Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, the United States places special trust and confidence in the integrity, judgement, and abilities of those men and women chosen to represent the United States abroad as an Ambassador. The Constitution balances the President's need to have officials overseas able to execute U.S. foreign policy as directed by the President, with Congress' interest in ensuring that these officials will serve honorably and ably in the positions for which they are nominated. Apart from the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the Ambassador nomination process has changed very little since our Nation was founded. However, it is fair to say that Presidents of all parties have on occasion appointed individuals Ambassadors whose profiles indicate political closeness with the President more than deep substantive experience in a particular foreign country.

Historically, the majority of Ambassadors are selected from the career ranks of the State Department. Roughly 30 percent of Ambassadors are typically selected outside of those ranks, including from among political supporters of the President. This is not categorically problematic--Ambassadors who are not professional diplomats have long served our country admirably, from Benjamin Franklin in France to former Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield in Japan. A foreign country may benefit from having a U.S. Ambassador who has a close relationship with the President and the ability to elevate issues to the highest levels or the independent gravitas to bring substantial public attention to that country's needs. That said, I do believe it is appropriate to ask Presidents and their Secretaries of State to explain their rationale for choosing Ambassador nominees outside of the Foreign and Civil Services so that the public can understand the rationale for these appointments. This would give both the U.S. public and foreign publics the assurance that the White House is not merely doling out political sinecures but is devoting meaningful thought to these selections.

The legislation I am introducing today with Senator Booker would not constrain the President's discretion to choose appointees but would require him or her to justify these selections and explain to Congress why someone from outside the State Department is the optimal choice to represent America's interests abroad. I am proud to introduce this bill to ensure that U.S. foreign policy and our national security interests are advanced by the most qualified Americans, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that this legislation is swiftly considered by the Senate. ______

By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Cardin):

S. 4039. A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance to States regarding Federal reimbursement for furnishing behavioral health services and treatment under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program using telehealth services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.

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