State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations for 2020

STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2020

HEARINGS BEFORE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS NITA M. LOWEY, New York, Chairwoman BARBARA LEE, California HAROLD ROGERS, Kentucky GRACE MENG, New York JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina MARTHA ROBY, Alabama LOIS FRANKEL, Florida NORMA J. TORRES, California NOTE: Under committee rules, Mrs. Lowey, as chairwoman of the full committee, and Ms. Granger, as ranking minority member of the full committee, are authorized to sit as members of all subcommittees. STEVE MARCHESE,CRAIG HIGGINS,ERIN KOLODJESKI,DEAN KOULOURIS, JEAN KWON,MARIN STEIN,JASON WHEELOCK, and CLELIA ALVARADO Subcommittee Staff

PART 4 TESTIMONY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHER INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS (

Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 39–683 WASHINGTON: 2020 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS NITA M. LOWEY, New York, Chairwoman MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio KAY GRANGER, Texas PETER J. VISCLOSKY, Indiana HAROLD ROGERS, Kentucky JOSE´ E. SERRANO, New York ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, Alabama ROSA L. DELAURO, Connecticut MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina JOHN R. CARTER, Texas LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, California KEN CALVERT, California SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR., Georgia TOM COLE, Oklahoma BARBARA LEE, California MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota TOM GRAVES, Georgia TIM RYAN, Ohio STEVE WOMACK, Arkansas C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, Maryland JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida CHUCK FLEISCHMANN, Tennessee HENRY CUELLAR, Texas JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine DAVID P. JOYCE, Ohio MIKE QUIGLEY, Illinois ANDY HARRIS, Maryland DEREK KILMER, Washington MARTHA ROBY, Alabama MATT CARTWRIGHT, Pennsylvania MARK E. AMODEI, Nevada GRACE MENG, New York CHRIS STEWART, Utah MARK POCAN, Wisconsin STEVEN M. PALAZZO, Mississippi KATHERINE M. CLARK, Massachusetts DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington PETE AGUILAR, California JOHN R. MOOLENAAR, Michigan LOIS FRANKEL, Florida JOHN H. RUTHERFORD, Florida CHERI BUSTOS, Illinois WILL HURD, Texas BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, New Jersey BRENDA L. LAWRENCE, Michigan NORMA J. TORRES, California CHARLIE CRIST, Florida ANN KIRKPATRICK, Arizona ED CASE, Hawaii

SHALANDA YOUNG, Clerk and Staff Director

(II) STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2020

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. MEMBERS’ DAY

OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRWOMAN LOWEY The CHAIRWOMAN. Good morning. The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs will come to order. I welcome our distinguished colleagues. It is a pleasure to have you join us for our second hearing of the year. Even though we are still waiting for the president’s Fiscal Year 2020 request, we have already started our appropriations season, and your voices are integral to the process. The democracy, development, diplomacy, humanitarian, and security assistance programs funded in this bill are critical to maintaining U.S. global leadership, protecting our national security and promoting economic growth. Yet, since coming to office, the president has proposed cutting these programs by more than 30 percent each year. Fortunately, Congress responded with a resounding and bipartisan rejection of the administration’s proposals. It is my expectation that we will see a similarly damaging request again this year. That is why I appreciate each of you making time to testify and draw attention to these critical programs, the very programs that protect our national security and uphold our foreign policy priorities. I thank you again for coming, and I look forward to hearing from my distinguished colleagues about your priorities in the State and Foreign Operations bill. At this point, I would like to turn to my Ranking Member Mr. Rogers for any comments he may have. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you Madam Chairwoman. Is it chairwoman or chairman? The CHAIRWOMAN. Chair. Mr. ROGERS. Chair. The CHAIRWOMAN. You can call me whatever you want.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.ROGERS Mr. ROGERS. Thank you for those opening remarks. We are glad to have several Members and colleagues with us today to tell us their priorities. This hearing comes at a very important time, ahead of what we expect will be another significant cut to the international affairs budget by the President despite being rejected for 2 straight years. (1) 2 There are a lot of important programs in this bill that together make up the soft power of U.S. national security. I am pleased we get to hear about several of them today from colleagues like your- self and others. We look forward to your testimony and I yield back. The CHAIRWOMAN. Representative Espaillat of the 13th District of New York, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I want to thank you for joining us today. We are happy to place your full testimony into the record. Please proceed as you choose.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.ESPAILLAT Mr. ESPAILLAT. Thank you, Madam Chair and Ranking Member Rogers for allowing me to testify during today’s hearing to lay out what I feel are my priorities as they relate to the State Department and related agencies. As you know, I am the first Dominican-American elected to serve in the U.S. Congress, and I am also a member obviously of the For- eign Affairs Committee and the Western Hemisphere Sub- committee. I know that maintaining our foreign aid and diplomatic commitments builds a strong hand for the U.S. in the Caribbean and all over the world, and the Caribbean, as you may know, is our third border and it has its own very challenging goals, objectives, challenges that we should help them with. This is not only in the interest of helping our brothers and sisters in Central and South America and the Caribbean but is also in our best interest to protect our security and improve our economic relations with these countries. I would like to begin by talking to you about Venezuela, which as you know has been in the news lately. It is imperative that the U.S. support the right of the Venezuelan people to freely and fairly elect their leaders, and that we support work to end the humanitarian suffering in the country. Rampant inflation, lack of access to food and medicine, and the collapse of the social services there have led to abhorrent conditions in this particular country, causing more than 3 million Ven- ezuelans from leaving the country to neighboring countries and countries around the world. While it is of vital interest for the U.S. to provide necessary support to the Venezuelan people, we must not fall into the failed practices of the past of overstepping our grounds, our bounds in the region. The U.S. cannot again be a foreign power meddling in the affairs of another country. We cannot continue to think that we are the policemen of the world. To this end, I urge the committee to continue funding programs that are a vital support to the Venezuelan people. However, I urge the committee to include report language that funding be of a humanitarian nature and explicitly not intended for the use of military or state police efforts. 3 I would also like to discuss our efforts to combat crime and illicit trafficking in the Caribbean. But before I do that, let me just say that I am in support of the Venezuelan people and their efforts to have transparent, democratic elections and their ability to have the sovereignty to elect their own leaders. And I find that I am in support of their plight given the horrific conditions that they find themselves in that have been pushed by the Maduro regime. I would also like to assess and I would also like to talk about crime and illicit trafficking in the Caribbean. As I said earlier, Madam Chair, the Caribbean is the third border of our nation The Caribbean is particularly susceptible to drug trade as a midway point for narcotics produced in South America on their way to the U.S. The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) has been instrumental in providing the funding needed to combat crime and violence. Because of our efforts in Central America, and I may dare to say that many of our efforts have been successful in combating crime in that area and we have seen even a reduction of crime in that area, the drug trade seems to be shifting more and more towards the Caribbean. And for that reason I am speaking about this particular problem as the drugs begin to shift in the Caribbean and get to U.S. shores. Per the Congressional Research Service, CRS, crime and violence are on the rise in the Caribbean. CRS reports that homicide rates in the Caribbean countries have increased in recent years because of gangs and organized crime, competition between drug trafficking organizations, and the availability of firearms. A recent report from the Government Accountability Office indicates program-by-program successes within the CBSI, but also a need for improved data collection. In accordance with this report, I plan to introduce legislation to both develop better data reporting mechanisms and to authorize increased funds to expand this crucial initiative. We know how last year the president proposed dramatic cuts in this particular area. Well, I am asking for this funding for the Caribbean Basin Secu- rity Initiative to be doubled this year, and I will be submitting legislation so that we can accomplish that. I urge this committee again to double the funding for the Caribbean Basin Security Ini- tiative for Fiscal year 2019, and I will continue to work with you, Madam Chair, to ensure that we do the best work that we can to ensure that the third border of our country, the United States of America, is protected and that we reap the benefits of our efforts. I thank you for hearing my concerns and priorities, and I have submitted additional testimony in writing to the committee, which I hope you would also take into consideration. Thank you so much. [The information follows:] 4

Espaillat (NY-13) Testimony

TESTIMONY

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT (NY-13)

House Committee on Appropriations

Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

March 6, 2019

Thank you for allowing me to testify-during today's hearing to lay out my priorities as they relate

to the State Department and related agencies. As the first Dominican American to serve in

Congress and as a member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs

Committee, I know that maintaining our foreign aid and diplomatic commitments builds a strong

hand for the U.S. in the region. This is not only in the interest of helping our brothers and sisters

in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, but is also in our best interest to protect

our security and improve our economic relations with these countries.

U.S. Aid to Venezuela

I would like to begin with a topic much in the news - Venezuela. It is imperative that the U.S.

support the right of the Venezuelan people to freely and fairly elect their leaders, and that we

support work to end humanitarian suffering in the country. Rampant inflation, lack of access to

food and medicine, and the collapse of social services have;) led to abhorrent conditions into the

country, causing more than three million Venezuelans to leave the country. While it is vital for the U.S. to provide necessary support to the Venezuelan people, we must not fall into past

patterns of overstepping our bounds in the region.

The U.S. cannot again be a foreign power meddling in the affairs of another country.

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Espaillat (NY-13) Testimony

To this end, I urge the Committee to continue funding programs that provide vital support to Venezuela. However, I urge the Committee to include report language that funding be humanitarian nature, and explicitly not intended for use by the military or state police.

U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America

Next, I would by address security assistance to countries in Central America, particularly in the

Northern Triangle. The countries of the Northern Triangle, El Salvador, Guatemala, and

Honduras constitute the deadliest region in the world. Widespread violence, poverty, and drug trafficking have led women, children and families to flee their homes, many coming to America for safety.

These immigrants are refugees, and it is imperative that we continue funding programs that focus on good governance, economic growth, and reforming justice-sector institutions in order to ameliorate the root causes of emigration from these countries.

This assistance, through the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America, would provide much-needed support to build upon regional efforts that are contributing to long-term progress.

We have seen improvement thanks to continued funding, such as a decrease of homicides in El

Salvador from 100 per 100,000 people in 2015 to 60 per 100,000 people in 2017. While this still exhibits a terrible level of crime, it demonstrates that our continued engagement in the region is producing positive results.

I urge the Committee to increase funding to support the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in

Central America, to aid the Northern Triangle in addressing the underlying causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

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Espaillat (NY-13) Testimony

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)

While our efforts in Central America provide vital improvements for the region, it means that

crime and illicit trafficking look for other routes - namely the Caribbean. The Caribbean is

particularly susceptible to drug trade as a midway point for narcotics produced in South America

on their way to the U.S. The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative has been instrumental in

providing the funding needed to help combat crime and violence. Per the Congressional

Research Service (CRS), crime and violence are on the rise in the Caribbean. CRS reports that,

"Homicide rates in several Caribbean countries have increased in recent years because of gangs

and organized crime, competition between drug trafficking organizations, and the availability of

firearms."

A recent Government Accountability Office report, requested by several Members of Congress,

including myself, highlighted the need to improve data collection and management methods to

better monitor the success of CBSI activities, while implementing partners continue to report

positive results. In accordance with this report, it is important to develop stronger reporting

systems that will build upon the program-by-program successes of the CBSI. I plan to introduce

legislation to both develop these vital data mechanisms and to authorize increased funds to

expand this crucial initiative.

As such, I urge this Committee to double the funding to the Caribbean Basin Security

Initiative from FY19 appropriated levels.

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Espaillat (NY-13) Testimony

Investing in Energy Potential in the Caribbean

According to a study from the World Bank, the average cost of electricity in the Caribbean is four times higher than in wealthy nations such as the United States. High energy costs are a financial hardship for people in the Caribbean and are also a key factor in holding back economic growth and prosperity in the region.

Another report shows that the cost of generating electricity in the Caribbean is higher than much of the rest of the world, which can impede direct investment. In Jamaica, consumers pay 38 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity. In contrast, the average American household pays I 0.13 cents per kilowatt hour, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Investing in new sources of energy, including renewable energy projects such as wind and solar projects in the Caribbean, would mean more clean energy jobs, updated infrastructure, and a more booming economy.

That is why I ask the Appropriations Committee to increase foreign direct investment in the Caribbean, and to invest in the Caribbean 's energy needs.

Emergency Preparedness in the Caribbean

Another issue I would like to address is emergency preparedness in the Caribbean. As we have seen in recent years, natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes, have become more common and more severe. The countries of the Caribbean are situated in a dangerous location and face annual threats from these disasters, causing increasing devastation to the communities affected by natural forces. As these events occur, I hope that we continue to send aid and assistance to these countries - providing rescue support, humanitarian relief, and help rebuilding.

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Espaillat (NY-13) Testimony

While our aid has been critical in supporting our neighbors after disaster strikes, we must do

more to preempt and prepare for natural disasters.

By increasing our support for emergency preparedness and investing in building local capacity to

respond to disasters, we can help to improve their resiliency and effectiveness in managing

natural disasters. This aid can greatly improve the lives of those living in these countries and will

also lessen the burden on us when responding to natural crises.

I urge the Committee to increase funding for emergency preparedness and capacity

building.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Finally, I would like to discuss the importance of the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID) and the need to continue funding its vital programs. USAID is a premier

facet of our foreign diplomacy and its engagement has brought us closer with our neighbors in

Central and South America through increasing economic prosperity, promoting good

governance, and engaging in clean energy development in the face of climate change. Our

assistance to and cooperation with these countries has proven to have positive demonstrable

effects. For example, in the last few years Panama has changed from a country receiving

development aid to a country that is now providing aid to other Central American countries.

Continued investment through USAID will help to make countries become more sustainable and prosperous, which will continue to improve the region in magnitudes beyond our current aid.

That is why I am asking you to support USAID and increase its funding for programs in

Central America.

Thank you for the opportunity to offer my concerns and priorities to the Committee.

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The CHAIRWOMAN. I thank you for appearing before us and certainly emphasizing a very, very key priority. They are our neighbors, and our response is so important. Mr. Rogers, do you have any questions? Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Chair. Venezuela, you urge that we include funding of a humanitarian nature. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Yes. Mr. ROGERS. You know, we have that type of aid stacked at the border, and they won’t let it in. How do you propose that we overcome this obstacle? Because if we provide more funding and more humanitarian aid, and it can’t get in, why do it? Mr. ESPAILLAT. I recognize that that is tragic and that a lot of the funding that is going to help the Venezuelan people is being stopped at some of their border points. My proposal is that we work with the international community and organizations such as the United Nations and the Organiza- tion of American States, the OAS, as well as with not-for-profits and organizations that have had a long tradition of providing humanitarian aid across the world to ensure that the partisan, political sort of like aspect of this is pushed aside, and we get the help to the Venezuelan people as quickly as possible. I think the goal—I am sure you agree with me—is to ensure that people of Venezuela get that humanitarian aid as quickly as possible. And so by working with other international organization bodies and other governments that may themselves be getting that humanitarian aid in, I think that we can accomplish that goal. Mr. ROGERS. Central America and South America are in turmoil. I don’t recollect the time when we have seen more bad things going on all the way from Venezuela, even the drug increase from Colom- bia. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Yes. Mr. ROGERS. Then the Central American Northern Triangle, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, furnishing tons of refugees as well as drugs, criminals, and the like. What are we doing wrong in Cen- tral and South America? Mr. ESPAILLAT. I think that we have turned our heads and our backs on that region for far too long, and they are really our back- yard, and we should have an ongoing positive working relationship. We have abdicated our leadership role in that region and created a vacuum of leadership, and for that reason we have seen now recently how countries even like China have stepped in to plug that leadership gap that we have left unattended for far too long. I think that we need to go back into the region and play a leadership role. But you cannot do that empty-handed. You have to be able to come to the table with resources, and saying that we need to be a leader in the region and then saying we are going to cut the budget by half is not the way to go. We must establish our leadership again, but we must do it by assisting those nations to address some of the fundamental reasons why there is a large exodus of families for the most part. I have been down at the border and seen firsthand, at least at the detention centers where I went, that at least 80 percent of the people there crossing the border were women with small children. 10 And so we have to find out why it is that women are fleeing these nations. Is it gang violence? Is it gangs that are trying to re- cruit their young sons? Is it natural disasters as has happened in some countries? Is it abject poverty and famine? And then we have to address the root causes of these problems so that we can nip or impact positively the migration patterns of the region. But we cannot do that by coming empty-handed. We need to, again, reassert ourselves as the leader of the Americas and do so by assisting governments to provide good services and programs that will reduce the migration. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Thank you so much, ranking member. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. I just want to say we have provided almost $3.5 billion over four years for Honduras, El Sal- vador—and Guatemala. Mr. ESPAILLAT. That is correct. The CHAIRWOMAN. And it seems to me, having worked with Vice President Biden a few years ago on a program in the same area, we really have to focus hard and just understand where the money is going, why it isn’t used more effectively. Mr. ESPAILLAT. That is correct. The CHAIRWOMAN. The whole strategy of keeping people home, this Biden program? Mr. ROGERS. It is the Northern Triangle Program. The CHAIRWOMAN. The Northern—— Mr. ESPAILLAT. The Northern Triangle. The CHAIRWOMAN. Triangle Program, I remember a group of us worked closely with him on it. And we just can’t give up. Mr. ESPAILLAT. I agree, Madam Chair. The CHAIRWOMAN. We need to keep working on it. Mr. ESPAILLAT. I agree. And just keep in mind that as we begin to pay more attention to the border and Central and South Amer- ica, drug dealers will shift their strategy to other borders, and I testified today that we predict that that will be the Caribbean, which has some inherent weaknesses in the region that would allow for drug dealers to transport their drugs and then send them to the United States. And, of course, we have seen dramatic repercussions in those countries: high homicide rates now and violence in urban settings in the cities of those countries. And we must shift our attentions to that part of the region, and that is why I am proposing a doubling of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative program. The CHAIRWOMAN. I want to thank you, and I look forward to your continued wisdom and advice, We can’t afford to fail. And I thank you very much for bringing this once more front and center to our attention, thank you. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I just hope to be just like you one day when I grow up. The CHAIRWOMAN. Oh, my goodness. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. I hope I can continue be as wise as you are with as much knowledge. Mr. ESPAILLAT. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Engel. 11

Mr. ENGEL. Mrs. Lowey, you have been holding out on me. I didn’t know you had such wonderful digs here. The CHAIRWOMAN. Oh my goodness. Mr. ENGEL. I feel very jealous. The CHAIRWOMAN. Oh no, no. Well actually, these digs go back and forth. My good friend, Mr. Rogers, had it, and we have been hanging out here for a while. Mr. ENGEL. This view is just magnificent. The CHAIRWOMAN. It is. Come more often. Mr. ENGEL. Yes, I will. I got to hide from the press you know. The CHAIRWOMAN. Let me just say I am delighted to welcome Representative Engel of the 16th District of New York; our districts keep changing. He is a dear friend, he is a neighbor, and he is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. And we really thank you for testifying before this subcommittee and, of course, proceed as you will. We are happy to include your whole testimony into the record. Mr. ENGEL. Thank you—— The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you, Mr. Engel.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. ELIOT ENGEL, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.ENGEL Mr. ENGEL. Thank you very much Madam Chair and Ranking Member Rogers, members of the subcommittee and I am very happy to thank members of the subcommittee. I am glad to be back in front of this distinguished panel to reiterate a key point which is one of the most important things we can do to advance America’s security, interests, and values around the world, is to provide robust funding for our international affairs budget. This is an area which Congress can and should assert its role as a coequal branch of government and regrettably, there is a lot about the Trump administration’s foreign policy that Congress cannot do a lot about, it is painful. We just came back from Munich and also Brussels to talk to our allies, and I can’t begin to tell you how confused our allies are. They are used to America leading and they are not used to Amer- ica denigrating our alliances which have been the core of our policy certainly since World War II. And we pointed out to our friends that there were probably about 50 members of Congress in Munich, and that is a large percent of the Congress, and that we all feel strongly about the fact that we need to stay in our alliances, lead in our alliances, and do the kinds of things that people expect America to do. So it is frankly very painful when the president denigrates our allies and cozies up to dictators. We should not walk away from international obligations and abandon the values that should be the core of our policy. I believe it weakens us, it has isolated us, and it has made Americans less safe. 12 So in my view, one of the most problematic aspects of the president’s foreign policy is the way it has shelved American diplomacy. Senior State Department officials have been chased to the exits, morale in the State Department, I can tell you, has plummeted, and expertise has gone ignored. And with the first two budget requests, the administration showed us that they still don’t get it. They won’t understand the value of diplomacy and development. They don’t understand that America needs these foreign policy tools to diffuse crises and stop wars before they start, that by prioritizing these efforts, we avoid sending our men and women in uniform into harm’s way somewhere down the line. What was particularly galling to me was the first proposal came out of the administration when the administration was new, cutting the State Department 31 percent, at the same time putting increases in defense. I don’t oppose certain increases in defense but not at the expense of diplomacy. And why would we want to have a 31 percent cut if the State Department diplomacy helps keep us out of wars? And it has just been that kind of attitude. Thankfully, we beat back the 31 percent, Democrats and Repub- licans came together to beat it back, and we had most of the money restored, and then the following year when the administration had to propose a new budget, they went right back to the old 31 percent decrease, which to me is a slap in the face to Congress and what we are supposed to do. And so I keep hearing that the morale is terrible, that the expert people that have been around for so many years are leaving in droves, that the people feel they are being targeted because of ethnic or political pressures. And it is just a very bad thing when you have so many ambassadors not even in place, when you have so many people in high positions not even in place, and when you have people perceive that they are being targeted for the way they look or for their political persuasion. That is not the way it should happen. So one of the things we can do together as Republicans and Democrats in Congress is to turn back attempts by the administration to hollow out American diplomacy and development. And as I mentioned, we have done so twice before in a bipartisan manner, excuse me. And I imagine the administration’s budget that will come to us next week will call for similar Draconian cuts we saw in the previous 2 years that I mentioned. Excuse me. My request to this committee is that we carry on this strong bipartisan tradition of making sure our foreign affairs agencies and personnel have the support and investments they need to carry out their critical work. Our constitutional power of the purse is a critical way we can effectively reverse the unwise course the administration seeks for American diplomacy. My commitment as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee is I will work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bolster the State Department and USAID and will use our oversight authority to make sure Congress’ will is being followed. Last year, President Trump started to pull back huge sums of State Department and USAID’s funding and to redirect funding from the State Department to the Department of Homeland Secu- 13 rity. That is a slap in the face to the constitutional authority of this committee and this Congress and we should not stand for it. I wanted to make sure the investments this committee makes in our foreign policy are being put to use to make our country stronger and safer, and I want to make sure we take whatever legislative steps necessary to make our State Department, USAID and other foreign affairs agencies modern, efficient, and effective. That is why one of my top priorities is to pass the State Depart- ment Authorization Act. The last time Congress sent such a bill to the president’s desk was way back in 2002. We owe more to the men and women working on the frontlines of diplomacy and development. We need to have their backs, especially when the administration lets them down. So I look forward to working hand-in-hand with my Appropria- tions Committee colleagues to promote American leadership around the world with a strong, well-resourced, bipartisan foreign policy. Thank you and I yield back. [The information follows:] 14

CHAIRMAN ELIOT L. ENGEL TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS WASHINGTON, DC

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 61 2019

Madam Chair, Ranking Member Rogers, members of the subcommittee: thank you. I'm very glad to be back in front of this distinguished panel to reiterate a key point-that one of the most important things we can do to advance America's security, interests, and values around the world is to provide robust funding for our international-affairs budget.

This is an area in which Congress can-and should-assert its role as a co-equal branch of government.

Regrettably, there's a lot about the Trump Administration's foreign policy that Congress can't do a lot about. It's painful to witness a President denigrate out allies and cozy up to dictators ... to walk away from international obligations and abandon the values that should be at the core of our policy. It's weakened our country. It's isolated us. And it's made Americans less safe.

In my view, one of the most problematic aspects of the Trump foreign policy is the way it's shelved American diplomacy. Senior State Department officials have been chased to the exits. Morale has plummeted. Expertise has gone ignored.

And with its first two budget requests, the Trump Administration showed us that they just don't get it. They don't understand the value of diplomacy and development. They don't understand that America needs these foreign-policy tools to defuse crises and stop wars before they start ... that by prioritizing these efforts we avoid sending our men and women in uniform into harm's way somewhere down the line.

But one of the things Republicans and Democrats in Congress £!!!l do is tum back attempts by this Administration to hollow out American diplomacy and development. We've done so twice before in a bipartisan manner. I imagine the Administration's budget that will come to us next week will call for similar draconian cuts to we saw in the two previous years.

My request to this Committee is that we carry on the strong, bipartisan tradition of making sure our foreign affairs agencies and personnel have the support and 15

investments they need to carry out their critical work. Our constitutional power of the purse is a critical way we can effectively reverse the unwise course the Administration seeks for American diplomacy.

My commitment, as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is that I'll work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bolster the State Department and USAID, and we'll use our oversight authority to make sure Congress's will is being followed. Last year, President Trump sought to pull back huge sums of State Department and USAID's funding and to redirect funding from the State Department to the Department of Homeland Security. That's a slap in the face to the constitutional authority of this Committee and this Congress, and we shouldn't stand for it.

I want to make sure the investments this Committee makes in our foreign policy are being put to use to make our country stronger and safer. And I want to make sure we take whatever legislative steps are necessary to make our State Department, USAID, and other foreign-affairs agencies modem, efficient, and effective. That's why one ofmy top priorities is to pass a State Department Authorization Act. The last time Congress sent such a bill to the President's desk was 2002. We owe more to the men and women working on the frontlines of diplomacy and development. We need to have their backs, especially when the current Administration lets them down.

So I look forward to working hand-fa-hand with my Appropriations Committee colleagues to promote American leadership around the world with a strong, well resourced foreign policy.

Thank you and I yield back.

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The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much to my good friend and classmate. I find it encouraging frankly that 50 people went to the Munich Security Conference. In fact, I think it was maybe 5 years ago, the great Senator John McCain asked me to go with him, and there were five of us that went to the conference. I know how important it is and effective, and I am sure your voice and your ideas were well received. So I thank you for your leadership, and all the good work you are doing. Mr. ENGEL. Thank you. I want to just say that we pointed out that 50, which is one-tenth of the Congress, was over in Munich. The CHAIRWOMAN. Were they all actively involved? Mr. ENGEL. Yes. The CHAIRWOMAN. With speaking roles, et cetera? Mr. ENGEL. Well, even just in questioning roles. I mean, a lot of it wasn’t speaking, but there were panels that people listened to that were very well attended, and it was very, very good. The CHAIRWOMAN. I found it to be—— Mr. ENGEL. It was the largest showing ever. The CHAIRWOMAN. Yes. I found it to be extraordinary. So from 5 of us to 50 is impressive, that number one, there is all this strong interest in foreign affairs. So I thank you for representing us. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Chairman, thank you for coming by with your newfound gavel. Congratulations, by the way. Mr. ENGEL. Thank you. Mr. ROGERS. Congress has the responsibility to pass an authorization bill. As you say in your testimony, we have not had such an animal since 2002. And much of the work has been done by this subcommittee because of that fact. We don’t want to do that. We want the Authorization Committee to address the difficulties that you have outlined in your remarks. And we will play second fiddle. But we are tired of playing lead fiddle. We are not equipped for it. We don’t have the staff nor the coverage. So please, take these issues up and pass out of your committee an authorization bill. And we will be the first ones to vote for it. Mr. ENGEL. I thank you. I couldn’t agree with you more. It has been a source of frustration for me ever since I got to Congress as the chairwoman has pointed out. She and I came to Congress together, so we have been here a long time. And it has been a long time that we haven’t done this. And there is no reason for it. There is no responsible reason for it. So, I thank you and look forward to working with you and the Chairwoman. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you. Talley ho. Mr. ENGEL. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. And with your excellent leadership, I am cau- tiously optimistic you will pass an authorization act this year. So thank you very much. I really look forward to continuing our work together. I know we have so many of the same priorities, and you have been an outstanding chair. For me it is a pleasure being your partner. Mr. ENGEL. Well, it is. And I think we have always, in the 30 years had districts that were abutting and joining each other, and I think that you have probably represented at least half the people 17 in my district, and I probably represented at least half the people in your district from time to time. The CHAIRWOMAN. Right. Mr. ENGEL. So it has—— The CHAIRWOMAN. Right. Mr. ENGEL. It has certainly been a pleasure working with you and the outstanding job you are doing as chair and ranking member who was chair for so many years as well. To watch this is the way we wish Congress would work all the time. So I thank you both. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. We look forward to continuing to share our information and working together. Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Madam Chair. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. And now I am delighted to welcome Representative McGovern of the second district of Massachu- setts, the chairman of the Rules Committee. It is great to see you. I am happy—— Mr. MCGOVERN. It is great to be here, and it is great to hear Eliot say we are going to pass a State Department authorization bill. That is going to be so much fun in rules. I will hold my breath. Yes. [Laughter] Mr. ENGEL. I am here to have fun. [Laughter] The CHAIRWOMAN. We are very pleased that you are chair of the committee who sets the rules, and for me it has been a pleasure knowing you, working with you ever since your kids were—— Mr. MCGOVERN. Yes. The CHAIRWOMAN [continuing]. It is quite amazing. We have been here a few years so thank you for appearing before us. We are happy to place your testimony in the record. Proceed as you will.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. JAMES MCGOVERN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.MCGOVERN Mr. MCGOVERN. Well, thank you, Chairwoman Lowey and Rank- ing Member Rogers. Thank you for welcoming me here, and thank you for all the incredible work that you do on the Appropriations Committee. You have my great admiration. And let me also begin by thanking you for the Fiscal Year 2019 increase for the Nutrition sub-account within the Global Health Programs account. The $20 million increase to $145 million after four years of flat funding is very welcome. This increased funding in nutrition enables USAID to target nutrition interventions during pregnancy in the early critical stages of childhood where better nutrition has the greatest impact on the child’s development and brain growth. For Fiscal Year 2020, I respectfully ask the committee to increase funding again for the nutrition sub-account to $195 million, including an additional $20 million for interventions to address maternal and pediatric anemia and $30 million to expand breastfeeding initiatives. 18 I have worked a lot on hunger, food, security and nutrition issues domestically and internationally. And with regard to our international programs, I think that they are not only the right thing to do morally, but they enhance our security. People are grateful for our support in these areas. And I want to now turn to Colombia if I can. There is a great deal of talk about drugs and the crisis in Venezuela. But I ask the committee to please maintain its focus on Colombia proper, especially support for fully implementing the peace accords that ended 60 years of armed conflict. The accords hold great promise for economic growth, stability, and social progress, but currently they are in danger of being undermined or abandoned. And this would be bad for Colombia. And this would be bad for U.S. national security. So I respectfully ask the committee to maintain or increase funding for Colombia. Emphasis should remain on implementation of the peace accords, Afro-Colombian, indigenous and rural community-based development, and aid that promotes human rights, good governance, strong and independent judicial institutions and breaking the culture of impunity that protects state, military, and criminal actors from investigation and prosecution. In particular, the three mechanisms created by the peace accords that focused the right of victims require greater funding and support, namely the Truth Commission, the search for the disappeared, and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. Madam Chair, I am deeply concerned about the fate of the peace accords and human rights in Colombia. Right now the Colombian Congress is debating President Duque’s four-year national development plan. As written, the NDP is likely to undo many agreements reached on rural and agrarian development in the accords. If approved, it might well doom Colombia to ever-escalating violence in rural areas where the conflict has always been the most intense, sustained, and brutal, ensuring that these regions remain ungoverned spaces at the mercy of violent criminal actors. The NDP also includes provisions to unravel progress made in labor rights, creating substandard wages and benefits for workers, especially in the agricultural sector. So these standards, by the way, are even lower than those in place when the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement was signed, which I might add, is a violation of the terms of the FTA itself, not to mention Colombia’s obligations under the labor action plan. So, I think it is important that the committee signal emphatically that such actions place in legal jeopardy all forms of U.S. aid and trade. It is also critical that the committee act on the continuing escalation of murders and assaults against human rights defenders and local social leaders. As you know, I also co-chair the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in Colombia, and currently Colombia is the deadliest place in the world for rights defenders. At least one social leader has been murdered every 2 days on average since the peace agreement was signed at the end of 2016. Over 60 social leaders have been assassinated since President Duque assumed office. I know President Duque was up here and 19 met with a lot of members of Congress. I attended one of those meetings. He talks the talk, but we need to make sure he walks the walk. And while his government points to action plans and high-level strategy meetings on the crisis, it has been very, very, very slow to act. And clearly, whatever plans they have devised, they are not working. So there is an urgent need for protection and to identify and hold to account those who carry out and benefit from these acts of violence. The committee must ensure that there are consequences for such a stunning lack of urgency on the part of the Colombian state to protect and defend human rights and social leaders. And so I urge the committee to take a hardline with the State Department on what determines effective steps to reduce attacks against human rights defenders and the conditions tied to 20 percent of the MF funds for Colombia. And while I would have liked to talk about several issues related to Central America, I will instead submit them as expanded testimony for the record. And let me just say that it is important to recognize that each country is unique with its own set of challenges, many of which contribute to high levels of violence, deprivation, and lack of hope and the future that drive thousands to flee their homes and seek security elsewhere, including here in the United States. And no wall and no barrier and no new restrictions in our asylum laws will prevent families from fleeing until the root causes in each country are addressed, including corruption and impunity. And this requires long-term commitment and investments on our part, so please let me thank you once again for giving this opportunity to talk about these priorities. And I certainly welcome any questions that you might have. [The information follows:] 20

TESTIMONY OF U.S. RESPRESENTATIVE JAMES P. MCGOVERN (MA-02)

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE March 6, 2019 (Extended Testimony)

I want to thank Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers and the members of the Committee for this opportunity to submit testimony on policy and funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2020. I ask unanimous consent to submit extended testimony for the record.

Madam Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers - I first want to express my appreciation for the work you do and for completing work on the remaining FY 2019 appropriations bills. The two of you and the work of this subcommittee have always been a model of bipartisanship, and I'm honored to appear before you.

As part of that final negotiated conference report, please let me thank you for the increase in FY 2019 funding for the Nutrition sub-account within the Global Health Programs account. The $20 million increase to $145 million after four years of flat funding is very welcome.

As you know, increased funding in nutrition enables USAID to target nutrition interventions during pregnancy and the early, critical stages of childhood when better nutrition has the greatest impact on the child's development and brain growth. According to independent research, each $1 invested during this critical period yields a return of $48 in long-term health and economic benefits. These investments improve lives resulting in a higher quality of life through better health and more productive lives through stable societies.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask the Committee to increase funding again for the Nutrition sub-account in FY 2020 to $195 million, including an additional $20 million for interventions to address maternal and pediatric anemia and $30 million to expand breastfeeding initiatives.

Let me turn now to talking about two regional issues that I believe require and merit this Committee's continued attention - namely, Central America and Colombia.

Regarding Colombia, we hear a great deal about drugs and the crisis in Venezuela, but I ask the Committee to maintain its focus on Colombia proper - and especially the need to support full implementation of the difficult and hard-won Peace Accords that ended over 60 years of internal armed conflict. These Accords hold great promise for the economic, social and political stability, progress and growth for all Colombians, but they are in danger of being undermined or abandoned, which would be bad for Colombia; bad for the region, and bad for the national security of the United States. 21

I respectfully ask that the Committee continue to maintain current funding levels for Colombia, or even increase the aid, if possible. Emphasis should remain on development and economic aid that supports the full implementation of the Peace Accords, Afro-Colombian, indigenous and campesino community-based development, and aid that promotes human rights, good governance, strong and independent judicial institutions, and breaking the culture of impunity that still protects State actors, the military, the wealthy and well-connected criminal networks from investigation and prosecution. Increased attention and funding support need to be given to the three mechanisms established by the Peace Accords that focus on the rights of victims - namely the Truth Commission, the search for the disappeared, and the special jurisdiction for peace, known as the JEP.

Madam Chair, I am deeply concerned about the fate of the Peace Accords and human rights in Colombia. Right now, the Colombian Congress is debating President Duque's 4-year National Development Plan. As written, the NDP is likely to un-do many agreements reached on rural and agrarian reform in the Peace Accords. If approved, it might well doom Colombia to ever-escalating violence in the rural regions where the conflict has always been most intense, sustained and brutal, ensuring these regions remain ungoverned spaces at the mercy of violent and criminal actors. The NDP also includes provisions to unravel progress made in labor rights, creating sub-standard wages and benefits for workers, especially in the agriculture sector. These standards are even lower than those in place when the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement was signed, which, I might add, is a violation of the terms of the FTA itself, not to mention Colombia's obligations under the Labor Action Plan. It is important the Committee signal emphatically that such actions place in legal jeopardy all forms of U.S. aid and trade.

It is also critical that the Committee act on the continuing escalation of murders and assaults against human rights defenders and local social leaders. According to the Human Rights Defenders Memorial Project, Colombia is currently the deadliest place in the world for rights defenders. At least one social leader has been killed every two days, on average, since the historic peace agreement signed at the end of 2016. Many judicial experts, such as the Colombian Commission of Jurists, compare today's violence targeting social leaders as similar to what happened in Colombia in the 1980s and 1990s when paramilitary groups, supported by ranchers, businessmen and Colombia's so-called "narco-elite" all but exterminated left-of-center political party activists. Since the beginning of August through February, the first seven months of the Duque government, over 60 social leaders have been assassinated. This figure doesn't include attempted murder, assaults and death threats against human rights defenders and social leaders. While the Colombian government points to "action plans" and high-level strategy meetings on this crisis, it has been very slow to act. Clearly, whatever programs and plans they have devised, they are not working. There is an urgent need for protection and to identify and hold to account those actors who carry out and benefit from these murders and acts of violence. The Committee must ensure that there are consequences for such a stunning lack of urgency on the part of the Colombian State to protect and defend human right and social leaders. I urge the Committee to take a hard line with the State Department on what determines "effective steps" to reduce attacks against human rights defenders in the conditions applied to 20 percent of the FMF funds for Colombia.

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I further ask that the Committee provide ample funding for the continuing crisis of the internally displaced inside Colombia and for Colombian refugees who continue to reside in neighboring countries because it is not safe for them to return home. Regrettably, extreme violence in Colombia is still commonplace in many regions, and forced displacement continues at high rates. In its June 2018 annual report, the UNHCR reported that Colombia had 7.7 million IDPs, the highest levels in the world, followed by Syria and the DRC. 90,000 new IDPs were reported in 2017, with rates likely similar or higher for 2018.

Let me conclude with a few issues related to Central America. It is important to recognize that each country is unique with its own set of challenges, many of which contribute to high levels of violence, deprivation, and the lack of hope in the future that drive thousands to flee their homes and seek security elsewhere, including the United States.

We cannot afford to neglect the internal needs of the people in each country and we need an approach tailored for each country based on its own merits. We need to understand how corruption, violence, repression, human rights abuses and impunity developed in each country, and how that history affects people's daily life. This allows us to better understand what might compel thousands of Central Americans to abandon their homes in hope of providing their children even the smallest chance for a safer, better life.

As you know, each of these countries suffers from high levels of internal displacement as individuals and families try to find somewhere safe to live. There are also very high levels of Central American refugees in Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico. And, as we all know, there are increasing numbers of Central Americans at our borders seeking asylum in the United States, especially families, as they flee the violence so endemic to the region. No wall, no barrier, no new restrictions in our asylum laws will keep these families, children and individuals away until the root causes in each country are addressed, including corruption and impunity. This requires long-term commitment and investments on our part, and I thank the Committee for its willingness to maintain steady levels of funding for this region.

In Guatemala, corruption, targeted repression, high rates offemicide, gender-based abuse, hunger and food insecurity need to be addressed. I also want to thank the Committee for always being a strong supporter of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). For FY 2020, the Guatemalan government needs to understand that U.S. aid and support are tied to continuing the mandate and full, independent operation of the CICIG.

Along similar lines, it's important for the Committee to maintain its funding and commitment for the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Honduras. In Honduras, in addition to programs that protect and address violence against youth, especially by gangs and criminal networks, it is important that U.S aid and policy respond to the violence against indigenous and land rights activists, where environmental activists are among the most threatened in the world, as well as support for other human rights defenders, journalists and LGBTQ leaders.

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In El Salvador, it is very important that the Committee clearly express to the new government the priority of continuing the two independent commissions charged with searching for those who are still missing or disappeared from the period of the armed conflict: one focused on children, Probusqueda; and the second, on adults, CONABUSQUEDA. Each of these independent commissions directly affects many American families with members who either came to the United States during the period of the war or who were infants adopted by American families. In each case, the search for and reunion with their surviving family members inside El Salvador or the search to discover the truth about the disappearance of Salvadoran family members during the period of the civil war is deeply meaningful to U.S. citizens and families, as well as thousands of Salvadoran families. To that end, I ask that the Committee specifically designate $1 million in ESF for the operations of CONABUSQUEDA, and to maintain El Salvador on the list of countries eligible for grants in forensics assistance and training.

Finally, I want to note that El Salvador has made progress over the past two years in strengthening its judiciary and prosecuting crimes of official corruption. With the recent change in the Office of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court, it is important for the Committee to send a clear signal of support for such investigations and prosecutions, including cases involving human rights crimes, or are of an historic nature, or both. For example, El Salvador has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, so it is critical that the new Attorney General maintain the unit investigating crimes against women, especially murders. Similarly, as El Salvador grapples with the legacy of the civil war and its aftermath, it is also critical for the U.S. to continue its support for the unit charged with investigating crimes of a historic nature, such as the 1981 El Mozote massacre.

I also respectfully request that the Committee direct the State Department and the Pentagon to provide all documents in its files to the Salvadoran Attorney General and the presiding judge in the El Mozote case for the period of 1981-1982, which is the timeframe leading up to the massacre and its aftermath. During those years, U.S. security assistance was approved by this Committee and the Congresses of that era, which provided the ammunition, equipment and training to the Salvadoran troops that participated in the El Mozote massacre, including the creation and equipping of the Atlacatl Battalion. Now, nearly forty years later, it falls to this Committee to instruct the Departments of Defense and State to provide all relevant files to the Salvadoran judicial authorities engaged in prosecuting this case.

Please let me thank you, once again, for giving me this opportunity to talk about these priorities. I welcome any questions you might have.

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The CHAIRWOMAN. I just want to thank you for your thoughtful testimony. For those of us who have been to Colombia several times and worked with the several leaderships that have been there, this is the most difficult time to deal with because certainly we all thought there was progress. We were moving in place. You recount to us the tremendous challenges that remain, and I personally would like to work more closely with you to see what we can do. Every time you think you have made progress, we hit a period like this where the crime is extraordinary. Mr. MCGOVERN. You know and I appreciate that. Colombia can be a model for the rest of the world on how you end violent conflicts. The CHAIRWOMAN. And we thought it was right after that. Mr. MCGOVERN. Yes. Right. And that is why we need to make sure these peace accords are implemented. And I understand all the attention on Venezuela, but we can’t let that take away from the fact that there are things in Colombia that are failing right now. I want Colombia to succeed. And I think we need to put pressure on this new government in the area of making sure that they adhere to the peace accords. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much, and I look forward to working with you. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Jim, for being here today and giving important testimony. I want Colombia to do what they have said they want to do for years. Through one leader after another, we hear the same promises and the same predictions, all to no avail. Part of the problem now is the overflow of refugees from Venezuela. Mr. MCGOVERN. Right. Mr. ROGERS. Along with others. But the enduring problem for us, from our interest as a country, is the drug production, which has been forever the treasure trove of coca and the addiction of some 47,500 people who have overdosed. It is a horrendous problem that gets scant attention. And it has its basis in Colombia. And we provided funds, leadership, training, personnel, you name it. And I have been there as well and been in the fields and cut some stuff down myself. My district and my state have been ground zero for overdose ex- posure. And so I have a personal interest in seeing that we try to get a stop on that problem. The peace accords, of course, dealt with whether or not you can aerial spray the coca production, which I think has been the only way you can handle it. The crop is so huge. They are relying upon an individual cutting off the bush. This new president comes out promising again. And he will be up here soon. And we will have him before this subcommittee and we will hear the same promises we have had for a long time. Mr. MCGOVERN. I think when he comes up here, we can’t be a cheap date. We need to make sure that he keeps his promises. But let me just say this, this is why implementing the peace accords are so important, because part of the peace accords deal with helping develop some of the rural areas where a lot of the coca is grown. 25 Crop substitution is one of the promises as well. Trying to help people, who are poor farmers, who have been growing this illicit crop, who get nothing, really, for doing so, but it is the only way they can make a living, help them transition into legal crops. When I was last there, I went out to some of these rural areas, and people were telling me that nobody from the government is coming out to provide alternatives. And that there were new actors coming into some of these rural ungoverned areas, and once again, getting involved in these illicit crops. I personally don’t believe in aerial fumigation for a whole bunch of reasons. I think environmentally it is bad. I think from a health perspective it is bad. And I think the most effective way to do it. quite frankly. is to implement the peace accords and transition people out into growing legal crops and having the government have a presence in places where they haven’t had a presence, and enforcing the law and arresting people who are doing these things. Be- cause otherwise, it’s the same ol’ same ol’. I have a lot of constituents too who have been victims of this— of all these drugs coming into our country. But I am convinced that the way forward is implementing these peace accords. And that is why when President Duque was here, I was a little, well, more than a little bit concerned that he didn’t seem as committed to the implementation of these accords. And he said things that I think the Administration wanted to hear in Venezuela, but putting Venezuela aside, he needs to do his job in Colombia. And I think a strong message from this committee that we are watching and that we are not happy with any attempts to withdraw from the implementation of the peace accords, I think, would be very, very welcome. Mr. ROGERS. I think we had such a warning in the bill that we just passed where we—among other things, where we say to Co- lombia, no longer are we going to provide funds based upon your promise of reduction of coca production. Mr. MCGOVERN. Right. Mr. ROGERS. From here on out, you actually have to show us facts and figures showing fewer tonnage than before or else you don’t get the money. Mr. MCGOVERN. So, again, I think implementation of the peace accords would be helpful. And the other thing, as I said—I co-chair the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, the level of attacks and murders of rights defenders is astonishingly high. It is getting worse. It is at a crisis level. And when social leaders are murdered or human rights defenders are murdered, there is a consequence that is chilling and moves the country backwards. If Colombia wants to develop, they can’t be known as one of the most violent places in the world. And from the rights perspective, this is one of the worst countries in the world. And so, anyway, I appreciate you listening. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr. YOHO. My goodness, in the hot seat. The CHAIRWOMAN. Well—— Mr. YOHO. How are you doing? Good to see you again. The CHAIRWOMAN. A pleasure to see you. 26

Mr. ROGERS. Hello, Ted. Mr. YOHO. Mr. Ranking Member. Good to see you. The CHAIRWOMAN. It is a pleasure, sir, to welcome Representa- tive Yoho of the Third District of Florida. Mr. YOHO. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. A member of the House Foreign Affairs Com- mittee. It is good to see you again. And we would be happy to place your full testimony in the record. Please proceed as you will. Thank you.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. TED YOHO, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.YOHO Mr. YOHO. Madam Chairwoman, thank you for the opportunity to be here again. It was 2 years ago when I was here before, and I appreciate it. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, members of the committee, thank you for convening this hearing to discuss the critical resources needed to protect our nation, advance our values, and uphold America’s leadership role in the world. With our leadership and guidance, this committee has the important task of determining what resources are required to meet our immense responsibilities. As the committee begins to consider the Fiscal Year 2020 request, I would like to update you on an exciting new development—the establishment of the U.S. International De- velopment Finance Corporation—DFC for short. Last year, along with Rep. Adam Smith, I introduced the Better Utilization of Investment Leading to Development easier said the BUILD Act—to consolidate, bolster and modernize the U.S. government’s development finance tools. I am excited to share with this committee that this bipartisan proposal with the help of many of you became law last October. And this is an incredible achievement we can all be proud of, showed bipartisanship, bicameralship and got signed into law in short order. Development finance refers to the use of loans, guarantees, insurance, and other financial tools to projects that will have a development impact. For instance, many of us have seen the power projects in Africa that have been financed through either OPIC, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, or USAID’s Develop- ment Credit Authority. Unlike traditional grants, these are investments which pay back over time. In fact, it was built with OPIC’s model in mind which has returned money to the U.S. Treasury, 40 out of 41 years at no cost to the taxpayers. In 2016, OPIC was authorized at $69 million, they have returned $265 million. So we built upon that. Under the BUILD Act, OPIC and DCA will cease to exist at the end of this fiscal year and instead be housed together under the Development Finance Corporation starting in Fiscal Year 2020. 27 But it is not just the consolidation that is achieved. The BUILD Act brings increased flexibility so that the U.S. government can better use development finance to take on the world’s greatest development challenges and place the DFC more prominently in the U.S. strategy for developing worlds. The other key element of the BUILD Act was to modernize the tools available to the U.S. government. In this respect, a tool possessed by all other development finance institutions, except the U.S., is equity authority. The BUILD Act provides this critical authority, which provides not just a key development tool, but will also allow the United States to be economically interoperable with allies such as Ger- many, Japan, and the U.K. For all its strength, OPIC has difficulty working in partnerships and leveraging the investment of our allies, because of its lack of equity authority. So many times OPIC—it was an outdated model and it did good, but it wasn’t at the table. In fact, we found out it wasn’t invited to the table because it was outdated. While the BUILD Act envisions that the DFC’s total equity investments could approach 35 percent of its overall portfolio, it is important to note that, like the DFC loans that will be paid back over time, equity has a similar potential for repayment. I look forward to working with the committee on this important new aspect of the DFC to ensure that it is resourced and structured for long-term success. Madam Chair, this committee’s support is incredibly important at this critical time. As the top Repub- lican on the Asia Pacific Subcommittee on Non-proliferation, I have been through the region. I have been through Africa and our own hemisphere and seen the challenges like you have. Everywhere we go, we see China loading up developing countries with debt that they won’t be able to repay, bring in Chinese workers versus using domestic workers, and not respecting the environment. With the establishment of the DFC, we have a viable alternative that countries can call upon where they can bring private sector financing, employ their own people, and do things in a transparent way. This model of development, of bringing in private capital, is becoming more prominent as the needs just can’t be met with government-alone resources. The newly created DFC will be an important tool against an ever-aggressive China. China’s Belt and Road Ini- tiative has undermined American security and prosperity around the world. China is aggressively attempting to expand its influences, not only through the world—throughout Asia but around the world, especially in Africa, through its Belt and Road Initiative which is nothing more than predatory loans—a predatory loan scheme that indentures nations to China. For instance, this happened in Sri Lanka, which had to hand over a deep water port and over 15,000 acres to China for the next 99 years in a lease. Pakistan has added billions to its debt through its partnership with China in building a port in Gwadar. In fact, they are looking for a bailout from the IMF. The list of countries being hammered or harmed by China’s BR Initiative continues to grow, and it is imperative for global and 28 American security that the U.S. DFC is sufficiently funded. Lastly, I will note for the committee that OPIC and DCA will cease to exist at the end of this fiscal year. Should the Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations Bill not be signed into law—this is an extremely important area, if it is not signed into law by the start of the fiscal year, I want to work with this committee on anomaly language to ensure DFC can be established on October 1st. There is no time to waste. Thank you for your leadership, for the bipartisan atmosphere and respect and problem-solving that you have instilled in this committee. You have the ability to shape America’s future as a global leader by investing in diplomacy and development. And I look forward to working with you. This BUILD Act is something that is sorely needed as a diplomatic tool around the world through our embassies and the State Department. I just left a meeting with Susan Rice this morning, Ambassador Rice, and she was talking about the BUILD Act, how imperative and how timely it is to offset what China is doing with their Belt Road Initiative. This is a tool that, like I said, is bipartisan. The Administration signed it into law, and it is something that will last beyond this Congress because of the strong bipartisanship of it. And so I look forward to your consideration of support. [The information follows:] 29

Rep. Ted S. Yoho, DVM (FL-3) Testimony for House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs March 6, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, Members of the Committee: Thank you for convening this hearing to discuss the critical resources needed to protect our nation, advance our values, and uphold America's leadership role in the world. With your leadership and guidance, this Committee has the important task of determining what resources are required to meet our immense responsibilities.

As the Committee begins to consider the FY20 request, I would like to update you on an exciting new development: the establishment of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

(DFC). Last year, along with Rep. Adam Smith, I introduced the Better Utilization of

Investments Leading to Development - or BUILD Act - to consolidate, bolster and modernize the U.S. Government's development finance tools. I am excited to share with the committee that this bipartisan proposal -with help from many of you - became law last October. This is an incredible achievement we can all be proud of.

Development finance refers to the use of loans, guarantees, insurance and other financial tools to projects that will have development impact. For instance, many of us have seen power projects in

Africa that have been financed through either the Overseas Private Investment Corporation

(OPIC) or USAID's Development Credit Authority (DCA). Unlike traditional grants, these are investments which pay back over time.

Under the BUILD Act, OPIC and DCA will cease to exist at the end of this fiscal year-and instead be housed together under the Development Finance Corporation starting in FY20. But it is not just consolidation that is achieved. The BUILD Act brings increased flexibilities so that the US government can better use development finance to take on the world's greatest

1 30

Rep. Ted S. Yoho, DVM (FL-3) Testimony for House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs March 6, 2019

development challenges and places the DFC more prominently in the U.S. strategy for the

developing world.

The other key element of the BUILD Act was to modernize the tools available to the U.S.

government. In this respect, a tool possessed by all other development finance institutions -

except the United States - is equity authority. The BUILD Act provides this critical authority

which provides not just a key development tool - but will also allow the United States to be

"economically interoperable" with allies such as Germany, Japan, and the UK. For all its

strengths, OPIC has difficulty working in partnership with - and leveraging the investment of -

our allies because of its lack of equity authority.

While the BUILD Act envisions that the DFC's total equity investments could approach 35

percent of its overall portfolio, it is important to note that- like the DFC's loans that will be paid

back over time - equity has a similar potential for repayment. I look forward to working with

the Committee on this important new aspect of the DFC to ensure that it is resourced and

structured for long-term success.

Madam Chair- this Committee's support is incredibly important at this critical time. As the top

Republican on the Asia Subcommittee, I've been through the region. I've been through Africa

and our own Hemisphere and seen the challenges; like you have. Everywhere we go, we see

China - loading up developing countries with debt they won't be able to repay; bringing in

Chinese workers; and not respecting the environment. With the establishment of the DFC -we

have a viable alternative that countries can call upon; where they can bring in private sector financing; employ their own people and do things in a transparent way. And this model of

2 31

Rep. Ted S. Yoho, DVM (FL-3) Testimony for House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs March 6, 2019 development - of bringing in private capital - is becoming more prominent as the needs just can't be met with government resources alone.

The newly created DFC will be an important tool against an ever more aggressive China. China's

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has undermined American Security and prosperity around the world. China is aggressively attempting to expand its influence not only throughout Asia, but around the world, especially in Africa, through its Belt and Road Initiative which is nothing more than a predatory loan scheme that indentures nations to China. This happened to Sri Lanka which had to hand over a deep-water port to China for the next 99 years and Pakistan has added billions to its debt through its partnership with China in building a port in Gwadar. The list of countries being harmed by China's Belt and Road continues to grow. It is imperative for Global and American security that the U.S. DFC is sufficiently funded.

Lastly, I'll note for the Committee that OPIC and DCA will cease to exist at the end of this fiscal year. Should the FY20 Foreign Operations bill not be signed into law by the start of the fiscal year, I will want to work with the Committee on "anomaly language" to ensure the DFC can be

st established on October I • There is no time to waste.

Thank you for your leadership and for the bipartisan atmosphere of respect and problem-solving that you have instilled in this Committee. You have the ability to shape America's future as a global leader by investing in diplomacy and development. I look forward to working with you to advance U.S. global leadership through a strong and effective International Affairs Budget.

3 32

The CHAIRWOMAN. I thank you very much, and I look forward to working with you. What I have found in my travels is that when China is building, they are bringing their own workers so they really are not encouraging economic development and creating jobs. Mr. YOHO. You are so right. The CHAIRWOMAN. They bring their workers, and the benefits are to them. So I look forward to working with you and I thank you for appearing today. Mr. YOHO. Thank you, ma’am. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Mr. Yoho, for your support for this program. Is the motivation China here, is that the big push that we are having to deal with? Mr. YOHO. No, that wasn’t the original impetus behind this. The original impetus was, as you know, I came in to get rid of foreign aid, and we talked about that last time. The thing is we really can’t get rid of foreign aid, but we can help countries wean from aid and move them to trade as quickly as we can, because if we move to trade, we are developing infrastructures; we are developing economies. If we develop economies, there is a better lifestyle. You are bringing people out of poverty so it de-conflicts the rest of the world, and this is an important thing. The Belt Road Initiative was something that showed up in China. The estimates have invested over $4 trillion and really what they are doing is that they are buying up seaports, strategic seaports around world that are going to—we are going to have to deal with someday. So this was a way to offset this and we have had both Repub- licans and Democrats and people in leadership roles ask secretaries of State and current that have said that this is the biggest way to compete, to offset what China is doing. I don’t want to say compete, because I think we are all for favorable competition, but not at the expense of another country. Mr. ROGERS. Well, everywhere we go, as the chair has said and you have said, every country that I have been in of recent vintage, China is there. Mr. YOHO. Right. Mr. ROGERS. Giving money, making loans that have no way to repaid. Enslaving countries like Sri Lanka—— Mr. YOHO. Sure. Mr. ROGERS. And others. All for the purpose of enhancing the Chinese economy. Mr. YOHO. It is all for China. Mr. ROGERS. And we have been caught, I think, with our hands down and the more we can build up this BUILD organization to combat this scourge of Chinese enslavery, the better off we are. Mr. YOHO. I agree and I appreciate those comments. This is something that they are looking to roll out October of this year. They are going through the rule-making process, and we just ask for considerable attention to the financing so that that can be implemented. We are working with the Department of State, with the ambassadors—what is the name of that corporation, Jimmy, that organization where they educate the ambassadors? 33 We are working with that so that they—the people in our embassies understand what the BUILD Act can do, and there is an educational process. I think it is a $5 million funding that will help them implement this so that we can go out, and we can start implementing this so that our foreign allies or the countries we are going into can say, ‘‘Well, wait a minute. This is different than what China is offering.’’ It is different from OPIC, because OPIC was so outdated. Like I said, they wouldn’t even get invited to the table. We couldn’t partner up with JPIC out of Japan or DFID out of the U.K. And so now we can partner up with other countries’ development finance corporations and do massive infrastructure projects. In addition, we can take in equity stake. And so instead of giving money out and getting no return, we can invest and get a return. It would be like, say a toll road, so we are getting a benefit, but we are going to use domestic help in those countries unlike China, who in Cambodia came in there, built a casino, built their own res- taurants, built their own hotels, brought their own material and their own people and didn’t help the underlying economy of Cam- bodia. This is something I think we can do better, and it is up to all of us to make sure these things get rolled out properly, and I appreciate your consideration. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you. Mr. YOHO. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mrs. Torres, do you have any questions? Mr. YOHO. Hey, how are you doing? Mrs. TORRES. We want to say congratulations on—— Mr. YOHO. Thank you. It was a group effort, and I thank all of you for your support. Mrs. TORRES. Thank you, because we marked that last year in Foreign Affairs Committee. Thank you for accepting my amend- ment to—— Mr. YOHO. Yes. Mrs. TORRES. Ensure that, you know, we looked at that transparency and public corruption quite a bit. Mr. YOHO. Have to. Mrs. TORRES. I have to agree with you. Traveling to South Amer- ica, Ecuador, for example, we were just there last October—Octo- ber, November. Some time ago. It was just last year. Yes. There is great need for them to refinance the debt that they have with China. And we see that all across the Americas. It is unfortunate that—— Mr. YOHO. They are in throughout South America. Mrs. TORRES. Right. Right. It is so unfortunate that they have put themselves in such a situation, a dire situation where they don’t see a way out of the China umbrella. So if this can help in any way—— Mr. YOHO. Oh, we are excited about this. We really are. Mrs. TORRES. Refinancing some of these debts, I think—— Mr. YOHO. Yes. Mrs. TORRES. Could really help. So thank you. Mr. YOHO. Yes. That is great. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mrs. Roby. Mrs. ROBY. No questions. Thank you. 34

Mr. YOHO. Thank you all. I appreciate it. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much—— Mr. YOHO. Yes, ma’am. You all take care. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you for appearing before us. Welcome. Mr. CASE. Aloha. The CHAIRWOMAN. Aloha. This weather—I wish we were all in Hawaii today. Mr. CASE. It looks like it is 75 out there, but it is not. The CHAIRWOMAN. I want to thank you, Representative Case of Hawaii, a new member of the Appropriations Committee. I appreciate you coming before us and testifying today. And please proceed as you wish. You can either read your full testimony, talk your way through it, and also place your full testimony in the record as you choose.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. ED CASE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF HAWAII

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.CASE Mr. CASE. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, ranking member, members. Thank you for allowing me to spend a little bit of time with you this morning. You do have my written testimony. I am going to try to summarize it. My purpose in coming before you today is to highlight the critical importance of our efforts in all spheres across the Indo-Pacific region. Since the end of the Second World War, the U.S. has helped to build a free and open order in the Indo-Pacific region that has guaranteed security, enhanced trade and development, and promoted human rights. And this rules-based order has created conditions that prevented large-scale war and encouraged economic growth and democratic development, allowing the region to become one of the fastest-growing in the world. Among the success stories, ironically of this regional order, is China, a country that in just a generation has lifted countless millions, hundreds of millions out of poverty and grown into one of the world’s largest economies. But we now have a choice to make with China, where China will be deciding and we will be deciding whether China will continue to be part of this rules-based order, whether it will continue with the path of growth and interaction and peace, or whether it will reject the rules-based liberal democratic order and exploit authoritarianism, reject human rights and advance its own interest to the exclusion of others. So I would like to sit here with you in terms of how we should expend our valuable funds in the area of the Department of State and related foreign affairs. I will say that I believe that it is critical for us to get it right with respect to the Indo-Pacific region and China specifically. And I think that the answer is the fullest possible engagement, so I do not agree—I do not agree with those that believe that the solution to the Indo-Pacific region and China and the rest of the world is to disengage. I believe that the answer is 35 the fullest possible engagement, not only with China, but with our allies and partners—folks out there that have stood by us for generations since the Second World War and folks that we want to stand with us today as we go down the road. This has been a non-partisan, bipartisan effort over at least the past two presidencies, and multiple Congresses who have committed us to the same basic strategy in the Indo-Pacific to strengthen our alliances and partnerships, increase our military presence, and you certainly will in this committee and the broader committee, evaluate the military defense budget in that context, but also to promote trade, development and the rule of law, and the projection of soft power as some people talk about. Congress affirmed this strategy last year through the Asia Reas- surance Initiative Act, and I urge this committee, number one, to appropriate the necessary funding and to carry out that Act and support related programs that contribute to our strategy in the Indo-Pacific. I say this all, because I believe it is in the interest of our country but also because as a representative from Hawaii, I know that we have an incredibly important role to play in the Indo-Pacific. Not only do we have in Hawaii the headquarters of INDOPACOM, the largest and I believe most important, if I can say it that way, unified command that we have in our world today, stretching all the way from the West Coast of California to the West Coast of India, the entire Pacific and half the Indian Oceans. But we also truly lie at the intersection of East and West in Ha- waii and have for generations now. We have for generations now hosted foreign visitors, business people, students, and professionals. And there is a great mixing in Hawaii that often goes un- recognized in the rest of the country on all levels, whether it be defense, whether it be economic, whether it be social, whether it be education, whether it be professional, scientific, whether just be visitors in a restaurant in Waikiki talking to each other about their respective countries. We have a role to play in this, and we have programs in Hawaii that have been funded to that effect in Hawaii. The one that I want to focus on today is the East-West Center. The East-West Center was started in 1960, and it was started for this specific purpose, to facilitate and foster engagement on several levels between East and West. We saw after the war that we needed to start to reach out to the Asia Pacific region in a systematic way. The East-West Center, which is affiliated with the University of Hawaii but not part of the University of Hawaii, and those of you that have been there know that it is a beautiful facility that works very, very hard to have the top scholars in the world host in an atmosphere in which folks can come together to provide mutual education and foster better relationships and understanding. Programs include education, research, and professional development for students, scholars, and offices from across the Indo-Pacific region. In 2018 alone, the Center had over 3,400 participants from 41 countries in its programs and hosted 24 public events here in its Washington, D.C. offices. I think that most importantly if you look through the generations, the East-West Center now has 65,000 36 alumni spread out all throughout the Indo-Pacific region, so you have leaders of India Pakistan, China, Japan and the compact countries of the South Pacific and Australia, who have all come together at one time or another at the East-West Center. And they have their own network. I think that is incredibly valuable, incredibly critical to us as we go through this next generation where we are going to have stresses and strains in the Indo-Pacific region that we have simply not seen before. So I am here to advocate for full funding for the East-West Center. The East-West Center on the last number of years has sometimes wondered whether it was going to survive from one year to the other. It has not been in some presidents’ budgets. It has been on the chopping block here on occasion and, you know, I just frankly think that after two generations of success, two generations in which it has developed and demonstrated its worth, that it deserves at this point, especially considering the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, the contributions that East-West Center has played and can play, that we recognize it for what it is and provide a more stable level of funding over the next generation. So I would support full funding of its request at $20.1 million for the upcoming Fiscal Year. Beyond that, I certainly would support other key efforts that are critical to the Indo-Pacific region. For example, the FMF and IMET programs operated by State in conjunc- tion with DOD have been really, really valuable I think to the Indo-Pacific region and would certainly urge that those be funded, similarly with the Economic Support Fund and the development assistance accounts. Sometimes it is difficult to calculate the impact of more indirect spending out in the rest of the world, including the Indo-Pacific, but I believe that at this point we can conclude that this is incredibly valuable spending for us, and I would certainly advocate that this subcommittee focus on the Indo-Pacific region as you consider your important work. Thank you very much. And happy to answer any questions. [The information follows:] 37

Written Testimony of Representative Ed Case (Hl-01) House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, distinguished Members of the Committee:

Thank you for this opportunity to testify today in support of priorities important to

Hawai'i and the lndo-Pacific region. Since the end of the Second World War, the United States has helped to build a free and open order in the Indo-Pacific region that guaranteed security, enhanced trade and development and promoted human rights. This rules-based order created conditions that prevented large-scale war and encouraged economic growth and democratic development, allowing the region to become one of the fastest-growing in the world. Among the success stories of this regional order is China, a country that, in just a generation, lifted countless millions out of poverty and grew to become one of the world's largest economies.

With its rising power and influence, China now proposes an alternate vision for the Indo

Pacific and the world one that rejects the rules-based, liberal democratic order. Their version exports authoritarianism, rejects human rights and advances Chinese interests in trade, development and security to the detriment of other countries. Despite the many other challenges we face in the Indo-Pacific, including North Korea and terrorism, China's rise poses the most significant long-term threat to U.S. interests and regional stability.

Hawai'i and a Free and Open lndo-Pacific

Sitting in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, Hawai'i is the most isolated place from any continent in the world. It is as close to Asia as to the East Coast of the continental United

States. In fact, Honolulu is closer to Tokyo than it is to Washington by almost a thousand miles.

Page 1 of5 38

This unique geographic position means that Hawai'i is also economically, culturally and

historically linked with the Inda-Pacific region. As then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted

in 2010, Hawai'i is "America's bridge to the East." Hawaii's interconnected economy and

security depends much on the existing order of free and open trade and regional stability backed

by U.S. alliances and partnerships.

Two presidencies and multiple Congresses over the past decade have committed the

United States to the same basic strategy in the Inda-Pacific: strengthening alliances and

partnerships, increasing our military presence and engagement and promoting trade,

development, and the rule of law. Congress affirmed this strategy last year through the Asia

Reassurance Initiative Act, and I urge this Committee to appropriate the necessary funding to

carry out that act and support related programs that contribute to our strategy in the Inda-Pacific.

To that end, I request that the committee increase funding for the East-West Center, the

Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET)

programs, and Development and Humanitarian Accounts for the Inda-Pacific.

The East-West Center

The complexity and rapid pace of change in the Inda-Pacific demands both consistent engagement and specialized research and study to inform U.S. policy. Since 1960, the East-West

Center has fulfilled this role as a national educational institution established by Congress to foster better relations and understanding between the United States and the Inda-Pacific region.

Its programs include education, research and professional development for students, scholars and officials from across the Inda-Pacific region.

The East-West Center has used its federal funding effectively to build robust engagement

in the Inda-Pacific. In 2018, the Center had over 3,400 participants from 41 countries in its

Page2 ofS 39 programs. For example, through its newly launched Asia-Pacific Smart Cities Initiative (APSCI), the Center brings together U.S. and Asia municipal leaders and planners to address urbanization challenges in the region. The Center has also demonstrated a strong history of cooperation and engagement with DOD, the State Department, and the public. The Center's office in

Washington, DC hosted 24 public events last year and has expanded its public engagement through new digital publications on Indo-Pacific issues.

With these many accomplishments, it is no surprise that a 2018 report from the

University of Pennsylvania ranked the East-West Center as the fourth-best government-affiliated think tank in the world, just below our own Congressional Research Service, which ranked third.

Renewed interest in the Indo-Pacific over the past decade have significantly increased opportunities for the Center to grow and build on its success and help advance America's national security agenda in the Indo-Pacific. For FY2020, I respectfully ask that the Committee provide $20.l million to the East-West Center to support its continued growth. These funds will allow the Center to advance its Smart Cities Initiative and develop new programs on artificial intelligence, the Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations, and disinformation in media in the region. Critically, additional funding will support new staff positions that will enhance the

Center's ability to sustain and further its growth.

The East-West Center's work not only furthers our understanding of the Indo-Pacific region but also enhances our relationships with citizens, scholars, diplomats and military officials from other countries in the region. Over the years, the Center has become an important component of our outreach and soft power in the Indo-Pacific, creating a widespread network of

65,000 alumni throughout the region. Increased funding to $20.1 million for FY2020 will go a

Page3 of5 40

long way in helping the Center build on its important work in the Inda-Pacific and advance our

national security interests.

FMF and IMET Programs

Alliances and partnerships are central to the success of our foreign policy in the Indo

Pacific. Over the past seventy years, the U.S. has built a network of bilateral relationships that

enhance our mutual security interests in the region. In the face of growing threats in the region, it

is imperative that the United States reinforce our security cooperation with allies and partners in

the region, not only with our traditional allies in Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and the

Philippines, but also with newer partners like India, Vietnam and the Pacific island countries.

Both the FMF and IMET programs help strengthen these security relationships by

providing grants for partner countries to acquire U.S. defense equipment, services and military

training. Together, the two programs build military capacity and professionalism in partner

countries, all the while strengthening our relationships and promoting democratic norms in

foreign militaries.

Appropriations to the FMF and IMET programs should reflect the strategic importance of the Inda-Pacific to our foreign policy. For FY2020, I request that the Committee provide

increased funding for the FMF and IMET programs to be directed specifically towards partner countries in the Inda-Pacific region.

The Economic Support Fund and Development Assistance Accounts

Lastly, our foreign policy must continue to be rooted in openness and freedom, not only

in the economies of the Inda-Pacific and the trade we share with them but also in their societies and political systems. As China flexes its economic influence through the Belt and Road

Initiative, the U.S. should increase its commitment to development in the Inda-Pacific region.

Page 4 of5 41

Key to this commitment are the Economic Support Fund and the Development Assistance accounts, both of which assist developing countries with overcoming domestic political, economic, and security challenges. Our development efforts help spur economic growth and improve quality of life in our partner countries, thereby building their markets for trade with our economy. These efforts are closely connected with our work promoting good governance, democratic values and human rights.

Once more, appropriations to these development and humanitarian programs should reflect our strategic priorities in Indo-Pacific. For FY2020, I ask the Committee to provide increased funding to the Economic Support Fund and the Development Assistance accounts to be directed specifically towards the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, because USAID and the State

Department cannot secure our national security alone, these efforts should be explicitly linked into a larger whole-of-government strategy to answers challenges we face in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

The U.S. goal of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific ultimately seeks to maintain the regional order that has benefited all its members, large or small. While China will continue to be a prominent focus of our engagement in the region, the Indo-Pacific has always been a vital area of interest for the United States. There is no denial that we need a whole-of-government approach to China and the Indo-Pacific. Only by aligning diplomatic, assistance, and national security efforts will we achieve our nation's overarching objectives in the region. Ultimately, our goal is not to contain or deny China its place in the Indo-Pacific, but so long as China fails to responsibly participate in a rules-based regional order, increased U.S. commitment to the region is a strategic imperative. I thank this Committee for its continued support of these vital programs that support our strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific.

Page 5of5 42

The CHAIRWOMAN. I thank you very much for your testimony. It is always a pleasure to see you. And I know you are a strong advocate of the Center, and I look forward to continuing to learn more about it. And I don’t know that I have a question for you today. Mr. CASE. Thank you. Thank you, Chairwoman. The CHAIRWOMAN. I turn to Mr. Rogers. Thank you. Mr. ROGERS. You are right about East-West Center. It has been on and off here in this subcommittee and the full committee and the full Congress for a variety of reasons. Some think we in the West, need more than soft power. However, given the emergence of China as a global competitor as it is now for business and trade, it is important that we bolster the East-West ties as strong as we can. I remember going to Bali 25 years ago or so and we met with what was referred to as the prince of Bali. He would have been the King of the Province of Bali had they not integrated into Indonesia. We had a great, long visit with this elder statesman who was re- vered, one of the founding fathers of SEATO. The thing that motivated this elderly statesman was his fear of China. He anticipated—thought that China was out to bring back into the—under the Chinese umbrella all peoples who originated with a Chinese dialect. That fear is prevalent now as you know still, stronger. And I am not sure that the East-West Center is doing enough to spread that idea, and more importantly to counteract it. What do you think? Mr. CASE. I think it is an excellent question, and I think it does get to the mission of the East-West Center, because my own belief is that with China, and you could say the same thing of Russia or any other adversaries or potential adversaries around the world, the best possible approach in the big picture is first and foremost a strong defense so that you don’t encourage anybody to think you will be taken advantage of, but also engagement on all levels. So as you can engage from the international trade perspective, you strengthen those ties. As you can engage from the educational and social and financial and business aspects you strengthen those ties. I think that is the best way to deal with China. I have absolutely no hesitation to say that I think INDOPACOM should be fully funded. I think it needs what it needs to get the job done in the Indo-Pacific region. But that is not the only way to handle China. And I think if we go down simply a pure defense approach then we will be making a mistake with China in the long run. I think that where the East-West Center fits into it, if I understand your comments correctly, you are perhaps concerned that the East-West Center is not firm enough with China. And I think that my response to you on that would be that I think the East-West Center’s role is to engage all of our partners, all of our potential partners, and even our adversaries in a process that hopefully will kind of be the carrot side of it as opposed to the stick side of it. And so, I don’t think the East-West Center really has the responsibility of sitting there and telling China to go take a hike. I think the East-West Center has a responsibility and other agencies as well. And I will give you one more example very quickly. 43 In Honolulu, in Hawaii because of our geographic role and our cultural role, we belong to the Asia-Pacific region. If I fly from here to Honolulu, I am more than halfway to Asia. So that will give you some sense of where we think we are in terms of the world. So we think a lot about the Indo-Pacific, and so does the Indo-Pacific; they think that Honolulu and Hawaii is kind of a safe place to have these discussions. So we have not only INDOPACOM, which engages China right there at INDOPACOM, we have the East-West Center, which engages China. We also have the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, which is the affiliate which engages China. And I think they all have that role. So I think the East-West Cen- ter has a really critical role to play in terms of trying to always, with a strong military defense posture, encourage China to remain engaged, to play by the rules, and to play by the international trade rules. And that is what their role is, and even the professional rules. You have leaders of China right now that attended the East- West Center. I think that is a good thing—that they have some fa- miliarity, that they have met with people from Bali, that have also been to the East-West Center. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. If I may, my friend, I understand Ms. Wagner has to leave shortly. Could you wait a few moments for your questions? Mr. CASE. Sure. The CHAIRWOMAN. And we will hear from Ms. Wagner and then I will give the rest of the Members an opportunity to direct those questions.

WEDNESDAY,MARCH 6, 2019. WITNESS HON. ANN WAGNER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI

OPENING STATEMENT OF MRS.WAGNER Mrs. WAGNER. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Thank you so much for your courtesy. I am in fact serving both on Foreign Affairs and on Financial Services, and I am in a middle of a mark-up at which I have a couple of amendments, so I am eager to get back. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, other members, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. As a former U.S. ambassador and the vice ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I cannot overstate America’s centrality in safeguarding human rights, fostering peace, and promoting economic development, trade, and good governance worldwide. I have had the opportunity to travel with Ms. Torres on these very missions across Central America and our world. With countries like China and Russia working to undermine democratic values and respect for human rights, American leadership is more important than ever. And the U.S.-led international order has helped populations across the globe enjoy safer, more stable, and frankly more prosperous lives, and I believe American dip- 44 lomatic engagement is critical to leaving a better world for the next generation. Peace and stability are a prerequisite for prosperity. But as we see in Syria, Burma, and elsewhere, many states are engaged in large-scale violence against their own citizens. And the United States has a responsibility to help these vulnerable communities. For that reason, I want to voice my strong support for robust funding for the Complex Crisis Fund, or CCF. The CCF is a critical global account that enables the United States to respond swiftly and efficiently to unforeseen crises, filling a gap when other monies are unavailable. Foreign Service officers and USAID workers in the field rely on the CCF to mitigate incipient humanitarian crises and prevent conflicts from spinning out of control. And data analysis from the In- stitute of Economics and Peace indicates that strong funding for the CCF could actually save taxpayers money in the long run: They submit that for every dollar invested now, the cost of conflict would be reduced by 16 dollars. I urge you to fund this account at least at $30 million in Fiscal Year 2020. Also one of my top priorities in Congress is ending human trafficking, an injustice that has enslaved over 40 million people worldwide. The State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Traf- ficking in Persons has been instrumental in building partner nation capacity and incentivizing effective anti-trafficking measures. I urge you to provide robust funding to the TIP Office so it can improve justice systems and prosecutions of traffickers and sex buyers in partner nations. Frankly, doing my own TIP report as a former U.S. ambassador was so very important and impactful in what I was able to bring to Congress and promote legislatively from a policy standpoint. And finally, I ask you to allocate robust funding for democracy programs in Burma. In Fiscal Year 2019, the National Endowment for Democracy, NED, received $4 million for its activities in Burma. It has used these funds to promote the development of civil society and strengthen democratic institutions. NED is helping to build a Burma in which genocide, brutalities, and rights violations against the country’s minorities are unthinkable, and I urge you to continue supporting its mission at at least that $4 million level. I ask you to ensure that our assistance to Burma does not in any way make the United States complicit in the appalling crimes that the Burmese military has committed against the Rohingya, the Shan, the Kachin, and other ethnic groups. Last year, the House version of the NDAA included language limiting security assistance and military cooperation until the De- partment of State certifies that the Burmese government has held perpetrators accountable for human rights abuses. I was deeply disappointed that the final NDAA did not include this language, and I hope that the SFOPS appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020 reflects its provisions regardless. Members of the Burmese military responsible for committing genocide and other crimes against humanity must be held responsible for their actions. The Burmese military should not receive one 45 cent of U.S. foreign military financing until it takes action to end and atone for egregious human rights abuses. America excels at helping our partners build capacity, good governance practices, and democratic institutions. Democratizing and developing countries want and need us to remain a reliable partner. I hope this subcommittee will support strong funding, for again, U.S. anti-trafficking programs, for conflict prevention, and for capacity building programming. So I thank you for all your hard work on these issues. I appreciate your courtesy, Chairwoman and Ranking Member. I am happy to take any questions or dash. [The information follows:] 46

Rep. Ann Wagner, MO-02 Testimony to State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee on Member Day March 6, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. As

a former Ambassador and Vice Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I cannot

overstate America's centrality in safeguarding human rights, fostering peace, and promoting

economic development, trade, and good governance worldwide.

With countries like China and Russia working to undermine democratic values and respect for

human rights, American leadership is more important than ever. The U.S.-led international order

has helped populations across the globe enjoy safer, more stable, and more prosperous lives, and

I believe American diplomatic engagement is critical to leaving a better world for the next

generation.

Peace and stability are a prerequisite for prosperity. But as we see in Syria, Burma, and elsewhere,

many states are engaged in large-scale violence against their own citizens. The United States has

a responsibility to help these vulnerable communities. For that reason, I want to voice my strong

support for robust funding for the Complex Crises Fund, or CCF. The CCF is a critical global

account that enables the United States to respond swiftly and efficiently to unforeseen crises, filling

a gap when other monies are unavailable.

Foreign Service Officers and USAID workers in the field rely on the CCF to mitigate incipient humanitarian crises and prevent conflicts from spinning out of control. And data analysis from the 47

Institute for Economics and Peace indicates that strong funding for the CCF could actually save taxpayers money in the long run: for every dollar invested now, the cost of conflict would be reduced by 16 dollars. I urge you to fund this account at least at $30 million dollars in fiscal year

2020.

One of my top priorities in Congress is ending human trafficking, an injustice that has enslaved over 40 million people worldwide. The State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat

Trafficking in Persons has been instrumental in building partner nation capacity and incentivizing effective anti-trafficking measures. The TIP Office should work with DOJ in addressing online sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. I urge you to provide robust funding to the TIP Office so it can help improve criminal justice systems and increase prosecutions of traffickers, including sex buyers, in partner nations.

Finally, I ask you to allocate robust funding for democracy programs in Burma. In fiscal year 2019, the National Endowment for Democracy received $4 million for its activities in Burma. It has used these funds to promote the development of civil society and strengthen democratic institutions.

NED is helping to build a Burma in which genocide, brutalities, and rights violations against the country's minorities are unthinkable, and I urge you to continue supporting its mission at at least

$4 million.

I ask you to ensure that our assistance to Burma does not in any way make the United States complicit in the appalling crimes the Burmese military has committed against the Rohingya, Shan,

Kachin, and other ethnic groups. Last year, the House version of the NDAA included language 48

limiting security assistance and military cooperation until the Department of State certifies that the

Burmese government has held perpetrators accountable for human rights abuses.

I was deeply disappointed that the final NDAA did not include this language, and I hope the

SFOPS appropriations bill for FY20 reflects the spirit of those provisions regardless. Members of

the Burmese military and government responsible for committing genocide and other crimes

against humanity must be held responsible for their actions; the Burmese military should not

receive one cent of U.S. foreign military financing until it talces action to end and atone for

egregious human rights abuses. Moreover, the U.S. must practice tremendous caution in

engaging with the Burmese government, which has clearly been complicit in corruption, crimes

against ethnic minorities, and bad governance. Any aid to Burma should boost civil society and

pro-democracy groups that are committed to fundamental human rights, religious and ethnic

reconciliation, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

America excels at helping our partners build capacity, good governance practices, and democratic

institutions. Democratizing and developing countries want-and need--us to remain a reliable partner. I hope this subcommittee will support robust funding for pro-democracy, anti-trafficking,

and conflict prevention programming, in addition to programming that builds professionalism and

capacity of criminal justice systems around the world. Thank you for your hard work on these

issues. 49

The CHAIRWOMAN. Would you like to take questions or do you want to dash? I may have to bring Mr. Case back. Mrs. WAGNER. Where are we? Are they voting it? Okay. I probably have to leave in a few minutes. If you have any questions I am happy to entertain a couple, but—— The CHAIRWOMAN. I will give our members who didn’t ask some questions. I will do it that way. I just want to thank you for your testimony, and I must say that I was part of several celebratory events with Aung San Suu Kyi. And this was probably one of the most disappointing results I can ever imagine in the time that I was here. And I thank you for your activism. I wish you had some advice. I don’t know if you do. Otherwise I will turn to another question before you leave. Mrs. WAGNER. I agree. I can tell you in terms of some of the priorities that I have laid out here I think that Chairman Engel is very committed to the CCF and actually getting behind it. I have fought for this on the Republican side of the aisle for some time. He is committed to this also, and I think that anything we can do from a prevention side early on is very, very important, and I think that will make a big difference in arming our Foreign Serv- ice officers and others to put more on the preventative side. I have had the pleasure of passing the Genocide and Atrocities Act which CCF was very much a part of, but I think we are going to put some more teeth to it in this next Congress. The CHAIRWOMAN. I turn to Ms. Torres because you were next? Mrs. TORRES. Thank you for your leadership in these issues, specifically with sex trafficking. You know, we were in Iquitos, Peru, and we visited a center that was built to help support infants that are sex trafficked. I didn’t know that that type of tourism existed. The CHAIRWOMAN. It was just horrific. Mrs. TORRES. It was horrible to find out that some American citizens—— The CHAIRWOMAN. I know, exploiting—— Mrs. TORRES. Traveling there for the purpose of exploiting infants. So thank you for that work. I just want to encourage, I know that this is a very, very difficult issue for you, but women need support. And when rape is a favorite weapon of war, we have to find a way to help provide healthcare for women that have been raped and result in unwanted preg- nancies and are left on the side of the road to care for themselves and an unwanted child that no one recognizes as a human being. It is shameful. It is a black eye. But I hope that we can find a space where we can work to help—— The CHAIRWOMAN. I hope so too. Mrs. TORRES. To fortify the healthcare of these women. Mrs. WAGNER. I look forward to that, and I can tell you that my Gendercide Bill also is very much a part of that too, that there are so many little girls across this country sadly that are killed and alone because of their gender, because they are little girls. And it goes along the same line, so we will be putting that legislation, I hope forward again. And it has been generally on a bipartisan basis, so I look forward to working with you on those issues. 50

The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Fortenberry. Or Ms. Roby, do you have any questions before we go back to Mr. Case? Mr. FORTENBERRY. Absolutely. The CHAIRWOMAN. With great respect. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you for being here to give us your perspective on this ongoing tragedy in Burma. Mrs. WAGNER. Yes, it is awful. Mr. FORTENBERRY. But in the 2019 bill that we just passed we have got $86.4 million in economic support funds to support civil society, advance the national reconciliation process, and improve the lives left vulnerable by decades of military rule. It also has $3.5 billion for international narcotics control funding. No monies for international security assistance, none. And the State Department interaction with the Burmese military is limited to human rights and disaster response. So we hear you. It is an ongoing tragedy that we all deal with. Thank you. Mrs. WAGNER. Well, I appreciate that. And I just again cannot say enough about the National Endowment for Democracy, and that $4 million that NED need, that grant money that they need to have programming control over. And I think it also goes a long way to helping to build a Burma in which these kinds of brutalities and genocide and human rights violations are unthinkable. So I thank you, ranking member. Thank you all so very, very much. I going to put my roller skates on and dash back to Rayburn. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. Mr. Case, you have been so very patient. Mrs. WAGNER. Thank you, Mr. Case. Thank you. Mr. CASE. No problem. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Why don’t we continue? Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you, Congressman. We don’t know each other very well. Would you mind if I speak presumptuously about your presentation based upon what will hopefully be a friendship, because it is meant to be constructive, I have to say. Mr. CASE. Sure. Mr. FORTENBERRY. When I left Nebraska it was minus four. If you really want to have an impact, I think a field hearing at the East-West Center in Hawaii would have been preferable to this presentation. Mr. CASE. I think that is an excellent idea. I think that there is a great need for people from Nebraska to understand the Indo-Pa- cific region. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Okay. We have found common cause. Just on a serious note, following up on what Ranking Member Rogers, our former chairman, said, I think this issue of China looms so large in terms of really the 21st Century architecture of diplomatic relations. And both the USAID director as I recall but recently I was with frankly the Secretary of State yesterday, and 2 days ago in Iowa, spoke of China’s predatory lending practice. And the more that we can socialize this concept, I think the world actually has awakened 51 to this harsh reality of coming in and holding hostage in effect developing countries to their larger ideological agenda. I get what you are saying and I respect what you are saying in terms of the East-West Center being a bridge for diplomatic dialogue and not necessarily the hammer side of the carrot, but of the incentives. But I do think socializing this harsh reality of what China has done and really improperly disrupting what ought to be fundamental attacks by all of us on structural poverty around the world to lead to stability and diplomatic outcomes. I throw that to you to connect—— Mr. CASE. No, I think it is along the same lines as your question, ranking member. It is a very good debate. How do we deal with China and the big picture over the next generations long after we are not here anymore? I think that if you listen to the debate, let us define the debate by its extremes. One side of the debate says let us only deal with this militarily and let us isolate China, and let us basically dry up any contact with China in all other spheres. Okay. So that is kind of one extreme. The other extreme is we don’t really have to worry about China and if we appease China and placate them and let them do what they want to do, then that’s the way to go. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Or the free market in its working itself out will ultimately create the types of interconnectedness, that will develop human rights and respect—— Mr. CASE. Well, and that is the—— Mr. FORTENBERRY. I think that is in the extreme too. Mr. CASE. Yes. And one could argue that is part of the policy we have followed for the last 20 years, that we hoped that would happen. Now obviously it didn’t. So let us be frank about that. I think we are on the same page, aren’t we? So then the question is what do we do? And I am saying that we need to pursue this on a number of levels. It is a very nuanced set of levels. I am saying that I am agreeing with you, first of all, on your premise, okay. So I am not one of those people that is naive about China. I think China has every aspiration to be the dominant world power and to not participate in a world order if it can get away with that, if it serves its own purposes. And it is busy trying to do that. We need a strong military in the Pacific so let us do that. Now let us talk about the rest of it. How do we actually try to get China to modify its behavior? And I think engagement is the right way to do that. Sometimes you can’t see it happening until it actually happens. For example, I have been in meetings at the East-West Center or for that matter other places in Hawaii. And I have heard from members that have participated in meetings of the same thing, where you have people from China who come in to those meetings. Now they are safe zones for talking. They are not in China. They are told in no uncertain terms how the rest of the world is feeling about them. I think that is valuable that they take that back to China. 52 And you never know when it is going to actually result in a change in behavior. But what I think can happen if we are not careful, if we isolate China and really shut it off from that avenue of discourse, wherever that avenue of discourse is at the East-West Center or the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies or any number of other possible areas to have that, then you are going to end up in a situation like North Korea where you have nobody that really knows really what is happening. And they do not know enough about the rest of the world to bring it back to North Korea to say, hey, this is really what the view is out there. So, I think that that is what is so valuable about this particular track. And, yes, those discussions should include, you guys are not playing by the rules. You are predatory lending. You are stealing intellectual property. You are dominating and losing your own partners. That is the struggle that we have. It is a big picture struggle, and we have got to fight that struggle on a multiple level. So this is, I am talking way beyond the East-West Center, but it fits into that pattern. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Does anyone have any additional questions? Let me thank you for coming. I do look forward to a hearing, whether it is in the East-West Center or another meeting. The weather is sure better than here or in Nebraska, and I really appreciate your input. Mr. CASE. Thank you very much. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. This concludes today’s hearing. The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs stands adjourned. [Testimony for the record submitted by Members of Congress follows:] 53

TESTIMONY FOR THE RECORD SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 54

CHAIRMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR. REPLY TO COMMITTEE ON 6TH DISTRICT, NEW JERSEY ENERGY AND COMMERCE □ 2107 AtWSURN House OFFICE 6U!LOING W.11.Sli!NOTON, DC 20S15.J006 (202) 226-4671 «!Congre.s.s of tire Dnitell ~tate.s □ 504 BROADWAY loNr; BRANCH, NJ 07740 i!,ouue of 1Repreuentutiuen 1732! 571-1140 Ullllllljington, l!l

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The Honorable Nita Lowey, Chauwoman

The Honorable Hal Rogers, Ranking Member

Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Room HT-2, the Capitol Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers:

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to testify before your Subcommittee. As co-chair of

the Congressional A1menian Caucus, I believe the Fiscal Year 2020 House budget should reflect

an unwavering commitment to democracy building and trade relations with the Republic of

Armenia and to promoting peace in the Republic of Altsak:h (Nagomo Karabakh).

In the last year, we have seen an incredible grassroots movement take hold in Armenia. The

A1menian people have proved their commitment to democracy, anti-corruption measures, and

rule oflaw during the nonviolent "Velvet Revolution" starting in April 2018. That revolution

culminated this past December with one of the freest, fairest and most open national elections in

the country's history. The elections led to the elevation of the movement's leader, Niko!

Pashinyan, to P1ime Minister and to the election of one of the youngest and most refmm-minded

legislatures Almenia has ever had.

PAINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER (5]~11 55

Armenia's newly-elected government has indicated its intentions to bolster civil society and democratic institutions. The United States Congress can aid this process by ensuring targeted assistance is given during this exciting transition. This is especially true with concern to the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, which has been generous in its support of Armenian and

Artsakh in previons Congresses. We are in a critical moment in which a meaningful increase in

FY20 technical assistance to Armenia on important priorities - including for media freedom, judicial independence, anti-corruption, and civil society purposes - will likely have an exponential positive impact on the country's budding democratic institutions. I ask that the

Subcommittee appropriate the specific funds it deems necessary to the Department of State's

Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia and the U.S. Agency for

International Development's Bureau for Europe and Eurasia for these purposes.

As Armenia is an imp01tant safe haven for refugees and a strategic American partner, aid from the U.S. has also provided critical support for peacekeeping deployments and NATO interoperability in the region. The FY20 appropriations bill should include $30 million in economic aid and $10 million in military aid for Armenia, including funds for the Foreign

Military Financing program and the International Militaly Education and Training program. I ask that Armenia also receive at least $20 million to help the country provide transition support to refugees from Syria and throughout the Middle East who have found safe haven there.

The Subcommittee's tl'adition of generosity towards Attsakh also includes aid that has helped to provide maternal health care, support a multi-year HALO Trust land mine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts, rehabilitation centers, and funds for badly needed water systems in 56

Nagorno Karabakh. The FY20 appropriations bill should include $6 million to strengthen these critical programs and complete the work of HALO Trust in that area.

Additionally, intimidation and violence against the Armenian people continues today, in part because of continued U.S. military assistance to the Azerbaijani government. While much of the violence we saw in the spring of2016 has subsided, Azerbaijan continues to launch cross-border attacks into Artsakh and Armenia Rather than agreeing to a peaceful resolution of the conflict,

President Aliyev of Azerbaijan has continued to offer threats of a renewed war between the two countries. The U.S. should suspend military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases its attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and agrees to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

For this reason, this yeai·'s bill should also continue to invest in peace by providing the OSCE

Minsk Group with $4 million, allowing for the placement of advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact.

Taking these steps will continue to build on the U.S.-Arrnenia strategic relationship and help to grow the seeds of pro-democratic and civil society institutions in Armenia. I urge the

Subcommittee to invest in peace and assist Armenia at this exciting time of continued development. 57

PERMANENT SELECT 2269 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BU!LD!NG COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE WASHINGTON, DC 20515 CHAIRMAN 245 EAST OLIVE AVENUE, SUITE 200 BURBANK, CA 91502 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS EX-OFFtCIO MEMBER ADAM B. SCHIFF @RepAdamSch1ff schtff house gov MEMBER OF CONGRESS 28™ DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA

Member: Adam B. Schiff (D -28th/CA)

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, Members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. Now more than ever, American interests are at stake as we confront unprecedented instability and growing humanitarian crises around the world. Congress must invest in our national security, which includes development and diplomacy programs, alongside strong defense.

While I will extend and expand on my requests to the subcommittee, today I want to highlight two matters that I hope the subcommittee will prioritize in the FY20 bill- support for Armenia and the people of Nagomo-Karabakh; and the U.S. Agency for.Global Media (USAGM) formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the civilian arm of U.S. international media.

Nagorno Karabakh

I have always been a strong proponent of support for Armenia. I have also been unwavering in my support for the right of self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh or Artsakh.

The continued instances of violence against the people of Artsakh call for specific steps to defuse tension and violence along the border, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Artsakh who simply want to live free of fear and violence, and exercise their right of self-determination.

I urge the Subcommittee to:

• Ensure that not less than $6 million in Fiscal Year 2020 aid be appropriated to Nagorno-Karabakh for de-mining efforts and other humanitarian projects. 58

• Suspend U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases its attacks against Armenia and Nagorno- Karabakh, and agrees to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts. • In the interest of effective U.S. oversight of our aid programs, we request that the Department of State and USAID lift any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S. travel, communication, or contacts with Artsakh government officials or civil society stakeholders. • Include bill language providing funding to support implementation of the Royce Engel peace proposals, prioritizing the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact. Support for Armenia's Independence and Democracy

The U.S.-Armenia relationship is founded upon a shared commitment to freedom and democratic values. Armenia provides a safe haven for refugees, participates in U.S. led peacekeeping deployments, and supports the peaceful resolution of regional disputes. Blockaded by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Armenia confronts serious challenges to its security and its sovereignty. U.S. economic and military assistance plays a vital role in strengthening Armenia's independence. Military aid enables Armenia's membership in NATO's Partnerships for Peace and supports Armenia's participation in peacekeeping operations.

The peaceful transition of government in 2018 and successful democratic elections provide an opportunity for the United States to support meaningful long term governance reforms as an adjunct to our commitment to Armenia's aid-to trade transition. Increased funding for technical assistance on governance-related priorities, including rule of law reforms, anti-corruption initiatives, support for civil society and independent journalism should be prioritized. I urge encouraging the Administration to maximize the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIF A) Council meetings and to strategically broaden the U.S.-Armenia Economic Task Force to include support for governance reforms. I also support movement on a modem Double Tax Treaty, Social Security Totalization Agreement, debt-for-reforestation swaps, and non-stop U.S. to Armenia 59

commercial flights, all of which would be to the benefit of both Armenia and the United States.

I urge the Subcommittee to support Armenia by:

• Ensure not less than $30,000,000 be made available for governance and rule of law assistance to Armenia. • Ensure not less than $20,000,000 be made available for economic assistance to Armenia. • Support FMF aid for projects that develop Armenia's capability to undertake peacekeeping missions. • Increase IMET funding to expand U.S. training opportunities for Armenian officers. • Suspend U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases its attacks against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, ends its threat ofrenewed war, and agrees to the peaceful resolution of regional conflicts. Regional Safe Haven for Middle East Refugees

Over 25,000 individuals from Syria have sought safety in Armenia, which, despite being a small country, has received only modest levels of U.S. and international relief and resettlement assistance to accommodate this influx of refugees. Armenia has demonstrated its willingness to play a larger role as a regional safe haven for those fleeing persecution and death in the Middle East, but lacks the financial resources to offer the transition assistance needed by families fleeing violence.

I request the Subcommittee:

• Include language recognizing Armenia's efforts to serve as a regional safe haven for Christians and other at-risk populations fleeing violence in the Middle East, and supporting these efforts through aid and international organizations. • Provide funding to help Armenia provide transition support to refugees from Syria and throughout the Middle East who have found safe haven in Armenia. U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) I Broadcasting Board of Governors .{filllil 60

Russia continues to wage a disinformation campaign to destabilize Western democratic states and subvert the NATO alliance. Russia's disinformation and propaganda targeting the U.S. and Europe has included targeted attacks to influence elections and to undermine member state citizen confidence in the NATO alliance. Russia seeks to create chaos and division in the U.S. and EU through disinformation campaigns to distract us, divide us, and ultimately paralyze us with of weakening the resolve and fracturing the unity of the mutual security alliance of free democratic states.

Russia seeks to destroy confidence in pro-democracy political parties and values through targeted information wars that range from pushing fake news stories and conspiracy theories, to inflaming existing tensions on issues such as immigration. Russia has been developing and implementing this disinformation effort for a number of years, which worked to influence the U.S. election, Brexit referendum and numerous interventions in Eastern and Western Europe. For too long, the U.S. response to Russian aggression has been weak and ineffective. We need to better counter Russia's information war and combat its coordinated propaganda and disinformation. Among the best ways to respond is through truthful, independent journalism, as well as having a positive narrative about western values and democracy.

USAGM's programming reaches a worldwide audience of 345 million people in 58 languages to over 100 countries each week. During the past year, USA GM reported significant audience growth in key strategic countries including China, with a weekly audience of 65 million people in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English; Iran, with a weekly audience of 14 million Farsi speakers; and Russia, with a weekly Russian audience is almost eight million. USAGM has provided extensive coverage of Burma's Rohingya refugee crisis, the civil war in Syria, human rights abuses against ethnic Uyghurs in China, the peaceful revolution in Armenia, protests in Iran, and the political crises in Nicaragua and Venezuela. Violent extremism continued to be an area of focus for USA GM networks, with coverage on Boko Haram in Nigeria; the Taliban in South Asia; and ISIS in the Middle East, Balkans, Central Asia, and elsewhere. By providing an alternative 61

to disinformation and extremist propaganda, the USA GM is at the forefront of combatting the weaponization of information and disinformation that is being used as a tool to destabilize countries around the globe.

Launched in 2016, USA GM' s Russian language digital television network "Current Time," has proven the concept that USA GM can produce a network that combines news and entertainment successfully. With more than 84 distributers in 19 countries, Current Time connects Russian speakers around the world to provide audiences with real-time fact-checking of false narratives as well as entertaining programming covering business and entrepreneurship, civil society, culture, travel, and corruption. Its news reporting provides local and regional coverage that is not available in the Russian-language market, or which is misreported. Current Time's mixture of hard and soft programming pulls strong audiences on social media networks, and its success has provided a blueprint for VOA 365, a recently launched 24/7 Persian language network. A joint effort of VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, it expands upon the existing reach and credibility of VOA Persian and Radio Parda to confront the disinformation efforts of the Iranian regime and enhance U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people at a pivotal time in U.S.-Iran relations.

As many observers have noted, good quality entertainment programming can be a key to drawing in large audiences, and the examples of Current Time and VOA 365 are no exception. To continue this success, increased funding will allow USAGM to continue its efforts to develop innovative ways to strategically reach important global audiences and serve as a resilient front against the disinformation campaigns that threaten free democratic governance systems and the values that underlie them.

I recommend the Subcommittee:

• Appropriate no less than $794 million for the USA GM- a return to FY2017 enacted levels. I appreciate your consideration of these requests. 62

Written Testimony of Representative Jackie Speier (CA-14) House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 7, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, distinguished Members of the Committee:

I would like to testify in support of increased funding to the Department of State, USAID, and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to support Armenia's rapid democratic transformation. Though U.S. aid to Armenia has increased in the wake of the country's democratic changes, the country can absorb far more assistance and that assistance will further Armenia's transformation. Last year, State and USAID reprogrammed money to increase aid allocated to Armenia from $13 million to $27 million. Roughly half ofUSAID's $20 million allocation went to democracy and governance programs. We ask that you consider increasing the appropriations for Armenian democracy under the Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia account, the USAID Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance account, and to NED and its partners to at least $35 million in total.

Since April 2018, Armenia has undergone a peaceful, swift, and momentous democratic transformation. This remarkable watershed moment seems all the more remarkable when viewed against a global backdrop of democratic backsliding and in the context of Armenia's dangerous, autocratic neighborhood wherein Armenia remains blockaded on its east and west. It is no wonder The Economist named Armenia its country of the year for 2018. Armenia shows that people will continue to demand and persistently work for representative government. Its citizens and their leaders deserve enormous credit for ensuring a peaceful transition of governments, holding democratic elections, and boldly implementing much-needed reforms.

While the parliamentarians and leaders have changed, the vestiges and institutions of the past remain. Lessons from other post-Soviet Republics show that Armenia's leaders can best ensure the solidify democratic gains made by moving quickly and decisively to restructure its criminal justice system, build representative political parties, and root out corruption. These changes will allow Armenia's leaders to deliver on their promises of economic revitalization and sustain popular support for democratic change.

Given the natural ties and long-standing bilateral relations between America and Armenia, the United States should be a close partner as Armenia continues upon its democratic journey. Well crafted, fully funded programs can enable an Armenian-led transition that builds robust, resilient democratic institutions. Providing assistance to Armenia and Nagomo Karabakh will signal to the world that democratic governance is desirable, achievable, and delivers.

Increased funding to the Department of State's Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Bureau for Europe and Eurasia to support democratic consolidation in Armenia through priorities such as; 1. Political Party Development- Armenian political parties that are better able to aggregate and represent constituent interests will help invest citizens in the political process and sustain their democracy. U.S. assistance can help parties be better organized 63

and improve their engagement with the public, including reaching traditionally underrepresented groups including women and young people. 2. Transparency Initiatives-Combatting corruption and increasing transparency will improve the Armenian government's ability to respond to its citizens and open the door for greater investment. Programs should also give civil servants anti-corruption training, develop whistleblower programs, and create mechanisms for public accountability. 3. Rule of Law - An effective criminal justice is essential to democratic governance. Supporting Armenian efforts to reform the judiciary and law enforcement so that they are independent, professional and ethical is an essential step in transforming its judicial system and restoring public confidence in the rule oflaw. 4. Civil Society Development-Building and maintaining a strong civil society will be crucial to supporting anti-corruption efforts and enabling an Armenian-led transition. U.S. officials can convene civil society groups, government leaders, and the business community to ensure non-governmental actors have a voice at the table when reforms are designed and implemented. Funding for investigative journalism, think tanks, and advocacy groups will increase civil society's capacity and replenish its ranks. Support for civil society and other programs in Nagomo Karabakh can help prepare the public for a potential peace deal. 5. Freedom of the Media-In order to build an open, competitive political arena, Armenians will need to receive reliable, trustworthy information they can use to evaluate the government and make political choices. U.S. programs can build independent media and help the government, parties, and civil society reliably communicate with the public. Helping Armenians increase the number and viewpoints of major media sources will increase diversity and independence. 6. People-to-People Exchanges-Visits and collaborations between Armenians and Americans across society and the political system can boost Annenia's democratic transition. Armenian legislators and their staffs can learn the ropes of parliamentary representation from their American counterparts. U.S. civil society actors can discuss ideas and advocacy strategies with Armenian equivalents. Armenians in the diaspora and in Armenia could trade places to broaden their perspectives and lend their expertise.

"The Committee recommendation includes $xxx for Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, of which $35 million is for democracy assistance in Armenia,"

This support will be essential in helping the Armenian people fulfill their democratic aspirations.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 64

TESTIMONY OF U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN FITZPATRICK. (PA-I)

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

FISCAL YEAR 2020 APPROPRIATIONS PUBLIC WITNESS HEARING MARCH 6, 2019

I would like to thank Chair Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers, along with the additional members of the Subcommittee for allowing me this opportunity to testify in support of international assistance. The United States' leadership in diplomacy and development helps keep Americans safe. I believe our commitment to global health and development is critical not only to the survival of millions of moms and kids around the world, but also to the safety of this nation. I want to thank the committee for the global health and development programs this committee supported in FYI 9, particularly the support for increasing the global tuberculosis account, the funding that supports ending preventable child and maternal deaths, the Maternal and Child Health Account, and the Nutrition Account. And this committee's continued support for Global Basic Education, including the Global Partnership for Education. It is thanks to the United States Congress, and in particular this subcommittee, that the United States has been a world leader in saving children's and mothers' lives for the past several decades. Since 1990, an estimated 100 million children have been saved,1 due in no small part to the United States. In addition, maternal mortality rates have dropped 44 percent. 11 With simple, cost-effective interventions like improving access to skilled-assisted deliveries; growth monitoring; immunizations; treatment and prevention for diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria; and clean water and sanitation, millions of children are alive today who otherwise would not be. Vaccines are one of those key interventions where U.S. leadership has dramatically changed the landscape of child survival. Our support for measles and polio eradication efforts have rapidly reduced child deaths in even the most remote places on the planet. Additionally, our support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has helped to immunize over half a billion children and by the end of 2020, Gavi is on course to save 11 million lives from vaccine preventable deaths. I also believe nutrition programs, which are funded by the global health account are also key to child survival. The global health programs support simple but effective interventions, such 65 as: vitamin A; iron and other micronutrient supplementation; food fortification; promotion of good nutrition and hygiene practices for the first six months of life; and treatment for severe, acute malnutrition. This is particularly important for a child's first 1,000 days of life-where chronic malnutrition can lead to physical and cognitive stunting - that has irreversible lifetime effects. In 2017 alone, 22.6 million children under five years of age111 had their nutritional intake improved thanks to the United States. It is this kind of work in which we take pride because children who get the right nutrition early on are ten times more likely'v to overcome life threatening childhood diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, and are more likely to achieve higher levels of education. Also, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests a strong positive correlation between nutrition and lifetime earnings. It is important to note that for every $ I invested in nutrition, we see a $16 return. v The good news is that we have had a lot of success and seen great improvements in child survival worldwide. Mortality for children under five years old has dropped by over 50 percent from where it was 30 years ago. The bad news is that millions of children still bear the burden of poor developmental outcomes. An estimated 66 percent of children under five years old in sub Saharan Africa and 43 percent of young childrenYl in other low-income areas of the world are at risk of growing up with stunted bodies and brains. More must be done to work with countries to improve nutritional outcomes - stunting is an irreversible loss of potential for too many. In addition to the work and investment shown in maternal and child health, the United States has been leading the effort to drive down disease of poverty, like tuberculosis. With this now being the leading infectious disease killer, the support for this program should better reflect the 10 million annually this sickens and the 1.6 million who die every year of this airborne disease. We all breathe - our work fighting TB both protects Americans in the long term, and saves lives of those most at risk. That's resources well spent. I also want to talk about global education today. As the new co-chair of the International Basic Education Caucus with Congressman Quigley, I am grateful for this committee's long history of supporting quality basic education programs supported by USAID. While huge strides have been made to ensure basic education is equally available for girls and boys and to eliminate school fees - it has come to my attention that the global progress for getting more children in school is stagnating. Even among those children who do make it into a classroom, a staggering 66

global total of 387 million kids over half the world's children of primary school age cannot read a single sentence. Primary school class sizes are often reported as 70-100 kids in a classroom. Quality primary education is not the only challenge; there are still far too many out of-school children. About 200 million adolescents and youth are currently out of secondary school, and over 75 percent of children in South Asia are not enrolled in pre-school. Since 2002, the Global Partnership for Education has worked with partners to enroll 77 million more children in primary school in the poorest countries. At GPE's February 2018 financing conference, donors and low-income countries alike came together to fund a three-year strategy that will put 25 million more children in school for the first time. The plan supports over 80 low-income countries to convene education stakeholders to develop, implement, and fund quality national education plans. Strengthening U.S. support for GPE is critical to reaching the goal. I would now like to turn to the United States' support of Ukraine. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I am working to ensure we are strengthening our relationship with Ukraine. Russia's continued illegal occupation, and their ongoing attempts to destabilize Eastern Europe, directly threaten our national security interests. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our European allies and with the Ukrainian people, who have demonstrated time and again their will for a sovereign and democratic country, free from Russia's interference. The wrong approach in Ukraine has the potential to set a dangerous precedent of apathy towards the sovereignty of Eastern European states, including vital NATO allies, and weaken American foreign policy. The Appropriations Committee should include language which prohibits any federal funds from being used to take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. I ask that you fund Ukraine-related programs at currently enacted levels and specifically encourage support in the following areas: • Programs that promote transparency and accountability to end corruption, especially programs that strengthen the parliament, judiciary, media, and civil society. 67

• Programs that help Ukraine defend its territorial sovereignty. Russia's illegal seizure of Crimea must never be recognized, and sanctions must remain. • Programs that alleviate human suffering, especially in Eastern Ukraine. My strong support stems from both the time I spent there as an FBI agent and from our shared values for sovereignty, human rights, and the rule of law. Again, thank you very much for this opportunity to testify. I sincerely and respectfully request that the Committee fully fund the programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of moms and kids around the world and programs which support democracies like Ukraine.

'https:ljwww.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/maternal-and-child-health

"https://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/maternal-and-child-health/technical-areas/maternal-health

"'Feed the Future, 2016 Progress Report: Growing Prosperity for a Food-Secure Future '"Save the Children, 2016 Final Report: State of the World's Mothers • http://www.ifpri.org/blog/2016-global-nutrition-report

~ http:ljthelancet.com/pdfs/jou rna ls/lancet/Pl ISO 140-6736( 16)31659-2.pdf 68

Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) State and Foreign Ops Appropriations Testimony March 6, 2019

Good morning, and thank you Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers for holding this Members' Day hearing and to the members of the Subcommittee for allowing me to testify.

I'd like to thank you both for your advocacy on important programs funded through the State and Foreign Ops accounts.

Today, I am asking the committee to support funding for the accounts that support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to urge support for the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Application in the Middle East (SESAME) facility.

Nuclear proliferation is one of the greatest threats to U.S. and global security.

It is no secret that rogue regimes and clandestine organizations continue to exhibit the ambition to acquire nuclear materials that can be used to construct nuclear weapons.

With the expanding use of nuclear energy, and with nuclear threats drawing increased global attention, member states are expecting more from the IAEA.

As you know, each member state of the IAEA is assessed annual contributions for the IAEA's regular budget.

This budget covers the salaries of Agency personnel, operating costs, and some of its work in the areas of safeguards, nuclear safety and security, and peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.

However, the regular budget is woefully inadequate to cover all the costs incurred by the Agency's critical work.

Virtually all of the technical assistance programs and projects are funded outside the regular budget.

As a result, the Agency relies heavily on member states' voluntary, or extra-budgetary, contributions.

And we can specify how our voluntary contribution is to be spent, thus ensuring that it goes to support our priority objectives.

For example, we currently use the voluntary contribution to fund projects of specific U.S. interest in the safeguards and nuclear security programs.

Through the IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative, our voluntary contributions promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in both power generation and other applications that include food security, water, cancer treatment, disease prevention, climate, and the oceans. 69

The IAEA even played a helpful role in the recent Ebola and Zika crises that used nuclear technology to enable faster detection of both viruses and quicker treatment.

Historically, the United States has provided extra-budgetary contributions to the IAEA to maintain or enhance the ability of the IAEA to carry out its mission.

By continuing to ensure that the IAEA has the funding necessary to fulfill its growing responsibilities, we can help prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear terrorism around the world.

I would also like to strongly urge you to support an opportunity to advance U.S. diplomatic goals in the Middle East through scientific engagement.

Science provides a common language through which individuals from different nations and distinct cultures can communicate, cooperate, and work together toward common goals.

Since World War II, scientific research facilities have allowed scientists from all over the world to come together and work on groundbreaking experiments.

In 1954, at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, near Geneva, Switzerland former adversaries came together through science to make a more peaceful and productive world.

At Fermilab in Illinois, at the height of the Cold War, some of the earliest scientific experiments at the world's highest energy particle accelerator were conducted by collaboration between Soviet and American scientists.

Even today, physicists and engineers from around the world work together to study the building blocks of our universe and the fundamental laws of nature.

Based in Jordan, SESAME is an international collaboration that aims to promote scientific excellence in the surrounding regions and build scientific links that foster better understanding and a culture of peace through collaboration.

When complete, it will bring together unlikely partners, such as Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey, to work cooperatively on dozens of simultaneous experiments in fields ranging from biological and medical sciences to archeology.

Science is often an underutilized tool in our diplomatic toolbox.

A modest contribution to this project from the Unites States would show that the Middle East, like the United States and Europe, can provide encouragement to all those who are struggling to collaborate across political, religious, and cultural divides throughout the world.

I look forward to working with you on this matter. 70

Written Testimony by Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-1) House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 8, 2019

Madame Chairwoman,

As the Committee considers funding for the FY20 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations, our country is facing a truly critical moment. Around the world our friends question if they can rely on us, while our enemies feel emboldened. This Administration has not only damaged our standing in the world, it has also cut funding to the key diplomatic and development tools needed to make America safe. Moreover, I am concerned that the Administration has turned its back on core values such as human rights and democracy in our foreign policy. The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, a power I believe we must fully exercise to ensure American taxpayer resources are responsibly invested in diplomacy and development. We must direct resources to support our values. I urge the committee to continue to provide robust funding for the diplomatic and development tool, investing in the Department of State, USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Peace Corps, their personnel and their programs. In particular, I believe it is essential that Congress maintain support for programs that defend human rights around the world and assert American leadership. It is alarming how this Administration seems to conduct foreign policy in a values-free vacuum. President Trump calls gross human rights abusers our allies, and treat our allies like enemies. The Administration has tried to cut, diminish, or scale pay vital global health programs, support for democracy and civil society, and aid for at-risk LGBTQ communities. Around the world, democracy and the rule of law is under increased threat. From democratic backsliding to the rise of anti-democratic strongmen, the United States must maintain unwavering in our support for programs that bolster democratic development, foster civil society, and promote the rule oflaw. American diplomacy and development has a unique ability to give a voice to the voiceless and defend those who feel defenseless in the face of threats. In particular, around the world LGBTQ communities too often face discrimination, violence, threats. In too many places governments target and marginalize people simply because of who they love or their gender identify. The United States must continue to provide both moral and programmatic support. In many countries, U.S. assistance is a vital lifeline for communities under threat. In FY2020, I ask th~ 71

Committee preserve those lifelines by sustaining funding for LGBTQ-related programs There are currently more displaced people globally than ever before in history. As people flee war, famine, and persecution, they must know the United States stands with them. Even as this Administration spews anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric, Congress must also ensure continued funding for aid to refugees. America cannot be allowed to turn its back on the poor, tired masses who yearn for a better life. This Administration's heartless policies have sought to shut the gate to refugees and asylum seekers. But with the FY2020 appropriation, Congress can keep the gate open by directing funding to support refugee admissions in line with our values. The world also faces an unprecedented number of humanitarian crises from Burma to Yemen to Syria to Venezuela. The United States is and must remain the world's humanitarian leader. I ask the committee to sustain funding levels to ensure USAID and the Department of State are able to provide life-saving aid to those in need. Wherever natural disaster or strife causes human suffering, the United States should be able to respond and provide emergency aid. The United States also has a vital role to play as a global leader in health. I ask the Committee to maintain funding for global health programs, in particular work that can rid the world of HIV/AIDS and provide care for those who currently live the disease. In addition, this Administration has callously moved to restrict life-saving family planning and maternal health programs. I ask the Committee to fully fund these programs, and to direct the Administration to use funding as intended. By politicizing aid and restricting funding, the Administration is putting lives at risk. As we face a changing world with new threats to American security, we need the best diplomatic and development teams in the field representing our country. Yet over the last two years, this Administration has systematically sought to hollow out America's diplomatic corps, while simultaneously crippling the Department of State, sidelined development, and downplayed diplomacy. We must maintain funding and direct the Administration to maintain adequate staffing levels to ensure the United States is able to lead in international organizations, invest in our alliances, and seek a world that is more peaceful and prosperous. This means maintaining our support for the United Nations, investing in NATO, and upholding international norms. I believe that the United States is a great force for good in the world. The Founding Fathers entrusted Congress with the power to direct how resources are used. I urge the Committee to prioritize funding for America's diplomatic and humanitarian leadership around the world. We must continue to invest in the institutions, people, and programs that are essential to keeping our country safe and defending the values we hold dear.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. TESTIMONY OF PUBLIC WITNESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

U.S.-ISRAELI PARTNERSHIP; IMPACT OF FOREIGN AS- SISTANCE ON CHILDREN AND CURRENT NEEDS; FUNDING FOR KEY U.N.-RELATED, GLOBAL HEALTH, AND FAMILY PLANNING ACCOUNTS WITNESSES

HOWARD KOHR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AIPAC MICHAEL KLOSSON, VICE PRESIDENT FOR POLICY AND HUMANI- TARIAN RESPONSE, SAVE THE CHILDREN PETER YEO, PRESIDENT, BETTER WORLD CAMPAIGN

OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRWOMAN LOWEY

The CHAIRWOMAN. Good morning. The subcommittee on State Foreign Operations and Related Programs will come to order. To our distinguished witnesses, welcome. Thank you for coming to our Subcommittee to present your views on the agencies and programs funded by the State Department Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations. Our public witnesses represent a wide array of perspectives and expertise that help Congress better assist the impact and effectiveness of foreign assistance. As we assess the president’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2020, your voices are critical to the appropriations process. Let me very clear: Our nation’s security cannot afford a budget that does not adequately fund our diplomatic and development programs, or lifesaving humanitarian assistance. The draconian cuts this administration continues to advocate are irresponsible—particularly at a time of unprecedented human suffering—and wholesale haphazard cuts are not an option. For as long as I have been a part of this Subcommittee, we have had bipartisan agreement that foreign assistance is critical to our national security and to maintaining America’s leadership role in the world. As chairwoman, I have every expectation that we will produce a bill that maximizes each taxpayer dollar while responding to today’s many needs. We are eager to hear your testimonies and look forward to working with your organizations throughout the appropriations process. Before we begin with our first witness, let me turn to Ranking Member Rogers for his opening remarks. Mr. Rogers. (73) 74

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.ROGERS Mr. ROGERS. Good morning, Madam Chair and audience. I want to thank the Madam Chair for taking on such an ambitious en- deavor today, 11 panels, 34 organizations here to testify on their priorities for 2020. In the interest of time, Madam Chair, I am going to curtail my remarks except to say that I look forward to the testimony of the witnesses, thank them for their time today. I also want to offer my condolences to Mr. O’Keefe from Catholic Relief Services. I understand you lost four colleagues in the plane crash over the weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and your entire organization as well as all the other victims of the crash. I yield back. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you and welcome. Our first panel is Mr. Howard Kohr, chief executive officer of AIPAC. Ambassador Michael Klosson, Save the Children, vice president of Save the Children. And Mr. Yeo, president of the Better World Campaign. I thank you for joining us today. Please summarize your statement as your full testimony will be placed into the record. You each will have four minutes starting with Mr. Kohr, then Ambassador Klosson, and finally Mr. Yeo. We will withhold any questions until after Mr. Yeo has finished. The clock will flash yellow when you have one minute remaining. Mr. Kohr, please proceed.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.KOHR Mr. KOHR. Good morning, Madam Chairman. First, let me express my thanks to you Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rog- ers, and all members of this subcommittee for your continued steadfast support is really citizens. Rather than help Gazans, the designated terror group has spent tens of millions of dollars building the elaborate terror structure concerning its political power and choosing to cynically use Palestinian civilians as human shields in their ongoing war with Israel. As a result of these threats, Israel has had to significantly increase its defense budget. And America has generously agreed to increase U.S. assistance to Israel in the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memo- randum of Understanding. AIPAC strongly urges this subcommittee to approve $3.3 billion to Israel in security assistance that is called for in the second year of that MOU. By providing security assistance to Israel, the United States safeguards the Jewish state’s qualitative military edge over its adversaries and enhances the safety and security of both nations. As a result, it is one of the most cost-effective and efficient programs in the U.S. foreign assistance budget. In addition to the threats at our borders, Israel continues to be singled out at home and, again, has been singled out time and time again at the United Nations and targeted in the international arena, most recently in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement in an effort to delegitimize the Jewish state and work against any prospects for peace between Israel and her neighbors. Since the founding of the state, Israel has worked tirelessly to bring peace with all her neighbors. Israel signed peace agreements 75 with Egypt and Jordan in 1979 and 1995. In return, for which Israel dismantled its settlements and gave up every inch of the Sinai and its oil fields. In 2005, Israel withdrew every single Israeli soldier and every Israeli citizen from the Gaza Strip, and yet tragically the conflict to Palestinians continues. We must all work and strive for a future where there are two states for two peoples, one Jewish with secure and defensible borders and a demilitarized Palestinian state with its own flag and its own future. There is no substitute for direct negotiations, there are no short- cuts to peace. The investment of the United States in the pursuit of peace over many decades remains just as important today and for the future of so many. Beyond the security assistance to Israel, AIPAC urges support for a robust and bipartisan foreign aid program that ensures Amer- ica’s strong leadership position in the world. Bipartisan support of the subcommittee will be even more critical to America as America and Israel continue to work together to meet the challenges that lie ahead and to advance toward the goal of a more peaceful, more stable, and more secure Middle East. Thank you. [The information follows:] 76

On March 5, AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr submitted the following written testimony for the record to the U.S. House ofRepresentatives Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs to make the case for U.S. security assistance to Israel and robust fandingfor foreign aid ** *

As America's closest ally in the Middle East, Israel is an anchor of stability in an ever more dangerous and unpredictable region. The two allies have formed an unbreakable partnership, based on an unshakable dedication to common values and interests. The United States and Israel have developed deep strategic ties to confront common threats and ensure the security of the Jewish state. This strategic relationship is a key pillar of America's Middle East security framework, and this partnership is constantly growing and expanding into new areas. Today, Israel faces an unprecedented array of evolving threats stemming from the growing regional turmoil fueled by Iran's unceasing aggression. These challenges require Israel to significantly increase its defense budget Accordingly, AIP AC strongly urges the Subcommittee to approve $3.3 billion to Israel in security assistance for fiscal year 2020, as called for in the 2016 U.S. Israel Memorandum of Understanding. By providing security assistance to Israel, the United States safeguards the Jewish state's qualitative military edge (QME) over its adversaries and enhances the safety and security of both nations. In addition, AIP AC urges support for a robust and bipartisan foreign aid program that ensures America's strong leadership position in the world. At just one percent of the federal budget, foreign aid is a cost-effective and relatively small investment that saves U.S. taxpayer money by helping prevent more costly wars, crises and disasters. Foreign aid enables the United States to support key allies like Israel, spur our job-creating exports, and help prevent unstable areas from becoming breeding grounds for terrorism. AIPAC also strongly supports the expansion ofU.S.-Israel non-defense cooperative programs. These programs have made America stronger through the development and introduction of technologies relating to energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and water scarcity. Israel has in recent years brought some ofthese technologies to the developing world furthering sustainability, helping lift millions out of poverty and creating enormous possibilities of cooperation between Israel and our development agencies.

Iran I@W0r Advpntpge oh Region in Turmoil Israel faces unprecedented turmoil on its doorstep. Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Yemen have all been transformed by the chaos in the region. Sub-state actors often dominate the landscape, and one dangerous state actor, Iran, is taking full advantage of the changing realities. In this new environment, Israel must confront countless new and difficult challenges. On the Jewish state's northeast border, Iran is working to establish a permanent military presence in Syria from which it could easily attack Israel. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has made no secret of the fact it seeks Israel's destruction. Three times over the last 14 months in February and May 2018 and in January 2019 - Iran directly attacked Israel with drones and missiles. All of these attacks were directed at civilian population centers. Iran is also openly seeking a "land bridge" from Teheran to Beirut to provide sophisticated military equipment to its close ally Hezbollah. According to the U.S. Department of State, Iran remains the leading 77 state sponsor of terrorism-financing, arming, and training terrorist groups in the Middle East and around the world. Its regional aggression directly challenges U.S. interests and allies. While increasingly violating human rights at home, Iran seeks to export its revolutionary ideology abroad by supporting terrorist proxy groups-including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Harnas in the Gaza Strip, and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran continues to provide arms, funding and personnel to the brutal Assad regime in Syria, which has repeatedly used chemical weapons against its own citizens. Iran has demonstrated its continued nuclear ambitions by conducting approximately 20 ballistic missile tests in defiance ofU.N. prohibitions, including long-range missiles inherently capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. An extensive archive of Iranian nuclear documents smuggled out of Iran in an Israeli covert operation last year shed light on the advanced nature of the regime's nuclear ambitions. The fact that Iran secretly retained information on how to build nuclear weapons-and refused to disclose it to inspectors as required by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal-raises questions about Iran's long-term objectives. With an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles - more sophisticated and accurate than ever - Hezbollah poses an important challenge to Israel. Designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States since 1995, Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any terrorist group other than al-Qaeda The group has gained significant experience fighting on Iran's behalf in the Syria war and will bring that experience to a future conflict with Israel. Today, Hezbollah and its allies exert decisive influence over the newly-formed Lebanese government.

In the Gaz.a Strip, H~ designated terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union-poses both an immediate and a longer-term threat to Israeli citizens. Rather than help its own citizens, the group has used its resources to construct an elaborate military infrastructure- including a broad network of terror tunnels - with which it can attack Israeli communities. Moreover, six million Israelis live within range ofHamas's increasingly accurate rocket arsenal. Over the past year, Hamas has used Palestinian civilians as human shields to storm the security fence separating Israel from Gaza Hamas has launched explosive-laden kites to destroy thousands of acres of Israeli forests and farmland. These threats illustrate one simple truth: Israel faces unprecedented strategic challenges. These stem from states and terrorist organizations, from both conventional and unconventional weaponry. It is in America's vital interest for Israel - our sole reliable democratic ally in the region - to have and develop the military equipment it needs to decisively thwart those challenges. u.s. Assistance HeJps Maintain Israel's Ooalitatiye Miiitaa; Edee U.S. support for Israel through annual security aid has helped the Jewish state maintain its QME, which Congress has defined in legislation as Israel's "ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors." This military superiority has historically prevented war by deterring regional adversaries from attacking Israel. Due to U.S. support for Israel's QME, prospective aggressors know they would face a U.S.-backed ally armed with the world's most advanced weapon systems-both American and Israeli. U.S. support for Israel's security assistance has also encouraged Israel's neighbors to come to the negotiating table, thus playing a key role in securing Israel's peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt. We believe that continued U.S. aid to Egypt and Jordan is also important to helping ensure stability in the region. 78

Increased Israeli Defense Spendine Spiraling defense costs are forcing Israel to spend more on security as a percentage of GDP than any other nation in the industrialized world. Israel officially allocates about S percent of its GDP for defense. However, the actual costs to the Israeli economy are much higher when taking into account lost productivity and the need for reserve duty, internal security and anti terrorism spending. The weapons systems Israel needs to meet the growing threats it faces are becoming far more expensive than in the past. For example, a single F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will cost Israel just less than $100 million, before accounting for the costs of supporting infrastructure and maintenance, over twice the cost of an F-16 fighter jet purchased under the first U.S.-Israel agreement in 1998. Even as Israelis face substantial budgetary pressures, Israel will have to dramatically increase its defense spending over the next decade.

Israel; AYitai stratemc Partner As a key pillar of America's Middle East security framework, the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership plays a vital role in combating common threats and furthering U.S. regional and global policy objectives. These threats include terrorism, conventional and non-conventional weapons proliferation, counterfeiting, cyber warfare, and the spread of radical ideologies. In this context, Israel's military strength and geo-strategic location provide a strong deterrent to regional actors opposed to the United States. Indeed, Israel's stable, democratic, and reliably pro-American orientation remains unquestioned and ensures that America can consistently rely on its alliance with the Jewish state. The close strategic relationship originated with the two allies sharing key intelligence around the time of the 1967 Six-Day War. This partnership was later broadened and formalized in the early 1980s, when President Ronald Reagan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir announced the establishment of the U.S.-Israel Joint Political Military Group to coordinate planning, exercises, and prepositioning against threats faced by both nations in the Middle East. Later in the decade, the United States designated Israel as a major non- NATO ally. The U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of2014 designated Israel as a "major strategic partner."

Over the last 30 years, the U.S.-Israel defense relationship has benefitted both countries through, among other programs, joint military training exercises and joint research and development Facing common threats--from high-end weapons and cyber-tech to improvised explosive device (IEDs) and terrorist tunnels-the two allies optimize responses to these threats by working closely together. Twice each year, U.S. Marines conduct desert warfare training with their Israel Defense Forces (IDF) counterparts, and American soldiers and security officials have regularly visited Israel to study Israel's approach to urban combat. U.S. pilots hold simulated combat training with the Israeli Air Force, including aerial combat tactics and inflight refueling. In addition, Israel and the United States have cooperated on a wide range of intelligence-sharing programs, including monitoring Iran, Syria, al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups and sponsors. In the biennial Juniper Cobra exercise, U.S. and Israeli forces practice cooperative tactics to counter the growing threat from ballistic missiles and long-range rockets.

Cooperation Produces Critical New Military and Defense Technolog;ies With America's support, Israel has developed and deployed an advanced, multi-layered missile defense shield. These systems------which directly benefit both U.S. and Israel security-require ongoing investment to remain effective against evolving threats. 79

Iron Dome: Since 2005, terrorists in Gaza have fired more than 10,000 rockets indiscriminately into Israel, prompting the Jewish state to develop the Iron Dome rocket defense system. This defensive platform has a proven track record of intercepting incoming rockets and mortars midair, saving lives and avoiding broader conflict. In February 2019, the U.S. Army announced its intention to purchase two Iron Dome systems to protect American soldiers overseas.

David's Sling: David's Sling was designed to close the current operational gap between Israel's short-range Iron Dome and higher-altitude Arrow ballistic missile interceptor. Declared operational in 2017, the system provides the IDF and the U.S. military with protection against long-range artillery rockets, short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, aircraft, and low-flying cruise missiles. Jointly developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and U.S. defense company Raytheon. David's Sling uses Raytheon's Stunner missile for interception. and each launcher can hold up to 16 missiles. In July 2018, the IDF was forced to use David's Sling to intercept two large Syrian surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. The United States and Israel are increasing their serial co-production of David's Sling as Israel steps up its procurement of the system.

A"ow 2 and 3: The Arrow program is the centerpiece of the U.S.-Israel cooperative defense relationship. Jointly developed by the two allies, Arrow-2 is among the world's most sophisticated missile shields. Operational since 2000, Arrow-2 has consistently proven that one missile can shoot down another at high altitudes and supersonic speeds. Arrow-3, an upper-tier, exo-atmospheric defense system, is designed to counter long-range conventional and unconventional strategic threats to Israel. In January 2017, the Israel Air Force declared the Arrow-3 missile defense system officially operational. In February 2018, Israel carried out a successful test of its Arrow-3 missile defense system alongside the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. In 2019, the Arrow-3 system is scheduled to be tested in the United States.

Patriot: Since 1991, Israel has used the U.S.-made Patriot missile system to help defend its citizens. Recently, the IDF fired two U.S.-made Patriot missiles to intercept a Syrian fighter jet that penetrated roughly 1.25 miles into Israeli airspace. According to the IDF, the Russian made Syrian fighter jet took off from the T-4 airbase in Syria, which has been used by Iranian forces and was the target of at least two Israeli airstrikes in the past.

Beyond the threat of missiles, terrorist organizations on Israel's borders are continuing to construct subterranean passages to attack and kidnap Israeli soldiers and civilians. The United States and Israel work together to fund and develop counter-tunneling technologies. Israel shares its counter-tunnel technologies and advancements with the United States, enhancing our own ability to deal with this growing threat around the world. Our joint work with Israel has yielded positive results over the past two years, with Israel discovering and destroying a number ofHamas tunnels from Gaza and well as Hezbollah tunnels emanating from Lebanon.

Savinv American Ljves on the Battlefield Israel has developed an array of innovative technologies that have played a key role in saving the lives of Americans service members. To cite just a few of these innovations: 80

F-35 Helmet: An Israeli defense contractor partnered with an American firm to produce the Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) for F-35 fighter pilots. The helmet displays flight and weapons data for the pilot, providing full situational awareness and the ability to rotate the missiles' seeker by turning one's head.

Distance Door-Breaching System: U.S. forces must often apprehend enemy combatants and terrorists who are holed up in urban safe houses. The Israeli SIMON door-breaching system can blast down steel or wooden doors from a distance ofup to 130 feet.

Advanced Detection ofExplosives: Remote-controlled explosive devices (IEDs) have caused thousands of U.S. casualties in recent years. The U.S. military uses various Israeli technologies that can detect remote-controlled explosive devices and other weapons.

Emergency Bandage: Carried in every U.S. soldier's first-aid kit, this Israeli-designed bandage stems blood loss, prevents infection and allows non-medically trained soldiers to stabilize the wounded. This bandage was instrumental in saving the life of former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and several others in the aftermath of a 201 I shooting in Tucson, Arizona.

Trophy: Designed to detect and neutralize incoming projectiles, Israel's Trophy active protection system (APS) is the only fully operational and combat-proven APS in the world. In June 2018, the U.S. Army awarded a contract worth $193 million to purchase Trophy. The U.S. Army plans to equip 261 ofits Ml Abrams tanks with the Israeli-made system.

A Robust Foreign Aid Budget Is Critical to U.S. National Seevmr AIPAC strongly believes that the broader U.S. foreign aid budget, which includes security assistance to Israel, is an essential component of America's national security strategy. Over 75 percent of our ·assistance to Israel comes back to the United States through the purchase ofU.S. made aircraft and other equipment. Beyond aid to Israel, overall U.S. foreign aid also helps American companies develop foreign markets, build stable business environments in developing countries, and thereby create jobs at home. Foreign aid programs also help bring education, health care and transportation to hundreds of millions of potential new customers. Today, one in five American jobs is ~ed to U.S. exports. Conclusion Few can predict what the coming year will bring in the Middle East, but one thing remains certain: Israeli security and U.S.-Israel cooperation are deeply in the American interest. This Subcommittee-headed so ably by Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers--deserves great credit for its stalwart advocacy for the U.S.-Israel relationship and the overall foreign aid budget over the years. That includes not only providing the funding that is so vital to keeping Israel secure and strong, but also in codifying the equally important policy provisions dealing with so many aspects of U.S. policy in the Middle East. This bipartisan support will remain even more critical as America and Israel continue to work together to meet the challenges that lie ahead and to advance the goals of a peaceful, stable, and pro-Western Middle East 81

Biography for Howard Kohr:

Widely recognized as a leader in working to strengthen the vital U.S.-lsrael strategic partnership, Howard Kohr is AIPAC's Chief Executive Officer. Under his tenure, AIPAC has been consistently ranked as the most influential foreign policy lobbying organization on Capitol Hill.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Howard's determination, strength of character, and his dedication to the Jewish people can be traced back to the example set by his parents. His father, Kurt, escaped from the Dachau concentration camp after five years of slave labor, and then was wounded in action while fighting for the Hagana during Israel's War of Independence. Kurt Kohr has been Howard's inspiration throughout his career as an activist for Jewish causes.

Prior to joining AIPAC, Howard held a number of distinguished posts: among them, Management Fellow for the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of the National Jewish Coalition, and Assistant Washington Representative of the American Jewish Committee. 82

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.KLOSSON The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Klosson. Mr. KLOSSON. Thank you. Madam Chair, Ranking Member Rog- ers, thank you for the opportunity to underscore the vital importance of American leadership in alleviating suffering and crises around the world and helping families lift themselves out of poverty. Save the Children is a nonprofit, child-focused organization often in partnership with U.S. government and many others. We work in 120 countries around the world and right here in America in 14 states. And last year, we helped 157 million children. We meet the day after the Administration transmitted its Fiscal Year 2020 budget request, what can one say? Clearly, the third time was not the charm. And it is a week when the Syria crisis enters its 9th year. Fortunately, the subcommittee and the Congress recognize the challenges that vulnerable children in Syria and else were faced and support robust American leadership. When I travel abroad, I see the important difference that leadership makes. In South Sudan last year, I met with community leaders in Kapoeta, a village in the eastern part of the country, standing in the baking sun outside grass-thatch huts, these leaders told me about a program of training and equipping community health workers that was funded by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assist- ance and this program was saving their children from malaria and pneumonia. These programs are indispensable in reaching such children with critical services. And doing so both improves the lives of those children but also advances our national interest and projects America as a dynamic force for progress around the world. Now, it is not the time to short-change those children or cripple our foreign policy and assistance tools. There are four reasons why Congress should fund the Inter- national Affairs budget at $60 billion. First, Save the Children’s recent analysis which show that the changing nature of conflict means more children are in harm’s way for longer periods. In fact, nearly one in five children live in a conflict zone. And imagine what life is like for those 420 million children, they face bullets and bombs, not to mention collapsing health systems, sanitation systems, and education systems. And I am sure the committee would agree that the U.S. has a key role to play in mitigating these threats, especially in areas important to our national interests. U.S. humanitarian programs literally are the difference between life and death for many. They provide access to health, to food, water, shelter, and we all need to do more, not less. Children must have access as well to education, to psychosocial support and protection. These are vital needs that often go overlooked in humanitarian crises. Second, we are not going to achieve our shared goals without investing in gender equality. The U.S. must continue its investments that promote global gender equality, women’s and girls’ empowerment and I think the evidence is crystal clear. Countries are more likely to be prosperous and stable when girls are educated, healthy, and free from gender-based violence. 83 Girls with a secondary education and access to gender responsive healthcare are more likely to marry later, earn more income during their lives, and face fewer complications from childbirth. Third, despite incredible progress helping children survive and thrive, the job is not done. Such investments by donors, and increasingly by countries themselves, cement the foundation for stable and healthy societies. And we can thank American leadership that 18,000 more children are alive today than any day in 1990. USAID’s investments in education have provided nearly 70 million children with early grade reading instruction, that is a real progress multiplier. And despite this progress, those stubborn challenges remain and we have to stay the course. Sadly, one million children, infants die on the day that they are born of preventable causes. So we have to maintain those programs and help other country step up and support them. The fourth reason is USAID’s transformation and we very much welcome Administrator Green’s concept of a journey to self-reliance as a pathway to sustainable development. And we urge Congress to support USAID’s operating expenses. So in closing, let me thank you for your continued leadership in investing in U.S. humanitarian development programs. Save the Children appreciates the bipartisan support for programs that fight poverty and save lives. And after all, these programs help prepare the children of today to become tomorrow’s generation of amazing leaders who are going to make the world a safer, more just, and prosperous place all to America’s benefit. Thank you. [The information follows:] 84

TESTIMONY ON FY2020 STATE DEPARTMENT, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL PREPARED FOR THE HOUSE STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Michael Klosson, Vice President, Policy and Humanitarian Response, Save the Children

On behalf of Save the Children, thank you for the opportunity to testify on the needs of vulnerable children and families around the world and the indispensable role United States leadership plays in addressing them. Save the Children is a nonprofit, child-focused organization working in 14 U.S. states and territories as well as in more than 120 countries around the world. We build capacity for countries to deliver and provide direct support for health, nutrition, education, protection, food security and livelihoods and disaster relief for more than 157 million children. I will be testifying today on the International Affairs Budget as well as investments through the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill in the Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Global Food Security, Basic Education, International Disaster Assistance, Migration & Refugee Assistance, and USAID Operating Expenses. Globally, we have seen progress that every child is able to survive and thrive, reminding us that U.S. leadership is making a difference. We have witnessed dramatic declines in the number of people living in extreme poverty, child and maternal deaths, childhood stunting (a severe form of childhood malnutrition), and out of school school-aged children. However, at a time of important progress for children around the world, many still face tough challenges. More than half the world's children- 1.2 billion - are living in poverty, facing deadly conflict, and impacted by gender discrimination. These circumstances threaten girls' safety, education, and health, and often their very survival. As the nature of conflict changes, so does its impact on girls and boys. We are witnessing an increasing number of children living in harm's way: 420 million children - nearly one in five children worldwide - live in a conflict zone, according to our recent report, an increase of nearly 30 million children from 2016. Verified incidents of grave violations against girls and boys, including killing, abduction, attacks on schools, and denial of humanitarian aid, rose to an all-time high of over 25,000. In addition to the direct effects of conflict, children's well being is further compromised in indirect ways, including malnutrition, the breakdown of educational systems, and the destruction of health, water, and sanitation systems. Although all children affected by conflict face increased protection risks and response needs, girls, by virtue of their age and gender, experience particular vulnerabilities, and too often fall through gaps in age- or gender-blind policies and programming that target women or children. When armed violence increases, exacerbated risks of gender-based violence, including trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual violence, combined with entrenched gender norms at the family and community level, drastically impact girls' mobility and access to needed services such as education and healthcare. We need to step up efforts to protect and improve the lives of all children living in conflict zones and adopt a gender-responsive approach. Families - and children in particular - around the world face escalating challenges, thus putting a premium on strong American leadership and increased demands on the International Affairs Budget (function 150), which accounts for only one percent of the federal budget. U.S. leadership in addressing these humanitarian and development challenges has never been more 85

critical. We applaud bipartisan Congressional leadership in rejecting the deep and disproportionate cuts proposed in the President's FY2018 and FY2019 budget requests. Addressing those myriad challenges around the world advances our national interests, positioning America as a dynamic force for human progress in the world. Now is not the time to shortchange these accounts, which would and cripple our foreign policy and assistance tools. We urge Congress to support a bipartisan budget deal that protects children both here in the U.S. and around the globe. Congress should support $60 billion for the International Affairs Budget in FY2020 in order to sustain U.S. leadership in supporting poverty-focused development, global health, global gender equality, and humanitarian assistance programs. Any cuts below the current level would, in our view, threaten that leadership and pose unacceptable risks both to American interests and to vulnerable children around the world. In fact, additional base funding will be required simply to mitigate the impact of declining caps for overseas contingency operations (OCO) funding in FY2020. We welcome USAID Administrator Green's concept of the journey to self-reliance as a pathway for sustainable development, promoting global stability and prosperity. U.S. partnership remains fundamental; transitions will only be successful if the U.S. upholds its foreign assistance budget as central to the foreign policy goals. If countries are to achieve self-reliance, select funding increases may be necessary in the short-term. For this reason, we call on Congress to maintain USAID Operating Expenses at the level of at least $1.45 billion in FY20 to implement the reorganization and sustain important reforms. In addition to robust resources, country partnerships, domestic resource mobilization, and gender-transformative programming are critical to ensuring effective and sustainable results for the long term. We therefore urge the Committee to protect funding at robust levels for these critical programs that impact children and project the kind of strong U.S. international leadership that has been a catalyst for building stronger, more stable communities and countries, all key to advancing our national interests.

Maternal and Child Health fFY2Q request: S90Q million) and Nutrition fFY2Q request; $160 million): Investments in maternal and child health and nutrition, including U.S. contributions to GAVI, cement the foundation for healthy, stable societies. U.S. leadership and effective programming that produce results have contributed to more mothers, newborns, and children accessing basic health care services including immunizations, treatment of pneumonia or diarrhea, and nutrition. U.S. leadership and assistance contributed to cutting child and maternal mortality around the world in half since 1990. This means 18,000 more children will survive today than did on any day in 1990 - and 650 more mothers. Since 2008, USAID's efforts have helped save the lives of 4.6 million children and 200,000 women. America can be proud of this record, and communities I have visited express gratitude for American support. Child stunting has also dropped significantly in at least eight countries supported by USAID. Stunting prevalence dropped by 36 percent in Nepal and 16 percent in Ethiopia. Despite this progress, 5.4 million children under-5 still die each year, almost one million of them on the day they are born, and 303,000 women die annually. Moreover, malnutrition is the underlying cause of 45 percent of deaths in children under-5. Robust resources are needed to tackle stubborn challenges that remain. For example, newborn deaths account for 44 percent of all child deaths under the age of five worldwide, and one million newborns will die on the very day they are born. And while deaths from illnesses such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV have dropped significantly, progress in preventing deaths from pneumonia has been much slower.

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Pneumonia is the single biggest infectious cause of death for children under five, despite the existence of vaccines to prevent it. USAID - through its focus on maternal health, newborn health, child health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene has the tools, expertise, and data to implement a strategic plan to save the lives of 15 million children and 600,000 women by 2020, but only if these programs are properly resourced. Achieving this goal represents a benchmark in the work towards our shared goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation.

Global Food Security

Basic Education lhilateral} and Global Partnership on Education CGPE} and Education Cannot Wait (FY20 reguest; $925 miQion with at least $800 mjlljon for bjlateran: u.s. international basic education assistance has a positive impact on children worldwide. Between 2011 and 2017, USAID programs indirectly benefitted more than 83 million children and youth. USAID has also extended education opportunities for a total of22.6 million individual children and youth in crisis and conflict environments during the same time-period. Access to safe, inclusive and quality education in particular, has been shown to be one of the most transformative investments we can make to promote gender equality, unlock economic opportunities for all and promote peace and security in the world's most volatile regions. Studies have shown that each additional year of education can increase income by IO percent: if all children left school with basic reading skills there would be a 12 percent reduction in world poverty. USAID's programs ensure that students have safe learning opportunities and equitable access to quality education and thus develop the necessary skills to be part of the global workforce. Adequate resources are required to enable USAID to continue to help children, especially girls, access to safe, quality basic education around the world, and to support education in emergency settings. There are approximately four million refugee children out of school globally despite a commitment that all refugee children should return to learning within 90 days. Only 61 percent ofrefugee children attend primary school, 23 percent attend secondary school, and one percent attend university. The U.S. must work with others to ensure they return to learning as soon as possible, ideally within three months of arrival in a host country. There are also significant and persisting gender disparities in literacy and enrollment and girls face distinct and often disproportionate barriers to education in most regions of the world, including increased domestic chores and care responsibilities, child marriage and early pregnancy, and mobility restraints. Girls are almost two and a halftimes more likely to be out of primary school if they live in conflict-affected countries, and 90 percent more likely to be out of

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secondary school. Safe, quality education is critical for girls to reach their full potential and prerequisite for women's economic empowerment globally. The U.S. has a responsibility in doing its part to reach the 262 million children and youth who are still not in school and the millions more who are failing to acquire even basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills.

Children in Emergency and Confljct Situations; Children most vulnerable in any conflict or emergency. Amid the record levels of global displacement, there are now 31 million forcibly displaced children worldwide. In Syria and as refugees in neighboring countries, nearly six million Syrian children are in need of humanitarian assistance. A •staggering 80 percent of Yemen's population are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Save the Children has estimated that at least 85,000 children have died of malnutrition in Yemen's conflict, and one in every 10 Yemeni children is now displaced. Robust investment in the Migration and Refugee Assistance (FY20 request: $3.6 billion) and International Disaster Assistance (FY20 request: $4.4 billion) accounts will enable the U.S. to play a leadership role set out in the Administration's National Security Strategy in addressing the increased needs posed by humanitarian crises. When disasters strike, these funds ensure that vulnerable populations around the globe have access to health programs, food, clean water, safe shelter and other life-saving assistance. They can also ensure children living in protracted crises have access to education, psychosocial support, protection, and other vital needs that often.go overlooked. In 2017-2018, Congress robustly responded to a simultaneous famine threat across Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, and U.S. funds directly helped avert famine in Somalia. U.S. leadership galvanized others to act. If enacted, proposed cuts to humanitarian assistance would have drastic consequences and cripple the ability of the U.S. to respond fully to crises in other places of acute need. The reduced ability of the U.S. to provide support for people displaced by conflict or natural disaster, or to conduct programs aimed at supporting vulnerable children and their families in conflict, would harm our national interests by undermining U.S. efforts to build stability. Continued U.S. commitment to adequate levels of funding for humanitarian responses, particularly interventions which prioritize the needs of children, is thus important for the well-being of those we help and for our national interests.

Gender Egualjty: The U.S. gove=ent must continue investments in programs that promote global gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment across development and humanitarian assistance. U.S. investments in gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment programs, such as those that comb11-t child marriage and gender-based violence, save lives and contribute to the effectiveness of programs, sustainable development and global stability. Countries are more likely to be prosperous and stable when girls are educated, empowered, healthy, and free from gender-based violence and discrimination. Gender inequality and gender-based violence in particular are early warning signs of instability and violent conflict and undermine the effectiveness of existing investments in global health, development, and stability. The World Bank estimates that global gains from ending child marriage could reach more than $500 billion per year. The benefits of ending all early child births (both within and outside marriage) could exceed $700 billion per year by 2030. Cumulatively, for the post-2015 period, the welfare gains from ending child marriage and early childbirth could be almost $5 trillion. Girls with a secondary education and access to gender-responsive healthcare services are more likely to marry later, earn more income over their lifetimes, and face fewer complications from childbirth. These girls are also more resilient through economic and environmental shock --

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contributing to the resilience of their families and communities. Experience has shown that gender equality investments and comprehensive funding for women's and girls' empowerment initiatives have a multiplier effect that magnify the initial investment at both community and national levels. We urge continued US leadership on global gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment, including robust funding for gender analysis, as mandated by Congress, and gender equality programming that is strategic, coordinated, and easy to track, monitor, and evaluate. Increased U.S. investment must be made in gender and age disaggregated data to measure the progress for women and girls toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It is also important to ensure the integrity and monitoring of the USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy throughout the agency, including throughout USAID's transformation process. Significantly, in order to maintain strong gender programming it is also essential to adequately fund the Office of Global Women's Issues Ambassador-at-Large position in the State Department, the Senior Coordinator for Gender position at USAID, and the gender coordinator positions in the regional and functional bureaus of the State Department and USAID.

USAID Transformation; As the U.S. works on transitioning countries from receiving assistance toward ever-greater program sustainability through USAID' s Journey to Self Reliance, we encourage Congress to continue to engage with USAID in a thoughtful process that ensures incorporation of feedback from Congress, the development community, and key civil society stakeholders in partner countries. This transition process, in order to be successful, must address inequality so the world's poorest people and those disadvantaged because of gender, age, disability or ethnicity are no longer bypassed by development. Furthermore, the transition process must be locally-owned and locally-led in order to be successful. Transition priorities should be aligned with country plans and will require a coordinated effort that includes all donors, local gove=ent, civil society, and the private sector to drive development outcomes. Gender and other equality metrics will also be critical to measuring a country's capacity and commitment for transition. Inequality undermines growth and development and can play a role in exacerbating fragility and driving insecurity. Topline, national metrics and individual metrics that are age- and gender-blind often mask deep inequalities within populations as well as missing key early warning indicators for fragility.

Conclusion; We thank the Subcommittee for its continued leadership on investing in U.S. humanitarian and development programs and its demonstrated strong support for these priority programs in the prior appropriations processes. Save the Children appreciates this' bipartisan support for programs that are essential for fighting poverty and giving children at home and around the world a fair chance in life. We look forward to your continued leadership and partnership with us to invest in children so they have what every child deserves - a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.

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Michael Klosson Vice President for Policy and Humanitarian Response

Michael Klosson is Vice President for Policy and Humanitarian Response in International Programs for Save the Children, based in Washington, D.C. He oversees the agency's public policy and advocacy work with the U.S. and other governments as well as its global emergency response work. He also chairs a global Advocacy Group working on behalf of the 29 Save the Children members and Save the Children International.

Mr. Klossonjoined Save the Children inJanuary 2007. His policy portfolio spans health, education, and food security as well as cross- cutting issues such as aid effectiveness. He has represented Save the Children at various international conferences, including three G20 summit meetings, and testified before Congress. On the emergency front, he helped steer Save the Children's response to the earthquake in Haiti, floods Pakistan and the drought in the Horn of Africa. He is spearlteading efforts to enhance further the agency's emergency response capacity.

Before joining Save the Children, Mr. Klosson served as a career Foreign Service officer with overseas posts in Asia and Europe, including U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus. His Washington assignments included.Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs for Secretary of State Albright, and Special Assistant to both Secretaries of State Haig and Shultz. Mr. Klosson has taught at Hamilton College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hamilton College and holds M.A. and M.P.A. degrees from Princeton University. 90

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.YEO Mr. YEO. Well, thank you Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the subcommittee for giving me the opportunity to explain why robust funding for the United Nations and other global health and development accounts is in our country’s best interests. Let me first thank the subcommittee for its past support for the United Nations and highlight an issue of deep concern to Congress addressing one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, Yemen. The U.N. is the only organization that can both relieve the immense humanitarian suffering in Yemen and find a path to end this conflict. The U.N. estimates 22 million out of Yemen’s 29 million need humanitarian assistance. U.N. agencies are working as one to address these needs, providing food, shelter, and maternal and reproductive health services to millions. Meanwhile, the U.N. has brought the parties together to negotiate a political solution, recently reaching a ceasefire that if implemented could provide a roadmap out of this crisis. As evidenced by the 21 U.N. staff who lost their lives over the weekend in the Ethiopian plane crash, U.N. workers are often taking great risks to do their jobs including in Yemen. U.N. peacekeepers share that spirit. Peacekeepers are battling Al Qaeda terrorists in Mali, pushing back against militias in Congo that are attacking Ebola treatment facilities, and protecting nearly a quarter million civilians in South Sudan. U.N. peacekeepers stand between us and extremist elements all over the world. That saves American lives and taxpayer dollars. In a recent study, the GAO found that it was eight times cheaper to deploy a U.N. peacekeeping mission than to deploy U.S. troops. It is therefore not surprising that according to a Gallup poll released last week, 66 percent of Americans believe that the U.N. plays a necessary role in the world today. As such, we respectfully request full funding for the U.N. and U.N. peacekeeping. For the past several years however, the U.S. has not fully paid its U.N. peacekeeping dues. As this committee has recognized, the U.S. now owes more than $750 million in arrears, and that is causing major financial challenges at the U.N. Countries like Ethiopia and Bangladesh contributing over 14,000 peacekeepers are not being paid fully or on time. That is not fair, particularly since nearly 250 peacekeepers were killed over the past two years in the line of duty and frankly, we would be furious if we weren’t being paid. In December, the Trump administration supported a new U.N. peacekeeping assessment rate of 27.89 percent for the next three years. I urge the committee to lift the 25 percent peacekeeping cap similar to what was done in both Republican and Democratic leadership and pay our dues at the negotiated level to avoid further arrears. We are a great nation and great nations pay their bills. We also believe that Congress should fully fund U.N. where critical to Americans and American values. Here are a few examples, the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime tracks shipments of opioids and synthetics like fentanyl across the globe. Opioids were respon- 91 sible for the majority of the 70,000 drug fatalities in the U.S. in 2017. Childhood immunization overseas including investments in WHO and UNICEF in turn protect Americans from communicable diseases that don’t respect borders. Malaria-related deaths have dropped 62 percent worldwide in part due to the distribution of bed nets, but much work remains and the U.S. leadership against malaria must continue. And fulfilling the need for voluntary family planning and providing quality maternal healthcare can reduce maternal deaths by an estimated 67 percent. That is why we have requested you support our bilateral reproductive health programs, U.N. Women, and UNFPA. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today and for your continued leadership in support of a strong and robust global affairs budget. Thank you. [The information follows:] 92

FY'20 Testimony for House Appropriations Subcommittee for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs -- Peter Yeo, President, Better World Campaign

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, Members ofthe Subcommittee-thank: you for the opportunity to testify in support of a robust foreign affairs funding in FY'20. The accounts funded by this legislation support U.S. assessments for the UN regular budget, UN peacekeeping operations, and several other critical UN activities, as well as bilateral and multilateral global health interventions. We recommend $2.596 billion for the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account, $553.8 million for the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) account, and $1.484 billion for the Contributions to International Organiz.ations (CIO) account. We also support the inclusion oflanguage that enables us to pay our contributions to UN peacekeeping at the full assessed rate. We believe the U.S. should continue to support funding for UN agencies on the front lines of humanitarian emergencies, like the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) at $54 million, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) at $132.5 million, and UN Women at $10 million. We also support our bilateral and multilateral global health, humanitarian and development programs like polio ($59 million, including $7.5 million in the Economic Support Fund), malaria ($755 million), the Global Fund ($1.56 billion), Gavi ($290 million), bilateral gender programs ($1.90 billion), and bilateral family planning ($746 million). ·

Contribntions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIP A) The UN was founded to help preserve international peace and security, promote economic and social development, and advance universal human rights. Overall, the UN has been a critical forum to which the U.S. has repeatedly turned to advance its interests, promote its values, and spread the :financial, military, and technical burdens of confronting transnational challenges.

This is particularly true with regards to UN peacekeeping. Peacekeeping operations are authorized by the UN Security Council (UNSC), and since the U.S. is a permanent, veto wielding member ofthat body, in effect no mission can be deployed without first receiving our support. The U.S.-under both Democratic and Republican administrations-has repeatedly advocated for the creation of new peacekeeping missions or the expansion existing ones. For example, when President George W. Bush took office in January 2001, there were just over 47,000 UN peacekeepers serving in the field. By the time he left office in 2009, that number had more than doubled to 98,000, in large part because he pushed for large new missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Haiti, Timor-Leste, and Darfur, among others.

The reasons for the long history of bipartisan support for peacekeeping are manifold. Countries undergoing armed conflict provide fertile ground for the growth of extremist groups and organized crime, threatening U.S. national security and economic interests, and feature human rights abuses and levels of human deprivation that are an affront to the values of the American people. By pursuing a broad range of measures-including protecting civilians, disarming and demobilizing combatants, facilitating humanitarian assistance, monitoring ceasefires, and supporting democratic elections-peacekeepers help stabilize fragile states, prevent civil wars from metastasizing into full-blown regional conflicts, and decrease the likelihood that dormant conflicts will flare up again. Peacekeeping missions are also extremely cost-effective when compared to other forms of military intervention, having been found to be eight times less expensive than the deployment of U.S. forces by a 2018 GAO report. Finally, peacekeeping is a

1 93 case study in the benefits of international burden-sharing: the U.S. only contributes several dozen uniformed personnel to UN missions, with the remaining 90,000 currently serving in the field coming from more than 120 other countries.

Many UN peacekeeping missions have successfully completed their mandates over the years. For example, UN missions in Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, and Liberia made significant contributions to stability before being withdrawn in 2005, 2017, and 2018, respectively. At the same time, the UN is currently confronting serious challenges in a number of other places. In South Sudan, peacekeepers are still protecting nearly 200,000 civilians who have fled a devastating civil war and sought refuge at UN bases, even while a shaky peace agreement has taken effect. In Mali, UN forces working to secure the country's vast northern areas have increasingly come under threat from armed extremist groups, including a regional affiliate of al Qaeda, with more than 100 personnel killed in militant attacks. UN peacekeepers are also working to protect civilians from armed groups in DR Congo and the Central African Republic and prevent a flare-up of hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border. As a result, continued financial support for UN peacekeeping remains vital to our national interests.

UN peacekeeping operations are financed through member state assessments, determined by a complex formula that takes into account several economic indicators and is also used to determine assessments for the UN regular budget The five permanent members of the UNSC are assessed at a slightly higher rate than what they would otherwise pay for the regular budget, however, because of their veto power over the establishment of peacekeeping missions. Assessment rates are renegotiated by the UN General Assembly every three years, and the current U.S. rate of27.9% represents a reduction from the 1990s, when it paid nearly 32%. Meanwhile, China's rate has ballooned from just 3.1% in 2008 to 15.2% in 2019.

Unfortunately, since the mid-1990s, U.S. law has arbitrarily capped U.S. contributions to UN peacekeeping at 25%. This policy is anachronistic and unnecessary: since 2000, the U.S.'s regular budget contributions have been subject to a 22% ceiling agreed to by the UN, an arrangement that no other developed country benefits from. Because a country's regular budget assessment rate is one of the key determinants of its peacekeeping assessment, the regular budget cap keeps the U.S. peacekeeping rate at a significantly lower level than what it otherwise would be. According to a document released by the State Department in January, without this ceiling, the U.S. would be obliged to pay 27% ofregular budget and 33% of peacekeeping costs.

While Congress has frequently waived this requirement in annual appropriations bills, since FY'l7 it has declined to do so, causing the U.S. to accrue $750 million in peacekeeping arrears. The effect of these underpayments is quite worrisome: the UN is currently facing a significant and growing cash crunch, with the result that countries who provide troops to peacekeeping missions-including U.S. partners and allies like Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Egypt, and Indonesia-are not being fully reimbursed for their contributions. If these arrears are allowed to continue building, they will affect the ability of peacekeeping forces to deploy into the field, compromising their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.

This state of affairs is untenable and should be addressed by Congress. As a result, we request funding for CIPA sufficient to cover our FY'20 assessments and pay back our cap-related

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arrears. We also request that language be inserted into the FY'20 SFOPS bill lifting the 25% cap both for FY'20 and retroactively for FY' 17-FY' 19.

Peacekeeping Operations African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). First deployed in 2007, AMISOM works alongside Somalia's nascent security forces to defeat al Shabaab-an al-Qaeda linked terrorist group that has carried out a number of devastating attacks both inside Somalia and throughout the wider region-and extend the authority of Somalia's federal government. These activities are closely aligned with U.S. national security priorities, particularly as the Trump administration has expanded the U.S.'s own military presence and activities inside Somalia since taking office.

Contributions to International Organizations (CIO) CIO funds U.S. assessments for the UN regular budget (UNRB) and more than 40 other UN and non-UN international organizations, including NATO, the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health Organization, and Organization of American States. The entities funded by CIO advance a full range of U.S. national security, economic, and global health priorities.

The UNRB is essential to the overall functioning of the UN, providing a reliable source of funding for many of the organization's core activities outside of peacekeeping. These include political missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and other key countries, working to facilitate democratic elections, coordinate the distribution of humanitarian and development assistance, and support the development of strong, effective, and accountable governing institutions. The UNRB also finances efforts to ensure international implementation and compliance with sanctions adopted by the UNSC against terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda and rogue states like North Korea. These activities are manifestly in the national security interest of the United States and, much like peacekeeping, are an excellent example of international burden sharing: other UN member states pay 78% of their costs.

Expanding Access to Global Child Immunizations Immunization has saved the lives of more children than any other health intervention in the last 60 years, responsible for averting approximately 2.5 million deaths each year. Since its inception, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has partnered with developing countries and mobilized support from the U.S. Government, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the private sector and pharmaceutical industry, UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank and others, to help immunize more than 700 million children. Requested FY'20 support for Gavi will help immunize an additional 300 million children between the 2016-2020 strategic period, saving an additional 5 to 6 million lives. We request $290 million for Gavi for FY'20, level funding from FY' 19.

Complementing Gavi's work, U.S. financial support for UNICEF helps the agency reach and save the world's most vulnerable children. For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been a leader in immunization, partnering closely with the U.S. and other countries to increase vaccine coverage equity and access. In 2017, UNICEF procured 2.5 billion doses of vaccines for over 100 countries, reaching nearly half of the world's children under the age of five. This included

3 95 support to vaccinate 176 million children against measles between 2014-2017. We request $132.5 million for UNICEF for FY'20, level funding from FY'l9.

Thanks to increased funding by the U.S. and the coordinated efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the opportunity for a polio-free world is within reach. Because of GPEI partner organizations, cases have dropped 99.9% globally since 1988, and the virus remains endemic to only three countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Thirty years ago, there were 350,000 annual cases of wild polio, but in 2018 there were just 33 cases globally, including 21 in Afghanistan and 12 in Pakistan. Thanks to U.S. support, the GPEI partnership has achieved important milestones along the road to eradication, including the phased transition from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent polio vaccine (bOPV) in 2016. This successful transition will further reduce the risk of rare instances of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV). Ifwe fail to eradicate polio, within a decade we could see a global resurgence of as many as 200,000 new cases each year. We request $59 million, including $7 .5 million in Economic Support Funds.

U.S. Leadership in the Fight to End Malaria In 2000, the global community committed to ending malaria for good, catalyzed by the UN Millennium Development Goals. Subsequently, the rate of malaria-related deaths has plummeted by 62 percent worldwide and among children under five by 64 percent. This progress was made possible by leadership demonstrated by the United States in the figh\ against malaria through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), as well as U.S. contributions and partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Hard-fought efforts to alleviate the burden of malaria through cost-effective interventions have led to over 7 million lives saved and a decrease in endemic countries from 106 in 2000 to 87 in 2017.

The remarkable progress achieved to date in fighting malaria is a result of coordinated action between U.S. government bilateral and multilateral programs, country-coordinating mechanisms, multilateral agencies, and private-sector partners. Due to PMI's marked success and bipartisan Congressional support, it has expanded to include programs in 27 high-burden countries in recent years. We request $755 million for FY'20, which is level funding with FY'l9.

The U.S. is also a major contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which has provided 759 million insecticide-treated nets and treated 668 million cases of malaria to date. This year, the Global Fund is undergoing its sixth replenishment cycle and in their most recent report, the Global Fund suggests that at least $14 billion is needed in the sixth replenishment to end the three epidemics. U.S. leadership has been critical, and in order to provide one-third of the Global Fund's financing and encourage increased investment, we request the U.S. contribution rise to $1.56 billion for FY'20, the first increase in six years.

The gains against malaria achieved globally are fragile and retreating on investment now would not only stall the progress realized to date but create a pathway for the disease to return. In places like Haiti and the Dominican Republic, we are on the cusp of elimination, having seen decreases in cases by more than 50%. Unfortunately, in other countries, drug resistance and collapsing health systems threaten this progress. The emergence of artemisinin resistance in the Greater

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Mekong Subregion, for example, threatens the sustainability of recent progress, not only in the region but worldwide. Other threats to previous gains include political instability, as seen in South America where increases in cases are due in large part to the collapse of health infrastructure in Venezuela. To ensure victory in the fight against malaria and keep resurgence at bay, continued U.S. investment and leadership is critical.

Saving Women's Lives and Promoting Gender Equality Each year, over 303,000 women die from largely preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Fulfilling the unmet need for family planning and providing quality maternal and newborn care could reduce maternal deaths by 67 percent. As the largest bilateral donor to international family planning and reproductive health programs, the U.S. plays a critical role in providing modern contraceptive services to the 214 million women who currently lack access.

To help meet this need, we request the Committee support our bilateral reproductive health programs at $7 46 million and UNFP A at $54 million for a total of $800 million. This would put the U.S. on the path to contributing the full $1.6 billion necessary to meet the unmet need. UNFPA is working in more than 150 countries and serving girls, women and families in humanitarian crises from the Syrian civil war to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, UNFPA's funding was cut due to a Kemp-Kasten determination that was completed without proof or substance. While we hope the Secretary of State revisits the determination, we believe the committee should increase funding for UNFP A in FY'20 to ensure we fulfill the unmet needs of women around the world.

UN Women plays an important role in creating policies to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve gender equality. We believe the committee should support UN Women at $10 million in FY'20 in the IO&P Account Further robust funding ($1.90 billion) should be made available to promote gender equality in U.S. government diplomatic and development efforts through programs promoting women's political leadership, implementation of a multiyear strategy to respond to gender-based violence, and supporting the execution and monitoring of a strategy to implement the Women, Peace and Security Act.

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Biography of Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign

As President of the Better World Campaign, Peter Yeo leads the Campaign's strategic engagement with Congress and the Administration to promote a strong U.S.-UN relationship. Under Yeo's leadership, the Better World Campaign has helped ensure multibillion dollar payments from the U.S. government to the UN.

Yeo joined the Better World Campaign in 2009 with over twenty years of legislative, analytical, and management experience, including senior roles on Capitol Hill and in the State Department. Prior to arriving at UNF, Yeo served for ten years as the Deputy Staff Director at the House Foreign Affairs Committee chaired by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Howard Berman (D CA). He has worked on a broad range of foreign policy and foreign aid issues. On behalf of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, he led the successful negotiations for the landmark HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, commonly known as PEPFAR, as well as the successful $50 billion reauthorization of the law in 2008.

He also shepherded into law several measures dealing with China, Tibet, Burma, and East Timor. Prior to his work with the Committee, he served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. State Department during the second Clinton Administration, where he led the negotiations around repayment of the U.S. arrears to the United Nations and was part of the U.S. delegation to the climate negotiations in Kyoto. Yeo holds a BA in East Asian Studies from Wesleyan University as well as a MA in East Asian Studies from Harvard University. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading independent nonpartisan foreign policy think tank, and a Board Member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. 98

The CHAIRWOMAN. First of all, I want to thank the entire panel. Your presentations were informative and if we had a week, I know that all of us would have many questions. We will take a few questions and I know we will continue this dialogue. Mr. Kohr, one of my concerns as you well know is keeping bipartisan support. The Israel-United States relationship must remain bipartisan in my judgment. What in your view would be the consequence of making Israel a political football? Mr. KOHR. Madam Chair, the passion which you bring to this issue of the U.S.’s relationship and the support for the concept of bipartisanship is one that we share. We believe deeply that for the United States to continue to maintain its critical role in the region and support for Israel requires both Democrats and Republicans to continue to work together. We think this is still vital to the United States and we think there is an important reason for this issue to be an opportunity to bring Democrats and Republicans together. So we will do everything we can to continue to ensure that bipartisanship remains a central issue of the United States. As we like to say, the American support for Israel is not a Demo- cratic issue, it is not a Republican issue, it is an American issue, and we deeply believe that. The CHAIRWOMAN. I thank you. I just want to say, as you know, I have been serving on this committee and this Congress a long time and I think it is absolutely essential that we keep this a bipartisan issue. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. I thank all of you for your testimony here today, and thank you especially Mr. Kohr for your testimony and for your hard work assuring that the strong and steadfast relationship between the U.S. and Israel is maintained. We are pleased to finally get the $200 million increase in the 2019 bill across the finish line in support for Israel and I know it is urgently needed. Thank you for your work. Mr. KOHR. Thank you. Mr. ROGERS. And Madam Chair, if I could ask Mr. Klosson briefly to make a comment. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you for the good work your outfit does around the world especially here at home. I believe Save the Chil- dren had their first American programs in Harlan County, Ken- tucky is my district. Mr. KLOSSON. Right. Mr. ROGERS. 1932. And you and I are both still here. Mr. KLOSSON. Yes. Actually, we are coming up on our 100th anniversary because we were founded in the U.K. in 1919. So this is our 100th anniversary year. Mr. ROGERS. Oh, great. Mr. KLOSSON. 1932 in the U.S. Mr. ROGERS. Well, in Harlan County, you provided clothing and supplies, hot lunches to students. Your organization has a proud history of serving children in need. So keep up the good work and we thank you for being here today. Mr. KLOSSON. Thank you, Mr. Rogers. 99

Mr. ROGERS. I yield back. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you. Thank you all for being here. I am still clogged up from my flight yesterday. What do you see as the best programs on the issue of empowering women? Mr. YEO. Well, I would just note that the U.N. Population Fund works in countries around the world to make sure that women have access to voluntary family planning, but also the full range of maternal healthcare needs being taken care of. Most of the babies being born among Syrian refugees are being born in a clinic supported by UNFPA. So I think it is worth noting that as we think about the empowerment of women economically in terms of their own lives, that it is vital that they have access to the full range of reproductive health services that can allow that empowerment to occur. Ms. FRANKEL. Didn’t our Administration cut off funding to U.N. Population? Mr. YEO. That is correct. The U.S. no longer funds UNFPA. Ms. FRANKEL. The best program. How much was that? Do you know how much was cut off? Mr. YEO. Yes. More than $40 million. Ms. FRANKEL. Madam Chair, obviously we are going to have to take a look at that. Supposedly the Administration diverted funds elsewhere to do the same kinds of things, is that happening do you know? Mr. YEO. My understanding is some of the funds flow to USAID, you would have to ask USAID for a greater accounting of as to what programs are being supported with that redirected money. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you. Mr. Klosson, did you want to add—— Mr. KLOSSON. I want to say that besides what Peter mentioned, I think one of, the important thing is the ways to mainstream these kind of considerations into whatever program you are doing. And so I am responsible for the humanitarian side of things, so we really focus in on making sure that these programs are serving the needs of girls and women and mainstreaming these gender considerations is critical and particularly, education is vital. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you very much. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. We should go on in that issue, but I think I will move to Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you Madam Chair and if I could follow-up on your excellent comments to Mr. Kohr regarding the essential nature of the relationship that we have with Israel and that it continues to always need to be bipartisan as we approach things. Ms. Lowey and I with her leadership have worked on the Part- nership for Peace fund together. And I understand there has been some dialogue with you in this regard. For my perspective, I think as we project out and try to re-imagine how things ought to be, laying the foundation for the roadmaps for peace are absolutely critical, and this bill in my mind does that by creating the possibility of joint economic projects, joint environmental projects, exchanges that, again, create the preconditions for what we all want to hope and imagine. So I understand you are aware of this bill and back to the bipartisan approach. I think you have one right here in front of you. 100

Mr. KOHR. Yes. Thank you, Congressman, and thank you for your longstanding commitment to the U.S.’s relationship. Look, I think the idea you are trying to find ways to continue to empower Palestinians in the economic sphere to create a better economic opportunity are things we want to take a look at. For us, the critical element here is that it needs to be done in a way that also benefits and encourages Israelis and Palestinians to work together, and to ensure also that the resources aren’t being diverted to the Palestinian Authority, that this is true economic development that is helping the Palestinian people. So we will take a look at efforts including this piece of legislation here to ensure that those elements are in there and then we will make some decisions. The CHAIRWOMAN. Let me just say to all my friends, if we didn’t have 34 panelists I know that everyone here appreciates all the work you do. And just following up on that, having been here for 30 years I have spent a lot of my energy and focus on empowering the Palestinians and sending resources to groups that are really trying to make a difference, but this is worthy of an hour or two. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Yes. The CHAIRWOMAN. I do want to thank you all on the panel. I look forward to continuing our work together. We have a great committee here. Some couldn’t join us today, but I know that each and every one, bipartisan, cares very much about these issues, and I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan way. I wish we could provide strong bipartisan support for family planning, maybe someday. Thank you very much. Mr. KOHR. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Our second panel is Ms. Jeanne Bourgault, president and CEO of Internews; Michele Sumilas, a former colleague and partner in our committee, managing director of Bread for the World; and Mr. Bill O’Keefe, executive vice president of Catholic Relief Services. I would love to give a speech on every one of you, but I do know that as you come forward, Catholic Relief Services doing such an amazing job in every place I visit and I thank you. Mr. O’KEEFE. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. And, of course, Bread for the World, we have known each other a long time and I thank you. And thank you for reporting the news, Jeanne. Why don’t we begin, Jeanne we begin with you.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND INTERNET FREEDOM; END- ING HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION; INTERNATIONAL POVERTY-REDUCING DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANI- TARIAN ACCOUNTS; PRESERVE HUMANITARIAN PRO- GRAMS AND POLICIES; CATALYZE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES AT SCALE; EXPAND U.S. LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL HEALTH; UPHOLD HUMAN DIGNITY WITNESSES JEANNE BOURGAULT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, INTERNEWS 101

MICHELE SUMILAS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BREAD FOR THE WORLD WILLIAM O’KEEFE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR MISSION, MOBI- LIZATION, AND ADVOCACY, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.BOURGAULT Ms. BOURGAULT. Okay. Great. Madam Chairwoman, I am very honored to be here today on behalf of Internews, an international non-profit dedicated to empowering local news all around the world. We do this because we believe that everyone everywhere deserves to have the information they need to make good choices for their families, participate in their communities, and hold their governments to account. Unfortunately, our mission is facing a crisis. And I will start by a really devastating number—13 percent. Only 13 percent of the world’s population lives in a country deemed to have a free press. The causes of this crisis are multitude. Authoritarian regimes are directly restricting access to many, many people. Intimidations and attacks are making it harder for journalists to do their jobs. The rise of malign actors has made misinformation all the more pernicious around the world. And finally, the market realities of the media industry make local news almost untenable. And what this means on the ground is in the countries that we work in places like Mexico and Guatemala, violence against journalists from criminal groups is equivalent to them working in a war zone. In Burma, hate speech has directly contributed to the genocide of the Rohingya people. And all over the world from Cam- eroon to India, direct government censorship has taken a new path in directly and completely shutting down the Internet where people lose all access to information. The need for action is urgent and with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State, we at Internews are taking action. We are building the capacity of partners in these countries—local media, content producers, digital activists—to fight these trends because we need together to protect this incredibly valuable resource of trusted local information. I would like to share several strategies that work. First, focusing on inclusion really works to build trust. People need to know that their news reflects them and their community and we particularly are emphasizing women speaking on women’s empowerment. We think it is critically important for women to be seen, heard and listened to in the media and, unfortunately, only 24 percent of the people that you see, read about or hear are women in the news, and that must change. Second, we believe that progress is possible in this space, and we are seeing advances in freedom of expression, particularly in places like Liberia where the government recently passed a very hard- fought media law to decriminalize libel. Third, in order to survive volatile markets, we really need to strengthen the business skills of our partners. We want local news to thrive around the world like our partner in Montenegro whose online advertising revenues grew fourfold following a simple sup- 102 port and consultancy on improving their digital advertising systems. Finally, investing in critical thinking can make a real difference. In Ukraine, a combination of fact-checking sites, contests and integrating media literacy in the social science curricula has resulted in a 16 percent year-over-year increase in Ukrainians’ ability to spot fake news. The bottom line at Internews, we believe the most important tool for combatting fake news is to invest in real news and we have seen an impact. Last year, I visited Kabul, Afghanistan, where Internews has been working with USAID support since 2002. When we first arrived, Afghanistan was a near information desert with only one creaky state-run radio station functioning. We worked with communities that never experienced their own media. We found media enthusiasts and helped them set up a whole new network of radio stations and television stations that now reach all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Seventeen of these stations are women-led and I am so proud of our ability to support the brave and courageous Afghan women journalists. Because of the hard work of Afghans’ home-grown journalists, media has become the second most trusted institution in that country and support to media is one of the great successes of the foreign aid program in Afghanistan. This kind of change doesn’t happen overnight and it is only possible in partnership with USAID, the Department of State and legislators like you on this committee. I urge you to include language in the committee’s Fiscal Year 2020 report to continue supporting independent media and Internet freedom programs around the world. Thank you. [The information follows:] 103

STATEMENT BY JEANNE BOURGAULT PRESIDENT AND CfflEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER INTERNEWS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madrun Chairwoman, I am very honored to appear today on behalf of Intemews. I appreciate the opportunity to testify on the importance of citizen access to trusted, quality, and locally relevant news and information, and I urge the Committee to include language in the Committee's fiscal year 2020 report supporting continued funding for media and civil society development programs through the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

We request that the Committee:

• Increase investment in democracy, human rights, and governance programs broadly, with independent media and supporting moderate voices as a critical element of this broader goal.

• Continue to support and expand access to independent media, information co=unication technologies, and supportive laws and policies.

• Continue to support and expand the Internet freedom agenda, ensuring that citizens of the world enjoy safe access and use of the Internet.

• Continue to support global health projects that deliver high quality and culturally and contextually appropriate health information to combat and contain epidemics and pandemics.

• Continue to support local media development and information systems in Afghanistan, Central America, Venezuela, Burma, Ukraine, and other regions and countries as they go through critical social and political transitions.

• Continue to support humanitarian media and information projects to stabilize the fragile and potentially explosive circumstances of the more than 68 million refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people around the world.

• Increase investments in efforts to engage women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities in media and information globally. 104

We are very grateful for the Committee's leadership and support for programs that advance America's interests through the creation of stable, accountable, and participatory civic life around the world.

Internews, an international non-profit organization headquartered in California, has been working to improve the flow of civic-minded, locally-produced news and information for more than 35 years. We have worked in more than 100 countries and trained more than 100,000 people in journalism, media, and business skills. Today we are active in 84 countries, working with local partners in pursuit of a better world.

INFORMATION UNDER ATTACK

The world today is characterized by dramatic threats to trusted information ecosystems around the world. Repressive and authoritarian governments are restricting citizens' access to information. Intimidation, attacks, and policy clampdowns are making it harder for journalists to do their jobs securely.

The rise of malign actors and the swiftness of internet technology has made misinformation and disinformation more pernicious and prevalent than ever. Additionally, market realities and consolidation have made the business of public-interest information nearly untenable for local, community-based news outlets.

The need for action is urgent and widespread. A few examples:

• In Mexico and Guatemala, violence against journalists from organized and criminal groups is equivalent to working in a war zone, and impunity for these crimes and attacks is at98%.

• In Burma, hate speech, rapidly spread on social media and online news sites, has flamed the Rohingya crisis, directly contributing to the devastating genocide there.

• Direct government censorship has taken a new path in the internet age, as we see a dramatic rise in something we assumed would be so unpalatable it would not be pursued - full internet shutdowns and completely cutting off access to information - in places like Cameroon and India.

• In the Philippines, where journalists are under tremendous threat, voices of hope such as the digital-native news site Rapp/er are struggling to stay in business, not only from a direct push to stifle their work, but due to collapsing business models.

These are only a few of the places where Intemews works. We focus on building the capacity of partners in these countries local media, content producers, and digital activists - to ensure that all people have access to the locally-relevant information they need to make good choices for their families, shape their communities, and to hold their governments accountable.

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PROGRESS: BUILDING TRUSTED INFORMATION SPACES

Last year I visited Kabul, where Intemews began working in December 2001, just as the Taliban fell. When we first arrived, we faced a complete information desert, with only one creaky, state run radio station functioning. We started working in communities that had never experienced their own media, including generations that had never even publicly listened to music.

But we found media enthusiasts and entrepreneurs and helped them to create a whole new network of radio and TV stations that reach all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. The radio stations we have supported are community owned and community run. The newscasters and journalists come from the community and are the voice of the community.

Seventeen stations are women-led, and I am most proud of our ability to support the brave and courageous Afghan women who work in media Afghan women media leaders struggle against significant challenges and show tremendous resilience and determination in their persistence.

Because of the hard work of Afghanistan's home-grown journalists and information advocates, media has become the second most trusted public institution in the country, just after religious leaders. According to a report by Edelman this year, only 43% of citizens in 28 countries trust their media. In Afghanistan this figure in 65%.

Trust in media begins with inclusion. When people feel that their issues are covered, and their voices are heard, trust can flourish. However, women are underrepresented across the board in media, both in newsrooms and in the news. Worldwide, only 27% of the top management jobs in the media sector are occupied by women. Among reporters, 36% of the jobs are held by women. Globally, women hold just one third of full-time media positions, and even fewer work in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and media management positions.

In Iraq, our Women's Voices project has brought together a coalition of human rights defenders and journalists with the express goal ofreducing sexual and gender-based violence. They approach this goal by raising awareness and increasing accurate, sensitive coverage on the disparities affecting women in the country.

In Ukraine, we have worked with and invested in local partners for decades, and now have some of the smartest and most effective organizations working to combat disinformation worldwide. Through a major focus on critical thinking, our partners' fact-checking sites have taken off, contests to identify paid political content have become popular, and media organizations have worked with the Ministry of Education to integrate media literacy into teaching core social science disciplines.

Over time, partially as a result of these efforts, our annual survey of media consumption in Ukraine revealed a 16% year-over-year increase in Ukrainians' ability to spot paid-news or fake news. In 2018, the survey showed Ukrainians trusted their media more than they did in 2017, reversing a downward trend in trust seen in polls in the previous two years.

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At Intemews, we believe the most important tool in combating misinformation is to invest in real news: trusted, local, relevant, and actionable news and information.

SOLUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP

Our commitment to this work does not waver. Even in these challenging times, there is hope in places, that despite the odds, are opening and changing. This year's May 3rd World Press Freedom Day events will be held in Ethiopia - a location that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

In Malaysia, press freedom became a platform issue of the government elected in 2018, which repealed a repressive press policy three months after taking office.

This kind of change does not happen overnight. Our work supports not only individual journalists, but the business models, the legal frameworks, and the technical tools needed to preserve the potential of news and information in free societies.

Last year, in more than 80 countries, we supported more than 1,000 local partners. That work strengthens, piece by piece, the information ecosystems that make it possible for people everywhere to access quality, trusted, local information.

We are proud to work in partnership with USAID and the US Department of State on a vision of access and freedom, in contrast to the rise of authoritarian models of information control. We believe that a major goal of U.S. foreign policy should be universal access to reliable information.

We urge the Committee to include language in the Committee's fiscal year 2020 report supporting continued funding for media and civil society development programs.

Local media, internet freedom, citizen media, and civil society institutions empower and stabilize communities while supporting American development, diplomacy, and national security goals.

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JEANNE BOURGAULT PRESIDENT AND CEO INTERNEWS

Jeanne Bourgault is the President and CEO oflntemews, an international non-profit organization that works at the intersection of media, information, and development. Intemews's purpose is to ensure all people are fully empowered with the information they need to have a voice in their future and to make informed choices for their families and their communities.

Jeanne joined Intemews in 2001 and under her leadership, lntemews has led the sector in focusing on the need for information amid crises, working to support local news and information access for communities affected by disaster, conflict, propaganda, climate change and closing spaces.

Prior to Intemews, Jeanne worked internationally in countries undergoing dramatic shifts in media and political landscapes. She worked in the former Yugoslavia, serving as a strategic advisor for media development programs in post-war Kosovo, as well as manager of community development projects in Serbia and Montenegro through the fall ofSlohodan Milosevic. She served for six years with the U.S. Agency for International Development, including three years at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Jeanne speaks on issues of global news, information technology, media development and democracy assistance worldwide, including venues such as the Skoll World Forum, Guardian Activate in New York, and the World Economic Forum in Davos.

She also serves on the Media, Entertainment, and Information Industries Steering Committee for the World Economic Forum and the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Media Development.

She holds a Master of Arts in International Studies and a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Washington. 108

The CHAIRWOMAN. I thank you. We have so many negative stories; it is nice to hear some positive ones, and I thank you very much. Michele Sumilas.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.SUMILAS Ms. SUMILAS. Madame Chairwoman, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity. Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice that urges our nation’s decision-makers to end hunger and poverty at home and abroad. I am so proud to appear before this committee where I spent several years serving you and the House of Representatives as professional staff. I do understand the difficult task before you and appreciate the opportunity to share Bread’s perspective. Before I start my testimony, I would like to lift up those who died in the Ethiopian plane crash and take a moment to remember their commitment to the people of the world. I want to start by commending the chairwoman for her strong statement in support of raising the budget caps quickly so that regular order can be restored. I also want to thank the committee for its unwavering support for foreign assistance and for the $20 million global nutrition increase that you championed in Fiscal Year 2019. Mothers and children will receive life-saving nutrition interventions that lay the foundation for an effective and prosperous life because of your efforts. But our work is not done. In Fiscal Year 2020, Bread for the World asks that this committee continue to support U.S. global leadership by lifting the budget caps and allocating $60 billion to the International Affairs Budget. In addition, we ask that you continue your strong support for poverty-focused development assistance. The burden of malnutrition remains unacceptably high and progress slow. Malnutrition underlies 45 percent of all child deaths under the age of 5 and puts those who do survive at risk of impaired brain development, lower intellectual capacity and weakened immune systems. The reason to invest in nutrition programs is straightforward as it lays the foundation for human health and development, especially during the first 1000 days. That is why we ask that $250 million be appropriated to nutrition programs in the Global Health Program’s account in Fiscal Year 2020. We also ask for increased investments in nutrition-focused implementation research to develop best practices. Malnutrition and food insecurity issues not only impact the countries where they occur but also have regional impacts. In the United States the impact of food in security is seen in the faces of migrants seeking asylum at the southern border. In the 2017 World Food Program survey of migrants from the northern triangle, the majority cited no food as a reason for leaving their country. The report states that there is clearly a link between food insecurity and immigration. More families are arriving at the border from the western highlands of Guatemala where we know hunger and malnutrition rates are the highest. 109 We urge this committee to continue to be part of the solution by investing in the root causes of migration, creating economic opportunity, building nutrition and strengthening the resilience of marginalized communities. We know that investing in people rather than physical barriers is a smart and moral decision. One of the greatest drives of hunger is also protracted conflict. My colleagues have talked about the conflict in Yemen and its impact but let me just share what is happening to children—2 million children under the age of 5 are at risk of death from malnutrition in Yemen and 24 million people, or double the population of Ohio, need urgent humanitarian aid. This crisis is man-made and it is adversely affecting the population of Yemen. As a person of faith, I applaud Congress on both sides of the aisle for calling on the Administration to insist all parties to the conflict stop the fighting, support the peace process, allow aid workers to reach those in need, and promote peace and economic recovery. In closing, the United States is an unprecedented spirit for good in the world, this committee on both sides of the aisle has shown true leadership and provided critically important humanitarian health and development assistance over the years. Whether motivated by spiritual beliefs or a commitment to the common good, your actions bring hope to a world in need; acknowledge the dignity and worth of each person; and create opportunities for all to grow into healthy, productive adults. Thank you so for the opportunity today. [The information follows:] 110

Testimony to the House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

March 12, 2019

Submitted by

Michele Sumilas

Managing Director, Bread for the World

Madame Chailwoman and Members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity. I am Michele Sumilas, Managing Director of Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice that urges our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. I want to thank the committee for its support for foreign assistance overall and for championing global nutrition. U.S. global leadership is vital at this time, and the

State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs bill is a reflection of this ideal. I want to especially thank the committee for the $20 million increase in Global Nutrition in the

FY19 bill. This money will lead to more mothers and children receiving lifesaving nutrition interventions that lay the foundation for an effective and prosperous life. Our work is not done, though. Bread for the World supports continued U.S. global leadership and urges the lifting of the budget caps. In addition, we ask that the Appropriations

Committee allocate $60 billion to the International Affairs Budget, which includes the

State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs bill. 111

Our faithful members and churches across the country urge Congress to do its part to reduce hunger and poverty in our country and around the world. This year, Bread for the World's Offering of Letters urges our government to accelerate progress on global maternal and child nutrition, by increasing funding for global nutrition programs.

Americans from across the U.S., including our network of nearly 2.5 million people, will be making their voices heard. Bread and our members believe that we must scale up what we know works to accelerate progress on nutrition. Every child deserves a chance to survive and thrive but current U.S. funding is not enough to reach our global nutrition goals. Our success in achieving these goals, to say nothing of the opportunity to improve the lives of millions of women and children, is at risk if we continue with business as usual. We at Bread for the World are not alone in this initiative, and a large and growing share of the religious community is working with us.

The burden of malnutrition across the world remains unacceptably high, and progress unacceptably slow. Malnutrition, especially in the 1,000 days between the start of a woman's pregnancy and her child's second birthday, underlies 45 percent of all deaths -approximately 2.6 million - of children under the age of five annually and puts those who survive at risk of impaired brain development, lower intellectual capacity, weakened immune systems and greater risk of serious disease. According to the 2018

Global Nutrition Report, malnutrition, in all its forms, is responsible for more ill health than any other cause. Undemutrition impoverishes families, and reduces critical human capital and capacity, thereby causing long-term detriment to national economies and

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social development. The cost of malnutrition to the global economy is an estimated $3.5

trillion in health care costs and lost productivity every year.

Children under the age of five face multiple burdens: 150.8 million are stunted,

50.5 million are wasted and 38.3 million are overweight. Meanwhile 20 million babies

are born of low birth weight each year. Women also have a higher burden than men when

it comes to malnutrition: one third of all women of reproductive age have anemia and

women have a higher prevalence of obesity than men, while it is also true that millions of

women are still underweight. For these reasons, we ask that $250 million be appropriated

to Nutrition in the Global Health Programs account. We also support increased

investments in nutrition-focused implementation research to develop best practices in

nutrition interventions and ensure that this increased funding is effective.

Bread for the World and its members believe that the need to invest in nutrition programs is straightforward - nutrition lays the foundation for human health and development. Leading scientists, health experts and economists agree that improving nutrition during the 1,000-day window is one of the most cost effective investments that canoe made to help achieve lasting progress in global health and development.

Without prioritizing malnutrition - the underlying cause of so many health, development, and economic challenges - the U.S. will not reach the development gains it hopes to achieve. In today's budget environment, the U.S. must maximize the return on its investment in development assistance and nutrition interventions that consistently generate some of the highest results.

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Hunger and malnutrition are issues of equity. This can be seen in the highlands of

Western Guatemala, where indigenous groups face a much higher rate of food insecurity

and malnutrition than the rest of the country. Programs, such as Feed the Future, target areas where the malnutrition rate for young children is as high as 70 percent because the

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) knows that we must reach these children to meet our goals.

Food security issues are not only impacting the countries where they occur but they are now impacting the U.S. through immigration on our southern border. In a 2017

World Food Program survey of migrants from the Northern Triangle, the majority cited

"no food" as a reason for leaving their countries. The report states, "There is clearly ... a link between food insecurity and immigration." The type of migrants coming to our border is changing - there are more families than before and Guatemalans make up an increasingly larger share of migrants, many of whom are from the Western Highlands region. We urge this committee to be part of the solution by investing in the root causes of migration - creating economic opportunities, building nutrition and food security, and strengthening resilience of marginalized communities, rather than proposals that will only band-aid the situation. We must invest in people rather than physical deterrents. This is the smart and moral decision.

Hunger and malnutrition are also issues of gender equality. Where there is unequal gender distribution of household income and nutrition, women are left behind. USAID' s multi-sectoral nutrition strategy makes this connection and states, "When women are empowered, educated, and can earn and control income, infant mortality declines, child

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health, nutrition, and development improves, agricultural productivity rises, population

growth slows, economies expand, and cycles of poverty are broken." Women are an

integral part of development. When girls do not receive proper nutrition, their

development potential is hindered from the start. When women are disempowered,

development is hindered.

One of the greatest drivers of hunger is protracted conflict. As you know, Yemen

is currently facing an extreme humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports that half

of the population is already facing near-famine conditions and is entirely reliant on aid for survival. Two million children younger than the age of 5 are at risk of death from ' malnutrition, and 24 million people, or double the populatio~ of Ohio, need urgent humanitarian aid. This crisis is entirely man-made - a result of the four-year civil war in

Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. The near-famine conditions are not only putting people at risk of serious health complications now, but will adversely affect Yemen's population, especially young children, after the conflict has ended.

Innocent children are being robbed of their futures because of this crisis. Our God

"upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy" (Psalm 140: 12). As a person of faith, I call on the U.S. government to use every tool at its disposal to insist all parties stop the fighting and fully support the peace process, allow aid workers to reach those in need and promote peace and economic recovery.

U.S. global nutrition programs funded through USAID are critical but the U.S. government must also leverage investments in multilateral institutions to support our goals. The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) reduces poverty

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IDA's nutrition programs in emergency and long-term development contexts have been very successful. Not only do these investments save lives, but they are efficient and leverage funding from others. Evidence has shown that every $1 contribution to IDA from the U.S. leverages or attracts nearly $13 from other donors and the World Bank. For these reasons, we ask that $1.097 billion be appropriated to the International

Development Association.

We have made significant progress in the fight to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, but there is still much work to be done. Congress has provided modest but relatively steady increases in nutrition program funding over the past several years, in large part due to the compelling new evidence supporting the most cost-effective, high impact interventions. As we study issues of education, gender equality, health care, and economic productivity we learn that nutrition is foundational to progress on all of these fronts. Nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programming must be implemented in a cross-sectoral way to have the biggest impact. USAID's Multi-Sectoral Nutrition

Strategy developed in 2014 is a good start but it has not been fully implemented because it has not been fully resourced. We can end malnutrition but the U.S. must continue to play a leadership role among other donors. Bread for the World urges Congress to provide sufficient resources to fully operationalize this strategy. Because malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral response, the U.S. government also needs to ensure robust nutrition-related investments are made in other development sectors, including global health, global food security, international food assistance, and water, sanitation, and

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hygiene (WASH). Continuing the current level of nutrition specific and nutrition

sensitive funding will not allow these efforts to fully deliver on their promise.

Between 2009 and 2016, stunting within USAID's 19 nutrition priority countries

decreased from40 percent to 34 percent. As a result ofUSAID's integrated effort, more

than 22 million children under the age of five were reached by nutrition int~entions in

2017 alone. Recent data shows that in Feed the Future focus regions of Kenya, Ethiopia,

Nepal and Ghana, child stunting has been reduced by 40%, 30%, 24% and 18%

respectively. These dramatic reductions help prevent impaired physical and cognitive development, allowing children to reach their full potential. To keep up the momentum, the U.S needs to recommit to accelerating and scaling up efforts to end malnutrition, and reduce preventable child and maternal deaths.

In order to unlock the transformative power of nutrition, Bread for the World urges Congress to resource this multi-sectoral, integrated and scaled up approach. In doing so, Congress will elevate the vital role nutrition can play in humanitarian crises, strengthen the resilience of communities, achieve long-term development goals, and put countries on a path to self-reliance. Expanded leadership and deeper engagement in support of global nutrition efforts is essential to accelerate progress, to galvanize action, to leverage investments from other donors and governments, and to reach globally agreed-upon nutrition targets.

Bread for the World urges Congress to:

• Allocate $60 billion to the International Affairs Budget, which includes the State,

Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill, to maintain U.S. global leadership.

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• Fully fund U.S. global health programs at USAID and the State Department at

$11.4 billion.

• Fully resource the USAID Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy and U.S. Government

Global Nutrition Coordination Plan at $250 million in the Global Nutrition line

item of the Global Health Programs account.

• Address migration push factors in the Northern Triangle, including through

investments in household nutrition and food security. We support full funding for

the U.S. Global Food Security Strategy at $1.066 billion.

• Provide adequate funding for humanitarian responses, including by increasing

funding for the treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition in these settings.

We support funding for International Disaster Assistance at $4.4 billion.

• Support smart contributions to multilateral institutions, including the International

Development Association. We urge the Committee to continue World Bank IDA

funding at $1.097 billion and support a robust U.S. commitment in the IDA19

replenishment.

In closing, the United States has been an unprecedented spirit for good in the

world, and thanks in part to this Subcommittee, and your support of humanitarian

and international development programs through the years, we have responded to

the needs of the poor, hungry, sick, displaced and abandoned. Our decision to act

not only promotes our national security and economic interests, but ascends even

higher. Whether motivated by spiritual beliefs, or a commitment to the common

8 118 good, our actions are bringing forth greater hope to a world in need; a reality that acknowledges the dignity and worth of each person, and creates opportunities for all children to grow into healthy, productive adults capable of pursuing futures of opportunity and promise.

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ichele Sumilas

Managing Director Michele manages the daily operations of Bread for the World and Bread for the World Institute and assists the president in directing their overall strategies. She has extensive, successful experience as a manager. Before joining Bread, she worked at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), including as chief of staff. While at USAID, Michele played a key role in the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis. USAID is a 10,000- person government agency with 13 bureaus in Washington, D.C., and 75 missions around the world. Michele previously served on the House of Representatives' appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations, where she oversaw the U.S. government's development policy and budget. Prior to serving in government, Sumilas worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she led a global health advocacy portfolio. She also served as the director of government relations for the Global Health Council. 120

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Yes, thank you.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR. O’KEEFE Mr. O’KEEFE. Thank you so much, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of this subcommittee. Catholic Relief Services is the international relief and development agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We operate in a 110 countries, partner with almost 2,000 organizations and serve more than 136 million people. Based on global needs, we respectfully request that the committee increase the International Affairs budget to $60 billion and fully fund international poverty-reducing humanitarian and development assistance. I will use my time today to discuss U.S. humanitarian leadership and localization in the context of USAID’s journey to self-reliance. First, thank you, Ranking Member Rogers for remembering the four CRS colleagues and other humanitarian workers from Save the Children, Care and U.N. agencies who were killed in Sunday’s Ethiopian Airlines crash. CRS commends Congress’ steadfast leadership to address humanitarian crises. Last year, I saw that leadership firsthand in northern Iraq. Thanks to U.S. humanitarian leadership and USAID, Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities are returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives. More needs to be done, but U.S. diplomacy and humanitarian and development resources are turning the tide. In the West Bank and Gaza though, our government is allowing the tide of poverty and suffering to gather force. The Administra- tion has terminated all assistance to support Palestinians. Confu- sion around the Antiterrorism Clarification Act has further eroded the ability for even reputable NGOs to provide assistance. These steps have increased hopelessness and risk regional instability. We urge Congress to make it clear that humanitarian aid is not in the scope of the Antiterrorism Clarification Act and direct that humanitarian funding flow to closed programs despite an ongoing and apparently never-ending administration review. In Venezuela, millions of people face a dire situation and are leaving their country. CRS supports local Caritas partners in the region through focused technical assistance and accompaniment, and we are grateful for the U.S.’ commitment to respond to this crisis. In the future though, U.S. humanitarian assistance to Ven- ezuela and the region must be driven by assessed needs and in accordance with established international humanitarian principles. U.S. humanitarian leadership requires more than the allocation of funds. U.S. diplomatic engagement and broader political solutions are necessary to alleviate suffering and resolve conflict. As a blessed nation, it is our duty to promote peaceful and just societies in places such as West Bank and Gaza, Venezuela, South Sudan and Iraq. We applaud USAID and Ambassador Green in particular for aspiring to support countries on their journey to self-reliance. CRS, in partnership with the U.S. government, empowers local leadership, builds local capacity and strengthens resilience in commu- 121 nities. The Catholic social teaching principle of subsidiarity requires us to pass responsibility on to local actors where it belongs. As a PEPFAR Track 1 implementer, CRS successfully transitioned complex HIV treatment programs in nine countries to local faith-based partners who now use national, regional and local systems to achieve even better results than we could. With the Global Fund’s support, we have helped governments at all levels to strengthen health systems while attacking malaria. After 7 years of CRS’ capacity strengthening, for example, the government of The Gambia recently replaced CRS as the co-principal recipient on a large Global Fund malaria grant. We have many lessons to share from our own experience transitioning assistance to local partners. USAID has set a worthy goal, but must provide sufficient time, resources, and support for local partners to grow. Paradoxically, helping countries along their journey to self-reliance will require more short-term funding if it is to yield long term results. Pope Francis, in his January 1st World Day of Peace message wrote, ‘‘Good politics is at the service of peace.’’ We contend that good politics, policy and programming are all at the service of peace and good development. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, members of this subcommittee, thank you for your commitment to humanitarian development assistance and for the good politics you bring to U.S. humanitarian and development leadership. Thank you. [The information follows:] 122

Testimony of William O'Keefe Executive Vice President for Mission, Mobilization, and Advocacy Catholic Relief Services regarding Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations to the House subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 12,2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers: On behalf of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), I respectfully request that you increase international poverty-reducing hmnanitarian relief and development assistance in Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) appropriations. We urge you to prioritize the accounts below according to the levels indicated. We deeply appreciate your commitment to these accounts in Fiscal Year 2019 (FYI 9), and your recognition of the critical leadership role the United States plays in responding to immense needs around the world every year.

United States Institute of Peace $38,634,000

As the international relief and development agency of the Catholic community in the United St.ates, we aspire to save lives and alleviate suffering; accelerate the end of--- poverty, hunger, and preventable diseases; and cultivate just and peaceful societies. CRS operates in 110 countries, partners with almost 2,000 local, national, and international organizations, and serves more than 136 million individuals. Our aspirations and work are driven by the desire to uphold the dignity of each human person. As Pope Paul VI wrore, our coilective efforts and solidarity should "ailow all peopies to 1,ecome the artisans of their destiny."

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We urge Congress to increase the international affairs budget to $60 billion to ensure protection of poverty-reducing international assistance. We ask that funding for the poverty-reducing accounts listed above not come at the expense of other development, life-saving global health, and humanitarian programs that engender a safer and more prosperous world.

I. Preserve Humanitarian Programs and Policies CRS commends Congress' steadfast leadership to address humanitarian crises and the more than 132 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. CRS urges Congress to increase FY20 funding for International Disaster Assistance to $4.5 billion and Migration and Refugee Assistance to $3,6 billion, given unprecedented levels of forced displacement. We urge the committee to work with the administration to ensure a rapid response to new crises without neglecting other smaller, less publicized crises impacting needy populations.

U.S. humanitarian leadership requires more than the allocation of funds and distribution of goods and services. Humanitarian leadership also encompasses principled humanitarian decision making that is concerned with how, when, and where we respond to the needs ofpeople. Assistance should always occur in a just and transparent manner, in accordance with established international humanitarian principles. Humanitarian aid should be informed by contextual analysis and grounded in a shared understanding of the intended target group and expected outcomes. Furthermore, U.S. led humanitarian efforts, from South America to Asia to the Middle East,must focus on building local capacity and strengthening resilience of host communities. Local leadership of humanitarian aid allows for the most rapid and needs driven response. At CRS, we are committed to working with local partners, especially domestic Caritas agencies and faith-based organizations, to empower them to be effective and impactful leaders.

In Venezuela, millions ofpeople face a dire situation. Food shortages, hyperinflation, the collapse of the health system, and a climate of violence have forced more than 3 million people to flee the country. Experts predict more than 2 million more people could flee by the end of this calendar year. Neighboring countries in South America and the Caribbean have limited resources to meet basic needs of refugees and host communities. CRS is grateful for the U.S.' commitment to respond to this crisis, but U.S. humanitarian assistance must be driven by needs and separated from the political context. CRS supports local Caritas partners in the region through focused technical support and accompaniment. Caritas Venezuela continues to provide health and nutrition programming across 14 dioceses in 10 states and the capital. Caritas Colombia, in partnership with the U.S. government, supports almost 10,000 refugees with shelter, protection and cash assistance for legal processes. Caritas Peru and Ecuador offer multipurpose cash, food security, nutrition, shelter, and protection to a growing number of Venezuelans who are traveling further distances seeking help.

In 2017, widespread violence in Rakhine, Burma caused 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Over 900,000 Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh, which is now home to the world's largest and most densely populated refugee settlement, Kutupalong-Balukhali Expansion Site. CRS provides shelter and settlement; water, sanitation, and hygiene; and protection services within the expansion site. We support Caritas Bangladesh to provide food and non-food items. Two years in to this response, vast needs remain for a refugee population seeking peace in their lives. As the

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U.S. and others pursue broader solutions to this crisis, the U.S. must ensure that any repatriation is voluntary and safe.

While we appreciate the U.S. response to crises like those in Venezuela and Burma, we lament the termination of all bilateral and multilateral contributions to support Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. Of the 1.9 million people in Gaza, 53 percent live in poverty and more than half - approximately 1.24 million - need international food assistance to survive. The cessation of U.S. assistance has increased hopelessness and unnecessarily risks more regional instability. We call on Congress to address the barriers to aid to the Palestinian people. First, assistance provided through the Economic Support Fund and delivered to people in need through organizations like CRS is not sufficient to establish jurisdiction over the Palestinian Authority pursuant to the Anti Terrorism Clarification Act. Second, we ask Congress to include clear direction to the administration in FY20 appropriations to expend at least $225 million for assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. Congress should also prompt the administration to use already appropriated funds to meet ongoing and urgent humanitarian needs. Lastly, we urge Congress to provide the administration a clear framework in conducting its review of aid in this region.

Efforts to end violence and suffering cannot be achieved through humanitarian assistance alone. U.S. diplomatic engagement and political solutions are necessary to alleviate suffering, resolve conflict, and recognize human rights and dignity. In South Sudan and the Central African Republic, CRS has been working with faith leaders to bring healing and reconciliation to communities suffering from years of trauma. Pope John XXIII said, "Man's awareness of his rights must inevitably lead him to the recognition of his duties." As a blessed nation, it is our duty to promote peaceful and just societies. Therefore, we urge the committee to continue to support Church leaders seeking to bring resolution to ongoing violence and suffering and to maintain its investments in peacekeeping, the Atrocities Prevention Board, the Complex Crisis Fund, and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

II. Catalyze Development Outcomes at Scale CRS applauds the committee and Congress on their efforts to meet global development challenges. USAID's journey to self-reliance will demand increased investments to catalyze development outcomes at scale. Development programs help communities gain access to basic education and clean water, grow nutritious food, combat trafficking in persons, promote economic development and good governance, respond to climate shocks, and create more democratic societies. To sustainably address the root causes of poverty, hunger, and injustice, we must scale approaches that foster change within governments, markets, and communities. We therefore urge you to increase critical investments funded by the Development Assistance account to $3.1 billion and support Economic Support funds that achieve the goal of poverty reduction.

In Central America, populations suffer some of the highest rates of violence outside ofwarzones. Moreover, high unemployment, increased food insecurity in rural areas, and lack of economic opportunity cripple communities, offering them limited means to achieve their fullest potential. With increased attention on the Northern Triangle, now is the opportunity for this committee to direct additional development assistance to Central America to address the underlying push factors of migration from the region. CRS implements projects in youth development, water smart agriculture, education, health, and emergencies across Central America to allow people to thrive

3 125 in their home communities. Innovative approaches to development such as impact investing also help address the urgent and multidimensional issues of poverty and injustice. In El Salvador, CRS structured Azure, a blended finance and technical assistance facility, to improve water and sanitation services for underserved communities. Azure mobilizes capital and technical support for water service providers to upgrade and expand, with a goal to improve quality of services for 500,000 people through the end of 2020. The U.S., through efforts like Azure, must continue to support holistic programming that addresses issues of prosperity, governance, and security.

In Ethiopia, CRS implements the Feed the Future Livelihoods for Resilience - Oromia Project funded as part of the Global Food Security Act (GFSA). The program promotes on-fann ( crop and livestock), off-fann, and employment livelihood pathways for close to 30,000 households. The program serves households enrolled in the Government of Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program and provides higher-level services like advanced education on access to credit and deeper support for local agribusiness/farmer connections. The participating households will be able to build productive assets and establish multiple income streams that will allow them to be more resilient to recurrent extreme weather impacting the Hom of Africa. We are grateful that Congress reauthorized the GFSA last year and urge the committee to fulfill the funding commitment made in that legislation by allocating $1 billion of Development Assistance funding for the agriculture, resilience, and nutrition programs, which support projects like Oromia. We also request that at least $80 million is made available for the Community Development Fund, which is used to support Title II Food for Peace non-emergency programs that connect with GFSA programming.

ill. Expand U.S. Leadership in Global Health Past investments in global health initiatives have saved millions. We are deeply appreciative of the committee's historic support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. We ask the committee to provide $5.93 billion in funding for PEPFAR, which includes an increase in appropriations for the Global Fund. The U.S. pledge at the Global Fund's Replenishment Conference this October in France will leverage a two to one match from other donor countries.

The Global Fund has determined that at least $14 billion is needed over the coming replenishment cycle (2020 - 2022) to maintain its leadership role in putting the world on track to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. To leverage adequate support from other donors, we ask that the committee appropriate at least $1.56 billion to the Global Fund this year. This investment alone will help to save an additional 1.8 million lives, avert more than 26 million new infections or cases of AIDS, TB, or malaria, and reinforce health systems.

The United States has also been a world-leader in saving children's' and mothers' lives for the past 30 years. Since 1990, an estimated 100 million children have been saved, due in large part to the congressional investment in child survival programs. In addition, maternal mortality rates have dropped 44 percent with the help of U.S. funding. Nutrition programs, funded by the global health account, Food for Peace non-emergency programs, and Feed the Future, have also been key to child survival and maternal health.

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While USAID has made great contributions in ending the preventable death of mothers and children, there is more that could be done to amplify our investments. Experts now recommend targeting caregivers and children during early human development (0-8 years) to ensure children do not fall below their potential. Age appropriate mental stimulation and nurturing care, called Early Childhood Development (ECD), includes screening for early developmental delays, training in positive reinforcement, and activities such as singing, reading, playing, and interactive feeding. Because the U.S. government does not currently invest in ECD across sectors, we at CRS use private funding to integrate ECD into our existing maternal and child health, nutrition, basic education, protection, and other child-focused programs. ECD integration has multiplied the impact ofinterventions and amplified the return on our investment in the form ofpositive outcomes for children. We urge the U.S. government to incorporate ECD into existing child-focused programs to make the most effective und impactful use of that funding, and we thank the committee for report language to that effect in FY18 and FY19.

We also urge the committee to increase funding for the Vulnerable Children account, as this money will help implement an updated Action Plan on Children in Adversity over the coming years. The Action Plan will focus on three objectives: building strong beginnings, putting family care first, and protecting children from violence, abuse, and neglect. CRS is grateful the Action Plan will emphasize the importance of ECD as a part of its first objective.

IV. Uphold Human Dignity With U.S. leadership, in partnership with agencies such as CRS, we have made incredible progress in reducing poverty and alleviating suffering. Millions of Catholics steadfastly support U.S. led efforts to serve the poor and the vulnerable overseas. Nevertheless, there remain major barriers to human development, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized people among us. Global fragility, conflict, and violence disrupt pathways out of poverty and destabilize communities. Natural resource scarcity, environmental degradation and climate change, as well as pandemics and global health emergencies present new threats to our common home. Growing inequality and a lack of economic opportunity and dignified livelihoods, especially for youth, offer unique challenges for our future. And large-scale forced displacement pushes us to find new ways to meet basic needs and address long-term sustainable development.

These barriers threaten our shared goals: to promote the common good and uphold human dignity. Opportunities to reach our aspirations are available. Ongoing efforts by the U.S., CRS, and other countries and agencies of good will to promote social equity and inclusion, to care for creation, to foster civic engagement, and to empower local leadership will confront these barriers head on.

With guidance from this committee and support from the Catholic community in the United States, we can tackle these problems socially, economically, and politically. Pope Francis, in his message for the celebration of the 52nd World Day of Peace on January I, wrote, "good politics is at the service of peace." At CRS, we contend that good policy and good programming are at the service of upholding human dignity. The programs under this committee's jurisdiction that support international poverty-reducing humanitarian and development aid accomplish just that. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, allow me to profoundly thank you for your commitment to humanitarian and development assistance and for the "good politics" you bring to this challenging space.

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Bill O'Keefe is Catholic Relief Services' Executive Vice President for Mission, Mobilization, and Advocacy, based at CRS' headquarters in Baltimore. He oversees CRS efforts to change U.S. foreign policy in ways that promote justice and reduce poverty overseas. This involves lobbying Congress and the Administration on a range of foreign policy issues and engaging U.S. Catholics about international issues involving them in public campaigns for policy change. In his current role, he also is a board member of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign.

Mr. O'Keefe received his Bachelor of Science cum laude from Yale University in 1984 and a Master's in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in 1987. He joined CRS in 1987 as a Project Manager in Tanzania, designing and monitoring community development projects. He has served in various capacities for CRS and has led CRS government relations efforts since 2003. 128

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. And I know all of us in this panel have nothing but praise for the extraordinary work you are doing and we express our appreciation. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. No questions. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. I do have to ask. This question I can ask. First, to all of you, thank you very much. I am very interested in your testimony about having to get more women in the media. Could you explain what is the relationship between getting women in the media and how does that relate to a better life for the community? Ms. BOURGAULT. I think the obvious example is the representational value of it for young girls to see women in full range of leadership positions, and that is often captured in the popular culture in the media. So, we need more women experts in the news advocating for the economy, advocating for politics, advocating for the environment, advocating for the full range of issues that affect the world, and that inspirational value is critical and that is when you learn to trust your local news and information all the more when it reflects back at you the world you hope to see. So, to me, that is the most important reason to engage the full community in the media, so that you have that representational value. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you, Madam Chair. First, Ms. Sumilas, how is David Beckmann? Give him my regards, please. Ms. SUMILAS. I will. We have a board meeting today, so he is there with them. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Okay. Good. Wonderful. Thank you. Let me turn quickly to you, Mr. O’Keefe. Thank you for mentioning the situation in Northern Iraq and the work that is being done there. At the behest of the Vice President, I travelled there last summer to evaluate the significant funds that have been shifted there to the administration’s credit to try to help the religious minorities who have been decimated by the ISIS genocide. I walked away with three words in my mind—it is possible. The aid has real possibilities. It is urgent. But the real long term sustainability factor is security. In this regard, I am readying a resolution that calls upon the Iraqi central government to integrate Christians and Yazidis and religious minorities of other faith tradition, particularly minority Muslims into Iraqi security forces with some degree of autonomy for the protection of their own areas. Now, while this isn’t in your purview, I wanted to use the moment to leverage an opportunity to speak to this, because if we are to achieve the results that you are anticipating and make them whole for the long term, preserving Iraq’s extraordinary ancient tapestry of pluralism which is so essential to peace, security has to underlie this. So, it is not necessarily a question, Madam Chair, but I wanted to use the opportunity to highlight this. 129

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. And I want to thank the panel again. As you can see, we are all so grateful to you for the important work you are doing, and the fact that we are trying to move this panel along does not reflect the seriousness and the commitment of your important work. So, we thank you very, very much and we look forward to working together. Ms. BOURGAULT. Thank you. Mr. O’KEEFE. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. The next panel. We are pleased to welcome our panelists, and we will begin with Dr. David Patton.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES; RESEARCH AND TRAINING FOR EASTERN EUROPE; GLOBAL GAG RULE IMPACTS; GLOBAL FUND WITNESSES DR. DAVID PATTON, ACTING PRESIDENT, AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FRANCOUISE GIRARD, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH COALITION GAYLE SMITH, CEO, ONE CAMPAIGN

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.PATTON Mr. PATTON. Madam Chair, Ranking Member Rogers, thank you very much for this opportunity to appear before the subcommittee on behalf of the American Councils for International Education. We are a non-profit organization that administers U.S. government and privately-funded exchanges and educational development programs in over 80 countries around the world. I am requesting today that the subcommittee recommend funding for the Fiscal Year 2020 of at least $700,900,000 for programs under the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cul- tural Affairs or ECA. Further, I ask that funding within ECA for Citizen Exchange Programs be at least at the current level of $111,860,000. I also ask that funding at a level of $3 million be recommended for Research and Training for Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union Program or Title VIII program. In light of current challenges for the U.S. and our foreign policy objectives, region-to-region and people-to-people connections have acquired increasing importance in the United States. Strength- ening U.S. relationships with countries near Russia, China, and Iran through educational and cultural exchanges is of particular significance and value at the moment. For decades, the American Councils has administered State De- partment programs that increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and the world. These programs benefit both the U.S. and the countries on which they focus, and I thank the subcommittee for its strong historic support of these activities. To be effective, U.S. public diplomacy must reach beyond English-speaking elites in foreign capitals. The non-Fulbright side 130 of the State Department exchanges account does precisely that. It provides for some of the most cost-effective and universally admired international education programs in public diplomacy today. The Future Leaders Exchange or FLEX program for Eastern Eu- rope and Eurasia and the Youth Exchange and Study or YES program for nations with significant Muslim populations were created by the Congress and boast today nearly 40,000 active alumni, almost all of which are under the age of 40. Most recently, we expanded the FLEX program into Central Eu- rope where the U.S. needs a strong voice. American Councils is also poised to re-launch this program into Uzbekistan as the first U.S. NGO to re-enter the country in over a decade. These and counterpart programs that place similar numbers of U.S. high school and university students overseas to learn critical languages like Arabic, Chinese and Russian, are preparing a generation of citizens who will better be able to deal with the economic and cultural complexities of the 21st century and who value leadership, entrepreneurship and the rule of law. Alumni of these programs go on to play increasingly important roles in government, the private sector and the NGO community. For these reasons, I ask that the subcommittee include in this legislation language in support of programs like FLEX, YES and others I have referenced in my written testimony. With respect to foreign operations programs, I ask that the subcommittee support research and training in Eastern Europe and the independent states of the former Soviet Union which provides U.S. policy-relevant research on the former Soviet Union and its neighboring countries. Without support for this type of scholarship, the U.S. risks a future without area specialists who can navigate the complicated relationships in and around Russia. Madam Chairwoman, as you proceed with the decisions in the Fiscal Year 2020 bill, I request that you continue to provide strong funding for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cul- tural Affairs and foreign assistance programs, particularly those I have mentioned in this statement. Thank you very much for this opportunity. [The information follows:] 131

STATEMENT BY DR. DAVID PATTON

ACTING PRESIDENT, AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION: ACTR/ACCELS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madam Chairwoman,

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Subcommittee on behalf of the American Councils for International Education. I am requesting that the Subcommittee recommend funding in the fiscal year 2020 State, Foreign Operations bill of at least $700,900,000 for programs under the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Further, I ask that funding within ECA for Citizen Exchange Programs be at least at the current level of $111,860,000. I also ask that funding a level of $3 million be recommended for Research and Training for Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union Program (Title VIII).

My name is Dr. David Patton, Acting President of American Councils for International Education, one of the leading nonprofit organizations administering U.S. Government and privately funded exchange and educational development programs in Central Europe, the Middle East, and East, Southeast, Central, and South Asia I am also the President of the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research, created in 1978 to develop and sustain long term, high-quality programs for post-doctoral research on the social, political, economic, environmental, and historical development of Eurasia and Central and Eastern Europe.

In light of the current geopolitical environment and its challenges for the U.S. and our foreign policy objectives, region-to-region and people-to-people connections have acquired even greater importance for the U.S. Strengthening American relationships with the societies of those countries near Russia, China, and Iran through educational and cultural exchanges and strategic language programs is of special significance and value, particularly among the rising generation of political and business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and scientists. These people understand the value of being part of the world community, of having a relationship with the United States that will help them grow and prosper.

These programs help the U.S., too. For example, in Uzbekistan, and to a lesser extent Belarus, opportunity has arisen to restart student exchanges that will benefit those countries and ours.

The United States Congress has always played a vital role in defining our national goals for countries and regions of strategic and national security importance to the United States. 132

This Subcommittee deserves credit for embracing these activities. American Councils is among the administering organizations for the State Department's programming to increase mutual understanding between the U.S. and the world. Research and training, as well as programs promoting critical thinking and media literacy, for Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union is now more critical than ever to our national security interests.

Without a doubt, these programs benefit not just the countries on which they focus; they also benefit the U.S., which must engage, rather than push away, countries with which we have differences.

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE (ECE)

To be effective, U.S. public diplomacy must reach beyond the English-speaking elites of foreign capitals.

The non-Fulbright side of the State Department exchanges account does precisely this. It provides for some of the most cost-effective and universally admired international education programs in public diplomacy today. The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program for Eastern Europe/Eurasia and the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program for nations with substantial Muslim populations were created by the U.S. Congress and boast today nearly 40,000 active alumni, most under the age of 40. Most recently, we were able to start the FLEX program in several Central European countries, countries where the U.S. needs to have a voice.

FLEX and YES, along with the Year of Exchange in America for Russians (YEAR), and counterpart programs that place similar numbers of U.S. high school and university students overseas to learn critical languages like Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, are preparing a generation of citizens who will be better able to deal with the economic and cultural complexities of the 21 st century and who value leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the rule oflaw.

No instrument of"soft power" is more cost-effective than American outreach to the rising generation of young leaders and professionals through these programs. They provide a significant long-term multiplier effect at relatively little cost as alumni in the home countries rise to increasingly important roles in government, the private sector, and the NGO community.

They deliver professional development support to early career teachers and researchers in the U.S. and overseas, and they provide vitally important immersion language training, internships, and field work support for U.S. students and graduate students in a dozen languages and regions of the world that are deemed critical by the U.S. government.

For that reason, I ask that the Subcommittee include in this legislation language in support of the following exchange programs:

Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Year of Exchange in America for Russians (YEAR)

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Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) Professional Fellows Program (PFP) Young Southeast Asia Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Educational Advising Centers (Education USA) National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Critical Language Scholarships Program (CLS)

FOREIGN OPERATIONS PROGRAMS

The U.S. currently supports a number of relatively new and unusually important assistance programs in the Eurasia/South East Europe region, which, based on my own experience, deserve particular consideration as models of focused U.S. assistance.

Each contributes to meeting the challenges of preparing a new generation of citizens for the demands of the globalized economy and the concomitant needs for stronger workforce development, professional education, reduction of corruption, and greater social cohesion. They include the support of merit-based testing for university admissions in Ukraine and the support of collaborative research and language training for U.S. and Eurasian scholars under the State Department's highly respected Title VIII Program. Without this support for American scholars, the U.S. risks a future without area specialists who can help us navigate these complicated relationships.

I ask that the Subcommittee provide support for the following programs:

Title VIII (Research and Training in East European/Eurasian Regions) Ukraine: Transparency in Educational Management; National Testing System

CONCLUSION

Madam Chairwoman, as you proceed with decisions on the fiscal year 2020 bill, I request that you continue to provide strong funding for the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Foreign Assistance programs, particularly the programs mentioned in this statement.

Thank you very much for providing me with this opportunity to present my views to the Subcommittee.

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DR. DAVID PATTON ACTING PRESIDENT AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

David Patton, Ph.D., has primary responsibility for the oversight of American Councils' regional offices, higher education portfolio, and development efforts. He has been an executive vice president since 2013.

Dr. Patton joined American Councils in 1994, serving as the New Independent States (NIS) regional director in Moscow. He was named the vice president for field operations in 2002, overseeing more than 50 field offices in 15 countries in Europe and Eurasia.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Patton served as deputy director of the NIS Exchanges and Training Project, a major USAID-funded program for short-term professional development for NIS citizens. He also worked as the assistant director of the Ohio State University Center for Slavic and East European Studies.

Dr. Patton also serves as the president of the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research. He has studied and worked in the NIS region and Central Europe since 1983. He completed his Ph.D. in Slavic linguistics at Ohio State University. His dissertation is on analytic development in the modem Russian language. He completed his bachelor's degree in Russian studies at the University of Oregon. 135

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.GIRARD The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. Francoise Girard. Ms. GIRARD. Madam Chairwoman, members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to present facts and evidence to the committee about the impact of U.S. foreign assistance and funding on the lives of women and girls around the world. The International Women’s Health Coalition has, for nearly 35 years, worked to protect and promote the health and human rights of women and girls globally. We do this work, in large part, through close, long term partnerships with grantee organizations around the world. And it is our great honor to help amplify the voices of women and girls we partner with and their living experiences right here in Washington. I am going to speak about the Global Gag Rule. The Global Gag Rule is a discriminatory, dangerous, and devastating policy that denies women health care, undermines our global health investments and forces providers to make heartbreaking choices. In early 2017, IWHC launched a documentation effort to capture many of these consequences. In partnership with local organizations, IWHC has over the last two years interviewed those affected by the policy in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Nepal. IWHC’s research confirms prior findings that the Global Gag Rule decimates health care services and harms women. It forces providers to choose between taking critical funding for a wide range of health services and providing the full spectrum of legal reproductive health care to women. As clinics lose their funding, contraception, maternity care, care for cancer, care for HIV, among other critical services, become out of reach. These impacts fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable and the most marginalized. In Kenya, one organization reported having to eliminate their community outreach programs due to loss of funding under the policy, noting that many patients could now no longer afford to seek health care. An organization in Nigeria told us they were no longer able to provide free contraception, and that in a country where over half the population lives below the poverty line, the cost was now prohibitive for many. In Nepal, a long-term project focused on strengthening health systems to deliver family planning in remote areas was forced to shut down early. One of IWHC’s partner organizations, the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust, KMET, based in Western Kenya, detailed their dilemma. With USAID funding, KMET has grown its health network from 50 to 122 clinics, serving rural areas of Kenya where people often need to travel very long distances to access even the most basic healthcare. Many of these clinics are the sole health provider in their communities. The Global Gag Rule puts KMET, and organizations like it, in an untenable position: do they forego U.S. funding and scale back medical services and close clinics, or do they no longer offer rural Kenyan women the full range of reproductive health services to which they are legally entitled in their own country? Either way, women lose and are left without options. 136 Throughout our interviews, we also heard a lot of dismay. Dis- may at the U.S. government for forcing an ideologically-driven policy on recipients of foreign aid, often in contravention of their own national policies, dismay that the U.S. would make abortion, a medical service that is legal in the United States harder to access for women in other countries. In Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates remain extremely high, one interviewee told us, ‘‘It is not American women dying, it is Nigerian women that are dying.’’ Chairwoman Lowey, your legislation, the Global HER Act, would end this deadly policy. It would make sure that organizations cannot be disqualified from receiving U.S. funding because they provide legal abortion services with their own non-U.S. funding. Pass- ing this language as part of appropriations bill would mean that organizations like KMET can focus on meeting the medical needs of their population rather than on U.S. policy and the whims of Washington. Thank you very much for this opportunity to testify. [The information follows:] 137

Franroise Girard, President, International Women's Health Coalition Testimony for House Appropriations Public: Hearing Submitted March 5, 2019

Madam Chairwoman, thank you for this opportunity to present facts and evidence to the Committee about the impact of US foreign assistance funding on the lives of women and girls around the world.

The International Women's Health Coalition has, for nearly thirty-five years, worked to protect and promote the health and human rights of women and girls globally. We do this work, in large part, through close, long-term partnerships with grantee organizations around the world. It is our great honor to help amplify the voices of the women we partner with, and their lived experiences, here in Washington.

The Global Gag Rule is a discriminatory, dangerous, and devastating policy. As enacted by the Trump Administration, it prohibits foreign NGOs from receiving US global health funds if they perform, counsel, or refer patients for abortion care, or if they advocate for the liberalization of abortion laws. This rule applies to what they do with their own, non-US government funding, and It applies irrespective of national laws. The Global Gag Rule denies women healthcare, undermines our global health investments, and forces providers to make heartbreaking choices.

Shortly after the Trump Administration announced the latest version of the Gag Rule in January 2017, IWHC launched a documentation effort to capture many of these consequences. In partnership with local organizations, IWHC has, over the last two years, interviewed those affected by the policy in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Nepal.

IWHC's research confirms prior findings that the Global Gag Rule decimates health care services and harms women. It forces providers to choose between taking critical funding for a wide range of health initiatives, and providing the full spectrum of legal reproductive health care to women. As clinics lose their funding, contraception, maternity care, and care for cancer and HIV, among other critical services, become out of reach. These impacts fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable and marginalized.

In Kenya, one organization reported having to eliminate their community outreach programs due to loss of funding under the policy, noting that many patients could now no longer afford to seek health care - including antenatal care and HIV testing. An organization in Nigeria told us they were no longer able to provide free contraception and that, in a country where over half the population lives below the poverty line, the cost was now prohibitive for many people. A South African NGO described the trade-off facing providers as "very unethical," since people needing healthcare services will lose services, whether or not providers sign the Gag Rule. In Nepal, a long-term project focused on strengthening health systems to deliver family planning services in remote areas, was forced to end early - because the only two organizations capable of implementing this project could not sign the policy.

The Global Gag Rule will have long term impacts on health systems. In South Africa, where one in five women of reproductive age is HIV positive, our interviews surfaced major concerns about the policy's impact on HIV/AIDS programming. There, the Gag Rule threatens to fragment services that the US had invested in integrating. In Kenya, we heard last year that the integration of services was already breaking down. In Nigeria, the policy is making it more difficult for victims of gender-based violence to access services. 138

One of IWHC's partner organizations, the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET), based in Western Kenya, detailed their dilemma. With USAID funding, KMET has grown its health network from 50 to 122 clinics, serving rural areas of Kenya where people often need to travel long distances to access even the most basic health services. Many of these clinics are the sole healthcare provider in their communities. The Global Gag Rule puts KMET, and organizations like it, in an untenable position: do they forgo US funding and scale back medical services and close clinics, or do they no longer offer rural Kenyan women the full range of reproductive health services to which they're legally entitled? Either way, women will be left without other options, and will suffer the health consequences.

Throughout our interviews, we have also heard a lot of anger. Anger at the US government, for forcing an ideologically driven policy on recipients of foreign aid, often in contravention of their own national policies. Anger that the US would make abortion - a medical service that is legal in the United States - harder to access for women in other countries. In Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates remain extremely high, one interviewee told us: "It is not American women dying, it is Nigerian women that are dying." We heard time and again that medical providers object to the US government interfering with their ability to provide legal services to their patients.

Chairwoman Lewey, your legislation, the Global HER Act, would end this deadly policy. It would ensure that US funding decisions are based on facts and best practices, rather than ideology. It would make sure that organizations cannot be disqualified from receiving US funding because they provide legal abortion services with their own, non-US government funding. Passing this language as part of an appropriations bill would mean that organizations like KMET can focus on meeting the medical needs of their community, rather than on US politics and the whims of Washington. IWHC strongly urges this committee to act to end the Global Gag Rule's restrictions on US global health funds.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify today. IWHC's full findings are available on our website, IWHC.org, and our office is happy to provide you with additional information. 139

Fran~oise Girard bios Revised 5/21/18

Longbio: Fran~oise Girard is the president of the International Women's Health Coalition. A lawyer by training, she is a longtime advocate and expert on women's health, human rights, sexuality, and HIV and AIDS. Girard is regularly consulted by governments and UN agencies and has been instrumental to ensuring that global frameworks include and further women's rights.

Girard played a key role in advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and women's rights at UN conferences such as ICPD+5, Beijing+S, General Assembly Special Sessions on HIV/AIDS and on Children, ICPD+l0, the 2005 World Summit {Millennium Development Goals), and the process to negotiate the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

From 1999 to 2003, she was Senior Program Officer for International Policy at IWHC, and thereafter a consultant for IWHC, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and DAWN, a network of women's rights activists from the global South. Prior to returning to IWHC in 2012, she was Director of the Public Health Program at Open Society Foundations, where she was also Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and Haiti in the 1990s.

Girard serves on the Board of the Women's Funding Network, and on the Advisory Committee of the Health and Human Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. She was the Chair of the Leadership Programme Committee of the 2010 International AIDS Conference, a 20,000+ participant biannual scientific conference.

Her articles have been published widely in peer-reviewed journals such as Science, Health and Human Rights, Global Health Policy, Journal of Adolescent Health, International Family Planning Perspectives and Reproductive Health Matters. Other publications include "Negotiating Sexual Rights and Sexual Orientation at the United Nations:' in SexPolitics: Report from the Front Lines, 2007; and "Advocacy for Sexuality and Women's Rights: Continuities, Discontinuities and Strategies since ICPD" in Reproductive Health and Human Rights: The Way Forward, 2009. She has been quoted by BBC Radio, NPR, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, Washington Post, The Guardian, Boston Globe, Associated Press, CBC/Radio-Canada, The New Yorker and The Nation, among others. Recent speaking engagements include C2 Montreal 2018, and 2018 Aspen Ideas: Spotlight Health.

Girard holds an M.A. in Political Science (Soviet Politics) from McGill University and an LLB. from the Universite de Montreal. She was a law clerk to Justice Charles Gonthier of the Supreme Court of Canada. She speaks French, Spanish, and Russian.

Contact Fran~oise Girard, President of the International Women's Health Coalition 4 E 88th Street, Apt 7B New York, NY 10128 Phone: 212-801-1270 Cell: 917-930-2818 [email protected] Assistant: Siu Li GoGwilt [email protected] or (212} 801-1264 140

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.SMITH

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Madam Smith. Ms. SMITH. Oh, thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Mem- ber Rogers, members of the committee, staff, I am here having a little bit of nostalgia. I am not testifying on the budget as I once did. If I did, I would take two things, one that we in the ONE Cam- paign will join our colleagues in advocating for a robust 150 account, but also that we all need to remind members of this es- teemed body, others in the executive branch, that while it may look like a cost-saving measure to cut the foreign aid budget, it is truly an expensive proposition over the long term. Today, I would like to focus on one item in the budget which is funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. And the reason for this is they are heading into their sixth replenishment in October. We have got a lot of progress and I think we can score a huge victory for the United States and for the world, but I think there is some risk that we could leave that victory on the field. Why should we continue to support the Global Fund? Consider the fact that today alone, 5,000 people contracted HIV, nearly 1,000 of them young women. After 10 years of steady declines in malaria, we are seeing an uptick because mosquitoes are developing resistance to the insecticides that have been used. We all know the threat posed by drug-resistant TB and only 25 percent of those multi-drug resistant cases are being diagnosed and treated. We believe that the Global Fund is uniquely positioned to take on these challenges. It is the largest funder of both malaria and TB and the second largest donor behind PEPFAR. Most significant, its financing and influence with national stakeholders is leveraged to ensure that those most vulnerable in need of services are reached, and by pooling the world’s resources, they have got even greater impact. A few facts about the fund, working with its partners, the fund has delivered incredible results in its first 15 years. It has helped save 27 million lives, but importantly, it also helps low income countries pool resources, allowing them to purchase medicines in bulk at a lower cost. For example, this saved $205 million in 2017. Historically, the U.S. has pledged to provide one-third of the Global Fund replenishment. This is intended to leverage commitments from other donors and it works. And I can say that now as head of the ONE Campaign, but also as having been someone who used that number to leverage other donors when I was in the Ad- ministration. In 2016, based on this—this challenge that is embedded in the one-third pledge, Japan increased its pledge by 46 percent, Italy by 40 percent, and the United Kingdom by 38 percent. The Global Fund also encourages countries to increase their domestic investments in health so they are not fully reliant on donors. Global Fund co-financing requirements led to grant recipients committing 41 percent of their—more of their own funding to fight AIDS, TB and malaria during the current replenishment cycle as compared with the previous. Their target is now 48 percent. 141 The Global Fund obviously coordinates with PEPFAR and in countries where both are present, they do join forces to scale up. This year, we will be out there in the U.S., France, Canada, Ger- many, the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands and the EU to help the Global Fund achieve its replenishment target of 14 billion. We are intent upon using that challenge as a way to leverage greater contributions for those countries that are asking Congress to send a strong early signal by appropriating 1.56 billion for the Global Fund for Fiscal Year 2020. Now, I know this is an increase. We would like an increase across the board, Madam Chairwoman as I think all of us would adhere. But we honestly believe that this is a case where we have got enough progress to show that we can do it, but where we also know if the virus is moving faster than we are, we are losing and so we want to get that victory over the finish line. Thank you very, very much. [The information follows:] 142

Testimony for Gayle Smith

House Appropriations Committee; Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs FY20 Budget Request

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for having me here today and thank you for taking the time to hear other testimony on the lifesaving programs the United States generously supports around the world.

Over the years, U.S. development assistance has helped save millions of lives and contributed to major reductions in poverty. It has enabled people all over the world to build brighter futures by providing access to education, agricultural assistance, economic opportunity and better governance. As a former USAID Administrator, I am intimately familiar with our development programs and the outsized impact they have for a small proportion of the overall budget. I am now proud to be leading the ONE Campaign, a global movement to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, and an organization that I have seen - from the outside and now the inside - to be an effective advocate for a number of critical accounts which are outlined in an addendum to my submitted written testimony.

Today, however I would like to focus on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. In October, the Global Fund will host its sixth replenishment, presenting an opportunity for the United States to once again leverage its investments in the global health fight for even greater impact.

Why should we support the Global Fund? Because just today nearly 5,000 people contracted HIV, nearly 1,000 of them young women. After 10 years of steady declines, malaria cases are back on the rise, and we are seeing mosquitoes in Africa developing resistance to the most common insecticides used in mosquito nets. Likewise, drug-resistant TB poses a catastrophic risk to global health security as just 25% of those with multidrug-resistant TB are diagnosed and treated.

While challenges remain, we have come a long way in the fight against these three diseases. In 2002, nearly 5,000 people were dying every day from AIDS. In response to this crisis the Global Fund and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) were created, and over the past 15 years these two programs have mounted an extraordinary global campaign to defeat the virus and have helped save tens of millions of lives.

The good news is that we have the ability to get ahead of these diseases and ultimately defeat them. But we cannot be complacent. We must keep our foot on the gas and continue to invest in the treatments we know work.

The Global Fund is uniquely positioned to take on these challenges. It is the largest funder for both malaria and TB and the second largest donor for HIV/AIDS (behind only PEPFAR). Its financing and influence with national governments and stakeholders is leveraged to ensure that those most vulnerable and in need of services are reached. And by pooling the world's resources, the Global Fund has been able to achieve measurable impact on all three diseases.

Working with its partners on the ground, the Global Fund has delivered incredible results- over its first 15 years in operation the Global Fund has helped save over 27 million lives. It is one of the most effective health organizations on the planet. For example, the Global Fund helps low- 143 income countries pool resources, allowing them to purchase medicines in bulk at lower cost. By doing this, the Global Fund was able to save $205 million in 2017.

Historically, the United States has pledged to provide one-third of the Global Fund replenishment. This is intended to leverage commitments from other donors, and it works! In 2016, based on this, Japan increased its pledge by 46%, Italy increased its pledge by 40%, and the United Kingdom increased its pledge by 38%.

The Global Fund also encourages countries to increase domestic investments in health. In fact, Global Fund co-financing requirements led to grant recipients committing 41% more of their own funding to fight AIDS, TB and malaria during the current replenishment cycle (2018- 2020) as compared to the previous cycle (2015-2017). The Global Fund predicts that this trend will continue with domestic resource commitments increasing by 48 percent in this next replenishment.

The Global Fund also coordinates with PEPFAR. In countries where both are operating they align programs and jointly support scale up. This is the kind of innovative partnership we need more of, to achieve an outsized impact with every dollar.

This year we at the ONE Campaign have advocates working in the United States, France, Canada, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria, and Senegal to ensure that the Global Fund meets its replenishment target of $14 billion. We are asking Congress to send a strong early signal by appropriating $1.56 billion for the Global Fund for FY20. This represents the first of a three-year commitment needed to meet the one-third pledge, a standard Congress committed to in last year's appropriations bill.

This request is an increase over current funding, which I know is ambitious, particularly in this fiscal environment. We do not ask for this lightly and would not support an increase to this account at the expense of other development and humanitarian programs. But, if we simply coast on our current trajectory, we risk allowing the diseases coming back stronger than ever ... particularly given the demographic trends in Africa. Years of investment and global cooperation have shown what is possible. Now we need to finish the job.

My boss, Bono (you may have heard of him), likes to say "If you are an American taxpayer you are an AIDS activist". Investing in the Global Fund gives U.S. taxpayers an opportunity to continue to be some of the very best AIDS activists on the planet.

Finally, two quick points. My first is to thank you both, and members of the House and Senate from both parties, for making the global fight against AIDS a bipartisan effort. In doing so, we send a powerful message to the world - that the United States can and will lead the world in ending diseases that upend lives, communities, countries and our common security, and that we will do it together. Second, and as a proud member of the network of former USAID Administrators, I'd like to make a quick pitch for USA ID's OE budget - that money provides the fuel for the Agency to run well, and for the talented women and men who lead it, and I believe that the Agency can here, as in other areas, demonstrate value for money to you and the Committee. 144

Gayle E. Smith is the President and CEO of the ONE Campaign. She served as a top advisor on development issues for two American presidents and is one of the world's leading experts on global development. She brings an unparalleled expertise on development and democracy issues, and an extraordinary network of relationships across the African continent and around the world. In her most recent role, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Smith led a staff of more than l 0,000 people working to end extreme poverty, foster sustained and inclusive economic grov.th, and promote resilient, democratic societies all over the world. Smith had previously served as special assistant to President Obama and senior director for development and democracy at the National Security Council, and as special assistant to President Clinton and senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council. Before her work on the NSC Smith founded the sustainable security program at the Center for American Progress, and co-founded the ENOUGH project and the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network. She also worked as a journalist and with NGOs in Africa for more than 20 years. Smith is originally from Bexley, Ohio and earned a B.A. from the University of Colorado. 145

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. And I do want to say because I can’t resist, I do remember when Bono and I am sure my colleagues remember this when we are—— Ms. SMITH. It is kind of memorable. The CHAIRWOMAN [continuing]. With George W. Bush travelled around the world, and I would say through interacting with Presi- dent George W. Bush, he looked at his work with HIV AIDS as probably one of his, if not the major achievement, and that trip was forever, forever impressed on his mind. The ONE Campaign can be responsible for making George W. Bush a hero and certainly it has been an important event in his life I know. So I thank you. Ms. SMITH. Well, if I may just a quick point and I think for all members, I think it was that bipartisan support for the fight against HIV and AIDS that helped build a foundation of bipartisan support that we see today, for examples, in meetings like this. And it has been hugely impactful I think not only to all of us who care about this, but it sends a really powerful signal all over the world. So we are grateful that you are keeping up the tradition. The CHAIRWOMAN. You notice I am going from left to right because I can’t resist, Francoise, and I do wish that the issues about which you are so passionate were equally bipartisan because I think in all the traveling I have done and so many of us have throughout the world, you see the importance of women’s health. So I thank you for your testimony. And what I can I say, Dr. Pat- ton, I have been an advocate for international education and exchanges for my whole life, so I thank you. I won’t ask any questions. I will turn to my good friend, Mr. Rog- ers. Mr. ROGERS. I have no questions, Madam Chairwoman. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. I have a question on bipartisanship—I want to thank you for opening up. I wanted to ask questions about it. Okay, so the Global Gag Rule in terms of the administrations, it has quite been on and off depending on the president since Ronald Reagan, is that correct? And then my understanding is I think it has been expanded even under this particular Administration. Can you relate the differences that you have observed in terms of being on and off and then that impact, what you see as the differences and then how this expansion has changed things? Ms. GIRARD. Yes. So you are absolutely right, it has been on and off since 1984, since President Reagan, and it used to be applied to the family planning budget line which is about currently $600 million. Under this Administration, it has been expanded to all global health assistance, so now it conditions $9 billion more or less of U.S. foreign assistance every year. And what it says is that foreign non-governmental organizations that take the money, U.S. government money in global health must now agree not to speak at all about abortion, must agree that in their clinics, there will be no referrals, there won’t even be a pam- phlet in the clinic telling women that they may avail themselves of abortion. And this is even in countries where abortion is legal such as South Africa. 146 So it interferes with the practice of medicine obviously, but what it has also done is this has actually undone a lot of the investment that we have met in the United States for integration of services. You know, in the communities that I am describing in Western Kenya, there is only one clinic, let us say in a 40-mile radius. That clinic has to be a one-stop shop. It has to offer everything, HIV, maternity care, contraception, et cetera, and those clinics now have to make the choice, do they agree to be gagged and leave women basically to quacks and to services that are not safe or refuse the money and therefore lose the ability to serve as many women as they would like to. So it is harmful either way. And in this context, what we see is that a lot of young women now are presenting in Western Kenya at clinics with injuries from unsafe abortion, it is starting again because that is the immediate effect is that as soon as that happens, people walk away from legal safe abortion services and they turn to the clandestine services. So it is extremely damaging. And it undoes our investment, you know. We spend literally billions of dollars providing integrated care, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to simply pass on, but frankly, it is impossible to have a spirit of bipartisanship around this particular issue, which is significant in that it reflects the deep cultural and philosophical divide in this country. And the whims of Washington are a reflection of the collective values of this country and the people they elect. So for those of us who cannot in good conscience subsidize abortion or ask our people who we represent to subsidize abortion either here or in foreign accounts, this conflicts with them. So we look forward to ways in which we can constructively work together to help women, particularly with maternal care, to help children, to be a participant in all the extraordinary things that we do through our foreign service accounts. Ms. GIRARD. With all due respect, since 1973, the U.S. has not funded abortions abroad. Mr. FORTENBERRY. I don’t think we are in a debate—I think we are—I don’t think we are in a debate. Ms. GIRARD. No. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. I would just say to my good friend and colleagues, I think it is important—important to clarify what you are going to do, that the United States has never paid for abortion. Ms. GIRARD. That is correct, yes, yes, that is not the point of the Global Gag Rule. The CHAIRWOMAN. Our fourth panel, please come forward. She is good though. Welcome. Our fourth panel is Ms. Candace Debnam, co-chair of the Basic Education Coalition board of directors, Ms. Emily Rice, international president of Kiwanis International’s Key Club, and Ms. Caryl Stern, president for a very long time and chief executive officer of UNICEF USA. I appreciate you being with us today. Thank you. 147

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. BASIC EDUCATION; MATERNAL AND NEONATAL TETANUS; UNICEF AND CHILD SURVIVAL FUNDING WITNESSES CANDACE DEBNAM, CO-CHAIR OF THE BASIC EDUCATION COALI- TION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL TO SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL EMILY RICE, KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, KIWANIS INTER- NATIONAL CARYL STERN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNICEF USA

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.DEBNAM Ms. DEBNAM. Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Mem- ber Rogers and members of the subcommittee for inviting me here today. I am honored to testify on behalf of the Basic Education Co- alition, a group of leading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote and expand equitable access to quality education. My name is Candace Debnam, I am the co-chair of the coalition’s executive board of directors as well as the executive director of School-to-School International. We are extremely grateful for the subcommittee’s continued support for international education. In addition to providing children with literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills, basic education lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth, poverty alleviation, social stability and participatory democracy. To enhance U.S. foreign assistance efforts and improve education opportunities for children in need, we respectfully request this subcommittee provide $925 million for Basic Education in the school year 2020 with at least 800 million provided as bilateral development assistance. U.S. bilateral basic education programs focus on increasing equitable access to education, providing early learners with foundational skills and preparing youth for successful careers. Thanks to the support of this subcommittee, USAID’s programs reached over 100 million learners and more than 40 countries between 2011 and 2017 including over 22 million children living in crisis and conflict settings. From my experience in this sector, this work has the power to dramatically shift the trajectory of individual lives as well as communities and countries more broadly. We have made great progress to date toward the goal of education for all. However, the need to continue and renew our commitment to this work is paramount. Two-hundred and sixty-two million children and youth are still out of school and millions more are not learning the basic skills they need. By expanding access to quality education, you will provide these young people with the opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of the inter-generational cycle of poverty. In addition to the benefits that children themselves receive from access to quality education, strong national education sectors and programs are essential to global economic growth. As populations around the world continue to grow, U.S.-funded education programs will permit stability and expand access to global markets. Far too often, hardships such as poverty, displacement, disability 148 and discrimination inhibit children’s ability to access a quality education. More needs to be done to ensure that access to education is equitable across all levels. All children, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or place of birth deserve the opportunity to learn and make a life for themselves. With protracted conflicts lasting years and internally displaced people and refugees, displaced for over a decade on average, generations of young people are at risk of missing out on the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Through formal and non-formal education programs, we can provide children and youth with a sense of hope and normalcy when their lives have been disrupted, while simultaneously promoting their psychological well-being and cognitive development. Congressional support for international education is vital if we want to truly achieve sustainable development in countries where we work. Thanks to the leadership of Congress and the passage of the READ Act, we are positioned to take our education development work to the next level. A quality education for all is the bedrock of societal progress, and the benefits of our investments now will be reaped by generations to come. The Basic Education Coali- tion looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that education remains a pillar of our foreign assistance and that the U.S. government strategy on international basic education is a success. Together we can help alleviate poverty, strengthen societies, foster stability and spur economic growth, both abroad and here at home. Thank you again for inviting me to testify before the subcommittee and for your continued support for international basic education. [The information follows:] 149

Submitted Testimony to the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Prepared by Candace Debnam, Co-Chair, Basic Education Coalition and Executive Director, School to School International

March 5, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers, I am pleased to testify on behalf of the Basic Education Coalition, a group of!eading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote expanded, equitable access to quality education so that all children have the chance to learn. My name is Candace Debnam, and I am the Co-Chair of the Coalition's Executive Board of Directors as well as the Executive Director of School-to-School International.

We are extremely grateful for the Subcommittee's steadfast commitment to fighting extreme poverty and supporting education for children around the world. Sustained funding for international basic education has enabled USAID and implementing partner organizations to work in collaboration in some of the most challenging contexts to improve educational opportunities for local communities. U.S. bilateral basic education programs focus on increasing equitable access to education, providing early learners with foundational skills, and preparing youth for successful careers. Thanks to the support of this Subcommittee, USAID's programs reached over 109 million learners in more than 50 countries from 2011-2017, including 22.6 million children living in conflict or crisis settings.

In addition to providing children with literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills, basic education lays the foundation for sustainable economic growth, poverty alleviation, social stability, and participatory democracy. Greater educational attainment reduces the long-term need for foreign aid and bolsters emerging markets for international trade. To enhance U.S. foreign assistance efforts and improve educational opportunities for children in need, we urge Congress to provide $925 million for Basic Education in the Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill, with at least $800 million provided as bilateral development assistance.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege to work with driven, passionate innovators from around the world on improving educational outcomes for children. This work, supported by the U.S. Government, has the power to dramatically shift the trajectory of individual lives, as well as communities and countries more broadly.

The world has made remarkable progress toward the goal of education for all. Since 2000, the total number of out-of-school children and youth has dropped by over 115 million and global primary school enrollment has grown to 91 percent. However, the need to continue and renew our commitment to this important work is paramount. 262 million children and youth are out of school globally and nearly 40 percent of primary school age children are not acquiring basic literacy and numeracy skills. In conflicts and crises, these numbers are even higher. Nearly one in four children living in areas affected by conflict are missing out on their education. Far too often, hardships such as poverty, displacement, disability, and discriminfion inhibit 'children's ability to access a quality education.

In sub-Saharan Africa, 90% of girls are failing to meet minimum proficiency standards in reading. When compared to high-income countries where 88% of children are on track to meet the minimum proficiency standards for reading and math, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that access to quality education is equitable at all levels. All children, regardless of gender or place of birth, deserve the opportunity to learn and make a life for themselves. 150

A dollar invested in an additional year of schooling for these children generates up to ten dollars in benefits to low-income countries and provides young people the opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of the intergenerational cycle ofpoverty. 1 With education, these children will be more financially self-sufficient and will also be exposed to democratic norms. According to a study of 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, people of voting age with a primary education were 1.5 times more likely to support democracy than those with no education, and twice as likely to do so if they had completed secondary education.2

Over the years, there has been strong bipartisan recognition that improving global education is vital to our American values and interests. Basic education attainment slows the rate of population growth, stems the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, and promotes equality between men and women.3 In countries wracked by crisis and conflict, introduction of fair and inclusive education provides stability and imparts skills and attitudes supportive of conflict prevention and peace building. Higher levels of education are also correlated with lower maternal and child mortality rates and girls with secondary schooling are up to six times less likely to marry as children.

With strong support from this Committee, we can build on the tremendous progress that has been made to date. Gains in access to education and reading skills need to be expanded to reach the children who have been left behind, especially those affected by crisis and conflict. We also need to ensure that children receive support to develop the skills needed for the 2Ist·century workforce, including numeracy, resilience, and critical thinking. Great strides have been made to improve gender equality, but we cannot rest until all girls receive an equitable quality education. Finally, our programs must start earlier, so children enter primary school ready to learn. To achieve these ambitious and vital goals, it is imperative that Congress fully resource the U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education and equip staffat USAID with the needed tools to achieve success.

USAID has played a critical role in shining the light on the global learning crisis, and we now know that the impact of education cannot be measured in the number of students enrolled or the number of hours in a classroom. Rather, education's effectiveness is revealed when learning outcomes improve. USAID funded Early Grade Reading Assessments have helped focus the global community on what works and what does not regarding learning outcomes. Other bilateral, multilateral, and private sector donors have followed the U.S. Government's lead and are now prioritizing measuring and achieving positive learning outcomes. Furthermore, we know children learn both inside and outside of the classroom and we applaud USAID's recognition of the power of community engagement to improve learning. In places such as Pakistan, Ethiopia, Peru, and Guatemala, USAID programs are helping community members engage in children's learning opportunities.

Successful cross-sector efforts, such as the McGovern-Dole program, have proven that integrated health, nutrition, and education interventions enable children to reach their full potential. Stronger coordination across sectors as well as evidenced-based programming that promotes early childhood development will ensure that we approach development challenges and opportunities holistically and empower local communities to thrive. These programs are proven to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of subsequent interventions by ensuring that all children are developmentally on track. As work begins under the new U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education, cross-sector interventions should be prioritized to ensure that all needs are met and children arrive at school safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

1 The International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity, 2016 2 United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, 2014 3 Murray, 2015; Monda! & Shitan, 2013; Sperling & Winthrop, 201

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Another great challenge we face is reaching children living in conflict-tom and fragile states. With protracted conflicts lasting years and internally displaced people and refugees displaced for over a decade on average, generations of young people are at risk of missing out on an education and the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Increased resources for education and learning opportunities in conflict and crises will ensure that at-risk children and adolescents have access to a quality education. Through fonnal and non-formal education programs, we can provide children and youth in conflict areas with a sense of hope and nonnalcy when their lives have been disrupted while simultaneously promoting their psychosocial well-being and cognitive development.

U.S. programs must also reach poor, marginalized, and often forgotten children. Over the years, we've identified new ways to reach these groups with meaningful, effective education interventions. Through innovative, low-cost technologies, such as interactive and long-distance radio instruction, cell phones, computers, and the internet, we can now reach more children who would have otherwise been left behind. With relatively modest additional investments in innovative, low-cost measures, we will greatly expand our reach.

Ensuring that children are enrolled in school and learning will require continued interventions and a strong commitment by the United States. Support for basic education is essential to help USAID reach its goals and to ensure that countries receiving assistance move along the path to sustainability and economic prosperity. With the U.S. Government's continued leadership in this area, the global community will be in a much stronger position to help children, strengthen communities, and improve countries' development outcomes.

In addition to the benefits that children themselves receive from access to a quality education, strong national education sectors and programs are also essential for global economic growth. As populations around the world continue to grow, education programs will help ensure stability and expand access to global markets in the developing world. Today, the fastest-growing markets for America's goods are in developing countries, representing 40% of U.S. exports and one out of every five American jobs. For every I 0% increase in U.S. exports, there is a 7% boost in U.S. employment. Research shows that if all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty - a 12% drop in global poverty. Therefore, it is clear that educating the world's children is essential to building the stable trading partners that growing U.S. export markets require.

BEC member programs are helping to improve student learning and reading skills so that one day these children can enter the workforce and be productive members of society. In Yemen, children have faced high drop-out rates and low primary school enrollment. Through BEC programs, learning has improved for over 1.5 million Yemeni children and oral reading fluency has increased by 500%. In Egypt, where youth face continued instability, programs have dramatically improved literacy • up to 194% in some cases. The Early Grade Reading Assessment was so successful in Egypt that the Ministry of Education requested support from USAID to expand the program to all 27 governorates.

U.S. assistance is recognized and valued by the people with whom we work and helps to build relationships with partner countries. Programs increase local capacity and opportunity while building long-term trust and understanding with communities and individuals. U.S. assistance is notable for its ability to work hand in hand with local governments and communities to find solutions to critical problems. In Senegal, BEC members have worked to develop a middle school system for rural youth. In partnership with parents and communities, we've established village schools and implemented programst that provide opportunities to young people, particularly girls, to continue their education. In many countries, the school functions as the center of community life and a focal point for other development

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efforts, thereby continuously serving as a community-based development hub that can provide cross sectoral support to those in need.

In conclusion, Congressional support for international education is vital if we want to succeed and truly achieve sustainable development in the countries where we work. Thanks to the leadership of Congress and passage of the READ Act, we are positioned take our education development work to the next level. The U.S. Government must seize this unique moment and provide resources to meet the ambition that was laid out in the READ Act and the global need for international education support. A quality education for all is the bedrock for societal progress, and the benefits of our investments now will be reaped by generations to come. A fully resourced USAID will develop innovative solutions to global challenges and will have the capacity to directly address country needs. Now is the time to make a deeper, more sustainable impact on the lives and hopes of the world's impoverished children. The Basic Education Coalition looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that quality basic education remains a pillar of our foreign assistance and that the U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education is a success. Together, we can help alleviate poverty, strengthen societies, foster stability and security, and spur economic growth, both abroad and here at home.

Thank you for your continued support and for your consideration of our request.

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Candace Debnam

Candace Debnam currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Executive Board of Directors for the Basic Education Coalition, a group of leading US based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote global peace and prosperity through education. As Co-Chair of the Basic Education Coalition, Candace plays a central role in convening and coordinating the international education development community.

As the Executive Director of School to School International, Candace Debnam oversees the senior management team and all business development activities.

Debnam is an international development professional with experience managing business proposals for large development contracts and grants for private sector development, health, agriculture, energy, education, and community development projects overseas. She has experience in implementing business development strategies, as well as organizing new business initiatives for projects funded by USAID, MCC, and multilateral funding organizations. Prior to joining School-to-School International, Candace supported a variety of business development and education initiatives at lntraHealth, SNV, FHI 360, and AED.

Debnam holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and political science from the University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill and Master of Science in management from University College Dublin.

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OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.STERN The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Madam Stern. Ms. STERN. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Members Rogers and members of the Committee, it is a pleasure to be in front of you, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity to testify and represent the hundreds of thousands of supporters to UNICEF USA. I respectfully ask the subcommittee to provide $132.5 million as the U.S. government’s fiscal 2020 voluntary contribution to UNICEF’s core resources. I do so in response to my dismay, frustration, disappointment yesterday to the president’s proposed budget which omitted UNICEF entirely. This level of funding maintains the $132.5 million to UNICEF’s core resources as the same level provided in the Fiscal Year 2019 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act. I have submitted my written testimony and will just share a few thoughts with you at this moment. You know, we are so appreciative to the traditional support of the American people to the world’s children. UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories yesterday, today, tomorrow and UNICEF USA in particular prides itself on working closely with the U.S. government. And yet, as we sit here today, 15,000 children will die of causes we know how to prevent, but we are just not getting to them in time. Fifty million kids are on the move, twenty-nine million of them forcibly removed from their homes sleeping on rocks tonight instead of in beds, losing out on their childhood, losing out on an education, if we do nothing, we are about to lose an entire generation. I have just come back from CAR, the Central African Republic. It is a country the size of Texas. Three quarters of it is in conflict, 600,000 people have been internally displaced, one in three children is severely malnourished. I spent my last day there with child soldiers, former child soldiers who were being rehabilitated in a UNICEF program. I heard their stories. They told me of having guns put to their heads being told to kill or be killed at the ages of 9 and 10. I listened to what the program was like, and when I asked them what compelled them to seek the help of UNICEF, why they were completing what was a treacherous program, what was difficult for them, I got three of the same answers from every child I spoke to. First, they are there because they really want to be part of a better world, very sincerely. I heard that from all of them. Second, they told me the most difficult thing is forgiving themselves for the acts they were forced to commit. And third, to a tee, every one of them said we want the world to see us for what we once were and what we still are, children, children first, children with no word before or after it, just children. I am proud to see what UNICEF has done there. I am proud and appreciative of USAID’s support especially in Central Africa Re- public where I saw the logistics, the protection, the nutrition, all of the work and the support being made possible by your support. I thank you for this opportunity to testify. I will end just by saying, we don’t get to pick where we are born. We wouldn’t pick a poverty zone, a conflict zone, we wouldn’t pick malnutrition, we wouldn’t pick losing out on an education. We would just be chil- 155 dren. And as the adults in the world, we need to do better by them. Thank you. [The information follows:] 156

STATEMENT OF CARYL M. STERN PRESIDENT/CEO UNICEF USA

BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madam Chair, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of more than 500,000 American supporters of UNICEF USA, I appreciate this opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee regarding the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). I respectfully ask the Subcommittee to provide, under the Department of State's International Organizations and Program account, $132.5 million as the U.S. Government's fiscal year 2020 voluntary contribution to UNICEF's core resources. This maintains the contribution of $132.5 million to UNICEF core resources at the same level as provided in the fiscal year 2019 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Since its creation in 1946, UNICEF has helped to save more children's lives than any humanitarian organization in the world. I commend this Subcommittee's bipartisan leadership to champion programs that help children around the world. You are making a difference.

Thanks to strong support from the U.S. Congress for UNICEF and for child survival, the number of children dying before age five has dropped by 62 percent since 1990. We saw progress even in poorer countries: 24 out of 81 low- and lower-middle income countries cut under-five mortality rates by two thirds or more from 1990 to 2015.

Annual government contributions to UNICEF's core resources budget constitute the single most important funding source for UNICEF worldwide. The U.S. Government's voluntary contribution to UNICEF's core resources provides the foundation for UNICEF's work to save children's lives and improve their futures.

Resources provided by this Subcommittee are critical to UNICEF's ability to help the United States in international humanitarian crises, conflict areas, and emerging threats to the well-being of children.

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE

Let me give you a first-hand perspective on UNICEF's work. Recently I traveled to the Central African Republic (CAR). It is rated as the most dangerous place in the world for children; it has the lowest life expectancy in the world; it is the world's 4th most dangerous country for aid workers (there were 294 attacks on aid workers last year); 3/4 of the country is considered a conflict zone. Over 600,000 people have been internally displaced by the conflict. It is horrifying. 157

While in CAR, I had the opportunity to talk with six former child soldiers. They were all recruited and forced to join militias - boys given guns and girls equipped with knives.

When asked if they had to use their weapons, they said sadly, "YES." The most heart-aching moment was hearing that they do not know how to forgive themselves for the acts they committed in order to survive. But what really struck me was their fierce desire to be part of a better world.

They are determined that the world sees that they are children - no different than yours or mine - and that they too deserve a childhood - a home - a life free of discrimination and persecution. I was proud that UNICEF was there and did not give up on them, because we see children for what they are: children first.

UNICEF: PUBLIC PRIVATE FUNDING AND PARTNERSIDPS

All ofUNICEF's funding comes from voluntary contributions from governments, businesses, foundations, and individuals. In fact, almost a third ofUNICEF's total funding comes from non governmental sources. The U.S. Government's support of UNICEF leverages private sector funding from corporations, foundations, and other donor governments. This structure is unique among UN agencies.

UNICEF is committed to achieving value for every dollar. UNICEF is one of the largest buyers of supplies for children: in 2017, UNICEF procured $3.46 billion worth of supplies and services, including $392.5 million from U.S.-based suppliers. Through innovative procurement, market strategies and partnerships, UNICEF uses its market power to drive down supply prices, resulting in $1.5 billion in savings over the last five years. In 2017, UNICEF used its market power to save nearly $400 million on costs for vaccines and supplies.

UNICEF's efforts around the world implement the compassion of the American people for helping children and families. That is why UNICEF enjoys incredible backing from Americans for its mission of child survival and development, from children participating in "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" and "Kid Power," to major corporations donating money and products.

That private support is critical to UNICEF's success in saving children's lives from vaccine preventable diseases, providing access to clean water, helping children stay in school, and thwarting child traffickers trying to exploit vulnerable children. UNICEF USA is proud of its partnerships with corporations and nonprofits to save children's lives. Among many examples:

• Kiwanis International, with its more than 600,000 members, partners with UNICEF for The Eliminate Project, the current Kiwanis global campaign to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). This project will protect more than 200 million women and their newborn children from the deadly disease. Last year, Kenya was certified as the 45th country since 1999 to eliminate MNT. There are just 14 countries still facing the threat ofMNT. UNICEF also continues its work with Kiwanis to eliminate iodine deficiency. This partnership has protected 84 million newborns from brain damage caused by iodine deficiency.

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• Rotary International, in partnership with UNICEF and others, has helped nearly eliminate polio worldwide, reducing polio cases by more than 99.9% since 1988. UNICEF and its partners have immunized more than 2.5 billion children by working with more than 200 countries and 20 million volunteers.

• For over 30 years, Johnson & Johnson and UNICEF have worked together to improve the lives of children and their families globally, with a mutual commitment to paving the way to a healthier future for mothers, newborns, children and their community. In November 2018, J&J committed an additional $10 million to help strengthen health systems through the training and empowerment of frontline health workers, and the development and implementation of innovative tools to help bridge health access and health equity gaps.

• LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has partnered with UNICEF since 2013. In 2018, LDS Charities provided seed funding for Learning for Life, a multi-country program designed to meet the Early Childhood Development (ECD) and education needs of children in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Learning for Life provides children with nutrition, stimulation and protection for optimal brain development.

• Microsoft and UNICEF launched a new partnership to tackle the education crisis impacting 75 million children and young people affected by conflict and natural disasters, and to provide them with protection services. Under this partnership, UNICEF in collaboration with Microsoft and the University of Cambridge are developing a 'learning passport' - a digital platform that will facilitate learning opportunities for children and young people within and across borders, in countries hosting refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons.

• As a core partner of the Measles and Rubella Initiative with American Red Cross and CDC, UNICEF has helped cut measles deaths by 84% between 2000 and 2016. Unfortunately, UNICEF recently warned that cases of measles are surging to alarmingly high levels, with significant outbreaks in Brazil, Madagascar, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Yemen.

UNICEF's ability to partner with the U.S. Government, and with important nonprofit partners like Kiwanis, Rotary, the American Red Cross, and Gavi, depends on a strong U.S. contribution to UNICEF, as well as maintaining U.S. support for its bilateral child health programs. In this regard, UNICEF USA supports the fiscal year 2020 funding requested by our partners for Iodine Deficiency Disorders ($2.5 million), Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus ($2.0 million), Polio Eradication ($59 million), and Gavi ($290.0 million). Because of the importance of U.S. child survival and health programs, our organization also asks the U.S. Congress to provide $900 million under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) account, and $250 million for nutrition in fiscal year 2020.

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U.S. SUPPORT FOR UNICEF IS HELPING TO IMPROVE AND SA VE LIVES

The U.S. Government's longstanding and generous support of UNICEF allows it to leverage private sector funding and work with U.S. Government programs to make a real difference in saving children's lives.

UNICEF staff work on the ground in developing and transitional countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF supports prenatal care, child health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and protecting children from violence, exploitation, and HIV/AIDS:

• Education, including early childhood development, is essential for children's futures, especially for girls: education helps protect girls from exploitation, child marriage, and abuse. There are still 130 million girls between the age of 6 and 17 out of school globally, and 15 million girls of primary-school age will never enter a classroom. Girls living in conflict contexts are more than twice as likely to be out of primary school as their counterparts in countries not affected by conflict. UNICEF plays a critical role in global efforts to ensure children have access to educations, including in humanitarian crises.

• UNICEF has been a world leader in immunizations and is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries. UNICEF purchased 2.4 billion vaccines for children in more than 100 countries, reaching nearly half the world's children under age 5. UNICEF is a major partner with the United States in fighting vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio and measles. UNICEF procures vaccines for Gavi and buys all vaccines and related items for global campaigns not covered by Gavi. UNICEF's market power helped it cut in half the cost of the pentavalent vaccine that will protect tens of millions of children from potentially deadly infections caused by diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b. In addition, UNICEF works in-country to ensure that vaccines reach even the poorest children and communities.

• Malaria remains a major threat to children. UNICEF is a founding member of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to support malaria treatment and research and expand prevention measures, such as long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets. UNICEF is one of the largest buyers of mosquito nets in the world, procuring 21 million bed nets in 2017 to protect children and families in 29 countries. UNICEF also provided 18. l million lifesaving malaria treatments.

• Malnutrition contributes to nearly half of all child deaths and causes stunting that affects a child's physical and cognitive development. We know that therapeutic foods can help to bring a child back from the verge of starvation. Thanks to UNICEF support, more children have been treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) than ever before: 4 million in 2017, up from 2.7 million in 2014.

• In 2017, UNICEF reached 45 million people with improved water supplies, and delivered improved sanitation for 22 million people. UNICEF - supported WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programs were carried out in 44 countries -twice as many countries as in 2014.

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• The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a partnership led by UNICEF, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and others, has helped reduce polio cases by more than 99 percent since 1988. UNICEF and its partners have immunized more than 2.5 billion children by working with over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers. This is incredible progress and the end of polio is within reach- but we can't stop now. UNICEF and its partners continue to support massive immunization campaigns to eradicate once and for all this terrible disease. In addition, UNICEF engages with manufacturers to maximize availability and manufacturing capacity and keeps polio vaccine prices as low as possible.

• UNICEF's established presence in developing countries supported by the U.S. Government contribution makes it an important partner for the U.S. Government in responses to major crises. With support from the U.S. Government, UNICEF is on the front lines helping children in crisis, in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and elsewhere. In 2017, UNICEF assisted in 337 humanitarian situations across 102 countries, reaching millions of vulnerable children and their families.

• UNICEF's response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo included reaching more than 6 million people through community engagement and providing sanitation and hygiene services to over 380 health facilities and 400 schools as part of infection control.

CONCLUSION

Madam Chair, this Subcommittee has long been a champion for the well-being of the world's children, ensuring that children are a priority of U.S. foreign assistance funding. American advocates ofUNICEF's work for the world's children salute the bipartisan support this Subcommittee has provided for child survival and for UNICEF.

We believe that UNICEF is an indispensable partner of the United States on initiatives to save lives and protect vulnerable children around the world.

We cannot rest on our past successes. Unfortunately, 5.6 million children under five still die every year, mostly from preventable causes; half of those deaths occur in the first week after birth.

We believe that it is possible to end preventable child deaths globally in a generation, with continued investment in cost-effective, coordinated interventions for children and mothers.

A strong commitment of at least a $132.5 million fiscal year 2020 U.S. contribution to UNICEF core resources will help us reach that dream.

We thank you for your consideration and for working to put children first.

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CARYL STERN PRESIDENT & CEO UNICEF USA

Caryl M. Stem is the President and CEO of UNICEF USA. Stem is an activist, author, executive, public speaker, mother of three and grandmother of two. A dynamic change-maker, Stem has dedicated her career to helping others through education, compassion, advocacy and rolling up her sleeves. Since 2007, she has served as President and CEO of UNICEF USA, an organization that supports UNICEF's lifesaving work to put children first.

Under Stem's leadership, UNICEF USA has more than doubled its fundraising revenue, secured multi-million dollar commitments in support of the world's children and launched UNICEF Kid Power, the world's first Wearable-for-Good™ that empowers kids to get active and save lives. Stem has traveled to more than 30 countries in support ofUNICEF's work and has spearheaded the organization's emergency relief efforts for children affected by disasters, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 East Africa drought, the Ebola and Zika epidemics and the ongoing global refugee and migrant crisis.

Stem is a frequent speaker on the topics of Kids helping Kids, children and philanthropy, anti bullying and international development, Stem was invited to present at the White House's inaugural summit on The United State of Women and was named one of "25 Women Changing the World in 2017" by People Magazine, "20 Most Influential Moms of 2017" by Family Circle, "25 Moms We Love" by Working Mother Magazine and "Ten Women to Watch" by Jewish Women International.

Stem serves on the Board of Directors of The Container Store and the We Are Family Foundation, the Advisory Board to the WNBA and the Advisory Council of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Prior to joining UNICEF USA, Stem was an executive at the Anti Defamation League, the founding director of its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, and the Dean of Students at Polytechnic University. 162

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.RICE

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. Rice. Ms. RICE. Madam Chairwoman, I am Emily Rice, the 2018–19 volunteer president of Key Club International, Kiwanis Inter- national’s service organization for high school students. I am a high school senior from Minnesota and it is a privilege to be the first president of Key Club International to appear before this committee. Key Club International is a high school program of Kiwanis International, consisting of over 266,000 members in more than 5,200 clubs in the United States and 37 other nations. I am appearing on behalf of Kiwanis to provide testimony in support of the Kiwanis/UNICEF program to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. We are seeking the support of this committee to recommend in Fiscal Year 2020 $2 million for maternal and neonatal tetanus. Tetanus is a preventable disease that kills one baby every 15 minutes. This is a terrible disease in which human contact exacerbates the baby’s pain. A mother’s touch hurts, leaving the baby to writhe in agony upheld for days until he or she dies. In response to this tragic disease, Kiwanis launched the Eliminate Project. Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, a global campaign that will save or protect more than 61 million mothers and newborns. In partnership with UNICEF, Kiwanis is targeting the poorest, the most underserved women and children on earth with proven and cost-effective vaccine interventions. The Eliminate Project is also paving the way for other interventions that will boost maternal health and child survival. As part of this campaign, Kiwanis International committed to and has raised $110 million to immunize women in countries where MNT is still a major health threat. Key Club International is playing an important part in this effort. There are thousands of Key Club students my age in the United States and around the world raising funds for the Kiwanis and UNICEF effort to eliminate MNT. We are committed to this cause just like our adult members of Kiwanis. I have been participating in the MNT Eliminate Project with my home Kiwanis Club, Key Club and Builder’s Club for the past five years. Every year, we as a group review the effects, hardships and tragedies that occur due to Maternal Neonatal Tetanus and it pains me to hear the stories of mothers who have lost their children due to MNT. When woman are vaccinated for tetanus and learn about maternal health, they become empowered to take control of their well- being and that of their newborns. We believe these women matter. They deserve to give birth to healthy babies and their babies deserve to achieve their full human potential. On behalf of Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, I want to thank the committee for its support in the Fiscal Years of 2018 and 2019 appropriations for the $1 million in funding for MNT through public-private partnerships to prevent tetanus in newborn children. I hope that the committee will include $2 million 163 for the MNT for the same purpose in the Fiscal Year 2020 State Foreign Operations Report. I also want to thank you for the committee’s past and continuing support of our first global campaign for children, ending iodine deficiency disorders. We believe we have a very effective partnership with UNICEF and urge you to support UNICEF USA’s for their core resource budget of $132.5 million. We also support funding for the maternal and child health account at a level of $900 million. The maternal neonatal tetanus elimination plans are in place. Countries are ready for implementation, all that remains is one final push for funding. One push to rid the Earth of this devastating disease. Madam Chairwoman, as high school students here in the United States, we are doing our part. Won’t you help us boost our efforts by recommending $2 million within the global health maternal and child health account for the Kiwanis UNICEF efforts for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus? Thank you for your consideration. [The information follows:] 164 •Kiwanis· www.k1wan1s.org

STATEMENT BY EMILY RICE, KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madam Chairwoman, I am Emily Rice, the 2018-19 volunteer President of Key Club International, Kiwanis International's service organization for high school students. I am a high school senior from Minnesota. It is an honor to testify before the Committee today on behalf of more than 5,200 Kiwanis clubs and more than 432,000 Kiwanis-family members in the United States. We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of the Kiwanis/UNICEF program to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). We are seeking the support of this Committee to recommend in fiscal year 2020 $2,000,000 for maternal and neonatal tetanus. This funding would come from the U.S. Agency for International Development's Global Health, Maternal and Child Health account.

Tetanus is a preventable disease that kills one baby every fifteen minutes. The participation by the United States is imperative to the success of eliminating MNT. It is a privilege to be the first President of Key Club International to appear before this Committee. Key Club International is a high school program of Kiwanis International consisting of over 266,000 members in more than 5,200 clubs in the United States and 37 other nations. Key Club members throughout the United States and other countries have elected me as President of Key Club International.

There are thousands of students my age in the United States and around the world raising funds for the Kiwanis and UNICEF effort to eliminate MNT. We are committed to this cause - just like our adult members of Kiwanis. 165

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I have been participating in The Eliminate Project with my home Kiwanis Club, Key Club, and Builders' Club for the past five years. Every year, we as a group review the effects, hardships, and tragedies that occur due to Maternal Neonatal Tetanus.

It pains me to hear the stories of mothers who have lost their children due to MNT.

Thankfully, our club has raised enough money throughout the years to save thousands of lives, but our work alone as a club, and as an organization, is not quite enough. On behalf of Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis Children's Fund, I want to thank the Committee for its support in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 appropriations for the $1 million in funding for MNT through public private partnerships to prevent tetanus in newborn children.

I hope that the Committee will include $2 million for MNT for the same purpose in the fiscal year 2020 State, Foreign Operations report.

I also want to thank you for the Committee's past and continuing support of our first Global Campaign for Children, ending Iodine Deficiency Disorders.

KIWANIS COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE MATERNAL AND NEONATAL TETANUS

In July of 2011, Kiwanis launched The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, a global campaign that will save or protect more than 61 million mothers and newborns.

In partnership with UNICEF, Kiwanis is targeting the poorest, most underserved women and children on Earth with proven and cost-effective interventions.

By targeting some of the poorest, most underserved women and children in the world, The Eliminate Project is also paving the way for other interventions that will boost maternal health and child survival.

As part of this campaign, Kiwanis International committed to and has raised $110 million to immunize women in countries where MNT is still a major health threat. Key Club International is playing an important part in this effort.

More than 6,000 Kiwanis-family members and clubs in the United States alone have contributed to the fundraising campaign.

During this project, Kiwanis International is focusing where the need is greatest: the populations least served. We are now tackling the hardest leg of a difficult journey. MNT has been

2 166 eliminated in 45 countries. Fourteen countries remain at risk, with more than 52 million women who still need to be vaccinated.

Since 2000, MNT has been eliminated in 44 countries, thanks to the work of national governments, UNICEF and partners. Between 1999 and 2017, 152 million women in some of the world's most remote places were protected with the tetanus vaccine, saving thousands of newborns from death due to tetanus every year.

Kiwanis' global volunteer network and strength in reaching communities and leaders, along with the UNICEF's field staff, technical expertise and unbeatable supply chain, will help eliminate this cruel, centuries-old disease and pave the way for other interventions.

In July 2014, USAID announced that it was joining as a partner with Kiwanis to help eliminate MNT. Kiwanis has been working in partnership with USAID to strengthen their programs on MNT and to provide funding through the UNICEF global effort.

MATERNAL AND NEONATAL TETANUS

MNT results when tetanus spores, which are present in soil everywhere, enter the bloodstream. It is mainly caused by a lack of access to sanitary birthing conditions, unclean instruments used to cut the umbilical cord and unclean post-partum cord care.

In many developing countries, women give birth at home without the support ofa healthcare worker and without a clean, sterile blade to cut the umbilical cord. This, and other factors, can lead to tetanus poisoning in the new born baby, causing severe spasms and an excruciatingly painful death.

It is a terrible disease in which human contact exacerbates the baby's pain; a mother's touch hurts, leaving the baby to writhe in agony, upheld for days until he or she dies.

Mothers are not even able to comfort their babies due to the excruciating pain they would experience from a loving touch. The fatality rate for MNT can be as high as 100 percent in underserved areas. Once the disease is contracted, a newborn usually dies within seven days.

Most mothers and newborns who die of tetanus live in areas of Africa, and South and Southeast Asia, where many women are poor, have little access to health care, have limited information about safe delivery procedures and continue harmful post-partum cord care practices.

MNT is easily prevented by giving women of childbearing age a series of three vaccine doses, which costs roughly $3.00. This cost includes the vaccinations, syringes, safe storage, transportation and more.

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Women who are properly vaccinated with the tetanus vaccine will have immunity through most of their childbearing years. Babies born to mothers who have been vaccinated will be protected through the first two months of life.

When women are vaccinated for tetanus and learn about maternal health, they become empowered to take control of their well-being and that of their newborns. We believe these women matter, they deserve to give birth to healthy babies, and their babies deserve to achieve their full human potential. SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS

We believe we have a very effective partnership with UNICEF and urge you to support UNICEF in its request for a U.S. fiscal year 2020 contribution for the UNICEF core resource budget of $132.5 million. We also support funding for the Maternal and Child Health account at a level of $900 million. CONCLUSION

The maternal neonatal tetanus elimination plans are in place. Countries are ready for implementation. All that remains is one final push for funding. One push to rid the earth of this devastating dis'ease.

Madam Chairwoman, as high school students here in the United States, we are doing our part. Won't you help us boost our efforts by recommending $2 million within the Global Health, Maternal and Child Health account for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus?

Thank you for your consideration.

4 168 Ct Kiwanis· www.kiwanis.org

EMILY RICE KEY CLUB INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL

Emily Rice is the International President of Kiwanis International's Key Club.

Key Club International is a high school program of Kiwanis International consisting of over 266,000 members in more than 5,200 clubs in the United States and 37 other nations. She has been a part of the Kiwanis Family for the past five years and has held a variety of leadership positions within the organization. Emily has been on the Key Club International board for two years, focusing on the members, supporters, and communities that are involved and impacted by the organization. A senior in high school, Emily is currently in her second year of the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option program at the University of Minnesota. Next year, she will transition into Circle K, Kiwanis' collegiate program. She will complete her B.A. in Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota and plans to enlist in the United States Army as an officer in the 2021 year. 169

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. And thank you for your involvement, for your commitment, and for coming to Washington and being so very eloquent. I am sure we will respond accordingly. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. Candace, as you know, I have been a strong, strong advocate for basic education. Shockingly, the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request is only $299 million for basic education. I am not going to take it very seriously, but I think we should all understand what a 62 percent decrease from current levels can do, what is the impact on the world, not just women, children, families? Ms. DEBNAM. Yes. Yes, it is a great point. I am glad to hear that this is something you are taking with a grain of salt as you consider the funding in the coming year. It will have devastating effects globally as well as in the U.S. A cut of that—a reduction of that amount will decrease both the opportunities of children to fulfill their human potential, which I think is a vital goal that we should all carry forward. It will also have an economic impact here in the U.S. and internationally. Much of the economic power of the U.S. comes from developing—purchases from developing countries and this is an opportunity that education helps us build. So I think that we—it is both going to have devastating effects to the children that are affected day-to-day by a lack of opportunity to learn, basic skills like literacy and numeracy and socio-emotional development, but it is also going to be impacting citizens here in the U.S. as well. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. It is a particularly powerful presentation. Thank you. And we have got a new star on hand here. Emily Rice, what a good job you did. Ms. RICE. Thank you. Mr. ROGERS. And this is not the easiest place in the world to be at ease, but you have great poise. Great work. Ms. RICE. Thank you so much. Mr. ROGERS. I yield. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. Sorry. The CHAIRWOMAN. Well, should I go to Mr. Fortenberry first and come back to you? Ms. FRANKEL. Yes, that would be good. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you, Madam Chair. Is it Miss Denam? I am sorry. Ms. DEBNAM. Debnam, yes. That is all right. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Debnam. I am sorry I missed your presentation but I will take the Chair’s word that it was uplifting, so thank you. Ms. Stern, I walked in the midst of yours. I have met with child soldiers in Western Africa. And in their presence, seeing the struggle to go from being withdrawn to being able to project their heart’s desires was made very real for me, so this haughti- ness, standoffishness because of the deep wound in the soul and the scars in these children’s psyche are very powerful. And the only reason I say this is because here we are as a government doing—we were subsidizing that particular program and this was after the—in Liberia, after their war. Other countries run 170 around and build things, build big, shiny new stuff and attract the possibilities of those peoples, but the United States is digging deeper in trying to heal people from deep, deep wounds and scars like this. So I think it—a lot of times in these hearings, we are asking for more and talking about this or that problem, but sometimes we have got to go back and reflect on what we have done and that was a beautiful gift for me personally to witness again the U.S. subsidizing a group of young boys and a spiritual mentor in trying to return them to some basic humanity, so thank you very much for your impressive and heartfelt comments. I appreciate it. Ms. STERN. Thank you very much. Mr. FORTENBERRY. One more thing, Madam Chair. I have to commend Emily as well if I could turn now. I was in The Key Club and I think Mr. Rogers is right. This would have been highly in- timidating to sit here at your age. Are you from Minnesota? Did I read that correct? Ms. RICE. I am, yes. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Okay. Who is your Congress member? Do you know? Where do you live in Minnesota? Ms. RICE. Oh, District 5. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Who is the Congress member? Oh, that is okay. Well, it is good you don’t know because they should be very aware of you potentially running against them. It is all right. Thank you for your excellent presentation. We appreciate it. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. First of all, thank you for being here. Kudos to you, Emily, again for—— Ms. RICE. Thank you. Ms. FRANKEL. You are in high school. That is amazing. Very good. Ms. Debnam—is that how you say that name, am I correct? Ms. DEBNAM. You are. Ms. FRANKEL. So I want to ask you—there is research that shows that girls between the ages of 10 and 19 are three times more likely than boys to be kept out of schools, particularly in countries of conflict. Could you—from your point of view, what could be gained if we could get—keep more of these girls in school? Ms. DEBNAM. Right. And I think that is also a great question for you as well, but—— Ms. FRANKEL. Emily can answer it. Ms. DEBNAM. Go ahead. Ms. STERN. I would just say that there is a direct correlation girls in school—first of all, healthy mom is healthy child. So we start with that. Educated mom is educated child. So that is the next phase. Girls that stay in school are much less likely to be forced into early marriage. They are much more likely to interrupt that basic cycle of poverty because education really is the best tool in the arsenal for that. They are also more apt to bring their communities together. Their life span is lengthened. I mean on every single metric, you will see marked improvement of girls who are educated. Ms. FRANKEL. Yes. The CHAIRWOMAN. As you all know, this has been a passion of mine forever, so we will make sure that the number that has been 171 proposed by misinformed people in the Administration will not stand, and we will continue to make sure that girls are educated to the best of our ability. Thank you very much to this panel. We appreciate all your good work. Welcome. Another outstanding panel. This is really one of my favorite days because you are meeting such good, good, aggressive, active people who are really sending important messages. And hopefully we can respond appropriately. Our fifth panel is Mr. Jer- emy Ben-Ami, president of J Street; Mr. Chris Collins, president of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; and Dr. Joanne Carter, executive director of RESULTS. Thank you.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. US AID TO ISRAEL, US ASSISTANCE BENEFITING THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, US FUNDING FOR UNRWA AND ROBUST APPROPRIATIONS OVERALL FOR FOREIGN AID AND DIPLOMACY; THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA; BASIC EDU- CATION, INCLUDING THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION, GLOBAL HEALTH, INCLUDING THE GLOB- AL FUND, BILATERAL TB, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, GAVI AND NUTRITION WITNESSES JEREMY BEN-AMI, PRESIDENT, J STREET CHRIS COLLINS, PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA DR. JOANNE CARTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESULTS EDU- CATIONAL FUND

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.BEN-AMI Mr. BEN-AMI. Thank you very much, Chairwoman Lowey, Rank- ing Member Rogers, and other members of the subcommittee, for this opportunity to provide the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement’s views on U.S. assistance for fiscal 2020 to our ally Israel, the Pal- estinian people and to other partners around the world. We greatly appreciate how the leaders and the members of this committee have worked together for many years on a bipartisan basis to ensure robust appropriations in each of these areas. Amer- ican assistance to Israel including maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge is an important anchor for the enduring U.S.-Israel special relationship and any viable peace process, we will have to provide Israel with the confidence and assurance to move forward on a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a two-state solution based on land for peace. J Street strongly urges the subcommittee to appropriate $3.8 billion in security assistance for Israel in fiscal 2020 in accordance with the 2016 MOU you agreed to under President Barack Obama. Just as ensuring the security of Israel is a vital American interest so is restoring and maintaining robust U.S. assistance benefiting the Palestinian people through both bilateral aid and funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency also known as UNRWA. 172 J Street therefore urges you to include in fiscal 2020 appropriations not less than $360 million from the migration and refugee account to the made available to UNRWA and not less than $225 million in economic support funds for assistance to the West Bank and to Gaza. U.S. assistance benefiting the Palestinian people has served as an essential component of efforts by lawmakers and administrations of both parties to enhance security and quality of life for both Palestinians and Israelis. There is broad consensus in Israeli and U.S. security circles that the essential humanitarian, health, and education services provided by such aid in the West Bank and Gaza and in the case of UNRWA, in neighboring countries, is critical to fighting the depravations that exacerbate suffering, instability, and violence. We greatly appreciate the efforts being undertaken right now to find a workable fix to the unintended statutory hurdles preventing bilateral aid from flowing. Yet the most significant barrier to ensuring the crucial U.S. assistance reaches the Palestinian people is the Trump administration’s decision to indefinitely cut off such aid and end U.S. contributions to UNRWA. These cuts are having a devastating impact, defunding food assistance services for tens of thousands of families, clinical breast cancer treatment for thousands of women, preventive and nutritional health services for thousands of children and their caregivers, and youth engagement for over 50,000 young people intended to stem radicalization. Top Israeli security experts have repeatedly warned that these cuts will undermine Israeli security by deepening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the situation in the West Bank. Former IDF spokesperson Peter Lerner wrote, ‘‘In our region, poverty has been a breeding ground for radical recruitment, violence and terrorism. Hardballing the Palestinians into submission is likely to blow on Israel’s doorstep.’’ Yet the Administration has ignored these warnings and those conveyed by Congressman David Price in a recent letter he co-authored with Congressman Welch and Adam Smith also signed by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and more than a hundred of their colleagues urging the administration to abide by Congress’ intentions and restore this vital assistance. That is why in addition to including a robust appropriation for this aid, J Street also urges the subcommittee to request the inclusion of directive bill language requiring the Administration to actually disburse these funds within 60 days of bill enactment. Lastly, the same security, strategic, and moral considerations in forming our support for generous U.S. assistance to Israel and the Pales- tinian people hold true when it comes to U.S. aid and diplomacy around the world. J Street therefore urges the subcommittee to ensure robust overall funding for global U.S. assistance, State Department personnel and operations, financial commitments to multilateral organizations, and related programming supporting peace and diplomacy. Thank you again for this opportunity to testify. I welcome and look forward to the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. [The information follows:] 173

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS PUBLIC WITNESSES HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020

Testimony of J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami

March 12, 2019

Thank you Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers and the other Members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity to offer the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement's views on US assistance for Fiscal Year 2020 to our ally Israel, the Palestinian people and to other partners around the world. We greatly appreciate how the leaders and Members of this committee have worked together for many years, on a bipartisan basis, to ensure robust appropriations in each of these areas.

Meeting Aid Commitments to Israel

Maintaining a strong, vibrant US-Israel relationship based on shared values and goals is a core American interest. US support for Israel as a democracy and a national home for the Jewish people is an historic and crucial commitment. An enduring relationship between the United States and Israel promotes common interests in the security, economic and strategic spheres.

American assistance to Israel, including maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge, is an important anchor for any viable peace process based on providing Israel with the confidence and assurance to move forward on a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - a two-state solution - based on land for peace. J Street strongly urges the Subcommittee to aruiropriate $3.8 billion in security assistance for Israel in Fiscal Year 2020 in accordance with the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding agreed to under President Barack Obama - the biggest pledge of US military assistance made to any country in our nation's history.

US Bilateral Assistance Benefitting the Palestinian People and UNRWA Funding

Just as ensuring the security of Israel is a vital American interest, so is restoring and maintaining robust US assistance benefiting the Palestinian people through both bilateral aid and funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, also known as UNRWA. J Street therefore urges you to include in Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations not less than $360 million from the Migration and Refugee Account made available to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and not less than $225 million in Economic Suruiort Funds (ESF) be made available for assistance for to the West Bank and Gaza. 174

Subject to considerable statutory limitations and congressional and executive oversight, US assistance benefitting Palestinians has served as an essential component of efforts by previous administrations of both parties to enhance security and quality of life for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Washington Institute for Near East Policy Senior Fellow Dana Strout and former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro recently wrote that this consistent bipartisan backing of bilateral Palestinian aid mirrors Israeli authorities' long-standing support for such US assistance as insurance against "a breakdown in security, an economic collapse or a humanitarian crisis in the West Bank [that] would place an enormous burden on Israel."

US assistance benefitting the Palestinian people impacts the security not just of Israel, but of the entire immediate region. This is especially true when it comes to the region-wide operations of UNRWA, to which the United States has typically provided around a quarter of the agency's operating budget.

UNRWA provides vital humanitarian and developments services to Palestinian refugees, including but not limited to primary and vocational education, health care and emergency relief. UNRWA operates not just within the West Bank and Gaza, but in neighboring countries which rely upon its efforts to assist millions of Palestinians whom they would otherwise be unable to adequately provide for. UNRWA's protectees includes more than two million Palestinian refugees living in Israel's strategic ally Jordan, and nearly half a million Palestinian refugees impacted by the horrific conflict in Syria.

The direct relationship between US assistance to Palestinians and the security and stability of Israel and its neighbors is undeniable, but far from the only reason Congresses and administrations have consistently provided such aid. As the work of this Subcommittee has shown time and again, in addition to the strategic necessity for generous US assistance to vulnerable populations, there is a clear moral imperative to do what we prudently can as a great country to help others in need.

US assistance to Palestinians is, in addition to its purely practical benefits, a means of recognizing their dignity and standing as individuals and as a people. It is an acknowledgment that their suffering is real, and a reiteration of our commitment to help end the conflict at the root ofit.

Ms. Strout and Amb. Shapiro importantly noted that even when Congress decides to leverage US aid in order to challenge policies of the Palestinian leadership, as was the case in consideration and passage of the Taylor Force Act, lawmakers "also voted resoundingly to maintain key

2 175 elements of assistance, including humanitarian aid, people-to-people programs [and] medical services[.]"

We want to see this bipartisan commitment continue. Yet, despite this aid being vital to Palestinian well-being, Israeli security and prospects for peace, new statutory hurdles and decisions by the current US administration are now preventing this assistance from reaching the Palestinian people.

We greatly appreciate the efforts being undertaken right now by leadership of relevant committees to find a workable fix to the unintended consequences of the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, which has resulted in a complete shut-down not only of USAID-administered programs in the West Bank, but of US training and funding - which J Street strongly supports - of Palestinian security forces that cooperate with Israel's own security forces to prevent terror attacks. For all the reasons I've set forth here, we feel it is essential that any such fix allow both security and non-security aid to resume.

Yet the most significant barrier to ensuring that crucial US assistance reaches the Palestinian people is the Trump Administration's decision to indefinitely end US contributions to UNRWA and to cut off all aid benefitting the Palestinian people other than funds for the funding and training of Palestinian security forces.

Through their refusal to disburse funds specifically allocated by Congress to aid the Palestinian people, the president and his administration are undermining the will of Congress and charting a dangerous course for US foreign policy.

The administration's cuts appear expressly intended to cruelly punish Palestinian civilians and to marginalize and undercut Palestinian leadership.

Within months of taking effect, the cuts had a devastating impact on innocent women, children and families. Some of the suspended or scaled-back programs include those providing food assistance services for tens of thousands of families; clinical breast cancer treatment for thousands of women; preventive and nutritional health services for thousands of children and their caregivers; and youth engagement for over 50,000 young people intended to stem radicalization.

Choking off this assistance is nothing less than a deliberate attempt to deny a civilian population access to humanitarian aid, in order to achieve a dubious political objective. Ironically and outrageously, it has also further imperilled the security and safety of Israelis.

3 176

Israel's own security establishment has repeatedly warned that these cuts will undermine Israeli security by exacerbating Gaza's humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the difficult situation in the West Bank- increasing the prospects for violence and unrest. As former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Peter Lerner wrote in response to these cuts, "[I]n our region, poverty has been a breeding ground for radical recruitment, violence, and terrorism ... hardballing the Palestinian into submission is likely to blow up on Israel's doorstep."

The administration's actions not only ignore the counsel of Israel's top security professionals, but disregard the authority of Congress and expertise of this Subcommittee, which appropriated these funds after careful and due deliberation.

I want to thank Subcommittee Member Congressman David E. Price for authoring a September 2018 letter along with Congressmen Peter Welch and Adam Smith - also signed by Subcommittee Member Congresswoman Barbara Lee - urging the administration to abide by Congress' instructions and restore this vital assistance. As they and more than one hundred of their colleagues wrote, "Unilaterally refusing to disburse this funding disregards Congress' constitutionally given power of the purse and the will of the American people, whom Congress was elected to represent."

Your colleagues in the Senate, led by Senators Chris Van Hollen, Dianne Feinstein and Chris Coons sent a similar letter to the administration making clear that they "strongly believe it is in the national security interest of the United States, our ally Israel, the Palestinian people, and our other partners and allies in the region to expeditiously obligate the FYI 7 Economic Support Fund assistance originally planned for the West Bank and Gaza and to sustain U.S. contributions toUNRWA."

However, in the months since receiving these clear directives from lawmakers in both chambers of Congress, the administration has only doubled-down on its cruel and dangerous gambit of denying any US assistance to the Palestinian people. Mired in an exchange of heated rhetoric with Palestinian leaders -- triggered in large part by its own reckless policy decisions -- the administration seems content to allow the situation on the ground to fester, to the detriment of Palestinian well-being, Israeli security and US interests.

That is why, in addition to including robust funding for UNRWA and Economic Support Funds for the West Bank and Gaza, J Street also urges the Subcommittee to request the inclusion of directive bill language requiring the administration to actually disburse these funds within 60 days of bill enactment.

4 177

In doing so, this Subcommittee can and should lay down a clear and unmistakable marker that it rejects the administration's callous and counterproductive cuts restricting Palestinians' access to hospitals, shuttering people-to-people programs and putting the hope for a just and lasting peace further out of reach.

Foreign Assistance & Diplomacy Worldwide

The same security, strategic and moral considerations informing our support for generous US assistance to Israel and the Palestinian people hold true when it comes to US aid and diplomacy around the world. J Street therefore urges the Subcommittee to ensure robust overall funding for global US assistance, State Department personnel and operations, financial commitments to multilateral organizations and related programs supporting peace and diplomacy.

US funding for a strong Foreign Service, the United Nations, humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange programs worldwide significantly impact the ability of the United States to work in concert with our allies and the international community on matters of immense strategic importance that affect every American and Israeli.

As we have seen in previous years, diplomacy has the ability to deliver significant national security payoffs to the United States at a fraction of the cost of military action and without any of the attendant human suffering. As Admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, has stated: "It is my firm belief that diplomatic programs, as part of a coordinated strategy, will save money by reducing the likelihood of active military conflict involving U.S. forces. The more significant the cuts, the longer military operations will take and the more and more lives are at risk."

An overwhelming consensus of pro-Israel organizations - including J Street - have long argued for robust US assistance worldwide, and importantly urged that Israel not be treated as a special case, exempted from cuts to foreign aid while programs affecting the rest of the world are put under increasing strain. We urge the Subcommittee to continue expanding generous US assistance to other partners and peoples in need, just as it has continued to increase aid to Israel.

Thank you again for the opportunity to provide our views on Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations. I welcome and look forward to answering any questions or requests for information that you may have.

5 178

Biography of J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami

Jeremy Ben-Arni is the President of J Street, bringing to the role both deep experience in American politics and government and a passionate commitment to the state of Israel. Ben Arni's family connection to Israel goes back 130 years to the first aliyah when his great grandparents were among the first settlers in Petah Tikva. His grandparents were one of the founding families of Tel Aviv, and his father was an activist and leader in the Irgun, working for Israel's independence and on the rescue of European Jews before and during World War II.

His political resume includes serving in the rnid-1990s as the Deputy Domestic Policy Advisor in the White House to President Bill Clinton and working on seven Presidential and numerous state and local campaigns. He was Howard Dean's National Policy Director in 2004 and helped manage a Mayoral campaign in New York City in 2001. For nearly three years in the late 90s, Jeremy lived in Israel, where he started a consulting firm working with Israeli non-profit organizations and politicians. He was chosen by America's weekly Jewish newspaper, the Forward, for three years as part of the Forward 50, their compilation of the most influential Jewish Americans. He was one of 50 "People of the Decade" selected by Ha'aretz, the influential Israeli daily newspaper, and the Jerusalem Post included him in its list of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the world. Ben-Arni received a law degree from New York University and is a graduate of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Relations at Princeton University. 179

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.COLLINS The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Collins. Mr. COLLINS. Good morning, Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Rogers, and all the distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Chris Col- lins. I am president of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and the full subcommittee, for your ongoing support over many years of America’s leadership in the fight to end the world’s deadliest epidemics. Today, I am here specifically to thank you for your support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and to request continued U.S. leadership in supporting the Global Fund. You may hear some similar comments as you heard from Gayle Smith, but at least our facts are consistent, so that is the good news. This year Congress has a unique opportunity to advance and accelerate the end of these three terrible epidemics. The Global Fund is the world’s largest global health financer. Since its creation in 2002, Global Fund-supported programs and its partners have saved the lives of over 27 million people. This accomplishment includes helping to cut AIDS-related deaths in half since its peak in 2005 and contributing to a 37 percent decline in TB deaths and a 60 percent decline in malaria deaths since 2000. The Global Fund really is the great leverager in U.S. global health investment. By law, we can only provide 33 percent of total Global Fund resources leveraging commitments from other donors. And in addition, our investments catalyze increased domestic health investments in affected countries who commit—whose commitments have increased 41 percent over the last three-year cycle. Also, by strengthening local health infrastructure, the global health helps—the Global Fund helps to prevent emerging epidemics from growing out of control and spreading. But the Global Fund and its partners still face significant challenges in ending these three epidemics. Seven thousand adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV every week. Over 40 percent of Africa’s population is under 15, so scale up of HIV prevention and treatment for young people is imperative. This year, the Global Fund is holding its sixth replenishment to put the world back on track to end the epidemics of AIDS, TB, and malaria, the Global Fund Secretariat projects that a minimum of $14 billion is needed for the three-year replenishment cycle. At the same time, the Global Fund is asking recipient countries to also increase their own investments by 48 percent over that period. To continue our leadership and encourage other donors to increase their investment, Friends ask for a U.S. appropriation to the Global Fund of $1.56 billion in Fiscal Year 2020. We are also requesting language like that included in the Senate Fiscal Year 2019 State Foreign Operations report noting the expectation that the subcommittee will maintain this funding level through the three-year replenishment cycle. Together, the requested funding level and the report language will send an unequivocal message to other donors that the U.S. will 180 maintain its leadership on the Global Fund, encouraging other donors to once again step forward with increased pledges. A $14 billion replenishment along with those increased domestic investments will lead to a reduction in the number of deaths from these diseases by half, saving over 16 million lives. Friends also encourages the subcommittee to increase funding in U.S. bilateral global health programs which all work synergistically with the Global Fund and that includes, of course, PEPFAR, the President’s Malaria Initiative, and the USAID Tuberculosis Pro- gram. As you know, yesterday, the Administration proposed devastating cuts to the Global Fund and our bilateral global health programs. The proposal included cutting our three-year contribution of the Global Fund by a billion dollars and reducing the U.S. share of Global Fund support. So this proposed budget is more than just a funding cut. If enacted, it would signal a full-scale retreat in U.S. global health leadership. Part of our job now is to educate other Global Fund donors that the Administration’s budget will not, in the end, represent the U.S. commitment to the Global Fund in the coming replenishment. I am very happy that that decision rests with you. Thank you, again, very much for this opportunity. [The information follows:] 181

Statement of Chris Collins, President Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Madam Chairwoman, Ranking Member Rogers, and distinguished members ofthe subcommittee -

My name is Chris Collins, and I am the president of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, and the full subcommittee, for your support over many years of America's leadership in the fight to end the world's deadliest epidemics. Today I am here specifically to thank you for your support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to request continued U.S. leadership in supporting the Global Fund.

This year, Congress has a unique opportunity to advance and accelerate the end of these three epidemics. The Global Fund is the world's largest global health financier, investing nearly $4 billion a year. Since its creation in 2002, Global Fund-supported programs and partners have saved over 27 million lives. This accomplishment includes helping to cut AIDS-related deaths in half since the epidemic's peak in 2005 and contributing to a 37% decline in TB deaths and a 60% decline in malaria death rates since 2000.

U.S. contributions to the Global Fund also leverage other donors to play an expanded role in global health financing. By law, the U.S. can only provide up to 33% ofthe Global Fund's total contributions, requiring other donors to match our investment two-to-one or leave U.S. funding on the table. During the last pledging cycle, this requirement led other donors to significantly increase their contributions. For example, Japan increased its pledge by 46%, Italy by 40%, the United Kingdom by 38% and Germany by 33%.

In addition, our contribution catalyzes increased domestic investments in affected countries. Global Fund co-financing requirements have led to recipient countries increasing their current co-financing commitments 41% compared to the previous funding cycle, and expanding their investment in the health of their own people in the process. South Africa, home to the largest number of people living with HIV now pays for a majority of its HIV treatment costs.

U.S. investments in the Global Fund provide significant health security and economic benefits to the U.S. as well. By strengthening local health infrastructure in affected countries, the Global Fund helps prevent emerging epidemics from growing out of control and spreading to other countries. U.S. global health investments also foster stronger diplomatic and trade relationships around the world.

Despite its remarkable achievements in reducing mortality and infection rates, the Global Fund and its partners still face significant challenges in ending the epidemics.

• Malaria cases are on the rise for the first time in 10 years and we risk disease resurgence in places where funding is prematurely cut. • 2.6 million people per year are projected to die from antibiotic-resistant TB by 2050, costing the global economy an estimated $16.7 trillion. 182

• Around the world, 7,000 young women and girls are infected with HIV every week, and in some African countries young women are eight times more likely to be HIV positive than young men. • Because over 40 percent of Africa's population is under the age of 15, it is imperative to scale up HIV prevention and treatment interventions to reach youth people.

This year the Global Fund is holding its 6th Replenishment in October. To put the world back on track to end the epidemics of AIDS, TB and malaria, the Global Fund secretariat projects that a minimum of $14 billion is needed for the three-year replenishment cycle. The Global Fund is also asking recipient countries to increase their own health investments by 48% over this period.

To continue our leadership and encourage other donors to increase their investment, Friends asks for a U.S. appropriation to the Global Fund of $1.56 billion in fiscal year 2020. We are also requesting language, like that included in the Senate FY19 State, Foreign Operations report, noting the expectation that the subcommittee will maintain this funding level through the three-year replenishment cycle.

Together, the requested funding level and report language will send an unequivocal message to other donors that the U.S. will maintain its leadership on the Global Fund, encouraging other donors to again step forward with increased pledges.

A Global Fund replenishment that achieves the $14 billion goal will lead to a reduction in the number of deaths from these diseases by half. The increased investment in the Global Fund, coupled with increases by implementing governments, will contribute towards saving an additional 16 million lives, preventing 234 million infections, and spur $19 in economic returns and health gains for every $1 invested.

However, if the Global Fund fails to achieve its replenishment goal, the world is at serious risk of sliding backward on our efforts, with the very real potential for resurgence of disease and unnecessary mortality.

Finally, Friends encourages the subcommittee to increase funding in U.S. bilateral global health programs that work synergistically with the Global Fund, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the President's Malaria Initiative, and the USAID tuberculosis program.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify and your consideration of all the worthy appropriations requests you will hear today. 183

Chris Collins

President, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Chris leads Friends' efforts to educate and engage U.S. decision makers on the lifesaving work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and its effort to end these three epidemics. Previously, as Chief of the Community Mobilization Division at UNAIDS, Chris helped make the case for investment in civil society as an essential part of the AIDS response. As Vice President and Director of Public Policy at amfAR Chris defended global AIDS funding and worked to advance domestic HIV policy and global key populations programming. Chris also helped drive the creation of the first comprehensive U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy; helped develop and managed the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) Missing the Target series of reports on global HIV treatment scale up; and co-founded and served as Executive Director at AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention. As appropriations staff to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the 1990s, Chris designed the first legislation to provide incentives for development and delivery of vaccines against HIV, TB and malaria. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.

As President at Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Chris leads the organization's efforts to educate and engage U.S. decision makers on the lifesaving work of the Global Fund and its effort to end these three epidemics. Under Chris' leadership, Friends has responded to a changing political climate by completely revising its communications and advocacy approaches, and building partnerships with faith, youth and private sector communities. Chris has pursued advocacy on behalf of the Global Fund in a holistic manner that also calls for strong U.S. support for bilateral global health programs and the entire global health portfolio.

Preyiously, as Chief of the Community Mobilization Division at UNAIDS in Geneva, Chris helped make the case for investment in civil society as an essential part of the AIDS response. As Vice President and Director of Public Policy at amfAR Chris defended global AIDS funding and worked to advance domestic HIV policy and global key populations programming. While at amfAR, Chris was elected to the newly re-established Global Health Council board.

As a consultant in health communications and policy, Chris helped drive the creation of the first comprehensive U.S. National HIV /AIDS Strategy, authoring the monograph that sparked advocacy for the Strategy; and helped develop and managed the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) Missing the Target series of reports on global HIV treatment scale up. He also consulted for organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, International Partnership for Microbicides, and the Black AIDS Institute.

~hris co-founded and served as Executive Director at AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention. As appropriations staff to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the 1990s, Chris designed the first legislation to provide incentives for development and delivery of vaccines against HIV, TB and malaria. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University and a B.A. in English (with Highest Honors) from University of California at Berkeley. 184

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.CARTER The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Carter. Ms. CARTER. Thank you. Madam Chair, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the subcommittee, RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed advocates working to end poverty and on behalf of our grassroots in all 50 states, I just want to thank you for your incredibly important work to protect and increase effective and life-saving investments. So I am grateful for the chance to share some key opportunities where we believe the committee’s continued support could have an enormous impact. You know, as we just discussed, nowhere has your leadership been stronger than for basic education. So I would say first, the Global Partnership for Education’s new three-year strategy if fully funded will put 25 million more children in school in the world’s poorest countries and the U.S. contribution of $125 million will be key to making this a reality. We also support the committee to provide full funding for USAID’s basic education programs. I would also ask you to continue to monitor the implementation of USAID’s new education policy because we are concerned that the policy leaves the door rather wide open for supporting for-profit, fee-charging private schools. And for us, this is not a question of private versus public, but it is rather about protecting the enormous progress we have made in abolishing school fees as a huge barrier to education access in poor countries, especially for girls and the poorest kids. Regarding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, you heard from Gayle Smith and from Chris Collins about the critical opportunity about the replenishment, I just want to really make two points or kind of emphasize two points. First, the data shows us there is literally no option for a maintenance scenario against these infectious diseases. We either invest to accelerate or we are going to lose ground. You know, as you have heard, drug resistance literally threatens to sweep away the gains that we have made and the fact that every single day, a thousand adolescent girls and young women are getting infected with HIV is just one example and a horrifying indict- ment of our failure to reach those who are most vulnerable. But a successful replenishment of $14 billion can fundamentally shift that trajectory. We would cut deaths by over 50 percent and we would cut new infections by over 40 percent, which is rather remarkable. And the other thing I would say is I was just at the pre- paratory meeting for the replenishment in India and other donors are watching very carefully for signals from the U.S. So support from this committee of $1.56 billion will be a hugely important signal to other donors and can leverage billions more in resources for a successful replenishment in October. I would also just say that USAID plays critical role alongside the Global Fund in fighting tuberculosis which has now surpassed HIV as the single biggest infectious killer in the world. Last September, world leaders endorsed a bold target to find and treat over four million people that are being missed every year that get sick with TB being missed by their health systems. And USAID Adminis- trator Mark Green announced an exciting new Global TB accel- 185 erator to better track and drive the impact of our bilateral TB funding and to invest directly in local organizations. I would say a big thank you to this committee for providing $41 million in an increase in TB funding for Fiscal Year 2019, and I would say with USAID’s strong focus, the new tools that we have and these ambitious but achievable targets, I would urge the committee to provide $400 million for TB for Fiscal Year 2020 to really get ahead of this disease. And then finally I just ask the committee and support you to continue the life-saving support for U.S. investments to end preventable maternal and child deaths by providing $900 million for maternal and child health programs including $290 million for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and $250 million for USAID’s nutrition programs that you heard earlier from Michele Sumilas about. And I would also urge the committee to engage with USAID on how the child and maternal survival coordinator position can be strengthened rather than eliminated, and finally just thank you all for your leadership on these issues and we are really committed to working with you to advance and protect these programs. Thank you. [The information follows:] 186

Statement of Joanne Carter Executive Director, RESULTS

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

March 5, 2019

The House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee has played a critical role in ensuring U.S. investment in some of the most high-impact, effective mechanisms and programs that save lives, improve futures, and help countries to build their capacity to deliver quality health and education to all children and families. I urge you to continue to support and give particular priority to key global health and education efforts, including: the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; bilateral tuberculosis programs; maternal and child health, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and nutrition programs; and assistance for Basic Education, particularly the Global Partnership for Education.

Basic Education - Global Partnership for Education (GPE): Thanks to leadership of this subcommittee, the U.S. has become a global leader for quality basic education around the world. Yet despite progress, there are 61 million primary school aged children not in school, and 250 million primary school aged children are failing to acquire even basic reading, writing and numeracy skills.

We face a critical moment when we must decide how to most effectively program our education aid dollars to achieve the most sustainable and high impact results for the poorest and most vulnerable children around the world.

The Global Partnership for Education is the only multilateral partnership exclusively dedicated to ensuring all children have access to a quality education. Since 2002, GPE has worked with partners to emoll 77 million more children in primary school in the poorest countries. At GPE's February 2018 financing conference, donors and low-income countries alike came together to fund a three-year strategy that will put 25 million more children in school for the first time. The plan supports over 80 low-income countries to convene education stakeholders to develop, implement, and fund quality national education plans.

Strengthening U.S. support for GPE is critical to reaching the goal. Important in the push for equity in education is GPE's emphasis on inclusive education for children with disabilities, increasing support for girls' secondary schooling, and increasing access for early childhood development programs, particularly in the hardest to reach places and areas in conflict. GPE places its low-income country partners at the :forefront of the strategy and aligns donors and other partners behind them. With this approach GPE helps build strong, sustainable education systems that will provide children an education for generations to come.

U.S. investments in basic education through both USAID and GPE are giving countries the boost they need provide their most vulnerable children a quality education, helping them

Page 1 ofS 187 become thriving, productive citizens. Measurable results and innovative financing remain central to USAID's strategies, and GPE has taken significant strides in these areas.

U.S. investments in basic education through both USAID and GPE are giving countries the boost they need provide their most vulnerable children a quality education, helping them become thriving, productive citizens. Measurable results and innovative financing remain central to USAID's strategies, and GPE has taken significant strides in these areas.

As a model of aid effectiveness, transparency, and accountability, GPE is using its newly developed Results Framework - a comprehensive series of baselines, milestones, and targets for 37 indicators-to monitor and report progress against the goals and objectives of their new strategy.

As a leader on innovative finance, GPE has recently established the "GPE Multiplier," a new funding opportunity for developing country partners that further co-finance their education sector plans with additional external resources, such as those from development banks or other donors. This new fund provides $1 of GPE grant funds for every $3 a country secures in additional external financing for education.

A U.S. contribution of $125 million to the Global Partnership for Education in FY2020 along with continued strong support of bilateral education funding would have a powerful impact on the lives of children worldwide, help leverage both domestic and donor resources, and demonstrate our government's continued leadership to improving education/or a/L

Global Health - Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Since the creation of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the world has made huge strides in scaling up treatment and effective preventions of HIV/AIDS, in reducing malaria in the hardest hit countries, and in expanding of treatment of tuberculosis (TB). In 2017 alone the Global Fund provided antiretroviral therapy for 17.5 million people, tested and treated 5 million people for TB, and distributed 197 million insecticide-treated nets to protect families against malaria

The Global Fund has helped drive extraordinary progress in global health, but ending these epidemics will require renewed focus, financing, and leadership. Tuberculosis is now the leading infectious killer, and health systems still miss 40 percent of cases. Progress on malaria has stalled, and resistance to insecticides to stop mosquitoes and drugs to treat the disease put gains at risk. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have been cut in have since their peak in 2004, but poverty, stigma, and gender disparity sti!J fuel the disease, with nearly 1,000 adolescent girls and young women becoming infected with HIV every day.

The structure of the Global Fund- an innovative partnership of donor and implementing countries, private sector, civil society, and affected communities - helps ensure that U.S. investments are well-spent. By pooling funding and leveraging its purchasing power, the Global Fund has saved hundreds of millions of dollars on medicine and other health supplies. Contributions from donor countries are matched by implementing countries, which have increased their own funding commitments by 41 percent in the current grant cycle. And for every

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$1 the U.S. provides to the Global Fund, we have leveraged $2 from other donors to fight these diseases of poverty.

The Global Fund now has an ambitious plan to cut the death toll from AIDS, TB and malaria in half by 2023, saving 16 million lives and preventing 234 million cases or infections of these diseases. To reach this goal, the Global Fund has asked donor countries to pledge $14 billion over the next three years. Continued U.S. leadership and maintaining the U.S. full one third total commitment will be critical the Global Fund's success.

An allocation of $1.56 billion/or the Global Fund/or FY2020 would support the U.S. commitment to creating an AlDS-free generation and underpin progress against all three diseases. It would also serve as a strong signal to leverage investments from other donors so that these programs can be sustained and expanded.

Global Health -Tuberculosis: This committee's leadership and support for increased global tuberculosis funding over the past two fiscal years must be commended. The efforts to get ahead of this dire disease are critically important for saving lives. Since 2015, tuberculosis (TB) has been the leading global infectious disease killer, surpassing even HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. While often thought of as a disease of the past, the World Health Organization now reports that TB sickens 10.2 million people and kills 1.6 million people each year.

This airborne disease disproportionately affects people in poor and vulnerable communities. With U.S. leadership, progress has been made to fight TB where it most often occurs. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) states that in the 23 countries with bilateral US funding the rate ofnew cases has fallen by 25 percent since 2000, and by 6 percent from 2016 to 2017, which is six times greater than in countries not receiving this assistance. Our work is not yet done. Most patients are treated for TB without being checked for drug-resistance, with many countries still relying on antiquated diagnostic approaches, and most people with drug-resistant TB going untreated.

Additionally, every year 4.1 million people are "missed" by health systems after failing to be diagnosed, treated, or reported, due to poor patient management. Few countries are using quality improvement strategies to improve procedures and keep patients on track during the diagnostic and treatment process.

USAID supports patient-centered approaches to make it easier for patients to get proper treatment and improve the quality of care. Further resources and global commitment are needed to expand efforts to find the "missing millionsf'

The fight against TB is gathering momentum. Last year, heads of state gathered at a high level UN meeting and made make specific, public commitments to end TB. Countries are stepping up their own domestic resources. In India, where the world's biggest TB epidemic persists, the Prime Minister has increased TB funding and urged action. Investments in TB research are paying off, with promising, new drug regimens, diagnostics and vaccines being developed. Congressional action to ensure the necessary funding levels will reinforce and strengthen global progress.

Page 3 ofS 189

An a/location of $400 million for bilateral TB programs in FY2020 would allow for a more aggressive response to the emergency of drug resistant TB, scale up innovative approaches that reach more people, in more regions ofthe world, and invest more in research and delivery for even better TB diagnostics, vaccines, and medications.

Global Health - Maternal and Child Health: Since the U.S. instituted the Maternal and Child Health Account, the world has made enormous strides in saving children's lives. In 1990, over 12 million children under the age of five died each year of mainly preventable and treatable causes in the world's poorest places. But, through investment and political commitment to expand coverage of key health interventions, as well as investments in development that have built the foundations for health, the number of children who die each year before age five has been cut by more than half, even as population has increased.

Training skilled birth attendants, providing treatment for leading killers of kids such as pneumonia and diarrhea, and increasing capacity for :frontline health workers are also key elements for improving health delivery systems overall in poor countries.

To reach the goal of ending preventable child deaths by 2035, USAID laboriously took on reforms in 2014 to further focus and increase the impact of its child and maternal health investments. These reform efforts, as recommended by the Blue Ribbon Panel, supported increased coordination across MCH and nutrition efforts to sharpen USAID' s strategy, while also increasing transparency. These efforts must continue.

I applaud the fiscal year 2019 report language from this Committee that requires USAID to report on its goals to end preventable child and maternal deaths and requires a comprehensive strategy using the highest-impact evidence-based interventions. In addition, I urge the Committee to ensure this strategy is backed by empowered leadership at USAID. In 2014 USAID created a Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator position, fulfilling a recommendation of the independent ACES Blue Ribbon Panel and modeling the position on the President's Malaria Initiative Coordinator. This important reform was endorsed by 212 members of the House of Representatives in the last Congress who cosponsored the Reach Every Mother and Child Act. According to recent press reports, USAID has notified Congress that it intends to eliminate this position as part of a broader reorganization package. I urge this committee to support the continuation of the Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator and engage with USAID in how this important role can be strengthened.

Along with supporting the continuation ofa Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator, and to help achieve the goal ofending preventable child and maternal deaths, we would urge increased support for the Maternal and Child Health account to $900 million for FY2020.

Global Health - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Gavi is a highly effective global partnership between donor and developing countries to roll out new and underutilized vaccines to the poorest countries. Since 2000, Gavi has supported poor countries to immunize over half a billion children, which will save over 6 million lives, and help build health delivery systems.

Page 4 of5 190

U.S. funding for Gavi since its 2015 replenishment has enabled the 73 Gavi-eligible countries to scale up access to life-saving vaccines, and it supports Gavi's strategy of immunizing an additional 300 million children by 2020, saving an additional 5 million lives. To maintain the progress here, the U.S. should appropriate $290 million to the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in FY2020.

Global Health - Nutrition: With U.S. leadership, great strides have been made in reducing child mortality. However progress in addressing undernutrition has seriously lagged and today 45 percent of preventable child deaths are attributed to undemutrition. Ensuring quality nutrition during the "l,000 Day" period from pregnancy to a child's second birthday is critical to saving lives and preventing stunting, which impacts a child's physical and cognitive development and has a life-long impact on education, economic and health outcomes.

Ten high-impact nutrition interventions that target this critical thousand-day window were outlined in a 2013 Lancet report. Scaling up nutrition, including the promotion of breast feeding, access to micronutrients for pregnant women and young children, prevention and treatment of severe acute malnutrition, and access to nutrient rich foods improves birth weights, increases brain development and also has long-term health and economic benefits.

An allocation of $250 mil/ion/or Nutrition within Global Health would be a key component of our goal ofreducing stunting, reinforce our other investments in child survival programs, and set the foundation for improved health and gains in economic development.

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Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund

Joanne has served as Executive Director of RESULTS Educational Fund (REF) since 2008, working with key Administration and Congressional allies, partner organizations, and technical agencies orchestrating U.S. and international campaigns to tackle major diseases of poverty, increase access to education, expand economic opportunity for the poorest, and reform World Bank and International Monetary Fund policies.

Under her leadership, RESULTS/REF has grown as a movement of passionate, committed everyday people with chapters and grassroots volunteers in every state in the US. In that time, RESULTS was instrumental in passing the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development Act in 2017, the creation and expansion of the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, expansion of global TB funding, legislation to ensure that at least half of microenterprise development resources are devoted to those living on less than $1 a day, an initiative to support countries to eliminate school fees for public primary school, and provisions that require U.S. representatives to the World Bank and IMF to oppose user fees for primary health and education.

As a founding Project Lead for ACTION, Joanne has helped build a global health advocacy partnership across ten countries on five continents and guide its efforts to help mobilize billions of dollars of financial resources and improved policies to end diseases of poverty and ensure equitable access to health.

Among other boards of director roles, Joanne is Vice Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board, a partnership of more than 1000 organizations around the world. Joanne also serves on the boards of Nutrition International and the Global Campaign for Education U.S., as well as on the Interim Executive Committee for the Platform for Economic Inclusion at the World Bank. She has also served as Board Member to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria representing Developed Country NGOs, as well as an original civil society representative on the Investors Group of the Global Financing Facility in support of Every Woman, Every Child. Joanne holds a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree from Cornell University and was a practicing veterinarian prior to joining RESULTS as Legislative Director in 1992. 192

The CHAIRWOMAN. I must say that this is one of the best days of this committee, because I get an opportunity to interact with people who are spending their whole careers just trying to do good things and make this a better world. And so I thank you all and I just want to say, Jeremy, I remember being on the White House lawn when Yasser Arafat was shak- ing hands with Yitzhak Rabin, and we have been working on this for a very long time and I certainly don’t think that withdrawing the money from the West Bank and Gaza, making sure it is going to the right causes, making sure it is going to help the people I think is essential, but I know of your important advocacy and I do hope we can continue to work together. It has been a long time, I have been in this Congress working for two states for two people, and we have no choice but to continue our advocacy and hopefully we will see that day. So I just want to thank you and thank all who are here today. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your service. I yield. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you all for being here. So I want to—is it Ben-Ami, is that how you say that? Thank you. I want to ask you a question after I read you something. This has to do with the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act. I am sure you are familiar with that. So it forces the Palestinian Authority to choose between accepting U.S. funding or being liable to lawsuits to terrorist attacks in the U.S. courts. It is my understanding that now the Palestinian Authority said they wouldn’t even accept—— Mr. BEN-AMI. Any funding, right. Ms. FRANKEL. Any funding. So I guess I really—so I am only allowed to ask one question, but do you think the law should be changed to allow for humanitarian aid or how do we get around that to provide the humanitarian aid and to allow for money to go for security? Mr. BEN-AMI. Thank you for that question and thank you as well for the chair’s remarks and her commitment to these issues. It is a bipartisan priority, to find a fix to ATCA, which is the statute that was passed in October and has resulted unintentionally I believe in these complications. The aid that is being prevented is both American assistance to security, training of the Palestinian Security Forces as well as humanitarian and other economic support programs. The solution is being sought on a bipartisan basis in both houses of Congress because I think there is a recognition it is an American national interest and an Israeli security interest as well as a humanitarian interest to find a resolution to this. So there is a lot of work going on in other committees to try to figure out a way out of this, and I hope that there is a solution that can be found soon. The CHAIRWOMAN. Before I turn to Mr. Fortenberry, I think it was a memorable day, but it was Mr. Arafat and Mr. Rabin, and I think I did not say that. I am just thinking right now what I said, so I wanted to clarify because that was such an extraordinary opportunity for me being in the audience, and so much of my career, as yours has, is trying to bring about a peaceful resolution, two 193 states for two people. I wouldn’t want to change history with the wrong answer. Mr. BEN-AMI. And I was there as well with you. The CHAIRWOMAN. I remember that very well. So thank you. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just briefly, Dr. Carter, do you know Dr. Frances Moore from Bellevue, Nebraska? Ms. CARTER. I don’t. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Well, of course she is your biggest—— Ms. CARTER. Oh, yes, of course, Fran Moore, yes. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Yes, Fran, is she here? I wouldn’t be sur- prised if she was here because she is your biggest advocate. And all of us have constituents who are highly engaged with us and you should give Frances the gold star reward from RESULTS. Ms. CARTER. Well, if they are watching I will let them know. And I would say she is also a huge admirer of yours and really grateful for your long-time support on many, particularly—health issues. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Thank you. Ms. CARTER. Thanks for your leadership. The CHAIRWOMAN. I want to thank you again, this distinguished panel. As I have said all day, this is one of my favorite times because there are so many good people out there doing good work. And it is always disappointing that we can’t solve all the problems today. But thank you so much for your appearance. Ms. CARTER. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you again to another very distinguished panel. Mr. Thomas Susman, nice to see you. Anthony Banbury, a pleasure. And Kate Wall, welcome. Mr. SUSMAN. This is a fine day, isn’t this? The CHAIRWOMAN.Itis.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FUNDING FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND GOVERNANCE AND A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SEVERAL KEY RULE OF LAW PROGRAMS SUCCESS- FULLY IMPLEMENTED THROUGH DGR FUNDING; ELECTOR ASSISTANCE, CRITICAL TO AMERICAN IN- TERESTS, ESSENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE OF DEMOC- RACY; USAID BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMS AND SUS- TAINABLE LANDSCAPES PROGRAMS, THE GLOBAL EN- VIRONMENT FACILITY WITNESSES THOMAS SUSMAN, STRATEGIC ADVISOR AND INTERNATIONAL POLICY COORDINATOR, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ANTHONY BANBURY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, INTERNATIONAL FOUNDA- TION FOR ELECTORAL SYSTEMS KATE WALL, SENIOR LEGISLATIVE MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE 194

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.SUSMAN Mr. SUSMAN. A great way to get the message through. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, my name is Tom Susman. And I am the strategic advisor and international policy coordinator for the American Bar Association, appearing today on behalf of our president Bob Carlson and our more than 400,000 members in the United States and abroad. And I am here to emphasize the importance of U.S. leadership, of congressional leadership and support for the promotion of democracy and human rights and the rule of law. The ABA appreciates the bipartisan agreement in Congress that programs to promote rule of law internationally are valuable and cost-effective investment of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Surely these programs support national security and economic opportunity, but that is not all. They are also consistent with our values as a nation. The ABA urges continued support of democracy, human rights and governance programs by providing $2.4 billion for these democracy programs in Fiscal 2020. As a long-time implementing partner of DRG programs, the ABA can assure Congress that they work. There are significant returns on investment. For over 30 years and in more than 100 countries, the ABA through its Rule Of Law or ROLI Initiative, Center for Human Rights and Section on International Law has been protecting human rights and promoting justice, economic opportunity and dignity across the world. We do so through a model that emphasizes partnerships with local stakeholders and that leverages pro-bono services from the U.S. legal community. In fact, we have estimated that over the years lawyers have contributed pro-bono legal services of over $200 million to date through the many programs that we are involved in. The ABA has an organizational framework in place to respond to requests for assistance from every region of the world, and we provide expertise in virtually every area of the law. In 2018 ABA ROLI carried out 102 programs in 50 countries with funding coming in from the Department of State, USAID and other multilateral donors and private foundations. Let me suggest some highlights, the prepared statement contains greater detail. Our partnership with USAID and State not only reflect our values but also advance the interests of the United States. For example, we have been very active in efforts to reduce crime and violence in Central America, a key driver of forced migration, by training over 6,400 justice sector actors on topics such as crime scene investigation, litigation skills, forensics, hate crimes and trafficking. In partnership with the State Department, ABA ROLI has long engaged in the fight against slavery and combating sexual and gender violence. An example is Sub-Saharan Africa where ABA ROLI continues its struggle against slavery and forced child labor. To date, our efforts have resulted in the freedom of over 300 slaves and ensured access to justice for over 11,000 victims of sexual and gender-based violence. 195 The ABA is also working to protect human rights around the world through a network of pro-bono law firms, clinics and lawyers. The DRL-funded Justice Defender program, provides pro-bono legal assistance, monitors trials and advocates on behalf of over 1,000 human rights defenders in 63 countries. The program provides cost-effective support for advocates on the front lines of attempts to undermine democracy and rule of law. None of this would be possible without your support. Congress’ financial support of DRG programs is critical to promoting the rule of law and building sustainable local capacity. This is a time-tested, cost-effective component of U.S. foreign assistance designed to foster democracy and promote economic development. We believe that these programs provide a foundation for security, stability and prosperity, both in the United States and abroad. Thank you for your support in the past and we welcome your continued support in the future. [The information follows:] 196

.efen~ing Lib~rty I 6-"'~D, Pursuing Justice ------AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 1050 Connecticut Aveooe, NW - SUite 400 Waslingron, DC 20036 (202) 662-1760 FAX: (202) 662-1762

Statement by Thomas M. Susman, Strategic Advisor and International Policy Coordinator, American Bar Association to the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives March 12, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers and Members of the Subcommittee:

My name is Thomas Susman and I am Strategic Advisor and International Policy Coordinator for the American Bar Association (ABA). I am pleased to submit this statement to the Subcommittee on behalf of ABA President Robert M. Carlson and our more than 400,000 members around the United States and the world. Thank you for this opportunity to reiterate the importance of continuing U.S. leadership and support for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law around the world.

The ABA appreciates that there is wide bipartisan agreement in Congress that programs to promote the rule of law internationally are valuable and cost-effective investments of U.S. taxpayer dollars that enhance both the national security and economic prosperity of our nation. Support for these programs is also consistent with our values as a nation. The ABA urges Fiscal Year 2020 funding for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) programs at no less than current year levels, including $2.4 billion for Democracy Programs.

As a long-time implementer of DRG programs, the ABA can attest that the U.S. receives significant returns on this investment. For more than 30 years and in more than 100 countries, the ABA, through our Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLi), Center for Human Rights (CHR), and Section of International Law (SIL), has been protecting human rights, and promoting justice, economic opportunity, and human dignity through the rule of law. Founded just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, ABA ROLl's early efforts focused on assisting Eastern European countries to draft constitutions and laws. The program also helped embolden judges, prosecutors, lawyers and legal educators to take the lead in establishing - or in some cases re-establishing - the rule of law after decades of communism and repression. The early model of American lawyers offering pro-bono services to their colleagues in developing democracies remains at the heart of everything that the ABA's Global Programs do. In fact, lawyers, law firms, and other experts have contributed more than $200 million in pro bono support for our programs.

Through ABA ROLi, CHR, SIL, and other initiatives, the ABA has a framework in place to respond to requests for assistance from every region of the world and can provide expertise in virtually every area of law, including such areas as advancing women's rights, combating 197 trafficking in persons, fighting corruption, reforming judicial systems, ensuring access to justice and defending human rights. In 2018, ABA ROLi executed 102 programs in 50 countries in every region of the world with funding from the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and other multilateral donors and private foundations. We'd like to share with you some exam pies of these programs and the results being achieved through their implementation.

Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2018, ABA ROLi supported twenty-four programs in nine Sub-Saharan countries -- the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, South Africa, Somalia, and Sudan. ABA ROLi helped free over 300 victims of slaves in Mali and Mauritania, and ensured access to justice to over 11,000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the DRC and the CAR. ABA ROLl's endeavors have also helped build more accountable legal systems, train justice sector actors, as well as strengthen the court, evidence, and case management systems across the region. Also, in 2018, ABA ROLi began new programming in Ethiopia, Liberia, and the Southern Africa region. With these new programs, ABA ROLi currently focuses on training African Union staff in Ethiopia and supporting the African Prosecutors Association in South Africa to combat trafficking in persons in the region. Our pre-trial detention program in Liberia equipped participants with the skills to secure the release of over 1,500 detainees from Monrovia Central Prison.

Asia and the Pacific

In Asia and the Pacific, ABA ROLi supported seventeen programs in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam in 2018. We continued to provide training to bar associations and lawyers advising those across Asia facing restrictions to their expression online. Our long-running regional anti-corruption program assisted governments wanting to better implement the UN Convention Against Corruption. With our partners across Asia, we sought to uphold the rule of law within anti terrorism processes, increase protections and holistic support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and human trafficking, and increase access to legal services for vulnerable communities.

Europe and Eurasia

Our programs in the Europe and Eurasia region helped to strengthen legislation and legal institutions, to promote international human rights standards, to combat corruption and promote public integrity measures, to foster judicial independence, and to increase access to justice. In our work we emphasize building the capacity of local organizations and host country government entities to sustain reform efforts. In 2018, ABA ROLi implemented thirteen programs across fifteen countries in the Europe & Eurasia region including Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Kazakhstan,

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Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Last year, ASA ROLi responded to the region's most intense challenges, from providing assistance to vulnerable populations in Armenia - primarily refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict - to supporting local partners in advocating for Internet freedom in the face of government surveillance, digital security threats and loss of privacy.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2018, ASA ROLi supported five programs in four countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru. We also initiated a new program in Colombia to strengthen the capacity of the Rodrigo Lara Bonilla Judicial Training school in a way that meets Colombia's dynamic criminal justice challenges and the needs of a diverse judicial system. ASA ROLl's program to Strengthen Forensic Capacity in Central America supported efforts to increase and enhance the capacity of justice sector actors and law enforcement agents to combat crime through the effective use of forensic evidence in El Salvador and Guatemala. In Peru, ASA ROLi continued its support of the implementation of criminal justice reforms that replace the country's inquisitorial model with an accusatorial model in thirty of its thirty-three judicial districts. As part of this ongoing effort, ASA ROLi works to strengthen the effectiveness of complex crimes enforcement, including environmental crimes, illegal gold mining, human trafficking, narcotrafficking, and money laundering. In Mexico, ASA ROLi partnered with law professors and students to improve teaching methods for the new criminal justice system by training professors and students in oral advocacy.

The Middle East and North Africa

ASA ROLi in 2018 supported twenty-one programs in nine Middle Eastern and North African countries, specifically Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Tunisia. In partnership with Ministries, Judicial Councils, Bar Associations, Universities and Civil Society, ASA ROLi trained judges, prosecutors, lawyers and court staff on legal issues and skills related to traditional and emerging areas of the law. In Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, ASA ROLi focused on anti-trafficking efforts, including training on investigation and protection of victims, and increased public awareness and training for targeted stakeholders such as police and shelter staff. ASA ROLi supported implementation of a new law in Tunisia on gender-based violence; in Egypt, ABA ROLi trained prosecutors on cases involving sex- and gender-based violence. At the university level, ASA ROLi enhanced the education of future judges and lawyers through a practical legal skills program for women law students in Saudi Arabia, a series of training sessions on interactive teaching methodology for law professors in Egypt, and sessions on legal skills for Syrian law students in Jordan. ASA ROLi technical assistance helped to launch and develop a broad program introducing alternatives to detention in Bahrain's court system, and began planning for an assessment to introduce alternatives to detention in Lebanon's criminal justice system. In Libya, ASA ROLi strengthened key aspects of the criminal justice sector through a focus on detention procedures. Our support to Egypt's training and

3 199 research institute for prosecutors included building a cadre of prosecutors trained in interactive teaching, and curriculum on substantive areas of the law and skills such as criminal investigation.

Global Thematic Programs

ABA ROLi also works on a series of programs with objectives that cut across regional lines including advancing labor rule of law through technical assistance; providing technical assistance to solve environmental problems; advancing the status of women and girls worldwide through integrated, multidisciplinary programming that seeks to combat gender based violence; advancing the women, peace and security agenda; and supporting women's economic empowerment and protecting LGBTI persons globally, in particular by bringing together and guiding state and non-state actors to combat impunity for perpetrators of bias-motivated violence. Another global thematic program is the International Justice Sector Education and Training (IJET) Program, which brings small groups of justice sector professionals to the U.S. for month-long fellowships to empower them to implement strategic reform in their home country's justice sector.

The Center for Human Rights

The ABA's Center for Human Rights, established a decade after ROLi, promotes and protects human rights worldwide by defending advocates who face retaliation; rallying thought leaders on crucial issues; and holding abusive governments accountable under law. Through its Justice Defenders Program, funded since 2011 by a grant from the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the Center supports lawyers, journalists, and advocates protecting human rights, anywhere in the world. To date, the program has leveraged more than $2 million in free legal assistance to more than a thousand advocates worldwide. The Center recently has enhanced this program with significant funding from the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

The Center also combats impunity by helping to strengthen U.S. and international law to ensure that people who commit mass atrocities are held accountable. In this vein, the Center recently began an initiative with the Carnegie Corporation of New York to study and improve legal frameworks governing the use of proxy fighters in foreign conflicts. The Center fights modern slavery by working with the Uniform Law Commission to fortify state law to ensure that human traffickers find no haven anywhere in the United States, and empowering trafficking survivors to rebuild their lives. Other work includes advocacy to protect LGBTQ persons, advance global health by shaping a human rights framework for confronting public health challenges, and improve international standards to protect human rights from harmful business practices.

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Modes of Delivery and Choice of Implementing Instrument

We urge the Subcommittee to continue to recognize the benefits of assistance delivered through non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We note that previous bill language directs USAID to implement civil society and political competition and consensus building programs abroad in a manner that recognizes the unique benefits of grants and cooperative agreements, and request that the Subcommittee expand the language to include rule of law programs. Non-profit organizations funded through grants and cooperative agreements are more likely to develop long-term relationships that build capacity and allow for sustainable assistance efforts. In addition, NGOs are more likely to leverage U.S. assistance dollars through the contributions of volunteers and additional sources of funding. Independent U.S.-based NGOs are best positioned to work as true partners with local leaders to make sure the outcomes are owned locally, but are operated under the oversight of experienced implementers that also serve as fiduciaries of American taxpayer dollars.

Contributions to International Organizations

As you know, the Contributions to International Organizations account funds the U.S. dues payment for the United Nations regular budget, along with assessments for specialized agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization, and other key multilateral organizations such as NATO. These organizations act as a critical force-multiplier in promoting international peace and security, strengthening democratic governance, and protecting human rights. While none of these organizations is perfect, the United States can lead reforms from a stronger position when we meet our financial obligations and actively support those organizations that help advance our national interests.

Conclusion

We recognize that Congress faces many competing budgetary demands and appreciate the Subcommittee's past support for this essential funding for Democracy, Human rights and Governance programming. The United States has been able to play a critical leadership role in the world because it has, over multiple administrations of both parties, maintained a values-based foreign policy that advances the conditions for a peaceful and prosperous world. Failure to sustain and fund that policy risks ceding our leadership position to those who would remake the global order in ways that will certainly not serve U.S. interests. Establishing governments, legal structures and institutions based on the rule of law are necessary prerequisites to establishing resilient democratic societies and successful market-based economies. Programs such as those outlined above are cost-effective means through which to advance both the interests of individuals in participating countries and U.S. foreign policy, and we urge you to continue to support them for Fiscal Year 2020.

Thank you for this opportunity to share our views.

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Defending liberty 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW Pursuing Justice Suite400 Washington, DC 20036 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION THOMAS M. SUSMAN Strategic Advisor, Governmental Affairs Office International Policy Coordinator

Thomas M. Susman became the Strategic Advisor for the Governmental Affairs Office and International Policy Coordinator in September 2018 after he retired as the Director of the Governmental Affairs Office and Associate Executive Director of the American Bar Association, a posrtion he held since May 2008. The Governmental Affairs Office serves as the focal point for the Association's advocacy efforts before Congress, the Executive Branch, and other governmental entities on diverse issues of importance to the legal profession.

Prior to joining the ABA in 2008, he was a partner in the Washington Office of Ropes & Gray LLP for 27 years. There his work included counseling, litigation, and lobbying on a wide range of regulatory, antitrust, lobbying, ethics, and information law issues. He handled legislative and regulatory matters on beha~ of businesses, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations in a variety of industries. He was active in seeking enactment of legislation, in obtaining appropriations for specific projects, in blocking or amending legislative proposals, and in counseling targets of congressional investigations.

Before joining Ropes & Gray, Tom served on Capitol Hill for over 11 years. He was Chief Counsel to the Senate Subcommittee on Administrative Practice and Procedure and General Counsel to the Antrtrust Subcommittee and to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Prior to that, he served in the Office of Legal Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice He is a nationally recognized expert on lobbying, freedom of information, and administrative law. He co-edits the American Bar Association's Lobbying Manual; served as an adjunct professor on lobbying at The American University's Washington College of Law; and chaired the Ethics Committee of the American League of Lobbyists for over a decade. His articles address lobbying reform, reciprocity, contingent fee lobbying, and the proper role of campaign contributions in lobbying. He has also written, taught, and lectured both in the U.S. and abroad on transparency and access to government information; he received the American Library Association's "Champion of Public Access" award in 2009 and the Collaboration on Government Secrecy's "Robert Vaughn FOIA Legend" award in 2008, and is Founding President of the D.C. Open Government Coalition. Tom chaired the Administrative Law Section of the ABA Tom previously served in the ABA's House of Delegates and on its Board of Governors. He is a member of the American Law Institute (is an advisor to the American Law lnstitute's project on government ethics), was Chairman of the National Judicial College Board, and was president of the District of Columbia Public Library Foundation. He is a graduate of Yale University and received his J.D. from the University of Texas Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Texas Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. In 2011 he was named Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Texas Law School.

Tom lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Susan Braden, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. His four children and ten grandchildren are dispersed throughout the country. 202

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.BANBURY The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Banbury. Mr. BANBURY. Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, members of this committee, distinguished members, thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Tony Banbury. I am the new president and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems known as IFES. I spent five years working in the U.S. government, including the National Security Council under President Clinton and Presi- dent George W. Bush. I want to thank this Congress, the House Appropriations Com- mittee and this subcommittee for the consistent bipartisan support for democracy promotion and electoral assistance, particularly the $2.4 billion set-aside for democracy programs. As Congress has long recognized, democracy abroad serves U.S. national interests, free and democratic societies advance our values and our national security, and provides safe environments for our citizens and our businesses. Chairwoman Lowey, when you first convened this subcommittee in this year, when Administrator Green was testifying you said that, ‘‘USAID helps the world’s most vulnerable people, assists in the recovery of millions from natural disasters and conflict, and supports democracy and the rule of law. These development efforts are on the frontline of our national security.’’ And this is so true. However, democracy and elections, and our national security are under attack. In that same statement, Chairwoman Lowey, you said, ‘‘this is a tumultuous time around the world, globally democracy is in crisis. The right to free and fair elections, freedom of the press and the rule of law are under assault.’’ I fully agree with this assessment. We need to act with speed, commitment, ingenuity to defeat this assault and overcome this crisis. But we have not yet marshaled the forces necessary to win this war, and the anti-democratic forces are making big games around the world. Following the end of the Cold War, there was a belief in the inexorable march of democracy. Countries would move from an authoritarian camp into the democratic camp and then move down the path of democracy, and maybe a little winding and bumpy, but in- exorably move down that path. We can no longer be safe in the as- sumption that that march of democracy is in inexorable. From Poland to the Philippines we are seeing backsliding on the path. Worse yet as we see now in Venezuela we see the terrible impact when a country moves from a democracy back into authoritarianism. There’s a new constellation of threats to democracy and electoral integrity that could undo decades and billions of dollars of U.S. support for democracy around the world. Authoritarian leaders are using sham elections and the veneer of democracy in order to cling to power. Russia and China are actively engaged in attacking the democratic model of government. China is seeking to offer an alternative model to our democratic model often with financial inducements. 203 And in that same initial hearing, Ranking Member Rogers, you talked about the threats posed by Russia and China to democracy around the world. Technology is being weaponized. Social media platforms and the hardware and software of elections are now active battlefields in the fight to promote democracy and secure U.S. national interests. IFES is seeing this every day in the countries where we work. It is not uncommon for there to be 2,000 attacks per month on voter lists and electoral result tabulations. And that number goes up to around a million at the time of elections when bot networks are activated. The external environment in which democracy promotion and electoral assistance takes place is changing rapidly, but we have not kept pace with those changes. There is a war being fought now over the democratic model with hostile forces being deployed, second and third generation technological weapons. Our partners are turning to us for answers, for help and we are responding with first-generation tools. And this problem is only going to get worse. Malign foreign actors are committed, well-resourced and determined. New technologies such as deep-fakes and quantum computing are going to have a profound effect on society, democracies and elections. Democratic forces need to be more determined, more committed, more agile, faster and smarter than the anti-democratic forces, but we are not there yet. We need a new toolkit and the stakes could not be higher. To wrap up, as the foremost promoter of democracy, the United States needs to lead and to act, to counter today’s challenges and to prepare for tomorrow’s. I would like to leave with just a few recommendations for the committee. One, please continue what works, the $2.4 billion set- aside for democracy programming is valuable and necessary but insufficient. Two, please look to the future. The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act that was signed into law in December 31 to promote democracy and human rights, rule of law in the Pacific region is an excellent model and we urge full appropriation for ARIA funds. Three, please consider innovating. Consider it dark before democracy. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency makes, quote, pivotal investments and breakthrough technologies for national security. We need similar investments on a smaller scale to develop new tools to advance our national security by promoting and protecting democracy and electoral integrity around the world. And then finally, we need to fund democracy support in middle- income countries that had moved into democracy and now are at the risk of backsliding. Thank you very much for your attention. [The information follows:] 204

"Electoral Assistance: Critical to American Interests, Essential for the Future of Democracy" Written Testimony Submitted by Anthony Banbury, President and CEO, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFESJ House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 12, 2019 To support electoral assistance and democracy, rights and governance (DRG), we ask that in fiscal year (FY) 2020, Congress again provide $2.4 billion for democracy programs under Title VII-General Provisions (induding "shalr language that protects DRG funding from reprogramming to other sectors). This funding is directed to both the United States (U.S.) Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Credible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Ensuring fair elections globally requires considerable support, especially in new, transitioning and fragile democracies. As President and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), I respectfully urge this Subcommittee and the U.S. Congress to continue its tradition of bipartisan support for democracy and human rights. Modern electoral assistance has contributed to a more prosperous, secure America. Around the globe, however, domestic and international bad actors are working to manipulate elections in ever more innovative ways - they are learning at a rate that far outpaces the ability of many governments to react effectively. The U.S. Government (USG) must look to new programming and funding that prepares America and its allies for an ever-evolving set of challenges. Electoral Assistance: A Global, Long-Term Development Commitment It is thanks to USG leadership that electoral assistance has evolved into a sophisticated development discipline. In addition to the U.S., countries from all parts of the globe fund democracy assistance - IFES' international donors have included Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and others. Several of our programs including in Tunisia, Ukraine and Myanmar (Burma) - are funded by multiple donors working toward a shared goal. No matter the donor, effective electoral assistance demands investment years in advance of an election date and in the period between elections. Consistent, long-term support throughout the electoral cycle also enhances stability during uncertain democracy-building processes. Shorter term or immediate assistance does not allow for capacity building, the introduction of technology (or the training and public education necessitated by it) or strategic planning. How Electoral Assistance Advanced American Interests in 2018 More stable democracies support American interests by becoming better trade partners; improving global health and environmental outcomes; cultivating more inclusive societies; and

About IFES; HA Vote for Every Voice;• For over thirty years, /FES-a 50l(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit-has worked mover 145 countries to support citizens' nghtto participate in free and/air eleet10ns. Currently, IFES works mover 30 countries to strengthen democratJc processes across the electoral cycle. Our care service lines include the long-term c:opactty buildmg of efec:tion commissions; the broadening of citizen participation and inclusion; the empowerment of morginahzed groups; and research and surveys that inform our work and further the DRG discipline. IFES works with champions of democracy to enhance po/1tico/ competition, transparency, accauntabiltty and the legitimacy of outcomes. Our approach 1s firmly grounded in international norms~ best practices and treaty abhgot1ans concemmg human rights, democratic governance and genuine elections 205 the USG and Canada, IFES and partners worked with survivors to seek justice by helping them document their cases and bring them to the police and court. IFES is also at the forefront of combating hate speech in elections. In 2018, using IFES' white paper Countering Hate Speech in Elections: Strategies for Electoral Management Bodies as its basis, an IFES roundtable in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together 28 actors to learn about strategies to minimize the effects of hate speech and communal incitement. Among the participants were representatives from the Election Oversight Body (Bawaslu), General Elections Commission (KPU), Ministry of Home Affairs, Executive Office of the President and national civil society groups. Following the roundtable, Bawaslu, the KPU and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed a memorandum of action, agreeing to work together to curb the spread offake news and hate speech in preparation for the June 2018 regional elections. Promoting More Inclusive Societies DRG promotes American values. Electoral assistance helps such traditionally marginalized groups as women, youth, LGBTI persons and persons with disabilities gain equal access to public institutions, win economic and political self-determination, and fully realize their individual rights. Inclusion and empowerment activities also h~lp strengthen the credibility and stability of democracies more broadly, as democratic institutions flourish when all groups of society are represented. In 2018, IFES' lntersectionality Assessment Framework was piloted in the Dominican Republic, Armenia, Tunisia and Lebanon. IFES' framework identifies barriers and opportunities related to political participation of people with multiple social identities, such as gender, disability, religion and age. One key finding revealed a lack of political leadership opportunities for youth with disabilities. In response, IFES launched the semester-long "Engaging a New Generation for Accessible Governance and Elections" (ENGAGE) course in the Dominican Republic, which strengthens the leadership skills of youth with disabilities through classroom learning, interactive group work, guest lectures, site visits and internships with government stakeholders. Findings from the assessments also identified a lack of opportunities for women with disabilities to influence public policy. lFES' "Power to Persuade" training methodology addresses this critical gap by empowering women with disabilities to advocate with policymakers and political parties for reform. Looking to the Future: The Next Generation of Electoral Assistance At the global level, the DRG community must conduct research and build evidence-based tools and approaches that tackle next generation challenges. I encourage this Subcommittee, when directing funding, to consider: • The manipulation of new media platforms that has created an Information war in which democratic institutions struggle to ensure citizens' access to accurate electoral information; • As new challenges stemming from advancements in artificial intelligence, deep fakes and quantum computing arise, EMBs and other stakeholders in the electoral process are ill equipped to cope or respond; • Studying the intersection between rule of law and DRG. Development agencies and implementers often treat these fields as distinct, and the result can be siloed assistance rather than a more integrated or cross-sectoral approach that could have more impact. There is much to be gained by bridging this divide; 206

SFOPs to appropriate these funds in full, with a focus on the development of tools to address pervasive new challenges, such as systemic manipulation in the electoral process and disinformation in elections. Countering Chinese Influence in Elections Increasingly, China is propping up authoritarian regimes by reinforcing incumbent advantage; providing kickbacks to corrupt politicians and officials as part of large infrastructure projects; delivering direct financial assistance to partisan EMBs; and covertly funding election campaigns. Meanwhile, China is also advancing an alternative narrative to democracy that prioritizes economic development and stability over democratic principles of human rights and good governance; endorsing sham elections in client states; and exporting tools of censorship and repression (e.g., "the Great Firewall" and high-tech surveillance tools). Withdrawal of DRG and electoral assistance from countries at risk of resurgent authoritarianism has been ineffective. Instead, we encourage SFOPs to reengage and fund both civil society and state officials in countries in danger of adapting the Chinese model. Congressional Oversight of State/USAID IFES encourages Congress to exercise its oversight of State and USAID to ensure appropriated funds are spent in a timely manner, with special consideration of the following: • Trafficking in Persons Sanctions: I applaud the President's efforts to hold governments accountable for human trafficking. However, the development community is concerned about the unintended consequences of all nonhumanitarian, nontrade assistance being withheld from some "Tier 3" countries. In particular, democracy assistance is critical, as democratic countries with robust institutions are more likely to effectively combat human trafficking. We ask that Congress encourage State and USAID to publish and operationalize a Trafficking in Persons sanctions policy, particularly in regard to obtaining wavers for the democracy assistance programming critical to American interests; • Increased Use of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs): BAAs and the accompanying co creation process can provide a more field- and results-driven approach. However, they can be lengthy and cumbersome, hindering USAID's ability to respond nimbly and quickly; prohibitively expensive; and raise concerns about intellectual property sharing. I ask that Congress encourage USAID to continue to work closely with the development community to improve the BM and co-creation process; and • Disability Rights: Development programs are more impactful if the estimated 15 percent of the world's population that has a disability are included. To this end, we respectfully recommend that the Subcommittee encourage the development of a new USAID policy on disability inclusive development (the first and last policy was in 1997); mandate that all State and USAID grants be made disability-inclusive and include the development of a monitoring mechanism to track progress; and that State and USAID review the integration of disability across their grants, policies, contracting and hiring. With the continued support of the U.S. Congress, democracy assistance will further promote American interests and values abroad, while targeted investment in the electoral assistance of tomorrow will prepare the global community of democracies for future threats. Again, I thank the Subcommittee for its continued dedication to electoral assistance. 207 Anthony Banbury, President and CEO, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

Anthony "Tony'' Banbury worked for the United Nations (UN) for nearly 30 years, serving in a variety of roles both at UN headquarters in New York and in the field. From 2009 through 2016, Banbury was Assistant Secretary-General for the UN's Department of Field Support. In this capacity, he directed operational support for 36 UN peacekeeping and political missions around the world with a combined budget of more than $9 billion and with more than 170,000 deployed personnel. He was also tasked with special UN assignments between 2001 and 2015, including leading the agency's response to the Ebola crisis, addressing widespread killings and fears of genocide in the Central African Republic, establishing the Syrian Chemical Weapons Destruction Mission, leading operational response to the earthquake in Haiti, and chairing the board responsible for advising the Secretary-General on training of UN personnel. Banbury was also Director for Asia at the UN World Food Programme, where he managed regional operations for the world's largest humanitarian organization from 2003 through 2009. He started his career with the UN in 1988, holding various humanitarian, political affairs and human rights positions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cambodia and Thailand.

Prior to his most senior roles with the UN, Banbury worked in the United States government as Acting Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations at the National Security Council (2000-2003) and Senior Policy Advisor for the Balkans Task Force at the Department of Defense (1998-2000). He holds a master's degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, a graduate degree from the lnstitut Universitaire de Hautes Eludes lntemationales at the University of Geneva, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Tufts University. Banbury is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Public Impact and received a Distinguished Service Award from the President of the United States, a Bronze Palm to the Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Secretary of Defense, an Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and a Distinguished Achievement Award from Tufts University. He is proficient in French and conversant in Thai and Cambodian. Banbury lived abroad for more than 12 years in eight countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, and has visited over 70 countries during his career. 208

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.WALL The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. Wall. Ms. WALL. Thank you. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, members of the committee and staff, thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony. I am Kate Wall, senior legislative manager with the Inter- national Fund for Animal Welfare. IFAW has 17 offices globally and works in more than 40 countries around the world. We take a holistic approach to innovating solutions to tough conservation challenges. Recognizing the unbreakable link between animals and human wellbeing, we support and empower communities to co-exist with and value native wildlife, and help those communities develop tools to protect their wild heritage. International conservation is closely linked to human health and global stability, so cuts to conservation programs will always have effect on wild species and humans alike. Wildlife and wild lands are in peril around the world. Climate change, habitat destruction and other pressures threaten wildlife ecosystems and the very fabric of this planet that we call home. Wildlife trafficking continues to push animals to the brink, and scientists warn that species are disappearing so fast that evolution can’t keep up. However, if we invest wisely now we can make inroads against these pernicious threats and preserve healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations for ourselves and generations to come. In the interest of time I will focus on just three important programs here today. First, USAID biodiversity programs support conservation efforts in more than 50 countries in partnership with foreign governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities. Biodiversity loss fuels food insecurity and poverty, contributes to political unrest. The wide-ranging USAID biodiversity programs tackle direct threats to wildlife and ecosystems like habitat loss, and resource degradation, and also address underlying issues to prevent biodiversity loss including promoting peace and stability, health and human wellbeing, and improved livelihoods. USAID biodiversity programs protect not only our natural ecosystems and wildlife but are critical to our national security interests, economic prosperity and global stability. So IFAW requests $300 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to fund these important programs. Next, USAID sustainable landscape programs promote sustainable land use, reducing deforestation, strengthening environmental resilience, protecting waters and conserving biodiversity. Programs focused on areas where degradation is rampant and leverage private investment to reduce deforestation and improve forest health around the world. IFAW requests $135 million to fund the USAID sustainable landscapes programs in Fiscal Year 2020. Finally, the U.S. Department of State and USAID Wildlife Traf- ficking Programs support ongoing efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which remains the fourth most lucrative criminal indus- 209 try worldwide. Sophisticated wildlife trafficking syndicates generate more than $8 billion to $10 billion annually. And evidence demonstrates a link between wildlife trafficking and other criminal enterprises including illegal arms, drugs and even terrorism. Anti-wildlife trafficking programs focus on fighting poaching, improving global enforcement and prosecution, disrupting networks, and reducing consumer demand for wildlife programs. These programs are critical both to global conservation efforts and to U.S. security. U.S. leadership also motivates other nations to protect wildlife and combat trafficking. IFAW requests $100.7 million to fund State Department and USAID Wildlife Trafficking Reduction Programs in Fiscal Year 2020. In closing, we appreciate the opportunity to share IFAW’s priority requests for the Fiscal Year 2020 SFOPS Appropriations Act. And the continued support of this subcommittee for global conservation efforts. Thank you. [The information follows:] 210

Testimony of Kate Wall Senior Legislative Manager, International Fund for Animal Welfare Before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 5, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony on the FY2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations Act. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has 17 offices globally and works in more than 40 countries around the world. IF AW takes a holistic approach to innovating solutions for tough conservation challenges like conflicts between humans and wildlife, and illegal wildlife trafficking. Recognizing the unbreakable link between animals and human wellbeing, we support and empower communities to coexist with and value native wildlife and help those communities develop tools to protect their wild heritage. IF AW appreciates this Subcommittee's support in the current fiscal year (FY2019) in providing funding for many important conservation programs, and requests your continued support for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Biodiversity Programs ($300 million), the USAID sustainable landscapes programs ($135 million), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) ($139.6 million), and the U.S. State Department and USAID combating wildlife trafficking programs ($100.7 million) in the FY2020 SFOPS Appropriations Bill.

It is more crucial than ever to prioritize environmental protection and conservation efforts. Wildlife and wild lands are in peril around the world. Climate change, habitat destruction, and the Earth's sixth mass extinction event threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and the very fabric of this planet we call home. Trafficking in wildlife and wildlife parts continue to push species to the brink. Scientists warn that species are disappearing so fast that evolution cannot keep up. However, at IF AW we see reasons for hope. lfwe invest wisely now, we can make inroads against these pernicious threats and preserve healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations for ourselves and for generations to come.

U.S. Agency for Intemational Development (USAID) Biodiversity Programs support conservation efforts in more than 50 countries in partnership with foreign governments, non• governmental organizations, private sector companies, and local communities. These diverse and wide-ranging programs tackle direct threats to wildlife and ecosystems, such as habitat loss, resource degradation, and species conservation. They also address underlying issues that lead to the loss of biodiversity, including promoting peace and stability, health and human well-being, and improved livelihoods. Biodiversity loss feeds food insecurity and poverty, and can contribute to political unrest. Illegal poaching fuels criminal enterprises around the world. USAID Biodiversity Programs protect not only our natural ecosystems and wildlife but are critical to our national security interests, economic prosperity, and global stability. IF AW requests $300M in FY2020 to fund these important programs.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an independent international financial facility made up of 183 countries private companies, and non-governmental organizations. The GEF provides grants to address global environmental issues, including wildlife trafficking, habitat and landscape preservation, and climate change adaptation. These programs focus on innovative 211 projects in developing countries that provide real impact, improve sustainability, and protect our shared global environment. All GEF projects are closely monitored and evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness; overall, the GEF leverages more than five dollars for every one dollar invested by private partners and donor countries. The U.S. strongly influences GEF strategies and programming, and GEF projects support many U.S. security and economic priorities. IFAW requests $ 139 .6 million in FY2020 for ongoing support of the GEF.

USAID Sustainable Landscapes Programs promote sustainable land use, reducing deforestation, strengthening environmental resilience, protecting waters, and conserving biodiversity. Programs focus on target states and regions where and degradation is rampant USAID sustainable landscapes programs have leveraged more than $500 million in investments and partnered with companies with more than $4 trillion in global sales since 2012 in order to reduce deforestation and forest degradation around the world.i IFAW requests $135 million to fund the USAID sustainable landscapes programs in FY2020.

U.S. Department ofState and USAID Wildlife Trafficking Programs support ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade. The illicit trade in wildlife and wildlife parts and products remains the fourth most lucrative criminal industry worldwide. Sophisticated multinational criminal syndicates generate an estimated $8-10 billion annually or more from wildlife trafficking. Evidence has demonstr1;1ted a link between traffickers in wildlife and other criminal enterprises, including illegal arms, drugs, and even terrorist activities. Therefore, disrupting wildlife trafficking networks can shut down criminal endeavors that threaten not only imperiled wildlife, but also national security and global stability. The US remains one of the world's largest illegal markets for wildlife and wildlife products. Furthermore, our leadership within the global community is a key driver in persuading other nations around the globe to invest in protecting endangered wildlife and combat poaching and trafficking. State Department/USAID efforts to combat wildlife trafficking focus on fighting poaching, improving global enforcement and prosecution, disrupting networks, and reducing consumer demand for wildlife products. This program is critical both to domestic and international conservation efforts and to US security. IF AW requests $100. 7 million to fund the State Department/USAID wildlife trafficking reduction programs in FY2020.

In closing, thank you for the opportunity to share IFAW' s priority requests to promote conservation in the FY2020 Interior, the Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Wildlife and their habitats are more than our national heritage, they are essential to human health and happiness. We appreciate the continued support of this Subcommittee for conservation efforts globally and within the United States. With your support, we look forward to a bright and healthy future for future generations Americans and wildlife lovers around the world. Thank you.

'https://www.usaid.gov/climate/sustainable-landscapes

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Kate Wall is the Senior Legislative Manager with the US Office of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IF AW), representing wildlife and habitat conservation, wildlife trafficking, and appropriations priorities before the federal legislature. Before joining IF AW, Kate was a senior lobbyist with The Humane Society of the United States where she managed a large and diverse policy portfolio focused on wildlife protection, animal testing, and agriculture. Kate received a B.S. in biology with a concentration in fine art from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA, and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. She is a past member of the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard Advisory Committee. Kate and her husband Ben live in Mount Rainier, MD with their rescue cats. 213

The CHAIRWOMAN. I want to thank the entire panel. I would like to continue this discussion but we have more witnesses to hear from. Mr. Banbury, I think what you are saying is really a wake-up call. Some of us have been awakened, but I am very, very concerned about the sweep of anti-democratic forces, not just in Eu- rope but frankly throughout the world. And I do hope that the expertise, Mr. Susman, and your expertise can certainly be an education for all of us who are so concerned about this. And I look forward to working with you. Thank you very much. Mr. Rogers. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you for your testimony. No questions. The CHAIRWOMAN. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. I have no questions. You know, one of the things of my travels around the world, yes, I was on the Foreign Affairs Committee for several years. One thing that I saw as a common theme in dysfunctional governments, especially where there have been overthrows of governments, was corruption. I was just wondering if you could comment on that, if there are any programs that actually even work to reduce it? Mr. SUSMAN. Anti-corruption programs all are founded on a justice system with independent judges with trained prosecutors, with access to counsel, and that’s what a number of these programs across the world are based on delivering. And in the end, I think a lot of the population believes that they deliver justice. Mr. BRADBURY. I would just say, ma’am, that the very back program to counter corruption is a robust democracy where people can throw out corrupt leaders when they see them. Ms. WALL. And on a more micro scale, we certainly see funds from wildlife trafficking and illegal poaching going to fund corrupt governments. So interventions that help to stem the flow of illegal wildlife trafficking do help to stem the flow of corruption as well. The CHAIRWOMAN. Mr. Fortenberry. Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank you all for your testimony. Just very briefly, Ms. Wall, are you familiar with the Delta Act? Ms. WALL. Yes, yes. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Good. Ms. WALL. And thank you so much for your leadership on that. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Okay. Dig deeper there, because I think in the intersection with all the good things that you were saying creates the real possibilities for a tri-national conservation area here, leveraging important diplomatic outcomes as well. Ms. WALL. Well, sir, as a leader on the act you are probably more expert in it than I am. However, the Delta Act would provide support for programs in the, I am going to mispronounce the name, the Okavango Delta in Africa where wildlife trafficking and conservation have been, well, wildlife trafficking and other pressures have caused degradation. And the Delta Act will promote conservation efforts through public-private partnerships, through NGOs and other—— Mr. FORTENBERRY. We are very excited about it. Ms. WALL. We are very excited about it as well. Mr. FORTENBERRY. Good, thank you. Ms. WALL. And we look forward to working with you. Thank you. 214

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I am sorry, I think I am under time constraints. Thank you very much. Ms. WALL. Sure. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. And thank you again to the panel and we look forward to continuing the dialogue. Welcome. We were saying that even though there are members that have to move on to another hearing, this is such a display of all the good work that we are doing. I am delighted to welcome this panel. Mr. Vince Blaser, director of Frontline Health Workers Coalition. Ms. Jody JoDee Winterhof, the senior vice president of the Human Rights Campaign, and Ms. Mary McQueen, the president of the National Center for State Courts. Please proceed.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKFORCE STRENGTHENING; GREATER SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ HUMAN RIGHTS FUNDING AROUND THE GLOBE; JUDICIAL REFORM AND RULE OF LAW WITNESSES VINCE BLASER, DIRECTOR, FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS COALI- TION AND SENIOR ADVOCACY AND POLICY ADVISOR JODEE WINTERHOF, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR POLICY AND PO- LITICAL AFFAIRS, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN MARY C. MCQUEEN, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.BLASER Mr. BLASER. Great. Thank you, Madam Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, Representative Frankel. Representative Forten- berry, for the opportunity to testify on behalf of IntraHealth Inter- national which is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Represent- ative Price’s district. IntraHealth houses the Frontline Health Workers Coalition secretariat here in Washington. I first wanted to second the comment made by Bill O’Keefe of Catholic Relief Services earlier today regarding the Antiterrorism Clarification Act. IntraHealth’s Palestinian Health Capacity Project which reduced referrals from West Bank health facilities to Israeli hospitals by 34 percent was terminated at USAID’s request on Jan- uary 31st. There are 120,000-plus patients who were affected by this closure, as a reminder of the urgent need for a clear direction on humanitarian assistance in the West Bank and Gaza. IntraHealth recommends urgent investment in strengthening the Frontline Health workforce and communities of least excess, and intervention of critical to maximizing the impact of U.S. global health appropriations. We urge the subcommittee to pass the Global Health Council’s evidence-based Fiscal Year 2000 recommendations of $7.05 billion for State Department and Global Health Programs, $4.39 billion for USAID and $435 million for water and all accounts. 215 Frontline Health Workers have been critical to the reduction of under-five deaths by more than half since 1990, the near 55 percent decline in annual deaths from HIV since 2005 and the 63 percent cut in malaria deaths from 2000 to 2015. Recent research has also up-ended traditional economic thinking, that frames training and paying health workers as a cost. A 2016 World Bank report found that the effects of higher whole sector employment are even greater than that of the financial sector. The 9 to 1 return on investment and health holds particular potential for women who comprise 70 percent of the health and social workforce worldwide, compared to 40 percent across all sectors. And thanks in part of the leadership you have shown, Chair- woman Lowey and Representative Diaz Balart and members of the subcommittee the U.S. have played a critical supportive role in the adoption of Workforce 2030, the first ever global strategy for the health workforce and a subsequent action plan to catalyze the investments and policies needed to achieve it. The action plan recommends assistance to focus on countries currently least able to ensure a sustainable health workforce. Now this centers on the reality that people who die of preventable causes are most likely living in the same communities with the least access to frontline health workers as the recent outbreaks of Ebola have tragically shown. To have the greatest impact in saving lives and halting epidemics, safe access to sustainable frontline health workforce teams must be at the heart of U.S. global health programming. Be- cause health workforce strengthening efforts are supported across several SFOPS accounts, the subcommittee should provide the flexibility agencies need to support locally tailored workforce solutions and to hold to account existing efforts. For example, major needs remain unmet in pre-service training institutions and bridge to employment programs in or near communities with little to no access to health workers. We recommend the subcommittee ask agencies to annual report on their collective frontline health workforce pre-service, education, recruitment, training, retention, connectivity, and safety efforts, so future appropriations can be guided toward the highest impact interventions. And we urge the subcommittee to support an evidence-based appropriation to global health programs that can save lives, foster economic growth, and ensure global health security. Thank you again for the opportunity. [The information follows:] 216

T ::: P Because Health Workers Sove L!ves

House Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Written Testimony of Vince Blaser, MA Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor, lntraHealth International Director, Frontline Health Workers Coalition March 12, 2019

Thank you Madam Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers and members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity to testify on behalf of lntraHealth International, which houses the secretariat of the Frontline Health Workers Coalition. I speak in support of the urgent need for greater focus on and investment in strengthening the frontline health workforce in communities of least access around the world-an intervention critical to maximizing the impact of US global health appropriations. For global health accounts, we urge the Subcommittee to adopt the Global Health Council's evidence-based FY 2020 recommendations of $7.05 billion for global health programs at the Department of State and $4.39 billion for USAID; and $435 million for water in all accounts.

Frontline health workers have been at the forefront of the successes the US has catalyzed which include a more than 50% cut since 1990 in under-5 child deaths, an almost 50% decline in annual deaths from HIV since 2005, and a 63% cut in malaria deaths from 2000- 2015. Recent research also has upended traditional economic thinking that framed training and paying health workers as a cost-a 2016 World Bank paper found the effects of higher health sector employment are even greater than that of the financial sector. This 9-1 return on investment in health holds particular potential for women, who comprise 70% of the health and social workforce worldwide compared to 40% across all sectors.

Thanks in part to the strong leadership shown by Chairwoman Lewey, Rep. Diaz-Balart, and this Subcommittee, the US helped lead a global agreement on a strategy to achieve a sustainable and fit-for-purpose health workforce by 2030 and a five-year action plan to catalyze the investments and policies needed to achieve this strategy. The action plan specifically calls on international assistance to focus on countries currently least able to ensure a sustainable workforce able to deliver essential health services.

This recommendation centers on the reality that children, women, and men who die of preventable causes are most likely living in the same communities with the least access to trained and supported frontline health workers. For global health appropriations to have the greatest impact in saving lives and halting disease epidemics, US global health programming must place sustainable frontline health workforce teams at the heart of strategies to 217 achieve epidemic control of HIV, end preventable maternal and child deaths, and ensure global health security.

Because US health workforce strengthening efforts are supported across several SFOPS accounts, the Subcommittee should provide the flexibility US agencies need to support countries with locally tailored workforce solutions, as well as hold to account the collective efforts of agencies to strengthen the global health workforce. For example, we believe requirements of health programs the US supports has in part led to agencies providing separate trainings of existing health workers on individual health issues, while major needs remain unmet in support of pre-service training institutions in or near communities with little to no access to health workers.

Intra Health and our Frontline Health Workers Coalition secretariat recommend the Subcommittee ask agencies to annually report on their collective frontline health workforce pre-service education, recruitment, training, retention, connectivity, and safety efforts so future appropriations can be guided toward the highest-impact interventions. And we strongly urge the Subcommittee to support an evidence-based appropriation to global health programs that can save lives, foster economic growth, and ensure global health security.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify. 218

Vince Blaser, MA

Vince Blaser is the Director of the Frontline Health Workers Coalition (FHWC), an alliance of 41 US-based public and private organizations working together to urge greater and more strategic US investment in frontline health workers in low- and middle-income countries as a cost-effective way to save lives and foster a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. He also serves as Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor for IntraHealth International in Washington DC, where the FHWC secretariat is housed.

For more than 14 years, Vince has focused on translating a policy and journalism background to provide strategic analysis and visibility to the policy and communications priorities of major global health and development coalitions and organizations. Previously, he worked in advocacy, policy, and communications roles at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) in New York and the Global Health Council (GHC) in Washington. Vince also has written and edited for the Kaiser Family Foundation's daily reports on global health, HIV/AIDS and women's health, held several positions as a newspaper reporter in Washington DC and Colorado, and worked at the British Houses of Parliament in London.

Vince has a BA in political science and journalism from Colorado State University and an MA in international education development from Columbia University. 219

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.WINTERHOF

Ms. WINTERHOF. My name is JoDee Winterhof and I am the senior vice president for policy and political affairs at the Human Rights Campaign. It is our first time testifying before this particular subcommittee, so we thank you for having us. We are America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer equality. We represent over three million members and supporters in this country. I am testifying today in support of funding to defend and advance the human rights of LGBTQ people around the globe. Even as the Congress tomorrow will introduce the Equality Act which would provide civil rights protections for LGBTQ people in this country and move our country to a more perfect union and is being introduced with historic bipartisan support by members of this body and beyond, it has business and business leader support over—public support at 70 percent. Nevertheless, LBTQ people around the world face daily challenges to be who they are, safe from violence and death. In 69 countries, same sex activity is criminalized and in up to 10 of those it is punishable by death. In Chechnya authorities have detained, tortured, and even killed people based upon their sexual orientation or their gender identity. Authorities in Indonesia have publicly flogged LGBTQ people in front of jeering crowds of thousands. Around the world, nearly 3,000 transgender people were murdered between 2008 and 2019 because of their gender identity. Nonetheless, LGBTQ advocates around the globe continue their truly inspiring and courageous work. They are activists like Caleb Orozco in Belize, despite threats against his life and enormous legal battles and barriers he successfully challenged his own government’s colonial era law outlying homosexuality in 2016. Or Hazel Mokgathi an HRC global innovator who worked to hold the first ever Transgender Pride Event in Bot- swana in October. Or Tu Lee, a former Fellow at the Human Rights Campaign who works at the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy, and Environment in Vietnam. They conduct research on vulnerable groups in Vietnam and then use the evidence to advocate for equal rights for LGBTQI people and ethnic minorities. Or Georgian Activist Levan Berianidze who along with a friend was attacked and beaten by a mob shouting homophobic slurs. When the victims sought help from the police, the police joined in the attack rather than protecting the victims. Nevertheless, the Georgian LGBTQ community responded by calling on their government to conduct an investigation and punish the police officers involved and also to create and implement a hate crimes policy. These are just a few examples of the incredible work being done around the globe, but it cannot happen without your help. That is why we strongly support the work of the State Department’s Global Equality Fund, a public-private partnership supporting organizations that promote the inclusion and dignity of LGBTI people. We 220 also strongly support USAID’s incredibly important LGBTI work in their human rights division. The need for funding in these two accounts far exceeds the funding currently available. The State Department receives about four times more LGBTI-specific solicitations than they receive for non- LGBTI human rights programs. We therefore urge the Committee to provide $10 million to the Global Equality Fund and increase to $6 million USAID’s LGBTI portfolio to begin addressing that imbalance. Congress has a crucial role to play in advancing this work and protecting human rights around the globe. We must support LGBTQ human rights advocates to continue their innovative and inspiring work to change the hearts and minds of their leaders, their fellow citizens, and their communities. Thank you so much. [The information follows:] 221

Testimony of JoDee Winterhof Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs Human Rights Campaign March 12, 2019

Madam Chair and members of the subcommittee:

My name is Jo Dee Winterhof , and I am the Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs at the Human Rights Campaign, America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) equality. I am testifying today in support of the State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) budget for fiscal year 2020 and specifically for the work of the State Department and USAID to defend and advance the human rights of LGBTQ people around the globe, primarily through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), and through the Development Assistance account.

Even as this body works to advance the Equality Act to move our own country to a more perfect union, LGBTQ people around the world face daily challenges to be who they are, safe from violence or death. Therefore, it is not an understatement to say that the situation LGBTQ people face in many parts of the world is dire. • In up to 69 countries, same-sex activity is criminalized, and in 10 of those, it is punishable by death. • Another three countries have so-called anti-propaganda laws that inhibit the ability to speak openly about LGBTQ issues. One of those countries in Russia. • In the Russian republic of Chechnya, we have seen authorities round up, detain, torture, and even kill people based on their sexual orientation or their gender identity- or even based on the suspicion they might be LGBTQ. • In the fall of 2017, Egyptian authorities rounded up dozens of LGBTQ people after someone was photographed raising a rainbow flag at a rock concert in Cairo that September. • Authorities in Indonesia have publicly flogged people who had been accused of homosexuality in front of jeering crowds of thousands of people. • Around the world, at least 2,982 transgender people were murdered between January 1 2008 and October 1, 2018. More than four-fifths of those murders occurred in Central and South America.1

1 https://transrespect.org/en/tmm-update-trans-day-of-remembrance-2018/ 222

While the environment is extraordinarily challenging, LGBTQ advocates around the globe continue their truly inspiring and amazing work to fight for their own human rights and dignity, as well as the rights of others in the broader community. We stand in awe of their bravery and courage and strongly urge this committee to help them to advance their work as they join efforts to protect human rights for all people, no matter who they are or whom they love.

They are activists like Caleb Orozco, the executive director of United Belize Advocacy Movement {UNIBAM). Despite threats against his life and enormous legal barriers, he successfully challenged his government's colonial-era law outlawing homosexuality and won his case at the highest court in Belize in 2016.

Or Thu Le, a former fellow at the Human Rights Campaign, who works at the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment {iSEE) in Vietnam. Established in 2007, they conduct research on vulnerable groups in Vietnam and then use that evidence to advocate for equal rights for LGBTI people and ethnic minorities.

Or Hazel Mokgathi, an HRC Global Innovator, who worked with the African Women for Sexual Health and Gender Justice to hold the first-ever transgender pride event in Botswana in October 2018.

Or Georgian activist Levan Berianidze who, along with a friend, was attacked and beaten by a mob that was shouting homophobic slurs. When the men sought help from the police, the police joined in the attack, rather than protecting the victims. Nevertheless, with incredible resilience, the Georgian LGBTQ community responded by calling on their government to conduct an investigation into the case and punish the police officers involved, and also create and implement a hate crimes policy and strategic plan for implementation.

These are just a few examples of the incredible work being done around the world - but it cannot happen without help from partners in the United States and other countries.

That is why we strongly support the work of the U.S. State Department's Bureau for Democracy, Rights and Labor's Global Equality Fund {GEF), which "empowers civil society organizations and human rights defenders working to protect and advance the fundamental rights of LGBT and lntersex {LGBTI) persons so that they can live freely and exercise their rights without fear of discrimination or abuse." It is a collaborative, public-private partnership that brings together governments, companies, foundations and NGOs to support civil society organizations that promote the inclusion and dignity 223 of LGBTI people and send a clear message to the world that LGBTI rights are human rights. We also strongly support the work of the Development Assistance (DA) account, which funds incredibly important LGBTI work through USAID's Human Rights Division.

The need for funding in these two accounts far exceeds the funding currently available. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, for example, receives about four times more LGBTl-specific solicitations than they receive for non-LGBTI programs and are able to fund only 3-5% of the LGBTl-specific funding requests, compared to a funding rate of about 15-20% for non-LGBTI programs. Additionally, the grants are far smaller for LGBTI programs, on average, than they are for non-LGBTI programs, as they attempt to fund as many projects as they can.

We therefore urge the committee to provide $10 million to the Global Equality Fund and $5 million to USAID's LGBTI Portfolio to begin addressing that imbalance.

Congress has a crucial role to play in advancing this work and protecting human rights around the globe. LGBTQ and human rights advocates must have the resources and support they need to continue their innovative, creative and inspiring work to change the hearts and minds of their leaders, their fellow citizens and their communities. 224

Bio: JoDee Winterhof, a veteran political strategist and respected advocate with over 20 years of experience in navigating the complex intersection between politics, campaigns, messaging and public policy, currently serves as Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs for the Human Rights Campaign. In this role, she leads the organization's federal, state and local legislative, field and legal teams, while overseeing management ofHRC's political action committees and electoral engagement. Winterhof joined HRC after serving as a Chief of Staff in the US Senate and US House of Representatives, as well as head of advocacy for CARE, an International Non-Governmental Organization. She served as Chief of Staff to former US Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09). In addition to her work on the Hill, Winterhofhas held leadership roles on multiple presidential, senatorial and congressional campaigns including Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. She hails from Walnut, Iowa and is a graduate of Simpson College. 225

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.MCQUEEN The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. McQueen. Ms. MCQUEEN. Thank you Chairwoman Lowey and I wanted to also thank you, Congresswoman Frankel. I feel like I need to channel Chief Justice Janet DiFiore and Charles Kennedy and say if it please the court. And as part of that, I would invite staff because I know how very important it is behind the scenes. So if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me. So the National Center for State Courts was founded in 1971 by then-Chief Justice Warren Burger and the chief justices of all the state Supreme Courts. And I think you can say, well why courts? You know, why justice? Why rule of law? And I don’t think we have to look any further than the Constitution as a model because in the words of the Preamble, establishing justice was the foundation before ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting general welfare and securing liberty. In other words, all the issues that you have heard today that are so important to this committee whether it is healthcare, gender identity, personal security, personal property, forced migration, a stabilized economy, freedom of the press or families all depend on a free, stabilized and independent rule of law and judicial program. So the National Center for State Courts working with a conference of chief justices have established judicial reform programs in over 80 countries and we use a partnership, a community engagement, youth, values, vulnerable populations as a way to do that one-on-one sharing to improve government accountability, to improve access to justice and to promote media freedom, to ensure fair and open elections. As Margie Marshall the former Chief Justice of Massachusetts who actually grew up in South Africa said, justice and the rule of law is like oxygen, you don’t know how much you need it until somebody steps on the hose. And so I think that all of the things that you want to do that we want to accomplish for the United States as well as our international partners is through a stabilized rule of law. And I will give you a couple of examples, if we want to have reliable democratic partners, if we want to have stabilized economies, we have to have a rule of law that will enforce contracts that people can rely on that everyone will be treated the same, that will apply the same laws and values. And so part of what we do is go in and actually help legislative leaders draft constitutions, write the statutes, talking about what are the values, because we can sit here and say, Well you are innocent until you are proven guilty. Until you go into an Eastern European country that shifts that burden that you are guilty until proven innocent. And so you have to help when you are working on these types of legislative reforms to really engage the population. I will give you another example, Morocco worked very hard to establish women’s rights, really especially for marriage issues and domestic violence and children. But what we found that was really unanticipated was how strong the cultural influence was, because even though you have the right to go in and be treated equally in a 226 court, to not lose your children in a divorce, the cultural values were so deep that no one would make themselves available to enforcing those. So I want to talk just real quickly about some new programs most recently in Central America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Sal- vador, Nicaragua, and Panama, and what we know there is a lot of the gang violence is really from recruiting from a lot of the drug cartels, young men especially. And so we have established a restorative justice program that basically diverts first time offenders to try to develop a restitutional and education option instead of jail, to try to break that cycle. I would have to say that in Kosovo, working with the bar and working with the courts, and especially to establish a judicial council, and I know earlier you have talked about the need to make sure that these democratic institutions represented all the communities that were there. And so we ensured in Kosovo that the Serbians were at the table as well as the Kosovars in moving forward to implement the new justice system in Kosovo. And so some of our visitor programs, we have had the first women judges in Egypt which was a major accomplishment. We have most recently, in this fall will be hosting an international conference for traditional training institutions, judicial colleges in South Africa. And so finally, I just wanted to share with you that I was in a, it was kind of like a street fair and we had a booth set up for different institutions in the judicial system, and one was a crisis center, because human trafficking is a major, major challenge in the Balkans, and without having the capacity or any place to go, sometimes you find young women whose families actually sell them into slavery as an economic development. And a young woman was standing kind of on the side, and I looked over and she kind of looked like she wanted to come speak to us but didn’t. And so finally I just went over and started talking to her, and she started crying because she did not know that there was an option for her through a crisis center. So I think the most important thing we could hope for is that when somebody feels that they are being threatened, that they don’t come to the police department first, they may come to the courts. So I thank you on behalf of our country’s chief justices, judicial leaders, and really urge you to support and expand the efforts of the State Department and USAID to strengthen judicial reform and especially emphasize the need for international rule of law. [The information follows:] 227

MARY C. MCQUEEN PRESIDENT NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 12, 2019

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and members of the Subcommittee, for the opportwrlty to testify before the Subcommittee regarding judicial reform on behalf of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). NCSC, in association with the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), urge that this Subcommittee in its fiscal year 2020 State, Foreign Operations bill expand efforts by the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to strengthen judicial reform programs as part of an overall emphasis on the rule of law.

Such programs are critical to building and sustaining democracy abroad; protecting vital U.S. national interests; fighting corruption, organized crime and terrorism; and promoting human rights and justice for marginalized and vulnerable groups.

NCSC was founded 47 years ago at the urging of the late Chief Justice Warren Burger to promote innovation and reform in state judiciaries across the United States. In 1992, after more than 20 years of working to promote equal, efficient and effective justice in United States state courts, NCSC responded to requests from the international donor community and formed the International Programs Division.

For the past two decades, NCSC has implemented more than 80 rule-of-law programs in developing countries around the globe. Our staff of attorneys and judicial reform specialists provide cutting edge research, education, and consulting services that support the justice sector. NCSC offers a comprehensive set ofresources and technical expertise, and our multidisciplinary staff works collaboratively with justice system counterparts in developing countries on a variety of ref.arm initiatives. NCSC provides technical assistance, educational programs, leadership/management training, applied research and technological innovation to help justice systems worldwide strengthen and improve the rule oflaw. 228

Let me acknowledge the difficult task before you in making what are clearly important decisions regarding budget priorities. A key question is: What will the United States gain from funding rule of law programs abroad? Simply put, countries that have stable justice systems can become reliable democratic partners, averting global conflicts and instability that inevitably require costly American military and foreign policy interventions. Investments in rule oflaw programs can help counter state-sponsored terrorism, build regional security, check government corruption, and reduce refugee migrations that affect American borders.

Through a variety of programs and efforts, NCSC promotes the rule of law and government accountability, which is at the heart of our national system of values. NCSC International engages in strategically targeted justice sector reform programs in fragile states with weak or divided democratic institutions.

These programs are part of an effort to promote political and social stability, to fight corruption, to protect the rights of individuals, and to create conditions that foster economic prosperity. NCSC's staff has worked around the world, engaging in comprehensive rule oflaw projects in Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition to implementing rule of law and judicial reform programs, our International Visitors Education Program is an important part of our efforts to promote justice system reform and our values as a nation. Through this program we generally host more than 300 judges and justice system officials annually.

In 2018, we hosted delegations from Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Myanmar, several North African countries, and Ukraine, offering valuable exchanges between U.S. and foreign jurists, as well as implementing long-standing judicial internship programs with the supreme courts of South Korea and Japan. We provide training through a combination of briefings and seminars on the U.S. justice system, continuing legal education, and special issues seminars such as judicial independence, governance, and relations with the other branches of government. NCSC's unique state-level perspective allows us to advise countries grappling with issues not only related to federalism and decentralization but also virtually every aspect of our legal system.

Beyond the United States, NCSC is currently working in Sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria); in North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia); in the Middle East (Lebanon); in the Caribbean Basin and Latin America (Barbados, Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago); in Eastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Moldova); and South Asia (Bangladesh).

We have conducted sector-wide justice reform assessments, assisted with strategic planning and implementation, and provided institutional capacity building support to ministries, courts, prosecutors, legal defense institutions, elementary and secondary school systems, national assemblies, and law schools. In partnership with the U.S. donor agencies and local counterparts, we have developed sustainable continuing legal education programs for judges and lawyers; supplied infrastructure and software improvements to courts and prosecutors; harmonized criminal procedures and coordination between police, prosecutors, and courts; established small-

2 229 claims courts and alternative dispute resolution services; trained court administrators, lawyers, and prosecutors; implemented multi-media public awareness and access to justice initiatives; and assisted national assemblies by improving their legislative drafting processes.

NCSC continues to develop and utilize a number of tools customized to provide justice system agencies with quick assistance. For example, the Center has developed an integrated, automated court case management system that is sufficiently "generic" to allow for customization and implementation of case management functions on a variety of platforms. Our CourTools© performance measurement system has been adapted in other countries, such as Kosovo, to give local leaders a set of tools to assess performance of the court system.

As a result, judges and court leaders are able to gain insight into the functioning of their courts and implement changes that improve access, timeliness, efficiency and ethics in light of objective data. Having maintained a continued presence in Kosovo since 2001, NCSC's efforts have helped Kosovo with the transition from international to local control; assisted in reforming and restructuring the courts and prosecutorial system to promote effective and impartial justice; and improved the efficiency of court operations both administratively and jurisdictionally. We have designed and implemented pilot programs in foreign countries that help judges, prosecutors, court officials, and other professional implement reforms and become change agents within their own institutions.

In 2019, NCSC is implementing nearly 40 rule oflaw programs supported by U.S. donor agencies. Examples of recent initiatives NCSC has implemented on behalf of U.S. Government agencies and in furtherance of U.S. government goals include:

• In Bangladesh, NCSC recently concluded a six-year program supporting citizens' access to justice by improving the legal framework for legal aid services, improving the legal aid services provided to the public, increasing the public's understanding oflegal aid and legal services, and further developing their ability to evaluate the performance ofjudges.

• In Uganda, NCSC recently completed a five-year program improving the systems for adjudication ofland disputes and the systems that administer the records oflands and property. These disputes are a major driver of conflict in Uganda and improving the administration of land dispute resolution systems has had a significant impact on the reduction of conflict in Uganda.

• In Nigeria, NCSC is working with the National Judicial Council of Nigeria to implement an electronic case management system, build institutional capacity to govern complicated projects, and improve communications software. ·

• From Colombia to Mexico, NCSC is providing services for capacity building and training to support the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and host country efforts to respond to transnational and organized crime that threatens regional security in Latin America, spurs illegal immigration, and impacts the U.S.

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• In Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama, NCSC is working to advance rule of law and strengthen systems for juvenile justice and rehabilitation as part of a comprehensive effort to improve justice and security in the region.

• In the Caribbean Basin, NCSC has begun implementing a new five-year anti-crime program to strengthen criminal justice institutions, as well as providing on-going training efforts to improve capacity ofjustice sector institutions, particularly in the area of juvenile justice.

• In Trinidad and Tobago, NCSC is assisting with the design and implementation of case management software that will streamline court processes, promoting greater transparency and increasing access to justice.

• In Morocco, NCSC is supporting reforms to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and governance issues to strengthen judicial administration.

• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, NCSC continues to implement a partnership program with 19 prosecutor offices to strengthen their capacity to investigate and prosecute government corruption and economic crime cases. NCSC is also implementing clinical education programs at four law schools and mock trial competitions at four high schools, to mobilize youth to be agents of change and lead future justice reform efforts.

• In Moldova, NCSC is helping judicial ethics and disciplinary bodies strengthen professionalism and accountability, thereby increasing public confidence in the judiciary.

NCSC and our colleague organizations share one ambition: to improve the lives of people through justice system reform that is essential to ensuring political stability, social harmony, and economic prosperity. NCSC bears witness to the impact U.S.-funded rule oflaw programs have had abroad in strengthening justice systems and developing local professional capacity to sustain the reform process.

The rule oflaw programs that NCSC implements abroad touch all branches of government and engage numerous government and societal actors, who are trying to build stable civil societies rooted in law. In the absence of rule oflaw, government is unaccountable to the people and inevitably becomes corrupt and unjust- an outcome that the U.S.-funded rule oflaw projects help to avert every year in all regions of the world.

Today, in parts of the world, there is a resurgence of authoritarian rule. Threats of terrorism are on-going, and mass illegal immigration is affecting all regions of the world. Government corruption is a key source of financing for criminal and terrorist organizations that know no borders, posing grave threats to developing and developed countries alike.

The rule of law and functioning judicial systems are critical to the stability of democratic societies, as well as developing and post-conflict countries. U.S.-funded democracy programs help governments and citizens in developing countries pursue justice and fulfill democratic

4 231 principles - and in the process become America's ally in the global fight against authoritarianism, corruption, terrorism, and other threats to democracy.

Madam Chairwoman, on behalf ofNCSC, I urge that this Subcommittee in its fiscal year 2020 State, Foreign Operations bill continue to support and expand efforts by the Department of State and US AID to strengthen judicial reform programs as part of an overall emphasis on the rule of law.

Continued investments in judicial reform as part of rule of law programs abroad will save America from costly interventions in far-away places.

Above all, U.S. support for rule of law programs abroad will demonstrate our nation's on-going commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of all citizens and opening the opportunities of democracy to everyone.

Thank you for your consideration.

5 232

MARY CAMPBELL MCQUEEN PRESIDENT NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS

Mary C. McQueen has served as president of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) since August 2004. Previously McQueen served as Washington State court administrator from 1987- 2004 and director of Judicial Services for the Washington State Office of the Administrator for the Courts, 1979-1987, president of the Conference of State Court Administrators in 1995-96, and chair of the Lawyer's Committee of the American Bar Association/Judicial Division. She is a member of the Washington and U.S. Supreme Court Bars. She has received the American Judicature Society's Herbert Harley Award and the NCSC Innovation in Jury Management Award. She also received the John Marshall Award in 2014, presented by the American Bar Association Judicial Division in recognition of her lifetime contributions to the improvement of the administration ofjustice, judicial independence, justice reform and public awareness.

Recently, McQueen received the ABA Judicial Division's Lawyers Conference 2016 Robert B. Yegge Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Judicial Administration. McQueen has served on numerous ABA Committees and Task Forces including the Standing Committee on State and Federal Courts, the Commission on the Future of Legal Services and the newly created ABA Center for Innovation. In her capacity as President ofNCSC, McQueen coordinates major national initiatives for the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) including the review of model rules and polices on admission to the bar, legal education requirements and professional ethics for lawyers and judges. President McQueen serves as Secretary General of the International Organization on Judicial Training (!OJI) consisting of 80 country members. She holds a bachelors of arts degree from the University of Georgia and a juris doctorate from Seattle University Law School. 233

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Ms. Frankel. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you. That was really interesting testimony. Ms. McQueen, I have seen firsthand so many issues you have been talking about because I was in one of the Eastern European countries, they were sharing that they want more American economic development and so forth. And we are saying to them, you have got to have a rule of law, you can’t have to bribe the port officials and all that but that is not my question. My question is to Ms. Winterhof. In terms of USAID or any American initiative, what are the best initiatives to try to change either the culture or the laws in these countries that are being discriminatory? Ms. WINTERHOF. Well, it can vary by country. And so really what we try to do is work with the groups in that particular country to bring forward their voices about what changes are needed. You know, we do share experiences. One of the things we do is we have an international group of fellows that we bring together to let them talk to each other. Caleb has been part of that program and others that I mentioned, so that they can talk about what they are finding success with in their countries and then we can work to help support those efforts, it really does vary. But it is almost like thinking about what is happening in this country, but go back like a few decades in terms of people being in the closet. There are not support for people at work and things like that. So, you know, you can get the international businesses to actually start speaking out, that is safe spaces so that people speaking out in many of these countries are truthfully are more allies at first than some of the folks in these groups. The folks who are leading these local groups are so brave, it is extraordinary what they do. And so working with them to figure out what the challenges are in the country and then how to meet those challenges. Ms. FRANKEL. Are you saying that that is where the USAID effort should be, to help these local groups? Ms. WINTERHOF. Well, not only. It should be in great part though, because those groups were the ones that are really going to work to make change. And we have other programs that we do at HRC, but there are many partners who also do work in this space. But you do have to start with the local groups or the individuals in the country to know what is best in those places. Ms. FRANKEL. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Appreciate you appearing before us. And our eighth panel, we still have a few more. Ms. Joan Rosenhauer, executive director of the Jesuit Refugee Service USA. Ms. Alice Albright, chief executive officer of the Glob- al Partnership for Education. And Ambassador Stephens, vice chair of the board at the Asia Foundation. Thank you very much. Thank you for appearing before us today. Please proceed. 234

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. REFUGEE EDUCATION; GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION; BASIC EDUATION; FISCAL YEAR 2020 RE- QUEST FOR $19 MILLION; THE FOUNDATION’S WORK ACROSS THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION WITNESSES AMBASSADOR KATHLEEN STEPHENS, THE ASIA FOUNDATION ALICE ALBRIGHT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GLOBAL PARTNER- SHIP FOR EDUCATION JOAN ROSENHAUER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JESUIT REFUGEE SERV- ICE, USA

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.STEPHENS Ms. STEPHENS. Thank you very much, Madam Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, members of the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the subcommittee on behalf of the Asia Foundation. I am proud to service Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. Thank you for your support of the Foun- dation. We are grateful for the confidence that you have shown in our programs and our ability to advance American interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The Asia Foundation advances the interests of the United States by supporting stable democracies, good governance, the rights of women, and free markets in Asia. To build on Congress’ investment in the foundation, the Asia Foundation is asking for $19 million for Fiscal Year 2020, a modest increase of $2 million over current funding of $17 million. This increase will enable us to sustain our programs and expand technology programs to boost economic empowerment, fight misinformation and cyber security threats, and bolster democratic governance. These funds will also enable the Foundation’s reentry into Pacific Island nations important to U.S. interest responding to the need for democracy and governance, women’s security and empowerment and disaster risk management. Established in 1954, the Asia Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization headquartered in San Francisco. We operate through 18 country offices in Asia. Foundation representatives maintain important relationships with the Asian governments and leaders and at the same time maintain links to local communities built on decades of trust and ongoing engagement. We have appreciated the past support of the committee in rejecting proposed cuts and we hope that you will do so again. We ask that you consider this increase for the foundation given American interests in the Indo-Pacific region as signaled by the enactment of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act in December. Appropriated funding is critical to the foundation’s ability to continue operating. The foundation is an especially cost-effective investment for the Congress in a time of budget constraints. We make the most of the taxpayer dollar by leveraging resources. Over the last decade, every dollar appropriated to the foundation has made it possible to raise roughly $4 from non-U.S. government sources. The committee is familiar with the Asia Foundation’s 235 work, so I won’t go into great detail but I will say from my own 40-plus years of experience in South Korea I have seen firsthand how the Asia Foundation and its programs contributed to South Korea’s economic and democratic blossoming as a full partner of the United States and how much those efforts are still appreciated by Koreans today. South Korea is just one example of how the foundation contributes to the U.S. strategy of balanced engagement by working with countries in transition, from assistance recipients to enduring diplomatic, economic, and security partners. It is the Foundation’s locally driven approach that makes its programs effective, sustainable, and welcome throughout the Endo-Pacific region. The Foundation’s work demonstrates how democracy can deliver. More people in Indonesia, Nepal, Laos, and Sri Lanka have access to justice to protect their lives and property and mediate disputes because of our Judicial Sector Reform programs. More people are able to open their own businesses, title their land, and expand their livelihoods without having to pay exorbitant fees and corrupt practices in Mongolia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. More women have the ability to go to school, exercise their rights to vote, and hold office, protect themselves and their children from traffic and violence because of the foundation’s efforts in Cambodia, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan. More people are finding opportunities through education and civic participation rather than extremist ideology and conflict in Thailand, Mindanao in the Philippines, and Malaysia. In conclusion, funding at $19 million will allow the Asia Founda- tion to invest in innovative programs that have received congressional encouragement. The Foundation’s track record demonstrates that we can make effective and efficient use of funds to advance U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region. We respectfully request that the committee support the Asia Foundation at $19 million for Fiscal Year 2020. Thank you. [The information follows:] 236

Statement of Ambassador Kathleen Stephens

Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees The Asia Foundation

Prepared for the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs

THE ASIA FOUNDATION (TAF)

March2019

Madame Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers & Members of the Subcommittee:

I am honored to submit this testimony as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Asia Foundation (TAF). For 65 years, the Foundation has advanced the interests of the United States in supporting stable democracies, good governance, the political and economic rights of women and free markets in Asia. We are deeply grateful for the confidence the Committee has shown in the Foundation in recent years. Established in 1954, The Asia Foundation is a private, non-profit, nongovernmental organization headquartered in San Francisco. An annual appropriation is authorized under The Asia Foundation Act of 1983 (22USC4402). The Act acknowledged the importance of sustained funding for TAF and endorsed its ongoing value and contributions to U.S. interests in Asia. We pledge to you that with your continuing support, The Asia Foundation will sustain its work across the Indo-Pacific. In order to build on Congress' investment in the Foundation, The Asia Foundation is asking for $19,000,000 for Fiscal Year 2020, the same level as enacted funding in FY201 I. This modest increase will enable the Foundation's plans for new programs in technology for economic empowerment, cyber-security, and governance, and allow the Foundation's re-entry into Pacific Island nations important to U.S. interests, where there are major challenges to governance, women's empowerment and disaster resilience.

T AF operates through 18 country offices in Asia. Through those offices, we identify and establish relationships with reform-minded individuals and organizations that merit our help as they seek to advance the same goals and interests that we support. We believe that those we nurture today will ensure future security cooperation, development partnerships and fair trade between the U.S. and vital nations of Asia.

Appropriated funding is critical to TAF's ability to continue operating as a unique American asset across the lndo-Pacific region. In making our request for funding of $19 million, we are very aware of budgetary pressures on the Committee. We respectfully suggest, however, that TAF is an especially cost-effective investment for the Congress in a time of budget constraints. T AF delivers programs that have impact and make the most of the taxpayer dollar by leveraging resources. TAF has worked hard to diversify its funding, raising roughly four dollars from non USG sources for every dollar of direct appropriation it has received for the past decade.

Page 1 of5 237

We have appreciated the past support of the Committee in rejecting proposed cuts and we hope that you will do so again We ask that you consider this increase for TAF given the priority interests of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region, as signaled by the passage of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) by the Congress in December 2018.

Sufficient appropriated funding is essential to maintaining the Foundation's strong presence across Asia, specifically in countries of priority interest to the U.S. No other organization has the long history and presence on the ground of the Asia Foundation in Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Indonesia. Trust is built on continuity, and it is because ofTAF's consistent local presence throughout the region that it has become such a trusted partner to local civil society and individual reformers in advancing democratic reform and free markets in the region.

At a time when the U.S. is working to support a free, open, prosperous, rule-based order in the lndo-Pacific, TAF' s ability to advance these goals on the ground in Asia is more important than ever. T AF has been grateful for its stable funding at $ 17 million for the past six years, but the new challenges to American interests in the region and TAF's unique ability to respond to those challenges justifies the request for an increase to $19 million.

How is The Asia Foundation Unique Among Other Organizations Operating in Asia?

The Asia Foundation is first and foremost a field-based organization. Through a cost-effective combination of grant-making and direct program operations managed by our 18 permanent offices in Asia. TAF maximizes program impact while keeping costs low. TAF, on average, makes nearly 700 grants a year to partner organizations in Asia. Past Committee report language has commended the effectiveness of TAF's grant-making role. Through its network of offices, TAF can respond rapidly to new conditions, and TAF's action oriented research and evidence based approaches enable programs to address identified needs on the ground. T AF then delivers programs to meet local needs, improving the lives of Asia's citizens and contributing to cooperative U.S.-Asia relations.

TAF promotes reform by providing training, technical assistance and seed funding to hundreds of established and emerging Asian partner organizations, reform-minded individuals and future leaders. These longstanding investments in human capital have paid off. TAF has important relationships with Asian governments and leaders and at the same time, maintains links to local communities built on decades of trust and ongoing engagement. Former TAF grantees have become leaders and change-makers in government, industry, academia and an increasingly diverse civil society, for example, the new Speaker of the Mongolian parliament, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, founder and Chairman of the premier polling organization in Asia, The Social Weather stations, in the Philippines, and founder of the Center for Korean Women in Politics.

As country specialists, T AF representatives act as a substantive resource for program partners and implementers. TAF also acts as a resource on political and economic trends and issues for U.S. Embassies across Asia, especially as U.S. officials' movements and outreach have been more circumscribed due to security concerns. T AF often responds to Embassy requests to

Page 2of5 238

provide books for American Centers through TAF's flagship Books for Asia program. TAF continues to work with U.S. Embassies in complementary ways on sensitive issues that cannot be addressed by the USG directly.

How Does The Asia Foundation Contribute to U.S. Interests in the Indo-Pacific Region?

More than ever, the U.S. has vital economic, political and security interests in Asia, and TAF's engagement has led to better governance, stronger economies, and empowered citizens in many parts of the region. These developments have led to deeper economic relationships and increased security cooperation between Asian countries and the United States. The core areas of TAF's work directly contribute to advancing U.S. strategic goals and objectives.

TAF focuses on country and regional programs that promote stability in Asia and advance American interests. TAF's work strengthens democratic institutions; improves governance and the rule of law; and counters violent extremism. TAF programs engage local partners to develop mechanisms to combat corruption and increase transparency. In Indonesia, TAF's program to strengthen the judicial sector to prevent corruption has trained 38 new judges on anti-corruption principles, introduced anti-corruption modules into bar association training and law school curricula, and supported the use of analytical tools to monitor corruption cases.

TAF contributes to sustained economic growth in the region, improving accountability and economic opportunities for Asian and American businesses; increasing women's empowerment and entrepreneurship; and encouraging regional cooperation and connectivity among nations in the Indo-Pacific region. Technology solutions have identified roadblocks to digital entrepreneurship and helped create an enabling environment for the digital economy, including through a partnership with Google to advance economic entrepreneurship and inclusion in an APEC initiative resulting in a Digital Prosperity Award.

Vietnam's fruits and vegetables industry are a key driver of the country's economy. TAF and the Ministry of Agriculture undertook research to identify factors that affect the competitiveness of fruits and vegetable enterprises, including the importance of food safety and traceability of food supply chain management. To address the issue, TAF's project APEC Connect introduced a blockchain-verified digital identity platform for Vietnamese dragon fruit producers and exporters to attach unique and authenticable signatures to their products. Other participants in the value chain, including consumers, retailers and importers can use the platform to trace the provenance of the goods they buy. By September 2018, 26 user IDs were created for farmers, traders and export companies. Information related to 50 trades of dragon fruits to Australia were uploaded to the platform, with QR stamps attached to every dragon fruit in the 50 trades, encouraging a new platform for growth of the industry.

TAF contributes to the U.S. strategy of balanced engagement by working with countries to transition from assistance recipients to enduring diplomatic, economic and security partners. TAF programs reinforce U.S. policy priorities and interests by improving the business policy environment in Asian countries through better governance, procurement practices and transparency. TAF also convenes dialogues where American and Asian foreign policymakers discuss common approaches and deepen understanding in the post-traditional aid environment of

Page 3 of5 239 emerging donors. TAF also works with partners to examine the conditions facing newly advanced middle income countries, these countries have progressed beyond development assistance, but still face governance and other challenges as key economic and security partners of the U.S., such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Transitions take time, and appropriated dollars allow TAF to make long-term investments in positive ways.

What Would the Foundation do with Increased Funding?

We have appreciated the faith ofthe_Committee in supporting TAF's funding despite the proposed cut in the President's budget. We have worked to earn that trust by maximizing programs that advance and complement U.S. interests in the region.

FY 2020 funding at $19 million would position The Asia Foundation to maintain and expand programs in countries struggling with corruption, internal conflicts and weak democratic processes and institutions. TAF's programs have deepened over the years to address the root causes of extremism, governance at the national and sub-national level, women's empowerment and harness the use of technology to increase program impact. TAF uses evidence based approaches by conducting primary research that is used as a basis for our own programs but is also shared, valued and used by other donors and governments, to improve how assistance is provided. An example is the Survey of the Afghan People, now in its 14th year.

Priorities include expanding use of technology to promote inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship, and address governance issues in the Pacific Islands, where concerns about outside influences have become stronger. TAF's goals continue to be:

• Expand community resilience, youth leadership and security in areas vulnerable to extremist recruitment in Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia; • Counter corruption and improve public accountability efforts in Burma, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Vietnam and Mongolia; • Pioneer the Afyanmar Business Environment Index, to benchmark constraints and opportunities in Myanmar's local economic governance, similar to TAF's successful indices in Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Cambodia; • Embark on a new public education initiative Safe Smart Digital Asia to combat fake news, online fraud, scams and misinformation to protect consumers' digital identity and promote good digital citizenship in Indonesia, India, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam; • Strengthen women's empowerment programs throughout Asia, including developing economic opportunity and entrepreneurship for women, supporting girls' education, and combatting trafficking and gender-based violence, especially in South Asia; • Launch a new project on the Future of Work, focusing on the impact of automation that eliminates jobs in the manufacturing sector. In partnership with Microsoft, this research effort will result in a white paper and conference within ASEAN on upskilling and retraining opportunities in the region.

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• Promote engagement of traditional and religious leaders in community development, women's empowerment, election observation and education in Indonesia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan; • Support transitional justice in Sri Lanka and Nepal, and the Philippines' judicial reforms; • Extend conflict resolution and peace processes in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Nepal and Burma, and in largely Muslim southern Thailand where lack of security and a long running ethnic/religious conflict threaten national stability; • Sustain TAF's signature initiative, the Books for Asia program, which has provided over 51.7 million English-language books and digital content to more than 20 countries - nearly 300,000 in 2018 alone. Millions of Asian students and leaders have accessed global sources of knowledge and a better understanding of the United States. For this program, an investment of $1 million in appropriated funds leverages $10 million in donated English language books, digital content and educational materials from U.S. publishers. TAF has expanded its award winning e-book platform Let's Read, which works with young local web developers and authors to create original children's book content, freely accessible online for download and use in local schools, libraries and institutions. The program's digital library has doubled its content since 2016, with over 1800 new books in English and 20 languages, including minority languages, in nine countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Laos, .Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea (in 10 languages for migrant worker families). • Renew programs in key Pacific Island countries to work with stakeholders to improve governance and services; build capacity for civil society and government on principles of democracy and open societies, women's rights and gender based violence and cooperation and coordination in disaster risk management and resilience.

CONCLUSION: Funding at $19 million will allow The Asia Foundation to invest in innovative programs that have received Congressional encouragement. We believe the Foundation's track record demonstrates that we can leverage any appropriated dollars and make efficient use of those funds to advance U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

We appreciate the Committee's longstanding trust of and support for The Asia Foundation. The Congressional appropriation authorized in the 1983 Asia Foundation Act has been and remains invaluable to TAF's ability to achieve results on the ground and fulfill our shared mission to maintain U.S. presence and advance U.S. interests in Asia. We respectfully urge that the Committee support FY2020 funding for The Asia Foundation at $19 million.

(A full listing ofAsia Foundation programs may be found on our website at www.asiafoundation.org.)

Page 5of5 241 Kathleen Stephens

Vice Chair of the Board and Executive Committee

President & CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America Former William J Perry Fellow, Korea Program, Walter H Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Ambassador Kathleen Stephens is Vice-Chair of The Asia Foundation Board of Trustees. She is the president of the Korea Economic Institute of America.

Stephens was formerly William J. Perry Fellow in the Korea Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC). Amb. Stephens, a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, was Acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in 2012, and U.S Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, 2008-2011. In 2015, Ambassador Stephens served for seven months' service in India as the Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

During her diplomatic career Stephens served in numerous posts in Washington, Asia, and Europe. From 2005 to 2007 she was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP). While Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) from 2003 to 2005, she focused on post-conflict and stabilization issues in the Balkans. She was Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council during the Clinton Administration Stephens' overseas postings included service in China, Korea, Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Stephens holds a bachelor's degree in Asian Studies from Prescott College, and holds a master's degree from Harvard University, along with honorary doctoral degrees from Chungnam National University and the University of Maryland. She was senior State Department Fellow at Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, 2011-2012. She serves as Vice Chair of the Pacific Century Institute Board of Directors, is on the board of The Korea Society, and is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy. Ambassador Stephens studied at the University of Hong Kong. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea in the 1970s. 242

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Now we have so many good panelists left, but we are running way behind. So if you could possibly summarize, we would be forever grateful. Okay. Thank you.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.ALBRIGHT Ms. ALBRIGHT. Thank you. Thank you so much Madam Chair- woman, Congressman Rogers and the members of the subcommittee for inviting us here. On behalf of Global Partnership for Education (GPE), I respectfully ask the subcommittee to recommend at least $125 million for Fiscal Year 2020 contribution to GPE. And further, I request the subcommittee recommend at least $925 million in its contribution to basic education funding. Chair- woman Lowey, I would love to thank you so much for your leadership on global education and in particular for your support for this Fiscal Year 2019 contribution of $90 million. This contribution will help GPE support more children in the world’s 67 poorest countries get access to a quality education. Over the last several weeks I have traveled to three West African countries. The first was Sierra Leone, there years of civil war and the Ebola crisis have taken their toll on Sierra Leone’s education system but the country is a remarkable story of resilience and innovation. One example was the ministry of education’s use of radio broadcasting during the Ebola crisis with the support of GPE to instruct students from a distance. Two weeks ago I was in Chad where nearly 80 percent of the people are illiterate and the government’s biggest challenge is being able to deploy teachers out to the rural zones. There, I spoke with students at a teacher training college who told me that what they really need is books and teaching materials. Their library was virtually empty. So we will now work with Chad to address the lack of training and textbooks and other learning materials to enable teachers to get out to the rural zones. Last week I was in Burkina Faso, where the growing threat of terrorism is keeping more than 150,000 children out of school. The situation there is particularly tough for girls, and at the Nelson Mandela School I spoke with a group of courageous young women who told me about the everyday challenges that they face to get an education. Eighteen kilometer bicycle rides to school, hours of chores when they get home, and perhaps most troubling, sexual coercion to pay for school and in fact succeed in the classroom. GPE is working closely with the Birkinabe government to ensure that girls are educated, healthy, and safe. GPE is a public-private partnership, our funding is results-based and we support the strengthening and reform of national education systems. Overall, we reward progress on learning, on efficiency and on equity. Twenty-eight of GPE’s 67 partner countries are classified as fragile or conflict affected. One such example is Yemen where the escalation of armed conflict has led to considerable disruption in the provision of education. There GPE has worked closely to restructure part of our work to refurbish 150 schools, provide support to 37,000 children, and basic school supplies for over 91,000 children. 243 GPE-supported countries have shown remarkable results over the past 17 years of our existence. The primary school completion rate, one of our core measures, has climbed from 63 percent in 2002 to 76 percent. Seventy four percent of girls in GPE-supported countries now finish primary school compared to 56 percent in 2002. While progress has been made, there remains a lot of work to be done in overcoming some of the gender disparities in many of the countries that we work in, and that is in part what we hope to use further funding to accomplish. Unless we increase investments in education, more than half of the upcoming young generation will not be on track to acquire basic secondary education skills. They will be shut out of the economic opportunities that many others have in other countries, and this can lead to instability and radicalization among youth. The United States through USAID sits on GPE’s board and contributes very strongly both strategically and technically to our work. GPE’s current strategic plan in fact is very well aligned with USAID’s new global basic education strategy, and accordingly, U.S. support to GPE is contributing to the achievement of USAID’s global basic education goals. GPE is also working closely with the business community in support of our overall education goals. Recently we have launched a public-private data roundtable which includes MasterCard, Micro- soft, Intel, HP, Tableau and others, who are providing their time free to us and their expertise to help improve data collection, management and utilization. Madam Chairwoman, I would urge the committee to provide a Fiscal Year 2020 U.S. contribution to GPE of $125 million and I would further urge you to support the overall level of basic education funding of $925 million. And I, again, thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you and for your leadership on this very important topic. [The information follows:] 244

ALICE ALBRIGHT CffiEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madam Chairwolill!Il and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity once again to update you regarding the continuing progress of the 67 developing country partners of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) over the past year. I respectfully ask the Subcommittee to recommend at least $125 million, under the United States Agency for International Development's Development Assistance account, as the US Government's fiscal year 2020 contribution to the Global Partnership for Education. I also request that the Subcommittee recommend at least $925 million from various accounts in the bill for overall basic education funding.

I would like to begin by thanking Congresswoman Lowey for her leadership on global education and the entire Committee for its support in fiscal year 2019 for a $90 million contribution to GPE. This additional contribution from the United States will help the Global Partnership close its financing gap and continue its campaign to ensure that children in the world's poorest countries have access to a quality basic education.

Country Examples

Over the last several weeks, I have traveled to Sierra Leone to review the progress of this country since the Ebola crisis and to meet with its leaders, teachers and partners on the ground. Years of civil war and the Ebola crisis have taken their toll on Sierra Leone's education system, but the country has a remarkable story of resilience and innovation. One example of this was the Ministry of Education's use of radio broadcasting during the Ebola crisis, with support from GPE, to provide instruction to students while schools were closed.

Sierra Leone has made strong progress since the crisis and has committed to increasing its domestic financing for education to 21 % of its budget. However, the country continues to face serious challenges, such as the need to improve learning outcomes for early grades, decrease the number of unapproved schools operating without government support, and increase the number of trained teachers. The government has established a new Teaching Service Commission, the first of its kind in West Africa, to improve teacher effectiveness.

In Chad, I met with its national leaders, including the Minister for Education, and also traveled outside the capital and visited a number of schools, seeing perhaps 1,000 students. For example, I spoke with students at a teacher training college - the number one teacher training college in Chad -- who told me that what they really needed was books. When we visited the 245

library, it was completely empty except for one stack ofbooks on geography from the 1930s entitled "France and the colonies." I visited a primary school where students were learning in a classroom with a broken thatched roof. The remnants of the previous classroom stood nearby. Again, we noted the lack of books. The country's high population growth is fueling a growing primary school education age population in a country where nearly eighty percent of the population is illiterate. We must address the lack of training, textbooks and other reading material.

I will shortly visit Burkina Faso and look forward to sharing my observations ofits progress and challenges with the Committee.

The Global Partnership for Education

The Global Partnership for Education is a public-private partnership of donor and developing country gove=ents, UNICEF, UNHCR, the World Bank and other international organizations, civil society, teachers' associations, and the private sector and foundations. The United States is among the donor gove=ents represented on the GPE Board and on its key governance committees, such as the Grant and Performance Committee.

GPE provides financial and technical support to 67 partner countries which are required to commit at least 20% of their national budgets to education, 45% of which should be designated for basic education. The GPE results-based funding model supports the strengthening of national education systems through the development and implementation of good quality education sector plans and education sector reforms.

Our principle objectives are: • to secure improved and more equitable learning outcomes through quality teaching; • to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of education systems so that they can deliver a quality basic education to all; and • to increase equity and inclusion for all, particularly the most poor and marginalized, including gender, disability, ethnicity, and conflict or fragility

Ensuring that children in developing countries have access to a quality basic education is in the national interest of the United States. Education promotes economic growth and stability; reduces the potential of sudden mass migrations; provides increased opportunities for employment; and reduces the risk of hopelessness and radicalization among young people.

Support from the United States will also help leverage additional donor country and private sector financing for the 2018-2020 period.

Fragile and/or Conflict-Affected Countries - Responsive Support

Twenty-eight ofGPE's 67 partner countries are classified as fragile and/or conflict affected due to a natural disaster such as an earthquake or protracted conflict. A majority of the world's out of school children reside in such countries. More than fifty percent ofGPE's disbursements over the past few years were made to fragile and/or conflict affected countries -

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representing approximately $250 million per year. As a result, OPE is one of the largest sources of education support in crisis countries.

For example, escalation of anned conflict has led to considerable disruption of education in Yemen and 1.8 million children in the country are now out of school. As a result, OPE's multi-year $72.6 million grant has been restructured to re-direct $9.7 million of the grant to refurbish 150 schools, provide support to 37,500 children and basic school supplies for almost 91,000 children.

Similarly, the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa forced closure of all schools for almost 18 months in 2014/15. OPE reallocated $1.45 million of its grant to Sierra Leone to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the education system, including supporting education via radio and re-organization of two condensed school years, transitioning back to a normal school year in 2016. In response to a growing number of emergencies in OPE supported countries, OPE has developed new flexible and responsive funding policies that support the development of transitional sector plans and have provided countries such as Chad, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Yemen accelerated funding to enable these countries to better respond to unexpected and acute crises.

Gender Equality- More Girls in School

As a top priority, OPE supports the development of policies and strategies in its partner countries and provides funding to increase gender equity in basic education.

OPE has in place a Gender Equality Policy and Strategy that is designed to address the gender gap among teachers, administrators and throughout the education system, in addition to students. The gender policy and strategy support countries to identify barriers to gender equality, provides countries guidelines for conducting gender analysis, and provides financing for interventions that promote gender equality.

GPEResults

OPE assesses its results by looking at completion rates, exclusion of key segments of the population such as girls, learning outcomes, and whether countries are making sufficient investments of their domestic resources into education. OPE-supported countries show a strong positive trend over the 17 years of the Global Partnership's existence:

• The primary school completion rate in OPE-supported countries has climbed to 76. 7%, from 63% in 2002. 51.6% of children are now completing lower secondary school.

• 74% of girls in OPE-supported countries finish primary school today, compared to 56% in 2002. While we are pleased with the progress achieved over the past decade in relation to the gender gap, securing further increases remains challenging. 73% of the girls who are out of school worldwide and 63% of those who are out oflower secondary school reside in OPE-supported countries.

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• GPE's developing country partners are also contributing more domestic financing to education, reaching almost 80% of countries maintaining at least 20% of their national budgets for education.

• Over 40% of GPE' s support to countries in FY 2018 was allocated to improving learning outcomes.

More Work to be Done

There remain very significant education access and quality challenges in countries, including many that are designated as fragile and/or conflict affected. Worldwide, over 260 million children and young people are out of school. Approximately 130 million more children have attended several years of primary school but have not learned to read, write or to do simple math. Children in lowest-income countries are the most at risk, with only two out of three completing primary school.

As noted by the International Commission on Financing Education Opportunity, unless we increase investments in education more than half of the upcoming generation-825 million of the 1.6 billion young people who are estimated to be alive in 2030-will not be on track to acquire basic secondary education skills. They will be shut out of economic opportunities through a lack of education and in some countries, this can result in national and/or regional instability and radicalization among some youth.

In 2018, GPE held its third Financing Conference. This Financing Conference was held in Dakar and was co-hosted by the presidents of France and Senegal and attended by eight other heads of state and numerous donor government ministers, business and private foundation leaders. This conference secured $2.3 billion in new commitments from donors for 2018 to 2020. The United States announced there a contribution of$75 million in fiscal year 2017 funds for GPE and projected increased funds in the following fiscal years. Many thanks to this Committee and the Congress on a bipartisan basis for its approval of a further $87.5 million to GPE for FY 2018 and recently $90 million for FY 2019. Germany and the Netherlands have also announced new and increased support and as a result GPE will have raised to date approximately $2.5 billion of the $3.1 billion needed to achieve our goals.

In addition, at this Financing Conference, over 50 developing country ministers committed over $110 billion of their own domestic resources to education in their countries.

The United States, through our partner the US Agency for International Development (USAID), sits on GPE's Board and contributes at a technical level to the development of GPE's policies and strengthening ofits funding and operational models. USAID also often serves as a member of the local education group in countries, a key priority setting and program monitoring body in all countries. US support to GPE contributes to the achievement ofUSAID's education goals and the US support to education in fragile and conflict affected countries. More than half ofGPE's disbursements support fragile and/or conflict affected countries.

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GPE's strategic plan is very well aligned with USAID's new global basic education strategy. USAID missions in GPE-supported countries are often closely engaged with the local education groups that work with ministries of education on the formulation of national plans and applications for GPE support. US support to GPE is contributing to the achievement of USAID's global basic education goals.

In February 2018, GPE launched a new public-private initiative called the Education Data Solutions Roundtable with strong engagement of companies, such as Mastercard, Microsoft, Intel, HP and Tableau, which are providing their expertise on the improvement of data collection, management and utilization. The Roundtable is focusing on the need for better tools for education information management and better data visualization, and ways that multiple data systems can be integrated to provide a more comprehensive, wholistic picture at school level.

GPE Results Based Funding Model

A key aspect of the GPE is its finance and technical support for the development and implementation of good quality education sector plans that bring all key partners together at country level under one national strategy and minimizes the fragmentation caused by multiple programs and approaches. USAID and other donors are generally members of the local education groups that are at the center of this process in all countries.

GPE features a result-based funding model that requires developing country partners to commit their own domestic resources for education before receiving GPE financing and rewards progress on learning, efficiency, equity. GPE also requires all partner countries to meet minimum levels of domestic finance for education: .at least 20% of national budgets for the sector overall, with at least 45% of this supporting basic education. As noted above, developing country ministers committed over $110 billion of their own domestic resources for education in Dakar in February 2018.

GPE's operational model at country level also increases transparency regarding funding gaps as well supports improved monitoring ofprogress through the continued engagement of the local education groups throughout the life of the grant.

Fiscal Year 2020 United States Support for GPE and Basic Education

Madam Chairwoman, I urge the Committee to provide a fiscal year 2020 US contribution to the Global Partnership for Education of $125 million. I also urge you to support an overall level for basic education of$925 million.

Thank you for your consideration.

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ALICE ALBRIGHT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION

Ms. Alice P. Albright was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education's Secretariat in February 2013. Since joining OPE, Ms. Albright has strengthened the position of OPE to be a major delivery agency of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

Ms. Albright travels extensively to OPE partner countries and meets with ministers of education and finance, as well as all education stakeholder groups, to promote progress and support efforts toward a quality, inclusive education.

Toe Global Partnership for Education is made up of 65 developing country governments, as well as other donor governments, civil society organizations/NGOs, teacher organizations, international organizations, and private sector organizations and foundations. Their common mission is to mobilize global and national efforts to contribute to the achievement of equitable, quality education and learning for all, through inclusive partnership, a focus on effective and efficient education systems and increased financing.

Before taking on her role as CEO at OPE, Ms. Albright served in the Obama Administration as the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) from 2009 to 2013. In that position she led a significant expansion of the bank's operations. Ms. Albright also launched a number of initiatives to modernize Ex-Im and extend its reach to underserved businesses and markets.

From 2001 to 2009, Ms. Albright served as the Chief Financial and Investment Officer for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAV1) and from 2003, additionally, as the head of GAVl's Washington, DC office. Working closely with GAVl's partners, she helped develop and implement the strategy that transformed GAV! from a start-up to one of the most successful and respected public-private partnerships working in international development. Ms. Albright led GAVl's innovative finance program, which enhanced the delivery and financing of vaccines and immunization services in the world's poorest countries. She also led GAVl's efforts to design and launch the International Finance Facility for Immunization, an award-winning program to enhance GAVl's ability to fmance the purchase of vaccines.

Previously, Ms. Albright worked as a banker with a focus on emerging markets and held a variety of positions at the Carlyle Group, JP Morgan, Bankers Trust Company and Citicorp.

Ms. Albright serves on the Expert Panel on Financing Education of the Education Commission, two working groups to explore financing and refugee education issues, the Board of Regents at Mercersburg Academy, the Board of Directors of the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, and the Strategic Advisory Group of the Hilleman Labs. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She graduated with a BA with Honors in History from Williams College, holds an MA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. 250

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.ROSENHAUER Ms. ROSENHAUER. Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, and members of the subcommittee and staff. I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you on behalf of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA on the importance of investing in refugee education as a critical component of the U.S. government’s foreign assistance. Thank you. We urge the subcommittee to include at least $925 million in funding for basic education programs in the Fiscal Year 2020 State & Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and to support at least $21 million in additional funding for Education Can- not Wait. Today, as you have heard, there are more than 68 million people worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes. Access to education for these forcibly displaced persons is critical. Not only does education offer essential protection and normalcy for children, it also gives them hope that they will have a better future that requires an education. Helping the millions of children who have been traumatized by violence and forced displacement build a brighter future is not only a moral obligation, but a wise global development strategy. How will these children someday lead a more peaceful world if we turn our backs on them today? Yet, more than half of all school-age refugees—4 million children—are out of school. Jesuit Refugee Service is an international catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. Operating in more than 50 countries, JRS offers education both in refugee camps and in non-camp settings including early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary programs. In addition, JRS offers vocational and teacher training, targets programs to women, girls and people with disabilities, and supports new school construction and distribution of materials. We know from these experiences that for children in crisis situations, education is a necessity. Lack of education makes children vulnerable including to recruitment by armed groups, child labor and early marriage. And it leads to greater challenges in the future for the children themselves and their societies and really for the entire global community. And the impact is felt most by girls who are two and a half to three times as likely to be out of school as boys in countries affected by conflict. The global response to this tremendous need has not kept pace. In 2016, education was only 2.7 percent of humanitarian aid. Ro- bust funding of global education programs must become an essential part of humanitarian assistance. We applaud the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs for supporting many life-changing educational programs. Of course, the U.S. cannot tackle this global challenge alone and needs to support multilateral efforts as well. Education Cannot Wait is the first global movement and fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises. It was established during the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 to reposition education as a priority on the humanitarian agenda, pro- 251 mote a more collaborative approach among actors on the ground, and foster additional funding to ensure that every crisis-affected child and young person is in school. To date, ECW has raised over $336 million for both rapid response and multiyear funding platforms. This includes one $21 million contribution from the U.S. at ECW’s launch in 2016. By 2021, ECW aims to reach 8.9 million children, half of whom will be girls. But it needs the support and leadership of the U.S. On behalf of JRS/USA, I urge the subcommittee to support at least $925 million in funding for basic education programs and to support at least $21 million in additional funding for Education Cannot Wait. Thank you. [The information follows:] 252

Statement by Joan Rosenhauer Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA FV20 State & Foreign Operations Appropriations

House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

March 12, 2019

Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee. On behalf of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA), I appreciate the opportunity to present our views on the importance of investing in refugee education programs as a critical component of the U.S. Government's foreign assistance efforts. We urge the Subcommittee to include at least $92S million in funding for basic education programs in the FY20 State & Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and to support at least $21 million in additional funding for Education Cannot Wait.

The plight of refugees around the world is at a tipping point, with more than 68 million individuals who have fled their homes due to war, conflict or persecution. Not only are new crises emerging every day, but the humber of people living in protracted crises - in exile for more than five years - is on the rise. Access to education for refugees and others who are forcibly displaced is critical. Not only does education offer an important form of protection for children, education also engenders hope as it prepares refugees to meet future challenges. Education provides stability and a sense of normalcy, and acts as a form of vital psychosocial support to children whose lives have been disrupted by crisis. Helping the millions of children around the world who have been traumatized by violence and forced displacement recover and build toward a brighter future is not only a moral obligation but a wise global development strategy. How will these children lead a more peaceful world in the future if we tum our backs on them today? Yet, more than half of all school-age refugees - 4 million children - are out of school. Only 61 percent of refugees are enrolled in primary school; 23 percent in secondary school, and the lucky few - only one percent - have access to tertiary education.1 The global response to this tremendous need has not kept pace. In 2016, education was only 2. 7 percent of total humanitarian aid available, and amounted to 48 percent of the amount requested.2 Continued support from the U.S. Government, as well as new and existing multilateral partnerships like Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), can play a critical role in helping forcibly displaced people build a future for themselves and the communities in which they live.

1 UNHCR (2018), Tum the Tide: Refugee Education m Cnsis. https ljwww unhcr org/Sb852f8e4 pdf 2 UNESCO (2017). "Aid to education falls for the sixth consecutive year," https /fen unesco org/news/a1d-educat1on-falls-s1xth-consecut1ve-year

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Prioritizing Refugee Education

Jesuit Refugee Service is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. Operating in more than 50 countries, JRS considers education a life-saving intervention and offers a variety of opportunities for refugees and displaced persons to achieve an education both in refugee camps and in non-camp settings. These include access to pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary education. In addition, JRS offers vocational and teacher training programs, targeted outreach to women, girls and those with disabilities, and supports the building of new schools and distribution of school books and materials. Providing access to education for refugees, and those caught in crisis and conflict settings, first requires planning. Education needs to be incorporated into e~ergency response plans and funding mechanisms, at the host-country and international levels. All too often, education is not seen as a priority and is overlooked at the onset of an emergency. Yet, early investments and ensuring that children are quickly provided with a safe educational setting are crucial not only for their current well-being but for their futures-and ours. If families are living in a conflict zone, schools are often destroyed, or the threat of violence makes it unsafe for children to attempt going to school. Once a refugee, children face a long list of obstacles in gaining access to school in their host countries. This can include a lack of infrastructure and materials, language barriers, inability to pay fees, psychosocial challenges due to trauma experienced, discrimination and lack of security, and learning gaps.3 Many refugee children have missed out on months or years of education • on average, a refugee is out of school for three to four years.4 This reality requires creative programming that meets the needs of children and adolescents who are facing significant educational gaps and have suffered the effects of war and conflict. As a result, accelerated education programs, language training programs, ongoing tutoring and learning support, and psychosocial services are important ways to ensure a child's success. Today, 85 percent of refugees are hosted by developing countries whose own citizens are struggling to achieve an education and earn a livelihood. 5 Given this, it is important to consider the impact of refugees on the host community and develop programs that work closely with local partners and host governments, from the onset of an emergency. Programs that benefit both refugee and host populations offer the greatest opportunity for success. For children in crisis situations, education is an absolute necessity. Neglecting refugees' right to education - and the protection it affords - undermines not only their future, but also the future of their societies. Lack of education leaves children more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including recruitment into armed groups, child labor, and early marriage.

3Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (2016). Providing Hope: Investing in the Future. Educatlon in Emergencies and Protracted Crises. https:/fwww.1rsusa,org/assets/Pubhcat1ons/F1le/Ed Polley web.pdf 4 UNHCR {2016}. Missing Out: Refugee Education in Crisis. http //u1s.unesco org/s1tes/default/flles/dacuments/m1ssmg-ouHefugee-educat1on m-cmis unticr 2016-en pdf s UNHCR {2018), Gk>bal Trends: Forced Displacement in 2017. https J/www unhcr org/stat1st1cs/unhcrstats/Sb27be547/unhcr-g!oba!-trends" 2017 html

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Girls' Education for millions of refugee girls, education is out of reach. Despite substantial progress in increasing access to girls' education around the world over the last two decades, refugee girls remain left behind.

In countries affected by conflict, girls are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than boys.6 Girls make up half of the 7.4 million school-age refugees yet face disproportionate challenges in accessing and sustaining their education. Notably, refugee girls are only half as likely to be enrolled in secondary school as boys.7

Limited access to education further perpetuates the challenges and vulnerabilities that displaced girls face. The isolation of being out of school can harm girls who've experienced trauma during their displacement as they may be more vulnerable to trafficking or early marriage. Without school, refugee girls may find it more difficult to heal, build hope, and find safety.

The benefits of investing in education for all girls - including refugees and those who are forcibly displaced -transcends the individual. If refugee girls have access to an education, their families and communities are more likely to improve their social and economic position. The further girls progress with their schooling, the more they develop leadership skills, become income generators, and build self-reliance.8 These are personal qualities that will help their communities flourish as they strive to adapt to their host countries or as they prepare to return to their home countries.

A recent JRS/USA policy brief, "Her Future: Challenges & Recommendations to Increase Education for Refugee Girls"9 provides more information regarding efforts to keep refugee girls in school.

Financing Through robust funding of global education programs, and by ensuring that education is a core part of humanitarian assistance, we can ensure that more displaced children are gaining access to a quality education. This includes encouraging bilateral donors, multilateral entities and corporate donors to take part in these efforts. We applaud the Subcommittee on State, foreign Operations & Related Programs for providing crucial support to these life-changing programs. From 2011-2017, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) education programs directly benefited 22.6 million children and youth

6 Overseas Development Institute (2016), Education Cannot Walt: Proposing a Fund for Education in Emergencies. https:Jlwww.od1org/sites/odt.org uk/f1les/resource-documents/10497.pdf 7 UNHCR (2018). Turn the Tide: Refugee Education in O'Isls. https //www unhcr org/Sb852f8e4 ptjf s UNCHR (2018}. Her Turn. It's nme to Make Refugee Girls' Education a Pnonty. httpsJ/www unhcr org/herturn/. 9 Jesuit Refugee Service/USA {2019). "Her Future: Challenges & Recommendations to Increase Education for Refugee Girls." https f/www !fSUSa org/resource/her-future-cha!Jenges-recommendat1ons•to-mcrease-educat1on-for-refugee-g1rls/

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living in crisis-and conflict-affected environments, including 4.1 million who were previously out of school.10

The Depa,rtment of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is also a key partner through its efforts to expand access to education for refugees and others affected by conflict. PRM actively supports humanitarian programs that provide education and advances access to education through humanitarian diplomacy.

The U.S. Government has also made significant strides in coordinating international basic education programs across agencies as evidenced by the new Strategy on International Basic Education for Fiscal Years 2019-2023, which was launched in 2018. This ground-breaking strategy, mandated by the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act championed by Chairwoman Lowey, prioritizes the need for educational programs in conflict and crisis settings.

Yet, the U.S. cannot tackle this global challenge alone. Multilateral partnerships play an important role in building the political will necessary to create sustainable change and help bring a diverse group of actors to the table to achieve these immense goals.

Education Cannot Wait is the first global movement and fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises. It was established during the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 by international humanitarian and development aid actors, along with public and private donors, to help reposition education as a priority on the humanitarian agenda, usher in a more collaborative approach among actors on the ground and foster additional funding to ensure that every crisis-affected child and young person is in school and learning. To date, ECW has raised over $336 million, including a $21 million contribution by the U.S at its launch in 2016. With both rapid response and multi-year funding platforms, ECW has already invested $134.5 million to support education in 19 crisis-affected countries. By 2021, ECW aims to reach 8.9 million children and youth living in areas affected by fragility, conflict and violence - half of whom will be girls. We urge the Subcommittee to include at least $925 million in funding for basic education programs in the FY20 State & Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and to support at least $21 million in additional funding for Education Cannot Wait.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

10 USAID {2018). "U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education for Flscal Years 2019-2023.11 https //www usa1d gov/s1tes/default/f1!es/documents/l86S/USG·Educat1on•5trategy FY2019·2023 Final Web pdf

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Joan Rosenhauer Executive Director Jesuit Refugee Service/USA

Joan is the Executive Director of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. In this role, Joan leads the organization's efforts in the U.S. to fulfill its mission - to accompany, serve, and advocate for refugees and displaced people in over 50 countries around the world.

Rosenhauer is a former JRS/USA Board Member and has spent most of her career advocating for social justice and mobilizing the U.S. Catholic community to do the same. As an Executive Vice President of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Joan led the organization's outreach, marketing, and communications - helping those in the United States respond to critical needs around the world. Prior to joining CRS, Joan spent 16 years with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, where she most recently served as the Associate Director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development. Prior to that role, she held a variety of positions, including Special Projects Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator for the USCCB's Department of Social Development and World Peace.

Joan has a bachelor's degree in social work from the University oflowa and a master's degree in public policy management from the University of Maryland. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from Dominican College and St. Ambrose University. Joan hails from Chicago and is the 2009 recipient of the Harry A. Fagan Award from the Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors. She attends St. Casimir Parish in Baltimore. 257

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. This is an outstanding panel. I know we could continue the discussion but we are going to have to vote shortly. Thank you. Our next panel is Mr. Nick Larigakis, president and chief executive officer of the American Hellenic Institute; Ms. Anastasia Stat- en, chair and board Member of HALO Trust USA; and Mr. Van Krikorian, co-chair of the Armenian Assembly of America. I thank you for joining us today. We are going to have your full testimony in the record and if you would care to, we would appreciate if you would summarize your testimony now. Thank you.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. FUNDING FOR GREECE AND CYPRUS THAT HELP TO FA- CILITATE AND PROJECT U.S. INTERESTS IN THE EAST- ERN MEDITERRANEAN; STATE DEPARTMENT CONVEN- TIONAL WEAPONS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM; U.S. AS- SISTANCE AND POLICY IN THE SOUTH CAUCUS RE- GION WITNESSES NICK LARIGAKIS, PRESIDENT AND COO, AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTI- TUTE ANASTASIA STATEN, CHAIR OF THE BOARD, THE HALO TRUST, USA VAN KRIKORIAN, CO-CHAIR OF THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLE OF AMER- ICA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.STATEN Ms. STATEN. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for allowing me to present today. My name is Anastasia Staten and I am here representing HALO Trust USA. As the world’s largest humanitarian demining organization, HALO leads the effort to protect lives and restore livelihoods of those affected by conflict. We remove and destroy landmines, cluster bombs and IEDs, and help secure weapons that could fall into terrorist groups’ hands. For more than 20 years now, HALO has been a partner of the State Department’s Conventional Weapons Destruction Program, and is the sole implementer of USAID’s demining program in Nagorno Karabakh. I am honored to have the opportunity to draw your attention to these critical programs and implore you to increase support for the State Department’s Conventional Weapons Destruction Program to a level of $219 million in Fiscal Year 2020. This investment will fund demining and weapons destruction efforts in approximately 40 countries and territories from Guatemala to Angola, from Kosovo to Laos. As you know, the Conventional Weapons Destruction Program has three primary goals, and for the sake of time I will briefly review them—enhance regional security by destroying weapons at the risk of diversion to violent non-state actors; to clear debris of war, thereby returning land to safe and productive use; and to promote U.S. foreign policy. 258 But the most important benefit of these programs and to be hon- est, what gets most of us out of bed each day, is saving lives. The latest Landmine Monitor Report recorded 7,200 landmine and cluster bomb casualties in 2017. The vast majority of casualties were not soldiers but civilians. And, tragically, more than 2,400 of them were children. I am often reminded of a family I met two years ago, while observing the demining operations in Cambodia. A husband and wife approached me and told me that they had lost their son just 2 weeks prior; their 17-year-old boy had been on a tractor earning small extra dollars for his family. Unfortunately, the tractor ran over an anti-tank mine and he was killed instantly. Landmines and other debris of war kill indiscriminately and we must make every effort to eliminate these threats. Conventional Weapons Destruction activities also promote economic development that transforms people’s lives. Within weeks of landmine clearance, refugees and families can return home, plant crops, and allow cattle to graze. Demining creates safe access to markets and enables the construction of schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure. Many State Department partners like HALO further empower communities by employing a local workforce and in many countries these are war widows, women and other sole providers for their families. This means that the men and women of HALO are helping their own communities transition from the fields of battle into safe and thriving homes and workplaces. These programs also support security objectives through destruction of insecure weapons such as shoulder-launched missiles capable of downing civilian aircraft. People aren’t the only victims of mines. Wildlife suffers as well. The presence of mines in Southeast Angola near the headwaters of the Okavango Delta, have led to the deaths of elephants, hampered efforts to conduct biodiversity research and interfered with anti- poaching activities. Since 1993, the U.S. has led global demining efforts, provided assistance to more than 100 countries, and helped over 17 of them reach mine-free status. For this reason, we ask the subcommittee to consider increasing support for this program to a level of $219 million. At the HALO Trust, we could not be more proud of our work and grateful for your funding and partnership. Thank you for your time today. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 259

Anastasia Staten The HALO Trust (USA) Chair of the Board

TESTIMONY: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS - OUTSIDE PUBLIC WITNESS HEARING

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you for allowing me to present today. My name is Anastasia Staten, and I'm here representing The HALO Trust (USA). As the world's largest humanitarian demining organization, HALO leads the effort to protect lives and restore livelihoods for those affected by conflict. We remove and destroy landmines, cluster bombs and improvised explosive devices, and help secure weapons stockpiles that could fall into the hands of terrorist groups. For more than 30 years now, HALO has been a partner of the Department of State's Conventional Weapons Destruction program, and is the sole implementer ofUSAID's demining program in Nagomo Karabakh. I am honored to have the opportunity to draw your attention to these life saving programs, and implore you to increase support for the State Department's Conventional Weapons Destruction program to a level of$219 million. This will fund demining and weapons destruction efforts in approximately 40 countries and territories. From Guatemala to Angola, from Kosovo to Laos, these programs save lives, enhance security, promote development, support conservation, and demonstrates US leadership.

As you know, the State Department's Conventional Weapons Destruction program has three primary goals, and for the sake of public record, I think they warrant repeating: l) To enhance regional security by destroying and securing weapons, at risk of diversion to terrorists, insurgents, and other violent non-state actors; 2) To clear landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination, thereby returning land to safe and productive use; and 3) To promote US foreign policy interests,

The most obvious benefit of these programs is saving lives. The latest Landmine Monitor report recorded more than 120,000 casualties between 1999 and 2017, with more than 7,200 killed or injured by a landmine or cluster bomb in 2017 alone. The vast majority of casualties were civilians, not military forces. And, tragically, more than 2,400 of the victims in 2017 were children.

I'm reminded of a family I met two years ago, while observing HALO operations in Cambodia. A husband and wife told me that just two weeks prior, their 17-year-old son had been on a tractor, doing some farm work for a man who'd hired him. Unfortunately, the tractor ran over an anti-tank mine in the middle of a field, and he was killed instantly.

No family should lose a loved one to a landmine. Families should not be at risk when cultivating their land to feed and support their family, and no parent should fear their child might suffer a fatal injury simply by walking to school or playing outside. Landrnines kill indiscriminately, and we must continue to support programs that eliminate these threats.

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Conventional Weapons Destruction activities also promote economic development that can transform communities. Within weeks of mine clearance, displaced families can return home, they can plant crops, and return to their livelihoods. Communities can build roads, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure.

These programs also support security objectives, through destroying insecure weapons, such as shoulder-launched missiles capable of downing aircraft. State Department partners have destroyed such weapons in more than 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Libya, and Somalia. In Central America, weapons and ammunition security management programs also help to combat the illicit flow of black market weapons that fuel violence.

But people aren't the only victims of mines; wildlife suffers as well. The presence of mines in southeast Angola, near the headwaters of the Okavango Delta, has led to the death of elephants, h~pered efforts to conduct biodiversity research, and interferes with anti-poaching initiatives.

One last benefit worth mentioning is that many State Department partners like HALO employ a local workforce. The deminers in each country are natives for whom we provide extensive job training. Some work in management, and all get to help their communities transition from fields of battle into safe and thriving homes and workplaces. While these men and women earn a living, they're also building skills transferable to other opportunities after HALO's work is done.

Since 1993, the US has led global demining efforts, providing more than $2.9 billion in assistance to more than I 00 countries for conventional weapons destruction activities. With US support, 17 previously mined countries around the world are now mine-free. We hope to see many more countries soon join this list, such as Kosovo, where the US is funding the clearance ofNATO-dropped cluster bombs, and Sri Lanka, where the removal of mines leftover from that country's Civil War is nearly complete.

The State Department's Conventional Weapons Destruction programs save lives, promote development, support security objectives, facilitate environmental conservation, and reinforce US leadership. It also demonstrates this country's desire to help maintain peace in those parts of the world once ripped apart by conflict.

In conclusion, we again ask that the Subcommittee consider increasing support for this program in fiscal year 2020 to a level of $219 million.

Thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions.

2 261

Witness Biography: Anastasia Staten

Anastasia has 20 years of experience spanning nonprofit management, fund raising, communications, and politics. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the ESA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the video game industry and the Chair and Board member of HALO Trust USA and The HALO Trust respectively. Previously, she served in leadership positions with distinguished organizations such as Norman Lear's non-profit, People for the American Way Foundation, and American Humane Association. Prior to her career in nonprofit philanthropy, Anastasia worked in politics in her home state of Ohio. 262

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.LARIGAKIS We will now hear from Mr. Larigakis. Mr. LARIGAKIS. I will read fast. Good afternoon, Chairwoman Lowey and distinguished members of the subcommittee. On behalf of the nationwide membership of the American Hellenic Institute, thank you for the invitation to testify on Fiscal Year 2020 programs impacting the United States’ interest in the eastern Medi- terranean. In keeping with the best interest of the United States, AHI opposes any assistance the administration will request for Turkey until Turkey withdraws all of its troops and illegal settlers from Cyprus and ceases and desists its acts of aggression in the Aegean, which are in violation of international law. We also oppose any reduction in the administration’s proposed aid level of $5.7 million for the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. AHI applauds the Fiscal Year 2019 $1 million enacted funding level for NATO ally Greece’s IMET program and supports Fiscal Year 2020 investment of $1.2 million. The U.S. strategic interest in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, significant commerce and energy sources transit through the region. Greece, a dependable NATO ally, is an ideal strategic partner for the United States. With its centuries enduring presence, its close cultural, political and economic ties to the broader region and to neighboring western-oriented frontline countries that share democratic principles such as Israel and Cyprus, Greece is strategically situated for the protection of U.S. interest by virtue of its geography and by being home to the most important U.S. military facility in the Mediterranean Sea—NSA, Souda Bay, located on the island of Crete. Greece is an immensely valuable link, a pillar of stability in the region as high level U.S. government officials have noted. Greece is also a frontline state in the fight against terrorism. Greece is one of five NATO members that spent a minimum of 2 percent of GDP on defense expenditures, second only to the United States by percentage, hence our Fiscal Year 2020 programmatic request of $1.2 million request for IMET program. The IMET program advances the professional military education of the Greek Armed Forces and enhances interoperability with the United States and NATO forces. Our recommended funding request will be an effective investment toward a key component of U.S. security assistance in an increasingly critical region. Going on 45 years, Turkey illegally occupies the Republic of Cy- prus, a member of the European Union and a nation with which the U.S. has a strategic partnership. AHI recommends appropriations language that any assistance provided to Cyprus by this subcommittee should be foremost to ensure that United Nations peacekeeping forces in Cyprus can fully implement its mandate. Turkey is also a threat in energy security and U.S. interests and has exercised gunboat diplomacy. We welcome the U.S. continued support for Cyprus’ right to develop its natural resources, especially as ExxonMobil announced last month the largest fund thus far in Cypriot waters. Further, Turkey’s $2.5 billion purchase of S– 263 400 missiles from Russia concerns our NATO partners and is contrary to U.S. interests. Until resolved, AHI strongly recommends similar appropriations language regarding a report to the Congress on Turkey for the F– 35. For all these reasons including the suppression of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the world’s oldest Christian church, we continue to oppose aid for Turkey including the most favorite nation trade benefits. AHI welcomes the Administration’s intention to terminate preferential trade status under the General- ized System of Preferences program. Finally, the region’s stability took a step forward with the rati- fied Prespes Agreement between Greece and north Macedonia. However, we ask the subcommittee for continued oversight of any assistance provided to North Macedonia to ensure it adheres to the agreement’s principles. Again, thank you for the opportunity to present today. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 264

Testimony of Nick Larigakis, President, American Hellenic Institute (AHn Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Bill Submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and Members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to submit testimony to the Subcommittee on behalf of the nationwide membership of the American Hellenic Institute on the administration's proposed FY2020 foreign aid budget. In keeping with the best interests of the United States AHI opposes: (I) any military assistance the administration will request for Turkey until Turkey withdraws all of its troops and illegal Turkish settlers in Cyprus and Turkey ceases and desists its acts of provocation and aggression in the Aegean; (2) any proposed reduction in the aid levels for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Also, in keeping with the best interests of the United States, AHI applauds the FY2019 enacted level of funding of $1 million for NATO ally Greece's International Military Education and Training (IMET) program and supports a recommended appropriation of $1.2 million for FY2020. U. S. Interests in Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. has important interests in southeast Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. With Greece's centuries enduring presence, its close cultural, political and economic ties to the Mediterranean countries, including Israel; Western Europe, the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Greece is strategically situated in a vital region for U.S. interests and an ideal strategic partner for the U.S. To the north of Greece are the Balkans, Eastern Europe and Russia, to the East is the Middle East, and to the South are North Africa and the Suez Canal. Significant commerce and energy sources pass through the region. In promoting a multilateral approach to diplomacy and foreign policy, the U.S. must continue to strengthen and build upon its relations with Greece, which is as an immensely valuable link-"a pillar of stability" as U.S. government officials have noted-in the region. However, the projection of U.S. interests there depends heavily on the region's stability. Therefore, the U.S. has a stake in focusing on the problems in the region that are detrimental to U.S. interests and to call out those who cause instability in the region. Greece is important for the projection of U.S. strategic interests in the region by its geographic location and by being home to the most important U.S. military facility in the Mediterranean Sea, NSA Souda Bay, located on Crete. Military installations located at Souda Bay include the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) and the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI).

• Held annually off of the coast of Souda Bay Crete the trilateral naval exercise "Noble Dina" between the U.S., Greece and Israel, is a prime example of Greece's strategic importance to U.S. interests in the region. To illustrate Souda Bay's importance, please consider the following figures that demonstrate the volume ofoperations conducted there in recent years: • 2Ql§_: At least 2,356 U.S. and 305 NATO (total 2,66l)planes utilized the I 15th Combat Wing. Also, at least 139 U.S. and 139 NATO (total 278) ship port visits atNSA SoudaBay. Also, 16 U.S. and NATO units utilized NAMFI (NATO Missile Firing Installation). • 2017: At least 2,102 U.S. and 530NATO (total 2,632) planes utilized the 115th Combat Wing. Also, at least 115 U.S. and 133 NATO (total 148) ship port visits at NSA Souda Bay. Also, 14 U.S. and NATO unites utilized NAMFI (NATO Missile Firing Installation). • 2018 (Jan-Feb-Mar): At least 126 U.S. and 50 NATO (total 176) planes utilized the I 15th Combat Wing. Also, at least 30 U.S. and 29 NATO (total 59) ship port visits at NSA Souda Bay. Moreover~ during U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of thousands of aircraft used over~flight access. During one, two-year period nearly 30,000 allied flights traversed Hellenic airspace. It has been noted by U.S. government officials how Souda Bay allows United States Navy vessels--;,specially aircraft carriers-the ability to dock, make needed repairs and maintenance, and resupply, all within a couple of weeks and without having to return to Naval Station Norfolk. Further, President Donald Trump has been vocal about NATO alliance members paying their fair share. Greece is a top contributor to the defense efforts of NATO, estimated to spend 2.27% of its GDP on defense expenditures in 2018 in accordance with NATO standards despite battling two crises, economic and migratory. The United States, United Kingdom, 265

Estonia, and Lithuania are the only other NATO allies that are estimated to meet the two percent minimum standard in 2018. By percentage of GDP, Greece is second only to the United States.' Greece is also an active participant in peacekeeping and peace-building operations conducted by international organizations, including the UN, NATO, the EU, and OSCE. Finally, United States defense cooperation with Greece has expanded in recent years. The United States Air Force temporarily operates MQ-9 Reaper Drones from Greece's Larisa Air Force Base. Another example is the increased U.S. aircraft (helicopters) and soldier involvement (mainly tactical training) at Stefanovikeio Hellenic Army airbase. America Values Alliance with Greece. AH! presents the following testimonials as examples of the high value the United States places in its alliance with Greece: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted the "historic progress" in U.S,-Greece relations at the inaugural U.S.• Greece Strategic Dialogue held December 13, 2018: "Greece has been a critical ally ofthe Umted Stales. Naw, more than ever, we are pleased to see that Greece emerges again as a /eadingforce ofregional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. This area is an important. strategic border. The U.S. is working to sP-engthen our relations with stable democracies and democratic allies there. Allies like Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. "2 Then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated~ 'Today, Greece and the United States share a commitment to ensuring a sqfe and prosperous world for future generations a/Greeks and Americans, and we live this commitment to our growing defense relationship. With increased joint exercises and trainfng, expanded basing cooperation and enhanced lkfense-industrial partnerships. So thank you for your continued hosting of U.S. forces at Somia Bay, one ofthe most popular locations for U.S. sailors anywhere in the world The U.S recognizes Greece's vital role in maintaining regional security in a difficult neighborhood Appreciate your perspective on challenges facing NATO's southern flank, and on your leadership in promoting Balkan stability. I commend Greece's strong investments in defense capabilities by not only meeting. but exceeding the NATO's pledge --exceeding the NATO's -NATO's Wales pledge oftwo percent ofdefense spending. You illustrate your nation's commitment to collective defense. "3 U,S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt has stated: "The United States sees Greece as a pillar ofstability in this region. That was the message that Vice President Pence underlined when he. met with Prime Minister Tsipras last month ... We see Greece as an important partner, not just because ofthe way that we work together-for instance our military forces in Souda Bay- but also the way in which Greece is lkepening its partnership with American friends In the region, countries like Israel, Cyprus, the trilat£ral between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, the very important role that Greece plays in the Western Balkans. "4 A U.S. embassy spokesman also reaffirmed the existence of strong cooperation between the U.S and Greece, and Greece's importance to U.S. secwity interests: "Greece is an important pillar ofstability and democratic 1•alues in a region that faces numerous security challenges. The United States is appreciative ofthe close cooperation and mutual support we have with our Hellenic allies. We participate regularly in joint military exercises, our students work together on combined military education and, moreover, we train together. "Americans nickname Souda Bay as the "Best in the Med."5 International Military Education & Training (IMED- Greeee. AH! recommends funding Greece's !MET program for FY2020 at $1.2 million. The !MET program at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, advances the professional military education of the Greek Armed Forces. It enhances interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces such as Greece's. Through the training of Greek military officers and noncommissioned officers in a multitude of professional military education and technical courses in the United States, !MET provides strong United States-Greece mil-to-mil relations. !MET aflords Greek military students to experience American culture, and IMET encourages the development of relationships with their peers (classmates) in the U.S. military. As a result, Greek military personnel return to Greece with a greater appreciation of American culture, and equally important, are better prepared to counter shared threats to national security. Moreover, these Greek military students often advance to senior level positions within the Greek Armed Forces. For 11 fiscal year, (FY2006-FY2017), the decline of Greece's !MET funding levels resulted in the drastic decrease in the number of Greek military studenlll participating in the program. During this time, it is estimated that 400 to 500 Hellenic Officers, of which 20 to 30 are General Officers, have not been able to participate in !MET. Greeee is a frontline state in the fight against terrorism. The FY2020 !MET progranunatic request of$ J.2 million builds upon FY2018 and FY2019's $1 million appropriation. It will be an effective and wise investment toward a key component of U.S. security assistance and will make-up for the "opportunity lost" to educate and train our NATO ally's military officers. It will help the United States because it contribuws toward the strengthening of United States security interests in an increasingly important

1 2018asllmata hl!pSl,W.,Wmmllnl(llalD smtic ll20j41assa!sfpdffpg'f 21)18 07@1807@ 1!1Q710-q2018;-fil::enpdf 2 https·(Jwww thenabonalherald cgmJ223§13/katrougalos-and-poffipeojecogg15e:tnstonc:PDroo@SS:ID:9re8ki!mencan-re!atJ~ 3 US Oipartmenl of Oerense-transcnpL Ot-t 9, 2018. tJtlps-lfdod defeM:e go\f{Newl,fTtanSCl'Jpls{f@Mcrjpt:V!eWfAnlc!e/1658336Jremarks:-hy-se0'1!"l&"t/.ma!ts..at~l),honor::{Mron-wgk:om1nq-oreak• mmisteJ:-cl-defe/ 4 http //www ekalhlmerini com/2237 43/artrde/ekathlmenm/cpmmumty!us..sees-greece-as-pi!far-of-stabllity-in-the-region 5 Ibid 266

part of the world, the eastern Mediterranean, which lies at the doorstep of the Middle East, by helping to train and educate and promote the professionalization of the Greek Armed Forces. Regional Instability. A key to peace and stability in the region is fur good neighborly relations among NATO members and respect for the rule of law. However, Turkey's continuing occupation of Cyprus, its intransigence in solving the Cyprus problem, and its refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus (a prerequisite to Turkey's E.U. accession process), which is a member of the European Union; are detrimental to U.S. interests. To illustrate Turkey's intransigence, Turkey insists on maintaining troop levels on Cyprus and on remaining a guarantor power as part of a solution to the Cyprus issue, which led to the collapse of settlement talks in 2017. In February 2019, Turkish troops violated the status quo near the Cypriot village of Strovila, requiring the United Nations Peacekeeping Force to record the violation. Furthermore, Turkey's bellicose threats against Cyprus, and at times in the past, against Israel, which is working in eollaboration with Cyprus and a U.S. energy company to develop hydrocarbon reserves found within their exclusive economic zones (EEZs), also threaten U.S. interests. To demonstrate, Turkey's threats reached new heights of danger in 2018 Turkish warships harassed the surveying vessel of Italian oil company Eni and threatened on February 23, 2018 to sink it in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus. According to press reports, EnPs ship was forced to make maneuvers to avoid a collision after the Italian captain's request to the Turkish vessel to change course went unanswered.' On February 28, 2019, U.S.-based multinational energy firm ExxonMobil announced the largest find thus fur in Cypriot waters (Block 10) of an estimated 5 to 8-trillion cubic feet of gas. The United States has stated repeatedly it supports Cyprus' sovereign right to explore energy in its exclusive economic zone. What will Turkey do given its demonstrated history of provocation in Cyprus' EEZ? In recent months, Turkey issued several NAVTEXes (navigational telex) to conduct operations and exercises in segments of the Greek continental shelfor in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone that elevate tensions with Greece and Cyprus. Because of threats in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eas~ AHI contends the U.S. must lift its arms 7 prohibition on Cyprus , which would allow Cyprus to consider the U.S. as a marketplace fur defense procurement. It is in the best interest of the United States for the Republic of Cyprus to maintain its Western orientation, especially by turning to the United States to procure its defense materials. AHI applauds the action of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, led by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, which wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging the State Department to lift the arms prohibition. Additionally, instability in the region continues to be exacerbated daily with Turkey's ongoing violations of Greece's territorial water and national airspace in the Aegean, which are in violation of international law and unnecessarily risks lives. In December 2018, fifteen-anned Turkish fighter jets conducted 107 violations in the Aegean, as well as two overflights over the islets of Anthropofagos and Makronisi in the eastern Aegean. According to the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, they also engaged in four mock dogfights with Greek jets. Furthermore, these violations have continued into 2019. In January, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets violated the Greek airspace with one of them harassing a Greek military "Super Puma" helicopter-almost leading to an accident by causing severe turbulence. These reoccurring acts are egregious and cost the Greek government approximately $400 million a year and come at a time when it can ill afford to spend any funds unnecessarily to deal with provocative actions by a NATO ally. They have also led U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt to convey concern over the possibility of an "accident" happening over the Aegean. Turkey. We oppose any aid for Turkey and any other assistance programs from the United States. This includes most favored nation trade benefits including textile quotas and the transfer of any nuclear related assistance which we oppose as not in the best interests of the U.S. AHI welcomes the Trump administration's signaling this week that the United States intends to terminate Turkey's designation as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program because it no longer complies with the statutory eligibility criteria. According to the U.S. Trade Representative's statement, "Turkey's termination from GSP follows a finding that it is sufficiently economically developed and should no longer benefit from preferential market access to the United States market." AHI has long argued for this type of action by the U.S. government, especially in testimony presented to this Subcommittee, also because of the following reasons: (I) the immediate withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus; (2) the prompt return to Turkey of the over 180,000

6 http J/www ekathlmenru coml226092/art1c!e/ekath:imenm/newsfturktsh•sb1ps-threate1Hn•nck::ems-dnll-vesse-l 1 E~ Med Statute 1_22 USC sec 2373(e)(l)] and 157 Fedcml Rt'lgister No 244. December 16, 1992] 267

4 illegal Turkish settlers in Cyprus; (3) the Turkish government's safeguarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate, its status, personnel and property, reopening the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology, and returning church properties illegally seized; and (4) the cessation of violations against Greece's territorial integrity in the Aegean and of its airspace. Of course, Turkey's ongoing human rights, freedom of speech, and religious freedom violations are problematic. Moreover, Turkey continues to demonstrate it is not a true and dependable U.S. and NATO ally. As a reminder,just a year ago, President Erdogan threatened United States military forces with an "Ottoman slap" if they continued to partner with Syrian Kurds. Turkey's military campaign against the Kurds in Syria placed U.S. troops in Manbij at risk of peril at the hands of a NATO partner. 8 Further, the issue remains of Turkey's $2.5 billion purchase of four divisions ofS-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia. It raised concern among NATO partners and potentially subjects Turkey to U.S. sanctions based upon the recently-enacted Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), according to a U.S. administration official. 9 Finally, President Erdogan has hosted a summit on Syria in Ankara with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, which raised eyebrows and called into further question Turkey's foreign policy direction. Additionally, AHI congratulates Congress for passing provisions in several different legislative vehicles, including the National Defense Authorization Act of2019 (NOAA) and the most recent FY2019 government funding bill, that hold Turkey accountable for actions unbecoming of a NA TO ally. These provisions included the suspension of the delivery or transfer ofF-35 aircraft to Turkey until reports detailing the impact of Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia on U.S. weapon systems such as the F-35s were provided to Congress. AHI calls for similar appropriations language for FY2020 should the matter remain unresolved. Finally, in the interest of regional stability and conflict resolution, the U.S. should promote Turkey's emergence as a fully democratic state. This will require fundamental changes in Turkey's governmental institutions, a significant improvement in its human rights and freedom of speech/press records, the settlement of the Cyprus issue on the terms referred to above, and publicly acknowledging the existing boundary in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey established by treaties. U.S. policy has not had this effect and needs to be reviewed critically by Congress. Cyprus. The illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish troops remains. The Turkish-occupied area, which amounts to 3 7.3% of the territory of Cyprus, is one of the most heavily militarized areas in the world with the presence of 40,000 Turkish occupation troops. As long as the Republic of Cyprus remains under Turkish military occupation, a strong UN peacekeeping force must be maintained on the island as we witnessed last month in Strovilia. Congress can assist the Republic of Cyprus by reaffirming the United States' position that assistance appropriated for Cyprus should support measures aimed at solidifying the reunification of Cyprus and the unified government in Cyprus. It would provide a settlement, should it be achieved, with a chance to succeed. Therefore, AHI recommends the following language from Title III of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of2012 be included in the FY2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill: Assistance provided to Cyprus under this Act should foremost ensure that the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) can fully implement its mandate, while remaining available to also contribute to the creation ofa conductive environment for the settlement talks under the auspices ofthe UN Secretary-General's Good Offices. Furthermore, in the event ofreunification, further assistance should be

8 http://www.washingtonexaminer.com!turkish-diplomat-defends-ottoman-slap-threat-to-us-amid-signs-of-deal/article/2649330 9 https://ahvalnews.com/nato-tµrkey/s-400-pllTCha.

used to contribute towards the cost of reunification, including towards monitoring provisions,facilitation for settlement ofthe property issue, supporting and underpinning the new federal structures of a reunified island and assisting with the construction ofa strong unified Cypriot economy able to cope with the new challenges, and strengthening the contacts between the two communities as conducive to reunification, in a wtzy agreed to between the United States and Cyprus. The last UN-led attempt to achieve a just and viable solution to the near 45-year-old division of the Republic of Cyprus, ended without reaching an agreement because of Turkish intransigence. Instead of helping to provide stabiliry by promoting a just settlement supported by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, Turkey continued to insist on antiquated and obstructive stances. For example, Turkey's insistence to maintain the Treaty of Guarantee, which would allow for future unilateral Turkish military interventions, is completely unacceptable and contradicts the governing principals of a European Union member state. Finally, Congress can help by calling on Ankara to support reunification efforts in a constructive manner which would include the removal of troops, settlers, and rights of guarantees. The Cypriots themselves should have ownership of the process and the Cypriot people should arrive at a solution that is for the Cypriot people; a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as well as a solution that embodies the full respect of the principles and laws of the European Union, of which Cyprus is, and will remain, a member. However, this does not absolve Turkey of its responsibility as the occupying power to play a constructive role in resolving the Cyprus issue. AHi is also concerned with the security of energy prospects off the coast of Cyprus. AHi contends the U.S. must continue to support the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus to explore and develop the resources within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) free of any third-party interference and to underscore the importance of avoiding any threats or other actions or statements that escalate tension. As mentioned, Turkey's threats in Cyprus' EEZ are an endangerment to U.S. companies, such as ExxonMobil and Noble Energy, Italian (NATO ally) company Eni, and others, who have been, or will be, working to explore for hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean. North Macedonia. With the Prespes Agreement, Greece demonstrated the ability to lead in the Balkans because it understood it has role of stabiliry to play in the region. Post-Agreement, the United States must ensure North Macedona adheres to all elements of the agreement and does not deviate from it. Moreover, because of the extreme nationalist and irredentist policies of the previous government in Skopje against Greece and its citizens, AHi historically has opposed United States foreign assistance to Skopje, via the Economic Support Fund (ESF), and called for its proper oversight. These nationalist policies were often carried-out by the Skopje government through infrastructure and development projects, and ESF is a fund that includes support for economic development projects, such as infrastructure. Although the Zaev-led government has demonstrated goodwill, it is still a fragile government that requires close monitoring. Thank you for the opportuniry to present them in our written testimony to the Subcommittee. 269

~ AH American Hellenic Institute Nicholas Larigakis President & Chief Operating Officer

Nick Larigakis, Alexandria, Va., became president & chief operating officer of the American Hellenic Institute (AH!), a non-profit Greek American public policy center, in January 1, 201 I. He has held different positions with the AHI since joining the organization in 1987. He has been with the AHI for over 30 years. In this capacity, he manages the dayMto day operations of AHI and its affiliated organi,ations. He directs all aspects of strategic planning, policy analysis, public affairs programming, government relations, financial development, and media communications. During his tenure, Larigakis has organized more than 70 legislative conferences, two trade conferences on "Doing Business in Greece," Seventeen conferences on the Future of Hellenism in America (2002-2018), and a number of congressional fact finding delegations to Greece.

Larigakis' responsibilities at AHI have included working with the U.S. Congress on U.S.-Greece-Cyprus relations. He serves as AHI's liaison to the grass roots community, traveling throughout the U.S. to inform the public about AHl's policy issues and other aspects of its mission. He has testified before Congressional Appropriations committees on foreign aid policy numerous times. Moreover, Larigakis is a frequent visitor to Greece and Cyprus where he regularly meets with Greek and Cypriot government officials. As a result, he is regularly interviewed by mainstream, Greek-American, and Greek media outlets on issues affecting U.S.-Greece relations, including the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Newark Star Ledger, International Herald Tribune, Pensacola News Journal, AP, and Reuters. He has been published in various Greek American newspapers, including the National Herald, Greek News, Hellenic Chronicle, Hellenic Voice and Hellenic News of America. In addition, he has had numerous "Letters to the Editor" published in the Washington Times and the Washington Post. In addition, during the recent economic crisis of Greece, Larigakis has been interviewed by Chinese and German media outlets.

Prior to AHI, he worked at the National League of Families for POW/MIA's from Southeast Asia where he assisted in the coordination of the organization's grass roots network.

For his work in support of Hellenic ideals and values, Larigakis has been honored with the "Medal" ofthe Hellenic Parliament (2011), the Inaugural AHEPA Outstanding Public Advocacy Award (2012), 1995 Hermes Expo International Award, the 2007 Hellenic News ofAmerica Award, the 2008 Society ofthe Argonauts Award, and by the Greek Independence Day Committee a/Tarpon Springs, Florida, where he served as Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2001, 2009 parades, and Grand Marshall in 2017. And he was the Honorary Grand Marshall ofthe 2012 Philadelphia Greek Independence Day parade. He was recognized with an honorary award from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, and in 2015 was awarded the Community Service Award by his Parish of St. Katherine, Falls Church, VA. Larigakis is a member of AHEPA Chapter 438, Arlington, Va., He has also served on the Boards of the Greek Orthodox Young Adult League for four years (president in 1989); and the Delian League, an organization of young Greek American professionals, for three years (president in 1992). Larigakis has served his St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Falls, Church, Va., in many capacities, including its Parish Council (2000-2002; 2004 -2007; & 2012 -2018 ), Vice-President 2015 and 2017, and he has organized numerous events to raise funds for his church. He currently also serves on the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, the American Hellenic Institute (AHi), AHi Foundation, and is on the Board of Trustees of the American Community Schools of Athens in Greece

He has traveled to forty-two U.S. States and twenty-three countries.

Larigakis received his B.A. in Political Science from the College of New Jersey, formerly Trenton State, and did post graduate work in International Affairs at the American University in Washington, D.C.

In 2003, Larigakis was invested an Archon in the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is the highest lay award presented within the Orthodox Church.

During the historic 2004 Athens Olympic Games he served as a volunteer where he was a ''Protocol Venue Attendant" at the Olympic Indoor Hall.

Larigakis is from the island of Skopelos, Greece and has a daughter, Panayiota. l/19 270

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.KRIKORIAN

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Van Krikorian. Please proceed. Mr. KRIKORIAN. Thank you, Congresswoman Lowey and members of the panel, and I will be brief. I will only make three points because I appreciate we are pressed for time. And perhaps even counter-intuitively, I am going to start by paying my respects to the HALO Trust and Anastasia rather than jumping directly in to my own agenda. I think the work they do is critical. We support their request fully. I am honored to be on the same panel. Last year, the HALO Trust lost three members doing demining activities near Armenia, two members were injured. And our hearts go out to all of them. We respect the work that they do. Our organization has raised funds privately to help in those efforts. And in that regard I think this committee could do a world of good if it removed restrictions on USAID to them removing mines based on artificial Soviet borders. Our really deepest respect and sympathy. Second, I want to pick up on Congresswoman Frankel’s excellent question to the sixth panel. Of course, the American Bar Associa- tion representative made a great point. IFES made a great point about democracy backsliding and what do we do about corruption. It is a question that those of us who work in this area struggle with. It is what the U.S. wants to see, the idea is the more democracy there is, the better. But then between that general concept and what actually happens, there is usually a big gap. How can the U.S. specifically help? First of all, reward people who have made progress toward democracy. And second of all, when it comes to corruption, I think the United States has to look at whether examples are made of corrupt individuals. In the United States, how did—to go back—Eliot Ness did it. They targeted high profile people who were corrupt and they went after them. The United States still uses that philosophy successfully. The fact that we fund statutes or are writing statutes and laws and things when judges themselves can be corrupt is completely counterproductive. In our experience, going after people even if it is years later to say you cannot get away with this, there will be consequences, the rule of law will apply, is the best approach. And I would expect that if countries were analyzed based on that, it doesn’t always have to be punitive, it can also be a reconciliation type of process where people acknowledge what they have taken, give it back I think might be a good metric for this committee and the United States to start using. Apropos of that, I think the United States looking itself and I was glad to see and we were glad to see that the Department of Justice is going to start more actively enforcing the Foreign Agent Registration Act. I would be remiss if I did not note the last organization scheduled to testify today has been clearly identified as one that benefits from corrupt funds from a foreign government and has not reported under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, nor has 271 it reported under Congress’ lobbying laws. The United States needs to look at its own rules. Finally, with respect to our specific request, yes, I think Con- gresswoman Frankel picked up, Armenia had a remarkable year. Economists objectively named it the country of the year because of the democratic changes, a peaceful change in government, extremely clean elections, rule of law, you name it, across the board. And Time Magazine named the current leader of Armenia Cru- sader for Democracy. The kudos even, if you look at the State Department from the U.S. trade representative and others—I am going to make it under the time, don’t worry—were remarkable. And that is why we are asking for something substantially more. We are asking for $100 million in economic and democracy aid to Armenia. We are asking for $10 million in FMF and IMET. We are asking for another $20 million because Armenia has resettled refugees from Syria and the Middle East and given them safe haven. And we are expecting more, frankly. We don’t know what is going to happen in the Middle East, frankly, and we are concerned about that. And finally, we are asking for $25 million to Nagorno Karabakh, for the benefit of Nagorno Karabakh which is one of the places where the HALO Trust works, but has also been a model of democracy in the region. How did I do? The CHAIRWOMAN. Very good. Mr. KRIKORIAN. Okay. [The information follows:] 272

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA- FISCAL YEAR 2020

TESTIMONY BY VAN KRIKORIAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES CO-CHAIR

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, and distinguished Members ofthe Subcommittee, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) submits the following testimony regarding U.S. assistance and policy in the South Caucasus region.

The Armenian Assembly urges the Subcommittee to allocate $100 million in democracy and economic assistance and not less than $10 million in military assistance (Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education Training) to Armenia. The Assembly also urges robust assistance to Christian and other minority communities at risk in the Middle East, as well as to the nearly 25,000 refugees in Armenia, and urges the allocation of $20 million to support Armenia's efforts to serve as a regional safe-haven. In addition, the Assembly urges not less than $25 million in assistance to Nagomo Karabakh (Artsakh).

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly's extensive experience in Armenia, working closely with key government agencies, officials, and charitable organizations, provides us with unique insight on how U.S. assistance can best advance policy goals in the region. We seek to maximize the effectiveness of U.S. assistance and strengthen the U.S. relationship with Armenia and Artsakh. We have a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2020

ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA The Assembly's non-partisan approach and support for democracy was enhanced last year as the world witnessed a watershed moment in Armenia's history with the remarkable democratic transformation that took place. In fact, The Economist named Armenia "Country of the Year" for its peaceful and democratic change of government. Armenia's new prime minister Niko! Pashinian told TIME that "I believe Armenia will be one of the world's strongest democracies." TIME called Pashinian a crusader who is "keeping the dream of democracy alive."

Given these remarkable advances, we urge the allocation of$ I 00 million for Armenia's continued democratic and economic development. By doing so, Congress will loudly signal that America strongly supports and invests in democracy, which will have a profound effect across the globe. It will also help counter the perception that the U.S. is retreating from much of the world and from the principles which make America great.

Armenia has remarkably and uniquely been a point of shared - rather than competing - interests between the United States and Russia. Armenia has and continues to serve U.S. interests in the region. Armenia's actions also stand in sharp contrast to their increasingly authoritarian neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Whether it is Turkey's practice of harassing, jailing and targeting journalists, attacking U.S. citizens on American soil, lobbying against and denying the Armenian Genocide, or the $530,000 paid to a firm to secretly lobby for Turkey, and, most jarringly, 273

Azerbaijan's $3 billion slush fund to whitewash its human rights record as exposed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), we are deeply troubled by Turkey and Azerbaijan's surreptitious influence and attempts to undermine western democratic values and institutions. We cannot think of any reason why any Member of Congress would want to be associated with these types of corrosive actions and authoritarian regimes through their membership on the Congressional Caucuses on Turkey and Azerbaijan. Whatever the reasons were in the past, we urge all Members to withdraw from these Caucuses and send a strong message that America stands for democracy and justice, as opposed to repression and intolerance.

ENDING THE DUAL BLOCKADES IMPOSED UPON ARMENIA A centuries-old nation, Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official state religion in 301 A.D. Throughout the centuries, Armenians have maintained their faith, even during 70 years of oppressive Soviet rule. Today, despite the dual blockades imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia continues to show its resilience. According to the World Bank, since independence "Armenia's economy has undergone a profound transformation" and "sustained growth, ambitious growth, as well as inflows of capital and remittances that have created a market oriented environment." Imagine the impact of Armenia's democratic and economic reforms if it was not blockaded. Paid agents for Azerbaijan and Turkey have criticized Armenia for maintaining an open border and economic relations with Iran yet fail to mention the fact that Armenia is blockaded on its western and eastern borders by Turkey and Azerbaijan. They also fail to mention the centuries-old Armenian presence in Iran and other realities that leave Armenia no choice. It is ironic to hear criticism from countries like Turkey, which flaunt U.S. sanctions policy, with impunity, on a massive scale. Armenia, meanwhile, continues to work with the U.S. government as evidenced by the extradition of the former head of a Turkish American lobbying group that ran the Texas-based Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians as well as the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan. In 2015, it was reported that an all-expenses-paid trip to Azerbaijan for 10 Members of Congress and 32 staffers by these groups was "secretly funded by Azerbaijan's state owned oil company" to the tune of $750,000 and in violation of U.S. congressional rules.

The United States has spoken clearly about the need for Turkey to lift its more than 20-year blockade of Armenia and establish diplomatic relations, both of which are also required under international treaties. Despite Turkey's public commitment to normalize relations without preconditions, as evidenced by the signing of the Protocols between Turkey and Armenia under international auspices in October 2009, the Turkish government failed to do so. Instead of moving forward, Turkey delayed consideration and sought to add new conditions. Moreover, working in tandem with Turkey, Azerbaijan torpedoed the Protocols signed with Armenia. Azerbaijan also continues its blockade of Armenia and Artsakh in lock-step with Turkey. While Azerbaijan does not qualify for and is not a WTO member, Turkey is and its barriers to Armenia trade including the blockade completely contradicts and undermines WTO principles let alone what is expected from a supposed U.S. ally. Therefore, the Assembly recommends report language urging the U.S. to pursue trade actions beyond the recent and overdue lifting of GSP status for Turkey in both U.S. and Armenia's interests. In addition, the Assembly also urges report language requiring a full accounting of the steps the Administration is taking and the responses therein to eliminate the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades. Finally, we believe that the provisions of the Humanitarian Corridor Act (which blocks assistance to countries that block U.S. humanitarian aid) should be broadened to preclude any and all assistance to Turkey and

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Azerbaijan so long as they blockade Armenia.

ASSISTANCE TO NAGORNO KARBAKH (ARTSAKH) The Assembly appreciates and welcomes the ongoing support that the United States provides to Artsakh as it rebuilds from the war launched against it by Azerbaijan and further strengthens its democratic institutions. President Bairn Sahakyan's visit last March to Washington, DC, both in substance and spirit, demonstrates Artsakh's commitment to a peaceful accord as well as their commitment to our shared democratic values. Given the ongoing humanitarian and development needs facing the people of Artsakh, including health, transportation infrastructure, education, de-mining, drinking water, and sanitation projects, the Assembly urges not less than $25 million be allocated in the FY 2020 Bill, especially as disbursement of aid has lagged behind congressional intent over the years. For a relatively small investment, America has the opportunity to make a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people of Artsakh.

THE PEACE PROCESS - The United States, as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, has a vested interest in advancing peace and bringing stability to the region. We appreciate the work of U.S. Co-Chair Andrew Schofer to bring about a peaceful and lasting resolution in what has been a tense and tenuous environment. The governments of Annenia and Artsakh have consistently indicated their desire to peacefully resolve the conflict and have offered confidence-building measures to help reduce tensions and build trust. Azerbaijan, however, has chosen a different path - one of blockade, bellicose rhetoric, deadly cease-fire violations, and attempts to isolate Armenia. In view of the escalation of the deadly cease-fire violations by Azerbaijan, including Azerbaijan's April 2016 military offensive, the Assembly supports efforts to prioritize the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact. The Assembly also supports funding for confidence-building measures to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Artsakh conflict. In addition, the Assembly strongly believes that Artsakh' s participation in direct negotiations should be restored as any solution to the conflict requires the consent of the people and leadership of Artsakh. The Assembly also urges the U.S. Co-Chair to the OSCE Minsk Group to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy, the right to self-determination and other basic human rights. Finally, the Assembly urges the U.S. Department of State to remove any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S.-Artsakh relations.

SECTION 907 OF THE FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT - The United States took a principled stand against Azerbaijani aggression by adopting Section 907, which stated that no U.S. funds may be "provided to the Government of Azerbaijan until the President determines, and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagomo-Karabakh." Instead of complying with Section 907, Azerbaijan has shown its willingness to flaunt U.S. and international law, and continues to violate Section 907 by taking military action against Annenia and Artsakh, including April 2016's unprecedented offensive that started with the killing of a 12-year-old boy, and continued with the gruesome ISIS-style beheading of a soldier and the mutilation of an elderly Armenian couple. Despite the signed 1994 cease-fire agreement, Azerbaijan's president has said he will continue firing on Artsakh and Armenia. Azerbaijan's rhetoric has been left unabated for

3 275 far too long and is now matched by its deadly cease-fire violations. In fact, Azerbaijan's violations have only skyrocketed, and include the inexplicable and repeated targeting of kindergartens in Armenia's Tavush Province border region as well as other civilian areas, not to mention the continual acts of vandalism, such as the destruction of centuries-old Armenian cemeteries noted for their historic monuments. In a March 1, 2019 article, The Guardian highlighted "a damning report [that] details an attempted erasure by Azerbaijan of its Armenian cultural heritage, including the destruction of tens of thousands of UNESCO-protected [artifacts]." The United States should directly condemn such actions. We should not turn a blind eye to Azerbaijan's undue influence and attempts to whitewash its human rights record, while trying to resolve the Nagomo Karabakh conflict by wiping out its Christian Armenian population.

In addition, given Azerbaijan's military expenditures, which are reported to exceed the entire national budget of Armenia, the major discrepancy between Azerbaijan's arms purchases (which, according to The Jamestown Foundation, "Russia has long been Azerbaijan's main arms supplier") and excesses over arms control commitments, and the unconscionable pardon of an Azerbaijani officer (Ramil Safarov) who brutally axe-murdered an Armenian officer (Gurgen Margaryan) at a NA TO Partnership-for-Peace training exercise, the Assembly urges the cessation of U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan does not need it, and America cannot afford it. The Assembly also urges the Subcommittee to suspend the waiver granted in the aftermath of9-11 pursuant to then-Secretary of State Colin Powell's request for flexibility to counter terrorist elements and organizations operating in Azerbaijan - and to fully enforce Section 907.

ASSISTANCE TO CHRISTIAN MINORITIES AT RISK IN THE MIDDLE EAST - The Assembly has consistently sounded the alarm on this issue long before it garnered world attention for the crisis that it is today. In fact, I testified before the U.S. Helsinki Commission on this very issue in 2005. The Assembly remains deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest and violence in Syria and throughout the region, and its impact on minority populations caught in the middle, fleeing for their lives, and seeking refuge in new lands. We applaud the Near East Foundation (NEF) - the successor to the congressionally chartered Near East Relief organization, which helped save tens of thousands orphaned by the Armenian Genocide - for its important work today in helping resettle those fleeing from persecution and war. The NEF's work represents America at its best, and its programs in Jordan and Lebanon should be expanded with U.S. assistance to include Armenia, which, according to The Economist, has taken on the third largest number of refugees in Europe as a proportion of its population. "As a host country, Armenia has been absolutely exemplary in terms of the ratio of welcomed Syrian-Armenian refugees to the number of native inhabitants," according to the UNHCR Representative in Armenia. Armenia hosts six Syrian refugees per 1,000 nationals - a ratio much higher than many European countries or the United States, especially noteworthy given the country's economic circumstance.

The Assembly strongly believes that Christian and other minority communities must be afforded protection and safeguarded wherever they happen to reside. Armenians, having been targeted for annihilation in the twentieth century, are deeply troubled that some I 00 years later descendants

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of genocide survivors in Iraq and Syria are facing similar genocidal atrocities today. Armenian de-miners and medics, serving in Syria with Russian forces to provide much-needed assistance to all Syrians, are to be commended. In the case of the Kurds, who have been assisting our forces in defeating ISIS in Syria, they should be guaranteed American protection and not left exposed to Turkish threats.

U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE - Given Armenia's ongoing support to America before and after 9-11, and including Armenia's participation in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, and Mali, the Assembly supports $10 million in military assistance to Armenia. Such assistance not only further strengthens Armenia;s NATO Partnership for Peace (PFP) activities, but also supports NATO interoperability and modernization of Armenia's Peacekeeping Brigade.

ASSISTANCE TO THE SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI REGION OF GEORGIA-Building on U.S. assistance already provided to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of the Republic of Georgia through the Millennium Challenge Compact, the Assembly strongly supports targeted assistance for economic development and job-creation programs in Samtskhe-Javakheti.

ENERGY SECURITY - During the past decade, strategic energy projects, launched with U.S. support in the South Caucasus, have created long-term development opportunities for most of the nations in the region. However, these initiatives have not benefited Armenia due to Turkish and Azerbaijani attempts to isolate Armenia and Artsakh through blockades and other measures. Such actions to exclude Armenia from regional projects run counter to stated U.S. policy goals of regional cooperation and economic integration. The Assembly, therefore, urges the Subcommittee to utilize all the tools at its disposal to pave the way for Armenia's full involvement in and integration with existing and future energy and development projects in the region.

CONCLUSION - Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of the Armenian American community, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Congress for its assistance to Armenia and Artsakh. Armenian Americans gratefully remember the support the U.S. provided after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, as Armenia moved boldly toward independence in 1991, during Artsakh' s struggle for freedom and democracy, and America's proud record of humanitarian intervention during the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The enduring and natural bonds that exist between the United States and Armenia are readily apparent in Armenia's ongoing support for America. Armenians in Armenia and Artsakh consider the United States a close friend and ally. This is a relationship that spans families and generations across the three countries. Given its central location, Christian heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and western value system, Armenia is poised to play a pivotal role in helping the United States achieve its stated policy objectives in the region. The Armenian Assembly greatly appreciates your attention to these policy matters and looks forward to working with the distinguished Members of the Subcommittee throughout the remainder of this Congress.

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VAN Z. KRIKORIAN Biographical Information House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs - March 2019

Van Z. Krikorian serves as Co-Chair of the Armenian Assembly of America (www.aaainc.org). He began with the organization in 1977, and has served as Chairman of its Board of Directors, and in other positions for over forty years. He is also Chairman of the Armenian National Institute (www.armenian genocide.org). and serves in other community organizations.

In 1991, Mr. Krikorian was appointed and served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Moscow CSCE meetings; in 1992, he served as Deputy Representative and Counselor to the United Nations (UN) for the newly independent Republic of Armenia. He is a founding member of the Turkish Armenian Reconciliation Commission, which he began in 2001 and concluded in 2004, after the Commission jointly produced the International Center for Transitional Justice legal opinion on the applicability of the UN Genocide Convention to the Armenian Genocide as well as recommendations to concerned governments.

Mr. Krikorian has also initiated several pieces of U.S. human rights legislation, including Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and the Humanitarian Aid Corridors Act. In the 1993 decision Krikorian v. Department of State, the District of Columbia Federal Court of Appeals acknowledged that United States policy historically recognized the Armenian Genocide. He also was amicus counsel in the Federal District Court and Court of Appeals cases rejecting attempts to force denialist "contra" Armenian Genocide teaching in Massachusetts public schools.

He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Pace University Law School in White Plains, NY, teaching International Trade Law, Antitrust, International Arbitration, Conflict of Laws, and International Business Transactions, and has been a member of the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs Board of Advisors from 2005 to 2016. While maintaining his law practice, since January 2007, Mr. Krikorian has worked as Chairman and CEO of Global Gold Corporation, an international exploration and mining company he joined in 2003. Previously, Mr. Krikorian was a partner in the New York office ofVedder, Price, Kaufinan & Kammholz and prior to that until 1998 practiced with Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler, both in New York City.

Mr. Krikorian received his B.A. degree in International Affairs in 1981 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1984. Following law school, he was a clerk in the United States Federal Court for the District of Vermont. In the summer of 1980, he studied at the Armenian Seminary in Bikfuya, Lebanon, and is active in the St. Gregory Armenian Church in Westchester. Originally from Framingham, Massachusetts, he resides with his wife, Priscilla, who is also an attorney, in Rye, New York, they have four children. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Armenian Bar Association, the New York Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Vermont Bar Association (Professional Responsibility Committee). 278

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you and welcome. We will begin with Mr. Raffi Karakashian and then Heather Ignatius and Ronnate Asirwatham. Thank you very much.

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE POLICY; GLOBAL HEALTH AND DEVELOP- MENT, INCLUDING GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY, MA- LARIA, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND INNOVA- TION; GLOBAL BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS WITNESSES RAFFI N. KARAKASHIAN, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, ARME- NIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA HEATHER IGNATIUS, DIRECTOR OF US AND GLOBAL ADVOCACY, PATH RONNATE ASIRWATHAM, SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, GLOBAL CAM- PAIGN FOR EDUCATION

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.KARAKASHIAN Mr. KARAKASHIAN. Thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Armenian National Committee of America to share our community’s Fiscal Year 2020 foreign assistance priorities. As you know, we deeply value the U.S.-Armenia friendship and we were particularly honored last year to be joined by Armenia’s new president at an event the ANCA hosted on Capitol Hill mark- ing a century of U.S.-Armenia relations. Today, with the generous help of our Congress, Armenia is a strong friend of the United States, having sent troops to support our operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan and working to address a range of regional challenges. Nagorno Karabakh, with the support of direct U.S. assistance stands today as a constructive partner in the search for a democratic and lasting peace in the Caucasus. It is in this spirit of friendship and shared democratic values that we come to you with our priorities for the coming Fiscal Year. First, an allocation of at least $6 million in assistance for Nagorno Karabakh. We want to thank the subcommittee for its longstanding support for this program dating back to Fiscal Year 1998. The HALO Trust, with the support of this subcommittee, is close to declaring Karabakh mine-free, but needs continued funds to complete its life-saving work. In addition to demining, we urge this panel to support the operations of Karabakh-based rehabilitation centers which serve children, adults, and seniors with physical and mental disabilities. Be- sides meeting vital needs, U.S. aid to Karabakh also represents a confidence-building measure toward peace and a real investment in freedom. Second, an appropriation of at least $30 million in economic assistance and $10 million in military assistance for Armenia. In the aftermath of Armenia’s constitutional and political transition and 279 recent free and fair elections, we want to share our special thanks with the subcommittee for its longstanding leadership in fostering the bilateral friendship of our two nations and to seek your continued support for strengthening Armenia’s independence. Armenia, a Christian nation deeply rooted in western democratic values, has emerged despite dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, as an important regional ally and international partner for the United States on a broad array of complex challenges. As we continue to work with the Trump administration to implement programs that promote U.S.-Armenia bilateral economic relations such as the double tax treaty, we ask you to help Armenia make the transition from aid to trade by appropriating at least $30 million in economic assistance. Third, an appropriation of $20 million to help Armenia provide transition support to refugees from Syria who found safe haven in Armenia. Armenia has welcomed nearly 25,000 refugees from Syria with only modest levels of U.S. and international relief and resettlement assistance. Armenia has provided full citizenship rights to Armenian Syrian refugees and has sought to compassionately integrate all arriving families into Armenian society, but faces serious financial constraints in meeting the needs of these refugees. Special areas in need of support include short term housing, job-training, and social and economic integration. Our prepared remarks also address the need to strengthen Sec- tion 907 of the Freedom Support Act, the imperative of cutting U.S. military aid to an over-armed and belligerent Baku, and the benefits of lowering the barriers to U.S. contacts and communication with the people and government of Karabakh. In the fall of 2017, three members of Congress travelled to Karabakh to see firsthand the life-saving impact of the funds appropriated by Congress. We would welcome additional trips such as this and encourage members of this panel to consider visiting Karabakh. Thank you for your leadership on these important issues. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 280

The Armenian American Community & U.S. Foreign Assistance Policy for Fiscal Year 2020 presented by Raffi Karakashian, Government Affairs Director Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) for the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives

In the aftermath of Armenia's constitutional, political transition and recent free and fair elections, we want to share our special thanks with the Subcommittee for its longstanding leadership in fostering the bilateral friendship of our two nations, to voice our appreciation for the steady progress of Armenia's aid-to-trade transition, and to seek your continued support for strengthening Armenia's independence, securing a durable and democratic peace for Nagomo Karabakh (Artsakh), and sustaining Armenia as a regional safe haven for at-risk refugees.

Our specific requests are as follows:

1) Nagorno Karabakh: Complete De-Mining, Promote Peace, Help the Disabled

Since Fiscal Year 1998, direct U.S. aid to Nagomo Karabakh has represented a powerful investment in peace and an enduring expression of America's leadership in supporting a negotiated and democratic resolution of outstanding security and status issues between Nagomo Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

American assistance has met pressing humanitarian needs, including clean water for families and mine-clearance across Nagomo Karabakh's farmlands, towns, and villages. The HALO Trust, with the support of this Subcommittee, is close to declaring Nagomo Karabakh mine-free, but needs continued funds to complete its life-saving work.

In addition to de-mining, we urge this panel to support the operations ofNagomo Karabakh based regional rehabilitation centers, like the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center in Stepanakert, which serve children, adults, and seniors with physical and mental disabilities. We also urge the Subcommittee to engage with USAID regarding potential partnerships with groups such as World Vision and Teach for AIL

We commend legislators for supporting the Royce-Engel peace proposals, which call for the placement ofOSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact.

Request: We ask the Subcommittee to appropriate no less than $6,000,000 in direct aid for Nagomo Karabakh, and no less than $4,000,000 for the deployment of gunfire locator systems along the line of contact. 281

Language:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $6,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for Nagomo Karabakh.

The Committee recommends funding for Nagorno Karabakh-based regional rehabilitation centers to care for infants, children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The Committee recommends continued funding for, and the geographic expansion of, Nagorno Karabakh de-mining, ordnance clearance, and mine-safety programs.

In the interest of effective U.S. oversight of our aid programs, the Committee recommends, that the Department of State and USAID lift any official or unofficial restrictions on U.S. travel, communication, or contacts with Nagorno Karabakh government officials or civil society stakeholders.

The Committee recommends making available no less than $4,000,000 to deploy gunfire locators, as part of the Royce-Engel peace proposals.

2) Armenia: Support for Armenia's Independence

Armenia - a Christian nation deeply rooted in Western democratic values - has, despite dual Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, emerged an important regional ally and international partner for the United States on a broad array of complex challenges. The Armenian military has been among the highest per capita providers of peacekeepers to U.S.-led deployments, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Kosovo, and Mali. Increased U.S. assistance will facilitate the further growth of bilateral military cooperation (in the areas of peace-keeping, field hospitals, and capacity-building), while also promoting the continued expansion ofU.S.-Armenia economic relations.

We commend the Subcommittee's commitment to American Schools and Hospitals Abroad, which continues to provide vital support for the American University of Armenia and the Armenian American Wellness Center.

Reguest: We ask the Subcommittee to appropriate at least $30,000,000 in U.S. economic assistance and $10,000,000 in military assistance to Armenia, in order to further develop U.S.-Armenia economic relations and to expand the scope and depth ofU.S.-Armenia military cooperation.

Language:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for economic assistance to Armenia.

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Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $10,000,000 shall be made available for military assistance to Armenia.

3) Azerbaijan: Suspend U.S. military Aid

As the Subcommittee considers issues related to Azerbaijan, we draw your attention to how its government has, in recent years, failed three key Congressional tests of its commitment to peace:

a) The Aliyev government, in the wake ofits April 2016 major military offensive, has obstructed the implementation of the bipartisan Royce-Engel accountability/peace proposals, which call on all parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to agree to the withdrawal of snipers, heavy weapons, and new armaments, the addition of OSCE observers, and the deployment gunfire locator systems.

b) The Aliyev government has condemned the U.S.-Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution (H.Res.697 during the 115th Congress), a constructive bipartisan measure that seeks simply to open up channels of dialogue and discourse toward a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts.

c) Azerbaijan remains a recipient of U.S. military aid despite acting contrary to the spirit and letter of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.

The Aliyev regime has rejected reasonable pathways to peace, choosing violence over the hard but necessary work of negotiations.

Request: We ask the Subcommittee to zero out U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan, including Foreign Military Financing and International Military Education and Training, until its government agrees to the Royce-Engel proposals, ceases its threats of renewed war, stops cross-border attacks into Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and agrees to the resolution of regional conflicts through peaceful means alone.

Language:

None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance to the armed forces or security services of Azerbaijan until such time as the President determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that Azerbaijan has stopped obstructing implementation of the Royce-Engel proposals, ceased its threats of violence, ended cross-border attacks into Armenia and Nagomo Karabakh, and agreed to the resolution of regional conflicts through peaceful means alone.

Add the following certification requirement to the President's waiver authority under Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act:

In the last fiscal year, Azerbaijan has not taken hostile action, either through military force or incitement, including but not limited to

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threatening pronouncements by government officials toward Armenia or Nagomo Karabakh, and has both stated and demonstrated its commitment to pursuing a lasting peace with Armenia and Nagomo Karabakh through solely non-violent means.

4) Armenia: Sustain a Safe Haven for At-Risk Christians and other Middle East Refugees

Armenia, a small country with a per capita GDP of roughly $4,000 per year - has welcomed nearly 25,000 refugees from Syria, with only modest levels of U.S. and international relief and resettlement assistance.

Armenia has provided full citizenship rights to Armenian Syrian refugees, and has sought to compassionately integrate all arriving families into Armenian society, but faces serious financial constraints in meeting the needs of these refugees. Specific areas in need of support include short-term housing/rental assistance, job-training, and social and economic integration.

Reguest: We ask the Subcommittee to appropriate at least $20,000,000 to help Armenia provide transition support to refugees from Syria and throughout the Middle East who have found safe haven in Armenia.

Language:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $20,000,000 shall be made available for assistance to Armenia for the purpose of providing transition and resettlement assistance to Middle East refugees.

In closing, we would like to emphasize, once again, our appreciation for this Subcommittee's leadership in Armenia's aid-to-trade transition. It is in this spirit that we call upon you to continue encouraging the Administration to undertake a strategic upgrade of our annual U.S. Armenia Economic Task Force meetings, to make full use of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), and to move forward with the long-overdue negotiation ofa modem U.S.-Armenia Double Tax Treaty.

The ANCA, as always, thanks you for your leadership and looks forward to working with the Subcommittee to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia alliance, promote regional stability, and advance American foreign policy and economic interests.

4 284

Biography Raffi N. Karakashian, Esq.

Raffi Karakashian received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Political Science from Boston College in 1999. He then studied law at Seton Hall University, graduating in 2003. He went on to serve as law clerk to the Hon. Daniel M. Waldman, J.S.C. of the Superior Court ofNew Jersey in the 2003-2004 court term, followed by associate positions at Evans, Osborne & Kreizman, LLC and Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. in New Jersey.

Karakashian has been the Armenian National Committee of America Government Affairs Director in Washington, DC since 2017. He joined the ANCA in 2007 as its Legislative Affairs Director, and in 2009, also began managing the ANCA Capital Gateway Program. 285

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.IGNATIUS Ms. IGNATIUS. Thank you. And just noting that I have shortened my remarks to 2 minutes because I understand that time is an issue. The CHAIRWOMAN. You are a winner. Ms. IGNATIUS. I thought you would appreciate that. Chairwoman Lowey, members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of PATH, a global team of innovators working to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges so that people and communities can thrive. As an organization working in nearly 70 countries including as an implementing partner of the U.S., PATH sees firsthand the tremendous impact of U.S. supported global health programs. U.S. aid has saved the lives of millions and lifted communities out of poverty. Our sustained partnership over many decades means that a girl born in a rural village in Kenya is more likely to live to her fifth birthday. A person living with HIV in South Africa has access to life-saving ARV treatment. And a family in Vietnam can sleep under a bed net reducing their chances of contracting malaria. Polling shows that Americans consistently support U.S. assistance for global health. These programs save lives and prevent needless suffering. They help our partner nations address fundamental challenges impeding their development. And they strengthen health systems abroad to prevent the spread of diseases, ultimately protecting the health of Americans. We respectfully request that this subcommittee allocate no less than $54.3 billion for state and foreign operations in Fiscal Year 2020 in order to maintain programs that promote global health security, women and children’s health, and global health research and innovation. We also support the allocation of $1.56 billion for the Global Fund and $290 million for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, both which complement and reinforce the success of our bilateral programs. We appreciate your consideration and thank you for your support of these life-saving sitting programs and for our work. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 286 PATH to::A.O ♦ //.l □ O

Outside Witness Testimony for the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Prepared by: Heather Ignatius, Director, US and Global Advocacy, PATH Contact information: [email protected] Testimony is addressing USAID, the State Department, and related multilateral partnerships

Chairman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony regarding fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the State Department, and related multilateral public-private partnerships. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of PATH, a global team of innovators and advocates working to solve the world's most pressing health challenges so all people and communities can thrive. We respectfully request that this Subcommittee allocate no less than $54.3 billion for SFOPS-the FY19 enacted level-in order to maintain current investments in critical programs that promote global health security, women's and children's health, and global health research and innovation. Sustained funding for foreign assistance - building on investments and leadership demonstrated in the FY18 omnibus - is more critical than ever. We also support no less than $1.56 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and no less than $290 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, both of which complement and reinforce the success of our bilateral programs.

Using cost-effective strategies to save lives while transforming communities to be self reliant and prosperous. As an organization that partners with the public and private sectors at home and in nearly 70 countries, PATH sees firsthand the tremendous impact that US-supported global health and development programs have with relatively modest investments. These investments are further catalyzed through both traditional and innovative financing mechanisms, in tandem with strategic partnerships. Continued support for these programs means that the US can sustain and accelerate efforts to save millions of lives, develop and scale-up lifesaving health innovations, as well as enable strategic transitions and the path to self-reliance for partner countries; ultimately enabling a healthier, safer, and more secure world.

Strengthening global health security The second largest outbreak of Ebola, currently being addressed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other emerging crises such as antimicrobial resistance further demonstrate the influence that health security-{Jr a lack of it- can have on human health worldwide. Congress provided critical leadership in FY19 by providing $140 million in additional funding to partially reduce the impending gap created by the expiration ofUSAID's funding for global health security. Yet to continue making progress toward ensuring the weakest countries with the least preventative-care capabilities have the right tools, infrastructure, staff, and systems in place to prevent future outbreaks from spiraling out of control, the FYI 7 enacted level of $172.5 million for USAID is still needed. History demonstrates that complacency in the wake of successful outbreak interventions leads to a cycle of funding cuts followed by ever more costly outbreaks. This forces the United States to face continued government expenditures and military 287 interventions. The 2015 Ebola outbreak cost US taxpayers $5.4 billion in emergency supplemental funding, forced US cities to spend millions in containment, disrupted global business and supply chains, and required the deployment of the US military to mitigate the threat.

USAID plays a critical leadership role in preventing emerging disease threats that could put Americans and populations around the world at risk, through its Global Health Bureau's Global Health Security Agenda, Emerging Pandemic Threats, and PREDICT programs. These investments support partner countries to reduce transmission of diseases between animals and humans, strengthen workforce development and disease surveillance, and enhance collaboration with national and community stakeholders to monitor viruses with pandemic potential. USAID also invests in for the development of new tools for epidemic preparedness, including through its Grand Challenge for Development, which has supported funding for innovations to address key gaps in the Ebola response and to mitigate the spread of Zika. USAID's global health security work is further bolstered with programming in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria (with the President's Malaria Initiative), maternal and child health, and neglected tropical diseases, which strengthen health systems to be capable of detecting and responding to a variety of disease threats.

As the United States and the world begins to reap the benefits of our investments in better disease preparedness, we must sustain support for these critically needed programs. The ongoing threat that infectious diseases pose to American health-as articulated in the 2018 National Biodefense Strategy-and to our economic and national security interests demands dedicated and steady funding for global health security. Just as we invest in a strong military in preparation for other security risks, Congress must ensure a continued strong USG investment in global health security.

The vital role of reducing maternal, newborn and child deaths and leveraging public private partnerships Every day, more than 15,000 children die from preventable or treatable causes and over 800 women die each day due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. These preventable deaths primarily occur in resource-limited settings where women and children lack access to basic health care services. There is consensus among scientists and global health experts that ending such deaths is achievable but requires investment in scaling up interventions that tackle the leading killers of women and children, many which are simple and low-cost such as promoting healthy practices like breastfeeding and handwashing and ensuring access to lifesaving drugs for infections. USAID stated in its 2018 maternal and child health road map that it has seen a 6 to 1 average return on investment in maternal and child survival as a result of eliminating health system barriers related to management, system quality, and community engagement. According to the agency, US$26.9 billion in public and private funds have also been freed up by making maternal and child survival programs more efficient. Alternatively, issues such as malnutrition dramatically increase health care costs, as well as billions of dollars in global economy are lost as result of reduced productivity, and as much as 12% of national GDPs. Without investment in mothers and children, economies will remain stagnant, reducing trading power and global spending. 288

Since 2012, USAID has trained 13.2 million health workers across the world in how to provide critical healthcare to mothers and children. It has provided 77 .1 million treatments to children for diarrhea and pneumonia. It has vaccinated 34.7 million children against deadly preventable diseases and has treated 5.6 billion liters of water for consumption. USAID has helped 8.7 million women give birth in a health facility and has helped 7 .9 million newborns receive care after delivery. USAID also reaches more than 28 million children with nutrition services annually. Successful maternal and child health programs have also demonstrated that when US foreign assistance is paired with domestic financial commitments and innovative financing, the US is able to play a catalytic role in helping governments lead their own strategies, in line with this Administration's signature effort, The Journey to SelfReliance. For example, in 20 l 8, USAID piloted the world's first health impact bond, co-developed by the Indian government and the private sector. The bond is expected to enable up to 600,000 pregnant women to access improved care with potential to save I 0,000 moms and newborns. This innovative approach to development financing is driven by achievement of outcomes and has the potential to leverage substantial private investor capital. We urge the committee to continue to fully fund global maternal and child health programs to further enable sustainable development.

Another factor in USAID's global successes is the link to public-private partnerships. This link leverages American bilateral assets with multilateral technical support and financing to catalyze country commitments. One of the most effective examples of this important bilateral-multilateral approach is in the area of immunization. USAID has provided bilateral technical and commodity assistance to more than 100 countries in support of national child immunization programs. The impact of this is maximized through USAID's relationship with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Investments in Gavi have supported the immunization of more than 700 million children since 2000, preventing more than 10 million deaths as well as system strengthening and training for health care workers to ensure immunizations are delivered and lives are saved.

In addition to providing lifesaving interventions, Gavi serves as a model for transitioning out of donor-led support, once countries have robust systems and decision-making processes in place. This year, 15 countries have begun to fully self-finance their vaccines, after support to introduce them through Gavi. Gavi is also a leader in building private sector partnerships to strengthen capacity around cold chain performance and data analysis, among others. In mid-2020, the United States will have the opportunity to make a renewed commitment to Gavi over through 2025-funds that are imperative to helping Gavi achieve impact and leverage contributions from many other donor nations. To maintain this commitment, the US government should maintain its support for Gavi and look to continue its commitment for this lifesaving and effective effort.

Fighting to eliminate malaria Another example ofUSAID's vital work is the tremendous progress made in fighting malaria through the President's Malaria Initiative. PMI's work to scale-up malaria interventions in partner countries is contributing to global efforts that have helped save an estimated 6.8 million lives since 2000. Yet close to half the world's population remain at risk of malaria: In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria-continuing the upward trend since 2015, when there were an estimated 214 million cases. Of the estimated 435 000 deaths worldwide in 2017, children under the age of five accounted for an estimated 70 percent, due to lack of access to cost-effective tools, such as insecticide-treated nets and anti-malarial drugs. In countries where 289

PMI has focused its efforts, advances in malaria control have brought social and economic benefits, such as significantly greater economic growth than countries with malaria. Malaria prevention programs have also been crucial for protecting US military personnel due to the disease's potential to affect deployed troops and undermine operational readiness.

An added challenge in tackling malaria is the expansion of drug and insecticide resistance, threatening the effectiveness of current interventions. In response, PATH has been partnering with the US government, private sector, and local governments to drive innovation for new tools and strategies to control and eliminate malaria, including development of the world's first malaria vaccine for young children in Africa, RTS,S. RTS,S is set to be piloted in selected areas of Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi starting later this year, and could prove to be an important complementary tool to the anti-malarial toolkit.

Congress should fully fund PMI, as additional resources are critical to PMI's new country programs in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, and Sierra Leone, and its existing programs in Burkina Faso and 19 other countries. Financial resources are also needed to make greater investments in malaria R&D for new tools to accelerate progress, such as improved diagnostics, novel insecticides, and next-generation vaccines. Congress must also renew the US pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a critical partner in leveraging USAID's bilateral assets to procure and deliver lifesaving treatment and drive down the rate of new HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria infections. Finally, Congress should exercise its oversight of all relevant US agencies that are implementing malaria programs to ensure that programs are using the best data to target the epidemic, ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and progress toward a world free from malaria.

Protecting the United States through leadership in global health R&D We ask that the Subcommittee continue to affirm its support for the role that USAID plays in advancing innovations to ensure that people in low-resource settings have access to high-quality health tools. Due to its presence in the field and its linkages with end users, USAID plays a critical role in the development, roll-out and scale-up of lifesaving health products and systems specifically designed to address the needs of vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. For example, the agency's Saving Lives at Birth Grand Challenge has leveraged over $150 million from other donors and created a pipeline of over 100 potentially lifesaving innovations, like rapid diagnostic tests to detect pre-eclampsia, new formulas of drugs to stop post-partum hemorrhage and wearable technology to prevent hypothermia in newborns. Initiatives like the Grand Challenges, which crowdsource the best ideas from all around the world can also help develop much needed innovation capacity in low-and middle-income countries, a critical aspect of empowering communities and economies to self-reliance.

Another example is the new innovations USAID is piloting in digital health, aimed at strengthening health systems and infrastructure in emerging economies. USAID has partnered with PATH by investing in the initiative Digital Square, a partnership of the world's leading digital health experts from 40+ organizations and countries, working together to help countries seamlessly connect their digital health systems, collect and share better data and ultimately reach better health outcomes. A key element of Digital Square is its focus on co-investment around country driven priorities, leveraging limited funding and supporting sustainable outcomes. 290

USAID's innovation-focused initiatives have shown great success in leveraging US investments, and USAID should continue to look for ways to engage private-sector expertise and investment. With the release of both the 2019 Effective Partnering and Procurement Reform Recommendations and 2018 Private Sector Engagement Policy there is an opportunity to drive a new approach to USAID's R&D investments. This includes pursuing innovative funding and partnership models to drive the development of much needed health tools for improving development outcomes.-:specially in support oflocal innovation in low- and middle-income countries. Assisting in-country innovators to advance their own promising health products could lead to lower-cost alternatives to people around the world while improving local economies, ultimately reducing reliance on the United States.

An investment in health, at home and around the world With strong funding for global health and development programs within USAID and through our public-private partnerships, the US government is improving access to proven health interventions in the communities where they are needed most, while also investing in solutions for tomorrow's challenges. By fully funding the International Affairs account, there is a critical opportunity to help countries mobilize their own resources on their journey to self-reliance. The United States can protect the health of Americans and invest in economic growth, while ensuring that people everywhere can reach their full potential. We appreciate the Subcommittee's consideration of our views and urge Members to ensure that the United States maintains our position as a leader in global health and development. 291

Heather Ignatius, MA Director, US and Global Advocacy

Heather leads multilateral, US, and European policy and advocacy for PATH, an international health organization driving transformative innovation to save lives. Heather specializes in the design and implementation of strategies to influence multilateral and national policy processes, with a focus on global health. At PATH, Heather oversees the organization's advocacy to ensure robust policies, financing, and prioritization of innovation for women and children.

Prior to joining PATH, Heather worked for the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, where she led the organization's efforts to secure policies and commitments from donor governments. There, she oversaw the organization's community engagement programs and managed external partnerships. She also conducted research on country decision-making processes for tuberculosis (TB) regimen change and other policy issues relating to access to new TB drugs.

Earlier in her career, she worked for the United Nations Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Women's Research and Education Institute, and Cisco Systems. Heather holds an MA in International Affairs from the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and a BA in Political Science/International Relations from the University of California at San Diego. 292

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.ASIRWATHAM Ms. ASIRWATHAM. Thank you. Thank you Chairwoman Lowey and thank you Representative Frankel, I would also like to thank your fantastic staff for your commitment for public testimony. On behalf of the Global Campaign for Education US, I thank you for sustaining funding for global education in the Fiscal Year 2019. The funding is critical as education increases security and stability, spurs economic growth, and provides proven results across development sectors globally. The Global Campaign for Education U.S. is a diverse coalition of more than 80 organizations working to ensure universal quality education for children around the world. I respectfully ask you to support effective investments in education globally for the financial year 2020 by allocating $800 million to USAID basic education bilateral programming, $125 million for the Global Partnership for Education and at least $21 million for the Education Cannot Wait fund. The power of education is clear, brighter futures, healthier communities and increased economic growth for individuals and countries. U.S. partnerships with developing countries have helped to build stronger education systems and drastically decreased the number of out of school children around the world. Education is a life-saving intervention for children during times of conflict. It provides a sense of normalcy in otherwise challenging circumstances. It helps children heal from trauma and offers an alternative to further migration in search of safety and security. Ac- cess to education, access to quality education helps create a future for children where they can provide for themselves, their families, and help rebuild their communities. Fully funding our global education programs is not only the right thing to do, it is also a smart use of U.S. resources. If all students in low-income countries left school with reading numeracy and citizenship skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty. Education for girls is particularly effective. When 10 percent more adolescent girls attend school, a country’s GDP increases by an average of 3 percent. By continued bipartisan congressional commitment to the issue of global education, Congress can ensure millions more children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Thank you. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. And we appreciate your short- ening your remarks. Ms. Frankel, do you have a question? Ms. FRANKEL. No, I yield back. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Mr. KARAKASHIAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 293

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION UNITED STATES www.gce-us.org Testimony preparedfor the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs FY2020 Budget for Global Basic Education Programs

Ronnate Asirwatham, Senior Policy Advisor Global Campaign for Education - US

On behalf of the Global Campaign for Education - US, a diverse coalition of more than 80 organizations working to ensure universal quality education for children around the world, I urge you to support effective investments in education globally by allocating $800 million to USAID basic education bilateral programming, $125 million for the Global Partnership for Education (OPE), and at least $21 million for the Education Cannot Wait Fund from the State Department and USAID budgets in the FY2020 budget. This funding will ensure that the United States continues to play a leadership role in the vital effort to achieve universal quality education.

The Global Campaign for Education - US commends Congress for sustaining funding for international education in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2019. Congress funded International Basic Education at a minimum of$800,000,000 and multilateral partnerships that support education at a minimum of$90,000,000, both of which are critical to ensure that the United States continues to be a leader in efforts to improve education opportunities for all around the world.

The power of education is clear - brighter futures, healthier communities, and increased economic growth for individuals and countries. U.S. partnerships with developing countries have helped to build stronger education systems and drastically decreased the number of out of school children around the world.

Today, one in four of the world's school-aged children live in countries affected by crisis. Of these children, 75 million are either in danger of, or already missing out on, their right to education. Education is a life-saving intervention for children during times of conflict. It provides a sense of normalcy in otherwise challenging circumstances, helps children heal from trauma, and offers an alternative to further migration in search of safety and security. Access to quality education helps create a future for children where they can provide for themselves, their families and help rebuild their communities. Without a basic education, children are more vulnerable to the pull of extremist groups, at greater risk to infectious and deadly diseases, and more likely targets for forced labor, trafficking, and child marriage. Research has shown that each additional year of formal schooling for males reduces their risk of becoming involved in conflict by 20 percent.

Thanks to the leadership of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID}, and the USAID education strategy, the U.S. has tripled the number of students being reached to 27.7 million per year since the strategy's launch in 2011. USAID has also increased access for 2.4 million children who were previously out-of-school due to conflict and crisis. I urge you to fully fund our global education programs.

www.qce-us.orq I twitter: @GCE_US I focebook.com/compoignforeducotionuso / lnstogram: @GCE_US 120115" Street, NW, Suite 521, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202/ 765-2248 294

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION UNITED STATES www.gce-us.org

Fully funding our global education programs is not only the right thing to do, it's also a smart use of U.S. resources. Education increases security and stability, spurs economic growth, and provides proven results across development sectors. If all students in low-income countries left school with reading, numeracy and citizenship skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty. Education for girls is particularly effective; when 10 percent more adolescent girls attend school, a country's GDP increases by an average of3 percent.

The Global Partnership for Education (OPE) has played a leading role in providing education in the lowest-income countries. In OPE partner countries, 72 million more children were in primary school in 2015 compared to 2002. U.S. financial commitments to OPE will contribute to the development of sustainable national education systems owned and led by developing country partners. As OPE continues to show progress on its GPE2020 strategy to get an additional 25 million children in school, sustained U.S. support in the FY2020 budget is critical.

Since 2010, less than two percent of all humanitarian funding has been spent on education. We appreciate the U.S. Government's recognition of the critical need to mobilize more resources for education in emergency and crisis settings, and the initial $21 million commitment to the new Education Cannot Wait fund for education in emergencies. Education Cannot Wait is an important new effort to transform the delivery of education in emergencies, by bringing together governments and humanitarian and development actors to deliver a more collaborative and rapid response to the educational needs of children and youth affected by crises. By mobilizing resources from both the public and private sectors, Education Cannot Wait has already allocated funds to help ensure that education and learning are central components of humanitarian response efforts, and that no child's right to education is disrupted by conflict or disaster. We encourage expanded support for Education Cannot Wait in the FY2020 budget.

While we recognize the challenges of the current budget environment, we urge that this funding not come at the expense of other effective humanitarian and development assistance. We strongly support sustained funding for the entirety of poverty-focused development accounts, which work together to serve the common goal of building a safer and more prosperous world.

Continued bipartisan congressional commitment to this issue positions the United States as a leader in global progress towards quality education for all. By allocating $800 million to basic education, $125 million for the Global Partnership for Education, and at least $21 million for the Education Cannot Wait Fund in the FY 2020 State and Foreign Operations Bill, Congress can ensure millions more children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

www.qce-us.org I twitter: @GCE_US / facebook.com/compaignforeducatianusa / lnstagram: @GCE_US 120116'h Street, NW, Suite 521, Washington, D.C. 20035 (202} 755-2248 295

Ronnate D. Asirwatham is the Senior Policy Advisor for the Global Campaign for Education-US. Ronn ate has 10 years' experience lobbying and advocating on the Capitol Hill and the administration on the issues of foreign policy, appropriations, immigration and civilian security. She has also advocated with the United Nations in New York and Geneva. Ronnate graduated from the Fletcher School, Tufts University with a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALO) and from the University of Essex UK with a Master of Laws (LLM). In 2009 Ronnate was awarded the Hellmann-Hammet award in recognition for her commitment to free expression internationally. 296

TUESDAY,MARCH 12, 2019. AID TO MACEDONIA; GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AT USAID AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT; RECOGNIZE THE PRACTICE OF UNARMED CIVILIAN PROTECTION IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET WITNESSES METODIJA A. KOLOSKI, PRESIDENT, UNITED MACEDONIAN DIASPORA SEVINJ MAMMADOVA, BOARD MEMBER AT US AZERIS NETWORK LOYCE PACE, PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL MEL DUNCAN, DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH, NON- VIOLENT PEACEFORCE U.S.

The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you and welcome: Mr. Koloski of United Macedonian Diaspora and Madam Mammadova of the United States Azeris Network, Loyce Pace, Global Health Council and Mel Duncan, the Nonviolent Peaceforce of the United States. Than you, please begin.

OPENING STATEMENT OF MR.KOLOSKI Mr. KOLOSKI. Thank you. Chairwoman Lowey, Representative Frankel, yesterday was the 76th Anniversary of the Holocaust of 98 percent of Macedonia’s Jewish population which occurred while Macedonia was occupied by Bulgaria. Bulgaria to date has not apologized to the Macedonian-Jewish community and we urge you to use your congressional influence to change this. UMD serves as a voice of half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage and Macedonian communities abroad and has been a champion for stronger U.S. relations with Macedonia. The U.S. has invested close to $2 billion of aid to Macedonia. Since 2008 when Macedonia’s NATO membership was vetoed by Greece due to Greece’s objections to Macedonia’s name, Macedonian public opinion of the U.S. has been on the decline. Macedonia’s lack of NATO membership also saw a growing interest by Russia in the country. Russia historically has never been a friend to Macedonia, always supporting its neighbors to divide Macedonian lands and people. The decline has been largely due to the U.S. particularly under the latter part of the last Administration and especially under this administration which applied significant pressure to Macedonia to change its name in order to join NATO while jeopardizing rule of law and democratic principles. The current Administration also supported the illegitimate election of a former terrorist as speaker of the Macedonia’s Parliament as well as allegations of members of Macedonia—of Macedonia’s Parliament being paid to vote a certain way have yet to be investigated. For nearly 27 years Greece has argued that Macedonia’s name implied territorial aspirations on Greek lands, how the U.S. and Greek authorities accepted north astonishes our community since there—if there is a north, there must be a south. Media outlets have recently started to shed light about the gross violations against the Macedonian minority in Greece since 1913, and I invite you to read a BBC article published on February 24th called 297 Greece’s Invisible Minority which can be found in the Congres- sional Record. Our organization has been a strong proponent of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic future, however, only under the name Republic of Macedonia. UMD was strongly opposed to USAID providing education funding on the September 30th referendum to change Mac- edonia’s name. The referendum turnout was significantly under 50 percent needed by the Macedonian Constitution, did not represent a mandate to change the country’s constitutional name or reflect the will of the Macedonian people. The U.S. foreign relations and USAID funding should address the most pressing unmet needs in Macedonia such as media freedom, rule of law, economic problems and environmental challenges in the country and not be in the business of changing or influ- encing support for one political party over another or harming a country’s right to self-determination. The sizeable Macedonian Di- aspora worldwide which provides close to 21 percent of Macedonia’s annual GDP in remittances can be a partner in these endeavors. Currently publicly-owned media outlets are strongly impacted by political parties. These media outlets are used to push their own political party agendas that may be at the jeopardy of the country’s democratic growth. Work still remains to be done in the areas of increasing transparency and accountability of government, fighting corruption, improving the function of Macedonia’s Parliament and the true decentralization of local governments. USAID should help also small and medium size enterprises in Macedonia to team up with U.S. companies to expand trade. And another major area of funding needed is the help of Macedonia— helping Macedonia tackle its grave air pollution problem. Reports state that 2,000 Macedonians die each year due to air pollution. The U.S. can and should assist Macedonian authorities to implement collective measures to tackle this issue as well as give civil society organizations the necessary resources to bring greater public awareness. Your subcommittee has the power to impact change from Macedonia, history will judge us if we continue to take away a people’s right to self-determination. Thank you for your time and consideration. [The information follows:] 298

United Macedonian Diaspora 1510 H Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 350-9798 www.umdiaspora.org

Testimony of Mr. Metodija A. Koloski, the Co-Founder and President of United Macedonian Diaspora, as submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs:

March 5, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Congressman Rogers, and Members of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs:

Thank you very much for the opportunity to submit written testimony to your Subcommittee on behalf of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), the voice of our nation's close to halfa million Americans of Macedonian heritage. The Macedonian-American community is largely based in Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, with pockets in Arizona, California, and Florida, among other locations.

With the release of the estimated FY 2019 foreign assistance budget, the Republic of Macedonia is expected to receive a total of$5.84 million in foreign aid from the United States. It is a drastic decrease from the $26.96 million that was provided to Macedonia in FY 2010. The Macedonian American community is very concerned that the level of funding being offered to Macedonia does not accurately reflect the close relationship between the two allies, especially given the U.S.-Macedonia Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in May 2008 urging enhanced political, military, economic, and people-to-people ties.

Since 1993, the United States has invested close to $2 billion in Macedonia's development. This assistance has aided Macedonia in overcoming the economic legacy of a command economy it was imposed on it as part of Yugoslavia as well as the long-lasting effects of Greece's three-year economic embargo of the newly independent Macedonia, which can still be felt after twenty years.

The Corruption Assessment Report by USAID/Macedonian Center for International Cooperation outlines the key issues Macedonia continues to struggle with and possible solutions to the problems at hand. The first step they outline towards a less corrupt government is the establishment and functioning of a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for combating corruption. They further state, CSOs would "demonstrate unity and audibility" in emphasising key issues, and at the same time, ensure the greater security and solidarity among the organizations themselves. The next crucial step is more financial means, which is needed for the civil society sector, and it would come from independent sources, "primarily from the EU and the USAID." This would provide the certain independence and confidence ofCSOs to be able to address the key problems and identify specific examples of all forms of corruption. We 299 have also noticed a significant increase of CSO staff entering government, thus creating a vacuum for keeping the government in check, accountable, and transparent.

According to the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International, Macedonia is the 93rd least corrupt nation out of 175 countries.

The Corruption Rank in Macedonia averaged 81.65 from 1999 to 2018. Macedonia has recently undergone a change in government at both the national and local levels, in large part due to a wiretapping scandal alleging abuse of power, corruption and clientelism, which led to a political standoff between the two largest parties in Macedonia. To add to this, nepotism is a problem stemmed from the corrupt government, it mainly affects the younger generations as they struggle in finding jobs. In Macedonia, nepotism leads to low household income, no employment possibilities, very low salaries, young people leaving the country, poor education system, inadequate social care benefits, and even discrimination.

Despite pledges by the current Macedonian government in being committed to greater openness and transparency, tackling of corruption, on the ground things have continued status quo, and at times gotten worse.

While strides in these areas have been made, according to reporting agencies such as Freedom House, Macedonia still lags behind other democracies in the areas of media freedom, governance and rule oflaw, and economic growth.

Aid from USAID has been especially important in the educational sector. As a result ofUSAID projects, students have gained access to technology through the more than 6,000 computers provided to primary and secondary schools. More than 10,000 teachers were trained by USAID programs in order to better instruct students in IT, math, and science. As a result of these innovations in education, Macedonian teachers were awarded with the European Grand Prix for innovation in computer-assisted learning, at Microsoft's Innovative Education Forum in 2011. USAID has also been active sponsor of the Macedonia Connects program.

This program has resulted in the provision of broadband internet connectivity to almost 550 elementary and secondary schools, research institutions, and universities, allowing Macedonia to become the first all-wireless internet country in the world. Assistance from the United States through USAID programs has been used to improve the status of women and further integrate minorities living in Macedonia. To further integrate minorities such as the Roma community, USAID School Integration Teams have been formed in more than 200 schools to improve the educational opportunities for more than 1,500 Roma students every year.

Women have also seen their opportunities to succeed increase dramatically. From business reforms to the introduction of micro-financing, new doors have been opened to close both gender and ethnicity divides. Projects in the areas of economic growth, democracy and local government, education and anti-trafficking reforms have all seen the condition of minorities and women improve greatly. In the Department of State's 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, Macedonia fell from a tier 1 in 2015 to tier 2 due to the government decreasing overall funding for victim protection and not awarding grants to anti-trafficking NGOs, despite NGOs being the 300 ones who are identifying and serving the vast majority of potential victims identified during the year.

There is a high risk of corruption in most of the Macedonia's sectors. Corruption and inefficient bureaucracy are challenges companies may face when doing business in Macedonia. For the Macedonian economy to continue to develop, business development must increase through improving the competitiveness of small and medium size businesses and facilitating an increase of economic activity. UMD has established a Macedonia Start-up and Small Business Mentorship Program that will act as a connection between the diaspora and several start-up accelerators in Macedonia. This is an excellent opportunity to give back to our homeland by helping the startup sector and thereby assist many aspiring Macedonian entrepreneurs in realizing their economic potential in Macedonia and contributing towards creating a more positive economic environment.

Private business development has been hindered by lingering effects of the Yugoslav command economy and the Greek economic embargo in the 90's, which caused unemployment in Macedonia to reach 70%. In the last decade, the Macedonian economy has grown thanks in part to the efforts ofUSAID programs to improve competitiveness, create investment opportunities, improving agricultural competitiveness, enhancing microfinance availability, and removing barriers to start small businesses. According to the Heritage Foundation 2019 Index of Economic Freedom, Macedonia's economic freedom score is 71.1, which is more than ten points higher than the global average.

One of Macedonia's key drivers of economic growth has been in the tourism industry. Aid money has played a critical role in the improvement of domestic infrastructure needed to support this growing industry. Funding from foreign assistance has provided the capital needed to modernize Skopje's international airport and maintain the network ofroads that connect Macedonian landmarks. Aid targeted at improving agricultural competitiveness and export promotion has greatly benefitted Macedonia's growing wine industry.

Possibly the most critical objective set out in the Corruption Assessment Report is the direct cooperation between USAID and the civil society sector is a must for wider anti-corruption access, aiming for the greater involvement of CSOs, besides state institutions, in order to provide wide and comprehensive civil action against corruption.

Three important areas that aid is needed in the forms of both technical assistance and monetary aid are judiciary independence, strengthening of civil society in a non-partisan fashion, and an increase in media freedom.

Current USAID programs in Macedonia are working to strengthen the judiciary in order to more strongly separate its powers from the executive and promote the rule of!aw. USAID programs in coordination with the American Bar Association - Rule of Law Initiative that trained over 220 judges, administrators and court accountants have made the Macedonian judiciary more fiscally responsible and decreased the time necessary to resolving newly filed cases. However, currently party affiliations still limit the balance of power between the judicial and executive branches and foreign assistance is still necessary to continue to train and educate members of the judiciary, and 301 very importantly, increase public confidence in the rule oflaw. The government has control over the judiciary and it is evident in the politicization oflegal cases, current, and previous.

Civil society support continues to be an indispensable factor in maintaining transparency and accountability of the government. In Macedonia, civil society groups play a key role in building awareness and providing diversity training to communities, businesses and the government. In recent years, USAID's Civil Society Program has helped more than twenty civil society organizations increase their capacity to mobilize citizens and engage in civil initiatives such as research based advocacy and government oversight. Civil society in Macedonia continues to be an important source for combating corruption and increasing public awareness of ongoing reform in the country. We hope USAID will refrain from politicization in civil society, and ensure that civil society remains neutral and non-partisan.

USAID's projects to strengthen independent media in Macedonia are arguably the most important of all at this turbulent time in Macedonian politics. In Macedonia, 98% of its inhabitants use television as their top media provider on a weekly basis. The international human rights organization Freedom House characterized the media landscape as "not free."

Members of the national and international media community, including the Association of Journalists of Macedonia and the European Federation of Journalists, accused the previous government of failing to respect freedom of speech and the press and of taking no responsibility for the protection of journalists. However, currently publicly owned media outlets are strongly impacted by political parties, which can dictate funding as well as appoint members of oversight committees such as the Broadcasting Council.

Improving the rule oflaw and balance of power between democratic institutions in Macedonia are a precondition for continued and sustained growth. Work still remains to be done in the areas of increasing transparency and accountability of govemment, fighting corruption, and improving the function of the Macedonian parliament.

Another major area of funding needed is in helpping Macedonia tackle its grave air pollution problem. Its capital Skopje often ranks among the worst in the world, alongside the city of Tetovo. Reports state that 2,000 Macedonians die each year due to air pollution. The U.S. can and should assist Macedonian authorities to implement collective measures to tackle this issue, as well as give CSOs the necessary resources to bring greater public awareness.

Macedonia was forced to sign and ratify the unconstitutional and hugely unpopular Prespa Agreement. Both the Macedonian and Greek leadership have disregarded the widespread protests against the name change decision, and continue to accept the worldwide support of leaders who know nothing about the history between Macedonia and Greece, and the gross violations against the Macedonian minority in Greece by all Greek governments since 1913 as reported by the BBC in their February 24, 2019 article "Greece's invisbile minority," which can be found in the Congressional Record.

Even in 2008, Macedonia met the requirements for NATO membership, including a then 2.17 percent in defense spending, participated in every NATO mission, maintained the 4th largest 302

troop contribution to ISAF in Afghanistan, hosted the NATO Logistical Support Center in Kosovo and time and again exceeded its commitment to the U.S. and NATO allies. Macedonia has been heavily invested in both the KFOR mission by hosting the mission's logistics support center, and partaking in the ISAF mission, providing the fifth most troops per capita in Afghanistan.

In 2010, Macedonian and American troops served side-by-side in Afghanistan, the first deployment of its kind between the U.S. and a non-NATO member country. Aid from the U.S. in the forms of both monetary and technical assistance in the form of equipment and training have driven positive reforms that have allowed Macedonia's 7,000 strong Army receive praise from numerous U.S. military commanders.

Macedonia is slated to join NATO by the end of 2019.

Last but not least, UMD has been a strong proponent of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic future, however, not under any other name but that chosen by its people, the Republic of Macedonia. UMD will continue to use the Republic of Macedonia as its official reference and will advocate for all 140 countries that recognized Macedonia under its rightful name to continue to do so regardless of the Prespa Agreement. We hope U.S. will use Macedonia. UMD was opposed to USAID providing education and funding on the September 30, 2018 referendum to change Macedonia's name. The referendum turnout of 3 6.91 % under 50% needed by the Macedonian Constitution does not represent a mandate to change the country's constitutional name and does not reflect the will of the Macedonian people.

The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is a leading international non-governmental organization promoting the interest and needs of Macedonian communities in the United States and throughout the world. On behalf of the close to half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, we work to foster unity, promote Macedonian culture and heritage, advance the interests of the Macedonian-American communities, and strengthen the U.S.-Macedonia bilateral relationship.

Thank you for the opportunity you have provided the United Macedonian Diaspora to submit this testimony. 303

Metodija A. Koloski

President

Metodija A. Koloski is Co-Founder and President of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), headquartered in Washington, D.C. Koloski, an expert on Macedonia's right to its name, minorities in Southeast Europe, and NATO and EU enlargement issues, also chairs the Southeast Europe Coalition. He has been been published in the Washington Times, the Foreign Policy Association, The Hill's Congress Blog, the National Post, the Journal Gazette, and the International Relations Forum. He is frequently quoted in the Macedonian and international media on topics related to Macedonia and the diaspora.

A fluent Macedonian speaker, having learned the language during his childhood, Koloski is proud to serve on the Board of the Macedonian Language E-Leaming Center. For his efforts to promote the rich immigrant heritage of the United States, Koloski was recognized and appointed to the Honorary Board of Welcome.us in June 2015.

In his previous capacities, Koloski has worked for the Foreign Policy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and DLA Piper LLP. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from Manhattanville College in Political Science and International Relations.

Koloski's family migrated to the United States from Macedonia in the early 1950s due to communist Yugoslavia's anti-democratic policies. Koloski was born and raised in Garfield, New Jersey. His family has roots in the Republic of Macedonia, Aegean Macedonia (current day northern Greece), and Korea, Albania. 304

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.MAMMADOVA Ms. MAMMADOVA. Dear Mrs. Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Mem- ber Rogers, honorable members of the subcommittee, thank you very much for the opportunity to testify today. Due to time constraints, I will try to highlight the main points. The detailed report with facts, statements and applicable laws can be read in our written statement. To summarize, the U.S. Azeris Network request in the Fiscal Year 2020 aid to U.S. ally Azerbaijan, we are recommending 15 million or more in economic support funds, 1.2 million or more in international narcotics control and law enforcement, 1 million or more in international military education and training and 1.7 million for foreign military financing. We are recommending not to provide any financial aid to Arme- nia or the illegitimate regime installed by the official Yerevan in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. U.S. Azeris Network promotes a fair and needs driven foreign assistance based on the three important criteria. Allied relationship of the recipient state with the U.S. and U.S. national interests. The—the second, the recipient nation must have a demonstrated and certified necessity and need to be able to absorb the aid. Third, legality of the aid and compliance with the U.S. and international laws. Why zero out foreign aid and military financing support to Arme- nia? First, backed by Russia, Armenian army occupied Nagorno- Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and seven adjacent districts in 1992–1994. The U.N. Security Council passed four resolutions, 822, 853, 874, 884 in 1993 condemning Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and demanding the withdrawal of all occupying forces. This was reiterated in the Resolution 1416 of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe adopted in 2005. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/243 adopted in March 2008 both reaffirming continued respect and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and demanding unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all the occupied—occupied territories of Azerbaijan and emphasizing no state shall render aid or assistance to maintain—maintain the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Second, since its independence, Armenia has chosen to be proxy of Russia. In May 2014, while Azerbaijan with the U.S. and other 100 states voted in the favor of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 68/262 reaffirming support for Ukrainian territorial integrity, Ar- menia joined a number of rogue states such as North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe to back Russia in its territorial annexation policies. Third, as a member of Collective Security Treaty Organization run by—run by Kremlin, Armenia gets subsidized arms deals from Moscow on sophisticated weaponry which are directed against the U.S. allies, Azerbaijan, Georgia and NATO-member Turkey. In 2016, Armenia received $200 million loan from Moscow which it spent on the purchase of hypersonic Iskander-M ballistic missiles that have a range up to 310 miles and can reach the energy infrastructure of Azerbaijan and strategic NATO facilities in Turkey. On 305 October 12, 2017, Armenian and Russian officials announced yet another 100 million loan to Armenia for the purchase of modern weaponry in Russia. Armenia hosts a Russian military base with at least extended to year 2044 and has a unified Russia-Armenian air defense, so obvious is Armenia’s anti-Western position that its ex-president Serzh Sargsyan openly declared in 2015 that Armenia will coordinate its foreign policy with Russia, thus rendering its ties with Washington unimportant. Last month, despite Washington’s criticism, the new Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan dispatched nearly a hundred military personnel to join the Russian military in Syria to aid the Assad regime and strengthen Moscow’s political and military presence in the region. Finally, to summarize our position, I need to draw your attention to the U.S. federal law that prohibits U.S. aid to Armenia. Section 7069, the House Resolution 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President into the law in December 2015, prohibits funds from being made available to a government of an independent state of the former Soviet Union if that government directs any action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any Independent State of the former Soviet Union such as those violations included in the Helsinki Final Act. Furthermore, Section 7070 of the Act clearly states that none of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance for the central government of a country that the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committee on Appropria- tions has taken affirmative steps intended to support or be supportive of the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea. Armenia has violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Armenia has taken affirmative steps in supporting Russian Federa- tion’s annexation of Crimea. Therefore, based on the Sections 7069 and 7070 of the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016, no financial assistance to Armenia should be made available for Fiscal Year of 2020 as it would literally constitute a violation of the U.S. federal laws. Moreover, as stipulated in the Department of State, USAID, Treasury International Program section of Trump administration’s America First budget proposal FY 2018, the 2018 budget must refocus economic and development assistance to countries of greatest strategic importance to the U.S., ensures the effectiveness of the U.S. taxpayer investments by resizing—rightsizing funding across the countries and sectors. Considering that the fact that Armenia is a Russian satellite with Russian troops deployed to its territory and the Armenian commander-in-chief coordinates Armenia’s foreign policy with Rus- sia and that Armenia is of no strategic importance to the United States, U.S. taxpayer money should not be allocated to this Rus- sian proxy. Thank you very much for this opportunity. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 306

Testimony on Fiscal Year 2020

by Sevinj Mammadova, PhD candidate Board Member, U.S. Azeris Network (USAN), Washington, D.C.

For the United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Mrs. Chahwoman Lowey, Mr. Ranking Member Rogers, Honorable members of the Subcommittee,

To summarize U.S. Azeris Network (USAN)'s request in FY2020 aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as the Armenia-occupied Nagomo-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, please see the chart below:

Aid Armenia Azerbaijan Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan

USAID $0 (zero) $15 min or more $0 (zero)

Military $0 (zero) $1.7 min FMF, $1 min or more Never requested, never for IMET (DoD) allocated, NOT applicable

U.S. Azeris Network (USAN) promotes fair and needs-driven foreign assistance, based on three important criteria:

1) Allied relationship of the recipient state with the U.S, and U.S. national interests, i.e. "America First"; 2) The recipient nation must have a demonstrated and certified necessity, and need to be able to absorb the aid; 3) Legality of the aid and compliance with the U.S. and international laws.

We are of opinion that there has been a great imbalance in the U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan vs. Armenia in previous years. As a victim of Armenian armed aggression and occupation, Azerbaijan has always received much less than the smaller, but militarily aggressive Armenia. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), since 1992 Azerbaijan has gotten a total of $1 billion in U.S. aid, while Armenia got over $2.2 billion. This is despite the fact that Azerbaijan is more than twice the size and population, and has several times the size of refugees/IDPs who were expelled from their homes as a result of ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia.

U.S. Azeris Network testimony- FY2020 Page 1 of 5 307

Why zero-out foreign aid and military financing support to Armenia?

Armenia and International Law Armenia has remained in military control of 16% of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territories since the ceasefire agreement was signed in May 1994. Backed by Russia, Armenian army occupied Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and 7 adjacent districts in 1992-1994. The UN Security Council passed four resolutions m, 853, 874, 884 in 1993, all of them condemning Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, demanding the withdrawal of all occupying forces, allowing the refugees to return, and reestablishment of peace. The position of the international community was reiterated in the Resolution 1416 of the Parliamentaiy Assembly of Council of Europe adopted on January 25, 2005, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/243 adopted on March 14, 2008, both reaffirming "continued respect and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Azerbaijan "within its internationally recognized borders", demanding the "immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal ofall Armenian forces from all the occupied territories II of Azerbaijan and emphasizing that "no state shall render aid or assistance II to maintain the occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Annexation of Crimea by Russia and Armenia's support Since its independence and especially in the last two decades, Armenia has transformed itself into an open proxy state of Russia. In March 2014, Azerbaijan along with other 100 states voted in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 - backed by the United States - reaffirming support for Ukrainian territorial integrity, while Armenia joined a number of rogue states such as North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe to back Russia in its territorial annexation policies. Naturally, the then U.S. Ambassador to UN, Samantha Power expressed discontent about Armenia's reiection of international law and Yerevan's siding with Moscow.

Armenian military and Yerevan's foreign policy As member of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), run by Kremlin, Armenia gets subsidized arms deals from Moscow on sophisticated weaponry which are directed against U.S. allies: Azerbaijan, Georgia and NATO-member Turkey. By arming Armenia, Moscow has held a tight grip on Caucasus and tried to compromise pro-western Azerbaijan which has been a vital energy partner and security ally of the United States since its independence. To divert Azerbaijan from its course, Armenia with backing of Kremlin, had repeatedly threatened to launch "preemptive strikes" and "cause irreversible damage" to Azerbaijan, including striking energy infrastructure operated by Western companies. To that end, Armenia has been beefing up its military and launched an attack on Azerbaijani positions along the Line of Contact in early April 2016 while the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was in Washington attending the Nuclear Security Summit and holding meetings with President Obama, Secretary Kerry and other U.S. officials to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.

In the second half of 2016, Armenia received a $200-million loan from Moscow which it spent on the purchase of hypersonic Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) ballistic missiles that have a range of up to 310 mi (500 km) and can reach the energy infrastructure of Azerbaijan and strategic NATO facilities in Turkey. On October 12, 2017, Armenian and Russian officials announced yet another $100-million loan to Armenia for the purchase of modern weapons from Russia. The Armenia installed head of illegal regime in Azerbaijan's occupied territories Bako Sahakian, in turn, has stated in his interview to Argentinian newspaper 'Clarin' that "Russia is actually helping our forces, and our officers will be trained permanently with their Russian colleagues. "

U.S. Azeris Network testimony - FY2020 Page 2 of 5 308

By its own choice, Armenia has become a military outpost of Russia as the only country in the greater post-Soviet periphery to do that. It hosts a Russian military base with a lease extended to year 2044 and has a unified Russo-Armenian air defense. So obvious is Armenia's anti-Western position that its ex-President Serzh Sargsyan openly declared in 2015 that Armenia will "coordinate its foreign policy with Russia" thus rendering its ties with Washington unimportant. This message was echoed by the new Armenian leader Niko! Pashinyan who, at Russia's orders, dispatched nearly hundred military personnel to join the Russian military in Syria to aid the Assad regime and strengthen Moscow's political and military presence in the region. Russia, in tum, has repeatedly threatened Armenia's enemy Azerbaijan with force. For instance, Nikolai Bordyuzha, head of Kremlin-run an anti-U.S. and anti-NATO Collective Security Treaty Organization, stated in March 2016 that Russia will intervene in Nagorno Karabakh conflict on the side of its member Armenia. (For more facts please visit karabakh.usazeris.org.)

Provisions of US laws that prohibit financial allocations to Armenia Just like any other country, the United States recognizes and supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and denounces violation of international borders. Section 7069 of H.R.2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, passed by U.S. Congress and signed the President into law in December 2015, prohibits funds from being made available to "a government ofan Independent State ofthe former Soviet Union ifthat government directs any action in violation of the territorial integrity or national sovereignty ofany other Independent State ofthe former Soviet Union, such as those violations included in the Helsinki Final Act. "

Furthermore, Section 7070 of the Act clearly states that "None ofthe fonds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance for the central government ofa country that the Secretary ofState determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations has taken affirmative steps intended to support or be supportive of the Russian Federation annexation of Crimea."

Armenia has violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and has taken affirmative steps in supporting Russian Federation's annexation of Crimea. Therefore, based on Sections 7069 and 7070 of the H.R.2029- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (U.S. Public Law), no financial assistance to Armenia should be made available in FY2020 as it would literally constitute violation of U.S. federal laws.

Moreover, as stipulated in the "Department of State, USAID, and Treasury International Programs" section of Trump Administration's "America First" budget proposal for FY2018, the 2018 budget must refocus "economic and development assistance to countries ofgreatest strategic importance to the U.S. and ensures the effectiveness of U.S. taxpayer investments by rightsizingfunding across countries and sectors. "

Considering the fact that Armenia is a Russian satellite with Russian troops deployed to its territory, the Armenian Commander-in-Chief coordinates Armenia's foreign policy with Russia, and that Armenia is ofno strategic importance to the United States, U.S. taxpayer money should NOT be allocated to this Russian proxy.

U.S. Azeris Network testimony - FY2020 Page 3 of 5 309

Occupied territories as routes for illegal arms and narcotics trafficking The US's direct assistance to the occupied Nagomo Karabakh region helps Armenia consolidate its occupation of 16% of Azerbaijani territories which serve as a black hole for drug trade, arms smuggling, proliferation of radioactive and nuclear materials and other illicit activities. 82 miles of Azerbaijani-Iranian border, which fall into the occupied territories, are used by Armenia for various illegal transfers. It's not a secret that Armenia enjoys very strong ties with Iran. As the disclosed diplomatic cables revealed in 2008, the Armenian government has been complicit in the illegal arms re-sale to the Iranian military which then transferred the weapons to the terrorist group Hezbollah Brigades operating in Iraq that used the weapons in its insurgency campaign against U.S. troops. Documents revealed that the then Minister of Defense of Armenia and later head of state, Serzh Sargsyan signed an end-user agreement for the purchase of 1,000 Bulgaria made anti-tank RPG-22s and 260 heavy machine guns in January 2003 and then transferred them to Iran. The Armenian government was then confronted by the evidence it first denied but was eventually forced to admit.

Azerbaijani /DPs and assistance to the victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict The other issue that Azerbaijani Americans have been very vocal about over the years is the US humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict. Regrettably, the US assistance has been solely directed to Armenia-occupied Nagomo-Karabakh region under this heading. In previous years, this issue has spurred much controversy among Azerbaijani community ofNagomo Karabakh in-exile and Azerbaijanis all over the world since it unfairly favored one side over the other.

It is noteworthy that the U.S. does not give any direct aid to similar post-Soviet ungoverned conflict zones such as Donbas and Crimea (Ukraine), Abkhazia (Georgia), South Ossetia (Georgia) and Transdnistria (Moldova), not to mention many other similar regions around the world. Then why provide any direct aid to the Armenia-installed illegal regime in Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan?

Strategic US-Azerbaijani alliance

Energy Ties Since the early 1990s, the United States and Azerbaijan have engaged in collaborative regional projects in the energy sector. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline built to transport Azerbaijani oil to the Western markets was decisively backed by the United States. Cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan deepened in the sphere of energy and infrastructure development as the two nations collaborated to see through realization of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE), Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project and the important Southern Gas Corridor which will connect three natural gas pipelines (BTE, T ANAP and TAP) to deliver Azerbaijani gas to the European markets by 2020. Realization of Southern Gas Corridor will give breathing room to America's European allies and lessen their dependence on Russia's gas monopoly of imports. On April 2, 2014, during the EU-U.S. Energy Council meeting, former Secretary of State John Kerry underlined the importance of Southern Gas Corridor urging the timely construction of the pipelines to ensure energy security of Europe. In his statement at the beginning of June, former President Barack Obama reiterated the position of the administration on supporting the Southern Gas Corridor to bolster EU's energy security. This was followed by President Trump's letter of support addressed to participants of the International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference in Baku, in May 2017 which stated that the U.S. "remains

U.S. Azeris Network testimony - FY2020 Page 4 of 5 310 strongly committed to the Southern Gas Corridor [project], and welcomes the efforts of Azerbaijan and its international partners to complete it." Washington's Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the State Department Sue Saamio reiterated the position of the White House at a press conference in Bairn following Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council's fourth ministerial meeting. It is noteworthy, that while Azerbaijan builds pro-Western and pro-U.S. energy pipelines, Armenia, at Russia's direction is negotiating to build Iran-Armenia-Russia pipeline.

Security Ties Mutually beneficial economic relationship aside, Azerbaijan is also a steadfast partner of the United States which had committed itself to a number ofU.S.-led initiatives and engagements. Azerbaijan was the first country in the former Soviet Union which immediately offered its air space and airports to its American ally after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Under the leadership of the then President Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan committed itself to the War on Terror. Azerbaijani soldiers served shoulder-to-shoulder with their American counterparts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in Kosovo's peacekeeping mission until 2008. Azerbaijan remains a vital southern route of the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) with full access to its railroads and ports, for the use by the United States military. Up to 1/3 of the non-combat material destined to coalition forces in Afghanistan have been passing through Azerbaijan.

Conclusion

Therefore, based on the facts, fundamental principles of international law and US legislative provisions presented above as well as geopolitical considerations, we believe that any US government aid to Armenia and the Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in FY2020 should be ceased until Armenia withdraws its troops from Azerbaijani territories and complies with all the norms and provisions of international law, including but not limited to UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884. America must not extend taxpayer's money to states that work hand-in-hand with Washington's adversaries against U.S. national interests, and illegal regime on occupied territories, created by Armenia with support Russia's behest.

Similar to our request last year, for the U.S. ally Azerbaijan we are recommending $15 million or more in Economic Support Funds, $1.2 million or more in International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, $1 million or more in International Military Education and Training, $1.7 million for Foreign Military Financing.

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Sevinj Mammadova biography

I am a doctoral student at the George Washington University studying Education Policy and Administration. I currently hold the program manager position at the Partnership for Finance and Development. In 2008, I received the U.S. Department of State Edmund Muskie Graduate Fellowship and continued my education in the United States. I earned an M.Ed. Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with a specialization in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2010. After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington, I worked as Executive Director of the U.S.-Educated Azerbaijani Alumni Association (AAA) from August 2011 to June 2012.1 was also the project manager of the "Education Week Conference 2017," a week-long education policy conference that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2017. Currently, I work at PFD and writing a dissertation.

Since its inception, I've been a member of U.S. Azeris Network, a grassroots organizations uniting Azerbaijani Americans, and working to strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Azerbaijan, and to consolidating U.S. national interests in the region. 312

OPENING STATEMENT OF MS.PACE

Ms. PACE. Thank you. My regards to the chairwoman. Chair- woman Lowey, thank you very much for having us today and also Congresswoman Frankel, thank you for your leadership and my regards to the committee staff as well. We once thought we could never beat smallpox or polio and that the end of AIDS or malaria was beyond our reach. Now we know better. Thanks to the promise and progress of global health. So I am here today, Madam Chair asking your committee to sustain federal funding for global health programs at USAID and State at a minimum at Fiscal Year 2019 levels and in doing so, we can uphold our legacy of U.S. foreign assistance and commitment to lifesaving initiatives. But to be clear, we need more than what we have, especially since the budget has remained relatively flat for several years and it has widened the gap between our needs on the ground and our funding required to address them. Our community, specifically our community of over 75 global health organizations, several of which have spoken today, estimate that the total should come closer to 11 billion and be even beyond that in order to keep pace with demand; however, we are grateful for the resources that we have received because they have made a tremendous impact and because global health works. So considering current events, you look at something like Ebola right now continuing to plague the DRC, the Democratic Republic of Congo and looking at that situation, noting that U.S. investments and innovation have helped change how local actors on the ground have responded to these and other outbreaks. That has allowed those local actors to keep pace with the epidemic and really keep it in check. However, global health is more than about a single emergency as we know, and so we have these issues and partners that are interconnected in a way that makes progress in one area reliant on our success in another. So you look at longstanding investments like HIV really leading to the creation of regional health and surveillance systems that are used by government officials, NGOs, the private sector to mitigate other health crises like tuberculosis. We have also seen the value of pooling maternal and child health funding, so for example, a— a parent seeking reproductive healthcare can also take advantage of immunization and nutrition services, excuse me, all as a seamless package. And the benefit of this complimentary programming goes beyond health to other development sectors like education and infrastructure. So it is really important to me that we show this interrelated- ness across these various issues, because we are all talking about specific issues but really it comes together as an important ecosystem for people on the ground. And that is the main point I really want to make here today, is the fact that we need to meet people where they are as people and the sum of their various conditions. This means doing what we can to get beyond strict line item thinking even. Ultimately, we should revamp the way we plan and fund U.S. global health initiatives, so countries themselves can finally meet their goals and address the 313 many other health and development priorities they will face in the future. So in addition to sustaining U.S. commitments and leadership in global health, we feel that this committee has the opportunity to deliberately link overlapping objectives through more holistic funding streams, excuse me. And it seems like a radical idea, considering how we have come to view our government’s investments as major programs focused on singular issues and discreet results. And we not saying we need to walk away from that, but as we find ourselves struggling to reach the last mile across several U.S. global health goals, we should be asking ourselves what innovation could really put us across the finish line. And it might not be a magic bullet solution such as a new medicine or technology, but rather allowing ourselves to be that much more flexible in our funding and our partnerships. We see the global health community moving in this direction, and government stakeholders and implementing organizations have been operating in a way that allows them to address these multiple focused areas through greater collaboration and efficiency. So some departure from a strictly rigid framework can pave the way even for sustainability and USAID’s goals in self-reliance. This is really also, I will end by saying rooted in what we have been hearing from communities on the ground and countries themselves. They feel that they have a 360 degree view of factors that influence health in their population, and they often argue for coordinated investments. And so we are really hoping to find a way to better structure our programs in a way that builds on each side—builds on each other, and best serve the people on the ground with competing challenges that they define for themselves. It is not an either or, it is a both and ideally. I will close by—by again thanking this committee for its ongoing commitment to global health and U.S. leadership in the world across these issues. We understand that the world is still looking to the U.S. given our longstanding history to define the way forward on the next era of global health, and we feel that this committee has a critical role to play in how we respond, not with drastic cuts and disengagement, but substantial reinvestments and joint strategies that can foster cross-sector whole of government cooperation. So just know that we stand ready to work with you on this 21st century agenda. Thank you again. The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. [The information follows:] 314

Loyce Pace, MPH President & Executive Director, Global Health Council In-person Testimony on Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for Global Health Programs House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Submitted March 5, 2019

We once thought we could never beat polio or smallpox. Now we know better. We once thought AIDS was insurmountable. Now we know better. We once thought children around the world were doomed to die - early and needlessly- because of where they lived. Now we know better. And we know better because we have done better, lifting up the promise and progress of global health through catalytic resources, leadership, and collaborations worldwide. We are here today, Madame Chair, asking your committee to uphold this legacy of U.S. foreign assistance and commitment to lifesaving initiatives, by sustaining federal funding for Global Health Programs at USAID and State Department at a minimum of FY19 levels. To be clear, we need more than what we have, especially since funding has remained relatively flat for several years, widening the gap between outstanding needs and resources required to meet our targets. However, the investments made have had tremendous impact, because global health works. It works for families and communities, for countries and economies, and for American citizens.

Consider current events: Right now, Ebola continues to plague the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But U.S. investments and innovation have helped change how actors on the ground respond to such outbreaks today compared to similar events in 2014, from the rollout ofthe first Ebola vaccine to the establishment of a national Emergency Operations Center in the DRC. Not only has our response saved lives but it also enables the country and its neighbors to avoid further instability as a result of the epidemic spreading. This allows an emergent region of the world to stay the course toward the advancement of its individuals and societies, and fully thrive. It also makes people around the world feel safe from global health emergencies and the threat of pandemics.

Of course, global health is about more than a single emergency. Many of the issues on which we focus and their related resources are increasingly interconnected in a way that makes progress in one area reliant on our success in another. In fact, longstanding federal investments in HIV have led to the creation of regional health and surveillance systems that are used by local governments, the U.S., and other partners to mitigate and often prevent disease outbreaks. That's been true for both recent focus areas such as Ebola as well as other established priorities like tuberculosis. So, while funding for PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, for example, has and should continue to curb the global AIDS epidemic, those resources also serve broader U.S. interests in health security and infectious disease.

Likewise, we've seen the value of leveraging maternal and child health funding to create an ecosystem of community resources for families on the ground. Thus, a parent seeking 315 reproductive health care can also take advantage of child immunization or nutrition services, all as one seamless program. And the benefit of complementary programming goes beyond health to other development sectors. At a basic level, we know school attendance and performance are affected by illness such that education and health are inextricably linked. The same goes for adults and their economic development. It's a universal truth that someone stands a better chance at being a productive member of society if he or she is healthy.

The point is to meet people where they are through our work- as people, not the sum of their various conditions. That means doing what we can to get beyond strict "line item thinking" or funding solely in silos. Ultimately, we should revamp the way we plan and fund U.S. global health initiatives so we could finally meet our outstanding goals and help countries address the myriad other health and development priorities they surely will face in the future. In addition to sustaining U.S. commitments and leadership in global health, you all have the opportunity to explicitly link overlapping objectives through more holistic funding streams. It seems like a radical idea, considering how we have come to view our government's investments as major programs focused on singular issues and discrete results. However, as we find ourselves struggling to reach the last mile across several U.S. global health goals, we should be asking ourselves what innovation could put us across the finish line. And it might not be a magic bullet solution such as a new medicine or technology but, rather, allowing ourselves to be that much more flexible in our funding and partnerships.

We already see the global health community moving in this direction. Both government stakeholders and implementing organizations are doing more to operate in a way that addresses or leverages multiple focus areas, identifying creative collaborations and efficiencies that maximize their impact. Some departure from a rigid vertical framework also paves the way for optimal sustainability of our efforts and what has been billed as greater self-reliance of countries and communities worldwide. After all, these communities and countries have a 360-degree view of the factors that influence the health of their population and have argued for coordinated investments for some time. How could we better structure our program resources to build on each other and best serve people on the ground faced with the competing challenges that they define for themselves? Not only has progress slowed on existing objectives but we are also now faced with emerging priorities such as the growing global burden of cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Given the remaining work to be done and ripple effect of these programs, the U.S. ideally would invest between$11 and $12 billion, and allow for systems approaches that amplify our outcomes. We know other donors, including foundations, the private sector, and grant recipient countries themselves must do their part to increase contributions, as well, and they are. But the U.S. must remain a key partner, too.

Given our longstanding history, the world is looking to us for a way forward on the next era of global health. This committee has a critical role to play in how we respond, not with drastic funding cuts and disengagement but substantial reinvestments coupled with terms that break down barriers to cross-sector, whole-of-government cooperation and emphasize joint strategies 316

or mutual objectives. We appreciate your dedication to the future of global health and your faith in the power it holds to solidify core American values and our pivotal role in foreign relations. We thank you for your ongoing recommitment to our issues and stand ready to work with you in supporting a 21st century agenda. 317

Loyce Pace, a leader who has worked on the ground in more than 10 countries delivering health programs and mobilizing advocates, is Global Health Council's President and Executive Director.

Loyce comes to the role having held leadership positions in global policy and strategic partnerships at LIVESTRONG Foundation and the American Cancer Society. While Director of Regional Programs for the American Cancer Society's Department of Global Health, she was responsible for developing their first capacity-building and advocacy initiatives in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, she has worked with Physicians for Human Rights and also served as an International Development Fellow for Catholic Relief Services, implementing community outreach projects throughout Senegal and The Gambia.

Loyce holds a Bachelor's degree with Honors in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master's degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she was inducted into the Delta Omega Society. She is a member of Phillips Academy (Andover) Alumni Council. She speaks several languages, including Spanish as well as some French and Japanese, and has lived in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Loyce is based in Washington, DC. 318

OPENING REMARKS MR.DUNCAN The CHAIRWOMAN. Thank you. Mr. Duncan. Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Chair Lowey and Congresswoman Frankel, thank you for the opportunity to testify this day. I am Mel Duncan. I represent Nonviolent Peaceforce US. We are here today to urge you to include Unarmed Civilian Protection as a recommended activity within the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs budget for 2020 including in the following programs, Women, Peace and Security, Transition Initiatives, the Office of Reconciliation in South Sudan. Unarmed civilian protection is a growing method for the direct protection of civilians by other civilians using field-tested methodologies that have been shown to work in a variety of violent places in the world today. Unarmed civilian protectors live and work in the places where they serve and work with local civil society on the prevention of further violence. This approach has shown itself to be especially effective in protecting women and children. Forty-two governmental organizations working in 24 areas around the world are now practicing this method. An example of that, in South Sudan where millions of people have had to flee, women living in what are called Protection of Civilian Areas have to leave every day to get fire wood. They are routinely raped by armed actors. What we have found is if those women are accompanied by unarmed civilian protectors, they are left alone. That method has been 100 percent successful over two years—over a two-year period. In the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines, when there was a ceasefire called in 2009, we were invited to be part of that ceasefire. During that time, two armed groups were converging on a village. The people started to panic. They started to get ready to flee. The elders called one of our teams close by who went to the village, in route called the two local commanders and reminded them that would be a violation of the ceasefire. By the time the team got there, the armed groups had backed away and 600 people stayed home. In Sri Lanka, we would accompany mothers when they would re- trieve their children who had been abducted by armed groups and forced to become child soldiers. We have appreciated the help of USAID in some of these projects, and we have found that this method is increasingly studied, and what has been found is lives are saved, communities are able to stay at home, peace and human rights work is possible, and the behavior of armed actors does change. So we would urge you to include the practice of Unarmed Civil- ian Protection in the State Foreign Operations and Related Pro- grams Appropriations Bill. Thank you. [The information follows:] 319

Testimony of Mel Duncan, Co-founder and Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Nonviolent Peaceforce U.S., before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

th March 12 , 2019

Madame Chair Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and Distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to deliver testimony before your committee today. My name is Mel Duncan. I am the Co-founder and Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nonviolent Peaceforce U.S., a nongovernmental organization with U.S. headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am here today to urge you to recognize the practice of Unarmed Civilian Protection as an additional recommended activity in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill fiscal year 2020, including the following programs, which are ranked in order of priority: Women, Peace, Security; Transition Initiatives; South Sudan; Reconciliation Programs; and Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities.

Unarmed civilian protection refers to a strategy for the protection of civilians, localized violence reduction and supporting local peace infrastructures, in which unarmed, trained civilians live and work with local civil society in areas of violent conflict. These unarmed civilian protectors provide direct protection to civilians under threat of violence and work with local civil society to protect themselves and prevent further outbreaks of violence.

Currently, 42 nongovernmental organizations are providing Unarmed Civilian Protection in 24 areas across the world, including the Philippines, Myanmar, Northern Iraq, South Sudan and Guatemala.

These well-trained civilians apply one or more unarmed protection strategies that differ from location to location based upon ongoing contextual analysis and community engagement.

For example, in South Sudan, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) has a team that has grown to 200 protectors since we were invited in 2010 (then Southern Sudan). Since the re ignition of the war in December 2013, thousands of people have been killed and millions of people have been displaced. Tens of thousands have fled to UN complexes where impromptu camps, known as Protection of Civilian Areas (POC), have been established. Women living in these POCs have to go to the bush to collect firewood, sometimes walking more than 30 kilometers. Soldiers from both sides often rape them. Rape is used a weapon of war. What is instructive is that during a two-year period when NP's civilian protectors accompanied them, these women were never attacked. 320

These civilian protection accompaniments entail more than just going for a walk. NP scouts the routes in advance, letting combatants know that a group of women accompanied by NP will be coming through. Part of our ability to protect depends on being able to communicate with the combatants. Ifwe surprise someone in the field, then we have not done our job.

On the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, NP was asked by the government of the Philippines to team with 3 local groups to handle the civilian protection component of the 2009 ceasefire. We successfully did this for four years until the comprehensive peace proposal was signed in 2014. Nine NP teams monitored, verified, reported and intervened on threats to civilians across the island on a daily basis. More importantly we trained and supported over 300 local people who did the same.

During that time two armed groups converged on a village. The villagers were prepared because this was not the first incursion. We had trained villagers in early warning/early response. Instead of panicking, this time they implemented a protection strategy that included calling on the local group Bantay Ceasefire and Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), who were at a monitoring post nearby. In route to the village, the civilian protection team called the local commanders of both armed groups, suggesting to the army officers that the patrols must have made a mistake in getting so close to the village. They also said they knew that the armed groups didn't want to scare civilians, and, furthermore, that the commanders knew that such action violated the current ceasefire. To assure that things would go ok, the civilian protectors said they would go and stay in the village until the patrols left. By the time the civilian protection team arrived in the village both patrols had backed off, and 600 villagers stayed home instead of becoming displaced.

UCP is built on the three pillars of nonviolence, nonpartisanship and the primacy oflocal actors. By working nonviolently, civilian protectors do not bring more guns into environments already teeming with violence. By utilizing diverse nonviolent interventions they break cycles of retaliation. Modeling nonviolent behaviors stimulates nonviolent behavior in others. And practicing active nonviolence boosts the sustainability of peace operations and builds the foundation for a lasting peace.

While it has limits like any strategy, UCP can be employed in a variety of stages of a conflict. UCP can sometimes be employed in a complementary manner with UN armed peacekeepers, as it is in South Sudan. At other times, it can be employed in areas where UN armed peacekeepers cannot or will not go.

Unarmed Civilian Protection is being increasingly studied by third parties, including international organizations and academic institutions. In reviewing evaluations, case studies, reports, interviews and observation of nine UCP organizations, Dr. Rachel Julian of Leeds Beckett University found that through UCP:

• Lives are saved. • Communities are able to stay at home. 321

• Peace and human rights work is more possible, involves more people, in a wider area. • Supports the re-establishment of relationships in divided communities. • Behaviour of anned actors is changed. • Demonstrates that violence and threats of violence can be tackled by unanned trained civilians.

Without supplemental support for the protection of civilians, through methods like Unarmed Civilian Protection, the traditional approach to protecting civilians is inadequate to address the threat to civilians. At the same time, the scope of support for Unarmed Civilian Protection is insufficient to meet growing needs. Pathways for Peace, a joint report by the World Bank and the UN found that "Deaths in war, numbers of displaced populations, military spending, and terrorist incidents, among others, have all surged since the beginning of the century. " The UN High Commission on Refugees reports that, "Every 2 seconds a person is forced to flee their home. There are now 68.5 million people who are forcibly displaced, a record high. "

In light of this growing need, Unarmed Civilian Protection provides an effective and affordable approach to protecting civilians caught up in violent conflicts. We have appreciated the support of USAID for our work in Myanmar, Northern Iraq and South Sudan. By specifically recognizing Unarmed Civilian Protection in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill fiscal year 2020, protection can be provided to more vulnerable people who then are able to stay home-not become refugees and build sustainable peace.

We urge you to recognize the practice of Unarmed Civilian Protection as an additional recommended activity in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill fiscal year 2020, including the following programs, which are ranked in order of priority: Women, Peace, Security; Transition Initiatives; South Sudan; Reconciliation Programs; and Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.

Mel Duncan Co-founder and Director of Advocacy and Outreach Nonviolent Peaceforce U.S. 322

Biography for Mel Duncan, Nonviolent Peaceforce lJ.S.

Mel Duncan is the Co-founder and Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nonviolent Peaceforce U.S. (NP). a world leader in unarmed civilian protection. NP's nonviolent civilian protectors provide direct protection to civilians caught in violent conflict and work with local groups to prevent further violence in a variety of conflict areas including South Sudan. Iraq. the Philippines. Bangladesh and Myanmar. Mel has represented NP at the United Nations where the group has been granted Consultative Status. Recent UN global reviews as well as Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions have cited and recommended unarmed civilian protection. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship honored Mel with their 2010 Peace Seeker award. The Fellowship of Reconciliation USA awarded him their 2007 Pfeffer International Peace Prize on behalf of Nonviolent Peaceforce·s "courageous efforts in conflict regions around the world:' The Utne Reader named him as one of "50 Visionaries it?w are Changing Our World. " The American Friends Service Committee nominated Nonviolent Peaceforce for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. In 2018 Nonviolent Peaceforce received the Luxembourg Peace Prize.

Mel is a graduate ofMacalcster College. St. Paul Minnesota. USA. In 2006 he was honored with their Distinguished Citizen award. He and his wife. Georgia I leller Duncan. have eight children and twelve grandchildren. 323

The CHAIRWOMAN. This was a grand finale. Yes. Ms. FRANKEL. This is the end. The CHAIRWOMAN. Go ahead, you can ask the question. Ms. FRANKEL. All right. I really have two, but I will ask. The CHAIRWOMAN. Proceed. Ms. FRANKEL. Okay, I am going to ask Ms. Pace a question. Could you give me a specific example of what you are talking about in terms of I guess consolidating or coordinating services? Ms. PACE. Yes, ma’am. And so I do prefer the term coordination. I think consolidation can make folks a little bit nervous. But I think the way we see it is historically, and this is going back before the days of PEPFAR, we did attempts to have more of a systemic approach to health and development. But I think what we lack at that time was this more results-based program that we have seen since the birth of PEPFAR, PMI and other initiatives that are very, very well directed. And so I think what we would like to see now is a fusion of those two ideas, really because you look at something like the HIV epidemic and I know that there are people who can speak better to this who work with the administration, but you see that we are falling behind in certain key populations for example. And so if you look at how we can better address those issues, say among adolescents or among other special populations, there is an argument for having a more holistic approach so that we can—— Ms. FRANKEL. So you are talking about then you fund clinics or— or programs that do more than just one disease, is that what you are talking about? Ms. PACE. Yes, ideally, ideally. We can sort of break down the siloes a bit. I see it like a house. And so we have been funding by initiative, and so you have one pillar, one beam looking at tuberculosis, looking at HIV, looking at other issues, but that house needs that very strong foundation often that comes down to a health system, so health workers on data and surveillance and other issues. And we have been—excuse me—the programs and a lot of implementation organizations have been able to break that down to an extent and go into a community with a package of services, but there are some limitations to the way we allocate our funds that doesn’t allow for as much integration or coordination. And so we are inviting the committee to really think about how that can—that can be done not just by partners, like our stakeholders, international organizations, but also by the U.S. government. And that is done very well in humanitarian settings for example looking at things like water infrastructure in those settings and really going in and saying, okay, what is the need and how we can coordinate across these various issues. Ms. FRANKEL. One more, Mr. Duncan, are we not—do we fund the Unarmed Protective Security now? Mr. DUNCAN. It is funded somewhat on a piecemeal basis both through USAID and OFDA. Ms. FRANKEL. Okay, thank you, Madam Chair. The CHAIRWOMAN. Let me say, this was an excellent panel as well and I look forward to continuing the discussion. 324 Ms. Pace, what I have found in visiting in many parts of the world, I would often bring all the people together from USAID or from other countries who are working and they may have known each other. I am not sure it is the system that doesn’t work or if the people who are in charge in that embassy that it doesn’t work, but I have seen this over and over again, they all operate in their specific stovepipes and they are not frankly coordinating as effectively as they could. I think that is something we certainly could discuss further and get your advice about how we do it. Because the individual people are doing great work, but if they coordinate and work together, they would be more effective. So thank you so very much. This concludes today’s hearing. We look forward to continuing to work with you. This hearing stands adjourned. Thank you very much. [Additional testimony submitted for the record follows:] 325

Testimony of Andrea Tamburini

CEO, Action Against Hunger-USA

House State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee

March 15, 2019

Dear Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and distinguished subcommittee members:

Thank you for the opportunity to share my testimony with you. I am Andrea Tamburini and I am the CEO of Action Against Hunger-USA. I strongly encourage the House of Representatives to fund the Nutrition account within the State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill, which funds international nutrition programming by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), at $250 million for Fiscal Year 2020.

Action Against Hunger is the world's hunger specialist. We aim to eliminate hunger within our lifetimes. In the nearly fifty countries around the globe in which we currently work, we are creating and scaling up better ways to both prevent malnutrition from occurring and treat life-threatening hunger. We are working to double the number of children who receive urgent hunger treatment, and to help countless families realize their goal of never needing hunger treatment at all.

Action Against Hunger has helped to lead a movement that successfully cut the proportion of hungry children by half. We have almost forty years of experience and a strong record of success in treating severe acute malnutrition. We provide more lifesaving treatment to malnourished children than any other NGO.

Yet, every day, more than 5,000 children - two million each year -lose the fight against malnutrition and its deadly effects. Much work remains. With $250 million allocated to the nutrition account, we can work with partners to expand successful nutrition interventions that are showing strong results.

For example, the most practical and scalable means to detect acute malnutrition at the community level is through the measurement and classification of a child's mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Once malnourished children are detected, they can be referred to treatment. Historically, MUAC screening at community level has been the primary responsibility of community health workers. However, mounting evidence suggests that families can also play a significant role in carrying out MUAC screening in their own homes. 326

Family MUAC is a community screening approach that empowers mothers, caregivers and other family members to screen their own children for acute malnutrition using color coded MUAC tapes. Neither literacy or numeracy skills are required. Parents and other family members are best placed to see the signs of malnutrition in children first: our approach places families at the center of malnutrition screening strategies.

Today, just one in four malnourished children can access treatment. Involving mothers and caregivers in MUAC screening enables them to develop a better understanding of the signs of malnutrition and to monitor their children's nutrition status more often. When mothers, fathers, and other caregivers have tools like a MUAC band to measure and classify acute malnutrition, cases are detected earlier and more children are referred and treated through community or integrated management of acute malnutrition programs. Frequent screenings also lead to the earlier detection of acute malnutrition. If earlier diagnosis is combined with timely action, we can reduce the number of deaths related to malnutrition, decrease program costs due to shorter treatment times, and lower the proportion of children requiring expensive in-patient care for severe acute malnutrition with complications.

Elisabeth, a mother in Kenya, keeps her MUAC band on a dresser in her living room. Her youngest daughter suffered from severe acute malnutrition. Once a week, Elisabeth sits her daughter on her lap and wraps the tape around her mid-upper arm. Through bands of colors•• red (severe acute malnutrition), yellow (moderate acute malnutrition) or green (normal) -- she can see how her daughter is recovering.

On the afternoon when Action Against Hunger's team checked in with Elisabeth, the tape stopped in the yellow zone. Elisabeth explained what it meant: "With this, I can see that my daughter has come out of danger, but she is still sick, so she should continue the treatment until the tape stops in green."

Family MUAC is just one of many interventions that works. An increase in funding for nutrition programming by the U.S. government can provide an opportunity for Action Against Hunger and other organizations to scale up our work in Family MUAC and other successful nutrition diagnostic and treatment strategies, and most importantly, to save more lives.

As you know, the Nutrition account within the State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill was funded at $145 million in FY19, an increase from the FY18 funding level of $125 million. Action Against Hunger appreciates the support of this committee and both the Senate and House of Representatives for international nutrition programming. We hope you will consider providing $250 million for this account in FY20. 327

I commend and thank the subcommittee for its strong support in our fight against malnutrition around the globe. I encourage you to provide the level of funding that will help us save even more lives.

Thank you very much for your time. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. 328

ANDREA TAMBURINI BIO

Based at Action Against Hunger USA's international headquarters in New York City, Andrea Tamburini leads the organization's executive team in providing hands-on technical expertise and strategic direction to more than 1,500 staff who serve 4.7 million beneficiaries across seven countries in Africa and Asia.

Tamburini oversees an annual operating budget of $154 million. Since being appointed CEO, he has led major initiatives to chart a long-term strategic plan, develop a new global brand, streamline operations and management structure, and strengthen the organization's influence and partnerships with United Nations agencies, policy makers, academic institutions, peer and technical networks, and the private sector.

Tamburini joined Action Against Hunger in 2010 as a member of the senior leadership team, overseeing international programs and operations. He was appointed CEO in July 2014. Tamburini serves on the International Executive Committee of the Action Against Hunger International Network, which implements programs in 49 countries and delivers humanitarian assistance to more than 14.7 million people.

Tamburini is a passionate humanitarian, committed to upholding Action Against Hunger's mandate to end global hunger and save lives by preventing, detecting, and treating undernutrition.

Originally from Milan, Italy, Tamburini received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Politics from the University of Milan. He completed post-graduate studies in International Humanitarian Assistance at Fordham University, and is also a graduate of the Columbia Business School's Senior Leaders Program. 329

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Submitted by Ilir Zherka Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange Testimony on Fiscal Year 2020 Supporting U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs March 14, 2019

As Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange, I appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony supporting maintaining the Fiscal Year 2019 funding level of $700.9 million, or the highest possible funding level, for educational and cultural exchange programs administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in Fiscal Year 2020.

As the collective public policy voice of the exchange community, the Alliance comprises 90 nongovernmental organizations representing the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. We greatly appreciate our productive working relationship with the Subcommittee and its strong and consistent support for exchange programs.

This appropriation will allow the U.S. Department of State to fund educational and cultural exchange programs, a cost-effective public diplomacy tool, with unique capacities to adapt rapidly and effectively to foreign policy and national security priorities, while building relationships with strategic audiences in key countries. Exchange programs enable the U.S. to build relationships with current, emerging, and future leaders, and provide opportunities for engagement with youth, women and girls, as well as program alumni. It further allows the U.S. Department of State to provide opportunities for young Americans to study and research abroad, equipping them with the skill-set they need to succeed in today's global marketplace.

We believe U.S. funding for exchange programs should be balanced and strategic by reaching a range of people from many different countries. Our country is very well served by supporting: initiatives to discover and cultivate emerging leaders; language and area studies programs that prepare U.S. citizens for the workforce; capacity development for women; youth engagement; exchanges of cultural and artistic expression; interactions with international athletes; and virtual exchanges that connect people who are unable to travel. This comprehensive approach to exchanges has been very effective in advancing our nation's strategic interests and should be maintained.

Supporting U.S. national security

U.S. Department of State exchange programs allow the U.S. to engage with wide and diverse audiences and emerging leaders from around the world, many of them from countries key to our national security interests. American students studying abroad through U.S. Department of State exchange programs are ambassadors of the next generation of American leaders, highlighting our most promising young people and promoting American values around the world. U.S. Department of State evaluations repeatedly show that international exchange 330 participants who visit the United States complete their programs with a better impression of our country, the American people, and our values. U.S. ambassadors around the world consistently rank exchange programs among the most useful catalysts for long-term political change and mutual understanding. One in three current world leaders has participated in a U.S. Department of State exchange program. Notable exchange program alumni include 570 current or former heads of government, 84 Nobel Prize winners, 64 representatives to the United Nations, 31 heads of international organizations, and 97 members of the U.S. Congress, according to U.S. Department of State data.

Strengthening the U.S. economy

U.S. Department of State exchange programs are a cost-effective investment that not only enhance America's long-term competitiveness but also provide significant and immediate economic impact in communities across the country. Most of the U.S. Department of State exchanges budget is spent either on Americans, American businesses and organizations, or in the United States. The 425+ EducationUSA Advising Centers supported by the exchange program appropriation facilitated 1,094,792 international students coming to the U.S. in the 2017-18 academic year. These students who were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities across the U.S. contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 455,331 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association oflnternational Educators. U.S. Department of State exchange programs provide opportunities for Americans to build international experience and connections, expand their global perspective, and gain foreign language and cross-cultural skills that are critical to business and national security.

Increasing mutual understanding

Exchange programs have a proven track record of building respect and increasing mutual understanding between Americans and citizens of countries around the world. For example, 94% of exchange students from Muslim-majority countries reported having a deeper, more favorable view of the American culture after their stay in the United States, according to a U.S. Department of State evaluation of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program.

Support from Congress allows the U.S. Department of State to strategically align its programs with key U.S. foreign policy interests and to facilitate exchange experiences for more than 55,000 American and international exchange participants each year, including:

• Bringing emerging and future leaders to the U.S. on programs like the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program between the U.S. and countries with significant Muslim populations; the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program for high school students from Eurasia; the Young Leaders Initiatives in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas; and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP); Expanding opportunities for young Americans to study abroad through programs like the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program; • Continuing to engage students and scholars through the renowned Fulbright Program; 331

• Engaging and training young professionals through programs such as the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX); and • Broadening engagement with youth, women and girls, as well as program alumni.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to express our support for maintaining the Fiscal Year 2019 funding level of $700.9 million, or the highest possible funding level, for U.S. Department of State educational and cultural exchange programs in Fiscal Year 2020.

We look forward to working with the Subcommittee to ensure that international exchange programs continue to play a vital role in supporting U.S. national security, strengthening our economy, and increasing mutual understanding between the U.S. and countries around the world.

Thank you.

• 3 - 332

Ilir Zherka, Executive Director

llir Zherka joined the Alliance for International Exchange as Executive Director in early 2016. llir is a life-long human and civil rights leader. He has served as the Executive Director of three other organizations helping to end ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, advance DC representation in Congress, and increase civic engagement. llir gained political experience working in the Bill Clinton Administration. He also worked on Capitol Hill and served as an advisor to four Democratic presidential campaigns.

llir is the author of Winning the Inside Game: the Handbook of Advocacy Strategies. He has testified before Congress and has appeared on a wide-range of television and radio news programs. As a recognized community leader, llir has received numerous awards including the Whitney M. Young Jr. Leadership Award and the John F. Kennedy Public Service Award.

llir has personal experience with exchange programs. He was an IREX fellow in Albania after law school and helped to create the Hope Fellowship program. 333

Written Testimony Submitted to the US House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

American & Haitian Economic Alliance for Development (AHEAD) Daniel Eugene: Broward County, FL Chapter Coordinator March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowry, Ranking Member Rogers and members of the subcommittee:

On behalf of the Haitian-American community, the American & Haitian Economic Alliance for Development (AHEAD) wishes to thank you for the opportunity to provide a written testimony to this committee regarding US foreign policy and assistance to the Republic of Haiti.

AHEAD, a 50l(c)(4) organization registered in the United States, is composed of concerned Haitian-Americans who are working tirelessly to improve the miserable and degradable socio economic condition that Haiti is experiencing. Haiti's Diaspora, a majority of whom resides in the United States, is Haiti's remaining saving grace to greatly improve its current state of affairs and prevent Haiti from becoming a humanitarian catastrophe in the Caribbean region.

Haiti: Build Back Better, Mostly a Failure Haiti, a country of 11 million people and with a GDP of $8 billion dollars per year, has 1 million persons of Haitian descent residing in the United States. In 2018, Haitians living abroad sent a record $3.2 billion dollars in remittances to family and friends in Haiti to subsist on. 1 In 2010 the remittance sum equaled $1.4 billion dollars and by 2017 it increased to $2.7 billion dollars.2 Instead of a thriving, growing local economy post-2010 earthquake, the steady increase of the reliance of the Haitian economy on remittances from its sons and daughters living abroad, reflects a general failure of the "Haiti: Build Back Better" mantra that was promoted by Haiti and its international partners, including the United States in 2010, after the devastating greater Port au-Prince earthquake. The people of Haiti have expressed their frustration and grievances regarding the spiraling decline of their country by participating in street protests that have reached country-wide levels, marked especially on July 2018, October 2018, November 2018 and recently what amounted to around two weeks of a nationwide shutdown of protests in February 2019.3.4 Specifically, the series of nationwide protest have revolved around a call for addressing the following issues undermining Haiti's long-term development: 1. Embezzlement of billions of dollars from PetroCaribe funds by the ruling government party and other Haitian government officials and illegal money laundering 2. A rapidly depreciating Haiti national currency causing an acute rise in the cost of living including the cost of basic food necessities. 3. Double digit inflation and lack of economic progress. 4. Grinding poverty and overall government mismanagement

Buildup to an US National Security Headache Among the results of the series of civil disturbances mentioned prior is the US State Department on February 14, 2019, placing Haiti as a Travel Advisory Level 4 country; meaning Americans are recommended Do Not Travel to it. 5 The list of other countries on this ignominious category includes Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Venezuela and Y ernen. Indeed, not a point of pride for the success of US foreign policy. In effect, Haiti is categorized as being a conflict stricken, war- 1 334 tom country. This is despite an estimated $400 million of direct foreign assistance to Haiti from the United States for economic development since 2010.6 Additionally, funding around $2 billion dollars for Haiti has also come from Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank and 7 8 European Union. • There is also the $3.8 billion dollars provided by the PetroCaribe initiative. Despite the well intentions of development assistance amounting in the billions of dollars mentioned above, the recent countrywide street protest (Operation Lockdown the Country) in February 2019 highlighted the following social, political and economic decline: a. "lfwe let the streets decide, we are going to all be carried away like a tsunami wave." Quote from the President of the Association of Haitian Industries, Mr. George Sassine3 b. "[In the 33 years working in Haiti's tourism sector. business is the worst its ever been]." Quote from Richard Buteau, head of the Buteau Hospitality Group, an ownership group for a series of established 4-star hotels in Haiti9

These quotes are from leaders of industries identified by Haiti and international partners, including the United States, as sectors for competitive growth that can lift Haiti into emerging economy status by 2030. Among these industries are agro-economy, construction, energy, light manufacturing, tourism. The United States specifically has focused on four pillars to spur the necessary socio-economic conditions (I) Food and Economic Security, (2) Governance and Rule of Law, (3) Health and other Basic Services, ( 4) Infrastructure and Energy. 10 With the current political and economic declines, the $2.6 billion that the US has invested in Haiti since 2010 can now be considered a total loss.6 As the information provided above describes, it is not an exaggeration that the status quo US foreign policy to Haiti is not stabilizing Haiti. Instead, it could be argued, it is facilitating its complete economic, political and social collapse. The end result of this impending catastrophe to the United States includes the following: i. Acute Decline in Latin America and Caribbean Region Stability: Mass outmigration of Haitian citizens from Haiti into the neighboring countries, especially the US ii. Increase in the Illicit Drug Trade trans-shipment: Given its geographic location in the Caribbean, Haiti has served as a major trans-shipment point for illegal drugs to the US iii. Loss of US investments in Global Health: The Haitian government, in partnership with local actors and the United States, has made remarkable strides in public health in Haiti regarding maternal health, HIV/AIDS, mosquito-borne diseases, and other related issues iv. Collapse of Aid to Trade Bilateral US-Haiti Investments

This should not be happening. Haiti and the United States were the I st two independent republics in the Americas. Haitian soldiers actively participated on the side of the American Revolutionaries during the US War for Independence. A highlighted participation of Haitian soldiers in bringing about American freedom is their participation on the American side during the Siege of Savannah, Georgia in 1779. 11 Haiti and the United States are among the founding members of the United Nations. 12 A long friendship between the Haiti and the US endures. As Haiti collapses, the US is not taking advantage of incorporating the input of the Haitian Diaspora, an essential stakeholder in Haiti's short and long-term growth and stability. Instead what we have is a Haitian Diaspora being an untapped resource for solving the Haiti problem.

Haitian Diaspora: Untapped Essential American Stakeholder The latest remittance estimates have Haiti receiving $3.2 billion dollars in remittances in 2018.1 This has steadily increased from $1.4 billion dollars in remittance in 2010.2 lt has practically

2 335 doubled in nine years. As of 2016, 61 % ($1.43 billion I $2.36 billion) of Haiti's remittance inflows came from the United States. 13 Haitian Diaspora remittances are a form of direct foreign assistance. One year of recent Haitian Diaspora remittances equals, and as of 2018, surpasses the sum of nine years of US government direct foreign assistance. Haitians living abroad are as much of the Haiti Core Group consisting of the United States, Brazil, Canada, European Union countries and OAS. The Haitian Diaspora tragically is not incorporated into the dialogue regarding US foreign policy to Haiti. What engagement the US government has with Americans of Haitian descent regarding Haiti is through holding town hall meetings and attendance at conferences that that does not addresses economic issues. Instead, the Haitian Diaspora needs to be incorporated into US foreign policy that is affecting the required structural changes that the US is engaged with Haiti on for bringing long-term stability and economic growth that meets the needs of the Haitian people in Haiti. Americans of Haitian descent represent the best of both worlds: American ideals + understanding the Haitian nuance.

14 15 16 Outside Intluence ' • As conditions in Haiti deteriorate to full collapse, the option of reaching out to China for development assistance is not missing from the debate. Already, the Dominican Republic (DR), which shares the same island with Haiti, has entered agreements with Chinese firms with some estimates of up to$4 billion dollars of development financing to be provided by China to the DR. The sectors in the DR designated for this investment are agriculture, aviation, education, energy, tourism, light manufacturing, trade and investment. Sound familiar? This includes an MOU signed between the DR and China regarding the Belt & Road Initiative. There will obviously be spillover effects of this new economic alliance on Haiti. Already there is an agreement between the DR and China for railroad infrastructure to be installed on the DR border with Haiti. Due to the failure of US policy in Haiti, China is using this point to woo Haiti.

Recommendations We at AHEAD have ongoing bipartisan discussions with members of both chambers of Congress representing US locales with significant numbers of persons of Haitian descent and other US locales of interest for producing a better Haiti and jobs in the United States. Given the considerable US investments to Haiti, members of Congress have expressed to AHEAD that Haiti's ongoing disorder and malfunction is unacceptable. The United States has good intentions for a better Haiti. Its policies for Haiti obviously need modifications in order for these good intentions to produce mutually beneficial results for Haiti and the United States. The status quo United States policy for Haiti has not improved Haiti's overall socioeconomic state despite significant US investments intended to do so over the past decades. Haiti's spiraling chaos is an issue that threatens US national security and destabilizing the Caribbean region.

With this testimony, AHEAD is expressing its will to call the Haitian Diaspora to action and help build Haiti into a stable and economically thriving state that will enable the Haitian Diaspora to create jobs in tbe US as well as in Haiti. AHEAD's willingness to help would include helping the Haitian Diaspora form several teams of experts to implement the following: i. Help revive the economy to increase trade with the US and add value to US textiles. ii. Advise the justice system to investigate the misappropriation of the PetroCaribe funds. iii. Collaborate with the US and Haitian economic sectors to create jobs in the US and Haiti to mitigate illegal immigration to the US.

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iv. Protection of US investments in physical infrastructure and security for improving Haiti and regional stability v. Assist in solving Haiti's energy problem, including the elimination of electricity and petroleum subsidies that are the main source of corruption and a drain on its economy. VI. Work with the Haitian Parliament to amend the Haitian Constitution for creating an efficient governance to reduce budgetary constraint and redundancy within the many governmental organs and to address society gaps in order to meet the needs of its people.

Among the immediate areas of US-Haiti mutually beneficial incmporation of AHEAD and the Haitian Diaspora into ongoing US foreign policy efforts is a redirection of funds provided to USAID for developing a trans-shipment seaport in northern Haiti to serve the $300 million Caracol Industrial Park. 17 One particular US investment that the Haitian-American community can salvage is the port project (Cap-Haitien Port) for the Caracol Industrial Park (CIP). 18 The CIP was built in 2011 at a cost of $300 million of which US taxpayers, via USAID, shelled out half the cost as part of the 2010 special appropriation bill. It was supposed to have generated 60,000 jobs in the apparel-manufacturing sector by now. Thus far, less than 14,000 jobs have been created due to the lack of a port to permit cost-effective shipping to the US. We have repeatedly asked USAID to match our investment with the remaining original $65 million in port funding with no success. Due to USAID's refusal to partner with the Haitian-American community to build a viable port, the US Government will lose its investment in Haiti. Given that USAID cannot find the necessary investors to build the port, it should partner with the Haitian-American community to make the CIP a success. Otherwise, it needs to return the remaining fund to the US Treasury. Better yet, the Cap-Haitien Port funds should be re appropriated to the new US Development Finance Cotporation so that the funds can be properly leveraged for financing the development of a viable port that will create jobs in the US and Haiti.

Conclusion The USAID Office of Inspector General has repeatedly given objectively poor reviews regarding US direct foreign assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects to Haiti. For the most part, these programs are well-intentioned, yet poorly designed and implemented. Projects to support the $300 million Caracol Industrial Park investment by the United States and the lnterAmerican Development Bank represents the latest examples of this. The USAID Office of Inspector General audited the CIP 10 megawatt (MW) power plant, which provides electricity for CIP tenants and the surrounding community. 19 Their audit findings? Misjudged demand, stalled reforms and deficient oversight. The Cap-Haitien Port project is another example. We estimate at least 23% of the funding amounting to $15 million of the original $65 million dollars has been spent and no viable port in Haiti for the CIP is available. Why is USAID refusing to have a genuine engagement with AHEAD and the broader Haitian-American community on the next steps for these projects to the benefit of the United States and Haiti? Instead what is happening is another example of waste of US taxpayer money and the facilitation of Haiti descending into collapse. The status quo US foreign policy of not actively engaging the broader Haitian-American community in regards to US engagement with Haiti is exacerbating Haiti's collapse and is facilitating an oncoming US national security problem in the near future.

Again, we reiterate that the Haitian Diaspora, especially the Haitian American component, is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the American taxpayer to create jobs in the US as well as Haiti providing a foundation for Haiti's long-term stability. We expect the report requested 4 337 from this committee to the US State Department and USAID Administrator regarding US foreign assistance to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake mentions the concerns we have brought to your attention in this testimony.20 We strongly suggest that current and future recommendations from this report include the input of AHEAD and the broader Haitian-American community.

Thank you for the work you do for the American people and the opportunity to provide this written testimony to this committee. We look forward to discussing more regarding the important topic of US-Haiti relations for prosperity and stability of the Western Hemisphere.

'· Cited references

1 RezoNodwes (January 19, 2019). Les transferts d'argent de la d.Jaspora hruttenne peuvent revitahser l'econom1e nationale, Found at: bttps://rezonodwes.com/2019/01/14/les-transferts-dargent-de-la-diaspora-baitienne peuvent-revitaliser-leconomie-nationale/ 2 World Bank. Personal remittances, received (current US$), Found at: bttps://data.worldbank.org/indicator/bx.trf.pwkr.cd.dt?end=2017&start=2010 '· Miami Herald (February 11, 2019). Haiti business leaders ask president to break gridlock after another day of violence, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nationworld/world/americas/haiti/article226112930.btml 4 New York Times (November 23, 2018). Haitians Furious at Their Government Protest in a Week of Unrest, Found at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/ll/23/world/americas/baiti-protests-unrest-instahility.html 5 US Stale Department-Bureau ofConsular Affairs (February 14, 2019). Haiti Travel Advisory, Found at: bttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/baiti-travel-advisory.btrnl 6 US Foreign Assistance. Haiti Foreign Assistance: https://www.foreignassistance.gov/explore/country/Haiti 1 InterAmerican Development Bank. Haiti Overview, Found at: https://www.iadb.org/en/countries/baiti/overview 8 World Bank. Haiti Overview, Found at: bttps://www.worldbank.org/en/country/haiti/overview '· Miami Herald (February 19, 2019). Haiti's economic lifeline has taken a hit. Expedia just made it worse, Found at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article226458430.btml 10 US Department ofState (August 31, 2017). USG Haiti Strategic Component Overview, Found at: https://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/hsc/sar20l7033l/273776.htm 11 Savannah's Haitian Monument: https://www.visitsavannah.com/video/savannabs-haitian-monument 12 United Nations. Growth in United Nations membership, 1945-present, Found at: http://www.un.org/en/sections/member-states/growth-united-nations-membership-1945-present/index.html 13 Pew Research Center: Global Attitudes & Trends. Remittance Flows Worldwide Found at: http://www.pewglobal.org/interactives/remittance-map/ 14· The Caribbean Council. Far reaching co-operation agreements signed between China and the Dominican Republic, Found at: https://www.caribbean-council.org/far-reaching-co-operation-agreements-signed-china dominican-repuhlic/ 15 https://dialogochino.net/23203-dominican-republic-warms-to-china/ 16 https://acento.com.do/wp-content/uploads/Misiva-al-Pte.-Danilo-Medina-del-CRD.-Oferta-de Corporacion-estatal-del-Estado-de-la-China-edificacion-del-Ferrocarril-y-otras-obras-en-RD.pdf 17 bttps://www.usaid.gov/haiti/caracol-industrial-park 18 bttps://www.usaid.gov/haiti/port-modernization 19 https://oig.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/9-521-19-001-P.pdf 20 · https://www.congress.gov/congresslona1-report/116th-congress/house-reportl9/1 s 338

AMERICAN & HAITIAN ECONOMIC ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT (AHEAD) National Headquarters 708 Woodward Lane, Lexington, KY 40509 [email protected] (859) 287-8040

Daniel Eugene American & Haitian Economic Alliance for Development (AHEAD) Broward County, FL Chapter Coordinator Biography

Mr Daniel Eugene holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Ocean Engineering (BOE) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He is currently an employee of the Jackson Health System for approximately ten years and a very active contract bargaining member in the 1911 SEIU Union Branch, advocating for fellow coworkers rights. His past work includes and not limited to compiling research studies or projects done on the Florida Everglades National Park. He is a skilled community organizer working for the betterment of the Haitian-American community pushing for economic development and political influence in the American system. He is the founder of HALEC (Haitian American Leadership & Empowerment Consortium) and host of a weekly radio show promoting civic engagement and participation in the Haitian-American community.

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Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson President The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Testimony on the FY 2020 Budget Request Prepared for The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives

From 2008-2016, U.S. spending on core diplomatic capability, i.e., the analysis, advocacy, and reporting our diplomats perform overseas, declined by nearly a quarter in real terms. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is extremely grateful that Congress voted to halt the decade-long decline in funding for United States core diplomatic capability and increased Fiscal Year 2019 funding for the account that deploys diplomats overseas. In the FY2020 SFOPS bill, AFSA is seeking an incremental increase to the "Overseas Programs" line item under "Diplomatic Programs" for the Department of State, as well as report language that specifies that such increases are to be used to shift existing mid-level FSO positions from Washington to posts overseas:

"Funds above the fiscal year 2019 level shall be for the purpose of creating and filling mid level Foreign Service officer positions (grades FS-03, FS-02, and FS-01) at overseas posts."

AFSA has made the case that maintaining robust diplomatic capability is vital to preserving America's global leadership role. Polls consistently show that 9 in 10 Americans support strong U.S. global leadership. This leadership was built on a foundation of military might, economic primacy, good governance, tremendous cultural appeal - and the diplomatic prowess to channel ail that power, hard and soft, into the global leadership that has kept us safe and prosperous at home.

We would like to partner with congressional supporters to ensure that today, and years from now, full teams of U.S. diplomats are on the field, deployed around the world protecting and promoting U.S. interests. For a tiny percentage of the overall budget, the Foreign Service builds the relationships that get America's business done around the world and that keep threats at bay. Retreat by the United States leaves a vacuum that will be filled by others. In the face of rapidly rising great power competition, we erode our nation's diplomatic capacity at our own grave peril.

State's Overseas Staffing Board concluded in its most recent review that America has too few diplomats in the field. The Overseas Staffing Model showed a deficit of almost 200 overseas positions in "core diplomacy," the term used for political, economic, and front office (ambassador and deputy chief of mission) positions. This is not a surprising finding given that U.S. spending on core diplomacy fell by a third between 2013 and 2018.

During that same time period, China increased its spending on diplomacy by 40 percent. AFSA regularly receives reports that American diplomats are outnumbered five to one by Chinese diplomats doing economic and commercial work in Africa and elsewhere. The documented 340 deficit in overseas core diplomacy positions needs to be addressed, and soon, if we are to avoid losing further commercial, economic, and even political ground to competitors.

The 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) clearly recognizes the challenge to our national security and prosperity from rising great power competition. It is also crystal clear on the vital role of diplomats: "Our diplomats must be able to build and sustain relationships where U.S. interests are at stake. Relationships, developed over time, create trust and shared understanding that the United States calls upon when confronting security threats, responding to crises, and encouraging others to share the burden for tackling the world's challenges. " The NSS goes on to conclude that the United States "must upgrade our diplomatic capabilities to compete in the current environment. "

It is hard to square this recognition of the need for upgraded diplomatic capability with proposed cuts to the State Department and USAID of nearly 25 percent. Our nation needs a full team of diplomats and development professionals in the field keeping threats at bay and expanding our prosperity combating the conditions that enable terrorism to take root, protecting against pandemics, and promoting the rule of law and open systems that allow American companies to compete and thrive.

We know Congress takes seriously the threat of rising competition - this is clear from wide margins in the vote to reject proposed cuts and again restore funding for the FY 2019 International Affairs Budget. AFSA is grateful for this support from members of Congress, and we urge both chambers to once again reject deep cuts, provide an increase for "Overseas Programs" funding, and, finally, direct the movement of FSOs into positions abroad so that America has a full Foreign Service team in the field. With all the threats facing our country, now is not the time to abandon the field and forfeit the game to our adversaries.

Thank you. 341

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson President, Americon Foreign Senrice As.sociQtion

An active-duty member of the American Foreign Service for over 30 years, Barbara Stephenson was elected President of the American Foreign Service Association in 2015. Her second term as AFSA president runs to July 2019.

Previously, she served as Dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Service Institute where she launched and co chaired the Department-wide Culture of Leadership Initiative. In 2008, she was appointed Ambassador to Panama and later became the first female Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in London.

As Deputy Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Coordinator for Iraq (2006-2008), she won the State Department's Distinguished Honor Award for developing and implementing the •civilian surge" that helped improve governance and reduce violence in Iraq's provinces without breaking the back of the career Foreign Service. Before taking up Iraq duties, Ambassador Stephenson served as Director for Planning in the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.

From 2001-2004, as the American Consul General in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she worked on the Northern Ireland Peace Process. From 1998-2001, she served as Consul General and Chief of Mission in Cura~ao, where she was responsible for the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles as well as Aruba, both of which became hosts of U.S. Air Force Forward Operating Locations during her tenure.

Earlier in her career, Ambassador Stephenson served as special assistant to Under Secretaries for Political Affairs Peter Tarnoff and Tom Pickering, covering European affairs, including the war-tom Balkans. Other assignments have included desk officer for the UK, political-military officer in South Africa, and political officer in The Hague, San Salvador, and Panama.

A member of the Advisory Boards for Global Ties, World Affairs Council DC, and the British American Project, Ambassador Stephenson speaks Spanish and Dutch and holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Florida. She and her husband Matthew Furbush have two children, a daughter (27) and a son (18). 342

Submitted by: Dawson Hunter Senior Director U.S. Government Policy Conservation International

Testimony of Conservation International Fiscal Year 2020 Priorities

Submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Department of State/Department of the Treasury/USAID

March 15, 2019

Conservation International is pleased to submit this statement regarding congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2020. We respectfully recommend that the committee maintain continued strong funding for the following priorities under the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill:

• Tropical Forest Conservation Act - $20,000,000 - Department of the Treasury International Programs • Programs to Combat Wildlife Poaching and Trafficking- $100,664,000 - USAID, USFWS, and Department of State - OES & INL • Global Environment Facility- $139,575,000 - Department of the Treasury International Programs • Development Assistance - $3,000,000,000 - USAID ■ Biodiversity Conservation Programs - $300,000,000 - USAID, Department of State, and USFWS

Founded in 1987, Conservation International works to conserve nature for the well-being of people around the world. We recognize that nature is the foundation of our security and our prosperity. Every day, we are reminded of the importance of protecting fresh water, food, life saving medicines, fertile soils, and other services that nature provides to humanity. Nature's ability to provide these essential services will be further tested as the world's population grows from 7.6 billion to an expected 9.6 billion by 2050.

The direct connection between international conservation, resource scarcity, and America's economic and national security interests grows clearer and clearer with each passing year. Security risks arising from resource degradation are increasing in many developing countries around the world. The loss of natural capital, such as forests, fresh water, and natural pollinators, contributes to instability, conflict, radicalization, and, in the worst case, failed states. U.S. leadership on these critical issues is essential.

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The direct connection is illustrated dramatically by the links between wildlife crime and U.S. economic and national security interests:

• Wildlife trafficking has grown into an $8-10 billion global illicit enteiprise. There is significant evidence that poaching of African elephants for illegal ivory is helping finance insurgencies and groups with terrorist ties, such as Darfur's Janjaweed militia and the Lord's Resistance Army in Central Africa. • With ivory selling for around $1,000 per pound and rhino horn for nearly $30,000 per pound on the black market, wildlife trafficking is an epidemic that threatens national and global security. • The value of elephant ivory and rhino horn is so high on the black market that poaching activities are threatening the very existence of these and other iconic species. • Poaching activities are undermining eco-tourism that has a broader economic benefit to society and supports conservation. • Dedicated funding for combating wildlife poaching and trafficking supports vital efforts to mitigate transnational crime, and to reduced demand for illegal wildlife.

America's security interests are also threatened by illegal logging and deforestation, which hurts the U.S. timber industry and damages key ecosystems that provide access to life-saving medicines:

• Illegal logging creates enormous negative economic impacts. Illegal logging and wood processing are estimated to generate between $30 - $100 billion annually, representing between 10-30% of the total global wood market. • Illegal logging depresses global prices for timber up to 16% and costs the U.S. forest products industry around $ 1 billion annually. • Illegal logging and forest products trade fund terrorism and international organized crime. Recent international monitoring investigations have documented large-scale illegal charcoal exports from Somalia, generating tens of millions of dollars in annual revenues for the terrorist organization, al-Shabaab. • Beyond economic costs, illegal logging destroys the ecosystems where much of modem medicine is derived. • Globally, more than 70,000 different plant species are used in traditional and modem medicine. • In the United States, half or more of the most prescribed medicines originate directly from natural sources or provide nature-based templates for new life saving drugs. • According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 70% of the plants with anti cancer properties grow in rainforests. The rosy periwinkle, a flowering tropical plant from Madagascar, revolutionized the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukemia, resulting in significantly improved survival rates for both cancers.

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Additional security risks arise from water-related conflicts in the developing world:

• The 2012 Intelligence Community Assessment on Global Water Security concluded that water problems over the next decade would contribute to instability in countries important to U.S. national security interests. • Economic growth and human livelihoods depend upon secure water supplies. Water scarcity contributes to soil degradation, loss of food supplies, and population displacement, making communities vulnerable to conflict and radicalization in countries of strategic importance to the United States.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is also directly connected to U.S. economic and national security interests:

• IUU fishing is entrenched in the networks of traffickers and smugglers engaged in transnational organized crime. • IUU fishing is an illicit activity that accounts for nearly 30% of the documented global fisheries catch and has a market value ofup to nearly $24 billion annually. • During the early 21 st century, the depletion of fish stocks off the coast of Somalia and the wider Hom of Africa coincided with the rise of piracy and the disruption of global shipping commerce. The rise of the piracy crisis in Somalia demanded significant involvement by the U.S Navy and international partners to address the threat of piracy and re-open global shipping channels. • Illegal fishing networks have been linked to the flow of weapons to al-Shabaab, and maritime risks have arisen in other African countries such as Benin, Nigeria, and Senegal.

As the Subcommittee develops the fiscal year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill, we request continued strong funding for the following accounts and programs:

Tropical Forest Conservation Act: Best known for enabling "debt-for-nature" swaps, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) of 1998 offers eligible developing countries options to relieve certain official debt owed the U.S. Government while at the same time generating funds in local currency to support tropical forest conservation activities. The TFCA program was reauthorized by the I 15th Congress and signed into law by the President on January 14, 2019. In addition to conserving tropical forests the reauthorization significantly expands the program to protect coral reef ecosystems. Furthermore, the TFCA is intended to strengthen civil society by creating local foundations to support small grants to NGOs and local communities, helping to achieve long-term U.S. foreign policy objectives. It is estimated, to date the TFCA program has sequestered 56 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of taking 11.8 million cars off the road.

Wildlife Trafficking: Wildlife trafficking, a multi-billion-dollar illicit enterprise, is a matter of national security. Widespread poaching and trafficking of endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, and pangolins, is directly linked to international organized crime syndicates, as well as funding of rebel organizations and terrorist networks like the Janjaweed militia and the Lord's Resistance Army. U.S. appropriations are supporting vital efforts to combat poaching,

3 345 transnational crime, and black-market demand for illegal wildlife. Additionally, U.S. investments to combat wildlife trafficking promote democracy, and the rule-of-law, while helping to protect the ability of local communities to generate jobs and income from wildlife-based eco-tourism.

Global Environment Facility (GEF): The GEF unites 183 countries, including the United States, in partnership with the private sector, international institutions, and nongovernmental organizations to fund international conservation. Many GEF programs directly benefit the economic and national security interests of the United States by protecting natural ecosystems and the goods and services they provide to people. The GEF' s investments in natural resource management are helping to reduce instability that results from resource scarcity. Additionally, U.S. investment in the GEF yields a very high rate ofretum; for every U.S. dollar invested, about 40 additional dollars are raised from public and private partners, including donor and recipient countries.

Development Assistance (DA): Administered by USAID, Development Assistance funding is used to achieve long-term U.S. foreign policy objectives, such as sustainable development and democratic reform. Many DA funded international conservation programs are located in regions that are of economic and political significance to the United States. USAID projects contribute to American national security objectives, for example, by restoring depleted water and soil resources and generating opportunities in war-tom countries. Alliances spearheaded by USAlD have leveraged significant private sector funding from leading companies such as Disney and Google for forest conservation and sustainable agriculture projects that benefit American workers and consumers

Biodiversity: Biodiversity funding has supported vital conservation work that has promoted stability and sustainable land management in regions of strategic importance to the United States. In the Congo Basin of Central Africa, for instance, U.S. biodiversity funding has helped to expand protected areas covering more than 12.5 million acres of tropical forest and improve timber production practices on more than 13 million acres. In the Coral Triangle region covering Indonesia, the Philippines, and other countries in Southeast Asia, U.S. biodiversity funding has supported marine conservation and sustainable fisheries that are essential to the economic and food security for the region's 130 million people.

Continued leadership and support by the U.S. government for international conservation programs that protect America's economic and national security is crucial. The risks to our national security are too great to defer these investments.

We greatly appreciate the Subcommittee's leadership and commitment to preserving the environment, advancing global conservation and protecting U.S. national security by supporting international conservation.

Thank you for consideration of our recommendations.

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Dawson J.Hunter Bio:

Dawson serves as Senior Direct of U.S. Government Policy for Conservation International. Dawson leads outreach to the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch to promote policies critical to Conservation lnternational's mission. He focuses on policies supporting the preservation and restoration of nature.

Prior to Conservation International, Dawson worked in the renewable and nuclear power industries.

Dawson is a co-founder of The Children's Project International, a U.S. based international non governmental organization focused on the world's poor and vulnerable people. The Children's Project International address global child development and protection and is dedicated to helping deprived, excluded, and vulnerable children to improved their lives and extending the opportunity to become young adults, parents, and leaders who bring lasting and positive change to their communities around the world.

Dawson received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Washington College and an MA in Government Policy and MBA from Johns Hopkins University. 347

Written Testimony of Charles Lyons, President and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation On the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request Submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in strong support of the foreign affairs budget, in particular the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPF AR) and the international organizations and partners critical to its success.

My name is Charles Lyons, and I am the President and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGP AF). I am proud to be leading a mission-driven organization working closely with families, communities, countries and donors to end AIDS in children. I am asking you today not only to continue robust funding to end global HIV/AIDS but also ensure that children are at the forefront of the U.S. global AIDS response, and that the program is setting countries on the path towards long-term success.

As a longtime PEPF AR partner, we have seen a dramatic shift for children and families impacted by HIV. When EGPAF began our work in sub-Saharan Africa, we sought to understand how to reach HIV-positive pregnant women with the services they needed to prevent transmission between mother and child. In 2000, more than I, 150 children were being infected with HIV each day, 1 and there were very few, if any, treatment options. Flash forward to today. In collaboration with PEPFAR and other partners, EGPAF has tested over 29 million women for HIV, provided antiretroviral therapy as part of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services to more than I. 7 million HIV-positive pregnant women, and is currently supporting more than 1.6 million men, women, and children on treatment so they can live long, healthy, and productive lives.

Investments now are crucial to accelerate progress towards addressing pediatric HIV/AIDS and the universal goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.2 This is why we are troubled that children are all but absent from the PEPFAR Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control (2017-2020), the principle document guiding PEPFAR's work. Despite advancements in reaching children, many troubling gaps remain. New infections in children have been reduced by nearly 60 percent since 2000; but even with progress there remains a significant crisis-- nearly 500 children are still infected with HIV each day. 3 A final push is needed to truly end new infections in children. Even as PMTCT coverage rates peak, it is important to take into account that the number of HIV-positive pregnant women each year

1 Aidsinfo.unaids.org 2 United Nations General Assembly, Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 2015 3 Aidsinfo.unaids.org

1 348 remains fairly constant, which means this population must remain a priority to maintain our current level of success.4

While there has been much success in reaching women while they are pregnant, research is showing that transmission during the breastfeeding period remains a challenge, and almost half of new infections in children happen during that time. Far too many transmissions are happening given that we have tools to prevent these new infections. Pregnant women and new mothers must remain a high priority within PEPFAR' s work. Success cannot and should not lead to complacency.

Babies exposed to HIV need to be tested and, if positive, linked to treatment as quickly as possible for the best outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends babies exposed to HIV be tested within the first two months of life. Half of children born to HIV positive mothers, however, are still not tested for HIV - a frightening statistic given the high mortality rate for HIV-positive babies. However, recent technological advancements around point-of-care testing have brought rapid testing services closer to vulnerable patients, such as infants and young children. This means almost immediate delivery of HIV test results in sites where the machines are used. Point-of-care testing ensures new mothers do not have to return to the facility days, weeks or even months later to discover if their child has HIV. EGPAF is committed to scaling up new technologies to more effectively and efficiently reach children and their families affected by HIV in order to improve outcomes. A recent study we conducted in eight countries found that the presence of point-of-care technologies improved the number of caregivers receiving results five fold and 50 percent more infants were initiated on treatment versus standard testing methods.5 Additionally, cost effectiveness analyses demonstrate that point-of-care early infant diagnosis can be cost effective on top of the clinical benefits. 6

Given the effectiveness of point-of-care technologies, it could be considered unethical to use time-consuming conventional testing methods, which can delay treatment initiation for weeks or months. In many cases, these machines can also be leveraged for testing for other diseases, such as tuberculosis. By scaling up point-of-care testing as part of its larger efforts to strengthen laboratories, PEPFAR can drive much better results for women and children living with HIV and build a sustainable system to effectively reach these important populations.

Children who are infected with HIV and in need of treatment are still far too often overlooked. Simply put, children die much more quickly from HIV and AIDS than adults without treatment half will not live to see their second birthday and 80 percent will not make it to five years old. Yet only half of HIV-positive children are accessing the treatment they need to survive.7 This issue goes to the heart of our organization, and is why Elizabeth Glaser herself became a leading national advocate for children with HIV -she wanted her children, and all children to have access to the same medicines and care as adults.

4 UNAIDS, Start Free Stay Free AIDS Free Progress Report, 2017 5 EGPAF, Point-of-Core Early Infant HIV Diagnosis, 2018 6 Frank, et al. Clinical effect and cast-effectiveness of incorporation of point-of-care assays into early infant HIV diagnosis programmes in Zimbabwe: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV, 2019. 7 Aidsinfo.unaids.org

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PEPFAR's own "Population-based Impact Assessment" (PHIA) surveys reinforce the enormous disparity in treatment outcomes for children compared to adults. PEPFAR states "the PHIAs evidence that several countries supported under the PEPF AR Strategy are on track to reach HIV epidemic control by 2020."8 While these surveys show impressive progress towards viral suppression, the crucial "third 90" for adults in many PEPFAR countries, results for children are nowhere near as promising. According to composite data for select PHIA countries, viral suppression in children is below 40 percent.9

In addition to the many challenges HIV-positive children face in accessing testing and treatment and being retained in care over time, there is potentially an antiretroviral supply crisis looming for young children living with HIV. PEPF AR is rightly calling for an end to the use of Nevirapine because of its poor effectiveness and high levels of resistance associated with its use in both children and adults. Yet for children under 3 years of age, the only existing WHO recommended alternative is not currently available globally in sufficient supplies, and efforts to encourage manufacturers to increase production are promising but have not yet alleviated the supply issue. A more optimal drug is in the pipeline, but it has not been approved for the youngest age groups nor will it be available for two more years. PEPFAR should take steps to avert a massive gap in availability of better pediatric drugs and ensure that the most vulnerable of children living with HIV have access to the optimal treatment they need to survive.

It is undeniable that the PEPF AR program and U.S. leadership have been trans formative for children and families affected by and with HIV, and that work continues. As a mission-driven implementing partner, our goal is to achieve success in our own programs, but also carry Elizabeth's spirit with us to push PEPFAR to prioritize children throughout their work. The current lack of articulated strategy around addressing critical gaps in preventing transmissions to children, getting and keeping children on high quality treatment and mitigating the impact of the HIV epidemic on children could lead these data gaps to widen.

When PEPFAR prioritizes children, the results are extraordinary. As a result of PEPFAR's leadership in the 2010 global call to end new infections in children and making this a key priority of the program, new infections in children have dropped by over 50 percent since then. Because of PEPFAR's programs, over 2.4 million HIV infections have been averted in children. When it became clear that scaling up HIV treatment for children was woefully behind that of adults, PEPFAR launched the Accelerating Children's Treatment Initiative in 2015 with the goal of doubling the number of children on PEPF AR-supported treatment in nine countries. Because ofthis initiative, PEPFAR is now supporting 700 thousand children with lifesaving medications. Both of these initiatives, however, have long since expired and it is time for PEPFAR to reinvigorate its focus on children.

It will be unconscionable if global targets are met for adults while not even in the realm of possibility for children. We ask Congress to use your influence to urge this Administration to create a standalone strategy detailing its current and planned programmatic activities to reduce new HIV infections in children and adolescents; link HIV-positive children and adolescents to

8 PEPFAR, Latest Results: Population-Based HIV Impact Assessments, 2018 9 PEPFAR, 2018 Progress Report.PEPFAR Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control /2017-2020), 2018

3 350 the most effective treatment regimens and retain them in care; and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and adolescents in HIV-affected communities.

It was apparent from the earliest days of the PEPF AR program that long-term success in addressing the global AIDS crisis could be not be achieved without the involvement of governments :md the communities the U.S. was so desperately trying to help. National, district and local governments and private health systems needed to be strengthened, and in some cases an entire system had to be built. lNGOs tapped local talent and trained local staff while quickly expanding access to services. We also joined with local and faith based organizations with deep ties in the community to strengthen our reach and bring HIV services beyond clinics. In three of our largest country programs Lesotho, Uganda, and Tanzania - over 98 percent of staff are local, and our other country programs are not that far behind. In addition, throughout our programs we currently have over 200 local partners including local governments and organizations in order to effectively accomplish our programs.

As a PEPF AR "Track 1.0" partner, we transitioned our programs in five countries to local organizations to build additional national capacity. In three of those countries, we spent over five years helping build new organizations with not only the technical capacity to reach those affected by HIV but also the administrative, governance and technical capabilities to accept and effectively manage U.S. government funding. We learned a lot of lessons throughout this process - the most important being that it takes a lot of time and resources to develop sustainable local capacity. Local organizations given sufficient time and investment in financial, technical and governance capacity can offer many of the same services and results as INGOs.

Based on our lessons learned, we are extremely concerned by current aggressive targets which would in some cases have international organizations transitioning prime awards to local organizations and exiting in approximately 18 months, without an articulated approach for capacity building to ensure program sustainability, quality and continuity of patient care. It is clear to us that more time and resources are needed to build the necessary capacity on the ground to achieve these targets. Strong and capable local organizations are the future of global health, yet a rushed and short-sighted transition will not only set these organizations up for failure, it could hurt progress on the ground and set the program and foreign aid back years. We ask you as custodians ofthis funding and champions of foreign aid to urge PEPFAR to take a step back and work with you on a methodical approach to transition that addresses concerns about risk mitigation and establishes a solid pathway to truly sustainable, locally owned HIV programming.

The United States' history ofreaching children and families around the world affected by HIV is a long one-- in fact, it is often forgotten that President Bush championed a PMTCT program in Africa that laid the groundwork for PEPF AR. The passage of the PEPFAR Extension Act of2018 reinforced the bipartisan Congressional commitment to the program ensuring it remains a lifeline to the families and communities hit hardest by the epidemic. Cuts to foreign aid and U.S. global health programs combined with a lack of focus on children at this time threaten that legacy and risk undoing incredible progress in saving children's lives. As you are well aware, President Trump's budget proposal for FY 2020 once again includes significant reductions in funding for the Department of State, USAID, and PEPFAR. We greatly appreciate

4 351 that this committee has rejected proposed cuts in the past and instead increased funding for these programs and ask you to do so again this fiscal year.

I want to also express support for our global partners -- the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). I am very concerned about proposals to reduce or eliminate funding to these organizations. PEPF AR' s success is due in large part to the collaboration of countries, communities, related U.S. supported programming, and international partners. The prospect of ending AIDS in children will be jeopardized without their programming, expertise and commitment

Discussions about progress often point to the considerable number of people positively affected by U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS, but we must remember that data points to individuals whose lives have been changed. As Martha Cameron, an EGPAF ambassador and PEPFAR beneficiary said, "When the doctor told me that there was a program and that I could deliver my children safely and free of HIV, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life." Please keep Martha and all the children and their families whose lives have been transformed in mind as you reflect on the important work of this committee.

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CHARLES LYONS

President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Since being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 2010 Charles Lyons has led the Foundation through significant changes to the programmatic and advocacy portfolio of work, including the organization's transition from several centrally managed, global awards to managing a broad range of bilateral awards in a dozen countries. During his tenure, EGPAF launched an affiliate model of partnership with national organizations in Tanzania, Mozambique and Cote d'Ivoire, and provided leadership to catalyze action under global partnerships, such as the "Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive."

Lyons joined EGPAF after many years managing and developing programs for global organizations, including as director of special initiatives in the Global Development Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led a team dedicated to global poverty reduction. Prior to his work at the Gates Foundation, Lyons spent more than 20 years with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), to include program officer, UNICEF Mozambique; chief of staff to the executive director at UNICEF headquarters; and president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

A longtime advocate for global health, he has served as a member of the Human Rights Watch Health and Human Rights Advisory Committee and worked from its inception to develop the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), serving on the Board of the GAVI Fund and chairing its executive committee from 2004 to 2006. From 2015-2016 Lyons served as U.S. Representative to the Executive Board of UNICEF under President Barack Obama, and previously served as the U.S. Alternate Representative (2011-2015). He is currently a member of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA).

Lyons studied political economy at the New School for Social Research in New York and has a bachelor's degree from Carleton College in Minnesota. 353

Elizabeth Smith Co-founder & Chief Executive EYElliance

1bis testimony is provided to support of the Low Cost Eyeglasses Pilot Program with an allocation of$2,500,000 in the 2019 bill and recommend progressing beyond the pilot phase in 2020. EYElliance is a multi-sector coalition comprised of over 60 partners collaborating to create equitable access to eyeglasses on a global scale. Our partners represent the global NGO eye care community of practice and leaders from global development.

We commend the Appropriations committee for their recognition of the broad socio-economic gains associated with correcting vision with a pair of eyeglasses. Despite the fact that eyeglasses were invented 700 years ago, today over 1.5 billion individuals live with poor vision unnecessarily because they need a pair of eyeglasses. Accordingly it is imperative that the 2019 Low Cost Eyeglasses Pilot be extended beyond a pilot phase in 2020.

The $2,500,000 committed to establish a Low Cost Eyeglasses Pilot in the 2019 appropriations bill will have far reaching impact on improved learning outcomes in school children, increased productivity in the working poor, improved access to the digital economy, safer drivers and safer roads, and adult literacy rates. Peer reviewed research has proven that providing eyeglasses to those who need them has a greater impact on productivity (an increase of21.7% to 31.6%) and educational outcomes than any other health intervention studied in low and middle income countries. In primary school children, the impact on math test scores from corrected vision with glasses was 10 times higher than from deworming, and three times higher than from nutrition trials. The global economy loses $227 billion every year from lost productivity alone -this does not account for loss associated with missed educational opportunities.

Unlike other public health problems, however, unequal access to the solution is not the result of costly medical treatment. In fact, the cost of sourcing new frames and lenses for eyeglasses is only $0.60-3.50 per pair. The current unmet need for glasses in low and middle income countries stems from a long history of neglect. The US Government's investment in this issue area is a momentous step towards eliminating the needless loss resulting from this neglect while at the same time catalyzing USAID's existing funding for education and poverty alleviation.

By including the Low Cost Eyeglasses Pilot in the 2019 appropriations bill the US Government has taken a leadership role in signaling to other bilateral institutions and global development leaders that creating equitable access to eyeglasses is a cost effective approach to generate broad socio-economic gains in low and middle income countries. We encourage the committee to consider expanding on this commitment in 2020 to progress beyond pilot phase and establish a program that will maximize existing investments in promoting and demonstrating democratic values abroad, and advancing a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. 354

Liz Smith, Co-Founder & Chief Executive of EYElliance, has spent the last 12 years working in international development with a focus on inclusive business and increasing access to global markets. Prior to her work with EYElliance, Liz spent 5 years consulting with the UN Office of South-South Cooperation forwarding the work of the Creative Economy for Development Agenda. In 2011 Liz joined VisionSpring as Director of Business Development where she and VisionSpring's Founder, Jordan Kassalow, began their initial exploration of the viability of a cross sector collaboration to close the gap in access to eyeglasses on a global scale. Liz graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, is a member of the Explorers Club, and is a two time National Geographic Society grant recipient for her work documenting endangered song. 355

Testimony from Chris Collins, President Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Requesting $1.56 billion appropriation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, and the full subcommittee, for your generous support over many years of America's leadership in the fight to end the world's deadliest epidemics. Today I am writing specifically to thank you for your support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) and to request continued U.S. leadership in the Global Fund. This year, Congress has a unique opportunity to advance and accelerate the end of these three epidemics. The Global Fund is the world's largest global health financier, investing nearly $4 billion a year. Since its creation in 2002, Global Fund-supported programs and partners have saved over 27 million lives. This accomplishment includes helping to cut AIDS-related deaths in half since the epidemic's peak in 2005, as well as contributing to a 37 percent decline in TB deaths and a 60 percent decline in malaria death rates since 2000.

U.S. contributions to the Global Fund also leverage other donors to play an expanded role in global health financing. By law, the U.S. can only provide up to 33 percent of the Global Fund's total contributions, requiring other donors to match our investment two-to-one or risk leaving U.S. funding on the table. During the last pledging cycle, this requirement led other donors to significantly increase their contributions. For example, Japan increased its pledge by 46 percent, Italy by 40 percent, the United Kingdom by 38 percent and Germany by 33 percent. In addition, our contribution catalyzes increased domestic investments in affected countries. Global Fund co-financing requirements have led to recipient countries increasing their current co-financing commitments 41 percent compared to the previous funding cycle, and expanding their investment in the health of their own people in the process.

Additionally, U.S. investments in the Global Fund provide significant health security and economic benefits to the U.S. By strengthening local health infrastructure in affected countries, the Global Fund helps prevent emerging epidemics from growing out of control and spreading to other countries. U.S. global health investments also foster stronger diplomatic and trade relationships around the world. We Need to Step Up the Fight Despite its remarkable achievements in reducing mortality and infection rates, the Global Fund and its partners still face significant challenges in ending the epidemics:

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• Around the world, 7,000 adolescent girls and young women are infected with HN every week, and in some African countries, young women are eight times more likely to be HIV positive than young men. • Because over 40 percent of Africa's population is under the age of 15, it is imperative to scale up HIV prevention and treatment interventions to reach youth.

This year the Global Fund is holding its 6th Replenishment in October. To put the world back on track to end the epidemics of AIDS, TB and malaria, the Global Fund projects that a minimum of $14 billion is needed for the three-year replenishment cycle. The Global Fund is also projecting that in meeting that target, recipient countries will correspondingly increase their !;iealth investments by 48 percent over this period. To continue our leadership and encourage other donors to increase their investment, Friends asks for a U.S. appropriation to the Global Fund of$1.56 billion in fiscal year 2020. We are also requesting language, like that included in the Senate FY19 State, Foreign Operations report, noting the expectation that the subcommittee will maintain this funding level throughout the three-year replenishment cycle.

Together, the requested funding level and report language will send an unequivocal message to other donors that the U.S. will maintain its leadership in the Global Fund, encouraging other donors to once again step forward with increased pledges. A Global Fund replenishment that achieves the minimum goal of $14 billion will lead to a reduction in the number of deaths from these diseases by nearly half. The increased investment in the Global Fund, coupled in part with increases by implementing governments, will contribute towards saving an additional 16 million lives, preventing 234 million infections and spurring $19 in economic returns and health gains for every $1 invested. However, if the Global Fund fails to achieve its replenishment goal, the world is at serious risk of sliding backward on our efforts, with the very real potential for resurgence of disease and unnecessary mortality. Friends also encourages the subcommittee to increase funding in U.S. bilateral global health programs that work synergistically with the Global Fund, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPF AR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the USAID TB program. As you know, the Administration has proposed significant cuts to the Global Fund and our bilateral global health programs. The proposal recommends cutting our three-year contribution to the Global Fund by a billion dollars and reducing the U.S. share of Global Fund support from 33 percent to 25 percent. This proposed budget is more than just a funding cut: If enacted, it would signal a rapid retreat in U.S. global health leadership. Fortunately, it is Congress that ultimately decides the U.S. contribution. Part of our job now is to educate other Global Fund donors that the Administration's budget will not, in the end, represent the U.S commitment to the Global Fund in the coming replenishment. I am encouraged that that decision rests with you.

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Saving Lives Through Strong Partnerships The Global Fund is only as strong as the strength of its partners. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund partnership has had an extraordinary impact on the health of our world. The Global Fund's most recent results report shows that in 2017, 17.5 million people were on antiretroviral therapy for HN, 5 million people with TB received treatment and 197 million mosquito nets were distributed in countries and regions where the Global Fund invests. The Global Fund delivers this impact by forming partnerships, including with U.S. bilateral programs PEPFAR, PMI and USAID TB program - as well as donor and recipient countries, private sector partners, foundations and civil society.

Why are partnerships so critical to the success of the Global Fund? By pooling resources and engaging a diverse set of actors, the Global Fund provides scale, flexibility and leverage. The advantages of scale are demonstrated by the $205 million in savings the Global Fund achieved through pooled procurement in 2017. The leverage is evidenced by the 41 percent increase in co financing commitments that governments have signed up for in the current three year grant cycle (relative to the previous one) and the $2. 7 billion in contributions mobilized from the private sector. Moreover, the Global Fund and its partners have saved millions of dollars through pooled procurement of medicines and health equipment. For example, the Global Fund pays just $.80 for an HIV screening test, $2.22 for a bed net and $69 for medicine that prevents the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Reducing Disease Incidence and Deaths In its latest investment case, the Global Fund projects that a replenishment of at least $14 billion would enable the Global Fund and its partners to significantly reduce HN/AIDS, TB and malaria from 2017 to 2023:

HIV/AIDS

• 61 percent decline in new HIV infections, from 1.5 million to 565,000. • 52 percent decline in AIDS-related deaths, from 866,000 to 413,000. • 64 percent and 56 percent declines in incidence and mortality rates, respectively. • 72 percent decline in HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women in 13 priority countries. In contrast, ifwe are only able to maintain coverage at 2017 levels, new infections would remain at or above 1.5 million people over 2018-2023, leading to 3.9 million new infections that could have been averted over 2018-2023.

Tuberculosis

• 22 percent decline in new TB cases, from 8.7 million to 6.8 million. • 46 percent decline in TB deaths (excluding HIV-positive people), from l.2 million to 648,000.

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• 29 percent and 51 percent declines in incidence and mortality rates, respectively. In contrast, maintaining coverage at 2017 levels would result in 5 .1 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths (excluding HIV-positive) that could have been averted over 2018-2023. Malaria

• 25 percent decline in malaria cases, from 218 million to 162 million. • 43 percent decline in malaria deaths, from 434,000 to 248,000. • 1.7 billion mosquito nets would be distributed between 2017 and 2023. • Malaria would be eliminated in an additional five countries between 2017 and 2023. Again, ifwe are only able to maintain coverage at 2017 levels, there could be a rapid and severe resurgence, including a 50 percent increase in malaria cases that could otherwise by averted.

Finally, a key to improving and saving lives is tackling inequalities in access to health, including gender and human rights dimensions. A fully funded Global Fund is needed to partner with countries, civil society and others to break down barriers to care to our most vulnerable populations.

Catalyzing Recipient Country Commitments Global Fund grants typically include an obligation on the recipient government to commit additional resources equivalent to 15-30 percent of the allocated grants. As noted in the latest investment case, this mechanism has proved remarkably successful in incentivizing increased domestic investment in health. Moreover, experience from the earlier cycle suggests that over 80 percent of these obligations are met in full - with 96 percent of all countries meeting the minimum co-financing requirements. It is important to keep in mind, however, that even as countries continue to increase funding in their own health, many low-income countries continue to require international assistance.

Strengthening Health Security The Ebola and SARS outbreaks demonstrated that no country is immune to deadly diseases. The Global Fund makes a significant contribution to global health security by helping to spur the development of more resilient health infrastructure, with stronger surveillance, diagnostic and emergency response capabilities and by directly tackling key threats to global health security, such as multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). Looking forward, the Global Fund is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between efforts to tackle endemic diseases like AIDS, TB and malaria and the imperative to counter potential epidemics such as SARS, Ebola or influenza. Each country must decide how to best allocate its health resources - whether in diseases such as AIDS, TB and malaria that are already a heavy burden or in prevention and preparedness for diseases that might impact the health of their people in the future.

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The world needs to get smarter in ensuring that investments made to fight AIDS, malaria and TB yield maximum benefit from a broader healthy security perspective. A fully funded Global Fund would be a powerful partner in building broader global health security by stepping up efforts against one of the most potent threats from antimicrobial resistance, MDR-TB, and by accelerating the development of health infrastructure that is able to prevent and manage infectious disease outbreaks.

Conclusion

We believe this written testimony has conveyed the remarkable results that have been and can continue to be achieved by the work of the Global Fund. We sincerely hope that Congress will agree continue the U.S. legacy of global health leadership by appropriating a minimum of $1.56 billion to the Global Fund for FY2020. This funding is essential to stepping up the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, and getting the world back on track to end these epidemics once and for all.

Thank you for your consideration.

Much ofthe iriformation included in this testimony is based on the Global Fund's Sixth Replenishment Investment Case available here: www.theglobalfand.org/en/stepupthejight.

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Chris Collins

President, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Longer version ...

Previously, as Chief of the Community Mobilization Division at UNAIDS in Geneva, Chris helped make the case for investment in civil society as an essential part of the AIDS response. As Vice President and Director of Public Policy at amfAR Chris defended global AIDS funding and worked to advance domestic HIV policy and global key populations programming. While at amfAR, Chris was elected to the newly re-established Global Health Council board.

As a consultant in health communications and policy, Chris helped drive the creation of the first comprehensive U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy, authoring the monograph that sparked advocacy for the Strategy; and helped develop and managed the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) Missing the Target series of reports on global HIV treatment scale up. He also consulted for organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, International Partnership for Microbicides, and the Black AIDS Institute. 361

Chris co-founded and served as Executive Director at AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention. As appropriations staff to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the 1990s, Chris designed the first legislation to provide incentives for development and delivery of vaccines against HIV, TB and malaria. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University and a B.A. in English (with Highest Honors) from University of California at Berkeley. 362

STATEMENT OF NATASHA F. BILIMORIA DIRECTOR, U.S. STRATEGY GAVI, THE VACCINE ALLIANCE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS WASHINGTON, D.C. MARCH 15, 2019

Madam Chairwoman,

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) welcomes the opportunity to submit testimony before the House State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee regarding the life-saving work of our organization. I would like to thank you, Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and the other members of the Subcommittee for your strong support ofGavi. Since our inception in 2000, the partnership between the United States and Gavi continues to be an essential part of our success in bringing vaccines to the world's poorest and most marginalized children. l!l furtherance of this partnership, I respectfully request the Committee to provide $290 million in fiscal year 2020 for a U.S. contribution to Gavi and to provide $900 million for USAID's Maternal and Child Health account. This support will help Gavi towards its goal of immunizing an additional 300 million children by 2020, saving five to six million lives.

GAVI'S PROGRESS IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO VACCINES

With support from our donors, including the United States, Gavi has helped immunize more than 700 million children and prevented over 10 million deaths since our inception in 2000.

Together, we have supported over 430 vaccine introductions and campaigns and increased average routine immunization coverage rates by over 20 percentage points across the countries we support. Gavi support has helped to strengthen immunization services and health systems in more than 60 countries and focused efforts to improve immunization supply chains, increase demand for vaccines, and strengthen immunization data.

Gavi is a key contributor in supporting global health security, an important priority for the United States. Recognizing the need for integrated solutions to the prevention of disease outbreaks, Gavi is working to combine routine immunization and preventative campaigns with investments in stockpiles for selected vaccines.

In addition to supporting 13 vaccines for use in routine immunization programs and preventative campaigns, Gavi funds three emergency vaccine stockpiles for cholera, meningitis and yellow fever.

Underpinning Gavi's work in global health security is our health system strengthening efforts which, as a first line of defense for detecting and preventing disease outbreaks, aims to bolster 363 national health systems and identify and address bottlenecks to sustainable, high, and equitable immunization coverage. Gavi has invested more than $1.1 billion since 2016 to support strengthened global health security. By preventing epidemics at their sources, vaccines play a crucial role in a coordinated strategy to prevent infectious disease from spreading. Continued contributions from the U.S. help ensure this work continues in Gavi-supported countries, which makes the world more secure for Americans.

To further our goals of reaching every child and increasing coverage rates, the Alliance is also committed to supporting immunization efforts in the world's most fragile places where coverage for basic Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis vaccines only reaches 72%.

Approved in 2017, Gavi's policy on fragility, emergencies, and refugees allows the Alliance to respond more quickly and flexibly to the immunization needs of countries with fragile settings. This policy allows host countries to request additional support of immunizing a wide range of age groups among refugee populations and also enables the Alliance to work more directly with partners and civil society organizations to better assist in addressing complex challenges. This is another example ofGavi's flexible model that enables the Alliance to adapt to a changing global context.

In response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Gavi committed up to $300 million to incentivize manufacturers to further develop candidate vaccines guaranteeing a market for a licensed product. An additional $90 million was made available to support the three Ebola affected countries in introducing the vaccine and to rebuild systems and restore immunization services.

In 2016, Gavi announced an Advance Purchase Commitment with Merck, providing $5 million towards the procurement of an Ebola vaccine. This procurement would take place once the vaccine was licensed, prequalified and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). As part of this commitment, Merck agreed to create and store a stockpile of300,000 doses of the unlicensed vaccine for use in case of an outbreak while licensure was being pursued.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo became the first country to use this new vaccine in response to two Ebola outbreaks which occurred in May and August 2018. Thanks to this innovative partnership, more than 3,000 people were vaccinated in DRC's outbreak last spring and more than 85,000 people have been vaccinated in the current outbreak.

GA VI IS A PROVEN INVESTMENT

It is widely recognized that immunization is one of the most efficient, and cost-effective health investments. Gavi investments in immunization have resulted in an estimated $150 billion in gains for developing countries through increased productivity and reductions in the cost of treating illnesses that would have been prevented through immunization.

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A 2016 study from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health found that for every dollar invested in vaccination in Gavi-supported countries, $18 are saved in healthcare costs, lost wages, and lost productivity. A 2018 Harvard study concluded that vaccines administered between 2016 and 2030 will prevent 24 million people in 41 countries from falling into poverty. Immunization is a global health "best buy."

In addition to Gavi's proven return on investment, Gavi empowers countries to take ownership of their vaccination programs to ensure long-term sustainability. Gavi-supported countries must co-finance a share of the cost of their Gavi-supported vaccines.

As a country's income grows, its co-financing gradually increases until it is in a position to fully finance the cost of its vaccines and transition out ofGavi support. In 2016 and 2017, countries contributed $271 million in co-financing - representing 35% of all Gavi funding for vaccine programs. Reflecting the Alliance's wider impact, the rise in co-financing is paralleled by government's growing overall investment in immunization which has increased by 10% from 2016 to 2017.

Currently, 15 countries have transitioned out of Gavi support and started to fully self-finance all their vaccines introduced with Gavi support. To ensure post-transition sustainability, Gavi works with countries to develop a tailored transition plan and provides technical support to strengthen national capacity and explore options that ensure access to affordable prices after transition.

Continued U.S. support remains an influential factor in the successful transitioning of Gavi countries, especially where Gavi needs to assist countries in sustaining post-transition immunization programs through technical assistance and supply chain management.

Since its launch in 2000, Gavi has also been instrumental in transforming the health of the vaccine market. This enables manufacturers to produce the right vaccines and immunization products in appropriate quantities and prices to meet the demand in developing countries.

Building these healthy vaccine markets is a crucial component to long-term sustainability and success. Cost savings generated through market shaping activities amounted to $764 million in 2016 and 2017. The cost of immunizing a child with a full course of pentavalent, pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines dropped by 17%, from $20 in 2015 to $16.63 in 2017. The Alliance's purchasing power has also helped attract new manufacturers, increasing the number of companies that Gavi works with from five vaccine manufacturers in 2001 to 17 in 2019.

Cost saving through market shaping is one of the Alliance's most striking success stories. However, it also presents the difficulties that can arise when attempting to balance market health and price. To ensure that each vaccine market works effectively, the Alliance must engage in incentives, as well as detailed long-term planning and exchange of information among relevant Alliance partners.

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ADDRESSING THE IMMUNIZATION GAP

Despite Gavi and our partners' success in increasing access for new and underused vaccines in lower-income countries, one out of five children still do not have access to basic immunizations. As a result, 1.5 million children continue to die each year of vaccine-preventable diseases. Moreover, 19.9 million children in Gavi-supported countries remain under-immunized and miss out on all 11 of the World Health Organization's recommended vaccines. Coverage rates oflife saving vaccines have plateaued in recent years and coverage across and within countries can vary significantly. Gavi's work is necessary to help address these gaps.

ACIDEVING OUR GOALS

For fiscal year 2020, the last year of the organization's current five-year strategic cycle, the Alliance is committed to achieving our goals of immunizing 300 million more children by 2020 and averting five to six million future deaths. As we approach the end of this strategic cycle, Gavi is also adapting to new challenges such as increased migration, the rising threat and fast spread of outbreaks, and potential supply constraints. Sustained U.S. support is crucial to help maintain the gains that we have achieved, adapt to new challenges, and help reach our goals for this strategic cycle.

We also cannot succeed alone. Maintaining U.S. investment in global health programs and the larger foreign assistance budget is essential to protecting many of the most vulnerable from rising health threats. These programs complement the impact of Gavi-supported immunization efforts and are crucial to the health security in the United States and around the world. We respectfully request that the committee provide strong support to USAID's global health programs which not only complement but further Gavi's work.

CONCLUSION

Gavi is committed to saving millions of children's lives.

A $290 million contribution to Gavi for fiscal year 2020 and $900 million for the USAID Maternal and Child Health account is very important to maintaining our gains and a continue comprehensive global health security response. This funding will help expand immunization efforts, transition countries out of Gavi support, and promote program sustainability.

We thank this Subcommittee for its long history of protecting global health and foreign assistance programs, particularly in the face of a challenging fiscal environment, and hope it continues. Thank you for your consideration.

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Natasha Bilimoria, Director U.S. Strategy

Natasha Bilimona is the Director of U.S. Strategy for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance where she leads efforts to mobilize public and private sector support in the United States to fund childhood immunisation in the world's poorest countries. Her leadership experience and relationships with U.S. government officials, non-governmental organizations and the private sector are instrumental in furthering Gavi's visibility in the United States and throughout the global health community. Prior to taking on this role in 2013, Ms. Bilimoria served for seven years as President of Friends of the Global Fight, where she led U.S. efforts to support the lifesaving work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Previously, she held several positions at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Ms. Bilimoria also served in the Clinton Administration at the White House and in the US Department of Treasury, where she worked on domestic economic development issues. She was also a member of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team's state, national security, defense, intelligence and arms control agency review team and led a comprehensive review and analysis of all U.S. global health programs.

1776, I (Eye} Street NW, Suite 600 Te! +1 202 478 1050 www gav1 org 1nfo@gavt org 1Washington, DC, 20006, USA IFax +1 2024781060 I 367

Global Health Technologies Coalition Outside Witness Testimony for the Record Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs US House of Representatives - 2019 Jamie Bay Nishi, Director, Global Health Technologies Coalition USAID Global Health Programs FY 2020 Appropriations

Chairman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on fiscal year 2020 appropriations for global health programs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID). We appreciate your leadership in global health, and we hope that your support will continue. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC), a group of more over 30 nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and aligned businesses advancing policies to accelerate the creation of new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other tools that bring healthy lives within reach for all people. To this end, we strongly urge the Committee to continue its established support for global health research and development (R&D) by: 1. Sustaining and supporting US investment in global health research and product development by robustly funding the Global Health accounts at USAID and the State Department. This means rejecting cuts to global health programs called for by the Administration in FY20 and supporting at minimum sustained funding at FYI 9 levels for each disease or population-specific program under the USAID and State Department global health accounts. 2. Instructing USAID-in collaboration with other agencies involved in global health-to prioritize R&D within each of the disease and condition areas under USAID's Global Health Programs account; and 3. Requiring leaders at the State Department and USAID to work together with other US agencies to develop a whole-of-government global health R&D strategy to ensure that US investments in global health research are efficient, coordinated, and streamlined.

GI-ITC members strongly believe that in order to meet the world's most pressing global health needs, it is critical to invest in research today so that the most effective health solutions are available now and in the future. Sustainable investment in R&D for a broad range of neglected diseases and health conditions is critical to tackling both endemic and emerging global health challenges that impact people around the world and at home in the United States. My testimony reflects the needs expressed by our member organizations working in nearly one hundred countries.

Critical need for new global health tools While we have made tremendous gains in global health over the past fifteen years, millions of people around the world are still threatened by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and other neglected diseases and health conditions. In 2107, TB killed 1.3 million people, surpassing deaths from HIV/AIDS. 1.8 million people were newly diagnosed with HIV. Nearly half of the global population remains at risk for malaria and drug resistant strains are growing. Maternal mortality is 19 times greater in under-resourced regions than developed countries. One out of every 13 children in Sub-Saharan Africa dies before the age of 5, often from vaccine-preventable and other communicable diseases. These figures highlight the 368 tremendous global health challenges that still remain and the need for sustained investment in global health research to deliver new tools to combat endemic and emerging threats.

New tools and technologies are critical, both to address unmet global health needs and address challenges of drug resistance, outdated and toxic treatments, and difficulty administering current health technologies in poor, remote, and unstable settings. As seen with recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika, we simply do not have all the tools needed to prevent, diagnose, and treat many neglected diseases - yet the emerging evidence of the impact of an experimental Ebola vaccine candidate currently being deployed in the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, developed in part with funding from the US government, demonstrates the power of having the right tool at the right time to respond to a health emergency. It is critical to invest in the development of next generation tools to fight existing and emerging disease threats and have tools ready to go when we need them.

USAID Contributions to Global Health R&D USAID adds tremendous value to US investments in global health R&D, funding late stage research and advancing product development appropriate for the low-resource settings where they will be used. In addition, USAID's global presence and unique understanding of the needs of patients in different settings and contexts is key to developing health innovations that are transforrnative on the ground. We applaud the efforts that USAID has made in fostering innovation in health technologies, including: • Partnering across government agencies and among private-sector partners to identify breakthrough innovations to combat infectious disease epidemics. USAID's Fighting Ebola Grand Challenge identified 1,500 innovative technologies to address Ebola, and is funding refinement of 14, including novel personal protective equipment. The Combating Zika and Future Threats Grand Challenge received over 900 crowdsourced proposals and selected 26 projects to fund, cutting across vector control, surveillance, and diagnostics. • Advancing global health R&D partnerships and leveraging US funding for greater impact. USAID coordinates with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada, the government of Norway, and other donors through the Saving Lives at Birth grand challenge, to develop lifesaving innovations for mothers and newborns. The program has successfully leveraged $20 million in US government funding to attract more than $150 million from outside donors, funding a pipeline of 116 innovations aimed at saving the lives of mothers and newborns, with potential to save 150,000 lives by 2030. • Supporting research to develop safe, effective, and accessible tools to prevent in the developing world-including HIV vaccines and microbicides based on antiretroviral drugs, which have shown tremendous potential to prevent HIV infection in women. • Playing a key role in the global effort to fight TB by supporting research to develop new therapeutics-including the world's first child-friendly TB medicines, developed with critical seed funding from USAID and introduced in 2015-and providing expertise on implementation and scale-up of products that are ultimately licensed.

Global Health R&D Funding at USAID- Addressing Critical Gaps USAID is an important partner in global health product development, and it is critical for the agency to bolster this function of its global health programming. This means that global 369 health programs within USAID require robust funding in order to ensure they have appropriate resources both for on-going programs and forward-looking R&D efforts.

For the vast majority ofUSAID's global health programming, there are no dedicated funding streams or programs expressly supporting global health R&D. This means that decisions on USAID's investments in new global health technologies-to make programming more successful and efficient, and to further the agency's global health mission-are made at the program level, based on overall funding allocations for each disease or population-specific health area. To ensure research is appropriately prioritized, global health programs need appropriate resources. Funding cuts-such as those proposed in the Administration's FY18, FY19, and FY20 budgets-would put significant strain on USAID's global health programs and jeopardize the agency's ability to balance current programming needs with needs for new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other tools to accelerate global health gains.

USAID recognizes the value of global health R&D, and how new global health tools can help finally curb infectious disease outbreaks, end preventable maternal and child deaths, and achieve an AIDS-free generation. The agency's annual report on Health-Related Research and Development is an important tool, in which USAID details its investments in global health R&D across all diseases and accounts and describes how these efforts advance our overarching global health goals. This report is critical to provide insight and transparency into how USAID thinks strategically about R&D investments. Thanks to strong Congressional support for this important oversight mechanism, the Global Health Innovation Act (P .L. 115-411) passed at the end of the 115th Congress authorizes the report annually for the next five years. We urge the Committee to include report language in the FY20 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill directing USAID to include in the report specific information about health product development goals with details about USAID investments in drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and devices, including collaborations with other federal agencies as well as private sector partners, and timelines for product development.

In addition, while there are areas ofUSAID's global health portfolio that are leading the way in R&D, there are areas where a lack of resources and prioritization are acute. For example, USAID does not currently incorporate research for new vaccines and preventative technologies for tuberculosis into its programming, despite TB becoming the world's largest infectious disease killer in 2014. USAID also could advance its role in R&D for NTDs. While the agency does important work to provide treatments for five of the most prevalent NTDs, treatment options for the NTDs with the highest death rates, including visceral Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, are extremely limited. To continue to make progress against all twenty NTDs, USAlD should implement a comprehensive NTD R&D strategy to ensure that tools are available to treat all NTDs.

As we continue in uncertain times under this Administration, GHTC stresses the need for USAID to continue to prioritize science, technology, and innovation to advance its global health and development mission. GHTC urges the Committee to continue to stress that USAlD's global health programs include and expand R&D for new tools in their programming-including by allocating sufficient resources-and urges the Committee to support expanded annual R&D 370 reporting by USAID, which provides the only oversight policymakers and advocates have into the agency's R&D decision-making processes.

Collaboration across the US government In addition to USAID, support for global health R&D in the US government comes from the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Biological Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each of these agencies plays a unique and essential role in moving new global health technologies from concept to reality, and strong interagency collaboration is essential to leveraging limited US government resources and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used most effectively. To this end, we urge the Committee to encourage USAID to work with CDC, DoD, FDA, NIH, HHS, BARDA, and the White House to develop a whole-of-government strategy for global health R&D to coordinate priorities and resources and streamline operations.

Investing in global health R&D as a strategic national security and economic decision Global health R&D is important for delivering lifesaving tools to those who need them most. However, US government investments in R&D--through USAID and other agencies- yield benefits in addition to humanitarian and development goals. As recent outbreaks of Zika and Ebola demonstrate, diseases know no borders. Health crises abroad can become health crises at home, and it is imperative that we sustainably invest in R&D for a broad range of neglected infectious diseases so that we understand emerging disease threats and have tools ready-to-go when we need them. Global health is American health, and investments in global health R&D are investments in global health security.

Global health R&D is also a smart economic investment in the United States, where it drives job creation, spurs business activity, and engages academic institutions. $0.89 cents of every US dollar invested in global health R&D benefits US-based researchers, many of whom conduct their research at US universities. US government investment in global health R&D between 2007 and 2015 generated an estimated 200,000 new jobs and $33 billion in economic growth.

Recommendations Global health research that improves the lives of people around the world-while also promoting global health security, creating jobs, and spurring economic growth at home----is a win-win. Recognizing this, GHTC respectfully requests that the Committee do the following:

I. Robustly fund the Global Health Programs accounts at USAID and the State Department and reject short-sighted calls to cut funding for this important work. This means at minimum continued funding at FYI 9 levels. As there is no specific line item that dictates funding for global health R&D, it is important to uphold investment in the entire Global Health Programs account of the USAID budget, and fully fund each disease-specific account. USAID should include research for new health technologies in each of its global health programs and articulate how investments in R&D are strategic to achieving broader global health goals. We ask that this support not come at the expense of other poverty-focused humanitarian and development accounts. 371

2. Call for the expansion of the annual report on USAID's health-related research and development progress report required under the Global Health Innovation Act (P.L. 115- 411) to ensure the agency continues to prioritize R&D within each of its global health programs and accounts. 3. Request that leaders at the State Department and USAID work with leaders at other US agencies, including NIH, CDC, FDA, DoD, HHS, BARDA and the White House to develop a whole-of-government global health R&D strategy to ensure that US investments in global health research are efficient, coordinated, and streamlined.

On behalf of the members of GHTC, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Committee for the opportunity to testify. 372

Bio: Jamie Bay Nishi, Director, Global Health Technologies Coalition

Jamie Bay Nishi serves as the Director of the Global Health Technology Coalition (GHTC) and leads the coalition's policy and advocacy portfolio, as well as manages its engagement with members and other stakeholders and partners in government, the private sector, and civil society. She has over 12 years of experience in business development, project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnership building. Prior to joining GHTC, Jamie served as Managing Director ofDevex LIVE at Devex, a media platform for the global development community. Prior to serving in this position, Jamie was Devex's Senior Director for member services, where she managed a team supporting more than 1,000 organizations and 700,000 development professionals worldwide. Before joining Devex, Jamie spent nearly three years as a Marketing Associate and then Dedicated Advisor for the Advisory Board Company and interned in the US Department of State's Office of South Central Europe. Jamie holds a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University and a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William & Mary. 373

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Fiscal Year 2020 Testimony for the Record Howarth Bouis, Ph.D. Founder and CEO, HarvestPlus and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate "Hidden Hunger, Biofortification, and Global Food Security"

Chairwoman Lewey, Ranking Member Granger, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to share the following information about the devastation caused by micro nutrient deficiency, or hidden hunger. The U.S. Agency for International Development, through the Feed the Future global food security initiative, addresses this challenge with nutrition-sensitive agriculture programs. My organization, HarvestPlus, is grateful for USAID support for the work that we and our partners are doing to combat hidden hunger globally. We also appreciate the Subcommittee's recognition of that work and applaud Congress for re-authorizing the Global Food Security Act, which is strengthening these and other efforts.

As Subcommittee members know, poverty and malnutrition leave countries and communities vulnerable to increased instability, conflict, and violence. Improved health and livelihoods increase developing countries' economic and political stability, thereby improving U.S. national security. Healthier children are better able to learn and lead more productive lives, contributing to their communities' and countries' overall well-being, which decreases dependence on foreign assistance. These more prosperous communities and countries will eventually become stronger markets for U.S. goods and services.

Shockingly, more than two billion people around the world suffer from micro nutrient deficiency, which leads to blindness, weakened immunity, stunted brain development, hemorrhage during childbirth, and other serious health problems. Young children and women of reproductive age are most at risk. This hidden hunger leaves 25% of children around the world physically and cognitively stunted from a lack of iron and zinc. Iron deficiency, the most common micro nutrient challenge in the world, limits brain development and learning capacity, hampering the potential of individuals and societies, generation after generation. In low- and middle-income countries, roughly one in four women of reproductive age and two in five young children are anemic due to iron deficiency, which also causes weakness, fatigue, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. 250,000 to 500,000 children in countries go blind each year from vitamin A deficiency, which also undermines the immune system, thereby increasing the risk of disease and premature death in young children and women of childbearing age.

All of this suffering is entirely preventable. Why does it persist?

Rural families in developing countries rarely can afford the amounts of fruits, vegetables and protein that would allow their diets to meet nutritional requirements, and often have limited access to important nutritional interventions like vitamin supplementation and commercially fortified foods. These low-income subsistence farming families-still the majority of the population in developing 374

countries - depend on the low-cost but nutrient-poor staple food crops that they grow and eat, such as beans, cassava, corn, pearl millet, rice, sweet potatoes, and wheat.

As an economist at the International Food Policy Research Institute, I conducted research about food prices that showed that while the cost of staple food crops remains fairly low, healthier foods are likely to remain far out of reach for smallholder farming families for years to come. (Indeed, even here in the United States, many families cannot afford a healthy diet.) Looking for a solution to this persistent problem, I hypothesized that if we could make the plants do the work- if we could make the seeds of these staple crops more nutritious -we could improve nutrition and health in a simple, sustainable way. In 1993, USAID provided early support to test that new idea. Other donors, including the British government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, also generously funded our research. Seed banks around the world were searched for varieties of crops naturally rich in vitamin A, zinc and iron -the micronutrients identified by the World Health Organization as the most important for health. Using conventional crop breeding techniques, agronomists developed and tested these nutrient-rich varieties in partnership with agriculture officials in developing countries. This process became known as biofortification.

Today, more than 290 varieties of 12 staple food crops are available or in testing in 60 countries around the world. More than SO million people are now growing and eating these healthier foods. HarvestPlus has partnered with universities across the United States to support research into crop breeding, nutrition, and impact assessments of farmer adoption of biofortified crops. Rigorous peer-reviewed clinical trials have demonstrated that biofortified foods reduce diarrhea and pneumonia in young children, reverse of iron deficiency in children and women, improve cognitive and physical performance in women and children, and improve vision in children. It was my honor to share the 2016 World Food Prize with three other pioneers in the field of biofortification in recognition of the power of this important new tool to combat micronutrient deficiency.

International economists have ranked biofortification as a highly cost-effective intervention, predicting that $1 invested in biofortification will yield $17 in benefits. These seeds do not cost more or require more water or fertilizer, and are just as resistant to diseases, pests, heat and drought, as existing varieties. Once the vitamins and minerals are bred into the seeds, those traits are permanent. Ministers of health, agriculture and education have endorsed these nutritious crops. Seed and food processing companies are also increasingly selling biofortified products. Once biofortification is embedded in the existing food system, it will not require long-term, repeated funding.

As noted above, USAID's Feed the Future supports biofortification programs. The U.S. Government's Global Food Security Strategy also recognizes the role of biofortification under Intermediate Result 7, "Increased consumption of nutritious and safe diets." With Congress' support and continued investment by USAID, we will accelerate our efforts to improve nutrition, health, and livelihoods. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this testimony. 375

Howarth Bouis. Ph.D.

Dr. Howarth "Howdy" Bouis was awarded the World Food Prize in 2016, along with colleagues from the International Potato Center, in recognition of his efforts over 25 years to promote and implement biofortification, the interdisciplinary, global effort to improve nutrition and health by developing and disseminating micronutrient-rich staple food crops. Bou is helped pioneer this concept in the early 1990s and devoted his career to turning this idea into a global movement that currently reaches more than 50 million people in rural farming families in developing countries.

Dr. Bou is is the founding director of HarvestPlus, which improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. HarvestPlus is based at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and collaborates with multiple CGIAR centers and partner organizations.

Using conventional breeding techniques, HarvestPlus and its 400+ partners deliver staple food crops - including beans, cassava, maize, pearl millet, rice, sweet potato, and wheat -- that provide higher amounts of vitamin A, iron, or zinc, three micronutrients identified by the World Health Organization as most lacking in diets globally. Biofortified crops have been released or are being tested in 60 countries around the world.

Dr. Bouis currently serves as the CEO of HarvestPlus. He also serves on HarvestPlus' Program Advisory Committee and chairs the Board of Trustees of the Micronutrient Forum. In 2017, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, by the University of Greenwich.

Dr. Bouis received his B.A. in economics from Stanford University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University's Food Research Institute. After receiving his Ph.D., Bouis was offered a postdoctoral position in 1982 in the Food Consumption and Nutrition Division of IFPRI to undertake a two-year research project on the Philippines. He subsequently worked as a Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow in the same division. His research concentrated on understanding how economic factors affect food demand and nutrition outcomes, particularly in Asia. Insights gained during this research led him to propose the concept of biofortification.

Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Dr. Bouis worked for three years as a volunteer in the Philippines with Volunteers in Asia. 376

STATEMENT BY

KATHY SPAHN, PRESIDENT AND CfflEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONAL

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 12, 2019

Madam Chairwoman,

I am Kathy Spahn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helen Keller International, and it is a pleasure to provide testimony for the record for the Committee on critical programs in global health and development. I urge the Committee to recommend in fiscal year 2020, under the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Global Health Programs and Development Assistance accounts at least $3.5 million for blind children; at least $102.5 million for Neglected Tropical Diseases; at least $23.5 million for vitamin A supplementation; and $250 rnillion for nutrition. I also urge you to support $900 million for the Maternal and Child Health account. Under the Development and Agriculture assistance accounts, I request that the Committee continue strong language on nutrition and agriculture and support for women farmers.

For more than a century, Helen Keller International (HK.I) has saved the sight and lives of millions. Today, we are as determined as ever to accomplish even more on behalf of children and adults in developing countries. Helen Keller may have said it the best, "Instead ofbeing satisfied to alleviate suffering, we shall labor hard and continually to prevent it. "

Helen Keller International currently provides programs in 19 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as here in the United States. Co-founded in 1915 by the deaf-blind crusader Helen Keller, HKI is a leading nonprofit organization that saves and improves the sight and lives of the world's vulnerable by combating the causes and consequences of blindness, poor health and malnutrition. Our programs serve nearly 300 million vulnerable people each year.

But the need is still enormous.

Throughout the world, nearly 36 million people-most of them living in the developing world are blind, even though it is estimated that 80 percent of all vision impairment and blindness is avoidable through proven eye health interventions. Two billion people are malnourished, leading to the deaths of nearly 3 million young children each year-as nearly half of all child deaths under the age of five are due to malnutrition. Most blindness and malnutrition are preventable or treatable, and the solutions are known, available and inexpensive.

What is needed now is the right level of support. 377

BLIND CIIlLDREN

Your Committee has consistently supported a program for blind children in developing countries. In partnership with USAID, the program has helped to save the sight of hundreds of thousands of children. I urge the Committee to continue Child Blindness funding at the fiscal year 2019 appropriated level ofat least $3.5 million for fiscal year 2020.

One child goes blind every minute. Over 18 million children under the age of 15, primarily from resource poor countries, have impaired vision, of which 1.4 million are blind. Pediatric cataract and uncorrected refractive error remain key causes of child blindness, and emerging threats like retinopathy of prematurity (which causes blindness or visual impairment in approximately 32,000 infants annually) require critical investments in training and equipment to stem the tide of pediatric vision loss.

Children who are blind and who live in poverty in developing countries must depend on their families-many of whom can barely afford to feed themselves-and on government health systems with limited capacity to meet their needs. They are often neglected and can rarely access opportunities to attend school or develop the skills they need to become productive members of society.

For most of these children, their blindness is avoidable. Cost-effective, proven strategies are available to prevent and treat vision loss in children. Children who are blind or have low-vision can be helped through simple and inexpensive operations and vision correction. Funding in the amount of $3,500,000 for blind children will provide life changing assistance to the millions of children in the developing world who are blind or suffer from low vision.

NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES

I urge the Committee to continue the leadership of the United States in treating Neglected Tropical Diseases by supporting continued funding of at least the fiscal year 2019 appropriated level of $102.5 million for the ongoing integrated response to NTDs.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic and debilitating infections directly affecting one billion people and putting at risk an additional two billion people in the poorest populations in the world. NTDs blind, disfigure, disable and even kill people in many of the world's poorest communities. They are also related to various clinical complications, such as anemia, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization, NTDs infect one in six people worldwide, including half a billion children, and are responsible for more than 500,000 deaths each year. These diseases include trachoma, which causes blindness or visual impairment; onchocerciasis, or river blindness; intestinal worms; and other debilitating, painful, and sometimes deadly illnesses. NTDs often overlap geographically, and a significant proportion of the poorest populations harbors more than one disease.

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NTDs can trap the more than 1.4 billion people who live on less than $1.25 a day in a vicious cycle of poverty and disease. Right now, these "Diseases of Poverty" are keeping children from attending school and adults from being able to work, severely limiting economic productivity in the developing world, resulting in economic losses in the billions of dollars each year, and trapping more than one billion people in a cycle of poverty and disease. Research has shown that eliminating NTDs can save lives, and can allow millions to climb out of poverty, particularly by increasing access to education and improving economic performance.

USAID funding for the NTD program has, to date, allowed the treatment of more than 936 million people worldwide and provided more than two billion NTD treatments since 2007.

Since USAID's NTD program began distributing donated drugs in 2007, the NTD drugs have been valued at over $15.7 billion, representing one ofUSAID's most successful public private partnerships. For everyone dollar spent by the United States on NTDs, $26 is leveraged in donated drugs. Continued funding for NTDs at $ I 02.5 million in fiscal year 2020 will leverage additional contributions ofNTD drugs and address the needs of the millions of people affected by these deliberating diseases.

VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY

With the past support ofUSAID, HK.I has become a recognized leader in distributing vitamin A capsules to children in countries across the world. I urge the Committee to provide at least the fiscal year 2019 appropriated level of $23 million for vitamin A supplementation for fiscal year 2019.

Vitamin A is essential for eyesight as well as for a well-functioning immune system that can fight life-threatening diseases. Continued support is needed to address the more than 100,000 child deaths that still occur annually due to vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A programs are a proven and cost-effective way to prevent low vision and blindness in children and to save lives.

The World Health Organization estimates that 250 million pre-school children worldwide are vitamin A deficient. Vitamin A deficiency is a silent syndrome that compromises immune system function, leaving young children unable to fight common childhood infections such as measles or diarrhea. Vitamin A is essential for growth, eye health, cognitive development and immune system function, and it is a key determinant of maternal and child survival.

Providing vitamin, A to children between the ages of six months and five years reduces mortality by an average of23 percent overall and helps prevent disease, visual impairment and blindness. Vitamin A supplementation is known as one of the world's most cost-effective public health interventions, as just over $2.00 per child per year prevents vitamin A-related blindness and improves a child's chance of survival. Helen Keller lntemational's multi-pronged approach to combating vitamin A deficiency in some of the world's most vulnerable communities has been lauded internationally.

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NUTRITION

Malnutrition remains a major public health crisis globally. It is not only a symptom of not having enough food, but of not having enough of the right food. Nearly 151 million children are stunted in growth due to chronic malnutrition; these children will suffer lifelong, often irreversible physical and cognitive damage as a result.

Increased funding for nutrition programs can prevent millions of women and children from suffering the plight of malnutrition, thereby helping them reach their fullest potential. Greater investment in nutrition unlocks enormous gains in health and human capital and can prevent an annual loss ofup to 12 percent of a country's GDP. According to estimates, $1.00 invested in a package of essential malnutrition prevention services generates between $4.00 - $35.00 in economic returns. Investing in nutrition improves the lives of women and children, and in turn uplifts entire communities and countries.

HKl supports the continuation and expansion of nutrition programs to support infants, young children and women of reproductive age, and we ask that the Committee to recommend $250 million under the Nutrition-specific account within global health programs for fiscal year 2020. With this forward-looking commitment, the United States will remain a valued global leader in combating the scourge of malnutrition and, in doing so, can also encourage essential investments by other countries and donors.

FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

I urge the Committee to continue its support and Committee report language on a food security and agricultural strategy that includes improvements in nutrition with measurable outcomes as a central objective and puts the focus on supporting smallholder families, particularly women farmers and other vulnerable populations.

A key to healthy children and families is the inclusion of and access to agricultural products that provide important nutrients. Investments in food security that focus specifically on agricultural development activities produce long-term gains in poverty alleviation and broad-based economic growth. One of the most cost-effective ways to do this is through a focus on women and small holder farmers.

Recent evidence signals a rise in world hunger. Current estimates show a growing number of people who suffer from hunger - from 804 million in 2016 to nearly 821 million in 2017. Undernourishment and severe food insecurity appear to be increasing in almost all subregions of Africa, as well as in South America.

Agriculture is a leading economic driver in many in low-income countries that provides not only food but employment and income for women and men for rural populations. Investments in nutrition-sensitive agriculture that target women and small-holder farmers in vulnerable populations offer the potential to mitigate the risk of hunger and food insecurity and improve the nutritional well-being of vulnerable families.

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These investments in agriculture can increase food availability and access, improve food security, increase dietary quality, raise incomes and empower women.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

I urge the Committee to recommend funding of at least $900 million for Maternal and Child Health in fiscal year 2020 to address malnutrition and other programs related to child survival and maternal health.

Over the past 50 years, thanks in part to programs financed under the USAID Maternal and Child Health account (MCH), the child mortality rate has been cut in half. However, every year more than six million children under five years old (more than 15,000 each day) continue to die from mostly preventable causes. Funding under the MCH account is essential to reach and save more of those children and their mothers.

Interventions through the Maternal and Child Health account have helped save the lives of millions of children under the age of five and reduce maternal deaths. These initiatives range from prenatal care and preventing maternal deaths during childbirth to pediatric immunizations and other child survival interventions.

MCH funding supports cost-effective interventions, such as vaccines and nutritional supplements, and trains community health workers on basic prevention, treatment and management of threats, such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, prematurity, birth complications and malnutrition. Scaling up these programs is necessary to end child and maternal mortality

Thank you for your consideration.

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KATHY SPAHN PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HELEN KELLER INTERNAITONAL

Kathy Spahn is President and Chief Executive Officer of Helen Keller International (HKI), a global development organization working in 20 countries to save and improve the sight and lives of the world's vulnerable by combating the causes and consequences of blindness, poor health and malnutrition. Prior to joining HKI, she was President and Executive Director of Orbis International, a non-profit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of blindness in developing countries. Before that, she served as Executive Director of God's Love We Deliver, an organization committed to combating malnutrition and hunger among people living with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses.

Ms. Spahn is a member of the boards of directors of the Access to Nutrition Foundation, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and InterAction, the last of which she chaired from 2010 - 2013. She also serves on the International Food Policy Research Institute's (IFPRI) Leadership Council Compact of 2025. Previously, she served on the boards of directors of the AIDS Service Center NYC (now the Alliance for Positive Change), Association of Nutrition Services Agencies, and Bernadotte Foundation for Children's Eyecare, as well as on advisory bodies for GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition), 1,000 Days and the Global Network for NTD Control. She has been a frequent panelist and guest speaker on global health, nutrition and blindness at such venues as the Global Philanthropy Forum, the Clinton Global Initiative and at key side meetings of the UN General Assembly. 382

Testimony of the Infectious Diseases Society of America On the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development Prepared for the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Submitted by Cynthia Sears, MD, FIDSA, IDSA President March 15, 2019

On behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), I thank the Subcommittee for increasing funding for global HIV, tuberculosis and global health security programs in the fiscal year 2019 budget. These urgently needed increases will accelerate progress against the world's deadliest infectious diseases and protect American health. IDSA is an organization representing more than 11,000 physicians, healthcare providers and scientists specialized in infectious diseases and dedicated to promoting health globally through excellence in patient care, prevention, research and education. For years, the United States has been the leader in global health, funding programs that include the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPF AR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and USAID global health programs. I urge the Subcommittee to advance further U.S. leadership by addressing international infectious threats with robust funding for global health programs at the Department of State and USAID. The Trump Administration has proposed a budget that I urge you to reject resolutely as it calls for significant cuts to virtually every global health program at the Department of State and USAID.

PEPFAR is widely considered to be the most effective global health initiative in history, saving millions of lives and preventing millions of HIV infections while building health capacity in resource-limited countries. As of September 30, 2018, PEPF AR supports more than 14.6 million people on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, providing not only individual health benefits but underpinning public health by preventing transmissions. PEPF AR preserves families, stabilizes communities and fuels economic growth. Since its inception, PEPF AR has prevented 2.4 million children from being infected with HIV and has provided 6.8 million children orphaned by HIV with essential health and social services. Together with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, PEPF AR investments have placed many of the most heavily affected countries worldwide on a path to HIV epidemic control.

The goal of eliminating HIV as a global public health threat is within reach, but it will become impossible if we reduce spending for these life-saving programs. The fiscal year 2020 budget request by the Administration calls for an unconscionable $1.02 billion cut to the PEPFAR program and a $392 million cut to the Global Fund. These reductions, together with the Administration proposing the elimination ofUSAID's HIV response funding ($330 million), would reverse the United States' progress to date, squandering the substantial investments made across the two prior presidential administrations. The human toll will be measured in lives lost and spikes in new HIV infections. Moreover, the President's commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. cannot occur without sustained efforts to achieve epidemic control abroad. I urge you to continue the bipartisan leadership that has characterized the U.S. led global HIV response. IDSA requests a funding level of$5.5 billion for PEPFAR and $350 million for the USAID HIV program. 383

The Global Fund has also played a critical role in reducing illnesses and deaths from malaria and tuberculosis. The Global Fund's programs are essential to preserve health and to limit the spread of drug-resistant forms of these infections. In the last decade, we have seen significant increases in cases of tuberculosis resistant to the most commonly prescribed treatments, with most of these cases believed to be transmitted, rather than resulting from failures to complete treatment. Growing resistance to malaria drugs further complicates the global response to these mosquito borne infections. The Global Fund is the largest donor program funding malaria control efforts and tuberculosis treatment, including treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis. The Global Fund will convene in October for its 6th replenishment meeting and will seek to raise $14 billion from all donors for the 2020-2023 period. I urge you to provide at least $1.56 billion for the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund, which would meet the Global Fund's goal for the 6th replenishment and catalyze increased contributions from other donors.

USAID's global tuberculosis program has played a critical role in providing technical assistance that allows countries to develop high-quality tuberculosis control programs and giving countries access to improved diagnostics that can distinguish drug-susceptible from drug-resistant tuberculosis. These tools help diagnose tuberculosis in challenging populations that include people living with HIV and young children. The Administration's proposed 14-percent reduction in funding to this program would set back our collective efforts to eliminate this ancient, air borne, yet curable infection. Moreover, such cuts curtail efforts to develop more effective drugs, diagnostics and ultimately a vaccine. At the United Nations High Level Meeting on Ending th Tuberculosis, convened at the UN General Assembly on September 26 , 2018, the U.S.joined all UN member states in signing onto a political declaration committing to accelerate efforts to end the tuberculosis epidemic. The success of this effort hinges upon the availability of strong funding. IDSA urges you to fund USAID's global tuberculosis program at $400 million to stem the tide of growing TB drug resistance that poses a security threat not only to the United States but the entire world community.

The Administration's budget also slashes funding for other essential USAID global health programs by $2.5 billion, reducing funding for malaria responses by 11 percent and neglected tropical diseases by 27 percent. These recommendations are ill-considered. IDSA urges the Subcommittee to reject them and to fund these programs at least at their current levels.

Funding for global health security activities (through the 2014 emergency Ebola supplemental bill) is slated to expire at the end of this fiscal year in September. Urgent action is required to sustain funding for detecting, preventing and responding to infectious disease threats. Thus, the Administration's proposed 35 percent cut to funding for USAID's global health security program is alarming. Over the last several years, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have caused marked harmful impacts to communities, health systems, and governments. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-a coronavirus), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-Co V), Ebola, Zika and Nipah viruses are examples. The threat of a new pandemic strain of influenza from Chinese avian flocks is another simmering concern that makes plain the ongoing need for solid investments in surveillance, laboratory infrastructure, and well-trained human resources to ensure that the world will be better prepared for the next outbreak or pandemic. The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo further 384

underscores the need for continued investments to prevent, detect and respond to emerging infectious diseases. Such funding should be robust and reliable to allow for adequate defenses, and not be supplied at the expense of critical work that increases our understanding of the Ebola virus. USAID global health security funding also supports global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. In recent years, some of the qeadliest multi-drug resistant threats have been initially discovered in China and India, and quickly made their way to U.S. patients, underscoring the need for a well-resourced, globally-coordinated approach to antimicrobial resistance. I urge you to provide at least $172.5 million to USAID's global health security efforts to sustain and build on the progress made to protect the U.S. and global community from the threat of emerging infections.

Infectious diseases know no borders. IDSA is sincerely grateful for the years of bipartisan support from the Subcommittee. This U.S. leadership in global infectious diseases seives America, maintaining a healthy and safe environment by confronting infectious diseases at their sources. On behalf of IDSA, I ask that you, please continue the United States' leadership by supporting the urgently needed funding that protects and saves the lives of so many. 385

Cynthia L. Sears, MD, FIDSA, President

Cynthia L. Sears, MD, FIDSA, is professor of medicine and molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is also an attending physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

A former IDSA treasurer and a previous member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Sears has served on numerous Society committees, including the Nominating Committee, the Training Director's Committee, the Publications Committee, the Communications Committee, and the Annual Meeting Program Committee, which she chaired in 2003, among others. A past vice chair of the IDSA Education and Research Foundation, she has participated in IDSA task forces focused on publishing, guideline development, and other key issues. Her research interests include bacterial pathogenesis and the contribution of specific bacteria and the microbiome to colon cancer development.

Dr. Sears graduated from Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine, followed by an internship, residency, and fellowship in internal medicine at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. She completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Memorial Hospital/Sloan Kettering Institute and University of Virginia Medical Center. 386

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Written Testimony on Fiscal Year 2020 Submitted by Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO, Institute oflnternational Education

Subcommittee: State and Foreign Operations Agency: State Department Account: Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Program: Fulbright Program FY20 Request: $271,500,000

Subcommittee: State and Foreign Operations Agency: State Department Account: Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs Program: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program FY20 Request: $16,000,000

On behalf of the Institute of International Education, I am pleased to submit testimony in support of the Fulbright Program and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, both of which are funded by the Department of State and implemented by the Institute of International Education.

The Fulbright Program

Fulbright is the flagship U.S. government sponsored international exchange program supporting Americans to study, conduct research, and teach English overseas, and foreign students and scholars who contribute to U.S. universities and communities, while furthering their scholarship. No program reaches as many comers of the world or the United States as Fulbright does, operating continuously for over 70 years.

Toe Fulbright Program advances the U.S. brand, diplomatic and national security interests, builds bilateral ties, and brings in resources from foreign governments and the private sector that significantly leverages this appropriation. Toe Fulbright Program has built a global community of alumni in leadership positions who have positive ties to the United States; its longevity and impact produce unparalleled reputational and diplomatic benefits.

As our nation's flagship public diplomacy program, the Fulbright Program projects American strength, shores up allies, and advances American values ofliberty, free markets and open exchange of ideas. It is a long-term investment in building communities and collaboration by advancing individuals' relationships, knowledge, and leadership skills. This is an important role for our government to invest in, as private international exchange programs do not have the reach and bilateral leveraging value ofFulbright.

The Fulbright Program exemplifies successful international cost-sharing. Thirty foreign governments match the U.S. government's annual contribution. Combined, over 80 foreign governments contribute nearly $100 million annually. Reducing U.S. contributions to the 387

Fulbright Program would break this unique bilateral financing model and lead other donors to reduce their contributions proportionally, dramatically depleting the impact of the program.

The Fulbright Program advances U.S. national security as one of the most effective foreign policy tools available to the U.S. government. Fulbright alumni have become leaders and contributed greatly to society including 37 current or former heads of state or government, 59 Nobel Laureates, 84 Pulitzer Prize winners, 71 MacArthur Foundation Fellows, 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and nonprofit sectors. The Fulbright Program creates an unparalleled sphere of influence - future leaders who benefited from U.S. higher education and gained understanding of American communities and our people. The Program's scale and scope has resulted in 390,000 alumni from all sectors and countries, who are influential in every area of business, government and education. The Fulbright Program operates in countries that are key trading partners, strengthening economic ties and building U.S. competitiveness. The Program provides U.S. Embassies with a platform for positive engagement with government and civil leaders and acts as a catalyst to attract foreign students to study at colleges and universities in every state in the Union - topping one million students since 2015.

Fulbrighters address critical global concerns in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States. For example, in Spring 2019, nearly 100 Fulbright Foreign Student Program participants from around the world will visit the University of Buffalo, in Buffalo, New York, for a three-day Fulbright Enrichment Seminar, Combating Addiction and Addressing the Opioid Crisis. The program will address the opioid crisis from multiple perspectives and through multiple dimensions, not only discussing the public health aspects of the epidemic, but also examining the history of addiction, its impact on health care, and its socioeconomic, geographic and cultural dimensions. Fulbrighters will contribute to scholarship and solutions, from examining different research methodologies, to developing strategies to respond to the crisis, and engaging the local community by visiting opioid treatment sites.

In 2018, Fulbright Enrichment Seminars also focused on combatting disinformation. The Fulbright Finland Foundation - in cooperation with the Finnish Prime Minister's Office, the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the United States Department of State - hosted a seminar in Helsinki on Making Democracies Resilient to Modern Threats. The seminar brought together almost 200 Fulbright grantees, alumni and guests from the Nordic and Baltic countries to examine the wide range of threats that democracies are facing today and are likely to face tomorrow, as well as to consider strategies that can help institutions and individuals better understand and respond to these threats. In Poland, the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission, in partnership with the Newseum, hosted an enrichment seminar focused on media literacy for Fulbright U.S. English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) teaching at the high school and university level in Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Ukraine. The seminar featured a hands-on workshop by ECA-deployed English Language Fellows in the region and a visit to Warsaw's Google Campus. 388

The opportunity and contributions ofFulbrighters are well-known. The selection process to become a Fulbrighter is also rigorous, students and scholars are chosen for leadership and demonstrated potential for success in specified fields. Foreign applicants are among the most highly vetted students and scholars coming to the United States. These students are reviewed and nominated by a bi-national U.S.-foreign government Fulbright board or U.S. Embassy, approved by the presidentially appointed J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, meet rigorous academic requirements for admission by a host U.S. university, and undergo the U.S. State Department's standard consular visa screening.

Funding for foreign Fulbright students and scholars is spent inside our borders, bringing significant revenue to American colleges and universities and to their local communities. The globally recognized brand of Fulbright attracts international students to the American brand of higher education. Including foreign Fulbrighters, international students studying in the United States spend more than $39 billion on U.S. goods and services annually and create over 455,000 U.S.-basedjobs.

The Fulbright Program has a significant benefit on U.S. citizens and our economy. Today's Fulbright Program includes students and scholars from all 50 U.S. states and territories. Through a Fulbright experience, thousands of Americans each year, including many first-generation college students, gain skills and global knowledge that advance their careers and benefit the sectors in which they work. Nearly thirteen hundred U.S. higher education institutions - half of which are public and over 125 of which are minority-serving institutions -are both hosting and/or sending Fulbright students and scholars.

The Fulbright Program values our veterans - qualified applicants who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States are given preference. There are Fulbright Program Advisors at each of the Federal Service Academies to enhance recruitment. The Program builds national security skills - increasing opportunities for Veterans and federal service academy students to reach the next level in their career.

In FY19, Congress expanded this commitment to American national security by creating two new fellowships in honor of the late Senator John McCain. The John McCain Fulbright Scholar in Residence Fellowship provides Fulbright scholarships for international faculty in national security fields in selected countries to be placed at Federal Service Academies and think tanks. The John McCain Study of the U.S. Institutes on the Rule of Law and Public Service provides scholarships for 20 international students from military academies in selected countries, to study in the U.S. for a five-week summer academic program. These programs will provide an important experience for future leaders to better understand America and our institutions, both civilian and military.

The final FYI 9 appropriation provided an increase of $1.5 million for the Fulbright Program, including $900,000 to create the new McCain scholars. An additional $30 million was moved from Economic Support Fund to the Fulbright Program in the Educational and Cultural Exchanges account. This shifted the Fulbright programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt, previously funded by foreign assistance, into the ECE account. This does not change the number of Fulbright participants from those countries, but more accurately reflects the level of U.S. 389 government funding to Fulbright. We support this transparency and a funding level of$271.5 million in FY20 to maintain programs worldwide at the same level as in FYI 9.

The Fulbright Program plays a role in furthering American interests that no other program can match. Communities around the world are introduced to American culture and values when they host American Fulbright participants. As a U.S. government branded program, the Fulbright furthers American interests and relationships; by nature, corporate sponsored programs are designed to advance their own goals and agendas. While there are other prestigious scholarships and fellowships, none accomplish these goals, and none come near to the scale and scope of the Fulbright Program.

From its inception, the Fulbright Program has fostered bilateral relationships in which other countries and governments work with the U.S. to set joint priorities and shape the program to meet shared needs. It has benefited from bipartisan Congressional support for decades. During the last several years of pressure on the Federal budget, Fulbright has proven its value both to the U.S. and our relationships internationally. While there are many competing demands and worthwhile investments for the Federal government, the Fulbright program should be maintained in order to connect with the next generation of leaders from around the world and continue to cement America's role as the preeminent higher education destination.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a grant program that enables undergraduate students oflimited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. The award is solely reserved for U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has provided scholarships to more than 28,000 students to study or intern abroad in more than 145 countries. More than 11,000 applications are received every year for only 3,000 scholarships. Over 95,000 students have applied since the beginning of the program. By supporting undergraduate students who have high financial need, the program has been successful in supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad, reaching a greater number of students from U.S. states with less study abroad participation. During the 2017-2018 school year, 75% of Gilman recipients would not have been able to study abroad without the program.

Gilman Scholars are more diverse than the national study abroad population. They are three times more likely to be African-American/black or Hispanic and nearly two times as likely to be Asian/Pacific Islander-American or multiracial.

Gilman scholars represent more than 1,300 U.S. higher education institutions. Twenty-two percent of recipients are from HBCU s or other minority-serving institutions or community colleges. Further, 47 percent ofrecipients are first-generation college students.

The Gilman Program is critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. Of Gilman recipients, 30 percent are studying STEM subjects, and 66 percent study a language-35 390

percent study Critical Need Languages, languages that are critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. Veterans of military service are encouraged to apply, and preference is given to veterans when other factors are equivalent.

In FYI 9, Congress also created the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families within the Gilman Program, which provides international study opportunities for children of military families who are eligible to receive financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This program will ensure the opportunity to study abroad for children of our service members.

In addition, Gilman Scholars positively impact their communities while carrying out follow-on service projects that aim to inform and encourage more American students to study and intern abroad. They serve as influential role models by their exemplary achievement through their international exchange experience, and many continue to pursue advanced degrees and are active in seeking solutions to global challenges. This makes it all the more urgent that Congress invest in our national security and economic prosperity by fully funding the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. We support maintaining the FYI 9 funding level of $16 million to continue to make study abroad available to more Americans.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony before this committee. 391

Allan E. Goodman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of International Education

Dr. Allan E. Goodman is the sixth President of the Institute of International Education, the leading not for-profit organization in the field of international educational exchange and development training. HE conducts research on international academic mobility and administers the Fulbright program sponsored by the United States Department of State, as well as over 200 other corporate, government and privately-sponsored programs. Since its founding in 1919, the Institute has also rescued scholars threatened by war, terrorism, and repression. Rescued scholars and other alumni of Institute administered programs, as well as IIE trustees and advisors, have won 78 Nobel Prizes.

Previously, Dr. Goodman was Executive Dean of the School of Foreign Service and Professor at Georgetown University. He is the author of books on international affairs published by Harvard, Princeton and Yale University presses. Dr. Goodman served as Presidential Briefing Coordinator for the Director of Central Intelligence in the Carter Administration. Subsequently, he was the first American professor to lecture at the Foreign Affairs College of Beijing, helped create the first U.S. academic exchange program with the Moscow Diplomatic Academy for the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, and developed the diplomatic training program of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam.

Dr. Goodman has served as a consultant to Ford Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, the United States Information Agency, and IBM. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a founding member of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), Co-President of the Partner University Fund (PUF) Grant Review Committee, and a member of the Jefferson Scholarship selection panel. He also serves on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation International Quality Group Advisory Council and the Board ofTrustees of the Education Above All Foundation.

Dr. Goodman has a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard, an M.P.A. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a B.S. from Northwestern University. He also holds honorary degrees from Chatham, Susquehanna, and Toyota universities; Richmond, The American International University in London; Dickinson, Middlebury, Mount Ida, and Ramapo colleges; The State University of New York; and the University of York. He has received awards from Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, South Florida, and Tufts universities, the Legion d'honneur from France, and the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. He was awarded the inaugural Gilbert Medal for Internationalization by Universitas 21. 392

U.S. House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Outside Witness Testimony for Fiscal Year 2020 March 15, 2019

Submitted by InterAction's Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) Initiative Brian Wanko, Manager of the DRG Initiative, InterAction

U.S. Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) programming supports civil society, credible and responsive institutions, and the pursuit of freedom, dignity, economic prosperity, and security. Democracy assistance programs are cost-effective tools that support U.S. foreign policy goals. Stable democracies make for better trading partners, provide new market opportunities for U.S. businesses, improve global health outcomes, and advance economic freedom and regional security. In this interconnected world, what happens inside countries transcends borders and regions, particularly terrorism, disease, and the flow ofrefugees. Democracy assistance enhances our national security and reduces the likelihood of costly U.S. military engagement.

Congress has routinely provided a funding floor for Democracy Programs that helps ensure the protection of U.S. values and interests. InterAction recommends Fiscal Year 2020 funding be continued at the Fiscal Year 2019 levels ofno less than $2.4 billion dollars for Democracy Programs as well as $180 million for the National Endowment for Democracy. Your Congressional support demonstrates a continued commitment to DRG and provides a stable funding source for programming that often requires short and long-term commitments. The steady and continuous U.S. support of democracy sends a powerful signal across the globe to those we seek to help as well as those who aim to repress democratic values.

The U.S. Government works with non-profit partners to implement DRG assistance. This programming preserves and expands space for a vibrant civil society and independent media; strengthens political and government institutions to be responsive to citizens' needs; promotes transparency and accountability; cultivates the rule oflaw; fosters equitable economic growth; promotes tolerance and inclusiveness; protects human and labor rights; and supports credible elections.

Without U.S. support, emerging democracies may backslide into dangerous terrorist havens. Already destabilized areas will sink further into chaos and undermine American interests, some current manifestations include Syria and Venezuela. Instability erodes human rights and civil society and gives rise to nationalistic interests. Unaccountable governments foster corruption and squander valuable assistance dollars. U.S. companies will struggle to gain market share and sell products if the business environment exudes pervasive corruption, weak rule oflaw, and other anti-competitive qualities. 393

DRG assistance is a critical investment that helps enable a more stable, prosperous world. Like minded governments assist each other in regional and international arenas, support each other militarily when interests align, protect citizens and trade, and respond together in times of disaster and instability. Good governance provides stability that enhances investment climates, eases the movements of goods and ideas, promotes economic opportunities, and enriches the wellbeing of citizens. In an era of increased economic competition, it is essential for the U.S. to create and strengthen competitive markets throughout the world for American businesses and their products. In the long-term, countries that strengthen democracy experience more positive economic reforms, a reduction in social conflict, an increase in private investment, and enhanced opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

Democracy, Rights, and Governance programming is cross-cutting. U.S. investments in DRG complement and enhance U.S. investment elsewhere, such as in global health, infrastructure, education, and economic development. It remains important that the U.S. continue to diversify DRG efforts, including funding and support through multiple accounts, such as the Economic Support Fund (ESF), Development Assistance (DA), Democracy Fund, and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INCLE). These accounts all have necessary and complimentary roles. For example, support provided to a beneficiaries' commercial judicial system under INCLE may provide economic benefits also sought under ESF programming. U.S. support for human rights provided by the Democracy Fund, establishes protection for a civil society that, in tum, provides for a responsive government and better outcomes sought by DA funds.

DRG also benefits from distinct, yet complimentary roles of multiple U.S. agencies. DRG is pivotal in U.S. development, defense, and diplomacy goals. U.S. development efforts led by the U.S. Agency for International Development connect to and rely on diplomacy efforts instituted under Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Rights, and Labor. Good governance and rule of law programming, led by the Department of Justice, benefits investment climate goals sought by USAID, State, Commerce, and Treasury. Many institutions have pivotal roles in supporting DRG and their functions should be preserved, and efficiencies achieved to maximize U.S. taxpayer investment.

Political landscapes are often fluid and require long-term strategies for sustainable solutions. Continued commitment is necessary to build upon initial investment. A small financial investment in DRG yields invaluable returns in the form of a more stable and prosperous world. We commend Congressional support for DRG and ask for its continued commitment by preserving the current funding trends.

The mission ofInter Action's Democracy, Rights, and Governance Initiative is to facilitate collective engagement by involved organizations in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance as a necessary foundation for sustainable development. The Initiative is comprised of the leading U.S. based NGOs who work across the globe in support ofDRG. 394

BRIAN WANKO MANAGER - DEMOCRACY, RIGHTS, AND GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE

Brian Wanko is Manager of lnterAction's Democracy, Rights, and Governance Initiative. Prior to joining lnterAction, Brian twice served with the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs. From 2011 to 2012, he was Deputy Director and Professional Staff Member of the House Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, where he organized Congressional oversight delegations to the region and arranged Congressional hearings on topics such as democracy, security, and economic and trade relations. From 2004 to 2006, Brian served as Professional Staff Member and Staff Associate of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, where he dealt with diplomacy, trade, security, and humanitarian issues. Between his times on the hill, Brian held the position of Director of Government Relations at the Council of the Americas, an international business organization whose members share a common commitment to economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. Brian holds a Master's degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor's degree In International Studies from Michigan State University. 395

OSCAR M. CERNA President of Cementos America (CEMAR), a dissolved company

Agency: DEPARTMENT OF STATE Program: AID TO HONDURAS Amount Involved: $20 million per year

1. 1bis is the testimony of Oscar Cerna, who asks Congress to enforce the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of2016-19 (§7405(a)(3)(B)(Xll)) by withholding $20 million of aid to Honduras (annually) to assure Honduras' good faith compliance with U.S. appropriations laws. 2. Compliance would include Honduras' agreeing to resolve longstanding expropriation claims by U.S. persons, through international arbitration under expedited rules, or through other appropriate means including before the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the USDOJ. 3. The State Department had full knowledge of the events leading to CEMAR's demise and Honduras' illicit actions to protect its own interest in a state-sponsored cement enterprise. 4. Cerna is not the only victim. By taking and shuttering the CEMAR plant, its only competition, the state-sponsored cement oligopoly protected its grip on the market, leading to drastic price increases and billion dollar losses to the Honduran economy in subsequent years. Current prices have reached double U.S. rates - with the Honduran cement sector all the while a major beneficiary of U.S. and international aid which is aimed largely at infrastructure projects. 5. Chairwoman Lowey is familiar with this claim. She and Chairman Engel received a letter from then-U .S. Ambassador to Honduras Larry Palmer in which he confirmed the "accuracy of the facts regarding an indirect expropriation, including violations of the US Honduras Bilateral Investment Treaty" [see attached excerpt from 2008 letter.] 6. While the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of2016-19 impose conditions on aid to Honduras (including taking steps to combat corruption and resolve co=ercial disputes with U.S. citizens), Honduras has failed to comply with key conditions. In my case, Honduras has openly stated its refusal to cooperate, and has rejected mediation and expedited arbitration. 7. Corruption continues unabated in Honduras. The 2017 presidential election was so marred by irregularities the OAS ( and many members of Congress) called for a new election, all as referenced in a recent NYT article. Despite this, DOS certified compliance by Honduras with the conditions on funding as to FY16-18 with no indication certification will be denied for FY19. 8. In 2018, Rep. Rooney wrote to VP Pence "Honduras continues to receive substantial aid from the United States. 1bis aid is conditioned on the Honduran government making meaningful efforts to fight corruption and settle outstanding claims by U.S. citizens .... The case of Mr. Cerna, for example, has gone unmediated for over ten years." 9. In 2018, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen wrote to VP Pence: "Honduras has not complied with [the conditions on aid] including the requirement of making good faith efforts to settle outstanding claims by U.S. citizens, such as Mr. Cerna, for commercial disputes and confiscations." IO. In 2018 Chairman Hatch (Finance Committee) wrote to Secty. Tillerson that CEMAR "was illegally targeted and driven from the market as corroborated by Honduras' own [DOJ] .... I and my colleagues in Congress have engaged regularly over the past several years with both the DOS and senior officials in the GOH to resolve this case, but to little avail." DOS issued an evasive, misleading response to Sen. Hatch. 11. In 2018, Chairman Corker (SFRC) submitted Questions for the Record during confirmation hearings for Secty. Pompeo. Referencing the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations 396

Act (requiring the Secretary to certify that GOH is "resolving commercial disputes, including the confiscation of real property between US entities and such government") Senator Corker asked "Specifically, what steps remain to be resolved in the case of the dispute between CEMAR. owned by U.S. citizen Oscar Cerna, and the GOH, and on what specific basis, including actions by the GOH, has the Secty. previously certified that Honduras is resolving the CEMAR case?" DOS issued an evasive, misleading response to Senator Corker. 12. In 2017, Senators Leahy, Inhofe, Menendez, Nelson, Boozman and Markey wrote to Secty. Tillerson requesting a review of the CEMAR case and a finding of expropriation. The senators wrote "This conclusion is supported by the State Department's own findings as well as findings of Honduras' Departments of Justice and Commerce and of the U.S. Trade Representative .... If for any reason the Department cannot reach such a conclusion, we ask that the Department request the Honduran government to submit to international arbitration in the U.S., as was proposed on Mr. Cerna's behalf in 2013." 13. The senators stated "[W]e respectfully ask that you direct DOS to implement section 7045(a)(4)(B) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, which provides that a portion of aid to Honduras be withheld pending the Secretary of State's certification that Honduras is taking effective steps to, among other things, combat corruption and resolve commercial disputes with U.S. citizens." DOS issued an evasive, misleading response to the senators. 14. During a 2017 SFOPS hearing on FY18 aid to Central America, Senator Leahy raised the CEMAR case and called for a "long-overdue" resolution, also stating his concerns about corruption and impunity in Honduras and failure of the rule of law. 15. In 2017, Senators Kaine and Warner wrote to the Honduran Ambassador to the U.S.: "We are concerned that [GOH] has declined previous efforts by CEMAR to resolve this case through mediation or expedited arbitration ... We respectfully request your assistance in resolving this matter without delay." The senators never received a response from the ambassador. 16. According to DOS' 2015 Human Rights report, Honduras suffers "corruption, intimidation, and institutional weakness of the justice system leading to widespread impunity, unlawful and arbitrary killings and other criminal activities by members of the security forces." 17. In 2014, CENOSA principals Jaime and Yani Rosenthal were indicted by the U.S. DOI on money laundering and drug charges and their assets forfeited under the Kingpin Act. Y ani was sentenced in NYC, with his father Jaime escaping extradition due to failing health. 18. The duopoly that had conspired with the Honduran government in the taking of CEMAR consisted of the Rosenthal's CENOSA and military-affiliated Lafarge-INCEHSA. Yani Rosenthal had also served (2006-08) as Minister of the Presidency, with direct control over the administration of funds received from MCC, while Jaime Rosenthal had served as Honduran VP in an earlier administration, and was twice his party's nominee for the presidency. 19. From 2008-17, Cerna and Members of Congress wrote to and/or met with U.S. Ambassadors to Honduras Kubiske, Llorens and Nealon, seeking advocacy and assistance, but to no avail. On one occasion, in 2009, Ambassador Llorens stated "I knew the case well. I believe that the Honduran military did lead to the bankruptcy of CEMAR." 20. Chairman Engel (concerned that CENOSA and Lafarge-INCEHSA were benefiting indirectly from U.S. aid) wrote to Secty. Clinton in 2010 "[N]o assistance from the U.S. or International Financial Institutions (IFis) should go to these companies until they make CEMAR whole for the losses it sustained due to their complicity in its illegal elimination." 21. In 2009, attorney Stuart Eizenstat (Covington & Burling)-noting the scheme to bankrupt and eliminate CEMAR from the market, forcing Cerna to sell under duress to a state- 397 owned competitor at liquidation prices - wrote to DOS "[GOH] took a number of uniquely sovereign actions against [Cerna] including discriminatory tax treatment, unfounded criminal prosecutions, confiscation of property, and other governmental threats that are tantamount to expropriation and violate [his] human rights." "Actions of[GOH] violate [US-Honduras BIT Treaty], which prohibits expropriation of investment either directly or indirectly through measures tantamount to expropriation." 22. In 2009, Arnold & Porter wrote "DOS has made numerous intentional misrepresentations to Congress regarding CEMAR, including during congressional hearings .... [I]t is our opinion that [CEMAR] concerns an expropriation relating at least to a tax matter." The letter also stated that DOS had failed "to address or even mention charges of direct and wrongful involvement by GOH officials and agencies." 23. While DOS has express statutory authority to refer such claims to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (USDOJ), in 2009, DOS declined a petition sponsored by Chairman Engel and co-sponsored by 160 Members of Congress to refer the CEMAR claim to this body. 24. The USTR stated in its 2006-07 annual reports "Honduran Ministry of Commerce and the Attorney General findings conclude that the cement duopoly began to apply predatory pricing with the intention of eliminating CEMAR.... [N]o subsequent prosecution was ever brought, and the U.S. firm was forced to leave the market." 25. In 2006, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Charles Ford wrote to DOS confirming my allegations - including that the CEMAR plant was targeted and eliminated - but DOS never admitted these findings to me or Congress, and repeatedly took contrary positions. 26. Ambassador Ford's 2006 writings include ''INCEHSA is a joint-venture between Lafarge and the Honduran army... condemned in a GOH report in 2004 of using predatory pricing tactics to drive U.S. producer CEMAR out of the market. Despite a report from [Honduran Attorney General] attesting to this predatory pricing, INCEHSA was never charged with or convicted of a crime. There are also allegations of corruption involving USD 12m in mysterious tax forgiveness to [JNCEHSA] .... Embassy assesses that INCEHSA was able to carry out this predatory pricing scheme only by working in collusion with [CENOSA], whose president is the current Minister of the Presidency Yani Rosenthal." The Honduran Attorney General reports referenced by Amb. Ford stated that GOH's actions against CEMAR were "repulsive, immoral, illegitimate, and illegal" and harmful to the economy of Honduras. 27. A later Honduras Anticorruption Agency report on the "mysterious tax forgiveness" referenced by Ambassador Ford stated that more than $12m was credited to Lafarge-INCEHSA at precisely the time when these resources were needed by the military-affiliated cement company in its plan to eliminate CEMAR from the market. 28. In 2006, Ambassador Ford did admit publicly what he knew: "The existing monopoly caused the closing of the plant.... CEMAR came to produce cement. .. and the two companies did whatever it took to prevent CEMAR from succeeding." Taken together with his 2006 writings to DOS, this clearly shows his knowledge of the Rosenthal's' (and the military-affiliated cement company's) direct involvement in the scheme to eliminate CEMAR. 29. Statements by U.S. diplomats and DOS officials confrrm DOS' knowledge ofmy case since 2004, underscoring years of bad faith and misrepresentations to me and Congress. 30. I have provided compelling evidence of GOH officials' involvement in CEMAR's demise. DOS has looked the other way and chosen to protect elites in Honduras at our expense. DOS actions have a continued chilling effect on foreign investment, as noted by Ambassador Palmer, and these are among the failed policies that drive desperate Hondurans to our borders. 398

OSCAR M. CERNA

EDUCATION: B.S., University of Miami (1987). Business & Economics

PROFESSIONAL: Yesera Centroarnericana, S.A. (1990-1998). Director of family-owned gypsum and mining company in Nicaragua.

Compafiia Nacional Productora Cemento (CANAL) (1990-1996). Secretary to Board of Directors and Assistant to President of leading cement producer in Nicaragua.

Cementos de Nicaragua, S.A. de C.V. (CEMENIC) (1996-1999). Founder and Director of cement producer in Nicaragua, including construction of new cement grinding plant.

Cementos America, S.A. de C.V. (CEMAR) (1999-2004). Founder and President of U.S. - owned cement producer in Honduras, including construction of new cement grinding plant; and President of joint venture with Japan's largest cement company.

Cerrnar Investment Corp. (2005 - present). Founder and President of U.S. - based investment company.

Fabrica de Confites y Chicles Venus (2017 -present). Business consultant to 75-year old family-owned confectionary business in Central America. 399 e OXFAM

TESTIMONY ON FY2020 STATE DEPARTMENT, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL PREPARED FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES, STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Linda Delgado, Government Affairs Director, Oxfam America

On behalf of Oxfam, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on the FY20 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill. Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. We help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable, and save lives in disasters. Our mission is to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.

One root cause of poverty is gender inequality. Gender inequality is a major obstacle to economic growth and human development. According to the World Economic Forum "Gender Gap Report" it will take over 100 more years to close the gap between men and women. We applaud the steps the United States Government has taken but more leadership is needed to close the gender gap in our lifetime. As you work on the FY 2020 appropriations process, we urge the Subcommittee to provide robust funding for gender equality programs around the world and include additional oversight language in the FY20 State Foreign Operations bill to ensure that US assistance funding is used most effectively by ensuring that the needs, challenges, insights, and power dynamics of all genders are included in all US programming gender mainstreaming.

The Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act that became law in January 2019 mandates that the United States Agency for International Development must ensure all actions are shaped by a gender analysis, standard indicators are used for gender equality work, and gender equality and female empowerment is included throughout the program cycle. Similarly, the Women Peace and Security Act, passed in October 2017, mandates that women are a part of peace processes. We urge the committee to ensure that all US bilateral assistance treats all people as equals, and puts women at its center by including the following gender language across all agencies, not just USAID.

(i) Gender Mainstreaming-Funds appropriated in Title Ill {MCC, OPIC and STATE} of this act shall be used to ensure that strategies, projects, and activities are shaped by a gender analysis (as defined in sec. 3 (a) of the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act); that standard indicators are used to assess such strategies, projects, and activities, if applicable; and gender equality and female empowerment are integrated throughout program cycles and related processes for purposes of strategic planning, project design and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 400

(ii) a report on the allocations of funds used for this purpose shall be submitted to the committees of jurisdiction no later than 45 days after the passage of this Act.

This language is a first step to fully include women in all US bilateral assistance, so women are more likely to be counted, have a voice, and be a part of the decision making process, leading to greater equality between all genders. The difference we could see in the world from fully including women and girls would be remarkable. For example, if women had equal access to agricultural resources, the number of hungry people could be reduced by 100 to 150 million; when women are an integral part of peace processes, peace agreements are 35 percent more likely to last over 15 years; and if women around the world had the same opportunities as men in the job market, the world's economy would grow by 28 trillion dollars. According to the McKinsey Report, "Realizing the economic prize of gender parity requires the world to address fundamental drivers of the gap in work equality, such as education, health, connectivity, security, and the role of women in unpaid work." Ensuring the needs, challenges, and perspectives of women are included in all US assistance will save lives and contribute to building communities, countries and trading partners of tomorrow. Since women's equality is so interwoven with the success of economic growth, food security, and peace and security, there needs to be additional oversight to make sure all gender equality funding, programs, and legislation results in a change in practice so USG assistance is more effective.

USAID's Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy is strong and the WEEE Act codified it into law, but according to the report on implementation that was published in June 2016 it has not been fully implemented throughout the entire portfolio. We urge Congress to hold USAID to account to ensure that all genders are included in all of their programs through oversight and reporting, and potentially additional funds for staffing, to ensure there are more embedded gender experts throughout the agency. To maintain strong gender programming it will also be essential to retain the Office of Global Women's Issues Ambassador-at-Large position in the State Department, the Senior Coordinator for Gender position at USAID, and the gender coordinator positions in the regional and functional bureaus of the State Department and USAJD.

Incorporating the needs of all genders must be included in programs across all agencies, including the new US Development Finance Corporation. This institution is in a unique position to revamp its systems to ensure gender equality is integrated into all of its projects as it transforms from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The new DFC needs to do more than just increase access to financing for women. The DFC must also ensure that impacts to women are included in the social assessments and development impact, and create standards or tactics to address country-specific barriers that women and girls face. To be able to do this they need adequate 401 funding to staff not only a bigger corporation, but also to enhance their gender knowledge and capabilities.

Additionally, gender-based violence is a root cause of migration. Families in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras (also known as the Northern Triangle) face some of the worst violence and inequality in the world-and Oxfam is supporting them in their quest for a better, safer, more dignified life. People are risking everything for different reasons. Some of the leading drivers of migration from Central America include: 1. VIOLENCE From gang to domestic violence-as well as high rates of violence specifically targeting women-precious human lives are at risk. In Honduras, a woman is killed every 16 hours. In El Salvador, a woman is killed every 19 hours. Over 95 percent of cases involving sexual violence or domestic violence are not investigated-let alone resolved-in Honduras.1 2. POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY Many families tell Oxfam they left their home countries because they do not have access to economic opportunity. In Honduras, nearly 80 percent of the country lives in poverty.2 Drought conditions along the region's "Dry Corridor" since 2014 have also reduced food production for small-scale farmers, many of whom are women, contributing to a "significant" uptick in irregular migration to the US. 3 3. CORRUPTION AND INEQUALITY As corrupt officials redirect public resources and craft regulations for private- and self-interest, wealth is increasingly concentrated in fewer hands. In El Salvador, the richest 20 percent of the population owns almost 50 percent of the national income while in Honduras, less than 1 percent of mining revenues benefit communities affected by extractive industries.4 These manufactured inequalities affect women the hardest. Attempts to tackle corruption face fierce opposition in the Northern Triangle countries as shown by the recent expulsion of the UN's International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala. GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

We urge the Committee to build upon the FY19 bill and report language that addresses some of the root causes of migration by including gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is a significant driver of forced migration from Northern Triangle countries. Specifically, Oxfam urges the Committee to direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the USAID Administrator and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Inter-American Foundation, and in consultation with nongovernmental organizations that focus on gender-based violence in Northern Triangle countries, to develop and implement community based interventions as key elements of national strategies to combat violence against women and girls in each of such countries. The strategies shall include detailed and current data including: rates of domestic

Pa e 3 l. "Tantamount to a Death Sentenc;e. Deported TPS Recipients Wdl Experience Extreme VIOience and Poverty m Honduras and El Salvador," Centro Presente, Ahanza Ameru:as & Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economu:: Justice {July 2018). Ibid "Food Security and Em1grabon Why people flee and the impact on family members left behind 1n El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras," World Food Programme {August 2017). 4. PNUD {2010). Jnforme sabre Desarrollo Humana El Salvador 2010 De la pobreza y el consum1smo a! b1enestar de la gente. Propuestas para un nuevo mode!o de desarrollo; Central Bank of Honduras. 402

violence; attacks against indigenous women; access to health care and social services for survivors of such violence; gang and organized crime-related violence that targets women and girls such as sexual slavery and forced recruitment; government strategies to address forced recruitment; abuses of women by security forces; and rates of prosecution for such crimes. The Committee requests that for each country, the Secretary of State submit a report within 180 days of enactment of the Act, detailing the amounts obligated and expended in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 for programs directly focused on reducing violence against women and girls; the communities where such programs are implemented; the implementing partners; specific objectives; how progress is being measured; and the extent to which national and local governments are supporting such efforts."

Furthermore, we urge the Committee to recommend not less than $15,000,000 for programs in each country to: (1) create and expand primary and secondary school-based SGBV prevention programming to de-normalize SGBV; (2) enhance the capacity of police, judicial systems, and child protection systems to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases of SGBV through increased personnel, equipment, geographic coverage, and training; and (3) create and expand locally available medical, mental health, and legal services, and shelters for survivors of SGBV in rural and urban areas.

We look forward to your continued leadership and partnership with us to invest in gender mainstreaming so that all US development assistance has sufficient staffing, funding, and oversight to ensure that all programs take into account and address the needs, challenges, insights, and power dynamics of all genders, with women at the center. 403

Linda Delgado is Director of Government Affairs for Oxfam America. She has for the past 9 years lead Oxfam Government Affairs department. Before then she worked at Ecotrust and the World Resources Institute. She worked for the Clinton Administration and before that was a staffer for both House and Senate Members of Congress. 404

U.S. Commissioners Office ofthe Phil Anderson UNITED STATES SECTION U.S. Section Coordinator McCoy Oatman 7600 Sand Pomt Way NE Douglas Vmcent~Lang of the Butldmg l, F/NWR2 Robert Turner Seattle, WA 98115 PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION Phone 206-526-6155 526-6156 526-4140 Fax 206-526-6534 Statement Submitted by W. Ron Allen, Alternate Commissioner U.S. Section of the PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS On the FY 2020 Budget for the Department of State

March 15, 2019

Madam Chairman, and Honorable Members of the Committee, I am Ron Allen, the Alternate Tribal Commissioner and Chair for the U.S. Section Budget Committee of the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC). The U.S. Section prepares an annual budget for implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Funding comes from the Departments of State, Commerce, and Interior. The integrated budget details program needs and costs for Tribal, Federal, and State agencies involved in the Treaty.

State Department funding in support of implementing the Pacific Salmon Treaty is part of the International Fisheries Commissions line item. The FY 2018 funding level was $3,685,000. The US Section recommends a funding level of $7,585,000 for FY 2020, which includes a $400,000 increase in annual operations and a one-time request of $3,500,000 to establish a mark selective fishery fund. These costs will provide essential support to implement the revised chapters of the annex of the Treaty.

The Department of State provides funding for the dues to operate the bilateral Pacific Salmon Commission Secretariat office in Vancouver, BC. The United States and Canada have kept the dues constant for eight years. The US Section recommends a $400,000 annual increase in the dues. Canada is expected to match the increase in dues. The Commission's Finance & Administration Committee works closely with the Secretariat staff to keep costs in check. The Secretariat faced challenges in recent years to ensure the operation of test fisheries necessary for the management of Fraser River sockeye and pink fisheries as outlined in Annex 4 Chapter 4 of the Treaty. Declines in the return of Fraser River sockeye and changes in the Canadian Use of Fish Policy have impacted the viability of the test fisheries. The negotiations for a revised Fraser River Chapter are nearing completion and will the provisions will be in force for the next ten years.

The Secretariat faces challenges regarding funding the pension liability as the 405

Secretariat staff ages and retires. Our section urges the State Department to continue covering this liability consistent with other International Fishery Commissions outside of the dues structure.

The State Department provides funding, through an inter-agency agreement, with NOAA, to support US participation in the annual meeting process and to support staffing of the US Section office. A hallmark of the PSC process is the input from affected fishing interests from Alaska to Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Maintaining the funding at least at current levels is essential to address these challenges.

The negotiations to complete the Annex Chapters to the Treaty, with the exception of the Fraser River Chapter, were completed in 2018. The Annex Chapters contain the specific actions agreed to by the US and Canada to implement the Treaty. The provisions of the revised Annex Chapters will be in force for the next ten years. The revised Chinook Chapter contains a provision to establish a Mark Selective Fishery Fund. Properly implemented, mark selective fisheries provide an option to harvest abundant hatchery stocks, while not increasing impacts on naturally spawning stocks and maintaining allocation arrangements between fisheries. The US Section recommends a one-time appropriation of $3,500,000 to establish the fund.

Funding to support activities under the Pacific Salmon Commission comes from the Departments of Interior, State, and Commerce. The US Section can provide an additional budget summary and details to the Committee as required. Adequate funding from all three Departments is necessary for the United States to meet its Treaty obligations. The funds are needed for critical data collection and research activities directly related to the implementation of the Treaty and are used in cooperative programs between Federal, State, and Tribal fishery agencies and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Canada. The commitment of the United States is matched by the commitment of the Government of Canada.

Mr. Chairman, the United States and Canada established the Pacific Salmon Commission, under the Pacific Salmon Treaty of 1985, to conserve salmon stocks, provide for optimum production of salmon, and to control salmon interceptions. After more than thirty years, the work of the Pacific Salmon Commission continues to be essential for the wise management of salmon in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska. For example, upriver bright fall Chinook salmon from the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River are caught in large numbers in Alaskan and Canadian waters. Tribal and non-tribal fishermen harvest sockeye salmon from Canada's Fraser River in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in Puget Sound. Canadian trollers off the west coast of Vancouver Island catch Washington coastal and Puget Sound Chinook and Coho salmon. In the Northern Boundary area between Canada and Alaska, fish from both countries are intercepted by the other country.

Testimony of US Section of the Pacific Salmon Commission 2 House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee 406

The Commission provides a public forum to ensure cooperative management of salmon populations. In 2018, the United States and Canada successfully concluded lengthy negotiations to improve management, building on and adjusting the coastwide abundance-based management regime for Chinook salmon established in the 1999 agreement. The revised Coho Chapter also continues to build on a framework for abundance-based management. The revised Annex Chapters for Chinook, Coho, Chum, Transboundary and Northern Boundary fisheries will be in force for the next ten years. The US and Canada are in the process finalizing a revised Fraser River Sockeye and Pink salmon chapter, which will expire at the end of 2029.

Before the Treaty in 1985, fish wars often erupted with one or both countries overharvesting fish that were returning to the other country, to the detriment of the resource. At the time the Treaty was signed, Chinook salmon were in a severely depressed state because of overharvest in the ocean as well as environmental degradation in the spawning rivers. Under the Treaty, both countries committed to rebuild the depressed runs of Chinook stocks, and they recommitted to that goal in 1999 when adopting a coastwide abundance-based approach to harvest management. Under this approach, harvest management will complement habitat conservation and restoration activities being undertaken by the states, tribes, and other stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest to address the needs of salmon listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The 2018 Chinook Chapter continues these commitments. The revisions to the Chinook Chapter will continue to build on the progress made in previous agreements. The combination of these efforts is integral to achieving success in rebuilding and restoring healthy, sustainable salmon populations.

Finally, I ask you to consider the fact that the value of the commercial harvest of salmon subject to the Treaty, managed at productive levels under the Treaty, supports the infrastructure of many coastal and inland communities. The value of the commercial, recreational fisheries, and the economic diversity they provide for local economies throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, is immense. The Commission recently funded an economic study of the fisheries that has determined this resource creates thousands of jobs and is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The value of these fish to the twenty-four treaty tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho goes far beyond their monetary value, to the cultural and religious lives of Indian people. A significant monetary investment is focused on salmon due to the listings of Pacific Northwest salmon populations under the Endangered Species Act. Given these resources, we can continue to utilize the Pacific Salmon Commission to develop recommendations that help with the development and implementation of solutions for minimizing impacts on listed stocks. We continue to work toward the true intent of the Treaty, and with your support, we will manage this shared resource for mutual enhancements and benefits.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my written testimony submitted for consideration by your Committee. I want to thank the Committee for the support that it has given the US Section in the past. Please feel free to contact me, or other members of the U.S.

Testimony of US Section of the Pacific Salmon Commission 3 House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee 407

Section to answer any questions you or other Committee members may have regarding the U.S. Section of the Pacific Salmon Commission budget.

Testimony of US Section of the Pacific Salmon Commission 4 House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee 408

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PROFILE

W. "RON" ALLEN, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN/CEO JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE

As the Tribal Chairman, (serving 1977-present), Ron Allen is responsible for representing the Tribe as the elected leader and for addressing political and policy issues and/or positions at the national, state and local levels. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (serving 1982-present), he is also responsible for the executive administration of all the Tribe's programs including education, career development, social services, housing, health, economic development, natural resource management, and cultural/traditional affairs.

As Tribal Chairman/CEO, he is responsible for leading the Tribe from a zero resource base in 1982 to a current annual budget level of over $80 million; and from a landless reservation base in 1982 to a land base of over 1,200 acres without federal assistance. Additionally, he has led the Tribe to establish business enterprises including Seven Cedars Casino, The Cedars Golf Course, Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery, JKT Development, and Jamestown Health & Medical Supplies. 409

Outside Witness Testimony: Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations for the House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs regarding refugee-related accounts within PRM and USAID

Submitted by Refugee Council USA

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to submit these funding and oversight recommendations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 on behalf of the 25-member organizations of Refugee Council USA (RCUSA)1 dedicated to refugee protection, welcome, and integration, and representing the interests of refugees, refugee families, and volunteers and community members across the country who support refugees and resettlement. RCUSA recommends the following funding levels for State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) for the following three accounts: $3,604,000,000 for Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA); $4,500,000,000 for International Disaster Assistance (IDA); and $1,000,000 for the Emergency Refugee and Migration Account (ERMA). Regarding the Refugee Admissions program, RCUSA recommends that Congress provide sufficient funding to admit at least 75,000 refugees in FY 2020 and urges Congress to mandate interagency coordination and allocation of resources such that the Administration admits that level of refugees or at least the level set in the Presidential Determination (PD) for FY2020.

Among the RCUSA organizations, nine are national voluntary agencies that welcome refugees through a public/private partnership with the U.S. government, state governments, and local affiliates and communities across the country. MRA funds the initial resettlement ofrefugees into the United States. The national agencies have local affiliates in over 200 sites in communities around the country. Six of the voluntary agency networks are faith-based, and harness the energy of many faith communities to help welcome newcomers to their new communities. These community organizations ensure that transitional services are provided during the first 30-90 days after a refugee's arrival, including the provision of food, housing, clothing, employment services, follow-up medical care, and other necessary services. After this initial period, the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services funds integration services through states and community partners around the country.

Humanitarian, Strategic Purposes for Assisting Refugees and Internally Displaced People The United States government invests in lifesaving humanitarian assistance and permanent solutions for refugees and other forcibly displaced people in accordance with our national values, international obligations, and strategic interests. Forcibly displaced people often lack necessary food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, livelihood options, and protection. Beyond these grave humanitarian concerns, large-scale forced displacement is an urgent strategic and security concern for the countries and regions in which the displaced people live. U.S. funding helps to meet the basic human needs of persons fleeing persecution while they are displaced; supports permanent solutions to their displacement; and assists the countries hosting them. By funding these accounts, the U.S. government expresses the humanitarian values of the American people, while pursuing the strategic interests of supporting key ally countries that host refugees, of relieving pressures that have the potential to destabilize sensitive regions, and of maintaining our

1 A list of RCUSA member organizations can be viewed at RCUSA.org. 410 international reputation as a country that protects the oppressed, promotes stability, and contributes to orderly, safe migration. Under Republican and Democratic administrations alike, the United States has long leveraged its willingness to resettle a small percentage of refugees. In response, host countries often provide safe haven, aid, and integration opportunities for the vast majority of remaining refugees, including in many cases access in host countries to education for refugee children and work visas for refugee adults. The strategic use of U.S. resettlement and other support to host countries have prevented further destabilization in fragile regions, providing many with viable alternatives to onward migration. Key strategic allies disproportionately affected by forced displacement have benefited, such as Jordan, Turkey, Thailand, Kenya, and Uganda.

Purpose of Three Crucial Accounts for Refugees and Forcibly Displaced People

Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA). The Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) Account funds the work of the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). PRM helps to ensure that individuals and families fleeing life-threatening situations can find temporary protection in countries to which they are displaced, often located near their home countries. This funding also supports refugees' pursuit of the three durable solutions: voluntary repatriation back to one's home country; integration in a host country of asylum; and third-country resettlement when the first two are not viable.

Overseas Refugee Assistance helps maintain humane, stable conditions for refugees and host communities during the period of displacement until the refugee crises can be resolved. In a few situations, it helps maintain safe, humane running of refugee camps. In the vast majority of refugee situations, funding facilitates the host countries' expansion of its community response and infrastructure to accommodate the refugees and to facilitate their abilities to be resilient, self sufficient, and contributing members of the host community's economy. Overseas assistance also covers some costs related to refugees' pursuit of durable solutions. We are currently facing the worst forced displacement crisis on record with more than 68 million displaced persons worldwide, including more than 25.4 million refugees, half of them children.

Refugee Admissions helps refugees unable to find safety, security, and well-being in their home country or a host country, to find a new life in a third country through resettlement. Among the 25.4 million refugees now in the world, UNHCR estimates that 1.4 million refugees need resettlement. Indeed, actual annual resettlement, has amounted to less than 1% of the global refugee population. Although the number of refugees resettled is proportionally very small, those who need it have no other option. They might be from a religious minority, race, nationality, or member of a social group that is as oppressed and targeted in the host country as it is in its home their country of origin. Often in such cases, resettlement to a third country is needed to assure a safe, dignified new life. Also, women and children at risk, including unaccompanied children are in need of resettlement. Single or widowed women who have fled after being subjected to gender-based violence, a weapon of war used by many warring soldiers, often find themselves not only traumatized and living in the host country but may be ostracized from their own communities there due to the rape they suffered. Refugee children who have lost or have been separated from their families are likewise at risk, living with unrelated adults who often do not 411 have their best interest at heart or in child-headed households or in the streets where survival is a daily challenge. They are also prime targets for human traffickers.

During the 37-year history of its resettlement program, the U.S. has been the global leader among resettlement countries, of which there are 37.2 The U.S. has chosen to exert its global power by providing life-saving resettlement to over 3 million refugees over the history of the program. This is one of our nation's proudest and longest standing traditions, including resettling Jewish refugees during World War II, Vietnamese refugees in the 1980s, and more recently refugees from the Sudan, Bosnia, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Refugees undergo rigorous vetting prior to arrival, often lasting eighteen to twenty-four months,3 and once resettled, tangibly contribute to American communities.

Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA). ERMA, an emergency Presidential draw-down account, provides an important safety valve during emergencies, allowing the United States to meet rapidly-occurring and unforeseen humanitarian needs. This funding allows the U.S. to respond quickly and effectively to unanticipated crises, to relieve human suffering and support regional stability. RCUSA opposes the Administration's proposals to zero out the ERMA account, because they would deprive the U.S. State Department of a critical diplomatic and regional security tool. Examples of how ERMA has provided lifesaving support in recent years include food, shelter, health care and/or protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and/or refugees from Mali, Sudan and Ethiopia (2012); from Syria (2013); and from South Sudan (2014). ERMA was also used to meet unanticipated costs in the refugee admissions program (2016).4 The account has been topped off by Congress, indicating their continued support, but unfortunately the Administration has refused to utilize this tool and has called for it to be zeroed out. As an expression of continued support for the emergency account, RCUSA supports $1 million for the account and urges the President to make use of the account, as his predecessors did.

International Disaster Assistance (IDA). The International Disaster Assistance (IDA) account is administered by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance within the U.S. Agency for International Development. IDA funds humanitarian assistance to people displaced within their own countries by disaster, conflict, and war. Longstanding humanitarian crises continue around the world causing significant internal displacement and regional pressures. Meeting the needs of (IDPs) is one way to provide IDPs viable alternatives to leaving their countries of origin and becoming refugees in nearby host countries.

Responding to Proposed Account Mergers RCUSA opposes the President's proposal to combine the overseas funding currently in the MRA account and administered by PRM, the IDA account, and Food for Peace into a new account administered by USAID. The ability of the U.S. to find solutions to humanitarian crises requires both diplomatic engagement and foreign assistance - skills unique to the highly trained and skilled professionals of PRM. Thus, RCUSA urges that these accounts remain independent and

2 2 http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/information-on-unhcr-resettlement.html 3 https://www.uscis.gov/refugeescreening 4 https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/273523.pdf 412 that the Committee continue to fund PRM to engage in both overseas humanitarian and diplomatic efforts and implement the USRAP.

Responding to Closures of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services International Offices Recently, the Trump administration announced that it plans to close all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) international field offices and have State Department officials assume the workload of these offices. These closures will necessitate increased staff capacity and training of State Department personnel, making it even more important for MRA and other State Department accounts to be robustly funded.

RCUSA urges $3,604,000,000 in funding for Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) to respond to refugees, $4,500,000,000 in funding for International Disaster Assistance (IDA) to respond to internally displaced people, and $1,000,000 in funding for the Emergency Refugee and Migration Account (ERMA) to respond to unanticipated crises. This includes joining with others in the international community to address multiple, complex humanitarian emergencies involving !DPs and/or refugees from countries such as Syria, Burma, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela, Iraq, and others. More than 713,000 Rohingyas have fled from Burma to Bangladesh seeking refuge since August 25, 2017;5 meanwhile at least 100,000 internally displaced Kachins, another persecuted religious minority in Burma, a Christian one, face the same dire need of humanitarian support and protection as their Rohingya brothers and sisters.

RCUSA Closes by Urging Congress to Support Restoration of Refugee Admissions. For FY2019, the PD was set at 30,000, and Congress provided sufficient funding to PRM to achieve that admissions total, including almost $3.4 billion for MRA, and $1 million for ERMA (as noted above, ERMA has been used to meet unanticipated admissions expenses in the past). While the FY2019 PD of30,000 is the lowest ever in the history of the U.S. resettlement program, the rate of processing has been insufficient to even reach that goal. As of March 8, 2019, only 10,057 refugees have been admitted to the United States, which if continued would lead to around 22,000 for the fiscal year.

As the Administration has institutionalized new security vetting procedures through its multiple executive actions, RCUSA urges Congress to help ensure through its funding and oversight that the life-saving role ofresettlement continues. RCUSA urges Congress to continue calling for a safe, effective refugee resettlement program that serves individuals and families based on their vulnerabilities, while not excluding anyone based on nationality or religion. With 1.4 million refugees in the world in need of resettlement, there are many ways to reach an admission goal of 30,000, and to return the program to historic norms and set an admissions goal of at least 75,000 for FY2020. In closing, RCUSA urges Congress to adopt the above funding levels, to urge the Administration to set and reach a refugee admissions goal consistent with the global need, and to maintain and adequately fund a robust national and local refugee resettlement network in support of the aforementioned goals. Thank you for your consideration.

5 UNHCR Rohingya Emergency http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/rohingya-emergency.html 413

FY2020 Funding Needs for Refugees and Displaced Persons in Certain Department of State Accounts

Refugees FY19 Enacted FY20 President's FY20RCUSA Request and Displaced Persons Accounts Recommended

Migration and Refugee Assistance $3,432,000,000' $365,062,0007 $3,604,000,000

International Disaster Assistance $4,385,312,0008 Proposed to combine $4,500,000,000 into a new account within USAID'

Emergency Migration and Refugee $1,000,000 $0 $1,000,00010 Assistance

6 Includes $1,404,124,000 m Overseas Contmgency Operations (OCO) fundmg. 1 Proposes to bifurcate MR.A funding and move overseas fundmg portl.on mto a new bureau in USAID while mamtaming this fundmg for the USRAP. This mcludes drast:tc fundmg cuts for aH impacted accounts RCUSA opposes this proposal 8 Includes $584,278,000 in Overseas Contmgency Operat10ns (OCO) funding 9 Proposes to eliminate funding for IDA account 10 favor of the new Intemationa1 Humamtanan Assistance (IHA) account, which wtll support the activities ofUSAID's new Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (which merges the Offices ofU S Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Food for Peace and the overseas MRA fundmg). llus mcludes drastic fundmg cuts for all impacted accounts RCUSA opposes this proposa1 to Because the ERMA fund is reportedly already topped out at $100 millton, RCUSA seeks $1 milbon to support this account and encourages appropnators to direct the State Department to utilize ERMA funds for emergmg and urgent cnses and report to Congress regularly on how these funds have been used. 414

Lacy Broemel serves as the Refugee and Immigration Policy Advisor for The Episcopal Church. In this role, Ms. Broemel advocates for just and humane migration policies, and equips Episcopalians to speak out in support of refugee resettlement and just immigration policies. Prior to this role, Ms. Broemel served as the Manager for Communications and Operations in the Office of Government Relations. Ms. Broemel is from Nashville, TN, and graduated with a BA in History and Women and Gender Studies from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. 415

Eric Schwartz President Refugees International Written Testimony for the Record

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs "Public Witness Hearing: State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs" March 12, 2019

Refugees International (RI) would like to thank Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and the members of this subcommittee for the opportunity to submit this statement on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget. Specifically, Refugees International calls for the following levels of funding for these accounts: Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) at $3.6 billion; Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance account (ERMA) at $50 million; International Disaster Assistance (IDA) at $4.4 billion; Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) at $553 million; Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) at $2.58 billion; and P.L. 480 Title Il (Food for Peace) at $1.9 billion.1

Refugees International is a non-governmental organization that advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. We conduct fact-fmding missions to research and report on the circumstances of displaced populations in countries such as Bangladesh, Central African Republican, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Iraq, Mexico, Syria, and Somalia, among many others. RI does not accept government or United Nations funding in order to help ensure the independence and credibility of our work. U.S. assistance saves lives every day in the field, from medical care to emergency food assistance delivery to providing shelter materials. Appropriators have rightly recognized the need for substantial funding mechanisms as recognition of the complexities of humanitarian crises abroad, as well as the vital role of multilateral institutions.

Refugees International is deeply concerned by the drastic budget cuts and elimination of vital accounts proposed to humanitarian assistance in the President's FY 2020 budget, which was released on March I I, 2019. Budgets defme priorities. This budget proposal, if approved by Congress, would be devastating for lifesaving humanitarian work across the globe. The proposed cuts to global health programs, food assistance, protection programming, and support for women and girls would seriously endanger already vulnerable populations around the globe and put them at even greater life-threatening risk.

1 Refugees International recognizes that funding for P.L. 480 Title II (Food for Peace) is appropriated to the Department of Agriculture. However, we wish to bring this figure to the subcommittee's attention in light of the FY 2020's budget request to consolidate Food for Peace into a new International Humanitarian Assistance account. 416

Furthermore, Refugees International is concerned that the consolidation of funds in the new International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) account is not only being used to slash humanitarian assistance, but will also severely damage the government's capacity to assist and protect refugees. By effectively seeking to eliminate the authority of the State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) to administer refugee assistance around the world, the administration is tragically and willfully discarding a critical tool of international humanitarian policy. PRM's unique blend of both senior diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance has served to elevate the plight of the displaced and directly benefited the lives of countless refugees. Make no mistake: this proposal, if enacted, will-for no good reason-decimate a critical bureau that has played a key role in refugee and humanitarian protection and assistance.

Ultimately, there is a very real danger that the proposed cuts and elimination of accounts would amount to an abdication of U.S. global leadership in humanitarian affairs. As you are aware, the administration has previously proposed similar cuts in funding and the elimination of programs. In doing so, it has consistently attempted to downgrade the nature and scope of American leadership and engagement in humanitarian response around the world. Congress must assert its role and play the critical legislative and oversight role necessary in any redesign effort.

We remain grateful for the generosity of this Congress. Continued bipartisan support shows the world that we will stand with the most vulnerable populations. Unfortunately, humanitarian needs continue to grow at a global level. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at the end of 2017, there were nearly 70 million persons around the world forcibly displaced as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, and persecution. This is the highest total since recording of these figures began after the Second World War. This includes some 40 million internally displaced persons and 25.4 million refugees. This marks an increase of2.9 million from 2016-the largest surge of refugees UNHCR has seen in a given year. Furthermore, UNHCR also reported that there were 3.1 million asylum seekers at the end of 2017.

As Refugees International regularly witnesses during our frequent field assessments, the United States plays an essential role through its support for and leadership of humanitarian relief efforts in countries around the world. Simply put, we save lives-even in the most difficult and insecure environments. We ask Members to continue their bipartisan efforts in protecting this proud tradition and ensuring that significant U.S. humanitarian support must and will be maintained and strengthened. 417

Eric Schwartz, President ofRefu,:ees International Eric Schwartz has been the President of Refugees International since June 2017. Eric has had a three-decade career focused on humanitarian and human rights issues. Between 2009 and 2011, he served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. As Assistant Secretary, he was credited with strengthening the State Department's humanitarian advocacy around the world, initiating and implementing critical enhancements to the U.S. refugee resettlement program and raising the profile of global migration issues in U.S. foreign policy. He was the senior human rights and humanitarian official at the National Security Council during the Clinton administration, managing humanitarian responses to crises in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He also served as the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery after the 2004 Asian Tsunami; as Washington Director of Asia Watch (now the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch); and Staff Consultant to the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, among other positions in the U.S. government, at the UN and in the non-profit sector. Just prior to arriving at Refugees International, Eric served a six-year term as Dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. During much of that period, he also served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and, ultimately, as the Commission's vice chair. He holds a law degree from New York University School of Law, a Master of Public Affairs degree from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton. 418

Testimony ofAnne L. Matthews, Chair, Rotary 's Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force for the US State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriation Subcommittee

Chairman Lowey, members of the Subcommittee: Rotary appreciates the opportunity to encourage continued funding in FY 2020 to support USAID's Polio Eradication Initiative. These efforts support the broader Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which is an unprecedented model of cooperation among national governments, civil society and UN agencies working together to reach the most vulnerable children through the safe, cost-effective public health intervention of polio immunization. Rotary appeals to this Subcommittee for continued support in the amount of $59 million - level funding-to support essential polio eradication strategies and innovations that will support the interruption of polio virus transmission, protect countries which are polio free but which remain at risk, and ensure the long term sustainability of a polio free world.

PROGRESS IN THE GLOBAL PROGRAM TO ERADICATE POLIO Since the launch of the OPEi in 1988, eradication efforts have led to more than a 99.9% decrease in cases. Thanks to this committee's support, only two countries confirmed cases of wild polio in 2018: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Wild poliovirus type 1 caused all the wild virus cases and these are found in high risk areas of Afghanistan (21 cases) and Pakistan (12 cases). Nigeria, which experienced an outbreak in 2016, has not confirmed any new cases since August of 2016 despite humanitarian crises. Continued progress to reach every child and stop polio virus transmission in these most complex environments reinforces the fact that polio eradication is feasible. While the primary focus of global efforts is on stopping transmission of endemic polio, this is followed closely by work to immunize the more than 400 million children in up to 70 countries which remain at risk for polio outbreaks. Since 200 I, more than 40 countries which were polio free experienced outbreaks. While these outbreaks were stopped, they are a reminder that as long as the wild polio virus circulates anywhere, children everywhere, including the United Sates, remain at risk and must continue to be protected through immunization.

Only wild poliovirus type I (WPVI) is still causing cases of paralysis. Type 2 (WPV2) was declared eradicated in September 2015. Type 3 (WPV3) has not been seen since November 2012. Eradicating strains of the polio virus is further proof that a polio-free world is achievable.

USAID'S VITAL ROLE IN GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION PROGRESS The United States is the leader among donor nations in the drive to eradicate polio. Funding provided to USAID by Congress has led to the following significant programmatic contributions:

Technical areas of emphasis The majority ofUSAID funding supports polio surveillance, through the complementary approaches ofusing Ministry of Health-WHO facility-based reporting and through the NGO-led community-based case detection. These approaches work to rapidly identify cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), the signal condition for polio. It was USAID's support for surveillance that detected the cases in all the endemic countries. USAID has also increased its support for environmental surveillance, which detects 'silent' transmission. Each of these surveillance strategies supports the timely identification of cases and/or virus circulation and enables a rapid response thereby slowing outbreaks or pointing out areas of low immunization coverage. This information is vital for identifying gaps in population immunity. Surveillance also helps document the absence of disease - the key indicator of success needed to certify the absence of polio. This has been especially important in the 23 countries USAID supports in Africa, South Asia and the Near East. 419

In the endemic countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan USAID maintains a very low profile in Afghanistan and Pakistan while working to provide critical support to polio eradication activities as the virus continues to move between the two countries. The polio program has defined a northern, central and southern corridor where people move regularly across the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In both countries, the Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) are working well and coordination between the Governments, WHO and UNICEF (and NGOs in Afghanistan) are improving. The USAID Polio Coordinator is in both countries quarterly and meets with a wide range of Afghan government, USG, UN, donors, NGOs and others to get a comprehensive view of the situation and challenges, which include addressing refusals, reaching every child within mobile populations and ensuring the security of health workers.

USAID continues to fund polio surveillance via WHO and the Core Group NGO Project. The data from the surveillance system is the backbone of all planning and strategies used in both countries. USAID's support to support WHO's surveillance activities in Afghanistan continues and in 2018, over 3000 stool samples were collected from children with suspected cases of polio. These and an additional 700 environmental samples were analyzed in the regional lab in Islamabad, which is also partially supported by USAID. The data from the surveillance system is the backbone of all planning and strategies used in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Sustaining public trust in immunization and understanding reasons for refusals is of paramount importance. USAID provides significant resources to understand vaccine hesitancy and/or refusals and develop persuasive messages to address concerns. Providing these messages through reputable channels, and respectfully addressing parental concerns has been key to building trust. USAID funded external communication reviews in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2018 to better understand the communication needs of the program. USAID supports and encourages the promotion of polio eradication campaigns through mass media, print and interpersonal communication; and is increasingly looking at social media and improving positive dialogue on immunization. Messages are adapted to local conditions after each round of activities based on community feedback.

USAID's CORE group Polio Project has a long history of coordinating NGOs with the OPEi. This work is augmented by a USAID-funded polio NGO coordinator who facilitated the NGO involvement in polio micro-plans to accelerate campaigns in low-coverage districts. He also initiated an MoU clarifying the roles and responsibilities ofNGOs to support polio eradication efforts between the NGOs of high-risk provinces and the national polio Emergency Operations Center, and conducted cross trainings of NGO and Polio officers on polio and Routine immunization. He also developed an Accountability Framework for NGOs and the polio program to define key activities, synergize efforts and define specific tasks and timelines to streamline support among key stakeholders.

Nigeria Challenges, including violence and anti-vaccination rumors, persist in the Northeastern states of Borno and Y obe which threaten to undermine the gains achieved in Nigeria since the last reported case of WPV in August 2016. Despite the complexity and intensity of these challenges, the CORE Group Partners Project generated notable results. The CGPP's social mobilization and

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communication strategies, including the engagement of religious leaders and fathers, contributed to a large decrease in missed children- from 4.46% in 2014 to just 0.8% in 2018. During the same period, the percentage of fully immunized children climbed from 57% to 68%, while the percentage of children 12-23 months vaccinated with oral polio vaccine jumped from 62.3% in 2017 to 88.4% at the close of the project year. Aligned with the National Polio Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), CGPP Nigeria supported three Outbreak Response campaigns to reach 4.5 million children under five.

USAID has been the key funder of the polio surveillance system in Nigeria via WHO and the CORE Group Polio Project. The modular laboratory in Thaden, funded by USAID in 2016, has been essential for analyzing the stool samples and confirming the presence of polio in the environment and a much needed additional support to the lab in Maiduguri. Over 26,000 polio samples from cases and 700 from environmental samples have been analyzed in the two USAID supported labs. More than 3,000 community volunteers, in addition to supporting social mobilization, reported 160 of364 (44%) suspected AFP cases through the country's highly sensitive community-based surveillance system which has demonstrated capacity despite operating in complex circumstances.

USAID support to Outbreak countries In 2018, polio outbreaks ( circulating vaccine-derived polio) occurred in: Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Niger, Mozambique, DR Congo and Somalia, while the Syria outbreak of 2016 - 2017 was declared over. USAID's support to polio surveillance was essential to detecting and responding to these outbreaks. USAID provided nearly $5 million for immunization campaigns, enhanced surveillance and technical support.

Protecting gains The Core Group Polio Project (CGPP) NGO consortium is active in high risk areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, India, South Sudan, and Uganda in addition to the endemic areas of Afghanistan and Nigeria. They continue to support polio campaigns, community mobilization, outbreak response, and community-based surveillance. In addition to their work on polio eradication, they actively promote the need for routine immunization, encourage pregnant women to seek prenatal care and encourage breastfeeding and handwashing.

The CGPP NGO consortium is active in the border communities and mobile/transit populations throughout the Horn of Africa and their efforts to vaccinate very high risk populations is notable. CGPP also identifies suspected polio cases in mobile and pastoralist populations. CGPP is one of the few successful health programs with a presence in high risk areas of South Sudan and Somalia.

USAID also continues to fund polio surveillance, containment and certification efforts via WHO's national and regional offices (Africa, South Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific and Europe) in over 20countries. As polio surveillance in human cases and in the environment will need to continue for the foreseeable future, and will be critical in the post-wild virus certification period, USAID believes these investments are sound. The emergence of vaccine-derived viruses also requires rapid detection and response. Even countries that have been

3 421 polio-free need to be vigilant for importations or new emergence of both wild or vaccine-derived virus.

As more countries become polio-free, USAID also continues to encourage country awareness and engagement by conducting exercises that foster vigilance and sustained immunization campaign quality. This will be essential for securing global eradication. USAID Missions and DC staff are actively engaged in forums to keep awareness high about polio eradication.

USAID Support for improved quality USAID's continuing overarching approach is to promote high quality immunization campaigns through better planning and feedback, identifying reasons for missed children through independent monitoring and post-campaign surveys, and tracking the virus through enhanced disease surveillance by communities themselves and through health facilities and expanding environmental surveillance to reduce the potential for missing low level virus transmission. USAID to identify and address (as locally appropriate) gaps or vulnerabilities that may cause setbacks.

Global Polio Laboratory Network and Poliovirus containment USAID continues to support the accreditation of the Global Polio Eradication Laboratory Network.

USAID funds for containment supported the strengthening ofnational auditing capacity of the National Authorities for Containment (NACs) to accelerate the containment certification process and also supported coordination meetings between Countries, Regions and WHO.

USAID staff and Missions USAID staff are actively engaged in all aspects of polio eradication at the global, regional and country level. Sustaining attention of national and local governments is challenging. USAID promotes the need to sustain high population immunity and surveillance and reduce the threat of re-emergence by reducing the number of accumulated susceptible children. To identify vulnerabilities, USAID focuses on outbreak response, outbreak simulation activities, cross border coordination, and identification of marginalized populations such as migrants, nomads and refugees

USAID staff engage at all levels and participate in national coordination committees, Technical Advisory Group Meetings, Independent Monitoring Group, Polio Partner Group, Finance and Accountability calls, and monitor polio campaigns where feasible.

FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET REQUEST Rotary respectfully requests $59 million in FY 2020 to support USAID's Polio Eradication Activities; the same level of funding provided in FY 2019. With Congress' continued support for polio eradication in FY 2020, USAID will continue its work to stop polio transmission in the remaining polio endemic countries and protect the polio-free status of at-risk countries by reaching all children with vaccine, and effective Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and environmental surveillance to support rapid case detection and response.

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BENEFITS OF POLIO ERADICATION Since 1988, 18 million people who would otherwise have been paralyzed are walking because they have been immunized against polio. Tens of thousands of public health workers have been trained to manage massive immunization programs and investigate cases of acute flaccid paralysis. Cold chain, transport and communications systems for immunization have been strengthened. The global network of 146 laboratories and trained personnel established by the GPEI also tracks measles, rubella, yellow fever, meningitis, and other deadly infectious diseases and will do so long after polio is eradicated. In financial terms, the global effort to eradicate polio has saved more than $27 billion in health costs since 1988. Polio eradication is a cost-effective public health investment with permanent benefits. On the other hand, as many as 200,000 children could be paralyzed annually in the next 10 years if the world fails to capitalize on the more than $16 billion already invested in eradication. Success will ensure that the significant investment made by the US, Rotary International, and many other countries and entities, is protected in perpetuity.

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Anne Matthews, Columbia, South Carolina, USA Chair, Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force for the United States

Dr. Anne L. Matthews is president of Matthews and Associates, an educational firm in Columbia, SC. She has three earned degrees, including a doctorate from the University of South Carolina. She is an educator by profession, an author of business texts, and a public speaker. She served as president of several national educational organizations and served on numerous boards, including her undergraduate alma mater, Coker College. She is the recipient of several honors including ones from the YWCA, Girl Scouts of America, key to Lake City, SC, Distinguished Alumni Award, Hall of Fame from Florence County School District 3, National Business Education's Distinguished Service Award, and Leadership SC. She received two appointments from President Ronald Reagan. Anne has spoken and/or consulted in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 20 foreign countries on educational issues and/or the Rotary Foundation.

Anne currently serves as Chair of the Polio Eradication Task Force for the United States and has been a member of that Task Force since 2012. She has also served as Vice President of Rotary International and has been a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation.

Anne received Rotary's International Service for a Polio Free World award, The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service, The Rotary Foundation's Distinguished Service Award, and Rotary lnternational's highest honor, the Service Above Self award. In 2006, she was honored as D7770's Rotarian of the Year. 424

TESTIMONY OF TOMCORS DIRECTOR OF LANDS U.S. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS THE NATURE CONSERVANCY SUBMITTED TO HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS March 15, 2019

The Nature Conservancy thanks the Committee for its strong support of international conservation efforts. With over 60 years of experience in pioneering conservation in coordination and cooperation with private landowners, businesses, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments across the United States, the Conservancy implements conservation on the ground in 72 countries around the world. As the world's largest conservation organization with over one million members, we see firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the developing world and to people who call those places home. We strive for conservation approaches that benefit both people and nature.

U.S. government leadership in biodiversity conservation occupies a special place in international relations. Foreign assistance has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for more than sixty years. Support for such assistance draws upon many sources, including the innate generosity of the American people in the face of acute needs in poor countries. But it also reflects a consensus that such assistance - including to conservation of natural resources is in our own national interest.

In 2016, Blueprints for a Greener Footprint, a report issued at the World Economic Forum, highlighted that progress on sustainable development goals will require new thinking about how the world meets the demands of a growing global population while also addressing increasing pressure on land, water resources, and the climate.

In our work, we strive to remedy environmental challenges caused by illegal or unsustainable patterns of trade and consumption, particularly around illegal trade in wildlife and timber, and illegal and unsustainable fishing practices. Addressing these threats is critical to secure the health of the world's forests, wildlife, oceans and fisheries so that they can continue to provide their benefits for future generations. In addition, natural systems not only need help to adjust to climate change-they can be part of the solution.

The Nature Conservancy remains a committed partner of the U.S. Government as it continues to solidify and build upon our nation's legacy on global biodiversity conservation. American long term economic prosperity and national security hinge upon our ability to help steward our world's natural heritage. For this reason, our work at The Nature Conservancy in the United States and abroad has been closely aligned. For example, together with our partners, our growing portfolio of Water Funds now includes 32 initiatives in various stages of development in South America. These provide a steady source of funding for the conservation of more than 7 million acres of watersheds and secure drinking water for nearly 50 million people. Through these Water 425

Funds, water users pay into the funds in exchange for the product they receive - fresh, clean water. Some Water Funds pay for community-wide reforestation projects in villages upstream from major urban centers, like Quito, Ecuador, and Bogota, Colombia. In other cases, like in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, municipalities collect fees from water users and make direct payments to farmers and ranchers who protect and restore riverside forests on their land through water producer initiatives.

As such, we respectfully request Congress to continue its investments in global biodiversity conservation through our natural resource agencies of the U.S. government; and specifically, through the following foreign assistance mechanisms in Fiscal Year 2020:

USAID Biodiversity Conservation Program: Most U.S. foreign assistance for on-the-ground conservation is delivered through USAID and its robust portfolio of conservation programs. USAID is working with communities, non-governmental organizations, and governments to develop natural resource policies and management practices that conserve biodiversity and sustain local livelihoods. These programs help protect some of the largest, most at-risk natural landscapes and the livelihoods of millions of people who directly depend on natural resources for their survival and economic growth. By maintaining and restoring the natural resources that supply fertile soil, clean water, food and medicines, these USAID programs enhance U.S. economic and national security interests, reducing conflict over resource scarcity and improving the stability of trading partners. We ask Congress to continue funding this critical work at $300 million, a $15 million increase over FYl 9 levels, which would support current and new phases of work in the Congo and Amazon basins, the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and other priority regions around the world.

REDD - Sustainable Landscapes: Tropical forests continue to be one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, but efforts funded in part by Congress are advancing conservation in these areas. REDD+ ("Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks") is an evolving policy framework that incentivizes developing forest countries to curb deforestation while addressing rural poverty, good governance, land tenure issues, and securing emissions reductions. The United States has supported efforts through multilateral funds such as the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and the Forest Investment Program to scale up this framework. We ask Congress to support $13 5 million for this work.

Global Environment Facility (GEF): With projects in 170 countries, the GEF, an independent international financial institution, unites donor and recipient countries with U.S. corporations and NGOs by providing grants to support natural capital and improve management of natural resources. America's investment in the GEF also yields a very high rate of return. For every dollar America invests in the GEF it generates another $34 from other countries and partners. The GEF has supported the improved cooperation and governance of one-third of the world's large marine ecosystems. The GEF support has also been critical to placing 12 percent of the world's terrestrial area under protection, resulting in 3,300 protected areas spanning 2.1 billion acres containing at least 700 globally threatened species. In recent years, the GEF has begun funding programs to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking around the world, including supply and demand countries to strengthen national laws, law enforcement, monitor wildlife

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populations and reduce demand. We ask Congress to support $139.6 million to honor the United States pledge to the GEF.

Green Climate Fund (GCF): The Green Climate Fund is an independent multilateral trust fund that operates outside of the United Nations and is designed to foster low-emission and resilient development in the developing world. The U.S. made a signed commitment of$3 billion over four years (2014-2018) to the fund, of which $1 billion has been paid. A $750 million contribution will demonstrate clear U.S. commitment and will incentivize developing countries to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. If the US does not fulfill its commitment to the GCF, it risks falling to the 5th largest contributor among countries.

The Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI) is the current funding mechanism for the GCF. GCCI helps countries both mitigate and adapt to climate change through important multilateral and bilateral engagement with major and emerging economies. We urge the Congress to support the GCCI, including funding for the Green Climate Fund. Supporting the GCCI and GCF demonstrates a clear U.S. commitment to reducing carbon pollution and enhancing climate change resilience while incentivizing developing countries to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: The IPCC and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have received funding from the U.S. for years. The IPCC has received broad bipartisan support from the US by providing high-integrity science on climate change since the Panel's creation in 1988. At a time when the pace of climate change is accelerating around the world, understanding climate risks has never been more important. Similarly, the UNFCCC has provided a venue for policymakers to mount an international effort to tackle these risks. The US has been a leader on climate action; and continued funding of this modest budget line will signal that America continues to place an importance on climate science and wants a seat at the table in negotiations.

Other Priorities The Nature Conservancy strongly supports increased levels of environmental protection incorporated into trade agreements. Linking trade to improved environmental management gives us valuable new leverage to encourage countries to deal with natural resource issues, many of which can be exacerbated by increased international trade--particularly in countries with important timber or other natural resources to export. The Nature Conservancy also supports strengthening funding at U.S. natural resources agencies such as at the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration by supporting international programs and partnerships that further our nation's foreign policy goals.

A healthy natural environment is crucial to sustainable economic and social development. Too often, short-term financial considerations cause harm to both the natural world and people. U.S. investment in international conservation contributes to security national, natural and human - all of which require a healthy and sustainable natural world. We urge you to continue investing in our common security through the nation's foreign assistance programs.

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Tom Cars is the director of lands for US Government Relations in the Worldwide Office. Tom leads lNC's efforts on the Land and Water Conservation Fund, international conservation appropriations, and tax issues. Previously for lNC's North Carolina Chapter, Tom led the Land for Tomorrow lobby effort at the General Assembly. Tom has lobbied for UNC-Chapel Hill, worked on environmental security issues in the and was a legal consultant for the U.N. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity for several negotiations of the Biosafety Protocol. He was an agroforestry extension agent in the Peace Corps in Senegal. Tom has a B.S. in biology from Davidson College, an administrative law certificate from the University of Paris' Jean Monnet School of Law, and holds a J.D. from Vermont Law School and is admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. 428

United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and Related Programs Fiscal Year 2020 Written Testimony

Suraj Madoori, Treatment Action Group, U.S. and Global Health Policy Director

On behalf of the Tuberculosis Roundtable

Treatment Action Group (TAG), on behalf of the Tuberculosis (TB) Roundtable coalition, is pleased to submit this testimony to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs for consideration in fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations. The TB Roundtable is comprised of organizations focused on federal advocacy for the domestic and global elimination of TB. Specifically, we seek to make the subcommittee aware of the valuable global health security role undertaken by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) TB Program, which is currently funded at $302 million in FY 2019. We are pleased to see increases made to this program over the past two years, however we submit this testimony to urge the Subcommittee to build on this momentum and support USAID's TB Program at a level $400 million in FY 2020 to further safeguard our nation's health against this infectious disease threat by fully implementing the U.S. National Action Plan to Combat MDR-TB, expanding treatment to those with TB who are undiagnosed and therefore infectious (i.e., "missing" cases), and expanding necessary research and development (R&D) for needed tools to counter drug-resistant (DR-TB) forms of TB.

TB is an airborne disease, causing more deaths than any other single infectious disease agent globally. Over I 0.0 million people worldwide fell ill with TB, resulting in 1.6 million deaths in 2017 alone.1 Furthermore, TB is the world's third leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. An estimated I million children are suffering from the disease. TB is also the leading infectious killer of people living with IDV (PLHIV) globally contributing to 300,000 deaths among those with TB/IDV co-infection.2 Nearly 4 million TB cases are still being missed annually, which is allowing the disease to continue spreading.3

Every economic-impact assessment conducted for TB has shown that the costs of the epidemic to national and global economies are far higher than the expenditures needed to end the epidemic. Most recently, in 2017, KPMG assessed that failing to end the TB epidemic led to a cost of $616 billion to the global economy from 2000-2015, and the disease will be responsible for an additional $1 trillion in lost economic output by 2030 if the status quo continues.4

Equally concerning, TB is the leading contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the world. A third of the deaths to AMR are due to DR-TB. Globally, every year there are about 500,000 new people with multiple drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB}--TB resistant to multiple

' World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory Data-tuberculosis. https://www.who.int/gho/tb/en/ 2 Ibid 3 Daniel P Chm, Christy L Hanson; Fmdmg the Missing Tuberculosis Patients, The Journal of Infectzous Diseases, Volume 216, Issue suppl_7, 6 November 2017, Pages S675-S678, https://d01.org/ 10 1093/mfdis/jIX368 4 KPMG. Global Economic Impact ofTuberculosis. 2017, https://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/Globa!EconornicimpactTB.pdf

1 429 antibiotics-but only 10% percent of these individuals are being identified and successfully treated.5 In fact, further compounding the problem of DR-TB and its low cure rates is the ineffectiveness of current tools used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of all forms of TB. The MDR treatment regimen that most highly-burdened countries rely on involves 250 injections and 15,000 pills over at least a two-year period, and side effects often ranging to permanent hearing loss, nerve damage, depression, kidney complications, and other issues. USAID's TB Program has made notable success in assisting countries to detect, diagnose, treat and prevent DR-TB. The US. National Action Plan to Combat MDR-TB, released in 2015, provides a comprehensive framework to address MDR-TB, but additional funding is required for its full implementation.

The valuable public health, programmatic and technical assistance, and essential R&D roles of USAID's TB Program in countering, containing, and eliminating the world's leading infectious killer cannot go understated. USAID's in-country programs have led to declining incidence across 23 countries with bilateral USAID TB funding, with rates dropping by 19 percent since 2000 and 3 percent from 2014 to 2015-more than double the average global rate of 1.4 percent reported by WHO in 2016.6 USAID continues to be a leading implementer of the Xpert diagnostic, which diagnoses TB, including indication of DR-TB, within 90 minutes. USAID provides essential training and monitoring and evaluation systems for optimizing the use of this system, which is increasing TB detection rates globally. USAID's bilateral assistance supports countries in developing strong applications to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), facilitates grant implementation, and improves the management of DR IB- helping countries to leverage their resources to maximize impact. USAID resources are also stabilizing an extremely fragile market for TB products by bringing down the cost of and expanding access to TB medications through direct support for the Global Drug Facility (GDF) and MDR-TB Financing, helping countries to avoid dangerous treatment interruptions and to effectively use new drugs.7

USAID also has notable successes in TB research - from development through access - which must be accelerated to develop shorter treatment regimens, rapid and affordable diagnostic tests, and an effective vaccine, as well as to ensure their timely deployment and uptake. In the past few years, we have seen the development of a rapid TB diagnostic that can identify MDR-TB, and two new antibiotics-bedaquiline and delamanid-now offer new hope to patients. More recently, USAID has been crucial in financing the trial that has led to an expected FDA approval of another new drug, pretomanid, that will add to our arsenal of public health tools. 8 USAID assistance has been crucial to getting these life-saving drugs like bedaquiline and other quality assured products to all patients in need through the GDF.

5 Curry International Tuberculosis Center. Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Survival Guide for Clinicians, 3rd edition. 2016, https://www.currytbcenter.ucsf.edu/sites/defuult/files/tb_sg3_book.pdf 6 U.S. Agency for International Development. End the Tuberculosis Epidemic - Fiscal Year 2015 Report on Foreign Assistance for Tuberculosis. https://www.usaid.gov/sites/defuult/files/documents/1864/USAID-TB-Annual Report_FY_2015_508.pdf 7 Stop TB Partnership. What is the Global Drug Facility? http://www.stoptb.org/gdf/whatis/default.asp 8 TB Alliance. TB Medicine Pretornanid Enters Regulatory Review Process in the United States. March 9, 2019, https://www.tballiance.org/news/pretornanid-enters-FDA-review

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Given the momentum, the next 5 years are crucial to advance emerging research innovations. Clinical research undertaken through USAID support has significantly shortened treatment for MDR-TB, with continued treatment advances and improved outcomes anticipated. USAID could play a vital research role in advancing a promising experimental TB vaccine candidate, following encouraging phase 2b results.9 Recognizing the importance of pivotal research at the UN High Level Meeting on TB in 2018, national governments around the world are now committed to mobilizing resources to meet a globally accepted fair-share target of contributing 0.1 % of gross expenditure in R&D towards TB to overcome a $1.3 billion annual funding gap. 10 The U.S. government is the world's leading funder of TB R&D at $313.5 million, of which $34 million is contributed by USAID, making the agency the fourth largest TB R&D funder globally. 11 However, to capitalize on USAID's successful research agenda and for the U.S. to reach its own 0.1 % funding target, an additional $131 million split among several agencies such as USAID is needed. 12 Doing so will allow the U.S. to continue to lead on the research and implementation of new tools for TB by leveraging its research expertise at USAID and other federally-funded research institutions. Continuing to support TB R&D at USAID and other agencies within the U.S. government can catalyze other national governments to make similar commitments.

The funding trend of USAID's TB Program has been largely flat for several years, with a boost in FY 2018 by $20 million and in FY 2019 by $41 million, pushing total funding from $241 million to $302 million. We thank the subcommittee for its support for the program with this additional funding. However, with new political commitments to ending TB being made internationally, the advent of new tools and need to support ongoing research, USAID's TB Program is now in a strategic position to build on its global leadership role in FY 2020. With increased robust funding, USAID could ambitiously fast-track progress through TB control and prevention scaleup and accelerate the development and implementation of shorter, less toxic treatments, which would facilitate greater patient adherence to treatment regimens, reduce program costs, and thereby mitigate the growing threat of DR-TB. With increased support USAID could consider resuming direct technical assistance for TB to countries in the Western Hemisphere. Critically, increasing USAID's TB Program funding will facilitate full implementation achievement of the goals and targets set forth by the US. National Action Plan to Combat MDR-TB:

Ta ets of the National Action Plan AP 13 Actions taken in alignment with this National Action Plan will contribute to meeting the ollowin domestic and lobal tar ets Year Tar

'STAT. Experimental TB vaccine shows promise in clinical trials. September 2018, https:/ lwww.statnews.com/2018/09/28/experimental-tb-vaccine-clinical-trials/ 10 Treatment Action Group. Investing in R&D to End TB: A Global Priority. November 2017, http://treatmentactiongroup.org/sites/default/files/Funding%20target%20brief _ final _31 Oct. pdf 11 Treatment Action Group. Tuberculosis Research Funding Trends 2005-2017. December 2018. http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/sites/default/files/tb_ funding_2018 _ final.pdf 12 Treatment Action Group. Closing the Gap in Tuberculosis Research Funding: Actions for U.S. Congress. February 2019, http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/sites/defauJt/fiJesrrAG_ GERD _ brief_leg_ v5.pdf 13 White House. U.S. National Action Plan to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. 2015.

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2016 • Initiate appropriate treatment in 25 percent of patients with MDR-TB in 10 countries with the highest burdens of MDR-TB. 2018 • Initiate appropriate treatment in 3 5 percent of patients with MDR-TB in 10 countries with the highest burdens of MDR-TB. 2020 • Reduce by 15 percent the number of cases ofMDR-TB disease in the United States. • Initiate appropriate treatment in 50 percent of patients with MDR-TB in 10 countries with the highest burdens of MDR-TB. • Reduce global incidence by 25 percent compared to 2015 levels. • Successfully treat 16 million TB patients in high-burden countries • Achieve and maintain treatment success rates of 90 percent for individuals in high-burden countries with drug-susceptible TB

USAID TB Program's expansive presence and assistance in high-burden countries such as Ethiopia, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Ukraine, and Vietnam significantly strengthens our nation's global health security against TB and places us closer to these targets. USAID is uniquely positioned to help countries overcome challenges in case-finding and assist in linking the "missing" 4 million to care and treatment. The program's Challenge TB initiative has shown remarkable success, by funding a broad range of community engagement activities that contribute to TB case-finding, care, and treatment. 14

In 2018, US AID launched a new business model to speed up progress and build self-reliance, called the "Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis;" and as a part of this USAID has launched a new mechanism to directly support local organizations in priority countries. 15 Investments by the program into community engagement are a vital part of improving TB care and support at the local-level, by catalyzing collaboration with affected people, communities, and civil society organizations. However, additional funding support for the program is needed, without which we will fall short of reaching these goals as the infectious threat evolves and people continue to go missed.

In summary, we thank the subcommittee for its previous support for USAID's TB Program in FY 2018 and FY 2019. We fully acknowledge that the subcommittee has a difficult task in strategically appropriating funding to U.S. foreign assistance and global health programs with this year's upcoming budget process. But we urge you to build on the progress that the USAID TB Program has pioneered by funding it at $400 million that will ultimately prevent needless deaths, save millions lives here and abroad, and place us on the path to global elimination of TB.

14 U.S. Agency for International Development. Challenging TB Worldwide. https:/lwww.challengetb.org/about "U.S. Agency oflntemational Development. USAID Global Accelerator to End TB. https://www.usaid.gov/what we-do/global-health/tuberculosis/resources/news-and-updates/global-accelerator-end-tb

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Additionally, we strongly support wider global health community asks in maximizing contributions and funding levels for the Global Fund to $1.56 billion and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to $5.5 billion, both of which are crucial lifesaving programs that impact the health and well-being of people with TB everywhere.

Respectfully submitted,

Tuberculosis Roundtable organizations

American Thoracic Society AVAC Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Health GAP Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Management Sciences for Health National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA) RESULTS TB Alliance Treatment Action Group We Are TB

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Biography: Suraj Madoori, Treatment Action Group

Suraj Madoori is the U.S. and Global Health Policy Director of Treatment Action Group (TAG), and leads TAG's domestic and global policy work across the HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and hepatitis C (HCV) projects.

Prior to joining TAG, Suraj was associate director of the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (HIV PJA) and associate director of national/federal policy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC). During his tenure at AFC and HIV PJA, Suraj directed the national advocacy campaign work of the 13,000-member HIV PJA community mobilization network and helped push for a significant language change undertaken by the CDC to reflect evolving HIV prevention technologies such as PrEP and PEP. Suraj co-authored a report on the intersecting racial disparities of criminalization, poverty, and HIV on which he gave testimony to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination committee at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the U.N.

Suraj organized a community-led, two-day parallel Counter Conference at the National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta to provide a platform for key populations left out of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. In addition to his organizing and policy work, Suraj also serves on the steering committee of the Counter Narrative Project, co-chairs the FAPP Research Work Group, and the Americas representative to the World Health Organization's Civil Society Taskforce on TB.

A Chicago native, Suraj entered health, human rights, and HIV activism as a case manager serving HIV-positive LGBTQ youth at Howard Brown Health. While at Howard Brown, Suraj led an advocacy and empowerment project focused on LGBTQ youth-resilience and leadership development on HIV policy issues. Suraj also worked at the American Medical Association as a journalist and project coordinator out of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response.

Suraj is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and has earned three master's degrees in medical journalism, public health, and bioethics and health policy-keenly focused on drug development ethics and policy issues. Suraj is a recipient of the 2009-2010 Albert Schweitzer Fellowship for public service and was named a U.S. Human Rights Network's 2014 Fighting Injustice through Human Rights Education fellow. His writing appears in POZ. com, Treatment Issues, Huffington Post, Winery City Times, and the Journal ofPublic Health Preparedness and Disaster Medicine. 434

Paul Hazen, Executive Director U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council Testimony in Support of USAID's Cooperative Development Program (CDP) In the FY2020 State-Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Bill.

The U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council {OCDC) is requesting $17 million for the FY2020 Cooperative Development Program {CDP) of the Development Assistance account in the FY2020 State-Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill. For more than four decades, USAID has supported the development of cooperatives as part of its foreign aid program, mainly through the Cooperative Development Program {CDP) that is designed to bring U.S. leadership to the mission of capacity building for the development and growth of cooperative businesses and cooperative systems around the world. This request for $17 million represents a $5 million increase from today's $12 million level of funding that supports CDP's current competitive grant program managed by USAID/E3/LS. The expectation is that a $5 million increase would enable expanded work in support of developing cooperatives and their members.

Who is OCDC and What is Our Interest in USAID's CDP Program? The U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council {OCDC) has a membership of eight U.S. cooperative development organizations {CDOs) with expertise in sectors as diverse as agriculture, finance, health, energy and information technology. These OCDC members are successful U.S. cooperatives who are part of a robust U.S. cooperative sector that contributes more than 2 million jobs and over $65 billion in annual revenue to the U.S. economy. It's estimated that more than 120 million Americans benefit from their membership/participation in one or more of the close to 60,000 cooperatives that exist throughout all sectors of the U.S. economy.

In addition to being leaders in the U.S. domestic cooperative community, OCDC members have a shared interest in being champions, advocates and promoters of effective international cooperative development. Individually and collectively they have an impressive record of achievement and they bring many resources to this international work from the private sector. They apply their expertise and approaches to development in a wide range of countries, settings and sectors. They share their business expertise and send their members around the world as volunteers to build sustainable cooperative businesses, while also building goodwill for the U.S. And, they develop trading relationships between cooperatives in the U.S. and those in developing countries, which increases jobs at home and security around the world. Examples of impacts achieved by OCDC members include: Equal Exchange: Fair Trade-certified coffee cooperatives in Ethiopia, Rwanda, East Timer and Central America link thousands of smallholder farmers directly with global markets and their premium coffee prices. Genex: Based on a foundation of business consulting provided by Genex through CDP funding, more than $95 million of investments has been leveraged for dairy cattle cooperatives in South Africa. 435

Global Communities: Through the establishment of the Agency to Support Housing Initiatives, the organization facilitated the building of 1,140 new units of cooperative housing at 33 sites in Poland, with an estimated 4,560 individuals benefiting from the housing. Participating cooperative members contributed over $39 million to finance their housing projects, with 34% of the units financed by mortgage loans issued by local banks. Health Partners: 46,000 members of health-care co-ops in Uganda now have reliable access to care, including bed nets to prevent malaria and Zika. Land O'Lakes: Land O'Lakes' work with the dairy sector in Rwanda has focused on partnering with cooperatives that have leveraged economies of scale through horizontal or vertical integration - working with each partner to improve operational management, organizational governance and business decision-making. NCBA CLUSA: In a 2017 Cooperative Leadership Event in Madagascar, co-organized with OCDC's Enhancing Development through Cooperatives, NCBA CLUSA led a conversation of over 100 stakeholders. This CLE led to an analysis of the cooperative law and created the momentum for a locally-led campaign for reform. NRECA International: Decades-long relationship with the Philippine rural electric community included assistance in the more recent recovery from Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that has included work to make the Philippines' power distribution infrastructure more storm resilient. 49 rural electrification projects in the Philippines provide power for 4.3 million co-op members. World Council of Credit Unions: In Kenya, WOCCU enrolled over 30,000 new youth members (18-35) in the past year. Over 84,000 Agriculture Loans have been issued, totaling to $8.7+ M. 3,000 orphans of HIV/AIDS received support and 466 scholarships were given for orphans and vulnerable children to attend secondary school.

It's clear that this work is enhanced by the additional private sector partnership with USAID through the CDP Program. OCDC members have been development partners with the U.S. government for over fifty years and the grant funding they've received from USAID enables these organizations to further share their expertise and resources through CDP's competitive grant program. CDP grants are designed to address specific needs, such as: improved governance; capitalization; gender empowerment; youth engagement; financial management; market performance; and, advocacy. CDP also prioritizes collaboration among partners through working groups, cooperative research, learning, and dissemination of cooperative development resources. With CDP grants now operational in 18 countries, it is worth remembering that more than 70 countries have been beneficiaries of multi-year CDP projects over the life of the CDP program. OCDC members have used the CDP program to implement the largest portfolio of cooperative development programs in the world. CDP program activities currently are funded in 18 countries. Two new organizations were funded in FY2019, bringing the total to ten. The current grant cycle began in 2018 and will end in 2023. Three additional organizations have expressed interest in the program.

Impact of the CDP Program Compared with other U.S. foreign aid programs, the CDP program has received a modest amount of funding and yet it has achieved tremendous success as a catalyst in laying an effective base for widespread and sustainable international cooperative development. Among 2 436

the measures of the CDP program's success over the years are reports of the following impacts: • 500 cooperatives and credit unions assisted with a combined savings to members of $495 million; • Provision of health insurance and services to more than 42,000 people in Uganda; • Leveraging of more than $95 million of investments for cattle cooperatives in South Africa; • Increased member equity among cacao cooperatives in Ecuador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic by more than $4 million; and, • Reforms to cooperative law and regulation in Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

This is only a representative sample of an impressive track record for the CDP program. The challenge is to use the CDP program to get additional traction for cooperative development that will produce similar impacts in other parts of the developing world. Among the lessons we've learned is that the CDP program is an important resource for demonstrating the positive experience of cooperatives in the developed world that can then be replicated to address the economic and social challenges of developing countries where cooperatives have not had a similar successful history.

It's well known that the experience of creating cooperatives in developing countries has been mixed, and in some cases, this has created a negative legacy, particularly where cooperatives have operated as instruments of the state. In these instances, membership has often been compulsory and civil servants were assigned to management and even board positions. These organizations have been instruments of official economic policy and channels for government services, and do not function to serve the needs and wants of their owner/members. These government-controlled parastatals are not true cooperatives, and it is inaccurate to ascribe their failures as failures of the cooperative model. The lesson learned from this experience is that it is extremely important to get the enabling legal environment structured correctly so that member-owned and member-controlled cooperatives can grow and flourish. What the CDP program does is provide access to the expertise of successful U.S. cooperatives that bring their experience with a cooperative model that is grounded in a legal environment that enables and encourages democratic governance.

Why Cooperatives Should be an International Development Tool Cooperatives are community-based private enterprises that promote grassroots democracy by bringing people together to meet their mutual needs through democratically governed businesses. Successful cooperatives build open markets and provide community-based jobs that help to alleviate poverty by bringing minorities, women and the poor into the mainstream economy. The community-based jobs that are created by the cooperatives help members of the cooperative achieve their own economic independence and provide resources to the community to address social goals such as improved access to health care and education.

Cooperatives have been particularly successful in promoting agricultural and rural development in the developed world. These same mechanisms, if properly structured and supported by good government policy that does not excessively intrude into cooperatives' management and governance systems, have the potential to bring similar development success to people around

3 437 the world. Where cooperatives have been allowed to operate according to true cooperative principles of member ownership and control, they have overcome obstacles and shown notable accomplishments at an impressive scale. Several examples of successful cooperative development on a larger scale include: • 100,000 dairy cooperatives in India representing 12 million members; • Rural electric cooperatives in Bangladesh that serve approximately 28 million people; • Insurance cooperatives insuring two million people in Colombia; and, • Credit union movements in Ecuador and Kenya, both with over a million members.

It's very difficult for this kind of large successful cooperative systems to develop spontaneously and, for this reason, it is important the cooperative development be incorporated as an objective of international development agencies like USAID. We know from our own economic development experience here in the United States that any successful business needs assistance from a network of resources and supporting partners to succeed. Cooperatives are no different. To achieve size and scale in agricultural markets, U.S. agricultural cooperatives have depended on networks that have included key players such as: cooperative extension agencies; NGO's with development expertise; government grant and loan programs that provide access to capital; as well as farmer associations that have worked together to create cooperatives.

These same resources are essential for successful cooperative development to happen in developing nations. The daunting challenges facing farmers in the developing world demand similar support, as well as technical assistance to allow them to build their own self-help cooperative enterprises. The CDP program has provided the U.S. cooperative community with an important resource that has enabled them to help lay the groundwork for similar networks that will serve the needs of cooperatives in the developing world. It's important that the CDP program continues to serve that important role in USAID's portfolio of development tools.

When people have jobs, can feed their children, find adequate health care and experience an overall better life, communities, countries and the world become more stable. Through old fashioned self-help, cooperatives have proven to nurture economic development and wealth generation for their members. Cooperatives also expose people to democracy and, for the vast majority of members of new cooperatives, this is their first experience participating in a democratic system. Cooperatives serve their members' needs, but they also put democratic and accountable governance into action. In countries that have experienced ethnic tension, conflict or dysfunction, democratic governance that is learned as part of the cooperative business enterprise can empower citizens and contribute to rebuilding the political, economic and social fabric of the nation.

Reason for Increased Funding Request for CDP Program -A Focus on Linking Farmers to Markets No group has been more neglected than farmers in low- and middle-income countries. In many places these poor smallholder farmers represent the majority of the population. This is especially true in rural settings in Africa and other parts of the developing world. 4 438

Cooperatives can and should play a central role in linking the developing world's small- and medium-scale farmers to markets, all of which will promote poverty reduction, increased food security and expanded agricultural growth. In particular, cooperatives allow small- and medium-sized farmers to become more productive, to actively participate in growing markets with greater market power and to provide inclusive economic growth that overcomes instances of market failure and exploitation. As a result, U.S. and international development agencies should increase their emphasis on creating cooperatives to achieve widespread and equitable economic growth that will pull millions of rural people out of poverty. It is the expectation that the requested $17 million in funding that's being requested for the FY2020 appropriations bill would enable the CDP program to provide an even larger number of competitive grants for farmer to farmer exchanges of information and best practices.

The CDP Program Received High Marks in Recent USAID Evaluation In 2017, USAID engaged Management Systems International to conduct an evaluation of the CDP. The evaluation team concluded that the CDP achieved notable successes in meeting its mission of creating self-reliant cooperative enterprises that are meeting members' needs and making a positive contribution to quality of life in members' communities and their nations. According to the evaluation, CDP also has successfully advanced larger USAID objectives and strategic priority areas, including: economic growth and trade; global health; democracy; human rights; governance; and public-private partnerships. The evaluation concluded that much of this value is due to the partnerships that stakeholders build with cooperatives supported under the CDP program, as well as external organizations seeking to enhance cooperative development.

REQUESTED FUNDING: The U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC) is requesting $17,000,000 for the Cooperative Development Program (CDP) in the FY2020 State-Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill.

REQUESTED BIU LANGUAGE: DEVELOPMENT AsslSTANCE: CooPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM "Provided that not less than $17,000,000 shall be made available for USA/D cooperative development programs within the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment."

SUGGESTED REPORT LANGUAGE: 'The Committee has repeatedly recognized the important role that U.S. cooperatives and credit unions play in overseas programs as a means to lift low-income people out of poverty through their own efforts by mobilizing equity and savings for community-based economic growth. The Committee directs the Agency for International Development to increase the budgetary level of the program for the next five-year agreement to include funding for research on the impact of cooperatives on members and their communities. Due to increased demand for the program and the programmatic impact the Committee intends to budget for not less than $17,000,000 per year for the next five years."

5 439

Paul Hazen Executive Director

U"S" Overseas Cooperative Development Council 1250 Connecticut Ave" NW, Suite 700, Washington. D"C" 20036

[email protected]

Paul Hazen became executive director of the Overseas Cooperative Development Council in February 2012. Previously, he represented one of the member organizations and served as OCDC's board chair and as a board member. One of his most-recent initiatives with OCDC is the formation of its Research Group, whose mission is to research, formulate and share effective strategies for the development, performance and growth of cooperatives in developing countries.

Throughout his career, Hazen has championed the U"S. cooperative system, which encompasses 29,000 co-ops; generates $654 billion in revenue; and creates more than two million jobs, representing $75 billion in wages and benefits. U.S. co-ops include Ace Hardware, Land O'Lakes, Inc., Sunkist, REI and the Associated Press. Hazen helped establish federal legislation promoting rural co-op development, formed a national network of co-op development centers and initiated national research into the impact of co-ops on the U.S" economy.

Prior to joining OCDC, Hazen was CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based National Cooperative Business Association. Under Hazen's leadership, NCBA's cooperative development portfolio grew from $8 million to over $30 million annually. During his 25-year tenure with the organization, he held key positions, including chief operating officer, vice president of public policy, vice president of member services and director of consumer cooperatives.

Active in cooperative matters al many levels, Hazen is the one of the founders of DotCoop the top-level domain for cooperatives around the world. He also serves on the boards of the National Cooperative Bank, Capital Impact Partners and the Community Purchasing Alliance Cooperative" Past board service includes the International Co-operative Alliance, Consumer Federation of American, Cooperative Development Foundation and Cooperative Business lnternationaL

In demand for his cooperative expertise, Hazen speaks frequently at national and international forums on the role of cooperatives in community and economic development. He is a past recipient of the CEO Communicator of the Year award from the Cooperative Communicators Association.

About OCDC: OCDC brings together organizations committed lo building a more prosperous world through cooperatives. Its mission is to champion, advocate and promote effective international cooperative development. OCDC's members are: ACDINOCA, Global Communities, Communications Cooperative International, Cooperative Resources International (CRI), HealthPartners, Land O'Lakes International, NCBA CLUSA, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the World Wide Credit Union Foundation. 440

Written Testimony by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs March 12, 2019

On behalf of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I thank the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for this opportunity to submit testimony on appropriations for FY 2020. Together with Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Church's overseas relief and development agency, I urge you to preserve funding for the international poverty-reducing, humanitarian, and development accounts specified in the table below which address factors that cause or exacerbate poverty such as health, infrastructure, armed conflict, and forced migration.

Al!ency Account Amount in $,000 USAID Maternal Health and Child Health $845,000 USAID Nutrition $145,000 USAID Vulnerable Children (orphans and displaced) $27,000 USAID HIV/AIDS (USAID Programs) $330,000 USAID Malaria, TB, Global Health Securitv & other NTDs $1,262,950 DOS/PEPFAR HIV/AIDS (State Fundine-/PEPFAR) $5,930,000 USAID Development Assistance (includimz water, education) $3,100,000 USAID/OFDA International Disaster Assistance $4,500,000 DOS/PRM Migration and Refugee Assistance $3,604,000 DOS/PRM Emergency Refugee and Mi=tion Assistance $1000 USAID Complex Crises Fund and Atrocities Prevention Board $35,750 MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation $905,000 DOS/IO Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities $1,825,000 DOS/IO Peacekeeoing Ooerations and Peace $552,940 DOS/IO U.S. Institute of Peace $38,634 DOS/IO Green Climate Fund $500,000 DOS/IO Combatting Trafficking in Persons $80,822

Generous and effective international assistance is a moral imperative to assist "the least of these" by promoting human life and dignity, advancing solidarity with the poor, and enhancing human security in our world. Such aid gives life to our values as a nation and is an essential component of United States leadership in the world.

In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis argues: "The need to resolve the structural causes of poverty cannot be delayed, not only for the pragmatic reason of its urgency for the good order of society, but because society needs to be cured of a sickness which is weakening and frustrating it, and which can only lead to new crises ... Inequality is the root of social ills" (#202). He calls on all nations to express true solidarity with the poor and to address the growing inequality in the world that "eventually engenders a violence which recourse to arms cannot and never will be able to resolve" (#60). He also stresses that among the poorest and most abandoned are migrants and refugees" who need more humane conditions and need the causes of their migration to be addressed. (World Day ofMigrants & Refugees (2015)).

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The American people are historically generous to people in low-income countries. A 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 15% Americans believe international assistance is more than half of the federal budget. The average estimate was 31 %. The actual amount of the federal budget allocated to international assistance is approximately 1%, while the accounts that the USCCB supports total only about 0.6%. I urge you to protect international assistance that saves lives, and reduces instability and widespread forced displacement.

Reflections on Foreign Aid Reform Elements

I would like to offer some strategic recommendations on how the United States can rebalance and refocus its international assistance to better align with the problems and threats that our world faces. I strongly recommend that the United States reorient its vision and international affairs strategy towards a more robust diplomatic and development-centered engagement to end our endless wars and prevent conflict in the poor and fragile countries of the world. To reach this goal, the United States should also design and develop a systematic and strategic partnership with American civil society, in particular faith-based organizations, and increase its support to civil society and faith-based communities in the developing world. I also urge the United States to concentrate more resources in conflict prevention in the fragile countries of the world, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

1. Towards a more just balance among defense, diplomacy, and development with a greater emphasis on conflict prevention.

After 17 years of war in Afghanistan and 15 in Iraq it is self-evident that there is no military-driven solution to these conflicts, that there can be no military victory. Yet some observers argue that a withdrawal after 17 years would be precipitous. The only victory that could guarantee peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and Iraq and eventually in Syria and Yemen must come from sustained, open, and inclusive negotiations between legitimate political leaders from all sides of the conflicts in these countries. As a party to these conflicts, the United States should shift resources to its diplomats, regional strategists, and civil society builders to facilitate and support these negotiations. The leaders and stakeholders to these conflicts have to realize together that a just and lasting peace cannot be won and imposed by a military victory. A just peace can only come from a new shared social contract that creates a legitimate, accountable government, and public administration, military, police and promotes a free and vibrant populace living in a society that guarantees their full civil and human rights.

How long can we ask our men and women in the armed services to fight the same people over the same ground in an endless attempt to stave off military defeat, ifwe are not making every effort to win the peace that will allow our forces to return home to their families satisfied to have left peace in their wake? In 2017, over a 120 retired generals and admirals wrote to Congress that the State Department, Peace Corps, and development "are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way." In 2013 former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis testified before Congress, "If you don't fully fund the State Department, I need to buy more ammunition." Although true, the sad reality is that the ammunition cannot win peace.

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Despite this, the State Department's budget is historically low in comparison to that of defense. In 1950, State's budget was around half the size of defense. Today State receives only 10% of what the Defense Department is allocated. Since 9/11 most of the increases to State's budget went to improve physical security at overseas posts. We live in a world in transition from the post-Cold War world order that was dominated by the United States to a more multi-polar universe dominated by an increasing number of conflicts, large flows of refugees escaping those conflicts, threats from terrorist groups, and challenges to the existing world order from Russia, China and a rise of nationalism that proposes walls on borders instead of bridges. In such a world the United States urgently needs to deploy skilled diplomats who can see through the noise of the headlines to a clear and objective understanding of the trend lines and the root causes of conflict and instability. We need regional and diplomatic experts capable of negotiating the peace while our military staves off war.

The Church has understood this imperative for years. We have proclaimed the moral imperative to build just peace and fund poverty-reducing development and humanitarian assistance as the only path to security for all. Pope Benedict XVI taught in his 2009 World Day of Peace Message, "to fight poverty is to build peace" (#15). Pope Francis agrees: "Today in many places we hear a call for greater security. But until exclusion and inequality in society and between people are reversed, it will be impossible to eliminate violence ...." (The Joy ofthe Gospel, # 59).

2. Transitioning to Preventing State Fragility and Violent Conflict

While the United States rebuilds robust diplomatic and peacebuilding structures and institutions, we also must transform our understanding of conflict in the world. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks the US Bishops' Conference warned, "Our nation must join with others in addressing policies and problems that provide fertile ground in which terrorism can thrive." We urge our political leaders to look beyond a limited focus on counter-terrorism to address the poverty and powerlessness that make some people easier recruits for violence and terror. The United States entered Afghanistan with a strategy to counter violent extremism. To combat the Taliban government the military then fought to counter violent insurgency. After 17 years, terrorist groups are weakened but remain and the insurgent Taliban are gaining ground.

Since independence almost 59 years ago, the country of Mali has known latent, and at other times, violent conflict between the nomadic Tuareg in the three northern provinces and the Sub-Saharan African people in the center and south. In 2012 a large group of Tuareg left Libya when Muamar Khaddaffi fell. They returned to Mali with Libyan heavy weaponry. They took total control over northern Mali and then launched an attack into central Mali. It took the rapid intervention of French military forces with U.S. logistical support to turn them back. Seven years later, despite an agreement to resolve the political and social grievances from the Tuareg, the latent conflict remains waiting for the next crisis to reignite violence.

Years before Mali, Somalia fell into disarray. The state collapsed and became a safe haven for terrorist groups. Boko Haram in Nigeria evolved from a small unknown fringe religious group to become an organized terrorist network with the ability to stage attacks in the capital Abuja and gain control over a large part of Northeast Nigeria. In these countries, the presence of terror groups is the last symptom of the massive failure of the state to rule and

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govern - already fragile states becoming failed states. Concentrating on the terrorist presence in such a country is like giving an aspirin to a man dying of malaria to treat the headache.

Fragility and conflicts also exist in the Central African Republic, Cameroon, South Sudan, Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where insurgents operate causing enormous suffering in the absence of 'terrorists'. Here conflict is the result of poor governance, group grievances, mismanagement of latent conflict, repression, human rights violations, and crushing poverty.

Human rights groups, think tanks, and peacebuilding organizations have urged the U.S. Government to change its focus on countering violent extremism to preventing fragility and the violent conflict that often results from fragility. There is a move by Pax Christi and Catholic academics to develop a theological and practical theory of how to transform violent conflict to Just Peace, which is a sustainable peace based on justice and reconciliation.

The Institute of Peace is developing a report called "Beyond the Homeland Protecting America from Extremism in Fragile States". Their conclusion is Going forward, the priority for U.S. policy should be to strengthen.fragile states-to help them build resilience against the alarming growth ofviolent extremism within their own societies. The World Bank published a report Pathways for Peace with the goal oflaying the groundwork for a new focus on preventing conflict before it destroys a country turning it into a potential playground for future terrorists.

The 115 th Congress passed a bill that the USCCB supported called the Elie Wiesel Global Atrocities Prevention Act. It affirmed the Atrocities Prevention Board's efforts to coordinate all relevant Federal Government agencies to address fragility and prevent conflict. The act also called for resources. The past Administration created the Complex Crisis Fund to finance short term efforts to head off conflict before it breaks out. Another bill, supported by the USCCB, was the Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act that would push the Administration to develop and adopt best practices and strategies in 6 pilot countries; I am urging the reintroduction of this bill in the 116th Congress.

I urge the Congress and the Administration to focus on and invest more State Department and USAID resources in reducing fragility in the world and preventing violent conflict. The U.S. should increase the capacity of the State Department Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations and expand programs by the USAID Office of Transitional Initiatives, Conflict Management and Mitigation, and the Complex Crises Fund and integrate peacebuilding and social cohesion efforts into development programs in agriculture and livelihood promotion.

3. Leave No One Behind: Greater Funding to the Poorest and Most Fragile States

The Brooking Institute estimates that in 2030 31 countries will be home to 80% of people living in extreme poverty. Africa now accounts for two-thirds of the world's extreme poor and will reach nine-tenths by 2030. If Africa is the center of poverty in the world, it is also ground zero when it comes to fragility and conflict. Of the 25 most fragile countries in the 2018 Fragile State Index created by the Fund for Peace, 19 are in Africa. Of the 84 conflicts in the world in 2017 the Upsala Conflict Data Program estimates that 50 are in Africa.

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While these 31 countries currently account for two thirds of the world's people living in extreme poverty and 60% of the world's conflicts, they receive less than one quarter of total programmable aid from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. To redress the particular conditions in fragile states USAID should:

• Develop a more "expeditionary" development approach that is more rapid, nimble, and risk tolerant using cooperative agreements instead of rigid contracts. (Center for Global Development, 2018) • Increase funding to poverty-reducing programs like those in the table above. • Redouble its programs in governance, reducing corruption, conflict prevention, and mitigation. • Increase humanitarian assistance in countries in the throes of conflict. • Fund inclusive growth programs especially micro-finance to lift up the poor. • Enlist and promote social investment firms and other U.S. businesses to increase their engagement in fragile countries. • Invest heavily in civil society development, especially faith-based groups. Too often corrupt or predatory governments ally with large businesses to protect the interests of a small elite. A more vibrant micro-business climate and a strong and organized civil society can defend the interests of the poor and marginalized. • Increase funding for human rights, freedom of the press and religion, and other democracy-building activities as investments in sustainable peace and prosperity. • Form strategic and flexible partnerships with U.S. faith-based groups like Catholic Relief Services and secular NGOs to engage micro-businesses and civil society in fragile countries. Teaming the best of American civil society with their counterparts in fragile states is a dynamic strategy.

4. Massive increase in Funding for the Prevention and Mitigation of Climate Change

Pope Benedict XVI was known as the environmental Pope - often referred to as the "Green Pope." His successor, Pope Francis, issued the encyclical Ladauto Si and greatly affirmed the Catholic Church's stance on climate change and care for creation. 'Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years." We must all change our day-to-day actions to live more sustainably. "Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility." On a larger scale, our leaders must be held accountable. "Those who will have to suffer the consequences ... will not forget this failure of conscience and responsibility."

The vast majority of the carbon dioxide currently in our atmosphere is of human origin, but those who will bear the consequences of the resultant climate change will be the poorest countries of the world. The Unites States must lead the wealthier, developed countries of the world (and others like China and India) in a worldwide effort to cut emissions and help poor nations adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. The United States should increase its allocations to the Green Climate Fund and finance other programs through U.S. NGOs to work with poorest communities to help them build resilience to increasing floods, droughts, crop pests, and diseases.

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Biography: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio was born in 1951 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He attended parochial schools in Cleveland, Ohio and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classics at Boston College, an S.T.B. in Theology and a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

Archbishop Broglio was ordained to the priesthood (for the Diocese of Cleveland) on 19 May 1977 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the North American College, Rome.

From 1977 to 1979 he served as associate pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish, South Euclid. From I 979 to 1983 Archbishop Broglio attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

From 1983 to 1987 the Archbishop served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. From 1987 to 1990 he served as Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Asunscion, Paraguay. From 1990 to 200 I Archbishop Broglio served as Chief of Cabinet for Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State to His Holiness Pope John Paul II and desk officer for Central America.

In February 2001 the Archbishop was named Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico. The Archbishop was ordained as an Archbishop by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on I 9 March 200 I.

On 19 November 2007 Archbishop Broglio was named the fourth Archbishop of the Military Services, USA, and installed on 25 January 2008, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

He served as a Member of the Board of Directors of CRS from 2009 to 2011 as chairman of the USCCB Committee for Canonical Affairs and Church Governance and as a member of the Subcommittee for the Defense of Marriage. Archbishop Broglio also chaired the Task Force charged with planning the 2013 Special Assembly of the Conference and was a member of the Subcommittee for Health Care. He is currently Chairman of the Committee for International Justice and Peace and a member of the Committee on Religious Freedom.

A Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus, he is a Trustee of Catholic Distance University, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, and is Chairman of the Communications Committee for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the hnmaculate Conception.

The Archbishop's honors include Commander of the National Order of Cote d'Ivoire; Commander of the Order of the Polar Star, Sweden; Gran Cross with Silver Badge of the Order of Sanchez, Duarte and Mella, Dominican Republic; Grand Officer of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins of Chile; Commander of the Order of Antonio Jose de Irisarri of Guatemala; Grand Cross of the Order of the Libertador San Martin of Argentina; Officer of the Orden de Mayo, Argentina; Commander of the Italian Republic; Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre; Honorary Conventual Chaplain of the Order of Malta; Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael of the Wing; Grand Officer of the Order of Sts. Maurice and Lazarus.

Archbishop Broglio is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and French. 446

Testimony of Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Addressing the Topline 302(b) Allocation March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers: On behalf of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition - a network of over 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, military, and civic leaders from across the country- thank you for the opportunity to testify about the important resources provided in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill that are critical to protect our nation, promote our economy, advance our values, and uphold America's leadership role in the world. Today, I ask that the Committee provide $57.4 billion for the FY20 SFOPS 302(b) allocation.

Our coalition appreciates your longstanding leadership and uncompromising support for America's development and diplomacy programs, including your work to prevent deep and disproportionate cuts to these programs over the past two years. The final appropriation for the FYI 9 State-Foreign Operations bill of $54.1 billion - a slight increase compared to the FYI 8 enacted level holds the line at a critical moment for America's leadership around the world.

Given the strong bipartisan support for the International Affairs Budget among military, business, humanitarian, and faith-based leaders around the country- as well as bipartisan Members of Congress - it is deeply concerning that the Administration's FY20 budget proposes to slash a quarter of America's civilian footprint in the world. However, I am confident that Congress will pronounce the FY20 request as "strike three" and take decisive action to restore funding for these critical programs to the FYI 7 total enacted level of $57.4 billion.

Protecting National Security

As you know well, today America is confronting unprecedented threats abroad- from an expansionist China to continued violent extremism to a resurgent Ebola - all of which have a direct impact on our national security and economic interests here at home.

Our military leaders are the first to say that hard power alone is not enough to keep America safe. Earlier this week, more than a dozen of our most elite military leaders - former Commanders from all six of our nation's regional combatant commands in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, and North America-issued ajoint statement urging the Congress to protect resources for America's International Affairs Budget, asserting that "Doing so is critical to keeping our nation safe and prosperous."

These retired military leaders join America's current Combatant Commanders who have testified before Congress in recent weeks about the strategic importance of the State Department, USAID, and other development agencies as key partners around the world to protect U.S. interests and values. 447

The Administration's proposed 24% cut to these programs - while at the same time proposing to increase military spending - represents a dramatic break with decades of bipartisan consensus that development and diplomacy are also key pillars of U.S. national security.

Advancing the U.S. Economy

America also faces tremendous opportunities around the world. With 95% of consumers living outside of our country, it is clear that our economic prosperity and a strong economic future for our children depend on building new markets for American products overseas. Investments in global development - including agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and the rule of law - contribute to stability and establish an enabling environment for American businesses to thrive. That's a return on investment for taxpayers that's good for our country now, and even better for our future.

With countries like China outpacing the U.S. in international investments and engagement, we cannot afford to get left behind. For example, China has already pledged more than one trillion dollars to its Belt and Road Initiative - seven times the size of the Marshall Plan in real dollars - to further strengthen its economic ties and access to emerging economies across Asia and Africa. China has also surpassed the U.S. as the leading trading partner for several South American countries, including Brazil, the continent's largest economy.

China has dramatically expanded its competitive playing field and is certainly playing to win. I was just in Africa, and China's footprint is everywhere. Our own engagement overseas needs to be active and competitive. The new Development Finance Corporation authorized by the bipartisan BUILD Act will do just that by strengthening America's development finance toolkit.

Promoting Our Values

America is a generous nation - and we can be proud of our longstanding leadership in helping those in need around the world. From the 17 million lives saved through PEPFAR to the more than 23 million people that have been lifted out of poverty through Feed the Future, these programs showcase the best of our values and ideals: compassion, a belief in human dignity and, most of all, an effective approach of sustained impact by providing a hand up not a handout.

Providing humanitarian assistance isn't just something we do, it's a reflection of who we are as Americans. As Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend Samuel Rodriguez recently wrote, "American foreign assistance is among the most cost-effective and compassionate commitments our government makes ... [they are] critical programs that save and celebrate life. Let us be that shining city on a hill; there remains good works to be done."

Building on Bipartisan Reforms

America can be proud of the legacy of strong bipartisan support in Congress for the International Affairs Budget - and for the longstanding commitment to effective, accountable, transparent, and results-driven international programs. The 115th Congress passed nearly a dozen pieces of bipartisan legislation that strengthen foreign assistance programs - from food security to 448

women's empowerment to basic education. I am confident the I 16th Congress will continue to build on this impressive progress, which we have already seen with the introduction of new legislation addressing issues such as the root causes of fragility and using diplomacy to bolster American business competitiveness.

These efforts are working. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and USAID were ranked first and second across the federal government by the 2018 Federal Invest in What Works Index for their use of data and evidence to inform policy and management decisions. Additionally, nearly 100% of foreign assistance is publicly available online on the Foreign Assistance Dashboard, allowing Americans to see exactly where their tax dollars are going.

The Administration's FY20 budget includes funding for the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), a new policy agenda led by Ivanka Trump to empower women economically around the world. This initiative builds on the passage of the bipartisan Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act last year. These are the types of investments - along with those that combat hunger and poverty, provide health services and educational opportunities, and promote civic and political participation - that build a better, safer, more prosperous world.

Foreign Assistance Is Delivering Results

It is one thing to talk about development programs as lines in a ledger. It's another thing to see how these programs are delivering results for the American people. Like all of you on this subcommittee who travel abroad, I recently returned from a visit to Sub-Sahara Africa. It was there that I saw the power of our development and diplomacy programs - how our investments are not just saving lives, but how they are making America safer and more prosperous. Just a few highlights to share:

• When it comes to our national security, it couldn't have been clearer than my visit to the Nanking Peace Mission Training Center. I met with our State Department officials who were part of the team training more than 1,000 Zambian forces before they deployed to the challenging region of the Central African Republic (CAR). The Zambians were very proud, American troops were not heading to CAR, and the program costs of the train-the-trainers is down 85% from just a few years ago. That is what I call a win-win.

• On the economic front, the great power competition was visible from the moment I stepped off the plane in Lusaka, Zambia. Greeting us was the soon-to-be-opened state of the art glass enclosed new airport - and yes, "built-by-China." - a sight that one can see in many capitals throughout the continent. It was an important reminder that America needs to be at the table, especially given that Africa is the home to many of the world's fastest growing markets.

• And when it comes to promoting our values, it was a rural village outside Mfuwe that captured my heart. We all know that the President's Malaria Initiative has saved 7 million lives to date, but here I was in a village with kids crawling on my lap because the American people have joined together with the private sector and the Zambia government, and now, this country is on the verge of eradicating malaria. Priceless. 449

• And last but not least, the new reforms were impressive. I saw this everywhere - but particularly when I visited the PEPFAR DREAMS program in Livingstone. I met a young girl who was sold by her mother at age 13. By 15 she was homeless, had HIV/AIDS and was a mother of two. But today, she was not only healthier, she was safe in this community, and proud to tell me all about her fashion design business. The DREAMS program was not just about saving lives but about giving life and her future.

As you know, Madam Chairwoman and Ranking Member Rogers, the world is a challenging and complicated place. But this small investment that you oversee is making a big difference for the American people - promoting security, advancing our economic interests, and demonstrating our values.

Ensuring Strong Funding

I am grateful for your unwavering support of the International Affairs Budget. Building on your leadership and the strong investments approved in FY19, I urge you to restore funding for the State-Foreign Operations bill to the FY17 total enacted level of$57.4 billion.

I also ask that you work with your colleagues to reach a new bipartisan budget deal that increases the cap on non-defense discretionary spending in FY20. This is the only way to ensure strong funding for the International Affairs Budget in FY20.

The Administration's budget proposal might be strike three, but I'm confident Congress will stay in the game. The USGLC looks forward to working with you in the coming weeks and months as we step up to bat for America's global leadership. 450

Liz Schrayer, President & CEO

Liz Schrayer serves as President & CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), a broad-based coalition of over 500 businesses and NGOs that advocates for strong U.S. global leadership through development and diplomacy. Under her leadership, the USGLC has grown to a nationwide network of advocates in all 50 states and boasts a bipartisan Advisory Council, chaired by General Colin Powell which includes every living former Secretary of State, and a National Security Advisory Council consisting of nearly 200 retired three and four-star generals and admirals. In addition to running the USGLC, Ms. Schrayer serves as President of Schrayer & Associates, Inc., a nationwide political consulting firm founded in 1994, which works on a wide range of domestic and international issues.

Ms. Schrayer currently serves on USAID's Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACFVA), as well as several advisory boards and committees for the University of Michigan, including the Ford School of Public Policy. Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Schrayer served as the national Political Director of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) for more than a decade. She worked on Capitol Hill, founding the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and in state government. She has traveled across the country organizing citizen advocates in every state. Ms. Schrayer has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and resides in Maryland with her husband Jeff Schwaber, an attorney who helped launch the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. 451

Testimony on Fiscal Year 2020 Robyn Fischer, Acting Director of Policy and Advocacy WaterAid America March 12, 2019

Members of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs:

I am writing to you today on behalf ofWaterAid America to support of the International Affairs Budget that funds operations for global development and health through the Department of State and USAID. We request $3.1 billion for the Development Assistance account (DA), a foundational account for a variety of critical interventions, and maintain $435 million for the Water and Sanitation sector allocation. The cases to fully-fund these accounts are made below.

As a member of the global health and development community, WaterAid wishes to highlight the tremendous results achieved through U.S. investments in the International Affairs Budget and stress the critical need to maintain funding for this powerful function of the U.S. budget. In particular, the Development Assistance account is crucial for not just water and sanitation, but all other sectors that water depends on, to effectively provide life-saving services.

Development Assistance - $3.1 billion WaterAid is the largest organization focused on providing clean water, safe sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH) to the most underserved, global communities. Our primary objective is to ensure that governments support these basic services for their residents. But in order to do so, we have to recognize how interconnected WASH is with every aspect global development and productivity. The Development Assistance account is the bedrock of U.S. investments to help the world's poorest people. These funds help them to obtain access to education and clean water, grow nutritious food, protect the environment, promote economic development, support good governance, respond to severe weather events, prevent child marriage and gender-based violence, and create more equitable, self-sufficient democratic societies. The requested funding level for Development Assistance allows the US to take the necessary steps to address these global challenges.

US interests and security is contingent upon strong relationships with allied countries all around the world. Those relationships are built on providing development assistance. Without robust funding for development, US humanitarian relief and disaster response will be far more expensive because of a poor baseline of development.

If the Appropriators cut funding for Development Assistance and global health programs, all other programs that water depends on will fail; in order to reach everyone everywhere with access to clean drinking water and safe toilets, other sectors like education and food security must succeed. 452

For example, an estimated 272 million school days are missed each day1 around the world due to water-related illnesses, caregiving responsibilities, water-collection responsibilities, and other WASH-related challenges. Poor WASH facilities in schools also prevent girls from managing their menstruation with safety and dignity - there is no safe space nor are their materials necessary to clean themselves. Ensuring access to water, sanitation and hygiene management is essential to addressing the challenge faced by the 62 million girls around the world who are not in school. WASH could help to increase their lifetime earning potential, health status, and ability to contribute meaningfully to their local and national economies. It can contribute to US efforts to end child marriage, by helping to keep them in school and mitigating vulnerability to early marriage and pregnancy. But WASH and education programs go hand in hand, and both must be well resourced for each to succeed.

Similarly, food security and agriculture programs under Feed to Future are tangibly linked to WASH: without adequate and nutritious food, communities not only risk dire health issues, but also civil unrest in an attempt to acquire what little food there is available. There are roughly 795 million people who are plagued with hunger, and malnutrition still causes nearly half of all deaths of children under the age of 5 (nearly 3 million per year). WASH, coupled with proper nutrition services, can help to thwart hunger and malnutrition that robs women and children of healthy, productive lives, and stunt the mental and physical development of future generations. The U.S. government's global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future, takes a comprehensive, sustainable approach to agricultural development and supports WASH activities. The Development Assistance Account must be fully funded in order to maximize investments in both Feed the Future and WASH, for the greatest return on investment.

Finally, women and girls report experiences or fear of physical and sexual violence, including rape and multiple forms of harassment, while walking for water, while looking for a place to go the toilet out in the open, and while attempting to use communal latrine blocks. Many girls report feeling particularly unsafe at latrine blocks on school grounds, where bullying, harassment, and even rape are all too common occurrences that can sometimes lead to girls dropping out altogether. US government programs designed to protect women and girls and promote gender equality are key partners to the WASH sector and USAID's Water Office. For WASH programs to be effective, an emphasis must be placed on maintain programs that protect women and girls and reduce the threat of violence against them.

These are just three examples of the ways in which the many sectors supported by the entire Development Assistance account depend upon one another. Significant cuts to DA would have unintended negative consequences to those programs supported by the account. This includes Water.

1 UNICEF 453

Water Pursuant to the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act 0(2005 and the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act 0(2014 - $435 million Safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is one of the great success stories of US development assistance. It underpins nearly all of our current foreign policy priorities and has one of the highest returns on investment of any international development or global health program. Clean water programs enable us to achieve other goals, such as eliminating preventable diseases; strengthening household, community and national economies; and preventing potential public health crises. Safe drinking water programs are part of a critical, lifesaving package of interventions, which includes improved sanitation and hygiene. All components of WASH can improve infrastructure, create local jobs and ultimately increase purchasing power, enable people to enter or remain in school or the productive labor force, and achieve a range of other US foreign policy priorities.

Funding for WASH assists millions of people with a relatively small investment and helps to reduce water and sanitation-related morbidity and mortality across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. WASH programs also contribute heavily to long-lasting progress across many other sectors: global health, education, food security, agriculture, nutrition, child survival, women's empowerment, conservation, and poverty alleviation. However, 844 million people still lack access to clean drinking water and 2.3 billion lack access to basic sanitation-that's a full one-third of the global population. Additionally, in low- and middle-income countries 38% of health care facilities lack an improved water source, 19% do not have sanitation, and 35% do not have water and soap for handwashing. The consequences can range of preventable infections like sepsis taking a new mother's life, to disease outbreaks that might otherwise have been contained with proper hygiene in place.

To this end, we respectfully request that the Committee maintain its sub-directive for WASH in sub-Saharan Africa to $195,000,000 for FY20. Since passage of the Water for the World Act, USAID and the Department of State have continued to direct a disproportionately large dollar amount of their limited funding for Water to countries that do not have the greatest need for these services. Pursuant to the Water for the World Act USAlD was to develop a WASH Needs Index and share how those metrics within the Index with stakeholders and members of Congress, yet the Global Water Strategy failed to outline how priority countries were determined, and allocated $130 million to only three countries, none of which is among the countries with greatest need.2

To remedy this, Congress included specific explanatory report language to address this lack of transparency requiring USAID to share the "weighting of criteria in the WASH Needs Index and an explanation of how it is used to prioritize funding that is proportionate to the needs of a country for water, sanitation, and hygiene projects." As USAID begins to share this weighting, it is still imperative to maintain the sub-directive

2 Jordan: $60 million request, 93% access to safely managed water, 77% access to safely managed sanitalloIL Lebanon: $18.4 million request, 48% access to safely managed water, 20% access to safely mangled sanitation. West Bank and Gaza: $52 million request, unknown access to safely managed water, 60% access to safely managed sanitallon 454

for Sub-Saharan Africa to ensure a more equitable portion of limited WASH investments goes to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world as intended by law.

With a return on investment of $4 for every $1 invested, and an anticipated $220 billion annual return to the global economy once universal access to safe drinking water and toilets is finally achieved, WASH is a sound use of taxpayer dollars and an important tool in creating resilient, self-sufficient communities worldwide.3 WASH is also consistently selected by the American public as a top priority for US foreign assistance, further supporting the notion that time is right for the next Administration to focus on WASH.4

Investment in WASH improves global economic stability and helps prevent threats identified in the 2012 Intelligence Community Assessment on Global Water Security, which noted that in the next 10 years, "... countries important to the United States will experience water problems - shortages, poor water quality, or floods - that will risk instability and state failure, increase regional tensions, and restrict them from working with the United States on important US policy objectives." The NIE also highlighted the importance of U.S. leadership in moving developing countries toward sound water management policies at the local, national, and regional levels.

An FY2019 appropriation of $435 million for water, sanitation, and hygiene could: • Provide long-term, safe drinking WASH services to an additional 350,000 people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America; • Increase foreign aid effectiveness by equipping people in developing countries with the tools and capabilities to solve their own water, sanitation and health challenges on an ongoing basis; and • Create progress toward universal coverage by providing WASH to often overlooked health care facilities and schools.

3 World Health Orgaruzation Global costs and benefits of drinking-water supply and saruta11on interventions to reach the MDG target and universal coverage http://www.whoJnt/water_sanitation_health/publications/2012/globalcosts.pdf 4 See for example Kaiser Family Foundat10n, 2015, http./Mf.org/global-health-pohcy/press-release/data-note american-V1ews-on-ebola-response-and-u-s-global-health-efforts/ 455

Robyn Fischer serves as the Acting Director of Policy and Advocacy for WaterAid America. She works closely with US government to improve international development assistance for WASH; specifically she focuses on congressional funding for WASH, climate resilience, and broader WASH integration. Prior to joining WaterAid, Robyn worked at National Wildlife Federation and the US House of Representatives' Water and Power Subcommittee. Robyn holds a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz and she is based in Washington, DC. 456

Testimony of Kelly Keenan Aylward Washington Office Director Wildlife Conservation Society

March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on the FY20 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. WCS has been deeply concerned with the Administration's past proposed budget cuts to these important international conservation and combating wildlife trafficking accounts and thanks the Appropriations Committee for restoring and growing these programs in the FYI 9 enacted legislation. We ask for your continued support in FY20, including: $100.66 million for USAID and State Department Combating Wildlife Trafficking programs; level funding at $139.57 million for the U.S. Treasury Department's contribution to the Global Environment Facility; $300 million for USAID Biodiversity Programs, including the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment, Andean Amazon, Maya Biosphere Reserve, U.S. Forest Service International Programs, USFWS International Species; $135 million for USAID Sustainable Landscapes programs, continued support for border forest security in the Northern Triangle, and $7 million for the State Department's International Conservation Programs.

WCS was founded with the help of Theodore Roosevelt in 1895 with the mission of saving wildlife and wild places worldwide. Headquartered at our flagship, the Bronx Zoo, and managing the largest network of urban wildlife parks in the United States, WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places, focusing on 16 priority regions that are home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. Today, we have offices in almost 60 countries and manage more than 200 million acres of protected areas around the world, employing more than 4,000 staff including 200 PhDs and 100 veterinarians.

U.S. government investments in international conservation increase the capacity of other nations to respond to wildlife crimes, extreme weather, drought, and wildfires, and thus strengthening governance in these developing nations, which improves U.S. national security. The world is less safe when criminals profit from poaching wildlife and stealing precious natural resources, and when shortages of arable land, water, and food lead to instability and armed conflict in the developing world. When foreign companies don't play by the rules, law-abiding Americans pay the price. That is why WCS and partners have launched the Natural Security Campaign to demonstrate that investments in international conservation can help prevent global conflicts, reduce international crime, and guard against natural disaster. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Engel recently spoke at our House briefing, and more information is available at: natural security .us.

WCS is appreciative of the bipartisan congressional support for U.S. government investments in international conservation as demonstrated by FY19 Consolidated Appropriations Act. WCS urges continued U.S. investment in these programs in FY20. 457

USAID & INL 's Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program: The illegal trade in endangered wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horns, pangolins, tiger parts, and other parts, is worth an estimated $8 to $10 billion annually .1 Extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Lord's Resistance Anny, the same organized networks engaged in trafficking drugs, people, and weapons, are trafficking in wildlife. W CS works to combat wildlife trafficking in 19 of the 26 Focus Countries and all three Countries of Concern identified by the Department of State Focus Country Report.2 WCS's Wildlife Crime Units demonstrating success in Indonesia are being replicated on the African continent. WCS works in partnership with USAID and State Department INL to implement anti-poaching, law enforcement, and capacity building programs around investigations and border patrols, prosecutions, and convictions from source sites to trafficking bottlenecks to demand countries. W CS conservationists are documenting the increased killing of jaguars in Latin America for the illegal trade to Asia as well as increased wild bird trafficking through South America. WCS recommends $100,664,000, a $10 million increase over the FY19 enacted level and that $60 million ofthat total be directed to State Department /NL from Title IV to expand efforts to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking in Latin and South America in order to address trafficking in species beyond elephants, rhinos, tigers, pangolins, great apes, sharks, etc., as identified as a priority at the 2018 London Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference.

Global Environment Facility (the GEF): The U.S. is one of more than 30 donors to the GEF and more than 1/3 of all funds are directed to biodiversity conservation in the developing world. For every $1 provided by the U.S. government the GEF and its partners can leverage nearly $40 in support and/or in-kind contributions. The GEF established a new funding stream for combating wildlife trafficking and has invested $ 130 million in 19 countries to combat wildlife trafficking. At the GEF-7 Replenishment negotiations the US Treasury limited their pledge to the FYl9 Administration request of$68.3 million. The FYl9 enacted legislation specified that of the $139,575,000 appropriated, $136,563,000 is only available for the first installment of the seventh replenishment of the GEF. WCS recommends level fending of the USG contribution to the GEF at $139,575,000 in FY20for the second installment ofthe seventh replenishment ofthe GEF.

USAID Biodiversity: The USG is a global leader in biodiversity, forest, and marine conservation investments, which are delivered largely through the USAID Biodiversity Program and prioritized around the USAID Biodiversity Policy. These programs help protect some of the largest and most at-risk natural landscapes and the livelihoods of millions of people who directly depend on natural resources for their survival and economic growth. Community-based conservation promotes local livelihoods in biodiverse ecosystems, and allows conservation to drive win-win strategies. WCS recommends $300 million for USAID Biodiversity, a $15 million increase over the FY19 enacted level. The recommended increase would support corresponding increases in support for large regional programs at USAID, such as CARPE, the Amazon

1 U.S. National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking 2015 Annual Progress Assessment, p. 10 -12, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/254013 pdf. 2 U.S. Department of State, 2018 END Wildlife Trafficking Report, Oct. JO, 2018, available at https://www.state.gov/eloes/rls/rpts/286539.htm,

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Regional Environment Program, the Maya Biosphere Reserve and expansion ofwildlife conservation in South Sudan to protect the wildl!fe migration into Ethiopia.

Weak governance, easy road access to wildlife habitat, and dense human settlement all contribute to wildlife population losses, as has been shown for African elephants and many other species. With the critical support of the USAID Central Africa Program for the Environment (CARPE), WCS has been implementing field conservation programs in Northern Republic of Congo's Ndoki National Park to train rangers and conduct SMART patrols on foot, by motorbike, boat, vehicle and plane. This has resulted in increases in arrests and sentencing of transnational criminals implicated in ivory trafficking. Elephant numbers in Ndoki Park have remained stable since 2006, even while they have plummeted across much of Central Africa. WCS is concerned that the lack of clarity around the Administration's implementation of2018 Trafficking In Persons Report has had the effect of impounding USAID Biodiversity funding directed toward CARPE programs in the Republic of Congo and DRC. WCS recommends $45 million for CARPE, a $5 million increase over the FYl9 enacted level.

USAID's Amazon Regional Environment Program Strategy builds upon the Initiative for Conservation in the Andean Amazon (ICAA), which worked with national and municipal government and local communities to implement conservation programs in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador which resulted in better protection and management of nearly 20 million acres of rainforest, more environmentally friendly livelihoods for indigenous and other local communities, and the training of over 55,000 people in conservation and resource management. WCS is pleased to see the new Amazon Regional Environment Strategy incorporates strong recommendations around watershed management for protected areas and indigenous territories as an essential means to mitigate and minimize threats from infrastructure and development projects. The strategy also attempts to integrate conservation results from Brazil across the Andean Amazon region while maintaining a bilateral US-Brazil funding stream and scope of work. WCS recommends $25.5 million for biodiversity conservation programs in the Andean Amazon, a $5 million increase over the FYJ9 enacted level to support implementation ofthe new Amazon Regional Environment Program Strategy.

The Maya Biosphere (MBR) in Guatemala is the largest intact forest in Central America, rich in wildlife, archeological sites and indigenous people dependent upon the forest for their livelihoods. Witq proximity to the northern border, the forest - and fires set in and around it - serve as cover for the trafficking of many illegal commodities. WCS trains park rangers in law enforcement and species monitoring. Home to the largest remaining scarlet macaw population, the forests and protected areas are monitored closely for disruptions that would spread disease to the macaw hatchlings or increase habitat loss from deforestation. The WCS partnership with the Department of the Interior's International Technical Assistance Program generated new data in 2017 that revealed that for the first time since monitoring began in 1998, forest cover within the Eastern MBR block increased by 1,087 hectares, the first net increase registered as opposed to a net loss. This success is the result of a multi-pronged strategy including the strong focus on environmental governance, investment in public participation, support for threatened areas of high biodiversity and cultural importance, including archaeological sites, and the contributions of the community/MBR forest concessions. Tools and approaches in the MBR have also provided models for work in other Mesoamerican hotspots, including the Maya Mountains of Belize, the Moskitia of Honduras, and Nicaragua. An increase in funding for programs in Guatemala and

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Belize would continue to support progress in the MBR and help expand economic growth and sustainable development programs. WCS recommends $6 million for tropical forest conservation in Guatemala and Belize and the preservation ofarchaeological sites in the Maya Biosphere, including not less than $2 million directly apportioned to Dol's ll'AP. This is a $IM increase over the $5M appropriated in FY19.

Ethiopia and South Sudan share the world's second largest wildlife migration of over a million animals migrating across the border of the two countries, a spectacle rivaling the wildebeest on the Serengeti. With positive political developments in Ethiopia, WCS requests that the South Sudan language in the FYI 9 Explanatory Statement (which incorporates language from House and Senate FYI 9 SFOPs reports that are not contradictory) be enhanced to provide necessary support to the USAID Mission to implement natural resource management and security programs that can serve as a foundation for eco-tourism around the wildlife migration between Ethiopia and S Sudan. WCS recommends FY20 report language: The Committee recommends continued fending for wildlife conservation activities in South Sudan, protected area management and natural resource governance in Gambella/Akobo/Mago in Ethiopia, and transboundary conservation initiatives to support the wildlife migration between South Sudan and Ethiopia.

U.S. Forest Service International Programs (FS-IP) promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally by linking the technical skills of the field-based staff of the Forest Service with partners overseas to address the most critical forestry issues. FS IP regularly leverage the internal expertise of its wildlife biologists, forest economists, hydrologists, disaster and fire management specialists, and policy makers to build capacity in some of the world's most threatened forests in the Amazon, Congo, Russia, and Indonesia. WCS and others, in partnership with FS-IP are recovering habitats of endangered Siberian tigers. In international trade, FS-IP work to level the playing field for U.S. timber by reducing illegal or underpriced timber on the world market. WCS recommends $ 7 million directly apportioned to the USFS-IP, a $2 million increase over the FYJ9 enacted level.

In previous years, including in FY19, the Subcommittee has directed the transfer offunds to the USFWS to support international conservation programs, including programs relating to great apes, migratory birds and sea turtles, which are particularly vulnerable and require immediate action to conserve. Bolstering the support from technical natural resource agencies such as the USFWS to invest in these species is an important strategy to counter the direct threats they face in the wild. WCS recommends a $1 million increase over FY19 enacted levels for this work, totaling $11.9 million transferred to USFWS. WCS recommends that $6M of that total go to the Multinational Species Conservation Fund, $5 million to great apes, $750,000 to migratory birds, and$] 50,000 to sea turtles.

USAID's Sustainable Landscapes: Forests are essential for regulating water flow, capturing drinking water, and preventing catastrophic flooding and soil erosion. Sustainable Landscapes support for reducing deforestation through sustainable land use management practices helps to protect these essential storehouses of biodiversity and carbon, as well as the food and economic resources to the over 1.6 billion people who live in forests. U.S. support will give developing countries the ability to address the drivers of deforestation and degradation, halt illegal logging, and restore degraded lands. U.S. jobs are protected by stopping products from illegal logging

4 460 from flooding U.S. markets as unfair competition, which costs the U.S. timber industry $1 billion annually. WCS recommends $135 million in for this program in FY20, a $10 million increase over FY] 9 enacted levels.

Central America Regional Security Initiative {CARSD Economic Support Fund (ESF) - Northern Triangle Title V: The border forests of the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala have low population density and limited governmental control, making them optimal locations for illegal activity, including trafficking of drugs, people, arms, wildlife, timber, cattle and other illicit goods. These border forests are also Central America's largest remaining forests and in many cases are set aside as national protected areas, such as the Maya Biosphere Reserve spanning 46 percent of Guatemala's border with Mexico; and the Moskitia forest spanning half of the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. Illegal land grabs or narco-ranching are counter to CARS I objectives of promoting rule of law in the region. Language supporting increase capacity of wildlife law enforcement and park rangers in border forest communities was included in the FY 19 House report. WCS recommends the following language be retained in FY20: The Committee expects that the Administration, as it implements CARS/, will ensure that it includes sufficientfandingfor prevention andfor institutional strengthening ofpolice, prosecutors, andjudicial systems. The Committee also supports efforts to increase the capacity and geographic reach of local wildlife law enforcement and park rangers in border forest communities in order to protect the rights of indigenous and forest communities and halt the illegal movement ofpeople, drugs, weapons, and natural resources across unregulated borders.

State Department International Conservation Programs: Through the State Department's International Conservation Programs account, the U.S. government provides core financial support to international organizations and programs that address global environmental challenges through cooperation. The International Conservation Programs support the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the International Union for Conservation ofNature (IUCN), the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Through CITES and IUCN the U.S. is helping governments, civil society, businesses, scientists, and activists educate people about the involvement of organized criminal and terrorists groups in wildlife trafficking and developing counter-trafficking and demand reduction strategies. Through the efforts to protect forests and prevent desertification, these programs help to stabilize developing countries and impoverished regions by preventing scarcities, land degradation and food insecurity in areas that are vulnerable to radicalization and the influence of organized crime and terrorist organizations. WCS recommends $7 million in FY20, level with the FY19 enactedfanding.

In conclusion, WCS appreciates the opportunity to share its conservation expertise with the subcommittee. Continued U.S. government investment to combat wildlife trafficking, protect biodiversity, and provide natural resource management assistance must continue. We hope that funding levels can be maintained with at least FY19 enacted levels along with targeted increases to build upon successes in programs that support U.S. development and security interests.

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Kelly Keenan Aylward Short Biography 2019

Kelly Keenan Aylward is the Washington Office Director for Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society and has run the Federal Affairs Program since 2003. She advocates for domestic and international conservation policy and federal budget issues with the U.S. Congress, the Administration and key stakeholders. Prior to working at the Wildlife Conservation Society, Kelly held the position of Director of Government Affairs for the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation in Washin6rton, DC. As Legislative Counsel to Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY), Kelly's Capitol Hill portfolio was comprised of appropriations, the environment, energy, education, agriculture, and animal welfare issues. After earning her Juris Doctor at Albany Law School of Union University, in Albany, New York she clerked for the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division specializing in environmental quality review and land use planning appeals. Kelly maintains positions on the Board of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders, the Advisory Council of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, and the Steering Committee of International Conservation Partnership. Kelly and her husband Kevin reside in Falls Church, VA and have two sons Conner and Kyle. 462

Outside Witness Testimony of Robert Zachritz Vice President for Advocacy, World Vision US Prepared for the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, House Appropriations Committee Regarding the Budgets for the State Department and USAID Submitted on March 15, 2019

Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Rogers, and members of the Subcommittee, I am submitting this testimony for your consideration on behalf of World Vision, one of the largest faith-based organizations working in humanitarian relief and development. Specifically, I ask that the Subcommittee seeks to fund programs within the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill at no less than FY2019 levels, provides at least $3.l billion for Development Assistance, $4.4 billion for International Disaster Assistance, $3.6 billion for Migration and Refugee Assistance, and $1 billion for Feed the Future.

At World Vision, we are deeply concerned with the President's FY 2020 budget request for the State Department and USAID, which would risk hard-fought progress in development programs and reduce the ability of the United States to respond to conflicts and disasters. We are grateful for the commitment that Congress has made on a bipartisan basis to continue to display U.S. leadership and values through State Department and USAID programs with strong funding.

World Vision US has more than one million private donors in every state and Congressional district, partners with over 16,000 churches in the United States, and works with a wide variety of corporations and foundations. We are motivated by our Christian faith to serve every child in need and their family; those of any faith, or none. We partner with faith leaders throughout the world, equipping them to meet the needs of their communities.

We are part of a global World Vision Partnership, which implements programming to help children, families and communities through international relief, development, and advocacy. Although private donors support the foundation of our work, the U.S. Government is an invaluable partner as we work to achieve our broad goals for children. We leverage this partnership to reach vulnerable children and families in nearly 100 countries around the world, ensuring that the precious resources of the American taxpayer are prudently used to promote and protect the well-being of children and communities abroad.

We also use this partnership with the U.S. government to leverage private funding. We've successfully used grant funded programs to spur private fundraising from both corporations and individuals and to leverage and integrate resources in a way that ensures taxpayer dollars go further. For example, through a partnership with MasterCard, World Vision is working to improve humanitarian aid delivery via digital identity and electronic payment technology, includjng World Vision's Last Mile Mobile Solutions (LMMS) and the MasterCard Aid Network. MasterCard partnered with World Vision to test both systems in the Philippines to help micro-entrepreneurs rebuild businesses after Typhoon Haiyan. World Vision also began using LMMS and MasterCard Aid Network in Nepal following the earthquake to deliver a wide range of services, food assistance and equipment. In Kenya, a community water project that was 463 funded by World Vision donors was expanded using a grant from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, providing a critical resource- water- in an area of Kenya that has suffered from devastating drought. The massive cuts proposed by the Administration to the foreign assistance budget would put our ability to create these kinds of innovative public-private partnerships at risk, even further reducing investments in vulnerable communities.

Most notably, the proposed cuts from the Administration would adversely impact the lives of real people in need. Lives in places like South Sudan, where millions of vulnerable people - mostly women and children - impacted by the violence and crisis in that country, have fled their homes and often have a day-to-day fight for survival. People whose lives were turned upside down by the violence and who fled searching for safety. In many cases, families watched their children die along the way, but once they reached their destination, it was often generous assistance from the U.S. government that allowed their remaining children to survive.

At World Vision, we have seen the impact the provision of health services such as vaccinations and newborn health initiatives can have and how brave and committed community health volunteers work tirelessly to save the lives of mothers and children. We have seen the difference education - especially literacy programs - can make in a child's future, and how proud and empowered families feel when their children can read. We have seen how child protection programs-.::specially prevention combined with early childhood development programs------can support the healthy development of children and support their safety amid displacement and family separation. We have seen how peacebuilding and youth empowerment programs supported by the U.S. government prevent conflict and disillusionment, particularly among young men. All of these investments serve a purpose and are in the best interests of the United States and the American taxpayer. But they also serve as a recognition of the dignity and value of every human life, regardless of birthplace or economic status.

Our World Vision staff around the world has seen and, in some cases, been a part of the extraordinary change in the lives of people around the world due to U.S. government investments in relief and development programs. It is in part due to the impact of these investments that I was disappointed to see the massive cuts that the Administration has once again proposed for both the State Department and USAID. A 23 percent reduction from FY 2019 enacted levels in the State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies accounts is misguided and short-sighted. These are programs that foster safe, healthy and stable societies, governments and economies around the world. There are very few taxpayer investments that have such a long-term, positive impact and return.

We are also at a time in our history where the need for U.S. foreign assistance is at critical levels. Last year, an unprecedented number of global humanitarian crises emerged or continued to deteriorate. In 2019, experts project that more than 132 million people, almost two percent of the global population, will need humanitarian assistance. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reports that 83 million people across 46 countries will require emergency food aid in 2019, an increase of75 percent over 2015 figures. Catastrophic natural disasters, mass atrocities, gender-based violence, and protracted armed conflict have driven crises to never before seen levels, resulting in increased numbers of forcibly displaced persons ( 68.5 million, including 25.4 million refugees). Children are often most impacted by conflict -without access 464

to appropriate shelter, protection, and education, and subjected to disturbing levels of violence. We cannot abandon the next generation in their time of greatest need.

At a time when there are so many challenges around the globe, U.S. leadership has arguably never been needed more. Without additional resources, people affected by conflict, displacement, and severe food insecurity will not receive necessary life-saving assistance. The Administration's proposed humanitarian assistance cuts of 34 percent, combined with proposed shifts in the role of the State Department in humanitarian and refugee response, are concerning given current levels of displacement. We look forward to continued conversations around humanitarian funding reforms that increase efficiency and the ability to deliver timely, life saving interventions, but support funding in FY 2020 for existing accounts. For International Disaster Assistance, World Vision requests no less than $4.4 billion, and at least $3.6 billion for Migration and Refugee Assistance.

But we also know that there are incredible development and global health challenges. Drug resistant tuberculosis and malaria is on the rise, requiring greater focus and investment in research and prevention. An estimated 262 million children and youth around the world are not in school and an estimated 17 .1 million people living with HIV do not have access to life-saving antiretroviral treatments. One million babies die annually on the day they are born, and 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. As many as one billion children-half of all the children in the world---experienced violence in the last year, including physical, emotional, and sexual violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation. While we can look back and celebrate the success of U.S. foreign assistance investments, we must be vigilant in reaching the most remote comers of the world and the most vulnerable with life-saving and life-giving support.

As part of our request to the Subcommittee, World Vision asks for at least $3 .1 billion for Development Assistance. More and more we are seeing poverty being driven to fragile states - places that face conflict, inadequate governance, frequent disasters, and other issues that lead to instability and a lack of resilience. The Development Assistance account is critical in these contexts to move countries from fragility to resilience, addressing the drivers of conflict and seeking long-term, sustainable solutions. Rather than simply "pulling out" of our development role in these countries, we must look at how we best leverage the work of other donors and work in partnership with them to achieve our objectives.

Development Assistance also supports critical global health programs. These are investments that we know are saving the lives of mothers and children and are supporting more families to ensure their children are healthy enough to attend school, enabling them to gain an education that leads to a employment in adulthood, and allows women to be more productive in the household and earn a livelihood as well. These programs are not handouts; they are investments in the long-term economic growth of countries that can become U.S. trading partners and develop economies that allow them to better provide for their own people. But saving lives through health interventions, including immunizations, family planning, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene, is also the right thing to do. For Global Health Programs, World Vision requests at least $8.8 billion, which should include an increase in PEPFAR that supports a $1.56 billion contribution toward the replenishment of the Global Fund. 465

USAID's Global Health Program funding for vulnerable children is provided via the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF). World Vision requests $25 million for this account, which would allow the U.S. government to continue financing and providing technical assistance for the care and protection of vulnerable children, particularly those who have been separated from their families or are at risk of separation. USAID has given particular attention to children in institutional care, those affected by war, or those living and working on the street, as well as children with disabilities and other highly vulnerable children. This funding also supports the implementation of the Action Plan for Children in Adversity (APCA) which outlines strategies for addressing these needs. The second iteration of APCA is scheduled to be introduced this year. With many current conflicts and hardships displacing children around the world, this funding is vital to the U.S. response to protect vulnerable children.

Feed the Future is another critical and successful U.S. government program that is targeted for cuts by the FY 2020 budget request. In the areas where Feed the Future invests, an estimated 23.4 million more people are living above the poverty line, 3.4 million more children live free of stunting, and 5.2 million more families no longer go hungry. With nearly 815 million people in the world today facing hunger, and with a growing global population, Feed the Future is working to improve agriculture production and markets, while also working at the household level to give families the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty. These efforts to work with smallholder farmers are critical not only for the families and communities where the programs are implemented, but also for our own economic growth which depends on our ability to reach emerging markets overseas.

Crops in sub-Saharan Africa are threatened again by the pest Fall Armyworm (FAW)- a threat that is spreading and has the potential to leave 300 million people hungry. In the Hom of Africa, massive variations in rainfall ( droughts and flooding) have eroded the coping capacities throughout the region, particularly in parts of northern Ethiopia, eastern Kenya, southeast Tanzania and northern Sudan. To make matters worse, a 2019 El Niiio may develop, which is historically associated with hotter temperatures, below-average rainfall and severe drought, including in many parts of Africa.

In West and Central Africa, millions of people remain vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutrition. Political crises in countries like Cameroon and Nigeria are likely to lead to increased violence and instability. In Southern Africa, depletion of household food stocks, below-average incomes, and increases in market prices will likely lead to an increase in the number of households experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity in areas of Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe through at least early 2019.

Feed the Future is critical to responding to the needs of small holder farmers and those who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. For Feed the Future in FY2020, World Vision requests at least $1 billion.

World Vision also requests the following amounts for additional accounts that are within the State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies appropriations bill: 466

USAID Operating Expenses: $1,460,000,000 Water and Sanitation: $450,000,000 Gender Equality: $1,900,000,000 Maternal and Child Health: $900,000,000 Family Planning and Reproductive Health: $622,500,000 Basic Education $925,000,000

Thank you for this opportunity to offer testimony to the Subcommittee and for your bipartisan leadership in supporting a strong foreign assistance budget. 467

World Vision·

Robert G. Zachritz's Biography

As World Vision's Vice President for Advocacy & Government Relations, Bob is responsible for the overall advocacy team's management, strategy and World Vision's policy engagement with the U.S. government. His team helps staff and supporters across the United States learn how to become advocates by using their voices to create positive change in society and government policy. His team communicates with over I million people every year in every State and Congressional District in the United States.

Bob has worked at World Vision since 2003. He has an expertise in U.S. foreign policy, crisis contexts, foreign affairs spending, religious freedom and international relief and development programs. He serves on the board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and has a demonstrated track-record of working with coalitions to achieve legislative successes. He has represented World Vision at various different venues including testifying before Congress, at the White House, at the U.S. Department of State, at the World Trade Organization and at the United Nations. Prior to joining World Vision, Bob worked for almost 15 years for various members of the U.S. Congress, both Republican and Democrat. He knows that a crucial part of World Vision's ministry is helping American Christians be life-giving, bridge-building advocates for vulnerable communities at home and abroad.

Bob received a bachelor's degree in international relations from Michigan State University and a master's in international trade and business from George Mason University. He has traveled to more than 40 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

He is married to Rebecca Daugherty Zachritz and they have two children. In his free time, he enjoys coaching sports, ballroom dancing and spending time in the great outdoors.

WITNESSES

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Page Sears, Cynthia ...... 382 Smith, Elizabeth ...... 353 Smith, Gayle ...... 129 Spahn, Kathy ...... 376 Speier, Hon. Jackie ..•...... 62 Staten, Anastasia ...... 257 Stephens, Ambassador Kathleen ...... 234 339 ~t~.e~~i ~:.~ ... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 147 Sumilas, Michele ...... 101 Susman, Thomas ...... 193 Tamburini, Andrea ...... 325 0 43 ;:ir~:! ~:.~••• ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 193 Wanko, Brian ...... 392 Winterhof, JoDee, ...... 214 Yeo, Peter ...... 73 Yoho, Hon. Ted ...... 26 Zachritz, Robert ...... 462 Zherka, Illir ...... 329