U. S. Diplomacy and foreign diplomacy challenges. He was asked about the israel hamas war, the death of irans president and competition from china from both sides of the aisle. This is two hours 40 minutes. Te oil, and denying the request to provide dollars to stabilize the british pound, soon, there was a ceasefire. More criminal. More criminal. The Senate ForeignRelations Committee will come to order. Secretary blinken, welcome. We very much appreciate your being with us today, back in the Committee Room that you are very familiar with. We thank you for your extra ordinary effort on behalf of the United States. We know that you have been doing a lot of traveling. A lot of talking, promoting american diplomacy based on our values, and we thank you for all of your service. We look forward to this hearing every year. As we go over particularly the fy25 budget. I often speak of the importance of adhering to our values and our Foreign Policy. That is because i believe are values are the core of our American Power and key to achieving of our our Foreign Policy goals. This country was built on a unique basins on in the words of our declaration of independence, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. We have sought to live up to these ideals at home and abroad. I think there would be bipartisan agreement that we dont always ask succeed, but her aspirations better, knowing where our northstar is matters but we often find Common Ground on how values and principles can help us make hard decisions. Some view the world as survival of the fittest. They say rules are for suckers. We asked the question, what are we getting from this, or worse, what do i get from this . This approach not only sees Foreign Policy is transactional. It also says nations only get what they want by military force or corrupt dealings, but to not adhere to the market values and Foreign Policy decisions is making a major strategic mystic. To be true to our founding principles, we need to support those people trying to defend human rights, those rights endowed to us by our creator. Sticking to our values leads to policies that encourage people to stand up to corruption. That champion the rule of law and fair play. That supports democracies, that save lives, policies that advance Americas National security interests. These issues should inform the way the United States engages with other countries in the world. That is why the leahy law advocated by our former colleague from vermont are important to securing cooperation in our foreign policies. It is why i am proud that congress has enacted and the executive branch has implemented the human rights act. The department has at times opposed values driven human rights proposals when they surface in congress. We recognize there is competition between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I think we all agree that we are stronger when we were together, and when we can coordinate our activities and work in unity, it is a lot better for our nation. And i think your training here as the director of this committee has served you well, as i applaud your efforts to try to coordinate as strong as we can, the actions of the legislative and executive branch in the best interest of our nation. Secretary blinken, right now, we face many serious world crises. Some of these conflicts are in the headlines. The war in ukraine, the hamas attack on israel, the humanitarian situation in gaza. Otherwise only get passing met mentioned like burma or sudan. Whether they attract widespread attention or not, these crises are important. From reducing the spread of malicious information to reducing the threat of nuclear war, from modernizing automatic diplomatic work or harnessing the power of ai. From fighting prudent in ukraine to fighting the effects of Climate Change, the work we have done every day as never been more impotent. This committee understands the need for healthy, thriving american diplomatic presence around the world. I want to think the senator for working with me on this authorization bill. This will be our fourth authorization bill in four years after a long hiatus. Im glad that we had the opportunity to discuss that during last weeks hearing with secretary burma. We need to incentivize it. This bill really underscores the importance we put on supporting the work of our state department. Secretary blinken, i want to thank you personally for all you have done and the hard work you have done to promote the strength of our diplomacy. In the state department and its mission around the world. I know that you have traveled many miles and with many world leaders, especially in the context of hootens work in ukraine and the wake of hamass attack in israel. I would like to hear how your demonstration plans to confront the challenges we face today. Because despite everything that has happened, the best efforts of our colleagues on the appropriations committee, our foreign aid budgets have been drinking. What effect do you think this has had on your ability to advance american priorities, defend interests, and projected market values . What kind of tradeoffs have you had to make at the statements because of the drinking budget . That is the purpose of the hearing, to discuss the president s fy25 budget and i look forward to that discussion. With that, let me recognize our distinguished ranking member, senator risch. It appears we are at the start of a new global era. It is marked by fraying economic relationships. This is time for u. S. Leadership and resolve. The president s annual budget, which is what we are talking about here today shows his priorities, and there are a couple of areas in the budget request where we agree. But the request lacks seriousness, and shows inability to make tough choices. First, the budgets biggest focus is on Climate Change. That focus doesnt help ukraine or israel, or help our allies compete against china. By rejecting low Carbon Energy options like natural gas and pushing a green only approach, the admission is doing more to help china. It should focus on chinas focus on ports, digital technologies, and other critical sectors rather than advancing ideological products. This budget does contain a poison pill, which i suspect you already know, secretary blinken in the form of a quote Green Climate fund which proposes to transfer u. S. Taxpayer money to china through the u. N. About 1 billion. The budgets socalled outcompete china initiatives might enjoy my support if the department actually worked with this committee, but the request of the programs to be mandatory spending is inappropriate. Mandatory programs are not subject to congressional oversight. That is why these requests have filled in the last three years. In fact, i would argue, the department has perfected the art of hiding information from congress, which you and i talked about yesterday, to some degree. On israel, ukraine, and china, and congo, it is impossible to get honest and clear information from the department. Instead, the president prioritizes funds for nontransparent initiatives, like climate and for structure. It is steered not by the department but by the white house, which is accountable to no one. The admissions policy is fatally flawed. Average income dish accommodation have filled. The lack of any serious strategy has come home to roost. Iran has doubled on its support for terrorists and flooded russia with drones and missiles. The red seat remains contested and dangerous, and the u. S. Navy has spent 1 billion on missiles to defend vessels. Aarons unprecedented attack on israel shows around the doubts to this behavior. The ship act, and legislation targeting uranian drones are all wrong law. Will the admission and force them . Recent history suggests they want. They are imposing costs on israel. We must stop blaming israel and let israel remove hamas from gaza. That is the only way forward. In europe, instability is growing. Congress is asking for the ukraine strategy, which i suspect will never be delivered. If you are serious, funds for ukraine would be in the base budget. Instead, you urge to continue support through longterm policy with shortterm emergency packages. It isnt appropriate. In haiti, i remain concerned about the logistics, feasibility, and cost of the proposed multiNational Security support mission. Prioritizing International Interventions over a long pb of time in haiti have been dismal failures, leaving the haitian people worse off than before. It is an openended mission. It is a country plagued by violence and political instability without some kind of assurances that things are going to be different this time. In africa, we have had coups in several countries in the last three years. Our people continue to get kicked out of countries there. We are seeing a devastating clash in sudan. Even then, the appointment is for 180 days and support for the officer means insufficient. Our partners have highlighted the lack of u. S. Engagement in meetings with sudan. During our first conversation, after your confirmation, we discussed the need for coordination and assistance from throughout the United States to get ahead of the next pandemic. I introduced legislation that you and the white house supported for which i am appreciative. Despite that, this budget undermines effective coronation of u. S. Global health security. I also did not and will never agree to negotiations with the World Health Assembly that would trade await u. S. Intellectual Property Rights and give a deeply flawed World Health Organization enhanced authority and resources. These are challenging times for the United States, and the world. But our policies across the board are not helping us. We need to do better. Thank you, mr. Chair. Thank you, senator risch. Appreciate your comments. Our witness today is Antony Blinken, the 71st u. S. Secretary of state. He was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the United States senate and has been our secretary of state since january 27th, 2021. Over three decades, three president ial admissions, mr. Blinken has shaped u. S. Foreign policy to ensure it protects u. S. Interest and delivers results for the American People. He served as deputy of state for president obama. In that role, mr. Blinken chaired the interagency deputy committee, the main form for hammering out the admissions Foreign Policy. In the first term of the obama admission, mr. Blinken was National Security advisor to then Vice President joe biden. Perhaps the most impressive part of his back on, by far, is the fact that he served six years at the democratic staff director to the United StatesForeign Relations committee. Then senator biden was chair of that committee from 2001 to 2003, and again from 2007 to 2009. 2007 was my first year in the United States senate, and i was appointed to this committee, which then, staff director blinken was externally helpful to this freshman member of the United States senate and im forever grateful for his help during the transition years. Secretary blinken, your statement will be made part of our record without objection. You may proceed as you wish, and we look forward to a robust discussion. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Ranking member risch. Members of the committee. I always appreciate the opportunity to be back here. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. More importantly, thank you for the partnership that i think you have been able to manifest together. To advance American Leadership in the world. That is so central for delivering on the priorities that matter to the people we represent. The need for u. S. Global leadership, and for cooperation with allies and partners it has never been greater. The peoples republic of china. He was six years old. You will be remembered as the butcher of. The person willie officer please remove the person making these comments . If anyone is speaking, please be removed. He is a war criminal. Mr. Secretary, you may continue. The peoples republic of china is pursuing economic preeminence, challenging our vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous international order. Russia is committing aggression, not only against ukraine, but against the principals at the heart of the United Nations charter bird sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, that are the Building Blocks for global peace and security. In the middle east, we are sinning with israel to that what happened on october 7th never happens again, as we do every thing we can to bring in and an end to the human suffering in gaza. Including in sudan and haiti, where millions have been displaced and many killed, and to address global issues that no country can solve alone, including food and insecurity, a changing climate, transnational corruption, the sentinel crisis, but, with the support of congress, we can come and we are approaching these challenges from a position of strength. Because of the actions we have taken come the United States is stronger economically, diplomatically, and militarily, then we were three years ago. We made historic investments at home, in our own competitiveness, innovation, infrastructure. We have renewed our alliances but we built anyone spread we have secured unprecedented alignment with key partners in europe, asia, and beyond. We have delivered essential american aid to ukraine, and we have rallied the International Community to share the burden with us. For every dollar we have sent in economic and development assistance, others collectively have invested three more. Many doubted whether bipartisan support for ukraine and other priorities could interpret last month, congress demonstrated to the world that we will not pull back. We passed the supplemental funding bill by in of roaming margin. It doesnt come at the expense of strength at home. Far from it. Most of the supplemental is being spent here in the United States. Building up our Defense Industrial base, creating and supporting thousands of american jobs. We need to keep up with the spirit that includes the budget we need to meet the challenges of our time. The president s fy25 this is sick. This is deranged. You are a war criminal. Shame on you. You may continue. Thank you. They do this in two key ways. First, it funds the essential missions of our department. The budget will ensure the United States continues to be the partner of choice. That countrys turn to when they need to solve big problems. In an era of renewed great power of comp addition, we must present the stress possible offer, one relevant to the countrys needs, and that advances our security and economic interest. That is why we are requesting 2 million for a new fund, to build high quality, sustainable infrastructure around the world. Crucially, investments like these create jobs for americans, they expand markets for our businesses. We are requesting resources for the world bank. With 1 billion in u. S. Funding, we can unlock a number 36 billion in Development Capacity to direct the priorities of emerging economies. That is an enormous return on investment. The budget includes 1. 7 billion for international organizations, encoding the United Nations, aipac, american settlement pack, to help shape them in ways that reflect our interests and our values. We are asking for 500 billion to get more people around the world access to secure internet and digital technologies. Doing so will support our economy through the export of our technology products, and will help ensure that we and our fellow democracies remain the leaders and standard setters in key technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Our budget also includes funding to address global issues that affect the lives, the leavy livelihood of those around the world. It funds our response to migration, global food insecurity, Public Health, climate, and energy security. We are asking congress to fund the educational and cultural exchanges. These are one of the best, most costeffective tools we have for advancing our values and our interests around the world. They support students, researchers, Young Professionals from our communities who study and work abroad. We also need to invest in the foundations of our strength abroad, our diplomatic work. That is the second pillar of our budget. Our budget makes a strong investment in expanding overseas presence, the eastern caribbean. It will also continue our modernization of our diplomacy, organizing the department in new ways to meet these new challenges, working to attract and retain the best talent needed to take them on, investing in our people, in washington, and overseas, with training, with technology, promoting more agility, more innovation, and are prices. It represented a 5 cut from the year before. That challenges our efforts to deliver results in congress that the American People to see. I urge you to support this budget which helps us address the most pressing records of the coming and lays the foundation for strong leadership i