Boise City Wire

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks at a full committee nomination hearing on December 1, 2021. The hearing addressed the nominations of Mr. Scott Nathan as chief executive officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Honorable John R. Bass as under secretary of State for management, the Honorable Mark Brzezinski as ambassador to Poland, and Mr. Michael M. Adler as ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.

In his statement, Ranking Member Risch emphasized the critical responsibilities associated with each position:

“First of all, on the nomination of under secretary of State for management – this position is not only responsible for keeping our diplomats safe and embassies functioning properly but also with supporting and improving the State Department workforce. It plays a crucial role in helping coordinate State Department operations with this committee.”

Risch highlighted concerns regarding pressures on State Department personnel: “Embassy personnel are being attacked, in what State is awkwardly calling ‘anomalous health incidents.’ All of us, on a bipartisan basis, are very concerned about this situation. We’ve struggled to get straight answers out of the Department about what is going on.”

He also noted operational challenges faced by diplomats: “In many posts, our diplomats are having trouble getting outside the embassy walls to meet with the local population, putting a serious strain on their ability to advance vital U.S. national interests.”

Regarding the DFC nomination, Risch outlined its potential impact: “The DFC has the potential to serve as one of the most influential tools to unleash the power of the private sector, lift countries out of poverty, and counter predatory state-sponsored development models pursued by strategic competitors.”

He stressed two core missions for DFC: promoting economic freedom through private sector-led growth in developing countries and protecting economic freedom through strategic investments.

Addressing concerns about current DFC practices, Risch stated: “Last month, I sent a letter to the DFC expressing serious concern that 18 of the agency’s 21 current solar projects source panels from China, even after revelations of forced labor in China’s solar industry. That situation is unacceptable and unsustainable.”

On Poland's ambassadorship nomination, Risch expressed alignment with Chairman's remarks regarding commitment to Poland's security amid threats from Russia and Belarus: “Values matter... The Polish government also seems set on consolidating its control over previously free media and determined to end Discovery Media’s ownership of TVN.”

For Belgium's ambassadorship nomination, he pointed out China's growing influence: “China has sought to expand its influence in Belgium by purchasing stakes in important Belgian companies, particularly ports.”

Witness testimony from this hearing is available on foreign.senate.gov.

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