenty but also healthcare. So if you could just explain that, if thats true, and what is the size of that amount of money that is being affected . Thank you, congresswoman. So it does apply to basically all healthcare funds, but i think the important thing to remember is it doesnt reduce healthcare funding one dollar. So the overall funding that is provided for our Global Health work is not reduced by the if i could come well, its not reduced and is attempting to be reduced or injured budget either a significant amount which i was hoping you disagree bareknuckled put you on the spot the fact of the matter is, i guess the question is, is it any data now that youre that indicates whether or not all these other, all these ngos or these clinics that have been defunded havent adequately replace . Because i just gave you an example of a clinic in a small village that has been, those doing all the health care for the village. Its been defunded. Have been replacements . So let me answer that with a couple of points. So first off, you began by referencing pepfar and important aids work that is being done. Some of of the obvious and i wl defer to ambassador books, but i know that she has said publicly that under the budget request all those who are on a rt, theres sufficient resources for that to continue. Secondly, on the question you are posing come up all of the organizations for which it is applicable the vast majority have agreed to the conditions that are at the heart of it and those that have not obviously it is on us then to endeavor to make sure there is a smooth transition to the continued provision of the services. I know that there is an overdue report to you and to this committee. It is overdue by a ways and is in the interagency process. We will as weve done before make sure we report to you completely and accurately what the numbers are to help address your question. All right. Are we going to have a second round of questions . Okay. Thank you and i will yield back. I will ask my other questions later. Ms. Roby. Good morning. Thank you, madam chair, and thank you, administrator green for your testimony before our committee today. And i know that the chairman of the asked about afghanistan, but its very, very important to me as well throughout my time in congress as you know, ive had the opportunity to visit afghanistan eight times, and looking forward to my nice trip coming up. The time that i have spent in afghanistan has been truly impactful for me, both as a of congress but personally. And the purpose of our trip of course is to spend time with we usually try to schedule this trip in and around mothers day to be with our female troops on that special day who are away from their families. But we also have the unique opportunity to spend time with afghan people, and especially afghan women, in various regions throughout the country. And whereas i get i know this has always been brought up in terms of the aumf af, but as we look towards peace and afghanistan and we hope for of course are conflict free future, the path forward needs to be thoughtful and methodical. We cannot, we cannot lose the gains that we have made, especially as it pertains to womens rights. So ongoing to give yet another opportunity as it relates to usaid, what does the future of demand chain aid to afghanistan look like . So not to repeat the question that always been asked, but looking at a longterm strategy towards ensuring stability in that region, and again, i think probably the best word that we can use as a relates to these incredible gains that have been made is that they are very fragile. And so i will let you address that. Thank you, congresswoman. And thank you for the attention that you have paid in your travels. And i think that secretary pompeo has put a it pretty wel. There are challenges obviously even with the signing of the peace deal. Progress has been made. Right now we have a real opportunity and we had to call upon afghans to seize the opportunity, obviously. More specifically to your questions, humanitarian assistance, we will continue to provide community assistance. I think we all recognize that she managing assistance is treatment, not cure. We are hopeful for the day where its not necessary. Its necessary right now, and we will continue to provide that as we can. More importantly is the Development Assistance in helping secure, lock in the tremendous progress that has been made in terms of womens empowerment, Economic Empowerment, involve a communities and Educational Opportunities. Thats something thats very important to us and we will continue to work in that area. Weve also been working in the region to help secure m. O. U. S to try to build some Regional Energy markets. There are real possibilities there. Its very hard for a country like afghanistan to really sees its future with to seize its future with electrification energy, the connectivity that is there so that something that is important to us as well. But we all want to see success and we all want to build on the progress that has been made. Last year he gave us an overview, the current transformation project being undertaken at usaid and understand one component of the transformation process would be to reevaluate how a country Socioeconomic Progress is measured. So as a relates to afghanistan or anywhere else what are the markers that would be used to determine a country success . In other words, what kind of metrics is usaid, and youve heard me, we talked about this one on one before, used to make future funding decisions . I think thats really important. Particularly as relates to outcomes, not just, you know, we can talk all day here about what were doing and what we are investing but i think its very important for us as we speak back to our constituents to talk about output. My time is running out and made i will say this for round two back if you want to put that in your back pocket and i will revisit this in the next round. Thank you. Thank you, madam chairwoman, mr. Ranking member for holding history, and thank you to administrator green for being here and for your work. There are currently more people who have been forcibly displaced than any other time in our history. 70. 8 million according to unhcr. At least a whole generation of children have been born and live their formative years in refugee camps. In light of this i am deeply concerned to once again say that the president s agenda includes plans to decouple refugee programming from the diplomatic efforts of the state department by transitioning almost all mra money to the International Community assistance bureau. Even though this was expressly forbidden in fiscal year 20 appropriations. Two questions. One, how do you envision about balance between the diplomatic and developmental roles required in u. S. Engagement on these refugee issues . And, two, what is your ideal breakdown between prm and a future when it comes to the use of the mra money . So, in places all around the world we work hand in glove with the state department. There really isnt an issue. We each have roles to play. We each have capacities to play. Obviously, state has a diplomatic lead, and it should. At each place where we work, the chief of mission is obviously state department. And so the goal i think for all of us is to make sure that there is integration, that it is seamless, that there isnt duplication. Our role is operational. Our role is to not only move my name but to measure results and to make sure that we are nimble enough or changing needs. I dont really see an issue. It has worked, it has worked quite well and we continue to work on better integration. Ill let you pose some of this to the state department but i think both sides right now are comfortable with the approach that we are taking to make sure that there isnt either a scene or an overlap. I think the challenge is increasingly that what we are seeing our communities in motion, and sometimes the distinction between internally displaced persons and refugees is a relatively artificial one, and its a moving target. And so i think what we are both state and eight are trying to do is make sure we are properly postured for the terribly complicated nature of these weekly emerging challenges. So thats sort of how we view it. Are there any risks to doing this . We were told during the rollout of the budget that there are plans to call locate the departments locate. We are colocated in most places. I guess im not sure ice either an issue or a risk. Again, we have both roles to play. We are not in places without state department approval, and we fall under chief of mission authority. Thank you. I wanted to follow up a little bit. We started talking about youth, whether here, in the u. S. Or abroad, young people of long been at the forefront of building peace in their community by creating movements, organizations come networks to mitigate netiquette negative effects of conflict and prevent recurring cycles of violence. Inclusive peace processes are proven to more holistically address the root causes of violence and leads to more sustainable peace. Especially in countries in conflict it will be the young people who bear the burden of sustaining the peace over generations. What kind of outrage is usaid doing to ensure that organizations led by answer of young people are engaged in conflict Prevention Strategies . I think you put your finger on a really important topic and challenge and opportunity. So i just returned from a visit to tunisia. My second time there personally. I was there in a previous capacity, but as we know it was young people in tunisia that essentially led to the crafting of the most progressive constitution in the arab world, so i took the opportunity to meet with youth representatives several years later and say okay, what are you thinking . Where are you . Because that energy will carry forward. For most of the displaced challenge of you are dead on. It is young people we have to point to for the future. If we fail to provide them tools and experience, there will be a lot of cycles and we get wont get where we need to be. It is important, they talked about the challenges we see from the chinese model of development and assistance . I worry a great deal that young people may not realize their future is being mortgaged in terms of debt distress and loss of Natural Resources and biodiversity. So they get to help realize,. Thank you. We are going to begin a second round and continue as long as you are gracious enough to give us your time. It was february of 2018 the administration indicated its 6month assessment was too early to determine the impact and the complete report would be provided by december and still waiting for that assessment. Meanwhile the administration has issued clarification of policy that make more problematic for overseas partners so first of all when can i expect the assessment and in june of 2019, the study and preview some limitations of the global gag rule and found abortions went up by 40 in countries dependent on usaid Health Programming while contraceptive use went down 12 . How can the United States implement a policy without knowing its effect . Thank you, madam chair. First off, you are overdue for that assessment. The 6month report you pointed to, because it caught many programs or projects midstream, that is why we felt it was too early to fully understand the impact of the new policy, the next report is overdue in the interagency and i will do my best to get it to you when we have it available. You are certainly do that. With respect to the second part of your question, the administration is confident we can meet our Global Health goals. At the same time we prevent taxpayer money from directly or indirectly supporting organizations that perform or actively promote as an act of familyplanning and again the report is due to you, hasnt reduced dollars and as far as i know we have not had material disruptions in services, that report is due to you. You are carrying out the policy and you didnt make the policy, have abortions gone up 40 . Im afraid i cant answer as to what they might be aware of. Thank you. Lets talk about the coronavirus. We are closely watching the global spread, outbreaks are becoming more frequent. The florida they tried to ensure that there are funding, flexible authorities to respond. Can you share with us what role usaid is currently playing in the Coronavirus Response and how have you weighed usaid investments, better prepare countries to respond to such disease threats and where the gaps remain . We have made a range of investment to build the capacity for surveillance detection and processing in many parts of the world. I would point to University Networks we have invested in, as we discussed, seeing how many of these Infectious Diseases are do not act in origin. They are emerging from wildlife and that is something that is of concern to us. As a general matter the investments we all made built the capacity to detect and treat, the public messaging networks are important. We often times under appreciate, we see that in the ebola session. So much we need to do in interventions, god willing eventually a vaccine require clear messaging coming forward for appropriate precautions was part of what we invested in his making sure we have networks that are set up. The success we have had in the role we played it combating the the covers virus and h1 and one and the winding down of the current ebola outbreak. With the case of the coronavirus there is obviously a great deal we dont know and as we see outbreaks occur outside china, in iran, that creates real challenges for all of us because it because it becomes multicolor outbreak source so we are working hard to make sure we are able to provide the ease and boost capacity of labs in various parts of the world so we are better prepared. The other piece to it we are all thinking about hopefully soon are the secondary implications. These outbreaks could destabilize health networks, health systems. We are concerned they might setback development of progress that has been made. The other area we are concerned about are the risks that some of the countries where we know there is the outbreak potentially underreporting and not living up to International Health regulations, those are challenges for us. We know there are a number of challenges out there. We are working closely with the state department to make sure our resources are applied to the challenge but there is a lot we dont know. The Trump Administration, the highest priority is protecting americans here at home. The early steps the administration has taken and the team that was assembled, we look forward to supporting the work of the administration with this. Gladiator you involved. In january of 2019 when the task force was announced it didnt include usaid or the Defense Department which are the two primary players in the Ebola Response in west africa. I think my time is almost up but i am glad from your remarks that you we are not members of the White House Task force. Is that a mistake . We are not members of the White House Task force. We are contributing in the interagency and making sure assets are brought to bear. Does the white house understand when they create a task force, a Critical Agency out of it or does it make a difference putting in your 0. 02. I would never say it makes a difference. I would say you can correct them. We continue two things. We are organizing and fostering ourselves that we are better organized to contribute and we continue to provide to the state department, and we work closely with cdc, we have calls with doctor redfield so the information is solid and good. Im delighted, taking advantage of your expertise. Mister rogers. The us in the pacific strategy. Your efforts, our efforts, to promote fair, free and reciprocal trade to help countries resist economic practices. We provided 2. 9 billion to indo pacific. And Economic Growth since the start of the Trump Administration but on the other side theres china. Over the last 15 years china has fueled one of the most dramatic and geographically farreaching surgees and official peacetime lending in history. A massive built in Road Initiative symbolizes beijings role as the development and export and finance. Spanning 80 countries, they can cover 2 thirds of the worlds population. It can include chinese 1 trillion, seven times what the us spend under the marshall plan. We 7 times. It plans to strengthen hard infrastructure with new road and railways, soft infrastructure with trade and transportation agreements. University scholarships or people to people exchanges. The feature is its lack of transparency. Few outside the Chinese Government and agencies the to that lending. And government and state owned enterprises do the borrowing know what the loan terms are. By limiting outside scrutiny, the initiatives lack of transparency, and risky markets and allows beijing to. Lose large projects on political influence. Unamerican type of program. Understanding the us response would come from different agency. What is your strategy for the chinese model. First, as a general matter. At understanding the bargain involved in different models that are out there. It is one of selfreliance was we want to help countries undertake the reforms and make commitments that are necessary to become selfreliant. That is what we offer at the end of the journey together. China offers something different, they want dependency. Just the opposite of what it is, part of it is to make sure the distinction. Secondly, in more specific terms we have tools particularly in the indo pacific area we provided to partner countries, the deals that are being offered so that there is an objective understanding of the consequences. It may be a cash fix up front. The consequences in terms of loss of access and debt distress are significant. On top of that, reference is made to indicators to guide investments, to guide diplomatic discussions with our counterparts in this years roadmaps, we provided a debt distress indicator to help understand how close the country is coming to at the banquet point to, significant debt distress and make sure it is out on the table, the discussions that we have. Usaids role is to take on the enabling environment. What stops American Companies from investing in these countries it is usually not capital. Regulatory predictability, in the work we do we try to strengthen those aspects of governing institutions, very confident if we made those changes in reforms and strengthen that American Business investment take off, marketbased investment, we know marketbased economics are the key to realizing the future for many of these countries are the reforms we undertake. We are increasing our presence, adding us direct hires, i plan on heading to australia, dealing with friends in australia, we hope for Senior Development advisor which will help us as we coordinate investments in Pacific Islands and in the region and we are doubling down on the environment work, and doing a better job helping partner countries understand cost and benefits of various models. Mister price. Mister administrator, i want to thank you, the cutoff of funds to Central American triangle countries designed to address the forces behind migration. I want to give you a chance to say what you want to say about that but then turn to another issue but i appreciate the reflections on foreign assistance to address the root causes. Such aid is limited under the best conditions. It has to be targeted effectively. That is what the administration has done in Central America, hard to see how that is constructive or helpful and it is important to note how hard. And the matters, nonprofits, the cutoff prompted distrust in affected communities. Erosion of cooperatives ties. The potential of such funding, with 13 billion being divergent to us defense programs to build a border wall, it does nothing to address asylumseekers, turning themselves in. It is far less then 10 of it misbegotten wall funding. Return to critical country in our hemisphere that i am sure we have a lot of discussion going on, what we do about the current lack of haitis functioning government in haiti. What is the potential here . What is the ability of usaid and other donors to carry out programs in haiti. Helping haiti promote citizen responsive governance, it is not feasible in the current impasse. With a small fraction of the senate and lost their mandates because they have not had timely elections. To fix the problem and no other country is in a position to take the lead, how do you assess the difficulties in governance in timely elections and functions and your assessment of what to do about it. I made a couple trips to haiti, most recently just weeks ago. The violence that was taking place, disrupting people going to school for weeks on end, ability for Small Businesses to get parts necessary, and deeply disturbing, a few thoughts. The good news is a number of heroes in haiti, small organizations, not necessarily all, some of them, Small Schools i have seen, creating opportunities, i want to do what i can to ensure that resources are available to build on this work. With the dysfunction on the government it is the people, the every day families that are suffering terribly and we are all deeply worried about a lost generation in haiti. Secondly there are seeds of hope. I visited a small banana farm if you will where they were doing some mechanization but there was a wonderful cooperative for it every day haitians to take on all the aspects of upgrading the operation so that the group could be exported to the International Stream of congress, the future to be a will to export. The frustration of that day as they showed me the operation of the farm and only one of the lines was working because the violence disrupted the truck traffic necessary to get the parts for the other lines. I saw both the hope of the future and the frustration of the present. I met with president moise and expressed my deep concern about the dysfunction of the government and in the short term we are bound and determined to do some humanitarian assistance, treatment, not cured. I cant promise you that we can always get humanitarian assistance everywhere with me would like to because of the security situation. We want to build upon some of the heroes i referred to. I indicated to a number of people, the only way you begin to restore peoples faith in government is you need some kind of special prosecutor on corruption. Until you see a couple guys using that term, behind bars for corruption it is hard for people to have a lot of faith in their government. We are looking at the opportunities, ways to play a constructive role in that. Haiti is our neighborhood. We refuse to give up. Haiti matters to us. It is a country of great interest, concern, so many linkages but it is challenging work. Thank you for those comments. I couldnt agree more about the corruption issue and how central it is to building trust. Let me say my time is expired but i want to make the comment that governance is basic to everyone and urging secretary clinton after the earthquake that attention be paid to the literal collapse of the buildings that housed the government, the near collapse of the government itself. You will have the support of the subcommittee as you address the critical aspect of what we all agree is a devastating situation. Thank you. I would like to take the privilege of the chair because i appreciate my colleagues remarks about haiti. This has been in a position of mine and most frustrating because we cant seem to do anything. I hate to say it, i look back at least 50, 60 years ago, i hate to say that, at least people werent getting killed on the street. I would like to work with mister price and my other colleagues, i recently met with the ambassador and we had other capable people from the state Department Working on haiti, and there were many things that were frustrating to me and i would like to work with you and mister price and others, not sure if it is money, focus, people, we had the best people focus on haiti and we cant seem to make a change and people cant live when crime is everywhere and yet i had an experience where within a group where i was complaining about haiti, one person raised their hands, i am part of the medical group in haiti and we are doing excellent things. It is all not bad. But we understand the huge challenge and i would like to say to myself, mister price and others who are desperate to try to find solutions. We would like to work with you and im not sure if it is money, money and focus, we tried everything. I just want to say i agree with you and i know many of us feel the same way. The committee has been extraordinarily helpful. We met with staff, bipartisan meetings with staff before and after my recent trips and i think there is broad bipartisan support looking for answers and willing to try most anything. We look forward to continuing the conversation. We all recognize how important this is. Thank you. Miss roby. Back to the question where we left off. Under the transformation plan, what are the markers that would be used to determine a countrys success . What metrics will usaid use to make future funding decisions . What we try to measure, we are not measuring outputs but outcomes. We have 17, thirdparty metrics we use that measure the countrys capacity in each of the key areas that we work and identify by our stakeholders but also commitment. Of host Country Partners are not willing to put their own skin in the game and undertake reforms we are wasting our time. What we try to do is plot where countries are. It is not perfect. There arent perfect metrics out there. We try to use it to guide our discussions. In a Perfect World what we hope to do is have our investments prioritized according to those metrics. There will always be superimposed directives whether it is from the administration of congress and that is the way the process works, none of those is a problem in terms of the broad way that we proceed. The most important thing we get from our metrics, not just how it guides our investment but discussions. What i found when you sit down with host Country Partners. The lack of honest conversations, this is what we see and this is how we think we can be helpful. In almost every case i am aware of, lets sit down and see what we can craft together. We are interested in outcomes, not outputs. Looking at how they build the capacity of the country to eventually take these challenges on themselves. We add to it i think the prioritizing of domestic resource mobilization. Helping them more effectively and efficiently capture their own revenues. It is their country. They need to put investment into these areas. Otherwise they become lack of a better term dependent. We are trying to move in a direction and with our host Country Partners csf honest friends working along the journey with them. Thank you for the work you do. I yield back. Thank you for being here. Good to see you. I apologize for being late but we are across the hall having hearing on childhood poverty. I cover the state of california where childhood poverty rates are the highest in the country. The golden state of california. It is a disgrace and that is what we are dealing with but thank you. I apologize if the questions are redundant. I will try to put the questions together, the budget cuts in hivaids funding, we are trying to achieve in a 3 generation by 2030. If you cut it by 1. 5 million below the enacted amount i dont know what could be the justification for this but i would like to hear you answer and the Global Fund Contributions we have 33 limit in terms of our share, now it is down in this budget to 25 , that will affect not only our contribution to global funds but operations throughout the world. I want to ask you, we talked about this, we were with congressman price and House Democratic partnership, we recognize they really have a new government with great possibilities. We know there is a regional effort but we talked to many people. I want to see some footprint of usaid. We have a real opportunity and i dont see anything in the budget. I would like you to talk about that if we do move ahead to try to ensure the presence of usaid. Let me ask about the administrations peace plan, the united the administration and all humanitarian and developed assistance for the palestinians last year and we know there was a 70 year us relationship with the United States but we know it passes through the pa. Can you discuss what takes place under this piece plan as it relates to palestinian assistance or funding for schools and humanitarian assistance and does this administration restore aid to the Palestinian People . A lot of topics to cover. It is important to note the largest contributors to global aids effort, i was asked the question, ambassador burke indicated under this budget the resources are sufficient to continue all those beyond that i should the for to her as leader of the program. One area that is exciting that you and i both which provides longterm answers on Global Health fronts. It is the largest multiyear commitment. We shouldnt reduce it. The leverage of inability that is separate. I share your concerns, and trafficking and persons. I share your prioritizing, we have real hope of moving away from an authoritarian past and we dont want to lose it and if we do things get better, we know things get worse. Moving forward i would like to work with you. We want to see what we can do as relates to gabby and usaid. It is better addressed to the state department. On the peace plan what i can say is in terms of that presence we have no plans to close its but we are working to continue our presence. Local staff part of the presence, they are involved in helping usaid programs. We are hopeful for a day when the work can resume as part of the peace plan. Mister fortenberry. My childrens great great great grandfather was haitian, i told him that. I missed the fullness of the discussion in this regard but it is important, haitian culture and history is intertwined. There are 11 million haitians, multiple school groups, Church Groups connected to various projects. And and sustainable economic dynamics. If i could suggest something perhaps we should invite the ambassador here and if you could join in that conversation to start unpacking layer by layer, a huge amount of resources, we have done so for a long time. We want to talk about that idea. I share your love of haiti. One of the things, you travel around the buzz of activity it is amazing, very much so. The problem for the haitian people, haiti is struck by numerous natural disasters. They are not protesting the hurricanes. They are protesting an entirely unresponsive government that refuses to get itself in order to deliver the most basic services. My last trip, i was at a dinner with haitian Business Leaders and one of the leaders got up and walked out and they leaned forward, his brotherinlaw had been kidnapped. It is the daily life that we are seeing a and we cannot rest. We have to talk after word, some type of working group, the last bill there is some language. It tries to get you to look seriously at the border crisis, one of the underlying sectors, and back to the security fee and General Accountability Office, and our programs, they cost the government, the World Food Program can possibly be better integrated, and make the transformational idea of human flourishing. I appreciate it if chair lowey and drinking that rogers can locate it as well. Without objection. Lets turn to the issue of Northern Iraq. In the past budget we were finally able to get what we have in terms of security, ethnic religious minority community, in the Iraqi Government, we are in dialogue with the Defense Department, can you give me an idea where we are in economic aid. It was implemented in the Iraqi Government and many other international partners. It can lead to sustainability and hundreds of millions of dollars with stabilization. Lets get the update on this. Your follow up on the Security Fund is appreciated. As we discussed then and recently it is hard for us to succeed in the goals we have. To come back or stay in their home to get security right. Even in the challenging environment we all see, there are investments coming in and we have had some sessions recently on the ground in which we have seen investors come in. I met with a businessperson looking to invest in modeling and canning operation in the region. There are opportunities. And and and is that part of the home. And to recover the mosaic of ethnicities and faith that is something we all admire in Northern Iraq. I want to note the administration has paid every attention to womens Economic Empowerment in regards to pieces of legislation, new Global Development prosperity initiative. Theres an old expression, dont cut off your nose to spite your face. It is well and good the administration would seek to change property laws or find capital for womens businesses. When you cut the budget to educate, 130 million 130 Million Girls in this world because of school. This budget is asking to cut hundreds of millions from education and women have to be healthy, they cut Global Health and gets to our initial discussion at a global gag rule. People understand what it is and how damaging it is, more than just it is not about federal funding of abortion but keeping girls and access to full health care, truthful information from the healthcare providers. The global gag rule is one of the most deeply damaging policies ever enacted in foreign assistance funding. It blocks us federal funding for nongovernmental organizations that provide abortion canceling or referrals, to expand Abortion Services even when they are funded independently of usaid. Reinstated by donald trump after he took office in 2017 the newly expanded version of the gag rule targets organizations working on any program funded by us Global Health assistance including programs that expand access to contraceptives. Reproductive healthcare, hiv testing, treatment and prevention, efforts to fight malaria and Public Health programs working on outcomes. I will agree with those who represent the dangerous version and damaging legislation, or to find an example so people are clear, we dont allow federal funding of abortion, that is another issue. Going to a clinic in a small village in mozambique where people get their general healthcare, if a woman who is pregnant even asks the question where can she get an abortion shes not allowed to be told that or the clinic loses its funding. Even if there happens to be a pamphlet lying on a table that actually doesnt mention abortion but mentions the name of another Healthcare Clinic or organization that actually gives abortion referrals or does abortion they lose their funding. I want everyone to be clear about this obsession that is hurting millions and millions of women all over the world now. Do i have time . I still have time. Im going to ask you a question. You dont have to defend this policy. Im not asking you to do that. I dont think you can. I do want to ask about the womens entrepreneurship and empowerment act which identifies key barriers to genital mutilation, access to education, gender based bias and does not mention healthcare but that is for another day. Can you tell us given the suggested cuts, do you have the staffing and training needed to conduct the gender analysis that is required to get into the meat and potatoes legislation. Good question and thanks for your support, and the National Womens empowerment is a National Security matter. We feel in the last couple years weve got new exciting tools from gdp to peace and security and in the first year of w gdp, and new opportunities created. We can always do more but we have resources necessary to continue on with this work, to show the early results but keep it going. In bipartisan areas there is a Bright Future. People, a lot of people dont understand on this committee about healthcare and other parts of the world, if people have access to healthcare. Why do we care for woman has access to contraception . There is no better example. When people look at the spread of disease and the spread of terrorism, what we know is pretty clear which is why you are in the business, thank you again, such an important part of our government, countries are more prosperous, healthier, safer and the world is safer and i hear the knocking of the panel and i yield back. You will yield to miss may. Last week there was a report from the state department which indicated under multiple administrations there has been failure to ensure our foreign and Civil Service reflects a countrys diverse city. Between 20022018 the proportion of racial or ethnic minorities is only increased by 4 and those in the Civil Service decreased by one . This is exacerbated as members of the foreign and service rise in their careers. The report did not include usaids workforce but i wanted to ask a couple questions. Can you tell us whether usaids efforts toward inclusive workforce have made more progress and has usaid allocated funds to expand recruitment to minority communities and what steps you are taking to diverse if i. I will not comment on other agencies. Building a more Diverse Workforce and more importantly creating more Career Opportunities for that Diverse Workforce is a high priority because part of the strength of our agency in American Leadership is to project leadership that reflects america. Our Hallmark Program is the donald m and development fellowship, certainly would invite members of the committee to accept on pain fellows, always looking for opportunities, we would be happy to work with you on that. On top of that, i will say, i think you know me well enough. I dont like going to the past where things have been, where i have seen problems coming in. This the problem i saw when i first arrived. Now one person or administration, it goes back some years. We are doubling the number of people involved in the administration of eeoc complaints to make sure everyone is comfortable, respectful, inclusive workplace. We tried to create new standards of employee conduct. We have been training around that. We tried to create a single point of entry for those who feel there have been problems of lack of inclusivity or harassment so it is easier for people to come forward and report. It is a work in progress. I will say when i arrived it is an area we felt we were lacking. Not there yet but i hope and believe we are making progress. Thank you. A different topic. According to unicef, roughly half of schools in low Income Countries lack adequate drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Lack of privacy and sanitation result in inadequate Menstrual Hygiene and causes millions of girls to stay home from school each month. What are the advances the local community has made in the area of Menstrual Hygiene and what more can be done by usaid and others to be sure the girls are able to attend school and stay in school . Great question. I know it is a particular concern of yours and i appreciate that you raised that issue. Something to look at closely. On one level we now endeavor to include in our humanitarian Emergency Response materials appropriate Menstrual Hygiene materials because we know that is often lacking in emergency situations. More significantly to your point, you are right that a lack of Menstrual Hygiene materials and understanding is an important indicator of gender inequity. We are working to create opportunities to approach the topic in schools in particular. Im aware of a Pilot Program that had significant outcomes in improving for young girls and women not only improved selfworth, sense of independence and being able to pursue opportunities but perhaps more importantly help with young men in terms of image and outlook and those problems should be expanded because i think again, it is hard to get a full Economic Opportunity for young women if they are held back in this way. You are right to raise it and it is something we are trying to bolster because it makes a difference. Mister rogers. Mister ambassador, we thank you for giving us plenty of time with you and thank you for the work you are doing. We are trying to put together a supplemental appropriations bill for the corona matter. What do you need in addition to your regular budget, what do you need besides that to help fight this matter through . Thank you for the question and my team will work with yours. One of the important things to recognize when it comes to the broad response is the coronavirus outbreak is going to create tremendous burdens on a number of healthcare systems. We need resources to strengthen and replenish those. I think also, we need to recognize that this is going to be a Development Setback in many countries. Making sure there are adequate resources to help bolster the secondary impacts. I think also the most obvious Additional Resources to train healthcare workers, to bolster the ability to test and diagnose for the coronavirus Additional Resources for Health Facilities and in some ways most importantly resources to help convey clear, Accurate Information to the public. What we have seen with various outbreaks over the years and the coronavirus being the most challenging because it is global covering every continent but antarctica is combating the misinformation that is out there. We have seen some powers such as russia putting out misinformation on the coronavirus in an effort to cause mischief. What we do to provide clear Accurate Information what it is and what it isnt on the importance of coming forward. And taking trust in their healthcare facilities. It is part of a longterm solution on this. We wish you good luck. In conclusion, i thank you for your last comment because it is a perfect segue to an issue we havent talked about this morning and that is usaid countering lying kremlin influence framework. The russian government is pursuing efforts to undermine democracy, interfere with elections in the United States and europe and fan the flames of nationalism in europe. Last year, usaid rolled out a counter malign kremlin influence development framework. I would be interested to know something about it because i know almost nothing. How has the framework impacted usaid programming in the region and results to date. How is usaid supporting regional programs including Central Europe to address disinformation, rising nationalism. How much funding does usaid devote to Civil Society and other programs in Central Europe. Once again, the administration is to validate to countries like ukraine the Administration Proposes 42 cut. It is a 54 cut. The administration is serious in pushing back against russia while proposing cuts to countries such on the front line of russian aggression. I know the hour is late but there has not been any discussion and many of us are very concerned. And in each of those areas we spoke a great deal about the maligned kremlin influence framework. So what were trying to do regionally and in some cases country by country is developed economic independence so that they are less dependent upon, for example, moscow for energy sources. Also in some cases like ukraine, help strengthen their ability to protect against able to push back. I point to come for example, u. S. Albania Transparency Academy that we are preparing to launch. We hope it will be not only what the Prime Minister there has asked for in terms of a tool to fight corruption and malign influences but perhaps even a model for the region. Another tool were working on that i think holds great promise, we often talk about the importance of creating an independent trustworthy media. And that is important. I think we need to go one step further. Because the other side isnt playing by the media rules that we believe in. I think its also media literacy. Thats helping citizens to recognize disinformation and misinformation and malign influences in the media process. Thats something were attempting to strengthen and will continue to build. So we have a lot of work to do, but we remain committed to countries like ukraine and their stated goal to look more westward and will do everything we can to make sure that the tools and resources to pursue that. Let me just say in conclusion as i close the hearing, this is very personal interest of mine. Im passionate about it. And perhaps i can have a roundtable with the people who are working on this issue can come in brief us because i know many of us are concerned about this. So perhaps first you can do a memo for us, just giving us a better idea of exactly what you do and where you do it and then we can follow up with a discussion. But as i close this hearing, i want to thank the committee. I want to thank you for your time. This concludes todays hearing, and the subcommittee on state foreign operations and related programs stand adjourned. And thank you so much for appearing before us. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] President Trump has announced he will brief the nation on the federal response to the corona virus pandemic later this afternoon. Thats now