|
As we mentioned last week, we’re back with some analysis of Secretary Clinton’s days on the Hill. Clinton gave nearly identical opening testimonies in all four of her hearings. From there, each hearing diverged with different issues in the spotlight, but despite four different audiences, some issues came up repeatedly.
Each hearing brought up Haiti, generally focusing on the rapid initial humanitarian response and ways to strengthen that response moving forward. As always, national security is a focus of Congress—questions about the response to Iran were prevalent, as well as questions on the challenges of the “frontline states” of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. National security was also brought up in a more positive light, too. Representative Berman, during his opening statement of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, lauded the President’s defining his national security budget as both the Defense and International Affairs Budget, calling investing in development the “ounce of prevention” for national security.
There were several other themes running across all four hearings. Senator Lugar brought up the strong commitment the US has made to address global hunger and food insecurity during his opening testimony of the Foreign Relations committee. His own Global Food Security Act, co-sponsored with Senator Casey, was also brought up by Representative McCollum during the House Foreign Operations Appropriation Subcommittee. Clinton lauded the legislation for its focus on the plans the State Department already has for food security efforts, namely focusing on the role of small-holder farmers and women, as well as harnessing new technology.
There were questions on proposed health initiatives, as well. Representative Lee, from the House Foreign Ops Appropriations Subcommittee, brought up PEPFAR, asking how PEPFAR and Global Fund money fit into the overall Global Health Initiative. Senator Lugar also pushed on PEPFAR, asking about reductions in funds for HIV/AIDS prevention in favor of treatment. Clinton said that PEPFAR is committed to maintaining and fulfilling treatment obligations, and hopes to design more aggressive prevention programs to use prevention money more efficiently, as well as forging new country partnerships for PEPFAR.
During the House Appropriations Subcommittee meeting, Clinton was also pressed on funding for basic education. The Chairwoman of the subcommittee, Representative Nita Lowey, pointed out in her statement that the education fund took a cut of nearly $100 million and that she believes education is the foundation for many other development goals. She urged Clinton to restore funds to the program.
For more on the FY 2011 international affairs budget, check out the State Department’s info page on it, or our own coverage on the ONE Blog.
|
