Secretary of State Blinken Urges Senate to Swiftly Confirm Key Foreign Policy Nominees to Protect U.S. National Security Interests

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has sent a letter to all senators Monday, urging them to swiftly confirm more than 60 nominees to key foreign policy positions. In the letter, Blinken warned that leaving the roles unfilled was damaging to America’s global standing and national security interests.

The letter comes as Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., has blocked the confirmation of the nominees while he seeks information from the administration on the origins of Covid-19. Blinken wrote that vacant posts have a long-term negative impact on U.S. national security, including our ability to reassure Allies and partners, and counter diplomatic efforts by our adversaries.

In the letter, Blinken asked for the senators’ leadership to swiftly confirm State Department nominees on the floor, and asked them to reconsider or work with the Department to find a reasonable and expedited path forward. He added that our foreign policy and national security interests are depending on it.

The confirmation of the nominees is seen as critical to the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda. With the confirmation of the nominees, the Biden administration will be able to fill key roles in the State Department and ensure that the U.S. is able to effectively pursue its foreign policy objectives.

The Biden administration is hopeful that the Senate will confirm the nominees quickly, so that the U.S. can continue to pursue its foreign policy objectives and protect its national security interests.