I think USAID has a critical role. We are the ground game for American foreign policy.

If what we hear in country after country is: we welcome U.S. investment, we welcome U.S. companies, we want help transforming our economy.

If you include the supplemental funding that was provided in 2023, to address Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the fiscal year 2024 request would actually be a 15 percent cut over the overall expenditures.

Your task is daunting, and this subcommittee must both rigorously oversee your work, and ensure you have the support and resources you need to protect and advance our national security and our national values.

I am grateful, the Vice Chair of the Full Committee, my friend and colleague from Maine, Susan Collins, is serving as the Ranking for this hearing.

If I could just respond to the Ranking Member; I agree with you that we need to get ahead of this problem.

I think the single best thing President Bush did, I think something that has been sustained over presidencies and majorities of both parties.

Health is good politics.

Supporting that innovation will do two things--one, lead to greater success, and two, provide that ground up pressure for change that will not only be related to health, but democratization and many other things.

I think we can all agree that PEPFAR shows the extraordinary power of American determination, compassion, and ingenuity marshaled for the purpose of making the world a better place.

I think it is appropriate to recognize President George W. Bush for his leadership and vision over 20 years ago.

With this relatively modest funding, Administrator Power, you are being asked to confront an historic confluence of complex global challenges.

I view [the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan] as dire.

I am grateful, the Vice Chair of the Full Committee, my friend and colleague from Maine, Susan Collins, is serving as the Ranking for this hearing.

If what we hear in country after country is: we welcome U.S. investment, we welcome U.S. companies, we want help transforming our economy.

The fiscal year 2024 request for this subcommittee's budget including staff and programs of, State, USAID, MCC, DFC, and other agencies, is in total $68.6 billion, 6.8 billion, or 11 percent above the fiscal year 2023 enacted level.

I just had a chance to be with David Beasley, along with the Vice Chair, the group of us who spent last week looking at food security--this is a daunting prospect this year, humanitarian relief, sustaining it is going to be challenging…

It is unfortunate that we have two, at least two, other compelling hearings on similar or related topics.

With this relatively modest funding, Administrator Power, you are being asked to confront an historic confluence of complex global challenges.

It is unfortunate that we have two, at least two, other compelling hearings on similar or related topics.

We do have real challenges. I look forward to working with you on them.

To leverage resources and spark innovation.

I call this hearing to order.

The fiscal year 2024 request for this subcommittee's budget including staff and programs of, State, USAID, MCC, DFC, and other agencies, is in total $68.6 billion, 6.8 billion, or 11 percent above the fiscal year 2023 enacted level.

I just had a chance to be with David Beasley, along with the Vice Chair, the group of us who spent last week looking at food security--this is a daunting prospect this year, humanitarian relief, sustaining it is going to be challenging…