▶ 0:21:34>> I want to welcome everyone here today. We are considering nominations of several very distinguished candidates. Ms. barbera thornhill and, nominated to be part of the state department monitor and combat trafficking, rank of ambassador at large. Mr. stanley brown, our nominee to be ambassador to equatorial guinea. Mr. keith noreika to be investor to lithuania. Mr. joseph burkhalter, nominated to be ambassador to moldova. And the honorable john hurley nominated to be U.S. ambassador to the organization of economic cooperation and.
▶ 0:22:05Just want to get some ground rules to begin the hearing today. We have some very important work to do here and very long time to get that accomplished. As a result, we will not tolerate any disruptions whatsoever in the committee. If anyone chooses to interrupt proceedings, I want you to know that you'll be removed promptly and be barred from attending any committee hearings for the next 12 months. I appreciate your understanding, look forward to a successful hearing. I'd like to organize some introductions for today's nominees.
▶ 0:22:35I will start with my friend and colleague senator cornyn who will introduce secretary hurley.
▶ 0:22:41Sen. Cornyn: Thank you comes to german. Senator kaine come good to see you. Thanks for holding this hearing. Is my pleasure to introduce a john hurley, someone I've known for a number of years. I actually met john through his father, and esteemed military historian, professor of academia, president of the university of north texas, eventually chancellor of the entire you into system.
▶ 0:23:07Sen. Cornyn: Was called an unsung hero of higher education by the dallas morning news. The apple does not far from the tree. From the first time john and my paths crossed, I knew this was somebody that I had a great and admiration spore and who loves our country and wanted to make it a better place for all.
▶ 0:23:36Sen. Cornyn: John graduated with honors from his father's alma mater, princeton, and lead the campus newspaper. Following graduation, he served in the U.S., awarded the bronze star during the first gulf war. He later earned his mba from stanford before embarking on what would become an exceedingly successful tenure in the private sector.
▶ 0:24:00Sen. Cornyn: He was also a participant on several nonprofit boards focused on national security and economic policy. 2019, president trump appointed john to serve on his intelligence advisory board where he offered the president and some of us in congress sage counsel on matters of national security. Most recently, john served as undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence within the treasury department.
▶ 0:24:28Sen. Cornyn: In this role, he was tireless in working to safeguard our nation's financial systems from the line for an interference and to counter illicit financing of terrorist networks and criminal groups. Thanks in no small part to his efforts, united states has imposed sanctions on drug cartels in mexico and across latin america to defund, dismantle narco trafficking operations that have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent americans.
▶ 0:24:56Sen. Cornyn: Suffice it to say, john has worn many hats to serve this country and is uniquely qualified for this new job to represent america on the world stage through the organisation for economic co-operation and development. The oecd plays an essential role in upholding the principles of a market-based economy to unleash prosperity for nearly 40 democracies around the world.
▶ 0:25:22Sen. Cornyn: I have no doubt that john's skill, sound judgment, and shrewd understanding of free markets and financial systems will serve him well in this new position.I look forward to supporting his nomination both here in the committee and on the floor. I would ask my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.
▶ 0:25:42Chair Hagerty: Thank you, senator cornyn. Senator cotton planned to be here to introduce Mr. keith noreika, our candidate for ambassador to lithuania. He is unable to do so, so he is asked me to read his statement into the record. I will do my best. I don't have the charm and appeal of senator cotton but I will do my best to do him justice.
▶ 0:26:07Chair Hagerty: And all the years I have known him, keith has been a man of admirable integrity, character and professionalism. An accomplished lawyer, keith works as a senior advisor at potomac global partners where he spearheads projects related to the U.S. banking industry. Keith and his partners were lead lawyers in the financial institution regulatory practice firm. During the previous trump administration, keith served as the acting comptroller at the office of the comptroller of the currency.
▶ 0:26:36Chair Hagerty: As acting comptroller, keith led the 4000 person in the agency toward increasing accountability, efficiency, and the ability to serve community credit and banking needs. Keep not only has an impressive track record but also has been recognized by chambers usa's as a leader in his field since 2014. These are among many reasons I'm proud to support keith noreika's nomination to be the new -- next ambassador to the republic of lithuania.
▶ 0:27:04Chair Hagerty: I encourage my colleagues to do so as well. Now, I will take the opportunity to turn to make some introductions myself to longtime friends and wonderful candidates today. First, I want to start with my friend barbera thornhill. Barbara is present trump's nominee to serve as a pastor at large and director of the state department's office to monitor and combat trafficking.
▶ 0:27:33Chair Hagerty: Barbara, your nomination comes at a critical time in our nation's efforts to combat human trafficking around the world. Trafficking exploits the vulnerable, destroys families, and undermines the rule of law. United states must continue to lead the fight to hold traffickers accountable, to support survivors come and work with partners to eradicate modern-day slavery. Barbera thornhill brings the judgment, compassion, and the leadership necessary to drive this mission.
▶ 0:28:02Chair Hagerty: Barbara has built a successful career as a business executive, civic leader, philanthropist in los angeles. She serves as president of impact design and has been deeply engaged in civic and cultural institutions. Notably, much of barber's philanthropic work is focused on protecting and supporting vulnerable children. As secretary of the board of the children's institute of los angeles, she helped to lead successful fundraising initiatives to support services for children and families impacted by family and community violence.
▶ 0:28:33Chair Hagerty: She also served as president of the colleagues, organization of women that has raised millions of dollars for more than 25 year to support the work of children's institute. Through these roles, barbara has demonstrated long-standing commitment to helping those in need, strengthening communities, and to supporting children and families facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These are the qualities and experience that we need in the state department's next director of the office to monitor and combat trafficking.
▶ 0:29:00Chair Hagerty: I'm confident that barber will explode -- excel in this role in ways that advance national security and will protect the vulnerable. I want to urge all of my conch colleagues to support her nomination. Now let me turn to my good friend john hurley, nominee to be our ambassador to the oecd. I've known john for nearly a decade and in that time I've come to know him and hold him in the highest regard. The oecd plays a critical role in shaping global economic policy among many of the world's most advanced economies.
▶ 0:29:29Chair Hagerty: At a time of intensifying economic competition, the united states needs a strong voice at the oecd who understands markets , understands national security, and the importance of advancing policies that strengthen american competitiveness. John is exactly the type of leader we need in this role. His love of country and sense of duty began early. After graduating with honors from princeton, john served five years in the U.S. army.
▶ 0:29:55Chair Hagerty: His service included a deployment to the first goal for it and the first cavalry division where he was awarded the bronze star. He also built a highly successful private sector career including as an analyst and portfolio manager, managing partner at boehm capitol, and then as managing partner of calorie asset management. Most recently, john served as undersecretary for the secretary for terrorism in financial intelligence.
▶ 0:30:22Chair Hagerty: He helped protect our financial system from abuse by bad actors and advance U.S. national security interests through economic statecraft. This is only some of john's deeps national security experience. During prison trumps first term, john served on the president's intelligence advisory board. He also served on several nonprofit boards focused on national security and economic policy.
▶ 0:30:45Chair Hagerty: Over the years, john has been a great resource and partner for my own thinking across a broad range of policy issues I've always appreciated his perspective, judgment, and deep understanding of both economic and national security challenges. The united states needs ambassador to the oecd who will promote our economic interests while defending free and fair competition. John hurley is exactly that person. I will urge this committee to move swiftly to support his nomination.
▶ 0:31:11Chair Hagerty: Before I turn to my colleague, senator kaine, his opening statement, I'd like to begin by thanking all of you for your willingness to serve the united states in these important roles. From washington to posts around the world, your work will be central to advancing america's priorities, strengthening our partnerships, and ensuring U.S. diplomacy produces results for the american people. Ms. thornhill, if confirmed as a director of office to monitor and combat trafficking persons, you lead U.S.
▶ 0:31:39Chair Hagerty: Efforts to prevent human trafficking, to protect victims, to prosecute traffickers, and work with foreign governments to strengthen the global fight against modern slavery. Mr. brown as U.S. ambassador of equatorial guinea, you would be responsible for advancing american interest, strengthening bilateral ties, promoting good governance, and human rights and supporting regional stability and economic opportunity in central africa Mr.
▶ 0:32:04Chair Hagerty: Noreika, as he was investor to lithuania, you represent the united states to an ally that has an answer president trump's call for greater burden sharing. With that the wiener committing 5.5% of its gdp to defense, your role will be to build on that foundation and further strengthen this vital partnership. Mr. burkhalter, as he ambassador to moldova, you would represent the united states in a country facing intense pressure from russia while securing its energy independence.
▶ 0:32:35Chair Hagerty: Deepening the country's ties with the west, your role would be to support bold's resilience while advancing strong U.S. moldova partnerships. Secretary hurley, as a messenger to the oecd, you would represent the united states in the form central to advancing progrowth economic policy. Strengthening cooperation among market democracies and interim international standards that reflect our interests and.
▶ 0:33:03Sen. Kaine: Thank you, senator hagerty. Congratulations to the nominees. You all are doubly fortunate. You are fortunate because you been nominated to represent the united states in really important positions. I look forward to your testimony and the back-and-forth dialogue today. You are doubly fortunate because the senate went on recess last night, and instead of facing withering cross-examination from 21 senators on this committee, virtually everyone has gone home to begin the july 4 recess.
▶ 0:33:34Sen. Kaine: I want to thank my colleague, senator hagerty, also a friend, for saying we should do this hearing because if we wait until the recess is over, it just backs up your being able to continue to your post, and they are important posts. I want to thank senator hagerty for taking the chairmanship of this hearing. As you can tell by my attire, I was planning on attending but not planning on being the ranking member.
▶ 0:34:03Sen. Kaine: They pulled me out of the scif where I was doing armed services work.
▶ 0:34:08Chair Hagerty: Thank you for joining us, senator kaine.
▶ 0:34:12Sen. Shaheen: These are very important posts. -- Sen. kaine: these are very important posts. The senator knows that he takes this very seriously, not only as a senator, member of the committee, but as a confirmed senate ambassador to japan, knows better than anybody how critical it is that we have confirmed public servants in these posts. We will have a good dialogue today I'm sure on a number of issues.
▶ 0:34:41Sen. Shaheen: I'm glad that we could keep this hearing going forward so that we can move expeditiously once the hearing is done.
▶ 0:34:46Chair Hagerty: Thank you, senator kaine. I will move to the opening statement from our panelists. Try to keep her statements to within five minutes. I will start with you, barbera thornhill.
▶ 0:35:01Ms. Thornhill: Chairman, acting chairman hagerty, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for considering my nomination to be the united states ambassador at large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons. I am honored by president trump's nomination and grateful for secretary rubio's to lead the department's antitrafficking efforts.
▶ 0:35:28Ms. Thornhill: If I may, I like to introduce my family and friends with me here today. My son and his partner emma, my cousins fred and fabien thornhill, and my longtime assistant, evelyn. Let me share a little bit about my background. I come from a loving family in north carolina long known for its involvement in health care and charitable work.
▶ 0:35:58Ms. Thornhill: My mother, a pediatrician, was one of the first women to go to duke medical school, and my father ,an ent, invented the procedure, an operation that led to the cochlear implant. A device that has helped millions of people hear again.
▶ 0:36:19Ms. Thornhill: More than his skill as a surgeon, it was my father's commitment to treating unserved people and providing them with blessings that we so often take for granted that inspires me even now and motivates me every day. I had the honor to live and work with mother teresa and the sisters of charity in calcutta in 1994.
▶ 0:36:45Ms. Thornhill: Lending an american heart and hands to the important work with children in orphanages, ailing homebound families, and to the destitute and dying in the hospice known as the home of the pure heart.
▶ 0:37:01Ms. Thornhill: In the united states, I worked extensively with the scout and bsa, formally known as boy scouts of america, and provided leadership and mentor use to help them climb the ladder of personal achievement and prepare them for life's struggles and challenges. This program has changed over 20,000 underprivileged adolescents, many in the foster system.
▶ 0:37:30Ms. Thornhill: I also worked with the truant institute in los angeles to provide basic needs, early childhood education, counseling, personal encouragement, and love for over 20 8000 children who have been abused and suffered other horrible traumas. I've had the privilege of working with laura burns, a survivor of child abuse, foster care, and trafficking herself.
▶ 0:37:57Ms. Thornhill: She is the founder of team project which operates residential programs trafficking victims. She created an app that connects victims with immediate rescue, treatment and transportation. A safe site is the only app in america at this moment that operates that way.
▶ 0:38:20Ms. Thornhill: My past community involvement has led me to the conviction that human trafficking is among the most brutal and reprehensible crimes where millions worldwide are used for forced and sex trafficking. Trafficking operates within and across borders using everything they can to exploit the week, mass migration, and supply chains.
▶ 0:38:50Ms. Thornhill: Confronting these crimes protects americans by inspiring their national rights, preventing their exploitation and defending communities and businesses from criminal networks and unfair labor practices. America is and always will be the leader in global fight against human trafficking which desecrates the principle of freedom, justice, and opportunities that are essential to a safe, prosperous, and
▶ 0:39:20Ms. Thornhill: Thriving global economy. Secretary rubio has set forth the department's mission to promote peace abroad and security and prosperity here at home. Combating human trafficking is vital to that mission. Ever since the trafficking victims protection act of 2000 was established, our federal anti-trafficking framework, the most important tool is our bipartisan commitment.
▶ 0:39:55Ms. Thornhill: The fight continues every day as traffickers adapt and exploit new technologies. The rise of online sexual victimization and forced labor schemes tied to online scams are especially alarming trends. Defrauding americans, trapping victims in schemes at home and abroad.
▶ 0:40:18Ms. Thornhill: This administration took the important step of signing to take it down act in may 2025 to combat online exploitation. We have sanctioned online scam operators using forced labor to steal billions from american families. If confirmed, I will build on these efforts.
▶ 0:40:45Ms. Thornhill: Forced to labor's distorts markets, allows foreign actors to abuse the global trading system at the expense of american workers and business. We must use every tool to combat forced labor and the global supply chains, and to shed light on forced labor schemes by adversaries.
▶ 0:41:06Ms. Thornhill: The annual trafficking in persons report is a powerful instrument for demanding accountability and pressuring governments to take meaningful action or face consequences. If confirmed, I would ensure the report continues to drive impact and that it guides U.S. efforts to counter human trafficking, ensuring our resources are directed for precisely to where they deliver the greatest result for the U.S. taxpayer.
▶ 0:41:39Ms. Thornhill: Ending human trafficking requires partnership. I am committed to engaging survivors of human trafficking as partners in their expertise shapes affected policies and provides insight into how traffickers operate.
▶ 0:41:57Ms. Thornhill: If confirmed, I will also prioritize strong interagency coordination, leading efforts to support president trump's agenda and bring the weight of the U.S. government to bear against the traffickers. As president trump stated, we renew our commitment to end the people of human trafficking and ensure traffickers face the full force of the american justice system.
▶ 0:42:28Ms. Thornhill: If confirmed, I will work with congress and our partners to relentlessly bring traffickers to justice, support victims, survivors, and defend american interest. I will work, that we will be measured not by our intentions, but by the lives that we protect, the voices we elevate, and the futures we help reclaim.
▶ 0:42:59Ms. Thornhill: Thank you. I look forward to your questions. >> chairman hagerty, ranking member kaine, the diverse members of the committee, my honor to appear before you as president trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to the republic of equatorial guinea. I deeply appreciate the confidence and trust of the president and secretary of state has shown to nominate me. If confirmed, I look forward to working with congress to advance our interests in equatorial guinea.
▶ 0:43:27Ms. Thornhill: I'm grateful today to my family, my wife who is here today, our children and their families who are watching for their support and sacrifices including during my time in uniform. I could not be here without their unwavering support as well as the department of war, state department family that sits behind me supporting me today. I am from a north carolina family of educators, farmers, first responders, military members who serve from world war ii through the goal for.
▶ 0:43:57Ms. Thornhill: I served first in the military and continued that service at the state department where I have the privilege to advance U.S. national security authorities. I spent my military career and civil service in challenging environments furthering these authorities including to cap terrorism, commercial diplomacy, supporting the safety of the U.S. citizens. U.S. energy companies have invested billions in equatorial guinea, and if confirmed, my priority will be to improve the investment climate and promote further opportunities for U.S.
▶ 0:44:27Ms. Thornhill: Companies. I will work with the government and like-minded partners to develop equatorial guinea's economic potential and look forward to encouraging investment into underdeveloped health and educational sectors. If confirmed, I will work also with the U.S. intra-agency and the government of equatorial guinea to enhance maritime security and the gulf of guinea. Mutual goals include the protection of offshore oil and gas facilities, countering piracy and illegal fishing.
▶ 0:44:57Ms. Thornhill: I will harness my foreign-policy experience is to strengthen our partnership in equatorial guinea. If confirmed, I will harness those to address corruption and will use U.S. influence to encourage the government to respect in amiable human rights and fundamental freedoms of all equatorial guinea inns. Combating trafficking and persons also remains a significant U.S. priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the talented, hard-working U.S.
▶ 0:45:24Ms. Thornhill: Mission team to achieve our objectives for promoting U.S. trade and investments and strengthening the relationship between our governments. If confirmed, I will prioritize the safety, health, and resilience of the U.S. embassy community under the eat those of one team, one mission. Coordinating in consultations with congress will be essential to achieving our goals. Chairman and ranking member, thank you for the opportunity to appear before.
▶ 0:45:53Ms. Thornhill: You today I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:45:56Chair Hagerty: Mr. keith noreika.
▶ 0:45:59Mr. Noreika: Chairman hagerty, ranking member kaine, this timbers members of the committee, it's an honor and privilege to appear before you today. I'm honored to be the nominee for the U.S. ambassador to the republic of lithuania. I think president trump and secretary rubio for their confidence in me. I like to begin by recognizing those who have made it possible for me to be where I am.
▶ 0:46:24Mr. Noreika: My parents, alex and gloria, my sisters, gloriana, marielle, my wife christina, and our three daughters alexa, erica, sophie. If confirmed, my first priority will be to ensure the security and welfare of U.S. citizens in lithuania and the people of our mission. I will also work to advance U.S.
▶ 0:46:47Mr. Noreika: Interests encouraging lithuania's engagement as a reliable nato ally, deepening our bilateral trade and entrepreneurship ties, and combating regional threats and transnational crime. Mr. chairman, the united states and lithuania celebrated one hundred four years of uninterrupted bilateral relations this year. That relationship have been marked by deep cooperation in areas that matter most.
▶ 0:47:18Mr. Noreika: Lithuanian exemplifies what it means to be a committed member of nato. Following a call by president trump, lithuania immediately announced commitments to exceed 5% of gdp on defense spending. This year, it will exceed that mark and lead the alliance in defense spending as a percentage of gdp. Lithuania invests in military capabilities including U.S. systems that at a real capability to our collective security.
▶ 0:47:49Mr. Noreika: It hosts U.S. and nato forces using national funds to improve facilities and ensure military readiness. Let them globally on security and peace missions, even as it polices its own borders. President trump have been clear that nato allies must meet their obligations. United states will no longer subsidize nations that refuse to pay their fair share for transatlantic security.
▶ 0:48:16Mr. Noreika: This is a point that lithuania understands and has four years pressed other european allies on. If confirmed, I will work to ensure lithuania continues on this path and becomes stronger, more capable, and able to contribute to its own defense. Together, we will strengthen european defense, improve the credibility of the collective security architecture, and dissuade adversaries.
▶ 0:48:44Mr. Noreika: I two countries cooperate broadly on an array of issues including sharing threat information, participating in joint exercises and providing law enforcement training. The pennsylvania national guard, let them in partner for more than 30 years, helps provide much of this expertise. If confirmed, I look forward to continuing our strong cooperation on these issues. Lithuania shares U.S. concerns about china's strategic alignment with maligned actors and pattern of economic coercion, especially in europe.
▶ 0:49:15Mr. Noreika: It is outspoken in the U.S. and elsewhere about western hemisphere issues including human rights abuses of the regime. Lithuania is a friend of israel. If confirmed, I will work with the lithuanian government to develop the peace through strength that president trump has called for. If confirmed, I will work to deepen U.S. trade and investment ties with lithuania to benefit the prosperity of both our peoples.
▶ 0:49:41Mr. Noreika: Lithuanian companies are creating jobs in the united states, and lithuania's vibrant economy has long been an attractive destination for investment by U.S. companies. Nowhere is this truer than in the area of energy. More than 75% of lithuanian liquefied natural gas imports now come from the united states, and as lithuania looks to purchase small modular nuclear reactors, there are abundant opportunities to deepen our energy relationship.
▶ 0:50:12Mr. Noreika: Lithuania shares our view on keeping markets open with low regulation and taxes. Mr. chairman, the relationship between the united states and lithuania is strong and helps secure core U.S. interests lithuania lithuania. Has played an active role in advancing our shared security and economic priorities. If confirmed by the senate, I look forward to deepening our cooperation to confront shared challenges and promote U.S. interests.
▶ 0:50:41Mr. Noreika: Again, I'm grateful for the opportunity to appear before you today. I welcome your questions. Thank you.
▶ 0:50:47Chair Hagerty: Thank you. Mr. joseph burkhalter.
▶ 0:50:57Mr. Burkhalter: Good morning. Chairman hagerty, ricky member kane, senator cornyn, honored here to appear as the nominee to ambassador for the republic of moldova. I'm grateful to president trump for the trustee has placed in me for this nomination. I'm committed to serve the american people this important role. Before I continue, I want to introduce the most important people in my life. My loving wife of 40 years, gina, who I met here in washington.
▶ 0:51:26Mr. Burkhalter: We were both hill staffers working for different members of congress. We understand everything aboutcodels, all that comes with it. Our three amazing children, accomplished children, daughter natalie who is with me today, her soon-to-be son-in-law -- our soon-to-be son-in-law, tom is here, our son sam, daughter-in-law lauren, daughter olivia, and our son-in-law robbie.
▶ 0:51:55Mr. Burkhalter: Last, but certainly not least, the most blessings in our life, our grandchildren. Isabella, roman, luca. Special thanks to my father who passed many years ago but I know is watching from a better place today. To my sweetest mom, anyone could ever have, who unfortunately cannot be here today due to some health challenges.
▶ 0:52:16Mr. Burkhalter: Only with the support of my loving family was able to build a successful real estate developer and company can't be elected speaker of the house and the georgia house of representatives, then later work overseas or the last 16 years in two different law firms. On public service, I want to sincerely thank every member of this committee for your service and the sacrifice of our families have made. As you know, public service is a calling, and it's a noble cause.
▶ 0:52:45Mr. Burkhalter: If confirmed as ambassador -- one other note. Go off script here for a minute for senator kaine. A mutual friend of ours. He sends his regards to you. I spoke to him yesterday, former governor lauren barnes. I wanted to make sure that I snuck that in. If confirmed as a best or moldova, my top priorities will be safety and security of the U.S. citizens and moldova in advancing american interests.
▶ 0:53:13Mr. Burkhalter: United states and moldova enjoy close partnership built on years of sustained U.S. engagement and support formal davos democracy. U.S. sponsored exchange programs have engaged nearly 7000 mold opens creating enduring relationships that help us advance shared goals. The top objective being you you secession. Committed to deepening the bilateral relationship.
▶ 0:53:44Mr. Burkhalter: Recent hallmarks of bilateral cooperation include moldova's april 2020 six decision to eliminate tariffs on almost all U.S. goods and our decision to build $130 million high-voltage transmission line to strengthen mold those west ties to western energy. Energy security is a key tenet of our bilateral relationship. Over the past few years, moldova has diversified energy imports, improved regional interconnectivity.
▶ 0:54:13Mr. Burkhalter: If confirmed, I will work to expand opportunities for U.S. energy secretary exports to moldova. Likewise, I will continue supporting cooperation on cybersecurity to help secure the united states and unlock new commercial opportunities for U.S. businesses. If confirmed, I'll work to support presidential peace initiatives include the work of special presidential envoys and others who are tirelessly working to resolve the conflict between russia and ukraine on multiple blows motor.
▶ 0:54:43Mr. Burkhalter: I will also support any future presidential efforts to help resolve the long frozen conflict in transistor area, should assistant become necessary. In conclusion, I'd be honored to serve as ambassador to moldova. If confirmed, I will look to advance U.S. priorities, protect american citizens, and strengthen our bilateral relationship. I look forward to working with this committee and our partners to deliver on these objectives. Thank you for your consideration. I welcome any and all questions.
▶ 0:55:14Chair Hagerty: Thank you undersecretary john hurley.
▶ 0:55:23Mr. Hurley: Thank, senator hagerty, senator cornyn, senator kaine. It's a great honor to appear as the U.S. rep is it did to the organisation for economic co-operation and development. I'm very grateful to president trump and secretary rubio for their trust and confidence in me. I'm also very grateful for, and humbled by, the tremendous support overseas from my family and friends throughout this process. My three sons very much wanted to be here today but work obligations in new york and the captain's career course at fort benning disrupted those plans.
▶ 0:55:54Mr. Hurley: Also not with us today but very much in my thoughts is my late wife and her family, my late father, brigadier general elford hurley, my 96-year-old mother joanna hurley, and my three brothers and sisters. Kindly standing in for them are some close friend behind me. Under president trump's leadership, america is building, investing, and growing again.
▶ 0:56:17Mr. Hurley: The president has put american jobs, american manufacturing, and american prosperity first, and has required our partners and allies to accept more equable terms of trade and burden sharing. The oecd can and should be integral to this process. It's 38-member economies all share a common commitment to market principles, democratic values, and the rule of law.
▶ 0:56:40Mr. Hurley: Making the oecd one of the very few international venues to develop standards free from the interference of nonmarket economies like the people's republic of china and russia. Using massive industrial subsidies, intellectual property theft, and milan political influence, authoritarian regimes have gained economic advantage and pitted our nation's businesses and governments against each other.
▶ 0:57:04Mr. Hurley: Under president trump's leadership, we finally began to confront these threats including early steps to address dangerous supply chain dependencies that threaten our prosperity and our national security. When functioning at its best, the oecd provides the objective data driven research and the forum to develop and coordinate economic policies with our like-minded friends that maximize common prosperity and resist these dire threats.
▶ 0:57:32Mr. Hurley: It should guide its member economies toward intelligent, progrowth, tax and regulatory and energy policies and anticipate and help rectify the economic vulnerabilities long before we are forced to react to them. I come to this role and before this committee with a mix of private sector, government, academic experience, that prepare them well to advocate well for the united states and our principles and priorities at the oecd.
▶ 0:57:57Mr. Hurley: I spent over 30 years investing in technology companies and building an that -- served in the army, on the president's advisory board, and on the boards of a long list of institutions dedicated to freedom, prosperity, and national security. In my most recent role as undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, I've collaborated closely with our allies to protect the global financial system and counter our adversaries.
▶ 0:58:24Mr. Hurley: In those discussions, I have shared with our foreign partners that I'm the son and nephew of career U.S. or for -- air force officers, the brother and father of two army officers, and a former army officer myself. Since the inception of the cold war, my family and I have served side-by-side with our allies in europe, asia, and the middle east, and we are deeply committed to these alliances and partnerships.
▶ 0:58:49Mr. Hurley: But in these discussions, I've also been very frank about the failure of many of our partners to heed president trump's warnings about underfunded militaries, economic dependence on adversaries, and malign foreign influence. I firmly believe cooperation with like-minded allies and partners can be a force multiplier and make both our friends and ourselves safer and more prosperous. Like president trump and sec.
▶ 0:59:14Mr. Hurley: Rubio, I also believe that to be sustainable, these alliances and trade relationships must be fair, balanced, and serve the interests of the american people. Mr. chairman, our fellow americans need us to engage with our partners to protect peace, freedom and prosperity, and provide our businesses with open and reliable markets. If confirmed by this committee, the needs and security of those citizens will always be my primary concern.
▶ 0:59:40Mr. Hurley: If confirmed, look forward to leaving the talented and dedicated state department professionals on our oecd teen and to work closely with you, this committee, and its staff, my interagency partners. Thank you. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 1:00:00Chair Hagerty: I noticed many family members and support networks are here today. The fact that your loved one has been nominated to be an ambassador is certainly an honor for their family, but it's also an obligation that I know that you appreciate, you will come to appreciate even more because they will need your support. They will appreciate your support. Frankly, those of you going to foreign countries are going to be looked upon as representatives of america yourself.
▶ 1:00:28Chair Hagerty: So my complements and appreciation to all the families and friends that are here to support the nominees today. Mr. hurley, I like to start with you. The united states has long used our role at the oecd to advance market-based principles and international rules in a way that supports not only our own economic and strategic interests but also those of our trading partners.
▶ 1:00:51Chair Hagerty: In the past two years, it seems the oecd is somehow lost its focus on its core issues and been sidetracked by a variety of things such as esg related initiatives that actually stifle competition and hurt our economic security. This includes projects like the "inclusive forum on carbon mitigation approaches" and the business due diligence guidelines. That advocate practices that in many cases are antibusiness.
▶ 1:01:20Chair Hagerty: My question for you, secretary hurley, if confirmed, how will you use america's presence at the oecd to keep the organization focused on pro-competition and progrowth policies?
▶ 1:01:32Mr. Hurley: Thank you very much, senator. Over the last few months, and preparing for this role, I've had a chance to go and read a lot about the history of the oecd. Founded in 1961, coming after the marshall plan, which succeeded.
▶ 1:01:56Mr. Hurley: In my view, the oecd, the best version of itself focuses on prosperity and security. By providing accurate, data-driven information on which to base good decisions and the forum for like-minded friends to get together and develop strategies to enhance that prosperity and security. That should be exclusively the focus of the oecd.
▶ 1:02:28Mr. Hurley: While there are these other issues that we have been distracted by in recent years, I think it needs to be focused itself on the core mission.
▶ 1:02:36Chair Hagerty: The core mission reminds me of the fact that post-world war ii, we put in place very favorable terms of trade for our partners, countries that have become our partners, whose economies were devastated after the war. I am thinking of japan, but importantly europe, where you'll be serving. Because we didn't put a time limit on it, gdp per capita limit, often we have these imbalanced relationships.
▶ 1:03:05Chair Hagerty: I think you'll find yourself partnering with our U.S. trade representative's, members of the department of commerce, treasury, you know these organizations well. I think it will be a real challenge to continue to advocate for policies that are not only good for the members of the oecd who are allies, but also that are fair for america. Do you have any comments on that position?
▶ 1:03:25Mr. Hurley: Sir, you and I are both market guys. I think we understand in our bones that if you make markets more efficient, it can be a win-win for everyone. There is more for everyone. A line that I have used at my firm for many years, the truth is remarkably persuasive. I so firmly believe that core truth.
▶ 1:03:57Mr. Hurley: Hopefully, we will be able to make that point to our allies and explain to them these imbalances. In the short-term, they can benefit. In the long term, it is destructive to our relationship.
▶ 1:04:11Chair Hagerty: Appreciate that perspective. Ms. thornhill, other could turn to you. As I think about what transpired between 2021 and 2024, our southern border was open, it invited cartel activity, human trafficking activity at levels that are unprecedented. If I think about what the cartels have done with respect to human trafficking through latin america and across the southern border, deeply concerning.
▶ 1:04:41Chair Hagerty: I like to get your perspective on how you would utilize this office, if concerned --confirmed, to address those issues?
▶ 1:04:47Ms. Thornhill: Thank you for the question. Criminal cartels basically depend on drug trafficking, smuggling, and human trafficking to finance their hermit's activities. -- horrendous activities. President trump under his leadership, has secured our borders and cut the trafficking routes. If I'm confirmed, I will continue to support the efforts.
▶ 1:05:21Chair Hagerty: One final point I like to make about your charge, and that has to do with the actual trafficking in persons report itself. As a former ambassador, I don't with input to that, the ramifications of the report. There are growing concerns of the country rankings that come out in the report may not actually reflect considerations that were established by congress in law, it may actually go beyond that.
▶ 1:05:50Chair Hagerty: I would like to get your commitment to focus on ensuring the integrity of that report, and that it stick to the congressional mandate that was laid out for it.
▶ 1:05:59Ms. Thornhill: Thank you for the question. One of the strengths of the tip report is that it holds the U.S. as to the same standards as other countries. Last year, the dedicated people in the office issued a very strong tip report.
▶ 1:06:19Ms. Thornhill: Secretary rubio issued the statement that this report is so important because it pressures governments to do something about human trafficking, or if not, to face serious consequences. If I am confirmed, I will continue to work on this policy.
▶ 1:06:40Chair Hagerty: Thank you, Ms. thornhill. Senator kaine.
▶ 1:06:45Sen. Kaine: Thank you, Mr. chair. I have questions for each of these witnesses, so it may go longer than five. Maybe I will hand back to you and we can go back and forth. Ms. thornhill, I want to start with you on the tip report. I think it is so important not only for the united states but setting a global, world standard. The trump administration, through staff reductions at state, have reduced the staff in this unit by about 70%.
▶ 1:07:13Sen. Kaine: That led the tip report last year, which is supposed to be done by june 30, to be a couple of months late. Obviously, you are not there now, june 30 is in a couple of days, so we cannot hold you to that. I don't really need you to answer this, but I am troubled about our ability to have the tip report be that gold standard with a significant staff reduction.
▶ 1:07:37Sen. Kaine: I hope, should you get there, your commitment to the tip report being that gold standard will lead you to ask for additional resources to comply and make that come to continue the tip report as the gold standard that can be done in a timely basis. I hope that you'll do that. Here is what I want to ask about. You said in response to a question from one of my colleagues, one of the positive things about the tip report is that it holds the united states to the same standards as other countries.
▶ 1:08:04Sen. Kaine: Here is a concern that I'm expressing this committee before, and it deals with operation southern sphere which is the operation to strike both in the eastern pacific and caribbean near and around ecuador and venezuela. We have secretary rubio here with the last couple of weeks and I asked him these questions. Much of the operations is classified. I really cannot describe it.
▶ 1:08:32Sen. Kaine: One of the things I'm not allowed to describe is the targeting criteria used to decide which boats to strike. But I can talk about things that are not targeting criteria. As an armed services committee member, I've been very disturbed to find that the presence of drugs on a craft is not one of the targeting criteria. It could have been one of the targeting criteria but it is not one of the targeting criteria.
▶ 1:09:02Sen. Kaine: There has been public reporting on certain strikes that have led pentagon officials to say that it is at least likely that some of the victims killed in these strikes are human trafficking victims. The organization that are designated as designated terrorist organizations on the secret list by the president includes some organizations that don't normally do not go but human trafficking.
▶ 1:09:31Sen. Kaine: When a boat is struck doesn't have any evidence of drugs aboard but lots of people on it, there is some suggestion in public reporting that some of those killed by the U.S. military strikes are, in fact, human trafficking victims. I would like your commitment, that should you be confirmed to this position, that you would work with my office to ensure, to the best of our ability. These strikes are being carried out by the dod, not department of state.
▶ 1:10:01Sen. Kaine: But I would like your commitment that you will work with my office to make sure that reporting, for example, the tip report, those hold all nations to an equal standard. And if there are U.S. activities that are leading to casualties among human trafficking victims, that is something that should we -- that we should get to the bottom of, be transparent with the american public. Can you make that commitment to me?
▶ 1:10:28Ms. Thornhill: Thank you for the question and the statement. I make the commitment that I would be delighted to work with your office and learn from your office. Also, restructure and have nothing to do with the administration's to trafficking.
▶ 1:10:52Ms. Thornhill: I feel that -- the boat, I'm sorry, I'm not aware of your fax on the boat. I would have to speak with you and get back to the committee.
▶ 1:11:01Sen. Kaine: I am not expecting that you are aware, this is public reporting has been discussed in this committee often. You are not there now. This is not in your current portfolio. But the chair has hurt me raise this issue before. We do need to have a uniform standard applied to all. I look forward to working with you on that. Mr. hurley, in your position at treasury, have you been involved in sanctions policy and tariff policy?
▶ 1:11:29Mr. Hurley: Yes, sir.
▶ 1:11:31Sen. Kaine: Were you involved in decisions with respect to the sanctioning of brazilian supreme court justice alexandria on july 30, 2025?
▶ 1:11:45Mr. Hurley: Yes, I was.
▶ 1:11:48Sen. Kaine: Were you involved in the discussion by the administration about impositions against brazil that were imposed on that same day, july 30, 2025?
▶ 1:11:59Mr. Hurley: I was not involved in the tariff discussion but I was involved in the designation.
▶ 1:12:05Sen. Kaine: On the same day, july 30, 2025, the trump administration imposed ieepa emergency tariffs against brazil, there were some pre-existing tariffs, but this was an additional 40% tariff, declaring it to be an economic emergency for the united states, that brazil was prosecuting former president joe your bolsonaro.
▶ 1:12:33Sen. Kaine: The president said that was an economic emergency for the united states and imposed a 40% additional tariff on brazil. Mr. hurley was not involved in that decision. On the same day, he was involved in a decision to sanction the supreme court justice of brazil, who by understanding about legal system, was involved in that prosecution. Mr.
▶ 1:12:54Sen. Kaine: Hurley, told the committee why a brazilian supreme court justice involved in a local prosecution on a political corruption case warranted the united states sanctions against him.
▶ 1:13:09Mr. Hurley: The view from the white house and treasury, my personal view are all in sync. The judge's behavior was reprehensible and abuse of power against a political opponent, rose to the standard required to sanction.
▶ 1:13:29Sen. Kaine: Tell me other judges around the world that you sanctioned because you didn't like what they were doing within their country's domestic legal system.
▶ 1:13:40Mr. Hurley: It's a good question, sir. I would have to go look at precedence. The judge on this case, they say for every section we impose, there is a whole variety of tests we have to go through for sanctions. If I remember correctly, this is under the state department, human rights abuses rules. We had great confidence from my entire legal team to come across treasury, white house counsel, that we could let this stand.
▶ 1:14:11Sen. Kaine: This was widely reported at the time, both the sanction and the tariff against all products from brazil as a current because president bolsonaro is a friend of president trump. The tariffs led to a senate resolution that I lead that was a bipartisan resolution to reject the president's declaration that this prosecution was an economic emergency for the united states.
▶ 1:14:42Sen. Kaine: And the supreme court later in february 2026 struck down tariffs imposed under ieepa on the theory that the president cannot use it to impose tariffs. But the kind of selective use of powers like sanctions or tariffs because, well, this figure in another country is a friend of the president, and we don't like somebody going after him. It was almost unprecedented.
▶ 1:15:09Sen. Kaine: I don't call myself the sanctions expert, like I know every use of sanctions we have ever imposed. But I've been here for 13 years. I view it as almost impressive. To your knowledge, have assumptions -- to your knowledge, have the sanctions against the judge been lifted?
▶ 1:15:25Mr. Hurley: Thank you for the question. We spend a great deal of time looking at the history of sanctions and trying to reform one of the things I am proud of and I know secretary bessent is proud of is the total number of gross sanctions that we issued in the last year is a fraction of the sanctions issued by the biden administration in the previous year.
▶ 1:15:50Mr. Hurley: If you look on a net basis, there were sanctions we imposed in the sanctions that we removed, dramatically below our predecessor's. Like you, I think these are very important tools that we need to use sparingly, to use with precision weapons as -- not as carpet bombs.
▶ 1:16:11Mr. Hurley: Our predecessors did not do as good of a job as a should have an I would love to talk to you at some point about some of the statistics we had on the impact we had in iran, the cartels, to use the sanctions for the highest best use. In this particular case, sir, you are right. Not long after we imposed sanctions on the judge, the decision was made to remove them.
▶ 1:16:36Sen. Kaine: And that was welcome that was welcome. The issue on the sanctions and how you should use them and how frequently is important. If you're going to be sanctioning terrorists from sanctioning terrorist organizations, that is one thing. That is at war what the sanctions were designed to do we had -- to do. Sanctioning negation prosecution about a matter within the domestic politics of that country is quite unusual.
▶ 1:17:08Sen. Kaine: That would be something I would look forward to.
▶ 1:17:11Mr. Hurley: I think there are 19,000 stn's out there right now and one of the biggest initiatives that sec. Bessent and brad smith focused on was going back to look at those 19,000 designated individuals and evaluate those designations for exactly what you have described to make sure there is no one who on further review or with better judgment wouldn't do today.
▶ 1:17:39Mr. Hurley: Especially given, especially with the previous four years, significant reuse.
▶ 1:17:45Sen. Kaine: The point I'm making is that if they were overused and the goal is to narrow them, then why use them in a case such as this? I will leave that question out there. Let me ask Mr. burkhalter about a very important country an important part of the world right now, mulled over do you share the assessment of the leaders that a russian victory in ukraine could expose her own country to intensified the russian aggression in the future?
▶ 1:18:14Mr. Burkhalter: Thank you for the question. I believe it would and already has. Almost one million refugees from ukraine came in through modova. Still about 100,000 of them now, which the U.S. through agencies are contribute and to help out the situation. Imagine one million people coming across sure border in a country of 2.5 million people. It is certainly a smaller country. It has a profound impact.
▶ 1:18:44Sen. Kaine: In a country like that, moldova has done a good thing by being open in that way to this crisis on its border. You are not there yet but talk a little bit about the approach you would take in interacting with the government should you be confirmed to help them ward off negative effects of russian aggression.
▶ 1:19:05Mr. Burkhalter: The border, talking about energy independence, as you know, reliant upon russia for energy for some time and they have now turned their conductivity toward the west. It is still gas and oil is expensive, inflation is high, but I would certainly with the border, I think the work the work U.S.
▶ 1:19:34Mr. Burkhalter: Is doing assisting them is going a long way in this regard to help the problem. Yes, if confirmed, I would certainly encourage our continued efforts to train and supply their border patrol with the necessary tools to make sure human trafficking is not coming through the border, arms are not coming to the border, drugs are
▶ 1:20:05Mr. Burkhalter: Not coming to the border, and bad actors are not coming to the border.
▶ 1:20:08Sen. Kaine: I am glad you mention the energy independence because that is an area where the U.S. can also be really helpful is to continue to turn their focus on maintaining their energy portfolio away from russian energy. Mr. noriega, I'm glad you brought up lithuania's super dedication to the nato investment.
▶ 1:20:38Sen. Kaine: One of the positive aspects about president's encouragement of nato allies and I would say also a positive of the negative influence of vladimir putin's invasion of ukraine has been nato allies dramatically increasing their investment levels. We were at a fraction of the nato allies meeting their commitment and now all do.
▶ 1:21:02Sen. Kaine: And we still have a long way to go because we realize we need to increase the commitment but that the when you has been a real star. I guess they probably have been the star because they realize more than most how dangerous russia is on their borders. I have a picture I cherish of my sunday and promoted to captain on a snowy field in lithuania in the middle of a deployment with european reassurance initiative. They are very aware of the threat and they are really strong in investment. Do you see opportunities for the U.S.
▶ 1:21:31Sen. Kaine: And lithuania to do coproduction or do other work in the kind of defense cooperation space that can enable them to be even stronger?
▶ 1:21:41Mr. Noreika: Thank you for the question. Yes, I mean, it is very close relationship as I understand it just been briefed on it from here, but yes, I think one of my goals is to deepen the relationship as much as possible. I look forward to working with the committee to do that.
▶ 1:21:59Sen. Kaine: Mr. brown, I'm not going to leave you out. I don't need to be disappointed so I'm going to ask a question of you, too. I think the chair for giving me some grace on time.
▶ 1:22:15Sen. Kaine: In march, just a couple of months back, the associated press reported equatorial guinea , and this is a quote from the article "authoritarian petro state signed a secretive deal with the trump administration and has become a transit hub for deported migrants." this is part of a broader policy where the trump administration is deciding to deport individuals not to their countries of origin, but to
▶ 1:22:46Sen. Kaine: Strike deals with countries that will allow us to send folks to them and they will imprison or incarcerated for some period of time, usually later to help them go back to their countries of origin. I am nervous about this.
▶ 1:23:04Sen. Kaine: I am nervous about this because we have had a hard time getting information from the administration about these deals , about the conditions in which people are incarcerated in these third countries. About whether there is any due process there so somebody could show, hey, you've got the wrong person, I should not have been deported. My name may be the name of someone you're looking for, but it is not me.
▶ 1:23:31Sen. Kaine: We have utilized in the senate a 502(b) to try to get information about what we are paying the nations, how many third-party detainees are the accepting, what are the conditions in the jails or prisons where they are holding people, how long they are there. Thus far, it is been virtually impossible for us to get information about this. I guess -- you are the career person here.
▶ 1:23:58Sen. Kaine: Have you had any in your work up to this point any participation or been engaged in discussions about these third party transfers and the agreements under which these countries are holding deportees from the united states?
▶ 1:24:16Mr. Brown: Thank you for your question. I am aware that equatorial guinea, I guess early on, volunteered to take third country nationals to their country and a number been transferred there, I think in the 30's or something like that. Relatively small number. I was not involved in the discussion of the agreements. I know that fell under another bureau. I am happy to work with this committee as we go forward in those discussions.
▶ 1:24:47Mr. Brown: And I know in that regard, we want to make sure the respective human rights of all people.
▶ 1:24:56Sen. Kaine: I appreciate that and I would expect that based on your long record of service to the united states. Should you be confirmed, we would like to have a cop -- a follow-up discussion. As the oversight committee, I think we should have some window into these agreements, the conditions under which people are held, whether they have the ability to demonstrate that may be they are not justifiably held . All of those importance are important for it we would like to follow up with you.
▶ 1:25:23Chair Hagerty: Thank you, senator kaine, thank you for joining me to host this important hearing to meet the candidates along. I'm going to take one more point before I adjourn the hearing. That is with you, Mr. noreika. You have talked about the outstanding performance of lithuania as our partner for us, particularly on foreign military sales. My staff and I have spent a great deal of time on this effort.
▶ 1:25:51Chair Hagerty: It was a top priority for me to address a broken process. I mean overly cumbersome, lots of bureaucracy, leading to far more time than anybody would want to deliver our commitments. I would encourage you to take a very hard look when you get to post if you're confirmed and to the extent, stating the obvious, the role each of you are taking, it is vital -- and you have a
▶ 1:26:21Chair Hagerty: Lot of sway with the administration, representing our nation in a foreign government, representing our nation in an important mission -- but utilize that. Utilize the clout you have to try to move forward. I think lithuania is probably a top prospect of becoming an example of how the foreign military sales process can be improved. You have a very willing partner. I want to make that encouraging statement to you.
▶ 1:26:49Chair Hagerty: I want to thank everybody for their time today, for being here. It has been an impressive hearing. I think it is clear why the president has chosen each of you to be nominees. Before closing, any letters of support this committee has received for any of you will be added to the record. Members of the committee, the record will remain open until the close of business monday, june 29 for members to submit questions for the record. With that, this hearing is adjourned. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org]