Ranking Member Shaheen Opening Remarks for Nominations Hearing for Key Ambassadorial 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 to consider the nominations of Justin Bytheway to be Ambassador to Tonga, Marc Dillard to be Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros, Jessica Long to be Ambassador to Mauritania, William Flens to be Ambassador to Chad and Douglas Holder to be Ambassador to Bulgaria. In her remarks and questions, Ranking Member Shaheen emphasized the impact that a consistent diplomatic presence in Africa and the Pacific can have on America's ability to engage on resolving conflicts like the one in Sudan and to compete with China.

You can watch her opening remarks here.

"Last week, President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping here in Washington," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "That meeting did not produce much meaningful progress on the serious challenges we face with China. But those challenges are not addressed through meetings in Washington alone. They require sustained American engagement around the world."

Ranking Member Shaheen highlighted a report Committee Democrats released last year entitled, "The Price of Retreat: America Cedes Global Leadership to China," which laid bare the consequences of decreasing our international engagement.

"Last year, Democrats on this committee released a report looking at what happens when the United States retreats from the world," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "We found that China is ready to fill the vacuum. The countries represented here today illustrate what is at stake."

Ranking Member Shaheen encouraged the nominees for roles in Africa and the Pacific to use the diplomatic, security and economic tools at their disposal to ensure the United States is competing with China.

"These countries are very different," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "But our report found that competing effectively requires many of the same things: American diplomats on the ground, strong economic and security partnerships and American investment that offers an alternative to China. For those of you nominated to serve in Africa and the Pacific, I hope you will speak to how you would put those tools to work."

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and welcome to our nominees, congratulations to each of you. Welcome to your families and supporters who are here with you today. I'm especially pleased that four of today's nominees are career members of the Foreign Service, and Mr. Holder we are glad you are here too.

Last week, President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping here in Washington. That meeting didn't produce much meaningful progress on the serious challenges we face with China. But those challenges are not addressed through meetings in Washington alone. They require sustained American engagement around the world.

Last year, Democrats on this committee released a report looking at what happens when the United States retreats from the world. We found that China is very ready to fill that vacuum and actually is already doing that. The countries represented here today illustrate what's at stake.

In Tonga and Comoros, China has become an important development and economic partner. In Madagascar, Beijing has expanded its influence in the mining sector. And in Mauritania and Chad, China and Russia are competing for influence as the region faces growing instability.

These countries are each very different. But our report found that competing effectively requires many of the same things: American diplomats on the ground, strong economic and security partnerships and American investment that offers an alternative to China. For those of you nominated to serve in Africa and the Pacific, I hope you will speak to how you would put those tools to work.

That means helping Tonga improve its energy security, expanding American investment in Madagascar's mining sector and Mauritania's growing energy sector, and working with Chad to address instability spilling across its borders from Sudan and the broader region.

Mr. Holder, as I am sure you are aware, Bulgaria presents a very different set of challenges. You've been nominated to serve as Ambassador to an important NATO Ally on the Black Sea. Bulgaria has provided significant military assistance to Ukraine. But the Prime Minister-the current Prime Minister-recently announced that his government would stop providing military aid. This is a time when we need to maintain pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine. If confirmed, I hope you will be a strong voice within the Administration for both. And that you will work to keep our NATO Allies united.

I look forward to hearing from each of you. Thank you.

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