Transcripts For CSPAN Hearing On U.S. Ambassador State Department Confirmations 20240712

Keith dayton, to be u. S. Diplomat to ukraine. Several members pressed mr. Dayton on his willingness to report back to the committee of any knowledge of russian interference. If confirmed, he waited replace marie yovanovich, who was removed from her position last year. The nominees today are representative to the general assembly, the second one, to be deputy chief executive officer corporation,e Lieutenant General keith dayton be ambassador to Ukraine Special Political Affairs at the u. N. And alternative representative to the general assembly. Our nominees they have distinguished individuals. Senatorcotton and romney will be introducing mr. Wong, and we are glad to represent have former ed rice with us today. Suspend my Opening Statement and ask the Ranking Member to do the same until after introductions are made by our distinguished guests. With that, mr. Romney, member of this committee, we will start with your interaction of mr. Alex ron, so senator romney . And legal policy director of my 2012 campaign. My extensive firsthand interactions with alex had led me to the following observations. First, he is brilliant. To focus, complex thinking, analyze complex of these, organize disorder, and recognize opportunities is at the highest order. It is no surprise that he graduated summa cum laude from the university of pennsylvania and was the editor of the log review at harvard. He is lawyer and dedicated to america. To see americais strengthened, to see our values promulgated, and to see the enemies of freedom defeated. He approaches tasks without preconception of bias. Instead, he reserves an open mind and considers the data as it is, not as he might like it to be. Alex has the kind of confidence that requires no posting, that fears no slights, and that compels straightforward expression. He communicates the simply and plainly, without embellishment or self aggrandizement. I greatly value these things. They made me a better candidate, i valued alexs character. He is honest, devoted to principal, kind to others, and a true friend. Now, since he left my campaign, or rather, since my campaign disappeared, alex has gone on to distinguished himself as a diplomat, public servant, and expert in National Security affairs, particularly with respect our relationships in the indo pacific. But at the state department, since 2017, he currently serves as both the deputy special representative for north korea and as the Deputy Assistant secretary for north korea. The second in command to deputy secretary deegan, to negotiate for complete north grand denuclearization. Conceptualization of the free and indo pacific strategy, which is key to shifting focus to the indo pacific to present going address growing challenges in china. Prays the strength of the u. S. Taiwan relationship shows that here he speaks with knowledge and proficiency about the challenges posed by an ascendant china, the significance of working together with our allies to achieve common goals, and about policies that support iraq, to ensure it has a more prosperous future. He is one of the most talented Foreign Policy of his generation. I have been fortunate over the years to be the beneficiary of his intellect and insights and judgment. I asked my colleagues on the committee to report alexs nomination favorably, and i asked the senate to confirm his nomination without delay, so we can get on with the important is as of represent our country at the u. N. Thank you, mr. Chairman. H thank you, senator romney. Senator cotton . Risch, myn senator colleagues, i am pleased to introduce alex wong. Alex is one of the most capable people with whom i have ever worked in the senate, and his resume reflects that fact. He was educated at the university of pennsylvania and harvard law school, where he was the editor of the harvard log review. He was an attorney at covington and burley. Mythe senate, alex served as Foreign Policy advisor and general counsel. Originalto draft the hong kong human rights and democracy act, a bill that can now only be described as chineset since the communist party has cracked down in hong kong. That bill, passed by unanimous consent, and was signed by the president. Alex has contributed to our strategies for east and south asia. He has strengthened relationship between the United States and taiwan and has played a key role in our negotiations with north korea. That is alexs resume, but it is only one part of why i think he is the right person to represent our country at the United Nations. Alex is also one of the most cheerful and helpful people i have ever met. He always has a lot on his plate, weather here are at the state department, but he is never too busy to help a colleague in the. A family man. He and his wife candace have two beautiful children, chase and avery. They obviously cannot join us today, for obvious reasons, but i know they are very proud of him, for good reason, as he is of them. Alex is a patriot who cares deeply for our country and its principals, because he and his family are living embodiments of the American Dream. His parents, robert and grace wong, came to america more than four decades ago from hong kong. They rented a onebedroom apartment in queens and works to make a better life for the family, and their American Dream and true. True. Sun came their son is sitting before you today. I know he is a dedicated public servant, because he has proven it to me through his actions, and i know he will fight for americas interest at the United Nations, because only in america would his story be possible. I urge all of you to support his nomination, and i urge the senate to move promptly on his confirmation, so he could do the important work at the United Nations. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Sen. Risch thank you, senator cotton. We are now going to turn to former congressman royce. Congressman, we are glad to have you with us today. It is good to see you. The floor is yours. Mr. Royce well, mr. Chairman, it is good to see you, and members of the committee, it is good to be able to speak up here and a great honor to be able to introduce to you my former deputy staff director on the House Foreign Affairs committee, edward burrier. Years,work for me for 18 so he is not only someone i worked with but someone i am fortunate to call a friend. Edward first started in my office interning in the africa subcommittee, which i then chaired, and at the time, he was still in college at the university of Mary Washington in fredericksburg, and every day, he would make the long commute from fredericksburg just to volunteer. He then took a job in my personal office, where he met his future wife, a fellow junior staffer, gretchen. They now have a young sun, william, and it has been a pleasure watching them grow personally and professionally. Edward originally rose to deputy staff director of the House Foreign Affairs committee, and over the years, edward was essential in achieving so much, including efforts to prevent the proliferation of shoulderfired surface missiles to terrorists of theor legislation regime of north korea and iran, heare dangerously found a niche some which are part of gunrunning, in part because of edwards efforts. He also produced important reports, including the pathbreaking gangster regime and that is still relevant today. Ed wrote for me hundreds of blog interests, some of the most captivating and washington. In short, edward was involved in all the major foreignpolicy members numbers of the day, helping to make our country better. He has continued these efforts, now at the newly created Development Finance corporation, advance works to americas interests around the world and to lift the globe out of poverty. He understands the importance of u. S. Engagement in the developing world, which is more critical now than ever as covid19 threatens a humanitarian crisis of enormous and tragic human consequence. Not only has the experience required to be the deputy chief executive officer, he also has the intellect, he has the knowledge. Most importantly, he has the heart, and i could not think of someone more qualified to help lead this organization at this critical time in history, and i am thankful that he is willing to serve, and i thank you again, mr. Chairman. Much. Isch thank you so we appreciate you coming to the committee, and we certainly appreciate your remarks. Let me say, first of all, welcome, everyone. These are unique circumstances, and in response to the times we are living in, unique in many ways, not just one, but we will move along. We have got these five nominees. Isst is jennifer barber, who nominated to be u. S. Representative of the economic and social council of the United Nations. This position is tasked with protecting american interests and economic and social programs at the United Nations. Miss barbara currently serves at a law firm. Mr. Edwardve burrier, nominated to be deputy ceo of the international Development Finance corporation. This role assists the ceo in accomplishing the dfcs objective, partnering with the private sector to find solutions for some of the most critical challenges. One i would like to highlight is the dfcs decision to include Nuclear Projects in its portfolio. Mr. Burrier has worked at the dfc since its creation. He was a longtime staffer for the house foreign. Affairs committee. We turn now to ambassador of the ukraine, retired Lieutenant General keith dayton. He served four decades of distinguished service. He has been a director of the Marshall Center in germany, most recently served as the senior u. S. Defense advisor to ukraine. The the past year, u. S. Ukraine relationship was thrust into the national spotlight. This is unfortunate, but it is time to make clear that ukraine enjoys a bipartisan som support. That is why i was glad last week to introduce the Ukraine Security Partnership Act alongside Ranking Member menendez and four other members of this committee to further assist the Ukrainian Military in its battle against russianbacked separatist and military reforms. Juliext nominee is ms. Fisher. Most recently, she served as Deputy Assistant secretary to western europe and the European Union. She has also served as the deputy chief of mission. Nomination, your marks an important step in our relationship with baylor ruse. Belarus. You would be the first since 2008 welcome your thoughts in rebuilding the u. S. Belarus relationship, encouraging reforms. Finally, we have alex wong to be special Political Affairs of the United Nations. This role is involved in overseeing peacekeeping operations, international policies. Deputyth korea, secretary assistant to the United States, east asia embassy. With that, mr. Menendez . Sen. Menendez thank you. Welcome to all of the nominees. Nomineesaddress the before us, i am just compelled to note that this is unfortunately another in a series of nominations hearings that have been noticed unilaterally over the objections of the minority, and to a large extent without our input. Of the three two aarings were noticed without Ranking Member, and one without the sevenday rule, which is unfortunate. Clearly the chairman has the authority to run the committee in this manner, but it is a drastic departure. It is also disappointing that the committee is holding five nominations hearings on the nominationonly business hearing this work period, where we have not mocked up a bill since may. Nominations are an Important Committee function, but to be relevant, we need to be engaged in legislating on issues that matter to americans. Democrats and republicans want this to happen, and i hope it can happen in the days ahead. And finally, given the intense interest and sensitivities involving interest surrounding ukraine, i have suggested general dayton should be on a panel by himself, or at least at minimum, with just one other nominee. Squeezing him on a panel of five does not do justice on this set of issues, so, mr. Chairman, i hope you will be generous in time, especially as we have to inl with all these nominees one panel. Now, the committee has been a long stalwart champion for the relationship with ukraine. As chairman, i let efforts on two laws that would pass in the wake of russias invasion in the country in 2014. And as the chairman mentioned, just last week, we joined i,ether, chairman risch and to introduce legislation that for thecrease mfm country. The fact remains that ukraine is causally under assault in the seas, cyberspace, from an aggressive kremlin. Ukraine servicemembers have courageously fought Russian Forces that seek to disrupt the international order, and they are constantly challenged. President trump significantly damaged our standing with ukraine and undermined our own National Security by holding Security Assistance hostage to his political agenda. Challenge to our relationship, which led to impeachment proceedings. It is now more important than ever for the senate to speak with one voice in support of ukraine, especially in the provision of Security Assistance, and i am glad we are able to send that clear message with our legislation. General dayton, if you are confirmed, you will have very big shoes to fill in kiev. Jovanovich andll bill taylor, both who will not only diplomats to the United States but had the courage to speak truth to power. I hope you will also be up to that task. Rudy giuliani and a cast of unsavory ukrainian efforts characters have not let up in their efforts to reframe ukraine to help u. S. Politics. I suspect if confirmed you would not engage in these campaigns, and i would want your commitment to that end. Fisher, i am glad to have you with us today. You are the first nominee to be ambassador to belarus in a decade. Are rising toe demand democracy in unprecedented government. Awayelarus government move from russia is important, but we cannot nor the needs of the belarusian people. I look forward to hearing from you and what steps you would take if confirmed to support the aspirations of a belarusian people. Wong, welcome. At every turn, the trumpet ministry should unfortunately sought to undermine multilateral institutions. The administrations actions, in leavew, do not america great, they leave america alone. Intent totrumps withdraw from the World Health Organization ships blames and isolationism for the United States. It is astonishing that during the height of the pandemic, the principal is addition charged with the leading and coordinating Global Response will no longer receive u. S. Support. I am likewise deeply troubled by the attempt of the administration to limit gender equality and restrict the rights of women and girls. It is unacceptable that the u. S. Government representatives at the United Nations have sought to remove references to longstanding and agreedupon language on genderbased violence and Sexual Reproductive Health. We must lead the collective commitment to advance fundamental victims rights and freedoms for all, rather than undermine the rights of some, and i look forward to hearing from the nominees on these issues. Mr. Berrier, welcome. You seem well suited for the job and rounding out the leadership circle, the dfc is incredibly important. However, i have some serious concerns with some of the dfcs actions that i need a nominees commitment to address, and that includes the authorities that were granted to the dfc under the defense production act executive order signed by the president as well as how the dfc is pursuing environmental and other policy. I know you were not there to make those decisions, but i would like to hear how you would deal with that, if confirmed. With that, mr. Chairman, thank you. Sen. Risch thank you, mr. Minerd is. First, i want to be clear that Assembly Rule simply requires that i consult with the Ranking Member if i am going to hold a hearing in less than seven days, as you know. As always, we consulted through our staffs, but as happens, we were unable to reach an agreement, so i hosted the hearing. I share your concerns. I would love Nothing Better than to spend our time doing that in less time on the noms, but time is at a premium to stay. E four meetings,ad last week, two meetings. Premium, but wem will keep moving for. Youfirst nominee, each of your full statement included in the record. We will ask you to keep your remarks to about five minutes. Refer to a request for generosity in time. Those of you on this committee know the chairman is very generous. Generous with time. Peopleave a number of here. You, you areank up. Thank you. Risch, Ranking Member menendez, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. Bem humbled to considered for the role. If confirmed, would be honored to have the opportunity to serve our country and the capacity. His special thanks for leader mcconnell for his support. I would also like to express my gratitude to President Donald Trump and secretary mike pompeo for nominating me. And for ambassador kelly craft for the confidence she has placed in me. I want to thank god for preparing this path. I husband, andy, thank you for my support. Our daughters, the next generation for whom i am determined to make this world a better place. And the many members of my family and friends who are watching this right now. Thank you for the many meaningful ways you have impacted my life. I would also like to recognize my parents, kenneth and lori, who immigrated here from china 50 years ago. My mother is one of seven children and one of four my grandparents brought to the United States, making the difficult decision to leave three behind. She was reunited with her remaining siblings 19 years later when they immigrated to our country. I grew up working alongside my parents and led grandfather at our familys restaurant. Their daily example of sacrifice and hard work, and their determination to provide greater opportunity is why it is possible for me to appear before you today and it inspires me to shine americas light brightly on the u. N. Stage. I would like to show my appreciation for my colleagues for their support throughout my as i approach. Years since that day in san francisco, when representatives of 50 nations, weary of the human toll of world war ii, signed the u. N. Charter to create a new organization designed in part to solve problems of an economic, social, cultural or mentoring character. And to encourage respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The u. S. Remains central to those ideals. If confirmed, i will probably carry United Nations the american commitment to human rights, humanitarian response and Economic Development. That commitment is tested frequently. Many u. N. Member states work to undermine the values that shape the u. N. To advance their narrow agendas and authoritarian ideals. We see instances of this and some of our pressing challenges today, from the Chinese Communist partys mismanagement of the covid19 pandemic, to the russian and chinese opposition to providing necessary humanitarian relief to besieged communities in northeast syria. I would use my voice and energy to advance the American Vision for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It will also carry with me the determination to empower women and girls. It is vital that girls have access to education and women have equal opportunity in the workplace. We must fuel entrepreneurship and diminish Sexual Violence and exploitation. The u. S. Must continue to play a central role in sustaining that n. sands response the u. Response system. It is extensive and is effective, feeding millions daily and providing assistance to displaced populations. The demands on that system are quickly growing as the world tackles a Record Number of humanitarian crises. I know, the deep commitment of congress and providing for those in dire need. There is no country more generous than ours. As those needs grow, so is the need for more nations to share in that responsibility. I will note that american objectives at the United Nations will only be realized if the u. N. Is effective and transparent. Priorityen an american for decades and i believe considerable progress has been made. If confirmed, strengthening that process will be among my priorities, as for advocating for robust participation and engagement. Mr. Chairman, members of this committee, for the United Nations to be relevant for the next 75 years, it must remain true to the values that shaped its original purpose and rise to meet the needs of today. If confirmed, i will work tirelessly toward that goal and partner with you in congress to further American Values and interests. Thank you and i look forward to your questions. Sen. Risch thank you. To the nextturn speaker. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member menendez and members of the committee, i am honored to speak before you today. Appreciate the chairmans introduction. I owe more than just my career to the chairman. On capitol hill, i met my incredible wife of 14 years. She and my son are watching today. Like me, my wife spent her career in government knows the demands, responsibilities and honor that come with being a public servant. I grew up in fairfax, virginia, the youngest son of two talented musicians. Integrity, respect for others and hard work were instilled in me by my parents. As a senior in high school, i volunteered for a local congressional candidate who won a historical election. I was enthralled that i played a small part in the democratic process, even if it was just stuffing envelopes. At Mary Washington college, i did several internships ended one summer interning in london. My last semester, i took a ammuter train to intern at subcommittee chaired by congressman royce. After graduation, the congressman offered me a job in his personal office. Know, i would spend the next 18 years working for the congressman. I work my way up in the personal office to the committee, a masters degree along the way. I became deputy staff director of the House Foreign Committee in 2013, a position i held for the next 4. 5 years. During that time, the committee worked alongside this committee to advance u. S. Interests abroad, solidify alliances and put a warlord or two behind bars. Came about being solution oriented and working across the aisle. I brought these qualities with me when i transitioned to the executive branch. As Vice President for external affairs at a private investment corporation, i led efforts in the interagency and with this agency on landmark legislation. I believe strongly in dfcs mission. There are not enough Government Resources to tackle the issues of the developed world. Dfc would Leverage Private capital to improve lives, advance american interests. Thate seen the firsthand u. S. Development finance can have. I met with an energetic woman who took a small loan and started a driving school to empower women. I met with homeowners in ghana who achieved the dream thanks to financing. Togo is givingn its population a chance to move forward. Dfc support is critical in helping create opportunity and growth. The role of dfc is only expanding at the development with the wake of the covid19 pandemic. Times like these are when institutions like dfc are needed most. Strategicso when our competitors are looking to take advantage of the situation. If i am fortunate enough to be confirmed, i look forward to working with the committee to make sure dfc maximizes its tools and is a robust alternative to authoritarian financing that leaves developing countries worse off. I am committed to u. S. Leadership. Will be atced dfc the forefront of policy for generations to come. I would work closely with the committee to strengthen foundations. Opportunity tohe appear before you today and alec forward your questions. Sen. Risch thank you so much. I appreciate those words. Risch, Ranking Member menendez and members of this committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as President Trumps nominee to serve as ambassador to ukraine. I look forward to continue to work with congress to further bipartisan support of the ukrainian people to enhance our relationship, support ukraines reform agenda, and work to fully restore ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. These steps will be critical to advancing our shared goal of ukraine joining the euro atlantic community. My name is keith dayton. I have been married to my wife for almost 45 years. We have three married children, five grandchildren and one more on the way. I dedicated the past 50 years of my life to public service. I retired from the u. S. Army as a general after more than 40 years in uniform. For the past 10 years, i have been the director of the European Center for security centers, addressing regional and transNational Security issues for the u. S. And germany. Ukraine has been part of my life for 40 years. After i was commissioned in 1970, i learned russian and graduated from the u. S. Army Russian Institute in germany as an officer. It was through the Russian Institute i had the first opportunity to visit soviet ukraine in 1980. I will never forget the experience of meeting ukrainians and recognizing the deep pride they have in the history and culture while recognizing the incredible suffering inflicted on ukraine by powers throughout history. As a soviet Russia Military specialist, i have had various assignments. General, inant served as the u. S. Security coordinator for israel and the Palestinian Authority in 2010. Lem from 2005 to i reported directly to the secretary of state. I let a Multinational Team working with the Israeli Government and the palestinians. I operated at the most senior levels in jordan, egypt, saudi arabia, uae and qatar. With london. I was a diplomat and a soldier. After retiring from the army in 2010, i served my country as a director of the Marshall Center. Inspired by the fierce commitment to democracy and freedom by the protesters, i directed the Marshall Center to create a comprehensive program of seminars and assistants do ukraine, focusing on civilmilitary relations and Security Sector reform. The goal was to help ukraines new leadership adopt euro atlantic principles of government and take the steps required to one day join nato. Im proud to note in this endeavor i have had the enthusiastic help of the u. S. Senate. October 2018, jim mattis asked me to be that u. S. Defense advisors ukraine. I chaired the revised rate board, u. S. , canada, poland, with the when you and germany. Advisors as strategic to the Ukrainian Defense minister. I have come to know firsthand todays ukraine and its many challenges and have developed relationships with supporters of ukraine. Ukraine i encountered as a young man in 1980 was very different from the vibrant and helpful country i worked with as a defensive advisor, but fundamental chances remain the same. Rid itself ofo moscows interference, eliminate corruption and build an alluntable government to citizens. One thing has not changed and will not change and that is it is in the National Security interest of the u. S. For ukraine to overcome these challenges and achieve a future in which ukraine is whole, democratic and free. Ukraine is trained to achieve a t and peaceful relation 13,000 dead, untold suffering. President zelensky has made ending this conflict a cornerstone of his administration. The u. S. Remains an advocate for a diplomatic resolution, we support ukraines right to defend itself against russias ongoing aggression in the east and resist russias illegal occupation of crimea. Ukraine must continue on the difficult path of issuing rule of law and economic reform. This is hard work. From the revolution to the revolution of dignity, the 2019 elections that brought president zelensky to power, craniums have demanded accountable leadership, an end to corruption, transparent judicial and Law Enforcement bodies that respond to citizens needs over the demands of oligarchs and other interests. If confirmed, i will work with ukraines leadership to ensure these reforms remained the top of their national agenda. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to talk to you and i welcome any opportunities to answer questions. Sen. Risch thank you. Chairman risch, Ranking Member menendez, members of this committee, it is an honor to appear before you as President Trumps nominee to serve as the First American ambassador to belarus since 2008. If confirmed, i look forward to working with this committee to reestablish the bilateral relationship and support belaruss efforts to support sovereignty and independence. Husband,ed today by my he has been a supporter of my career since the day i took the exam. My achievements are due in large part to his unwavering support. I am proud to hail from a family dedicated to our nations service. My grandfather, father, sister all served as naval officers. My family joins us virtually and i am grateful for their support. If confirmed, i look forward to building on the work of our Exceptional Team to further reforms and promote a more ambitious bilateral relationship. I will bring to this position 25 years of experience, including services in our embassies in moscow and nato. I was honored to serve as Deputy Assistant secretary of state, focused on western europe and the European Union. After russias illegal seizure and occupation of crimea and its toufactured war, we began see signs of interest from the belarusian side. Since 2018 and aligned with the goals laid out in the National Security strategy, we have advanced a more engaged approach that recognizes belarus is right to chart its own future. Former assistant secretary wes mitchell initiated this outreach in late 2018 and since then, we have seen increased engagement from both sides culminating in secretary pompeos visit in february. This sunday, colors will hold its president ial this sunday, belarus will hold its president ial election. Efforts to convince 2019ities, belarus parliamentary elections did not meet standards. The council of europe will not observe the upcoming elections. If confirmed, i intend to support the aspirations of the belarusian people as they strive for democratic principles, including universal freedoms, civil liberties. Belarus toouraged address human rights priorities. It is essential for it to strengthen its International Standing and fulfill its peoples aspirations. Nonetheless, the government continues to detain and pressure the opposition and oppose restrictions on the Civil Society and certain religious minorities paired we have seen numerous incidents of such pressure during the ongoing Election Campaign despite modest improvements of independent Civil Society in recent years. In the face of insufficient progress on these issues, our relationship will continue to be belarus the democracy act. However, there is encouraging progress in other areas. Generation has an entrepreneurial spirit. Recent deliveries of American Crude Oil can help diversify Belarus Energy supply and support jobs at home. Belarus is encouraging American Investment and if confirmed i will support the creation of business councils. Cooperationlarus on nonproliferation, Law Enforcement and information sharing in fields such as border security, cybersecurity and counter narcotics. If confirmed, i hope to build upon this foundation. Sizesy minsk has grown in since the governments decision to lift its cap. We are engaged in construction to make a new embassy compound. I have learned from experience some of the risks of rapid growth. I am committed to careful stewardship of taxpayer resources. Finally, as secretary pompeo stated during his february visit, we fully support belaru desire to make its own choices, pursue its own partnerships and play a constructive role in the region. Belarus should not be forced to depend on any single nation and we are not asking belarus to choose between east and west. Individuals,ke choose their friends but another enemies. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member mendez and members of this committee, let me say we have a real opportunity in belarus. This opportunity is a two way street and we will move ahead at the appropriate pace as the belarusians are willing, as our National Interests dictate in our values permit. I look forward to working with you as we carry this effort forward. I thank you very much for the opportunity to appear today and i welcome your questions. Sen. Risch thank you very much. You certainly have challenges in belarus. All disappointed the elections were being held under the situation they were. Thank you for taking this on. Thank you, sir. Chairman risch, Ranking Member menendez and distinguish members of the committee, i am honored to appear before you as the president s nominee. Confidenced by the President Trump, secretary pompeo and abbasid aircraft have shown me with this nomination. I want to thank senators romney otton for the roles they have played in my career. The late ambassador tom , robertrt, judge brown , and others, all of these distinguished men and women gave me the opportunity to fail, succeed and grow as a professional. All of these individuals took a chance on me. It was my parents who took the biggest chance of all for my sake. They left hong kong 43 years ago and settled into a single room rental in queens with an infant, a bus pass and a lot of believe in the United States of america. I am so fortunate to return to the city that welcome them to america, represent the country they believe in. I will vindicate that relief in a way they could have scarcely imagined as newly arrived immigrants for mr. Chairman, i have parents who inspire me. And my girl, my son beautiful bride. Mr. Chairman, my professional life has been focused on advancing u. S. Interests in the Foreign Policy around. Thatned the surge in iraq was so necessary. I had the opportunity to work with senate staff to support senator cotton in a range of National Security matters. I returned to the department to help realize the final fully verified denuclearization of north korea. All of these roles, i have been reminded to be pragmatic in foreign affairs. I have seen the overriding value of standing firmly and boldly for american principles. Williamson,or rich who helped me with every job i have been nominated for, would say you have to be a realist to take steps every day, but an idealist to note which direction you are going. That is a philosophy i would bring to the United Nations. Many of the Core Functions are centered at the Security Council. The council has amended to preserve International Peace and security. Too often, it does not live up to it. The world has no doubt entered into a period this is a time when the United States and our friends and allies of the free world are facing greater challenges in more dire threats. This heightened competition is manifesting itself at the Security Council and the wider u. N. System. This is where the council has not been able to take Decisive Action as the u. N. Charter demands to address human suffering and hotspots around the globe. Theand china blocked assad regime has protectors. The council has never done right by the syrian people. I must note that even in this year of 2020, well into the 21st century, are close and steadfast friend israel still faces attacks in the u. N. System that echo the most sinister prejudices of the past. Even though it may be frustrating, it does not mean it is any less important. I believe it is more important than ever. Strategic, principled and tireless diplomacy of the council is needed to unify partners and damaging initiatives into advanced u. S. Interests the benefit the world. Functions of the council that for the most part are working. U. N. Peacekeeping is a Vital Institution for promoting International Peace and security and protect the credibility of that institution and more importantly protect vulnerable populations around the world. The u. S. Has demanded and successfully won increased scrutiny of budgets, mandates and accountability mechanisms of performance, misconduct. Our efforts and the efforts of this committee have resulted in new training, reporting and Accountability Measures for Sexual Exploitation and abuse. We have succeeded in giving missions achievable mandates and clear exit strategies. Chairman, members of the era ofee, in an great competition, it is vital for the u. S. To firmly its position of leadership at the United Nations. American values, liberty, fundamental rights and the sovereignty of the nations people that animate, adjust a workable international system. Those values will always be at the front of my mind. If i am so fortunate to be confirmed for this position. Thank you and i look forward to your questions. Sen. Risch thank you. We appreciate your remarks. We are going to do a five minute round of questioning on a seniority we are not completely on the honor system because i do have a five minute clock. There are important things to explore here. We will try to give everybody a shot at it and come back again. Here are a lot of questions mr. Dayton i have spent 50 years in the service to this country. The Guiding Principles of my ofe have been the triad duty, honor and country. Anything i would deal with from mr. Giuliani or any other person that would approach me would be guided im aware of what i have read in the papers, but i had nothing to do with and was not involved in any way in the episode. Appreciate that you were not engaged with it, but you are going to be confirmed the ambassador at an embassy which has been rife with the use of political actors to try to influence and undermine the course of u. S. Elections. I think that is a high calling and responsibility. Let me ask you this. If confirmed, do you commit to report to the appropriate channels of this committed committee if you become aware of any interference . Mr. Dayton that sounds reasonable to me. Sen. Menendez let me refine the question. Members of the committee of jurisdiction, the one that you would be in front of for confirmation, were you to become aware of interference of the 2020, if that information came before you . Mr. Dayton again, i would have to know what the circumstances are. I see no reason not to do that. It makes sense to me. Sen. Menendez i am a little alarmed by your equivocation. Should Security Assistance to any country be delayed in order to gain domestic political advantage . Mr. Dayton no. Was it wrong for the president to withhold Security Assistance from ukraine and 2019 . Mr. Dayton im not sure what the exact circumstances were on that. I was in ukraine at the time, and i was not aware that this had affected any of our efforts that we dealt with on ukraine at the time. The president does what the president does, and i there at the discretion of the president and i fully understand that. If i am in ukraine, im also at the disposal of the american public. Sen. Menendez when you take an oath, if you are confirmed, it wont be to the president of the United States, correct . Mr. Dayton i believe it will be the same oath i have taken all my life, which is to the constitution of the United States. Sen. Menendez in article one is the congress of the United States. Im deeply concerned when nominees equivocate on sharing information with the committee of jurisdiction particularly with the history we have in ukraine. Confirmed, remain vigilant and try to prevent individuals from interfering in our election process if that information comes before you . Mr. Dayton yes. Sen. Menendez following attacks on ambassador ivanka event and other career employees at the nvc in kiev embassy in kiev, their attacks on the morale. What will you do to boost morale if confirmed . Mr. Dayton for 50 years, i have been a team builder in the army and here at the Marshall Center. Will build a team a team is already in place, i think they are in pretty good shape. Ive met with many of them, but i will build a team that is united in its efforts to advance american interests in ukraine. Let me turn to another question. Have you read the Ukraine Security Partnership Act that was introduced last week . Mr. Dayton i have not read it in detail. I have read what was in the National Defense appropriations act, but not the asked you referred to. Sen. Menendez what are your views on increasing i am of security for ukraine imf security for ukraine . Mr. Dayton i think it is a very good idea and something i support wholeheartedly especially with the recent experience i had as a defense advisor. Your career to date has been as a tax attorney. You have no experience in Foreign Policy, multilateral diplomacy or expertise in butomic or social issues, should you be confirmed as the ambassador to this position, you will be charged to help coordinate the work of many u. N. Specialized agencies, including the World Health Organization, which the president announced his intention to withdraw from. You also will be representing the u. S. Government in critical forms for global coordination on issues of gender and womens humans rights. Ive serious concerns regarding the administrations attempts to restrict group womens rights. Meet these going to challenges of being in a andilateral organization, do you intend to use your position to bolster Global Cooperation and continued progress on gender and womens rights issues, or will you continue the efforts we have seen so far the administration to weaken our commitments for gender equality . I believe that effective diplomacy is identifying shared values and developing personal relationships to reach those common goals. If confirmed, i will take my experience and expertise in negotiations and in problem solving to try to tackle these various issues that you mentioned. As it relates to the World Health Organization and other organizations the United States participates in . I believe global participation is important, but i believe it is also important that we see contributions from other Member States that is not so disparate to the United States contributions. If confirmed, i will work hard to bring likeminded partners to the table and try to expand resources and contributions from other states so that we can tackle some of the really rising humanitarian needs and human rights issues that the United States has been a Global Leader on. As it relates to women and girls, i am the first in my family to graduate from high school. As i mentioned in my Opening Statement, it is a priority for me to see that girls have access to education and women have equal opportunity in the workplace. I willt reason, absolutely be focused on issues related to women and girls. I have seen where ambassador craft has traveled to many places and from south sudan to the Syrian Border sen. Menendez i appreciate your lengthy answer, but let me get to the specifics i was trying to get with you. You are aware the administration has taken unprecedented hard on longstanding agreement on genderbased violence as well as Sexual Reproductive Health issues. Positionoing to be the that you will advocate if you are confirmed on these issues . If confirmed, i will work hard to try to build consensus on resolutions that benefit women and girls. I think it is important that we have to empower them and unlock their potential. As it relates to some terminology that you are referencing that may prevent us from joining in, it is my priority to try to build consensus on clear so that we can make most effective those resolutions for women and girls. Sen. Menendez i dont want to overstep the chairmans generosity chairmans generosity, but the consensus has existed. You dont need to build consensus, it has existed over these longstanding, agreedupon language and genderbased violence and what u. S. Law has been and the amendment prohibiting the use of foreign funds to lobby or against some of these issues in multilateral organizations. It worries me that you think you have to create consensus. The consensus exists. The question is what you are going to do on behalf of the United States to build on that consensus versus trying to create a new consensus that wont help women with gender violence issues. Mr. Dayton thank you. We will now turn to senator johnson. After senator johnson will be senator carter. On i have my own timer, so i wont abuse the time. Mr. Dayton good for you. Hnson obviously, you have real experience in ukraine. Can you update us in terms of the general assessment of where ukraine stands militarily in eastern ukraine, the kurds aight, cfas off somebody needs to mute. Give me that basic military assessment. Youri want to get assessment on the military situation political situation. Militarily, have we progressed . Have we made progress . Dayton . Mr. Dayton we have made a lot of progress, we have a lot more to do. It looks like you and i may be talking on top of each other. You hit a big point which is the black sea. This is going to become a much more important strategic entity than it has been in the past. Where the ukrainians need a lot more health is going to be with their navy, their air force. They have always had a Ground Forces centric military. They need to outgrow that a little bit. The situation in the east is stable. Could the russians invade tomorrow . They could, but they would take a very bloody nose to do it. I think i would probably leave it at that. We have a lot of work to do. What i like is the fact that the ukrainians have truly em braced reform in a way that when i started my advisory work 22 months ago, i didnt think they were capable of. They have really come around. Ohnson president zelensky, i think is a smart man. I think he understands the on corruption. In one of his speeches, he said we are not just going to reduce corruption, he plans to defeat it. It is very difficult in ukraine. I keep talking about ukraine having to get past the era of the oligarchs. Can you give us your basic assessment in terms of how he is doing, what he is up against, just the challenges from a political standpoint . Stakes ingnize, the these European Countries is to reduce corruption so they can have greater economic opportunity. Mr. Dayton on the plus side, they have done a lot. They have built institutions. On the negative side, the oligarchs are still there and are very powerful. I think this is going to be an area i will have to deal with if im confirmed in a very serious manner. We have gone over a year without a u. S. Ambassador to ukraine. Seniory do think i u. S. Presence will help him deal with some of these issues. Oligarchs, kinda like in star wars, the empire is trying to strike back. I think he needs a little bit of our help in a way that we have not been able to do in the last year. Johnson one of the things is that the oligarchs control the media. That is a significant challenge for any leader who is trying to rid the country of corruption. Can you basically speak to that challenge . A challengeit is and you are absolutely right. Owns halfne man that of the television and radio stations in ukraine and the ones he doesnt own are being broadcasted in russian. We are working on this. I know the state department has a program working on disinformation coming from not just the russians, but the oligarchs as well. This is going to be a longterm project. It is something i will definitely get into if im confirmed. Nson just real quick, president zelensky one with over 75 approval. Over 75 approval. Have the oligarchs done pretty well degrading that support . Where does he stand . Mr. Dayton the last poll i saw, he was still at least twice as popular among the public as anybody else, but his numbers are not at the stratosphere as they were before. Of course they have come down. You have to be careful of polling. As you know more than 90 buddy, the disinformation campaigns in this part of the world are more than anybody, the disinformation campaigns in this part of the world are pretty incredible. He needs some help. The bloom is off the rose a little bit. Sen. Johson thank johnson thank you for your service. Din we appreciate your service and also send your thanks to your families because we know this is a family commitment. I want to follow up on senator menendezs points in regards to the advancement of American Values. How do you see the advancement of sustainable goals and our participation in that as a way to advance our goals . You. Arber thank i think the Sustainable Development goals are an important framework from within which the u. S. Member states need to work. Besto think that it may be and forced locally versus globally. I understand there is not member consensus on the goals and prioritization of those goals. I am interested in learning more about how the prioritization will evolve. I do support them. Provide a large basis. Sen. Cardin my point is this. The record on these goals have been pretty good. It is a universal commitment to deal with poverty, education, gender equity, health care and Good Governance. Internationaln commitment to achieve these ands and metrics to develop show how well we are doing. We have a deadline and are familiar with the date in which these goals are supposed to be met of 2030 . Ms. Barber yes. Cardin how will you use our your office to make sure we have demonstrate goals . I can point out killings of human rights defenders in 47 countries. That is a matrix that needs to change. How are you going to use that to advance human rights . Ms. Barber i agree with you and i will work with the strong team at the u. S. Mission that currently exists. I believe they are focused on the Sustainable Development goals and that they are working on making sure the United States make progress makes progress in these areas. I will continue to build on the momentum they have to make sure we have improvement in these areas. Encouragen i would you to work with our committee and their strong support for holding countries accountable. We have the private sector working with us as well as governmental entities to advance the end of dealing with poverty and education but also Good Governance, which is the key contribution that i think the United States can make and we will need you championing those issues. I want to just get to one issue. You said you helped develop the bill that helps deal with water that is a commitment that at least 50 of the business is done by Small Businesses. I mention that specifically because covid19 has had a horrible impact on all businesses, but Small Businesses dont have the resiliency. Attention to Small Businesses is even more important now. What commitment can you give us that you will work to make sure that colas is complied with . We have a strong commitment to making to helping Small Businesses here in the United States. I member working with georges on the act. It,ou put your finger on this support for small Mediumsized Enterprises in the developing world is going to be absolutely critical. Economies in the developing world are pounded by these Small Businesses. Are having to strive ensure these economies can keep going. Cardin it is exciting we are hopefully going to have a confirmed ambassador for belarus. It lets not mistake the move as a move awaya from democracy. I hope we can count on you to give us an honest account of how well belarus is doing on the human rights and the Good Governance reforms, anticorruption etc. Not just try to remove them from russia. Has beennkly, belarus pretty independent for a long time. It is not really dependable by russia for a long time. What is your game plan on trying to establish realistic goals that we can advance our values in belarus . Ms. Fisher thank you for your question. I think a big part of the challenge for me in answering this question is that we have involved in our efforts to fully engage in belarus with such limited facilities in belarus. To be very frank, it is even harder. I am committed to making sure that the story, as we see it, as we observe it from the embassy, if im confirmed, is what gets through to you, what gets through to our partners in congress as well as across washington. The goal of this process is not simply to send an ambassador so that we can move beyond the terms of the democracy act, it is to see whether our enhanced engagement can actually lead to greater results as we seek to support the aspirations of the belarusian people. This will be a longterm effort. It wont be quick. It is going to take us time and i really look forward to being on the ground, engaging directly because there is such a tremendous difference between across can do from far an ocean versus the personal engagement on the ground. Thankyton sen. Risch you, senator cardin. We now move to senator portman. Ortman did you say senator portman . Sen. Risch i did, thats you. Sen. Portman i really want to thank all of the nominees. Lieutenant general dayton is a star. I think you know how i feel about him. I think he is the right person at the right time. He has a distinguished military career. Since he hung up his uniform, he has continued to serve as director of the general Marshall Center. He has used that post to develop democracy in europe and ukraine. Mount staff has been involved in his teachings. He has worked hard to make the Ukrainian Military a more capable and credible force and one that does have civilian control. That is a big accomplishment that i think he is largely responsible for. He has got instant credibility in ukraine. He has got my support and i hope my colleagues will support him and continue to work with him. We have got real threats right now in ukraine. Russia continues to be aggressive on the eastern border. We need a confirmed ambassador there badly. As ive said before, i think ukraine is a Strategic Partner of the United States. They have turned to the west and come to us and we want to help them build a more free, open and democratic society. I think they are at a critical point again right now and i think general dayton, you are the right person to help them continue on that path. I do have a letter i would like to enter into the record by unanimous consent, written by the Ukrainian Congress committee of america regarding general dayton. I have already sent electronically to your staff. Sen. Risch that will be introduced into the record. Sen. Portman we have a requirement for a combined department of defense and department of state capabilities report on gaps in the Ukrainian Military and development of a Multiyear Strategy to address the issues. I think the report is important because it will pinpoint the resources ukraine needs to push back against continued russian aggression frankly since we started assisting ukraine in fy 2016 budgets. Ive been encouraged by some of the progress we have made. I support the legislation the senators have led with me, which would be an authorization bill. Senator menendez talked about that earlier. With regard to the ndaa report, could you comment on that . Do you believe it is appropriate and would be helpful . Mr. Dayton sorry, i had a problem with my computer for a second. I think it is very important and it is a great opportunity for us to get ukraine to finish focusing on mapping out requirements and priorities with our help. We have been advocating a capabilitiesbased midterm planning effort for the ukrainians for the last at least two to three years. They have a new defense minister taking a very deliberate approach to this problem. What you have asked for in the ndaa is exactly the tool that i would have wanted to help them get to where they need to be. I think this is very important and i look forward to reading both the chairmans senator menendezs bill as well, which unfortunately, i have not yet seen. Ukrainetman the Security Partnership act is what it is called. I think it is good because it standardizes the amount of Security Assistance we have in a Multiyear Strategy. I think that is important for longterm. One thing i would tell you in response to our legislation, we have a member of the russian state duma committee, the chairman say that russia may now officially start supplying arms to the dome by separatists domba separatists. I thought that was ironic. Can you comment on the . That . Mr. Dayton i saw this comments. I will tell you, it is really rich. The russians have about 2300. People in the eastern provinces of ukraine that have given them more than 400 tanks, 700 Field Artillery pieces, air defense artillery, small arms, weapons. This is ridiculous. Sure, as if they are not involved. Before the conflict started, these people have nothing. The Ukrainian Military had it all. Right now, this is a pretty formidableorce force facing the Ukrainian Military and they are indeed accompanied by russian activeduty troops. Sen. Portman thank you for that. As you know, i have been out there. It is all out war and there are ukrainians who are dying defending their country and therefore, i am pleased to see that the nda not only has that report, but also we provide the largest amount of lethal defensive aid of the United States that has yet been provided. I appreciate you and my colleagues on this committee and a bipartisan way supporting that. Mr. Burrier, can i ask you a quick question . I do think you are uniquely qualified having helped to transition opec into the efc. My question to you have to deal with what should the dfc do Going Forward . It has recentlybecause in orderg back domestic manufacturing president the production act. This will allow the dfc to make loans targeted at reassuring , buttic supply chain because the dfc works now exclusively internationally, it seems surprising. I understand the dfc has experienced emerging markets. I am interested in your opinion as to why the dfc was chosen for this mission . Thank you senator for the question. As you noted, the president signed an executive order in may financinged dfcs skills with the dpa lending authority. With a focus on covid19 recovery and relevant domestic supply chains, which we want to see bolstered. I think it is a sign of the unprecedented time we are in that the president took such a step. It is a timelimited two year authority. I feel comforted by the fact, and i want to share with the community that we have done a lot of work with dod to all that off so that these defense production act loans are done under that authority and dod resources, and do not impact the resources. Dfc is reserved for international derailment. Appropriations are reserved for our staff and loans will be done under the dod resources. In regards to my role, if confirmed, as you pointed out, that executive order has placed that authority into the ceo. I have been nominated to be the deputy ceo. My background is in Foreign Policy and development. If confirmed, the ceo has asked me to make sure that my focus is going to be on the International Mission to ensure that we are laser focused on that. The challenges in the developing world are so hard. We are not going to take our eye off that ball. I appreciate that and i am sure the chairman and others do as well. The dfc supported enterprise are changing our approach in consolidating and tried to be able to compete with china and others. Be taken want to do to away from your Statutory Mission and investments abroad. Thank you senator. Senator shaheen, you are up next. I do not see your picture. Hopefully you will see me shortly. There you are. Good. Chairman and thank you to all of the nominees this morning for your willingness to come before the committee and testify and consider being nominated for these roles. I am going to start with general dayton. I am sorry if you have answered this question, i was not able to get on the hearing until a few minutes ago, kurt volker, before he became President Trumps envoy in 2018 observed that the minsk agreements were not a solution, but a problem as they essentially legitimize the russian invasion of ukraine. We know this has been the underpinning of u. S. Foreign policy in ukraine to support the minsk agreement. Since it has been six years and we have seen no progress and we have seen, as you pointed out so correctly, the continued support that russia gives to fighters in the dunvbas the equipment and everything. Trying toconsider come up with a different agreement to address what is happening in the ukraine . One of the examples i think is telling is that the kremlin issued up to one million russian passports to ukrainians in the last year. Think it would make sense for us to play a role in trying to negotiate a new agreement to address what is happening in ukraine and the donbass . That is a great question and it is not going well. As you know, the ukrainians just put in their previous president to be the leader of their delegation now. One gets the impression this could go on indefinitely and that the russians are playing rope a dope with everybody. Should the United States get involved . I do not know. Right now, the ukrainians under president zelensky think that they are in a fairly good place because they are not going to give into the russians on territorial integrity issues or special status for the donbass. We have got our hands full in a lot of places. I would like to give it a shot myself first before i were able to give you a more coherent answer. I appreciate that. Minskmber when the agreement was being negotiated, there was a lot of opposition from the germans and other europeans to the United States providing more weapons to the ukrainians to fight back against the russians. Thatl ownership of agreement in a way that they do not seem to continue to have. I do not know if you have been able to talk to anyone in the European Community about ukraine and whether they think it is time to look at trying to negotiate a new effort to end the fighting and address russias interventions. I do talk to europeans about this. I am resident here in germany. Germany, lithuania and the United Kingdom are members of the group that i work with, advising the defense minister. Theyll believe we are doing the right thing. They all support the u. S. Arming the ukrainians and trying to revamp their defense sector. They think this makes sense. Politically, where are these countries . So far, the European Union countries have been steadfast in sanctions against russia and have had plenty of opportunity to walk away and have not done so. I would like to take a good hard look at this if i am confirmed. Consult with the experts. Consult with the ambassadors involved in the normandy process. I know that secretary pompeo in front of this Committee Last week suggested that it is a good the formerctivate kurt volker position. I strongly agree with that. I think we could use the help. That make sense to me as well and i look forward to hearing your assessments once you have been on the job for a while and seeing what you think other things we could be doing to address the situation there. My next question is for ms. Fischer. Like others, i share the enthusiasm that we have. We are now sending an ambassador to belarus for the First Time Since 2008. I know there are some actions belarus has taken which meant that we feel like it is appropriate now to send an ambassador back to the country. I want to follow up on senator question. As you look at the steps belarus would need to take in order for engagement, what kinds of things do you want to begin to see more openings for democratic initiatives, more opportunity to engage with the rest of europe and move away from russia . Thank you senator shaheen. I appreciate the question. A couple ofthere is elements to this. It starts with sunday. It starts with the elections on sunday. Not taking steps backward from the modest progress we have seen in recent years in terms of the climate of the political opposition and independent Civil Society. Ensuring component to we can continue to grow this not see stepsnd backwards in the conduct of this president ial election. Beyond that, i think it is incredibly important that we consult with partners in the wherein europe about there are opportunities for us to continue to help belarus build confidence that there is room, space in belarus for opposition voices, for Civil Society. Fund mentally, i think tenants of the belarus democracy act, requirements that braud laid what we are trying to get done is basically to ensure there is space, space for more than one voice in this country. That ittant to me is important to me to understand the dynamics on the ground and what are the pieces as we think about sequencing, concrete steps. I do not want to prejudge what that looks like from here. I will tell you, i see this stafftee, the members and as important partners in how we gauge a process Going Forward. Us inis opportunity for belarus, no question about it. Moving beyond the idea that this is a country that is looking only at one other capital, or perhaps two capitals is absolutely essential as we think about security. Ownont do that absent our values. So, i know that they are still in the middle of the pandemic in europe as well. Will there be any independent monitors of the election this weekend . The oc willtely, not be on the ground, nor the council. Say t know that i can our embassy will have a limited number of teams. We have limited presence on the ground. There are already members of our team observing the early Voting Period which has started. That is different from the folsom observation efforts. I think it will be difficult to draw conclusions absence those , dataformation points points we generally look to to help inform our judgments of the conduct of elections. How about a Civil Society monitor . Interesting been an i would like to characterize it as a grassroots sort of movement for individuals to report on what they are seeing in polling stations. There has been a reaction from the central Election Mission for whether or not that is allowed. The way that precincts are being set up is different from how it was in the past. Fore has been a proposal individual voters to look forward look for what they see in polling stations were potentially their votes. That is certainly not accepted by the Central Election Commission and the authorities. Think about the preelection environment, we are also looking at Campaign Rallies authorize. Are authorized. The require permission. The late cancellation of viously of proved previously approved events is something we do not need. We do not need people taking photos and precincts to understand that. It is part of the overall picture of the conduct of these elections. Wmata missed i do not know how much time i have. The chairman has been very generous with the time. You will be some time now, but if these are important people. Feel free. A couple of questions for miss barbara. If confirmed, part of your role will be to represent the united forms including their committee on the status of women which functions under the economic and social council at the u. N. Unfortunately, last year the u. S. Delegation is reported to have pushed for the removal of the term gender in the final document outlining the priorities of the commission for the year. If confirmed, will you prioritize womens rights at the u. N. , and will you work to inssert the role of the u. S. Promoting and protecting womens rights around the world . Absolutely. Can you also talk about how you might use that position at the u. N. To do that, the kinds of actions you would like to see anden to support the Rights Empowerment of women around the world . Yes. Thank you for this question. The empowerment of women and girls is critical and i believe it is important that we unlock the potential there. There already exists many affiliates and human agencies like the u. N. Women commission on the status of women that you mentioned. Even within this administration in the United States, w gep and other organizations are coming together to do a whole of government approach, seeing to it that we are about that we are empowering women. If approved, i will build on that momentum that already exists and add my voice and energy to that. Legislation that is before the committee right now that will encourage Economic Empowerment of women and i am hopeful we can do that. Thank you very much. Are you done . I have chris murphy come i dont see his picture but i see he has entered. I am. Can you see me . I cannot. There is a button on your computer you can get your grandkids to push for you. [laughter] i should be here. You are on now. Great. Thank you very much mr. Chairman and thank you to all of our witnesses for your willingness to serve. One quick comment before ask a few questions. Thank you for your willingness to serve in an agency that we have given a wideranging mission to. Would i would agree with senator portman that the additional responsibilities that have been given to gfci, but i would note that amongst the countries, the dfc is involved in lebanon. Our heart breaks for the explosion that has killed untold numbers of lebanese. Thatnk it is a country now dfc can double down on. There are investments there that i think will be very important. For the rebuilding and Economic Stabilization of that nation. I make that editorial comment in the beginning. For general are dayton. The line ofild upon inquiry from senator menendez. I understand your question to his specific question about whether or not he would meet with Rudy Giuliani. Your answer is you would be open to meeting with any u. S. Citizen, but i think the reason has asked this is that Rudy Giuliani was not in ukraine as a private u. S. Citizen. There representing the campaign interests of the president of the United States. Let me ask the same question, but are generally. Do you think it is appropriate for the ambassador to ukraine to be meeting with representatives of the president s reelection effort, or the president s opponents reelection efforts particularly months prior to an election . Senator, the answer to that is the greatest Strategic Asset to ukraine right now the bilateral and bipartisan support they enjoy from the u. S. Congress. As ambassador come i would do my utmost to protect that bipartisan support and to look at any request for audiences and all that with a critical eye. I believe that is the jewel in the crown for ukraine right now, bipartisan support for the country. I approach this hearing very much like senator portman. I was enthusiastic about her nomination. You seem to be the perfect person to fit the bill at this moment. I will admit to being a little concerned about your inability to answer these questions directly. Let me ask again. Do you think it is appropriate for the u. S. Ambassador to ukraine to be meeting with representatives of either joe bidens reElection Campaign or the president s reelection days of aithin 100 president ial election . I am not quite sure what you are looking for. It would depend on what their agenda is. I think that is something i would have to find out. If they were there for partisan purposes, of course not. It is not something u. S. Ambassador should be advancing the interest of either party before the election. I do not think mr. Giuliani ever met with the ambassador. The concern was that he did not. That is a slightly more direct answer, but i think it was pretty easy, a layup in my mind. Policyask you a question. We talked a lot about military of the i am a sponsor legislation that has been referred to several times. At the same time, i do not see as marching an army into kiev. Putin is trying to politically break the country. Myopia andave had a seen our rollf too often in providing military support rather than political and economic support. Do you agree with me that putins aim ultimately is not to march an army across eastern ukraine, it is to try to create enough political and instability so that it a government is installed in kiev that is once again from the to his interests . Case, isnt it just as important, if not more important to be supplying economic and political anticorruption age to ukraine as it is for us to be providing Security Assistance . I think you are right. I think the security insistence assistance is important. Putins goal is to destabilize this country. Why fight if you can destabilize the country without fighting . Isnomic and other assistance very important, but needs to be tied to genuine reform on the ukrainian side. All of the assistance in the world not tied to reform probably wont be much good either. Youastly, as you mentioned are an expert not only in , but germany and u. S. German relations, the president of the United States has said that germany has done nothing for ukraine. Do you agree with that statement . I would tell you the United States is overwhelmingly the supporter of ukraine in. I work with a german colleague on my defense reform advisory board. He would be the first to admit that germany is doing some things primarily in the area of medical assistance and how you build hospitals and things like that. In my view, germany could do more. And perhaps will do more. Germany has a sizable humanitarian commit to ukraine sizable humanitarian commitment to ukraine, correct . They do. So it is not true that germany is doing nothing . That is correct. I do not think i said that. I said i would like to see germany do more. Lithuania does more for ukraine, frankly, than most countries. Ok. Thank you. Thank you senator murphy. I think the only ones left are mr. Menendez. Before i turned back to senator menendez for initial questions, are there any other members of the committee . Senator kaine is on. Where are you . There you are. We have a very strict five minute rule here. I have been seeing how unrestricted has been. [laughter] i was hoping you were not watching. Many of my questions have been answered. Wong, i want alex to focus on the job that you are currently in because your work on the north korea deste your work on the north korean desk i think is fabulous. I have appreciated when steve egan has come to the committee, he is enthusiastic about his efforts but does not oversell the results. This seems to be a difficult problem. I put that on north koreas shoulders. I think we are making a lot of efforts, but as of yet i am i have not seen anything i would consider a result to celebrate. Share with me, if you will. We had a hearing yesterday about venezuela and a number of us were trying a lot of things but not seeing the results we would like, just as we tried a lot of things in syria and did not see results there. The current dynamic in north testing apparently, according to recent news, a very small warhead, miniaturized warheads. They are moving forward at a rapid pace and we have not yet come up with the strategies in tandem with others to stop them. Is there any reason that members of the committee should feel optimistic about something around the corner that might change the equation . Or, are we seeing a north korea that just intends on doing what they want and there is little the u. S. Can do to alter . Thank you for the question then thank you for your continued engagement. You are right. Yet, as is obvious, reached a final denuclearization of north korea, which is the objective of the president s policy on these negotiations. All those difficult problems you mentioned, news reports, the term is miniaturization. That report is a human doe report on that report. That is not public yet, i have not had the chance to fully review it. Korea has beenh pursuing nuclear weapons, Missile Technology to threaten the region, the world and the United States of america. That is why it is so important for us to have the policy on the strategy that we do. As you know, that strategy starts with an unprecedented International Pressure campaign. One that arose from work at the un Security Council, but also from york that he. Not just sanctions, but diplomatic isolation and overall cooperation with partners around the world. To pressure north korea, show that there are costs for them departing from the international consensus. Sanctions ande let pressure to channel them into negotiations on a roadmap that will implement the complete denuclearization that chairman to President Trump. Where over two years on from the singapore summit. The good thing about the work we have done at the leader level is that we have something we have not had before, a leader level commit to complete denuclearization. We have not yet on the working level negotiations we need to do. To develop the roadmap to realize that objective. What i would say is the u. S. Is ready. Been in discussions with representative egan. We have a strong team ready to negotiate. We need to continue the pressure, galvanize the world behind the consensus strategy of using pressure to channel north korea into negotiations. More question to show the chairman i can stick in my five minutes. To what extent do we still positivehe ultimate resolution of this set will involve significant involvement from china and how is the current u. S. China friction making that necessary involvement, if you think it is necessary element more complicated . China does not have a role to play here. We have a very complicated across we have a complicated relationship across the board with china. One thing they have consistently said is they see north korea as an area upon which we can continue to cooperate. That is a good sentiment. That is a good message. I believe we have overlapping interests with china, perhaps not identical interests but overlapping interests. We can grow that. That takes diplomacy. You remember at the u. N. , china did come on board with unprecedented sanctions and they have done a lot to implement those sanctions as far as taking down the two way trade to extremely low levels with north korea. There continues to be more work china can do, particularly on sanctions. Conversationtinued that we have with the chinese, deputy secretary egan has specifically had with the chinese. They can do more but we need to keep the lines of communication open. We wont always agree but we should continue to communicate and work together. We do have overlapping interests on the peninsula. Thank you. Thank you senator kaine. I appreciate you doing that. Besides myself and senator menendez, are there any other members of the committee on the call . Not, senator menendez, i will recognize you again. Thank you mr. Chairman. Let me go back to general dayton. Iso i understand, you confirmed,w that if your responsibility to the u. S. Ambassador is to not only report and share information with the executive branch, but also congress . Of course. I do believe that. Forme clarify something both you and senator murphy, if i may. The question originally came in about mr. Giuliani and i would like to put to giuliani to the side for a second. If i as ambassador in key have had any indication there is any kind of election interference going on using ukraine as a lever to do that, i would of course report that directly to this committee. I think you have a right to know that. I think i have an obligation to report that. I hope i did not make it unclear. What i was trying to say was that if somebody wants to see me as far as the responsibility to this committee, in a case like that, i agree. I appreciate that additional clarification. This, if congress was to pass additional legislation to increase Security Assistance for ukraine, what sector of the Ukraine Security forces would you propose being strengthened . That is a great question and we are working on it. The answer is the navy. And the air force. That those are the sectors that need work. We are already working on that largely through the generosity of your committee and the u. S. Senate, the ukrainians have the ability now to deal with some of the things in coastal patrol, maritime, that are important. View willa, in my become an increasingly important area for all of us to be looking at strategically. Finally, it is a developing democracy and there remain significant reform challenges. If confirmed, what would be your priorities on roof or amend your plan to see them come to fruition . Probably what i would call rule of law. And the judiciary. Emergencyht, it is an an emerging democracy. I get a lot of young ukrainians here at the Marshall Center who are very realistic working in these areas of countering corruption into the old ways. They tell me to a person that it is the judiciary that is the problem. They can come up with cases to put before the judiciary and the cases are either dismissed or they are delayed for so long that they are no longer meaningful. This is an area i believe is very important and it will be probably my number one priority if i were confirmed. Thank you very much. Me go back to you on the issue of womens rights and empowerment. Can you provide us with your understanding of whether women can meaningfully participate if they are not able to have autonomous control of their own bodies supported by a comprehensive access to sexual and Reproductive Health . I will say the United States has historically, and continues to be the largest contributor for programs that help women and children. The health and wellness of women. To supporte continue womens health. Ok. You are very capable, from what i am told. Let me repeat my question. Issue of womens rights and empowerment, the question goes to, open be a woman whos going to involved in these issues meaningfully participate in the economy . They are not able to have autonomous control of their own bodies supported by comprehensive access to sexual and Reproductive Health. Yes, no . I would say it is a difficult question to answer. Women, we need to help women find ways to meant for women to meaningfully participate in their economy. I think they can. In some countries they need help. If confirmed by look forward to adding my voice to the United States efforts that already exist in helping women. I appreciate that. Heres the problem. Youre going to be in an position in which the issues i have just raised are going to be a significant part of your portfolio. You may not want to skirt them with me, you may that she may but you willffend, be representing the totality of the United States of america. Our law has been very clear in this regard. Our pursuits are our engagement has been very clear. You leave me unnerved by your answer. Will you commit to complying amendments,der prohibition on lobbying for or against abortions multilateral forums . I cant hear you. Yes, senator. All right. Let me turn to mr. Wong. Over the past several years, the u. S. Has taken actions that have downgraded its engagement in the number of critical human bodies and peacekeeping programs has racked up a nearly 1 billion in dues, withdraw from the human rights council, funding for the human rights office, aggregated participation in other human institutions and initiatives including the paris agreement, most recently submitted paperwork to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization in the midst of a global pandemic. As someone who is being nominated to participate in the probably the premier agreeateral forum, do you with these decisions to withdraw from key multilateral bodies at a time in which the world faces enormous global issues . Let me start by saying i , largely u. N. System due to u. S. Leadership and u. S. Funding over the decades has developed a number of institutions to benefit not just u. S. Interests, but support the u. N. Charter. Mainly speaking of peacekeeping world food program, unicef, counterterrorism bodies. Lead and are the number one funder of. You talked about withdrawal from certain organizations, youth think that when there is an organization that does not abide by the u. N. Charter, does not wherep to its principles, reform or the path to reform is not available with continued u. S. Participation, withdrawal shows withdrawals should be considered because it is a strong incentive for reform to get those bodies to get up to again for filling their principles and their mission as well as the u. N. Charter. Putting aside withdrawal, with his which is a position not to be taken lightly, we need concerted diplomacy. Concerted u. S. Leadership to galvanize our likeminded initiatives, but also to form and keep these organizations honest with the u. N. Charter. Yourt me just take explanation to logical conclusion. Ofs assume for the sake argument that every entity within the human body is one in which you make the decision that, in fact, we cannot buy our participation and seek to reform we want, then what is the use of what is the use of being part of the United Nations . I do not think that is the case with the grand majority of organizations that we support. Is ank the u. N. System institution that not just our interests, but the interests of our friends and allies. I do not think we are there with the organizations but we will continue to do the work to ensure that the organizations across the u. N. System, but particularly in my portfolio and security space and peacekeeping space, that those who remain faithful to the charter. Those who advance global interests. Principlesromise the that all countries signed up to when they signed up for the u. N. Charter. We ,rry that when china and ultimately fills in the space and seeks to mold the institution in its own desire. It is a real concern as we move forward. Let me talk about peacekeeping, since you just raised it up. Do you agree that peacekeeping our operations are a good example of sharing . . I do agree. If you are confirmed, will you ensure that peacekeeping operations prominently feature in the uns options to avoid conflict . I do sir. What happens when we promote those ideas come up which i agree with you particularly to our allies when we fail to honor financial commitments that we ourselves have voted for on the Security Council . I agree with you. Peacekeeping operations have to be appropriately funded so they can complete their missions. They need to be effective to create stability and forms of security so we can hand it off ultimate political stability in these hotspots around the world. You mentioned fighting. I want to note, the United States remains by far the number one funder of peacekeeping operations around the world. We abide by the policy. I think, a legislative policy that we think we should not fund more than one quarter or 25 of the budget. My numbersent, if are correct are around 27. 8 . We are falling short of that. That is because of a reasonable policy. We supply one quarter of these funds. We think other countries should step up. States of193 member the United Nations. We are the worlds only superpower, but i think 25 is a reasonable number. Confirmed,ard to, if continuing the consultation with you and your office as well list this committee on this important issue. Real concern when we at the Security Council vote for peacekeeping operations and then we fall on our readers. Wen if we are the largest, think that a peacekeeping operation is in the National Interest of the United States, we have to see that its mission can be achieved. Appreciate your global answer, but this is going to be a continuing issue as to how we cast our vote and then ultimately deal with the mission itself in terms of its funding. Let me finally turn to mr. Here, our nominee from belarus. Do you believe it is appropriate for the dfc to be undertaking domestic supply chain issues . As you know, the president signed an executive order to give us that limited two year authority. I am comforted by the fact we have structured that so that that authority is going to take place under the defense production act and not compete with resources which i am committed to. Dfc,en i helped create the it is not what i was supportive of. The dfc is not international the dfc is an International Development role. I do not expect, not only with its mending a date mandate, i do not believe staff and resources are going to be used to take away from the congressionally mandated mission. I am seriously concerned about that. , im also concerned successfully fought to include opecs environmental policy statement to the dfc, i need to understand how the dfc published a new d fps that looks very different from the sps, section six of the bill that was supposed to transfer. I need you to explain how these changes were made without violation without violating section 606. I have nothing against Nuclear Power, but i am skeptical of the dfcs new policy to build Nuclear Power plants in developing countries regarding security, environmental concerns, longterm debt. So, explain to me how what you did, as it relates to that whatsion, does not violate the law actually says. I worked with her staff on that provision section 1466 of the bill that the transfer opec to the dfc. That time, we did voluntarily notice for a period of public comment, a proposed change to the nuclear policy. We thought it was a voluntary effort on our end to allow us to consider Nuclear Projects, but i want to assure you that does not change the countries its we would operate in, or our developmental mandate. We believe strongly that energy is a key driver of Economic Development and see a role for medium reactors that are coming online in the future and want to work close with that policy to ensure you have the information you need. If you are confirmed, we will followup the agency no matter what. If you are confirmed, we will followup with you to make sure that what was the law maintains not only in its actions but in its spirit as well. Mr. Fisher, let me ask you, we rejoice in seeing the movement that belarus is taking, but the besident of belarus may moving away from moscow but is currently not moving towards democracy. Do you agree with the principles that were laid out in the belarus democracy act . Yes i do. How should the United States approach the issues of sanctions with respect to belarus . Senator, i would urge that we approach them carefully. Any hastyt support on sanctions. Ove i think they have they will put in place for they were put in place for specific concrete reasons. The absence of progress in those suggest consult very carefully between the administration and the committee. As to our assessments in our judgment, progress we may or may not see with regards to where sanctions are suspended but could snap back in the event of a regime crackdown . The suspension of those sanctions has been a very useful tool. Somethingve they are very valuable should be see steps backwards. It is very hard for me to predict what are the precise conditions under which we would do that, particularly given how challenging it will be to understand conditions on the ground in the coming days. With the lack of observer missions, the limited number of people who will be but, this the suspension is a very useful tool. Yes sir. Intend to engage, if confirmed with the belarus government on the issues such as ending politically motivated detentions . What specific actions do you think we should prioritize and respond to . Think my own experience in this part of the world tells me that we have the most important thing we do is have an honest and direct conversation with ranger authorities. One person there is whose opinion matters most. But, helping build confidence to make progress, seeing that there is a step that helps ensure belarus sovereignty and independence, i think is an effort that takes time and repeated engagement and conversation. I think the importance of a message that is unified from washington and i think we have had out of washington, we have spoken clearly with one voice and that has been very useful. The statement from senators rubio, and cardin on the conduct of the election, in addition to secretary pompeos statement, in addition to what our embassy put up, that is incredibly important as belarus makes a calculation about its own standing. Belarus has been very clear, they are seeking further engagement with the west. Clear how is very many strings are attached to moscows engagement in belarus. It is also clear the high cost of doing business. West, not just the United States, but for us in the , seeing belarus make progress in this area is absolutely essential. Thank you. You have been true to your word, i appreciate i want to comment very briefly on your conversation with mr. Burrier regarding the mission of the dfc and the way they are operating. I think mr. Burrier laid out really clearly, and i sincerely appreciate your concerns regarding the issues you raised. Is spelled out. Importantothing more to development than electricity and energy. The nationalate, laboratory, the birthplace of Nuclear Power has built 52 different reactors. They are now in the process of building what they call the theye that one is done, moved to the microbe reactor. Micro reactor. These things are going to be absolutely critical for development in parts of the world. Is doing in that ard, and i have not challenging your concerns about that. I think the concerns that should be considered, but as we move forward i think we all need to join together particularly when we have the ability to do one to ee agreements that can that hopefully will spread the use of electricity around the world. Do it where we dont get proliferation and we are the vendor instead of the country the benders dont care about. Those are just a few remarks i have, but in no way do i your thoughts regarding so thank you. Towith that, we are going end the hearing. Thanks to our nominees, certainly here. Especially thanks to your families [indiscernible] i want to extend our appreciation. [indiscernible] thank you and thanks to all for your participation. This hearing is adjourned. Announcer now that President Trump has signed a number of executive orders for covid relief, here is a look at Congress Heading into next week. Stands in the house recess for the month of august, holding brief pro forma sessions every few days between now and labor day. In the senate, Mitch Mcconnell says he plans to remain in session in case an agreement is reached. Votes are currently scheduled for when the Senate Returns monday at 3 00 p. M. Eastern. If a deal is announced, all lawmakers will have 24 hours notice to return to the capital for votes. As always, you can follow the house live on cspan and the senate live on cspan2. Washington journal, every day we are taking her calls live on air on the news of the day. Policy issues that impact you. This morning, the 19th editor in large aaron haynes will join us. Plus, related topics of campaign 2020. On the 75th anniversary of the nagasaki and hiroshima bombings, we talked to military historian richard frank, and later with american universities director of nuclear studies. Watch washington journal, at 7 00 this morning. Be sure to join this discussion with phone calls, facebook comments, texts and tweets. Announcer Democratic Congressional leaders in the white house failed to reach an agreement friday. So, President Trump signed executive orders for coronavirus relief, including a payroll tax holiday, student loan deferments, eviction perfections , and unemployment benefits. From the Trump National golf club in bedminster, new jersey. This is half an hour. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States donald j. Trump