WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations (SFRC) Subcommittee with oversight jurisdiction for the U.S. Agency for International Development, released the following statement after a nominations hearing today for Ambassador Samantha Power to be the next administrator of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Video of Senator Cardin’s Q&A with Ambassador Power can be viewed here.

“Samantha Power’s deep expertise, integrity, and commitment to the promotion of human rights were on full display during her confirmation hearing today. I especially appreciated the nuanced perspectives that she shared on the role that international development efforts play in advancing U.S. interests such as good governance, economic stability, and physical security. Ambassador Power is exactly the sort of leader that the United States needs right now, as we seek to strengthen relationships with our global allies and once more become a force for good around the world. I would like to again express my whole-hearted support for Ambassador Power to be the next Administrator of USAID, and my hope that the Foreign Relations Committee will swiftly report out her nomination so that she can be confirmed and we can get to work.”

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