01.21.25

Thune Highlights President Trump’s National Security Nominees

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, in his inaugural address yesterday, President Trump spoke of his confidence in America.

“He spoke of the country’s future: prosperity, security, strength.

“And I share the president’s confidence and his optimism about what we can accomplish in the coming years.

“President Trump has brought a new direction to Washington.

“And yesterday marked the beginning of a new era.

“Mr. President, here in the Senate, we’ve begun the process of confirming the president’s Cabinet.

“Within hours of President Trump taking office, we confirmed the first of his Cabinet nominees – Marco Rubio to be secretary of state – in a unanimous vote.

“Secretary Rubio demonstrated his command of foreign policy last week at his confirmation hearing.

“He made it clear that under his leadership the State Department will be focused on its core mission.

“In his own words, that mission is, and I quote ‘to promote peace abroad, and security and prosperity here at home.’

“Gone are the days of a foreign policy exporting progressive ideologies, appeasing our adversaries, and demonstrating weakness on the world stage.

“The State Department is back in the business of advancing America’s interests.

“Mr. President, this is a welcome change in direction to our foreign policy.

“And Secretary Rubio is ready to hit the ground running.

“During his time in the Senate, he was a leading voice articulating America’s role in the world, and he has a clear command of the issues facing the world today.

“As a senator, he was vocal about the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses and the stakes of the competition between the United States and China.

“He recognizes the need for American leadership in Latin America to promote democracy and justice.

“And he is clear-eyed about the threats that America faces from other countries, as well as from non-state actors.

“I look forward to working with Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration to restore American strength abroad and promote peace and prosperity here at home.

“Mr. President, in the coming days, the Senate will hold additional votes on the president’s national security team.

“We expect to vote on the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be director of the CIA later today.

“Mr. Ratcliffe, like Secretary Rubio, earned bipartisan support after his confirmation hearing last week.

“He was reported out of the Intelligence Committee with a bipartisan vote yesterday.

“And he will bring valuable knowledge and experience to his new post, including from his time on the House Intelligence Committee and as director of national intelligence in the first Trump administration.

“Mr. President, under the Biden administration, the intelligence community made some notable misses.

“In 2021, the intelligence community failed to anticipate the swift collapse of Afghanistan in response to President Biden’s decision to go ahead with a withdrawal – a withdrawal that cost the lives of 13 American servicemembers.

“In 2022, the intelligence community warned that Ukraine would fall in days in the face of a Russian attack, yet Kyiv is still firmly in Ukrainian hands almost three years later.

“And in 2023, Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel took place with little to no warning from the intelligence community.

“And unfortunately, Mr. President, the list goes on.

“We need a return to fundamentals.

“Last week in his confirmation hearing, Mr. Ratcliffe promised a return to the CIA’s core mission.

“That means recruiting spies to collect intelligence and providing objective intelligence analysis without bias.

“Mr. Ratcliffe brings the right experience and the right approach to the CIA, and I look forward to working with him in this position.

“Mr. President, before I close I want to say a word about two new senators who will take office later today.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Ashley Moody of Florida and Jon Husted of Ohio to the United States Senate.

“Ashley Moody began her career as a lawyer in private practice, and in all the spare time that a young lawyer has, she volunteered to help domestic violence victims seeking protection in court.

“At the age of 31, after already practicing at a law firm and as a federal prosecutor, she became the youngest judge in the state of Florida.

“During her time as a judge, she recruited volunteer attorneys to stand with children whose parents did not appear in court with them and developed a mentoring program for at-risk youth.

“In 2018, she was elected attorney general in Florida, a post from which she held the Biden administration accountable and defended Florida law.

“And now she’s bringing her energy and experience here to the United States Senate.

“Mr. President, being sworn-in alongside Ashley Moody today will be Jon Husted, Ohio’s new senator.

“Senator is just the latest title that Ohioans have called Jon Husted.

“He’s been a state representative.

“Speaker of the state House.

“A state senator.

“Secretary of state for Ohio.

“Lieutenant governor.

“And now, United States senator.

“No matter his title, Ohioans know they can depend on Jon Husted to fight for a smaller and more efficient government that genuinely serves its citizens.

“And I am very pleased to welcome him here to the Senate.

“Both our new senators bring valuable experience, expertise, and perspective to the Senate Republican majority.

“And the whole Senate will benefit from them joining our ranks.

“Mr. President, I look forward to working with them.”

 

Related Issues: Nominations, Restoring the Senate, Tributes

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