EMAIL DETAILS

On top of the partial government shutdown - now the longest in
history - the rest of Washington is closed due to the region's
first major snowstorm. This gives me a moment to update you on the
global scene as well as the latest happenings from the new Congress.


In today's GLOBAL GAB, we've included details of how the
shutdown is impacting our embassies and overseas USAID missions
- and my comments in the Washington Post after a suggestion to
pit foreign assistance against border security. I made it clear, great
nations can do both.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=h0k2fMqa5oap_pSqByjPjA


Lots more to share below - including Ivanka's new
initiative on women's economic empowerment and news from
freshman members of Congress.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

THE GLOBAL GAB: The shutdown impasse, Ivanka's new initiative,
faith leaders speak out
January 14, 2019


SHUTDOWN IMPACT. The furloughs are having an increasing impact on
America's development agencies and diplomatic work - both
here in DC and around the world, especially because so many senior
positions were still unfilled even before the shutdown. More than
one-third of State Department employees at headquarters and abroad
have been furloughed - along with more than 700 USAID employees.
Those working directly on national security programs are still on the
job, but without pay.

* USGLC Blog: Former Ambassador Karl Hofmann writes,
"Shutdowns have all the impact overseas you would expect:

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=XVSMf-2C6Y4PSTL8BqiqMw

confusion, demotivation, and waste."

HITTING A WALL. As the debate for funding for the wall continues,
Washington Post analyst Josh Rogin called out the president and others
for raising foreign assistance as part of the border security debate.
He concluded, "pitting the safety of Americans against the
stability and prosperity of people in other countries is a false
choice. The latter bolsters the former."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=mDNwpCqd6CqG_WOBS4nsiA

* Be Smart: In fact, the current funding level on the table for
the International Affairs Budget was first championed by GOP
Appropriations leaders Senators Shelby and Graham alongside
Senator Leahy before it passed in the House.

FAITH FOCUS. More than 25 top Evangelical and Catholic leaders
recently encouraged the president and vice president to protect U.S.
foreign assistance programs as the Administration finalizes its
Foreign Assistance Review. First covered by the Christian Broadcasting
Network, the leaders wrote: "At this critical moment, we cannot
ignore our nation's responsibility to alleviate the suffering of
those who are less fortunate or pull back from our leadership role
around the world."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=6k36KFfUjHVrGpsZZlAvFA

* The letter's authors included leaders like Pastor Sam
Rodriguez, who prayed at the president's inauguration in
January 2017; along with leaders from the National Association
of Evangelicals, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious
Liberty Commission, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education,
and the Liberty Counsel.

IVANKA INITIATIVE. Passing Congress at the end of last year -
just before the partial shutdown began - the Women's
Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act was signed into law by
the president last week. This signature legislation - championed
by Ivanka Trump; leaders on the Hill including Senators Boozman,
Cardin, Rubio, and Shaheen; and Chairman Engel, former Chairman Royce,
and Rep. Lois Frankel - will strengthen U.S. efforts to promote
entrepreneurship, fight gender-based violence, and promote the rights
of women and girls. (See the bill signing photo here from USAID
Administrator Green.)
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Thf-hkUHUbmiqvZdzBdcAg


SWEARING IN. After engaging more than 300 candidates for the House and
Senate over the last 18 months, our USGLC team crisscrossed the Hill
on swearing-in day to visit with returning and newly sworn-in members
of Congress, including newly elected Senator Mitt Romney - one
of the newest members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

* USGLC in the House: Among the dozens of House members visited,
the stops included many who once served on the USGLC's
State Advisory Committees - Reps. Jason Crow (CO), Ben
McAdams (UT), Joe Neguse (CO), Donna Shalala (FL), Greg Stanton
(AZ), and William Timmons (SC).

NEW DEPUTY NSA. Former aide to President Reagan, Charles Kupperman,
has been named the president's new Deputy National Security
Advisor. Kupperman previously served as an executive at Boeing and
Lockheed Martin and is a longtime ally of National Security Advisor
John Bolton.


VENEZUELA CRISIS. Commenting on the "election" of Nicolas
Maduro to his second term as president of Venezuela, John Bolton
stated the U.S. does not recognize his "illegitimate claim to
power" after an election deemed as "not free, fair, or
credible."

* USAID's Mark Green told the press: "The Maduro
regime's gross economic mismanagement and widespread corruption
have led to hunger, a severe health crisis, violence...
countless violations of human rights... a massive
exodus... the Venezuelan people... deserve a government
that represents their interests and is responsive to their
needs."

WHAT TO WATCH. The announcement of the resignation of World Bank
President Jim Kim last week sets up two critical questions on the
world stage: Does the international "gentlemen's
agreement" continue with an American typically selected as the
World Bank chief with a European at the IMF? And if so, who does the
president name for the post - a development and finance expert
or someone with political bona fides?


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