Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee nomination hearing. Witnesses included David Brat to be ambassador to Australia, Eric Wendt to be ambassador to Albania, Michael Kavoukjian to be ambassador to Norway, Michelle Steel to be ambassador to South Korea, and Brock Dahl to be legal adviser to the State Department.

Chairman Risch gave the following remarks:

"First of all, I want to thank all of you for being here and for being willing to serve. Especially we'd like to thank your families because we know that on these kinds of things, the families are as much a part of this service as you are. They sacrifice as much as you do and, in many instances, even more than you do - so we really appreciate the families.

"Ms. Steel, in many ways South Korea has been a model ally for the United States. As you know, better than most, our economic and security relationship with Korea is incredibly important. President Lee has made commitments to up Korea's defense spending and to deepen relations with the U.S. and Japan.

"But we also need to up our cooperation in shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy-all critical sectors to ensure the U.S. and our partners remain at the forefront of the tech competition.

"Today, I'd like to hear from you on your priorities for implementing our trade and investment framework with Korea, if confirmed, and your views on how we can address the regional threats from China and North Korea.

"Mr. Kavoukjian, as you know, Norway is a key U.S. ally in Europe and the high north.

"Its border with Russia as well as its sovereignty over Svalbard and the long Arctic coast make it a key partner in countering Russian and Chinese malign activities in the North Atlantic. Norway is also key to building a European energy mix that is independent and secure from Russian interference.

"We need to work together to advance this goal and protect critical infrastructure. I look forward to hearing how you would work with Norway to advance these key priorities.

"Mr. Wendt, the United States partnership with Albania has benefited from significant growth in recent years, and now more than ever, Albania is an important NATO ally, helping provide stability in the Western Balkans and standing up to Russian influence.

"It is very important for the U.S. to continue its support of Albania's implementation of government and economic reforms they have undertaken, which will in turn increase opportunities for greater cooperation. I look forward to your thoughts on these issues.

"Mr. Dahl, I do not envy the task before you. The Legal Adviser is integral to the planning and execution of our most complex and consequential foreign policy decisions.

"Whether it is the military, economic, or grey-zone threats posed by China and Russia, complex international treaty negotiations, or protecting our most precious resources - American citizens abroad - you will be uniquely poised to inform the President and the Secretary on extremely consequential issues.

"This job will certainly keep your hands full, but if confirmed, I trust you will work with this Committee to ensure our national security is protected.

"And finally, Mr. Brat - Australia is one of our most important partners in countering China's influence in the Indopacific. If confirmed, you will oversee a historic transformation of our alliance with Australia as we step up our diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation through AUKUS and other initiatives.

"In this role, I hope you will also push our friends to fully implement their new investment screening and foreign influence laws to counter malign Chinese influence and assist them as they seek to counter the rise of antisemitism that we've seen in Australia and for that matter, around the world.

"Thank you again to the nominees and to the families, and with that I turn the podium over to the Ranking Member, Senator Shaheen."

These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity. Witness testimony is available on foreign.senate.gov.

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