David Cicilline

Whatever criticisms we have UNRWA and the Palestinian leadership, and there are many valid ones, it is contrary to American interests and the interests of Israel to exacerbate this humanitarian crisis.

I am glad that today we were able to consider a bipartisan piece of legislation that will bring some order and timeliness to this review process and expert proper congressional oversight of our foreign assistance.

If we give up our position as a donor, we also give up our influence.

To be clear, I believe that funding for these bilateral programs and for UNRWA, funding which has been appropriated by Congress, should be resumed immediately.

Holding a markup on this bill is a testament to the bipartisanship of this committee and the leadership of Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel.

We have a President who has nominated--you know, we all understand Presidents nominate judges that reflect their political views.

What we are seeing in this current administration is the presentation of judicial candidates the lack of qualifications and have views well outside the political norms.

I think that it is important to understand this request in the context in which we are currently living.

Your report discusses why the Justice Department and the FBI have a policy and practice of refusing to speak publicly about ongoing investigative activity.

It is important that the American people know that the 500 pages that you dedicated your career to developing... does not support any such claim by the President.

When the FBI speaks publicly about an ongoing case, it risks harming the subject's reputational interest.

The President's claim that your report makes clear that he is completely exonerated--there's no obstruction of justice and no evidence of collusion--is a lie or at least unsupported by your report?

It is despicable what is happening in our name.

Your report does not support the claim from the President of the United States that he is completely exonerated.

I want to begin by lamenting the fact that we are not having Judiciary oversight hearings to address this barbaric child separation policy.

I hope the Justice Department and the FBI learned their lesson from your report and do not cave to the ongoing bullying of President Trump and his allies in Congress.

Promoting freedom and democracy and protecting human rights is a very important pillar of our work around the world.

The discrimination and the near genocide of the Rohingya is something which is repulsive and contrary to all of our human rights views and human decency.

I would like to know how you reconcile those.

We regard Egypt as a vital, critical pillar of security and stability, not just for the region but also for Europe and for the United States.

This seems to be generating a significant humanitarian crisis that could undermine rather than advance the national security interests of our own country and Israel.

We made a substantial investment in these programs to achieve that objective.

Tunisia's stability and Tunisia's success are of vital importance to the United States and the region--failing to ensure its viability would be a terrible mistake.

I applaud the administration for meeting the agreed number that is stipulated by our latest memorandum of understanding, MOU.

Mr. Cicilline from Rhode Island.