Business meeting transcript, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Dec. 3, 2025
Summary
A transcript of a U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting held Wednesday, December 3, 2025, which convened at 9:42 a.m. in S-116, The Capitol, with Chairman James E. Risch presiding. The chairman states that the meeting is to consider six appointments to send to the floor. Ranking member Senator Shaheen speaks before the votes, describing meetings with a delegation from Moldova and with the Serbian Foreign Minister and the request that Congress give them an ambassador. The record also carries attached correspondence, including a letter from the Kentucky Jewish Council.
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“Business meeting transcript, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Dec. 3, 2025.”
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U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
Business Meeting
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
BUSINESS MEETING
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
U.S. SENATE,
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS,
Washington, DC.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:42 a.m., in S-116, The Capitol, Hon.
James E. Risch, chairman of the committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Risch [presiding], Ricketts, McCormick, Daines, Hagerty,
Barrasso, Lee, Paul, Cruz, Scott, Curtis, Cornyn, Shaheen, and Rosen.
The Chairman: The Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate will
come to order. Today we have a business meeting to consider a number, six to be exact, of
appointments to send to the floor. Before we do that, the distinguished ranking member
wishes to make a statement.
Senator Shaheen: Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate our being able
to get these nominees voted on today.
But I had two meetings yesterday, one with a delegation from Moldova that included
their Foreign Minister and their Speaker of Parliament. The other was with the Serbian
Foreign Minister. And when I asked each of them, "What can we do, in Congress, to be
helpful to you, as you're thinking about the challenges you have in your country,
especially against Russia?" what both of them said was, "Give us an ambassador." We
need to urge the State Department to move career Ambassadors. We have a whole list of
them, and so far I think we have moved five or six in this committee. And it's unacceptable
that we are here, year-end to this Administration, and we still have so many critical places
that we do not have ambassadors.
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So I do not know, Mr. Chairman, if we can send a message to Secretary Rubio from
the committee, urging them to move career ambassadors, if we can send a message to the
White House. But I think it is really critical that we do this. It is in America's interest to
have our ambassadors around the world.
The Chairman: Thank you, Senator. I first would like to concur with you that we
need people in these places, particularly places like Moldova and Serbia. And your
thoughts in that regard are not unique to yourself. I have had a number of discussions
with the people at the State Department, including at the very top. They are busy over
there, and I know that is not an acceptable excuse, but it is a fact of life. And they are
truly trying to get through these.
As you know, they do a thorough job of vetting and of preparing. It should not be as
much of a problem when they have a career person to put in there, particularly when they
have had a long career. But I will redouble my efforts in that regard, I promise. And I agree
with you 100 percent, particularly in a country like Moldova. I mean, these people are
struggling to keep the bear from eating them. They really need our people there to help
them.
So your points are well taken, and I will do what I can.
Senator Shaheen: Thank you.
The Chairman: Thank you so much. So with that, do you want to do these one at a
time?
Senator Shaheen: Yes.
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U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
Business Meeting
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
The Chairman: Unfortunately, we have to take roll call votes on these, so we are
going to have to do them all at a time. So let's start with Tammy Bruce. Is there a motion
send it to the floor?
Senator Ricketts: So moved.
Senator Scott of Florida: Second.
The Chairman: It has been moved and seconded. We're going to have to have a roll
call vote -- yes, I am sorry.
Senator Shaheen: That is okay. I would like to speak to Ms. Bruce, because I think
it is unusual for us not to have a career person in the position as Deputy as the
permanent representative. That Deputy provides the U.N. Ambassador with a wealth of
knowledge and support, and I am disappointed the Administration chose a political
nominee as opposed to a career nominee. I think Ms. Bruce, as we saw in her hearing, is
lacking in her knowledge of the United Nations and the importance of U.S. engagement, so
I do not intend to support her nomination.
The Chairman: Thank you, Senator. I appreciate your thoughts on that. The
President wants Tammy for this position. I listened carefully to what she had to say. I
think she is going to be an additional, and I am going to support her.
Is there further debate on the nominee? If not, the clerk will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
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Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
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Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 12, the noes are 10.
The Chairman: The motion is passed. Ms. Bruce will be forwarded to the floor with
a do-pass recommendation.
With that we will take up the next one, Darryl Nirenberg, to be Ambassador to
Romania. Is there debate? Is there a motion?
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Senator Ricketts: So moved.
The Chairman: And second?
Senator Scott of Florida: Second.
The Chairman: Moved and seconded that we send the nomination to the floor with
a do-pass recommendation.
The clerk will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
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Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
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Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 18, the noes are 4.
The Chairman: The motion has passed. Now we will take up Melissa Argyros to be
Ambassador to the Republic of Latvia.
[Off-record discussion about name pronunciation.]
The Chairman: All right. We will send it to the floor in writing. By the way, this is
really important because Latvia is a critical country, looking right across the border. This
is one of those places that we really do need to send someone.
Senator Cruz: Just don't mispronounce the Ambassador's name.
Senator Rosen: Leave it at that.
The Chairman: All right. Is there debate? Is there further debate on the nominee?
There being no debate, the clerk will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
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Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: Aye.
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The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 15, the noes are 7.
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The Chairman: The motion is passed. The nomination will be sent to the floor with
a recommendation of do-pass.
We have now Christopher Yeaw, to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Arms
Control, Nonproliferation, and Stability.
Senator Ricketts: So moved.
The Chairman: It has been moved. Second?
Senator Scott of Florida: Second.
The Chairman: Is there discussion?
[Off-record discussion about name pronunciation.]
The Chairman: Seeing no debate, the clerk will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
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Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
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Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 17, the noes are 5.
The Chairman: The motion is passed. The nomination will be sent to the floor.
The last, the second to last, is Yehuda Kaploun to be Special Envoy to Monitor and
Combat Anti-Semitism, with the rank of ambassador.
Senator Ricketts: So moved.
The Chairman: Moved.
Senator Scott of Florida: Second.
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The Chairman: Seconded. Is there discussion?
Senator Shaheen: Mr. Chairman, I am going to vote for Mr. Kaploun, but I
continue to be concerned about his past statements that he has made, particularly about
Members of Congress. They have been very partisan. I think partisanship weakens the
collective effort to combat antisemitism. But I do think it is important that we have
Senate-confirmed nominee. I agree with the past Special Envoy who is supporting Mr.
Kaploun, that this position should be above partisanship. So, as I said, I do intend to vote
for him, and I hope that he will recognize that once he assumes this position that he
should be above partisanship and focus on combatting antisemitism.
The Chairman: Thank you, Senator. Is there further debate? Being none, the clerk
will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
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Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
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The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 14, the noes are 8.
The Chairman: The motion is passed. The nomination will be sent to the floor.
Finally, we have Bernardo Navarro to be the Ambassador to the Republic of Peru. Is
there a motion?
Senator Ricketts: So moved.
Senator Scott of Florida: Second.
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U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
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The Chairman: Is there debate? Being none, the clerk will call the roll.
The Clerk: Mr. Ricketts?
Senator Ricketts: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. McCormick?
Senator McCormick: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Daines?
Senator Daines: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Hagerty?
Senator Hagerty: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Barrasso?
Senator Barrasso: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Lee?
Senator Lee: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Paul?
Senator Paul: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Cruz?
Senator Cruz: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Scott?
Senator Scott of Florida: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Curtis?
Senator Curtis: Aye.
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Business Meeting
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The Clerk: Mr. Cornyn?
Senator Cornyn: Aye.
The Clerk: Mrs. Shaheen?
Senator Shaheen: Aye.
The Clerk: Mr. Coons?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Murphy?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Kaine?
Senator Shaheen: Aye by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Merkley?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Booker?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Schatz?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Mr. Van Hollen?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
The Clerk: Ms. Duckworth?
Senator Shaheen: No by proxy.
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The Clerk: Ms. Rosen?
Senator Rosen: No.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman?
The Chairman: Aye. The clerk will report.
The Clerk: Mr. Chairman, the yeas are 14, the noes are 8.
The Chairman: The motion is passed. The nomination will be sent to the floor.
With that, thank you all for getting here on time so we can move these. The
committee will be adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 9:54 a.m., the business meeting was adjourned.]
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD
Submitted for the Record by Senator Rand Paul
LETTER SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF RABBI YEHUDA KAPLOUNAS
THE UNITED STATES SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTISEMITISM
Shalom Senator,
On behalf of the Kentucky Jewish Council, I am writing to express our strong and
unequivocal support for the appointment of Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as the United States
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Our community, like so many across the
country, has witnessed a dramatic rise in antisemitic rhetoric, harassment, and violence. At
this moment of deep concern and national urgency, the country needs a leader whose moral
clarity, compassion, and lived experience uniquely equip him for this role. Rabbi Kaploun has
demonstrated these qualities consistently and powerfully throughout his life.
Rabbi Kaploun’s relationship with Elie Wiesel, of blessed memory, is a testament to
his lifelong dedication to Holocaust memory, human dignity, and the fight against hatred. His
connection with Professor Wiesel was far more than symbolic; it reflected shared principles,
responsibilities, and a shared moral mission that continues to inspire Rabbi Kaploun’s work
today.
When our nation faced one of its darkest days, on September 11, 2001, Rabbi
Kaploun volunteered at Ground Zero, offering comfort, support, and spiritual strength amid
devastation. His willingness to step forward in moments of crisis reflects a character rooted in
service, courage, and a profound sense of responsibility for others.
The horrors of October 7th touched Rabbi Kaploun personally as he experienced the
heartbreaking loss of beloved family members in the Hamas attacks. Despite this
unimaginable grief, he has continued to advocate for Jewish safety and dignity with poise,
moral conviction, and remarkable resilience. His personal experience with the consequences
of unchecked hatred gives him a depth of perspective that is rare and urgently needed.
Rabbi Kaploun has spent decades strengthening Jewish communities, supporting
vulnerable populations, and building relationships grounded in respect and shared civic
values. His leadership reflects a commitment to unity, community security, and the
promotion of American democratic ideals.
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U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
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For the Jewish community of Kentucky—where combating antisemitism requires both
national partnership and local leadership—Rabbi Kaploun’s appointment would be a
profoundly meaningful step. We believe he brings the wisdom, experience, and moral voice
required to represent the United States with dignity and strength in the global fight against
antisemitism.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this crucial appointment. Please do
not hesitate to contact the Kentucky Jewish Council if further information or perspective
would be helpful.
With respect and appreciation,
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin
Chairman - Kentucky Jewish Council
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