FY26 State Department Posture: Protecting American Interests

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

shows and LGBT comic books, musicals, plays, and operas. That stuff was not PEPFAR, to say the least. It didn't make America safer. It didn't make America stronger. It didn't bring other countries closer to us, and it didn't save lives. Now, many of my colleagues might think that canceling these programs creates an inroad for China, and I would say that we could only hope that China is stupid enough to spend money in that way. I want to thank this administration for bringing charges against those who it appears were stealing from the State Department and USAID, and in turn the American people. And I want to thank you, Secretary Rubio, for reorganizing the State Department into a lean and effective diplomatic operation. Let's give proof of that. Just this past week alone, President Trump secured more than $2 trillion of investment from the Middle East. That is more than 10 times what Joe Biden secured from the Middle East during his entire four years in the White House, which is not entirely surprising considering, under the Biden State Department, there was millions spent on programs like trans inclusion in Tunisia. That was the focus in the Middle East. Now, as you know, Secretary Rubio, the job is not done. Up until now, over 80% of the State Department has been unauthorized. We have bureaus and offices that have grown from thousands of dollars to billions of dollars, and that changes in law when we pass the first comprehensive and stand-alone State Department reauthorization that has occurred since 2002. I look forward to working with the members of this committee, I look forward to working with you, Secretary Rubio, and I look forward to working with Senator Risch moving forward to make sure that one thing, and one thing alone, takes place: every single dollar and diplomat that we authorize and send into the field puts America first. With that, I would now like to recognize Ranking Member Meeks for any opening statement that he may have.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Rubio Rubio, I'm glad you are finally before this committee. Your testimony actually comes long after the State Department under your leadership took actions without required congressional consultation or that were contrary to the law. But I guess it's better late than never. But let me be clear, showing up months after the fact and refusing to stay until every member has questioned you for 5 minutes, as entitled to under House rules, are not the standards to which we hold the Secretary of State. Mr. Secretary, I've known you for a while, and I respected very much Senator Rubio, even when we disagreed. Senator Rubio was a principled statesman. Secretary Rubio, however, as we've seen in the past few months, is something different entirely. As a senator, you spoke often and forcefully about the dangers of executive overreach. You warned America not to lose its moral clarity or sacrifice democratic principles for short-term gain. Senator Rubio recognized that we cannot allow the executive branch to unilaterally determine the direction of the United States' foreign policy without accountability to Congress. Secretary Rubio is doing precisely what Senator Rubio feared: withholding congressionally appropriated funds, stonewalling oversight, and acting as if laws passed by this body are optional. Secretary Rubio has presided over the dismantling and destruction of everything Senator Rubio once defended. So, although you may be the Secretary of State, the acting head of USAID, the National Security Advisor, the Archivist of America, the empire you have stumbled upon is not one of influence, sir. It is a kingdom of ash. So, I ask, was it worth it? Was it worth it to allow the near-extinction of U.S. foreign assistance and USAID, which Senator Rubio said, and I quote, "is a very cost-effective way not only to export our values and our example, but to advance our security and our economic interests"? And lie is exactly what this administration has done again and again, each time Elon Musk and his Department of Awesomeness brag and mislead the American public about massively inflated savings or lie about the programs they have cut and their purpose. They're not telling you about the food that rotted on the shelves while people went hungry or the medicine that went undistributed to children needlessly suffering or the trust that was lost by your actions. But I believe you know better because you've said as much, and yet, here we are. In 2022, Senator Rubio warned about the urgent and growing threat posed by China and called for a fully funded State Department and USAID. Senator Rubio wrote that soft power tools and alliances were vital to our national security, and today, Secretary Rubio is here to defend an 84% cut of the foreign affairs budget. How does hollowing out our State Department and dismantling USAID help us compete with China? How does the America Alone budget project American strength? On human rights, the contrast is even starker. Senator Rubio built his political brand on the cause of freedom and dignity. You condemned autocrats in Caracas, Havana, and Beijing for silencing dissent. But Secretary Rubio? He looks the other way when strongmen commit similar abuses. Secretary Rubio even defied a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of a wrongly detained spouse of an American citizen. And when Senator Rubio became the first Hispanic American to serve as Secretary of State, he made sure to pull the ladder up behind him. In the name of dismantling efforts to making hiring and promotion fair, as you call it, wokeness, you have unlawfully dismantled programs designed to address decades of historical exclusion. These are not political experiments. They were congressionally supported efforts, rooted in bipartisan recognition that our diplomatic corps must reflect the diversity and the strength of the nation it represents abroad. These are initiatives that Senator Rubio supported. You replaced experienced career employees with ideologues and political loyalists. Under your watch, sir, America's diplomatic and development corps have suffered the greatest brain drain in history, and America has been weakened and made more isolated by the actions of an administration that has abandoned its allies, cozied up to dictators, and conducted a foreign policy driven not by interests of the American people, but in support of the personal enrichment of the president and his family. And with that, I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

I thank the ranking member for his opening statement, and I would also thank the 20 members of this committee who voted in the 2024 appropriations to make sure that the secretary and the administration had the authority to reorganize the State Department. And other members of this committee are reminded that opening statements may be submitted for the record. We are pleased to have Secretary of State Marco Rubio before us today. Your full statements will be made a part of the record, and I'll ask you to keep your spoken remarks to 5 minutes in order to allow time for members' questions. And I now am proud to recognize Secretary Rubio for any opening statement that you may have.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today. I'll try to stay under the five minutes and so we can get time for questions here. So, when I took this job, and I said this during my confirmation hearing, the most important thing we need to do is return American foreign policy to be centered on our national interests. For far too long, that had been lost as a concept of foreign policy. In essence, in many cases, oftentimes the U.S. engaged in the world on the basis of what was good for the global order or the international community and what like. And look, for about 30 years, that made a lot of sense until the end of the post-Cold War era. So, that made a lot of sense for a long period of time during the Cold War. But then we entered the post-Cold War era, and the world order has rapidly changed. We entered a new era about 12 or 14 years ago, and we entered an era of near-peer competition where for the first time since the end of the Cold War, the United States had a near-peer competitor and adversary in the state of China. And we need to confront that, and our foreign policy needs to be geared around that and on the realities of this new world. And so what that means is we have to have a State Department that can deliver on a foreign policy that is rooted in the national interest of the United States. To defend the national interest of the United States requires us, number one, to make sure that every dollar we spend and every action we take has to have measurable outcomes that deliver for the American people. They have to either make our country safer, or they have to make our country stronger, or they have to help make our country more prosperous. It has to do at least one of those three things, and ideally, whether it's a program or a measure that we take, it should do all three of them. Now, what that means is that there are some great causes in the world. There really are. There are some great causes. There are some horrifying things that are happening on the planet. America cannot solve every single one of them. What we need to focus on is prioritizing our foreign policy to those areas that are in our national interest. Now, we will still remain the largest contributor of foreign aid and humanitarian assistance on this planet by far. The United States, even under the budget that's before you today and the changes we have made, will still contribute more in foreign aid than the next 10 countries combined, than the entire OECD. The next closest country is not China. It's Germany, and it's way behind us, even now. But that foreign aid has to be geared towards our national interests. We need to design a State Department that delivers on that. Yes, we canceled a bunch of contracts in USAID. Some were stupid and outrageous. Others didn't serve the national interest. And others we kept. And we are folding it under the Department of State. And you know why? Because we want it to be part of the toolbox of foreign policy, not a standalone. It is not charity. Foreign aid is not charity. It is designed to further the national interest of the United States. So we will do humanitarian assistance, we will do food assistance, we will do developmental assistance, and we will do security assistance, but we will do it driven by our embassies and our regional bureaus, because what those issues mean look very different in Guatemala than they may in Chad, or in Kenya, or in some other part of the world in the Indo-Pacific. And so, one of the things that we have tried to do in our reorganization is drive power and influence on policymaking and decision-making to the regional bureaus and ultimately to our embassies. Our embassies, our ambassadors are the frontline of American foreign policy. The most important thing I do every single day is not read memos. It's read cables. Every night, I get 10, 15 select cables from stations around the world, different embassies. The best ideas in that building come from the ground up, from our embassies. And I want to tell you something else. Look, I did serve in the Senate for a long time, so this is a new job to me. When I got there, I'd get a memo. I still get these memos. I should have brought one today. In order for an idea to reach me, a decision to reach the Secretary of State, some of these things have to be checked off by 40 people, 40 boxes. And if anyone of these people has a question, they can hold it up before the idea even ever gets to me. Now, that sounds like a crazy thing to begin with. We can't afford it in the 21st century. We have to be able to move very quickly, and a case in point is what happened last week. Syria, under a new authority granted people with some checkered background, is on the verge of collapse, potentially. And if it collapses, it will devolve into civil war. And civil war will mean that it will become a playground for ISIS and other jihadists, not to mention Iranian influence coming back in. So, there's no guarantee that by outreach and working with the transitional authority in Syria things are going to work out. It may work out. It may not work out. But if we don't reach out and try, it's guaranteed to not work out. And so we had to move very quickly to action that. If we had not done sanctions relief last week, and now the EU has followed suit, then our partners in the region could not have provided donor dollars so that that transitional authority could try to stabilize its governance of the country. That place could have collapsed within weeks and become an ISIS playground once again. There is no way that a traditional system could have delivered on that. It would have gone to the interagency. It would have gone to six to nine months of debate. Any individual could have held it up with an information hold, and we never would have acted. We can't afford it. The world moves too quickly. And so we need to drive policy from the ground up, from our embassies and our regional bureaus, and that's what we're doing. And that's what we're doing. On the last point I would make about foreign aid: foreign aid has to be part of our portfolio, part of what we do, and it has to be consistent with our agenda in any region of the world or any country. And oftentimes you will find, and maybe some of you have found when you travel, you go talk to an ambassador and they will tell you what USAID was pushing and what they are pushing in the country are not just different, they're in contradiction. And in many cases, USAID programs were undermining the mission of the embassy. That's a fact, and I heard that over and over again. I've heard it in the Caribbean Basin, and I've heard it in other parts of the world. I am not the first Secretary of State that wanted USAID and foreign aid to be under the Department of State. I'm just the first that's been able to do it. And I'm glad we've done it, and it will deliver better foreign policy, and frankly, more accountability and more oversight opportunities for your committee down the road. Thank you.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, and I'd love to see that tree of 40 people who, in the last administration, signed off on things like a transgender job fair in Bangladesh for $800,000. I'd love to see that list. I'm going to defer my questions till the end if there's time for that. I'm going to begin by recognizing Representative McCaul of Texas.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)SPEAKER_15

Thanks, Chairman. Let me express my deep sympathy to the family of Gerry Connolly. He's a dear friend of mine. I will miss him dearly and the Irish twinkle in his eye. Mr. Secretary, thanks for being here today. Under the last 4 years under President Biden, the world is on fire now. From the debacle, the evacuation poorly executed from Afghanistan, which then led, I believe, to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the largest land invasion since World War II in Europe, to the Middle East on fire now, October 7th. I commend you for trying to seek peace in these hotspots, including the Indo-Pacific, which probably presents the greatest threat. I would be clear-eyed with Mr. Putin. I personally don't think he's negotiating in good faith. The Ayatollah cannot be trusted. In fact, it was recently reported that they got their proxy Hamas to invade Israel on October the 7th to derail the normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Let me go to the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act. It was initially created to counter the rise of the Soviet Union. Today, I believe it should be used to counter the influence of Communist China around the globe. And that's a core mission I know you support, as do I. When I was chairman of this committee, I put holds on the programs the current chairman is talking about, that being the drag shows in Ecuador to grants to advance atheism in Nepal. These are not in the interests of the United States or our national security interests. So I think we need to return these agencies and programs to their core mission. I believe that you're trying to do that by bringing them under your supervision at the State Department. It's not a new idea. Madeleine Albright tried to do that many years ago. And I do think under your supervision that we will have transparency and accountability with the foreign assistance programs. We are engaged in a reauthorization of the State Department. Sir, can you tell me how this would assist you with respect to reorganization of these important agencies under your department?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think the key to reorganization— by the way, we never did it in all the years that I was in the Senate either. It never happened. It needs to happen. We want it to happen. As you know, in our reorganization, we didn't touch any of the statutory offices because we can't. But there's 2 advantages to it, or 3 advantages. The first is it becomes permanent. We can create an organizational structure that becomes enduring, especially if it's one that we believe in. Second, I think that it will help us with the input and ideas. Look, we put— we notified— it wasn't intended— we provided the initial preliminary indication to Congress. We've been taking input, including from many on the minority, and some of those are going to be reflected when we put out our final approach that we want to take, but ultimately we would love to work with the committee to find ways to improve on the streamlining. By the way, we're also taking input from inside our building. Some of the ideas in our reorg, many of the ideas from our reorg, came from inside the State Department from career officials. Including some that are still providing input for us and sort of how to structure it. But I think the advantage of doing it statutorily is that it becomes enduring and permanent and provides certainty in the days to come. Otherwise, you know, it can change over time and continue to bloat and expand to levels that it got to. It was an unreadable org chart. The org chart that I showed you, the initial org chart that I inherited, was just the top line. Within each one of those boxes, there were multiple boxes, some of them duplicative, Redundant. Many cases, no one could even tell us what they were doing because it's easy to grow. It's much harder to reorganize and to streamline activity. And that's what we want to do.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)SPEAKER_15

Well, it's a very noble effort. With my one minute remaining, I authored the Remain in Mexico program in this committee. I commend the administration. Within a matter of months, have restored order to the border, taken chaos and turned it into a safe, safe border. The crossings have gone down 95%. There's no longer catch-and-release, and I do think the executive order on Remain in Mexico is very important. I know you share that responsibility with the Department of Homeland Security, a committee I chaired as well. What is the latest in your negotiations with Mexico to bring that important program back?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, as you are aware, I'm sure that we've had a number of what I would call both irritants, but also areas of cooperation with the Mexican government. It's been actually pretty positive. They have been very responsive on our security concerns. They've increased their security cooperation with us in ways that have been very productive. In fact, at some point here over the next few weeks, I intend to travel potentially to Mexico along with a couple other cabinet members to sort of finalize some of these areas of cooperation. This may be one we talk about, but we've been primarily focused with Mexico on two things. One is on trade, which is not my department, but obviously our Trade Representative, Mr. Greer, and also Commerce Secretary Lutnick's been engaging with them. And then the other is on security cooperation. We have a mutual interest in Mexico. In essence, the cartels that operate within Mexico and threaten the state are armed from weapons that are bought in the United States and shipped there. We want to help stop that flow. The reverse is, those cartels threaten the state. There are parts of Mexico that are governed by cartels, where there is In fact, I think I heard last night two more people were murdered in Mexico City associated with the mayor of Mexico City. The political violence there is real. They have a vested interest and a desire to go after these cartels, and we want to help equip them and provide them information. They've also been increasingly cooperative, more than ever before, in bringing back and extraditing people wanted in this country for crimes who are in their custody. So, I think we've got good areas of cooperation. We still have some more work to do on migration, but they've been cooperative.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Ranking Member Meeks.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

Thank you. I'm trying to figure something out. You know, I know you said you read a lot of cables every day, and I know that when you first got sworn in on— at your confirmation hearing, you stated that being the secretary of state would be an extraordinary responsibility. Here we are 4 minutes later, but reading cables every day, how much time do you spend at the State Department?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

How much what?

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

How much time? How focused on— at the State Department?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Almost every day if I'm in the country. I travel a lot. It's part of the job.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

I agree. I understand. But now you have four jobs, don't you? Now you're not only the Secretary of State, you are also the acting USAID Administrator. You're also the acting Archivist. You're also the interim National Security Advisor. You cannot spend every day at the State Department and then neglect your other jobs that you have the responsibility to do. So how much time do you spend at the other jobs if you spend every day at the State Department?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Now you know why I can't offer you 8 hours today to answer every question on this committee, which you were complaining about earlier. Look, here's the thing. All those jobs are being done. USAID largely has been folded

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

into— Do

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

you want my answer? Do you want to—

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

No, I just want to know this. Did you anticipate or did you want, when you were sworn in to be the Secretary of State, did you want to have the jobs of USAID Administrator?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, I did not apply for those jobs. I was asked to serve in those roles and I'm happy to do it. The archives are doing great. USAID has been folded under State, so it's a sort of a duplicative role. And the National Security Advisor, which is on an interim basis, has tremendous overlap with what we're doing at the State Department.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

Then why not get rid of all of them and just put everything under you? Get rid of all those departments. If it's not crucial to have someone every day at the national— as a National Security Advisor, you've folded in USAID, you saying the archives is fine? Get rid of them. Wouldn't that be then waste based upon how you have determined there's waste based upon your testimony earlier in some of these other departments that were duplicative? So if it's duplicative, then get rid of them.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, you would have to pass a law to do that if you want to combine those 4 offices in your reorg.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

Now, look, that hasn't stopped you in the past because the law requires you to consult with Congress on any proposed reorganization of USAID or the State Department. That hasn't happened. I agree it should be the Congress's responsibility. Your staff claimed, quote, that extensively— you've extensively consulted Congress on your plan to fold USAID into State. But that did not happen. All we members have gotten was 1 hour, 1 hour of a meeting with Pete Marocco, who you later fired and who couldn't answer our most basic questions about the aid freeze. And you've ignored thus far That's why I want to know about You've ignored nearly 20 letters from this committee seeking information about who since you took office, as well as, you know, not we spoke one time, but not consulting this committee at all. I don't call that extensive consultation. So you're right, things that you've done should be in collaboration with the United States Congress. But surely, the USAID and all of these other things was not Congress was not consulted one time. Senator Rubio would have demanded it.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we've complied with every part of the law. Every single part of the law has been complied with, including— you, for example, have written us 16 letters. You've been briefed on 7 of them. Some of them we couldn't answer, and we told you why we couldn't answer, because they were subject to litigation. 4, you've gotten answers in writing, and 5 we've gotten just in the last few days. Well, you know, 16 letters. I've been there 17 weeks. You write me 11 a week. I'm going

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

to yield my last 48 seconds to Representative Johnson.

Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX)SPEAKER_36

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Rubio, thank you for being here. Corruption is determined by our democracy—is detrimental to our democracy, and the Trump administration has moved swiftly to scale back, reverse, and dismantle various guardrails that protect Americans from corruption. We have now a plane that he's accepting by a foreign government, his family is doing business deals with a foreign government, and your office has authorized Elon Musk's company Starlink to do business in at least five African countries and many, many others. My question is, with the dismantling of the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and many other things, what efforts are you doing as Secretary of State to make sure that our government is free from foreign—improper foreign influence over our policy?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I don't— I mean, the examples you've given, Starlink's all over the world. There isn't a country in the world now that doesn't have Starlink, for the most part. They have Starlink in Syria. We certainly didn't help them land that deal, but they've got Starlink, a global company that's present everywhere and continues to grow because they provide a very unique service no one else provides. I'm not aware of any plane that's been given. I know the media reports about it. I know that the Air Force One that's scheduled to be delivered is like five years off-balance. So they went to Boeing, and they— this is the extent of what I know about this plane. I've never seen it. They went to Boeing and said, are there any planes that fit the bill? Boeing produced a list of planes that they'd sold over the last few years. One of them happened to be a Qatar. You'd have to ask the Department of Defense, because that would go to the Air Force. That would not come to the State Department. Beyond that, look, we're involved in helping businesses expand all over the world. There isn't a single day that we don't— aren't involved in helping an American company gain access to a market, and we'll continue to do so. As far as people involved in our government that are doing that, I'm not aware of anyone on the Cabinet or in the President's White House that's using the State Department to expand their personal portfolio. And if they are, we wouldn't help them do that, but no one's ever asked us to do that. So I think we're following the law with regards to what we're doing to prevent corruption.

Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX)SPEAKER_36

So is the answer—

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

The Chair recognizes Representative Smith from New Jersey.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)SPEAKER_02

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. First of all, it was an honor, Mr. Secretary, to serve with you as cochair of the China Commission. We did so much together. I want to thank you for that leadership. It was extraordinary. I want to thank you for bringing the DR Congo and Rwanda together on April 25th for that statement of principles. You are tenaciously pursuing peace all over the planet, including in DR Congo, where the fighting is very intense and has been. And of course, tomorrow I have a big hearing on Congo— on Sudan. And I know you're trying to do everything you can to try to mitigate the horrific violence that is occurring there. Let me just ask you a couple of questions, if I could. I had a hearing on Aliyev and Azerbaijan on the Tom Lantos Commission, and it's very clear that after the genocide committed by Aliyev against the Armenians, that there are many, many political prisoners and POWs being held. I would just encourage you to do whatever you can to get those men and women released—at least 300. I met with Aliyev twice in Baku. He's a dictator. I know we work with dictators, and we have to have at least some kind of conversation with them, but release those prisoners. They're being maltreated and horribly mistreated by Aliyev. So I would ask for that. Secondly, you and I have worked on issues like forced organ harvesting. You and Tom Cotton were the prime sponsors of a bill on the Senate side. Two weeks ago, we got the bill passed here again. It is a horrific human rights abuse by Xi Jinping targeting the Uyghurs, of course, the Muslim Uyghurs, because those organs are being sold in the Middle East, so they want to have livers that are coming from a Muslim. So their market is very, very high: livers and other internal organs. And Xi Jinping is making billions by killing tens of thousands of young people, average age 28, each and every year, Falun Gong, and you know it. You're the sponsor of the bill. I would appeal to you if you could. It passed the House 406 to 1. If we could get it out of the Senate, it would hopefully clamp down on this egregious human rights abuse in China. And it's a global bill. It would outlaw forced organ harvesting profoundly with real penalties up to 20 years in prison for those who are part of that supply chain. But it would most directly affect Xi Jinping and the people who are doing this horrific abuse. I yield.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Thank you. And I appreciate that. On the— on obviously the organ harvesting, China plays a concerning role in that regard, and we would obviously be helpful in any way we can in helping you pass that in the Senate, certainly putting a good word for it and the like. But it's not limited to China, unfortunately. There are other parts of the world where we're now seeing that, and there are places where we're trying to verify, but we hear reports of that, and that's something that needs to be called out as well. As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, our core focus has been on trying to establish a peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. There's a real risk there of a conflict that we're trying to prevent from happening. Our teams have been very engaged in that regard and trying to make something come about and prevent an armed intervention there that would— and obviously, within the context of those conversations, the issues you raised about prisoners and human rights are critical to it. And again, another example of where we want to use our embassies. So when we talk about— people will complain, Well, you got rid of the Human Rights Office and the functional bureaus. It's because it's being transferred to regional bureaus. And our regional bureaus will not just have a focus on human rights within the bureau, but so will our embassy. And so that is the human rights issue with regards to Azerbaijan, and so that is what our embassy will be focused on pushing. It's different from what the human rights issue might be in another part of the world, but we think it's important to have people on the frontline prioritizing these issues as part of our holistic approach. You've outlined it correctly. We do want to have— we may not agree with the system of government, we may wish it were different, but the truth of the matter is that we have to deal with countries, in many cases, that perhaps don't have ideal models, but we have to deal with them in our national interest. And we need to balance all of these things together, our national interests and diplomacy, without surrendering and finding opportunities to further interests such as human rights. And Azerbaijan provides us an opportunity to do that in the context of the broader peace that we're trying to establish there.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)SPEAKER_02

Finally, I'm almost out of time. Yesterday I chaired a hearing on the global problem of antisemitism and how it's getting worse. It was my 18th hearing on it. We had Ted Deutch, who is at the a leader, was a leader here when he was in Congress, as one of our witnesses. And I just want to say thank you for what you're doing vis-à-vis Israel and what you're doing to try to stop this scourge of antisemitism that is exploding, especially at the United Nations, where the UN Human Rights Council is filled to overflowing with people in in agency positions, not just the members of it, who are absolutely anti-Semitic. So I want to thank you for that as well.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

Chair now recognizes Representative Sherman. We all miss Gerry Connolly, and I do not think that he would want us to be passive in our questioning here today. Mr. Chairman, it's our job to oversee the State Department. You can't do that by over— by having think tank witnesses come before us. Our job isn't to oversee the think tanks. In 2023, we had 44 government witnesses. This year we have our first, and I hope very much that we have all the— not only the secretary, but the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries so that we can really do our job. Secretary Rubio, in the 1970s, there was a powerful Middle East monarch who claimed to be a friend of the United States, was a— may very well have been, claimed to be at least agreeable to Israel. And so in the 1970s, we transferred enormous, sophisticated weapons to him. In 1979, the Shah was deposed and all those weapons were in the hands of the Ayatollah. Today, MBS wants a nuclear weapon, but he says what he wants is a nuclear cooperation agreement. Well, we have a nuclear cooperation agreement with the United Arab Emirates and Turkey and Morocco that all provide for a gold standard of safety. Can you assure us that you will not enter into a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that does not have that same gold standard of security to make sure they're not building a nuclear weapon?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, first I will tell you that there has been no conversation about entering into one. For example, during the recent trip—

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

I've got limited

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

time. So here's the thing. I can tell

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

you— Either give me a yes, give me a

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

no. Well, I'm going to give you my answer if you want my answer. I

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

want a yes or a no. This is not a game show. I'm reclaiming my time.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, reclaim your time, but it's not a game show. I get to answer. These are complex questions. Let me answer them.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

Mr. Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. The filibustering takes place in the Senate, not here.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm not filibustering. I'm trying to answer your question.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

You're trying—let's go on to the next question. With regard to Iran, can you assure us that you will continue sanctions on Iran until they verifiably agree to abandon all enrichment? That's a yes-or-no question.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, it's not.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

Well, can you give me a yes or no? Should I go on to the next question? We

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

believe that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium.

SPEAKER_UNKNOWN

Correct.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

You believe that it should? We

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

believe that an acceptable deal with Iran is one in which they cannot enrich, because if they can enrich, they can weaponize.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

I know why we don't want— I asked you, will we agree—will we continue the sanctions until they verifiably agree to get rid of— Oh, you

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

have no worry about us. The worry was the previous administration. This administration has been

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

very— Your refusal to give me an answer is loud and clear.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, well,

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

is reclaiming my time. Mr. Chair, you told us about all these wonderful business deals that were announced in the Middle East. It's reminiscent of the first year of the first term of Donald Trump, where he announced a $10 billion investment by Foxconn in Wisconsin. It is still an empty field. I am sure that the only deals announced in the Middle East that will actually happen were the bribery deals, the $400 million plane and the $2 billion Abu Dhabi will put into the cryptocurrency sponsored by Mr. Trump. TikTok. Mr. Secretary, you led the effort to say that it shouldn't be controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. We passed a law with your help. That law requires that we ban TikTok now because all of the expiration dates have expired. But instead, we saw Chinese interests affiliated with TikTok transfer $300 million into the Trump coin, which is a pure gift. It's $300 million for nothing but Monopoly money. And so, there's a word in Mandarin for this. It's called bribery. And it raises the question that I'll ask you to respond to for the record, and that is, is there any statute this administration will not violate for a $300 million Chinese bribe? We next focus on USAID. Musk gutted it. He said no one died as a result. Do you agree that no one has died yet as a result of the chainsawing of USAID? Yes or no?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm sorry, the question is, has anyone what?

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

Has anyone in the world died because of what Elon Musk did to

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

listen,

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

yes or no? Reclaiming my time. If you won't answer, that's a loud answer.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No one has died because of USAID.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

people who have died as a result of cutting off the oxygen of a woman in Burma and denying HIV/AIDS treatment to those in Africa, they are dead now at the hands of Elon Musk and his co-conspirators. I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

recognizes Representative Wilson from South Carolina.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)SPEAKER_00

Thank you, Chairman Brian Mast, for your leadership holding this hearing at a very critical time where dictators with rule of gun are invading democracies with rule of law. And my sympathy for the Connolly family, as I will always cherish my friendship with who I call Mr. President Gerry Connolly. Mr. Secretary, congratulations on your success on behalf of the American people to implement the policies of President Donald Trump. Sadly, as you address problems that have plagued the department, bureaucrats in the past have undermined the agenda of the president. It was historic to have, as you just cited, the announcement of President Trump to lift sanctions giving Syria a chance, which was welcomed by a standing ovation in Riyadh, which was so historic. And now the progress that you've made, instead of billboards, electronic billboards of the dictator Assad, they've been replaced by billboards praising Donald Trump and praising the Crown Prince. What an incredible change in 6 months to go from dictator to a potential of democracy. With that in mind, I have concerns that there could be efforts to undermine, and so will you be working in every way to have full executive authorities to carry out the President's orders rather than a phased approach? In addition, can we lift the specific export controls on Syria?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah. Well, as you know, the sanctions in Syria are largely based on a statute, the Caesar Act, and so that allows the president to do rolling waivers, I believe 6 months at a time. So the goal is ultimately to make enough progress so that Congress will permanently repeal those. In the interim, what we want to make sure is that the sanctions relief that we're providing allow our partners in the region to begin the aid flow that they want to do without running afoul of the sanctions. So that's what we're focused on executing even as we speak. There was a meeting on it yesterday. It's an execution today as well.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)SPEAKER_00

Well, again, thank you for your leadership and insight to see how quickly that should have been done. I'm also grateful for the strong position of the Trump administration in regard to the anti-American Georgian Dream regime in the Republic of Georgia. They rigged the election in Georgia on October 26th. They've criminalized association with America. They kicked out American companies, blocking trade and mineral access to the Middle Corridor, selling Georgia to the Chinese Communist Party. They've repeatedly smeared President Trump and American leadership. With that in mind, I'm really grateful that actually with the Rondeli Foundation, there's been a report just released indicating the control by the Chinese Communist Party now in the Republic of Georgia. And I'd like to provide this for the record. Additionally, for 200 consecutive days, freedom-loving Georgians have heroically taken to the street, embracing themselves in American flags and carrying posters of the president. Under your leadership, what will be done to help the State Department impose real cost on the anti-American Georgian Dream on behalf of the people of Georgia?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, as anything—going back to what I've said earlier in my opening statement, the goal of the United States is our national interest. So we will look at that and say, is it our national interest to have an anti-American government governing an important part of the world? And if not, we'll take appropriate actions to impose costs on that government. That's currently under review, and we're looking for options and additional options. I have no announcement today specifically on what we plan to do yet, but I can tell you that that is something that's being discussed. And again, a great example of why we're going to look to our regional bureaus and our local office on the ground there to provide us guidance as to what are the measures that the government, the anti-American government, would be most responsive to.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)SPEAKER_00

And it's so refreshing to get your response. And additionally, another issue is Kurdistan, the regional government of Iraq. And they have recently signed an agreement with American oil companies for the exploration and for the development of the oil capabilities, billions of dollars, in northern Iraq. But sadly, the regime in Tehran has impacted Baghdad and is actually controlling the actions of Baghdad. And so Iran is intruding and trying to stop the agreements. What is being done to promote freedom for the ability of Kurdistan and regional government to really support the people of Iraq?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we first have made clear the linchpin of our approach towards Iraq is that autonomy that the Kurdish population has in that part of the country, and part of that is allowing them the economic lifeline that allows them to prosper and succeed. The Iraqi officials have expressed an interest in a closer, better relationship with the United States, and we've explained to them that the core to that is respect for the companies that are operating from within— in that country, from our country operating within Iraq. Also respect, as I said, for the autonomy of the Kurds. And third is the Iranian influence. And the Iranian influence there has continued to grow, unfortunately, in some sectors of their elected government and poses a grave danger to the United States, including in the form of pro-Iran Shia militias who have in the past struck against the United States and have expressed interest in doing so again in the future. That's unacceptable and that has to be addressed.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)SPEAKER_00

Congratulations on your success. I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

The Chair now recognizes Representative Keating.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will miss my seatmate Gerry Connolly. He loved sitting here, and we loved him. Secretary, in 1944, my uncle James Arthur Keating was serving in France, and as fellow soldiers were dying around him, he wrote a letter back in combat, back home, about the cost of human sacrifice and whether it was worthwhile to defend a piece of mud on the earth. Only a week after that letter, he answered that question while carrying lead in himself, as one of the people in his command was exposed and injured. He was wounded himself, carrying lead, and crawled out there, brought him back to safety, saved his life, and as he was going for another person, was machine-gunned to death himself and killed in action. 400,000 other American families gave the same sacrifice, but the peace and prosperity that came forward the world has never seen. It's a transatlantic alliance where our allies sacrificed their young men and women when America was attacked in 9/11, and economically, they're a $1.6 trillion trading partner with us with 16 million jobs on both sides of the continent. So my questions today are looking for clarity on where we stand with our allies and partners for more than 80 years because they're expressing their doubts. They're expressing their doubts publicly; they've expressed it to me privately. So as the face of our country, as the lead foreign policy representative in the United States, I'm just looking for this clarity. So first, simply answer this question, if you will: Is Russia the aggressor in this Ukraine war?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, Russia invaded Ukraine.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

So, they are the aggressor in this war,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

correct? They invaded them, yes.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Well, thank you, sir, because it's important to get this clarity, because President Donald Trump said it was Ukraine that started this war, and our allies have the right to know this. Secondly, the person we're negotiating with, Vladimir Putin, is he a war criminal?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think you can look at instances that have happened there and certainly characterize them as war crimes. But our intent is to end the war.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Is he a war criminal?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We can't end the war without talking to Mr Putin .

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

That's pretty simple. Is he a war criminal?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, that's

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

this man we're negotiating with, Vladimir Putin, is he a war criminal? That's not tough.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

But what I'm trying to answer your question by telling you that we're trying to end the war

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

here. Go ahead. No,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

it's not a simple answer.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

You are equivocating, sir. Just answer the question.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm answering your question. And the answer is that war crimes have been committed, no doubt. And who is responsible for that? There will be time and place for that accountability. But right now, the job is to end the

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

war. So you won't answer the question. If we

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

don't end the war, people are going to get killed.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Reclaiming my time, sir. Let me go on. Because, because I don't understand this, because you're sitting in front of us now as Secretary of State. It wasn't long ago that you were sitting as a senator with Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson at the time, in the exact same circumstances, only reversed. And you questioned him about Putin directing attacks against schools, markets, hospitals, playgrounds. And on top of this, in this instance, he's abducted 20,000 children, a clear war crime. So, you were very clear then Vladimir Putin is— was a war criminal. Now he's— you're unmaking him a war criminal, and you won't answer the question about the exact same circumstances? You're putting words in my mouth. Yeah, my— I'm reclaiming my time, sir You're .

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

putting words in my mouth.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

And you know what you said to Secretary Tillerson at the end of his answer when he equivocated just as you are right now?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I have not equivocated.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

You

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

said— you just don't let

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

answer. Sounds like it to me. Then I'll give you a second chance. Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I already told you war crimes have been committed.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

No, you didn't tell me if he's a war

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

criminal. Mr. Chairman, am I allowed to answer questions?

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

I'm reclaiming my time, sir. And listen, I'm using your own words so you don't have to answer. Do you know what you said to then-nominee Secretary of State Tillerson? You said you were very discouraged in his inability to accept that Putin was indeed a war criminal. Your words. We don't need any more. You're inconsistent. The third question I have, sir, is this:

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I answered your question. You just don't let me

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

answer. You did not answer the question about Putin's war criminal conduct in Ukraine. Well, you keep reclaiming your time.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

You ask me a question and then you reclaim your time, so how can I answer

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

question? You answered it. Listen, let me go forth with this. 3 questions. Are you going to reclaim time

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

on those

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

I'm giving you a chance to answer. Give me a chance to ask the question. Here it is. So there's a concern among these allies that we've had, our closest allies, about the one-sidedness of the negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Gentlemen, regular order has expired. Secretary Rubio, if you'd like to respond, by all means.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Can I reclaim my time for a few seconds? Thank you. Number one, crimes have been committed in the war on Ukraine, and there will be accountability for that. But our goal right now is to end that war, because let me tell you, every single day that that war goes on, more people are killed, more people are maimed, and frankly, more crimes are—more war crimes are being committed every day that the war lasts. Number one. Number two, I don't know how European allies could say that. I talk to European allies literally every single day. I see or talk to the foreign minister of the UK and France and Germany more than I see or talk to my own kids in some days. So these are all false

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Now you

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

have— because you've given

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

him time and I ask unanimous consent. Mr.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chairman, you're not recognized.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

I'm asking for unanimous consent to put in

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

the record. You're not recognized. I

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

am asking unanimous consent to put in the record.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Mr. Keating, you're not recognized.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Oh, so you're not going to recognize, Mr. Chairman? Not

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

recognized in

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

this moment. Anyone that asks unanimous consent to put in For the record, a document— you're not allowing me.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

You are not recognized right now. Your time expired. You might have a minute in a few. Mr. Secretary, please continue.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

The last point is our goal is to end this war. We have to be able to talk to both sides in order to do it.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Chairman,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

in order to be— we have to end this. My

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

time is answered. His time answering my question ended, too. It's the next person's time. That's the rules in this committee. When you won't even let a person enter into the record something from our ambassador till recently from Ukraine, Ambassador Brink, who resigned because of the conduct of this

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

administration after

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

30 years of service. Sir,

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

you should keep a better eye on the clock in front of you. Your time expired. Continue.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Our goal is to end this war so more people don't die. And by the way, we want all those kids returned back to their homes that were kidnapped from their parents. We just want people to stop dying. Every day this war goes on, people die, things are destroyed, and lives are ruined. And we want it to stop.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Thank you, Secretary. Did you have something you want to submit for unanimous consent?

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Now would be your opportunity.

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

Thank you, sir. I want to submit for the record an op-ed by Ambassador Brink from Ukraine, the regional ambassador that was close until recently, 30 years of service of Democrat presidents and Republican ones. It's an op-ed that says—

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

So, Representative Issa,

Rep. William Keating (D-MA)SPEAKER_13

is recognized. And she details how peace at any cost is appeasement.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

yes for an answer. So ordered. Representative Issa is recognized.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

Chairman, I'd like to ask unanimous consent that the accomplishments of the Secretary of State in the first 100 days be placed in the record.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

So ordered.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

Thank you. Mr. Secretary, good to see you again. We're holding up just some of those. You probably recognize what you've done for 100 days. It is absolutely amazing that you've done all of that. And as you said in your opening statement, it's our job in reauthorization to make many of them permanent. I share with you the fact that, for decades, the division of USAID, sometimes in the embassy, sometimes out, coordinating sometimes, often not, populated by people who left State to go to AID, but then weren't treated the same—all of that had to end. And I I really appreciate you're doing it, and I look forward to making that permanent. I want to just ask you a few questions, and some of them go to the previous questioner. Is Vladimir Putin the undeniable head of a country that has as many, basically, ability to bomb us into oblivion with nukes as any other country on Earth?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

They have the largest, I believe, the largest strategic weapons stockpile in the world and one of the largest tactical nuclear weapons stockpiles.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

And he's the undeniable leader.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Correct.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

Is one of the things that every Secretary of State keeps in their mind that peace is never made with your friends, but rather with your enemies?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, it's one of the reasons why, irrespective of Ukraine, there has to be some level of communication between the United States and Moscow. It's frankly irresponsible to not have the two biggest nuclear powers on the planet communicating, which was the case for 3 years. That doesn't mean we're going to be allies or friendly unless conditions change. But we have to at least be able to communicate with them to prevent miscalculation and war.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

And wasn't it true, during the entire Cold War, president after president of both parties and secretary after secretary had to and did retain relations with the Soviet Union up to and including President Reagan's famous negotiations that essentially led to the end of the Cold War?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

If there had not been communications between the US and Russia in 1961, the world could have ended during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

Now, on that list behind me, there's a lot of taking and combining and so on, but I have two things I want to ask you about. One is, do you have a vision for OBO that would cause it to catch up and to reach a point where our embassies, consulates, and other facilities would never again lead to something like we've had at Benghazi and other occurrences where substandard facilities led to the loss of life?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we absolutely— it's our priority. In fact, we every single day we have a team that watches our mission posture around the world, not just because of the physical layout, but what the conditions are on the ground. Remember, in many of these posts, in many cases, we are very dependent on local forces and their ability to protect from the perimeter, what they're willing to offer. And so, as you recall, in Benghazi, one of the challenges we face is we relied on local militias to provide perimeter security. When they abandoned their post, it left the consulate vulnerable and ultimately led to loss of life. So, as part of our analysis, clearly the physical layout and the protection, it's something we watch very closely in places like Somalia, where we were lacking overhead protection in some cases, but also we are always looking at the capability and willingness of local liaison partners on the ground from the host government to provide their end of it. The less security they're able to provide us assurances on, the more nervous and concerned we become about our force posture or about our presence in any given country.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)SPEAKER_19

Now, Mr. Secretary, as you recall, during the first Trump administration, the president nominated me for the Trade Development Agency, and I kindly appreciate the fact that you were willing to support me if I'd ever gotten the actual vote. It is a small organization, a small part of our outreach to compete against Belt and Road. USAID could be part of that. Obviously, EXIM Bank, a host of other entities could be part of it. But in your opinion today, even with the changes you've made, are we or are we not positioned to properly address, to provide complete packages to compete against Belt and Road?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, first of all, Belt and Road is largely a series of loans and other traps that are provided, that you hire Chinese companies to come into your country and build a road or build a bridge or build a stadium or build whatever they want. That's actually not comparable to USAID, which is more humanitarian and development assistance, but it's in the in the form of a grant. That's more loaning on their part. I think the two entities that are best positioned to act as alternatives are the Development Finance Corporation, which is currently on the—potentially could be expanded, in my view, and then Millennium, which is undergoing a review for for improvements. But I think both of these offer better alternatives in terms of comparison to or a way to compete against Belt and Road Initiative.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Yield back. Chair now recognizes Representative Bera.

Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)SPEAKER_22

Chairman, I'd like to ask unanimous consent to enter into the record this Inspector General report about the impact of USAID. So ordered. Mr. Secretary, I did not get the chance to know you while you were in the Senate, but like you did, I also have traveled a lot to Africa, have seen firsthand the gratitude of lives that we've saved. After the Ebola crisis in 2014, had a chance to visit villages in Sierra Leone and just the joy and thanks to the United States. In 2015, you stated this, and again: Foreign aid is less than 1% of our budget, but foreign aid can make a difference when properly used. And if you ever have a chance, travel to the African continent and you will meet people who are alive today because the American taxpayer funded antiviral HIV medications that kept them alive. It will not be easy to radicalize people who are alive because the American taxpayer saved their lives and the lives of their children. Do you still stand by that statement?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's why we're still going to do foreign aid.

Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)SPEAKER_22

Great. So that's incredibly important. As a young doctor in the 1990s, I took care of a lot of people that were dying of HIV and AIDS. It is a painful death. What I hear on the ground in Africa is that these medications aren't getting to folks, that some of the folks that deliver the medications aren't getting to folks, and people are dying. We need to do what we did under President Bush with PEPFAR. We've saved over 25 million lives. Nearly 8 million babies are alive today because we prevented them from getting HIV/AIDS. I want to work with you to make sure we continue doing that. That is the goodness of the American people. I'm a little bit older than some of the people on this committee. I grew up looking at pictures of kids that were starving in the '80s. Part of the reason why I became a doctor, part of the reason why I'm on this committee and why I've focused so much on health, nutrition, food aid is because of pictures like that that are embedded in my mind as a kid. We came together as a country. Part of what the moral clarity of the United States is, is we are a country of abundance. President Trump may not think this is in our national security interest, but I think it is in our faith interest. It is who we are as a spiritual nation, as a faith-based nation. We worry about that. We care about relieving starvation and so forth. We've got to do more because I talk to the faith-based groups, I talk to our implementing partners, I read the news stories. I do not want to see more pictures like this coming out, and I'm deathly afraid in the next 30 days, 60 days, 2 years, 4 years, we're going to see more death and starvation because nobody else can do what we do as the United States of America. I'd like your commitment that you will work with us to make sure we continue providing food aid, that we continue doing what we do best based on our moral clarity. Can I have your commitment on that?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah. In fact, that's why we're going to have a humanitarian fund within the Department of State that's going to provide the humanitarian, humanitarian assistance that you've outlined. And we're still going to be by far the largest donor in the world to humanitarian assistance. You'll

Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)SPEAKER_22

continue to work with this committee, work with us in a bipartisan way, in a bicameral way to do what we do best. Nobody can do what the United States does.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's my hope, to be able to continue to work with you in that way. We want to see humanitarian aid. We're going to do more of it than anybody on the planet.

Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)SPEAKER_22

Right. Let's save lives. With that, let me yield the remainder of my time to my colleague from Pennsylvania, Ms. Dean.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

I thank you, Representative Bera, and God bless Gerry Connolly. Mr. Secretary, you and I had the great privilege this past Sunday of traveling to the installation of Pope Leo, where he encouraged us to choose love and help the world's poorest. He suggests that we should get proximate to the suffering. If I were to tell you, Mr. Secretary, that outside that door was a 3-year-old little girl starving, like that photograph, ribs protruding, weak, unable to speak, what would you do?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Whatever anybody would do. We would try to help her.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

I agree. I would too.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

And that's what we do more than anybody in the

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

world. Anybody would do that. We would go out that out that door and help that little child. It's your humanity that calls you to do that, to save a single life. Mr. Secretary, Gaza is starving. As of last week, the UN has confirmed—it's the UN has confirmed at least 57 children have already died of malnutrition, and 14,000 more are on the brink of starvation. Food sits just beyond the border for days, for weeks. It was cut off. Please. Please hold the clock for me. Reclaiming my time. I understand they're upset. For days, for weeks. I ask that I could reclaim some of that time that was just interrupted.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

We'll give you 5 seconds.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

5

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

additional.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

Innocent children are dying, Mr. Secretary. Pope Leo has called for an end to the blockade to humanitarian aid, which began by Mr. Netanyahu March the 2nd. He said—the Pope said, the price is being paid by children, the elderly, and the sick. Secretary Rubio, I call upon you, and I ask for your affirmation of this: Stand by our faith, by the call of the Pope to save the children desperate for food and water, babies who have no way to feed themselves, mothers who have to watch them die. Stand by the Jewish faith. Their teaching tells us to save a single life is to save the whole universe. Will you commit to getting a surge of aid into Gaza now?

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

The gentlelady's time has expired.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

Maybe the secretary

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

now recognize Representative Burchett from Tennessee.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

Mr., Mr. Chairman, could the secretary answer my question?

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

I don't think you got

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

a— I

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

don't think you got a question out, and I gave you additional time.

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)SPEAKER_12

Chair

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

recognizes Representative Burchett from Tennessee.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Secretary, how do you plan to ensure that future foreign assistance funding decisions are aligned with the president and are not co-opted or watered down by entrenched Foreign Service bureaucrats?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm going to get to your question, Jimmy, if I could just take 5 seconds. We have asked the Israelis, and I think they've acknowledged this publicly, to allow more aid to flow. I actually met with the World Food Programme in Rome this weekend while I was there. We believe they have a system in place for distribution. We'll continue to urge them to do so, and in fact, we expect more aid will begin to flow rapidly over the next few days into Gaza.

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)SPEAKER_07

I thank

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

As far as your question about entrenched Foreign Service officers, actually, I want to be fair here. I have found the Foreign Service officers, by and large, the professional Foreign Service officers, to be very competent, professional, wanting to deliver on the mission. And to the extent they're frustrated in many cases is that they feel impeded by bureaucracy or by layers and layers of bureaucracy. People don't join the Foreign Service to get rich. They know they're doing it for service, and it's rewarding. Like in any organization, you're going to have people that stand in the way or are not aligned with the mission, and it's our responsibility to ensure that those people are not in a position to impede us. But we can't do the work at the State Department without our professional Foreign Service officers, and frankly, they're the ones we're empowering. And so ultimately, what we want to return to, however, is a Foreign Service officer corps that's promoted and rewarded on the basis of merit, on how well you do your job. And sometimes, by the way, that means promoting someone who maybe doesn't have as many years' experience. Maybe they've only been there 10 years instead of 20, but they're really good. And if you don't promote them, we're going to lose them to the private sector or some other endeavor. So ultimately, it resides upon us, those of us in these positions, to ensure that our agencies are delivering on the president's foreign policy. The State Department is not an independent branch of government. We are part of the executive, and our job is to help the president formulate foreign policy and execute on it. And we're trying to give you a structure in this reorganization to do that.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

You could have just said, Put the best player in, Coach. That would have covered it, and I appreciate your answer, brother. Moving on, will the State Department classify the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I believe that classification is now once again under review. As you know, we've had some success over the last few weeks in getting some Americans that were detained released, but we'll have some decisions to make. That designation ultimately will be based on a holistic approach to what we think our future policy is going to be with regards to Afghanistan. We're clearly aware of who they are and what they've done in the past. We'd like to see more cooperation from them on al-Qaeda and other elements in the country that we'd like to see targeted. So I think that's part of a toolset the president has as leverage to increase cooperation on their part.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Can we ensure that America won't be attacked by the Taliban or any of these other terrorist groups that are training or based in Afghanistan?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, that's what we need to ensure every single day, and obviously DOD holds that primary responsibility, and there's a reason why we don't have a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, is because we do not feel at this point like we could appropriately secure our personnel, but the president is keenly aware of the situation there. He was very involved in negotiating in his first presidency for a deal that kept Americans safe, and I think he's interested in arriving at one again to ensure Afghanistan never becomes a launchpad for external operations against Americans anywhere in the world, especially the homeland.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Thank you. Also, I've been working on a piece of legislation, House Resolution 260, for a couple of years. It basically defunds the Taliban. We found out through a fellow named Legend who fought on our side and another guy, Shawn Ryan, Navy SEAL, that they're collecting around $40 million a week is what we've been told, and possibly up to the point of $5 billion from some State Department documents. I'm wondering if you all will support that bill, and what it does—it aims to stop U.S. tax dollars from benefiting the Taliban.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I haven't seen the bill. I certainly support the the intent that you've outlined, and I also would say the president has issued an order, which we have followed, to suspend any aid that could possibly reach the hands of the Taliban, and that's been implemented.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Well, we're told that it possibly still is, and the president has voiced support of this legislation, and I would hope that you would review that. That's something that's been out for a while, and it needs to be stopped, put to rest at some point. I've also invited President Saleh of Afghanistan to meet with me and my colleagues, and I'm wondering if if you all will facilitate his entry into the country to meet with us?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, ultimately that will require a decision and a determination upon whether a visa should be granted for that visit. We're certainly happy to—if you've got an engagement that you think would be important and further the national interest, it's certainly something we would consider in terms of making that decision. We've granted visas in the past to people that we're not necessarily enamored with because they're coming to the United Nations or for some other purpose. So, we would want to work with you to learn more about the context of that visit, and we would consider it.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Sure, I would remind you and this body and the folks that are listening and watching this that $40 million may not be a whole heck of a lot to people in Washington, D.C., but I can assure you in East Tennessee, that is a whole lot of money that we are probably providing our enemies every dadgum week. And I'd appreciate y'all's assistance with that. Y'all been great. You've you've

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

accepted our— expired.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)SPEAKER_18

Okay,

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

The Chair now recognizes Representative Castro.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for your testimony. I want to say at the beginning that I think that in terms of roles in the cabinet, that coming into your job, I think you're the most qualified cabinet member in a cabinet that I think has otherwise been incompetent and unqualified. You and I are obviously of different political parties, but we share kind of a similar story. My grandmother, Victoria Castro, came to this country when she was six or seven years old as an orphan, because both her parents had died after the Mexican Revolution, and the closest relatives who could take her in were not in Mexico. They were in San Antonio. And when my grandmother came to Eagle Pass, Texas, the manifest that allowed her to come, there was a question that was asked on that document,

SPEAKER_UNKNOWN

And

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

The question said purpose for visit, and her relatives that were bringing her, they wrote in, to live, that she was coming to live. You have an incredible family story of your parents and your grandfather coming from Cuba in the 1950s and maybe early 1960s, and a similar background of helping you and your siblings pursue their American dreams just like my grandmother did for my mom and for us. But I feel like today, under the Trump administration, our grandparents may have ended up in a gulag or banished in Guantanamo, or like the girl that I visited with, who was a U.S. citizen in Mexico a few weeks ago with a brain tumor, having her seizure medication seized at a CBP inland port, and her mom, who's undocumented Mexican, her caretaker 24 hours a day, not allowed to come back with her to get treatment for her condition. I want to ask you specifically about a policy decision where, on February 5th, DHS Secretary Noem rescinded temporary protected status for Venezuelans. This same thing was used for 700,000 Cubans in the 1960s and '70s. And she stated that, in consultation with the Department of State, assessed conditions in Venezuela and that there are, quote, "notable improvements in several areas, such as the economy, public health, and crime, that allow for these nationals to be safely returned to their home countries." And you said, as recently as a few years ago, that returning and failing to renew TPS for Venezuelans would be, quote, "very real death sentence for countless Venezuelans who have fled their country." That was a few years ago. And so I wanted to ask you, do you believe, after everything that Maduro has done—and you and I have both condemned him, as I think almost everybody on this dais has—that TPS recipients forced to return to Venezuela will truly be safe in that country? And how do you justify the decision to send 350,000 people to Venezuela right now?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, 350,000 people have not been sent to Venezuela. I think you're referring to the TPS cancellation of the temporary status. So 2 points. Number one is, unfortunately, that blanket approval of TPS gave TPS including to people that frankly we should not have allowed in this country, irrespective of what part of the world they came from. Number 2 is the hope that now people that have received TPS will apply through the asylum process. And I believe many of them, if not most of them, will have very credible asylum claims to make for the reasons you've just outlined. I think that problematic is that when you do a blanket TPS, number one, it's supposed to be temporary. None of these TPSs ever go away. But number 2, when you do a blanket, it's going— especially in a mass migration event, it is going to protect and cover people that frankly we should not have allowed into this country. The overall

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

image— I guess because I look— I mean, we're, you know, we're both part of the same Latino community. You're not saying that all 350,000 people were gang members, are you?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Of course not. The majority are not. But if 1,000 of them are, we got a big problem.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

Well, yeah, but so because there is a very small group who are criminals, just like any group of Americans, you're saying that none of them get any due process? They're just automatically expelled? No, no review. No, no nothing for any of their cases.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, again, it's not my department. We don't do asylum claims. But I will tell you

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

that she applied for asylum. She said that it was her decision and your decision. And a few years ago, you said it was a death sentence.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, but the problem is the previous administration did a terrible job of vetting applicants for TPS. They just blanket-approved it.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

They did things that are— they did things that have been done in other administrations before,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

but never in this massive way.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

Republican and Democrat.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Look, the bottom line is, of course, the overwhelming majority of them are not gang members, and they will be able to apply for asylum. And they have a very credible claim. I have to yield some that are, and I have to

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)SPEAKER_24

yield my remaining time. I got it. I got to yield my remaining time to Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)SPEAKER_33

Thank you for that, Rep. Castro. I do have a quick question. The World Cup and the Olympics are being hosted in both red and in blue districts across this country, but they are not going to be successful unless we get visas to all of the folks that are participating. This is a bipartisan priority. I just sent a letter to you along with Representative Kim and 50 other colleagues. I am glad that the president has directed this administration to make this a success. In that spirit of cooperation, are you committing to working with me to ensuring that these games are a success and that we're getting visas to those who need it?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

100%.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)SPEAKER_33

Thank you.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Perry.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)SPEAKER_04

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary, great to see you. Thanks for being here. I want to talk to you about the United Nations Relief and Works Workers Agency. It is— the claims are fantastic and horrific at the same time, longstanding of mismanagement, of collusion with Hamas and the terrorist organization and terrorists in Hamas, the using of American tax dollars to promote terrorism, antisemitism, violence, rampant corruption throughout the United Nations Relief and Workers Agency and ties to Hamas. The simple question for you, as our representative in the administration and for all the taxpayers not only in the 10th District of Pennsylvania, but all across the country, who who find it intolerable that their tax money goes to support terrorism and the wanton killing of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. What concrete steps is this administration— are you vowing to take regarding the United Nations Relief and Workers

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, we're not working with them anymore. I mean,

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)SPEAKER_04

are they going to continue to receive funding? No,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We're done with that. We're not We're not distributing any more aid through that organization, especially because of the links in Gaza that you've outlined that have now been well documented.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)SPEAKER_04

And what is the administration doing vis-à-vis other countries that would wish to continue to support them? What is the United States doing with our clout, with our, with our leadership role in trying to make sure that UNRWA no longer exists because it is a tool of Hamas?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we've made very clear we're done cooperating with them on this work, and we're not going to be involved in it. Obviously, other countries have sovereign decisions they make. I take your point that you want us to use our pressure, but the truth of the matter is no country contributes as much to these efforts as we do. And as a result, I think that gives us tremendous leverage to potentially find and create alternatives for the distribution of aid. And that's what we're working on actively now. It's one of the impediments to getting aid into Gaza as we speak. We want to find alternatives that are reliable, that will actually reach the people, but will not wind up in the hands of Hamas, who then turns it around and sells it at exorbitant prices on the black market to enrich themselves after they feed themselves. So we share your sentiments on this completely.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)SPEAKER_04

Appreciate your answer and your dedication to that. Again, the American taxpayers are sick of paying for for terrorism. Let's turn to the State Department bureaucratic loyalty and my concern over a long period of time, the State Department co-opted in the '30s by many communists. It's well documented if you if you know the history. Let's be blunt: Some of these people are still continue to act like communists, sabotaging our institutions and selling out our country. I'm wondering, frankly, what can be done about that to align the State Department with the goals of not only this administration, but the goals of the American people to promote America and Americanism?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, well, I think the first starts with what I've said from the very beginning of this hearing, and that is that the goal of our foreign policy is to further our national interests. You have to define what the national interest is, and then you have to make sure that the policies that you're pursuing are in furtherance of the national interest, not the global interest, not the international order, but what's in the interest of the United States. Sometimes cooperating with the global order is in the national interest. Many times, increasingly, it is not. As you see, these international institutions oftentimes have become places where we give all the money, and then they work against us, and it's used as a forum for anti-Americanism. The second point is, and that's part of the reorganization is—and this is an important point, and I hear this in some of the criticisms, I don't know if people fully understand. I've made this point already. The Department of State is not another branch of government. We work for the President of the United States. The people elected the President. The President sets the foreign policy. Our job is to advise and provide options, but ultimately our job is to execute on the foreign policy of the President. And we are trying to organize the State Department to be able to do that as efficiently and as effectively as possible without having to check 40 boxes in a memo where someone you've never heard of and I've never heard of, but happen to work at the State Department, has a veto power over our ability to pursue a presidential directive. Now, that will be true for this administration, and frankly, it will be true for the next administration, be it a Republican or a Democrat one. But that's the way our republic functions. In our republic, the executive branch is headed by the President, who is elected by the people through the Electoral College, and our job is to deliver on the President's agenda. That's what I'm proud to do, and that's what we're going to continue to do, and that's the kind of State Department we're building to deliver on.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)SPEAKER_04

Appreciate that. And finally, Mr. Secretary, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—it's been over 20 years since we launched this program, and we've poured billions of dollars into it. And while it's definitely saved lives, and we certainly appreciate that and we laud that, what's the future? And when do we transition full responsibility to the African nations to manage their own health programs as we struggle to manage our own and pay for our own in the United States

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

First of all, 85% of recipients under PEPFAR are currently and still receiving their assistance. The second point you make is an important one, and that is the best foreign aid is foreign aid that ends, and it ends because you've either solved the problem or because you've given capacity to your local partners to solve the problem. And I do believe there needs to be a metric in PEPFAR and beyond that in all of our foreign aid to ensure that at some point it ends because the problem was solved or because the local partner now has the capacity to handle it on their own. We are a generous people, but we cannot be responsible for every problem on this planet. We can't afford it, and frankly, in this day and age, we have many priorities we need to balance if we're going to forward the national interest.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)SPEAKER_27

Representative Titus.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I keep hearing you say your job is to carry out the mission of the executive branch and the agenda of the president. It's kind of hard to figure out what the president's foreign policy is. It jumps around from Gaza being a a resort area to we're going to help Ukraine or we're not, we're going to have tariffs on China or we're not, we're meddling in the Romanian election. I don't know how you figure out what the agenda is. Also, you say you want to make the State Department stronger, but everything we've seen coming from y'all is that you're dead set on kind of killing it or at least undermining American interests. I think you've proposed an 84% budget cut, plans for widespread diplomatic closures, laying off staff across the board. I don't see how any of those things really makes us stronger and delivers for the American people. Now, I believe that jeopardizes our national security, but I want to ask you something a little more arcane, a little more specific to my district that has to do with some economic investments, and that's about tourism. You know, we've been working very hard to improve the visa services over the last few years. Seems to me what you're doing is going to undercut that and move us backwards. We're already seeing this as a problem in Las Vegas, where tourists are down by 8% just in a few short months, and this problem is going to become more acute as we look to host the Olympics and we host the World Cup. So could I just ask you, are you planning to cut the Consular Affairs Bureau that does the visas by 15%, like we're hearing?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, Consular Affairs may actually even be expanded. And in fact, we are looking for ways to do double shifts in some of our embassies around the world because of the visa requirements. For example, if you haven't applied for a visa from Colombia already, you probably won't get here in time for the World Cup unless we go to double shifts. So we've even talked about reassigning Foreign Service officers, many of who are trained earlier in their career in consular services, to provide 24-hour presence in some of our embassies and consulates around the world just to handle the visa load for things like the World Cup, the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Club Cup, and then the Olympics two years behind it. And in

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

fact, how are you going to do that with an 84% budget cut?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

There's no 84%, but I think you're referring to USAID. When it comes to the State

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

Department. Part of it, but just—

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

yeah, but when it comes to the State Department, our Consular Services are actually intent on ramping up efforts because of the reasons that I've just outlined below, because of the reasons I just outlined earlier. And we recognize that as a top priority. We want it to be a success. It's a priority for the president. And I think there are good numbers because it's the same division that handles it. We are setting records in the numbers of passports that are being processed, same group of people. So it shows that our systems are improving. And finally, we're looking at ways to infusing technology and AI to even further and rapidly increase that process even further, particularly for people— people who have had visas in the past, so we're just restoring visas. We can move even much quicker on many of those.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

Well, I'm glad to hear you say that, but I want to look and see what you do, not just what you say, because when you talk about cutting budgets, talk about cutting personnel, talk about closing embassies and consulates, I don't know how you can increase the visa process or make it

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

quicker. There's no proposal at this time to close embassies or consulates. That's been media reporting because people like to leak lies, but there's no such war.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

That's not happening. None

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

are proposed, and I think I would know

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

about it. Well, okay. Well, let's let's check that out and see where that information is coming from. If I could switch just a little bit to Afghanistan, you've heard a little bit about that, I introduced legislation to authorize the CARE Act, the Coordination for Afghan Relocation Efforts. You voted for that, Mr. Secretary. Mr. Mast voted for that. We called for this to be created and have an appointment made. I wonder, can you tell us what's happening with that to help us serve these Afghan refugees, or are you wearing that hat too, or is there somebody else that you're going to appoint

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

position? Well, that's primarily the DHS responsibility for the intake of people into our country. I can certainly take that back and give you information on what progress they've made in that regard. But I will also tell you that one of the things we're tackling right now is we have to be able to properly vet anyone who comes into this country, given the mass migration events we've confronted over the last 3 years.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

I suspect these people are vetted as much or more than just about anybody else coming into the country. Well,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Some of them, they include dependents, and in many cases a higher level of vetting is necessary because they're coming from countries where we don't have a lot of information. Not every country, including Afghanistan, has perfect records. Some of them, we know them because they've worked with us in the past. Others, we just have limited information on them.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

So, but we are going to continue with this Afghan relocation efforts and this office, this CARE Office? That's, that's what you're committing to me?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we're going to comply with the statutory requirements, but we also have to be more careful about who we let into this country.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)SPEAKER_32

Well, I didn't say that. I know we have to be careful, but I'm just saying we need to continue with that effort. You voted for it, Mr. Mast voted for it, but I don't see any progress on it. I hear just the opposite. So I appreciate that commitment. Thank you, and I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Jackson.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)SPEAKER_10

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Chairman Mast, for holding this crucial hearing and allowing Secretary Rubio to highlight the overwhelming successes accomplished so far in the Trump administration. Secretary Rubio, thank you for being here today and for the incredible work that you and the department are doing. We're We're really proud of it. Thank you. I want to echo your opening statement. America is back. From bringing home hostages held in Gaza, initiating peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, countering China's influence around the world, and much, much more, we are back. Thanks to the great work of President Trump and your great leadership, the United States is restoring its place on the world stage. No longer will the United States refuse to engage in foreign policy and diplomacy, but rather we will lead with peace through strength. I've traveled a lot recently via my various committees including this one throughout the continent of Africa. And uh, I've, I've one thing I've seen is that we've really neglected Africa. We have spent a lot of money and wasted a lot of money there in my mind with no strategic thought whatsoever into how we're spending this money. I have a question for you regarding South Africa. South Africa has withdrawn from America and our allies in recent years while increasing diplomatic relationships with our foreign adversaries, deepening cooperation with China, attacking our greatest ally Israel at the International Court of Justice, downgrading Taiwan's diplomatic presence, and condoning violence and race-based persecution against minorities. I fully support President Trump's executive order to bolster the administration's efforts in combating the egregious actions taken by South Africa. To support the administration's efforts, I recently introduced the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, which would conduct a full review of our relationship with the Republic of South Africa and allow for the use of targeted sanctions against corrupt officials in the African National Congress. Secretary Rubio, have you seen South Africa align with our adversaries like China, Iran, and Russia? And do you believe a full review of our bilateral relationship would be beneficial in the U.S.'s posture and strategy toward this country?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes on your first two questions, and an interesting topic, and I don't, maybe even as we speak, the president is actually meeting with the president of South Africa, who requested that meeting, and it will be happening today. Obviously, I'm here with you today, otherwise I would be at that. So I imagine these topics will be raised there as well.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)SPEAKER_10

Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. And with that, I'm going to yield the remainder of my time to my colleague, Mr. Mackenzie.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)SPEAKER_37

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. In your opening remarks, you mentioned Syria and how sanctions relief was a necessary step to help Syria's interim authorities stave off imminent collapse of the country. Can you expand on how sanctions relief is being used to advance U.S. policy objectives and also discuss potentially what conditions have been placed on Syria's interim authorities for that sanctions relief, including but not limited to things like protection of religious minority groups and counterterrorism cooperation?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes. Well, first of all, let me say that Syria is in many cases, when it comes to stability, the most important country in that region, and the region will tell you this. If Syria is unstable, the region becomes unstable. So we have an opportunity now, hopefully, to see a government—we hope the formation of a government, and the only kind of government that can work in Syria is one that respects and includes all the different groups, which, by the way, that's one of the advantages of Syria. There is such a thing as a Syrian national identity, and you can build on it. It is an identity that until recently included close cooperation with Alawites and Druze and Christians and Sunni and Kurds. It's been a a society that's existed this way until Assad divided them against each other for his own purposes, a civil war broke out, ISIS erupted, foreign fighters poured in, and all kinds of instability ensued. So what we have now is a transitional authority led by some people that, frankly, have troubling previous histories. That said, they have said they have no interest in war with Israel. They have no interest in becoming a playground to export revolution. What they want is to build a country. That is what they are claiming, and that's what we're willing to help them do if that's what they're serious about doing. So what sanctions relief, as has been proposed by the president, allows immediately is for partner nations in the region to be able to provide them the aid they need to do things like provide a government, provide municipal services, improve their telecommunications systems, all the sorts of things you need to build a nation-state and show the people of Syria there's a path forward towards progress. Our belief is failure to do that will quickly devolve into civil war. ISIS will grow in strength and power, pro-Iranian groups that are being fomented will increase their activities to destabilize, and then you've got a big problem on your hands because now you have Syria once again becoming a playground for foreign fighters, jihadists, terrorists, and the like that threaten not just Israel, not just their neighbors, but ultimately the United States. I will say why it furthers national interest. Again, this is not going to be easy. No one should pretend this is going to be easy, because it's not. But if Syria could somehow be stabilized now and for the foreseeable future, what it would mean for Lebanon, what it would mean for Jordan, what it would mean for Israel, and what it would mean for the broader stability of the region is extraordinary. It is a historic opportunity we hope comes to fruition. We're going to do everything we can to make it succeed. We hope that it does, but it does have to be conditioned on them continuing to live by the commitments I've just outlined that they've made verbally. Now we need to see it in action.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)SPEAKER_37

Thank you. And I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair recognizes Representative Lieu.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Secretary Rubio, thank you for being here today. As a member of the legislative branch, I don't have a special exemption to violate the law. You would agree with me, wouldn't you, that in America, no one is above the law?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

course.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Okay. And in our system of government, it's Congress that makes the laws. The executive branch that executes the laws, and the judicial branch when there's a dispute that says what the law is. Is that right?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Within the context of separation of powers, yes.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Okay. And the reason that due process is so fundamental to America is before we put the entire weight of the federal government and snatch someone off the street, we might want to ask, Hey, do you have something to say about that? Might we have the wrong person? And in the case of Mr. Garcia, the Trump administration admitted in court that they mistakenly deported him to El Salvador. The Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, said the Trump administration has to facilitate getting him back. Do you believe the administration has to follow that Supreme Court order?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I don't believe he was wrongfully deported. He's an Salvadorian citizen illegally

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

not my question. Do you believe that Trump has to follow the Supreme Court 9-0 unanimous decision?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Within the context of separation of powers, that no court can tell me how to conduct foreign policy. They can't tell me what I have to say to a president of another country, nor do I need to tell them what I told the president of another country, because I can't— I'm just

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

asking you, do you believe that Trump administration has to follow the unanimous Supreme--

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

believe we are following it.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Okay, so my next question is, what steps have you or the State Department taken to facilitate the return of Mr. Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

The conduct of our foreign policy is an executive function, and how I conduct it, I don't need to share with you.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Well, let me ask you this.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Share with the court.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Have you or the State Department taken any steps to facilitate?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We've taken steps, but I'm not going to tell you what they are. And I don't have to because I—we conduct the foreign policy of the United States, and I can't conduct diplomacy with a foreign leader if I come to committees and tell you what they said to me, what I said to them. And most certainly, a court can't tell me to say—

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

you have taken steps to facilitate Mr. Garcia's return?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We've made those— we've made that assertion and we've made those assertions in court. And thank

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

you. I appreciate that. I'd like to ask you now about Ukraine. On August 24th, 2022, you tweeted the following: In the past 6 months since Putin's criminal invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians have shown incredible bravery and strength as they fight to defend their homeland. On Ukraine's Independence Day, the free world applauds their courage and celebrates Ukraine's sovereignty. And then also in 2022, you said, The people of Ukraine are tough people who will never accept being ruled by Putin. I want to ask you, I assume you continue to believe what you said in 2022, right, that we should celebrate Ukraine's sovereignty and that the people of Ukraine will never accept being ruled by Putin, right?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, that's why we're trying to end the war.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

All right. On April 30th, 2018, you tweeted, Glad to see State Department confirm delivery of Javelin antitank missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. should continue empowering Ukraine and other allies to defend against the threat of Russian aggression. You'd agree with your prior statement that the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, right?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We've supported them more than anyone in the world.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

All right. Unfortunately, it appears Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth went rogue and decided unilaterally to stop support for Ukraine earlier this year. Various news organizations reported that Secretary Hegseth paused military support to Ukraine without President Trump's knowledge. I'm going to read you from one article dated May 6th. Quote, Pete Hegseth canceled military aid flights to Ukraine just a week into Trump's second term without the president even knowing, according to Reuters. The order initially sparked mass confusion within the administration as national security officials in the White House, the Pentagon, and the State Department couldn't figure out who ordered the halt in flights. This is yet another example of the chaos and lack of cohesion that Hegseth has brought to the Pentagon from day one. Did Secretary Hegseth tell you before he ordered the halt in flights to Ukraine of military weapons?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I can't comment on that because I don't remember that. I don't remember ever hearing that, to what you're claiming now.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

So your understanding is he never told you he was going to halt these?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I just know we're providing them assistance now, but the war ultimately has to end.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

In 2016, you stated the following: From his repression of the Russian people and the assassination of his critics, to his dangerous invasion of Ukraine and the occupation of Crimea, to his threats against our NATO allies in Central and Eastern Europe, to the war crimes committed by Russian forces, Putin's Russia is a threat to global stability. You'd agree with your prior statement, right, that Putin's Russia is a threat to global stability?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I would agree that in my role as Secretary of State, my job is to bring Russia to the table to end the war. And that's what we're trying to do right now. We're trying to end the war so that more people don't die.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)SPEAKER_20

Thank you. And in trying to end the war, I simply note that Putin, on Palm Sunday, launched a barrage of missiles, killed a bunch of civilians. Right before his conversation with Trump recently, he launched a bunch of missiles, killed a bunch of civilians. So, clearly, Putin is giving the middle finger to you and to the president. I urge you to defeat Putin on the battlefield. That's the only way to get him to the negotiating table. I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Kim.

Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)SPEAKER_38

Thank you, Chairman. Secretary Rubio, thank you so much for coming to our committee. Before I ask my questions, I would like to extend my condolences and prayer to Representative Connolly's family and his loved ones. The president has said repeatedly that economic policy is foreign policy, and he's matching that statement with his actions, from $100 billion in the investment in the United States from TSMC and reshoring of more than $55 000 billion in private sector investment commitments to the recent historic trade deal with the UK and successful tariff negotiations with more than 50 countries. I agree that economic policy is foreign policy, and I strongly believe that the State Department should be equipped with a robust economic toolkit to secure greater market access for American businesses and protect them from predatory foreign competition. But unfortunately, the department's economic statecraft policies, of which I— my Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific have recently had a hearing on this issue, that in recent years it has not been effective in meeting those goals and ensuring U.S. leadership on the international stage. So Secretary Rubio, what do you think has prevented the department from producing results that Americans desire, and what additional tools are needed to implement the President's commitment to make economic statecraft a focal point of our foreign policy?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, you've asked one of the questions that's critical to our reorganization. That's why it's so important that even economic affairs be prioritized at the level of the embassy and the regional bureaus, because again, the economic opportunities may vary from region to region. I would say one of the issues that's held us back is on the is on energy. It is by far the number one need around the world, not simply because you can't develop an economy without energy, you can't even keep pace with the transformation of our economy without energy. AI alone will consume in its production both of semiconductors and ultimately of the equipment required for AI. AI alone will require a consumption of energy far beyond what the world is capable of generating today. The countries that are going to succeed and win in the race on AI and higher technology are the ones who can produce reliable, affordable energy over a sustained period of time and at sufficient loads. And so countries all over the world need more energy. And that's been held back by the fact that we're telling people you can have energy, but it has to be windmills and solar panels. We have to be able to use things like LNG, like nuclear energy and others. And we're open to other things. Hydrocarbon— hydroelectric is very viable in some places. Places not much, but I think energy has to be at the core, at the core of our economic opportunities because countries around the world are asking for it.

Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)SPEAKER_38

Thank you, Secretary Rubio. I want to talk about another issue that is very important to me and to you. When you were in the Senate, you were the lead Senate champion on the North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Bill, which I am trying to champion on the House side. The critical legislation calls for appointing a special envoy on North Korea human rights, so we want to make sure that that position is not left vacant. So can you talk about if you have plans to appoint someone to fill that position for North Korea issues? It's very important to me.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes, and obviously that's going through the process of presidential personnel for the appointment process to find the right person, make sure the vetting is cleared, and so forth. We've prioritized initially appointments of assistant secretaries and other Senate-confirmed positions. I know all of you would want to see more government officials appearing before you. We've got to get them confirmed by the Senate. We've just now begun to make some progress. I got a deputy 2 months ago. We just got another deputy for management just a few days ago, and we're hoping this week we'll get some more of those Senate-confirmed positions. So we're working through it, but obviously our intention is to have someone as the statute requires

Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)SPEAKER_38

and make sure that the advocating for North Korea human rights issues becomes on the top burner of the issue. Thank you so much. I'm going to yield the balance of my time to Rep. Moylan from Guam.

Rep. James Moylan (R-GU)SPEAKER_09

Thank you. Mr. Secretary, just—we've got about a minute here—just elaborate a little bit more. I'm really interested about your approach, diplomacy approach, for local US economics and local government investment, especially in the INDOPACOM area, giving some money back to the government there. We have a Guam Economic Development Authority, which will be really helpful if they were part of this. Please expand.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We have a unit that deals with subnational diplomacy, which of course this will become a priority for them as well. And again, I hate to be a broken record on this, but it's just another example of why driving policymaking from these global functional bureaus down to our regional bureaus and/or embassies and our regional presence will allow us to identify unique opportunities, whether it's in the Pacific region or in some cases other parts of the world. It allows these issues to be highlighted and us to move quickly on actioning it.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back. Thank you. Chair recognizes Representative Jacobs.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, I want to turn to the war in Sudan. This is, as you know, the world's largest displacement and humanitarian crisis. Half a million people are facing famine. I saw firsthand the suffering when I visited Sudanese refugees in Chad. Earlier this year and again yesterday, you reiterated that the Rapid Support Forces, a militia, is committing a genocide in Sudan. Is that correct?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We're very concerned about what both sides are doing, frankly, but the RSF in particular.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

Right, I agree with that. You also said, as part of that, that all of our engagement with the UAE, we need to raise the fact that they are openly supporting an entity that is carrying out a genocide. And yet, President Trump continues to arm the UAE. In fact, he just blew through Ranking Member Meeks congressional hold on over $1 billion in arms sales, ignoring this committee's longstanding role as an independent check on major arms sales. And we can have a policy debate here about the merits of continuing to arm the UAE or not despite this genocide. I had that same conversation with Secretary Blinken. But actually, I want to talk about the events that led up to that decision. So, on April 30th, the Trump Organization, which Donald Trump still owns, unveiled plans to build an 80-story Trump Tower in Dubai. Then on May 1st, Trump's crypto company, World Liberty Financial, secured a $2 billion deal with an Emirati company with deep ties to the government. And only 11 days later, on May 12th, your department notified our committee that it would ignore Ranking Member Meeks holds on UAE arms sales. Secretary Rubio, we have a president who is personally profiting from a deal with a foreign government-backed company at the same time he is selling lethal weapons to that same government. Isn't that a clear conflict of interest?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I think no matter who was president, they would have to deal with the UAE. We have to. They're a member. That's

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

not my question. We can have a policy debate about how we should engage with the UAE. I'm just saying that they're

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

corruption, and I'm answering that any president in the United States, I don't care who the president is, would have to deal with UAE. They're a member of the Abraham Accords, number one. They've been incredibly cooperative on a bunch of other issues. We don't agree with them on 100%. We have concerns about some of the things they do. But this is called the balancing of foreign policy. Secretary Rubio, I don't disagree with you. It is in our national interest to have a good relationship with the UAE, despite the fact that there are things we do we don't like.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

Secretary Rubio, I don't disagree with you. I just visited the UAE a couple weeks ago and had these very same conversations there. But I don't think this is a complicated question. President Trump is personally profiting from a deal with a foreign government while selling weapons to that same government who is enabling a genocide. Policy aside, are you really saying you don't think this is a conflict of interest?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, you're making claims. The president's family owns a business, and they can conduct business anywhere in the world they want. The president's never once raised business deals in UAE when talking about it. Any president would have to have a relationship with the UAE. Secretary

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

Rubio, that's

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

just silly. The previous administration had one too.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

President Trump has retained his ownership of these companies, and I have an image right here from World Liberty Financial's website. So the idea that President Trump is not the face of the brand of this company, on top from benefiting from them, and it literally says on the website that Mr. Trump and his family members own a 60% stake in this company? That's silly. So we can talk about the policy merits. That's not what I'm asking you. I'm asking you a very simple question. Do you believe it's a conflict of interest to have a president personally profiting from a deal with a foreign government while selling weapons to that same government who's enabling a genocide?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I don't accept the premise of your question. I think this has nothing to do with personally benefiting from anything. This has to do with the fact that in order to conduct foreign policy in the Middle East, you're going to have to deal with the UAE. Mr.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)SPEAKER_01

Secretary, this is a clear conflict of interest, and anyone with any common sense can see that. The president is personally benefiting from billions of dollars of deals, and he doesn't care at all about the people of Sudan who are experiencing famine and genocide. It's shocking to me that you can't admit that. It's clear that you seem more concerned about staying in Trump's good graces than sticking up for human rights and American values that you once were a champion for. With that, I'm going to yield the remainder of my time to Representative Olszewski.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, you make these claims about staying in good graces. You accuse people

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I appreciate a softball for you, yes or no, since I don't have a lot of time, and I appreciate it if the chairman gives me a few seconds back. Softball for you. Would you, yes or no, as secretary, find it outrageous for you to solicit or accept a $200,000 Rolls-Royce from a foreign government for personal or State Department use?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That offer has never been made to me.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

Yes. So you would reject that offer?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

The offer of a Rolls-Royce? Yes. I don't understand the purpose of that question. That's a silly question.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

The fact that you can't answer the question— I just

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

answered it. I said it's silly.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

So because you wouldn't accept it or not?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Of course not. Who would accept it? But then

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

I think you should maybe perhaps, perhaps, Mr. Secretary, reclaim my time. Um, I think you are an honorable man by most accounts, but the man that you work for doesn't. And the fact that he is soliciting and accepting a $400 million plane is problematic, and you should know about it. It came up in a Senate hearing. You should read about it, add it to your reading, because it is problematic for foreign policy. It adds to the corruption that my colleague just said, and I hope you speak out

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

against it. Thank

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

you.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Huizenga.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)SPEAKER_14

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Secretary Rubio, good to see you again. I'm going to try to quickly move through a couple of issues. My district consists of Southwest Michigan, including Battle Creek, where we have a large Burmese diaspora, and they have a lot of friends and family who are still back in Burma, Myanmar, that are dealing with the brutal military junta. And they are literally waging a war of terror and genocide on those folks. I have introduced a bipartisan bill, H.R. 3190, the BRAVE Burma Act, to target the military junta's revenues, specifically implementing full blocking sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, Myanmar Economic Bank, the MEB, and entities operating within the jet fuel sector, which is where they get most of their revenue. And this is the same question I asked Secretary Bessent: are you willing to work with us in my office to implement this, this particular—

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

well, absolutely. I mean, if you pass legislation, it's our job to implement it,

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)SPEAKER_14

right? I appreciate that. I want to move on. In my subcommittee—I'm the South and Central Asia Subcommittee, but I'm also dealing with the R family of State Department as we're doing this reauthorization. A couple of weeks ago, we had a hearing where we had the truth czarina, Ms. Jankowicz, participated in. And we know that the CCP has been pouring billions of dollars into propaganda and censorship around the world, and I'm actually introducing a bill, Restoring American Freedom Act, that would codify the Trump EO on censorship. But I'm I want to know, what is your strategy to push back on China, defend literally speech and the truth?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think the first thing is that the we need to be strong defenders of free speech everywhere in the world and anywhere in the world where it's being threatened, including, sadly, parts of Europe, where we're seeing truth and we're seeing free speech now being endangered. The second point I would make about it is, and we've done this in our own department, you know, we had an entity in our own department, the Global Engagement Center, that was involved, frankly, in identifying Americans, then they would pass this information on to these NGOs that were not part of government, and they would use them to then target Americans to try to silence them or brand them or harass them. The State Department should not be engaged in that, and we closed that center.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)SPEAKER_14

That was going to be my follow-up is we're going to make sure that that's not happening. That's the idea of codifying the Trump EO, which is why, why I'm moving forward on that. Real quickly, Mr. Burchett, back over here, was talking about Afghanistan, and his bill, which is a report bill, I think goes hand in glove with with a bill that I've introduced, which would require a a restriction of all U.S. tax dollars that are being paid in Afghanistan for things such as fees and fines and taxes. U.S. taxpayers paying taxes to the Taliban in in Afghanistan. And so I'd love, if you want to make a quick comment on that, about a necessity to end that. I think this is something that we need

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We have, at the president's direction, we've ended virtually, if not all, of the aid programs that would fall in the hands or benefit the Taliban. Beyond that, there may be some other ways in which they're collecting funds that may require statutory authority to do, and so we would welcome that.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI)SPEAKER_14

Great. And we'll follow up with your team on, specifically, that piece of legislation. At this time, I want to recognize Mr. Zinke for the remainder of my time.

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)SPEAKER_07

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, great always to see you. I have deep concerns about our ability to provide effective and timely military capability to our allies through the FMS program. I find myself the chair of a working group, and it is probably worse than both of us have thought. It's in need of reform. I'm glad to say it's a bipartisan effort; both sides are working on it. And Mr. Secretary, I just need your commitment that you will prioritize this, because the President's recent trip to the Middle East would suggest there's a lot of FMS that's coming our way, and we're not in a position to make sure that we fulfill the President's objectives in that. So I just need your commitment, sir, that you'll help us and spend some time with us to wander through this and get it fixed.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes, it's among one of our leading priorities of reorganization and reform, is to reform that process so it moves quicker and moves faster. We get so many complaints. Every bilateral engagement we have is someone complaining about some sale or even a financing deal that has been in place for 5 years and has not yet been delivered or has not yet been approved through the process. So we've got to reform that system. And frankly, the other impediment we have with foreign military sales is our industrial capacity to build munitions quickly enough to deliver for our own needs, but also for the commitments we've made to our partners. So that needs to be improved, and that can be improved if we have a faster system that's delivering on these these contracts.

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)SPEAKER_07

I would agree, and I would say our, our military supply system in, in this country would not exist if it wasn't for foreign military sales. So with that, thank you for serving again, and I appreciate you being here.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Thank you.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)SPEAKER_15

Gentleman yields. Chair recognizes Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Secretary Rubio, for being here. My question is about Jordan. Jordan is a close U.S. partner and continues to struggle with economic challenges and lingering extremist threats. Furthermore, the global assistant freeze continues to have a negative impact on Jordan, despite the administration granting several waivers for military assistance, as millions of dollars for economic assistance remain suspended. This not only impacts Jordan, but also the security of Israel. A weakened Jordan means a weakened Israel. Jordan has also been a leader in getting humanitarian aid to Gaza. What is the status of U.S. economic assistance to Jordan, including the already congressionally appropriated funds?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

When it comes to Jordan, the remaining issues in the economic space for them, because they were initially exempted from even the freeze, and there was, however, a hold up on a number of programs involving water, particularly desal, and we have approved those. There were two that were somehow not moving through the system. Those have now been approved, and I think very shortly, if not this week, early part of next week, we should see that program flowing. We've been in close touch with the Jordanians on it. It's been a source of frustration for them and frankly for me, but ultimately we're going to get all those programs online if they're not online already.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

Thank you. I want to shift over to the Western Hemisphere. As senator, we worked together several times, and I thank you for visiting the island of Hispaniola, specifically Haiti and Dominican Republic, within the first moments of being in your position. The recent designation of Haitian gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, it sends a clear signal that their actions are unacceptable and we won't be approving of them. But I have some concerns, and we sent a letter over with Ranking Member Meeks about making sure that it's actually punishing the gangs and not punishing the people. Specifically, we want to make sure that the humanitarian aid that's needed for Haiti actually gets into Haiti. Have you had any kind of steps you're taking to mitigate

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes. So, we think that designating them was important because, as both you and I know, there are individuals, including living in our home state, who are in cahoots with some of these gangs. And we can talk broader about the Haiti problem because it's something I feel very passionately about. But on the point you're trying to touch on, and let's be frank here, we are concerned that humanitarian groups, in order to distribute humanitarian aid, are often charged, for lack of a better term, tolls. You've got to pay them money to let them go. Will that make them subject to sanctions because they paid somebody money to let them go through? That is not the intent of these sanctions, and we don't intend to punish them. The fundamental challenge we have in Haiti is that none of our existing international mechanisms are built for this problem set. Our international mechanisms are largely built to keep warring factions, ideological factions, tribal factions, political movements from each other. This is a country that's being threatened by 35,000 to 40,000 members of a coalition of criminal enterprises. It's basically controlled by organized crime. It's a very different mission set. So we're undertaking right now a substantial review across the interagency of what options exist to tackle a country that's being taken over by a mafia, for lack of a better term. They don't care about governing the country; they just want to control territory. So if there's no government, there's no one to— it's like allowing the mafia to take over the five boroughs of New York. That's what they're thinking. So I also want to make one more point. Why do we have an OAS if the OAS can't put together a mission to handle the most critical region in our hemisphere? And we're going to challenge the OAS to let's build a mission with regional partners to confront this. We're grateful to the Kenyans, but this is a regional problem and it should have a regional solution.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

Well, that takes me to my next question. Also, when it comes to Haiti, there's an underlying June deadline when it comes to the MSS. Could you please tell us, anyway, you're trying to handle that?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, we're going to continue to be supportive of that mission for two reasons. Number one, because it's the only mission. And number two, because of the Kenyans, and they've been very brave in their willingness to do it. And number three, because who's going to join a future mission if the previous mission was abandoned? But we don't believe the MSS mission is going to solve this problem. It could be part of the answer, but it won't alone be the answer.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

I have a lot of questions, so I'm going to run through it. The next one I want to ask you is also the biggest issue we saw with the mission is their inability to actually fight the actual gangs. Is there going to be any amendment or changes to give them the ability to fight, or is there another option you're pursuing?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think there's 2 limitations. One is the mandate that's been provided to them to be defensive in posture. Unless you go out after these gangs— I mean, just to be frank, these 30,000, 40,000 gang members have to be eliminated, put in jail, eliminated. You got to get rid of them. As long as they're around, you won't be able to have stability in the country. The other is capacity. They've had complaints about some of the equipment they've been provided. So it's a combination of not having a force posture, not having the legal authority, and not having the appropriate equipment they claim to be able to conduct some of these missions.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

And my last, since I have 1 minute, I wanted to turn towards Africa. I'm happy you talked about energy security. Specifically when it comes to energy security, we have to make forward movement when it comes to Africa because they have so many minerals. But I'm afraid some of these— our diplomatic footprint has been reduced. And I'm happy to hear that the U.S. State Department is going to have a six-point plan to bolster trade, but I still have concerns. So I wanted to ask you a few questions to see if you'd be able or willing to support this. Increasing funding to support commercial diplomacy, would you support that?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We want to increase commercial diplomacy. I don't know if we need more funding to do it, but we can certainly— we certainly want to make it a higher priority.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

And also increasing funding for financial institutions to support projects and de-risk those economies. There are many different companies who would like to invest and help us build that footprint by having more economic relationships with Africa so we can have more of a partnership in trade. Would you support increasing funds to those financial institutions?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I actually think those would lend themselves to both the Development Finance Corporation and potentially Millennium Challenge Grant opportunities outside of the traditional aid. I think Africa is looking for development. They're not looking for charity. And, by the way, we have not reduced any diplomatic footprint other than in the DRC. We had to remove some people because of riots outside of our embassy.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

Well, um, so my understanding is that you guys—

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

and the lady's time has expired.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)SPEAKER_35

Thank you so much for your time.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Baird.

Rep. James Baird (R-IN)SPEAKER_39

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Mr. Secretary. It's good to see and appreciate all that you're doing.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Thank

Rep. James Baird (R-IN)SPEAKER_39

you. But my question is going to focus on China. They've spent over two decades expanding their economic and political influence across Africa, and so becoming the continent's top trading partner and a dominant force in sectors that I think are critical to the United States' interests, particularly in agriculture and critical minerals. So, I guess I'm just asking you love and you covered part of that in your last answer, but I really want to know what part agriculture can play in advancing the U.S. political influence, economic partnerships, and national security in the face of China's growing presence.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think the one point that I would make is, are there opportunities for us to improve the agricultural capacity of many of our partner nations, including in Africa? There are certainly things you can export, and in some markets that would make sense, but we are looking for opportunities to leverage both technologies and advances to allow more productivity in the agricultural sector. And that's what these countries want, particularly in Africa. What they will tell you repeatedly over and over again is they're not interested in aid, they're interested in development. They want our assistance to develop and to develop capabilities. And we do think that there are advances in agriculture, and it's one of the things we've worked and increasingly working with the Department of Agriculture on is how can we get some of our best practices, some of our scientific innovations that have been advanced by our agricultural sector in the United States and provide them perhaps in partnership with some of these nation-states so that they can improve their own native, homegrown agricultural capabilities. We think that would be of huge advantage to many of these countries, and many of them expressed interest in being a part of that sort of consortium.

Rep. James Baird (R-IN)SPEAKER_39

I couldn't agree with you more. I think they have the resources that— I'm talking about the land and some of the other resources necessary for agriculture. Agriculture, but they just don't have the understanding of the technology that's used in agriculture today. So very good. So how can the restructured Department of State reassert American leadership in Africa, particularly through strategic investment? You were talking about investment earlier with the investment fund. Yeah,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

So what we would look to for our missions on the ground at the embassy level and ultimately through the regional bureau is for help help us to identify, because in every particular country the opportunity is going to look different. And so, as an example, we're still engaged in the DRC-Rwanda negotiations in our hope to prevent— we've gotten them to the table to sign a memorandum, but we hope they ultimately will cut a peace deal. But part of that is the ability to have American companies go in and in an in an ecologically responsible way allow the country to benefit from its mineral rights and and from its mineral wealth. And so we want to be able to do that. So embassies would identify this opportunity, they would identify this as a priority, we would empower them to pursue it and to connect them with American companies that can help in that sector. So I think that's what the restructuring is really helpful for, is it'll allow at the individual country level for our embassies and its leadership to identify the unique opportunities that exist in one country versus another country. I think in the past this has sort of been handled as a global thing as opposed to trying to specify it down to the regional and local level. We think we're going to get better results that way, because every country is unique and every sector opportunity in every country is unique.

Rep. James Baird (R-IN)SPEAKER_39

One last question, it kind of continues on in the same vein. But as your department goes under reorganization, what steps can be taken to ensure that these programs, the research—I'm talking about research—are not only maintained but also guided by appropriate expertise, proper oversight, and a clear strategy that prioritizes measurable results and returns for U.S. taxpayers? And what I'm talking about is the investment in research and agricultural research. And I'm thinking about some of the diseases we have around the world that impact our poultry and livestock: the avian flu, the screwworm, some of that sort of thing. So we got about 46 seconds.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think the answer to that is these programs ultimately have to be judged by the outcomes and by what they're producing. We have to— every single year you have to ensure that the dollar you're investing is having a return on it. And if a program goes a couple years, it may have a beautiful title, it may sound really noble, but it's not producing a result or an outcome for you, not just in the agricultural space but in any space, we have to walk away from the program no matter what it's titled. We have a lot of programs that have great titles But, but have not resulted in any measurable positive outcome for 20 years.

Rep. James Baird (R-IN)SPEAKER_39

Thank you very much. I couldn't agree with you more.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair now recognizes Representative Moskowitz.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me extend my condolences to the Connolly family. Jerry's wit will be missed in this Congress. And so in the spirit of Jerry, let me say, Mr. Secretary, that I am deeply disappointed and find your performance as the National Archivist extremely underwhelming. And just for the record, we don't get to confirm here in Congress, but if we did, I would have voted against your confirmation as the National Archivist.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That vote never happened. So

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

I know I want to talk about Iran for a second, okay? I'm deeply concerned about the language that I'm seeing from the isolationist wing of the party. And I've been kind of shocked that the administration seems to be tougher on Canada, Greenland, than they are on Iran. The Ayatollah insults our president. If the language coming from the Ayatollah was coming from Canada, or Greenland, or the EU, the president wouldn't stand for it. Yet he allows it from the Ayatollah. Is it your recommendation— I understand that you can't guarantee what Trump would or would not do, but is your recommendation to the president that he sign no deal that allows Iran to keep enrichment?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, here's the answer to that question is the president has made clear that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. He's also been clear, and I think you've seen this in statements over the weekend, for example, that Ambassador Witkoff did on television and the like, that if you have an enrichment capability at any level, you are but steps away from a nuclear weapon. So, I think that's why the no-enrichment piece is so important.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Of course, and that was the issues that many people had with the JCPOA, as they felt that it kept the enrichment capability along with ballistic missile capability, which Iran now has, a delivery system. And so what I'm trying to figure out is there are many players in this, and I'm going to ask about those, but is it your recommendation, should the president ask of it, I assume he would, is it your recommendation to the president that he sign no deal that keeps their ability to enrich?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, and he doesn't need that recommendation because he's already said that.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Okay. Is it the Vice President's position in your conversations with VP Vance that he also does not believe Iran should have any enrichment? Well,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm not going to describe our conversations, but I can tell you the vice president is completely aligned with the president in his foreign policy.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

So that is his position then,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

the position that they shouldn't have enrichment?

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Yeah. Is that— is that the vice president?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

If they have enrichment, then they will have a weapon, or at least they'll be a near And everybody in the administration has been consistent on that.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Okay, what about Mr. Witkoff? Is it his position that Iran should not be able to have any enrichment capabilities as part

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

He has said so in public interviews as recently as this weekend, that this is not an enrichment deal, what level Iran gets to keep enrichment. What they have said is if Iran wants a civil nuclear program, like they want to have nuclear energy, there's ways to do that. Other countries have done it without enrichment. That opportunity is available to Iran if they seek it. They haven't been interested in it because they want to keep enrichment. That's the crux of what we're facing here.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

So any deal, the Trump administration, is not going to look anything like JCPOA, is that your position?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

The Trump administration has been very clear that Iran will not get to enrich because if they enrich, they're a threshold nuclear power.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Okay, I want to shift for a second. There was just a leak that is now national news that Israel is poised to strike Iran. Where did that leak come from in the administration? Do we know what department leaked that? Is that being looked into?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I'm not aware of the leak that you're discussing. I'm obviously— I wouldn't discuss intelligence matters and even verify whether it's even true. I also don't think it's a mystery, though, irrespective— I'm not talking about the leak, I'm not talking about the news story— that Israel has made clear that they retain the option of action to limit Iran from ever gaining a nuclear capability. I don't think that's a mystery, but I wouldn't comment— if I had read the article, I wouldn't comment on intelligence matters, confirm or deny them. As far as leaks are concerned, I don't know. I read stuff in the news every single day that I look at and say I don't know where these people are coming up with

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

They're giving polygraph tests in FEMA to determine where leaks are coming from. That's been well reported and not disputed by anyone in the administration, that they're literally going employee to employee, sitting them down, putting them up to a polygraph, putting them up to an oxygen monitor, trying to test their heart rate to figure out if they're leaking to the media. Is that sort of same application that is happening in FEMA going to be applied to national security team and to the State Department to figure out who is leaking, whether—

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

As far as I'm aware, we've not conducted any polygraph tests at the Department of State. Maybe we should, but we

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

haven't. Okay. All right. So I just want— I just want to be clear, because there is a lot of confusion depending on the day, the week, and a lot of the reporting that's coming out is that any Iran deal, is it your recommendation that that should go to Congress to— I

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

actually think the law requires it. If you recall, we passed legislation here a few years ago, and it requires that Congress has a right to weigh in on any deal and could actually reverse any deal. I forgot the acronym for the bill, but it was one that was passed a few years ago, and I was in the Senate when it passed. It was after JCPOA.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)SPEAKER_06

Okay. Thank you, Mr.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chairman. I yield back. Chair now recognizes Representative Barr.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)SPEAKER_21

Secretary Rubio, thank you for your leadership in refocusing American diplomacy towards the national interest, not not just towards what might make us feel good and what might be actually counterproductive to the national interest in the name of humanitarian goals. Last year, the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that five venture capital firms funneled more than $1.9 billion into artificial intelligence companies that support China's human rights abuses or military modernization. At least another $1.2 billion went into the PRC's semiconductor industry. Recently, there was a $75 million venture capital investment into a Chinese artificial intelligence firm, Manus. Do you agree that controls on American investments or non-U.S. investments into the Chinese military-industrial complex companies are necessary to protect our national security?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes, and I would further say that because of the military commercial fusion in China, virtually any company that's owned and controlled under Chinese national security laws are basically extensions of the Chinese military.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)SPEAKER_21

In February, as you well know, President Trump issued a national security memorandum titled, quote, "America First Investment Policy." And that that memorandum directs federal agencies to address outbound investments and targets both entities and sensitive technologies. My bill, the FIGHT China Act, which I introduced with Senator Cornyn, aligns with this memorandum. And this legislation builds upon my legislation in previous Congresses that that authorized OFAC to to impose SDN sanctions on CMIC companies. Do you agree that this new bill that Senator Cornyn and I introduced that has an approach that not only authorizes sanctions on the Treasury CMIC list, but that also restricts investment into these clearly identified sensitive technologies, that having that supplement to the to legislation is important to get at these non-listed projects in China?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, again, I haven't seen the bill, but I think the concept you're outlining is in full alignment with the president's executive order, and that is to both look at individual companies that are being invested in, but also specific technologies at the cutting edge in particular, and especially those that have applications that could be contrary to our national security if in the wrong hands. And certainly the Chinese Communist Party would be the wrong hand.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)SPEAKER_21

Yeah, I'm concerned that if we rely exclusively on entity lists, that we're going to be missing venture capital and private equity investments in non-public companies in China that nevertheless threaten our national security. If they can go on a list for clarity, great. And I want a red light, green light approach to provide the private sector with clarity and certainty. But I do think we're under-inclusive if we just rely on publicly traded entities on these lists. Let me ask you a question about the border work, Secretary Rubio. How is it— obviously, you've had great success. Border crossings are down by 95%. 65,000 dangerous illegal immigrants, including 2,288 gang members from Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other gangs have been arrested. How is it that after only four months in office, we've seen President Trump retake operational control of the border and return these criminal migrants to their countries of origins when the previous administration told the American people time and time again we had to have comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform, they their hands were tied

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

because under the previous administration it was abundantly clear that if you got into this country, your chances of being able to stay were very high, whether you got in illegally or legally. Under the current administration, it's clear that if you'd get into this country unlawfully, you're going to be removed the way the law requires. It's entirely incentive-based. The truth of the matter is what we faced over the last few years is not illegal immigration. We've had illegal immigration throughout our history and every country in the world faces it. What we've had is mass migration. We've had it here, we've had it in Europe, but we've had it here, a mass migration event, which is dangerous and frankly nothing humanitarian about mass migration for the migrants who are often abused along the way. The message has gotten out that we're no longer going to allow you to stay if you enter illegally. By— through some legal maneuver, once you arrive here, you say magic words, you immediately kick off the asylum process, and you're going to get to stay for an indeterminate period of time. And once it became clear that that was no longer the case, the incentive to come was dramatically reduced. And as a result, you've seen the border crossing numbers, which have given us the most secure border in our lifetime.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)SPEAKER_21

Well, it's pretty clear that it wasn't legislation we needed. We needed a new commander in chief and a new secretary of state. And we appreciate and applaud the great work that you all have done. Um, my time has expired, so I will yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chair recognizes Representative Jackson.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

Thank you so much. And we acknowledge that we miss our dear colleague, kindly thank him for his years of service. Mr. Speaker, it was 39 years ago here in Washington, D.C., I was arrested while protesting against the apartheid government in South Africa's white minority that had a non-minority white, for the greater part of the latter half of the 20th century, held captive, if you will, in bondage, which sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against its Black citizens. I believe your policies on South Africa at this point in your career are wrong precisely because either you do not understand the history of the country or you have grown indifferent, and I beg that you go to your higher nature. That being said, I want to ask you about President Trump ending U.S. government support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility that promotes fairness in hiring and helps make our national security workforce the strongest it can be. In the name of advancing an anti-woke agenda, he has given himself permission to break the law, attacking congressionally mandated efforts that have enjoyed bipartisan consensus for decades. I believe not only in diversity is our strength as a country, but if, in fact, our workforce does not reflect our population, then it merits an inquiry into what are the impediments that are leading to that outcome. Would you agree with that latter statement, that diversity is our strength?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I think unity is our strength.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

Okay. That we're a

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

diverse nation is important. Well,

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

those words, you would think that they were mine. They actually are recorded from you in your Senate hearing in July of 2022. Further, do you believe that following the law is important? Yes or no?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We follow the law every day.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

Okay. Well, you wear so many hats, it must be difficult to keep track of all the laws that you have supported. But yes, you did vote in favor of the bill. And I want to read a section of the bill that you did support. It's Section 5403 of the 2022 NDAA, requires that the State Department to strengthen recruitment of people belonging to underrepresented groups. I know Mr. Trump has asked you all not to say that as Cabinet officials, and I hope you have the guts to tell the president on some matters he is simply wrong. Mandating outreach to universities, employees' affinity groups, and expanding paid student internships are among the actions. So I would like to know, do you stand by strengthening diversity within the ranks of the State Department?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I stand by hiring the best people to do the job, irrespective of their background, their race, color. So you're

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

going against the very law that you had once supported, which I find highly contradictory and hypocritical. I hope that you would have the courage of your convictions, be the Marco Rubio, the senator that we knew, and not the Secretary of State that is now capitulating to that of a tyrant and that of Mr., of Donald Trump. At this point, I would like to yield the balance of my time

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

back

CROSSTALK

to

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

the Honorable Sarah McBride. And I thank you so much for your time.

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE)SPEAKER_34

Thank you.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

The president was elected, as far as I recall.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)SPEAKER_05

I've yielded my time, sir.

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE)SPEAKER_34

Thank you, Representative Jackson. Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for joining us. We've talked a bit about the administration's proposed almost 84% cut in the international affairs budget, not just the USAID budget, but the international affairs budget, which includes the State Department. But I want to hone in on one line in particular, which is a 71% cut in the account that includes international disaster assistance. Now, we got a glimpse into what this reality would look like if this budget was implemented back in March when the administration, when the U.S.'s response to a devastating earthquake in Burma was dwarfed by China's response. I think China's response was about 15 times greater than our response. Now, after that, we sent a letter to you that, unfortunately, we did not get a response to, asking several questions about the administration's decisions to essentially turn our back on the people of Burma. Now, as you said, foreign assistance, including international disaster assistance, is not a charity. It's a strategic investment. And when we were not there in Burma, it allowed China to fill the void. So, I guess my question is, did you advise the president then, or are you advising the president to make decisions that pull the United States back from the world stage and allow China to play the good cop, eat our lunch on the international aid stage, and increase China's soft power?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

China spends, even now, a fraction of what we spend on foreign aid. It's not even close. It's a laughable difference. As far as Burma, the reason why—we did respond to Burma. The problem is that the junta there hates us and they're pro-China, and they were still bombing their own people right after the event happened.

Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE)SPEAKER_34

As you as a senator— time has

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

expired.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

I yield back, Chairman.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Representative Davidson is recognized.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Secretary, thank you for being President Trump's Secretary of State. People back home love you, think you're doing an awesome job, and they would want me to relay that to you, and I certainly feel it as well. So thank you. Secretary Rubio, Ukraine has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid. We've given Ukraine well over $200 billion in aid since the war began, since Russia invaded them, and I've voted against all of it, despite Zelenskyy's claims that, quote, "When it's said that Ukraine received $200 billion in support to the army during the war, that's not true. We received about $76 billion. It's significant aid, but it's not $200 billion." Mr. Secretary, I actually am concerned that President Zelenskyy is right. As I chair the Committee on National Security and Illicit Finance, I'm highly concerned that there's a lot of illicit finance there. Frankly, Republicans tried hard in the Senate and in the House to get a special inspector general there. But when you see things like that, there's a lot of concern. We know the previous administration wasn't following the money. Will you commit that you're following the money, and can you give us an update?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes. Obviously, all of our aid is going to be analyzed. We have inspector generals. We have this particular inspector general on that account that will look at all of that spending. And if we ever identify misappropriation or movements around, then then we will certainly address it. But I think the broader point, and it's the one you make, is that we've provided extraordinary amounts of assistance to Ukraine, but this war now has to come to an end. There is no military solution to this war. It only ends in a negotiated settlement, and the sooner it ends, the less people are going to die, the less money is going to be spent, and the less destruction there's going to be. And that's the president's number one priority, end the war once and for all. For 3 years, no one did anything to end it, and he is doing more than anyone ever has, and he's the only one in the world that can. Now, obviously, it'll take two sides to agree to it, but the president has expended a— and we should be very proud that we have a president that's pursuing peace and not new wars.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

I introduced the Define the Mission Act when they first went to war, because normally that's what you do first. Tell me what you're trying to accomplish, and then I can tell you whether I agree with the kind of resources you're asking for. We never could pass that. We never got a clear answer from the previous administration. So thank you for leading this effort on behalf of the president to define the mission, that we will help secure a peace. And one of those big steps was a minerals deal. I want to be clear that that agreement on minerals with Ukraine doesn't include security guarantees, does it?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

There are no military guarantees, correct?

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

Yeah, thank you for that. And I just want to turn now, as the founding chairman of the Greenland Caucus, to another area where we have the opportunity to talk about minerals, not just Arctic security, but Arctic opportunity, in a place where maybe it would make sense to include security guarantees. Can you give us an update on the administration's thinking about Greenland and the importance of that relationship?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, the administration's view is twofold. Number one, we respect the sovereignty and self-determination of the people of Greenland, whatever they decide they want to do and what direction they're going to go. And number two, that Greenland is critical to global security because of its location, its geopolitical importance. That is not new. That has been known, and that has been viewed for a very long time. It's why we've had a military presence there since World War II—since before World War II, but certainly since then and during the Cold War. It is located in a part of the world in the Arctic region that we believe is going to become increasingly important in terms of global security, and we don't want to see Greenland fall under the influence of China or Russia or any other potential adversary. We want to ensure that it remains safe, and it's strategically important. And that's his primary view. He views it as critically important to global security.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

Yeah, it's well said, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for that. And our caucus would love to work with you and the State Department, whomever you designate to work with on Greenland issues in particular. We've been in touch with people there, people in Denmark, and really look forward to helping, from the legislative perspective, support the administration's objectives there. You highlight China, and they are working with Canada and the European Union to really counter what the U.S. and the administration are trying to do, and I'm really concerned about that relationship with China. I think one of the cornerstones of American strength is the power of the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency. As we talk about stablecoins and the future of money, China is trying to counter that. Could you talk about the future of money and the role of China?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, obviously, China is trying to create an alternative world order that they dominate, and we obviously are not in favor of that and will not allow that to happen. And one of the best things that we can do is get our own fiscal house in order.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)SPEAKER_30

Yeah, well said. I think the future of money is one of the most important debates that we're having. China has implemented an Orwellian central bank digital currency. They're trying to impose that in the United States, and unfortunately, they have allies, people in our own government that want to build a central bank digital currency, link it to digital ID. I will submit that we are not going to counter China by being more like China. And I thank the administration for leading with that, saying, We're not going to embrace a central bank digital currency here, and working to bolster the strength of the dollar as the world's reserve currency. Thank you. My time has expired, and I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Recognize Representative Stanton.

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)SPEAKER_11

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Before I make some remarks, I just want to say, as was said earlier, Gerry Connolly, who we lost today, a great member of this body, a passionate advocate for the people of Virginia, particularly public servants working in the federal workforce. He was a mentor to so many of us who came into Congress after he started, and just one of the greats, and he will be missed dearly. Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for being here today. In 2016, you warned, quote, "the world without American engagement is a world none of us wants to live with," unquote. I couldn't agree more, and I bring it up today because the threat from China has grown, not just due to global shifts outside of our control, but because of political choices by this administration—short-term moves with no thought for long-term consequences. The Chinese Communist Party has spent years claiming America is too divided to lead and too unstable to trust. When you became Secretary, many of us hoped you would help lead the fight to combat this propaganda because that's exactly what you did so well serving in the United States Senate. For example, Mr. Chairman, without objection, I'd like to submit for the record the August 2023 op-ed written by then-Senator Rubio on this very subject. Without objection. Secretary Rubio, in this op-ed, you wrote that strong, credible deterrence against Beijing is the best way to keep, quote, "far-flung controversy from impacting our way of life." You added, quote, "If there's even a hint that the United States will not honor its security commitments, it will encourage Beijing to engage in more hostility to test our resolve." I thought your framing was especially smart here because you weren't just warning about policy; you were making the case for credibility. And I couldn't agree more with then-Senator Rubio. But here you are today as Secretary Rubio presenting a very different record. As Secretary, we've seen you defend or be complicit in reckless foreign policy that Senator Rubio once warned against, like strategically incoherent tariffs that alienate our allies, alliance-breaking decisions that weaken our national security, partnership neglect that isolates us, abandoned commitments that shred our credibility and hand China easy propaganda wins. None of this is deterring China, Mr. Secretary. In fact, my concern is that unless we course-correct and fast, this administration is handing Beijing a string of I told you so moments that only strengthen their position. Look no further than the Vice President. In February, Vice President Vance took the stage of the Munich Security Conference not to criticize our adversaries, but, in a rather stunning moment, to attack our allies. In fact, he literally said, quote, "the threat that I worry about most vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it is the threat from within," unquote. And just last month, the Ipsos global poll found that U.S. favorability fell in 26 out of 29 countries in just six short months. It's also the first time in the poll's history that more people now view China, not the United States, as the world's most positive influence. That's not just a perception problem. That's a strategic failure and the cost of inconsistency. Speaking of costs, these policies have also having Americans on edge as well. In Arizona, my home state, at Phoenix Sky Harbor alone, we have more than $750 million in annual exports at risk. Chipmakers in Chandler in my district face increasing costs driven by the unpredictability and supply chain disruptions. At Arizona State University in my district, we rely on international students for tuition, research, and talent. They're being run off by the chaotic immigration policy that flies in the face of American values. The so-called brain drain is real, and it's tipping the balance of global innovation away from the United States. The challenge in this next century won't be fought on battlefields. It'll be the fight to shape the future—technology, trade, global trust. And if we keep turning our back on what makes America strong, we risk giving China the upper hand. I yield the rest of my time to Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)SPEAKER_33

Thank you, Representative Stanton. Secretary, in the few seconds I have, I just wanted to go back to something you said earlier about wanting people to stop dying, and I hope that that includes our Afghan allies, 14,000 of whom were fully vetted and were ready for relocation to the United States, but that has been stopped by this administration and by you. And these are including interpreters who were actually in the foxholes with our servicemen and women helping to keep them alive. I would hope that you would stand by our allies and reverse this ban so that we can protect our national security interests and also retain credibility that we need with our allies and partners around the world. Thank you, and I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

yields back. And I think you left off your list the $100 billion Taiwan Semiconductor investment into Arizona. Now I recognize Representative Lawler.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, thank you for being here. I want to thank you for your leadership in getting Edan Alexander released last week. That is a big step forward. We still have four remaining American hostages being held, all of whom are deceased. I just continue to encourage you and the administration to continue to lead on that front to get them home. Last Congress, we passed legislation to create a special envoy for the Abraham Accords within the Department of State. The Biden administration refused to fill that position. I know we have the Middle East envoy, but I would ask, can you commit to bringing this forward to the President so that we can get this position filled?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes, that's in process.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

Thank you very much. Obviously, the Abraham Accords was one of the most consequential foreign policy initiatives under the first Trump administration, and prior to October 7th, I think we were making progress. But since obviously it has somewhat stalled, how critical long-term for peace do you believe it is for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, and where do you see that in the process?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think it would be a major development, one that I thought was moving in a positive direction until, as you said, October 7th. I think there's still a willingness to do it. Certain conditions are impediments, October 7th being one of them, but the Saudis have continued to express an interest, as have the Israelis, in reaching that agreement. In the meantime, we do have an Abraham Accords office that is actively working to identify a number of countries who have lined up and already— and I think we may have good news certainly before the end of this year of a number of more countries that are willing to join that alliance. And the last point I would make is it's also critically important that we do all we can to live up to the commitments made on the part of the United States on behalf of the countries that previously joined the alliance, be it the UAE, which is part of the effort for this trip this weekend—it wasn't some of these other nefarious purposes—is to continue to strengthen the commitments that were made to the UAE as part of the Abraham Accords, but also Morocco and other countries such as this. So, I think that this is important that we continue to build on it. But you start building by ensuring the countries that are already a part of it feel like our part of the bargain has been lived up to.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

Agree. You were a very strong voice against the BDS movement when you were in the Senate, and as you know, there is a loophole in the current anti-boycott law that was signed by President Trump that allows intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations to pressure U.S. companies into supporting boycotts against U.S. allies like Israel. I have introduced the IGO Anti-Boycott Act to close that loophole and hold the United Nations to the same standard as foreign governments that is already in law. Would you support closing that loophole?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, again, like any legislation, I'd want to see it, but the concept you've outlined is one that I think the administration will be very supportive of.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

Appreciate it. I know my colleague Mr. Moskowitz touched on the Iran nuclear framework that is being negotiated. I think we can all agree that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, and I know you and the administration are working to prevent that, so appreciate your efforts on that.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yeah, if I could respond. Iran, while they claim to never want a nuclear weapon, if you ask them, they'd say, We're not interested in a nuclear weapon. We're just interested in enrichment. The problem is that if you can enrich at any level, 3.67 or whatever, you're 80% of the way there. All that requires now is a few months or weeks of time to get to the weapons grade. It makes them a threshold nuclear power. The Iranian position is they want civil nuclear energy, and if they want civil nuclear energy, meaning they want nuclear electricity for their country, nuclear-generated electricity, there is a pathway to doing that. Multiple countries around the world do it without an enrichment capability. If, on the other hand, they want an enrichment capability, then that is—that makes them a threshold nuclear weapons power, and that's an unacceptable outcome. And that's the reason why we have a problem with what they're doing now, and it's the reason why the president is imposing maximum pressure every single day. Increasing number of sanctions are going on, and it's the reason, by the way, why the E3, the European 3, are on the verge of instituting snapback sanction provisions against them by October of this year.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

I want to thank you. When it comes to maximum pressure, last Congress you and I led the SHIP Act. We passed that into law, and this administration has already taken significant steps to enforce the SHIP Act as well as the Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act to go after the financial institutions facilitating the trade. We previously, in a markup, passed the ENHANCE Iran Sanctions Act to expand the authorities. Would you support that effort to continue to provide the administration with enhanced capabilities to crack down on this illicit oil trade?

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Absolutely.

Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)SPEAKER_16

Very good. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Representative Costa.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for this important hearing today. I, too, like many of our colleagues here today, mourn the loss of our dear friend, Gerry Connolly, and our thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Mr. Secretary, there are a couple different issues I want to touch upon here that have been raised, but I would like clarity on. First of all, would you agree that the transatlantic alliance, the partnership post-World War II, has been a hallmark of freedom throughout the world?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Yes, and it continues to be a strong feature of our foreign policy.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

Yes. You said that you had not discussed post closures as it relates to those in Europe as part of your overhaul of the State Department. Four are in France, three in Germany, one in Italy, one in Portugal, one in Brazil—not Europe, but—and then I thought you said that no determination has yet been made with those post closures?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

There— no, there was an article. Some of these are cultural places like— I forget the exact ones, but they're not even embassies or consulates, but they're not being closed. But I don't know where these things are coming from. I mean, people are putting stuff out there. Now, if

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

you could respond with a letter on that point, I would appreciate that.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Sure. Well, I can tell you this, the Consul

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

consulate in Portugal is our oldest

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

What's

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

And the consul general's post in Portugal is our oldest historically. I

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

don't know where that's coming from. I mean, that's— okay, press

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

report. We'll clear that up later on. Mr. Secretary, America has been a beacon of light for democracy post-World War II, certainly, and almost every president has been used as a voice of a defender of democratic principles. Do you agree that China and Russia are our adversaries today, along with Iran, I might add?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I think both—well, there's no doubt in the case of China seeks to replace us on the world stage as the world as the world's most powerful country. In the case of Russia, they clearly are—do not support a world order in which the United States is plays the role it's currently played, so are they're an adversary in that front. In the case of Iran, they're a threat to regional peace. I wouldn't say they're a global threat, but they're an increasing threat.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

No, I understand. And I would even go further. I consider today modern-day Russia a syndicate masquerading as a country with a mob boss called putin. And so, in these negotiations, I want to do a comparative analogy. The president has indicated that with Iran, as we've noted, that maximum pressure are the tactics that will be used to engage Iran to ensure that they do not obtain nuclear capability. Is that correct?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Maximum pressure on Iran,

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

right?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's compelling them to not seek a nuclear weapon,

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

right?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Correct. Or the alternative is worse.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

Yes. In the negotiations that the president is trying to seek a ceasefire and a peace between Ukraine and Russia, I would like to ask you why the president has not considered using maximum pressure on Russia to ensure—which we have the ability to do so, sanctions are being considered, as you know, over in the Senate, additional sanctions—to pressure Russia into a ceasefire mode and to a cease—and to a peace agreement, realizing that they've broken the last three agreements they've had with Ukraine in the last 20 years?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think the president has made clear that he understands clearly he has options with increased sanctions on Russia if necessary. He would prefer that they agree to a peace deal, and so it's a process of trying to encourage them to reach peace. If ultimately that doesn't work, the president has publicly stated he's very well aware of the sanctions options, devastating sanctions options that he has.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

And I just want to make sure that we're clear about this, because we have leverage on Russia, and it's not clear to me that we're using it in the same sense that we're using it with Iran. And I think, frankly, we and our allies must be together in defending democracy. And certainly, Ukraine is a democratic and intending to become more democratic, wants to join with the West, with the European Union, as well as ultimately with NATO. And I think Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states are watching very carefully to America's commitment to Ukraine. Let me go on quickly here. The effort was raised and you commented on Armenia and Azerbaijan, another country that—Azerbaijan that has not kept its commitments in the Minsk Accord. We tried to get Republican and Democratic administrations to forego the waiver on Section 907 on military aid to Azerbaijan. Finally, last year, the Biden administration rightfully refused to issue the waiver. I think it should be permanent. What is your position, and will you commit to not resisting Section 907 waiver again this year that would block military aid to Azerbaijan?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, we haven't made a determination on that yet because what we're focused on right now is getting them to agree to a peace agreement that does not cause them to invade a neighboring country in Armenia. We would like to prevent that from happening. The president's very committed to preventing wars, and we've tried to outline to both sides, especially the Azerbaijani side, the tremendous benefits that would come from signing a peace deal and not engaging in a war that we would find to be destructive, counterproductive, and the last thing we need right now in the region.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

And Armenia is looking for our help and our support.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Representative Kean is recognized.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)SPEAKER_26

I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ)SPEAKER_17

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Secretary, it's good to see you here today, and thank you for joining us. As we evaluate the State Department's budget and posture, we must ensure that its structure, priorities, and resources are aligned to effectively advance U.S. national interests. That includes ensuring global health assistance is targeted, transparent, and focused on delivering life-saving care where it is needed most. PEPFAR has been an incredibly successful global health program over the past 20 years, and it's something that America should be proud of. However, the world has changed in those 20 years, and the U.S. should begin helping other countries take ownership of their HIV prevention and treatment efforts. To ensure success, we should make sure that there are planned, predictable, and negotiated time frames. So in this committee's efforts to reauthorize the State Department, how can we define in statute the mission of the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy to facilitate transfer of ownership for global health programs to partner countries?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's a great question that we'd have to collaborate on in terms of statutorily defining what those benchmarks are. But I think the broader point is the best foreign aid is foreign aid that comes to an end because it's achieved its purpose. In the case of PEPFAR, where today 85% of its recipients are still receiving assistance, you want to reach a point in which one of two things happens: the transmission of the disease stops, but also the partner nation has built the capacity to be able handle it handle it themselves. Not PEPFAR-specific, but many of these programs, what ends up happening is even if they do achieve their initial goals, it now morphs into some new target that's created in order to continue to sustain the program. So ideally, what you want to see is foreign aid that goes into a country, deals with the acute problem, but ultimately helps the country have the capacity to deal with the chronic problem, to prevent it from having becoming a problem. And I think that's the ideal benchmark. You define it through a period of time, through gains year over year, and ultimately designed to increase partner capacity so the day will come where they can self-sustain. I think many of these countries would like to see that happen. What cannot continue is this open-ended spending all across the world on all kinds of things. We just can't do that. We are, by far—it's not even close, we're by far the most generous nation on Earth on foreign aid, by far, and will continue to be, by far, with no other equal, including China, despite all this alarmist stuff. But at the same time, it's got to be forward our national interest, and it cannot be throwing away taxpayer money.

Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ)SPEAKER_17

So, recently, companies have begun developing novel HIV prevention therapies that last longer and can increase adherence, improving HIV prevention outcomes and reduce costs. As this committee seeks to reauthorize the State Department, how can we ensure that the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy is encouraged to quickly deploy these American innovations to PEPFAR partner countries?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I think at the statutory front, we can— in the reorganization, in fact, if you're able to do a reauthorization, we can build that into the law and into the requirements. From a management perspective, it's what we should expect of our people. In essence, every single year when we engage in something, you have to be able to outline how is this in the national interest, how do you measure success, and it has to be analyzed on a regular basis to ensure that it's delivering. You don't want to be 10 years into a program before you realize you spent all this money on a title that sounds good, but you didn't get the outcome. And now you got to keep funding it or someone will come up here and create a protest or, you know, lead an effort. We have this entire thing called— I call it the foreign aid industrial complex of NGO on top NGO on top of NGO who have built this massive monster complex of foreign aid. In some cases, one project has like 15 subcontractors underneath it before it finally reaches a local partner. That's outrageous. We cannot allow that to build and continue to to build in that way.

Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ)SPEAKER_17

Okay. And then New Jersey boasts an unrivaled biotech industry that provides many products to the PEPFAR program, including HIV diagnostics. As you integrate PEPFAR's functions into the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, how are you looking to ensure that diagnostics will continue to be a key component of the PEPFAR program?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's great insight. That's the kind of input we want to see. And that's the kind of input we want to work with you on and, and members of this committee on. These are the kinds of things that we can build ultimately in a, in a, in an authorization bill, but more importantly, in our internal practices, again, to ensure that when we're providing aid, it's the right aid and the kind of aid that helps us beat the— meet the benchmarks that we've set.

Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ)SPEAKER_17

And how does PEPFAR fit into your broader vision of foreign assistance that advances U.S. national security and global health security objectives?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

It's a program we're proud of. It's one of the first programs we restored after the 90-day pause. Even before that, it's one of the first programs that, as I've highlighted here today, 85% of the recipients are on it. But it does need improvement. The program does need improvement.

Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ)SPEAKER_17

Thank you. Yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Representative Amo.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Rubio, do you know what this is?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm sorry if my LASIK is not as good,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

That's all right, I'll explain. This is a ready-to-use therapeutic food, also known as a RUTF. It's produced in the United States by Edesia Nutrition in Rhode Island and MANA Nutrition in Georgia from American-grown farm products. A single box that I have right here of this miracle product can save a child from dying of severe acute malnutrition in only 6 to 10 weeks. Now, since January, you have promised over and over again that foreign aid freezes will not include lifesaving assistance. RUTFs save the lives of children who are starving around the world. Do you agree that this product is lifesaving aid?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

It can be, yes.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Well, Secretary Rubio, the World Food Program estimates that 8,000 children die from hunger every day. Until last Friday, over 123,000 RUTF boxes were purchased for Sudan, but were sitting in Rhode Island in a warehouse because of State Department delays. So my question for you is, are you doing everything you can to keep starving children from—

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

was no State Department delays to that being deployed. There may have been other delays, but it wasn't State Department.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

There were State Department delays. And it is clear that you have not done everything you can do to keep these kids from starving because there are another 108— there are another 185,000 boxes of RUTFs that the US government and taxpayers have already paid for sitting in that same warehouse, all because the State Department doesn't have a plan, doesn't have its stuff together to get this rolling. So, I can think of several countries where this aid is desperately needed, where these boxes of RUTFs could save hundreds of thousands of children's lives. And these delays have real consequences, not just for starving children, but also jobs at home. I talked to the CEO of Edesia, who said they had to lay off 10% of their team due to the lack of payments from the US government and a lack of clarity in March. So, Secretary Rubio, will you commit to making the decisions needed to move the remaining 185,000 boxes of RUTFs to countries that need them by the end of this week?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, I'd be interested to learn what those impediments are. Well,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

we've been talking about this for a while. I've sent you letters since January.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

There's no impediment on our end.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

There are impediments. I'm speaking directly

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

today is a war zone.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. This exists as a problem and you have not acted.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's false.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

And maybe it's the case that you have too many jobs, because I know it's the case. It must be a lot to be the national security adviser, the national archivist, the head of USAID. That's a lot. I understand a lot of footballs. You're a football player. That's a lot of balls to catch. But the issue here is we have children who are dying. So will you commit to continuing to fund the production, transportation, and distribution of these domestically produced lifesaving products to save starving children around the world?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

They're approved now.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

They are not moving. I just told you about 185,000 boxes in Rhode Island. I— and you

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

need to figure out why they're not moving, because it isn't an impediment from us,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

sir. You need to figure out. That's actually your job, sir.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, there's no impediment from the State Department. Well, Mr. Secretary,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

it seems like you will not make a commitment. It's— sir, it seems like you refuse to make— we

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

do more of that than anybody in the world, and we're going to continue to do it. We're going to continue to do food aid. We're going to do more food aid than any country on the planet times 10.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Well, that's a lot of talk, but I believe those are numbers. Seeing is believing, and there is not to be seen.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Those are numbers. Those are facts. We do more foreign aid. Well,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

I've got numbers. I've got 185,000 boxes that aren't moving.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

So, so the State Department— I'm

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

going to do you a little favor.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We authorized them.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Mr. Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. I'm going to do

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

you a favor. Well, you ask questions you don't want anybody to answer. I'm telling you, and

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

I have a question for you. So, and you're compelled to answer. Why don't you take 10 seconds now to turn to your staff and say, let's get this fixed?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

My staff knows that this has been fixed. No, it hasn't been fixed. Well,

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

then you have not proven that to me. If the people who are affected both here domestically and around the world are not receiving this life-saving product, they are receiving it. Look, You staked your, your career in the Senate on supporting humanitarian aid, but now you won't make a commitment, or you're saying things have been done that haven't been done. You've made a commitment.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

We do more food aid than anybody in the world.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

You

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

are talking in

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

generalities. Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. You are speaking in generalities. I'm talking about specifics.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

I'm speaking in specifics. We do more than anybody in the world, and we're doing more than anybody in the world right now at this

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

very moment. That's hyperbole, sir, because this has been disrupted because of you. Your freezing of aid.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Who does more food aid than the United States?

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

sir? You— why are you asking me questions? My job is to ask you questions.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

You're the one that's claiming that.

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. Secretary, I'm reclaiming my time. This is why I'm introducing the RUBIO Act, so you focus on the one job that the Senate gave you: to serve as our secretary of State, because you are clearly distracted, okay? After the last few months, I understand why President Trump has such colorful nicknames for you. You're obedient. You're following the rules. You will do anything the president tells you to do without regard for the law, the Constitution, America's security or standing as a leader in the world. Unlike you, I do not fear crossing Donald Trump. I refuse to give up on these children. I will be calling you once a week until you take action to fund RAFT and actually prove that you're doing this job to make sure you know how many children have died on your watch. Will you pick up my call?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No children are dying. Will

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

you pick up my call, sir?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Pick up your call

Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)SPEAKER_28

when I call you to check in on your progress.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Our progress is already being made. Representative Mills is recognized No, but he's made some strong accusations here. We're doing more than anybody in the world. That food is being distributed now, and he knows that.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Very good. Representative Mills is recognized.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL)SPEAKER_31

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I can tell you I won't be reclaiming any time, Secretary. I will make sure that you have the opportunity to answer questions. I think that you've done an amazing job. I think that well before you actually became secretary, when you were sitting in the Senate, you proved yourself as a leader in foreign affairs. I can remember you and I when we were campaigning in '22 together, we were at an event with Ron DeSantis in my district, and we sat and talked about foreign policy. And you're one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever met with, so thank you for stepping up to the challenge. I also want to go ahead and rebut a couple of things because I believe, as you do, that history, an understanding of history and the understanding of our seven Articles, 27 Amendments in our Constitution, is what makes you a good legislator and a good member of the federal government. They keep talking about this $400 million plane gift to Qatar, and you tried to answer this multiple times, but I want to paint some history here. In 1945, U.S. President FDR gifted a Douglas DC-3 to King Abdulaziz, which marked the beginning of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia. This airplane is nothing more than a reason to complain about the president that knows how to advance U.S. interests, and it's actually more about trying to conflate optics with actual outcomes. This is a longstanding history, and so I just want to go ahead and let people know what that actually is. Now, as you know, I was one of the first members of Congress to go to Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, met with the incoming and transitional government, with al-Sharaa, with al-Shaibani, and with his transitional government. I absolutely support the idea of lifting the sanctions on a conditions-metrics base, which is allowing them to not only rebuild Syria—because for those of us who understand history, the road to Damascus travels through Baghdad. We know there's twin and sister cities, and we know that the stability of Syria ultimately impacts the outcome and the stability of the region. I think that what al-Sharaa has done to show inclusivity and plurality is commendable in the beginning. I mean, he has one of his ministers who is a female Alawite who I spoke with who said, I have full authorization, not just window dressing. He has actually talked about the plurality and inclusiveness of the government and its elections to guarantee that the Druze, the Alawites, the Christians, the Muslims, and all who are there will actually be a part of the incoming government and elections. He's also working with Israel, so to speak, right now, where he's blocking weapons transports through Syria into Lebanon from Hashd al-Shaabi, the Iraqi, Iranian-backed militia, to try and make attacks against Iran. He's working with Iraq and the United States and the CTS teams to help combat IS, ISIS, Daesh, to guarantee that they are still weakened, but also guaranteeing that he's pushed Iran out to make sure it's not a proxy state. It's a historical moment for Syria. 50-plus years, the Russians have had a stronghold under the Assad regime, and I commend you on your support for this and also the Caesar Act when it passed. Secretary Rubio, I have a question with regards to Iran. We understand that the nuclear negotiations are going on and there's much to be done, but could you give us some of the highlights to what these metrics and conditions will be in the administration to guarantee that not only do we see an Iran that is free of nuclear weapons, but a potential change and fall of the Iranian regime?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, anytime these negotiations are ongoing, you want to be delicate about what you say publicly because it could upend them. And obviously, I remind everybody that no matter the nature of their government, in foreign relations, the people on the other side are in politics, too. And so they have their own balances that they need to have in terms of what they say publicly. What I think has been abundantly clear and the president said is, number one, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. And he's discussed that there's one way to do it, which is not an ideal way, and the other way to do it is for Iran to agree to a deal. What is a deal that does not allow Iran to get to a nuclear weapon? It is a deal that doesn't just say we commit not to getting to a nuclear weapon and taking them at their word, but ensure that they do not have the capacity, the continued capacity, to enrich. If they can enrich, then you are basically a threshold nuclear power that at any time can accelerate that process and get to that point. So that is the goal of these negotiations, to create an incentive model where, if they give up their enrichment capability, they will receive some sanctions relief commensurate with it. That's the hope. That's what we're working on, because the alternative would be something far more destructive, and we seek to avoid that if possible.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL)SPEAKER_31

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. And obviously, to stop the funding of the proxy militias like Houthis, like Hamas, like others, which I know that you have been adamant about. I want to switch to Brazil, if I may. Mr. Secretary, as you're certainly aware, the alarming human rights decline in Brazil—we've seen pervasive censorship, political persecution targeting the entire opposition, including journalists and ordinary citizens. What they're now doing is an imminent politically motivated imprisonment of former President Bolsonaro. This crackdown has extended beyond Brazil's borders, impacting individuals on U.S. soil. The 2023 Financial Times article actually talked about this. What do you intend to do, and would you be looking at Supreme Court justice sanctioning of Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That is under review right now, and it's a great, great possibility that will happen.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL)SPEAKER_31

Thank you so much, Mr. Secretary. With that, I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Representative Jayapal.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Secretary Rubio, for being here. On March 21st, 2025, the State Department approved the revocation of a student visa for Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish citizen who was a graduate student at Tufts University, apparently simply for writing an op-ed. According to an internal State Department memo, you took this action under your discretionary authority to revoke visas, and soon after you revoked her visa, armed and masked plainclothes officers snatched Ms. Öztürk off the street and transported her to a prison in Louisiana. Mr. Secretary, do you really think that Ms. Öztürk's op-ed results in a foreign policy consequence for the

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

United States? I believe that case involves someone whose visa we never would have granted had we known ahead of time. I'm

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

not asking you that question. I'm asking you if you think an op-ed if an op-ed But that's exactly, in fact, what happened. The State Department wrote a memo concluding that you did not have sufficient grounds to revoke Ms. Ozturk's visa. There was no evidence showing that she'd engaged in any activities or a threat to national security. And in fact, in May, a federal court ordered Ms. Ozturk's release from detention, noting that the sole basis, sole basis for the government's detention appeared to be the fact that she coauthored this opinion piece in the Tufts newspaper in March of 2024. Where in the Constitution does it say that the Secretary of State can override the First Amendment protections of free speech? Is there a footnote that I missed

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

no constitutional right to a student visa.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

So, but is there a constitutional right? Is it—does it say somewhere that Marco Rubio gets to determine which speech is appropriate and revoke student visas based on what you think constitutes free speech?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

There's a statute that says the Secretary of State gets to determine whether someone is a threat. We deny visas every day all over

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

INA. Do you think that the Immigration and Nationality Act trumps the Constitution of the United States, Mr. Secretary?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Well, Congress can always change the law if you want, but I'm telling you, Mr. Secretary, let me be clear. I will continue to revoke the visas of these people that come here to tear

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

this country apart. Mr. Secretary, let me reclaim my time because you are talking about revoking student visas based on what somebody says, and that means that you are trumping the legal Supreme Court, the supreme law of the land, which is the Constitution of the United States. No,

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)SPEAKER_33

one

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

Why did the administration— Mr. Rubio, why did the administration need to use masked, armed, unidentified agents to whisk somebody off the street and deny her counsel for almost 24 hours after? Well,

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

you'll have to ask the agencies that did that work. I'm not responsible for that. I'm responsible for revoking the visas of these people that come to the

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

country. I'm talking about this particular case, where you revoked the student visa of a Turkish citizen, a Turkish citizen who was a graduate student who wrote an op-ed that you didn't like. And suddenly, you allowed for masked men to whisk her off the street. And you have multiple jobs. Apparently, you're the national security adviser as well. So don't tell me it's not your job who snatches her off the street. If these are

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

but I can tell you we do the visa revocations.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

Let me ask you about the national security consequences of people masked masked men on the streets snatching people off the streets. If these are legitimate law enforcement agents carrying out proper arrests, why are they hiding their identities?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

Because then radical crazies will try to hurt them.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

So you, so you think that US agents who have almost always gone without face coverings, even when they're arresting some of the most— some of the country's most dangerous criminals, suddenly have so much to fear from a graduate student who wrote an op-ed that they need to be masked? Is that— is that— that

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

law student was a guest in the United States on a student visa. No one's entitled to a student visa. So you revoked her student

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

visa based on an op-ed, which trumps the supreme law of the land, which is the Constitution?

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

coming up here to stir up problems on our campus, we're going to revoke their visa. She

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

didn't do any of that. She wrote an op-ed. She wrote an op-ed. And I'm talking to you about her particular case. You're reclaiming my time, you revoked her student visa because she wrote an op-ed. Would you revoke— I have another question for you. Would you revoke the visa of someone in the United States who published claims that, quote, Jews are an untrustworthy and dangerous group? Yes or

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

no? We will revoke the visa of anyone who's in this country as a guest. Are you

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

going to revoke the visa of somebody who made that? I made

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

the case. Look at it. I'm looking to get crazy people out of our country.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

Actually, it's not just about revoking. Secretary Rubio, excuse me, reclaiming my time. Can you explain to me why the Trump administration granted refugee status to Charl Kleynhans, the white Afrikaner who tweeted that exact statement that I just said? There's the case. You granted, you granted that person into the United

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

process. That's someone that applied here through a totally different process. Student visas Secretary Rubio. visas are a privilege. Secretary Rubio.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)SPEAKER_23

revoked a visa based on an op-ed, and then you allowed for a masked man to snatch somebody off the street.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

That's your claim. That's not accurate.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Recognize Ranking Member Meeks for a closing statement.

Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY)SPEAKER_25

I'll be brief because this really is a sad day, but I want to, in my closing, just say thank you to the men and women of USAID who did their jobs, who have been forgotten about by this administration and this Secretary of State. When you think about pathogens without passports that could kill millions, it was USAID teams that were on the case to figure out how to strengthen lab surveillance and testing. They no longer can do that. When you think about more than a decade of gains by authoritarians and oligarchs, USAID teams were building new tools to help independent media survive and to provide insurance so anti-corruption and NGOs could fight back against specious lawsuits. They've been all wiped out, all of those organizations. When you think about the extreme weather caused by climate change that was wiping out livestock and farmland, and driving the mass migration of millions, it was USAID teams were helping scientists and farmers experiment with different varieties of drought-resistant seeds while hustling up private sector partnerships to stay ahead of devastating droughts. This is who USAID was. This was the same organization that Senator Rubio was supporting and talking about when he traveled. And to come here today and to hear his remarks and not even— Well, he did say one good thing. He said that he recognized that most of the people in the State Department and most of those Foreign Service agents were good people. They were great people. They served our country well. They deserved more than they've gotten under this administration and under your leadership as Secretary of State. And I yield back.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for taking the time with us today. Countless times you were not given the opportunity to respond to things. I'm going to take my time for my closing statement and yield you that time to respond to anything you wish to.

The Honorable Marco RubioSPEAKER_03

No, I appreciate it. Thank you for the chance to interact with all of you. And obviously, I don't agree with some of the assessments, many of the assessments that were made here today, but I'm proud of the work we're doing. We're going to give you and deliver for our country a State Department that can deliver effective foreign policy in a way that's driven from our regional bureaus. I keep going to this because it's really important. That is the treasure of our State Department: our regional bureaus and our embassies. That's where the action needs to be and that's where it needs to happen. That's where the best ideas are coming from. The ranking member in his closing remarks said most of the people are good people. They are. Even some of the people that lost their jobs, we didn't fire them because they were bad people; we fired them because their function was no longer needed, or they were removed. I'm proud of the reforms at the State Department. To date, I believe there's been less than— We've had some people leave early, as they always do, and retire, but by and large, we've only had about 200, less than 200, people removed from positions as a RIF because we closed down the Global Engagement Center and one other bureau. But we've undertaken a very meticulous and careful effort to develop a State Department that is going to be able to deliver results for the American people. The bottom line is this: we live in an era in which our foreign policy has to be driven by the national interest. What is good for America? What makes us stronger, more prosperous, or safer? That's it. That's our foreign policy. And everything we do—foreign aid, diplomacy, trade deals, arms sales—all of it has to be driven by that consideration. What the answer to that question is, is different in different countries and in different parts of the world. They just are. That's the way foreign policy has always been. That's the way it needs to be again if it's going to be successful. And that's what we're committed to delivering and, hopefully, being able to work with you. We'll provide you— We've received all the input from various members of this committee on both sides of the aisle. We're almost done with our comment period. We'll have our final proposed reorganization that will be available to you in a congressional notification at that point, an official notification, not the preliminary, and then we can continue to work from there. And if, in fact, you're going to undertake the work of reauthorizing the State Department, I think that would be phenomenal. We would welcome that and the opportunity to work with you to create these structures in a permanent and enduring way. Thank you.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

Thank you. Point of order, Mr. Chairman. Point

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

of order. Members of the committee, point of order, Mr. Chairman. Questions for the secretary, and we ask that you respond to these in writing.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

Mr.

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

Chairman, point of order. Rules. All members may have 5 days to submit statements, questions. Mr. Chairman, point

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

of

Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL)SPEAKER_29

order. For the record, subject to length limitations. Without objection, the committee stands adjourned.

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD)SPEAKER_08

Point of order, Mr. Chairman.