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SUBJECT:
Ivanka, Bush 43, fresh leaks, and a budget deal
PRI: NORMAL
FROM:
L
liz.schrayer@usglc.org
DATE:
2017-05-01 19:23:08
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<ef234490b9c24b708b489ddcb7014222@usglc.org>
RECIPIENTS:
TO:
H
Hunter Biden
<hbiden@rosemontseneca.com>
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PROCESSED
Hunter- Just last night, policymakers cut a deal on this year's spending levels with solid news on the development and diplomatic front - nearly $1 billion extra in response to the famine crises. But as we move ahead, I have real concerns. When Congress returned from recess, a leaked document revealed extremely troubling new plans to shutter dozens of USAID missions coupled with an announcement to slash the State Department staff by 2,300. The dangerous consequences of America pulling back globally will certainly be top of mind for policymakers - and they are taking notice. And I'm encouraged by what we're hearing from a new chorus of powerful voices rising up in support of our nation's civilian forces. From nearly half the Senate to four-star combatant commanders to Bush 43 - all are singing from the same songbook. Worth seeing all the details in today's GLOBAL GAB - from the wildly difficult challenges to the latest budget intel. Liz Liz Schrayer, USGLC THE GLOBAL GAB: Ivanka, Bush 43, fresh leaks, and a budget deal May 1, 2017 JOINING THE CHORUS. With a strong bipartisan voice, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) kicked off the post-recess budget debate with a formidable letter signed by 43 Senators sent to their fellow colleagues on key committees, urging them to provide "robust funding" for the International Affairs Budget and called the proposed cuts "shortsighted, counterproductive, and even dangerous." Welcome back! ART OF THE DEAL. Overnight, lawmakers agreed on what is known as an omnibus spending deal that keeps the government running until September. This year's International Affairs Budget saw a small increase - up just less than 1 percent - due in part to additional emergency resources for famine relief. A very welcome development from Congressional appropriators at a time of growing crises. More details will be available on our website shortly. BUDGET LEAK. Last week, a troubling leaked State Department 2018 budget document shed light on the Administration's plans to shutter or greatly reduce America's footprint in at least 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. While the full number of missions to be closed could reach as high as 40, the complete picture of the Administration's priorities won't be clear until late May when their full budget is released. Some of the countries that appear on the list include Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia - the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak. ZEROED OUT. The leaked budget document also reveals the Administration's intent to reduce the autonomy of USAID by zeroing out key development accounts. What else is on the chopping block? A 25% cut to global health investments, drastic reductions for food security programs, and the elimination of the State Department team that tackles global women's issues. Expect a real battle once Capitol Hill takes over the budget deliberations in late May and June. DOWNSIZING DILEMMA. New reports are just out that the Administration is looking to cut 2,300 diplomats and civil servants from the State Department, largely through attrition and buyouts - very concerning, given that it will stretch our civilian corps even thinner around the world. The news was met with fierce concerns from Capitol Hill just as Secretary Tillerson announced his plans to survey the entire employee base (including USAID) for input on how to reform the Department. Tillerson will address the full staff this week with a 90-day update. Stay tuned. http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=m24xj9aivj2zykQViy6r7g CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. With the growing concerns over restructuring the State Department and USAID, Congress took notice and - as part of this week's spending bill - has requested a detailed report from the administration on any reorganization, including how any "merger, closing or termination" of programs affects America's national security interests and civilian personnel. ACTIVE DUTY. While the appointments of our diplomats remain very slow, America's military leaders are speaking up loud and clear. Within the last few weeks, four of our most senior active-duty commanders plus Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs weighed in - testifying on Capitol Hill about the importance of their civilian counterparts in keeping America safe. Impressive show of force - read more. http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PZvUhgNHivmlgwZ0hHa8KQ STRAIGHT TALK. Just days before she hosted the U.N. Security Council in Washington with President Donald Trump, Ambassador Nikki Haley penned a commanding op-ed in in the wake of chemical attacks in Syria, "Evil is an inescapable fact of life, but the violence that results from human rights violations and abuses is not inevitable. We can choose to learn from history, not doom ourselves to repeat it." Haley continues to not only gain praise, but visibility as perhaps the most outspoken voice on foreign policy in the Administration. IVANKA. The First Daughter announced a major new international fund focused on women's empowerment to be managed by the World Bank during her first overseas trip in this new role. Reinforcing her efforts, Ivanka Trump joined World Bank President Jim Kim in a Financial Times op-ed, writing that investing in women is "an invaluable asset with proven returns." Foreign policy leaders are watching as she continues to define a solution-driven agenda on the global stage for women's entrepreneurship and other international issues. W SPEAKS OUT. In an unusual move to weigh-in on Washington matters, President George W. Bush lauded the work of PEPFAR - the massively successful HIV/AIDS relief program - from the U.S. embassies in Botswana and Namibia. "Part of my mission is to call attention to the success and to remind our Congress and the Administration that there is more work to be done. We can't stop at this stage of the effort in saving human life," said Bush 43. "As our Congress reviews the budget ... it's really important... look at what works. And I believe saving 11.5 million lives is proof that PEPFAR works." THE CHAIRMAN. Fresh off his visit to the world's largest refugee camp in Uganda - just across the border from the famine in South Sudan - the highly influential Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) punctuated his concerns over the proposed budget cuts, telling reporters: "The 1 percent that we spend on diplomacy and assistance, if we spend it wisely, then... the men and women that we love so much in uniform are less likely to get into a hot war or in harm's way." A picture is worth a thousand words. http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=E0nw1JFMHIOhtbGeqxwBdw ACROSS AMERICA. A snapshot of the chorus of voices popping up around the country: * MINNESOTA MASHUP. In an unusual town hall meeting, two Minnesota lawmakers (who typically don't agree on much) joined forces to discuss the humanitarian crises in East Africa. Republican Congressman Tom Emmer sat down with Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar saying that when it comes to saving lives, there is no room for partisan politics. America needs more town hall meetings like this. * KANSAS MAN. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), a member of the Appropriations Committee, steps out on food security in a recent CNN op-ed: "This administration's budget proposal, which eliminates funding for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and makes cuts to USAID, will harm our long-term national security interests and reduce our leadership in the world." http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=BOcV5EY9VeS5D6MPesL0sQ * LOCAL OPINION. A number of op-eds on the importance of international assistance are popping up in key policymaker's backyards. The latest are in the Janesville Gazette Extra, Speaker Paul Ryan's hometown paper, and the Houston Chronicle in the home state of Senators Cornyn and Cruz by former USAID Administrator and fellow Texan Andrew Natsios. http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=jg7yKyeqp8ENpnftvgScLA http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=jGIhxV49pOD3tqnDoq7_Ew * COAST TO COAST. During the congressional recess, the USGLC held over 30 in-district meetings and several large public events with members of Congress from Washington State to Virginia underscoring that leading globally, matters locally. Next stop Phoenix. BUSINESS BUZZ. This Thursday, top executives from Coca-Cola, MasterCard, and Starbucks testify before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations presenting the business case for global development. One former Goldman Sachs executive who certainly knows the value of public-private partnerships in the developing world is White House Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell. Watch her share the story of how she got to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=qOoTsrLyE6anaxg9ZHKdxg SMART STUFF. Former Caterpillar executive Bill Lane in the Wall Street Journal captures Colombia's turnaround story from a narco-terrorist state to key U.S. ally with the help of America's "smart power." And former House Intel Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) shares his highly respected views in the Washington Post that the use of hard and soft power is "imperative" for our national security, underscoring that the State Department must be "streamlined - not starved." http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=cm0XgmDjhL54BF7KAYZDGQ http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=4H8B4Ja_mllQf0sK0E0kUA THE LAST WORD. Reflecting on the wave of support for foreign assistance in the face of steep cuts, Melinda Gates offers a smart reminder: "the loudest voices of protest came not from overseas, but here at home. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, retired US military leaders, and faith leaders all spoke up in defense of foreign aid." The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition 1129 20th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | USGLC.org http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=KQRfGnBqsgXIDlofdeDQNg http://action.usglc.org/site/CO?i=HIi_wC3dnW89BynRqbfgw9nJleJntjbF&cid=0 http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=YnyshCurPaY_K_sh5I7AqA http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=NxjCqatDaGH8AcV974oc-Q
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