Friend –

The emergence of cherry blossoms and motorcades in Washington, D.C. means spring is finally here (let’s hope) and just in time for the World Bank and IMF meetings that took place last week, where global economic outlooks and reform efforts topped the agenda.

But with Congress out of session for a good part of April, many of the big stories capturing my attention took place overseas:

With this and more as a backdrop, I just submitted my annual testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS), making the case why investing in diplomacy and development matters to America’s national interests. It’s timed just as Congress returns to Washington -- debt ceiling talks, new hearings featuring Sir Elton John on HIV/AIDS and PEPFAR and USAID Administrator Samantha Power on USAID’s budget request.

Check out these and more in this new edition of the GLOBAL GAB. Send me a quick note if you have been traveling, and what you are seeing and hearing overseas.

Many thanks,
Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC


THE GLOBAL GAB

Elton John talks to Congress, Brad Paisley in Ukraine, Veep in Africa
April 21, 2023

CONGRESS IS BACK

After a two-week recess, Capitol Hill is abuzz with multiple consequential hearings on America’s role in the world – including a cameo by Sir Elton John:

SPRING ECONOMIC MEETINGS

As the global economic uncertainty continues into 2023 and a growing number of countries are facing debt distress and crises, the topic of multilateral bank reform was top of mind as world leaders, finance ministers, and bankers descended on Washington for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings last week.

✈️ WHEELS UP TO AFRICA

Following last December’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, the U.S. has been stepping up its tempo with high-level delegations traveling to Africa every single month this year – from both Congress and the Administration. A quick snapshot – including the latest historic trip by Vice President Kamala Harris:

UKRAINE WATCH

As both President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin made recent battlefield visits in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion of the sovereign, democratic nation has not only exacted immeasurable costs on the Ukrainian people, but it also threatens global stability, directly impacting American stability and our security and economic interests here at home.

2024 CANDIDATES WEIGH-IN

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), not yet a candidate, made news when he said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a “territorial dispute.” But a few days later, the Governor clarified that Russia’s invasion is indeed illegitimate calling Putin a “war criminal” who should be “held accountable.” Here is a round-up of what some of the other presidential candidates and hopefuls have been saying: 

FOR THE RECORD

In recent conversations in Washington, DC and across the country, Congressional leaders have been speaking out about how America’s global leadership matters to our national interests and to families in their districts. Here are just a few of the most recent:

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA)
Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)  Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY)
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH)

TRANSITIONS AND UPDATES 

ONE FUN THING

In a show of America’s strong support for Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador Oskana Markarova threw out the first pitch at the Nationals opening game.🇺🇸🇺🇦


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