Excerpts from Deputy Secretary Nominees James Steinberg’s and Jacob Lew’s Confirmation Hearing

January 21, 2009

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) — Opening Statement

“To be effective, a surge in diplomacy must be accompanied by a surge in the capacity of our civilian institutions to meet a new, more ambitious agenda. And that will not happen unless we match our rhetorical commitment to a more powerful State Department with a serious new commitment of resources.”
“The goal of increased diplomatic and civilian capacity-building is fully embraced by this committee. And we recognize the secretary of defense’s warnings of the ‘creeping militarization’ of American foreign policy and welcome his demand for increased resources for the State Department to take on new missions. Getting this right is going to require significant resources.”
“While the second deputy position has existed in statute for nearly a decade, it has never been filled. The Obama Administration’s selection of someone with such stature and deep knowledge of management issues and the budgetary process is a welcome sign of its commitment to deliver on the nuts and bolts that will empower robust diplomacy.”
“President Obama has committed to increasing our Foreign Service officer corps by 25%.”
“We also need to reexamine the laws that guide civilian programs, from acquisition to actual funding, and I am committed to working with the new administration to explore whether the Foreign Assistance Act can be strengthened.”

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) — Opening Statement

“I share the view that it is necessary to shift resources toward diplomatic tools, or “Smart Power,” as some have called it. But to be effective over the long run, we must do more than demilitarize our foreign policy. We have to make it less reactive.”
“If the United States is to remain secure and prosperous it must seek to shape the diplomatic and economic conditions in the world. We should be asking how do we change the rules of the game in ways that benefit stability? How do we raise costs for those pursuing a course inimical to our interests? How do we avoid repeatedly being confronted with nothing but bad options – one of which usually is military force?”
“As you support the Secretary’s efforts, I would urge both of you to consider every day what can be done to build the capacity of the Department, prepare for the likely circumstances we will face in coming years, and change strategic circumstances in ways that increase our diplomatic options and leverage in the future.”

Deputy Secretary of State-designate James Steinberg

Opening Statement

“As Secretary Clinton stressed so eloquently in her testimony, for America to succeed in meeting the coming challenges, we must harness all the tools of American power and influence – what she and others have called ‘smart power’. The State Department has a crucial role to play in underpinning U.S. global leadership.”

Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources-designate Jacob Lew

Opening Statement

“Secretary Clinton laid out the opportunities for leadership that America faces, and the strategies that this administration intends to employ in pursuit of those opportunities. The Secretary described “smart power,” which uses the full range of tools at our disposal – diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal, and cultural – so that we can effectively protect our security, advance our interests, and promote our values in the world.”

“Diplomacy is the first choice – which is why the President has committed to a foreign policy with diplomacy at the vanguard. If confirmed, I will concentrate on making sure that the President and Secretary of State have the tools that they need to pursue and accomplish our foreign policy objectives.”

“I pledge to work collaboratively to augment the Department’s capacities so that it can fully meet today’s challenges.”

“But both Secretary Clinton and Secretary Gates have made it clear that we must enhance and expand our civilian capacity to do results-oriented, sophisticated, hands-on, diplomatic, and development work.”

“Our civilian response capacity can lessen the burden on the military; and effective development and diplomatic work can avert the need for military engagement down the road, while protecting our interests.”

“I know that foreign assistance is of particular interest to this committee, as it is to the President and Secretary, who have pledged to increase our aid. Our support for development and good governance, and our role in defending human rights and alleviating suffering in the world, reflect our values, and advance our interests.”

“To achieve our foreign policy goals, we must focus on using our resources well. But we will also need additional resources. It is not possible to have the foreign presence that we need at our current funding levels.”