WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will deliver opening remarks at the hearing on the nominations of Michael Waltz to become the Ambassador to the United Nations, Christine Toretti to be Ambassador to Sweden and John Arrigo to be Ambassador to Portugal.
In her opening remarks, Ranking Member Shaheen will underscore the importance of U.S. leadership at the United Nations and highlight findings from the Committee Democrats’ new report on China’s growing influence amid the Administration’s global retreat. She will warn that ceding ground risks allowing China to shape the globe at the expense of the U.S.
The Ranking Member’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.
Welcome to our nominees, and to your families joining us today. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee released a minority report on China’s growing influence at the expense of the United States. It makes clear that this competition is one of our central geostrategic challenges. This is a competition that is deeply connected to our economy and our lives here at home.
Whether combating unfair trade practices and IP theft or stopping the flow of fentanyl into our communities or protecting Americans from spying and cyberattacks or helping U.S. companies stay ahead in developing batteries, electric vehicles and AI, the stakes are high. The threat to our prosperity and security is real.
But instead of strength and focus, we’ve seen this Administration pull back on a global scale. As this Administration fires thousands of highly specialized, non-partisan experts and cuts America's diplomatic budget by 84%, China leads the world in diplomatic missions and is increasing its budget. The situation at the United Nations is especially alarming.
Mr. Waltz, with your past support for Ukraine and clear-eyed view of threats like China, I hope you will push back on the Administration’s early missteps and some of your more misguided colleagues like Secretary Hegseth. President Trump said the UN must return to its core mission of peace and security. But the Administration is also proposing to slash U.S. contributions to the UN and eliminate the entire UN peacekeeping budget, increasing the likelihood that American soldiers will be sent into combat zones and making China the largest UN peacekeeping and financial contributor. The Chinese Communist Party leadership must be pleased. They continue making long-term investments at the United Nations and international organizations, not only through contributions, but by placing more Chinese nationals in key roles.
Mr. Waltz, I urge you to take this threat seriously. If we walk away from international bodies like the UN, the result won’t be reforms that advance American interests. The result will be that international bodies become increasingly dependent on China. Whether it involves technology and AI standards or global health or trade deals or documenting human rights abuses in Ukraine, China will be writing the rules.
I don’t think most Americans want to live in a world where the Chinese Communist Party is driving the agenda. There remains broad, bipartisan agreement that American leadership on the global stage is essential, particularly as China’s expanding footprint threatens our safety and prosperity. That’s why Americans need a voice not only at the UN Security Council, but at the International Civil Aviation Organization, which ensures airspaces remain safe, the World Food Program which prevents famines and responds to crises, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which works to eliminate these dangerous weapons, and the International Atomic Energy Agency which helps reduce the threat of nuclear war. Put simply, we cannot shape these organizations—or even push for the reforms we want—unless we are at the table. Mr. Waltz—if confirmed—I hope you will work with this committee to preserve America’s ability to lead, to compete and to shape the future on our own terms.
Mr. Arrigo and Ms. Toretti, because the UN Ambassador post has traditionally held cabinet-level status, my remarks have focused on that role, but I also look forward to hearing how you would advance American interests in Europe through the posts in Portugal and Sweden.
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