Clinton Confirmation Hearing

Senator Clinton came before the Foreign Relations Committee as part of the confirmation process to be U.S. Secretary of State. The new foreign relations chair - Senator John Kerry (MA) - opened by outlining the litany of foreign policy challenges before the Administration. Senator Clinton gave a quite remarkable opening statement that demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the world, and spoke with clarity and a sense of urgency in the need to address the myriad of global problems. Overall, the hearing was quite good.

Some highlights:

-- Clinton noted the need to "design and implement global solutions to global problems"

-- Clinton highlighted the need to empower the State Department with resources, manpower and tools to lead vigorous diplomacy; Noted that President Elect Obama has tapped Jack Lew to become Deputy Secretary of State for Resources and Budget. Lew will be responsible for securing resources for increasing State Department personnel and operating funds -- a key objective FCNL has advocated.

-- Clinton expressed support for ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

-- Clinton urged the expansion of U.S. foreign assistance

-- Sens. Corker and Menendez also asked Clinton about Foreign Aid Reform. Clinton made no promises to work towards a cabinet level department of development, which many development and relief groups have advocated for. However, Clinton said the Administration would provide Senator Menendez a plan to rationalize and made aid programs more effective. Clinton also noted that "USAID has been decimated."

-- Clinton also noted her intellectual growth on the Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP) -- a pot of money granted to the DoD for relief, reconstruction and development in Iraq and Afghanistan. While Clinton originally backed giving DoD authorities and resources for these non-military activities, she has since realized that the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) need to be empowered with the resources to do their job. The military isn't a substitute for civilian expertise, Clinton noted.

-- Senator Feingold asked about the crisis in Darfur. Clinton said the Darfur crisis is under a policy review by the Obama Administration. Along with fully deploying a 26,000 UN-AU peacekeeping force, Clinton noted other measures the Administration may consider, such as a no-fly zone.

-- Sens. Voinivich and Casey again both highlighted the need to increase the capacity of the State Department.

-- Senator Kerry noted that the committee would consider and try to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty - which would define U.S. rights and responsibilities in the use of the oceans and seas around the world.

Watch the hearing

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