▶ 0:16:29Chair Risch: This hearing of the senate foreign relations committee will come to order. Welcome our nominees, families, and guests in attendance. Glad to have everyone here watching as well. I want to remind those present that this committee expects decorum. We have a zero tolerance policy for interruptions. So, if you choose to disrupt this hearing you will be barred from committee for one year.
▶ 0:16:58Chair Risch: Do not communicate with people on the dais or any of our nominees here. Before the ranking member and I make our opening remarks we have a few members who would like to make introductions. We have jared novelly for the ambassador of new zealand and senator schmitt. I don't see him yet. Frank garcia, the nominee for assistant for african affairs.
▶ 0:17:29Chair Risch: We will go ahead and start with you. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce to the committee Mr. frank garcia for the assistant secretary of state for african affairs. I've had the pleasure to work with frank garcia. He serves as one of my trusted senior advisers and has been
▶ 0:17:52Integral: The house intelligence committee's efforts. Mr. garcia has committed himself to a life of service to his nation and a 28-year veteran of the navy where he served -- came into service shortly after the fall of iran. He served time on a U.S. navy ship escorting ships through the strait of hormuz, served in desert shield, desert storm. He served as a tomahawk land missile planner, aiding in ending the bosnian genocide.
▶ 0:18:22Integral: He later went on to serve as the chief of staff for the national reconnaissance office. For over a decade Mr. garcia built an extensive expertise on african regional dynamics through extensive travel, congressional oversight, and high level engagements. He helped develop policy approaches addressing the most consequential issues facing african nations in U.S. national security, translating complex regional dynamics and intelligence insights into actionable priorities. Mr.
▶ 0:18:51Integral: Garcia's daughter is currently supporting operation epic fury as commanding officer of the virginia national guard engineering company. We would be grateful for your prayers for her safety and the safety of our brave men and women servicing this critical operation. If confirmed, the family will be sad to see him go but we couldn't be prouder than I am and more confident that he will serve in this role with honor and integrity. I am confident your committee will give him a proper review.
▶ 0:19:20Integral: Given his extensive and honorable public service, I cannot recommend him highly enough. It's my pleasure to introduce to the committee, Mr. frank garcia.
▶ 0:19:31Sen. Ricketts: You are welcome to stay through the committee if you would like but I would not be offended if you say I have other things I have to do today as well.
▶ 0:19:41Rep. Crawford: I have other things I have to do and I appreciate your latitude. Thanks so much.
▶ 0:19:49Sen. Ricketts: I think senator hagerty is on his way for Mr. edgar. I will start and when senator hagerty gets here we will let him do his introduction. First, I want to thank each of you for your willingness to serve our nation. I very much appreciate the demands placed on ambassadors and senior officials are significant and the sacrifices made by their families are real. We are grateful for that commitment.
▶ 0:20:16Sen. Ricketts: Each of you would assume a post that sits at a critical intersection of american foreign policy. Mr. lipton, the ambassador to the philippines is one of the most consequential diplomatic assignments in the indo pacific. The philippines is our oldest treaty ally in the region. This year represents the 75th anniversary of our mutual defense treaty, which has helped anchor stability in the region. In recent years that relationship has undergone a historic transformation.
▶ 0:20:47Sen. Ricketts: Enhanced defense cooperation, expanded access to strategic sites in joint maritime patrols, and a growing interoperability is a central pillar of our deterrence in the west philippine sea. However, communist china continues its illegal, aggressive, deceptive activities within the philippines, especially within their exclusive economic zone. I -- I see my colleague eric schmidt has arrived. I will stop for the moment. Mr.
▶ 0:21:16Sen. Ricketts: Lipton, I will be back to talk about the philippines, because this is something I care a lot about. Because I know that Mr. schmitt has a lot of stuff to do I will allow him to do his introduction . Would you like to go ahead?
▶ 0:21:31Sen. Schmitt: Thank you chairman and members of the committee for the opportunity to appear before you to speak on behalf of my friend and fellow missouri and Mr. jared novelly. Mr. novelly is being considered for the ambassadorship to new zealand for the united states of america. He is a native of st. Louis. A proud graduate of st. Louis university and holds a masters degree from the university of technology sydney. Throughout his career Mr.
▶ 0:22:01Sen. Schmitt: Novelly has succeeded in business domestically and internationally. Through his experience Mr. novelly has developed strong personal and economic relationships across both the business and government sectors including throughout the pacific region. His ties have given him a deep understanding of the economic and political landscape of oceana.
▶ 0:22:22Sen. Schmitt: Because of his experience in australia he will navigate the diplomatic environment with a strong appreciation for the relationship between australia and new zealand and for how that relationship intersects with ongoing cooperation and our interests in the region. New zealand is in a vital strategic region of the south pacific that has become increasingly vital to U.S. national security interests.
▶ 0:22:46Sen. Schmitt: As communist china seeks to assert itself as the dominant power in the indo pacific, our engagements with allies and partners must remain seamless and strong to support a free and open indo pacific. As a five eyes intelligence partner, new ceiling shares a special relationship with the united states based on common values -- new zealand shares a special relationship with the united states based on common values and understanding of our adversarial threats.
▶ 0:23:15Sen. Schmitt: Position of ambassador carries a responsibility to safeguard and advance america's relationship with his partner while reinforcing our broader regional posture. I can think of no one better suited for this role than Mr. novelly. As a businessman, he brings a clear eyed focused on achieving results that will strengthen our relationship with new zealand while advancing america's national security objectives. As ambassador, Mr.
▶ 0:23:38Sen. Schmitt: Novelly will continue working to solidify a trade relationship with new zealand that advances american interests. American businesses and entrepreneurs will have a strong advocate in wellington in Mr. novelly. On a personal note I've known him for 20 years. He is a very good friend. He is a good man. He is loyal, smart, and loves our great country. I am proud to have recommended Mr.
▶ 0:24:05Sen. Schmitt: Novelly for this post of president from an honor to introduce him before this committee.
▶ 0:24:09Chair Ricketts: Thank you, senator schmitt. You are welcome to stay for our hearing but I also know you have other pressing things. If you need to depart we understand that as well. Senator hagerty?
▶ 0:24:24Sen. Hagerty: I would like to thank the chair and ranking member for holding this meeting and letting us move these ambassadorial candidates along. Important roles, as we all know. Appreciate your leadership, both of you doing this. Members of the committee, it is my honor today to introduce the honorable troy edgar, president trump's nominee to serve as the next investor to el salvador.
▶ 0:24:46Sen. Hagerty: He is a navy veteran, experienced business leader, seasoned public servant who currently serves as deputy secretary of homeland security. He brings executive experience and operational expertise and national security leadership skills to this important ambassadorial nomination.
▶ 0:25:03Sen. Hagerty: Troy began his career in the united states navy and build a distinguished record in the private sector, first at pricewaterhousecoopers and later at boeing where he served as the chief financial officer of a division focused on military aircraft logistics. Troy advised fortune five hundred on large-scale integration and modernization efforts and later served as the mayor of los alamitos, california demonstrating practical and results-oriented leadership.
▶ 0:25:33Sen. Hagerty: During president trump's first term he was confirmed by the senate as the department of homeland security's chief financial officer. In that role he oversaw the dhs financial policy, insisting on modernization for a nearly $90 million budget that supported border security, immigration enforcement, and homeland security initiatives. He is now deputy secretary of homeland security. Effectively the department's chief operating officer helping to translate policy priorities into clear, operational results.
▶ 0:26:02Sen. Hagerty: What uniquely qualifies troy for the post is his direct experience with the core issue shaping the U.S.-el salvador relationship including border security, migration management, transnational criminal organizations. Diplomacy depends on execution, trust, credibility. Ambassador, must build durable relationships and must translate shared interests into concrete results. This former U.S.
▶ 0:26:28Sen. Hagerty: Investor to japan, I understand the trust and judgment this type of role requires. Troy spent his career earning that trust. El salvador under the president's leadership has become a critical partner in combating transnational crime and addressing illegal immigration. This is a pivotal opportunity to deepen our cooperation and strengthen regional stability and advance american security. Mr.
▶ 0:26:55Sen. Hagerty: Edgar is twice senate confirmed national security leader and a committed public servant. I'm confident he will faithfully represent the united states and strengthen our partnership with el salvador. For that reason I strongly encourage my colleagues to support Mr. edgar's nomination.
▶ 0:27:14Thank Chair Ricketts: You. Thank you, senator hagerty. I will resume my remarks picking up with the philippines and communist china's illegal aggressive activities within the philippines, economic zone. The ranking member and I had an opportunity witness that dirt -- to witness that directly.
▶ 0:27:35Thank Chair Ricketts: Something with water cannon incidents part of a sustained pressure strategy to intimidate the philippines into giving up their exclusive economic zone. The next ambassador must therefore do more than just maintain the status quo. This role requires strengthening deterrence and enhancing resilience. It also requires expanding our economic relationship beyond traditional trade flows.
▶ 0:28:03Thank Chair Ricketts: This includes prioritizing high-tech sectors and supply chain security, boosting U.S. investment in semiconductors and infrastructure, and advancing cooperation in critical minerals. I look forward to hearing your remarks, Mr. lipton. Mr. novelly, new zealand is both a trusted friend and increasingly important strategic factor in the indo pacific. It is a five eyes partner and strong voice for a free and open region.
▶ 0:28:30Thank Chair Ricketts: Wellington has taken meaningful steps to increase defense spending, modernize its military capabilities, and engage more deeply and regional security efforts. However, this environment is changing rapidly. Communist china has expanded its diplomatic, economic, military footprint in the south pacific. Recent maritime exercises underscore the reality that the south pacific is no longer insulated from beijing's reach.
▶ 0:28:59Thank Chair Ricketts: If confirmed, the investor must work to strengthen defense coordination, expand cooperation and emerging technologies, and strengthen supply chain security. Given the post also includes representing the U.S. in samoa, the cook islands, and niue and they must steer the islands away from beijing's coercive economics.
▶ 0:29:23Thank Chair Ricketts: This means being present to show them that we are present in the region, Mr. novelly. You have a very important role with the pacific island nations. Ms. roberts, slovenia is a nato ally that plays an important role in europe's security, particularly the western balkans. It contributes to peacekeeping missions and supports european unity at a time when russia's aggression has reshaped the security landscape.
▶ 0:29:57Thank Chair Ricketts: Alliance credibility depends on burden ship. Slovenia has fallen short of spending benchmarks. Slovenia has just recently hit the 2% target agreed to in 2014, it is well below the newly agreed to 5% mark. If confirmed, our ambassador must make it clear our expectation that all nato allies must step up, particularly as the threats to european security intensifies.
▶ 0:30:27Thank Chair Ricketts: Deputy secretary edgar, our ambassador to el salvador will take up a post central to the U.S. homeland security. El salvador remains a source and transit point for illegal immigration and transnational criminal activity. Gangs like ms 13 trafficked violence and human smuggling networks that reach into the united states. It also sits along key narcotics routes moving drugs northward.
▶ 0:30:55Thank Chair Ricketts: Dismantling getting infrastructure are areas of cooperation critical disrupting those pipelines before they reach our border. At the same time, communist china continues to expand its tentacles into el salvador. It has invested heavily in construction projects while increasing its exports, especially in the automotive sector. Our next ambassador in el salvador must ensure that beijing's malign influence is held in check. Finally, Mr.
▶ 0:31:22Thank Chair Ricketts: Garcia our next ambassador -- sorry, assistant secretary for african affairs will step into this role at a decisive moment. Conflict across the continent is deepening and in some cases becoming structurally entrenched. As the civil war war in sudan enters its third year at the two warring factions remain locked in a deadly civil war.
▶ 0:31:44Thank Chair Ricketts: Mediation efforts have so far failed to get the sudanese armed forces, the saf, and rapid support services to stop violence. Millions have been displaced in what has become the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. In central africa, president trump deserves immense credit for brokering the washington accords to achieve peace between rwanda and the drc.
▶ 0:32:12Thank Chair Ricketts: Recent actions by the administrations reflect, more must be done to ensure both parties adhere to their commitments. Terrorism on the continent, particularly in the horn of africa, remain a critical global security threat. Christians continue to be persecuted and killed by islamic jihadists in nigeria while al-shabaab, one of al qaeda's strongest and most successful affiliates, has proven resilient despite the increased counterterror operations.
▶ 0:32:41Thank Chair Ricketts: At the same time, communist china is africa's largest trading partner. It has embedded itself through infrastructure financing, resource extraction, and arms sales to strategic access. They cannot afford communist china to be the only game in town. I thank each of you for your willingness to serve and look forward to your testimonies. I will turn it over to the distinguished ranking member for his remarks.
▶ 0:33:09Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, senator ricketts, for your partnership on the committee and friendship beyond it. We were at an important dinner together last night about the future of our support for ukraine, one of our most important alliances. I largely agree with the comments you made about slovenia, the philippines, africa, so I will focus on one or two points.
▶ 0:33:31Sen. Shaheen: I want to start by thanking all of you for your willingness to serve, for the impact it will have on you and your families, I'm well aware of the dislocation involved in moving to a new country and I suspect most of you have been sustained in your careers of service so far by your families. To the families who are present and watching, thank you. You know that I respect and appreciate those who serve in our state department and all who serve home and abroad and we will be praying for your daughter and her safety.
▶ 0:34:01Sen. Shaheen: I have traveled broadly. The senator mentioned our trip to the philippines and taiwan in the last few weeks, germany, belgium, switzerland, ukraine, moldova. Everywhere I go I have seen the unfortunate consequences on ways in which the trump administration has pushed away our allies.
▶ 0:34:22Sen. Shaheen: Whether through tariff disagreements, hectoring them about values and priorities, they are now questioning our reliability and the benefits of partnering with us. In particular the unhinged threat to try to acquire greenland from denmark, a trusted nato ally come has really undermined our relations in europe and ones which will need close attending to.
▶ 0:34:46Sen. Shaheen: Ambassadors for the united states globally are key to maintaining and growing our relationships, pushing back on competitors, like communist china and africa and in the philippines, or to holding closer nato allies like slovenia , working with pacific island nations, and our five eyes partner new zealand, or working with hemispheric partner el salvador.
▶ 0:35:10Sen. Shaheen: I'm grateful for those who lead our posts around the world, and I'm glad for the opportunity to hear from all of you today. It striking having embarked on a war of choice in iran and turned nearly the entire middle east into a war zone, we don't have confirmed ambassadors serving in saudi arabia, uae, qatar, kuwait, libya, iraq, nigeria, virtually all of those are places where americans are currently stranded and where we
▶ 0:35:40Sen. Shaheen: Are relying deeply on our partners for support as they seek to evacuate. Meanwhile, several of those investors are feeling at this core responsibility of keeping americans safe abroad and are simply saying your government cannot help you. Better planning, better planning for a war of choice could have avoided this chaotic evacuation from the region. Equally shocking to me is how long it has taken for the administration to put forward nominees.
▶ 0:36:08Sen. Shaheen: I think the administration is trying to conduct diplomacy without diplomats and instead use special envoys. I was quite struck that there were dozens of career ambassadors, for example, in the philippines, but broadly across africa confirmed career ambassadors abruptly recalled. Virtually no one nominated in their place. We have more vacancies in africa than anywhere else.
▶ 0:36:34Sen. Shaheen: Lacking confirmed ambassadors, as you know, means that you don't get access at the same level to another government. Affairs or just not treated the same way internally and externally. I frankly think that this turmoil abroad and the distance from our allies and partners matches a lot of what is happening at home. I am particularly concerned about the trajectory of immigration enforcement within the U.S.
▶ 0:37:01Sen. Shaheen: And I think it shameful the administration has chosen as our representative to el salvador the same person who has overseen what I view as the most heinous episodes of the first stages of that, including illegally deporting 200 50 venezuelans, most with no criminal records, to the prison in el salvador.
▶ 0:37:21Sen. Shaheen: I will be pressing you on the specifics of what happened, what you knew about, what you think should be our accountability for it, and why you think you are the right person to strengthen our standing in that region of the world. I appreciate the opportunity to work with my friend and the chairman of this hearing and appreciate all of your willingness to serve. Thank you.
▶ 0:37:43Chair Ricketts: I appreciate the ranking member for helping us get this hearing going to get some of these ambassadors in. We will allow the nominees to be able to introduce -- give an introduction. I ask you to keep your introductions to five minutes or less. Mr. garcia, we will start with you.
▶ 0:38:02Mr. Garcia: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Chairman ricketts, ranking member collins, and members of the committee -- ranking member ranking member coons, members of the committee I'm honored to appear before you for the assistant for the bureau of african affairs. I appreciate the time you and your staff have given me end of confirmed look forward to working with you.
▶ 0:38:27Mr. Garcia: If confirmed I will advance america first priorities on the african continent, ensure our engagement is disciplined, strategic, and firmly rooted in the protection of core U.S. national interests as outlined in the national security strategy. On a personal note I am thankful that my sister terry is here. I know that my brother michael and parents are smiling down from heaven. They taught three lifelong
▶ 0:38:53Tenets: God, family, country. As part of the greatest generation they served as an army nurse and army sergeant. They didn't talk about service, they lived it. I want to thank my wife bridget and our seven children and eight grandchildren for their love and support. There is a country song, thank god for unanswered prayers. Today, I thank god for answered prayers. Bridget, you and our family are that answer for me.
▶ 0:39:21Tenets: For anyone wondering how to thrive with seven children and eight grandchildren, two words. Zone defense. I served in the U.S. navy for 28 years with many assignments in the area of responsibility. My first touch on the continent was as a junior officer visiting the port which sparked a fascination with africa that has stayed with me.
▶ 0:39:45Tenets: I currently serve on the house intelligence committee where for nearly 15 years I focused on africa, traveling frequently with members and staff. Thank you, team sp thank you, team shpsci past and present.
▶ 0:40:08Tenets: I embrace president trump's national security strategy of peace through strength, strength guided by principal, and peered with credible diplomacy deters aggression. Which protects the innocent and creates space for the dignity -- for human dignity to flourish. If confirmed, I will bring that same sense of duty to the work ahead. For too long U.S.
▶ 0:40:33Tenets: Policy in africa has emphasized aid and dependency with open-ended commitments and a focus on spreading divisive ideologies. This administration has reset this relationship towards trade and investment for mutual benefit. Many african partners have welcomed a pragmatic approach. That prioritizes opportunity and cooperation over lectures.
▶ 0:40:58Tenets: If confirmed, I will ensure our policy is guided by a realistic calculation of costs, risks, and benefits to U.S. interests. The continent is at a strategic inflection point where lasting prosperity hinges on secure representative governments and their selection of reliable partners. A healthy, well educated workforce, paired with abundant natural resources, can create opportunities that benefit both african nations and the united states.
▶ 0:41:31Tenets: With opportunity comes risk. Especially when governance fails to provide security and judicial framework that prosperity requires. President trump and secretary rubio recognize that peace is the foundation of growth and have moved aggressively to support peace efforts in troubled areas across africa. Instability in such regions such as north africa pose a direct risk to U.S. interests and citizens.
▶ 0:42:01Tenets: Our counterterrorism efforts will focus on preventing attacks against the homeland and U.S. interests. We will build reciprocal relationships with key partners to degrade transnational threats from isis and al qaeda affiliates and work with allies to promote stability. African nations must play a greater role in protecting their own regions. With the united states supporting local leadership and not substituting for it.
▶ 0:42:28Tenets: If confirmed, I will ensure that every dollar the united states invests in africa advances our national security and economic priorities. Our approach will be disciplined and results-driven, applying secretary rubio's principle of trade over aid, opportunity over dependency, and investment over assistance.
▶ 0:42:50Tenets: Numbers of the committee, thank you for your consideration, for the time, energy, and focus you and your staff to vote to africa. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:43:00Chair Ricketts: Thank you, Mr. garcia. Mr. lipton, would you like to do your introduction, please?
▶ 0:43:06Mr. Lipton: Senator ricketts, ranking member coons, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you. I'm deeply honored to be president trump's nominee to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the republic of the philippines. I appreciate your time and consideration. I would also like to recognize my wife and the -- and so made of more than 45 years erica and our amazing sons max and dylan.
▶ 0:43:36Mr. Lipton: Their steadfast love and support have sustained my career in business and public service. If my parents were alive today, they would be beyond proud to see me sit here before you. Over the course of my 50-year professional career, I have led businesses in the culinary and fashion industries, built international partnerships, created jobs, minted young professionals, and navigated complex regulatory environments.
▶ 0:44:07Mr. Lipton: I look forward to utilizing the skills to benefit the american and philippine people. I developed a lasting respect for the philippines. During my early visits and matching -- and manufacturing clothing there. I was deeply impressed by the philippine people's energy, resilience, and strong sense of family and community. Community and coalition have defined my personal life and my public service.
▶ 0:44:35Mr. Lipton: While my career began in the private sector, over the past year I had an incredible opportunity in washington to participate in this administration's humanitarian and diplomatic processes as a member of the holocaust board and guided by my faith. I worked to preserve memories, define human dignity, and confront hatred.
▶ 0:44:57Mr. Lipton: At the state department as the interim permanent representative and chief of staff of the human mission to the organization of american states, I worked to advance america -- american interests through principal engagement and interagency collaboration.
▶ 0:45:15Mr. Lipton: I also had the opportunity to build relationships with diplomats from across the western hemisphere, reinforcing my belief that strong alliances are sustained through consistent engagement and institutional trust.
▶ 0:45:30Mr. Lipton: If confirmed, I will carry forward that spirit of engagement and trust to embassy manila, relying on the expertise of our embassy staff, colleagues at the department of war, aussie on representatives, and partners across the indo pacific. My goal would be to deepen U.S.
▶ 0:45:53Mr. Lipton: Philippine security cooperation, strength and supply chains, advance the economic corridor come energy initiatives, and promote fair and reciprocal trade. In closing I would like to assure you that I approach this nomination with humility and resolve to uphold our ironclad alliance with the philippines, particularly the mutual defense treaty, as well as safety, strength, and prosperity of the united states at a time of great consequence
▶ 0:46:25Mr. Lipton: In the western pacific. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your questions. >> obviously the people before us, should they be confirmed, to do seriously important work for our nation, they cannot be successful without their families. When the individuals call out their families I hope the families can identify themselves because I know factually about Mr. lipton that he married to someone way better than him.
▶ 0:46:54Mr. Lipton: [laughter] I know also his sons, I think one is here, will be even greater than their father. The apples have fallen very far from the tree in that case. >> senator booker, having been recently married yourself you should know that we all marry up.
▶ 0:47:13Mr. Lipton: >> senator shaheen's husband married up in the case of senator shaheen, but you and senator coons definitely married up. [laughter] >> distinguished members of this committee, I am honored to appear before U.S. president trump's nominee to be the united states ambassador to the republic of slovenia.
▶ 0:47:41Mr. Lipton: I am truly grateful to the president and secretary rubio for placing their confidence in me to fulfill the important duties and responsibilities of this position. I want to thank everyone who supported me during my two decade career at the U.S. department of state which lead to disappointment. My parents, sister, and laws in buffalo, new york, and most of all my spouse and daughter. I want to thank my colleagues in the office of the chief of protocol who worked diligently with me to promote U.S.
▶ 0:48:11Mr. Lipton: Interests for the last two decades. Without those people I would not have the opportunity to be before you today. I was born in the soviet union but spent most of my adult life in the united states thanks to president reagan and his efforts to end the cold war. At the age of 15, I first came to the united states as an exchange student, subsequently graduating from high school and university in america.
▶ 0:48:39Mr. Lipton: These experiences instilled in me a strong belief in the american dream and the critical importance of the united states in the world. Sentiments that have inspired my work at the U.S. department and have prepared me for the duties for which I have been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the republic of slovenia. Through my work in the office of the chief of protocol, I've learned the art of diplomacy by organizing hundreds of high-level diplomatic meetings for six different presidential administrations.
▶ 0:49:08Mr. Lipton: Having served for a full year as the acting chief, I also know how to run a complex and a large unit within the state department department and am fully confident in my abilities to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of representing the united states abroad and to efficiently manage an embassy. It would also be a great honor to fulfill the duties in the republic of slovenia, which is an important friend and ally to the united states.
▶ 0:49:35Mr. Lipton: Slovenia and the united states share a close relationship rooted in a shared interest, democratic values, economic ties, and a long-standing defense cooperation as nato allies. If confirmed, I will work to ensure the slovenia meets nato defense spending and capability commitments as well as continues to fulfill its critical role in the deterrence and defense of the euro atlantic region. I will prioritize the safety and well-being of U.S.
▶ 0:50:04Mr. Lipton: Citizens, will advocate for american economic security, balanced trade, and fair treatment for U.S. businesses. Additionally, I will continue to push for greater economic cooperation in trade between our countries. It would be an honor to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the republic of slovenia. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:50:26Chair Ricketts: Thank you, Ms. roberts. >> good morning, chairman ricketts, ranking member coons, members of the committee, I am deeply honored by the president's nomination to serve as the U.S. ambassador for the republic of el salvador. I want to introduce and thank my wife betty for being here today. Thank you, love it.
▶ 0:50:55Chair Ricketts: I'm grateful to my family for their steadfast support and the people I've had the privilege to serve alongside throughout my career. Representing the united states abroad is among the highest responsibilities our nation can bestow and I approach this with humility, seriousness of purchase, and respect -- seriousness of perfect, and respect. El salvador is one of the most important partners in the hemisphere bound by geography, shared security interests, and enduring ties including a vibrant el salvador he and community that strengthens our country every day.
▶ 0:51:26Chair Ricketts: The relationship sits at the intersection of priorities including immigration management, counter narcotics, democratic governance, regional stability. In many ways how we work with el salvador will help shape broader patterns of cooperation and stability across central america. If confirmed, my mandate will be clear.
▶ 0:51:47Chair Ricketts: To faithfully represent the president and the united states, to advance american national security and economic interests, and strengthen cooperation with the government and people of el salvador. In the ways that produce tangible results for both nations. Effective diplomacy requires resolve and respect in equal measure.
▶ 0:52:06Chair Ricketts: If confirmed, I will engage directly and candidly with el salvador your leadership, including the president, to deepen cooperation against transnational criminal organizations, expand economic opportunity, and reinforce strong institutions, rule of law, and accountable governance. Throughout my career including time as the deputy secretary of homeland security, I focused on institutional integrity, operational discipline, supporting professionals entrusted with executing our nation's policies.
▶ 0:52:36Chair Ricketts: If confirmed, my attention will be devoted to leaving our mission in el salvador with professionalism, clarity of purpose, and full accountability to this committee and the american people. I welcome your guidance and oversight and look forward to your questions. Thank you.
▶ 0:52:52Chair Ricketts: Thank you, deputy secretary. Last but not least, Mr. novelly.
▶ 0:52:55Mr. Novelly: Thank you, chairman, ranking member, distinguished members of the committee for the opportunity to appear before you today. It's an honor to be nominated as the ambassador to new zealand, samoa, the cook islands, and niue.
▶ 0:53:14Mr. Novelly: During the lead up to this hearing I have been exposed to a number of wonderful, bright, dedicated people in the state department, and I can honestly tell you that I have been incredibly impressed by the almost selfless determination that I have witnessed. I wish to express my admiration for all of those who have helped me by thanking them for their service. And also to thank my friend senator schmitt. So too must I express my admiration for all the members of this committee for your service as well.
▶ 0:53:42Mr. Novelly: If confirmed, I hope to, at least, matched the dedication to the american people manifested by each of you members of this committee. Thank you for your service. I look forward to serving our country with a similar zeal that I have witnessed. If confirmed as ambassador I will work tirelessly to advance president trump and senator rubio's foreign policies. In advancing the president's agenda we have few better partners than new zealand. The government of new zealand consistently supports our goal in the region and beyond.
▶ 0:54:10Mr. Novelly: If confirmed I will do everything in my po to take our -- in my power to take our relationship to new heights. Three priorities, partnering with new zealand, the cook islands, samoa, and new way to create an open pacific. Expanding our defense partnership with new zealand. Expanding opportunities for U.S. business entities.
▶ 0:54:37Mr. Novelly: If you the darkening in the pacific more than new zealand. I was in the region and it was very concerning. The exercises led to flight diversions and represented an example of alarming and even destabilizing behavior in the pacific. If confirmed, I would prioritize expanding our defense partnership with new zealand.
▶ 0:54:59Mr. Novelly: I know the crucial role our embassies and consulates play in ensuring a fair -- all businesses will have a friend in the investor's office if I'm confirmed. In samoa, in recent years, the government has adopted a prudent approach to managing relations with the west and china, taking on foreign debt with caution.
▶ 0:55:24Mr. Novelly: If confirmed, I would encourage the government in samoa to continue this approach and ensure that it is never pressured into a deal that would compromise its sovereignty. In the cook islands, the establishment of diplomatic relations sits in 2003 enabled us to take our long-standing relationship to the next level. If confirmed I would expand our collaboration with local authorities to promote the responsible development of seabed mineral resources.
▶ 0:55:51Mr. Novelly: The cook islands contains possibly the largest cobol deposits in the world, a key component in batteries. A strong relationship with the cook islands means a strong supply chain for critical minerals. In niue I would strengthen our relationship and closely engage on economic, cultural, and other programs. I hope to continue to grow this relationship.
▶ 0:56:20Mr. Novelly: Thank you for considering my nomination and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:56:25Chair Ricketts: Great. Thank you to all of our nominees and you all did a wonderful job of staying under the five minutes. I'm so impressed. Good job. Now, we will enter into a round of five-minute questions. I will begin and then I will turn over to the ranking member next. I will begin talking about china , communist china. They are increasingly escalating their illegal course of the aggressive and deceptive practices throughout the western philippine sea.
▶ 0:56:55Chair Ricketts: The chinese state and maritime actors regularly ram, shadow, block, encircle, fire water cannons at, and use military grade lasers against philippine civilian ships and military vessels. Chinese coast guard sailors have brutally attacked philippine sailors with knives and weapons.
▶ 0:57:14Chair Ricketts: In february 2020 six the philippine navy reported record high swarms of chinese maritime militia vessels and the use of aggressive tactics to prevent the philippines from establishing a presence in its own, exclusive economic zone, eez. The ranking member and I witnessed this coercion firsthand when we flew over the west philippine sea during our co-dell to do philippines last year.
▶ 0:57:38Chair Ricketts: The chinese military illegally challenged our flight in an effort to drive us and the filipinos out of the eez. In response, the philippines has adopted a strategy of assertive transparency to expose china's bad actions to the world in real time.
▶ 0:57:59Chair Ricketts: However, manila faces significant pushback from beijing's propaganda and disinformation machinery which is often able to publish false accounts of maritime incidents before the philippines can. Mr. lipton, if confirmed, how will you support the philippines' assertive transparency to expose communist china's aggression in real time?
▶ 0:58:21Mr. Lipton: Thank you for that question. First and foremost, I support the ironclad alliance with the philippines. I am aware that the philippine strategy -- of that philippine strategy. I will work with washington to determine the embassy's responses.
▶ 0:58:40Chair Ricketts: Great. What steps will you take to ensure the U.S.-philippines alliance restores deterrence against communist china's activities generally?
▶ 0:58:52Mr. Lipton: In general, you know, china is the bully in the room. My goal would be to confront china's unlawful expansion and aggressive behavior. I will continue to support U.S. competition with china. We must compete with china from a position of strength.
▶ 0:59:20Chair Ricketts: The philippines have been targeted by a surge of state-sponsored cyber attacks aimed at critical infrastructure and sophisticated cognitive warfare campaign involving ai-enabled deepfakes. These campaigns are designed to fracture the U.S.-philippines alliance and undermine trust by spreading manufactured narratives of a proxy war. The armed forces of the philippines recently identified these digital intrusions as a primary threat to national stability ahead of the 2028 elections. The recent U.S.-philippines bilateral strategic dialogue prioritized efforts to modernize the philippines' cyber defenses.
▶ 0:59:52Chair Ricketts: If confirmed as ambassador, how will you leverage the U.S. technical expertise to help manila detect ai-driven disinformation and purge malware from critical philippine infrastructure, including grids, banks, and ports?
▶ 1:00:05Mr. Lipton: Senator, thank you for that question. Like I said, we have an ironclad alliance with the philippines on cyber and information matters. I would work with the state, department of war, and I would discuss the options with them.
▶ 1:00:20Chair Ricketts: The philippines is facing an energy security crisis as its energy demand is expected to quadruple by 2050. Following the july 20 24 activation of the one 23 agreement for civilian nuclear cooperation the U.S. recently funded a 2.7 million dollar feasibility study for small modular reactors, smr's, establishing a control room simulator within the economic corridor. There are growing opportunities for U.S.
▶ 1:00:49Chair Ricketts: Lng and ethanol exports as manila seeks to diversify its energy mix and meet higher biofuel mandates. Mr. lipton, how will you use the newly established luzon economic corridor in a strategic dialogue commitment to prioritize U.S. nuclear technology, lng infrastructure, agricultural exports as a preferred choice for the philippines energy independence?
▶ 1:01:15Mr. Lipton: Senator, thank you for that question. I understand electricity costs are high and oil is hard to come by. I believe nuclear energy -- it has a lot of potential in the philippines. If confirmed, I would look to american energy suppliers to partner with the philippines.
▶ 1:01:38Chair Ricketts: It will be particularly important to make sure as we look to do economic development with the philippines we are helping them with their energy needs to be able to support those new industries we are bringing. Thank you, Mr. lipton. I will turn over to the ranking member. Senator shaheen.
▶ 1:01:55Sen. Shaheen: . Thank you, to all of my colleagues on the committee who are going to allow me to go before you. I appreciate that. I want to congratulate all of our nominees, your families, and supporters here this morning. Thank you for your willingness to serve the country. Mr. edgar, I want to begin with you because in your opening statement you talk about being committed to accountability to this committee and the american people.
▶ 1:02:24Sen. Shaheen: Yet, during your tenure as deputy secretary of the department of homeland security the department planned to build an I.c.e. Detention facility in merrimack, new hampshire. The plans were put forward without any engagement from the local community or input or from the state for that matter. I know you are a former mayor.
▶ 1:02:47Sen. Shaheen: Don't you think it's important as you are talking about accountability to the american people to ensure that there is some opportunity for local communities to engage when the federal government is coming in to put a major facility in that community? >> thank you for the question. I was a previous mayor for 12 years in a small city that lived next to a base that had a lot of stuff happening on the base that we had happen to us.
▶ 1:03:17Sen. Shaheen: I agree having the accountability and interactions with local, county, state folks when you're getting ready to do stuff -- I am not familiar specifically with that activity that is going on that he mentions, but within the one big, beautiful bill there is an amount of money they are using to do the I.c.e. -- yeah, going through that process, -- the one thing that I would say is buying buildings as part of the dh as normal operation, not just immigration. There are 23 other components.
▶ 1:03:49Sen. Shaheen: There is a process that we engage with local folks. Zoning, permitting, and I know that.
▶ 1:03:54Sen. Shaheen: My concern is that process was not engaged in. I hope if you are confirmed you will commit to doing a better job of both providing transparency and engagement with this committee and with the american people. I also want to call your attention to a report that the minority members of the committee produced on the trump administration's third country deportations. Have you seen that? >> I am not sure.
▶ 1:04:26Sen. Shaheen: We will ensure that you get a copy of it. It is probably helpful for a number of you to see this. The administration paid more than 32 million dollars to five foreign governments to accept third country nationals. They went to el salvador was one of the recipient countries for the nationals. As you are aware, el salvador has been notorious for its human rights abuses.
▶ 1:04:53Sen. Shaheen: One of the things that has happened is that many of those nationals went to the notorious prison, cecot. We are not aware on this committee of any due diligence that has been conducted by the american government as to whether those third-party deportees have been tortured in that facility, what has happened to them.
▶ 1:05:22Sen. Shaheen: We do know that a number of those detainees who had been sent to third countries have then been moved onto their countries of origin. 80% later returned to their country of origin at the additional U.S. taxpayer expense. For example, we paid for one individual -- this is of interest to you, Mr. garcia, then back to jamaica at a cost of more than $81,000.
▶ 1:05:53Sen. Shaheen: Will you commit to this committee that if there are additional third-party removals to the country of el salvador, if you are confirmed, you will follow up with those third country deportees and make sure they are not being tortured or mistreated in the country of el salvador?
▶ 1:06:13Mr. Edgar: Yes, senator, I will.
▶ 1:06:17Sen. Shaheen: Mr. garcia, I know that senator coons in his opening statement talked about the concern that we have on this committee with the number of open ambassadorships around the world. If confirmed, you will be the assistant secretary for a bureau that has 34 vacant ambassadorships across the african continent. In every country where we have a U.S. vacancy, china has an ambassador.
▶ 1:06:44Sen. Shaheen: That situation was made worse when a number of our ambassadors, over 30 career diplomats, were recalled in december. Can you talk about the challenges of being able to do your job when you don't have diplomats on the ground who can execute america's foreign policy? Since this president took office he has nominated only two ambassadors for african posts. How do you plan to turn that around?
▶ 1:07:14Mr. Garcia: Thank you, for the question. Having ambassadors forward is an important part of our diplomacy. However, we also have a number of career service professionals that have been in embassies carrying out decades and executing on decades of experience there.
▶ 1:07:35Mr. Garcia: I understand, although I'm not privy to the inner workings of this at this point in time, that reviews are undergoing to realign assignments at the ambassador, and if confirmed I commit to this committee to take a look at how the prioritization is being done and will advocate for the african continent and ambassadors in the continent.
▶ 1:07:57Sen. Shaheen: Thank you. I hope you will advocate loudly and often for that, because we need our ambassadors in place on the ground around the world. Right now we have 14 countries in the middle east where the administration has told americans that they need to leave. In those 14 countries we only have 8 confirmed ambassadors -- 6 confirmed ambassadors and only four of them are career people.
▶ 1:08:29Sen. Shaheen: 2 are not confirmed without any diplomatic experience. It is a real threat and we see that now what happens in countries where we don't have people in charge. Thank you.
▶ 1:08:41Chair Ricketts: Senator coons.
▶ 1:08:42Sen. Coons: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. edgar, as deputy homeland security secretary at the time and now as a nominee to be our ambassador to el salvador, did you have concerns about what was happening to the 250 venezuelans that you helped deport to cecot given the widespread accusations of gross human rights violations by the bukele government?
▶ 1:09:20Mr. Edgar: I did not have concerns. President trump said we are operating on three campaign promises, secure the border, effective deportations, and efficient government. When it came to cecot, the pictures you're showing in the background, that is a prison that is ran by el salvador not the united states.
▶ 1:09:41Sen. Coons: Does the united states have no obligation for the treatment of those who we deport to third countries?
▶ 1:09:50Mr. Edgar: I think if you go through -- we obviously go through a safe and fair assessment just like with the state department. The state department helps us put together safe third countries and of the agreement we have with el salvador from a dhs perspective as a coo, I didn't get involved in the details of that agreement.
▶ 1:10:09Sen. Coons: You are familiar with the convention against torture? While the president has accomplished violent route -- reductions in violent crime has done through with the detention of nearly 100,000 of his own citizens, the undue influence on the supreme court, and illegal second term, oppression of human rights by journalists, human rights advocates, and frankly a violation of the rule of law at virtually every level.
▶ 1:10:40Sen. Coons: Are you aware of those allegations?
▶ 1:10:41Mr. Edgar: I am aware of the allegations that I read that they are allegations. If confirmed as the investor for el salvador I will keep an open mind being aware. I will work with the committee in the form of oversight so we can make sure they are there. The one thing I would say to counter that is I think el salvador has done a tremendous job in their environment to be able to bring safety to 98% of their citizens.
▶ 1:11:07Mr. Edgar: They were in a situation, unprecedented gang violence, a really nasty place. Now, you see it in their elections, in their people, the turn outcome of the approval ratings that the people of el salvador are supportive of what that current administration is doing. The united states and president trump backs the administration of el salvador.
▶ 1:11:27Sen. Coons: Let's be clear, Mr. edgar. At the department of homeland security, as I said to your secretary in a hearing this week, you have, I have, we all have obligations to protect american citizens, to keep them safe. To do so in a way that is sufficient, legal, humane, and constitutional. We have to respect the rule of law.
▶ 1:11:52Sen. Coons: We can make our country safer by simply snatching off the streets using masked agents of folks we suspect of being bad and simply executing them. In the philippines that was a practice of the government. There is in el salvador where that is the practice of the government. I agree we need to keep the american people safe. I profoundly disagree in doing so in a way that fundamentally violates the rights of americans.
▶ 1:12:21Sen. Coons: It sends a message to the rest of the world about what we stand for one we forcibly deported hundreds of people, many with no criminal record, to a country that has a demonstrated human rights record that is abysmal. I am the cochair of the human rights caucus, along with senator tillis, and I'm gravely concerned by the significant human rights in el salvador and by your answer that what matters is meeting the president's campaign promises and it is popular so who cares about the consequences for the people who
▶ 1:12:52Sen. Coons: Were sent there. I want to know about your role in developing the I.c.e. Plan for detaining people in our country in warehouses that senator shaheen referenced. What was your role in developing and carrying out this plan?
▶ 1:13:04Mr. Edgar: Thank you, senator. My role is as the chief operating officer. A big part is the fiscal management of what happens at dhs. At any given time, three budgets are in place, closing out 25, doing 26, looking at 27. Within one big beautiful bill there was money for these types of warehouse operations.
▶ 1:13:26Mr. Edgar: My role in that process was to facilitate with the three main components of dhs are, I.c.e., cbp, the coast guard, which got a pretty big allocation of the one big beautiful bill. Work with the legislature, the appropriations, and omb to make sure spend plans and administrative parts are in place.
▶ 1:13:46Mr. Edgar: The tactical execution of what locations, where are we going to be, how are we going to use that, secretary noem and myself relied on the leadership of I.c.e. Who would have the responsibility.
▶ 1:13:57Sen. Coons: In the process of purchasing warehouses throughout the united states, including in pennsylvania and new hampshire, states like mississippi where the senator has pushed back hard on it, should we have concern that the standards in those warehouses will be comparable to cecot in el salvador?
▶ 1:14:16Mr. Edgar: No sir, you should not have any concern. We have a unified standard that we apply to all facilities. You have two main vendors at ice. Geo and core civic. Those type of standards are national. Many times rather than the standards we have in county local jails. That is the standard we have given out that they have and to put these out to bid and those are the standards they will be held to.
▶ 1:14:41Sen. Coons: Do you think are members of congress should be able to inspect facilities, particularly in our own states or districts?
▶ 1:14:49Mr. Edgar: There is a process you guys are required to go through and I think that has been a point of contention with dhs. Whether you show up at the door or give us a heads up. I think secretary noem and the administration has been -- been willing to work with you guys.
▶ 1:15:08Sen. Coons: Let me reference one last thing. I know I'm over my time. You mentioned you have been focused on institutional integrity at the department of homeland security. The inspector general for dhs recently sent a letter to congress detailing how dhs has -- and this is a quote -- "systematically obstructed" its work to conduct independent oversight for several months. Many of the ig's will and this allegation recurred -- occurred while you are serving in charge of operations. What is your response?
▶ 1:15:38Mr. Edgar: My responses, I had a great relationship with the inspector general. Going to the process, I think from, I guess my personal perspective, is the bigger picture. At any given time there is 700 to 800 ig assessments at any time at dhs. There is no doubt that the one that has been highlighted is the one that has got contention, but I would not over-amplify the issuer -- issue of one or two things caught up in an article as being the way it is.
▶ 1:16:09Mr. Edgar: There is oversight, but then homeland. I'm sure there will be committee meetings on evaluating that. And, you know, I think I would just be careful to not make a determination by what you see in the press.
▶ 1:16:20Sen. Coons: What do you think the ig meant as a systematically obstructive? >> well, I think there is a lot of different things that were going on at dhs as we came in. It is a large organization. 23 components, a $105 billion budget. At the weber -- very beginning there was stuff going on where, if you remember -- my job was counter.
▶ 1:16:46Sen. Coons: I realized how important it was to make sure we maintained the work that has to be done by the authorities, given by congress in the money. We had to be careful that we were not coming so much we were getting out and having a problem. The systematic part of the ig is that going through, you know, he was going through a process of really trying to navigate system access for stuff and a lot of confusion that was happening at the very beginning.
▶ 1:17:16Sen. Coons: I think in the long run secretary noem and her front office have done a good job to start to work and get that back on track.
▶ 1:17:21Sen. Coons: Thank you for your answers. I have to say, I'm really troubled by your responses about sica and your views of the government of el salvador. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> senator cruz.
▶ 1:17:39Sen. Cruz: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Let me first of all say, it is good to see my friend, lee lipton. You are going to make a terrific ambassador. Thank you for serving. Mr. garcia, let me turn to you. It is good to see you again. Congratulations on your nomination as well. When you and I met previously we discussed the growing strategic importance of africa to U.S. national security.
▶ 1:18:05Sen. Cruz: As I have said repeatedly on this committee, africa sits on the front lines of strategic competition with china in the 21st century. China represents the most significant long-term strategic challenge facing the united states. And the united states should confront china region by region, especially in africa. But to compete effectively we first have to recognize where our own approach has previously fallen short. U.S. policy has treated africa as if it were borderless.
▶ 1:18:37Sen. Cruz: A single, undifferentiated space. That approach does not reflect reality. Africa is a continent of sovereign states. Each with its own interests, priorities and strategic values. Should be engaging african partners the same way we engage partners anywhere else in the world, country by country, interest by interest, partnership by partnership. That is how we counter chinese influence and advance american interests on the continent. Can you explain, Mr.
▶ 1:19:07Sen. Cruz: Garcia, in concrete terms, why africa matters to U.S. national security and to our economic interests today?
▶ 1:19:18Mr. Garcia: Thank you, senator, for your question. Africa is a continent that is rich not just with amazing human capital, but also is endowed with incredible natural resources. As well as a people that when they work with us together we form a really strong team together.
▶ 1:19:41Mr. Garcia: I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to africa for the better part of 15 years, and in my time there the locations I have been to were -- where there have been joint industrial enterprises together with african nations, it is an incredibly different africa than perhaps a neighboring state.
▶ 1:20:04Mr. Garcia: In my opening statement I summarize africa is at a great inflection point for the benefit of africa and the united states' interests, and if confirmed I will look forward to working with african nations on industrial and rare-earth minerals, on energy, and the fundamentals of building a greater america with african partners.
▶ 1:20:29Sen. Cruz: If you are confirmed, how will you ensure that our africa policy aligns with the broader U.S. efforts to compete with china globally?
▶ 1:20:39Mr. Garcia: Thank you, senator, for the question the president's national security strategy has been clear in terms of, you know, this is a continent in transition from aid to trade. I think that is a fundamental starting point with the relationship, and if confirmed I would ensure that our industries , the health enterprises in the united states, the innovation we can bring to the continent is unleashed with our partners that
▶ 1:21:09Mr. Garcia: Choose to do business with us.
▶ 1:21:10Sen. Cruz: Thank you. Let me turn to another topic. I'm deeply alarmed at -- that the united kingdom is prepared to transfer the archipelago to marie ships, a decision that would jeopardize U.S. national security by exposing military operations to china and potentially restricting military access to diego garcia.
▶ 1:21:33Sen. Cruz: Diego garcia sits at the center of the indian ocean and has been one of america's most important power projection platforms for decades. Enabling operations across the middle east, africa, and the indo pacific. Uninterrupted access to forward basing is foundational to protecting americans, detaining a capable deterrence, and defeating our adversaries in times of conflict. Limiting U.S.
▶ 1:21:58Sen. Cruz: Operational freedom or creating opportunities for chinese influence over a critical facility, would hand our adversaries a strategic advantage. This deal is dangerous to U.S. interests. President is absolutely right to be furious with the u.k.'s decision. Uk's taking a serious gamble with the special relationship by putting one of our most vital shared military assets at risk.
▶ 1:22:29Sen. Cruz: Do you agree that unfettered U.S. access to diego garcia as a vital national security interest of the united states? >> yes, senator, I do.
▶ 1:22:38Sen. Cruz: Described the consequences for U.S. national interests if the u.k. Moves forward with the agreement with marie ships -- marie cs -- mauritius.
▶ 1:22:54Mr. Garcia: I speak from past experience, having spent time in diego garcia. Having spent time operating in the north arabian sea and the arabian gulf. The support that came from diego garcia was invaluable. We could not have projected U.S. strength, U.S. power without diego garcia.
▶ 1:23:22Mr. Garcia: If confirmed, I commit to working with the committee to look at the issues with regard to our agreements -- long-term agreements with the u.k. -- to share basing opportunities there.
▶ 1:23:33Sen. Cruz: Thank you. >> senator murphy.
▶ 1:23:38Sen. Murphy: Thank you very much, Mr. chairman. Mr. edgar, I missed don't -- I'm stunned by the department of homeland security's blatant violation of the law with respect to member access to facilities. Our basic constitutional obligation is to oversee congressional spending and the way in which the statute has been 100% clear that members need to be able to see these facilities and they have been denied that access. , I think it is a crisis.
▶ 1:24:10Sen. Murphy: When I went down to texas just a few months ago -- probably only 30 days after you left -- I was denied access to several facilities in texas. The explanation I was given was that all of those facilities were now funded by big beautiful bill dollars, by reconciliation dollars. That everything at dealey was funded by reconciliation dollars. That everything was funded by reconciliation dollars.
▶ 1:24:40Sen. Murphy: That there was not a single facility in texas that was funded with appropriations dollars. And thus, I was not able to access any of those facilities. That is not true, correct? You as the person who oversaw money for the department of homeland security did not magically overnight transfer every single operation in the state of texas from appropriated dollars to reconciliation dollars.
▶ 1:25:05Mr. Edgar: Senator, thank you. Can you give me a date? When I was they are those were covered under appropriation dollars.
▶ 1:25:14Sen. Murphy: This would be a month -- you left on what date?
▶ 1:25:16Mr. Edgar: December 19.
▶ 1:25:19Sen. Murphy: Not more than a month later. It is not credible that in a month all of those operations removed?
▶ 1:25:25Mr. Edgar: Most of the spending plans were approved in october with owen b. New the secretary was working with ice. They were in an aggressive period and a tight deadline to get activity going. I don't know if they may have reconstituted those facilities. The ones you're talking about specifically are the big vendors. Whether they bought the facilities out from underneath the vendors or this was something that was a new purchase, it sounds like it is an existing facility you want to. I'm not super familiar.
▶ 1:25:55Sen. Murphy: The problem is I don't think that explanation that was given to me in january it was different than the explanation being given in december. I think members were being denied access to virtually every facility they wanted to see a dhs because of a claim that it was reconciliation dollars that were being used, which was a lie. The people that talking to me were lying to me.
▶ 1:26:18Sen. Murphy: And it is just shocking that there was no dissent from you or from anyone else at dhs leadership to make sure that members of congress had access to those facilities. Let me ask you about the post that you are about to arrive at. I'm following up on some questions from senator coons.
▶ 1:26:37Sen. Murphy: The state department seems to be undergoing a campaign of whitewash, broadly, across the world, regarding countries' human rights abuses. Particularly those countries in which the united states has new and important financial deals between those countries and the trump administration. Here is what the state department human rights report for el salvador -- for the calendar year 2024, says.
▶ 1:27:10Sen. Murphy: "there were no credible reports of significant human rights abuses in el salvador in 2024. That's not true, correct?
▶ 1:27:20Mr. Edgar: Obviously I don't know. That was before my time. I think it is interesting that as president biden's time period. But I am not super familiar with the detail on that.
▶ 1:27:34Sen. Murphy: President biden's report reported significant ongoing human rights abuses. I don't know that it is credible that you don't know. This is the country you spent the last several months studying. I don't think it is credible that you don't know whether there were significant human rights abuses in the country in 2024. You know, right? Are you prepared to say that the report is correct? That there were no significant human rights abuses in el salvador in 2024?
▶ 1:28:03Mr. Edgar: I think you are saying two different things. You are asking if I think in general after studying a report done two years ago whether it is right or wrong.
▶ 1:28:12Sen. Murphy: No, it is not a report. From your studying what is happening in el salvador do you believe there were no significant human rights abuses in el salvador in 2024?
▶ 1:28:22Mr. Edgar: From when I have been able to see him I have not seen any.
▶ 1:28:27Sen. Murphy: I mean, that's disqualifying, Mr. edgar. I will send you volumes of reports from human rights groups. There are 100 political exiles who have had to leave the country. 38 human rights defenders are in jail in that. If you are going to be part of a whitewash campaign to deny the reality on the ground, you should not be confirmed as ambassador. You need to tell the truth.
▶ 1:28:55Sen. Murphy: And the truth is -- it is just irrefutable. There are massive human rights abuses happening, and if you are sitting here telling us that you have no evidence, you don't believe there were significant persecution of political will -- political opponents of the regime in 2024, I don't see how we can confirm you.
▶ 1:29:15Mr. Edgar: Senator, if I can respond to that? I think my entire background has been focused on being able to look at things through a data perspective and being able to evaluate. My commitment is I will evaluate this empirically, being able to go there myself, then being able to see I have committed to working with this committee. If we do have items we want to have evaluated I think it is really important, especially most important when we are having senate confirmation meetings that we build a relationship. A relationship of trust.
▶ 1:29:43Sen. Murphy: But you just said you don't believe there are human rights abuses inside el salvador in 2024. How do we build a relationship of trust when you are denying reality in order to be able to facilitate the administration's campaign of whitewash?
▶ 1:29:59Mr. Edgar: Senator, I would respectfully say, what do I have to refute? I am not there.
▶ 1:30:05Sen. Murphy: I will send you stacks of reports from people on the ground that confirm the reality of political repression. I would assume you would have been interested in reviewing those in preparation for this hearing.
▶ 1:30:21Mr. Edgar: I would be more than happy to review them. >> senator van hollen.
▶ 1:30:29Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. edgar, you were the number two at dhs, so your immediate boss was secretary noem, right?
▶ 1:30:38Mr. Edgar: As I understand your testimony, you left dhs around december 19, so you were there when the department launched operation metro surge in minneapolis, right? You were at the department?
▶ 1:30:53Mr. Edgar: I was probably there. I'm going to ask you a few questions about constitutional rights at home. You would agree that the american ambassador to el salvador or anywhere else should have a basic understanding of the U.S. constitution, would you agree with that?
▶ 1:31:09Mr. Edgar: I would.
▶ 1:31:11Sen. Van Hollen: And you would agree that the constitution gives people in the united states the right to peacefully protest, right?
▶ 1:31:20Mr. Edgar: Correct.
▶ 1:31:22Sen. Van Hollen: And they have the right to say things against trump administration policy, right? So, I want to ask you about minneapolis, because two american protesters were shot and killed by federal agents. Renée good was shot and killed. Alex pretti was shot and killed. Your boss -- your former boss, secretary noem -- called them domestic terrorists.
▶ 1:31:50Sen. Van Hollen: And yesterday, in front of the house and the day before here in the senate, she refused to retract her statement, calling them domestic terrorists. So, I have a very simple question for you today. Would you agree with me that renée good and alex pretti are not domestic terrorists?
▶ 1:32:08Mr. Edgar: Senator, this is an issue that does not involve me.
▶ 1:32:12Sen. Van Hollen: No, it does. You are going to be the american ambassador to el salvador if you are confirmed. I have an interest in your views of the constitution and your views about what happened in minneapolis, which all of america has got to see, because it is on video.
▶ 1:32:30Sen. Van Hollen: And people were shocked, including republicans -- some of them -- were shocked that the secretary of homeland security refused to retract a statement calling two american citizens peacefully protesting domestic terrorists. And I am shocked that you refuse to say today that they are not. You are refusing to confirm that they are not domestic terrorists?
▶ 1:32:49Mr. Edgar: Any someone is shutting killed by law enforcement there should be a process and investigation and it be predetermined.
▶ 1:32:57Sen. Van Hollen: Exactly. It should not be predetermined. That is why asked you whether you would agree. You should just not call them domestic terrorist. I found it astounding that you cannot say here at a public hearing, to be ambassador of the united states to another country , that these two american citizens that have been shot and killed by federal agents, that they were not domestic terrorists. I find that astounding.
▶ 1:33:26Sen. Van Hollen: Now, you have also told national public radio -- I know you say you focused on the finances, but you also told national public radio that a columbia university student and legal permanent resident of the united states was justifiably locked up because of his "pro-palestinian activity." a reagan-appointed federal judge who reviewed that case and other cases of some of the student protesters said that the trump administration had launched a " full throated assault on the
▶ 1:33:57Sen. Van Hollen: First amendment." I have another simple question, Mr. edgar. You agree that the first amendment protects and extends free-speech speech rights to people who are legal permanent residents of the united states of america?
▶ 1:34:11Mr. Edgar: I think it does.
▶ 1:34:13Sen. Van Hollen: Ok. So, it was wrong for the trump administration to lock up a student for exercising his first memory rights. Let me move on. Do you agree that the right to due process extends to people residing in the united states?
▶ 1:34:32Mr. Edgar: I'm going to qualify both this, due process, and freedom of speech. I think you got to separate U.S. citizens and their constitutional rights, when you have folks that are out there that are, like, lpr, permanent resident --
▶ 1:34:51Sen. Van Hollen: Let me say this. This is why asked you if an american investor should have a understanding of the constitution. It is clear law. Or do you agree with the supreme court's non-zero decision that kilmar abrego garcia was wrongfully sent back to el salvador? Do you agree?
▶ 1:35:12Mr. Edgar: I can't comment. There is an e stop because we are not supposed to make comments.
▶ 1:35:18Sen. Van Hollen: This court -- this part of the cases that was a supreme court decision. Do you agree that it was illegal to send kilmar abrego garcia back trigger -- back to el salvador?
▶ 1:35:31Mr. Edgar: I think it has been admitted by ice there was an administrative error.
▶ 1:35:36Sen. Van Hollen: So you agree with the supreme court decision? I'm looking for some constitutional provision you agree with. And I just want to say, Mr. chairman, my colleagues have asked you about human rights in el salvador. Were talking about the president of el salvador. He calls himself the world's coolest dictator.
▶ 1:35:55Sen. Van Hollen: There are ample reports and I would like ample -- I would like unanimous consent to enter them into the record about human rights violations in el salvador, including in seek out. I also want to include the cato institute document entitled 50-plus venezuelans imprisoned in el salvador came to the united states illegally, never violated immigration law. The cato institute is not some sort of lefty organization. They believe in freedom.
▶ 1:36:26Sen. Van Hollen: And, unfortunately, you have been part of an administration that is taking away americans' rights to freedom at home. Due process rights, as well as first amendment rights. And it is hard to trust you, therefore, that you will stand up for important american principles as our american ambassador to el salvador. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:36:44Chair Risch: Sarah booker.
▶ 1:36:48Rep. Buck: Are -- senator booker.
▶ 1:36:52Sen. Booker: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. garcia I'm hoping we will have an opportunity to sit down. Please understand my anger is not directed toward you personally, it is directed at the administration that has utterly undermined what I believe is urgency -- urgencies on the african continent we are not addressing.
▶ 1:37:17Sen. Booker: They d prioritized the continent, defunded critical bipartisan programs that we in this committee have worked incredibly hard on, and through their remarks and rhetoric have set our relationships with multiple african countries back and sent these african countries into the arms of russians and the chinese.
▶ 1:37:41Sen. Booker: Let me start by pointing out the outrage that it was reported that the bureau of african affairs senior bureau official nature -- nick checker sent a memo to bureau staff -- and I'm going to quote here -- "to put it bluntly, africa is peripheral, rather than a core theater for U.S.
▶ 1:38:01Sen. Booker: Interests." that is utterly outrageous, that a continent that by 2050 will make up one out of every four human beings on the planet and because of the aging populations in asia, america, and europe, will make up one out of every three working people, that that is not a central strategic interest of the united states of america.
▶ 1:38:25Sen. Booker: On top of that, with critical mineral interests, with key global healthcare concerns, with the fact that we are only 4% of the globe's population and our economy runs on the consumer practices of the globe, it is ridiculous that that is the perspective of representatives of this administration.
▶ 1:38:48Sen. Booker: The trump administration's 2025 national security strategy devoted barely half a page two addressing the continent and only did so in transactional economic terms rather than a strategic importance. This is something that should alarm everybody on this committee. It is outrageous. In december 2025 president trump recalled 13 ambassadors from african countries. The U.S.
▶ 1:39:16Sen. Booker: Maintains embassies across 46 african countries, yet dirty five of those posts do not have confirmed ambassadors. 36, if you count the ambassador to the african union. That is a deep insult to these countries that we have not prioritized our relationships and that the planet vacuum is being filled by the chinese.
▶ 1:39:41Sen. Booker: This chronic understaffing of these embassies and the bureau you are about to lead undercuts those embassies' operations, undercuts key strategic interests, undercuts our national security. Trump administration undermines U.S. diplomatic influence and terminates key foreign assistance programs that we are -- that were bipartisan approved .
▶ 1:40:03Sen. Booker: Is giving strategic competitors like china and russia the ability to massively expand their political, military, economic, humanitarian, and development engagement across the continent. I want to bring your attention to what has been said already is the world's greatest humanitarian crisis. What is happening in sudan is the shame of humanity. I visited the chad-sudan border.
▶ 1:40:33Sen. Booker: I saw all the malnourished children. We are seeing literally tens of thousands of deaths happening, and what does the united states -- what does the trump administration do? It cuts our resources. The trump administration has terminated food, nutrition, emergency health responses and our own state department people have said thousands more are dying there as a result.
▶ 1:40:55Sen. Booker: The state department has determined that the are sf is committing genocide and the saf is committing crimes against humanity in sudan. And what is our response? It has been complicity in allowing these horrors to go on and not stepping up to do something about it. The trump administration eliminated offices and experts focused on conflict and atrocity prevention, cancel most, if not all, of the atrocity and prevention programs in sudan.
▶ 1:41:26Sen. Booker: In the president has also not nominated another special envoy for sudan, despite the legal requirement to do so. This is a horror. This is a shame. Last week the administration lifted russia-related sanctions on three top office officials, despite reports that they continue to funnel money to moscow in exchange for security support.
▶ 1:41:54Sen. Booker: It is a lie that they are concerned about security issues. In the way they are cooperating. And this is, to me, violates what is just common sense. If we want to strengthen commercial long-term relationships with africa, the state department needs to use more tools than just lobbying -- lobbing bombs in and doing nothing about what is happening on the ground. Take small you.
▶ 1:42:26Sen. Booker: 6.5 some are currently facing high levels of hunger, with more than 1.8 million children facing acute malnutrition. Despite this crisis the U.S. government has d prioritized humanitarian assistance for small you. Since president trump has taken office he has ordered 100 68 strikes against armed groups in somalia. Yet he has cut aid to help with the crisis that is there. So, I say to you, sir.
▶ 1:42:57Sen. Booker: I am livid with this administration's policy. Dozens of people are dying. We are losing our strategic advantage on the continent. Critical minerals are being trafficked by our enemies out of the country, to the detriment of this nation.
▶ 1:43:16Sen. Booker: Our adversaries in russia and china are making a mockery of the vacuum where creating there, and on top of it all -- on top of it all the greatest humanitarian crises, which we used to define ourselves by leading against humanitarian crises -- the greatest one on the earth -- we are allowing more children to die because of our retreat. And indulging the kindness of the chair, Mr.
▶ 1:43:39Sen. Booker: Edgar, your period at dhs --
▶ 1:43:51Chair Risch: You have used seven minutes of your five minutes.
▶ 1:43:56Sen. Booker: I watched people go more than four minutes over. >> Mr. chairman, I have a tight schedule here.
▶ 1:44:02Sen. Booker: Mr. coons when four minutes over. I will say that colleagues of mine did, and we just wasted 30 seconds talking about that. I have one comment to finish, if I may.
▶ 1:44:12Chair Risch: Please finish.
▶ 1:44:13Sen. Booker: I appreciate that. What is happening at the department of homeland security is a mockery and it happened on your watch. When even their own inspector general has talked about the systematic obstructing of any kind of oversight, there is so much horrors going on when people simply turn the other way and don't stare it in the eye. You to say there is no humanitarian violations going on in el salvador, I think this qualifies you to be there.
▶ 1:44:44Sen. Booker: When our country sent human beings to a torture center that is well-documented and you said nothing. That you can even say when our own state department has reported violations that they are violations. I will tell you the greatest wars in this world has been -- have been enabled by functionaries and bureaucrats that allow things to go on without speaking up in a noble fashion that reflects the values of this country.
▶ 1:45:11Sen. Booker: Your performance here has been totally inadequate and there is just no way you should be the ambassador of that nation. Thank you, Mr. cho.
▶ 1:45:19Chair Risch: Senator hagerty.
▶ 1:45:23Sen. Hagerty: I want to touch on our U.S.-filipino alliance. I worked alongside senator kaine to pass the philippines enhanced resilience act. We did that as part of the fy 2026 ndaa. This new law authorizes 500 million dollars in foreign military financing grants and $1 billion in loans to the philippines over the next five years.
▶ 1:45:50Sen. Hagerty: The goal of this is to increase the capabilities and interoperability of the philippines and the U.S.-filipino alliance. My question is simple. Will you commit to making this law a top priority of your tenure if you are confirmed?
▶ 1:46:08Mr. Lipton: Senator, thank you very much for your question. I have studied law. It has been amazing that even senator kaine came up with a bill that allowed 500 million dollars potentially for the next few years and giving to the people of the philippines to spend, but spending with the united states government.
▶ 1:46:32Mr. Lipton: My job, upon -- if, in fact, confirmed, it would actually be one of my pets. Because I want to learn more about military -- military situations, and I would absolutely want to learn how to help negotiate and teach the filipino people -- the filipino military how to spend that money.
▶ 1:46:56Chair Risch: I think you should plan on working with my staff to make sure you are as effective as possible. I look for to working with you and your confirmation. This is going to be a top priority, so thank you. Mr. edgar, I think you were going to make an excellent abbasid or to el salvador.
▶ 1:47:14Chair Risch: If you think about the work this administration has done to work with president bukele to address illegal migration, to strengthen our national security cooperation with that country, I think about resident bukele's leadership, that has allowed el salvador to reduce violent crime, including the maximum-security facility that attains high-risk criminal offenders. Our two governments have found a way to coordinate on the return of salvadore and nationals involved in criminal activity.
▶ 1:47:44Chair Risch: Have done that in a way that has reinforced public safety in the united states Mr. edgar, you have experience. You have served not only as the chief financial officer of dhs, but you now serve as the deputy secretary of the department of homeland security. I would be very interested femur perspective to just talk with us about how important el salvador's cooperation has been to implementing our own homeland security and how you are going to work to institutionalize and strengthen that relationship.
▶ 1:48:13Mr. Edgar: Thank you, senator. El salvador, big picture, there are three objectives we have had working with that country. Number one, national security. All of the counter-narcotics work has been a joint activity with el salvador. You just read recently in the news, they busted a cocaine ship off the coast of about 350 miles off the coast. Not only within their navy, not only within the coast guard, but when the -- within their police.
▶ 1:48:41Mr. Edgar: We have been partnering with them and going through this process of interdicting drugs and being a part of that process. Outside of that, in the national security, it has been a really big area of contention. The thing we learned with el salvador as regional migration and stability is everything.
▶ 1:48:58Mr. Edgar: And so, you know, from the administration of positivist perspective we strategically look at el salvador as being a model that can be emulated when you are surrounded by nicaragua, honduras, and in making sure we are able to get countries and like-minded -- you see what is going on with costa rica. Seek out being a bad thing and there is human rights -- I will take advantage of the opportunity to speak to the other side of the aisle. I am a data-focused person. I will look at the facts. I'm not here to judge and say there is nothing going on.
▶ 1:49:31Mr. Edgar: The second area, that is national security. The second area is migration. Within migration one of the biggest areas we used to have a lot of problems is president trump came in and historically shut the board. It has been one of the biggest accomplishments we have been able to do it the hs. By doing that it started -- stopped the flow that was coming up from el salvador, but we got two open items we still deal with el salvador on a daily basis. Number 1, 3 migration.
▶ 1:49:56Mr. Edgar: Sending folks back, making sure el salvador continues to take back citizens and they need -- after they are detained. The second is transit pieces -- transit visas in their airport. There is a lot of activity within the airport. People apply and go from there end to the united states. The last thing I would like to hit on quickly is the economy. We talked a little bit about china and what is going on with china there.
▶ 1:50:24Mr. Edgar: 2019, el salvador, before bukele came to power there was an of an -- incursion of what was going on with china. They have been able to hit the national stadium, water treatment plants. No, we need to make sure that america stays its leading trading partner. I'm not saying push them out completely, but right now we have a $2.2 billion trade surplus without salvadore. You need to -- and the key to their economy, the key to helping that take place is security.
▶ 1:50:51Mr. Edgar: So, you know, the balance between the democracy of el salvador and them getting the folks and getting to a safe environment divides investors security and confidence, and if confirmed one of my big roles will be to kind of help U.S. companies go and have a great opportunity within el salvador.
▶ 1:51:10Chair Risch: I think that last point is a critical one. Senator mccain and I traveled through the west hemisphere on a fruitful trip and it was clear to us that the united states needs to be more present. Our commercial interests to be more present. And china has certainly taken advantage of that void. Thanks, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:51:30Chair Risch: Senator kaine.
▶ 1:51:34Sen. Kaine: You said you are a data-focus -- focused person, but when asked if you are concerned about the torture of these 250 venezuelans at sea can't, you said you were not concerned. That was your answer. On allegations of torture that have been upheld even by parts of the administration you said you were not concerned.
▶ 1:51:57Sen. Kaine: You said you were a data-focused person who doesn't want to prejudge issues, but senator van hollen said it was wrong to call Ms. goode and Mr. pretti mystic terrorists, you would not agree that was wrong to do it. I wonder whether your data-focused or whether you just focused on the data you want to see, cherry picking things you want to see and not others.
▶ 1:52:22Sen. Kaine: Mentioned in your testimony that access by members of congress to dhs facilities was a process that has been worked out successfully. It hasn't. You said people should not be able to show up unannounced, and I agree with you on that. There is a dhs facility in virginia I made repeated efforts to visit in the fall, and to schedule in advance and they kept changing the date and then kept telling me all of these restrictions I was not allowed to talk to anyone there.
▶ 1:52:51Sen. Kaine: I mean, oversight from the committees that are voting for your budget, that means we ought to be able to visit and ask questions. And when a department deprives oversight, even under pre-scheduled, advance notice, I'm going to come down and visit, the natural conclusion you reach is you are ashamed of what is going on or you don't want members of congress or the public to see it.
▶ 1:53:17Sen. Kaine: It is completely -- even if it was true, what senator murphy said, these facilities are only funded by reconciliation dollars, that is no reason to deny a member of congress -- he was congress that voted on the reconciliation bill. That is no reason to deny a member of congress the ability to come in and take a look at a facility.
▶ 1:53:37Sen. Kaine: So, I have very significant questions about the testimony you have given here today, and I want to put on the record that he claim that the dhs has a process by which members can actually see these facilities, I think is demonstrably false. Eventually, I refused to go because I wasn't going to go and have shackles on my ability to actually do the work I think members of this committee ought to be able to do.
▶ 1:54:07Sen. Kaine: Your responsibility, dhs, was heavily in the finance space. The reporting is that salvadore -- el salvador received about $4.67 million for about 250 third country nationals. Posted venezuelans. So come on the money side transparency international ranks el salvador very low in the corruption indices, meaning they are bad, not good. The world report at freedom house gives el salvador in zero out of four for whether there are safeguards against official corruption.
▶ 1:54:37Sen. Kaine: Did she monitor how the government of el salvador spent the $4.76 million we gave them in exchange for them taking the 250 venezuelan prisoners?
▶ 1:54:49Mr. Edgar: No sir. That money, if you look specifically, was a deal done by the state department.
▶ 1:54:55Sen. Kaine: Right, so we don't know whether it went into bukele 's pocket?
▶ 1:55:01Mr. Edgar: If you look at the agreements, the precursor of that and the follow-up detailed, some money was for law enforcement and it said when that money is spent there would be a requirement for them to show details of that, and it seemed to me --
▶ 1:55:16Sen. Kaine: Do you know if they have done so?
▶ 1:55:18Mr. Edgar: I do not.
▶ 1:55:20Sen. Kaine: We will follow-up on that separately. There was an article last year in the washington post I don't think has been refuted, and here is the title of the article, and I would like to introduce it for the record, Mr. chair. October 19, 2025. Rubio promised to betray U.S. informants to get trump's el salvador prison deal. In the article that was widely reported in other media -- can I introduce that for the record, Mr. chair?
▶ 1:55:48Chair Risch: Without objection.
▶ 1:55:50Sen. Kaine: The article was covered in other periodicals as well and suggests that in exchange for accepting the prisoners bukele one and not only the 4.76 million dollars, but also wanted the united states to take nine ms 13 members who were imprisoned in the united states and work performance, helping the U.S. build a case against ms 13 and president bukele one of those prisoners removed from the united states.
▶ 1:56:20Sen. Kaine: And then taken back to el salvador. There were objections within the justice department, saying, this will undercut the case we are building against ms 13. Were you aware of that aspect of the deal between the united states and el salvador?
▶ 1:56:32Mr. Edgar: Senator, I was not aware.
▶ 1:56:35Sen. Kaine: I have no further questions.
▶ 1:56:41Sen. Ricketts: The ranking member hirono to ask some of the other candidates who have not received questions yet some questions. He feels like you are being left out, so we are going -- >> they are going, darn. [laughter]
▶ 1:56:57Sen. Ricketts: The ranking member is going to pick up some of the questioning, but he has promised me he is going to keep it relatively brief.
▶ 1:57:03Sen. Shaheen: First, a piece of advice, having done this 15 years. For the folks were going to be ambassadors but were not previous state department employees, you will have a ecm. This is not directed at you personally, it is just years of experience.
▶ 1:57:23Sen. Shaheen: The state department and the whole process of diplomacy, if you have been successful in business or policy or in sports or other ways there is rules of the road, and folks who are military veterans understand there is certain procedures and rules. Listen to your dcm. There wasn't some really encouraging statements in here. About just how impressed you have been with the state department folks who have helped prepare you about this.
▶ 1:57:48Sen. Shaheen: To the extent rely on the career professionals who run the embassy, who support our mission, they are there regardless of who the administration is and regardless of the partisanship here. You're going to be well supported by good people. I just encourage you to listen to them. Some political ambassadors of both parties have gotten into trouble when they don't listen to the dcm and how you conduct the leadership of an embassy.
▶ 1:58:15Sen. Shaheen: So, if I could briefly, I have been to the philippines a number of times. Most recently with senator ricketts. It is a very active region. We spent half a day flying over the south china sea. I agree with the issues he raised. The quarter was a priority of the previous administration and remains a key priority.
▶ 1:58:39Sen. Shaheen: What do you think is the most important thing we can be doing as a nation to push back on the malign chinese influence in the region?
▶ 1:58:52Mr. Lipton: Thank you very much for the question. China is the bully in the room. My goal would be to confront unlawful chinese expansion and aggressive behavior. I will continue to support and compete with china. I will also work very closely with the economic order.
▶ 1:59:15Mr. Lipton: My goal is to bring investments there and to use those investments as a way to combat china.
▶ 1:59:24Sen. Coons: Just two points of advice and I will move on. As you noted in your prepared remarks, a very large filipino diaspora community in the united states, we are blessed by a very strong and deep relationship.
▶ 1:59:39Sen. Coons: Some of the current difficulties around immigration will be born particularly heavily by the filipino american community, and a lot of your work as ambassador will be making sure we are not mistakenly or inappropriately arresting or deporting people who are here illegally, who are filipino americans, and I just commanded that to you because it will be felt sharply there. And, second, if you have not already been to the world war ii memorial, in manila, I commend that to you. It is a remarkable place.
▶ 2:00:10Sen. Coons: It is the only U.S. battlefield monument outside the united states where foreign nationals are buried alongside american nationals, and it commemorates the remarkable sacrifice that filipinos made during our war against japanese imperialism. And there is a lot to commend the philippines. You will be serving in a remarkable and dynamic nation. You are originally from kazakhstan, is that right? Within the soviet union?
▶ 2:00:37Sen. Coons: I'm thrilled you have brought your decades of experience as a state department employee to representing us in slovenia. What do you think you will be able to do in slovenia to get them as a nato ally that is standing up to russia's aggression, to putin's brutal war against ukraine? How do you get them more invested in perl? They have already can she beaded $46 million. They are part of our nato security. What you think is the most important place for expanded opportunities in our partnership with slovenia?
▶ 2:01:12Sen. Coons: >> are most important is engagement. Slovenia increased its spending earlier this year. The goal is to signal their willingness to increase that number to 3% of gdp. By 2030. Was prominently, slovenia maintains troops in nato's peacekeeping operations. Also in the eu's althea mission. Slovenia also hosts U.S. armies and U.S.
▶ 2:01:38Sen. Coons: Air force units stationed in italy for training and airbases. Our relationship continues to deepen. We do have some existing programs, our military exchanges. So, if confirmed I will continue to use my position to ensure that slovenia meets its nato
▶ 2:01:57Defense Spending Sen. Coons: Was the state partner with slovenia?
▶ 2:02:01Ms. Roberts: Colorado. It has been so for 30-plus years.
▶ 2:02:06Sen. Coons: I will command el salvador and the philippines. Most important security partnerships we have across africa and around the world are state partnerships between national guards and countries that, let's just say where the military needs more clarity about civilian control of the military and the mission and the training and support is stained over a long period of time. Sterno valley, you mentioned in your testimony that the cook islands is it -- of particular interest to you.
▶ 2:02:37Sen. Coons: It is to me as well and you will be engaged in the sustainable developer and opportunities of their massive resources. Just talk for a minute about how engaging beyond our five eyes ally new zealand, but with the three island nations you will be charged with, just talk to me about how you will prioritize that and what are your core issues? Quick so, I'm proud to be the inaugural U.S. ambassador to niue in the cook islands.
▶ 2:03:06Sen. Coons: One of the biggest shocks I received was to find that most of the world' as cobalt comes from the drc in africa and is refined in china, and the fact that there is not a supply chain management for that. And the fact that the cooks have opened up their eec, expanding from tourism to explication of the minerals. I see that as an extreme opportunity for the U.S. to be able to play its part in --
▶ 2:03:37Sen. Coons: To have an astonishing amount of resources. Lots of critical minerals. I was at a bipartisan dinner last night with administration officials about how we move ahead on critical minerals. It is one of the key challenges we face, and I think there is bipartisan support. There were rare concerns about sustainable seabed mining and its potential impact on the environment and other -- and I look for to staying in touch with you about that.
▶ 2:04:01Mr. Novelly: Thank you for that statement. I'm so impressed by the cultures in the pacific islands and have expanded quite a bit of times in the pacific islands. The oceans are sacred to pacific islanders. So, the fact that the cook islands believes that they can exploit this in a responsible method, I think is the proper lens to look at it with as opposed to many lands we may have.
▶ 2:04:26Sen. Coons: Mr. garcia, would you be willing to make some time to meet with me in senator booker? I appreciate your decades of service to our military. Your service in the continent and your partnership with africom. I recently met the new commander general anderson in munich and was impressed and encouraged. I was the chair of the africa subcommittee here for several congresses have been to 34 countries on the continent. To college in nairobi.
▶ 2:04:57Sen. Coons: And have been actively involved in the confirmation of virtually every abbasid we have had over my period. There are enormous issues on the continent. Security issues, humanitarian issues, development issues. Given I have already imposed on the gratitude and support of my friend and colleague here, I will cut this short, but to Mr. lipton and garcia, one of the resources as a nation we have long had is disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
▶ 2:05:25Sen. Coons: The philippines is the number one disaster impacted country on earth. And abruptly shutting down our disaster and humanitarian response was not well received there. I do think we are working towards rebuilding and sustaining some of it and I think that is something we should not set aside. It is a highly-valued capability of the united states that used to be resident at usaid and the ambra shutting down of that capability I think was a tragic mistake. But I look forward to talking with you, Mr.
▶ 2:05:54Sen. Coons: Garcia, about how we meet and prioritize -- the crisis in sudan, the ongoing issues in rwanda, security in the horn, and unlock the potential of the libido quarter project I have worked on for several years.
▶ 2:06:11Mr. Novelly: Thank you, senator. >> I appreciate the opportunity to ask an additional round.
▶ 2:06:19Sen. Ricketts: That his two extra rounds of questions.
▶ 2:06:23Sen. Coons: I'm sure you are relieved to hear that I'm done.
▶ 2:06:26Sen. Ricketts: Senator kaine has requested one more question as well.
▶ 2:06:32Sen. Kaine: This is urgent consideration of Mr. novelly. Fascinating background. I went to mizuho -- mizzou. We have never had an nba basketball owner before us. I think you bring a lot to the table. I just wanted to urge and ask you this. We spent a lot of time in this committee and in the armed services committee talking about the arctic. As an area of competition.
▶ 2:07:04Sen. Kaine: We will talk about the article all the time. We seldom talk about the antarctic, and my recent trip to australia shows that there was a lot of reason to be concerned about that, and I didn't go to new zealand on the trip, but the australians and the folks in new zealand are worried about this too.
▶ 2:07:21Sen. Kaine: I would just ask for your assurance that that would be an area that you would focus on what the government of new zealand, but also report back to us, because, again, in armed services in this committee dimensions of the arctic, to the antarctic have to be 100 to one. What I do think this is increasingly an area where we ought to be paying attention and you are giving us information about what is going on and what the concerns of new zealand government would be very helpful to us. I would ask for your assurance on that.
▶ 2:07:50Mr. Novelly: Absolutely.
▶ 2:07:53Chair Risch: Thank you, stash
▶ 2:07:55Sen. Ricketts: Thank you, senator. Thank you to all of our nominees here today. We appreciate you providing us with the benefit of your testimony and your responses. Before closing out would like to asking animus consent to add any letters of support the committee has received to the record. Without objection. I will also note, for the information of members, that the record will remain open until the close of business tomorrow march 6. Including for members to submit questions for the record.
▶ 2:08:26Sen. Ricketts: Thanks to the committee for this hearing. I appreciate it and we are now adjourned.