Transcripts For CSPAN3 Secretary 20240705

Proposal on the house subcommittee. Now separatist state entity blinken testifies on his departments budget request for the pending fiscal year fields question on china, the russian invasion of ukraine and the u. S. Withdrawal from afghanistan. From the House Foreign Affairs committee this is about three and half hours. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] the committee on Foreign Affairs will come to order. For purpose of this hearing is to discuss the state department fy 2024 budget request and explore the myriad of challenges facing the United States and its diplomats around the globe are now recognized myself for an Opening Statement. Mr. Secretary, welcome. We have no shortage of crises around the world for sure. There is a lot about. I believe we are in a very a dangerous period in history the likes of which we have not seen since my fathers war of world war ii. After the debacle in the fall of afghanistan had a hearing on that. We saw our adversaries respond. We saw weakness and we projected weakness not strength. History proves we knew project strength to get peace. We knew projected weakness it does invite aggression and war. You only to look back to Deborah Chamberlain and hitler and really the course of time has proven. We need to start projecting more strength and deterrence. We saw, not too long after the fall of afghanistan and a satellite imagery the Russian Federation Movement Towards ukraine. It was never a question of if it was a question of when with mr. Putin. And i think from what he saw, he decided it was the time. With all the troop presence and then we saw the invasion. We see german she president is starting taiwan as we speak. They both met recently in moscow. He met with the foreign minister of china when youre at the Munich Security Conference right after the spy balloon went over the United States filming some of our most sensitive military nuclear sites. Though this is an intense time. We are starting to see this alliance. There is similar in my judgment to what we saw world war ii. Its russia, china, i wrong, north korea. Now mr. Putin is begging around for weapons he has the iranian drones in crimea pretty want to get the weapons in there to take out those are really in drones. But they do not have them because you will not give them to them. The longerrange artillery to win. I do not want to see them bleed over the winter and spring pretty want to see victory not a drawn out conflict that has no resolution in sight. The threat of communist china cannot be overstated. They are the number one threat longterm torah National Security. That is why introduce and pass the chips act to pull a supply chain of Semi Conductor out of taiwan and china and make them here in the United States. But still, 90 of the advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing takes place in taiwan. So, when people ask why taiwan is important imagine of china invaded taiwan tomorrow and controlled 90 of the global supply. We would be in a world of hurt. I personally think german she is going to try to influence the election. If he fails its a blockade on a scale will make ukraine look like a very small thing. Massive cyber attack, taiwan is not prepared. We have no joint military exercises. The weapons i signed off on three years ago to go into country. Do not understand why this takes so long. And if we do not have the deterrence like we did not have the deterrence with ukraine. I called for sanctions and weapons before the invasion. I think we should be doing the same thing with taiwan. We need to arm them and prepare them to provide deterrence along with the quad to deter the chinese from an invasion. I think again would be devastating. Ironic is it 85 enrichment. The bomb dropped in hiroshima and nagasaki had 80 enrichment. They are already there, mr. Secretary. 90 they say is weapons grade. What are we doing to stop this . An army giving the iranians a strong message that a nuclear ironic is not acceptable . We think china come into the middle east and negotiate agreements between saudis and ironic. I have not seen abraham accord expanded it all under your tenure. But we have to make it clear to them what a nuclear ironic would mean. And we have to support israel in that fight. Meanwhile, your present, our president rescinded the migrant protection protocols, remain in mexico the state department was involved in which opened our borders up into a wide open invasion from the cartel that now even your own Border Patrol admit have operational control of the border. That is my home state of texas ive been dealing with this issue as a federal prosecutor as a determinant of how much and that witnessing what i am seeing is the worst ive ever seen but you and i have talked about fentanyl. I applaud your efforts to talk to the leadership in china about the precursors coming from china into mexico. They have killed a 100,000 young people in this country just over the last year. To put that in perspective thats more than who died in the vietnam war. It is an attack on our young people. So mr. Secretary, my time is limited. There are so many things i could talk about that i do not have time. But right now you are in a very important position and a very important time in history. The parallels to 1939 they say its hitler invading poland all over again. They see it that way they have also its in their backyard they remember the war crimes as we see war crimes taking place in ukraine. As out to boot you as you know to see the mass grave sites and went to meet with president zelenskyy but i will be going to asia. Those two threats, the year p. M. Theater in pacific that my fathers generation liberated from tierney and strong support of freedom and democracy are now at risk. Are now at threat. And now they want to change the maps from what the greatest generation liberated. We cannot allow that to happen, sir. I want to work with you. We are all americans. I believe most members of this committee agree with that assessment. But i do have to point out my concerns. And i think the weaknesses. Well have more time to discuss that in our questioning. I want to just close with this though, we had a marine sgt testified before this committee that he had the suicide bomber in his sites before the bomb went off it. He met with his team. He met with his Intelligence Team and the intelligence bulletin went out describing the suicide bomber. They got the identification. They pushed it up the chain of command and the response was i do not have authority to give you permission to engage. And the question was asked who has the authority . I dont know, i will have to get back with you. And guess what, nobody got back to him. And then guess what, just hours later the bomb went off killing 13 servicemen and women. 140 afghanistans injuring 50 including sgt anders vargas who lost his limb, his leg. Who had 48 surgeries. The mother of the woman then marine sgt who was killed in that deadly blasts and i will never forget giving her a hug and she said i am devastated to know, to know this tragedy could have been prevented and my daughter could still be alive today but for the negligence of what happened in afghanistan that day. And i want to recognize her christie the mother of marine sgt nicole who was killed at abbey gait. She is in this room today. And let me just say to her and all of the veterans of that conflict, you did not get wounded in vain. You did not die in vain. What you did it was worth it because you protected and for 20 years from attacks. I would ask that christie if you could stand, so you can be recognized. Out, i was told she was going to be here. There she is. [applause] [applause] we will close by saying i will not rest, christie, until we get answers. Until people are held accountable for what happened to your daughter and the other servicemen and women and the afghans. I will not rest until we get answers, and we will if we have to go all the bee up the chain of command to do it. With that i now recognize Ranking Member. Quick thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me begin by thinking secretary blinken for appearing before the committee today to discuss the Biden Administrations proposed International Affairs budget for fiscal year 2024. Let me also thank you mr. Secretary for the House Foreign Affairs committee, for you are a focus on diplomacy. That is what this committee is all about. The Arms Committee deals with defense and dod. And we know the significance and importance of diplomacy. Going alongside the Defense Department with the Defense Department. What this state department of what we are here to discuss today has to deal with the responsibility that the department of state has. And i am extremely glad to see the Administration Budget request prioritize diplomacy and development. Ensuring we have the tools necessary to lead on the global stage and leverage the United States soft power, soft power the better positions United States to address global challenges, deepen our alliances and advance our u. S. Interests. The fact of the matter, mr. Secretary, at not President Biden led we talk about particularly, ukraine, led by having our allies join with us, if we had jumped out there by ourselves putin would have been right. But have been divided. Nato would not be strong. The eu would not be where it is working collective together to fight back the aggression of Vladimir Putin and russia. That unity put us there where we are today. With ukraine at the time no one thought we would be here a year later with ukraine sales and it is the leadership the Biden Administration showed in holding our allies together. We are able to say we are going to stay and continue to give ukrainians what they need until they win. And we are not going to make any decisions without the ukrainians. I think that is what is extremely important to make sure that we follow that model. Even as we deal with china which is why i do think the chairmanship to south korea, to japan and taiwan similar exit with the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi lester is important because we cannot just say were going at china by ourselves. We need our allies and alliances together in the indo pacific, in europe, and africa, and central and south america, in fact indeed around the world. It has to be america leading other nations and not america alone. If you are leading you have to lead somebody. Bringing our folks together is what you do at the state department. And the men and women of the state department to do a job every day and in fact i say they are unheralded heroes that we sometimes forget about. So it is vital to our National Security for the state department to be adequately funded if it is also incumbent upon congress to regularly pass authorization legislation for the state department so that we cant ensure our diplomats have the tools they need to advance american interests around the world. You know, under my chairmanship in the last congress i was on a bipartisan bases to accomplish this. Passing state Department Authorization bills into law in both 2021 and 2022. I was the first time in nearly two decades such bills became law. I know and working with the chairman we can continue the bipartisan work and make a state authorization i was 13 we must pass nda is. I hope we can make similar progress in authorizing foreign assistance and the agency for international development. I dont see moving these types of bills as optional or as favors to department of usaid. Rather its its core to our job off the risers. In discussions to run the budget i am concerned by some of the extreme proposals emanating from the other side of the aisle. That if implemented would threaten the united capacity to carry out bold diplomacy and Development Work that is impacted so many lives. Acrosstheboard cuts that i hear coming from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are arbitrary councils are most serious needs. Some the extreme voices the claim and one breath does not do enough to Counter China Development Budget necessary to outcompete china. Which is it . As President Biden famously said do not tell me what your value, show me your budget and i will tell you what you value. If my colleagues truly went to address the rise of china not to mention many other complex global challenges, cutting our diplomatic capacity and the funding of soft power is exactly the wrong way to do it. And has surpassed the United States then read diplomatic post worldwide. 280 posts compared to 275. Im from 2013 2018 china doubled its diplomacy budget. Or this debate cannot focus only on china. Unites states must broaden our diplomatic footprint and expand our geopolitical presence and influence. Our relationships around the world to be pivotal to be the global challenges we face. Whether it is putins renewed aggression and ukraine, the root causes of migration and Settlement South of the existenial threat of climate change, pandemics, democratic backsliding human rights abusers around the world. This committee has to consider all of that. That is our jurisdiction. Great role to play in shaping the world we want to live in. We want to utilize every opportunity to build coalitions of allies and partners to share our democratic values. That is who we are. We once again adapt in america alone or america only Foreign Policy. Our competitors and adversaries will fill that void. You just open it up for china for russia. We have a choice to make. This committee should make clear where it stands. Do it to strengthen American Global leadership or are we going to allow the extreme wing of the party of the Republican Party to weaken our National Security . Our state department is vital to our National Security. Makes americans more secure and advances a more prosperous and stable world. That is why ensure the department has the funding need a bipartisan matter time not only give our diplomats the tools they need to succeed, but ensure the best individuals are being hired and promoted to represent our great nation around the world. So, i said that mr. Secretary as you know what are my top has been to address inequities in disparities for offices belonging to historically in the department. I am happy, implied as to the steps to address this issue. I know we can do even more. I hope the department will continue to make progress and improve equity and diversity within the institution. On note let me thank you personally for the decision you announce yesterday to end the Department Practice of issuing assignment restrictions as a condition on security clearances. Many of us have been concerned for a decade about this unnecessary practice. Which has caused harm to the careers of many employees simply because of their racial, ethnic or national origin. This was the right decision and i commend you for that. So, secretary blinken let me again and thank you for being here. I look forward to hearing your testimony to what i know will be thoughtful questions. And let me lastly say to all that are here virtually those who have lost their lives in afghanistan. Those during the evacuation in the 20 years i would hope this committee would look at the entire 20 years. The entire 20 years so we can look and learn and make sure the mistakes we made we correct them. Make sure there is not one life at a bit american soldier and our allies because none of them and agreed the chairman on this, there is not a single life that was lost in vain. We thank them in men and women of our services and those who served in afghanistan for their bravery, further standing and for fighting for the interest of the United States of america. We would never ever forget them. We will make sure we work collectively together and i think this is one area we have several veterans still on our committee pray there is no Greater Service to our country than those who put their lives on the line to defend our country. We should never ever ever forget those and the families that have lost their loved ones in the line of duty and supporting the United States of america. And with that mr. Chairman, i yield back. Click the chairman yields back well said. Remind it Opening Statements to be submitted for the record. Were pleased at the 71st secretary of state Antony Blinken before us today. Your full statement will be made part of the record. We ask you keep your remarks to five minutes for an out recognize use it, sir, the secretary of state for your Opening Statement. Quicks mr. Chairman thank you, very, very much you two Ranking Member to all the members of the committee thank you for the opportunity to speak with you about the proposed fy 24 budget for the state department and the agency for international development. Let me say at the outset i joined both eli doing every member of this committee and saluting all of our veterans of afghanistan, saluting those who lost their lives, gave their lives so their fellow citizens could enjoy greater measured security. And particularly the presence of her mother here today for i am humbled in your presence. I think of the 13. Think of the 2402 americans who lost their lives over 20 years in afghanistan serving protecting our country. I think of the 20000 plus wounded and i think of so many others who served and have injuries of a different kind including members of my state department team. And i joined you mr. Chairman i joint you Ranking Member per i think i every member of this committee and be determined we look not only look but draw the lessons from 20 years including the last year in afghanistan. We do meet at inflection points post cold war is over. There is an intense competition underway to determine what comes next. The diocese has a positive vision for that future world that is free, that is open, secure, and is prosperous. The budget we put per for you it will in our judgment against that vision deliver on the issues matter most of the medical people. By preparing estimate two major sets of challenges that are distinct but overlapping the first set is posterior strategic competitors the immediate acute threat posed by russias autocracy and aggression most destructively to the brutal war of aggression against ukraine. An longterm challenge of peoples republic of china. The second set is shared global tests include the Climate Crisis, migration, food and Energy Insecurity, pandemics, all of which affect the lives of americans and people from around the world. With this communitys leadership and support across to state Department Authorization i say to us in stronger geopolitical position than we were two to address these challenges. We have drawn a normal spar for investments we made an economic strength and technological edge here at home. Including the Infrastructure Investment jobs acts, chips and science act, the inflation reduction act. Our Unmatched Network of alliance and partnership has grown stronger in fact theyve never been stronger. Works men are present in critical regions like the indo pacific. We are leading unprecedented coalitions including a number of new ones to confront aggression and to address you mention crises around the world. Fy 24 budget request for the state department meets at this moment head on. The budget will sustain our security Economic Energy management support for ukraine to ensure president putins war remain strategic failure. Will budget our efforts to outcompete the prc. President biden is firmly committed to dancing a free and open and a pacific is why this proposal asks for an increase in our budget for that region over fy 23. Budget contains discretionary and mandatory proposals for new innovative investments for china. Including by enhancing presence in the region ensuring that we and our fellow democracies have to offer including things like maritime security, disease surveillance, clean energy infrastructure, Digital Technology is more attractive than the alternative being proposed to them. The budget will help us push back on authoritarianism and backsliding by strengthening democracies around the world including supporting independent media, corruption, defendant free and fair elections. It will allows tapir Contributions International organizations because the United States needs to be at the table wherever and whenever a new international affect the livelihoods of our people are debated and decided. The budget will allow us to continue leading the world and investing some as global challenges including food and Energy Insecurity to Climate Health crises. And on that last point we are celebrate the 20th anniversary i think with the greatest achievements in American Foreign policy over the last decades but is help save 25 million lives around the worlds budget will help us continue the fight against hivaids will advancing Health Security more broadly through a new bureau of Health Security and diplomacy which i look forward to work with congress to establish this year. The budget will advance efforts to modernize state department including expanding ring out diversity accessibility issues including to make overseas missions more accessible. Im grateful for the progress he made together including congresses support updating embassies construction encounter could terrorism act in the review board to give us more flexibility to open admissions and to better manage the risk are people face. You know theres more to do with look forward to working with congress in this committee to accelerate modernization efforts. So the department can better attract, retain as well support our first rate workforce and what is a very complex and fastmoving world. Finally i know is shared by the leadership of members of this committee that is supporting and welcome her whole of government effort to settle afghan allies keeping our promises to those who serve the u. S. Remains an unwavering priority for this budget help us continue to make good on that commitment. Mr. Chairman when i began this role i committed to working to really restore the partnership between the executive branch and congress when it comes to our Foreign Policy making. Im continuing to work with that with the Ranking Member and members of the committee to do that. I very much look forward to the coordination over the coming year. Grateful for the chance to appear before you today and answer any questions for. Thank you mr. Secretary. Let me just say we have a very powerful compelling hearing on the events in afghanistan. When the advocate was compromised when the suicide bomber went off and people were killed. And i think the American People deserve answers. And they want people to be held accountable for that. We have not had a public hearing specifically on afghanistan until the one we had just two weeks ago. And we heard testimony that quite frankly i was not even aware of. The suicide bomber, that we had him in our sites the sniper had him. He could have been taken out and the threat could have been eliminated and lives could have been saved. This is why we have asked you for documents. To go to the document requests we have made. On january 12 i sent you this letter requesting documents related to the afghanistan withdrawal. We did not get that at that time did not get that production. On january 30 we requested three specific items to be delivered february 7. Twentythree of our state Department Officials at the embassy took the extraordinary measure to raise their dissent to the policy you and your administration were effectuating. The American People need to see this. We need to know what their dissent was. Why were they objecting to your policy and the failed withdrawal from afghanistan . In order on march the third period in other went on march 20. Sherman requested this dissent cable in august 2021 letter again no response. But here we are today. Want to thank you for that production. Going to be presented in three weeks. The American People deserve to see it. What in the world is going on in those critical weeks. Especially after the testimony, he deserves to know. Christie bill deserves to know what the dissent was. I have the subpoena, it is right here. I am prepared to serve this. Now we have had discussions i think as a formal federal prosecutor he went to work things out. But we need kant to have to go forward with a subpoena and an arrest warrant and an indictment. So sir, im going to give it to the close of business on monday to produce that dissent cable to this committee and this congress so the American People can see what the employees at the embassy were thinking about your policy that they dissented from. You have any response . Yes thank you very much mr. Chairman. We are working to provide all of the information this committee is looking for. And that its oversight responsibilities give it the authority as you noted we just produced the Embassy Action Plan thousands of patients that go along with that. We are committed to making available and sharing the after action review within the next three weeks. He heard that from the white house. I appreciate everything you are saying. In perspective for members of the committee who may not follow this. This tradition of having a dissent channel is one that is cherished in the department a goes back decades. It is a unique way for anyone in the department to speak truth to power as they see it without fear or favor. And they do it by the regulations we established for these cables and a privileged and confidential way. It is vital to me that we preserve the integrity of that process and of that channel. That we not take any steps that have a Chilling Effect on the willingness of others to come forward in the future to express dissenting views on the policies being pursued. I read every dissent channel cable that i get. I responded to every dissent channel cable that i get. And we factor into our thinking what we hear from colleagues who have a different view. By our regulations these cables may only be shared with senior officials in the department that is to protect the integrity of the process. To make sure you have a Chilling Effect on those who moment to come forward. Knowing that they will have their identities protected and that they can do so again without fear of favor. Having said that i very much understand appreciate there is a real interest in the substance of that particular cable by this committee. And in that spirit following up on conversations that we have already had we are prepared to make the relevant information and that cable available. Including through a briefing or a some other mechanism. I am determined to have our team follow up and mr. Chairman as we have discussed we will continue to work that in the coming days. I hope we can reach an accommodation but i really do understand and appreciate the importance of the substance of that information being shared with the committee pretty hoping to find a way to do it that that meets both of our needs. The subpoena specifically asked for the dissent cable but i know it is classified as well. And i appreciate that. Do it to mention your department cited and secretary Henry Kissinger refusal to produce a dissent cable to congress in the 1970s as a precedence of. I would argue, you do not have executive privilege on this cable. And then we reached out to the author of that dissent cable, earlier this week. He said the reason Henry Kissinger refused to release a cable was because it was so damaging. And is emphatic about the need for the state department to produce dissent channel cables. In a statement he provided to the committee, he says any claim providing to congress that would have a Chilling Effect as your staff has claimed is as i quote him directly bowl. Not my words, the ambassador. He writes quote congressional oversight enhances executive responsibility and enables us to learn from the inevitable mistakes and of quote. I believe this committee and the American People, after what happened, for god sakes after what happened, and that dreadful august need to see this cable. And sir, we need you to respond. If you fail i am prepared to serve you with the subpoena. With that i yield to the Ranking Member. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Let me start off by saying the term is correct. I did request a copy of any dissent cables data back to 2017 and pledged to work with the department on timing however help the chairman also agree we should take care to avoid a Chilling Effect on employees as you have stated. Faithbased for dissent is important, ongoing. Even as i help the Department Works to accommodate this congressional request. I think the substance that is in the cable is tremendously important for members of this committee to know. And that we do it in a classified session. By understand the protection of what you talk about as far as the members of the state department so they have their discretion. Let me go now also do too have hearings in afghanistan the 117th congress. The fact of the matter is you were the first to testify before this committee right after the pullout. You are the very first cabinet official to do so right before this committee but with several other hearings in regards to afghanistan and the 117th congress. But let me get to what we are here for today. The president s Budget Proposal lays out a Strategic Vision for the Global Engagement that would allow the United States to deepen our alliances to tackle the most pressing challenges and effectively compete with our adversaries. Speaker mccarthy and House Republican majority and put forward a different vision. One that would cede American Leadership on the world stage and threaten u. S. National security by arbitrarily slashing International Budget by up to 22 . Out my colleague had sent a letter to the agency requesting details on the projected impact of these cuts. Let me ask a few questions on that because the department is saying and making scotts cuts as deep as 22 when among other things, and i quote, significantly scale back our efforts to counter aggressive coercive tactics of the prc. Is that correct yes or no. That is correct for quickly reduce efforts to deter the aggression and coercion including through the countering prc influence fund and slow our ability to enter new post in the Pacific Island . Yes it would pick. What reduce assistance thats critical to enhancing military to military interoperability, training, cooperation, swells fighting corruption and let Money Laundering . A yes. With the treaties basic commitments at his payment of u. S. Assessment to International Organizations would also be jeopardized . They would be. You would be required to impose he brought freeze and potentially reductions in force while also Building Back training and professional Development Programs recently authorize the state authorization bill on a bipartisan basis, would that not be true . That is corrected. To halt investments and security upgrades that are most vulnerable post, increasing the physical risk to the nine seats of government personnel overseas. It is correct request to reduce support for ongoing programs that support an independent, democratic politically stable and economically viable ukraine that can defend itself against aggression would have also let sir . That is correctly. To reverse gains made to combat leaving the president s plan for aids relief, childhood deaths and funds to help Health Workers and Global Security is that not also true sir . The list goes on and on, doesnt it . I might limited time remaining, have i missed anything else . Mr. Secretary what are your greatest concerns these cuts imposed on the state department . What to think across the board when it comes to all the parties are laid on my Opening Statement to try to advance the security of the United States and american citizens around the world. To strengthen even further our alliances to deal with coming from russia and china. To deal effectively with the many transnational threats having a direct impact on the livelihood of americans. To make sure our own institution is as strong as it can be including Cyber Threats are personnel are secure and safe haven is to work to expand our footprint abroad and across the board. These cuts would have in my judgment devastating consequences. Im happy as well to let in details what we see this consequences being. Thank you mr. Secretary, yelled back. The chair recognizes gentleman from new jersey mr. Smith. Thank you very much mr. Chairman. Have four questions and welcome again. The draft of the tomato pandemic Administration Others are pushing to get, put into effect at the w. H. O. Starts off with the Harsh Criticism of the United States on the International Community by calling it a catastrophic failure in showing solidarity and equity in response to the coronavirus pandemic. I have read the treaty. I am concerned about a great article for pace lipservice to sovereignty the but then has language however activities within their jurisdiction or control do not damage to the people in the country. Therefore doubly so would be stepped in for talk about pedros was put into by the public of china. Shows terrible, terrible judgment in the beginning under recognizing the origins of the covid 19. Article 10 says 20 unites us to be obligated to buy 20 of her medical supplies including tests antiviral vaccines and medications and the like to w. H. O. With it we want you have to give it by treaty obligation. The sovereignty issue is the biggest in my opinion. You are pushing for next years probably when i may get adopted. Will be sent to the senate for ratification are you planning to use the executive agreement which i think is a terrible way to do things in order of the senate for ratification. Secondly yesterday charting hearing on ever worsening dictatorship in nicaragua. The day before the two days ago journalist owen jensen asked john kirby, are you aware of any efforts the u. S. Is making to free Bishop Alvarez . As you know he got 26 years in prison what is ortegas war on the catholic church. The spokesperson, john kirby said im going to have to take the question to get back to you but im not tracking that particular case pretty hope those on a revolution of priorities. If you could speak to the issue of what ortega is doing, we need to look at every type of a pressure we can bring to bear. He had the foreign minister of iran to his country as you note to the capitol. I would hope youd speak to that. Thirdly on nigeria i peel again to to redesignate them as a cpc country. As you know the religious freedom has called your decision inexplicable. Its turning a blind eye because more christians have been killed in nigeria and the governors and pressure. It. And over 70000 churches have been destroyed. Ive been to those churches. Finally on trident when you meet and talk with your counterparts in the prc and the president himself, do you raise names in particular because it is very important that they be front and center. Congressman thank you very much good to see you as well but first ill try to be brief. We are not engaged in negotiated covid treaty we are trying to strengthen the Global Global architecture for dome with pandemic to do it in a way that makes sure if theres a next time and i think there will inevitably be a next time, but countries are committed to transparency, sharing information getting access to International Inspectors we have the tools to do the countries agree to that. But of course not what tribe did in this instance we have all paid a price for that. At the same time it would clearly demonstrated is over the course of the pandemic the United States was the leading and most country miniature vaccines to be made available to those who needed them. We get through kovacs would it free of charge widget without political Strings Attached for that is dramatically benefited our diplomacy and standing in the world especially in contrast to the other countries have done this. Were happy to work with you on this and we take the point you raise. Bishop alvarez is very much on my mind in the mind of the state department but you know the nicaraguans expelled more than 200 Political Prisoners the good news is they were free from jail. The bad news is they cannot live in their own country. I met with the leaders of the democratic opposition were freed at the state department wont believe me, Bishop Alvarez should be released and we will continue to work on that. When it comes to nigeria very much appreciate what you said. We are working day in day out standing up for rights of persecuted minorities on the world. I think the report speaks for itself and speaks to a white we do certain designations im happy to follow up with you offline. And then on china, yes absolutely. We name names i mean names i go up repeatedly with my counterparts in china the names of people swerving in our judgment detained for political reasons and who should be freed. At the same time there are of course american citizens who remain unjustly detained. We are working on that every day, thank you. A gentleman yields. The prior president pulled out of the jcpoa without a plan to do anything to stop iran from having a Nuclear Weapon and so the saudis seem to have taken action on the assumption that iran was about to become a nuclear power. Mr. Secretary, i want to implore you on an issue that might not otherwise come up. Youre focused on the great issues of war and peace, the things great historians write about and that competes for your time with the basic operations in the state department. Passports and visas. The passport system is broken man has been since the beginning of covid. Visas if we did a better job that would be the most important thing we could do with our Public Diplomacy program and winning hearts and minds. When it comes to business its impossible to get people invested if it is going to take six months to do a business deal and i would hope they would proceed at the speed of private sector business so i want to implore you want to move to that. Last september the pipelines were blown up. You are now in a formal setting. Can you assure the world that no agency of the government blew up those pipelines were facilitated . Yes, i can. Putin has told us he wants to restore the soviet union. There are those that argue we should have done nothing to help ukraine. That which goes on in ukraine stays in ukraine and we dont have an interest there. Obviously if we had announced we were doing nothing, europe would have done nothing and putin might have been in kiev a week or two. If that had happened i think president xi would be an bold and but lets focus on russia if russia had been able to take over ukraine in a matter of weeks satiated or encouraged him to go after the baltics and poland . In my judgment, the latter. Turning to the ethiopia the department stayed determination indicating that while all parties were guilty of war crimes, the ethiopian military, the trained military and the forces committed crimes against humanity and that the forces committed ethnic cleansing. During testimony last year, your assistant secretary committed the United States will not support International Loans or the restoration to ethiopia until the Ethiopian Government fulfills its obligations under the Peace Agreement including unrestricted humanitarian aid, protection for civilians, human rights monitoring and Services Including the internet. Do you reaffirm that commitment . I do and that is what we are seeing happening. Im happy to address that in greater detail. Save the children have just returned from their reports that things are getting better. Can you think of anything that would help president xi expand his power more than if the United States were to cut our diplomatic efforts by 22 . There may be some other things but that would be on the top five list. And finally, what can we do to help those that are so desperate they fled to bangladesh . I made a determination. We are doing everything we possibly can to continue to get humanitarian assistance into burma despite the situation including many are refugees and other countries and we work to support them and make sure that countries dont engage. Finally i want to implore you to try to open up the corridor. Thank you. The chair recognizes mr. Wilson. The chairman is correct there is an alliance of the war criminal putin invaded ukraine. The ccp threatening taiwan. The regime planning to vaporize israel and then the United States. Mr. Secretary, as i agree with President Donald Trump the surrender was the most damaging Foreign Policy military decision in American History solely by the president of the United States, mr. Biden. I want to submit to the record letters ive sent to the administration requesting correspondent to the claims from top military officials he blamed the decision to surrender. I look forward to your response is the state department was in in charge of surrender. As the grateful father of hunter wells a man african veteran, i appreciate so much of the americans who served and particularly the 13 that were murdered. With that in mind, how Many American citizens and licensed permanent residents are in afghanistan today and are any of them currently being held hostage by the delavan . Congressman, there are several americans who are being detained by the telegram. We are working to secure their families and theyve asked we protect their identities and dont speak publicly to their cases since august 31 of last year we have helped about 975 citizens who wished to leave do so. Some of whom have been there since the withdrawal and went back to afghanistan they surrender and at the consequence of the invasion of ukraine the threats to taiwan. The weakness has been displayed. By allowing the safe havens in afghanistan, youre putting the American People at risk. Its my understanding there are 27 terrorist organizations actively working. To help finance any return of al qaeda. Theyve never been abandoned. With that in mind of the administration has been inexcusable and its delayed the weapon systems defensive to ukraine and in fact the longrange missiles that can provided these could be so helpful because theyve destroyed the drones that are currently located in crimea. With the proper defensive equipment. To make sure they had in and what they needed to rebuild including the allegation that we were not doing that is wrong. Every step along the way we have worked and led an International Coalition with the sec. Defense putting together a remarkable process to rally the countries to provide march 10th there was a lead editorial that the legacy of the president and you are criminal from ukraine that is victory. Expelling on him and his murderous. With that i yield back. Mr. Connelly. Example the chairman mentioned in iran is about to become a nuclear power. But why, how could that happen . Was there an agreement anywhere that pushed back the development of iran and was working in all respects in terms of metrics . It was called the jcpoa is verified by International Inspectors and our own intelligence community. They decided to leave the agreement. Afghanistan. A terrible thing that happened in august of 2021, but did it have any antecedent for example was there anybody that said we are going to negotiate with of the taliban and exclude of the government of afghanistan where allegedly supporting, does that happen . The agreement with the taliban and called for the withdrawal of the American Forces by may 31 of 21. Released 5,000 taliban prisoners. In addition, over time to in the present administration took office. The Trump Administration. Was there a president that believed the work. I recall press accounts to that effect. And it did that president of the name . President trump. Was there a president that denied javelins to defend itself before the war that began last february and march over a political issue you did that happen . Based on press accounts into testimony before congress, i believe that it did, yes. And who was that . The previous president , President Trump. Was there a president that disparaged anyone that said it was obsolete and we probably dont really need it anymore . And he president ever say that in the history since the founding three years ago . Based on public statements that ive read, yes, i believe President Trump said that. The current secretary, is he playing any kind of nonobsolete role in the current war in europe . A vital role in ensuring the security and determining for deterring furtheraggression by t europe. Most of us find we are worried about the climate. It was there any kind of International Agreement on the court that have every nation on earth as a member except the two . That would be the paris agreement. The United States at one point. President biden reengaged us in paris. And again did that president who withdrew from the climate accord have all countries but to, what was the name of that president . The Trump Administration withdrew from that agreement. I have to say there might be, we might all have cause to say lions, tigers and bears. But it isnt about the biden policies. Its about the Previous Administration that left a mess and that cost lives because of the decisions made and not made with respect to relations across the board. The gentleman yields and we appreciate that performance. It was quite entertaining. The chair now recognizes with respect i did not mean for it to be i think the chairman mr. Sec. We are honored by your presence. Just notes from your resume youve been at this a long time, went from 1994 to the present youve been at the state department National Security Council Center for strategic and international studies, state correction. Director of the Senate Foreign relations committee, Deputy Assistant to the president of the United States for National Security advisor to the Vice President , deputy secretary of state of course now the secretary of state. Youve got a lot of experience. Do you consider the institute as a civilian institution as it presents itself . Congressman, particularly in china institutions that present themselves as civilians and practice are usually of the state and in any event even when they are on Paper Private answer to the state. In the instance of wuhan i cant speak to it because the answer to state. So in 2005 when you were director of the Senate Foreign relations committee, did you know china was not in compliance with the chemical and bio weapons treaty obligations for which it was supposed to comply . Weve had concerns for many years about the number. Thats not the question i asked. Were you aware they were not in compliance, this is 2005. I just went through your resume here a little bit. We were deeply in at that point. Were you aware, did you know . I would have to go back and look. You know now . We have real concerns. Im asking if you know. Im telling you we have concerns about the compliance. This is something we can take up in a different setting but we have concerns about compliance. Did you know about the offensive biological Weapons Program and the ctp academy of military medical sciences . I can to speak to individual institutions, and i would have to go back and youre the secretary of state. This is important stuff. You cant tell if the ccp is currently complying with the bio weapons treaty obligations. You cant tell us whether you know about chinas offensive biological Weapons Program. Are you familiar with the fact that the academy of military and medical sciences worked with the rohan institute who received money from the United States of america particularly the state department, the Defense Department, the usaid, the nih. Are you familiar with that . As i said im familiar with the fact as a practical matter there is little difference between private organizations and the state and the fact that there is collaboration or would be collaboration between this particular institute including the Chinese Military is certainly no surprise. By the way, one of the one of the reasons it is helpful that we have programs i know you never want to understand, are you familiar with the fact the Chinese Communist party announced that they were collaborating on viruses the end of the ccp declared coronavirus were the leading edge of genetic weapons warfare . You know that . The secretary of state . Im happy to look at each of those statements. The documentation behind them. I cant speak to the specifics but i can tell you that again we have had for a long time and continue to have concerns about compliance. I know you have concerns. Do you know that during your time, sir, in all of these positions, contracts including ones with the state, the department of state, dod, usaid et cetera paid for research at the wu Hand Institute of urology end of the academy of military medical sciences and there are reports that the ccp may have doubled the u. S. Since we declared the ccp has an illicit bio Weapons Program, should american taxpayers be funding this, number one, number two should we trust that china will do the right thing and its part with this who proposed convention . We shouldnt trust. We should verify. To the american taxpayers pay for this . Im not sure, congressman. The research at the Wuhan Institute in the academy of military medical sciences for biological weapons. We are not paying for that. As i said in the past we have had programs where our scientists as well as our embassies have had the ability to have eyes and ears and some of these places precisely so that we would have a better understanding of what was going on and in particular to see if theres any safety or security concerns. There was one program before my time that ended in 2019 that usaid was engaged in and as i said that Program Ended in 2019 and wasnt involved in the gain of function research but as a general proposition, the benefit of these programs is to give us greater visibility on whats going on in places that we otherwise dont have eyes and ears on. The gentleman yields. The gentleman from massachusetts recognizes mr. Keating. Theres not a hot spot in the world that you havent been out since you assumed this office and i want to personally thank you for your commitment. Your families a sacrifice in the tradition of your late father for all this work. I want to thank you for your work trying to help paul wheeling who this month will be spending his 53rd birthday in a russian war camp. For years wrongfully detained. Im holding in my hand a memo, a letter from the Russian Federation dated february 17, 2022. And thats seven days before putin unleashed approximately 190,000 of his troops amassed on the Ukraine Border in an effort to overtake the capital, toppled its government, set up a government and control ukraine. I assume you are aware of this letter. Its an important letter because it makes clear what putins military demands were and it goes far beyond ukraine right in this memorandum, right in this letter. Putin made no bones about the fact with the military demands were as he was prepared to ms these troops. His demands were that he would take measures necessary he wanted to effectively disarm one half of nato particularly the areas most vulnerable in the baltic states. So here it is in blackandwhite and if we fail, we know whats next and we know what the u. S. Will honor and its article five commitments should he do what hes threatened to do here if he didnt have his demand met and that means he could be deploying american troops on the ground as we are required to, as President Biden has reaffirmed and president obama has reaffirmed and president bush has reaffirmed and every republican and democratic president after bush has reaffirmed since this was relevant. Is it clear to you we will do everything we can do to honor those article five concerns including if necessary troops on the ground . The president has made that absolutely clear. I say that because there are voices in the country right now including voices seeking to be commanderinchief in this country that essay a mere phone call to Vladimir Putin and in agreement to seize all the territory that was illegally guarded by russia through war crimes, through hoarders that are unspeakable, the type of things we havent seen in europe since the 1930s, to cede that away and walk away from our obligations in other voices are dismissing the actions putin has taken merely calling them a territorial dispute that the u. S. Has no plan. We have to be aware of whats next where we stand in this terrible time in history. We dont stand alone because of the commitment of President Biden and yourself and others to put together a coalition that putin thought was unattainable because it was necessary and we couldnt win by ourselves, so this coalition is in place and what stands in our way is not just defending ukraines interest or defending natos interest, not just defending europes interest, but defending the u. S. Selfinterest and thats the point of our involvement in ukraine. Here it is in blackandwhite, putin is declaring exactly what it was. Lets not fail to acknowledge what he himself wants, and i yield back. The chair recognizes mr. Isa. Mr. Secretary, we will kind of look backwards and forward. Next month you will mark your 61st birthday. Dont remind me. At my age, i am jealous but mr. Sec. , you are one of the most qualified secretaries during my tenure. Youve spent a long time learning history and being prepared to not repeat it so im going to give you a couple of names. Saigon, tehran, benghazi, tripoli and cobble. Each one of those two people in the state department represent a failure to smoothly withdraw, a failure to anticipate and the like. The chairman had a fairly lengthy discussion with you about what the committee wants and needs in order to do its oversight and in a very kissinger like way you gave answers that you came here prepared to give. Mr. Secretary, i have with me you will recognize this is what your discovery looks like. This is discovery from the state department. I might suggest to you after our mutual many years of doing this thought your best choice is accommodation when appropriate, compliance when a subpoena comes, which means this sort of good action cannot and shall not be accepted by congress once the subpoena is issued. I might also suggest that if you deliver something under the cloak of being secret or top secret, the redaction is by definition inappropriate. That in fact if we view in cameron other reduction is inappropriate. If today you can make the commitment that when the accommodations to this and other committees but particularly this committee when the accommodation is that we receive information in some in camera form that it be delivered sooner not later and redacted only for Actual Claimed privileges. If you can make that commitment i think the chairman can rest assured that we will be getting what i sometimes call a black cow eating licorice at midnight. Thank you, congressman. What i can commit to is this as i have committed to the chairman to find a way to make sure the committee gets the information that it rightly needs to conduct its oversight and i need to do that in a way that of course as i said in the case of the cable protecting process of making sure you get the information but more broadly when it comes to documents of course we have National Security considerations. There may be legal considerations but i take the point that youre making and i want to make sure you get the information. Mr. Secretary, since youve sat behind the senators and youve been on the other side, you are well aware that this coequal body determines what it believes it needs to be seen and with the exception of actual stated privileges, the court if we have to go that far makes it very clear that in fact we determine, not you, what our legislative needs and need to know is. So i might suggest that although that answer again very kissinger i appreciate it. I will take that as a compliment. It is, but please, put the other hand on that you wore when you sat on this slide and recognize that the accommodation of sooner rather than later in camera if the chairman of the committee agreed to it allows us to then debate the smaller portion that might need to be made public or in some other way disseminated. Id like to take an opportunity because the world is listening to speak past you for a moment, mr. Sec. The people who wrote the dissent are free to come to this committee, free to come to the staff and to the chairman as legitimate whistleblowers to be fully protected and if they come forward and produce their names, that i submit to you at that point the statement you made here today is moot that in fact any member of the state department who comes forward as a whistleblower on behalf of dissent of any sort leading up to the failed withdraw from couple would be taken as a waiver of that history that we noted all the way back with the not late and in good health in new york and Henry Kissinger and with that i think you and yield back. The gentleman yields into the chair recognizes mr. Sicily any. Thank you mr. Sec. For being with us today and i think we all owe you and the men and women of the state department a great work that you do every day and i want to thank you for that. Over the past two years the Biden Administration has reestablished leadership on the global stage deepening the strategic alliances and advancing our values and interests and im grateful. I was sitting here listening to some of my republican colleagues and wondering did they miss the last four years. Did you infect inherit an agreement by the Prior Administration to withdraw from afghanistan by a date certain that also includes the 5,000 taliban fighters from prison . Thats correct. Did you inherit a decision to withdraw from the jcp a way that kept Irans Nuclear program and check . That is correct. And you inherited a departure from the paris climate accord. You also followed the administration that undermined the importance of nato. The prior president , President Trump made public statements about the obsolescence of nato. I believe that is correct. And now theres a budget that would decide the development and diplomatic budget by up to 22 . Is that correct . We shared our concerns about the proposed cuts to the Budget Proposal. And i dont remember hearing from my republican colleagues on this committee criticizing any of those five events, so its rich to here today this i think mr. Connelly said, lions and tigers and bears oh my. So i want to ask you first with respect to the u. S. Obligations and multilateral organizations and peacekeeping entities how do you assess the damage that its caused to the u. S. Credibility failing to stay current with our obligations and if congress were to grant the requested funds, how with the u. S. Be able to change the dynamics of these institutions in our favor and advancement of the National Security interest of the United States . I think its an important point because we find ourselves in a almost contorted ourselves and that we are by far the largest contributor to most of the programs in these organizations and get precisely because we find ourselves in some instances in arrears our competitors and adversaries point to that to say we are actually not doing our part were serious about those organizations, so it actually undermines our standing and our diplomacy if something we constantly have to direct and i think that could be easily rectified by making sure we are current with our obligations. Thank you. Earlier this week i traveled to United Nations in new york for the meeting at the un Security Council to focus on the specific vulnerabilities of lgbtq i persons in heard about an increase in violence and the rhetoric and legislation through the continent of africa. Can you speak to what you were doing and the embassies are doing in terms of staff and resources and coordination to confront these threats. The marginalized groups particularly the community in many countries is under increased threat and i think as you know we put out just this week and i put out personally the annual human rights report and one of the things that it documents is precisely that so we are very much engaged around the world in a variety of ways trying to make sure that we are advocating, encouraging, pressing countries to uphold the rights of all marginalized communities and that they are in the first instance of course protecting and defending those rights and they are not taking measures that would undermine those rights. We do it in different ways and places to make sure that we are both sensitive to local considerations because we want to be as effective as we can be so sometimes its private, sometimes its public, sometimes a combination of both but they are seized with this and this really goes to i think the court tenant of the view that i believe Many Americans share that all democracies are strengthened by protecting vulnerable populations. We are equally engaged on pushing back against religious minorities is a problem. Thank you mr. Sec. Finally, the existing f16 fleet to challenge greek sovereignty and its refusal to rule out using upgraded to do so and continue to violate the territorial airspace undermines the nato unity and i know thats an important priority for you. Can you speak to what steps the administration is taking to ensure the weapons are not used to threaten allies and partners in Northern Syria . The focus of our efforts, whether its with turkey, greece or any other nato ally is to ensure that they have the equipment and technology to be fully interoperable to make sure that they can do everything they need to do. While at the same time of course and shoring to the extent there are any disputes between them that any equipment or technology we provide is not used in furtherance of the differences or disputes, so that is certainly the case. We believe turkey should get the upgraded f16s in the modernization package of the f16s we think its important to nato and the alliance. At the same time we are working to try to ensure that any tensions that exist in this case are abated and that they do not engage in either actions or rhetoric that would inflame the situation so i was just in both turkey and greece and of course turkey had the devastating mindboggling earthquake shortly after i was in greece we had the horrific train accident. Our hearts and our hands actually are going to try to help the countries into situations but at the same time we want to make sure the chair recognizes the vice chair ms. Wegner. I think you mr. Chairman, and i think you, sec. , for your service and time today. Mr. Secretary, yesterday the house passed the taiwan measurements implementation act. This is my Bipartisan Legislation i worked on with mrt requires the state department to provide robust reporting on an engagement with taiwan and ask askedthat the u. S. Remove selfimposed barriers to engagement. I am urging my colleagues in the senate to take up my legislation and send it to the president s desk so we can work towards tangible and sustained progress in the u. S. And taiwan relationship. The United States must demonstrate resolute and unflinching support for this important democratic partner as it faces increased bullying and coercion by the peoples republic of china. In the meantime, i hope that you will help us understand how the state departments budget will lose this Critical Partnership in the right direction because i am worried frankly that states current approaches are overly concerned with avoiding even the slightest chance of offending beijing. Mr. Sec. , i hope that we can all agree that our confrontation with china represents a generational challenge for the United States and its partners. However i was concerned to see so little prayer ready given to the u. S. Arms sales and other Security Assistance programs in the indo pacific. If the indo pacific is the decisive theater, why is Foreign Military financing for east asia and the pacific third in prayer ready with only 2 of the proposed funding . First of all, thank you. I appreciate your focus on this and i look forward to reading what youve put forth. Let me mention quickly by the way that at the beginning of the administration, we localized our contact guidance when it comes to our engagement with taiwan precisely to make sure that the u. S. Engagement with taiwan better reflects the broadening, the deepening unofficial relations that we have and that guidance has been out for nearly two years. When it comes to the military to focus on taiwan for a second then we can broaden out i have signed more of these agreements than any previous secretary of state and in the last couple of years we provided for an additional defenserelated sales and taiwan and this builds on a long record. About they are not making it to taiwan. So there you have an important point into the challenge we are facing across the board lies not with my Department Even as we work to streamline everything we are doing and as i said i signed out more of these than any previous secretary. We have production challenges across the board. The challenges that have built up over many years as the lines have gone dormant. Supply chain problems, all of these things have come to ahead. That is exactly what the Defense Department industry are working on right now and my anticipation as we are going to see significant progress on that but its not for want of making sure our partners but time is of the essence and in a situation and confrontation that occurred between china and taiwan and other partners is before us. In the recent defense act congress authorized up to 2 billion in this Foreign Military grant for the 2023 through 2027, which would allow the United States you to taiwan to engage in joint longterm planning for the acquisition, deployment and sustainment of critical capabilities. Why is taiwan not a priority for funding or attention . Taiwan he is a priority and as you know we have many different ways of doing this. We appreciate the authority we put together in the budget a new fund to look at emerging priorities for the fmf. Taiwan would be included in that and at the same time in the case of taiwan the most effective way to date has been through the Foreign Military sales program. They increased by 11 . They have the capabilities and the capacity to make the acquisitions they need and at the same time we have been working very closely with them in terms of the devices we are providing to make sure they have an effective deterrent and defense capacity. Sometimes that goes to significant weapon systems and sometimes that goes to Different Things that may not be the most expensive or flashiest. I do have some additional questions i will submit for the record but i do submit to you a very bipartisan assurance implementation act that would pass and i hope the state department under your leadership will take a look at this. It is important as we move forward with the threat of china. Thank you for your indulgence and i yield back. The chair now recognizes mr. Barra. I want to acknowledge and thank you for being here. I know your family is from roosevelt, which is approximate to my district. From what ive learned about nicole, she loved being a marine and serving our country. She loved serving humanity. When i think about what i love about the United States of america i dont think about it is democratic or republican but our values of freedom and democracy, the obligations that we have in terms of security and protecting those values around the world so i want to applaud you and the administration in these first two years. You acknowledge that the world has changed and there are new threats out there. I applaud the Coalition Building and the administration, keeping the coalition together and protecting and preserving the freedom of the ukrainian people leave the country. I also want to applaud the Trilateral Alliance with japan and korea which is at a very different place today than when you came into office. Elevating the coalition and in this 21st century Security Architecture that will take the coalition of like value countries that really do share those values that nicole held dearly and to serve her memory to continue to preserve these american values. Youre here to talk about the budget but obviously an area that i spent a lot of time on is the competition in the indo pacific. I appreciate the budget that youve put forward in competition with of the peoples republic of china. In the proposal theres 400 million funding and the influence but theres also over 11 billion mandatory spending that is part of our effort to outcompete china. Its unusual to see a mandatory request and i think to put forth authorizing legislation but i would like to give you a chance to talk about why the mandatory funding is so important to our efforts to outcompete china. I appreciate that and i think it reflects what im hearing from many members of this committee, democrats and republicans alike which is the recognition that when it comes to china this is a generational challenge for us and in our judgment discretionary funding alone will not help us get the job done in terms of out competing china where we are in the intense competition. We are providing in the budget, and the plan that goes along with its new and innovative ways to try to provide viable alternatives and scale that discretionary funding alone cant meet and when i say viable alternatives, i mean, things countries around the world, potential partners, existing partners need and are looking for and of the United States hopefully can help provide. Weve got longterm projects that need funding upfront to cover longer periods than discretionary funding allows for and predictability and insulation from the fluctuations for this discreet a set of programs we think would be incredibly valuable. Its a little bit modeled on what we see as the success of the chips and science act with the state department was given money over five years to work with other countries to secure Semi Conductor supply chains, downstream and upstream as well as to try to make sure that countries that were developing information, Communications Technologies were doing so in secure ways with trusted vendors so that those networks were safe and secure. Thats a good model land its replicated more broadly in this budget request. I think its a model that sends a signal to not only the people in the prc but the countries in the region. Certainly the 7. 1 cents billion a strong signal that we are very and committed and we will be there for the long haul and we have their back. Again this committee will have to work on the authorized language i would hope that language reflects the concern that we can do that and work with of the administration to make sure that that funding is there. Just in the brief time i have left can you talk about the importance of the trilateral relationship and the place i applaud you for the leadership as well as the prime minister. I share that view and i think for us to make sure that our two closest allies and partners in the region, japan and korea not only are strengthening the relationships and partnerships with us but are doing so between themselves and among the three of us trilateral he further enhances not only the security but ability to get lots of things done around the world. We bring to bear the strength of our countries of course dealing with challenges posed by china, north korea but again in so many other areas including the provision of the humanitarian assistance and having safe and secure maritime domains, looking in outer space together. There are a multiplicity of things we are doing in this trilateral coordination. President biden brought the leaders together. The time is expired. I recognize myself, mr. Sec. Thanks for being here today. Im going to start with the board behind me. A database of individuals that are coming forward to talk about their experiences with afghanistan. A couple weeks ago we had a sergeant, and amputee injured in the withdrawal in afghanistan. Nobody, nobody in any agency asked his story whatsoever even though he was at the tip of the spirit of what had happened in the withdrawal so we want to hear as we are doing oversight over what happened in the withdrawal in afghanistan. We want to hear everybodys story whether there is somebody still stuck in afghanistan, a marine, soldier, somebody brought in to assist. State departments, somebody that sent a cable we want to hear from those individuals because it is important to us that as we do oversight over the withdrawal that we hear everybodys story which has not happened to date. I want to start with a couple questions mr. Sec. Was joe biden inaugurated and sworn in january 2021 . Yes he was. Were you confirmed january 26, 2021 . Thats correct. And i do have copy of your hearings. I want to reference one part with senator graham. Page 38 of it you state any withdrawal should be based on conditions, you agree with that . That was certainly the preferred course, yes. And moving backward in time, President Trump secured an agreement with of the taliban. Thats correct. Its been brought up many times today. And i have that in front of me. First Peace Agreement, for parts guarantees and enforcement mechanism that would prevent the use of soil in afghanistan by any group or individual against the security of the United States and its allies conditions. Yes. The president agreed there need to be conditions, you agree there need to be conditions. Nearly every member of the committee so far today has asked about afghanistan to include yourself bringing it up and i just want to ask right now will you give us a commitment that you will come back here to discuss specifically the withdrawal in afghanistan . Congressman, we will makes were Going Forward that the committees continue on afghanistan that the state department will be engaged. Will you come back to answer questions . Im not going to prejudge that. As you know i testified do you think you should answer questions on afghanistan . I will certainly answer one way or another. Will you come here in person . Im happy to take that up with the chairman and Ranking Member. If you come back to answer questions. I will make sure i and other members of the state department provide the information needed by this committee on afghanistan Going Forward for the work that you are doing. I hope you do a better job than you have. I want to move to a couple questions. April 14, 2021, President Biden announces the full withdrawal of our u. S. Troops from afghanistan. You know the date he announced that we would withdraw . I believe you just referenced it. Im sorry, by september 1. He announced by september 11. Early september. By september 11, thats not just any date, correct . I think it underscores the fact that the mission withdrawal on september 11, correct . You are correct. Lets not be fashionable about that. My recollection i think you are correct. He also said with this, i concluded it is time to end americas longest war. I concluded, he said himself. Is that a quote from him . I called president bush to inform him of my decision to withdraw from afghanistan. Was it President Bidens decision . He is, hes the commanderinchief. Thank you for acknowledging that. I want to move to another question and this is specific to the withdrawal. June 24 that here, it was announced again by President Biden that we would be drawing down to 650 troops specifically to provide security for diplomats after the main military force completes withdrawal. You understand that . Thats correct. So heres my question. Of anybody that has ever spent five minutes or five hours in afghanistan, what idiot would believe that its smart to remove the military force and leave the diplomats behind and obviously it ended with them in 50 days later having to bring back 3,000 to 8,000 troops, so what idiot decided that . Pursuant to the agreement reached, it was all of the forces by what idiot decided to pull out the main fighting force before pulling out the diplomats which resulted in 3,000 to 8,000 additional troops being sent back into afghanistan . What idiot decided that . Again, congressman pursuant to the agreement reached by the Previous Administration. Thank you for answering some of my questions today. I hope you answer more of it later. At this point im going to recognize mr. Phillips. Thank you mr. Chairman and welcome mr. Sec. I lost my father in the vietnam war when i was six months old in 1969. Fiftyfour years later just last week i was able to visit that country on the other side of the globe and actually go to the very dirt on which he took his last breath. You can all imagine it was one of the most extraordinary and meaningful experiences of my entire life and i returned to washington last night and attended an event is sponsored by taps that honors goldstar families and to look at small children, and American Children in the eyes that have lost loved ones in iraq and afghanistan and i want to honor you who gave so much of yourself in that effort. Its an awfully difficult thing to do and all of us, every goldstar family, child, brother, sister, mother, father spends a lot of time wondering if it was worth it, the loss of life and i just want to thank you for being so dedicated both personally and professionally to doing your best to ensure the community of goldstar families does not expand. And i would simply ask my colleagues on the committee both democrats and republicans as we litigate the past and hopefully learn from our mistakes because we sure make a lot of them that we spend equal time and energy to ensure that one day children whove lost their moms and dads in iraq and afghanistan and other parts of the world can also return to a country that is seeing Economic Growth and prosperity of safety and security in no small part because of our investments and to that end, mr. Secretary, i want to speak about flexibility that you need and to take advantage of opportunities and windows when they arise. The middle east and north America Opportunity Fund Proposed in the new budget would allow you to respond to opportunities as they might emerge in that region of the world. So im curious how you envision using such a program, how the decisions would be made between state and usaid and how you would prioritize the funding. This funding in particular these kind of programs in general, the flexibilities that go along with them and allow us to take advantage of these opportunities that come up to use our democracy and Development Programs to further peace and security, to try to create virtuous cycles. I think perhaps mr. Chairman before he referenced the abraham accords. We have been working assiduously both to help deeprooted the existing partnerships that have come from this as well as to expand the circle and part of that has been something that we put together last year that brought together israel, the United Arab Emirates, morocco, egypt and that in so doing is focused on projects among those countries to include the palestinians that can effectively improve the lives of their citizens so some of the funding that we have or are asking for would be to support those kind of programs. We put together another program that actually brings interestingly israel, the United Arab Emirates and india together. Its not the middle east per se, but it drawls it in but across the board we are looking at programs in flexibilities to ano allow us to address the needs, the livelihoods, security, opportunity for people because when you provide that you take away one of the usual instigators for conflict, for instability, for things that inevitably one way or another draw us in and cause us to spend more money in so doing. I have high hopes for that and thank you. I hope we can achieve it. My second question is relative to special immigrant visas and afghanistan. I dont think im the only one on this committee or the congress receiving an extraordinary number of calls to our offices from people who are trying their best to fulfill our promise to those who supported our efforts in afghanistan and are deeply dismayed and troubled by the challenge and backlog in obtaining those so what is the state doing to affect that . Do you need more resources . Is there anything we can do because it is a great challenge for all of us and i think that we are missing an important opportunity to fulfill a promise. We are determined to do Everything Possible to get this right and weve dedicated the resources into the focus to make sure we are doing that. We have well over 100 people at the department who sole focus is this program and helping others at risk to get out of afghanistan. We have at present a process that you know very well with the members of the committee know very well that is pursuant to legislation over many years with a dozen or so requirements in terms of moving people through the process. Weve worked with congress to streamline that to try to make it more effective. We have it at present a large number of people in the pipeline. Most of the people in the pipeline are what we call the pre chief admission stage of this or at the chief admission stage. That is the point at which it is determined whether in fact theyve met the requirements of the program. Typically when you have people in the pipeline we found historically that unfortunately, about half of them washed out which is to say it turns out they are not eligible. Thats because they are genuinely not and in other instances people are trying to get in through the program. The gentlemans time is expired. The chair now recognizes mr. Buck for five minutes. Thank you for being here. During our freshman orientation years ago when i first got to congress the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff informed us of the areas that history of war it started on land, went to land and water, land to see to air. We are now faced with in expanded area of warfare we are going to be looking at evidently cyber war and space bar. Its clear that before, during and after the illegal invasion of ukraine they used cyber warfare to shut down government functions including utilities to shut down the banking system, the Healthcare System and other areas. Its clear the cyber war is an integral part of any of our adversaries strategy. In addition, facebook isnt allowed in china. The communist party has banned it. Western the Search Engines like google arent allowed. The communist party has banned it. No netflix, no wall street journal. Both being banned by the communist party. American businesses like microsoft word can only operate after implementing stringent restrictions that show that commitment to stifling outside ideas and to isolate information in china. America doesnt place similar restrictions on Chinese Companies or force them to serve under such onerous conditions. Its owned and operated by the communist party and is the Parent Company, to entities that gather extensive information about citizens including minors. Evidence shows that tiktok collect the names, phone numbers, email addresses, ip addresses, biometric data, facial recognition defining physical characteristics, keystroke logging that can yield Bank Information as well as personal medical histories, Search History proclivities, the content of messages sent on mobile devices, purchasing information about what Products Online somebody has purchased, file names and types of information stored in a mobile device, text messages, images, videos, any device on a clipboard. Users activities on websites and apps. Mr. Secretary, my question ultimately will be about whether we should ban tiktok and cap cut in the United States. Its clear to me and i think most people cyber warfare is an important part of any future conflict with china or war with china. China particularly the ccp is an adversary or enemy depending on what language you want to use of the United States. Communist china is gathering information on americans that can be used in a cyber war. Communist china doesnt allow u. S. Companies to operate online apps in china. Doesnt it make sense to ban tiktok and cap cut in the u. S. , and do you support such a ban . I appreciate the focus that you are putting on this. Let me say as a preliminary matter when it comes to tiktok, going back to july of 2021, the state department prohibited the u. S. On our devices of tiktok. We prohibited Embassy Embassy contractors, thirdparty vendors from using it to create or managed accounts, and weve been coordinating with partners across the board one Data Security policies to make sure they are aware. As to the larger question, my understanding is that what has been proposed, more than proposed, insisted on is the divestment of tiktok by the Parent Company and whether that answers is beyond my capacity to evaluate. But clearly, the administration and others are seized with the challenge that it poses and we are taking action to address it. You said at the challenge it poses. Is it a threat to security . I believe it is. And can it be banned . They do it to us why cant we do it to them . It should be one way or another and there are different ways of doing that. That is a clear answer i appreciate that very much. I yield back, mr. Sec. Secretary. The chair recognizes mr. Kemp. Thank you mr. Chairman, mr. Sec. Thanks for coming before us. I guess i just wanted to ask you, start with a question about ukraine. Last year we passed the least effort when it comes to ukraine but i will be honest i havent heard anything about this ever since. So i guess i wanted to ask has it been activated or used . How are we trying to integrate that into the efforts with ukraine . Thank you very much, congressman. Im not aware that particular authority has been deemed necessary to date. As you know, we have thanks to the incredible support from congress on a bipartisan basis and in fact the support from the American People provided significant Security Assistance to ukraine. Not only that but others to do the same thing. More than 50 partner countries into Security Assistance provided mostly through drawdowns from the accounts has answered the needs as well as the work that our partners are doing and in addition, there are some direct sales and other things but the main focus has been the drawdown from the dod accounts. I appreciate that and if you dont mind i would love to follow up with your team as well as the pentagon about what was the determination that this doesnt need to be used at this point but i think you and i can agree we want to make sure we are being as clear as we can in this. Its so important that this doesnt drag on because if it does drag on that is something that very much benefits putin and russia as they have that ability weve got to make sure that its there. I want to switch gears a little bit. I had a meeting recently with my constituents and they were raising their concerns about how russia was spending and how we were seeing increased Nuclear Weapon development by china and it feels like we are at this place that we are starting to slide here after progress over previous decades on the nuclear nonproliferation, on drawing that down but you and i were both dads of young kids and i just worry that my kids are going to grow up in an era with an even greater threat of Nuclear Weapons in the era that i grew up so i want to get a sense from you how essential is this in your prioritization as we are thinking about the global competition . I share the concern. I think we have seen backsliding when it comes to arms control and nonproliferation because a number have chosen to move in the wrong direction. You mentioned russia pulling out and i think that was a record of regrettable and irresponsible decision. This benefited both of the countries in terms of its predictive ability, the visibility. It gave us and of course the limitations. They say they are going to continue to abide by the limits. Acrosstheboard leaves movements backward but weve been engaged in the nonproliferation treaty and we took steps to strengthen the nonproliferation regime the same with the biological Weapons Convention and chemical Weapons Convention and it remains a strong group of countries that want to make sure that those institutions and agreements are upheld. We are no doubt seeing challenges when it comes to this competition especially china and russia. But youre at the table with them. Is there any appetite at all as we increase this is it continuing to increase to try to take some of that Nuclear Weapon concern off the table . There is certainly on our behalf. I and other colleagues that have engaged with our chinese counterparts repeatedly saying we should at the very least work on greater Safety Security visibility risk reduction. Especially when it comes to the chinese arsenal. They are rapidly increasing, but the stocks are still significantly lower than where the United States and russia are so it feels like an opportunity to try to press on and i urge you to do that. And i agree despite the aggression in ukraine, despite the other areas where we are obviously on polar opposite of things weve said all along we think it is imperative to try to sustain and even build on arms control agreements because it is in the interest of the world and of course the American People. I dont have any more time left but i do want to follow up about what we can do to make the visit of the president a successful Going Forward. I think that is key as we talked about regarding south korea and japan. Thank you mr. Chairman and mr. Sec. To document the department of providing or heavily redacted heres one of the documents you produced yesterday with no explanation for the reductions. That looks like the kennedy assassination vitals or ufo file honestly i think its a joke. Can you explain why it was redacted . I cant speak to that specific document. I cant tell what the document is. Im sure that we can if there are concerns about reductions we can raise them and look over them. Im raising them. This one behind me on my right seems to be a talking point. Can you give any legitimate reason why the department rejected this information . Without the specific document i cant. The state Department Attorneys told the committee you should be grateful for having received any documents at all after a month that it was exceptional for responding to any chairmans letters. That is an insult to congress and transparency and should be an insult to the media. I believe gold star families and members of congress and veterans deserve these answers. Do you think your attorneys statement was appropriate in any way, shape, form or fashion . Im not aware of the statement. What i can tell you is i am determined to make sure that this committee and other committees receive the information that they need particularly to conduct oversight. A second as a matter of longstanding practice it is at least my understanding that previously before the committees and congress had been organized the executive branch did not engage with those committees. Nonetheless, despite that we began to work on requests we knew were forthcoming and in an effort to get ahead of things. I would suggest to you what you need and what you say you need is a conflict of what congress is asking for. You also stated that the Climate Crisis is the center of your foreignpolicy and National Security goals. The war in ukraine, fentanyl from china, tension growing over taiwan of course, Nuclear Armed north korea and iran, mexican cartels, violence against americans and taliban controlling afghanistan is the Climate Crisis still your central policy . Im not aware of that particular statement. I think the issues you listed that go very much to the statement i made at the beginning reflect the priorities that we are focused on. Are there u. S. Sanction personnel in ukraine and if so why are they receiving our tax dollars . U. S. Sanctioned personnel . Im not aware of that. I welcome any information you have. 4 million u. S. Tax dollars have gone. How is that justifiable . The program of the assistance to ukraine has on the ground right now in the embassy about 47 personnel responsible solely for oversight. We just had a report by the inspector of the Inspector Generals Office looking at the oversight of the taxpayer funds in ukraine. The report was positive in terms of the processes and the work that is being done so the money is being spent appropriately as well as wisely and at the same time we have in place a process for example much of the funding we provided the taxpayers goes through a World Bank Program that only disperses money upon receipts for authorized expenditures and we have thirdparty validator is to include which is working directly with administrative or finance. We cant Fund Medicare and then we are funding pensions i think our priorities are out of whack. Let me move on if i could. A constituent of mine Staff Sergeant who was the last person who was killed in afghanistan, why cant his family know the full story of his death . Can somebody get with me on that because it is very aggravating to me that the family, they are neighbors of mine i deeply appreciate that, congressman. I would refer you to i think other departments that would be able to let me ask one more question. Are you aware of chinese spy equipment particularly in the gulf of mexico and what is your plan to stop the chinese spying on domestic infrastructure . This is at the top of our priority list and making sure that any adversary competitor that would be engaged in undermining our cybersecurity that we are dealing with that effectively both in terms of our own government institutions including my department where weve elevated that as a priority as well as partners around the world who for example what is your plan to stop it . We are engaged with countries including mexico to make sure they do not take on trusted vendors into the Communication Networks and ways that could impact our security. This is on u. S. Infrastructure not mexican infrastructure. Again i would refer you to the department of Homeland Security and other agencies that focus on this. I would also welcome the information that you have and im happy to follow up. Please have someone contact me. The chair recognizes ms. Manning. Thank you mr. Chairman and mr. Sec. For being with us today and for your service to the country. We are experiencing a frightening global rise in antisemitism including Violent Attacks against jews and jewish institutions, the spreading of conspiracy theories online, scapegoating of jews for the pandemic, for a wide variety of problems and greater peril for jews around the world. The Pew Research Center just released a report with evidence of increased antijewish hate and harassment in 94 countries around the world and just released a report showing a dramatic increase in antisemitism, hatred and violence across the u. S. Including on college campuses. We have in our special envoy a highly qualified and highly motivated person whose and braced her job and traveled around the world but we understand from her that her office is hampered by a lack of resources. They are having to use contract people rather than able to hire their own staff, so im asking for a commitment from you to evaluate whether additional funding is needed for her office and we have requested, in number of us have requested in a letter to increase the resources for that office to work on this critical issue. First i share your deep concern about this both personally as well as professionally and second, extraordinary we are lucky to have her. On the question shes doing a remarkable job. Third we will make sure the resources are there for her to do her job as effectively as she can. Thank you for that. We have an active Bipartisan Task force to combat antisemitism here in the house. We have engaged with the gentleman and we are anxious to work with the Biden Administrations Interagency Task force to talk about antisemitism and we hope that you will be engaged in that as well. I want to go to something that my colleague raised. You detailed or, the very important work that is being done to strengthen the abraham accord in response to one of his comments with the working groups that have come out of the summit, the opportunities for the countries to Work Together on issues that are critical to building stronger relationships and stronger economies for all of those countries that are participating. Of course the one major player in the region that hasnt a joinedthe accord is saudi arabi. There were hopes that bringing saudi arabia into the accord would enhance the effectiveness of those to create a Security Alliance to counter the maligned activities of iran and as we all know, china recently brokered between iran and saudi arabia. How do you view that new development and what impact do you think it will have on the future growth of the abraham accord . First as you know, saudi arabia and iran have been talking for several years about seeing if they could restore their diplomatic relations. Those were cut off i think back in 2016 when saudi arabia put to death a prominent cleric and there was an attack on the embassy in iran no surprise diplomatic relations were suspended so theyve been talking. In terms of chinas role, to the best of our understanding and in fact they hosted the final session that led to the agreement. Nothing more and nothing less. What i will say is this to the extent that that agreement if implemented and that is at the question, if implemented actually does reduce some tensions and curbs some of the deeply objectionable iranian behavior particularly for example attacks on saudi arabia facilitating attacks whereby we have 80,000 american citizens that would be a good thing. Countries around the world to include china if they act responsibly in trying to help bring countries together to lessen the tensions and reduce conflict, thats a good thing. As i said i have some questions about whether this will be implemented, but if it is on the abraham accord i dont think it affects them which is to say that we are very focused both on deepening the accords among the existing participants and broadening it and of course israel makes no secret that it hopes saudi arabia would sign on at some point and that remains an objective. President bidens trip to saudi arabia i think helped further the relationship between israel and saudi arabia and we will look to see in the months ahead hopefully more progress on that. That would be good for israel and for saudi arabia. I do have specific questions about the budget with regards to the middle east and north africa Opportunity Fund we will submit those to your office. Thank you and i yield back. The chair recognizes mr. Barr. Mr. The secretary thank you for your service. In the readout from your february 18th meeting with the top chinese diplomat it is noted that you raised the spy balloon is a violation of International Law but its clear from our own state department that the ccp never gave an explanation and they said it paved the way for the dialogue between the two sides and the two countries can now talk beyond the balloon. Lets go back to the negotiating table and other issues. That doesnt sound like you offered any deterrence whatsoever from future incursions into the airspace. Why is that a concern . Because this flew over the air force base, our nuclear triad, Warren Air Force base, nebraska, headquartered to strut come, Fort Leavenworth kansas, the air force base where the b2 czar, Fort Leavenworth missouri, Fort Campbell and my state of kentucky Arnold Air Force base, tennessee, georgia, Shaw Air Force base south carolina, joint base south carolina. Mr. Sec. , this spy balloon should have been shot down osuna said entered the u. S. Air defenses zone north of alaskas islands on january 208th. Tell me specifically what your plan is to prevent further erc incursions into the u. S. Homeland. We told our chinese counterparts i told them directly that the balloon flying over the United States, the spy balloon flying over the United States was unacceptable and could not happen again and we are determined to make sure that it doesnt. Not only that but we were able to expose the entire program that affected more than 40 countries across five continents that resulted not just in us but many other countries going into china and making it clear the opposition to what china was doing and its unacceptability. So i think the fact the program has been exposed for the world to see has clearly put the brakes on it. We will take whatever action is appropriate to protect the security of the United States and in this particular circumstance as colleagues have laid out we made a determination first of all when it was clear that was flying over sensitive sites we made the determination to first of all protect the sites with measures that were taken and second to make sure at the earliest opportunity in ways that didnt endanger the population on the ground if i may interject, i appreciate your dialogue, but as you noted, not that we were expecting an apology, but the fact that we didnt shoot it down before it entered our airspace over the pacific, not over the atlantic, was an invitation for further incursions. Talk is cheap. Deterrence requires force when our airspace and our sovereignty is at issue. Let me move on to another question. Let me move on. This weeks summit between putin and the chinese leader xi jinping reinforced the no limit relationship between the two authoritarian regimes in fact she described it as a new chapter and strengthening relationships between beijing and moscow. They are saying that this was portrayed as a Bold Initiative to create a new world order. In your meeting with the top diplomats you warned about the implications and consequences providing Material Support for its ongoing invasion of ukraine but on february 207th, we finally received the required report from our access giving an assessment of the support of russias illegal full invasion of ukraine and that report said the russian customs record indicated that they have provided russian entities with restricted and dual use products which can be used in the prosecution of the war against ukraine. The Defense Companies shaped navigation equipment, jet fire parts. The New York Times since russias invasion of ukraine china has sold more than 12 million in drones and parts to the country and then according to trade and customs date of the Chinese Companies including one connected to the government said assault rifles and other equipment that could be used for military purposes so my question is why are you then just saying february 18th youre just warning of consequences for providing the Material Support when the state department comes out nine days later with an entire years worth of evidence of chinas Material Support to russia . We are focused on lethal Material Support being provided by the Chinese State and we are also tracking the provision by private enterprises of the dual use technology that could be of concern so this is i think we need to sanction china for their lethal support its not just buying the oil and the gas. We have documented trade records of providing Legal Support now. We need to get tougher on the ccp. They are financing this war in russia and providing Legal Support according to this trading customs data. We need action and i urge this administration to follow suit. I yield back. The chair recognizes ms. Mccormick. Thank you mr. Chair. Sec. , thank you for being here. The political and economic climate in haiti is increasing. Its so severe nearly 20,000 people are facing famine food insecurity. The first in our hemisphere record history. Its driving up the cost of delivering aid or making some areas completely inaccessible. Humanitarian actors including haitian lead ngos, Civil Society working tirelessly to meet the needs of people, but the political solution is required to address the full scale of this crisis. In addition from january to mid march, 531 people were killed and 300 injured by gang incidents. How does the budget request reflect the departments outlook on the political solution to the crisis in haiti and if it does, how does it prioritize it . Thank you. We have at least two if not more interconnected problems and you point to the two main ones. We need a political way forward in haiti that produces a fully legitimate government that is able to do business with the haitian people. At the same time, given the absence and security of the profound insecurity, it is very hard for the haitians to move forward on a political track and nevermind conduct elections. The profound insecurity is driven primarily by the fact that gangs have authority over critical parts of other major cities. The gangs that are doing in many cases the bidding of political and other elites, and at the same time are overwhelming in many cases. So we have been working on a number of things to try to reverse the situation. Number one, to break the nexus between some of these leads in the gangs with a very focused sanctions approach to go with those elites and not just us, canada and others are focused on doing this with us. In the world and its primarily a function of diplomacy with other countries to get them engaged. Also this week talk about the haiti Transparency Act with the in report to congress over political economics the sanctions to be involved in such criminal activity how does it address the collusion taking place in haiti and in addition have you seen with the government . So to break that nexus is critical and thats exactly what the focus has been in primarily directly targeted with those elites trying to use them for their own purposes including denying them to come to the United States with their assets of many in question like to go back and forth. So that focus has some real potential and our diplomats are deeply engaged working with the Montana Group to help support the agreed weighed forward. And a few of my a colleagues look at the situation in haiti with that potential intervention does is allow for that quick. What we are looking at talking to a number of other countries including canada is what is necessary to help strengthen the National Police about the security environment so that process can move forward there is a Multinational Force that the we are actively participating in and the president is going to canada tonight about what we might do with the other countries in the region to support that that looking at the best ways we can find again to do with the security problem. First and foremost but we are looking at if additional measures need to be taken and if thats the case and we are not there yet will make sure they are properly resourced. Talk about the genderbased violence we seize skyrocket in haiti. The chair recognizes mr. Green. Mr. Secretary thank you for appearing here. I was encouraged to hear in your testimony you want to restore the pivotal role in the process but if that is a genuine goal or desire it would be great if you could appear before us more than once a year to be greatly appreciated i know we have had some agreements your department did a wonderful job providing input and secondly i thank you should on some of the mistakes it would give you incredible credibility if you would do that. Both mistakes made and being made one of the worst decisions want to take an opportunity to point this out the state department has made is abandoning the Asylum Corporation agreements with guatemala and el salvador and honduras. This was one of the first actions you took back in february 211 of the most damaging to the Homeland Security and they speak as the chair of the committee. As you know there are currently no legal mechanisms to return a migraine to a transitory country that they pass through on the way to the United States despite a humanitarian crisis you withdrew from central agreements from allies sending the scourge of Illegal Drugs through Central America that is both shameful and preventable. In the border chief just gave testimony to the committee on Homeland Security and he identify the empowerment of the cartels by using people to control five of the nine sectors of the southwest border to return people and the determination of this agreement has been a complete and utter disaster on many of the metrics that you say you support to have a free and open and prosperous world we dont get a prosperous and free world when you allow cartels to smuggle cartels and smuggle migrants into our country also allowed the relationship with that american countries to deteriorate. I look at the metastasis across latin america and for instance just recently mexico with its increasingly becoming a puppet of the cartel the mexican military illegally sees the private property of an American Company with significant presence in my district in tennessee and then to stop those cartels mexico uses the military of lawenforcement to occupy private property of american businesses it just shows how the perpetual weakness we portray is emboldening the mexican governments lawlessness. So fentanyl killing over 70000 americans the cartel uses chinese source precursor chemicals in what is the most Surveilled Society on the planet. They cannot tell us where thats coming from. I like to ask what steps in 2023 the Department Plan to take with sentinel in the United States. I share that concern is id priority as it is for you and as you point out fentanyl is the number one killer of americans 18 to 49. We seize more fentanyl last year to kill every single american. It mean to interrupt but you do understand that the increased seizures are a neutralization attack they are flooding so your numbers will go up. Because the mass waiver and by the cartel and that allows more fentanyl and then the dollar price in my district went from 95 in january 21 hour 28. You did that. I do appreciate that. We want to work with you in the. We engage in a comprehensive approach also what we do to increase treatment and provide into notes and it is insufficient but the border itself as you know according to dhs 95 percent coming into the United States coming through legal points of entry. So we have technology that can help us better detect through the points of entry in the fentanyl where it is deployed and third working with mexico to disrupt the cartels to disband the places where pencil is manufactured and has a security challenge they have increased resources and their seizures are up. We put together last year a joint program to bring the resources together to deal with this in mexico to include other agencies. Now forth the component that is going to china so one of the things we know is happening that legal precursors are diverted into illicit use for opioids like fentanyl. With the leading economies in the world to include china we decided Foreign Ministers meeting for the first time for front and center on the agenda establishing a working group and one thing we can do effectively we have not done in the past information sharing, labeling and your customer. So those that unintentionally have their products diverted into legal use will have a way to deal more effectively. One way or another we need to bring china into this. But in the absence of that we have to look at other steps. I would like to connect with your office about cyberstuff that sits as i straddled this committee and serving with Homeland Security i have ideas i would like to run by you. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman for the hearing today. Welcome secretary of lincoln. I also want to offer my heartfelt condolences on the loss of the marine sergeant. What a beautiful and powerful woman. We show your pride. I think the chairman for allowing us to express what the state department is doing and my colleagues concerned about fentanyl and the illicit use of the precursors as well as transportation 95 percent of the fentanyl coming into the country is through legal ports of entry many times behind the wheel of an american. I want to let you know i have recently begun a prevention caucus love to work with you in the state department. We welcome that. I look forward to doing that. I want to repeat what you said today that we need the inflection point. Competition is underway to determine what comes next United States has a positive vision for the future for a world that is free and secure and open and prosperous i thank you for that vision and for that mission. Also remember this is about the budget request and i want to root my question in the budget request. You say will help us pushback on advancing authoritarianism in democratic backsliding two areas of conflict i want to talk about that are quite different ukraine and israel. In both cases the United States is the indefensible nation near ukraine that is what everyone tells us it is a statement of truth. Im proud of the administration to bring together more than 50 nations for ukraine and we the indispensable nation to bring an end to the war as quickly as possible and that it not be a sustained more. Tell us about the state Department Budget request and what can that do . What can the diplomatic efforts do to make sure we bring a quick and to the war in ukraine . Thank you congressman. First, we did not want this where we did Everything Possible to try to prevent it. I engaged in diplomacy with my russian counterparts and so did other members of the administration. We tried to address concerns the russians had about security and unfortunately you have to take my word for it but president putin says it directly but it was never about concerns of the russia security coming from ukraine but always about putins belief that ukraine is not an independent country and needs to be erased from the map and assumed into russia as part of the greater russian empire. Thats what he set out to do and what we stopped. Ukraine sovereignty and independency is not going anywhere in ukrainians are not going anywhere. But where this settles and how is important. And my judgment we desperately want to cps all the ukrainians wanted more than anyone they are subjected every single day but a piece that reflects the basic principles that underlie the International System with territorial integrity and sovereignty and independence and it needs to be durable in the sense we dont want it to settle for two we attack two or three years later and if we saw any indication that russia was ready and prepared for meaningful diplomacy we would jump on it so it is the absolute access one access. I do want to ask about israel another country suffering with its own security from without and threat of erasure and also struggling internally. Echoing the words of President Biden to the New York Times last met the genius of american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, checks and balances in the independent judiciary. As we know there are troubling crises in israel. What is at the United States can do . There was a conversation held yesterday to push back against what is going on to undermine institutions and the independent judiciary at the peril of Israeli Citizens jews and arabs both what are we moving doing to move forward with a two state solution. We see that every single day as they have the debate about the future of the judiciary and that is to israels credit as israels closest friend and strongest supporter we talk about these issues all the time and as President Biden said very eloquently for both of us when we are looking at significant reforms i think we both found in the history the best way to have a sustainable outcome is to find consensus that usually requires compromise on all sides so our hope is thats what they will do but its not for us they have a strong democratic system. We want to keep you on time mr. Secretary. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you secretary blinken for being here with us and it is good to see you. The administration is highlighted to us National Security and in that strategy the indo pacific importance is highlighted stating no would be more significance to the world and every day americans than the indo pacific but yet diplomatic programs the East Asia Pacific affairs with the fourthlargest bureau so why is it the Department Says the indo pacific is the most important region treating and is the fourth most important quick. Thank you. You are exactly right for us this is the most dynamic Fastest Growing region in the world 75 percent of Economic Growth in recent years trading partners and Investment Partners strategically are important but precisely because of that we has infuse the work we are doing across all of them up euros so we have expertise that they can work with colleagues in europe to make sure they are coordinated approaching the issues in the same way. What resources do you intend to use to vote to support human rights and stop being the genocide uyghur by the ccp that is an important area. I agree it is a central focus of diplomacy we put a spotlight on the genocide committed against uyghur and the abuses committed. Of course we have declared section we have rallied other countries to sanction china for the action it is taking and reactions from beijing against those countries and we also have her own human rights report that i personally put out every single year including last week among other things continues to highlight this and expose it. Thank you for highlighting that. I want to talk about the important issue in the taiwan signing into law the act that calls upon the state department to find ways to expedite arms sales to taiwan and for military affairs that military sales so what is the state departments plan to use the proposed increase to speed up the arms sales to taiwan . We are thankful the Obama Administration has stated we will allow taiwan to purchase more but that just underscores what they already purchased and paid for. I also appreciate what you did one of the things we worked on and directed the secretary of states to look at what we can do as our part of the process to streamline the work we are doing. Because it so critically important to make sure it has the means to deter against any possible aggression but we also have countries now in different parts of the world rethinking longstanding relationships with other countries, particularly russia and are looking to see what direction they might move and part of that goes to make sure they have the equipment they need to defend themselves and often goes to us. First if you look at what is going on the longest pole in the tent is production now the process issues are real that we look to streamline but principally the longest pole in the tent by far is the actual production and there is a big focus on that. I appreciate that but i have another important issue i want to bring up i also want to thank you but please find out what the delay is and then deliver what they already paid for. Thats what im talking about one attorney who was wrongfully detained in venezuela march 22 last year i signed a letter calling on President Biden to take the necessary steps to bring her home so can you provide an update with this wrongful decision in the steps the administration is taking to secure his release . I share your determination to bring him home or any wrongfully held American Home i spoke with the family myself in late january we have a team that engages with the family on a regular basis led by roger carson he and the unit had been to venezuela on multiple occasions to secure the release of those wrongfully detained were able to bring home a number of americans and we will continue the effort until we bring evan and all others home thank you for keeping the spotlight on that. Thank you for joining us. We heard a lot of talk today about afghanistan the last hearing had the need for the state department to be resource to have the capacity needed and i think a part of that is having culpability to have the underfunded and under invested in the Development Efforts and as we move forward with strategic competition we need to make sure we dont make the same mistake. If you look over the past ten years how word you characterize that need . It wont surprise you that while we made Real Progress the last two years which im grateful to congress for on a bipartisan basis we can always do more and we should always try to do more of course we have to be responsible stewards of the taxpayers money it is an accurate reflection of not only to sustain but strengthen the programs and we get on this look forward to congress to achieve that. I am very supportive of that 14 percent increase you have asked for. Look at the investments how does that compare with that of china cracks have they been increasing investments in diplomacy . Dramatically. We have seen a dramatic investment in both the resources as well as their presence one of the reasons we have determined to build back or build up the presence in the Pacific Island is because they are they are and we are not even opened up the Solomon Islands and we need to be there but acrosstheboard we see this. When it comes to the investments china is making they have the ability to direct state resources but we are different. What we can do effectively as serve as a catalyst to be more engaged in critical areas we have tools like the Development Finance corporation that are critical to doing that one of the things we like to see is lifting some of the existing restrictions so to better deploy leverage that from the private sector that is our comparative advantage. We are supportive of that as well they can you talk to the committee how the disparity what we have invested in the way china has invested in diplomacy to strategically complete around the world quick. It goes to the presence for the state department to establish a new post and to find ways to manage risk in a reasonable way including construction of new facilities. But it does go to what we were talking about the resources of these programs and we have to be smart and effective about it to leverage the private sector and partners and allies. We put together a coalition of countries to pull information and resources that we and other likeminded and friendly countries are making investments around the world that we went to make sure no country has a monopoly given how important they are to the 2t century economy including Semi Conductor. I can tell you first hand i have heard from many partner countries the lack of American Investment and are eager to see her presence grow so quickly i appreciated that you mentioned in your opening remarks about the diplomatic support security act that we passed last term to relieve and incentivize the department to be less riskaverse has the department communicated that to the overseas diplomatic corps quick. To our own diplomatic corps quick. Very much so recently referred to the new authorities with personnel we have people around the world who want to make sure we are leaning in and want to make sure we have that ability while managing risk appropriately my top job is looking out for the safety and security of our people but also to make sure we are engaged in managing risk in a smart way. I look forward but they have what we need to do their job. Wonderful to see weekend. The countries in latin america i would like short answers because we only have five minutes the Dominican Republic do you think the actual government of the Dominican Republic is racist . Yes or no. No prick we have concerns of the treatment of the Patient Population but the government . Know. Mr. Secretary you have told the africanamericans in this country not to travel to the island and that happened last november. We had a security concern my number one responsibility besides looking at my own people we work with the government of the Dominican Republic repeatedly well ahead of that notice to address the concerns raised we got to a point we felt it was important. You put a travel ban on an economy then you need to have some proof and then we were asked to provide that proof and you have not provided any so having said that you have the power to retract that band are you planning to do that anytime soon quick. Based on the facts. When . We have been asking you to prove to us to provide the evidence that proves the Dominican Republic in government affects africanamericans and you have not provided anything. We will look to see what information. You have not provided any. The determinations are made and we work with the government. When do you think youll make a decision to keep the band. It depends entirely on the facts. There are facts. So provide the fact that proved to that the Dominican Republic is really affecting africanamericans. By the way is not a travel ban it is an alert. It is affecting our lives. There are multiple parts of concern. We will share that concern. No going to cuba there are rumors United States is preparing to remove cuba from the list of terra states that would mean that the regime wanted have a series to borrow many to gain oxygen is the state Department Planning to remove cuba from the list of terra state . No we are not. Good. Let me be clear as you know there is no automatic there is a number of members interested in this question there is clear criteria there is an extremely high bar to do that. So up to the sour do you think cuba has met that high bar quick. As we speak clearly it has not. Good see you commit right now in public under oath the state department is not planning to remove cuba from the list . If there is to be such a review its based on the law and the criteria established by congress and it is a very high bar. Good. I interpret you are not taking of doing that in the near future. Thank you. With argentina there is a Chinese Military satellite station in argentina Chinese Military satellite station. That sounds very scary because im sure the chinese are not looking at the stars. So last month the assistant secretary told me he had never heard of it and we are talking about 500 football fields in patagonia so in 2019 a few years ago the pentagon said the base was a threat. No kidding it is a Chinese Military satellite station in our hemisphere do you know anything about it quick. Im happy to follow up with you i was not here in 2019. I understand that you are now the head of the state department we are talking about a satellite station right there next to us in the same hemisphere. We are focused around the world including our hemisphere including concerns about the placement. Have you spoken with the argentinians because they cannot even walk into that can you imagine having a Chinese Military satellite station and they cannot even visit what you think the chinese are doing . What can we do about this. I welcome to follow up with you. Please do. Thank you my time has expired to your benefit. Thinks. The secretary has until 1 30 p. M. Maybe a little bit longer with the other hearing at 2 00 oclock but i would ask that everybody be as brief as possible so i can get to all the members of the chair recognizes mr. Stanton. Thank you very much and for being here today a lot to cover in a short amount of time but starting with a simple thank you as part of the Arizona Community and a friend of mine and think the president and the team at the state department as well as you personally for your commitment to securing her return to the United States my staff worked closely with your team throughout the process i cannot say enough about the professionalism and commitment to return wrongfully detained americans and as we both know there are many more wrongfully detained americans abroad i look to support you to give them the tools to work toward a return of our fellow citizens shayna better than anyone one of the most important things our nation needs and that you need personally carrying our Diplomatic Mission is credibility we better help to work the Nation Security we heard about the continued struggles facing the afghan allies working alongside American Forces to risk their own lives and working with a group of 50 afghan women called the tactical platoon with other units and then to secure the status here in the United States the clock is ticking if we dont secure the permanent legal status soon and it will be remembered by the next group of people we count on your personal involvement to secure the legal status of our afghan allies quick. Yes i support the active we need to do that. Turning to fentanyl people think of it as a Law Enforcement issue but there is a important Diplomatic Mission the ability to fight the epidemic relies on cooperation from other countries much of the chemical use coming across the border originates in china it began to deteriorate in 2019 and to the Previous Administration and has continued on the path since challenges and mexico as well the president dropped on cooperation with the United States during the last administration and continues to be a difficult partner Drug Trafficking brought by the drug cartel is a representative from arizona and i believe the important need for diplomatic effort to make an impact the using pressure to stop the flow of drugs quick. With mexico it is the top of the agenda for reasons we have already discussed with the number one threat it poses to americans but last year we agreed with mexico to develop the action plan to expand cooperation with mexico to deal with the problem of sentinel production and transit from mexico bringing and not just Law Enforcement but things like the health and trade and regulatory agencies because when it comes to a legal precursor its important to bring them in as well. We have seen in mexico over the last year a Record Number of seizures coming to fentanyl and Record Number of disruptions but it also goes to the point there is a seat of this stuff is members of the committee know you can put it room the size so it is a massive effort because we have restored diplomacy and engagement with them and i mentioned earlier the importance of the technology deployed to the portside entry at the border 90 percent of the fentanyl comes to the legal ports of entry the technology to screen for it is affected and we need to get more of it out there as soon as possible and internationally for the first time i can get on the agenda at the g 20 percent of the opioids as an issue to Work Together to establish a working group and with my own engagements at the top of the agenda we need the cooperation one way or another if not we look at other actions to take to elicit more cooperation when it comes to the precursors into illicit use i yield back. Thank you mr. Chairman before i get into my questioning i am compelled to Say Something about afghanistan i represent one of those means that is injured. We oh these veterans and their families a deep explanation about what happened there we have not satisfactorily addressed what the chairman had sat on that. And to focus on the southern border talk about the northern border and those from michigan the eastern border the great lakes recently myself and my democratic colleague relating on a Great Lakes Task force request to seeing President Biden urges counterparts to increase their share funding into the efforts that have gone into theres a great lakes Water Quality with the fisheries which obligate canada and the United States to provide funding for the great lakes fiscal year 2024 the United States through the Great Lakes Restorative Initiative 400 million in canada committed just 32. 97 million between 2017 and 2022 combined. That is five years they have done 33 billion. It is requesting the president pursue this with his counterpart Justin Trudeau and you have the expectation the president will fulfill that request and a need to know about you and your commitment. Yes and yes and your timing couldnt be better because we are leaving this evening for canada and i can assure you that is on the agenda. I may be new to the committee but not to the issues i have been chair of Us Canada Interparliamentary Group for a number of terms now and i also want to talk to her friends to the north also talk about the Arctic Council it came into being in 1986 the eight countries that touch the Arctic Circle and above us canada russia denmark norway finland and iceland there is something in the ottawa declaration that states explicitly the Arctic Council should 90 with military security. That yet to russias increased military operations and responding actions are one source of competition that has come to the arctic according to the bbc it envisions a toll road to transit goods from the asian ports to ports in europe and as part of that to militarize in nuclear i. C. E. To ensure to rely on the icebreaking escort we have seen more aggressive military behavior and additionally february 2023 canadas military has said it discovered evidence of chinese surveillance in the arctic they believe they dropped buoys and then is it time to reexamine what that Partner Agency in the arctic and those allies interact with them . After the russian invasion it was positive what do you do to address those issues quick. I took part in the Arctic Council meeting the first year of the job. We are committed and we have a strategy if you havent seen we can have further discussion but our goal is to do whatever we can with the other countries to preserve the arctic is a peaceful and stable and prosperous but if there are challenges to that to the peaceful nature and obviously we need to deal with that. Understandably we have to do the kabuki dance with russia because they are part of the Arctic Council however china has to be at the forefront of the discussion of what is happening in the arctic my time is expiring but i look forward to continuing the conversation. Thank you secretary for your candor and your time and your knowledge of the issues in your statement you talked about the growing conflicts and budget challenges we have spent the last three and half hours roughly for two and half talking about the east and the west with those tonight dynamics africans are one eighth of the human race and we dont talk about our relationship Going Forward so can you please share with us your thoughts may be missing on the importance of africa in the world . I appreciate that i just came back from ethiopia and Subsaharan Africa including the Vice President is literally on her way and to reflect the importance of africa where in 20 years one out of four people on the planet will be african. We put out a strategy for Subsaharan Africa last year and also it can be brought together the leaders of more than 40 countries making significant commitments and joint plans coming out of the summit we named a very senior diplomat Johnny Carson to oversee the implementation of the agreements made at the summit and in many ways we are digging into build and build out these partnerships. It is particularly urgent with her mood security not only working to address immediate needs but the real focus we are trying to bring to this is a strong desire for investment their own Sustainable Production capacity engaging that only the government but the private sector and the potential is enormous in many parts of africa not only defeat itself but digging into trade and investment those that are set to expire in 2025 whether dramatic positive impact with african countries to trade including the United States and looking forward to working with congress on that at the same time a free trade area of africa because we had this had abnormal situation in the absence of these connections african countries are doing more trade with countries outside of africa than they were doing with each other that will help to create greater opportunities from investment from the United States you have markets tie together and working on it with Infrastructure Investment including the partnership on Infrastructure Investment many projects are focused on africa will do that and connect countries together we have the corporation investing in significant ways to help again african trade and investment move forward and with ethiopia and also niger and the compact is making a huge difference with more than 300 kilometers of roads being paved so there is more of a common ability to trade in more of a Common Market between them theres a lot to be said about this i look forward to follow up. But the 43 out of the 54 African Leaders were in russia this past week so talk about new alliance in competition for the new market they are actively seeking that relationship. But the last question think we lose credibility in the eyes of the world when we let haiti be so close but yet we are so far and distant from them that the most powerful nation with the poorest nation right at our border may have been a creditor to us i would like to know we can do we have done with a host of cooperations to help them gain their independence to truly submit their democracy. Thank you. Mr. Chairman thank you we are thankful for your participation in the 12th anniversary the crimes against humanity committed by the assad regime and it was indisputable and im deeply concerned the administration has not been more robust with that increasing to the assad regime does the Biden Administration support normalizing relations with assad quick. We do not. Have you shared those countries that are romancing diplomatic relations . We have and i have personally. Concerned about egypt and the rain visiting the first time so they have all been spoken to . Including me directly. Its very important that we dont send the wrong message. So the act that was included in National Defense National Authorization committee with the interagency strategy to be developed to target and this grade the trafficking are you familiar with this quick. I am and were working on a strategy and will submit a report. Does period meet the major drug Transit Company . I need to come back on the exact definition but i can safely say the regime is clearly a threat to Public Health by way of trafficking so i cannot tell you without looking at it. We wrote you last july urging you to take a position whenever god an answer from you in writing but we did you answer in september when the president did not add syria as a major drug producing country. I think we are overwhelmed with them poisoning people throughout the goal stay also i dont understand those diplomatic relations we have 150 examples of seizures between generate 22 of the date of our letter and 200 more between january and the day of the president ial determination of like to submit that for the record. Im happy to come back to you on that. Just recently february 2023 you ae four. 5 million deals were interdicted i think this is of concern. You have a Straight Line a Data Strategy might be available . Are actively working on it and i will come back to your office. Between now and the first of may 2 let me know where you stand would be very helpful and i will yield the balance of my time. I want to thank the administration for extending humanitarian to the ukraines have a large ukrainian population my district and the Obama Administration recognized Iraqi Christians and other minorities in the Trump Administration with the religious rights of all individuals and putting christians to practice cultural beliefs. I implore you to make sure the Biden Administration ensures the rights and freedoms of iraqi minorities are protected will you raise ridges religious persecution quick. Yes i will i cannot agree more and this is something talking the determination is something i work on will keep the focus on i apologize to the members we did not get to but you may submit your questions in writing and he will respond pursuant to Committee Rules on numbers have five days to submit materials without objection we are adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]u a front row seat to democracy