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Risch Applauds Cooper Confirmation Despite Long Delay

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded Senate confirmation of R. Clarke Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. Cooper was confirmed by a vote of 90-8. 

“Mr. Cooper is preeminently qualified for the job of Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, and I am glad to see him confirmed today by such a wide margin,” said Risch. “We received Mr. Cooper’s nomination almost a year ago and he has waited to be confirmed for nearly 300 days despite being highly qualified and non-controversial. As the primary person at the State Department who will coordinate with the Department of Defense on matters related to international security, security assistance, military operations, and defense trade, Mr. Cooper’s role is of great importance to the security of our country and partnerships with allies. I am pleased to finally see him in place.”

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