WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks at the hearing on the nominations of Leah Campos to be Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Charles Kushner to be Ambassador to France, Joe Popolo Jr to be Ambassador to the Netherlands and Edward Walsh to be Ambassador to Ireland. In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Shaheen underscored the strategic importance of each of these countries to U.S. national security, economic cooperation and global diplomatic engagement—particularly at a time when longstanding alliances are strained by the Trump Administration’s foreign policy. Ranking Member Shaheen also pressed Mr. Kushner on how he would approach his past indiscretions and build a relationship of trust with the French government and its citizens.
You can watch her opening remarks HERE.
“Mr. Kushner— France supported Ukraine in the aftermath of Putin’s invasion, and President Macron has worked very hard to keep Europe united in support for Ukraine while pushing back against Russian aggression,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “Right now, the U.S. approach to negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine is straining that European alliance. It had been a U.S.-European alliance, but now our European allies are anxious. So, Mr. Kushner, your nomination comes at a critical time. I hope you will talk in your opening statement about the message you plan to send to the people of France and the French government, and how you will lead the embassy in Paris. If confirmed, how would you work to deepen the ties between the U.S. and France?”
Ranking Member Shaheen also highlighted the vital role that the Netherlands plays in transatlantic security, particularly as the host of the upcoming NATO summit and as home to microchip manufacturers, which are one of the most important pieces of technology in the global economy.
“Mr. Popolo, you have been nominated to serve as our Ambassador to the Netherlands, another long-time American ally,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “The Netherlands is not only one of NATO’s founding members, but NATO’s current Secretary General - as you know - is the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and the Netherlands will host the NATO summit in the Hague this June. This makes the post of U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands critical to transatlantic security. I believe this administration’s confrontational approach towards Europe is a strategic mistake, especially in the case of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is home to one of the most specialized, important pieces of technology in the global economy today— and that is microchip manufacturers. Everyone in the world depends on microchips and China is keen to develop the technology required to make them. So Mr. Popolo—given that the Trump Administration has levied tariffs on the Netherlands, how would you make sure this trade war does not drive the Dutch to send this technology to China?”
The Ranking Member’s opening remarks, as delivered, are below.
Thank you, Chairman Risch, and welcome to all of our nominees today and to your families. Thank you for your willingness to consider serving this country. Whether it’s countering adversaries like Russia and China or promoting economic opportunity and trade, America’s alliances and partnerships are one of our greatest assets. Unfortunately, this President is making it harder to be in partnership with the United States.
Mr. Kushner— France supported Ukraine in the aftermath of Putin’s invasion, and President Macron has worked very hard to keep Europe united in support for Ukraine while pushing back against Russian aggression. Right now, the U.S. approach to negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine is straining that European alliance. It had been a U.S.-European alliance, but now our European allies are anxious. So, Mr. Kushner, your nomination comes at a critical time. I hope you will talk in your opening statement about the message you plan to send to the people of France and the French government, and how you will lead the embassy in Paris. If confirmed, how would you work to deepen the ties between the U.S. and France?
Mr. Popolo, you have been nominated to serve as our Ambassador to the Netherlands, another long-time American ally. The Netherlands is not only one of NATO’s founding members, but NATO’s current Secretary General - as you know - is the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and the Netherlands will host the NATO summit in the Hague this June. This makes the post of U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands critical to transatlantic security. I believe this administration’s confrontational approach towards Europe is a strategic mistake, especially in the case of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is home to one of the most specialized, important pieces of technology in the global economy today— and that is microchip manufacturers. Everyone in the world depends on microchips and China is keen to develop the technology required to make them. So Mr. Popolo—given that the Trump Administration has levied tariffs on the Netherlands, how would you make sure this trade war does not drive the Dutch to send this technology to China?
Mr. Walsh—Ireland has been the target of tariffs by this administration. Tariffs on Ireland not only raise prices for American consumers and businesses, but they undermine the delicate balance of peace that was made possible by the Good Friday Agreement. If confirmed—I’d like to hear how you’ll work to maintain this successful peace agreement.
Finally—Ms. Campos—you have been nominated to serve as our Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the site of this year’s Summit of the Americas. The Dominican Republic is one of the bright spots in the Western Hemisphere and the Caribbean in particular. The government is very supportive of the United States, as you know. If confirmed—I hope you will work to address one of their major concerns which is the situation in Haiti. It’s critical that we find a way forward to bring the violence in Haiti under control. Doing so is not only important to our relationship with the DR, it’s critical to U.S. interests as well.
I look forward to hearing from each of you today and to the questions and discussion that we will have afterwards. Thank you all.
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