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Nomination of Matthew Whitaker (Executive Calendar)

Speaker
R000584
Subject
R000584
Source
Congressional Record · original
Chamber
senate
Published
Monday, March 31, 2025

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2084] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Nomination of Matthew Whitaker Ms. ERNST. Madam President, today, I rise in support of the confirmation of Matt Whitaker to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Matt is not only a proud Iowan, he is a dedicated public servant, an accomplished leader, a loving father, and a very, very, dear friend. Matt has honorably served our State and our country as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa in private practice and most recently as the former Acting Attorney General of the United States. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senat…

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2084] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Nomination of Matthew Whitaker Ms. ERNST. Madam President, today, I rise in support of the confirmation of Matt Whitaker to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Matt is not only a proud Iowan, he is a dedicated public servant, an accomplished leader, a loving father, and a very, very, dear friend. Matt has honorably served our State and our country as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa in private practice and most recently as the former Acting Attorney General of the United States. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator yield? Ms. ERNST. Yes, I will, Madam President. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will be in order. Please, Senators, take your conversations off the floor. The Senator from Iowa may proceed. Ms. ERNST. Matt and I first crossed paths during the 2014 U.S. Senate primary in Iowa. What began as opponents in a race turned into a mutual respect and, ultimately, a strong friendship. Since 2014, Matt has supported me in countless ways, offering wise counsel and keen insight on the issues facing our State, Nation, and our world today. While some may just brush it off as ``Iowa nice,'' I believe this is a clear demonstration of Matt's character. He is willing to put differences aside, strengthen relationships, and put our country over politics. Over the last few years, during exchanges with NATO allies, a consistent theme emerged--the need for American leadership, a willingness to speak hard truths and encourage our partners to step up. Matt's experience has prepared him for this aspect of the job. With decades of law enforcement experience and having served as Acting Attorney General, Matt has successfully collaborated across many organizations and jurisdictions. He understands the evolving threats our Nation and our allies face from terrorism to cyber warfare to transnational crime. His experiences navigating complex security challenges will make him an asset to NATO and a force for strengthening our alliances. Matt Whitaker is a principled leader with a proven track record. Under President Trump's peace-through-strength approach, I have no doubt that Matt will be an effective advocate for America's interests and a champion of our national strategy. I urge my colleagues to support his nomination. He is the right leader at the right time for this critical role. I yield to the gentleman from Idaho. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho. Mr. RISCH. Madam President, I rise today in support of President Trump's nominee to be Ambassador to NATO, Mr. Matthew Whitaker. First, the good news. NATO remains more than ever relevant to the security of the United States and to Europe. NATO is stronger today than it has ever, ever been. Putin made a horrible mistake when he attacked Ukraine thinking he would split NATO. He did not split NATO. He made it stronger. Indeed, we added two additional nations to NATO, and Putin has picked up another 800 miles of border with NATO. Now the concern: Unfortunately, some NATO members have taken the alliance and America's support of it for granted. Our European allies have let the heavy financial lifting to us, and by many of their own admissions, have not pulled their weight in defense spending. Dramatic investment from NATO members in our collective defense is absolutely necessary. Mr. Whitaker, as our next Ambassador to NATO, will help President Trump preserve the fidelity, commitment, and integrity of NATO. He will encourage our allies to rise to meet the challenges of an increasingly dangerous world, and he will help our allies understand that this must be a true partnership. It is a tough job. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Whitaker as he takes on this challenge as our next U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Madam President, I ask the Senate execute the order of March 27 with respect to the Whitaker nomination. ____________________

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