Hearings to examine certain pending nominations.

Thank you. Thank you, Jeff. We're here to consider the nominations of Mr. Ademola Adawali Sadek. You'll help me with that, uh, a little bit later. Nominee to be our Director for the African Development Bank. Uh, Miss Catherine Dillon, nominee to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs. And Mr. Kevin Kim, who's our nominee to be the U. S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. As we begin today's agenda, I want to remind everyone of the ground rules for these committee hearings. We have very important work to do here and we have limited time. As a result, we'll not tolerate any demonstrations or disruptions or anyway, uh, that would disrupt or slow down or affect the business of this committee. If you do choose to interrupt our proceedings, you will be removed and barred from attending these public hearings for twelve months. I appreciate your understanding and look forward to a productive hearing. First, I wanna recognize a couple of our colleagues that are here to introduce nominees. Um, first I'm gonna rep- recognize uh Representative Virginia Fox from North Carolina, to introduce Miss Kate Dillon.

Thank you very much, Mister Chairman. It is a great honor to appear before you today to introduce Kate Dillon, who's being considered for the important role of Assistant Secretary of Education and Culture in the State Department. First and foremost, Kate is a patriot, a patriot who loves America and one who will always meet the moment so that our nation can be successful in all ways. It was my pleasure to have Kate as an essential part of the House Education and Workforce Committee during my tenure as Chairwoman of the committee. She did a fantastic job, first as staff assistant for the committee, and then as the Chief Clerk and Director of Finance for the committee. I'm quite certain that the members of this committee understand what a vital role that is and I've seen that at work this morning with your staff. Alongside her duty of ensuring that the committee's members had the materials and documents they needed, Kate was an indispensable resource for entry-level staff. She mentored them and helped them develop their own capabilities. It's clear to me and everyone who's fortunate to know her, that she is steeped in the value of lifelong education. Since departing the committee, she's had a succession of very important positions which have further prepared and molded her for the State Department position. In each role that she's assumed, she's been successful, and I firmly believe she will be equally successful as Assistant Secretary. In a moment of personal privilege, I must say I see a lot of myself in Kate. She can be tough as nails for all the right reasons, but she also has a lot of compassion for others and the willingness to go to great lengths to support them. And she's quite agreeable. One of our common points of consensus when we worked alongside one another was about the silliness of wearing shoes that couldn't get you where you needed to be, to get the job done quickly. Kate has my complete and total endorsement. I also have it on good authority that she's a Taylor Swift fan. So you'll understand when I say she's the real thing. It's my hope that she will be confirmed for this position unanimously. Thank you again, Mister Chairman, for allowing me to be here today.

Uh, thank you very much, Mister Chairman. And it's uh it's delightful to be here and also to be be at the table with uh my former colleague, Chairman Fox. Um, so uh thank you very much and and uh what a privilege to be able to introduce Kevin Kim to this committee and to recommend him wholeheartedly as the next ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Mister Kim will excel in this office and I can say so with authority because he excelled working in m- in my jurisdiction. Kevin receives his ba- receives his bachelor's and master's degrees at Johns Hopkins University. But he is a Texan at heart who uh leans toward uh being a devoted fan of the Aggies. And speaking of college football, it's worth noting that my team acquired Kevin through something of a transfer portal. He joined my, before he joined my office, Kevin have been serving as a State Department Fellow on behalf of a man named Bill Haggerty, who later on became Chairman of this distinguished body. Um, and so, uh, we're, we were glad to have Kevin and we were glad to keep him in the Southeastern Conference for a time. Uh, but now we can say that Kevin is one of the State Department's most experienced and knowledgeable experts on Asia. with a cumulative fifteen years at the department. In the first Trump administration, Kevin was a key part of the negotiating team with regard to North Korea, equipping him with intimate knowledge of one of the world's most dangerous situations. When Kevin returned to the State Department in the second Trump administration, he hit the ground running. Listen to this. On the first day in office for Secretary Rubio, Kevin organized a quad meeting with the United States, Japan, Australia and India on day one. Since then, Kevin has served as a deputy assistant secretary, responsible for Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China issues, and then as senior bureau officer for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau. He played the lead role, the lead role in organizing the peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia, talks which of course President Trump uh has uh expressed great appreciation and brought to a successful conclusion. Uh, Mister Kim's um performance in facilitating the talks was so outstanding that he was selected as the in Seoul, South Korea. He was tasked with the with ensuring the success of President Trump's. visit to South Korea for a summit with Xi Jinping. Simply put, Kevin has been a go-to guy at the State Department since day one of the Trump administration. I cannot imagine a person who is more qualified for this particular job. He'll now use his policy chops, his political savvy and his leadership skills and his brain to represent our interests before ASEAN and Jakarta. The representative of the United States at ASEAN must use all elements of statecraft, economics, trade, defense and politics. Kevin can do that. Our representative to ASEAN will play a key role in countering Chinese expansionism in Southeast Asia. I cannot think of an official more qualified for that task. And I then I w- I want to make a special expression of gratitude to Kevin. and to his family for taking on this charge. It's no small matter to uproot a young, beautiful family who are present with us today and move them halfway around the world. And I know they do so in service to their nation, and I am just delighted about it. Um One, five more lines, Mister Chairman. A brief anecdote. In in early twenty twenty three, I had just become the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Kevin was intimately involved in preparations for the first speech I would give in that capacity. In that speech, I articulated America's objectives in Asia, outlined the threat from China and forcefully defended Taiwan's freedom. That speech helped set the tone for our work together on the committee. It has endured. When I visited Taiwan last year, President Li Ching-du handed me a printed copy of those very remarks.

Great.

That speaks volumes, it's a testament to Kevin's contributions, and it is a sign of what he is able to do and what he will do as Ambassador. And I have, I urge in an unqualified way, my colleagues to uh cast an enthusiastic yes for this nominee. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you. And and Chairman Fox, Chairman Wicker, thank you so much for being here. I know that you have very busy schedules and we would of course be more than delighted for you to stay as long as you like, but I understand if you'd need to excuse yourselves. And now, uh I'd like to exercise my prerogative as chair as the chair to offer an introduction myself and that would be again from my good friend Kevin Kim and before I get to my remarks um that are prepared I'd just like to say to my colleagues up here, I've I've had a a unique opportunity to see Kevin at work before he ever came on This is when I was serving as United States Ambassador to Japan at a very challenging time. I think you all remember back in twenty seventeen, when Kim Jong-un was claiming that his button was bigger than our President's. Um, interne- intercontinental ballistic missiles were flying over Japan. It was a very tense time. And I got to know Kevin very well then, as he served as Chief of Staff to our Special Envoy to North Korea. I saw the professionalism that he used. Uh, he devoted himself to the cause. Um, extraordinarily competent and capable. And he was one of the first people that I had on my list that I wanted to be on my staff, uh, when I came to the United States Senate. And it has been a delight, Kevin, to see you and and to see your career evolve. It's been wonderful to get to see you and your young family grow too. And I can't wait to see what you'll achieve, uh, in your next role, should it be be confirmed. And I'm here to support you every step of the way. I'd also like to say this to the staff. Uh, Kevin Kim is an example of what so many of you do. in terms of dedicating his time, his his energy and his resources to service those of us here in this committee and here in the Senate. And I think he will serve us very well. He has already, and I think he's gonna be an excellent ambassador. But I hope that many of you will take this to heart, as you aspire to perhaps the next step, the next role that you'll play. Because this is just the type of thing that I hope to see many of you do, uh, over time. Um, back to, back to the specifics here. Kevin, your nomination comes at a very critical time. for our nation's engagement in Southeast Asia. If you think about it, ASEAN sits at the center of the Indo-Pacific. It's home to over six hundred and eighty-five million people, and some of the world's fastest growing economies are located there. It's also a region where competition is intensifying and where US leadership and our presence are more important than ever. At this critical point, I can't think of anybody that's better qualified to represent the United States at ASEAN than Kevin Kim. Kevin currently serves as senior advisor to the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, where he helped shape our global diplomatic posture. Last year, Kevin served as Chargé d'affaires at our embassy in Seoul. In that role, he did an outstanding job supporting President Trump's leader-level visit to Seoul, Korea, and he helped advance key outcomes at APEC in twenty twenty five. Kevin also played an integral role in negotiating the US-Republic of Korea joint fact sheet that that actually strengthened our cooperation on important areas like shipbuilding civil nuclear energy and alliance modernization. He previously served as the senior bureau official for the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. In that role, Kevin was the lead negotiator for the Kuala Lumpur peace accords that helped end a long-running border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia at a very critical time. He also conducted shuttle diplomacy across the region, including with Malaysia as ASEAN chair to broker that agreement on behalf of President Trump. Earlier in the second Trump administration, Kevin served as deputy assistant secretary for Japan, Korea and Mongolia. and held multiple senior roles focused on North Korea. Kevin also brings valuable experience from Capitol Hill. He served as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee under Chairman Wicker. He helped the chairman oversee the Department of War's Indo-Pacific command. I was proud to have him serve as a National Security Fellow in my office for two years. There I had the opportunity to see firsthand Kevin's judgment, his work ethic, and his commitment to advancing US national security interest. I believe strongly that Kevin is going to be uniquely qualified to serve as the next U. S. And I'm happy to urge my colleagues to support his nomination. Before we turn to Senator Markley's opening statements, and to our panelists for their introductory remarks, I'd also just like to begin by thanking all of you for your willingness to serve the greatest nation in the world. Whether you're based here in Washington, Asia, or Africa, we'll need your steadfast leadership to safeguard U. S. interest, to promote American values, and deliver results for the American people and for our partners. Mister Adewala, if you're confirmed as the U. S. Executive Director of the African Development Bank, you'll be responsible for ensuring the bank promotes transparent, market-based development projects that are aligned with U. S. objectives. Miss Dillon, the Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs, oversees a range of programs like Fulbright that tie people and cultures together and can help build U. S. soft power if it's targeted well. And Mr. Kim, as I mentioned a minute ago, the US Ambassador to ASEAN has an important role in a region that is as strategic as it is competitive. We need a skilled diplomat there. I look forward to a productive hearing this morning. Senator Merkley, I'd like to turn it over to you.

Oh, thank you very much, uh, Mr. Chair, and welcome to each of you, Mr. Kim, Mr. Adiwalis, Adiq, and Ms. Dillon. I appreciate your interest in in public service, the public service you've had to date and that that vision in the future. It's exciting moment for you and and for your families and families get to share both the exciting potential moments and the challenges of taking on these various, various roles. It's a critical time for the United States in in the world. Uh, we're in the middle of a war, a war that includes not only bombs falling in Iran, but also falling in, well, at least uh five nations in the Middle East where we do not currently have an ambassador. And in Africa, thirty ambassadorships, roughly thirty, are empty at a time that certainly China is in full gear exercising its its influence. I look forward to each of your comments about why you're interested in these roles and the expertise that you bring to them. Uh, certainly I'm very concerned about being able to ramp up in response to China's Belt and Road initiatives. I'm excited to see a development role in in Africa potentially be filled. And, Miss Dillon, back when I long before I ever envisioned running for office, I was at the World Affairs Council of Oregon, or also known as World Oregon, where we hosted about five hundred people a year under the international leadership program that brought people from all kinds of to experience uh connections in three states and saw the impact that had in terms of the relationships that served us well throughout the world. So I'll I know that's a piece of what you'll be managing, so I'll look forward to your comments on on that. And in terms of uh ASEAN, I had the chance a couple years ago to go to Vietnam to uh champion our war legacy programs. And those programs I'd certainly like to hear your perspectives on. They created the foundation for a growing diplomatic and economic relationship with Vietnam, which is very important in all all kinds of ways, including supply chain, including uh countering to some degree China's influence in in Southeast Asia. So welcome to each of you and let's get on with this hearing.

Thank you. Uh, as I turn to the panelists, um, I I wanna remind all of you to keep your opening remarks.

Thank you, Senator. Chairman Hagerty, uh, Ranking Member Mark Lee, and distinguished members of this committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as President Trump's nominee for United States Executive Director of the African Development Bank. Allow me to begin by thanking President Trump for the trust that he has placed in me by offering this opportunity to serve our country. I would also like to thank Treasury Secretary Besant for his confidence and support, as well as the members and staff of this committee for their engagement in advance of this hearing. Watching these proceedings from home is my wife of over seven years, Mrs. Morenika Adewale-Siddiq. Morenika, thank you for the love and companionship that we have shared since we first met. Alongside Maureenika is our daughter and first child, Arabella, whose arrival last month brought us immense joy. My parents, Mister Abiodun and Doctor Omoomi Siddique are here today. They raised me on hard work, education and Christian values, and I am grateful for that upbringing. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my parents-in-law, Mister Olu Sheyi and Doctor Omobola Johnson. who have joined us remotely. The Johnsons have always treated me like a son, and I appreciate the care with which they nurtured their daughter into the woman I married. There is perhaps no better role for a naturalized American born in Lagos, Nigeria, than the position of United States Executive Director of the African Development Bank. The American dream has brought me untold opportunities and if confirmed, I hope to contribute to building those same opportunities across the continent. Africa's vast potential stretches from critical minerals and digital infrastructure to transportation and energy abundance. Under a coherent mandate to underwrite that potential, and with strong American participation, the AFDB can be an important instrument of economic mobilization. President Trump has outlined a clear and consistent vision whereby responsible members of the Marketplace of Nations will find both a listening ear and a deal-making hand at the White House. My time on the African continent has proven to me that it is full of such nations. And because Africa is home to the plurality of our planet's resources, durable relationships across the continent are critical to American economic and national security. The AFDB is the natural arena in which to cultivate such relationships. The United States is also the bank's second largest shareholder, and the bank enjoys a triple-A credit rating, in part because of our position. These facts bring me to three central beliefs. First, American taxpayers deserve value for their dollars deployed at the AFDB. Second, I have the utmost conviction in the ability of America's world-class private sector and Africa's ambitious economies to deliver that value together. And third, the Trump administration has a unique opportunity to advance commercial ties between our country and the African continent. And seizing this window is a worthwhile endeavor. Our influence at the AFDB can be central to President Trump's economic agenda. and the AFDB's success will bring mutual benefit to both the United States and our African allies. If confirmed, I will leverage my business and legal backgrounds to advocate for American interests at the bank and across the region every day. I will also bring relevant first-hand experience with me to Abidjan, because I have seen, invested in, and lived the developmental imperatives of the African continent my entire life. If the AFDB is effective, then Africa will unlock endless possibilities for itself and its trading partners. And the AFDB will be effective if it focuses exclusively on its core economic development and poverty reduction missions, is backed by American leadership, and is governed with collective accountability. I have always marveled at the enduring power and extraordinary ingenuity of American commerce. It is the very exceptionalism that makes America the sole indispensable counterparty. It is also what we can bring to bear by way of the AFDB. I believe that Africa's development is the single greatest expansion opportunity for global GDP. Our positive, proactive involvement on the continent will determine the direction of American, African and world affairs for decades to come. If confirmed, I pledge to work closely with this committee on those vital considerations. I once told my father-in-law that the best time to be alive is always tomorrow. I know that America's best days are in the future. The same holds true for an Africa that is closely aligned with the United States. I am passionate about drawing the continent of my birth closer to the country that adopted me and further from our adversaries. The chance to do this at the AFDB would be the privilege of a lifetime. Thank you again. I look forward to answering your questions and, if confirmed, to working closely with this committee.

Thank you. Miss Dillon.

Thank you. First, I want to Dr. Fox for her kind introduction. I'm incredibly grateful for her mentorship. Mister Chairman, Ranking Member, distinguished members of this committee, I am truly honored to appear before you today as President Donald J. Trump's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. I am deeply grateful to the President and Secretary Rubio for entrusting me with leading this vital component of our country's foreign policy. I would like to thank my parents, John and Diane, and my boyfriend Andrew who are seated behind me. I would also like to thank my sister Alexandra and many friends watching from the audience and at home. Without your unconditional love and support, I would not be here today. My professional experience has ensured complex organizations deliver on their promises. From Chief Clerk and Finance Director in the House of Representatives to the to a Director of the twenty twenty four Republican National Convention, I have led in environments where success is not theoretical. It is measured in discipline execution and meaningful strategic outcomes. During my time at the Department of State, I have applied that discipline to ensure state's vast personnel and resources serve the president's agenda and the American people. If confirmed, I will bring that same rigor and clarity of purpose to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs by leading with four core princi- uh priorities. First, strategic alignment. Every ECA program and initiative must clearly advance America first priorities in our strategic national interests. In this period of great power competition, our exchange programs cannot be treated as legacy institutions running on autopilot. They are strategic assets, they are instruments of national power, and they are critical tools for advancing the interests of the American people. They must be administered as such. Second, fiscal stewardship. I am experienced at managing high-stakes budgets. I will continue to apply fiscal scrutiny out of respect for the American taxpayer and my leadership of VCA to ensure efficiency and impact of every dollar spent. If a program is not delivering an adequate return on investment for the American people, we will reform it in accordance with all applicable laws. Third, championing American excellence. As we approach our nation's two hundred fiftieth anniversary and other major miles, like the FIFA World Cup and the twenty twenty eight Summer Olympics, Olympic Games, ECA is uniquely positioned to tell the American story. We will capitalize on these historic opportunities to show showcase American excellence in innovation, education and culture. Finally, if confirmed, I commit to prioritizing the safety and welfare of our American exchange participants abroad into working at every level from our US embassies. to our inter-agency partners to guarantee that our foreign exchange participants are selected with intention and merit, vetted for our security, and are as respectful of our country as guests as we are as hosts. Mister Chairman, I also remain committed to ensuring the Bureau is cooperative with this body in response to your inquiries. I am honored by this opportunity and humbled by the pres- by the trust that President Trump and Secretary Rubio have put in me to ensure Our exchange programs are at the core of advancing our national interests. I stand ready to begin achieving that vision on day one. Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mister Kemp.

Chairman Agarty, before I begin, I'd like to thank you and Chairman Wicker for the kind introduction. Uh, it was a privilege to work for both of you here in the United States Senate, and uh I'm very grateful to be here today. Chairman Hagerty, ranking member Merkley, and distinguished members of the committee, I am honored to appear before you today as a nominee to be the representative of the United States to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Nations. I am grateful to President Trump and to Secretary Rubio for their confidence and trust. I also appreciate the careful consideration members of this committee have given to my nomination. Should I be confirmed, I pledge to continue close consultations with this committee on issues related to ASEAN. My three children, Austin Kim, Archie Kim and Arthur Kim are here today behind me, along with my wife and best friend, Nan Lee. Their love and support continue to be a source of inspiration. I would also like to honor my parents, Won-young Kim and Heesu Kim. They are my biggest cheerleaders and two Texas Longhorns, unlike what Senator Whitaker said. And they booked the first flight out of Korea to attend this hearing. In January, twenty twelve, I started as an intern in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Like many young people at the department, I did not know exactly what I would be doing, but I wanted to contribute. Most importantly, I wanted to work for America. Since then, I have devoted my career to advancing our country's national security with a focus on the Indo-Pacific, including my time here in the US Senate and the State Department. And I am grateful to have the offer opportunity, if confirmed, to continue that work. As Secretary Rubio stated at the ASEAN Regional Forum last year, the history of the twenty-first century will largely be written in the Indo-Pacific and particularly and Southeast Asia. ASEAN member states have a combined GDP of four trillion dollars and represent the fourth largest export market for American goods, creating more than six hundred thousand American jobs each year. Southeast Asia straddles the sea lanes through which a third of global shipping passes every year. The demographics of Southeast Asia are young and there will be enormous growth in the labor pool and the number of workers. For our security and prosperity, the United States must build on our engagement in Southeast Asia. ASEAN as a multilateral institution is where many of our engagements with the region take place. Last October, the world saw what was possible when the United States and ASEAN worked together. President Trump's diplomatic initiative to pursue a cease-fire between Thailand and Cambodia combined with Malaysia's role as the ASEAN chair was a resounding success. The Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed by the United States, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, continues to provide the path forward for a lasting peace in the region. And I am proud to have played a small role in that process. The United States and ASEAN have enjoyed nearly fifty years of partnership. Recently, we reached a major milestone upgrading our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. If confirmed, my goal will be to set the course for the next half century by implementing the US-ASEAN joint vision statement which President Trump and ASEAN leaders adopted at the ASEAN summit last year. To Am- to make America safer, I will prioritize working with ASEAN to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains free and open. To make America more prosperous, I will fight for fair and reciprocal trade, strengthen our supply chain resilience, grow our shared digital economy and US AI exports, and unleash affordable and abundant energy for the region. If confirmed, I will ensure the United States remains ASEAN's partner of choice for the most pressing challenges we face together. And I particularly look forward to working with our treaty ally, the Philippines, as the twenty twenty-six ASEAN chair. In sum, with its dynamic economies, youthful populations, and shared values of industry, innovation, and creativity, ASEAN is the key to unlocking the administration's goals across Southeast Asia. With the fiftieth anniversary of US-ASEAN relations approaching next year, I hope to lead our team at the US uh mission to ASEAN to create opportunity, peace, and prosperity for our combined one billion citizens. Senators, thank you for your time t- today, if confirmed, it will be an honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the United States of America, as the presidents represented to ASEAN. Thank you.

Thank you to our nominees. I'm now gonna start a round of five minute questions with each of the senators. I'll start off myself. Mister Kim, I'll stay with you. Uh, you just articulated the strategic and economic criticality of the ASEAN region. I'd just like you to articulate your top priorities, uh, should you be confirmed, your top priorities in Jakarta.

Senator, thank you for the question. Um, as stated, Southeast Asia and w- i- is a critical region for the United States, uh, not just from a geostrategic standpoint, but from a economic standpoint, given the combine one billion citizens between the United States and Southeast Asia. If confirmed, my top priority would be to ensure that we f- uh, we remain the partner of choice for all ASEAN member states, that the norms and the rules of the road, which ASEAN as a multilateral institution would pursue, favor that of the United States and those of our allies and partners in the region. And of course, ensuring that American economic access to the region is expanded will be a priority as well. Thank you.

I've always been impressed with your negotiating skills. You've had some very unique negotiating experiences this past year that you've been in the State Department. Could you elaborate on how that experience is going to inform your position, should you be confirmed as Ambassador Dazian?

Senator, um, sir.

And you might just explain to the body here your your recent negotiating experience.

Senator, it's uh certainly an experience uh and a lesson to be negotiating with the North Koreans, uh the Russians, as well as uh pursuing peace uh b- between Thailand and Cambodia, where the border issue has lasted uh for more than a few centuries. So trying to de-escalate violence and tensions is a a critical component of being a skilled negotiator. ASEAN as an institution operates based on consensus. uh, which means that it is important to seek common ground among all eleven ASEAN member states. From a negotiating standpoint, that means understanding where our leverage lies, uh, unlocking which of our allies and partners can help advance American objectives, and if confirmed, that's the type of, uh, expertise and, uh, skill that I hope to apply.

Good, thank you. Mister Al- Al-Wal-Siddiq, I wanna talk to you a bit about the African Development Bank. Uh, if I think about China's role in Africa, how hard they're competing in the region, uh the inroads that they're attempting to make, particularly in development projects, um I I really am interested how you think our posture toward China should be, uh relative to the African Development Bank.

Thank you for the question, Senator. As I mentioned in my opening statement, we are the second largest shareholder at the African Development Bank. Um. And of course, that has to mean something. Um, you know, if I am confirmed to this position, when I think about my priorities, procurement reform will be one of those priorities. Um, as I mentioned in my opening statement, it will be my job to make the case for America at the bank and in the region every day. And I believe that as the second-large second-largest shareholder at the bank, our private sector, which is world-leading and gold standard setting, should have a role in projects and initiatives that take place at the bank. The, specifically to your question regarding China, uh, you know, our private sector may not always win on price, but we will always win on value. And so it will, if confirmed, it will be my job to make that case, uh, so that our allies, uh, that are regional member states at the African Development Bank understand the benefits of working with the American private sector. uh, in projects at the bank.

An an obvious area of focus for you is gonna be critical minerals, I think about the presence of of of and the and the richness of the African continent there. And if you think about your approach to critical mineral assets and and and how you might work with the DFC and with the EXIM bank I'd like to hear you articulate that posture.

Th- thank you, Senator, you know, I mentioned procurement, uh, a moment ago as as one of my main priorities. You know, there are several other priorities, and and certainly, uh, working closely with DFC and EXIM, which are two strong, you know, executive branch bodies that are set up uh to work on the African continent and elsewhere, um, is also one of those priorities. And so we've confirmed it would be an honor to work closely with both DFC and EXIM in order to, once again, make the case for the American private sector, for the American people, for the American taxpayer at the African Development Bank, and also generally in the region.

I I'll encourage you to work closely with them in our office will be more than happy to facilitate that if we if we can be. Mr. Delany, I'd like to come to you. Um, if you think about what you'll be managing at the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, um, these programs are designed to promote ties between Americans and people from other countries around the globe. Um, and if you could just articulate how those programs will advance America's interest in your view, should you be confirmed?

Senator, thank you so much for that question. Um, yes, ECA hosts a lot of great exchange programs. Um, there's some wonderful legacy programs like Fulbright that we'll be celebrating its eightieth um year this year. Um there's, I've met a great network of Fulbright alumni, actually meeting with um the staff of the senators on this committee. Um so ECA has a great reach in a lot of things that it can do. Um there are also American spaces is something that ECA manages, um and that is a way for the United States to be represented all across the uh the world um they host. s fun things like NFL watch parties. Um, they also are where we can teach English across the globe. Um, and there's certainly um, a body that we can use while China sets up its Confucius Institutes to make sure that the United States um is at the table, um, in combating China every step along the way.

Thank you. Thank you, member Merkley.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And Miss Dillon, the authorization law for these programs stated that the department must ensure that education and cultural affairs programming shall be non-political in character and shall be balanced and representative of the diversity of American political, social and cultural life, maintaining scholarly integrity and meets the highest standards of academic excellence.

That will be

In administering these programs, do you pledge to follow the law to make sure they are non-political in character and balanced?

Senator, thank you so much for that question. I certainly wanna make sure that these implementers meet all of the requirements that are necessary and that we follow the w the law when we are um choosing these implementers and looking at our current implementing um institutions, so that they comply with the law.

It's a little simpler question. Do you pledge to follow the law to make sure these programs are non-political in character and balanced?

Senator, thank you so much for that question. I certainly intend to follow the law.

Thank you. So the law also requires that the funding that was approved be administered within the fiscal year as authorized and funded. If you are confirmed, will you commit to spending the funds at the levels Congress appropriated?

Senator, thank you so much for that question. I certainly commit to spending the money that Congress appropriates in following the law.

Thank you. Uh, Mr. Kim, I mentioned the war legacy programs in Vietnam. Are you familiar with those four programs?

Senator, I'm uh familiar with the the war legacy programs, having previously worked on them as the professional staff member on the armed services committee.

Great. So one is cleaning up uh Asian orange residue. We've come a long ways on that, but more work to be done. Uh, second is supporting individuals, uh, who have suffered birth certificates uh, birth certificate, birth defects, uh, or injuries from cluster munitions. The third is cleaning up the cluster munitions. And the fourth is the martyrs program, which we use the best DNA to help out returning any remains that are found back to their f- their families. Uh, those four programs, do you support those four programs?

Senator, um, Yes, I do support those programs. Um, I've been nominated for the position of ASEAN. I do think those programs are more within the context of our bilateral relationship with Vietnam. Nevertheless, supporting war legacy programs to heal the wounds from the war that lasted uh a long time in the seventies to ensure that our relationship with ASEAN member states, move forward is important.

And they also served as a foundation actually for elevating our economic relationship and diplomatic relationship. to the comprehensive strategic partnership, uh, that was a b- uh, it was a big deal for us to - to, uh, achieve that in partnership with Vietnam. I did wanna mention in regard to the Philippines, the human rights groups estimate that Duterte's extrajudicial killings killed about somewhere between twelve thousand and thirty thousand mostly young men on the streets of the Philippines. In your work, will you commit to raising the importance of accountability and transparency for the victims of Duterte's death squads?

Senator, um, as the, if confirmed, as a representative to ASEAN, I commit to uh continue supporting and advancing issues related to human rights. And to the extent possible, the issues related to the Philippines, their merge. I will continue to work on them.

Okay, that was somewhat vague. Are you familiar with the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, and is this something you would you would raise in conversations you will Philippines will be leading ASEAN?

Senator, um, first and foremost, I I've not been nominated for the position for US Ambassador to the Philippines. Nevertheless, within the ASEAN context, uh, the United States has always, uh, supported human rights related issues in Southeast Asia and will continue to do so.

I think you are aware that in this position you will be discussing individual issues that affect each and every one of these nations. Uh, so, uh, even though it's not an ambassadorship to a specific nation, it you will be engaged in all of those issues and we're look we certainly hope you will represent issues of human rights in that in that context. Uh, mister. So, a lot of contracts from the bank went to Chinese state-owned companies. And in essence, China is running a parallel operation to the African Development Ga- Bank, outside the, the, through their own funds, as they're uh engaging in economic enterprises. How do you see that dynamic between the bank and and and and China's operations, both in terms of the contracts they control within the bank, but also their operations outside?

Senator, thank you for that question. Um, as I mentioned in my opening statement, if confirmed, it will be my job to make the case for America at the bank and in the region every day. Uh, we are the second largest shareholder at the African Development Bank, and once again, as I mentioned, uh, a few moments ago, that has to mean something. Um, the procurement process, uh, and also generally our relationship with our important allies, that are regional member states at the bank. Uh, these are things that I wish to, if confirmed, uh, to focus on. And I certainly take your concern and, uh, if confirmed, the concerns of this committee will be my concerns. And I pledge to working closely with you in order to address them.

Thank you.

Mister Scott.

Thank you, Chairman. First off, congratulations to each of you. Um, you're uh, I think you're gonna enjoy each of these jobs, and I know each of you'll do a great job. Great job. So, Mister Kim, as nominee to United States representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations you'll be at the forefront of growing our relationship and partnership with allies in the region of great importance to our country's economic and national security. Can you talk about the importance of the ASEAN and specifically how you see this relationship fitting into our larger Indo-Pacific strategy?

Senator, thank you for the question, and um I also want to uh say thank you for your continued interest. in the region. I know you visited the Philippines a few years ago. I think uh my trip to Manila was a few weeks afterwards and the embassy in Manila was highly appreciative of your visit and and your efforts to advance our alliance.

Great ally. Nice people.

Indeed. Um, Senator, with respect to your question, um, Southeast Asia and ASEAN as a multilateral institution that represents the region, uh, is located in a extremely critical geo-strategic area where our s- the sea lanes, um, more than a third of global commerce passes through each year. That means that the the rules and norms and the values that underpin that sub-region are free and open. And if confirmed, my objective would be to ensure that ASEAN as a multilateral institution continues to support the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

How d- how do you, how are you gonna work with ASEAN to um, you know, on maritime security? What would, what would, how would you deal with it? Cuz it's, it's, you know, as you just talked about, it's the biggest issue down there right now.

Yes, Senator, um, maritime security is one of the most critical issues that, uh, that the region face, as, as well as the United States and, uh, and the Indo-Pacific. First and foremost, each ASEAN member state has a specific position with respect to maritime security. where those interests overlap with that of the United States. For instance, the Philippines, Malaysia, um, Vietnam, they all have claims in South China Sea, and they all have certain territorial disputes with China and amongst each other as well. So the question really will be how do we resolve these issues in a peaceful way that still preserves our unfettered access to the region?

Okay. Let me follow up with um, mis- uh, mister, let me follow up with what Sunil Merkley brought up. There's no doubt that relationships in the region are important to, of great importance to us, Africa. Come to China is clearly not our, not our friend. Um, the um, they try to use uh whatever power they, whatever org- inv- involvement in any organization they can to take American money for their own, their own purpose. Um, so we're seeing that play out in Africa right now, right? So as the nominee of the US director of the African Development Bank, what is your plan to counter this by ensuring African countries see the bank versus Communist China as their preferred long-term partner?

Senator, thank you for that question. Uh, the African Development Bank is perhaps the continent's most important financial institution and should be and must be central to the continent's development. Once again, we are the second largest shareholder. at the bank, and that has to mean something, and so, you know, I s- I spoke earlier about priorities of mine. I talked about procurement. I also talked about, uh, you know, working closely with DFC and EXIM so that our, as a country, so that our, uh, involvement and engagement on the continent is coherent and is coordinated. Um, uh, another priority of mine, if confirmed, is transparency. And on a personal level, I commit to being the most transparent possible United States Executive Director to the African Development Bank, but also to working to ensure that the bank itself works in a transparent manner. Um, the concerns that you just outlined are important and I appreciate them and I thank you for outlining them and if confirmed, uh these are concerns that I look forward to working with this committee uh on at the bank.

Why is this important to you? Why why is Af- our relationship with Africa important to you personally?

Thank you for that question, uh it's a pleasure to answer it. uh, as I mentioned in my opening statement, I am a naturalized American citizen, born in Lagos, Nigeria. Uh, the continent of Africa, which is a place where I'm well-travelled, uh, a place where I've invested in, lived, uh, and and and experienced, uh, is important to me on a personal level for that reason. Um, and the African Development Bank is, once again, the most important financial institution on that continent and must be, as I mentioned, uh, closely focused, uh, keenly focused on its twin goals of economic development and poverty reduction. If confirmed, I look forward to working with this committee in order to accomplish that, in line with American interests.

Thanks. You all three are gonna do a great job.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Senator Sheen.

Thank you, Mister Chairman, and congratulations to our nominees today, and thank you for your willingness to serve the country. Um, Miss Dillon, I'd like to begin with you to follow up on Senator Merkley's questions about following the law because last year the entire F Fulbright foreign scholarship board resigned because of the administration's inf influence and interference in the selection of grantees. According to the Fulbright-Hayes Act, which created the Fulbright program, as I'm sure you're aware, that responsibility to select grantees lives exclusively with the board. Now it's been publicly reported that more than two hundred Fulbright scholars who had been selected by the board were subst- subsequently rejected by the State Department. This mea- I assume you had no um role in that when you were at the State Department. Is that correct?

That is correct, Senator. I did not have a role in that.

But what this means is that there are fewer Americans who are pursuing research, who are representing United States interests in places, where China is more and more sending people and spending billions of dollars on disinformation. So I wanna follow up on Senator Merkley's question about the specific law that you will be charged to follow if you are confirmed for this position. So do you commit to following the Fulbright-Hayes Act, including ensuring that there is not political inter influence in the selection of Fulbright grantees?

Senator, thank you so much for that question. I certainly commit to

That particular law with respect to Fulbright grantees.

All laws, yes.

Thank you. Um You were the senior bureau official in the Office of Global Women's Issues last year when the administration disbanded that office and one of the commitments that or the positions that Secretary Rubio and the department have maintained is that the expertise of the office hasn't been lost. because regional offices are now taking over the work of advocating for women. So can you tell this committee if there's an individually each regional bureau who's dedicated to addressing concerns of women and girls in the department?

Sen- Senator, thank you so much for that question. Um, as you said, Secretary Rubio, um, moved a lot of the responsibilities of offices like

Right, but you were involved in implementing that decision. So Do you know if each regional bureau has uh someone who's got that responsibility?

I was uninvolved in the reorganization, but I am confident in our staff in the regional bureaus. Um and I am sure that there are experts in in these regions that can address any concerns that you and your h staff or members of this committee have.

Well, do you know who's responsible for um ensuring that that's the case, that we can get to provide us with a list of who all those people are.

Senator, thank you for that question. I am unaware of the individual's name, um, but I am certain that we can work within our regional bureaus. And usually within the region, then there is someone who is assigned to the specific country, who is aware of these issues and can provide answers to the staff.

Um, we can figure that out, I'm sure, without your assistance, but thank you for that. Um, Mister Kim, China views ASEAN as a critical platform for diplomacy, as you pointed out. Um, and it sought to position itself as a leader in shaping a new regional order there. Beijing has also increased assistance to countries where they assume leadership roles within regional organizations, when they assume leadership roles. And it's noted in a report that the minority of this committee did. Um, recently China's total trade with ASEAN grew seven point four percent in twenty twenty five this is the report i would encourage you to um look at it if you haven't um because it lays out the opportunities that we have lost that china is taking advantage of um while asean while china has grown its trade with asean um the united states has moved to increased tariffs on parts of southeast asia and china has advanced regional free trade initiative You pointed out that you think the United States should remain the partner of choice for ASEAN countries. So, how will you address those differences and and how will you do that if you're confirmed for this role? What what kinds of initiatives do you see that can mitigate China's growing influence in the region under currently?

Senator, um, first and formo first and foremost, I did previously see uh the the report that your committee and the staff have produced.

Good. This is this is a new one that just came out a couple of weeks ago.

I yes, I believe uh I saw it on one of your staffer's uh LinkedIn pages, so I did get a chance to review it quickly.

Good.

Um, you correctly note China's economic influence in Southeast Asia. Um, fundamentally um, there America however has underlying advantages that we must uh leverage moving forward. First and foremost, while total trade with China is larger than that of the United States with the region, we still remain the largest provider of FDI into the into Southeast Asia. So we still retain significant ability to shape the the rules and and norms of the region. Second

But but only if we are actually at the table, um in terms of international bodies and organizations that are setting rules. Isn't wouldn't you agree with that?

Um, Senator, I I I believe

And I understand that if you're confirmed you will be at the table at ASEAN, but unfortunately there are many other international entities where we are no longer we've either withdrawn or we're no longer providing representatives to those organizations so I guess my fundamental question is how it's important

Senator

for the United States to be at the table to do the kinds of things you're talking about. Is that correct?

Senator, uh, that's why I believe that the President And Secretary Rubio have nominated for me for this position to go do that exact work in Southeast Asia.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Senator Ricketts.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to all of our nominees here for your willingness to serve our great nation. And I appreciate the willingness as well for your families who will be sacrificing alongside you as you serve our country. So thank you. As the Philippines is going to be the chair for ASEAN in twenty twenty six, It does so against the backdrop of escalating aggression from communist China. Certainly, especially in the West Philippine Sea. Ramming vessels, deploying maritime militias, intimidating fishing vessels, attempting to rewrite international law through coercion. And we just saw this play out again on Tuesday near Scarborough, Seoul, where more than twenty Filipino fishing boats were harassed by a coordinated Chinese presence. For years, ASEAN has pursued a voluntary code of contact that Beijing has slow-rolled and watered down. all while continuing to militarize disputed features and intimidate its neighbors. Now, under Philippine leadership, there is a renewed push to finally l- a legally binding code of conduct alongside a dramatic expansion of the US-Philippines military cooperation. That dual-track approach reflects a clear reality that diplomacy without deterrence has failed to constrain communist China's behavior. The question is now whether ASEAN can produce something credible and enforceable or whether This becomes yet again another agreement that Beijing ignores and continues on its path of coercion. Uh, Mister Kim, how can ASEAN ensure that any future code of conduct includes enforcement mechanisms, rather than vague commitments from Be- that Beijing can ignore?

Senator, um, first and foremost, deterrence is based on both credibility and capabilities. So it is critical that ASEAN member states, and particularly those with a stake in the uh South China Sea have the capabilities to bolster deterrence. Second, with respect to the uh credibility, I think that's where the diplomatic components and the soft uh elements of national power come in. In terms of ASEAN's ongoing, quite frankly decades-long negotiations with Beijing on the code of conduct, uh there's a reason why the two sides have failed to reach an agreement because ASEAN is a, is an organization, is an institution that operates based on consensus. So for all eleven governments to form consensus on what the region's outlook on, uh, maritime issues vis-a-vis China are is very, very difficult. Um, based on open reporting, open source reporting, the Philippines and, and Philippines as the ASEAN chair uh has had conversations and discussions with China regarding South China Sea. Um, my understanding is that those discussions are ongoing. What's important from the United States' perspective is that whatever outcomes, if they are agreed upon, and throughout the process that we remain engaged and coordinated with all members of ASEAN particularly the Philippines, which is a treaty ally of the United States to ensure that our interests which is primarily based on the fact that the sea lanes of Southeast Asia must remain free and open for the entire world and not dominated by a single hegemonic power. That should be our overriding objective, Senator.

So given the consensus-based nature of ASEAN, how can you specifically help the Philippines in pushing along some of uh this code of conduct that actually would be legally binding? What can you specifically do?

I think if confirmed, um what I could specifically um do or the role that I could play is ensure that the Philippines understands what the objective of the United States is, and that any negotiating done between the chair along with Oz other ASEAN member states reflects that of the United States, to understand exactly what our interests are, what the Philippines can and cannot uh or should not pursue, and to the extent possible, apply all elements of national power to ensure those objectives because, as noted in my statement, the United States, in order for us to be safe and prosperous moving forward, we need continued unfettered access to the region.

We're seeing a growing divide within ASEAN. Uh, some nations, particularly those economically dependent on Beijing, have grown increasingly aligned with Communist China. Others are trying to hedge between the United States and Communist China, while Beijing continues to build artificial islands, militarized territory and interfere with lawful maritime activity across the South China Sea. Communist China's strategy is not about partnership, it's about dominance. You mentioned it before. Uh, it uses its economic leverage coercion and ICAD tactics to bend countries to its will. And when ASEAN fails to respond collectively, it only reinforces Beijing's belief it can act with impunity. If left unchecked, this dynamic risks turning ASEAN into a form that accommodates Chinese aggression rather than constrains it. How will you push ASEAN partners to recognize that China's actions, particularly those in the South China Sea, pose a direct threat to their sovereignty and long-term security?

Senator, um, ASEAN member states clearly understand the threats that they face better than anyone else. They live it each day. Uh, you mentioned uh the disputes and the actions that the Philippines, uh their sailors, their their fishermen have to endure on a ongoing basis. So fundamentally, it's about maintaining open channels of communication and ensuring that our diplomatic engagements with ASEAN member states are fundamentally rested on shared transparency about what's happening in the region. All we have to do is very simple, which is to show what the Chinese are doing in the region and the actions speak for themselves.

Right. Well, I look forward to working with you because obviously this is something that is incredibly important. uh, as you mentioned to the United States, but also to some of our treaty allies like the Philippines.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So, again.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks to our witnesses. I have one topic for each of you, so about a minute and forty seconds per person. I'm gonna start with Mr. Adewale Sadiq. Um, you've talked about how the US is the second largest shareholder in the bank. The largest is Nigeria, correct?

Thank you, Senator. That is correct.

So there's eighty-one members of the bank, uh, fifty-four African nations, twenty-seven from outside Africa. My numbers suggest that the US has the second largest shareholder, contributes about six and a half percent of the bank's commitments through both callable capital and paid-in capital that makes us the second largest. China by comparison contributes about one percent of the bank's um uh uh commitments. But the PRC um accounts for twenty-five percent of the bank's civil work. contra uh contracts. So the bank is awarding projects, this lesser participant is getting the lion's share of the contracts. And I wanted to just put some sort of flesh on this issue, Mister Adwale Siddiq, that you were mentioning about how being the second largest shareholder has to mean something. Uh, w- we are a big contributor and yet US firms are not receiving the benefit of that, and I know that will be a strong priority. I don't need you to repeat that, you said it already, but I wanted folks to understand the the magnitude of this. Miss Dillon, in your opening testimony you described the the uh Full Bite program as a flagship program. Why did you use that phrase?

Um, I it's one of our most notable programs within ECA and it's been around for eighty years. Um, I think that it's the program that most people recognize uh when they think of ECA, is why I use that phrase.

I I was really happy to hear you mention it and I I followed your communication with with Senator Shaheen. It is a a a notable program worldwide that provides opportunities for American scholars but also scholars from around the world to come to the US develop favorable impressions of the US and then they can be small lay ambassadors for the US when they go home. I was troubled when when last year the State Department proposed in its budget, the President's budget that came over, um a massive reduction in the funding for your office, which includes Fulbright funding. Um, the the funding at FY twenty twenty-five was seven hundred and forty-one million. What the State Department asked for in FY twenty-six was fifty million, a reduction of staff by sixty-three percent, and it would have essentially meant a slashing of the Fulbright program. And so in addition to the resignation of Fulbright board members, it didn't send a good message about the commitment to this flagship program. So I was I was heartened to hear you call it a flagship program. And I was heartened in your responses to Senator Sheen, and I hope you'll continue to have this program be as strong as it's been for the last eighty years. Finally, um, if I could to, uh, to, um, Mr. Kim, um, many, many countries in ASEAN, you've gotten a lot of questions about the Philippines, and I'm gonna pile on on that. Senator Hagerty and I worked on an act, the Para act, that actually I think you might have done some work on as you were working with, Senator Hagerty, that really celebra um, it celebrates but then it works to continue an in-depth military partnership between the United States and the Philippines, which we think can be a really important part of promoting regional stability. Talk a little bit about the Para Act and and the virtues of that bill.

Senator, uh, number one, thank you for your leadership, uh, along with Senator Hagerty on the Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act. Uh, Personally, glad to see it adopt uh adopted into statute last year as part of uh NDAA. Um, as I mentioned earlier, deterrence is fundamentally based on credibility and capabilities, which means that the capabilities of the the Philippines armed forces is critical to bolstering uh deterrence in the region. Um, based on my time on the armed services committee as a professional staff member, um we were able to see first-hand um when equipped properly, what kind of role the Philippines could play uh with US security assistance, and ensuring that um they can play the role of uh an amplifier, a force multiplier in the region. And fundamentally, it is their, it is their uh maritime domain, it is their security interest that must be protected, while of course the United States also has a a tremendous uh interest in the region, that we have unfettered access to the South China Sea. So, um, statues like Para, um, security assistance to the Philippines is absolutely critical to ensuring that, um, our treaty ally, the Philippines, remains uh sovereign and free from coercion.

Three nominees, three topics. I yield back one second.

So, no, you're not quite.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Kim, I appreciate your willingness to sit down with me, um, recently for an extensive conversation, uh, earlier this week. I'd like to follow up on a couple of the topics we discussed. I think I made it pretty clear in our meeting that I see the role of US Ambassador to ASEAN as a critical one and not one that should be traded for political favor to inexperienced nominees. Um, the reason I feel so strongly about this is that I know just how important our relationship in Southeast Asia or to the United States national security and how often they get overlooked and undervalued. Now your predecessor was also at an experience uh a political nominee um when it came to ASEAN um but he grew into the position and I I think um uh from our conversation that you likely will as well um although you lack experience in Southeast Asia given your experience in Northeast Asia perhaps you'll bring in real understanding of the true risks and opportunities Um, uh, but also especially the risk when we don't show up in Southeast Asia or when we act like a bully rather than as an ally or a partner we can't always be the big brother in relationships with the member states of ASEAN um Mr. Kim in your assessment, what do we risk when the United States turns our rotation away from Southeast Asia, leaving a vacuum that the PRC clearly seeks to exploit and fill? And if confirmed, how will you influence an administration that has clearly deprioritized the Indo-Pacific region and let let alone ASEAN, um, how will you pr- um prioritize and convince them that we still do believe in ASEAN centrality and that it's not just a series of meaningless platitudes from uh, a president who t- clearly has turned his uh his attention away from the region?

Senator, uh, thank you for taking time to meet with me uh the other day and uh if confirmed, I I look forward to hopefully seeing you in the region.

Oh, you will.

Uh I believe I believe the uh commitment was that we will go eat uh chicken and clay pot together. I oh I think that was a commitment. But at the core, the administration has, um continues to, and will remain focused on the Indo-Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia.

He he just he just de-prioritized it in the NDS. The latest NDS reduces its its its role.

Um, Senator,

It's important.

um, Senator, I can't speak on behalf of the uh the the national defense strategy, which would be covered by a different uh department. But there's a reason why President Trump uh traveled to Malaysia last year to attend the US ASEAN summit. Uh, the president uh was able to exhibit incredible diplomatic leadership by brokering a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia. And There's a reason why uh leaders of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Cambodia, uh and Malaysia showed up to the president's diplomatic initiative with respect to the the Board of Peace. And we continue to exhibit such leadership, especially when Secretary Rubio travels to Malaysia last year uh for the ASEAN Regional Forum and specifically states that the history of the twenty-first century will be written in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in Southeast Asia. So, I feel comforted and uh and confident in knowing that this administration's priorities will be in the Indo-Pacific as well as Southeast Asia.

I I hope you will keep that focus for the administration. Um, you've spoken about your appreciation for how the State Department works, given your personal experience in um various roles. Combined with your time on the Hill, I hope we will see you effectively using the levers of our government

Senator, thank you for the thank you for the question. Senator, thank you for the thank you for the question. Um. Um. Our focus and our presence in Southeast Asia Our focus and our presence in Southeast Asia as well as ASEAN, cannot be simply a State Department role. It must encompass uh the whole of government. So that means working with the Development Finance Corporation, that means working with EXIM Bank to see how we can unlock American financing for additional infrastructure infrastructure projects or other types of uh financial tools that the United States can leverage, so that the quality of American investments can be seen and and felt by people in Southeast Asia. Within the tools of the State Department, um, s- foreign assistance is one element that should be looked at and leveraged. And s- and whether or not we can expand our foreign assistance moving forward to Southeast Asia should be a uh would be a priority of mine.

It's good to hear. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

And Senator Duckworth, we will be, my office will be working with um hopefully soon to be Ambassador Kim's team on the financing components of this as we expand the role of DFC, so welcome your engagement in that as well.

You can count on me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks very much. Um, and I wanna thank everybody for their time here today. Um, it's an impressive hearing. I understand why you all have been selected by the president for the roles that you've been nominated for. To all of the families here, I I appreciate your dedication and your support for these nominees. It's uh, it's an important undertaking that they're engaging in. Um, speaking from personal experience, I can tell you um the families don't often get recognized, but their role is absolutely critical. So, thank you to all of them. Um, before closing I'd like to ask unanimous consent to add any letters of support that the committee has received to the record.

Sure, go ahead.

That sounds good. And for the information of the members of the committee, the record will remain open until close of business tomorrow, Friday, March the twenty seventh, for members to submit questions for the record. With that, this hearing is adjourned.