WASHINGTON – Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led his Democratic colleagues on the Committee in introducing legislation to honor the career employees of the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Senators’ resolution expresses the nation’s gratitude for the service of American diplomats and development professionals, several of whom have recently put their careers on the line to testify before Congress and have been attacked personally by the President of the United States.
“Despite their steadfast service and sacrifices for our country, the American people have borne witness as the Trump Administration has attacked, debased, and demoralized our nation’s career civil service and foreign service professionals,” said Senator Menendez. “Today’s resolution sends an unambiguous message: the entire Democratic bench of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stands in solidarity with, and strongly supports, the dedicated public servants who serve our nation without regard to party, president, or politics. Today, more than ever, it is imperative Congress show its gratitude for these patriots who best embody American values and dedicate their lives to promoting those values abroad.”
Joining Senator Menendez’s in introducing the Resolution were Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
“For every Yovanovitch, Kent, Taylor, and Holmes, there are thousands of nameless and faceless others, courageously working each day in over 180 countries around the world, to ensure that the United States protects the safety and freedom of all Americans. These individuals and their families put American values above themselves. If only our President and Secretary of State would do the same,” concluded Menendez, referencing a provision in the Resolution in appreciation of the career employees who testified in the House of Representative’s impeachment inquiry as well as the expectation for the State Department to meet its commitment to provide them legal assistance, support and reassurances of no political retaliation.
A copy of the Senators’ resolution can be found here.
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