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 FederationMovement 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 ChinaDevelopment 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 s