Hearings to examine the nomination of Barbera Thornhill, of North Carolina

Well, welcome everybody here today. Uh, this morning we're gonna consider the nominations of several very distinguished candidates. First, Miss Barbara Thornhill, nominee to be Director of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large. Mister Stanley Brown, our nominee to be US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. Mister Keith Norica, Nominee to be US Ambassador to Lithuania, Mister Joseph Berghalter, or nominee to be US Ambassador to Moldova, and the Honorable John Hurley, nominee to be US Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Uh, just want to get to some ground rules as we begin the hearing today. I want everybody to know that we have some very important work to do here and very little time to get that accomplished. As a result, we're not going to tolerate any disruptions whatsoever of this committee. Uh if anyone does choose to interrupt these proceedings, I want you to know that you'll be removed promptly, you'll be barred from attending any committee hearings for the next twelve months. I appreciate your understanding. I look forward to a successful hearing. Right now what I'd like to do is uh organize some introductions for today's nominees. I'm gonna start with my friend and colleague, Senator Cornyn, who's going to introduce Under Secretary Hurley.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and uh Senator Kaine, good to see you. Uh, thanks for holding this hearing, and it's my pleasure to introduce John Hurley, somebody I've known for a number of years. I actually met John through his father. Uh, Al Hurley was an esteemed military historian and professor in academia who became president of the University of North Texas and eventually chancellor of the entire UNT system and was called an unsung hero of higher education by the Dallas Morning News. And the apple does not fall far from the tree. From the first time John's and my paths crossed, I knew this was somebody that I uh had great respect and admiration for, and who loved our country and wanted to make it a better place for all. John graduated with honors from his father's alma mater, Princeton, and he led the campus newspaper, the Daily Princetonian. Following graduation, he served in the US Army and was awarded the Bronze Star during the first Gulf War. He later earned his MBA from Stanford before embarking on what wou would become an exceedingly successful tenure in the private sector. He was also a participant on several non-profit boards and focused on national security and economic policy. In two thousand and nineteen, President Trump appointed John to serve on his Intelligence Advisory Board, where he offered the President and some of us in Congress sage counsel on matters of national security. Most recently, John served as Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence within the Treasury Department. In this role, he was tireless in working to safeguard our nation's financial systems from malign foreign interference and to counter illicit financing of terrorist networks and criminal groups. Thanks in no small part to his efforts, the United States has imposed sanctions on drug cartels in Mexico and across Latin America to defund and dismantle narco-trafficking operations that have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Americans. Suffice it to say, as Jo- John has worn many hats in service to our country and is uniquely qualified for this new job to represent America on the world stage through the Organization for Economic The OECD plays an essential role in upholding the principles of a market-based economy to unleash prosperity for nearly forty democracies around the globe. I have no doubt that John's skill, sound judgment and shrewd understanding of free markets and financial systems will serve him well in this new position. So I look forward to supporting his nomination, both here in the committee and on the floor and I would encourage all of my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Cornyn. And uh Senator Cotton had planned to be here to introduce Mr. Keith Noriega, our our candidate for ambassador to Lithuania. Uh he's unable to do so, so he's asked me if I might read his introduction into the record. So if you'll bear with me, I'll do my very best. I won't have the charm and the appeal of Senator Cotton, but I'll do my very best to to to to do him justice. Senator Cotton, in all the years I've known him, Keith has been a man of admirable integrity, character and professionalism. An accomplished lawyer, Keith currently works as a senior advisor at Potomac Global Partners, where he spearheads projects related to the US banking industry. Before working at Potomac, Keith was a partner at Simpson, Thatcher and Bartlett, where he was a lead lawyer in the financial institution's regulatory practice at the firm. During the previous Trump administration, Keith served as the acting comptroller at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. As acting Comptroller, Keith led the four thousand person independent agency toward increasing accountability efficiency and the ability to serve community credit and banking needs. Keith not only has an impressive professional track record, but also has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leader in his field since twenty fourteen. There are um these are among many reasons I'm proud to support Keith Norie Norieka's nomination to be the new sorry to be the next US Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania. I encourage my colleagues to do so as well. Thank you. And now I will take the opportunity turn to make some introductions myself of two, uh, long-time friends and two wonderful candidates today. Um, first I'm gonna start with my friend Barbara Thornhill. Uh, Barbara is President Trump's nominee to serve as Ambassador-at-Large and Director of the State Department's Office to monitor and combat trafficking. Robert, your nomination comes at a critical time in our nation's efforts to combat human trafficking around the world. Trafficking exploits the vulnerable, it destroys families, and it undermines the rule of law. The United States must continue to lead the fight, to hold traffickers accountable, to support survivors, and to work with partners to eradicate modern-day slavery. Robert Thornhill brings the judgment, the compassion, and the leadership necessary to drive this mission. Barbara's built a successful career as a business executive, as a civic leader and a philanthropist in Los Angeles. She serves as president of impact design and has been deeply engaged in civic and cultural institutions. Notably, much of Barbara's philanthropic work is focused on protecting and supporting vulnerable children. As secretary of the board of the Children's Institute of Los Angeles, she helped to lead successful fundraising initiatives to support services for children and families impacted by family and community violence. She also served as president of The Colleagues, an organization of women that has raised millions of dollars for more than twenty-five years to support the work of Children's Institute. Through these roles, Barbara's demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping those in need, to strengthening communities, and to supporting children and families facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These are the qualities and experience that we need in the State Department's next director, of the office to monitor and combat trafficking. I'm confident that Barbara will excel in this role in ways that advance US national security and will protect the vulnerable. I want to urge all of my colleagues to support her nomination. Now let me turn to my good friend John Hurley, the nominee to be our Ambassador to our Ambassador to the OECD. I've known John for nearly a decade and in that time, I've come to know him and hold him in the highest regard. The OECD plays a critical role in shaping global economic policy among many of the world's most advanced economies. At a time of intensifying economic competition, the United States needs to needs a strong voice at the OECD who understands markets, understands national security, and the importance of advancing policies that strengthen American competitiveness. John is exactly the type of leader we need in this role. His love of country and sense of duty began early. After graduating with honors from Princeton, John served five years in the US Army. His service included a deployment for the first Gulf War in the first cavalry division, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He also built a highly successful private sector career, including as an analyst and portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, as a managing partner at Bowman Capital, and then as managing partner of Cavalry Asset Management. Most recently, John served as Under-Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. There, he helped protect our financial system from abuse, by bad actors and advance US national security interest through economic statecraft. This is only some of John's deep national security experience. During President Trump's first term, John served on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. He also served on several non-profit boards focused on national security and economic policy. Over the years, John has been a great resource and partner for my own thinking, across a broad range of policy issues. I've always appreciated his perspective, his judgment, and his deep understanding of both economic and national security challenges. The United States needs an ambassador to the OECD who will promote our economic interest while defending free and fair competition. John Hurley is exactly that person. And therefore, I'm gonna urge this committee again to move swiftly in support of his nomination. And before we turn to my colleague, Senator Kaine, in his opening statement, I'd like to din- begin by thanking all of you for your willingness to serve the United States in these important roles. From Washington to posts around the world, your work will be central to advancing America's priorities, strengthening our partnerships, and ensuring U. S. diplomacy produce produces results for the American people. Mr. Thornhill, if you're confirmed as Director of the Office of Monit- to Monitor and Combat Trafficking of Persons, you'll lead U. S. efforts to prevent human trafficking, to protect victims, to prosecute traffickers, and work with foreign governments to strengthen the global fight against modern slavery. Mister Brown, as US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, you would be responsible for advancing American interest, strengthening bilateral ties, promoting good governance and human rights, and supporting regional stability and economic opportunity in Central Africa. Mister Noreika, as US Ambassador to Lithuania, you would represent the United States to an ally that has answered President Trump's call for greater burden sharing. With Lithuania committing five and a half percent of its GDP to defense, Your role will be to build on that strong foundation and further strengthen this vital partnership. Mister Burkhalter, as US Ambassador to Moldova, you would represent the United States in a country facing intense pressure from Russia, while securing its energy independence. And deepening the country's ties with the West, your role will be to support Moldova's resilience while advancing strong US Moldova partnerships. And Under Secretary Hurley, as Ambassador to the OECD, you would represent the United States in a form central to advancing pro-growth economic policy, strengthening cooperation among market democracies, and ensuring international standards that reflect our interest and our values. I look forward to a productive hearing this morning. Senator Kaine, I'm gonna turn it over to you for your opening remarks.

Thank you, Senator Hagerty, and congratulations to the nominees. You all are doubly fortunate. So, you're fortunate because you've been nominated to represent the United States in really important positions and I look forward to your testimony in the back and forth dialogue today. You're doubly fortunate because the Senate went on recess last night, and instead of facing withering cross-examination from twenty-one senators on this committee virtually everyone has gone home to begin the July fourth recess. And I wanna thank my my colleague, Senator Hagerty, also a friend, uh for saying we should do this hearing because if we wait till the recess is over it just backs up you're, you know, being able to continue forward to your posts, and they're important posts. And so I wanna thank s- um, Senator Haggerty for uh taking the chairmanship of this hearing. Um, I was, as you can tell by my attire. I was planning on it attending, but I was not planning on being the ranking member. And they pulled me out of the skiff where I was doing armed services work in classified, to come over and so that we could get started.

Well,

So

thank you for joining us, Senator Kaine, and thank you for helping us advance this.

Um But but it it these are very important posts. I don't have much to add to what um Senator Ha- Hagerdy says. Those of you who know, the Senator knows that he takes this very seriously, not only as a Senator, member of the committee, but as a confirmed Senate Ambassador to Japan and knows better than anybody in the body, how critical it is that we have confirmed um uh public servants in these posts. And so we'll have a good dialogue today, I'm sure, about a number of issues and I'm glad that we could keep this hearing going forward so that we can

Right.

hopefully move expeditiously once the hearing is done.

Thank you, Senator Kaine, and and I'm gonna sk- move on to the opening statements from our panelists. If if you would, please try to keep your statements to to within five minutes. I'm gonna start with you, Barbara Thornhill.

Thank you. Chairman, Acting Chairman Hagerty, and distinguished members of the committee, Thank you for considering my nomination to be the United States Ambassador-at-Large to monitor and combat trafficking in person. I am honored by President Trump's nomination and grateful for Secretary Rubio's work to lead the department's anti-trafficking efforts. If I may, I would like to introduce my family and friends with me here today. My son, Hal Thornhill-Wilson, and his partner, Emma Evans, my cousins, Fred and Fabian Thornhill, and my longtime assistant, Evelyn Mangelet. Let me share a little about my background. I come from a loving family in North Carolina, long known for its involvement in health care and charitable work. My mother, a pediatrician, was one of the first women to go to Duke Medical School. And my father, an ENT, invented the procedure known as a stupendectomy, an operation that led to the cochlear implant, a device that has helped millions of people here again. But more than his skill as a surgeon, it was my father's commitment to treating unserved people and providing them with blessings that we so often take for granted, that inspires me even now and motivates me every day. I had the honor to live and work with Mother Teresa and the Sisters of Charity in Calcutta in nineteen ninety four, lending an American heart and hands to the important work with children in orphanages, ailing home-bound families, and to the destitute and dying in the hospice known as the home of the pure heart. In the United States, I worked extensively with the Scout BSA formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, that provided leadership and mentored youths to help them climb the ladder of personal achievement and prepare them for life's struggles and challenges. This program has changed over twenty thousand un- priv- underprivileged adult uh adolescents, many in the foster system. I also worked with the Children's Institute in Los Angeles to provide basic needs, early childhood education, counseling, personal encouragement, and love for over twenty-eight thousand children who've been abused and suffered other horrible traumas. I've had the privilege of working with Laurie Burns, a survivor of child abuse, foster care, and trafficking herself. She is the founder of Teen Project, which operates residential programs for trafficking victims. She created an app that connects victims with immediate rescue, treatment and transportation. SafeSight is the only app in America at this moment that operates that way. My past community involvement has led me to conviction that human trafficking is among the most brutal and reprehensive crime where millions worldwide are used for forced labor and sex trafficking. Trafficking operates within and across borders, using everything they can to exploit the weak governance, mass migration and opaque supply chains. Confronting these crimes protects Americans by inspiring their natural rights, preventing their exploitation and defending communities and businesses from criminal networks and unfair labor practices. America is and always will be the leader in global fight against human trafficking, which desecrates the principle of freedom, justice, and opportunity that are set essential to a safe, prosperous and thriving global economy. Secretary Rubio has set forth the department's mission to promote peace abroad and security and prosperity here at home. Combating human trafficking is vital to that mission. Ever since the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of two thousand established a federal anti-trafficking framework, the most important tool is our bipartisan commitment. The fight continues every day as traffickers adapt and exploit new technologies. The rise of online sexual victimization and forced labor schemes tied to online scams are two especially alarming trends, defrauding Americans, trapping victims in cohesive schemes at home and abroad. This administ administration took the important step of signing a take it down act in May two thousand twenty five to combat on-line exploitation.

Go ahead.

We have sanctioned on-line scam operators using forced labor to st- steal billions from American families. If confirmed, I will build on these efforts. Forced labor distorts markets, allows foreign actors to abuse the global trading system, at the expense of American workers and business. We must use every tool to combat forced labor in in global supply chains and to shed light on forced labor schemes by adver adversaries. The annual trafficking in person report is a powerful instrument for demanding accountability and pressuring governments to take meaningful action or face consequences. If confirmed, I will ensure the report continues to drive impact and that it guides US efforts to counter human trafficking, ensuring our resources are directed pr- precisely to where they deliver the greatest result for the US taxpayer. Ending human trafficking requires partnership. I am committed to engaging survivors of human trafficking as partners. Their expertise shapes effective policies and provides insight into how traffickers operate. If confirmed, I will also prioritize strong inter-agency coordination, leading efforts to support President Trump's agenda and bring the weight of the US government to bear against the traffickers. As President Trump stated, we renew our commitment to end the evil of human trafficking and ensure that traffickers face the full force of the American justice. If confirmed, I will work with Congress and our partners to relentlessly bring traffickers to justice, support victims, survivors, and defend American interest. I will work that we will be measured, not by our intentions, but by the lives we protect, the voices we elevate, and the futures we help reclaim. Thank you. I look forward to your questions.

Chairman Hagerty, Ranking Member Cain, and distinguished members of the committee, I am honored to appear before you as President Trump's nominee for US Ambassador to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. I deeply appreciate the confidence and trust the President and the Secretary of State have shown in nominating me. They've confirmed I look forward to working with Congress to advance our interest in Equatorial Guinea. I'm grateful today to my family, my wife who is here today and our children who are and their families who are watching uh for their support and sacrifices, including during my time in uniform. Uh I could not be here without their unwavering support as well as the uh, Department of War and State Department family that sits behind me too. They're supporting me today. I am from a a North Carolina family of educators, farmers, first responders and military members who served from World War Two through the Gulf War. I served first in the military and continued that service at the State Department, where I have the privilege to advance US national security priorities. I spent my military career in civil service in challenging environments, furthering those priorities, including counterterrorism, commercial diplomacy and supporting the safety of US citizens. US energy companies have invested billions in Equatorial Guinea, and if confirmed, my priority will be to improve the investment climate and promote further opportunities for US companies. I will work with the government and the like-minded partners to develop Equatorial Guinea's economic potential, and I will look forward to encouraging investment in the underdeveloped health and educational sectors. If confirmed, I will work also with the US inter-agency and the government of Equatorial Guinea to enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. Mutual goals include the protection of offshore oil and gas facilities and countering piracy and illegal fishing. I will harness my foreign policy experiences to strengthen our partnership with Equatorial Guinea. If confirmed, I will harness available tools to address corruption and will use US influence to encourage the government to respect inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms of uh all Ecuadorian Indians. Combating trafficking uh in persons also remains a significant US priority. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the talented, hard-working US mission team in Malibu to achieve our objectives for promoting US trade and investments, and strengthening the relationship between our governments. If confirmed as chief of mission, I will prioritize the safety, health, and resilience of US Embassy of the US Embassy community under the ethos of one team, one mission. Coordinating and consultations with Congress will be essential to achieving our goals. Chairman and ranking member, thank you for the opportunity to appear uh before me today. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you. Mister Keith Noriega.

Uh, Chairman Hagerty, and distinguished members of the committee, it's an honor and privilege to appear before you today. I'm honored to be the nominee for the US Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, and I thank President Trump and Secretary Rubio for their confidence in me. I would like to begin by recognizing those who have made it possible for me to be where I am. My parents, Alex and Gloria, my sisters, Gloriana and Mary Ellen, and my wife, Christina, and our three daughters. Alexa, Erica and Sophie, two of whom have joined us here today. If confirmed, my first priority will be to ensure the security and welfare of US citizens in Lithuania and the people of our mission. I will also work to advance US interests, encouraging Lithuania's eng engagement as a reliable NATO ally, deepening our bilateral trade and entrepreneurship ties, and combating regional threats and transnational Mister Chairman, the United States and Lithuania celebrated one hundred four years of uninterrupted bilateral relations this year. That the relationship has been marked by deep cooperation in areas that matter most. Lithuania exemplifies what it means to be a committed member of NATO. Following the call by President Trump, Lithuania immediately announced commitments to exceed five percent GDP on defense spending. This year it will exceed that mark and lead the alliance in defense spending as a percentage of GDP. Lithuania invests in military capabilities, including US systems that add real capability to our collective security. It hosts US and NATO forces using national funds to improve facilities and ensure military readiness. Lithuania deploys globally on security and peace missions even as it polices its own borders. President Trump has been clear that NATO allies must meet their obligations. The United States will no longer subsidize nations that refuse to f pay their fair share for trans-Atlantic security. This is a point that Lithuania understands and has for years pressed other European allies on. If confirmed, I will work to ensure Lithuania continues on this and become stronger, more capable, and able to contribute to its own defense. Together we will strengthen European defense, improve the credibility of the collective security architecture, and dissuade adversaries. Our two countries cooperate broadly on an array of issues including sharing threat information, participating in joint exercises, and providing law enforcement training. The Pennsylvania National Guard Lithuania's state partner for more than thirty years helps provide much of this expertise. If confirmed, I look forward to continuing our strong cooperation on these issues. Lithuania shares US concerns about China's strategic alignment with malign actors and pattern of economic coercion, especially in Europe. It is outspoken in the EU and elsewhere about Western hemisphere issues, including human rights abuses of Cuba's regime. And Lithuania is a friend of Israel. If confirmed, I will work with the Lithuanian government to develop the peace through strength that President Trump has called for. If confirmed, I will work to deepen US trade and investment ties with Lithuania to benefit the prosperity of both our peoples. Lithuanian companies are creating jobs in the United States, and Lithuania's vibrant economy has long been an attractive destination for investment by US companies. Nowhere is this truer than in the area of energy. More than seventy-five percent of Lithuanian liquefied national natural gas imports now come from the United States, and as Lithuania looks to purchase small modular nuclear reactors, there are abundant opportunities to deepen our energy relationship. Lithuania shares our view on keeping markets open with low regulation and taxes. Mister Chairman, the relationship between the United States and Lithuania is strong and helps secure core US interests. Lithuania has played an active role in advancing our shared security and economic priorities. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to deepening our cooperation to confront shared challenges and promote US interests. Again, I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you today, and I welcome your questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Joseph Burkhalter.

Good morning. Chairman Hagerty and uh Ranking Member Cain and Senator Cornyn. I'm honored here today to appear as the nominee to ambas- as Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. I'm grateful to President Trump for the trust he has placed in me with this nomination. And I'm committed to serve the American people in this important role. Before I continue, I wanna introduce the most important people in my life. My wife, my loving wife of forty years, Gina, who I met here in Washington. Uh, we were both Hill staffers working for different members of Congress, and uh, so we understand everything about CODELS and STAFFDELS and uh all that comes with it. Um, our three amazing children, uh, and accomplished children, daughter Natalie, who's with me today, Uh, her soon to be son-in-law, our our soon to be son-in-law, Tom is here, our son Sam, and daughter-in-law Lauren, our daughter Olivia, and our son-in-law Robbie. Last and certainly not least, our newest blessings in our life are grandchildren, Isabella, Roman, and Luca. And of course, special thanks to my father who passed not many years ago, but I know he's watching from a better place today. And to my sweetest mom, anyone could ever have, who unfortunately cannot be here today due to have some health challenges. Only with the support of my loving family was I able to build a successful real estate development company, get elected Speaker of the House of Georgia House of Representatives, and then later work overseas for s- the last sixteen years with two different law firms. With a note of public service, I wanna sincerely thank every member of this committee for um your service and the sacrifice your families had made. As you know, public service is a calling and it's a noble cause. If confirmed as ambassador, well, and one one other note, I'm gonna uh go off script here just a minute to Senator Kane, um a mutual friend of mine, ours, uh sends his regards to you. I spoke to him yesterday, uh former Governor Roy Barnes, so wanted to make sure. I snuck that in there anyway. If confirmed as ambassador of Moldova, my top priorities will be safety and security, of US citizens in Moldova in advanced American interest. United States and Moldova enjoy close partnership built on years of sustained US engagement and support for Moldova's democracy. US sponsored exchange programs have engaged nearly seven thousand Moldovans, creating enduring relationships that help us advance share goals. With Kitchener's top objective being EU accession, the Moldovan government values its partnership with the United States and is committed to deepening the bilateral relationship. Recent hallmarks to our bi bilateral cooperation include Moldova's April twenty twenty-six decision to eliminate tariffs on almost all US goods, and our decision to build a hundred and thirty million dollar high voltage transmission line to strengthen Moldova's ties to Western energy. Energy security is the key tenet of our bilateral relationship. Over the past few years, Moldova has diversified energy imports, improved regional and improved regional inter-connectivity. If confirmed, I will work to expand opportunities for US energy sector exports to Moldova. Likewise, I'll support continued co- cooperation on cyber security to help secure the United States and unlock new commercial opportunities for US businesses. If confirmed, I'll work to support presidential peace initiatives. including the work of special presidential envoys and others who are tirelessly working to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on Moldova's border. I will also support any future presidential efforts to help resolve the long-frozen conflict in Transnistria should that assistance become necessary. In conclusion, I'd be honored to serve as ambassador to Moldova. If confirmed, I'll work to advance US priorities protect American citizens and strengthen our bilateral relationship. I look forward to working with this committee and our partners to deliver on these objectives. Thank you for your consideration and I welcome any and all questions.

Thank you. Under Secretary John Hurley.

Well, thank you very much, Senator Hagerty, uh, Senator Cornyn and, uh, Senator Kaine. It's a great honor to appear as the nominee to be the US representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. And I'm very grateful to President Trump and to Secretary Rubio for their trust and confidence in me. I'm also very grateful for and humbled by the tremendous support I've received from my family and friends throughout this process. My three sons very much wanted to be here today, but work obligations in New York and the captain's career course at Fort Benning disrupted those plans. Also not with us today, but very much in my thoughts, are my late wife, Camilla, and her family. my late father, Brigadier General Alfred Hurley, my ninety-six year old mother, uh Joanna Hurley, and my three brothers and sister. Kindly standing in for them are some close friends seated behind me. Under President Trump's leadership, America is building, investing, and growing again. The President has put American jobs, American manufacturing, and American prosperity first, and has required our partners and allies to accept more equitable terms of trade and burden sharing. The OECD can and should be integral to this process, as thirty-eight member economies all share a common commitment to market principles, democratic values, and the rule of law. Making the OECD one of the very few international venues to develop standards free from the interference of non-market economies like the People's Republic of China, and Russia. Using massive industrial subsidies, intellectual property theft, and malign political influence, authoritarian regimes have gained economic advantage and pitted our nation's businesses and governments against each other. Under President Trump's leadership, we've finally begun to confront these threats, including early steps to address uh dangerous supply chain dependencies, the threat in our prosperity and our national security. When functioning at its best, the OECD provides the objective, data-driven research and the forum to develop and coordinate economic policies with our like-minded friends that maximize common posteri prosperity and resist these dire threats it should guide its member economies towards intelligent pro-growth tax regulatory and energy policies and anticipate and help rectify the economic vulnerabilities long before we're forced to react to them I come to this role and before this committee with a mix of private sector government and academic experience that I believe prepares me well to advocate for the United States and our principles and priorities at the OECD. I spent over thirty years investing in technology companies and building an investment firm, have served in the army, on the president's intelligence advisory advisory board, and on the boards of a long list of institutions dedicated to freedom, prosperity, and national security. And my most recent role as Under-Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. I've collaborated closely with our allies to protect the global financial system and counter our adversaries. In those discussions, I have shared with our foreign partners that I'm the son and nephew of career US Air Force officers, the brother and father of two army officers, and a former army officer myself. Since the inception of the Cold War, my family and I have served side by side with our allies in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and are deeply committed to these alliances and partnerships. But in these discussions, I've also been very frank about the failure of many of our partners to heed President Trump's warnings about underfunded militaries, economic dependence on adversaries, and malign foreign influence. I firmly believe that cooperation with like-minded allies and partners can be a force multiplier, and make both our friends and ourselves safer and more prosperous. Like President Trump and Secretary Rubio, I also believe that to be sustainable, These alliances and trade relationships must be fair, balanced, and serve the interests of the American people. Mister Chairman, our fellow Americans need us to engage with our partners to protect peace, freedom and prosperity, and provide our businesses with open and reliable markets. If confirmed by this committee, the needs and security of those citizens will always be my primary concern. If confirmed, I look forward to leading the talented and dedicated State Department professionals on our OECD team, and to working closely with you, uh, Mister Chairman, this committee, and its staff, and my inter-agency partners. Thank you. I look forward to your questions.

Oh, thanks, Tim. I noticed that many many family members and support networks are here today. And the fact that your loved one has been nominated to be an ambassador is certainly an honor f- for your family. But it's also an obligation that I know that you appreciate and you will come to appreciate even more, because they're gonna need your support, they're gonna appreciate your support, and frankly those of you that are going to foreign countries are going to be looked upon as representatives of America yourself. So my compliments and my appreciation to all of the families and friends that are here to support the nominees today. Mister Hurley, I'd like to start with you. Um, the United States has long used our role at the OECD to advance market-based principles. and international rules in a way that support not only our own economic and strategic interests, but also those of our trading partners. In the past few years, though, it seems that the OECD has somehow lost its focus on on its core issues and been side-tracked by a variety of things uh such as ESG related initiatives that actually stifle competition and hurt our economic security. This includes projects like the quote inclusive forum on carbon mitigation approaches, and the business due diligence guidelines that advocated practices that in many cases are anti-business. And my question for you, Secretary Hurley, if if comi- confirmed, is how will you use America's presence at the OECD to keep the organization focused on pro-competition and pro-growth policies?

Thank you very much, Senator. Um I've over the last few months, if I can get rid of for this role, I've had a chance to to go and read uh a lot about the history of the OECD. Uh, you know, founded in nineteen sixty-one uh out of uh uh coming after the Marshall Plan and the OEEC, which it uh succeeded. And in my view, the OECD, it's uh the best version of itself um focuses on um prosperity and security. Uh, i i by providing um accurate, data-driven um information on which to base uh uh good decisions and um and the forum for like-minded friends to get together and uh develop strategies to enhance that prosperity and security that should be exclusively the focus of the OECD. And I think while there's these other issues that uh they've gotten distracted by here in recent years, I think it needs to uh to refocus itself on the core mission.

In the um the the core mission reminds me of the fact that that post-World War Two, we put in place very favorable terms of trade for our partners there that, countries that have become our partners, whose economies were devastated after the war there. I'm thinking about places like Japan, but importantly Europe, where you'll be serving. And the result of that over time, because we didn't put a time limit on it, we didn't put a GDP per capita limit on it, is that we have often imbalanced relationships. And I think you will find yourself partnering with our US Trade Representative, members of the Department of Commerce and Treasury, you know these organizations well, but I think it's gonna be a real challenge to to continue to advocate for policies that are not only good for the members of the OECD, uh who who are our allies, but also that are fair for America. Do you have any comments on on that position?

Well, you know, sir, you and I are both um we're market guys. Um and uh And I I think we understand in our bones that um if if you make markets more efficient, uh it it's a w can be a win-win for everyone. There's more for everyone. Uh and uh a line that I've used at my uh my firm for many years uh is that the the truth is remarkably persuasive. Uh and I I so firmly believe that core truth that um uh you know, hopefully uh we'll we'll be able to make that point to our allies and uh explain to them that these imbalances uh while uh uh you know in the short term, it can benefit um uh one of our partners, in the long term it's destructive to our relationship.

Mm-hmm. I appreciate that perspective. Mr. Thornhill, I'd like to turn to you. Um as I think about what transpired between two thousand twenty-one and twenty-four, our southern border was opened. Um it invited cartel activity, human trafficking activity at levels that are unprecedented. Um, if I think about what the cartels have done with respect to human trafficking uh through Latin America and across our southern border it's deeply concerning, and I'd like to get your perspective on how you would utilize this office if confirmed to address those concerns.

Thank you for the question. Car um criminal cartels basically depend on drug trafficking, smuggling, and human trafficking to finance their horrendous activities. President Trump, under his brilliant leadership, has secured our borders and cut the trafficking routes. Uh, if I am confirmed, I will continue to support the efforts.

If i i there's one final point I'd like to make about your charge. And that has to do with the actual trafficking in persons report itself. Um, as a former ambassador I dealt with with with input to that and dealt with the ramifications of the report. And a and there there are growing concerns that the country rankings that come out in the TIP report uh may not actually reflect considerations that were established by Congress in law. They may actually go beyond that. And I'd like to get your commitment to focus on ensuring the integrity of that report and that it stick to uh the congressional mandate that was laid out for it.

Thank you for the question. Mm, one of the strengths of the TIP report is it holds the US to the same standard as other countries. Last year, the dedicated people in the TIP office issued a very strong TIP report. Se Secretary Rubio issued this statement that this report is so important because it pressures governments to do something about human trafficking or, if not, to face serious consequences. If I am confirmed, I will continue to work on this policy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Thornhill. Senator K.

Thank you, um, Mr. Chair, and I have questions for each of these. This is so it may go longer than five, but maybe I'll do five and hand it back to you and we can go back and forth. Um, Miss Thornhill, I wanna start with you on the tip report. Um, I I think it's so important, not only for the United States, but it's sort of a global gold standard.

Mm-hmm.

The Trump administration through um staff reductions at state have reduced the staff in this unit by about seventy percent. And that led the tip report last year, which is supposed to be done by June thirty to be a couple months late. Now obviously you're not there now and June thirty is just in a very few days, so we can't hold you to that, but I am troubled and I and I don't really need you to answer this, but I'm just troubled about our ability to have the TIP report be that gold standard with a significant staff reduction. And I hope should you get there, your commitment to the TIP report being that gold standard will lead you to ask for additional resources to comply and make that continue the TIP report as a gold standard that can be done on a timely basis. I hope you'll do that. Here's what I want to ask about. You said in in response to a question from my colleague that one of the positive things about the TIP report is that it holds the United States to the same standard as other nations here's a concern that I have that I've expressed in this committee before and it deals with Operation Southern Spear which is the operation to strike boats in the eastern um Pacific and Caribbean near and around Ecuador and Venezuela. Um we had secretary Rubio here within the last couple weeks and I asked him these questions. Much of the operation, what I know about it, is classified. So I really can't describe it. And one of the things I'm not allowed to describe is the targeting criteria used to decide which boats to strike. But I can talk about things that aren't targeting criteria. And as an armed services committee member, I've been very disturbed to find that the presence of drugs on a craft is not one of the targeting criteria. Um, it could easily have been one of the targeting criteria, but it but it is not one of the targeting criteria. Uh, there has been public reporting about certain of the strikes that have led Pentagon officials to say that it is at least likely that some of the victims killed in these strikes are human trafficking victims. The organizations that are designated as designated terrorist organizations on the secret list by the president include some organizations that don't only do narco-trafficking, but do human trafficking. And when a boat is struck that doesn't have any evidence of drugs aboard, but there's a lot of people on it, there is some suggestion in public reporting would suggest that some of those killed by the US military strikes are in fact human trafficking victims. I would like your commitment that should you be confirmed to this position, that you would work with my office to ensure, to the best of our ability, these strikes are being carried out by the DOD, not by the Department of State. But I would like your commitment that you would work with my office to make sure that reporting for example, the tip report does hold all nations to an equal standard. And if there are US activities that are leading to casualties among human trafficking victims, that is something that we should get to the bottom of and be transparent about with the American public. Could you make that commitment to me?

Thank you for the question and the statement. Um, I make the commitment that I would with a delight work with your office and learn from your office. And uh also restructuring really has nothing to do with the administration's commitment to human trafficking. Uh, I feel that w uh the b the boat I I'm sorry, I'm not aware of the your facts on the boats. I would have to speak with you and get back to the committee. I'm apologize.

And I'm and I'm not expecting that you're aware. This is public.

Uh, yes, sir. Uh, yes, sir.

Um, were you involved in decisions with respect to the sanctioning of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandria de Moret on July thirty, twenty twenty five?

Yes, I was, sir.

Were you involved in the discussions by the administration about the imposition of tariffs against Brazil that were imposed on that same day July thirty twenty twenty five?

I was not involved in the tariff discussion, sir, uh, but uh was involved in uh in uh Judge Murray's his designation.