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With the confirmation hearings this week for Rex Tillerson, General
Mattis, and others - C-SPAN had a very good week!


One of the more interesting takeaways for us was the prominence of our
issues during Rex Tillerson's hearing. While the primary focus
of Senators' questions was on global hotspots - and as
expected, Russia - I was very pleased that the issues of foreign
assistance, global development, and diplomacy were repeatedly raised
during the nearly 10 hour confirmation hearing.


A top read from this week: two of USGLC's board members -
the CEOs of Land O'Lakes and CARE - teamed up on this
op-ed highlighting the opportunity for General Mattis and Tillerson,
if confirmed, to work together to strengthen our nation's
civilian tools.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=jm-VN-Pg41EQZwOuMP-81g


More on the confirmation hearings and other happenings in this edition
of THE GLOBAL GAB.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC


THE GLOBAL GAB: Tillerson and Mattis's week in Washington
January 14, 2017


OPENING STATEMENT. While the hearing was dominated by topics including
Russia, Syria, and Iran, it was good to see Tillerson reject
isolationism and make the case for American diplomacy and our
"indispensable" role in the world based on America's
unique history as "the only global super power with the means
and the moral compass capable of shaping the world for good."


POWER TOOLS. While the USGLC doesn't endorse nominees, Tillerson
did endorse foreign assistance as central to advancing America's
interests overseas. He called development programs "powerful
tools" that "project the best of American
compassion." From USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation
to PEPFAR and Power Africa to Feed the Future and fighting malaria, he
said that these agencies and programs have "proven to be
extremely valuable" and are an "important part of the
projection of America's values around the world."


RESOURCES MATTER. Tillerson underscored the "importance of
ensuring the resources are available to advance our foreign policy and
diplomacy goals." Later, he recalled: "to quote General
Jim Mattis, I think he said that if the State Department doesn't
get the money it needs then I have to buy more ammunition."


GAB WORTHY. Throughout the nearly 10 hour marathon hearing, half of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - both Republicans and
Democrats - used their time to question Tilllerson on how he
would work to maintain and strengthen development and diplomacy
programs. Hats off to Senators Corker, Cardin, Coons, Isakson,
Gardner, Kaine, Booker, Markey, Flake, and Shaheen.


24 HOURS LATER. On the heels of Tillerson's hearing, SecDef
nominee General Mattis reminded us all that the military "lets
you provide the strongest support for our diplomats to try to find a
non-military option. It's the 'peace through
strength' idea."


POLLING AMERICA. As the post-election dust settles and Washington gets
back to governing, a new poll says the vast majority of Americans
don't want to withdraw from the world. The University of
Maryland survey reports that 8 in 10 Americans believe the U.S. should
play a "shared leadership role" in global affairs, rather
than be the "single world leader" or "not play any
leadership role."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=K6_7p6eKKXZkSvxFZBUEnQ


PASSING THE BATON. With the handoff between administrations in just 6
days, our friends at the U.S. Institute of Peace just convened an
unlikely gathering of both the incoming and outgoing National Security
Advisors along with other senior officials. Top quote: USGLC's
national security co-chair, Admiral James Stavridis, stated,
"USAID, our NGOs, the Peace Corps many of them stand at risk
every single day. And that is... an underfunded part of our
security."


NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. President-elect Trump and the incoming U.N.
Secretary General just had their first phone call. Meanwhile, a new
survey reports that an overwhelming majority - 88 percent of
Americans - believe it's important for America to maintain
an active role at the United Nations. And 67% support the U.S. paying
its dues to the U.N. on time and in full.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=9XFMtDk2gjTiWwpia2mXFQ


HEARTLAND HERO. The House Appropriations Committee announced this week
that Kentucky Representative Hal Rogers will lead the subcommittee
that overseas funding for all U.S. international affairs programs. The
USGLC just had the privilege of honoring his longstanding leadership
in support of our cause last month.


NUMBER OF THE WEEK. A new report out from the U.S. Trade and
Development Agency found that for every $1 it invested in 2016, it
generated $85 in U.S. exports. That's a lot of bang for a buck.


EXIT MEMOS. As the Obama administration draws to a close, top
officials have issued exit memos - highlighting achievements
over the last eight years and a vision for the future. From food
security and fragile states to electricity and education, USAID
Administrator Gayle Smith's memo outlines what the new
Administration will find on January 20th: a "transparent,
accountable, and agile" agency that is making "taxpayer
dollars go further than ever before."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=47N_nIv2suBFAV9zU-yQBQ


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