Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the president s pick for several ambassadorial positions including james story to be u. S. Ambassador to venezuela, and William Douglas to be the u. S. Ambassador to the bahamas. Want to thank each of our nominees today for their willingness to serve in these important roles and to my colleagues on this committee for joining this hearing. One of this committees most important tasks i have discovered is to review and evaluate the president s nominee to serve in critical posts around the globe, like those you aim to serve. These nominees serve as the most window into america and to our universal values. ,he willingness of talented qualified individuals to serve has never been more valuable than it is today. As American Leadership is crucial in bringing the world out of the shadow of covid19. In advocating for American Values, defending human rights, transparency, and Economic Freedom and seeking to ensure a more secure, stable, and prosperous world, where democracy and freedoms are able to flourish, we are all working towards that end. With that in mind, i wish to again thank our nominees for appearing and your willingness to continuing our nation. Today, this committee will consider the nominations of six individuals to represent the United States of america. The nominees before us are mr. William, doug douglas, to serve as the u. S. Ambassador to the commonwealth of the bahamas. Higgins to be the u. S. To the republic of burgundy. Ms. Jean maloney to be the ambassador of the kingdom of s bikini. Mr. Michael mccarthy to serve as the u. S. Ambassador to the republic of liberia. Singh toable monisha be u. S. Representative to the organization for Economic Cooperation and development with the rank of ambassador. And mr. James story to you as to serve as u. S. Ambassador to the republic of venezuela. Thank you all again for your willingness to serve this country. Friend andrn to my fellow senator, bob menendez, i wish to underscore to our nominees the need for a passionate defense of American Values in your future positions. If confirmed, each of you will be presented with an challenges. I know all of you are committed patriots, and i hope you will direct that spirit toward the preservation of peace, the expansion of opportunity, and a fervent enthusiasm for your post and for the values you represent. I look forward to hearing how you will seek to do that very soon. I now wish to recognize my distinguished colleague and friend, senator menon does, for his opening comments. Sen. Menendez thank you, mr. Chairman. A moment before i address the nominees themselves, i am compelled to note for the record that this unfortunately is another, in a series of hearings that chairman risch has noticed unilaterally. Violation ofalso a Committee Practice which requires seven days notice and with a democratic Ranking Member. Unfortunate, we have to acknowledge that the chairman has established a new set of precedents that will govern the committee regardless of who was in the majority. Sen. Young if the gentleman will yield. Sen. Menendez surely. Sen. Young i will respectfully note for the record also, it is my understanding that there was consultation between staffs before this hearing was noticed. Sen. Menendez i appreciate that, mr. Chairman. Consultation, as someone who has been on this committee since i came to congress 15 years ago, consultation is not the modus operandi of the committee. It is consultation that ultimately arrives in an agreement between the chairman and Ranking Member, whoever they may be. So i appreciate that constant reference that has been made to consultation. It is im sure consultation will take place the same way. Im pleased, however, to see that we are considering today the nomination for our next u. S. Ambassador to venezuela. As we heard in tuesdays hearing on venezuela, the situation in venezuela requires our urgent attention. Despite the international communitys unwavering support of juan guaido, the regime intends to hold another fraudulent election. A massive humanitarian crisis, armed groups including colombian guerrillas, paramilitaries, drug traffickers, operate across venezuelan territory with impunity. And the governments of cuba, russia, china, and iran have gone through lengths to prop up the maduro regime and undermine american influence. Against this incredibly complex landscape, i look forward to hearing from todays nominee about what steps the United States needs to take to better achieve our shared bipartisan policy objectives im pleased. To see that the administration has a new bomb nominee for the bahamas. The u. S. Must recommit to our Bilateral Partnership with the bahamas. From deepening the ties between our people, to strengthening our work on maritime and narcotics issues, to building on economic links between our countries. I look forward to hearing how the u. S. Can expand our cooperation with the hamas. Mr. Douglas, i understand you know the bahamas well, and we look forward to your insights today. Ways, it is a Success Story after decades of brutal civil war. President george way was inaugurated in 2018, making the countrys first transfer of power between elected heads of states since 1944. However, challenges remain. Liberias economy has still not recovered from years of conflict. The devastating Ebola Outbreak from 20142015 killed 5000 people and pledged the country into recession. Now liberia is confronted with the prospect of a covid19 epidemic. If confirmed, mr. Mccarthy, your voice will have significant influence due to the unique relationship between the United States and liberia, and i hope to hear today how you plan to use that voice to speak on the issues related to transparency, good governance, and respect for Political Freedoms. Andpolitical situation brandy remains precarious. There have been allegations that this years elections were marred by targeted attacks against oppositions, restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, hate speech, and widespread irregularities in the voting process. More than 300,000 refugees remain abroad due to fears of violence and ethnic tensions remain high. The impact that covid19 is having on veranda he is unclear but of around as Weak Health System coupled with the failure to have a lockdown is cause for alarm. If confirmed, im sorry, miss higgins, if confirmed, you will serve in a country where civil and Political Freedoms are harshly circumscribed, and corruption and genderbased violence is rampant, in with the highest hivaids rate in the world. I look forward to hearing from you as to how both of you, actually, as to how you plan to meet the serious challenges ahead. Finally, i also look forward to hearing from ms. Singh of what she hopes to accomplish at the oecd which has been an important tool for u. S. Diplomacy and collaboration on Global Economic policy. At a time of growing national sentiment, we must retain our leadership of International Financial institutions, and not russia. Them to china or we must work with our allies to create a more inclusive global everyone. At benefits and we must reinvigorate the instruments of economic home, so that the department of state, commerce, treasury, and ustr work in tandem to promote u. S. Businesses and economic ideals across the globe. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Sen. Young thank you, senator menendez. I too look forward to hearing from our nominees. We will do so momentarily. I will say as the powerful chairman of the Multilateral Institution subcommittee, i say that a bit tongueincheek, but i am chairman of the subcommittee, the oecd is of particular interest. Allratulations, again, to of you on your nominations. These important positions. Thank you to you and your families, for the sacrifices you have made and will continue to make in service to our nation. Without objection, your full written statements will be included in the record. Ie to the size of our panel, ask you summarize your written statement in no more than five minutes. We will hear first from mr. Douglas, the president s nominee to serve as the u. S. Ambassador to the bahamas. Mr. Douglas has worked as a businessman, and an investor for over 35 years. He has led his own Investment Firm from 1994 until 2015. He has managed the International Business of several Prominent Securities and business organizations. He is an avid philanthropist, both in the United States and overseas, including in the bahamas. And he has won numerous awards for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. Mr. Douglas, thank you for your appearance today. Please proceed. Mr. Douglas mr. Chairman and senator menendez, and distinguished members of the committee, im honored to appear before you today as the president s nominee to serve as the next u. S. Ambassador to the commonwealth of the bahamas. Im grateful to President Trump and secretary pompeo for the confidence they have placed in me. If confirmed, i commit to work closely with this committee and its staff, and other members of congress to advance National Interest and deepen our already Close Partnership with the bahamas. I would like to take this family,ity to thank my my wife, kristen and children, elizabeth, and william. For over three generations, my family has maintained connections to the bahamas, its business leaders, and residents. The bahamas is a proud independent sovereign nation, having gained its independence in 1973. It is therefore one of the great honors of my life to be considered for the position of ambassador to the United States of the bahamas. The bahamas was struck with backtoback disasters of hurricanes and now the covid19 pandemic. Both are taking a severe toll on the economy as well as affecting u. S. Interest and poses severe economic and social challenges to the country. The United States has proven itself a strong and stalwart partner in assisting the bahamas. If confirmed, i intend to continue working with the bahamas to restore the countrys economic strength, and protect vital u. S. Interest, investment, tourism, and importantly, security. It is in our interest that the bahamas remain a strong and stable partner. Butat its nearest point, country allows 45 nautical miles from the coast of florida. Our countries have worked steadfastly together to intercept narcotics and reduce human trafficking. Ambassador, is continue to advance these efforts. I have been visiting the bahamas for more than 50 years. Over the past decade, ive witnessed firsthand chinas efforts of gaining a foothold in the bahamas. This has been a shared concern of both countries. Chinas president presence is evident, and has included road projects, facilities, hotels, resorts across the area, and the use of their technology. If confirmed as ambassador, i will not only seek to increase American Investment and promote our countrys shared values, but also clearly communicate the risks of dealing with china, which often come with Strings Attached and limited appointment value for citizens. The u. S. Should be there country of choice for foreign investment. I strongly believe American Companies can compete when transparent regulations, practices, and the respect for the rule of law prevail. In closing, i commit to you that i have the integrity, experience, and passion to lead our bilateral relationship with the people and the government of the commonwealth of the bahamas. If confirmed, i pledged to uphold tradition and high standards of Public Service expected of the u. S. Ambassador. Thank you, and i welcome your questions. Sen. Young thank you, mr. Douglas. Next we will hear from ms. Melanie higgins. Ms. Higgins is a career member of the Foreign Service, class of counselor. She served in the office of Central African affairs at the state department as director since 2018. Previously, she served as principal officer of the u. S. Consulate in auckland, new zealand. And as deputy chief of mission at the u. S. Embassy in new guinea. Additionally, in a career of over 20 years, she has served in cameroon, australia, bosnia, and sarajevo. And indonesia. And filled many positions at the state department here in washington. Ms. Higgins, thank you for your service and please proceed. Young,gins chairman Ranking Member menendez and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to today. Before you it is a great honor to appear as the president s nominee to be the ambassador to the public of morandi. I would like to acknowledge my family members, especially my paul, who is a Security Service special agent serving as the Regional Security officer of the u. S. Embassy in mogadishu, somalia. He may be half a world away, but i know he is here with me in spirit and i cannot ask for more support. I would like to mention my myents, my sister, brotherinlaw, and nephews justin and ryan. Chairman, i come from a family that believes deeply in service to the people of the United States of america. All of my relatives served or have served in the militarys, teachers. Ement, or as in 1998, i chose the Foreign Service and was thrilled to get my posting to the Central African company of cameroon. Ive had the privilege of representing our country as well as representing my home state of georgia. Im grateful for the confidence President Trump and sec. Pompeo have placed in me for this nomination. If confirmed, i look forward to working with colleagues across the u. S. Government to advance and uphold u. S. Strategic interests and ideas. The United States has important interests in the republic of rudy. This year on may 20, they had elections that were a significant step forward, though imperfect, because they represented the First Time Since its independence that a president entered office peacefully through a constitutional transfer of power. I have been inspired by the commitment of the people to a election. As we go forward, it is imperative that a Bilateral Dialogue and engagement for the respect of the cultures so we must meet direct in discussing our concerns. Especially on human rights issues where the conversation can be difficult. The president has announced a plan to fight corruption and covid19, in the dialogues he has launched for the range of political stakeholders is positive signs for those but there is more work to do to bring the people the democracy they deserve. I look forward to working with their government and all people to advance beneficial interests on behalf of the american and meridian people. Highly skilled and dedicated locally employed staff, are hard at work to advance americas interests. The u. S. Remains the key partner in addressing Food Insecurity and the health crisis. If confirmed, i would be honored to lead during a time when we seek to redesign our them. Onship with i promise that no goal will be more important than protecting the welfare of u. S. Citizens living and traveling in marin d. I will look work closely with you and the members of committee on behalf of those citizens. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I welcome any questions you may have. Sen. Young thank you, ms. Higgins. Our next nominee is ms. Jean maloney who is the nominee to be u. S. Ambassador to the kingdom of asp teeny. They are a career member of minister counter. Currently serves as the Foreign Policy advisor for u. S. Army africa. She isrly 30 years, overseas in iraq, and now in italy. She has Led International security and counterterrorism efforts both here and in washington and overseas and has extensive experience in the bureau of african affairs. Ms. Maloney, think you for appearing today and please proceed. Ms. Maloney thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, distinguished members of the committee, it is a privilege and honor to appear before you today as the president s nominee to serve as the u. S. Ambassador to the kingdom. I appreciate the confidence the president and secretary of state have placed on me through this nomination. I would like to thank our families for their sacrifice. The United States has enjoyed good bilateral relations since 1968. Country, they have pursued an independent Foreign Policy. It is the only country in africa that maintains the dramatic they have benefited from decades of political stability and limited internal conflict. There are areas of tension. 15 years ago, the country enacted a new constitution but enshrined a broader Political Freedoms, and expanded the roles of the legislative and judicial branches. Progress has been made, but more is needed. If confirmed, i will continue to engage on the need of political reform, transparency, and inclusivity. I will seek to expand dialogue with you. The second key area concerns health. Hivaids has had an impact on them. They have the highest hiv prevalence in the