▶ 0:17:06Chair Risch: Good morning, this hearing will come to order. I want to thank all of you who have put yourself forward to serve our country, thank you for your service and willingness to serve and to your families. This is the long tradition of this committee, this hearing has a zero-tolerance policy on disruptions. >> what about disruptions from senators?
▶ 0:17:33Chair Risch: [laughter] >> particularly senators from new jersey. [laughter] >> you will be removed promptly. I appreciate all of you understanding that and I look forward to a great hearing.
▶ 0:17:48Chair Risch: Today, the committee will consider the nominations of donald blome, christopher anderson, douglas mastriano, daniel perez, and laurence socha .
▶ 0:18:09Chair Risch: I know some of my colleagues have introductions to make and I would like to begin by introducing douglas mastriano, then I will turn to my colleague senator daines. I could not introduce doug without mentioning his wife rebecca who joins him here today. They met as students at eastern university near philadelphia where she worked on his campaign for class vice president.
▶ 0:18:40Chair Risch: That began with late nights and painting the school's famous graffiti rock only to be chased by a determined swan, a campaign partnership became a lifelong love story. Nearly 12 years overseas, multiple combat deployments, thank you, so glad you are here, thank you for once again taking the call to service.
▶ 0:19:05Chair Risch: To introduce doug not just as a highly qualified nominee but as a pennsylvanian, who has dedicated his career to serving the army. He patrolled the east german and czech borders, our paths crossed on the battlefield in operation desert storm, following the fight, his regiment advanced to the euphrates where it was released -- relieved by elements
▶ 0:19:37Chair Risch: Of our unit. Following the attacks on september 11, he helped build the coalition to support the mission for reorganization. He led multinational intel coordination in brussels and strategic assessments across europe and turkey. Rising to the rank of colonel, he was deployed three times to afghanistan, leading personnel from 18 nations.
▶ 0:20:08Chair Risch: In addition to his service on the battlefield, he is a man of letters, he taught strategy and national security to the next generation of senior military leaders, he holds a phd and four masters degrees and is the author of several award-winning books.
▶ 0:20:30Chair Risch: Since 2019 he has represented the people of pennsylvania in the 33rd senatorial district of the people of pennsylvania in the pennsylvania senate. The slovak republic is an important nato ally located at the strategic crossroads of central europe and at a time when that alliance faces significant security challenges, an alliance I strongly support, this relationship needs a leader
▶ 0:21:00Chair Risch: With first-hand experience working alongside our allies with an unwavering commitment to advancing america's interests. I'm confident he will represent the united states with great professionalism and integrity. I urge my fellow members of the committee to support him, support this good man for this important position. Thank you for your willingness to serve, senator. Let me turn to senator daines for his introduction of Mr. anderson.
▶ 0:21:28Sen. Daines: Thank you. Today I truly have the honor of introducing christopher anderson , president trump's nominee for abbasid or to cambodia. He hails from baron wisconsin. A small town of population 3000 where I'm told there are more turkeys than people and he is a lot of things. The husband to jen sitting right behind him and the father of charlette.
▶ 0:21:59Sen. Daines: But he is also my national security advisor on my team. He has served in my office for over four years where he has led on all things related to foreign policy, defense, cybersecurity, sanctions, and veterans affairs. His long career began in february 2009 when following graduation from the university of wisconsin, he decided to a list in the army.
▶ 0:22:30Sen. Daines: He deployed to afghanistan where he conducted clearance and lead man in combat environments. Following his service, he moved to washington, D.C. where he got his first job in the senate working for my colleague and his home state senator ron johnson. After two years to a senator johnson, he moved over to senator bill cassidy as a military and legislative assistant.
▶ 0:22:56Sen. Daines: Upon president trump selection in 2017, he once again answer the call to serve and took a job as senior advisor to secretary of the v.a. He then pursued a masters degree in product management from penn state university, I saved this specifically for the chairman's benefit, prior to joining my team.
▶ 0:23:24Sen. Daines: China's extensive experience dealing with foreign governments, negotiated agreements, advanced legislation, and managing personnel. He has been one of my most trusted advisors providing steady, insightful advice that has informed much of the work I've done here in this committee. He has traveled extensively across the end of pacific, understands the core issues facing U.S.
▶ 0:23:48Sen. Daines: Interests in the region, he sits before us an army veteran, a seasoned foreign relations expert, a committed professional who has spent the last 17 years working one of the front lines of U.S. national security. He embodies the best of american public service answering the call time and again serving in this position with honor and integrity and determination.
▶ 0:24:21Sen. Daines: Has vast experience and dogged commitment to american interests make him uniquely qualified to serve in the some basilar post. I spent a number of hours with secretary rubio monday as we were traveling from montana back to washington, D.C., I spoke about krista the secretary and he said the important role he will play in cambodia, a very strategic part of our geography at the moment with a lot of needs for the right kind of leader on the ground.
▶ 0:24:50Sen. Daines: I'm certain our country will be safer, more secure, more prosperous with him in cambodia. We are going to miss having him in my office, but I know my team is incredibly proud as I am. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:25:05Chair Mccormick: Thank you, senator. Next up, senator scott.
▶ 0:25:10Senator Scott: Today I'm honored to introduce daniel perez, a very good friend of mine, a resident of our great state of florida and the nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the federal republic of brazil. He and his wife and their young children, nice to see you, residents of miami-dade county, one of florida's most vibrant regions. The gateway to south america.
▶ 0:25:48Senator Scott: He graduated from all boys catholic school, university of new orleans college of law. He won a special election to fill a vacancy in the florida legislature and he has had the opportunity to be the florida speaker of the house. He served a consequential term as speaker. I've never seen a florida house speaker build deeper relationships with his members or do more to empower the people he leads. The unwavering loyalty of his house members is a testament to his character and integrity.
▶ 0:26:30Senator Scott: In the years since my time as governor ended, the budget has grown at an alarming rate. He was the first major leader in tallahassee to say enough is enough. I've known danny for many years, he is committed to doing a good job and everything he does. Danny listens when people talk, he is always excited to meet new people and learn new things.
▶ 0:26:56Senator Scott: He never allows himself to be outworked and strives to do right by his family and his state. Presale is an incredibly important and strategic nation and I know danny will go above and beyond and make everyone proud of his service as the U.S. ambassador. I encourage all of my colleagues to support him.
▶ 0:27:17Chair Mccormick: Thank you, senator scott. Before I turned to senator rosen, I would like to again begin thanking our nominees and your families for your willingness to serve in these important roles at this very challenging moment. 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.
▶ 0:27:46Chair Mccormick: Since hamas' brutal terror attack against israel on october 2023, the middle east and north africa region have undergone profound change. Iran and its network of terrorist proxies have been significantly weekend and from syria to lebanon I now see a region full of unprecedented opportunities but these also come with risk.
▶ 0:28:07Chair Mccormick: As is six then -- assistant secretary for near east affairs, you will lay a critical role helping navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. I'm hoping that you enchanted with our key regional partners can help build a safer and more prosperous north africa and middle east while ensuring american national security interests remain at the forefront of policies toward that region. Mr.
▶ 0:28:32Chair Mccormick: Anderson, our relationship with cambodia is a challenging one but I'm confident you will be up to the task of managing or expanding ties while ensuring that we push back on china's growing malign influence. I'm curious to hear your views on how the U.S. can leverage tools to promote lasting peace between thailand and cambodia, secure our interests encounter chinese malign influence.
▶ 0:29:01Chair Mccormick: U.S.-slovakia cooperation is essential in advancing economic prosperity in the region. As slovakia and its neighbors turn away from russian energy, the U.S. and pennsylvania are poised to be a leader, especially in the field of smr technology, which slovakia aims to adopt from the united states.
▶ 0:29:23Chair Mccormick: As war rages across slovakia's border with ukraine and russia continues to threaten escalation against our allies it is critical that you reinforce the united states strong commitment to article five and counter russian efforts to undermine this alliance. Mr. perez, strong and bilateral relations with brazil are of great importance to the united states.
▶ 0:29:55Chair Mccormick: The largest economy in latin america and a major non-nato ally. Last month, the trump administration designated narco terrorists as criminal organizations.
▶ 0:30:17Chair Mccormick: Their control over ports in critical mineral projects, your ability to work with brazil these priorities will be key to our success. Mr. socha, think you for your service, the united states' relationship with gambia has evolved dramatically in the last decades. Working to build a new future for their country and dealing with a painful history.
▶ 0:30:54Sen. Rosen: I want to thank all the nominees for your willingness to serve our country. That you have served and that you are willing to go forward. I want to think your families wherever they are and I know some of them are here today. We hear that beautiful baby in the back and we know that they are all supporting you. You have each been nominated at a consequential moment for american foreign policy.
▶ 0:31:22Sen. Rosen: Our alliances are under strain, conflicts and multiple regions continue to threaten global stability and this administration has created new challenges for U.S. leadership. At the same time, the administration has significantly cut its communication with this committee, making oversight and consultation increasingly impossible. Lack of transparency has been especially evident when it comes to the middle east.
▶ 0:31:53Sen. Rosen: Despite repeated commitments from the state department including directly from secretary rubio, this committee has only received sporadic engagement and limited on critical issues on our national security. Just last month, secretary rubio told this committee that the war with iraq ended.
▶ 0:32:16Sen. Rosen: Since then, the president has declared the cease-fire overcome the strikes ever zoomed and how we are hearing the president wants the united states to serve as a guardian over the strait of hormuz. We are in a war. With the president promising we will police critical waterways, the other side of the world will little to no information from the administration.
▶ 0:32:44Sen. Rosen: Congress and the american people deserve clear, consistent communication about our military commitments. We owe that to the men and women who serve our country and our diplomatic strategy. Ambassador, I'm encourage the administration has nominated a distinguished career member of the distinguished foreign service as such a pivotal time.
▶ 0:33:16Sen. Rosen: Having served in democrat and republican administrations, you understand the value of diplomacy, institutional expertise and congressional oversight. I hope you will prioritize regular candid communication with congress and provide the transparency needed as the united states navigates increasingly volatile region and another protracted war in the middle east. Mr. perez, Mr. anderson, and Mr.
▶ 0:33:44Sen. Rosen: Socha, I hope we can rely on each one of you to be committed to open communication with congress whether you are working with fewer resources, managing bilateral relationships or implementing policies, we demand
▶ 0:34:15Sen. Rosen: Honest communication and reporting. Finally, Mr. mastery in oh -- Mr. mastriano, I have serious concerns about your nomination.
▶ 0:34:35Sen. Rosen: If confirmed, you would represent the united states, all americans, to the people of slovakia and eu member state, while leading a diverse embassy team. Given your record I have significant questions and I will be asking about whether you can credibly fulfill that responsibility. You have denied the results of a free and fair U.S.
▶ 0:35:00Sen. Rosen: Election, you have supported efforts to overturn those results, used campaign funds to transport those two the january 6 riot, compared your loss and abortion to the holocaust, you have worn a confederate flag and associated with known holocaust deniers.
▶ 0:35:27Sen. Rosen: I find it difficult to reconcile that with the responsibility of recognizing our kind -- representing our country to a close european allies so I look forward to hearing from you how you will represent all americans of all faiths and of all backgrounds in a way that respects our diversity and democratic traditions.
▶ 0:35:51Sen. Rosen: I want to thank again all the nominees for your willingness to serve and for appearing before the committee today. In a forward to your testimony.
▶ 0:36:00Chair Mccormick: Thank you, senator rosen. We will now turn to the nominees for your opening statements. Mr. blome.
▶ 0:36:09Mr. Blome: Chairman, ranking member, and members of the committee, thank you for the privilege of coming before you today as the president's nominee to serve as a second secretary for near eastern affairs at the U.S. department of state. I've spent more than 30 years in the foreign service, much of that in the countries covered by this bureau and I'm honored president trump nominated me for this position.
▶ 0:36:38Mr. Blome: I look forward to working with this committee in the near east region. I have with me today my wife debbie and my children, they have shared with me the honor of representing the country abroad and another interesting adventures. I want to thank them.
▶ 0:37:05Mr. Blome: The middle east goals for the northeast and africa are clear, to seek to prevent iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The second is promoting U.S. prosperity and creating jobs and investment opportunities for american workers around the region.
▶ 0:37:29Mr. Blome: Iran is a common thread running through the region's challenges and absent an agreement if confirmed I will continue to advance maximum international pressure on iran, denying the regime resources to fund terrorism and regional aggression. But we also see opportunities and I support the administration's commitment to build on the abraham accords and normalization agreements which is imperative for regional security and economic integration.
▶ 0:38:00Mr. Blome: Iraq, syria, lebanon provide potentially transformative opportunities today that we must engage on. We must increase U.S. competitiveness in the region as every project secured by an american company strengthens U.S. influence will denying strategic opportunities to our competitors.
▶ 0:38:22Mr. Blome: We must remain clear eyed about the challenges and we must recognize the potential for progress that advances american security, prosperity, and global leadership. If confirmed I look forward to working with you on these issues. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:38:37Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Mr. anderson?
▶ 0:38:41Mr. Anderson: Good morning chairman mccormick, ranking member rosen, distinguished members of the committee. It's an honor to appear before you today, I'm grateful for president trump and secretary rubio's trust in me in nominating me to serve as abbasid or to the kingdom of cambodia. My wife is my rock and I wouldn't be here today without her support. She was joined by my daughter charlotte.
▶ 0:39:14Mr. Anderson: I was going to make a joke about leniency of her protest but she has already been removed. [laughter] I also need to thank my parents for their support, investment, it is tough to put in the words however feels to be on this side of the hearing today. I usually spend my time back against the wall trying not to be noticed.
▶ 0:39:46Mr. Anderson: The opportunity to receive this nomination and simply testify before you today is not something I thought I would ever be afforded. A group the son of a tractor salesman and a music teacher so it no point did I see an ambassador nomination in the future. On the heels of our nation's 250th birthday it does remind me how lucky I am to be an american. Over the last 17 years I worked for three senators, president trump's first administration, and served in the army.
▶ 0:40:19Mr. Anderson: I've always worked to protect america's interests at home and abroad. I pledge to continue to pursue U.S. foreign relations with the devotion you will know me for. Throughout my tenure with this institution I've worked with most if not all of your office, I've always prided myself on free-flowing and sometimes frank communication, the management of equities and the ability to advance the mission without fanfare or publicity.
▶ 0:40:47Mr. Anderson: If confirmed I plan on employing these virtues and service of the united states. The U.S. cambodia relationship is fundamentally in a stronger place.
▶ 0:41:22Mr. Anderson: It opened a new chapter in the administration and it is an opportunity the trump administration is building on. It depends on taking concrete action on several fronts. My top priority would be dismantling online scams and the criminal networks behind them.
▶ 0:41:51Mr. Anderson: These operations have stolen tens of billions of dollars from american citizens. If confirmed I will work with cambodian counterparts and regional counterparts to deliver results. I'm ready to serve I will submit the rest of my testimony for the record.
▶ 0:42:19Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Douglas mastriano -- Mr. mastriano.
▶ 0:42:32Mr. Mastriano: As chairman of the pennsylvania emergency preparedness and veterans affairs, it also feels odd to be on this side. As president trump's nominee to serve as the next united states abbasid or to the slovak republic. I'm deeply grateful to the president for his confidence and for this committee for considering my nomination and I would like to recognize my wife.
▶ 0:42:52Mr. Mastriano: For nearly 39 years, through an army career of great sacrifice starting off in the cold war and the iron curtain in the case of a soviet attack we were prepared to evacuate, 12 moves, 12 years overseas, service to the nation that I just can't describe, without her love and support, I would not be here today and I'm grateful for our son who is supporting america's mission in the horn of africa and he with
▶ 0:43:25Mr. Mastriano: His wife and our granddaughter continue our family's tradition of service which started with my dad who had a career in the navy, two brothers in the marine corps. And their legacy inspired me to commit my life to the army. I'm also pleased to be joined by my former legislative director and members of my senate staff and constituent services.
▶ 0:43:55Mr. Mastriano: Thank you so much for sacrificing so much time to be here. For more than 30 years I serve side-by-side with coalition allied partners and even in some of the central asian republics.
▶ 0:44:22Mr. Mastriano: I worked closely with our nato allies around portions of the world. Latvia and lithuania, I deployed on six nato and I have memories
▶ 0:44:57Mr. Mastriano: That would last a lifetime it has been an honor to wear the uniform in the service of this nation and as I was fading away to get a sweet army job, no kernel left behind, as they say, I was challenged to get into public service.
▶ 0:45:23Mr. Mastriano: I had top-secret access, I was respected across the united states army, referred to as a subject matter expert, entering the world of politics he recalled everything but a good man. My experiences in the united states army reaffirmed my belief in peace through strength.
▶ 0:45:44Mr. Mastriano: My responsibility would be clear , to faithfully implement the foreign policy, strengthen the relationship with slovakia, and advance the interests of the american people. Second I will strengthen the strategic partnership by that is
▶ 0:46:18Mr. Mastriano: A big, important goal, creating new opportunities. Slovakia is a key central and important nato ally geographically of europe. I will faithfully represent the president of the united states, strengthen our alliance, and work to make america safer, stronger and more prosperous and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:46:46Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Mr. perez.
▶ 0:46:49Mr. Perez: Thank you. Chairman mccormick, ranking member rosen, and distinguished members of the senate foreign relations committee, it's an honor to appear before you today and I'm grateful for your time in service to this nation.
▶ 0:47:07Mr. Perez: I'm deeply honored president trump has nominated me to serve as the united states ambassador to the federative republic of brazil and I think secretary rubio for his confident -- confidence and friendship. Senator scott, thank you for your generous introduction and your dedication to florida and this country. To my wife, my three children, and my parents that sit behind me, thank you for your continued support.
▶ 0:47:34Mr. Perez: Brazil is not simply our largest trading partner in south america, it is a country of continental scale, extraordinary natural wealth, and growing strategic consequence, one whose trajectory over the coming years will shape the security, prosperity of the entire western hemisphere. The stakes are high and the opportunities are real.
▶ 0:48:00Mr. Perez: Brazil holds fast reserves of critical minerals essential to economic strength and national security. It sits at the center of trade and infrastructure and it faces real security challenges from transnational criminal organizations threatening american communities to the expanding across the region.
▶ 0:48:39Mr. Perez: One of the most vibrant multicultural communities in the world top me how to listen, how to find common ground, and help to build trust across different cultures. I learned that clarity, integrity, and follow-through are the foundations of effective governance. I will bring those same principles to the embassy in brasília.
▶ 0:49:06Mr. Perez: My highest priorities will be the protection of american citizens in brazil, the advancement of our national interest in trade and investment and the destruction of narcotics and transnational crime in the building of resilient partnerships that serve the american economy that serve the american worker.
▶ 0:49:31Mr. Perez: I will also support free and fair elections and freedom of expression because a stable, democratic brazil is a better partner in the united states. The opportunity of confirmed to represent the united states of america abroad is the privilege of a lifetime. I pledge to this committee will work tirelessly to advance our national interests, strengthen this critical partnership and make our country proud.
▶ 0:50:02Mr. Perez: I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:50:04Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Mr. socha?
▶ 0:50:10Mr. Socha: Thank you. I'm grateful to appear before you today. I'm deeply honored by president trump's nomination in the confidence of secretary rubio to serve as the united states representative to the gambia. I worked to represent the values that define our nation.
▶ 0:50:34Mr. Socha: I'm here today because of the hard work of a kid who minded his father's store in chicopee, massachusetts, because an italian-american family escaped mussolini's in 1930 and because a nurse and a pharmacist fell in love and hospital in chicago 50 years ago. My grandparents and parents, the value of integrity and the importance of hard work.
▶ 0:51:00Mr. Socha: They supported the dreams of my sister and me and together with my wife denise who I'm grateful said yes to me and my journey, I worked to follow this example for my boys, santiago and marcello.
▶ 0:51:21Mr. Socha: I have been privileged to represent the united states in 12 countries across four continents, dedicating a third of my career to strengthening relationships, I have shared the american story with my foreign service colleagues, well unclear I'd the majority of african voices I heard were positive.
▶ 0:51:56Mr. Socha: In 2016 after 22 years of authoritarian rule, the gambian people courageously voted for and achieved the countries first transfer of power since independence serving as a positive example of what is positive -- possible. I will have no higher priority in the gambia than the safety and security of U.S. citizens. This includes our mission team doing work and the peace corps volunteers who serve in communities across the country.
▶ 0:52:27Mr. Socha: Their dedication and professionalism alongside that of her locally employed staff advance american interests every day. I would work to deepen our economic partnerships. Strategic partnerships, the deep water ports in river represent opportunities for american investment, I would advocate for american businesses in the gambia, worked to remove nontariff barriers and work to promote an environment where american enterprise can create jobs and advance interests for
▶ 0:52:58Mr. Socha: Both our countries. I would prioritize american security interests. The gambia has proven itself a reliable partner in combating transnational threats and contributes troops to peacekeeping missions and has supported international fora. I would work with the gambia to assume an increasingly active role in advancing regional peace and security.
▶ 0:53:25Mr. Socha: Poverty remains widespread, youth unemployment drives irregular migration, the gambian government faces severe restraints. It creates vulnerabilities that are strategic adversaries like china are eager to exploit. To build prosperity through democratic governance and economic prosperity.
▶ 0:53:54Mr. Socha: If confirmed, this is the partnership I seek to advance. Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:54:00Chair Mccormick: Thank you. We are now going to begin questions. I'm going to defer my questions and turned to senator daines.
▶ 0:54:09Senator Daines: Thank you. Mr. anderson, because of the trump administration's collaboration last year, we saw a peace agreement between thailand and cambodia that stopped the bloodied border clash. You alluded to that, how do you see regional partnerships and forums as sub platforms for closer cooperation across southeast asia?
▶ 0:54:41Senator Daines: >> thank you for that question, not only the U.S. and also our regional allies in the area are asking. It is a significant regional partner and I look forward to working with ambassador kim to advance those priorities but as we work toward a larger spectrum of tools in the region one of the most prominent is the mequon U.S.
▶ 0:55:08Senator Daines: Partnership, a regional platform that embraces economic and natural resource cooperation among the five countries of the mequon region to include joint ventures with japan to give a regional shop in the arm.
▶ 0:55:34Sen. Daines: Earlier this year, the uss cincinnati visited cambodia's naval base, the visit was intended to strengthen the ties and reaffirm U.S. access to the port following chinese funded expansion. It was a promising moment in our military ties with a critical southeast asia country.
▶ 0:56:00Sen. Daines: How do you foresee the future of U.S.-cambodia security cooperation?
▶ 0:56:07Mr. Anderson: Again, think you, sir, and I can't emphasize, this is again a question that our allies are asking about the region, the naval bases open to all friendly nations. Yet most countries around the globe question whether that is a reality.
▶ 0:56:36Mr. Anderson: I think the first part of answering your question is engagement. And then looking forward at how to pursue those partnerships in an incremental, measured way as we match with productivity increasing the U.S.-bilateral ties. Seeing things move forward together, not just pushing an investment and hoping for change on the backend.
▶ 0:57:02Sen. Daines: U.S. investment in cambodia frankly has been limited, especially when compared to its neighbors in vietnam and thailand. Economic ties have been such a part of U.S.
▶ 0:57:14Sen. Daines: Relations in southeast asia but really we haven't found major success yet where you are headed, can you talk a little bit about why the investment climate in cambodia has historically been difficult as well as how you would work to bring more U.S. business investment into the country?
▶ 0:57:45Mr. Anderson: Top priorities for me would be scam centers and economic frameworks. It is firmly within the scope of this authority. Governments and private business desirable or -- desire stable outlooks and cambodia has not had that predictable nature.
▶ 0:58:22Mr. Anderson: The goal would be engagement and engagement. And leverage some of the things president trump has recently done, the agreement on reciprocal trade, the open skies agreement and other aspects are tools to propel us U.S. and global investment into cambodia.
▶ 0:58:42Sen. Daines: Mr. chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:58:45Chair Mccormick: Terrific. Senator rosen.
▶ 0:58:49Senator Rosen: I'm going to start out to talk about people to people programming. Given their track record of building a pathway to peace, there has long been bipartisan support in congress for people to people programs between israelis, palestinians, and other arab neighbors, but many of these have been frozen or canceled since the beginning of this administration so ambassador blome.
▶ 0:59:13Senator Rosen: At a moment of violence, mistrust, efforts to strengthen people to people engagement particularly between israelis and palestinians are more important than ever. If confirmed, will you prioritize programs designed to advance israeli-palestinian peace building efforts?
▶ 0:59:34Mr. Blome: Thank you very much for that question, senator. I can say that with my experience over many years including working directly on israeli-palestinian issues, I understand that it is strength that can come from people to people exchanges often benefits after many years after such programming that can pay off in the very long run.
▶ 1:00:05Sen. Rosen: Will you work to ensure that the bureau has the resources and personnel to manage these important programs as well?
▶ 1:00:12Mr. Blome: Senator, I will within the broader parameters of our assistance programming at the department to look for opportunities where we can effectively deploy those kind of funding sources.
▶ 1:00:23Sen. Rosen: I look forward to working with u.n. Strengthening those partnerships, I believe that creates instability on the ground. I want to move on to religious pluralism. Mr. mastriano, you've spoken many times about the christian identity of the united states and that separation of church and state is a myth.
▶ 1:00:45Sen. Rosen: I just have a simple question for you and if you could look at me when you answer this, do you think U.S. political leaders should all be christian?
▶ 1:00:57Mr. Mastriano: Thank you, senator, for the question. Having spent more than 30 years in a uniform with men and women of all creeds, all races, from every corner of pennsylvania and the united states, my record stands clear that I uphold and defend the constitution and its values and pennsylvania was founded --
▶ 1:01:19Sen. Rosen: I just want a simple yes or no. Do you think U.S. political leaders should be christian?
▶ 1:01:25Mr. Mastriano: I believe in the rule of law and religious liberty applies to everyone.
▶ 1:01:30Sen. Rosen: I'm not sure why you won't answer the question in that way. What I do want to say is that I do find it deeply problematic that you won't look me in the eye and say that leaders in the united states, we are a pluralistic country, don't have to be christian.
▶ 1:01:54Sen. Rosen: Leaders can come from any faith, judaism, islam, hinduism, and if you were to be confirmed you would be in charge of an embassy, sir, that will have a diverse staff, you will be meeting with diplomatic leaders from every race and faith from all around the world. And I just want to be sure that you will be able to reconcile your worldview with the responsibilities of your role.
▶ 1:02:19Mr. Mastriano: I will look you in the eye and repeated in simpler language. We are absolutely a pluralistic society and I've worked for non-christians in the military and government and I've had them working for me.
▶ 1:02:32Sen. Rosen: That wasn't the question, the question was do you think leadership should only be christian but we will move on to other things. In october 2022, your wife said at your campaign event that the two of you probably love israel more than a lot of jews do. I have some other things I want to add, so yes or no, do you agree with that statement, you love israel more than a lot of jews?
▶ 1:02:57Mr. Mastriano: We have a deep love and appreciation for the jewish people.
▶ 1:03:01Sen. Rosen: I appreciate that, so can you confirm, so you repeatedly compare things to the holocaust such as abortion or your loss to governor shapiro? Yes or no, have you compared those things to the holocaust?
▶ 1:03:16Mr. Mastriano: I have been working closely with the jewish community for senate bill 127 -- to institute holocaust education across the state and I think any use of comparisons is unwise.
▶ 1:03:29Sen. Rosen: See you are saying you didn't make those comparisons.
▶ 1:03:32Mr. Mastriano: No, I think it diminishes and today I would not do that.
▶ 1:03:36Sen. Rosen: You made the statements but you are renouncing the statements.
▶ 1:03:43Mr. Mastriano: There was a social media post I would not post today, I think anything that uses the holocaust to make a modern comparison is unwise.
▶ 1:03:48Sen. Rosen: While I appreciate that because he will be representing the united states and slovakia were nearly 69,000 slovak jews were murdered during the holocaust, over 75% of the entire slovak jewish population, and so we have to be sure that you will represent this country.
▶ 1:04:10Sen. Rosen: We know that you maintain a relationship with andrew torvalds, founder of extrema social media platform gab, which became notorious after the gunman who murdered 11 worshipers at pittsburgh's tree of life synagogue posted his manifesto there. So despite his documented history of anti-semitism, the rhetoric, the holocaust and nihilism, your campaign paid gap for promotional services.
▶ 1:04:37Sen. Rosen: I want to finish this for now, you can denounce your past associations with anti-semites, you can point to your support of israel, but for me I'm not sure that either excuses you or erases the record. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:04:54Mr. Mastriano: Mr. chairman, may I reply?
▶ 1:04:58Chair Mccormick: Senator. Very briefly please.
▶ 1:05:05Mr. Mastriano: Gubernatorial campaign, we don't that everybody and when it was pointed out to me that he had donated $500 to our campaign, I returned that and thereafter we cut off all advertisement on his platform as well, so we completely severed that once his anti-semitic views or support became apparent. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:05:31Sen. Rosen: Thank you for the clarification.
▶ 1:05:33Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Senator ricketts.
▶ 1:05:36Senator Ricketts: Nebraska is a national leader in ethanol production. This is the third committee I've got to talk about ethanol in so I've got one more to do. Our bio refineries, we are going to get there.
▶ 1:05:56Senator Ricketts: Our bio refineries produce 2 billion gallons worth of ethanol each year while generating billions of dollars to our economy american ethanol continues to see significant market access challenges in brazil. Have we tied it in, Mr. chairman? Just so you know.
▶ 1:06:19Senator Ricketts: Brazil has sought to have preferential treatment for their ethanol exports into the united states while at the same time limiting our ethanol exports to brazil through tariff and nontariff trade barriers and the result is that brazilian exports , our exports to brazil of our ethanol has dropped from about 30% of our exports to 2%. It's completely unacceptable.
▶ 1:06:52Senator Ricketts: Announcing a 25% tariff on brazilian goods to address this unfairness. We need to take every step possible to make sure our corn growers have a level playing field around the world. Mr. perez, what actions would you take to restore fair access to american ethanol and brazilian markets?
▶ 1:07:10Mr. Perez: You are absolutely right, we are upside down when it comes to ethanol. I'm no expert in ethanol.
▶ 1:07:17Sen. Ricketts: I'm one, so I can help you. [laughter] the brazilians to access at about 18% on ethanol and we are taxing them about 1.5 or 2%.
▶ 1:07:32Sen. Ricketts: I think we are about zero until yesterday.
▶ 1:07:35Mr. Perez: Whether it is 1% or 0%, it is significantly less than the 18% they are taxing us. I think there is a gap across energy and infrastructure when it comes to the brazilian, part of that has to do with exposure.
▶ 1:07:55Mr. Perez: If confirmed, and I can get boots on the ground, it is the relationship to the private sector inside the united states and the brazilian government, the private citizens of brazil can be amplified and that is one of my goal to get boots on the ground and have those relationships so that we can start to amplify the business between brazilians and americans when it comes to ethanol. That is one of the gaps that are the largest and hopefully soon we can make the gap shorter.
▶ 1:08:23Sen. Ricketts: Mr. anderson, in your remarks to senator daines, you mentioned that your number one priority was scam centers in cambodia and I'm heartened to hear that is one of your priorities.
▶ 1:08:37Sen. Ricketts: These scam centers, also known as pig butchering, they bring in victims to put their money into these fraudulent investment schemes and last year it was estimated to cost americans $10 billion, $10 billion of people's livelihoods, their savings and retirement funds, some people have been completely destroyed by this.
▶ 1:09:04Sen. Ricketts: It also includes the people that they have working the scam centers that are often victims themselves being forced to work under brutal and terrible conditions. The cambodian government has increased its efforts to crack down on these scam compounds so the united states through sanctions has also taken aggressive action, but these scam centers keep popping up.
▶ 1:09:31Sen. Ricketts: If confirmed, how we work with phnom penh to combat these scam centers?
▶ 1:09:38Mr. Anderson: Thank you, senator. Obviously, it starts one with the optimism in the relationship that has been built over the past two years and the first step is the conversation of the realism of where cambodia is. And what they are expecting to do in the future and work with the relationship on this.
▶ 1:10:05Mr. Anderson: Obviously, we have seen president trump on a number of things over the past year. A billion plus dollars in bitcoin. Additionally, this committee has passed out of the committee the scam act, which is a great tool not only for highlighting, but identifying new tools in the toolbox where we can pull levers.
▶ 1:10:34Mr. Anderson: To bluntly answer your question, it's going to be boots on the ground, getting my hands started, bringing in joint task force, working with a myriad of agencies, not one agency has all the tools. State department, department of justice, department of war, and our regional allies, to really attack the scam centers and I believe if you attack the scam centers and eliminate that problem, you also see beneficial aspects on a number of other problems. It will eliminate a demand signal for human trafficking.
▶ 1:11:06Mr. Anderson: That won't solve it in a singular aspect, but it will reduce the demand signal. We can start to work on beneficial aspects from there.
▶ 1:11:14Sen. Ricketts: Great, think you very much. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:11:18Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Senator shaheen.
▶ 1:11:25Senator Shaheen: Welcome to our nominees and to all of your supporters who are here with you today. I would like to begin with you, Mr. mastriano. Given your military service and the leadership you described in your opening remarks and the subcommittee chair described in higher education, I'm really surprised that you have made such indiscreet, impolitic, and undiplomatic comments both publicly and on social media
▶ 1:11:55Senator Shaheen: Posts. I want to go to one comment from a 2018 radio interview where you called the european union leadership the political, diplomatic enemies of the united states of america, that's a direct quote.
▶ 1:12:10Senator Shaheen: Now if confirmed, you would lead the american presence in an eu country, where russian and chinese influence demand our full attention and where out of the 27 eu member states, 23 are our nato allies including slovakia.
▶ 1:12:32Senator Shaheen: So, how do you explain that and how will you explain that to the european leadership and officials that you would have to deal with if you are confirmed in this position?
▶ 1:12:41Mr. Mastriano: Thank you for that good question, senator, I appreciate it. That's eight years ago and the dynamics between the united states and eu leadership has shifted quite a bit. Back then there was considerable hostility between american interests and the america first policy and the eu response and particularly what triggered that response was hearing than the leader of the eu who is a spokesman from italy who said that the eu won world war ii and the united states and great
▶ 1:13:12Mr. Mastriano: Britain had nothing to do with it. Nigel farage corrected that record. That was the leadership that we were facing at the time. There was a resistance to american interests in the region. My record shows that I have to work well with them across the world. I have deep connections today even in civil and military leadership across western and central and northern europe.
▶ 1:13:36Sen. Shaheen: Well, I was on this committee and in the united states senate in 2018 and I didn't view the leadership of europe as political and diplomatic enemies of the united states and I don't think that approach was helpful then, I don't think it is helpful now.
▶ 1:13:57Sen. Shaheen: I understand that you told staff when you were being interviewed that you believe the eu is a rising rival, comparable to china, and that it would eventually create a standing army to challenge the united states. Is that what you believe? Do you really believe that?
▶ 1:14:13Mr. Mastriano: C1
▶ 1:14:18Mr. Mastriano: I should know to press that button. It is the goal of stated leadership of the eu and their desire to build their own eu army since 2002, when I was a planner in U.S. army headquarters europe.
▶ 1:14:29Sen. Shaheen: They have talked about -- I have been in those discussions as well, Mr. mastriano. I can tell you that nobody ever suggested that would be in lieu of the united states or in lieu of nato and the cooperative efforts that we have with our allies. I can tell you that it was the nato allies who came to our defense when we got attacked on 9/11. The only time article v --
▶ 1:14:57Mr. Mastriano: I served with them in afghanistan side-by-side.
▶ 1:15:01Sen. Shaheen: And so you should know better than to make those comments.
▶ 1:15:03Mr. Mastriano: Especially lately we are hearing more arguments and the latest debate from the eu that they want to have capability beyond america and not to rely upon american readiness --
▶ 1:15:12Sen. Shaheen: And I can understand why, given the attacks from people like you in the united states that you made --
▶ 1:15:18Mr. Mastriano: I regret that mischaracterization. My view is we do work better together. I have served and bled on the battlefield within nato allies for more than 30 years of my career and I understand the importance of this alliance. But I don't want to see this most successful alliance in the history of the world, nato, to fade away or be overshadowed by eu army. That undercuts our international interests.
▶ 1:15:44Sen. Shaheen: I haven't heard anybody in nato suggesting that is going to happen. So I think you are absolutely right, we do work better when we work together, and we cooperate. I would think somebody who served on the battlefield with those countries wouldn't know better than to make those kinds of statements. And I can tell you as a diplomat representing the united states of america, should absolutely know better.
▶ 1:16:14Mr. Mastriano: Mr. chairman, if I could respond --
▶ 1:16:17Sen. Shaheen: If I could go on to Mr. blome. Lebanon is really at a critical turning point right now. I'm encouraged that there are direct negotiations between lebanon and israel. I think that has been long overdue. But one of the significant factors in ensuring that we can see peace ultimately in lebanon is support for the lebanese armed forces.
▶ 1:16:48Sen. Shaheen: Can you talk about how important it is to support the laf?
▶ 1:16:50Mr. Blome: Thanks for that question, senator. Absolutely an important element of our negotiations, our facilitation of negotiations between israel and lebanon, is that support for the laf. The laf has played an important role in counterterrorism and border security with the assistance of the united states. That is not to diminish that there are issueslaf--there are issues with the laf that we have to address, difficult issues.
▶ 1:17:22Mr. Blome: But the extent to which we are able to make progress, find a way to replace hezbollah in lebanon, and create a new future free of foreign domination in that country runs in some way through the laf as well.
▶ 1:17:35Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:17:38Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Senator scott.
▶ 1:17:41Sen. Scott: Mr. perez, what are your top priorities when you get this job and what does success look like at the end of your time there?
▶ 1:17:49Mr. Perez: Thank you, senator, for the question, and thank you for the very kind introduction and your continued friendship. I would break it down into three priorities. First would be security of the united states and all americans who live inside the united states. But it is not just those who live here in the mainland. I would say the employees who work and serve this country in brazil.
▶ 1:18:12Mr. Perez: It is my understanding we have a little over 1000 employees that work within the american embassy in brazil, and their security is just as important to me as we sit here today. Second would be diplomacy. I think there is a huge opportunity for us to increase diplomatic relationships with brazil. Obviously have an election in brazil that is upcoming in the first week of october. Regardless of what that election shows, there is an opportunity for us to bridge that gap.
▶ 1:18:40Mr. Perez: I believe I have the right skills are to be able to do that, assuming I get the opportunity to serve. The last would be traded. We do have a trade surplus with brazil. Nevertheless, senator ricketts alluded to this earlier, there are some industries that have a significant gap. It is not just ethanol. We would have a problem in energy, agriculture is a massive problem for us, specifically the beef trade between the united states and brazil.
▶ 1:19:07Mr. Perez: If confirmed, those are the three priorities I will be focusing on as soon as I am able to hit the ground.
▶ 1:19:14Sen. Scott: Thank you. Mr. mastriano, after the conclusion of the most recent nato summit in ankara, the slovakian prime minister reiterated that they would not contribute to nato's $70 billion aid package for ukraine, or the eu's $690 billion euro military loan.
▶ 1:19:38Sen. Scott: He has requested he favors dialogue with russia, but his approach completely misunderstands what negotiation is required. It requires leverage. The only way to create, in my opinion, real leverage is to ensure that ukraine has the support it needs. Tell me how you're going to navigate dispute Mr. mas--navige this.
▶ 1:19:57Mr. Mastriano: Thank you, senator, for that good question. Slovakia is in a difficult position. It is about a quarter of its energy is from russian oil and gas it gives continued leverage to moscow and that has painted the prime minister into a corner. The economy has stagnated largely because of the tariff war.
▶ 1:20:23Mr. Mastriano: Slovakia is the number one per capita car producer in the world and they reliant exports for that, largely to the united states. This is causing a problem. The point is that we need slovakia to get on board here to keep the pressure upon russia. As a strategist and professional soldier, it is incredible what ukraine has done in turning the tide of the war. We have a great opportunity here.
▶ 1:20:48Mr. Mastriano: Our friends in the baltic region and eastern europe are concerned and victory from russia results in their decline. As excess for us in ukraine is success for all-- a success for us in ukraine is success for all countries including slovakia.
▶ 1:20:59Sen. Scott: Mr. blome, in early june a cease-fire agreement was reached between israel and lebanon to end hostilities. Under the terms of the U.S.-mediated agreement, the cease-fire is contingent upon a complete cessation of hezbollah -- an evacuation of hezbollah operations from southern lebanon. Zones are being traded in which lebanese armed forces can take exclusive control as israel forces withdraw.
▶ 1:21:26Sen. Scott: Do you agree that israel has a right to defend itself, and so does lebanon, and respond to hezbollah violations of the agreement?
▶ 1:21:31Mr. Blome: Absolutely I agree israel has a right to defend itself there, as well as the lebanese government. Yes.
▶ 1:21:39Sen. Scott: So do you -- what do you think of the cease-fire? Do you think it is going to last? You think it is going to work?
▶ 1:21:46Mr. Blome: I think it is very important to find a way forward on lebanon. I think it is a moment because of israel's military successes against hezbollah, because of the weeker position--weaker position iran is in and their ability to maintain its support for hezbollah, that it is a moment we have to test and see what we can do to find a way forward in a very difficult situation. Success is far from guaranteed on that.
▶ 1:22:16Mr. Blome: But I fully support the engagement on it, now sixth round of talks we have had to try to find something that works on a very important problem that will provide security for israel and ultimately for lebanon.
▶ 1:22:30Sen. Scott: It's a big deal. If they can get security and get rid of hezbollah, allow that the lebanese people to live the life they want you lead 0-- to lead, along with israelis, without this fighting would be incredible. I hope you do every thing you can to ensure it succeeds.
▶ 1:22:47Mr. Blome: I will.
▶ 1:22:49Chair Mccormick: Senator kaine.
▶ 1:22:51Sen. Kaine: Mr. mastriano, I look at your nomination and I have a sense of sadness about it. Going to tell you why. Your military record of service to the country and your sacrifice is really superb. And you went into that in your own statement. I find so much to admire there, your own sacrifice and your family's sacrifice. And then in the middle of your comments you kind of hinted, "but then I got into politics.
▶ 1:23:20Sen. Kaine: I had been respected in the military, but then I got into politics and people called me everything but a good man." I think you need to look in the mirror a little bit. My colleague -- both my colleagues have pointed out evidence of things that you have said and the people you have associated with that are highly, highly unusual. You have associated with anti-semites and holocaust deniers, you have associated with 9/11 conspiracy theorists.
▶ 1:23:48Sen. Kaine: You have made comments about foreign leaders that are not diplomatic in quality. And you and I share a very special day in american history, we were both here on january 6, 2021. You engaged in repeated efforts before that day to challenge the integrity of the presidential election. There is even some controversy about what exactly you were doing here on the capitol that day.
▶ 1:24:17Sen. Kaine: But there isn't any controversy about why you are here. You are here because you were urging congress to reject the certification of the electoral results and to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power. All of us who work here that date remember what it was like to be under attack with people who were trying to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. I never served in the military, but I lived in a military dictatorship in honduras when I was a missionary. I know what dictators do.
▶ 1:24:46Sen. Kaine: And I know what it is to undermine democratic institutions. To my knowledge -- you can correct me if I'm wrong -- to my knowledge you have never retracted your belief that that election was somehow illegitimate.
▶ 1:25:04Sen. Kaine: I was on the floor later in the day after the brian turk -- rit day after the brian turk -- ri oters were finally cleared and I watched your state senators at the time, senator casey and senator toomey, when a non-pennsylvanian challenge the pennsylvania result -- I believe a senator from missouri -- I watched your state senators absolutely shred the argument that there was anything wrong about the pennsylvania election results, that they were consulted that a missouri
▶ 1:25:35Sen. Kaine: Senator would challenge the integrity of the pennsylvania elections. They shredded that argument, just like courts have repeatedly shredded the argument. Am I wrong, have you retracted the various conspiracies that you apparently have been laboring under with respect to the 2020 election?
▶ 1:25:54Mr. Mastriano: I mean, senator, what do you want me to address specifically? I've never been involved in's conspiracies. The one thing I did before january 6 was be part of a hearing in gettysburg exercising oversight --
▶ 1:26:09Sen. Kaine: You were here on january 6 to urge congress--
▶ 1:26:13Mr. Mastriano: No, that is incorrect. I was here to hear the president, here with my wife to hear the president of the united states speak. We didn't do anything illegal. We came, we saw, we left.
▶ 1:26:25Sen. Kaine: I think the record will demonstrate to the contrary -- how about today, will you accept --
▶ 1:26:33Mr. Mastriano: Joe biden is certified, the question is closed.
▶ 1:26:38Sen. Kaine: I'm not asking certified -- was joe biden elected --
▶ 1:26:41Mr. Mastriano: I have not been subject were target of any criminal investigation --
▶ 1:26:46Sen. Kaine: I'm not asking about your criminal record. Just answer this question, was joe biden elected president, the popular vote and electoral college?
▶ 1:26:53Mr. Mastriano: Joe biden was certified per the constitutional process. I was not here to disrupt anything, senator.
▶ 1:27:00Sen. Kaine: I am not asking you about that --
▶ 1:27:03Mr. Mastriano: I came to hear the president speak.
▶ 1:27:06Sen. Kaine: Here is the point, of never known a conspiracy theorist who just believed one conspiracy. Conspiracy theorists generally are gullible people. They might have masters degrees and phd's, and you have got them . The united states has invested in you to have those degrees. But somebody who will believe a conspiracy theory about 9/11 or the holocaust --
▶ 1:27:30Mr. Mastriano: I don't know what you're talking about, senator.
▶ 1:27:33Sen. Kaine: They are gullible.
▶ 1:27:34Mr. Mastriano: I don't subscribe to any of those conspiracies about 9/11 or the holocaust.
▶ 1:27:39Sen. Kaine: You preach conspiracies about the 2020 election, that a fourth-grader with common sense would find ridiculous.
▶ 1:27:45Mr. Mastriano: All I did was hold a hearing per my constitutional -- as a committee chair intensive any --
▶ 1:27:51Sen. Kaine: "all I did was hold a hearing," but forget that I came to the capitol on january 6 when it was under attack and urged people to reject --
▶ 1:28:01Mr. Mastriano: I gave no speeches --
▶ 1:28:03Sen. Kaine: Cannot erase your record.
▶ 1:28:05Mr. Mastriano: There is no erasing. Facts are stubborn things.
▶ 1:28:09Sen. Kaine: Mr. perez, do we have a trade surplus or trade deficit with brazil?
▶ 1:28:14Mr. Perez: We have a trade surplus.
▶ 1:28:17Sen. Kaine: A massive trade surplus. When president trump imposed tariffs on results saying I'm doing this liberation day tariff because nations are ripping us off, we saw a lot more to result in they sold us-- sell a lot more to brazil than they sold to us. They said they are going to reciprocate against us. They reciprocate at 25%, whose is more, the U.S. or brazil?
▶ 1:28:40Mr. Perez: Thank you for the question, senator. Obviously this is a new tariff that was in limited yesterday overnight while I was asleep. --implement it yesterday overnight while I was asleep. Ustr has made their decisions. I will learn more about it over the next --
▶ 1:28:55Sen. Kaine: Let me just -- [indiscernible] if we have a trade surplus, that means we are selling more to them than they are selling to us. If we put a 25% tariff on them and they put an equal tariff on us, it is the united states that has the most to lose. We will not only see inflation go up on products coming from brazil, but the tariff is on U.S.
▶ 1:29:21Sen. Kaine: Manufacturers because we sell more to brazil than others is going to hurt our businesses more than brazil's businesses will be hurt.
▶ 1:29:30Sen. Rosen: Senator van hollen.
▶ 1:29:33Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you, senator rosen. I expressed all the concerns--I share all the concerns expressed, Mr. mastriano, by my colleagues, about your past record and conduct. I'm going to focus my questions to ambassador blome, and I appreciate the chance to get together with you yesterday. I want to start today with the issue I started with yesterday, which is syria. I think, Mr.
▶ 1:30:00Sen. Van Hollen: Ambassador, we both agree that the current moment holds promise, but it is also very precarious. Is that a quick summary of where we are?
▶ 1:30:10Mr. Blome: That is accurate, senator.
▶ 1:30:13Sen. Van Hollen: I was glad to see the administration lifted the state sponsor recently as part of the nato summit. As you know, senator shaheen and many of us worked to lift the sanctions on syria. I assume you support all of those actions.
▶ 1:30:30Mr. Blome: Yes, I do, senator.
▶ 1:30:34Sen. Van Hollen: I will say that when we lifted those sanctions, we included report language making clear that we believe success in syria requires that the government include elements from all parts of syria society. Alawites, kurds, druze, christians.
▶ 1:31:01Sen. Van Hollen: You would agree that the success of syria depends on making sure all those groups are included in governance, would you not?
▶ 1:31:07Mr. Blome: Absolutely, senator. It is a multiethnic society.
▶ 1:31:12Sen. Van Hollen: The late senator graham and I spent a lot of time together making sure that the united states did not abandon our commitment to the syrian kurds, sdf, because they had been the tip of the spear with us against isis.
▶ 1:31:30Mr. Blome: That is correct.
▶ 1:31:32Sen. Van Hollen: One of the concerns that was raised in this shaky moment was the continued presence of israeli forces in syria. I think there has been a sense with the administration and elsewhere that that is not productive thing to have to happen, to continue that presence in southern syria. Is that a fair statement of the in administration's concerns?
▶ 1:32:00Mr. Blome: I think that is certainly one of the concerns we have to address going forward, yes.
▶ 1:32:06Sen. Van Hollen: Is in the case that within the last 24 hours president trump asked prime minister netanyahu to remove israeli forces from syria?
▶ 1:32:15Mr. Blome: I will let president trump's statement speak for himself, but I think it is an issue on which we have been engaged diplomatically and we will continue to be engaged diplomatically.
▶ 1:32:26Sen. Van Hollen: Well, I'm just reading from an article here where it is reporting that the president said to prime minister netanyahu, "you should redeploy out of syria." do you have any reason to dispute this article?
▶ 1:32:44Mr. Blome: Absolutely not.
▶ 1:32:47Sen. Van Hollen: Let me ask you about the situation in the west bank. We've seen continued rise in settler violence against palestinians, working to push palestinians off their lands. With this very extremist netanyahu government, we have seen complicity of the idf in certain cases in pushing palestinians off their land.
▶ 1:33:12Sen. Van Hollen: What I want to ask you about specifically is nine american citizens, nine american citizens who have been killed on the west bank either by settler violence or israeli security forces in the last four years. And I would, madam chair, like to just put into the record a letter that 31 senators sent to secretary rubio on march 5 on this topic.
▶ 1:33:42Sen. Rosen: Without objection.
▶ 1:33:43Sen. Van Hollen: Thank you. Are you aware of these killings of american citizens?
▶ 1:33:48Mr. Blome: Yes, senator, am aware of these cases.
▶ 1:33:52Sen. Van Hollen: Are you aware of the fact that there has been no accountability in any of these cases?
▶ 1:33:56Mr. Blome: Senator, I believe that while we have to condemn any kind of acts of criminal violence in the west bank from any party, we have a special obligation to follow up and ensure accountability and transparency in the case of american citizens. And if confirmed, it will certainly be a priority for me.
▶ 1:34:16Sen. Van Hollen: I appreciate that, because the letter we received from both secretary rubio said the same thing. The number one priority of U.S. representation is to protect U.S. citizens. But we have had no, really with-- no accountability with respect to these cases. I want to raise with you a case I mentioned yesterday. As we speak we have an american citizen, 20-year-old student, being imprisoned in israel, american citizen.
▶ 1:34:47Sen. Van Hollen: Are you aware of her case?
▶ 1:34:48Mr. Blome: I'm not aware of the specifics of the case.
▶ 1:34:52Sen. Van Hollen: Well, she hasn't spoken about the abuse she has experienced-- has spoken about the abuse she has experienced, trump top political charges against her. I hope the U.S. government will work very hard to get her released. I hope that happens between the time of his human and the time we consider these nominations this -- this hearing in the time we consider these nominations on the senate floor.
▶ 1:35:14Sen. Rosen: Senator shaheen.
▶ 1:35:17Sen. Shaheen: Thank you, senator rosen. I want to follow up on senator van hollen's questions about syria and applaud the commitment to lift the state-sponsored terrorism against syria. That is not yet happened. The administration has negated they intend to do that, is that correct?
▶ 1:35:37Mr. Blome: That is correct.
▶ 1:35:39Sen. Shaheen: Do you have any idea the timeline?
▶ 1:35:43Mr. Blome: From the date of notification there is a 45-day period required before it takes effect.
▶ 1:35:50Sen. Shaheen: So we should see that happen sometime in the next month or so?
▶ 1:35:54Mr. Blome: Yes, senator.
▶ 1:35:56Sen. Shaheen: I appreciated your comments and senator van hollen's about the importance of power-sharing in syria with the various members of syria's ethnic groups, with women in that country. There has been progress made, but clearly there is more that needs to be done. And one of the things that is important as we can about the lifting of sanctions--as we think about the lifting of sanctions is how to see more economic development in the country.
▶ 1:36:28Sen. Shaheen: Can you just talk about what the impact would be if the development finance corporation, or the export import bank, would it decided to back a project in in syria? What effect would that have on the confidence of other investors?
▶ 1:36:43Mr. Blome: I think it would be very important. I think, look, the biggest challenge of the many , many challenge in front of syria is defined an economic path forward to give people hope that this transition will result in better lives. The economy contracted 84% between 2012 and 2026 in syria.
▶ 1:37:08Mr. Blome: It's been a devastating period for the country. I think we have to do everything we can to try to bring economic opportunity to syria as quickly as possible. If confirmed, I would look for any tools we have available to us to try to promote that.
▶ 1:37:24Sen. Shaheen: Good. Well, hopefully we will see something break in terms of that investment soon. Mr. socha, in 2024 the gambia formalized a special tribunal tasked with prosecuting human rights violations. That tribunal was supposed to receive $60 million in U.S. assistance until the funding cuts by the trump administration last year.
▶ 1:37:54Sen. Shaheen: Can you talk about, if confirmed, how you would work to support the efforts by that tribunal and to replace the resources that they have lost because the united states has reneged on our agreement?
▶ 1:38:12Mr. Socha: Thank you for the question, senator. I think the truth, reconciliation, and reparations commission has set the stage for the continued democratic development in the gambia. It is an issue I will focus on so that gambia's democracy can continue to flourish. I do believe that any foreign aid directed toward the gambia needs to be efficient and effective.
▶ 1:38:39Mr. Socha: If confirmed, that is the priority that I intend to take up.
▶ 1:38:43Sen. Shaheen: Have you spoken to anyone in the country about how they expect to replace those resources that they were looking for in order to see the tribunal finish its work?
▶ 1:38:55Mr. Socha: Unfortunately, senator, pending this committee's decision" to the senate, I've not spoken to anyone in the country. But I believe in my career one of the chief roles of a diplomat is to listen. I look forward to arriving to the gambia and having those conversations.
▶ 1:39:12Sen. Shaheen: Thank you. Thank you, madam chair.
▶ 1:39:15Chair Mccormick: Thank you. I had to return from a quick vote. I will take my chances with questions here. Mr. mastriano, I want to start with you. I know you had some questions asked and ran out of time at the end. Is there anything you would like to -- I will give you some time to answer any questions that you don't think you fully answered.
▶ 1:39:36Mr. Mastriano: Senator, I will defer to you on slovakia. I think I've been on the other side too long.
▶ 1:39:44Chair Mccormick: Good, ok, very good. Let me ask you a question about slovakia. Within the context of europe and some of the questions about leadership at the european union, ohow will you participate in concert with our nato allies to ensure that there was a strong european response to russian aggression?
▶ 1:40:05Mr. Mastriano: Thank you, senator, for that. Since the 1980's I worked with russian subcategory, whether the cold war and facing the soviets or putin today. First off, I'm astounded at the turn of the war in ukraine. We are seeing a revolution in military affairs happening in ukraine. I don't see how long russia, despite its power and size, can enter. -- endure.
▶ 1:40:32Mr. Mastriano: We need a unified front from nato allies, especially slovakia. One key step in that, senator, is finding a better way to get fuel and energy to slovakia rather than relying heavily upon russian oil and gas. One step -- you and I would love this -- pennsylvania lng going to the terminal in croatia and shipping it out to slovakia might be one way.
▶ 1:40:56Mr. Mastriano: As far as oil, soviet-era refineries to refine russian oil, they may need some upgrades in that regard. I remember when I was in the baltics trying to get the three baltic nations off 100% 10 years ago on russian oil and gas, they built a ship the lithuanians called the independence in honor of their link with pennsylvania. They are now independently off of russian oil and gas.
▶ 1:41:25Mr. Mastriano: , the same success for slovakia and I think I have what it takes an experience to have it with them.
▶ 1:41:31Chair Mccormick: Thank you. Mr. anderson, we talked about chinese aggression and expansionist tendencies. If confirmed, how would you engage with the cambodian leadership to preserve, number one, cambodia's economy, and to ensure the marine naval base does not become a platform for expanding china's military power in the indo pacific?
▶ 1:41:54Mr. Anderson: Yes, thank you, senator. Extremely valuable question. It can really be approached from almost everything in the spectrum of cambodia, whether it is scam centers, economic activity, security cooperation, but most importantly, regional partnerships. When you get into the importance of asean and what they do in the region. Additionally, it will rely on face-to-face conversations with the cambodian government.
▶ 1:42:22Mr. Anderson: If confirmed, it will rely on me to sit down and have conversations of the reality of the murray naval base. If it truly is, as some have said, open to all friendly nations. If so, it is worth exploring the options of more annual visits from U.S. naval vessels.
▶ 1:42:45Mr. Anderson: But additionally, as I said earlier, f we[[ -- if we see advancement in U.S. bilateral relations, we can explore additional tools in the toolbox based on the working relationship. If confirmed, not only would I be happy to do that, work with this committee, having come from this institution, work with this committee to identify what we can advance.
▶ 1:43:07Chair Mccormick: Very good, thank you. Mr. blome, senator rosen and I chair the subcommittee on the middle east, and we often talk about phase two of the abraham accords and our hopes and aspirations for the region. Given your potential remit, how would you think about the next stage of opportunities for expanding the abraham accords countries, and who do you see as the most likely of candidates?
▶ 1:43:35Mr. Blome: Well, thanks. It's an important question. As we have been discussing here, it is a moment while the region is gripped with crisis in many ways, it also presents a number of opportunities through active lines of diplomacy right now. One of the things we have to do is make sure that the expansion of that regional integration is a part of those discussions.
▶ 1:44:04Mr. Blome: And is linked to progress on these things. So I think there are opportunities I'm not sure which country exactly is the next candidate.
▶ 1:44:15Chair Mccormick: If you did, you might not want to say it, I'm imagining.
▶ 1:44:19Mr. Blome: That's quite possible, senator, thank you. But I do think there are opportunities, and I absolutely am committed to exploring that. Including with this committee.
▶ 1:44:30Chair Mccormick: Very good. We look forward to hopefully having that conversation with you together. That is a common goal for the both of us. Listen, to all of our nominees, I want to thank you for being here today. I want to thank the families. Thank you for providing us with the benefit of your testimony and your answers. Before closing, I would like to add, any letters of support the committee has received to the record, and I will also note for information for all of you that the record will remain open until noon on friday, july 17.
▶ 1:45:05Chair Mccormick: If there is any clarifications you would like to make your testimony or answers you would like to provide to this committee, those will be most welcome up until that time. With the thanks of the committee, but senator rosen and myself, this hearing is now adjourned. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org]