WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks at the hearing on the nomination of Christopher Landau to be Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Rigas to be Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and Matthew Whitaker to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Shaheen raised her concerns about the Trump administration’s reckless cuts to dismantling of foreign assistance and outlined how these actions have weakened America on the global stage, jeopardized our own national security, cost over 100,000 American jobs and allowed U.S. adversaries to expand their influence around the world. Ranking Member Shaheen urged the administration to restore critical assistance and reaffirm U.S. leadership on the world stage.
You can watch her opening remarks here.
In part, the Ranking Member said: “In only one month this administration has managed to send much of the United States government into chaos. One of the most dangerous and concerning parts of this is the administration's attack on our foreign policy and national security agencies. Until last month, USAID programs were protecting us from diseases like Ebola and Bird Flu. They were countering the flow of illegal weapons. And they were fighting against the radicalization of young people by terror groups like ISIS in Syria, a group that as we know has inspired strikes in the United States. Today, these programs have gone dark. For some, their fate remains unclear. It has left our country vulnerable.”
She concluded: “Mr. Chairman, the person we need to hear from is Secretary Rubio, and I hope [he] will take the time to come before this committee. But whether we are talking about NATO or management and resources at the State Department, to our nominees I would ask this. Do you believe that withdrawing from regions that need us the most, that ending our engagement in crisis zones, that taking one of our best soft power tools off the table—does that make America safer? Does it make us more prosperous? Does it make us more secure? I don't believe so, but I look forward to hearing your thoughts.”
The Ranking Member’s opening remarks, as delivered, are below.
Well, thank you Chairman Risch and congratulations to each of our nominees. Welcome to your families and friends who are here with you today and thank you for taking time to meet with me before today's hearing.
In only one month this administration has managed to send much of the United States government into chaos. One of the most dangerous and concerning parts of this is the administration's attack on our foreign policy and national security agencies. Until last month, USAID programs were protecting us from diseases like Ebola and Bird Flu. They were countering the flow of illegal weapons. And they were fighting against the radicalization of young people by terror groups like ISIS in Syria, a group that as we know has inspired strikes in the United States. Today, these programs have gone dark. For some, their fate remains unclear. It has left our country vulnerable.
Now, I have always supported government reform—I did that as governor of New Hampshire—and I am all for making sure that our tax dollars go to the right place, but I don't think that is what this is. This is a wrecking ball. It is unilateral disarmament and our adversaries are thrilled. The hosts on Russian state television can't believe their luck that the U.S. is withdrawing from the world and breaking its promises. China has not wasted a moment—they’re already stepping in where the United States is standing down. In the wake of the poorly planned layoffs by DOGE—The Department of Government Efficiency, which I have to say in quotes—CNN has reported that Russia and China are actively trying to recruit disgruntled employees. Now, I don't believe they will be successful because those employees are committed to the service of the United States, but I just got back from a visit to Ukraine and Poland and when it comes to foreign aid there, the United States is completely shut down.
We met with one woman who was providing services to the children of Ukrainian refugees. She said the worst part about losing assistance was that she was told she had to take down the American flags because they didn't want anybody to think that the United States was providing assistance. We talked to another man who was providing mental health services for refugees. And he said, “In Poland we have always looked up to the United States as our dependable ally, and now we don't feel like we can trust you anymore.” I'm sure Ukrainians probably feel the same way. After the shouting match in the Oval Office last week, our most important allies in Europe, in NATO and around the world—they don't know if they can rely on the United States anymore either.
The foreign aid freeze and mass termination of awards has hit my constituents in New Hampshire as well. Shutting down USAID has meant that we have cut 100,000 American jobs—farmers, shippers, logistical management, pharmaceutical manufacturing. Last year, American small businesses got a billion dollars in contracts from USAID. None of those businesses are going to get funding this year. I heard from a small business in Concord, our capital of New Hampshire—a federal contractor whose work includes counterterrorism actions in North Africa. His contract was terminated. Billions of dollars in contracts are being terminated with no regard for how they impact our national security. No consultation with the Department of Defense or intelligence community or any of our allies around the world. I would like to see more detail on how Secretary Rubio was able to individually renew—review, sorry, individually review, which is what they said in court documents—more than 13,000 awards as they claimed in court filings. I don't believe he reviewed 13,000 awards. Maybe our nominees can explain this.
But Mr. Chairman, the person we need to hear from is Secretary Rubio, and I hope [he] will take the time to come before this committee. But whether we are talking about NATO or management and resources at the State Department, to our nominees I would ask this. Do you believe that withdrawing from regions that need us the most, that ending our engagement in crisis zones, that taking one of our best soft power tools off the table—does that make America safer? Does it make us more prosperous? Does it make us more secure? I don't believe so, but I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you.
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