Why it Matters

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is set to hold a Senate nomination hearing on June 18 for five of President Trump's picks spanning diplomatic posts and intelligence roles. Two of the five nominees carry significant baggage that could test the committee's appetite for controversy. Kari Lake's tenure running the U.S. Agency for Global Media ended in a federal court ruling that her appointment was unlawful, and Michael Vance's nomination to lead the State Department's traditionally nonpartisan intelligence bureau has drawn scrutiny over his political profile.

The Nominees

Lake, nominated in May to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, arrives at the confirmation hearing after a turbulent stretch at USAGM. A federal judge ruled on March 7 that her appointment to lead the agency was unlawful. On March 23, Voice of America staffers filed a federal lawsuit alleging she violated federal law protecting VOA's editorial independence. The Jamaican government has welcomed her nomination.

Vance, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (INR) previously served as a special adviser to the U.S. Vice President. He appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for an open nomination hearing on June 2.

Brendan Hanrahan, nominated in May for the Senate-confirmed role of Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, had previously served as senior bureau official for that same agency, with that term ending May 11.

Rudolph Bauer (also known as André Bauer) is a former Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and real estate developer. He was nominated as ambassador to Belize in April.

Juan Segura, of Virginia, has been nominated to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation.

Hearing Details

Chair Jim Risch will preside over the June 18 session, with ranking member Jeanne Shaheen leading Democrats on the 22-member panel. The hearing begins at 10:30 AM at 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

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