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Chair Cardin Statement on Committee Advancing Jack Lew Nomination, Riley, Toner, Garg, Martin, White Nominations to the Full Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the Committee favorably reported out the nomination of Jacob J. Lew to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel by a vote of 12-9. The Committee also advanced three additional ambassadorial nominees, including ambassadors to Egypt, Somalia, and Liberia; an Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development; and a Deputy Director of the Peace Corps.

“I am pleased to see Jack Lew’s nomination advance through the Foreign Relations Committee today with bipartisan support. The urgency to confirm this highly-qualified nominee has never been greater. Israel is at war, and the United States needs an experienced, Senate-confirmed Ambassador on the ground working hand in hand with our Israeli partners. The U.S. team at Mission Israel is the best in the field, but there is no substitute for a Senate-confirmed Ambassador.

“Jack Lew has the expertise, temperament, and established record of public service needed for this critical diplomatic post. He has the confidence of President Biden, who went to Israel on a historic trip in the early days of this conflict to show solidarity with our ally. Lew’s credibility across the international community is undeniable, and his in-depth knowledge about the region will play a critical role in strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship moving forward.

“It’s a challenging time to step into this role, but he is the right person at the right time to rise to this challenge. It is imperative that he receive swift confirmation from the full Senate in another display of strong bipartisan support for Israel.

“I am also pleased the Committee advanced the other critical nominees today, including an ambassador to Egypt at a time when we are working closely with the Egyptian government on the conflict in Israel. It is imperative we promptly confirm national security nominees in the Senate to protect and advance U.S. interests.”

The other nominations advanced today are as follows:

  • Mr. Richard H. Riley IV, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Federal Republic of Somalia
  • Mr. Mark Toner, of Pennsylvania, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Liberia
  • The Honorable Herro Mustafa Garg, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Arab Republic of Egypt
  • The Honorable Paul K. Martin, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, United States Agency for International Development
  • Mr. David E. White, Jr., of New York, to be Deputy Director of the Peace Corps

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