Hearings to examine pending nominations.

United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order, uh this morning. Today I don't think I don't see any issues here, but uh we uh always welcome the public uh to come to these hearings and watch what we do and enjoy themselves uh but uh we do not allow any communications uh from the audience uh in the form of protest or any other method of communicating with either the nominees or anyone at the dais uh if that's attempted. the usual will happen, they'll be arrested and banned from the committee. So that's seems to have slowed that process down quite a bit uh since I've been chairman. Uh we have three uh nominees to here today, uh Peter McCoy to be U ambassador, US ambassador to Montenegro, Daniel Travis to be US ambassador to the Republic of Sierra Leone, and Nate Morris to be US ambassador to the Republic of Columbia. Uh the way this works is uh We will if uh w- we're gonna have one introduction, Senator Marino is gonna introduce uh Nate Morris. Ordinarily I would uh do the courtesy of giving him the floor, but he hasn't shown up yet, so uh with that

Uh-huh. So he loses.

Yeah. So he will wait while us to uh I give an opening statement and uh uh Senator Shaheen gives an opening statement. We'll do that, then by then I'm sure uh Senator Marino will be here. We'll give him the floor, then we'll turn to the nominees and give you each about five minutes to talk with us and tell us uh what you're thinking. Uh please try to keep it to about five minutes, if you need more, we're happy to put whatever else you have uh into the record of the hearing. Uh we'll then uh move to uh questions uh from the committee. So with that I will uh uh I will start and say uh thank you to all of you for being here today, I know uh what a sacrifice it is to uh take these positions uh when you have to uh move overseas. And we also wanna thank your families because we know how important it is to have the support of your families because they also uh make the sacrifices that are necessary to do these jobs. So we'll start with uh Montenegro. The US has a vested interest in making Montenegro stronger by supporting its government efforts to implement reforms, modernize its national defense, and integrate itself uh within the transatlantic community. I look forward to hearing how you plan to promote uh bilateral and regional uh cooperation that advances US interests and supports Montenegro's ambitions to become a key leader and partner in both the Western Balkans and across Europe. Mister Morris, a strong relationship with Colombia is important to achieve our national interests in a prosperous democratic and secure Western hemisphere. Our partnership has contributed to widespread economic uh growth as well as safer communities here at home and in Colombia and the hemisphere at large. Colombia's internal security is under pressure due to flows uh flaws in the two thousand sixteen deal with the Communist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the misguided policies of the petro-government. Equally concerning is the negative influence of malign state actors like Russia and China. Mister Morris, I look forward to hearing how, if confirmed, You would work with the incoming government in Columbia to unleash private sector, continued growth, uh confront transnational c- uh criminal and terrorist organizations, and re- reduce the uh malign influence of China and Russia. And finally, Mister Travis, uh Sierra Leone continues to face serious development challenges following years of civil war and disease. The US must remain engaged in to counter China's influence and to ensure that Sierra Leone remains stable. democratic and a true partner to the United States. These issues warrant strong attention from the United States. I'm glad to see someone with extensive Africa experience taking up the role if confirmed. Thank you again to our nominees uh for being here, and now I will turn it over to the distinguished Nike members. I'm here.

Um thank you, Mister Chairman, welcome to each of our nominees today and to all of your friends and supporters who are here. Um I have an opening statement and As you listen to the beginning of this statement, you're gonna wonder how that's connected to your um, to the portfolio for the job you've been nominated for. But believe me, this is an issue that affects all of us. Global health security is deteriorating, and diseases we know how to prevent are resurging. Measles outbreak, MPOX, we had a tuberculosis case in New Hampshire this year, and the current Ebola outbreak. Infectious diseases do not respect borders. What happens overseas can quickly become an American problem. That's why there's been bipartisan support for the organization GAVI, one of the world's most successful public-private partnerships, supporting immunization in low- and middle-income countries. More than one billion children have been immunized, twenty million lives have been saved. And after months of delay, the State Department has finally transmitted a congressional notification to release the funds that Congress appropriated. Recent announcements are encouraging, but congressional notifications are not the same as obligated funds. So far the State Department's track record has not inspired confidence. Just last week, State Department officials presenting on global health had to apologize, and, Mister Travis, you will especially appreciate this, after displaying a map that misplaced African countries, um, pretty significant African countries, including Nigeria, the most populous country on the continent. It was an embarrassing mistake that understood underscored something that's very important. If the United States is going to lead on global health security in Africa, we need experienced diplomats diplomats with the regional expertise to do it well. Today we will consider Mr. Travis's nomination to be ambassador to Sierra Leone. I'm pleased that we have a career Foreign Service Officer to represent the United States in a country at the forefront of global outbreak, preparedness and disease surveillance. Sierra Leone suffered more than fourteen thousand Ebola cases during the twenty fourteen, twenty sixteen epidemic. That experience has made it an indispensable partner in preventing the next outbreak, before it reaches U S shores. We also need to ensure that our diplomats have the resources Congress has previously provided. And so, Mister Travis, if confirmed, I hope you will be a strong voice inside the department on the importance of these partnerships to both Sierra Leone and America's health security. Mister Morris, you've been nominated to be ambassador to Columbia, one of the United States' closest security partners in the Western hemisphere. Colombia's success is critical to stability across the region facing economic turmoil, migration and organized crime. In neighboring Venezuela, Maduro has been removed but the essence of his regime remains in power. If confirmed following a year and a half of an often politicized and erratic U. S. Colombia relationship, I hope you will ensure the U. S. is a reliable partner. Cooperating on counter-narcotics, investing in economic partnerships, and supporting democratic institutions is critical. And finally, Mr. McCoy, you have been nominated to Montenegro, a NATO ally and a key strategic partner in the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans remain a front-line of strategic competition. Russian influence operations, Chinese economic coercion, and democratic backsliding continue to threaten the region. That's why our bipartisan legislation, the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, was so important to cement US leadership in the region. We cannot afford another hot spot for instability. Bosnia continues to face separatist pressure from Milorad Dodek and persistent efforts to deny the Srebrenica genocide. So if confirmed, I hope you will use the mission to Montenegro to support Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic ambitions and full integration. to reinforce regional stability and to promote America's economic opportunities on behalf of all American business interests. The United States has spent more than three decades helping build a stable Western Balkans. We cannot afford to send mixed messages now. I look forward to hearing from each of you. Thank you all.

Thank you, uh, Senator Shaheen. Uh, we will now, uh, give each of you a five minutes, if you would, to uh enlighten us, so we'll start uh Mr. McCoy with you, please.

Chairman Rish, Ranking Member Shaheen, and distinguished members of the committee, I am honored to appear before you as President Trump's nominee to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Montenegro. I am profoundly grateful to the President and Secretary Rubio for their trust in me, and I hope to earn the trust and confidence of this committee as well. I would like to start with a thank you, a huge thank you to my wife of sixteen years, Jennifer, who's sitting behind me. Without her unwavering love and support, I would not be here today. She's a wife, a mother, and an active circuit judge in the state of South Carolina. She is my rock and I love her more than words can describe. I would also like to acknowledge my three children, May Laughlin, who is fifteen, Lucy, who's thirteen, Peter, who's twelve. I am so thankful God has allowed each of these blessings in my life, and again I'm very proud to be their father. Following up on that, I would like to acknowledge my parents, Peter and Lucy McCoy. This coming October they will have, they will celebrate fifty years of marriage. My mother was a dedicated retired school teacher. and my father is retired from working from a South Carolina paper manufacturing company. From birth they instilled the values of faith, hard work, treating everyone with kindness and respect, and pride and family. They worked successful careers, putting the education and needs of myself and my brother oftentimes above their own. Again, very proud to be their son. I have been a practicing attorney for twenty-one years. I am proud to have served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for ten years. I was known as a hard worker, an ethical worker, and a consensus builder. I was fortunate at the close of my tenure in the House to be elected by my peers, both Republican and Democrat, unanimously to serve as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Following my career uh in the State House, um I was proud to have been nominated by President Trump to serve as United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. I am currently in my role right now, I'm also the Chairman of the South Carolina Public Service Authority. The Ch- the South Carolina Public Service Authority is at a a position that's appointed by our Governor Henry McMaster and it is the fourth largest state owned utility in the nation. In closing I would like to thank the incredible, and I mean the incredible men and wen women at the State Department. Working with them over the last few months has been absolutely incredible. The time they spent with me shows that they are dedicated public servants who have their best interests and the country's best interests at heart. It is an absolute honor to learn from them, and I'm so thankful for their time that they have given me. I would also like to lai thank the late Senator Lindsey Graham. He was an incredible friend and ally to me. I miss his guidance, especially right now, more than ever, and I most certainly miss his humor. Senator Tim Scott has been a faithful friend of mine going back to our days together in Charleston, South Carolina. I appreciate his continued counsel and advice. South Carolina is fortunate to have both of their leadership. Turning back to Montenegro, if confirmed, I am committed to working with you to advance US interests in Montenegro through an America first foreign policy. Montenegro and the United States share an enduring bond rooted in one hundred and twenty years of diplomatic relations. One that has only deepened in the last two decades since Montenegro regained its independence. If confirmed, I will lead our team with three clear priorities, beginning with the most fundamental, the safety and security of all US citizens of Montenegro and our dedicated embassy staff. With that foundation in place, if confirmed, I will work to expand commercial opportunities that advance US prosperity, building on the intergovernmental agreement concluded in July, the US private sector, the world's foremost engine of growth and innovation, is ideally positioned to partner with Montenegro in infrastructure, security, energy and technology featured in the Adriatic, Adriatic-Ionian corridor and other projects. Our mission would strive to level the playing field for US companies enabling Montenegro to reduce its dependence on strategic competitors, such as China. Beyond economic engagement, if confirmed, I will deepen law enforcement and security cooperation with Montenegro to safeguard US interests. Under my leadership, the embassy would continue to support Montenegro in countering threats from transnational criminal organizations like those linked to the Western hemisphere cartels that harm citizens in both countries. Additionally, I would like to leverage two decades of collaboration through state partnership with Maine's National Guard to enhance inoperability and streamline defense acquisitions ensuring Montenegro meets NATO capability targets and meets its Hague summit spending commitments. If confirmed, I'll be a partner with the government to ensure Montenegro remains stalwart NATO ally, helping to secure Europe's eastern flank and promoting stability across the Western Balkans. Again, I cannot thank this committee enough. Chairman, Ranking Member, for the opportunity to be here in front of you today. It is an absolute honor and I very much look forward to your questions. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Now this is the call. Hey, I'm Mr. Chancey. Chairman.

Chairman Rich, Ranking Member Shaheen, and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'm honored by the trust President Trump and Secretary Rubio has placed in me with this nomination and I'm deeply grateful for my family for their support and willingness to take on this challenge alongside me. First and foremost, I want to thank my family. My wife, Kasia, who's here with me today, and our children, Magdalena and Jason, for their unwavering support over my twenty-five years of service to the United States. Since joining the Foreign Service September tenth, two thousand one, they have accompanied me at postings in seven countries across three continents. Without them, I would not be here. The United States is resetting its relationship with Africa. We are moving away from aid and dependency. toward trade, investment, and mutual benefit. Sierra Leone is a place where that vision can deliver real results, and if confirmed, I intend to make that happen. Sierra Leone matters to American interests in concrete ways. It holds critical minerals essential to American manufacturing and national security. It has significant American commercial investment in telecommunications, energy, and mining, and more specifically, is poised to become a significant destination for US LNG exports, through the DFC-backed NENT energy project. Additionally, as the outgoing chair of ECOWAS, Sierra Leone's leadership in the region is more consequential than ever at a time when competition for economic, strategic and diplomatic influence in West Africa is intensifying. The foundation for a stronger partnership is already being built. American companies have invested over half a billion dollars in Sierra Leone's economy and we maintain a healthy trade surplus. A landmark health agreement signed under the American first global health security strategy is protecting both Americans and Sierra Leoneans' lives, while demanding accountability and co-investment from Sierra Leone, fostering a freedom from dependency. And a pipeline of American-led projects, such as agreement between Acro Corporation of Pennsylvania to design and build a bridge across the Sierra Leone River, connecting Freetown with its international airport, has the potential to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in US exports and cement American leadership in Sierra Leone's economic future. The administration engages Sierra Leone as a capable commercial partner with shared interests not as an aid recipient. The US uses direct diplomacy and expects Sierra Leone to take American strategic and commercial priorities seriously in return. When governance falls short and American interests are affected, I will raise these concerns directly and privately with the Sierra Leonean leadership. That is the basis of a productive relationship and is the approach I will bring to Freetown. If confirmed, the welfare of American citizens, our commercial diplomacy and our development investments in Sierra Leone, particularly in public health, will be my top priorities. I will work to close transformational deals, open doors for American companies, and ensure that Sierra Leone's energy, infrastructure and mineral sectors are shaped by an American investment not by our competitors who play by their own rules. I will use the full range of US government tools available, including MCC Compacts, DFC Investment, and bilateral engagement to advance reform that benefits American businesses. I'm clear-eyed about these challenges. Competition for influence in Sierra Leone is real and intensifying. Governance challenges persist, and the resources available to American diplomacy are finite. But I believe that when US diplomacy aligns with private sector and a clear sense of American interests, we can deliver results that no other partner can match. If confirmed, I will give this assignment, our commercial priorities, the welfare of American citizens, and our development investment in Sierra Leone, everything I have. I look forward to your questions.

Thanks much uh, Mr. Travis. Uh, Mr. Morris, I'm unhappy to report that uh Bernie has sent me a note saying that he's been unavoidably detained so he's not gonna be here to introduce you. But if he were, I can assure you, he would give you an enthusiastic endorsement. He's already told me uh much about you, but um guess you're gonna be on your own this morning, but I feel you're gonna be all right. So you uh you have the floor.

Thank you, Senator. Uh, Chairman Risch, Ranking Member Shaheen and distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you as President Trump's nominee for United States Ambassador to the Republic of Columbia. I'm so grateful to President Trump Vice President J. D. Vance and Secretary Rubio for their confidence and for implementing an America first foreign policy that puts our country first. Our mission of America first diplomacy is simple, to make America stronger, safer and more prosperous. I'd also like to thank my friend, Senator Bernie Marino, for his support. I'd like to recognize my wife Jane and my son JR who are here today, and also my mother Miranda who is sitting right behind me. I'm grateful for all their love and support and allow me to be here today. I come before the committee as a proud ninth generation Kentuckian. My family descends from Appalachia, where people have fought for everything that they have in hopes that they too can achieve the American dream. I was raised by a single mother in a family of union autoworkers, people who believed that in this country, if you work hard you can build something that matters. I will carry these values into the role of US Ambassador. As an American entrepreneur, I founded one of the country's largest waste management grew it from a ten thousand dollar line of credit to take it public on the New York Stock Exchange. As a founder and CEO, I created thousands of good paying jobs, fought for my team and families, and provided a hundred percent free health care for all my employees. Building my company taught me that success depends on accountability, transparency, and especially hard work. Those are the principles I will bring to Embassy Bogota if confirmed. The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Republic of Columbia have a history that reaches back to eighteen twenty-three, when the first American envoy to Columbia, a Kentuckian, took the post. If confirmed, I would be the fifth Kentuckian to hold this ambassadorship, and I'm proud to carry that tradition forward. It is one of the most strategic posts in the world, with the legacy of great American leaders at the helm, including a United States president. The future of the Western, uh, the future of American foreign policy, rests on America's dominance in the Western hemisphere. This is our neighborhood, and I'm proud and inspired that President Trump is treating it that way again. The inauguration of Columbia's new administration on August seventh will be an important moment in our relations with this key ally. If confirmed, I will work with the new government on three priorities. One, stopping the flow of drugs and illegal immigration. Two, expanding economic opportunity. And three, serving the Americans who live and travel to Columbia. Approximately ninety-four percent of the cocaine that is devastating American communities originates in Columbia. Columbia is also a source, destination, and transit country for illegal migration. I will work with the Trump administration, achieving its goal of a zero tolerance policy toward drugs and illegal immigration. That means strengthening our cooperation on counter-narcotics, transnational criminal organizations, supporting Columbia's efforts to improve citizen security, and ensuring that violent criminal networks do not threaten the stability of the region or the safety of the American people. Columbia is one of the few countries in South America where the United States, still today, is the largest trading partner. I will keep it that way by advocating for U S firms and advancing energy security with one goal creating jobs and long-term economic opportunity for the American people. American business and investment will be the first choice over China or any other competitor every single time. I will also prioritize the safety of US citizens in Columbia, ensuring that the embassy remains responsive, professional, and engaged across the country. Mister Chairman, members of the committee, I respectfully ask for your support. If confirmed, I will serve with integrity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the safety, prosperity, and strategic interests of the United States. Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

Um thank you so much, uh we appreciate all of your willingness to serve and uh some uh interesting appointments no question. Uh we're gonna do a a round of questions now with uh five minutes each, I'm gonna start, then I'll uh recognize Senator Shaheen. But uh lemme lemme start uh Mr. Travis uh first of all you're uh you come to us with uh a pedigree that uh we don't see frequently before this committee and we're glad to have you and that's an important assignment uh the the president has given you. Uh, I wanna focus for just a moment on the uh history of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and uh tell me about your thoughts on where it is and uh how uh uh what you can do to to help make it work.

Thank you for that. An important question, uh, Senator, uh, at the beginning of the Trump administration when uh when the decision was made to uh to reassess all of our foreign assistants, uh, I I took the lead for the Africa Bureau on helping to assess uh the Millennium Challenge Count uh compacts in Africa. And I'm very pleased to say that uh Sierra Leone came out on the top of our list as being well aligned with uh President Trump's priorities uh uh for the continent. Uh the compact in Sierra Leone is focused on electrical distribution. From what I understand, it nicely fits onto a chain of US investments from an LNG port uh and refinery to another DFC investment uh invest DFC pardon me supported investment in power production. So these three projects together uh if carried out and brought brought on-line in time will essentially double the uh the power available for uh for the people of Sierra Leone and and especially for the businesses, uh and investment we hope to have there.

Oh well, I appreciate that. Um let's uh, Mister Morris, let's talk for a minute uh about Columbia um President Petro signed the famous MOU to join China's uh Belt and Road Initiative. Obviously uh not in our best interest and uh certainly uh uh with us uh pressed them the other way but uh he made that decision and here we are. What uh what are your thoughts on that, uh what what do you think the chances are of getting that reversed?

Well, thank you, Mister Chairman, for the question. Uh, I've been very encouraged by the President-elect um and his commitment uh to withdraw from that MOU. And I believe obviously that uh I think all nations have to make a decision that if it's either U- the United States or or China on who they wanna do business with. Uh I think we have an extraordinary opportunity uh to open the Columbia economy once again. Uh for the last several years they've been very challenged because of the leadership uh that's been in place, but I'm very hopeful uh of the new president-elect and obviously our ability to uh make investments uh that I think will be in the best interest of the United States and the long-term security of both countries.

I appreciate that. Uh obviously it's an important country and uh uh it's been much on our mind because of the Petro administration and uh and those kinds of things, so thank you for your willingness uh to serve there. Uh, Mister McCoy, uh a Montenegro is uh uh in impor in an important place, uh but they've got some real problems uh with corruption and organized crimes these days. and their uh their uh judiciary and their enforcement, law enforcement institutions are in uh desperate need of uh of reform. Got thoughts on that?

Thank you, Mister Chairman, and and that that's a fantastic question. And really, I'd like to start with the winds that I think are moving in the right direction for Montenegro. Um with the election of a new president in twenty twenty-three, the election of a new prime minister in twenty twenty-three, Um, I think the country is moving in the right direction in terms of wanting to do the right thing and one of those right things is tackling corruption or tackling issues of crime with inside the country. Mister Chairman, the the law enforcement, I guess, total population that they have in country is roughly thirty-three hundred folks, right? You don't have a whole lot of people that are there on the ground working to defend. They're good people, they're hard-working people, they want to do the right thing when it comes to prosecution, when it comes to tackling corruption. Um, but that's where they need a little bit of help and assistance and guidance. Um, Mister Chairman, um, my background as a as a former US attorney, having worked with a lot of different law enforcement agencies, whether it's on the state level or whether it's on the federal level, I think would be a fantastic fit if I were fortunate enough to be confirmed and be on the ground in Montenegro to be able to assist. I will tell you the INL program that the country is using right now to the maximum ability, I think is fantastic. The INL program is working to help give the tools, give the resources, give the advice when it comes to having the local folks there prosecute, work cases up and be able to move cases forward. Having that, that, that ability to do that I think has worked wonders. So far we've seen a, a huge increase, Mister Chairman, um in some prosecutions that have happened in the country, not only when it comes to um crimes of conspiracy such as drug conspiracy, but also on the white-collar realm and dealing with cryptocurrency issues that are kind of unregulated there as well so we're seeing that and the numbers that they're bringing to the table in terms of prosecutions are growing. Um they also have a criminal justice advisor who is on the ground that works heavily with the INL and again I think the role that person plays is fantastic who works directly with prosecutors works directly with judges helps advise helps lead and helps show how to build cases and move cases forward. So, Mister Chairman, I think things are moving in the right direction there and and again, if I'm lucky enough to be confirmed, I wanna be right there in the middle of that to help and assist any way that I can.

Th thanks so much. Senator Shaheen.

Um, well thank you, uh, Mister McCoy. I I wanna follow up on that a little bit because I completely agree. I think INL does really good work and has been particularly helpful in countries like Montenegro that are fighting corruption. Um. One of the influences in Montenegro that I think contributes to that corrupt corruption is Russia. Um, they have, as I'm sure you're aware, have long sought to influence political developments in the country. In nineteen s in twenty sixteen, Russian intelligence allegedly supported a coup to try and prevent Montenegro from joining NATO. So as you think about that challenge of Russia, disinformation, misinformation, influence operations, How can the United States help Montenegro to fight back against those kinds of influences?

Thank you, Member Shahin, that that's a that's an excellent question, and obviously historically you take a huge interest in the area, you know a lot about the history that's happened there, and in the past um there was significant Russian influence not only in the government but also in the community in the culture always there. But I'll tell you what makes me proud about Montenegro and what they've done so far, and moving away and turning away from that influence is the joining of NATO. Russia did everything they could, everything they could to exert pressure, to apply problems, to create problems, to kind of push Montenegro away from doing that. Montenegro stayed strong. They were steadfast in their pursuit of NATO. They joined NATO. They did so successfully. And frankly, Senator, I I think they're doing a fantastic job of being a contributing member of NATO, and I want them to accr- and that and continue to do that. Um, but again, since that happened, you you've seen a significant decrease in Russian influence, at least monetarily in the country. I've I've read a statistic that their their their, uh, um, I guess influence money-wise in the country is down as much as seventy five percent, since that's happened. And that's a fantastic

Yeah, they're putting it all in Ukraine.

Yeah. Well, well, and I'll and I'll tell you to to to Montenegro's credit, they are they have they have done everything they can to support Ukraine, they have sent what they can monetarily as well as troops, um in defiance of Russia their uh ranking member Shahin, which I think again is a huge positive in the culture turning in the country and showing that they want to do the right thing and not have this tie to Russia. So, ranking member Shahin, obviously there there's there's there will always be work to do there and always influence to be had there but if I'm fortunate enough to be confirmed and I can get on the ground there that's certainly something I would wanna make a priority.

Thank you.

a continued priority.

Um, I was also pleased to see the agreement between the United States and Montenegro to accelerate opportunities for U S companies. I think it reflects the intent of legislation that Congress passed. Um, in the last session, the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, to increase economic ties in the region. Um, I think it's really important to ensure that those commercial deals are free and open um to competition and not just um go to people with ties to um powered interests in the United States. So will you commit to advocate in in partial way on behalf of all U S companies that are interested in investing in Montenegro?

Senator Shahin, uh again, another excellent question. And and if you don't mind, I would love to talk a little bit about the agreement that you mentioned earlier on too. The IGA that was formalized and signed at the end of this month, right? It just It happened actually while I was in the ambassador school over the past two weeks, I think is an exceptional piece of legislation. I think it opens the door and not just a little, but widely to have a f- the uh a US conversation, a US seat at the table in terms of helping with energy, infrastructure, jobs,

Mm.

transportation, all of the above that can come in and have a direct impact on Montenegro in a helpful way. Um, I think two of the prime issues that kind of came out of that adriatic ionic corridor, you know, from the IGA, as you're looking at um the ability for billions of dollars to flow through that corridor hopefully if things get up off the ground in the future. Also looking at cargo checkers, something as small as cargo checkers were part of that as well, and I think that is a phenomenal way to show Montenegro our interest in the country, um but likewise how we can produce and and and bring together um, United States businesses, again, not picked or chosen by anybody, but giving everybody a fair chance, Senator, uh, to come in and to compete for the area.

Well, thank you, Mister McCoy. I'm pleased to see that you share my interest in the Western Balkans, and particularly in Montenegro. Thank you. Um, Mister Morris, Venezuela, as you know, has served as a sanctuary for training, for arms trafficking, for cross-border attacks against Colombian security forces. over the last few decades and particularly under uh Nicolas Maduro. Their incoming president has said that he will conduct relations with Venezuela via the United States. Can what's your understanding of what the relationships are between the incoming president and key actors in the Maduro regime?

Well, thank you, ranking member Shahin. Uh, I can't speak for the president-elect uh in the conversations that he's had. and the dialogue that's taken place, but what I will tell you is I believe a strong Columbia is in the best re- best interest of the region uh and the hemisphere and I think as a US ambassador one of the things that I can do as someone who's coming from the private sector is to help create and foster more economic opportunity which the Colombian people have been suffering uh for several years because of that lack of opportunity and I think that that is uh one of the key things that we can do as a country and the region and the hemisphere uh, to to bring about more security, more safety for the Colombian people and also for the United States.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much. Uh, Senator Cain.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and congratulations to the nominees. Mr. Chair, before I ask a question or two, I'd like to introduce into the record an article that is dated today in the New York Times, US revokes visa of top Brazilian diplomat, dialing up tensions.

It'll it'll be entered in the record.

Um a as committee members know, there's gonna be a vote on the floor today on the nominee to be United States Ambassador to Brazil Daniel Perez who I voted for uh very very excited to vote for him, I think he'll do a good job. But the US Brazil relationship, which should be a good relationship, is really bollocked up right now and I hope members of the committee might help figure out a way to unstick this unnecessary tangle. Um, the challenge began in April of twenty twenty five with the president's announcement of liberation day tariffs against virtually every nation in the world including Brazil and the the professed reason for the liberation day tariffs was that other nations were ripping us off as measured by trade deficits Brazil, we don't have a trade deficit. Um, we have a forty billion dollar annual trade surplus with Brazil. They buy a lot more stuff from the US than we buy from them. And so, given that we have a trade surplus with Brazil, well why put tariffs on Brazil? Well, it later became apparent when the president added tariffs, that the tariffs were being added to punish Brazil's political leadership. The current government of Brazil was prosecuting uh um a friend of President Trump's, the former president Bolsonaro, and so the president then added even more tariffs against Brazil using the IEPA statute that the Supreme Court later struck down. how is it an emergency for the United States if the nation of Brazil is prosecuting somebody in accord with our own system of justice and then this is now led to a set of back and forths there were some US diplomats who were going to be assigned to Brazil Brazil would not allow them to enter um Brazil has raised questions about whether Ambassador Naminie Perez and I suspect he's gonna get the votes today to actually be the ambassador they're sort of slow walking him coming in So now we've retracted the visa of the Brazilian ambassador of the United States. This is no way for two big nations with really important economies, who've got a lot in common, uh, who have been friends in the past, it's no way for us to treat each other. So I'm hoping that cooler heads may prevail on both sides.

Mm-hmm.

We can figure out what we can do here on the US side and Brazilians can figure out on their side, because I think we need a confirmed ambassador. And I think Mr. Perez will be a good ambassador. We just need to get him there, so I hope we can untangle It's not. Uh, Mr. McCoy, I wanna ask you a question, really. You, I think you're in some ways very uniquely suited to this position. The most uniquely suited are the career, you know, State Department FSOs, but the political appointees have an important role. Um, as a, uh, the US attorney, uh, you had a great track record. Uh, one of the things that I uh particularly appreciated is in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol on January sixth, twenty twenty one when you were then the US attorney, your social media account had you say this, let me be perfectly ki clear, federal crimes were violated today at our nation's capital building. Anyone who traveled from the district of South Carolina with intent to aid this travesty or commit acts of destruction will be prosecuted by our office. And I appreciated that. It it matched in tone what I heard your friend, Senator Lindsey Graham, say on the floor that that same day, and I appreciated that you were so clear about it. You're going into a country that is a NATO member and that's fantastic, but would also like to join the EU. And one of the obstacles for Montenegro joining the EU, and you've already been asked questions about this by the Chairman, has been a history of corruption uh that uh needs to sort of get resolved prior to the likelihood of EU accession. Because you've prosecuted corruption cases, and this has been an area you know, you can't dictate the domestic politics obviously of another nation,

Mm-hmm.

but I think you do have a unique skill set in having, you know, prosecuted corruption and and been a strong advocate for the rule of law to help advise, encourage Montenegro in this path to tackle corruption. And you've already responded to this a bit, but I wonder if you have more to say about how your unique skill set could assist in that endeavor.

Thank you, Senator, and instead of thanking, I I I greatly appreciate the question I greatly appreciate the question, Senator, so thank you for that, and as a point of of of personal privilege as well, if you don't mind, when I did come up to Washington DC, um, to start the process, to learn and meet folks, to be US Attorney, I encountered you in the hall, Senator, and we actually had a a a fantastic conversation. And I know you may not remember, but I'll never forget it.

I remember you're a Hampton,

So

Sidney grad, and that goes a long way with me,

But

so

Yeah, yes, yes, sir, and I was and we and we had that discussion. So again, Senator, that's something that stands out into my mind and again I I I'll never forget it and I thank you for giving me that time. Senator, uh you're right, this is my background, it's what I love to do, it's something that I would love to be able to help with. I mean this is something that is in my wheelhouse, I think it's something that I can help others with, but Senator you can't do it alone, you can't do it without the good folks that are that are there in country right now, the local law enforcement in the country right now, and being able to have that working relationship and working through INL, working through a criminal uh a prosecutor that's on the ground there. Um and again, Senator, we've talked a little bit, I I again at very high levels about the budgetary issues with the INL and and hopefully I'll learn more about that if I'm lucky enough to be confirmed. Um but I think it's such an outstanding program, Senator, and I I think we have to utilize that, we have to use it, we have to work together. I would love to have as many as possible, one, two, three, four, five FBI agents or DEA agents on the ground as well, so in our office working together as well, um, to kind of help advise and see this through.

Great. Thank you.

Yes, sir.

And and if I could, Senator Scott, I know you're up next, but just a quick word of just a suggestion for Mr. Morris. Um, you know, you're not confirmed yet and you don't assume any duties until you are, but here's a piece of advice. The U. S. Columbia relationship, really beginning with the plan Columbia, um, toward the end of the Clinton administration. So Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, Pr- President Trump first term, President Biden, President Trump second term, it's been a very steady relationship, even though at the presidential level, whether, you know, I've just gone through a lot of presidents of different parties, or I could go through the Colombian presidents left, right, left, right, left, right. While there's been some churn at the political level, I would really encourage you to spend time with SouthKom. because the mill-to-mill cooperation between the US and Columbia has stayed very continuous, very steady and very reliable, even as things at the top might be changing. And I think, um, the one of the first things I would urge you to do, and maybe you've already begun this dialogue, is spend some time with SouthKom to get a sense for what that mill-to-mill relationship has been like. Cuz I think it's been real solid. I'm sure there's more we can do, obviously, but I think you'll be encouraged when you see the degree to which that relationship has been a very mature and steady one, and with that I'll I'll yield.

And thank you, Senator, for sharing that.

Yep.

I think I'm supposed to recognize myself, but first off I just wanna what uh Senator Cain said is a pretty big deal. We've we've gotta figure out how to build these relationships better. And um I wanna recognize both Senator Shaheen and Senator Cain because they both of them care about Latin America and they put a lot of effort into it. And um and we you know we've I think we all as we all think about this, we have a lot of opportunities. right now, but there's a lot of challenges in in Latin America and part of it is we just gotta keep figuring out how it's a win-win uh in all these countries from Brazil to Colombia to Venezuela to Cuba all of them so it's it's an exciting time. So congratulations on each of you, you're gonna have a ball, uh these are great jobs because you you're gonna be able to actually accomplish something which is really nice. So uh Mister Morris you got a you've you have some you have some background in Colombia? There's a lot of work, yep.

I do, yes.

You wanna talk about your background first?

I a absolutely.

Why why why do you care about Columbia?

Uh well first and foremost I'm I'm so proud of Kentucky's tradition with Columbia. Uh if confirmed I would be the fifth fifth ambassador from Columbia or from Kentucky to go to Columbia. So our state has had a long tradition uh with the Colombian people and the nation. Uh I recognize the important strategic relationship that Columbia has played and and uh the relationship with the hemisphere. and how the two countries have worked together. Uh, I think the opportunity economically and to continue to promote safety and security, uh, is always paramount, and that's something I think that's so important to get right about this relationship. Um, but I've, I've got friends in Colombia that, uh, uh, I've met through business, a former head of state there. Uh, I've also got family that have great ties there. So, uh, Colombia is, is something that's always been near and dear to my heart and, uh, I'm I'm very enthusiastic if confirmed to to serve the American people in that capacity, but also help the Colombian people and help their economy.