Ranking Member Shaheen Opening Remarks for Nominations Hearing for Key State Department Positions

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks during a committee hearing on the nominations of Brock Dahl to be Legal Advisor of the Department of State, David Brat to be Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia, Michael Kavoukjian to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, Eric Wendt to be Ambassador to the Republic of Albania and Michelle Steel to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

You can watch her opening remarks here.

"Last year, at our nomination hearing for the Legal Advisor to the State Department, Mr. Dahl, I asked him whether he would commit to following the law and he actually struggled to answer," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "It was a yes or no question, but he couldn't give me a yes answer. Over the last year, that attitude toward the law, including refusing to spend funds that congress has appropriated, has had real consequences. We have seen the termination of global health programs and now we're seeing an Ebola outbreak in Africa. That has real implications for countries around the world. We have seen family planning commodities that have been left to expire in warehouses instead of reaching women and families who need them. Foreign assistance cuts have weakened our ability to stand with Ukraine against Russia, and none of that makes us safer or more secure."

Ranking Member Shaheen pressed Mr. Kavoukjian, nominee for Ambassador to Norway, to strengthen our partnership with our Norwegian allies, who are on the frontlines of growing Russian aggression.

"When our Embassy in Oslo was targeted in a terrorist attack in March, we had no U.S. ambassador on the ground," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "As key posts across the Middle East remain vacant following Iran's recent retaliatory attacks, it's critical that we have ambassadors in U.S. posts around the world. Norway is on the front lines of growing Russian activity and sabotage efforts in the Baltics, the North Sea and in the Arctic. If confirmed, I hope you will work closely with our Norwegian allies to strengthen NATO's presence in the Arctic and to counter Russian aggression. The United States needs to show up and lead in moments like these."

Ranking Member Shaheen also emphasized the importance of the security of our Indo-Pacific allies and partners to Ms. Steel, nominee for Ambassador to South Korea, following the Senator's recent bipartisan delegation to the region.

"Senator Curtis talked about your trip with him to Taiwan, but he and I and Senator Rosen from this committee recently traveled there with a bipartisan delegation," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "And across Asia, we heard the same message repeatedly: they want to see the United States stand by its allies. That's why I was troubled when I heard the President suggest that arms sales to Taiwan might actually be an open item to negotiate with China. I think Taiwan's security is not a bargaining chip; it's central to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. And allies like South Korea are watching closely to see whether American commitments remain firm. That matters not only for our security alliances, but for our economic partnerships as well. If confirmed, I hope you will work to strengthen our alliance with Seoul and reinforce deterrence in the region."

The Ranking Member's remarks, as delivered, are below.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and welcome to our nominees today and thank you for your willingness to think about continuing to serve this country, and welcome to all of your family and supporters who are here this morning.

Last year, at our nomination hearing for the Legal Advisor to the State Department, Mr. Dahl, I asked him whether he would commit to following the law and he actually struggled to answer. It was a yes or no question, but he couldn't give me a yes answer. Over the last year that attitude toward the law, including refusing to spend funds that congress has appropriated, has had real consequences. We have seen the termination of global health programs, and now we're seeing an Ebola outbreak in Africa. That has real implications for countries around the world. We have seen family planning commodities that have been left to expire in warehouses instead of reaching women and families who need them. Foreign assistance cuts have weakened our ability to stand with Ukraine against Russia, and none of that makes us safer or more secure. Mr. Dahl, if confirmed as the State Department's next Legal Advisor, I hope you will ensure that the Administration follows the law, because as we know, the law is not optional.

Mr. Brat, you have been nominated to be the U.S. Ambassador to Australia. Like the Chairman, I think Australia is a vital ally, particularly on AUKUS. It is going to be critical for U.S. ambassador to help encourage that AUKUS continues to move forward. It's also important for critical minerals, for countering Chinese coercion in the Indo-Pacific, and the Administration's prolonged review of AUKUS has created uncertainty that I think has been unnecessary at a critical time in the region. It took more than a year for the Administration to nominate someone to this post, and I am glad that they finally have. I am delighted because its delays like that weaken American credibility with our allies.

Mr. Kavoukjian, [...] we are delighted you are going to have a chance to go back and see Norway firsthand. When our Embassy in Oslo was targeted in a terrorist attack in March, we had no U.S. ambassador on the ground. As key posts across the Middle East remain vacant following Iran's recent retaliatory attacks, it's critical that we have ambassadors in U.S. posts around the world. Norway is on the front lines of growing Russian activity and sabotage efforts in the Baltics, the North Sea and in the Arctic. If confirmed, I hope you will work closely with our Norwegian allies to strengthen NATO's presence in the Arctic and to counter Russian aggression. The United States needs to show up and lead in moments like these.

Mr. Wendt, you have been nominated to serve as ambassador to Albania. And again, as the Chairman said, Albania is one of our closest partners in the Western Balkans and a NATO ally. And it has really stood with us in so many ways. It has also stood with Ukraine and supported sanctions on Russia. If confirmed, you will be the first U.S. ambassador to Albania in three years. At a consequential moment for the region, diplomatic leadership matters.

Ms. Steel, you have been nominated to serve as ambassador to South Korea. Senator Curtis talked about your trip with him to Taiwan, but he and I and Senator Rosen from this committee recently traveled there with a bipartisan delegation. And across Asia, we heard the same message repeatedly: they want to see the United States stand by its allies.

That's why I was troubled when I heard the President suggest that arms sales to Taiwan might actually be an open item to negotiate with China. I think Taiwan's security is not a bargaining chip; it's central to deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. And allies like South Korea are watching closely to see whether American commitments remain firm. That matters not only for our security alliances, but for our economic partnerships as well. If confirmed, I hope you will work to strengthen our alliance with Seoul and reinforce deterrence in the region.

Let me conclude by highlighting that last week more than 250 Foreign Service Officers were separated from the Department of State. These are professionals with deep expertise, in whom the United States has invested time and resources. I am very distressed that we are hollowing out America's diplomatic corps and at the time when America's leadership needs to remain strong in the world. When growing threats around the world could move us in the wrong direction.

So again, I appreciate all of you being here this morning, your willingness to be nominated and considered for these critical posts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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