>> next, the confirmation hearing for the president's nominees to be u.s. ambassadors to the european union, belgium, zimbabwe and the ambassador to the u.n. for management and reform. each of the nominees spoke about their priorities for the post. the senate foreign relations committee met for one hour 20 minutes. >> good afternoon. this hearing of the senate foreign relations committee will come to order. today we gather to consider or nominations. the honorable brian nichols to be u.s. ambassador to zimbabwe. mr. gordon sunland derby is represented to european union with the rank of ambassador. mr. ronald gidwitz to be u.s. ambassador to belgium and ms. cherith chalet to be the u.s. representative to the united nations are you in management and reform with the rank of ambassador and alternative u.s. representative to the sessions of united nations general assembly. that's a mouthful. i want to welcome the nominees

and the families and in your opening statement to help you will introduce your families and your friends to this committee, and i congratulate all of you on your selection by the president for these positions added want to thank you for your willingness to serve. before moving to opening statements i'd like to welcome several distinguished colleagues who will help introduce our nominees. senator tillis senator wyden who introduce mr. sondland. senator gardner gardner and senator durbin what it is mr. gidwitz. senator tillis, if you would like to begin. >> thank you, mr. chairman. and members, i should say members of the committee. it is my great privilege introduce mr. gordon sondland who is been nominated to serve as united states ambassador to the european union. mr. assange was born in seattle washington and as a first-generation american his family history is both fascinating and obstructive as to why he has the experience and understanding to serve as u.s. ambassador to the eu.

his parents were born in berlin, germany, and were married in 1937. they were forced to escape the nazi regime in germany. his mother was able to escape because her father was russian and those with russian passports could leave. she ended up or mr. sondland sister was born. his father was not so fortunate, and he had to be smuggled out of germany. he wound up in france where he joined the french foreign legion and thought in north africa picky was put in a concentration camp in africa where he was rescued by the british army. he joined the british army being fluent at german, assist with decoding german ciphers. after eight years mr. assad lynn's parents were reunited, moved to seattle in 1953 where gordon was born four years later. gordon went on to graduate from university of washington and seattle and began his business career in commercial real estate before managing the aspen group, investment fund for more than a

decade. mr. sondland is going to founder chairman and ceo of provenance hotels. eventually purchased the bankrupt hotel and transformed it into the enterprise he manages today. a national company which now employs nearly 1000. and manages hotels across the geographically diverse environment of the united states. in addition to his great business experience mr. sondland has been heavily involved in another philanthropic activities. he is is cofounder of the gordon sondland and catherine durrant foundation which strives to help families and boost committee. he's also served a number of local, state and national boards and advisory committees in the past and he currently serves on several boards including u.s. bancorp, washington state advisory board, sanford school board of visitors at duke university, oregon health and science university foundation, and the george w. bush center.

his family history and his understanding that comes with the combined with his extensive business experience in large enterprise in negotiations and markets and problem-solving relationship building and managing competing interests ideally suited for the task. i would also tell you he's a man of great character and a great mentor to two of this kids who have the good sense to go to north carolina school. they are at duke university. so he didn't have the grades to get into unc chapel hill, , but duke is a good plan b. so mr. churkin thank you for only phishing. i couldn't think of a better person to take the post as ambassador to the eu, mr. gordon sondland. >> thank you. senator wyden. >> thank you. thank you very much, mr. chairman. and let me make this filibuster freezone and perhaps just have my remarks put in the record and give you a sense of why i am

here. i have known gordon sondland known in pacific northwest as gordie, for well over a quarter of a century. i think senator murphy asked, well, how did that come about? you want to play in the nba? is basketball what did it? not really. there is a really small jewish community in oregon and we pretty much know each other. so the side dowels and rosenfeld and the dancers and sondland's, we are just people who get together and back good causes, tried to stand up for our state and particularly have an interest in global kind of matters. because of our family background. we are both, gordon sondland and i come we are the children of

german parents, and both of our families fled the nazis in the '30s. gordon's father used his foreign language fluency to help the british army during the war. my dad who lived for a while in ridgefield connecticut wrote the propaganda pamphlets for our army that we dropped on the nazis. and i'm telling you those pamphlets smoked. i mean, basically told the nazis they were going to freeze if they didn't pack it in and give up to the red, white and blue. so both gordon's family and mine ended up in the united states as refugees. and i think we all know, america has always called to our shores from every nation on earth, the industrious and the creative,

the steadfast and the devout. at that effect with a constant infusion of individuals who share red, white and blue values of hard work and love of country, , the very core of our great country. my sense is, gordon and i have touched on this, over the years, that families like ours, and kids like us, were really first-generation kids of refugees. there's a word for, it's called -- what you try to perfect the world, but i think what i would say is gordon and families like ours, we always thought it was our job to get back. always try to find a way to get back with the way people talked about it, jewish families in oregon, whether it was the

sondlands by the wydens. gordon and his wife have been supporters of so many causes. one of the things that i especially like about the family is they've been very generous to the portland art museum, and as a result now, kids can go to this terrific museum in oregon, you know, 3000 miles away from some of what people think of as the museums of new york and washington, d.c., but not because of the sondlands, kids get to go to an art museum free. gordy has also involved in a number of other things, and i feel very strongly about. i know both the chair and the ranking minority member care greatly about the oregon, care greatly about healthcare. horton has been involved in the oregon health and science university foundation when we are doing with their good work and phil knight as also made a very generous donation recently,

some cutting edge work to deal with cancer. so i will just close my way of saying, and i think if you look at the totality of the experience that the sondlands bring to this post at a time when lots of politics is polarized and divisive, gordon sondland will be a really good bet. i will close with just one kind of comment about our state. as we have in oregon way about us, and it's not like written down somewhere. it's not, you know, and our pioneer square in downtown portland but it's all about, take a good idea whatever you can get it, caring about people, having a good heart. our late colleague in the senate, mark hatfield, really practice the oregon way. our late mayor in portland practice the oregon way.

i think when gordon sondland assumes this post, and of going to say i really hope he is confirmed, he's going to speak with real impact with an oregon way type in fact, for problem-solving, for values that we hold dear, particularly on issues like anti-semitism, respect for human rights and it's a pleasure to be able to be i guess part of the oregon caucus on behalf of the nominee, gordon sondland. >> thanks, thanks, senator wyde. without objection a written statement will be entered in the record. senator gardner. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thanks for only this hearing your let me welcome first though christina, the love of ronald gidwitz, our nominee ambassador to belgium. i don't know if i'm supposed to say this but i'm going to say anyway and ask for forgiveness afterwards, robert didn't get

married into a force because he spent all of the time before the try to convince christina to suggest or i think that's the story, correct? but but i also want to welcome t who is your today, his son, and your fiancé, new fiance is in the last week and alexander, his son who is in australia. welcome to the family and for being here today. thank you. the first time i met ron i i kw i would get along great with him. walking to his office in chicago there was a picture, a post on his welcome a piece of farm equipment, a company called caulkins i believe it was, and on somebody who grew up in a very small town who shall farm equipment, i knew i could a lot about equipment called rod wieder individually else in america off of the form would know about it. until i met ron. we had a long conversation about midwest companies that have legacy present in colorado and beyond. he was ron talk about all these household names that help my

community, my hometown pride that he was a part of. of course there's his resume which we can talk about today and it shows he's more qualified to serve our great nation incapacity as anyone else. decades of business experience leading nationally recognized brands and companies. he's been a nationally for nationals could become a leader of the boys and girls clubs across the nation. didn't take long for me to recognize that he wasn't a business leader or political leader, his buyout is that with far more than job experience he's a mentor, a philanthropist, community leader picky as deep into leadership of the arts and incredible field museum in chicago. he lives up to that adage of whom much is given much is expected. there are few who lead, champion and as far as much as christina and ron. the list of the generosity goes on and on to health care, welfare of children, support for military, veterans and, of course, education. yet none of it is done seeking

recognition asking anything of them in return. it truly is a live up to that commitment, much as expected and they have indeed lived up to this incredible standard. his psalmist ever stop giving leading chip in others and today's daily is one more step in getting back to his country, to our country. i know this is why some of those closest to him calling father ron. he is the one who serves everyone, people come to him for wisdom, and when you do, some hard truth telling. peer-to-peer, ceo to ceo or even young students of the in the words of some its closest friends he serves as a source of strength and wisdom for all who seek an epic is gratis achieve it is not a much is given but how is impacted and influenced and inspired all those around them. the mission and belgian belgiue important than ever. whether it's addressing the challenges in europe for the try mission brussels, you will be a beacon of american values and a point of pride and a policy that will give comfort to all of us to recognize the importance of this role. the leadership provide in a vote

of selfless leadership. i'm honored to be a a supportig ron and his family and urge my colleagues to do the same. congratulations. >> thanks, senator gardner. senator durbin. >> it's great to be back to the senate foreign relations committee. i'm on leave of absence there . i promise someday i will return just like macarthur. but he wanted to be a today especially because of the nomination of ronald gidwitz to be our next ambassador to belgium. i won't replicate the remarks, converts of cory gardner of colorado on behalf of ron and his family, but it will tell you ron and i share something in common, unlike express the goes back a few years we both interns and the united states said the same. working for the same senator. mars udall, a congressman from arizona once that if your politics in your bloodstream, only embalming fluid will replace it. during the course of my internship in the senate office, i got politics in my bloodstream and i never quite left capitol

hill since. ron took a different path. he went back to chicago in the business world, successful in the world with private business as well as with his investments and other endeavors. did well for himself but as corey has reminded us he didn't just sit on that success and bank the money and walk away from his responsibilities to many others. i've known that for a long time. we're in an area, era i should say, where there's arguments made about hyper partisanship but i know when it came to service for the public, ron was stepping up to serve chicago's democratic mayors as much as his own republican friends. he included sharing the city economic development commission. he chaired the city colleges of chicago under mayor richard daley and then he chaired the illinois state board of education and he served as well

as mentioned as chairman and chairman emeritus for the boys and girls club of america which he played a leading role for nearly 30 years. over and over kenny stepped up for public service. he will do it again. belgium is an important ally to the united states and the european union future is an important question for the united states. the future of the nato alliance is one the winter dress on a regular basis and to remind everyone that it's been a piece of work for the long time. ron is right person to serve as america's voice and face in belgium and unhappy to endorse his nomination. >> thanks, senator durbin. i want to thank all the senate colleagues to come in and providing introduction. the bipartisan support for this nomination speaks well of them and of this process. as chairman corker close as you're welcome to stay, just not sitting there. but really do appreciate you making those introductions. [inaudible conversations] >> i want to thank my other

codecs for ten i want to be respectful of the time, so rather than reading at opening statement i would just ask for consent to enter into the record. record. i will turn to senator murphy. >> i will take your cue and we can get right to the nominees. >> well, good. let me again begin by thanking our nominees, your family for your willingness to serve and these are important capacities. these postings involve significant sacrifice not only from just you but for your families. the positions you are and are going to be external input from the standpoint of representing america to your countries come your institution but also representing those countries and institutions back to this body and i'm sure you do a great job. we'd like to start with the honorable brian nichols, the nominee to be u.s. ambassador to zimbabwe. served as u.s. ambassador to

peru from 2014-2017. his prior postings include principal deputy assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs, deputy chief at the u.s. embassy in but go to from 2007-2010. ambassador nichols. >> chairman johnson, ranking member murphy and distinguish methods of the committee, it is an honor to appear before you today as the president's nominee to be the next united states ambassador to the republic of zimbabwe. i am profoundly grateful to have the confidence of the president and the secretary of state. as i approached 30 years in the foreign service serving in some of her most challenging missions, it is a humbling distinction to appear before the senate for the second time as a nominee to serve the american people. as ambassador my professional achievements over to the wonderful women who join me today. my beautiful wife, also a senior foreign service officer, and my daughters alex and sophie. they have all pushed me to be a

better person, sacrificed for my career, and nurtured me with the love and support. i would like to recognize my older brothers david and keith for the powerful example that if set for me, though they could not be here today. i have had the good fortune to represent the country that is not in fascinating countries around the world. i have advanced american values of respect for democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and throughout my career. those i values that my late father, a a fulbright scholar d found a brown universities africana studies program, instilled in me and my brothers. my mother has served the people of rhode island promoting higher education, vocational training and charitable programs to lift people out of poverty for 50 years. should i be confirmed i will draw upon those values and my experience to strengthen our relations with zimbabwe as it reforms, promote american principles, and help the people of zimbabwe build a better

future. as i have in all of my previous assignments i will have no higher priority than the welfare and security of american citizens. after 30 years of independence, zimbabwe approaches a crossroads. the government and people of zimbabwe have the opportunity to follow a new path to become a stable and democratic country while returning to the prosperity of the past. this is what the zimbabwean people need and deserve. to fulfill the scope the zimbabwean government should intensify its efforts to carry out profound governance, electoral, human rights, and economic reforms. and naturally critical test will be the zimbabwean authorities ability to deliver on july 30 a free, fair, and credible national election in accordance with international standards. even zimbabwe is endorsed potential, genuine can and will yield rate benefits for people. if confirmed i look forward to

close and continued collaboration with our congress to help zimbabwe along a path of positive change. as we continue to support symbolic boys democratic development we must continue to invest in the people of zimbabwe in health care, people to people exchanges, imagine a and this is developed to preserve the human capital need to go and approve zimbabwe in the future. today's involvement can look back across the center that is created complex civilization that build great zimbabwe and influenced an entire continent. i have faith that with her support, once given the opportunity to communicate, organize and express the will, the people of zimbabwe will find the best path forward and pursue it successfully. my recent foreign service assignments provide rich experience, should the sick and for me serve as ambassador to zimbabwe. as ambassador to peru i let a large mission the folks on approving the rule of law, fighting transnational crime and corruption, strengthening our

host nations institutions and promoting respect for human rights, particularly of women, girls and disadvantaged groups. in that role i lead a unified nation initiative to promote american physicist and go american jobs, the departments top award for those of us. prior to that help direct the state department rule of law, anticrime and counter narcotics program around the world including in africa. i i directed a team of 37,000 professionals who work every day to expand access to justice, protect civilians, and combat crime around the world. i am especially proud of her efforts to expand our partnerships in africa to combat wildlife trafficking in build more professional police and prosecutors. in those positions as well as deputy chief of mission in bogotá, i shape organizations that were more diverse than ever in terms of background and expertise, improve morale,

insured type management controls, and effectively advance our nation's policies and priorities. should the senate confirmed me, i will aim to exemplify the highest standards of our great nation while doing so. i look forward to partnering with you to advance america's interests in zimbabwe instantly to answer your questions now and in the future. >> thank you, ambassador nichols. our next him it is mr. gordon sondland, the president nominates the u.s. president of european union. i think after the introduction by senator wyden and senator tillis i don't think any further introduction solicitor, so mr. sondland. >> before you begin i want to thank both senators tell us and for overly generous introduction. it was much appreciated. chairman johnson, ranking member murphy and distinguish members of the foreign relations committee, good afternoon. it's an honor to appear before you as the presidents nominee to serve as the ambassador to the european union. i'm grateful to president trump for the faith and confidence is placed in the into secretary

pompeo for his support and i'm very grateful to you for your consideration of my nomination. before they can please allow me to introduce the members of my family, alter and attendance with me. first, my wife katie without his intelligence, kindness, patience and with i might've achieve very little, certainly not a place at this table. she's a formidable success in business as well as at her home, and been an enduring source of strength, and humbling, smart advice since the day us fortunate to meet her nearly 30 years ago. sitting next to katie are two proudest accomplishments, our children max and lucy, both of whom are undergraduate at duke and both of them departed challenging some internships so they could be here today. absent today but with means. this past decade are my parents. having immigrated here in 1953 after so many years of extreme travail, they adopted america, and america adopted them, with a passion and while but anyone i

since in canada. theirs was a story of intense personal sacrifice, unshakable spirit and faith, hard work, good luck and a deep commitment devoted to equal parts to the united states and to each other. having met and married in berlin in 1938, unlike so many other less fortunate relatives, they were able to flee the scourge of nazism. in 1939, my mother and sister than stated in south america while my father probably volunteered to take up arms against the murderous authoritarian regime from which they had just escaped. first with the french foreign legion in africa and later with the british army in burma. world war ii came to a close, and two years later so did my parents eat your separation when they were reunited in earthquake in 1947. along with tens of thousands of other jews, my father surviving

father had sought shelter in shanghai. soon they found fortunate prominent refuge in seattle, washington, on the northwestern edge of our great country. here they raise two children, including me, the first of my family ever to claim natural born citizenship in the united states. they embark on their own unique american dream, american citizens, eventually starting and running a small successful dry-cleaning business for the next 30 years. they labor, loved, made many friends and had a positive impact on their community. they never cease to be grateful to the country at a given demo, safety and a a new beginning. they fought hard for their american citizenship. they cherished it and nurtured it. they bequeathed to us neither riches nor property but something much more treasured, respect for industry, determination and self-sufficiency. a deep love of god, family and country, faith and the rule of law and finally the certainty

that self-governance is essential to happiness, prosperity and true liberty. that night so many of these for so long, gunther and frieda embraced these american values with fervor. if confirmed, everything i say and do will be in advancement of american interests, and these principles, first and foremost. they are certainly the principles that guide me throughout my life. most of them of course comprise the foundational western principles that undergird the useu relationship that has endured since 1951. between us the united states and the eu member nations wield the largest economic and military power in the world, dominate global trade and lead an international political developments. it is what our unique relationship with europe must only be strengthened and protected. as president trump said lashings were so speechless to the preservation of the west as his primary foreign-policy goal in

europe, there is nothing like this community of nations. the world has never known anything like it. we must have the desire and the kurds to preserve it in the face of those who would subvert and destroyed. as you know better than most, there are many challenges that confront us, trade, security, the migrant crisis, brexit, and the disposition of jcpoa are very much at the forefront. but no one should doubt that the eu has an essential role in perpetuating our shared values of freedom, peace and prosperity across europe and around the world. to the benefit of our european friends but also to a vast swath of the american people, the 5.5 trillion in annual commerce we share is just one compelling testament to that. finally, while much has been said about the tensions that currently exist within the useu partnership, it is important to remember historically these ups and downs, these instances of public posturing have been the

norm. that's just the nature of complicated relationships. while it will not be always easy, our shared goals and values will triumph over our differences. i believe that my professional experience of the last several decades are insta middle and preparing me to lead the nation at the eu, should you can for my nomination. i'm gratified to launched hospitality and real estate holding company, larger than would've ever imagined, and sustaining several thousand and families of all walks of life and places. i've also traveled extensively throughout the world, including across europe, and having knowledge and deep respect for european culture and politics. while i've been fortunate to visit the vast majority of the eu member countries, if confirmed, i look forward to visiting them all. i'm proud the first link and spoke at home was german, and if confirmed i will look for to once again conversing with our friends throughout europe in english, but also in german were spoken. during the course of my life i've had significant experience

in policymaking, working with lawmakers from both parties and at every level of government, in negotiating business deals across borders and in advising several large companies with both domestic and international operations. i've always been comfortable working on a bipartisan basis. if confirmed, i can assure you i will bring my life expenses and skills to represent the united states to european union. thank you for consideration i would be pleased to add to your question. >> thank you. our next nominee is mr. ronald gidwitz, and again following the introduction by senator cardin and durbin i don't think we need further introduction. mr. gidwitz. >> thank you, mr. chairman. chairman johnson and ranking member murphy, the establishment of the committee, it's a tremendous to appear before you today as president trump's nominee to be the united states ambassador to the kingdom of belgium. for me, it's humbling that the president and secretary pompeo

have the confidence in the, hopefully with your approval, ,o represent the american people in engaging with a critically important ally in the key center of europe. i would take like to thank senator durbin and senator cardin for speaking on my behalf today. i would also like to thank several groups of my family who sit behind me. first and foremost is christina to whom i've been married for almost 43 years. we have two sons, alexander lives in australia and scott who joins your today. alex is make to a lovely young lady and she recently gave birth to our first grandson, christopher. scott is accompanied on his newly minted fiancé, mallory. my families love and support has been a constant in every phase of my life. during my career i i found a multiplicity of expenses in government service, in the private sector as well as extensive exposure to the not-for-profit arena. in the private sector and the privilege of serving as the president and ceo of a toileting

cosmetic manufacturer and marketer. when i took over the company if it feels of just over $100 million. when the business was sold 17 years later, the company was closing in on 1.5 billion and was on fortune 300 company list with 40% of its sales coming from outside the u.s. i've also served on number of private sector bores of directors one of the note among them was the american national can, a a subsidiary of the freh aluminum company. in the public sector i was a founding executive committee member of the national committee for employer support of the guard and reserve answer in the capacity for ten years. in addition, i was bitching at economic development commission of the city of chicago at time when the midwest was under great stress. i also serve as a chairman of the city colleges of chicago, the second largest community college district in the country.

as well i served two terms as the chairman of the illinois state board of education. i was appointed to these and other public service positions by both republicans and democrats. i believe the record will show that i can work well and lead organizations know matter their political stripe. in the not-for-profit arena i worked in many kinds of establishments from social service to cultural institutions to educational organizations. i've served in virtually every position over my 44 year tenure with the boys and girls clubs of america including chairing the national organization. i served as the chairman of the field museum of natural history as well as the chicagoland chamber of commerce. in short, i have let large organizations and small ones, public and private and not-for-profit. i feel confident my past experience in government, business and philanthropy has prepared me for this important opportunity to lead the united states mission to the kingdom of belgium. if confirmed, to serve as u.s.

ambassador, i will work closely with the teams across the government to strengthen our relationship of focus on the following areas of our lives. first and foremost, i will work with belgian officials at all levels to advance american interests, protect american citizens and promote american democratic values. the freedom of speech, the freedom of press and the freedom of religion are values that cannot and should not be compromised. if confirmed, i will work closely with the belgian government to address collective security concerns. i will encourage our belgian the partners to move aggressively to fulfill their wails declaration commitment to spend 2% of gdp on defense by the year 2024. working together we can furthere strengthen communication between our law enforcement and counterterrorism communities, enhanced native and for the global security. if confirmed, i hope to advance

economic interest in belgium. more than 900 american companies are represented in belgium. in 2017, u.s. exports of goods and services to belgian were $35.5 billion. imports from belgian were 20.4, creating a trading surplus of $15.1 billion. we are belgium's largest trading partner outside the european union. if confirmed, i will work with our commerce department and our embassy economics experts to further an already robust and successful partnership. finally, if confirmed, of a work to lead our mission team and work closer with all agencies to deepen our historic alliance with the belgian government and the belgian people. mr. chairman,, ranking them and members of the committee i thank you for the honor of appearing before you today and i look forward to answering your questions. >> our last but not least,

ms. cherith norman chalet is our nominee to be the is represented of united nations, reform ultimate u.s. representative of the united states, united nations general assembly. she asserted as you and management reform council for use mission to view and since 2014 as deputy counsel from 2012-2014. .. . >> thank you, chairman johnson. ranking member murphy and distinguished members of the committee. i'm honored to appear before you today as the president's nominee to serve as the representative of the united states of america to the united nations for un management and reform. i'm grateful to president trump and ambassador haley for their

confidence and for this opportunity. i am joined here today by my husband george whose love and support has been integral to me being a working mother and representing the united states at the u.n. for the last ten years. and my oldest child nick lie who is already a mini un diplomat having participated in many meetings after missing mom through marathon all night negotiations. my other two children, my daughters kara and madelyn unfortunately could not join me here as i am not sure i could contain their enthusiasm during the hearing as they are 3 and 1. i'm also joined by my family, my parents scott and mary lee whose love and support provided the foundation that led me here today, as well as my sister peggy and her daughters fana and annabelle and my brother-in-law eli. enabling the united nations to maintain international peace and security, address human rights and development needs is no

simple task. the united states continues to be a champion for greater effectiveness and efficiency by emphasizing the need for the united nations to show impact and results and by encouraging better ways of working. president trump and mike pompeo have shown the value of the american un to the taxpayer. this falls on my shoulder. if confirmed as the u.s. representative to the united nations for management and reform. through my experience as un management reform counselor to the united states missions to the u.n., i have seen firsthand the positive reform and the good that can be achieved through an effectively managed un, but also the consequences when it is not effectively managed. for example, when we hold peace keepers accountable for their performance, we see better results for the intended beneficiaries of peace keeping operations. i will assume the job as

confirmed at an auspicious time as secretary general planned to reform the u.n. system is under way. this presents real opportunities to align the u.n.'s work on peace and internal management with u.s. values and priorities. i am honored to work alongside ambassador haley and under her leadership to expand our reform efforts, including greater accountability, strengthened whistle blower, fiscal discipline and making the u.n. fit for purpose. if confirmed, i intend to work closely with other member states in the general assemble to advance these priorities in relation to sound management and reform. thank you for this opportunity to appear before this committee today, and i look forward to taking your questions. >> thank you. there has been a vote. senator murphy has gone to vote. for the time being, we'll turn it over for questions. >> thank you. i want to congratulate you all and your families.

it's a tremendous sacrifice for families to serve like this. it's good to see you here in this capacity. and i know of your good work in chicago. ambassador nicholls, we had a good visit in my office yesterday. we all know. and if you don't zimbabwe is going through an election for the first time in about 40 years. a free and fair election after the departure. it's an important time. hoping to get there by the 17th of february -- i'm sorry. july. why is that important? why is it important for us to have an ambassador there for the election time? >> thank you, senator. it's an honor to talk with someone who has such deep experience in the continent and in zimbabwe in particular. the voice of the united states in calling for a free, fair, credible election that gives the

zimbabwean people better confidence in their leaders and the forcefulness with which we consider democracy important in zimbabwe is a priority for me and for the united states government. having a person on the ground with the full force of the president of the united states as his personal representative is vitally important to advance our interest. and having had the honor to serve as an ambassador in the past is something that someone who does not have that divestiture can't match. i would hope to receive you and your colleagues in zimbabwe if confirmed. >> well, thank you. i spent time in the 1980s in zim ba zim bob way and i have looked -- zimbabwe when i looked forward to the day for a long time when

they would have pre and post electio elections. and it is important, as you say, that we have a good team there. you'll find when you get there. but we need an ambassador. so i'm glad that hopefully we can get this process done and have you there. and as i say, zimbabwe, congratulations for this. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> thanks, senator flake. let me just kind of ask a general question of all of the nominees. i know you've covered this to a certain extent in your opening statement, but i really want to hone in on what each of you views is your top one, two, three priorities. you don't have to have three. maybe just the top one. just give you a chance to expound on it a little more. i'll start with you. >> thank you, senator johnson. i think it's an understatement to say that the relationship currently between the united states and the european union is tense. and one of my top priorities is to a listening tour of all 28 members of the countries to

bring the temperature down a little while these very delicate negotiations are going on over trade. once i'm through with that, one of my greatest priorities is to, once again, reestablish the close relationship that the eu and the u.s. have on a whole host of issues. when we work together, we're almost unstoppable as a team. and i would like to get us back to that place. >> thank you, mr. chairman. as alluded to earlier, the july 30th, elections will be a crucial moment in zimbabwe's history and opportunity to have free, fair, credible elections will be my earliest and top priority there. but there are many other challenges that zimbabwe faces. profound reform to its institutions, to ensure the rule of law, to promote a private sector-led economy.

to encourage transparency and respect for human rights in its governance. and to give the people the opportunity to succeed through the work of their own labor. these are profound challenges. these are challenges that did not arise over night. and they will not be solved immediately. but we must work together. and i look forward to working with you, sir, and your colleagues to advance american interest in zimbabwe. >> michele. >> senator, i am looking forward to building on the reform efforts that have been under way for a few years, particularly in right sizing the organization and continuing to instill fisca. i think it doves tail nicely with the secretary of treasury and that becomes a reality and we do increase that accountability be it through strength and whistle blower or stopping sexual abuse that peace

keepers have committed. i look forward to ramping up those efforts. >> thank you, senator. given the difficulties of the last couple of years with respect to the attacks that have occurred in belgium, one of my top priorities, in fact my top priority is to ensure the safety of the 23,000 americans that are living in belgium plus the many tourists that come through the country on an annual basis. secondly, to work with the belgium government and the belgium agencies to strengthen the relationship and the multi-lateral programs and organizations that we share together. and then, thirdly, given the fact that there are 900 plus american corporations there to find ways that we can build a stronger -- build on that strong relationship to bring jobs both to our country as well as to the country of belgium. >> well, thank you much. i'll go vote. i'll return to senator murphy

and i'll walk as fast as i can. >> thank you very much, chairman. thank you to all of you for joining us here today. let me just get my bearings here running back into the room. i'm not actually sure what senator johnson asked, so i will hopefully not cover the same territory that he did. but let me start with you, mr. gidwitz. i don't know to what extent you talked about some of the work we have done with belgium and our multi-lateral relationship on counter-terrorism. this is a very sort of fractured country from a governance standpoint, which makes it hard often to communicate with them about what they know regarding thets against their country and with the visa waiver program. those are obviously immediate threats against the united states. in prepping for this job, what

have you learned about the ways that we can work with the government to try to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation? >> well, thank you, senator, for the questions. the good news, all right, if confirmed, i will certainly work with our intelligence and military folks to strengthen what is already an ongoing program. prime minister michele undertook a study several years ago once -- after several of the attacks took place in belgium. and as a result, many programs are currently under way. if confirmed i work with the u.s. government agencies, the dea, the fbi and others to see if we can't continue what is an ongoing program to make belgium the safer place for all of us. great. thank you very much for spending

some time. we are able to talk properly with the mission that you're about to undertake. i'm going to be very supportive of your nomination. i thank you for taking up the job. but as i mentioned privately, and i'll say it publicly, you are going to be asked to carry out a policy which speaks to and you may have different views and there may have been many others that have gone to serve the united states in europe sitting exactly where you're sitting who have had different views than that. but you're going to find out that the only views that really matter are the president's. and the president has carried out a pretty intentional and consistent policy of trying to undermine our alliance with europe. each year's country that tried to leave europe are really

terrible nationalist anti-europe propaganda. he wants russia to be back into the g7 without having done their part with respect to the agreement. and so i appreciate everyone that goes into this administration, especially those parts that serve the u.s.-europe alliance thinking they can change the president's mind. no one has been successful yet. and so let me ask you, mr. simon, a little bit about this issue over russia. because you've been preparing for this job and no doubt you have begun to have been briefed about what the administration policy is. i assume, given the president's comments, as he went to the g7, that the u.s. policy today is for russia to be admitted back into the g7 and that you will be sent to europe to work with our g7 european partners to get russia back in to the g7 given the president's comments from a week ago.

do you understand that to be the policy and do you understand that to be your mission? >> thank you. i heard the president's comments in canada. and i don't necessarily know if it is set u.s. policy. i haven't discussed it with the president. if it were to be u.s. policy, then i would work to further it. without minimizing the many, many other issues we have with russia, including a lot of the activities over which we disapprove. so, you know, it's a walking and chewing gum at the same time issue. and, again, i haven't been briefed by the president on what his actual policy is vis-a-vis the g7. >> do you -- obviously you're not going to create distance with the president. but talk to the committee a little bit about how you plan to

approach this question of the planned tariffs against the european union and the re ta retaliatory tariffs that they with putting together against the united states. how do you plan to approach what right now is an escalating trade wars between the two countries. you said, i think, as i'm reading your top priority is to bring the temperature down. how do you do that if the president isn't committed to that? in fact, maybe committed to the opposite? >> well, i disagree with the premise that the president is trying to unwind the alliance. the president has a very unique negotiating style and it's now becoming well known around the world how he does negotiate. i think that the president is also mindful of the importance of the relationship and the many, many other things which we share with the eu. and i don't agree that the president's goal is to unwind the relationship.

i think the president's goal is to bring about free, fair and equitiable trade. >> so if his goal isn't to unwind the relationship or the european union, then what do you make of his very close association with those that led the brexit campaign and his continued association with the elements inside britain that were seeking to bring that country outside of the european union. that, to me, would seem like a pretty deliberate attempt to use his power both as a candidate and a president to try to cheer on countries that no longer want to be part of the european union and, thus, be part of the organization to which he'll be our representative. >> i think the people of the united kingdom made their own determination as to where they wanted to go, vis-a-vis the relationship. i don't know that i would

characterize the president's action as cheerleading. and i also don't believe that the president is necessarily hell bent on dissolving the rest of the union. >> i hear you taking issue with some of my opening comments to you. i will, in turn, take some issue with the way in which you framed your opening comments, categorizing the president's relationship with the european union and europe over the last year and a half as being part of the normal give and take. i don't actually think you can find a period of time that rivals the last year and a half with respect to the u.s. relationship with europe and the post world war ii era, which i think fairly categorizes the modern relationship between the continent and our country. and i really worry about nominees that come before this committee and try to normalize what is not a normal time in american foreign policy. at the same time, i do agree that it would be great if you could take the temperature down a notch. let me ask you a question on a

subject that i think we agree on. and that's the future of energy security in the region. nord stream ii is a project that would allow for russia to be able to push an enormous amount of fossil fuel product into europe by passing ukraine. it's bad news for ukraine. it's in the u.s.'s viewpoint bad news for europe to be more heavily reliant on russian gas. what's your views on nord stream 2 and what's going to be your mission on representing the u.s. on this current union? >> well, my primary mission, senator, is to make sure -- and, it's, again, in our self fish interest to see that europe is not heavily dependent on one source of energy. putting europe in the hands of one supplier of energy who could at will disrupt that energy flow would not be in the united

states' interest. i also believe that there are various member countries of the eu that want to participate with various other suppliers of energy, including the united states, and want to do it through contractual means rather than through political means, which give them some form of security if those contracts are breached. >> thank you, mr. simon. mr. nicholls, could you talk a little bit to us about the role of china in zimbabwe. china has developed a very close relationship and been a big investor in the country for a long time. it hosted zimbabwe's new leadership for their first state visit. obviously china is playing a big role throughout the continent.

but talk a little bit about this very big play that they have made historically and seek to continue in zimbabwe. >> thank you, senator. and that's obviously a crucial issue for us. china has invested hefl -- heavily in the extractive resources sector around the world. and zimbabwe with its extensive mineral wealth is no extension to that. i believe private sector led growth for zimbabwe is important, but i also think it's important that the people and the government of zimbabwe receive fair and equitable treatment for their resources, and i hope that they are entering into a trade relationship with china with their eyes open.

and certainly insisting that all countries that invest in zimbabwe respect the worker rights. respect environmental regulations. and do not allow the resources that they have to be taken without proper compensation. and i believe that it's incumbent upon the united states and our representatives around the world to insist on a level playing field for trade and engagement and to make sure that we have an opportunity to succeed as well. >> and the reason that china has been such a big player, or at least part of the reason has been because the united states and many other countries like us have had a series of sanctions on economic participation in zimbabwe and aid. and yet many of those other don don don

don don donor governments are scaling back and legislation might modify assistance that were set out in the economic recovery act back in 2001. >> so as we start to consider legislation, that may scale back some of our restrictions. and as you're learning about some of the ways in which we might better engage, do you have any thoughts or recommendations for how we might go about passing legislation or drafting legislation that would start to lighten up -- start to modify those restrictions? >> thank you, senator. i think it sends an important signal that the united states remains committed to democracy, human rights, economic freedom, rules law and anti-corruption efforts. the importance of our engagement is that we are doing so on a principled way. the specifics of the legislation

i don't think i can comment on. but i do believe that it sends a message of continued interest and prioritization of our relationship with zimbabwe. i think it's very important also, senator, to note that we do not have comprehensive sanctions on zimbabwe and that the problems in attracting foreign investment from zimbabwe are driven by the economic conditions there and the economic policies that their government has. we don't have restrictions on investments in zimbabwe but rather dealings with specific individuals and entities. >> thank you very much. just a couple questions for you and then i'll turn it over to senator markey as we await chairman johnson's return. i want to talk about peace keeping for a moment. president trump has give his intent for u.s. peace keeping assessment 28%, 25%, depending

on what legislation is operative from the united states congress. it's a really interesting report that gao published this year in which they compared the cost of the u.s. commission with a hypothetical undertaking that would be done by the united states military and overall gao found it would cost twice as much to carry out a comparable mission if it was us versus our participation in u.n. peace keeping. so how do you translate to us what the trump administration's plans are on peace keeping. and in their desire to reduce the american commitment, there was some suggestion that there might be peace keeping operations that could be wrapped up without -- or scaled back without any security detriment to the united states. any clue as to what those operations may be? have they been identified. and what do you make of that gao report. you're nodding like you might be

familiar with that report. >> thank you, senator. i think it's a series of -- you captured quite a number of initiatives that we're undertaking. i think that as a commitment to u.n. peace keeping, especially is very much there by the united states. and we feel it is -- it's absolute critical to our national security. in terms of looking at our assessments, we have said and the president has said that we would like to see increased burden sharing by other member states. and the u.n. shouldn't be overly dependent on one single donor. and this congress -- like we said, through its ever operative language is there has established 25%, and we feel that is an adequate assessment. and we still maintain our largest contribution. i think equally important to looking at the assessment rates and what the u.s. should pay is looking at the missions themselves and are they designed

to promote political solutions and ambassador haley did outline several principles in that regard. i think there are missions that are currently under review that fit that bill that could look at that. i mean, right now that's under review. and we're continuing to look at several missions with those lenses. but i think we -- coupled with looking at the efficiencies that the u.n. and making sure that the peace keeping missions themselves are operating in the most effective manner is critical. and i think the gao did point out the value of u.n. peace keeping to the u.s. and the national security interest. >> one final question, mr. chairman. again, miss chalet, the bureau of affairs of the state department is one that you'll work very closely with with the state department and the united

nations. lastly foreign policy reported that a former food and beverage lobbyist who was appointed as a senior advisor there had been quietly vetting career diplomats to determine whether they are loyal to president donald trump and his political agenda according to nearly a dozen current and u.s. officials. the stall is actively making lists and gathering intel reports are in the new york times and the washington posts they're also working on filling in further details on this story. two questions, one, are you personally -- have you been personally aware of miss stall's activities to apply what looked to be loyal -- political loyalty tests within the state department and international organizations and whether or not you have personal knowledge of that, what is your opinion of -- what is your thoughts on these

reports and whether this activity is appropriate? >> senator, thank you for that. i am not personally aware of those charges. and i would refer you back to the state department for that. what i will say is that the united states has long looked -- or provided american citizens employment and we feel that it's the absolute priority given our investment. but also for the american values that we can bring to the u.n. in the ways of working. and so if confirmed, i will continue to do that. i will also -- i think these are serious concerns that have been voiced. i'm aware of the articles and the content of them. and i will work with the international organization bureau to ensure that we are promoting the most qualified. because we are running up against countries who are putting their best forward as well. and we want to assure that we're adequately represented. >> yes. i guess the question is do you believe it's appropriate for the administration to apply a political loyalty test to u.s.

employees either at the united nations or within the state department? >> senator, no, i think it's -- we should be looking at the most qualified candidates, regardless of party. >> thank you. >> senator markey. >> thank you, mr. chairman, very much. north korea is now hoping that they'll be a reexation -- relaxation of sanctions upon them. they're visiting china. and ultimately that will be their goal. how can we ensure that we work closely with the eu to make sure that not only the existing sanctions are, in fact, enforced, remain in place, but that we also put additional pressure on countries who have yet to participate in that sanctions regime? >> good afternoon, senator markey.

thank you. >> i think your microphone is not on. >> yeah, it should be. >> okay. >> that actually, senator markey, is one of my highest priorities. working in concert with the eu, the united states has the ability to create an enormous amount of economic damage to the north korean economy, which creates the leverage needed for the president to successfully negotiate the change in behavior he's trying to negotiate. and one of my first priorities would be to enlist the cooperation even more strongly of the eu and the member countries in that regard. >> okay. and as you know, the eu's new privacy regime went into effect about three weeks ago and they now essentially have a privacy bill of rights for everyone in the eu and american companies doing business in europe have to

comply with that standard, which is essentially an opt-in standard. it's data collected by companies in europe not be compromised without getting permission from those consumers. if a company is requested -- required to get consent in order to share european data and also required to tell european consumers exactly how their data is being used, should that company provide american c consumers are those same protectio protections? >> i believe it should. >> you believe it should. and i agree with you that that's where we're heading. europeans obviously suffered through the german invasion, the nazi occupation and subsequently

soviet union occupying much as well. and identity was very important at that time, which is why i think there's a heightened sensitivity. because within the lifetime of family members in each one of those european countries, they had to basically try to survive based upon identity. and that's why all of this online information is so absolutely essential. now, with regard to tariffs, the eu remains deeply concerned about what abuse has protection u.s. trade policies and president trump's criticism of the $150 billion goods trade deficit with the eu. in march of the trump administration announced it would propose tariffs on imports of steal. 25%. and aluminum 10% from u.s. trading partners following a department of commerce determination to current steel and aluminum input in u.s. and on june 1st those tariffs went into effect.

could you talk about those tariffs in relationship to the eu nations and how you would suggest that we deal with this rift that is building based up on these tariffs. >> senator, in my experience in the private sector, a tough economic negotiation between two arms-length parties can often create a rift. it doesn't mean that it's an irreparable rift. it just means that you're engaged in some high stakes bargaining. and, again, i refer you back to my earlier comments where i believe that the president values the eu relationship. i believe that the united states and the eu share a multitude of values and a multitude of other relationships unrelated to the tarif tariffs. and that's one very discreet

segment of our relationship that is not going to be easy to resolve. but that's one of the jobs if i'm confirmed is to work on that. >> agreed. and, again, the litany is getting longer. climate change, iran deal. initiative tariffs. building issue by issue into a situation. in my opinion it's unnecessary, but ultimately it is a great cause for concern because the europeans are our closest allies. and we need them on other initiatives as well. so thank you all for your willingness to serve our country. and thank you, mr. chairman. >> thank you. i know senator murphy doesn't have any other questions. i'm just going to follow up on my partial first round. so if you have any other questions? so let me follow up on my first round. to remind you, i ask what the top 1, 2, 3 top priorities are for you and your new post. i'll start with mr. somlin.

you talk about really visiting all of the members going on a listening tour, which i think is completely appropriate. it's vitally important to understand other nation's perspective. having listened, what would be your message, though? it will be a give and take. what will be your message to our eu partners? >> our message, senator, is that while we value the relationship, there are problems with the relationship that need to be resolved. and we can be respectful of the relationship. we can appreciate those areas in which we agree. but the relationship in its totality is not hunky dory. so that is part of the discussion. >> i know from my part and i think senator murphy as well, we meet with a lot of representatives from the country and the eu. and we're reinforced in the fact that the relationship, the alliances are strong. they will remain strong.

it's extremely important. mr. nicholls, you talked about the july 3rd election but then talked about the importance of reform rule of law which we see repeatedly in our dealings, particularly in eastern europe. overcoming the legacy in europe, the corruption of the soviet era, that type of thing, it's very difficult to do. what do you think is the greatest risk to zimbabwe in establishing the rule of law. what's going to be the greatest impediment? >> thank you, mr. chairman. the president has talked about the need for profound reform in his country. and he's absolutely right. in terms of the challenges, they are many. it's hard to signal just one. clearly the professionalization

and transparency of the security forces is very important. insisting on the rule of law. looking at the past corruption in the country. dealing with the human rights abuses of the past where truth and reconciliation process are some of the issues that need to be addressed for zimbabwe to be able to move forward. and i know across zimbabwe and society, people understand and are talking about those issues and moving in that direction both the president as well as opposition alliance candidate who needs to have signaled those issues as priority one. and we look forward to working with zimbabwe after a free fair and transparent election to address those challenges. >> it's really optimistic time period. how optimistic are you? >> the government of zimbabwe has said many of the right

things and done some of the right things. i believe that we have to be clear eyed in our approach and hold them to their own commitments and standards. the 2013 constitution, their commitments regionally with sadic in terms of their commitments to respect human rights and democracy, as well as the specifics in the african union and obviously the broader international community. i believe that this is a great opportunity, and i hope that the government of zimbabwe will live up to its commitments. >> as long as i've been reading the newspaper, we've been talking about u.n. reforms. obviously that's your top priority. what do you think is the single biggest impediment to reform the u.n.? or impediments. you talked about protections. but what are the main problems? >> to say the single most impediment i think it's the political will of other

countries and reaching those -- that common understanding and agreement on those reform. i think altogether they're -- >> how do you overcome that? >> it's a constant engagement promoting our position and the values and the priorities that we place. i think that interestingly the rising rates and the conversations have changed the mindset. i've seen more countries disciplined than they have -- there are. if confirmed, i will continue to work promoting those on human rights or other areas that we will -- that fundamentally and

philosophically. >> as we discuss in my office, i think the power of an anecdote of examples is -- i assume we want to look with you whether it's in this community or chairman holeman's community to highlight those examples of corruption or waste fraud abuse that need to be reformed. because i think that's probably the best way to overcome those impediments. you said your top priority safety of americans which i agree with then senator murphy talked to you about counter-terrorism programs and just cooperation. i would kind of like to hear your answer. i'm going to read the record because i was out -- just talk about how important it is for us to cooperate with belgium. they're in unique situation. i know brussels sat down not just because of a terrorist act because of a threat of terrorist. >> not only that, senator. thank you very much. but they've had -- since 2014 troops on the street to augment

the police force because of the concern that they've had. the good news is they've taken significant number of those police -- those military forces off the street in the last few months. but it remains to be a problem, but it's a problem in which is diminishing in the sense that the working of the intelligence service agency together seems to be bearing some truth. there's a couple of short-term -- i shouldn't say short-term. serious problems. we have an embassy, for example, both the u.s. and u.n. industry and eu industry is on a busy street. so from a relatively tactical issue, we need to better protect our diplomats and people who are working directly for the state department and other agencies. that's a short-term issue that needs to be addressed. the longer term problem, of course, is as senator murphy had suggested, how do we get the various intelligence agencies to work together at several levels

of government. because the belgium government is relatively complex with the security decisions being made both at the national level and the regional level and some community levels and to get that coordinated is -- takes a lot of engagement by a lot of people. and that's one of the things should i have the privilege of representing the united states work very hard to get done. >> okay. well, we'll certainly want to support your efforts. again, i want to thank all of the nominees for your testimony. but your willingness to serve. thank your families for their sacrifice too. and these as you work in these very important positions. with that, the hearing record will remain open for statements or questions for the record until the close of business on friday, june 22nd. this hearing is adjourned. [ inaudible conversations ]

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[ inaudible conversations ] this afternoon president trump will be speaking at the white house on immigration and board of security. watch live coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. eastern on our companion network c-span. next week the president's pick to leave testifies before the senate veteran affairs committee. live next wednesday at 2:30 p.m. eastern on c-span3, online at c-span.org and on the free c-span radio app. earlier today, u.s. strategic command general john hyten, nasa administrator jim bridenstine and commerce secretary wilbur ross testified on utilizing

satellites in space for commerce and national security. you can watch the hearing again tonight in its entirety at 8:00 p.m. eastern either on c-span2. this weekend on afterwards, maryland congressman the first democratic to declare a run offers his vision for america and has booked the right answer. how we can unify our divided nation. he's interviewed by donna brazil, former chair of the national committee. >> so you've been a member of congress now since 2013. >> that's right. >> you've had an opportunity to introduce legislation, work with democrats, republicans. but you also in the book call for an end of partisanship, especially one that awards vision. what do you mean by that? >> i think a president or any other elected leader in this country should effectively represent everyone. whether they voted for them or

not. they should also take a pledge never to divide us. that doesn't mean they go out there and say why they shouldn't vote for me over the other person or why my ideas are even better than the other person or why the envision tiing is bette than what the other person is. but taking it to the step to where you're actually kind of cultivating a spirit of division is, i think, one of the things that's going on in this country right now, which is really in cities. and i do think if you have the privilege of serving, which i feel like i do, we should all in addition to swearing and defend the constitution, we really should pledge the american people that we're not going to say things to divide us. that we're going to go out of our way to try to unify the country. because the country is inherently stronger when we're unified. >> watch afterwards sunday night at 9:00 eastern on c-span2 book

tv. the c-span bus is traveling across the country on our 50 capitals tour. the bus is on its 38th stop asking folks what's the most important issue in alaska. >> what i think is the most important issue facing off right now is we are in the middle of a budget crisis. we're used to having a lot of oil money coming in and as the result of oil prices, we're getting that revenue what we're used to. so there are other revenue streams that need to happen. but it doesn't seem to be happening very fast. and i think there's political reasons why people are afraid we're worried about implementing taxes. but without additional revenue coming in, the alaskians are facing a lot of crisis in a lot of areas. and one is the opioid and substance abuse crisis. the more our economy goes down, the more and more people that are upset and not living their lives in a way that they're happy with until they end up

getting and turning to self medicating, and that's a big crisis too. >> i think the most important issue is child hunger and taking care of children. it's all linked to poverty. there was -- we were at 40% of child hunger. included security for children stated a few years ago. we went down and now we're going way back up. we have to stop giving all our money to the oil companies and they're spending it on children for the future. >> one of our first issues here in the state is the tourism industry. it is a huge chunk of our economy and it's growing by leaps and bounds. we're very concerned about the ability to promote the state at a nationwide level, especially since tourism and industry is such a bright spot in our economy. >> as far as i can see from -- i've been here a week in alaska.

and one of the big social service issues that i see here is homelessness. a lot of them aren't actively seeking help. but the ones that are seem to be moving from place to place looking for different type aid they can get. but it seems like one of the big issues is that homelessness and how we can combat it and fight it here in the states. >> i'm the executive instructor administrators. and from our perspective, the most important thing in alaska is to get a long-term sustainable fiscal plan in place for our state which has ongoing revenue outside of our non-renewable resources. and really primarily because we need to stabilize education across the state. our educators need to feel that their funding, which is the constitutional duty in alaska, is stable so that they can stabilize our schools and most importantly i think for all of

us is to educate our students. and the best way to do that is a stable school. >> be sure to join us july 21st and 22nd when we'll feature our visit to alaska. what alaska weekend on c-span, c-span.org and listen on the free c-span radio app. now an oversite hearing with the chair of the securities and exchange commission jay clayton. he appeared before the house security and was asked about several issues, including updates to the voka rule. the process for initial offerings or ipos. and the potential use of block chain technology to protect financial data. this is two hours and 45 minutes.