[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Kurt Campbell

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to speak in 
support of the nomination of Kurt Campbell to be Deputy Secretary of 
State.
  The Deputy Secretary of State is one of the most critical roles at 
the Department of State. The Deputy Secretary serves as a key adviser 
to the Secretary, advancing top national security priorities, and 
serves as one of our top diplomats around the world.
  To that end, Mr. Campbell's distinguished career provides him with 
the experience to excel in this position. It includes service in the 
Navy, in the State Department, the Defense Department, and the private 
sector. Mr. Campbell brings more than two decades of service in various 
leaderships, including as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian 
and Pacific Affairs and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian 
and Pacific Affairs.
  He has the expertise to help navigate the Department and our Nation 
through complex global challenges. Having a confirmed Deputy Secretary 
of State is paramount as we work to support our allies and build 
resilient partnerships, and respond to crises and deescalate tensions 
and conflict around the world--from Europe, where maintaining unity and 
support for Ukraine is more critical than ever; to addressing 
challenges in the Indo-Pacific, with the dynamic reaction between 
Beijing and Taipei; to the Middle East, where we must prevent further 
escalation and work toward the release of hostages and avoid the 
humanitarian crisis.
  These require the full diplomatic force of our Nation. At this 
critical moment, the State Department's role in leadership is more 
important than ever. I don't have to remind my colleagues of all the 
challenges we have around the world. We need a full diplomatic corps 
there to represent the United States' interests, and it is critically 
important that we have Mr. Campbell confirmed as Deputy Secretary of 
State.
  I want to take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional leadership of 
Ambassador Victoria Nuland, who has been serving in an acting capacity 
since last year. She is among our Nation's finest diplomats, and we 
have been lucky to have someone of her experience step into this role 
in the interim.

  I must state that I have had many dealings with Ambassador Nuland. 
She has always been very direct with us. She has always been an 
incredibly talented diplomat representing our Nation, and we thank her 
for being willing to take on this extraordinary position during this 
critical time.
  But it is in our national interest to have a Senate-confirmed 
official serving in our Nation's top national security post. Mr. 
Campbell is among the most experienced and most capable officials to be 
nominated to this position.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to support cloture of Mr. 
Campbell's nomination and to confirm him without delay.
  I yield the floor.