00:00Let me once again welcome Secretary Rubio. I firmly believe that there is no one better in
00:06our entire country who could serve as our Secretary of State in this critical time.
00:13Mr. Secretary, your steadfast leadership, your devotion to country and to freedom,
00:18and your focus on national security are exactly why you have my full confidence
00:24in advancing President Trump's foreign policy agenda. In just four months, in just four months,
00:31the President, with your assistance, Mr. Secretary, has achieved really remarkable victories for the
00:37American people and our national security. Let me just name a few. Taking back the Panama Canal from
00:43China's influence, freeing 47 American detained abroad, designating the Hooties, cartels, and also
00:52dangerous criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. Obtaining the Bahamas' pledge to
00:58directly pay Cuban doctors, ending the practice of human trafficking. Compelling the government of
01:04Colombia to accept deported migrants as to what was arranged. All of this while carrying out several
01:11other important official duties. It's really been tremendous to watch, Mr. Secretary. So again,
01:18I congratulate you and the President for the choice that he made in having you in this position. Now,
01:25turning to the matter at hand, Mr. Secretary, the spending proposal of the fiscal year 2026 budget
01:30request for the Department of State represents a reduction of about 48 percent. It is also largely
01:37offset by rescissions from prior year balances. I intend to provide the same scrutiny on the budget
01:44requests as I have in the past years. As you know, there are some large gaps, obviously, in the
01:50information that we have at this time. So I hope we receive the details backing up the request as quick
01:56as possible. Since I became chairman of the subcommittee over two years ago, I have overseen and supported a
02:04notable reduction in funding for the International Affairs budget. The last two House bills cut funding in the double digits. And the FYI,
02:1124 bill enacted into law saw the largest cut of all 12 appropriation bills at 6% in real numbers. The fiscal year 25 bill made a few additional reductions.
02:28Now, there was a reason why I pressed for those cuts. The Biden administration was pushing, frankly, an extreme agenda across the State Department and USAID.
02:38I repeatedly, repeatedly warned and publicly and privately warned that promoting controversial programs abroad would not only weaken American support for foreign aid, but also, really more importantly, harm U.S. interests and even endanger national security.
02:57In last year's budget hearing for U.S.
03:01I told Administrator Power that funding and promoting polarizing and politically charged programs will mean additional cuts to the subcommittee's top line because it is just indefensible.
03:16So, I completely understand, Mr. Secretary, and support, support your efforts to carry out a review and defund woke programs and misguided activities.
03:26I have a number of inquiries remaining about the review process and status of awards and as do many of the subcommittee members here.
03:34So, I know, Mr. Secretary, that I can count on you to work with us in those very important steps.
03:41Now, it's time to work together on the fiscal year 26 budget to determine the appropriate funding levels going forward for the people and programs needed to advance our national security.
03:55And if we can't show that we're doing that, we shouldn't be funding it now from ensuring our key allies and partners around the world have the military assistance required to defend themselves to preventing deadly infectious disease from reaching our shores to investing investments that lay the groundwork for American businesses abroad.
04:16To supporting those suffering under tyranny by standing in solidarity against oppressive and often dangerous anti-American dictatorships.
04:26That is American leadership, something President Trump has shown and that has been sorely lacking, I would add, in the last four years.
04:35In the meantime, it is critically important that we work together to ensure that you have a domestic and overseas workforce with the size and capability necessary to manage and oversee the programs that were funded in fiscal year 25 and that are potentially forthcoming in fiscal year 26.
04:55Especially as you continue to take on certain responsibilities, obviously that were previously carried under by USAID, whatever those may be.
05:05Even as we better align our foreign assistance with strategic priorities, and Mr. Secretary, you've been very clear about that.
05:13Oversight remains essential and requires the right amount of people with the right skill sets.
05:21So again, Mr. Secretary, I look forward to working with you on this in the weeks and months ahead as you further develop your plan and your reorganization.
05:34Mr. Secretary, the President's foreign policy is clear and showing results for the American people.
05:41And your capacity, your capacity to advance it, that foreign policy, is frankly unmatched.
05:50I look forward to working with you to ensure you have the resources and tools to be successful in advancing President Trump's America First foreign policy.
06:01Now, let me turn to the very distinguished ranking member.
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06:06Thank you, sir.
06:07Thank you, Judah.
06:08Jason, there is, sir.
06:09Thank you, Jay.
06:10Thank you, everybody for it.
06:11Question.
06:13So, we continue hearing,由us, Assistant 뭘 who Mahavaks need to pay us for a country past
06:18quick.
06:22Drs Rio's, CEO.
06:27Show me.
06:28All I got you today?
06:29Okay.
06:30First, I'm going to share what I'm investing.
