Subject: Ivanka, Bush 43, fresh leaks, and a budget deal
From: "Liz Schrayer, USGLC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 01 May 2017 14:23:08 -0500

Hunter-

Just last night, policymakers cut a deal on this year's spending
levels with solid news on the development and diplomatic front -
nearly $1 billion extra in response to the famine crises.
 
But as we move ahead, I have real concerns.

When Congress returned from recess, a leaked document revealed
extremely troubling new plans to shutter dozens of USAID missions
coupled with an announcement to slash the State Department staff by
2,300. The dangerous consequences of America pulling back globally
will certainly be top of mind for policymakers - and they are
taking notice.

And I'm encouraged by what we're hearing from a new chorus
of powerful voices rising up in support of our nation's civilian
forces. From nearly half the Senate to four-star combatant commanders
to Bush 43 - all are singing from the same songbook.

Worth seeing all the details in today's GLOBAL GAB - from
the wildly difficult challenges to the latest budget intel.
 
Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

THE GLOBAL GAB: Ivanka, Bush 43, fresh leaks, and a budget deal
May 1, 2017

JOINING THE CHORUS. With a strong bipartisan voice, Senators Dick
Durbin (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN) kicked off the post-recess budget
debate with a formidable letter signed by 43 Senators sent to their
fellow colleagues on key committees, urging them to provide
"robust funding" for the International Affairs Budget and
called the proposed cuts "shortsighted, counterproductive, and
even dangerous." Welcome back!

ART OF THE DEAL. Overnight, lawmakers agreed on what is known as an
omnibus spending deal that keeps the government running until
September. This year's International Affairs Budget saw a small
increase - up just less than 1 percent - due in part to
additional emergency resources for famine relief. A very welcome
development from Congressional appropriators at a time of growing
crises. More details will be available on our website shortly.

BUDGET LEAK. Last week, a troubling leaked State Department 2018
budget document shed light on the Administration's plans to
shutter or greatly reduce America's footprint in at least 20
countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. While the full
number of missions to be closed could reach as high as 40, the
complete picture of the Administration's priorities won't
be clear until late May when their full budget is released. Some of
the countries that appear on the list include Sierra Leone, Guinea,
and Liberia - the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak.

ZEROED OUT. The leaked budget document also reveals the
Administration's intent to reduce the autonomy of USAID by
zeroing out key development accounts. What else is on the chopping
block? A 25% cut to global health investments, drastic reductions for
food security programs, and the elimination of the State Department
team that tackles global women's issues. Expect a real battle
once Capitol Hill takes over the budget deliberations in late May and
June.

DOWNSIZING DILEMMA. New reports are just out that the Administration
is looking to cut 2,300 diplomats and civil servants from the State
Department, largely through attrition and buyouts - very
concerning, given that it will stretch our civilian corps even thinner
around the world. The news was met with fierce concerns from Capitol
Hill just as Secretary Tillerson announced his plans to survey the
entire employee base (including USAID) for input on how to reform the
Department. Tillerson will address the full staff this week with a
90-day update. Stay tuned.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=m24xj9aivj2zykQViy6r7g

CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT. With the growing concerns over restructuring
the State Department and USAID, Congress took notice and - as
part of this week's spending bill - has requested a
detailed report from the administration on any reorganization,
including how any "merger, closing or termination" of
programs affects America's national security interests and
civilian personnel.

ACTIVE DUTY. While the appointments of our diplomats remain very slow,
America's military leaders are speaking up loud and clear.
Within the last few weeks, four of our most senior active-duty
commanders plus Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs weighed in - testifying on Capitol Hill about
the importance of their civilian counterparts in keeping America safe.
Impressive show of force - read more.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PZvUhgNHivmlgwZ0hHa8KQ

STRAIGHT TALK. Just days before she hosted the U.N. Security Council
in Washington with President Donald Trump, Ambassador Nikki Haley
penned a commanding op-ed in in the wake of chemical attacks in Syria,
"Evil is an inescapable fact of life, but the violence that
results from human rights violations and abuses is not inevitable. We
can choose to learn from history, not doom ourselves to repeat
it." Haley continues to not only gain praise, but visibility as
perhaps the most outspoken voice on foreign policy in the
Administration.

IVANKA. The First Daughter announced a major new international fund
focused on women's empowerment to be managed by the World Bank
during her first overseas trip in this new role. Reinforcing her
efforts, Ivanka Trump joined World Bank President Jim Kim in a
Financial Times op-ed, writing that investing in women is "an
invaluable asset with proven returns." Foreign policy leaders
are watching as she continues to define a solution-driven agenda on
the global stage for women's entrepreneurship and other
international issues.

W SPEAKS OUT. In an unusual move to weigh-in on Washington matters,
President George W. Bush lauded the work of PEPFAR - the
massively successful HIV/AIDS relief program - from the U.S.
embassies in Botswana and Namibia. "Part of my mission is to
call attention to the success and to remind our Congress and the
Administration that there is more work to be done. We can't stop
at this stage of the effort in saving human life," said Bush 43.
"As our Congress reviews the budget ... it's really
important... look at what works. And I believe saving 11.5 million
lives is proof that PEPFAR works."

THE CHAIRMAN. Fresh off his visit to the world's largest refugee
camp in Uganda - just across the border from the famine in South
Sudan - the highly influential Senate Foreign Relations Chairman
Bob Corker (R-TN) punctuated his concerns over the proposed budget
cuts, telling reporters: "The 1 percent that we spend on
diplomacy and assistance, if we spend it wisely, then... the men
and women that we love so much in uniform are less likely to get into
a hot war or in harm's way." A picture is worth a thousand
words.
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=E0nw1JFMHIOhtbGeqxwBdw

ACROSS AMERICA. A snapshot of the chorus of voices popping up around
the country:
*  MINNESOTA MASHUP. In an unusual town hall meeting, two Minnesota
lawmakers (who typically don't agree on much) joined
forces to discuss the humanitarian crises in East Africa.
Republican Congressman Tom Emmer sat down with Democratic
Senator Amy Klobuchar saying that when it comes to saving lives,
there is no room for partisan politics. America needs more town
hall meetings like this.
 
*  KANSAS MAN. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), a member of the
Appropriations Committee, steps out on food security in a recent
CNN op-ed: "This administration's budget proposal, which
eliminates funding for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and
makes cuts to USAID, will harm our long-term national security
interests and reduce our leadership in the world."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=BOcV5EY9VeS5D6MPesL0sQ

*  LOCAL OPINION. A number of op-eds on the importance of
international assistance are popping up in key
policymaker's backyards. The latest are in the Janesville
Gazette Extra, Speaker Paul Ryan's hometown paper, and the
Houston Chronicle in the home state of Senators Cornyn and Cruz
by former USAID Administrator and fellow Texan Andrew Natsios.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=jg7yKyeqp8ENpnftvgScLA

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=jGIhxV49pOD3tqnDoq7_Ew

*  COAST TO COAST. During the congressional recess, the USGLC held
over 30 in-district meetings and several large public events
with members of Congress from Washington State to Virginia
underscoring that leading globally, matters locally. Next stop
Phoenix.

BUSINESS BUZZ. This Thursday, top executives from Coca-Cola,
MasterCard, and Starbucks testify before the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations presenting the business case for global development.
One former Goldman Sachs executive who certainly knows the value of
public-private partnerships in the developing world is White House
Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell. Watch her share the
story of how she got to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=qOoTsrLyE6anaxg9ZHKdxg

SMART STUFF. Former Caterpillar executive Bill Lane in the Wall Street
Journal captures Colombia's turnaround story from a
narco-terrorist state to key U.S. ally with the help of
America's "smart power." And former House Intel
Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) shares his highly respected views in the
Washington Post that the use of hard and soft power is
"imperative" for our national security, underscoring that
the State Department must be "streamlined - not
starved."

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=cm0XgmDjhL54BF7KAYZDGQ

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=4H8B4Ja_mllQf0sK0E0kUA

THE LAST WORD. Reflecting on the wave of support for foreign
assistance in the face of steep cuts, Melinda Gates offers a smart
reminder: "the loudest voices of protest came not from overseas,
but here at home. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle,
retired US military leaders, and faith leaders all spoke up in defense
of foreign aid."

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