Subject: Mattis, McConnell and others weigh in
From: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
To: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2017 00:06:22 +0000

Dear Board of Directors,

In the midst of a wildly busy week from health care to the Comey and Gorsuch hearings, our issue continues to break through across Capitol Hill with some high-level voices.

The dual testimony from Secretary Madeleine Albright and former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley at the House Armed Services Committee; statements of support from Commanders at CENTCOM and AFRICOM; and today, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs General Joseph Dunford joined with ringing endorsements of the need for American’s civilian tools. Here are two quick highlights:

§  Secretary Mattis: “America’s got two fundamental powers – the power of intimidation and the power of inspiration – soft power is largely found in the power of inspiration and it’s part and parcel of how we defeat this enemy.”

§  General Dunford: “In order for us to be successful against ISIS or any of the threats that we face right now, it will be important for us to fully leverage all the capabilities our nation has: diplomatically, economically, and militarily.”

And the USGLC was out in force yesterday, with a team of our generals and admirals visiting lawmakers – from Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Check out the exclusive story we locked in on CNN<http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/21/politics/generals-defend-state-department-funding-congress/index.html>.

Lastly, it’s mobilization week as our advocates across the country are getting bipartisan commitments from their Senators and Representatives to fight these cuts.

One nice addition was from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who, during a radio interview yesterday, said “America being a force is a lot more than building up the Defense Department. Diplomacy is important, extremely important, and I don't think these reductions at the State Department are appropriate.”

More soon.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC