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Dear USGLC Board of Directors,

We have now completed our first two overseas trips - taking top advisors representing the following likely Presidential candidates: Bush, Walker, Rubio, Paul, Cruz, Christie, Jindal, and party leaders in NH and SC. While we didn't secure an advisor to Perry on the trip, we had an opportunity to host Governor Perry for a dinner discussion with many of our military leaders when he was in town last month. I will share the details of this work at our May board meetings, including the significant impact I believe we are having with the candidates and their advisors.

Returning, my attention turned to the budget battles brewing in Congress and some major events coming up this week. Here is a quick snapshot:


1. Admiral Stavridis Capitol Hill Testimony. At our Tribute Dinner in December, you may recall that Senator Graham announced that he was going to make the International Affairs budget "cool." During dinner, the two of us jotted down on a napkin the ideal congressional "cool" hearing and this Thursday will be the results. The powerhouse lineup before the Senate State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee includes Ben Affleck, Bill Gates, Rick Warren, Scott Ford, CEO of Alltel Company, and John Megrue, Chairman of Apax Partners. USGLC is prepping our NSAC co-chair Admiral Jim Stavridis to join for what should be a spectacular round of testimony.


Following the hearing, Senator Graham will host a meeting with the witnesses and the Senate Freshmen. We are arranging press for Admiral Stavridis and a discussion with Senator Rand Paul's senior leadership for Bill Gates. I will send out details later this week.


2. Senate Budget Vote-A-Rama. The budget resolutions will head to the floor in both chambers this week, including the all-concerning Senate "vote-a-rama" where we expect hours of votes on Thursday, with likely amendments to cut International Affairs. Earlier this week the Senate introduced their FY16 bill, calling for a 5% decrease to International Affairs and the House called for a more drastic 16% cut.
For USGLC, our priority is to prepare for any negative votes on the Senate floor since the rules allow for the introduction of hundreds of amendments. In the last vote-a-rama in 2013, Senator Paul's amendment to cut International Affairs programs by 33% received 26 votes. We have been working hard to engage these Senators, prepare our network - both in D.C. and in the States, and are ready to move quickly. Thank you to UPS, AIPAC, Chamber of Commerce, and many others who have already weighed in with their own letters. Please be on alert as we may need your quick assistance on Thursday.


3. Military Leaders on Capitol Hill. Last week, members of our National Security Council spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting with several freshmen Senators and key House members including Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Republican Study Committee Chairman Bill Flores (R-TX). Spending the day with former Combat Commanders of SouthCom, AfriCom, and our European outpost was truly inspiring as they urged members to support our civilian tools of development and diplomacy in order to keep America safe. We had met all of the freshmen Senators on the campaign trail and several of them told the military leaders "you are preaching to the choir." We shared a letter signed by our Co-Chairs, Admiral Stavridis and General Zinni, and I remain convinced that these military voices are game changers.


4. Chiefs of Missions Reception with Secretary Kerry. On Thursday March 26 at 6:00 p.m., the USGLC will be hosting a reception at the State Department for all 180 Chiefs of Mission with special guest, Secretary John Kerry. We were asked to do so late last week, so watch for the invitation today - all Board members are invited, but you must RSVP through State Department protocol. Thank you to The Boeing Company and Coca Cola Company for sponsoring the event. It provides us with a great opportunity to share our work with the U.S. Ambassadors and senior State Department leadership.


Our work around the country continues in full force. Since we met in January, we have held over a dozen in-state events with Members of Congress and added dozens of new State Advisory Committee members in Iowa, Texas, and Indiana. And in Nebraska, our newest committee members include Howard Buffett and former Senator Mike Johanns. These are tough red states and the new people we are recruiting are impressive.

On the national scene former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Mike Rogers has joined our National Advisory Committee. In addition to his radio show, he has set up a new organization, Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security, with efforts in IA, NH, and SC and we expect to partner with him there.

Finally, we have one more trip to Kenya and Ethiopia in April with Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Tom Emmers (R-MN), and a few other influential policy leaders. Full report in May.

Liz

Liz Schrayer
President & CEO, USGLC