WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday regarding his vote on the nomination of Gov. Nikki Haley to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:

“What Governor Haley lacks in foreign policy and international affairs experience, she makes up for in capability, intelligence, and a track record of building coalitions in South Carolina. Her nomination was surprising to many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, but I have been impressed by her forthrightness on core American values, her willingness to admit what she does not know, and her commitment to seeking the facts and speaking truth to power, whether within the Trump Administration or with an intransigent Russia and China in the Security Council.

“I especially appreciated that she does not support efforts to slash American funding to the U.N. and that she would consistently vocalize U.S. values, including universal human rights, good governance, and press and religious freedom, while seeking to cooperate with other nations, keep our ally and friend Israel’s interests close at heart, and push the U.N. to make reforms toward greater transparency and accountability. I share these priorities with her. Governor Haley also acknowledged the UN’s vital role in addressing humanitarian crises, advancing global health, and promoting sustainable development to impact the lives millions of people around the globe.

“The United States is stronger when we have a seat and a voice at the U.N., and the U.N. is better off with American leadership and values on display. The U.N., for all its issues, is an indispensable force for good in the world that bolsters American national security. Governor Haley appears up to the task and seems to understand this as well, and I will therefore be voting to approve her nomination as our next Ambassador to the U.N.” 

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