[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 64 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       NOMINATION OF MIKE POMPEO

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, speaking of personnel business, I 
wish to say a few words this morning about Mike Pompeo, our CIA 
Director and the President's extraordinary choice to serve as Secretary 
of State.
  In recent days, the world learned that Director Pompeo had undertaken 
initial conversations with Kim Jong Un directly, over the Easter 
weekend, to discuss denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Obviously, he 
has the confidence of the President--engaged in the most sensitive 
undertaking one could imagine in today's world--and yet so many on the 
other side are suggesting they have reservations about this outstanding 
nominee.
  Pursued with clear-eyed realism and clear objectives, this is a 
worthy effort. North Korea has been a perplexing problem for President 
after President after President, and Mike Pompeo is on the point of 
this effort, which hopefully will finally lead to some outcome. 
Although every Commander in Chief has insisted it would be unacceptable 
for North Korea to obtain a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic 
missile, it is this administration that finds itself having to actually 
achieve that objective because time has run out. So, as a matter of 
policy, it would be hard not to be encouraged by the fact that there 
were actually talks--direct talks--underway.
  Based on Director Pompeo's impressive record at the CIA, the North 
Koreans undoubtedly view him as credible, determined, and insightful. 
Isn't that what we would want in a Secretary of State? The quiet nature 
of these discussions reflect how serious they were. The mission also 
speaks to Mike Pompeo's future as Secretary of State.
  Here is a man who--through mastery of the daily briefings he 
receives, counsel on our Nation's most sensitive intelligence 
activities, and proven leadership in returning our CIA to the 
aggressive gathering of foreign intelligence--has inspired the 
confidence of not only the national clandestine service but, very 
importantly, the Commander in Chief. Hallmarks of Mike's leadership are 
listening, trusting career staff, acting decisively, and treating 
everyone fairly.
  I have recently heard some critics claim that the Trump 
administration places too little emphasis on diplomacy. In truth, the 
public statements of Secretary Mattis, former Secretary Tillerson, and 
former National Security Advisor McMaster have signaled a clear 
preference for aggressive, realistic diplomacy over potentially risking 
American lives. I have heard Secretary Mattis say over and over again 
that the last thing he wants to do is use the military. He wants to buy 
time so diplomacy can work. But, regardless, in confirming Mike Pompeo 
as Secretary of State, the Senate can ensure that the Nation has a 
chief diplomat who enjoys the complete confidence of the President. 
Isn't that what we should all want, regardless of party?
  Those who claim to want a larger role for diplomacy should match 
those words with action and vote to approve him. What would be a better 
example of diplomacy than just what we were talking about--the visit to 
North Korea and direct conversations with Kim Jong Un.
  We all know Mike's resume. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military 
Academy and Harvard Law School. He has served as a U.S. Army officer, 
on the House Intelligence Committee, and as Director of the CIA. In my 
view, Mike Pompeo is uniquely qualified to restore esprit de corps 
throughout the ranks of the Foreign Service. It is hard to imagine a 
better choice for Secretary of State than Mike Pompeo.

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