[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NOMINATION OF ANTONY JOHN BLINKEN

  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, yesterday afternoon we confirmed another 
one of President Biden's Cabinet nominees. Antony Blinken has led an 
impressive career in the public sector and is well versed in both the 
vast responsibilities of the State Department, as well as the 
diplomatic challenges we will face in the months and years ahead, the 
most important of which is China, but it is not China alone.
  While Mr. Blinken and I have policy differences--some of them very 
serious--I have confidence in his ability to represent our Nation on 
the global stage. It is important for a new President, whether they be 
a Republican or a Democrat, to have qualified, Senate-confirmed 
officials in their Cabinet without delay.
  Over the past week, we have worked to confirm nominees for some of 
the most critical Federal Departments and Agencies. The Secretaries of 
State, Defense, Treasury, as well as the Director of National 
Intelligence, have each been confirmed by the Senate with broad 
bipartisan support. And we will continue to process more of the 
President's nominees in the days ahead.
  Four years ago, our Democratic colleagues approached President 
Trump's nominees with a grab bag of antics, including everything from 
intentional delays to brazen theatrics. In most cases, this behavior 
wasn't a reflection on the nominee or their qualifications, but of our 
colleagues' antipathy toward President Trump.
  Clearly we are adopting a different approach, and I hope it is one 
that will deescalate these battles and one that will serve the national 
interest rather than harm it.
  Throughout my time in the Senate, I have tried to evaluate nominees 
based on their qualifications, their integrity, and their ability to 
carry out the responsibilities for the job they have been nominated 
for, and I will continue to either support or oppose nominees based on 
those merits and those criteria, not based on the party of the 
President

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