Subject: USGLC Board Update: First moves by President Trump
From: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
To: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:39:07 +0000

Dear Board of Directors,

With the inaugural weekend behind, and obviously some troubling statements in President Trump's speech, a few policy announcements issued by the new Administration to share - all expected - but they will certainly impact our landscape:

  *   Mexico City Policy. Consistent with previous Republican Administrations, President Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy banning global health funding to foreign NGOs that receive other funds for abortion counseling and services.
  *   TPP. As promised from the campaign trail, the President issued a memorandum to formally withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership. Press Secretary Sean Spicer called the move "symbolic both here in America and around the world" and said the Administration will prioritize the negotiation of "bilateral agreements... to ensure that we get something out of these deals."

In related news:

  *   PEPFAR. In one surprise move, Trump has asked Ambassador Deborah Birx to continue on as the interim coordinator for PEPFAR. Our own Mike Gerson learned that this had come at the insistence of Ivanka Trump and Vice President Pence. Good to know that global health is on their radar.
  *   Tillerson. With his nomination passing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a strict party line vote, he is expected to secure final confirmation next week. The good news is that I have talked to several friends who have had one-on-one meetings with him and report that he has a solid understanding and commitment to foreign assistance.
  *   Mattis. He continues to respond to my emails and stay engaged. In his first communications to DOD staff, Secretary Mattis reinforced his commitment to civilian forces saying, "Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances."
  *   OMB. We hear OMB has directed agencies to run several funding scenarios - a 1% cut below current levels, an 11% cut, and a 16% cut. The exercise in and of itself is not surprising or new, but the level of cut being asked for consideration is exactly why we are so nervous about the year ahead. Much more at the board meeting on this.

Watch for two packets in the next few days in preparation for next week's board retreat: one on governance with USGLC's Budget and Nominating Committee Reports; and one with details on the agenda. We have already confirmed David Brooks from the NYT, former National Security Advisor Steve Hadley (a confidant of Rex Tillerson), and John Podesta, Chairman of the Hillary Clinton Campaign and U.S. lead on the Sustainable Development Goals.

If you haven't already, please do RSVP to Emily Benovitz at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGL