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 Jacob Helberg to be Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, Andrew Puzder to be Ambassador to the European Union, Paul Kapur to be Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Benjamin Black to be to be Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Howard Brodie to be Ambassador to Finland. In her remarks, Ranking Member Shaheen highlighted the national security implications of Chinese technology influence, the importance of DFC in countering the PRC’s Belt and Road Initiative and the need to uphold U.S. commitments to Afghan allies.
You can watch her opening remarks here.
“From leading diplomatic missions in Europe, to guiding policy in South Asia, to promoting economic growth at the State Department or the Development Finance Corporation, one of your most important responsibilities if you are confirmed will be protecting the United States from our adversaries,” said Ranking Member Shaheen.
Ranking Member Shaheen also pressed Mr. Black on the DFC’s role in countering the PRC’s economic coercion.
“Mr. Black, you have been nominated to lead the Development Finance Corporation,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “And while we don’t yet know the full scope of the DFC’s responsibilities, you've written about prioritizing private equity investments—something we all agree needs to change with DFC. Until recently the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation were laying the groundwork for private investment by building roads, installing electricity, delivering fresh water. And without these development projects, it will be harder for the DFC to attract the private investments necessary to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. So, if confirmed, how will you ensure countering adversaries remains one of the DFC’s priorities? And given DFC leadership of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, how will you look out for both U.S. and Ukrainian interests in the critical minerals deal?”
Ranking Member Shaheen also highlighted the fact that Republican members of the Senate refused Mr. Puzder’s confirmation during the first Trump Administration.
“Mr. Puzder, in addition to these substantive questions, I want to address concerns about your fitness for this position,” continued Ranking Member Shaheen. “You were nominated to serve as Secretary of Labor in the first Trump Administration, but Republican members of this Senate refused to confirm you. The facts have not changed in the last eight years. But this Committee needs to conduct its own due diligence on your suitability for this role, and for Senate confirmation. And frankly, some of the past statements and allegations against you are deeply concerning.”
The Ranking Member’s remarks, as delivered, are below.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I would just add to your comment about the speed with which we’re trying to get our ambassadorial nominees on the ground, that in addition to the President and to your leadership, the Democratic minority has been very important in helping to move those nominees in a way that is important to the country. I hope that is a model that will continue regardless of who the next President is because it’s in America’s interest to have our nominees on the ground.
Now, welcome to each of you and congratulations on your nomination. Welcome to your families who are here to support you. From leading diplomatic missions in Europe, to guiding policy in South Asia, to promoting economic growth at the State Department or the Development Finance Corporation, one of your most important responsibilities if you are confirmed will be protecting the United States from our adversaries.
Mr. Helberg, you have been nominated to be Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment. In the past you have been outspoken in supporting tougher U.S. action toward the Chinese, towards their use of technology and foreign influence. And whether it’s space technology or renewable energy or artificial intelligence, Beijing is working to outcompete the United States. But your ethics agreement—which is designed to safeguard taxpayer dollars and our national security—lists these sectors as potential conflicts of interest. So, I’m going to be interested in hearing how you will be able to work to counter China’s influence if you have to recuse yourself or avoid participating in meetings on these topics?
Mr. Black, you have been nominated to lead the Development Finance Corporation. And while we don’t yet know the full scope of the DFC’s responsibilities, you've written about prioritizing private equity investments—something we all agree needs to change with DFC. Until recently the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation were laying the groundwork for private investment by building roads, installing electricity, delivering fresh water. And without these development projects, it will be harder for the DFC to attract the private investments necessary to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. So, if confirmed, how will you ensure countering adversaries remains one of the DFC’s priorities? And given DFC leadership of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, how will you look out for both U.S. and Ukrainian interests in the critical minerals deal?
Mr. Kapur, you have been nominated to be Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs. Not only does this post encompass a recent worrying military exchange between India and Pakistan, two states with nuclear weapons, it also includes Afghanistan—a country I don’t believe we should simply wash our hands of now that the Taliban is in charge. That’s also true for the Afghans who stood with our service members and diplomats and answered the call to promote women’s rights and minority rights and democracy in Afghanistan. So, if confirmed, what will you do to make sure we do not abandon Afghan SIVs and refugees, including those safely resettled in the United States?
Mr. Brodie and Mr. Puzder, you have been nominated to serve in posts representing the U.S. in Finland and the EU. I’d like to hear how you will bring an end to this senseless tariff brawl with our European allies which is costing the American consumer on a daily basis. I also hope you will speak to how you will reassure our European allies facing the threat of Russian aggression. It appears that President Trump has caught onto Putin’s delaying tactics which I believe is a step in the right direction. But we need to find ways to keep pressure on Vladimir Putin and Russia, like the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill that has overwhelming support in the Senate from over 80 Senate sponsors. How will you use your posts to give President Trump and the United States more leverage against Russia?
Finally, Mr. Puzder, in addition to these substantive questions, I want to address concerns about your fitness for this position. You were nominated to serve as Secretary of Labor in the first Trump Administration, but Republican members of this Senate refused to confirm you. The facts have not changed in the last eight years. But this Committee needs to conduct its own due diligence on your suitability for this role, and for Senate confirmation. And frankly, some of the past statements and allegations against you are deeply concerning.
So, I look forward to hearing from you, and from all of our nominees today. Thank you all and again thank you for being willing to continue to serve this country.
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