Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would also like to speak to Julie Smith and her qualifications to be Ambassador to NATO. Julie is, really, very well qualified to represent the United States within our biggest and most significant security alliance. Her 25-year career has focused on transatlantic relations and security. She has served the country as Deputy National Security Advisor and Acting National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Biden. In 2012, she was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Exceptional Public Service. She has worked at some of the country's most esteemed think tanks that address European issues. As the U.S. confronts challenges around the world, we need to convey our firm commitment to our allies and our alliances. For this reason, it is absolutely critical that we put Julie Smith in place as Ambassador to NATO as soon as possible. I am really very pleased that those who had a hold on her nomination have finally lifted those holds. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long because, as we look at what is happening in Eastern Europe in particular, and as we look at the migrants who are being used by Belarus--and I assume that Vladimir Putin is behind this, as well, to send those migrants to the Polish border as a way to distract from what is happening in Eastern Europe--clearly, the more equipped NATO is to help deal with those challenges, the better. If we are going to participate with NATO, we need to have an Ambassador on the ground.…”