Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Tuesday he plans to expedite U.N. ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik’s confirmation to the Senate floor.
Many Democrats are trying to prevent President Donald Trump’s nominees from confirmation. They want to postpone the confirmations to protect President Joe Biden’s legacy and thwart President Trump’s agenda.Foreign Relations Committee members grilled Stefanik on Monday, with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) questioning her on the latest “Elon Nazi Salute” hoax, but Risch told reporters she passed the test with flying colors.
“With all the flaws in the UN, we still need to be there and keep an eye on the place,” he said. “She’s the right person for the job,”
Foreign Relations Cmte Chair Risch on Stefanik/UN Ambassador nomination: We will have a markup as soon as we possibly can..With all the flaws in the UN, we still need to be there and keep an eye on the place. She's the right person for the job
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 21, 2025
During the hearing, Stefanik made the case for Trump’s peace through strength agenda, according to excerpts of her opening remarks obtained by Breitbart News:
As the world faces crisis after crisis, with hostages including Americans still held in Hamas’ captivity, to national security challenges ranging from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, it has never been more critical for the United States to lead with strength and moral clarity. This is especially important regarding our most precious ally Israel who faced the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust on October 7th 2023.
As a Member of Congress, I also understand deeply that we must be good stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the UN by far. Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.
Stefanik accepted Trump’s nomination for the position on November 11, one of the first nominations Trump delivered after winning a landslide victory.
Stefanik rose to prominence in the House in 2021 after replacing Liz Cheney as Republican conference chair. She played a pivotal part in the Republican effort to retake control of the House during the 2022 midterms. Earlier this year, the New York congresswoman was the leading Republican focused on rooting out antisemitism on college campuses.
Senator @TomCottonAR: "I'm here to happily and proudly offer my strong support to this dedicated public servant and American patriot — our next Ambassador to the United Nations, @EliseStefanik. She's the right person for the job." pic.twitter.com/mhM6PIulZw
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025
As the future U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, women in the United States and around the globe will be lifted up due to her leadership.
— Ann Wagner (@RepAnnWagner) January 17, 2025
Read my full op-ed supporting my friend Elise Stefanik for Ambassador here. https://t.co/GgZBZMzB6H
Thank you @SenCapito for the kind words and introduction today. If confirmed, I look forward to working together to promote President @realDonaldTrump’s America First peace through strength national security at the UN. pic.twitter.com/ENpHGYRj4N
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 21, 2025
Wendell Husebo is a political reporter with Breitbart News and a former RNC War Room Analyst. He is the author of Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell on “X” @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social @WendellHusebo.
