“Our nation is stronger when we are working together,” wrote Chair Cardin to incoming Chair Risch.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced he had sent a letter to Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the incoming Chair of the Committee for the 119th Congress, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation and adherence to longstanding Committee traditions during the leadership transition. In the letter, Chair Cardin underscored the Committee’s critical role in providing advice and consent for ambassadorial and foreign affairs nominations and highlighted its commitment to comity that has defined its work over many decades.
“As you know, the Committee plays a key role in the Senate's constitutional duty of advice and consent for ambassadorial and other foreign affairs nominations,” wrote Chair Cardin. “Committee Democrats have led the nominations process in a manner consistent with the SFRC's longstanding tradition of comity. I urge you to do the same during the 119th Congress, as our Nation is stronger when we are working together.”
Chair Cardin also highlighted the Committee’s achievements during the Democratic majority, noting the bipartisan approach that allowed nearly 300 nominations to advance out of Committee. He emphasized the importance of continuing longstanding practices such as requiring FBI or Diplomatic Security background investigations before hearings and maintaining the Committee’s commitment to comity in nomination hearings and votes.
“I am proud that we moved so many nominations forward together,” continued Chair Cardin. “Doing so was in the best interest of the Committee, the Senate, and the American people, even when it required resisting pressure to take a different, unilateral approach.”
Chair Cardin concluded by expressing confidence that Committee Democrats will work with the incoming Chair in the spirit of comity, as the Committee continues its critical work on behalf of the American people.
Click HERE for a PDF of Chair Cardin’s letter to incoming Chair Risch.
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