[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 604-605]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            KERRY NOMINATION

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I want to commend President Obama for 
nominating Senator Kerry to be our next Secretary of State. There are 
few, if any, people in America today who have had the breadth of 
experience that Senator Kerry has had: as a military officer, as a 
highly decorated veteran, as a Lieutenant Governor, as a U.S. Senator, 
and as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He is exceptionally 
well qualified to be the next Secretary of State.
  John Kerry is a leader of extraordinary intellect, wisdom, and 
insight. To those of us who have watched him, worked with him, and 
traveled with him over the years, it is crystal clear that he is a 
natural diplomat. He lives and breathes the art of diplomacy. He is 
instinctively drawn to understanding and addressing the global security 
challenges of our time.
  He is also multilingual. I have heard Senator Kerry in meetings in 
other capitals of the world, and I have watched those who were there 
pay special attention to what he had to say as he conversed in their 
language. This is someone who does not need on-the-job training. He has 
been learning the job over the course of four decades of public 
service.
  I chair the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State 
and Foreign Operations. In that role, I will look forward to working 
closely with Senator Kerry in his new position as Secretary of State, 
to provide the resources necessary to promote and protect U.S. 
interests around the world.
  It is a formidable assignment. We face daunting threats from 
religious

[[Page 605]]

extremism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, growing competition 
for energy, water, and other natural resources--all amid the 
obligations of deficit and debt reduction. But these threats and 
challenges present opportunities if we approach them intelligently.
  Some in Congress have an almost xenophobic attitude. They would have 
us retreat. They would slash our contribution to the United Nations and 
weaken our ability to build alliances, which would only embolden our 
adversaries.
  They would cut the State Department's budget at a time when our 
diplomats and consular officers, many of whom work long hours in 
dangerous places, already are stretched to the limit. Then they 
criticize and politicize when tragedies happen.
  We saw that yesterday, when members of the other body criticized 
Secretary of State Clinton for lapses in diplomatic security, only a 
week after they prevented passage of my amendment that would have 
allowed for the transfer of unused State Department funds to improve 
security at U.S. embassies around the world. Let's stop the hypocrisy.
  Some here would roll back funding for international development 
programs, which help to create political stability in conflict-prone 
regions and build markets for U.S. exports, on the grounds that these 
funds would be better spent at home.
  They miss the point. Ninety-nine percent of the Federal budget is 
spent on domestic programs. The notion that somehow the wealthiest, 
most powerful nation on Earth is an island, and that we can ignore what 
is happening in the world around us is foolhardy, and is dangerous.
  John Kerry understands this, and he knows that appropriations begin 
with Congress. In times of close scrutiny of all aspects of the Federal 
budget and fierce competition for funds among Federal agencies, he will 
need to make his case up here repeatedly, and I will work with him to 
do that. We have to convince Congress and the American people why the 
State Department's budget is important. As Secretary of State one can 
have the best policies and the best plans to implement them. But if you 
don't have the resources, if you don't have the people to do it, the 
best plans in the world don't go very far.
  Secretary Clinton has done an outstanding job. I have told her that I 
stand in awe of what she has accomplished throughout the world and 
within the State Department. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her 
steady hand and tireless energy as Secretary of State. I have traveled 
with her to other countries. I have seen how she approaches problems, 
always prepared and with such energy. Every American should be proud to 
be represented by her. She has done an extraordinary job in 
reintroducing America to the world after the missteps following 9/11 
that caused so much damage to our image and authority abroad.
  Her successor also has not only a hard act to follow, but he also 
understands, as we all do, that America must continuously demonstrate 
to the rest of the world what we stand for as a people.
  I believe the Congress and the American people, and I think, in a 
way, the world, is fortunate to have a nominee for the position as 
qualified as Senator Kerry. I will enthusiastically vote for him when 
his name comes before the Senate.
  Madam President, seeing no other person seeking recognition, as 
President pro tempore of this body, I am glad to see you in the role of 
Presiding Officer. I realize you can't respond to this, but in your 
first month in the Senate you are actually filling the pivotal role in 
this body, and I appreciate it.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________