Hearings to examine pending nominations.

Good morning. This hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order, and I wanna thank you all for being here today and I wanna thank all of you that have uh put yourself forward to serve our country thank you for your, thank you for your service and uh willingness to serve and thank you to your families. Uh just some ground rules. As we begin the hearing today, this is the long tradition in this committee, has a zero tolerance policy on any disruptions whatsoever dis-

What about disruptions from senators?

That,

No.

now that includes, includes, eh, particularly senators from New Jersey. If anyone does choose to interrupt those proceedings, you will be removed promptly and you'll be barred from attending any committee hearings for the next twelve months. I appreciate all of you understanding that, and I look forward to a great hearing. Today the committee will consider the nomination of Donald Blom to be Assistant Secretary of the State for Near Eastern Affairs. Christopher Anderson to be US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Douglas Mastriano to be US Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. Daniel Perez to be US Ambassador to the Feder- Federative Republic of Brazil. And Lawrence Socha to be US Ambassador to the Republic of Gambia. I know some of my colleagues have introductions to make, and I would like to begin by introducing uh Doug Mastriano to serve as Ambassador to the United States of America to the Slovak Republic. I'll do that briefly and then turn to my colleague, Senator Daines, for uh his introduction. I could not introduce Doug without first mentioning his wife, Rebecca, known to be, known by family and friends as Rebbe, who joins him here today. Uh, Doug and Rebbe met as students at Eastern University near Philadelphia, where Rebbe worked as Doug's camp, on Doug's campaign for class vice president. Let be that began with late nights at the campus snack bar and painting the school's famous graffiti graffiti rock, only to be chased by a determined swan. A campaign partnership became a lifelong love story. Through twelve moves, nearly twelve years overseas, multiple combat deployments, she served our nation alongside him. So thank you, Rebbe. I'm so glad you're here. Uh, and thank you for once again, uh, taking the call to service. It's also a privilege to introduce Doug, not just as a highly qualified nominee, but as a fellow Pennsylvanian and a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, a fellow army officer who's dedicated his career to serving this country. In the army, he patrolled the East German and Czech borders during the final years of the Cold War. During Operation Desert Storm, our paths crossed on the battlefield. I served with the eighty second Airborne Division, while Doug served with the second Armored Cavalry Division. Following the regiment's fight at the Battle of Seventy-three Easting Doug's regiment advanced to the Euphrates, where it was relieved by elements of my unit. I know that Doug understands the sacrifices required of our military families and the importance of capable allies. Following the attacks of September eleventh, Doug served as a planner for Operation Iraqi Freedom and he helped build the coalition that supported the mission from Europe. He spent four years in Brussels where he led multinational intel coordination, operational planning, and strategic assessments across Europe and Turkey. Rising to the rank of colonel, he bravely deployed three times to Afghanistan, serving as director of NATO's joint intelligence center, leading personnel from eighteen nations. In addition to his service on the battlefield, Doug is a man of letters. He concluded his army career as a professor of strategic studies at the US Army War College where he taught strategy and national security, to the next generation of senior military leaders. He holds a PHD, four master's degrees, and is author of several award-winning books on military history and leadership. Since two thousand nineteen, Doug's represented the people of Pennsylvania in the thirty-third senatorial district in in the Pennsylvania Senate. And he's built a reputation for supporting veterans, first responders, public safety and strong communities. Now the Slovak Republic is an important NATO ally located at the strategic crossroads of Central Europe. And at a time when that alliance faces significant security challenges, an alliance I strongly support, this position needs a leader with strategic judgment, intimate knowledge of NATO's inner workings and first-hand experience working alongside our allies with an unwavering commitment to advancing America's interest. Doug brings that experience and I'm confident he'll represent the United States with great professionalism and integrity. I strongly support his nomination and I earn, urge my fellow members of the committee to support him, support this good man for this important position. So thank you, uh, Senator, for for your willingness to serve, and let me at this point turn uh turn to my friend, Senator Daines, for his introduction of Mister Anderson.

Mr. Chairman, thank you. Today I truly have the honor of introducing Christopher Anderson, President Trump's nominee for Ambassador to Cambodia. He hails from Barron, Wisconsin. A small town with a population of three thousand, where I'm told there are more turkeys than people. And Chris is a lot of things. He is the husband to uh Jen sitting right behind him and father of Charlotte, the thirteen month old beautiful little girl in that beautiful little dress. But he's also um my National Security Advisor on my team. He has served in my office for over four years, where he's led on all things related to foreign policy, defense, intelligence, Cybersecurity, Export Control, Sanctions and Veterans Affairs. Chris's long career in national security began in February two thousand nine, when following graduation from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a degree in economics he decided to enlist in the army. He deployed to Afghanistan where he conducted route clearance and led men in combat environment. Following his service in uniform, Chris moved to Washington DC where he got his first job here in the senate. working for my colleague and his home state Senator Ron Johnson. After two years with Senator Johnson, Chris moved over to Senator Bill Cassidy's, military legislative assistant, where he worked there for three years. Upon President Trump's election in twenty seventeen, Chris once again answered the call to serve and took a job as senior advisor to the secretary of VA, where he was responsible of the department's relationship with Congress. Chris then pursued a master's degree in project management from Penn State University. I said this specifically for the uh for the chairman's benefit prior to joining my team. I know the chairman now understands you're an intelligent man going to Penn State. China has extensive experience dealing with foreign governments, negotiating agreements, advancing legislation, and managing personnel. He's been one of my most trusted advisors during a tumultuous period in world history providing steady insightful advice that has informed much of the work I have done, including here on this committee. He's traveled extensively across the Indo-Pacific, understands the core issues facing US interests in the region. He sits before us today as an Army veteran, a seasoned foreign relations expert who has a decade of experience working with foreign governments, a committed professional who has spent the last seventeen years working on the front lines of US national security. Chris embodies truly the best of American public service, answering the call time and time again, who will serve in this position with honor, with integrity and determination. His vast experience and dogged commitment to American interests make him uniquely qualified to serve in this ambassador post. I spent a number of hours with Secretary Rubio on Monday as we were traveling from Montana back to Washington, D. C. I spoke about Chris to the secretary, and he specifically said the important role that he will play in Cambodia, a very strategic part of our geography at the moment with a lot of uh needs for the right kind of leader there on the ground. I'm certain our country will be safer, more secure, and more prosperous with him in Cambodia, and we're gonna miss having him in my office. But I know uh my team is incredibly proud as I am and excited about Chris's next chapter. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Senator, uh now next up Senator Scott to introduce Mister Perez.

Great. Thank you. Today I'm honored to introduce to all of you to Daniel Anthony Perez, a very good friend of mine, a resident of our great state of Florida and President Trump's nominee to be the US Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Brazil. Danny, his beautiful wife Stephanie, and their young children are residents of are here. Nice to see you. Residents of Miami-Dade County, one of Florida's most vibrant regions. and international melting pot, our nation's gateway to South America. Like many in the Miami-Dade, Danny is an American citizen of Cuban descent. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, a highly regarded all boys Catholic school. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University, and his law degree from University of New Orleans College of Law. In twenty seventeen, Danny won a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Florida legislature. For the last two years, he's had the opportunity to be the Florida Speaker of the House. He's served a consequential term as speaker. I have never seen a Florida House speaker build deeper relationships with his members or do more to empower the people he leads. The unwavering loyalty of his House members is a testament to Speaker Perez's integrity and character. Danny has been passionate about several issues over the years, ranging from higher education to helping the development of disabled. But I've been most impressed with how Danny has changed the physical conversation in Tallahassee. In the year since my time as governor ended, the budget of the state of Florida has grown at an alarming rate. Danny was the first major leader in Tallahassee to say enough is enough and assist on fiscal discipline. I've known Danny for many years. Danny is committed to doing a good job in everything he does. Let me close by sharing the man I come to know. Danny listens when people talk. He he is always excited to meet new people and learn new things. He never allows himself to be outworked and he strives every day to do right for his family, for his community and for his state. Brazil is an incredibly important and strategic nation, economically and geographically, and I know Danny will do a great job and go above and beyond to make everyone on this committee in this country proud of his service as a US ambassador. I fully encourage all my colleagues to favorably report him.

Thank you, Senator Scott. Before we turn to my colleague, Senator Rosen, for her opening remarks, I'd like to just begin it by again thanking all of our nominees and their families for your willingness to serve the United States. in these important roles at this very challenging moment. From Washington to posts around the world, your work will be central to advancing America's priorities, strengthening our partnerships, and entering ensuring US diplomacy produces results for the American people. Mister Blom, since Hamas's brutal terror attack against Israel on October twenty twenty three, the Middle East and North Africa region have undergone profound change. Iran and its network of terrorist proxies has been significantly weakened, and from Syria to Lebanon I now see a region full of unprecedented opportunities. But these opportunities also come with risk. As Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, you will play a critical role in helping this min- administration navigate this complex and rapidly evolving landscape. I'm hopeful that you in tandem with our key regional partners can really help build a safer, more stable, more prosperous North Africa and Middle East while ensuring American national security interests remain at the very forefront of policies toward that region. Mister Anderson, our relationship with Cambodia is a challenging one, but I'm confident that if you're confirmed you will be up to the task of managing our expanding ties with the kingdom of Cambodia, while ensuring that we push back on China's growing malign influence. I'm curious to hear your views on how the US can leverage new security and foreign assistance tools to promote lasting peace between Thailand and Cambodia secure our interest in counter Chinese malign influence. Mister Mastriano, uh US-Slovakia cooperation is essential in advancing energy security and economic prosperity in the region. As Slovakia and its neighbors turn away from Russian energy, the US is poised, Pennsylvania is poised, to be a lead partner on LNG and nuclear power, especially in the field of SMR technology, which Slovakia aims to adopt from the United States. The US must work with Slovakia to strengthen NATO's collective defense, on the eastern flank. And as war rages across Slovakia's border with Ukraine and Russia, continues to threaten escalation against our allies, it's critical that you reinforce the United States' strong commitment to Article five and counter Russian efforts to undermine this alliance. Mister Perez, strong and productive bilateral relationships with Brazil are of great importance to the United States. Brazil is the second largest democracy, as you know well, in the hemisphere. as a strategic economic partner, the largest economy in Latin America, and a major non-NATO ally. Last month the Trump Am- Trump administration designated two of the most violent criminal gangs in Brazil as foreign terrorist organizations. These narco-terrorists pose a direct threat to our national security and regional stability. Equally concerning is China's growing influence over strategic infrastructure in Brazil especially ports and critical mineral projects. Your ability to work with Brazil on these priorities will be key to our success. And last but not least, Mister Sosha, a career member of the Foreign Service, thank you for your service. The United States' relationship with Gambia has evolved dramatically in the past decade. The people and government of Gambia have worked to build a new future for their country while also dealing with a very painful history. I'm pleased to have our nominee for United States Ambassador to the smiling coast of Africa the Gambia with us here today. With all that said, Senator Rosen, I'm going to turn over to you for your opening remarks.

Well, thank you, Mister Chairman. Good morning, everyone. And I wanna thank you, all the nominees, for your willingness to serve our country, um that you have served and that you're willing to go forward. I also wanna thank your families, wherever they are, and I know some of them are here today. We hear that beautiful baby um in the back, and we know that they're all supporting you from home. You have each been nominated at a consequential moment for American foreign policy. Our alliances are under strain. Conflicts in multiple regions continue to threaten global stability. And this administration's has created new challenges for US leadership. At the same time, the administration has significantly cut its communication with this committee, making oversight and consultation increasingly impossible. Lack of transparency has been especially evident when it comes to the Middle East. Despite repeated commitments from the State Department, including from directly from Secretary Rubio, this committee has only received sporadic engagement and limited information on critical issues impacting our national security, US national security. Just last month, Secretary Rubio told this committee that The war with Iran had ended. Since then, the president has declared the ceasefire over. Strikes have resumed. And now we are hearing that the president wants United States to serve as a guardian over the Straits of Hormuz. We are in a war with the president promising that we will police critical waterways on the other side of the world, with little to no information from the administration. Congress and the American people deserve clear, consistent communication about US objectives, our military commitments, we owe that to the men and women and their families who serve our country, and of course, our diplomatic strategy. And Blasler Blom, I'm encouraged that the administration has nominated a s distinguished career member of the senior foreign service to lead the Bureau of Near Eastern Having served in both Democrat and Republican administrations, you understand the value of diplomacy, institutional expertise, and congressional oversight. If confirmed, I hope you will prioritize regular, candid communication with Congress and provide the transparency needed as the U United States navigates increasingly volatile uh an increasing excuse me, increasingly volatile region and yet another protracted war in the Middle East. Mister Perez, Mister Anderson, and Mister Socha, I hope that we can rely on each one of you to be equally committed to open communication and consultation with Congress. Whether you're working to support democratic institutions with fewer resources managing bilateral relation relationships amid shifting trade policies or implementing peace agreements that prevent conflicts from escalating. Congress depends on those candid assessments and conversations and honest reporting from our embassies. That work is most effective when guided by facts, professional expertise, and America's interests, not politics. And finally, Mister Mastriano. I have serious concerns about your nomination. If confirmed, you would represent the United States. all Americans to the people of Salachia, an EU member state, while leading a diverse embassy team. Given your record, I have significant questions that I'll be asking about whether you can credibly fulfill that responsibility. You've denied the results of a free and fair US election. You've supported efforts to overturn those results, used campaign funds to individuals to the January sixth rally compared abortion and your own political loss to the Holocaust. You appeared in an Army War College photograph wearing a Confederate uniform and associated with known Holocaust deniers. I find it difficult to reconcile that record with the responsibility of representing our country to a close European ally founded on our shared democratic values. So I look forward to hearing from you how you represent all Americans of all faiths and of all backgrounds in a way that respects our diversity and democratic traditions. I wanna thank again all the nominees for your willingness to serve and for appearing before the committee today. I look forward to your testimony. Thank you, Mister Chairman.

Thank you, Senator Rosen. We will now turn uh to the nominees for their opening statements and Mr. Blum uh you begin please with your opening statement, thank you.

Uh Chairman McCormick, Ranking Member Rosen and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the privilege of coming before you today as the President's nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State. I have spent more than thirty years in the foreign service, uh much of that in the countries covered by this bureau and I am honored that President Trump nominated me for this position. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with this committee on our country's national security interests in the Near East region. I have with me today my wife, Debbie, and my children, Sarah, Nicholas and Carl. Uh, they have shared with me uh the honor of representing our country abroad through uh wars, evacuations, pandemic uh and other interesting adventures. and I want to thank them for their constant support throughout. The administration's goals for the Middle East and North Africa are clear. First, to seek real solutions to the region's enduring conflicts, including preventing Iran from developing or otherwise obtaining nuclear weapons. Second priority is promoting US economic prosperity, expanding markets for US exports, creating jobs and investment opportunities for American workers around the region. Iran is a common thread running through the region's challenges. And absent an agreement, uh if confirmed, I will continue to advance maximum international pressure on Iran, denying the regime resources and support to fund terrorism and regional aggression. But we also see opportunities. I support the administration's commitment to build on the Abraham accords and normalization agreements which is imperative for regional security, and economic integration. Uh Iraq, Syria, Lebanon all provide potentially transformative opportunities today that we must engage on. Uh we must increase US competitiveness in the region, as every major commercial, technology, infrastructure and energy project secured by an American company strengthens US influence while denying strategic opportunities to our competitors. While we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges, we must also recognize the potential for progress that advances American security, prosperity and global leadership. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you on these issues. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your questions.

Thank you. Uh, Mister Anderson.

Morning. Chairman McCormick, Ranking Member Rosen, distinguished members of the committee. It's an honor to appear before you today. I am grateful for President Trump and Secretary Rubio's trust in me for, in nominating me to serve as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. I need to start off with a big thank you to my wife, Jennifer. Uh, she is my rock, and I wouldn't be here today without her support. She is, or, shh, she was joined by my daughter, Charlotte. I was gonna make a joke about leniency on her protests, but uh, she's already been removed.

Yeah, I'll give her a pop-up.

I also need to thank my parents, Craig and Ruth Anderson. Their support, investment, and encouragement has been the foundation of my personal development. It's tough to put into words how it feels to be on this side of the hearing today. As everyone in this room is very aware, I usually spend my time back against the wall, trying not to be noticed. Uh, the opportunity res- to receive this nomination and to simply testify before you today is not something that I thought I would ever be afforded. I grew up the son of a tractor salesman and a music teacher. So at no point did I ever see an an ambassador nomination in my future. Though I will say on the heels of our nation's two hundred and fiftieth birthday, it does remind me of how lucky I am to be an American. Over the last seventeen years, I have worked for three senators, President Trump's first administration, and served in the army. I have always worked to protect America's interests, both at home and abroad. If confirmed, I pledge to continue to pursue US foreign relations and national security with the devotion that you all know me for. Throughout my tenure with this institution, I have worked with most, if not all, of your offices. I have always prided myself on free-flowing and sometimes frank communication, the management of equities, and my ability to advance the mission without fanfare or publicity. If confirmed, I plan on employing all of these virtues in the service of the United States. I will advance the administration's core priorities in Cambodia with an unwavering commitment and vigor, protecting American citizens, expanding US economic opportunity, and ensuring our engagement in Southeast Asia serves the American people first. The US-Cambodia relationship is fundamentally in a stronger place than it was a few years ago, and the momentum is very real. President Trump's leadership in facilitating a cease-fire between Cambodia and Thailand opened a new chapter with Hunh Manette and his administration. It's an opportunity that the Trump administration is truly building on. With that said, I will not shy away from the challenges that remain. Continued progress in bi- the bilateral relationship depends on Cambodia taking concrete action on several fronts. My top priority? would be dismantling online scams and the criminal networks behind them. These operations have stolen tens of billions of dollars from American citizens. If confirmed, I will work with Count- Cambodian counterparts and regional partners to deliver results. Cambodia has the opportunity to be a growing partner, not a strategic vulnerability. I am ready to serve. For the respect of the committee's time, I will end my testimony there and submit the rest. Uh, for the record, Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Anderson. Uh, Mr. Mastriano.

Thank you, Chairman McCormick, Ranking Member Rosen, and distinguished members of the committee. As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness and Veterans Affairs Committee, it's it also feels odd being on this side of the committee, but it's an honor to be here before you today as President Trump's nominee to serve as the next United States Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. I am deeply grateful to the President for his confidence and for this committee, considering my nomination. I would like to also first like to recognize my wife, Rebbe, for nearly thirty-nine years through an army career of great sacrifice, starting off in the Cold War in the Iron Curtain, Germany, prepared to evacuate in the case of a Soviet attack where we were told my unit would last forty-five minutes patrolling the Iron Curtain twelve moves, twelve years overseas, service to the nation that I just can't describe. Uh without her love and support, I would not be here today. I'm also grateful for our son Josiah who cannot be here because he's preparing to deploy to Africa to support America's mission in the Horn of Africa. And he with his wife Maddie and our granddaughter Brooklyn, they continue our family's tradition of service which started with my dad who's committed his life to a s career in the Navy, two brothers in the United States Marine Corps, and many uncles who served beating back Nazism and militarism during World War Two. And their legacy inspired me to to be commit my life to the army. I am also pleased to be joined today by my former Legislative Director Josh Herman and members of my Senate staff my Chief of Staff Melissa Executive Assistant Emily, and Constituent Services and Grant Specials Don, Michelle and Lisa. Thank you so much for sacrificing your time to be here, taking personal time off to join and support us. Uh, Rebbe and I are grateful for you guys. For more than thirty years I had the privilege of of uh serving our nation, the United States Army. My assignments took me across Europe, the Middle East, I served side by side with coalition allied partners in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and even in some of the central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union. I worked closely with our NATO allies in porce around portions of the world and across Europe I have served in combat plan multinational operations, helped strengthen NATO's deterrence in Europe, was called upon by the chief of staff of the army to form a deterrence plan for our Baltic allies in Northern Europe. And uh much of that plan has been in place to help deter Russian aggression against our allies in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. S I deployed on six NATO exercises to the Baltic region and built par friendships there that lasted a a lifetime. And finally, talk to you strategy at the US Army War College, Senator, thank you for putting the War College on the map this past week. And it has been an honor to wear the uniform in the service of this nation. And as I was fading away and gonna get a sweet army job, no colonel left behind job, we like to laugh and say, uh I was challenged to get into public service and not just ride off to the sunset. And it has not been easy. For thirty years I had a top secret SCI access, I was respected ac- across the United States Army, referred to as a subject matter expert. And to enter the world of politics, you're called everything but a good man. But my experiences uh in the United States Army re reinforced my belief in America leader sh- our American leadership, strong alliances and peace through strength. If confirmed, my responsibility would be clear, to faithfully implement President Trump's foreign policy, strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and Slovakia, and advance the interests of the American people. My priorities will be straightforward. First, I will protect American citizens' interests and security. Second, I will strengthen our strategic partnership with Slovakia. by expanding defense cooperation, enhancing military readiness, and advancing our shared security objectives. Third, I will work with Slovakia to strengthen energy security by expanding cooperation in the civil nuclear energy area, reducing dependence on Russian energy, that's a big important goal there, and creating new opportunities for American technology investment and business. Slovakia is a key central and an important NATO ally at the strategic crossroads geographically of Europe. If confirmed, I will faithfully represent the President of the United States, strengthen our alliance with Slovakia, and work every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Thank you for the honor of appearing here today. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you. Mister Perez?

Thank you. Chairman McCormick, Ranking Member Rosen, and distinguished members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is an honor to appear before you today, and I am grateful for your time and your service to this nation. I am deeply honored that President Trump has nominated me to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Federated Republic of Brazil and I thank Secretary Rubio for his confidence and his friendship. Senator Scott, thank you for your generous introduction and your dedication to Florida and to this country. It is a constant source of inspiration. To my wife, my th- my three children and my parents that sit behind me, thank you for your continued support. Brazil is not simply our largest trading partner in South America. It is a country of continental scale, extraordinary na- natural wealth, and growing strategic consequence, one whose trajectory over the coming years will shape the security, prosperity and influence of the entire Western hemisphere. The stakes are high and the opportunities are real. Brazil holds vast reserves of critical minerals essential to American economic strength and national security. It sits at the center of hemispheric trade, energy and infrastructure, and it faces real security challenges, from transnational criminal organizations that fuel drug flows threatening American communities, to the expanding footprint of outside powers competing for influence across the region. How the United States engages Brazil in the years ahead will matter enormously. I bring to this role a deep belief in the power of relationships. Growing up and serving in Miami Dade, one of the most vibrant multicultural communities in the world, taught me how to listen, how to find common ground, and how to build trust across different cultures. As Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, I learned that clarity, integrity and follow-through are the foundations of effective governance. I will bring those same principles to the embassy in Brasilia. My highest priorities, if confirmed, will be the protection of American citizens in Brazil, the advancement of our national interest in trade and investment,

Mm.

the disruption of narcotics, trafficking and transnational crime, and the building of resilient partnerships that serve the American economy and the American worker. I will also support Brazil's democratic institutions and press for conditions that allow free and fair elections and freedom of expression, because a stable, democratic Brazil is a better partner for the United States. The opportunity, if confirmed, to represent the United States of America abroad is the privilege of a lifetime. I pledge to this committee that I will work tirelessly to advance our national interests, strengthen this critical partnership, and make our country proud. Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mister Socia.

Thank you, Chairman McCormick, Ranking Member Rosen, and distinguished members of this committee. I'm grateful to appear before you today. I'm deeply honored by President Trump's nomination and the confidence of Secretary Rubio to serve as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Gambia. If confirmed, I pledge to advance American interests, strengthen our bilateral partnership, and represent the values that define our nation. I'm here today because of the hard work of a kid who minded his father's store, in Chicopee, Massachusetts, during the Great Depression. Because an Italian-American family escaped Mussolini's fascism in nineteen thirty, and because a nurse and a pharmacist fell in love in a hospital in Chicago, fifty years ago. My grandparents and parents taught me the value of integrity and the importance of hard work. Every day of their lives they supported the dreams of my brother, sister, and me. And together with my wife Denise, who I am grateful said yes to me and this journey fifteen years ago, I try to follow their example for our boys, Santiago and Marcelo. They are here today to watch their dad participate in the constitutional process of the country that gave the Stachowices, the Sochas, and the Bonavides. the home we all love so much. I have been privileged to represent the United States in twelve countries across four continents dedicating a third of my career to strengthening US relationships in Africa. I have spent most of that career sharing the American story with foreign audiences, alongside my outstanding foreign service colleagues and our inter-agency partners. While I am clear-eyed about the security challenges I witnessed in Nigeria and Somalia, The majority of African voices I heard were positive regarding Africa's future. The Gambia stands as an example of democratic transformation in West Africa. In two thousand sixteen, after twenty-two years of authoritarian rule, the Gambian people courageously voted for and achieved the country's first democratic transition of power since independence. The Gambia's progress serves as a positive example of what is possible. If confirmed, I will have no higher priority in the Gambia than the safety and security of US citizens. This includes our mission team doing extraordinary work in Banjul, and the Peace Corps volunteers who serve in communities across the country. Their dedication and professionalism, alongside that of our locally employed staff, advance American interests every day. I would also work to deepen our economic partnerships. The Gambia's strategic location on the Atlantic coast, its deep water port and river, present significant opportunities for American investment. I would advocate for American businesses in the Gambia, work to remove non-tariff barriers, and promote an environment where American enterprise can create jobs and advance prosperity for both our countries. In addition, I would prioritize American security interests. The Gambia has proven itself a reliable partner in combating transnational threats. It contributes troops to peacekeeping missions, and has consistently supported US positions, in international fora. If confirmed, I would work with the Gambia to assume an increasingly active role in advancing regional peace and security. The challenges facing the Gambia are significant. Poverty remains widespread, youth unemployment drives irregular migration, the Gambian government faces severe resource constraints. These challenges create vulnerabilities that our strategic competitors particularly China are eager to exploit. The United States supports the Gambia because we believe in the Gambian people's right to determine their own future, to live in dignity and freedom, and to build prosperity through democratic governance and economic prosperity. This, if confirmed, is the partnership I seek to advance. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Sosha. Um, so we're gonna b- now begin questions from the members of the committee. I'm gonna defer my questions for now and turn to Senator Daines.

Chairman McCormick, thank you. Um, Mister Anderson, because of the Trump administration and ASEAN's collaboration last year, we saw a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that stopped a bloody border clash. You alluded to that in your testimony. Looking at the future, how do you see regional partnerships and forums as a platform for closer US relations and regional stability across Southeast Asia?

Thank you for that question, Senator, and thank you for the kind introduction. Um, I think that's a great question that honestly not only the US, but also our regional allies in the area are asking. Obviously, ASEAN is a significant regional partner, uh, and I look forward to working with Ambassador Kim to really advance those priorities. But as we look to a larger spectrum of the tools in the toolbox in the region, I think one of the most prominent prominent is the Mekong US partnership. Uh, it's a regional platform, uh, that embraces, uh, economic and, uh, natural, uh, resource cooperation amongst the five, uh, countries of the Mekong region. Uh, we're seeing that kind of blossom, uh, include, uh, some joint ventures with Japan. And leveraging that, I think, is a great opportunity to really give the region a shot in the arm, that right now, and capitalize on the optimism that it's currently there.

Uh earlier this year, the USS Cincinnati visited Cambodia's ream naval base. The visit was intended to strengthen the mill-to-mill ties and reaffirm US access to the port, following its Chinese funded expansion. It was a promising moment in our military ties with a critical Southeast Asia country. Mister Anderson, how do you foresee the future of US-Cambodia security cooperation?

I again thank you, sir, and and I I can't emphasize that this is again uh a question that uh our allies, specif specifically five eyes countries are asking about the region. Obviously uh Hun Manette has said that Rheims naval base is open to all friendly nations, uh yet uh most countries around the globe still question whether that is a reality. I think the first part of answering your question is engagement, how to lean forward into conversations with the government, and then looking forward at how to pursue those partnerships in an incremental measured way, as we match it with productivity on increasing the US bilateral ties. So uh seeing things move forward together, not just uh pushing an investment and then hoping for change on the back-end.

U. S. Inva- U. S. investment in Cambodia, frankly, has been limited, especially when compared to its neighbors in Vietnam and Thailand. Economic ties have been so important, such a part of, uh, driving U. S. relations in Southeast Asia, but we really we haven't quite found major success yet where you're headed, if confirmed, to Cambodia. Mister Anderson, can you talk a little bit about why the investment climate in Cambodia has historically been difficult, as well as how you would work to bring more US business investment into the country.

Yes, uh, thank you, sir. I Top priorities for me, if confirmed, would be scam centers, economic and security cooperation, and regional frameworks. Uh, the economic aspect that you hit on here is firmly within that second priority. Through All of my years uh of service I've noticed that not just governments but private business desired uh stable outlooks and predictability uh Cambodia, historically, has not had that predictable nature. I mean, that's proven by just the US government to government relationship that has ebbed and flowed over the years. The goal would be to work together, again, engagement engagement with Cambodia to provide a predictable outlook for the future. and then leverage some of the things that President Trump has recently done. The recic- the agreement on reciprocal ta- agreement on reciprocal trade, uh, the open skies agreement and other aspects are tools to propel us to encourage, not only US but global investment into Cambodia.

Mr. Anderson, thank you. Mr. Chairman, you're back.

Terrific. Senator Rosen.

Thank you, Mister Chairman, I'm gonna start out to talk a little bit about people-to-people programming. So given their ta track record of building a pathway to peace, there's long been strong bipartisan support in Congress for people-to-people programs between Israelis Palestinians and other Arab neighbors. But many of these programs have been frozen or canceled since the beginning of this administration. So Ambassador Ambassador Blom, at a moment of violence, mistrust, instability in the region, efforts to strengthen people-to-people engagement, particularly between Israelis and Palestinians are more important than ever. If confirmed, will you prioritize programs designed to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace-building efforts, like MEPA or Merck?

Thank you, uh, very much for that question, Senator. Um, uh, uh, I can say that with my experience over over many years, including working directly on Israeli-Palestinian, uh, issues, uh, I understand uh the strength uh that can come from people-to-people exchanges um uh often often benefits that that come after after many years of such programming they can pay off in a in a very long run um if could

Will you work will you work to ensure that the Bureau has the resources and personnel to manage these important programs as well?

Senator I will wi- uh within the broader parameters of our our our assistance programming at the department to look for opportunities where we can effectively deploy those kind of funding uh sources.

Well, I look forward to working with you in strengthening those partnerships. I believe that creates stability on the ground. I wanna move on now to religious pluralism. Mister Mastriano, you've spoken many times about the Christian identity of the United States and that separation of church and state is a myth. So I just have a simple question for you and if you could Look at me when you s- answer this. Do you think political, US political leaders should all be Christian?

Thank you, Senator, for that question. So having spent more than thirty years in the uniform of leading men and women, of all creeds, all races, um from every corner of Pennsylvania and every corner of the United States, my record stands clear that uh I uphold and defend the Constitution and its values and w- The fact Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn.

So I just want a simple yes or no. Do you think US political leaders should be Christian? It's a simple yes or no.

I ber- believe in the rule of law and that religious liberty applies to every American why our country was founded.

So, I I I'm not sure why you won't answer the question in that way, but what I do want to say is that I do find it deeply problematic that you won't look me in the eye and say that leaders in the United States. We are a pluralistic country, Huh. don't have to be Christian. And so leaders can come from any faith, Judaism, Um, madam, um. Of course. Islam, Hinduism. And if you were to be confirmed, you would be in charge of an embassy, sir, that will have a diverse staff. You will be meeting with diplomatic leaders from every race and faith from all around the world. And I just want to be sure that you'll be able to reconcile your world view with the responsibilities of your role. But I'm loo

And Senator, I would look in your eye and and repeat it in simpler language rather than constitutional phrasing.

Thank you.

We we are absolutely a pluralistic society, and I have worked for non-Christians in the military and the government, and I've had them working for me. I've had people from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, wait.

That wasn't the question, though, the question was do you think leadership should only be Christian? But we're gonna move on to some other things with my time left. In October twenty twenty two, your wife said at one of your campaign events that the two of you probably love Israel more than a lot of Jews do. So, um, just I have some other things I wanna add. So yes or no, do you agree with that statement? You love Israel more than a lot of Jews? Yes or no, please?

But both Rebbe and I have a deep love and appreciation for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel.

I appreciate that. So can you confirm that you've complete, complete, compl uh, excuse me, repeatedly compared things to the Holocaust, such as abortion or your loss to governorship?

I've been working closely with the Jewish community for Senate Bill one twenty seven in Pennsylvania to ma- to institute Holocaust education across the state.

We we've seen the statements.

And I think any use of comparisons uh is is unwise.

So you're saying you you didn't make these statements.

I th I, no, I I think it diminishes and I and today I would not do that.

To so you made the statements but you're renouncing the statements.

But they have since There there was a social media post that I would not

Well, uh I appreciate that, because you will be representing the United States and Slovakia, where nearly sixty nine thousand Slovak Jews were murdered during the Holocaust,