Development administrator mark green testified before the Appropriations Committee and Donald Trumps 2021 budget request for his agency, he fielded questions on the various foreign aid programs run by usaid and his agencys involvement in responding to the global coronavirus outbreak. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] the subcommittee on state, foreign operations and related programs will come to order. Administrator green, thank youou for joining us today. I really do want to thank you for your stewardship of usaid during very difficult times and for the dedication of our Development Professionals. Usaid helps the worlds most do need a kleenex . We are all carrying them around. Usaid helps the worlds mosta vulnerable, assists in recovery from natural disasters and humanitarian crises, and supports countries efforts to strengthen governance, rule of law, and human rights. This isnt just the right thing to do, it strengthens our National Security and advances american interests. And you certainly have your work cut out for you. There are more than 70 million refugees and displaced people around the world, which is fueled by conflict, natural disasters, and climate change. Ebola continues to simmer in the democratic republic of congo, while the Novel Coronavirus outbreak threatens to become a pandemic. Despite significant progress on our development priorities, we are currently off track to meet the Uns Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Our development and humanitarian efforts are our best hope to tackle these issues. This is why congress has disregarded this administrations last three budget requests, instead providing sufficient resources to effectively and efficiently fund some of our most critical Foreign Policy priorities. The administrations fiscal year 2021 budget request includes funding for several Development Initiatives that we support, such as womens Economic Empowerment, investments to strengthen emerging private sectors, and Global Health security. However, the administration cannot be successful in these initiatives if we under or defund the basics, which is exactly what the proposed 20 cut to our foreign assistance programs would do. For example, if enacted, this request would cut basic education by 66 and Family Planning by 59 . The administration cannot seriously believe that millions of women can achieve Economic Empowerment if they are unable to read, write, do math, ort control the timing and number of children they have. Any benefit from an increase in Global Health security would surely be offset by the proposed 34 cut to all other Global Health programs. Instead of requesting funding and implementing policies to ensure usaid can be successful, the administration seems intent on putting every possible barrier in your way. This is certainly true of the expansion of the global gag rule, the kempkasten determination against unfpa, and unfair stigmatization of multilaterals as wasteful and working against u. S. Interests. The administrations multiple policy reviews have also led to program delays and suspension of assistance. This subcommittee has always believed that our National Security is strongest when defense, diplomacy, and development are equally funded. Without robust funding for development and humanitarian programs, the u. S. Will fail to maintain our position as a leader on the global stage. This will not only harm the worlds most vulnerable. It puts u. S. Lives at risk and reduces our influence. We cannot, and will not, allow this to happen. Again, thank you for testifying today, and i look forward to our discussion. Before we move to your testimony, let me turn to mr. Rogers, the Ranking Member, for who is committed to these issues and has worked very hard as a partner, please, go forward with your opening statement. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair, and welcome, mr. Ambassador. We appreciate your being here to discuss the budget and spending plans. And a review of your work at the agency. Let me start by once again acknowledging the good work that you are doing at usaid and the collaborative manner in which you do it. These are not easy times to be engaged in international development. Challenging operating environments from insecurity, continue to mount as do the needs of those we aim to help. I salute your dedicated cadre of Development Professionals that too often are working in or near very dangerous circumstances. Your leadership and experience especially having served as an ambassador and coincidentally in this body, comes at a critical time because you are already keenly aware of the risks are Foreign Service officers face in carrying out their duties. In these uncertain times. I i want you to know that i am grateful for your leadership at usaid, and you have my support, for whatever that means. Turning to the matter at hand. The president s budget request for fiscal 21 is nearly a 20 cut from fiscal 20 budget. I suspect this proposed cut will be handled in a manner similar to prior years. I look forward to working with the chairwoman in the weeks ahead on the bill that provides more appropriate levels of funding to address the serious global challenges that we are confronted with this year. However, there are a few notable improvements in parts of the budget that deserve mention, including prioritized funding for the indopacific strategy countering chinese, russian, and iranian malign influence, and a focus on strength and engagement with the private sector. I hope you will address these topics as we go along this morning. As well is how you see the rule of usaid in afghanistan, as we enter this new chapter of our engagement there. Im also interested to more about how usaid has and will respond to the coronavirus outbreak. As you know weve been working hard on a supplemental appropriations bill to help in this regard, and hope and trust will pass that through the house this week. I was chairman of the full committee when we worked on the ebola outbreak, and also win zika hit. Having shepherded the supplementals to address those outbreaks to the congress, i knew when i became chair of this subcommittee that i wanted to create a pot of funding that could be tapped quickly to address an emerging Health Threat abroad. That is how we ended up with emergency reserve that you are able to draw from last week for your initial response. Im sure that the months ahead will not be easy in combating this current outbreak, but hope you would keep us informed, let us know will be continue to help in this global effort. There are more priorities that i will address when it comes time for questions. So in closing with his opening statement, let me once again thank you and the men and women from usaid or your hard work and your commitment to the service. We thank you. I yield. Thank you. And i will be calling on members based on seniority of members that were present when the hearing was called to order. I will alternate between majority and minority and each member is asked to keep the questions to within five minutes per round, but first, administrator green, we will be happy to place your full testimony into the record. If you would like to proceed by summarizing your oral statement, that would be fine. We will proceed as you wish id want make sure you leave enough time to get to everyones question. Thank you. Thank you, madam chair, Ranking Member rogers, and members of the subcommittee. I i do welcome this opportunityo summarize my testimony, but also to express appreciation for your ongoing support, particularly for the men and women, professionals at usaid all around the world, as you have noted they are working often in very trying circumstances. The president s fiscal year 2021 budget request approximately 19. 6 billion or usaid, its an effort to balance fiscal responsibility here at home with our leadership role in National Security imperatives on the world stage. Id like to begin by discussing some of the latest developments on a few other more pressing issues, like the drc where usaid continues to lead the u. S. Governments response to the ebola outbreak. There is solid progress to report. There were no new confirmed cases last week, the first time that is happen since the response began. To be clear, the outbreak is not over. Ongoing security threats could still unravel the progress, but nonetheless, there is reason to the optimistic. Of course one of the administrations very highest priorities is taking on the threat posed by the coronavirus. Last month secretary pompeo announced the u. S. Government would contribute up to 100 billion to up stem the spread of the disease internationally. That includes 37 million as was reference for usaid to work in affected countries. These resources are at work in a range of activities including surveillance, lab testing and public messaging campaigns. Were also sending a personal protective equipment to a number of countries. Theyre still much we dont know about the disease, but its worth noting that usaid is invested more than 1. 1 billion in Global Health security since 2009. Those investments have helped improve the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging disease threats like the coronavirus. From natural crises to manmade crises, there is yemen. In many ways the Worlds Largest humanitarian disaster. The fear by the houthis has forced us to plan partial suspension of programs in the countries north, the harassing aid workers and imposing numerous obstacles to service delivery. We cannot tolerate our assistance being impeded or diverted. The houthis must take action to in the interference. We will also be forced to limit where and what we provide. In northwest syria recent operations by syrian and Russian Security forces have displaced nearly 1 Million People from idlib and aleppo. A recent Security Council decision means an effect that u. N. Agencies can no longer use one of the only three entry points into northeastern syria, dangerously constricting our humanitarian lifeline. On a brighter note, last october usaid site its first Bilateral Agreement with venezuela in decades. It enables us to expand our support to independent media, Civil Society, the National Assembly and the government of interim president juan guaido. It will allow us to provide Additional Support once a democratic transition occurs. The request for venezuela includes 205 million from a Global Health fund for that important work. We are hopeful we get to that day and such funds can be expanded and invested. On related note i want to thank the subcommittee for its support of our work in colombia. A visit by her staff to our mission was deeply appreciated by our teams there. In the sahel, security conditions continue to deteriorate. The u. N. Estimates 4000 people have been displaced every single day since the year began. Usaid is providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, trying to help stabilize violence affected areas, it also counter extremist messaging. I want to take a moment and highlight two two successes ase talk about some of the challenges. There are great opportunities and progress we can report on. In india we hope to soon welcomed establishment of a new u. S. India Development Foundation that will enable us to serve anymore catalytic role and help the government more effectively mobilize domestic resources towards areas of ongoing need. And albania that are similar progress. Prime minister told me last november albania doesnt need more money. It needs more Technical Assistance and knowledge as it takes on corruption. We hope to soon see a u. S. Albanian Transparency Academy which will help foster a culture of transparency and accountability in the countries governing institutions. Our ongoing work bring transformation to the agency is becoming more tangible than ever. With your support we now legally established the bureaus resilience and Food Security, humanitarian assistance, and conflict prevention and stabilization. We hope they will soon be joined by the proposed bureau for policy resources and performance. Performance. The concept known for which is still waiting congressional concurrence. Its the most important remaining piece of our transformation, and i look forward to continue to work with you to answer any questions that you might have. Religious freedom isnt merely an American Value as we all know. Its a human right to sadly, religious plurality and the freedom to openly practice ones faith remains under threat in many countries. We are continuing to support communities in Northern Iraq and across the middle east, as they recover from isis brutality. The request includes 150 million to maintain and expand that work. We use those resources to assist communities of all faiths, that face discrimination and persecution wherever it occurs. We are also committed to helping countries struggling to provide highquality education for their children and youth. Madam chair, given your announced retirement plans, i wanted to take a moment to offer a note of admiration. Throughout your time in congress you promoted the transformative power of education. Youve also paid special attention to children living in conflict and crisis situations, and you worked tirelessly to provide them with access to educational services. Your work has created tools and rallied resources that provide hope, for a generation great risk. You may be stepping away from congress, not yet, but your legacy will live on in the millions of people whose lives you have lifted. Its only one of the recent you will always be my favorite jewish mother. Members come i appreciate your support, your guidance, your counsel. And madam chair, again its been an honor to appear before you. Thank you and i welcome your questions. Well, thank you very much, mr. Ambassador. First of all, i appreciate your very kind words. As you know i have felt this is been really an opportunity to serve and to do many good things, and it is really been a special opportunity for me to work with you. We are fortunate to have a person with your integrity, your commitment, your knowledge in this position. And theyre still many more months left. We could do a lot of good things together, so thank you again for your kind words. Now, i have many concerns, as does this committee so much for the efforts. [laughing] so ill begin with afghanistan. Because its been 17 years i believe, isnt that correct . And i am very concerned that the recently signed Peace Agreement with the taliban could undermine the more than 30 billion the subcommittee has provided since 2002 to help promote the rights of women and girls, strengthen institutions for good governance, and increase access to quality education. Now, under the Peace Agreement, can you share with us what is usaids role . Will our programs continue . Will there be any significant changes to u. S. Aid programming or presence . I have a second part but i will let you respond to the first . Thank you, madam chair. I cant tell you that i know all the terms of the Peace Agreement yet, and obviously we are at the front end of it. I think secretary pompeo has put it very well. Were at the moment of opportunity for the people of afghanistan and their leaders. What i can tell you from the usaid perspective is that in addition to focusing on the conditions necessary for peace and applying lessons that weve learned from the sears, we are dedicated to implement thing the goals in our country strategy, including womens empowerment and educational opportunity, particularly Higher Education opportunity. As weve spoken many times, the future of afghanistan, the sustainable, Bright Future for afghanistan is dependent upon increasing the role of women in the economy, in community leadership, and obviously thats very hard to do if those Educational Opportunities go away. So we continued to be dedicated to those goals. Now, can you ensure us, assure us, that the investments made to strengthen the rights of women and girls and increase access to education can be maintained . For example, the subcommittee has demonstrated strong bipartisan support for the American University in afghanistan. With our assistance you a you a f continue under the Peace Agreement . Let me break that apart if i can into two pieces first, in terms of overall the goals that we have shared a womens empowerment educational opportunity, what i can guarantee for you is that will continue to pursue those goals. We can never guarantee outcomes. We can guarantee the effort. With respect to auaf, as we talked about before, a uas has been operating under an extended cooperative agreement. The terms of which run out in may, however. Theyve been granted a nocost extension which takes them into the summer, and theyve been invited to compete for competitive funding, which is out there. Its procurement sensitive and im not even sure all those who have applied, but i can tell you that the goals of Higher Education opportunities remain as important to us today as they ever have been. I just