On the recordMarch 18, 2021
Madam President, I rise in opposition to the nomination of William Burns to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Communist China is the biggest threat our Nation faces. General Secretary Xi will stop at nothing in his quest for world domination and has made clear that he seeks to push the United States out of the Indo- Pacific and weaken and intimidate his neighbors, including our allies. Communist China continues to threaten to take Taiwan by force. Communist China is committing a genocide against the Uoghurs and stripping Hong kongers of their basic rights. China sees the United States as its global adversary and is taking the steps necessary to ``win'' the great power conflict of the 21st century. China is taking every opportunity it can around the world to gain influence and exert control. I am concerned that some past statements and actions by Ambassador Burns indicate an inaccurate view of Communist China and the danger it poses to our Nation and to Americans. Any U.S. official who thinks that China can play a positive role in the world, particularly among developing states or as a contributor to peace and stability, is mistaken. Ambassador Burns has not shown that he understands the threat that Communist China represents. I am also troubled that Ambassador Burns' view of Castro's Communist regime in Cuba is equally flawed.…





