Bill Keating

If we're going to put a--you know, if we're going to be there and we're going to put ourselves on the field you have to fund a team

We're not there the way that--when I talked to our allies and Africa in particular, talk to them, they said, you just--we want you to be our partners. You're not there.

I hope that every effort is being made to monitor the Taylor Force Act conditions, that not any of the money should in any way go to benefit the terrorist families for the terrorists, suicide terrorists, who commit crimes.

I, like many of my colleagues, see AUKUS as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seek to counter the CCP's malign influence in the Indo-Pacific.

There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them.

I'm just concerned on an ongoing basis, as we are developing technology, advanced technology, and defenses together, the issue of artificial intelligence, and AI is a concern, a growing concern about making sure we have controls over that…

The United States, once again, stands as the arsenal of democracy.

And by the way, for the Members of Congress that are here, budgeting from CR to CR to CR, and not dealing with the real budget, we have to take responsibility as well, when we do not act the way we are supposed to act with real order.

But what about controlling them? Are we doing research, so that somehow these cannot somehow get out of control, spinning into a catastrophe?

These words are more important than ever as the Biden Administration leverages our global alliances and partnerships to counter Chinese malign influence and to support Ukraine in their fight for democracy, freedom, and, ultimately, for…

If you do not fund the State Department fully then I need to buy more ammunition, ultimately.

Leader McCarthy's proposed 22 percent budget cut to reduce State Department and USAID funding... at a time when historically so much is at stake right now in terms of democracy, security here at home as a result and the role of China.

If we're not there and we're not competing they've got that arena all to themselves.

If you could in 1 minute, where will we be at the end of this war?

If we're having cuts of the magnitude that I mentioned aren't we essentially putting the white flag up, you know, in our ability to counter China?

If you do not fund the State Department fully then I need to buy more ammunition, ultimately.

If we're not there and we're not competing they've got that arena all to themselves.

One day this war will be over and I'm convinced Ukraine will be successful. But what happens then and what happens right after that is so important.

A cut of that size would have enormous impact on our ability to even compete with China in that front.

Under the Biden Administration, USAID plans to give $500 million to support the Palestinian people and advance a, quote, "two-State solution."

It is important for us here in a land, in a country that appreciates, cherishes, and defends democracy and freedom that we speak up for Paul Whelan.

He does not understand that in terms of freedom, that is something that cannot be contained.

Vladimir Putin has stolen over 4 years of Paul Whelan's life.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have also witnessed the work of family members so vital to moving legislation and progress forward.