WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee nominations hearing. Witnesses included Mr. Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France, Mr. Joe Popolo Jr. to be ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr. Edward Walsh to be ambassador to Ireland, and Ms. Leah Campos to be ambassador to the Dominican Republic.
Chairman Risch gave the following remarks:
“Mr. Kushner, France is our oldest ally, dating back to when it joined the newly declared United States in our fight for independence. Today, the U.S.-France relationship is a pillar of global stability and a cornerstone of the NATO alliance.
“As ambassador, a large part of your role will be ensuring U.S. security interests are prioritized as we modernize and expand our military alliance to address the threats posed by Russia and China. France has reached the 2% defense spending target, but that percentage doesn’t match the recent rise in aggression from our shared adversaries. I hope you will work with the French government to boost its defense spending to reach the necessary 5% target. I also look forward to hearing your plans to work with France to maintain a fair and balanced economic relationship.
“Mr. Popolo, you will face similar challenges in your role as ambassador to the Netherlands, a great friend of the United States. The Netherlands is also a NATO ally with close economic and cultural ties to the United States. As you know, the U.S. and the Netherlands share one of the longest continuous diplomatic relationships in our history. Like France, the Netherlands has met its 2% defense spending target, but for the strength and security of our NATO alliance, we need to see that percentage grow.
“Mr. Walsh, the U.S. and Ireland share important common interests. Ireland serves as a gateway for the critical telecom infrastructure linking Europe and the United States, and with this strategic position comes significant responsibility to address the very real threats to it. I’ve previously called for Ireland to increase its defense spending to safeguard vital undersea cables from our shared enemies, and I hope you will address this with your Irish counterparts.
“Additionally, as you know, Ireland has recognized a Palestinian state. This recognition fails to acknowledge actual conditions on the ground and worse, the horrific attack against Israel on 7 October. This is a mistake by Ireland. Until Hamas is destroyed, a Palestinian state seems exceptionally unlikely. Calls for statehood fail to recognize that Israel can no longer tolerate terrorists in Gaza or in Lebanon. For too long these groups have been a dagger pointed at the heart of Jerusalem and must be destroyed. I hope you will ensure that our friends in Ireland will understand that America strongly supports Israel.
“I also look forward to hearing how you will continue the United States’ historic role in implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
“Finally, Ms. Campos, the Dominican Republic is a strategic partner with which we share democratic values as well as economic and security interests. We’re particularly grateful for the Dominican Republic’s support for the Alliance for Development and Democracy that sought closer political and economic relations with our country and other regional democracies in the face of China’s malign influence.
“I hope you’ll work with the DR to further these efforts. Additionally, given the DR’s proximity to Haiti, it will also be important in your role to work with your colleagues to address the instability in its neighbor. Stability in Haiti will benefit the Dominican Republic and the world.
“In the wake of the recent State Department reorganization, you will all enter a State Department that will be more accountable to the American taxpayer than ever before. I hope you will take this responsibility seriously—I know you will. I look forward to seeing how you will use your positions, once confirmed, to make Americans safer and more prosperous.
“Thank you again for being here, and I will now turn it over to our ranking member, Jeanne Shaheen.”
These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity. Witness testimony is available on foreign.senate.gov.
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