Blinken Urges Senate to Clear State Department Nominees

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will urge the Senate to advance the dozens of State Department nominees that have been blocked by Republican senators, including 38 ambassadorial nominees. Blinken will emphasize how these holds are harming national security and leaving key diplomatic posts vacant. Republican senators Rand Paul and J.D. Vance have placed holds on State Department nominees, demanding further information on Covid-19 origins and expressing concerns about ideological positions. The holds have caused delays in confirming nominees, hindering the ability to fill critical national security positions. The American Foreign Service Association has called for the swift confirmation of career nominees.