-9999

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. KAINE. Madam President, in just a second, I will make a motion for unanimous consent. Before I do, I just want to say, this Nation has a bipartisan track record of fielding fantastic women diplomats: Secretary Clinton, Secretary Rice, Secretary Albright. So this is something that we do well and we have done well in a bipartisan way.

My colleague from New Hampshire talked about what this important position does and what it doesn't do. I just want to say a few words about Dr. Gupta.

She is a nationally recognized leader and expert on women's contributions to economic prosperity and stability. She has over three decades of experience in research, policy formulation, advocacy, and the implementations of policies and programs to empower women and girls; that includes 5 years at UNICEF and a decade as the president and CEO of a U.S.-based research institute.

She has taken, throughout her career, an evidence-based approach to demonstrate again and again one irrefutable fact: Investing in women is one of the best tools to promote economic development and stability.

Ambassador at Large For Global Women's Issues; that the Senate vote on the nomination with no intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that no further motions be made in order to the nomination; and that any related statements be printed in the Record.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. KAINE. Madam President, in response to my colleague, might I modify my request because, certainly, someone should have the right to vote no if they want to vote no. So let me modify my request.

I would ask unanimous consent that the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations be discharged and that the Senate proceed to the following nomination: PN1578, Geeta Rao Gupta, of Virginia, to be Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues; and that the Senate vote on the nomination at a time to be determined by the Senate leadership.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I said I was rising for multiple purposes. It is now my third purpose, but I would seek consent to speak--I know we have a vote call at 5--for about 5 minutes on legislation being contemplated tomorrow.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source