So it seems like that is a pretty attractive bait to put out there for getting countries to bite.

Further, our security partnership with these states are critical.

I have been intrigued by the fact that the Chinese have been modestly successful in these policing agreements that they have entered into with some of the countries.

Through these compacts we partner with them to advance economic prosperity, provide for U.S. military veterans from these nations, provide cooperation in areas of law enforcement and judicial training, and much more.

We have had a long history of friendship with the Pacific Islands, and this hearing comes as we usher in the next chapter of U.S. commitment to the region.

I would strongly suggest that you guys revisit your efforts in that regard and see how you might be able to make them more attractive so when they do bite on the hook that it is our hook and not the Chinese.

I passed the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act--I assume you are familiar with that--and it was in 2022, and it provides State with much needed flexibilities to stand up our overseas missions.

I am working on a bill with Congressman Blumenauer that aims to increase access to home dialysis by providing trained, professional staff assistance to patients in their home.

I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 74. PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Well, I appreciate that and certainly those efforts are laudable and need to be doubled down because there is nothing more frustrating than trying to do the right thing and then seeing things wind up in the wrong hands.

When President Biden ordered an extraordinary draw down of the Emerson Trust in April of 2022 it took 12 months and $388 million to transport $282 million worth of food.

Well, I appreciate that and certainly those efforts are laudable and need to be doubled down because there is nothing more frustrating than trying to do the right thing and then seeing things wind up in the wrong hands.

I mean, we all want to do something about it, but somebody needs to tell us what the money is going to go for, what a path forward is there for, and you have described the situation as bleak.

When President Biden ordered an extraordinary draw down of the Emerson Trust in April of 2022 it took 12 months and $388 million to transport $282 million worth of food.

I mean, we all want to do something about it, but somebody needs to tell us what the money is going to go for, what a path forward is there for, and you have described the situation as bleak.

Let us be clear. Congress will never appropriate its way out of this current global food security crisis.

Let us be clear. Congress will never appropriate its way out of this current global food security crisis.

I urge President Biden to heed the advice of his predecessor and, hopefully, successor.