▶ 0:17:59Chair Risch: We have business today being a hearing on some nominees that the president has made. As always, we welcome the public to come in to watch in the audience and remind everyone that we have zero tolerance in this committee for any attempt in the audience to protest, to attempt to communicate in any way, shape, or form with members of the committee or witnesses during the hearing.
▶ 0:18:31Chair Risch: It will be dealt with appropriately if that occurs. What I would like to do is have, we have some end -- introductions to start with. I think that what we will do is do the introductions and senator shaheen will open the nominating statements and we will hear from the nominees and we will ask you to keep to your statements for about five minutes and if it's longer than that we would be willing to put whatever you would like in the record.
▶ 0:18:58Chair Risch: With that, senator blackburn, welcome to the committee. We don't see you here very often.
▶ 0:19:05Senator Blackburn: You're right, good to be with you. What a wonderful occasion to join you for today. I am here to introduce bill white, one of your nominees today. Of course, I, he is being dominated to serve as ambassador to belgium. Now, bill life is truly an american dream and an american success story.
▶ 0:19:34Senator Blackburn: Adopted at birth, he worked in his family's small business before becoming a volunteer firefighter, emt, nonprofit founder, and that was all done before he graduated from college. At age 24 he joined zachary fisher, one of our country's greatest champions of the military and veterans.
▶ 0:20:07Senator Blackburn: Eventually, bill led the intrepid museum, a notable military maritime history museum in city. Under his leadership, the museum grew fivefold. Bill raised over $1.5 billion for wounded service members and their families.
▶ 0:20:26Senator Blackburn: Remember -- he was also instrumental in leading a bipartisan effort to raise the death benefit for fallen troops from $600 to $500,000. After all of this, he went on to found his own consulting firm. He has advised clients across many centers, from private equity to public safety.
▶ 0:20:57Senator Blackburn: He has employed more than 1000 americans over his 30 year career and has remained deeply involved in community causes where ever he has lived, whether it is new york, atlanta, or florida. Bill brings discipline and an unshakable love of country and opportunity to every role that he takes on. And he succeeds in each of these roles.
▶ 0:21:27Senator Blackburn: I fully support his nomination and know that he is going to serve the american people and the president with integrity, passion, and patriotism. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:21:42Chair Risch: Thank you, senator blackburn. We thank you for taking the time to come here and helping to think these things through. I know you are busy and probably have other commitments, but thank you so much for being here. We will -- I'm now going to turn to senator hagerty.
▶ 0:22:03Senator Hagerty: Thank you. Congratulations to everybody here today. It is a particular honor for me to recognize and introduce a friend of mine for many years. If I think about it, he is one of the most principled people I know. A steadfast supporter of the president, of our U.S. interests abroad, Mr. thomas rose, the trump nominee to be the ambassador to poland.
▶ 0:22:32Senator Hagerty: He's an exceptional picked to represent the united states. To be one of our -- to one of our two strongest european allies, that's an understatement. His qualifications, as a young journalist he covered the apartheid crisis in south africa, political changes in the philippines, and the fall of the berlin wall. His plight -- his reporting on the plight of the soviet jews was nominated for an emmy award.
▶ 0:23:03Senator Hagerty: He was chosen to be the publisher and ceo of the jerusalem post, one of the most influential newspapers in the middle east. Tom and I in the trump first-term had the opportunity to work together and I could see his strategic insight first hand. He's a patriot with a clear right understanding about america's role in the world and we should all appreciate that.
▶ 0:23:31Senator Hagerty: Recently he cohosted a talkshow where he demonstrated a deep understanding of local fort -- global affairs, consistent commitment to conservative principles, and clear articulation of american values to a broad audience, qualities essential for strengthening the U.S. polish relationship at this time. Throughout his life and career he has shown he can navigate complex issues with courage and decisiveness.
▶ 0:23:59Senator Hagerty: Poland is one of our most vital european partners in one of the biggest spenders in nato, serving as a critical board on the alliance eastern flank. We need someone with tom's talents to advance american foreign policy in poland, sir richard -- as a bridge between those governments and champion the principles that made the U.S. polish relationship so robust.
▶ 0:24:25Senator Hagerty: Tom is exactly the right person to serve as the next ambassador to warsaw and I urge my colleagues to support his nomination. Thank you.
▶ 0:24:34Chair Risch: Thank. Myself and the ranking member will make some opening remarks and then we will turn it over to you. Thank you to the witnesses and their families for being here today. As always, family plays a large role when you perform a service like this. I strongly believe the president has the right to pick his team and I know he has put a great deal of consideration into each of these nominees. Mr. white, as you know belgium is a core U.S.
▶ 0:25:02Chair Risch: Ally in europe and plays a critical and unique role in that transatlantic relationship as the host of the nato headquarters in the european union. It's essential to strengthening the transatlantic relationship and protecting our security and in the face of rising aggression belgium has been a partner in helping to freeze the sovereign assets of russia and stopping the war machine.
▶ 0:25:32Chair Risch: As I was the author of the original freezing assets bills and we struggled until we got belgium on board and then things really started, I look forward to working with you to strengthening these efforts and as ambassador you will be charged with furthering this important relationship. Mr. rose, you will also be charged with an important relationship. Poland is one of our strongest allies in europe and is one of the top contributors to the collective defense of nato.
▶ 0:26:07Chair Risch: We appreciate the polish leadership in europe and in the alliance. U.S. cooperation with poland will continue to be crucial as we push back on the russian aggression. I can tell you, I think the ranking member will back me up on this, the polls are anxious to work with us. We had the opportunity last week to jointly host a group of parliamentarians from the, from poland. It was bipartisan.
▶ 0:26:37Chair Risch: They were incredibly anxious to work with us to do what we need to do and I look forward to hearing how you plan to advance those relationships in our shared interests. Dr. lamelas, argentina and the united states maintain robust interests in western democratic values.
▶ 0:27:00Chair Risch: President will I is a key partner in our hemisphere and I hope will take every opportunity to take in this economic insecurity relationships with argentina. America is not the only interested partner. China is increasingly spreading and influence in the western hemisphere, we all know that. As ambassador to argentina I hope you will work with your counterparts to support practical measures to reduce the chinese influence in argentina and south america more generally.
▶ 0:27:30Chair Risch: As the undersecretary for management you will work with the president to facilitate the very important and necessary state department reorganization. Secretary rubio streamlined that bureaucracy to make it run more efficiently. This change couldn't be more sorely needed.
▶ 0:27:47Chair Risch: I also fully support the return to merit hiring and promotions rather than the system we had under the last administration and in the last several years I have passed bills that focused on making the state department leaner and more effective. Two of those bills, secure embassy construction and counterterrorism act and the mission and bach's act were never fully implemented and I'm hoping that you can ensure that these bills will get fully implemented.
▶ 0:28:14Chair Risch: Thank you all, to your families once more and your willingness to serve. Senator shaheen?
▶ 0:28:20Sen. Shaheen: Thank you,. Good morning. Welcome to each of your nominees, families, friends, and supporters who are here with you today. I'm going to address some concerns I have about the bureau of consular affairs, even though the nominee to had that office is not on the agenda today. Mr.
▶ 0:28:46Sen. Shaheen: Evans because it is a part of what you will be doing I think it is important for each of you if you are approved for the post you have been nominated for. I think it is worth reporting, since this will be a big issue for each of you. For many americans, one of the most familiar functions of the state department is the bureau of consular affairs.
▶ 0:29:07Sen. Shaheen: It issues passports to americans traveling abroad as proof of citizenship and it processes visas for foreign nationals ensuring the integrity of border security, combating fraud and working with partners like diplomatic security and the department of homeland security, playing a role in adoptions, and it protects U.S. citizens overseas, assisting in emergencies like arrests, hospitalizations, or disasters.
▶ 0:29:38Sen. Shaheen: It is the public face of the state department for the people around the world. Mr. evans, if confirmed you will be responsible to oversee this critical component of the state department. I think there is no room for error here. I can assure you all that the most calls that we get in our office have to do with the bureau of consular affairs and what our constituents are working for when they travel.
▶ 0:30:05Sen. Shaheen: It doesn't matter if they are republicans or democrats, americans don't like long delays when they need a passport. We saw this when travel resumed after covid. There was outcry from constituents to improve passport turnaround times. To the credit of the state department, there have been improvements over the last few years. I would like to hear how you plan to build on those efforts.
▶ 0:30:30Sen. Shaheen: One of the keys to avoiding backlogs is the smooth operation of the national passport center and national visa center. Centers I know something about because they are located in portsmouth, new hampshire. I have worked with them since I've been in the senate and before that as governor. I know that one of the challenges they face is staffing.
▶ 0:30:52Sen. Shaheen: These centers need not only civil service informed officers, they also rely on highly specialized contractors with security clearances who are not easy to replace once they are riffed. So, I hope to hear about how you plan to sustain these operations in light of recent staff reductions. State department leadership understands the importance of consular affairs. That's why they made promises not to fire staff.
▶ 0:31:23Sen. Shaheen: Unfortunately, those promises were broken and staff have been eliminated. What is self-defeating, I believe, about those actions, is that these employees deliver not only services to americans, but they pay for themselves. Consular affairs is a fee-based operation that generates revenue. Cutting staff to earn money for the american taxpayer is not only shortsighted but wasteful. Mr.
▶ 0:31:52Sen. Shaheen: Evans, the undersecretary for management's charge not only with the operations of the state department, they are also responsible for the people working on issues like diplomatic security, training officers for employment, and integrating ai into american diplomacy. The success of these efforts is vital to maintaining a modern and responsive state department that can meet the challenges of the 21st century.
▶ 0:32:17Sen. Shaheen: If confirmed, I would like to hear how you intend to make sure these missions are executed with nonpartisan professional care such as they require. Finally, to our nominees for ambassadors to poland, belgium, and argentina, as the chairman said, these are important allies for the united states.
▶ 0:32:39Sen. Shaheen: Whether it is strengthening nato, building deterrence against russia on the eastern flank, and latin america, all three of these posts carry significant responsibility and I look cute -- look forward to hearing how if confirmed you would work to advance american interests into deepen ties with these key allies. Thank you all. Mr. chairman?
▶ 0:33:02Chair Risch: I think that virtually every member of congress concurs in your statements regarding the importance of these applications . Like you say, we get lots of contact from our constituents and you will be hearing from us more often than you want, but you will be there to try to help make it work as best we can. So, let's start with the statements by the nominees. Mr. evans, why don't you go first?
▶ 0:33:31Mr. Evans: Chairman risch, ranking member shaheen, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It is a distinct honor to be considered for the role of undersecretary of state. I would like to thank the president and the secretary for their confidence in the opportunity to serve in this important position and I would like to thank my many friends and colleagues here in the room and watching online.
▶ 0:34:00Mr. Evans: My children in my family have been of source of unwavering support throughout my diplomatic career. I would especially like to thank my wife, jackie, whose love and support inform everything I do. I'm deeply committed to the mission of the department and the support of my colleagues in their families. The role for which I've been nominated affects all workforce around the globe.
▶ 0:34:30Mr. Evans: My priority is to make sure that every person that sent overseas is protected from harm. From the ambassadors to the youngest children of our colleagues in everyone in between, by doing so we enable officials to fulfill departmental missions for positive results for the american people.
▶ 0:34:52Mr. Evans: Encompassing 13 bureaus and offices within the department, ranging from budget to I.t., security, physical assets, hr procurement, they are directly responsible for the safety and security of our workforce. The bureau of diplomatic security holds the mandate for overseas missions for residences, staff, and families. The bureau of overseas building operations is tasked with maintaining facilities and constructing new and safe overseas operations security.
▶ 0:35:24Mr. Evans: And are dedicated to the mental and physical health of our personnel and families. There is no greater responsibility and I am going to uphold this duty with the utmost of dedication. I will also work to uphold the american firstborn policy. The department supports the international travel of american citizens through mystic passport offices and assisting travel overseas to consulates.
▶ 0:35:52Mr. Evans: We are also the front line of facilitating legitimate travel to the united states for foreign citizens in identifying and stopping those who might threaten national security or public safety. As the secretary said during the may but hearings, we will prioritize people based on the interests of this country.
▶ 0:36:12Mr. Evans: Strike this delicate balance between facilitating legitimate travel and protecting americans is a challenge and if confirmed as undersecretary for management, I want to fulfill effective communication in these critical areas.
▶ 0:36:31Mr. Evans: Resources within the department are essential for operational efficiency, shifting priorities so that we are safer, stronger, and more prosperous, delivering on the america first policy outlined. Reducing duplicative and redundant functions holding the department bureau accountable in encouraging ambitious thinking and cost-saving sufficiency is a key outcome of this effort.
▶ 0:36:58Mr. Evans: You must continue to evaluate how we do business at our embassies and consulates overseas, making sure we are making the best use of resources and personnel entrusted to us. First, the current structure of our overseas operations are they as efficient as they could be? Do we have the correct people doing the correct thing at our embassies and councils?
▶ 0:37:24Mr. Evans: And is everything that we do here in washington focused on supporting personnel overseas to ensure reciprocal treatment of personnel and families? Additionally we need to take a closer look at how we evaluate foreign service officers and have the right people in the right places. Improving the efficiency and efficacy of our diplomatic corps.
▶ 0:37:55Mr. Evans: If confirmed I look forward to working with the dedicated professionals of the department of state on these goals. I look forward to answering any questions you may have.
▶ 0:38:04Chair Risch: Appreciate that. Mr. rose?
▶ 0:38:09Mr. Rose: Thank you, Mr. chairman, ranking member and establish members of this committee, thank you. Your service in japan enhanced our relationship. Thank you, or loss is the gain of the senate.
▶ 0:38:35Mr. Rose: My name is tom rose and on honored to appear before you today is the trump nominees to serve as ambassador to the republic of poland. I'm grateful to the president for the trustees placed in me to advance his interest in poland and I thank the committee for the nomination. I'm mindful of the responsibility the nomination carries.
▶ 0:39:02Mr. Rose: I'm not a career diplomat but I have spent a lifetime looking at american values and interests and I will probably bring those convictions to warsaw on behalf of president trump in the american people. The relationship between the united states and poland is been on shared values, liberty, sovereignty, and the unbreakable bonds of faith, family, and freedom.
▶ 0:39:32Mr. Rose: From the polish patriots who fall alongside our founding fathers to the untold millions of polish americans who have enriched every aspect of american life, our alliance is forged in centuries of mutual respect. No american admirers poland's proud and heroic history more keenly than donald trump.
▶ 0:39:55Mr. Rose: Outlasting a murder is not -- nazi occupation to suffer four decades of stifling communist oppression and gloriously reclaiming her long-lost freedom. President trump deeply honors the polish devotion to faith, family, and freedom. So do I. Poland isn't just another american ally. She's more. She's much more. Poland's family.
▶ 0:40:24Mr. Rose: Standing not only at the crossroads of europe and the guardian of nato's eastern flank, she is leading the growing resolve to confronting aggression. The president believes the mission of every ambassador is straightforward but simple, promoting the safety, security, and prosperity of the american people first, last, and always.
▶ 0:40:49Mr. Rose: If confirmed, I will unapologetically advance the president's demands for policies to protect and promote american interests, insisting on free and fair and reciprocal treatment for businesses and consumers, more nato burden sharing, helping securing energy, and making more available the abundant resources that the president and his team are making available and I will
▶ 0:41:20Mr. Rose: Vigorously counter any challenges that threaten those interests. If confirmed I will approach the assignment with deep respect for the polish sovereignty and freely exercised decisions of her people, but I will do so with no ambiguity about trump's priorities. I will be clear eyed about our challenges and firm in our resolve.
▶ 0:41:46Mr. Rose: As the trump leadership repeatedly demonstrates, that's how alliances succeed in out piece is preserved. I want to close by thinking a towering champion of freedom and an unequaled supporter of our great president, my dear friend, Dr. ellison, without whose backing I wouldn't be here today. Thank you again, senators, for the opportunity to appear before you. I love questions, your counsel, and most importantly guidance. Thank you.
▶ 0:42:16Chair Risch: Thank you. Mr. white?
▶ 0:42:19Mr. White: Mr. chairman, thank you. Chairman, senators, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to appear before you as the trump nominee for the U.S. ambassador to the kingdom of belgium.
▶ 0:42:41Mr. White: It is truly an honor to be selected by the president, a leader I have known form over it -- for over 30 years when he helped me save the veterans day parade when I was 24. Wrote check for $1 million. The vets didn't have to pay for their own parade anymore. I'm so grateful to trump and our great first lady.
▶ 0:43:06Mr. White: I want to thank god and ask for his blessings over trump and all of you here today for the great work that you do for our country. As a businessman, philanthropist, nationally respected advocate for fallen heroes, as senator blackburn said, we raised 1.5 billion from 700,000 americans to support our fallen heroes, the catastrophically wounded and severely burned service members and families, taking the intrepid from 100,000 visitors
▶ 0:43:39Mr. White: Per year to one million, raising millions for the renovation. Now it is the top tourist attraction in new york city. Following that I started constellations group, raising funds for start up capital ventures and private equity. Most importantly as a ceo I had a great honor of supervising over 1000 U.S. citizens as wonderful employees of our team who have been truly blessed by the experience.
▶ 0:44:09Mr. White: I will bring the same tenacity and dedication to this procedure's role. None of this would be possible without my husband, we've been together 24 years, sitting behind me. That's the thing. His parents, my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, all here with their beautiful children. Alexis, and my nephew.
▶ 0:44:38Mr. White: I had the greatest opportunity to have the most amazing parents , the best I could have ever had. At age 54, I'm 58, I met my biological mother for the first time thanks to 23 and me and ancestry.com. Her name is mary mooney, she is from vermont, she is one of my heroes and is sitting next to my husband today. Technology is a great thing, sometimes.
▶ 0:45:10Mr. White: Belgium is a vital ally and partner in our countries have had great long-standing ties. Belgium is the host country of the nato headquarters in approximately 800 brave servicemembers and their families. Many of them assigned to native duties. The U.S. liberated belgium twice in world war I and world war ii. Honoring the 80th anniversary of thousands of U.S. veterans.
▶ 0:45:41Mr. White: If confirmed, I promise to continue to strengthen these important historical ties. I have spent much time in belgium traveling to a rack in afghanistan to be entertained in visit with her troops. I have many long-standing relationships and new ones if confirmed by this austere body, I look forward to re-engaging with these great patriots who I know are anxious to partner with the united states of america.
▶ 0:46:09Mr. White: Belgium is also the seat of the european union and its parliament. Our trade relationship with belgium is valued at $74.8 billion, give or take annually. The U.S. has a goods trade surplus with belgium. Belgium is our 20th largest trading partner in goods and 500 belgian companies employ over 80,000 U.S. workers.
▶ 0:46:37Mr. White: The port and bruges along with 17 million tons. Exports to belgium were $35 billion. Including significant volumes of U.S. liquefied natural gas. If confirmed I will advance the president's america first agenda and the goals of many of the members of this committee that you have shared with me about increasing energy production into belgium.
▶ 0:47:08Mr. White: If confirmed I will have three main lines. Working with biotechnology hand in glove to encourage foreign investments and is set to reach the nato goal set by trump at the hague.
▶ 0:47:39Mr. White: Congratulations. Belgian leaders including the new prime minister have acknowledged that belgium will do more. From all accounts we will have a great partner in prime minister with his well-formed arizona coalition. That is the name of their government. Those four parties have the colors of the arizona flag. I was thinking there might be a senator from arizona to complement, but we will work very well with the prime minister.
▶ 0:48:09Mr. White: His majesty, king philippe and her majesty, matilda, have become friends of trump. He met them at the opening of notre dame and had dinner with them. He hopes to enhance that relationship. I believe the belgian ambassador to the united states is sitting with us today. I appreciate his presence.
▶ 0:48:31Mr. White: We will strengthen law enforcement cooperation over illicit narcotics and transnational crime. Belgium is facing threats from organized crime, who are seeking to use it as a drug transit hub. As well as the chinese. Our law enforcement cooperation with belgium is great. More can be done to safeguard the safety of the U.S. citizens abroad and in belgium.
▶ 0:49:01Mr. White: The safety of our american citizens will be our overarching priority. Someone million americans visit belgium every year for work tourism and study. I will ensure that we do everything possible to safeguard the well-being of our citizens. If confirmed I commit to leading those hardcharging officers at the U.S. embassy from belgium.
▶ 0:49:35Mr. White: From the eu and nato we have a tribe mission goal. We look forward to working with them if confirmed. If confirmed, we are committed to getting to know the rate belgian people.
▶ 0:50:01Mr. White: We look forward to having the strongest of ties with the prime minister. We welcome the senators on the committee in the senate can visit. We hope that we will accomplish great things together with your presence in belgium. We look forward to sitting here on the panel with my good friends. They will do a great job for the country.
▶ 0:50:33Mr. White: I look forward to serving the united states and the president and cannot wait to getting things done on behalf of you all in the american people if confirmed.
▶ 0:50:40Chair Risch: Thank you, Mr. white. Dr. lamelas? Europe. -- you are up.
▶ 0:50:53Dr. Lamelas: Chairman, ranking member, distinguished members of the senate foreign relations committee, it's an honor to appear before you today as a nominee for the U.S. ambassador to the republic of argentina. I am grateful to the president for his trust in the sec. For his support. Granting me the privilege to serve our nation.
▶ 0:51:18Dr. Lamelas: Senator scott is not here, but he will come later to introduce me and I want to thank him for his introduction in advance and his friendship. He is truly a role model. I have known him for 20 years. Before I proceed I would like to recognize my wife and 25 years, stephanie, and my mother, mercedes, whose unwavering support is the foundation of my being here today.
▶ 0:51:46Dr. Lamelas: My he jerked -- hero and father, pedro, who is watching me from heaven, my brothers, joseph and robert, as well as my friends watching from home. I stand before you today cupid by birth, american by the grace of god. The day that we fled cuba and immigrated to the U.S.
▶ 0:52:06Dr. Lamelas: On a red cross boat, the communists took our possessions, spit on us, calling us [speaking another language] worms, traitors to the revolution. We experienced a stark contrast between socialist oppression, communism, freedom, and liberty. My parents worked tirelessly.
▶ 0:52:29Dr. Lamelas: I learned the value of hard work and our family business from a delicatessen in new york to a restaurant and convenience store gas station in florida. Driven by these experiences I pursued a career in business and eight masters career in -- degree in medicine and business. I held leadership positions on the state of florida board of medicine and served on the town commission.
▶ 0:52:58Dr. Lamelas: I was honored to be appointed by the president to the department of justice, public safety, medal of valor board, and plan to be a lifelong philanthropist. As an emergency physician, medical director and entrepreneur, I founded and became ceo of florida's largest urgent care company, delivering quality care, caring for one million patients per year, achieving the american dream.
▶ 0:53:26Dr. Lamelas: Managing and growing my company from the ground up required skills, leadership skills, crisis management skills and negotiation skills. All as well as considerable diplomacy. All skills transferable to leading the U.S. embassy. U.S. and argentina shared close ties, economic and political ties. Argentina is a key player in the western hemisphere in our relationship is vital.
▶ 0:53:55Dr. Lamelas: If confirmed I will prioritize america first by working to align argentina in U.S. instruments. Benefiting not just its own citizens but regional and economic stability. Ensuring a level playing field and promoting economic policies that foster fair in reciprocal trade.
▶ 0:54:26Dr. Lamelas: Fostering an environment that is favorable for business environment is critical. In the region the bad actors within the regime are seeking to undermine democratic values. I believe that our U.S. argentina relationship can and will serve as a shining example to the rest of latin america.
▶ 0:54:55Dr. Lamelas: If confirmed I will work to ensure argentina's resources, energy, critical minerals benefit our nation. The U.S. wants to be the argentina and -- argentinian partner of choice. Lowering trade barriers and securing partnerships and ensuring we have a fair, open, and transparent marketplace.
▶ 0:55:20Dr. Lamelas: If confirmed I will work to deepen diplomatic engagement and promote policies that reinforce democracy in our shared western values and work to strengthen regional security, law enforcement cooperation, and intelligence sharing the combat narcotics and international crimes. Finally, the safety and security of american citizens abroad is fundamental. I will take every measure to ensure that U.S. citizens receive the highest level of protection and service from our embassy.
▶ 0:55:52Dr. Lamelas: That our embassy staff are acknowledged and supported. I was honored when the president asked me to work with his friend, president malaya, and the argentinian people to build a stronger relationship between our countries. I'm confident that we will achieve greatness like never before.
▶ 0:56:20Dr. Lamelas: With the guidance and oversight of the committee, we will ensure that argentina lines up with the vision resented by the president in the secretary rubio. We stand at an important moment in history. Our adversaries test our resolve . I stand firm with the united states in our integrity and unwavering commitment to american values. God bless america.
▶ 0:56:50Chair Risch: Thank you very much . Appreciate your thoughts. Move on now to another round of questions. We will give senator scott the floor when he gets here.
▶ 0:57:05Chair Risch: I want to start with you on one of the touch subjects we've had in europe, the commitment to the defense spending that all of us made in which some of us understood spending 2% of gdp on defense every year.
▶ 0:57:30Chair Risch: One of the few when trump first took office, there were only three and after he turned the screws, we are up to just a handful that are not. Belgium still wasn't there, though they are supposed to get there this year.
▶ 0:57:47Chair Risch: Everyone agreed we would go to 4%, 5%, for obvious reasons, the defense of europe has been undertaken more and interestingly enough there's not a lot of pushback. We received our fair share. Everyone agreed to it.
▶ 0:58:16Chair Risch: We will delicately approach this matter, but tell me how.
▶ 0:58:20Mr. White: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Let me say that this is a complement to you in your management style in the committee how you and the senators have worked together and it's been a great pleasure to be working with all of them. I wanted to complement you on your fantastic management style. With regard to the 5% standard, they are currently spending about 7 billion, $8 billion and have to jump up quite a bit.
▶ 0:58:50Mr. White: The way the 5% splits, 2.5% for defense spending and 1.5% for infrastructure, there are many projects underway in belgium that would qualify as used from 1.5%. I have some good news before we even get there if confirmed by you all, which we graciously hope for in advance.
▶ 0:59:16Mr. White: The prime minister has stated that he is going to be buying $1 billion new of f-35's. Matt whitaker is a good friend of mine. We are excited to work together on that and help belgium exceed their goals.
▶ 0:59:41Mr. White: The prime minister commitment unlike the last one may not have been in and we will have a great partner there. I promise you that we will be monitoring that an item know nato is monitoring matt. The confirmations out of committee have been great. They will be working on the troika together for these projects. I promise you that.
▶ 1:00:03Chair Risch: Good to hear that on the f-35's. We are always proud to sell that. It's the best fighter aircraft. Mr.
▶ 1:00:24Chair Risch: Evans one of the things you worked on on the committee's performance evaluation in the civil in foreign taking place.
▶ 1:00:41Mr. Evans: I would agree it needs reform and I will look at that.
▶ 1:00:49Chair Risch: You can't properly evaluate promotions or transfers or appropriate places for people to serve without a good type of review. We've long wanted to see this. Any specific thoughts? It is something we are going to be pushing one.
▶ 1:01:13Mr. Evans: I do have specific thoughts. We need to take a whole candidate approach and look at all sides. Not just whether or not someone can write a one-page statement on the work they've done. We need to take a much more in-depth look at what people have done and how it has impacted policy.
▶ 1:01:38Chair Risch: That's a good start it certainly needs more than what it's got. We appreciate your efforts. All of us are big fans here at the state department. The united states has a great standing in the world, you will be a part of the management team. We are glad to see you join.
▶ 1:02:10Chair Risch: Senator king?
▶ 1:02:10Senator King: Guess I'm leaping ahead as we wait for the comeback. Congratulations to all the nominees. One of the issues that we grapple with in the committee is judgment. Looking at social media accounts, I wanted to ask you about some.
▶ 1:02:33Senator King: It apparently looks to be in july of 24 where you posted that it's high time to legitimately prosecute the georgia secretary of state, governor camp. That was about a year ago.
▶ 1:02:51Senator King: About two weeks later, august 8 at 2024 reposted somebody else's tweet, it's all in caps, "lock for georgia's secretary of state mother effer up." and then in a tweet from one of our colleagues, senator graham, you say that graham is a snake.
▶ 1:03:24Senator King: Convince me, first, how somebody who falls for conspiracy theories that most fourth-graders would find unbelievable, but who uses language like that about elected officials in georgia and senate colleagues, convince me you got the judgment to be an ambassador.
▶ 1:03:40Mr. White: Thank you very much. I was proud to support you when you were running for vice president and it was great to spend time with you on the campaign trail. With secretary clinton way back. I would like to say that I don't recall either of those two tweets, but I will say that I was in georgia in 2020 on the ground and there will -- there
▶ 1:04:10Mr. White: Were substantial irregularities.
▶ 1:04:11Chair Risch: You still believe
▶ 1:04:14That The -- Sen. Kane: You still believe that the governor and secretary of state should be criminally prosecuted?
▶ 1:04:19Mr. White: I don't.
▶ 1:04:20Sen. Kane: I would like to submit those less than a year old tweets for the record. Do you know who [indiscernible] it is?
▶ 1:04:29Mr. White: No.
▶ 1:04:31Sen. Kane: It's a far right belgian who leads a flemish nationalist movement and was convicted on charges of hatred, racism, holocaust denial, and breaching global gun laws in the last year. You have been tagged in tweets re-tweeting is content. Do you know why you would have been tagged on those tweets which weeding his content?
▶ 1:04:57Mr. White: Thank you, I appreciate that. Anything out of context can be taken out of context. I'm very good friends with that attorney who fights for social justice in countries around the world.
▶ 1:05:12Sen. Kane: Who is that?
▶ 1:05:14Mr. White: I would rather not say his name.
▶ 1:05:17Sen. Kane: Why is that relevant?
▶ 1:05:19Mr. White: He was working on a case in georgia. There are two sides to every story.
▶ 1:05:27Sen. Kane: Setting aside that, why would you be showing up tagged in these tweets amplifying holocaust denial is him from a belgian who has been criminally convicted within the last year?
▶ 1:05:41Mr. White: I understand and appreciate the question. When my team told me about the various things he may have been involved in, I'm not sure about all of the things he's been involved in, those tweets were removed.
▶ 1:05:58Sen. Kane: Mr. evans, I really enjoyed our conversation the other day. Living in virginia, many of the state department folks live -- live in virginia and the rift hit them pretty hard. Those who haven't been rift or share deep concerns over morale and you plates of it -- critical role in that.
▶ 1:06:28Sen. Kane: People being judged professionally and not politically. What can we do in the management role to make it clear that folks will be judged on performance and not political considerations?
▶ 1:06:47Mr. White: Thank you, -- Mr.
▶ 1:06:50Evans: Thank you, the rift did hit me personally, I had friends involved. It's an important issue that we maintain morale through the state department. We depend on the people coming in to give their best. If they are worried about having a job tomorrow, they can do that. So, I'm going to be taking a very close look at repairing the damage done in last week.
▶ 1:07:15Evans: I believe those adjustments were necessary. Now we have to realign and reset and put the people where they need to be and refocus and get back to work.
▶ 1:07:31Sen. Kane: I appreciate that, the repair work is significant and I appreciate your answer. Mr. chair?
▶ 1:07:39Chair Risch: Senator ricketts?
▶ 1:07:44Senator Ricketts: Thank you all for wanting to serve our great nation. Appreciate it. Also for your families as well. You have spent time away from friends and family who will sacrifice along with you as you do this job should you be confirmed. Thank you for your interest in wanting to do that. Complementing our state department working across the world, they do such a fantastic job.
▶ 1:08:12Senator Ricketts: The argentina geostrategic significance continues to rise. Communist china and russia are building up their presence around antarctica. The strait of magellan that passes through argentina is one of two maritime routes between the atlantic and the pacific. Argentina has strategically allied with the U.S.
▶ 1:08:34Senator Ricketts: And nato but because of long-standing tensions over the falklands, britain has long blocked sales of military components to argentina even from third countries. This is a desperately look to modernizing armed forces, they are looking to communist china for weapons and they recently purchased chinese fighter jets and don't forget that they still operate a satellite station, china does, and patagonia.
▶ 1:09:09Senator Ricketts: It appears that real progress can be made between the u.k. And argentina over the falklands, which could lead to loosening restrictions over weapons exports by the u.k., with modernization moving towards modern suppliers of confirmed. Between the u.k. And argentina, what can be done?
▶ 1:09:37Dr. Lamelas: Your question is deeply appreciated and your oversight will be deeply appreciated. I don't want to correct you, but the islands are an issue that the united states doesn't recognize sovereignty over, either for argentina or britain. They recognize the administration of the british people on the island. We have a position of neutrality over the islands.
▶ 1:10:10Dr. Lamelas: Anything that encourages ongoing dialogue between britain and argentina is one of the roles that I have as an ambassador to travel to all 23 provinces, including obviously if there was an opportunity I would be more than happy to cooperate with the administration there. Javier millet is a good perspective on this. We are trying to further align ourselves with argentina.
▶ 1:10:41Dr. Lamelas: One of my roles would be to push back against the ccp. The united states has to act as a counterweight against the ccp. We have to encourage more U.S. goods and supplies, the military sale of U.S. f-16s are fantastic. They have ongoing service and maintenance of the f-16s. More, more outreach. One of my goals as ambassador would be to increase trade and investment.
▶ 1:11:11Dr. Lamelas: Currently, argentina, the U.S. has approximately $2.1 billion in trade surplus with argentina. I think that a rising tide lifts all boats, rising between argentina and the united states with the U.S., and I have very little to do with tariffs.
▶ 1:11:42Dr. Lamelas: Lowering the barriers that completely exist, with port delays, all of these efforts I have outlined, I have a plan and I would be more than happy to share it with you. It will improve U.S. argentine relationships and push china out little by little.
▶ 1:12:03Sen. Ricketts: It's not just about argentina. Across the world china is looking to increase arms sales for us. Because of that purchase of what you're talking about with the f-16s, that's why we want to sell them.
▶ 1:12:23Sen. Ricketts: That's why I introduced the think twice act and I hope you will support the legislation giving the impact. I see that I'm out of time. Mr. chairman?
▶ 1:12:45Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, Mr. chairman of you has made troubling statements condemning or supporting certain political parties and leaders in belgium and poland, where you are nominated to serve. Some of these occurred after you were formally nominated. If confirmed, do you each commit to remaining a political in your respective roles and engaging with all political parties?
▶ 1:13:16Sen. Shaheen: Mr. rose?
▶ 1:13:20Mr. Rose: The intervention that you referred to is tweet that I stand by. I would have issued them no matter who was the prime minister of poland. We have an outstanding relationship with the current polish government and the opposition. As you know on august 6 there will be a new president inaugurated their. We have an excellent relationship there and with the peace party, the opposition coalition.
▶ 1:13:50Mr. Rose: If there is one country in europe where america doesn't have a problem, it's poland.
▶ 1:13:56Sen. Ricketts: I agree and I'm sorry to interrupt, but that wasn't my question. I agree that the U.S. and poland have a great relationship. We put troops on the ground and I know how appreciative the polish people were victims how supportive they have been.
▶ 1:14:15Sen. Ricketts: I question is, if confirmed do you commit and do you understand the role of the ambassador is to be neutral and work with all political parties in the country in which you are serving?
▶ 1:14:30Sen. Shaheen: I understand and
▶ 1:14:33Respect That -- Mr. Rose: I understand and respect that but if there is a direct impact on the united states, I will be a forceful advocate for the president and his agenda. C1 I would expect nothing less. Mr. white?
▶ 1:14:50Mr. White: Thank you very much for the question and absolutely have confirmed I will not be participating in tweets about internal politics. I did do that as a private citizen and I didn't take it down pretty quickly when I understood some of the ramifications..
▶ 1:15:08Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, I appreciate that. Mr. evans, the national passport and national visa center are both located in portsmouth, new hampshire. The nvc process, more than 400,000 visas alone. It issues approximately 2 million passports each year. I think these are essential services for many americans.
▶ 1:15:37Sen. Shaheen: You commit to paying close attention to these centers and ensuring the specialized contract workforce is protected?
▶ 1:15:44Mr. Evans: Thank you for that question. I do understand the passport and visa issuance are some of the most critical functions we perform. The department is committed to making sure we have the resources in place to fully commit and to fully accomplish our goals in those areas.
▶ 1:16:01Sen. Shaheen: Thank you. I want to talk a little bit about the afghan special visa program, something I've worked on for a very long time.
▶ 1:16:17Sen. Shaheen: Because we had so many afghans risked their lives and their families lives to support our men and women in the military and the trump administration has said that it isn't stopping the processing of afghan siv's but the process seems to have ground to a halt. Do you know what is happening with that process?
▶ 1:16:40Mr. Evans: Thank you for that question as well, senator. I served in afghanistan as well at our consulate and I'm very familiar with the siv process. I currently don't know the status of that process and I haven't been involved in anything to do with that but if confirmed I will be happy to look into that.
▶ 1:17:01Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, if you would brief this committee on what is happening with that processing, we would appreciate it. I know that has been a bipartisan commitment of the committee to support the afghan siv's and ensure those who helped us our secure and have an opportunity to be safe and not sent back to the taliban.
▶ 1:17:28Sen. Shaheen: I commend the trump administration's proactive steps with steering authorities including on counterterrorism, but I am concerned that the process is being undermined by cuts to assistance for organizations like unhrc -- unhcr, they said they want them to take over displaced persons camps and at the same time they are cutting the funding for unhcr. How would you protect resources for the shifting U.S.
▶ 1:17:58Sen. Shaheen: Policy on syria?
▶ 1:18:00Mr. Evans: Again, thank you for the question, senator. One of the things we have to do is look at where our funding is going, we have to make sure any expenditures we make in the foreign assistance from our online with the priorities of the president and the secretary and that is what we are going to do.
▶ 1:18:19Sen. Shaheen: Then how do you make sense of the idea that one of the one hand we would be saying to unhcr, we want you to take over these camps which are such a threat for a renewed terrorist activity by isis and at the same time we are going to cut the funding so you don't have the resources that it would take to address the threat. How do you make those two ideas work?
▶ 1:18:49Mr. Evans: Understood, that something am going to have to look into because I don't have the specific details on it.
▶ 1:18:56Sen. Shaheen: Again, that is something I hope you brief the committee on.
▶ 1:19:00Chair Risch: Thank you, senator shaheen. Gentlemen, we are in the awkward position of not having anybody to ask you questions, but I'm told two or three will have questions for you. I'm going to take a short break.
▶ 1:19:16Sen. Shaheen: I can ask more questions. [laughter]
▶ 1:19:18Chair Risch: Have at it. I will deduct from the next time.
▶ 1:19:24Sen. Shaheen: Mr. white, you may be aware belgium is currently home to a warehouse that holds commodities to support global health and humanitarian programming. Despite the goal of the administration to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, we are hearing that the administration has made the decision to destroy those commodities instead of passing them along to willing partners, something I think is unprecedented.
▶ 1:19:51Sen. Shaheen: If confirmed how would you engage at the department and with the belgian government to prevent the destruction of almost 10 million dollars in commodities in belgium?
▶ 1:20:02Mr. White: Thank you for that very important question. When I did have the wonderful opportunity to meet with amy on your team, they did raise that and as you know I'm not confirmed yet and not in a position to influence, but I promise you I did pass those concerns of yours and your team and other senators that mentioned this when we met with them up the chain, so to speak. So I can't really add more than that.
▶ 1:20:31Mr. White: I'm unaware if those press reports are true, if they are going to destroy those materials or if they are going to take time to study it more. I don't know which is your preference. I think you would prefer them not to be destroyed. And I have conveyed that to the state department as best I can in my very unofficial capacity.
▶ 1:20:49Sen. Shaheen: Well, thank you, I assume you agree with me that destroying $10 million in commodities that have been purchased by taxpayers that are not going to be used is not a good use of taxpayer dollars.
▶ 1:21:05Mr. White: Thank you senator for the question. I would say this, I have great faith in secretary rubio who I think is doing a wonderful job as secretary of state and the powers that be will be making that decision way above my pay grade. I would be happy to come back and review if it is still an issue and if there is anyway I can help, but I do have great faith in secretary rubio. He said in your seat and passed bills and I think he is a good steward of the american people's tax dollars and I have great trust in him.
▶ 1:21:35Sen. Shaheen: Well, I had a conversation with the deputy secretary for budget and management yesterday who didn't have some answers on how to deal with those commodities and didn't seem to be aware that they were there, so I think having somebody who is going to raise the issue and try to get some factual information about what is going on is very important.
▶ 1:22:01Mr. White: Yes, senator and I was told by state there are efforts by the belgian government to possibly speak with secretary rubio directly. I'm sharing what may be some news on that.
▶ 1:22:15Sen. Shaheen: Yes, I understood that as well and I think that would be a positive step forward.
▶ 1:22:19Mr. White: Thank you.
▶ 1:22:20Sen. Shaheen: Mr. lamelas, the argentine government was hit with the same tariff that got many of our allies off guard and china remains the top market for argentine soybeans and lithium exports.
▶ 1:22:44Sen. Shaheen: How do we outcompete china in argentina and how do we reassure our argentine allies that the united states is going to work with them on the concerns they have with respect to trade? >> that is a very good question. President trump uses tariffs as a negotiation tool. I have known the president over 15 years now.
▶ 1:23:15Sen. Shaheen: He is a new york contractor, he is used to hard negotiations and he uses that as a negotiation tool. I don't think the actual -- actual tariffs have been formulated yet. The U.S. trade representative, howard lutnick, and the president are working on that. The president used president milei as a friend. I think he understands that argentina is a partner in south america.
▶ 1:23:44Sen. Shaheen: Argentina is the central and critical for opposing the other authoritarian and china. What I'm going to focus on is not the actual tariff, that is beyond my pay grade, but what I need to focus on is decreasing the nontariff trade barriers and there are many of them. One of them is the ip protections that exist in argentina. U.S. pharmaceutical companies, other U.S. companies don't have the same ip protections they have in the united states.
▶ 1:24:15Sen. Shaheen: There is a global standard and I'm going to speak out for that standard, for those protections. I'm going to push lowering vat taxes, decreasing pork delays. Currency. U.S. companies could invest, but they can't take their currency out, so those are the issues I can make an impact with and I trust the president to decide the right tax for argentina.
▶ 1:24:39Sen. Shaheen: Thank you very much, thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:24:42Chair Risch: Thank you, senator daines, you are up.
▶ 1:24:46Senator Daines: German, thank you. Mr. rose, as you know, poland has long been one of the U.S.'s closest defense partners in europe. They have no illusions about the threat environment. They are clear eyed, they made significant investments in energy security and defensive capability. The country already spends over 4% of gdp on defense and has committed to the new benchmark of 5%.
▶ 1:25:16Senator Daines: Furthermore, the U.S. is a permanent troop presence in poland, that is a presence poland supports. If confirmed, how can you encourage poland to continue to invest in a national security strategy that is both strategically and technologically interoperable with the united states?
▶ 1:25:40Mr. Rose: Thank you very much for that excellent question and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with you and your staff earlier this week. You have been a terrific champion of american values and strength and the support for our allies and partners. Poland is not going to take much convincing.
▶ 1:26:02Mr. Rose: My apologies to all of our other allies and partners in europe, but poland is a front-line state , poland is very jealously assertive of her sovereignty. She is well aware of the risks that confront her, she has two neighbors that have historically not been nice neighbors.
▶ 1:26:32Mr. Rose: Poland will break. While volunteer members are oversubscribed, there will be a national conscription in the military that the prime minister announced a couple of months ago. It is a stable democracy, they are ferociously independent, patriotic, they are great allies.
▶ 1:27:04Mr. Rose: There is nothing we can't suggest to them that they will accept. We have no issue with anybody in poland. It is bipartisan strongly pro-american.
▶ 1:27:14Sen. Daines: I had a chance to meet with some of their leaders that came through to town and I would agree with your assessment. One of the questions about poland on strategy is energy.
▶ 1:27:36Sen. Daines: How can the united states best support poland as it completes its transition away from russian energy and ensures price and supply stability for the country?
▶ 1:27:50Mr. Rose: Thank you for that question. As you are aware, poland is developing -- investing billions of dollars to develop a new offtake facility for american natural gas in a town north of gdansk.
▶ 1:28:10Mr. Rose: Through the good offices of many folks that sit on this committee and the administration has just executed a $35 billion first tranche agreement for the construction of three 1000 megawatt nuclear reactors in northwestern poland that the polish government is helping to finance. We have also extended some loan guarantees that nato has.
▶ 1:28:41Mr. Rose: There is an option for three more of these units that can provide almost 60% of poland's electricity need. They are a major coal producer and leaders in technology for carbon capture and clean coal.
▶ 1:29:01Mr. Rose: Poland, as you know, has been the leader in europe protecting itself from energy brinksmanship , energy diplomacy on behalf of the russians, the shadow fleet. Poland is an absolutely terrific and essential partner and ally of this country.
▶ 1:29:21Sen. Daines: Thank you and I appreciate those comments. Mr. white, a few questions about belgium. They have historically been under-invested in defense. The past few months and with the advent of a new government, they seem to have brought about a change in that front and really pleased to see as we discussed in the office, they recently signed a 5% spending pledge. Just announced a major purpose.
▶ 1:30:02Sen. Daines: How can we best support the belgian government as they improve their defensive capabilities?
▶ 1:30:11Mr. White: Thank you so much for making time to see me. With regard to the defense issue, we talked about how that breaks down.
▶ 1:30:38Mr. White: This announcement of the f-35's purchased by the new prime minister and we look forward to tracking that. I'm looking forward to my great partner in matt whitaker and secretary rubio and the team. The three of us will be working very hard to get belgium up to that number. I know the belgians are watching this today.
▶ 1:31:04Mr. White: I want to complement the arizona coalition for making that pledge. They should strengthen their bridges and tunnels that would be dual use. Secretary hegseth they will work to make it more productive and seamless.
▶ 1:31:34Sen. Daines: I'm out of time, they have done transformations. I'm out of time, Mr. chairman. I respect the chairman who is tougher than I am, so thank you. >> I want to thank all of our witnesses for being here for testifying today.
▶ 1:32:05Sen. Daines: Holding those accountable for the 1994 bombings of the argentine israelite mutual association in buenos aires that killed 85 people. A remembrance of this horrific attack. And the bombing of the embassy in buenos aires which killed 29 people. Dr.
▶ 1:32:33Sen. Daines: Lamelas, how would you assess the status of argentina's efforts to hold accountable the perpetrators of these violent acts? How would you advise the united states help argentina in their efforts? Dr.
▶ 1:32:49Sen. Daines: Lamelas senator, what occurred in argentina actually was the anniversary just recently, the 31st anniversary of the bombings which killed 85 people. Before october 7 it was the largest single event where jews were killed besides the holocaust.
▶ 1:33:12Sen. Daines: It is a shame, it is incredible that the people involved have not been prosecuted. The prosecutor died under suspicious circumstances, obviously. I support any efforts that milei has to get to the bottom of this.
▶ 1:33:36Sen. Daines: I believe there has been an arrest warrant issued against one of the alleged perpetrators, so I will do anything and everything possible to speak against this. I live in south florida and there was an expensive jewish community and there is a portion of my family that has jewish roots. So I feel very strongly about this. So does president milei. I will do everything possible to support getting to the bottom of who did this and prosecuting them.
▶ 1:34:06Senator Rosen: I want to talk a little bit about poland's cybersecurity. Russia is engaged in an aggressive shadow war against our allies in europe in poland, russia employs cyber attacks and information warfare to shake the information space.
▶ 1:34:25Senator Rosen: It weakens public trust and undermines political cohesion yet at the state department, individuals with highly specialized cyber expertise were let go. Fired. These cuts to our cyber workforce make no sense to me in light of what is going on. They undermine our own security and that of our partners and allies.
▶ 1:34:51Senator Rosen: Given the threat russia poses to poland in the cyber domain, what signal do you think ripping personnel who have expertise to improve poland's cybersecurity, what message does it send to russia or others so if you were russia would you feel emboldened by this?
▶ 1:35:08Mr. Rose: Thank you very much for the question, nice to see you. I believe that there is in the country in europe that takes cybersecurity, the asymmetric threats constantly unleashed upon poland and other east european countries, central european countries more seriously than poland. The asymmetric, nefarious activities of russia have dramatically increased.
▶ 1:35:39Sen. Rosen: What do we do to get these folk backs -- these folks back to help them battle?
▶ 1:35:47Mr. Rose: They are quite capable and have the most sophisticated anti-cyber capabilities of any country in europe. They take the matter seriously, they are forthright, forward-looking and have to deal with an increased russian threat. Russian drones are specifically targeting polish private businesses in ukraine. There was a flooring manufacturing company in western ukraine that was hit from three separate -- separate directions last week.
▶ 1:36:17Mr. Rose: Russia is doing everything within its power to test the resolve of the west, the polls, and our other allies.
▶ 1:36:23Sen. Rosen: Do we have a role to play to help ensure we create a stable environment, responsive, offensive, defensive environment ? This can be a lethal weapon of attack in poland and how can the U.S. help here? Mr. rose: I think the U.S. is doing a great deal, a tremendous deal. The president has shown extraordinary patience which apparently is now running out vis-à-vis vladimir putin? -- vladimir putin.
▶ 1:36:52Sen. Rosen: You don't think we need the employees who were let go?
▶ 1:36:55Mr. Rose: I have no doubt that secretary rubio and his staff made it effective, very detailed assessments of how to make the state department more efficient and more effective. I have complete confidence in the secretary and the president.
▶ 1:37:08Sen. Rosen: Thank you, I would be interested in you coming back to the committee and talking to us in a secure location about some of the cyber efforts going on.
▶ 1:37:16Mr. Rose: I would be honored.
▶ 1:37:18Chair Risch: Thank. Senator scott.
▶ 1:37:22Senator Scott: Thank you, chairman. You guys are doing a great job. All four of your going to do great at your jobs. I couldn't be here because of another committee, I want to recognize Mr. lamelas -- Dr. lamelas. Whatever he and his wife touch will be successful. He and stephanie have been successful, they are wonderful human beings, they are great people to be around. So congratulations.
▶ 1:37:55Senator Scott: I want to say some nice things about him. First off, he has a wonderful wife, stephanie, I wonderful mom, mercedes. He has a very successful brother that I recruited to be at one of my hospitals a long time ago. They are the embodiment against the regime. Immigration to this country where he worked his but off and built an incredible career in medicine and is in us.
▶ 1:38:25Senator Scott: He will tell you how his view has been shaped. He understands the importance of democracy, limited government, economic freedom everywhere. He has had success in the private sector.
▶ 1:38:42Senator Scott: He served on the department of justice metal review board which honors first responders so the president made a fantastic choice with everybody here and I'm glad it worked out for peter. So I worked forward -- look forward, congratulations. Any of you, let me know every let me ask a few questions. Poland is a strong U.S. ally.
▶ 1:39:14Senator Scott: What do you think they got to be doing differently than what they are doing, anything?
▶ 1:39:17Mr. Rose: Thank you very much for the question, senator. Poland has been at the forefront of defending the alliance, itself. It takes its migrant issue very seriously.
▶ 1:39:33Sen. Scott: They have been doing a fantastic job with the ukrainians.
▶ 1:39:37Mr. Rose: More than one million ukrainians have been granted refugee status inside poland. More than 9 million ukrainians have facilitated their transit out of ukraine through poland. Poland is our staging area not simply for U.S. support, but also for all of nato's support.
▶ 1:39:56Mr. Rose: Poland is the shield of the eastern flank of nato, an extraordinary ally, extraordinary people, proud, sovereign, jealous of their culture and incredibly pro-american. At a 30,000 foot level when it comes to existential issues, they trip over each other to be more american.
▶ 1:40:23Sen. Scott: Mr. white, what do you want to get done? When you finish your job, what is your success going to mean?
▶ 1:40:30Mr. White: Thank you, senator, it is great to be a resident of the great state of florida. You have been so gracious. Bringing to light the important issues we are concerned about. Thank you for your service. Very quickly, if confirmed we are going to increase our trade relationship.
▶ 1:40:57Mr. White: There are some 500 belgian companies that employ 80,000 americans in the united states. I look forward to working with them and our american companies and you about the great companies in florida that may want to invest. If anybody can help us close a deal over there, it would you.
▶ 1:41:31Mr. White: We do have transnational gangs coming in through the port of antwerp trying to influence everything in belgium so we will be fighting that off and we do have some radical islamic terror cells operating in belgium that I know the belgians are now wanting to eradicate so we will be working closely with our law enforcement officers -- partners to do that. I look forward to continuing to honor them and would love to have you join us next year to honor their service.
▶ 1:42:01Sen. Scott: My dad, it's crazy, he was one of 3000 people that fought in the battle of the bulge and came back alive. Thank god for me. What can we learn from milei?
▶ 1:42:22Dr. Lamelas: We can learn a lot. I want to say this a bit for country. My wife and myself have been there. We have traveled to buenos aires. I respect and admire the passion of the argentine people and I respect and admire president javier milei. He has an economist, he is a forward thinking person. He is the first libertarian president that has been elected by the people. He is doing a lot to turn around that country.
▶ 1:42:53Dr. Lamelas: He has lowered inflation to 30% a year from 300% to 400%. It is crazy we consider that kind of inflation a lot, but in argentina they had triple digits. They were headed to hyperinflation. Within a year he has turned around the country. This year they will experience 5% gdp growth. We could learn a lot from him. And he could learn a lot from us as well.
▶ 1:43:23Dr. Lamelas: I want to focus on increasing trade and investment in argentina. It is unusual that the area which is the third-largest shield producing gas and shale oil reserves in the world is in argentina and argentina has to import energy during its winter. I think there is a lot we could do here. I think we could be the ones that provide liquid natural gas to argentina instead of bolivia. I think what argentina needs is a long-term solution.
▶ 1:43:55Dr. Lamelas: We have technologies in the united states with extracting energy from shale that we could provide to argentina. Those are the kinds of partnerships I would like to do and I would like to promote increased U.S. business and trade with argentina.
▶ 1:44:07Sen. Scott: Thank you, thank you, chairman.
▶ 1:44:09Chair Risch: Thank you very much, senator scott. Senator hagerty, I'm going to recognize you and I'm going to have to run off. >> I will be happy to take the gavel.
▶ 1:44:21Chair Risch: If you would. I'm going to give you this. Thank you all for being here. I look forward to voting on you. Thank you so much.
▶ 1:44:32Sen. Hagerty: Thank, Mr. chairman. Mr. rose, I would like to start with you if I might. Talking about something of great interest to me, the ability to forge trilateral relationships with the U.S. and allies. I had the opportunity to work with you during the first trump administration and a got to see you in action and have great admiration for your skills. I thought it was unique was your ability to forge relations between poland and our ally israel.
▶ 1:45:03Sen. Hagerty: I would like for you to talk to us about how that unique experience might have informed your skills to become ambassador and how that serves united states' interests.
▶ 1:45:16Mr. Rose: Thank you and thank you for your remarkable leadership and your tenure as the ambassador to japan and your service to the people of tennessee and this united states senate.
▶ 1:45:31Mr. Rose: Poland and israel have, to say the least, a complicated relationship tempered by a shared history of horrendous suffering more recently and yet 600 years of effective cooperation.
▶ 1:45:49Mr. Rose: One of the issues that seems to predominate american interest in poland is the question of so-called holocaust restitution, the matter that refers to properties from holocaust victims that have been expropriated or completely disappeared and it is an important issue, but I think it is very important for all of us to remember just who the victim is.
▶ 1:46:21Mr. Rose: Poland was not a perpetrator of the holocaust. Poland was a victim of the holocaust. The polish people, the polish army, the polish state, the 22 countries nazi germany either occupied or co-opted through puppet regimes, the only one that was conquered and never surrendered was poland.
▶ 1:46:42Mr. Rose: The polish government removed itself to london where it served in exile, commanded over 100,000 polish troops during the war, long after the occupation and collapse of poland. They fought heroically in italy. The head of the raf said that if it wasn't for polish pilots in their squadrons, britain would have lost the battle of britain.
▶ 1:47:10Mr. Rose: Poland was the only combatant in all the world that fought in the second world war from day one to the very final day. And polish-israeli relations are of critical interest to me. I believe I can begin a process of reconciliation.
▶ 1:47:35Mr. Rose: The poles have been given a terribly bum rap by social history and accepted norms that somehow because 3 million jews were murdered in poland that it was somehow poland's responsibility. It was the nazis, it was the germans, it was their auxiliaries. Israelis need to better understand that, poles need to better understand israeli sensitivities.
▶ 1:48:04Mr. Rose: These are two hugely important allies of the united states literally on the front lines. Israel currently facing a seven front war. Poland, our guardian of the eastern shield. For our two most active, most capable of self defense allies not to be on the same page, not to be more closely allied hurts us, it hurts the united states.
▶ 1:48:28Sen. Hagerty: I look forward to your representation in that regard, you can add tremendous value. You touched on it here and Mr. white, you touched on it in your opening remarks. Something also important to me is foreign military sales. Poland shares a border with russia that we have every interest in making sure foreign military sales move as expeditiously as possible yet we have a system that is broken, and efficient.
▶ 1:49:00Sen. Hagerty: Mr. white, you talked about a billion-dollar commitment the belgians are making to more foreign military sales. This advances our interoperability and national security interests and I would like to encourage all of you to the extent you have an opportunity to touch on this to work with me in the state department to try to reform this broken system.
▶ 1:49:21Mr. White: Senator, if I may, I do look forward to working with you and I have to say this because you are from the great state of tennessee, my brother-in-law is sitting behind me and he and his mother and father and brother are proud tennessee ends and have great feeling for you, sir.
▶ 1:49:38Sen. Hagerty: Thank you very much. Mr. lamelas, I chair the subcommittee on state department management. The chair mentioned earlier the situation with the evaluation system and the personnel system at the state department. I can tell you from first-hand experience it needs serious overall and I appreciate your remarks and I look forward to working with you in your new role and I hope you will make an appointment to come by and see me soon if you are confirmed.
▶ 1:50:03Mr. Evans: Thank you.
▶ 1:50:05Sen. Hagerty: Without, I recognize the senator from texas.
▶ 1:50:10Senator Cruz: Thank, Mr. chairman, welcome to each of you. Congratulations and your nominations. Mr. evans, as you said in your opening statement, if confirmed, you would oversee the bureau of diplomatic security. As he said, ds olds the mandate for ensuring the physical security of our staff and their families. That mandate includes the safety of our former diplomats regardless of party affiliation.
▶ 1:50:36Senator Cruz: Too often our foreign adversaries look at washington and they see republicans or democrats in charge and they think that we would tolerate the targeting of former officials of the other party. Because that is how things work in their regimes. It should go without saying that the targeting of any former official, republican or democrat, will incur the full wrath of the united states. Our foreign adversaries should understand that.
▶ 1:51:06Senator Cruz: Nevertheless, if confirmed, you would also be charged with making sure any such targeting fails. To the extent any former official faces a serious and credible threat from a foreign power, there is no toleration on this committee, zero, to allow partisanship in the ds. Can you commit if confirmed to ensure that ds remains fully and entirely nonpartisan?
▶ 1:51:33Mr. Evans: Thank you for that question. As I said in my opening statement the security and protection of our people overseas is the most important thing we do and it holds to our officials in the united states and yes I do believe we have a responsibility to make sure that we uphold the commitments that we have made regardless of party.
▶ 1:51:53Sen. Cruz: It is important for any adversaries to understand, the previous administration, the biden administration, I disagreed with them on a host of issues, I think there foreign policy did enormous damage in this world.
▶ 1:52:11Sen. Cruz: But there is zero tolerance for any efforts to harm or murder officials from the biden administration and any adversaries should expect an overwhelming response from the united states government should they attempt to do so. Mr. lamelas, corruption poses direct risks to american national security.
▶ 1:52:38Sen. Cruz: It enables our adversaries and enemies to exploit corruption to literally buy up governments. For example, argentina's former president undermined the rule of law in argentina with corruption.
▶ 1:52:54Sen. Cruz: She is implicated in the 2015 death of the argentine special prosecutor, he was murdered the day before he was set to present evidence to the argentine congress that would have suggested her collusion with iran to cover up iran's role in the 1994 bombing in buenos aires, the worst terrorist attack in argentina's history.
▶ 1:53:20Sen. Cruz: To counter such corruption congress has provided the president with powerful sanctions including and especially 7013 c sanctions. The former biden administration used them as a bludgeon against countries and international figures whom democrats simply don't like.
▶ 1:53:41Sen. Cruz: Meanwhile, they refused to act against figures like kircghner who were embraced by the global populace left. The trump administration ended that and the state department sanctioned kirchner and she is now under house arrest for corruption and president milei has gone far in reversing her policies, policies which undermined america and boosted
▶ 1:54:14Sen. Cruz: Our adversaries. Please give me your best judgment as to the challenges still presented by kirchner's legacy and what the united states should be doing to restore the U.S.-argentinian relationship under milei?
▶ 1:54:30Dr. Lamelas: Thank you for that question, first and foremost I want to thank you. You are one of the first that called out cfk. I read in my preparation for this over the last few weeks, I read a letter you sent to secretary blinken back in 2022 calling for sanctions, calling for sanctioning her and her family. I want to thank you for that. I think you were the first to call that out in the united states.
▶ 1:55:01Dr. Lamelas: I'm glad it has happened now with secretary rubio. She has been prosecuted and found guilty of fraud. By not one, but two courts. Our version of the supreme court found her guilty. If she wasn't a politician, she would be in prison. She is on house arrest because of some political favoritism going on down there.
▶ 1:55:27Dr. Lamelas: Obviously, she wasn't involved in the amia bombings that we know of, but she was definitely involved in the cover-up somehow and god knows if she was involved in the death of the special prosecutor. I am plugged the bottom of this. I think we need to investigate who was at fault for the bombings. There is an arrest warrant out on some member of hezbollah.
▶ 1:55:57Dr. Lamelas: The problem with argentina, there are 23 provinces and each of the provinces have their own separate government and their own separate government could negotiate with external forces with the chinese or other forces to come in and do projects. That may also lend to corruption on the part of chinese.
▶ 1:56:34Dr. Lamelas: Not only with president millet and the foreign minister and everybody in the malay government, but also to get out into the countryside and make sure we weed out corruption and support the government to get to the bottom of the bombing and make sure cristina fernandez de kirchner perceives the justice she will deserves. There is a movement out there.
▶ 1:57:06Dr. Lamelas: It is even further left than the peronist movement and that is something we need to continue to watch out for. Argentina has had very unusual times. They have had multiple presidencies and we need to continue to support the malay presidency through the midterms and the next term to build a better relationship between our two countries.
▶ 1:57:31Senator Cruz: Thank you. Thank you.
▶ 1:57:41Senator Hagerty: I have a letter from senator lee in favor of Dr. lamelas that I would last -- like to ask unanimous consent to submit plus any others that might be on the way. I would note that the record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow, july 23, and for members to submit questions for the record. With thanks to the committee, this hearing is now adjourned. [gavel] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy.
▶ 1:58:12Senator Hagerty: Visit ncicap.org]