[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       AMBASSADORIAL NOMINATIONS

  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, when we send American Ambassadors to nearly 
every country around the world, we are able to strengthen democracy and 
protect our national security. Ambassadors are voices for American 
values and the interests we share with other nations. Simply put, they 
are critical to promoting our foreign policy, our economic and security 
interests, and our leadership in the world. Yet when--because of 
partisan politics and gridlock at home--we fail to confirm ambassadors, 
we send a dangerous message about our lack of interest in the world and 
our lack of interest to diplomacy.
  I have the privilege of chairing the African Affairs Subcommittee of 
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Through my work as chair, as 
well as time I spent earlier in my life in Africa, I have seen up close 
both the incredible opportunities in the continent of Africa as well as 
the stark challenges.
  For instance, today, this decade, 7 of the 10 fastest growing 
economies in the world are in Africa. Yet right now 1 in 5 American 
embassies of the 54 countries on that continent lacks a confirmed 
ambassador. Africa faces serious security challenges. Boko Haram in 
Nigeria, which has recently kidnapped hundreds of girls and burned down 
churches and schools is just one example. Yet as the countries 
bordering that troubled area of Nigeria try to coordinate a response to 
ensure that conflict doesn't spill over borders, we lack confirmed 
ambassadors in the adjacent nations of Niger and Cameroon.
  In Namibia, where we also don't have a confirmed ambassador, the 
United States is dedicating $50 million to combat HIV and Aids. We need 
an ambassador to oversee those funds and make sure they are 
appropriately used.
  I will briefly review some of the numbers and facts. Our nominees to 
the countries of Namibia, Cameroon, and Niger have waited for a vote 
for 330 days--almost a year. Our nominee to Sierra Leone has waited 352 
days, our nominee to Mauritania has waited 289 days, and our nominee to 
Gabon has waited 287 days.
  In the long absence of ambassadors, professional career Foreign 
Service officers, capable and competent Deputy Chiefs of Mission assume 
this role on an interim basis. I am deeply concerned that with the 
August turnover for Foreign Service officers quickly approaching, many 
of our embassies will also be left without a DCM at the helm.
  This is inexcusable. It hurts our economy, our national security, and 
our leadership to leave these posts unfilled and the ambassadorial 
nominees unconfirmed for so long.
  I have great hope for Africa's future. Across the continent there are 
emerging democracies, growing economies, and although there are some 
security challenges, I am optimistic we can meet them in partnership 
with Africa's leaders.
  When we fail to send career public servants to serve as our 
ambassadors, we send the message that we are not serious about these 
challenges and are not willing to invest in these partnerships.
  I urge my colleagues to work together across the aisle to devote 
ourselves to getting our ambassadorial nominees to Africa confirmed. 
This transcends partisanship, and it is a task we should turn to 
promptly.
  I thank the Presiding Officer and I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Colorado.
  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I wish to thank the Senator from Alabama 
for allowing me to go ahead of him in cue.

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