Christopher Coons

And there is, I think, an opportunity for us to keep moving forward in terms of our legislative work around hydrogen.

I am excited that Delaware is joining the Southeastern PA, and Southern New Jersey on the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub.

We think that you should work in your community with labor, with other community leaders, and taking into account environmental justice concerns.

Thank you for your work to advance nonproliferation, and support for our safety, and your efforts to reduce the nuclear risks posed by Russia and Ukraine.

A key piece, I think, of the CHIPS and Science bill for your Department, was legislation I introduced, along with Senators Graham and Lujan, to create the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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 call this hearing to order.

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

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…

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

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.

To leverage resources and spark innovation.

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

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.

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.