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Dear Hunter,


With the backdrop of the horrific tragedy in Connecticut and the fiscal cliff negotiations here in D.C., this has been a very difficult week, made all the sadder by the loss of our longtime champion, Senator Daniel Inouye. I want to share with you a few quick thoughts of how the upcoming changes in the Senate will impact our agenda.


New South Carolina Senator. With the appointment of Rep. Tim Scott (R) to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jim DeMint (R), we have a unique opportunity to educate a rising star in the Republican party. Leaders of our South Carolina Advisory Committee met with Scott when he first ran for his 2010 Congressional seat, and several others met with him again earlier this year. He has expressed interest in learning more about the smart power agenda, especially given his strong support of the military and the importance of exports to his state. While there are very few relevant votes since he has been in Congress, he did vote to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank earlier this year, but cast a few votes that would have cut international food aid and multilateral assistance.


I have heard varying opinions on how this new dynamic impacts our good friend Senator Lindsey Graham who is up for reelection in 2014. Scott will have to run in both 2014 and 2016 when Senator DeMint's seat is officially up for reelection. We have a strong network in SC and will want to reach out to Tim Scott earlier in the New Year.


Aloha to a True Friend. The loss of Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will be sorely felt throughout our community. Throughout his service in the Senate, and particularly as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Inouye was a longstanding and committed champion for the International Affairs Budget. We are fortunate that Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) - another tremendous champion - will take over as Chairman of the full Committee and retain his chairmanship of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee. As for Inouye's Senate seat, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie will appoint an interim successor, likely Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HA), and an election will be held in 2014 to serve the remaining two years of Inouye's term.


I have to say, I am glad we honored Pat Leahy this summer and given the tumultuous year ahead, I am very pleased that Senator Leahy will take the helm of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Nita Lowey will serve as the ranking leader on the House side.


Lastly, we await news from the Administration on the new national security team, which may come later this week. Many of our good friends are among the potential picks and as soon as they are announced, I will send you a quick update.


Liz

Liz Schrayer | Executive Director | p: (202) 689-8911| f: (202) 689-8910
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition<http://www.usglc.org/> | 1129 20th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 | @USGLC<http://www.twitter.com/USGLC>