▶ 0:21:40Chair Risch: The foreign relations committee will come to order. Today we have a panel of five nominees to serve the united states of america. We welcome all of you to our hearing today, and your families who are as important as you are in these jobs. For everyone here in the audience, we welcome you.
▶ 0:22:07Chair Risch: We have obviously this is an open hearing and we welcome everyone here. We have zero tolerance in the hearing for anyone who disrupts. If they do, the usual consequences will apply. Thank you all for being here today and to your families. We will start with breslow -- Mr. breslow.
▶ 0:22:32Chair Risch: You would be the first noncareer political appointee as ambassador to cyprus, the historic advancement in a relationship with cyprus. Cyprus is a key partner in the mediterranean and critical crossroads between europe, africa and the middle east and asia. I hope to hear how you will work with the government of cyprus on our shared interests and security, trade, energy and more. Mr. white, united states faces threats across multiple regions.
▶ 0:23:03Chair Risch: The U.S. needs to quickly provide weapons and supplies to allies and partners and make sure foreign military sales systems can work quickly and at scale. The west must remain a partner of choice in an era of intense convocation desk convocation for arms sales and security partnerships. I hope you will implement president trump's executive orders to make the items I have identified a reality.
▶ 0:23:35Chair Risch: Arms sales are a cornerstone of our strategic alliance and partnerships. We cannot let the bureaucratic process drive our partners towards russia and china. Mr. steggerda, president trump made clear he believes the u.n. Can be reformed and turned back to basics. I want to see reform but it must be done in good faith and must be done with individuals held accountable for its failures.
▶ 0:24:06Chair Risch: We are considering new -- you for the seat and are -- in geneva. Also represented the U.S. at the u.n. Human rights council but president trump has withdrawn us from this institution. It is my hope you will be able to spend all your effort reforming the agencies in geneva. Mr. griffith, if have been nominated to serve as representative to the united nations as the U.S.
▶ 0:24:36Chair Risch: Representative to the international atomic energy agency. If confirmed, you will need an important portfolio of significant national security considerations for the united states. Anyone who has not visited that office should do so. It's important to the united states and important to the world. President trump's call for reform across the u.n.
▶ 0:24:57Chair Risch: System, ambassador waltz's team has made no progress. I want to hear how you will capitalize on efforts to ensure the united nations in vienna and geneva are worthy of continued american support. Mr.
▶ 0:25:14Chair Risch: Cassady, as ambassador for cyberspace and digital policy you will be the bureau's efforts to promote policies an advanced cyber innovation and leadership, work with allies to align technology standards, and counter competitors like china and both are capacity to respond to cyber threats. You will be responsible for the cdp's science and technician as a result of the state department reorganization.
▶ 0:25:45Chair Risch: You will play a major role in advancing policies like theai action plan, prosperity deals, undersea infrastructure and many others. I look forward to hearing tell you will work with your counterparts in the administration to address these threats. Thank you to all of our nominees . I usually turn to the ranking member. She is in an important meeting and cannot get out of it right now and will be along in a little bit.
▶ 0:26:16Chair Risch: If she wishes to make an opening statement or put in record, we will take that at that time. In the meantime, Mr. breslow -- are you going to introduce me? >> I'm going to introduce Mr. breslow.
▶ 0:26:40Sen. Ricketts: Thank you, Mr. chairman. It is my honor to introduce a fellow nebraskan, my friend and nominee to serve as an next united states ambassador to the republic of cyprus, Mr. john breslow. I would like to welcome john's family. These roles are never taken alone. Behind every public servant is a family whose support makes the service possible. I know john is grateful for their support.
▶ 0:27:13Sen. Ricketts: Cyprus sits at the crossroads of europe, the middle east and north africa, making it is strategically important for the united states. Communist china are working aggressively to expand their economic and political influence across these regions. Beijing has deepened its footprint in cyprus through trade, infrastructure, and telecommunications using economic leverage to shape political alignment within the european union. The moment calls for strong experienced leadership.
▶ 0:27:43Sen. Ricketts: Someone who understands how to navigate complex relationships, defend american interest and strengthen ties with key partners. John breslow is that leader. John has built an impressive career spanning business, public service and philanthropy. He's the former owner and chairman of linville inc., where he led one of the largest supply companies in the country and served as state auditor from 1991 to 1999, where he earned a
▶ 0:28:13Sen. Ricketts: Reputation for accountability, transparency and sound financial stewardship. John has dedicated much of his life to giving back. He has served a leadership role across numerous charitable and community organizations in nebraska. His record reflects a deep commitment to service, strong leadership and the ability to manage complex operations. These are qualities that are essential in his role.
▶ 0:28:36Sen. Ricketts: As ambassador to cyprus, john will play a critical role to strengthen relations, advancing our security and economic interest in ensuring american leadership remain strong in the region where it is increasingly being challenged. I want to think president trump are selecting a nominee who brings real-world experience, proven leadership in a strong understanding of business and government to this important post. Your experience, your judgment and commitment to service make you well suited to the role at this critical time.
▶ 0:29:07Sen. Ricketts: I look forward to supporting your nomination and I urge all of my colleagues to support you as well. Thank you, Mr. chair.
▶ 0:29:12Chair Risch: Thank you, senator ricketts. We would like to hear from each of you for about five minutes. If you have a longer statement, we will put it in the record, anything you like in the record. This is your opportunity to spend five minutes giving us your pitch why you should have the job. We will start with you, Mr. breslow.
▶ 0:29:36Mr. Breslow: Thank you, senator ricketts, for introducing me I really appreciate it.chairman risch, ranking member shaheen, esteemed members of the committee, I'm honored to appear today as president trump's nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the republic of cyprus. I think president trump and secretary rubio for their trust and confidence in me and I'm grateful to this committee considering my nomination.
▶ 0:30:09Mr. Breslow: I was born and raised in lincoln, nebraska, a community that instilled in me from an early age, respect for hard work public responsibility, and the importance of civic life. For more than 50 years I have been fortunate to share my life with my wife sonja who is here behind me today. Together we raised three daughters and we are proud grandparents to five grandchildren. My youngest daughter is behind me today.
▶ 0:30:40Mr. Breslow: Family has been the consistent foundation of my life and the source of perspective that keeps professional responsibilities grounded in enduring values. My professional career was spent primarily in the private sector where I served as owner and chairman of the board of linville, inc., which grew into one of the largest industrial gas and welding supply companies in the united states.
▶ 0:31:07Mr. Breslow: Building long-term partnerships, principles that translate directly into effective international relationships. Public service has been a defining element in my life. In 1990, I was elected state auditor and was reelected in 1994. I focused on stewardship, transparency and the careful management of public resources.
▶ 0:31:38Mr. Breslow: In 1998, I ran for the governor of nebraska, and experience that further deepened my respect for democratic institutions and the responsibilities and trusted to those who serve within them.
▶ 0:31:54Mr. Breslow: I had the privilege of series -- serving on numerous boards, including swift transportation, the lincoln human rights commission, the lincoln ymca board, and chairman of the madonna rehabilitation hospital foundation.
▶ 0:32:12Mr. Breslow: These roles strengthened by belief that durable institutions depend on collaboration, mutual respect, and commitment to the common good.outside my professional life I pursued aviation for nearly five decades. Flying most recently as a single pilot and a cessna cj3 jet. Aviation reinforced discipline, judgment and respect for systems.
▶ 0:32:41Mr. Breslow: Lessons equally relevant in public leadership. I'm also an automobile enthusiast who believes that craftsmanship is best understood through use and experience. If confirmed, I would bring these experiences and principles to the critical mission of representing american interests in cyprus.
▶ 0:33:04Mr. Breslow: The enduring friendship between united states and the republic of cyprus's boat -- is built upon a foundation of a mutual beneficial collaboration and a steadfast commitment to peace. Our bilateral relations are rooted in a shared vision for stability and prosperity in cyprus and the eastern mediterranean.
▶ 0:33:28Mr. Breslow: Since a december 2018 signing of a statement of intent on bilateral security, cooperation and the passage of the eastern mediterranean security and energy partnership act of 2019, the U.S. and the security relationship has deepened significantly. Through growing economic collaboration and robust security cooperation united states continues to strengthen these bonds.
▶ 0:33:57Mr. Breslow: This includes training and exercises with the state of new jersey through the state partnership program. Cyprus strategic importance at the crossroads of europe, the middle east and north africa make this partnership vital to american interests and the broader transatlantic community. If confirmed, my first priority will be to protect the safety and security of americans in the republic of cyprus. The r.o.c.
▶ 0:34:26Mr. Breslow: Has proven a valuable and reliable partner to the united states to assist U.S. citizens evacuating out of crisis areas, including in recent years. Our cooperation is making the region more resilient to dangerous action and keeping americans safe. Our strong relations have earned the confidence of american companies to establish operations or expand their presence on the island.
▶ 0:34:55Mr. Breslow: If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to strengthen this partnership ensuring that our diplomatic efforts translate into tangible benefits for the american people. By advancing trade and investment opportunities we will make our economies more competitive in our nations more prosperous.
▶ 0:35:17Mr. Breslow: Above all, if confirmed, I will carry forward the spirit of collaboration that defines the U.S.-r.o.c. Relationship and will continue to champion a cyprus-led u.n. Facilitated effort to unify the island as a by zonal, by communal, federation with political equality for all cypriots consistent with u.n. Security council resolutions.
▶ 0:35:48Mr. Breslow: Our shared ideals and mutual aspirations offer a clear plan towards a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for both nations. If confirmed, I will seek to build a partnership that nunnally reflects our shared values, but also delivers meaningful progress for generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you and I welcome your questions.
▶ 0:36:12Chair Risch: Thank you, Mr. breslow. First we will hear from the remainder of the nominees. Mr. white.
▶ 0:36:21Mr. White: Chairman risch, ranking member shaheen, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as the president's nominee to be the assistant secretary of state for political military affairs. I'm honored by this nomination and grateful to president trump and secretary rubio for the confidence they have shown in me. Thanks to my family if my unwavering support.
▶ 0:36:50Mr. White: I'm joined today by my wife adrian, my son fleet and parents fleet and priscilla. Special thanks to my parents-in law for raising a wonderful daughter. Thanks also to my sister daphne who's about to have her first baby or else she would be here. If confirmed, I would assume responsibility for the bureau of political military affairs at perhaps the most consequential time in its history.
▶ 0:37:19Mr. White: The bureau sits at the intersection of diplomacy, security cooperation and the american industrial base. Its mission is to make sure our security partnerships and defense trade advanced U.S. strategic objectives while strengthening our own readiness and industrial capacity. My career experiences up to this point have prepared me well for this role. I have had the honor of serving in the bureau since president trump of the inauguration day last year.
▶ 0:37:50Mr. White: Prior to joining the state department, practiced as an attorney and washington, D.C., and then a submarine officer in united states navy. If confirmed, I would focus on four priorities. First, taking care of the people. The bureau is home to over 500 full-time staff, military advisers, contractors, and foreign policy advisers assigned to major departments of war commands.
▶ 0:38:18Mr. White: Supporting the work force a necessary first step to executing the bureau's critical mission. Second, reforming and accelerating before foreign defense sales process. For years partners have raised legitimate concerns about the speed and predictability of our system. But thanks to president trump, we are turning the ship around.
▶ 0:38:41Mr. White: The president directed historic reforms to improve accountability, cut unnecessary bureaucracy, and ensure united states remains the partner of choice to reliably and rapidly deliver the best military equipment in the world. If confirmed, I will work closely with the department of work, congress -- war, congress and industry and ensure american dominance in arms exports.
▶ 0:39:11Mr. White: Third, strengthening deterrence by building capable partners who can carry more of the burden for their own security. The president has been clear that peace is preserved through strength. Military strength, economic strength, and strong partnerships that advance our interests.
▶ 0:39:33Mr. White: America's alliances and partnerships remain a powerful strategic advantage, but they work best when partners invest seriously in their own defense and contribute to regional stability. Our security cooperation programs, security assistance, and arms transfers should help partners build the capabilities they need to defend themselves, operate alongside U.S. forces, and deter aggression before it starts.
▶ 0:40:00Mr. White: Fourth, ensuring our defense trade and security assistance strengthens the readiness of the american war fighter and our industrial base. Our ability to deter and if necessary when conflicts depends on a strong industrial foundation here at home. Strategic arms transfers support domestic re-industrialization through expanding production lines, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring united states retains the technological and manufacturing ads required to equip our military.
▶ 0:40:34Mr. White: In all these efforts congress is an essential partner. The bureau's responsibility from foreign military financing to foreign military sales depend on close coordination with this committee and with congress as a whole. If confirmed, I'm committed to regular consultation, transparency and response in this to the committee's vital oversight responsibilities.
▶ 0:41:01Mr. White: I will approach my responsibilities with humidity -- humility, and a deep respect for the faith the president, the secretary, and you have placed in me. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:41:17Chair Risch: Thank you, Mr. white. Mr. steggerda. Am I pronouncing the right?
▶ 0:41:23Mr. Steggerda: You are, Mr. chairman. Thank you. Chairman risch, ranking the machine, distinguished members of the senate foreign relations committee, I am honored -- very honored to have been nominated by president trump to serve as a representative of the united states of america to the office of united nations and other international organizations in geneva with the rank of ambassador.
▶ 0:41:52Mr. Steggerda: I'm joined today by my wife, who I believe is sitting directly behind me, tricia. A neonatal nurse working at the children's hospital in philadelphia when we met 37 years ago. I'm so thankful for her support on this lifelong journey together.
▶ 0:42:11Mr. Steggerda: Reflecting on the long path from america's heartland that led me here now more than six decades, it became clear the most profound influences in my life occurred during the first two. I was born in april of 1965 during that during t that tumultuous time on the eve of and expanded military draft for the vietnam war. In 1971, we adopted the first of two korean children.
▶ 0:42:38Mr. Steggerda: My sisters, victims in the long aftermath of the korean war. Coming-of-age in the 1970's I remember the fall of saigon in 1975. Helicopters trying to rescue americans from rooftops, indelible images from my youth. I remember the iranian hostage crisis in 1979 and the failed military mission to rescue them, which dominated the news for 444 days.
▶ 0:43:09Mr. Steggerda: As my political identity was for me, it appeared that america had grown weak. Seemingly unable to protect its citizens. In 1982, I played to the U.S. naval academy. I wanted to serve my country and I wanted to do my part in making it strong again.
▶ 0:43:27Mr. Steggerda: At annapolis I studied leadership and obtained an aerospace engineering degree and as a naval aviator I had the honor to serve as an f-18 pilot and one of the navy's most heralded strike fighter squadrons. In 1992, my squadron deployed to the mediterranean aboard the kennedy at the start of the bosnian civil war.
▶ 0:43:54Mr. Steggerda: In 1994, transitioned and built and investigations practice at the intersection of business, law and politics with a strong focus on waste, fraud and abuse arena, including international matters.
▶ 0:44:12Mr. Steggerda: I built leadership positions along the way, including chair the government contracts practice, chair of government investigations department and as deputy managing partner for strategic development of a powerhouse law firm with 1000 attorneys with revenue exceeding $1 billion. My leadership, military, national security procurement, investigations and negotiates experience provide a solid foundation to the challenges at the u.n.
▶ 0:44:42Mr. Steggerda: In geneva and the most fundamental challenges this. Although the u.n. Was founded to promote peace and security, it straight from that. In geneva, strong leadership is essential to protecting america's vital interests in advancing a robust reform agenda as the U.S. ambassador in geneva I tend to focus on two priorities.
▶ 0:45:08Mr. Steggerda: I will steadfastly advance the values and interest of americans and protect our sovereignty across the u.n. System and international organizations, including by ensuring a level playing field for U.S. businesses. Unfortunately many geneva organizations including the specialized and technical agencies which set global standards of great consequence to the american people and are great businesses have become overtly political with ever-expanding mandates and with growing opportunities for U.S.
▶ 0:45:38Mr. Steggerda: Adversaries to impose their own agendas. I will leverage U.S. influence and ensure america's voice, expertise and values stay at the forefront. As my second priority I will support the ongoing focus on reforms in the u.n. System. Nowhere is that more important than the humanitarian agencies which perform some of the united nations' most important critical work and will reforms are underway.
▶ 0:46:09Mr. Steggerda: I will also focus on long-term sustainability issues through compensation reform, and unfathomable gap in aid efforts. Members of the committee, thank you for your consideration. If confirmed I look forward to working closely with this committee to ensure the U.S. is well represented in this critical geneva post.
▶ 0:46:40Mr. Steggerda: Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:46:40Chair Risch: Thank you very much. Mr. griffith.
▶ 0:46:45Mr. Griffith: Thank you, chairman risch. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as the president's nominee to serve as ambassador to the vienna office of the united nations and international atomic energy agency. I was at night president trump nominating me to serve in the role. I am honored and grateful for the trust and confidence placed to be by the resident and secretary of state.
▶ 0:47:13Mr. Griffith: If confirmed I would be humble to represent the united states at some of the world's most consequential, multilateral institutions and seek to ensure every mission we undertake in vienna delivers a tangible return for the american people and advances american interests. I want to thank the most important people in my life, my family, without whose love and support I would not be here today. Joining me as my wife catherine and our son wells.
▶ 0:47:45Mr. Griffith: Your unwavering love, patience and encouragement give me the result to serve. -- the result to serve. I would like to recognize my parents who could not be here today. They instilled the values of hard work, service, ability that guide me everyday and continue to inspire me with their courage and resilience. Particularly as my father battles als with my mother by his side.
▶ 0:48:16Mr. Griffith: I want to thank my siblings, friends and colleagues whose support, encouragement and friendships have sustained me throughout my life and continue to do so. I have been privileged to serve in a number of senior roles across the U.S. government, including at the department of energy, the national security council at the white house, the U.S.
▶ 0:48:36Mr. Griffith: International development finance corporation, the department of state during both president trump's administrations. That has prepared me well for the position I have been nominated. I have been fortunate to work alongside so many exceptional public servants, scientists, engineers and professionals who are among the best in government. If confirmed, I look forward to work with them to advance american security, prosperity, and interests.
▶ 0:49:08Mr. Griffith: The vienna-based international organization's address an extraordinary range of technical issues. Nuclear nonproliferation, outerspace governance, export controls, countering illicit drugs and preventing transnational crime and human trafficking to name a few. These are not abstractions. They touch the safety and security of americans every day. The stakes are exceptionally high. My central commitment if confirmed will be straightforward.
▶ 0:49:38Mr. Griffith: Ensure everyone of these organizations advances american values and interests. President trump says the united states has real potential. I believe that too. Potential is not performance. Many u.n. Bodies have drafted -- drifted far from their mandates. These organizations must return to their core mandates making sure that technical bodies stay technical and political issues are handled in the appropriate forums.
▶ 0:50:09Mr. Griffith: In vienna, this means advancing U.S. priorities of countering illicit drugs, disrupting transnational crime, criminals and terrorist networks, ensuring nuclear materials do not fall into the wrong hands, and insisting nuclear materials and technologies are used for exclusively peaceful purposes. The united states must help restore discipline, clarity and credibility to these institutions. In america first approach does not mean stepping back.
▶ 0:50:40Mr. Griffith: It means showing up with clarity about our interests and confidence in our values. If confirmed, I will work closely with our allies, traditional and nontraditional partners to ensure that vienna-based agencies reflect the principles we share. Transparency, accountability, and respect for sovereignty. These are important in the agencies in vienna covering issues that have real-world implications for americans everyday.
▶ 0:51:11Mr. Griffith: The work of the international atomic energy agency is critically important in nuclear safeguards, safety, security and peaceful use. The work is essential to U.S. national security interests. If confirmed, I will utilize the expertise of our team and interagency partners as a gauge -- engage in these complex matters, making sure the aiea delivers in a way that aligns with U.S. interests.
▶ 0:51:35Mr. Griffith: This includes keeping the aiea focused on holding iran accountable to its aiea safeguards, a requirement under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. President trump has been clear. United states will not allow the threat of a nuclear armed iran to destabilize the region. If confirmed, I will coordinate with other missions to support maximum pressure efforts through every available multilateral channel.
▶ 0:52:04Mr. Griffith: I will work to strengthen relationships and amplify U.S. messaging on why addressing this is so important. Across all this work accountability is essential. We must uphold the highest standards of transparency, professionalism and integrity and be prepared to enforce them. If confirmed, I will ensure the vienna-based organizations deliver by providing clear mandates. Thank you, chairman.
▶ 0:52:34Mr. Griffith: I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:52:35Chair Risch: Mr. cassady.
▶ 0:52:40Mr. Cassady: Distinguish members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. It's a profound honor to be not admitted -- nominated to serve as ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy. I'm grateful for the confidence of president trump and secretary rubio. I look forward to working with this committee to advance america's leadership in the digital age.
▶ 0:53:11Mr. Cassady: America is the world's leading technological power. We achieved the position not by accident, but there was a simple and enduring formula. Free enterprise, world-class research institutions, strong protection of intellectual property, free speech protection , limited and protectable regulation, and close collaboration between governments and the private sector. Economic security is national security.
▶ 0:53:44Mr. Cassady: The digital infrastructure that underpins the global economy from subsea cables and secure telecommand creations networks to data centers, semiconductors and satellites is now a strategically significant as sea lanes, airspace and energy routes in earlier eras. Protecting and strengthening the infrastructure is essential to preserving american power and prosperity. We are living through a technological transformation that will fundamentally reorder the global economy.
▶ 0:54:14Mr. Cassady: Artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, autonomy, robotics, related critical infrastructure and next generation telecommunications will shape productivity, military power, supply chains and global standards for decades to come. The nation that leads in innovating, deploying and securing these technologies will shape the rules of the international system deep into the 21st century.
▶ 0:54:41Mr. Cassady: Our competitors are investing heavily, seeking to steal intellectual property, censor or limit free speech, dominate supply chains and influence global regulatory standards in ways that advantage their systems and disadvantage hours. If digital infrastructure is built on an secure foundations, of trusted vendors are displaced by coercive factors, or global standards are written about respect to our values, we risk ceding strategic ground. That is unacceptable.
▶ 0:55:12Mr. Cassady: That's why cyber and digital diplomacy are indispensable tools of american statecraft. The beer of cyberspace and digital policy, cdp, plays a central role in aligning our diplomacy with our economic and security priorities. Cdp works across the inter-agency and with america's allies to secure supply chains, promote trusty technology, defend and open internet, and make sure stan is reflect democratic values and free enterprise principles.
▶ 0:55:43Mr. Cassady: Our diplomacy seeks to keep the global digital economy open for business, ensuring the innovative inches of the global economy is protected. Not constrained by discriminatory regulation, arbitrary data localization requirements, coercive practices, or insecure infrastructure dependencies. We must build coalitions of trusted partners who share our commitment to secure, resilient and open digital ecosystems.
▶ 0:56:10Mr. Cassady: I'm grateful to congress for authorizing the bureau of cyberspace and digital policy and for your continued oversight and partnership. The stakes are enormous and sustained engagement is essential. It would be the honor of a to serve in this role. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:56:30Chair Risch: Thank you, Mr. cassady. You came in under five minutes of good job. We will do a round of five-minute questions. I note the chairman stepped out to go vote and I think he's got some questions as well. I will begin and turn it over to the ranking member for her questions. Congratulations to all of our nominees and thank you to their families who are making it possible to serve our great nation.
▶ 0:57:01Chair Risch: Last year I led a codel to taiwan which was a partner that understands the threat from beijing and stepping up in a serious way. The initiative of the taiwanese people are being mobilized to withstand and push back against coercion. At the same time the government is pursuing meaningful military reforms, including strengthening its reserve forces.
▶ 0:57:29Chair Risch: Taiwan's legislature is working to increase defense spending with a $40 billion defense budget to meet the scale of the challenges they face. Taiwan is stepping up and they need a partner that is equally committed to their defense. The backlog in U.S. arms deliveries remains a serious problem. Critical systems from harping missiles to howitzers and f-16s have been delayed for years.
▶ 0:57:57Chair Risch: As china's threat continues to grow, that delay is unacceptable. Mr. white, my understanding is that these delays stem from both industrial-based constraints and inefficiencies in the arms sales process if confirmed, how would you implement the america first arms transfer strategy to reduce the backlog and accelerate deliveries to taiwan?
▶ 0:58:22Mr. White: Thank you for that question, senator. The president has embarked on a historic and aggressive reform of our defense sales. When it comes to taiwan in particular, I point out the president and secretary's $11.1 billion notification of arms sales last december as an example of the president and the secretary's commitment to
▶ 0:58:52Mr. White: Ensuring taiwan's self-defense. When it comes to the broader presidential reforms, the president needs to be commended on for the first time taking on all three legs of our defense trade process. When you look at a lot of prior reform efforts, where they feel is not having very sustained, high-level attention on all legs of the defense trade stool.
▶ 0:59:22Mr. White: You have the approval process for which congress and the state department heard a key part. You have the acquisition and contracting phase, and then you have industries ability to deliver. What makes a lot of the president's most recent reform efforts is that he's addressing all three of those simultaneously by executive action and working in close coordination with congress in doing so.
▶ 0:59:48Mr. White: When it comes to taiwan in particular, I would say a lot of the presidents reform efforts are directed towards getting the munitions and defensive equipment taiwan needs. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and ensuring we can do just that.
▶ 1:00:04Sen. Ricketts: Thank you very much. Congress does have a role to play. We can treat taiwan more like a close security partner by placing it in the nato plus category, shortening notification timelines and raising threshold for arms sales for this. I have introduced an act with senator coons which does exactly that.
▶ 1:00:30Sen. Ricketts: You believe efforts like the porcupine actor necessary to speed up arms deliveries and strengthen deterrence against communist china? Would you support these kinds of reforms?
▶ 1:00:40Mr. White: Thank you for the question. Yes, I agree with that and reemphasize united states has a long-standing one china policy which is dictated and directed by the taiwan relations act. The three joint communiqués and the six assurances. United states undersecretary rubio and president trump is committed to peace and stability across the taiwan strait. If confirmed, look forward to working with this committee on ways we can ensure we do that.
▶ 1:01:09Sen. Ricketts: Are you familiar wit the porcupine act?
▶ 1:01:16Mr. White: Not specifically.
▶ 1:01:17Sen. Ricketts: I have a little bit of a personal interest in that since I introduced it. . I'm running at a time on the questions. Can you talk about the coordinated interagency strategy to dissuade countries from pursuing chinese weapons? We were talking about our weapons, getting those out.
▶ 1:01:44Sen. Ricketts: Russia is a big provider but they are tied up with the word ukraine -- war in ukraine. China has been taking advantage of the fact that we have been slow to deliver arms in russia has been busy. -- and russia has been busy. Ackley make sure our partners are not buying chinese weapons?
▶ 1:02:05Mr. White: The bottom line is that the united states industries makes by far the best weapons of the world. We are by far the largest arms exporter in the world. We need to make sure we get our equipment to the right people on time when we say we will and export controls like itar should help make it easier to work with our closest partners and not impede the process.
▶ 1:02:35Mr. White: If confirmed, look forward to working with you and others on the committee to doing that.
▶ 1:02:38Sen. Ricketts: Thank you very much, Mr. y.
▶ 1:02:41Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Congratulations to all of our nominees this morning and thank you to you and your families and supporters who are here for your willingness to serve. I want to follow up with Mr. white on senator ricketts' questions about taiwan. Senator curtis and I led a delegation to taiwan two weeks ago. We were there to reinforce the positive partnership united states and taiwan have.
▶ 1:03:13Sen. Shaheen: One of the things we spent some time talking about is $40 billion defense package that is now going through the taiwan legislature. We talked about the sales that have been approved. Congress preapproved roughly $14 billion in arms sales to taiwan in january. I think senator ricketts referenced that a little bit. We have not heard from the administration and they have not submitted a congressional notification on the sales.
▶ 1:03:45Sen. Shaheen: It seems to me as we are looking at the president's to china next month that it would be a very strong message to send to have congress be notified that the administration is moving forward on those arms sales. Can you tell us what is holding us up?
▶ 1:04:08Mr. White: Thank you for the question and thank you to you and to your staff. It was great to meet with them and discuss this issue among others. As you point out, the president and secretary take our taiwan weapon sales seriously. The $11 billion back last december is a testament to that. I believe over the last decade is been about $40 billion total in foreign military sales.
▶ 1:04:37Sen. Shaheen: I'm interested in this $14 billion and when that will get notified.
▶ 1:04:44Mr. White: The department does not necessarily comment on potential or future arms sales, largely out of respect to a lot of the review and process. If confirmed, look forward to working closely with you and the committee on what we can do to help get taiwan the systems it needs for its self-defense.
▶ 1:05:04Sen. Shaheen: So you do commit to educating -- advocating for all post arms sales to taiwan be done without delay?
▶ 1:05:13Mr. White: Thank you for the question. If confirmed --
▶ 1:05:18Sen. Shaheen: That's a yes or no question.
▶ 1:05:20Mr. White: Yes, I commit to within my chain of command to doing just that, yes.
▶ 1:05:29Sen. Shaheen: Mr. breslow, the energy partnership act of 2090 repeal restrictions on the transfer of defense articles to the republic of cyprus. If the secretary confirms they are working with united states on anti-money laundering regulation and oversight, cyprus met the requirements every year since the full-scale invasion of ukraine.
▶ 1:05:55Sen. Shaheen: It's important to continue these efforts, in part to ensure that russia can't use cypriot jurisdiction for sanctions of asian, which we have had subversive activities in cyprus in the past. If confirmed, do you commit to prioritizing continued progress in cyprus with respect to money laundering for the implementation of the financial action task force recommendations?
▶ 1:06:20Mr. Breslow: Thank you for your question, senator, and also think you for allowing your staff to meet with me. I learned a lot from them. Yes, I do commit to do that. I think it is very, very important that we continue. I know the justice department and the fbi is working on a lot of these issues. We need to continue to do it.
▶ 1:06:56Mr. Breslow: Cyprus has worked hard to get to the point where bad actors are not allowed to do business in cyprus I think they will continue doing that and I'm doing everything I can help that.
▶ 1:07:10Sen. Shaheen: We try to be with all the nominees. I appreciate your willingness to meet with our staff. Mr. cassady, one of the issues we have been following in congress has been whether or not we are going to allow high-level semiconductors from nvidia to go to china. Do you have a view on that?
▶ 1:07:38Sen. Shaheen: We have heard some mixed messages coming out of the administration. Should we be providing those chips to china? What will be the impact if we do?
▶ 1:07:53Mr. Cassady: Thank you for the question. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to meet with your staff. I certainly believe this administration is seeking to balance important competing considerations as it relates to both economic prosperity and national security. If confirmed, that will be an issue I dig deeply into.
▶ 1:08:20Mr. Cassady: I have not had the benefit of being briefed at a classified level on many of those topics. While I don't have a strong point of view on that topic yet, I will very quickly develop one.
▶ 1:08:37Sen. Shaheen: I hope you will have a strong view. What we have heard in some briefings is that if we provide those high-level chips, gives china a jumpstart in terms of the industry in ways that they don't currently have and won't have unless we are providing those chips. I hope you will look into that one. Thank you.
▶ 1:09:03Chair Risch: I have a couple of questions. We will go over here. Mr. white, foreign military sales are always an issue. Obviously, the system is somewhat cumbersome. Probably by necessity, because of the shared responsibility and first branch of government and second branch of government.
▶ 1:09:30Chair Risch: The way it works after congress appropriates the funds and then obviously the administration -- you guys make a decision. Defense probably makes the decision. When you get a shot at it. Then it comes to us. My cell, counterparts and the other side.
▶ 1:09:58Chair Risch: Speaking from my own operation, we see lots of them all the time, every day. I have a system of going through that I think is pretty good. Having said that, we get a lot of complaints about it, about foot dragging and what have you.
▶ 1:10:16Chair Risch: In my system, if it is anything short of run-of-the-mill and is any kind of review that is necessary, it comes to the top of the pile to me. I deal with it within 24 hours. For whatever reason before it gets to us, the first branch of government does not seem to have the same sense of urgency.
▶ 1:10:44Chair Risch: I would urge you to take a look at that and see what you can do with it. Secondly, your thoughts?
▶ 1:10:52Mr. White: Thank you for that question, chairman. You rightfully point out our allies and partners for many years now have rightly criticized the delays within our system. It is a testament to president trump and secretary rubio for embarking on a truly historic reform effort along these lines. There have been no less than five executive orders targeted to the defense trade reformed issues. I would like to highlight a few.
▶ 1:11:23Mr. White: At the beginning of president trump second term he put on an executive order for speed and accountability. On the same day put out another executive order on reforming our acquisition process. In january of this year, he put out another executive order on protecting U.S. war fighter in defense contracting. Most lately he put out an executive order on establishing an america first arms transfer strategy.
▶ 1:11:52Mr. White: When you look at all those together you are seeing for the first time a president that at the gate of his administration is tackling all legs of our defense trade. That includes the approvals process, which is too slow and were most reform efforts are focused. The president is looking at those parts of our defense trade that take years.
▶ 1:12:16Mr. White: You rightly point out shaving off 24 hours is huge, but when you look at a lot of our acquisition systems and industry's ability to deliver, to see the president tackle those issues as well is really where we will see a lot of change where we are delivering to allies and partners in a timely manner. You are right. We need to focus on that front end approvals process. As I have told some of your staff, it is not congress that is the problem really.
▶ 1:12:48Mr. White: It's often times not even the U.S. government more broadly and our slow approvals process. It is the other parts. The acquisition he and contracting and industry ability to deliver. President trump has acknowledged there is room for improvement here. Will not happen overnight but he is turning the ship around.
▶ 1:13:08Chair Risch: I concur with that. The ship has been turned around to a degree. Again, it's one of the things we get complaints on. We try to move our end as quickly as possible even on a bipartisan basis to get those done. We urge you to continue focusing on those. Mr.
▶ 1:13:29Chair Risch: Griffith, one of the most important things you will do is keeping an eye on the aiea, the international atomic energy agency. I visited that agency some years back and I was aghast. It did not take me long to figure out those guys had no idea what they were doing and how disorganized they were.
▶ 1:13:57Chair Risch: Carrying out a function that is incredibly important to the world. Under the new leadership they have it is very different. But having said that, I want to stress to you that you need to keep one eye on that agency and looking at them at all times. I'm telling you. What they do their is incredibly important. A lot of it has to do with iran and has for recent decades. It is not just iran.
▶ 1:14:30Chair Risch: Now it is the other things with china and other people that test that should not be testing. I don't know how familiar you are with the agency or what they do or don't do, but your thoughts on that? >> I appreciate that information. I was at the department of energy in the first trump administration.
▶ 1:15:00Chair Risch: I agree, there is a lot of work to be done. I am a worker. I like to get engaged with a very talented career, civil service officers. Technical experts, nuclear scientists to make sure we are carrying out the mission of the iaea of advancing U.S.
▶ 1:15:24Chair Risch: Interests and ensuring they are doing their job and making the world more safe from nonproliferation risk. But also advancing the peaceful use of energy, as well. Should I be confirmed, you have my commitment to work with you and this committee.
▶ 1:15:47Chair Risch: I appreciate that. I walked in and said, what do you do here? I let them have at it. I tell you what, it did not take long to figure out they had a mission, there is no question about it but they had no handle on executing that mission. I would get over there and dig into it. I will tell you this -- I'm very satisfied with the guys running it now.
▶ 1:16:15Chair Risch: That could change in the immediate future. Keep at it.
▶ 1:16:18Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you. Mr. griffith, I will pick up where the chairman left off. I also visited the iaea and I was impressed with the depth of technical experience they had. I think the U.S. team did a good job making sure the iaea was doing what it was supposed to do.
▶ 1:16:45Sen. Van Hollen: As you know, the administration, president trump started the war in iran in part because he said he does not want iran to have a nuclear weapon and nobody wants iran to have a nuclear weapon. The truth is we had an agreement to prevent iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It was the jcpoa. It had very strict oversight requirements. They were monitored by the iaea.
▶ 1:17:14Sen. Van Hollen: You are familiar with those e? We may disagree about the agreement itself, the jcpoa, and whether it accomplished its intended result. But you would agree with me that iran complied with the terms of the jcpoa, right?
▶ 1:17:34Mr. Griffith: Thank you for your question, senator. I am familiar with the jcpoa. I was in the first administration when the president went through the united states because it did not go far enough.
▶ 1:17:48Sen. Van Hollen: A more narrow question -- I do not want to argue about the jcpoa and its terms. What I want you to tell me is whether you agree, like the iaea did, that iran was complying with the terms of the jcpoa.
▶ 1:18:08Mr. Griffith: As I understand there was some questionable -- there was uncertainty whether some of their undeclared activities, which were happening pre-jcpoa --
▶ 1:18:25Sen. Van Hollen: Mr. griffith, if you were at the white house during this period of time and working on energy issues you should know the trump administration, the U.S. government, when trump was in the white house the first time, certified iran was in compliance with the jcpoa. They did it every 90 days since the beginning 2016 and twice under the first trump administration until the president went through in 2018.
▶ 1:18:54Sen. Van Hollen: Are you familiar with the fact the trump administration certified a compliant twice?
▶ 1:18:58Mr. Griffith: I believe so. I cannot recall.
▶ 1:19:02Sen. Van Hollen: It is important you know that if you go to the iaea because there were intrusive measures. Iran was found to be in compliance by them and by two U.S. administrations including the trump administration before trump tore it up and here we are now in a war that the president decided to start that would have never started if we just extended the jcpoa. Mr. white, you are a lawyer, right?
▶ 1:19:32Mr. White: Yes.
▶ 1:19:34Sen. Van Hollen: And you served in the navy?
▶ 1:19:37Mr. White: Yes.
▶ 1:19:39Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you. Thank you for your service. You know the law of war, right?
▶ 1:19:45Mr. White: I am loosely familiar with it. I am not a practitioner.
▶ 1:19:50Sen. Van Hollen: You have been in charge of the political military affairs bureau since the beginning of the administration, right? You are the de facto leader.
▶ 1:20:02Mr. White: I have been at the bureau since the start of the second trump administration. I did not start in that role until the end of september last year.
▶ 1:20:12Sen. Van Hollen: Part of your job is to ensure compliance with the conventional arms transfer, right?
▶ 1:20:20Mr. White: Yes.
▶ 1:20:21Sen. Van Hollen: Under that policy, each sale must take into account the risk the transfer may contribute to violations of international humanitarian law.
▶ 1:20:31Mr. White: That is correct. Among other things that is part of it.
▶ 1:20:36Sen. Van Hollen: Are you aware that israeli -- israel's minister said all homes in lebanese villages near the border will be destroyed in accordance with the raffa model. Are you familiar with that?
▶ 1:20:56Mr. White: I'm not familiar with that specific quote.
▶ 1:20:59Sen. Van Hollen: I hope you will look into it. Rafah was literally wiped out. It is concerning to me that you and your colleagues did not look at these questions when you decided to advance the most recent batch of weapons sales to the netanyahu government. I just want to close with Mr.
▶ 1:21:30Sen. Van Hollen: Breslow, congratulations on your nomination. I thought a long-term interest in cyprus. Our bilateral relationship and ongoing efforts to reunify the island after the turkish invasion in the 1974. I heard the chairman's opening comments. There was one previous appointee in the 1980's. I happen to be a staff member on the committee when they were nominated and had there.
▶ 1:22:01Sen. Van Hollen: . -- had their hearing. It did not go civil in cyprus. That is why we have career folks who understand the history of cyprus. I have a different view of the decision to send a political appointee to cyprus.
▶ 1:22:23Sen. Van Hollen: My colleague senator rosen, we were talking and she ensured me you are someone who would dig into this and take it seriously despite your lack of prior connection to cyprus. I will end with a simple question -- will you commit to keeping myself and the members of the committee informed on a regular basis if necessary as to what your activities will be in cyprus?
▶ 1:22:47Mr. Breslow: Thank you for the question. Absolutely. I think it is a big part of my responsibility to not only inform this committee but also the secretary of state and the president about what is going on. Everybody in the united states needs to know. I appreciate your thoughtful feelings about cyprus. I think it is a great country.
▶ 1:23:16Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you.
▶ 1:23:18Chair Risch: Senator cruz.
▶ 1:23:20Sen. Cruz: Thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. griffith. It goes without saying the most immediate national security risk for the united states is the conflict with iran. Every one of the nominees is implicated by it, whether it be issues of security cooperation or cyber vulnerability. Or even the regime's attack on cyprus.
▶ 1:23:46Sen. Cruz: The core of the conflict in iran is iran's drive to build a nuclear weapons arsenal. Iran's regime is built on their pledge to eradicate america. I believe they would absolutely use such an arsenal to try to achieve that goal. President trump has shown generational courage and determination in ending the threat iran poses to us. His basic demand is for iran to stop enriching uranium.
▶ 1:24:14Sen. Cruz: Iran does not need to enrich ever. The only motive for doing so is to keep alive the nuclear weapons program. But pro-iran activists and advocates say iran has a right to enrich under the npt. It is something we hear all the time. In just the last few days we have seen it has been said by iranian regime officials, russian officials and even the wall street journal.
▶ 1:24:44Sen. Cruz: Of course, that claim is complete fiction. There is no such right under the npt, no U.S. administration has ever acknowledged such a right and iran is not a member of npt in good standing. Talk a little bit about this controversy, specifically the claim that iran has a right to enrich.
▶ 1:25:06Mr. Griffith: Thank you, senator, for your question. Part of the grand bargain with the npt was high standards of safety security, nonproliferation, and to unleash the atom for peace. There is a right, when you are in compliance with standards from the npt for peaceful use.
▶ 1:25:33Mr. Griffith: The president has been clear iran has not been allowed to have a nuclear weapon. If confirmed to this role, I will continue to support the administration's policies, and work with others to keep holding iran accountable for their noncompliance with the npt, their safeguards agreement and get to do that maximum pressure and enforcement of the sanctions on them.
▶ 1:26:04Sen. Cruz: Let's try to be clear and unequivocal. Do you agree that iran has zero right to enrich under the npt?
▶ 1:26:15Mr. Griffith: I agree with the president that iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I will support those efforts. I think we cannot trust iran to be able to enrich, in my personal opinion.
▶ 1:26:35Sen. Cruz: Mr. griffith, you need to sharpen the answer. I recognize that foggy bottom has a way to train people not to answer things yes and no, but clarity is helpful, particularly through the role to which you have been nominated. Mr. white, staying on iran but shifting, I want to ask you about the ongoing talks between israel and lebanon.
▶ 1:27:02Sen. Cruz: Under the biden and obama administrations, it was politicized and turned against her allies. Even on behalf of our adversaries. If confirmed you would be charged with aligning our security assistance with american national security interests. In lebanon, we have given billions of dollars over the years to lebanese forces. We have even paid for their individual salaries. President trump has made unprecedented progress in securing deals involving lebanon.
▶ 1:27:33Sen. Cruz: This week there was a conference in washington between the united states, israel and lebanon. But the lebanese government has refused to meet its obligations to disarm hezbollah. Instead are israeli allies have pushed ahead on an offensive to do with the lebanese government will not -- to eradicate the threat posed by hezbollah. The iranian regime is desperate to save hezbollah. They have sought to link a cease-fire in the gulf with a cease-fire in lebanon. They want to save hezbollah.
▶ 1:28:05Sen. Cruz: I believe we must firmly reject any such link for that reason. Let me ask you this -- in your judgment, why have we spent billions of dollars building up the lebanese state if they are considered a part of iran, and more specifically the iran conflict?
▶ 1:28:23Mr. White: Thank you for the question, senator, and thank you to you and your staff for meeting yesterday and this morning on these pressing issues. I'm not fully involved or have run into a lot of the talks happening right now, but you rightfully point out many concerns that I understand the president and the secretary have when it comes to the lebanese armed forces' ability to disarm hezbollah.
▶ 1:28:52Mr. White: Let me begin also by pointing out that the security relationship with israel is ironclad. The president and the secretary have been clear on that. I imagine a large part of the prior security assistance going to lebanon has been in the hopes that the lebanese armed forces, in particular, would be able to help in disarming hezbollah on behalf of the israelis.
▶ 1:29:16Mr. White: If confirmed, I look forward to working with you and this committee to ensure that we preserve and protect israel's qualitative military edge among other things. This feeds directly into that. If confirmed I look forward to working with you and your staff on this important issue.
▶ 1:29:33Chair Risch: Senator rosen.
▶ 1:29:37Sen. Rosen: Thank you for holding this important hearing. Thank you to everyone here today for your willingness to serve. Mr. breslow and your family, so good to see you again. Really appreciate you taking the step forward. We will start with you, Mr. breslow. It is good to see you again. For the past decade the uss developed an increasingly fruitful relationship with cyprus. The U.S.
▶ 1:30:06Sen. Rosen: Help fund the construction of a regional training hub. This serves as a training center where our partners learn to detect and address the threats posed by smugglers seeking to sneaky conventional weaponry, biological weapons and radioactive material through our seaports or airports.
▶ 1:30:32Sen. Rosen: Since its inception, cyclops has proven itself to be a resounding success, supporting original security interests. Mr. breslow, if confirmed to have your commitment you will continue to work with me to ensure the U.S. contributes its support for cyclops?
▶ 1:30:48Mr. Breslow: Thank you for your question, senator. Absolutely. I have heard a lot about it and how they work with the state of new jersey and do a lot of training. I think it is important that other countries are also participating. I would be more than happy to work with you and this committee and anyone else to continue the great program.
▶ 1:31:14Sen. Rosen: Thank you. Really appreciate that. I will move on to the iaea presence in iran. We have a little going on over there, too. Of always believed in iran's nuclear ambitions being a threat to the region and the globe, which is why they can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. I think everyone here is in agreement with that. We have set it over and over again.
▶ 1:31:42Sen. Rosen: This war might have damaged iran 's nuclear program but it is clear it was not totally obliterated. The president claims that pure to that end, I'm concerned a kinetic strategy not flickered iran's nuclear ambitions and need -- durable political and state. Do you think military means alone are sufficient to fully prevent iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapon?
▶ 1:32:10Mr. Griffith: Thank you for your question.
▶ 1:32:15Sen. Rosen: Yes or no? I only have a few minutes and I have different questions based on your answer.
▶ 1:32:23Mr. Griffith: I'm not in a position right now, I'm not in the role. I would defer to the president and his national security team on those decisions.
▶ 1:32:35Sen. Rosen: If you would have answered yes I would have asked you this -- can you explain why the threat from iran persists after the president said we completely obliterated iran's nuclear program last year? Do you think bombing iran's nuclear facilities every six months is a tenable strategy? You are here to answer our questions.
▶ 1:33:03Sen. Rosen: We have a responsibility among armed services and foreign relations, to our military, our country, the safety and security in the world. If you would have said no I would have been glad to hear that. If confirmed, what role would you envision the iaea playing to address the verification and monitoring of iran's nuclear program should an agreement be reached? If you are not able to answer that maybe we will have you come back and answer it later. I want to move onto Mr. white.
▶ 1:33:35Sen. Rosen: Mr. white, the administration has initiated diplomatic outreach to the ruling military in mali. They have lifted russian military lidded sanctions on top defense officials and floated increased security operation to counterterrorist groups in the region. What types of U.S.
▶ 1:33:58Sen. Rosen: Security cooperation would you advise offering to military and under what conditions if any, and how would you approach counterterrorism assistance in the region where some governments have exhibited anti-western behavior while simultaneously facing terrorist threats? I am ranking member on the counterterrorism subcommittee. I appreciate your answers.
▶ 1:34:24Mr. White: Thank you for that question, senator. I will point out kind of broadly, when it comes to our security assistance and foreign assistance in general, the secretary and president have directed us at the state department to make sure everything we do makes america safer, stronger, more prosperous.
▶ 1:34:46Sen. Rosen: I'm asking you about the sahel. We know when terrorists are in for training other countries around the world, embedding themselves, it makes us less safe. Could you just address issues in the sahel. I understand the president's policies.
▶ 1:35:09Mr. White: When it comes to giving assistance, there are some legal constraints. If confirmed I would have to examine those issues. You rightfully point out the president and secretary are committed to a counterterrorism agenda. If confirmed I look forward to working with you and your staff on how to pursue those means using assistance and other tools.
▶ 1:35:37Sen. Rosen: Security cooperation is different than assistance. Thank you.
▶ 1:35:49Sen. Kaine: Mr. white, I wanted to talk to you.
▶ 1:35:53Mr. White: Thank you for the question. I was on the uss olympia out of pearl harbor, hawaii. >> the bureau is responsible for processing lessons this and third-party transfers. A lot of items have been deregulated to transfers between the partners.
▶ 1:36:24Mr. White: The U.S. does maintain a list that requires licensing for transfers, some of these technologies to australia and the u.k. If confirmed, describe how you would approach the balance between safeguarding our most significant technologies while strengthening the partnership.
▶ 1:36:43Mr. White: Thank you for that question, senator. Thank you to you and your staff for the opportunity to talk about this and other issues. The president has been very clear. The united states government is full speed ahead. This confirmed I will be in charge of the pillar ii aspects of the framework including the exemption for the u.k.
▶ 1:37:09Mr. White: And australia which thanks to congress has been a huge success. My understanding is we are approaching 1000 authorized users. It is an example of what we can do more broadly in our defense reforms based but specifically for the u.k. Under strong if. It has been a huge success. My understanding is 80% of all defense trade between the u.k.
▶ 1:37:41Mr. White: And australia is currently covered by the license exemption. That means if you are an authorized user, you do not have to come to the state department for a license. The remaining 20% included on the excluded technologies list, the U.S. government has been directed to take a hard look at that. If confirmed I look forward to working with you and the department of war to pare that down. We agree that we need to be full speed ahead on aukus.
▶ 1:38:11Mr. White: I want to look for ways to improve the aukus framework and the way to do that is with the u.k. And australia exemption.
▶ 1:38:19Sen. Kaine: That is what I was hoping to hear and I'm confident you will do that. I like that you mentioned it as an example, if we get the balance right with australia and the u.k. There is not a reason this could not be a template for other nations we have the same degree of confidence in and their ability to protect critical technology.
▶ 1:38:43Sen. Kaine: I appreciate you looking at it not only as an aukus-focus initiative put what it might teach us in the long run. I have just one other question. In mid-march the trump administration used in emergency determination to expedite arms sale to the uae, jordan and kuwait without congressional review. Traditionally this kind of transfers require congressional review.
▶ 1:39:11Sen. Kaine: There are some circumstances where time is of the essence so I think there is an understanding were in those instances, things to happen even before congressional review. Many of the items in this particular sale will take years to deliver to countries. Do you know why there was an emergency authority used? How do you assess this question of bypassing congress on a transfer that is not likely to happen for a number of years?
▶ 1:39:40Mr. White: Thank you for that question, senator. If confirmed, I commit to absolutely looking to congress for your vital oversight responsibilities including the informal tier review process. With a lot of these emergency notifications, some of them are already part of the tier review process. Some of them might not have been.
▶ 1:40:06Mr. White: As a general rule, the secretary laid out a detailed explanation of the specific emergencies for each notification. I would say broadly, the united states government and the president and the secretary have been clear will extract to the maximum extent possible.
▶ 1:40:29Mr. White: Working closely, including a lot of our bases in the region, and support and defense of our U.S. service members that are there. A lot of this emergency notification, in accordance with the arms export control act, was driven by circumstances on the ground. My understanding is some of the equipment has been delivered. Forgot not to contracts. Having that time did make a difference in some cases.
▶ 1:40:59Mr. White: In those cases it might take years, which is a broader problem. In many cases that is a signal to our allies and partners in the region that have been impacted by iran's aggression in epic fury.
▶ 1:41:12Sen. Kaine: We have a good share and ranking -- we had a good chair and ranking in the take this seriously. We get the notifications and they do not sleep on them. They take them seriously. If it is something that has to go asap, we get that. On items that will not be transferred for a while, I urge you to stick to the plan. Get to the notification to the key officials.
▶ 1:41:44Sen. Kaine: If they are not being quick enough, how you can share that we can get better. They have generally done a good job. I encourage you to honor that, please.
▶ 1:41:56Chair Risch: Before you got here we had a spirited discussion about the delays that happen and whose fault it is. There are four of us in congress that can say yea or nay. I have a robust way of handling that. The administration is doing a lot better -- as you know, we get complaints all the time about this.
▶ 1:42:25Chair Risch: We are continuing to work on that and I think everyone is committed to do that. Senator shaheen and I have worked together on this. Thank you for bringing it up.
▶ 1:42:35Sen. Shaheen: I would reiterate what senator risch just said and what I find frustrating is there are a lot of people around capitol hill who blamed this committee and those of us who have to sign off on those notifications for the problem, and we are not the problem. The industrial base is the problem, sad to say.
▶ 1:43:03Sen. Shaheen: I hope you will make an effort to correct the misinformation on that. I have just one final question for Mr. steggerda -- did I pronounce that correctly?
▶ 1:43:14Mr. Steggerda: That was perfect. [laughter]
▶ 1:43:21Sen. Shaheen: Senator risch instructed me.
▶ 1:43:24Mr. Steggerda: I will take your pronunciation, thank you. [laughter]
▶ 1:43:28Sen. Shaheen: Before I asked my question I want to point out to you and Mr. griffith that we had a very informative hearing yesterday with the investors. If you have not watched that I hope you will do that, if you are confirmed. I think it is very instructive of how we can approach changes at the u.n.
▶ 1:43:50Sen. Shaheen: In ways that mean it is more effective and efficient without denigrating some of the good work that has been done. On that point, one of the things I raised yesterday that I want to raise with you, Mr. steggerda , is the U.S.
▶ 1:44:09Sen. Shaheen: Withdrawals from international organizations in geneva, many of those international organizations are responsible for setting global standards. What we are doing and withdrawing is leaving the playing field to china because it is china has been coming in behind us and is who is making the decisions. We are seeing that in terms of the global diplomatic footprint that china has around the world that we are not keeping up with.
▶ 1:44:41Sen. Shaheen: We are seeing it in terms of personnel with the you webinar personnel has declined and shyness has increased. It is all done in a way that gives china the ability to make decisions when we are not at the table. I know there is an assessment going on right now about which organizations we should continue membership in and wish you may want to withdraw from.
▶ 1:45:09Sen. Shaheen: Are there any particular organizations that you would advise the trump administration that we should withdraw from, and why? Or stay in, and why?
▶ 1:45:19Mr. Steggerda: Thank you, ranking member. Thank you for the opportunity to meet your staff. We had exhaustive discussion.
▶ 1:45:28Sen. Shaheen: Positive, I am sure.
▶ 1:45:31Mr. Steggerda: I very much appreciated the chance to read the minority report a couple weeks ago. I think the depth of the study on shyness and strategic pursuits was really informative I think it will be helpful for me to continue to have that in mind, if unconfirmed, and I make it to mission geneva.
▶ 1:45:57Mr. Steggerda: In terms of china, it is not news to this committee that it presents a tremendous strategic challenge. In geneva, from my study, from my meetings today, the preparations that have already had undertaking, it is pretty clear the pursuit of their strategic goals is pervasive.
▶ 1:46:22Mr. Steggerda: Ranging from things like declaring themselves a developing country and the so called leader of the g77. Trying to get chinese technology embedded in the international standards in the stas, try to get chinese nationals into the system, including leadership positions. I do understand the process of withdrawal as we try to get the u.n.
▶ 1:46:51Mr. Steggerda: Reoriented back toward its core mission. In terms of undermining the ability to counter china's pursuit of his strategic interests, I'm hopeful that it will not affect our ability to do that. I can tell you I will be focused on that should I be confirmed by the committee, thank you for the question.
▶ 1:47:14Sen. Shaheen: Should I assume you do not have any organizations in mind that you would recommend withdraw from
▶ 1:47:21The Echo Mr. Steggerda: Thank you, ranking member. I know there is an ongoing review. I know they are approaching it with diligence and care that the process demands, given the broader goals. Obviously I will know more, if and when I get into the position. I would be happy to continue to collaborate with the committee on both sides. As of this second I do not have a list of other organizations that are on the protection this for withdraw.
▶ 1:47:51Sen. Shaheen: Thank you.
▶ 1:47:53Chair Risch: With that we will conclude the hearing. I will include in the record any letters of support or otherwise we have received regarding these nominations. The record will remain open until close of business tomorrow, april 17, for members to submit questions for the record or other matters for the record. If you get a question, we would appreciate you get to it as quickly as possible. Thank you to all of you.
▶ 1:48:24Chair Risch: Thank you to your family for your willingness to serve. With that, committee is adjourned. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org]