[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 1, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise to clarify a point concerning my 
amendment No. 2270 to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2021, S. 4049. This amendment would establish in law the position 
of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department and 
provides that the Special Envoy shall have the rank and status of 
ambassador. Under article II of the Constitution, the President's power 
to appoint ambassadors is subject to the advice and consent of the 
Senate. Accordingly, it is my view that the appointment of the Special 
Envoy with the rank and status of ambassador, pursuant to this 
amendment, requires the advice and consent of the Senate.

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