Jeff Merkley

I want to make sure that any repatriation to Burma or inside Bangladesh is done in a fully voluntary, safe, and dignified manner.

I visited Somalia in March of this year, and I know the challenges that you will face in leading this mission.

Saturday will mark the 1-year anniversary of the start of the brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing conducted by the Burmese military against the Rohingya.

I am glad we are able to have this hearing and expedite the process for so many individuals in key positions.

Countries' support for U.S. priorities is one indicator to consider, but there are other important factors to consider as well, including our national security and economic interests.

I believe it is important to assess our foreign assistance based on a number of factors with the top reason being that foreign assistance should serve American interests.

Regional instability in Central America adversely affects countries beyond the region's borders.

If confirmed, I will support U.S. assistance to strengthen law enforcement in Honduras.

I believe diversity should be a celebrated thing.

I am not looking to politicize the MCC.

The Government of Burma and the military of Burma have been engaged in a massive ethnic cleansing operation.

It is my understanding that the Government of Israel supports this aid. They recognize that it is very hard to have an economy in the West Bank because it is isolated.

My colleague, Senator Young, has noted that in Yemen just the enormous difficulty of even getting relief into the country.

I was just speaking earlier today with some experts on Sudan who were noting the fact that so much of the challenge there is coming from the chaos and disruption of war that has made normal activities that one might support their family…

This month, Senator Young and I sent the Senate and House Appropriations committees a letter detailing severe food shortages worldwide and requested increased funding for the World Food Program.

The Trump administration has cut funding to the United Nations Population Fund which provides critical maternal and family planning support to women and children in vulnerable situations.

Any legislation that strengthens the commitment of Peace Corps in safety and security and in health is critical for the agency.

I still grieve the murder of Kate Puzey, and I remain heartbroken.

There is no higher priority for the Peace Corps than the safety and security of our volunteers as the agency continues to advance its mission.

The roles that each of you have been nominated to serve represent some of the most important work our country undertakes in addressing pressing global challenges.

I have been disturbed by the Trump administration's proposed budgets which for 2 consecutive years have cut U.S. funding for diplomacy and development by over 30 percent.

General Selva's comments appear to reinforce the administration's approach to finding a diplomatic solution to Russia's violation, and preserving the INF Treaty.

If confirmed, maintaining allied cohesion and responding in concert will be a critical element of U.S. diplomatic pressure to bring Russia back into compliance.

All the experts in the region, when we visited there, noted that North Korea paid a lot of attention to what happened with Gaddafi.

Does it give you any concern, though, that, if we have standards for Saudi Arabia, that Iran... will say, 'Well, you are not treating the two of us equally'?