Business meeting to consider pending calendar nominations.

2025-04-09

Summary

This meeting of the Foreign Relations Committee commenced with roll call votes on five nominees for various positions, followed by a hearing for three Under Secretary of State nominees, Thomas DiNanno, Sarah Rogers, and Allison Hooker, who presented their opening statements and responded to senators' questions.[ 00:19:31-00:19:35 ]

Themes

Nominee Confirmations[ 00:19:31-00:19:35 ]

The committee began by considering five nominees, each requiring a roll call vote.[ 00:19:34-00:19:39 ] Monica Crowley was moved forward, followed by Warren Stevens, despite Senator Shaheen's concerns about the clarity of roles for a special envoy and ambassador to the United Kingdom. Thomas Barak's nomination was also advanced, with Senator Shaheen emphasizing the urgent need for a U.S. ambassador to Ankara. Lastly, Tillman Fertitta for the Italian Republic and David Perdue for ambassador to China were referred to the floor for confirmation.[ 00:24:27-00:24:37 ]

Foreign Military Sales

Thomas DiNanno, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, committed to prioritizing the streamlining of foreign military sales (FMS) if confirmed. Senator Shaheen highlighted past issues with rigid processes and backlogs, noting that long timelines for FMS could disadvantage the U.S. against competitors like Russia and China. DiNanno advocated for "more capability and less bureaucracy" in FMS, recognizing them as a cornerstone of extended deterrence and allied assurance.

Arms Control and Nuclear Proliferation

Thomas DiNanno discussed the dangerous global security environment, citing the war in Ukraine, China's nuclear expansion, and threats from Iran and North Korea. He expressed commitment to strengthening nuclear deterrence and pursuing verifiable arms control agreements, especially considering China's rapid increase in nuclear warheads. Concerns were raised about Russia's non-compliance with past treaties and the necessity of including tactical nuclear weapons and China in any future agreements.[ 01:27:57 ]

Public Diplomacy and Soft Power

Sarah Rogers, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, emphasized public diplomacy as the "soul of soft power" and America's voice to the world. She championed free speech as America's strength against propaganda from rivals like China, which outspends the U.S. significantly on such efforts. Senators raised concerns about the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for Global Media and cuts to international exchange programs, fearing a weakened capacity to counter foreign disinformation and promote U.S. values. Rogers maintained that diverse communication channels and strategic deployment of resources, including AI, could effectively convey the American story.

Diplomatic Workforce and U.S. Foreign Policy

Allison Hooker, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, highlighted the importance of strengthening the diplomatic workforce and reinforcing relationships with partners to address global challenges. Discussions included the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral relationship, countering China's influence in Latin America, and managing U.S.-Mexico relations concerning border security and trade.[ 00:48:32-00:48:35 ]

[ 00:50:51 ] Senators voiced strong criticisms of the administration's tariff policies, arguing they alienate allies and operate as a tax increase, and expressed alarm over the restructuring and potential dismantling of USAID, fearing negative impacts on the diplomatic corps and U.S. foreign policy.[ 01:51:07-01:51:22 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a largely formal and structured tone during the initial confirmation votes and opening statements.[ 00:34:17 ]

[ 00:44:43 ] However, during the question and answer sessions, the tone became more probing and at times contentious, particularly as senators questioned nominees on controversial administration policies such as tariffs, the restructuring of USAID and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and international exchange program cuts. Nominees generally offered cautious and deferential responses, often stating their commitment to supporting the President's agenda while acknowledging the need to learn more if confirmed.[ 00:54:39 ] [ 01:38:36 ] There was noticeable tension between the committee chair and some senators regarding the executive branch's actions and accountability.[ 01:51:02-01:51:22 ]