[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 200 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5735-S5736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Elizabeth H. Richard

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, shortly, we will be voting on Elizabeth 
Richard to be the State Department's Coordinator for Counterterrorism, 
the motion in regard to invoking cloture. I speak

[[Page S5736]]

in favor of her nomination as the chairman of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee.
  We need someone at the helm of our civilian and diplomatic efforts on 
counterterrorism who has the experience of working in some of the most 
dangerous and challenging environments. We need someone who is 
qualified to direct and successfully implement the Department's 
counterterrorism programs and who can work hand in hand with the 
Department of Defense on counterterrorism issues. We also need someone 
who has proven they will stand up for American values.
  The threat from terrorism has not gone away but has changed 
dramatically. Not only has terrorism spread across more countries, but 
today it takes on a different form.
  Protecting our Nation from the evolving counterterrorism threat is 
absolutely critical to the security of the United States. That is why 
we must have an experienced leader at the helm of the Bureau of 
Counterterrorism and why we must confirm Ambassador Richard without 
delay.
  Ambassador Richard has over three decades of experience in the 
Foreign Service. She has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in 
the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State; as 
Deputy Chief of Mission in Yemen; as Border Coordinator in Pakistan; 
and as Ambassador to Lebanon--a career diplomat who has served our 
Nation. Throughout her tenure, she has led efforts with our partners 
and allies to confront the challenges from terrorist groups.
  Ambassador Richard's nomination was reported out of the Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee by a voice vote. She has overwhelming 
endorsements from military and civilian leaders alike, including the 
support of some of our most experienced and senior national security 
officials, from General Votel, retired four-star general and former 
commander of Special Operations Command and Central Command; to General 
Nagata, former commander of Special Operations Command Central and 
Director of Strategy for the National Counterterrorism Center; to 
retired Major General Fontes of U.S. Army Cyber Command.
  All endorse her candidacy, as does Jeffrey Feltman, the former 
Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs of the United 
Nations, Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs, and U.S. Special 
Envoy for the Horn of Africa; as has Anne Patterson, former U.S. 
Ambassador to Pakistan, Egypt, and Colombia, and Assistant Secretary 
for Near East Affairs.
  I could go on.
  Ambassador Richard has earned the support because of her long career. 
They all speak highly of her ability and qualifications to lead the 
Department's counterterrorism policy. As one of them said, she is 
``among the very finest diplomats our nation has produced.''
  I have every confidence she will lead the CT Bureau with distinction. 
This is a serious position, and it demands someone with the experience 
and caliber that Ms. Richard possesses. She has the skill, knowledge, 
and capacity to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
  I urge my colleagues to support her nomination.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
  Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to 
speak for up to 30 minutes so that my colleagues and I can participate 
in a live unanimous consent prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.