[Senate Prints 114-33]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]







114th Congress    }                                     {       S. Prt.
                            COMMITTEE PRINT
 2d Session       }                                     {       114-33
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     


                           BUSINESS MEETINGS

                                 OF THE

                     COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

                          UNITED STATES SENATE

                    One Hundred Fourteenth Congress

                             Second Session

                   January 4, 2016 to January 3, 2017


                                     
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                COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS         
               One Hundred Fourteenth Congress          

                BOB CORKER, TENNESSEE, Chairman        
JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho                BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland
MARCO RUBIO, Florida                 BARBARA BOXER, California
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin               ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona                  JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire
CORY GARDNER, Colorado               CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware
DAVID PERDUE, Georgia                TOM UDALL, New Mexico
JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia              CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, Connecticut
RAND PAUL, Kentucky                  TIM KAINE, Virginia
JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming               EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts


                  Todd Womack, Staff Director        
             Chris Lynch, Democratic Staff Director        
              Rob Strayer, Majority Chief Counsel        
            Margaret Taylor, Minority Chief Counsel        
                    John Dutton, Chief Clerk        




                             (ii)          

  





















                            C O N T E N T S

 Information on the items on the agenda for each meeting can be found 
       in the Chairman's and the Ranking Member's opening remarks

                              ----------                              

                       Thursday, January 28, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-012816

                              legislation

H.R. 757, North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2015, with an 
  amendment--Approved by voice vote..............................    11

H.R. 1493, Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property 
  Act, with an amendment--Approved by voice vote.................     9

S. 1882, Nepal Recovery Act, with an amendment--Approved by voice 
  vote...........................................................     9

S. 2426, To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy 
  to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International 
  Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes--Approved 
  by voice vote..................................................     8

S. Res. 347, Honoring the memory and legacy of Anita Ashok Datar 
  and condemning the terrorist attack in Bamako, Mali, on 
  November 20, 2015--Approved by voice vote......................     8

A discussion of legislation granting the President authorization 
  to use military force in Syria.................................    18


                              nominations

Ms. Laura S. H. Holgate, of Virginia, to be the Representative of 
  the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy 
  Agency, with the rank of Ambassador and to be Representative of 
  the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United 
  Nations, with the rank of Ambassador--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote (Senators Rubio and Barrasso recorded as no votes)..     7

Hon. Scot Alan Marciel, of California, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Union of Burma--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................     7


                         foreign service lists

Christopher Alexander, et al., dated September 10, 2015 (PN 
  830)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.........................     6

Christopher Nairn Steel, dated June 10, 2015, as modified (PN 
  573-02)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......................     6

Virginia Lynn Bennett, et al., dated January 19, 2016 (PN 1085)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................     6
                              ----------                              


                                 (iii)
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                      Wednesday, February 10, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-0210216


                              legislation

S. Res. 99, A resolution calling on the Government of Iran to 
  fulfill its promises of assistance in the case of Robert 
  Levinson, the longest held United States civilian in our 
  Nation's history, with amendments--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    27

S. Res. 361, A resolution urging robust funding for humanitarian 
  relief for Syria, with an amendment--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................    27

S. Res. 330, A resolution congratulating the Tunisian National 
  Dialogue Quartet for winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    26
                              ----------                              

                        Thursday, March 10, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-031016

                              legislation

S. 1252, Global Food Security Act of 2015, with an amendment--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    46

S. Res 375, A resolution raising awareness of modern slavery--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    46

S Res. 368, A resolution supporting efforts by the Government of 
  Colombia to pursue peace and the end of the country's enduring 
  internal armed conflict and recognizing United States support 
  for Colombia at the 15th anniversary of Plan Colombia--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    46

S. Res. 388, A resolution supporting the goals of International 
  Women's Day, with an amendment--Approved by voice vote.........    43

S. Res.392, A resolution that expresses profound concern over the 
  prosecution and conviction of former President Mohamed Nasheed 
  without due process and urges the Government of the Maldives to 
  take all necessary steps to redress this injustice, release all 
  political prisoners, and to ensure due process and freedom from 
  political prosecution for all the people of the Maldives--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    46

S. Res. 378, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate 
  regarding the courageous work and life of Russian opposition 
  leader Boris Yefimovich Nemtsov and renewing the call for a 
  full and transparent investigation into the tragic murder of 
  Boris Yefimovich Nemtsov in Moscow on February 27, 2015--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    46

S. Res. 383, A resolution recognizing the importance of the 
  United States-Israel economic relationship and encouraging new 
  areas of cooperation--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.........    46


                              nominations

Hon. Catherine Ann Novelli, of Virginia, to be United States 
  Alternate Governor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and 
  Development (Approved, en bloc, by voice vote).................    34

Hon. Karen Brevard Stewart, of Florida, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Republic of the Marshall Islands 
  (Approved, en bloc, by voice vote).............................    34

Mr. Amos J. Hochstein, of the District of Columbia, to be an 
  Assistant Secretary of State (Energy Resources)--Approved by 
  roll call vote, 11 ayes and 7 noes.............................    40

Mr. Robert Annan Riley III, of Florida, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Federated States of Micronesia--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    34

Mr. Matthew John Matthews, of Oregon, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, for the 
  rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United 
  States Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic 
  Cooperation (APEC) Forum--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.....    34

Ms. Marcela Escobari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant 
  Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
  Development--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..................    34


                         foreign service lists

Cheryl L. Anderson, et al., dated 11/19/15 (PN 952)--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    33

Jennifer M. Adams, et al., dated 2/10/16 (PN 953)--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    33

Daryl Arthur Brehm, et al., dated January 19, 2016 (PN 1086)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    33

Holly S. Higgins, et al., dated January 19, 2016 (PN 1089)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    33

Eric Del Valle, et al., dated May 07, 2015 (PN 464)----Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................    33

John McCaslin, dated February 22, 2016 (PN 1156)--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    33

Laurie Farris, et al., dated February 22, 2016 (PN 1157)----
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    33

Scott Hocklander, et al., dated January 19, 2016 (PN 1087)----
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    33
                              ----------                              


                        Thursday, April 28, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-042816

                              legislation

S. 371, Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2017, 
  with amendments................................................    59
    Manager's amendment--Approved by voice vote..................    60
    Paul amendment No. 1--Defeated by roll call vote: Yeas 2, No 
      votes 17...................................................    65
    The bill, S. 371, as amended--Approved by voice vote.........    71

H.R. 2494, Global Anti-Poaching Act, with an amendment--Approved 
  by voice vote..................................................    58

S. 2845, A bill to extend the termination of sanctions with 
  respect to Venezuela under the Venezuela Defense of Human 
  Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014, with an amendment--
  Approved by voice vote.........................................    58

S. Res. 442, A resolution condemning the terrorist attacks in 
  Brussels and honoring the memory of the Americans murdered in 
  those attacks, offering thoughts and prayers for all the 
  victims, condolences to their families, resolve to support the 
  Belgian people, and the pledge to defend democracy and stand in 
  solidarity with the country of Belgium and all our allies in 
  the face of continuing terrorist attacks on freedom and 
  liberty--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......................    57

S. Res. 340, A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that 
  the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS or 
  Da'esh) is committing genocide, crimes against humanity, and 
  war crimes, and calling upon the President to work with foreign 
  governments and the United Nations to provide physical 
  protection for ISIS' targets, to support the creation of an 
  international criminal tribunal with jurisdiction to punish 
  these crimes, and to use every reasonable means, including 
  sanctions, to destroy ISIS and disrupt its support networks, 
  with amendments--Approved by voice vote........................    56

S. Res. 418, A resolution recognizing Hafsat Abiola, Khanim 
  Latif, Yoani S nchez, and Akanksha Hazari for their 
  selflessness and dedication to their respective causes, and for 
  other purposes--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............    57

S. Res. 394, A resolution recognizing the 195th anniversary of 
  the independence of Greece and celebrating democracy in Greece 
  and the United States--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote........    57

S. Res. 436, A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of 
  World Malaria Day, with an amendment--Approved by voice vote...    57

S. Res. 381, A resolution honoring the memory and legacy of 
  Michael James Riddering and condemning the terrorist attacks in 
  Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on January 15, 2016--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    57


                                nominees

Ms. Swati A. Dandekar, of Iowa, to be United States Director of 
  the Asian Development Bank, with the rank of Ambassador........

Ms. Christine Ann Elder, of Kentucky, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Republic of Liberia.............................

Ms. Kelly Keiderling-Franz, of Virginia, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay..........

Ms. Elizabeth Holzhall Richard, of Virginia, a Career Member of 
  the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Lebanese Republic.....................

Mr. Stephen Michael Schwartz, of Maryland, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Federal Republic of Somalia.....................

Mr. Adam H. Sterling, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior 
  Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Slovak Republic.................................

Mr. R. David Harden, of Maryland, to be an Assistant 
  Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
  Development....................................................


                         foreign service lists

David Elliott Horton III, et al., dated February 26, 2015 (PN 
  230-02), as amended--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..........    55

Antonio J. Arroyave, dated January 19, 2016 (PN 1088)--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................    55

Rian Harker Harris, et al., dated March 15, 2016 (PN 1256)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    55

Melinda L. Crowley, et al., dated March 15, 2016 (PN 1257)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    55

Nathan Seifert, et al., dated April 14, 2016 (PN 1371)--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................    55


                              ----------                              

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-051916p

                              legislation

S.2942, Extension of certain privileges and immunities to the 
  Gulf Cooperation Council--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.....    74

S. Res. 469, Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 
  Easter Rising, a seminal moment in the journey of Ireland to 
  independence--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.................    74


                          foreign service list

Mariano J. Beillard, et al., dated April 14, 2016 (PN 1370)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    74

                              ----------                              

                        Thursday, June 23, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-062316

                              legislation

S. 2201, Global Gateways Trade Capacity Act of 2015, with an 
  amendment--Approved, as amended, by voice vote.................    87

S. 1605, M-CORE Act, with an amendment--Approved, as amended, by 
  voice vote.....................................................    90

S. Res. 432, A resolution supporting respect for human rights and 
  encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    86

S. Res. 482, A resolution urging the European Union to designate 
  Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and to 
  increase pressure on the organization and its members to the 
  fullest extent possible--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......    86

S. Res. 506, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate in 
  support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the NATO 
  summit to be held in Warsaw, Poland from July 8-9, 2016, and in 
  support of committing NATO to a security posture capable of 
  deterring threats to the Alliance, with amendments--Approved by 
  voice vote.....................................................    84

S. Res. 505, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate 
  regarding compliance enforcement of Russian violations of the 
  Open Skies Treaty--Approved by voice vote......................    85

S. Res. 503, A resolution recognizing June 20, 2016 as ``World 
  Refugee Day''--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote................    86

S. Con. Res. 41, A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of 
  Congress on the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with 
  an amendment--Held over until the next business meeting........    79

S. Res. 501, resolution to express the sense of Congress on 
  Russian military aggression--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..    86

S. Con. Res. 38, A concurrent resolution reaffirming the Taiwan 
  Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United 
  States-Taiwan relations--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......    86

S. Res. 504, A resolution recognizing the 70th anniversary of the 
  Fulbright Program--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote............    86




                                treaties

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and 
  Agriculture, adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization 
  of the United Nations on November 3, 2001, and signed by the 
  United States of America on November 1, 2002 (Treaty Doc. 110-
  19)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..........................    84

Convention on the Law Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of 
  Securities Held with an Intermediary, done at The Hague on July 
  5, 2006, and signed by the United States on that same day 
  (Treaty Doc. 112-6)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..........    84

Extradition treaty between the Government of the United States of 
  America and the Government of the Dominican Republic, signed at 
  Santo Domingo on January 12, 2015 (Treaty Doc. 114-10)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    84

Extradition Treaty between the United States of America and the 
  Government of the Republic of Chile, signed at Washington on 
  June 5, 2013 (Treaty Doc. 113-6)--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    84

Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of 
  Kazakhstan on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, 
  signed at Washington on February 20, 2015 (Treaty Doc. 114-
  11)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..........................    84

Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and 
  the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria 
  on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at 
  Algiers on April 7, 2010 (Treaty Doc. 114-3)--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................    84

Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and 
  the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Mutual 
  Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on 
  October 1, 2013 (Treaty Doc. 114-4)--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................    84


                                nominees

Hon. Geeta Pasi, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior 
  Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Republic of Chad--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    84

Hon. Mary Beth Leonard, of Massachusetts, to be Representative of 
  the United States of America to the African Union, with the 
  rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and 
  Plenipotentiary--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..............    84

Ms. Anne S. Casper, of Nevada, a Career Member of the Senior 
  Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Republic of Burundi--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    84


                         foreign service lists

Jocelyn N. Adams, et al., dated May 19, 2016 (PN 1495)--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................    83

Amanda R. Ahlers, et al., dated May 18, 2016 (PN 1486)--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................    83

Emily Scott, dated April 28, 2016 (PN 1419)--Approved, en bloc, 
  by voice vote..................................................    83

Richard Gustave Olson, Jr., dated November 19, 2015 (PN951-02)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    83

                              ----------                              

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-071416

                              legislation

S. Res. 515, A resolution welcoming Prime Minister Lee Hsien-
  Loong to the United States and reaffirming Singapore's 
  strategic partnership with the United States, encompassing 
  broad and robust economic, military-to-military, law 
  enforcement, and counterterrorism cooperation--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................   100

S. Con. Res. 41, A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of 
  Congress on the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with 
  an amendment--Approved by voice vote...........................

S. Con. Res. 42, A concurrent resolution to express the sense of 
  Congress regarding the safe and expeditious resettlement to 
  Albania of all residents of Camp Liberty--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................   100

S. Con. Res. 46, A concurrent resolution expressing support of 
  the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust victims live with 
  dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years, with 
  amendments--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...................   100

S. Res. 524, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on 
  the conflict in Yemen--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote........   100

S. Res. 485, A resolution to encourage the Government of the 
  Democratic Republic of the Congo to abide by constitutional 
  provisions regarding the holding of presidential elections in 
  2016, with the aim of ensuring a peaceful and orderly 
  democratic transition of power, with amendments--Approved by 
  voice vote.....................................................    97


                                nominees

Hon. Marie L. Yovanovitch, of Connecticut, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to Ukraine--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.    95

Hon. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, of California, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to Greece--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote..    95

Ms. Anne Hall, of Maine, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign 
  Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Republic of Lithuania--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................    95

Hon. Douglas Alan Silliman, of Texas, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Republic of Iraq--Approved, en bloc, 
  by voice vote..................................................    95

Hon. Peter Michael McKinley, of Virginia, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Federative Republic of Brazil--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................    95

Mr. Lawrence Robert Silverman, of Massachusetts, a Career Member 
  of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to 
  be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the State of Kuwait--Approved, en bloc, by 
  voice vote.....................................................    95

Ms. Carol Z. Perez, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior 
  Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Republic of Chile--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................    95

Mr. Mark Sobel, of Virginia, to be United States Executive 
  Director of the International Monetary Fund for a term of two 
  years--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote (Senators Rubio, 
  Perdue, and Barrasso were recorded as no votes)................    95

                              ----------                              

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2017
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-092216

                                nominees

Senator Christopher Coons, of Delaware, to be Representative of 
  the United States of America to the Seventy-first Session of 
  the General Assembly of the United Nations--Approved, en bloc, 
  by voice vote..................................................   104

Senator Ronald H. Johnson, of Wisconsin, to be Representative of 
  the United States of America to the Seventy-first Session of 
  the General Assembly of the United Nations--Approved, en bloc, 
  by voice vote..................................................   104

The Honorable Sung Y. Kim, of California, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Republic of the Philippines--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................   104

Ms. Rena Bitter, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign 
  Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to the Lao People's Democratic Republic--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................   104

Ms. Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, of Connecticut, a Career Member of 
  the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to Malaysia--Held over until the committee's 
  next business meeting..........................................   103

The Honorable W. Stuart Symington, of Missouri, a Career Member 
  of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to 
  be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Federal Republic of Nigeria--Approved, 
  en bloc, by voice vote.........................................   104

Mr. Andrew Robert Young, of California, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador 
  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of 
  America to Burkina Faso--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......   104

Mr. Joseph R. Donovan Jr., of Virginia, a Career Member of the 
  Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to the Republic of Indonesia--Approved, en 
  bloc, by voice vote............................................   104


                         foreign service lists

Jorge A. Abudei, et al., dated September 6, 2016 (PN 1704), as 
  amended--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......................

John Robert Adams, et al., dated September 6, 2016 (PN 1705)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................

Jennisa Paredes, et al., dated July 13, 2016 (PN 1643), as 
  amended--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......................

Diana Isabel Acosta, et al., dated July 13, 2016 (PN 1642), as 
  amended--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote......................

                              ----------                              

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2017
    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-120616

                              legislation

H.R. 1150, Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, 
  with a substitute amendment--Approved by voice vote............   119

H.R. 2845, AGOA Enhancement Act of 2015, with an amendment--
  Approved by voice vote.........................................   118

H.R. 4481, Education for All Act of 2016, with a substitute 
  amendment--Approved by voice vote..............................   117

H.R. 4939, United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 
  2016, with a substitute amendment--Approved by voice vote......   116

S. Res. 537, A resolution expressing profound concern about the 
  ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in 
  Venezuela, urging the release of political prisoners, and 
  calling for respect of constitutional and democratic processes, 
  with substitute amendments--Approved by voice vote.............   111

S. Res. 535, A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate 
  regarding the trafficking of illicit fentanyl into the United 
  States from Mexico and China, with substitute amendments--
  Approved by voice vote.........................................   112

S. 8, To provide for the approval of the Agreement for 
  Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of 
  America and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway Concerning 
  Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy--Approved by voice vote........   115

S. Con. Res. 57, A concurrent resolution honoring in praise and 
  remembrance the extraordinary life, steady leadership, and 
  remarkable, 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of 
  Thailand--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote.....................   114

S. Con. Res. 30, A concurrent resolution expressing concern over 
  the disappearance of David Sneddon, and for other purposes--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   114

H. Con. Res. 40, A concurrent resolution encouraging reunions of 
  divided Korean American families--Approved, en bloc, by voice 
  vote...........................................................   114


                                 treaty

Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of 
  Montenegro, which was opened for signature in Brussels on May 
  19, 2016, and signed on behalf of the United States of America 
  (Treaty Doc. 114-12)--Approved by voice vote...................   110


                                nominee

Ms. Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, of Connecticut, a Career Member of 
  the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be 
  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United 
  States of America to Malaysia--Approved by voice vote..........   110


                         foreign service lists

Stephen Mull, et al., dated November 29, 2016, (PN 1907)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   110

Robert L. Adams, et al., dated November 29, 2016 (PN 1908)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   110

Robert Beecroft, et al., dated November 29, 2016 (PN 1909)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   110

Trista Allen, et al., dated November 29, 2016 (PN 1910)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   110

Anthony Abba, et al., dated November 29, 2016 (PN 1911)--
  Approved, en bloc, by voice vote...............................   110

Marva Michelle Butler, et al., dated November 15, 2016 (PN 
  1808)--Approved, en bloc, by voice vote........................   110

                              ----------                              

 
                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                       THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-012816

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:06 a.m. in 
Room S-116, The Capitol, Hon. Bob Corker, chairman of the 
committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Johnson, 
Flake, Gardner, Perdue, Barrasso, Cardin, Menendez, Udall, 
Murphy, Kaine, and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman. I am going to go ahead and call the meeting 
to order.
    I was just telling Senator Cardin I think we have had an 
incredibly productive period of time, and I am really glad to 
see the subcommittees working in the way that they should. We 
have a very substantial piece of legislation that we will talk 
about later that has come out of that process. So I appreciate 
the way all of our staff members and many committee members 
have worked together. And I am look forward to a very 
successful meeting.
    I do want to welcome Charlotte here, Chris' daughter 
observing how the Senate functions. Chris Lynch has been chief 
of staff to Senator Cardin.
    And when Senator Shaheen gets here, we will wish her a 
happy birthday. I do not know how happy they are at our age.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  On the agenda today, we have five pieces of 
legislation, two nominations, and three promotions on the 
Foreign Service list. We will consider the nominations for the 
Ambassador to Burma; the Representative of the U.S. to the 
IAEA, to the Vienna office of the U.N., with rank of 
Ambassador; as well as multiple Foreign Service lists.
    I want to thank my colleagues, as I just did, for helping 
the committee work through nominees and these lists in an 
appropriate fashion.
    We will also consider S. Res. 347, a resolution honoring 
the memory and legacy of Anita Ashok Datar and condemning the 
terrorist attack in Bamako, Mali on November 20th, 2015. I 
would like to thank Senator Booker for drafting and introducing 
this resolution and the many cosponsors, including Ranking 
Member Cardin. Ms. Datar was a committed and professional 
development expert and had devoted her career to serving 
others. We all mourn her loss and the opportunity and 
enthusiasm she brought to bear against the scourge of poverty.
    Also on the agenda today is S. 2426, a bill that would 
direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain 
observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police 
Organization, and for other purposes. We thank Senator Gardner 
and Senator Cardin for bringing this bipartisan bill to the 
committee to help provide Taiwan with the observer status at 
INTERPOL as an important step towards ensuring that Taiwan can 
be a productive participant in the international system and can 
reap the benefits of increased safety and security that 
INTERPOL membership helps provide. Taiwan is an important and 
active ally of ours in the fight against human trafficking, and 
supporting membership in INTERPOL will empower Taipei to 
continue playing a valuable role in the effort to end modern 
slavery across the globe.
    The third piece of legislation we will consider is S. 1882, 
the Nepal Recovery Act. I would like to thank Senator Cardin, 
along with Senator Kirk, for their efforts through this 
legislation to highlight the recovery and reconstruction needs 
of Nepal following the devastating earthquake last spring. This 
legislation represents the best of our bipartisan tradition in 
this committee and truly goes to the heart of our authorizing 
and oversight responsibilities. Members of our staff traveled 
to Nepal earlier this month to assess the earthquake damage, 
and witnessed firsthand the potency of U.S. assistance. I am 
pleased that we were able to support this legislation.
    Next on the agenda is H.R. 1493, the Protect and Preserve 
International Cultural Property Act. This bill is designed to 
deny ISIS any funding stream from the sale of looted antiquites 
by establishing more effective U.S. import restrictions on 
looted property. There is widespread concern that ISIS may be 
trafficking in such antiquities. I think everyone is aware of 
that. This response to the problem has been a long time coming, 
and I appreciate everybody's perseverance.
    The legislation is also designed to protect and preserve 
the cultural heritage of the Syrian people for a time when they 
finally have a responsible and democratically elected 
government.
    I want to thank Senator Cardin, Senator Perdue, Senator 
Casey, Senator Grassley, and our House colleagues, Chairman 
Royce and the sponsor of the bill, Representative Engel for 
working with us to create a manager's amendment we will 
consider today. This again is I think a breakthrough of 
bipartisanship. I also know this is something that 
Representative Engel has really pushed for. I know his chairman 
worked with him, as with us, to make this happen. I know this 
legislation is particularly important for Senator Perdue. We 
are glad that today we are going to be able approve it, I hope 
by voice vote.
    Lastly, we will consider H.R. 757, the North Korea 
Sanctions and Enforcement Act of 2015. I would like to thank 
Senators Gardner and Menendez for their efforts to focus 
attention on the threat posed by North Korea and their 
unwillingness to work with Senator Cardin and myself to develop 
a bipartisan Senate bill. There has been a lot of attention on 
North Korea in the weeks following North Korea's fourth nuclear 
test, but Senators Gardner and Menendez demonstrated leadership 
on North Korea long before those recent events. So thank you 
both.
    Thanks to their hard work and preparation, this committee 
was well prepared to take immediate action in response to North 
Korea's most recent provocation. The product of that leadership 
is the bipartisan bill before the committee today. I am 
heartened that this bill will set a precedent and put in place 
strong mandatory sanctions, and that it will establish for the 
first time a statutory framework for sanctions in response to 
North Korea's cyber threats.
    I am also pleased that this bill goes beyond sanctions. In 
addition, it establishes a more robust policy framework, 
including tools to improve enforcement. It also shines a 
brighter spotlight on North Korea's abhorrent human rights 
record such as their forced labor practices. We know all too 
well that in past decades, the United States' North Korea 
policy--under both Republican and Democratic administrations--
has been an abject failure there. And while there is no silver 
bullet solution, it is clear that Congress must play a more 
proactive role in providing more robust policy tools to the 
executive branch to confront the threat.
    I want to thank Senator Cardin and his staff for working 
with our team on this important bipartisan legislation, for the 
constructive contributions and discussions we have had with 
Senators Shaheen, Markey, and Flake, and for all their 
contributions to producing the manager's amendment we will 
consider this morning. This was truly an all-hands-on-deck 
bipartisan committee effort to ensure a piece of legislation of 
which this committee can be proud of today.
    And before I recognize Senator Cardin, I want to recognize 
Carolyn Leddy on our staff who has spent an incredible amount 
of time in the region, has been raising the alarm bells about 
North Korea for some time, and I want to thank you her for her 
diligence, and also to Frank Polly. I want to thank them, and 
all of the others here who worked on this bill, for their 
assistance in putting this together.
    So with that, Senator Cardin, I look forward to your 
comments. Thank you for the tremendous work that you and your 
staff did to putting this legislation before us today. Thank 
you very much.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, thank you.
    This is a very important business meeting. We have five 
important legislative actions to take in the business meeting. 
We have two very important nominations, plus a Foreign Service 
officer list for committee consideration.
    You went through a long list thanking members of our 
committee and other members of the United States Senate, and I 
join you in that. But at the end, you mentioned something that 
I think our committee needs to underscore and that is the way 
in which, through your leadership and the staffs of both the 
majority and minority have worked together so that we can speak 
with a united voice. And that is when the United States is its 
strongest on foreign policy issues, when we can speak as a 
united voice.
    And on North Korea, I just might point out we are not only 
going to speak as a united voice, we are going to be able to 
bring the House and the Senate together, Democrats and 
Republicans, the administration and Congress to make it clear 
we will not tolerate the type of activities that are taking 
place in North Korea. And it is true with all the bills that 
have come forward.
    And I know that we sometimes go through these business 
meetings very quickly and that is good. I am not complaining. I 
am not trying to keep people here for a long time. But the 
amount of work that went into this meeting was hours and hours 
of discussions to make sure we got it right. And I just really 
want to thank you for your leadership and the professionalism 
with which you have led this committee and all of our staffs 
who have been able to harmonize some very difficult issues so 
that we could have a relatively brief business meeting today on 
a very important agenda.
    Let me first start with the North Korea bill. I want to 
thank Senator Gardner and Senator Menendez. Their leadership on 
this, as you pointed out, was critically important. It sends a 
strong message to North Korea of the unity that we have been 
able to display. It is the correct response to North Korea's 
recent nuclear test that violated international commitments. It 
responds to the cyber hack we saw for Sony and North Korea's 
activities in the cyber area and their severe human rights 
abuses. They could be the worst country in the world on human 
rights issues, the way that they are starving their own people 
and the way that they torture their own people.
    I want to make one thing clear on this legislation. This is 
not a bill aimed against the people of North Korea. In fact, it 
is a bill aimed to help the people of North Korea. Their 
government uses the resources of their country in nefarious 
activities rather than taking care of the needs of their own 
people, and I think this bill underscores the importance of 
respect for the people of North Korea.
    The sanctions are directed against specific entities that 
violate U.S. law and United Nations Security Council 
resolutions. Let me just give you one example of how this bill 
will help in dealing with taking action against North Korea.
    Tough sanctions have worked with North Korea when they were 
applied in the past. In 2005, the U.S. designated Banco Delta 
Asia, BDA, as a money laundering concern for facilitating North 
Korea's illicit activities and banned all U.S. financial 
institutions from dealing with the Macao bank. North Korea was 
shunned by the international financial system due to the 
cumulative effects of the action. Two dozen financial 
institutions, including Chinese ones, voluntary cut back or 
terminated their business with North Korea. Both North Korea 
and China moderated their positions because of sanctions we 
imposed. But over time, we have seen an erosion of that.
    The bill that is before us will take corrective actions to 
limit North Korea's ability to conduct financial transactions.
    The bill we have strengthens the House bill. It strengthens 
it by including requirements for the administration to take 
investigative actions. It strengthens it in regards to North 
Korea's illegal cyber activities and strengthens it in regard 
to taking action against North Korea's human rights violations. 
It recognizes the appropriate role between Congress and the 
administration and creates the policy environment where the 
global community can join us, with U.S. leadership, against 
North Korea.
    The second bill let me just talk about briefly, is Nepal. I 
am pleased that Senator Kirk and I have worked together on this 
bipartisan bill. We are joined by Senators Markey, Feinstein, 
Gillibrand, and others.There were two devastating earthquakes 
last year in Nepal. 9,000 people killed, 26,000 injured, 
800,000 people's homes were destroyed, $5 billion in damage to 
a country where $5 billion is their lifeblood of their economy. 
So this is an appropriate response for the United States to 
provide assistance, plus accountability, and to work with the 
international community with U.S. leadership to respond to an 
international humanitarian crisis. So I am pleased this bill is 
on our markup, and I thank you for that.
    You also mentioned Senator Engel's bill in regards to the 
Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property. You are 
absolutely correct. This bill is very much targeted at what is 
happening in Syria where we are not only seeing their 
antiquities being destroyed, which is part of their culture and 
their history and future, but they're also being illicitly 
trafficked by the ISIL forces for financing of their terrorist 
activities. And this bill has the right response to take action 
against them.
    On the Taiwan INTERPOL bill, I want to thank my chairman, 
Senator Gardner, on the subcommittee that I am the ranking 
member of for his work on recognizing that Taiwan is a 
critically important strategic partner of the United States 
both economically and for national security and makes common 
sense that they have observer status in INTERPOL, and the U.S. 
should be working in that direction. And this bill passed, by 
the way, the House of Representatives by a 392 to 0 vote. So it 
is a bill I hope we can move quickly.
    You mentioned the resolution for Anita Datar. Let me point 
out that she was a loving mother, daughter, and sister, and 
lived in Takoma Park, Maryland. So people in Maryland have 
particular reason to mourn her loss. She was a humanitarian 
serving as the senior director of a field program for a USAID 
contractor in Mali. She was one of 19 victims that were killed 
in the terrorist attack on November 20th, 2015 at the Radisson 
Hotel in Mali. So it is appropriate that this resolution be 
passed. And I thank Senator Booker for his leadership on that.
    And then lastly, Senator Corker, thank you again for 
expediting our nominations. You have done an incredibly 
effective job in moving nominations through our committee, and 
I say that every time I can. I only wish that this was copied 
by the actions on the floor of the United States Senate. And I 
just need to point out that there are vacancies that have gone 
on for years because of the inaction on the floor of the United 
States Senate where the majority has allowed one Senator in 
many cases to block floor consideration of critically important 
nominations. That has got to end. It is not just our committee 
that is moving nominations. There are other committees that 
have acted in a timely way and those nominations are not being 
taken up on the floor either. And I know that you have been 
fighting. I have been with you when you have talked to 
individual Senators to try to get them moving. I thank you for 
that. Your leadership has been very much recognized.
    And I thank you for including the two nominations today and 
the Foreign Service list. But I can tell you we are going to 
continue to raise these issues on the floor of the United 
States Senate.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    I know many of you want to speak to the various individual 
pieces of legislation. If we could maybe do that when we 
address those each in turn, that would be great. So what I 
would like to do is first consider the three Foreign Service 
list confirmations. I support the appointments and promotions, 
and we would like to thank these officers for their service. 
Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No, thank you.
    The Chairman.  Is there any member who wishes to be 
recognized to speak regarding the Foreign Service list? [No 
response.]
    Senator Cardin. I move them.
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these, 
I would entertain a motion to approve them en bloc, as 
modified, by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the three Foreign 
Service list en bloc. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
appointments and promotions are agreed to.
    I would now like to ask the committee to pursue en bloc by 
voice vote in consideration of the two nominations before the 
committee, Ms. Laura Holgate to be the Representative for the 
U.S. to the IAEA, with the rank of Ambassador, and to be 
Representative of the U.S. in the Vienna Office of the U.N., 
with the rank of Ambassador; and the Honorable Scot Alan 
Marciel to be Ambassador to Burma. I want to thank these 
nominees for their willingness to serve in these positions.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on these nominees?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    The Chairman.  Is there any other member who wishes to 
speak at this time? Senator Gardner?
    Senator Gardner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to 
say a few words about the Marciel nomination and United States 
policy for Burma.
    Burma held historic elections last November. It is 
currently in the midst of a very sensitive political transition 
period between the military and democratic rule. With the new 
parliament due to be formed in April, U.S. policies need to 
help that transition. The United States still maintains a 
limited set of sanctions on Burma, sanctions many believe have 
helped to incentivize the democratic transition in that 
country.
    On December 1, Mr. Marciel testified before this committee 
that he does not foresee any planned changes in the U.S. 
sanctions policy. I received those assurances in private as 
well. Yet, on December 7th, the Treasury Department, in 
consultation with the State Department, announced they will be 
relaxing some of the sanctions on Burma. I consider this 
extremely regretful.
    But coming from the State Department, from the lack of 
transparency--and I have subsequently sought and received 
written assurances from the State Department that U.S. 
sanctions policy toward Burma has not changed and that Congress 
will be fully consulted in the future regarding any change. 
With that, I intend to support Mr. Marciel.
    The Chairman.  Okay. I know that Senator Rubio would like 
to be recorded no for the nomination of Laura Holgate.
    If there is no further discussion on these nominations, I 
would entertain a motion.
    Senator Barrasso. I would also like to be recorded as no.
    The Chairman.  Okay. Senator Barrasso, a no. Anyone else? 
Senator Risch would also like to be recorded as no, and we will 
do that.
    If there is no further discussion on these nominations, I 
would entertain a motion to approve them by voice vote en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  Seconded, Menendez.
    The question is on the motion to approve the nominations. 
All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The nominations 
are recommended to the full Senate.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, so I understand, the 
negatives were in regard to Holgate, not Marciel.
    The Chairman.  That is correct. Thank you for clarifying 
that.
    Next we will consider S. Res. 347, honoring the memory and 
legacy Anita Datar and condemning the terrorist attack in Mali.
    Senator Cardin, you have made comments. Do you have 
additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, Senator Menendez.
    Senator Menendez. Very briefly, I want to commend my 
colleague, Senator Booker, for recognizing the life of Anita 
Ashok Datar, who was a native of New Jersey, a former student 
at Mount Olive High School in Flanders, New Jersey, a graduate 
of Rutgers University, and a brilliant soul who spent much of 
her life making others' lives brighter. She was a dedicated 
servant. She spent her life working to advance public health in 
dangerous places. And it is a reminder, as we share our 
condolences with her family, however, that the tragedy that 
took place there is faced by all of those whose purpose in 
serving others takes them into dangerous places. And so we 
applaud her memory and her commitment.
    The Chairman.  Thank you for those comments.
    If there is no further discussion on the resolution, I 
would entertain a motion to approve it by voice vote.
    Senator Kaine. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 347. All 
those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution 
is approved.
    Next we will consider S. 2426, to direct the Secretary of 
State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for 
Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization.
    Senator Cardin, do you have additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. I have already spoken to this. I support 
it.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak?
    Senator Gardner. Mr. Chairman, I would ask unanimous 
consent that Senators Shaheen and Boxer be added as cosponsors.
    The Chairman.  Without objection.
    Senator Gardner. I want to thank Senator Cardin for working 
on this, as well as cosponsors of the bill. It is an important 
step forward for Taiwan. They had full membership in INTERPOL 
starting in 1964 until 1984 when the Peoples Republic of China 
applied for membership. Non-membership, of course, has been a 
step backward for Taiwan and kept them from participating in 
this important forum. And I hope this is a strong message to 
Taiwan that we are acting on their behalf.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thanks for your leadership on 
this.
    Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to approve it by voice vote.
    Senator Menendez. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Cardin. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 2426. All those 
in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation is approved.
    Next we will consider S. 1882, the Nepal Recovery Act.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments you 
would like to make?
    Senator Cardin. I do have a first degree amendment that has 
been suggested by the appropriators that I, at the appropriate 
time, would want to offer.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to this 
legislation? [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to consider the manager's amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Kaine. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Is there a second?
    Senator Cardin. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the manager's 
amendment. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
manager's amendment is agreed to.
    Now, I would entertain a motion that we consider the Cardin 
substitute amendment, as amended by the manager's amendment.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment, as amended. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The substitute 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 1882, as 
amended. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Next we will consider H.R. 1493, the Protect and Preserve 
International Cultural Property Act.
    Senator Cardin, any additional comment?
    Senator Cardin. I have already commented. I urge support.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to this 
legislation?
    Senator Perdue. Just briefly. I would like to recognize 
Senator Casey as an original cosponsor here in the Senate. This 
bill an emergency import restriction on archeological and 
ethnological material that has been removed since the beginning 
of the conflict in 2011 from Syria. A similar emergency import 
restriction act was placed on such items from Iraq in 2003 and 
is urgently needed here in Syria. We have seen ISIS do this 
across the Levant and it has targeted cultural property for 
destruction. It is their second leading source of income for 
ISIS.
    This legislation also includes a sense of Congress that the 
President should create an interagency committee to better 
coordinate efforts among the agencies of the executive branch 
and institutions such as the Smithsonian who work to preserve 
and protect international cultural properties. Since World War 
II, the U.S. has led the international effort to protect and 
preserve cultural property during times of conflict and crisis, 
and this should be no different.
    The bill also chips away at ISIS' ability to profit from 
its looting of history.
    I would like to thank you again for this timely bill 
included on the agenda today.
    And finally, I ask unanimous consent to submit for the 
record a statement from Senator Grassley, our other leading 
cosponsor.
    The Chairman.  Without objection.
    [The prepared statement of Senator Grassley follows:]


 Prepared Statement of Hon Charles E. Grassley, U.S. Senator from Iowa

    Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, members of the committee, 
I'd like to thank this Committee for taking up the ``Protect and 
Preserve International Cultural Property Act.'' This bill is critically 
important to ensure that the Administration has the authority to impose 
import restrictions on antiquities from Syria, which is a key source of 
funding for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
    I joined Senator Casey and Senator Perdue to introduce a Senate 
companion to the House bill that would place trade restrictions against 
the importation of looted archeological and ethnological materials. 
It's a similar measure to one that I won enactment of in 2003 when 
Iraq's antiquities were being looted.
    The brutal and barbaric acts carried out by ISIS are beyond 
comprehension. The senseless and inhumane brutality these individuals 
carried out against innocents is truly shocking and disgraceful. ISIS 
has executed thousands, including women and children. Many more have 
been kidnapped, enslaved, abused and raped.
    ISIS is also destroying and selling the archeological heritage that 
has survived for thousands of years. It's reprehensible that there are 
people engaged in a black market to buy these artifacts, thereby 
underwriting this brutal Islamist militant group.
    The chaos and disorder in Syria and Iraq has opened the door to 
opportunists who wish to enrich themselves in dealing with stolen and 
looted antiquities. The least we can do, here in Congress, is shut down 
the U.S. market for these artifacts. Americans should not be 
underwriting brutality.
    We need to put an end to the destruction and looting of 
irreplaceable artifacts and historical records like those from the 
Mosul Museum, Nineveh, and Nimrud. These objects are a material record 
of humanity.
    We need to destroy ISIS rather than support its funding. This bill 
will help by restricting the import of items to the United States. It's 
a small but important step in hampering the ability of ISIS terrorists 
to profit from the sale of looted antiquities.
    I strongly support this bill and encourage members of this 
committee to support it as well. Thank you.


    The Chairman.  Thanks for the comments.
    And I want to thank everybody for working through a couple 
of tricky issues to make sure this had the intended--the 
consequences were as intended. I know there were a few things 
that constituencies had concerns with. We were able to work 
through those. So thank you for your leadership.
    I would entertain a motion to consider the substitute 
amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The substitute 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Perdue. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Is there a second?
    Senator Cardin. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 1493, as 
amended. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Lastly, we will consider H.R. 757, the North Korea 
Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2015. This is a very significant 
piece of legislation that very soon, I believe, is going to 
become law and is going to have an impact on what is happening 
in North Korea and in the region.
    I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this. So 
many on the committee have. It is a major piece of legislation.
    Senator Cardin, would you like to make additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. I have already commented about it, but I 
just really want to underscore what the chairman said and 
particularly thank Senator Menendez and Gardner and other 
members of our committee.
    But we all share the same objective. But it was tricky 
because there are always going to be different views between an 
administration and the Congress on how sanctions are imposed 
and to listen to their concerns and to respond, where there was 
legitimate reason to respond, but to remain firm where we think 
it is congressional prerogative.
    I just want to compliment the chairman. I want to 
compliment Senator Menendez and Gardner for bringing us to this 
moment where we have a bill that I am very confident will not 
only pass the United States Senate but will be signed into law 
by the President.
    The Chairman.  Senator Gardner I am sure would like to make 
comments. Again, thanks for your tremendous leadership on this, 
with the tremendous leadership of Senator Menendez, the best in 
reaching bipartisan consensus that will affect something in a 
major way. We thank you. And I am sure you have some comments.
    Senator Gardner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would you like me 
to comment now or wait till we do the substitute amendment? I 
am happy to do it now or wait.
    The Chairman.  Why do you not go ahead and comment?
    Senator Gardner. Thank you. I can recall when I assumed the 
position as chairman of the committee, we talked both about 
North Korea and the serious concern that we have about its 
growing threat to its neighbors, to the United States homeland, 
and to global security we agreed that we could not ignore it.
    This past August, I had the opportunity to visit South 
Korea and to speak directly with South Korean President Park. 
We agreed that the status quo with regard to North Korea was no 
longer sustainable or responsible.
    In October, I presented Senate bill 2144, the North Korean 
Sanctions and Policy Enhancement. I want to thank Senators 
Rubio and Risch, Perdue, and Isakson for cosponsoring the 
legislation and thank you, Senator Cardin, and Senator Menendez 
for the encouragement and invaluable support to make this today 
a reality because we have taken the final step today in 
changing our policy toward North Korea.
    On January 6th, 2016, our worst fears were realized when 
North Korea followed through with its fourth nuclear test. 
North Korea has claimed it was a hydrogen test, a bomb vastly 
more powerful than previous tests. Regardless of whether that 
is true, it represents still a significant advancement in North 
Korea's nuclear weapons capability.
    And we also know North Korea continues to advance its 
ballistic missile program. In fact, yesterday it was on the 
news that they were perhaps preparing for yet additional tests.
    Admiral Bill Gortney, the head of U.S. NORTHCOM, the 
Northern Command, based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado 
publicly stated on several occasions that North Korea may have 
already developed the ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead 
mounted on their own intercontinental ballistic missile called 
the KNO8 and shoot it at the homeland. Admiral Gortney has 
reiterated those fears to me privately on numerous occasions as 
well, including his belief that the current conditions on the 
peninsula perhaps are as unstable as they have been since they 
have been since the armistice.
    North Korea continues to grossly abuse the rights of its 
own people. There are 200,000 men, women, and children in North 
Korea's vast prison systems. In fact, the United Nations 
Commission of Inquiry in 2014 found that North Korea's actions 
constituted a crime against humanity.
    Moreover, we have seen North Korean cyber capabilities grow 
into an asymmetric threat that North Korea has utilized against 
its neighbors, South Korea and Japan, as well as the United 
States, as evidenced by the Sony Pictures hack in November of 
2014. According to a November 2015 report by the center for 
Strategic and International Studies, North Korea is emerging as 
a significant actor in cyberspace with both its military and 
clandestine organization gaining the ability to conduct cyber 
operations.
    All of these developments represent a failure of U.S. 
policy of strategic patience toward North Korea. It is time to 
change course, and this legislation before us will do just 
that. Following the overwhelming vote 418 to 2 vote in the 
House of Representatives on their version of this bill 2 weeks 
ago, I wanted to again thank the chairman for moving forward 
with such a substitute out of our committee.
    The Gardner-Menendez substitute before us today represents 
a slightly modified version of our legislation, Senate bill 
2144. In particular, the legislation mandates not simply 
authorizes, the President to impose sanctions against persons 
that materially contribute to North Korea's nuclear ballistic 
missile development, import luxury goods into North Korea, 
enable a censorship on human rights abuses, engage in money 
laundering and manufacture of counterfeit goods and narcotics 
trafficking, engage in activities undermining cybersecurity, 
have supplied, sold, or transferred to or from North Korea 
precious metals or raw metals, including aluminum, steel, and 
coal for the benefit of North Korea's regime and its illicit 
activities. I would note the mandatory sanctions on North 
Korea's cyber activities and mandatory sanctions on the 
minerals are unique to the Senate legislation.
    This bill codifies Executive Orders 13687 and 13694 
regarding cybersecurity as they apply to North Korea, which 
were enacted last year in the wake of the Sony Pictures hack 
and other cyber instances. It is also a unique feature of the 
Senate bill.
    Lastly, the mandatory sanctions on cyber violators will 
break new ground for Congress if enacted and signed into law. 
We need to look for every way to deprive Pyongyang of income to 
build its weapons program, strengthen its cyber capabilities, 
and abuse its own people.
    We must also send a strong message to China, North Korea's 
diplomatic protector and largest trading partner, that the 
United States will use every economic tool at its disposal to 
stop Pyongyang.
    I urge my colleagues to support the Gardner-Menendez 
substitute.
    The Chairman.  I would imagine Senator Menendez would like 
to make a comment, and I hope that he will.
    Senator Menendez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I am pleased to see that the committee remains vigilant 
with respect to the threat that North Korea presents to our 
national security interests and the security interests of our 
friends and allies, whether that threat is conventional, 
nuclear, or cyber. And that is exactly what I had in mind when 
I introduced bipartisan legislation last July with Senator 
Graham and again in this session. And I want to thank you, Mr. 
Chairman, and Senator Cardin for recognizing the need and the 
expediency, as well as the work you put into it. And I want to 
thank Senator Gardner as the subcommittee chair for working 
with me to come along to a piece of legislation that is 
meaningful at the end of the day and not just a message piece.
    I have believed in the course of following North Korea in 
two guiding principles.
    One is that, first, effective deterrence needs leadership, 
and nuclear missile tests, cyber attacks highlight the 
continuing threat that North Korea poses to the U.S. and our 
friends and allies in the region. And I believe we need to see 
more action to energize a strategy to continue to promote 
decisive U.S. leadership and a broad international coalition to 
bring pressure on the regime.
    And second, strategic patience has a place, but not without 
strategic focus. A strategic approach to security and stability 
on the Korean peninsula should include the effective sanctions 
that we are calling for in this legislation, diplomatic 
pressure, and military countermeasures, the full range of 
American instruments of power to keep it focused on the threat 
that North Korea presents.
    And I think the legislation we are about to take up is the 
most meaningful response to North Korea's most recent nuclear 
test. I believe we are taking a strong step towards addressing 
the threat that North Korea poses. We are certainly sending a 
strong message to the regime that has displayed little faith in 
the resolve to respond to provocations, whether nuclear, 
conventional, or cyber.
    And I am pleased to note, as has been noted here, that this 
is a true bipartisan effort at the end of the day, particularly 
as it relates to foreign policy. When we can speak with one 
voice, when we are undivided in purpose and commitment, we send 
the strongest message in the world both multilaterally and as 
it relates in this case to a country for which we are concerned 
about their violation of international will and international 
order and security. That is the most powerful statement we can 
make.
    I will close by saying, as has been noted, the provisions 
of our legislation build upon the good work that the House did 
to target not only banned and illicit activities but also 
Pyongyang's trade in minerals and precious metals which is a 
key source of hard currency for the regime and a signal to 
North Korea's trade partners that support, whether economic or 
otherwise, a regime that oppresses its people, threatens its 
neighbors, violates international will will come at significant 
cost.
    And at the same time, I believe that it is incredibly 
important to offer America's hand to those who suffer under 
this regime's abuse. American and other humanitarian 
organizations who seek to improve the situation for North 
Koreans should not and under the provisions included in this 
bill will come afoul of this improved sanctions regime.
    I think this is an incredibly strong measure, and I thank 
the committee's leadership, as well as Senator Gardner, for 
coming together in what is a truly strong bipartisan response.
    The Chairman.  Any other comments? Anyone else want to 
speak to this?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Again, this is a very, very strong piece of 
legislation. It does build off of the House.
    And just for committee members to know, it is my sense that 
if it passes out of committee today, which I think it will, it 
is going to be on the floor the week after next. It will 
probably the last piece of legislation we take up during this 
work period.
    We have been in communication, obviously, with the 
administration, both with our U.N. Ambassador but also with our 
Security Council leader. And I know they are continuing to work 
through the Security Council itself to impose sanctions. I do 
not know where that goes.
    But I am really proud that our committee is going to pass 
this piece of legislation today, I think overwhelmingly. I also 
think it will pass the floor overwhelmingly. We will then be 
able to work with the House to cause this to become law. And 
again, I cannot thank the members of this committee enough for 
their leadership, especially Senator Gardner, Senator Menendez, 
Senator Cardin, and others.
    So with that, if there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to consider the manager's amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the manager's 
amendment. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The manager's 
amendment is agreed to.
    Now I would entertain a motion that we consider the 
Gardner-Menendez substitute amendment in light of the 
discussion about it, as amended by the manager's amendment.
    Senator Gardner. So moved.
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment, as amended. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  And with that, the ayes have it. The 
substitute amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    Senator Markey. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, sir.
    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank 
you and Senator Cardin and Senator Menendez and Senator Gardner 
for their tremendous work on this bill. And I want to thank you 
for inclusion of my provision to ensure that anyone who 
participates in or facilitates North Korea's trade in 
conventional weapons is subject to sanctions under this act.
    I also commend the committee for acting decisively and in a 
bipartisan way to strengthen sanctions against North Korea.
    Although the U.N. Security Council strengthened its arms 
embargo on North Korea following the 2009 nuclear test, gaps 
remain, including a lack of enforcement by some member states, 
particularly China. This amendment helps close those gaps by 
imposing sanctions on anyone who trades in weapons with North 
Korea. Doing so will help disrupt Pyongyang's arms trade which, 
according to U.N. reports, remains one of the country's most 
profitable revenue sources.
    I also appreciate my colleagues' willingness to explore the 
second amendment of mine which would require the Treasury 
Department to determine whether North Korea was of primary 
money laundering concern on an annual basis rather than only 
once. It would also provide Congress with additional 
information regarding the special measures that Treasury 
applies as a result of that designation and the reasons for 
selecting those measures.
    While my staff was unable to fully resolve the concerns 
raised with this amendment, I look forward to continuing to 
work with you, Mr. Chairman, and the other Senators about a way 
to include it before we reach the floor. It is important to 
remember that sanctions are not in and of themselves the goal, 
but rather it is the goal to bring North Korea to the 
disarmament negotiations. And I think that the language which I 
suggested, which I hope that we can work together to try to 
include before the floor, can be included.
    Mr. Chairman, I also have an amendment at the desk, Markey 
number 3, which I would like to offer and to subsequently 
withdraw. That amendment directs the Securities and Exchange 
Commission to issue regulations requiring the securities 
issuers to annually disclose their investments in North Korea 
and to disclose any other activities that could subject them to 
sanctions under this act.
    In 2004, the Congress created the SEC's Office of Global 
Security Risk to seek disclosure from companies doing business 
with sanctioned countries, including those on the list of state 
sponsors of terrorism.
    In 2008, however, President Bush removed North Korea from 
that list. As a result, the Securities and Exchange Commission 
stopped requiring securities issuers to disclose investments in 
North Korea. This lack of disclosure may lead Americans to 
unknowingly invest in companies that do business with North 
Korea. As noted by a 2003 report from the House Appropriations 
Committee, American investors may be unwittingly investing in 
companies with ties to countries that sponsor terrorism and 
countries linked to human rights violations. These associations 
can negatively affect the value of an investment, exposing 
unwitting investors to financial risk.
    The prospect of American companies investing in North Korea 
is quite real. As a ``New York Times'' story reported on 
January 13th, just last week, one American company, Firebird 
Management, has publicly declared its intention to invest in 
North Korea's oil industry. A hedge fund manager told the 
``Times'' that North Korea could be a lucrative market for 
investors, owing to its young, highly disciplined, and literate 
population and its strong military industrial complex.
    This amendment will not impose any burden on companies that 
do not invest in North Korea. For those companies that do, 
Americans deserve at least to know who they are. Without this 
requirement, Americans may unwittingly be supporting a country 
that abuses its citizens, threatens U.S. national security, and 
violates U.S. law.
    Unfortunately, due to the limited time available for 
discussion prior to this meeting, we were unable to fully 
resolve concerns about this amendment. Nevertheless, I look 
forward to continued conversations. And I am preparing an 
amendment for the floor to protect our American citizens from 
financial risk arising out of opaque investments in North 
Korea. And I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment, 
but I look forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman, and the 
others so that we can include appropriate language so that the 
American public knows who amongst American companies are, in 
fact, investing in North Korea.
    The Chairman.  Well, I want to thank you for the way you 
have constructively worked with us. I know you have an 
amendment that is already a part of this bill. I know you want 
to discuss other ideas with us, and as always, we look forward 
to those discussions. But I do want to thank you again for 
being so constructive as we moved to this bill today.
    I know you have had a lot of interest in this issue. You 
have expressed that interest in committee hearings, not just on 
North Korea, but on China and other matters. And I want to 
thank you for bringing your point of view to our committee.
    Senator Cardin. If I might, I also want to thank Senator 
Markey. I do not know of a Member of the Senate who has more 
experience and has been a greater leader on nuclear 
nonproliferation than Senator Markey. And he, as you pointed 
out, has raised it with many countries, and here with North 
Korea, your leadership is going to be critically important as 
this bill moves forward. And then in the other areas you 
referred to, including human rights and conventional weapons, 
it is very important that we have a very clear policy, and your 
expertise will help us. And I thank you for the cooperative way 
in which we are trying to work to make sure we get this done.
    The Chairman.  Did you want to say something else?
    Senator Markey. I was just going to say I think that the 
best way to punish them is to give the American people the 
ability to participate in it as well, and the more that they 
can have transparent access to the information about which 
American companies are investing, the more we can actually 
invest the American people in this issue as well. So we create 
kind of a conversation online across the country about this 
issue and which companies are cooperating. This has to be I 
think an effort which we reach down further into the American 
public so that they are better educated about the long-term 
list of Korea's activities.
    But I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Thank you, and thanks for withdrawing those 
amendments. And without objection, they are.
    Are there any other amendments that someone would want to 
consider?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    Senator Barrasso. Second.
    The Chairman.  It is so moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 757, as 
amended. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    And that completes the committee's business.
    I ask unanimous consent that the record be held open for 5 
business days and that staff be authorized to make technical 
and conforming changes and members statements. Without 
objection, so ordered.
    Senator Kaine. Mr. Chairman, I have a question that is kind 
of tangential to one of the pieces of legislation that we dealt 
with, the H.R. 1493 about the international cultural property 
protection that deals with ISIL. And I just wanted a kind of 
status check on this last week.
    Last week, the Leader rule 14'ed to the floor a military 
operation against ISIL filed by Senator Graham. And I was just 
curious what the committee's--either what the majority's 
posture is with respect to that on the floor and whether the 
committee intends to take it up. As you know, there is a 
bipartisan authorization that has been pending before the 
committee since June.
    The Chairman.  Well, consistency is something I like a lot.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you so much for bringing that up.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  And as you know, I am of the belief that the 
President already has the authority to do what he is doing as 
he believes. Every witness that the administration has sent to 
this committee says that they believe the 2001 authorization 
for the use of miltary force gives them the ability to do what 
they are doing both in Syria and in Iraq. So I think they have 
the freedom to conduct this war in every possible way they 
believe.
    I appreciate the tremendous leadership that you and Senator 
Flake have shown on this issue.
    As I think it has been clearly stated, I do not think the 
Majority Leader had any intention of elevating the discussion 
beyond this committee. When members ask the Leader to Rule 14 a 
bill, he just does it as a courtesy. In many cases, he is even 
unaware personally that that is happening. It is just a 
perfunctory thing. So I do not think that step changed the 
debate in any way.
    What he said in his public comments--and these are not my 
comments, but I am just reciting them--is that should the 
President come forth with a strategy that he believes is one 
that is going to defeat ISIS and should the President come 
forth with a proposed authorization that he does not believe 
will tie the hands of the next administration, the Majority 
Leader would consider it.
    That does not mean that his view has to be our committee's 
posture. And if the committee would like to talk further about 
this, both openly or privately, I am more than glad to do it. I 
think you know I drafted a possible authorization for the use 
of military force and talked to you about it some time ago.
    Again, I believe that the President has that authority now, 
but I know there are concerns by some that while they believe 
that President Obama, from their perspective, might not be 
doing everything he needs to do against ISIS, the next 
President might wish to do more. So there are people within our 
committee who want to limit the next President's ability to 
conduct operations. There are other people who feel like he 
already has the authority he needs, like I do. Right now, by 
the way, the authority he has is that he can do anything he 
wishes as commander in chief to try to defeat this enemy.
    I know Senator Menendez had a productive hearing on these 
issues before the majority shifted, if you will.
    But I do not think that Senator McConnell's recent efforts 
were in any way intended to change the status of these 
discussions. I think he was really clear the next day that he 
would continue look to this committee on these issues. If those 
conditions were met by the President, he said, would look to 
this committee to deal with the question.
    I do not know if there are any additional comments.
    Senator Kaine. Might I respond? If there are other 
comments, I would love to respond briefly.
    It is the case that there are wide views about the 
President's current legal authority. There are many in this 
body who believe that the war is illegal. There are some who 
believe that the 9/11 authorization covers it. But there is a 
wide variety of opinions on that.
    But the President has asked Congress to take this up since 
September of 2011 and submit an authorization in February, 
since September of 2014 and submit an authorization in February 
2015, nearly a year ago. This committee did act on an 
authorization--sadly it did not see get floor action for a 
variety of reasons--about 14 months ago.
    But the mere fact that the President says he has the 
authority has never been enough here. The President says he has 
the authority on immigration matters, but Members of Congress 
are suing him about it. And when the President has asked that 
we have a debate and put Congress' will behind this war and 
when the head of the Joint Chiefs has asked, I find that those 
are very compelling.
    So I was concerned that there would be an effort to end run 
the committee on this. It would certainly be my hope that we 
would take it up. And that may not be the will of the 
committee, but I am going to keep asking for it because an 
legal war is a very troubling thing to those of us who believe 
it is illegal, just but illegal.
    But also I am so convinced that if this committee devoted 
the attention to this that we have devoted to matters like the 
bill today on North Korean sanctions or the Iran Nuclear Review 
Act, where we came in with a lot of different positions, but we 
hammered it out, we were able to reach an accord. And maybe I 
am still too new to be trusted and my naivete or optimism but I 
think if we just devoted the time and attention to this matter, 
we could reach an accord since Congress is overwhelmingly of 
the belief that the war against ISIL is a just one.
    But we will obviously watch it to see if that rule 14 
moves. I would certainly hate to see something move like that, 
even to be taken up on the floor without this committee putting 
its thumbprints on it because I have got confidence in this 
committee.
    The Chairman.  I just put your concerns at rest. I do not 
think there was any attempt to bypass the committee, and I 
think the Leader went out of his way that afternoon to assure 
people that that is not what his intentions are.
    I will have to say I was just in Afghanistan and was in 
Qatar at the base where we are basically controlling all of the 
operations that are taking place, from an aerial standpoint, in 
both Syria and Iraq. I do not get the sense there is anyone 
among our military service people who believes anything but 
that the United States is 1,000 percent behind them in their 
efforts. I happen to be one of those people that does agree 
that they have the legal authority to do what they are doing, 
and I have not seen any indication that us debating this here 
would in any way change the trajectory of what we are doing on 
the ground anyway.
    I do not believe, however, that they have the authority to 
go against Assad. If you remember, in a committee meeting that 
we had with General Martin Dempsey, when we asked the question 
about whether, if Assad were to barrel bomb, for instance, the 
Syrian opposition, he had the authority to go against Assad's 
forces. He said not at that moment. Certainly if they needed 
such additional authority in Syria, I would be more than glad 
to take that up, because that would be an initial authorization 
the Executive Branch currently does not have. I am more than 
willing to continue discussing such things.
    Except for that question about Assad's forces, I see 
nothing we would do here on ISIS changing the trajectory of 
what is happening in Syria already, and--I do not see an 
authorization doing that.--I believe already they have the 
legal authority;--I agree with their assertions that they do. 
What I do not want to do is enter into a debate that is really 
more about the presidential race and people having concerns 
that maybe a President gets elected who will conduct a war in a 
more aggressive manner than the current President--and some 
people are really interested in limiting that. regarding ISIS 
when, in fact, I think the committee is united regarding the 
fact that we think this campaign is just. There may be 
differences relative to our belief regarding the legalities.
    But, look, I have to say you are one of our most 
constructive and consistent members. I thank you for your 
consistency. I know you feel really strongly about this, and I 
am glad that we have a committee on which members feel not only 
the freedom but are empowered to continue to express their 
views--and where as today, as we have seen, we can successfully 
pass major pieces of legislation when they are hammered out.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, I just want to clarify one 
point that you said that I think it is important. When the 
committee took up the authorization for use of military force 
under Chairman Menendez, what came out of that markup was an 
authorization that we thought was appropriate for the war 
against ISIL and was very much aimed at the recommendations of 
the Obama administration. It also recognized that the next 
administration may have a different game plan. And that is why 
we had a requirement that the next Congress would have to take 
up the authorization for the use of military force with the 
recommendations of the next administration. So I do not think 
there has been any effort made here to try to get involved in 
presidential politics. I mean that sincerely.
    The Chairman.  I think it is moving in that direction.
    Senator Cardin. I just want to make that clear. As we 
looked at it, it was not at all aimed at the politics of the 
presidential elections, but instead required the next 
administration to come to Congress as to what Congress should 
authorize in regards to their game plan on the war against 
ISIL.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. I appreciate that.
    And by the way, I did not agree with the authorization 
because of the limiting factors, but I thought it was a good 
discussion.
    Senator Flake?
    Senator Flake. I have to leave. I just want to associate 
myself with the comments that Senator Kaine made, and whether 
it was the intent of the Leader to bypass the committee, I 
think that was the effect. It is unfortunate that we are not 
going to bring something to the floor that has the stamp of the 
committee or at least attempt to do so.
    The Chairman.  Actually, I do not think it was his intent 
at all. I have had multiple conversations with him, and I can 
assure you that was not his intent. As a matter of fact, I 
would guess there are members here that have asked the Leader 
to Rule 14 things to the floor just to make those items 
pending, something that they do as a matter of routine, --
without even thinking about it. It happens nonstop. So I do not 
think that what you fear is the case. I do not think that is 
the end result of the Leader's move, and certainly I have been 
assured in every way, including in public comments, that that 
is not the case.
    Senator Flake. Well, if that is the case, hopefully we will 
have an amendment process that allows the committee to put its 
stamp on it when it comes to the floor. That would be nice.
    The Chairman.  Again, I do not think there is an intent to 
move the Graham bill to the floor. Is there any 
misunderstanding there?
    Senator Cardin. I think you are pretty clear.
    The Chairman.  There is no attempt to move it.
    Yes, sir.
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman, on a different matter, I 
just wanted to very briefly--members have spent a lot of time 
in the effort, as we did successfully today on the North Korea 
bill. But I have been on this committee long enough to know 
that staff plays an incredibly important role. So I want to 
thank all the staff for its involvement. Particularly I want to 
recognize Michael Schiffer from our Democratic staff as one of 
the significant Asian experts that we have. And I want to thank 
my office for helping make this possible.
    The Chairman.  I agree.
    With no further comments, the meeting is adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 11:03 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                      WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-0210216

                                        U.S. Senate
                             Committee on Foreign Relations
                                                   Washington, D.C.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, 10:00 a.m., in Room 
SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Bob Corker, 
chairman of the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Flake, Gardner, 
Perdue, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, Menendez, Coons, Murphy, and 
Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  The business meeting of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order, and as people come in, 
we will hold votes. But I think that it will probably be best 
for Ben and I to go ahead and make our opening comments, as I 
know we both have to be down to the floor at 10:30 to begin 
handling the North Korea legislation.
    So on the agenda today we have three resolutions. First, we 
will consider S. Res. 330. I want to personally congratulate 
the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for winning the 2015 
Nobel Peace Prize. It is an honor that is well earned and 
rightfully deserved. Their courage, perseverance, and success 
over the last five years have culminated in this great honor.
    More importantly, however, their work has done immeasurable 
good in Tunisia, a country that has chosen democracy and has 
become a beacon of light in a region wrought with conflict, 
bloodshed, and oppression. I hope that Tunisia continues to 
focus on the follow-through that is so crucial for continued, 
lasting success for the country, for its people, and for the 
region. With S. Res 330, it is our hope that Congress will add 
its voice to those congratulating the Quartet and reaffirming 
the United States' support for Tunisia as it fulfills its 
people's desire to become a more stable, free, and prosperous 
country.
    Thank you, Senators Coons, Cardin, Kaine, and Perdue, for 
their work on this resolution.
    We will also consider S. Res. 361, a resolution urging 
robust funding for humanitarian relief in Syria with an 
amendment. I want to thank Senator Cardin as usual for working 
with me on this resolution. This resolution calls on countries 
to make and fulfill their pledges for humanitarian relief in 
and around Syria.
    The Syrian conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of 
people and engulfed the region in a humanitarian catastrophe on 
a massive scale. The victims of this horrendous civil war 
desperately need help. I am proud to say the United States 
remains the largest single donor to such efforts, and we are up 
to date in fulfilling our pledges.
    But more is needed. It is a hopeful sign that the donor 
conference in the United Kingdom last Thursday generated $10 
billion in pledges. Those pledges, however, need to be 
converted into actual contributions. Only 43 percent of the 
$2.9 billion pledged to the UN's 2015 appeal was funded. With 
this resolution, we hope to add our voice to those calling on 
strong donor support for the pledges made at the most recent 
conference in London.
    And lastly, we will consider S. Res. 99 calling upon Iran 
to fulfill its promises of assistance in the case of the 
disappearance of U.S. citizen, Robert Levinson. To the Levinson 
family--Bob's wife, Christine, son, Dan, and his sister-in-law, 
Suzanne--our thoughts and prayers have and continue to be with 
you. Thank you so much for being here today. We appreciated the 
opportunity to talk to you earlier.
    This is a topic, for what it is worth, a good deal of time 
was spent last night in a classified setting. We are sorry you 
have been through this harrowing experience, and I know it 
continues without a lot of information, and we are determined 
to do what we can to make sure that that changes. So thank you 
so much for being here. We sincerely appreciate you being here 
as I just mentioned. And I do not think we can fully appreciate 
what you have gone through personally over the last eight 
years.
    I want to thank Senators Rubio and Nelson for their work on 
this resolution. It is a symbolic message that should continue 
to raise the awareness of this incredibly sad situation, and to 
remind each of us to push the U.S. Administration, the 
government of Iran--and the government of Iran to do everything 
they can to return Bob, his family, and his friends to his 
country.
    The family stressed what a patriot he was as we met prior 
to coming out here. And I think all of us know that, and we 
need to do everything we can to get him back.
    With that, I would like to recognize the distinguished 
ranking member for his comments, Senator Cardin.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Well, Chairman Corker, first of all, thank 
you for arranging this business meeting to pass three very 
important resolutions from the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee. I also acknowledge this is an important day on 
foreign policy. We are going to consider the North Korean 
Sanction Act on the floor of the Senate, and I expect it will 
pass overwhelmingly later this afternoon, which is a real 
credit to your leadership in engineering its consideration on 
the floor, but also this committee's bipartisan work to produce 
a product that is worthy of strong support in the United States 
Senate.
    And then we will have a very important hearing following 
this on Central Africa, a region of the world that has been in 
conflict for way too long with tragic consequences for its 
population. So we have a very busy day.
    In regards to the three resolutions that are under 
consideration, thank you for acknowledging the Levinson family 
that is here. Congressman Deutch, it is nice to have you also 
with us today and the work that you did in the House to 
position our action in regards to Robert Levinson.
    Let me make it clear. We will use every avenue available to 
us to get a full accounting and release of Robert Levinson. I 
can assure you of that. And this resolution, as the Chairman 
said before we came in here, is an important step, but just a 
step. We intend to do a lot more than just the action on this 
resolution, so we thank you very much. He is the longest-held 
United States civilian in our Nation's history, so we will very 
much be working to deal with this issue.
    Let me also acknowledge, as you did, Senator Nelson's and 
Rubio's work in regards to the Levinson resolution.In regards 
to S. Res 361, the resolution on Syria, I want to thank you for 
your help in putting together this resolution. The humanitarian 
crisis in Syria is incredible. Obviously our inital efforts 
have been to resolve the conflict in Syria and have a 
government that represents all the people without President 
Assad. And then we can concentrate on the threat of ISIL, and 
not only contain, but destroy ISIL. That is our objective.
    In the meantime, there is this refugee dislocation, the 
largest flow in the world. It is a huge humanitarian crisis, 
including to the countries directly bordering Syria, like 
Jordan, our strategic ally.. There are many other countries 
impacted like Lebanon andTurkey, and we know there's also a 
refugee flow into Greece and other parts of Europe . These 
large refugee flows are having an impact on the stability of 
all these regions.
    So it is important that this humanitarian crisis be dealt 
with globally. As you pointed out, the United States has been 
the leader. It is has been the leader in the dollars that we 
put up--$5.1 billion to date--as well as convening the 
international community, and this resolution furthers that 
objective.
    And then lastly, S. Res. 330, congratulating the Tunisian 
National Dialogue Quartet for winning the 2015 Nobel Peace 
Prize. The resolution, I think, is self-explanatory, but 
Tunisia is a country that is beset by turmoil. We know that. It 
is a rough area, and yet they have demonstrated that when 
elected officials work with civil societies, you can get things 
done. And I think that is a model for that region, and I think 
this resolution is very appropriate.
    So on all three of these resolutions, they are very 
important business, and I hope we can get a quorum and pass 
them.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. We need about a two-minute 
filibuster here. Would anyone like to make comments? Go ahead. 
I think Senator Murphy might have----
    Senator Murphy. I thank you very much--I only have two 
minutes. I just want to thank those who are bringing the Syria 
resolution, in particular, before us today. The gist of it is a 
call to the international community to step up to the plate and 
fulfill obligations that they have, and for those that have--
who have not made a big enough commitment, to make it bigger. 
But I also hope that the pressure is still on us here in this 
Congress to support increased humanitarian aid for the region.
    I think most all of us have been to some of those camps. We 
have heard the stories of the World Food Program perpetually 
running out of money, such that last fall they had to cut off 
food aid for those individuals not living in the camps, those 
individuals and families who are living in cities and 
communities on the streets, places like Lebanon and Jordan.
    And, of course, we know what happens when they do not get 
basic nourishment and sustenance. They get it from somewhere 
else. They often sign up with the very groups that we are 
fighting because that is the only offer they get in order to 
feed their family or put a paycheck into their pocket in order 
to put a roof over their children's heads.
    And so, I agree that the international community certainly 
has to do more. There are many of our very good friends in that 
neighborhood who have not stepped up and made commitments 
anywhere close to what the United States had made. But there is 
going to be more required of us as well, and I know this 
committee has committed to doing our part as we move forward as 
this crisis continues to unfold.
    Thanks for putting this resolution before us today, Mr. 
Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thank you for the comments. 
Senator Coons.
    Senator Coons. Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, I 
just want to thank both of you for the bipartisan way in which 
you continue to move us forward. I am glad to be a co-sponsor 
and supporter of all three resolutions.
    I would like to thank my friend, Congressman Deutch, for 
his advocacy to Dan Levinson, and Christine Levinson, and to 
Suzanne Halpin. I have raised the issue of Robert Levinson both 
in classified settings and in public settings with members of 
the Administration. I think this resolution is an appropriate 
and bipartisan way for us to continue to press the Iranians to 
keep their commitment. And his long and painful absence from us 
I think is something that we just wanted--all of us wanted you 
to know that we share your concerns about his safe return, and 
about Iran continuing to be a regime that we cannot trust, and 
that we need to press to keep their commitments.
    I will simply join Senator Murphy in saying that our 
support for those who are suffering through the horrific 
ongoing civil war in Syria is something, I think, has motivated 
all the members of this committee. And last, the Tunisian 
Quartet and their heroic efforts to bring some semblance of 
stability and democracy to Tunisia were worthy of the Nobel 
Peace Prize. And it is my hope that all of us will support 
those in Tunisia willing to make the tough political and 
economic reforms necessary to secure progress in Tunisia.
    Thank you for moving all three of these resolutions today.
    The Chairman.  Any additional comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If not, we will move to the business at 
hand.
    The first order of business today on the agenda will be S. 
Res. 330, congratulations--congratulating the Tunisian National 
Dialogue Quartet for winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize. I know 
Senator Cardin has made comments. Anyone else wish to speak?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Seeing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolutions?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 330.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution 
is approved.
    Next we have--next we will move to S. Res. 361, urging 
robust funding for humanitarian relief for Syria. I know 
Senator Cardin has spoken to this. Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Seeing none, I would entertain a motion to 
consider the Corker amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and then seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker 
amendment.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendment 
is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Seeing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Seconded.
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 361, as 
amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution 
is amended and agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 99, calling on the 
government of Iran to fulfill its promises of assistance in the 
case of Robert Levinson, the longest-held United States 
civilian in our Nation's history. Anyone like to speak to this 
resolution?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve all three 
Rubio amendments by voice vote en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all three 
amendments en bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendments are agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 99, as 
amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
resolution, as amended, is agreed to. And that completes the 
committee's business.
    Congressman Deutch, thank you for being here. I know you 
all criticize the Senate a great deal, as you should. I want 
you to know this is probably the quickest business meeting we 
have had. We did it in your honor.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you for being here to support this.
    With that, I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized 
to make technical and conforming changes. Without objection, so 
ordered.
    And with that, the business meeting is adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 10:15 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                        THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-031016

                                        U.S. Senate
                             Committee on Foreign Relations
                                                   Washington, D.C.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m. in, 
Room SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Bob Corker, 
chairman of the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Rubio, Johnson, 
Flake, Gardner, Perdue, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, Boxer, 
Menendez, Shaheen, Coons, Udall, Murphy, Kaine, and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  The Foreign Relations Committee will come to 
order.
    I know we do not have enough members here to vote, but I 
think it would be good to get the frontend out-of-the-way.
    I want to thank everyone for being here today. On the 
agenda for today, we have seven pieces of legislation, six 
nominations, and a number of Foreign Service Officer lists.
    First, we will consider the eight Foreign Service Officer 
lists of nearly 100 personnel referred to the committee. I 
support all of these appointments and promotions, and would 
like to thank all of these officers for their service.
    We will also consider six nominations, including several 
important new ambassadors. I want to thank my colleagues for 
helping the committee work through the nominees in an 
appropriate fashion and to allow us to take these steps forward 
today.
    Next, we will consider six resolutions on the agenda. The 
first resolution, S. Res. 375, marks the annual effort to draw 
attention to tens of millions of people around the world 
trapped in modern slavery today. The effort known End It Day 
took place on February 25 of this year.
    I want to thank everybody here for their efforts toward a 
modern slavery bill itself. I want to thank Senator Cardin for 
his support and all of you for your support for this effort.
    The second resolution, S. Res. 368, supports efforts by the 
Government of Colombia to pursue peace and the end of the 
country's enduring internal armed conflict, and recognizing 
United States' support for Colombia at the 15th anniversary of 
Plan Colombia.
    Colombia is our friend and ally. We need to remain engaged 
to make sure Colombia can hopefully consolidate peace under the 
rule of law.
    We commend Senator Cardin for his leadership in introducing 
this resolution. I want to thank him and Brandon Yoder of his 
staff for working with us to incorporate our perspectives as 
well. This resolution should be the beginning of the work we 
need to do regarding Colombia in this committee going forward.
    As we consider S. Res. 388, a resolution supporting the 
goals of International Women's Day, I want to commend Senator 
Shaheen and her cosponsors from both parties for bringing this 
resolution to the committee. I also want to thank her and 
Senator Cardin and their staff for working with us to develop 
the text of the amendments we are considering today.
    This resolution underscores the indispensable role that 
women play in economic, political, and cultural progress of 
humanity. It is important that we take stock of what has been 
accomplished and what remains to be done to ensure that girls 
and women can achieve their full potential under equal 
conditions.
    We will also consider S. Res. 392, a resolution that 
expresses profound concern over the political prosecution of 
the former President of Maldives and urges the Maldives 
Government to take all necessary steps to redress this 
injustice and to ensure due process and freedom from political 
persecution of people of the Maldives.
    I want to thank Senator Leahy and all the cosponsors of 
this resolution, including several members of this committee, 
for bringing this before the committee and for working with us 
on this resolution.
    The rights to due process and freedom from political 
persecution are fundamental to any democracy and to peace and 
stability around the world.
    We will also consider S. Res. 378, a resolution expressing 
the sense of Senate regarding the courageous work and life of 
Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and reviewing the call 
for full and transparent investigation into his tragic murder 
in Moscow on February 27, 2015.
    I want to thank Senator Johnson for maintaining attention 
on Russian efforts that may exist to silence the voices of 
dissent. The killing of Boris Nemtsov serves as another example 
of the risks that Russian reformers face in the efforts to 
promote growth and democratic ideals within the Russian state.
    S. Res. 383, a resolution recognizing the importance of the 
United States-Israel economic relationship, and encouraging new 
ideas of cooperation, is also on the agenda today. I would like 
to thank Senator Perdue for sponsoring this resolution, as well 
as Senators Isakson, Rubio, and Coons for cosponsoring.
    I would also like to take the time to express my deepest 
condolences for the loss of Taylor Force, a Vanderbilt student 
who tragically lost his life this week in a senseless stabbing 
attack in Israel. Taylor was in Israel to learn about 
entrepreneurship opportunities, something this resolution 
promotes.
    Israel is an important political and economic partner of 
the U.S. and has a large and diverse economy. The U.S.'s 
economic partnership with Israel has contributed to innovations 
that benefit the people of both nations. Given the serious 
challenges that face Israel, the United States, and the world, 
it is important to show our friends like Israel that we 
recognize the importance of our economic relationship.
    One resolution on the agenda, S. Res. 370, will be held 
over for this business meeting to respect Senators' wishes. I 
am glad to do that. We expect to work through any issues and 
include it in a markup in the near future.
    Finally on the agenda, we will consider S. 1252, the Global 
Food Security Act of 2015, with an amendment. The Global Food 
Security Act represents the collaboration of Senators Isakson, 
Casey, Cardin, Coons, and myself, and would authorize food 
security development programs currently underway at USAID.
    The bill also reauthorizes USAID's international disaster 
assistance account and for the first time authorizes an 
emergency food security program that has been providing 
emergency food assistance to places around the world where Food 
for Peace traditionally cannot reach due to U.S. commodity and 
cargo preferences.
    I have cosponsored this bill and urge all of you to join me 
in its passage.
    I am sorry for such a long opening. We have a lot of 
business today. We will try to do it very promptly.
    But with that, I want to recognize our very distinguished 
ranking member and my friend, Senator Cardin.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Thank you very much, Chairman Corker, and 
thank you very much for scheduling this markup business 
session.
    We have an important hearing that will take place 
immediately thereafter with regards to nominations, a number of 
very important positions. So we appreciate the patience of our 
distinguished guests.
    Chairman Corker has been incredible in moving legislation 
through our committee and moving resolutions through and moving 
nominations. I very much appreciate that.
    The last item you mentioned, S. 1252, the Global Food 
Security Act of 2015, is a very important piece of legislation. 
I want to congratulate our colleagues, Senators Casey, Isakson, 
and Coons, for their strong leadership on bringing us to this 
moment.
    Mr. Chairman, your help made this possible. In recognizing 
that this is an area where we have traditional disputes between 
the Agriculture Committee and our committee, between NGOs and 
USAID, you showed your diplomacy at the highest level to be 
able to get us to this moment, where we can finally get this 
bill done.
    Just to underscore the importance, today in Ethiopia, 
because of the drought, the hunger issues are dramatic. There 
is no one single answer. Feed the Future is important. Local 
capacity is important. Emergency assistance is important. And 
this legislation deals with the full gamut of tools that we 
have available to deal with hunger.
    So I thank you very much for your leadership and for 
allowing us to reach this moment where we can pass out the 
Global Food Security Act.
    I also appreciate your extraordinary leadership on modern-
day slavery and the resolution that you authored. I am proud to 
join you on that. Anytime we can put a spotlight on the 
millions of victims of modern-day slavery, we need to do that, 
because we need to make continued progress.
    I am proud of U.S. leadership on this issue. We have 
legislation that we hope will be enacted shortly, under our 
chairman's leadership, that will provide incentives for 
international resources being used to free those who have been 
victimized by slavery.
    Just to give you one example, I was in Namibia with Senator 
Coons and Senator Flake just recently. The country is doing 
fairly well. They have survived Senator Flake's young 
missionary work in that country.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Cardin. But Namibia is really doing well. But they 
do have a problem, as do all countries, on trafficking. We 
raised that issue, and we got national attention in that 
country raising that issue, and I expect there will be some 
progress made.
    So we need to continue to put the spotlight on it, and 
thank you for the resolution that you have authored that we 
will support today.
    In regard to Plan Colombia, I was proud to offer that 
resolution. I thank you for your cosponsorship.
    And, Senator Kaine, thank you for your help on Plan 
Colombia.
    Look, 15 years ago, we thought that was going to be a 
failed state. Today, it is a thriving economy. It still has 
issues, but it is one of the leading countries in our 
hemisphere as far as turnaround and progress that is being 
made.
    It was wonderful to have President Santos here, and this 
resolution demonstrates our continued interest in making sure 
that they can continue the progress we have seen over the last 
15 years.
    Senator Shaheen, thank you for your resolution on 
International Women's Day. It is very clear to me that how a 
country treats its women will be a barometer as to how well 
that country will do. We see it over and over again.
    I hope people will take the time to really delve into the 
resolution that Senator Shaheen has authored, because it points 
out, yes, we can take pride in progress that we have made. The 
Millennium Development goals put gender equity as one of the 
major objectives of the international community, and the 
development assistance programs, and NGOs working together.
    But there are still hundreds of millions of young girls who 
are married before the age of 15. There are still hundreds of 
millions of women who live in countries that have not 
criminalized domestic violence.
    So we still have a lot of work to do, and I thank Senator 
Shaheen for giving us an opportunity to express ourselves 
collectively on this very important subject.
    Mr. Chairman, we have several resolutions that deal 
directly with human rights. Thanks to Senator Leahy for S. 392, 
that deals with the conviction of former President Mohamed 
Nasheed in regards to the Maldives. This legislation speaks to 
the injustices that have been done in that country, and I am 
glad we are going on record.
    We are also going on the record once again on a pattern of 
conduct in Russia, where they have violated the rights of its 
citizens, in this case, the tragic death of Boris Nemtsov. It 
has been 1 year, the anniversary of his death. And I thank 
Senator Johnson for bringing this resolution before us to point 
out that this country, this Senate, we are going to continue to 
put spotlights on what is happening in Russia because it is 
unconscionable; it is a continuing pattern; and it is affecting 
global security.
    And, Senator Johnson, thank you for taking the leadership 
on that resolution.
    I want to thank Senator Perdue, Senator Coons, and others, 
in regard to the resolution on the U.S.-Israel economic 
relationship and encouraging new areas of cooperation.
    I join Senator Corker in expressing our deep condolences to 
the family of the American who was killed in Israel.
    But to the violence that takes place in that part of the 
world and Israel, it is another reason why we need to stay 
committed to our partnership with Israel, so that we can bring 
peace to that region.
    I respect the right of holding over the ASEAN resolution. 
It is an important moment when we had the Sunnylands Summit, 
where the U.S. showed our direct interest in East Asia. I know 
we will get a chance to act on that in the next business 
session.
    All the nominees who are here for action I strongly 
support, as well as the FSO lists, and I thank the chairman for 
bringing forward these nominations.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Again, I want to thank all the members for being here.
    I want to apologize to the many people here that we had 
this business meeting first, although I think much of the 
presence here today is relative to you, so we thank you.
    The first order of business for today's agenda will be the 
eight Foreign Service lists.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments, any additional 
comments?
    Senator Cardin. No. Thank you for bringing them forward.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to make comments 
relative to these lists?
    [No ressponse.]
    If there is no further discussion on these lists, I would 
entertain a motion to approve these lists en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the eight Foreign 
Service lists en bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The 
appointments and promotions are agreed to.
    Next, in the interest of time, I would ask the committee to 
proceed en bloc to vote in consideration of the following 
nominees before the committee: Catherine Novelli, Karen 
Stewart, Amos Hochstein, Robert Riley, Matthew Matthews, and 
Marcela Escobari.
    I want to thank all these nominees for their willingness to 
settle into these position.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. Again, I appreciate the way that these 
nominations have been moved in a timely manner.
    The Chairman.  Is there any member who would like to--yes, 
sir?
    Senator Barrasso. Mr. Chairman, I would like to pull out 
agenda item number 11, Mr. Amos Hochstein.
    Senator Cardin. Is that a separate vote?
    Senator Barrasso. Yes, I would like to make a discussion of 
that. But I am happy to move ahead with all the others, if you 
would like to move first with the approval of all the other 
nominees, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Okay, is there a motion that we vote on all 
of them en bloc?
    Senator Cardin. I would make that motion, with the 
exception of the Hochstein nomination.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  All in favor?
    All opposed?
    With that, the ayes have it.
    Would you like to now speak to this nomination?
    Senator Barrasso. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I have long had concerns with the position of the Assistant 
Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy Resources. As the 
chairman of the subcommittee that oversees international energy 
policy, I understand the important role that energy plays in 
our national security. My opposition to the nomination centers 
around concerns with the Bureau of Energy Resources at the U.S. 
Department of State, not the specific individual who has been 
nominated.
    The new bureau is adding to the duplication, the 
redundancies, and the conflicting lines of authorities on 
international energy policy. By confirming an Assistant 
Secretary position, the Senate would be signaling its approval 
of the glaring problems that exist there.
    At a time when our Nation is facing significant financial 
pressures, the U.S. Department of State should not be 
increasing its budget and size, especially through the creation 
of new bureaus.
    The Bureau of Energy Resources was unilaterally created--
unilaterally created--by Secretary Clinton without input or 
authorization of Congress in 2011. When originally created, the 
Department of State explained that it would only consolidate 
staff positions and use existing resources for the bureau.
    But within a year of making those assurances, the bureau 
requested a 40 percent increase in staffing. The bureau went 
from 53 positions to its current total of 91 on personnel 
staff. Despite its initial claim to use existing resources, it 
is clear the bureau is going to continue to expand and grow, 
and with it, the size of the Department of State.
    So what exactly did we get from the unilateral creation of 
a bureau that grew and expanded the size of the State 
Department? Did we get a bureau that is consistent, 
streamlined, and efficient? No. This is a bureau filled with 
inefficiencies, redundancies, confusion.
    The Office of Inspector General released a report just last 
month, and I am going to ask, Mr. Chairman, that this report be 
made part of the record.
    The Chairman.  Without objection.

    The information referred to above may be accessed at:
    https://oig.state.gov/system/files/isp-i-16-06.pdf

    Senator Barrasso. This inspector general report raised the 
organizational and structural problems of the Bureau of Energy 
Resources. The report explains, number one, and I have it up 
here on a poster board: Organizational stove-piping and lacking 
of communications and coordination create inefficiencies 
through duplication; overlapping, conflicting, or unclear 
responsibilities; and interoffice rivalries.
    So a quarter of bureau employees interviewed told the 
inspector general that their portfolios were unclear or overlap 
with other staff members.
    Next, did we get a bureau that is entirely responsible for 
international energy policy within the State Department? No. 
Other bureaus and offices within the Department of State still 
make decisions about international energy policy. According to 
the State Department, the Bureau of Economic and Business 
Affairs was responsible for the U.S. advocating for 
restrictions on financing to build coal power plants overseas 
at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
    I think it is important to point out that the State 
Department has a coordinator for international energy affairs 
to work on energy issues in foreign policy, which was created 
by Congress, separate from this agency.
    So did we get a bureau that is ultimately responsible, 
accountable, and in charge of our Nation's international energy 
policy for the U.S. Government? No. Numerous U.S. Government 
agencies are responsible for working on energy issues: the 
Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the 
Department of the Interior, the Department of the Treasury, the 
Energy Information Administration, and the National Security 
Council.
    The authorities are not clearly defined, which allows 
agencies the ability to shift responsibility for decision-
making and then deflect accountability that they should have to 
Congress.
    An example of this shifting responsibility and decision-
making by agencies is demonstrated at the World Bank. The 
Treasury Department, not the State Department or the Department 
of Energy, is in charge of energy policy at the World Bank.
    So when we asked the nominee if the bureau was responsible 
for the disastrous energy policy to block financing of coal-
fired power energy projects at the World Bank, he said no, the 
Bureau of Energy Resources was not even involved in the policy 
decisions regarding the public financing of coal-fired power 
plants, energy projects through the World Bank, and other 
development institutions.
    The Treasury Department has the jurisdiction for the 
formulation and implementation of energy policies at 
multilateral financial and developmental institutions. Treasury 
should not be tasked with formulating energy policy 
internationally. Treasury does not have the technical expertise 
and the knowledge to make a decision on the use of energy 
resources.
    So did we get a bureau that ensures that U.S. Government 
agencies working on the exact same issues in international 
energy would avoid duplicating efforts on other parts of 
government? No. Perfect example of other agencies with 
overlapping responsibilities and conflicting roles is the 
Department of Energy.
    It is unclear how the State Department Bureau of Energy 
Resources differs from the Department of Energy's Office of 
Policy and International Affairs. The Office of Policy and 
International Affairs at the Department of Energy works with 
countries across the world in the development and 
implementation of national and international energy policies, 
strategies, and objectives. It was headed by an Assistant 
Secretary of Energy and had 103 staff in 2013.
    So the inspector general's report from last month 
identified and reported the problems between the various 
agencies. This is the inspector general. It said, half of ENR 
staff with substantive portfolios reported problems in the 
bureau's relationship with the Department of Energy, including 
competing or overlapping missions, inadequate communication and 
coordination, tense interpersonal relationships.
    But that is what we are asked to be doing in terms of the 
confirmation today.
    The Office of Inspector General's report also discussed the 
actual reported impacts of the failed coordination, the 
overlapping responsibilities, and the conflicting efforts. The 
report said personnel in some U.S. embassies told OIG 
inspectors that inconsistent coordination between ENR and the 
Department of Energy has on occasion generated problems 
overseas for missions trying to promulgate a single U.S. energy 
message to foreign governments.
    The inspector general goes on to say this is a serious 
problem. The United States is unable to effectively communicate 
a unified energy message to countries across the globe because 
of the problems I have outlined today.
    So I think the Senate should not confirm the first 
Assistant Secretary for this bureau, which was not approved, 
without first dealing with the duplication, the redundancies, 
the confusing lines of authorities on international energy 
policy. That is what the inspector general's report, to me, is 
all about.
    There is no clear delineation of responsibilities and 
authorities, only a maze of Washington, D.C., bureaucracy that 
creates international confusion for congressional committees 
who are responsible for reviewing and conducting oversight of 
the executive branch of government.
    To me, Mr. Chairman, until these problems are addressed, I 
am going to continue to oppose any person being nominated to be 
the first Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy 
Resources.
    I urge my colleagues to also oppose the current nominee. 
And therefore, I will call for a roll call vote.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Well, first of all, I want to thank you for 
the way you have dealt with all of us on this. I think you have 
made it known from the very beginning your concerns.
    My route in dealing with this will be for us to pass a 
State Department authorization that fixed all of those things. 
I think you agree that would be a productive route to take. And 
I hope that over the process of the next period of time, we 
will figure out a way to more fully define how this department 
should work.
    Personally, I think it is important for the State 
Department to have an energy strategy. I think it is one of the 
most important tools of diplomacy, but also ensuring that we 
can create environments, especially in Eastern Europe and other 
places, that are conducive to them being able to be 
independent.
    So I have met with Amos. I am very impressed with him. I 
feel like the plans that he is working on relative to Europe 
are very important to us and our relationship there.
    Therefore, I am going to vote to support him. I know there 
will be members of the committee that will not do that. But I 
do want to say that I am in 100 percent agreement with the 
great Senator from Wyoming that, certainly, this committee 
should use its role in authorizing to make sure that this 
department functions in a much more satisfactory way. I 
appreciate him bringing up the fallacies and the problems that 
are taking place there now.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, first, I concur on your 
comments, and I do think a State Department authorization bill 
could be extremely helpful here.
    I was listening to my colleague, Senator Barrasso, and a 
lot of what he said, I agree with. Then I thought he would then 
support having a confirmed Assistant Secretary in the State 
Department, so that we could have more accountability for 
international policies dealing with these issues. Because when 
you are dealing with the Department of Energy, when you are 
dealing with Treasury, you need the voice in the State 
Department to help coordinate these policies.
    Then you said, and I want to agree with it also, that the 
nominee is well-qualified, or are you had no complaints with 
the nominee. I just want people to know this is one of the key 
players in getting the international community to honor the 
Iranian sanctions regime. He is well-respected among the fossil 
fuel industry. He is well-qualified to take on the challenges 
that Senator Barrasso talked about. So we have the right 
person.
    Lastly, let me point out, it was this committee, under 
Senator Lugar, in 2007, that recommended the special envoy in 
the energy bill. So this was authorized by Congress, and now it 
is important to have a person who is going to be accountable to 
deal with the issues that Senator Barrasso has talked about.
    I would urge my colleagues to vote for confirmation.
    The Chairman.  Senator Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not want to 
speak to the Bureau of Energy Resources, but I do want to speak 
to the efforts of Mr. Hochstein, because I think he has done a 
lot of things, but particularly in Europe, where I am the 
ranking member, I think his efforts have been very important to 
counter Russia's influence through energy.
    He has worked very hard to cut off the Nord Stream 2 
pipeline, which is Russia's effort to cut off Ukraine as a 
transit point for Russian gas.
    He has worked with Greece and Bulgaria on their gas 
interconnector, so that they have access to non-Russian 
supplies of energy.
    He has worked with Ukraine to try and reform their energy 
sector and to develop policies that would give them an 
alternative to Russian oil and gas. And he has also been 
instrumental in the creation of energy-specific sanctions on 
Russia after it invaded Ukraine.
    So those are just some of the things in Europe. As we think 
about the challenges from Russia, I think it is, as you pointed 
out, Mr. Chairman, very important to have an energy strategy in 
Europe and to have someone who can help coordinate that.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. I do think it is central to our 
efforts in that part of the world.
    Senator Perdue?
    Senator Perdue. Mr. Chairman, briefly, I just want to speak 
to the question that I raised the other day, and that is, this 
is another example of something that, obviously, when you look 
at it in an ideal world, we would need that coordinated effort, 
as the ranking member suggests.
    Here is my observation. From 1992 to 2000, the State 
Department spent, on average, about $20 billion running 
everything that we had--USAID and everything, including 
international operations. Under President Bush, it went up to 
about an average of $30 billion. It grew from $20 billion to 
$40 billion. Under the last 7 years, with increased demand in 
Iraq and Afghanistan, granted, but the question is, we have 
grown to $54 billion in the State Department, including $35 
billion in foreign operations.
    So my question is not about the individual. It is not about 
whether this ideally should be done. The question is, can we 
afford it? My answer is no. We cannot afford it, when every 
dollar we are spending at the State Department is technically 
borrowed today. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  I thank you. And again, to me, it warrants 
us doing an excellent job on the State Department authorization 
to make sure that appropriate priorities are dealt with.
    I will say, again, with respect, I cannot imagine how 
having an energy strategy relative to especially what Russia is 
doing at present, and some of the issues that will occur in the 
Middle East, is not something that is centrally important to 
the State Department.
    Senator Murphy?
    Senator Murphy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to 
speak briefly in favor of Mr. Hochstein's nomination.
    Senator Perdue raises a question that often gets talked 
about in this committee and on the floor of the Senate as to 
whether we can afford it. Let us just remember that though we 
have seen an expansion of that budget, we still rank in the 
lower quartile of OECD nations in terms of the percentage of 
our GDP that we dedicate to an international affairs budget.
    And Russia is dramatically ramping up the subsidies and 
outright graft and intimidation that they use in order to 
broaden their energy reach throughout Europe.
    Senator Shaheen is right that Mr. Hochstein and that bureau 
have been absolutely integral, not just to the work currently 
to try to push back on Nord Stream, but on the successful 
effort to convince our allies in Europe to reject the South 
Stream pipeline, which would have been an end-run around 
Ukraine to bring Russian gas and Russian energy into Central 
and Western Europe.
    I would just encourage anyone on this committee who has not 
received a brief from Mr. Hochstein and from his department to 
do so. I think, in a very short amount of time, you will 
realize the tremendous value that this office brings to some 
very important energy independence projects, particularly in 
Eastern and Southern Europe. He has done a fantastic job during 
the time that he has been in the position.
    And I think as to Senator Barrasso's critique of the 
overlapping sets of responsibilities, you are spot on. But I 
worry that we try to have it both ways. We have not done a 
State Department authorization in a decade, and then we 
complain about the anachronistic ways in which the department 
is organized.
    Hopefully, we can solve that problem this year, get a great 
person in that position, get a reformed set of 
responsibilities, and gain some consensus on this committee at 
the end of that process.
    The Chairman.  Senator Barrasso?
    Senator Barrasso. Well, let me concur with the fine job 
that he has done, which was mentioned by my Democratic 
colleagues here. When Carlos Pascual was nominated for this 
position and Senator Lugar, a former member of this committee, 
had come to me about that, I had the same objection.
    So this has been a longstanding issue. The issue of the 
current job being done, Mr. Hochstein is serving in the role as 
the coordinator currently for international energy affairs. In 
2007, as you say, Congress passed bipartisan legislation 
congressionally authorizing this position of coordinator at the 
Department of State to handle these energy issues in foreign 
policy. The coordinator reports directly to the Secretary of 
State, unlike the Assistant Secretary who reports to the Under 
Secretary of State. So Mr. Hochstein is able to carry out the 
work on these issues dealing with energy policy at the 
Department of State under the current coordinator position that 
he has and is doing a fine job. And people point to that.
    So there is really no delay or impact on his ability to do 
this excellent job. The real obstacle is being able to advocate 
a single U.S. energy message to foreign governments. That is 
the problem and the reason I raised this today with regard to 
the Office of Inspector General report.
    So thank you, Mr. Chair, and I call for a roll call.
    The Chairman.  I thank you for the manner in which you have 
raised it, and the consistency with which you have shown on 
this issue.
    Senator Markey?
    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    There is no question that energy is central to a huge 
portion of our international policy. It is at the heart of a 
lot of it, from Libya, to Iraq, to Iran, energy, energy, 
energy. You can just keep going right down the line. That is 
just the reality of the world in which we live.
    Senator Barrasso talks about this part of the agency that 
has been dissected for inadequate coordination. One of the 
reasons is that there has never been a confirmed Assistant 
Secretary for Energy. Never.
    So what we are talking about here is confirming someone who 
would have the responsibility for doing that coordination. And 
that is all we are talking about. The individual, separate sub-
issues clearly are going to have to be debated as part of an 
authorization, as part of any other activity that we might 
engage in. But I do not think the problems that have been 
identified can be solved at all unless we have a confirmed 
Assistant Secretary for Energy. We have never had one.
    So I think that is kind of how we should divide it. Is 
there a management structure? And then how well, then, are the 
individual issues being dealt with within that subpart of the 
agency. I think that would probably be a better way of looking 
at it and, as a result, Mr. Hochstein's nomination really just 
fits into the context of making sure that there is a solid 
management structure there.
    And I would urge his approval.
    The Chairman.  With all the business we have, if it is 
okay, I would like to move to his nomination.
    I know there is going to be a divided vote here. I have a 
sense of how it is going to be. But I am sort of uplifted by 
the fact that I think the energy area of the State Department 
is going to be part of our authorization. My sense is there 
will be a lot of like-mindedness around making sure that we 
have an authorization that addresses that.
    So is there a motion to approve?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  And a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  I think this is going to be a roll call 
vote, so if we will, Clerk, let us begin that.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Risch?
    Senator Risch. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Rubio?
    The Chairman.  No by proxy.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Johnson? [No response.]
    The Clerk.  Mr. Flake?
    Senator Flake. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Gardner?
    Senator Gardner. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Perdue?
    Senator Perdue. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Isakson?
    Senator Isakson. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Paul?
    The Chairman.  No by proxy.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Barrasso?
    Senator Barrasso. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Cardin?
    Senator Cardin. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mrs. Boxer?
    Senator Boxer. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Ms. Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Coons?
    Senator Coons. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Udall?
    Senator Udall. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Murphy?
    Senator Murphy. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Kaine?
    Senator Kaine. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Markey?
    Senator Markey. Aye.
    The Chairman.  The clerk will report.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Chairman, the yays are 11, and the noes are 
seven.
    The Chairman.  So he will move to the floor.
    I want to thank everybody for the healthy discussion we 
have had about this. Again, I want to thank Senator Barrasso 
for the manner in which he has discussed this issue with us. 
And I look forward to a good State Department authorization.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 388, the International 
Women's Day Resolution, with two amendments.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments to make on that?
    Senator Cardin. I have already made my comments.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to this 
resolution?
    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, ma'am?
    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank your staff 
and all of the efforts that have gone into trying to reach an 
accommodation around this resolution. It really speaks to the 
challenges that half the world's population faces with respect 
to domestic and sexual violence, with respect to child 
marriage, with respect to trying to make sure that women have 
access to schools around the world. And it talks about women 
reaching their full potential.
    But I have to say, Mr. Chairman, that I am disappointed 
that, again, in these discussions, we were not able to talk 
about the importance of women around the world having access to 
reproductive health because an estimated 225 million women in 
developing countries have unmet need for modern contraception. 
That is highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
    Providing greater access to family planning and 
reproductive health services improves the health of mothers and 
children. It also is one of the best ways to reduce poverty 
around the world. And it is critical that women are able to 
access family planning services.
    Each year, about 47,000 women die from complications due to 
unsafe abortions. Access to and use of effective contraception 
reduces unintended pregnancies associated with unsafe 
abortions.
    So I just want to point out that if we are really talking 
about women being able to reach their full potential, and the 
challenges that women in the developing world face, making sure 
that they can have access to reproductive health services is 
one of the most critical needs that women and families have.
    So, again, I am pleased with what we were able to agree to 
in this resolution, but that is one thing that we have not been 
able to agree to that I think continues to be an urgent need 
for women around the world.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Thank you for your comments.
    Senator Boxer?
    Senator Boxer. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
    I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership.
    And I just want to say, without rancor in any way, that 
when you have women on a committee, a couple of women, you 
ought to think about, just think about, putting yourself in our 
shoes and our perspective.
    Now, if you believe that abortion should be outlawed--some 
do, even under the circumstances of rape and incest--then you 
surely should embrace contraceptives. Surely.
    And if you went out into the street and just asked a man on 
the street, a woman on the street, that is what they would say. 
More than 90 percent of the women in this country have used 
birth control at some point in their life.
    As Senator Shaheen says, to deny women the kind of health 
care we need--the men do not need it in the same way--I think 
is selfish, because what we are doing is we are forcing the 
women of the world--let us just say, we are not helping them in 
what they need most, decent, safe health care.
    So I will stand with my colleague on this point. I am proud 
of her for raising this issue. It is not pleasant. But I think 
it needs to be said. It needs to be said.
    Do not tell me you are against abortion at the same time 
you are against birth control, you know? It just is--it is 
phony. It is phony.
    That is my thought. I did not hold back. I was going to, 
but I am sorry.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  That is a general characteristic I have 
noticed through the years.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. You will soon be free of these words, so 
bear with me.
    But I just hope you will think a little bit more, open up 
your minds a little bit more, and listen to what Jeanne has 
said.
    The Chairman.  I appreciate both of your comments.
    Any other discussion?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  I think we live in a world where we get done 
what we can get done, and today we are, certainly, moving ahead 
with this issue. I thank both of you for your comments and 
contributions.
    Is there any further discussion on this resolution?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Apparently not.
    Is there a motion to approve both manager's amendments by 
voice vote, en bloc?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve both amendments, 
en bloc.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendments 
are agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Seeing none, I would like to hear a motion 
on approving the resolution as it was just amended.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded. The question is on 
the motion to approve S. Res. 388, as amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution, 
as amended, is agreed to.
    Thank you. Thank you for your contributions.
    Our next order of business that I also ask we consider en 
bloc by a voice vote are the remaining resolutions before the 
committee, S. Res. 375, S. Res. 368, S. Res. 392, S. Res. 378, 
S. Res. 383.
    Senator Cardin, any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I have already commented, and I would 
encourage members to support these resolutions.
    The Chairman.  Are there any other members who would like 
to speak to these resolutions?
    Senator Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I am strongly supportive of these resolutions, particularly 
with reference to the resolution that expresses concern over 
the prosecution and conviction of former President Nasheed, as 
well as the call for due process and freedom from political 
persecution for all the people of the Maldives, and the one on 
Boris Nemtsov.
    I know the chairman has heard me say many times that I 
believe that an emphasis on human rights and democracy and 
freedom are incredibly important when they emanate from this 
committee, the Senate, and the United States of America 
globally, and that sometimes I worry that we subject those 
guiding principles to other interests.
    I am glad to see Senator Leahy offering the resolution on 
President Nasheed. I am glad to see the one on Boris Nemtsov. 
And I just want to take a moment to say there are other places 
in the world in which the very same things that we cry out 
for--for ensuring that, in fact, people in the Maldives are 
going to be free from political persecution for all the people 
of the Maldives--I would like to see the people of Cuba be free 
from all the political persecution that they have suffered for 
so long.
    I would like to see an international investigation, as we 
called for Boris Nemtsov, as well for Oswaldo Paya. Oswaldo 
Paya was a peaceful activist in Cuba who, under the Cuba 
Constitution as it exists, was collecting signatures on a 
petition to petition the Government of Cuba to create changes. 
He was assassinated inside of Cuba.
    So I bring up this moment because, as someone who is 
universally passionate about these issues, I would like to 
invoke the passion of my colleagues who may disagree with our 
policy or maybe agree now with the present policy on Cuba to 
speak out about human rights and democracy in Cuba, to speak 
out as strongly as they do in other parts of the world about 
the people in Cuba who are languishing every day, trying to 
create peaceful change in their country.
    The greatest repression we have seen, that one can imagine 
in this, in the last several months, over 1,400 Cubans have 
been arrested. The Women in White, who every Sunday march to 
church dressed in white with a gladiola to talk about--in 
essence, in a peaceful protest--their sons and daughters and 
husbands, are arrested by the Castro regime, and we say 
nothing. And we say nothing.
    So I want to take this moment to hopefully prick the 
conscience of my colleagues, who I would hope would be as 
vigorous in their advocacy for human rights and democracy in 
Cuba as I admire them in other parts of the world.
    And I strongly support the resolution.
    The Chairman.  I appreciate your strong and consistent 
voice on human rights around the world. And I think we have an 
opportunity with some of the changes that have been put forth 
by the administration to see if the Castro administration will 
begin to respect human rights in a different way. We will see 
what occurs in that regard.
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman, I hope 1,400 arrests in 2 
months is not the beginning of what is change.
    The Chairman.  I understand.
    Any others?
    Senator Coons?
    Senator Coons. I will be very brief, Mr. Chairman.
    If I might, first, I would like to be added as a cosponsor 
of all these resolutions. I just want to thank Senator Perdue 
for his leadership on S. Res. 383. I think it is important that 
we continue to emphasize the enduring economic ties and 
entrepreneurial ties between the United States and Israel. The 
BIRD Foundation is a great example of that, and I would like to 
thank you and Ranking Member Cardin for your leadership in 
bringing forward in S. 1252, the Global Food Security Act, for 
authorizing Feed the Future, and, as Senator Cardin referenced, 
at a time of great drought and challenges in Ethiopia, to 
continue to invest in finding both efficient and effective ways 
to deliver food aid through a variety of pathways.
    It has been great to work with you on this, and I am 
pleased we are moving forward today. Thank you.
    Senator Perdue. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Senator Perdue?
    Senator Perdue. I had the privilege, on a recent trip, of 
meeting Vladimir Kara-Murza that was also involved. He is a 
Russian opposition leader as well. I was very moved by that.
    So I would like to very definitely be added as a cosponsor 
on S. Res. 378.
    I also would like to speak to S. Res. 383, and thank 
Senator Coons for his leadership as a cosponsor of this bill to 
encourage the U.S. to facilitate and grow our economic 
relationship with Israel. Some 250,000 high-paying jobs are 
supported by that relationship. Israel today provides more 
direct foreign investment than Russia, China, and even India.
    So I encourage the committee to vote aye on this bill. 
Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Any other comments?
    Before we vote, I want to personally thank Trey Hicks in 
our office who has been a saint, if you will, in trying to work 
through these issues of global food security. We still have a 
lot of work to do, but I just have to tell you, the patience 
that he has shown in working through the issues that we have 
had to deal with here are remarkable. Yet he has been 
persistent, and I just want to thank him.
    Senator Coons. Mr. Chairman, can I add an ``amen'' to that?
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Senator Isakson?
    Senator Isakson. May I make remarks on global food 
security?
    The Chairman.  Sure.
    Senator Isakson. I just want to thank you for adding 
yourself as a cosponsor today. I want to thank Senator Coons, 
Senator Casey, Senator Rubio, and others who have helped us.
    Food security is critical. One in eight people around the 
world go to sleep in hunger. Stunting is a major problem around 
the world.
    It is in the interest of the United States national 
security for people to not be hungry and be self-sufficient.
    This bill coordinates all the programs of U.S. assistance 
to ensure we meet the goals of the United States. But we work 
people from dependence to self-sufficiency around the world, so 
food security is no longer an issue.
    I would appreciate everybody's support.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate 
your tremendous contributions in that area, and all the work 
you have done in Africa in general.
    So I think we got a little ahead of ourselves, thanks to 
me.
    Do we have a motion to approve these resolutions?
    Senator Cardin. En bloc, so moved.
    The Chairman.  En bloc. Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  The ayes have it. The resolutions are agreed 
to.
    Next we will consider S. 1252, the Global Food Security Act 
of 2015.
    Senator Cardin, any additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. Again, I strongly support this and thank 
all those who were involved.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    With no further discussion, I will entertain a motion to 
consider the substitute amendment by voice vote?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The substitute 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the legislation, 
as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 1252, as 
amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    Opposed?
    [No response.]
    With that, the ayes have it. The legislation is amended and 
agreed to.
    That completes the committee's business. I ask unanimous 
consent that staff be authorized to make technical and 
conforming changes.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    With that, without objection, the committee will stand 
adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 10:54 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                        THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-042816

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:04 a.m. in, 
Room 116, The Capitol Building, Hon. Bob Corker, chairman of 
the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Rubio, 
Johnson, Flake, Gardner, Perdue, Isakson, Paul, Barrasso, 
Cardin, Boxer, Menendez, Shaheen, Coons, Udall, Murphy, Kaine, 
and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  This business meeting of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order.
    I want to thank everybody for being here. We have a great 
agenda today, where we have nine pieces of legislation, seven 
nominations, and a number of Foreign Service Officer lists.
    First, we will consider the five Foreign Service Officer 
lists of over 300 personnel referred to the committee. I 
support these appointments and promotions, and thank all of 
these officers for their service.
    We will also consider seven nominations, including several 
important new Ambassadors.
    I want to thank my colleagues for helping the committee to 
take these steps forward today.
    Next, we will consider the six resolutions on the agenda. 
The first resolution, S. Res. 442, condemns the terrorist 
attacks in Brussels and honors the memory of the U.S. citizens 
murdered in those attacks.
    This terrorist attack, coming approximately 5 months after 
the Paris attacks, serves as yet another example of the 
capability that Islamic State possesses to kill Europeans and 
Americans in areas that we have long considered safe.
    We send our thoughts and prayers to the victims of these 
attacks and to their families, especially the loved ones of the 
murdered Americans--including my fellow Tennessean Justin 
Shults; his wife, Stephanie; and Gail Martinez, the wife of 
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Martinez.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 340, a resolution expressing 
the sense of Congress that ISIS is committing genocide, crimes 
against humanity, and war crimes. I want to thank Senator 
Cassidy and the co-sponsors for bringing S. Res. 340 before 
this committee.
    We have worked with Senator Rubio on a substitute text that 
is based on the resolution that passed the House unanimously 
and adds important statements of policy by the Secretary of 
State. I want to thank him and Senator Cardin for their 
leadership and support, and urge adoption of the amended 
resolution text.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 418. I want to thank Senator 
Collins and Senator Feinstein for bringing this resolution 
before the committee to recognize the courage and vision of the 
four women leaders highlighted in this resolution.
    The resolution also appropriately honors the integral part 
of women's leadership throughout the world.
    We will also consider S. Res. 394, a resolution recognizing 
the 195th anniversary of the independence of Greece and 
celebrating democracy in Greece and the U.S. Ancient Greece 
developed the concept of democracy, and our Founding Fathers 
drew on this system and the ideals that produced it in order to 
found our own country, forming a common bond that, on this 
anniversary, we reaffirm.
    The United States and Greece have repeatedly been allies in 
the fight for freedom across the world. I want to thank Senator 
Menendez for bringing this resolution to the committee.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 436, a resolution supporting 
the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day with an amendment. 
While we have made significant progress against malaria in the 
past decade, nearly half a million people still died from this 
disease in 2015, despite the fact that it is both preventable 
and treatable.
    I am pleased to support this resolution. I want to thank 
Senator Wicker for bringing this to the committee and Senators 
Boxer, Coons, Isakson, and Rubio for cosponsoring.
    Our last resolution we will consider is S. Res. 381, 
honoring the memory and legacy of Michael James Riddering and 
condemning the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso on January 15, 
2016, that took his life. I thank Senator Coons for bringing 
this resolution to the committee.
    Mr. Riddering had moved his family to Burkina Faso 
responding to a call to serve others less fortunate. The terror 
attack perpetrated in Burkina Faso's capital took his life and 
more than two dozen other lives.
    Michael's service to others and willingness to do so 
despite the risks and rising insecurity for civilians in many 
parts of the world is commendable and is what will be 
remembered and celebrated as an example for others to follow.
    We will also consider H.R. 2494, legislation to strengthen 
protections for the remaining populations of wild elephants, 
rhinos, and other imperiled species.
    I want to commend Senators Coons and Flake for bringing 
this bipartisan legislation to the committee. This is an 
important issue that both houses of Congress are committed to 
addressing.
    Wildlife trafficking affects not only imperiled species 
such as elephants and rhinos but also the safety and security 
of local communities preyed upon by transnational criminal 
groups.
    This legislation will ensure that the administration takes 
a coordinated approach in implementing the President's National 
Wildlife Trafficking Strategy as well as provide Congress with 
needed oversight of its implementation.
    Next, we will consider S. 2845, a bill to extend the 
termination of sanctions with respect to Venezuela under the 
Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 
2014, with an amendment.
    I want to thank Senator Rubio and Senator Menendez for 
working with us to modify the termination date for extending 
these sanctions authorities to an additional 3 years.
    The situation in Venezuela obviously is not good, and we 
need to be paying attention to what is happening there. And I 
thank them for their efforts in this regard.
    Finally, we will consider what I view as one of this 
committee's top priorities--moving forward with a Department of 
State authorization bill.
    As members know, in my view as chairman, this is more than 
just a priority. It is a responsibility, our responsibility as 
a coequal branch of government, our responsibility as overseers 
of the executive branch, our responsibility to the Foreign 
Service Officers and civil servants who serve honorably in the 
department, and our responsibility to the American people.
    It has been more than a dozen years since Congress 
fulfilled that responsibility and enacted a State Department 
authorization.
    Last year's 2016 authorization, which we expect to pass 
later today--I hope that is going to happen--and the bill we 
are considering now for 2017, will mark 2 consecutive years our 
committee has approved this important legislation.
    It is my hope that we are establishing a strong and 
conscientious precedent for similar action in the years ahead. 
I want to thank every member who worked with us to arrive at a 
manager's package, Senators Cardin, Barrasso, Flake, Gardner, 
Johnson, Markey, Menendez, Perdue, Rubio, and Shaheen.
    This has been a tremendous effort by almost the entire 
committee, and it is much appreciated.
    Members will recall that our 2016 bill significantly 
advanced security at our embassies, better protecting the 
people who make sacrifices to serve abroad on our behalf; 
enhanced the public diplomacy activities we undertake around 
the world; and made a very wide variety of other substantial 
improvements, from integrating our economic foreign policy 
efforts, to improving accountability for the money we 
contribute to international organizations, to fostering greater 
efficiency in the department's systems for dealing with 
personnel and facilities.
    We find ourselves here today following months of in-depth 
examination, lengthy briefings and conversations, hearings, and 
painstaking negotiations.
    I will second that.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  And what is before us is a solid, bipartisan 
bill that members can be proud of.
    It increases oversight and accountability for terrible 
cases of abuse committed by U.N. peacekeepers, crimes we have 
investigated in both our hearings and oversight activities.
    It helps protect whistleblowers who have the courage to 
stand up and fight to put a stop to these abuses.
    It takes on the issue of reforming the assessment formula 
for U.N. peacekeeping, helping to ensure fairness for American 
taxpayers.
    It restructures a number of the fee systems at the State 
Department to ensure that the funds flowing into the department 
are sensibly managed and appropriately tracked and overseen.
    And it reforms the way the State Department manages and 
compensates its personnel at home and abroad, making certain 
they are paid fairly, providing additional flexibility, and 
modernizing systems to ensure the State Department can keep an 
increasingly competitive work force environment.
    It is our intention to see to it that both this bill and 
the 2016 authorization, which also contained so many worthy 
provisions this committee's members worked hard to write, are 
signed into law this year by the President. Today's meeting is 
another milestone along that road.
    I want to thank my colleagues for their outstanding support 
and constructive work to create this legislation and to improve 
it with their amendments. I am truly grateful.
    We are determined to maintain this committee's role as a 
significant leader in protecting the American national security 
and defending our interests around the globe. Our action here 
today is a truly consequential part of that effort.
    With that, I would like to recognize our ranking member.
    But in doing so, I want to thank Jodi Herman, who has been 
a part of the Senate and this committee for many, many years. I 
know he will want to speak to that.
    She has been a tremendous asset to the committee, and I 
will say a worthy opponent.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  They do not come any tougher than Jodi.
    But she is also tremendously knowledgeable. Her knowledge, 
her institutional memory, her passion for what we do in this 
committee is something that has enhanced all of us, and I want 
to thank her.
    I want to wish her daughter a happy 11th birthday.
    [Applause.]
    The Chairman.  I am glad she is able to witness Jodi's last 
business meeting with us here today.
    Thank you so much.
    With that, I will turn it over to the distinguished ranking 
member.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Thank you very much, Senator Corker.
    I am going to talk about Jodi in a few moments, but first, 
let me respond to the business agenda that we have, and then, 
with your consent, I will talk a little bit about Jodi.
    I agree completely with your analysis of the importance of 
today's business meeting as it relates to the 2017 State 
Department authorization.
    We started down this path a couple years ago. I want to 
thank Senator Menendez for his leadership as chairman, as we 
started to move down the path toward the authorization of the 
State Department. It has been too many years since we last 
authorized it.
    It is our responsibility. It is our responsibility for many 
reasons.
    First, we are the committee with expertise. And in many 
cases, decisions are being made by other committees in the 
United States Senate because of our failure to act on a State 
Department authorization.
    Secondly, it is our responsibility to give guidance to the 
State Department and the agencies that are impacted by an 
authorization bill. In our failure to act, we are not doing 
what we should be doing.
    Lastly, as you pointed out, our responsibility on oversight 
is compromised if we cannot pass an authorization bill.
    So I strongly support the process, and I am encouraged by 
the chairman's work in the last couple days to clear the 2016 
authorization. Chairman Corker has spent a tremendous amount of 
not only time but political energy in order to get this done. 
So job well-done. This is the proper role for our committee, 
and I strongly support the legislation that is before us.
    The authorization 2016 contains many, many important 
provisions that many members of this committee authored.
    The 2017, as the chairman pointed out, deals with several 
very important issues in the State Department, including the 
U.N. peacekeeping, where the sexual abuse perpetrated by the 
peacekeepers on the people that they are supposed to defend and 
help is outrageous. But just as outrageous was the inadequate 
U.N. response.
    That is why we have very strong provisions in this 
legislation to make it clear that our representative at the 
U.N. will act to make sure that there is not only a clear 
policy, but that policy is enforced.
    Yes, we are encouraged by the United Nations Security 
Council resolution, but we want to make sure that is, in fact, 
enforced and that we also provide the authority that we can 
take, as we have so many times needed to take, unilateral 
action if there is not adequate international response to the 
accountability of U.N. peacekeepers.
    I also am pleased that we are able to advance important 
legislation in this authorization dealing with State Department 
personnel, those State Department officers that are on the 
frontline. We have been able to make additional improvements in 
the authorization laws to help them in accomplishing their 
mission.
    As the chairman pointed out, we updated the consular fee 
system that desperately needed some update. And many other 
provisions are included in the 2017 State Department 
authorization.
    The manager's amendment incorporates many amendments 
offered by members of this committee, and we thank all of you 
for participating, Senator Markey, Senator Menendez, Senator 
Shaheen, Senator Barrasso, Senator Flake, Senator Gardner, 
Senator Johnson, Senator Perdue, Senator Rubio, and many 
others.
    Let me move on to the wildlife trafficking bill. I really 
do want to thank two of our colleagues not only for authoring 
this bill, but I think educating us all on the need here, 
Senator Coons and Senator Flake.
    I joined them on a codel to the southern part of Africa, 
Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe. In Namibia, 
particularly, I got a chance to see Senator Flake in the 
country where he did his missionary work. It was a real 
experience to see how that country has changed and the impact 
that Senator Flake has had on that country. I applaud him for 
that.
    The Chairman.  So it has changed for the better?
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Cardin. Absolutely. No question about it. They 
still remember him.
    This legislation deals with anti-poaching programs and 
wildlife trafficking programs, as the chairman mentioned. It is 
more than just elephant tusks and rhino horns, which have 
incredible value. It is a $7 billion to $10 billion annual 
illegal enterprise that is fueling criminal activities around 
the globe.
    It is important that the U.S. show leadership here. This 
country defines focus countries and countries of concern that 
are the source, transit countries or destination markets for 
trafficked animal wildlife, and requires us to have 
accountability through transparency and reporting.
    So I am very pleased about the ability to work this 
legislation out and encourage my colleagues to support it.
    In regards to the Venezuela sanction, I want to thank 
Senator Menendez for his continued leadership on this issue. We 
all understand there are over 100 political prisoners behind 
bars in Venezuela. It is important that we send a clear 
message, and this 3-year reauthorization is a very important 
bill to be done.
    The chairman mentioned the resolutions that we are going to 
be taking up. I will not go through all of them again. They are 
all very important. I am glad to join many of my colleagues who 
initiated these resolutions in very important areas, including 
the chairman's resolution dealing with the Brussels attack and 
the tragic loss of 32 innocent lives.
    And thank you, Mr. Chairman, for again expediting the 
procedures for our consideration of nominees and Foreign 
Service Officer lists that are here that we will be able to act 
on today. I just wish the chairman had more influence on the 
floor and could move them a little bit faster on the floor, but 
you have done a good job in convincing your leadership to move 
these nominations on the floor. But in committee, you have been 
superb, and I thank you very much for your courtesy in that 
regard.
    Mr. Chairman, with your indulgence, let me just join in 
commenting that this will be Jodi Herman's last business 
meeting as a staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee and our leader on the Democratic side.
    I agree with you. She has been a great advocate for the 
Democratic members. But she has also been able to reach 
accommodation so that this committee can carry out its great 
tradition of, I hope, nonpartisan activities on behalf of 
foreign policy.
    And Elise, her daughter, is here, celebrating her birthday, 
seeing her mother in action.
    Elise, we wish you a very happy birthday, and we are glad 
that you could join us.
    As the chairman pointed out, Jodi has the talent, the 
intelligence, the integrity, and the ability to get things 
done. She is really committed to the best of American foreign 
policy, and that best of American foreign policy is using our 
tools to accomplish good governance and human rights, and 
protecting the rights of people who have been persecuted around 
the world.
    I said this last night when we had a little get-together 
for her. There are many people around the world today who have 
much better lives as a result of Jodi Herman who will never 
know her name, but she knows that she was able to accomplish 
those things that have made a difference in people's lives.
    Mr. Chairman, you have accommodated us to present to her a 
resolution on behalf of our committee that says: Whereas Jodi 
Herman has served the United States Government for 16 years and 
served as the first female Democratic staff director of the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee since 2015. Whereas Jodi 
before coming to the Senate held important positions in the 
House International Relations Committee and the United States 
Mission on the Organization of American States and the National 
Endowment for Democracy.
    I should point out that she is returning to the National 
Endowment for Democracy, so she will be continuing to do her 
important work on behalf of human rights and good governance. 
But you are going to learn a little bit more about her.
    Whereas Jodi is a proud native of St. Paul, Minnesota, a 
dedicated wife and mother, and a fixture in the civic life of 
her community, including as an active member of Temple Emanuel 
in Kensington, Maryland; as a member of the PTA at Ashburton 
Elementary School; and a Girl Scout troop leader, as a member 
of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital.
    Whereas prior to leaving the committee staff, Jodi's 
diligent and dedicated work in the United States Congress as 
legislative assistant and foreign policy adviser, chief counsel 
and deputy staff director to Senator Menendez, established her 
skill as an effective staffer on Capitol Hill.
    I am going to jump to some of the great accomplishments 
that we were able to do as a result of Jodi's work, and that 
is, the enactment of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 
2015, that Electrify Africa Act of 2015, whereas we will 
leverage private sector resources through loan guarantees to 
help 50 million Africans access electricity for the first time, 
and add 20,000 megawatts of electricity to the grid by 2020; 
passed the war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria; the 
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Act, which authorized the 
President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against 
any foreign person or entity who has committed gross violations 
of international recognized human rights; and passed in the 
committee two successful bills authorizing the State 
Department. We are anticipating today that will happen again.
    Resolve that the Committee on Foreign Relations expresses 
its deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to the 
contributions of Jodi Herman to the committee of the United 
States Senate, the people of Maryland and New Jersey, and the 
United States of America.
    Jodi, congratulations.
    [Applause.]
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, if you would indulge, if I 
could yield to Senator Menendez, I would certainly appreciate 
that. I think Senator Menendez knows Jodi the best.

                STATEMENT OF HON. BOB MENENDEZ, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY

    Senator Menendez. Thank you, Senator Cardin. Thank you, Mr. 
Chairman.
    I will be brief, because I think Senator Cardin has gone 
into a great deal of depth on Jodi's accomplishments here.
    Jodi started with me when I was in the House of 
Representatives as a staff assistant, and she is now the staff 
director of the Democratic side of the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee. I was privileged to appoint her to that position.
    In this institution, knowledge and intellect is an 
important asset, but also the ability to understand the 
politics of an issue, the policy of an issue, and the process 
to get it done, and she possesses all three of those skills, 
which the amalgam of all three is not always present in the 
abilities of individuals.
    So that has been one of the reasons, from the Democratic 
side, we have been so successful. I know the chairman called 
her a worthy opponent, and she can be that at times. But I 
think she is also a worthy partner, and in many respects has 
proven that, as she has worked across the aisle.
    So when members of the staff on both sides wonder whether 
their work ever actually makes a difference, Senator Cardin 
read several of those elements where working with members, it 
made a difference.
    But one of the ones that I think Jodi will take with her is 
when she helped me pass an amendment to give the families of 
the Marine Corps barracks bombing the opportunity to get actual 
justice, to the extent that compensation can ever be justice, 
for the loss of lives of loved ones. And the Supreme Court just 
this week upheld what the Senate and the Congress did.
    That one measure gives enormous opportunity for justice to 
families. It is just one example of the accomplishments that 
someone like Jodi Herman has brought to the committee, and that 
collectively we enjoy.
    So we salute her, and we are thrilled to see that she is 
going help promote democracy throughout the world.
    Congratulations, Jodi.
    [Applause.]
    The Chairman.  I think the comments around Jodi's 
retirement highlight what a privilege it is for all of us not 
only to serve in the Senate, but to serve on this committee. 
And all of the staff who work with us collectively, we do, in 
fact, make a difference in people's lives all around the world. 
And what a privilege that is.
    In many cases, it is just approaching something in a more 
sensible way and leveraging the United States' power to 
influence without even adding additional dollars.
    So we serve on a committee that makes a difference, there 
is no question about it.
    Jodi, your retirement highlights the important role that 
our highly professional staff members throughout this committee 
and our personal staffs make in people's lives in working with 
us, so we thank you and thank them.
    Our first order of business today will be five Foreign 
Service lists.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments you 
would like to make?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to these 
lists?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
lists, I would entertain a motion to approve these lists en 
bloc, as amended, by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve five Foreign 
Service lists en bloc, as amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
appointments and promotions are agreed to.
    Next, in the interest of time, I would ask that the 
committee proceed en bloc to vote in consideration of the 
following nominees before the committee: Ms. Swati Dandekar--I 
am going to put a provision in later that people's names cannot 
be that long; I am just kidding--to be U.S. director of the 
Asian Development Bank, with the rank of Ambassador; Ms. 
Christine Elder to be Ambassador to Liberia; Ms. Kelly 
Keiderling Franz to be Ambassador to Uruguay; Ms. Elizabeth 
Richard to be Ambassador to Lebanon; Mr. Stephen Schwartz to be 
Ambassador to Somalia; Mr. Adam Sterling to be Ambassador to 
Slovakia; Mr. David Harden to be an assistant administrator at 
USAID.
    I thank all these nominees for being willing to settle into 
these positions and the process they go through with us.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I do not.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else wishing to speak to these 
nominees?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on the 
nominations, I would entertain a motion to approve them by 
voice vote en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the nominations.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
nominations are agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 340, the ISIS genocide 
resolution with three Rubio amendments.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve the Rubio 
title, preamble, and substitute amendments by voice vote en 
bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all amendments en 
bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendments are agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    Senator Boxer. Mr. Chairman, amendments to?
    The Chairman.  Rubio.
    Senator Boxer. Okay.
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 340, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    Opposed?
    [No response.]
    With that, the ayes have it, and the resolution, as 
amended, is agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 381, the World Malaria Day 
resolution with an amendment.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve the preamble 
amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the preamble 
amendment.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    With that, the ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed 
to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the resolution 
as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded. Thank you both.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 436, as 
amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    Opposed?
    [No response.]
    With that, the ayes have it, and the resolution, as 
amended, is agreed to.
    Our next order of business that I will ask we consider en 
bloc by voice vote are the remaining resolutions before this 
committee. That is S. Res. 442, S. Res. 418, S. Res. 394, S. 
Res. 381.
    Senator Cardin, any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    Any comments by other members?
    Senator Coons. I just want to say thank you for pressing 
for the resolution recognizing Michael Riddering, who was 
killed as a volunteer overseas. It is important we continue to 
recognize those who risk and lose their lives in humanitarian 
service.
    The Chairman.  Thank you for bringing that to our attention 
and for recognizing him in that way.
    Senator Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. I would like to be added as a cosponsor to 
your and Senator Cardin's resolution condemning the terrorist 
attacks in Brussels.
    The Chairman.  Without objection.
    Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
resolutions, I would entertain a motion to approve them en bloc 
by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the four 
resolutions en bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
resolutions are agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. 2845, a bill to extend the 
termination of sanctions with respect to Venezuela under the 
Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 
with an amendment.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. Just to thank Senator Menendez and Senator 
Rubio for working this out.
    The Chairman.  I second that.
    Would anyone else like to speak to this?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to consider the Rubio amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Rubio 
amendment.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The Rubio 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 2845, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Next we will consider H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-Poaching 
Act, with an amendment.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No, except to say that Senators Coons and 
Flake have been as persistent as any of our two members on this 
legislation, and I thank them for doing that, because this is a 
very important bill.
    The Chairman.  I would agree to their persistence.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  I thank them for burning up my cell phone 
with texts pursuing this, and I am glad we are where we are 
today.
    Would anyone else like to speak to this?
    Senator Flake?
    Senator Flake. I thank the chairman and the ranking member 
and, of course, Senator Coons for spearheading this. This is a 
good bill and needed effort, and I am glad to see it passed.
    The Chairman.  I am glad you all put forth the effort and 
it will be successful today, and we thank you.
    Anyone else?
    Senator Coons?
    Senator Coons. I just want to thank Senator Flake for 
leading a truly memorable trip, which resulted in both of us 
being charged by elephants, and thank the chair and ranking 
member for your accommodation and recognition that this is a 
security threat as well as a genuine threat to the wildlife of 
the world. I am very hopeful that we can now get this enacted 
and get it signed into law by the President. I am really 
grateful to Senator Flake for his leadership on that.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thank you so much.
    If there is no further discussion, I would entertain a 
motion to consider the Coons-Flake substitute amendment by 
voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Coons-Flake 
substitute amendment.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No reponse.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 2494, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman. With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Lastly, we will consider the Department of State 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.
    Senator Cardin, do you have additional comments you want to 
make on this?
    Senator Cardin. No, except, as you did, to acknowledge our 
staff that did extraordinary work. This is extremely difficult 
text to get through. On the Democratic side, Margaret Taylor 
did an incredible job. I want to thank all the staff.
    The Chairman.  In that vein, I would like to thank Brooke, 
Chris, Christine, and Morgan on our staff for the outstanding 
work they put forth to get us to where we are today, and on 
your staff, Margaret, Michael, Charlotte and Algene for their 
tremendous effort.
    Senator Cardin. Thanks for including the other three. 
Otherwise, I would have been in trouble.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  I am always trying to cover for you.
    Senator Cardin. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. I thank the staff really for 
their cooperation.
    I want to say in this case, in particular, I want to thank 
the State Department for working with us as you did. I know 
that there are numbers of provisions in here that give you the 
flexibilities that you need to carry out your responsibilities 
in a much better way, and we thank you for highlighting those 
and working with us the way you did. We look forward to that 
again next year.
    Any other discussion?
    [No response.]
    I would like to entertain a motion to consider the 
manager's amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the manager's 
amendment by voice vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    Senator Paul?
    Senator Paul. There has been significant discussion over 
time about sort of the balance of power with regard to foreign 
relations. Sometimes, one party or the other will admit that 
the President has too much power and that we should assert 
ourselves more in this role. It seems to be more assertive when 
you are in the party opposing the party that is in the White 
House, but really, it ought to be both parties. We ought to, as 
a body, say we want more power; we want more oversight; and we 
want to be more of a participant in what happens.
    Several years ago, Senator Leahy put forward an amendment 
that I am a big fan of. I just think we should use it even 
more. This amendment was to the appropriations to the State 
Department, saying that any country that committed human rights 
abuse or was taken over by a military coup shouldn't get our 
military assistance.
    I think there needs to be a more robust debate over who 
gets our money, frankly. We have a shortage of money, a finite 
amount of money.
    I have been hoping to get a bridge built across the Ohio 
for years and years, and yet we spend $113 billion building and 
rebuilding the infrastructure in Afghanistan. So I think we 
need have more of a debate over whether we spend money overseas 
or whether we spend it here, whether we give it to people who 
are basically imprisoning and publically whipping rape victims 
in some countries that receive military assistance, whether we 
are giving military assistance to some countries that stone 
women to death for adultery, whether we are giving military 
assistance to countries that imprison people for their 
religious beliefs or criticism of the state religion in many 
countries. Many of these countries still continue to receive 
military assistance.
    My resolution or my amendment would not change the Leahy 
amendment as the way the Leahy amendment originates. The 
administration has the power or is supposed to withhold 
military assistance when there are human rights abuses or when 
there is an undemocratic takeover of government.
    However, we often quickly revert back. It seems like the 
only thing that never stops is military assistance, and so it 
very quickly resumes.
    What I would like to say is that when we withhold military 
assistance, when we have a human rights abuse so egregious that 
we are going to withhold military assistance, that it come back 
and we actually debate in the Senate whether or not the country 
is adhering and whether or not the country has changed its 
ways, whether the country is a democratically elected country, 
whether or not it is justice to have 500 people condemned to 
death in 5 minutes.
    In Egypt, they condemned, recently, to death a 6-month-old 
boy for terrorism. Then they acknowledged, well, maybe it was 
his cousin who is 15. Then maybe it was his uncle who is 52. 
They all had the same name.
    But they do not even have time to read the names out. They 
are condemned to death, 500 people at a time. They do not even 
have time to read the names.
    Can you imagine a trial? Is that justice, a trial where you 
do not even recite the names and you put people to death? Whole 
political parties--I am not a fan of the Muslim Brotherhood, 
but putting the whole party to death indiscriminately?
    That is not democracy. We should question and have a robust 
debate over whether or not we are going to continue military 
assistance. We completely leave it up to the administration.
    This is not a partisan attempt. This is nothing against 
President Obama. I would say exactly the same thing if this 
were George W. Bush.
    My resolution says that if we suspend military assistance, 
for it to resume, it has to come back and be debated on and 
approved by Congress.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    Senator Risch. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Go ahead.
    Senator Risch. Senator Paul, is this Paul No. 1 we are 
talking about?
    The Chairman.  Yes.
    Senator Risch. How does that differ from Markey No. 1 that 
we just adopted as part of the manager's package? The 
description is the same here. Are we duplicating?
    Senator Paul. Does your amendment require that we come back 
and have a vote?
    Senator Markey. No.
    Senator Paul. Okay, so that is how it would be different.
    Senator Risch. I am sorry?
    The Chairman.  His does not require us to come back and 
vote.
    First of all, I truly appreciate Senator Paul's concerns 
about the way we deal with foreign aid. There is no question, 
we have not authorized foreign aid for decades. To me, that 
should be our next effort. We moved through State Department 
authorization. Now it is time to get on with the business of 
dealing with that.
    There is no question in my mind that much of what we do in 
foreign aid is a holdover from the Cold War, and there need to 
be some revisions. I mean, we are living in a different era now 
where we can be much more effective with our foreign aid.
    I really pride myself on what we do around the world to 
improve people's lives, but we all know we can do things more 
effectively.
    Power Africa was great example of our ability just with 
some changes to really empower huge changes. Fifty million more 
people having electricity in sub-Saharan Africa over the next 4 
years.
    So I applaud what Senator Paul wishes to do. I think the 
threshold here is too high. To have to come back and debate it 
before Congress and vote on it is a threshold, in my opinion, 
that is too high.
    I want to also say we reached a balance here where I 
reached an agreement with Senator Cardin. I have substance 
issues, but I am going to vote against the amendment.
    But I do appreciate Senator Paul continually trying to 
focus our efforts on making sure that we are holding people 
accountable that we are dealing with on foreign aid.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes?
    Senator Cardin. If I can, let me just underscore this 
point.
    Senator Paul, I very much agree with the thrust of 
everything you are saying, and it is in the bill.
    It is so important that we try to get an authorization bill 
accomplished. And the chairman is absolutely right. We may have 
some future debates as to what is the appropriation balance 
between the authorization we give to the executive branch and 
oversight and the mandatory nature of legislation. No 
administration wants to see their foreign policy hands tied by 
the acts of Congress, so there is a real concern that if we 
start down the path of no discretion given to the executive 
branch in carrying out foreign policy that they will not be 
able to accomplish the mission.
    The language in the Markey amendment, the language in the 
manager's package, is very strong on saying we are cutting off 
funds and giving direction that no funds should be made 
available and authorizing the President to be able to carry 
this out, which has been the traditional way that Congress and 
the White House has worked on legislation, and it has worked 
fairly well in almost all circumstances.
    In some circumstances, it has not worked, and we have had 
to take more direct action. That is true. But there is no 
indication on peacekeeping and on this issue that there is any 
difference at all between the executive branch and the 
legislative branch.
    So for all those reason, I would urge a ``no'' vote on this 
amendment. I think it would set up a very dangerous precedent 
for us to be able to defend on this one issue as we try to get 
an authorization bill done on the floor of the United States 
Senate.
    I would urge colleagues to oppose the amendment.
    The Chairman.  Yes?
    Senator Rubio. So my understanding of the amendment, just 
to understand, if the administration suspends aid, because they 
think that so and so is violating, in order to restart the aid 
is when they have to come back to Congress.
    Senator Paul. Right. It is still a division of power. The 
executive branch has the ability to begin it. We can't do 
anything, according to my amendment, unless they begin it. They 
still have an extraordinary amount of power.
    I would like to go one step further and force them to do 
it, but this does not do that. They would still be able to 
initiate or not initiate the suspension of military aid. But if 
they do, we would vote on whether to resume it or not.
    Senator Rubio. My only concern with that--you read the text 
of this, and you start to think, yes, I do not want people like 
this to be getting money.
    My concern is twofold. One, the administration may decide 
to be even more cautious about suspending aid, because of how 
hard it is to restart it.
    And the second is you take away a lot of leverage to get 
immediate changes from people, like, ``We can lift this 
suspension tomorrow if you do X.'' That will not be true 
anymore. The administration loses some leverage to impact 
behavior, because they still have to go back to Congress now, 
and they could get tied up. We know how fast this place moves, 
right?
    That is my concern.
    The Chairman.  I appreciate the intent, and we are doing 
everything we can to bring that balance of power back in. I 
think we have taken numbers of steps over the last couple of 
years, beginning with Senator Menendez, to do so. I think this 
is a hurdle that makes it incredibly difficult to have those 
flexibilities.
    Senator Johnson?
    Senator Johnson. I also have a question, because as I read 
the text, it says, this is part C, ``The Secretary shall 
withhold any and all military assistance.'' It goes on to say 
that it will continue until something happens.
    So this is more than just voting to reinstate it. Isn't 
this directing the Secretary to withhold in these cases?
    Senator Paul. It already is directed. That is Leahy 
language. I mean, that already is the language. We are not 
doing anything new to the Secretary. The discussion comes in on 
what is the definition of human rights abuse and what is the 
definition of when a coup happens.
    So somehow this administration decided that the military 
coup in Egypt was really not a military coup, or they simply 
ignore it.
    I think it is a discussion that deserves more debate and 
should come back.
    Also, whether or not we vote on this, or whether or not we 
chastise the administration and give them some instruction, 
there is about a 40- or 50-year history of that now working, 
actually. There is a 40- or 50-year history of administrations 
ignoring this.
    We were originally designated with the power of the purse. 
I do not think we utilize the power of the purse. This is 
trying to bring back power to the Senate and give us some say 
in what happens.
    I think particularly when something so egregious as these 
different human rights abuses and military coups happen that we 
should be part of the debate and this should be a full-throated 
debate. It is, frankly, one of the most important debates that 
occur, and we should force it occur through legislation.
    The Chairman.  Senator Risch?
    Senator Risch. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I agree with 
Senator Paul on the goal aspect of this, and that is to try to 
stem the flow of constant change of power from Congress to the 
administration, which has gone on for centuries.
    But in this particular instance, where you are dealing with 
military engagements, the Commander in Chief has to be able to 
move quickly, I mean, really quickly in a lot of circumstances. 
As has already been pointed out, where the administration has 
the ability to say, ``Okay, we have some money here, but we 
want you to do this,'' they just can't come to Congress. This 
place, as you know, moves at glacial speed, if that.
    I am just really reluctant to hamstring the Commander in 
Chief on the battlefield.
    Senator Paul. One interesting thing is that when we do have 
war or issues of war, we move incredibly fast. After 9/11, we 
were nearly unanimous and moved incredible fast. After Pearl 
Harbor, incredibly fast, December 8.
    So I think we can move when we want to move and when it is 
important. But I think if we continue to give this up to the 
administration, we continue to give them some instructions in a 
bill that has no teeth, having a vote is the teeth of the power 
of the purse. It is forcing them to come back to us.
    Senator Risch. Let me say, all fair points. Absolutely fair 
points. I have no doubt if we have a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11, we 
would move quickly. But most of the things that the 
administration is involved in these days are much smaller 
magnitude than that that don't get our attention.
    The Chairman.  Senator Johnson?
    Senator Johnson. Again, reading the text here, the crux 
here is the Secretary makes the determination whether 
something----
    Senator Paul. That is the way the current system is.
    Senator Johnson. So by forcing a vote to reinstate it, are 
you almost running counter to what you are trying to accomplish 
and not provide aid in these egregious circumstances?
    You will actually have the administration probably less 
likely to withhold aid when you have these types of regimes, 
because they know that it is going to be much more difficult in 
cases of acts of terrorism, in terms of military intervention.
    Senator Paul. I think that depends on what type of 
administration you have.
    The Chairman.  I will say, especially, I know you were 
concerned about the issue of Egypt, if I remember correctly. We 
can always ourselves bring forth legislation to try to end aid, 
if we feel like the administration has made a bad judgment in 
that regard. In that particular case, I did not.
    But again, I want to say to Senator Paul, I appreciate his 
continual efforts to focus on our foreign aid. I think there is 
a lot of work that we as a committee can do to make sure that 
the foreign aid we provide goes much deeper and has a much 
longer lasting impact. And I look forward to engaging everybody 
on this, hopefully in this next year.
    Senator Paul. I just wanted to make a final point that I 
think Egypt really provides an example of how what we are doing 
does not work. I mean, we have mass trials where people were 
condemned to death without representation, without even their 
name being listed. We have a government that is a military 
junta that was not democratically elected.
    So the Leahy language, which we have given them as an 
instruction, I think is being ignored with regard to Egypt, 
because we continue to send military weapons there.
    So we say we do not want human rights abuses, but we allow 
them to happen. There is torture in Egypt. There is lack of due 
process in Egypt. And there is undemocratic government. And yet 
the military aid flows, because we really say we care about 
these things and we do not.
    So I think the only way to say that we truly do care and 
want to change things would be to actually transfer power or at 
least some little bit of power back to Congress.
    The Chairman.  Any additional debate?
    [No response.]
    We have an amendment. Is there a motion to approve the 
amendment?
    Senator Paul. Yes.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    On Paul No. 1, all in favor, say aye.
    [A few ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [A chorus of nays.]
    Senator Paul. Can we have a recorded vote?
    The Chairman.  Sure.
    The clerk will call the roll.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Risch?
    Senator Risch. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Rubio?
    Senator Rubio. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Johnson?
    Senator Johnson. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Flake?
    Senator Flake. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Gardner?
    Senator Gardner. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Perdue?
    Senator Perdue. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Isakson?
    The Chairman.  No by proxy.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Paul?
    Senator Paul. Yes.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Barrasso?
    Senator Barrasso. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Cardin?
    Senator Cardin. No.
    The Clerk.  Mrs. Boxer?
    Senator Boxer. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. No.
    The Clerk.  Ms. Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Coons?
    Senator Coons. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Udall?
    Senator Udall. Aye.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Murphy?
    Senator Murphy. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Kaine?
    Senator Kaine. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Markey?
    Senator Markey. No.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  No.
    The Chairman.  The clerk will report.
    The Clerk.  Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 2; the nays are 17.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Thanks for bringing this forward.
    Are there any other amendments?
    Senator Boxer. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, ma'am?
    Senator Boxer. Mr. Chairman, I would like to call up the 
Boxer amendment, Boxer-Shaheen, and just to say in advance to 
my colleagues, I am not going to ask for a vote today, but I am 
going to make sure that when this bill gets to the floor, I 
will offer it. And I want to take about 60 seconds to explain 
why it is important.
    Our amendment would codify in law the existing Office of 
Global Women's Issues at the State Department. The reason I am 
not going to call for a vote is my understanding is the issue 
of abortion somehow in somebody's mind is related to this. It 
is just outrageous. And I do not want to bring anything down 
here or give my chairman or ranking member a loss, but it is 
just sad.
    As I am on my way winding down, I would hope that we could 
come together on this, because we have an office on Global 
Women's Issues. We have an Ambassador at Large, Cathy Russell. 
It is working every day, but it has not been authorized.
    I think Senator Paul makes a good point about the power of 
the Congress here. This is working, and we ought to have our 
imprimatur on it. It has nothing to do with a woman's right to 
choose or what kind of health care she determines.
    Let me tell you what it has done, okay?
    In Afghanistan, the office helps ensure that girls can 
attend school. This helps prevent early and forced marriages. 
It provides girls with the skills they need to become active 
citizens, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
    In countries like the DRC, Democratic Republic of the 
Congo, the office helps survivors of the worst kind of sexual 
violence get access to justice that they deserve. The office is 
leading the State Department efforts around the world to end 
the brutal practice of female genital cutting.
    More broadly, the Office of Global Women's Issues works 
with our foreign partners to identify, mentor, and train 
emerging women political leaders around the world. If ever you 
have met with these women, it is so encouraging, because even 
the most conservative foreign policy advisers tell us that when 
women get a chance, the countries really move forward toward 
democracy and toward a much more decent life for people.
    So by permanently establishing an Office of Global Women's 
Issues in the State Department, we will advance equal rights, 
protect women from violence, and help women and girls fulfill 
their potential.
    These efforts are very important. So because of my deep 
respect for our leaders, and being a chairman and now a ranking 
myself, I understand how hard it is, and I don't want to put 
anybody through their paces here. And I know I have a couple of 
Republicans willing to support, but I don't want to push it 
today. But I am going to push it on the floor, and I am going 
to work with my friends. I hope that maybe we can come to 
something that we can all rally around.
    This is a victory for us. It is our committee that set up 
the first subcommittee on human rights and global women's 
issues. Senator Rubio and I worked very well on that.
    So we should be proud to know that as a result of our work 
in this committee, the administration finally set up this 
office. We should authorize it.
    So I hope I can work with each of you individually. Tell me 
what your problems are. I will try to address it, bring this to 
the floor.
    But for now, I am not going to push it.
    Senator Cardin. Before you withdraw, could I make a comment 
very briefly?
    Senator Boxer. Yes.
    Senator Cardin. First of all, I want to thank Senator Boxer 
not just for her leadership on this issue but her sensitivity 
to what we are trying to accomplish. This is an ongoing 
process. We have been able now in 2 years to be able to pass 
out of our committee two State Department authorizations. We 
want to make it as broad as we possibly can.
    And I appreciate your willingness to work with the members 
of this committee to see whether there isn't a path forward 
where we could work out any area that may present some 
challenges.
    So I thank you very much.
    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, ma'am?
    Senator Shaheen. Before Senator Boxer withdraws the 
amendment, as she pointed out, I am a cosponsor.
    I think this is something that we really ought to support. 
I appreciate concerns that people have about access to 
reproductive health, but the reality is that women make up half 
of the world's population, and if we do not support this 
because it is the right thing to do, we should support it 
because it is the economic thing to do, because we know when we 
empower women in developing countries, that not only does it 
support stability and peace in those countries, as Senator 
Boxer said with the move toward democracy, but it also supports 
the economic development in those countries, because women are 
most likely to put any dollars they get back into their 
families and into their communities.
    So I would hope that we can figure out how we can 
accommodate the concerns that people have. And when this bill 
gets to the floor, hopefully it will get to the floor, that we 
can support this permanent authorization, because it is making 
a difference in so many places around the world.
    The Chairman.  Any other comments or amendments?
    I understand you are withdrawing?
    Senator Boxer. I would withdraw and look forward to 
debating this on the floor.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Senator Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment, and 
before I speak to the amendment, I want to really salute you 
and Senator Cardin for incredibly important work. I think the 
State Department authorization bill is in part achieving what 
Senator Paul in broader respects is talking about, which is 
having the jurisdiction of the committee, not just for 
jurisdictional sake but for an imprint of the Congress as the 
elected representatives of the American people upon our foreign 
policy, in particular on the department that runs that foreign 
policy.
    I know how difficult it is to try to achieve that 
consensus, so I appreciate very much what you both have 
accomplished, and I intend to support it.
    I want to speak to my amendment on diversity. I will, out 
of deference to the chair and ranking member, not pursue it at 
this point. And I also appreciate some language that was 
included in the manager's amendment to try to reach out to this 
issue.
    It is a question of diversity, something that for 2 decades 
I have been pursuing at the State Department, which, 
unfortunately, has one of the worst records of diversity in the 
entire of Federal Government.
    Now it is not a question of diversity for diversity's sake. 
It is because it makes a real difference in the promotion of 
our foreign policy abroad.
    It would be to say, for example, if there was a process at 
the State Department that denied or largely did not make it a 
possibility for people from the southern part of the United 
States or from the Western part of the United States to be in 
the Foreign Service, we would have a whole dimension of our 
country that would not be projected abroad.
    When I was in China, meeting with human rights activists, 
many who ended up not coming to the meeting because the 
government came upon them not to, it was an African-American 
member of our State Department who had gone through and was an 
active participant in the civil rights movement that was in 
charge of promoting human rights and democracy in China. His 
experience was invaluable in helping those who were in their 
own country trying to promote the very essence of the same 
rights that he was once trying to promote in his own country.
    Those types of experiences and knowledge cannot be learned 
in a book, do not get achieved by going to SAIS or any of the 
great universities. They come from the diversity of our 
country.
    So I hope the 2016 authorization goes through, which had 
more specific language to try to get to that goal. But if in 
fact the 2016 authorization for some reason does not go 
through, I would like to try to, at that time, prevail upon the 
chairman and ranking member to reconsider this section, because 
I do think we have a role in trying to get the department to 
move in a direction that brings them into the 21st century as 
it relates to what America looks like and how that adds an 
invaluable experience abroad.
    So I will not pursue the amendment at this time. I look 
forward to working with both of you.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, before Senator Menendez 
withdraws the amendment, Senator Boxer's is to authorize a very 
important program. Yours is to deal with a very important issue 
of oversight and mission within the State Department. How can 
they carry out their mission if they do not actively pursue 
diversity? And how can we make sure we have the right 
oversight?
    I strongly support that effort that you are undertaking. We 
do have some of this in the 2016 authorization, but it is a 
matter of continuous interest, and I thank you very much for 
the way you are proceeding.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. And I appreciate you also 
bringing this up. You have been consistent in the committee in 
pressing the State Department on this issue. I think there is a 
really good chance 2016 is going to become law. That will take 
care of the issue you are talking about, but I appreciate the 
opportunity to work with you on it in the future, should that 
not happen.
    Are there any other amendments or statements?
    Senator Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. I had two amendments that dealt with 
reporting requirements. I am not going to offer those. I am 
going to withdraw them.
    But I do think it is an important issue that we ought to 
take a look at, because I think very often in legislative 
bodies, when we cannot get done what we want, we punt by asking 
for a report. I think accountability is really important. I 
think reporting requirements are very important. But I think 
sometimes we ask for reports, and because often those are not 
accompanied by the resources to really get definitive analysis 
in the reports, what we get back is not usable, and it takes up 
a lot of time.
    So I appreciate the chair's willingness to repeal four of 
those reports in the manager's package. But the fact is, last 
year's authorization bill imposed 57 new reports on the State 
Department.
    I think we really need to look at this issue. When we ask 
for reports, we ought to be asking for something that we really 
want and get analysis that we can actually use when we are 
making policy.
    So thank you, Mr. Chairman. I hope you and the ranking 
member will continue to work with me on this.
    The Chairman.  I certainly like the line of thinking, and I 
thank you for the constructive role you have played in this 
process.
    Senator Coons?
    Senator Coons. Thank you for your hard work to move forward 
in authorizing the bill. We should do this every year. The NDAA 
moves every year. This committee ought to be moving an 
authorizing bill every year.
    Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Senator Murphy?
    Senator Murphy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Great work. Thank 
you for bringing this before us.
    I associate myself with the remarks of Senator Coons.
    I had two amendments, neither of which I will ask for votes 
on.
    The first would have amended a section of the bill that 
puts some congressional restrictions on the way promotions are 
done within the State Department. I have some concerns of 
Congress getting in the business of micromanaging the way in 
which the State Department does promotions. You made some, I 
think, changes in amendments to that to give it a little bit 
more secretarial discretion, which I appreciate.
    My second amendment is on the issue of the applicability of 
Buy America laws to the State Department.
    I think there are a lot of good reasons why we should 
promote the State Department buying American-made goods for use 
in embassies. It creates a lot of jobs here in the United 
States, but it also shows off American goods to foreign 
audiences.
    There is a curious waiver to the Buy America law that is 
being used increasingly by embassies all across the country. It 
is a waiver that says that if the good is going to be used 
primarily outside of the United States, then you do not have to 
buy it from an American company. That was written into the law 
for sort of temporary military deployments. But, of course, it 
applies to every single purchase that is made in the Department 
of State, such that on an annual basis of the $1.6 billion in 
waivers to the Buy America law that the State Department uses, 
$1.4 billion of it is this particular waiver.
    So my amendment would have just eliminated that particular 
waiver for use by the State Department, leaving in place all of 
the other ways around the Buy America law. For instance, it 
costs far more to buy it from the United States and ship it 
than to buy it in-country, or that it is not available, or you 
need it for urgent use.
    I hope that we can work on this, because I think that there 
is just endless ability for the State Department to get around 
the law, and there are all sorts of practical reasons why we 
want to encourage the State Department, when practical, to buy 
from American companies.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Any other comments?
    Senator Gardner?
    Senator Gardner. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment that I 
will also not be offering today, but it was concerning North 
Korea policy and implementation of the executive order, the 
legislation that we passed just a couple months ago regarding 
North Korea.
    Yesterday, those of you who saw the news this morning 
already know this, South Korea claims that North Korea launched 
yet another ballistic missile, and we believe that they will 
execute yet another nuclear weapons test prior to the People's 
Congress coming up on May 6.
    Yesterday, though, in our testimony from Secretary Blinken, 
we heard responses to questions regarding investigations of 
North Korean activities, investigations for sanctions 
violations, and when those sanctions would be implemented. We 
did not hear when they are going to have the investigation 
performed. We did not hear who they are investigating. We did 
not hear anything about whether or not any of these 
investigations include China.
    So as North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles, as 
North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons, I think it is 
very important that this committee maintain rigorous oversight 
of the administration's investigations and implementation of 
both the U.N. resolution and the legislation that we passed.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. I want to thank you and Senator 
Cardin for your leadership as the subcommittee heads, and you 
and Senator Menendez for passing legislation that, no doubt, is 
having impact. I appreciate your continued efforts to make sure 
the oversight is there in a proper way. So thank you.
    Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, I will entertain a motion to 
approve the Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2017, as amended.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Department of 
State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, as amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    I again want to thank the outstanding staff of all of our 
Senators, but certainly the committee staff that made this 
happen.
    That completes the committee's business.
    I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make 
technical and conforming changes.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    And with that, without objection, the committee will stand 
adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 11:09 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                         THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-051916p

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11:40 a.m. in, 
Room 166, The Capitol Building, Hon. Bob Corker, chairman of 
the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Gardner, 
Perdue, Isakson, Cardin, Boxer, Menendez, Kaine, and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  This business meeting of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order.
    On the agenda for today we have one Foreign Service officer 
list and two pieces of legislation. Today, we will consider all 
agenda items en bloc, by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments you would like to 
make?

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I support this legislation to grant International 
Organization Immunity Act (IOIA) privileges and immunities to 
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC remains a critical 
partner in ensuring Gulf Security and is a critical lynchpin of 
the counter-ISIL coalition.
    This legislation would pave the way for the GCC to open a 
Washington office, which will enhance U.S.-GCC relations and 
create a new venue for dialogue.
    The GCC's opening of a diplomatic mission in Washington 
will allow the United States to not only further our security 
dialogue with the Gulf, but also open new channels for 
discussion on human rights and other issues. I look forward to 
an enhanced dialogue on important priorities like the promotion 
of human rights protections, increased respect for women and 
minorities, and enhanced standards for migrant labor in the 
Gulf.
    I want to commend Chairman Corker for his work on this 
bill, and I urge my fellow Committee Members to support its 
passage.
    I also support the resolution before us commemorating the 
100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, and I thank 
Senators Leahy and McConnell for its introduction.
    The ties between America and Ireland are indeed 
extraordinary in their breadth and depth. Millions of Irish 
immigrants and tens of millions of Americans of Irish descent 
have had great influence in shaping the destiny of our country. 
The reverse is also true. five of the seven signatories of the 
Easter Rising spent significant time in the United States, and 
the 1916 Proclamation of Independence not only mentioned 
America, but called for guarantees of religious and civil 
liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its 
citizens,'' principles that I am proud to say represent the 
best of U.S. values.
    This 100th anniversary offers an opportunity for 
remembrance and reconciliation, and I am proud to support this 
resolution commemorating it.
    We also have before us a Foreign Service List, with six 
qualified nominees for promotion. I look forward to working 
together to ensure that their promotions are swiftly confirmed 
by the full Senate.
    Thank you Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Would any other Senator like to speak on any 
of the agenda items?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
items, I would entertain a motion to approve all agenda items, 
en bloc, by voice vote.
    [Senator makes a motion]
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    [Senator seconds.]
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all agenda items, 
including S. 2942, the GCC privileges and immunities bill, S. 
Res. 469, the Easter Rising Resolution, and the Foreign Service 
officer list, en bloc, by voice vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman. Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman. And with that the ayes have it and the agenda 
items are agreed to.
    And that completes the committee's business.
    I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make 
technical and conforming changes; without objection, so 
ordered.
    And that with that, without objection, the committee will 
stand adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 11:50 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                        THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-062316

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:02 a.m. in 
Room SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Bob Corker, 
chairman of the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Rubio, Johnson, 
Gardner, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, Boxer, Menendez, Shaheen, 
Coons, Udall, Murphy, and Kaine.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  The business meeting of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order.
    On the agenda for today, we have 10 pieces of legislation, 
seven treaties, three nominations, and a number of Foreign 
Service officer lists.
    First, we will consider four Foreign Service officer lists, 
over 200 personnel referred to the committee. I support these 
appointments and promotions and thank all of the officers for 
their service.
    We will also consider three nominations. And I want to 
thank my colleagues for helping the committee to take steps 
forward on all of these nominations today.
    We also have before us seven treaties. The first is the 
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and 
Agriculture. Strongly supported by U.S. agriculture and 
research universities, the Plant Genetics Treaty is critical to 
sustaining the plant breeding revolution that has saved more 
than a billion people from starvation in the last half century. 
Our food security and future U.S. agriculture depend upon open 
access to plant material that will be made available under this 
treaty.
    The treaty's mechanisms are modeled on our own national 
system that has been in operation for decades.
    Without U.S. participation, our farmers and researchers are 
placed at a competitive disadvantage with 140 countries that 
enjoy the treaty's benefit.
    This committee approved the treaty on voice vote in 
December 2010 but did not ratify it before the end of the 111th 
Congress. I recommend the committee approve this treaty today.
    I want to thank all of you on this committee that are 
pushing that. I know Johnny has been working on this for some 
time.
    We are also considering the Convention on the Law 
Applicable to Certain Rights in Respect of Securities Held with 
an Intermediary, or Hague Convention. Today's securities 
trading is global. The treaty establishes a simple method for 
resolving conflicts of law, risk faced by our financial sector. 
This treaty adopts existing U.S. legal standards under the U.S. 
Uniform Commercial Code. The treaty is broadly supported by the 
U.S. financial community and is in our national interests. I 
recommend this committee approve its ratification.
    We also have before us five law enforcement treaties, three 
mutual legal assistance treaties with Algeria, Jordan, 
Kazakhstan, and two extradition treaties with Chile and the 
Dominican Republic. The MLATs provide a road map for law 
enforcement collaboration with other countries that reflects 
our values and aids in criminal investigations. The extradition 
treaties ensure that fugitives from justice are apprehended and 
tried appropriately while preserving our due process checks and 
balances.
    These treaties are all consistent with longstanding U.S. 
practice regarding law enforcement cooperation with foreign 
governments. I urge the committee to approve these treaties, as 
they are, as they are an important step to strengthening our 
global law enforcement capabilities.
    Next, we will consider the resolutions on the agenda. I 
will note that Senator Boxer--thank you for being here--has 
formally requested to hold over S. Con. Res. 41, expressing the 
sense of Congress on the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Region of 
Iraq to the next business meeting.
    The first resolution we will consider is S. Res. 432, 
supports respect for human rights, encourages inclusive 
governance in Ethiopia. I want to thank Senator Cardin for 
introducing this resolution, Senators Markey, Coons, Menendez, 
and Rubio for cosponsoring. This resolution serves to emphasize 
the opportunities and the expectations that we continue to hold 
important in our bilateral relationship with Ethiopia. Much 
remains to be done in Ethiopia to achieve inclusive governance 
and improved human rights performance.
    We will also consider S. Res. 482, a resolution urging the 
EU to designate Hizbollah in its entirety as a terrorist 
organization and to increase pressure on the organization and 
its members to the fullest extent possible. I thank Senator 
Shaheen and other cosponsors on the committee for bringing this 
important resolution before us today. Europe has been the 
victim of a Hizbollah terror attack. Yet, only the military 
wing of Hizbollah has been designated as a terrorist 
organization by the EU. This resolution calls on the European 
Union to designate the entire group as a terrorist 
organization.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 506 in support of NATO and 
the NATO summit and committing NATO to a security posture 
capable of deterring threats to the Alliance. This resolution 
highlights the need for NATO to transition from simple 
reassurance to deterrence in the face of a resurgent Russia. 
And I want to thank Senator Cardin for working with me on this 
resolution.
    We will also consider S. Res. 505 regarding compliance 
enforcement of the Russian violations of the Open Skies Treaty. 
I want to thank Senator Cardin again for your help in 
developing this bipartisan measure. The United States should 
take measures as are necessary in response to Russia's 
violations of the treaty, including the imposition of 
restrictions upon Russian overflights of the United States.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 503, recognizing June 20, 
2016 as World Refugee Day. The unprecedented number of refugees 
across the globe and particularly from Syria has led to 
unprecedented suffering and has strained our collective 
capacity to govern. I appreciate Senator Cardin working with us 
to bring a good balanced resolution forward to mark World 
Refugee Day.
    We also have S. Res. 501, expressing the sense of Congress 
on Russian military aggression. I want to thank Senators 
Perdue, Johnson, Gardner, Menendez, Risch, and Shaheen for 
working together to bring attention to Russia's reckless 
aggressive military behavior.
    We also have S. Con. Res. 38, a concurrent resolution 
reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as 
cornerstones of U.S.-Taiwan relations. I would like to thank 
Senators Rubio, Menendez, Perdue, and Gardner for introducing 
this important and timely bipartisan resolution. Taiwan is a 
good friend and partner of the United States, and it is 
critical that our U.S. Congress continues to demonstrate 
support for the Taiwan people and our shared democratic values.
    The last resolution considered today will be S. Res. 504, 
recognizing the anniversary of the Fulbright Program. This 
program not only promotes U.S. higher education abroad, but 
also remains a diplomatic tool. I thank Senators Boozman and 
Leahy for introducing this legislation.
    Today we will also consider S. Res. 1605, the M-CORE Act. I 
want to commend Senators Cardin, Isakson, Coons, and Flake for 
bringing this bipartisan legislation to the committee. It is an 
important step for the Millennium Challenge Corporation. It is 
something that I know we have been trying to reform for some 
time. M-CORE will ensure that the agency takes a coordinated 
and thoughtful approach in implementing regional compacts. 
Additionally, this legislation establishes necessary reforms 
that will safeguard democratic values and foster good 
governance overseas.
    Lastly--I am sure you are glad to hear that word.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  I am glad to hear it.
    We will consider S. 2201, Global Gateways Trade Capacity 
Act of 2015. Current U.S. trade capacity building assistance is 
unfocused. It is really unbelievable how is spread through so 
many different departments and it is inefficient and it lacks a 
comprehensive strategy. This legislation is designed to bring a 
focused and coordinated effort to trade capacity assistance for 
developing countries. It also will provide resources to help 
developing countries implement the World Trade Organization 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, TFA. I thank the ranking member 
for his role in this effort. I urge my colleagues to support a 
bill that I believe reflects how we should be using existing 
foreign assistance dollars to advance U.S. economic interests.
    Let me just say this on this one. If you look at much of 
our foreign aid today, it is built around a Cold War mentality 
where what we are trying to do is buy influence--buy 
influence--in countries. We have got to move to something that 
generates economic growth. Almost every single issue we work on 
around here relative to other countries is hoping that they are 
going to generate the economic growth that will improve the 
standard of living in their countries and cause them to be less 
receptive to ISIS and other entities that take advantage of 
people that are not moving along. And I hope that we can move 
our foreign aid in a direction that promotes economic growth. I 
look at this as a step in that direction.
    With that, I would like to recognize our distinguished 
ranking member, Senator Cardin.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you for that very 
lengthy introduction----
    The Chairman.  I apologize for that.
    Senator Cardin. No, no, no. Because it means we have a very 
full agenda. And I thank you very much for the accommodations 
not only for me but for many members of this committee and the 
United States Senate, in working to get legislation ready for 
approval by this committee, as well as the resolutions and the 
treaties. In addition, of course, we have the nominations and 
the Foreign Service lists. So I thank you very much for 
accommodating this lengthy agenda today, and I hope we can move 
through it rather quickly.
    I just really want to emphasize the last issue you talked 
about, the Global Gateways bill that through your leadership, 
we have before us today. I could not agree with you more. We 
invest a lot of U.S. taxpayer dollars and efforts on world 
security and stability. And we spend a lot of money on foreign 
assistance. And what your legislation will do is assist us in 
helping countries develop transparent, predictable, and 
simplified trade procedures so that we can get growing 
economies and economies that can provide stability for the 
people of the region. So I thank you for your legislation on 
Global Gateways, and I was proud to work with you on that 
legislation.
    Thank you for also accommodating the Millennium Compact for 
Regional Economic Integration. I do thank my colleagues, 
Senator Flake and Senator Isakson and Senator Coons, for their 
help in developing this. It is a very simple bill that says to 
the Millennium Compact that we can use regional in addition to 
country. This gives us greater flexibility in dealing with 
issues such as in Africa where we have energy issues. In 
Central America, we have economic challenges where we can use 
the larger region in order to be able to achieve even greater 
results in the individual countries.
    Mr. Chairman, you mentioned the different resolutions that 
we are considering. I am going to be very, very brief.
    Thank you for bringing up the Ethiopia resolution. I thank 
Senator Rubio and Senator Gardner for their help, as well as 
Senators Markey, Coons, and Menendez. Since 2005, the Ethiopian 
Government has been using tactics to stifle free speech and 
debate, including using anti-terrorism efforts in the name of 
anti-terrorism to block free expression. And we know of 
specific cases, such as the Zone 9 bloggers, and there are many 
other examples that have been used in Ethiopia. And this 
resolution speaks, I think, clearly to that issue.
    Thank you on the World Refugee Day resolution. It is widely 
supported in our caucus and I think it is bipartisan. I want to 
thank Senator Rubio. I want to thank Coons, Kaine, Markey, 
Menendez, and Murphy. There are 65 million displaced people 
globally, and this resolution states our responsibilities in 
regards to that humanitarian crisis.
    The NATO resolution--I am glad to work with you on that. 
The summit is coming up soon, and we are going to have a 
hearing in a few minutes that will emphasize the need for us to 
be able to use NATO effectively to deal with the challenges 
presented by Russia, as well as the challenges presented by the 
increased terrorist threat in Europe and in our region.
    Russia military aggression resolution--I want to thank 
Senator Perdue. I strongly support his resolution. I think it 
speaks to the major challenges we are having with Russia today.
    Taiwan--Glad we had that resolution. The concerns in that 
region are very, very challenging and the resolution restates 
our firm commitment to Taiwan.
    The Open Skies resolution--An area that you helped take the 
lead on. I want to thank Senator Cotton for his efforts in that 
regard, and we have come together with a very strong resolution 
speaking to what we believe needs to be our policies in regards 
to Russia and the Open Skies Treaty.
    And also thank you for Senator Boozman's Fulbright 
resolution, it is also important.
    The treaties are all important. You mentioned the Plant 
Genetic Resources. That helps developing countries. It helps 
develop new crop outcomes.
    Another treaty you mentioned is the Convention on the 
securities held with an intermediary. What that treaty does is 
take basically the Uniform Commercial Code that U.S. states are 
bound by and uses that to make sure that we can have a little 
bit more uniformity on the securities held globally.
    Extradition treaties are important.
    And the Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters 
treaties are important. Five countries overall are involved in 
those law enforcement treaties.
    And also, we have nominations and foreign service lists. We 
have a busy agenda.
    Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    There is going to be a lot of time for people to comment on 
individual pieces. So if people could maybe wait until that 
time, I think Senator Boxer may want to speak, though, to the 
Kurdistan issue.
    Senator Boxer. I do and thank you so much.
    First, I want to congratulate both of you on what is a 
really full and important agenda.
    I am so disappointed, though, that my chairman and my 
ranking member were going to change--had a substitute amendment 
that would have undermined the Ernst-Boxer resolution to give 
arms directly to the Kurds.
    Now, I want to point out that we have been trying to do 
this for a while, for a long while. And in NDAA, we got 54 
votes for an authorization to directly arm--54 votes. We needed 
60. But a majority of the United States Senate wants this done. 
And I am sad to say I do not believe we have a majority of this 
committee and we do not have the administration. And I think in 
all due respect, it is a huge mistake.
    The Kurds have been our most effective partner on the 
ground. I do not think there is any disagreement with that. 
They took back Mount Sinjar from ISIS, rescuing tens of 
thousands of Yazidis, cutting off the main supply lines between 
ISIS' strongholds of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq. They 
played a crucial role in retaking the Mosul dam, and they will 
be absolutely critical in the fight to retake the City of 
Mosul.
    The Kurdish regional government has also provided refuge to 
over 1 million refugees from Iraq and Syria.
    Beyond these headlines, Kurdish forces are fighting on the 
front lines facing ISIS every single day. Everybody around here 
goes to the floor and rightly so condemning these monsters. So 
the people who are out there are getting, I think, the back of 
the hand here in many ways.
    Kurdish leaders have expressed concern that their forces 
are overstretched and they lack the necessary equipment to 
combat ISIS' forces in Iraq. This includes medium and heavy 
weaponry that they need to defend themselves particularly 
against vehicle-mounted improvised explosive devices used by 
ISIS.
    In April, their Deputy Prime Minister Talibani said, quote, 
unless we get direct support, we will not be able to continue 
the way we are currently in the fight against ISIS. He said 
that the KRG is facing drastic and unprecedented fiscal and 
economic challenges which, if unresolved, will, quote, 
undoubtedly impact the ability of our forces to keep on the 
front line.
    It is clear they are in desperate need of financial 
assistance. And I was pleased that the U.S. has pledged $415 
million in April, and we must make it a priority to ensure that 
the KRG quickly receives these funds and future assistance.
    The Deputy Prime Minister's statements underscore why 
Senator Ernst and I introduced a bill last year to provide the 
President with the temporary emergency authority to provide 
weapons, equipment, and training directly to Kurdish military 
forces for their fight against ISIS.
    So we are not considering this bill today because of the 
substitute amendment that was going to be offered that would 
call for the explicit approval of the Iraqi Government. You 
know, if anyone has been there and discussed the Kurds with 
either the Sunni or the Shia, as I did, the attitude toward the 
Kurds is horrific. And I am telling you this is a big historic 
mistake, and I am criticizing Democrats and some Republicans 
here--some Democrats and some Republicans. It is a bipartisan 
disagreement that I have and with the administration.
    So I think we need to make a commitment to the Kurds in 
their fight against ISIS who is raping and torturing and 
killing innocent civilians, who has forced thousands of women 
and girls into sexual slavery, who have sent children out on 
the battlefield as suicide bombers, who have committed genocide 
against the groups in areas under its control.
    The Kurds are fearless. They need our help. And to set up a 
circumstance where they need to get approval from some people 
who are so prejudice against them that it sends chills up and 
down my spine, I just am really sorry about it.
    So I am hoping to work with my colleagues to see if in the 
week ahead--you know, we pulled it off today, and Senator Ernst 
and I are in full agreement that this should not have happened, 
that we should have supported this. But I am so happy to work 
with you because maybe I am misreading where you are coming 
from, but I hope there is a way that we do not have to get the 
approval of the Iraqi Government to--where we have lost so many 
people for them. Now we need their approval to help our best 
allies in the area who are going after ISIS? I am sorry to go 
on so long. I will stop, but I hope we can work something out, 
Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Well, I thank you for your passion.
    And I too am very close to the Kurdish people and spent a 
lot of time with President Barzani and his foreign minister and 
have been to Irbil many times. And just for what it is worth, 
we worked with them on this resolution. They support the 
resolution.
    And I just want you to know, I know that they are moving 
towards greater independence.
    I just met with them within the last 10 days. I think 
Senator Cardin did too. And they support what we are doing. 
They want the United States Senate to fully endorse this 
resolution because they believe it puts them in the right 
place. So, look, we have gone through how the weaponry is 
getting to the Kurdish people. There is language in here that 
points to that. We are giving them economic aid which again, by 
the way, is going through the Iraqi Government.
    And by the way, this is being done because I think the 
Kurdish people understand that while they want greater 
independence--and they are great friends and they are supported 
by the United States--that to begin a separation process right 
now where they are dealing with ISIS on one hand and then will 
have the wrath of the rest of the people of Iraq on the other 
is not the right place for them to be there.
    So I just want you to know again Joni Ernst, who worked 
with you on the floor, fully supports our resolution today. 
Fully supports our resolution today. The Kurdish government 
fully supports our resolution today. And I am disappointed that 
we are going to have to wait a little while to do it again. I 
think we may have the same result.
    But I thank you for your passion. I really do and want you 
to know that we would not be doing this in a vacuum. We would 
be doing it as we have before, working really, really closely 
with the Kurdish people. And I thank you for your passion.
    Senator Cardin. If I could just have a word first, Senator 
Boxer, and then certainly we want to hear your comments.
    First, I join the chairman in expressing our appreciation 
for your commitment to the Kurdish people, your commitment to 
security in that region, and to the protection of all 
communities in Iraq. And I understand the conversations you had 
in April.
    Senator Corker and I had conversations just a couple weeks 
ago with leaders of the Kurdish community. Their number one 
concern today is whether they can make payroll, their economic 
circumstances. That is their number one concern. Another 
concern is that we strengthen the Iraqi central government at 
this particular moment.
    Chairman Corker is correct. The long-term issues on either 
the ability of the Kurdish population to self-determine their 
future and what state that will be, is it a full independence, 
is it a part of Iraq--that is an issue that is going to be 
debated and is not resolved.
    But the immediate concern for Iraq is to have a government 
that can protect all of the ethnic communities and can work 
effectively, including in the Kurdish areas. So, yes, we very 
much want to make sure that the Kurds who have been our most 
reliable fighters in the region--you are absolutely right about 
that--have the equipment that they need in order to defend 
themselves in order to help us in our fight against ISIL. We do 
want to make sure they have that. And there have been problems, 
and we have worked out some of those problems.
    But you do not undermine the central government in an 
effort to resolve that issue. You work with the parties, and 
that is exactly what we have done, worked with the Kurdish 
leaders in an effort to make sure that they have a true ally in 
the United States and that this resolution that we worked out 
was done with that in mind. It is more involved than just 
arming the Kurds.
    Senator Boxer. If I could respond. I stand on every single 
thing I said. I double down. I know about what people say. I 
know when people are desperate, what they want. I have been 
around here a long time to understand it. But I am just saying 
to you we know the situation. And you are absolutely right. 
They need the financial aid, and that is absolutely critical. 
But they also need the military help or they will not be able 
to sustain against ISIS. And if that is one of our greatest 
priorities, the way should be clear.
    Now, I want you to know that I have been in very close 
touch with Senator Ernst. She gets the whole situation as well, 
and what we are hoping is in this little time since we took 
this down, we will have a chance to perhaps improve it in a way 
that the signal is very, very clear because you know all 
politics is local. I do not have to tell you that. We all know 
that. And in Iraq, all you have to do is know the history. We 
all know it. We have been super involved. And the pain of that 
history comes back and the pain of that history is the 
incredible rivalries and problems and prejudices within Iraq.
    So the bottom line is if this group is doing our work of 
going after ISIL, which is indeed what all of us have said we 
want--and I think we all want them to continue--and they are in 
desperate shape in terms of military equipment, it seems to me 
pretty clear.
    And it does not have anything to do in my view--I disagree 
with my leaders here, which is rare, very rare. It has nothing 
to do with the idea that we want one Iraq. Of course, we want 
one Iraq. People died for that for God's sake, 4,000 soldiers.
    The Chairman.  I would just ask that we----
    Senator Boxer. I will stop and you will not have to hear 
this anymore.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Senator Boxer. But the bottom line is when we stand up and 
make these speeches about going after ISIL and we see what 
happens with the lone wolves and the rest of it, we ought to be 
a little more direct about our feelings towards the Kurds. And 
I would rest my case on that. I lost it, but will come back and 
hope that we can renegotiate something.
    The Chairman.  Let me just reiterate. The Kurdish 
government fully supports our resolution. President Barzani has 
told me he is getting every piece of equipment we have 
committed to him. I think there are some myths out there 
relative to what is actually happening in the transfers from 
Baghdad.
    But with that, let me move on.
    The first order of business today will be four Foreign 
Service lists. Senator Cardin, do you have any comments you 
want to make on these lists?
    Senator Cardin. No. Thank you for bringing them forward. I 
move we approve them.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone like to speak to these lists?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
lists, I would entertain a motion to approve these lists en 
bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve four Foreign 
Service lists en bloc. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  The ayes have it.
    With that, the appointments and promotions are agreed to.
    Next, in the interest of time, I would ask the committee to 
proceed with an en bloc voice vote in consideration of the 
following nominees before the committee: the Honorable Geeta 
Pasi, to be Ambassador to Chad; the Honorable Mary Beth 
Leonard, to be Representative of the U.S. in the African Union 
with rank of Ambassador; and Ms. Anne Casper to be Ambassador 
to Burundi. I thank all these nominees for being willing to 
settle into these positions.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on these nominees?
    Senator Cardin. I move the nominations.
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Is there any member who wishes to speak to 
these nominees?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on the 
nominations, I would entertain a motion to approve them by 
voice vote en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the nominations. 
All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The nominations 
are agreed to.
    Next, I would like to consider the seven treaties on the 
agenda. Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on any of 
these treaties?
    Senator Cardin. No. I support them all.
    The Chairman.  Thank you, sir.
    Is there any member who wishes to speak to any of these 
treaties?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these, 
I would entertain a motion to approve them by voice vote en 
bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the seven 
treaties. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The treaties 
are agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 506, the NATO resolution. 
Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on this?
    Senator Cardin. No. I have already commented on it. I 
strongly support the resolution, and again thank you for your 
help and leadership in putting this together.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Anyone else like to speak?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion----
    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Chairman?
    The Chairman.  Yes, ma'am.
    Senator Shaheen. I would like to be added as a cosponsor.
    The Chairman.  Absolutely. Thank you. Without objection.
    If there is no further discussion on this resolution, I 
would entertain a motion to approve the Rubio amendment number 
1 by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Rubio 
amendment 1 by voice vote. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Next, I would entertain a motion to approve the Corker-
Cardin second degree amendment to the Rubio amendment number 2. 
Is there a second?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker-Cardin 
second degree amendment to the Rubio second degree by voice 
vote--Rubio amendment 2 by voice vote. All those in favor, say 
aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Next, I would entertain a motion to approve Rubio amendment 
number 2, amended by the Corker-Cardin second degree.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Rubio. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve Rubio number 2, as 
amended by Corker-Cardin second degree. All those in favor, say 
aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
this resolution, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Rubio. Second.
    The Chairman.  Moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 506, as 
amended. All in favor will say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
resolution, as amended, is agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 505, the Russian violations 
of the Open Skies Treaty resolution. Senator Cardin, any 
comment?
    Senator Cardin. I have already commented about it. Thank 
you for your leadership on this.
    The Chairman.  If it is okay, I just want to speak to this. 
I am going to go through a procedure, if I could, to put 
Senator Cotton at the top of this since he really raised this 
issue. I know he is on it already.
    Senator Cardin. I have no objections. Senator Cotton was 
the one who worked with us and urged us to do this.
    The Chairman.  I just think it is an appropriate way for us 
to go about it.
    Are there any members who wish to speak to this resolution?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Thankfully.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve this by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Coons. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 505. All 
those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it and the 
resolution is agreed to.
    Our next order of business that I also ask we consider en 
bloc by voice vote are the remaining resolutions before the 
committee: S. Res. 432, S. Res. 482, S. Res. 503, S. Res. 501, 
S. Con. Res. 38, S. Res. 504.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. No. I support them all.
    The Chairman.  Are there any members that wish to speak to 
these resolutions? Senator Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman, you all did such a great 
job of going through them all. I just want to briefly 
synthesize on two.
    On the Russian S. 501, I think it is very important that 
the Senate express its sentiment about where Russian aggression 
is going because in my mind unchecked Russian aggression 
without consequences at the end of the day by both diplomacy, 
sanctions, and other diplomatic tools is a concern. They went 
over and took over Crimea, and the world lamented and scolded 
but that was the end of that. Then they did eastern Ukraine, 
creating an effort to create another frozen conflict. They are 
still not pursuing their elements of the Minsk Agreement. Then 
they enter into Syria and change the dynamics of Syria to prop 
up the Assad regime. Then they constantly seek to create 
friction with our own forces by their flyovers and whatnot.
    I just think it goes on and on and on. I will not belabor 
it except to say that Putin is someone who only understands 
strength at the end of the day, and unless he has a sense that 
there will be consequences for his actions, he will continue to 
take them.
    So I am glad that we have come together on a resolution at 
least that speaks towards that, and I appreciate the leadership 
of both you and Senator Cardin on it.
    And secondly, on the Taiwan Relations Act, which has had 
enormous support, there could not be a more important moment at 
this time with the efforts of China to create such an 
overwhelming presence in the region and to try to dwarf all of 
the other countries in the region in a way that is intimidating 
than to reassert our support and relationship with Taiwan so 
that China also understands that there are consequences as 
well.
    There are other resolutions that are important, but in the 
interest of time and your hearing, I will reserve that for the 
record. But I did think these two are important and thank you.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. I do think we have some very 
strong resolutions here, and I think they make more of a 
difference than I fully realized when I first came on the 
committee.
    Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
resolutions, I would entertain a motion to approve these en 
bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Udall. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve six resolutions en 
bloc. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it and the 
resolutions are agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. 2201, Global Gateways Trade 
Capacity Act of 2015. Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I support it and thank you for your 
leadership on it.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to this 
legislation? Senator Coons?
    Senator Coons. I will just talk for one sentence of thanks 
and compliment both you and Senator Cardin for your great 
leadership on both of these bills, which make a real 
contribution to development in Africa. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thank you so much.
    Senator Barrasso. Mr. Chairman, I would like to call up 
Barrasso amendment number 1 to the Global Gateways bill. The 
purpose of the amendment is straightforward if this is the 
appropriate time to do that.
    The Chairman.  Yes, sir.
    Senator Barrasso. Thank you.
    This amendment strikes section 7 of the bill which does 
create a brand new $300 million trade facilitation pilot 
program. With over 95 percent of the world's consumers living 
outside the U.S., we should be aggressively pursuing new trade 
opportunities wherever they arise, and we must work to identify 
and eliminate barriers to trade whenever possible.
    To that end, this bill points out some very important 
facts. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the United 
States is one of the largest single country providers of trade-
related assistance. There is no single coordinating agency for 
trade capacity building activities in our government. And 
according to the GAO, in 2012, we spent nearly $1 billion in 
trade capacity building efforts in 120 countries which were 
implemented by 20 different agencies and departments.
    I believe we can do better. So while I recognize we may 
have international obligations, we also have an obligation to 
the American taxpayer to make wise decisions in the face of 
over $19 trillion in debt facing the country. So I do not 
believe that putting an additional $300 million towards trade 
facilitation on the taxpayers' credit card is a wise decision. 
Until we properly prioritize and coordinate current spending, 
we should not be discussing new spending.
    So I support many of the stated objectives of the 
legislation. I support the smart, streamlined, the whole-of-
government approach to trade capacity assistance, but I just 
cannot support creating a pilot program spending $300 million 
on top of the nearly billion we are already spending in trade-
related assistance. So as I see it, pilot programs are a first 
step toward permanent spending. It is a step I am not willing 
to take at this time.
    So I would urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and 
I ask for a roll call vote.
    The Chairman.  Thank you so much.
    If I could just respond. As you mentioned, we are spending 
$1 billion at least on trade programs throughout the U.S. 
Government. They are uncoordinated, unfocused, and the purpose 
of this pilot program is to do away with that, is to 
consolidate, is to create something that actually works. There 
are $300 million, by the way, being authorized--not spent, 
authorized--over the next 5 years.
    And if we actually had a State Department authorization 
bill, which we do not have, unfortunately, we would be more 
than willing to offset against that State Department 
authorization. But as the Senator rightly knows, because there 
is not an authorization that exists right now--we have not done 
one since 2002--there is nothing to offset against. So this is 
actually going to save taxpayers over time.
    It is not unlike, by the way, on the Veterans bill, if you 
remember, there was a clause to create a Choice program. It was 
a pilot program to really transform the way that veterans' 
benefits are delivered to people around the country so that 
people could actually seek services in other places. Well, this 
pilot program has much of that same mentality, and that is to 
make what we are doing far better.
    I appreciate the Senator's concerns about fiscal issues. 
Actually that is why we created this was to save our government 
money over time, to do away with the Cold War model of foreign 
aid that we have right now that does nothing but buy influence, 
and to try to create a program that actually encourages--
creates a possibility that these countries' standard of living 
is going to increase.
    So I understand, based on just the number, why you might 
raise this issue. I strongly oppose this amendment and hope 
that we will vote it down.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, if I might just very briefly. 
I know Senator Barrasso's intentions in filing this amendment, 
but I strongly agree with the chairman and urge our colleagues 
to reject the amendment.
    Whether you believe that we have to do more in this area in 
foreign policy or whether you think that we need to be much 
smarter in how we spend our foreign dollars, you should reject 
the Barrasso amendment. I will tell you why.
    We are not going to grow the size of our budgets. We know 
that. We have got to get more effective with the resources we 
are currently using. And we have too much fragmentation of 
programs, and we have to be able to use these programs more 
effectively to accomplish our missions.
    And that is exactly what this bill attempts to do, to take 
our current presence in this area and focus it in a more 
effective way so that we can get the results in the country 
that are in the best interests of U.S. foreign policy. And that 
is what this bill is intended to do, and I would just urge my 
colleagues to reject the amendment.
    The Chairman.  Any other comments?
    I will say this. The committee to me has got about as good 
a membership as anyone would want. And I appreciate Senator 
Barrasso raising this. We have a difference of opinion. I 
appreciate the passion that Senator Boxer expressed earlier 
today. And I am going to miss her after January.
    Senator Boxer. I will call you.
    The Chairman.  Call me. Good.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  And I am glad we can have a debate like this 
and have passion and people disagree or agree.
    But after saying that, if we could, let us move on with 
this. So you are moving the amendment.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  I will second it so you can have a vote.
    Senator Barrasso. Appreciate it.
    The Chairman.  Even though I hate the amendment, I second 
it.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  I want everybody to be heard today.
    So with that, did you want a roll call vote?
    Senator Barrasso. I will settle for a voice vote.
    The Chairman.  With that, all in favor of the Barrasso 
amendment say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed to it?
    [Chorus of nays.]
    The Chairman.  The nays have it. Thank you for bringing 
this issue forth.
    Would anyone else want to be recorded as a no?
    Senator Cardin. Aye on the amendment.
    The Chairman.  Aye. Excuse me.
    Okay. Senator Rubio and Senator Barrasso.
    Thank you very much.
    If there is no further discussion, I would entertain a 
motion to consider the Corker substitute amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker 
substitute amendment. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Any further amendments?
    Senator Barrasso. Can I be recorded as no?
    The Chairman.  Senator Barrasso will be recorded as a no. 
Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is not, is there a motion to 
approve the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 2201, as 
amended. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Lastly, we will move to S. 1605, M-CORE Act. Senator 
Cardin, do you have any comments you want to make?
    Senator Cardin. I have already commented about it. I urge 
my colleagues to support the legislation.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to this 
legislation?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to consider the Corker amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker 
amendment substitute. All those in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, we have an amendment that 
changes the reporting requirement, and I would move that 
amendment.
    The Chairman.  Okay. There is a motion to move the Cardin 
substitute. Is there a motion?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  It has been moved and seconded. All in 
favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Is there a motion to approve the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Udall. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 1605, as 
amended. All in favor, say aye.
    [Chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    That completes the committee's----
    Senator Barrasso. Mr. Chairman, can I be recorded as a no?
    The Chairman.  Senator Barrasso is recorded as no.
    Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  I ask unanimous consent that staff be 
authorized to make technical and conforming changes. Without 
objection, so ordered.
    And without objection, this outstanding committee business 
meeting is coming to a close. We are adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 10:47 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                        THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-071416

                                       U.S. Senate.
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m. in, 
Room SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Bob Corker, 
chairman of the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Rubio, Flake, 
Perdue, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, Menendez, Shaheen, Coons, 
Udall, Murphy, and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  I am going to go ahead and call the meeting 
to order. We will do our preliminary work, and by that time, I 
think we will have enough people here to go ahead and vote.
    So the business meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee will come to order. On the agenda for today, we have 
a number of pieces of legislation and eight nominations. First, 
we will consider a number of nominations, including several 
important new ambassadors and the U.S. executive director to 
the IMF.
    First, we will consider S. Res. 515, a resolution welcoming 
Prime Minister Lee and reaffirming Singapore's strategic 
partnership with the United States. I would like to thank 
Senators Cardin and Gardner for reaffirming the importance of 
this strategic partnership between the United States and 
Singapore in this 50th year of diplomatic relations between our 
two countries.
    Singapore is a valued partner in the Asia-Pacific, and I 
have appreciated the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister 
Lee on several occasions to discuss issues of mutual interest, 
including the South China Sea and TPP.
    Next on the agenda is S. Con. Res. 41, expressing the sense 
of Congress on the Peshmerga, the Kurdistan region of Iraq. I 
want to thank Senator Boxer for working with Senator Ernst and 
us on this effort.
    The Peshmerga has been an invaluable ally to the United 
States in a region fraught with enemies and has demonstrated 
itself to be one of the most effective fighting forces in the 
military campaign against ISIS. For that, we are incredibly 
grateful.
    The severe budget shortfalls faced by both the Government 
of Iraq and the Kurdistan regional government are real, and 
they are hindering the stability of Iraq and have the potential 
to limit our ability to fully defeat ISIS.
    So, again, I thank her for her efforts in that regard, and 
the committee in working with her to make this happen.
    We will also consider S. Con. Res. 42, expressing the sense 
of Congress regarding the safe and expeditious resettlement to 
Albania of all residents of Camp Liberty.
    I want to thank Senator McCain for bringing S. Con. Res. 42 
before the Senate and this committee. It is extremely important 
that we safely resettle the residents of Camp Liberty in 
Baghdad in a timely manner as we have seen attacks on the camp 
in 2013, 2015, and recently just this month. The recent rocket 
attack on Camp Liberty only emphasizes the need to ensure their 
expeditious resettlement to Albania.
    We will also consider S. Con. Res. 46, expressing the 
support of the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust victims live 
with dignity in their remaining years.
    The White House has recently added a special envoy for U.S. 
Holocaust survivor services under the Department of Health and 
Human Services to ensure that Holocaust victims living in the 
United States receive the care they need.
    I would like to thank Senators Nelson, Cardin, Boxer, 
Rubio, and Markey for working with us on this.
    Lastly, we will consider S. Res. 485, urging the Government 
of the DRC to comply with constitutional provisions regarding 
the holding of presidential elections in 2016. Progress toward 
free, fair, peaceful, and constitutional elections has been 
insufficient this late in the year. Government excesses have 
signaled the prospect for insecurity and instability, so much 
so that the U.S. has already sanctioned one Congolese official.
    I support the passage of this resolution and would like to 
thank Senators Flake and Markey for working together to bring 
it to the committee.
    With that, I would like to recognize our distinguished 
ranking member and my friend, Senator Cardin.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN,
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you 
again for the way in which this business meeting has come 
together, continuing this committee's commitment under your 
leadership to move nominees in a very efficient, effective 
manner, with eight additional nominations being brought to our 
attention, all of which I support, and the resolutions, which I 
think are extremely important.
    You went through all of those resolutions, so I will not go 
through them all again, other than to say I thank all of our 
colleagues for their work on this. There was I think the right 
amount of input. I know we had some concerns on some of the 
drafting, but it came together in a way that I think reflects 
the best traditions of this committee.
    So whether it was the Singapore resolution, and I'm proud 
to work with Senator Gardner, the chair of the subcommittee, on 
that resolution, or whether it is how we deal with the 
Peshmerga in the Kurdish region of Iraq with Senators Boxer and 
Ernst working together, and Senator McCain on the refugees.
    The Holocaust, I want to thank Senator Nelson for his long-
standing work on this working with Senator Collins.
    Senator Murphy, for your work on Yemen, I appreciate very 
much all the work that you put into that. It is a very tense 
situation, and I think it expresses the views of all of us 
here, and thank you for that.
    And on the DRC, the work done by several of our colleagues, 
Senators Flake, Coons, Isakson, and Durbin, I think reflects 
the best traditions.
    So, Mr. Chairman, I note that we have quorum.
    The Chairman.  That is a good thing to have in a business 
meeting, so I would like to thank you for the comments.
    In the interest of time, I would ask the committee to 
proceed with an en bloc vote in consideration of the following 
nominees before the committee: the Hon. Marie. Yovanovitch to 
be Ambassador to Ukraine, the Hon. Geoffrey Pyatt to be 
Ambassador to Greece, the Hon. Douglas Silliman to be 
Ambassador to Iraq, the Hon. Michael McKinley to be Ambassador 
to Brazil, Ms. Anne Hall to be Ambassador to Lithuania, Mr. 
Lawrence Silverman to be Ambassador to Kuwait, Ms. Carol Perez 
to be Ambassador to Chile, Mr. Mark Sobel to be United States 
executive director to the IMF.
    I want to thank all these nominees for their willingness to 
serve and settle in these positions.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. I do not. I again thank you for bringing 
these to the committee's attention. I support all of them.
    The Chairman.  Does anyone else wish to speak to these 
nominees?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman. With that, I would entertain a motion to pass 
them en bloc.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  A second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the nominations.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it.
    Senator Barrasso. Mr. Chairman, could I please be recorded 
as a no on Mark Sobel?
    The Chairman.  Absolutely.
    Senator Perdue. As I.
    The Chairman.  Absolutely.
    Senator Rubio. Mr. Chairman, I wanted to be recorded as a 
no as well.
    The Chairman.  And Senator Rubio is a no on Sobel, is that 
correct?
    Any other?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman. Next, we will consider S. Con. Res. 41, the 
Peshmerga resolution.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any additional comments?
    Senator Cardin. No, I do not. I support the resolution. I 
know there is an amendment, so I do support the bill and the 
amendment.
    The Chairman.  Okay.
    Anyone else wish to speak to this resolution?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve the Rubio 
second degree amendment to the Corker-Boxer amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Rubio second 
degree to the Corker-Boxer amendment by voice vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendment 
is agreed to.
    Next, I would entertain a motion to approve the Corker-
Boxer amendment, as amended by the second Rubio second degree, 
by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker-Boxer 
amendment, as amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Con. Res. 41 as 
amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution, 
as amended, is agreed to.
    Next we will consider S. Res. 485, the DRC resolution.
    Senator Cardin, any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I support the resolution. I know there are 
some amendments, and I would urge approval of the amendments 
and the resolution.
    The Chairman.  Any other members wish to speak to the 
resolution?
    Senator Flake?
    Senator Flake. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the 
committee for considering this resolution. I also want to thank 
Senator Markey for his work on this issue. Senator Coons and 
others have great interest here.
    We are proposing three amendments on behalf of myself and 
Senator Markey to this measure to address the current state of 
the transition in power in the DRC. Senators Rubio, Isakson, 
Coons, Durbin, Murphy, and Sheehan are also cosponsoring these 
amendments.
    According to the DRC's 2006 Constitution, the term of the 
current President, Mr. Kabila, expires at the end of this year, 
but he has taken no moves to show that he is willing to comply 
with the Constitution.
    DRC security and intelligence officials have arrested and 
harassed and detained peaceful activists, and members of civil 
society, and we need to speak out here.
    I am probably the last person to ever reach for sanctions, 
but we do want to authorize and encourage the State Department 
to use any diplomatic tool available, including sanctions on 
individuals, to encourage the Government there to move toward 
these elections.
    I appreciate, again, Senator Markey and others who worked 
on this, and I appreciate the consideration today.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. Thanks for your work on this 
issue.
    Anyone else wish to speak?
    Senator Markey?
    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you and thank Ranking Member 
Cardin, and most especially Senator Flake, our chairman on the 
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, Senator Coons 
and other members who have shown an interest in this very 
important issue.
    This resolution in support of the democratic electoral 
process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes a very 
important statement at a very critical time. Through 2015 and 
into 2016, we on this committee watched closely as government 
leaders in central Africa have increasingly appeared to back 
away from the promises of their democratic constitutions.
    As we entered 2016, it appeared apparent that the 
Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo was doing little 
to prepare for the presidential election required to be held 
this November under the DRC's Constitution, and I became 
increasingly worried that the country was headed toward a 
constitutional crisis that carried with it a real risk of 
seriously destabilizing an already fragile country.
    In February, I wrote to Secretary Kerry expressing concerns 
about delays in the DRC's electoral process and asking him to 
consider sanctions as a tool to press Congo's leadership to 
keep the promises of the country's Constitution.
    This situation is not unique to the DRC. A similar crisis 
unfolded in neighboring Burundi last summer, but the 
international community was largely caught by surprise and 
acted too late to help Burundi avoid the crisis. That crisis 
has cost the lives of hundreds and displaced thousands.
    The DRC is much larger, and what happens there will send 
much wider waves rippling in concentric circles across the 
region. If the DRC reneges on the promise of its democratic 
Constitution, there is every reason to believe that those waves 
will push forward tension, instability, and violence in the 
region.
    But if the DRC's leader's keep faith with the people and 
fulfill the promise of the Constitution, those waves have the 
potential to carry the blessings of a better, more stable, more 
dignified and prosperous life for all of the people of the 
Congo and the wider region.
    It is my strong believe that the surest way for the DRC to 
avoid crisis is for the government to demonstrate its 
commitment to the DRC Constitution by holding free and fair 
elections, and preparing for the transfer of power from the 
incumbent to a new leader.
    Together with the administration's recent imposition of 
sanctions on Celestin Kanyama, the police commissioner of 
Kinshasa, for violence against civilians during a crackdown on 
democratic protests, this resolution sends a critical message 
of support to help the people of DRC.
    It is important that the international community press 
leaders from across the DRC's political spectrum to keep the 
promises of the Constitution.
    Our resolution calls on the government to respect the 
Constitution and to take concrete steps to organize the 
elections. We also call on the government and all other 
relevant parties to engage in a focused, urgent discussion on 
the nature of those elections.
    Lastly, the resolution calls on the President of the United 
States to use appropriate means to help make sure these things 
take place and to consider additional targeted sanctions 
against anyone--government, opposition, or otherwise--found to 
be undermining the democratic process of the DRC.
    I would like to share a story with you from my trip to New 
York this past weekend. The original cast of the Broadway play 
Hamilton staged their final performance on Saturday night. My 
wife and I went there for our wedding anniversary.
    In the days since I have seen the play on Saturday, I have 
been thinking about how some of the same questions that faced 
our early leaders now face African countries working to fulfill 
the promises of their democratic constitutions.
    There is a moment near the end of the play, an essential 
moment, both for the play and for our history as a country, in 
which George Washington confides in Alexander Hamilton that he 
intends to step aside at the end of his second term after 8 
years in office. Hamilton, who was 40 at the time and had been 
working for Washington as his right-hand man since he was 22 
years old, was distraught that the only leader our young 
country had ever known intended to step aside. He tried to 
convince Washington to change his mind, to continue to run for 
yet another term.
    I was incredibly moved by how the performers captured this 
fundamental moment in American history. Against Hamilton's 
protests, Washington responded that by stepping aside, he was 
teaching the American people that democracy is not about 
personalities, and, just as importantly, he was teaching the 
presidents to follow him in learning how to say goodbye.
    After doing his part to fulfill America's democratic 
Constitution, his final official act was to demonstrate that 
democracy does not depend on him or any other individual 
politician. He needed to show the American people that they 
must commit to democratic institutions over political 
personalities.
    Last summer, I had the great pleasure of joining with 
Senator Flake and Senator Coons to accompany President Obama on 
his historic trip to Kenya and Ethiopia. On that trip, we 
attended a large public event at the African Union in Addis 
Ababa. Throughout the front of that massive auditorium sat many 
of Africa's heads of state, and the rest of the hall was filled 
with mostly young people from throughout all of Africa. The 
place was packed all the way up to the rafters.
    President Obama delivered a speech about the responsibility 
that leaders have to build and to respect democracy in Africa. 
He reinforced a message he had delivered on his first trip to 
the continent as President years earlier, that Africa does not 
need strong men; it needs strong institutions.
    As the President spoke, he looked at those leaders and told 
them that as much as he would like to continue in office as 
President of the United States, the Constitution of the United 
States, like many of the constitutions in Africa and around the 
world, limited him to two terms. He explained that even the 
President must respect the rules of the game because governance 
is fundamentally about trust, promises made and promises kept 
between elected leaders and the people who elected them. 
Changing or ignoring those rules risks breaking that trust and 
sending a society toward turmoil and instability.
    Of all the great things Washington did for this country, 
perhaps the greatest was his decision to say goodbye. I find it 
very difficult to imagine that America would be what it is 
today if he had not made that decision.
    What the DRC needs, and what I believe the Congolese people 
are demanding, is its leaders understand that they are not 
indispensable. Leaders who understand that they are merely 
players in a much larger and more important epic to build a 
Nation that lives up to the expectations of its people is what 
their story and our story is all about.
    The United States has no interest and no say in which 
leaders the Congolese people choose, but we do care very deeply 
that the Congolese people have the opportunity to find their 
way through this democratic process promised in their 
Constitution.
    So I thank you again, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cardin, 
and, especially, Chairman Flake for making this resolution 
possible. I am very hopeful that it can move forward to the 
floor and pass the full Senate before we adjourn for the 
recess.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  We thank you.
    And members do have the ability, if they so choose, to have 
written comments entered into the record, but we thank you for 
those.
    Are there any further comments?
    Yes?
    Senator Coons. I will just briefly thank Senator Flake and 
Senator Markey for working hard to bring this important 
resolution forward today.
    DRC is as large as all of Western Europe combined and has 
known more violence than almost any country on the continent. I 
think this is a great contribution.
    Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If not, if someone would make a motion that 
we approve this, I would appreciate it.
    Senator Cardin. We have some amendments, I think. Do we 
have the amendments?
    The Chairman.  Okay.
    We would entertain a motion to approve all three Flake-
Markey amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all three Flake-
Markey amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
amendments are agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  So moved.
    And second?
    Senator Flake. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 485, as 
amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
resolution, as amended, is agreed to.
    Our next order of business that I would also like to 
consider en bloc by voice vote are the amazing resolutions 
before the committee: S. Res. 515; S. Con. Res. 42; S. Con. 
Res. 46; S. Res. 524, the Yemen resolution.
    Senator Cardin, any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I support them all.
    The Chairman.  Senator Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to 
be added as a cosponsor of S. Con. Res. 42, and I appreciate 
that we are taking this action at this time.
    The Chairman.  Without objection.
    Senator Menendez?
    Senator Menendez. Mr. Chairman, briefly, I appreciate that 
we are moving the resolution calling on the Government of Iraq, 
the United Nations, and the United States Government to commit 
to expediting a workable resettlement process for the people of 
Camp Liberty.
    And we were reminded of the danger they face just this past 
Fourth of July when attacks were once again upon Camp Liberty 
as a reality of everyday life there.
    It is the United States, when we invaded Iraq, that went to 
the MEK and said we want you to give up your weapons and in 
return we guarantee you your security. We guarantee you your 
security.
    Well, they did that and much more. They gave us information 
about Iran's nuclear program. They have continued to do so. And 
yet, we have not, from my perspective, done what is necessary 
to secure the guarantee that we gave them.
    I hope this resolution moves forward so they can be 
resettled safely outside of Iraq and continue to enjoy the 
freedoms of liberty.
    The Chairman.  Any other members?
    Senator Murphy?
    Senator Murphy. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want 
to thank you and Ranking Member Cardin for working with me on 
the resolution setting forth some basic guardrails on our 
priorities and concerns about the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
    Clearly, this should be at the top of our priority list as 
a committee, given the fact that the United States is 
supporting, in a fairly major way, the coalition activities 
there. It is the latest front in the proxy war between the 
Saudis and the Iranians. It has led to close to 6,000 civilian 
deaths. It has proffered dramatic growth of AQAP and the 
entrance of ISIS into that conflict.
    I think we have built a very fair-minded and balanced 
resolution that calls on both sides to reduce civilian 
casualties, to allow for humanitarian aid to flow into Yemen, 
and to support a peace-driven diplomatic process that is 
ongoing as we speak.
    So I thank both of you for taking your time to put forward 
what I think is a very constructive resolution.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Any other comments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on these 
resolutions, I would entertain a motion to approve all of these 
en bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Risch. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded. The question is on 
the motion to approve these resolutions en bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolutions 
are agreed to.
    That completes our committee's business.
    I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make 
technical and conforming changes.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    With that, without objection, the committee business 
meeting will stand adjourned.
    Senator Risch. Mr. Chairman, before you adjourn, can I be 
recorded as no on Sobel, please?
    The Chairman.  Please record Senator Risch as a no on 
Sobel.
    Anyone else?
    The meeting is adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 10:28 a.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                      TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-092216

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m. in Room 
S-116, The Capitol, Hon. Bob Corker, chairman of the committee, 
presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Rubio, 
Johnson, Flake, Gardner, Perdue, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, 
Menendez, Shaheen, Coons, Udall, Murphy, Kaine, and Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman. This business meeting of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order. Today we will consider 
all agenda items, en bloc, by voice vote.
    On the agenda, we have 7 nominations, including Senators 
Coons and Johnson to the Representatives of the U.S. to the 
71st Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations.
    I am confident Senators Johnson and Coons will do 
exceptional jobs representing the U.S. at UNGA.
    We will also consider the Honorable Sung Kim to be 
Ambassador to the Philippines, Ms. Rena Bitter to be Ambassadpr 
to Laos, the Honorable Stuart Symington to be Ambassador to 
Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Young to be Ambassador to Burkina Faso, and 
Mr. Joseph Donovan to be Ambassador to Indonesia.
    A member asked that the nomination of Ms. Kamala Lakhdhir 
be held over until the committee's next business meeting, and 
we will respect that request and not vote on her nomination 
today.
    We will also consider 4 lists of over 300 personnel 
referred to the committee who have been nominated for 
appointment or promotion into and within the Foreign Service.
    I support these appointments and promotions and would like 
to thank all of these officers for their service.
    In the interest of time, I would entertain a motion to 
approve all agenda items, except the nomination of Ms. Lakhdhir 
to be Ambassador to Malaysia, en bloc, by voice vote.
    [A Senator makes the motion.]
    The Chairman. Is there a second?
    [A Senator seconds.]
    The Chairman. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all agenda items 
with exception of the Ambassador to malaysia, en bloc, by voice 
vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [Senators cast aye votes.]
    The Chairman. Opposed?
    [Senators cast no votes.]
    The Chairman. And with that, the ayes have it, and the 
appointments and promotions and nominations are agreed to.
    And that completes the committee's business.
    I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make 
technical and conforming changes; without objection, so 
ordered.
    And with that, without objection, the committee will stand 
adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 2:45 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

                              ----------                              




                            BUSINESS MEETING

                              ----------                              


                       TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

    https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/business-meeting-120616

                                       U.S. Senate,
                            Committee on Foreign Relations,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:32 p.m. in Room 
SD-419, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Bob Corker, 
chairman of the committee, presiding.
    Present: Senators Corker [presiding], Risch, Rubio, 
Johnson, Flake, Gardner, Perdue, Isakson, Barrasso, Cardin, 
Boxer, Menendez, Shaheen, Coons, Udall, Murphy, Kaine, and 
Markey.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BOB CORKER, 
                  U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

    The Chairman.  The business meeting of the Foreign 
Relations Committee will come to order.
    I know we do not have a quorum yet, but we will go ahead 
and get the front end out of the way so that we, hopefully, can 
move quickly through it. I want to thank everybody for being 
here.
    On the agenda for today, we have 10 pieces of legislation, 
one treaty, one nomination, and multiple Foreign Service 
Officer lists.
    First, we will consider six Foreign Service Officer lists 
of over 400 personnel referred to the committee. I support 
these appointments and promotions and thank all of these 
officers for their service.
    We will also consider the nomination of Ms. Kamala 
Lakhdhir, a career Foreign Service Officer, to be a U.S. 
Ambassador to Malaysia. I want to thank my colleagues for 
helping the committee take these steps forward on her 
nomination today.
    We will also consider a resolution of ratification that 
supports the accession of Montenegro to the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization.
    And I want to thank our chairman, Ron Johnson, for having a 
great hearing on that, especially when he had so many other 
challenging things occurring at the time, and allowing us to be 
able to move ahead with this today. Thank you very much.
    Montenegro has implemented tough reforms to address 
corruption and other rule-of-law standards. More work by the 
Montenegrin Government will be necessary, and we should 
continue to encourage their progress in achieving and upholding 
the standards set for NATO allies.
    This committee has reviewed the protocol and believes that 
the accession of Montenegro to full NATO membership is in the 
interest of the United States.
    We will also consider H. Con. Res. 40 encouraging reunions 
of divided Korean-American families. I would like to thank 
Senator Kirk, Congressman Rangel, and Chairman Royce for being 
champions of Korean divided families. I am pleased to lend my 
support to this resolution.
    Next on the agenda is S. Con. Res. 30 expressing concern 
over the disappearance of David Sneddon. I would like to thank 
Senator Lee for his leadership on this matter, and I am pleased 
to support this resolution.
    I expressed my sympathy to the Sneddon family on the 
ongoing uncertainty about their son, David. I am confident the 
United States Government will continue to investigate any 
information that may come to light regarding David's 
disappearance or any American citizen missing abroad.
    We will also consider S. Con. Res. 57 honoring the life of 
the King of Thailand. I would also like to thank Senator Hatch 
for introducing this timely bipartisan solution.
    Also on the agenda today is S. Res. 535 expressing the 
sense of the Senate regarding the trafficking of illicit 
fentanyl into United States from Mexico and China. The United 
States is experiencing a prescription opioid and heroin 
overdose epidemic that is claiming thousands of lives each 
year. I want to thank Senators Markey and Rubio for their work 
and leadership on this important issue.
    We will also consider S. Res. 537 expressing profound 
concern about the ongoing political, economic, social, and 
humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, urging the release of 
political prisoners and calling for respective constitutional 
and democratic processes. I thank Senators Cardin, Rubio, 
Menendez, Kaine, Gardner, and Boxer for bringing this 
resolution before the committee. The situation in Venezuela is 
tragic and people are suffering. We all hope they can find a 
peaceful electoral way out of this crisis.
    We will consider S. 8 to provide the approval of agreement 
for cooperation between the Government of the United States and 
the Government of Norway concerning peaceful uses of nuclear 
energy. This will cause a civil nuclear cooperation agreement 
with Norway to come into effect in advance of the completion of 
the 90-day congressional review period, which occurs after we 
have adjourned on December 16th. Absent this affirmative 
approval of agreement, the administration will complete a 
trilateral servicing agreement with Norway and the IAEA, which 
is not subject to congressional review or oversight.
    This committee has reviewed the agreement, held briefings 
and a hearing, and has found the agreement not to be 
objectionable, though we wish that the administration, as I am 
sure Senator Markey will echo, had not included advanced 
consent for retransfer for storage and reprocessing of spent 
fuel.
    We will also consider H.R. 4939, the U.S. Caribbean 
Strategic Engagement Act of 2016. I want to thank 
Representatives Engle and Ros-Lehtinen for their work on this 
legislation. I thank Senator Cardin for working with us to 
streamline this bill to ensure that it focuses on encouraging 
Caribbean nations to seek partnerships in the United States.
    H.R. 4481, the Education for All Act of 2016, is also on 
the agenda. This act restores our committee's role in providing 
authorities and direction for a USAID program that has been 
appropriated without such guidance from our committee for over 
a decade. This bill authorizes programs to help countries 
provide quality basic education, the lack of which is a 
significant barrier to economic growth.
    We will also consider H.R. 2845, the African Growth and 
Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2015. AGOA has been an important 
part of our engagement with Africa. This bill asks the 
President to direct more resources toward helping African 
businesses trade with United States.
    The Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, amendment 
represents the M-CORE bill this committee approved at our June 
23rd markup. I want to commend Senators Cardin, Isakson, Coons, 
and Flake for bringing this bipartisan legislation to the 
committee.
    I also want to thank Senator Barrasso for his constructive 
input on how we can improve MCC oversight. Our amendment 
includes Senator Barrasso's recommendations.
    I need to take breath here, Senator Cardin.
    We will also consider H.R. 1150, the Frank R. Wolf 
International Religious Freedom Act. I thank Senator Cardin for 
working with us to bring this legislation before the committee. 
This bill, as amended, reinforces the 1998 law to strengthen 
the role of the Ambassador at Large for International Religious 
Freedoms and enhances the congressional oversight of the State 
Department. This legislation enjoys broad interfaith support, 
and we will be seeking to have this bill passed in the Senate 
by unanimous consent so the amended legislation may be taken up 
and approved by the House this week.
    Lastly, and this is not on the agenda, we have a resolution 
that I would like to present to Senator Boxer.
    Senator Boxer. Oh, you are kidding.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. I am surprised. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  This is going to be her last business 
meeting, and we appreciate all you have done for this committee 
and the United States Senate.
    Serving the Senate since 1993, Senator Boxer has been the 
longest-serving woman in the history of the Committee on 
Foreign Relations with 18 years of service.
    I want to thank her for her patriotism and commitment to 
this institution and our country.
    When I ran for the Senate and was elected 10 years ago, 
Senator Boxer was well-known in Tennessee, and I just want to 
say it has been a privilege for me not only to know you as a 
well-known Senator but to know you well.
    Senator Boxer. That is so sweet.
    The Chairman.  It has been a blessing. We wish you well.
    [Applause.]
    Senator Boxer. Thank you.

             STATEMENT OF HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, 
                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MARYLAND

    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, if I might, if I could just 
say a word or two and then perhaps yield to Senator Boxer, and 
then I would like to say a few more things about today's agenda 
and about our committee.
    Some of the great pleasures of my life serving in the 
United States are the friends that I made. I knew Senator Boxer 
when she was Congresswoman Boxer. I knew of her incredible 
talent, but we became buddies here in the United States Senate.
    The people of California have been blessed to have an 
incredible advocate on their behalf on so many issues, but our 
Nation has been blessed. Indeed, the global community has been 
blessed.
    There are so many things we could talk about with Senator 
Boxer on the environmental issues. But I think on this 
committee, what you have done for women and girls around the 
world is just incredible.
    In Afghanistan, you have made a huge difference in the 
lives of so many young children, and I just really want you to 
know how much we all appreciate what you have done.
    This is family, and we are very proud of our sister, so 
congratulations for just an incredible career.
    Senator Boxer. Thank you so much. I just want to say this 
is such an honor to have this resolution. Good Lord, we do not 
agree on anything, so this is special that you got this done.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. And no one said, ``I signed in protest.'' 
That was good.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. But each of you, as I look at you, we have 
worked so well together, and sometimes we fought--sometimes, 
once in a while, not that often. But I can truly say every 
member of this committee I have worked with on issues that we 
all care about, and Jim on the Ethics Committee, being just 
dedicated to our work. It doesn't matter when you are in there 
what party you are in. A lot of my love for this committee 
comes from that same point.
    These two gentlemen, the chairman and the ranking member, 
working hand in glove constantly in an age where it is not 
expected, and we are so thrilled to see it.
    Whoever said politics stops at the water's edge is right. 
This committee has to be nonpartisan because nothing less is at 
stake than the security of every man, woman, and child that we 
fight for every day.
    I will close with this because--Senator, it is hard to talk 
fast, but I am just going to close with this. I have seen many 
chairmen. Bob, and I have seen this Bob, and I have seen John 
Kerry, Richard Lugar, I could go through the list, Joe Biden, I 
could go through the list, wonderful people all, friends all.
    And when I got the ability to move forward on the first-
ever subcommittee that dealt with women's issues all over the 
globe, it was a wonderful moment because everyone said, ``You 
know, you are right, Barbara. We need to do this.''
    I know I have spoken to Jeanne. It is not as if only a 
woman would carry these issues, but it is a reminder to 
everyone that we do see the world through a slightly different 
lens. That is just the beauty of diversity, and Jeanne is going 
to pick up a lot of these particular issues, and a lot of the 
rest of you will as well on other subjects.
    But it has been a joy, and I am going to close with this. I 
am so loath to say this, but it is so perfect that I end with 
this. I was disappointed we did not pass a piece of legislation 
that I wanted you to pass today. That is a joke.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. It is true that we did not, but I know----
    The Chairman.  We are going to get it done.
    Senator Boxer [continuing]. We are going to get it done 
after I leave. But if I did not say that, it would not be 
Barbara Boxer.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. I cannot let you get away with everything 
today.
    Fond memories, made me a better person, God bless each and 
every one of you in the days and the years ahead in keeping our 
country strong and safe.
    Thank you.
    [Applause.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, if I might, later this week, 
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will celebrate its 200th 
anniversary, when the first standing committees were approved 
by the United States Senate on December 10th.
    This committee has had a very, very proud history. I know I 
speak for all the members on the Democratic side, and I think I 
also speak for the Republican side, to congratulate our 
chairman, Bob Corker, on an incredible 2-year leadership of 
this committee.
    This has been a very difficult time. Your leadership has 
shown the strength that we wanted in our chairman, the fairness 
to include all members of our committee in the work of this 
committee. You have been able to get the type of unity that we 
needed to preserve the appropriate role for the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, and you have made it an honor to serve on 
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    So I want to congratulate you for an incredible 2 years as 
chairman.
    [Applause.]
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, I know we have a long agenda, 
and I very much appreciate what is included on this agenda. I 
think what might be easier--I was going to go through all the 
items on the list, and they are important items, and I do want 
to comment on what we have done. Perhaps the best way, if we 
start into the agenda, I will comment as we get to the 
legislation.
    The Chairman.  Very good. Thank you very much.
    The first order of business for today's agenda will be six 
Foreign Service lists.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on these?
    Senator Cardin. I support all of them and move their 
adoption.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to the list?
    [No response.]
    If there is no further discussion on these lists, I would 
entertain a motion to approve these lists en bloc by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve six Foreign 
Service lists en bloc.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
appointments and promotions are agreed to.
    Next, I would like to ask the committee to proceed to a 
voice vote on the consideration of Ms. Kamala Lakhdhir to be 
U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I strongly support the nomination and move 
her adoption.
    The Chairman.  Would any member like to be recognized?
    [No response.]
    If there is no further discussion on the nomination, I 
would entertain a motion to approve her by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  Moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the nomination.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The nomination 
is agreed to.
    Next, I would like to consider the treaty on the agenda.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on this treaty?
    Senator Cardin. Is this Montenegro?
    The Chairman.  Yes.
    Senator Cardin. Yes, Mr. Chairman. First, let me thank you 
very much for bringing the Montenegro NATO accession treaty 
today.
    I want to acknowledge the distinguished Ambassador for 
Montenegro, who is present in our committee room, and thank him 
for his availability to our committee.
    It was clear that this small country has made significant 
contributions to the alliance efforts around the world and made 
the necessary internal reforms to address governance, rule of 
law, and corruption.
    This progress appears all the more remarkable for the fact 
that Montenegro has been subject to a wave of anti-NATO and 
anti-Western propaganda emanating from Russia. I congratulate 
the manner in which the country has responded, and I am very 
happy that we are making it clear that Russia does not have a 
veto over the decisions of the NATO alliance, and I strongly 
urge my colleagues to support the accession.
    The Chairman.  Does any other member wish to speak?
    I am going to go back and forth, if that is okay.
    Senator Johnson. Not to repeat, but I certainly want to 
thank the chairman and ranking member for support of this 
resolution.
    You are correct. Montenegro has made great strides in 
reform, both militarily as well as legal reform, trying to 
drive out corruption. We had a great hearing on it.
    And again, I just urge my colleagues to support the 
resolution.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Senator Shaheen?
    Senator Shaheen. Yes, I would echo what has been said, but 
I would also ask that we encourage leadership to bring this to 
the floor before we go into recess and end this session of 
Congress. I think the best message we could send to Russia, as 
they are looking at their future plans in Europe, is the 
message that we want Montenegro to join NATO and to be part of 
the European bloc that protects all of Europe.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you both for your leadership on this 
issue.
    If there is no further discussion on this, I would 
entertain a motion to approve this by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded. Thank you so much.
    The question is on the motion to approve the treaty.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The treaty is 
agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 537, the Venezuelan 
resolution.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments you want to make?
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, I just really want to thank 
you for your help in getting this resolution before us today. 
It is a resolution that I worked on with Senators Rubio, 
Menendez, Kaine, Boxer, and other members of this committee.
    It is a heart-wrenching narrative that emerged from 
Venezuela in which economic unraveling, lack of food and 
medicine, the deterioration of the rule of law, and rising 
levels of corruption have created an unstable situation where 
citizens face tremendous hardship.
    So I am glad that we are speaking as a body on this issue, 
recognizing that Venezuela is in crisis and needs international 
understanding.
    The Chairman.  Any others?
    Senator Rubio. Mr. Chairman, I just want to echo that I 
thank everyone, especially Senator Menendez, for his work on 
this issue in general.
    I just want to point out to everyone that what has happened 
to Venezuela is nothing short of a coup d'etat. The 
constitutional order has been ignored and completely canceled. 
The Supreme Court has been overtaken, the media, the like. It 
is not a democracy any longer, not even the facade of a 
democracy. The impact that it is having on the region is 
extraordinary.
    I encourage my colleagues, when you have the chance, to 
read the report. This is one of the richest countries in the 
world, and you have people literally selling their hair for 
pennies to try to be able to feed their families.
    So it is a catastrophic situation that is coming to bear 
here rapidly, and it is having an impact on South Florida and I 
believe of the region. So I encourage everyone who has not kept 
up-to-date with it, because a lot of other issues have been 
going on, to really look into the tragic humanitarian and 
political tragedy that is occurring in Venezuela.
    The Chairman.  I could not agree more.
    Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve all three 
Cardin amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve all three Cardin 
amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendments 
are agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the resolution as amended?
    Senator Kaine. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 537, as 
amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution, 
as amended, is agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. Res. 535, the fentanyl 
resolution.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments you would like to 
make?
    Senator Cardin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I strongly support 
this resolution, and I want to thank Senators Markey and Rubio 
for bringing this forward, calling upon the United States for 
counternarcotics cooperation with Mexico and China.
    Mr. Chairman, I am sure all members of this committee have 
had meetings around our State, meetings with different groups, 
about the drug problems in every community in America. We have 
seen the opioid abuses lead to heroin, lead to synthetic drugs 
and fentanyl. It has caused untold deaths. Fentanyl is a drug 
that those who are using narcotics are not aware of its 
strength, and it causes them to go into crisis.
    So I thank very much our colleagues for bringing this to 
our committee's attention, that we must do more within the 
jurisdiction of our committee to control the importation of 
fentanyl.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak?
    Senator Markey. Mr. Chairman, if I may?
    The Chairman.  Senator Markey, yes, sir?
    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Senator Rubio and I have introduced this resolution. This 
is the public health crisis in the United States, and we join 
with Senator Shaheen on this resolution, calling for its 
passage.
    Fentanyl, just to give you a little bit of an idea about 
how bad this is right now, we are going to have 2,000 people 
die in Massachusetts from opioid overdoses this year. Of them, 
1,500 will have fentanyl in their blood system, 75 percent.
    Now, Massachusetts is 2 percent of America's population. So 
if you multiply that by 50 and this epidemic was hitting the 
whole country at the rate it is sitting Massachusetts, the rate 
it is hitting New Hampshire, the rate it is hitting Florida and 
several of the States, but not the country, that would be 
100,000 deaths, of which 75,000 would come from fentanyl.
    So what we are trying to do with this resolution is to get 
out of this storm, this class 5 hurricane, which is already on 
shore in certain States, but it is ready to hit.
    What it does is it calls for our Government to work much 
more closely with the Chinese Government, which is the source, 
principally, of this chemical, this artificial substance that 
has been created and is coming into our country, and with the 
Mexican Government, where it is kind of fabricated and turned 
into a product that then comes into the cities and States of 
our country.
    So this is something that in my opinion is going to wind up 
dwarfing any other issue that we work on. That is why doing 
this in the context of even deliberating on the current bill is 
so appropriate because far, far many more people are going to 
be terrorized by this than will ever be terrorized by what is 
happening in Aleppo today. This is a threat to families on the 
streets of our country, which is why I am proud to be able to 
work with Senator Rubio in a bipartisan fashion on this 
amendment.
    The Chairman.  Thank you both. Any other comments?
    Senator Rubio. I would just add that the fentanyl is now 
with carfentanil, which is a new threat or an additional 
threat. It is actually animal tranquilizer. It is what they use 
to tranquilize like an elephant.
    This stuff is coming in in the mail, basically. It is being 
shipped in FedEx, UPS. I do not mean to single out any 
companies. I am just saying--I just did--
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Rubio.--and others. It is being sent in from these 
countries, and it is by far--I encourage everyone to talk to 
your hospitals and first responders, and they are going to tell 
you that they are seeing just dozens of these. And the agents 
to reverse it do not even work anymore because of how strong it 
has gotten.
    It is also manufactured, by the way--and we saw the loss of 
Prince, who died. He died because he took fentanyl in pills 
labeled as Percocet.
    So that is what we are dealing with here now. It is a very 
serious problem.
    The Chairman.  The lacing that is occurring with fentanyl, 
and the fact that it can come in a FedEx package this size 
equal to truckloads of other types of materials is really 
wreaking havoc on our society. I appreciate both of you 
bringing attention to this.
    Any other comments on this?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman. If there is no further discussion on this 
resolution, I would entertain a motion to approve both Markey 
amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve both Markey 
amendments en bloc by voice vote.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    All opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendments 
are agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the resolution, 
as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Shaheen. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. Res. 535, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolution, 
as amended, is agreed to.
    Our next order of business that I would ask that we 
consider en bloc by voice vote are the remaining resolutions 
before the committee. That is S. Con. Res. 57, S. Con. Res. 30, 
S. Con. Res. 40.
    Senator Cardin, any comments?
    Senator Cardin. I support all those resolutions.
    The Chairman.  Are there any members who would like to 
speak to any of these resolutions?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion on the 
resolutions, I would entertain a motion to approve these en 
bloc by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Udall. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve these resolutions 
en bloc.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The resolutions 
are agreed to.
    Next, we will consider S. 8, the Norway 123 Agreement.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments on this?
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, thank you for bringing 
forward this. I am a cosponsor of the resolution, under your 
leadership. The bill will ensure congressional oversight of our 
nuclear cooperation with Norway. So I support the resolution.
    The Chairman.  Does anyone else wish to speak to this?
    I started to call on you before you raised you hand, 
Senator Markey.
    Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much.
    I do commend Norway as one of our closest allies and 
recognize the need to conduct nuclear research at Norway's 
Halden research reactor. But I am very concerned that we are 
offering affirmative support to 123 Agreements that do not meet 
the gold standard. I believe that as we get deeper into the 
21st century, that should be our standard, regardless of how 
close an ally any of the countries are with whom we are 
reaching these agreements.
    This agreement is going to provide Norway with advanced 
consent to transfer U.S.-obligated spent fuel to the United 
Kingdom and France for reprocessing. That sends the wrong 
signal to other countries considering pursuing this technology, 
and I am particularly concerned about East Asia, and I am 
concerned that the negotiators of this 123 Agreement did not 
push to remove the advanced consent clause.
    It is the larger principle that is at stake here, despite 
the small amounts of material that are involved in this 
agreement. We should not water down our global opposition to 
reprocessing. It should be our gold standard.
    If we do not stand for that, we are going to come back in 
another 15 or 20 years as other countries in the Middle East 
and in East Asia ask for the same kind of treatment, and we 
will then have that catastrophic event that was created because 
we did not give the political leadership.
    So I believe there is a profound danger that we are 
unleashing here as we create this exemption, and I just wanted 
to state my opposition to this pathway, on principle.
    The Chairman.  So for what it is worth, Senator Markey and 
I have met on several occasions regarding non-gold-standard 
agreements, and I could not agree more.
    I think we find ourselves in a place where even though this 
is an imperfect 123 Agreement, it is better than what is going 
to be in place if we just allow an administrative agreement to 
take place in the time to lapse.
    So I share your concerns. I wish that all of these 
agreements were in the gold-standard fashion that you have 
expressed. You know we have talked about this on many 
occasions.
    But this is putting us in a better place than letting the 
time elapse and enter into an administrative agreement between 
the United States and Norway.
    Are there any other comments or questions?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I would 
entertain a motion to approve the legislation by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve S. 8 by voice 
vote.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    Senator Markey. No.
    The Chairman.  And I will record you as a no, if that is 
okay.
    With that, the ayes have it, and the substitute agreement 
is agreed to.
    Are there any other further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  The question is on the motion to approve 
H.R. 4939, as amended.
    Are we in the right place here? I do not know how we got to 
the House.
    Okay, the question is on the motion to approve S. 8.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The legislation 
is agreed to.
    Next, we will move to H.R. 4939, the U.S.-Caribbean 
Strategic Engagement Act of 2016.
    Senator Cardin, do you have any comments you would like to 
make?
    Senator Cardin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate this 
issue being brought up for today's business meeting. I 
congratulate my colleague in the House, Congressman Engle, for 
his work on this.
    It is legislation, I think, that shows our commitment to 
our partnership in the Caribbean, and I support it.
    The Chairman.  Would anyone else like to speak to the 
legislation?
    If there is no further discussion, I would entertain a 
motion to consider the substitute amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Coons. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Kaine. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The substitute 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation as amendment?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 4939, as 
amended.
    All those in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Now we will consider H.R. 4481, the Education for All Act 
of 2016.
    Senator Cardin?
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, again, I thank you for 
bringing this forward. I strongly support it and urge my 
colleagues to support the legislation.
    The Chairman.  Anyone else?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  If there is no further discussion, I will 
entertain a motion to consider the substitute amendment by 
voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Second?
    Senator Menendez. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the substitute 
amendment.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The substitute 
amendment is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 4481, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Now we will consider H.R. 2845, the AGOA Enhancement Act of 
2015.
    Senator Cardin?
    Senator Cardin. Mr. Chairman, again, I appreciate that this 
is before us today. I want to thank Senators Flake, Coons, and 
Isakson for introducing the Millennium Compacts for Regional 
Economic Integration Act, or the M-CORE Act, with me last year. 
The bill passed our committee earlier. This new authority for 
MCC is included in H.R. 2845, so I would urge colleagues to 
support this legislation.
    The Chairman.  Any other discussion?
    Senator Coons?
    Senator Coons. I will just briefly, if I might, thank 
Senator Cardin for his real leadership on getting us over the 
finish line in terms of MCC regional compact authority.
    And thank you, Mr. Chairman, for working so closely with 
the ranking member on such a wide range of bills for today's 
markup. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Thank you so much.
    If there is no further discussion, I would entertain a 
motion to consider the Corker amendment by voice vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Boxer. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Corker 
amendment.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendment 
is agreed to.
    Are there further amendments?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  Hearing none, is there a motion to approve 
the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Isakson. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 2845, as 
amended.
    All in favor will say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    Lastly, we will consider H.R. 1150, the Frank R. Wolf 
International Religious Freedom Act.
    Senator Cardin?
    Senator Cardin. First, Mr. Chairman, let me say, when you 
are voting on a bill that includes Frank R. Wolf's name, I 
cannot see anyone voting against it. He has been a real 
champion throughout his lifetime and career on human rights 
issues.
    I do want to thank Senator Rubio for his work on this 
legislation. There were some concerns that were expressed, and 
we were able to work through those concerns. I thank him for 
that. The department had concern about reporting on nonstate 
actors which engage in religious persecution, as it may 
undermine U.S. Government diplomatic efforts to hold 
governments accountable for abuses committed within their 
territory.
    I think this legislation strikes the right balance, but it 
is an issue that I think our committee will continue to monitor 
to make sure that governments are held accountable for actions 
within their country.
    I want to acknowledge Congressman Smith and the work that 
he has done on religious freedom, and I would urge my 
colleagues to support the legislation.
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Would anyone else like to speak to this? I know numbers of 
people were involved.
    Senator Flake. I just want to thank Senator Rubio and 
Senator Cardin for including the language I had on religious 
visas. Thank you.
    The Chairman.  Very good.
    If there is no further discussion, I would entertain a 
motion to consider the Rubio substitute amendment by voice 
vote.
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve the Rubio 
substitute amendment.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it. The amendment 
is agreed to.
    Is there a motion to approve the legislation, as amended?
    Senator Cardin. So moved.
    The Chairman.  Is there a second?
    Senator Johnson. Second.
    The Chairman.  Thank you. So moved and seconded.
    The question is on the motion to approve H.R. 1150, as 
amended.
    All in favor, say aye.
    [A chorus of ayes.]
    The Chairman.  Opposed?
    [No response.]
    The Chairman.  With that, the ayes have it, and the 
legislation, as amended, is agreed to.
    That completes the committee's business.
    Senator Kaine. Mr. Chair?
    The Chairman.  Yes, sir?
    Senator Kaine. If I may, just one other business item that 
I tried to click as we were at the front end saying kind things 
about the chair and about Senator Boxer. Another committee 
member has of milestone that is a pretty important one.
    On Election Day, Senator Cardin achieved 50 consecutive 
years in elected office beginning with his election as a 
youngster.
    Senator Cardin. I am trying to keep that quiet.
    Senator Kaine. He doesn't like you mentioning it, but that 
is a pretty impressive record. Those of us who do it understand 
how challenging that is.
    So congratulations.
    [Applause.]
    Senator Cardin. In Maryland, you can run for office when 
you are in your teens.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  Well, I am thankful that you will be serving 
with us on a continual basis, and I think that makes you 
definitely a part of the establishment.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  Jeanne?
    Senator Shaheen. Mr. Chairman, I wanted to pick up on 
Senator Boxer's brief comment as she was giving her remarks 
earlier about the bill that did not get passed, and that is the 
Women, Peace and Security Act, something that Senator Boxer has 
been working on----
    The Chairman.  I see that you are taking up her mantle very 
quickly.
    Senator Shaheen [continuing]. For now 4 years.
    This is legislation that the House passed just recently 
without debate. I think it is important because there is real 
evidence that women have a critical role to play in all stages 
of conflict resolution. We know that when women are supported, 
that they tend to give back to their families, to their 
communities. And making sure that they have a place at the 
table when we are trying to resolve conflicts I think is very 
important.
    I know there were some procedural concerns about the 
legislation, but I just want to put everybody on the committee 
on notice that this is not going away just because Senator 
Boxer is not going to be here. I think this is legislation that 
is important for us to pass. It sends an important message to 
women in countries around the world that they need to be at the 
table as we are deciding their fate.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    The Chairman.  Thank you, and I look forward to calling 
Senator Boxer when she is doing whatever she is going to be 
doing after the first of the year to share with her that we 
have addressed this issue. I received a call from President 
Carter, and I talked to Kristi Noem last night, and there were 
some issues that we would like to work out. But we will begin 
that again.
    I know the President has had in place since 2011 an 
executive order of sorts to deal with this, and we would like 
to see what the impact of that has been. But we understand it 
is going to be something that, hopefully, we will resolve 
together, and thank you both for making comments in that 
regard.
    Senator Boxer. Mr. Chairman, make sure that you call me, 
but will you be calling me as you are Secretary of State? This 
is what I am hoping for.
    Oh, I should not have said that.
    Let's see----
    The Chairman.  That will never happen now. That's for sure.
    [Laughter.]
    Senator Boxer. Let me say, I strongly would oppose the 
nomination.
    [Laughter.]
    The Chairman.  Thank you.
    Thank you so much. That completes the committee's business. 
I ask unanimous consent that staff be authorized to make 
technical and conforming changes.
    Without objection, so ordered.
    With that, and without objection, the committee will stand 
adjourned.
    Thank you all, and I wish you all a warm and meaningful 
holiday. I hope most of you will stay for the hearing, but, 
hopefully, we will finish up this week. Thank you.
    [Whereupon, at 3:11 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.]

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