Chris Coons

I'm sure I don't need to remind you or anyone here that at the time, Democrats were just about unanimous in thinking that physically building a wall from coast to coast was not the wisest use of resources to secure the border.

I would just like to thank our first witness and thank you for your testimony.

I worked with Senator Graham to introduce the Democracy in the 21st Century Act, which would increase global democracy assistance to $3 billion.

The developments of the last 3 weeks, in particular, only underscore the need for us to invest more in our efforts to combat disinformation

The Administration's Summit for Democracy last year represented a significant opportunity to galvanize our allies in these efforts, but if the goals of the Summit are not translated into concrete and well-funded actions the democracy…

I think President Biden and his national security team did a masterful job of pushing Putin off his game

We are in the moment when pushing back on authoritarianism, strengthening the tools of democracy, and responding to a whole series of global crises is exactly what we should prioritize investing in.

We must counter the dangerous narratives which authoritarians spread to manipulate, to distract, and to cause people to question whether democracy has anything to offer the modern world.

I have been encouraged, even surprised at times, by the unanimity within Congress of support for stronger and stronger measures against Putin and Putin's Russia for his unjustified and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

I want just to be reassured that we are doing everything we can to document the atrocities against civilians being committed by Russians and to hold Russia's military and political leadership and, specifically, Vladimir Putin accountable…

I wish the American people could see the determined and strong and bipartisan engagement that I am, at least, experiencing from this committee and from Congress.

I am concerned the military will simply organize elections that are sham elections in 2023 that they will use to legitimize their rule next year.

We have made a significant down payment on a democratic future for Sudan, but I am gravely concerned that this transition is badly off track, and without active diplomatic engagement and some strong and decisive action by the United States…

I have just submitted a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for Sudan's resistance committees and the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors.

I have introduced the Sudan Democracy Act to sanction those involved in these activities and others who undermine democracy and human rights.

I have worked hard over recent years to support Sudan's peaceful revolution, the inspiring civilian-led nationwide uprising that, as one of the most successful grassroots pro-democracy movements in recent years, actually overthrew a brutal…

Do not go that path. Do not be the leaders that lost Sudan. Be the leaders that effected this transition.

I would just maybe say to my colleagues maybe this is an issue that we ought to spend some more time on.

But after decades of tragedy I think they really deserve a great next chapter in their history.

After four years of sustained and persistent effort by hundreds of thousands of the Sudanese people they have earned the chance to find their way forward in a democratic transition.

All three of the countries to which you are nominated are countries where stability, transition to democracy, or the sustainment of a democracy is a key part of the work you will be undertaking.

I think we are seeing it in real time. The sanctions policy in--against Russia in Ukraine, combined with other things, has certainly shrunk Russia's war aims.

If I am confirmed I will prioritize them day one, pushing for those predicate actions to be put in place so the South Sudanese people can have the democratic election they deserve to have.

I think many on the receiving end of sanctions sort of believe that it is one and done.

I am hopeful that we can get you confirmed swiftly, given the significance of the elections in August.