Schatz Secures U.N. Ambassador Nominee Elise Stefanik’s Pledge To Support Pacific Island Nations, Counter China; Challenges Trump’s 90-Day Aid Pause
WASHINGTON — At today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing for U.S. Representative to the United Nations nominee U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) urged Stefanik to commit to strengthening relations with key Pacific Islands partners and countering China through international organizations. He pressed her on the Trump administration’s 90-day blanket aid pause executive action, arguing that it may cause dire human and geopolitical consequences.
Following questioning from Schatz on the importance of the United States’ relations with Pacific Island nations, Stefanik responded, “Considering the importance of the region, all regions are important, but the threat of a rising China in the region, it’s increasingly critical that the U.S. continue to strengthen our partnerships, our diplomatic outreach to all countries, big and small, within INDOPACOM [United States Indo-Pacific Command]. And it is a commitment to do so in the Pacific Islands, which you and I discussed. And it’s deeply tied to your state’s national security.”
Schatz then questioned Stefanik about the role of international organizations in the U.S. strategy to counter China, asking, “I think we would be cutting off our nose to spite our face if we just go away from these international convenings – because China is not going away. They are trying to run the meetings… I am worried that we are going to just get out of the room and then relegate ourselves to observer status and then wonder why we’re losing the battle in the room. I just want to know if you are committed to staying those rooms, to fighting for American priorities and values.”
In response, Stefanik said, “I think it’s very important we stay in those rooms.”
Schatz also raised the issue of President Trump’s 90-day blanket pause on all aid, asking, “Some of this is going to have material consequences pretty quickly, and we don’t have 90 days when it comes to our military partnerships, people don’t have 90 days when it comes to humanitarian assistance, and I’m just wondering how we navigate through the absolute prerogative that a president has to set their own policy course, versus 90 could be too long for some communities and countries.”
In response, Stefanik said, “I support the President’s executive action. I think it’s important that we be strong voices for the American taxpayer.”
Schatz followed up, asking, “Can we agree that 90 days may be too long, and that if confirmed, you’re going to try to figure out where to turn the spigot back on?”
Stefanik reiterated her support for the President’s executive order.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch (R-Idaho) added, “Senator Schatz, you raise a good point. When you do a blanket executive order like that, sometimes the law of unintended consequences takes over. Having said that, every one of these executive orders can be amended. And we have a history of amending them – both sides over the years.”
Schatz has led efforts to advocate for closer ties to Pacific Island nations, which would help expand economic and political prosperity and counter China’s growing aggression in the region. He has also criticized President Trump’s executive actions on his first day in office.
Video of Senator Schatz’s full exchange at today’s hearing is available here.
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