Hearings to examine finding opportunities for U.S.-Africa partnerships.

African Affairs

2025-07-30

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting primarily focused on the consideration and voting for several diplomatic and government nominations. [ 00:08:17 ] The committee progressed through multiple nominees, encountering significant debate on one particular candidate. [ 00:08:32 ]

Themes

Jason Evans' Nomination

Senator Shaheen expressed disappointment with Mr. Evans' responses and concerns about his management experience, but ultimately supported him due to his career professional status within the State Department and the importance of moving career personnel. Senator Cruz concurred on the importance of advancing career professionals. The motion to send Mr. Evans forward with a do-pass recommendation passed with 14 yeas to 8 noes. [ 00:10:47 ]

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Thomas Rose's Nomination

The nomination of Mr. Thomas Rose to be ambassador to Poland proceeded without discussion. The nomination was approved by roll call vote.

Bill White's Nomination

Senator Kaine raised significant objections to Mr. Bill White's nomination as Ambassador to Belgium, citing troubling social media posts from 2023 and 2024. These included calls to prosecute Republican officials in Georgia, derogatory comments about Senator Lindsey Graham, and crucially, re-platforming content from a Belgian individual convicted of Holocaust denial and pro-Nazism. Senator Kaine emphasized the severe anti-Semitism issues in Belgium and argued that approving White would be an embarrassment to the U.S. Senator Shaheen, Senator Coons, and Senator Murphy echoed these concerns, with Senator Shaheen noting White's continued inflammatory posts even after his hearing. [ 00:19:29 ]

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 Citing a request to hold over, the Chairman deferred the appointment to the next business meeting.

Peter LaMeles' Nomination

The nomination of Mr. Peter LaMeles to be ambassador to the Argentine Republic was moved forward without any debate. The motion passed, and the nominee will be reported to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting began with a generally formal and procedural tone for the initial nominations, marked by brief discussions and straightforward roll call votes. [ 00:08:17-00:09:01 ] However, the tone shifted dramatically to contentious and critical during the consideration of Mr. Bill White's nomination, with senators expressing strong condemnation and grave concerns about the candidate's past conduct. The meeting concluded by reverting to a neutral, procedural manner for the final nomination.

Participants

Transcript

On a business meeting, excuse me, four nominations on a business meeting.  Has anyone anything to say for the good of the order?  We didn't discuss this.  How would you like to proceed?  Mr. In bank, one at a time?
I think we'd like a roll call on them, Mr. Chairman.  All right.
Well, we'll take up Mr. Jason Evans to be Undersecretary of State for Management.  Is there a motion to send him forward with a do-pass recommendation?  So moved.  Seconded.  Seconded.  The motion's been made.  Is there a discussion?
Mr. Chairman.  Senator Shaheen.   Mr. Chairman, I was disappointed in some of Mr. Evans' responses and have some concerns about his management experience, because I think that will be a very important part of the job.  I do intend to vote for him, however.  He is a career professional at the State Department.  I think it's very important that we move our career   personnel at State.  I'm disappointed that, as I said at the subcommittee hearing earlier this week, I'm disappointed that we haven't seen more career ambassadors nominated.  So I hope that   we will begin to see more of those career people sent to the committee and put into positions because most of them have been vetted over the years before this committee.  And so we ought to be able to move them out to posts as soon as possible.   Thank you.
I agree with you on getting the careers moved.  I think you're going to see some movement here in the immediate future as I've communicated my views on the matter to those who are responsible therefore.  With that, it's a further discussion.  If not, clerk will call the roll.  Mr. Ricketts?
Aye.
Mr. McCormick?
Aye.
Mr. Daines?
Aye.
Mr. Haggard?  Aye.
I'm a proxy.
Mr. Paul?
I'm a proxy.
Mr. Cruz?
I'm a proxy.
Mr. Scott?
I'm a proxy.
?
Unknown
Mr. Curtis?
Aye.
?
Unknown
Mr. Cornyn?
Aye.
Mrs. Shaheen?

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