Transcripts For CSPAN3 State Department And USAID Africa Funding Hearing 20171121

There was testimony on the budget request and where theyre working to find more efficiencies in certain programs. This hearing is about 90 minutes. Subcommittee will come to order. Good afternoon to everybody. Thank you for being here. Really deeply appreciate our two distinguished witnesses here today to give us an inside look at the budget as it relates to africa. And where the challenges are, where funding will potentially increase. As you know, the appropriations budget that has passed the house clearly indicates that there were some differences of opinion as to how much and where we should be spending that money. And i think we have come to a consensus at least on the republican side that extraordinarily important programs like pep far, the emergency plan for aid relief, a number of refugee plans and a lot of other programs that deal with Infectious Diseases, like tuberculosis need to be funded in a very robust way in order to save lives and to mitigate dangers, especially to women and children. We also have, you know, i think, a very strong commitment on this committee and from our leaders from the state department to ensuring that refugee in a world where we refugees and idps than ever before. Disproportionately in sub Saharan Africa. That we ensure the resourcing is there from food to medicine to shelter. Just recently in june our Ranking Member karen bass and i visited some of the refugee camps and had a very, i think, important takeaway that our Food Security, the money that were providing for food and medicine, was being used efficiently and compassionately. We is also saw it in the idp camps in unity state in south sudan where, again, because of the generosity of the American People, people were getting adequate food and shelter and medicine. Obviously this commingles and works, i think, synergistically with the United Nations efforts, particularly in camps that are run by the unhcr. I think the partnership, as in the past, as in the present and looking into the future bodes well for doing everything humanly possible to assist. There is always concerns about budget cuts, and i think they are in the process of being mitigated by congressional action and thats a good thing in my opinion. Because, again, for the weakest and most vulnerable among us, particularly refugees, weak women and small children, in dire situations where famine and other disasters are wreaking havoc on them, it is important to ensure that we get those resources to them in a timely fashion, again, to ensure survival and hopefully prospering. Finally, one of the programs i consider to be among the greatest ever conceived is the first thousand days from conception to the second birthday. Where, through adequate Food Security children and mothers are made healthier. Supplementation if ever there was a program that boosts immunity, ensures that mother and baby are healthier and can thrive, can thwarts the whole idea of stunting in countries where there has been embrace of this important first thousand days of life. And it is part of, obviously, the fabric of the global Food Security act which i was the house sponsor of and worked closely with dr. Shaw, previously with usaid and i have met with ambassador green, the new administrator. What a wonderful man to take the helm. Our former ambassador to tanzania. He worked for iri, so he gets the democracy piece. He also sat on this committee, my committee, years ago. To have him in such a prominent and gatekeeper position. Anderson, i am sure youll agree. He is a man with tremendous competence and compassion who will make a huge difference at u. S. A. I. D. We are grateful he is at the helm. I yield to my good friend and colleague miss bass. Thank you very much, mr. Chair. I want to welcome the acting assistant secretary, donald yam moata and acting administrate cheryl anderson. Thank you for joining us today one of the things i appreciate about this committee is that so much of our work is on a bipartisan basis. As i was walking in i heard the chairman describe our trip to uganda and south sudan. Ill ask you about that in the q a. We know there is a direct correlation between our budget and Foreign Policy priorities which is why, of course, the budget has caused a great deal of concern. When we saw the initial fy 2018 budget request that called for a nearly 30 cut to the state department in usaid. I know that the administration is concerned about security and counterterrorism. And to me, when i look at usaid and the state department, we can make a choice. We can try to deal with security in addition through the military but also through diplomacy and through development, or we can just fund the military. So that really concerns me. And it makes me feel that the fy 2018 budget is extremely shortsighted. I am also concerned about agoa. I didnt and perhaps you can answer this in the q a. I didnt see support for trade hubs and some of the other programs. Maybe i am missing the details but in the crs document i dont see that. President bush established pep far. We know its done so much to reduce hiv and aids on the continent. I am glad that funding has continued but i am concerned about the elimination of the African Development bank and foundation. I think the overall approach is shortsighted. Its like they picked and chose but maybe didnt understand what the programs were. At least i am hoping that thats the case and hoping it can be rectified. I was glad that yali, power africa and feed the future are still in the budget. The question is, at what level. And the restructuring that collapses a bunch of programs together certainly causes concern for me. I dont exactly know how thats going to work if that reorganization is actually taking place, if its a proposal, you know, or what. And ill leave it at that. I know we will get into a rich exchange during the q a. Thank you, ms. Bass. Mr. Donovan. I will yield to mr. Chairman so the witnesses have more time. I would like to now introduce our very two distinguished witnesses and welcome back both of these great leaders. Beginning with donald yamamoto. Ambassador. He served as u. S. Ambassador to the federal democratic republic of ethiopia from november 2006 to july 2009. He also served as Deputy Assistant secretary in the bureau of African Affairs 03 to 06 he coordinated u. S. Policy towards over 20 countries. He served as u. S. Ambassador to the republic of djibouti from 2000 to 2003 and Deputy Director of east African Affairs. He entered Foreign Service in 1980. Same year i was elected to congress. Former assignments. U. S. Embassy beijing. During the Tiananmen Square demonstrations and massacre in 1989. Japan, principle officer as a consulate in eritrea. In the horn of africa. He attended a National War College in 96 for senior training and received a congressional fellowship in 91. Ambassador yamamoto is a graduate of columbia college. Receiving a masters degree in international affairs. He studied chinese, japanese, arabic and french during his Foreign Service career he received four individual superior honor award, two group awards and the 06 robert fresco memorial award for advancing conflict resolution in africa. Next well hear from cheryl anderson, the acting assistant administrator for the bureau for africa at usaid. She joined the bureau as Senior Deputy administrator in october of 2016. Before joining the Africa Bureau she served as Mission Director for usaid from august 2013 and prior to that was Mission Director in ghana and east Africa Regional mission. She has over 20 years of development experience, mostly in africa. Her experience began in ghana as a peace corps volunteer. Since joining usaid as Foreign Service officer in 1988 we shoshgd in missions in congo, uganda, sudan and east africa. She served as Deputy Director in east asia office in usaid quarters in d. C. And worked as a Program Manager for health link worldwide a uk based ngo. She received her bachelor of arts from Colgate University and master of science in International Development from American University right here in washington, d. C. Two very experienced and dedicated Public Servants and leaders. I would like to yield to ambassador yamamoto. Thank you very muchii submit without the record. Without objection, your statements and any attachments will be made a part of the record. I want to thank you very much, mr. Chairman, for the great work you have done on the africa issue. And madam congresswoman, thank you for your letter to the secretary of state on the budget. I want to highlight a few points before i start my short form. As secretary tillerson during his comments before the Foreign Relations committee on june 14th noted that we have a very, you know, a tight budget and that a lot of difficult, challenging decisions had to be made and but it aligns to the administrations objective of making americas security our top priority. So, in that regard, mr. Chairman and madam congresswoman. I would say we appreciate the role of this committee and subcommittee plays in helping the American People understand why Foreign Affairs matters to them. Advancing the values and interests of our country, promoting stability in the world, does matter to our citizens, whether it results in jobs, Economic Opportunities, connections between communities or the safety and security we aim to achieve. For far too along images of poverty and insecurity have dominated the American Perspective on africa. Yes, these exist in africa, and i would be remiss today if i did not express my very deep concern about the continued violence and fighting in places such as south sudan, the Central African republic as well as the atrocities committed by boca haram in Isis West Africa against innocent civilians of all faiths in nigeria and across the borders of neighboring states. These challenges are certainly not the whole story of what is happening on the continent, however. Resolving the conflict represents a small part of what our partnership on the continent aim to address and to achieve. As we consider the purpose and nature of our relationship with africa, it is important to note two things. First, is africas emergence as a point of global interest in strategic convergence. What happens on the continent over the next several years will help to shape the worlds economy, security and wellbeing. Africa is merging as a bridge from endo Pacific Region and connecting directly to europe in the middle east. Africa is a continent of friends and partners to the United States. The vast majority of african states share our commitment to free markets, world trade, democracy, the rule of law, secure borders, and effective responses to global terrorist threats. Active engagement in sub Saharan Africa advances u. S. Strategic interests. Our close collaboration with the Interagency Community centers on a set of jointly agreed upon priorities for africa. Together, we remain committed to, first, increasing Economic Growth and investment, second, advancing peace and security, third, countering the scourge of terrorism and, fourth, promoting democracy, human rights, and Good Governance. The fy 2018 foreign assistance budget requests for africa incorporates input from chiefs of missions at each sub Saharan Africa post and responds to these overreaching overarching policy goals and reflects an integrated approach for meeting the Diplomatic Security, Development Challenges in each country. The africa pirouette at both state and aid worked hand in hand through all phases of the Budget Development process. The president s 5. 2 billion fy 2018 foreign assistance request for africa supports the administrations focus on economic and Development Assistance to countries of the greatest strategic importance to the United States such as those critical to advancing u. S. National security objectives. Difficult tradeoffs were made as we worked to streamline efforts to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of u. S. Taxpayer dollars. Focusing our efforts allows us to advance our most important policy goals in National Security interests. The fy 2018 request addresses key priorities in africa, including promoting u. S. National security interests by seeking to assist partner nations to defeat isis, branches and affiliates, and other terrorist organization threats and networks in mali and the sahel, nigeria, like chad basin, horn of africa and elsewhere. It also seeks to assert u. S. Leadership and interests by prioritizing funding to countries facing violent conflict to prevent them from becoming safe havens from areas of terrorism and extremism. It also protects global pandemics and Global Health programs including pep far in order to control epidemics and diseases in Key Countries and preventing their spread to the United States. With a transfer of ebola funding, the damage request also maintains funding for malaria programs, africa governments are increasingly acting to address hiv aids, malaria and other diseases. The fy 2018 request aims to foster Economic Opportunities on the continent by bolstering Good Governance and Education Programs in kenya, and ghana that create a positive enabling v. For u. S. Businesses. It will also provide sufficient resources to continue to partner with and provide assistance to key allies in sub Saharan Africa. In a manner that protects americans and american interests in events as bilateral region of partnerships opens new markets for u. S. Businesses and promotes American Values abroad. Many of the biggest security threats that the United States faces, including terrorism, pandemics, transnational organized crime, are incubated and thrive in weak, failing and failed states. Recognizing the foundational importance of democracy, human rights and Good Governance to africas future and to u. S. Foreign policy objects in the continent well continue to encourage the development of Justice Sector institutions, strongs legislatures. Robust Civil Societies and independent judiciaries, media and election related bodies all of which are to improve transparency through enhancing Human Rights Violations by abusive governments so that corruption and failure to deliver basic services and lack of transparency do not create vulnerabilities to violent extremism in ub stable regions threatening the United States and its allies. Across the board we are thriving to move beyond outdated models of aid and focus on objectives that lead us as partners with the private sector, african governments, local nongovernmental organizations, Civil Society and citizens. This must be a way forward in terms of budget realities and recognition of how our relationship with africa partners have progressed. As we continue to streamline our approach to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of u. S. Taxpayer dollars well continue to prioritize resources to align with the administrations Foreign Policy objectives, focusing our efforts and coordinating closely with donors that will allow us to continue to advance our most important policy goals. And a final point, i want to emphasize that the way we have prioritized our budgeting for key crucial areas remains proportional to what weve done in the past several years. So thank you very much. And i welcome your questions. Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much. Miss anderson. Good afternoon members of the subcommittee. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today about United States investments in sub Saharan Africa. Its an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to discuss the u. S. Agency for International Developments programs on the continent. United states assistance is having a Transformative Impact in sub Saharan Africa. Between 2000 and 2015 the percentage of africans living in extreme poverty declined from 57 to 41 . Under five mortality rates have declined from 154 per 1,000 births in 2000 to 74 children per thousand in 2015. And African School primary enrollment rates have increased from 61 in 2000 to 79 in 2014. These dramatic changes were the result of sustained efforts by african governments with essential support from bilateral and Multilateral Development partners, foundations and nongovernmental organizations. Throughout usaids history weve confronted some of the worlds greatest Development Challenges. Along with our partners, we have demonstrated that our work can and does have a measurable impact. Even so, every program should look forward to the day when it can end. So every Usaid Mission must continuously evaluate how each program dollar moves the country closer to that day. These Development Efforts reap dividends not just for africa but also for the United States. Administrator green has stressed that the United States will not turn its back on those in need. Where can we make a real difference . That question drives everything we do. Usaid has become more selective in how we choose the countries and sectors where we will invest our resources. The total fiscal year 2018 budget request for africa is 5. 2 billion. Roughly 3. 7 billion, or 70 of the request, represents a top ten country programs. In fiscal year 2018, our resources are allocated based on the four overarching policy priorities laid out in the president s budget blue print. First, advance u. S. National security interests in africa through programs that support partners in the fight against terrorism, advance peace and security, and promote Good Governance. Second, ensure programming asserts u. S. Leadership and influence. Third, design programs that foster Economic Opportunities and spur mutually beneficial trade and investment arrangements for both the American People and our african partners. Lastly, we underscore all these efforts with a relentless focus on efficiency, effectiveness and accountability to the american taxpayer. Many of the biggest external security threats the United States faces, including terrorism and pandemics are incubated and thrive in weak, failing and failed states. The fiscal year 18 budget requests support for our continued effort to counter violent extremism and support conflict prevention and mitigation on the continent. For example, in somalia, usaid activities support the countrys transition from decades of state failure to a more stable democratic ally in the volatile horn of africa region. Our programs challenge extremist ideology and disrupt tactics of Islamic State militants and al shabaab. Since 2011 usaid investments fostered stabilization in more than 40 of districts in southcentral somalia that were retaken from al shabaab, by creating 6,300 new jobs and providing Education Services for more than 21,000 secondary school students. For more than 55 years usaid programs have saved and improved lives around the world, advanced American Values, increased global stability and driven Economic Growth in emerging markets. Of the fiscal year 2018 request for africa, approximately 80 is allocated to Global Health programs. These programs support control of the hiv and aids epidemic. Prevent child and Maternal Deaths and combat Infectious Disease threats. They are hallmarks of u. S. Leadership in the world. However, responding to global challenges is a shared responsibility that cannot be met by one nation alone. Although africa still struggles with Development Challenges, the region has experienced rapid Economic Growth and significant poverty reduction. With a number of african countries now among the top Fastest Growing economies in the world. Increasingly, Foreign Direct Investment is driving growth in africa and u. S. Assistance is being outpaced by private investment. Through power africa, a u. S. Government initiative, the private sector has invested 14 billion in 57 projects. At a relatively minimal cost to the u. S. Taxpayer. Through the usaid regional trade and investment hubs in ghana, kenya and south africa, we reduced barriers to trade and investment. And foster linkages between u. S. And african firms. In close cooperation with african countries, usaid facilities trade and also reduces its time and cost. We have also prioritized programs that promote entrepreneurship, help build capacity in local institutions to support free markets, fight corruption and unlock opportunities to formalize the huge informal economy. Our investments also help to empower women and youth, to advance economically, ensuring inclusive Economic Growth. We intend to uphold the administrations commitment to ensure effectiveness and accountability to the u. S. Taxpayer. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation helped to ensure the effectiveness of usaids programs. That being said, not everything we do always turns out the way we planned, so we will continue to manage our risks well, learn from experience, and correct course where necessary. In conclusion, the United States has a continued commitment to a partnership with african governments, partners and other donors grounded in mutual responsibility and respect. Usaid has a very real role in safeguarding the United States National Security and Economic Opportunities. As we continue to work with our partners toward our shared goals over the coming months, i look forward to a continued conversation on usaids work in africa. Thank you, mr. Chairman, Ranking Member bass, and members of the subcommittee. I look forward to responding to your questions. Thank you so very much for your testimony. To begin the questioning, just let me ask you first, in the year 2000 i authored the admiral nans mcdonovan International Aid act. I attached it in its entirety to that years appropriations bill. Much of it focused on the issue of security for u. S. Personnel abroad, whether at Usaid Missions or embassies themselves with a heavy emphasis on setbacks, securing windows so they are less vulnerable to terrorist attack. It came right out of the bombs in dar esslam and nairobi when we learned theyd hit softer targets believing that we would be less prepared. So my first question really is along the lines, the commitment that began then under that law and the appropriate ooirs have been fitful and diligent in drying to ensure the set backs and the compounds within which our deployed personnel work and our contract workers including a number of Indigenous People from each of these countries, is sufficient to protect. And i am wondering if you could tell us if, in your opinion, ambassador, that is true and reflected in this years budget. First i thank you very much for those efforts. So, of our 44 embassies and another six consulates and other offices for a total of 50 and we have about 1200 officers and 3200 other agencies working in those missions, we have about 30 or so missions and offices that have been or are under construction under the new standards for security. And so those monies have been put to good use. The security development, and i think the secretary raised it very clearly on Diplomatic Security and the funding, so that continues. We still have several embassies that are now under construction. In fact, this week we week wel opening two new chanceries in martinia and chad. So thank you very much for that work, mr. Congressman. Ill never forget when the admiral headed up accountability review boards and testified before my committee then back in 1998, made the case that wonderful people from the United States travel abroad at great risk to themselves of disease, as well as terrorism, we should at least ensure the Physical Plant and protocols in place to protect them are as robust as they can be. That was the reason for the law in the beginning. So im grateful that that progress continues under your watch. One areas of concern with regards to this year budget request, which i think flarankl is in the process of appropriations process and that is the issue of feed the future. In the last congress, i was the author on the house side of global Food Security act, with a big emphasis on ensuring that nutrition proper supplementation was provided for and yet this years budget provides significant cuts in feed the future and elimination of food for peace program. I dont believe that will happen. Im concerned it wasnt even in the budget request to begin with. Already in the appropriations bill as passed by the house, that is large ly overcome with bipartisan efforts to make sure that important Food Security is available. If you would like to sfoe that. Pet far, a visionary bill authorized originally by congressman henry hyde chairman of our committee and especially inspired by george w. Bush who said this pandemic must end. I remember henry hyde said if left untreated, it will be like the bubonic plague. Already claiming the lives of so many people in the United States but also sub Saharan Africa where it was particularly raging and destroying human life. Theres a significant cut as well in pet far. I dont think its going to happ happen. The budget passed, 6 billibill allocated for the pet far program and it will be overcome by congressional intervention. If you would speak to how important these programs and others been here through democrat and Republican Administration and remind colleagues president obama set up budgets that cut tuberculosis by 20 . We added it all back. He added a program that neglected tropical diseases efforts, cut it by 120 million. We put it back. I tried to get it to 125 million, failed, but at least got it back to straight lining. Weve introduced the bill that was significantly prioritized these horrific tropical diseases, including worms, which about a billion people carry worms, which is unconscionable, think what that must be like. Rather than feed the future with food, were feeding the worms. We ral want to ensure people have healthier guts and parasites are destroyed inside these vulnerable groups of people all over the world but especially in sub sa hharan africa. Pet far, this years budget already makes it clear this money is going back into the budget. Perhaps you might want to speak how well utilized that money would be to ensure these vulnerable populations are cared for. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I would emphasize that as we formulated the budget for fy 18, we worked to reflect the president s America First policy. The Foreign Policy priorities of the administration. So we focused our resources on the programs and the countries and the subregions where we felt we could maximize our impact on National Security, on u. S. Economic interests, u. S. Influence and leadership, and also efficiency effectiveness and accountability to the american taxpayer. So we made some tough choices, and i would like to emphasize that at any budget level we always have to make sure we are efficient with our use of resources. Its always a very good exercise to see how we can be more efficient. Its also important for us to look to others to do more, including helping our host countries to mobilize domestic resources, to help mobilize private capital for development objectives. That said, we absolutely recognize the importance of Food Security and appreciate the global Food Security act. Feed the future has already done quite a bit towards the development of the countries in sub Saharan Africa. Were particularly concerned about building resilience to future shocks we know will be coming especially droughts in some areas where we see recurring problems. We also realize the work that we do in Food Security and making value chains more efficient is good for u. S. Businesses. So we did announce a new set of target countries for feed the future, and we will continue to prioritize our resources as much as we can in the countries where well have a good impact. On pet far and health in general, i think youll see in fy 18 budget the line item for pet far went up a little bit. Rerecognize importance of health and especially hiv and aids. I notice in the explanation before ambassador yamamoto, the administration said nobody would lose arvs, anybody on treatment will continue receiving it. Thats important for a number of reasons, obviously. You dont want people hiv positive getting full blown aids and suffering the ravages of that deadly disease. I think one of the greatest stories that remains largely told in policy circles but not in the general public is that the viral load, as you know, is so significantly reduced for treatment. Not just preventive means but treatment itself brings down that viral load. So the more we provide treatment the more we are lessening or treating the transmission of this horrific disease. Im glad to hear of the increase because i think its needed and then some. I do believe as ive noted and read budget rely recommecommend want more. Thats an important concept, american taxpayer demands to step you and did more, particularly the european union, where much more could be done. For that said, people suffering starvation or ravages of disease, seems to me we always should be the firstest with the mostest to make sure they survive and thrive, even if the others do not step up to the plate. Thats just my thoughts on that. Ambassador. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and really for all your great fork for the committee. Just to emphasize that, overall budget, the overall 2018 request still over 81 , which has not really changed in the past, 81 towards health and Overall Health care issues. I think whats really important is over the years since pepfar developed and feeded future what ambassadors doing and directors in the field, much more integration. In other words, building on other pots of funding an also programs to kind of bring it together. When you see the countries from ethiopia, ghana, guinea, namibia, nigeria, thats not just receiving pepfar but economic support funds. The other is military assistance to help for security issues, education, agriculture. The other is looking at supporting ngo partners, faithbased groups, et cetera. So its really a much more holistic, cohesive group. The other thing, too, i think weve learned from a lot of areas, i think when i was ambassador in ethiopia, we had a problem. How do you utilize all the funding. I think through your guidance and guidance from a. I. D. , weve done a better job utilizing effectively and saving taxpayer money so thank you. Ranking member bass. I want to thank both of you for your incredible contributions and service over the years. You dont have to answer this but i know you have to support this budget and it must be very painful because this is just filled with contradictions. You ran through miss anderson, you ran through, i think i lost track of some of your points but u. S. National security to advance peace. You talked about u. S. Leadership and influence and efficiency and effectiveness, accountability, i think there was one i missed. Did i miss one . U. S. Economic interest. U. S. Economic interest. You also said America First. To me, America First does not mean we abdicate our leadership role. So for National Security and advancing peace, and then the budget proposes cutting peacekeeping and cutting development. So to me thats a direct contradiction. U. S. Leadership and influence, feed the future is a perfect example of u. S. Leadership. I think its one of the best programs weve had and the chairmans leadership in it, instead of us providing food to africa, africa can feed itself. And us providing technology and our scientific expertise so that we can build the capacity, rather than have this charity approach to me is u. S. Leadership. We complain about the role of the chinese, well, you know, this budget has us stepping back, in my opinion. When youre looking for efficiency and effectiveness, im wondering if instead of cutting programs you are looking at or examining any outside contracting that might be done. And you know, if thats an area where you could look at cutting instead of cutting things like some of the programs that weve talked about. I wanted to ask you about a couple of Things Health related. One, its my understanding, and you can tell me if im wrong, that the budget would dramatically reduce reproductive Health Programs and Family Planning. One of the problems in africa is Maternal Deaths. One of the reasons why you have Maternal Deaths is when women cannot space their pregnancy. So if i am reading it right, whats the logic cutting it back. We can make decisions about National Security, we can put all of our resources in the military or we can help address some of the root causes for conflicts to begin with. And it seems like this budget is very short sided. Why i said its full of contradictions now. Its a perfect example of why im thankful we have three equal branches of government so that we can push back and not fund the way this budget is proposing to fund africarelated programs. So i want to ask, am i correct in looking at essentially Family Planning would be zeroed out, if not drastically reduced. You can answer that. One of you. Thats correct. We have zeroed out Family Planning. Whats the reason for that . Policy decision. Be happy to take your thoughts back. You know, i know that funding is cut for anything related to climate change. Unfortunately africa and a lot of problems that happen in africa and natural disasters are completely related to climate change. So is that just using the budget to express an ideology . Again, that was a policy decisi decision. I would go back to Family Planning and note that we tip our commitment to the health of women and children with our other Health Programs including maternal and child health and malaria programming and hiv and aids. Maternal and child health, one of the reasons for Maternal Death are not being able to space your pregnancy. You provide in one side and contribute to the problem in another way . Yes, go ahead. You raise a very cogent and very difficult question. The challenges that we had trying to fashion the budget, a lot of difficult decisions were made. On the other side, were looking at more efficiencies. Ill give you one example, on maternity and infant mortality rates. Looking at the different pots of moneys and looking at what really makes sense. For instance, in east africa where you have in many countries in areas, one out of every ten will die before the age of five. So to survive of five is really one of our basic a. I. D. Campaigns. Our chairman program, 1,000 deaths. The areas we have to depend on the contributions from ngo groups, faithbased groups, we really connected with a lot of faithbased groups in the United States from oklahoma to virginia to other places in eastern United States. So those it doesnt makeup all issues we need to do and add regulars but makes significant. The other part is one of the things what do faithbased groups have to do with it. In ethiopia, somalia, you dont have incubators. What they have done is made these skull caps, which is to help. We bring in, its called mothers we call them kangeroos. What they do, because there are no incubators, they hug the child so they survive. Right. Keep the child warm. The other issue is looking at food aid and Food Assistance and Food Development issues to feet children. The other issue kind of plaguing us is medical care and health care. So for instance when we were doing data dumping, especially ethiopia, we were noticing there were moret opposia outside of ethiopia than inside. What . Moret opposian doctors in botswana. Probably even los angeles. The issue is what do you do . We learn from the u. S. Program emts, how dont ask, dont tell basic emt work and having basic health care providers. Low cost, private contributions, private sector, that helps masque maternity and infant mortality issues. When we had a hearing, the deputy secretary testified before the full Committee Regarding state departments redesign plan, which really seems like its a miss. You might be able to talk about that, all of the combination of programs. But in particular, i asked about a special envoy, specifically south did you dsudan. The deputy secretary thought the statute was put in by congress. Thats not the case apparently. What weve been told is the department of state believes that the responsibilities can be administratively realigned and covered by the bureau of African Affairs. I want to know if you can provide details about the dash that will cover this and how we think, especially in given again, its the short sightedness. So we pass close to a billion dollars for famine, and then we remove the special envoy to south sedan. So from your travels and visits to the region, you see very much the problems 1. 3 million refugees from south sudan going to uganda and other problems what weve done on the decision made by the secretary, we have the envoy back into the bureau. So we still have those fte positions. In other words, the positions. What we want to do is refocus. Weve been coordinating with p3s and donor colleagues, particularly the special reps they have from norway and uk and looking at the democrats African Union and see how can we in the United States we cut the African Union. They play a Critical Role in the highlevel dialogue, in southern sudan. Were looking how we can reassign these efforts. By using our position to use Senior Officers to play Critical Roles in support of and also taking leads in certain areas. Thats something were still looking at. I think more confidence as we shapi shaping. You dont think a special envoy is needed. At this point we dont think we need a special envoy. That was a good answer. You dependent answer that. I feel like both of you, this budget doesnt reflect your l illustrious careers. Im sorry you have to be put in a position to defend it. If i can make one clarification on Development Budget for African Union. If youre looking at the line items, its showing as euro but well be providing funding through original account. The chairman asked you a question about embassy security. You mentioned several embassies online to be built. What about the drc . That embassy when i went there the place was falling apart. Thats an issue weve been working on for years. Weve asked for land so we can start building. Thats something were going to be pushing very vigorously. We need to get our people into. Even if he doesnt give land, do we have anything in the budget to repair that place . Literally it looked like it was falling apart. We have done based on ds security regulations to look how we can upgrade what we have now. The bottom line is we need a new embassy and thats what were looking at and focusing on and working with the government on. Thank you. Sa gentleman from new york, mr. Donovan. I have to attend middle east hearing. You touched on it and you also did mrs. Anderson about efficiencies and reviewing where are we getting the best results from the efforts were making and where were placing our resources. Can you touch on some of the findings you may have found as you wreh view whether or not some of the programs are as efficient as we hoped they would be and some areas we might look at in the future to see where we could reallocate resources so were Getting Better results for our efforts. Were looking at the security environment right now. The problem were seeing, flow of arms, through republic and posing problems to g5, chad, et cetera. What is it we need to do to bolster the security. The issue is you dont want to do it alone. From the General Assembly on weve worked effectively and hard with the p3s, uk, france and other donor countries and also African Union and other states. Looking at what they are providing assistance or what they see the issues are. Looking at our own funding weve given to countries. What weve done, if you look at the budget, you see a lot of countries that are being decreased by 20 , 30 , what have you. But if you look at the regional funding, thats where were looking at trying to use that as assistance or reserve to look at the most critical areas we need to provide assistance. In other words, we have give you some examples on the funding. We have 131 million thats going to the chad basin countries, nigeria, niger, look at tstcp on the west side and preact on the east side. So as we see problems developing, we can use funding from regional basis and bolster these countrys security. I would say a few things on finding efficiencies in our programming. We have had a major push on putting more rigor into monitoring and valuation since 2011. Thats good because thats a very good way to look back at the valuations and see where we can find efficiencies. Couple of things when we have small problems, takes a while to mobilize and can be quite costly but i also appreciate Ranking Member basss comment about looking at some of the outside contracting. So thats also where we will be looking. On the other side of things, improving our partners with the host country government, Civil Society, so we truly have a partnership and planning and working together towards the same objective, because what we always want to be doing is working towards a time where we dont have a big program thats as involved as maybe we have previous previously. And another aspect of that is finding ways we can mobilize private sector, private capital. I think weve done a good job in africa and mobilize the future and private capital for some of the infrastructure and other investments that are needed for development. I have to excuse myself but i thank both of you for your service to our country. Thank you. Dr. Burr. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Before i start asking my questions, again, i appreciate both of you being here. I appreciate both your long service to our country and understand that your job is career diplomats are to implement the policies, the administration. I also do want to just give a shout out to the many employees of the state department for the work they are doing representing the United States both here and abroad under difficult circumstances, often having my opinion often having to implement policies that they dont believe in, doing their job every day. I also as a message to the administrati administration, they are very much undercutting our ability to be the great country that we are. America is a better place and the world is a better place when america is engaged globally. Weve seen that in the second half of the 21st century or the 20th century. When weve been leading with compassion, our values of leadership and Global Health, our values of leadership and development. The second half of the 20th century was much more stable than the first half of the 20th century. Much of that leadership was our diplomats and valued employees of the state department. So i think certainly i speak for many of the members of this committee that we will do everything we can as we go through the budgeting process to get you resources and personnel to continue to do that exemplary job. I thought it was very important to make sure those employees that are out there representing our great nation understand that many of us appreciate that servi service. Now, kind of getting back to some of the questions, i understand the president talks about an America First policy. I think the policy hes putting forth is going to make us weaker and have less influence around the world and is not a reflection of what our values are. Miss anderson, i want to make sure i heard correctly. The president s budget zeros out all Family Planning funds. For fiscal year 2018. And budget is a reflection of a president s values and so forth. Thats our best reflection. So my opinion, its appropriate when we talk about Family Planning, thats birth control, other forms of contraception. Were not talking about abortion, because weve not been using federal funds for pregnancy termination. Weve been using federal funds working with ngos and others historically to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. That i think most global experts and im a physician who has worked internationally would think thats appropriate. My colleague miss bass from california talked about the importance of reducing maternal and child mortality. One of those causes of Maternal Mortality is the spacing of pregnancy. So if its in our values to reduce Maternal Mortality, we ought to make Family Planning funds more accessible. Now, without i havent asked any questions yet. Theres a lot on my mind here. I understand there are members of congress that are antichoice, along with those that do want to empower women to be in charge of their full reproductive rights, but regardless i think we all want to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. May 15th, the state Department Released guidelines for implementation of mexico city policy, global gag rule, which my understanding is for the first time will apply to all Global Health assistance programs. Many of which, you know, are in africa. Now, this isnt the first time that this policy has been introduced. In fact, it seems to swing from administration to administration based on the party thats in char charge. The goal is to reduce the number of pregnancy terminations and reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. The last time this policy under george bush was implemented the number of abortions rose 20 as a result of curtailing the ability to have Family Planning out there, miss anderson. Would that be a somewhat accurate number. Im not certain i have that data now. Earlier i asked a number of questions regarding this policy including as they implement mexico city policy. Would they be consulting with partners in the field monitoring the impact of the policy on Health Care Access as well as Maternal Mortality. I was told there would be a sixmonth review of the policy as it was being implemented. Given the significant amount of Health Care Funding we contributed to the africa region, ive got a couple of questions. The bureau of African Affairs at state and the bureau for africa u. S. Aid obviously is playing a role implementing this policy and assessing potential impact of the policy such as, again, womens access to health care, Family Planning services, rates of unsafe abortion and Maternal Mortality, including sixmonth review. Do you have any idea the time line for releasing the sixmonth review is . Were working to fully implement the policy. Id be happy to get back to you on that. If you could, that would be great. Again, as youre implementing this policy, again, im not holding you or the wonderful employees of state accountable for this policy but when i questioned secretary tillerson, one of the things was, look, if we ought to be checking on is this impacting Maternal Mortality, what impact is it having on folks that are out in the field. What impact is it having on womens access to health care. Certainly i think many on this committee would have a very big interest in how that policy is being implemented. I guess my last question, and maybe its for ambassador yamamoto, i am all for looking for efficiencies, looking for ways we can take our federal dollars and our taxpayer resources, partnering those with ngos out there working, whether those are faithbased groups or folks like gates foundation, et cetera, and looking at ways of reducing morbidity and mortality and increasing health around the world, i just worry with with the reduction in certain programs. It is actually not helping us leverage our dollars. Its actually reducing our ability to, you know, have impact in the region. Id just be curious about your thought on that. Let me give you something that worked on very hard, the process. I think that more than anything has given a lot of hope to africa. Obviously a lot of countries dont benefit, but actually in many ways they do. Were just going through the data numbering and were noticing exports from the United States to africa rose from 6 billion in 2000 to 25 billion. That means youre talking about well over 35,000 u. S. Jobs. But on the reverse side is producing and expanding the capabilities of it for the africans. Today they have a 500 billion total manufacturing output. Thats going to be a trillion dollars in the next decade, which means that were going to help create hundreds of thousands of jobs in africa. So that, i think, if we can continue to do that, one of the areas in spite of the budget cuts and restraints is if we can continue our efforts on fighting corruption, build institutions, fighting back on nontrade barriers, really opening up businesses and trade so that countries in africa, their main trade partner is not going to be europe or former colonial countries but each other. Then we have the capability or ability to produce probably 100 billion in added value over the next several decades. That means thats going to create jobs. When you create jobs you create wealth and security. Those are the areas, how do you give them that hope. Those are fundamental questions and issues were trying to struggle with and whats the best way, the most efficient and effective manners. I think some of the things were doing on the budget, we are going to meet those needs. Through a lot of projects youve set up. Look at, for instance, yali. We now have 74,000 applications for 700 fellships to come to the u. U. S. Once they come to the u. S. They will add to 500,000 groups all over africa being kind of like american african ambassadors to the United States and ambassadors to africa who are supporting and developing and expanding this relationship. I think this really has been a very good program. Will the gentleman yield . Absolutely. You just described yali, which i would agree with you 100 . Yali is being cut . It is, 50 . But the areas were getting 700 fellships this year as opposed to 1,000. Were still going to continue to develop the fellowship programs and center out in africa. Thats the issue. If i could just chime in, we have had a fair amount of interest from private Sector Companies in contributing to yali, especially Regional Leadership Centers in africa. Hoping to mobilize resources in the coming years. We have 5 million programmed for Leadership Centers for 18. Mr. Castro. How is the moral at the state department . You dont have to answer. I can ask you another question. Last year theres been a growing call for increased autonomy or even independence in cameroon. Cameroon military has been deployed in these regions and the government has reportedly blocked social media and Internet Access on multiple occasions. Amnesty international recently reports that up to 17 protesters died, many by the hands of police. So how is the state department and usaid addressing the situation . Thank you for your questions. And thank you for your concern on the issue. Cameroon is a critical core country not only security wise but also economic. It forms oil pipeline from chad into cameroon base. Weve talked to the president. Ive been almost on a monthly basis in my several years ago when i was deputy in the bureau, to look at how you do the transitions. I mean, from the president , been the president a long time, how do you transition or prepare for next leadership. The other, how do you prepare and develop cameroons two groups of french speaking and anglo fon. Access to health resources, educati education. Is there equal opportunities for security afterwards. Those are issues and challenges we continue to face. The fundamental issue right now is weve i should statements and all sides to refrain from the violence. But have we confronted them on the violence and abuse and murder . We have. On the president we have and well continue to do so. My course of going out to the region, those will be one of the first stops. Thank you. This an incredible time for refugees around the world. Many refugees in europe i spoke yesterday on rohinga muslims who fled pushed out to bangladesh. Central americans that come to the United States and little refugees in africa. So my question is, these refugees in somalia, south sudan and Central African republic, when refugees move across borders how governments responded in those areas, are host governments able to provide for refugees including food, water, medicine and what can the United States do to address difficulties that these host governments face . You raise a great i think the fundamental difficult challenge, if you have 65 million refugees worldwide, and you look at the countries that have really taken in a lot of the refugees, its really the countries around the areas of crisis. So if you look at somalia right now, you have the job of refugee camp, which most of us have gone to. Its the size of san diego. If you look at 1. 3 million refugees coming out of south sudan coming into uganda, or if you look at the refugee flows coming in in ethiopia, you see now were seeing some flows of refugees from drc into neighboring countries, so the question is we have the prm, refugee bureau, which looks at funding and assisting these countries to support the refugees. We also look at unacr, United Nations organizations, we look at other donor communities in support of these refugees. Its difficult. Its longterm, but the issues has to be Immediate Response because people are suffering as they do across the borders. Sure. If youll indulge me one more comment, mr. Chairman, for the record of the subcommittee, so much of the work all of us care about, including the chairmans work over the years, which ive heard him speak strongly on human rights, for example, i believe much of that work is undercut by the budget cuts that were seeing and also by some of the changes in policy. I think were creeding a lot of ground to other countries like china to go into places like latin america and africa and build stronger relationships than perhaps even some of the relationships we have. I see that issue only growing in the coming years as we continue down this new path. But thank yall for being here. Thank you, mr. Castro. I do have one final question on peacekeeping. Before i get to that, just a point dr. Bera raised the issue of mexico city policy. I think people know it got the name under Ronald Reagan it was announced at the conference in mexico city in 1984 and the policy was to say we want to hold harmless unborn children and who we contribute to does matter. The organization wants to perform and promote abortion, except in the case of rape, incest and life of the mother. That is the three exceptions contained in the mexico city policy. If they were to do that, we believe that the unborn child should be held harmless. There are members of this committee, members of the house, we just had a very divisive vote on pain capable children who at 20 weeks we sought and did pass the house with a rather significant majority that pain capable unborn babies ought to be protected. I during the course of that debate quoted from a doctor, who used to be an abortionist. He performed 1200 abortions himself, over 100 on children up to 24 weeks gestation. And he told the story before the House Judiciary Committee how he would pull arms and legs off of a child. He was numb to it. He felt it was an abortion, so therefore it was justified. Then he had a complete, total, 180 degree change of heart and said, what am i doing . Im pulling a baby apart. We know for a fact that children as early as 20 weeks survive, at 20 weeks gestation, and they are in nurseries, intensive care nurseries. One of the doctors i quoted as well who works in an intensive care Neonatal Unit talked about how her patients at 20 weeks, that if she were to go and pull an arm or leg, delimb that child, that the pain that child would suffer would be intense. So i believe its not shared by everyone, and i respect all people who have whatever their view that the most fundamental human rights issue of our time is protecting the innocent and most vulnerable from violence. I do believe that abortion is violence against children. It also, and i work with a number of women who are post abortive, that there are consequences for the women as well, including psychologically. Not all would agree with that. Theres no doubt when you dismember or chemically poison an unborn child it has a horrific impact on the child, how old he or she is. The evidence is overwhelming that they feel pain and they feel it even more excruciatingly in a much deeper way than we do because from 20 weeks to 32 weeks gestation, there are more receptors on the skin area available to the dismemberment and the child does feel it more. The doctor who is an expert has stated that in sworn affidavits on behalf of the Justice Department in courts of law. I say that because there will be obviously on going fights on this issue. President obama reversed the mexico city policy when he took office. President clinton did the same thing. Ronald reagan initiated it. George Herbert Walker bush continued it, and george w. Bush reinstated it. Im very proud of the administration for extending it to Global Health so that the child is held harmless. These are babies. The First Amendment i offered in the u. S. House of representatives in committee, in Foreign Affairs committee, was to provide 50 million for the Child Survival fund to promote immunizations, oral rehydration therapy, growth monitoring and breastfeeding, the four pillars of Child Survival. Unfortunately Ronald Reagan suggested we take the 25 million we had in that program, and we get rid of it. I doubled it by offering my amendment. I do believe, respectfully to those who disagree, i believe abortion is antithetical to Child Survival because it literally takes the life of that child and destroys him or her. Disproportionately with girls, the girl child is killed. I chair the china commission. China has we just released our most recent human rights report. Because of sex selection abortion china is missing 62 million or more girls, girl child, killed. More than that have been killed with sex selection abortion. In my humble opinion, this is an act of gender crime when you single out a child at five months or so at ultrasound, discover its a girl. It was a movie even put out that said the three most dangerous words that could be uttered in some parts of the world, its a girl, because then she is targeted for elimination and extermination simply because shes a girl. We will provide moneys and get more than you ask for in a variety of programs including Family Planning. It will be with the caveat we want to hold harmless that child from dismemberment or chemical poisoning. Thats the two ways abortion is effe affect waited. The f17 enacted lifl 1. 9 billion. The proposal for 1. 2 billion. There are 21 peacekeeping efforts under way around the world, six under the auspices of African Union. 15 under auspices of United Nations. When we went to south sudan, weve been been there a number of times. When we went there in june, we were happy to see the u. N. Deployment there had greatly fine tuned because they had been wanting in many, many ways. They had been there before that and frankly they were not really protecting civilians. You would agree we found there was an increased effort to try to be on the protection side. My question is, my concern, and i think its shared by every member of this committee or subcommittee is that a cut in peacekeeping, even though we always want them to do more, other countries particularly in the union to step up and have more, i agree with that. It is a bargain when it comes to deployment of getting troopgs highly trained. In africa mostly african troops. Not all, of course, this is incredible and for civilians, women and children who suffer in these countries from rogue military as well as insurgents and terrorists, it is the difference between life and death. Be more supportive but within the administration to say this is really good deal for protection, making sure the peacekeeping dollar is as high as it could possibly be. I say that with one other caveat that i know youre doing. As you know im the author of the act and i work on the issue every single day. We found in congo that the peace keepers themselves were raping children as young as 13. That was an outrage and human rights violation with very few parallel. I know that the u. N. Peacekeeping leadership have gone through Great Lengths to reign in on that egregious practice and have done so. Its not perfect, it never is. I want to applaud them in new york and those involved with this effort. Jane, who used to work for one of the ones who got kofi annan to put in place zero toll ran policy, tipoff of state and all together need to make sure u. S. Peace keepers always on the side of protection and never on the side of splitation. If you take that back 1. 9 million simply because of more need until peacekeeping. Yes. Peacekeeping is critical. Regional funding is going to help us support a lot of the areas where we have challenges today, g5 and Central African area, we dont see right now. Looking at all the funding allocated were seeing coming into africa, 1 1 million for the chad initiative, 200 million for east africa. Youre right. Were going to look hard at how we can address security needs. One thing is the process, we completed training over 300,000 african troops from 26 countries, the issue, chairman, 70 of peace keepers in africa are from afc. Those troops, thanks to vetting as well, have been very supportive. To contain and change that mindset of these rogue armies and others in africa. Can i just make one more comment off the record. Not off the record, but i mean, in addition to the record. Yeah. So i know congressman castro made one comment, but the issue comes in, let me just say that from my colleagues and i at the state department is that i worked at the National Defense university looking after basically our future leaders in the military and Foreign Affairs. I was called and said come back to the state department to help. Thats not going to be like not even a nanosecond. Yes, of course. Coming back to the bureau really as a senior officer our job and commitment and certainly my colleagues are the same, how do we develop, how do we mentor our officers . Ive been away three years. Theres a youngest bureau in the department of state. They are really young. I think my job and job of Senior Officers is to mentor and train and develop them as future diplomats. The other, ive been honored to work on our redesign on reform, personnel reform. How do we develop and train our future, how do we do better mentoring. That im really enthused about. Thats what gets me up every day. Thats what i want to do every single solitary day. I appreciate that. I know from your general enthusiasm that your moral is high, and i think thats great. I dont know that translates throughout the department but i think it is really important to have your spirits uplifted. I just wanted to mention a couple of things in terms of the usaid in particular. I hope when reorg is happening, we look at doing foreign aid much more like feed the future, electrify africa model, where its not just about its not just charity. You know, a continent like africa has a capacity to do for its selves. We shouldnt just look at foreign aid as supplying resources to our own ngos. Then you have a model where it never ends. I dont think that should be the case. Obviously ngos are very important. Theres enough poverty to go around. Its not like they are going to go out of business. If our focus is more on building selfsufficiency rather than providing direct services. I appreciate my colleagues comments, and i appreciate he also respects people see things differently. And the two of us do in some areas. I think where we have a common perspective is on the Family Planning side. We were both in south sudan, in the refugee camps. You remember when we were in northern south sudan unity state. Unity state. There were all of these babies. It just broke my heart, because i knew that the majority of those babies were not created by partners. They were created through rape. And we saw the children right next to bodies of water, and it just made me scared to death of how many drowning deaths they must have in that camp. So i think the best way to prevent abortion is to provide Family Planning. And i dont think those women chose those pregnancies. Those pregnancies were forced on them. So we should look at that. Were zeroing it out. Once again i think its just an example of the hypocrisy of a lot of what is proposed in the budget, and im just glad as congress we can not follow and reverse some of the proposals put forward by the administration. Thank you. Anything else youd like to add before we close . Just appreciate your comment about the redesign. We have submitted our proposal. But were keeping it close now so im not in a position to talk about it. We do look forth to consulting as soon as we can. Your points are very similar to the points that administer green makes every day in terms of real partnerships and moving our host Country Partners closer to selfsufficiency. I want to thank both of you for your very, very Noble Service to our country. Thank you for your presentations today, and we look forward to working going forward. The hearing is adjourned. Thank you. President trump will conduct the first turkey pardoning. The National Federation started sending turkeys to the white house for thanksgiving dinner. President george bush started pardoning them in 1989. The President Trump will be presented with two turking. Live coverage 1 00 eastern on our companion network cspan. Tonight womens history, including a talk begins at 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Tonight on cspan, former Vice President joe biden and Ohio Governor john kasich on how to deal with partisanship in the trump era. Governor kasich talked about the origins ofern day partisanship. Heres a brief look at what youll see. To some degree, the Politics Today is a manifestation of the politics thats been brewing for a long time. I mean, i remember the bork heari hearings. I remember you were on the committee, you saw how raucous, how they were. Then we went through an impeachment, and then we went through the republican revolution, and we saw jim wright be driven out and foley be driven oun. Then we saw the republicans win the house for the first time in 40 years. And the democrats kind of said no, you never won. Were just going to fight you. Its really a pox on both houses. And you are right about that guy that yelled at the president , you lie, and heres the ironic thing. The next day, he put out a fundraising letter, raised money off of it. So the system itself has been breaking down because of base politics. That was part of a conversation with former Vice President joe biden and Ohio Governor john kasich on how to deal with partisanship in the trump era, hosted by the Biden Institute at the university of delaware. See the entire event tonight, starting at 8 00 eastern on cspan. The u. S. Has presented canada and mexico ideas on how to rework nafta. Dentons, which is an International Law firm, hosted a conference for government and Industry Leaders about nafta negotiations and the potential policy implications of the ongoing trade talks. This portion featured a Panel Discussion with canadian and mexican private Industry Leaders who spoke about their hopes for nafta. This is about an hour. Were going to start with the panel which will provide the industry perspective on nafta 2. 0. Im proud to introduce yohai. Hes a leader in the International Trade practice. He has a very interesting personal background. Hes multilingual, and hes a great guy to have a beer with, whether youre drinking a moulson, dosecys or d. C. Brow. So yohai. Thank you, joann. Thats the nicest introduction i have ever gotten. Although i think we should drink